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separating the liner from the bulkhead, thereby allowing the
triangles to function without tearing the liner when the PTA was
unloaded. Mr. Sommer and other Amoco engineers worked closely with
Powertex in determining the proper size and shape of the triangles.
On October 16, 1986, Mr. Podd filed a patent application with
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for an intermodal container
liner system, the key features of which include a prefabricated,
collapsible bulkhead that is easily installed in an intermodal
container. Another important feature is the provision for hinged,
triangular corner members designed to funnel the cargo towards a
center discharge opening, thus preventing the product from gathering
in the corners of the container upon unloading.
During late 1986, Amoco increased its purchases of the modified
liner as the initial testing had been completed. During November
1986, Powertex shipped liners to Amoco's Belgian plant for testing.
Amoco was not satisfied with those liners because they employed
cardboard triangles which bowed under the weight of the product,
thereby leaving approximately 150 pounds of PTA in the liner
corners. After that test, additional improvements were made to the
liner to meet the needs of Amoco's customers, including modifying
the bracing system, outlet spout, and size and slope of the
triangles. During August 1987, Amoco chose Powertex as its sole
source of intermodal container liners because (1) Powertex and Amoco
had developed a good working relationship; (2) Powertex sold its
liners at a reasonable price; and (3) Powertex had agreed to build a
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