Storage container record

Sept. 19, 1961

3,000,640

W. L. STRAUSS

STORAGE CONTAINER RECORD

Filed Oct. 7, 1958

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Attorneys

3,000,640

Patented Sept. 19, 1961

United States Patent Office

3,000,640

STORAGE CONTAINER RECORD

Walter L. Strauss, 200 4th Ave., New York, N.Y.

Filed Oct. 7,1958, Ser. No. 765,791

Claims. (Cl. 274—42)

This invention relates to packages and, more particularly, to a package containing audible signal reproducing apparatus.

It has been found that packages which uniquely display at least part of the contents not only are more attractive in appearance, but stimulate sales to a very large extent. This is particularly true in the case of toy packages having containers which serve more than one useful purpose, thus adding to the interest of the child and providing additional amusement not otherwise possible. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a package construction that is attractive in appearance, functionally useful for several purposes, and which will provide additional service to· the purchaser over and above the normal storage and shipping uses thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a package containing audible signal reproducing apparatus in which part of the container side wall forms a detachable support for a grooved disc type record which is normally in clear view and can be selectively detached for use with the contained audible signal reproducing apparatus whenever desired.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a package construction of the type described in which the closure lid of the container includes a removable disc type record that may be used with conventional record player apparatus.

Still an additional object of the present invention is to provide a package of the above type that is particularly useful for packing, transporting and storage purposes, which is extremely unique in appearance, attractive in design, and which will functionally serve a multiple number of purposes so as to further enhance the use of the packaged apparatus.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a package construction bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum· number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a package made in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the package shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along line 3—3 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 3, showing certain portions thereof being detached.

Referring now to the drawing, and more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 thereof, a package assembly 10 made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a storage receptacle 12 having an inside storage compartment 13, within which apparatus 14 is removably supported. The contents of the package assembly may be visualized as a toy railroad system comprising a so-called “talking station” including a record player in conjunction with which the record disc is to be used. The contents of the container are indicated in phantom in FIG. 4.

In accordance with the present invention, the upwardly opening end of the receptacle 12 is provided with a removable closure lid 14 having a depending marginal flange 16 which frictionally engages the side walls of the receptacle, as is more clearly shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawing.

® A circular row of perforations 20 define a grooved disc type record unit that includes a circular plate 18 of material having a flat bottom side and an upwardly projecting central circular portion 19 upon the upper side. The perforations 20 thus form a destructible joint 10 for enabling the circular plate 18 to be pressed out of the closure member 14, thus leaving a circular opening 22 therewithin. A substantially flat ring sheet of dissimilar material 32, such as molded plastic, having a central opening 31 which receives the upwardly extending projec15 tion 19 of the base plate 18, overlies the upper surface of the circular plate 18. This provides a composite disc type element that is completely flat on both sides, is of circular outline, and which may be supported upon a turntable, such as the turntable of the record playing ap²⁰ paratus in the package. The annular sheet 32 is provided with signal producing grooves, of a conventional type, so that a stylus placed in engagement thereof will effectively reproduce an audible signal.

The central portion of the composite disc type record ²⁵ is provided with a smaller concentric circular row of perforations 26 that define a plug 24 detachably secured within a central opening 28. By exerting an axial pressure upon plug 24, for instance by finger pressure, the plug may be conveniently detached from the disc type ^υ record so as to provide the central opening 28. This opening serves to receive the spindle of the record player turntable therewithin to support the disc type record concentrically upon the turntable during use.

If desired, the exposed upper surface 34 of the circular plate 18 may be used to imprint identifying indicia for the contents of the record or for identifying the record with the rest of -the package contents.

While various changes may be made in the detail con₄₀ struction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.