Receptacles – Horizontally attached receptacle sets – Detachable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-27
2001-08-21
Moy, Joseph M. (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Horizontally attached receptacle sets
Detachable
C220S023600, C220S023860
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276550
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a storage container and to a stack of such containers, and in particular to a container for the storage of a number of similarly-sized articles such as compact disks or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Compact disks are manufactured to a standard size, and are usually located within a protective sleeve or case, the sleeve or case also being typically of a standard size.
The invention is expected to find its greatest utility in relation to compact disks since these are typically stored in large numbers. However, the storage of other articles is not precluded, such as video cassettes, music cassettes “mini-disks”, computer disks and console games, for example. For simplicity the following description will refer predominantly to compact disks, but the following references to such disks or to “disks” or to “compact disks or the like” should be interpreted as meaning any suitable articles such as those listed above. It is also expected that the invention will find its greatest utility for the home storage of such articles, though institutional or commercial use of the container is not thereby excluded.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Containers are known for the storage of compact disks. Many of the available containers are of a specific capacity and once the user has a greater number of disks than the specified capacity a further container is required. Some available containers have flat exterior top and bottom surfaces so as to be stackable one on top of another, so that the size of the storage capacity can be increased incrementally.
In many of the container designs, the disks are maintained in a vertical orientation; such containers typically have panels, or spaced slots or recesses, which serve to partition the container so that each individual disk can be separately located. The partitions also prevent the disks from toppling over if the container is not full (disks which have toppled over may hinder the insertion of another disk into the container). However, the use of partitioning panels, slots or recesses reduces the number of disks which can be contained within a given volume, so that more space is required in which to store the disks, and perhaps a greater number of containers is required, than would otherwise be the case.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to provide a storage container for compact disks and the like which is stackable in a number of different configurations, so that the configuration of the stack can be chosen by the user to suit his or her particular requirements and to suit the space available in which the storage container stack is to be located. In addition, the configuration can be changed as and when desired by the user. It is another object to provide a storage container which does not require partitioning panels, slots or recesses.
According to the invention, there is provided a storage container having a first connector part and a second connector part, the connector parts being adapted to interconnect the container with adjacent containers so that the container is stackable.
The provision of cooperating connector parts enables an assembled stack to be substantially rigid, i.e. the interconnection between adjacent containers is positive rather than relying solely upon friction to prevent relative movement between adjacent containers. Since relative movement between adjacent containers is limited by the connector parts, it is possible to build larger and more elaborate stacks, perhaps more suited to the space available in which the storage of articles such as compact disks is permitted.
Preferably, each container in an assembled stack has a first connector part and a second connector part, the first connector part of one container being adapted to interconnect with the second connector part of an adjacent container; preferably also all of the containers in the stack are identically formed.
Usefully, the connector parts project from the walls of the container; usefully also, spacing means are provided which project from the walls of the container by substantially the same distance as the connector parts. Preferably, the spacing means has formations adapted to cooperate with formations of the spacing means of an adjacent container to prevent relative lateral movement therebetween.
Desirably, the container is of substantially rectangular construction in front view, preferably a square construction, with a rear wall and four side walls (the front wall is omitted to provide an opening for insertion of the compact disks or the like).
Usefully, the container is arranged in use so that the side walls are angled to the horizontal, preferably by 45° or thereabouts. Accordingly, when compact disks or the like are located in the storage container they lie at 45° or thereabouts; there is no requirement for partitioning panels, slots or recesses since the disks cannot topple over, and the disks or the like self-stack, with any empty space remaining in the container always available for the insertion of additional disks.
Usefully, at least one triangular element provides support for the stack adjacent the floor or other surface upon which the stack rests; usefully the triangular element comprises half a container.
Preferably, an insert provides partitions within the container so that the container can be adapted to store articles of different sizes.
There is also provided a stack of storage containers as defined herein, in which the first connector part of one container is interconnected with the second connector part of an adjacent container, and wherein all of the containers in the stack are identically formed.
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Fuierer Marianne
Hultquist Steven J.
Moy Joseph M.
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