EP1813544A1 - Cartridge container - Google Patents
Cartridge container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1813544A1 EP1813544A1 EP07250398A EP07250398A EP1813544A1 EP 1813544 A1 EP1813544 A1 EP 1813544A1 EP 07250398 A EP07250398 A EP 07250398A EP 07250398 A EP07250398 A EP 07250398A EP 1813544 A1 EP1813544 A1 EP 1813544A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- cartridge container
- case shell
- mating case
- tape
- mating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 57
- 239000000088 plastic resin Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- -1 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000005192 partition Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000139 polyethylene terephthalate Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000005020 polyethylene terephthalate Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000012856 packing Methods 0.000 description 26
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 11
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 9
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 9
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000004804 winding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002950 deficient Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006872 improvement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004078 waterproofing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/02—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents specially adapted to protect contents from mechanical damage
- B65D81/025—Containers made of sheet-like material and having a shape to accommodate contents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
- B65D11/18—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
- B65D11/1866—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected with detachable components
- B65D11/188—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected with detachable components the container being formed by two mating halves
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/28—Handles
- B65D25/2802—Handles fixed, i.e. non-swingable, handles
- B65D25/2805—Handles fixed, i.e. non-swingable, handles provided on a local area of the side walls
- B65D25/2808—Horizontal, e.g. U-shaped
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
- B65D77/0413—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks, e.g. carton
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a cartridge container for storing flat tape cartridges with electromagnetic tapes wound on reels therein and, more particularly, to an electromagnetic tape cartridge container which prevents the tape cartridges put therein from being affected by impact against thereto and which encourages tape cartridge packing efficiency.
- a transparent plastic box 7 having a peripheral flange 17 for collective packing of tape cartridges 1 such as shown in Figure 6.
- This packing box 7 has a structural strength unaffected by exposure to water, and allows its contents to be seen.
- a transparent plastic box 7 is known in the name of UTO-Ultrium L-pack (trademark of TDK Co., Ltd.) and described in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-285424 .
- the transparent plastic box 7 is put in a cardboard packing box in such a manner that the peripheral flange 17 is in contact with an inner wall of the cardboard packing box by reason of space saving and impact absorption.
- the transparent plastic box 7 When opening the cardboard packing box and pulling out the transparent plastic box 7 from the cardboard packing box, it is hard to take a grip on the transparent plastic box 7 because there is no space between the flange 17 and the inner wall of the cardboard packing box. Further, if a user forces a hand between them, the fingers of the hand can be injured by a peripheral edge of the flange 17.
- the transparent plastic box 7 with 20 units of LTO type tape cartridges packed therein reaches a weight of approximately 4.0 kg, which is relatively heavy.
- the transparent plastic box 7 is provided with a handgrip in the form of an opening formed in the flange 17, there are some situations where an edge of the handgrip bites into a hand when gripping the handgrip and pulling out the transparent plastic box 7. In particular, when carrying the transparent plastic box 7, it is essential to hold it with both hands. Accordingly, the prior art plastic box for packing tape cartridges is quite inconvenient in handling.
- a cartridge container for storing a plurality of flat tape cartridges having tape reels, respectively, therein, on which electromagnetic tapes are wound, respectively.
- the cartridge container comprises a case shell comprising two mating case shell halves identical in shape and structure which are coupled to each other to provide the cartridge container; a crushable flange formed as an integral part of each of the mating case shell half at each of opposite sides of the mating case shell half and a handgrip formed by an opening formed in the crushable flange of each the mating case shell half, wherein the two mating case shell halves are coupled to form at least one compartment for receiving a set of a predetermined number of the flat tape cartridges arranged closely side by side in a direction of axis of the tape reel in an interior of the cartridge container.
- the cartridge container has the handgrip at a position of a mating face between the two mating case shell halves, it is easy to have a firm grip on the handgrip when pulling out the cartridge container from a cardboard packing box and when carrying the cartridge container by hand. Furthermore, when gripping the handgrip by a hand for carrying the cartridge container, no fingers are bitten and injured by an edge of the handgrip.
- the handgrip may be formed by an opening with a generally L-shaped inner wall.
- the L-shaped wall increases the stiffness of the handgrip and its vicinity and, in consequence, prevents damage to the flange. Accordingly, the cartridge container is guaranteed in terms of quality.
- the cartridge container may be made up of two mating case shell halves, each comprising a top fitting rail and a top groove forming a male and female coupling structure in which the top fitting rail of one of the two mating case shell halves is fitted in the top grove of the other of the two mating case shell halves by insertion, thereby coupling the two mating case shell halves for completing the cartridge container.
