EP1541067B1

EP1541067B1 - Box for collecting items

Info

Publication number: EP1541067B1
Application number: EP04380254A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Joan Hortal
Original assignee: Panini Espana SA
Current assignee: Panini Espana SA
Priority date: 2003-12-12
Filing date: 2004-12-10
Publication date: 2007-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2024-12-10
Also published as: ES2293191T3; EP1541067A1; DE602004008399D1; ATE370687T1

Abstract

Box for collecting objects, having a plurality of fastening devices to fasten objects in an orderly manner on at least one internal surface of a first housing (A1) of a body, accessible through at least a first cover (5) where the said fastening devices are embodied for each object by at least two elastic prongs (6) or at least one elastic prong (6) and at least a stopping element, retaining the object between them and in that in addition it comprises a second housing (A2) of the said body with an additional internal surface (14) opposite to the said internal surface (4) accessible through a second cover (15). <IMAGE> <IMAGE>

Description

This invention relates to a box for collecting objects which has a plurality of elastic prongs and stopping elements, arranged on at least one internal surface and adapted to fasten the said objects in an orderly manner.
The invention is namely applicable for collecting toy flat tokens.

Background of the invention

Different devices are known, such as cases or boxes, which are designed to classify coins, tokens or similar in them to make their collection easier. Several variations of the said devices are disclosed in following documents. GB 04373 A discloses a box for holding and displaying objects.
The utility model ES-A-186192 proposes a box for collecting minerals which is constituted by two monopiece blocks of expanded plastic material and which possesses a series of cells for individually housing the minerals, the said cells being separated by walls and provided each of them with a movable transparent wrapping. In the document, no system for fastening the minerals is disclosed these later being simply orderly introduced in a respective housing, but they can fall from the box if the said box is not closed.
The utility model ES-A-278136 proposes a case constituted by a basic opaque container formed by a rectangular sheet having rounded apex which is composed of a flat central area and two larger sides, perpendicularly folded with respect to the said central area, and two smaller other sides forming small walls having a height approximately equal to half the said sides. The case includes an advantageously transparent lid, which is substantially rectangular, and its ends are folded at 90° and rounded. The lid is hinged, by means of aligned pins arranged on the sides of one of the ends thereof, which are introduced in respective holes appearing in the larger sides of the basic container.
Although the said utility model offers an interesting proposal concerning keeping in a box some objects with the purpose not only to store them but also to allow they are displayed thanks to the transparent lid incorporated by the invention, the box proposed offers no fastening system to arrange the objects to be introduced in it, which are located in a single housing. Another drawback of this box proposed by the said utility model is that the hinged joint proposed between the lid and the basic container does not take a shape and arrangement capable to provide a good rupture strength due to the frequent usage. The said hinged joint does not allow either to completely open the lid, that is to say to place it at 180° as one end thereof is stopped by one of the smaller sides or walls much before the said angle is obtained.
The utility model ES154639 proposes a set of collectable coins or tokens. The document claims as well a coin or a token as a sheet for supporting it, as well as an opaque container containing the token in a cover prior to placing it on the sheet. On the sheet proposed there is a series of wavy cuts which define a protrusion which is superposed on the token, this later remaining fastened by two of these protrusions when they are placed between two of the said wavy cuts. The coins or tokens show an identifying graphic which is also represented on the supporting sheet, in order to place each coin at a given spot of the sheet achieving thus their fastening in an orderly manner on the sheet. The coins or tokens remain partly covered by the sheet on the portions on which it is superposed, as the said sheet is not transparent. The fastening system is also assumed rather weak as it is a simple cut in the sheet and it can be easily damaged in the sense that the sheet can be torn because of the said cut if the coins are not very carefully introduced or simply due to wear after it has been used many times. In the utility model, on the other hand, no reference appears to a receptacle designed to contain the sheets, either a case, a bag or a box. Another limitation the proposal of the said document offers is that it limits the graphic information to display for each token, on one of its faces, to a "graphic of historic or geographic representation".
Last, the utility model ES259505 proposes a bag-file for numismatics constituted from a significantly flat rectangular prismatic box having a cover which closes its mouth arranged on one of its smaller side faces. Within the said box a series of ribs is defined acting as slides for introducing coin-holding trays and drawers. Also coin-holding capsules are proposed constituted by two transparent parts which can be coupled to each other, which are coupled in turn to the central hole of a small plate, trapping between them the coin to be held. The design of the said capsules is such that they adapt themselves as well to the trays as to the drawers to be introduced in the bag. A plurality of ribs appears on the coin-holding trays defining a quadrangular lattice designed to receive the coins in their capsules, the sizes of which are adapted to those of each lattice to assure they do not move and in addition, it includes a transparent lid to facilitate to quickly see the coins.
Although the said transparent lid meets well its function, to carry it out, it is necessary to previously withdraw the tray from the box, because it is opaque, which prevents to immediately see the coins at their filing position. The fastening system proposed for the coins is not too developed because it only indicates that the sizes of both, the tray lattices and the coin-holding capsules are complementary to make the said fastening possible. The fact that it is required to introduce the coins in related capsules to classify them can be considered an additional drawback because this increases the number of parts of the set which means a higher manufacturing cost.
Therefore it is interesting to offer an alternative to the prior art, which overcomes the drawbacks of above background which offers a box in which it is easy to simply and safely put in order a series of tokens, thanks to a fastening system sufficiently reliable and strong, and that makes possible a quick display of the tokens without it is required to withdraw the tokens nor any intermediate receptacle as it was the case with the last mentioned background.

