EP1737751B1 - Packaging or support for a lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A packaging or carrier for a lamp (12), especially a battery-operated lamp, comprises a receiving pocket or fixing means having either a readily accessible on/off switch (17) or an external switch (14) which is part of a conductive circuit (18) including the battery (15) and light source (16).

Description

The invention relates to a package or a carrier according to the preamble of claim 1.

Apart from exceptional cases, products distributed via the commercial trade require packaging for protection against damage during transport and / or storage. The smaller the relevant commercial products, the greater the need to design the packaging theft-proof, which requires that the packaged parts on the one hand can not be easily removed from the packaging or from the carrier, on the other hand, the size of the packaging inconspicuous insertion of the Packaging with contents prevented as much as possible. In addition, the available space for information about the product, the manufacturer, etc. can be used in such a package or on the outside of the packaging.

Packaging which fulfills the aforementioned properties are known as so-called blister packs according to the prior art. As a rule, such blister packs consist of one or two plastic parts, each of which has or has a blister comprising the product. When using a cling film, these parts may also be attached to a cardboard sheet containing a print with the aforementioned information and / or has a punch whose contour corresponds approximately to the outer dimensions of the arranged in the package part, optionally further tongues or other undercuts additionally allow a holder of the product in the transparent packaging. The cardboard parts are often referred to as so-called visual cards, which are often provided with a slot or other opening, which is intended to facilitate the suspension of a projecting rod of a sales stand.

With packaging of battery-operated lamps, in particular flashlights, the peculiarity arises that in the case of packaging, as far as they are described is designed to be theft proof, a functional test of the lamp is possible only after breaking the packaging. Often, businesses insist that breaking up packages requires purchase, which may prevent buyers from selecting a product as the exchange procedure is spared.

For about 3 years, flashlights that are equipped with one or more light-emitting diodes (LED) are also coming into the market. LEDs have the advantage over glow lamps of a much longer life and lower power consumption. The light impersonated by light-emitting diodes can be blue, orange, red or even white (depending on the selected light-emitting diode), which increases the incentive for the buyer to get to know the light color before buying the lamp. In addition to the color, the brightness of the flashlight and the beam angle are also important for the purchase decision. In addition to the functional test, the visual appearance of the packaging and / or visual card is also decisive for a purchase decision. In particular, if the products are relatively similar and equipped with comparable equipment such as miniature flashlights competitors, additional sales incentives play a significant role.

A similar packaging of the type mentioned is in the US 2002/0038772 A1 described. This is a blister packaging in which the switch of the packaged electrical device can be operated directly. For this purpose, the packaging is designed to be movable so that the switch can be actuated.

With such packaging, for example, flashlights according to DE 203 08 783 U1 are packaged, which have a light source and with a arranged on the lamp housing spring-loaded pressure switch for switching on and off the light source, which consists in particular of one or more light emitting diodes (LED). It is envisaged that the pressure switch occupies a position to the contact closure when switching on, in the below one through the Lateral surface of the lamp housing certain level is located, which surrounds the pressure switch.

In the EP 0 325 122 A1 a packaging arrangement is suggested as a sales aid for flashlights, which consists in the manner of a blister from two lamp shells adapted half shells of transparent material, which are linked together via an interlocked printable cardboard hanger and can be released from the packaging again. Thus, the use of an expensive bulb (eg Halogenlichtbime) and the batteries is also possible after the sale, without the buyer does not have to do without an undamaged packaging. The control buttons of the lamp are free and can be tried by the buyer.

The U.S. 4,046,251 discloses a package for products such as flashlights. The packaging has a rectangular base, in which an opening is embedded, which is adapted to the contour of the product to be packaged. The packaging is closed by means of a lid having a collar, so that the flashlight is partially stored fixed in the packaging.

In the US 6,311,839 B1 a packaging for a pin with integrated lighting device is proposed, wherein the push button, which is arranged at the upper end of the pin, is not enclosed by the packaging. Through the recess in the package, it is possible for the buyer in the shop to test the function of the pen, without taking the pen out of the packaging.

In the US 5,188,222 a packaging for electrical equipment is proposed which has a mechanism for switching on and off the packaged device.
The mechanism has a lever that protrudes from the outside into the interior of the package. The device can be switched on and off via a further lever with angled design.

Another packaging will be in the US 5,718,335 proposed, in which the packaging is particularly suitable for figures. These are on a turntable, which can be rotated by a two-gear existing gearbox.
One of the gears can be rotated through an opening in the back of the package so that the figure can be viewed from all sides.

A package for electrical function groups, in particular for an acoustic signaling device, is in the DE 298 01 014 U1 proposed. In this case, an operable outside the packaging device for actuating the packaged electrical function group is provided, to which the packaging has a device for supplying the functional group with electrical energy.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a packaging and / or card of the type mentioned in that a possibility is created to check the function of the lamp without damaging the packaging.

This object is achieved with the packaging or the carrier according to claim 1.

According to the invention, a pressure element is provided, which consists of an elastic spring body which is movable by an external actuation along its spring travel, through which the pressure switch via the first insertion path, but not in the detent position is feasible, wherein the elastic spring body is a bent leaf spring , Whose legs are arranged in the unloaded state at an acute angle to each other and against the spring force are movable toward each other.

The present packaging has the following advantages: First, the battery-powered flashlights must not be removed from the packaging for functional testing. On the other hand, the spring element protects in a simple and effective way from a permanent turn on, since by actuation of the spring element only the tactile function of the flashlight can be triggered. The spring element thus locks a latching of the pressure switch for permanent switching the flashlight. The spring element according to the invention is not necessarily connected to the flashlight, so that the flashlight can be removed independently of the spring element of the package and taken immediately into use. Finally, such a spring element in the production is inexpensive and possibly reusable, at least recyclable.