- the cartridge container is made up of completely identical two mating case shell halves. This brings about an advantage that it is only needed to provide a single mould for production of both mating case shell halves.
- the cartridge container may have a plurality of compartments defined and separated from one another by partition walls.
- the cartridge container having the partition walls prevents sets of tape cartridges from having an effect of inertial impact on one another even when the respective sets of tape cartridges are individually affected by impact caused upon falling of the cartridge container.
- the mating case shell half may comprise an integral moulded product made of a plastic resin preferably such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and polystyrene, and more preferably a translucent plastic resin. Furthermore, the mating case shell half may comprise a product formed by stretching press of a plastic resin sheet having a thickness in a range of from 0.5 to 2.0 mm. This plastic resin cartridge container is produced with a high degree of accuracy and at a low cost. The plastic resin such as mentioned above are easily available at a low cost and well-suited for vacuum moulding.
- the mating case half can be formed by stretching press of a plastic resin sheet having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm in order to economically acquire required minimum structural strength of the respective compartments of the cartridge container, and minimizing the cartridge container in weight while satisfying required minimum structural strength of the cartridge container.
- a plastic resin sheet having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm in order to economically acquire required minimum structural strength of the respective compartments of the cartridge container, and minimizing the cartridge container in weight while satisfying required minimum structural strength of the cartridge container.
- the usage of such a thin plastic resin sheet results in allowing the cartridge container to undergo proper deformation due to external impact, so as thereby to secure most appropriate impact absorbability for the tape cartridges. If the plastic resin sheet has a thickness less than 0.5 mm, the cartridge container deforms too easily, so that it is incapable of bringing about an appropriate impact absorption effect.
- the cartridge container encounters a difficulty in deformation which allows external impact to be directly transmitted to the tape cartridges put therein.
- the cartridge container whose thinnest part is confined in thickness to that limit range can be provided with an optimized crushable or appropriate impact absorbable zone.
- the cartridge container made of a translucent plastic resin makes it quite easy to check its contents and/or a type of the contents without being opened.
- the tape reel 23 has an axis of rotation extending in a direction of the thickness of the tape cartridge 25.
- the cartridge container 100 comprises a case shell made up of two mating case shell halves, namely upper and lower mating case shell halves 27 and 29. These upper and lower mating case shell halves 27 and 29 are identical in structure and shape with each other.
- the upper and lower mating case shell halves 27 and 29 are detachably fitted together by engagement so as to be opened and closed.
- a plurality of compartments 31 (four in this embodiment), for receiving four tape cartridge sets 33.
- the tape cartridge set 33 to be received in the compartment 31 comprises a predetermined number of tape cartridges 25 (five in this embodiment), arranged closely side by side in a direction of thickness in a block.
- the tape cartridge set 33 in order to protect tape egress/ingress slots of the tape cartridges 25 which are generally weak in mechanical structure against impact from the outside of the cartridge container 100, it is preferred to put the tape cartridge set 33 so as to position the tape egress/ingress slots on the side of a boundary between adjacent compartments 31 and faced upward. It is more preferred to put the cartridge sets 33 in the compartments 31 so that the tape egress/ingress slots of the cartridge sets 33 in adjacent compartments 31 are opposed to one another. In this instance, the compartment 31 has a storage volumetric capacity which is approximately the same as the cubic measure of the five tape cartridges 25. Accordingly, the tape cartridges 25 are neatly arranged in the compartment 31 even if put in the compartment 31 in a careless way.
- the cartridge container 100 brings a marked improvement in tape cartridge packing operation as compared with the conventional cartridge container or box which needs to put tape cartridges 25 one by one.
- the cartridge container 100 can acquire an extra area uninvolved in storage in the case of the same storage area (which is normalized by a standard) as the prior art cartridge container 7 including a flange adapted to receive the tape cartridges 25 individually.
- the extra area of the cartridge container 100 is utilized for what is called a crushable or impact absorption zone.
- the crushable zone is provided in the form of wide transverse flanges 35 formed at and along opposite short sides of the mating case half 27, 29.
- the transverse flanges 35 of the mating case halves 27 and 29 at the respective short sides have rectangular openings 37 respectively so as to be used as carrying handgrips of the cartridge container 100. Therefore, the cartridge container 100 can not only be carried in a horizontal position by grasping both handgrips 37 but also be carried in a vertical position by gripping either one of the opposite handgrips 37. If a carrier accidentally drops the cartridge container 100 while carrying it in a vertical position by one hand, the cartridge container 100 has a first hit against a floor at the far side flange 35.
- the far side flange 35 that performs as an impact absorption member, is deformed or crushed by the weight of the cartridge container 100 and its contents so as to absorb impact strength, thereby absorbing a direct shock against the tape cartridges 25.
- the tape cartridge 25 has a weakness for impact in a direction of thickness or axis of the tape reel, because a roll of electromagnetic tape 21 does not always have even side surfaces but has irregularities at opposite sides thereof.
- the electromagnetic tape 21 is not always wound on the tape reel 23 with side edges of convolutions of the tape neatly flush with one another, so that a roll of the electromagnetic tape 21 wound in the tape reel has irregularities at opposite sides.
- the irregularities can cause the electromagnetic tape 21 to hit against the flanges of the tape reel 23 at the side edges due to external force while winding the electromagnetic tape 21 in the tape reel 23, with the result that the electromagnetic tape 21 is crushed and/or broken back in a transverse direction at its side edges as being wound in the tape reel 23.
- the electromagnetic tape 21 having crushed and broken irregularities brings down an adverse effect on smooth winding and unwinding, and can at worst cause defective recording.
- the container 100 having the crushable flanges 35 arranged at the short sides thereof which is identical with the axis of the tape reel 23 has enhanced impact resistance in the lengthwise direction in which the tape cartridge 25 is mechanically weak.
- the mating case half 27, 29 has a case coupling structure comprising a generally U-shaped top fitting rail 43 extending half around an opening thereof and a generally U-shaped top groove 45 extending separately half around the opening as male and female coupling components, respectively. These male and female coupling components are formed on opposite sides of a longitudinal centre line 47 of the mating case shell half 27, 29 and are completely equal in overall length to each other.
- the top fitting rail 43 of one of mating case shell halves 27 and 29 is fitted in the top groove 45 of the other by insertion.
- the mating case shell half 27, 29 is provided with a cruciform partition wall 49 for defining the respective compartments 31.
- the mating case shell half 27, 29 is provided with a lateral rim 51 extending entirely along either one of the rim projection 43 and the groove 45 and bent toward the counterpart so as to cover the periphery of the mating case shell half 27, 29 of the other of the top fitting rail 43 and the top groove 45 of the counterpart to improve dustproofing and waterproofing.
- the mating case half 27, 29 further has a container coupling structure comprising two bottom fitting frames 53 and two bottom fitting frames 55 formed as male and female coupling components, respectively, on an external bottom surface thereof.
- the bottom fitting frame 53 defines an aperture into which the bottom fitting frame 55 fits well.
- These bottom fitting frames 53 and 55 are located correspondingly to the respective compartments 31 and on opposite sides of the longitudinal centre line of the mating case half 27, 29.
- the bottom fitting frames 53 and 55 are dimensioned so that the bottom fitting frames 55 of the mating case shell halve 27, 29 are fitted together in the bottom fitting frames 53 of the mating case shell halve, 27, 29 of another cartridge container 100 by insertion.
- the mating case half 27, 29, that is preferably made in the form of an integral plastic resin product such as those relatively easy in handling, is provided with sufficient toughness for reliable protection of the tape cartridges 25 stored in the cartridge container 100 and appropriate impact absorbability and is suitable for commercial and inexpensive production of the cartridge container 100. It is preferred to use any one of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and polystyrene for the mating case halves 27 and 29 by reason of easy availability of the material, easy and inexpensive vacuum moulding of the mating case halves 27 and 29, and collection and reclamation of waste cartridge containers 100.
- the mating case halves 27 and 29 by stretching press of a plastic resin sheet having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm.
- the usage of such a thin plastic resin sheet results in allowing the cartridge container 100 to undergo proper deformation due to external impact, so as thereby to secure most appropriate impact absorbability for the tape cartridges 25.
- the plastic resin sheet has a thickness less than 0.5 mm, the cartridge container 100 deforms too easily, so that it is incapable of bringing about an appropriate impact absorption effect.
- the cartridge container 100 encounters a difficulty in deformation which allows external impact to be directly transmitted to the tape cartridges 25 put therein.
- the cartridge container 100 whose thinnest part is confined in thickness to that range in the limits is provided with an optimized crushable or appropriate impact absorbable zone.
- the cartridge container 100 is completed by coupling the upper mating case shell half 27 to the lower mating case shell half 27 with four cartridge sets 33 put therein through insertion of the top fitting rail 43 into the top groove 45.
- the cartridge container 100 thus packed is boxed in a cardboard packing box 80 that is made similarly in size to the cartridge container 100 and carried about.
- a cardboard packing box 80 that is made similarly in size to the cartridge container 100 and carried about.
