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GB2463712A - Casing For Protecting Portable Devices - Google Patents

Casing For Protecting Portable Devices Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2463712A
GB2463712A GB0812737A GB0812737A GB2463712A GB 2463712 A GB2463712 A GB 2463712A GB 0812737 A GB0812737 A GB 0812737A GB 0812737 A GB0812737 A GB 0812737A GB 2463712 A GB2463712 A GB 2463712A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
recited
compressible material
resiliently compressible
plastic shell
shell
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0812737A
Other versions
GB0812737D0 (en
Inventor
Jason Roberts
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tech 21 Licensing Ltd
Original Assignee
Tech 21 Licensing Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tech 21 Licensing Ltd filed Critical Tech 21 Licensing Ltd
Priority to GB0812737A priority Critical patent/GB2463712A/en
Publication of GB0812737D0 publication Critical patent/GB0812737D0/en
Publication of GB2463712A publication Critical patent/GB2463712A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
    • A45C11/002—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 for storing portable handheld communication devices, e.g. pagers or smart phones
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
    • A45C13/002—Protective covers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/348—Avoiding melting or weakening of the zone directly next to the joint area, e.g. by cooling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/54—Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-shells, to form hollow articles, e.g. for making balls, containers; Joining several hollow-preforms, e.g. half-cylinders, to form tubular articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9141—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature
    • B29C66/91411—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature of the parts to be joined, e.g. the joining process taking the temperature of the parts to be joined into account
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/919—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges
    • B29C66/9192—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges in explicit relation to another variable, e.g. temperature diagrams
    • B29C66/91921—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges in explicit relation to another variable, e.g. temperature diagrams in explicit relation to another temperature, e.g. to the softening temperature or softening point, to the thermal degradation temperature or to the ambient temperature
    • B29C66/91931—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges in explicit relation to another variable, e.g. temperature diagrams in explicit relation to another temperature, e.g. to the softening temperature or softening point, to the thermal degradation temperature or to the ambient temperature in explicit relation to the fusion temperature or melting point of the material of one of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/91935—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges in explicit relation to another variable, e.g. temperature diagrams in explicit relation to another temperature, e.g. to the softening temperature or softening point, to the thermal degradation temperature or to the ambient temperature in explicit relation to the fusion temperature or melting point of the material of one of the parts to be joined lower than said fusion temperature
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
    • H04B1/3827—Portable transceivers
    • H04B1/3888—Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
    • H05K5/0086—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus portable, e.g. battery operated apparatus
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/16—Cooling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/727—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being porous, e.g. foam
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/731—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7311—Thermal properties
    • B29C66/73115—Melting point
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/919—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2021/00—Use of unspecified rubbers as moulding material
    • B29K2021/003—Thermoplastic elastomers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2075/00—Use of PU, i.e. polyureas or polyurethanes or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2083/00—Use of polymers having silicon, with or without sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon only, in the main chain, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2101/00—Use of unspecified macromolecular compounds as moulding material
    • B29K2101/12—Thermoplastic materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/04—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped cellular or porous
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2221/00—Use of unspecified rubbers as reinforcement

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
  • Telephone Set Structure (AREA)

