Abstract:
A packaging assembly is provided for storing and merchandising electric components, such as electrical cables. Until now, cables and other electrical components have typically in disposable container, which were generally not reusable, and often require knives or tools to open, risking damage and injury. However, to combat problems associated with conventional devices and techniques, an easy-to-use reusable packaging assembly is employed. The packaging assembly utilizes a box and a lid that are coupled together with latch assemblies. Then, a sheath can slidably engage the box and lid to allow for, ease of marketing. The combination then allows for easy storage and mechanizing for cables that has not become available until now.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “REUSABLE RETAIL DISPLAY AND STORAGE UNIT FOR ELECTRONICS COMPONENTS” (Attorney Docket No. DSC 03392 DPUS) and from U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. ______ entitled “SHEATHED REUSABLE RETAIL DISPLAY AND STORAGE UNIT FOR ELECTRONICS COMPONENTS” (Attorney Docket No. DSC 03393 DPUS), both of which were filed on Apr. 15, 2005. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to packaging, and in particular, to convenient packaging for electric cables and similar components.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It has long been desirable to have a convenient package that can be employed for use with electrical cables and similar components. There have been numerous attempts to conveniently package electrical cords that allow for both ease of display and ease of storage.  
         [0004]     Traditionally, cords have been simply coiled. Typically, the cables are coiled into a circle and secured across the diameter of the coiled cable. Once secured, the cable could be attached to a hanger.  
         [0005]     However, simply hanging cables for displays poses a number of problems. Specifically, it is very easy for a customer to accidentally be caught by the coil causing injury or damage. Moreover, repackaging the cable can be cumbersome. In many cases, adhesive tags are employed to maintain the coiled cables, but the adhesive tags are not easily repaired. Additionally, once a customer purchases the cable, storage can become a cumbersome task because there is no immediate storage device or method.  
         [0006]     Alternatively, cables are securely packaged by a process known as “bubble wrap,” in which a cellophane or similar material is formed over the product and secured by heat. This process provides a water-tight packaging that is very often difficult to remove, even when scissors are used. Opening the package risk damage to the contents and injury to the buyer. Once the cabling is removed, the destroyed package is discarded.  
         [0007]     The prior art designs for cable packaging are difficult to remove and not reusable. Thus, it can thus be seen that there is a need to develop a design for retail packaging for electric cables which is easily removable and reusable by end-user consumers.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     An advantage of the present invention is that it is simple and aesthetically attractive. Another advantage of the present invention is that it is inexpensive to manufacture. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a simplified and easy storage. Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a storage system that is aesthetically appealing, and light-weight. Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.  
         [0009]     The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a reusable container for storing and merchandising electronic cabling. The container generally comprises a box portion, a lid, and a latch portion. The box portion comprises a base having four sides extending upwards from the perimeter of the base, forming a substantially rectangular box edge opposite the base. An outwardly inverted flange is formed along the box edge. The lid is removable and comprises a lid topside and an opposite lid underside. A groove is formed adjacent to the perimeter of the lid underside. The groove is complementarily engagable with the top of the flange when the lid is place on the box. A recess is formed on the lid topside. A generally semi-cylindrical latch has one or more anchors on one side and corresponding latch hooks on its opposite side. The latch hooks are pivotally attached to corresponding latch slots formed in the flange. The anchors are complementarily engagable with the recess of the lid topside for securing the lid to the box portion.  
         [0010]     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container further comprises a hanger removably attached to the flange on one end, and having a hole or aperture for attachment to a retail display device. In a more preferred embodiment, the hanger has one or more hanger hooks pivotally attached to corresponding hanger slots formed in the flange.  
         [0011]     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the box portion and lid are made of a transparent material.  
         [0012]     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container comprises a sheath configured to slidably engage the box and the lid. Additionally, in another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sheath is formed of cardboard or configured to contain printed material on at least one surface.  
         [0013]     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the recess of the lid topside has a relief portion in which the recess is enlarged to accommodate finger actuation of the latch.  
         [0014]     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the box, lid, hanger, and latches are made from a microwavable, and dishwasher safe polyethylene material.  
         [0015]     A preferred embodiment of the present invention is a reusable container for storing and merchandising electronic cabling. The container generally comprises a box portion, a lid, and a latch portion. The box portion comprises a base having four sides extending upwards from the perimeter of the base, and forming a substantially rectangular box edge opposite the base. An outwardly inverted flange is formed along the box edge. The lid is removable and comprises a lid topside and an opposite lid underside. A groove is formed along and inwardly adjacent to the perimeter of the lid underside. The groove is complementarily engagable with the flange when the lid is place on the box. A recess is formed along and inwardly adjacent to the perimeter of the topside of the lid. A generally semi-cylindrical latch has one or more anchors on one side and latch hooks on its opposite side. The latch hooks are pivotally attached to corresponding latch slots formed in the flange. The latch anchors are complementarily engagable with the recess of the lid topside for securing the lid to the box portion. Additionally, each latch has a flat lifting edge between anchors that is substantially parallel to said lid topside when each of said latches is engaging said lid.  
         [0016]     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The objects and features of the invention will become more readily understood from the following detailed description and appended claims when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like elements.  
         [0018]     The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of reusable retail container in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a second isometric view of the reusable retail container with a retracted sheath accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the unlatched reusable retail container in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the latches in an opened position.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the box without the lid.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the lid topside in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the lid underside.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the box of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is an isometric exploded view of the flange of the box with a detached latch.  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the latch affixed to the box.  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the flange of the box with a detached hanger.  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the hanger affixed to the box. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.  
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a reusable retail container  10  illustrated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Reusable retail container  10  comprises a box  20 , a removable lid  40 , and a slidably removable sheath  80 . When fully assembled, lid  40  rests on the top of box  20  and sheath  80  slidably covers box  20  and lid  40 , as shown. A hanger  70  extends from box  20  to permit retail display in connection with conventional retail display devices.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a second isometric view of reusable retail container  10  with sheath  80  partially retracted. Retraction of sheath  80  discloses a pair of latches  60  attached to box  20 . Latches  60  are shown in a closed position, securing lid  40  to box  20 .  FIG. 3  illustrates reusable retail container  10  with sheath  80  completely removed. In this view, latches  60  are shown in an opened position.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of box  20  from  FIG. 3 , with lid  40  removed. In the preferred embodiment, box  20  comprises a base  22  having four sides  24  extending upwards from the perimeter of base  22 , and forming a substantially rectangular box edge  26  in a plane parallel to base  22 . Box edge  26  forms an open top of box  20 . An outwardly inverted flange  30  is integrally formed along the perimeter of box edge  26 . Latches  60  are pivotally attached to flange  30  on opposite sides of box  20 . Hanger  70  extends from box  20 . In the preferred embodiment, hanger  70  is pivotally attached to flange  30 , on a side  24  of box  20  in perpendicular orientation to latches  60 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of lid  40  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Lid  40  has a topside  42  and an opposite underside  48  (Shown in  FIG. 6 ). Topside  42  has a recess  44  formed thereon. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, recess  44  extends along the surface of topside  42 , parallel to, and inwardly offset of, the perimeter edge of lid  40 . A pair of relief&#39;s  46  are formed on opposite sides of topside  42  of lid  40 , and intersect recess  44 . In the preferred embodiment, relief&#39;s  46  extend inwardly from recess  44 , towards the center of lid  40 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of underside  48  of lid  40  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. As seen if  FIG. 6 , a groove  50  is formed in underside  48  of lid  40  for complementary engagement with flange  30  when lid  40  is placed on box  20 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is a top view of box  20 . From this view, it can be seen that walls  24  form box edge  26 . It can also bee seen that outwardly inverted flange  30  is integrally formed along the perimeter of box edge  26 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  is an isometric exploded view of flange  30  of box  20  with latch  60  detached. Latch  60  comprises a generally semi-cylindrical body  62 . In the preferred embodiment a pair of latch hooks  64  are formed on one side of body  62 . A pair of anchors  66  are formed on the opposite side of body  62 . A lift edge  68  is formed between anchors  66 . As also seen in  FIG. 8 , flange  30  of box  20  has a pair of slots  32 . Slots  32  are receivable of hooks  64 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of latch  60  pivotally attached to flange  30  of box  20 . Latch  60  is pivotally attachable to box  20  by inserting hooks  64  of latch  60  into slots  32  of flange  30 . When lid  40  is placed on box  20 , anchors  66  are engagable with recess  44  of lid  40 , and lift edge  66  is located in alignment with relief  46  of lid  40 , as best seen in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of flange  30  of box  20  with hanger  70  detached. In the preferred embodiment a pair of hanger hooks  72  are formed on one side of hanger  70 . A slot.  74  is formed on the opposite side of hanger  70 . As also seen in  FIG. 11 , flange  30  of box  20  has a pair of hanger slots  32 . Slots  32  are receivable of hanger hooks  72 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of hanger  70  pivotally attached to flange  30  of box  20 . Hanger  70  is pivotally attachable to box  20  by inserting hanger hooks  72  of hanger  70  into slots  34  of flange  30 . In the preferred embodiment, hanger  70  is pivotally attached to flange  30 , on a side  24  of box  20  in perpendicular orientation to latches  60 .  
       Operation of the Preferred Embodiments  
       [0041]     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1-4 , comprises a reusable retail container box  20 , a removable lid  40 , and a removable and printable display sheath  80 . A hanger  70  permits retail display in connection with conventional retail display devices.  
         [0042]     Typically, box  20  is formed of a plastic that can be either clear or opaque; however, there are a numerous other materials that can comprise box  20 . Box  20  is generally parallelepiped shape having a base surface  22  with four interconnected walls  24  extending substantially orthogonal therefrom. Walls  24  form a contiguous box edge  26  defining an open top of box  20 . As best seen in  FIG. 7 . From box edge  26 , an inverted flange  30  extends outwardly and downwardly along the length of box edge  26 .  
         [0043]     As seen in  FIG. 4 , lid  40  is removable. When lid  40  is removed, box  20  is of a size convenient for the storage of electronic cable components, particularly of the size commonly used in the automotive aftermarket part industry, and the personal computer market. The shape of the box provides high-density packing and storage capability that bubble wrap products can not provide. Lid  40  has groove  50  formed on its underside  48 . Groove  50  follows the perimeter of the lid  40 , and is substantially the same length as flange  30  of box  20 . Groove  50  provides a complementary slot for receiving flange  30  of box  20 .  
         [0044]     Groove  50  coupling to flange  30  assists in maintaining the position of lid  40  in relation to box  20  when horizontal separating forces are applied. There are a variety of depths that can be employed; however, in one preferred embodiment, groove  50  is approximate one quarter of an inch in depth.  
         [0045]     Lid  40  rests over the open top of box  20 , where groove  50  couples to flange  30 , to create a complete enclosure, and electrical components, such as electrical cables, are stored within the confines of box  20 .  
         [0046]     Topside  42  of lid  40  has recess  44  which provides a complementary space for receiving anchors  66  of latch  60 . In the preferred embodiment, latches  60  are made of a flexible material. When latches  60  are rotated to clip over lid  40 , semi-cylindrical body  62  can flex, increasing the radial distance between latch hooks  64  an anchors  66  a sufficient distance to allow anchors  66  to clear the edge of lid  40 , and allowing anchors  66  to snap into place in recess  44 . This securely couples lid  40  to box  20 . Lid  40  can then be decoupled from box  20  by applying force to lift edge  68 . Relief  46  is provided adjacent and integral with recess  44 , and between anchors  66  to provide clearance necessary to disengage latches  60  for lid  40 .  
