Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6206189
-
Patent Number
6,206,189
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, October 13, 199924 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 27, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 206 807
- 206 372
- 206 373
- 206 15
- 206 806
- 220 324
- 220 326
- 220 835
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
The present invention provides a display container for retaining retail sales products. The display container includes a housing having a bottom portion having a plurality of sides and a top portion which can engage the bottom portion to form an enclosure within which the retail merchandise can reside. The housing is in a closed orientation when the top portion is engaged with the bottom portion. The top portion is preferably interconnected with one of the plurality of sides of the bottom portion so that the top portion can engage the bottom portion to form the enclosure. The housing further includes a tamper proof clasp or snap closure mechanism. The snap closure mechanism includes a latch strap and a lip over which the latch strap can extend, the latch strap having a strap surface extending away from a first portion. The latch strap further includes a catch protruding away from the strap surface to define a catch face generally extending away from the strap surface at an angle of about 90°. When the top portion is engaged with the bottom portion to form the enclosure, the catch face can engage the lip such that the latch strap engages the lip and holds the enclosure in the closed orientation. The snap closure mechanism further includes a containment bridge under which at least an end portion of the latch strap extends when the latch strap engages the lip, the containment bridge extending from a first location to a second location on the housing proximate the lip, and generally restricts the movement of the strap away from the lip when the catch face is engaged with the lip such that the catch face cannot be disengaged from the lip without destroying the containment bridge. In preferred embodiments the housing is made of a synthetic polymeric material through which retail merchandise contained within the housing can be seen. In more preferred embodiments the housing contains a tool bit display panel for receiving, retaining and displaying tool bits. Further preferred elements include the housing having a tab having a hook receiving receptacle for hang the display container on a display hook.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a container for holding, storing and displaying tool bits, such as drill bits, driver bits, hex bits, bit holders and the like. Typical tool bit holders are opaque thereby imposing limitations on displaying their contents in a retail setting. Specifically, in order to attract a consumer, the holders are often packaged in an open position and shrink-wrapped to show their contents and to prevent the tool bits from falling out or being stolen. Alternatively, the holders are displayed as part of a kit in a large, molded plastic, disposable container which displays the holder in the closed position and each individual tool bit in an exploded view outside of the holder. The consumer, after purchasing the kit, must remove each bit from the display container and place it in the holder. It would be desirable to develop a tool bit index which serves as both a storage container and a display case suitable for retail environments.
Accordingly, it will be appreciated that there is a need for better containers for displaying retail merchandise of this type. The present invention provides advantages over the prior containers and also offers other advantages over the prior art and solves other problems associated therewith.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a merchandise display container for retaining retail sales products. The preferred display container includes a housing having a bottom portion having a plurality of sides and a top portion which can engage the bottom portion to form an enclosure within which the retail merchandise can reside. The top portion is preferably interconnected with one of the plurality of sides of the bottom portion so that the top portion can engage the bottom portion to form the enclosure. In preferred embodiments the housing is made of a synthetic polymeric material through which retail merchandise contained within the housing can be seen and it preferably includes a “tamper proof” clasp or snap closure mechanism. The “temper proof” snap closure mechanism has first and second elements. The first element is a part of a first portion of the housing and the second element is a part of a second portion of the housing. The first portion is selected from one of the group consisting of the top portion and the bottom portion, and the second portion is the other. The first element includes a latch strap. The latch strap is an extension of the first portion and has a strap surface extending away from the first portion. The latch strap further includes a catch protruding away from the strap surface to define a catch face generally extending away from the strap surface at an angle of generally about 90°. The second element includes a lip on the second portion over which the latch strap can extend when the top portion is engaged with the bottom portion to form the enclosure, wherein the catch face of the first element can engage the lip of the second element such that the latch strap engages the lip and holds the enclosure in a closed orientation or position. The housing is in the closed position when the top portion is engaged with the bottom portion. The second portion further includes a containment bridge under which at least an end portion of the latch strap extends when the latch strap engages the lip. The containment bridge extends from a first location to a second location on the outer surface of the second portion proximate the lip, and generally restricts the movement of the strap away from the lip when the catch face is engaged with the lip such that the catch face cannot be disengaged from the lip without destroying the containment bridge.
