Durable case

Abstract

A blow-molded plastic case is made of plastic via a blow-molding process. The blow-molded plastic case includes a first shell, a second shell pivotally connected with the first shell and at least one protective ball attached to the first shell for preventing the first shell from contact with a surface such as the ground, a table, a board or the like.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a durable case and, more particularly, to a blow-molded case with protection against abrasion.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a conventional blow-molded plastic case 10 made by means of a blow-molding process. The blow-molded plastic case 10 includes two shells each including a thin wall. The thin walls of the blow-molded plastic case 10 and, more particularly, lower corners are in contact with the ground, a table or a board. Thus, the lower corners of the blow-molded plastic case 10 wear away after some time of use.

[0003] The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a blow-molded case with protection against abrasion.

[0005] According to the present invention, a case is made of plastic by means of a blow-molding process. The blow-molded plastic case includes a first shell, a second shell pivotally connected with the first shell and at least one protective ball attached to the first shell for preventing the first shell from contact with a surface such as the ground, a table, a board or the like.

[0006] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of five embodiments referring to the drawings.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blow-molded case according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional partial view of the blow-molded plastic case of FIG. 1 and shows several steel balls pressed into the blow-molded plastic case when the blow-molded plastic case is still hot and soft.

[0010] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 but shows the steel balls fit in the blow-molded plastic case after the blow-molded plastic case becomes cold and hard.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a blow-molded plastic case according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a blow-molded plastic case according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a blow-molded plastic case according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a blow-molded plastic case according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of a conventional blow-molded plastic case.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of the blow-molded plastic case shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a blow-molded plastic case 20 is made of plastic by means of a blow-molding process. The blow-molded plastic case 20 includes a first shell 21 and a second shell 22. The shells 21 and 22 both include a first edge and a second edge opposite to the first edge. The first edge of the first shell 21 is pivotally connected with the first edge of the second shell 22. The second edge of the first shell 21 can be locked to the second edge of the second shell 22 by means of snap fasteners (not numbered). The first shell 21 is formed with a handle 26 at the second edge. The second shell 22 is formed with a handle 28 at the second edge. The handles 26 and 28 can be combined.

[0018] The first shell 21 includes a face 23 ("lower face 23") that is designed for contact with a surface such as the ground, a table and a board. A group of steel balls 30 is attached to the lower face 23 of the first shell 21 near the first edge. A group of steel balls 30 is attached to the lower face 23 of the first shell 21 at each of two corners near the second edge. Each of the steel balls 30 is a steel ball. By means of the steel balls 30, the lower face 23 of the first shell 21 is protected from scratch or abrasion because it does not contact the ground, table or board.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, the blow-molded plastic case 20 includes several recesses 24 defined in the lower face 23 thereof. The recesses 24 are defined during the blow-molding process. The steel balls 30 are put into the recesses 24 when the blow-molded plastic case 20 is hot and soft right after the blow-molding process.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, the blow-molded plastic case 20 contracts at it cools down. Finally, the blow-molded plastic case 20 becomes hard. Thus, the steel balls 30 are fit in the recesses 24.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a blow-molded plastic case 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except that a group of steel balls 30 is attached to the lower face 23 of the first shell 21 at each of four corners thereof.

[0022] FIG. 5 shows a blow-molded plastic case 20 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is identical to the second embodiment except for several things. Firstly, a group of steel balls 30 is attached to each of two lateral faces of the first shell 21. Secondly, a group of steel balls 30 is attached to each of two lateral faces of the second shell 22. Thirdly, a group of steel balls 30 is attached to the handle 26 formed on the second edge of the first shell 21. Fourthly, a group of steel balls 30 is attached to the handle 28 formed on the second edge of the second shell 22.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows a blow-molded plastic case 20 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is identical to the third embodiment except that no steel ball 30 is attached to the first shell 21 and the second shell 22.

[0024] FIG. 7 shows a blow-molded plastic case 20 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The fifth embodiment is identical to the fourth embodiment except that only one of the shells 21 and 22 is formed with a handle 52 to which several steel balls 30 are attached.

[0025] The present invention has been described through detailed illustration of five embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variation from the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A blow-molded plastic case made of plastic via blow-molding, wherein the blow-molded plastic case includes a first shell, a second shell pivotally connected with the first shell and at least one protective ball attached to the first shell for preventing the first shell from contact with a surface.

2. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 1 wherein the first shell defines at least one recess for receiving a portion of the protective ball.

3. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 1 including several protective balls attached to the first shell.

4. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 3 wherein the first shell defines a corresponding number of recesses for receiving the protective balls.

5. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 1 including at least one protective ball attached to each of two corners near an edge of the first shell.

6. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 5 including a series of protective balls attached to an opposite edge of the first shell.

7. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 5 including at least one protective ball attached to each of two corners near an opposite edge of the first shell.

8. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 1 wherein the protective ball is a steel ball.

9. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 1 including at least one protective ball attached to a lower face of the first shell and at least one protective ball attached to each of two lateral faces of the first shell.

10. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 9 including at least one protective ball attached to each of two lateral faces of the second shell.

11. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 10 including a first handle formed on the first shell, a second handle formed on the second shell, at least one protective ball attached to the first handle and at least one protective ball attached to the second handle.

12. A blow-molded plastic case made of plastic via blow-molding, wherein the blow-molded plastic case includes a first shell for contact with a surface, a second shell pivotally connected with the first shell, a first handle formed on the first shell, a second handle formed on the second shell and at least one protective ball attached to each of the handles.

13. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 12 including several protective balls attached to each of the handles.

14. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 12 wherein each of the handles defines at least one recess for receiving a portion of the protective ball.

15. A blow-molded plastic case made of plastic via blow-molding, wherein the blow-molded plastic case includes a first shell for contact with a surface, a second shell pivotally connected with the first shell, a handle formed on one of the shells and at least one protective ball attached to the handle.

16. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 15 wherein the handle is molded as one piece.

17. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 15 wherein the handle includes several protective balls formed thereon.

18. The blow-molded plastic case according to claim 15 wherein the handle defines at least one recess for receiving a portion of the protective ball.