Storage device for light bulbs

Abstract

An apparatus for storing light bulbs and other articles for maintaining an office or residence habitation, comprising one or more layers of low density material. A plurality of cavities are formed in at least a first layer, each cavity shaped to conform to and retain therewithin the light bulb or other maintenance article.

1 . An apparatus for storing light bulbs, comprising: 
 a unitary block of resilient, low density material and having at least first and second substantially parallel sides spaced a predetermined distance apart;    a plurality of cavities formed in the block, each cavity having an outline shape corresponding to a silhouette of a light bulb to be stored therein, at least a single opening to the first side of the block, and spaced from adjacent cavities according to a cross section dimension of the light bulbs to be stored therein;    wherein at least a portion of each cavity has a reduced cross section dimension to enable the portion of the cavity to exert a retaining pressure upon the bulb stored therein.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the block is configured to fit within a predetermined container.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the container is selected from the group consisting of a box, a tray, a tub, a carton, a sleeve, a shelf system, and a cabinet.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cavities open to both first and second sides of the block.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a base section of rigid, low density material attached to the second side of the block to form a floor for the plurality of cavities.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the base section is fabricated of a material selected from the group consisting of expanded polystyrene (EPS), paperboard, or thermoplastic.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the base section includes at least one cavity aligned with and extending a corresponding cavity in the resilient block at least partially into the base section.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein a thin base section panel of the same resilient, low density material as used for the block to form a floor for the plurality of cavities.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material is substantially homogeneous and has a density exceeding 0.5 pounds per cubic foot (pcf).  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material is polyurethane (PU) foam having a density in the range of 0.8 to 1.5 pounds per cubic foot (pcf).  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein no cavity opens to the second side of the block.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the outline shape of at least a portion of the cavity is reduced in scale to retain the light bulb stored therein in a snug manner.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the reduction in scale is at least 5%.  
   
   
       14 . An apparatus for storing maintenance articles for office and residence habitations, comprising: 
 a first unitary layer of a resilient, low density material having first and second substantially parallel sides spaced a first predetermined distance apart;    at least a first cavity formed in the first layer, the first cavity having an outline shape corresponding to a silhouette of a first maintenance article to be stored therein, at least a single opening to the first side of the block, and spaced from an adjacent cavity by a second predetermined distance;    at least a second cavity formed in the first layer, the second cavity having an outline shape corresponding to a silhouette of a second maintenance article to be stored therein, at least a single opening to the first side of the first layer, and spaced from an adjacent cavity according to the second predetermined distance;    a second unitary layer of substantially rigid, low density material having first and second sides, wherein the first side of the second layer is attached to the second side of the first layer; and    at least one cavity formed in the second layer is aligned with and forms a portion of a corresponding cavity in the first layer when the second layer is attached to the second side of the first layer;    wherein at least a portion of each cavity in the first layer has a reduced cross section dimension to enable the portion of each cavity so reduced to exert a retaining pressure upon the article stored therein.    
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first maintenance article is a light bulb and the second maintenance article is an item other than a light bulb.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the second maintenance article is selected from the group consisting of batteries, paint, caulk, paint brushes, spackle, nail packs and lubricating oil.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the resilient, low density material is polyurethane having a density of at least 0.5 pounds per cubic foot and the rigid, low density material is expanded polystyrene having a density of at least 0.5 pounds per cubic foot.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein an assembly of the first and second layers, wherein the second layer is attached to the first layer, is configured to fit within a predetermined container.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the container is selected from the group consisting of a box, a tray, a tub, a carton, a sleeve, a shelf system, and a cabinet.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the cross section dimension is reduced approximately 5%.  
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein: 
 a third layer of adhesive is interposed between the first and second layers to attach the first side of the second layer to the second side of the first layer.