Patent Publication Number: US-6905034-B2

Title: Clip tray and method of retaining and individually releasing cylindrical shaped objects

Description:
This invention generally relates to apparatus and methods for organizing, retaining, displaying, dispensing, accessing and individually releasing cylindrical shaped objects, such as disk-like cylindrical shaped containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a new and improved clip tray and method for retaining and individually releasing cylindrical shaped objects in a manner which allows the objects to be presented and organized for convenient access on a readily-apparent basis and released from the order in which they are presented on a convenient and individual basis. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Relatively small disk-like cylindrical shaped containers have been used for many purposes. Food, candy, and chewing gum have been packaged in such containers, which are generally formed from clear and opaque plastic. Chewing tobacco has also been packaged in such containers made of both plastic and metal. Other types of non-foodstuff consumer products have also been marketed in such containers. Clear plastic disk-like cylindrical containers have been made available to users in an empty condition, to allow the users to fill them with different types of relatively small objects that the user wishes to segregate and organize for convenience and specific-use purposes. For example, screws, nuts and bolts of particular sizes are segregated into separate containers according to the size and other distinguishing characteristics of the items. Small items used in hobbies, such as photograph holder corners, lettering, glitters, and powders used in scrap book construction, may be placed into separate containers according to the type and size of the item. Buttons, fasteners, and needles used in sewing may also be separately contained in individual containers. Flies and lures for fishing, as well as many other relatively small sporting goods items, may be kept separately in such containers. In general, such disk-like cylindrical containers may be used to separate a wide variety of relatively small items. 
   Although the disk-like cylindrical containers are useful for segregating various items, a further difficulty arises in organizing the containers in such a way that the individual containers may be readily recognized and accessed. From the standpoint of dispensing or selling products, it is desirable to present the consumer with all of the available choices of different types of products that are marketed in such containers, so that the user can conveniently select the desired product. While the products can be stacked on top of one another, such stacks and other orientations do not facilitate a continuous orderly display of the products. Such stacks usually become disarrayed or scattered as a result of consumers sorting through the stacks to locate the desired item. 
   One typical type of point of purchase display used with disk-like cylindrical containers is a tube rack, which is a tube shaped structure which confines the cylindrical containers within its interior, in a stacked relationship. The containers are loaded into the top of the tube. Only the bottom container within the tube can be removed, because the only access to the tube is through a removal opening located at one end of the tube. The containers move downward in the tube rack toward the removal opening from the force of gravity as the bottom containers in the tube are removed. The tube rack may be made of clear plastic to reveal the nature of each type of container. If a consumer desires a container located in the middle of the stack, the containers must be removed one at a time from the bottom of the stack in the tube rack until the desired container is finally reached. Those containers removed to obtain access to the desired container should be replaced into the tube rack, but consumers frequently do not do so. If the containers are replaced, the replacement is frequently haphazard and in such a way that the containers could jam together within the center of the tube rack and prevent the further downward movement of the containers to the removal opening. 
   Other types of point of purchase dispensers for disk-like cylindrical containers are made of wire and shaped as a vertically oriented rectangular rack. These rectangular wire racks function in a manner similar to tube racks, in that the containers are stacked within the interior of the wire rack, are removed from a bottom access opening in the wire rack and move downward from the force of gravity. The openings between the individual wires of the wire rack permit the user to see the individual containers in the wire rack. Unlike a tube rack, the openings between the wires permit manipulation of the containers within the center of the stack to remedy jam problems caused by disorientation of the containers. 
   Another type of point of purchase dispenser which is similar to both a rectangular wire rack and a tube rack is made of heavy paper or cardboard material. Such heavy paper or cardboard material racks are configured as a rectangular box structure having a bottom access opening, similar to the configuration of a rectangular rack. Because of the opaque heavy paper or cardboard, the contents of the stack are not visible to the consumer. Only the last or bottom one of the containers is visible through at the access opening. 
   A further type of dispenser for disk-like cylindrical containers is a track or shoot-like structure in which the containers are confined in a serial fashion. Instead of a vertical stack of containers, the track locates the containers in a side-by-side, generally horizontal-oriented line. The track is at a slight vertical declining slope, so that gravity moves the containers downward in a line toward a bottom dispensing opening. Removing the bottom container in the line causes the other containers in the track to move downward within the track. However, like the tube, wire and rectangular box racks, the track structure still requires the cylindrical containers to be dispensed or moved one at a time in a serial fashion until the desired container is reached. 
   The track structure is frequently inefficient from a space utilization standpoint, because a relatively large horizontal surface area is required to support the track. Furthermore, if separate tracks are vertically stacked with respect to one another, viewing the individual containers along the length of each track is impossible. To obtain better space utilization, the tracks are sometimes formed in curved configurations, but those curved configurations are still not space-efficient. 
   In those circumstances where there are only a few different products displayed for sale, a separate track, tube rack, wire rack or rectangular box rack may be used for each different product. However, this requires a number of different dispensers, and a relatively large amount of space is consumed by those dispensers. 
   Cylindrical shaped dispensers have also been devised to present the individual cylindrical containers in a side-by-side manner. An access slot is formed in the side of the cylindrical shaped dispenser by which to remove a selected one of the containers from the row. The access slot has a width which extends circumferentially around the cylindrical shaped dispenser for less than 180 degrees. The remaining portion of the cylindrical dispenser occupies more than 180 degrees of contact with the cylindrical container, and thereby holds the cylindrical container within the dispenser. To remove the cylindrical container, the container must be grasped and pulled out of the dispenser. In doing so, the part of the cylindrical dispenser which contacts more than 180 degrees of the cylindrical container must be bent or deflected outward. The bending frequently has the unintended effect of releasing the non-selected containers which are adjacent to the selected container. To prevent the unintended removal of non-selected containers, the consumer is required to hold in the adjacent containers with one hand while attempting to remove the selected container with the other hand. Alternatively, a consumer will simply allow the non-selected containers to come out of the dispenser and then not replace the non-selected containers. 
