US3618750A

US3618750A - Storage and dispensing receptacles

Info

Publication number: US3618750A
Application number: US864484A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth Reiner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-10-07
Filing date: 1969-10-07
Publication date: 1971-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 1988-11-09

Abstract

This invention relates to special receptacles of a type intended specifically for the storage and use of nested tubular articles. The distinguishing feature of this invention is that the receptacle, in closed position, contains nested tubular articles in a minimum of space, i.e. one within the other, and is so constructed that in the open position the nested tubular articles may be raised varying heights so as to be selectively available to the user. Examples, as shown and described, are for the storage and presentation for use of hair rollers and of the type used by women in setting their hair.

Description

United States Patent [54] STORAGE AND DISPENSING RECEPTACLES 8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

3,273,701 9/1966 Friedman 3,190,438 6/1965 Cain et al 206/45 3,128,882 4/1964 Kardulas 206/65 K X 1,799,994 4/1931 Sternberg... 312/73 1,647,210 11/1927 Bryans ..206/D|G. l1 UX FOREIGN PATENTS 342,909 2/1931 Great Britain 206/412 Primary Examiner- Leonard Summer Attorney-T. L. Stam ABSTRACT: This invention relates to special receptacles of a type intended specifically for the storage and use of nested tubular articles. The distinguishing feature of this invention is that the receptacle, in closed position, contains nested tubular articles in a minimum of space, i.e. one within the other, and is so constructed that in the open position the nested tubular articles may be raised varying heights so as to be selectively available to the user. Examples, as shown and described, are for the storage and presentation for use of hair rollers and of the type used by women in setting their hair.

PATENTEUuuv 9 Ian SHEET 1 [IF 3 STORAGE AND DISPENSING RECEPTACLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is in the field of special receptacles and more specifically in the field of special receptacles adapted to store a plurality of nestable articles of different sizes in a minimum of space when the receptacle is closed and to present the articles in a convenient elevated dispensing or display array when the receptacle is open.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many arrangements have been known for disposing tubular articles of different sizes in a single arrangement for storage and use. As an example, hair roller devices of various sizes, as

used in the curling, setting or other treatment of hair have long presented a problem. The present invention and its relation to the prior art is described as applied to such hair rollers although it should be obvious that it could apply to the storage and dispensing of any nestable articles such as V-forms, or tubular articles or the like.

In the use of hair rollers, a plurality of sizes of such devices may be utilized in setting a head of hair by beauticians, or by individuals caring for their own hair. As many as a dozen or more of such rollers may be utilized in such setting. It is also true that the different sizes required may vary from as little as k inch to 2 inches or more in outer diameter. It follows then that a user of such devices, in order to have sufficient variety of sizes in adequate quantity for all purposes requires a large number of rollers in a variety of sizes in order to have a sufficient quantity for all purposes and for all types of hair styles. Thishas posed a continuing problem in the storage and arrangement of hair rollers for use. Professional beauticians have utilized work tables or benches with receptacles to hold the rollers and, more recently, this has given way to various pegboard like arrangements in which individual rollers of different sizes are taken from, and restored to, individual recesses, pegs, or other protrusions, in order to be arrayed in a neat, orderly, and accessible arrangement. This has further advanced to arrangements wherein a generally tapered or stepped peg is used so that nested rollers of different sizes, dropped over the peg will be supported at different heights above the peg base so that rollers of different sizes are supported at different elevations of the peg, thus permitting simpler and more rapid selection of any size roller in time of use.

Thus, there has been an awareness of the need for the provision of orderly arrangements for such articles, for storage and dispensing purposes and an effort to reduce the space required for storage and use. However, prior to the present invention there has been no device available for storing such devices in less space when not in use by providing structure to permit the articles to be substantially fully nested in the closed condition of the containing receptacle and adapted to be elevated in a convenient array for use in the open condition. Thus, the prior art roller storage devices occupied considerable space in drawers or in luggage when not in use; wastefully occupied too much space when commercially shipped; and were often impractical for use by professional beauticians because of the severe space limitation in beauty salon storage areas which prohibited placement of prior art nesting devices by reason of their fixed height dimension.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide receptacles for holding nested articles in a minimum of space for shipment or storage in the closed condition of the receptacles and to present them in a convenient array in the open condition of the receptacles.

A further object of the invention is to provide collapsible means adapted to provide supports of varying size for supporting various sizes of tubular articles at different heights above the base of such means when in extended position.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle having collapsible pedestal means which lie flat in the closed condition of the receptacle and which are adapted to be elevated in the open condition of the receptacle, whereby to provide individual support surfaces for tubular articles of varying sizes, there being means related to the receptacle and the pedestal means for elevating the latter in the open condition of the receptacle.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle for storing tubular articles of varying sizes, such as hair rollers, in a nested position to occupy a minimum of space for shipment or for storage in drawers, luggage or the like in the closed condition of the receptacle, the receptacle including collapsible support means and cooperating structure whereby the nested tubular articles may be arranged in a convenient elevated dispensing array in the open condition of the receptacle.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

In general, as a summary, in accordance with the present invention, the receptacle comprises a bottom or base portion and a cover or upper member. The base portion is provided with means for storing groups of nested tubular articles of varying dimensions, as for example, hair rollers, and each group of tubular articles rests on a collapsible pedestal means which, in its unextended position, maintains the tubular articles in nested condition so that, if they are of equal length, they occupy only the height of one of the articles so supported.

Each of the pedestal means comprises a generally tapered collapsible construction which could be simply a smooth flexible and tapered collapsible element or be of stepped collapsible construction. One example of a stepped construction is a series of flanged tubular parts of varying sizes having internally and externally disposed flanges at their ends and so arranged that the externally disposed flange on each part engages under the internally disposed flange of the next larger part. The smallest element of such a pedestal assembly may be of cup form since it does not require an inwardly extending flange for obvious reasons. Such an array, in folded position rests flat with each element within the next larger element. When extended, the array acquires height, and the outer surface of each of the inwardly extending flanges is usable as a support for any tubular article of appropriate cross section size to rest upon.

The pedestal means are retained in folded position when the rollers are not in use, as when the cover or upper member is in place on the base portion, whereby the filled receptacle may be stored in a minimum of space, as in a drawer or in luggage if desired. The receptacle is provided with means adapted to cooperate with the pedestal means to cause extension of such pedestal means to the raised position, as desired, in the open condition of the receptacle, as and for the purposes described hereinabove.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are appended to like parts throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a receptacle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in closed and covered condition;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the closed and covered receptacle of F IG. 1, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the receptacle of FIG. I with the cover removed with but the hair rollers and pedestal means shown in only two of the nine openings of the guide plate. for simplicity of illustration;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but with the cover removed and inserted under the bottom portion, showing the pedestal elements and the rollers supported thereby in raised position;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the receptacle of FIG. 1 to 4 showing the various parts in disassembled form;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of pedestal arrangement, and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, showing a further modification.

Referring now to the drawings, it may be seen that the receptacle comprises a base or container portion 10 and a cover 12. The base portion is adapted to store tubular articles such as hair rollers, in nested arrangements and includes means to elevate such articles in a convenient elevated array when the cover or upper member is removed from the base portion.

The described function is achieved by cooperating structure in the receptacle. In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 5, base portion 10 comprises an open container having sidewalls l4 and a bottom wall 16 and, if desired, the base portion may also be provided with an extension 18, for an auxiliary purpose to be later described. Bottom wall 16 is provided with openings 17 in an arrangement and for a purpose to be later described. Base portion 10 is provided with a plate 20, with collapsible telescopic pedestal assemblies 22 and with a closure or guide plate 24, each of which will now be described in detail as will the assembly.

Plate 20 is a flat sheet provided with a plurality of openings, as shown. The openings may either be provided with raised cups 21 having inwardly extending flanges 210 or may be simple openings 26 having overhanging flanges 28 offset from the bottom surface of plate 20 so that an engaging flange of the largest lower element of a collapsible pedestal assembly 22 ill be coplanar with said bottom surface as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The two arrangements are alternative, as examples of manners in which the collapsible telescopic pedestal means may be retained in the assembly, and either or both may be used as desired. In the example shown in the drawings, the plate 20 is provided with nine openings, there being a row of four such openings having the raised flanged cups 21 and a second row of five simple openings 26 having the retaining flanges 28, The openings 17 and in end wall 16 of base portion 10 are of the same number and arrangement as the openings in the plate 20 and plate 20 is of a size adapted to be fitted into base portion 10 with cups 21 and openings 26 of plate 20 overlying the similarly arranged but smaller openings 17.

The collapsible telescopic pedestal assemblies 22 comprise a plurality of tubular members or elements of graduated diameters. With the exception of the smallest element, which may have a closed and formed end, as shown at 22a, each tubular element is provided at one end with an outwardly extending flange 28 and, at its other end, with an inwardly extending flange 29. Each pedestal is assembled by placing the tubular elements of which it is comprised together in such a manner that each element is situated internally of the next larger element so that extension of the parts relative to one another will result in the outwardly extending flange 28 of each element engaging under the inwardly extending flange 29 of the next larger element. The elements should be of substantially similar length (generally speaking) so that, in the collapsed position of the pedestal 22 (as in FIG. 2), the height of the folded pedestal is substantially that of the length of an element. The inwardly extending flanges 29 are of such extent that the outer surfaces thereof are adapted to serve as support surfaces for the tubular articles having appropriate cross sections. In the illustrated examples, the pedestal elements are of circular cross section so that the pedestal is adapted to support a nested arrangement of tubular articles having circular cross sections matching those of the inwardly extending flanges, as best shown in FIG. 2 (in the collapsed position) and in FIG. 4 (in the elevated position).

Pedestal assemblies 22 are retained in position in the bottom portion 10 by virtue of the association thereof with baseplate 20 and with the end wall 16 in the manner shown in the drawings. Thus, a pedestal assembly 22, as described above, is inserted through each of the openings in baseplate 20. The outwardly extending flange of the largest end element of each pedestal assembly is engaged either under the flange 21a of a cup 21 or under a flange 28 of an aperture 26, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The assembly of a base plate 20 and pedestal assemblies 22 is then fastened (by eyeletting, gluing, welding, or the like, as at 30) to bottom wall 16 of bottom portion 10 in such a manner that the openings 17 in bottom wall 16 are aligned with the cups 21 and apertures 26 of baseplate 20. It should be apparent then that each pedestal assembly is secured in position by this arrangement and that the interior of each of the telescopic elements forming a pedestal assembly overlies in opening 17 so it may be pushed upwardly by insertion of a pusher element into the opening.

The bottom or container portion 10 may be completed by enclosing it with the closure or guide plate 24, as shown. The guide plate 24 is of a shape to match the upper end of the sidewalls 14 of the bottom portion including the forward extension 18 and has flanges for engagement with the upper edges thereof. Such flanges may be internal or external and may be either frictionally engaged or glued or welded to the walls 14 to complete the assembly of bottom portion 10. Guide plate 24 is provided with openings 32 arranged to be aligned with the openings 17 and aligned openings 26 or cup portions 21a in the end wall 16 and baseplate 20 and of a size to accommodate the largest tubular article intended to be supported on the pedestal assemblies 22, all as may be clearly seen in the drawings. If desired, guide plate 24 may be provided with a forward extension of concave cross section to form a compartment 34 which is adapted to overly extension 18 of the bottom portion, to form a receptacle. Thus, when hair rollers are intended to be used in the receptacle, the compartment 34 may be used to hold hair clips for use with such hair rollers. It should be understood, of course, that provision of the auxiliary compartment 34 is not essential to the practice of the present invention since the article storing and dispensing means of this invention could be housed in receptacles not having this feature.

The cover 12 of the present invention is of a configuration to enclose the bottom portion 10 and articles intended to be stored therein, having walls extended to overly the edges of the walls 14 and

extension

18, 34 of the bottom portion and to engage frictionally therewith.

It should be noted that, in the upright and closed condition of the receptacle (FIGS. 1 and 2), the weight of the tubular articles arrayed on each pedestal assembly 22 keeps it in its collapsed condition and the articles are nested in a minimum of space. The receptacle is provided with means to cause extension of each of the collapsible pedestal assemblies 22 to elevate the articles from said fully nested condition (FIG. 2) to the elevated dispensing condition (FIG. 4). In the FIG. 1 to 5 modification said means comprise pusher fingers in the form of rigid post elements attached to the cover 12 in such arrangement and spacing that they enter the openings 17 and engage the pedestal assemblies 22 to cause extension thereof when the cover is reversed and the bottom portion 12 inserted therein as shown in FIG. 4. The specific configuration and means of attachment of the fingers 36 and the cooperating configuration of pedestal parts is inconsequential and a matter of choice. Thus, in the exemplar of FIGS. 1 to 5 the smallest pedestal element preferably has webs 38 (for reinforcement) and centering of the fingers 36 and the fingers 36 are tubular posts or extensions of a length to raise pedestal assembly 22 to a desired amount (by engagement with webs 38) when fully inserted through the openings 17, but this is only one of many obvious arrangements, it being only necessary that the parts can cooperate to perform the desired functions.

Fingers 36 are of such length and cross section that they can fit within the interior of the smallest diameter tubular articles in the closed condition of the receptacle as seen in FIG. 2.

In operation, the receptacle is filled by placing an appropriate array of tubular articles (such as hair rollers) on each pedestal assembly 22, and then placing the cover 12 in the position shown in FIG. 2. In this position the pedestal assemblies are in their collapsed condition and the receptacle and its contents occupy a minimum of space.

When it is desired to utilize the articles, the cover 12 is removed and placed under the bottom portion with a pusher finger 36 entering each of the holes 17 and engaging a pedestal assembly 22 to lift it to an elevated condition and to support it rigidly in said elevated condition, as shown in FIG. 4.

In this position each of the relatively large numbers of hair rollers ofdifferent sizes are individually available for use in a convenient viewing and dispensing array. When the user has finished, the rollers are dropped back into position and the cover 12 removed from under the bottom portion, thus removing pusher fingers 36 from positions supporting the pedestal assemblies 22 in elevated positions. The pedestal assemblies are then free to fall into the folded condition shown in FIG. 2 and the cover 12 may then be replaced (as in FIG. 1) and the receptacle and its contents are then ready for storage.

The foregoing, relating to the preferred embodiment, provides an example of an arrangement according to the present invention wherein nested tubular articles may be stored in a minimum of space when not in use and elevated and presented in an extended dispensing array as desired. It should be obvious that neither the specific form of the receptacle nor the specific number of articles in a group of nested articles is critical and that any number of groups (one or more) in any relationship to one another could be utilized. It should also be understood that auxiliary storage pockets such as the pocket 34 are not necessarily a part of this invention and not necessary to its practice. Moreover, the invention may be practiced utilizing any type of article supporting pedestal, and any means for causing extension thereof, it being only important that a collapsible and extendable structure be provided. Thus, for example, a collapsible conical construction could be used. As examples of possible variations two other embodiments of pedestal assemblies and means for elevating such pedestals or holding them in raised position are shown in the drawings. Thus, FIG. 6 shows an embodiment in which a coil of spring 42 is inserted between the base plate 20 and the pedestal elements. In such an arrangement, when the receptacle is in closed condition (as in FIG. 2) the cover 12 compresses the coil spring and holds the nested article groups and the collapsible pedestal assemblies in collapsed condition means such as a spring hinge on the cover or a band may be used for holding the cover in closed position. When the cover is released and removed, the pressure of the spring raises the pedestal assembly to extended condition and the nested articles thereon are supported at different levels as described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates still another embodiment wherein the individual cuplike elements are of tapered configuration, as shown. This arrangement may be extended to the position shown in FIG. 7 by inserting any type of pusher element, either on the cover (as the elements 36 of FIG. 1 to 5) or a finger or pencil or the like. As the tapered cup elements of the collapsible pedestal assembly 22 are lifted to extended position the outward taper towards the bottom of each of the cup elements causes these elements to grip one another with everincreasing friction. In the fully extended position they are thus tightly engaged and support the tubular articles in raised dispensing array as previously described. In such a construction, the pedestal assembly may be collapsed for storage in minimal space by simply pressing down on the tubular articles to overcome the frictional restraint of the tapered elements on one another.

There are obviously many other possible variations of the receptacle or the collapsible pedestal assemblies within the scope of this invention and some examples (not intended to be limitations are mentioned at this point. Thus, the receptacle might be a flat plate or base member with pedestals thereon and might cooperate with a flat upper member to operate the pedestals. As previously mentioned, the pedestal means could take many forms other than those specifically illustrated, as,

for example, stepped bellows (such as commonly used in cameras and for other diaphragm usages) or collapsible smooth conical tapered elements. It should be also understood that the present invention contemplates that the degree of elevation of the pedestal means may be varied in original design by selection of the desired size length of the fingers or posts on the upper member or in operation by varying the degree of insertion of such fingers or posts into said pedestal means.

