PACKAGE COMPRISING MEANS FOR KEEPING AN OBJECT IN PLACE

Abstract

The invention relates to a package comprising: a case defining a cavity, the cavity being delimited by inner faces; means for obturating the cavity comprising a lid, the obturation means being movably mounted on the case, between an open position allowing access to the cavity and a closed position closing access to the cavity; retaining means comprising a plate intended to press an object against one of the inner faces of the case, called support face, and a mechanism for coupling the plate to the lid and to the case, the coupling mechanism comprising means for elastically returning the plate in a position pressed against the support face.

Claims

1.-9. (canceled)

10. A package comprising: a case defining a cavity, the cavity being delimited by inner faces; means for obturating the cavity comprising a lid, the obturation means being movably mounted on the case, between an open position allowing access to the cavity and a closed position obturating access to the cavity; retaining means comprising a plate intended to press an object against one of the inner faces of the case, called support face, and a mechanism for coupling the plate to the lid and to the case; wherein the coupling mechanism comprises: means for movably driving the plate during an opening or a closing of the obturation means, the drive means being designed to drive the plate in the direction of the lid and allow access to the cavity during passage of the obturation means from their closed position to their open position; means for elastically returning the plate in a position pressed against the support face; the drive means and the elastic return means being designed to drive together the plate in its position pressed against the support face during passage of the obturation means from their open position to their closed position, characterized in that the elastic return means comprise at least one elastic link extending from one end coupled to the plate to another end coupled to an attachment point in the package, and in that the coupling mechanism comprises means for compressing the elastic link between its two ends, the compression means being active in the closed position of the obturation means and inactive apart from this closed position.

11. The package according to claim 10, wherein the lid extends between a front edge and a rear edge, the lid being mounted by its rear edge on an upper edge of a rear panel of the package, and in that the drive means comprise at least one deployable member movably mounted on the lid in the immediate vicinity of its front edge, the lid, the rear panel, the plate, the elastic return means, and the deployable member(s) forming a deformable parallelogram.

12. The package according to claim 11, wherein the rear panel of the package also forms part of the obturation means, the rear panel being movably mounted in rotation on a base of the case.

13. The package according to claim 11, wherein at least one elastic link, called front elastic link, is mounted on the deployable member, and in that the means for compressing said front elastic link are presented by the case.

14. The package according to claim 13, wherein the case comprises two side panels, each side panel comprising a guide rail by which the or one of the deployable members is intended to be guided during passage of the lid from its open position to its closed position, and in that the or each deployable member has at least one slider intended to slide in the guide rail intended to guide the deployable member, said slider being engaged in an end portion of the guide rail when the obturation means are in their closed position, the means for compressing the front elastic link(s) mounted on the deployable member being located in the immediate vicinity of the terminal portion of each guide rail.

15. The package according to claim 13, wherein the deployable member takes the form of an arm extending between a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the lid and the second end having the slider, the arm having an insertion path extending from its first end to its second end, the front elastic link extending freely movable in extension along the insertion path.

16. The package according to claim 13, wherein the means for compressing the front elastic link mounted on the deployable member comprise two elastically deformable jaws between an open position allowing the insertion and displacement of the front elastic link between the jaws, and a clamped position of the front elastic link.

17. The package according to claim 11, wherein an elastic link, called rear elastic link, extends between two ends each coupled to a rear edge of the plate, the rear elastic link having a central portion extending in a passage delimited by two guides coupled on the case, along a lower edge of the rear panel, and through which the rear elastic link passes, each guide forming part of the compression means.

18. The package according to claim 17, wherein each guide comprises: a main body delimiting a central space along which the rear elastic link extends; a bracket movable relative to the main body between a remote position in which the rear elastic link is free in translation in the central space, and a compressed position against the main body in which the rear elastic link is compressed between the main body and the bracket, and in that the passage of the obturation means from their open position to their closed position causes the passage of the bracket from its remote position to its compressed position.

Description

[0059] FIG. 1 is a simplified representation of a first embodiment of the package according to the invention, the package comprising a case defining a cavity and means for obturating the cavity, the package being in an open configuration where the cavity is accessible, a lid being in a raised position;

[0060] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation in perspective of part of the package according to a second embodiment, in which the obturation means also comprise a rear panel, an object being inserted into the cavity and the obturation means being in a fully open position;

[0061] FIG. 3 is a partial schematic representation of the package of FIG. 2 in which the obturation means are in transition between a fully open position and a closed position illustrated in FIG. 4;

[0062] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of part of the package of FIGS. 2 and 3 with the obturation means in the closed position, the package comprising means for retaining the object in a position pressed against an inner face of the case, the retaining means comprising a plate and a mechanism for coupling the plate to the lid and to the case;

[0063] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation in perspective of part of the coupling mechanism;

[0064] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation illustrating another part of the coupling mechanism cooperating with the plate;

[0065] FIG. 7 is a schematic representation illustrating the part of the coupling mechanism and the plate of FIG. 6, the plate adopting a raised position corresponding for example to the one adopted by the plate in FIG. 4;

[0066] FIG. 8 is a schematic representation illustrating the implementation of the retaining means of FIG. 7 on the package 1, a slider presented by a deployable member of the coupling mechanism cooperating with means for compressing an elastic link of the coupling mechanism;

[0067] FIG. 9 is a schematic representation in perspective centered on the compression means intended to cooperate with the slider and the elastic link;

[0068] FIG. 10 is a schematic representation illustrating the cooperation of the elastic link with the compression means, according to a cross-sectional view;

[0069] FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of elastic return means of the coupling mechanism implemented in the vicinity of a rear panel of the package;

[0070] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the retaining means illustrated in FIG. 11;

[0071] FIG. 13 is a detail view centered on the retaining means of FIGS. 11 and 12, put in situation in the package in the fully open position of the obturation means illustrated in FIG. 2;

[0072] FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of the retaining means of FIG. 13 in which the obturation means are partially folded into their closed position;

[0073] FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of a guide of the elastic return means;

[0074] FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of the guide according to FIG. 15 in which a compression on the elastic link is carried out;

[0075] FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of the compression means of FIGS. 9 and 10, in which the compression means are in an inactive state, according to a transverse section perpendicular to the section represented in FIG. 10;

[0076] FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of the compression means of FIGS. 9 and 10, in which the compression means are in an active state, according to a transverse section perpendicular to the section represented in FIG. 10.

[0077] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a package 1 according to the invention is represented.

[0078] This package 1 comprises a case 2 defining a cavity, and means for obturating the cavity.

[0079] The cavity 2 is delimited by inner faces 24 of the case 2.

[0080] More specifically, the case 2 comprises a base 20, a front panel 21, a rear panel 22, and two side panels 23.

[0081] The obturation means are movably mounted on the case 2. These obturation means comprise a lid 3.

[0082] The package 1 also comprises a rear panel 22. Depending on the embodiments, the rear panel 22 forms either part of the case 2 or of the obturation means.

[0083] With reference to the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the obturation means comprise only the lid 3, and the lid 3 is movable mounted in rotation on the rear panel 22.

[0084] According to the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the obturation means also comprise the rear panel 22. In this case, and detailed below, the rear panel 22 is imperatively movable mounted in rotation on the base 20.

[0085] The package 1 according to these embodiments is of the foldable type.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 1, the package 1 is in a use configuration. In this use configuration, the case 2 defines a cavity of essentially rectangular parallelepipedal shape.

[0087] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, in this use configuration, the package 1 is able to receive an object O.

[0088] The package 1 is also likely to adopt a flat configuration, in which the side panels 23, the front panel 21 and the rear panel 22 are folded over the base 20, or in the extension of the base 20.

[0089] For this purpose, the front panel 21, the rear panel 22 and the side panels 23 are movably coupled in rotation on the base 20.

[0090] More specifically, the rear panel 22 extends between an upper edge 221 and a lower edge 222. This rear panel 22 is movably coupled in rotation at the base 20 via its lower edge 222.

[0091] In addition, the lid 3 is movably mounted in rotation on the rear panel 22.

[0092] The lid 3 extends between a front edge 31 and a rear edge 32. This lid 3 is movably mounted in rotation at the upper edge 221 of the rear panel 22 via its rear edge 32.

[0093] In the flat configuration of the package 1, the side panels 23 are first folded over the base 20.

[0094] Then, the rear panel 2 is folded back in the extension of the base 20 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0095] Subsequently, the front panel 21 is folded over the base 20 overlapping the side panels 23.

[0096] Finally, the lid 3 is completely folded over the other elements of the package 1 in the flat configuration, overlapping the rear panel 22, and the side panels 23, on the base 20, in the extension of the front panel 21.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 2, the obturation means are in an open position that allows access to the cavity. The lid 3 and the rear panel 22 are pivoted behind the case 2.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 4, the obturation means are in a closed position. The rear panel 22 and the lid 3 then adopt a position that obturates access to the cavity.

[0099] According to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 to 4, the passage of the lid 3 in its maximum open position, relative to the case 2, also causes the passage of the rear panel 22 in a folded back position relative to the base 20, in the extension of the base 20.

[0100] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, as well as FIGS. 13 and 14, the package 1 also comprises retaining means 4.

[0101] These retaining means 4 comprise a plate 41 which is intended to press an object O against one of the inner faces 24 of the case 2, this inner face 24 then being referred to as support face.

[0102] The retaining means 4 also comprise a mechanism for coupling the plate 41 to the lid 3 and to the case 2.

[0103] According to the present embodiment, the object O is intended to be pressed by the retaining means 4 against the inner face 24 of the base 20 of the case 2.

[0104] For this purpose, the plate 41 has, when the obturation means are in their closed position illustrated in FIG. 4, a clearance along a direction transverse to the base 20.

[0105] The coupling mechanism for its part comprises: [0106] means for driving 5 the plate 41 during an opening or a closing of the lid 3, and thus more generally during an opening or a closing of the obturation means; [0107] means for elastically returning 6 the plate 41 in a position pressed against the support face.

[0108] The drive means 5 and the elastic return means 6 are designed to drive the plate 41 together in its position pressed against the support face during a passage of the obturation means from their open position to their closed position.

[0109] The drive means 5 are also designed to drive the plate 41 in the direction of the lid 3 and allow access to the cavity during passage of the obturation means from their closed position to their open position.

[0110] These drive means 5, and these elastic return means 6 make it possible, during the closing of the obturation means, with an object O positioned on the inner face 24 of the base 20, to maintain this object O against the support face by applying a pressure on it. This pressure is applied by the plate 41 which transmits the traction produced by the elastic return means 6.

[0111] Once the lid 3 is closed, that is to say the obturation means adopt their closed position, the means for elastically returning 6 the plate 41 in its position pressed against the support face, make it possible to return the plate 41 in the direction of the base 20.

[0112] According to the present embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9, the drive means 5 comprise two deployable members 51 which are movably mounted on the lid 3 in the immediate vicinity of its front edge 31. The two deployable members 51 are more precisely each located in the immediate vicinity of a side panel 23 in the closed position of the lid 3.

[0113] The lid 3, the rear panel 22, the plate 41, the elastic return means 6 and the deployable members 51 together form a deformable parallelogram. The elastic return means 6 participate in forming the deformable parallelogram in that they couple the plate 41 to the deployable members 51 and to the rear panel 22. This deformable parallelogram mechanism makes it possible to retract the plate 41 from access to the cavity when the obturation means are in their open position, and to fold the plate 41 in the direction of the base 20, during the passage of the obturation means from their open position to their closed position.

[0114] As detailed below, the deployable members 51 take the form of movable arms coupled at one end to the lid 3.

[0115] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 8, and 10 to 16, the elastic return means 6 comprise at least one elastic link.

[0116] In this case, the elastic return means 6 comprise front elastic links 61 intended to be located in a front part of the package 1, and a rear elastic link 62 intended to be located in a rear part of the package.

[0117] These elastic links are in particular formed by tensioners.

[0118] As detailed below, with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, 8 to 10, and 13 to 16, the coupling mechanism comprises means for compressing 7 at least one of the elastic links between its ends.

[0119] The compression means 7 are active in the closed position of the obturation means and inactive apart from this closed position.

[0120] The implementation and the cooperation of the front elastic links 61 and of the compression means 7 relating to these front elastic links 61 is initially described in detail below. The implementation and the cooperation of the rear elastic link 62 and of the compression means 7 relating to this rear elastic link 62 is described in detail later on.

[0121] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, each front elastic link 61 extends from a first end 611 to a second end 612.

[0122] The first end 611 is coupled to the plate 41, and more specifically to a front edge 411 of the plate 41.

[0123] The second end 612 is for its part coupled to an attachment point 60.

[0124] As detailed below, the attachment point 60 is carried by the deployable member 51.

[0125] The first end 611 of the front elastic link 61 has a bar which is crimped on the front elastic link 61, and the second end 612 has a clip crimped on the front elastic link 61.

[0126] The clip is intended to cooperate with the attachment point 60 to keep the second end 612 fixed and secured to the attachment point 60.

[0127] The bar is for its part inserted through a through hole 410 located on the plate 41 and deployed after its passing through the through hole 410 to allow the front elastic link 61 to return the plate 41 into its position pressed against the base 20.

[0128] Any type of fastener other than a bar or a clip can be envisaged. The bar and/or the clip can be advantageously replaced by an overmolding of one end of the front elastic link forming an abutment.

[0129] As illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 8, and 10, a front elastic link 61 is mounted on each deployable member 51.

[0130] The compression means 7 relating to each front elastic link 61 are secured to the case 2.

[0131] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the deployable member 51 makes it possible to bring the front elastic link 61, mounted on said deployable member 51, towards the compression means 7 in the closed position of the obturation means.

[0132] More specifically with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10, each of the side panels 23 comprises a guide rail 231.

[0133] Each guide rail 231 is intended to guide a deployable member 51 during passage of the obturation means from their open position to their closed position.

[0134] Indeed, each guide rail 231 comprises an upper end, forming a flared opening, and a lower end close to the base 20.

[0135] This lower end forms an end portion 2310 of the guide rail 231.

[0136] Complementarily to each guide rail 231, each deployable member 51 has a slider 513 which is intended to slide in the guide rail 231.

[0137] With reference to FIGS. 2 to 8, and as explained above, each deployable member 51 takes the form of an arm.

[0138] The arm extends between a first end 511 and a second end 512.

[0139] The first end 511 is coupled to the lid 3 via a pivot link.

[0140] The second end 512 for its part has the slider 513.

[0141] As illustrated in FIG. 8, as well as in FIG. 10, the slider 513 is engaged in the end portion 2310 of the guide rail 231 when the obturation means are in their closed position.

[0142] The end portion 2310 can be opened and allow the slider 513 to protrude from this end portion 2310, while remaining engaged and guided in the guide rail 231.

[0143] Indeed, according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, due to the fact that the package 1 is a foldable package and that the side walls 23 are designed to fold over the base 20, each end portion 2310 is open to allow the slider 513 to reach the compression means 7 which are located on the base 20, in the extension of the guide rail 231 when the package is in the use configuration.

[0144] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 9, the slider 513 is designed to engage in the flared opening of the guide rail 231 during passage of the obturation means from their open position to their closed position.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 3, the sliders 513 are not engaged in the guide rails 231 but are approaching these guide rails 231.

[0146] By proceeding with a closing movement of the obturation means, the sliders 513 engage in the flared openings of each guide rail 231 then are guided inside these guide rails 231 into the end portions 2310.

[0147] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, the compression means 7 of each front elastic link 61 are located in the immediate vicinity of the end portion 2310 of each guide rail 231.

[0148] Consequently, the closing of the obturation means makes it possible to bring the sliders 513 into the end portions 2310 of each guide rail 231 where the front elastic links 61 then cooperate with the compression means 7 which are then active.

[0149] Apart from the closed position, it is understood that the compression means 7 are inactive, the elastic bands then not being engaged in the compression means.