In more preferred embodiments, the housing contains a tool bit display panel for receiving, retaining and displaying tool bits; a lower portion of the tool bit display panel is pivotally interconnected with the bottom portion of the housing such that the tool bit panel can pivot with respect to the bottom portion, thereby affording improved access to an upper portion of the tool bit panel when the top portion of the housing is not engaged with the bottom portion to form the enclosure and the upper portion of the panel is pivoted away from the bottom portion. The tool bit panel provides a plurality of tool bit receiving receptacles for receiving and retaining tool bits. Other preferred elements include the housing having a living hinge connecting the top portion with the bottom portion; the housing having a pair of protrusion receiving openings in the bottom portion of the housing; and the display panel having a pair of extruded metal protrusions extending outwardly from opposite sides of the panel, the metal extrusions being seated within respective extrusion receiving openings to enable the panel to pivot with respect to the bottom portion. Further preferred elements include the housing having a hanger tab; the hanger tab having a hook receiving receptacle for hang the display container or index on a merchandise display hook.
In further preferred embodiments, the housing has a top surface and a bottom surface and four sides, three of the sides being generally oriented at an angle of about 90° with respect to at least one of the other sides and the fourth side being oriented at angles with respect to each of the other sides which are other than 90°. In further preferred embodiments the tool bits are drill bits and in further embodiments the housing is made of a synthetic polymeric material which can be cut and separated from the housing, the containment bridge being severable such that the strap can be pull away from the lip, thereby disengaging the catch face from the lip and permitting the disengagement of the top portion from the bottom portion.
Advantageously, the preferred container of the present invention generally provides an index for storing tool bits of various types and sizes, preferably a series of drill bits.
It is another advantage of the invention to provide a display container or an index which is suitable for use as a retail display case.
It is also a characteristic of the invention to provide a display container or an index which minimizes the tampering and accidental opening.
It is yet another advantage of the invention to provide a display container or a tool bit index which prevents opening by a consumer while the container or index is in a retail environment.
It is still another characteristic of the invention to provide a display container or a tool bit index which has at least one transparent surface so that all of the contents of the a display container or index may be viewed without opening the same.
It is also an advantage of the invention to provide a display container or a tool bit index that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and provides pricing advantages to OEM manufacturers.
In preferred embodiments, the present invention provides an improved container or index for both storing and displaying tool bits. The display container or tool bit index of this invention is preferably formed from a clear plastic material such that its contents may be viewed even when the container or index is in a closed position. Furthermore, in order to prevent the index from opening while on display in a retail store, the containment bridge covers the catch mechanism, thereby blocking the movement required to open the catch mechanism. The containment bridge may be cut away by the consumer after purchasing the container or index so that the same may be opened and closed freely and repeatedly. It is envisioned that preferred embodiments of the top portion of the housing are integral with one of the plurality of sides of the bottom portion, thereby forming a living hinge which flexes when opening and closing the container or index. Alternatively, any known hinge configuration could be used to facilitate a door-like relationship between the top portion and the bottom portion.
The tool bit panel of the preferred embodiment preferably has an upper portion which receives the tool bits and a lower portion which is pivotally interconnected with the bottom portion of the housing such that the tool bit panel can pivot with respect to the bottom portion. This configuration affords improved access to the upper portion of the tool bit panel when the top portion of the housing is not engaged with the bottom portion to form the enclosure and the upper portion of the panel is pivoted away from the bottom portion. The upper portion of the tool bit panel preferably has a plurality of tool bit receiving receptacles or openings for receiving and retaining tool bits.
