EP0190187A1

EP0190187A1 - A box for holding thin objects

Info

Publication number: EP0190187A1
Application number: EP19850903336
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Camillus Vincent Wakelin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-07-11
Filing date: 1985-07-09
Publication date: 1986-08-13
Also published as: GB2161456B; GB8417657D0; WO1986000746A1; GB2161456A

Abstract

Une boîte de rangement de disques souples et plats comprend deux moules identiques en plastique qui forment deux parties de boîte, avec des blocs charnières (29) traversés par des chevilles (30) qui relient les deux parties de boîte. Les parties de boîte ont une section transversale généralement en L, avec deux branches (5, 7) et (6, 8). Les branches (5) et (6) sont connéctées par une charnière et comprennent des rainures (9) dans lesquelles s'engagent les bords des disques souples. Les rainures (9) sont formées par des cloisons basses (17) et (8). Les rainures sont décalées dans les parties de boîte, de sorte qu'un espace dans une partie de boîte fait face à une rainure dans l'autre partie de boîte. De cette façon, lorsque les parties de boîte sont remplies de disques souples, elles peuvent être connectées par une charnière, formant une boîte fermée dans laquelle les disques contenus dans une partie de boîte alternent avec les disques contenus dans l'autre partie de boîte. Lorsque les parties de boîte sont connectées par une charnière en position ouverte, les disques sont maintenus plus séparés que s'ils étaient tous dans une seule boîte, de sorte qu'il devient plus facile de les identifier et de les enlever de la boîte.A storage box for flexible and flat discs comprises two identical plastic molds which form two parts of the box, with hinge blocks (29) crossed by dowels (30) which connect the two parts of the box. The box parts have a generally L-shaped cross section, with two branches (5, 7) and (6, 8). The branches (5) and (6) are connected by a hinge and include grooves (9) in which engage the edges of the flexible discs. The grooves (9) are formed by low partitions (17) and (8). The grooves are offset in the box parts, so that a space in one box part faces a groove in the other box part. In this way, when the box parts are filled with flexible discs, they can be connected by a hinge, forming a closed box in which the discs contained in one box part alternate with the discs contained in the other box part. When the box parts are connected by a hinge in the open position, the discs are kept more separate than if they were all in one box, so that it becomes easier to identify and remove them from the box.

Description

A box for holding thin objects

The present invention relates to a box for holding thin objects. Where the thin objects are rigid and platelike or at least have a major part of each in the form of a rigid plate of small thickness in comparison with their other dimensions, problems can arise in identifying which is the object desired to be removed "from the box. If the objects are loose in the box and can be flipped through in the manner of index cards in a card index drawer, the problem of identification of the correct object is accommodated but there are then two further problems. Firstly the objects must be loose in order to give them freedom of movement to be flipped through. This freedom of movement can be such as to allow them to be damaged in transport of the box. Secondly, the freedom of movement makes the box larger than it would otherwise have been, with attendant increase in the cost of the box and space occupied by it in use. It is a feature of well designed products, especially those for use in offices, that they should have, a small 'foot print', i.e. occupy a small office-desk area.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved box for holding thin objects. A box according to the invention comprises two box portions hinged together and adapted with means to hold the thin objects in such a way that when the box is closed the objects held by one box portion are interleaved with the objects held by the other box portion and when the box is open the objects are displayed in two banks in which the objects are spaced apart more widely than they are in the box when closed by reason of the objects from one bank no longer being interleaved with the objects from the other bank.

In the preferred embodiment, the two box portions are generally L-shaped in cross-section and hingedly connected together at respective free ends of the limbs of the L's. Although it is envisaged that for holding objects whose overall dimensions are very different in two directions at right angles, the two limbs of the L's may vary in length; they are preferably of equal length, thereby rendering the box substantially square in cross-section. In the open position of the box the two L limbs hinged together may abut, for the other two to rest on a surface, e.g. a desk top. Alternatively the two limbs may both rest on the surface with^" the other two, spaced apart, limbs up-standing from the surface. In the latter, preferred arrangement the objects are removable upwards. The alternative arrangement provides^* the possibility of removal upwards or sideways but complicates the means for holding the objects on their respective portions of the box.

