Storage box for HotWheelsR or MatchboxR die-cast model vehicles

Abstract

A sturdy, plastic storage container for die-cast model vehicles contained in blister packages. The storage container has two webs separating the storage container into three compartments. The compartments are sized and dimensioned to hold a discrete number of rows of blister packages in which the model vehicles are individually packed. The storage container itself is transparent and securely stackable with other storage containers of the same design.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS

The inventions described below relate the field of storage containers and particularly to storage containers for die-cast model vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

Collectors of HotWheels® or Matchbox® die-cast model vehicles often store their collections in the same cardboard boxes in which the vehicles were shipped. However, cardboard boxes are opaque and so collectors cannot easily view their collections. Cardboard boxes are also vulnerable to insect infestation, water damage and impact damage. Collectors also store model vehicles in plastic storage containers, though plastic containers known to the inventor are unsuitable for holding either the model vehicles or the blister packages in which the models are individually stored. Known storage containers allow the models or their blister packages to shift or slide inside the container, resulting in either the blister packages being damaged or the vehicles themselves being damaged. Collectors also display models in individual display cases, though such cases are unsuitable for storing or displaying large numbers of models. Thus, a need exists for a storage container designed to display and securely store large numbers of die cast model vehicles.

SUMMARY

The containers described below provide for secure, viewable, accessible storage of packages containing die-cast model vehicles. The box is made of a transparent, durable plastic and is provided with sturdy dividers that separate the container into compartments. The compartments are spaced to accommodate a discrete number of rows of model vehicle blister packages. The compartments are also sized and dimensioned so that the blister packages may be easily arranged on their sides. Thus, the model vehicles and their blister packages are readily visible through the container walls.

Storage volumes established by the box walls and dividers are sized and dimensioned to securely hold discrete multiples of blister packages of known predetermined dimensions. The box walls and dividers of the box are substantially perpendicular to the floor of the box so that blister packages will lie flush against each other and against the box, and will not shift when the box is handled and transported. The webs are shorter than the depth of the box to allow for easy insertion and removal of blister packages. Thus, the container allows for efficient, secure and easy to use storage of blister packages that contain die-cast model vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a storage container designed to hold blister packages containing die-cast model vehicles.

FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the storage container.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the storage container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS

FIG. 1 shows a storage container 1 designed to hold blister packages containing die-cast model vehicles. Specifically, the storage container is designed to hold a discrete number of blister packages of die-cast model vehicles produced by Mattel, Inc. and marketed under the brands of HotWheels® and Matchbox®. The container is also sized and dimensioned to hold a discrete number of rows, with the row length sized and dimensioned to hold discrete numbers of packages. (The row length is established by the container side walls and is set to accommodate a discrete number of blister packages.) The container comprises compartments, with the compartments sized and dimensioned to hold a discrete number of rows of packages.

The container is a made of transparent polypropylene plastic or other durable, transparent materials (such as glass, plexiglass, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), LDPE or other transparent plastics) that allow a collector to see inside the case. The transparent storage container is sized and dimensioned to allow a collector to stack the blister packages side by side. Thus, a collector can view the collection without opening the container. Since the storage container is made of a durable plastic, the container protects the contents from damage from liquids, insects, physical impact, and other hazards.

The container is an open box 2 provided with a detachable lid 3. Two dividers, ribs or webs 4 are integrally formed with the box and separate the box into three compartments 5. The entire container is manufactured by injection molding, so that the dividers are formed as “webs” in the injection molding process, and are integrally formed with the box walls and bottom panel. Each compartment is sized and dimensioned to hold three rows of blister packages that contain HotWheels® or Matchbox® die-cast model vehicles. (The blister packages containing these die-cast model vehicles are provided by the manufacturer in predetermined, standard sizes.) The compartments and box walls or panels are sized and dimensioned so that any given blister package, when placed on its side relative to the bottom panel of the box, extends about from the bottom panel of the box to the lid when the lid is secured to the box. Thus, three rows of blister packages fit substantially snugly within a compartment, thereby preventing the contents of the container from shifting or sliding.

