EXPANDABLE SAMPLE TRAY AND STORAGE SYSTEM

Abstract

Described is a sample tray comprising a first sidewall, a first rearwall section coupled to the first sidewall, a first base section coupled to the first sidewall, the first base section disposed approximately perpendicular to the first sidewall, a second sidewall, a second rearwall section coupled to the second sidewall, and a second base section coupled to the second sidewall, the second base section disposed approximately perpendicular to the second sidewall. The first rearwall section is telescopically coupled to the second rearwall section, and the first base section is telescopically coupled to the second base section.

Description

BACKGROUND

Healthcare providers typically provide sample medicaments, delivery devices, literature, etc. for patients and physicians. However, physicians' office facilities are generally ill-equipped to store the samples in an easily accessible and organized manner.

Therefore, there exists a need for an expandable sample tray and storage system to provide a scalable means for organizing samples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment, a sample tray according to the present invention comprises a first sidewall, a first rearwall section coupled to the first sidewall, and a first base section coupled to the first sidewall, wherein the first base section disposed approximately perpendicular to the first sidewall, in combination with a second sidewall, a second rearwall section coupled to the second sidewall, and a second base section coupled to the second sidewall, wherein the second base section disposed approximately perpendicular to the second sidewall. The first rearwall section is telescopically coupled to the second rearwall section, and the first base section is telescopically coupled to the second base section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an expandable sample tray according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an expandable sample tray 100 according to the present invention. The tray 100 may be sized and shaped to contain boxes, blister packs, medicament delivery devices, test strips, literature, or any other item which might be provided by a healthcare provider to a patient or a physician.

In an exemplary embodiment, the tray 100 comprises a base 105, a first sidewall 110, a second sidewall 115, and a rear wall 120. Disposed on the first sidewall 110 is a notch 125. The notch 125 may have at least one recess portion 130. Disposed on the second sidewall 115 is a latch 135. The latch 135 may have at least one flange portion 140 adapted to releasably engage the at least one recess portion 130 on an adjacent tray. Thus, the notch 125 and the latch 135 provide a mechanism to releasably link adjacent trays. While the notch 125 and the latch 135 are shown in the exemplary embodiments on a top portion of the sidewalls 110 and 115, those of skill in the art will understand that the notch 125 and/or the latch 135 may be disposed on any area of the sidewalls, the base or the rear wall to allow flexibility when configuring multiple adjacent trays. Further, any number of notches and latches may be utilized. For example, multiple notches may be disposed on the first sidewall 110 and multiple latches may be disposed on the second sidewall 115, which could provide a stronger connection with an adjacent tray. Still further, a given sidewall may have both at least one notch and at least one latch for securing to an adjacent tray.

In an exemplary embodiment, the tray 100 has a first configuration C1 having a first storage volume V1. The base 105 and the rear wall 120 may comprise telescoping sections which allow the tray 100 to achieve a second configuration C2 having a second storage volume V2. In an exemplary embodiment, the rearwall 120 comprises a first rearwall section 121 which is slidably disposed in a slot 122 in a second rearwall section 123. The first and second rearwall sections 121, 123 may include complementary guides, rails, channels, recesses, etc. or any other engagement mechanism for allowing the rearwall sections to slide relative to each other and remain engaged. Additionally, one or more abutments or stops may be disposed one the engagement mechanism to prevent the rearwall sections from becoming disengaged (e.g., when shifting from the first configuration C1 to the second configuration C2).

In an exemplary embodiment, the base 105 comprises a first base section 106 which is slidably disposed in a slot 107 in a second base section 108. The first and second base sections 106, 108 may include complementary guides, rails, channels, recesses, etc. or any other engagement mechanism for allowing the base sections to slide relative to each other and remain engaged. Additionally, one or more abutments or stops may be disposed one the engagement mechanism to prevent the base sections from becoming disengaged (e.g., when shifting from the first configuration C1 to the second configuration C2).

In an exemplary embodiment, the tray 100 includes a label 145 which provides one or more indicia identifying the sample in the tray 100. For example, the indicia may include text, graphics, images, etc.

Those of skill in the art will understand that modifications (additions and/or removals) of various components of the apparatuses, methods and/or systems and embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the full scope and spirit of the present invention, which encompass such modifications and any and all equivalents thereof

Claims

1. A sample tray comprising: a first sidewall;a first rearwall section coupled to the first sidewall;a first base section coupled to the first sidewall, the first base section disposed approximately perpendicular to the first sidewall;a second sidewall;a second rearwall section coupled to the second sidewall;a second base section coupled to the second sidewall, the second base section disposed approximately perpendicular to the second sidewall,wherein the first rearwall section is telescopically coupled to the second rearwall section, andwherein the first base section is telescopically coupled to the second base section.

2. The sample tray according to claim 1, wherein the first sidewall includes at least one notch.

3. The sample tray according to claim 1, wherein the second sidewall includes at least one latch.

4. The sample tray according to claim 1, wherein the first rearwall section includes a first engagement mechanism engaging a second engagement mechanism on the second rearwall section.

5. The sample tray according to claim 4, wherein the first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism each include at least one of a guide, a rail, a channel and a recess.

6. The sample tray according to claim 1, wherein the first base section includes a first engagement mechanism engaging a second engagement mechanism on the second base section.

7. The sample tray according to claim 6, wherein the first engagement mechanism and the second engagement mechanism each include at least one of a guide, a rail, a channel and a recess.

8. The sample tray according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first base and the second base includes a label.

9. A storage system comprising: a first sample tray comprising: a first sidewall having at least one of a first notch and a first latch;a first rearwall section coupled to the first sidewall;a first base section coupled to the first sidewall, the first base section disposed approximately perpendicular to the first sidewall;a second sidewall;a second rearwall section coupled to the second sidewall; anda second base section coupled to the second sidewall, the second base section disposed approximately perpendicular to the second sidewall,a second sample tray adapted to engage the first sample tray, the second sample tray comprising: a third sidewall having at least one of a second notch and a second latch adapted to engage at least one of the first notch and the first latch;a third rearwall section coupled to the third sidewall;a third base section coupled to the third sidewall, the third base section disposed approximately perpendicular to the third sidewall;a fourth sidewall;a fourth rearwall section coupled to the fourth sidewall; anda fourth base section coupled to the fourth sidewall, the fourth base section disposed approximately perpendicular to the fourth sidewall.

10. The storage system according to claim 9, wherein the wherein the first rearwall section is telescopically coupled to the second rearwall section, the first base section is telescopically coupled to the second base section, the third rearwall section is telescopically coupled to the fourth rearwall section, and the third base section is telescopically coupled to the fourth base section.