Ferrule packages, packaging devices, and related methods

Abstract

A ferrule package includes a plurality of ferrules and a packaging device configured for containing the ferrules in a uniform orientation. A selected ferrule may be removed by moving an aperture into alignment with a receptacle containing the ferrule inserting an insert such as a tube into a bore of the ferrule, and removing the selected ferrule from the receptacle while the ferrule is on the insert. The ferrule may be removed without making contact with the ferrule.

1 . A ferrule package, comprising:
 a plurality of ferrules; and   a packaging device configured for containing the ferrules in a uniform orientation, and comprising:   a base;   a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle comprising a receptacle wall adjoined to the base and defining an opening, wherein each receptacle wall is coaxial with a receptacle axis and configured for limiting an angle to which a ferrule contained in the receptacle is tiltable from the receptacle axis; and   a cover engaging the base and comprising an aperture, wherein the cover is movable relative to the base between a closed position at which the cover covers all of the openings, and a plurality of open positions at which the aperture exposes the respective openings.   
     
     
         2 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle wall is configured for limiting tilting of the ferrule to less than 45 degrees from the receptacle axis. 
     
     
         3 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle is spaced from the corresponding ferrule by a gap having a dimension transverse to the receptacle axis, and when the ferrule is aligned with the receptacle axis the dimension ranges from 0% to 60% of a length of the ferrule. 
     
     
         4 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle comprises a bottom axially opposite the opening, each receptacle has a height from the bottom to the opening that is no greater than 30% of a height of a ferrule contained in the receptacle, and the opening has a cross-sectional area no greater than 60% of the cross-sectional area of the ferrule. 
     
     
         5 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle comprises a bottom axially opposite the opening, and each receptacle wall is configured such that a cross-sectional area of the receptacle at the bottom is less than the cross-sectional area at the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The ferrule package of  claim 5 , wherein at least a portion of the receptacle wall is tapered. 
     
     
         7 . The ferrule package of  claim 5 , wherein the receptacle wall comprises a shoulder at which the cross-sectional area is reduced. 
     
     
         8 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein each receptacle wall has an alignment feature shaped complementarily to at least a portion of a ferrule contained in the receptacle. 
     
     
         9 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein each ferrule has a bore facing the opening, and the receptacle is configured to limit tilting of the ferrule such that the bore is unobstructed through the opening. 
     
     
         10 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle axes have an orientation selected from the group consisting of: the receptacle axes are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the base; the receptacle axes are at an angle to the base; the receptacle axes are parallel to the base; and the receptacle axes are parallel to the base and circumferentially arranged about a longitudinal axis passing perpendicularly through the base. 
     
     
         11 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle axes are parallel to the base and circumferentially arranged about a longitudinal axis passing perpendicularly through the base, and the base comprises a plurality of grooves circumferentially arranged about the longitudinal axis, each groove extending outwardly from the opening of at least one receptacle. 
     
     
         12 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a base plate and a base wall extending outward from the base plate, and the receptacle walls are adjoined to the base wall. 
     
     
         13 . The ferrule package of  claim 12 , wherein the base wall has an orientation selected from the group consisting of: the base wall is perpendicular to the plate; and the base wall is at an angle to the plate. 
     
     
         14 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a first locking member and the cover comprises a second locking member releasably engaging the first locking member such that the cover is releasably lockable at the closed position, or at the closed position and at one or more of the open positions. 
     
     
         15 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacles are coaxially disposed about a central axis, and the cover is rotatable relative to the base between the closed position and the open positions. 
     
     
         16 . The ferrule package of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacles are disposed in a linear arrangement, and the cover is linearly translatable relative to the base between the closed position and the open positions. 
     
     
         17 . A method for removing a ferrule from a ferrule package, the method comprising:
 selecting a ferrule from a plurality of ferrules stored in a uniform orientation in a respective plurality of receptacles of the ferrule package;   moving a cover of the ferrule package from a closed position to an open position wherein, at the closed position the cover covers all of the receptacles, and at the open position an aperture of the cover is aligned with an opening of the receptacle in which the selected ferrule is stored;   inserting an insert through the aperture and the opening and into a bore of the ferrule; and   removing the selected ferrule from the receptacle without making contact with the selected ferrule by sliding the selected ferrule on the insert.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein removing the selected ferrule comprises performing a step selected from the group consisting of: manipulating the insert; manipulating the ferrule package; turning the ferrule package such that the ferrule is slidable on the insert by gravity; and a combination of two of more of the foregoing. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein each receptacle has a receptacle axis, each ferrule is stored such that the bore lies along the receptacle axis and an end of the ferrule faces the aperture at the open position, and removing the selected ferrule comprises moving the selected ferrule out from the receptacle along the receptacle axis. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein each receptacle has a receptacle axis, each ferrule is stored such that the bore lies along the receptacle axis and an end of the ferrule is perpendicular to the aperture at the open position, and removing the selected ferrule comprises manipulating the insert to tilt the ferrule away from the receptacle axis until the end of the ferrule is movable through the aperture without obstruction.