The present invention relates to a portable housing container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a portable housing container useful for carrying stacks of sheets.
A certain housing container for small paper pieces is disclosed in Japanese Published Patent Application Hei 11-20361 (JP1120261A). The housing container as disclosed in this publication is provided with a retainer that is detachably attached to the ring of a binder for use. In the retainer made from synthetic resin by integral molding, an outer frame and an inner frame, both of which protrude from a sheet body, are formed; and the sheet body is sectioned by the outer frame and the inner frame, in cooperation, so as to construct three levels of housing compartments. Laminates of small-sized tags are housed in the first level from the top, laminates of medium-sized tags are housed in the second level, and laminates of large-sized tags are housed in the third level. Adhesive is also applied to the rear surfaces of tags. The housing container allows tags to be housed according to their types in an easily distinguishable manner, as well as allows their remaining quantities to be identified at a glance.
The housing container in JP1120261A, however, is not equipped with a lid, and thus, the tags are exposed by an open portion from which they are taken out. Therefore, where the housing container is used, there is a concern that the tags may carelessly be stained, collect dirt particles, become damaged and/or creased while the container is being carried. Also, if memo papers are housed in the housing container, there is concern that similar incidents are likely to happen.
A tag holder is available on the market that is arranged to sandwich tags between a front cover sheet and a back cover sheet. This tag holder is portable while being inserted in a pocket book. The tags in the holder are affixed to the inner side of the back cover sheet and thus are protected by both the front cover sheet and the back cover sheet.
The present invention provides a housing container that has excellent portability in carrying stacks of tags or memo papers.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a portable housing container comprising: (1) a first plate having a first housing recess, the first plate having opposing first and second edges; (2) a second plate having a second housing recess, the second plate having a third edge facing the first edge of the first plate and a fourth edge facing the second edge of the first plate; and (3) a first connecting member, a second connecting member and a third connecting member for connecting the first plate and the second plate, each connecting member being disposed between the first plate and the second plate,
wherein the first connecting member and the second connecting member are bridged between the first edge of the first plate and the fourth edge of the second plate, and the third connecting member, while being disposed between the first connecting member and the second connecting member, is bridged between the second edge of the first plate and the third edge of the second plate.
The portable housing container can be of the front and rear side opening type. When one side of the housing container is opened so that the first edge of the first plate may be separated from the third edge of the second plate, the first housing recess of the first plate appears and stacks of tags or memo papers housed therein can be dispensed. Similarly, when the other side of the housing container is opened so that the second edge of the first plate may be separated from the fourth edge of the second plate, the second housing recess of the second plate appears and the stacks of tags or memo papers housed therein can be dispensed. Thus, if different types of stacked sheets housed, respectively, in the first housing recess and the second housing recess, the different types of sheets can be carried. In addition, there will be no incidents of the tags' being carelessly stained, collect dirt particles, become creased and/or damaged while being carried. Further, the housing container of the front and rear side opening type can be attained from a simple construction and can easily be made compact and light-weight.
The first and second plates can be substantially identical in shape. This will enable users to hold the portable housing container with ease.
The third connecting member can be present to extend as if to hang over the first and second housing recesses. The first and second connecting members, which are disposed at both sides of the third connecting member, can extend without protruding from the first and second plates so that they do not hang over the first and second housing recesses. This construction will secure sufficient opening areas of the first and second housing recesses while not being obstructed by the first and second connecting members.
The first and second plates can be rectangles in shape. A connecting sheet having the first, the second and the third connecting members, in an extended configuration thereof, comprises: a first half sheet portion comprising the third connecting member of a rectangular shape, a first and a second affixing sections elongating along a first and a second peripheries of the third connecting member that are parallel and opposed to each other, and a third affixing section for connecting the first and second affixing sections, the third affixing section disposed along a third periphery between the first periphery and the second periphery; and a second half sheet portion comprising a fourth affixing section disposed along a fourth periphery between the first periphery and the second periphery, the first and second connecting members disposed in the same direction as the first and second affixing sections, the connecting members being attached to the ends of the first and second affixing sections at one ends thereof, and a fifth and a sixth affixing sections being attached to the other ends of the first and second connecting members, wherein slits are made between the third connecting member and the first affixing section, between the third connecting member and the second affixing section, between the first connecting member and the fourth affixing section, and between the second connecting member and the fourth affixing section. Because the connecting sheet to be used has such construction, the number of parts can be reduced leading to a streamlined, cost-effective, manufacturing process.
The first and second housing recesses can be rectangles in shape. A housing recess adapted for rectangular tags or memo papers can be attained.
The second plate can detachably be bound with the first plate by a binding means. The first and second plates can be arranged such that the space therebetween is not opened carelessly while they are being carried. The binding means include, but are not limited to, a magnet, a hook-and-loop fastener, a reusable or repositionable adhesive allowing for repeated attachment and release, a band, a means relying on concavity-convexity fittings, and the like. The binding means can be applied to secure the first and second plates 2, 3 in a closed configuration during transport.
Stacks of sheets include, but are not limited to, paper that can be housed within the first and second housing recesses.
The stacks of sheets can also be fixed to the front and/or the rear surface of the third connecting member. Each stack is spaced apart from other stacks within the housing recesses and can be stored in the housing container. Therefore, different types of stacked sheets can be used.
Each sheet in the stack may have adhesive applied to its rear surface. The sheets may be stacked so that all the adhesive are aligned at one end. In an alternate embodiment, the sheets are stacked such that the adhesive alternate at opposite ends of the stack, forming a fan-fold or “z-stacked” configuration. In this document, the term “about” is presumed to modify all numerical dimensional values.
The invention can be better described with reference to the drawings, wherein:
While the above-identified drawings set forth several embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in this document. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representations and not limitation. Numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by one skilled in the art which fall within the scope and spirit of the principals of this invention. The figures are idealized, are not drawn to scale, and are intended merely for illustrative purposes. Like reference numbers denote like elements of the various embodiments.
Exemplary embodiments of the portable housing container in accordance with the present invention will be described in detail by reference to the drawings hereafter.
A first embodiment of a portable housing container according to the invention is illustrated in
The first plate 2 includes opposing first edge 2a and second edge 2b at the linear long side, and opposing third edge 2c and fourth edge 2d at the linear short side. Similarly, the second plate 3 includes opposing first edge 3a and a second edge 3b at the linear short side, and opposing third edge 3c and fourth edge 3d at the linear long side. When the first housing recess 4 of the first plate 2 faces the second housing recess 5 of the second plate 3, the first edge 2a of the first plate 2 lies substantially face to the third edge 3c of the second plate 3 and the second edge 2b of the first plate 2 lies substantially face to the fourth edge 3d of the second plate 3.
In this embodiment, the first and second plates 2, 3 are connected by a first connecting member 6, a second connecting member 7 and a third connecting member 8. The first, second and third connecting members 6, 7, 8 are disposed between the first plate 2 and the second plate 3. The first connecting member 6, which is made of 0.1 mm thick substrate, forms a band having a width of 1 cm and a length of 7 cm. First end of the first connecting member 6 is disposed adjacent to the third edge 2c of the first plate 2 and is fixed to the first edge 2a of the first plate 2. A second end of the first connecting member 6 is fixed to the fourth edge 3d of the second plate 3. Thus, the first connecting member 6 bridges between the first edge 2a of the first plate 2 and the fourth edge 3d of the second plate 3.
Similarly, the second connecting member 7, which is made of, for example but not limited to, 0.1 mm thick substrate, forms a band having a width of 1 cm and a length of 7 cm. A first end of the second connecting member 7 is disposed adjacent to the fourth edge 2d of the first plate 2 and is fixed to the first edge 2a of the first plate 2. A second end of the second connecting member 7 is fixed to the fourth edge 3d of the second plate 3. Thus, the second connecting member 7 bridges between the first edge 2a of the first plate 2 and the fourth edge 3d of the second plate 3.
