Organizing container

Abstract

A unitary flat blank forming a collapsible reclosable container includes: rear panel, having a pair of side portions, a top panel foldably connected to the rear panel and a cover member foldably connected to top panel and foldable downwardly to a closed position. A bottom panel is foldably connected to the rear panel. A front panel has side portions, foldably connected to the bottom panel and a pair of spaced side panels is foldably connected to respective side portions of the front panel. A pair of flaps is foldably connected to respective side portions. A pair of locking tabs is connected to respective side portions of rear portion. Each side panel has a locking slot for receiving a respective locking tab securing the front panel to rear panel to define a container.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to reclosable containers for articles such as photographs, film strips, and compact discs, and particularly to containers formed from a unitary flat blank of flexible plastic.

2. Related Art

A wide variety of reclosable containers exist, some of which are formed from flat plastic blanks, what is desired is a reclosable container formed of a flat blank to provide a sturdy container that is easier to use than prior art devices.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,917 discloses a container formed of a unitary plastic blank. The container therein uses a pair of relatively short locking tabs that are inserted in a respective pair of slits formed in a lower portion of the front flaps to secure the flaps inside the front panel.

The present invention provides elongated tabs formed on the sides of the rear panel and elongated slots are formed in the flaps foldably connected to the front panel. This approach provides a more secure connection because the tab/slot combinations extend substantially the length of the sides of the respective panels and flaps.

In addition, the present invention places the flaps flat against the inner surface of the rear panel. The prior art container has flaps that are forwardly mounted and extend upwardly past the upper edge of the front panel and thus interfere with usage of the container. The present invention employs a large cutout in the front panel to facilitate the use of the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flat blank for forming a collapsible and reclosable container for articles comprising: a rear panel having upper and lower portions and a pair of spaced side portions; a top panel having front and rear portions foldably connected to the upper portion of the rear and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the rear panel; a cover member having upper and lower portions foldably connected to the front portion of the top panel and adapted to be folded downwardly to a closed portion; a bottom panel having a rear and front portion foldably connected to the lower portion of the rear panel and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the rear panel; a front panel having side portions, a lower and upper portion foldably connected to the front portion of the bottom panel and adapted to be folded upwardly to be substantially parallel to the rear panel; a pair of spaced side panels each having side portions, each foldably connected to a respective side portion of the front portion and adapted to be bent to a right angle to the front panel; a pair of flaps each foldably connected to one respective side portion of a corresponding side panel and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the side panel; a pair of locking tabs each having ends and each foldably connected to a respective said side portion of the rear portion and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the rear panel; each side panel including a locking slot for receiving a respective locking tab to secure the front panel substantially parallel to the rear panel to define an interior space when the blank is folded to form a container. The cover panel includes a securing tab, the front panel including a securing slot for receiving the securing tab therein to secure the cover panel to said front panel. The blank is made of translucent flexible plastic material. The locking slots are located to position the locking tabs inserted therein against the side panels when the blank is folded to form a container. Each flap is located flat against the rear panel when the blank is folded to form a container. The panels and the flaps are foldably connected by fold lines. Also included is a securing slot in the front panel and a securing tab formed in the cover panel sized to fit inside the securing slot to secure the cover over and outside of the front panel when the blank is folded to form a container. The blank is foldable into a collapsed condition wherein the flaps are located flat against the front panel and to locate the front panel flat against the rear panel and to locate the cover panel against and outwardly of the rear panel.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a flat blank for forming a collapsible and reclosable container for articles comprising: a rear panel having upper and lower portions and a pair of spaced side portions; a top panel having front and rear portions foldably connected to the upper portion of the rear and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the rear panel; a cover member having a securing tab, upper and lower portions foldably connected to the front portion of the top panel and adapted to be folded downwardly to a closed position, a bottom panel having a rear and front portion foldably connected to the lower portion of the rear panel and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the rear panel; a front panel having a securing slot for receiving the securing tab for connecting the cover panel to the front panel and side portions and lower and upper portions foldably connected to the front portion of the bottom panel and adapted to be folded upwardly to be substantially parallel to the rear panel; a pair of spaced side panels each having side portions each foldably connected to a respective the side portion of the front portion and adapted to be bent to a right angle to the front panel; a pair of flaps each foldably connected to one respective side portion of a corresponding side panel and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the side panel; a pair of elongate locking tabs each having ends including arcuate notches therein, each tab foldably connected to a respective side portion of the rear portion and extending substantially the length thereof and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the rear panel; each side panel including an elongate locking slot extending substantially the length thereof for receiving a respective locking tab to secure the front panel substantially parallel to the rear panel to define an interior space when the blank is folded to form a container. The locking slots are located to position the locking tabs inserted therein inwardly and against the side panels when the blank is folded to form a container. Each flap is located flat against and inwardly of the rear panel when the blank is folded to form a container. The blank is foldable into a collapsed condition wherein the flaps are located flat outside of and against the front panel and to locate the front panel flat against the rear panel and to locate the cover panel outside of and against the rear panel.

