How Titan Trailers Builds Stronger, Smoother Cargo Containers
A design for a cargo trailer shaped like a rounded tube made from flat and curved aluminum panels that are welded together to create a smooth, unobstructed interior.
Original patent title: “Quasi-cylindrical cargo container and construction”
A design for a cargo trailer shaped like a rounded tube made from flat and curved aluminum panels that are welded together to create a smooth, unobstructed interior. Granted to Titan Trailers Inc in 2023 with 28 claims and 3 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a method for constructing a quasi-cylindrical cargo container by joining curved and flat aluminum panels. The design uses two semi-cylindrical shells connected by flat extension panels to create a tube-like structure. The manufacturing process involves using external collars to compress the joints between panels while they are welded, ensuring a tight fit. The resulting container is unique because it lacks internal ribs or reinforcing bands, providing a completely smooth, hollow interior for cargo.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover standard rectangular or box-shaped cargo containers.
- Does not cover containers that rely on internal support ribs or annular bands for structural integrity.
- Does not cover containers made from materials other than those described, such as non-metallic composites.
- Does not cover non-welded assembly methods like bolting or riveting.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The invention uses a specific assembly sequence where external collars compress the joints while the container is rotated, allowing for precise welding of both inner and outer seams without needing internal structural support.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Titan Trailers aluminum walking floor trailers
Bulk commodity transport trailers
Why it matters
The bigger picture
In the heavy-duty trucking and logistics industry, interior space and durability are critical. Traditional trailers often use internal ribs that snag cargo or limit volume. By creating a smooth, rib-free interior, this design allows for easier loading, cleaning, and more efficient use of space, which is highly valuable for bulk haulers.
Filed
June 15, 2018
Granted
December 12, 2023
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Titan Trailers Inc. is the primary developer of this technology, focusing on high-end aluminum trailers for the agricultural and waste management sectors. They continue to refine these quasi-cylindrical designs to maximize payload capacity.
Market impact
This design has influenced the market for specialized bulk trailers by proving that structural strength can be achieved through geometry and welding techniques rather than bulky internal reinforcement. It has set a standard for 'clean-bore' trailer interiors that are easier to unload and maintain.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a method for constructing a quasi-cylindrical cargo container by joining curved and flat aluminum panels. The design uses two semi-cylindrical shells connected by flat extension panels to create a tube-like structure. The manufacturing process involves using external collars to compress the joints between panels while they are welded, ensuring a tight fit. The resulting container is unique because it lacks internal ribs or reinforcing bands, providing a completely smooth, hollow interior for cargo.
The clever bit
The invention uses a specific assembly sequence where external collars compress the joints while the container is rotated, allowing for precise welding of both inner and outer seams without needing internal structural support.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover standard rectangular or box-shaped cargo containers.
- Does not cover containers that rely on internal support ribs or annular bands for structural integrity.
- Does not cover containers made from materials other than those described, such as non-metallic composites.
- Does not cover non-welded assembly methods like bolting or riveting.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
12/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
19/20
Very broad protection
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$44K – $140K
Midpoint $88K · 12.0 yr remaining · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
28 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Kloepfer, M. (2023). How Titan Trailers Builds Stronger, Smoother Cargo Containers (U.S. Patent No. 11,840,398). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11840398/starship-mars-configuration
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Titan Trailers Builds Stronger, Smoother Cargo Containers cover?
A design for a cargo trailer shaped like a rounded tube made from flat and curved aluminum panels that are welded together to create a smooth, unobstructed interior.
Who owns patent US 11840398?
Titan Trailers Inc owns this patent, granted in 2023.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on December 12, 2043, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 11840398 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 3 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
In the heavy-duty trucking and logistics industry, interior space and durability are critical. Traditional trailers often use internal ribs that snag cargo or limit volume. By creating a smooth, rib-free interior, this design allows for easier loading, cleaning, and more efficient use of space, which is highly valuable for bulk haulers.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover standard rectangular or box-shaped cargo containers.
Patent monitoring