GB2413316A - Multi-compartmented container for storage of ferromagnetic objects - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-compartmented container 10 is shown in the form of a rectangular array of recesses 12. A single strip of magnetic material 28 is disposed in a recess 26 beneath the base 14 of the container so as to exert a magnetic restraining effect on ferromagnetic objects in the trays in use. A hingeable cover arrangement is also described. The objects may be fishing hooks.

Description

PRE 17 Multi-Compartmented Container for Storage of Ferromagnetic Obiects

This invention relates to a multi-compartmented container for the storage of ferromagnetic objects and in particular, but not exclusively, to a container for the storage of fine or small ferromagnetic objects such as fishing hooks.

It is common for anglers to store and organise various types of fishing hooks in a compartmented box. The hooks may vary in length from a few millimetres to a centimetre or more and their diameter can vary from fractions of a millimetre to a millimetre or more. It is known to provide in the base of each compartment a piece of magnetic sheet cut and glued in place so that the metal hooks stick to it and therefore do not get lost easily. However, this design is awkward because its construction requires cutting and glueing of numerous pieces of flexible magnetic strip for each compartmented box requiring manufacturing and assembly of numerous components. This earlier arrangement is not particularly easy to use because, especially with small sized hooks, the hooks can become trapped in the gaps around the edges of the magnetic strips, because of the nature of the hook shape. Also, the rubber like grip of the magenetic material and its dark colour tend to exacerbate the problem.

Accordingly, in one aspect, there is provided a multi-compartmented container for the storage of ferromagnetic objects, said container including wall means defining a plurality of storage recesses, a magnetic element disposed externally of the recesses adjacent or in said wall means and extending adjacent a plurality of said recesses to exert in use a magnetic restraining force on ferromagnetic items contained in said recesses.

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e - e. By locating the magnetic element externally of the recesses, the recesses may be free of any cracks, crevices etc. within which hooks may become trapped. In addition, a single magnetic element can provide magnetic retention for a number of different recesses, rather than requiring each recess to have its own magnetic element.

The multi-compartmented container can take many forms according to its particular application but it may conveniently be in the form of a multi compartmented tray, each of the recesses comprising a base wall and a plurality of upstanding side walls.

Preferably, the base walls are raised or scooped at one side to allow in use objects to be slid out of the recess. The base wall in this region may be curved.

Although other arrangements such as circular are possible, in a preferred embodiment, each storage recess is generally rectangular in plan and the storage recesses are disposed in a rectangular array to make up a multi compartmented container of generally rectangular form.

Preferably, the recesses are arranged in an array of at least two rows and fixing means is disposed between the rows for attaching an openable lid means defining respective openable lid flaps for a plurality of said recesses.

In some applications, the multi-compartmented container may itself be intended to be stored in an outer container, shelf or drawer. In this instance the container may include one or more cutaway regions which, in use, allow a finger to be inserted to remove the container from its surrounding container, shelf or drawer.

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. . C C C C- C. . C C C. C C C C C C C C C The magnetic element preferably comprises a sheet of magnetic or magnetizable material such as a plastics material impregnated with magnetic powder.

Advantageously, the sheet of magnetic material may underlie only part of the lower region of each recess.

Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the invention provide a magnetic hook box that eliminates the problem of hooks being trapped inside the compartments and also makes the manufacture of the box more efficient.

Embodiments of the invention also facilitate reduction of the storage volume required for the hook box; this is an important consideration for anglers as much of their equipment has to be carried and they try to include as much equipment as possible inside a limited storage space.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any invention combination of the features set out above, or in the following

1 5 description.

The invention may be performed in various ways, and an embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view from above of a magnetic hook box; Figure 2 is a perspective view on the bottom of the magnetic hook box of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of a common lid for four of the recesses, and Figure 4 is a section view taken on lines IV - IV of Figure 3.

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. - Referring now to the drawings, the multi-compartmented box illustrated is designed for use as a hook box for anglers. It comprises a multi- compartmented base 10 which may be formed by injection moulding. In this embodiment the box comprises eight compartments or recesses 12 arranged in two rows of four.

