US20090301914A1 - Light bulb storage apparatus - Google Patents

Light bulb storage apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US20090301914A1
US20090301914A1 US12/157,382 US15738208A US2009301914A1 US 20090301914 A1 US20090301914 A1 US 20090301914A1 US 15738208 A US15738208 A US 15738208A US 2009301914 A1 US2009301914 A1 US 2009301914A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
light bulb
bulbs
drawer
sized
upper shelf
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/157,382
Inventor
Ellen Kahle
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication date
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Priority to US12/157,382 priority Critical patent/US20090301914A1/en
Publication of US20090301914A1 publication Critical patent/US20090301914A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS 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
    • B65D85/00Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/30Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
    • B65D85/42Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure for ampoules; for lamp bulbs; for electronic valves or tubes

Definitions

  • the present application relates to a container for storing unused light bulbs and, in particular, to a container that holds various sizes of bulbs, is stackable in multiples and supports the bulbs by the globe of the bulb.
  • a concern with the corrugated cardboard boxes is the inability to stack multiple containers in a stable manner due to the flimsy material.
  • the stack will often fall over and require reorganization causing lost time, potential damage to the bulbs, and inconvenience.
  • the bulbs are placed inside an additional cardboard compartment that slides out of the outer shell, this arrangement allows for both a top and bottom to be open when removed from outer shell. If not maneuvered carefully the bottom bulbs may fall out of the compartment onto the ground, potentially causing damage to the bulbs and inconvenience person trying to retrieve a replacement bulb.
  • the neck of the bulb is the generally cylindrical region between the glass globe and the metal base.
  • the neck is a weak point when sheer or sideways force is applied to it and not the ideal location to apply force when falling or jostled, thereby leading to breakage.
  • container that would provide a stable stacking surface and more securely hold the bulb in a structurally stronger manner. Also desirable is quick and easy access to the multiple wattage selections in storage.
  • a storage apparatus for use in conjunction with light bulbs of various sizes wherein the apparatus provides stable containment and easier accessability.
  • the apparatus comprises a shell, a pull-out drawer and an interior tray.
  • the tray is generally hollow and has an upper surface that contains a plurality of apertures or openings that are sized and shaped to loosely receive the globes of various sized light bulbs.
  • the bulb holding upper surface is also sized shaped and positioned such that stems of bulbs placed in the openings have freely and preferably without engagement with the tray, especially engagement that would prevent the stem from moving within the tray.
  • the apparatus is preferably constructed of lightweight and generally rigid plastic. The sturdiness of the material of construction allows the apparatuses to be stacked.
  • the apparatus is also provided a notch and a foot to allow for securely stacking a plurality of containers.
  • the number of openings on the tray surface can be varied for the particular needs of the user. For example, the number of openings may be twenty-four.
  • the size of the openings can be varied to accommodate various sized bulbs. After light bulbs are purchased, consumers can place spare bulbs in the storage apparatus, allowing housing for bulbs of various sizes including, but not limited to, standard (25 to 300 watt) incandescent bulbs, energy saving fluorescent bulbs, recessed halogen lights, outdoor spot lights, small night lights, and indoor/outdoor Christmas lights.
  • the objects of the present invention are: to provide a light bulb storage apparatus for storing light bulbs of various sizes wherein the bulbs are supported by the globes of the bulbs and not the stems; to provide such an apparatus that is configured to be stackable; and to provide such an apparatus that is easy to use, inexpensive to produce and especially well adapted for the intended usage thereof;
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a light bulb storage apparatus with a tray in accordance with the present application.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tray showing openings that receives light bulbs.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tray.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tray, taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of multiple bulb storage apparatuses stacked on top of each other.
  • FIGS. 1-5 a light bulb storage apparatus or caddy in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 1 .
  • the light bulb storage apparatus 1 is shown in conjunction with light bulbs.
  • the light bulb storage apparatus 1 comprises of a shell or container 2 and a drawer 3 having a tray 4 .
  • the container 2 includes a top 6 , a bottom 14 , opposing side panels 11 and 12 and a back 13 , preferably constructed of a load bearing and resilient plastic.
  • the top 6 has a notches 7 - 10 in each corner.
  • the bottom 14 has a foot 15 in each corner.
  • the feet 15 - 18 are sized and shaped to be received in respective notches 7 - 10 in a stacked configuration, as shown in FIG. 5 .
  • the drawer 3 includes a front panel 21 and a bottom 22 .
  • the drawer front panel fits snugly in the opening 19 of the front of the container 2 and the bottom 22 is sized and shaped to set on and slide along a top of the container bottom 14 during opening and closing.
  • the drawer 3 have a finger receiving notch 19 to at the top of the front 21 to facilitate opening.
  • the tray 4 is secured at the front and rear to the drawer front 21 and bottom 22 respectively.
  • the tray 4 has a shelf 24 with an upper surface 25 , a front edge 26 , back 27 , and a set of opposing sides 28 and 29 .
  • the surface 25 includes a plurality of various sized openings 31 and 32 , that are spaced in a manner of four rows of six. It is foreseen that many different configurations of openings 31 and 32 could be used to accommodate bulbs of different sizes or different numbers of bulbs. For example, the tray could have 12 openings all sized for standard sized incandescent bulbs.
  • the tray shelf 24 is preferably positioned such that standard bulbs 34 hang from the tray shelf 24 without stems 38 of the bulbs 34 being supported by or received in the drawer bottom 14 .
  • the openings 31 and 32 are sized and shaped to receive bulbs 34 to 36 respectively by globes 39 thereof. In this manner the bulbs 31 and 32 are supported by respective openings 31 and 32 and are not fixed in position by the stems 38 thereof so as to reduce the likelihood of breakage.

Abstract

A molded-plastic rectangular storage container that holds light bulbs of various wattage and styles including energy-saving fluorescent bulbs. The light bulb holding apparatus consist of a pull out drawer with attached tray. The tray has openings spaced apart in a matrix grid to receive and support bulbs by the globes thereof, housed in a full cover shell that is stackable with other containers.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • The present application relates to a container for storing unused light bulbs and, in particular, to a container that holds various sizes of bulbs, is stackable in multiples and supports the bulbs by the globe of the bulb.
  • Most often lights bulbs are bought in quantities that are unneeded at the time of purchase and placed in storage for when they are needed. Most homes have multiple bulb wattage requirements, causing the purchase of many different settings bulbs for standby. Each type of bulb is commonly sold in storage boxes made of corrugated cardboard. These boxes are flimsy, difficult to use and hard to store in an orderly manner.
  • A concern with the corrugated cardboard boxes is the inability to stack multiple containers in a stable manner due to the flimsy material. When searching through multiple bulb boxes, the stack will often fall over and require reorganization causing lost time, potential damage to the bulbs, and inconvenience.
  • The bulbs are placed inside an additional cardboard compartment that slides out of the outer shell, this arrangement allows for both a top and bottom to be open when removed from outer shell. If not maneuvered carefully the bottom bulbs may fall out of the compartment onto the ground, potentially causing damage to the bulbs and inconvenience person trying to retrieve a replacement bulb.
  • Certain types of storage containers have been developed in the prior art that hold the bulbs in place by providing receivers in the devices that grip stored bulbs by the stem or neck. The neck of the bulb is the generally cylindrical region between the glass globe and the metal base. The neck is a weak point when sheer or sideways force is applied to it and not the ideal location to apply force when falling or jostled, thereby leading to breakage.
  • Therefore, it is desirable to provide container that would provide a stable stacking surface and more securely hold the bulb in a structurally stronger manner. Also desirable is quick and easy access to the multiple wattage selections in storage.
  • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • A storage apparatus is provided for use in conjunction with light bulbs of various sizes wherein the apparatus provides stable containment and easier accessability. The apparatus comprises a shell, a pull-out drawer and an interior tray. The tray is generally hollow and has an upper surface that contains a plurality of apertures or openings that are sized and shaped to loosely receive the globes of various sized light bulbs. The bulb holding upper surface is also sized shaped and positioned such that stems of bulbs placed in the openings have freely and preferably without engagement with the tray, especially engagement that would prevent the stem from moving within the tray.
  • The apparatus is preferably constructed of lightweight and generally rigid plastic. The sturdiness of the material of construction allows the apparatuses to be stacked. The apparatus is also provided a notch and a foot to allow for securely stacking a plurality of containers.
  • The number of openings on the tray surface can be varied for the particular needs of the user. For example, the number of openings may be twenty-four. The size of the openings can be varied to accommodate various sized bulbs. After light bulbs are purchased, consumers can place spare bulbs in the storage apparatus, allowing housing for bulbs of various sizes including, but not limited to, standard (25 to 300 watt) incandescent bulbs, energy saving fluorescent bulbs, recessed halogen lights, outdoor spot lights, small night lights, and indoor/outdoor Christmas lights.
  • OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
  • Therefore, the objects of the present invention are: to provide a light bulb storage apparatus for storing light bulbs of various sizes wherein the bulbs are supported by the globes of the bulbs and not the stems; to provide such an apparatus that is configured to be stackable; and to provide such an apparatus that is easy to use, inexpensive to produce and especially well adapted for the intended usage thereof;
  • Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
  • The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a light bulb storage apparatus with a tray in accordance with the present application.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tray showing openings that receives light bulbs.
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tray.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tray, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of multiple bulb storage apparatuses stacked on top of each other.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
  • In FIGS. 1-5 is shown a light bulb storage apparatus or caddy in accordance with the present invention, generally indicated by reference numeral 1. The light bulb storage apparatus 1 is shown in conjunction with light bulbs. The light bulb storage apparatus 1 comprises of a shell or container 2 and a drawer 3 having a tray 4.
  • The container 2 includes a top 6, a bottom 14, opposing side panels 11 and 12 and a back 13, preferably constructed of a load bearing and resilient plastic. The top 6 has a notches 7-10 in each corner. The bottom 14 has a foot 15 in each corner. The feet 15-18 are sized and shaped to be received in respective notches 7-10 in a stacked configuration, as shown in FIG. 5.
  • Shown in FIGS. 2-4 the drawer 3 includes a front panel 21 and a bottom 22. The drawer front panel fits snugly in the opening 19 of the front of the container 2 and the bottom 22 is sized and shaped to set on and slide along a top of the container bottom 14 during opening and closing. The drawer 3 have a finger receiving notch 19 to at the top of the front 21 to facilitate opening.
  • Shown in FIGS. 2-4 the tray 4 is secured at the front and rear to the drawer front 21 and bottom 22 respectively. The tray 4 has a shelf 24 with an upper surface 25, a front edge 26, back 27, and a set of opposing sides 28 and 29. The surface 25 includes a plurality of various sized openings 31 and 32, that are spaced in a manner of four rows of six. It is foreseen that many different configurations of openings 31 and 32 could be used to accommodate bulbs of different sizes or different numbers of bulbs. For example, the tray could have 12 openings all sized for standard sized incandescent bulbs.
  • The tray shelf 24 is preferably positioned such that standard bulbs 34 hang from the tray shelf 24 without stems 38 of the bulbs 34 being supported by or received in the drawer bottom 14. The openings 31 and 32 are sized and shaped to receive bulbs 34 to 36 respectively by globes 39 thereof. In this manner the bulbs 31 and 32 are supported by respective openings 31 and 32 and are not fixed in position by the stems 38 thereof so as to reduce the likelihood of breakage.
  • It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.

