Photo storage box

Abstract

A photo storage box having a generally planar sheet folded to form a box having a rear wall, a top wall, front flap, a front wall extending from the top wall, sidewalls, and a bottom wall. The rear wall has a cut-out portion. The cut-out portion is hingedly connected to the top wall and may be folded upwardly to form a labelling area. The front wall has a slit formed therein and the front flap has a tab. The tab releasably fits within the slit so as to form a closure. The box may hold a plurality of photos. The sheet may be made from a plastic material and is preferably translucent.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a photo storage box and more particularly, toward a storage box with an integral identifying tab.

Sorting and storing photographs is a cumbersome, tedious, time-consuming task. The conventional way of storing photos is by placing them in an album. However, sometimes it may not be very convenient to retrieve a needed photo without leafing through at least one album, and possibly more than one album. Also, it generally is not possible to group photos other than in chronological order in a photo album. Storage area must then be found to house the albums.

Photo storage boxes are also very popular and may be convenient to use and store photographs. However, the photos may not be easily identified and sorted. Again, entire boxes may need to be sorted through in order to locate a single needed photo.

Attempts have been made in order to provide an improved and more efficient photo storage system. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,959,508 to Watkins et al. discloses a storage system for photos and negatives that includes a plurality of envelopes that may be labelled and stored in a box. These envelopes, however, do not appear to be made from a very durable material that would resist wear and tear that may occur during the long-time storage that typically occurs with photos.

Also, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2005/0211582 to Richards discloses a storage system for photos and CDs that includes a plurality of boxes that may be labelled. This system, however, does not appear to provide a closure for each box that is easily and conveniently opened and closed as needed.

Therefore, a need exists for a simple and efficient way to group photos in a way that is easy to handle and store as well as to identify photos.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a durable photo storage box that includes an integral identifying tab.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a photo storage box that is easy and convenient to use and store photos.

In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a photo storage box having a generally planar sheet folded to form a box having a rear wall, a top wall, front flap, a front wall, side walls, and a bottom wall. The rear wall has a cut-out portion. The cut-out portion is hingedly connected to the top wall and may be folded upwardly to form an integral labelling area. The front wall has a slit formed therein and the front flap has a tab. The tab releasably fits within the slit so that the box may be opened and closed as needed. The box may hold a plurality of photos. The sheet may be made from a plastic material and is preferably translucent.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings one form that is presently preferred; it being understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the photo storage system of the present invention which includes a plurality of photo storage boxes;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of an individual photo storage box of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a photo storage box of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a photo storage box of the present invention with the front flap in an open position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals have been used throughout the various figures to designate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 2 a photo storage box constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally as 10.

The photo storage box of the present invention essentially includes a generally planar sheet folded to form a box having a rear wall 12, a top wall 14, front flap 16, a front wall 18, a right sidewall 20, a left side wall 22, and a bottom wall. The front flap 16 extends from the top wall 14 and the rear wall 12 has a cut-out portion which forms an integral tab 24. As can be readily seen, the cut-out portion 24 is substantially rectangularly shaped and is cut only on its two sides 24a and 24b and bottom 24c (as viewed in FIG. 3). The fourth side 24d which lies at the corner between the rear wall 12 and the top wall 14 is not cut and remains hingedly connected to the top wall 14. Thus, the tab 24 may be pushed rearwardly from the inside of the box and folded upwardly to form a labelling area 26. (See FIGS. 3 and 5.)

The front wall 18 has a slit 28 formed therein and the front flap 16 has a tab or flange 30. The tab 30 releasably fits within the slit 28. (See FIG. 6.) The tab 30 provides a closure for the box that may be opened and closed as needed. The box may hold a plurality of photos 32. (See FIG. 4.) A plurality of boxes 34a-30f, for example, may be stored in a carton or container 36. (See FIG. 1.)

The sheet may be made from a plastic or other similar durable material known and used in the art. Preferably, the material from which the sheet is made is translucent. The boxes may be grouped and labeled in any desired manner.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention. By way of example, and not limitation, while the integral label or tab 24 is preferably cut from the rear wall 12, it could be cut from the top wall 14 or the front flap 16.

Claims

1. A photo storage box comprising:

a generally planar sheet folded to a form a box having a rear wall, a top wall, a front flap extending from said top wall, a front wall, a right sidewall, and a left sidewall;

one of said rear wall, top wall and front flap having a cut-out portion;

said cut-out portion being hingedly connected to at least one of said other walls and being foldable upwardly to form a labelling area; and

the box being adapted to hold a plurality of photos.

2. The photo storage box of claim 1 wherein said cut-out portion is in said rear wall adjacent the top thereof, said cut-out portion being hinged to said top wall.

3. The photo storage box of claim 1 wherein said front wall has a slit formed therein and said front flap has a tab, said tab releasably fitting within said slit.

4. The photo storage box of claim 1 wherein said sheet is made from a durable plastic material.

5. The photo storage box of claim 4 wherein said plastic material is translucent.