Special receptacle or package – Combined or convertible – Packaged assemblage or kit
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-12
2002-12-24
Fidei, David T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
Combined or convertible
Packaged assemblage or kit
C206S487000, C312S119000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06497323
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to miniatures, and more particularly to a method and system for storing miniatures in a secure manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Individuals throughout the world collect miniatures, such as wargaming or collectible miniatures.
FIGS. 1A and 1B
generally depict miniatures
10
and
20
. Each miniature
10
and
20
typically includes a base
12
and
22
, respectively, and a model
14
and
24
, respectively. The bases
12
and
22
are typically rectangular (e.g. square), as is the base
12
, or circular, as is the base
22
. In addition, the bases
12
and
22
are typically standard sized. For example, the circular base
22
is typically twenty-five millimeters in diameter at the bottom. The square base
12
is typically twenty millimeters by twenty millimeters, twenty-five millimeters by twenty-five millimeters or forty millimeters by forty millimeters at the bottom. Both the rectangular base
12
and the circular base
22
have sloped, or beveled, edges. The edges of the base
12
and the base
22
are sloped at approximately the same angle. In contrast, the size of the models
14
and
24
vary greatly in both size and shape. For example, the models
14
and
24
typically range between one-half and three inches in height. In addition, the models
14
and
24
are typically relatively fragile. Thus, it is easy to break a portion of the miniature
10
and
20
.
Because individuals often collect a large number of miniatures
10
and
20
, some mechanism for storing and transporting the miniatures
10
and
20
is desired. The mechanism should hold the miniatures
10
and
20
securely to prevent damage. However, it is desirable for the mechanism not to contact the models
14
and
24
to prevent wear and tear on the models
14
and
24
, respectively.
FIG. 2
depicts a conventional case
30
for storing miniatures. The conventional case
30
typically has a plastic shell (not shown). Within the shell, a conventional foam separator
32
and a conventional foam insert
34
are used to store miniatures. The conventional foam separator
32
is used to separate layers of the conventional foam insert
34
, allowing many miniatures
10
and
20
to be stored. The conventional foam separator
32
is typically approximately one half inch in thickness. Several apertures
34
(only one of which is labeled) are typically cut in the conventional foam insert
34
. The conventional foam insert
34
is typically one inch thick. Each aperture
36
is typically one inch by one and one half inch. Each aperture
36
is for holding a single miniature
10
or
20
. Thus, an individual would insert miniatures
10
and
20
into the apertures
36
of a conventional foam insert
34
, separate different foam inserts using the conventional foam separator
32
, and stack these layers within the plastic shell (not shown).
Although the conventional case
30
functions for some miniatures
10
and
20
, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that it has several drawbacks. Most notably, the conventional case does not provide adequate protection for many miniatures
10
and
20
. Miniatures which have bases that are larger than the apertures
36
require that the apertures
36
be modified. For miniatures
10
having a base that is forty millimeters by forty millimeters, the apertures
36
often must extend through several layers of foam inserts
34
. On the other hand, miniatures
10
and
20
which are too small for the apertures
36
are often jostled during transportation in the conventional case
30
. These miniatures
10
and
20
may suffer damage during transportation in the conventional case
30
.
FIG. 3
depicts a portion of another conventional case
50
. The case
50
typically has a hinged outer shell (not shown) that is in function to a suitcase. Within the outer shell are conventional foam inserts
52
and
54
. Each conventional foam insert
52
and
54
has a conventional dimpled pattern
56
and
58
, respectively. The dimpled patterns
56
and
58
have a shape that is sometimes known as an “egg-crate” or “egg-carton” pattern. The conventional dimpled patterns
56
and
58
are formed to interlock. In other words, where one conventional dimpled pattern
56
or
58
is concave, the other conventional dimpled pattern
58
or
56
, respectively, is convex. The conventional foam inserts
52
and
54
are also very soft. In order to use the conventional case
50
, miniatures
10
and
20
are placed in the depressions of one of the conventional dimpled patterns
56
or
58
. When the conventional case
50
is closed, the interlocking nature of the conventional dimpled patterns
56
and
58
helps to hold the miniature
10
or
20
in the depression in which the miniature
10
or
20
was placed.
Although the conventional case
50
functions, miniatures
10
and
20
may be damaged when carried in the conventional case
50
. The interlocking conventional dimpled patterns
56
and
58
often allow the miniatures
10
and
20
stored therein to move to a certain extent. Thus, the miniatures
10
and
20
might be damaged. In addition, the models
14
and
24
often have small features that poke into the conventional foam inserts
52
and
54
. Thus, when the conventional case
50
is opened, the miniature
10
or
20
may stick to the top of the case. Furthermore, the miniatures
10
and
20
stored in the conventional case
50
must be spaced apart to prevent them from contacting each other and causing damage. Thus, the conventional case
50
cannot hold a high density of miniatures.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved system and method for storing miniatures. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and system for storing at least one miniature. Each of the at least one miniature includes a base and a model. The base has a shape. The method and system comprise providing a tray and a tray container. The tray has a slot therein. The slot is configured to hold the base of the at least one miniature. In one aspect, the slot is configured such that a portion of the slot conforms to the shape of the base. In another aspect, the slot has a stationary portion and a movable portion. The stationary and movable portions of the slot are to allow the at least one miniature to be placed within the slot and to allow a portion of the slot to conform to the shape of the base. The tray container is for storing the tray.
According to the system and-method disclosed herein, the present invention provides a storage system for miniatures which can securely hold individual miniatures with little or no damage.
REFERENCES:
patent: 834452 (1906-10-01), Beiser
patent: 925273 (1909-06-01), Beiser
patent: 1252779 (1918-01-01), Chrapla
patent: 4650077 (1987-03-01), Droz
patent: 5013278 (1991-05-01), Dixon et al.
patent: 6352321 (2002-03-01), Munoz
Fidei David T.
Sawyer Law Group LLP
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