GB2024002A

GB2024002A - Combined container and key ring

Info

Publication number: GB2024002A
Application number: GB7922401A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: TOWER GOLDSMITH Ltd
Current assignee: TOWER GOLDSMITH Ltd
Priority date: 1978-06-27
Filing date: 1979-06-27
Publication date: 1980-01-09
Also published as: ES244212Y; ES244212U; GB2024002B; FR2430053A3; IT7935954V0; DE7918389U1; FR2430053B3

Abstract

A combined key ring and container comprises a generally cylindrical metal container 2 in two screw-threaded, interengageable parts 3, 4 for containing a roll of paper with medical information, one part being attached to a key ring 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A combined key ring and container The present invention relates to a combined key ring and container, particularly, but not exclusively, for carrying personal medical information.

The carrying of personal medical information in a readily available form is of great value in emergencies, particularly for persons with, for example, recurring illnesses or allergies to certain drugs, to ensure that the correct treatment may be given quickly. At present this information is carried either on cards which may be kept in wallets, handbags or purses but which are vulnerable to fire or water or in lockets or bracelets which provide greater protection but do not have widespread appeal.

The object of the present invention is to provide a container suitable for carrying medical information to provide protection in the event of an accident and which will be generally acceptable so that a greater number of people will be inclined to carry such information than do so at present.

According to the present invention there is provided a combined key ring and container, in which the container is formed in two cooperatingly-screw-threaded parts which intern~ gage to form a water-tight enclosure, the key ring being captive on one of the parts.

Clearly such a container may be formed to contain a roll of paper provided with medical information and will be of far greater appeal to the general public, at least in Western society in which the majority of people carry key rings, than jewelry.

The container may be of any convenient or pleasing shape or design but is preferably generally cylindrical, both for simplicity of manufacture, and hence cheapness, and for convenience in use.

In a preferred embodiment, each container part defines a respective portion of the enclosure, one portion being of smaller cross-section than the other; this feature allows a roll of paper of suitable size to be readily removed from the container, since the roll will expand to take up the size of the smaller part and will project therefrom so that, on disengagement of the larger part, it will present itself to the user for removal.

The container should be of a material of sufficient thickness to protect the paper from fire and may, for example, be of thermosetting plastics, but is preferably of metal, although the paper may itself be fire-proofed.

To ensure a water-tight seal, an annular, resilient sealing ring is preferably provided between the two interengaged parts of the container.

The key ring may be of any of the known types but is preferably a split ring which extends, with clearance, through an aperture in a free end portion of one container part.

One embodiment of the invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is an exploded, perspective view of a combined key-ring and container according to the present invention.

In the drawing there is shown a combined key-ring 1 and container 2 in which the keyring 1, of a simple split-ring type, is attached to a first part 3 of the generally-cylindrical container 2 formed by engagement of the part 3 with a second part 4. The key-ring 1 extends through, and is held captive in an aperture 13 in an end portion of the part 3 of smaller diameter than the major portion thereof.

The major portion of the first part 3 has the same external diameter as the part 4, with which it engages, apart from an externallyscrew-threaded end portion 7 which engages with cooperating internal screw-threading 8 of the part 4 to join the two parts together to complete the container. Both the parts 3, 4 are formed with internal cavities 5, 6 respectively, that in the part 3 being of smaller diameter than that in the part 4. As is seen in the drawings, the screw-threading 7, 8 extends approximately 1 of the length of the container to provide a secure connection between the parts. A water-tight seal is achieved by an annular, rubber sealing ring 9 which is compressed between adjacent shoulders 11, 10 of the parts 3, 4 in the closed container.

The first part 3 of the container 2 has a portion 3a of reduced external diameter, intermediate its closed end and the shoulder 11, on which instructions for opening the container 2 are engraved or printed, some protection from wear being afforded by the recessed nature of the portion 3a.

The container 2 holds a roll of fire-proof paper 12 bearing personal medical information of importance to emergency services in the event of accident to, or illness of, the user. For convenience, the paper is rolled and placed in the narrow cavity 5 of the first part 3 so as to extend therefrom and be readily available when the container 2 is opened, as shown.

In order to indicate that the container in fact contains medical information for use in an emergency the outside of the container 2 is printed with the internal green cross symbol and appropriate wording. To ensure that the printing is retained and will not rub off in use, the container is made from aluminium which is anodised before the printing ink is applied.

A A combined key-ring and container as described above provides useful means of carrying vital medical information being unobtrusive, sturdy, watertight and fire resistant.

Claims

1. A combined key ring and container, in which the container is formed in two cooperatively-screw-threaded parts which interengage to form a water-tight enclosure, the key ring being captive on one of the parts.

2. A combined key ring and container as claimed in Claim 1, in which each container part defines a respective portion of the enclosure, one portion being of smaller cross-section than the other.

3. A combined key ring and container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the container is generally cylindrical in form.

4. A combined key ring and container as claimed in any preceding claim, which includes an annular, resilient sealing ring between two interengaged container parts to ensure a water-tight seal.

5. A combined key ring and container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container is made from metal.

6. A combined key ring and container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the container contains a paper scroll.

7. A combined key ring and container as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the key ring comprises a split ring which extends, with clearance, through an aperture in a free end portion of one container part.

8. A combined key ring and container as claimed in Claim 5, in which the container is made from anodised aluminium.

9. A combined key ring and container as claimed in Claim 8, in which the container has printed information on the external surface.

10. A combined key ring and container substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawing.