Supports: racks – Special article – Article includes elongated portion
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-08
2001-02-27
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Article includes elongated portion
C211S060100, C211S049100, C206S277000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193081
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Adhesives and caulkings are commonly sold in tube type containers. This type of tube is typically cylindrical in fonn with a narrow elongate spout at one end of the tube. The spout is cut to open, allowing for the dispensing of the product through the spout, upon the application of pressure to the base end of the cylinder. A variation of this means of packaging is the tubular package designed to be dispensed by hand pressure applied directly to the tube. Such a tubular package has the end folded creating a “V” shape, such tubes can not be stored upright. As the tubular containers of the type utilized for caulking and adhesive are cylindrical, they can present problems of storage for the user. The tubes are easily knocked over, and, have a tendency to roll on a horizontal surface. If stored in a box or bucket, it is difficult to determine specific contents of a particular tube due to the fact of the contents being identifiable primarily by label only.
There are many types of caulkings and adhesives available in tube type containers, each designed for a specific use and application. For example, there are silicone sealants in a variety of colors, butyl rubber caulkings in an offering of colors, acrylic formulas in colors, adhesives of many types, tar based sealants, fire resistant sealants, specific applications for glaziers, plumbers, painters, electricians, etc. For this reason, is not uncommon for a construction worker, or repairperson, professional or amateur, to require the use of a number of tubes of these products, and to have them available to move to the required work areas.
There is also a need to have the contents readily identifiable and accessible whether the holder is mounted in a home shop, a jobsite, or moving regularly from one work area to another. If in transit, there is a need to ensure retention of the products in the holder regardless of the position of the holder. Such a means may be a gate of one design or another.
Relative to the type of contents and air temperature, there is tendency for these tubes to leak, potentially creating yet another problem. Therefore, there is a need for a holder that addresses this problem with a means of retention of potential spillage to protect surrounding areas.
Currently manufacturers of caulkings and adhesives have few options for marketing their products. These sealants and adhesives are typically sold as an individual tube only, or occasionally as a group of tubes of the same type of product shrink-wrapped together. As there are no holders for this type of tube, manufacturers are not able to provide the users of their products with an inexpensive portable holder in which to store their products. Also lacking is a means to bulk package these products in a portable holder that provides an attractive, value-added feature to organize and store these products upon purchasing!
For the aforementioned reasons there is a demand for a holder for tube type articles that will allow the user to simply and quickly view the contents to ascertain content, and to access the articles independent of one another. Additionally, there is a demand for a holder for tube type articles that will ensure retention of the articles in the holder whether the holder is secured to a surface or in transit, while eliminating the potential of product spillage. Furthermore, there is a demand for a holder that will be inexpensive to manufacture allowing manufacturers of caulkings and adhesives to package their products in such a way as to provide a value added feature, distinguishing their products from others while offering their products as a convenient multiple pack.
SUMMARY
The present invention is directed to a holder for tube shaped articles that satisfies the aforementioned needs. A holder for tube shaped articles having features of the present invention comprises an open front frame design with a slanted, article-supporting base somewhat longer than the articles to be stored. This slant of the base maintains a downward positioning of the articles to allow removal of articles regardless of their position in the holder. Attached to the base are two side panels. The first side panel includes a slot for permitting the inserting and withdrawing of articles that have been stacked above the base. This side may include a gate or other means of effectively keeping the articles in the holder regardless of the position of the holder. The second side panel has a smaller slot to receive the spouts of the articles that have been inserted into the holder while not allowing passage of the base of the articles. Connecting the side panels is a top panel with a means of allowing for portability of the holder. The top panel is separated from the base at a distance that determines the number of articles that can be stacked within the holder. The holder may contain a means of joining two or more holders by linking the top of one holder to the base of another. The aforementioned sides, the top, and the base are joined by a back panel which extends somewhat further than he length of the articles to be stored, thereby providing for the retention of potential spillage from the articles stored within the holder. Additionally, the holder may contain mounting holes to permit the mounting of the rack in a number of positions, while allowing for the ease of removal to permit portability of the holder.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more substantial and clearly understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 332670 (1993-01-01), McFarland
patent: 1922233 (1933-08-01), Cooney
patent: 2313620 (1943-03-01), Brunner
patent: 4191415 (1980-03-01), Frei
patent: 5881878 (1999-03-01), Faccioli et al.
patent: 6036032 (2000-03-01), Moscatelli
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Harris Erica B.
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