US3371772A - Package for the transport and display of at least one wristwatch - Google Patents

Description

March 5, 1968 M. FONTANNAZ 3,371,772

PACKAGE FOR THE TRANSPORT AND DISPLAY OF AT LEAST ONE WRIS'I'WATCH Filed March 14, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet l March 5, 1968 M. FONTANNAZ 3,

. PACKAGE FOR THE TRANSPORT AND DISPLAY UP AT LEAST ONE WRISTWATCH Filed March 14, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 5, 1968 M. FONTANNAZ 3,371,772

PACKAGE FOR THE TRANSPORT AND DISPLAY OF AT LEAST ONE WRISTWATCH Filed March 14, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 March 5, 1968 M. FONTANNAZ 3,371,772

PACKAGE FOR THE TRANSPORT AND DISPLAY OF AT LEAST ONE WRISTWATCH Filed March 14, 1967 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent Ofifice 3,371,772 PACKAGE FOR THE TRANSPORT AND DISPLAY OF AT LEAST ONE WRISTWATCH Marcel Fontannaz, Echandens, Switzerland, assignor to Cartolux S.A., Echandens, Vaud, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Filed Mar. 14, 1967, Ser. No. 623,120 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Mar. 14, 1966, 3,740/66; Oct. 14, 1966, 15,079/66, 15,080/66; Jan. 13, 1967, 742/67; Feb. 7, 1967, 1,959/ 67 17 Claims. Cl. 206-4514) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A package for a wristwatch in which the watch is supported in a channel of an elongated element and the strap segments of the watch are held in place by depending wall portions of cap elements which are supported by the elongated element at the ends thereof. The assembly of the elongated element and the cap elements is replaceably covered by a cover element.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a package for the transport and display of at least one wristwatch.

An object of the invention is to provide a package adapted to protect such a watch while facilitating at the sametime its display, the watch being held flat with the strap or bracelet segments thereof stretched or placed one over the other. A further object of the invention is to provide for the application of advertising indicia on removable elements of the package so that it can be displayed with the watch for instance in a display window.

To achieve the above and other objects, the package according to the invention is constituted by at least four elements. .These include a first elongated element having a channel designed to accommodate at least one wrist watch, two similar removable cap elements at the two ends of the first element and having depending wall portions for engaging at least one segment of the strap forholding the same securely in place, and finally, a fourth element or cover for covering the watch and closing the package. I

The first element is preferably constituted of two parts, an-outer one and an inner one, forming the so-called channel, said parts being interchangeable with a view to being adapted to watches of various sizes.-

The walls of the two end elements designed to hold in position the segments of the strap may for example be formed as small articulated tongues retaining at least one strap segment by a wedging action, said tongues possibly being formed with semicircular notches at their lower edges and adapted to rest at different levels on straps of various .widths. Such notches can also be utilized in fixed walls.

As the fourth element, there may be employed a simple. prismatic case or box, capable of enclosing the other three elements, or the fourth element may be a lid formed in such a way that it can be secured on thefirst element at various levels to enable the accommodation of watches of various thicknesses.

All or part of the above elements may be formed of a sheet material appropriately folded and pasted, or the elements may be formed by molding synthetic plastic material, for instance by injection.

The elements will preferably be colored, and provided with ornamentation and inscriptions or partly covered with fabric or other material to confer a pleasant appearance to the package.

3,371,772 Patented Mar. 5, 1968 The attached drawing shows four embodiments of the invention, given by way of example:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the package according to an embodiment adapted to contain one wristwatch,

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of an element of the package of FIG. 1,

FIGURE 3 is an end View of a cap element of the package of FIG. 1,

FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a part of the package containing a wristwatch,

FIGURE 5 shows a side view and mode of display of a portion of the package and the wristwatch it contains.

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional View similar to that of FIG. 2, showing the manner in which an element of the package is formed so as to allow it to accommodate wristwatches of various sizes,

FIGURES 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of various profiles or shapes of a cover element of the package,

FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view of an element of a package capable of accommodating four watches,

FIGURE 10 is a view, in perspective, of a portion of the package according to a second embodiment,

FIGRE 11 is a cross-sectional view through the package of FIG. 10 showing the manner of fixation of a strap segment of a watch,

FIGURE 12 shows an adaptation of the package of FIG. 11 to a watch of different size,

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a portion of a package according to a third embodiment,

FIGURE 14 shows an end element of the package used for display or advertising purposes,

FIGURES 15 and 16 show in cross-section the adaptation of the package for the storage and display of watches of different sizes,

FIGURES 18 and 19 are cross-sectional views of a por-' tion of the package of FIG. 17 showing two variations of securing the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The package according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is constituted by a first element or oblong central inner part 1, having two lateral walls 2 and 3 which define a channel 4. This element is obtained by folding a sheet material.

