Thermoformed selectively accessed multi-chambered packaging

• US 6,247,590 B1
• Filed: 06/25/1999
• Issued: 06/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jamestown Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jamestown Plastics, Inc.
• Inventors: Baker, Jay J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bui, Luan K.
• Application Number:
  US09/344,610
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 206/301, 206/335, 206/364, 206/461, 206/464, 206/467-471, 206/806, 220/523, 220/524, 220/796, 220/557
• US Class Current: 206/335
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2575/365 partially or totally releasing one sheet from the other
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6882 vehicle parts
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2585/6885 wiper blades
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/366 and forming one compartment
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/367 and forming several compartments

Abstract

Packaging made of inexpensive thermoformed plastic is described. The packaging includes a base and cover defining a plurality of chambers. The cover includes a plurality of flaps, each flap corresponding to a chamber. The flaps can be manipulated independently of one another to provide selective access to a desired chamber with opening other chambers. The invention can be applied to create through thermoforming packaging of many different shapes and sizes.

Claims

1. Packaging for holding and displaying a windshield wiper and its associated hardware, comprising:

a generally rectangular base of thermoformed plastic configured to hold said windshield wiper and said hardware including a bottom, a plurality of vertical walls extending from the edges of said bottom, and an opening;

a generally rectangular cover configured to completely cover said base opening, said cover including two hinges, each proceeding between the two longer side edges of said cover, defining flaps;

said flaps separated by a center segment of said cover, said center segment connected to said base;

said cover also including a vertical wall extending vertically downward from said center segment defining two chambers in said base; and

whereby each said flap selectively and independently can provide access to one of said chambers.

2. The packaging according to claim 1 wherein said plastic before thermoforming is PVC having a gauge of approximately 0.015″

.

3. Packaging for holding and displaying a windshield wiper and its associated hardware, comprising:

a generally rectangular base of thermoformed plastic configured to hold said windshield wiper and said hardware including a bottom, a plurality of vertical walls extending from the edges of said bottom, and an opening;

a generally rectangular cover configured to completely cover said base opening, said cover including two hinges, each proceeding between the two longer side edges of said cover, defining flaps that are separated by a center segment of said cover;

at least one vertical wall extending between the cover and the bottom, thereby defining two chambers in said base, wherein each flap selectively provides access to one of said chambers, and wherein the at least one vertical wall is fixedly attached to said cover.

4. Packaging for holding and displaying a windshield wiper and its associated hardware, comprising:

a generally rectangular base of thermoformed plastic configured to hold said windshield wiper and said hardware including a bottom, a plurality of vertical walls extending from the edges of said bottom, and an opening;

a generally rectangular cover configured to completely cover said base opening, said cover including two hinges, each proceeding between the two longer side edges of said cover, defining flaps that are separated by a center segment of said cover;

at least one vertical wall extending between the cover and the bottom, thereby defining two chambers in said base, wherein each flap selectively provides access to one of said chambers, and wherein at least one flap selectively provides access to the two chambers.

5. Packaging for holding and displaying a windshield wiper and its associated hardware, comprising:

a generally rectangular base of thermoformed plastic configured to hold said windshield wiper and said hardware including a bottom, a plurality of vertical walls extending from the edges of said bottom, and an opening;

a generally rectangular cover configured to completely cover said base opening, said cover including two hinges, each proceeding between the two longer side edges of said cover, defining flaps that are separated by a center segment of said cover, wherein each flap selectively provides access to the base opening, and wherein said cover includes a dividing wall extending into the opening and defining two chambers in said base.