The housing is maintained in a closed position by a snap closure mechanism. The snap closure mechanism has first and second elements, the first element being a part of a first portion of the housing and the second element being a part of a second portion of the housing, the first portion being one of the group consisting of the top portion and the bottom portion, and the second portion being the other.
The first element of the snap closure mechanism includes a latch strap which is an extension of the first portion and has a strap surface extending away from the first portion. The latch strap has a catch protruding away from the strap surface to define a catch face generally extending away from the strap surface at an angle of generally about 90 degrees. The second element has a lip on the second portion over which the latch strap can extend when the top portion is engaged with the bottom portion to form the enclosure. The catch face of the first element can engage the lip of the second element such that the latch strap, engaged with the lip, holds the enclosure in the closed orientation.
The second portion includes a containment bridge under which at least an end portion of the latch strap extends when the latch strap engages the lip. The containment bridge extends from a first location to a second location on the second portion, proximate the lip, and generally restricts the movement of the strap away from the lip when the catch face is engaged with the lip, such that the catch face cannot disengage from the lip because the strap is held generally in place by the containment bridge.
These and other objectives, advantages and features of novelty that characterize the present invention will be described more fully in the following description, made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like and primed reference numerals and characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views. And, although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been described herein, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims which form a further part hereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will be further described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the top portion is engaged with the bottom portion to form the enclosure;
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention similar to that shown in
FIG. 1
, except that the top portion is disengaged from the bottom portion, the containment bridge is broken and the tool bit panel, shown in hidden line, is pivoted forward, thereby providing access to drill bits, which are also shown in hidden line;
FIG. 3
is a top plan view of the housing of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIG. 1
, except that the top portion is disengaged from the bottom portion in a manner as might be expected prior to assembly and closure of the preferred display container or index of the present invention;
FIG. 4
is a front side elevational view of the housing of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIG. 1
, except that the top portion is disengaged from the bottom portion in a manner as might be expected prior to assembly and closure of the preferred display container or index;
FIG. 5
is a right side elevational view of the housing of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIG. 4
wherein the top portion is disengaged from the bottom portion prior to assembly and closure of the preferred display container;
FIG. 6
is an enlarged broken away partial top plan view of the containment bridge and engagement lip of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5
;
FIG. 7
is a partial cross-sectional view of the snap mechanism of the preferred embodiment of the present invention as seen generally from line
7
—
7
of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 8
is the partial cut-away view similar to that of
FIG. 7
, but showing the containment bridge broken away and showing the general relationship of elements of snap mechanism during opening or closing operation; and
FIG. 9
is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of a further housing of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, a tool bit index
10
is shown including a housing
12
and a tool bit panel
14
.
FIG. 1
shows tool bit index
10
in a closed position, thereby creating enclosure
16
which contains tool bit panel
14
.
FIG. 2
shows tool bit index
10
in an open position, allowing panel
14
to pivot outwardly, thereby providing access to any tool bits
20
contained therein. It will be appreciated that the present tool bit index
10
is preferred merchandise display container of the present invention, but the other display containers are also envisioned which contain other merchandise. Furthermore, although the preferred tool bit index
10
is designed to retain drill bits
20
, other tool bits can also be retained in this or other embodiments.
In preferred embodiments, the housing
12
, and the merchandise display container or tool index
10
of the present invention, will be made primarily, if not entirely, of synthetic polymeric material, preferably a clear or at least translucent synthetic polymer such as polystyrenes, polybutadienes, polyacrylonitriles, polyethylene terephthalates, polyolefins or the like, or combination thereof, preferably thermoplastic copolymers including polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutylene, or the like, and combinations thereof. In the most preferred embodiments the synthetic polymer will be a synthetic polymeric material through which retail merchandise within the display container can be seen.
Referring now also to
FIGS. 3-6
, the housing
12
specifically includes a bottom portion
22
and a top portion
24
. Bottom portion
22
has a plurality of bottom portion walls
26
extending outwardly from a back panel
30
. Preferably, a mating flange
32
is integral with the outside surface
34
of walls
26
and forms an abutment surface
36
. As shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5
, mating flange
32
is a ridge-like discontinuity on the otherwise, substantially planar outside surface
34
of walls
26
. Mating flange
32
extends from abutment surface
36
to back panel
30
, thereby forming outer surface
34
of walls
26
. It is envisioned that a hanger tab
38
extends from mating flange
32
in order to allow tool index
10
to be hung from a merchandise display hangar (not shown) such as that of a retail display case or a tool retaining peg board surface in a workshop.
As seen in
FIG. 3
, top portion
24
has a similar shape to that of bottom portion
22
for conformity therewith, but is enlarged enough to fit around an upper portion
27
of walls
26
which extend above the abutment surface
36
of the mating flange
32
when the top portion
24
is engaged with the bottom portion
22
. Top portion
24
has a front panel
40
with top portion walls
42
extending outwardly from the perimeter of panel
40
. Walls
42
have an outer edge
44
which abuts abutment surface
36
when tool index
10
is in a closed position or orientation.
Top portion
24
is operably connected to bottom portion
22
by hinge
46
. Though hinge
46
is depicted in the preferred embodiment by an extension or “living hinge” which is integral with both a bottom portion wall
26
and a top portion wall
42
, it is envisioned that any suitable hinge mechanism or hinge structure can be used. Hinge
46
allows top portion
24
to pivot about hinge
46
and mate with bottom portion
22
to define a closed position. When tool index
10
is closed, an enclosure
16
is formed. Enclosure
16
is defined by the back panel
30
, front panel
40
, bottom portion walls
26
, and top portion walls
42
. Tool index
10
is considered fully closed and in the closed position when abutment surface
36
of bottom portion
22
abuts outer edge
44
of top portion
24
.
Referring now also to
FIGS. 7 and 8
, tool index
10
is kept in a closed position by a snap mechanism
52
. Snap mechanism
52
is best shown in FIG.
7
and includes a catch
54
and a catch receiver
56
. It is envisioned that, in alternate embodiments, catch
54
could extend from either a top portion wall
42
or a bottom portion wall
26
with catch receiver
56
being thereby formed into bottom portion wall
26
or top portion wall
42
, respectively.
FIG. 3
depicts an embodiment wherein catch
54
extends from a bottom portion wall
26
and catch receiver
56
extends from a top portion wall
42
.
FIG. 9
shows an alternate embodiment wherein catch
54
′ extends from a top portion wall
42
′ and catch receiver
56
′ extends from a bottom portion wall
26
′.
In order to prevent the housing
12
,
12
′ from opening accidentally while in a retail environment, it is envisioned that housing
12
,
12
′ will include a containment bridge
70
,
70
′. Containment bridge
70
,
70
′ is preferably molded from the same material used to form housing
12
,
12
′. Containment bridge
70
,
70
′ is an elongate bridge extending from a bottom portion wall
26
,
26
′ proximate one side of catch receiver
56
,
56
′, over catch receiver
56
,
56
′ and reconnecting with bottom portion wall
26
,
26
′ proximate the other side of catch receiver
56
,
56
′. At mid span, containment bridge
70
,
70
′ is separated from catch receiver a predetermined amount to create a gap
72
,
72
′ between containment bridge
70
,
70
′ and catch receiver
56
,
56
′ as best seen in
FIGS. 6 and 7
. Gap
72
,
72
′ must be of sufficient size to accommodate latch strap
60
when merchandise display container or index of the present invention is in a closed position. Additionally, gap
72
,
72
′ must be small enough to prevent latch strap
60
from being pulled away from the catch receiver
56
,
56
′ enough to allow catch
54
,
54
′ to separate from catch face mating surface
66
,
66
′ to slide over lip
68
, and thereby open the closed housing or enclosure
12
,
12
′. Additionally, containment bridge
70
,
70
′ is preferably thin enough to allow removal of the bridge
70
,
70
′ using a scissors, knife or other sharp object, without otherwise damaging housing
12
,
12
′. Once containment bridge
70
,
70
′ is properly removed, latch strap
60
,
60
′ is unimpeded and the display container or index can be opened and closed repeatedly.