Both sides of each web are disposed substantially perpendicularly to the bottom panel 6 of the box and to two opposing side panels 7 and 8 or 9 and 10 of the box. The webs are also thick enough to limit excessive warping of the webs. The box itself is manufactured to have square corners, with little or no rounding (commercial containers have substantially rounded corners), and the side panels of the box are substantially perpendicular to the bottom panels. Thus, blister packages snugly fit within the container and do not bend around rounded corners or surfaces at the joints between adjacent side walls, or at the joints between the side walls and the bottom panel, or the joints between the side walls and the webs.

The container is provided with additional features to make it more convenient to use. Handles 20 are placed on one or more sides of the box for easy transport. Indentations 21 in the side panels of the box at the area of the handles provide room for fingers. In addition, the lid is provided with a ridge 22 having a groove that securely fits over a second ridge 23 disposed around the rim of the box. Thus, when the lid is secured to the box, the container is sealed from moisture and the contents of the container will not accidentally spill out of the box.

The container may be manufactured in various sizes, so long as a discrete number of rows (preferably 2, 3 or 4 rows) of blister packages fit snugly within the compartments and so long as the box is sturdy enough to withstand physical impacts encountered during normal transport and storage. One suitable container has dimensions of about 4.75 inches deep along the direction indicated by arrows 24, about 15.88 inches long along the direction indicated by arrows 25 and about 15.44 inches wide along the direction indicated by arrows 26 (see FIG. 1). The webs are about 0.06 inches thick, about 3.50 inches tall and extend from one side 7 panel to an opposite side panel 8. The thickness of the webs is substantially uniform from top to bottom, so that both sides of the web are substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the case. The webs 4 are evenly spaced within the box so that each compartment 5 is about 4.81 inches wide. The side panels and bottom panel of the box are each about 0.06 inches thick. The side panels in the area of the handles are inset about 0.38 inches to provide space for fingers.

Injection molding a box with integrally formed, perpendicular webs is difficult. Most injection molded objects having extensions such as the webs illustrated in the figures are molded with such extensions having sides that slope at angles greater than 1 degree. This is done in order to allow the object to be pulled from the mold without breaking the object. The webs shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 have opposing walls that slope less than a degree away from perpendicularity. Thus, a substantial number of pin-outs, well above that necessary for typical containers, is required so that the box may be ejected from its mold.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the storage container 1. Blister packages 27 containing HotWheels® or Matchbox® die-cast model vehicles 28 (the bottoms of which are visible in FIG. 2) are about 1.0 to about 2.0 inches thick at their thickest point (along arrows 26), and average about 1.5 inches thick. Thus, three rows of blister packages will fit within each compartment, as shown in FIG. 3. Each blister package is about 4.4 inches wide (along arrows 24) so that a blister package, when placed on its side, fits within the container when the lid 3 is secured to the box 2. The width of the blister packages also extends past the height of the webs so that a collector may easily insert or remove blister packages from the compartments.

FIG. 2 also shows that the rim 40 of the box extends outwardly from the side panels of the box. A ridge 23 is disposed around the rim. A corresponding ridge 22 extending from the edges of the lid contains a groove 41 extending around the perimeter of the lid. In use, the groove fits securely over the ridge of the box rim, thereby removably attaching the lid to the box. Because the ridge extends outwardly from the side panels of the box, multiple storage containers can be easily stacked on top of each other. The bottom panel 6 of a first box fits within the perimeter of the ridge of the lid of a second box disposed beneath the first box.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the storage container 1, as seen through the lid of the container. Each blister package 27 is disposed on its side, relative to the bottom panel of the box 2, so that a collector can see the front or back of each die-cast model vehicle 28 through the lid or through the bottom wall. The blister packs of a row may be interleaved in alternating fashion, with the blister of one blister pack nestled in the banner area of a oppositely facing blister pack in the same row, as shown in FIG. 3. Many blister packages will fit within the container. The container shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 holds blister packages for die-cast model vehicles more efficiently than any known container. A container having dimensions along arrows 25 and 26 similar to those described in reference to FIG. 2 will hold up to about 90 die cast model vehicles within their blister packages. In contrast, the cardboard boxes in which most die-cast model vehicles are shipped are about the same size as the container shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, but contain only about 72 vehicles.