- the flange 35 is shaped with opposite corners 57 cut off at approximately 45 degrees so as to form triangular spaces between the cartridge container 100 and the cardboard packing box 80 for easy access to the cartridge container 100 for fingers.
- the handgrip 37 of the mating case shell half 27, 29 has inner walls 59 which are generally L-shaped in cross section at its long sides (in the transverse direction of the cartridge container 100).
- the L-shaped inner wall 59 has a breadth L of 1 to 2 mm in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge container 100 in order to enhance structural rigidity of the handgrip 37.
- the handgrips 37 having the L-shaped inner walls 59 provide for an easy and firm grip by a hand for an easy lift of the cartridge container 100.
- the handgrip 37 when producing the mating case shell half 27, 29 by injection moulding, is formed by forming a bottomed opening in the flange 35 first and thereafter cutting out the bottom so as to leave an arm portion 61 of the L-shaped wall 59. It is preferred to chamfer edges of the arm portion 61, and more preferably to round them off them.
- the handgrip 37 thus provides a safety grip and easy withdrawal of the cartridge container 100 from the cardboard packing box 80, and also prevents a hand from being injured during carrying the cartridge container 100.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
- Packaging Of Machine Parts And Wound Products (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a cartridge container for storing flat tape cartridges with electromagnetic tapes wound on reels therein and, more particularly, to an electromagnetic tape cartridge container which prevents the tape cartridges put therein from being affected by impact against thereto and which encourages tape cartridge packing efficiency.
- Typically, it is usual in an ordinary distribution process to provide impact protection for a package of one-reel type electromagnetic tape cartridges by filling a
cardboard packing box 5 with a substantial number of thetape cartridges 1 individually packed incartridge cases 3, respectively, as shown in Figure 5. An inconvenience encountered by the collective package is that thecardboard packing box 5 has to be opened in order to check its contents and/or the type of thetape cartridges 1 packaged therein. Further, if thecardboard packing box 5 is wetted with water and leaks, thetape cartridges 1 and electromagnetic tapes in the tape cartridges become wet and damaged depending upon circumstances, in addition to damage of thecardboard packing box 5. - Such being the case, there has been marketed a transparent
plastic box 7 having aperipheral flange 17 for collective packing oftape cartridges 1 such as shown in Figure 6. Thispacking box 7 has a structural strength unaffected by exposure to water, and allows its contents to be seen. Such a transparentplastic box 7 is known in the name of UTO-Ultrium L-pack (trademark of TDK Co., Ltd.) and described in, for example,Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-285424 - However, the transparent
plastic box 7 is put in a cardboard packing box in such a manner that theperipheral flange 17 is in contact with an inner wall of the cardboard packing box by reason of space saving and impact absorption. When opening the cardboard packing box and pulling out the transparentplastic box 7 from the cardboard packing box, it is hard to take a grip on the transparentplastic box 7 because there is no space between theflange 17 and the inner wall of the cardboard packing box. Further, if a user forces a hand between them, the fingers of the hand can be injured by a peripheral edge of theflange 17. In this instance, the transparentplastic box 7 with 20 units of LTO type tape cartridges packed therein reaches a weight of approximately 4.0 kg, which is relatively heavy. Even though the transparentplastic box 7 is provided with a handgrip in the form of an opening formed in theflange 17, there are some situations where an edge of the handgrip bites into a hand when gripping the handgrip and pulling out the transparentplastic box 7. In particular, when carrying the transparentplastic box 7, it is essential to hold it with both hands. Accordingly, the prior art plastic box for packing tape cartridges is quite inconvenient in handling. - It is therefore an object of at least the preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a cartridge container which is easily taken out from a packing box.
- It is another object of at least the preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a cartridge container which is improved in tape cartridge handling and packing efficiency.
- According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge container for storing a plurality of flat tape cartridges having tape reels, respectively, therein, on which electromagnetic tapes are wound, respectively. The cartridge container comprises a case shell comprising two mating case shell halves identical in shape and structure which are coupled to each other to provide the cartridge container; a crushable flange formed as an integral part of each of the mating case shell half at each of opposite sides of the mating case shell half and a handgrip formed by an opening formed in the crushable flange of each the mating case shell half, wherein the two mating case shell halves are coupled to form at least one compartment for receiving a set of a predetermined number of the flat tape cartridges arranged closely side by side in a direction of axis of the tape reel in an interior of the cartridge container.
- Since the cartridge container has the handgrip at a position of a mating face between the two mating case shell halves, it is easy to have a firm grip on the handgrip when pulling out the cartridge container from a cardboard packing box and when carrying the cartridge container by hand. Furthermore, when gripping the handgrip by a hand for carrying the cartridge container, no fingers are bitten and injured by an edge of the handgrip.
