EP1509820A1

EP1509820A1 - Watch with a container

Info

Publication number: EP1509820A1
Application number: EP03755207A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Michel Baroche
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-05-27
Filing date: 2003-05-26
Publication date: 2005-03-02
Also published as: US20050195692A1; WO2003100532A1; FR2840080B3; AU2003260571A1; FR2840080A1; US7359287B2; CA2495439A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a watch housing comprising a body made in two parts (2, 3), connected one to the other. The one of the two parts (2) guarantees the function of a watch whilst the second part (3), connected to the bracelet, comprises means for attachment of an interchangeable module (M). Said module (M) is extended by an elastic tongue (20) and security means are provided to ensure that the tongue (20) is supported on the first part (2) whilst subjecting the above to a permanent force maintaining the same in the open position.

Description

SHOW WITH A CONTAINER

PERFECTED CONTAINER WATCH THAT CAN BE USED IN MANY APPLICATIONS.

The present invention relates to an improved container watch usable for numerous applications.

It applies in particular, but not exclusively, to the production of a watch capable of receiving containers suitable for containing various products such as, for example, perfume or pasty solid or even powdery cosmetic products.

In general, it is known that a modular multifunction watch has already been proposed making it possible to add to the conventional functions of a usual watch, a multiplicity of additional functions at the choice of the user.

Thus, patent FR No. 01 15331 describes a watch comprising a body produced in two parts articulated to one another, one of the two parts comprising means making it possible to perform the watch function autonomously, while the second part, on which the bracelet of the watch can be fixed, comprises means allowing the removable fixing of an additional module.

This watch can therefore take two positions, namely a first position in which the first part covers the second by at least partially enclosing the additional module, and

- A second position, or open position, in which the two parts are angularly offset and / or in translation relative to one another, in particular with a view to allowing the use and / or access to the additional module.

In an embodiment described in this patent, the second part is shaped so as to delimit a space, for example cylindrical, open in its upper part and possibly in the bottom. This space is intended to receive an additional module of substantially complementary shape.

It turns out that this solution has a number of drawbacks:

- Due to manufacturing tolerances, the additional module is frequently subject to a slight play which gives an unpleasant impression to the wearer of the watch.

- In the open position, the angular position of the upper part of the watch is unstable. However, this first upper part must be kept open in order to access the additional module.

- The gripping of the additional module, for example for its replacement, is difficult, the operator also tending to engage at least one of his fingers on the part of the module containing the product.

- The seal between the two parts of the watch is faulty, so that the cosmetic product tends to flow out of the watch-container and / or between the container and its housing inside the watch, it being understood that the locking system provided between the two parts of the watch should be designed to be operated as easily as possible.

The invention therefore more particularly aims to eliminate these drawbacks.

To this end, it offers an interchangeable additional module, one edge of which is extended by an elastic element and which includes polarizing means designed so that in the assembled position in the said space, the elastic element comes to bear on the first part by exerting on it a permanent effort tending to keep it in the open position.

Advantageously, the two parts of the watch will be fitted with controllable locking means for the two abovementioned parts in the closed position.

These locking means will preferably be designed so that in the locking position, one of the parts exerts on the other part a sealing pressure at a circular bearing surface surrounding the space serving to receive the additional module. The bearing surface of one of the two parts will then be fitted with a seal. Preferably, this seal will be integral with a peripheral edge of the interchangeable additional module. This solution thus has the advantage of obtaining a seal both between the two parts of the watch and between these two parts and the additional module and its housing.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the additional module may have the form of a container, for example cylindrical, open at its upper face and having two opposite edges which extend towards each other at the level of said face so as to constitute supports facilitating the gripping of the additional module without the operator's fingers reaching the content of the module. Means may be provided to snap the additional module into its housing and to facilitate its extraction.

Embodiments of the invention will be described below, by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container watch according to the invention:

Figures 2 to 4 show a watch equipped with a pressure closure to obtain a seal of the receptacle, in the open position (Figure 2), in the closed position (Figure 3) and in the locked position (Figure 4);

Figures 5 and 6 are partial axial sections of two watches of the type of those previously described in which the lining is carried by the container;

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of a watch equipped with a hook closure;

Figures 8 and 9 are partial side views of watches equipped with hook closure according to alternative embodiments of the closure shown in Figure 7;

Figure 10 is a schematic view of a watch equipped with a container extractor; Figures 11 and 12 are partial schematic sections illustrating the principle of the extractor, in the rest position (Figure 11), in the extraction position (Figure 12);

Figure 13 is a schematic section of an alternative embodiment in which the extractor is incorporated into the container.

