EP1495693B1 - Behälter, welcher in Öffnungsstellung ein Schaugestell bildet - Google Patents

Abstract

The container has opening and closing units (6) extending along an opening line extending on a part of the periphery of a longitudinal body (4). A hinge (7) is placed between two parts (A1, B1) generated during opening. The longitudinal body presents snap buttons (8, 9) for maintaining the two parts (A1, B1) in open position.

Description

The invention relates to a container such as a kit or a case for a good presentation of the objects it contains and a saving of space during use.

The simplest kits generally have a cylindrical shape and have a longitudinal opening allowing, when the user spreads the edges of the opening, to discover the objects and to grasp them. However, when the kit is full (eg pens), the user is often forced to empty at least partially to make his choice and enter the object that interests him. To the loss of time caused by this action is added the loss of space caused by the spreading of objects out of the kit. In the case of makeup bag, it is sometimes impossible to partially empty it because of the place where the user is. She is then forced to search quickly in the kit at the risk of damaging some particularly fragile objects.

Several solutions exist without giving full satisfaction.

To locate the state of the art, there may be mentioned a case of generally cylindrical shape having a transverse opening perpendicular to the generators and located in the vicinity of one end. By opening this type of case, the user discovers the objects contained in the case by their end which facilitates the selection. However, once he has made his choice, the user rests the holster on the table in an extended position to use the object. When he has finished or wants to choose another object, the user must grab the case, straighten it to view the objects, store the object and / or choose another.

Another solution is to make a flattened parallelepiped case and provide it with opening and closing means on three sides so that it can be opened in the manner of a book. Generally, this type of case has presentation means for the objects it contains in order to facilitate selection and gripping. The main disadvantages of this type of case are the large size for a reduced number of objects, as well as the high cost because of the rigid or semi-rigid materials to be used and presentation means to integrate.

The patent document FR 2693881 , on which is based the preamble of claim 1, discloses a longitudinal kit having an opening perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the kit. The contained objects may be higher than the opening line, they may interfere with the opening and closing of the kit by preventing the movement of the upper part by wedging against its inner wall.

The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of known solutions and proposes a solution for obtaining a case that can contain a large number of objects while allowing easy opening, efficient presentation, easy choice and a reduced footprint throughout of the use of the case.

To this end, the invention relates to a pencil container such as a case or a kit having at least two substantially flat ends joined by a cylindrical longitudinal body comprising opening and closing means, extending according to at least one line called "opening line" extending on only a fraction of the periphery of the longitudinal body, the other fraction which does not comprise means of opening and closing being thus equidistant from the ends of the container and constituting a hinge between the two parts generated during the opening, such that after opening, at least two parts are formed, characterized in that the virtual line passing through the hinge and the diametrically opposite point of the opening line forms a non-right angle with the straight line formed by the rim of the longitudinal body at the hinge to reduce the risk of jamming due to x objects contained, and in that the longitudinal body has means for maintaining said at least two parts in the open position.

• les moyens d'ouverture et de fermeture s'étendent sur deux lignes d'ouverture, l'une se prolongeant sur toute la périphérie du corps longitudinal de telle sorte que trois parties soient constituées ;
• les moyens d'ouverture sont constitués par une fermeture à glissière ou par une fermeture mécanique à boucles et crochets ;
• les moyens de maintien sont constitués par une fermeture mécanique à boucles et crochets ou par au moins un bouton pression ou par au moins un aimant.

According to particular embodiments:

• the opening and closing means extend over two opening lines, one extending over the entire periphery of the longitudinal body so that three parts are formed;
• the opening means are constituted by a zipper or by a mechanical closure with loops and hooks;
• the holding means are constituted by a mechanical closure with loops and hooks or by at least one push button or by at least one magnet.

• la figure 1, une vue schématique générale en perspective d'un contenant conforme à l'invention, en position fermée et présentant une seule ligne d'ouverture ;
• la figure 2, une vue schématique en perspective du contenant de la figure 1 en position d'ouverture ;
• la figure 3, une vue schématique en perspective d'un contenant semblable à celui de la figure 1 mais dont la ligne d'ouverture forme un angle avec le bord du contenant beaucoup plus aigu ;
• La figure 4, une vue schématique en perspective du contenant de la figure 3 en position d'ouverture ;
• La figure 7, une vue schématique en perspective d'un contenant conforme à l'invention et présentant deux lignes d'ouverture ;

Bien entendu, la description et le dessin ne sont donnés qu'à titre d'exemple indicatif et non limitatif.
Le contenant 1 représenté dans les figures 1 et 2 est une trousse à crayon définie par un cylindre de révolution présentant deux extrémités 2 et 3 substantiellement planes et circulaires réunies par un corps longitudinal 4. Celui-ci comprenant des moyens d'ouverture et de fermeture constitués par une fermeture à glissière 6 qui s'étendent selon une ligne dite « ligne d'ouverture » se prolongeant sur une fraction de la périphérie du corps longitudinal 4 et formant un angle aigu a avec le bord du corps longitudinal 4. La ligne d'ouverture a donc une forme elliptique.Other characteristics of the invention will be set forth in the following detailed description with reference to the appended figures which represent, respectively:

• the figure 1 , a general schematic perspective view of a container according to the invention, in closed position and having a single opening line;
• the figure 2 , a schematic perspective view of the container of the figure 1 in the open position;
• the figure 3 , a schematic perspective view of a container similar to that of the figure 1 but whose opening line forms an angle with the edge of the container much more acute;
• The figure 4 , a schematic perspective view of the container of the figure 3 in the open position;
• The figure 7 , a schematic perspective view of a container according to the invention and having two opening lines;

Of course, the description and the drawing are given only by way of indicative and nonlimiting example.
The container 1 represented in the Figures 1 and 2 is a pencil case defined by a cylinder of revolution having two substantially plane and circular ends 2 and 3 united by a longitudinal body 4. The latter comprising opening and closing means constituted by a slide fastener 6 which extend along a line called "opening line" extending on a fraction of the periphery of the body longitudinal 4 and forming an acute angle with the edge of the longitudinal body 4. The opening line is therefore elliptical.

The other fraction of the periphery of the longitudinal body 4 which does not comprise a zipper is equidistant from the ends of the container and constitutes a hinge 7 between the two parts A1 and B1 generated during the opening.

In other words, the virtual line passing through the hinge and the diametrically opposite point of the opening line forms a non-right angle with the straight line constituted by the edge of the longitudinal body 4 to the right of the hinge 7.

In addition, the longitudinal body 4 has a male portion 8 and a female portion 9 of a snap. These two parts are fixed on either side of the hinge 7 so that they are facing each other and cooperate when the kit is opened ( figure 2 ).

To open the kit 1, the user grasps the part B, activates the zipper 6 and switches the A1 part in a circular motion through the hinge 7 which is the axis of rotation. Then it makes cooperate the male 8 and female 9 parts of the press button so that the parts A1 and B1 of the kit 1 are integral with each other, which is represented in the figure 2 .

In this embodiment, it is essential that the hinge 7 is equidistant from the ends 2 and 3 of the kit 1 so that, after opening, the two ends 2 and 3 are coplanar, that is to say in the extension from each other, and that the contact surface between the kit 1 and the support on which it is placed is large enough for the kit to remain stable. This gives a kit allowing the clear presentation of all the pens it contains while allowing an easy grip. The size of the kit in the open position is small and is limited to the surface of the two ends 2 and 3 of the kit 1, which is less than the size of a kit of the same size but provided with a classic longitudinal opening used flat, that is to say in support of the longitudinal body.

The pencil-shaped form of the kit 1 in the open position offers the possibility of storing the pencils in the A1 part and thus to further facilitate the choice of pencil by distributing them in a larger volume.

If the holding means of the two parts against each other are constituted by a conventional snap button, the user must apply a relatively high pressure against the two parts of the button by introducing his fingers into the two parts A1 and B1. the kit between the pens and the longitudinal body 4 which can be awkward or dangerous if the kit contains for example a compass. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure button used will be of the type used in handbags, that is to say buttons where the male portion 8 remains secured to the female part 9 by magnetism and not by jamming mechanical. These magnetic snaps allow the user to hold the two parts A1 and B1 in the open position by simply putting the male 8 and female 9 facing each other, the latter cooperating with them. same by magnetic attraction. In this way, the user is not obliged to introduce his fingers into the kit to apply a force on both parts of the snap.

The angle α between the opening line and the edge of the longitudinal body 4 makes it possible on the one hand that the tilting of the portion A1 of the kit 1 is not hindered or prevented by the objects contained in the kit, and that on the other hand, easier presentation of the pens when the kit 1 is open.

The more the angle α between the opening line and the edge of the longitudinal body 4 is selected acute by the manufacturer, that is to say the more the opening line approaches the end 2, minus the opening is embarrassed by the pens.

Indeed, during the opening and closing of the container, the point of the opening line opposite the hinge 7 follows a circular path whose center is the hinge 7. The pens being higher than the line of opening, they may interfere with the opening and closing of the kit by preventing the movement of the A1 portion by jamming against the inner wall of the longitudinal body 4 at said point of the opening line.

By decreasing the angle α, that is to say by bringing the point of the opening line opposite the hinge 7 of the end 2, the manufacturer increases the radius of the circular path of said point and reduces the risks jamming due to pens. It is therefore appropriate to adapt the angle of the opening line to the manufactured container and objects that can be used with this container.

For the closure of the kit 1, the user disengages the parts A1 and B1 of the kit 1 by making a traction movement so as to overcome the magnetic attraction force of the snap button and to separate the male 8 and female 9 .

Another embodiment shown in the Figures 3 and 4 illustrates a cosmetic kit 10 according to the invention whose opening line forms an angle a 'less than the angle a of the container 1 of the Figures 1 and 2 , so that the opening line is almost tangent to the perimeter of the end 12.

The opening and closing means, consisting of a slide fastener 16, extend over an opening line extending over only a fraction of the periphery so that the other fraction which does not have means opening and closing 16 is equidistant from the ends 12 and 13 of the makeup bag 10 and constitutes a hinge 17 between the two parts A2 and B2 generated during the opening.

Thus the virtual line passing through the hinge 17 and the diametrically opposite point of the opening line forms an angle a 'not straight with the straight line formed by the flange of the longitudinal body 14 to the right of the hinge 17.

The longitudinal body 14 is provided with means of maintenance identical to those presented in the preceding figures.

In the open position ( figure 4 ), the two parts A2 and B2 generated during the opening are held against each other through the male parts 18 and female 19 of the magnetic pressure button. The acute angle a 'makes it possible to obtain a large presentation surface of the objects contained in the B2 part of the makeup bag 10.

When one chooses to pass the opening line tangentially to an end 12, the closed volume of the part A2 is minimized as much as possible.

Part A2 has a mirror 20 fixed parallel to the opening line so as to have the largest possible area and to be oriented towards the user.

Such a mirror may be an inconvenience for the closure of the kit since it occupies the closed volume of part A2, a volume that can not be used by the objects contained in part B2.

If the makeup kit is not completely filled, the objects can be applied against the wall of Part B2.

One solution consists in equipping part B2 with at least one device for storing objects in order to organize their storage by size, the smaller ones to be provided close to hinge 17 and the larger ones, close to the opposite side to the hinge 17.

To gain a little volume and therefore room for the objects contained in part B2, the mirror 20 is fixed at a height h from the edge of part A2. According to a possible variant, the height h is not constant, that is to say that the mirror 20 is fixed at a height h of the edge near the hinge 17 and at a height less than h near the side opposite the hinge 17.

In the embodiment presented in the figure 7 , the container 60 have three substantially flat ends 61, 62 and 63 joined by a longitudinal body 64 comprising opening and closing means 65 and 66 which extend along two opening lines, one extending over any the periphery of the longitudinal body so that three parts are A5, B5 and C5. The longitudinal body 64 has holding means 68-69 of said three parts A5, B5 and C5 in the open position.

The portions A5 and B5 are separated by an opening line extending only over a fraction of the periphery of the longitudinal body 64 so that the other fraction which does not have opening and closing means 65 becomes equidistant from the ends 62 and 63 of the container 60 and constitutes a hinge 67 between the two parts A5 and B5 generated during the opening.

A part C5 is associated with the part A5 via an opening line extending around the entire circumference of the container 60 and having opening and closing means 66 constituted by a mechanical closure with loops and hooks.

Part C5 is therefore an additional compartment for storing objects that we want to keep separate from those contained in parts A5 and B5 such as paper clips, bugs, cottons remover that we do not want to see damaged and / or soiled by makeup equipment, etc.

When the container 60 is opened, the user separates the part C5 from the part A5 and opens the container by actuating the zipper in order to be able to tilt the part A5 against the part B5 and hold them against each other. other thanks to a magnetic push button. It then associates the C5 part with the other two parts (by unrepresented holding means of the type already described) so that the ends 61, 62 and 63 are coplanar. It thus constitutes a very stable set of three compartments associated with each other.

The various embodiments described may be combined with each other and variants may be provided without departing from the invention.

In particular the container may be rigid or semi-rigid, the opening means may be constituted by a linear tight sealing lip and the holding means may be constituted by at least one magnet.

The mirror of the makeup kit according to the invention can be removably attached to the part A2 to allow access to the volume of the part A2 which extends under the mirror when the container is in the open position . The user can then store objects such as cottons, powder foundation boxes, etc.

The container may be provided with additional means for stabilizing the container in the open position such as flat plastic retractable tabs that increase the contact surface of the container with the support.

Without departing from the invention, it is possible to provide an opening line with an angle so acute that the opening line extends on one end 12. Thus, in the open position, the portion B1 has part of the end 12 and the A1 portion has only the other part of the end 12 and has no closed volume. This part thus has more role than that of stabilizing the container in the open position. This stabilization being obtained by increasing the contact surface of the kit with the support, it is necessary that the end surface 12 integral with the part A is sufficient for this role.

The various opening lines may have a fancy shape, for example in sinusoidal shape, in shark teeth, etc.

A window can be used with all the described embodiments as well as with their variant.

Finally, the container may be provided with additional pockets.

Claims (7)

1. Container for pencils (1, 10, 60) such as a case or a bag having at least two substantially plane ends (2, 3, 12, 13, 61, 62, 63) joined together by a cylindrical longitudinal body (4, 14, 64) comprising opening and closing means (6, 16, 65, 66) extending along at least one line known as "opening line" along only a fraction of the periphery of the longitudinal body (4, 14, 64), the other fraction, which does not comprise opening and closing means (6, 16) being thus 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) generated on opening, so that, after opening, at least two parts (A1, B1, A2, B2, A5, B5, C5) are constituted, characterised in that the virtual line passing through the hinge (7, 17) and the diametrically opposite point of the opening line form an angle (a, a') that is not at right angles to the line constituted by the edge of the longitudinal body (4, 64) in line with the hinge (7, 17) in order to reduce the risks of trapping due to the objects contained, and in that the longitudinal body (4, 14, 64) has means (8-9, 18-19, 68-69) for holding said at least two parts (A1, B1, A2, B2, A5, B5, C5) in the open position.
2. Container (60) according to Claim 1, in which the opening and closing means (65, 66) extend over two opening lines, one (66) along the whole periphery of the longitudinal body (64) so that three parts (A5, B5, C5) are constituted.
3. Container according to Claim 1, in which the opening means are constituted by a zip fastener.
4. Container according to Claim 1, in which the opening means are constituted by a mechanical hook-and-loop closure.
5. Container according to Claim 1, in which the holding means are constituted by a mechanical loop-and-hook closure.
6. Container according to Claim 1, in which the holding means are constituted by at least one press stud.
7. Container according to Claim 1, in which the holding means are constituted by at least one magnet.

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