Container particularly for eyeglasses, jewelry, watches and the like

Abstract

 A container usable particularly but not exclusively for eyeglasses, jewelry, watches and the like, constituted by two half-shells, respectively a lower half-shell (11, 11a) that constitutes the bottom of the container and an upper half-shell (10, 10a) that constitutes the lid of the container, which are mutually associated or associable, the container being crossed by a transverse through hole (19), which is formed by the combination of complementary holes (20, 21) of said half-shells (10, 10a, 11, 11a).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a container that can be used particularly but not exclusively for eyeglasses, jewelry, watches and the like.

[0002] Containers for eyeglasses are already known which are case-like, i.e., have a structure that is constituted by two half-shells, respectively a lower half-shell that constitutes the bottom and an upper half-shell that constitutes the lid, which are generally made of plastics and/or metal and are mutually associated by way of a metallic and/or flexible-film hinge.

[0003] Recent fashion trends have led to a proliferation, in recent years, of wraparound eyeglasses of the mask or visor type.

[0004] The containers used for these eyeglasses of course have to match their shape and have a substantially crescent-like contour.

[0005] In these containers, the eyeglasses are stored so that the front follows the circular shape of the edges of the front profile and the temples are adjacent to the rear edges.

[0006] These containers, which are generally cambered, are however rather bulky and therefore cannot be held easily and require considerable storage space.

[0007] Moreover, if they are not designed specifically with applied loops, they cannot for example be associated with a belt of an item of clothing that facilitates their transport.

[0008] The aim of the present invention is to provide a rigid container that can be gripped easily with one's hand, has improved ergonomics, has a smaller volume than known types intended for similar use, and has a slenderer appearance.

[0009] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a rigid container without additional loops that can be manufactured without any difficulty with conventional equipment and facilities.

[0010] Another object is to provide a rigid container without additional loops that can be manufactured at a cost that is competitive with respect to known containers.

[0011] This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a rigid container with a structure of the type constituted by two half-shells, respectively a lower half-shell that constitutes the bottom of the container and an upper half-shell that constitutes the lid of the container, which are mutually associated or associable, characterized in that said container is crossed by a transverse through hole that is formed by the combination of complementary holes of said half-shells.

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention, in a closed configuration;

Figure 2 is a top view of the container of Figure 1 in the closed configuration;

Figure 3 is a rear view of the container of Figure 1, in the closed configuration;

Figure 4 is a side view of the container of Figure 1 in a partially open configuration;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view of the container of Figure 1, in the closed configuration;

Figure 6 is an exploded transverse sectional view of a second embodiment of the container according to the invention.

[0013] With reference to Figures 1 to 5, a rigid container, for example for eyeglasses, according to the invention is constituted by two half-shells, respectively a lower half-shell 11, which constitutes the bottom, and an upper half-shell 10, which constitutes the lid, said half-shells being mutually associated.

[0014] The half-shells 10 and 11, in the non-limiting example shown in the figures, have a substantially crescent-shaped profile in plan view, with respective edges 12 and 13 that have a circular contour and lie opposite straight edges 14 and 15 and rounded ends 16 and 17.

[0015] Each one of the two half-shells 10 and 11 can be of the cambered type, as shown in the figures, or of the flat type (the flattening of the lower half-shell, for example, makes it easier to rest it on flat surfaces).

[0016] The substantially crescent-shaped profile in plan view is particularly suitable for eyeglasses of the wraparound type, which therefore have a particularly curved contour, of the visor or mask type or the like, which are stored so that their front follows the circular shape of the edges 12 and 13 of the profile and the temples are adjacent to the straight edges 14 and 15.

[0017] The half-shells 10 and 11 are preferably provided by molding plastic material with any technique, by injection, by thermoforming, et cetera, but can also be made of other materials or combinations of materials, including metallic ones or fabrics rendered rigid by bonding with applied materials.

[0018] In any case, the half-shells 10 and 11 can also be covered internally and/or externally.