Catch
54
extends inwardly from a latch strap
60
. Catch
54
is shaped to form a catch face
62
extending inwardly from a latch strap
60
at a substantially perpendicular angle α which is generally about ninety degrees to the inner surface
59
of latch strap
60
. Catch
54
tapers back to latch strap
60
opposite catch face
62
, to form angled face
64
. Angled face
64
joins latch strap
60
at an outside angle β which is preferably greater than ninety degrees but less than one hundred eighty degrees. Angle β is more preferably between about 135 and 170 degrees. The latch strap
60
is engaged with the catch receiver
56
when the display container or index
10
is in a closed position.
When presented to consumers in a retail setting the latch strap
60
is secured by containment bridge
70
extending away from the outside surface
34
of the bottom wall portion
26
. Unless the containment bridge
70
is destroyed or otherwise broken or disconnected from the housing
12
, the latch strap
60
cannot be raised in order to disengage the catch face
62
from the catch receiver
56
. In order to open the display container
10
, therefore, a purchase will need to clip the ends of the containment bridge
70
to separate it from the housing
12
. When the containment bridge
70
is separated from the housing, the latch strap
60
can be easily lifted to disengage the catch
54
from the catch receiver
56
. In this way, the display containers of the present invention are “tamper proof” so long as the containment bridges remain intact. Because the preferred container will be made of synthetic polymers through which the consumer will be able to see the merchandise within the container, there will be no real need for the consumer to open the container until it has been purchased. The combination of the “tamper proof” catch mechanism and the “see-through” nature of the container will help retailers reduce product tampering while providing consumers with visual inspection capability to confirm the contents of the container prior to purchase.
Catch receiver
56
preferably includes an indentation in bottom portion wall
26
, or, alternatively, in top portion wall
42
′ as seen in the embodiment shown in
FIG. 9
to form catch face mating surface
66
. Catch face mating surface
66
extends inwardly from bottom portion wall
26
in a manner so that it will “mate” with catch face
62
. A lip
68
is defined by the intersection between catch face mating surface
66
and outside surface
34
of bottom portion wall
26
proximate mating surface
66
. When tool index
10
is in a closed position, catch face
62
abuts against catch face mating surface
66
in such a manner as to prevent tool index
10
from opening without the application of force to disengage the latch strap
60
and the latch strap catch face
62
from the lip
68
and catch face mating surface
66
. It will be appreciated that the latch strap
60
cannot be disengaged from catch receiver
56
while containment bridge
70
is in place. As stated above, however, once the containment bridge
70
is severed, the latch strap
60
is easily engaged and disengaged with the catch receiver
56
.
In operation, when closing tool index
10
after containment bridge
70
severed away from the housing
12
, top portion
24
is pivoted around hinge
46
toward bottom portion
22
. Eventually, top portion
24
engages bottom portion
22
and latch strap
60
can be “snapped shut” across the catch receiver
56
such that the catch face
62
engages the catch face mating surface
66
. It is believed, that in the process catch receiver
56
, and perhaps other portions of bottom portion
22
and even portions of top portion
24
will deform somewhat to allow the latch strap
60
to fully engage the catch receiver
56
.
During manufacture and assembly of display container or index
10
, housing
12
is preferably made in an injection molding process. When the molding process is completed, housing
12
, shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
, or the alternative housing
12
′, shown in
FIG. 9
, the housing is ready for further assembly and/or packaging. In alternate embodiments housing
12
and
12
′ are simply closed after placing merchandise of one kind or another into the housing
12
,
12
′. In the one case, the alternate merchandise display containers (not shown) provide simple tamper proof packaging available to display merchandise in retail outlets. The only steps involved are placing the merchandise in the housing
12
,
12
′ and closing the housing
12
,
12
′.
