GB2298190A - Storage case - Google Patents

Abstract

A case for storing beauty products has a chest 10 with an open top upon which rests a tray 28. Two spaced pairs of legs 16,18 pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the chest 10 and the tray 28 guide the tray 28 toward the open top of the chest 10 or articulate upwardly to hold the tray 28 at an elevated position above the chest 10. The case has a cover 46 pivotally attached to the chest 10 to orbit about a cover axis, from alongside to atop the chest 10. The chest 10 can be covered with fabric by moulding the fabric and chest together by placing the fabric flush against one of the internal faces of a mould.

Description

CASE WITH PIVOTAL ACCESSORIES AND METHOD FOR COVERING THE CASE OR OTHER ARTICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a case having either a pivotal tray or pivotal cover used to store various objects, including beauty products, as well as to an article and a method for forming an article that is covered with a fabric.

2. Description of Related Art In the field of cosmetic organizers it is desirable to have a case with a capacity to store and organize a large number of articles without consuming large amount of space on a table top or vanity top. Such space conservation is important for cases used in various other fields. For aesthetic reasons it is desirable to cover the organizer case (or other articles) with decorative fabric in a simple and reliable manner, without requiring fasteners or glues.

A known vanity box (U.S. Patent 1,663,244) has a hinged lid and an internal tray supported on pivotal legs. The tray can swing out on the legs.

The tray motion is'limited by a bracket, although the legs themselves would be free to swing further. A mirror is mounted on a panel at the back corner of the tray. This hinged lid has the disadvantage that when the lid is swung back significant clearance is required behind the vanity; clearance equal to the width of the box.

In U.S. Patent 1,030,758 a candy box has a tray mounted on pivoting legs 15 and 16, which limit the backward swing of the tray, according to page 1, lines 107-111.

A lure box is shown is U.S. Patent 4,589,546 with a domed cover that is mounted to swing concentrically. A difficulty with a cover of this type is need to maintain close tolerances so that the lid can close by swinging across the top of the box without rubbing or interference. See also U.S. Patent 3,502,089 showing a makeup case with a curved cover that is hinged in the ordinary manner. See U.S. Patent 2,852,800, for concentrically moving shelves. See also U.S. Patents 4,717,024 and 5,078,159.

Accordingly, there is a need for a versatile case that has a substantial capacity, but is still relatively compact and, preferably, can be covered with appropriate decorative fabrics. Such coverings can be useful for various objects. It would also be advantageous to have a cover for the case that does not consume much space but still closes without the need for tight manufacturing tolerances.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a case for storing beauty products. The case has a chest with an open top. A tray is sized to rest upon this open top of the chest. The case also has two spaced pairs of legs pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the chest and the tray, for guiding the tray toward the open top of the chest. The two pairs of legs are arranged to articulate upwardly and hold the tray at an elevated position above the chest.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention a case is again provided with a chest having an open top. The case has a cover pivotally attached to the chest to orbit about a cover axis, from alongside to atop the chest. The cover has angularly spaced, opposite edges, which have different radial spacing from the cover axis.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention a method can cover with fabric an article molded by a mold having opposing internal faces. The method includes the step of placing the fabric flush against one of the internal faces of the mold. Another step is introducing moldable material between the internal faces to urge the fabric against one of the internal faces and bond the fabric to the moldable material.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention a covered article formed with a mold has a body formed of moldable material. The article also has a fabric overlaying and bonded to at least a portion of the body by being molded simultaneously with the body in the mold.

By employing the foregoing principles, an improved case is achieved having, preferably, a pivotally mounted cover and a pivotally mounted tray.

In the preferred embodiment, the tray is mounted to the upper lateral edges of a chest by two pairs of pivotally mounted legs. The preferred legs are bowed, and pivot- ally mounted at opposite ends. The legs rotate in spaced parallel planes, so that they can rotate past each other. When rotating out of the chest, the legs eventually interfere to limit the amount of motion of the tray supported by the legs.

The preferred cover is a lid mounted through alpair of spaced, lateral struts to the side of the chest. The pivot point of the cover is offcenter so that the lid swings across the top of the chest but with a component of normal to the open top of the chest. This assures a close fit between the lid and chest, without the need for close manufacturing tolerances.

According to another aspect of the invention, fabric is secured to the outside of an article by first placing the fabric against one of the internal faces of a mold. Thereafter moldable material is introduced so that the article is molded with the fabric secured to the outside of the molded article.

