Container with integral card holder

Abstract

A sample container, having a lid and a base, is configured to secure at least one card to an inner or out surface of the container. At least one of the lid and the base forms an inner volume for holding a sample item.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container for storing and dispensing small objects, the container comprising 
 a lid and a hollow base;    the base comprising a plurality of sides and a bottom forming an inner volume; and    the lid comprising an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of card securing members, configured to secure one or more cards to a surface of the container.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein each of the card securing members and the outer surface of the lid forms a slot configured to accept a portion of an edge or a corner of a card to secure the card to the upper surface of the lid.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the lid defines a depression, having a size corresponding to that of a card, and the card securing members are positioned to secure a card in the depression.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , comprising four card securing members, each positioned to secure a corner of a card.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the outer surface of the lid within the depression is positioned inside the inner surface of the lid outside the depression.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein each member is part of the lid outside the depression, and, with the outer surface of the lid within the depression, form a slot configured to secure a portion of a card.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the members and the lid are a single piece.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge connecting the lid and base.  
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the hinge is a living hinge.  
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the hinge is a pin type hinge.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid and the base comprise complimentary parts of at least one latch, configured to secure the container in a closed position, and to open the container with finger pressure.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid and the base are configured to allow removal of the lid to provide access to the base inner volume.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to hold small objects selected from the group consisting of candy, collectibles, gum, one or more ingredients required for a recipe, pills, tablets, nuts, screws, washers, bolts, and mechanical, electric, and electronic components and devices.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container has a length of at least about 10.5 cm, a width of at least about 6.3 cm, and a height of at least about 1.2 cm.  
     
     
         15 . A sample container, comprising a lid and a base, each having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein at least one of the lid and the base defines an inner volume, an at least one inner or outer surface is configured to secure a card to the surface.  
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the outer surface of the lid is configured to secure the card.  
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the surface is configured to secure a business card to the surface.  
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the base defines at least a portion of the inner volume, and the lid is configured to secure one or more cards to the container.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the outer surface of the lid is configured to secure one or more cards to the container.  
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein at least one surface comprises a plurality of card securing members in the form of a slot configured to accept a portion of an edge or a corner of a card to secure the card to the surface.