Portable storage and/or carrier device
[ Apr. 15, 1975 3,287,073 11/1966 Holtkamp...... 3,743,371 7/1973 Sullivan Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant ExaminerDouglas B. Farron Attorney, Agent, or F irm-Teare, Teare &amp; Sammon [57] ABSTRACT A portable storage and/0r carrier device for mounting photographic items, such as slides or the like, in stacked relation including a housing constructed to receive the detachable cover member. The housing includes one or more rows of compartment sections with each section being open adjacent its top and adjacent its outer side adapted to receive and to enable removal of slides therefrom upon removal of the cover member. One or more separation devices having indicia means adapted to receive informational data thereon are disposable between a selective number of DEVICE [76] Inventor: Francis W. Seebald, 18801 E.  
 Shoreland Dr., Rocky River, Ohio 44116 Mar. 18, 1970 Appl. No.: 20,696  
  312/284; 312/244; 312/208; 206/425; 206/455; 206/456; 211/49 D Int. B65d 71/04 Field of Search........ 206/1 R, 60 R, 62 R, 425; 211/41, 49 S, 49 D, 50, 51; 221/92, 99,123; 312/60, 129, 208, 244, 284, 234  
 United States Patent Seebald PORTABLE STORAGE AND/OR CARRIER [22] Filed:  
 stacked slides to enable the same to be stored and/or removed for use in accordance with predetermined categories determined by such informational data.  
 14 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures S T m N m m m u E m m m m d T m m u m A nu m mm m T o is m n fi a A nnnm s r eu mwfn .mSRHJRL MD B46035 T144556 1.99999 NMMH H U 1 5 38 6559 99 05 95 m 4034 6 5 3 22223 PATENTEDAPR: 5197s saw 1 as g PIC-3.2  
  INVENTOR FRANCIS W. SEEBA ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAPR 1 5 :975  
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  R O T N E V m FRANCIS w. SEEBALD BY ATTORNEYS PORTABLE STORAGE AND/OR CARRIER DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a novel construction for a portable storage and/or carrier device for mounting a plurality of photographic items, such as slides or the like. The device is particularly useful for storing and/or transporting slides for use in photographic equipment, such as in slide projectors or the like, for ultimate use in viewing the same in accordance with predetermined informational categories.  
  Heretofore, various types of cabinets, trays, cubicles or the like, have been employed for use in storing transparent objects, such as photographic slide films and the like. Such prior devices have ranged from simple boxes, compartmentalized cubicles to rotary trays of the carousel type. However, such prior devices have generally been designed for use as accessory equipment to be employed in conjunction with a particular type of photographic apparatus, such as a slide projector or the like. In many cases, such devices are not only costly to produce, but generally only have application with a particular type of projection system. In other words, these prior devices were generally constructed so as to be synchronously operated with the projector to automatically insert and/or change the slides at pre-set intervals of time. Moreover, such accessory items which could be used independently were generally inefficient and did not provide maximum slide storage within the minimum space requirements or were of a special design for limited application with a particular type of projector. In addition, such prior devices did not generally enable the slides to be stored and/or carried in accordance with preferred selective organization or sequence for ultimate viewing thereof. Moreover, the prior devices did not generally lend themselves to storing and/or carrying a plurality of stacks of slides in a predetermined organizational sequence so as to enable the slides to be readily removed in stacked relation in accordance with predetermined sequence groups for visual observation and/or showing thereof.  
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A portable storage and/or carrier device for photographic film or the like comprising, a base and a housing structure mounted on said base, said housing structure including at least one row of individual compartment sections extending transversely of said base, each of said sections being generally open adjacent its upper end adapted to receive films downwardly therethrough and being closed adjacent its bottom by said base adapted to store films in superposed stacked relation therein, and each of said sections being open adjacent its outermost side to provide accessibility to the film from the exterior of said device. The device includes at least one separation means adapted to be disposed in a selected one of said sections between a predeten mined number of stacked films for separating said films into predetermined categorical relation, and the separation means including indicia means for the transcription thereon of informational data with respect to said films. The device includes a drawer-like compartment extending from one end thereof adapted to receive a slide drawer therein for storing and/or carrying additional film or other related equipment therein.  
