U.S. patent application number 16/584032 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-02 for storage container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Freebit AS. The applicant listed for this patent is Freebit AS. Invention is credited to Martin Ekelund.
Application Number | 20200100573 16/584032 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69947882 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-02 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200100573 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ekelund; Martin |
April 2, 2020 |
STORAGE CONTAINER
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a storage container for at
least one portable electronic apparatus including a circumferential
side wall and a bottom wall connected thereto for forming a main
receiving space of the storage container as well as a lid
construction for closing the main receiving space, wherein at least
one additional receiving space accessible from the outside and
substantially closed with respect to the main receiving space is
formed in the lid construction.
Inventors: |
Ekelund; Martin; (Oslo,
NO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Freebit AS |
Oslo |
|
NO |
|
|
Assignee: |
Freebit AS
Oslo
NO
|
Family ID: |
69947882 |
Appl. No.: |
16/584032 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
29685199 |
Mar 27, 2019 |
|
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16584032 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20130101;
A45C 2013/025 20130101; A45C 2011/001 20130101; A45C 11/008
20130101; A45C 13/005 20130101; A45C 2011/002 20130101; A45C 1/00
20130101; A45C 13/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 11/00 20060101
A45C011/00; A45C 13/02 20060101 A45C013/02; A45C 13/00 20060101
A45C013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 1, 2018 |
DE |
20 2018 105 634.4 |
Sep 26, 2019 |
DE |
10 2019 125 914.2 |
Claims
1. A storage container for at least one portable electronic
apparatus, comprising: a circumferential side wall and a bottom
wall connected thereto for forming a main receiving space of the
storage container as well as a lid construction for closing the
main receiving space, wherein at least one additional receiving
space accessible from the outside and substantially closed with
respect to the main receiving space is formed in the lid
construction.
2. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the lid
construction comprises a circumferential first side wall as well as
an inner first lid wall connected thereto, wherein the first lid
wall is formed such that it substantially closes the additional
receiving space with respect to the main receiving space.
3. The storage container according to claim 2, wherein the lid
construction comprises a circumferential second side wall and a
second lid wall connected thereto for forming the additional
receiving space.
4. The storage container according to claim 3, wherein at least one
receiving opening is formed in the area of the second side wall
and/or of the second lid wall.
5. The storage container according to claim 4, wherein the
receiving opening is formed closable or non-closable.
6. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the lid
construction is connected to the side wall in pivotable and
foldable manner.
7. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the lid
construction is connected to the side wall via at least one hinge
flap.
8. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein at least one
opening is formed in the side wall and/or the bottom wall and/or
the lid construction in the area of corresponding electrical or
electronic terminals of the received electronic apparatus.
9. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein an exterior
shape of the main receiving space is formed such that they
substantially correspond to the shape of an outer circumference of
the electronic apparatus.
10. The storage container according to claim 2, wherein an exterior
shape of a receiving space formed by the inner first side wall and
the first lid wall of the lid construction is formed such that they
substantially correspond to the shape of an outer circumference of
the electronic apparatus.
11. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the
portable electronic apparatus is a mobile phone, a music player or
a charging station of a mobile phone, of cordless headphones or
other electronic apparatuses comprising at least one chargeable
accumulator for current supply.
12. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the
additional receiving space of the lid construction is formed for
receiving accessory elements of the portable electronic
apparatus.
13. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the storage
container is integrally formed.
14. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the side
wall, the bottom wall and the lid construction are composed of an
elastic material.
15. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the side
wall, the bottom wall and the lid construction are composed of a
silicone material or a plastic material.
16. The storage container according to claim 4, wherein the shape
and/or a diameter of the receiving opening are variable by exertion
of pressure on the lid construction.
17. The storage container according to claim 1, wherein the storage
container is configured and arranged for storing at least one
portable electronic apparatus in at least the main receiving space
as well as for storing at least one accessory element in the
additional receiving space of the lid construction.
18. The storage container according to claim 17, wherein the
portable electronic apparatus is a mobile phone, a music player or
a charging station of a mobile phone, of cordless headphones or
other electronic apparatuses comprising at least one chargeable
accumulator for current supply.
19. The storage container according to claim 17, wherein the
accessory element is a replacement part of the electronic
apparatus, a retaining and positioning element of a headphone
and/or an electronic and/or electrical element connectable to a
charging station for accumulators storable in the storage
container.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims
priority from earlier filed U.S. Design patent application Ser. No.
29/685,199, filed on Mar. 27, 2019, the entire contents thereof is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a storage container for at
least one portable electronic apparatus including a circumferential
side wall and a bottom wall connected thereto for forming a main
receiving space of a main receiving area of the storage container
as well as a lid construction for closing the main receiving space.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a use for such a storage
container.
[0003] Such storage containers are known in a great plurality. In
particular, these storage containers are so-called protective
envelopes for portable electronic apparatuses such as for example
mobile phones, music players or corresponding charging stations for
electronic apparatuses operated by means of accumulators. Therein,
these storage containers enclose the corresponding electronic
apparatus in envelope-like manner and usually are composed of a
flexible, impact-resistant silicone material. The danger of
unintended destructions of the electronic apparatuses for example
upon dropping these apparatuses is considerably reduced by such
storage containers. For example, these silicone envelopes are used
for storing chargers for cordless headphones. Corresponding
headphones are for example known under the name "AirPod".
[0004] However, it is disadvantageous in the known storage devices,
in particular the storage devices of silicone, that additional
elements such as for example replacement parts for the electronic
apparatus received in the storage device or also accessory elements
cannot be additionally received due to the restriction of the
receiving space of the known receiving devices. Namely, the
receiving space of the known receiving devices is configured such
that exclusively the electronic apparatuses provided thereto can be
received since the exterior shape of the electronic apparatus
substantially corresponds to the shape of the corresponding
receiving space. Therefore, additional elements have to be
transported in separate storage containers or in an additional
storage box receiving the storage device of the electronic
apparatus and the accessory to the storage device. This is
relatively cumbersome for the user and causes a relatively large
space requirement.
[0005] Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to
provide a generic storage container and the use thereof, which
ensures improved possibilities for simultaneous storage of portable
electronic apparatuses and corresponding accessory parts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A storage container as well as a use of a corresponding
storage container of the present invention serve for solving these
objects. Advantageous configurations of the storage container
according to the invention and the use according to the invention
are described in detail below. Therein, advantageous configurations
of the storage container are to be regarded as advantageous
configurations of the use of the storage container and vice
versa.
[0007] A first aspect of the invention relates to a storage
container for at least one portable electronic apparatus including
a circumferential side wall and a bottom wall connected thereto for
forming a main receiving space of the receiving container as well
as a lid construction for closing the main receiving space.
Therein, at least one additional receiving space accessible from
the outside and substantially closed with respect to the main
receiving space is formed in the lid construction. By the
configuration of the lid construction according to the invention
with the additional receiving space, there is advantageously the
possibility that further elements such as for example accessory
elements of the electronic apparatus can be received and
transported in one and the same storage container. The construction
according to the invention allows that the storage container can be
overall kept relatively small Furthermore, only one single storage
container is required for storing the electronic apparatus as well
as further elements.
[0008] Therein, the portable electronic apparatus can be a mobile
phone, a music player such as for example a so-called MP3 player or
a charging station of an electronic apparatus such as for example a
charging station of a mobile phone, a charging station of cordless
headphones or other electronic apparatuses comprising at least one
chargeable accumulator for current supply. The additional receiving
space of the lid construction can be formed for receiving accessory
elements of the corresponding portable electronic apparatus as
already mentioned. Therein, the accessory element can be a
replacement part of the electronic apparatus, a retaining and
positioning element of a headphone and/or an electronic and/or
electrical element connectable to a charging station for
accumulators storable in the storage container. Thus, besides a
charging apparatus for cordless headphones, the corresponding
retaining and positioning elements attachable to the headphone for
better retention and better positioning of the headphones within
the ear can also be stored. In particular with relatively small
elements, the additional receiving space of the lid construction
offers a secure and comfortably operable receiving place. However,
not only accessory elements for the electronic apparatus, but also
other elements are understood by accessory elements, which have to
be stored and transported. They can for example be portable lamps,
coins or bills or also cosmetic articles such as for example
lipsticks and the like.
[0009] In further advantageous configurations of the storage
container according to the invention, the lid construction
comprises a circumferential first side wall as well as an inner
first lid wall connected thereto, wherein the first lid wall is
formed such that it substantially closes the additional receiving
space with respect to the main receiving space. Therein, by the
term "substantially closes" or "substantially closed", it is to be
understood that a barrier is formed between the main receiving
space and the additional receiving space, namely such that the
elements arranged in the additional receiving space cannot fall
into the main receiving space. However, embodiments are also to be
understood by the mentioned terms, in which the inner first lid
wall for example comprises a perforation, to for example allow
ventilation of the main receiving space. Mesh-like separations are
also conceivable. In addition, correspondingly small openings in
the inner first lid wall can ensure that upon closing the lid
construction, the air resistance occurring therein is reduced. In
addition, the lid construction can comprise a circumferential
second side wall and a second lid wall connected thereto for
forming the additional receiving space. In order to make the lid
construction accessible from the outside, at least one receiving
opening can be formed in the area of the second side wall and/or of
the second lid wall. Therein, this receiving opening can be formed
closable or non-closable. In addition, the lid construction can be
connected to the side wall in pivotable or foldable manner, wherein
this can for example be effected via at least one hinge flap, which
connects the side wall to the lid construction. The above mentioned
construction allows formation of the additional receiving space in
the lid construction. The circumferential second side wall as well
as the second lid wall connected thereto form the exterior shape or
the outer circumference of the storage container in this area of
the storage container. In the interior of the storage container,
the main receiving space--as already set forth above--is separated
with respect to the additional receiving space by the inner first
lid wall. The lid construction according to the invention allows a
relatively low constructional size of the storage container
although it comprises the additional receiving space.
[0010] In further advantageous configurations of the storage
container according to the invention, at least one opening is
formed in the side wall and/or the bottom wall and/or the lid
construction in the area of corresponding electrical or electronic
terminals of the received electronic apparatus. Thereby, there is
advantageously the possibility that the electronic apparatus such
as for example a charging apparatus can be charged or a
corresponding charging operation of an electronic apparatus can be
performed also with corresponding storage in the storage container.
Furthermore, there is the possibility that an exterior shape of the
main receiving space and/or a shape of the receiving space formed
by the inner first side wall and the first lid wall of the lid
construction are formed such that they substantially correspond to
the shape of an outer circumference of the electronic apparatus.
Thereby, it is ensured that the storage container adapts to the
electronic apparatus in envelope-like and close manner and securely
stores it.
[0011] In further advantageous configurations of the storage
container according to the invention, the side wall, the bottom
wall and the lid construction are composed of an elastic material.
The same can apply to the connecting elements between the lid
construction and the side wall of the storage container. Therein,
these elements can be composed of a silicone material or a plastic
material. These materials cling to the outer circumference of the
electronic apparatus and securely store it. In particular in using
flexible and impact-resistant silicone material, a considerably
improved protection with respect to damages arises, which would for
example arise by dropping the electronic apparatus without storage
container. In using an elastic material, there is also the
possibility that the shape and/or a diameter of the receiving
opening formed in the lid construction are variable by means of
exertion of pressure on the lid construction. This means that
separately formed closure mechanisms do not have to be formed for
the receiving opening in this case. By exerting pressure, the
diameter of the receiving opening can for example be increased such
that corresponding elements can be introduced into the additional
receiving space of the lid construction. After the pressure is no
longer exerted, the original shape and the original diameter of the
receiving opening, respectively, are again reached due to the
elasticity of the material. Thereby, a corresponding closure of the
additional receiving space results such that the element located
within the additional receiving space can no longer fall out of
it.
[0012] However, there is also the possibility that the silicone
material or the plastic material is less elastically or flexibly
formed. The use of rigid, non-flexible materials is also
possible.
[0013] In a further advantageous configuration of the storage
container according to the invention, it is integrally formed.
Thereby, there is the possibility to simplify and accelerate the
manufacturing procedure. In particular by corresponding injection
molding and/or molding methods, the integral manufacture of the
storage container is possible.
[0014] A second aspect of the invention relates to a storage
container according to the first inventive aspect and its inventive
use. Therein, at least the main receiving space of the storage
container serves for storing at least one portable electronic
apparatus and at least one accessory element is stored in the
additional receiving space of the lid construction. Therein, the
portable electronic apparatus can be a mobile phone, a music player
such as for example an MP3 player or a charging station of a mobile
phone, of cordless headphones or another electronic apparatus
comprising at least one chargeable accumulator for current supply.
