U.S. patent application number 09/891215 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-26 for re-user case.
This patent application is currently assigned to Windings, Inc.. Invention is credited to Grcic, Elvira E., Zajac, Ronald E..
Application Number | 20020195364 09/891215 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25397799 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020195364 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grcic, Elvira E. ; et
al. |
December 26, 2002 |
RE-USER CASE
Abstract
A Reuser case for retaining a wound coil of filamentary material
wherein first and second separate half-sections, each including
mating projections and counterpart receptacles enabling the two
sections to be releaseably joined and forming an enclosed case
containing the wound coil and wherein the first and second
half-sections are formed of injection molded impact resistant high
intensity propylene; each of the half-sections including releasable
locking members to join the first and second half-sections to one
another to form the Reuser case; and the Reuser case including
large and small diameter payout opening s respectively
accommodating a first payout tube for unwinding a coil of
filamentary material or large diameter and a second payout tube for
unwinding a coil of filamentary material of small diameter.
Inventors: |
Grcic, Elvira E.; (Carmel,
NY) ; Zajac, Ronald E.; (Hopewell Jet, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
R. J. Lasker
Larson & Taylor PLC
Suite 900
1199 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Windings, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
25397799 |
Appl. No.: |
09/891215 |
Filed: |
June 26, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/403 ;
242/171 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/676 20130101;
B65H 55/046 20130101; B65H 57/12 20130101; B65H 49/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/403 ;
242/171 |
International
Class: |
B65H 051/015; B65D
085/67 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A Re-user case for retaining a wound coil of filamentary
material, comprising: first and second separate half-sections each
including mating projections and counterpart receptacles enabling
the two sections to be releasably joined and forming an enclosed
case containing the wound coil; said first and second half-sections
being formed of injection molded impact resistant high density
propylene; each of said half-sections including releasable locking
members to join said first and second half-sections to one another
to form the Re-user case; and the Re-user case including a large
diameter payout opening and a small diameter payout opening
respectively accommodating a first payout tube for unwinding a coil
of filamentary material of large diameter and a second payout tube
for unwinding a coil of filamentary material of small diameter.
2. A Re-user case according to claim 1, wherein the joined
half-sections further includes a molded section forming at least
one combined handle/foot enabling the Re-user case to be hand
carried or placed on the ground or floor in an upstanding
position.
3. A Re-user case according to claim 1, wherein said releasable
locking members include a number of preformed retaining members and
a number of rotatable hook members alternately spaced around the
periphery of one of said half-sections and an equal number of
preformed retaining members and a number of rotatable hooks
alternately spaced around the periphery of the other of said
half-sections so that the preformed retaining members of one
half-section are opposed to the rotatable hooks of the other
half-section, thereby enabling engagement of the respective
retaining members and the rotatable hooks to join each of the
half-sections.
4. A Re-user case according to claim 1, wherein each half-section
further includes a patterned section for strengthening the
half-section.
5. A Re-user case according to claim 1, wherein each half-section
further includes spaced rib members for strengthening the
half-section.
6. A Re-user case according to claim 2, wherein each half-section
is octagonally shaped, the small and the large diameter openings
are oppositely disposed along the periphery of each half section
and the at least one molded section forming at least one combined
handle/foot is disposed between the small and large diameter
openings.
7. A Re-user case according to claim 1, wherein each of said
half-sections has a complementary external shape such that Re-user
cases can be in stacked relationship.
8. A Re-user case according to claim 2, wherein said releasable
locking members include a number of preformed retaining members and
a number of rotatable hook members alternately spaced around the
periphery of one of said half-sections and an equal number of
preformed retaining members and a number of rotatable hooks
alternately spaced around the periphery of the other of said
half-sections so that the preformed retaining members of one
half-section are opposed to the rotatable hooks of the other
half-section, thereby enabling engagement of the respective
retaining members and the rotatable hooks to join each of the
half-sections.
9. A Re-user case according to claim 2, wherein each half-section
further includes a patterned section for strengthening the
half-section.