  From the foregoing and following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that the present invention provides a novel construction for a storage and/or carrier device for mounting photographic films, such as slides or the like, which is portable, easy to handle and which stores and/or carries a maximum number of slides within minimum space requirements. The device is of a simple, compact, yet rugged construction which can be economically produced and efficiently employed with a minimum of time and effort. The device stores slides of the 2 by 2 inch dimension in a multiple stacked relationship with a selective number of slides in each stack being automatically separated into a predetermined categorical relationship for removal from the device, as a unit, for ready observation, display or showing thereof. The device also incorporates a novel identification system which acts as a memory for recordation of informational data for selective identification of slides in a predetermined stacked group which may be quickly and easily removed for visual observation and reminder without having to disturb the stored organizational arrangement of mounted slides. The device includes a removable closure or cover member preferably made of a transparent polymeric material to enable visual observation of the slides filed within the device, which protects the stored slides from damage or exposure to contaminants, and which provides an attractive appearance to provide an overall device which is sturdy, durable and convenient to handle.  
 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a generally prospective view, with portions cut away, illustrating the portable storage and/or carrier device in accordance with the invention;  
  FIG. 2 is a generally prospective view of one form of the identification member for use with the separation means of the invention;  
 FIG. 3 is a generally prospective view of the separation means of the invention;  
  FIG. 4 is a generally prospective view, on an enlarged scale from FIG. 1, with parts cut away illustrating a portion of one of the compartment sections in accordance with the invention;  
 &#39; FIG. 5 is a generally prospective view of the separa- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring again to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated the portable storage and/or carrier device of the invention, designated generally at 2, for mounting a plurality of photographic films or slides S instored relation therein. In the invention, the device is of a generally two-piece construction made from a polymeric material which may be readily formed or molded by techniques known in the art.  
  In the form shown, the device 2 includes a base 4 of a polygonal, such as rectangular configuration, defined by oppositely disposed pairs of side 6 and end walls 8. The base 4 includes a generally planar or flat upper surface 10 which mounts a housing 12 thereon.  
  The housing 12 is preferably made integral with and extends upwardly from the surface of the base 4 which provides a support therefor. The housing 12 includes, in the embodiment shown, two rows of upstanding side walls 14, 18, 22, 26, 30 and 33 which are spaced apart and disposed generally parallel with respect to one another so as to provide a plurality, such as five, compartment sections in each row. The aforementioned side walls are provided with integral flange portions 16, 20, 24,28 and 32 which extend at right an.  
 gles with respect to the associated walls and which overlie the respective walls so as to provideopenings adjacent the forwardmost side of the section to provide accessibility to the stored slides S from the exterior sides of the housing. The respective side walls 14, 18, 22, etc. are made integral with and extend outwardly from respective rear walls 34 (dotted line) which are also made integral with and extend upwardly from the surface 10. In the form shown, the housing 12 has a truncated configuration, in end elevation, with the outermost edges of the side walls l4, 18, 22, etc. together with the flanges 16, 20,24, etc. being inclined upwardly and inwardly in generally converging relation in a direction away from the base 4. The rear walls 34 are also inclined in the same general direction so that the respective compartment sections have uniform interior cross-sectional dimensions throughout their length thereof. The interior side walls, such as 18, 22, 26 and 30, together with the interior flanges, such as 20, 24 and 28&#39;, together define a generally T-shaped configuration, in top plan view, which function to provide abutment surfaces to prevent inadvertent removal of stored slides and/or other components from within the respective sections in the stored position of the slides.  
 In the form shown, a generally inverted U-shaped bridging member 35 extends transversely across the upper edges of the respective side walls 14, 18, 22, etc. and downwardly at its opposed ends across the confronting surface of the respective outwardmost side walls 14 and 33 to provide a generally rigid unitary structure. Preferably, the bridging member 35 has a width across the upper edges of the side walls l4, l8,  
 22;etc. sufficient to terminate approximately adjacent the respective rear walls 34. The bridging member flares outwardly adjacent the outermost side walls 14 and 33 so as to provide the generally triangular configuration shown.  
 In the form shown, the housing 12 is provided with graphic items therein upon removal of the closure or.  
 cover member, as will be hereinafter described.  
  In accordance with the invention, the device is provided with a removable closure or cover member 38 which has a generally truncated configuration so as to be fitted in complementary covering relation over the housing ,12 to provide a protective cover for the slides S stored and/or carried therein. The cover member 38 i includes a pair of inclined side walls 40 and a pair of oppositely disposed generally parallel end walls 42 joined together by a top 45. The cover member 38 is similarly provided with a generally inverted U-shaped bridging member having a transverse portion 46 which extends, laterally across the top 45 and a pair of downwardly and outwardly inclined side portions 44 which bridging member conforms to and is complementary in shape to the bridging member-35 of the housing 12. Preferably. the portion 46 of the bridging member is provided with a cut-out portion or elongated slot 48 adapted to receive therethrough a handle 50 whichis affixed to the bridging member 35 of the housing 12.  
 Accordingly, the handle 50 projects outwardly through the slot 48 in the installed position of the covermember 38 so as to provide a convenient means for carrying the. device in the assembled position thereofnBythis arrangement, the cover member 38 provides a durable. closure for the device and seats adjacent its bottom peripheral edge on the confronting surface 10 of thebase 4 so as to prevent the ingress of contaminating or deleterious materials, such as dust, water or the like, from entering into contact with the stored slides. Preferably, the cover member 38 is made from a durable, high strength transparent plastic material to facilitate visual observation of the slides stored withinthe respective compartment sections of the device. Further, itwill be noted that in the installed position of the covermember 38, that such arrangement prevents inadvertent dislodgement of the drawer 37 from within the housing 12. Accordingly, the drawer may be provided with a finger-grip portion in the form of a recess 39 or the like to facilitate removal thereof.  
 7 Now in accordance with the invention, the device is provided with a novel separation and/or identification means for dividing the stacked slides S into predetermined categories for convenient filing and/or observation thereof. As best seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, such means may include an identification member 50 adapted to be disposed in a drawer-like member adapted to be received in the compartment section. The identification member 50, in the embodiment shown, is ofa book-like construction having a pair of oppositely disposed leaves 52 and 54 connected together by a weakened or scored area, as at 56, to facilitate folding of the leaves 52 and 54 towardand away from one another. The member 50 is provided on each of the leaves 52 and 54 with a plurality of spaced indicia lines, as at 58, for the transcription of informational data thereon. Preferably, the member 50 is made from a flexible material which may. be transcribed upon, such as a paper or the like. In such case, it will be understood that the indicia lines 58 may be disposed on one or both sides of each of the leaves 52 and 54, as desired.  
  The drawer-like member 60, in the form shown, is of a generally polygonal configuration corresponding to that of the cross-sectional shape of the compartment sections provided in the device 2. The member 60 includes a generally polygonal, such as square, body 62 having a cut-out polygonal slot 64 in its bottom and a cut-out or open portion 68 adjacent its top defined by a peripheral flange or edge 66. The cut-out portion 64 defines a seat-like flange 67 which provides a&#39;support surface for the identification member 50 in the installed position thereof. Preferably, the back of the body 62 is provided with an inlet opening 70, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, adapted to slidably receive therethrough the identification member 50 when the latter isfolded upon itself so as to be received through the opening 70. Accordingly, the interior transverse dimensions defined by the the body 62 are slightly greater than the corresponding dimensions of the identification member so as to slidably, yet snugly receive the latter in the installed position therein. The member is preferably provided with an outwardly and downwardly extending tab 72 which may have applied thereto an indicia, such as a label, sticker or the like 74, for purposes of identification.  
  In this form, the member 60 preferably has a transverse width which is greater than the maximum transverse distance be-opposed of the flanges, such as 20,  
 24, 28, etc., but has transverse dimensions so as to be capable of being inserted through the open top of the respective compartment sections of the device 2. By this arrangement, the member 60 carrying the corresponding identification member 50 may be conveniently inserted through the open top of the respective compartment sections or installed by tilting the same for disposition through the open side of the section between the respective flanges for separating a predetermined number of stacked slides S into predetermined categories dependent upon the informational data indicated, for example, via the indicia 74. Moreover, the slides disposed in stacked relation above the assembly can be filed in accordance with the information provided by the indicia lines 58 on the identification member 50 which is carried within the drawer-like member 60.  