   An alternative form of a cylindrical dispenser requires the selected container to be twisted sideways within the cylindrical dispenser until its parallel sidewalls are parallel to the axis of the cylindrical dispenser. Oriented in this manner, the cylindrical container can be removed through the access slot. However, to provide the necessary space for the cylindrical container to be twisted, the space within the cylindrical dispenser cannot be fully occupied by the containers. Consequentially, the cylindrical dispenser cannot be fully loaded or occupied with the cylindrical containers. Moreover, if the cylindrical dispenser is not fully loaded with the containers, those containers within the dispenser have the opportunity to twist and fall sideways which can cause disorientation and jams of the containers within the dispenser. Such random movement also creates a possibility for the containers to fall from the dispenser. 
   The organizational issues associated with point of purchase dispensers are similar to issues arising from the personal use of the disk-like cylindrical containers. For purposes of convenience, the user, like the consumer, needs to view all of the containers in order to select the desired one without disrupting the organization of the non-selected containers. However, in personal use circumstances, it is usually necessary to present and organize a large number of containers which hold different items, in contrast to a point of purchase situation where there may be a lesser number of items but more duplicates of the same item. Thus, from the personal use standpoint, the containers should be collected, presented and organized to allow the user to quickly locate and release the desired container from among a relatively large number of such containers. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a clip tray and a method of organizing, retaining and releasing disk-like cylindrical shaped containers in such a way that each individual container is readily presented, organized and released on an individual basis for use or consumption, without the necessity to remove or reorient all or a significant number of the other containers, and without disturbing or disrupting the organization and presentation of the other containers. The clip tray and the methodology of the present invention are used equally beneficially as point of purchase dispensers for consumer items as well as organizers for personal use items. The clip tray and the methodology of the present invention also present the opportunity to assemble and organize a collection of related use items for specific purposes, such as kits used for specific purposes. Further still, the clip tray and methodology of the present invention achieve a high level of space utilization and volumetric consumption to provide these and other advantages and efficiencies with respect to a large number of cylindrical containers. 
   In accordance with these and other aspects, the clip tray of the present invention retains and releases a disk-like cylindrical container having a cylindrical sidewall and two generally planar end walls. The clip tray comprises a structure defining fixed contacts adapted to contact and adjoin the cylindrical sidewall of the container at positions spaced circumferentially less than 180 degrees around the cylindrical sidewall of the container. A divider is adapted to contact one of the generally planar end walls of the container. A release tab defines a movable contact adapted to contact and adjoin the cylindrical sidewall of the container at a position which, cumulatively with the contacts at positions less than 180 degrees, extends the circumferential contact with the cylindrical sidewall to greater than 180 degrees around the cylindrical sidewall of the container when the release tab is in a first position. The greater than 180 degrees of contact retains the container. The release tab is moveable to a second position in which the movable contact is separated from the cylindrical sidewall in which circumstance only the fixed contacts contact the cylindrical sidewall at less than 180 degrees of circumference of the cylindrical sidewall to release the container. 
   The preferable form of the fixed and movable contacts is established by a partial cylindrical back wall adapted to contact and adjoin the cylindrical sidewall of the container. The back wall has a first portion which extends circumferentially less than 180 degrees around the cylindrical sidewall of the container. The back wall also has a second portion which extends from the first portion. The first and second portions of the back wall cumulatively extend circumferentially to greater than 180 degrees around the cylindrical sidewall of the container. The release tab is formed by the second portion of the back wall. The release tab is deflectable to move the second portion to the second position radially outward away from the cylindrical sidewall of the container so only the first portion of the back wall is in contact with the cylindrical sidewall of the container to permit the insertion and release of the cylindrical container. While the release tab is in contact with the cylindrical sidewall, the container is retained. 
   Other preferable aspects of the clip tray include integrally extending the release tab second portion of the back wall from the first portion so the second portion can be resiliently deflected relative to the first portion. Dividers preferably extend substantially along the full circumferential extent of the first portion of the back wall. An opening is preferably formed through the first portion of the back wall through which to apply force when removing the container or through which light may pass to illuminate the containers and their contents. A receptacle is defined by the first portion of the back wall and the divider within which to receive each container, and preferably a plurality of receptacles form each clip tray. A slot is preferably formed into the back wall on each opposite side of the second portion of the back wall, and the slots define each release tab. The first and second portions of the back walls of the plurality of receptacles are preferably formed by a common partial cylindrical back wall. A release arm is preferably connected to the release tab to move into contact with the cylindrical container and urged the cylindrical container out of the receptacle. 
   The clip tray may be positioned and oriented using attachment brackets which connect to end walls of the clip tray, with each end wall having a predetermined configuration to fit within a correspondingly shaped opening in the attachment tray. The clip tray may also include a retention tab connected to an axially extending edge and having an opening for receiving a fastener. The clip tray may also be positioned and oriented by attaching the common partial cylindrical back wall to a support, such as with fasteners extending through attachment holes in the common partial cylindrical back wall, with double back tape connected to the back side of the back wall, or with a conventional hook and loop fastener. A plurality of the clip trays may be organized into a carousel configuration, preferably with each clip tray extending vertically. 
   In accordance with the above described and other aspects, the method of the present invention relates to retaining a disk-like cylindrical container within a receptacle and releasing the cylindrical container from the receptacle. The cylindrical container has a cylindrical sidewall. The method comprises contacting the cylindrical sidewall with fixed contacts at positions spaced circumferentially less than 180 degrees around the cylindrical sidewall, contacting the cylindrical sidewall with a movable contact adapted to contact the cylindrical sidewall at a position which cumulatively with the fixed contacts extends the circumferential contact to greater than 180 degrees when the movable contact is in a first position and to less than 180 degrees when the movable contact is in a second position. The fixed contacts moved to the second position to release the cylindrical container from the receptacle and to the first position to retain the cylindrical container in the receptacle. 
   This methodology is preferably implemented by contacting the cylindrical sidewall of the container with a partial cylindrical back wall of the receptacle, locating the fixed contacts on a first portion of the back wall circumferentially less than 180 degrees around the cylindrical sidewall of the container, and locating the movable contact on a second portion of the back wall which when accumulated with the first portion extends the circumferential contact to greater than 180 degrees around the cylindrical sidewall. 