In this preferred embodiment, the fabric overlays the internal molding face, but does not enter certain depressions on that face. Then, moldable material may be introduced to permeate through the fabric and fill the depressions. Thus the molded article can have a fabric covering with embossments protruding through the fabric. These embossments can be shaped to form a logo, or simply decorative. In this preferred embodiment, an edge of a chest can have a molded flange and the fabric can be embedded by molding into the flange to provide a neat edge and to secure the fabric.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:: Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a case in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the case of Figure 1 almost closed and with a phantom illustration of the cover fully opened; Figure 3 is an end view of the case of Figure 1 with the cover fully opened and a portion of the case broken away to illustrate the pivotally mounted legs; Figure 4 is an end view of the case of Figure 1 with the cover fully opened and the tray lifted fully; Figure 5 is a detailed, exploded, axonometric view of the legs of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a top view of the legs of Figure 4; and Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of a mold for forming an article having a fabric covering.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to Figures 1 - 6, a case is illustrated having a generally rectangular, hollow chest 10, shown with an open top. (As described hereinafter objects such as a tray can be partially inserted into the chest to then become part of the open top of the chest.) Chest 10 is a molded plastic box having rounded corners and reinforcing ribs 12 that are externally convex and internally concave.

Opposite, upper lateral edges of chest 10 each have a spaced pair of C-shaped clips 14A and 14B (Figure 5) that pivotally support a pair of bowed legs 16 and 18. The lower end of leg 16 has a journal barrel 20 with a circumferential groove sized to fit in clip 1 4A. The lower end of leg 18 has a longer journal barrel 22 also with a circumferential groove sized to engage clip 14B. The combination of elements 20 and 14A (as well as the combination of elements 22 and 1 4B) are herein referred to as journals. The upper ends of legs 16 and 18 have snap prongs 24 and 26, respectively, sized to snap into holes in the tray 28 (Figures 1 and 2). Opposing legs 16' and 18' (Figure 1) are mounted on the side opposite to that supporting legs 16 and 18. Legs 16' and 18' are the mirror image of legs 16 and 18, respectively.

Tray 28 is shown as a molded shell having a number of recesses, such as end pockets 30 (Figure 1). Pockets 30 are located adjacent to the crested ends 32 of tray 28. Pockets 30 have a relatively shallow rear section and a relatively deep front section. Ends 32 each have a pair of similar notches 34 sized to fit, for example, over the journal barrels 20' and 22' of legs 16' and 18' (similar remarks apply to legs 16 and 18). Tray 28 also has a number of cylindrical pockets 36 to hold such beauty products as lipstick. Other rectangular recesses 37 are shown between cylindrical pockets 36.

Pivotally mounted at the rear edge of tray 28 is a mirror 42. The height of mirror 42 is no greater than the width of tray 28, so that the mirror can be folded flat without extending beyond the tray. Mirror 42 has stops (not shown) to limit the angular rotation possible for the mirror. A drawer 38 is slidably mounted in channels 40 on the underside of tray 28.

A latch means 44 is shown as a hollow cylindrical knob mounted to rotate concentrically on the front face of tray 28. Latch means 44 is shown with a circumferential gap sized to receive and capture a lug 48C (Figure 2) on cover 46 in a manner described hereinafter.

Cover 46 is shown herein as a lid having a pair of integrally molded lateral struts 50 connecting lid 48 to the cover axis 52, which is located on opposite sides of chest 10. Cover 46 as well as tray 28 and chest 10 can be made by injection molding. A pair of journals 54 are mounted atop lid 48 to pivotally support an arched handle 56. Lid 48 has an essentially cylindrical upper surface and an underside defined by a marginal apron whose lower edge defines a cylindrical underside. Lateral struts 50 project radially and centrally from the opposite lateral edges of lid 48. The center line 50A of struts 50 are spaced from the cover axis 52.

Because pivot 52 is offcenter, cover 46 is considered to be mounted eccentrically. In particular, the front edge 48A of lid 48 is spaced further from cover axis 52 than the rear edge 48B. Edges 48A and 48B are herein referred to as angularly spaced opposite edges.

In Figure 2, the front edge 48A of lid 48 is shown elevated above the open top formed by the top edge of tray 28 (herein, the tray when mounted on the chest, is also considered part of the chest). Thus, when lid 48 is closing, front edge 48A will not only move across the open top, but will move down towards the open top. This ensures that lid 48A will press onto the open top to form a tight fitting.

This compound motion (across and normal) is achieved because cover pivot 52 is eccentric to the cylindrical underside of lid 48. Moreover, the underside of lid 48 has a radius of curvature R1, and has a radial spacing from the cover pivot 52 that is greater than radius R1.

While a cylindrical underside is described herein for lid 48, other shapes will achieve a similar effect of allowing the lid to translate across the open top while moving down towards the open top. This effect is achieved and interference avoided when the seam between the lid and open top is such that: every point on the seam is no closer radially to the cover axis 52 than points angularly spaced therefrom in a direction toward the back edge 48B (along a plane that is transverse to the cover access 52).

Thus, the relationship producing the least closing (normal) motion would be one where the seam between the lid and the chest are concentric cylindrical surfaces. Other than that, other interfaces can be created having different eccentricities or a radial gradient determined by the requirements of this specific embodiment.

In the illustrated design, the center of curvature C of the open top (the top of crested end 32) is symmetrically disposed below cover axis 52.

With this arrangement center C and cover axis 52 are aligned approximately with the rear edge of tray 28. Under these circumstances, points on lid 48 near the rear edge 48B will move on a circle that is approximately tangent to the curve of the upper edge of tray 28. This means that points on lid 48 near rear edge 48B will tend to move parallel to the top of the tray 28 and not downwardly into the tray to cause interference. Also, points closer to front edge 48A would tend to rise from the top of tray 28 when the lid 48 is opening, which again avoids interference.

Overall the preferred case is 9 inches (22.86 cm) high, 7.5 inches (19.05 cm) deep, and 14 inches (35.56 cm) wide, although other pro portions and sizes can be used depending upon the products to be carried and the intended purpose of the case.

Chest 10 has secured around it a band of fabric F. Fabric F is secured by molding the chest with the fabric F placed inside of the mold.

Referring to Figure 7, a mold is shown herein with opposing plates 60 and 62, each having opposite internal faces. The space 63 between plates 60 and 62 is a mold cavity to form the body of an article as described hereinafter. The internal face of plate 60 has a plurality of depressions 64 for making embossments to be described presently.

Previously mentioned fabric F is shown mounted inside space 63 and flush against the internal face of plate 60. Fabric F, however, is not inserted into the depressions 64. The upper end of the mold space 63 is closed by a plate 66. Adjacent to plate 66 is a branch cavity 68 formed in the internal face of plate 60 and identified herein as a flange cavity for producing a flanged edge.

Incoming moldable material, schematically illustrated by arrow 70, is injected into the mold space 63 to fill that region. The moldable material tends to press fabric F against the internal face of plate 60. However, fabric F does not move into the depressions 64. Instead, moldable material penetrates through the permeable fabric F to fill depressions 64. This forms embossments that can be used for decorative purposes or informative purposes such as a logo. This embossment is shown in Figure 1 as a star-like embossment L. Although in some embodiments lettering or other designs can be embossed instead.

With fabric F clamped between plate 62 and plate 66, fabric F does not enter flange cavity 68. Again, the moldable material penetrates through the permeable fabric F to fill flange cavity 68. Visually, the fabric however appears to be secured to the outside of the body thereby molded, but the upper edge of fabric F neatly disappears into the flanged edge.

When the article is removed from the mold of Figure 7, the free upper edge of fabric F is then trimmed. The fabric F remains tightly held in place and does not tend to peel from the surface it is molded onto. The fabric F is held tightly to the molded body since the moldable material 70 at least partially penetrates the fabric F along its entire surface to strongly bond the fabric to the molded body.

Fabric covering F can be made of various permeable materials, including woven, knitted, or other permeable sheets, selected for decorative or protective purposes.

This molding technique for securing fabric to the outside of molded articles may be employed to produce articles of arbitrary shape and need not necessarily be employed to produces cases. Also the fabric can have various borders and need not have straight edges. Also, not all embodiments will have an embossment or flanges created by having moldable material penetrate the fabric. Also the mold can have fewer or more parts than illustrated in Figure 7.

To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing case, its operation will be described in connection with Figures 1 - 6. Cover 46 can be opened by turning the latch 44 until the lug 48C (Figure 2) is free to pass through the opening in the cylindrical sidewall of latch 44. As it opens, eventually cover 46 will swing from the position shown in full in Figure 2 to the position shown in phantom.

That position is also shown in Figure 3, where end portions of the chest 10 are broken away to reveal legs 16 and 18. The proximal end of these legs are pivotally attached to the top edge of chest 10 at journals 20, 22. The distal ends of legs 16 and 18 are pivotally attached to pocket 30, which is part of the molded tray 28.

Once lid 46 is positioned as shown in Figure 3, the user may elevate tray 28 by grabbing and lifting the crested ends 32. In response, legs 16 and 18 will swing up (clockwise as shown in Figure 3). Because embossment 22 (Figures 5 and 6) on arm 18 is relatively thick axially, arm 18 can pass to the inside of arm 16. Thus arm 18 crosses behind arm 16 to reach the position shown in Figure 4. (It will be appreciated, that tray 28 need not be lifted to the extended position shown in Figure 4 in all instances, but may instead be kept resting atop chest 10, if the user only needs access to the tray.) Once reaching the position shown in Figure 4, arms 16 and 18 have the specific relationship shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figures 4 and 6, arm 16 rests upon the journal cylinder 22 which prevents arm 16 from rotating further.Also, the upper edge 48A of lid 48 acts as a further support to the underside of tray 28 to keep the tray stable. Consequently, tray 28 (as well as arm 18) are held in the position shown in Figure 4.

As tray 28 moved to the elevated position shown in Figure 4, the back end of drawer 38 engaged the front edge 48A of lid 48. This engagement pushed drawer 38 partially open.

In this illustrated position all regions of the case are accessible. The user can place or retrieve the cosmetics in the various recesses 30, 36 and 37 atop tray 28. Also, the partially opened drawer 38 can be pulled fully open to retrieve or store other beauty products. Like-wise, relatively large articles such as hair dryers, brushes, etc. can be placed in the bottom of chest 10.

To close the case from the position shown in Figure 4, the steps are essentially reversed: Tray 28 is swung back into the open top of chest 10 and then cover 46 is swung over the repositioned tray. At that time, lug 48C (Figure 2) on the front edge .48A of cover 48 is inserted into the opening in the hollow cylindrical latch 44. Then the latch 44 may be turned to hold cover 46 in place.

It will appreciated that various modifications may be made with respect to the above described, preferred embodiment. In some embodiments illustrating various aspects of the invention, the tray may be eliminated and a cover of the type described may be used without a tray.

Alternatively in some embodiments, the tray may be used without the rotating cover. In addition, some embodiments may eliminate the mirror or may mount the mirror in different locations. Also, the various components may all be formed of molded plastic or of metal stamping, ceramic moldings, etc. Moreover, the tray can have a different number of recesses or pockets having various shapes. The legs supporting the tray are bowed, but in other embodiments they may be straight or have a different overall shape.

Furthermore, while a lateral strut is shown connecting the lid to the side of the chest, this strut may be a relatively large plate or a relatively narrow strut, which need not be symmetrically mounted to the lid. In some embodiments, the tray will descend fully into the chest and will not have a crested end extending above the chest.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims (36)

CLAIMS:

1. A case for storing beauty products, comprising: chest having an open top; a tray sized to rest upon said open top of said chest; and two spaced pairs of legs pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said chest and said tray for guiding said tray toward said open top of said chest, said two pairs of legs being arranged to articulate upwardly and hold said tray at an elevated position above said chest.

2. A case according to claim 1 wherein the legs of each of said pairs of legs are free to swing upwardly and stop as the legs interfere with each other.

3. A case according to claim 2 wherein the legs are bowed.

4. A case according to claim 1 wherein for each of the pairs, the legs are positioned to allow one to pass to the inside of the other.

5. A case according to claim 4 wherein the legs are free to rotate approximately 1800.

6. A case according to claim 1 wherein the legs are free to rotate approximately 1800.

7. A case according to claim 1 wherein said tray is sized to rest upon said chest with part of said tray outside said chest.

8. A case according to claim 7 wherein said tray has two ends that are flush with said chest when resting upon said chest.

9. A case according to claim 8 comprising: a mirror pivotally mounted atop said tray.

10. A case according to claim 9 wherein said tray comprises a shell having a plurality of recesses sized to hold cosmetic articles.

