# 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. - **Patent:** US 11840398 - **Original title:** Quasi-cylindrical cargo container and construction - **Owner:** Titan Trailers Inc - **Granted:** 2023 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 3 - **Field:** mechanical, automotive ## What it does 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Titan Trailers aluminum walking floor trailers 2. Bulk commodity transport trailers ## Why it matters 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. ## 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. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11840398/starship-mars-configuration **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US11840398 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How Boeing 3D Prints Strong Lightweight Spacecraft Panels](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/11794927/starship-life-support-system) — A method for printing a single-piece, high-strength spacecraft panel using 3D printing to create complex internal trusses that eliminate the need for bolts or welds. - [Buckminster Fuller's Geodesic Dome Building Design](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2682235/geodesic-dome-fuller) — A structural design for a spherical building made of interlocking triangular frames that distribute weight efficiently to create large, stable, and lightweight spaces. - [How to Build Stronger Modular Floating Docks Using Internal Channels](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12123456/starbase-manufacturing-facility) — A design for floating dock modules that feature built-in side grooves, allowing you to slide stiffening bars through them to keep the entire platform rigid and stable. - [A Rotating Space Station for Catching and Launching Cargo](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7503526/supersonic-retropropulsion) — A patent for a rotating space station that uses long, extendable cables to catch and release cargo payloads while orbiting a planet. - [How Bicycle Racks Keep Their Lights Visible While Moving](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12145678/falcon-heavy) — A bicycle rack that keeps its lights pointed backward whether the rack is folded up against the car or lowered to carry bikes.