   Other preferable aspects of the method include resiliently deflecting the second portion of the back wall relative to the first portion of the back wall, applying pressure to the cylindrical container through an access opening formed in the first portion of the back wall to remove the cylindrical container from the receptacle, and applying the pressure through the access opening while simultaneously resiliently deflecting the second portion of the back wall. Other preferable aspects include guiding the cylindrical container along dividers which define each receptacle to insert the container into each receptacle and to remove the container from each receptacle. In addition, the method may include urging the cylindrical container out of the receptacle upon deflecting the second portion of the back wall outward, such as by contacting the cylindrical sidewall of the cylindrical container with a contact element connected to the second portion of the back wall to apply force to the cylindrical sidewall to urge the cylindrical container out of the receptacle. 
   A more complete appreciation of the scope of the present invention and the manner in which it achieves the above-noted and other improvements can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred embodiments taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly summarized below, and by reference to the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a clip tray for organizing, retaining, displaying, dispensing and accessing cylindrical shaped objects, which embodies the present invention.  FIG. 1  also illustrates in exploded perspective relationship, a perspective view of a disk-like cylindrical container which embodies a typical type of cylindrical shaped object with which the clip tray is typically used. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the clip tray shown in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the clip tray shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  but also illustrating a cylindrical container retained in the clip tray. 
       FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  illustrating release of the cylindrical container from the position in which it is retained in the clip tray shown in FIG.  5 . 
       FIG. 7  is an end elevational view illustrating the clip tray shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  resting on a horizontal surface. 
       FIG. 8  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 3 , illustrating the clip tray connected to a vertical support by screws. 
       FIG. 9  is a view similar to  FIG. 8 , illustrating the clip tray connected to a vertical support by double backed tape or a loop and hook fastener. 
       FIG. 10  is a partial enlarged view of a side portion of the clip tray taken substantially from the elevation of lines  10 — 10  of  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line  11 — 11  of FIG.  10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a front elevation view illustrating the clip tray shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  supported in a horizontal orientation below a horizontal support by use of the features shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
       FIG. 13  is a front elevation of view illustrating the clip tray shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  supported in a horizontal orientation below a horizontal support by attachment brackets. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of one end of the attachment bracket shown in  FIG. 13  shown in exploded relationship relative to an end wall of the clip tray shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  shown in a different perspective than the attachment bracket. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the clip tray shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
       FIG. 16  is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line  16 — 16  of FIG.  15 . 
       FIG. 17  is a partial view taken substantially in the plane of line  17 — 17  of FIG.  16 . 
       FIG. 18  is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line  18 — 18  of FIG.  17 . 
       FIG. 19  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a carousel which includes a plurality of the clip trays shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a carousel which includes a plurality of the clip trays shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 21  is an exploded perspective view of still another embodiment of a carousel which includes a plurality of the clip trays shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 22  is an exploded perspective view of yet another embodiment of a carousel which includes a plurality of the clip trays shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 23  is a partial cross-sectional view taken substantially in the plane of line  19 — 19  of FIG.  17 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   A clip tray  30 , which embodies the present invention, is shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The clip tray  30  is generally formed by a partial cylindrical back wall  32  to which end walls  34  and  36  are attached at opposite ends of the back wall  32 . Dividers  38  project forward from the back wall  32  at positions which are spaced axially along an axis defined by the partial cylindrical back wall  32 . The dividers  38  form receptacles  40  into which disk-like cylindrical shaped containers  42  are individually inserted. Each cylindrical container  42  is retained individually and separately from the other cylindrical containers  42  in its own receptacle  40 . 
   The typical disk-like cylindrical shaped container  42  includes a pair of generally planar and parallel circular end walls  44  and  46  that are separated by a sidewall  48 . Generally, one of the end walls, e.g.  44 , is part of a lid for the container  42 , while the other end wall  46  and the sidewall  48  form a repository or interior volume within which items are confined within the container  42 . Access to this repository is obtained by removing the lid. The most prevalent form of such cylindrical containers  42  are made from plastic, however some cylindrical containers  42  are also made of stamped metal or composite paper. 
   The circumferential extent of the partial cylindrical back wall  32  is slightly more than 180 degrees. The back wall  32  therefore surrounds slightly more than half of the circumference of each cylindrical container  42  inserted into a receptacle  40 . The greater than 180 degree circumferential contact by the back wall  32  with the cylindrical sidewall  48  holds each cylindrical container  42  within the receptacle  40  of the clip tray  30 , as shown in FIG.  5 . 
   Each cylindrical container  42  is released from its retained position within each receptacle  40  by deflecting a release tab  50  connected to a forward portion of the partial cylindrical back wall  32  associated with each receptacle  40 , as shown in FIG.  6 . Deflecting the release tab  50  outwardly removes a portion of the back wall  32  which forms the release tab  50  from contact with the cylindrical sidewall  48  of the container  42 . With the release tab portion of the back wall  32  deflected out of contact with the cylindrical sidewall  48 , the remaining portion of the back wall  32  does not contact more than 180 degrees of the circumference of the sidewall  50  of the container  42 , and the container  42  is released from retention within the receptacle  40 . The cylindrical container  42  may, at that point, be removed from the receptacle  40  by moving it out of the receptacle  40 . By associating a single release tab  50  with each receptacle  40 , the selected cylindrical container  48  may be removed individually from its own receptacle  40  without releasing or otherwise influencing the retention of the containers in the adjoining receptacles. Inserting each cylindrical container  42  in a receptacle  40  is not impeded because the release tab  50  deflects outwardly in a cam-like manner when the cylindrical container  42  is pushed into the receptacle  40 . 
   In this manner, each cylindrical container  42  is individually displayed in and released from its own receptacle  40  within the clip tray  30 . All of the individual containers  42  are readily apparent for selection and access. Each cylindrical container is individually retained in and released from its receptacle in a convenient manner by depressing the release tab  50 , without disturbing reorienting or inadvertently releasing the other remaining cylindrical containers retained within the clip tray  30 . 
