Abstract:
A shotgun shell housing assembly comprising a container adapted to hold stacked shells and a cover adapted to receive the container. The container is adapted to permit stacking of shells in a common configuration similar to that used for factory loaded ammunitions. To facilitate stacking of the shells, the container can be held at an angle by a removable stand. The container with stacked shells is received by the cover and retained by a latching mechanism to form an enclosed housing that stores the shells. To access the shells, the container is removed so as to transfer the shells from the container into the cover. The cover is dimensioned to fit into many products designed to hold paper cartons holding factory loaded shotgun shells. The shotgun shell housing assembly is preferably formed from a resilient material so as to permit repeated use.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/266,563, filed on Feb. 6, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to apparatus and method for holding shotgun shells. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A shotgun shell is a self-contained ammunition adapted to be fired from a shotgun. The shell comprises a cylindrical case, typically formed from plastic, with a brass base. At the center of the circular base is a primer, and contained within the base is a powder charge. The case contains a load of shot separated from the powder charge by a wad. The end of the case opposite from the brass base is crimped so as to prevent the contents of the case from spilling out. 
     When the shotgun is fired, a firing pin strikes and detonates the primer causing it to ignite the powder charge. Rapidly burning powder charge causes a violent but controlled expansion of gas that forces the wad and the shot load through a barrel and out of a muzzle at the end of the barrel. After discharging the shot load, the shotgun shell comprises the empty case and the expended primer. 
     Shotgun shells are manufactured by a plurality of manufacturers, and can be purchased at many retail stores. Many shotgun users, however, choose to re-assemble (referred to as reloading) the shotgun shells themselves for various reasons. One reason is that reloading is substantially more economical in terms of material cost, especially when relatively large quantities are considered. Another reason is that by reloading, the reloader can customize and control the quality and performance of the shells. 
     To reload shotgun shells, the reloader can either assemble new components, or reuse part of the expended shell (hence the term reload). For example, the empty case of the expended shell can be reused by replacing the primer and filling the case with various components. Such reloading procedure is completed by re-crimping of the end of the shell. 
     Many reloaders like to organize the reloaded shells in various manners. One common method is to put the shells into a paper carton that originally held new factory loaded shells. Factory loaded shells are typically sold in quantities of 25 arranged in 5 rows of 5 shells. The box-shaped paper carton includes an opening flap that when opened, exposes the top row of 5 shells. Because of the popularity of 25-shell paper cartons, many products are dimensioned and adapted to allow use of shells directly from such cartons. One example is a shell pouch worn on the belt of a shooter dimensioned to receive the carton such that the opening flap is at the top so as to permit quick access to shells. 
     To facilitate packaging of reloaded shells into such paper cartons, a shell stacking device such as MEC-Stacker is commercially available to reloaders. The stacking device comprises a open faced tray permanently attached to a base, the open faced tray being oriented at an angle so as to permit shells to be stacked therein in 5×5 configuration, aided by gravity. The open faced tray is dimensioned to fit into the empty factory paper carton. Thus to fill the empty paper carton with reloaded shells, the paper carton with the opening flap open is inverted and slid over the open faced tray filled with shells. Then the paper carton and the open faced tray therein are rotated so as to position the opening flap portion of the carton at top. The stacking device is pulled upward and the shells are released from the open faced tray by gravity so as to remain inside the paper carton. The stacking device, while allowing stacking of shells and transferring of the stacked shells into the factory paper carton, does not provide any other significant utility. 
     Use of a paper carton to hold shells has several disadvantages to both shooters and reloaders. For example, when the paper carton filled with shells is placed in the shell pouch, the partially open flap interferes with access to the shells. Thus the shooter frequently either removes the opening flap completely, or folds the flap downward adjacent to one side of the carton. If the opening flap is removed, the box essentially loses its usefulness to reloaders. If the opening flap is folded back repeatedly, the flap, and the paper carton in general, wear out and become tattered. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there is a need for a device that permits stacking and storing of shotgun shells in an improved manner. This and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned needs are satisfied by an assembly for housing shotgun shells comprising a container having a floor. The floor has two side lateral edges and a front and a rear lateral edge. Two side walls are mounted at the side lateral edges of the floor and a rear wall is attached to the rear lateral edge of the floor so as to extend between the two side walls. The floor, the two side walls and the rear wall define a first recess. The container has a first opening formed adjacent the front lateral edge of the floor between the two side walls that is sized so as to permit shotgun shells to be positioned in the first recess via the first opening. The assembly further comprises a cover that defines a partially enclosed space that is sized to receive the container such that when the container is positioned within the partially enclosed space of the cover, the cover encloses the first opening of the container so as to prevent the shotgun shells positioned within the first recess from dislodging from the first recess. 
     In one embodiment, the cover comprises a front panel, a rear panel, and two side panels connected to four edges of a rectangular shaped base panel, such that the two side panels and the front and rear panels define an opening adjacent a plane located opposite from the base panel. Each of the two side panels defines a cutout adjacent the opening to facilitate grasping of the container positioned therein. In one implementation, the cutout is semicircular is shape and has a radius of approximately ⅝″. 
     In one embodiment, the dimension of the opening of the cover is larger than the dimension of the base panel so as to facilitate insertion of the container into the partially enclosed space. To achieve such orientation, each of the front, rear, and two side panels in one embodiment of the cover is oriented with respect to the base panel so as to form an angle of approximately 0.5 degree with respect to the normal of the base panel such that the opening is larger than the base panel. 
     In one embodiment, the rear wall of the container comprises two rounded comers at locations opposite from the rear lateral edge of the floor. The rounded comers facilitate insertion of the container into the cover. Each of the two rounded comers has a radius of curvature of approximately 0.375″. 
     In one embodiment, the height of the two side walls is selected to be less than the height of the rear wall. The height of the two side walls is selected such that the top of the two side walls is adjacent a height where the rounded corners of the rear wall end so as to permit the two side walls to be formed in a planar manner while being tall enough to retain the top layer of the shotgun shells positioned within the first recess. One possible height of the two side walls is approximately 3¾″. 
     In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a latching mechanism that latches the cover and the container together when the container is positioned within the cover. The latching mechanism is configured to permit removal of the container from the partially enclosed space of the cover. In one implementation, the latching mechanism comprises frictional engagement between the cover and container. The opening of the cover being larger than the base panel permits the container to be inserted into the cover frictionally engage when the container is near the fully inserted configuration. 
     In one embodiment, the exterior side of the floor of the container defines an area with a surface adapted to receive labels for identification purposes. In one embodiment, the container and the cover are formed from plastic with thickness of approximately 0.06″. In one embodiment, the container and the cover are dimensioned to hold 25 12-gauge 2¾″ shotgun shells in a 5×5 configuration. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to an assembly for housing shotgun shells comprising a container having a floor. The floor has two side lateral edges and a front and a rear lateral edge. Two side walls are mounted at the side lateral edges of the floor and a rear wall is attached to the rear lateral edge of the floor so as to extend between the two side walls. The floor, the two side walls and the rear wall define a first recess. The container has a first opening formed adjacent the front lateral edge of the floor between the two side walls that is sized so as to permit shotgun shells to be positioned in the first recess via the first opening. The assembly further comprises a cover that defines a partially enclosed space that is sized to receive the container such that when the container is positioned within the partially enclosed space of the cover, the cover encloses the first opening of the container so as to prevent the shotgun shells positioned within the first recess from dislodging from the first recess. The assembly further comprises a stand adapted to detachably hold the container at a first orientation to facilitate positioning of the shotgun shells in the first recess of the container. 
     In one embodiment, the cover comprises a front panel, a rear panel, and two side panels connected to four edges of a rectangular shaped base panel, such that the two side panels and the front and rear panels define an opening adjacent a plane located opposite from the base panel. Each of the two side panels defines a cutout adjacent the opening to facilitate grasping of the container positioned therein. In one implementation, the cutout is semicircular is shape and has a radius of approximately ⅝. 
     In one embodiment, the dimension of the opening of cover is larger than the dimension of the base panel so as to facilitate insertion of the container into the partially enclosed space. To achieve such orientation, each of the front, rear, and two side panels is oriented with respect to the base panel so as to form an angle of approximately 0.5 degree with respect to the normal of the base panel such that the opening is larger than the base panel. 
     In one embodiment, the rear wall of the container comprises two rounded corners at locations opposite from the rear lateral edge of the floor. The rounded corners facilitate insertion of the container into the cover. Each of the two rounded corners has a radius of curvature of approximately 0.375″. 