  In FIGS. 4 to 7 there is shown another modified form of the separation and/or identification means of the invention. As shown, the drawer-like member 60 (FIG. 5) is generally of the same construction as that illustrated in FIG. 3, except that the drawer may be made with slightly reduced dimensions for reasons as will be described hereinafter.  
  In this form, the identification member 80 is also of a book-like construction comprising a base 82 and a pair of leaves 84 and 88 which fold toward one another in book-like relation over the base 82. Here again, the base 82 and leaves 84 and 86 may be provided with suitable indicia lines. as at 88, for the transcription of informational data thereon. Accordingly, the member 80 when folded is adapted to be slid through the rear opening in the member 60 in the installed position therof.  
  In the embodiment shown, the separation means also includes a carrier member 90 (FIGS. 4 and 7) which is of a generally boxlike construction defined by a pair of oppositely disposed side walls 92, a rear or end wall 94, a cover 96 and a base or bottom 98 to provide the boxlike construction shown. Preferably, the member 90 is open adjacent its front end so as to slidably receive therethrough the drawer-like member 60 which carries the identification member therein, as best seen in FIG. 7. Accordingly, the carrier member has a transverse width greater than the transverse distance between respective of the flanges. such as 16 and 20 of FIG. 4, to prevent withdrawal thereof through the open side of the respective compartment sections. Preferably, the transverse width of the drawer-like member 60 is less than the transverse dimension between the respective flanges, such as 16 and 20, so that the member 60 can be slid into and out of the carrier member 90 in a drawer-like relationship with respect thereto. Accordingly, the flanges l6 and 20 provide abutments to prevent withdrawal of the carrier member 90 while allowing the drawer-like member 60 which carries the identification member 80 to be inserted and withdrawn from the compartment section, as desired. The carrier member 90 preferably has transverse dimensions equal to or slightly less than the corresponding transverse dimension of the respective compartment sections so that the same can be inserted through the open top of the respective sections or may be installed by tilting the same at a slight angle so that it can be inserted through the open front side of the respective compartment section. In this manner, the carrier member 90 can be inserted into the respective compartment section and brought to rest upon a number of stacked slides S (FIG. 4) so that slides subsequently inserted thereon are automatically separated from other stacked slides below the member 90. Accordingly, the drawer-like member 60 can be quickly inserted into the carrier member 90 with the identification member 80 carrying the informational data with respect tothe stacked and stored slides S disposed in the drawer member 60. Accordingly, the slides S may be quickly removed merely by raising the carrier member&#39;90 upwardly for removal of slides through the open top of a respective one of the.  
 compartment sections, as desired. By this arrangement, there is maintained a predetermined demarcation between respective groups of stacked slides as well as a built-in memory of the subject matter of the slides which can be quickly and easily removed for review without the requirement to remove and/or disturb the stacked slides.  
  In the invention, it will be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, though the device 2 has been described with reference to two rows of compartment sections, any number such as one or more may be employed to accommodate any number and/or size of slides, as desired.  
 What is claimed is:  
  l. A portable storage and/or carrier device for photographic film or the like comprising,  
 A base and a housing structure mounted on said base,  
 said housing structure including at least one row of individual compartment sections extending transversely of said base,  
 each of said sections being generally open adjacentits upper end for receiving films downwardly therethrough and being closed adjacent its bottom by said base for storing films in superposed stacked relation therein, and  
 each of said sections being open adjacent&#39;its outermost side to provide accessibility to the film from the exterior of said device,  
 each of said sections includes a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed generally parallel side wall portions and a rear wall portion,  
 a bridge member made integral with and extending transversely across said side wall portion adjacent their upper ends,  
 said bridge member includes a handle means for portably carrying said device,  
 a detachable generally complementary shaped cover member removably mounted in encompassing relation over said housing,  
 said cover member being open adjacent its lower most end defined by a top and oppositely disposed side and end walls, and  
 said top having a generally centrally disposed opening adapted to receive said handle means therethrough in the installed position thereof.  
