Integrated storage, organization, and display unit

Abstract

A thermoformed storage and display unit comprised of a platform base and detachable lid. The base and lid are made of thermoformed plastic and can display items in upright position for easy access, with the lid preferably formed from plastic possessing sufficient transparency to permit the viewing of stored materials even when the lid is fitted over the base. The unit also possesses a generally rectangular in geometry with angled (5°) slots for display. The slots may further include protrusions for better holding and supporting the items being displayed.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A storage and display unit comprising:
 a base unit having a plurality of support walls supporting an elevated, top surface with a plurality of slots integrally formed thereon, each slot having a pair of side walls forming a V-shaped indentation, and   a cover that removably fits over the base unit.   
     
     
         2 . A storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein the cover is detachable from the display unit. 
     
     
         3 . A storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein the cover is selectively snap-fitted along its bottom edge to the base unit to encase any objects held within any of the slots. 
     
     
         4 . A storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein the cover is selectively snap-fitted along its top edge to the base unit to hold the base unit in an elevated, display position. 
     
     
         5 . A storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein each slot includes a plurality of protrusions formed on one or both side walls. 
     
     
         6 . A storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein the support walls define an elevated height for the top surface and wherein each V-shaped indentation has a depth that is less than the elevated height. 
     
     
         7 . A storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein all of the side walls in each V-shaped indentation form an angle, measured relative to an axis orthogonal to the top surface, that is between 0 and 30 degrees. 
     
     
         8 . A storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein the protrusions are parallel to the angle. 
     
     
         9 . A storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein all of the side walls are formed at the same angle. 
     
     
         10 . A storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein the angle is 5 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . A storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of slots are arranged in a regular matrix. 
     
     
         12 . A transportable arrangement comprising a plurality of storage and display units according to  claim 1  wherein the base unit of a first storage and display unit is fitted onto the cover of a second storage and display unit. 
     
     
         13 . A display arrangement comprising at least one storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein the cover of a first storage and display unit is removed and positioned under the base unit of the first storage and display unit in an engaged manner. 
     
     
         14 . The display arrangement of  claim 13  further comprising a second storage and display unit wherein the cover of a second storage and display unit is removed and the second storage and display unit is positioned adjacent to the first storage and display unit to create a stadium-style display. 
     
     
         15 . The storage and display unit according to  claim 1  wherein at least one support rib is formed in the base unit and/or the cover. 
     
     
         16 . The storage and display unit according to  claim 15  wherein separate support ribs are formed in both the base unit and in a top surface of the cover and wherein the support ribs of the base unit are oriented orthogonally to the support ribs formed in the cover. 
     
     
         17 . The storage and display unit according to  claim 15  wherein a plurality of support ribs are formed in the cover along a pair of opposing side walls. 
     
     
         18 . The storage and display unit according to  claim 17  wherein the plurality of support ribs include two offsetting sets of ribs. 
     
     
         19 . The storage and display unit according to  claim 17  wherein one of the sets of ribs is spaced apart from a bottom edge of the cover. 
     
     
         20 . The storage and display unit according to  claim 17  wherein at least one of the support ribs has a parabola U-shape.