U.S. patent application number 11/486390 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for hexa box.
Invention is credited to Markus Fankhauser, Holger Hagen, Matthias Hammersen, Thomas Liebe, Martin Presche.
Application Number | 20070295720 11/486390 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38872616 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070295720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liebe; Thomas ; et
al. |
December 27, 2007 |
Hexa box
Abstract
The container (1) comprises two half-shells (3a, 3b). On the
edges of the half-shells (3a, 3b) at least one male coupling
element (15b) and at least two female coupling elements (15a) are
formed. The half-shells (3a, 3b) can be plugged together in an
arbitrary manner to form containers (1) or other structures, in
that male coupling elements (15b) are engaged in gaps (17) between
two adjacent female coupling elements (15a).
Inventors: |
Liebe; Thomas; (Thun,
CH) ; Fankhauser; Markus; (Oberhofen, CH) ;
Hammersen; Matthias; (Dinklage, DE) ; Presche;
Martin; (Lohne, DE) ; Hagen; Holger; (Lohne,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GIFFORD, KRASS, SPRINKLE,ANDERSON & CITKOWSKI, P.C
PO BOX 7021
TROY
MI
48007-7021
US
|
Family ID: |
38872616 |
Appl. No.: |
11/486390 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.23 ;
220/4.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/164 20130101;
B65D 69/00 20130101; B65D 21/0204 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/004.23 ;
220/004.21 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/02 20060101
B65D006/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 13, 2005 |
CH |
01160/05 |
Claims
1. A box comprising a first half portion and a second half portion
wherein on an edge of each of the first half portion and the second
half portion at least one male coupling element and at least two
female coupling elements are formed.
2. The box of claim 1 wherein the at least one the male coupling
element on one of the first half portion and the second half
portion is constructed with ball-like or staff-like form with
convex curved terminal edges.
3. The box of claim 1 wherein the at least two female coupling
elements on one of the first half portion and the second half
portion have a tubing-like form or concave curved terminal
edges.
4. The box of claim 1 wherein the at least two female coupling
elements on one of the first half portion and the second half
portion are arranged in a proximal manner to provide a ball and
socket joint adapted to receive a male coupling element.
5. The box of claim 1 wherein the at least one male coupling
element and the at least two female coupling elements on one of the
first half portion and the second half portion are formed of
plastic on a supporting belt.
6. The box of claim 5 wherein the supporting belt has ring-like
form having a groove for the admission of a flanged edge.
7. The box of claim 1 wherein one of the first half portion and the
second half portion is formed of plastic and the at least one male
coupling element and the at least two female coupling elements are
formed in the edge of one of the first half portion and the second
half portion.
8. The box of claim 2 wherein the at least two female coupling
elements on one of the first half portion and the second half
portion have a tubing-like form or concave curved terminal
edges.
9. The box of claim 2 wherein the at least two female coupling
elements on one of the first half portion and the second half
portion are arranged in a proximal manner to provide a joint seat
opening adapted to receive a male coupling element.
10. The box of claim 3 wherein the at least two female coupling
elements on one of the first half portion and the second half
portion are arranged in a proximal manner to provide a joint seat
opening adapted to receive a male coupling element.
11. The box of claim 2 wherein the at least one male coupling
element and the at least two female coupling elements on one of the
first half portion and the second half portion are formed of
plastic on a supporting belt.
12. The box of claim 3 wherein the at least one male coupling
element and the at least two female coupling elements on one of the
first half portion and the second half portion are formed of
plastic on a supporting belt.
13. The box of claim 4 wherein the at least one male coupling
element and the at least two female coupling elements on one of the
first half portion and the second half portion are formed of
plastic on a supporting belt.
14. The box of claim 2 wherein one of the first half portion and
the second half portion is formed of plastic and the at least one
male coupling element and the at least two female coupling elements
are formed in the edge of one of the first half portion and the
second half portion.
15. The box of claim 3 wherein one of the first half portion and
the second half portion is formed of plastic and the at least one
male coupling element and the at least two female coupling elements
are formed in the edge of one of the first half portion and the
second half portion.
16. The box of claim 4 wherein one of the first half portion and
the second half portion is formed of plastic and the at least one
male coupling element and the at least two female coupling elements
are formed in the edge of one of the first half portion and the
second half portion.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority of Swiss Patent Application
No. 01160/05 filed Jul. 13, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The subject matter of the invention is a container with a
seal according to the features of claim 1.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Containers for tablets, lozenges, candies, medicine,
cosmetics, and the like are known in a wide range of
configurations. They are used as storage containers and protect
their contents from external effects. However, containers are used
not only for storing and protecting their contents.
