US20050092648A1

US20050092648A1 - Container forming a presenter in open position

Info

Publication number: US20050092648A1
Application number: US10/884,939
Authority: US
Inventors: Henri Jin
Original assignee: Asia Atlantic Trading Dev
Current assignee: Asia Atlantic Trading Dev
Priority date: 2003-07-09
Filing date: 2004-07-07
Publication date: 2005-05-05
Also published as: FR2857335B1; ATE392157T1; FR2857335A1; ES2310277T3; EP1495693B1; DE602004013083D1; DE602004013083T2; EP1495693A1

Abstract

The present invention proposes a solution permitting a holder to be obtained that can container a large number of objects while allowing easy opening, effective presentation, easy selection, and a reduction in space used by the holder. The invention has as its object a container (1) such as a holder or a case that has at least two substantially plane ends (2, 3) connected by a longitudinal body (4), which includes means of opening an closing (6) extending along at least one line called “line of opening” prolonged over only a section of the periphery of the longitudinal body (4), the other section, which does not include means of opening and dosing (6) is thus located equidistant from the ends (2, 3) of the container (1) and constitutes a hinge (7) between the two parties (A1, B1) formed at the time of opening, in such a way that after being opened, at least two parts (A1, B1) are formed, [characterized by the facts] that the virtual straight line passing through the hinge (7) and the point diametrically opposite to the line of opening forms a non-right angle (a) with the line consisting of the rim of the longitudinal body (4) to the right of the hinge (7) and that the longitudinal body (4) has means of holding (8-9) said two or more parts (A1, B1) in open position.

Description

This invention concerns a container such as a case or a holder that permits a good presentation of the objects that it contains and a space savings during use.
The simplest cases generally have a cylindrical shape and have a longitudinal opening that permits separation of the edges of the opening, the objects to be uncovered and removed. However, when the case is full (for example with pens), the user is often obligated to empty it, at least partially, in order to make his choice and remove the object that interests him. To the loss of time caused by this action is added the loss of space caused by spreading of the objects outside of the container. In the case of a makeup box, it is sometimes impossible to empty it partially, because of the place where the user finds herself. She is then obligated to search rapidly in the container, with a risk of damaging certain particularly fragile objects.
Sometimes solutions exist without giving complete satisfaction, however.
In order to identify the state of the art, a holder can be cited with a generally cylindrical shape that has a transverse opening perpendicular to the generating lines and place oneself near one of its ends. By opening this type of holder, the user uncovers the objects contained in the holder at their ends, which permits selection to be facilitated. However, once his choice has been made, the user lays the holder on the table in an extended position, in order to use the object. When he is finished or wants to choose another object, the user must grasp the holder and turn it, in order to view the objects, replace the object, and/or select another.
Another solution consists of making a holder in the shape of a flat parallelepiped and providing means of opening and closing it along three sides, in order that it can be opened in the manner of a book.
Generally, this type of container has means of presentation for the objects it contains, in order to facilitate the choice and the presentation. The principal inconveniences of this type of holder are the significant limitation on the number of objects, as well as the high cost, due to the rigid or semi-rigid materials to be used and the means of presentation to be included.
The present invention overcomes the inconveniences of the known solutions and proposes a solution that permits a holder to be obtained that can contain a large number of objects while allowing easy opening, effective presentation, an easy choice, and a reduction in space used by the holder.
For this purpose, the invention has as its object a container such as a holder or a case that has at least two substantially plane ends joined by a longitudinal body that includes means of opening and closing, characterized by the facts that the means or opening extend at least along a line called the “opening line,” reaching only a section of the periphery of the longitudinal body, the other section, which does not include means of opening and dosing is thus located at an equal distance from the ends of the container and constitutes a hinge between the two parts created at the time of the opening, so that after the opening, at least two parts are formed, that the virtual straight line passing through the hinge and the diametrically opposite point of the line of opening forms a non-right angle with the straight line formed by the rim of the longitudinal body to the right of the hinge, in order to reduce the risks of jamming due to the objects contained, and that the longitudinal body has means for holding said two or more parts in open position.
According to the particular embodiments:

- the means of opening and closing extend over two lines of opening, at least one of which being prolonged over the entire periphery of the longitudinal body, in such a way that three parts are formed;
- the means of opening consist of a zipper or of a mechanical closure with loops and hooks.
- the means of holding consists of a mechanical closure with loops and hooks or of at least one pressure button or at least one coil.

Other characteristics of the invention will be given in the detailed description below, which is made with references to the attached diagrams, which show, respectively:
FIG. 1: an overall schematic view in perspective of a container conforming to the invention, in closed position, and having a single line of opening:
FIG. 2: a schematic view in perspective of the container of FIG. 1, in open position;
FIG. 3: a schematic view in perspective of the container resembling that of FIG. 1, but of which the opening line forms a much more acute angle with the edge of the container.
FIG. 4: a schematic view in perspective of the container of FIG. 3 in open position.
FIG. 5: a schematic view in perspective of a container conforming to the invention, of corrugated cardboard and having a window permitting a user to see the objects contained;
FIG. 6: a schematic view in perspective of the container of FIG. 5, in open position;
FIG. 7: a schematic view in perspective of a container conforming to the invention and having two lines of opening.
It is understood, of course, that the description and the design are given only by way of an indicative and non-limiting example.
The container 1 represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a pencil holder defined by a cylinder of revolution having two substantially plane, circular ends 2 and 3 connected by a longitudinal body 4. This has means of opening and closing consisting of a zipper 6 that extends along a line called “line of opening” prolonged over a section of the periphery of the longitudinal body 4 and forming an acute angle with the edge of said longitudinal body 4. The opening line thus has an elliptical shape.
The other section of the periphery of the longitudinal body 4, which does not include a zipper, is located at an equal distance from the ends of the container and consists of a hinge 7 between the two parts A1 and B1 formed at the time of opening.
In other words, the virtual straight line passing through the hinge and the diametrically opposite point of the line of opening forms an non-right angle with the line consisting of the rim of the longitudinal body 4 to the right of the hinge 7.
In addition, the longitudinal body 4 has a male part 8 and a female part 9 of a pressure button. These two parties are fixed on either side of the hinge 7, in such a way that they face each other and cooperate when the container is open (FIG. 2).
In order to open the container 1, the user grasps part B, activates the zipper 6 and touches part A1 according to a circular movement, thanks to the hinge 7, which constitutes the axis of rotation. Then he make the male part B and the female part 9 of the pressure button cooperate, so that parts A1 and B1 of the container 1 are attached to each other, which is shown in FIG. 2.
In this embodiment, it is fundamental that the hinge 7 be equidistant from the ends 2 and 3 of the container 1, in order that, after opening, the two ends 2 and 3 will be coplanar, that is, in an extension of each other, and that the contact surface between the holder 1 and the support on which it is placed are large enough that the container remains stable. In this way, a holder is obtained that permits clear presentation of all the pens contained in it, while permitting easy grasping. The area occupied of the container in open position is small, and it is restricted to the area of the two ends 2 and 3 of the container 1, which is less than the area occupied by a container of the same size, but provided with classical longitudinal opening used flat that is, supported on the longitudinal body.
The shape of the container 1 as a pencil pot in open position offers the possibility of arranging the pencils in part A1 and making selection of a pencil even easier by distributing them over a larger volume. If the means for holding the two parts against each other consist of classical pressure button, the use should exert a relatively large pressure against the two parts of the button, but inserting his fingers into the two parts A1 and B1 of the container, between the pens and the longitudinal body 4, which can be uncomfortable, even dangerous, if the container contains a compass, for example. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure button used will be of the type of those used in handbags, that is, buttons where the male part 8 is held solidly to the female part 8 by magnetism and not by mechanical jamming. These magnetic pressure buttons permit the user to hold the two parts A1 and B1 in open position by simply placing the male part 8 and the female part 9 opposite each other, they cooperate with each other by magnetic attraction. In this way, the user is not obligated to insert his fingers into the container in order to apply a force to the two parts of the pressure button.
The angle a between the line of opening and the edge of the longitudinal body 4 permits, on the one hand, part A1 of the container 1 not to be hindered or prevented by the objects contained in the container from being touched and, on the other, easy presentation of the pens when the container 1 is open. The greater the angle a between the line of opening and the edge of the longitudinal body 4 chosen by the manufacturer is, that is the closer the line of opening is to the end 2, the less opening is hindered by the pens.
In fact, at the time of opening and closing of container, the point of the line of opening opposite the hinge 7 follows a circular trajectory, the center of which is the hinge 7. The pens being higher than the line of opening, they can hinder opening and closing of the container by blocking movement of part A1 by jamming against the inner wall of the longitudinal body 4 at the level of said line of opening.
By reducing the angle a, that is by bring the point of the line of opening opposite the hinge 7 of end 2, the manufacturer increases the radius of the circular trajectory of said point and reduces the risks of jamming do to the pens. It is thus convenient to adapt the angle of the line of opening to the container being manufactured and to the objects that can be used with this container.
To close the container 1, the user detaches parts A1 and B1 of the container 1 by making a pulling movement to overcome the force of magnetic attraction of the pressure button and to separate the male part 8 and the female part 9.
Another embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, illustrates a makeup box 10 conforming to the invention, the line of opening of which forms an angle a′ less than the angle a of container 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2, in such a way that the line of opening is almost tangent to the perimeter of the end 12.
The means of opening and closing, consisting of a zipper 16, extend over a line of opening prolonged over only a section of the periphery, in such a way that the other section, which does not include means of opening and dosing 16, is located equidistant from the ends 12 and 13 of the makeup box 10 and constitute a hinge 17 between the two parts A2 and B2 formed at the time of opening.
Thus the virtual straight line passing through the hinge 17 and the point diametrically opposite the line of opening forms a non-right angle a′ with the straight line constituted by the rim of the longitudinal body 14 to the right of the hinge 17. The longitudinal body 14 is provided with means of holding identical to those presented in the preceding diagrams.
In open position (FIG. 4), the two parts A1 and B2 formed at the time of opening are held against each other thanks to the male part 18 and the female part 19 of the magnetic pressure button. The acute angle a′ permits a large presentation surface to be obtained for the objects contained in the part B2 of the makeup box 10. When it is chosen to make the line of opening pass tangentially to an end 12, the closed volume of part A2 is minimized to the maximum. Part A2 has a mirror 20 attached parallel to the line of opening, in such a way as to present the largest possible area and to be oriented toward the user
Such a mirror can constitute an obstacle to dosing the container, since it closed space of part A2, which space cannot be use by the objects contained in part B2.
If the makeup box is not completely full, the objects can be applied against the wall of part B2.
A solution consists of equipping part B2 with at least one device for arranging the objects, in order to organize their storage by size, the smallest ones being planned to be near the hinge 17 and the larger ones near the side opposite the hinge 17.
In order save a little space and therefore room for the objects contained in part B2, the mirror 20 is attached at a height h from the edge of part A2. According to a possible variant, the height h is not constant, that is, the mirror 20 is attached at a height h form the edge near the hinge 17 and at a height less than h near the side opposite the hinge 17.
FIGS. 5 and 6 present a pencil box 30 conforming to the invention, having two substantially plane ends 32, 33, connected by a longitudinal body 34, which includes means of opening and closing 36, which extend along a line of opening prolonged over the entire periphery of the longitudinal body 34, in such aw ay that the two parts A3 and B3 formed at the time of opening can be separated and associated by means of holding.
The longitudinal body 34 also has means of holding 38-39 the two parts A3 and B3 in open position.
The means of opening and closing 36 consist of a simple cutout from the corrugated cardboard composing the walls of the box 30. Part A3 is locked onto part B3, so that the box 30 does not open accidentally, by means not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and known to experts in the field. For example, locking can be provided by a cord attached firmly to one of parts A3 or B3 that attaches to a piece, such as a thumbtack inserted in the other part B3 or A3 or such as a button sewn onto this part, and winds around the point of this piece or the stitching of the button. A variant can include a mechanical closure with loops and hooks of the Velcro type.
In order to open the box 30, the user detaches the means of closing and raised part A3 to disengage part B3 and the pencils it contains.
In order to use the box as a presenter or as a pencil pot, the user associates parts A3 and B3 in order to improve the stability of the box in open position by increase the support area (consisting of the total of the areas of the ends 32 and 33) on a base.
The association of parts A3 and B3 is permitted by the cooperation of the male part 38 and the female part 39 of a magnetic pressure button identical to the one described previously. The association is even stronger, since the channels appearing on the walls of the box intermesh to form a solid wall.
The box 30 is provided with a window 40 made in the longitudinal body 34. This window 40 is covered on the inner surface of the longitudinal body 34 by a sheet of transparent plastic 42, to permit the user to see the pencils and to identify them according to their type, color, and/or their special features when the box is closed. It is understood, of course, that the plastic sheet is not necessary, and it only serves to protect the pencils that are located inside the box.
A container conforming to this embodiment is sold closed for various types of utensils such as crayons, felt-tips, pens, etc.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the container 60 has three substantially plane ends 61, 62, and 63 connected by a longitudinal body 64, which includes means of opening and closing 65 and 66, which extend along two lines of opening, one prolonged over the entire periphery of the longitudinal body, in such a way that three parts A5, B5, and C5 are formed. The longitudinal body 64 has means for holding said three parts A5, B5, and C5 in open position.
Parts A5 and B5 are separated by a line of opening that extends over only a section of the periphery of the longitudinal body 64, in such a way that the other section, which does not include means of opening an closing 65, is equidistant from the ends 62 and 63 of the container 60 and constitute a hinge 67 between the two parts A5 and B5 created at the time of opening.
Part C5 is associated with part A5 by means of an opening line extending over the entire circumference of the container 60 and has means of opening and dosing 60 consisting of a mechanical closure with lops and hooks.
Part C5 thus constitutes a supplementary compartment that permits the object that one desires to keep separated from those contained in parts A5 and B5, such as, for example, paper dips, thumbtacks, cotton balls for removing makeup, which one does not want to get damaged and/or soiled by the makeup material, etc.
When the container 60 is opened, the user separates part C5 from part A5 and opens the container by activating the zipper in order to make part A5 touch against part B5 and keep them against each other thanks to a magnetic pressure button. It associates part C5 with the other two parts (by holding means not show of the type of those already described), so that the ends 61, 62, and 63 are coplanar. It thus constitutes a very stable set of thee compartments associated with one another. The various embodiments can be combined with one another, and variants can be provided without thereby leaving the scope of the invention.
In particular, the container can be rigid or semi-rigid, the means of opening can consist of a waterproof linear closure with lips, and the means of holding can consists of at least one coil.
The mirror of the makeup box conforming to the invention can be attached immovably to part A2 in order to permit access to the space of part A2, which extend blow the mirror when the container is in open position. The user can then store objects such as cotton bells, boxes of colored base powder, etc. The container can be provided with additional means of stabilizing the container in open position, such as, for example, retractable plastic feet that permit the area of contact with the support base to be increased.
Without leaving the invention, a line of opening can be provided with an angle so acute that the line of opening is prolonged over an end 12. Thus, in the open position, part B1 has part of end 12 and part A1 has only the other part of end 12 and no longer has a closed space. This part thus has no other role that that of stabilizing the container in open position. This stabilization being obtained by increasing the area of contact of the container with the support base, it is necessary that the area of end 12 attached to part A be large enough for this role.
The various lines of opening can have arbitrary shapes, for example sinusoidal, shark-tooth shape, etc. A window can be used with all embodiments described, as well as with their variants.
Finally, the container can be provided with additional pockets.

Claims

1. A container (1, 10, 30, 60) such as a holder or a case, having at least two substantially plane ends (2, 3, 12, 13, 32, 33, 61, 62, 63) connected by a longitudinal body (4, 14, 34, 64) including means of opening and closing (6, 16, 36, 65, 66), characterized by the facts that the means of opening and dosing (6, 16, 36, 65, 66) extend along at least one line called “line of opening” prolonged over only a section of the periphery of the longitudinal body (4, 14, 34, 64), the section that does not include means of opening and closing (6, 16) thus being located equidistant from the ends (2, 3, 12, 13) of the container (1, 10) and constituting a hinge (7, 17) between the two parts (A, B, A1, B1) created at the time of opening, in such a way that after opening, at least two parts (A1, B1, A2, B2, A3, B3, A5, B5, C5) are created, that the virtual straight line passing through the hinge (7, 37) and the point diametrically opposite the line of opening form a non-right angle (a, a′) with the line consisting of the rim of the longitudinal body (4, 34, 64) to the right of the hinge (7, 37), to reduce the risks of jamming due to the objects contained, and that the longitudinal body (4, 14, 34,64) has means of holding (8-9, 18-19, 38-39, 68-69) said two or more parts (A1, B1, A2, B2, A3, B3, A5, B5, C5) in open position.

2. A container (60) according to claim 1, in which the means of opening and closing (65, 66) extend along two lines of opening, at least one of which (66) is prolonged over the entire periphery of the longitudinal body (64), in such a way that three parts (A5, B5, C5) are formed.

3. A container according to claim 1, in which the means of opening and dosing consist of a zipper.

4. A container according to claim 1, in which the means of opening consist of a mechanical closure with loops and hooks.

5. A container according to claim 1, in which the means of holding consist of a mechanical closure with loops and hooks.

6. A container according to claim 1, in which the means of holding consist of at least one pressure button.

7. A container according to claim 7, in which the means of holding consist of at least one coil.