# US 10,500,711 B2 · Tool bit case with modular components > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,500,711 B2 - Document ID: US10500711B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/626,545 - Filed: 2017-06-19 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-25 - Assignees: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation - Applicants: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation - Inventors: Michael S. Steele; Steven G. Melnyk; Edward Landon; James Grow; Ryan Rudzinski; Brian Dieck; Adam Eller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500711B2 ## CPC - B25H 3/003: {Holders for drill bits or the like} - B25H 3/021: {comprising a number of connected storage elements} - B65D 25/108: {Devices, e.g. plates, presenting apertures through which the articles project} - B65D 25/205: {Means for the attachment of labels, cards, coupons or the like; (cards or coupons for the other types of rigid or semi-rigid containers B65D25/36 takes precedence)} - B65D 43/164: {and connected by interfitting hinge elements integrally with the container and the lid formed respectively} - B65D 55/02: Locking devices; Means for discouraging or indicating unauthorised opening or removal of closure - B25H: WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS (storing or packaging B65) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A merchandise product includes a tool bit case having first and second housing members. The tool bit case also includes a first modular tool bit holder and a second modular tool bit holder each movably coupled to the first housing member. The merchandise product includes a clamshell packaging having a front clamshell portion defining a first cavity and a rear clamshell portion defining a second cavity. The front clamshell portion is coupled to the rear clamshell portion at an interface. The interface defines a plane between the front clamshell portion and the rear clamshell portion. The first cavity and the second cavity contain the tool bit case while the tool bit case is in an open position. A first portion of the tool bit case extends beyond the plane in a first direction, and a second portion of the tool bit case extends beyond the plane in a second direction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A merchandise product comprising: a tool bit case including a first housing member and a second housing member pivotally coupled together, and a first modular tool bit holder and a second modular tool bit holder each movably coupled to the first housing member between a storage position and an in-use position, the first modular tool bit holder supporting a first tool bit, the second modular tool bit holder supporting a second tool bit different than the first tool bit; and a clamshell packaging including a front clamshell portion defining a first cavity, and a rear clamshell portion defining a second cavity, the front clamshell portion coupled to the rear clamshell portion at an interface, the interface defining a plane between the front clamshell portion and the rear clamshell portion, the first cavity and the second cavity containing the tool bit case while the tool bit case is in an open position; wherein a first portion of the tool bit case is fully enclosed by the front clamshell portion and extends beyond the plane in a first direction, and a second portion of the tool bit case is fully enclosed by the rear clamshell portion and extends beyond the plane in a second direction. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The merchandise product of claim 1, wherein the first tool bit is an impact bit, and wherein the second tool bit is a socket bit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The merchandise product of claim 1, wherein the first housing member and the second housing member are oriented at an angle between 100 degrees and 180 degrees in the open position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The merchandise product of claim 1, wherein the front clamshell portion is transparent allowing for a consumer to see the first and second modular tool bit holders supporting the first and second tool bits through the front clamshell portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The merchandise product of claim 1, wherein the first housing member and the second housing member are pivotally coupled together by a hinge, and wherein at least a portion of the hinge is located on one side of the plane. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The merchandise product of claim 5, wherein the tool bit case also includes a latch coupled to the first housing member, and wherein at least a portion of the latch is located on an opposite side of the plane relative to the hinge. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The merchandise product of claim 6, wherein the latch is pivotably coupled to the first housing member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The merchandise product of claim 1, wherein the tool bit case defines an open region between sidewalls of the first and second housing members when the tool bit case is in the open position, and wherein a portion of the rear clamshell portion extends into the open region so that the clamshell packaging is configured to allow for a consumer to grip one sidewall of one of the first and second housing members. ### Claim 9 A merchandise product comprising: a tool bit case including a first housing member and a second housing member pivotally coupled together, and a modular tool bit holder movably coupled to the first housing member between a storage position and an in-use position; and a clamshell packaging including a front clamshell portion defining a first cavity, and a rear clamshell portion defining a second cavity, the front clamshell portion coupled to the rear clamshell portion at an interface, the interface defining a plane between the front clamshell portion and the rear clamshell portion, the first cavity and the second cavity containing the tool bit case while the tool bit case is in an open position; wherein a first portion of the tool bit case extends beyond the plane in a first direction, and a second portion of the tool bit case extends beyond the plane in a second direction; wherein the first housing member and the second housing member are oriented at an oblique angle in the open position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The merchandise product of claim 9, wherein the first housing member and the second housing member are oriented at an angle between 100 degrees and 180 degrees in the open position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The merchandise product of claim 9, wherein the front clamshell portion is transparent allowing for a consumer to see the first and second modular tool bit holders through the front clamshell portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The merchandise product of claim 9, wherein the first housing member and the second housing member are pivotally coupled together by a hinge, and wherein at least a portion of the hinge is located on one side of the plane. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The merchandise product of claim 12, wherein the tool bit case also includes a latch coupled to the first housing member, and wherein at least a portion of the latch is located on an opposite side of the plane relative to the hinge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The merchandise product of claim 13, wherein the latch is pivotably coupled to the first housing member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The merchandise product of claim 9, wherein the tool bit case defines an open region between sidewalls of the first and second housing members when the tool bit case is in the open position, and wherein a portion of the rear clamshell portion extends into the open region so that the clamshell packaging is configured to allow for a consumer to grip one sidewall of one of the first and second housing members. ### Claim 16 A clamshell packaging for a tool bit case, the clamshell packaging comprising: a front clamshell portion defining a first cavity; and a rear clamshell portion defining a second cavity, the front clamshell portion coupled to the rear clamshell portion at an interface, the interface defining a plane between the front clamshell portion and the rear clamshell portion; wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are configured to fully enclose the tool bit case while the tool bit case is in an open position so that a first portion of the tool bit case extends beyond the plane in a first direction, and a second portion of the tool bit case extends beyond the plane in a second direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The clamshell packaging of claim 16, wherein the rear clamshell portion includes a first surface and a second surface oriented at an angle between 100 degrees and 180 degrees so that the first cavity and the second cavity are configured to contain the tool bit case at an angle between 100 degrees and 180 degrees. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The clamshell packaging of claim 16, wherein the front clamshell portion is transparent, and wherein the front clamshell portion is configured to allow for a consumer to see the tool bit case in the open position through the front clamshell portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The clamshell packaging of claim 16, wherein the rear clamshell portion is configured to receive at least a portion of a hinge of the tool bit case to position the portion of the hinge on one side of the plane. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The clamshell packaging of claim 19, wherein the front clamshell portion is configured to receive at least a portion of a latch of the tool bit case to position the portion of the latch on an opposite side of the plane relative to the hinge.