[0004] They play an important role in marketing and sales as
visible packaging elements that are noticeable by potential
customers. Properties, such as size, shape, color, material,
surface, etc., allow countless combinations and constructions with
very different effects.
[0005] From U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,327, it is known to configure
containers such that, at least at the beginning, they have the
shape of animals, which is made clearer by a corresponding painting
or printing, and such that they can be stacked in various ways.
Such containers can also be used as children's toys.
[0006] From U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,288, a recloseable container with
two half-shells is known, wherein the second half-shell can be
placed over the first half-shell like a cap for sealing the
container. One half-shell contains one or more lips, which project
on the outside and which engage in one or more grooves shaped
correspondingly on the inside of the other half-shell for sealing
the container. In at least one of the half-shells, male and female
engagement devices, which can have the shape, e.g., of
dovetail-like tongues and grooves, are formed on the outside. By
sliding the corresponding engagement devices of two or more
adjacent half-shells one into the other, these half-shells can be
assembled into different multiple container structures.
[0007] For joining and separating the containers, the top
half-shells or covers must be removed, because these partially
cover the end openings of the grooves. For a single container, the
engagement devices dominate its appearance. They are also viewed as
engagement devices, whose single task is to connect several
half-shells to each other. Half-shells with such engagement devices
are usually manufactured completely from plastic. For connecting
half-shells by means of dovetail-like engagement devices, flat,
smooth sections are required on the half-shells. Therefore, the
structural range in terms of possible shapes is greatly limited. In
addition, this type of engagement device is not suitable for
containers with a small overall height, e.g., flat containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The problem of the invention is to create a container
containing two half-shells with a seal and with means for coupling
half-shells.
[0009] This problem is solved by a container with a seal according
to the features of claim 1.
[0010] The containers according to the invention can be produced
both in plastic and also as high-quality metal containers with
sealing and coupling elements made from plastic. Simultaneously,
the sealing elements also have the function of coupling elements.
Thanks to this multiple functionality, no separate coupling
elements are required, which could negatively affect the appealing
and balanced design of the containers. The cylindrical and/or
spherical structure of the sealing and coupling elements allows
pivoting and rotating movements of two half-shells connected or
coupled with each other. At the edge of each half-shell, two spaced
female coupling elements are arranged on one side and one male
coupling element is arranged diametrically opposite on the other
side. Two half-shells can be joined to form one container, in that
the male coupling element of each half-shell is engaged or clamped
between the two elastically pliant female coupling elements of the
other respective half-shell. The spherical or cylindrical male
coupling elements with convex end regions are centered between the
concave end regions of the female coupling elements and can rotate
or pivot analogously to a hinge. For opening the container, the
male coupling element must be released from the clip on one of the
two sides. Due to the symmetric construction, the container can be
released on either of the two sides with the coupling elements and
pivoted about the opposite hinge. By releasing both coupling
connections, the half-shells can also be separated completely. The
half-shells of several containers can also be used as plugs, in
that they can be plugged together in arbitrary ways to form chains
or other structures. In a preferred configuration, the female
coupling elements also include a section that is constructed
analogous to the male coupling elements. In this way, the range of
structures increases when the half-shells are plugged together.
Thanks to the small spatial requirements of the coupling elements,
the containers can have a relatively flat construction, so that
they can find space in a pants or jacket pocket without causing
interference. Obviously, containers of greater volume can also be
constructed according to the present invention.
[0011] In principle, the containers can have any shape in top view.
Preferably, however, a symmetric polygonal shape with an even
number of edges is selected, because in this way, the coupling
elements can be arranged on opposite edges in a non-interfering
way, and because in this way, the arrangement of the coupling
elements is identical for all of the half-shells. Also suitable are
oval or circular or ellipsoid half-shells (in top view). In
principle, several pairs of diametrically opposite coupling
elements can also be arranged at the edges of the half-shells. For
example, alternating male and female coupling elements can be
formed on each of the edges of a hexagonal half-shell. This
configuration increases the security of the seal against
unintentional opening. However, then several coupling elements also
have to be opened when the container is to be opened. For plugging
elements together, the number of possible combinations is increased
even more.
[0012] In the case of sheet-metal containers, which usually include
two curved sheet-metal parts with flanged edges on the outside, the
coupling elements are preferably formed from plastic at the edge of
a slightly elastic clamping or seating ring. This can be produced
integrally, e.g., as an injection-molded part in the form of the
half-shell edge. Alternatively, first a band with shaped coupling
parts can also be produced, which is then formed into a ring, e.g.,
in the region of one of the coupling elements by means of a latch
connection or by adhesion or fusing. Such a ring with coupling
elements is placed over each edge of the two sheet-metal parts. A
circular groove, in which the flanged edge of the sheet-metal part
engages and thus can guarantee the secure retention of the ring on
the sheet-metal part, is formed on the inside of this ring. In
addition, in the region of the groove, catch elements or other
means are provided that overlap and tightly hold the flanged
sheet-metal edge inserted into the groove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention is described in more detail below with
reference to several figures. Shown are
[0014] FIG. 1, a perspective view of an opened container in a first
construction with hexagonal container shape and with spherical,
male coupling elements,
[0015] FIG. 2, the container from FIG. 1 in closed state,
[0016] FIG. 3, the bottom half-shell of the container from FIG. 1
with container base and coupling elements,
[0017] FIG. 4, a top view of the bottom half-shell from FIG. 3,
[0018] FIG. 5, the half-shell from FIG. 3, viewed from the side of
the female coupling elements,
[0019] FIG. 6, a side view of the half-shell from FIG. 3 viewed
perpendicular to the coupling elements,
[0020] FIG. 7, two joined rings with coupling elements
corresponding to FIG. 1 for an opened container, but without a
sheet-metal base,
[0021] FIG. 8, the rings from FIG. 7, corresponding to the
situation in FIG. 2 for a closed container,
[0022] FIG. 9, a top view of one of the rings from FIG. 7,
[0023] FIG. 10, a top view of the joined rings corresponding to the
situation in FIG. 8,
[0024] FIG. 11, the rings from FIG. 8 in a side view, viewed in the
direction of the coupling elements,
[0025] FIG. 12, the rings from FIG. 8 viewed perpendicular to the
coupling elements,
[0026] FIG. 13, a container with stamped sections in the container
cover,
[0027] FIG. 14, another construction of a container in an opened
state with cylindrical male coupling elements,
[0028] FIG. 15, the container from FIG. 14 in a closed state,
[0029] FIG. 16, the closed container in FIG. 15 in a side view
perpendicular to the coupling elements,
[0030] FIG. 17, a container base made from metal with an
outwards-flanged edge,
[0031] FIG. 18, another construction of a container with round
half-shell form in the closed state,
[0032] FIG. 19, the container from FIG. 18, but opened,
[0033] FIG. 20, a first structure made from plugged-together
container elements in a chain form,
[0034] FIG. 21, a second structure made from plugged-together
container elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] FIG. 1 shows an example first construction of a container 1
or, in general, a container with a first half-shell 3a including a
container base 5a and a second half-shell 3b including a container
cover 5b in the opened state. In FIGS. 2 to 12 and 17, other views
of the container 1 from FIG. 1 or of parts of this container 1 are
shown. The container base 5a and container cover 5b are made from
sheet metal in these embodiments. In a top view, they have the form
of a regular hexagon with rounded corners and include an
outwards-flanged edge 7, as described in FIG. 17. The edges 7a, 7b
are bordered or clamped by preferably slightly elastic, ring-like
carrier bands 9a, 9b. Peripheral grooves 11a, 11b (FIGS. 7 and 8),
which are used as holders for the complementary flanged edges 7a,
7b, are removed from the inner surfaces of these carrier bands 9a,
9b. Additionally, catch elements 13 or other means that overlap and
fix the flanged sheet-metal edge 7a, 7b inserted into the groove
11a, 11b, can be provided in the region of the grooves 11a, 11b.
The half-shells 3a, 3b or their edges 7a, 7b impart additional
dimensional stability to the carrier bands 9a, 9b placed on top. On
each of the carrier bands 9a, 9b, several outwards projecting
coupling elements 15 are formed, wherein at least two female
coupling elements 15a and at least one male coupling element 15b
are provided. The female coupling elements 15a are arranged
slightly offset relative to each other in the band direction, so
that a gap 17 is produced in between. Each of the carrier bands 9a,
9b is arranged on the respective edge 7a and 7b of the container
base 5a and the container cover 5b, respectively, such that the gap
17 and the male coupling element 15b are arranged in the center of
diametrically opposite sides of the respective edge 7a, 7b.
