U.S. patent application number 12/157382 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for light bulb storage apparatus.
Invention is credited to Ellen Kahle.
Application Number | 20090301914 12/157382 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41399309 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090301914 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kahle; Ellen |
December 10, 2009 |
Light bulb storage apparatus
Abstract
A molded-plastic rectangular storage container that holds light
bulbs of various wattage and styles including energy-saving
fluorescent bulbs. The light bulb holding apparatus consist of a
pull out drawer with attached tray. The tray has openings spaced
apart in a matrix grid to receive and support bulbs by the globes
thereof, housed in a full cover shell that is stackable with other
containers.
Inventors: |
Kahle; Ellen; (St. Louis,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICE OF JOHN C. MCMAHON
P.O. BOX 30069
KANSAS CITY
MO
64112
US
|
Family ID: |
41399309 |
Appl. No.: |
12/157382 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/419 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/419 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/42 20060101
B65D085/42 |
Claims
1. A light bulb storage device comprising: (a) a drawer including:
(i) an upper shelf having a plurality of openings in a matrix grid
configuration for insertion of a light bulb therein, each of the
openings being sized and shaped to receive and support a globe of a
respective light bulb; and (ii) a bottom spaced sufficiently from
the upper shelf so as to allow a stem of a light bulb received in
the tray to hang free when the stem is placed through an opening
and the light bulb is supported by its globe; and (b) an outer
shell sized and shaped to receive the drawer therein.
2. The device according to claim 1, the drawer further including:
(a) a front panel secured to the front of the upper shelf; and (b)
a bottom attached to the upper shelf.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the shell includes: (a)
a top, a bottom and dual side panels sized and shaped to receive
the drawer and so as to provide safe housing of bulbs.
4. The device according to claim 1, further including at least two
shells, wherein each shell includes: (a) a set of indents in each
corner of the top panels and a set of feet in each corner of the
bottom panel so as to allow stacking of the shells.
5. A light bulb storage apparatus, said apparatus comprising: (a) a
drawer having a horizontal upper shelf; and (b) a plurality of
openings located in the upper shelf; each opening being sized and
shaped to receive a light bulb and to support each light bulb by a
globe thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present application relates to a container for storing
unused light bulbs and, in particular, to a container that holds
various sizes of bulbs, is stackable in multiples and supports the
bulbs by the globe of the bulb.
[0002] Most often lights bulbs are bought in quantities that are
unneeded at the time of purchase and placed in storage for when
they are needed. Most homes have multiple bulb wattage
requirements, causing the purchase of many different settings bulbs
for standby. Each type of bulb is commonly sold in storage boxes
made of corrugated cardboard. These boxes are flimsy, difficult to
use and hard to store in an orderly manner.
[0003] A concern with the corrugated cardboard boxes is the
inability to stack multiple containers in a stable manner due to
the flimsy material. When searching through multiple bulb boxes,
the stack will often fall over and require reorganization causing
lost time, potential damage to the bulbs, and inconvenience.
[0004] The bulbs are placed inside an additional cardboard
compartment that slides out of the outer shell, this arrangement
allows for both a top and bottom to be open when removed from outer
shell. If not maneuvered carefully the bottom bulbs may fall out of
the compartment onto the ground, potentially causing damage to the
bulbs and inconvenience person trying to retrieve a replacement
bulb.
[0005] Certain types of storage containers have been developed in
the prior art that hold the bulbs in place by providing receivers
in the devices that grip stored bulbs by the stem or neck. The neck
of the bulb is the generally cylindrical region between the glass
globe and the metal base. The neck is a weak point when sheer or
sideways force is applied to it and not the ideal location to apply
force when falling or jostled, thereby leading to breakage.