[0019] The half-shells 10 and 11 can be hinged with a hinge 18, which can be conveniently of the film type, such as the one shown in the figures (a flexible element for connecting the two half-shells 10 and 11), or of the type with rigid elements (not shown in the figures) that are arranged alternately and are coaxial with a pivot that is inserted in corresponding through holes.

[0020] The half-shells 10 and 11 can overlap when closed by means of the edges 12 and 13 that lie opposite the pivoting edges 15 and 16, or the edges 12 and 13 can be provided so as to mate when closed (by abutment).

[0021] In some cases, the half-shells 10 and 11 can be separate (without a hinge) and associable exclusively by way of closure devices.

[0022] Such closure devices, both in the case of a hinged coupling between the half-shells 10 and 11 and in the case of separate half-shells 10 and 11, can be chosen equally among per se known ones, for example of the pushbutton type, or of the type with snap-together coupling between male and female elements.

[0023] According to the invention, the container is crossed by a transverse through hole, generally designated by the reference numeral 19, which is formed by the combination of complementary holes 20 and 21 of the half-shells 10 and 11.

[0024] The hole 19, which in the example of the figures is substantially lenticular but can have the most appropriate shape, is advantageously formed by contouring the walls of the half-shells 10 and 11 so as to form inner edges 22 and 23 that mate or overlap when closed, so that the container is closed in an annular manner around the contained product.

[0025] In the case shown in the figures, the contouring of the walls in the case of the figures assumes in cross-section, for each half-shell 10 and 11, a substantially funnel-like shape in order to allow easier grip.

[0026] The presence of the hole 19 produces, as a positive effect, improved ergonomics of the container, which facilitates its grip and reduces its volume, giving its appearance a feeling of reduced heaviness.

[0027] Further, the hole 19 allows the passage of belts, straps, large and fine chains, et cetera, in order to make it easier to carry without necessarily holding it in one's hand.

[0028] In a second embodiment, shown in Figure 6, the two half-shells, now designated by the reference numerals 10a and 11a, are not individually monolithic but are composed of a main supporting portion, designated by the reference numerals 10b and 11b respectively, with a hole 10c and 11c, in which a substantially funnel-shaped element 10d and 11d is inserted and coupled by means of its edges, for example by adhesive bonding; such element completes the contour and can be of the same material as the rest or of a different material.

[0029] In practice it has been found that the intended aim and objects have been achieved.

[0030] By removing unused volume, a rigid container has in fact been provided which can be gripped easily with one's hand, has improved ergonomics, a reduced volume with respect to known types for similar uses, and a less heavy-looking appearance.

[0031] The container can be manufactured without any difficulty by means of conventional equipment and facilities and, due to the lack of added parts, at a cost that is competitive with respect to known containers.

[0032] In practice, the materials used may be any according to requirements.

[0033] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2004U000065 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A rigid container for eyeglasses, jewelry, watches and the like, of the type constituted by two half-shells, respectively a lower half-shell (11, 11a) that constitutes the bottom of the container and an upper half-shell (10, 10a) that constitutes the lid of the container, which are mutually associated or associable, said container being characterized in that it is crossed by a transverse through hole (19) formed by the combination of complementary holes (20, 21) of said half-shells (10, 11).

2. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that said through hole (19) is formed by a shaping of the walls of said half-shells (10, 10a, 11, 11a) so as to form internal edges (22, 23) that mate or overlap when closed, so that the container is closed in an annular fashion around the contained product.

3. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that said half-shells (10, 10a, 11, 11a) have a substantially crescent-shaped plan profile, with respective edges (12, 13) that have a circular contour and are arranged opposite straight edges (14, 15) and rounded ends (16, 17), said hole (19) being substantially lenticular.

4. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that said half-shells (10a, 11a) are composed of a main supporting portion (10b, 11b) with a hole (10c, 11c) in which a substantially funnel-shaped element (10d, 11d) is inserted and coupled by means of its edges and completes the contour so as to form said hole (19).

Drawing