Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Including an access opening in a sidewall intended to permit...
Utility Patent
1999-06-21
2001-01-02
Elkins, Gary E. (Department: 3727)
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
Including an access opening in a sidewall intended to permit...
C229S125125, C229S913000
Utility Patent
active
06168073
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to containers and, more particularly, to containers having an inner member that is slidably movable from a retracted position to an extended position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Containers have been provided in all shapes and sizes and have been utilized for storing all types of items therein. Some containers include an inner slidable element that is received within an outer sleeve-like element. Common examples include select match boxes, cigarette containers and candy dispensers. Typical slidable containers, however, suffer from one or more disadvantages.
First, the construction is often complicated and costly, involving the assembly of separate components. In addition, goods stored in typical slidable containers are often difficult to access and to place back within the container. On the other hand, if the goods are somewhat easily accessible, the container is awkward to manually open and readily reclose. Frequently, another disadvantage is that the stored goods are not adequately secured within the containers to prevent spillage of such goods during transportation of the container. However, if the container is provided with a securement mechanism, it is awkward to operate and also prevents easy access to the goods if several containers are stacked upon one another.
As a result, there exists a need for a container having a slidable inner member that is simple and inexpensive to produce and assemble, and that provides easy access to the contents stored therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention, a container that includes integrally formed inner and outer members is provided. The outer member includes opposing top and bottom walls, opposing side walls, a back wall and a front opening. The inner member comprises a tray portion and a fan extension portion. The tray portion of the inner member includes a bottom panel, opposing side panels, and a front panel. The inner member is in slidable engagement with the outer member such that the inner member is slidably movable between a retracted position within the outer member to an extended position where the inner member extends from the front opening of the outer member. The inner member is prevented from completely separating from the outer member by the fan extension portion of the inner member. The fan extension portion also controls the extent to which the tray portion is extended from the front opening of the outer member.
In accordance with other aspects of this invention, the inner member of the container is capable of substantially extending from the front opening of the outer member so that objects stored within the container are easily accessible.
In accordance with additional aspects of this invention, the inner and outer members of the container are formed from a single sheet of foldable material.
In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the fan extension portion of the inner member includes three foldably connected panel segments that collapse and extend in a manner similar to that of a fan. A first of the panel segments is foldably connected to a back edge of the top wall of the outer member and to a second of the panel segments. A third of the panel segments is foldably connected to the second of the panel segments and to a back edge of the bottom panel of the inner member. When the inner member is in the extended position relative to the outer member, the fan extension is in an oblique relation to the bottom panel of the inner member. On the other hand, when the inner member is in the retracted position within the outer member, the first of the panel segments is disposed adjacent to the interior surface of the back wall of the outer member, and the bottom surfaces of the second and third panel segments are disposed adjacent to one another. Furthermore, when the inner member is in the retracted position, the bottom panel of the inner member is also in substantially coincident relation with the inner surface of the back wall of the outer member.
In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, the length of the outer member is greater than the length of the inner member when located in the retracted position. In this regard, a ledge portion is defined at the open end of the outer member.
In accordance with yet other aspects of this invention, the outer member of the container includes at least one selectively engageable securement tab that, when engaged, prevents the inner member from being slidably extended from the front opening of the outer member. Preferably, the container includes two selectively engageable securement tabs that are integrally formed on the ledge portion of the outer member at comers of the ledge portion formed by the top wall and opposing side walls of the outer member.
In accordance with yet still other aspects of this invention, the inner member of the container includes a finger access opening for use in slidably extending the inner member from within the outer member. Preferably, the finger access opening is located along a top edge of the front panel of the inner member. Even further, the finger access opening is preferably a semi-circular recess ideal for receiving a person's finger to pull the inner member from within the outer member. Alternatively, an access opening can be created along a top edge of the front panel by decreasing the height of the front panel to less than that of the side walls of the outer member.
As will be readily appreciated from the forgoing description, the invention provides a container that includes integrally formed inner and outer members, and thus is easy and cost effective to both manufacture and assemble. Furthermore, the fan extension portion of the inner member permits the inner member to be fully extendible from the front opening of the outer member such that goods stored therein can be easily accessed or placed back within the container. The selectively engageable securement tabs provide for the securement of the goods within the container, while maintaining the ease of access to the goods. Finally, a container formed in accordance with this invention can be stacked upon other such containers and the contents of any of such containers can be easily accessed without having to remove the container from the stack.
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Allpak Container, Inc.
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
Elkins Gary E.
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