     In one embodiment, the height of the two side walls is selected to be less than the height of the rear wall. The height of the two side walls is selected such that the top of the two side walls is adjacent a height where the rounded comers of the rear wall end so as to permit the two side walls to be formed in a planar manner while being tall enough to retain the top layer of the shotgun shells positioned within the first recess. One possible height of the two side walls is approximately 3¾″. 
     In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a latching mechanism that latches the cover and the container together when the container is positioned within the cover. The latching mechanism is configured to permit removal of the container from the partially enclosed space of the cover. In one implementation, the latching mechanism comprises Frictional engagement between the cover and container. The opening of the cover being larger than the base panel permits the container to be inserted into the cover frictionally engage when the container is near the fully inserted configuration. 
     In one embodiment, the exterior side of the floor of the container defines an area with a surface adapted to receive labels for identification purposes. In one embodiment, the container and the cover are formed from plastic with thickness of approximately 0.06″. In one embodiment, the container and the cover are dimensioned to hold 25 12-gauge 2¾″ shotgun shells in a 5×5 configuration. 
     In one embodiment, the stand comprises a platform supported by a first and a second leg, and a rear and a side retaining wall to permit the container to be removably mounted. The first leg is longer than the second leg so as to orient the platform at a selected angle such that the container mounted thereon is biased towards the side retaining wall by gravity. The angled orientation of the container facilitates stacking of shells in the first recess. In one embodiment, the selected angle is approximately 25 degrees with respect to a supporting surface. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of storing shotgun shells in a housing assembly comprising a container adapted to hold a plurality of shotgun shells and a cover adapted to receive the container such that when the container is received by the cover the shells held by the container is inhibited from being dislodged from the container. The method comprises positioning the shotgun shells in the container and positioning the cover relative to the container such that the container is received by the cover so as to permit storage of shotgun shells in the cover and container assembly. 
     The method further comprises accessing the shotgun shells by removing the container from the cover so as to transfer the shotgun shells from the container to the cover thereby exposing the shotgun shells for access. Preferably, positioning the shotgun shells in the container comprises stacking the shells to form alternating orientations of the shells such that brass base of one shell is adjacent to crimped end of a neighboring shell. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a filled and partially covered shotgun shell housing assembly adapted to stack and hold shotgun shells; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates separated components of the shotgun shell housing assembly of FIG. 1, comprising a cover, a container, and a stand; 
     FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the cover; 
     FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the cover; 
     FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of the container; 
     FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of the container; 
     FIG. 4C illustrates a side view of the container; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the container and the cover assembled to form a box; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the stand adapted to removably hold the container at an angle; and 
     FIG. 7 illustrates the container mounted on the stand and filled with shotgun shells. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates a shotgun shell housing assembly  100  that advantageously permits a user to stack and hold shotgun shells according to various aspects and embodiments of the invention described below. The shotgun shell housing assembly  100  comprises a cover  102  and a container  104  adapted to be received by the cover  102 . In one embodiment of the invention, the shotgun shell housing assembly  100  is used in conjunction with a stand  106  to permit stacking of shells in a manner described below. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the shotgun shell housing assembly  100  filled with a plurality of shotgun shells  110 , and in a partially covered configuration. In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the shotgun shell housing assembly  100  is dimensioned to allow the shells  110  to be stacked in a 5×5 configuration, substantially similar to the manner of packaging employed by many manufacturers. In particular, the dimensions of the components of the shotgun shell housing assembly  100  disclosed herein are adapted for standard 12-gauge 2¾″ shells. It will be understood that such an adaptation represents one possible embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The inventive features disclosed herein may be adapted for any number of types of shells, such as different length 12-gauge shells, different gauge shells, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, the 5×5 stacking configuration also represents one possible embodiment of the invention. The shotgun shell housing assembly of the invention may be adapted to accept any number of different stacking configuration without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the components of the shotgun shell housing assembly  100  in an uncovered configuration. In particular, FIG. 2 shows that the container  104  advantageously separates from the stand  106  to form one distinguishing feature of the shotgun shell housing assembly  100  when compared to traditional devices, such as the shell stacking device referred to in the Description of the Related Art section. The advantages associated with separability of the container  104  and the stand  106  are described below. As will be described in greater detail below, the stand  106  is adapted to removably receive the container  104  such that the container  104  is oriented at a selected orientation to permit easier stacking of the shells. 
