GB2083335A

GB2083335A - Medallion-type container

Info

Publication number: GB2083335A
Application number: GB8029080A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HARRISON RUTH
Current assignee: HARRISON RUTH
Priority date: 1980-09-09
Filing date: 1980-09-09
Publication date: 1982-03-24
Also published as: GB2083335B

Abstract

A medallion-type container comprises a shallow, cup-shaped rigid outer housing 10 in which closely fits a shallow, cup-shaped insert 30 of resilient material, the insert being integrally formed with an inwardly projecting sealing lip 33. A shallow, cup-shaped cap 50 push fits into the insert to allow escape of air from the enclosed space while effecting a compression of the lip sufficient to form a watertight seal. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in medallion-type containers This invention relates to medallion-type containers, which as used herein means containers generally in the form of a medallion to be suspended from a chain around the neck to form a pendant, or to be attached by suitable fastening to the wrist to form a bracelet, or more generally to be carried by any person for use in the event of an emergency. For this reason, such devices are sometimes known as S.O.S. medallions or security talismen.

Medallion-type containers may be used to contain personal details to be known in the event of an accident, or medical pills for emergency use, e.g. in the case of a diabetic person. Alternatively, however, such containers may serve as a simple charm, for containing miniature photographs or the like.

As accidents and emergencies may often arise in or in connection with water, e.g. in the sea or even in the bath, it is usual for medallion-type containers to be waterproof.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved medallion-type container which is simple to assemble and disassemble to obtain access to the interior for insertion or removal of the contents, while at the same time achieving an efficient watertight seal enabling the medallion to be worn in water, e.g. while swimming or bathing.

According to the invention, there is provided a medallion-type container comprising a shallow, cup-shaped, rigid outer housing, a shallow, cup-shaped, insert of resilient material fitting closely within the outer housing, said insert being integrally formed around its lip with an inwardly projecting lip, and a shallow cup-shaped closure member having a peripheral wall dimensioned as a rim-leading push fit into the insert which permits escape of air from the space being enclosed while effecting a slight compression of the insert lip sufficient to form a watertight seal.

Preferably, the lip on the insert is generally triangular in cross-section, the interior face of the peripheral wall of said insert tapering inwardly to the inner periphery of the lip. The exposed face of the lip is preferably planar, being disposed in a plane parallel to the base of the cup-shaped insert.

In effect, the lip on the insert acts as a sealing ring. However, the formation of this sealing ring as an integral part of a resilient cup-shaped insert provides various advantages, including that of facilitating easy entry of the closure member or cap without risk of dislodgement of such sealig ring and without risk of such ring riding up the cap. In addition, provided the inside diameter of the outer housing is not too great, the seal is retained in position when the medallion is opened, since the complete insert is held in place when the cap is removed by the vacuum existing between its base exterior and the base interior of the outer housing. In this connection, it is preferred for the closure member to be a deeper cup than the outer housing.The resilient insert preferably has an exterior depth of the order of one half the depth of the outer housing interior or a little more, the insert interior depth being less than one half the exterior depth of the closure cap.

The medallion-type container of this invention can be produced in a variety of sizes, and the requirement for small size limits on components is reduced.

A practical embodiment of medallion-type container in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures I and 2 respectively show an outer housing in side elevation and in pian; Figures 3 and 4 respectively show a resilient insert in side elevation and in plan; Figures 5 and 6 respectively show a closure cap in side elevation and in underplan; and Figure 7 is a diametrical cross-section through the insert.

In Figs. 1 and 2, the reference 10 denotes an outer housing of shallow cup-shape, with a peripheral wall 11, base 12, and outwardly flanged rim 1 3. The base of the housing may be embossed, as indicated at 14, to show the purpose of the medallion, and the peripheral flange 1 3 is apertured at 1 5 for attachment of a fastening such as a neck chain or wrist chain The housing 1 0 is rigid, being formed from copper to ensure rustlessness, and being electroplated for a bright decorative finish. The closure cap to be later described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6 is similarly formed.

The insert 30 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is made of rubber or similar resilient plastics material, and is also of a cup-shape, but shallower than the internal depth of the outer housing 10. The peripheral wall of the insert is marked 31 and the base 32. The peripheral wall 31 has an inward peripheral lip 33 generally triangular in cross-section (see also Fig. 7), being formed by an inward taper 34 on the inside surface of the peripheral wall 31, which peripheral wall, even below the taper, is preferably formed thicker than the insert base 32.

In the drawings, the thicknesses of the walls of the components are exaggerated for clarity, and this also applies to some extent to the dimensions of the peripheral lip 33 on the insert 30.

The closure cap for closing the medallion is referenced 50 in Figs. 5 and 6. This comprises a cup with a peripheral wall 51 and a base 52 which has an outwardly flanged lip 53 (facilitating insertion and removal of said cap).

When the medallion is assembled, the insert 30 fits closely into the interior of the outer housing 10 as a lining therein. The cap 50 is then a push fit, rim 54 first, into the insert, in order to close the medallion and enclose therein a watertight chamber within which contents such as personal details or pills can safely be kept.

The cap 50 is dimensioned to be an easy push fit into the insert 30, with its peripheral wall 51 entering readily through the peripheral lip 33 on said insert to effect slight compression of said lip 33 sufficient finally to form a watertight seal while permitting air to be expelled from the inside chamber during closure. This air expulsion is especially facilitated by the tapered form (34) of the underside of the peripheral lip 33 on the insert.

It will be appreciated that various modifications of the medallion-type container above described with reference to the drawings are possible within the scope of the invention as hereinbefore defined.

CLAIMS (Filed on 9 Sep 1980) 1. A medallion-type container comprising a shallow, cup-shaped, rigid outer housing, a shallow, cup-shaped, insert of resilient material fitting closely within the outer housing, said insert being integrally formed around its lip with an inwardly projecting lip, and a shallow cup-shaped closure member having a peripheral wall dimensioned as a rim-leading push fit into the insert which permits escape of air from the space being enclosed while effecting a slight compression of the insert lip sufficient to form a watertight seal.

2. A medallion-type container according to claim 1, wherein the lip on the insert is generally triangular in cross-section, the interior face of the peripheral wall of said insert tapering inwardly to the inner periphery of the lip.

3. A medallion-type container according to claim 2, wherein the exposed face of the lip is planar, being disposed in a plane parallel to the base of the cup-shaped insert.

4. A medallion-type container according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resilient insert has an exterior depth of the order of one half the depth of the outer housing interior or a little more, the insert interior depth being less than one half the exterior depth of the closure cap.

5. A medallion-type container according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the closure member is a cup having an exterior depth at least equal to the interior depth of the outer housing.

6. A medallion-type container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. When the medallion is assembled, the insert 30 fits closely into the interior of the outer housing 10 as a lining therein. The cap 50 is then a push fit, rim 54 first, into the insert, in order to close the medallion and enclose therein a watertight chamber within which contents such as personal details or pills can safely be kept. The cap 50 is dimensioned to be an easy push fit into the insert 30, with its peripheral wall 51 entering readily through the peripheral lip 33 on said insert to effect slight compression of said lip 33 sufficient finally to form a watertight seal while permitting air to be expelled from the inside chamber during closure. This air expulsion is especially facilitated by the tapered form (34) of the underside of the peripheral lip 33 on the insert. It will be appreciated that various modifications of the medallion-type container above described with reference to the drawings are possible within the scope of the invention as hereinbefore defined. CLAIMS (Filed on 9 Sep 1980)

1. A medallion-type container comprising a shallow, cup-shaped, rigid outer housing, a shallow, cup-shaped, insert of resilient material fitting closely within the outer housing, said insert being integrally formed around its lip with an inwardly projecting lip, and a shallow cup-shaped closure member having a peripheral wall dimensioned as a rim-leading push fit into the insert which permits escape of air from the space being enclosed while effecting a slight compression of the insert lip sufficient to form a watertight seal.