[0150] Referring to FIG. 5 more specifically, the arm forming each deployable member 51 has an insertion path extending from its first end 511 to its second end 512.

[0151] This insertion path is materialized by recesses or spaces in which the front elastic link 61 can extend.

[0152] Indeed, the front elastic link 61 mounted on the deployable member 51 extends, freely movable in extension, along the insertion path.

[0153] The front elastic link 61 extends even freely movable in extension at the level of the slider 513 apart from the closed position of the lid 3.

[0154] That is to say, once the front elastic link 61 is mounted in the deployable member 51 following the insertion path indicated in FIG. 5 by an arrow, a traction exerted on the first end 611 of the front elastic link 61 allows elastic extension of said elastic link over its entire length, and in particular over its length which is initially included in the insertion path of the deployable member 51.

[0155] To sum up, a front elastic link 61 can be freely inserted into the deployable member 51 along the insertion path and, once one of the ends of the front elastic link 61 is secured to one of the ends of the insertion path, stretched inside the insertion path by means of a traction applied on the other end of the front elastic link 61.

[0156] Consequently, when the compression means 7 are active and act at the level of the slider 513, only the portion of the front elastic link 61 which emerges from the slider 513 (that is to say the portion of the front elastic link 61 located between the plate 41 and the slider 513) can deform elastically. The portion of the front elastic link 61 housed in the insertion path cannot then be pulled outside the deployable member 51.

[0157] The compression means 7 reduce the total capacity of elastic deformation of the front elastic link 61 in the closed position of the lid 3.

[0158] The compression means 7 of the front elastic link 61 mounted on the deployable member 51, comprise two jaws 71.

[0159] These jaws 71 are elastically deformable between: [0160] an open position, in particular illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 17, which allows the insertion and displacement of the front elastic link 61; [0161] at least one clamped position, in particular illustrated in FIG. 18, in which a front elastic link 61 inserted between the jaws 71 is compressed.

[0162] The open position of the jaws 71 is adopted by the compression means 7 when the obturation means are not yet in their closed position. Indeed, the front elastic link 61 is then not yet inserted between the two jaws 71.

[0163] Once the obturation means arrive in their closed position, and as a result the slider 513 reaches its final position in the end portion 2310 of the guide rail 231, then the front elastic link 61 is inserted between the jaws 71.

[0164] In the case where an object O is located between the plate 41 and the base 20, a tension, or a displacement of the front elastic link 61 can be observed in the direction D illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0165] This action of the front elastic link 61 affects the jaws 71, which then pass into the clamped position of the front elastic link 61.

[0166] The front elastic link 61 is then compressed and can no longer move freely between the jaws 71.

[0167] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 9, the slider 513 is complementary in shape to the jaws 71. Indeed, the slider 513 has an H profile with two flats and a web connecting the two flats. When the slider 513 reaches the jaws 71, the two flats are intended to frame the jaws 71, while the front elastic link 61 extends between the two flats between the jaws 71, through a recess presented by the web of the profile. In this way, the cooperation of the jaws 71 with the front elastic link 61 is ensured in the closed position of the obturation means.

[0168] In addition, the jaws 71 have upper faces 710 inclined towards the outside of the package. External guides framing the jaws 71 also have slopes 711 similar to the upper faces 710 of the jaws 71.

[0169] These upper faces 710 and these slopes 711 make it possible, in case an object O of large dimensions is introduced into the package and in case the deployable members 51 tend to be pulled towards the inside of the package, to bring these deployable members 51 towards the outside of the package so that the sliders 513 are positioned perfectly with respect to the jaws 71.

[0170] With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, and 11 to 16, the implementation and the operation of the rear elastic link 62 and of the ad hoc compression means 7 is now described in more detail.

[0171] The elastic return means 6 thus comprise a rear elastic link 62 which extends between two ends 621, 622.

[0172] Each of the two ends 621, 622 of the rear elastic link 62 is coupled to a rear edge 412 of the plate 41, through holes 413. The two ends 621, 622 of the rear elastic link present bars crimped onto the rear elastic link. These bars are introduced through the holes 413 and then deployed. Each of these holes 413 thus forms an attachment point 60 of one of the ends of the rear elastic link 62.

