FR2755671A1 - Coupling system e.g. for container sections - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling system for components (3, 4) e.g. of a container, has ramps with interacting sloping surfaces which fit together when the container is closed and separate its components when one is rotated relative to the other. In a variant of the design two components can be fitted together with the aid of a hollow fastening element which is expanded with a key after insertion through holes in the components, or one hollow component can be expanded by pressure inside another.

Description

"OPENING AND ASSEMBLY SYSTEM AND METHOD, AND
DEVICES PROVIDED WITH THIS SYSTEM
The present invention relates to an opening and assembly system. It also relates to a method implemented in this system, as well as to devices, in particular container devices such as boxes or cases, provided with this system.

 In many areas, such as cosmetics, perfumery, food and consumer goods, products or articles are sold in rigid boxes or boxes. These boxes or boxes generally comprise a main part intended to contain the product or the article, and a removable part, for example a cover or a stopper, with which is associated an opening and assembly system.

 Reversible opening and assembly systems are known, for example, operating by screwing, by clipping, by force insertion, or even by hinge. The current opening and assembly systems, however, have the drawbacks of using them, in particular of being difficult and even tedious to handle when it is necessary to carry out several tightening turns, or even of being fragile when 'they are subject to intensive use as may be the case for compact disc boxes or more generally information media discs.

 More generally, current opening and assembly systems without an external socket involve direct manipulations: for example, lifting a part with rotation around a hinge as in the case of compact disc boxes or powder compacts in perfumery. The opening and assembly systems using plugs call for tedious combinations of rotation and axial displacement which require different male and female parts and imply very expensive tools for their production, whose speed is reduced by the internal kinematics. The important thing is to minimize tool costs and improve production rates.

 However, in all of the aforementioned fields, consumers aspire to boxes or boxes offering easier and faster access to the products or articles contained in these boxes or boxes.

 The purpose of the present invention is to satisfy these aspirations both on the consumer side and on the manufacturer side and to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a rapid opening and assembly system which combines greater ease of use and better strength and requiring simple tools and allowing high rates without the need for internal kinematics.

 It is a system for opening and assembling a first and a second part of a device, comprising first and second coupling means associated respectively with the first and second parts of the container device.

 According to the invention, the first and second coupling means each comprise one or more ramps arranged circularly on an inner face of the first or second corresponding part, and in that the ramps of the first coupling means cooperate with the ramps of the second coupling means for providing, by an external action of rotation of one part with respect to the other effected on a fraction of a turn, a closing then a coupling by progressive radial tightening or a uncoupling by uncoupling of the first and second parts according to the direction of rotation and a separation of the two parts.

 Thus, the opening and assembly functions can be obtained without the outside of the part having a projecting or directly gripping part. The opening action is done by the combination of pressure and rotation of one part with respect to the other. Indeed, by exerting a rotation on one part, the other tends to move in a translational movement., Which has the effect of separating the two parts thus allowing them to be dissociated or uncoupled by grabbing one of them. 'they.

 The opening and assembly system according to the invention thus comprises one or more circular ramps, inclined so as to transform a rotational movement into a translational movement. The lower part and the upper part being able to be identical at the level of the ramps, the first and second coupling means can perfectly be hermaphrodite, which has in particular the major advantage of requiring only one imprint for the manufacture of the two parts by injection of molded plastic.

 To ensure the opening function, the first and / or second coupling means comprise several circular ramps starting in the hollow and ending emerging relative to the joint plane between the two parts of the container device. The opening is carried out by turning, for example, the upper part with respect to the lower part in a counterclockwise direction, which firstly causes the coupling means to become loose and then goes back up along the inclined circular ramps.

 The assembly of the two parts of the container device is obtained by turning, for example, the upper part clockwise relative to the lower part.

 The coupling means are jammed by providing protruding parts and recessed parts on the ramps, the protruding parts of the ramps of one part being received in the hollow parts of the ramps of the other part. As the width of the recessed portions decreases as the operator rotates clockwise, the emerging portions are trapped inside the recessed portions. The adjustment, positive at the start, gradually becomes negative. The two assembled parts can undergo an opening stress normal to their assembly plane all the more important as these two parts will have been tightened against each other by a strong stress in rotation clockwise.

 The present invention finds an advantageous application in the storage of information carrier discs.

These information media discs, including compact discs commonly referred to as
CD or laser disc, are digital, audio, video, computer (CD-ROM), and more generally multimedia information carriers. These discs are currently sold and distributed in boxes comprising a hinge pin.

 W09414160 thus discloses a box comprising two flaps articulated around a hinge axis, in which the disc is held by the center by a retaining part forming a spring integral with one of the flaps. A disc inserted in a box can be extracted by grabbing it by its periphery and by exerting an extraction effort.

 This universally widespread set, however, has drawbacks that any user has probably already encountered, especially during intensive use. Thus, it is frequent that the elements of the box carrying out the pivot connection and the maintenance in position of the disc weaken, deteriorate and break, due in particular to shocks.

A box thus damaged loses its function of storing and protecting the contained disc. Furthermore, it must be recognized that the handling of current boxes is not always easy, requiring opening these boxes by moving their two flaps apart by pivoting about a hinge axis, then extracting the disc kept in the one of the shutters.

 In addition, the central coupling devices of the helical type used in the boxes according to the invention may include any number of ramps, the multiplication of the number of ramps contributing to reducing the angle required for opening. Furthermore, provision may be made, in the context of the present invention, for assembly systems in which the assembly of the parts to be effected by rotation in an anti-clockwise direction.

 In particular, a box for an information carrier disk is proposed, characterized in that it comprises two removable parts each comprising coupling means disposed in their center and defining in the closed position an interior space suitable for receiving this (s) disc (s).

 With a box according to the invention, this eliminates the problems induced by the existence of a hinge pin, the coupling now being central.

 In addition, one can advantageously provide that one of the two removable parts is designed to provide an optical magnification of information and / or graphics arranged on at least one of the faces of a disc contained in this box.

 This characteristic can find numerous applications, in particular in terms of promotion and advertising of the discs contained in such boxes.

To carry out this magnification function which can moreover only concern a part of the surface of a disc, the other part being able to be obscured, by producing the two removable parts in a lenticular form.

 The central coupling means generally comprise a first and a second central coupling element respectively secured to a first and a second removable parts of said box.

 In an exemplary embodiment of a box according to the invention, the first and second central coupling elements each comprise means for providing a relative helical movement from one part relative to the other when these are put in place. rotation relative to each other. It is thus possible to produce first and second central coupling elements of the hermaphrodite type.

 In a second embodiment, the first and second central coupling elements are respectively of the female and male type.

The male-type central coupling element advantageously comprises a centering element surrounded by elastic clamping elements.

 According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a frame for receiving a box according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises an internal shoulder for receiving this box. The external dimensions of this frame can also correspond to those of a standard compact disc box, thus making it possible to use the current storage and distribution bins.

 This frame can also be an integral part of one of the parts of the box.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below. In the accompanying drawings given by way of nonlimiting examples
- Figure 1A is a sectional view of the two
separate parts of a CD case
according to the invention; - Figure 1B is a sectional view of the cabinet
Figure 1B in the closed state; - Figure 2 is a schematic view of a system
opening and assembly according to the invention; - Figure 3 is an open view of a cabinet
according to the invention designed to contain two
discs or a disc and a sheet; - Figure 4 is a sectional view of another
example of realization of a box for disc
compact; - Figure 5 illustrates the kinematics of a system
opening and assembly according to the invention,
hermaphrodite type with three slopes; - Figure 6 illustrates the kinematics of a system
opening and assembly according to the invention,
hermaphrodite type with two slopes; - Figure 7 shows a first mode of
creation of an opening system and
assembly according to the invention; - Figure 8 shows a second mode of
creation of an opening system and
assembly according to the invention; - Figure 9 shows a third mode of
creation of an opening system and
assembly according to the invention; - Figures 10A, 10B and 10C show
respectively an open view of a cabinet for
cosmetic, a top view of one of the
parts of this box, and a sectional view of the
closed box; - Figure 11 shows a robot bowl provided
an opening and assembly system according to
the invention; - Figure 12 shows a fixing device
implementing an opening system and
assembly according to the invention;
- Figure 13 shows a device of the type
"shaker" provided with an opening system and
assembly according to the invention, in different
situations; and
- Figure 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment
a tray with removable elements suitable for
public transport and implementing
opening and assembly systems according to
the invention.