[0036] The female coupling elements 15a have, e.g., a tubular or
cylindrical construction with concave recesses on the ends in the
region of the gap 17. In this way, a type of socket for a ball and
socket joint is formed. In an alternative configuration, the
half-shells 9a, 9b can also be made from plastic, wherein the
coupling elements 15 are then formed directly on the edges 7 of
these half-shells 9a, 9b.
[0037] The ends of the female coupling elements 15a facing away
from the gap 17 are formed as spherical or bead-shaped male
coupling elements 15b in the first configuration according to FIGS.
1 to 12. In an alternative configuration, as shown in FIGS. 14 to
16, no male coupling elements 15b are provided connected laterally
to the female coupling elements 15a, and the male coupling elements
15b have the shape of cylindrical rods with convex curved ends. As
shown, e.g., in FIGS. 1 to 14, the male coupling element 15b of the
second half-shell 3b can be pressed or clicked into the gap 17
between two female coupling elements 15a of the first half-shell
3a, such that an articulated connection is produced between the two
half-shells 3a, 3b. In the first configuration, the spherical male
coupling elements 15b have two degrees of freedom for rotational
movements in the socket of a ball and socket joint. In the second
configuration with rod-shaped male coupling elements 15b, in
contrast, there is only one degree of freedom, analogous to a
hinge, which allows folding and unfolding or simple pivoting
movements of the container cover 5b. The dimensions of the male
coupling elements 15a are adapted to the dimensions of the female
coupling elements 15a or to the gap 17 formed by the female
coupling elements 15a, so that the male coupling elements 15b can
be engaged or clicked into the gap 17 under elastic yielding of the
female coupling elements 15a. The convex curved regions of the male
coupling elements 15b are then in positive or non-positive contact
with the concave curved or tubular end regions of the female
coupling elements 15a. The female coupling elements 15a have a
centering effect on the male coupling elements 15b. The dimensions
and materials are designed so that the plugged or coupled together
half-shells 3a, 3b do not change their mutual position due to
frictional forces of the coupling elements 15a, 15b, even for the
effect of small forces or moments, but so that their mutual
position can be changed easily by the force of the fingers of one
hand.
[0038] For sealing the container 17 the free male coupling elements
15b of each of the two half-shells 3a, 3b are snapped into the
corresponding gaps 17 between the female coupling elements 15a on
the other respective half-shell 3b, 3a. The edges of the
half-shells 3a, 3b or of the carrier bands 9a, 9b bordering each
other when the container 1 is closed are formed as sealing edges
19, which include, e.g., sealing lips or edge regions that overlap
when the container 1 is closed. FIGS. 2, 15, 16, and 18 show such
closed containers. In FIGS. 7 to 12, only the crier bands 9a, 9b
with the coupling elements 15 are shown, but not the container base
5a and the container cover 5b. Correspondingly, FIG. 8 shows the
situation for a closed container 1 without the sheet-metal
parts.
[0039] In other embodiments of the container 1, the sheet-metal
parts can include impressions or stamped sections 21 (FIGS. 13 to
16, 18 and 19) in addition to the half-shell form. These improve,
on one hand, the stability of the container 1 and can also impart a
unique design to the container 1. In addition, the container
surfaces can be printed or colored in some other way. In
particular, the impressions and/or stamped sections 21 can have a
pellet-like construction and can be painted with one or more
different colors. Likewise, there is the possibility of printing
the containers with different letters or motifs, which then can be
lined up to form chains of letters or words or motif combinations
at a later time.
[0040] In the embodiment according to FIGS. 18 and 19, the
half-shells 3a, 3b have a rounded edge.
[0041] In FIGS. 20 and 21, it is shown as an example how the
half-shells 3a, 3b of several containers 1 can be plugged together
to form chains or other structures in an arbitrary way. Here, the
male coupling elements 15b of one half-shell 3a, 3b are inserted
into the gaps 17 between two female coupling elements 15a of an
adjacent half-shell 3a, 3b.
[0042] In addition to the half-shells 3a, 3b, connection elements,
e.g., triangular or differently configured frames with several
projecting coupling elements 15a, 15b can be provided, which
further increases the range of shapes when parts are joined
together (not shown). Additional elements, e.g., mirrors, can also
be embodied, so that they can be fixed, e.g., in the grooves 11a,
11b in the half-shells 3a, 3b (not shown).
[0043] The containers 1 can include, e.g., first-use protection in
the form of a removable plastic film in the interior (not
shown).
* * * * *