U.S. patent application number 12/065712 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-04 for box for pencil leads.
This patent application is currently assigned to Societe BIC. Invention is credited to Juliette Bonnamour, Franck Rolion.
Application Number | 20100025276 12/065712 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36218077 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100025276 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rolion; Franck ; et
al. |
February 4, 2010 |
Box For Pencil Leads
Abstract
A container for small elongated objects such as pencil leads
that includes at least two adjacent compartments, a first
compartment having an end that includes an opening for loading and
unloading the small objects, and a second compartment having an end
on which are articulated a closing unit for opening the first
compartment.
Inventors: |
Rolion; Franck; (Belloy en
France, FR) ; Bonnamour; Juliette; (Clichy,
FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES DAY
222 EAST 41ST ST
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Assignee: |
Societe BIC
Clichy
FR
|
Family ID: |
36218077 |
Appl. No.: |
12/065712 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
August 29, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR2006/002003 |
371 Date: |
February 11, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/443 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/18 20130101;
B65D 83/02 20130101; B43K 31/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/443 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/20 20060101
B65D085/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 5, 2005 |
FR |
0509051 |
Claims
1.-11. (canceled)
12. A container for small elongated objects comprising at least two
adjacent compartments, a first compartment having an end comprising
an opening for loading and unloading the small objects, and a
second compartment having an end on which are articulated means for
closing the opening of the first compartment.
13. The container according to claim 12, wherein the closing means
are capable of rotating.
14. The container according to claim 12, wherein each compartment
is tubular.
15. The container according to claim 14, wherein the compartments
are parallel and integral, the opening of the first compartment
being provided on the same side of the container as the end of the
second compartment comprising the closing means.
16. The container according to claim 15, wherein the closing means
comprise a linking element suitable for cooperating in rotation
with the end of the second compartment and a cover integral with
the linking element and suitable for closing the opening of the
first compartment by rotation of the closing means relative to the
end of the second compartment.
17. The container according to claim 16, wherein the cover includes
a stop for blocking the rotation of the closing means through
contact of the stop with the first compartment when the cover
closes the opening.
18. The container according to claim 16, wherein the closing means
as well as the opening comprise means of locking the closing means
on the opening.
19. The container according to claim 18, wherein the locking means
comprise a projection and a complementary groove, each being borne
by a separate element of the cover-opening assembly.
20. The container according to claim 16, wherein the linking
element comprises latching elements extending in a direction
substantially normal to the principal direction of the second
compartment, the latching elements forming a cylinder portion
cooperating during the rotation of the closing means with a
cylindrical housing created at the end of the second compartment,
and in which they are held by latching.
21. The container according to claim 20, wherein the second
compartment also has another end comprising an opening, called
second opening, and wherein the first compartment also has another
end on which are articulated closing means, called second closing
means, of the second opening.
22. The container according to claim 21, wherein the first and
second closing means are identical.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a national stage application of
International Application No. PCT/FR2006/002003, filed on Aug. 29,
2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] The embodiments of the present invention relate generally to
containers for small elongated objects, such as leads for
rechargeable mechanical pencils. More particularly, it relates to
containers comprising several storage compartments.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A storage box for pencil leads, containing several parallel
chambers and a common opening for access to these different
chambers, is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,815,734. A sliding and
flexible closure device is provided in front of the opening. This
device can be retracted by a rigid control knob which can slide in
a groove under the action of a finger for example and thus shift
the closure device in order to access the different chambers
successively. It is not possible, however, with such a device to
gain access to a particular chamber without opening other chambers.
Moreover, the sliding closure device can prove to be fragile in use
with risks of deterioration or even breakage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the embodiments of the present invention is to
propose an original container for small elongated objects,
presenting a compact and simple structure, which is reliable in
operation and easy to use.
[0007] To this end, an embodiment of the present invention relates
to a container for small elongated objects, comprising at least two
adjacent compartments, a first compartment having an end comprising
an opening for loading and unloading the small objects, and a
second compartment having an end on which are articulated closing
means of the opening of the first compartment.
