US 11192689

Here's a concise summary of US patent 11192689:

US Patent: 11192689

• Title: Stacked storage container latch
• Assignee: Meridian International Co Ltd
• Inventor: Shujun CAI
• Filing Date: April 13, 2020
• Issue Date: December 7, 2021
• Abstract: The patent describes a stackable storage system featuring a first storage container with at least one locking groove, and a second storage container equipped with a sliding mechanism. This mechanism selectively engages the locking groove to connect and hold the containers. A key feature is that a portion of the sliding mechanism extends laterally away from the side surface of the second container when disengaged, but becomes coplanar with the side surface when engaged, creating a flush exterior.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a stackable storage system comprising two containers. The first container has a locking groove, and the second container has a sliding mechanism. This sliding mechanism can engage the locking groove to connect the containers. When the mechanism is disengaged, a part of it sticks out from the side of the second container. When engaged, that part becomes flush with the side of the second container.
• Independent Claim 14: This claim describes a stackable storage container (specifically, the "second storage container" from Claim 1). This container is designed to connect to a first storage container's locking groove using a sliding mechanism. Similar to Claim 1, a part of this sliding mechanism protrudes from the container's side when disengaged but is flush with the side when engaged and connected to the first container.

Litigation Status (as of April 26, 2026):

The patent is currently Active and is set to expire on August 1, 2040. Public records indicate ongoing litigation related to this patent family, including:

• A US case filed in the California Central District Court.
• A US case filed in the Pennsylvania Middle District Court.
• A PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case, IPR2025-01462, which is currently "Pending - Instituted."

No specific dockets for US Patent 11192689 were found in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) records for 2026. The identified litigation appears to be at the District Court and PTAB levels.