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(11) | EP 1 055 383 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Convertible display stand and travel case |
| (57) A combined display stand and travel case which may be utilized with items such as
razors, jewelry or tools. The case is movable from a closed position which encloses
the item to be carried and protects that item during transit or storage. The case
is movable to a second, open position in which the item may be removed from the case
or maintained in a standing, uncovered position within the case. Preferably, the case
comprises one piece and does not require any assembly by the user. |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is directed to a combination display stand and travel case for holding an object such as a wet shave razor, hand tools, jewelry or the like where it would be advantageous to provide a low profile travel case and a display stand.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Stands for holding wet shave razors upright have been provided with various commercially available products for a number of years. In order to hold the razor in the upright position and be stable, the stands generally require a relative large footprint. This is especially true in the case of premium razors which can weigh in the range of 40-50 g. or more. The large base which is required for stability becomes a detriment in that it requires a large and deep retail sales package. This increase in the depth of the sales package reduces the number of packages which may be placed on any given display prong at a retail outlet. Consequently, the display prongs containing the deep razor packages require more frequent refilling than those containing packages without stands. Further, some commercially available razor stands comprise two or more pieces which require assembly by the user.
[0003] It would be advantageous to provide a combined razor display stand and travel case which has a relatively large footprint to avoid the disadvantages of stands with small footprints. Further, it would be advantageous to provide such a stand pre-assembled in order to avoid the disadvantage to the user of having to assemble the unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to the invention in a first aspect, there is provided a combined travel case and display stand as claimed in Claim 1.
[0005] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a combined travel case and display stand as defined in Claim 11.
[0007] The present invention discloses a combined display stand and travel case which may be utilized with items such as razor, jewelry or tools. The case is movable from a closed position which encloses the item to be carried and protects that item during transit or storage. The case is movable to a second, open position in which the item may be removed from the case or maintained in a standing, uncovered position within the case. Preferably, the case does not require any assembly by the user.
[0008] There now follows a description of a preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the invention. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the combined display stand and travel case with a razor within the case.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the combined display stand and travel case containing a razor and with the lid of the case open.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the combined display stand and travel case containing a razor in the standing position.
Figure 4 is a cut-away side view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position containing a razor.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position.
Figure 6 is a top end view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position.
Figure 7 is a bottom end view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position.
Figure 8 is a top view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position.
Figure 9 is a side view of the combined display stand and travel case in the closed position.
Figure 10 is a bottom view of the combined display stand and travel case.
Figure 11 is a bottom view of the combined display stand and travel case having a removable cartridge holder.
Figure 12 is a close-up view of the rotation mechanism of the combined display stand and travel case.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0009] Figure 1 illustrates the combined travel case and display stand (hereinafter referred to as the "case" or the "stand") of the present invention in the closed, or travel, position. Although the figures illustrate the case in combination with a wet shave razor, it should be understood that the case is also capable of use with any other item, such as jewelry or tools, which is desired to be placed alternatively within a safe travel case and in a standing position for display. As shown in Figure 1, case 10 comprises a base portion 1 and a lid portion 2. The base and lid may be constructed from any suitable plastic material such as ABS and, in a preferred embodiment, the lid may be transparent to allow for easy viewing of the contents. Preferably, the base and lid are symmetrically curved as shown in the figures. This curving allows for the overall footprint of the base to be as minimal as possible while, at the same time, providing a sturdy base for holding the razor in a display position. The base is provided with cut-out 4 which, when the case is closed, is aligned with cut-out 3 of the lid. In this closed, aligned position, the portion of the contents of the case which does not fit within the case may extend through the opening. As shown in Figure 1, razor handle 20 may extend through the opening formed by cut-outs 3 and 4.
[0010] As shown in Figure 2, the lid 2 may be lifted upward into a second, open position. In this open position, the contents, in this case a wet shave razor, are exposed and may be easily removed from the case. As shown in Figure 2, means for releaseably attaching the lid and the base are provided on the edges of the lid and base. Virtually any known form of attachment means may be utilized, including latches, snaps or protrusions and detents. As illustrated, snaps 7 are provided on the edge of the lid 2 in order to provide a snap-fit with the ridges 6 provided on the edge of the base. Figure 3 illustrates the razor and case in the display position. In this position, the razor stands upright with the lower end of the handle 20 contained within cut-out 4. Preferably, the bottom edge of the razor handle 20 may be placed within cut-out 9 (illustrated in Figure 4) which may be provided in the base adjacent to cut-out 4 in order to accommodate the end of the razor and provide support when the razor is in the display position. The upper end of the handle is placed within cut-out 3 for support and the razor cartridge portion 21 extends above the top of lid 2. Figure 3 also illustrates the opening 8 and cavity 5 which are adapted to receive the handle 20 and the cartridge 21 respectively when the case is in the closed position. The cavity 8 may preferably have widened portion 17 which extends outward from the cavity. Widened portion 17 allows the user to easily grasp the razor when the lid is open but the razor is not in the upright display position. When the razor is in the upright display position of Figure 3, the razor is easily accessible and removable for use.
