Antipiracy container particularly for carrying film reels

Abstract

 An antipiracy container particularly for carrying film reels, comprising a box-like containment body (11) for at least one can (12) of a film reel, which is closed by a first inner lid (13), which is fixed to the box-like body (11) by means of at least one effraction-resistant seal (14). The first lid is in turn covered by a second outer lid (16), and the sealing head (14a) of the effraction-resistant seal (14) is arranged within the box-like body (11) and within at least one of the first and second lids (13, 16).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an antipiracy container particularly for carrying film reels.

[0002] Currently, motion picture piracy is an increasingly-felt problem for theater managers as well as for motion picture studios and distributors, due to the countless stratagems that authors of pirate copies of motion pictures are capable of performing in order to obtain an unauthorized copy of a film.

[0003] The moment when a film is most exposed to the risk of being copied is during the trip for transport from the storage location or from the distribution department toward the theater where it is to be projected.

[0004] It is during this trip that the so-called "can", i.e., the circular case that contains the film reel, can be violated and used to make a high-quality copy of the film, far superior to any more or less amateurish copy obtained by recording a film while it is being projected in a theater.

[0005] Antipiracy containers for carrying cans are currently known which are formed by a containment bag which is closed with a seal.

[0006] Such seal is arranged outside the bag and therefore can be easily tampered with.

[0007] Further, such seal, by being arranged outside the bag, is exposed to unintentional impacts and opening during the transport of the bag.

[0008] As an alternative, distributors entrust the transport of the cans to security companies, which have the task of transporting or otherwise following the motion pictures along the entire path that they must follow until they are mounted on the projector.

[0009] This service is expensive and in any case involves human personnel, which, although being trustworthy, is still a potential source of insecurity.

[0010] The aim of the present invention is to provide an antipiracy container particularly for carrying film reels which is capable of ensuring that the cans carried therein cannot be violated or in any case of making any violation evident.

[0011] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide an antipiracy container which can be carried easily.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an antipiracy container inside which the cans are well-protected even against the normal inconveniences experienced during transport, such as impacts, temperature changes, and the like.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an antipiracy container particularly for carrying film reels which can be manufactured cheaply with known systems and technologies.

[0014] This aim and these and other objects, which will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an antipiracy container particularly for carrying film reels, characterized in that it is constituted by a box-like containment body for at least one case of a film reel, which is closed by a first inner lid, which is fixed to said container by means of at least one effraction-resistant seal, and by a second outer lid, the sealing head of said at least one effraction-resistant seal being arranged within said box-like body and within at least one of the first and second lids.

[0015] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of a container according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the container according to the invention;

Figure 3 is an exploded side view of the container according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a side view of the container according to the invention without the second lid;

Figure 5 is a top view of a detail of the container according to the invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional side view of a further detail of the container according to the invention.

[0016] With reference to the figures, an antipiracy container particularly for carrying film reels according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

[0017] The container 10 is constituted by a box-like containment body 11 for at least one case 12 of a film reel.

[0018] In the embodiment described here, the box-like body 11 is capable of containing up to seven cans, i.e., circular cases containing a film reel.

[0019] Each reel or case is designated by the reference numeral 12.

[0020] An internal compartment 15 of the box-like body 11 is shaped complementarily with respect to the circular profile of the can 12 of film, so that the one or more cans 12 contained therein are positioned as much correctly as possible in order to avoid impacts due to shaking caused by transport.

[0021] The box-like body 11 is closed in an upper region by a first inner lid 13, which is fixed to the box-like body 11 by means of two effraction-resistant seals 14, one arranged on the front 11a and one arranged on the rear 11b of the box-like body 11.

[0022] The first lid 13 is shaped so as to form, together with the internal compartment 15 of the box-like body 11, a substantially cylindrical seat for the cans 12 arranged therein.

[0023] The first lid 13 in turn is closed by a second outer lid 16.

[0024] The sealing head 14a of each effraction-resistant seal 14 is arranged within the box-like body 11 and between the first lid 13 and the second lid 16.

[0025] The first lid 13 is locked to the box-like body 11 not only by the seals 14 but also by way of combination-type closure means.

[0026] Such combination-type closure means are formed by a strap 17 which is arranged so as to surround the first lid 13 in the closed configuration.

[0027] The two parts that constitute the strap 17 are fixed at one end to the box-like body 11, while the free ends are locked together by means of a combination-type padlock 18.

[0028] Conveniently, the combination-type padlock 18 is of the type that can be coded in the open configuration, i.e., the code can be set before the padlock 18 is closed.

[0029] In this manner, it is possible to ensure that neither the carrier nor the person who stores the cans 12 in the container 10 knows the combination of the padlock 18, reducing the possibility of it being opened, and to ensure that only the person responsible for distribution or an agent thereof knows this combination.

[0030] The combination can be communicated by telephone, by text message or by other equivalent means by the person responsible to the projectionist or other person of reference within the theater once the container 10 has reached its destination.

[0031] As mentioned, the container 10 is provided with two effraction-resistant seals 14, which are arranged on two opposite sides (the front 11a and the rear 11b) in order to allow to check the closure of the first lid 13 on the box-like body 11.

[0032] Since the seals 14 also can be removed and then replaced with other equivalent ones by a so-called "pirate", the codes of the seals also can be reported, like the combination of the padlock 18, to the contact of the theater, so that said contact can realize immediately whether the original seals have been removed and replaced (and therefore whether the film has been manipulated inappropriately) or not.

[0033] In the embodiment of the container 10 according to the invention described here by way of non-limiting example, each seal 14 connects a recessed hollow 19 of the box-like body 11 to a perimetric flap 20 of the first lid 13.

[0034] The flap 20 is arranged so as to rest on the hollow 19.

[0035] The surrounding element 14b of the seal 14 is arranged so as to pass, from the outside inward, through corresponding facing holes of the hollow 19 and of the flap 20.

[0036] The sealing head 14a of the seal is applied to the ends of the surrounding element 14b inside the box-like body 11 and, in a position which is protected against unexpected stresses and impacts, between the first lid 13 and the second lid 16.

[0037] The second lid 16 is fixed reversibly to the box-like body 11 by means of two closure devices 21, a front one and a rear one.

[0038] A lock 22 is arranged centrally to the side of the closure devices 21.

[0039] Each closure device 21 is of the type with a buckle 21a which is rigidly coupled to one of the two parts to be mated, for engagement with a protrusion 21b of the opposite part to be mated.

[0040] The buckle 21a is tensioned by a snap closure lever 21c.

[0041] In the embodiment of the invention described here, the lock 22 is of the type with a key 23.

[0042] In another embodiment thereof, the container according to the invention is provided with one or more locks of the type with a magnetic card.

[0043] The antipiracy container 10 is provided with a contoured portion for containing at least one digital medium, such as a DVD, CD, and the like.

[0044] Such containment portion for a digital medium is formed, on the bottom 24 of the box-like body 11, by a cavity 25 which is shaped so as to contain a CD or a DVD within its case.

[0045] The CD or DVD generally contains the soundtrack of the film to be projected, which is contained in the overlying cans 12.

[0046] The box-like body 11, the first lid 13 and the second lid 16 are obtained by molding plastic material.

[0047] The container 10 is therefore substantially rigid and allows to obtain a good protection against impacts and temperature changes of the films stored inside it.

[0048] In the embodiment described here, the antipiracy container 10 has a capacity of seven cans 12, i.e., the currently most widespread number of parts into which a film is divided for first-release distribution.

[0049] The container 10 can also be obtained with a different capacity (and shape) according to requirements.

[0050] The container 10 is provided with a handle 26 for carrying it.

[0051] The handle 26 is rigidly coupled in a central position above the second lid 16.

[0052] In this manner, the container 10 can be carried comfortably like a briefcase.

