# US 10,865,014 B2 · Fluid sample display tray > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,865,014 B2 - Document ID: US10865014B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/923,296 - Filed: 2018-03-16 - Published: 2018-09-20 - Granted: 2020-12-15 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-20 - Assignees: H & S Garage Gear, LLC - Applicants: H & S Garage Gear, LLC - Inventors: Richard Smith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10865014B2 ## CPC - B65D 25/02: Internal fittings (of containers made by folding or erecting blanks made of paper B65D5/44) - B25H 3/06: Trays - B25H 5/00: Tool, instrument or work supports or storage means used in association with vehicles; Workers' supports, e.g. mechanics' creepers {(collecting or removing exhaust gases in workshops B08B15/002; vehicle lifting devices, e.g. jacks, platforms or ramps B66F)} - B65D 21/0213: {Containers presenting a continuous stacking profile along the upper or lower edge of at least two opposite side walls} - 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 25/22: for facilitating lifting or suspending of containers - 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 - B25H: WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS (storing or packaging B65) ## Abstract A fluid sample display for displaying actual vehicle fluid samples alongside comparisons of exemplary fluids has a tray with dimples to receive the fluid samples. The dimples are coverable by a movable cover. The tray can have an indicia panel for removably receiving indicia indicative of a vehicle and/or vehicle owner. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A fluid sample display configured for displaying and comparing actual vehicle fluid samples with exemplary fluid conditions, the fluid sample display comprising: a) a tray; b) an array of dimples formed in the tray configured to receive the actual vehicle fluid samples; c) an array of comparisons disposed on the tray adjacent the array of dimples, with each dimple paired with a corresponding comparison, each comparison comprising a representation of an exemplary fluid; d) a cover carried by the tray and removably covering the array of dimples; e) a hinge between the cover and the tray with the cover pivotally coupled to the tray by the hinge; f) the cover pivoting between a closed position in which the cover is disposed over the array of dimples and against the tray, and an on position in which the cover is disposed away from the array of dimples; g) a locking tab extending front the tray opposite the hinge; h) a notch in the cover opposite the hinge and alignable with the locking tab as the cover pivots between the open and closed positions; and i) the cover being slidable with respect to the tray in the closed position between an unlocked position in which the notch of the cover is aligned with the locking tab of the tray, and a locked position in which the notch of the cover is mis-aligned with respect to the locking tab of the tray and a portion of the cover adjacent the notch is disposed between the locking tab and the tray. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cover has at least a portion that is transparent disposable over the array of dimples configured to view the actual vehicle fluid samples therethrough. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: an indicia panel on the tray configured to receive removable indicia thereon indicative of a vehicle from which the actual vehicle fluid samples were received, or an owner of the vehicle, or both. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises: an axle carried by the cover; and a finger extending from the tray and forming a gap between the finger and the tray to receive the axle; and wherein the cover further comprises: a slot in the cover adjacent the axle to receive the finger of the tray as the cover pivots between the open and closed positions; and a stop in the slot of the cover having a thickness less than a thickness of the gap such that the stop slides in the gap as the cover slides between the locked and unlocked positions, but abuts to the finger when the cover is in the open position to resist the cover from sliding with respect to the tray in the open position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a first finger tab extending from the cover and beyond a lateral perimeter of the tray when the cover is in the closed position and the unlocked position, defining a pivot tab to pivot the cover between the open and closed orientations; and a second finger tab extending from the cover perpendicularly to the first finger tab and beyond a top of the tray when the cover is in the closed position, defining a locking tab to slide the cover between the unlocked and locked positions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a channel in a top of the tray with the array of dimples disposed in the channel and the cover slidably disposed in the channel in the closed position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: at least one seal carried by the cover and circumscribing the array of dimples when the cover is in the closed position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tray has a top with a narrower size, a perimeter wall that flares outwardly from the top, and an indentation in a bottom with an opening with a wider size such that the tray is capable of being stacked with an adjacent tray with the top of the tray nesting in an indentation of an adjacent top tray. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 1, wherein the tray has a hanger to suspend the tray therefrom. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cover is flush with a top of the tray in a closed position of the cover. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: a label applied to a top of the tray adjacent to the array of dimples; the label comprising indicia thereon comprising: an array of pictures of exemplary fluids forming the array of comparisons; and vehicle fluid indicia corresponding to the array of dimples and the array of comparisons with each vehicle fluid indicium indicating which vehicle fluid is to be received in each dimple and which comparison is shown adjacent to a corresponding dimple. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cover is transparent and defines a window. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method for displaying and comparing the actual vehicle fluid samples with exemplary fluid conditions using the fluid sample display of claim 1, the method comprising: a) taking the actual vehicle fluid samples from the vehicle; b) disposing each of the actual vehicle fluid samples in a different one of the plurality of dimples in the tray; c) covering the actual vehicle fluid samples in the plurality of dimples with the cover; d) observing the actual vehicle fluid samples with respect to the corresponding comparison of an exemplary fluid; and e) showing the actual vehicle fluid samples with the corresponding comparison of the exemplary fluid to the owner of the vehicle. ### Claim 14 A fluid sample display configured for displaying and comparing actual vehicle fluid samples with exemplary fluid conditions, the fluid sample display comprising: a) a tray; b) an array of dimples formed in the tray configured to receive the actual vehicle fluid samples; c) an array of comparisons disposed on the tray adjacent the array of dimples, with each dimple paired with a corresponding comparison, each comparison comprising a representation of an exemplary fluid; and d) a transparent cover pivotally coupled to the tray and pivotable between: i) a closed position in which the cover is disposed over the array of dimples and against the tray; and ii) an open position in which the cover is disposed away from the array of dimples; e) the cover slidably coupled to the tray and slidable with respect to the tray in the closed position between; i) an unlocked position in which the cover is pivotal with respect to the tray; and ii) a locked position in which the cover is locked with respect to the tray. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 14, further comprising: a channel in a top of the tray with the array of dimples disposed in the channel and with the cover removably disposed in the channel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 14, further comprising: at least one seal disposed between the cover and the tray when the cover is in a closed position against the tray and over the array of dimples. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 14, further comprising: an indicia panel on the tray configured to receive removable indicia thereon indicative of a vehicle from which the actual vehicle fluid samples were received, or an owner of the vehicle, or both. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 14, wherein the tray has a top with a narrower size, a perimeter wall that flares outwardly from the top, and an indentation in a bottom with an opening with a wider size such that the tray is capable of being stacked with an adjacent tray with the top of the tray nesting in an indentation of an adjacent top tray. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The fluid sample display in accordance with claim 14, wherein the cover is flush with a top of the tray in a closed position of the cover. ### Claim 20 A fluid sample display configured for displaying and comparing actual vehicle fluid samples with exemplary fluid conditions, the fluid sample display comprising: a) a tray; b) an array of dimples formed in the tray configured to receive the actual vehicle fluid samples; c) an array of comparisons disposed on the tray adjacent the array of dimples, with each dimple paired with a corresponding comparison, each comparison comprising a representation of an exemplary fluid; d) a cover carried by the tray and removably covering the array of dimples; e) the cover pivotally coupled to the tray and pivotable between: i) a closed position in which the cover is disposed over the array of dimples and against the tray; and ii) an open position in which the cover is disposed away from the array of dimples; f) the cover slidably coupled to the tray and slidable with respect to the tray in the closed position between; i) an unlocked position in which the cover is pivotal with respect to the tray; and ii) a locked position in which the cover is locked with respect to the tray; g) the cover having at least a portion that is transparent disposable over the array of dimples configured to view the actual vehicle fluid samples therethrough; h) an indicia panel on the tray configured to receive removable indicia thereon indicative of a vehicle from which the actual vehicle fluid samples were received, or an owner of the vehicle, or both; i) at least one seal disposed between the cover and the tray when the cover is in a closed position against the tray and over the array of dimples; and j) the tray having a top with a narrower size, a perimeter wall that flares outwardly from the top, and an indentation in a bottom with an opening with a wider size such that the tray is capable of being stacked with an adjacent tray with the top of the tray nesting in an indentation of an adjacent top tray.