The accessory element can be a replacement part of the electronic
apparatus, a retaining and positioning element of a headphone
and/or an electronic and/or electrical element connectable to a
charging station for accumulators storable in the storage
container. However, other elements such as for example
non-electronic elements such as coins, bills, cosmetics or the like
can also be stored in the additional receiving space of the lid
construction. By the use according to the invention, the
possibility of easy stowage and transport of an electronic
apparatus including corresponding accessory elements or further
elements mentioned above arises.
[0015] Further features and the advantages thereof can be taken
from the descriptions of the first inventive aspect, wherein
advantageous configurations of the first inventive aspect are to be
regarded as advantageous configurations of the second inventive
aspect and vice versa.
[0016] Further features of the invention are apparent from the
claims, the embodiment as well as based on the drawings. The
features and feature combinations mentioned above in the
description as well as the features and feature combinations
mentioned below in the embodiments are usable not only in the
respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations
without departing from the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematically illustrated lateral top view of a
storage container according to the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematically illustrated side view of the
storage container according to the invention according to FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional representation of the
storage container according to the invention according to FIG.
1;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a schematically illustrated top view to the lid
construction of the storage container according to the invention
according to FIG. 1; and
[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematically illustrated top view to the bottom
wall of the storage container according to the invention according
to FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a schematically illustrated lateral top view to
a storage container 10 for at least one portable electronic
apparatus (not illustrated). Therein, the storage container 10
includes a circumferential side wall 12 and a bottom wall 14
connected thereto for forming a main receiving space 16 (compare
FIG. 3). Furthermore, the storage container 10 includes a lid
construction 18 for closing the main receiving space 16. One
recognizes that the circumferential side wall 12 is formed
integrally with the bottom wall 14 in the illustrated embodiment
and forms a rounded transitional area. Furthermore, it becomes
clear that the lid construction 18 is connected to the side wall 12
by means of a hinge flap 36. Thereby, the lid construction 18 is
connected to the side wall 12 in pivotable and foldable manner. On
the side of the storage container 10 opposing the hinge flap 36, a
grip opening 32 is formed.
[0023] Furthermore, one recognizes that the lid construction 18
comprises a circumferential second side wall 26 and a second lid
wall 28 connected thereto. The second side wall 26 as well as the
second lid wall 28 are again formed integrally with each other and
form a rounded transitional area. In the area of the second lid
wall 28, an elongated formed receiving opening 30 is arranged. The
lid construction 18 additionally comprises an additional receiving
space 20 accessible from the outside via the receiving opening 30
and closed with respect to the main receiving space 16. Therein,
the additional receiving space 20 is closed with respect to the
main receiving space 16 by a first lid wall 24 (compare also FIG.
3).
[0024] The illustrated storage container is composed of a flexible,
impact-resistant silicone material and thus overall forms a
silicone envelope for the portable electronic apparatus to be
received. Therein, the wall thicknesses can be 0.5 to 2.0
millimeters, in particular 1.0 to 1.5 millimeters. However, other
thicknesses are also conceivable. Furthermore, the surface of the
silicone material can be formed rough, corrugated, smooth or as a
combination thereof. By the flexible configuration of the lid
construction 18, it is possible that the receiving opening 30 can
be changed in its shape and/or its diameter by means of exerting
pressure on the lid construction 18. This means that the
illustrated slit-shaped receiving opening 30 can for example be
deformed such that the distance between the edge areas of the
longitudinal slit is widened such that a corresponding item can be
introduced into the additional receiving space 20 via the receiving
opening 30. After introducing the item, the exertion of pressure on
the lid construction 18 is aborted such that the receiving opening
30 can again assume its original shape and/or its original
diameter. Thereby, secure storage of the items in the additional
receiving space 20 results. In addition, the insertion and removal
of the items from the receiving space 20 is simply and readily
possible. There is also the possibility that separate closure
mechanisms close the receiving opening 30 (not illustrated).
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a schematically illustrated side view of the
storage container 10 according to FIG. 1. It becomes clear that the
lid construction 18 is connected to the circumferential side wall
12 via the hinge flap 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the
storage container 10 is integrally formed, that means that all of
the elements of the storage container 10 can be manufactured, in
particular molded, in one working step. However, there is also the
possibility that the lid construction 18 and the circumferential
side wall 12 forming the main receiving space 16 and the bottom
wall 14 connected thereto are for example manufactured as separate
elements. These separate elements are then connected to each other
via a corresponding hinge connection.