[0008] The structure thus proposed is compact with no risk of
losing the closing means of the opening which are connected to the
second compartment.
[0009] In preferred embodiments of the invention, use can
optionally also be made of one and/or the other of the following
arrangements: [0010] the closing means are preferably capable of
rotating, [0011] each compartment is preferably tubular, [0012] the
compartments are preferably parallel and integral, the opening of
the first compartment being provided on the same side of the
container as the end of the second compartment comprising the
closing means, [0013] the closing means preferably comprise a
linking element suitable for cooperating in rotation with the end
of the second compartment and a cover integral with the linking
element and suitable for closing the opening of the first
compartment by rotation of the closing means relative to the end of
the second compartment, [0014] the cover preferably includes a stop
for blocking the rotation of the closing means through contact of
the stop with the first compartment when the cover closes the
opening, [0015] the closing means as well as the opening preferably
comprise means of locking the closing means on the opening, [0016]
the locking means preferably comprise a projection and a
complementary groove, each being borne by a separate element of the
cover-opening assembly, [0017] the linking element preferably
comprises latching elements extending in a direction substantially
normal to the principal direction of the second compartment, the
latching elements forming a cylinder portion cooperating during the
rotation of the closing means with a cylindrical housing created at
the end of the second compartment, and in which they are held by
latching, [0018] the second compartment preferably also has another
end comprising an opening, called second opening, and the first
compartment also has another end on which are articulated closing
means, called second closing means, of the second opening, and
[0019] the first and second closing means are preferably
identical.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Other features, aims and advantages of the invention will
appear on reading the following description of an embodiment given
by way of a non-limiting example. The invention will also be better
understood with the help of the drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1.1 is a perspective view of the two adjacent
compartments of the container according to an embodiment of the
present invention,
[0022] FIG. 1.2 is a front view of these same two compartments,
[0023] FIG. 2.1 is a view from below of the closing means of the
container according to an embodiment of the present invention,
[0024] FIG. 2.2 is a side view of these same closing means,
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closing means of the
container according to an embodiment of the present invention,
[0026] FIG. 4.1 is a side view of the container according to an
embodiment of the present invention, and
[0027] FIG. 4.2 is a front view of the container according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] In the different figures, the same references denote
identical or similar elements.
[0029] FIG. 1.1 represents the storage part, or chamber 10, of the
container for small objects according to an embodiment of the
present invention. This chamber 10 comprises a first compartment 11
fitted with an end. This end comprises an opening 21 for loading
and unloading small elongated objects, such as for example pencil
leads or erasers. A second compartment 12 adjacent to the first
compartment 11 is also provided, and has an end 22. A cylindrical
housing 24 is created at this end 22. Each compartment 11 and 12
preferably comprises a tubular part defining, inside each
compartment, storage zones for the small elongated objects. In a
preferred embodiment, the two compartments 11 and 12 are parallel,
integral and identical, and joined by a seam 40. The chamber 10 can
be made from plastic, wood, or any other material suitable for this
type of container. The chamber 10 can be constituted by a single
piece, or by the two compartments 11 and 12 attached to each other
via the seam 40.
[0030] The end 22 of the second compartment 12 is adapted to
receive the closing means of the opening 21 of the first
compartment, i.e. the closing means of the opening 21 of the first
compartment 11 being articulated on the end 22 of the second
compartment 12. In a preferred embodiment, the opening 21 of the
first compartment 11 is provided on the same side of the chamber 10
as the end 22 of the second compartment 12 which receives the
closing means.
