U.S. patent application number 13/543229 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-25 for method and package for displaying magnetic tool container.
This patent application is currently assigned to BLACK & DECKER INC.. Invention is credited to Mark E. Brunson, Daniel G. Findle, Stanley K. Kotula, David B. Lee, Darren B. Moss, Lauren M. Wenchel.
Application Number | 20120267374 13/543229 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43971482 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120267374 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kotula; Stanley K. ; et
al. |
October 25, 2012 |
Method and Package for Displaying Magnetic Tool Container
Abstract
A display package includes a blister assembly and a storage
container. The blister assembly includes a front blister surface
having a first opening therein and a rear blister surface coupled
to the front blister surface and defining a first cavity. The
storage container includes a first container portion secured within
the first cavity, a second container portion hingedly coupled to
the first container portion for pivotal displacement between an
open position and a closed position, and a magnet fixed to an outer
surface of the second container portion. The magnet is located at
or beyond an outer perimeter of the blister assembly when the first
container portion is secured within the first cavity. The magnet is
configured to secure the display package to a metallic
structure.
Inventors: |
Kotula; Stanley K.;
(Baltimore, MD) ; Moss; Darren B.; (York, PA)
; Findle; Daniel G.; (White Hall, MD) ; Brunson;
Mark E.; (Bel Air, MD) ; Lee; David B.;
(Baltimore, MD) ; Wenchel; Lauren M.; (Sparks,
MD) |
Assignee: |
BLACK & DECKER INC.
Newark
DE
|
Family ID: |
43971482 |
Appl. No.: |
13/543229 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12723133 |
Mar 12, 2010 |
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13543229 |
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29342878 |
Sep 2, 2009 |
D624317 |
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12723133 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/482 ;
220/483 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25H 3/023 20130101;
B65D 2575/367 20130101; B25H 3/02 20130101; B65D 75/366 20130101;
B65D 2313/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/482 ;
220/483 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/22 20060101
B65D025/22 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A storage container comprising: a container base having a first
side and a second opposite side; a container cover having a first
side and a second opposite side; a hinge portion connected to the
first side of the container base and to the first side of the
container cover, and disposed away from the second side of the
container base and the second side of the container cover, to
enable pivotal displacement of the container cover relative to the
container base between an open position and a closed position; a
magnet connected to one of the container cover and the container
base, and configured to secure the storage container to a metallic
structure; and a hook connected to one of the first side of the
container cover or the first side of the container base, and
configured to secure the storage container to a structural
member.
22. The storage container of claim 21, wherein the hinge portion
has a first engagement member and a second engagement member that
abuts the first engagement member when the container cover is in
the open position such that the container base and the container
cover are disposed at a maximum angle of between sixty and
one-hundred and twenty degrees relative to one another when in the
fully open position.
23. The storage container of claim 21, wherein said magnet is
connected to an outer surface of said container cover.
24. The storage container of claim 21, further comprising an
elastomeric member fixed to the outer surface of said container
cover and surrounding said magnet
25. The storage container of claim 21, wherein, when fully open,
the container cover abuts a side wall of said container base so
that the container base and the container cover are disposed are
disposed at an angle of approximately two hundred and seventy
degrees.
26. The storage container of claim 21, wherein the magnet is
connected to one of the container cover and the base and the hook
is fixed to the other of the container cover and the base.
27. The storage container of claim 26, wherein the magnet is
connected to the container cover and the hook is connected to the
container base.
28. The storage container of claim 21, wherein the hook extends
from a sidewall of the container base in a direction toward a
bottom wall of the container base.
29. The storage container of claim 21, further comprising a latch
connected to one of the second side of the container cover and the
second side of the container base for releasably locking the
container cover to the container base when in the closed
position.
30. A storage container comprising: a container base having a
bottom wall, an open top, and a peripheral side wall extending
upward from the bottom wall generally around a periphery of the
bottom wall; a container cover hingedly connected to one of the
container base and the container cover to enable pivotal
displacement of the container cover relative to the container base
between an open position and a closed position; a magnet connected
to one of the container cover and the container base, and
configured to secure the storage container to a metallic structure;
and a hook connected to the container base and open toward the
bottom wall, the hook configured to secure the storage container to
a structural member.
31. The storage container of claim 30, wherein the hook comprises a
base portion connected to and extending away from the sidewall, and
a hooking portion connected to the base portion and extending away
from the base portion toward the bottom wall.
32. The storage container of claim 31, wherein the sidewall, the
base portion, and the hooking portion define an opening that is
open toward the bottom wall.
33. The storage container of claim 30, further comprising a hinge
that hingedly connects the container base and the container
cover.
34. The storage container of claim 33, wherein the hinge portion
has a first engagement member and a second engagement member that
abuts the first engagement member when the container cover is in
the open position such that the container base and the container
cover are disposed at a maximum angle of between sixty and
one-hundred and twenty degrees relative to one another when in the
fully open position.
35. The storage container of claim 30, wherein said magnet is
connected to an outer surface of said container cover.
36. The storage container of claim 30, further comprising an
elastomeric member fixed to the outer surface of said container
cover and surrounding said magnet
37. The storage container of claim 30, wherein the magnet is
connected to the container cover.
38. The storage container of claim 30, further comprising a latch
connected to one of the container cover and the container base for
releasably locking the container cover to the container base when
in the closed position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 29/342,878 filed on Sep. 2, 2009. The entire
disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to magnetic tool containers
and corresponding display packaging.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] Accessory containers are commonly used throughout the
construction industry. Various containers are generally used to
organize small parts such as driver and drill bits, nails,
fasteners, etc. Some work sites may not have a convenient location
to secure the accessory containers. Additionally, dedicated racks
or locations at retailers selling the storage containers are often
required for display of the containers.
SUMMARY
[0005] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0006] A storage container includes a container base, a container
cover, and a magnet. The container cover is hingedly coupled to the
container base for pivotal displacement between an open position
and a closed position. The container cover and base are disposed at
a maximum angle of between sixty and one-hundred and twenty degrees
relative to one another when in the open position. The magnet is
fixed to the container cover and configured to secure the storage
container to a metallic structure.
[0007] In another arrangement, a storage container includes a
container base, a container cover, and a magnet. The container base
defines a first hinged region on a first side thereof. The
container cover defines a second hinged region coupled to the
container base for pivotal displacement between an open position
and a closed position. The magnet is fixed to a second side of the
container base opposite the first side and configured to secure the
storage container to a metallic structure.
[0008] A display package includes a blister assembly and a storage
container. The blister assembly includes a front blister surface
having a first opening therein and a rear blister surface coupled
to the front blister surface and defining a first cavity. The
storage container includes a first container portion secured within
the first cavity, a second container portion hingedly coupled to
the first container portion for pivotal displacement between an
open position and a closed position, and a magnet fixed to an outer
surface of the second container portion. The magnet is located at
or beyond an outer perimeter of the blister assembly when the first
container portion is secured within the first cavity. The magnet is
configured to secure the display package to a metallic
structure.
[0009] In another arrangement, a display package includes a blister
assembly and a storage container. The blister assembly includes a
front blister surface having a first opening therein and a rear
blister surface coupled to the front blister surface and defining a
first cavity. The storage container includes a container base
secured within the first cavity, a container cover hingedly coupled
to the container base for pivotal displacement between an open
position and a closed position when the storage container is
secured within the blister assembly, and a magnet fixed to an outer
surface of the container cover. The magnet is located at or beyond
an outer perimeter of the blister assembly when the container base
is secured within the first cavity and the container cover is in
the open position. The magnet is configured to secure the display
package to a metallic structure.
[0010] A display method includes providing a display package
including a storage container secured to a blister assembly and
attaching the display package to a metallic structure. The storage
container includes a first container portion, a second container
portion, and a magnet. The second container portion is hingedly
coupled to the first container portion and is displaceable between
open and closed positions while the storage container is secured to
the blister assembly. The magnet is fixed to an outer surface of
the container cover and is located at or beyond an outer perimeter
of the blister assembly. The display package is attached to the
metallic structure via the magnet.
[0011] In another arrangement, a method includes providing a
display package including a storage container secured to a blister
assembly. The storage container includes a container base, a
container cover hingedly coupled to the container base and
displaceable between open and closed positions while the storage
container is secured to the blister assembly, and a magnet fixed to
an outer surface of the container cover. The magnet is located at
or beyond an outer perimeter of the blister assembly when the
container cover is in the open position. The method further
includes locating the container cover in the open position and
attaching the display package to a metallic structure via the
magnet.
[0012] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0013] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a storage container
according to the present disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the storage container
of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the storage container
of FIG. 1 shown in an open position;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a display package for the
storage container according the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the display package shown in
FIG. 4 in an assembled condition for receiving and displaying the
storage container of FIG. 1 with the cover in the open
position;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the display package shown in
FIG. 4 in an assembled condition for receiving and displaying the
storage container of FIG. 1 with the cover in the closed
position;
[0020] FIG. 7 is an illustration of the display package and storage
container of FIGS. 4-6 mounted to a display structure using magnets
disposed in the lid of the storage container;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the storage
container of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an alternate storage container
according to the present disclosure; and
[0023] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a storage container including a
mounting structure according to the present disclosure.
[0024] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0026] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on",
"engaged to", "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to", "directly connected to" or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). As used herein, the
term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of
the associated listed items.
[0027] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used
herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers
and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a storage container 10 is
illustrated. The storage container 10 includes first and second
container portions 12, 14, magnets 16 disposed in the second
container portion 14, a hinge pin 18 connecting the first and
second container portions 12, 14 and a latch mechanism 20 for
securing the first and second container portions 12, 14 in a closed
position. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the first
container portion 12 forms a container base and the second
container portion 14 forms a container cover.
[0029] The first container portion 12 includes a base portion 22
(FIG. 3) and sidewalls 24, 26, 28, 30 extending from the base
portion 22 to define a tool container 32. First and second
sidewalls 24, 26 are generally opposite one another. A first hinge
region 34 (FIG. 2) is located on the first sidewall 24 and includes
first and second sets of protrusions 36, 38. The first protrusions
36 define first hinge pin bores (not shown) and are interposed
between adjacent ones of the second protrusions 38. The second
protrusions 38 may be located between the first protrusions 36 and
the base portion 22 along the height of the first container portion
12. The second protrusions 38 may define hooks 42 (best shown in
FIG. 8) facing the base portion 22 to facilitate mounting the
storage container 10 on a rail (not shown). A first latch region 44
is located on the second sidewall 26 and includes a protrusion 46
having the latch mechanism 20 mounted thereon.
[0030] The second container portion 14 includes a lid portion 50
and sidewalls 52, 54, 56, 58 extending from the lid portion 50.
First and second sidewalls 52, 54 are generally opposite one
another. A second hinge region 60 is located on the first sidewall
52 and includes a first set of protrusions 62, best shown in FIG.
2. The first protrusions 62 define second hinge pin bores (not
shown). A second latch region 66 is located on the second sidewall
54 and is selectively engaged with the latch mechanism 20 to secure
the first and second container portions 12, 14 to one another. The
first container portion 12 defines a depth that is greater than a
depth defined by the second container portion 14.
[0031] Magnets 16 are located on an outer surface 70 of the lid
portion 50 for securing the storage container 10 to a metallic
structure. The outer surface 70 may additionally include
elastomeric members 72 surrounding each of the magnets 16.
Additional elastomeric members 74 may also be located on other
regions of the outer surface 70 of the lid portion 50. The
elastomeric members 72, 74 may extend slightly beyond the outer
surface of the magnets 16 to provide friction at the mounting
interface of the storage container 10 and metallic structure.
[0032] The hinge pin 18 is located within the first and second
hinge bores of the first and second container portions 12, 14 and
hingedly couples the first and second container portions 12, 14 to
one another. The second container portion 14 may be pivotally
displaced about the hinge pin 18 from a closed position (FIGS. 1
and 2) to an open position (FIG. 3). Opening of the second
container portion 14 may be limited by engagement between the first
and second hinge regions 34, 60. The second container portion 14
may be limited to between sixty and one-hundred and twenty degrees
of travel about the hinge pin 18. In the present non-limiting
example, the second container portion 14 is limited to
approximately ninety degrees of travel about the hinge pin 18.
Therefore, the second container portion 14 is generally
perpendicular to the first container portion 12 when in the open
position.
[0033] The latch mechanism 20 is displaceable between a locked
position (FIGS. 1 and 2) and an unlocked position (FIG. 3). The
latch mechanism 20 secures the first and second container portions
12, 14 to one another when the second container portion 14 is in
the closed position and the latch mechanism 20 is in the locked
position. The latch mechanism 20 includes a latch arm 76 pivotally
secured to the first container portion 12 at the first latch region
44 and a hook member 78 pivotally coupled to the latch arm 76. The
hook member 78 engages the second latch region 66 of the second
container portion 14 when in the locked position to secure the
first and second container portions 12, 14 in the closed
position.
[0034] As seen in FIGS. 4-8, a display package 110 for displaying
the storage container 10 is illustrated. The display package 110
includes the storage container 10 and a blister assembly 112. The
display package 110 may additionally include a tool set 80 and
cardboard or paper display insert cards 114, 116, 117 having
product information and/or images printed thereon. The tool set 80
can include a tray that receives a plurality of tool bits. The
blister assembly 112 includes a two-piece or clam shell
thermoplastic blister formed from front and rear blister surfaces
118, 120. The front and rear blister surfaces 118, 120 may each be
formed from a rigid clear plastic. By way of non-limiting example,
the front and rear blister surfaces 118, 120 may each be formed
from clear Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or Polyethylene Terephthalate
(PET) having a thickness of at least 0.3 millimeters (mm), and more
specifically of approximately 0.45 mm.
[0035] The front blister surface 118 includes outer edges 122, 124,
126, 128 defining an outer perimeter thereof, a recess 130
extending into the first outer edge 122, first and second cavities
132, 134, an aperture (die cut hole) 136 and cutouts 138, 140. A
first ribbed channel 142 is defined at the outer perimeter of the
front blister surface 118 for mating the front and rear blister
surfaces 118, 120, as discussed below. The first cavity 132 extends
into the front blister surface 118 toward the rear blister surface
120 and the second cavity 134 extends into the front blister
surface 118 in a direction generally opposite the first cavity 132
and away from the rear blister surface 120.
[0036] The rear blister surface 120 includes outer edges 146, 148,
150, 152 defining an outer perimeter thereof, a cavity 154, and
cutouts 156, 158. A second ribbed channel 160 is defined at the
outer perimeter of the rear blister surface 120 for mating the
front and rear blister surfaces 118, 120, as discussed below. The
cavity 154 extends into the rear blister surface 120 and outward
from the from blister surface 118. The first edge 146 includes a
recessed portion 162 adjacent the cavity 154.
[0037] The storage container 10, tool set 80, and display insert
cards 114, 116, 117 are captured between the front and rear blister
surfaces 118, 120. More specifically, during assembly a first of
the display insert cards 114 may be located within the cavity 154.
The storage container 10 is then located in the cavity 154 while in
the open position. A second of the insert cards 116 may be located
in the storage container 10 on the base portion 22 of the first
container portion 12 and the tool set 80 may be located on the rear
blister surface 120. A third of the insert cards 117 may
additionally be located on the rear blister surface 120. The front
blister surface 118 is then located on and secured to the rear
blister surface 120. Both sides of the third insert card 117 may be
visible through the blister assembly 112.
[0038] The first and second ribbed channels 142, 160 interfit with
one another to secure the front and rear blister surfaces 118, 120
to one another. The front and rear blister surfaces 118, 120 may be
thermoformed together around the first and second ribbed channels
142, 160. The blister assembly 112 additionally includes seal
regions 164 to further secure the front and rear blister surfaces
118, 120 to one another. The front and rear blister surfaces 118,
120 may additionally be thermoformed together at the seal regions
164.
[0039] When assembled, the first cavity 132 defined in the front
blister surface 118 extends into the first container portion 12 and
secures the first container portion 12 within a first portion 166
of the cavity 154 in the rear blister surface 120. The aperture 136
in the front blister surface 118 overlies a second portion 168 of
the cavity 154. An additional aperture (die cut hole) 169 may be
located in the second portion 168 of the cavity 154 to provide
finger access to the latch mechanism 20. The second insert card 116
is secured within the first container portion 12 between the base
portion 22 and the portion of the front blister surface 118
defining the first cavity 132. The tool set 80 is secured within
the second cavity 134.
[0040] The first sidewalls 24, 52 of the first and second container
portions 12, 14 are located adjacent the first outer edges 122, 146
of the front and rear blister surfaces 118, 120. More specifically,
the first and second hinge regions 34, 60 are located at an opening
170 defined by the recess 130 in the front blister surface 118 and
the recessed portion 162 at the first edge 146 of the rear blister
surface 120. The second container portion 14 may be displaceable
between the open and closed positions after the storage container
10 is secured within the blister assembly 112. When in the open
position, the magnets 16 may be located at or beyond an outer edge
of the blister assembly 112 defined at the first outer edges 122,
146 of the front and rear blister surfaces 118, 120.
[0041] The latch mechanism 20 is located within the second portion
168 of the cavity 154 in the rear blister surface 120 and is
accessible through the aperture 136 in the first blister surface
118. The latch mechanism 20 may be secured in the unlocked position
by the blister assembly 112. More specifically, the hook member 78
may be secured between the second sidewall 54 and a wall 172
defined at an interface between the first and second portions 166,
168 of the cavity 154 in the rear blister surface 120. The hook
member 78 may therefore be prevented from displacement to the
locked position. However, if the latch mechanism 20 is in the
locked position it may be displaced to the unlocked position
through the aperture 169.
[0042] As seen in FIG. 7, the display package 110 may be mounted to
a display structure 174 by the magnets 16 on the storage container
10. The display structure 174 may generally include any metallic
structure. In the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 7, the display
structure 174 includes a metal beam defining a planar surface 176.
The second container portion 14 of the storage container 10 may be
displaced to the open position to mount the display package 110 on
the display structure 174.
[0043] As discussed above, the second container portion 14 is
generally perpendicular to the first container portion 12 when in
the open position. Therefore, the second container portion 14 is
also generally perpendicular to the front and rear blister surfaces
118, 120 when in the open positions. The arrangement of the storage
container 10 within the blister assembly 112 provides for securing
the display package 110 to the display structure 174 with magnets
16 engaged with the planar surface 176 and the first outer edges
122, 146 of the front and rear blister surfaces 118, 120 being
directly adjacent to the planar surface 176.
[0044] The display package 110 generally provides for display of
the storage container 10 without a dedicated rack or location
within a retailer. The mounting of the display package 110 with the
second container portion 14 in the open position additionally
provides for display of the second insert card 116. The second
insert card 116 may take a variety of forms including, but not
limited to, a cardboard or paper insert with tool images and
product information.
[0045] An alternate storage container 210 is illustrated in FIG. 9.
The storage container 210 includes first and second container
portions 212, 214, magnets 216, a hinge pin 218 and a latch
mechanism 220. The first container portion 212 forms a container
base and the second container portion 214 forms a container cover.
The storage container 210 may be generally similar to the storage
container 10. However, the magnets 216 are mounted to a sidewall of
the first container portion 212 opposite the hinge pin 218 rather
than being mounted to the second container portion 214.
Additionally, the second container portion 214 of the storage
container 210 has a greater pivot extent about the hinge pin 218.
As seen in
[0046] FIG. 9, the second container portion 214 may be displaced by
approximately two-hundred and seventy degrees from the closed
position (not shown) to the open position, as illustrated.
[0047] FIG. 10 illustrates a mounting structure 310. The mounting
structure 310 includes an aperture 312 that can receive a hook,
lanyard, or variety of other mechanisms for securing a storage
container to a user. Either of the storage containers 10, 210
illustrated above may additionally include the mounting structure
310.
[0048] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *