Package assembly enclosing a plurality of communication connector jacks and method of use

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to a package assembly for enclosing a plurality of communication connector jacks (e.g., a plurality of electrical connector jacks) in an enclosure from which the communication connector jacks can be easily removed. In an embodiment, a package assembly includes an enclosure defining a plurality of compartments and a plurality of communication connector jacks. Each communication connector jack may be positioned in a corresponding one of the compartments.

1 . A package assembly, comprising:
 an enclosure defining a plurality of compartments; and   a plurality of communication connector jacks, each communication connector jack positioned in a corresponding one of the compartments.   
   
   
       2 . The package assembly of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises:
 a blister member defining a plurality of recesses, each communication connector jack positioned in a corresponding one of the recesses; and   a backing bonded to the blister member to close each recess and form the plurality of compartments with the blister member.   
   
   
       3 . The package assembly of  claim 2  wherein the backing comprises a blister card or a foil backing. 
   
   
       4 . The package assembly of  claim 2  wherein the backing comprises a plurality of externally visible sequential numerals positioned thereon, each externally visible sequential numeral positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of the recesses. 
   
   
       5 . The package assembly of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises a flange section having at least one hole formed therein. 
   
   
       6 . The package assembly of  claim 1  wherein each communication connector jack is oriented in a corresponding one of the compartments in the same selected orientation and dimensioned relative to the compartment to inhibit changing the selected orientation. 
   
   
       7 . The package assembly of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of enclosure sections, each enclosure section including a corresponding one of the compartments and separated from at least one adjacent one of the enclosure sections by a perforation line. 
   
   
       8 . The package assembly of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises a plurality of enclosure sections interconnected with each other to form a coilable strip, each enclosure section including a corresponding one of the compartments. 
   
   
       9 . The package assembly of  claim 8 , further comprising a housing that holds a shaft around which the coilable strip is coiled and includes an opening through which the coilable strip can be manually advanced therethrough. 
   
   
       10 . The package assembly of  claim 9  wherein each enclosure section comprises an externally visible identifier positioned thereon that indicates a number of remaining ones of the enclosure sections extending therefrom into the housing. 
   
   
       11 . The package assembly of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises a visible identifier positioned on an exterior thereof that indicates the number of the communication connector jacks. 
   
   
       12 . The package assembly of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises a visible identifier positioned on an exterior thereof that indicates the configuration of the plurality of communication connector jacks. 
   
   
       13 . The package assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing receiving the enclosure. 
   
   
       14 . The package assembly of  claim 13  wherein the housing comprises a visible identifier positioned on an exterior thereof that indicates at least one of the following: the number of the communication connector jacks and a configuration of the plurality of communication connector jacks. 
   
   
       15 . The package assembly of  claim 1  wherein each communication connector jack is an electrical connector jack or an optical connector jack. 
   
   
       16 . The package assembly of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises:
 a shell member including a plurality of recesses formed therein; and   a backing removably attached to the shell member to close each recess and form the plurality of compartments.   
   
   
       17 . The package assembly of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises:
 a first shell member defining a plurality of first recesses each of which receives a corresponding one of the communication connector jacks; and   a second shell member hingedly connected to the first shell member and defining a plurality of second recesses each of which receives a corresponding one of the communication connector jacks.   
   
   
       18 . A method, comprising:
 removing at least one of a plurality of communication connector jacks from an enclosure housing each communication connector jack in a corresponding compartment; and   installing the at least one communication connector jack.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein removing at least one of a plurality of communication connector jacks from an enclosure housing each communication connector jack in a corresponding compartment comprises pressing the at least one communication connector jack through a backing that forms part of the enclosure. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein removing at least one of a plurality of communication connector jacks from an enclosure housing each communication connector jack in a corresponding compartment comprises relatively rotating a backing away from a shell member to provide access to the at least one communication connector jack. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein removing at least one of a plurality of communication connector jacks from an enclosure housing each communication connector jack in a corresponding compartment comprises relatively rotating a first shell member away from a second shell member to provide access to the at least one communication connector jack. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 :
 wherein the enclosure defines a coilable strip and is housed by a housing; and   further comprising advancing the coilable strip out of the housing prior to or after the act of removing at least one of a plurality of communication connector jacks from an enclosure.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 18  wherein each communication connector jack is oriented in a corresponding one of the compartments in substantially the same selected orientation.