U.S. patent application number 10/645490 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for multi-segment container.
Invention is credited to Reynolds, Paul A..
Application Number | 20050040165 10/645490 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34194331 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050040165 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reynolds, Paul A. |
February 24, 2005 |
Multi-segment container
Abstract
A multi-segment container comprises identical segments hinged
together and forming an enclosure, the segment side walls having
detent hinges for detachable engagement with adjoining segments.
The detent hinges are located on flexible tab portions located
externally of the container as side wall extensions. A
three-segment embodiment forms a cylindrical container with flat
side portions having raised area portions to serve as abuttment
stops for adjoining segments. The segments can be used singly or
arranged in a variety of displays, and the container can serve as a
CD case with separation grooves for the individual discs, or be
used as an open display.
Inventors: |
Reynolds, Paul A.; (Toronto,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
D.W. EGGINS
18 DOWNSVIEW DRIVE
BARRIE
ON
L4M 4P8
CA
|
Family ID: |
34194331 |
Appl. No.: |
10/645490 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.26 ;
G9B/33.012 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 11/18 20130101;
G11B 33/0433 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/004.26 |
International
Class: |
B65D 006/28 |
Claims
1. A multi-segment container having a plurality of substantially
identical segments in mutually hinged array to form an enclosure,
wherein peripheral portions of the segments collectively comprise a
peripheral wall of the container, and adjoining side portions of
the segments collectively form a pair of end walls in mutually
spaced relation, each said segment including hinge means for
detachable engagement with an adjoining segment.
2. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said segment side
portions each includes a pair of tab portions located outside said
segment peripheral portion, and including elements of said hinge
means.
3. The container as set forth in claim 2, wherein said pair of tab
portions include a male and a female hinge portion.
4. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said peripheral
wall is substantially continuous.
5. The container as set forth in claim 4, wherein said end walls
are substantially continuous.
6. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said segment
peripheral wall has separation means on the inner surface thereof,
in use for separating elements of predetermined size when inserted
into the segment.
7. The container as set forth in claim 6, wherein said separation
means are corrugations having spaces of predetermined width
therebetween.
8. The container as set forth in claim 4, wherein said peripheral
wall is substantially cylindrical.
9. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said segment side
portions include a projecting edge portion to form a stabilizing
heel for the container.
10. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said segment
side portions include raised edge portions to serve as stabilizing
contact surfaces with adjoined container segments.
11. The container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hinge means
consist of female and male detent portions in removable, mutually
pivotal, attached relation.
12. The container as set forth in claim 11, wherein said male and
female detent portions are in mutually spaced relation such that,
when adjacent said segments are in assembled relation, gaps of
predetermined size are created between adjacent surface portions of
the container, to ventilate the container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] NOT APPLICABLE
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. This invention is directed to a multi-segment container,
and in particular to a multi-segment molded plastic container
having a plurality of identical, detachable segments.
[0005] 2. A widespread variety of containers exist, having a large
number of uses.
[0006] Many of these containers are molded in plastic, frequently
incorporating a flexible hinge portion joining two similar
half-portions in folding relation, and having male fastener
portions on one half of the container protruding below the plane of
the joint, which engage female fastener recesses of the opposed
other half of the container, to secure the container in a closed
condition.
[0007] These containers are molded "in the flat", usually by vacuum
molding from sheet stock. They are difficult to open, on account of
the tight engagement of the fastener halves with each other.
[0008] Also, the required mold is asymetrical, on account of the
nature of the fasteners, thus requiring the use of a large vacuum
press or injection mold.
[0009] This type of container, in clear plastic, is frequently used
for containing perishable commestibles.
[0010] Many other types and configurations of plastic container
exist for containing various specialty products, such as a vast
variety of types of CD disc containers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides a multi-segment container
having a plurality of substantially identical segments in mutually
hinged array to form an enclosure, wherein peripheral surface
portions of the segments collectively comprise a peripheral wall of
the container, and adjoining sidewall portions of the segments
collectively form a pair of container end walls in mutually spaced
relation, each of the segments including hinge means for detachable
engagement with an adjoining segment.
[0012] Each of the segment sidewall portions includes a pair of
flexible tab portions located on opposite ends of the sidewall, and
the two tab portions of each segment side include a male and a
female hinge portion. It is usual for the male hinge portions of
opposite side portions of a segment to be in mutual inwardly facing
relation, to facilitate assembly of a pair of container segments
together in forming a container.
[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the male hinge portion consists
of a substantially hemispherical protruberance, and the female
hinge portion consists of a recess to receive the hemispherical
protruberance in at least partially entered relation therein.
[0014] The female hinge recess is generally a circular hole through
the wall thickness of the tab.
[0015] One container embodiment consists of three substantially
identical segments, which combine to form a substantially
cylindrical container, having respective hinge tab portions in
mutually overlapping relation to thereby align the male and female
hinge portions in mutually engaging relation, wherein the lateral
spacing of the hinge tabs permits the tabs of one container segment
to receive and overlap the hinge tabs of the adjoining segment.
[0016] The surfaces of the segment side portions may have raised
area portions thereof serving as abuttments against which an
adjoined segment can rest, when in an open condition.
[0017] The form of the hinges as a combination of raised detent and
aperture has the advantages of ready assembly and disassembly,
combined with the capability of rearranging the respective segments
of a container to form an open display.
[0018] The edges of the segment side portions may be flat, or may
have a flat segment, which can serve to stabilize the container
against rolling or toppling, either when in a closed condition, or
when differently configured into a display mode.
[0019] The form of the segments permits a large number to be joined
as a continuous "train" of open-topped containers. Their flexible
jointure permits their arrangement over a variegated, non-planar
terrain
[0020] In one embodiment, the containers may be rearranged in their
mode of mutual connection to form a pedestal style of open
segments, for a static display.
[0021] The interior peripheral surfaces of the segments of one form
of container are corrugated, as a form of separation means, in a
series of grooves, which may be sized to receive CD discs or other
preferred forms of disc in entered, supported relation within the
grooves. The alternative use of ribs or notches is also
contemplated.
[0022] This type of embodiment can be used collectively as a
container for the selected type of disc, or it can be displayed in
an open condition, to showpiece the disc contents. The open
condition may include re-arrangement of the segments to form a
pedestal style display.
[0023] The subject container may be made by way of a variety of
materials and processes. Press-molding in polypropylene is one
considered option.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Certain embodiments of the invention are described by way of
illustration, without limitation thereto other than as set forth in
the accompanying claims, reference being made to the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a single segment of a first
embodiment of a casing in accordance with the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, of a second, grooved
embodiment of a subject casing;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the FIG. 1 and FIG. 2
embodiments;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a closed container embodiment
having three segments;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the FIG. 4 embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the FIG. 5 embodiment in a
partially open condition;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a static, pedestal display
arrangement of segments;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a side elevation of a train of elements;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a front end view of the FIG. 2 embodiment, and
[0034] FIG. 10 is a rear end view of the FIG. 2 embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a container 20 has three
substantially identical container segment portions 22 in mutually
hinged relation at 23 to form an enclosure. A peripheral wall
portion 24 of the segments collectively comprise a peripheral wall
25 of the container 20.
[0036] Adjoining side portions 28 of the segments 22 collectively
form a pair of end walls 30 in mutually spaced relation, each said
segment side portion 28 including hinge means 23 forming detachable
engagement with an adjoining segment. The hinge means 23 consist of
male detent members 36 and (female) recesses 38, respectively
located on flexible tab portions 40 located outside the container
enclosure.
[0037] In the FIG. 1 embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 24 is
one third of a cylinder, and terminates flush with the edges of the
side wall portions 28, such that, in the closed condition shown in
FIG. 3, the cylindrical peripheral enclosure wall 25 is virtually
continuous.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2, the peripheral wall portion 24 is
corrugated, forming a series of grooves 44, which may be laterally
sized to receive CD discs or other forms of inserted items.
[0039] Referring also to FIGS. 5, 9 and 10, the side wall portions
28 include raised flange portions 46, the edges of which form
abuttments to control the closure (see FIG. 6) and limit the
reverse folding of the segments when in an open condition, such as
is shown in FIG. 7.
[0040] It will be seen in these illustrated embodiment that the
segment tab ends containing the hinge apertures 38 are more widely
spaced than the other tab ends that carry the male detents 36.
[0041] It is contemplated that planar ends of uniform thickness may
be provided, wherein the side wall portions 28 are parallel, with
greater reliance being placed on the flexibility of the tab end
portions 40.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 8, while only three container segments 22
are shown, it will be understood that there is no practical limit
to the length of such a train that can be created. Such an
elongated train could contain compact discs (CD's) as a display
across a store window and the like.
[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, in this embodiment a medallion 50 is
shown. A replaceable mold insert can be used to form this
decoration, enabling rapid adaptation of a mold for different
promotional containers.
[0044] FIGS. 4, 7 and 8 more clearly show a heel projection 52
along the edge of the sidewalls 28 of the segments 22. The heel
projections 52 serve to steady the container 20 against free
rolling, and may be positioned adjacent the medallions 50.
[0045] It is contemplated that the containers 20 may be fabricated
from sheet metal.
[0046] It is further contemplated that different multiples of
segments 22 may be combined into different forms of structure.
[0047] A further contemplation is the provision of multiple hinge
recesses 38 in mutually adjacent relation, such that with one set
of recesses as presently illustrated the container peripheral wall
50 is substantially continuous, whereas by engaging the male member
36 into another hinge recess 38, ventilation apertures are left in
the peripheral wall 50. Alternatively, a single hinge recess 38 may
be located a predetermined distance from the male detent member 36
such that when assembled to a like, adjacent segment 22, a
predetermined space between the adjacent container surfaces is
created, for ventilation. In such an instance, the end wall 30
would also have ventilation apertures in its surface.
[0048] Thus, in the case of a specialized, ventilated container,
this effect may be achieved by off-setting the male hinge member 36
or the female (aperture) 38 an appropriate amount.
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