Alternative arrangements are envisaged. For instance, the two limbs in each L may themselves be hinged together whereby all four may lay flat on the surface when the box is open. This introduces the possibility of each limb holding objects whereby they are spaced apart when the box is open by four times their spacing when the box is closed. Where the objects are substantially triangular, three hinged together box portions could be employed.

The holding means may include grooves into which the thin objects are placed for support in the box. The grooves may be provided with spring means for assuring the retention of the objects in their grooves on closing of the box.

Steadying means, conveniently in the form of lugs, may be provided between the grooves in one box portion for steadying the objects from the other portion when they come to be interleaved with the objects of the one portion on closing of the box.

Preferably the box is of moulded plastics construction. Preferably, where the box is of a two-L-portion con- figuration, the two portions are identical. They may be moulded together to provide a 'living' hinge. Alternatively hinge components may be separate components. The preferred embodiment employs a third alternative wherein the hinges are integrally moulded save for separately assembled metal hinge pins.

The box will normally be provided with a catch for maintaining it closed as desired. The catch may be integral and of the form released by deformation of the box. Alter¬ natively, as is preferred, the catch is formed from separate, added components.

It is envisaged that the box may be used for holding a variety ofObjects. For instance and by way of example only, the box may be used for holding 3 " rigid plastics encased magnetic storage discs and alternatively for holding print wheel cartridges of the so-called 'daisy wheel' type.

To help understanding of the invention, two specific embodiments thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a box of the invention for holding 'floppy¹ discs;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the box of Figure 1 when open but not including the floppy discs;

Figure 3 is a side view on the line III-III in Figure 2 of one box portion; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional end view on the line IV-IV in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an end view similar to Figure 4 of the complete box, the view being broken away to show catch components; Figure 6 is a perspective view of another box of the invention for holding daisy wheel cartridges;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 of the box of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional end view in the line VII- VII in Figure 7; Figure 9 shows in a view similar to figure 4, a variant; and

Figure 10 shows a scrap plan view of the variant of Figure 9. Referring first to Figures 1 to 5, the box has two, generally L shaped in cross-section, elongate portions 2,3 hinged together at 4. The portions 2,3 on their limbs 5,6, which are hinged together and partly on their other limbs 7,8 are provided with groove means 9 for holding floppy discs 10 in place. The groove means 9 are staggered between the two portions 2,3 whereby the floppy discs held by one portion can interleave with the floppy discs held by the other portion. The portions 2 and 3 are in fact identical. The consequence of this for the groove means 9 is that they are longitudinally offset from an arrangement symme^'tric about the individual portions' centre line.

Turning now to Figures 2 and 3 it can be seen that the portion 2 has a gap 11 at its right hand end as shown. This will be occupied by the floppy disc in the groove equivalent to the groove 12 at the left hand end of portion 2. This groove is against the portion's end wall 13. This in common with the .end wall 14 at the right hand end is triangular, whereby when the box is closed the joint line 15 (see Figure 5) between the portions runs diagonally from the hinge. Turning now to Figure 4, the groove means 9 can be seen to comprise flanges having parts 16 - running along the limb 7 -, 17 - running along the limb 5 -, and 18 - running up a tongue 19 upstanding from the limb 5 adjacent the hinge line. Two such flanges are provided per groove, one at each edge of the tongue 19, whereby the groove formed is a channel adapted to closely position a floppy disc. The parts 16 extend approximately halfway across the limb 7 and the tongues 19 and parts 18 are slightly shorter. The tongues 19 have resilient fingers 20 urging the floppy discs towards the opposite limbs 7. The floppy discs are thus held securely especially when the box is being closed. However they may be readily lifted out as required.

It should be noted that they are spaced apart whereby the identity of each may be readily determined from labels adhered to them and at least partially visible on looking into the gaps between the individual discs.

The two central grooves 21, one in each box portion, are smaller and suitable for holding disc labels. In the limb 7,8 above each central groove an aperture 22 is provided for respective catch members 23 and 24. The one 24 on one portion has a fixed part 25 σarying a hook. The other on the other portion has a movable part 26 - movable via a thumb press button 27 - with a^* slot engageable by the one part's hook. On pressure on the thumb press the hook is released from the slot and the box can be opened.

