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US4387802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Container for thin flat articles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-07-24
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Granted: 1983-06-14
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Expires: 2001-07-24
Abstract
Abstract A container for thin, flat articles has a box-like housing with an opening through which each article can be inserted into the housing and removed therefrom in a direction lying in the plane of the article, and a series of article support members within the housing in side-by-side parallel relationship to enable each article to be received between a respective adjacent pair of support members. One of the support members is a primary support member having a handle to enable the primary support member to be at least partially pulled out of the container through the opening, and the other support members are secondary support members. Each adjacent pair of support members are interconnected to cause manual pulling of the primary support member at least partially out of the container through the opening to successively pull the secondary support members at least partially out of the container through the opening in a telescopic manner by successive operation of the interconnections after each successive support member has been pulled a predetermined distance. Each support member supports an article so that each article is at least partially pulled out of the container through the opening with its associated support member, thereby displaying the articles in staggered relationship.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott J. G. Shearing
- 👤 Ronald R. Bache
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:33
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/02; G11B33/04; G11B33/0405; G11B33/0433
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
235 words
A container for thin, flat articles comprising a box-like housing having an opening through which each article can be inserted into the housing and removed therefrom in a direction lying in the plane of the article, and a series of article support members within the housing in side-by-side parallel relationship to enable each article to be received between a respective adjacent pair of support members, the housing having internal grooves extending inwardly from the opening and at least some of the support members having side edges slidably received in said grooves, one of the support members being a primary support member having manually grippable means to enable the primary support member to be at least partially pulled out of the container through the opening, the other support members being secondary support members, means interconnecting each adjacent pair of support members to cause manual pulling of the primary support member at least partially out of the container through the opening to successively pull the secondary support members at least partially out of the container through the opening in a telescopic manner by successive operation of respective interconnecting means after each successive support member has been pulled a predetermined distance, and each support member having article support means to cause each article to be at least partially pulled out of the container through the opening with its associated support member thereby displaying the articles in staggered relationship.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
235 words
A container for thin, flat articles comprising a box-like housing having an opening through which each article can be inserted into the housing and removed therefrom in a direction lying in the plane of the article, and a series of article support members within the housing in side-by-side parallel relationship to enable each article to be received between a respective adjacent pair of support members, the housing having internal grooves extending inwardly from the opening and at least some of the support members having side edges slidably received in said grooves, one of the support members being a primary support member having manually grippable means to enable the primary support member to be at least partially pulled out of the container through the opening, the other support members being secondary support members, means interconnecting each adjacent pair of support members to cause manual pulling of the primary support member at least partially out of the container through the opening to successively pull the secondary support members at least partially out of the container through the opening in a telescopic manner by successive operation of respective interconnecting means after each successive support member has been pulled a predetermined distance, and each support member having article support means to cause each article to be at least partially pulled out of the container through the opening with its associated support member thereby displaying the articles in staggered relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein the support members each have abutment means which co-operate after movement of a support member through said predetermined distance to provide said interconnecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein portions of said side edges project into frictional engagement with said grooves to assist in retaining the support members in a pulled-out position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein the secondary support members have retracting means engageable by an adjacent support member moving from a pulled-out position into the container to enable the support members to be retracted into the housing by pushing the primary support member into the housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein the primary support member has releasable locking means engageable with the housing when the support members are in a fully pulled-out position to prevent return of the support members into the housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein each interconnecting means comprises flexible connecting means which become taut after movement of a respective support member by said predetermined distance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein the support members comprise a primary support member and a series of secondary support members on each side thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A container according to claim 1 wherein a last secondary support member is releasably secured within the housing and remains stationary when the primary and secondary support members are pulled at least partially out of the container.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-13 | 1986-12-13 | 1987-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-13 | 1990-12-13 | 1991-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-13 | 1994-12-13 | 1995-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |