Storage box for HotWheelsR or MatchboxR die-cast model vehicles
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.
The inventions described below relate the field of storage containers and particularly to storage containers for die-cast model vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSCollectors 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.
SUMMARYThe 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
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
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
The container shown in
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 29, 2003
Publication Date: Mar 3, 2005
Inventor: Scott Meyer (Costa Mesa, CA)
Application Number: 10/651,406