10. A Re-user case according to claim 2, wherein each half-section
further includes spaced rib members for strengthening the
half-section.
11. A Re-user case according to claim 2, wherein each half-section
is octagonally shaped, the small and the large diameter openings
are oppositely disposed along the periphery of each half section
and the at least one molded section forming at least one combined
handle/foot is disposed between the small and large diameter
openings.
12. A Re-user case according to claim 2, wherein each of said
half-sections has a complementary external shape such that Re-user
cases can be in stacked relationship.
13. A Re-user case according to claim 3, wherein each half-section
further includes a patterned section for strengthening the
half-section.
14. A Re-user case according to claim 3, wherein each half-section
further includes spaced rib members for strengthening the
half-section.
15. A Re-user case according to claim 3, wherein each half-section
is octagonally shaped, the small and the large diameter openings
are oppositely disposed along the periphery of each half section
and the at least one molded section forming at least one combined
handle/foot is disposed between the small and large diameter
openings.
16. A Re-user case according to claim 3, wherein each of said
half-sections has a complementary external shape such that Re-user
cases can be in stacked relationship.
17. A Re-user case according to claim 4, wherein each half-section
further includes spaced rib members for strengthening the
half-section.
18. A Re-user case according to claim 4, wherein each half-section
is octagonally shaped, the small and the large diameter openings
are oppositely disposed along the periphery of each half section
and the at least one molded section forming at least one combined
handle/foot is disposed between the small and large diameter
openings.
19. A Re-user case according to claim 4, wherein each of said
half-sections has a complementary external shape such that Re-user
cases can be in stacked relationship.
20. A Re-user case according to claim 5, wherein each half-section
is octagonally shaped, the small and the large diameter openings
are oppositely disposed along the periphery of each half section
and the at least one molded section forming at least one combined
handle/foot is disposed between the small and large diameter
openings.
21. A Re-user case according to claim 5, wherein each of said
half-sections has a complementary external shape such that Re-user
cases can be in stacked relationship.
22. A Re-user case according to claim 6, wherein each of said
half-sections has a complementary external shape such that Re-user
cases can be in stacked relationship.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention:
[0002] This invention relates to re-usable cases for containing a
package of wound electrical wire or cable for unwinding through a
payout hole and payout tube and, more particularly, to such cases
that are injection molded of impact- resistant, high density
polyethylene in complementary attachable sections to provide two
different sized ports for related sized payout tubes for paying out
different sized electrical wire or cable and wherein the
two-sections afford ease of insertion and removal of electrical
wire or cable. The two sections are easily and readily attachable
to form a contained re-user case with built in support feet
enabling the re-user case to be set down at the work site and
further including built in handles for easy portability of the
re-user case.
[0003] 2. Related Art:
[0004] 1.) U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,533; Kotzur et al.; "Container with
Octagonal Insert and Corner Payout"; and assigned to the same
assignee as the present application: A package of filamentary
material wound in a FIG. 8 configuration with a radial hole
extending from the central core space thereof to the outer
periphery thereof is enclosed in a container having a perforated
corner portion for unwinding the FM material. The winding is placed
within a polygonally-sided insert having opposing sides engaging
the outer periphery of the windings and including a payout tube
inserted in the radial hole for feeding the inner end of the
material. Opposite sides of the insert engage the inner surfaces of
the container with the payout tube being aligned with the
perforated corner portion. The bottom and upper surfaces of the
container include intersecting cone sections for supporting the
inner windings of the material.
[0005] 2.) U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,812; Kotzur et al.; "Coil with Large
Payout Hole and Tube for Kinkless Payout"; and assigned to the same
assignee as the present application: A paper or corrugated
container is disclosed having a hingeable panel including an
opening and a payout tube formed of container-type material and
with an outer end opening conforming to the panel opening. A flap
member extends from each of the openings and extends through and
around the edges of the panel opening for supporting the payout
tube with the panel in a closed position.