In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a collapsible and reclosable container for articles comprising a blank including: a rear panel having upper and lower portions and a pair of spaced side portions; a top panel having front and rear portions foldably connected to the upper portion of the rear and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the rear panel; a cover member having upper and lower portions foldably connected to the front portion of the top panel and adapted to be folded downwardly to a closed position; a bottom panel having a rear and front portion foldably connected to the lower portion of the rear panel and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the rear panel; a front panel having side portions, a lower and upper portion foldably connected to the front portion of the bottom panel and adapted to be folded upwardly to be substantially parallel to the rear panel; a pair of spaced side panels each having side portions each foldably connected to a respective side portion of the front portion and adapted to be bent to a right angle to the front panel; a pair of flaps each foldably connected to one respective side portion of a corresponding side panel and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the side panel; a pair of locking tabs each having ends and each foldably connected to a respective side portion of the rear portion and adapted to be bent at a right angle to the rear panel; each side panel including a locking slot for receiving a respective locking tab to secure the front panel substantially parallel to the rear panel to define an interior space when the flank is folded to form a container. The cover panel includes a securing tab, the front panel including a securing slot for receiving the securing tab therein to secure the cover panel to the front panel. The rear panel includes a tab bendable at a right angle to the rear panel and sized to fit through the center of articles having a passageway therethrough for securing such container vertically within the container. The locking slots are located to position the locking tabs inserted therein against the side panels when the blank is folded to form the container. Each flap is located flat against the rear panel when the blank is folded to form the container. The panels and the flaps are foldably connected by fold lines. A securing slot in the front panel and a securing tab formed in the cover panel are sized to secure the cover over and outside the front panel when the blank is folded to form the container. The blank is foldable into a collapsed condition wherein the flaps are located flat against the front panel and to locate the front panel flat against the rear panel and to locate the cover panel against and outwardly of the rear panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the blank in accord with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembled container formed from the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the container of FIG. 3 open for use; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective of the blank of FIGS. 1-3, partially folded to form a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With respect now to the drawings, the preferred flat, unitary, translucent plastic blank used to form the container is shown at 10. A tapered cover panel 11 is defined by a rear side defined by fold line 12, two side edge portions 14 and a tapered front edge portion 15. A securing tab 16 is cut into cover 11. Additional fold lines 13 and 13′ connect top panel 17 to rear panel 18 which includes a tab 19 formed by cut 20 that first through the center of one or more CD's, DVD's 41, etc. to hold them vertically. The side edge portions 21 of rear panel 18 are defined by fold lines 22. Locking tabs 23, having arcuate notches 24 at the ends thereof are foldably connected via fold lines 22.

A bottom panel 26, defined by fold lines 25 and 27, is foldably connected to front panel 28. Panel 28 includes two side edge portions defined by fold lines 30 and two side panels 32 defined by fold lines 31. Arcuate securing slot 29 is used to secure cover panel 11 via locking tab 16.

A pair of front flaps 33 are defined by respective sides 34 and fold lines 31. Each fold line 31 has a locking slot 37 having ends 38 into which are inserted locking tabs 23. Top edges 35 and cutout portion 36 further define front panel 28.

The construction of container 39 is accomplished by folding front panel 28 upwardly at a right angle to bottom panel 26 along line 27. The front flaps 33 are folded inwardly along fold lines 30 and 31 to form side panels 32.

Locking tabs 23 are bent at right angles at lines 22 and are inserted into locking slots 37 to place front flaps 33 flat against the inside surface 18′ of rear panel 18.

Cover panel 11 is then folded over lines 12 and 13 to place securing tab 16 into securing slot 29 to hold cover 11 over front panel 28.

The positioning of flaps 33 against the inner surface 18′ of rear panel 18 keeps the flaps 33 out of the way and thus they do not interfere with access to the articles within interior space 40.