   More details concerning the clip tray  30  are shown in  FIGS. 1-6 . The entire clip tray  30  is preferably formed from a single piece of injection molded plastic. Under such circumstances, all the components or elements of the clip tray  30  will be integrally connected with one another in the single plastic structure formed by injection molding. The type of plastic used to form the clip tray  30  provides the necessary strength, rigidity and flexibility to accomplish the functions described below. However, the clip tray  30  may also be formed by components which have not been integrally connected together. 
   The back wall  32  is described herein as a partial cylindrical configuration which makes surface contact with the cylindrical surface  48  of the container  42  over greater than 180 degrees of circumference to retain the container within the receptacle and over less than 180 degrees of circumference when the container is released for removal from the receptacle. Such surface contact is not required to retain and release the container, but instead point or edge contact with the cylindrical sidewall of the container is sufficient. In the case of point or edge contact, three contacts with the cylindrical sidewall should occur over greater than 180 degrees of circumference to retain the container within the receptacle. One of the contacts should be associated with the release tab so that when the release tab is moved outward, that one contact is no longer physically touching the cylindrical sidewall of the container. Under those circumstances the other two remaining contacts physically touch the cylindrical sidewall of the container over less than 180 degrees of its circumference and the container is thereby released from its retained position within the receptacle. Moreover, a combination of point or edge contacts and surface contact may be used. For example, the cylindrical container may makes surface contact with the cylindrical back wall  32  which is adjacent the dividers  38 , while a point or edge contact element may be formed on the release tab  50  to contact the cylindrical sidewall at the greater than 180 degree location. Conversely, the release tab  50  may assume a partial cylindrical surface contact with the cylindrical sidewall while two or more point or edge contact elements may physically touch the cylindrical sidewall over the remaining circumferential portion which extends less than 180 degrees. 
   A forward end portion of the partial cylindrical back wall  32  terminates at a continuous edge  52 . The other opposite forward end portion of the partial cylindrical back wall  32  terminates at an edge  54  on each of the release tabs  50 . The continuous edge  52  and the release tab edges  54  have an enlarged rounded configuration to facilitate guiding the cylindrical containers  42  into the receptacles  40 . The enlarged rounded configuration of the release tab edge  54  also facilitates applying thumb or finger pressure to deflect the release tab  50  outwardly relative to the receptacle  40  to thereby release the cylindrical container  42  from within each receptacle  40 . The rounded configurations of the continuous edge  52  and the release tab edges  54  are greater in thickness than the thickness of the partial cylindrical back wall  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . 
   The dividers  38  separate the partial cylindrical volume within the clip tray  30  into the individual receptacles  40 . The partial cylindrical volume within the clip tray  30  is defined by that volume enclosed by the partial cylindrical back wall  32  and the end walls  34  and  36 . The dividers  38  are attached to, and project forward from, the back wall  32 . 
   Each divider  38  includes a semicircular-shaped central protrusion  56  located approximately midway circumferentially along the back wall  32  between the continuous edge  52  and the edges  54  of the release tabs  50 . Each divider  38  also includes two ribs  58  and  60  which extend on respectively opposite sides of the central protrusion  56 . The rib  58  of each divider  38  extends from the central portion  56  toward the continuous edge  52 , and the other rib  60  of each divider  38  extends from the central protrusion  56  in the opposite direction from the rib  58  toward the edges  54  of the release tabs  50 . The forward end of each rib  58  terminates at a position adjacent to the continuous edge  52 . The forward end of the each opposite rib  60  terminates adjacent to a rearward extending slot  62 . The dividers  38  structurally reinforce the portion of the back wall  32  to which they are connected to maintain that back wall portion in the partial cylindrical configuration of the back wall  32 . The structural reinforcement from the and the separation of each release tab  50  from the adjoining release tab by the slot  62  prevents the deflection of the release tab  50  from deflecting the structure of the adjoining receptacles in such a way that the cylindrical containers retained in the adjoining receptacles are inadvertently released. 
   The slots  62  divide the forward portion of the back wall  32  into the release tabs  50 . Each slot  62  extends rearward into the partial cylindrical back wall  32  to a location where the circumferential distance from the maximum rearward point of the slot  62  to the continuous edge  52  on the opposite side of the back wall  32  is less than 180 degrees, as understood from FIG.  6 . Consequently, the first portion of the back wall  32  which is formed by the release tab  50  retains the cylindrical container  42  in the receptacle  40 . The second portion of the back wall  32  formed by the release tab  50  extends the amount of circumferential contact with the cylindrical sidewall  48  of the container  42  ( FIG. 1 ) to an amount of greater than 180 degrees. The normal position of the release tab  50  ( FIG. 5 ) holds the cylindrical container  42  in the receptacle  40 . The outward deflection of the release tab  50  ( FIG. 6 ) releases contact of the back wall  32  with more than 180 degrees of the circumferential distance of the sidewall  48  of the container  42  (FIG.  1 ), thereby releasing and freeing the container  42  for movement out of the receptacle  40 . 
   The slots  62  and the dividers  38  cause the portion of the back wall  32  which defines one release tab  50  to deflect or flex slightly outward independently of the movement of the remaining first portion of the back wall  32  or any of the portions of the cylindrical back wall of the adjoining receptacles  40 . Slots  62  are also formed into the back wall  32  at the two end receptacles  40  of the clip tray  30  and extend from the release tab edges  54  to the adjacent end walls  34  and  36 . In this manner the release tabs  50  for the two end receptacles  40  are associated only with those receptacles and also function in the same manner as the release tabs  50  for the receptacles located between the end receptacles. 
   The two ribs  60  of two adjacent dividers  38  which define a single receptacle extend forward to the locations where the slots  62  end. Terminating the forward end of the ribs  60  at the slots  62  assures that the first portion of back wall  32  which extends from the forward ends of the ribs  60  along the divider  38  to the forward end of the opposite ribs  58  of the divider  38  will maintain the partial cylindrical configuration, while only the second portion of the back wall  32  which defines the release tabs  50  between the slots  62  will deflect outwardly in response to pressure, as shown in FIG.  6 . Thus, the ribs  60  assure that only the individual release tabs  50  upon which pressure is applied will flex outwardly to release only the intended container. The ribs  60  assure that pressure applied on a release tab will not be sufficient to cause a container  42  to be released unintentionally from an adjacent receptacle  40 . 