[0006] 3.) U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,554; Kotzur et al.; "Combined Fiber
Containers and Payout Tubes and Plastic Payout Tubes"; and assigned
to the same assignee as the present application: A combined
container and payout tube is shown in FIG. 10A wherein the
container holds a wound coil of filamentary material and includes a
payout hole extending from the inner coil to the outer coil. A
serrated opening in a panel of the container is opened to allow the
filamentary material to be removed from the container. The
filamentary material is threaded through a payout tube incorporated
as part of the container. The container is dimensioned in
accordance with the diameter of the wound coil that is to be
contained therein; and
[0007] 4.) "The Reelex Re-User"; Advertisement of Windings circa
1990: A blow molded re-user container of impact resistant high
density polyethylene for holding wound coils of electrical wire or
cable which includes two identical half-sections each containing a
cone extending from the center of the section into the central
opening of the wound coil to maintain the shape of the coil and to
limit movement thereof inside the re-user container. The re-user
container is weather proof, portable (light weight) and affords the
usual REELEX benefits, namely, non rotating spool, low tension and
non-twist wind affording easy payout, no over-run and less
scrap.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The Re-User cases of the invention are an improvement over
that of the Reelex Re-User container described above (paragraph 4)
and are constructed for containing wound electrical coils and
cables for unwinding. The Re-User cases of the invention are
injection molded of impact resistant high density polyethylene to
improve the cost of manufacture as opposed to a blow molding
process used with the prior art Reelex Re-User Cases.
[0009] Additionally, the REELEX Re-User cases of the present
invention do not utilize cones or the like to stabilize the wound
coil.
[0010] Moreover, the two half-sections of the Re-User cases of the
present invention use combined hinge and clamps to open and close
the separate case sections and to secure each half-section to one
other thereby enclosing the wound electrical wire or cable.
[0011] The Re-User case of the present invention accommodates new
tube designs such as the EZ Tube and the Reelex II Tube.
[0012] The Re-User case of the present invention accommodates
storage and payout of large diameter cable such as CAT 5, CAT 6,
CAT 7 electrical cable through a large diameter payout tube and
"normal-sized" electrical wire or cable through a smaller diameter
payout tube. The payout tube for the large diameter electrical wire
or cable is, for example, defined in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,979,812 and
6,109,554 (referred to above) and the payout tube for
"normal-sized" electrical wire or cable is defined, for example, in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,022,399; Zajac; "Screw-In Tube with Breakable Tabs
for Coil of Flexible Material with Inner End Payout"; 4,057,203;
Newsman et al.; "Package of Flexible Material with Oval Payout
Tube"; and 5,810,272; Wallace et al.; "Snap-On Tube and Locking
Collar for Guiding Filamentary Material Through a Wall Panel of a
Container Containing Wound Filamentary Material" (all of the
aforementioned patents being assigned to the same assignee as the
present application, namely Windings, Inc.).
[0013] Finally, the Re-User case of the present invention is
designed to be weatherproof, sturdy, stackable, re-usable, portable
and provide the usual benefits of the REELEX wind, i.e. non
rotating spool, low tension and non-twist wind affording easy
payout, no over-run and less scrap.
[0014] It is a primary object of the invention to provide a Re-User
case for wound electrical coils or cable that is made of injection
molded, impact-resistant, high density polyethylene.
[0015] It is a feature of the invention that the Re-User cases are
light in weight.
[0016] It is an advantage of the invention that the Re-User cases
are portable.
[0017] A further object of the invention is that the separate
half-sections of the Re-User case are removably joined to one
another to form the closed Re-User case.
[0018] A further feature of the invention is that the separate
half-sections are clamped to one another by removable, plastic
clamps.
[0019] A further advantage of the invention is that the clamped
sections of the Re-User case are easily closed and opened by a
simple rotation of the various clamps to engage preformed retaining
members on opposing sections of the case.
[0020] Another object, feature and advantage of the invention is
that the Re-User cases are optimally configured to be stored one on
top of the other to reduce space.
[0021] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a lower
cost of manufacture than known Re-User cases.