- The handgrip may be formed by an opening with a generally L-shaped inner wall. The L-shaped wall increases the stiffness of the handgrip and its vicinity and, in consequence, prevents damage to the flange. Accordingly, the cartridge container is guaranteed in terms of quality.
- The cartridge container may be made up of two mating case shell halves, each comprising a top fitting rail and a top groove forming a male and female coupling structure in which the top fitting rail of one of the two mating case shell halves is fitted in the top grove of the other of the two mating case shell halves by insertion, thereby coupling the two mating case shell halves for completing the cartridge container. In the case where the top fitting rail and the top groove are arranged symmetrically with respect to a centre line of the mating case shell half, the cartridge container is made up of completely identical two mating case shell halves. This brings about an advantage that it is only needed to provide a single mould for production of both mating case shell halves.
- The cartridge container may have a plurality of compartments defined and separated from one another by partition walls. The cartridge container having the partition walls prevents sets of tape cartridges from having an effect of inertial impact on one another even when the respective sets of tape cartridges are individually affected by impact caused upon falling of the cartridge container.
- The mating case shell half may comprise an integral moulded product made of a plastic resin preferably such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and polystyrene, and more preferably a translucent plastic resin. Furthermore, the mating case shell half may comprise a product formed by stretching press of a plastic resin sheet having a thickness in a range of from 0.5 to 2.0 mm. This plastic resin cartridge container is produced with a high degree of accuracy and at a low cost. The plastic resin such as mentioned above are easily available at a low cost and well-suited for vacuum moulding. The mating case half can be formed by stretching press of a plastic resin sheet having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm in order to economically acquire required minimum structural strength of the respective compartments of the cartridge container, and minimizing the cartridge container in weight while satisfying required minimum structural strength of the cartridge container. In addition, the usage of such a thin plastic resin sheet results in allowing the cartridge container to undergo proper deformation due to external impact, so as thereby to secure most appropriate impact absorbability for the tape cartridges. If the plastic resin sheet has a thickness less than 0.5 mm, the cartridge container deforms too easily, so that it is incapable of bringing about an appropriate impact absorption effect. On the other hand, if the plastic resin sheet has a thickness greater than 2.0 mm, the cartridge container encounters a difficulty in deformation which allows external impact to be directly transmitted to the tape cartridges put therein. The cartridge container whose thinnest part is confined in thickness to that limit range can be provided with an optimized crushable or appropriate impact absorbable zone. The cartridge container made of a translucent plastic resin makes it quite easy to check its contents and/or a type of the contents without being opened.
- The foregoing and other objects and features of the present invention will be clearly understood from the following detailed description when reading with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein same or similar parts or mechanisms are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings and in which:
- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a cartridge container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which with upper and lower mating halves are separated;
- Figure 2A is a plane view of a lower case half of the cartridge container;
- Figure 2B is a side view of the lower case half of the cartridge container;
- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the cartridge container with the upper and lower mating halves mated;
- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line IV-IV of Figure 3;
- Figure 5 is an explanatory view showing a conventional cardboard packing box for packing tape cartridges therein; and
- Figure 6 is a perspective view of a conventional container.
- Referring to the accompanying drawings in detail, and in particular, to Figures 1, 2A and 2B, there is shown a
cartridge container 100 for suitably containing a number of flat cartridges such as electromagnetic tape cartridges (which are hereinafter referred to as tape cartridges for simplicity) 25 therein. Thetape cartridge 25, which has atape reel 23 with anelectromagnetic tape 21 wound around a reel core, is shaped in the form of, for example, a thin square box, or otherwise in the form of a thin rectangular box. Thetape reel 23 has an axis of rotation extending in a direction of the thickness of thetape cartridge 25. - The