Short explanation of the invention

This invention relates in a first aspect to a box for collecting objects, preferably tokens, having a plurality of fastening devices to fasten said objects in an orderly manner on at least an internal surface of a first housing of a body of said box, accessible through a lid. Generally the box comprises two of said surfaces defined by related plates arranged opposite to each other within the box and provided each with one of said plurality of fastening devices. One or the two plates can be movable for which purpose there exists within the box a series of supporting and/or stopping configurations the object of which is to lock them within the box. For this preferred case where two plates exist, there exists also two related lids both hinged to the box through a common rotation axis of a hinge of the box.
The kind of fastening devices proposed represents an innovation with respect to the prior art. They provide a great strength while they are sufficiently elastic to allow that objects are inserted between them without they have to sustain too much pressure and they assure a very safe fastening. Concretely they are embodied for each object by at least two elastic prongs or one elastic prong and one stopping element or configuration, said elastic prong extending from one or the two above mentioned plates, which define said internal surface and an additional surface, each of said elastic prongs having a configuration which can co-operate with the periphery of the object or with another complementary configuration thereof, and the two elastic prongs or the elastic prong and said stopping element being adapted in height, orientation and gap between them, to the object to be fastened.
Between the two plates, or between one of them and the bottom of the box depending of the embodiment, a sheet is inserted carrying graphic information at least on one of its faces which can be characteristic of each of the objects to be introduced in the box, that means, for example, to display the same drawing the object involved has in order to make their classification within the box easier.
A second aspect of the invention relates to a box for collecting objects of the kind comprising a plurality of fastening devices to fasten said objects in an orderly manner on at least one internal surface of a first housing of a body, accessible through at least a first lid. Said fastening devices are embodied for each object as at least two elastic prongs or at least one elastic prong and at least one stopping configuration, retaining the object between them, and said box in addition comprises a second housing of said body having an additional internal surface, opposite to said internal surface, accessible through a second lid.
Another innovating characteristic of the box proposed and common to the two aspects of this invention is that all of it, including the lids, is constituted of a substantially transparent material which allows to see the classified objects inside without having to withdraw them nor even opening the box. The said material is slightly elastic which facilitates the insertion of the plates within it when they are movable plates.
One of the most significant characteristics of this invention also common to the first and second aspects, is the way in which the two lids are hinged, in a strong and functional manner, to the said box. They are associated by means of at least one hinged joint to the box with respect to a common rotation axis, parallel to a first external side of the body of the box, so that both lids and the body can be bookmimetically opened which facilitates the access to the housing sought by means of the right lid and in a smooth way because when the said lid is opened the rest of the box, that means the body and the other lid, are absolutely not moving.
The said hinged joints comprise each of them at least an elastic appendage associated to its related lid having an end element to be coupled through pressure socketing on at least one pin or shaft associated to the box, so that when both lids are juxtaposed the said elastic appendages remain embedded between them.
The lids in addition each comprises closing systems between the free edge thereof and a second external side of the body of the box, opposite to the first external side, embodied through at least one elastic membrane associated to its respective lid, with a slot at its central part in which a respective elastic appendage is introduced under pressure, which is arranged at half the height of the second external side of the box, when the lid is closed on the body of the box, so that when both lids are juxtaposed the said elastic membranes remain shifted in their position with respect to each other.
It is worth pointing out that the lids are preferably identical therefore in order the said shift of their position occurs between the elastic membranes and the mentioned embedding between the said elastic appendages, all of them, appendages and membranes, have a suitable shape and they are arranged in suitable areas of the lid edges for such purpose.
The lids and in general the whole box are constituted of a plastic and substantially transparent material. This constitution added to the fact that the lids are identical make possible that both lids are obtained with a single mould which means simplicity and lower manufacturing costs.