Claims (5)

1. A light bulb storage device comprising:
(a) a drawer including:
(i) an upper shelf having a plurality of openings in a matrix grid configuration for insertion of a light bulb therein, each of the openings being sized and shaped to receive and support a globe of a respective light bulb; and
(ii) a bottom spaced sufficiently from the upper shelf so as to allow a stem of a light bulb received in the tray to hang free when the stem is placed through an opening and the light bulb is supported by its globe; and
(b) an outer shell sized and shaped to receive the drawer therein.
2. The device according to claim 1, the drawer further including:
(a) a front panel secured to the front of the upper shelf; and
(b) a bottom attached to the upper shelf.
3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the shell includes:
(a) a top, a bottom and dual side panels sized and shaped to receive the drawer and so as to provide safe housing of bulbs.
4. The device according to claim 1, further including at least two shells, wherein each shell includes:
(a) a set of indents in each corner of the top panels and a set of feet in each corner of the bottom panel so as to allow stacking of the shells.
5. A light bulb storage apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
(a) a drawer having a horizontal upper shelf; and
(b) a plurality of openings located in the upper shelf; each opening being sized and shaped to receive a light bulb and to support each light bulb by a globe thereof.
US12/157,382 2008-06-10 2008-06-10 Light bulb storage apparatus Abandoned US20090301914A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/157,382 US20090301914A1 (en) 2008-06-10 2008-06-10 Light bulb storage apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/157,382 US20090301914A1 (en) 2008-06-10 2008-06-10 Light bulb storage apparatus

Publications (1)

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US20090301914A1 true US20090301914A1 (en) 2009-12-10

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110094901A1 (en) * 2009-10-23 2011-04-28 Ingvardsen Donald F Ball Tray Organizer for Subterranean Complex Completions
US20120067754A1 (en) * 2010-08-17 2012-03-22 Robert Brett Holben Light bulb storage and identification apparatus
US9287107B2 (en) 2014-03-13 2016-03-15 Kathy G. Powell Light bulb storage and testing assembly

Citations (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US1812311A (en) * 1928-05-11 1931-06-30 Essex Specialty Co Inc Package for fireworks devices
US2166018A (en) * 1938-01-04 1939-07-11 Alfred I Palmer Cabinet
US2226670A (en) * 1938-12-08 1940-12-31 Union Steel Chest Corp Cabinet
US2623682A (en) * 1949-12-28 1952-12-30 Gen Electric Shipping and display package
US2894640A (en) * 1955-12-19 1959-07-14 Bigelow Bryant Desk trays and the like
US2960235A (en) * 1957-12-31 1960-11-15 Farber Henry Rack for plug type fuses
US2988412A (en) * 1959-02-09 1961-06-13 Vue Chest Inc Stackable display case
US3380123A (en) * 1965-03-08 1968-04-30 Schmidt Oskar Apparatus for the manufacture of shoes with an inner leg, particularly ski-boots
US3584778A (en) * 1969-07-07 1971-06-15 William B Hopkins Light bulb carton holder
US3644009A (en) * 1970-07-28 1972-02-22 Henry W Tyler Display rack for tape cartridges
US3666113A (en) * 1970-08-19 1972-05-30 Dean Wm Burrell Holder for light bulbs
US4026416A (en) * 1975-10-14 1977-05-31 The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc. Light bulb storage bank
US4053099A (en) * 1976-10-04 1977-10-11 The Mead Corporation Article tray
US4306655A (en) * 1980-04-07 1981-12-22 Smith Richard D Holder or container for tape cartridges
US4947991A (en) * 1989-04-21 1990-08-14 Sea Rose Ii Non-skid beverage and/or food holder
US4988033A (en) * 1989-07-28 1991-01-29 Advanced Longwall Equipment, Inc. Repair of flight bars
US5105953A (en) * 1990-07-26 1992-04-21 Rev-A-Shelf Inc. Drawer storage rack
US5553707A (en) * 1995-10-10 1996-09-10 Lion; Ronald K. Golf ball holding device
US5842568A (en) * 1996-05-28 1998-12-01 Chang-Wen; Chen Safety package of the strung up electrical lights
US6142314A (en) * 1999-10-07 2000-11-07 Cotterill; Nigel P. Fuse & light bulb holder bright box
US6450339B1 (en) * 1999-10-05 2002-09-17 Douglas W. Ashton Holiday light strand organizer
US6578937B1 (en) * 2000-10-04 2003-06-17 Fred Thoman Stacking toolbox
US20060260966A1 (en) * 2005-05-23 2006-11-23 Lake Russell D Storage device for light bulbs