[0173] This rear elastic link 62 has a central portion 620 which extends in a passage delimited by two guides 63 coupled on the case 2. This passage extends along a lower edge 222 of the rear panel 22.

[0174] The rear elastic link 62 passes through the two guides 63 and can extend on either side of the central portion 620 to present residual portions extending up to the ends 621, 622 to couple the plate 41 to the case 2.

[0175] Referring to FIGS. 11 to 16, each guide 63 comprises: [0176] a main body 631; [0177] a bracket 632 movable relative to the main body 631.

[0178] As illustrated in FIG. 15, the main body 631 delimits a central space along which the rear elastic link 62 extends.

[0179] The bracket 632 is movably mounted relative to the main body 631 between a remote position (FIGS. 13 and 15) of the main body 631 in which the rear elastic link 62 is free in translation in the central space, and a compressed position (FIG. 16) against the main body 631 in which the rear elastic link 62 is compressed between the main body 631 and the bracket 632.

[0180] With reference to this FIG. 16, the elastic link 62 then extends inside the guide 63 along a chicane route imposed by reliefs with respect to the bracket 632 and to the main body 631.

[0181] As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, the passage of the obturation means from their open position to their closed position causes the passage of each bracket 632 from its remote position to its compressed position.

[0182] Indeed, bearing surfaces 200 of the base 20 exert a bearing against each bracket 632 when the obturation means have passed into their closed position, and in particular, according to the present embodiment, when the rear panel 22 is raised by the passage of the lid 3 from its open position to its closed position.

[0183] Referring to FIGS. 11, 12 and 14, each guide 63 has a guide blade 633. Each guide blade 633 is intended to extend along the rear panel 22, from its lower edge 222 to its upper edge 221. These guide blades 633 are intended to guide a sliding of the plate 41 during the closing or the opening of the obturation means, and to prevent it from being blocked against a relief of the rear panel 22.

[0184] Each guide blade 633 extends from the main body 631 of the guide 63.

[0185] To assemble the guides 63 on the rear panel 22, the guide blades 633 have assembly pins 634 which, for example, fit into the rear panel 22.

[0186] According to the present embodiment, the return means 6 comprise a single rear elastic link 62 and two guides 63.

[0187] It is however possible to envisage one embodiment in which the return means 6 would comprise two rear elastic links 62, according to a design similar to that of the front elastic links 61.

[0188] Similarly, it is also possible to envisage that the two front elastic links 61 are replaced by a single front elastic link that would extend, for example, into the lid.

[0189] In the presence of an object O on the support face, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the closing of the obturation means causes a rising of the plate 41 along the rear panel 22.

[0190] This rising of the plate 41, forced by the presence of the object O, causes the stretching of the rear elastic link 62.

[0191] The stretching occurs evenly all along the rear elastic link 62, and the central portion 620 as well as the residual portions stretch in a similar manner.

[0192] The central portion 620 of the rear elastic link 62, located between the two guides 63 prior to the start of the closing, sees its ends engage and pass through the guides 63 during the stretching.

[0193] While approaching the closed position of the obturation means, the bearing surfaces 200 of the base 20 are put in contact against the brackets 632, and cause the brackets 632 to get closer to the main bodies 631, the guides 63 then clamping the rear elastic link 62. The rear elastic link then adopts a zigzag form in the guides 63, guides which then exert a compression, at least a substantial compression.

[0194] In the closed position of the obturation means, the guides 63 firmly compress the rear elastic link 62, and then only the residual portions exert a return force from the plate 41 to the support face. These residual portions have a reduced length compared to the total length of the rear elastic link 62 and, when an event occurs (fall, rough handling of the package 1, etc.), the force for holding an object O in position against the support face is increased compared to the holding force that would be exerted in the absence of the compression means. The effects of the return means 6 and of the compression means 7 at the level of the front part of the package 1 are similar to those described above for the rear part of the package 1.