Method and device for suspending boxes

Abstract

A box hanging device comprises a backing member having an arm and a flexible panel section projecting therefrom. The arm is adaptable for insertion into an object and the flexible panel section is capable of flexing inwardly to permit the arm to be inserted and removed from the box.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A hanging device, comprising: 
 a backing member having an arm adaptable for insertion into an object and a flexible panel section;    wherein the flexible panel section is capable of flexing inwardly to permit the arm to be inserted and removed from the object.    
     
     
         2 . The hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible panel section includes a tab.  
     
     
         3 . The hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the backing member includes two arms having a first portion transverse to the backing member.  
     
     
         4 . The hanging device of  claim 3 , wherein each arm includes a curved portion extending from the first portion and spaced from the backing member.  
     
     
         5 . The hanging device of  claim 4 , wherein each curved portion includes a tapered lead-in portion.  
     
     
         6 . The hanging device of  claim 3 , wherein the arms and backing member form two channels.  
     
     
         7 . The hanging device of  claim 6 , wherein each of the channels comprises a closed end and an open end and wherein the open ends receive a portion of a box.  
     
     
         8 . The hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the backing member comprises a top portion and a bottom portion.  
     
     
         9 . The hanging device of  claim 8 , wherein the top portion includes walls defining an opening and wherein the flexible panel section is disposed in the opening.  
     
     
         10 . The hanging device of  claim 7 , wherein the bottom portion includes a projection.  
     
     
         11 . The hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the backing member includes at least one mounting hole for accepting a fastener.  
     
     
         12 . The hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the backing member includes double sided adhesive tape on a back surface thereof.  
     
     
         13 . The hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the backing member has a polygonal shape.  
     
     
         14 . The hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the backing member has a rectangular shape.  
     
     
         15 . The hanging device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is made out of plastic.  
     
     
         16 . A combination, comprising: 
 a hanging device including a backing member having a flexible panel section and an arm extending therefrom; and    a box, wherein a slot therein is capable of receiving the arm and wherein the flexible panel section is capable of flexing inwardly for insertion and removal of the arm from the box and outwardly to establish an interference fit.    
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 16 , wherein the hanging device includes two arms.  
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 17 , wherein each arm includes a tapered lead-in portion capable of insertion into the slots.  
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein the arms further include main portions transverse to the backing member and the tapered lead-in portions.  
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 16 , wherein the backing member includes double sided adhesive tape on a back surface thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 16 , wherein the box includes disposable bags.  
     
     
         22 . A box hanging device, comprising: 
 a backing member for attachment to a surface;    first means extending from the backing member for supporting a box; and    second means separate from the first means and extending from the backing member for forming an interference that interferes with removal of the box from the device.    
     
     
         23 . The box hanging device of  claim 22 , wherein the second means comprises a surface of a lower portion of the hanging device.  
     
     
         24 . The box hanging device of  claim 22 , wherein the second means comprises a flexible panel section disposed at an upper portion of the hanging device.  
     
     
         25 . The box hanging device of  claim 22 , further comprising a mounting hole.  
     
     
         26 . The box hanging device of  claim 22 , further comprising double sided adhesive tape on a back surface thereof.  
     
     
         27 . The box hanging device of  claim 22 , wherein the first means comprises main portions perpendicular to the backing member and tapered lead-in portions for penetrating slots in the box.  
     
     
         28 . A method for suspending an object, the method comprising the steps of: 
 attaching a hanging device having a backing member, an arm, and an interference member to a surface;    providing an object having a slot; and    inserting the arm into the slot of the object until a first portion of the object contacts a second portion of the arm and the interference member is disposed in interfering relationship with an outer surface of the object.    
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the backing member includes two arms each having a first portion transverse to the backing member.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein each arm includes a curved portion extending from the first portion and spaced from the backing member and wherein each curved portion includes a tapered lead-in portion.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the backing member includes at least one mounting hole for accepting a fastener.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the interference member comprises a surface of a lower portion of the hanging device.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the interference member comprises a substantially rectangular shape.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the device is made out of plastic.  
     
     
         35 . A box, comprising: 
 panels forming an enclosure;    a plurality of slots each having a longitudinal centerline wherein the longitudinal centerlines are parallel to one another, but not coincident; and    an opening separate from the slots for removing product contained in the box.    
     
     
         36 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein the box contains thermoplastic bags.  
     