         [0047]     Latches  60  are pivotally attached to flange  30  on opposite sides of box  20 . In the preferred embodiment, there are two distinct latches (see  FIGS. 2, 3 , and  7 ) that are located on opposing walls  24  of box  20 . When engaged, as can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the arched or generally semi-cylindrical body  62  of latches  60  conform over the edge of lid  40  and flange  30  of box  20 . Latch anchors  66  fit securely into recess  44 . Therefore, latch  60  maintains the position of lid  40  in relation to box  20  even when horizontal and/or vertical separating forces are applied to the packaging. Additionally, there are a variety of materials that can comprise lid  40 , which can be either transparent or opaque. Typically, though, the material that comprises the lid  40  matches the box  20 .  
         [0048]     Moreover, in order to be able to remove lid  40  many times, latch  60  should allow for easy detachment as seen in  FIG. 3 . The design as described permits the purchaser to open the box without the need for knives or other tools to access the product. The buyer can comfortably use a finger or thumb to disengage latch  60  without the use of any tools.  
         [0049]     In a first embodiment, hanger  70  extends from box  20 . Hanger  70  renders reusable container  10  attachable to conventional merchandising display devices. Hanger  70  thus allows customers to easily view the merchandise while minimizing the amount of storage space required. In the preferred embodiment, hanger  70  is removable and pivotally attached to flange  30 , on a side  24  of box  20  in perpendicular orientation to latches  60 . The removable and pivotal attachment of hanger  70  provides the purchaser the option of removing and discarding hanger  70 , or allowing hanger  70  to pivot out of the way for easier storage in other compartments such as tool boxes and glove boxes of automobiles. In the preferred embodiment, hanger  70  is pivotally attached to flange  30 , on a side  24  of box  20  in perpendicular orientation to latches  60 .  
         [0050]     To cover box  20  and lid  40 , sheath  80  is employed. Typically, as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , sheath  80  is comprised of cardboard or paper, but there are a variety of other materials that can be employed. Sheath  80  can also employ letters, markings, and graphics to display or advertise the feature or content of the packaging. As can best be seen with  FIG. 1 , sheath  80  when in a center position covers lid latch assemblies  60 . However,  FIG. 2  shows the exposed each latch  60  that coupled lid  40  to the box  20 . IN the preferred embodiment, sheath  80  is at least as long as the length of latch  60 , and is thus located over latch  60  to prevent undesired disengagement of latch  60 .  
         [0051]     A primary advantage of the present invention is that it permits utilization of convenient packaging. The packaging can easily store cables, which are cumbersome to package, while allowing for maximum display coverage for consumers. Moreover, the packaging is completely reusable and made of a durable material, such as plastic. The use or translucent plastic permits visibility of the product inside. The packaging allows consumers to better utilize products by being able to reuse packaging. Thus, the amount of consumer waste related to the purchase of electrical components, including but not limited to electrical cables, can be dramatically reduced. Moreover, the packaging allows a consumer to eliminate the purchase of additional storage devices, reducing the overall cost to a consumer.  
         [0052]     Another advantage to having the packaging is that the packaging can be molded to include trademarks or other advertising materials. For example, a company name can be embedded by having a shaded that reads the name while the rest of the packaging is translucent. Moreover, different colorations can be used for varying effects, including the illustration of trademarks. The packaging can also be made of a material that is either receptive to or not receptive to adhesives so that that stickers may or may not adhere to the packaging.  
         [0053]     There are also a wide variety of means of manufacturing the packaging. Depending on the desired durability desired, injection molded techniques can be employed as welling as a variety of other milling techniques. It is also possible to not only manufacture packaging out of plastic, but metals, such as aluminum and steel, can be used instead.  
         [0054]     It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0055]     Having thus described the present invention by reference to certain of its preferred embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, and substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.