     FIGS. 3A-B illustrate various views of the cover  102 . As shown in FIG. 3A, the cover  102  comprises a planar base panel  112  that is generally rectangular so as to define four edges. A front panel  114  extends from a front edge of the base panel  112 , and a rear panel  116  extends from a rear edge of the base panel  112 . Similarly, a left panel  120  extends from a left edge of the base panel  112  and a right panel  122  extends from a right edge of the base panel  112 . Thus, the base  112 , front  114 , rear  116 , left  120 , and right  122  panels collectively make up the cover  102  and define a partially enclosed space  124 . Furthermore, first edges of the front  114 , rear  116 , left  120 , and right  122  panels define an opening  126  adjacent a plane located substantially opposite from the base panel  112 . 
     In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first edges of the left and right panels  120 ,  122  define cutouts  128 ,  130  respectively that permit the container  104  to be grasped and removed from the cover. In one embodiment, each of the cutouts is a semicircle with radius of approximately ⅝″. The ends of the semicircle cutouts  128 ,  130  are rounded with respect to the first edges of the left and right panels  120 ,  122  so as to advantageously remove sharp comers. 
     In one embodiment, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 3A-B, the cover  102  is dimensioned such that the opening  126  is sized slightly larger than the base panel  112 . Such configuration permits the container  104  to be easily inserted into the partially encloses space  124  of the cover  102  and be retained therein in a manner described below. In one embodiment, each of the front, rear, left, and right panels  114 ,  116 ,  120 ,  122  is oriented so as to form an angle of approximately 0.5 degree with respect the normal of the base panel  112 . 
     FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the cover  102 . In particular, FIG. 3B illustrates a manner in which the base panel  112  is connected to the left and right panels  120  and  122  to form one embodiment of the invention. The left and right panels  120  and  122  are connected to the base panel  112  to form rounded comers  132  and  134  respectively. The rounded corners  132  and  134  are dimensioned to correspond to rounded portions of the container  104  described below, wherein the rounded portions of the container  104  further facilitates insertion of the container  104  into the partially enclosed space  124  of the cover  102 . As will be described below, the rounded corners  132  and  134  facilitate insertion of the inverted cover  102  into a device dimensioned to receive factory shotgun shell paper cartons. In one embodiment, the radius of the rounded corners  132 ,  134  is approximately 0.375″. 
     In one embodiment, the base panel has an overall external dimension of approximately 4.322″×2.498″. Each of the front and rear panels  114  and  116  is dimensioned so as to have an overall external height of approximately 4.195″. Each of the edges of the front and rear panels  114  and  116  adjacent the base panel  112  has an overall external dimension of approximately 4.322″, and each of the first edges of the front and rear panels  114  and  116  adjacent the opening  126  has an overall external dimension of approximately 4.355″. Similarly, each of the left and right panels  120  and  122  has an overall external height of approximately 4.195″, and is dimensioned approximately 2.498″ and 2.535″ adjacent the base panel  112  and the opening  126  respectively. In one embodiment, the cover  102  is formed as a single piece from plastic, and has a panel thickness of approximately 0.06″. 
     FIGS. 4A-C illustrate the container  104  in one embodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the container  104  comprises a floor  140  having a front lateral edge  142 , a rear lateral edge  144 , a first side lateral edge  146 , and a second side lateral edge  150  so as to define a rectangle. A rear wall  152  is attached to the rear lateral edge  144 , and first and second side walls  154  and  156  are attached to the first and second side lateral edges  146  and  150  respectively. Thus, the floor  140 , the rear wall  152 , and the first and second side walls  154  and  156  collectively define a first recess  174 . The front lateral edge  142  of the floor  140  and edges  160  and  162  of the first and second side walls extending therefrom further define a first opening  170  opposite from the rear wall  152  that permits shotgun shells to be stacked in the first recess  174  in a manner described below. Edges  164  and  166  of the first and second side walls  154  and  156  located on the opposite ends from the floor  140 , further define a second opening  172  opposite from the floor  140  that permits the stacked shotgun shells to be transferred from the first recess  174  into the partially enclosed space  124  of the cover  102  (FIG. 3A) in a manner described below. 