     
         37 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein the box contains thermoplastic wrap.  
     
     
         38 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein the box contains aluminum foil.  
     
     
         39 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein the box is made of paperboard.  
     
     
         40 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein the slots are disposed at one end of the box.  
     
     
         41 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein the slots are disposed in a center portion of the box.  
     
     
         42 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein the slots are disposed in a first panel of the box.  
     
     
         43 . The box of  claim 42 , wherein the opening is in a second panel of the box different than the first panel.  
     
     
         44 . The box of  claim 43 , wherein the first panel is opposite the second panel.  
     
     
         45 . The box of  claim 43 , wherein the first panel is adjacent the second panel.  
     
     
         46 . The box of  claim 42 , wherein a further group of slots is disposed in the first panel of the box transverse to the plurality of slots.  
     
     
         47 . The box of  claim 46 , wherein the plurality of slots is substantially centered between opposite ends of the box and wherein the slots of the further group of slots are parallel to one another and disposed adjacent one of the ends of the box.  
     
     
         48 . The box of  claim 47 , wherein the further group of slots comprise a pair of slots that is substantially centered between opposite faces of the box.  
     
     
         49 . The box of  claim 46 , wherein each slot is defined by a movable portion.  
     
     
         50 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein the longitudinal centerlines are spaced between about 1.1 inch (27.94 mm) and about 2.1 inches (53.34 mm) apart.  
     
     
         51 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein the longitudinal centerlines are spaced between about 1.4 inch (35.56 mm) and about 1.9 inch (48.26 mm) apart.  
     
     
         52 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein the longitudinal centerlines are spaced about 1.656 inch (42.0624 mm) apart.  
     
     
         53 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein each slot is between about 0.50 inch (12.7 mm) and about 1.50 inch (38.1 mm) in length.  
     
     
         54 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein each slot is between about 0.75 inch (19.05 mm) and about 1.25 inch (31.75 mm) in length.  
     
     
         55 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein each slot is about 1.00 inch (25.4 mm) in length.  
     
     
         56 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein each slot is spaced from an adjacent side panel between about 0.75 inch (19.05 mm) and about 1.25 inch (31.75 mm).  
     
     
         57 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein each slot is spaced from an adjacent side panel between about 0.90 inch (22.86 mm) and about 1.10 inch (27.94 mm).  
     
     
         58 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein each slot is spaced from an adjacent side panel about 1.031 inch (26.1874 mm).  
     
     
         59 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein each slot is between about 0.100 inch (2.54 mm) and about 0.150 inch (3.81 mm) in width.  
     
     
         60 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein each slot is between about 0.112 inch (2.8448 mm) and about 0.137 inch (3.4798 mm) in width.  
     
     
         61 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein each slot is about 0.125 inch (3.175 mm) in width.  
     
     
         62 . The box of  claim 35 , wherein the longitudinal centerlines are spaced about 1.656 inch (42.0624 mm) apart, each slot is about 1.00 inch (25.4 mm) in length, each slot is spaced from an adjacent side panel about 1.031 inch (26.1874 mm), and each slot is about 0.125 inch (3.175 mm) in width.  
     
     
         63 . A combination, comprising: 
 a box having a removable product opening section and a box mounting opening section wherein the box mounting opening section includes a pair of slots having centerlines that are not coincident; and    a hanging device having a first member for securing the hanging device to a surface and a second member extendable into the box mounting opening section for supporting the box.    
     
     
         64 . The combination of  claim 63 , further including a plurality of plastic storage pouches in the box with the hanging device.  
     
     
         65 . The combination of  claim 63 , wherein the hanging device includes a section of double-sided adhesive tape secured to the first member.  
     
     
         66 . The combination of  claim 63 , wherein the hanging device includes at least one mounting hole extending through the first member.  
     
     
         67 . The combination of  claim 63 , wherein the removable product opening section is disposed in a first panel of the box and the box mounting section is disposed in a second panel of the box different than the first panel.  
     
     
         68 . The combination of  claim 67 , wherein the first panel is adjacent the second panel.  
     
     
         69 . The combination of  claim 67 , wherein the first panel is opposite the second panel.  
     
     
         70 . The combination of  claim 63 , wherein the box mounting opening section includes movable portions defining the pair of slots.  
     
     
         71 . The combination of  claim 70 , wherein the slots have longitudinal centerlines that are parallel to one another.  
     
     
         72 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the longitudinal centerlines are spaced between about 1.1 inch (27.94 mm) and about 2.1 inch (53.34 mm) apart.  
     
     
         73 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the longitudinal centerlines are spaced between about 1.4 inch (35.56 mm) and about 1.9 inch (48.26 mm) apart.  
     
     
         74 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the longitudinal centerlines are spaced about 1.656 inch (42.0624 mm) apart.  
     
     
         75 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein each slot is between about 0.50 inch (12.7 mm) and about 1.50 inch (38.1 mm) in length.  
     
     
         76 . The combination of  claim 71. , wherein each slot is between about 0.75 inch (19.05 mm) and about 1.25 inch (31.75 mm) in length.  
     
     
         77 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein each slot is about 1.00 inch (25.4 mm) in length.  
     
     
         78 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein each slot is spaced from an adjacent side panel between about 0.75 inch (19.05 mm) and about 1.25 inch (31.75 mm).  
     
     
         79 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein each slot is spaced from an adjacent side panel between about 0.90 inch (22.86 mm) and about 1.10 inch (27.94 mm).  
     
     
         80 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein each slot is spaced from an adjacent side panel about 1.031 inch (26.1874 mm).  
     
     
         81 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein each slot is between about 0.100 inch (2.54 mm) and about 0.150 inch (3.81 mm) in width.  
     
     
         82 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein each slot is between about 0.112 inch (2.8448 mm) and about 0.137 inch (3.4798 mm) in width.  
     
     
         83 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein each slot is about 0.125 inch (3.175 mm) in width.  
     
     
         84 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the longitudinal centerlines are spaced about 1.656 inch (42.0624 mm) apart, each slot is about 1.00 inch (25.4 mm) in length, each slot is spaced from an adjacent side panel about 1.031 inch (26.1874 mm), and each slot is about 0.125 inch (3.175 mm) in width.  
     
     
         85 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the second member comprises a pair of arms insertable into the pair of slots.  
     
     
         86 . The combination of  claim 71 , wherein the second member comprises a plurality of arms insertable into the box mounting opening section.  
     
     
         87 . The combination of  claim 63 , wherein the box mounting opening section includes movable portions defining a plurality of pairs of slots.  
     
     
         88 . The combination of  claim 87 , wherein a first pair of slots is transverse to a second pair of slots.  
     
     
         89 . The combination of  claim 88 , wherein the first pair of slots is substantially centered between opposite ends of the box and wherein the second pair of slots is disposed adjacent one of the ends of the box and is substantially centered between opposite faces of the box.  
     
     
         90 . The combination of  claim 88 , wherein the second member comprises a pair of arms insertable into one of the pairs of slots.  
     
     
         91 . The combination of  claim 63 , wherein the hanging device further includes a flexible panel section movable into interfering relation with a portion of the box.  
     
     
         92 . The combination of  claim 63 , wherein the hanging device includes a pair of arms disposed on either side of a base surface.  
     
     
         93 . The combination of  claim 92 , wherein the hanging device includes a projection that has an engaging surface spaced from the base surface by a particular distance.  
     
     
         94 . The combination of  claim 93 , wherein each of the arms includes a curved engaging edge that is spaced from the base surface by a certain distance less than the particular distance.  
     
     
         95 . The combination of  claim 94 , wherein the projection tapers outwardly away from the base surface.  
     
     
         96 . The combination of  claim 94 , wherein the projection comprises an upstanding wall surrounding a central section.  
     
     
         97 . The combination of  claim 63 , wherein the box mounting opening section includes three movable portions defining three openings.  
     
     
         98 . The combination of  claim 63 , wherein the hanging device is disposed in the box.  
     
     
         99 . The combination of  claim 98 , wherein fastening means is also disposed in the box.  
     
     
         100 . A combination, comprising: 
 a box having a removable product opening section and a box mounting opening section wherein the box mounting opening section includes a single movable portion defining a single opening; and    a hanging device having a member for securing the hanging device to a surface and at least two arms extendable into the box mounting opening section for supporting the box.    
     
     
         101 . The combination of  claim 100 , wherein the mounting device includes three arms insertable into the single opening.  
     
     
         102 . The combination of  claim 100 , wherein each of the arms includes a curved engaging edge.  
     
     
         103 . The combination of  claim 100 , wherein the hanging device further includes means for forming an interference with the box