GB2188909A - Containers - Google Patents

Description

1 GB 2 188 909 A 1 SPECIFICATION booklet or other indicia-bea ring unit

maybe thereby lost. These disclosed containers are an improvement Package construction over previousiy-known containers in which a booklet orfolder or other inclicia-bearing unit is just loosely This invention relates to a container, storage box or 70 placed in the box along with the item or items for package, and is more particularly concerned with a which the box is used but there stil 1 remai ns room for container or storage box adapted to hold a watch or improvement, particularly f rom the standpoint of other item or items and provided with a chamberfor positively and firmly but removably retaining a book holding a readily-accessible booklet orfolder con- let orfolderwith graphics or indicia which relate to taining indicia andlor graphics relating to the con- 75 the contained item.

tents of the container or box.

Objects andbrief description of the invention

Background of the invention It is accordingly an object of the present invention

Various items such as watches are conventionally to provide a box or containerforthe handling, sale transported, sold and stored in containers and are 80 and storage of a watch orthe like, which is provided accompanied by booklets orfolders containing in- with means for securely holding and retaining a dicia and/orgraphics in theform of instructions, booketorthe likewith graphics and/orindicia pert warranties and the like. These booklets orfoldersare aining tothewatch orother item contained inthe ordinarily loosely positioned inside the box along box, yet which is readily accessible when desired.

with the watch or other item or are loose and separ- 85 It is a further object of the invention to provide a ately accompanythe box. In either case, the booklets container of the character indicated from which the orfolders are easily lost and this can cause much dis- stored booklet or indicia-bearing unit cannot be ac tress to the owners. cidentally displaced.

Containers or packages forvarious items have It is still another object or provide a package com- been disclosed which provide means for holding 90 prising a packaging unit and a packaged item con booklets or other units with related graphics andlor taining graphics and/or indicia.

indicia. Typical of such containers are Beadle, U.S. Other objects and features of the invention will 2,644,259, Luertzing, U.S. 3,243,037 and Papirnyik readily apparentfrom the following description of

U.S. 3,679,047. Thus, Beadle U.S. 2,644,259 shows a the invention and from the accompanying drawings boxfor pills or other pharmaceutical preparations 95 of an illustrative embodiment thereof.

which has a bodyto hold the pills and a cooperating In accordancewith the invention, a container, hav hinged top which is formed with "nubs" for remov- ing a body and a cover, preferably hinged to the ably retaining a transparent plastic retainer plate be- body, is provided in its bodywith a slot of limited hind which are inserted labels orthe like which proheightwhich is adapted to hold a booklet orfolder vide the appropriate prescription data forthe 100 tightly against slippage yet is provided with means contained pills, as well as information regarding the permitting engagement of the booklet orfolderwith pharmacy supplying the pharmaceutical pre- the thumb orf ingerto remove the indicia-bearing parations. Two labels are contemplated, one being unit when desired.

visiblethrough thetransparent retainer plate, and The invention also contemplates a packagewhich the otherJacing in the opposite direction, being vis- 105 has sidewalls and a bottom and a means which de ible through the transparent top. Luertzing, U. S. fine a chamberwith the side walls and bottom, and a 3,243,037 discloses a packagefor glassware, partfolderor bookletwith graphics or indicia contained icularly chemical glassware, and has a top and in secure but removable position in the chamber.

bottom shaped with interior recesses orseatsto hold flaskhes, condensers, funnels, and the like. In addi- 110 Brief description of drawings tion, a pocket45 isformed in thetop "to receive Inthe drawings, to which further detailed refer therein brochures andthe like." Papirnyik, U.S. ence will be made, 3,679,047 describes a boxforstoring attachments Figure 1 is a perspective view showing thetop, and an instruction bookletfora sewing machine or rearand side of a watch containerwhich embodies similar household appliance. The box hasa bodyfor 115 features of the present invention; the storage of the attachments and a transparent Figure2 is a sectional viewtaken approximately plastictop coverforstoring the instruction booklet. along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; Interiorly of the cover of the box, narrowsheives Figure3 is a sectional viewtaken approximately loosely supportthe booklet, which is bowed or along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

flexed to fitthe shelves and is visible through the 120 Figure 4 is a bottom view of another embodiment transparent cover to identifythe model numberand of a container in accordance with the invention; and to provide otherinclicia and/orgraphics. Whilethe Figure5is a bottom viewof still anotherembodi disclosed containers are provided with arrange- ment.

ments for storing the booklets, folders or other in- dicia-bearing units in the container, the storage is 125 Description ofpreferred embodiment not secure and it is possible, especially in the caseof Referring to the drawings, and particularlyto bookletsJorthe indicia-bearing unitsto become dis- Figure 1,the reference numeral 1 designates gener placed and separated from the containers accident- ally a containerfor a wristwatch having a body3 allywhen the contained item is being introduced or provided with a mating cover 5, conveniently hinged removed or when the container is tilted, and any 130 to body 3 by any effective hinge means (not shown).