   In addition to dividing the cylindrical volume within the clip tray  30  into the receptacles  40 , the dividers  38  facilitate inserting the cylindrical containers  42  into the receptacles  40 . The forward projecting edges of the ribs  58  and  60  contact the parallel end walls  44  and  46  of each container  42  to guide the container into the receptacle  40 . The central protrusion  56  of the divider  38  extends between adjacent containers  42  when they are retained in the clip tray  30  to add further stability and separation while the containers are retained and as they move into and out of their receptacles. 
   To facilitate removing the containers  42  from the receptacles  40 , elongated openings  64  are formed in the partial cylindrical back wall  32  on opposite lateral circumferential sides of each receptacle, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The elongated openings  64  permit finger pressure to be applied on the back sidewall of each cylindrical container  42 , to move the container forward as shown in FIG.  6  and out of the receptacle, when the release tab  50  is moved outward. Each opening  64  is therefore positioned so that a finger can conveniently reach around the clip tray  30  and behind the back wall  32  and through one of the openings  64  to move the container  42  forward out of the receptacle  40  while deflecting the release tab. To facilitate this ergonomic relationship, each opening  64  is located in a parallel relationship between the ribs  58  and  60 , beginning at a circumferential position near the outward extent of each central protrusion  56  on opposite lateral sides of a centerline through the clip tray  30 , as may be understood by reference to FIG.  3 . 
   The openings  64  are also useful in allowing light to enter the receptacles and illuminate the containers within the receptacle. The light can be directed into their receptacles from a light source located behind the clip tray  30 , or natural ambient light can enter through the openings  64 . In either circumstance, eliminating the containers within each receptacle facilitates identification of a selected container by viewing its contents or by viewing a label or other identification attached to the container. 
   Each end wall  34  and  36  has a forward edge  66  which curves slightly radially outward, as shown in FIG.  4 . Each end wall  34  and  36  is generally semicircular in shape and lies in a plane which is perpendicular to the partial cylindrical back wall  32 . The slots  62  adjacent to the end release tabs  50  of the clip tray  30  extend from the rounded ends  54  to the forward edges  66  of each end wall  34  and  36 . This slight radial curvature creates an aesthetic appearance for the clip tray  30 . 
   Each end wall  34  and  36  also includes semicircular cutout portion  68 , and a correspondingly shaped semicircular portion  70  is located slightly axially inward from each of the end walls  34  and  36 . The semicircular portion has a shape which corresponds to the shape semicircular cutout portion and each central protrusion  56  of each divider  38 . 
   The semicircular portion  70  extends perpendicularly forward relative to the back wall  32  in a manner which is parallel to the central protrusions  56  of each divider  38 . The axial distance between the semicircular portion  70  and the central protrusion  56  of the adjoining divider  38  is approximately the same axial distance as between the equally-spaced dividers  38 . Thus, the semicircular portions  70  adjacent to the end walls  34  and  36  function as partial dividers for the end receptacles  40  of the clip tray  30 . The semicircular portions  70  also facilitate the direct movement of the cylindrical containers  42  into the receptacles  40  which are located at the opposite ends of the interior or volume of the clip tray  30 , in the same manner that the central protrusions  56  of the dividers  38  facilitate movement of the cylindrical containers  42  into the intermediate recesses within the clip tray  30 . 
   The cutout portion  68  in each end wall  34  and  36 , combined with the radial outward curvature of the forward edges  66  of the end walls  34  and  36 , establish a portion  72  of each end wall  34  and  36  which is shaped somewhat similar to a bow tie configuration. The bow tie portion  72  of the end walls  34  and  36  extends perpendicularly relative to the back wall  32 . The bow tie portion  72  of the end walls  34  and  36  facilitates positioning and orienting the clip tray  30  as described below. 
   Positioning and orienting the clip tray  30  as a self-supporting, stand-alone item is facilitated by four feet  74 , as shown in FIGS.  2  and  4 - 7 . The feet  74  are attached to and project outwardly from the back side of the partial cylindrical back wall  32  at opposite ends of the clip tray  30  and on opposite sides of an axial centerline through the partial cylindrical back wall  32 , as shown in FIG.  4 . The four feet  74  support the clip tray  30  from horizontal support  75 , as shown in FIG.  7 . Supported in this manner, the receptacles  40  within the clip tray  30  face upward. The cylindrical containers  42  are inserted vertically downward into the receptacles  40  and are removed vertically upward out of those receptacles. The feet  74  therefore allow the clip tray  30  to be self supported a portable display or a portable organizer. 
   Attachment holes  76  are formed through the partial cylindrical back wall  32  at a position approximately midway between the continuous edge  52  and the edges  54  of the release tabs  50 , as shown in FIG.  3 . Screws  77  are inserted through the attachment holes  76  and connected into a vertical support  78  to orient and connect the clip tray  30  as shown in FIG.  8 . Although the attachment holes  76  are shown having round configurations, alternative attachment holes can be formed in the configuration of a conventional key slot, with the slot portion of the key slot oriented axially. The use of the conventional key slot allows the clip tray  30  to be inserted over pre-positioned screws or fasteners, and then moved axially so that a shank of the screw or fastener moves into the slot portion of the key slot. Conventional detents are preferably located in the key slot to prevent the shanks of the screws or fasteners from moving out of the key slot, thereby retaining the clip tray  30  in its installed position. 
   Although  FIG. 8  shows the clip tray  30  in a vertical orientation, the clip tray may be attached in horizontal orientation to vertical support or in a horizontal orientation to a horizontal support by use of the screws  77  extending through the attachment holes  76 . When attached in any of these configurations by use of fasteners extending through the attachment holes  76 , the feet  74  stabilize the clip tray against lateral tilting movement. 