The container shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 may be modified to provide for the needs of different collectors. For example, the container may have more than or fewer than three webs. (One container has 8 webs establishing 9 compartments so that each row of blister packages is separated by a web.) The webs may be removably attached to the container to allow a collector to adjust the number or size of compartments. The webs may be taller or shorter. The webs need not be evenly spaced within the container so that a container has differently sized compartments, though a given compartment should hold a discrete number of rows of blister packages. Moreover, the webs need not extend completely from one side panel to an opposite side panel. The container itself may be larger or smaller, so long as the container will hold a discrete number of rows of blister packages for die-cast model vehicles. In addition, the container may be sized and dimensioned to hold a discrete number of rows of blister packages that hold other objects, such as action figures, dolls, or other toys. The box may also be provided in a variety of colors, though the box remains transparent so that a collector may view the collection through the box. To protect the contents of the box from light exposure, the box may be made opaque or translucent. Thus, while the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods have been described in reference to the environment in which they were developed, they are merely illustrative of the principles of the inventions. Other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the inventions and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container for storing and displaying die-cast model vehicles marketed under the brands of HotWheels® and Matchbox®, said die-cast model vehicles individually disposed in transparent blister packages, said blister packages having predetermined height, width and thickness, said container comprising:

a transparent box characterized by side panels and a bottom panel, said side panels being substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel;

two webs integrally formed with the bottom panel, said webs extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom panel and said webs having a uniform thickness, wherein the webs separate the box into a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment;

wherein the first, second and third compartments are each sized and dimensioned to hold a discrete number of rows of blister packages.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the first and second webs extend a distance from the bottom panel that is less than the predetermined width of the blister package.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein the box has dimensions of about 4.75 inches by about 15.88 inches by about 15.44 inches.

4. The container of claim 3 wherein the webs extend about 3.5 inches from the bottom panel.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein the two webs are characterized by having sides and wherein each side of each web deviates from being perpendicular to the bottom panel by less than one degree.

6. A container for storing Hot-Wheels® and Matchbox® cars in their original blister packs, wherein the blister packs have a backing and a transparent blister, are characterized by a predetermined thickness, width and height, are further characterized by an extension of the backing, and wherein the blisters are characterized by a predetermined height which is smaller that the height of the blister pack, said container characterized by a bottom and outer walls establishing a height, width and depth for the container, wherein the container is further characterized in that:

at least one web is disposed within the container, extending upwardly within the container, thereby dividing the container into at least two compartments, said webs having a height substantially less than the width of the blister packs, said webs being substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the container, said webs having a substantially uniform thickness;

the compartments established by the webs are sized and dimensioned such that they closely accommodate a discrete number of rows of blister packages across the width of the compartment, and a discrete number of blister packages along the height of the compartment; and

the container is transparent.

7. A method of storing die-cast model vehicles, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a container for storing and displaying die-cast model vehicles marketed under the brands of HotWheels® and Matchbox®, said die-cast model vehicles individually disposed in transparent blister packages, said blister packages having predetermined height, width and thickness, said container comprising: a transparent box characterized by side panels and a bottom panel, said side panels being substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel; two webs integrally formed with the bottom panel, said webs extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom panel and said webs having a uniform thickness, wherein the webs separate the box into a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment; wherein the first, second and third compartments are each sized and dimensioned to hold a discrete number of rows of blister packages;

placing a discrete number of rows of blister packages into a compartment; and

providing a lid capable of being removably attached to the box and attaching the lid to the box.