The blank 10 is shipped and sold in a collapsed form achieved by folding cover panel 11 backwards along line 13′ against the outside surface of rear panel 18. Front panel 28 folded upwardly along line 27 to place the panel 28 flat against the inside surface 18′ of rear panel 18. The locking tabs 23 are folded flat against the inside surface 18′ of panel 18. The front flaps 33 are then folded along lines 30 to locate them flat against the outside surface of front panel 28.

Locking tabs 23 extend substantially the length of the sides of the rear panel 18 and locking slots 37 similarly extend substantially the length of the sides of front panel 28. This structure provides a more sturdy container 39 than prior art approaches.

Access to the interior space 40 of the container 39 and the various articles 41 therein is facilitated by the large cutout 36 located substantially medially in front panel 28.

While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A temperature monitor, comprising:

a housing;

a temperature sensor to provide temperature indications, wherein the temperature sensor is disposed inside the housing and exposed to an ambient temperature;

circuitry within the housing for processing and storing the temperature indications, the circuitry being exposed to the ambient temperature; and

a power supply within the housing and coupled to the circuitry, wherein the power supply is adapted to provide a level of power to the circuitry sufficient for the operability of the circuitry at least at all ambient temperatures between −40° C. and −80° C.

2. The temperature monitor of claim 1, wherein the temperature monitor further comprises a display coupled to the housing.

3. The temperature monitor of claim 2, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

4. The temperature monitor of claim 2, further comprising:

a user interface, wherein information displayed on the display may be controlled via the user interface.

5. The temperature monitor of claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises:

a battery that generates a battery output; and

a voltage regulator that receives the battery output and outputs a regulated output.

6. The temperature monitor of claim 5, wherein the battery output has a higher voltage than the regulated output.

7. The temperature monitor of claim 6, wherein the battery output has a voltage of approximately 3.6 V at room temperature.

8. The temperature monitor of claim 6, wherein the regulated output has a voltage of approximately 2.8 V.

9. The temperature monitor of claim 5, wherein the regulated output has a substantially constant voltage.

10. The temperature monitor of claim 5, wherein the power supply further comprises a capacitor coupled between the regulated output and ground.

11. (canceled)

12. The temperature monitor of claim 1, wherein the temperature monitor further comprises an adhesive coupled to an exterior of the housing.

13. The temperature monitor of claim 1, wherein the temperature monitor further comprises optical communications circuitry for transmitting information from the housing.

14. The temperature monitor of claim 13, wherein the temperature monitor further comprises optical communications circuitry for receiving information at the housing.

15. The temperature monitor of claim 1, wherein the temperature monitor is probeless.

16. The temperature monitor of claim 1, wherein the ambient temperature equilibrates to a temperature external to the housing.

17. A method, comprising acts of:

exposing the interior of an at least partially rigid housing to a temperature below −40° C.;

during the act of exposing, measuring the temperature in the interior of the housing;

storing an indication of the temperature within the housing; and

processing the indication of the temperature within the housing.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the act of exposing comprises exposing the interior of a housing to a temperature below −60° C.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the act of exposing comprises exposing the interior of a housing to a temperature below −80° C.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising an act of placing the housing in a container with dry ice.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the act of processing comprises processing at least the indication of the temperature within the housing to generate temperature information, wherein the method further comprises an act of:

displaying the temperature information on a display coupled to the housing.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the indication of temperature is stored within a memory and processed by a microcontroller, and wherein the method further comprises an act of:

providing substantially constant power to the memory and the microcontroller.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising an act of:

regulating an output of a battery to generate a regulated supply voltage; wherein the act of providing substantially constant power to the memory and the microcontroller comprises providing the regulated supply voltage to the memory and the microcontroller.

24. A temperature monitor, comprising:

an at least partially rigid housing;

a temperature sensor to provide temperature indications; and

means, within the housing, for processing and storing the temperature indications, wherein said means is operable when exposed to a temperature of approximately −80° C.

25. The temperature monitor of claim 24, wherein the temperature sensor is within the housing.

26. The temperature monitor of claim 24, further comprising a display mechanically coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the means for processing and storing.

27. The temperature monitor of claim 24, wherein the temperature monitor is probeless.

28. A device, comprising:

a probeless temperature monitor comprising a temperature sensor in direct thermal contact with an ambient temperature, wherein the monitor is operable for at least at all ambient temperatures between −40° C. and −80° C.