Microscope slide container

Abstract

A container for removably retaining a plurality of microscope slides in a predetermined spaced relationship comprises a back wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls. The side walls and end walls extend from the back wall, and the end walls extend between the side walls. The side walls have a plurality of side ribs. The back wall has a plurality of grippers, each of which include a first grip rib and a second grip rib. The first grip rib has a first grip location capable of firmly gripping one of the slides to prevent the slide from freely moving. Additionally, the first grip rib is capable of flexing away from the second grip rib. Moreover, each of the side walls has an outer surface, and one of said outer surfaces has a rail projecting outward from the outer surface. The outer surface also has an orientation notch and a circular-shaped projection with a depressed center.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container for removably retaining a plurality of microscope slides in a predetermined spaced relationship, comprising 
 a back wall having a plurality of grippers, each of said grippers including a first grip rib and a second grip rib; and    a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls, said side walls and said end walls extending from said back wall, said end walls extending between said side walls, said side walls having a plurality of side ribs.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said first grip rib has a first grip location capable of firmly gripping one of said slides to prevent said slide from freely moving.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein said second grip rib has a second grip location capable of firmly gripping one of said slides to prevent said slide from freely moving.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said first grip rib has a tapered front end.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein said second grip rib has a tapered front end to facilitate reception of said slide between said first and second grip ribs.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said first grip rib is capable of flexing away from said second grip rib.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein said first grip rib is biased toward said second grip rib, said first grip rib flexes away from said second grip rib with the application of a force.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein each of said side ribs have a tapered front end to facilitate reception of said slide between adjacent side ribs.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  further including a cover having a face, said cover face capable of abutting portions of said side walls and said end walls.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9  wherein said cover further includes an encompassing rim interconnected to said face.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein said rim is capable of forming a friction fit with said side walls and said end walls.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1  further including a reinforcing wall interconnected with said side walls and said back wall.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1  wherein each of said side walls has an outer surface, one of said outer surfaces having a rail projecting outward from said outer surface.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1  wherein each of said side walls has an outer surface, one of said outer surfaces having an orientation notch projecting outward from said outer surface.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1  wherein each of said side walls has an outer surface, one of said outer surfaces having a circular-shaped projection with a depressed center.  
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15  wherein one of said outer surfaces further including a second circular-shaped projection with a depressed center and a rib projecting outward from said outer surface.  
     
     
         17 . A container for removably retaining a microscope slide, comprising 
 a back wall having a first grip rib and a second grip rib, said first grip rib having a first grip location capable of gripping said slide to prevent said slide from freely moving; and    a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls, said side walls and said end walls extending from said back wall, said end walls extending between said side walls.    
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17  wherein said second grip rib has a second grip location capable of firmly gripping said slide to prevent said slide from freely moving.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 17  wherein said first grip rib has a tapered front end.  
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19  wherein said second grip rib has a tapered front end to facilitate reception of said slide between said first and second grip ribs.  
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 17  wherein said first grip rib is capable of flexing away from said second grip rib.  
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21  wherein said first grip rib is biased toward said second grip rib, said first grip rib flexes away from said second grip rib with the application of a force.  
     
     
         23 . A container for removably retaining a microscope slide, comprising 
 a back wall;    a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls, said side walls and said end walls extending from said back wall, said end walls extending between said side walls, each of said side walls has an outer surface, one of said outer surfaces having an interconnected rail projecting outward from said outer surface.    
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 23  wherein one of said outer surfaces having an orientation notch projecting outward from said outer surface.  
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 23  wherein one of said outer surfaces having a circular-shaped projection with a depressed center.  
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 23  further including a first grip rib and a second grip rib, said first grip rib having a first grip location capable of gripping said slide to prevent said slide from freely moving.  
     
     
         27 . The container of  claim 26  wherein said first grip rib is capable of flexing away from said second grip rib.  
     
     
         28 . A container for removably retaining a microscope slide, comprising 
 a first grip rib and a second grip rib, said first grip rib having a first grip location capable of gripping said slide to prevent said slide from freely moving.    
     
     
         29 . The container of  claim 28  wherein said second grip rib has a second grip location capable of firmly gripping said slide to prevent said slide from freely moving.  
     
     
         30 . The container of  claim 28  wherein said first grip rib has a tapered front end.  
     
     
         31 . The container of  claim 28  wherein said first grip rib is capable of flexing away from said second grip rib.  
     
     
         32 . The container of  claim 31  wherein said first grip rib is biased toward said second grip rib, said first grip rib flexes away from said second grip rib with the application of a force.  
     
     
         33 . The container of  claim 28  further including a back wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls, said side walls and said end walls extending from said back wall, said end walls extending between said side walls.  
     
     
         34 . The container of  claim 33  wherein said first grip rib and said second grip rib are connected to one of said side walls.  
     
     
         35 . The container of  claim 33  wherein said first grip rib and said second grip rib are connected to one of said end walls.  
     
     
         36 . The container of  claim 33  further including a first rib and a second rib capable of receiving said slide between said first and second rib.