   A rear surface of the cylindrical back wall  32  includes a relatively narrow axially extending attachment portion  80  which extends approximately from one end wall  34  to the other  36 , as shown in FIG.  2 . The attachment portion  80  encompasses the attachment holes  76 . The attachment portion  80  provides a surface upon which to attach double backed tape  82  to attach the clip tray  30  as shown in FIG.  9 . One adhesive side of the tape  82  is attached to the attachment portion  80 , and the other adhesive side of the tape  82  is attached to the support surface  78 . The clip tray  30  can be attached in this manner to a vertical or horizontal surface. 
   In a manner similar to the attachment provided by the double backed tape  82  shown in  FIG. 9 , a conventional hook and loop fastener (not shown), such as Velcro, can be used to position and orient the clip tray  30 . One separable portion of the hook and loop fastener is attached to the attachment portion  80  with an adhesive. The other separable mating portion of the hook and loop fabric fastener is attached to the support surface  78 . The fastener portion attached to the clip tray  30  is then brought into contact with the fastener portion attached to the support surface  78 . The hooks and loops of the fastener mesh with each other to hold the clip tray  30  in the position established by the orientation of the fastener portions on the attachment portion  80  and on the support  78 . The advantage of using a conventional hook and loop fastener in this manner is that the clip tray  30  can be moved easily from one location and transferred to another location where another mating fastener portion is located, by separating the separable portions of the hook and loop fastener at one location and reconnecting the fastening portions at the other location. The feet  74  also stabilize the clip tray  30  when attached to a support by the double back or the hook and loop fasteners. 
   The tray clip  30  also includes edge retainers  84 , shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  10  and  11 . The edge retainers  84  interact with screws  86  in a support  88  as shown in  FIG. 12  to hold the tray clip  30  to the support  88 . The edge retainers  84  can be used to hold the tray clip  30  in multiple orientations, but the preferred use is shown in FIG.  12 . Each edge retainer  84  is formed by a bifurcated tab  90  which extends rearwardly from the continuous edge  52 , as shown in FIG.  10 . The bifurcated tab  90  is defined by a slot  91  which extends from a rearward edge  92  of the tab  90  forward to an opening  93 . The slot  91  defines two arm portions  94  and  95  which face each other across the slot  91 . Each arm portion  94  and  95  includes a detent  96  which directly faces the detent  96  of the other arm portion. The opening  93  is generally circular in shape, and the slot  91  is generally uniform in width along its length except at the location where the detents  96  face one another. 
   The width of the slot  91  is adapted to allow the shank of the screw  86  to be moved along it. When the shank of the screw  86  encounters the detents  96 , continued movement of the clip tray  30  rearwardly relative to the screw  86  forces the arm portions  94  and  95  to deflect outward slightly apart from one another to allow the shank of the screw  86  to pass the detents  96  and enter the opening  93 . As the shank of the screw  86  enters the opening  93 , the resiliency of the bifurcated tab  90  causes the arm portions  94  and  95  to move back toward one another and to assume the original position shown in FIG.  10 . In this original position, the detents  96  trap the shank of the screw  86  within the opening  93 , thereby firmly retaining the clip tray  30  relative to the screws  86  positioned in the support  88 . 
   Removing the clip tray from its position retained by the edge retainers  84  relative to the screws  86  is accomplished by grasping the clip tray  30  and pulling at forward. The forward movement causes the shank of the screw  86  to contact the detents  96  and force the resilient arm portions  94  and  95  apart, thereby releasing the screw shank from the opening  93  and allowing it to slide out of the slot  91 , thereby disconnecting the clip tray from the screws  86 . The edge retainers  84  allow the clip tray  30  to be moved from one retained location to another location where screws  86  have been previously located in a support  88 . Alternatively, the edge retainers  84  allow the clip tray  30  to be permanently maintained in a single location. 
   The clip tray  30  may also be positioned and oriented by use of end wall attachment brackets  100  and  102 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The end wall attachment brackets  100  and  102  have configurations which are mirror images of each other. Each end wall attachment bracket  100  and  102  includes an attachment flange  104  used to attach each bracket  102  or  104  to a support  106 . The attachment flange  104  defines the hole through which a screw  107  extends to connect the attachment flange  104 , and thus connect each entire attachment bracket  100  or  102 , to the support  106 . Each end wall attachment bracket  100  and  102  is preferably made from a single integral piece of plastic, which has been injection molded, although the attachment brackets  100  and  102  can also be made from other materials and separate parts which are connected together. 
   Each attachment bracket  100  and  102  also includes an end wall support flange  108  which contacts the end wall  34  or  36  of the clip tray  30 . The end wall support flange  108  of the attachment bracket  100  contacts the end wall  34 , while the end wall support flange  108  of the attachment bracket  102  contacts the end wall  36 , as shown in FIG.  13 . The end wall support flanges  108  of the brackets  100  and  102  generally have the same configuration, although the configurations are mirror images of one another. 
   Each end wall support flange  108  includes a cutout portion  110  of a complementary shape to the bow tie shaped portion  72  (also see  FIG. 7 ) of the end walls of the clip tray  30 . The bow tie shaped cutout portions  110  of each end wall support flanges  108  receive the bow tie shaped portion  72  of the end walls  34  and  36  of the clip tray  30  when the end wall support flanges  108  contacts the end walls, of the clip tray  30 . 
   By inserting the bow tie shaped portions  72  of the end walls  34  and  36  into the bow tie shaped cutout portions  110  of the attachment brackets  100  and  102 , as shown in  FIG. 13 , the clip tray  30  is retained and supported by the attachment brackets  100  and  102 . The configuration of the bow tie shaped portions  72  of the end walls  34  and  36 , and the complementary configuration of the bow tie shaped cutout portions  110  of the end wall support flanges  108  prevent the clip tray from rotating relative to the attachment brackets  100  and  102 . The end wall support flanges  108  of the attachment brackets  100  and  102  resiliently deflect outward (left and right, respectively, as shown in  FIG. 13 ) to permit the clip tray  30  to be inserted between them. Once properly inserted, the resiliency of the attachment brackets moves the support flanges  108  against the end walls  34  and  36 , to retain and orient the clip tray  30 . The attachment brackets  100  and  102  can be used to orient the clip tray  30  in a horizontal position above or below a horizontal support  106 , or in a vertical orientation relative to a vertical support surface. 