  2. A portable storage and/or carrier device for photographic film or the like comprising.  
 a base and a housing structure mounted on said base,  
 said housing structure including at least one row of individual compartment sections extendingtransversely of said base,  
 each of said sections being generally open adjacent its upper end for receiving films downwardly therethrough and being closed adjacent its bottom by said base for storing films in superposedstacked relation therein,  
 each of said sections being open adjacent its outwardmost side to provide accessibility to the film from the exterior of said device,  
 at least one separation means disposed in a selected one of said sections between a predetermined number relation, stacked films separating said films into a predetermined categorical relations,  
 said separation means including indicia means for the transcription thereon of information date with respect to said film, and  
 said indicia means includes at least two leaves folded over in a direction toward themselves in generally book-like relation to receive indicia on either or both of said leaves.  
 3. A portable storage and/or carrier device for photographic film or the like comprising,  
 a base and a housing structure mounted on said base,  
 said housing structure including at least one row of individual compartment sections extending transversely of said base,  
 each of said sections being generally open adjacent to upper end for receiving films downwardly therethrough and being closed adjacent its bottom by said base forstoring films in superposed stacked relation therein,  
 each of said sections being open adjacent its outermost side to provide accessibility to the film from the exterior of said device,  
 &#39;a separation means disposed in a selected one of said sections between a predetermined number of stacked films for separating said films into a predetermined categorical relation,  
 said separation means&#39;including a carrier means disposed through the open upper end of a respective one of said sections,  
 a drawer-like member disposed in said carrier means, and an indicia means inserted into said drawer-like member.  
 4. A portable storage and/or carrier device for photographic film or the like comprising,  
 a base and a housing structure mounted on said base,  
 said housing structure including at least two rows of vertically-oriented compartment sections,  
 each of said compartments includes spaced, oppositely-disposed generally parallel sidewall portions and a rear wall portion,  
 said side wall portions of adjacent sections defining a common barrier wall between adjacent of said sections.  
 said rows being disposed in back-to-back relation with said rear wall portions of said sections defining a common transverse center wall construction extending between said rows and in upstanding relation from said base,  
 each of said sections being open adjacent its upper end to receive films therethrough and closed adjacent its lower end for storing films in superposed relation therein,  
 each of said sections being open adjacent its outer-,  
  most side to provide accessibility to said films disposed therein from the exterior of said device, said side wall portion of each of said sections include oppositely disposed inturned flanges adjacent their outer edges which extend along the respective lengths thereof defining said opening in said outer-,  
 most sides,  
 the transverse distance between opposed pairs of said flanges being less than the corresponding transverse dimension of the film when disposed in superposed stacked relation in said section,  
 a separation means removably disposed in at least one of said sections between a predetermined number of films for separating said films into a predetermined categorical relation,  
 said separation means. including a carrier means for carrying indicia means thereon for receiving information data with respect to said films,  
 said carrier means having a tab portion projecting outwardly toward said outermost side of said com partment when said separation means is in said compartment being accessible through said open 6. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said respective means is made of a material capable of being transcribed thereon, and  
 said separation means having a transverse dimension less than the corresponding dimension of a respective one of said sections.  
 7. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said housing includes a transverse opening therein.  
 and  
 a drawer member disposed for slidable movement in I said opening for storing items thereon. 8. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said indicia means includes at least two leaves folded over in a direction toward themselves in generally book-like relation for receiving indicia on either or both of said leaves. 9. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said carrier means comprises a drawer-like member,  
  and said indicia means is carried by said drawer-like member. 10. A device in accordance with claim 9, wherein said carrier means includes a body,  
 said tab portion is formed integral with said body,  
 and  
 said body includes a cut-out portion for receiving said indicia means therein.  
 11. A device in accordance with clairn9, wherein said carrier means is of a box-like construction having an opening adjacent the outwardmost side of said section for slidably receive said drawer-like member therethrough.  
 12. A device in accordance with claim 11, wherein said drawer-like member includes an opening adjacent the end remote from the opening in said box like member for slidably receive said indicia means therethrough.  
 13. A device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the widthwise dimension of said drawer-like member is less than the corresponding minimum dimension of said openings in said outermost sides of said sections.  
 14. A portable storage and/or carrier device for photographic film or the like comprising,  
 a base and a housing structure mounted on said base, said housing structure including at least one compartment section, each section being open adjacent one end to receive films therethrough and closed adjacent its opposite v cation of the respective films in said section.