 We will now describe several embodiments of an opening and assembly system according to the invention, as well as examples of boxes and devices provided with this system, together with the method of opening and assembly used in the system according to the invention. The common elements of the various embodiments described will be designated by common references.

 We will first describe an embodiment of a compact disc box according to the invention, with reference to Figures 1A and 1B.

 A box 10 according to the invention comprises, with reference to FIG. 1, two parts 1, 2 of substantially lenticular shape, each comprising an internal recess 11, 21 defining, when the two parts are coupled, an internal housing adapted to receive at least a disc, and a central coupling device 100 consisting of a first coupling element 4 secured to the first part 1 and a second coupling element 3 secured to the second part 2. The box 10 can advantageously be arranged in a receiving frame (not shown). having an internal shoulder of a shape adapted to receive the outer periphery of the box, and an outer periphery of any shape, for example of square shape identical to that of current compact disc boxes.

 Parts 1 and 2 can be made of any material, for example transparent injected plastic, and can provide, on all or part of their respective surfaces, an optical magnification function. Their lenticular shape contributes to this magnification function which can be more or less accentuated by using materials with suitable optical indices.

 The coupling device 100 is of helical type, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The first coupling element 4, located at the center of the interior face of the first part 1, comprises, by way of nonlimiting example, three teeth 41, 42, 43 arranged radially and each provided with a ramp 410, 420, 430, and a central recess 44. The second coupling element 3 comprises a central recess 34 and three teeth 31, 32, 33 arranged radially and provided each of a ramp 310, 320, 330. The first element 4 and the second element 3 are designed to be coupled so that in the closed position, the respective teeth 41, 42, 43; 31, 32, 33 are respectively in tangential contact. The respective ramps 410, 420, 430; 310, 320, 330 of each coupling element 4, 3 are designed to be complementary in the closed position and to ensure a helical movement of the teeth 41, 42, 43; 31, 32, 33 in the opening and closing sequences of the box 10, as will be described below. It should be noted that in this coupling mode, it is advantageously possible to provide that the two coupling elements are of the hermaphrodite type, the maintenance of the two parts in the closed position then being ensured by a specific conformation of the teeth allowing them to nest in position. closed.

 It is possible to design a box 50 according to the invention of the type which has just been described but designed to contain two discs D1, D1, or even a disc and a sheet, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

 A box according to the invention can thus be designed to receive one or more discs as required. In the case of a box designed for a single disc, this disc can be held in position on any of the parts of the box by holding means conventionally used in boxes for compact disc. In the case of a box designed to receive several discs, these discs can be stacked on a central axis provided on one of the parts of the box, or else be distributed in one and the other parts. A booklet can advantageously replace one of the compact discs.

 In another exemplary embodiment illustrated by FIG. 4, the box 30 is provided with a central coupling device 100 ′ comprising a central female element 4 ′ secured to the first part 1 and a central male element 3 ′ secured to the second part 2. The central element 3 ′ may comprise, by way of nonlimiting example, an element 6 for centering at three points and three deformable elements arranged around the periphery of the centering element equilaterally. This male element 3 'is thus designed to be inserted and held by clamping in the female element 4'.

 We will now describe two examples of kinematics of opening and assembly systems according to the invention, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

In a first example C of kinematics of a system according to the invention, of the hermaphrodite type with three slopes (FIG. 5), a helical opening O is obtained by a rotation of a fraction of a turn anti-clockwise causing a loosening then a rise on the three inclined ramps. The closure
F of the system is obtained by a rotation of a fraction of a turn clockwise causing a descent along the three inclined ramps RI. When the projecting parts reach the bottom bearings PB of the hollow parts, one then enters a phase SP of progressive tightening allowing in particular a catching up of the wear of the parts. This progressive tightening function is obtained by the fact that the profile of the bottom bearing has a curvature of center 02 and of radius RD off-center with respect to the main center Ol of the system. This leads to a narrowing of the bottom bearing PB which is thus used to ensure the jamming of the parts.

 In the second example C ′ of kinematics of a system according to the invention of the hermaphrodite type with two slopes (FIG. 6), the closing and jamming phase is approached by an engagement in a high EPH bearing, then a rotation clockwise fraction of a turn causing FDR closure by descent along the two inclined ramps, followed by an ASR assembly phase by progressive radial tightening in low bearings with take-up of wear. This progressive tightening is made possible by the decentralization of the radius of the profile of the lower part of the inclined ramps. The opening of the system is obtained thanks to a DDR action of uncoupling by progressive radial loosening carried out by a rotation of a fraction of a turn anti-clockwise. An ORR opening of the system is then carried out by rising along the two inclined ramps at the end of which a state SP is reached where the separation of the two parts of the system becomes possible.

 We will now continue to describe, by way of nonlimiting examples, three embodiments of a plug-type device implementing an opening and assembly system according to the invention, with reference to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 In a first embodiment corresponding to a strong hold option (FIG. 7), the first and second parts 71, 72 of the opening and assembly system 70 according to the invention are provided with coupling parts 73, 74 comprising a set of inclined ramps arranged in the manner which has just been described with reference to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. In this first embodiment, the opening O is obtained by a rotation of a fraction of a turn in a specific direction, for example anti-clockwise, while closing F is obtained by rotating a fraction of a turn in the opposite direction.

 In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the first and second removable parts 81, 82 of the system 80 according to the invention are provided with coupling parts 83, 84 each comprising a set of projecting elements 84 of substantially rounded shape arranged to enter in the closed position in recesses formed between the projecting elements of the opposite removable part. This embodiment allows opening and closing in both directions. In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the two removable parts 91, 92 of the system 90 according to the invention each have an interface edge 93, 94 of irregular profile, unlike the other two embodiments in which the interface edges have a regular or smooth external appearance in the closed position. This third embodiment can be chosen when it is desired, for example, to provide the user of the system with external visibility of this system.

 We will now describe several examples of application of opening and assembly systems according to the invention, in particular in the fields of cosmetics (FIGS. 10A to 10C), food services (FIGS. 11, 13 and 14), and of the fixing (figure 12).

 In the field of cosmetics and perfumery, boxes according to the invention can be designed to act as a compact, makeup palette, or incurs to contain creams and any cosmetic product, in particular caps and clasps.

 It is thus possible to design, with reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C, a powder compact 110 comprising two removable parts 112, 111 each comprising, at their contact periphery, coupling elements 114 operating according to previously described modes, in particular with reference in Figures 5 and 6. The upper part 112 can advantageously be made of a transparent material and have a lenticular shape providing an optical magnification effect, while the lower part 111 can also be provided with a lower part which is also removable (not shown ) to provide for example a makeup mirror or palette. The coupling elements 114a-d preferably have an asymmetrical shape and have a narrowing to ensure the progressive tightening function described above, this narrowing corresponding for example to an offset of the radii of curvature of the lower bearings of the coupling elements. Furthermore, provision may be made for the lower part 111 of the compact 110 to be provided in a frame or presentation box 115.

 In the food industry, boxes can be designed according to the invention to contain food products in the form of liquids, pasta, creams, yogurt, sandwiches or even in bulk. One can in particular provide a box designed to receive a hamburger. It is also possible to design a bowl of a food processor 210 (FIG. 11) provided with a first opening and assembly system 220, 213, 214 for its cover 212, and with a second opening and assembly system. 215 to lock it on the basis of a food processor. One can also provide a device 130 of the "shaker" type for producing emulsions and mixtures, as illustrated in FIG. 13. In the closed position (a), the two removable parts 131, 132 are fitted.

the sealing of the device 130 can be ensured by conventional techniques using, for example, a seal.

By a rotation action on a fraction of a turn, the operator obtains an opening of the shaker and the separation of the removable parts 131, 132 by uncoupling of the coupling elements 133, 134.

The two removable parts 131, 132 can then be used as bowls for consumption. Another particularly advantageous example of the application of opening and assembly systems according to the invention consists in proposing meal trays 140 comprising on their upper face slots provided with a set of coupling elements 142 and provided to receive removable parts such as a plate 241 or glasses or goblets 141a, 141b, 141c. These removable parts are of course also provided on their base with coupling elements 143, 243 cooperating with the coupling elements 142 of the plate 140. It is thus possible to provide customers with collective transport (plane, boat, because, by example) meal trays with great stability.

 In the field of consumer goods, boxes according to the invention can be used to contain discs, DIY articles, decoration items, jewelry and many other objects. Mention may be made, by way of nonlimiting example, of a fixing system 120 (FIG. 12) implementing an opening and assembly system according to the invention. This system consists on the one hand of a first coupling element 124 disposed at the end of a screw 121 and on the other hand, of a second coupling element disposed within a hole 122 formed in a frame 125.

Such a fixing system allows for example the fixing of a part 126 by rotation of the screw 121 over a fraction of a turn. Such a system can find applications for games, or in the DIY sector or industrial fasteners.

 Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the materials used for the production of boxes or boxes can be other than plastic materials.

 The present invention can also be applied to any type of stopper.

 In addition, in the particular application to compact disc boxes, the number of discs contained in a box according to the invention is limited only by constraints of mechanical production. Furthermore, the dimensions of a box according to the invention are not limited to the current compact format may vary depending on the development and the diversity of future disc formats.

Claims (12)

 1. Opening and assembly system, for opening and assembling a first and a second part of a device, comprising first and second coupling means located respectively on the first and second parts and defining in the closed position an interface zone, characterized in that these first and second coupling means cooperate to provide, by an external displacement of one part with respect to the other substantially tangential to the zone of interface, an assembly of said first and second parts and a progressive tightening by generation of forces substantially normal to said displacement.  2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second coupling means are reversible.  3. System according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and second coupling means each comprise one or more inclined ramps arranged on an inner face of the first or second corresponding part, and in that the ramps of the first means d coupling cooperate with the ramps of the second coupling means to provide, by an external action of rotation of one part relative to the other effected on a fraction of a turn, a coupling or uncoupling of the first and second parts according to the sense of rotation.  4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the inclined ramps of the first and second coupling means have external shapes arranged to provide a radial wedging of said opening and assembly system in the closed position.  5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the inclined ramps of the first and second coupling means have a hollow bottom part and a projecting upper part emerging relative to an interface region between the two first and second parts , and in that the protruding parts of the ramps of one part of the container device are arranged to be housed in the hollow parts of the ramps of the other part of said device after an assembly operation, the recessed parts radially deforming the projecting parts providing the holding of the assembly.  6. System according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the ramps of the first and second coupling means are arranged to provide centering of one part relative to the other in the assembly situation.  7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several opening and assembly subsystems distributed at several points of the device.  8. Opening and assembly method implemented in a system according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:  to close the device,  - bringing the two removable parts of the device provided with this system into contact,  - closing of the device by rotation of one part with respect to the other over a fraction of a turn in a predetermined direction,  - assembly by progressive radial tightening,  for opening the device,  - uncoupling by progressive radial loosening,  - opening of the device by rotation of one part relative to the other in the opposite direction, and  - separation of removable parts.  9. Device, in particular a box or box, comprising a first and a second part that can be assembled in a reversible manner to define an interior space containing, and an opening and assembly system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.  10. Container device according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one of the two parts has an outer face without direct connection.  11. Container device according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one of the two parts at least partially comprises an area arranged to provide an optical magnification effect.  12. Container device according to any one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that at least one of the two parts is arranged internally to provide an interior space for storing products.