[0053] In practice it has been found that the invention thus described achieves the proposed aim and objects.

[0054] In particular, the present invention provides an antipiracy container particularly for carrying film reels which is capable of ensuring that the cans carried therein cannot be violated or in any case of making any violation evident.

[0055] Moreover, the present invention provides an antipiracy container which can be carried easily.

[0056] Further, the present invention provides an antipiracy container inside which the cans are well-protected even against the normal inconveniences experienced during transport, such as impacts, temperature changes, and the like.

[0057] Moreover, the present invention provides an antipiracy container around which it is possible to organize a system for verifying effractions which can be managed easily even remotely by using known means of communication such as a voice call, a text message, e-mail and the like.

[0058] Moreover, the present invention provides an antipiracy container particularly for carrying film reels which can be manufactured cheaply with known systems and technologies.

[0059] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may further be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0060] In practice, the materials employed, so long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0061] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. PD2005A000187 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0062] 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. An antipiracy container particularly for carrying film reels, characterized in that it is constituted by a box-like containment body (11) for at least one can (12) of a film reel, which is closed by a first inner lid (13), which is fixed to said box-like body (11) by means of at least one effraction-resistant seal (14), and by a second outer lid (16), the sealing head (14a) for said at least one effraction-resistant seal (14) being arranged within said box-like body (11) and within at least one of the first and second lids (13, 16).

2. The antipiracy container according to claim 1, characterized in that said first lid (13) is locked to said box-like body (11) by way of combination-type closure means.

3. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said combination-type closure means comprise a strap (17), which is arranged so as to surround, in the closed configuration, said first lid (13), the free ends of said strap (17) being locked to each other by means of a combination-type padlock (18).

4. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said combination padlock (18) is of the type which can be encoded in the open configuration.

5. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two effraction-resistant seals (14), arranged on two opposite sides (11a, 11b), to allow to ascertain that said first lid (13) is closed onto said box-like body (11).

6. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each seal (14) joins a recessed hollow (19) of the box-like body (11) to a perimetric flap (20) of the first lid (13) which is arranged so as to rest on said hollow (19), the surrounding element (14b) of the seal (14) being arranged so as to pass, from the outside inward, through corresponding facing holes of said hollow (19) and of said flap (20), the sealing head (14a) of the seal being applied to the ends of said surrounding element (14b) inside the box-like body (11), and, in a position which is protected against unexpected stresses and impacts, between said first lid (13) and said second lid (16).

7. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second lid (16) is fixed reversibly to said box-like body (11) by means of at least one closure device (21) and with an associated lock (22).

8. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said closure device is of the type with a buckle (21a) which is rigidly coupled to one of the two parts to be mated, for engagement with a protrusion (21b) rigidly coupled to the opposite part to be mated, said buckle (21a) being tensioned by a snap-acting closure lever (21c).

9. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lock (22) is of the key-operated type.

10. The antipiracy container according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said lock is of the magnetic-card type.

11. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal compartment (15) of said box-like body (11) is shaped complementarily with respect to the circular profile of a can (12) of a film reel, in order to maintain the correct impact-resistant positioning of the at least one can (12) contained therein.

12. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first lid (13) is shaped so as to form, with said internal compartment (15) of the box-like body (11), a substantially cylindrical seat for the at least one can (12) arranged therein.

13. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one selectively among said box-like body (11), said first lid (13) and said second lid (16) have at least one contoured portion for containing at least one digital medium, such as a DVD, CD, and the like.

14. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said containment portion for a digital medium is formed on the bottom (24) of the box-like body (11) by a cavity (25) which is contoured so as to contain a CD or DVD in its case.

15. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said box-like body (11), said first lid (13) and said second lid (16) are obtained by molding plastic material.

16. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with at least one handle (26) for carrying it.

17. The antipiracy container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with one of said at least one handle (26), which is rigidly coupled in a central position in an upper region of the second lid (16).

Drawing