Music – Instruments – Wind
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-03
2003-07-15
Lockett, Kim (Department: 2837)
Music
Instruments
Wind
C084S38300A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06593516
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to containers and packaging, and more specifically to a flat, elongate sleeve for containing a musical instrument reed for sale (with additional packaging) and for storage and transport after sale and use. The present musical instrument reed holder secures the reed therein and holds the reed in the proper shape, thereby preventing warping of the reed as the reed dries after use.
2. Description of the Related Art
Certain types of musical wind instruments utilize vibrating reeds within or adjacent to the mouthpiece in order to resonate the column of air moving through the instrument. While the term “reed” originally referred to the preferred material of which such components are made, such “reeds” today may be formed of a wide variety of other materials, e.g., thin metal, plastic, etc., if so desired. However, reeds formed of cane or other natural wood material are preferred, for the various qualities provided by such natural materials.
Such reeds formed of natural materials are not without their drawbacks, however. The very nature of such reed type wind instruments results in a very moist and humid environment for the reed when the instrument is played, due to the moisture imparted by the breath of the person playing the instrument. While metal and plastic reeds are essentially impervious to such affects, reeds made of cane or other natural material will absorb the moisture from the player's breath. In fact, such natural materials will absorb a certain amount of moisture from the ambient atmosphere, in very humid conditions. The absorption of moisture, from whatever source, results in the natural reed warping and swelling, and taking on a shape other than that desired for optimum performance.
Drying the reed will also result in changing its shape and configuration, with the reed sometimes taking on a different shape than that which is desired. In fact, drying the reed too rapidly may result in the reed splitting or otherwise being damaged, as moisture evaporates from the external portions first and causes them to shrink, while the center of the reed remains moist and swollen. Obviously, a reed which is not configured properly, will affect the tone of the instrument with which it is used. It is crucial that a musical instrument reed maintain the proper desired shape, in order for the instrument with which the reed is used to produce the proper sounds.
As musical instrument reeds are relatively thin and fragile and require careful treatment and handling, it is also important that they be properly packaged at the time of manufacture and to the point of sale. Numerous containers and packages for such articles have been developed in the past, but most provide little, if any, retention to hold the reed in the desired shape, particularly after it has been used. Some containers and the like have been developed which attempt to hold or secure the reed in the desired shape or configuration, and/or to promote its drying to the desired shape and form. However, the various reed holders and containers of which the present inventors are aware, all have certain drawbacks which do not provide all of the protection desired for the reed under all circumstances.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a holder for a musical instrument reed, which holds a single reed securely therein and maintains the proper shape of the reed regardless of the moisture content of the reed. The present reed holder essentially comprises a relatively flat, elongated tube or sleeve having an internal height or thickness adapted to the thickness of the specific reed type which is placed or stored therein. A pair of elongate internal ribs hold the reed securely within the holder, with the flat side or surface of the reed being held securely against the flat interior surface of the holder. Removal of the reed from the holder is easily accomplished by squeezing the sides of the holder slightly, thus flexing the ribbed panel away from the opposite panel of the holder to allow the reed to be withdrawn.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventors are aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 555,561 issued on Mar. 3, 1896 to George R. Cadwallader, titled “Reed Supporter For Clarinets,” describes an assembly for holding a reed in place upon the mouthpiece of a clarinet. The Cadwallader assembly comprises a pair of opposed metal loops or bands through which a series of cord windings are looped back and forth to pass over the reed and hold it in place atop the mouthpiece of the instrument. The cords are tightened by a threaded adjuster which engages the two metal loops. Cadwallader does not disclose any means of storing the reed when it is not installed on the mouthpiece of the instrument.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,625,651 issued on Apr. 19, 1927 to Fred Gretsch, titled “Reed Holder,” describes a packet having a relatively stiff center panel and a series of reed holding pockets disposed to each side thereof. Gretsch appreciates the need to hold the reeds flat against the center panel, with the pockets having sufficient grip to hold the reeds tightly and securely. However, Gretsch fails to provide for any ventilation to facilitate drying of the reeds after use, and the provision of three pockets on each side of the center panel to hold six reeds, is considerably beyond the need served by the present invention, i.e., to hold a single reed. The Gretsch device is incapable of providing the A proper support for a single reed, as the reeds must be placed in pairs in pockets opposite one another for proper support therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,779,522 issued on Oct. 28, 1930 to Charles O. Widmayer, titled “Reed For Clarinets And Saxophones,” describes several embodiments of reeds of composite construction, and a system using screws for attaching a reed to the mouthpiece of a musical instrument, as well as a more conventional encircling clamp. Widmayer does not disclose any holder or packaging for a reed for containing and protecting the reed prior to sale, and for storing and holding the reed in its proper configuration after use.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,310,908 issued on Feb. 9, 1943 to Walter Neuerburg, titled “Reed Holder,” describes an apparatus for use in an accordion or other reed type musical instrument, for holding the multiple reeds used therein in place. The Neuerburg device is not related to a container type reed holder for storing a single wind instrument reed therein, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,545,599 issued on Mar. 20, 1951 to Carl Bartlett, titled “Reed Holder,” describes a flat metal clip in which two pairs of reeds may be stored opposite one another. The Bartlett reed holder slightly elevates the flat surface of the reed above the underlying central panel of the clip, and biases the thin tip of the reed against the central panel to urge the reed tip to bend slightly away from its normal direction of curvature following use. While the Bartlett holder does provide some solutions to some of the problems of reed storage, the metal clip of Bartlett does not allow a person to view the reed, and any information printed thereon, while in the holder. Moreover, the Bartlett holder has no means to facilitate removal of the reed therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,910,173, issued Oct. 27, 1959 to H. L. Fenburr, describes a package for reeds for musical instruments made in one piece from plastic and having a pair of opposed longitudinal walls, a pair of short, opposed end walls, and a single lateral wall extending the length of the longitudinal walls, which are joined to form a five-sided compartment which is open on the side opposite the lateral side wall. The package has a single shoulder or protrusion on the interior surface of one of the longitudinal walls which is centrally located between the opposing end walls and which extends transversely across more than half of the width of the longitudinal wall. The longitudinal walls are bowed towards each other w
Balderrama Mark
Noblet Christopher J.
Schafer Debra L.
Stephen Robert
Terrell Brian L.
Litman Richard C.
Lockett Kim
Rico Corp.
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