   A self-supporting version 30′ of the clip tray, which provides horizontal access to the cylindrical containers  42  (FIG.  1 ), is illustrated in FIG.  15 . The clip tray  30 ′ includes end walls  34 ′ and  36 ′ which have been modified to include support feet  111  and  112 , respectively. The support feet  111  and  112  extend sufficiently to support the receptacles  40  above a horizontal surface, so that each of the receptacles  40  generally faces or opens in a horizontal direction. The support feet  111  and  112  cause the clip tray  30 ′ to be self-supporting when placed on a horizontal surface. The end walls  34 ′ and  36 ′ also do not include the semicircular cutout portion  68  or the semicircular portion  70  (FIG.  14 ), but the end walls  34 ′ and  36 ′ do include central protrusions  56 ′ which are similar to the corresponding central protrusions  56  of the dividers  38 . 
   Near the junction of each end wall  34 ′ and  36 ′ with the common back wall  32  of the receptacles  40 , a pair of edge retainers  84 ′ are located. Each edge retainer  84 ′ is similar to the edge retainer  84  described in  FIGS. 10-12 . The edge retainers  84 ′ are used in the same manner as the edge retainers  84  are used to position and retain the clip tray  30 ′ relative to a horizontal support. In general, however, the edge retainers  84 ′ will be used to support the clip tray  30 ′ beneath a horizontal support, while the support feet  111  and  112  will be used to support the clip tray  30 ′ in a self-supporting manner above a horizontal support. 
   The rounded continuous edge  52  of the clip tray  30  ( FIG. 1 ) has been replaced by a planar continuous edge  113  in the clip tray  30 ′. The planar edge  113  extends axially along the edge of the receptacles  40  at which the ribs  58  terminate. The planar edge  113  permits information to be displayed relative to the containers  42  which are retained within the clip tray  30 ′. For example, the planar edge  113  may present advertisements or indications describing the type of contents within the cylindrical containers located in the receptacles  40  beneath the planar edge  113 . 
   In the clip tray  30 ′, the rounded edges  54  of the release tabs  50  ( FIG. 1 ) have been replaced by push levers  114 . The push levers  114  are contacted and pushed downward (as shown in  FIG. 15 ) by finger pressure to deflect the release tabs  50  outward (downward as shown in FIG.  15 ). Pushing the levers  114  moves the release tabs  50  outward to establish less than 180 degrees of circumferential contact with the cylindrical sidewall of the containers and thereby release the cylindrical containers from their retained position within the receptacles  40 . The push levers  114  thus transmit the finger pressure necessary to move the release tabs  50  and release the cylindrical containers from their receptacles, in an manner to the way that the rounded edges  54  ( FIG. 1 ) transmit the finger pressure necessary to move the release tabs  50 . However, the downward orientation of the push levers  114  when the clip tray  30 ′ is oriented horizontally as shown in  FIG. 15 , facilitates release of the cylindrical containers from within the receptacles  40 . 
   The back walls  32  of each receptacles  40  in the clip tray  30 ′ may not be formed with access openings  64  by which to apply finger pressure to the containers for removing them from the receptacles, as is the case with the clip tray  30  (FIG.  2 ). Instead, removing the cylindrical containers from the receptacles  40  is facilitated by use of a release arm  115  in the clip tray  30 ′. As a shown in  FIGS. 16-19 , each release arm  115  is rigidly connected to an associated release tab  50  by a support rib  116 . The support rib  116  extends along the back portion of the back walls  32  from which the release tab  50  and the release arm  115  are formed. The release arm  115  is separated from the back walls  32  of each receptacle by a U-shaped cutout  117 . The support rib  116  causes the release arm  115  to deflect simultaneously with deflection of the release tab  50 , with both the release tab  50  and the release arm  115  pivoting around a portion  118  of the back wall  32  adjacent to the slots  62  that maintains the release tab  50  and the release arm  115  connected to the back wall  32 . The portion  118  of the back wall  32  that connects the release tab  50  and the release arm  115  also resiliently pivots in a manner similar to a fulcrum when the release tab is deflected outward as a result of finger pressure on the push levers  114 . When the release tab  50  is deflected outward, the release arm  115  is deflected upward into the receptacle  50 . 
   Each release arm  115  extends rearward within each receptacle  40  to the maximum extent of each U-shaped cutout  117 . Each release arm  115  therefore extends rearward within that region of the back wall  32  which makes less than 180 degrees of circumferential contact with the cylindrical container. When the release tab  50  is pivoted outward, the rear end of the release arm  115  moves slightly upward within the receptacle  40 . This slightly upward movement of the rear end of the release arm contacts the cylindrical sidewall of the container in a way which induces force on the container to urge it out of the receptacle. Thus, the release arm  115  causes the cylindrical container to apply a slight force to move the cylindrical container out of the receptacle  40  simultaneously with the deflection of the release tab  50  and the release of the container from within the receptacle  40 . In this manner, the cylindrical container is removed by simultaneously releasing it and urging it out of the receptacle  40 . 
   Although openings  64  ( FIG. 2 ) are not provided in the back wall  32  of each receptacle in the clip tray  30 ′, at least one such opening  64  could be obtained by locating that opening  64  adjacent to the ribs  58 . In this manner, the opening  64  allows light to enter the receptacle  40 , or in the appropriate circumstances, the opening  64  could be used to apply finger pressure for further urging the container out of the receptacle. Likewise, release arms  115  could be incorporated with the release tabs  50  in the clip tray  30  (FIGS.  1 - 3 ), although the access openings  64  adjacent to the ribs  60  would be eliminated in order to provide a sufficient amount of the back wall  32  within which to define the release arm  115  in the manner described. 
   In addition to positioning and orienting each individual clip tray  30 , a multiplicity of clip trays may be organized into a larger assembly, such as the carousels shown in  FIGS. 20-23 . In each case, the multiplicity of clip trays  30  increases the number and availability of cylindrical containers  42  which may be presented, displayed, organized and dispensed. 
