# US 5,704,508 A · Interlocking shipping container

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,704,508 A
- Document ID: US5704508A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/715,874
- Filed: 1996-09-19
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1996-09-19
- Assignees: K-D Container L.L.C.
- Inventors: Charles Paul Keip; Charles E. Decker
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704508A

## CPC

- B65D 19/0016: {and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape}
- B65D 11/1873: {all walls are detached from each other to collapse the container}
- B65D 2519/00034: Plastic
- B65D 2519/00069: Plastic
- B65D 2519/00268: made of one piece
- B65D 2519/00273: made of more than one piece
- B65D 2519/00288: made of one piece
- B65D 2519/00323: made of more than one piece
- B65D 2519/00338: contact surface having a discrete foot-like shape
- B65D 2519/0096: when empty
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## Abstract

A modular parts container including multiple upstanding side panels registerable to a platform having a generally flat supporting surface with perimeter panel engaging recesses to receive elongated tabs extending from the side panels. The panels have interlocking end fittings slideably disposed within one another for progressive selective interengagement. The platform has multiple support legs in staggered spaced side by side relationship. Panels can be stocked one on another and selectively removed for container access and tear down.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A collapsible container for transportation and storage comprises; a platform having a generally planar support surface, leg assemblies extending from said platform opposite said support surface, channel recesses in said support surface, multiple identical wall panels on said support surface, a tenon extending from the bottom edge of each of said wall panels for upright registration within said respective channel recesses, said wall panels having upright edges in edge to edge contact, each of said identical wall panels having alternating pairs of oppositely disposed tabs and slotted lug fittings along their respective upright edges, said tabs and slotted lug fittings progressively simultaneously registerable within said respective tabs and slotted lug fittings of said wall panels adjacent upright edges, means for interengagement of opposing leg assemblies, and means for stacking of said wall panels.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein said channel recess are spaced inwardly of the perimeter edge of said platform.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein said leg assemblies are positioned adjacent the perimeter edge of said platform and therebetween for ease of container manipulation by mechanical means.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein said tabs and slotted lugs are in spaced aligned alternating position on said respective upright edges of said panels, and are in oppositely disposed registration opposition on said panels respective upright edges.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein said progressive registration between said tabs and slotted lug fittings comprises; each of said respective tabs and slotted lug fittings having a different engagement dimension and tapered edges thereon.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The collapsible container of claim 5, wherein said tabs and slotted lug engagement dimensions are incrementally progressively increased along each upstanding panel edge, and wherein registration between said tab fittings and corresponding slotted lug fittings are dimensionally the same.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein said means for interengagement of opposing leg assemblies comprises; a first row of longitudinally spaced feet extending from said platform, a second row of longitudinally spaced feet adjacent said first row in longitudinally offset relation thereto, defining an alternate wave pattern between said respective adjacent feet.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The collapsible container of claim 7, wherein said rows of longitudinally spaced feet of said first row of said leg assembly are registerable with opposing interengaging longitudinally offset feet of said second row of an inverted leg assembly positioned on corresponding interconnected wall panels.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein said means for stacking of said wall panels comprises; an elongated recess in the top edge of said wall panels, said tenons on said bottom edge of said wall panels registerable within said elongated recesses in said wall panels.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The collapsible container of claim 1 wherein said platform extends beyond said panel registration within said channel recesses and wherein said platform has an upstanding lip about its perimeter edge support surface.