Band tote assembly

Details Band tote assembly Band tote assembly

1999-05-17

2001-07-17

Fidei, David T. (Department: 3728)

Special receptacle or package

For roll or reel

Complementary bodies

C206S389000, C206S409000, C206S226000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06260704

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention generally relates to tote assemblies used to house banding material and, more particularly, to tote assemblies fabricated from at least two pieces, having interior walls of the same or different height, that are connected to package, store, carry or dispense flexible banding material coiled therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Band clamps are widely used in a variety of applications. The clamps generally include a flexible band that can be formed into a loop around an object, such as a telephone pole or signage pole, and a separate buckle that receives the opposing ends of the band and locks the ends in a fixed position. An example of a non-performed band clamp that is useful for outdoor applications is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,032. Generally, banding material is manufactured in lengths of up to about one hundred feet or more, wound into circular coils for storage and transportation, and later partially unwound to cut off a desired length of band, as needed.
Various types of containers have been used to package, store, carry and dispense coils of flexible band. The band typically is wound into a spiral coil, before being placed into an open container. The open container receives the band and then is closed with a second piece, such as a lid. As such, prior containers require at least some assembly after the banding material is inserted. This can be cumbersome and expensive, often requiring significant manual assembly, in part due to the weight and the pressure of the coiled, flexible band against the container.
Containers are constructed in a variety of sizes to accommodate banding material of a variety of widths and lengths. Bands for these applications typically are manufactured in widths varying from about less than ¼ inch to a little over one inch and in lengths varying from several feet to several hundred feet. To securely hold the coiled banding material, the container must have side walls of sufficient height to house the banding material, without allowing it to partially or completely unwind. As such, such containers typically are constructed of two pieces to provide the desired side wall height for each different width of banding material, either 1) one piece having a side wall to accommodate the desired width of banding material and a second piece essentially being a lid, without a sidewall; or 2) two pieces having sidewalls of substantially the same height to combine to provide the desired height. In either event, a large number of separate pieces are required to construct such containers to accommodate a variety of widths of banding material.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a tote assembly that incorporates additional advantages associated with assembling, packaging, storing, carrying and/or dispensing coiled, flexible banding material.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a band carrying device that includes a first tote assembly with a first tote member of a first width and a second tote member of the same or a second width, which is different from the first width, and a band held within the tote members. The first and second tote members may be connected by inserting at least one post on the periphery from one tote member into a corresponding receptacle of the other tote member.
A further embodiment of the invention is directed to a band carrying device that includes first and second tote assemblies, each with two tote members of the same or different widths, and a band held within the each tote assembly. The first and second tote assemblies may be stacked together by inserting at least one dimple of one tote member into a corresponding receptacle of the other tote member.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is directed to a method for assembling a band carrying device comprising inserting a tote assembly into a winding machine, locating a band through a band opening of the tote assembly, winding the band about a hub of the winding machine and removing the tote assembly from the winding machine. The band carrying device also may be provided with a band cutting insert tool and or may be printed with identifying indicia on a flat top surface.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following detailed description and the appended claims, and also by referring to the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3087608 (1963-04-01), Craven
patent: 3260360 (1966-07-01), Davis
patent: 3552551 (1971-01-01), Goldberg
patent: 3568947 (1971-03-01), Oprins
patent: 4475652 (1984-10-01), Heard
patent: 4905822 (1990-03-01), Bosco
patent: 5692700 (1997-12-01), Bobeczko

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