Special receptacle or package – For a filament or space discharge bulb or tube – Plural
Reexamination Certificate
2003-02-20
2004-11-30
Luong, Shian T. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a filament or space discharge bulb or tube
Plural
C206S702000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06823993
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a storage device for use in connection with decorative light strands. The storage device for decorative light strands has particular utility in connection with safely and conveniently housing decorative lights to avoid breakage and entanglement.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Strands of decorative lights are becoming more popular than ever, with different colored strands available for St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Independence Day, Halloween, Christmas, and other holidays. These types of lights typically include an elongated electrical conductor-pair cord with multiple electric lights connected along the cord at equally spaced intervals. Electrical plugs are connected at each end, allowing multiple strands to be serially connected with one end of the connected light strings available for insertion into a source of electrical power. Storage of these light strands presents a problem for many decorators. Decorative light strands are typically packaged in flat rectangular cardboard boxes with the lights wrapped around plastic or cardboard inserts. Once the lights have been removed from their initial packaging, reusing the packaging is close to impossible. Rewinding the lights into the exact configuration in which they were initially packaged presents a formidable task that is extremely tedious and time consuming. Moreover, the lights are typically twisted and do not lie flat, making it difficult to fit the lights in their original boxes. Moreover, these cardboard boxes are typically flimsy and easily crushed or torn, providing little protection for the lights when stored with other decorations. Other means for storing the devices have led to tangled strands and broken lights. Untangling the strands can be both frustrating and time consuming, and any excessive force applied to the process can damage the light strands. Therefore, a storage device which allows the user to easily and safely store the light strands without breakage or tangling of the strands would save time and energy, as well as eliminating frustration and adding to the enjoyment of the decorating process.
A further problem associated with decorative light strands is storage space. These decorative lights are typically used only once a year, so they must be placed in storage for a majority of the year. Since a large number of light strands are typically used both inside and outside the dwelling or business establishment, a feature allowing multiple such storage devices to be stacked would allow the user to efficiently store the strands without breaking the lights.
New types of lighting strands include swag, icicle, and net styles, which present a new set of storage problems for the decorator. Typical storage devices allow for the strands to be wrapped around a lattice or cylindrical post and then inserted into a storage receptacle. However, these new varieties of light strands have secondary strands which hang below the main light strand. Many of these storage devices make no provision for allowing these secondary strands to hang below the main strand, instead allowing these secondary strands to become entangled with each other or with the main strand. Untangling these secondary strands can be time consuming and lead to frustration for the decorator. Additionally, any excessive force applied to the untangling process can damage the electrical cord to which the lights are attached. Therefore, a storage device which allows the secondary strands of these newer varieties of lighting strands to hang below the main light strand without becoming entangled would save time and eliminate the frustration associated with decorating with these light strands.
The use of storage devices for decorative light strings is known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,899 to Mary M. Rabbitt discloses a package for storing decorative lights that includes an elongated cylindrical core with notches in the ends and a protective cylindrical outer cover. The light strands are wound around the exterior of the core, with the electrical connector plugs extending through the notches, after which the cover is placed over the core. However, the Rabbitt '899 patent makes no provision for allowing secondary strands of decorative lights, such as icicle, net, and swag style lights, to hang below the main strand without becoming entangled. Additionally, since the Rabbitt '899 device is cylindrical and does not provide a cap, and thus no flat surface, for either end of the cylinder, it would not be suitable for stacking. Although different embodiments of the Rabbitt '899 device provide various geometrical shapes for the external cover, these devices still provide no end caps for the cover, reducing the supporting strength of the cover and leaving the lights at either end open to damage if tightly packed in an attic or closet. Therefore, the Rabbitt '899 device would not prove to be a safe and efficient way to store multiple light strands.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,965 to John E. Miller discloses a light storage device made of corrugated cardboard and consisting of a vertical core around which the lights are wound and a rectangular carton into which the wound lights are then placed. However, the Miller '965 patent makes no provision for effectively storing lights strands such as icicle, net, and swag styles without allowing their secondary strands to become entangled with the main strand. Additionally, the Miller '965 patent suggests the container be made from corrugated cardboard, leaving it susceptible to being torn or smashed and damaging the contained lights if other decorations are stored on top of the device.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 341, 291 to Leo F. Dow discloses the ornamental design for a stirring pot that contains a cylindrical pot with a lid having two cross shaped stirring members suspended from its center. However, the Dow '291 patent does not provide a central cylindrical core that is sufficient for having lights wound around it. Additionally, the configuration of the multiple stirring members of the Dow '291 device would make it tedious and time consuming to wind the light strand around and between each extension. Finally, the Dow '291 device does not have a flat top surface onto which a second device could be stacked, eliminating the possibility of using the Dow '291 device for efficiently storing multiple light strands.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,250 to Darryl Kurt Walters discloses a light string mounting storage system for storing a light string and removably coupling the light string to a building. The device includes an elongated hollow tube about which a light string can be wound and hook and loop fasteners for securing the light string to the exterior of the tube. However, the Walters '250 patent does not provide a means for storing icicle, net, and swag style lights without exposing the secondary strands of these lights to entanglement. Furthermore, due to the elongated nature of the Walters '250 device, it would not provide a stable base upon which another of the same device could be stacked. Therefore, the Walters '250 device would not serve as a stable and efficient means for storing multiple light strands.
Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,619 to Cynthia L. Garis discloses a light string carrier that includes a lattice around which a light string may be wrapped, a carrying handle atop the lattice, and a hinged two-part carrier cover that fits over the lattice and allows the handle to protrude through the top. However, the Garis '619 patent makes no provision for allowing secondary strands of decorative lights, such as icicle, net, and swag style lights, to hang below the main strand without becoming entangled. Additionally, the configuration of the storage receptacle of the Garis'619 device is such that the sides slope inward from the top to the bottom, thus the device provides a sloped surface unsuitable for stacking purposes.
Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,339 to Al
LandOfFree
Storage device for decorative light strands does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Storage device for decorative light strands, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Storage device for decorative light strands will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3356015