Product packaging for washers and method of use
AssigneeSolon Manufacturing Company
InventorGeorge Davet
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Packaging for washer hardware products is provided along with a method of use. The packaging includes a semi-closed box having a pair of lateral walls with retainer beads near their upper ends. The packaging also includes a pair of end walls, one of which includes an opening for accessing the central hole of a column of washers contained therein. The column can be removed by inserting a rod through the central holes of the washers and lifting the rod upward while holding the packaging down, thereby forcing the washers between the retainer beads and through the open top of the box.
Claims18
A washer carrier (100), comprising:
- a semi-closed box having:
- an elongate rectangular base wall (101) defining a length (L) and a width (W);
- a first lateral wall (102-1) contiguous with and extending away from the base wall (101), the first lateral wall (102-1) having an inward facing surface (102-1i);
- a first retainer bead (106-1) extending along an entire length of the first lateral wall (102-1), and disposed on the inward facing surface (102-1i) of the first lateral wall (102-1) between a first lateral edge (104-1) of the first lateral wall and the base wall (101);
- a second lateral wall (102-2) contiguous with and extending away from the base wall (101), the second lateral wall (102-2) having an inward facing surface (102-2i);
- and
- a first partial end wall (108-1) having a first segment (108-1A) contiguous with the first lateral wall (102-1) and the base wall (101), and a second segment (108-1B) contiguous with the second lateral wall (102-2) and the base wall (101), wherein the first segment (108-1A) and the second segment (108-1B) are separated by a first gap (G-1).
A washer carrier (100), comprising:
- a semi-closed box having:
- an elongate rectangular base wall (101) defining a length (L) and a width (W);
- a first lateral wall (102-1) contiguous with and extending away from the base wall (101), and terminating in a first lateral edge (104-1) to define a height (H) of the first lateral wall (102-1);
- a first retainer bead (106-1) extending along the entire length (L) of the first lateral wall (102-1), and disposed between the first lateral edge (104-1) and the base wall (101);
- a second lateral wall (102-2) contiguous with and extending away from the base wall (101), and terminating in a second lateral edge (104-2) to define a height of the second lateral wall (102-2);
- a first partial end wall (108-1) having a first segment (108-1A) contiguous with the first lateral wall (102-1) and the base wall (101), and a second segment (108-1B) contiguous with the second lateral wall (102-2) and the base wall (101), wherein the first segment (108-1A) and the second segment (108-1B) are separated by a first gap (G-1);
- and
- at least one washer (200) contained within the washer carrier (100) and oriented parallel to the first partial end wall (108-1) and perpendicular to the first lateral wall (102-1), and located between the first lateral wall (102-1), the second lateral wall (102-2), the first partial end wall (108-1) and the first retainer bead (106-1).
A method of withdrawing a column of washers from a washer carrier, comprising the steps of:
- positioning (1) a rod (502) proximal to a first partial end wall (108-1) of a washer carrier (100);
- inserting (3) the rod (502) through each central hole (204) of each washer (200) of a column of washers (202);
- holding (4) the washer carrier (100) stationary while applying upward force to the rod;
- the rod impinging upon a first retainer bead (106-1) of the washer carrier, wherein the applied force is sufficient to flex a first lateral wall (102-1) and a second lateral wall (102-2) apart allowing the column of washers to pass therebetween;
- and
- withdrawing (5) the column of washers from the washer carrier (100).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.