Short description of the drawings

Above and additional characteristics and advantages of this invention will be best comprised with following detailed description of embodiments some of which are illustrated in the drawing appended and which have to be considered for illustration and not for limitation purpose.
Some embodiments are explained below referring to the drawings appended in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a view in perspective of the box proposed by this invention for an embodiment in which the box comprises two housings and two lids only one of these lids being open and the closing systems with which the lids are provided can be seen.
Fig. 2 is a side section of part of the box disclosed in Fig. 1 but with both lids half open where it can be seen on the front and enlarged , elastic prongs forming part of the proposed fastening devices.
Fig. 3 is another enlarged section, frontal in this case, of part of the box illustrated in Fig. 1 showing in this case a side view of the said elastic prongs illustrated enlarged in Fig. 2
Fig. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of the box proposed by this invention for the same embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of part of Fig. 4 where the lower part of one of the two plates can be seen arranged in the proposed box as well as a series of stopping elements.
Fig. 6 illustrates an enlarged detail of part of Fig. 1 where among other elements, and in perspective, the elastic prongs can be seen as well as the stopping elements proposed.
Fig. 7 illustrates, in a view in perspective taken from the side opposite to that of Fig. 1, the body of the box proposed by this invention, where pins can be seen which form part of the hinged joint proposed to associate the lids to the said body, and
Fig. 8 is an enlarged view in perspective illustrating part of the box proposed with both lids half open where the details of the hinged joints associating the said lids to the body of the box can be seen, as well the pins illustrated in Fig. 7 as appendages defined on the lids and which are coupled to the said pins.

