Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02613598 2007-12-04
PHOTO STORAGE BOX
Backaround of the Invention
The present invention is directed toward a photo storage box and more
particularly, toward a storage box with an integral identifying tab.
Sorting and storing photographs is a cumbersome, tedious, time-
consuming task. The conventional way of storing photos is by placing them in
an album.
However, sometimes it may not be very convenient to retrieve a needed photo
without
leafing through at least one album, and possibly more than one album. Also, it
generally
is not possible to group photos other than in chronological order in a photo
album.
Storage area must then be found to house the albums.
Photo storage boxes are also very popular and may be convenient to use
and store photographs. However, the photos may not be easily identified and
sorted.
Again, entire boxes may need to be sorted through in order to locate a single
needed
photo.
Attempts have been made in order to provide an improved and more
efficient photo storage system. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,959,508 to
Watkins et
al. discloses a storage system for photos and negatives that includes a
plurality of
envelopes that may be labelled and stored in a box. These envelopes, however,
do not
appear to be made from a very durable material that would resist wear and tear
that
may occur during the long-time storage that typically occurs with photos.
CA 02613598 2007-12-04
Also, U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2005/0211582 to Richards
discloses a storage system for photos and CDs that includes a plurality of
boxes that
may be labelled. This system, however, does not appear to provide a closure
for each
box that is easily and conveniently opened and closed as needed.
Therefore, a need exists for a simple and efficient way to group photos in
a way that is easy to handle and store as well as to identify photos.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior
art discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a
durable photo
storage box that includes an integral identifying tab.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a photo storage box
that is easy and convenient to use and store photos.
In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features
and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a photo storage box
having a
generally planar sheet folded to form a box having a rear wall, a top wall,
front flap, a
front wall, side walls, and a bottom wall. The rear wall has a cut-out
portion. The cut-out
portion is hingedly connected to the top wall and may be folded upwardly to
form an
integral labelling area. The front wall has a slit formed therein and the
front flap has a
tab. The tab releasably fits within the slit so that the box may be opened and
closed as
needed. The box may hold a plurality of photos. The sheet may be made from a
plastic
material and is preferably translucent.
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Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily
apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment
thereof
taken in conjunction with the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the
accompanying drawings one form that is presently preferred; it being
understood that
the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise arrangements and
instrumentalities shown.
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the photo storage system of the
present invention which includes a plurality of photo storage boxes;
Figure 2 is a front perspective view of an individual photo storage box of
the present invention;
Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of a photo storage box of the present
invention;
Figure 4 is a front perspective view of a photo storage box of the present
invention with the front flap in an open position;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 5 - 5 of Figure 2;
and
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken through the line 6 - 6 of Figure 2.
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Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals
have been used throughout the various figures to designate like elements,
there is
shown in Figure 2 a photo storage box constructed in accordance with the
principles of
the present invention and designated generally as 10.
The photo storage box of the present invention essentially includes a
generally planar sheet folded to form a box having a rear wall 12, a top wall
14, front
flap 16, a front wall 18, a right sidewall 20, a left side wall 22, and a
bottom wall. The
front flap 16 extends from the top wall 14 and the rear wall 12 has a cut-out
portion
which forms an integral tab 24. As can be readily seen, the cut-out portion 24
is
substantially rectangularly shaped and is cut only on its two sides 24a and
24b and
bottom 24c (as viewed in Figure 3). The fourth side 24d which lies at the
corner
between the rear wall 12 and the top wall 14 is not cut and remains hingedly
connected
to the top wall 14. Thus, the tab 24 may be pushed reawardly from the inside
of the box
and folded upwardly to form a labelling area 26. (See Figures 3 and 5.)
The front wall 18 has a slit 28 formed therein and the front flap 16 has a
tab or flange 30. The tab 30 releasably fits within the slit 28. (See Figure
6.) The tab 30
provides a closure for the box that may be opened and closed as needed. The
box may
hold a plurality of photos 32. (See Figure 4.) A plurality of boxes 34a-30f,
for example,
may be stored in a carton or container 36. (See Figure 1.)
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The sheet may be made from a plastic or other similar durable material
known and used in the art. Preferably, the material from which the sheet is
made is
translucent. The boxes may be grouped and labeled in any desired manner.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and accordingly,
reference should
be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specification as
indicating
the scope of the invention. By way of example, and not limitation, while the
integral label
or tab 24 is preferably cut from the rear wall 12, it could be cut from the
top wall 14 or
the front flap 16.