Said mutual contact determines the maximum possible travel, which can be exploited in practice that the pressure switch can be pushed under any circumstances to the detent position. Such a leaf spring element can be produced inexpensively from relatively inexpensive spring steel.

Further embodiments of the invention are described below. Thus, the curved leaf spring is designed such that it encompasses the flashlight over a circular angle of more than 180 °, preferably more than 270 °, wherein the leaf spring does not touch the pressure switch in the unloaded state. Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the legs against the spring force to each other to move towards each other. Preferably, the spring body is loosely in the package or at least with a leg attached to or in the package. The loose insert of the leaf spring in the packaging also includes such embodiments in which this leaf spring is fixed in a corresponding packaging recess, so that a longitudinal axial displacement of this spring element is prevented. For this purpose also serves a possible attachment of a spring body end.

The packaging material according to a further embodiment of the invention of flexible plastic, preferably in the form of a transparent blister packaging. Information on the packaging contents - here the flashlight - can be found on a corresponding visual map or on the packaging as well as information on where the packaging for pressing the spring element must be compressed in order to trigger the tactile function of the pressure switch.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung einer Taschenlampe sowie eines elastischen Federkörpers,

Fig. 2, 3

eine Querschnittsansicht durch die Taschenlampe mit dem Federkörper in zwei Bedienungspositionen und

Fig. 4, 5

jeweilige entsprechende Querschnittsansichten entsprechend Fig. 2 und 3 mit zusätzlicher Verpackung.

Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

an exploded perspective view of a flashlight and an elastic spring body,

Fig. 2, 3rd

a cross-sectional view through the flashlight with the spring body in two operating positions and

Fig. 4, 5

corresponding respective cross-sectional views accordingly FIGS. 2 and 3 with additional packaging.

In the Fig. 1 illustrated flashlight 100 may have different sizes with flashlight lengths before 4 to 20 cm and more and correspondingly adapted small diameters, which is determined essentially by the diameter of the mini-battery cells used. The illustrated flashlight has in its mantle a pressure switch 110 which is movable to turn on and off the lamp via a first insertion path to a contact closure and engages only upon further insertion and fixes the contact closure or interrupts the contact closure by pressing again. The flashlight can be equipped with light-emitting diodes (LED) as lamps or with light bulbs. Fig. 1 further shows a bent leaf spring in the unloaded state, which encloses in cross-section an inner circle or in space a maximum cylinder envelope whose diameter D is greater than the maximum distance H from the vertex of the pressure switch 110 to the diametrically opposite edge of the flashlight 100. By this dimensioning is the curved leaf spring 120 in the in Fig. 2 or 4 manner shown either contactless or depressurized touching the flashlight body. This is especially true when the flashlight in a package 130, z. B. a blister pack is arranged. The leaf spring 120 has two free legs 121 and 122 which are arranged in the unloaded state at an acute angle α to each other. By applying pressure in Direction of the arrow 140 (with held leg 122), the leg 121 in the in Fig. 3 shown position are moved against the spring force, so that the angle between the legs 121 and 122 is minimized or is reduced to 0 °. As a result of this movement, the largest enclosed circle becomes a diameter d (see FIG Fig. 3 ), which is smaller than that in Fig. 2 shown distance H. Accordingly, the pressure switch 110 is inserted and takes the in Fig. 3 shown position in which the first insertion path has been completed to a contact closure, so that the tactile function of the switch is utilized. However, the switch 110 is inserted only so strongly that the pressure switch does not latch. In an arrangement of the flashlight with leaf spring, which is placed around the flashlight in the area of the pressure switch, in a package 130, this results in Fig. 4 shown image, provided that no force in the direction of the arrow 140 is exerted on the leg 121. In the region indicated by 131, the packaging film is flexible or elastic, so that at a pressure in the direction of the arrow 140, the leg 121 can be displaced in the direction of the leg 122, which is due to the selected shape of the film in the region 131 in Fig. 5 is pictured. As before with the help of Fig. 3 described, therefore, the pressure switch 110 can be inserted over a partial path, so that the tactile function of this switch is used without snapping. The flashlight does not have to be removed from the packaging 130 for this purpose.

The above statements assume that the leg 122 or the rear side 132 of the packaging is held or bears against a resistance. If this is not the case, a corresponding counterforce must be exerted on the rear side 132 and on the leg 122 simultaneously with the force in the direction of the arrow 14 in order to move the two legs toward one another.

Claims (3)

1. Packaging or support with a receiving pocket or a fastening means for a lamp, in particular a battery-operated flashlight (100) with a pressure switch (110) for switching the lamp (100) on and off that is movable through a first position with contact closure in a closed electric circuit to lock in place when further pushed in and fix the contact closure and to interrupt the contact closure when pushed again,
   characterised by a pressure element consisting of an elastic spring body that is movable by an external actuation along its spring deflexion, during its passing through the pressure switch (110) is moved through the first position, but not in the locking position, whereby the elastic spring body is a curved leaf spring (120) whose legs (121, 122) are arranged relative to each other at an acute angle (α) in the relaxed state and can be moved towards each other against the spring tension.
2. Packaging or support according to claim 1, characterised in that the legs can be moved toward each other against the spring tension until abutting each other.
3. Packaging or support according to claim 2, characterised in that the curved leaf spring (120) engages around the flashlight (100) over a circular angle of more than 180°, preferably more von 270°, whereby the leaf spring (120) in the relaxed state not touching or touching pressureless the pressure switch and/or the spring body (120) lies loosely in the package (130) or is fixed with at least one leg (122) to or in the package (130), that material consists preferably at least partially of flexible plastic, preferably in the form of a transparent blister package.

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