11. A case according to claim 1 comprising: a cover pivotally attached to said chest to swing from atop to alongside said chest.

12. A case according to claim 11 wherein said cover comprises: a pair of lateral struts pivotally attached to and straddling said chest; and a lid attached between said struts.

13. A case according to claim 1 wherein said cover when swung to a position alongside said chest is adapted to support subjacently said tray when said tray is swung to said elevated position above said chest.

14. A case according to claim 13 wherein said cover comprises: a pair of lateral struts pivotally attached to and straddling said chest; and a lid attached between said struts.

15. A case according to claim 11 comprising: a latch means for securing together said cover and said tray.

16. A case according to claim 11 wherein said latch means is mounted on said tray to engage an edge of said cover when said tray is resting upon and said cover is swung atop said chest.

17. A case according to claim 11 comprises: a drawer slidably mounted under said tray.

18 A case according to claim 17 wherein said cover when positioned alongside said chest is operable to project against and open said drawer when said tray is articulated upwardly to said elevated position above said chest.

19. A case according to claim 8 wherein said two ends of said tray are crested and remain exposed when said cover is moved atop said chest.

20. A case according to claim 8 wherein said legs each have a journal rotatably attached to said chest, the two ends of said tray each have a pair of notches for straddling the journals of said legs.

21. A case according to claim 11 wherein said cover is eccentrically attached to said chest.

22. A case comprising: chest having an open top; a cover pivotally attached to said chest to orbit about a cover axis from alongside to atop said chest, said cover having angularly spaced, opposite edges, said opposite edges having different radial spacing from said cover axis.

23. A case according to claim 22 wherein said cover closes on said chest by moving across and down toward said open top.

24. A case according to claim 23 wherein said cover comprises: a pair of lateral struts pivotally attached to and straddling said chest; and a lid attached between said struts.

25. A case according to claim 24 wherein said lid has a cylindrical underside that is eccentric to said cover axis.

26. A case according to claim 25 wherein said struts each have a centerline that is spaced from said cover axis.

27. A method for covering with fabric an article molded by a mold having opposing internal faces, comprising the steps of: placing the fabric flush against one of the internal faces of the mold; and introducing moldable material between the internal faces to urge the fabric against one of the internal faces and bond the fabric to said moldable material.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the fabric is permeable, and one of the internal faces has a depression, the step of placing the fabric being performed by: placing the fabric against that one of the internal faces having said depression without inserting the fabric fully into said depression, the step of introducing the moldable material being performed by forcing the moldable material to traverse the fabric and fill said depression.

29. A method according to claim 27 wherein the fabric is permeable, and wherein the opposing internal faces mate along a seam with one of the faces having a flange cavity for forming a flange, the step of placing the fabric being performed by: placing the fabric against that one of the internal faces that is shaped to form the flange without inserting the fabric into said flange cavity, the step of introducing the moldable material being performed by forcing the moldable material to traverse the fabric and fill said flange cavity.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein the step of placing the fabric is performed by: placing the fabric against that one of the internal faces that is shaped to form the flange and crossing to the other one of the faces at the seam.

31. A covered article formed with a mold comprising: a body formed of mo!dable material; and a a fabric overlaying and being bonded to at least a portion of said body by being molded simultaneously with said body in said mold.

32. A covered article according to claim 31 wherein said body has an embossment, said fabric overlying said body except for being embedded in said embossment.

33. A covered article according to claim 31 wherein said body has a flanged edge, said fabric overlying said body except for being embedded in said flanged edge.

34. A case as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 22 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

35. A method as claimed in Claim 27 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

36. A covered article as claimed in Claim 31.

substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

36. A covered article as claimed in Claim 21 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A case for storing beauty products comprising: a chest having an open top; a tray sized to fit upon said open top of said chest; two spaced pairs of legs pivotally mounted on opposite sides of said chest and said tray for guiding said tray toward said open top of said chest, said two pairs of legs being arranged to articulate upwardly and hold said tray at an elevated position above said chest; and a cover having an underside and being pivotally attached to said chest to swing open to a position alongside said chest with said underside facing a side of said chest.

2. A case according to Ciaim 1 wherein the legs of each of said pair of legs are free to swing upwardly and stop as the legs interfere with each other.

3. A case according to Claim 2 wherein the legs are bowed.

4. A case according to Claim 1 wherein, for each of the pairs, the legs are positioned to allow one to pass inside of the other.