[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide container that would
provide a stable stacking surface and more securely hold the bulb
in a structurally stronger manner. Also desirable is quick and easy
access to the multiple wattage selections in storage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A storage apparatus is provided for use in conjunction with
light bulbs of various sizes wherein the apparatus provides stable
containment and easier accessability. The apparatus comprises a
shell, a pull-out drawer and an interior tray. The tray is
generally hollow and has an upper surface that contains a plurality
of apertures or openings that are sized and shaped to loosely
receive the globes of various sized light bulbs. The bulb holding
upper surface is also sized shaped and positioned such that stems
of bulbs placed in the openings have freely and preferably without
engagement with the tray, especially engagement that would prevent
the stem from moving within the tray.
[0008] The apparatus is preferably constructed of lightweight and
generally rigid plastic. The sturdiness of the material of
construction allows the apparatuses to be stacked. The apparatus is
also provided a notch and a foot to allow for securely stacking a
plurality of containers.
[0009] The number of openings on the tray surface can be varied for
the particular needs of the user. For example, the number of
openings may be twenty-four. The size of the openings can be varied
to accommodate various sized bulbs. After light bulbs are
purchased, consumers can place spare bulbs in the storage
apparatus, allowing housing for bulbs of various sizes including,
but not limited to, standard (25 to 300 watt) incandescent bulbs,
energy saving fluorescent bulbs, recessed halogen lights, outdoor
spot lights, small night lights, and indoor/outdoor Christmas
lights.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Therefore, the objects of the present invention are: to
provide a light bulb storage apparatus for storing light bulbs of
various sizes wherein the bulbs are supported by the globes of the
bulbs and not the stems; to provide such an apparatus that is
configured to be stackable; and to provide such an apparatus that
is easy to use, inexpensive to produce and especially well adapted
for the intended usage thereof;
[0011] Other objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of
illustration and example, certain embodiments of this
invention.
[0012] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and
illustrate various objects and features thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a light bulb storage
apparatus with a tray in accordance with the present
application.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tray showing openings that
receives light bulbs.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tray.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tray, taken along
line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of multiple bulb storage
apparatuses stacked on top of each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0019] In FIGS. 1-5 is shown a light bulb storage apparatus or
caddy in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated
by reference numeral 1. The light bulb storage apparatus 1 is shown
in conjunction with light bulbs. The light bulb storage apparatus 1
comprises of a shell or container 2 and a drawer 3 having a tray
4.
[0020] The container 2 includes a top 6, a bottom 14, opposing side
panels 11 and 12 and a back 13, preferably constructed of a load
bearing and resilient plastic. The top 6 has a notches 7-10 in each
corner. The bottom 14 has a foot 15 in each corner. The feet 15-18
are sized and shaped to be received in respective notches 7-10 in a
stacked configuration, as shown in FIG. 5.
[0021] Shown in FIGS. 2-4 the drawer 3 includes a front panel 21
and a bottom 22. The drawer front panel fits snugly in the opening
19 of the front of the container 2 and the bottom 22 is sized and
shaped to set on and slide along a top of the container bottom 14
during opening and closing. The drawer 3 have a finger receiving
notch 19 to at the top of the front 21 to facilitate opening.
[0022] Shown in FIGS. 2-4 the tray 4 is secured at the front and
rear to the drawer front 21 and bottom 22 respectively. The tray 4
has a shelf 24 with an upper surface 25, a front edge 26, back 27,
and a set of opposing sides 28 and 29. The surface 25 includes a
plurality of various sized openings 31 and 32, that are spaced in a
manner of four rows of six. It is foreseen that many different
configurations of openings 31 and 32 could be used to accommodate
bulbs of different sizes or different numbers of bulbs. For
example, the tray could have 12 openings all sized for standard
sized incandescent bulbs.
[0023] The tray shelf 24 is preferably positioned such that
standard bulbs 34 hang from the tray shelf 24 without stems 38 of
the bulbs 34 being supported by or received in the drawer bottom
14. The openings 31 and 32 are sized and shaped to receive bulbs 34
to 36 respectively by globes 39 thereof. In this manner the bulbs
31 and 32 are supported by respective openings 31 and 32 and are
not fixed in position by the stems 38 thereof so as to reduce the
likelihood of breakage.
[0024] It is to be understood that while certain forms of the
present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is
not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts
described and shown.
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