Tool receptacle

Abstract

A receptacle for storing and holding tools such as utensils and knives is selectively between a flat position in which tools held within slots in the receptacle are held in place and cannot be removed, and an open, curved position in which the receptacle forms a stable stand. In the open position the handles of the tools are exposed and may be readily removed for use and reinserted into holding slots when not in use.

1 . A tool receptacle, comprising: 
 a flexible body having at least one slot formed therein for receiving a tool;    a member connected to said body and foldable over said slot;    said body movable between a first position in which said body lies substantially flat and a tool retained in said slot may not be removed therefrom, and a second position in which said body is bent such that said body defines a tool stand wherein a tool retained in said slot may be removed therefrom.    
     
     
         2 . The tool receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said body has plural slots for receiving plural tools.  
     
     
         3 . The tool receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said body comprises a backing layer and a front layer adjacent said backing layer, and wherein said slot is defined therebetween.  
     
     
         4 . The tool receptacle of  claim 3  wherein said member connected to said body comprises a flap connected to said backing layer and foldable over said front layer, said flap having a lower edge connectable to said flexible body when said body is in said first position such that said flap prevents a tool received in said slot from being removed therefrom.  
     
     
         5 . The tool receptacle of  claim 4  wherein in said second position said flap is folded over said backing layer and said flap lower edge is connected to said flexible body.  
     
     
         6 . The tool receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said body is substantially rectangular and has opposed side edges and a top and bottom edge, a lower layer and an upper layer extending partially over said lower layer to define at least a double-layered section having plural tool holding slots formed therein for receiving plural tools, said body further defining a front face and a rear face.  
     
     
         7 . The tool receptacle of  claim 6  wherein said member connected to said body comprises a flap connected to the body proximate said top edge and having a free lower edge, said flap foldable over said front face to define said first position and said flap foldable over said rear face to define said second position.  
     
     
         8 . The tool receptacle of  claim 7  wherein in said first position said flap is folded over said front face and said flap lower edge is connected to said main body proximate said lower edge thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The tool receptacle of  claim 7  wherein in said second position said flap is folded over said rear face and said flap lower edge is connected to said main body proximate said lower edge thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The tool receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said main body defines a hinged section that flexes between said first and second positions and wherein said hinged section normally urges said main body section toward the first position.  
     
     
         11 . A tool receptacle comprising: 
 a flexible main body section movable between a first position in which said main body section is substantially flat and a second position in which said main body section defines a curved body, said main body section being rectangular and having an upper edge, an opposed lower edge, and opposed side edges, said main body section further defining a front face having at least one slot formed therein for receiving a tool, and a rear face;    a flap connected to the main body section along the upper edge thereof and sized to cover said front face to occlude said slot when said main body section is in said first position.    
     
     
         12 . The tool receptacle of  claim 11  wherein said flap defines a free lower edge that may be secured to said main body section when said main body section is in said first position.  
     
     
         13 . The tool receptacle of  claim 12  wherein said flap is foldable over said rear face and said free lower edge is connected to said main body section when said body is in said second position.  
     
     
         14 . The tool receptacle of  claim 11  including a plurality of slots in said main body section.  
     
     
         15 . A tool storage receptacle comprising: 
 a rectangular body having an upper edge and an opposed lower edge, and opposed side edges, a front face having at least one slot formed therein for receiving a tool, and a rear face;    hinge means for selectively moving said body between a first position in which said body is substantially flat and a second position in which said body is curved to define a tool stand;    means for retaining said tool in said slot when said body is in said first position.    
     
     
         16 . The tool storage receptacle of  claim 15  wherein said hinge means comprises a flexible section of said body.  
     
     
         17 . The tool storage receptacle of  claim 15  wherein said means for retaining said tool in said slot comprises a flap connected to said upper edge and having a free edge selectively connectable to said body.  
     
     
         18 . The tool storage receptacle of  claim 17  wherein said flap is foldable over said rear face and said free edge is selectively connectable to said body to secure said body in said second position.  
     
     
         19 . The tool storage receptacle of  claim 18  wherein when said body is in said second position said hinge means urges said body toward said first position.  
     
     
         20 . The tool receptacle of  claim 15  wherein when a tool received in said slot may not be removed therefrom when said body is in said first position, and said tool may be removed from said slot when said body is in said second position.