[0022] Yet another feature of the invention is that the Re-User
cases are made of injection molded polyethylene.
[0023] Yet another advantage of the invention is that the Re-User
cases are durable and of high strength to withstand the rough and
hard usage to which they are exposed in the field of their
application.
[0024] Yet another object of the invention is to provide safe
storage and kinkless, twistless payout of a wide diameter/size of
wound, electrical wire or cable from a re-usable container made of
light weight, durable material.
[0025] Yet another feature is that the Re-User case of the
invention can easily be converted to store and payout either large
or small diameter/size electrical cable or wire through either one
of two different-sized payout tube openings.
[0026] Yet another advantage of the invention is that each Re-User
case of the invention can store and payout a wide range of diameter
of electrical wire or cable from the same Re-User case.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a pictorial, perspective view of the symmetrical
lower and upper halves of the Re-User case according to the
invention; however, in the preferred embodiment of the invention
the two halves of the Re-User case are not hinged as the FIG.
merely depicts the symmetrical structure of the upper and lower
halves of the Re-User case.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the Re-User container with
the lower and upper halves closed and showing the provision of a
large payout tube for the payout of large diameter cable such as
CAT5, CAT6 and CAT7 cable and a smaller payout tube for the payout
of smaller diameter wire or cable;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a top view of the Re-User case shown in FIG.
2;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a right side elevation of the Re-User case of FIG.
2;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a detail view of a plastic clip and retaining
member for securing a portion of the upper and lower sections of
the Re-User case;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a section of the retainer clip and wall of the
Re-User case along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a section of the retainer clip and the wall of the
Re-User case along lines 7-7 of FIG. 5;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the lower half of the Re-User case
shown in FIG. 1;
[0035] FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12 are respective cross-sections of the
Re-User case wall along lines respective lines 9-9, 10-10, 11-11,
12-12 of FIG. 8;
[0036] FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16 are respective cross-sections of the
Re-User case wall taken along lines 13-13, 14-14, 15-15, 16-16 of
FIG. 8;
[0037] FIG. 17 is a partially broken section of the lower half of
the re-suer case taken along lines 17-17 of FIG. 8;
[0038] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a small payout tube for
attachment to the re-user case for paying out small diameter
filamentary material;
[0039] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a large payout tube for
attachment to the Re-User case for paying out large diameter
filamentary material; and
[0040] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a retainer clip for
attaching the separate lower and upper halves of the Re-User
case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0041] The re-user case 1 is divided into two symmetrical sections,
namely a lower section 24 and an upper section 26 as illustrated in
FIG. 1. It should be noted at the outset that each half section of
the Re-User case is made in a suitable injection mold apparatus and
as such is a unitary continuous structure requiring no fastening
means whatsoever. As will be apparent from the following
description, each of sections 24 and 26 are symmetrical and are
adapted to be joined when the two sections are closed and attached
to one another as shown in FIG. 2. Wall member 25a of the lower
half 24 of the Re-User case 22 includes one-half of a large radius
cutout 27a for accommodating a large diameter payout tube (see
FIGS. 8 and 19) and a small opening 28a for accommodating a small
diameter payout tube (see FIGS. 8 and 18). Wall member 25a includes
opposing wall sections 29a, 30a and 31a, 32a each of which include
clip retaining structures 33a that will be more fully described
hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 4-7, and which coact with a
respective clip 34a (more fully described hereafter with respect to
FIGS. 4-7 and 20) to secure lower halves 24 and 26 together with a
wound coil oor wire in the Re-User case 22.
[0042] Wall sections 35a and 36a each form one-half of a
handle/foot (to be more fully described with respect to FIGS. 2 and
8) enabling the Re-User case to be easily hand-carried or placed on
a flat surface.
