Packaging device for fasteners

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for packaging fasteners such as screws, that is to be worn by a user. The packaging device includes a tray with a plurality of wells, each well accommodating the shank of a respective fastener. An attachment device is used for securing a tray to a user. In a preferred dispensing method, fasteners may be dispensed from the tray using a magnetized screwdriver bit which is placed over the head of the fastener, followed by withdrawing the screwdriver bit with the fastener magnetically attached.

1 . An apparatus for packaging fasteners to be worn by a user, said apparatus comprising: 
 a tray having a plurality of wells, each said well being sized to accommodate a shank of a respective fastener therein; and    an attachment device which secures the tray to the user.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said tray has a first side opposite to a second side; and wherein said plurality of wells comprises a first set of said wells in said first side and a second set of said wells in said second side.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said first set of said wells is offset longitudinally with respect to said second set of wells.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each said well is sized to hold the associated fastener by friction.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each said well has a well diameter less than a shank diameter of the fastener.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each said well has a diameter at least as large as a shank diameter of the fastener.  
   
   
       7 . A method for dispensing fasteners, said method comprising the steps of: 
 attaching a tray having a plurality of wells with a respective shank of a fastener disposed therein to a user;    placing a magnetized screwdriver bit over the fastener;    withdrawing the screwdriver bit with the fastener magnetically attached thereto from the tray.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , said tray further comprising an adhesive surface formed on said tray for securing the fasteners in said wells.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said attaching step includes strapping the tray to a wrist of the user.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said attaching step includes attaching the tray to a belt worn by the user.  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for packaging fasteners, said apparatus comprising: 
 a tray having a plurality of wells, each said well being sized to accommodate a shank of a respective fastener therein; and    said tray has a first side opposite to a second side and wherein said plurality of wells comprises a first set of said wells in said first side and a second set of said wells in said second side.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of bores, each said bore (a) being associated with an entrance of a respective said well, (b) having a bore diameter greater than a well diameter of said well and (c) accommodating a head of the fasteners.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said first set of said wells are offset longitudinally with respect to said second set of wells.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each said well is sized to hold the associated fastener by friction.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each said well has a well diameter less than a shank diameter of the fastener.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each said well has a diameter at least as large as a shank diameter of the fastener.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein each said well has a diameter greater than a shank diameter of the fastener.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising an adhesive surface formed on said tray for securing the fasteners in said wells.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein said tray is formed from two plastic molded shells joined to each other.  
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for packaging fasteners to be worn by a user, said apparatus comprising: 
 a tray having a plurality of openings, each said opening being sized to accommodate a shank of a respective fastener therein; and    an attachment device which secures the tray to the user.    
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said tray has a first side opposite to a second side; and wherein said plurality of openings comprises a first set of said openings in said first side and a second set of said openings in said second side.  
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein said first set of said openings is offset longitudinally with respect to said second set of openings.  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein each said opening is sized to hold the associated fastener by an adhesive.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein each said opening has a diameter greater than a shank diameter of the fastener.  
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein said tray is formed from plastic.