“Pallet Container III” (Palettenbehälter III)

A solution differing from the literal sense of the patent claim is only equivalent if it not only essentially achieves the overall effect of the invention but also achieves precisely that effect that is meant to be achieved by the feature not implemented literally. If the construction of the patent claim discloses minimum requirements of a specific effect in terms of quantity or quality, modified means that do not satisfy these requirements cannot be regarded as equivalent in the sense of a less advantageous solution even if all the other effects of the patented solution are essentially achieved.