Patent Citations (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1812311A (en) * 1928-05-11 1931-06-30 Essex Specialty Co Inc Package for fireworks devices
US2166018A (en) * 1938-01-04 1939-07-11 Alfred I Palmer Cabinet
US2226670A (en) * 1938-12-08 1940-12-31 Union Steel Chest Corp Cabinet
US2623682A (en) * 1949-12-28 1952-12-30 Gen Electric Shipping and display package
US2894640A (en) * 1955-12-19 1959-07-14 Bigelow Bryant Desk trays and the like
US2960235A (en) * 1957-12-31 1960-11-15 Farber Henry Rack for plug type fuses
US2988412A (en) * 1959-02-09 1961-06-13 Vue Chest Inc Stackable display case
US3380123A (en) * 1965-03-08 1968-04-30 Schmidt Oskar Apparatus for the manufacture of shoes with an inner leg, particularly ski-boots
US3584778A (en) * 1969-07-07 1971-06-15 William B Hopkins Light bulb carton holder
US3644009A (en) * 1970-07-28 1972-02-22 Henry W Tyler Display rack for tape cartridges
US3666113A (en) * 1970-08-19 1972-05-30 Dean Wm Burrell Holder for light bulbs
US4026416A (en) * 1975-10-14 1977-05-31 The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc. Light bulb storage bank
US4053099A (en) * 1976-10-04 1977-10-11 The Mead Corporation Article tray
US4306655A (en) * 1980-04-07 1981-12-22 Smith Richard D Holder or container for tape cartridges
US4947991A (en) * 1989-04-21 1990-08-14 Sea Rose Ii Non-skid beverage and/or food holder
US4988033A (en) * 1989-07-28 1991-01-29 Advanced Longwall Equipment, Inc. Repair of flight bars
US5105953A (en) * 1990-07-26 1992-04-21 Rev-A-Shelf Inc. Drawer storage rack
US5553707A (en) * 1995-10-10 1996-09-10 Lion; Ronald K. Golf ball holding device
US5842568A (en) * 1996-05-28 1998-12-01 Chang-Wen; Chen Safety package of the strung up electrical lights
US6450339B1 (en) * 1999-10-05 2002-09-17 Douglas W. Ashton Holiday light strand organizer
US6142314A (en) * 1999-10-07 2000-11-07 Cotterill; Nigel P. Fuse & light bulb holder bright box
US6578937B1 (en) * 2000-10-04 2003-06-17 Fred Thoman Stacking toolbox
US20060260966A1 (en) * 2005-05-23 2006-11-23 Lake Russell D Storage device for light bulbs

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20110094901A1 (en) * 2009-10-23 2011-04-28 Ingvardsen Donald F Ball Tray Organizer for Subterranean Complex Completions
US8157090B2 (en) * 2009-10-23 2012-04-17 Baker Hughes Incorporated Ball tray organizer for subterranean complex completions
US20120067754A1 (en) * 2010-08-17 2012-03-22 Robert Brett Holben Light bulb storage and identification apparatus
US9287107B2 (en) 2014-03-13 2016-03-15 Kathy G. Powell Light bulb storage and testing assembly

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