At each end of the first element is mounted a cap 5 having an interior cavity of the same shape as the outer contour of element 1. The caps 5 are accurately nested on the ends of element 1 and form a with.

A prismatic case or box -6 encloses element 1 and caps 5, the latter subassembly being inserted into case 6 so as to form an elongated closed package of rectangular section.

All the elements already described are obtained by simple folding and securing, for instance by fastenings or adhesives, but they could also be moulded.

The shapes of the elements are sufficiently simple to avoid difficulties in execution by folding. The folding in fact is very simple and can readily be effected on cardboard or the like, a portion being broken away at 6 in FIG. 1 to show the simplicity of the folding.

For purposes of aesthetics, strength and handleability, the element 1 and caps -5 have outer lateral faces which are inclined, the contour of element 1 thus being trapezoidal.

subassembly there- However, this profile is not limiting and it could be rectangular.

On the side oriented toward the center of the element 1, each cap has a small articulated tongue 7 suspended in the channel and extending to the bottom of the latter (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

FIG. 4 illustrates the function of these small tongues. Therein, there is shown a wristwatch 8 in the channel 4, and one of the segments 9 of the strap. The free end of the segment 9 has been pushed into the cap 5 past the small tongue 7 which consequently has assumed an inclined position. In this inclined position, the small tongue opposes withdrawal of the segment of the strap which is able to go forward but not rearward, since it is wedged under the small tongue .To remove the strap segment, it is necessary to push the small tongue back with the finger, so that it is further inclined thus to provide the space necessary for the free sliding of the strap segment.

From the foregoing it is evident, that the two segments of the strap are retained by the small tongues of the caps 5 at both ends of element 1 and thereby the wristwatch is held fiat in the channel and it cannot escape therefrom.

The element 1, caps 5, and the watch form a unit which can be introduced into or takenout of the protecting case 6 at will. For simplicity, the case 6 is shown with a rectangular section, which is capable of surrounding the trapezoidal shape of the element 1 and caps 5.

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement wherein the bottom of the element 1 has an articulated blade 10 with a removable lower end whereby it is possible, with the case 6 removed, to support the element 1 and the caps 5 so as to display the watch in a display window.

The Wristwatches to be supported in the package are likely to be of various sizes, and therefore the described package is easily adapted thereto, by placing an intermediate part in the channel or modifying the folding of element 1.

FIG. 6 shows an intermediate part 11 in the channel, obtained by folding a strip of material. It is easy to adapt the size of the small tongues 7 to the new section of the channel thus obtained, for instance by cutting the tongues to size.

Of course, the outer profile of the case may also play a part in the display of the package. Instead of a simple parallelepiped shape, as in FIG. 1, the case 6 may have any desired shape as, for instance, the triangular shape 12 in FIG. 7 or the oval shape at 13 in FIG. 8, with suitable openings for accommodating the assembly of element 1 and caps 5.

It is also possible to provide suitable f-oldings making it possible to obtain several channel-like housings for simultaneous display of several watches.

The cross-section of FIG. 9 shows, by way of example, a square arrangement, with f our channel housings 14, likewise obtained through folding of a sheet material.

According to FIG. 10, referring to a second embodiment, a sheet is again folded to form a channel 15 and a small tongue 16 is hinged at edge 16' to cap 17 and penetrates into channel 15.

At the lower edge of tongue 16 there is formed a semi-circular shaped notch 18.

As seen in FIG. 11, the segment 19 of the strap of the watch can pass through and be engaged in the notch between the extreme edges of the latter. Thereby, the strap segment is secured in the tongue 16.

The arrangement in FIG. 11 is suitable for a mans watch with a relatively broad strap.

In the case of a ladies watch with a narrower strap, it is suitable as has been explained above, to use an intermediate part, shown in FIG. 12 at 20 for raising the watch and providing a smaller channel space in the channel 15.

FIG. 12 shows that, thanks to a bend of the notch 18 of the small tongue, a narrower strap segment 21 will also be held securely by the latter, in which it comes to be placed at a higher level.

According to the third embodiment of FIG. 13, element 22 of the package has the shape of an oblong and open parallelepiped box. The element 22 defines a channel adapted to accommodate a wristwatch, of which a portion only of a segment of its strap is visible at 23.

The box element 22, as well as the elements which will be further described may be inserted into the protecting case 24.

The ilustrated end of the box 22 receives a hollow element 25, obtained by folding or moulding. The element 25 is in the form of a block nesting exactly in the corresponding end of the box.

This block is visible in detail in FIG. 14.

The block has a wall 26, facing the inside of the box which is provided with a notch 27, adapted to hold a segment 23 of the strap flat (see FIG. 13).