Abstract

A casing, for receiving an article such as cellular phones, personal digital assistants, laptops, mp3 players and other portable devices for impact protection, comprises an injection moulded plastic shell 14 and a resiliently compressible material 12 wholly contained within the shell. The resiliently compressible material is preferably made from a polymer matrix, a polymer-based dilatant and a fluid. The resiliently compressible material may be D30 (RTM). The shell 14 is preferably flexible and may have first 16 and second 18 portions each having a recess for the material 12. Portions 16, 18 may be sealed together using heat and/or pressure applied at the join between the portions. Typically, the resiliently deformable material has a melting point of 120 degrees centigrade and the plastics of the outer shell has a melting point of 200 degrees centigrade. Cooling agents may be applied to the portions to prevent heat damage of the resiliently compressible material during sealing. The casing may include a hole to allow the passage of an earphone jack and raised portions corresponding to buttons on the outside of the device to be housed within the casing.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING PORTABLE DEVICES
This invention relates to protection for articles. It is particularly applicable to cases for protecting portable devices.
In the past few years there has been an expansion in the number of portable devices that are carried around by people. These portable devices can include, for example, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDA), laptops, mp3 players. Although these devices are provided with a hard outer shell, people are constantly looking for further ways to minimise any damage caused to these devices from impacts.
One way in which the damage to the devices is minimised is to provide the device with a case. The case may be a fabric or leather sleeve or, more recently, cases are being made from flexible plastics such as silicone. However, all these case types have a limited ability to distribute the stress that is produced from an impact and therefore, damage can still be caused as the stress of an impact is concentrated at one point. It is therefore desirable to further minimise the damage that can be created by dropping devices by increasing the effectiveness of the stress absorption of these cases.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for receiving an article comprising: an injection moulded plastic shell; and a resiliently compressible material wholly contained within the injection moulded plastic shell.
The resiliently compressible material may comprises a polymer matrix, a polymer-based dilutant and a fluid.
The injection moulded plastic shell may comprise a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being sealed together. Preferably, the first portion and second portion are sealed together using heat and/or pressure in the presence of cooling agents.
The first portion and/or the second portion may be provided with a recess to receive the resiliently compressible material.
The apparatus may include holes present in the shell. The holes may be in alignment with holes provided within the resiliently compressible material or, alternatively, the apparatus may be provided with multiple portions of resiliently compressible material, the resiliently compressible material being absent at the point of a hole in through the plastic shell.
Optionally, the plastic shell is provided with raised areas corresponding to buttons on the surface of the article. The plastic shell may further provided with indentations configured to receive buttons on the surface of the article.
The plastic shell is advantageously made from a thermoplastic plastic or any other suitable plastic.
The article is preferably a portable device and even more preferably, a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, laptop, mp3 player or laptop.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming apparatus for receiving an article comprising combining: an injection moulded plastic shell; and a resiliently compressible material wholly contained within the injection moulded plastic shell.
The injection moulded plastic shell preferably comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being sealed together using any suitable means. The first portion and second portion may be sealed together using heat and/or pressure and are preferably sealed in the presence of cooling agents.
The first portion and/or the second portion may provided with a recess to receive the resiliently compressible material.
A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described by reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a case in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 a cross-section through a case in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for making the case of the present invention.
The case 10 of the present invention includes a resiliently compressible material 12 which is contained within a plastic shell 14 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.
The resiliently compressible material 12 is made from a polymer matrix, a polymer based dilatant distributed throughout the polymer and a fluid distributed throughout the matrix. The combination of the polymer matrix, dilatant and fluid producing a resiliently compressible material. The resiliently compressible material 12 is preferably also flexible. The polymer matrix forms a matrix which retains its own boundaries without the need of a container. The polymer matrix and the polymer based dilatant are formed from different polymers.
The polymer matrix may have an open-cell, closed-cell or part-open, part-closed structure and may, for example, be formed using foam forming ingredients that cause the polymer to foam. The polymer-based dilatant and fluid may be distributed throughout the material in either a uniform or a non-uniform distribution.
Any suitable material may be used to form the polymer matrix. Optionally, the polymer may be an elastomer. The elastomer may be either natural, such as latex rubbers, or synthetic elastomers, preferably, synthetic thermo-plastic elastomers. Suitable synthetic elastomers include elastomeric polyurethanes, silicone rubbers and EP rubbers.
The polymer dilatant is a material in which a polymer is combined with other components.
The polymer is present in the greatest concentration and can be selected from silicone polymer-based materials exhibiting dilatant characteristics. For example, the polymer may be selected from borated silicone polymers. Other components that may be included are: fillers, plasticisers, colourants, lubricants and thinners.
The fluid may be any suitable fluid, for example, it may be a gas. An example of such a resiliently compressible material is D30 (RTM).
The plastic shell 14 can be made from any thermosetting or thermoplastic plastic material capable of being shaped using. The plastic shell 14 has a first portion 16 and a second portion 18 as illustrated in Figure 2. Any suitable plastic may be used to form the shell 14, however it is advantageous that the shell is flexible in order that a device may be inserted into and removed from the case 10. In a preferred embodiment the plastic is silicone.
The case 10 of the present invention is formed using the method illustrated in Figure 3. The first and second portions of the plastic shell are formed using injection molding (Steps 20 and 22).
As illustrated in Figure 2, the first portion 16 of the plastic shell 14 comprises the outer half of the shell 14 and the second portion 18 of the shell 14 comprises the inner half of the shell 14. Both the first and second portions 16, 18 of the shell 14 are provided with a recess (not shown) in which the resiliently compressible material 1 2 can be situated.
The resiliently compressible material 1 2 is placed within the recess of the first portion 16 and the second portion 18 is then placed in alignment with the first portion such that the resiliently compressible material 14 is situated within the corresponding recess in the second portion (Step 26). In this way, the resiliently compressible material 14 is completely contained within the shell 14.
The first portion 16 and second portion 18 are then sealed together using heat and/or pressure applied to the join between the first portion 16 and the second portion 18 (Step 28).
By selectively applying the heat the structure of the resiliently compressible material 14 is not compromised as would occur during an injection moulding process. Hence, the resiliently compressible material retains its properties.
Preferably, cooling agents are selectively applied to sections of the first and second portions 16, 18 which are not adjacent to the join between the first and second portions 16, 18. The cooling agents act to reduce the temperature of the resiliently compressible material 14 and further prevent its structure becoming compromised. This is important because the typical melting point of a resiliently compressible material in accordance with the present invention is 120°C and the typical melting point of the plastic making up the outer shell is 200°C Optionally, the portion of the shell forming the outside of the case is provided with raised areas (not shown) corresponding to the buttons present on the outside of the device to be held within the case. Further the portion of the shell forming the inside of the case is preferably provided with raised areas configured to receive the buttons present on the outside of the device. In this way the buttons of the device can be readily located by a user, thereby facilitating the use of the device.
Optionally, the case may be provided with holes in order to allow articles to be placed in such a manner that they pass through the case. For example, the case may be provided with a hole to pass the jack for earphones through to a headphone socket or a hole through which the device can be inserted into the case. The holes may be provided by punching holes in the resilient material and providing corresponding holes in the mould for the first and second portions of the plastic shell. The holes can then be aligned when the resiliently compressible material is placed within the recess and the first and second portions sealed together as described above.
Alternatively, multiple pieces of the resiliently compressible material may be situated within the recess with gaps between the pieces of the resiliently compressible material being in alignment with the holes in the portions of the shell. The first and second portions can then be sealed together as described above.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art the case may be made in any suitable shape or configuration to provide protection to an article. For example, it may form the shape of a band to fit around the circumference of an article, as illustrated in Figure 2, or it may form a sheet to protect a surface.
The resiliently compressible material may be shaped in any suitable shape. For example, it may be an elongate member having a rectangular, circular or ovoid cross section.