5. A case according to Claim 4 wherein the legs are free to rotate approximately 1800.

6. A case according to Claim 1 wherein the legs are free to rotate approximately 1800.

7. A case according to Claim 1, wherein said tray is sized to rest upon said chest with part of said tray outside said chest.

8. A case according to Claim 7 wherein said tray has two ends that are flush with said chest when resting upon said chest.

9. A case according to Claim 8 comprising: a mirror pivotally mounted atop said tray.

10. A case according to Claim 9 wherein said tray comprises a shell having a plurality of recesses sized to hold cosmetic articles.

11. A case according to Claim 1 wherein the chest comprises a moulded plastics body with a fabric overlaying and bonded to at least a portion of said body.

12. A case according to Claim 1 wherein said cover comprises: a pair of lateral struts pivotally attached to and straddling said chest; and a lid attached between said struts.

13. A case according to Claim 1 wherein said cover, when swung to a position alongside said chest, is adapted to support subjacently said tray when said tray is swung to said elevated position above said chest.

14. A case according to Claim 13 wherein said cover comprises: a pair of lateral struts pivotally attached to and straddling said chest; and a lid attached between said struts.

15. A case according to Claim I comprising: a latch means for securing together said cover and said tray.

16. A case according to Claim 15 wherein said latch means is mounted on said tray to engage an edge of said cover when said tray is resting upon and said cover is swung atop said chest.

17. A case according to Claim 1 comprising a draw slidably mounted under said tray.

18. A case according to Claim 17 wherein said cover, when positioned alongside said chest, is operable to project against and open said drawer when said tray is articulated upwardly to said elevated position above said chest.

19. A case according to Claim 8 wherein said two ends of said tray are crested and remain exposed when said cover is moved atop said chest.

20. A case according to Claim 8 wherein said legs each have a journal rotatably attached to said chest, and the two ends of said tray each have a pair of notches for straddling the journals of said legs.

21. A case according to Claim 1 wherein said cover is eccentrically attached to said chest.

22. A case comprising: a chest having an open top; a cover having an underside and being pivotally attached to said chest to orbit about a cover axis from atop said chest to a position alongside said chest with said underside facing a side of said chest, said cover having, relative to said cover axis, angularly spaced, opposite edges having different radial spacings from said cover axis.

23. A case according to Claim 22 wherein said cover closes on said chest by moving across and down toward said open top.

24. A case according to claim 23 wherein said cover comprises: a pair of lateral struts pivotally attached to and straddling said chest; and a lid attached between said struts.

25. A case according to claim 24 wherein said lid has a cylindrical underside that is eccentric to said cover axis.

26. A case according to claim 25 wherein said struts each have a centerline that is spaced from said cover axis.

27. A method for covering with fabric an article molded by a mold having opposing internal faces, comprising the steps of: placing the fabric flush against one of the internal faces of the mold; and introducing moldable material between the internal faces to urge the fabric against one of the internal faces and bond the fabric to said moldable material.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the fabric is permeable, and one of the internal faces has a depression, the step of placing the fabric being performed by: placing the fabric against that one of the internal faces having said depression without inserting the fabric fully into said depression, the step of introducing the moldable material being performed by forcing the moldable material to traverse the fabric and fill said depression.

29. A method according to claim 27 wherein the fabric is permeable, and wherein the opposing internal faces mate along a seam with one of the faces having a flange cavity for forming a flange, the step of placing the fabric being performed by: placing the fabric against that one of the internal faces that is shaped to form the flange without inserting the fabric into said flange cavity, the step of introducing the moldable material being performed by forcing the moldable material to traverse the fabric and fill said flange cavity.

30. A method according to claim 29 wherein the step of placing the fabric is performed by: placing the fabric against that one of the internal faces that is shaped to form the flange and crossing to the other one of the faces at the seam.

31. A covered article formed with a mold comprising: a body formed of moldable material; and a a fabric overlaying and being bonded to at least a portion of said body by being molded simultaneously with said body in said mold.

32. A covered article according to claim 31 wherein said body has an embossment, said fabric overlying said body except for being embedded in said embossment.

33. A covered article according to claim 31 wherein said body has a flanged edge, said fabric overlying said body except for being embedded in said flanged edge.

34. A case as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 22 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

35. A method as claimed in Claim 27 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.