2 GB 2 188 909 A 2 The body 3 and cover 5 are suitably formed from a urely concealed in body 3. For this purpose, and in rigid plastic material, e.g. a phenol-formaldehyde accordance with the invention, the secondary resin, orthe like, which may be colored in any des- bottom 20 is provided with an aperture 35 which is ired hue, and readilyformed by molding. Container 1 preferably centrally located between walls 17 and 18 may be opaque ortransparent, but is preferablythe 70 nearslot26. The aperture may be circular, elongated former. As shown in Figures 2 and 3,the body 3 and or of any desired form to permitthe user'sthumb or the cover 5 are lined interiorlywith a lining 7 which is fingerto contactthe booklet in chamber24 and move secured, as by gluing,to the interiorsurface of body ittoward slot 26. Simple movement of thethumb or 3 andthe interiorsurface of cover 5 and has a stiff fingertoward slot26will serveto expel the booklet central portion 9 which limitsthe movement of cover 75 30from chamber 24, asshown in phantom lines in relativelyto body 3. Awatch-supporting bracketof Figure3.

conventional form is shown at 12, secured, as bya Itwill thus be apparent, therefore, thatthe con rivet 13,tothe rigid liner9. In accordance with the tainercan be repeatedly opened and closedwithout invention,the body3 isformedwith a bottom 14, exposingthe booklet30to loss andthe bookletwill frontand rearwalls 15 and 16, and sidewalls 17and 80 be effectively stored until needed bythe user. In ef 18,and has a secondary bottom 20which is parallel fect, therefore, there is provided a packagecom to but spaced from the exterior surface of bottom 14 posed of a containing unitand a contained bookletor i.e. in the direction of the open end of walls 15,16,17 folder or other indicia-bearing unit.

and 18,to define a chamber 24 in the body 3. The rear While in the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, the wall 16 is cut away between its lines of contactwith 85 aperture 35 is shown as a hole spaced from all four bottom 14 and secondary bottom 20toform a slot 26 edges of secondary bottom 20. The aperture can which allows access to chamber 24. While rearwall merge with one of the edges preferablythe one 16 is shown as cut away in the embodiment illustra- coinciding with the slot 26, as shown in Figure 4, ted, itwill be apparentthatthe cut away could be wherein like parts are given like reference numerals.

made in any one of the otherthree walls, since sim- 90 In Figure 4the aperture 35 merges with the rearedge flar access to chamber 24 would thereby be of secondary bottom 20, adjacent slot 26, and thus achieved. Similarly, the container could have more the aperture 35 has a semicircular shape. It could than fourwalls, if desired. What are termed "front" also have a different shape. Furthermore, while the and "rear" walls may also be considered "side" embodiments of Figures 1-3 and 4 have a cross- walls. 95 section which is approximately square, it will be When the container is formed by molding a plastic apparentthatthe features of the invention can be substance, as mentioned above, thefour side walls. embodied in boxes or containers of other geometri the secondary bottom 20, a recess forthe chamber cal cross-section, as has been alluded to before. For 24, and the cut-away in one of the walls can be mol- example they may have a cross-section, and there- ded as one piece, and the secondary bottom 20 can 100 fore a secondary bottom which is generally hexa be separately formed and attached, as by gluing, to gonal, octagonal or rectangular of non-square the molded unit parallel to the bottom 14. The recess shape, e.g. long in one dimension and short in the is thereby closed, except forthe slot 26 shown in other. The secondary bottom 20 of such a container Figure 1 and the chamber24 is formed. Otherways of is shown in Figure 5. wherein like parts of Figures 1-4 making the body and providing chamber 24 can, of 105 are given like reference numerals. In Figure 5, the course, be employed. secondary bottom 20 has long front and rear edges Referring to Figures 1 f 2 and 3, a booklet 30 with and short side edges, and, like the embodimentof graphics or indicia is shown by brokenfines as sea- Figure 4, the aperture 35 merges with the rear edge ted in chamber 24. The booklet 30 can readily be in- of secondary bottom 20 and thus with slot 26 and has serted in chamber 24 by introducing itthrough slot 110 a semi-circular shape, but, as shown in Figures 1-3, 26. It is a feature of the invention thatthe folderwill the aperture 35 could be spaced from all four edges.

be held securely in chamber 24 at all times regard- It could also have another shape.

less of the spatial orientation of the container. For In the embodiments of Figures 4 and 5, the edges this purpose, the bottom surface of bottom 14 orthe of secondary bottom 20 and aperture 35 are lined by upper surface of secondary bottom 20, orboth, may 115 a ridge or embossment upon which the container is be roughened or otherwise provided with a frictionadapted to rest. The remainder of the embodiments increasing characteristic, as by overlaying them with of Figures 4 and 5 havethe same structure described felt or plush or robber, orthe like. Effective increase above forthe embodiment of Figures 1-3, e.g. side in friction can, however, be achieved by making the walls,top or cover chamber 24, bottom, etc.

slot 26 and the height of chamber 24, i.e. the distance 120 although the interior may differ, e.g. the lining, any between the opposing surfaces of bottoms 14 and article-supporting bracket, and the like, depending 20, of a small dimension compared to thethickness upon the article or articles forwhich the container is of the booklet 30 to be stored in chamber 24so that it intended.

will be necessary forthe bookletto be compressed, Itwill be apparent that various other changes and or squeezed together, as it is inserted in the 125 modifications of the embodiments illustrated may chamber, and thus itwill be frictionally engaged with be madewithout departing from the invention as de thetop and bottom of chamber24. The bookletis fined in the appended claims.

dimensioned to fit entirely within chamber24. For example,the secondary bottom 20 may be spa The userwill, however, want at sometime to re- ced from bottom 14throughout its extentor it may move the booklet30 from its storage position, sec- 130be only partially spaced inwardly from slot 26 or side 3 GB 2 188 909 A 3 walls 17 and 18 to define a chamber of limited inward chamber inwardly of said slot, and a closure closing depth from slot 26 or limited width between oppos- said other end of said side walls, said chamber hav ing side walls. Similarly, while the embodiments il- ing friction- increasing means effective to grip said lustrated are constructed to contain wristwatches, booklet orfolderwith a frictional fit, and said sec they maybe constructed to contain any other item or 70 ondary bottom being formed with.an aperture com items. It is intended, therefore, that a I I matter con- municating with said chamber and a] lowing finger tained in the description and in the drawings shal I be contactwith said bookletwhen said booklet is dis interpreted as illustrative only and not as limitative of posed in said chamber.

the invention. 6. A container as claimed in claim 1, substantially 75 as hereinbefore described with referenceto and as

Claims (5)

CLAIMS illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1. A container including a body having side walls and a bottom secured to said side walls, a secondary Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Croydon Printing Company (UK) Ltd,8187, D8991685.

bottom parallel to but spaced from the interior sur- Published byThe Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, face of said first-named bottom to define a chamber from which copies may be obtained.

therebetween, the side walls defining the sides of said chamber and the opposing surfaces of the first named bottom and the secondary bottom defining the top and bottom of said chamber, one of said side walls being formed with a slot communicating with said chamber, permitting reception in said chamber with close frictional engagement of a booklet orfol der containing indicia or graphics, and said sec ondary bottom being formed with an aperture com municating with said chamber and allowing finger contactwith said booklet when said booklet is dis posed in said chamber.

2. A container as defined in Claim 1, wherein said aperture is elongated in the direction of said slot.

3. A container as defined in Claim 1, wherein at least one of said surfaces is,provided with means having f riction-increasing properties.

4. A contai nerfor a booklet or folder containing graphics or indicia which comprises a containing unit and said booklet or folder securely contained within it, said containing unit having a pluralityof sidewalls and a bottom secured to one end of said side walls, and a member parallel to said bottom, and extending between said side walls, butspaced from said bottom in the direction of the other end of said sidewalisto define a chamber between said member and said bottom, one of said sidewalls being formed with a slot at its lower end providing access to said chamber, a booklet orfolder disposed in said chamber inwardly of said slot, and a closure closing said other end of said side walls, said chamber having a vertical dimension effective to grip said booklet orfolderwith a frictional fit, and said secondary bottom being formed with an aperture communicating with said chamber and allowing finger contact with said booklet when said booklet is disposed in said chamber.

5. A package fora booklet or folder containing graphics or indicia which comprises a containing unit and said booklet orfolder securely contained within it, said containing unit having a plurality of side walls and a bottom secured to one end of said side walls, and a member parallel to said bottom and extending between said side walls, but spaced from said bottom in the direction of the other end of said side walls to define a chamber between said member and said bottom, one of said side wails being formed - with a slot at its lower end providing access to said chamber, a booklet orfolder disposed in said