     The container  104  generally defines a partially enclosed box-like volume with the floor  140 , rear wall  152 , and the first and second side walls  154  and  156  forming the boundaries as described above. The overall dimensions of the volume defined by the container  104  is selected so as to permit the container  104  to removably fit into the partially enclosed space  124  of the cover  102 . In one embodiment, the rear wall  152  of the container  104  is dimensioned to fit inside the partially enclosed space  124  adjacent the rear panel  116 . Furthermore, the rear wall  152  is dimensioned such that when fully inserted into the partially enclosed space  124 , the floor  140  is adjacent to the opening  126  of the cover  102 . Thus, the assembled combination of the cover  102  and the container  104  form an enclosed box, with the cover preventing the shells from being dislodged from the first recess of the container  104 . 
     FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of the container  104 , wherein the rear wall  152  is shown to comprise rounded corners  176  and  180  that advantageously permit the container  104  to be inserted into the enclosed space  124  of the cover  102 . The rounded corners  176  and  180  are preferably dimensioned to match the rounded corners  132  and  134  (FIG. 3B) that interconnect the base panel  112  to the left and right panels respectively. Thus in one embodiment, each of the rounded comers  176  and  180  has a radius of approximately 0.375″. The rear wall  152  is approximately 4¼″ long along the edge adjacent to the floor  140 , and approximately 4{fraction (7/32)}″ long along the edge adjacent to the second opening  172 . The rear wall  152  is approximately 4.195″ high. 
     FIG. 4C illustrates a side view of the container  104  in one embodiment. In particular, the second side wall  156  (also applicable to the first wall  154  not shown) comprises a radiused comer  182  to facilitate insertion of the container  104  into the partially enclosed space  124  of the cover  102 . Furthermore, the height of the first and second side walls  154  and  156  is selected so as to correspond to the height of the rear wall  152  at a location where its radiused comers  176  and  180  end. Such height of the first and second side walls  154  and  156  permit the side walls to retain the stacked shotgun shells sufficiently, while maintaining a generally flat configuration by not having to follow the contours of the rounded corners  176  and  180 . Thus in one embodiment, each of the first and second side walls  154  and  156  has a height of approximately 3¾″. Furthermore, each of the first and second side walls  154  and  156  is approximately 2{fraction (15/32)}″ along the edge adjacent to the floor  140 , and approximately 2{fraction (7/16)}″ along the edge adjacent to the second opening  172 . The radiused corner  182  has a radius of approximately {fraction (3/16)}″. In one embodiment, the container  104  is formed as a single piece from plastic and has a wall thickness of approximately 0.06″. 
     It will be appreciated that the cover  102  described above in reference to FIGS. 3A and B is substantially symmetric about a plane interposed between the front and rear panels  114  and  116 . As such, the container  104  may be inserted into the cover  102  such that the container&#39;s rear wall  152  can be adjacent to either the front panel  114  or the rear panel  116 . This feature advantageously permits the cover  102  and the container  104  to be assembled in an easier manner. 
     In one embodiment, such as that described above, the cover  102  and the container  104  are dimensioned such that when the container  104  is near a fully inserted position into the partially enclosed space  124  of the cover  102 , portions of the cover  102  and the container  104  engage with sufficient friction to form a latching mechanism. Such a frictional latching mechanism inhibits the container  104  from becoming dislodged from the cover  102  unintentionally. It will be appreciated that other latching mechanisms between the cover and the container may be adapted by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     In one embodiment, the exterior surfaces of the cover  102  and the container  104  have a bead-blasted textured finish to provide a non-slip surface. As shown in the cover and container assembly  200  in FIG. 5 an exterior surface  202  of the floor of the container defines a smooth surface area  204  for labeling purpose, either by using a label or by marking directly with a marker such as a grease pen. It will be appreciated that other external surfaces of the container  104  or the cover  102  may include such labeling areas without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates the stand  106  referred to above in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The stand  106  permits the container  104  to be positioned at an angle that simplifies stacking of the shotgun shells in a manner described below. The stand  106  comprises a platform  212  supported by a first leg  214  and a second leg  216 . The first leg  214  has a length that is greater than the second leg  216  so as to advantageously angle the platform  212  and the container  104  placed thereon. 
     The stand  106  further comprises a rear retaining wall  220  that extends upward from a location adjacent to the rear edge of the platform, and a side retaining wall  222  extends generally upward from a location adjacent to the second leg  216 . When the container  104  is positioned on the stand, such as in FIG. 1, the exterior of the container  104  engages the stand such that the floor  140  is in engagement with the platform  212 , the rear wall  152  is in engagement with the rear retaining wall  220 , and one of the side walls  154 ,  156  is in engagement with the side retaining wall  222 . 