The third connecting member 8, which is made of 0.1 mm thick substrate, forms a band having a width of 8 cm and a length of 7 cm. The third connecting member 8 is disposed between the first connecting member 6 and the second connecting member 7. One end of the third connecting member 8 is fixed to the second edge 2b of the first plate 2; and the other end of the third connecting member 8 is fixed to the third edge 3c of the second plate 3. Thus, the third connecting member 8 bridges between the second edge 2b of the first plate 2 and the third edge 3c of the second plate 3. The substrate of the first, second and third connecting members 6-8 includes, but not limited to, synthetic resin or paper.
Six stacks of sheets 9a-9f are housed within the first housing recess 4. If desired, each stack can be of different colors. A plurality of sheets S1 having adhesive applied to their rear surfaces are stacked together to form each of the stacks 9a-9f. Two stacks 10a, 10b are housed within the second housing recess 5. If desired, the stacks 10a and 10b can be of different colors. A plurality of sheets S2 such as tags having adhesive applied to their rear surfaces are stacked together to form each of the stacks 10a, 10b. The sheets S1 or S2 can be made of a paper or polymeric film. Suitable sheets include the Post-it® Flags or Post-it® Notes (repositionable notes), commercially available from 3M Company, St. Paul, Minn.
The constructed housing container 1 is of the front and rear opening type and can carry different types of stacks 9a-9f, 10a, and 10b. As shown in
The third connecting member 8 extends as if to hang over the first and second housing recesses 4, 5. The first connecting member 6 that abuts against the third connecting member 8 is substantially equal in width to the width of a frame surface 12 elongating along the third edge 2c at a short side of the first plate 2, as well as to the width of a frame surface 13 elongating along the first edge 3a at a short side of the second plate 3. Therefore, the first connecting member 6 can be present to extend without protruding from the first and second plates 2, 3 so that it will not hang over the first and second housing recesses 4, 5.
The second connecting member 7 that abuts against the third connecting member 8 is substantially equal in width to the width of a frame surface 14 elongating along the fourth edge 2d at a short side of the first plate 2, as well as to the width of a frame surface 15 elongating along the second edge 3b at a short side of the second plate 3. Therefore, the second connecting member 7 can be present to extend without protruding from the first and second plates 2, 3 so that it will not hang over the first and second housing recesses 4, 5. Accordingly, the first and second housing recesses 4, 5 will have opening areas for housing the stacks which will not be obstructed by the first and second connecting members 6, 7. The first and second connecting members 6, 7 will not obstruct the sheets or tags S1, S2 from being dispensed. The third connecting member 8 also serves as a blind against the stacks on the opposite side.
A hook-and-loop fastener can be applied to the first and second plates 2, 3 securing them together during transport. As shown in
When a magnet is used, the magnet is placed on the side of the first edge 2a of the first plate 2 and a metal plate made of magnetic material is placed on the side of the third edge 3c of the second plate 3; alternatively, the magnet is placed on the side of second edge 2b of the first plate 2 and a metal plate made of magnetic material is placed on the side of the fourth edge 3d of the second plate 3. Further, in a configuration where the first and second plates 2, 3 are brought into close contact with each other, the housing container 1 can be fastened using a strap band made of elastic material such as rubber, cloth or synthetic resin so that the first and second plates 2, 3 may not open. In this instance, a part of the band may be temporarily attached to the first plate 2 or the second plate 3 with the aid of adhesive.
One procedure for fabricating a housing container 1 will be explained.
Referring to
The second half sheet section 22 includes: a fourth affixing section 26 of a band shape disposed along a fourth periphery 8d between the first periphery 8a and the second periphery 8b; a first connecting member 6 and a second connecting member 7, each of a band shape, disposed in the same direction as that of the first and second affixing sections 23, 24. The connecting members 6, 7 are attached to an end of each of the first and second affixing sections 23, 24. A fifth affixing section 27 and a sixth affixing section 28 are attached to the other ends of the first and second connecting members 6, 7. A linear slit C1 is present between the first periphery 8a of the third connecting member 8 and the first affixing section 23, as well as between the first connecting member 6 and one end of the fourth affixing section 26. A linear slit C2 is present between the second periphery 8b of the third connecting member 8 and the second affixing section 24, as well as between the second connecting member 7 and the other end of the fourth affixing section 26. As shown in
One procedure for fabricating an openable/closable plate assembly 30 will next be described.
As shown in
Referring to
The height-adjusting frame 33 and the first base plate 35 can be formed from, but are not limited to, resin, paper or metal in a one-piece construction, which may also be used. Similarly, the height-adjusting frame 34 and the second base plate 36 can be formed from, but are not limited to, resin, paper or metal in a one-piece construction, which may also be used.
Referring to a portable housing container 1 shown in
A second embodiment of a portable housing container according to the invention is illustrated in
Six stacks 9a-9f are housed within the first housing recess 44. If desired, each stack can be of different colors. A plurality of sheets S1 having adhesive applied to their rear surfaces are stacked together to form each of the stacks 9a-9f. Two stacks 10a, 10b are housed within the second housing recess 45. If desired, the stacks 10a and 10b can be of different colors. A plurality of sheets S2, such as tags, having adhesive applied to their rear surfaces are stacked together to form each of the stacks 10a, 10b. The sheets S1 or S2 can be made of a paper or polymeric film. Suitable sheets include the Post-it® Flags or Post-it® Notes (repositionable notes), commercially available from 3M Company.
Stacks 46a and 46b are fixed onto one surface of a third connecting member 8 with the aid of adhesive. Sheets S4 (such as, e.g., tags) having adhesive applied to their rear surfaces are stacked together to form each of the stacks 46a, 46b. Four stacks 47a-47d are fixed onto the other surface of the third connecting member 8 with the aid of adhesive. If desired, each stack can be of different colors. Sheets S5 (such as, e.g., tags) having adhesive applied to their rear surfaces are stacked together to form each of the stacks 47a-47d. Suitable sheets include the Post-it® Flags or Post-it® Notes (repositionable notes), commercially available from 3M Company.
As shown in
The height-adjusting frame 48 and the first based plate 35 are formed from resin, paper or metal in a one-piece construction, which may also be used. Similarly, the height-adjusting frame 49 and the second based plate 36 are formed from resin, paper or metal in a one-piece construction, which may also be used.
A third embodiment of a portable housing container according to the invention is illustrated in
The first affixing section 63a of the first connecting sheet 63 is fixed onto the rear surface of the first frame 61 at its long side edge 61b with the aid of adhesive. The second affixing section 63b of the first connecting sheet 63 is fixed onto the rear surface of the second frame 62 at its long side edge 62b with the aid of adhesive. The third affixing section 64a of the second connecting sheet 64 is fixed onto the rear surface of the first frame 61 at its long side edge 61c with the aid of adhesive. The fourth affixing section 64b of the second connecting sheet 64 is fixed onto the rear surface of the second frame 62 at its long side edge 62c with the aid of adhesive.
One sheet of height-adjusting frame 33 is inserted between the first frame 61 and the first base plate 35 in the openable/closable plate assembly 60, and one sheet of height-adjusting frames 34 is inserted between the second frame 62 and the second base plate 36 in the openable/closable plate assembly 60. Thus, the fabrication of the portable housing container 50 shown in
A fourth embodiment of a portable housing container according to the invention is illustrated in
Three sheets of height-adjusting frames 78 are inserted between a first frame 61 and a first base plate 35 in an openable/closable plate assembly 60, and three sheets of height-adjusting frames 79 are inserted between a second frame 62 and a second base plate 36 in the openable/closable plate assembly 60. This arrangement can increase the volumes of a first and a second housing recesses 81, 82 so as to house the stacks 76a, 76b, 77a and 77b that are fixed to the third connecting member 8.
The housing containers 1, 40, 50 and 70 are not limited to the various embodiments described above and may be of any portable size that may be suitable for use, such as a pocket note book size, B5 size or A4 size.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20080251404 A1 | Oct 2008 | US |