[0043] With reference to the upper half 26 of the Re-User case 26
shown in FIG. 1, the common components are identified therein by
the suffix "b". Thus wall member 25b of the upper half 26 of the
Re-User case 22 includes one-half of a large radius cutout 27b for
accommodating a large diameter payout tube (see FIGS. 8 and 19) and
a small opening 28b for accommodating a small diameter payout tube
(see FIGS. 8 and 18). When the lower and upper halves are joined,
then cutouts 27a, 28b and 28a, 28b form respective payout tube
openings for receiving respective large and small-sized payout
tubes (as illustrated in FIG. 2). Wall member 25b includes opposing
wall sections 29b, 30b and 31b, 32b each of which include clip
retaining structures 33b that will be more fully described
hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 4-7 and which coact with a
respective clip 34b (more fully described hereafter with respect to
FIGS. 4-7 and 20) to secure lower halves 24 and 26 together with a
wound coil (not shown) in the Re-User case 22.
[0044] Wall sections 35b and 36b each form one-half of a
handle/foot (to be more fully described with respect to FIGS. 2 and
8) enabling the Re-User case to be easily hand-carried or placed on
a flat surface.
[0045] User case 22 is constructed by injection molding
impact-resistant, high density polyethylene in a manner known to
those skilled in the art.
[0046] Depression 39a with circularly-shaped ring 40a is formed in
the bottom 38 of the lower half 24 of the Re-User case 22 to
strengthen the bottom 38 and to provide for a raised external
surface for advertising. In a similar manner depression 39b with
circularly-shaped ring 40b is formed in the bottom 41 of the upper
half 26 of the Re-User case 22 to strengthen the bottom 41 and to
provide for a raised external surface for advertising.
[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates the assembled lower 24 and upper 26
halves forming the assembled Re-User case 22. Handle 42 is formed
as shown in the FIG. by the mating of wall sections 36a, 36b.
Another handle/foot (not shown) is formed by the mating of wall
sections 35a, 35b (see FIG. 1). Similarly wall section 47b mates
with another wall section 47a (not shown) to form another portion
of a handle/foot (not shown) and wall sections 48a and 48b form the
other half of handle/foot 42. The above described wall sections
also serve as feet to support the Re-User case as shown in FIG.
2.
[0048] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a large diameter payout
tube 43 is shown protruding from an opening formed by the mating of
cutout sections 27a, 27, respectively from the lower and upper
halves 24, 26 of the Re-User case. A portion of a small diameter
payout tube 44 is shown to the left in FIG. 2. One of four
retaining clips 34a (only one being shown in FIG. 2) is shown
engaging with a preformed retaining member 45 (the structure of the
retaining clips and the corresponding retaining members is
described more fully hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 4-7).
[0049] Raised circumferential portion 46 and depressed
circumferential ring 46b formed in the top portion 41 of upper half
26 strengthens the top 41 and is also available for
advertising.
[0050] The handles/feet 47b and 35b (only a portion of which are
shown at the bottom of FIG. 2) serve either as a means for carrying
the Re-User case or as a support member for supporting the Rs-User
case 22 on the ground or other suitable surface.
[0051] The top view of the Re-User case 22 illustrated in FIG. 3,
shows the small diameter payout tube 44 protruding from the left
side of the Re-User case 22 and the large diameter payout tube 43
extending from the right side of the Re-User case 22. Lower wall
sections 29a and 32a of lower half section 24 mate with counterpart
upper wall sections 29b and 32b, respectively, of upper half
section 26. In a similar manner lower handle/foot sections 36a, 48a
mate with counterpart upper handle/foot sections 36b, 48b,
respectively to form a handle/foot 50. Handle/foot 50 obviously
enables the Re-User case 22 and the wound coil therein (not shown)
to be easily hand carried to different locations within a storage
area or at a worksite. Retaining clip 51 engages curved retaining
member 33a in wall section 32a to partially secure the lower half
section 24 of the Re-User case to upper half section 26. Similarly,
retaining clip 34a engages curved retaining member 45 to partially
secure the lower and upper half sections 24, 26 to one another.
[0052] Counterpart retaining clips and curved retaining members are
also located at wall sections 31a, 31b and 30a, 30b to provide a
retaining force at each of the four corners of the reuser case
represented by the aforementioned wall sections as shown in FIG.