The box's hinges are comprised of pins 28 pushed into slots defining overhung recesses for the pins in hinge blocks 29 provided adjacent the ends of the free edges of the limbs 5,6. Each end is provided with one block 29 and a.gap for the complementary block on the other portion. A further block 30 having no slot is positioned outwardly of the pins 28 thereby captivating them. Alternatively, the pins may extend into these outer blocks. When the box rests on a surface, it does so on the hinge blocks and on feet 31 on the limbs 5,6 thereby preventing the limbs from being scratched. When the box is closed, the floppy discs are steadied by coming in contact with pips 32 provided in the space into which the discs interleave. The closed position of the portions 2,3 is controlled between each other by respective male and female interengaging ribs 33.

Turning now to Figures 6,7 and 8, there is shown an essentially similar box 101 for holding daisy wheel cartridges 110. Features which are analogous with the box of Figures 1 to 5 are not described again except where they differ. Analagous features have the same reference numeral, but with 100 added .

The cartridges 110 are slightly higher than they are wide. Thus the tongues 119 are spaced slightly towards the limb 107 and have a backing web 150. The cartridges are not truly rectangular, so that the flange parts 116,117 and 118 need not be and are not continuous. The cartridges have side ears 151. To prevent sloppiness where these ears hold the cartridges from contacting the limbs 107,108, ridges 152 are provided in the grooves 109. The resilient fingers 120 are provided in a shape to engage on a suitable feature on the cartridges.

Figures 9 and 10 show a variant in which the flange parts 217 on the limbs 205,206 are so spaced longitudinally of the box as to be each opposite an equivalent flange part in the other portion of the box. This variant avoids the flange parts interleaving. Thus the overall length of the box can be considerably reduced for the same capacity for thin objects.

Claims

1, A box for holding thin objects, comprising two box portions hinged together, and each adapted with means to hold the thin objects in such a way that when the box is closed the objects held in one box portion are interleaved with the objects held in the other box portion and when the box is open the objects are spaced apart in their portions more widely than they are in the box when closed.

2. A box as claimed in claim 1, in which the box portions are generally L-shaped in cross-section and are hinged together at respective free ends of the respective ones of the limbs of the L's; and in which the two limbs of each of the L's are of substantially equal length, whereby the box is substantially square in cross-section when closed with the free ends of the non-hinged limbs abutting.

3. A box as claimed in claim 2, in which the hinged ones of the limbs of the L's are disposed in line in the open box position, the box portions being movable from the open position to the closed box position through a combined angular movement of a right angle.

4. A box as claimed in claim 3, in which each hinged limb includes at least one foot by which, together with hinge components, the box is supportable on a flat surface.

5. A box as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which the hinged ones of the limbs of the L's are disposed in juxtaposition in the open box position, the box portions being movable from the open position to the closed box position through a combined angular movement of three right angles.

6. A box as claimed in claim 1, in which three box portions are hinged together, each adapted to hold thin objects, and interengageable to form a closed box with the thin objects in the box portions being interleaved; and in which the cross-section of the closed box is generally triangular.

7. A box as claimed in claim 1, in which four box portion are hinged together, each adapted to hold thin objects, and interengageable to form a closed box with the thin objects in t box portions being interleaved; and in which each comprises a single limb in cross-section, the four limbs being disposed in a line in the open box position.

8. A box as claimed in any preceding -claim, in which the means for holding thin objects in the box portions includes grooves for edges of the objects.

9. A box as claimed in claim 8, in which the grooves extend transversely of the hinge axis of the box across at least part of the hinged limb of each portion and across at least part of the other limb and along an upstanding tongue at the hinge side of the hinged limb.

10. A box as claimed in claim 9, in which the grooves^* are provided with spring means at the upstanding tongues to enable the objects to be removably held therein.

11. A box as claimed in claim 8, claim 9 or claim 10, in which means, preferably lugs, to steady the objects in one box portion are provided between the grooves in the other box portion.

12. A box as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the box is of moulded plastics material construction; and in which the box portions are substantially identical.

13. A box as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 or any one of claims 8 to 15 as appendant to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which triangular end walls extend between the limbs of each portion for closing the ends of the box.

14. A box as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the box portions are hinged together by an integral hinge.

15. A box as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 in which the box portions are initially discrete and have respective hinge formations, cooperating to form a hinge preferably together with an added pin.

16. A box as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13,_#in which the box portions are hinged together by separate hinge components.

17.. A box as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the box has a catch by which the box portions are held together in the closed box position.

18.. A box as claimed in claim 17, in which the catch is integral with the box portions and is released by de¬ formation thereof.