Claims (19)

  1. CLAIMS 8 1. Apparatus for receiving an article comprising: i) an injection moulded plastic shell; and ii) a resiliently compressible material wholly contained within the injection moulded plastic shell.
  2. 2. Apparatus as recited in Claim 1 wherein the resiliently compressible material comprises a polymer matrix, a polymer-based dilutant and a fluid.
  3. 3. Apparatus as recited in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the injection moulded plastic shell comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being sealed together.
  4. 4. Apparatus as recited in Claim 3 wherein the first portion and/or the second portion is provided with a recess to receive the resiliently compressible material.
  5. 5. Apparatus as recited in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the first portion and second portion are sealed together using heat and/or pressure in the presence of cooling agents.
  6. 6. Apparatus as recited in any preceding claim wherein the apparatus includes holes present in the shell.
  7. 7. Apparatus as recited in Claim 6 wherein the holes are provided within the resiliently compressible material.
  8. 8. Apparatus as recited in Claim 6 wherein the apparatus is provided with multiple portions of resiliently compressible material, the resiliently compressible material being absent at the point of a hole in through the plastic shell.
  9. 9. Apparatus as recited in any preceding claim wherein the plastic shell is provided with raised areas corresponding to buttons on the surface of the article.
  10. 10. Apparatus as recited in any preceding claim wherein the plastic shell is provided with indentations configured to receive buttons on the surface of the article.
  11. 11. Apparatus as recited in any preceding claim wherein the plastic shell is made from a thermoplastic plastic.
  12. 12. Apparatus as recited in any preceding claim wherein the article comprises a portable device.
  13. 13. Apparatus as recited in Claim 12 wherein the portable device is a cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, laptop, mp3 player or laptop.
  14. 14. A method of forming apparatus for receiving an article comprising combining: i) an injection moulded plastic shell; and ii) a resiliently compressible material wholly contained within the injection moulded plastic shell.
  15. 15. A method as recited in Claim 14 wherein the injection moulded plastic shell comprises a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being sealed together.
  16. 16. A method as recited in Claim 15 wherein the first portion and/or the second portion is provided with a recess to receive the resiliently compressible material.
  17. 17. A method as recited in Claim 15 or Claim 16 wherein the first portion and second portion are sealed together using heat and/or pressure in the presence of cooling agents.
  18. 18. Apparatus for receiving an article substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any combination of the accompanying drawings.
  19. 19. A method of forming apparatus for receiving an article substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in any combination of the accompanying drawings.
GB0812737A 2008-07-11 2008-07-11 Casing For Protecting Portable Devices Withdrawn GB2463712A (en)

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US20110242746A1 (en) * 2010-04-01 2011-10-06 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L. P. Dilatant enclosure systems and methods
US8204561B2 (en) 2009-02-06 2012-06-19 Speculative Product Design, Llc One piece co-formed exterior hard shell case with an elastomeric liner for mobile electronic devices
WO2014006357A1 (en) * 2012-07-03 2014-01-09 Tek Military Seating Llp Restraining belt
USRE45179E1 (en) 2005-01-03 2014-10-07 Speculative Product Design, Llc Portable device case with corner protector
WO2015075017A1 (en) 2013-11-21 2015-05-28 Made In Mind Limited Connector for an electrical device
US9164550B2 (en) 2012-08-24 2015-10-20 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Portable electronic device port cover
US10300658B2 (en) * 2012-05-03 2019-05-28 Apple Inc. Crack resistant plastic enclosure structures
CN110557494A (en) * 2019-09-26 2019-12-10 钟艳红 Anti-falling mobile phone cover
US11522571B2 (en) 2019-10-28 2022-12-06 Speculative Product Design, Llc Mobile device case with bonded soft resin insert and shell

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USRE45179E1 (en) 2005-01-03 2014-10-07 Speculative Product Design, Llc Portable device case with corner protector
US9136897B2 (en) 2009-02-06 2015-09-15 Samsonite IP Holdings S.ár.l. One piece co-formed exterior hard shell case with an elastomeric liner for mobile electronic devices
US8755852B2 (en) 2009-02-06 2014-06-17 Speculative Product Design, Llc One piece co-formed exterior hard shell case with an elastomeric liner for mobile electronic devices
US8204561B2 (en) 2009-02-06 2012-06-19 Speculative Product Design, Llc One piece co-formed exterior hard shell case with an elastomeric liner for mobile electronic devices
US9451816B2 (en) 2009-02-06 2016-09-27 Samsonite Ip Holdings S.Àr.L. One piece co-formed exterior hard shell case with an elastomeric liner for mobile electronic devices
US20110242746A1 (en) * 2010-04-01 2011-10-06 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L. P. Dilatant enclosure systems and methods
US10300658B2 (en) * 2012-05-03 2019-05-28 Apple Inc. Crack resistant plastic enclosure structures
WO2014006357A1 (en) * 2012-07-03 2014-01-09 Tek Military Seating Llp Restraining belt
US9164550B2 (en) 2012-08-24 2015-10-20 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Portable electronic device port cover
WO2015075017A1 (en) 2013-11-21 2015-05-28 Made In Mind Limited Connector for an electrical device
CN110557494A (en) * 2019-09-26 2019-12-10 钟艳红 Anti-falling mobile phone cover
CN110557494B (en) * 2019-09-26 2021-01-22 钟艳红 A drop-proof mobile phone case
US11522571B2 (en) 2019-10-28 2022-12-06 Speculative Product Design, Llc Mobile device case with bonded soft resin insert and shell
US12009854B2 (en) 2019-10-28 2024-06-11 Speculative Product Design, Llc Mobile device case with bonded soft resin insert and shell

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