In the most preferred embodiment shown in
FIG. 1
, tool bit panel
14
is inserted into the housing
12
, tool bits are then inserted into tool bit panel
14
and then the housing
12
is closed. The same steps are followed in assembling an alternate tool bit index (not shown) from the alternate housing
12
′. The process for closing each of the housings
12
,
12
′ of the present invention are generally the same, although some of the parts of the respective housings
12
,
12
′ are in different places relative to one another, and have somewhat different orientations with respect to one another.
In closing housing
12
, top portion
24
is pivoted with respect to bottom portion
22
about hinge
46
from the open position shown in
FIG. 4
toward the closed position shown in FIG.
1
. The cross-sectional view of catch
54
engaged with catch receiver
56
, shown in
FIG. 7
, illustrates the relationship between catch
54
, catch receiver
56
and containment bridge
70
when housing
12
is in the closed position. In order to insert the distal end of latch strap
60
into the gap
72
between containment bridge
70
and a recessed portion
73
of bottom portion walls
26
proximate catch receiver
56
, it is believed that it is necessary to deform portions of both of the top portion
24
and the bottom portion
22
. This deformation occurs as latch strap
60
is inserted between containment bridge
70
and lip
68
and the various other elements of the catch receiver
56
. It is uncertain as to exactly how the various elements of housing
12
deform to allow latch strap
60
to become fully engaged with catch receiver
56
, but it is believed that containment bridge
70
is deformed are portions of bottom portions
22
on either side of lip
68
, as latch strap
60
is forced in to the gap
72
. At the same time, angled face
64
of catch
54
is believed to contact bottom portion wall
26
proximate catch receiver
56
. As top portion
24
is pressed toward bottom portion
22
, angled face
64
of catch
54
is believed to act against the bottom portion wall
26
proximate catch receiver
56
, thereby temporarily deforming both catch
54
and catch receiver
56
such that latch strap
60
is deflected outwardly and lip
68
is deflected inwardly and other portions of bottom portion
22
are believed to be deformed along with other portions of the top portion
24
. This deformation is believed to continue until top portion
24
reaches a closed position, whereby the outer edge
44
of top portion walls
42
abut against abutment surface
36
of mating flange
32
. In this closed position, catch
54
follows catch face mating surface
66
until catch face
62
slides over lip
68
and abuts catch face mating surface
66
, thereby releasing any stresses due to deformation.
To open the container or tool index
10
, containment bridge
70
must be cut away. After the containment bridge has been destroyed, latch strap
60
is pulled outwardly until catch face
62
separates from catch face mating surface
66
and clears lip
68
. The top portion
24
may then be rotated up and away from bottom portion
22
, pivoting about hinge
46
.
Housing
12
may be constructed, preferably molded, from any known plastic, thermoplastic, plastomer or similar material. Preferable materials include polystyrenes, polybutadiencs, polyacrylonitriles, polyethylene terephthalates, polyolefins or the like, or combination thereof, preferably thermoplastic copolymers including polypropylene, polyethylene, polybutylene, or the like, and combinations thereof. Additionally, it will be appreciated that such copolymers may include other monomers. The chosen material will preferably be clear in order to allow a consumer to view the contents of the display container or index without opening same. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a tool bit panel
14
is contained within housing
12
. In the preferred embodiment shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, tool bit panel
14
defines a plurality of openings
74
for receiving and containing various tool bits, preferably drill bits, preferably drill bits
20
arranged according to size. Additionally, tool bit panel
14
is shown as having side walls
80
having metal extrusions or pivot protrusions
82
for pivotally connecting tool bit panel
14
to housing
12
. Preferably, bottom portion
22
includes a pivot tab
84
and a boss
85
which define pivot holes
86
for receiving protrusions
82
. The pivot protrusions
82
, tabs
84
, bosses
85
and holes
86
, allow tool bit panel
14
to rotate away from back panel
30
when tool bit index
10
is in an open position as shown in FIG.
2
. During assembly of the preferred tool bit index
10
, the pivot protrusions
82
can be created before the panel
14
is forced into place in the housing
12
by deforming portions of the housing or, in alternate embodiments, the panel could be placed in position within the housing
12
, and the protrusions could be created while the panel is held in place within the housing, thereby reducing the need to deform the housing
12
to insert the tool bit panel
14
.
It will be appreciated that an alternate tool bit index (not shown) can be made using the alternate housing
12
′ shown in
FIG. 9
, and that while some of the parts of such an index will be in different positions with respect to other parts of the same, the function of the various parts will work together in a generally similar manner overall to provide an index which will work in roughly the same manner as the preferred index with differences due to relative changes in position of the various parts.
In yet other alternative embodiments (not shown in the Figures), tool bit panel
14
may comprise molded fingers (not shown) extending from a back of an alternate panel (not shown) for grasping and holding in place, individual tool bits. Similarly, these fingers could be molded onto a substantially planar tool bit holder board (not shown) having pivot protrusions similar to those described in the preferred embodiment to allow the board to pivot outwardly around pivot holes
86
.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
Claims
- 1. A display container for retaining retail merchandise, the display container comprising:a housing having a bottom portion having a plurality of sides and a top portion which can engage the bottom portion to form an enclosure within which the retail merchandise can reside, the housing being in a closed orientation when the top portion is so engaged with the bottom portion; the top portion being interconnected with one of said plurality of sides of the bottom portion such that the top portion can engage the bottom portion to form the enclosure; the housing having a snap closure mechanism, the snap closure mechanism having first and second elements, the first element being a part of a first portion of the housing and the second element being a part of a second portion of the housing, the first portion being selected from one of the group consisting of the top portion and the bottom portion, and the second portion being the other one of said group; the first element including a latch strap, the latch strap being an extension of the first portion and having a strap surface extending away from the first portion, the latch strap further including a catch protruding away from the strap surface to define a catch face generally extending away from the strap surface at an angle of about 90°, the second element including a lip on the second portion over which the latch strap can extend when the top portion is engaged with the bottom portion to form the enclosure, wherein the catch face of the first element can engage the lip of the second element such that the latch strap engages the lip and holds the enclosure in the closed orientation; the second portion further including a containment bridge under which at least an end portion of the latch strap extends when the latch strap engages the lip, the containment bridge extending from a first location to a second location on the second portion proximate the lip, and generally restricting the movement of the strap away from the lip when the catch face is engaged with the lip such that the catch face cannot be disengaged from the lip without destroying the containment bridge because the strap is held generally in place by the containment bridge.
- 2. The display container of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a synthetic polymeric material through which retail merchandise contained within the housing can be seen.
- 3. The display container of claim 2, wherein the housing contains a tool bit display panel for receiving, retaining and displaying tool bits; a lower portion of the tool bit display panel being pivotally interconnected with the bottom portion of the housing such that the tool bit panel can pivot with respect to the bottom portion, thereby affording improved access to an upper portion of the tool bit panel when the top portion of the housing is not engaged with the bottom portion to form the enclosure and the upper portion of the panel is pivoted away from the bottom portion; the tool bit panel having a plurality of tool bit receiving receptacles for receiving and retaining tool bits.
- 4. The display container of claim 3, wherein the housing includes a living hinge connecting the top portion with the bottom portion.
- 5. The display container of claim 3, wherein the housing includes a pair of protrusion receiving openings in the bottom portion of the housing and the display panel is made of a metal material, the panel having a pair of extruded metal protrusions extending outwardly from opposite sides of the panel, the metal extrusions being seated within respective extrusion receiving openings to enable the panel to pivot with respect to the bottom portion.
