FR2804000A1 - Snow globe has base large enough to contain loose materials, e.g. salt or pepper, which is sealed with disk with transverse apertures which can be closed and opened by rotating second disk with perforated areas - Google Patents

Abstract

The conventional snow globe has a base (6) large enough to contain loose materials. This is sealed with a disk (10) which has transverse apertures (17) which can be closed and opened by rotating a second disk (11) with perforated areas (14).

Description

 DECORATIVE ARTICLE. TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a decorative article, and more particularly to a snowball.

Such a snowball is well known, and is conventionally made of a dome or transparent globe, in particular made of glass or plastic, and resting at its base by a base. This cupola traditionally contains a decoration of any kind, and is almost completely filled by a transparent liquid, usually water, in which are stored small particles in the form of flakes, reflective or white, intended to represent the snow.

This ball is shaken or agitated, so as to disperse said particles in water, and which, by the effect of gravity, fall on the scene when the article in question is rested on its base.

The object of the invention is to improve this decorative article by adding to the base a receptacle capable of enclosing products, particularly in bulk, to add to the decoration function filled by this article, also the storage function of raw material, such as for example for cooking, salt, pepper or other, or even, serve as a support of perfume.

In fact, the invention relates to a decorative article, and in particular a snowball of the type comprising a base serving as a support base on a flat surface, surmounted by a dome made of transparent material, the volume defined by the base and the dome enclosing a decoration and being filled with a transparent liquid added with white or reflective particles intended to represent the snow.

It is characterized in that the base defines in itself a volume, capable of enclosing one or more bulk products, said base being closed near its base by a cover provided with at least one through window, and closed by a disk-shaped plug, coaxial with said lid, and rotatable relative to the axis of revolution of the lid, to release access to said window.

The lid is advantageously provided with two through-windows of annular section shape, said windows being advantageously arranged symmetrically with respect to each other with respect to the axis of revolution of the lid. According to the invention, the bulk products may be constituted by porous supports, capable of being loaded with odoriferous products.

According to another version of the invention, the bulk products may consist of dried flowers that may also develop an odor.

The way in which the invention can be realized and the advantages which result therefrom will emerge more clearly from the exemplary embodiment which follows, given below by way of indication and without limitation, in support of the appended figures.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the snowball according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view of the base according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the base.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the cover for closing the base.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the cap, adapted to fit on the lid.

Figure 6 is an exploded schematic view showing the different constituent elements of the snowball.

Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of the assembly of the snowball according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the snowball according to the invention. This snowball (1) basically comprises a base (6), intended to rest by its base (7) on a flat surface, and is surmounted by a dome or globe (2) made of transparent material, in particular methyl polymethacrylate (Plexiglas (W).

The volume defined by the globe (2) and the base (6) is intended to receive first a decoration (4), including plastic, mountain style, cottage, Christmas tree, etc ..., and to contain a transparent liquid, especially water (5) added with white or light-reflecting particles (not shown), so that, after shaking, to represent the snow falling on said decor (4). According to the invention, the base (6) defines a volume between the lower base of the globe (3) and the base of the base (7), intended to receive bulk products, such as in particular but not limited to porous materials capable of to be sprinkled with perfume; _ dried flowers also intended to develop odors; salt, pepper, coffee, wheat grains, etc.

In short, any decorative element, odoriferous or storage, for example ingredients for cooking.

According to the invention, the base (6) is closed by a cover (10), resting on a shoulder (9) circular, formed at the base (7) of the base (6).

This cover (10), of circular shape, is provided with two orifices or openings (17), in annular sector, formed substantially equal distance from the center and the periphery of said cover.

The central region of the lid (10) further has an annular projection (19), directed upwards, and intended to cooperate with a substantially cylindrical wall (8), resulting from molding of the upper face of the base (6). In this way, it increases the bearing area of the cover on the base, and thus the mechanical strength of the assembly.

The lid (10) is secured by welding at the shoulder (9).

