This invention relates to a device for storage of one or more fluorescent tubes similar elongated objects during transports or other handling, which comprise one or m projecting, pin-like means in each end, the device comprising an elongated, cylindri container, which has two end portions, and which is intended to be closed at its two e portions, and the closure at least at the one end portion comprising a cap which can opened.

When transporting fluorescent tubes, these ones are packed in packages, which particularly suited for the purpose, and which accordingly become expensive. Such packa can be accepted when transporting new fluorescent tubes but become far too expensive a complicated when transporting used fluorescent tubes, for instance to recycling plants. T later type of transports is deemed to increase strongly in extent during years to come, si the requirements on recycling of fluorescent tubes are growing in strength.

An example of known technique within this field is the American patent 3.193.0 This one discloses a storage container for fluorescent tubes which has a rectangular secti and is provided with at least one cap, which can be opened. This cap is made of a cardboar like material and is accordingly very sensitive to moisture. The two caps at the end portio of the container are provided with a porous layer for cooperation with the projecting, pin-li means of the fluorescent tube, but due to the design of the container and the quality of t porous layer the known container must be provided with a great number of partition wal which have a hole for each fluorescent tube and are positioned with even inter-spaces betwe the end portions of the container in order to be able to give the fluorescent tubes stored the container a perfect protection. Of course, such a container construction becom complicated as well as expensive.

This invention accordingly intends to provide a very simple and inexpensive stora device for fluorescent tubes, which is suitable to use during transports of both used and ne fluorescent tubes. This has been made possible by a storage device of the kind mentioned way of introduction which has the features mentioned in the characterizing part of the ma claim.

A suitable embodiment of the invention shall be described more closely below wi reference to the accompanying drawing, where Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the devi according to the invention with an open cap in the one end, and Fig. 2 shows a section alo the line II -II in Fig. 1.

The new device for storage of for instance fluorescent tubes comprises a cylindric

container 1 with a circular cross section, whereby the container simply can be filled with fluorescent tubes. Of course, the diameter of the container when having a circular cross section can vary dependant upon the number of fluorscent tubes that shall have place in the same. However, the length of the container shall be about the same as the length of the fluorescent tubes.

As is apparent from Fig. 1 the container 1 is provided with a round cap 2 at its one end portion 3, the cap being intended to openably close the container at this end portion.

The cap 2 is on its inside, i.e. that part of the cap which is intended to be directed into the container when closing the same, provided with a porous layer 4, which is intended to cooperate with the projecting, pin-like means, which a fluorescent tube usually has at its two end portions. This layer 4 should have a thickness, which is somewhat greater than the length of the projecting, pin-like means.

According to this embodiment the round cap 2 has a ribbed portion 5 on its outer periphery, which when fastening the cap in the container 1 is intended to cooperate with the inner periphery of the container for holding the cap in the container.

The container 1 at its other end portion 6 is suitably provided with a closure 7, which is of the same type of openable cap 7, which is arranged at the first end portion of the container.

The porous layer is made of foam-rubber, foam-plastic or any similar material. Due to the mentioned cooperation between the porous layers at the two end portions of the container and the projecting, pin-like means at the two end portions of each fluorescent tube an extremely secure holding of the fluorescent tube inside of the container is achieved independently of the number of fluorescent tubes in the same. This means that even if a great number of flourescent tubes are placed in the container, each fluorescent tube will be stationary inside the container, whereby the fluorescent tubes will not come into contact with each other and be damaged. This is of course of greatest importance when transporting fluorescent tubes.

The container 1 itself and the other layer 5 of the cap 2 can be made of different materials, for instance plastic, metal and/or a hard cardboard material. The container 1 is preferably made of a cardboard material, whereas the layer 5 of the cap is made of a plastic material.

The invention is of course not limited to the shown and described embodiment but can be modified within the scope of the following claims.