Detailed description of embodiments

As shown in the figures appended, this invention relates in a first aspect to a box for collecting objects, preferably tokens as illustrated in the figures appended.
The box comprises a plurality of fastening devices to fasten the said tokens 3 in an orderly manner on at least an internal surface 4 of a first housing A1 of a body C. As illustrated in the figures, the said internal surface 4 is defined by a first plate 8 although for another embodiment, not shown, it could be defined by the bottom of the box 1 itself.
Although for a basic embodiment the box 1 comprises the said body C, without requiring any lid, because the tokens 3 remain well fastened by the said fastening means, the box 1 proposed comprises, preferably and as illustrated in the figures, at least one lid 5 associated by means of at least one hinged joint 22 to the said box 1 for making possible the access to the said first housing A1.
The box proposed by this invention in addition comprises for the preferred embodiment disclosed in the figures, a second plate 13, arranged on one lower face 40 of the said first plate 8, defining an additional surface 14 opposite to the said internal surface 4, accessible through a second lid 15 with a plurality of fastening means equal to those included in the first plate 8.
The said fastening devices, as it can be seen in Fig. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7, are embodied, for each token 3 by at least two elastic prongs 6 or at least one elastic prong 6 and at least one stopping element 7 the said elastic prongs 6 extending from at least the said first plate 8 defining the said internal surface 4 or from the two plates 8, 13 of the example of the preferred embodiment shown each of the elastic prongs 6 having a shape which can co-operate with the periphery of the token 3 or another shape complementary thereof and the said two elastic prongs 6 or the elastic prong 6 and the said stopping element 7 being adapted in height, orientation and gap between them, to the token 3 to be fastened.
The stopping elements 7 are arranged on at least part of the internal perimeter of the said body C of the box 1, as it can be clearly seen in the example of embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 and 7, where they are arranged on the two shorter sides of the said internal perimeter, or lateral parts of the body C of the box 1.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures, the element of the elastic prongs 6 comprises, as it can be clearly seen in Fig. 2, 3 and 6, a protrusion 9 at the end of each prong 6, on one of its sides or internal side 6a, which is facing an area 11 which defines a housing for one of the tokens 3. In this embodiment, the said protrusions 9 not only are facing the said area 11 but they are also facing each other. The elastic prongs 6 have an external side 6b, opposite to the said internal side 6a, substantially flat, each elastic prong 6 of one of the possible fastening devices being positioned adjacent to another elastic prong 6 of another analogous fastening device by their respective mentioned external sides 6b.
For the same embodiment as it can be seen in Fig. 1, 4 and 7, the elastic prongs 6 are aligned to each other, forming rows parallel to the said hinged joint 22 and crosswise to it, forming columns, on the said first plate 8, one of the stopping elements 7 being arranged at the beginning and at the end of each row. Concretely, in the mentioned figures five of the said rows can be seen formed each of them by eight fastening devices, six central ones formed by two elastic prongs 6 each, and two, those located at the ends of each row, formed by an elastic prong 6 and a stopping element 7.
When introducing the token 3 in one respective area 11, if this later is located between two elastic prongs 6, they will give way, that means they will bend outwards the area 11, when pressed by the token 3 and will return to their initial position thanks to their elasticity when the token is completely introduced. A similar process will occur when the fastening element is formed by an elastic prong 6 and stopping element 7 although in this case the said elastic prong 6 will only become deformed temporary.
Preferably, at least one of the two plates 8, 13 comprised in box 1, according to the illustrated preferred embodiments is movable, in the figures the said second plate 13 is elastic, although another class of combination is possible, such as both being movable or fixed. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures one of the two plates 8, 13, is not movable, concretely the first plate 8 and it is perimetrically built within the box 1, the said building in can be achieved by injection moulding. In the event that there exists a single plate 8, there exists also the possibility that it is movable or built in the box 1 and the following explanation for the case there are two the plates, one of which is movable, could also be applied.
When introducing the movable plate 13 within the box 1, and with the purpose of making its centring possible, the stopping elements 7 are embodied in a series of upright ribs and the movable plate 13 comprises a series of respective grooves 16 the said upright ribs being able to act, in addition to as stopping elements 7, as a slide with respect to the said grooves 16. This double function is only exerted by the stopping elements 7 for the case in which the plate 13 is movable and above all when it is not the case, that means when they are only acting as a part of a fastening device, co-operating with an elastic prong 6, it is nor required that they have the shape of mentioned upright ribs because the said shape has its reason to be when the stopping elements 7 act as slide for the movable plate 13.
Once the movable plate 13 has been introduced in the box 1, this plate remains locked inside it thanks to the fact that the box 1 comprises a stopping element, at at least part of its internal perimeter. In Fig. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7, it can be seen how the said stopping element comprises in a preferred embodiment, a series of horizontal ribs 17 which act as a stop with respect to the movable plate 13 once it has been introduced in the box 1, in order to tightly lock it within it.
In general, the shape of the elastic prongs 6 arranged on the second plate 13, for the embodiment illustrated in the figures is identical to that they illustrate in the first plate 8, as it happens also with the arrangement on it, that means aligned to each other, forming rows, parallel to the said hinged joint 22 and crosswise it, forming columns, on the said first plate 8, one stopping element 7 being arranged at the beginning and at the end of each row.
As well for the first plate 8 as for the second 13, other kinds of shapes are possible for the elastic prongs, such as for example one comprising, instead of a protrusion 9, a slot (not shown) at an area of each prong 6 and that the protrusion or embossment to embed in the said slot is located on the token 3 to be inserted between the elastic prongs 6 or elastic prong 6 and the stopping element 7.
The arrangement of the elastic prongs 6 on the plates 8, 13 can also be different to that illustrated in the figures, for other embodiments not shown, that is to say those which are not aligned but that adopt a distribution with any other shape, as fancy as it can be, such as for example forming zigzag, concentric circles, waves, etc.
The number and the manner in which the elastic prongs 6 or the elastic prongs 6 and the stopping elements 7 are combined is not either limited to the embodiment shown in the figures because a fastening device which would be within the scope of the invention could be formed, for example, by four elastic prongs 6 with, for example a protrusion 9, each, facing the mentioned area 11, and even a central stopping element 7 could exist, arranged within the area 11 co-operating to fasten the token 3, keeping it at a certain height above the surface 4, 14 of the plate 8, 13 if the stopping element 7 is not a too high with relation to that of the elastic prongs 6 or even crossing the token 3 if the later has a central hole, in this case the stopping element 7 could be replaced by an elastic prong 6 having a protrusion 9 surrounding the whole perimeter of the end thereof.
Above explanations are only for an example of the multiple possible combinations covered by this invention.
The shape that the box 1 can have does not either exclude other shapes although in the figures it has been shown rectangular, it could be different if it is wished.
An additional although not preferred embodiment consists in that the two plates 8, 13 are movable therefore all above explained is applicable for the case a single movable plate 13 exists.
The main difference is that even though in the event that one plate 8 is fixed and the other is movable, the former acts as a support for the later , in this case it is necessary to have a dedicated supporting element which would be arranged along at least part of the internal perimeter of the body C of the box 1 to support the two movable plates 8, 13 (one on each side). It also would be necessary to have two stopping elements available at at least part of the internal perimeter of the box 1 to lock both plates 8, 13 once they have been introduced in the box 1.
For every case, concerning possible plates combinations, that is to say that there exists a single plate 8 (movable or fixed), that the two plates 8, 13 are fixed, that one of them is movable or that two are movable, the box 1 comprises at least a laminar element 12 carrying the graphic information on at least one of its faces, located and trapped between the first plate 8 and the box 1 bottom or between the two plates 8, 13, depending on the case.
Preferably the said graphic information is characteristic of each of the tokens 3 or objects to be introduced in the box 1 and its purpose it to facilitate their classification within it, for example disclosing the same graphic information the token 3 has incorporated such as a drawing, facilitating thus their classification within the box 1. The said graphic information also could do not refer to the tokens 3 and simply serve for advertising for example some brand or product.
The box 1 is constituted of a substantially transparent and slightly elastic material. Thanks to this transparency it is possible to see at once the tokens 3 placed within it, as well as the graphic information which appears on the laminar element 12 which in general will be some kind of paper or Bristol board.
This invention refers, on a second aspect, to a box for collecting objects, preferably tokens, of the kind comprising a plurality of fastening devices to fasten the said articles 3 in an orderly manner on at least one internal surface 4 of a first housing A1 of a body C accessible through at least one first lid 5.
The said fastening devices are embodied for each object 3 by at least two elastic prongs 6 or at least one elastic prong 6 and at least a stopping configuration 7 retaining between them the object 3.
The said box 1 in addition comprises for the said second aspect a second housing A2 of the said body C with an additional internal surface 14 opposite to the said internal surface 4 accessible through a second lid 15.
The figures illustrating the first aspect of the invention also serve to illustrate the said second aspect, for an example of preferred embodiment all above explained serving for the first aspect and also for the second aspect, including the said inclusion of a laminar element 12 carrying graphic information or the transparency of the box 1.
For an embodiment not shown, of this second aspect of the invention the elastic prongs 6 could not have a shape which could co-operate with the periphery of the object 3 or another complementary shape thereof, but be adapted to fasten objects 3 in another way different to that achieved by means of the said shape, by means, for example of an intermediate seizing system.