- 6. The display container of claim 3, the housing having a top surface and a bottom surface and four sides, three of the sides being generally oriented at an angle of about 90° with respect to at least one of the other sides and the fourth side being oriented at angles with respect to each of the other sides which are other than 90°.
- 7. The display container of claim 1, the housing including a tab having a hook receiving receptacle for hang the index on a display hook.
- 8. The display container of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of a synthetic polymeric material, so that parts of the housing can be cut and separated from the remaining parts housing, the containment bridge being severable such that the strap can be pull away from the lip, thereby disengaging the catch face from the lip and permitting the disengagement of the top portion from the bottom portion.
- 9. A display container for retaining a plurality tool bits, the display container comprising:a housing and a tool bit panel for receiving tool bits; the housing including a bottom portion having a plurality of sides and a top portion which can engage the bottom portion to form an enclosure within which the tool bit panel can reside, the housing being in a closed orientation when the top portion is so engaged with the bottom portion; the top portion being interconnected with one of said plurality of sides of the bottom portion such that the top portion can engage the bottom portion to form the enclosure; a lower portion of the tool bit panel being pivotally interconnected with the bottom portion of the housing such that the tool bit panel can pivot with respect to the bottom portion, thereby affording improved access to an upper portion of the tool bit panel when the top portion of the housing is not engaged with the bottom portion to form the enclosure and the upper portion of the panel is pivoted away from the bottom portion; the tool bit panel having a plurality of tool bit receiving receptacles for receiving and retaining tool bits; the housing having a snap closure mechanism, the snap closure mechanism having first and second elements, the first element being a part of a first portion of the housing and the second element being a part of a second portion of the housing, the first portion being selected from one of the group consisting of the top portion and the bottom portion, and the second portion being the other one of said group; the first element including a latch strap, the latch strap being an extension of the first portion and having a strap surface extending away from the first portion, the latch strap further including a catch protruding away from the strap surface to define a catch face generally extending away from the strap surface at an angle of about 90°, the second element including a lip on the second portion over which the latch strap can extend when the top portion is engaged with the bottom portion to form the enclosure, wherein the catch face of the first element can engage the lip of the second element such that the latch strap engages the lip and holds the enclosure in the closed orientation; the second portion further including a containment bridge under which at least an end portion of the latch strap extends when the latch strap engages the lip, the containment bridge extending from a first location to a second location on the second portion proximate the lip, and generally restricting the movement of the strap away from the lip when the catch face is engaged with the lip such that the catch face cannot be disengaged from the lip without destroying the containment bridge because the strap is held generally in place by the containment bridge.
- 10. The display container of claim 9, wherein the housing is made of a synthetic polymeric material through which the tool bit panel contained within the housing can be seen by a person without using vision enhancement equipment.
- 11. The display container of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a living hinge connecting the top portion with the bottom portion.
- 12. The display container of claim 9, wherein the housing has a pair of protrusion receiving openings and the panel is made of a metal material, the panel having a pair of extruded metal protrusions extending outwardly from opposite sides of the panel, the metal extrusions being seated within respective extrusion receiving openings to enable the panel to pivot with respect to the bottom portion.
- 13. The display container of claim 9, the housing including a tab having a hook receiving receptacle for hang the index on a display hook.
- 14. The display container of claim 9, the housing having a top surface and a bottom surface and four sides, three of the sides being generally oriented at an angle of about 90° with respect to at least one of the other sides and the fourth side being oriented at angles with respect to each of the other sides which are other than 90°.
- 15. The display container of claim 9, wherein the housing is made of a synthetic polymeric material, so that parts of the housing can be cut and separated from the remaining parts housing, the containment bridge being severable such that the strap can be pull away from the lip, thereby disengaging the catch face from the lip and permitting the disengagement of the top portion from the bottom portion.
US Referenced Citations (9)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
2190661 |
Nov 1987 |
GB |