cartridge container 100 comprises a case shell made up of two mating case shell halves, namely upper and lower matingcase shell halves case shell halves case shell halves mating case halves tape cartridge sets 33. The tape cartridge set 33 to be received in thecompartment 31 comprises a predetermined number of tape cartridges 25 (five in this embodiment), arranged closely side by side in a direction of thickness in a block. As shown in Figure 1, in order to protect tape egress/ingress slots of thetape cartridges 25 which are generally weak in mechanical structure against impact from the outside of thecartridge container 100, it is preferred to put the tape cartridge set 33 so as to position the tape egress/ingress slots on the side of a boundary betweenadjacent compartments 31 and faced upward. It is more preferred to put thecartridge sets 33 in thecompartments 31 so that the tape egress/ingress slots of thecartridge sets 33 inadjacent compartments 31 are opposed to one another. In this instance, thecompartment 31 has a storage volumetric capacity which is approximately the same as the cubic measure of the fivetape cartridges 25. Accordingly, thetape cartridges 25 are neatly arranged in thecompartment 31 even if put in thecompartment 31 in a careless way. This is because there is no parting strip separating thetape cartridges 25 in thecompartment 31. Since it is possible to hold two or threetape cartridges 25 together by hand and put them into thecompartment 31, thecartridge container 100 brings a marked improvement in tape cartridge packing operation as compared with the conventional cartridge container or box which needs to puttape cartridges 25 one by one. - As described above, according to the structure of the
cartridge container 100, since thetape cartridges 25 are contained in lots of multiple units, thecartridge container 100 can acquire an extra area uninvolved in storage in the case of the same storage area (which is normalized by a standard) as the priorart cartridge container 7 including a flange adapted to receive thetape cartridges 25 individually. The extra area of thecartridge container 100 is utilized for what is called a crushable or impact absorption zone. In this embodiment, the crushable zone is provided in the form of widetransverse flanges 35 formed at and along opposite short sides of themating case half transverse flanges 35 of themating case halves rectangular openings 37 respectively so as to be used as carrying handgrips of thecartridge container 100. Therefore, thecartridge container 100 can not only be carried in a horizontal position by grasping bothhandgrips 37 but also be carried in a vertical position by gripping either one of theopposite handgrips 37. If a carrier accidentally drops thecartridge container 100 while carrying it in a vertical position by one hand, thecartridge container 100 has a first hit against a floor at thefar side flange 35. At this time, thefar side flange 35, that performs as an impact absorption member, is deformed or crushed by the weight of thecartridge container 100 and its contents so as to absorb impact strength, thereby absorbing a direct shock against thetape cartridges 25. In general, thetape cartridge 25 has a weakness for impact in a direction of thickness or axis of the tape reel, because a roll ofelectromagnetic tape 21 does not always have even side surfaces but has irregularities at opposite sides thereof.. Theelectromagnetic tape 21 is not always wound on thetape reel 23 with side edges of convolutions of the tape neatly flush with one another, so that a roll of theelectromagnetic tape 21 wound in the tape reel has irregularities at opposite sides. The irregularities can cause theelectromagnetic tape 21 to hit against the flanges of thetape reel 23 at the side edges due to external force while winding theelectromagnetic tape 21 in thetape reel 23, with the result that theelectromagnetic tape 21 is crushed and/or broken back in a transverse direction at its side edges as being wound in thetape reel 23. Theelectromagnetic tape 21 having crushed and broken irregularities brings down an adverse effect on smooth winding and unwinding, and can at worst cause defective recording. In contrast, thecontainer 100 having thecrushable flanges 35 arranged at the short sides thereof which is identical with the axis of thetape reel 23 has enhanced impact resistance in the lengthwise direction in which thetape cartridge 25 is mechanically weak. - The
mating case half fitting rail 43 extending half around an opening thereof and a generally U-shapedtop groove 45 extending separately half around the opening as male and female coupling components, respectively. These male and female coupling components are formed on opposite sides of alongitudinal centre line 47 of the matingcase shell half fitting rail 43 of one of mating case shell halves 27 and 29 is fitted in thetop groove 45 of the other by insertion. The matingcase shell half cruciform partition wall 49 for defining the respective compartments 31. Further, the matingcase shell half lateral rim 51 extending entirely along either one of therim projection 43 and thegroove 45 and bent toward the counterpart so as to cover the periphery of the matingcase shell half fitting rail 43 and thetop groove 45 of the counterpart to improve dustproofing and waterproofing. - The
mating case half fitting frame 53 defines an aperture into which the bottomfitting frame 55 fits well. These bottom fitting frames 53 and 55 are located correspondingly to therespective compartments 31 and on opposite sides of the longitudinal centre line of themating case half cartridge container 100 by insertion. By means of the container coupling structure, a plurality of thecartridge containers 100 piled on top of another are prevented from sliding relative to each other and, in consequence, from tumbling down. - The
mating case half tape cartridges 25 stored in thecartridge container 100 and appropriate impact absorbability and is suitable for commercial and inexpensive production of thecartridge container 100. It is preferred to use any one of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and polystyrene for the mating case halves 27 and 29 by reason of easy availability of the material, easy and inexpensive vacuum moulding of the mating case halves 27 and 29, and collection and reclamation ofwaste cartridge containers 100. - It is further preferred to use translucent plastic resins by reason of visibility of the
tape cartridges 25 put in thecartridge container 100 and easiness of keeping track of a contained state of thetape cartridges 25 in thecartridge container 100. - In order to economically acquire required minimum structural strength of the
respective compartments 31 of thecartridge container 100, and besides minimizing thecartridge container 100 in weight while satisfying required minimum structural strength of thecartridge container 100, it is possible to form the mating case halves 27 and 29 by stretching press of a plastic resin sheet having a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 mm. In addition, the usage of such a thin plastic resin sheet results in allowing thecartridge container 100 to undergo proper deformation due to external impact, so as thereby to secure most appropriate impact absorbability for thetape cartridges 25. In this instance, if the plastic resin sheet has a thickness less than 0.5 mm, thecartridge container 100 deforms too easily, so that it is incapable of bringing about an appropriate impact absorption effect. On the other hand, if the plastic resin sheet has a thickness greater than 2.0 mm, thecartridge container 100 encounters a difficulty in deformation which allows external impact to be directly transmitted to thetape cartridges 25 put therein. Thecartridge container 100 whose thinnest part is confined in thickness to that range in the limits is provided with an optimized crushable or appropriate impact absorbable zone. - Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the
cartridge container 100 is completed by coupling the upper matingcase shell half 27 to the lower matingcase shell half 27 with four cartridge sets 33 put therein through insertion of the topfitting rail 43 into thetop groove 45. Thecartridge container 100 thus packed is boxed in acardboard packing box 80 that is made similarly in size to thecartridge container 100 and carried about. When opening thecardboard packing box 80 and taking thecartridge container 100 out from thecardboard packing box 80, it is possible to pull out thecartridge container 100 from thecardboard packing box 80 with ease by grasping thehandgrip 37 formed in theflange 35 and pulling it. In order to make it more easy to take thecartridge container 100 out from thecardboard packing box 80, theflange 35 is shaped withopposite corners 57 cut off at approximately 45 degrees so as to form triangular spaces between thecartridge container 100 and thecardboard packing box 80 for easy access to thecartridge container 100 for fingers. - As shown in detail in Figure 4, the
handgrip 37 of the matingcase shell half inner walls 59 which are generally L-shaped in cross section at its long sides (in the transverse direction of the cartridge container 100). The L-shapedinner wall 59 has a breadth L of 1 to 2 mm in the longitudinal direction of thecartridge container 100 in order to enhance structural rigidity of thehandgrip 37. Thehandgrips 37 having the L-shapedinner walls 59 provide for an easy and firm grip by a hand for an easy lift of thecartridge container 100. In this instance, when producing the matingcase shell half handgrip 37 is formed by forming a bottomed opening in theflange 35 first and thereafter cutting out the bottom so as to leave anarm portion 61 of the L-shapedwall 59. It is preferred to chamfer edges of thearm portion 61, and more preferably to round them off them. Thehandgrip 37 thus provides a safety grip and easy withdrawal of thecartridge container 100 from thecardboard packing box 80, and also prevents a hand from being injured during carrying thecartridge container 100.
Claims (8)
- A cartridge container (100) for storing a plurality of flat tape cartridges (25) having tape reels (23), respectively, therein, on which electromagnetic tapes are wound, respectively, characterized by:a case shell comprising two mating case shell halves (27, 29) identical in shape and structure which are coupled to each other to form said cartridge container (100);a flange (35) formed as an integral part of each said mating case shell half (27, 29) at each of opposite sides of said mating case shell half (27, 29) anda handgrip (37) formed by an opening (37) formed in said crushable flange (35) of each said mating case shell half (27, 29);wherein said two mating case shell halves (27, 29) are coupled to form at least one compartment for receiving a set of a predetermined number of said flat tape cartridges (25) arranged closely side by side in a direction of axis of said tape reel (23) in an interior of said cartridge container (100).
- A cartridge container as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said opening (27) has a generally L-shaped inner wall (59).
- A cartridge container as defined in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each said mating case shell half (27, 29) comprises a top fitting rail (43) and a top groove (45), said top fitting rail (43) of one of said two mating case shell halves (27, 29) being fitted in said top groove (45) of the other of said two mating case shell halves (27, 29) by insertion so as thereby to couple said two mating case shell halves (27, 29) for completing said cartridge container (100).
- A cartridge container as defined in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each said mating case shell half (27, 29) has a plurality of partition walls (49) for defining a plurality of said compartments separately.
- A cartridge container as defined in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each said mating case shell half (27, 29) is formed as an integral moulded product made of a plastic resin.
- A cartridge container as defined in claim 5, characterized in that said plastic resin comprises one selected from a group of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and polystyrene
- A cartridge container as defined in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said plastic resin comprises a translucent plastic resin.