[0026] Furthermore, FIG. 2 clearly shows the rounded shapes formed
at the ends of the storage container 10. Furthermore, the
configuration of the additional storage space 20 becomes clear,
which is delimited with respect to the main receiving space 16 by
means of the inner lid wall 24. With respect to the further
features shown in the figure, we make reference to the description
of FIG. 1. Therein, identical reference characters denote identical
features.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional representation of the
storage container 10 according to FIG. 1. One recognizes that the
lid construction 18 comprises a circumferential first side wall 22
as well as the inner first lid wall 24 connected thereto. Therein,
the first lid wall 24 is formed such that it closes the additional
receiving space 20 with respect to the main receiving space 16. One
recognizes that the inner lid wall 24 forms an arch-like receiving
space 38 in the lid construction 18 together with the first side
wall 22. Therein, the inner lid wall 24 serves as a bottom area for
the additional receiving space 20, which is accessible via the
receiving opening 30 in the area of the second lid wall 28.
[0028] Furthermore, it becomes clear that the main receiving space
16 and the receiving space 38 in the lid construction 18 overall
form a contiguous receiving space for the portable electronic
apparatus to be received. Therein, the exterior shape of the main
receiving space 16 and/or the exterior shape of the receiving space
38 are usually formed such that they substantially or at least
partially correspond to the shape of an outer circumference of the
electronic apparatus to be received. Thereby, the storage container
10 can closely abut on the electronic apparatus such that it can be
securely stored. In addition, a protective function arises thereby
since the storage container 10 forms an additional envelope of the
electronic apparatus. Therein, the portable electronic apparatus
can be a mobile phone, a music player or a charging station of a
mobile phone, a charging station of cordless headphones or a
charging station of another electronic apparatus comprising at
least one chargeable accumulator for current supply. The additional
receiving space 20 of the lid construction 18 usually serves for
receiving accessory elements for the portable electronic apparatus.
They can for example be replacement parts of the electronic
apparatus, retaining and positioning elements of a headphone and/or
an electronic and/or electrical element connectable to a charging
station for accumulators storable in the storage container 10. Such
elements for example include lighting and signaling electrical
elements. Of course, other elements can also be introduced in the
additional receiving space 20, which are required by the user of
the storage container 10. The configuration of the storage
container 10 allows also transporting further elements such as
accessory parts in one and the same storage device besides the
actual electronic apparatus. In addition, the required space or
space requirement is not substantially increased with respect to
conventional storage containers such that the storage container 10
can also be relatively comfortably transported and handled.
[0029] Furthermore, one recognizes that openings 34 are formed at
the side wall 12 and the bottom wall 14 in the area of
corresponding electrical or electronic terminals of the received
electronic apparatus. The grip opening 32 facilitates opening the
storage container 10. With respect to the further features, we make
reference to the description of figures of the preceding figures,
wherein identical reference characters denote identical
features.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a schematically illustrated top view to the lid
construction 18 of the storage container 10 according to FIG. 1.
One again recognizes the slit-shaped configuration of the receiving
opening 30 and the additional receiving space 20 located below.
Furthermore, it becomes clear that the storage container 10 has a
shape rounded at the ends also in cross-section. With respect to
the further features, we make reference to the description of
figures of the preceding figures, wherein identical reference
characters denote identical features.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a schematically illustrated top view to the
bottom wall 14 of the storage container 10 according to FIG. 1. One
recognizes the configuration of the opening 34, the shape of which
is modeled on the corresponding shape of an electrical or
electronic terminal. With respect to the further features, we make
reference to the description of figures of the preceding figures,
wherein identical reference characters denote identical
features.
[0032] The storage container 10 in particular finds use for storing
at least one portable electronic apparatus in at least the
receiving space 16 as well as for storing at least one accessory
element or the like in the additional receiving space 20 of the lid
construction. Therein, the storage container 10 can be formed of
one or more materials, in particular silicone materials or plastic
materials.
[0033] While various embodiments have been described above, it
should be understood that they have been presented only as
illustrations and examples of the present invention, and not by way
of limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the
relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made
therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention
should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary
embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the
appended claims and their equivalents. It will also be understood
that each feature of each embodiment discussed herein, and of each
reference cited herein, can be used in combination with the
features of any other embodiment. All patents and publications
discussed herein are incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
* * * * *