4.
[0053] The side elevation view of the Re-User case 22 in FIG. 4, in
addition to the retaining members and clips mentioned previously,
shows the mating of cutouts 27a and 27b to form an opening 52 for
accommodating the large diameter payout tube 52. The closure of the
lower and upper halves 24, 26 of the Re-User case 22 also joins
horizontal members 53a, 53b and 54a, 54b along with strengthening
members 54a, 54b and 55a, 55b. Respective handle/foot portions 35a,
35b and 36a, 36b are illustrated on the respective right and left
sides of the Re-User case 22.
[0054] A detail of the plastic retaining clip and retaining member
structure is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 20, wherein u-shaped
retaining clip 34b, includes connecting member 60 which joins the
two ends 61, 62 of the retaining clip. Connecting member 60 is
removable secured within a pair of clip members 63, 64 formed on
wall member 29 and two pairs of opposing clip members 65,66 and 67,
68, respectively. U-Shaped clip 34b is force fit between clip
members 63, 64 and the pair of clip members 65, 66 and 67, 68 so as
to rotate from the position shown in phantom lines to the position
shown in full lines to engage over the curved retaining structure
69 and thereby secure the lower wall member 29a and upper wall
member 29b of the respective upper and lower sections 24, 26 of the
Re-User case.
[0055] The clip members 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 enable the
retaining clip member 34b to not only rotate as shown in FIG. 5,
but also to be removed and separated from the Re-User case 22.
[0056] FIG. 6 shows a section of the retainer clip 34b taken along
lines 6-6 of FIG. 5 and wherein clip members 64, 67 engage the
center portion 60 of clip retainer 34b and the curved portion of
retaining member 34a engages the retaining clip 34b in the closed
position. In moving between the open and closed position the
retainer clip 34b travels along the arc illustrated by the arrow in
the Figure. In the open position, the center 60 of the retaining
clip 34b may be disengaged from the retaining clips 64, 67, 63, 64,
65 and 66 to be removed from the Re-User case 22.
[0057] Plastic ridges 69, 70, integral with wall section 29c,
provide support for the Re-User case wall section 29a. These ridges
are common to all of wall sections 29a, 32a and 29b and 30b as is
redily apparent from the various Figures.
[0058] A sectional view of the retainer clip 34b, the wall section
29a and the section of the retaining member 34a are shown in FIG. 7
and illustrates the manner in which the retainer clip 34b is
retained between the retaining member 34a and the support member 69
when in the closed position. Recesses 72a, 72b in wall section 29a
of one half section of the Re-User case 22 receive projections (not
shown) in the opposing half section of the Re-User case 22 for
aiding in securing the two halves together, as will be discussed
more fully hereinafter with respect to FIGS. 8-16.
[0059] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the lower half section 24 of the
Re-User case 22 shown in FIG. 1 which clearly shows the generally
octagonal configuration and the substantial symmetry of the Re-User
case structure. Opposing handle/foot sections 80, 82 are identical
and each comprise a hollow section, 35a, 36a having a rectangularly
shaped outer member 83, 84 and a corresponding inner frame member
85, 86 of which inner wall sections 36a and 35a are integral parts.
Rib members 87a, 88a and 89a support and strengthen the outer
member 83 and the inner frame member 85. Similarly rib members 87b,
88b and 89b support and strengthen the outer member 84 and the
inner frame member 86. Inner rib members 90a and 93a provide
respective support for wall member 36a and the respective junction
94 and 95 of outer frame member 83 and wall section 30a and wall
member 36a. Similarly, inner rib members 90b and 93b provide
respective support for wall member 35a and the respective junction
96 and 97 of outer frame member 84 and wall section 32a and wall
member 31a. Rib members 91a and 92a reinforce the respective end
portions 98 and 99 of inner frame member 85. In like fashion, rib
members 91b and 92b reinforce the respective end portions 100 and
101 of inner frame member 86.