The box 25 has a transverse wall 28, opposite the wall 26 which is inclined and adapted to be placed against the front wall of the box 22. The wall 28 forms an angle with the upper wall of the block 25 which is less than This makes it possible, for instance, when displaying the wristwatch in a display case, to extract the block 25 from the box 22, and place the latter on a horizontal surface 29, so as to expose a face on which, at P, it is possible to inscribe advertising indicia, or the like.

The notch 27 will hold in position in the package a broad strap segment 23 placed on the bottom of the box 22 as shown in FIG. 15, as well as a narrower segment 30, raised by means of a false bottom 31 as seen in FIG. 16.

It is to be noted that the notch 27 is also capable of receiving both strap segments of a watch. This permits the accommodation of two watches in the channel 22 end-to-end with their strap segments extending in opposite directions and received in respective boxes 25 at opposite ends of the package. It is also possible to position one box 25 at one end of channel 22 and the other box in the center of the channel and to place two watches in the respective formed cavities in channel 22 oriented in the same direction, each watch having its strap segments received in a respective box 25.

Despite the capability of providing for the possibility, as has been shown, of adapting the package to straps having various widths, it is also desirable to adapt the pack age to watches having various thicknesses, without it being necessary to provide the package with a height to accommodate the thickest watch.

This is achieved by the fourth embodiment, shown in FIG. 17.

Therein, there is shown an oblong box 31 similar to the box 22 of the preceding embodiment, but having on its longitudinal walls, two parallel grooves 32.

The package includes a lid 33, instead of a case. The lid is formed with a large covering face and two longitudinal side walls 34, 35, the lower edges of which have respective internal terminal ribs 36, 37.

These ribs are designed to keep the lid 33 on the box by inserting them in either of the grooves 32 thereof. Thereby the lid can be placed at various heights on the box. A greater number of grooves may be provided in the longitudinal walls of the box as desired.

As shown in FIG. 18, the grooves 32 are shaped like teeth to allow engagement of the lid 32 by application of pressure in the direction of the arrow 37, the elasticity of the lateral walls of the lid allowing the necessary increase in spacing thereof.

In FIG. 19 the grooves 38 and the ribs 39 have a rectangular shape which allows the placement of the lid on the box by lateral sliding engagement only.

The grooved box and ribbed lid are preferably made of moulded material.

What is claimed is:

1. A package for the transport and display of at least one wristwatch, said package comprising an elongated element having opposite ends and defining a channel for accommodating a wristwatch, two cap elements replace ably engageable on said elongated element at respective ends thereof, each capelement including a depending wall portion suspended in said channel for engaging at least one segment of a strap of said watch to hold the same securely in place, and a cover element removably mounted on the elongated element and the cap elements to enclose the same and cover a watch therein.

2. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated element includes lateral wall portions having inclined outer surfaces to provide a trapezoidal outline for said elongated element.

3. A package as claimed in claim 11 wherein said cover element has a rectangular section.

4. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover element has a triangular section.

5. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover element has a round section.

6. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover element has an oval section.

7. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated element has a primastic cross section With channels formed in each of the sides thereof.

8. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said elongated element has a bottom and a hinged supporting flap on said bottom for supporting said elongated element in an upright position.

9. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said depending wall portions on said cap elements are hingeably connected thereto to enable insertion of a segment of a strap into said cap elements by inclination of said wall portions.

10. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said depending wall portions have lower edges with semi-circular notches formed therein.

11. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cap elements have an internal cavity corresponding in shape to the cross-section of said elongated element, the

ends of said elongated element being inserted into the cap elements.

12. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cap elements are hollow blocks inserted into the channel of said elongated element at said ends thereof.

13. A package as claimed in claim 12 wherein said blocks include at least one wall which is pivotable.

14. A package as claimed in claim 12 wherein said depending wall portions of the cap elements have lower edges proximate the bottom of the channel, said wall portions being provided with semi-circular notches of said lower edges.

15. A package as claimed in claim 14 wherein said cap elements include second Wall portions opposite the first said wall portions and closer to the ends of the elongated elements, said cap elements including a top wall, said second wall portions being inclined downwardly away from said ends of the elongated element at an angle of less than 90 with said top walls.

16. A package as claimed in claim 1 comprising a folded intermediate insert member engageable in the channel of said elongated element, said intermediate member defining a respective channel of reduced size compared to that in the elongated element whereby watches of smaller sizes can be received therein.

17. A package as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover element is a lid including depending lateral side walls having lower edges and terminal internal ribs thereat, said elongated element including side walls with parallel longitudinal grooves therein having a shape corresponding to that of the ribs whereby the lid can be placed on the elongated element in a number of positions to vary the depth of the package as measured from the top of the lid to the bottom of the elongated element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,615,324 1/1927 Bulova 206 2,327,301 8/1943 Davis 206-75 X 2,937,743 5/1960 Buttery et a1. 206-4514 2,752,035 6/ 1956 Shinoda 20645.14

MARTHA L. RICE Primary Examiner,

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