     In one embodiment, the first leg  214  includes a rounded lip  226  that improves the manner in which the stand  106  engages a supporting surface. For example, the rounded lip  226  reduces likelihood of the first leg  214  from scratching or gouging the supporting surface, especially when the stand  106  supports heavy shells. The second leg  216  also includes a rounded bend  224  that further rounds upward to connect to the side retaining wall  222 . The rounded bend  224  also advantageously reduces scratching and gouging of the supporting surface. 
     In one embodiment, the stand  106  is stamped from a single piece of sheet metal. The platform  212  has dimensions of approximately 3.5″×2″. The rear retaining wall  220  has dimensions of approximately 2⅞″×1″. The first leg  214  has a length such that the normal distance between the platform  212  and the contact area of the rounded lip  226  is approximately 1⅜″. The second leg  216  has a length such that the normal distance between the platform  212  and the contact area of the rounded bend  224  is approximately ⅝″. The rounded bend  224  has a radius of approximately ¼″, and the side retaining wall  222  extending therefrom extends above the platform by approximately ⅞″, with the width of the side retaining wall  222  being substantially same as that of the platform  106  at approximately 2″. The distance between the contact areas of the first and second legs is approximately 4″. The geometry of the stand  106  thus yields the platform  212  being oriented at an angle of approximately 25 degrees with respect to the horizontal. 
     One aspect of the invention relates to a methods of stacking and storing shotgun shells using the components of the shotgun shell housing assembly described above. One method comprises stacking the shotgun shells in the first recess  174  of the container  104 . FIG. 7 illustrates the container  104  positioned on the stand  106 . The stacking process comprises positioning the shells  10  in the first recess  174  through the first opening  170  of the container  104 . As is known in the art, alternating the orientation of the shells such that the rimmed brass base portion of one shell is adjacent to the crimped end of another neighboring shell permits the stacked shells to maintain an overall volume that conforms to box-like containers. Thus, the fully stacked shells in FIG. 7 are arranged accordingly, and larger diameter of the brass base rim is compensated for by neighboring shells&#39; crimped ends. 
     As further illustrated in FIG. 7, the angled stand  106  permits the shells to be stacked from the lower left comer of the first recess  174 . It will be appreciated, however, that the stacking of the shells into the container  104  may be performed without the use of the stand  106  without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the container  104  may be positioned on a flat surface such as a tabletop. Alternatively, the container  104  may be held by a hand, or may be supported in any number of ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
     Once the first recess  174  of the container  104  is filled with shells, the cover  102  is placed over the filled container  104 , as illustrated in FIG.  1 . When the container  104  fully enters the partially enclosed space  124  of the cover  102  (FIG. 3A) and latches to the cover  102 , the shells in the first recess  174  of the container  104 , now also in the partially enclosed space  124  of the cover  102 , are retained in the shotgun shell housing assembly  100 . The cover  102  and container  104  assembly may be positioned in any number of orientations while retaining the shells therein. Furthermore, the cover/container combination permits easy storage and carrying since the overall external dimensions are similar to that of a typical standard paper carton. It will be appreciated that such a cover/container configuration is permitted because the container, also acting as a stacking tray, is not permanently attached to the stand. 
     It will be appreciated that the cover/container assembly with shells therein can be received by products that are dimensioned to receive the paper carton filled with shells. For example, the belt-worn shell pouch referred to in the Description of the Related Art section can be loaded with the cover/container assembly of the invention such that the opening  126  (FIG. 3A) of the cover  102  faces upward. The rounded corners  132  and  134  of the cover  102  facilitates easy insertion of the cover/container assembly into the shell pouch. The container  104  is grasped at the first and second side walls  154 ,  156  through the cutouts  128  and  130 , and pulled upward. The shells are transferred from the first recess  174  (FIG. 4A) of the container  104  to the partially enclosed space  124  of the cover  102  when the container  104  is removed. The cover  102  now functions in a manner similar to the paper carton with its lid either removed or folded back. 
     Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has shown, described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to this embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the detail of the device illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Consequently, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the foregoing description, but should be defined by the appending claims.