US2368687A - Utility case - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 6, 1945. e. STANLEY v 2,368,687

UTILITY CASE Filed Aug. 4, 1942 A INVENTOR1 BY \'n my. Kw q 4 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 6, 1945 UTILITY CASE LeopoldG. Stanley, Maplewood, N. J. Application August 4, 1942, Serial No. 453,500

3 Claims.

This invention is a novel utility case, composed of leather, canvas or similar limp sheet material and of the class adapted to accommodate an unfitted collection or loose kit of small articles or appliances. or small size and employed to hold coins, tokens and flat metal or similar contents. As another example, the case may be used to contain toiletarticles, brushes, combs, tubes, cutters, etc. or

other kinds .of kits may be accommodated, in

loose and random manner, as distinguished from the fitted type of case.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a utility case which will be of great convenience of operation in the fields mentioned.

A further object is to provide a case which is simple and inexpensive in structure and yet rugged and durable. A' particular object is to provide a utility case Which may be pened and closed by folding endwise. and is formed with a storage section at one end, for the articles, and a display section at the other end, between which sections the articles may beslid, without danger of spilling, the case nevertheless being of such simple and limp structure that when'closed it is exceedingly flat, occupying substantially no more space than that of the accommodated articles.

Other advantages of the inventionwill appear from the following description of illustrative'examples thereof. To the attainment of such advantages the invention consistsin the novel utility case and the novel features. of construction, arrangement and operation herein illustrated or described. 7

In the accompanying drawing Fig.- l is a face View of the outer or under layer or closed component of the utility case. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the inner or upper layer or apertured member} Fig. 3 similarly shows the complete case, suitable f-or coins, the two layers being stitched together and providing the storage half at the left and the display or tray half at the right. Fig. 4 similarly shows the closed condition of the case, the articles having been slid back into the storage end, and the right end bent over and secured by a fastener. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal cross section view of Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 a similar section of Fig. 4.

'Fig. 7 in a perspective view shows a larger design suitable as a traveling case, on the same principles, with brushes, cans, etc., slid down into view. Fig. 8 is the same as Fig. 7 but with the goods slid back and roughly arranged within the storage half, ready for closing. Fig. 9 shows As one example, the case may be the case of Fig. 8 after being closed and the corners-of the storage half tucked in under the endrim of thedisplay half, conveniently holding the case closed, "without the need of fasteners. 1

Fig. 10 is a back view showing the manner in which the case of Figs. 7 to 9 may be provided with shoulder straps.

The invention may be outlined specifically as a utility case of the class already referred to, which is composed of outer and inner flat layers of theleather or limp material, of generally oblong outline and peripherally united with each other entirely around such outline; the two layers being substantially uninterrupted excepting that the display zone of the inner. layer is formed with an access aperture or open window slightly smaller than the fullsize ofthe zone, thereby providing a loose narrow marginal strip instanding flatly from the periphery around the end and both sides of the zone and continuous with the material of the mar-gin of the inner layer at the other or storage zone; whereby thetoilet or other kit articles may be disposed in the storage'section and the flattened display section folded over endwisely to close thecase, Whereas, when the case is open the articles may be slid through between the layers, as by tilting the case, from the storage to the displaysection, while the marginal strip of the latter flexes upwardly as the goods slide through thereby to constitute an edge rim suflicient to protect .the exposed articles against spilling from thecase.

- Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 shows the outer or under layer I I, the hinge line 12 of which is indicated, dividing the layer into a left-hand or storage zone l3 and a right hand or display zone I4.

Similarly in Fig. 2 is shown the inner layer l6, as a separate piece of material, although this could, if desired, be integral with the outer layer ll, united therewith along either the short ends thereof or the longsides thereof. Fig. 2 indicates also the hinge line I! of the inner layer 16, dividing it into the closed or left half or zone l8 and the right hand zon IS, the latter formed with a large access aperture 20, which maybe a quadrilateral cut-away area, slightly smaller than the full size of this zone. This aperture or open window 20 is so formed and located as to leave a continuous, narrow and loose marginal strip instanding from the periphery, comprising an end strip portion 2| and the opposite side strip portions 22, this entire strip being continuous with gtion, :longitudinal sections; Figs. 3, number of loose articles or coins C in one or. the

ticles are in the storage section,

Ifolded over endwisely to close'th case. the coins are moved into the display section, by 1 tilting, the strip opening by a tab 23 formed on the end strip por- 1 tion. This tab may be lifted, by hand, when tilt- 3 in Figs. 4 and 6. two layers H and 3 ginal strip provides an edge rim, so acts somewhat as a tray, j danger of spilling.

other of the sections of the case.

By this described arrangement, when the aras in Figs. 4 and and flat, may be When 6, the display section, new empty or rim 2|, 22 may be assisted in the side strip portions 22 need since the coins sliding through ing the case; but no manipulation,

; tend naturally to move partly beneath the side 1 rim portions. 1 26 may be. applied to the display zone of the layer" and fastener socket and stud outer the storage zone of the inner layer,

A snap respectively, thereby l 6 are united peripherally with each other around the entire outline, a line of stitches 28 being shown for this purpose. When the articles are slid into the display zone, the slight upward flexing of the normally flat marthe rim minimizing the Figs. 7 to 9 show vas case to c'ontain'kit objects 0 larger and thicker than coins, as toilet accessories. The pair of coextensive oblong layers H and I6 is united around the periphery. The case is foldable end- 1 Both layers are uninterrupted layer has the aperture 23 area at one endwise wise to close it. except that the inner over the major part of its section, constituting it the from the periphery.

In this larger mbodiment, of canvas relatively more limp than leather, the manner of securing it closed may be as shown in Fig. 9. The corner portions of the closed case, at the storage-end, are simply tucked inwardly and under the meeting strip portions 2 I, 22. To provide stiffness and a better finish a narrow leather strip 3| may be stitched at this point tothe margin 2!. For a to fasten closed the case as Fig; 6 and. others show how the I that the zone.

on the "same principles a candisplay section; and this layer has, surrounding the aperture, the marj ginal strips 2|, 22 extending flexibly inwardly walking case or ladys street bag the display end M of the outer layer or wall ll may have straps 33 stitched to it, for support from the shoulder or the sheet material,

waist. The storage section may have a transparent window. In any instance the case is readily opened, selection of contents made, and case closed, with security of contents.

What is claimed'is:

1. A utility case of limp sheet material adapted to accommodate an unfitted collection or loose kit of small articles or appliances, of the kind having a storage section at one endwise half and a display section at the other half of the case; said case being composed of outer and inner flat layers .of generally oblong outlin and the two peripherally stitched to each other around such outline, and the display section of the inner layer being formed with an open access window slightly smaller than the section, thereby providing a loose narrow marginal strip instanding from the periphery around the end and both sides of thedisplay section and continuous with the margin of the inner layer at the storage section, and a stifiening element applied along the end marginal strip adjacent said open access window-and the said storage section, by the. limp character of being adapted to be crowdedand tucked through the access window, within the display section and under the end margin thereof,

thereby to hold the case closed. I

2. A utility case as in claim 1 and wherein-is a limp, flexible carrying strap having its ends ;se-

cured to the outer layer of limp sheet material.

3. A utility case of limp 'sheetmaterial adapted to accommodate an unfitted collection or loose kit of small articles or appliances, of the kind having a storage section at one endwise'half and a display section at the other half of the case; said case being composed of outer and inner flat layers of generally oblong outline, each being formedofa single piece and integral for the two being peripherally 'united around such outline, and the displaysection having its inner layer formed with an open access window slightly smaller than the section, thereby providing a loose narrow marginal strip instanding from the periphery around the end andboth sides of, the

display section and-continuous withthe margin of the inner layer at the storage section, and-hav ing a stiffening means along the end marginal strip adjacent said open access window; and the said storage section, by the limp characterof the sheet material, being. adapted to be crowded and. tucked through the access window, within the display section and under the end margin thereof therebyto hold the, case closed.

. 'LEOPOLD G. STANLEY.

its full length, and-

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