- A cartridge container as defined in any one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, characterized in that each said mating case shell half (27, 29) comprises a product formed by stretching press of a plastic resin sheet having a thickness in a range of from 0.5 to 2.0 mm.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2006021175A JP2007197081A (en) | 2006-01-30 | 2006-01-30 | Corrugated fiberboard box for cartridge accommodating case |
JP2006022859A JP2007204077A (en) | 2006-01-31 | 2006-01-31 | Cartridge storage case |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1813544A1 true EP1813544A1 (en) | 2007-08-01 |
EP1813544B1 EP1813544B1 (en) | 2008-12-31 |
Family
ID=37946060
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20070250398 Active EP1813544B1 (en) | 2006-01-30 | 2007-01-30 | Cartridge container |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1813544B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE602007000407D1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20240055023A1 (en) * | 2022-08-15 | 2024-02-15 | Fujifilm Corporation | Package |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2051966A5 (en) * | 1969-07-02 | 1971-04-09 | Chatelard Ets | Expanded polystyrene cheese pack providing - extensive crust ventilation |
GB1471033A (en) * | 1973-04-06 | 1977-04-21 | Agostini G | Box for containing reels for cinema films |
FR2675121A1 (en) * | 1991-04-09 | 1992-10-16 | Saplest Productions | Despatch box made from a cellular polymer formed from two identical parts fitted together |
US5823351A (en) * | 1994-07-08 | 1998-10-20 | Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd. | Semiconductor crystal packaging device |
US20040144781A1 (en) | 2001-05-25 | 2004-07-29 | Dees Jerome G. | Food container with interchangeable lid - base seal provided with undercut sealing profile and asymmetric interlockable stacking ridges |
-
2007
- 2007-01-30 DE DE200760000407 patent/DE602007000407D1/en active Active
- 2007-01-30 EP EP20070250398 patent/EP1813544B1/en active Active
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2051966A5 (en) * | 1969-07-02 | 1971-04-09 | Chatelard Ets | Expanded polystyrene cheese pack providing - extensive crust ventilation |
GB1471033A (en) * | 1973-04-06 | 1977-04-21 | Agostini G | Box for containing reels for cinema films |
FR2675121A1 (en) * | 1991-04-09 | 1992-10-16 | Saplest Productions | Despatch box made from a cellular polymer formed from two identical parts fitted together |
US5823351A (en) * | 1994-07-08 | 1998-10-20 | Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd. | Semiconductor crystal packaging device |
US20040144781A1 (en) | 2001-05-25 | 2004-07-29 | Dees Jerome G. | Food container with interchangeable lid - base seal provided with undercut sealing profile and asymmetric interlockable stacking ridges |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20240055023A1 (en) * | 2022-08-15 | 2024-02-15 | Fujifilm Corporation | Package |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE602007000407D1 (en) | 2009-02-12 |
EP1813544B1 (en) | 2008-12-31 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP1813539A1 (en) | Cardboard packing box for cartridge container | |
US20070175779A1 (en) | Cartridge container | |
US20090078603A1 (en) | Cartridge storage container | |
JPH06222512A (en) | Cartridge housing container | |
EP1813544B1 (en) | Cartridge container | |
JP2007204083A (en) | Cartridge housing case | |
US4009781A (en) | Slide tray and tape cassette container | |
JP2002104568A (en) | Tape cartridge storing case | |
US3897885A (en) | Cassette storage unit with sliding cover | |
US20070181452A1 (en) | Cartridge accommodating case | |
US5660303A (en) | Plastic case for photographic film cassette | |
JP2009078829A (en) | Cartridge storing case | |
US20070181453A1 (en) | Cartridge accommodating case | |
JP2009078821A (en) | Cartridge storing case | |
JP2007197074A (en) | Cartridge accommodating case | |
US20070175780A1 (en) | Cartridge storage case | |
KR200497758Y1 (en) | The packaging box of the product to be packaged | |
CN209973001U (en) | Packing box and tea gift box | |
JP2007204090A (en) | Cartridge storage case | |
JP2007204080A (en) | Cartridge storage case | |
JP2007191181A (en) | Cartridge housing case | |
JP3106715U (en) | Golf ball container | |
JPH0544285Y2 (en) | ||
JP2007204078A (en) | Cartridge storage case | |
JP2007045441A (en) | Packaging container |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: AL BA HR MK YU |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20080118 |
|
AKX | Designation fees paid |
Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): DE FR GB |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 602007000407 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20090212 Kind code of ref document: P |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20091001 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
P01 | Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered |
Effective date: 20230515 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20231207 Year of fee payment: 18 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20231212 Year of fee payment: 18 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20231205 Year of fee payment: 18 |