Container for receiving plates

Abstract

A receptacle for receiving plates having a sensitive surface is disclosed which is particularly suited for receiving glass plates having a sensitized surface. The receptacle comprises a container part ( 12 ) having four walls ( 16, 18 ) and a bottom ( 24 ), whereby a hollow space is circumscribed. The receptacle further comprises a removable top ( 14 ) for closing the container part ( 12 ). The container part ( 12 ) comprises guide grooves ( 28 ) located at two opposite walls ( 16, 18 ) for receiving plates ( 56 ). A flexible element ( 40 ) formed as a bent tongue is provided integrally with the bottom or cover for securing plates received within the receptacle ( 10 ) against movement in longitudinal direction.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container for receiving plates having a sensitive surface, said container comprising: 
 a container part having a cavity enclosed by four walls and a bottom;    a removable cover for closing the container part;    guide grooves located on two opposing ones of said walls for guiding plates received therein;    a flexible tongue configured integrally with the cover for securing plates received within the container against displacement;    wherein said flexible tongue is biased into the direction of said bottom for exerting a pressure against a front surface of plates received within the container for securing said plates against displacements when said cover is closed.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said tongue protrudes from an inner surface of said cover into said cavity.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container comprises a homopolymeric plastic material.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said container consists of a homopolymeric polypropylene.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is linked with said container part by a film hinge.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said cover is configured lockable with said container part.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein said cover further comprises a circumferentially closed wall section extending from a surface of said cover toward said container part, said closed wall section comprising a groove extending circumferentially about said closed wall section, a mating bulb being provided on said walls of said container part for locking said cover with said container part when said container part is closed by said cover.  
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a supporting ridge is located at the inner surface of the bottom for supporting plates received within the container.  
     
     
         9 . A container for receiving plates having a sensitive surface, said container comprising: 
 a container part having a cavity enclosed by four walls and a bottom;    a removable cover for closing the container part;    guide grooves located on two opposing ones of said walls for guiding plates received therein;    a flexible tongue configured integrally with said bottom for securing plates received within the container against displacement;    wherein said flexible tongue is biased into the direction of said cover for exerting a pressure against a front surface of plates received within the container for securing said plates against displacements when said cover is closed.    
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said tongue protrudes from an inner surface of said cover into said cavity.  
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said container comprises of a homopolymeric plastic material.  
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said container consists of a homopolymeric polypropylene.  
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said cover is linked with said container part by a film hinge.  
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein said cover is configured lockable with said container part.  
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein said cover further comprises a circumferentially closed wall section extending from a surface of said cover toward said container part, said closed wall section comprising a groove extending circumferentially about said closed wall section, a mating bulb being provided on said walls of said container part for locking said cover with said container part when said container part is closed by said cover.  
     
     
         16 . A container for receiving plates having a sensitive surface, said container comprising: 
 a container part having a cavity enclosed by four walls and a bottom;    a removable cover for closing the container part;    guide grooves located on two opposing ones of said walls for guiding plates received therein;    a flexible element configured integrally with said cover for securing plates received within the container against displacement;    wherein said flexible element is biased into the direction of said bottom for exerting a pressure against a front surface of plates received within the container for securing said plates against displacements when said cover is closed.    
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein said flexible element protrudes from an inner surface of said cover into said cavity.  
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein said container comprises of a homopolymeric plastic material.  
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein said container consists of a homopolymeric polypropylene.  
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein said cover is linked with said container part by a film hinge.  
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein said cover is configured lockable with said container part.  
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein said cover further comprises a circumferentially closed wall section extending from a surface of said cover toward said container part, said closed wall section comprising a groove extending circumferentially about said closed wall section, a mating bulb being provided on said walls of said container part for locking said cover with said container part when said container part is closed by said cover.  
     
     
         23 . A container for receiving plates having a sensitive surface, said container comprising: 
 a container part having a cavity enclosed by four walls and a bottom;    a removable cover for closing the container part;    guide grooves located on two opposing ones of said walls for guiding plates received therein;    a flexible element configured integrally with the bottom for securing plates received within the container against displacement;    wherein said flexible element is biased into the direction of said cover for exerting a pressure against a front surface of plates received within the container for securing said plates against displacements when said cover is closed.