Device, system and method for storing string-like articles

Abstract

A device for storing elongated articles is provided. The elongated articles may include semi-rigid articles or string-like articles such as a string of lights. The device comprises a flared section and an elongated section, wherein the device is handheld and an elongated article can be fed through the flared section and through the elongated section such that the elongated article can be fed into packaging material as the elongated article exits the elongated section. The flared section has a hollow interior defining a first passageway, and the elongated section has a hollow interior defining a second passageway, wherein the first passageway communicates with the second passageway and the elongated section is longer than the flared section. In addition, the flared section and the elongated section are concentric and tubular. The elongated section has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end have substantially the same width. The flared section has a first end and a second end, wherein the second end has a larger width than the first end, and the second end of the elongated section adjoins the first end of the flared section. In addition, both ends of the device have a ridge that is substantially smooth, and each ridge is annular and concentric with their respective sections of the device. A system for storing elongated articles also is provided. The system comprises the device and packaging material, wherein the packaging material comprises an elongated sheath of non-rigid material. Further, a method for storing elongated articles also is provided.

1 . A device for storing an elongated article, the device comprising:
 a flared section, having a hollow interior defining a first passageway; and   an elongated section, having a hollow interior defining a second passageway, wherein the first passageway communicates with the second passageway, the elongated section being longer than the flared section,   wherein the device is a handheld device and an elongated article can be fed through the flared section and through the elongated section such that the elongated article can be fed into packaging material as the elongated article exits the elongated section.   
   
   
       2 . The device for storing an elongated article of  claim 1 , wherein the flared section and the elongated section are concentric. 
   
   
       3 . The device for storing an elongated article of  claim 2 , wherein both the flared section and the elongated section are tubular. 
   
   
       4 . The device for storing an elongated article of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the elongated section has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end have substantially the same width; and   the flared section has a first end and a second end, wherein the second end has a larger width than the first end, and the second end of the elongated section adjoins the first end of the flared section.   
   
   
       5 . The device for storing an elongated article of  claim 3 , wherein:
 the elongated section has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end have substantially the same diameter; and   the flared section has a first end and a second end, wherein the second end has a larger diameter than the first end, and the second end of the elongated section adjoins the first end of the flared section.   
   
   
       6 . The device for storing an elongated article of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first end of the elongated section has a ridge that is substantially smooth.   
   
   
       7 . The device for storing an elongated article of  claim 6 , wherein:
 the second end of the flared section has a ridge that is substantially smooth.   
   
   
       8 . The device for storing an elongated article of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first end of the elongated section has a ridge that is substantially smooth, and the second end of the flared section has a ridge that is substantially smooth.   
   
   
       9 . The device for storing an elongated article of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the ridges on the first end of the elongated section and on the second end of the flared section are annular.   
   
   
       10 . The device for storing an elongated article of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the ridge on the first end of the elongated section is concentric with the first end of the elongated section, and the ridge on the second end of the flared section is concentric with the second end of the flared section.   
   
   
       11 . A system for storing at least one elongated article, the system comprising:
 packaging material, the packaging material being an elongated sheath of non-rigid material; and   a device for storing an elongated article, the device comprising:
 a flared section, having a hollow interior defining a first passageway; and 
 an elongated section, having a hollow interior defining a second passageway, wherein the first passageway communicates with the second passageway, the elongated section being longer than the flared section, 
 wherein the device is a handheld device and an elongated article can be fed through the flared section and through the elongated section such that the elongated article can be fed into packaging material as the elongated article exits the elongated section. 
   
   
   
       12 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 10 , wherein the flared section and the elongated section are concentric. 
   
   
       13 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 11 , wherein both the flared section and the elongated section are tubular. 
   
   
       14 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the elongated section has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end have substantially the same width; and   the flared section has a first end and a second end, wherein the second end has a larger width than the first end, and the second end of the elongated section adjoins the first end of the flared section.   
   
   
       15 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the elongated section has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end and the second end have substantially the same diameter; and   the flared section has a first end and a second end, wherein the second end has a larger diameter than the first end, and the second end of the elongated section adjoins the first end of the flared section.   
   
   
       16 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first end of the elongated section has a ridge that is substantially smooth.   
   
   
       17 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the second end of the flared section has a ridge that substantially smooth.   
   
   
       18 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the first end of the elongated section has a ridge that is substantially smooth and the second end of the flared section has a ridge that is substantially smooth.   
   
   
       19 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the ridges on the first end of the elongated section and on the second end of the flared section are annular.   
   
   
       20 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the ridge on the first end of the elongated section is concentric with the first end of the elongated section, and the ridge on the second end of the flared section is concentric with the second end of the flared section.   
   
   
       21 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the packaging material is a roll of packaging material that abuts the flared section while surrounding the elongated section.   
   
   
       22 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 16 , wherein:
 the ridge, while allowing movement of the roll onto the elongated section, resists movement of the roll off of the elongated section.   
   
   
       23 . A method for storing an elongated article, the method comprising:
 providing a device comprising:
 a flared section, having a hollow interior defining a first passageway; and 
 an elongated section, having a hollow interior defining a second passageway, wherein the first passageway communicates with the second passageway, the elongated section being longer than the flared section, 
 wherein the device is a handheld device and an elongated article can be fed through the flared section and through the elongated section such that the elongated article can be fed into packaging material as the elongated article exits the elongated section; 
   providing packaging material, the packaging material being an elongated sheath of non-rigid material;   placing the packaging material over the elongated section of the device;   inserting the elongated article into the flared section of the device, through the flared section, through the elongated section, and out of the elongated section;   as the elongated article is exiting the device, unraveling the packaging material off of the elongated section such that the elongated article is threaded into the packaging material.   
   
   
       24 . The method for storing an elongated article of  claim 23 , further comprising:
 when the elongated article is fully enshrouded in the packaging material, if there remains additional packaging material on the device, cutting the packaging material such that the additional packaging material remains on the elongated section of the device.   
   
   
       25 . The method for storing an elongated article of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 clipping one or both ends of the elongated article to the packaging material in a non-permanent manner.   
   
   
       26 . The method for storing a plurality of elongated articles comprising the method of  claim 24 , wherein:
 sufficient packaging material is provided for storing a plurality of elongated articles; and   after a first elongated article is inserted into the device, and threaded into packaging material, and the packaging material is cut, inserting and threading at least a second elongated article, and cutting the packaging material in accordance with the method of  claim 24 ; and   inserting and threading any additional elongated articles into the packaging material, and cutting the packaging material in accordance with the method of  claim 24  until there are no more elongated articles to store or there exists insufficient packaging material remaining on the device.   
   
   
       27 . A system for storing an elongated article, the system comprising:
 a device for storing an elongated article, the device comprising:
 a flared section, having a hollow interior defining a first passageway; and 
 an elongated section, having a hollow interior defining a second passageway, wherein the first passageway communicates with the second passageway, the elongated section being longer than the flared section, 
 wherein the device is a handheld device and an elongated article can be fed through the flared section and through the elongated section such that the elongated article can be fed into packaging material as the elongated article exits the elongated section; and 
   a roll of packaging material mounted on the device, the roll having an interior portion and an exterior portion, wherein the interior portion of the roll is disposed about the device.   
   
   
       28 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 27 , wherein the roll of packaging material is a wound up, hollow bundle of packaging material. 
   
   
       29 . The system for storing an elongated article of  claim 28 , wherein the hollow bundle of the roll defines a passageway and the device extends through the passageway of the roll when the roll is mounted on the device such that the roll is conveniently stored on the device.