It also receives, at the level of a recess (16), a plug (11), also of circular shape, but of smaller diameter, intended to be articulated by a pivot (12) at the axis of articulation (18) formed within the lid (10), said plug (11) being received in the thickness of the lid (10).

This plug (11) is provided with at least one perforation zone (14), intended to be positioned facing one of the through windows (17) formed in the lid (10), so as to allow access to the interior of the volume thus defined, or on the contrary the evacuation of a substance, and in particular a perfume, out of this volume.

In the embodiment described, the cover being provided with two windows, the plug (11) has two perforation zones located in two diametrical positions relative to the pivot (12), one of said zones (14) being advantageously provided with an orifice of larger diameter (15), for example to release the cooking ingredients. This orifice (15), which can also be seen in Figure 8, is also intended, where appropriate, to reload the perfume carrier.

The perforation zones (14) are intended to be positioned simultaneously, at the through apertures (17), so notably to allow the release of odors or perfume sprayed on the bulk products stored in the base ( 6).

In this way, it is possible at will to vary the intensity of the perfume by the quantity thus dispersed.

 In order to promote the rotation of the plug (11) relative to the lid (10), said cap is provided with two diametrical projections (13), intended to cooperate with the fingers of the user.

It is conceivable in fact all the interest of such a device, which combines both the decorative character including the deodorizing function, by the controlled release of perfumes and other fragrances likely to be stored.

Claims (9)

1. Decorative article, including a snowball (1) comprising a base (6) serving as a support base on a flat surface, surmounted by a dome or globe (2) made of a transparent material, the volume defined by the base (6) and the dome (2) enclosing a decoration (4) and being filled with a transparent liquid (5) added with white or reflective particles intended to represent the snow, <I> characterized </ I> in that the base (6) defines in itself a volume, capable of enclosing one or more bulk products, said base (6) being closed in the vicinity of its base (7) by a cover (10) provided with at least one window through (17), and closed by a plug (11) disc-shaped, coaxial with said cover (10), and rotatable relative to the axis of revolution of the lid, to release access to said window (17). 2. Decorative article according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover (10) has two through windows (17) arranged symmetrically to each other with respect to the axis of revolution. of the lid. 3. Decorative article according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the or windows (17) are in the form of annular section. 4. Decorative article according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the cover (10) rests at its periphery on an annular shoulder (9) formed at the level of the base (7) of the base (6), and at its central zone (9) on the end of a substantially cylindrical wall (8) from the upper face of the base (6). 5. Decorative article according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the plug (11) is received within the cover (10) at a recess (16), said plug being intended to be articulated by a pivot (12) at the axis of articulation (18) formed in the lid (10). 6. Decorative article according to claim 5, characterized in that the plug (11) is received in the thickness of the lid (10). 7. Decorative article according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the plug (11) is provided with at least one perforation zone <B> (1 </ B> 4 ), intended to be positioned opposite one of the through windows (17) of the cover (10), to allow access to it or the evacuation thereof. 8. Decorative article according to claim 7, wherein the <I> characterized </ I>. plug comprises two perforation zones (14), located in two diametrical positions with respect to the pivot (12), and in that the said perforation zones (14) are intended to be located simultaneously at the through apertures (17). ), in particular so as to allow the release of odors or perfume sprayed on the bulk products if necessary stored in the base (6). 9. Decorative article according to one of claims 7 and <I> 8, </ I> characterized in that one of said zones (14) is provided with a through hole of larger diameter (15), intended in particular releasing the cooking ingredients contained in the volume thus defined in the base (6), and allowing the contents of said base to be refilled with ingredients or perfume. <B> 10. </ B> Decorative article according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the bulk products intended to be stored within the volume defined within the base (6) are included in the group comprising porous materials capable of being sprayed with perfume, in order to be able to restore it; _ dried flowers also intended to develop odors; salt, pepper, coffee, wheat grains, etc. and any decorative, odoriferous or storage element, for example, ingredients for cooking.