Also, for another additional embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, not shown, the second housing A2 comprises a plurality of enclosures or cells to house the said objects 3 in an orderly way on the internal surface 14 pertaining to it. The said cells can have available some kind of fastening device, equal or different from those above explained or to have none available, in which case the cells could not fasten the articles 3 but would simply house them within them, as it is the case for example of a candy box.
Another significant characteristic of this invention as well concerning its first aspect as concerning the second aspect is that the first 5 and second 15 lids are associated, for the embodiment illustrated, by hinged joints 22, 30 to the said box 1, with respect to a common rotation axis, parallel and centred with respect to a first external side 19 of the body C of the box 1, in such a way that both lids 5, 15 and the body C can be open in a bookmimetic way, either individually or both at same time, without the body of the box is moving at all.
The lids 5, 15 are preferably identical and, for the embodiment illustrated and common to the two aspects of the invention, the said hinged joints 22, 30 comprise at least an elastic appendage 26-28, 27-29 each of them, associated to their respective lid 5, 15, with a hook-shaped end element or terminal to be coupled by socketing under pressure on at least one pin 18a, 18b, aligned with the said common rotation axis, and associated to the box 1, so that when both lids 5, 15 are juxtaposed the said elastic appendages 26-28, 27-29 remain embedded with each other.
The hinged joints 22, 30 comprise at least a first pin 18a, with respect of which the first 5 and second 15 lids are hinged, the said pin being located at half the height and parallel to the said first external side 19 of the body C, and slightly spaced from it by means of supporting protrusions 18a₁ , 18b₂. For the preferred embodiment, referring to both aspects of the invention and shown in the said Fig. 7, the hinged joints 22, 30, comprise in addition a second pin 18a, aligned with the said pin 18a with respect to which the first 5 and second 15 lids, located at half the height and parallel to the said first external side 19 of the body C and slightly spaced from it by means of two supporting protrusions 18b₁ , 18b₂.
For the same example of preferred embodiment, in this case disclosed above all by Fig. 8, the said at least one elastic appendage associated to its respective lid 5, 15, are in this case two 26-28, 27-29 per lid. Concretely, from an edge 5a, 15a of each of the lids 5, 15 a first substantially rectangular elastic appendage 26, 27 and a second U-shaped elastic appendage 28, 29, spaced from the former, and a clearance between their arms slightly larger than the width of the said first elastic appendage 26, 27 to make possible that when both lids 5, 15 are juxtaposed, the first elastic appendage 26, 27 of one of the lids 5, 15 remains embedded in the second elastic appendage 28, 29 of the other lid 5, 15 and vice versa (embedded position shown in Fig. 8), the first 26, 27 and the second 28, 29 elastic appendages having their ends 26a, 27a, 28a, 28b, 29a, 29b which are hook-shaped to be coupled, embedded thanks to their elasticity, in the said first 18a and second 18b pins.
That is to say that each hinged joint 22,30 comprises one of the said first rectangular elastic appendage 26,27 derived from one of the lids 5, 15 and one of the said second elastic appendages 29, 28 derived from the other lid 15, 5, plus one of the said pins 18a, 18b.
The first 5 and second 15 lids comprise, for the embodiment illustrated and common to both aspects of the invention and for each of them, closing systems between the lids and a second external side 20 of the body C of the box 1 opposite to the first external side 19.
In Fig. 1 and 4, it can be seen how the said closing systems are preferably embodied by at least one elastic membrane 32-23, 23-31, each of them associated to its respective lid 5, 15, with a slot 32a-33a, 23a-31a at its central part in which is introduced by pressure a respective elastic appendage 42-43, 24-41, arranged at half the height of the said second external side 20 of the box 1, when the closing occurs between the lid 5, 15 and the body C of the box 1, so that when both lids 5, 15 are juxtaposed the said elastic membranes 32-33, 23-31 are displaced lengthwise between them and leaning against the external side 20. Concretely, as it can be seen in the said Fig. 1, each lid 5, 15 comprises two of the said elastic membranes 32-33, 23-31 which are extending from one edge 5b, 15b of each of the lids 5, 15 and the box 1 comprises four of the said elastic appendages 42-43, 24-41 aligned between them. Obviously, the elastic membranes 32-33, 23-31 are located at different distances from the side edges of each lid 5, 15 in order that they are not overlapping when the lids 5, 15 are closed on the body C, and as it has been said above, they remain shifted.
The membranes 32-33, 23-31, in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1 and 4, have a length equal to the width of the body C in order that, with the box 1 closed, they absolutely do not protrude from the box 1 and this later can for example rest by any of its external faces on the flat surface. Although this must be considered an advantage, the access to the end of the membranes 32-33, 23-31 becomes difficult because there is little space to introduce, for example a nail and thus be able to open the lid 5, 15. This is why each lid 5, 15 comprises at least an area 25, in fact one per membrane, with a recess which has the purpose to facilitate the access to one end of one of the membranes 32-33, 23-31 of the other lid 5, 15 when the box 1 is closed to be able to pull it and take it apart from its related elastic appendage 42-43, 24-41, for which each area 25 is located so that it remains just in front of one of the membranes 32-33, 23-31, of the opposite lid 5, 15, when juxtaposing both lids 5, 15.
Although this invention has been described and illustrated by means of specific embodiments, the scope of this invention is not limited to them but it is defined by the claims appended.