[0031] These closing means are represented in FIGS. 2.1, 2.2 and in
FIG. 3. In a preferred embodiment of the container according to an
embodiment of the present invention, these closing means 50 are
capable of rotating. They comprise a first linking element 52
suitable for cooperating in rotation with the end 22 of the second
compartment 12, and a second part in the form of cover 51, integral
with the linking element 52. This linking element 52 provides the
link between the cover 51 and the chamber 10. It will be noted that
it is suitable for closing the opening 21 of the first compartment
11 by rotation of the closing means 50 around the end 22 of the
second compartment 12. The closing means 50, as shown FIG. 2.2, are
preferentially substantially flat in shape. In the case of the
example of the FIG. 1.1, where the first and second compartments
are cylindrical in shape, parallel and of the same length, the
closing means 50 can be constituted by two overlapping circular
parts as shown in FIG. 2.1 in the general shape of an "8", the
first circular part constituting the cover 51, and covering the
opening 21 of the first compartment 11, and the second circular
part corresponding to the linking element 52 which is fitted on the
end 22 of the second compartment 12.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the closing means 50 turn on the
end 22 of the second compartment 12 in a plane perpendicular to the
axis of the cylindrical parts of the first and second compartments.
In order to permit this rotation movement, the linking element 52
of the closing means 50 comprises latching elements, here two
separate elements 54 and 56, which extend in a direction
substantially normal to the principal direction of the second
compartment 12. These latching elements 54 and 56, a larger number
of which can also be provided, describe a cylinder portion also
extending in a direction substantially normal to the principal
direction of the second compartment 12, and are inserted into the
cylindrical housing 24, the shape of which complements the cylinder
portion described by the latching elements, in order that these
latter are held by latching. The cylindrical housing 24, created at
the end 22 of the second compartment 12, thus allows the rotation
of the linking element 52, and therefore of the cover 51 thanks to
the latching elements 54 and 56 which slide on this complementary
cylindrical housing 24.
[0033] In order to permit only the rotation of the closing means 50
around the end 22 of the second compartment 12, and prevent any
translation movement of the closing means 50 in a direction
perpendicular to the plane of rotation (and therefore any too easy
separation of the closing means and of the chamber 10), retaining
elements, respectively 541 and 561, are provided at the free end of
the latching elements 54 and 56. These retaining elements 541 and
561 cooperate with a guide (not visible in FIG. 1.1) arranged
inside the complementary cylindrical portion 24 provided at the end
22 of the second compartment 12. This guide can be in the form of a
circular flange standing proud inside the complementary cylindrical
portion 24. The latching elements 54 and 56 provided on the linking
element 52 must then be long enough that, during the insertion of
these elements 54 and 56 into the complementary cylindrical housing
24, the retaining elements 541 and 561 extend just beyond the
flange-shaped guide, and thus prevent any accidental removal of the
closing means 50. On the other hand, the rotation of the closing
means 50 is possible by sliding of the retaining elements 541 and
561 on the flange-shaped guide.
[0034] During the insertion of the closing means 50, and therefore
of the latching elements 54 and 56 into the cylindrical housing 24,
the latching elements 54 and 56 must of course have a degree of
flexibility in order to be able to bend slightly and thus fit into
a reduced diameter, until the final insertion position is reached
inside the complementary cylindrical housing 24.
[0035] Different retaining devices can be provided such as grooves
provided at the ends of the latching elements, and a complementary
circular flange provided in the complementary cylindrical housing
24; or vice-versa, a device comprising flanges provided on the
latching elements, and a circular groove created in the internal
part of the complementary cylindrical housing 24. These retaining
elements describe circles or portions of circles in order on the
one hand to permit the rotation of the closing means 50 while still
preventing the accidental removal of these closing means 50 from
the corresponding cylindrical housing 24.
[0036] The cover 51 comprises a stop 53 for blocking the rotation
of the closing means 50 through contact of the stop 53 with the
first compartment 11 when the closing means 50, and therefore the
cover 51, have been turned sufficiently for the cover 51 to close
the opening 21 of the first chamber 11. The stop 53 can be in the
form of an element extending in a direction perpendicular to the
cover situated on the same side as the latching elements 54 and 56.
Thus the stop 53 can enter into contact with the external wall of
the first compartment 11 close to the opening 21 during the closure
movement of the closing means 50.
[0037] In another embodiment, the cover 51 has a diameter
substantially equivalent to the external diameter of the first
compartment 11 at the opening 21. In this case, the stop has a
thickness smaller than the thickness of the wall of the first
compartment at the opening, and a recess 23 is provided on the
external wall of the first compartment 11 such that the stop 53
enters the recess 23 when the cover 51 covers the whole of the
opening 21.
[0038] In order to provide an increased firmness of the stop 53,
the latter can be in the form of a latching element that can enter
into contact with a wider portion of the external wall of the first
compartment 11 during the closure of the closing means 50. In this
case, the recess 21 is consequently provided such that the whole of
the stop 53 is housed in the recess, the stop 53 as well as the
first compartment, at the opening 21, having a substantially
continuous surface thanks to the whole of the stop being housed in
a recess 21 of complementary shape.
[0039] Locking means are provided on the closing means 50 and the
opening 21 in order to ensure a locking of the closing means 50 on
the opening 21. These locking means, as shown in FIGS. 2.1 and 1.2,
can be in the form of a projection 25 and a complementary groove
55, each of these elements being borne by a separate element of the
assembly cover 51-opening 21. Thus, during the rotation of the
closing means 50 in order to bring the cover 51 over the opening
21, at the same time as the cover 51 covers the opening 21, the
stop 53 is housed in the recess 23, and the projection 25 is housed
in the groove 55. In the embodiment presented in FIG. 1.2, the
projection 25 is provided at the opening 21 of the first
compartment 11, close to the recess 23. When the cover 51 reaches
the projection 25, the cover 51 must rise slightly until the
projection meets the groove 55. A rounded shape of the projection
51 allows the cover to be raised slightly without the user needing
to apply a significant force during the rotation of the closing
means 50. When the groove is borne by the cover 51, the stop 53, as
well as the groove 55, are respectively complementary elements of
the recess 23, and of the projection 25, in order to permit an
adequate closure of the opening 21.
[0040] According to the preferred embodiment, as represented in
FIGS. 4.1 and 4.2, closing means 60 can be provided at the opposite
ends of the first and second compartments. The closing means 60 are
then identical to the closing means 50 represented in FIGS. 2.1 and
2.2 and comprise a stop 63, latching elements 64 suitable for
cooperating with a cylindrical housing, and a part of the locking
means (not shown) for locking the closing means 60 in the closed
position.
[0041] The first compartment has, at the end opposite the opening
21, a second end 31 which has, in the internal part, a cylindrical
housing 33 suitable for receiving the latching elements 64 and the
linking element of the closing means 60. The end opposite the end
22 of the second compartment 12 has a second opening 32, similar to
the opening 21, which comprises a recess 34 and a projection 36,
these elements being respectively the complements of the stop 63
and of a groove (not shown in FIG. 4.1) created on the closing
means 60. Thus, the closing means 60 of the second opening 32 are
articulated on the second end 31.
[0042] In the embodiments represented in FIGS. 1.1, 1.2, 4.1 and
4.2, the opposite ends of the same compartment play opposite roles,
i.e. an opening for loading and unloading the small elongated
objects is provided at a first end, while a cylindrical housing is
provided at the opposite end to receive the linking element of the
closing means. Thus, the two compartments can be used to receive,
as represented in FIG. 4.2, separate small objects of different
elongated shapes such as for example pencil leads 100 in the first
compartment, and erasers 110 in the second compartment.
[0043] In other embodiments, a larger number of compartments can
also be provided, each paired in order that the closing means of an
opening are borne by one of the ends of the next compartment, such
as for example two integral pairs of compartments aligned or
disposed in a square.
[0044] Other embodiments can also be envisaged, such as for example
the use of separate closing means at the opposite ends of the
container constituted by the different compartments.
* * * * *