FIG. 14 is a top view of a container produced according to an alternative embodiment of that shown in FIG. 1.

In the example shown in Figure 1, the container watch comprises a body made of two parts 1, 2 hinged to each other.

The first part 1 consists of a base 3 of annular shape comprising, at two diametrically opposite locations, fastening devices 4, 5 of a conventional watch strap 6. At the level of the fastening device 5, the base comprises two protrusions parallel 7, 8 constituting a hinge yoke A which extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base 3.

At the level of the fixing device 4, the base 3 also comprises two parallel protrusions 9, 10 which are each provided with a retractable lug 11 against the action of elastic means.

The second part of the body comprises a circular flat watch 2 with a flat bottom 12 which is entirely autonomous. This watch 2 comprises, at two diametrically opposite locations, two protuberances, namely:

an extension 13 provided with pins which engage in corresponding bores of the protrusions 7, 8 so as to ensure the articulation of the watch 12 on the base 3, - An extension 14, similar to the extension 13, provided with two coaxial cavities 15, intended to come to engage between the two protrusions 9, 10 by retracting the lugs 11, the blocking of the two parts then being ensured by the engagement of the lugs 11 in the cavities 15.

The cavities 15 are shaped so that the unlocking of the two parts can be ensured by exerting a tilting force on the extension 14 to return the lugs l i to the retracted state.

The annular base 3 defines a cylindrical space E open at its upper face (and possibly its bottom) so as to be able to receive a removable module M of corresponding cylindrical shape.

This removable module M consists of a casing of cylindrical external shape, open in its upper part and closed in its lower part by a bottom F.

According to the invention, the upper edge of the cylindrical wall P of the housing comprises an elastic tongue 20, slightly curved, which extends axially projecting, so as to abut on the bottom of the watch 2 by exerting a force in the direction of opening the watch.

Thus, when the watch 2 is folded down and locked on the base 3, the tongue 20 is elastically deformed by accumulating potential energy. During an unlocking action, the tongue 20, by releasing this potential energy, causes the watch 2 to open while keeping it in the open position. This tongue 20 furthermore maintains the removable module in space E. Similarly, when the watch is in the closed position, the removable module M is stressed by the force exerted by the tongue 20 and cannot move in the space E, even in the presence of play.

Of course, polarizing means could be provided between the removable module M and the base 3 so that the engagement of the module M in the space E can only be carried out for an orientation of the module in which the tongue 20 is located near joint A.

In this example, the removable module M is intended to contain a cosmetic product in the solid or pasty state, or even powder. Thus, to avoid that, during the extraction or the positioning of this module, the fingers of the user come into contact with this product, the upper edge of the cylindrical wall P of the module is extended radially by two opposite edges Rj, R ₂ located opposite one another in the gripping zones of the module M.

In fact, these gripping zones are arranged symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry XX 'passing through the tongue 20. They must coincide with two zones of the base symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the watch.

To facilitate its extraction, the module includes a protrusion L which extends radially outwards, from the upper edge of its cylindrical wall, while the upper part of the cylindrical wall of the base includes a bottom notch oblique FO located below the protrusion L when the module M is engaged in the base 3. This protrusion L also provides the above coding function.

Thus, when watch 2 is open, it is possible to extract the module M by engaging its nail in the notch FO and exerting an upward force. under the protrusion L. Preferably, the protrusion L and the notch FO will be located below the watch winder 2 when the latter is closed.

Advantageously, the back of the watch 2 may include an elastic clip PE for the detachable attachment of a makeup brush PM.

Alternatively, this PM brush can be fixed on the edges R _1} R ₂ of the module M. In this case, the back of the watch can be fitted with a mirror.

The module M can then constitute a compact.

As previously mentioned, an important problem posed by this type of container watch is that of the seal between the two parts of the watch and between the container and these two parts.

To solve this problem, it is necessary, on the one hand, to interpose a sealing gasket and, on the other hand, to use locking means which, in the locked position, exert between the two parts of the watch a permanent effort causing uniform compression of the lining.

Figures 2 to 9 show various solutions to solve this problem.

Thus, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first part (base 21) comprises, on the side opposite the articulation yoke 22, two parallel protrusions 23, 24 connected to each other by a hanging rod 25.

The second part 26 comprises, on the side opposite to its articulation on the yoke 22 of the base 21, two protuberances connected together by an articulation axis around which is pivotally mounted a tongue 29 of section in hook shape, intended to engage on the rod 25 secured to the base 21. Thus, when closing the two parts of the watch, the locking is obtained by exerting on the tongue 29 a pressure causing its tilting and the engagement of its hook-shaped part on the rod 25. The pressure exerted during this closure causes compression of the seal (resilient) present on one of the two contact surfaces between the two parts. The locking obtained by the tongue 23 maintains this pressure. Unlocking is then obtained by tilting the tongue 29 in the opposite direction by exerting traction, for example by means of a fingernail: This tilting causes disengagement of the tongue 29 and the rod 25.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lining 30, 31 used to seal between the two parts 32, 33 of the watch and the container 34 is integral with the container 34. It comprises a peripheral lip produced in a resilient material interposed between the contact surfaces of the two parts 32, 33. This lip may, for example, have a sinuous profile (FIG. 5) or consist of an O-ring connected to the container by a membrane (FIG. 6) . In both cases, the contact surfaces may have an appropriate profile (including an abutment surface) to limit the crushing of the lining 30, 31.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment of the locking device described above.

Thus, this device could include a tongue Li pivotally mounted about an axis 39 connecting the two protrusions 35 of the base 36 located on the side opposite the articulation 37 on the part 38 constituting the watch. This tongue Li comprises on one side of the axis 39 a hook-shaped part intended to cooperate with a flange 40 provided at the periphery of the part 38 and, on the other side, a part serving as a lever. A spring (not shown) acts on the tongue 35 so as to rotate it and bring the hook-shaped part into the position of cooperation with the flange 40. In this case, the locking is obtained automatically at the end of the closing stroke of the part 38 on the base 36. The sealing pressure results from the force exerted on the part 38 when the hook is snapped onto the flange 40.

In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the locking is ensured by means of a lever L ₂ articulated on the base 36 and comprising a hook-shaped part intended to come into engagement on a stud 41 (or a rod ) secured to the watch part 38 to ensure locking. This hook-shaped part comprises a cam profile shaped so that when it engages on the stud 41 or on the rod, the tilting of the lever L ₂ in the locking direction causes the application of a force ensuring sealing pressure. In the example of FIG. 8, the lever L ₂ extends towards the outside of the watch while in FIG. 9, the lever L ₃ extends towards the central plane of symmetry of the watch (indicated by the trace 8, 8 ').

Another problem which the invention aims to solve consists in the extraction of the container. Indeed, in some applications, the provisions provided in the embodiment of Figure 1 are insufficient to ensure easy grip of the container. This is particularly the case when the container is retained in its housing for example by latching means.

To solve this problem, the invention.provoit an extractor involving a pusher P mounted in an orifice O formed in the peripheral wall of the base E, this pusher being integral with a wedge-shaped pin B which slides in a groove G slightly oblique bottom (complementary to pin B) made in the bottom F of the base E. Advantageously, a spring R is provided for pushing the pusher P outside of the base E, towards a rest position.

Thus, in the rest position, the spindle B is entirely contained in the groove G and the container C can be fully engaged in the base E.

To extract the container, simply press the pusher P so as to cause the spindle B to slide in the groove G. Due to the complementarity of the oblique shapes, the spindle B comes out of the groove G and exerts on the bottom of container C a force which causes its extraction. The container C can then be easily removed. The release of the push-button P allows its automatic return to its rest position for a new loading of the base E.

Optionally, the extractor can be incorporated into the container. In this case, the container CO could, for example, include, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a domed bottom FB designed so as to be able to occupy successively two stable states, namely:

- a first stable state in which the bottom FB has a concave shape open towards the outside. In this state, the container CO occupies a minimum volume and can fully engage in the base of the watch.

- a second stable state in which the bottom has a convex shape projecting outwards. In this state, the container cannot be fully engaged in the base due to the convex shape (in broken lines).

The transition from the first state to the second state is obtained by exerting on the curved part of the bottom a force F ', for example by means of a pusher PO provided in the container CO: under the effect of this force F' the bottom FB passes abruptly from the first state to the second state by causing the extraction of the CO container. In the example shown in Figure 14, the container is separated into three parts PP ₂ , P ₃ by means of two parallel partitions CLi, CL ₂ which extend on either side and a short distance from the median plane of symmetry of the container.

These two partitions CLi, CL ₂ define between them an oblong volume serving as housing for an accessory such as, for example, a PM brush. Elastic means can then be incorporated into this housing so as to cause a partial extraction of the accessory when the watch is opened.

Claims

claims

1. Improved container watch of the type comprising a body produced in two parts (2, 3) articulated to one another (articulation (A)), one of the two parts (2) comprising means making it possible to autonomously perform the watch function while the second part (3), on which a strap (6) is attached comprises means allowing the removable attachment of an interchangeable additional module (M), characterized in that the one of the edges of the additional module (M) is extended by an elastic element (20) associated with keying means designed so that in the assembled position in the said space, the elastic element (20) comes to bear on the first part (2) by exerting on it a permanent effort tending to keep it in the open position.

2. Container watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the additional module (M) and the said second part (3) comprise polarizing means so that the engagement of the additional module (M) in the second part (3) can only be carried out for a position of the additional module (M) in which the tongue (20) is placed near the articulation provided between the two abovementioned parts (2, 3).

3. Watch container according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the two parts (2, 3) of the watch are equipped with controllable locking means of the two parts in the closed position.

4. Container watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the additional module (M) has the shape of a container, for example cylindrical, open at its upper face and having two opposite edges (Ri, R ₂ ) which extend towards each other at the level of said face so as to constitute supports facilitating the gripping of the additional module (M) without the operator's fingers reaching the content of the module.

5. Container watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the module comprises a protuberance (L) which extends radially outwards, from the upper edge of its cylindrical wall, while the part upper of the cylindrical wall of the base includes an oblique bottom notch (FO) located below the protuberance (L) when the module (M) is engaged in the base (3).

6. Container watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the protuberance (L) and the notch (FO) will be located below the watch winder (2) when the latter is closed.

7. Container watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom of the watch (2) may include an elastic clamp (PE) for the detachable attachment of a makeup brush (PM).

8. Container watch according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the module constitutes a compact and in that it comprises a brush (PM) which is fixed in a disconnectable manner on the edges (Ri, R ₂ ) of the module.

9. Container watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for locking the two parts (21, 26) in the closed position, these locking means being designed so that in position one of the two parts (21, 26) exerts a sealing pressure on the other on a sealing gasket (30, 31) disposed on a circular bearing surface surrounding the space used to receive the additional module (34).

10. Watch container according to claim 9, characterized in that the seal (30, 31) is integral with a peripheral edge of the additional module (34).

11. Container watch according to claim 10, characterized in that the said lining (30, 31) has a sinuous shape or comprises an O-ring connected to the said peripheral border by a membrane.

12. Container watch according to claim 9, characterized in that the above locking means comprise a tongue (L) pivotally mounted about an axis (39) integral with one of the parts (36), this tongue (Li ) comprising a hook-shaped part intended to cooperate with hooking means (40) provided on the other part (38) and, on the other side, a part serving the lever.

13. Container watch according to claim 12, characterized in that the aforesaid tongue (Li) is urged by elastic means.

14. Container watch according to claim 9, characterized in that the above locking means comprise a lever (L ₂ , L ₃ ) articulated on the part (36) constituting the base and comprising a hook-shaped part intended to engaging on a stud or a rod (41) integral with the part (38) constituting the watch, this hook-shaped part comprising a cam profile shaped so that when it engages the stud (41) or on the rod, the tilting of the lever (L ₂ , L ₃ ) in the locking direction causes the application of a force ensuring the sealing pressure.

15. Container watch according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an extractor comprising a pusher (P) mounted in an orifice (O) formed in the peripheral wall of the base (E), this pusher being integral with a wedge-shaped pin (B) which slides in a groove (G) produced in the bottom (F) of the base (E).

16. Container watch according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a spring (R) used to return the pusher to its rest position, position in which the spindle is contained in the groove.

17. Container watch according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the container (CO) comprises a domed bottom (FB) serving as an extractor, this domed bottom (FB) having a first stable state in which its concavity opens outwards and a second stable state in which it has a convex shape projecting outwards.

18. Container watch according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforesaid container is separated into three parts (Pi to P ₃ ) by two parallel partitions (CLi, CL ₂ ) which extend on either side and at short distance from the median plane of symmetry of the container, these two partitions delimiting between them an oblong volume serving as a housing for an accessory such as a brush (PM).

19. Container watch according to claim 17, characterized in that elastic means are incorporated in said housing to cause a partial extraction of the above accessory when the watch is opened.