Storage box for HotWheelsR or MatchboxR die-cast model vehicles

Abstract

A sturdy, plastic storage container for die-cast model vehicles contained in blister packages. The storage container has two webs separating the storage container into three compartments. The compartments are sized and dimensioned to hold a discrete number of rows of blister packages in which the model vehicles are individually packed. The storage container itself is transparent and securely stackable with other storage containers of the same design.

1 . A container for storing and displaying die-cast model vehicles marketed under the brands of HotWheels® and Matchbox®, said die-cast model vehicles individually disposed in transparent blister packages, said blister packages having predetermined height, width and thickness, said container comprising: 
 a transparent box characterized by side panels and a bottom panel, said side panels being substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel;    two webs integrally formed with the bottom panel, said webs extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom panel and said webs having a uniform thickness, wherein the webs separate the box into a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment;    wherein the first, second and third compartments are each sized and dimensioned to hold a discrete number of rows of blister packages.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first and second webs extend a distance from the bottom panel that is less than the predetermined width of the blister package.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the box has dimensions of about 4.75 inches by about 15.88 inches by about 15.44 inches.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the webs extend about 3.5 inches from the bottom panel.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the two webs are characterized by having sides and wherein each side of each web deviates from being perpendicular to the bottom panel by less than one degree.  
   
   
       6 . A container for storing Hot-Wheels® and Matchbox® cars in their original blister packs, wherein the blister packs have a backing and a transparent blister, are characterized by a predetermined thickness, width and height, are further characterized by an extension of the backing, and wherein the blisters are characterized by a predetermined height which is smaller that the height of the blister pack, said container characterized by a bottom and outer walls establishing a height, width and depth for the container, wherein the container is further characterized in that: 
 at least one web is disposed within the container, extending upwardly within the container, thereby dividing the container into at least two compartments, said webs having a height substantially less than the width of the blister packs, said webs being substantially perpendicular to the bottom of the container, said webs having a substantially uniform thickness;    the compartments established by the webs are sized and dimensioned such that they closely accommodate a discrete number of rows of blister packages across the width of the compartment, and a discrete number of blister packages along the height of the compartment; and    the container is transparent.    
   
   
       7 . A method of storing die-cast model vehicles, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a container for storing and displaying die-cast model vehicles marketed under the brands of HotWheels® and Matchbox®, said die-cast model vehicles individually disposed in transparent blister packages, said blister packages having predetermined height, width and thickness, said container comprising: 
 a transparent box characterized by side panels and a bottom panel, said side panels being substantially perpendicular to the bottom panel;  
 two webs integrally formed with the bottom panel, said webs extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom panel and said webs having a uniform thickness, wherein the webs separate the box into a first compartment, a second compartment and a third compartment;  
 wherein the first, second and third compartments are each sized and dimensioned to hold a discrete number of rows of blister packages;  
   placing a discrete number of rows of blister packages into a compartment; and    providing a lid capable of being removably attached to the box and attaching the lid to the box.