Claims

Box for collecting objects of the kind comprising a plurality of fastening devices to fasten said objects (3) in an orderly manner on at least an internal surface (4) of a first housing (A1) of a body (C), characterised in that first ones of said fastening devices are embodied, for each object (3), by at least two elastic prongs (6) and second ones of said fastening devices are embodied, for each object (3), by at least one elastic prong (6) and at least one stopping element or configuration (7), being said stopping elements (7) arranged on at least part of the internal perimeter of said body (C) of said box (1), said elastic prongs (6) extending from at least a first plate (8) defining said internal surface (4), each of said prongs (6) having a configuration which can co-operate with the periphery of the object (3) or with another complementary configuration thereof, and the at least two elastic prongs (6) which embody each of said first ones fastening devices and the at least one elastic prong (6) and said at least one stopping element (7) which embody each of said second ones fastening devices being adapted in height, orientation and gap between them, to the object (3) to be fastened.
Box according to the claim 1, characterised in that it comprises at least one lid (5) associated by means of a hinged joint (22) to the said box (1).
Box according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the configuration of the elastic prongs (6) comprises a protrusion (9) at the end of each prong (6), on one of its sides, or internal side (6a), which is facing an area (11) defining a housing for one of the objects (3).
Box according to claim 3, characterised in that the elastic prongs (6) have a substantially flat external side (6b) opposite to said internal side (6a), each elastic prong (6) of one of the possible fastening devices being positioned adjacent to another elastic prong (6) of another analogous fastening device, by its respective and mentioned external sides (6b).
Box according to claim 4, characterised in that the elastic prongs (6) are aligned with each other, forming rows, parallel with the said hinged joint (22) and crosswise it, forming columns, on the said first plate (8), one of the stopping elements (7) being arranged at the beginning and at the end of each row.
Box according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the configuration of the elastic prongs (6) comprises a protrusion (9) at the end of each prong (6), on one of its sides, or internal side (6a), which is facing an area (11) defining a housing for one of the objects (3) which is a substantially flat token (3), being said protrusion (9) arranged to immobilize said token (3) by pressing one of its faces while its opposite face is placed over said internal surface (4).
Box according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that in addition it comprises a second plate (13) arranged on a lower face (40) of said first plate (8) defining an additional surface (14) of a second housing (A2), opposite to the said internal surface (4) of said first housing (A1), accessible through a second lid (15) with a plurality of fastening devices equal to those included on the first plate (8) and arranged in the same or equivalent manner.
Box according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first plate (8) or at least one of the two plates (8, 13) is movable.
Box according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7, characterised in that the first plate (8) or one of the two plates (8, 13) is perimetrically integrated in the interior of the body (C) of the box (1).
Box according to claim 8, characterised in that the stopping elements (7) are embodied by a series of upright ribs and said movable plate (8, 13) comprises a series of respective grooves (16), said upright ribs can act, in addition to as stopping elements (7), as guides with respect to said grooves (16) in order to make possible that the movable plate (8, 13) is centred when introducing it in the box (1).
Box according to claim 10, characterised in that it comprises a stopping configuration, on at least part of the internal perimeter of the body (C), to lock the movable plate (8, 13) when it has been introduced in the box (1).
Box according to claim 11, characterised in that said stopping configuration comprises a series of horizontal ribs (17) which act as a stop with respect to the movable plate (8, 13) once it has been introduced in the box (1) in order to tightly lock it within it.
Box according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said configuration of the elastic prongs (6) comprises a slot on an area of each prong (6) which can be socketed to each other with a protrusion or embossment arranged on the object (3) to be fastened.
