US3707227A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tray package for tubes
Assignee: OI Glass Inc
•
Filing: 1970-07-06
•
Granted: 1972-12-26
•
Expires: 1990-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A tray formed from a sheet of thermoplastic material is provided for holding culture tubes, test tubes, or like articles. The tray is provided with a contoured bottom having side and end wall portions extending upwardly therefrom. A cover member is integrally connected from the top edge of one of the sidewall members and is foldable from an open position to a position overlying the tubes to close the package. Integrally connected to the top edge of the opposite sidewall is a flap having a series of protrusions or plugs sized to fit within the ends of the tubes resting in the bottom of the tray. The flap is foldable from an open position to a position at which the plugs fit within the open ends of tubes resting on the contoured bottom.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas M Britt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 10:42
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01L; B01L9/00; B01L9/06; B65; B65D; B65D1/00; B65D1/34; B65D1/36; B65D43/00; B65D43/14; B65D43/16; B65D43/162; B65D81/00; B65D81/02; B65D81/025; B65D2251/00; B65D2251/10; B65D2251/1016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
In combination, a tray and a plurality of tubular articles held in said tray, each of said tubular articles having at least one open end, said tray comprising a unitary sheet having a bottom wall with elongated ribs extending upwardly therefrom and cooperating therewith to define a plurality of channels, each channel being sized to hold a tubular article and holding a tubular article, a pair of elongated opposed substantially parallel sides extending upwardly from said bottom and a pair oF elongated opposed substantially parallel ends extending upwardly from said bottom between said sides, a cover extending from the upper edge of one of said sides and being foldable from the open position to a closed position overlying said tubular articles, and a flap comprising an extension of the upper edge of the other of said sides folded into the tray interior along said other side upper edge into a sealing relationship with the open ends of the tubular articles due to the contour thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
In combination, a tray and a plurality of tubular articles held in said tray, each of said tubular articles having at least one open end, said tray comprising a unitary sheet having a bottom wall with elongated ribs extending upwardly therefrom and cooperating therewith to define a plurality of channels, each channel being sized to hold a tubular article and holding a tubular article, a pair of elongated opposed substantially parallel sides extending upwardly from said bottom and a pair oF elongated opposed substantially parallel ends extending upwardly from said bottom between said sides, a cover extending from the upper edge of one of said sides and being foldable from the open position to a closed position overlying said tubular articles, and a flap comprising an extension of the upper edge of the other of said sides folded into the tray interior along said other side upper edge into a sealing relationship with the open ends of the tubular articles due to the contour thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said flap has a plurality of protrusions spaced therealong snugly fitting within the open ends of the tubular articles to effect said sealing relationship.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
A tray as defined in claim 1 wherein said flap is provided with (a) a score line substantially at the line of juncture between the flap and said other side, said score line functioning as a secondary hinge, and (b) an elongated indentation spaced outwardly from and parallel to said score line, said indentation being deeper than said score line and functioning as a primary hinge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A tray as defined in claim 3 wherein the portions of the flap forming the indentation form a locking tab for said cover when the cover is folded to its closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
239 words
In combination, a tray and a plurality of tubular articles held in said tray, each of said tubular articles having at least one open end, said tray comprising a unitary sheet having a bottom wall with elongated ribs extending upwardly therefrom and cooperating therewith to define a plurality of channels, each channel being sized to hold a tubular article and holding a tubular article, a pair of elongated opposed substantially parallel sides extending upwardly from said bottom and a pair of elongated opposed substantially parallel ends extending upwardly from said bottom between said sides, a cover extending from the upper edge of one of said sides and being foldable from an open position to a closed position overlying said tubular articles, and a foldable flap extending from the upper edge of the other of said sides, said flap having been folded from an open position extending outwardly from said other side to a closed position in sealing relationship to the open ends of the tubular articles, said flap being provided with (a) a score line at the line of juncture between the flap and said other side, said score line functioning as a secondary hinge and, (b) an elongated indentation spaced outwardly from and parallel to said score line, said indentation being deeper than said score line and functioning as a primary hinge and forming a locking tab for said cover when the cover is in its closed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
239 words
In combination, a tray and a plurality of tubular articles held in said tray, each of said tubular articles having at least one open end, said tray comprising a unitary sheet having a bottom wall with elongated ribs extending upwardly therefrom and cooperating therewith to define a plurality of channels, each channel being sized to hold a tubular article and holding a tubular article, a pair of elongated opposed substantially parallel sides extending upwardly from said bottom and a pair of elongated opposed substantially parallel ends extending upwardly from said bottom between said sides, a cover extending from the upper edge of one of said sides and being foldable from an open position to a closed position overlying said tubular articles, and a foldable flap extending from the upper edge of the other of said sides, said flap having been folded from an open position extending outwardly from said other side to a closed position in sealing relationship to the open ends of the tubular articles, said flap being provided with (a) a score line at the line of juncture between the flap and said other side, said score line functioning as a secondary hinge and, (b) an elongated indentation spaced outwardly from and parallel to said score line, said indentation being deeper than said score line and functioning as a primary hinge and forming a locking tab for said cover when the cover is in its closed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein said flap has a plurality of protrusions spaced outwardly from said indentation, said protrusions snugly fitting within the open ends of the tubular articles to effect said sealing relationship.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US827124A
Cited
US1611164A
Cited
GB657516A
Cited
US2720969A
Cited
DE1097897B
Cited
US3272371A
Cited
US3370697A
Cited
US3567013A
Cited
US3501083A
Cited
US3556387A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-26 | 1976-06-26 | 1976-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-26 | 1980-06-26 | 1980-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-26 | 1984-06-26 | 1984-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |