Special receptacle or package – For a vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-19
2001-01-09
Bui, Luan K. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a vehicle
C206S523000, C206S592000, C206S814000, C053S473000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170659
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to storage and display devices and, more particularly, to spacing devices used to hold small toys in compartments. In a preferred embodiment, compressible foam inserts are used to secure toy cars in compartmentalized containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The demand for small toy vehicles such as HOT WHEELS® and MATCHBOX® cars increases daily. Children desire them as toys, and both adults and children desire them as collectors items. Indeed, collectors are willing to pay thousands of dollars for many of the older vehicles. Collectors of course want to display their vehicle collections both at home and at shows, but traveling to shows with the vehicles increases the risk of damage which can reduce the value of the vehicles.
For convenience, the vehicles are typically transported in compartmentalized containers. However, to accommodate a wide range of vehicle sizes, the individual compartments are too larger for almost all vehicles. Thus, the vehicles are free to move around in the individual compartments of the containers. To inhibit such movement, collectors use packing peanuts and other conventional packaging devices. The packing peanuts are messy and inconvenient, and their ability to inhibit movement is dependent on their positioning relative to the vehicles. Because the peanuts are positioned randomly, they do not sufficiently restrict vehicle movement permitting unacceptable damage. Alternatively, collectors can individually wrap each vehicle. Though individually wrapping each vehicle provides good protection, it is prohibitively time consuming and expensive because large quantities of wrapping material are typically wasted.
Thus, reducing the movement of small toys in compartmentalized containers is desired to reduce damage occurring during transport and maintain the value of the small toys. Further, reducing the labor and expense required to inhibit the movement of small toys encourages further protection of the small toys and increases the economic benefit of collecting small toys.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is, therefore, provided in the practice of the invention a novel spacing device, which inhibits movement of small toys in compartmentalized containers to protect the small toys from damage. The spacing device includes a compressible body with a toy engaging surface and a wall engaging surface. The compressible body is sized to fit, while compressed, in a compartment with a vehicle.
In a preferred embodiment, the toy engaging surface comprises a lower non-scratch surface having a concavely curved contour, and the wall engaging surface comprises an upper surface having a convexly curved contour. In one embodiment, the ends of the body are rounded, and the body is thicker in the center than at the ends. In that embodiment, the wall engaging surface has a higher degree of curvature than the toy engaging surface. In an alternate embodiment, the body has a substantially constant thickness and is preferably a portion of a ring. In another alternate embodiment, the body has an enlarged hood end for engaging the hood of a vehicle. It is contemplated that the spacing device is used in combination with a compartmentalized container having a plurality of substantially rectangular compartments of generally uniform size separated by thin walls.
In another preferred embodiment, the body is generally non-compressible and has a lower wall engaging surface and an upper, inclined toy engaging surface with a generally rectangular toy receiving recess. The body is preferably made with a substantially transparent material and is provided with an adhesive for adhering the body to the compartment of the container. The rear wall of the body is preferably taller than the front wall of the body thereby providing the inclined upper surface.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved spacing device for inhibiting movement of small toys in compartmentalized containers thereby reducing damage.
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Bui Luan K.
Hovey Williams Timmons & Collins
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