Box according to claim 7, characterised in that the two plates (8, 13) are movable.
Box according to claim 14, characterised in that it comprises a supporting configuration, along at least part of the internal perimeter of the body (C) of the box (1) to support the two movable plates (8, 13) and two stopping configurations, on at least part of the internal perimeter of the body (C) of the box (1), to lock the plates (8, 13) once they have been introduced in the box (1).
Box according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one laminar element (12) carrying graphic information on at least one of its faces, located and trapped between the first plate (8) and the bottom of the box (1) or between the two plates, first (8) and second (13), and trapped by them in the box (1).
Box according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a lid (5) for accessing said internal surface (4), and in that in addition it comprises a second housing (A2) of said body (C) with an additional internal surface (14), opposed to said internal surface (4), accessible through a second lid (15).
Box according to claim 7 or 17, characterised in that the said first (5) and second (15) lids are associated by means of at least one hinged joint to the said box (1) with respect to a common rotation axis, parallel to a first external side (19) of the body (C) of the box (1) so that both lids (5, 15) and the body (C) can be opened in a bookmimetic manner.
Box according to claim 18, characterised in that the first (5) and second (15) lids are identical and comprise two hinged joints (22, 30) with at least an elastic appendage (26-28, 27-29), each of them, associated to their respective lid (5, 15), with an end configuration adapted to be coupled under pressure to at least one pin (18a, 18b), aligned with said common rotation axis and associated to the box (1) so that when the two lids (5, 15) are juxtaposed, the said elastic appendages (26-28, 27-29) remain embedded between them.
Box according to claim 19, characterised in that the said hinged joints (22, 30) comprise at least a first (18a) and a second (18b) pins, aligned with the said common rotation axis, with respect to which the first (5) and the second (15) lids are hinged, said pins (18a, 18b) being aligned with each other and located at half the height and parallel with said first external side (19) of the body (C) and slightly apart from the first external side (19) by means of supporting protrusions (18a₁, -18a₂, 18 b₁, -18b₂).
Box according to claim 19 or 20, characterised in that at least one of said hinged joints (22, 30) comprises a first rectangular elastic appendage (26, 27) deriving from one of the lids (5, 15) and a second U-shaped elastic appendage (29, 28) deriving from the other lid (15, 5) and having a clearance between its arms adapted to receive said first appendage (26, 27) embedded, said arms having an end or terminal hook-shaped configuration (26a, 27a, 28a, 28b, 29a, 29b) to be coupled socketed under pressure on said pin or pins (18a, 18b).
Box according to claim 20, characterised in that the first (5) and second (15) lids comprise each closing systems between the lids and a second external side (20) of the body (C) of the box (1), opposite to the first external side (19).
Box according to claim 22, characterised in that the said closing systems are embodied by at least one elastic membrane (32-33, 23-31), each of them associated to its respective lid (5, 15), with a slot (32a.33a, 23a-31 a) on its central part, in which is introduced under pressure a respective elastic appendage (42-43, 24-41), arranged at half the height of said second external side (20) of the body (C) of the box (1), when the closing between the lid (5, 15) and the body (C) of the box (1) occurs, so that when both lids (5, 15) are juxtaposed said elastic membranes (32-33, 23-31) are positionally shifted between them.
Box according to claim 23, characterised in that each lid (5, 15) comprises two of the said elastic membranes (32-33, 23-31), which are extending from one edge (5b, 15b) of each of the lids (5, 15) and the body (C) of the box (1) comprises four of the said elastic appendages (42-43, 24-41) aligned to each other.
Box according to claim 24, characterised in that each lid (5, 15) comprises at least an area (25) of its free edge with a recess the purpose of which is to facilitate the access to the end of one of the membranes (32-33, 23-31) of the other lid (5, 15), when the box (1) is closed, to pull it and take it apart from its corresponding elastic appendage (42-43, 24-41).
Box according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is constituted of a substantially transparent and slightly elastic material.