Apparatus and method of containing an object

Abstract

A container apparatus for the handling of at least one object is provided. The container apparatus generally includes a cover and a base. The cover includes an uppermost wall abutted in generally perpendicular relation to at least one cover sidewall. The base includes a lowermost wall abutted in generally perpendicular relation to at least one base sidewall. The at least one base sidewall is configured to slide with respect to and overlap the at least one cover sidewall. The container apparatus further includes a first and a second tube engaged at the uppermost wall and at the least one object, and a third and a fourth tube engaged at the lowermost base and at the at least one object.

1 . A container apparatus for at least one object, comprising:
 a cover having an uppermost wall abutted in generally perpendicular relation to at least one cover sidewall;   a base having a lowermost wall abutted in generally perpendicular relation to at least one base sidewall, wherein the at least one base sidewall is configured to slide with respect to and overlap the at least one cover sidewall;   a first and a second tube engaged at the uppermost wall and at the least one object; and   a third and a fourth tube engaged at the lowermost base and at the at least one object.   
   
   
       2 . The container apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the tubes includes a hollow core. 
   
   
       3 . The container apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second tubes extend from a first cover sidewall to a second cover sidewall located opposite the first cover sidewall, and wherein the third and fourth tubes extend from a first base sidewall to a second base sidewall opposite the first base sidewall. 
   
   
       4 . The container apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the tubes is comprised of a silicone rubber composition. 
   
   
       5 . The container apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein there is no adhesive attaching the first and second tubes at the cover and no adhesive attaching the third and fourth tubes at the base. 
   
   
       6 . The container apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first tube is engaged against the uppermost wall and a first cover sidewall, and wherein the second tube is engaged against the uppermost wall and a second cover sidewall located opposite the first cover sidewall. 
   
   
       7 . The container apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first wedge and second wedge engaged at opposed ends of the at least object in support a vertical alignment of the at least one object. 
   
   
       8 . The container apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second wedges are both engaged against the lowermost wall of the base, and wherein the first and second wedges are located between the third and fourth tubes, respectively, and the at least one base sidewall. 
   
   
       9 . The container apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the third and fourth tubes are located between the first and second wedges and the lowermost wall of the base. 
   
   
       10 . A method of containing at least one object for shipment, the method comprising the acts of:
 providing a cover having an uppermost wall and at least sidewall abutted in general perpendicular relation to the uppermost wall;   providing a base having a lowermost wall abutted in generally perpendicular relation to at least one base sidewall, wherein the at least one base sidewall is configured to slide with respect to and overlap the at least one cover sidewall;   placing a first and a second tube engaged against an uppermost wall at opposed ends of the uppermost wall;   placing a third and a fourth tube engaged at the lowermost wall of the base;   placing the at least at least one object in the base and against the third and fourth tubes;   placing the cover in sliding relation with the base so as to enclose the at least one object; and   engaging the first and second tubes against the at least one object opposite the third and fourth tubes.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein each of the tubes includes a hollow core. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second tubes extend from a first cover sidewall to a second cover sidewall located opposite the first cover sidewall, and wherein the third and fourth tubes extend from a first base sidewall to a second base sidewall opposite the first base sidewall. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein each of the tubes is comprised of a silicone rubber composition. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the method does not include applying an adhesive to attach the first and second tubes at the cover nor to attach the third and fourth tubes at the base. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the act of engaging the first and second tubes also includes engaging the first and second tubes against respective opposed sidewalls of the cover. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising placing a first wedge and a second wedge engaged at opposed ends of the at least object in support a vertical alignment of the at least one object. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the act of placing the first and second wedges also includes engaging the first and second wedges against the lowermost wall of the base such that the first and second wedges are located between the third and fourth tubes, respectively, and the at least one base sidewall. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the act of placing the third and fourth tubes includes placing the third and fourth tubes between the first and second wedges, respectively, and the lowermost wall of the base. 
   
   
       19 . A container apparatus for a plurality of glass slides, comprising:
 a cover having an uppermost wall abutted in generally perpendicular relation to opposed first and second cover sidewalls;   a base having a lowermost wall abutted in generally perpendicular relation to the opposed first and second base sidewalls, wherein the first and second base sidewalls are configured to overlap the first and second cover sidewalls;   a first and a second tube engaged at the uppermost wall of the cover and at the uppermost edge of the plurality of glass slides; and   a third and a fourth tube engaged at the lowermost base and at the lowermost edge of the plurality of glass slides,   
     wherein each of the tubes includes a hollow core and is comprised of a silicone rubber composition, and wherein the first and second tubes extend from the first cover sidewall to the second cover sidewall, and wherein the third and fourth tubes extend from the first base sidewall to the second base sidewall. 
   
   
       20 . The container apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first tube is engaged against both the uppermost wall of the cover and a third cover sidewall, and wherein the second tube is engaged against both the uppermost wall of the cover and a fourth cover sidewall located opposite the third cover sidewall, the third and fourth cover sidewalls both aligned generally perpendicular to the first and second cover sidewalls and to the uppermost wall of the cover.