[0060] Inner frame member 85 includes a respective upstanding
projection 102, 103 at end portions 98 and 99. It is noted that
inner frame member 86 does not include any such projections. It is
understood that the upper half section 26 (not shown in FIGS. 8-16)
is identical to lower half section 24 described in FIGS. 8-16 and
that when the two half sections are joined, the upper half section
will be rotated so that the upstanding projections of the lower
half will engage within the inner frame of the upper half section
having no projections and vice-versa. From the following
description it will be apparent that the remaining structures of
the lower and upper half sections of the Re-User case are similarly
constructed so as to be in interlocking relationship when they are
joined to one another.
[0061] The combination of projections and recesses for joining the
lower and upper half sections of the Re-User case is illustrated
with respect to the cross sections through various wall sections of
the lower half section 24 shown in FIGS. 9-12 and 13-16,
respectively. The section through one half of wall section 25a
supporting the small diameter payout tube 44 (FIG. 9), the section
through wall section 30a (FIG. 10), the section through wall
section 31a (FIG. 11) and the section through one half of wall
section 27a supporting the large diameter payout tube 43 all
indicate respective projections 105, 106, 107 and 108 extending
from the respective wall sections 25a, 30a, 31a and 27a.
[0062] Reference to FIGS. 13-16, respectively illustrating sections
through the lower half of wall section 25a (FIG. 13), wall section
32a (FIG. 14), wall section 29a (FIG. 15) and the lower half of
wall section 27a (FIG. 16) clearly indicates the presence of
recesses 110, 111, 112 and 113 in the respective wall sections. In
FIG. 13, a projection 114 from a counterpart wall section 115 of an
upper half section of the Re-User case is shown (in phantom)
engaging the recess 110 of wall section 25a. In like or similar
manner, the various projections and recesses of each half section
of the resuser case engage or join one another to enable the two
half sections to be assembled together as illustrated in FIG.
2.
[0063] The cross-sectional view of FIG. 17 taken along lines 17-17
of FIG. 8 shows the handle/foot member 83 along with the projection
99 and the supporting rib 88a of lower half section 24 of the
Re-User case 22. Floor 39a is bounded by raised sections 40a.
Projecting rib 107 extends above wall section 31a (FIG. 11) and
indentation 121 in the wall section strengthens it in a manner
known to those skilled in the art of injection molding. The inside
of curved support member 120 will grasp the rounded portion of a
retaining clip to help join the upper and lower half sections of
the Re-User case. Indentations 122 and 123, 124 serve to strengthen
wall sections 31a and 125, respectively. Wall section 29a adjoins
wall sections 125 and 35a. Wall section 35a includes rib member 88b
for strengthening handle/foot member 84.
[0064] FIGS. 18 and 19 respectively illustrate a small diameter
payout tube and a large diameter payout tube. These payout tubes
are themselves described in the patents referred to in the
Background of the Invention. The payout tubes, in their simplest
configuration, simply comprise a plastic material with a flange 130
attached at one and which is received in aperture 28a of side wall
25a (FIG. 1) to retain the payout tube to prevent its slipping out
of the Re-User case and the payout hole in the filamentary material
stored in the Re-User case. In a similar manner large diameter
payout tube 43 includes a flange 132 that is inserted in aperture
27a of wall casing 125 to prevent the payout tube from slipping out
of the payout hole in the filamentary material and the Re-User
case.
[0065] It is of course understood that in the actual operation of
the manner in which the flanges of the payout tubes are retained in
either apertures 28a or 27a, that the respective flange of a
particular payout tube also is retained within the respective
corresponding aperture of the other of the other half section of
the Re-User case, thereby affording a complete entrapment of the
payout tube within the side opening of the Re-User case.
[0066] The above description serves only to describe exemplary
embodiments of the best mode of making the present invention and to
demonstrate the features and advantages of its construction and
operation. The invention is not intended to be limited thereby, as
those skilled in the Re-User case art will readily perceive
modifications of the above-described embodiments. Thus the
invention is intended to be limited only by the following claims
and the equivalents to which the claimed components thereof are
entitled.
* * * * *