   One type  120  of a carousel which is formed by a multiplicity of clip trays  30  is shown in FIG.  20 . The carousel  120  includes a stationary base member  122 , upon which a bottom plate member  124  is rotationally attached by a spoked arm member  126 . The spoked arm member  126  has wheels  128  rotationally attached at the end of each of its plurality of spoked arms  130 . The spoked arm member  126  is positioned between the base member  122  and the bottom plate member  124 . When the wheels  128  roll on an upper surface of the stationery base member  122 , the bottom plate member  124  is rotated by those wheels relative to the base member  122 . Although not shown in  FIG. 20 , a motor may be located within the base member  122  to rotate the spoked arm member  126 , and thereby cause rotation of the bottom plate member  124  and all the other elements of the carousel  120  connected to the bottom plate member  124 . 
   An upper surface  130  of the bottom plate member  124  includes a plurality of bow tie shaped recesses  132  positioned at regularly spaced circumferential intervals around the bottom plate member  124 . Each of the bow tie shaped recesses  132  is similar in configuration and size to the bow tie shaped cutout portions  110  of the end wall support flanges  108  of the attachment brackets  100  and  102  previously described in conjunction with  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The bow tie shaped portions  72  of the end walls  34  or  36  of the clip trays  30  fit into the bow tie shaped recesses  132 , when the clip trays  30  are oriented vertically relative to the bottom plate member  124 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , a plurality of clip trays  30  (six are shown) extend vertically upward from the bottom plate member  124 . 
   A top plate member  134  also includes similarly shaped recesses  132  (not shown) which receive the bow tie shaped portions  72  of the other end walls of the clip trays  30 , while the clip trays  30  are oriented in the vertical orientation relative to the bottom plate member  124 . Connection rods  136  extend between the top and bottom plate members  134  and  124  to retain the two plate members  124  and  134  in a fixed spaced apart position, thereby retaining the plurality of clip trays  30  in the carousel configuration  120 . 
   Another type  140  of a carousel made from a plurality of clip trays  30  is shown in FIG.  21 . The carousel  140  is similar in configuration to the carousel  120  (FIG.  20 ), except that the bottom and top plate members  124  and  134  include flanges  142  and  144  which extend upwardly and downwardly from the plate members  124  and  134 , respectively. The flanges  142  and  144  include holes  146  which align with the attachment holes  76  ( FIGS. 1-3  and  8 ) formed in the back wall  32  of each clip tray  30 . Screws (not shown in  FIG. 21 ) extend through the attachment holes  76  and into the holes  146  of the flanges  142  and  144  to attach each clip tray  30  to the top and bottom plate members  134  and  124 . Once all of the clip trays  30  have been attached in this manner, the bottom and top plate members  124  and  134  and the plurality of clip trays  130  form a sufficiently unified and rigid structure to maintain the integrity of the carousel  140 . 
   Another type  150  of a carousel is shown in FIG.  22 . In the carousel  150 , a circular bottom collar  152  is attached to and extends upward from an upper surface  130  of the bottom plate member  124 . The bottom collar  152  includes attachment holes  154  which align with the attachment holes  76  ( FIGS. 1-3  and  8 ) of the clip trays  30 . A separate top collar  156  also includes alignment holes  152 . This separate top collar is connected to the upper attachment holes  76  of the clip trays  30  in the same way to stabilize and orient the upper ends of the clip trays  30  once they are attached to the bottom collar  152 . In the configuration of the carousel  150  shown in  FIG. 22 , a top plate member  134  ( FIGS. 20 and 21 ) is not required. However, the top collar  156  may be attached to a top plate member in the same manner that the bottom collar  152  is attached to the bottom plate member  124  in those circumstances where a top plate member is desired for use in the carousel  150 . In those circumstances, the resulting carousel  150  would appear essentially similar in its assembled configuration to the carousels  120  and  140  shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , respectively. 
   Another type  160  of a carousel formed from a multiplicity of the clip trays  30  is shown in FIG.  23 . In the carousel  160 , the base member  122  has rigidly attached to it a vertically standing center pole  162 . A star shaped member  164  includes a plurality of walls  166  that extend radially outward from the center of the star shaped member  164 . A central opening  168  extends through the center of the star shaped member  164 , and the central opening  168  receives the pole  162  within it. The star shaped member  164  is supported for rotation relative to the pole  162  and the stationary base member  122 . 
   A radially outer end  170  of each wall  166  of the star shaped member  164  has a flat surface. Holes  172  are formed in the outer ends  170  at locations adapted to align with the attachment holes  76  ( FIGS. 1-3  and  8 ) in each clip tray  30 . Each clip tray  30  is thereby attached to the outer ends  170  of each wall  166  of the star shaped member  160 . The attachment is made by screws in a manner analogous to that shown in  FIG. 9 , or by double backed tape or by a hook and loop faster in a manner analogous to that shown in FIG.  10 . 
   In all of the embodiments of the carousels  120 ,  140 ,  150  and  160  shown in  FIGS. 20-23 , the spacing of the clip trays  30  around the circumference of the assembled carousel allows adequate space between adjacent clip trays for fingers to extend behind the back walls  32  to apply a finger pressure through the openings  64  ( FIGS. 1-3 ) to remove the cylindrical containers  42  from the receptacles  40  upon deflection of the release tabs  50 , as shown in FIG.  6 . 
   Other configurations for multiple clip trays arranged as point of purchase dispensers or as other organizers may be assembled. In each circumstance however, or when an individual clip tray  30  is used by itself, all of the individual containers  42  retained by the clip tray can be individually presented, displayed, accessed, organized, retained, released and dispensed without moving all of the other cylindrical containers, without disturbing the organization of the other individual cylindrical containers  42 , and without inadvertently releasing an unintended container from its receptacle. In general, the resulting convenience of using and dispensing the cylindrical containers  42  is significantly enhanced by using the clip trays  30 , compared to the previously known forms of devices for organizing and dispensing cylindrical containers. Many other advantages and improvements of the clip tray  30  will be apparent upon gaining a full understanding of the present invention. 
   Presently preferred embodiments of the present invention and many of its improvements have been described above with a degree of particularity This description is by way of preferred examples of implementing the invention, and this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.