[0011] Figure 4 illustrates a cut-away view of the razor contained within the case 10. As shown, razor cartridge 21 is contained within cavity 5, while razor handle 20 fits within opening 8 and extends outward through cut-outs 3 and 4. In the preferred embodiment, razor cartridge holder 30 is removably attached to the bottom of base 1 via clips 31 and 32. Also in the preferred embodiment, cut-out 9 is provided in base 1. When the razor is in the display position, the end of the razor handle 20 may be placed within cut-out 9 in order to provide additional stability to the razor.
[0012] Figures 5-11 illustrate various views of the case without any contents. In a preferred embodiment, means are provided to aid the user in lifting and lowering the lid. Preferably the means for opening and closing the lid may comprise finger grips 10. With regard to the razor cartridge holder, Figure 10 illustrates the underside of the case without the holder and Figure 11 illustrates the underside of the case with the holder. As shown in Figure 11, in a preferred embodiment, feet 15 may be placed on one or more corners of the bottom of the base. These feet provided added stability to the case. Also preferred are one or more openings 16 on the bottom of the base adjacent to cavity 5. These openings 16 provide drainage for any excess water remaining on the razor cartridge when it is placed within the case.
[0013] Figure 12 illustrates the preferred mechanism for allowing the lid to be placed in two different positions. Flanges 14 are provided adjacent to mating hinges 11 at the position in the case for which it is desired to pivot the lid. The flanges are affixed to lid 2, while the mating hinges are affixed to the inside wall of base 1. The flanges provide a snap fit with the mating hinges in order to firmly affix the lid to the base. The mating hinges contain one or more, and preferably two, detents 12 which aid in positioning the lid. The end of the lid contains protrusion 13 which fits within the detents 12. During use of the case, the protrusion may be placed within the appropriate detent in order to provide the desired position for the lid. Once the tooth is in the detent, the lid is held rigidly in position. In the closed position, the detent/protrusion attachment acts in combination with the snap-fit means on the opposite end of the lid to firmly hold the lid closed. This provides great safety to the contents when the case is being moved or stored. When the user desires to change the position of the lid, the protrusion is removed from the detent and moved to and placed within the other to allow the lid to remain firmly in the new position. With this preferred mechanism, the only moving part is the lid which moves between the detents. The preferred mechanism minimizes the number of moving parts and thus reduces the possibility of breakage and wear which could be caused by an excessive number of moving parts.
[0014] While there have been described what are presently believed to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.
1. A combined travel case and display stand for storing and displaying an object comprising:
A base having a cavity for storing an object;
A lid; and
Means for allowing the lid to open away from the base;
Wherein the lid is movable between a closed position and a display position and wherein
when the lid is in the display position the travel case provides a display stand for
the object contained therein.
2. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 1, wherein at least one
of the lid and the base contains one or more openings to allow an object contained
within the case to extend outward beyond the cavity within the base.
3. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 2, wherein the lid contains
at least one opening which supports the object in the display position.
4. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 3, wherein the base comprises
at least one cut-away portion to support the object in the display position.
5. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 4, wherein the means for
allowing the lid to open comprise one or more flanges attached to the lid and one
or more mating hinges affixed to the base.
6. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 5, wherein the mating
binges comprise one or more detents for securely holding the lid in a desired position.
7. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 6, wherein the mating
hinges comprise two detents and the for securely holding the lid in an open position
or in a closed position.
8. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 3, wherein the base and
the lid comprise means for securing the lid in a closed position.
9. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 8, wherein the means for
securing the base and lid comprise a latch, snap, or detent and protrusion.
10. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 9, wherein the lid further
comprises grip means to aid in opening the lid.
11. A combined travel case and display stand for storing and displaying a wet shave razor
having an upper handle, a lower handle and a razor head comprising:
A base having a cavity for storing the razor;
A lid; and
Means for allowing the lid to open away from the base;
Wherein the lid is movable between a closed position and a display position and wherein
when the lid is in the display position the travel case provides a display stand for
the razor contained therein.
12. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 11, wherein at least one
of the lid and the base contains one or more openings to allow the lower handle of
the razor contained within the case to extend outward beyond the cavity within the
base.
13. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 12, wherein the lid contains
at least one opening which supports the upper handle of the razor in the display position.
14. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 13, wherein the base comprises
at least one cut-away portion to support the lower handle of the razor in the display
position.
15. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 14, wherein the means
for allowing the lid to open comprise one or more flanges attached to the lid and
one or more mating hinges affixed to the base.
16. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 15, wherein the mating
hinges comprise one or more detents for securely holding the lid in a desired position.
17. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 16, wherein the mating
hinges comprise two detents and the flanges comprise two protrusions which are removably
positioned within the detents for securely holding the lid in an open position or
in a closed position.
18. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 13, wherein the base and
the lid comprise means for securing the lid in a closed position.
19. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 18, wherein the means
for securing the base and lid comprise a latch, snap, or detent and protrusion.
20. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 19, wherein the lid further
comprises grip means to aid in opening the lid.
21. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 20, further comprising
one or more drainage holes in the portion of the cavity adjacent to the razor head.
22. A combined travel case and display stand according to claim 21, further comprising
a widened cavity to allow for easy removal of the razor from the base.