Abstract:
A storage container is particularly configured to house one or more disposable tubes (such as grease tubes) in a manner where the tubes are protected from the environment and restrained from movement (i.e., no longer “rolling around” within a vehicle, for example). The container is preferably configured to store the tubes in a vertical position, with the top end of the tubes (i.e., the dispensing end) facing up, thus, ensuring that any entrained air will rise to the top of the tube.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/130,523, filed Mar. 9, 2015 and herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a storage container and, more particularly, to a storage and travel container useful in transporting grease tubes (for example) in a manner that prevents damage to the tubes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are various types of liquid material (such as grease that is used as a lubricant, or caulk that is used for a sealant) that are sold in “throw-away” (i.e., disposable) tubes (usually made of cardboard) that are loaded into dispensers for actual use. In most cases, people will want to keep a supply of extra tubes close by, since any particular job may require the use of several tubes. 
         [0004]    Inasmuch as these tubes are typically made of cardboard, they can be easily damaged. Most people keep the extra tubes in their car, truck or the like. As a result, these tubes are subject to damage as they roll around, bump into other things, etc. Indeed, when grease tubes are stored on heavy equipment vehicles (such as tractors), it is likely that the tubes may be thrown from the vehicle. 
         [0005]    These tubes can be very expensive and, in any case, there is often great waste in these products, since damage to cardboard tubes is inevitable. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The problems associated with the transport of these cardboard tubes are addressed by the present invention, which relates to a storage container and, more particularly, to a storage and travel container useful in transporting disposable tubes (such as grease tubes, for example) in a manner that prevents damage to the tubes. 
         [0007]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a storage container is particularly configured to house one or more disposable tubes (such as grease tubes) in a manner where the tubes are protected from the environment and restrained from movement (i.e., no longer “rolling around” within a vehicle, for example). The container is preferably configured to store the tubes in a vertical position, with the top end of the tubes (i.e., the dispensing end) facing up, thus, ensuring that any entrained air will rise to the top of the tube. 
         [0008]    One exemplary embodiment of the present invention takes the form of a storage container for supporting disposable tubes in an upright manner, the storage container comprising an interior storage area formed to support a plurality of disposable tubes utilized with an applicator gun, the interior storage area comprising a plurality of cylindrical openings, each opening formed of a length sufficient for surrounding a disposable tube and supporting the disposable tube in an upright manner. 
         [0009]    Other and further embodiments and aspects of the present invention will become apparent during the course of the following discussion and by reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Referring now to the drawings, where like numerals represent like parts in several views: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary container in an open position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates the inventive container in a closed position; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a view of the bottom surface of the inventive container. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    A container suitable for storing, disposable, fluid-containing tubes in a safe and secure manner is described in the following paragraphs. The tubes themselves are typically formed of a cardboard (or light plastic) material that is rather fragile and is subject to puncture. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an exemplary container  10  in an “open” position, and  FIG. 2  illustrates container  10  in a “closed” position. Container  10  is shown as comprising an interior storage area  12  for supporting a number of tubes (shown as “T”). While the configuration shown in  FIG. 1  is formed to house a set of five tubes, it is to be understood that this is merely one example; container  10  of the present invention may be formed to house any number of tubes (and may also be formed to house more than one ‘row’ of tubes). Preferably, interior storage area  12  is formed of a molded material that defines a number of cylindrical openings  13 , each opening designated for holding a separate tube. This “molded” configuration of storage area  12  is best seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0016]    Advantageously, the configuration of container  10  is designed to store the tubes in an “upright” direction, that is, with the dispensing end of the tube toward the top surface  14  of container  10 . For example, in order for a grease tube to function efficiently, it should be stored upright. All grease tubes have a little air in them, so if stored upright the air will escape as soon as placed in a gun and started to be used—that is the air will be immediately pushed out and the grease will immediately start to be dispensed. In conventional situations where the extra tubes lay on their sides, the trapped air creeps down along the length of the tube, and may form a “bubble” within the grease when first placed in, a gun, for use—an undesirable result. In one embodiment of the present invention, openings  13  may be formed to ensure that the tubes are placed with the bottoms of the tubes toward the bottom of container  10  (for example, openings  13  may be formed to have a somewhat larger top diameter for supporting a cap on a tube, but the cap is too large to enter opening  13  if one tried to store the tube “upside down”). 
         [0017]    Preferably, container  10  includes a lid  16  which is attached to storage area  12  via a hinged connection  18 . A clamping mechanism  20  is formed on lid  16  and used to maintain lid  16  in place over storage area  12 .  FIG. 2  shows container  10  in the “closed” position, with lid  16  in place over storage area  12 . As shown, clamping mechanism  20  takes the form of a pair of handles  20 - 1  and  20 - 2  formed on opposing side surfaces  22 - 1  and  22 - 2  of lid  16 . Storage area  12  is formed to include a pair of extensions  24  along side walls  26  (only one extension visible in the isometric views of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Thus, when lid  16  is rotated via hinge  18  to be in place over storage area  12 , the pair of handles  20 - 1  and  20 - 2  will clamp over associated extensions  24 - 1  and  24 - 2 , and maintain lid  16  securely in place. 
         [0018]    In accordance with the present invention, container  10  is intended to be mounted onto a surface, thus maintaining container  10  in a fixed position and keeping the enclosed tubes securely in place. In particular, container  10  is shown as including a flanged mounting support  30  with a number of apertures  32 . The apertures  32  are used as attachment areas for mounting container  10  at a desired location. For example, container  10  may be mounted onto a structure in a pickup truck ( 8  such as on a tool box included within the truck), a tractor storage area, in a barn, garage, or the like. In a preferred embodiment, mounting support is attached along a surface  34  of storage area  12  that opposes the surface  36  where hinge  18  is formed. This location of mounting surface  30  with respect to hinge  18  allows for container  10  to easily be opened and closed without being obstructed by the wall area to which container  10  has been mounted. 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a view of bottom surface  38  of container  10 , and shows in phantom the number of separate openings  13  where the tubes will be placed. That is, as mentioned above, storage area  12  is preferably formed of a molded material and includes a number of cylindrical openings  13  for supporting the tubes. The view of  FIG. 3  illustrates the bottom termination of each of these cylindrical openings  13 . The position of mounting surface  30  with respect to hinge  18  is also visible in this view. 
         [0020]    While the above description has describes the features of the present invention with reference to a grease tube, it is to be understood&#39;that the container of the present invention may be used for housing any type of material that is stored in tubes, where the material may be in the form of a liquid, powder, gas, etc. Additionally, while most embodiments of the present invention are preferably formed of a moldable plastic material, it is possible to form the container of this invention out of any desirable material (including any acceptable type of metal, alloy, etc.). 
         [0021]    Indeed, it is to be understood that the preceding description is given merely by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.