Each recess has a base floor 14 the front part 16 of which is curved or scooped, and three side walls 18. The side walls 18 and the upward curving portions 16 each terminate in an upstanding portion which together define a peripheral upstanding lip 20 around each recess 18. Each recess also includes a latch area 22 for receiving a moulded tang from a cover flap to be described below.

Between the rows of recesses there are two channels 24 which receive an anchorage fixing of a lid construction to be described below. Referring particularly to Figure 2, on the underside of the moulding is located a shallow recess 26 in which is located a single rectangular piece 28 of flexible magnetic sheet material (part of which is shown removed for illustration). It will be noted that the magnetic sheet generally underlies just the flat base floor 14 of the recesses and does not underlie the scooped or curved portions 16. The magnetic material exerts a magnetic field through the plastics material of the base 14 so that it exerts a retention force on ferromagnetic items such as hooks in each recess. Thus each recess 12 has a magnetised area corresponding to the base 14.

The multi-compartmented base 10 has two semi-circular cut outs 30 which act as finger holes to allow the container to be lifted out of the surrounding or supporting structure, such as an outer container, shelf or drawer. This enables the container to be stored in a space not exceeding the overall envelope PRE 17 e e..

e e e.e . ë A- e e A- e size of the box. The box can thus be removed from its position inside a fishing tackle box via these recesses, even if the hook box takes up the total area of the compartment in which it is stored. This contributes to a reduction in the overall storage volume required.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, there is shown a moulded lid construction for closing four of the recesses. The lid construction 32 comprises a central spine 34 to either side of which are integrally attached via live hinges 36 respective flaps 38. Each flap 38 has a rim with a channel in it which is designed to seal in generally fluid type manner with the peripheral rim 20 on the recess, this feature prevents the ingress of water. Referring to Figure 4, depending from the spine 34 is a rib 40 which is a push-fit into the recess 24 so that the cover 32 can be secured in place and the flaps 38 opened and closed independently.

Each flap includes a flexible tang 42 which clips releaseably into the latch area 22. Instead of providing two constructions, a single moulding providing eight flaps could be produced. The flaps may conveniently be transparent to allow the contents of the recesses to be viewed.

The combined effect of the inside surfaces of each compartment being completely smooth without crevices etc. come together with the curved or scooped forward areas means that hooks can be easily removed from the box without catching any edges or gaps.

For manufacture, the item may be made out of just three pieces, namely the injection-moulded base, the moulded lid, and the single piece of magnetic material.

Claims (10)

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1. A multi-compartmented container for the storage of ferromagnetic objects, said container including wall means defining a plurality of storage recesses, a magnetic element disposed externally of the recesses adjacent or in said wall means, and extending adjacent a plurality of said recesses to exert in use a magnetic restraining force on ferromagnetic items contained in said recesses.

2. A multi-compartmented container as claimed in Claim 1, in the form of a multi-compartmented tray, with each of the recesses comprising a base wall and a plurality of upstanding side walls.

3. A multi-compartmented container as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said base walls are raised at one side to provide a ramp to allow in use objects to be slid out of the recess.

4. A multi-compartmented container as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said base walls are curved.

5. A multi-compartmented container as claimed in any of the preceding Claims, wherein each storage recess is generally rectangular in plan, and the storage recesses are disposed in a rectangular array.

6. A multi-compartmented container wherein said recesses are arranged in an array of at least two rows, and fixing means is disposed between the rows for attached an openable lid means defining respective openable lid flaps for a plurality of said recesses.

7. A multi-compartmented container according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said magnetic element comprises a sheet of PRE 17 - . . .. ë . e - magnetic or magnetizable material.

8. A multi-compartmented container according to Claim 7, where said sheet is of rubber or plastic magnetic material.

9. A multi-compartmented container according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said magnetic element underlies only part of the lower region of each of said recesses.

10. A multi-compartmented container substantially hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any of the accompanying drawings.