From the foregoing it may be seen that while some preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, numerous modifications, substitutions, variations and alterations are permissible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by or to the specific examples described but only by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for the storage, display and dispensing of tubular articles, said device comprising a base portion and a cover portion, said base portion having a plurality of individual collapsible pedestal assemblies therein for supporting the articles either in a collapsed arrangement or in an extended elevated array for displaying or dispensing said articles, said cover portion having means for selectively maintaining said pedestal assemblies and articles supported thereon in extended elevated position when said cover portion is situated under said base portion or for positioning said tubular articles for storage when said cover portion is situated over said base portion in the closed condition of the device, each of said individual collapsible pedestal assemblies comprising a set of tubular elements of graduated diameter arranged one within the other, each of said elements having inwardly extending means at one end and outwardly extending means at its other end, the inwardly extending means of each element being engaged over the outwardly extending means of the next smaller element, the outwardly extending means of the largest element being secured tosaid base portion.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein there are aperture means in said base portion underlying said pedestal means, and the means on said cover portion comprise means for entering into said aperture means to engage said pedestal means and cause extension thereof to said elevated position.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said means for entering into said aperture means comprises post means attached to said cover portion and extending toward said base portion to position the tubular articles when the cover portion is positioned over said base portion, but arranged so that when the cover portion is removed and placed under the base portion, the post means enter into said aperture means to engage the collapsible pedestal means and cause extension thereof to elevated position.

4. A device for the storage, display and dispensing of articles, said receptacle comprising a base portion, said base portion having collapsible pedestal means therein for supporting the articles either in a collapsed arrangement or in an extended elevated array for displaying or dispensing said articles, and means for selectively maintaining said pedestal means and articles supported thereon in either collapsed or extended elevated position, said pedestal means comprising a plurality of individual collapsible pedestal assemblies, each of said individual collapsible pedestal assemblies comprising a set of tubular elements of graduated diameter arranged one within the other, each of said elements having inwardly extending means at one end and outwardly extending means at its other end, the inwardly extending means of each element being engaged over the outwardly extending means of the next smaller element, the outwardly extending means of the largest element being secured to said base portion, said base portion having an aperture underlying each of said pedestal assemblies whereby instrumentalities may be inserted into said apertures to cause extension of said assemblies, said means for selectively maintaining said pedestal means in either collapsed or extended elevated positions comprising a slight taper on each of said tubular elements from a larger diameter at the end having the outwardly extending means to a smaller diameter at the end having the inwardly extending means whereby extension of the pedestal assembly causes increasing frictional engagement of the tubular elements with one another as the pedestal assembly is extended to maintain the assembly in the extended position.

5. A device for the storage, display and dispensing of nested tubular articles, said receptacle comprising a base portion, said base portion having a plurality of collapsible pedestal assemblies therein for supporting said nested tubular articles either in a collapsed, nested arrangement or in an extended elevated nested array for display or dispensing, and means for selectively maintaining said pedestal assemblies and the nested tubular articles supported thereon in an extended elevated position for display or dispensing of said tubular articles or for cooperating with the interior of the smallest of said nested tubular articles for positioning and supporting the nested tubular articles for storage when the said pedestal assemblies are in collapsed position, each of said individual collapsible pedestal assemblies comprising a set of nestable elements of graduated sizes positioned one within the other, each of said elements having an inwardly extending means at one end and an outwardly extending means at its other end, the inwardly extending means of each element being engaged over the outwardly extending means of the next smaller element, the outwardly extending means of the largest element abutting said container portion, said inwardly extending means serving as surfaces to support nestable articles in nested array substantially level with one another in the collapsed position of the pedestal assembly but elevated in varying degree in the extended elevated position of said assembly.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein there are aperture means in said base portion underlying said pedestal means and a cover means for retaining said articles nested in said base portion, said means for selectively maintaining said pedestal means and the articles supported thereon in extended elevated position or in collapsed storage position comprising post means attached to said cover means and extending inwardly into said base portion when so positioning and supporting said nested articles, but arranged so that when said cover means is removed and placed under said base portion, the post means enter into said aperture means to engage the collapsible pedestal assemblies and cause extension thereof to elevated position.

7. A device for the storage, display and dispensing of nested articles, said receptacle comprising a base portion, said base portion having collapsible pedestal means therein for supporting nested articles either in a collapsed, nested arrangement or in an extended elevated nested array for display or dispensing, and means for selectively maintaining said pedestal means and the nested articles supported thereon in either collapsed or extended position, said pedestal means comprising a plurality of individual collapsible pedestal assemblies, each of said in dividual collapsible pedestal assemblies comprising a set of nestable elements of graduated sizes positioned adjacent to each other, each of said elements having an inwardly extending means at one end and an outwardly extending means at its other end, the inwardly extending means of each element being engaged over the outwardly extending means of the next smaller element, the outwardly extending means of the largest element abutting said container portion, said inwardly extending means serving as surfaces to support nestable articles in nested array substantially level with one another in the collapsed position of the pedestal assembly but elevated in varying degree in the extended elevated position of said assembly. Said base portion having an aperture underlying each of said pedestal assemblies whereby instrumentalities may be inserted into said apertures to cause extension of said assemblies, said means for selectively maintaining said pedestal means in either collapsed or extended elevated position comprising a slight taper on each of said members from a large diameter at the end havin the outwardly extendin means to a smaller diameter at t e end having the rnwar ly extendlng means whereby extension of the pedestal assembly causes increasing frictional engagement of the members with one another as the pedestal assembly is extended to maintain the assembly in the extended position.

8. A device for the storage, display and dispensing of tubular articles, said device comprising a container portion and a cover, said container portion comprising a bottom wall and side walls, said bottom wall having a plurality of apertures therein arranged in a given spacing and pattern, said bottom wall having a plurality of collapsible pedestal assemblies attached thereto and overlying said apertures, said cover comprising a top wall having a plurality of post means of substantial length attached thereto in a spacing and pattern similar to that of said apertures, whereby when said cover is placed in the closed position of the device said post means overlie said collapsible pedestal assemblies and enter into said tubular articles to retain said articles against movement, and whereby when said cover is removed and reversed and said bottom portion inserted into said cover the said post means enter into said apertures and engage said collapsible pedestal assemblies and lift them to extended position. i

Claims

1. A device for the storage, display and dispensing of tubular articles, said device comprising a base portion and a cover portion, said base portion having a plurality of individual collapsible pedestal assemblies therein for supporting the articles either in a collapsed arrangement or in an extended elevated array for displaying or dispensing said articles, said cover portion having means for selectively maintaining said pedestal assemblies and articles supported thereon in extended elevated position when said cover portion is situated under said base portion or for positioning said tubular articles for storage when said cover portion is situated over said base portion in the closed condition of the device, each of said individual collapsible pedestal assemblies comprising a set of tubular elements of graduated diameteR arranged one within the other, each of said elements having inwardly extending means at one end and outwardly extending means at its other end, the inwardly extending means of each element being engaged over the outwardly extending means of the next smaller element, the outwardly extending means of the largest element being secured to said base portion.

7. A device for the storage, display and dispensing of nested articles, said receptacle comprising a base portion, said base portion having collapsible pedestal means therein for supporting nested articles either in a collapsed, nested arrangement or in an extended elevated nested array for display or dispensing, and means for selectively maintaining said pedestal means and the nested articles supported thereon in either collapsed or extended position, said pedestal means comprising a plurality of individual collapsible pedestal assemblies, each of said individual collapsible pedestal assemblies comprising a set of nestable elements of graduated sizes positioned adjacent to each other, each of said elements having an inwardly extending means at one end and an outwardly extending means at its other end, the inwardly extending means of each element being engaged over the outwardly extending means of the next smaller element, the outwardly extending means of the largest element abutting said container portion, said inwardly extending means serving as surfaces to support nestable articles in nested array substantially level with one another in the collapsed position of the pedestal assembly but elevated in varying degree in the extended elevated position of said assembly. Said base portion having an aperture underlying each of said pedestal assemblies whereby instrumentalities may be inserted into said apertures to cause extension of said assemblies, said means for selectively maintaining said pedestal means in either collapsed or extended elevated position comprising a slight taper on each of said members from a large diameter at the end having the outwardly extending means to a smaller diameter at the end having the inwardly extending means whereby extension of the pedestal assembly causes increasing frictional engagement of the members with one another as the pedestal assembly is extended to maintain the assembly in the extended position.

8. A device for the storage, display and dispensing of tubular articles, said device comprising a container portion and a cover, said container portion comprising a bottom wall and side walls, said bottom wall having a plurality of apertures therein arranged in a given spacing and pattern, said bottom wall having a plurality of collapsible pedestal assemblies attached thereto and overlying said apertures, said cover comprising a top wall having a plurality of post means of substantial length attached thereto in a spacing and pattern similar to that of said apertures, whereby when said cover is placed in the closed position of the device said post means overlie said collapsible pedestal assemblies and enter into said tubular articles to retain said articles against movement, and whereby when said cover is removed and reversed and said bottom portion inserted into said cover the said post means enter into said apertures and engage said collapsible pedestal assemblies and lift tHem to extended position.