GB2088335A

GB2088335A - A vanity case

Info

Publication number: GB2088335A
Application number: GB8134084A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Yoshida Industry Co Ltd
Current assignee: Yoshida Industry Co Ltd
Priority date: 1980-12-01
Filing date: 1981-11-12
Publication date: 1982-06-09
Also published as: FR2494970A1; JPS5794406U; DE3141614A1; GB2088335B; JPS5754730Y2; FR2494970B1

Abstract

A vanity case includes a pair of cavities (8a, 8b) formed in either a receptacle member (1) or a cover member (2) and each extending therein from each side portion of the member (1 or 2) in such a direction that the cavity (8a, 8b) face each other. Into each cavity (8a, 8b) is slidably inserted a slider element (9a, 9b), the outer end portion (12a, 12b) of which is enlarged and remains outside of the cavity (8a, 8b). The outer end portion (12a, 12b) of the slider elements (9a, 9b) act to open the cover member (2) with a force applied to each side portion of the cover member (1) while releasing the snap engagement between latching members (4a, 4b, 7a, 7b) provided on both receptacle and cover members (1 and 2) when the slider elements (9a, 9b) are pushed inwardly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A vanity case The present invention relates to an improvement in a vanity case and, more particularly, relates to a vanity case made of a synthetic resin and comprising a receptacle member and a cover member hinged with each other in such a manner that the cover member can close the receptacle member by engaging a latching member or members provided on the cover member with another latching member or members provided on the receptacle member with a snap action.

In a known vanity case, such as a compact case, of the type set forth above, whether the case operates efficiently, mainly depends on the relative accuracy of the dimension and/or shape, or position, of the latching members. If there is any error in the dimension, shape or position of the latching members, only too loose or too tight engagement can be obtained between the latching member on the receptacle member and the latching member on the cover member. This is apt to cause an accidental and unnecessary opening of the cover member, or to require much force to open the cover member. Therefore, the utmost attention has been paid to the dimensioning, shaping and positioning of the latching members when molding the vanity case.

In spite of such efforts, however, a relatively high percentage of cases having only insufficient engaging performance have been produced.

Further, in the conventional vanity case, it is necessary that a user holds the receptacle member on the palm of one of his hands and strongly pushes up a front end of the cover member with his other hand. Such an opening operation prevents the case from being used quickly, though it is one of the desirable features of this type of case that it can be used quickly.

Also, if the engagement between the cover and receptacle members is relatively tight due to, for example, a dimensional error occured in the latching members, a relatively strong force must be applied to the receptacle member and the cover member to open the latter, and the instant that the cover member is opened, cosmetic material and/or make-up accessories housed in the receptacle member are likely to jump out due to the strong force.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved vanity case in which a cover member is capable being opened with a relatively weak force even if an engagement between the cover member and a receptacle member is tight, thereby allowing a slight irregularity in the dimension, shape or position of latching members.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vanity case which can be opened very quickly with a single hand by placing the case on the palm of the hand and lightly squeezing the case.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vanity case which does not render it necessary for a user to shift the holding position on the palm after the cover member is fully opened.

According to the invention there is provided a vanity case of a synthetic resin comprising a receptacle member capable of containing cosmetic material therein, a cover member hinged with the receptacle member at the rear end thereof so as to close the receptacle member in a predetermined closing position, and latching members provided on both the receptacle and cover members and adapted to be engaged with each other in the closing position, wherein a pair of cavities are formed in either the receptacle member or the cover member, each cavity extending therein from each side portion of either said member in such a direction that the cavities face each other, into each cavity a slider element is slidably inserted with an inner portion ahead, the outer end portion of the slider element being enlarged and remaining outside the cavity so as to be located in the vicinity of the side portion of whichever of the cover member and receptacle member is not formed with the cavity when the cover member is closed over the receptacle member, and the outer end portion of the slider element also being arranged to partially open the cover member with a force vertically applied to each side portion of the cover member while releasing the engagement between the said latching members when the slider element is pushed inwardly.

Preferably, the cavity is formed at a part of a recess provided substantially at the central part of each side portion of either the receptacle or cover member, and a projection is provided on the other of the receptacle or cover member at each side portion thereof. Each projection is arranged to enter each recess in the closing position whereby an end portion of the projection lightly contacts an inclined surface of the slider element formed between the inner portion and the enlarged outer portion thereof.

Also, the latching members may be elastic latch tongues with the tongues being formed on an inner wall of each projection and on an inner end wall of each recess and the tongues provided on the projection and the tongues provided on the recess are arranged to be mutually engagable.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, by example only, of preferred embodiments thereof when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig, 1 is a perspective view showing a vanity case according to a first embodiment of the present invention before complete assembly.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the vanity case shown in Fig. 1 with a cover member closed after assembly.

Fig. 3 is also a sectional view of the vanity case shown in Fig. 1, wherein a slider element is pushed inwardly.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the manner of usage of the vanity case according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a vanity case according to a second embodiment of the present invention before complete assembly.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the vanity case shown in Fig. 5 with a cover member closed after assembly, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a vanity case according to a third embodiment of the present invention with a slider element not inserted into a cavity.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawings, there is shown a vanity case according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The vanity case comprises a receptacle member 1 made of a synthetic resin and a cover member 2 also made of a synthetic resin and hinged with the receptacle member 1 at a rear end portion thereof. The cover member 2 is provided with a first and a second projection 3a and 3b formed integrally with and extending downwardly from the sides of the member 2 substantially in the central part thereof.

On the inner wall of the projection 3a, 3b is formed integrally therewith a first and a second elastic latch tongue 4a, 4b, respectively.

The receptacle member 1 is rectangularly cut away on both sides at a position corresponding to the position of the projection 3a, 3b in the cover member 2, to form a first and a second recess 5a, 5b on each respective side. On the inner end wall 6a, 6b of the recess 5a, 5b is respectively formed a third and a fourth elastic latch tongue 7a, 7b integrally therewith. Thus, when the cover member 2 is closed over the receptacle member 1, the first and the second projections 3a and 3b enter the first and the second recesses 5a and Sb respectively, where the first and the second latch tongues 4a and 4b on the projections become engaged with the third and the fourth tongues 7a, 7b on the inner end walls 6a, 6b of the recesses with a snap action.

The first and second recesses 5a and Sb are recessed inwardly at the lower parts thereof to form cavities 8a and 8b respectively, into which slider elements 9a and 9b are respectively slidably inserted. The slider element 9a, 9b includes an inner hook portion 1 0a, 1 Ob having a thickness slightly larger than the gap at the open end of the cavity 8a, 8b, and an intermediate flat portion 11 a, 1 b of a thickness slightly smaller than the said gap. These hook and flat portions of each slider element can be forcedly pushed into the cavity Sa, 8b due to the resiliency of the synthetic resin of which the slider element is made.Further, once the hook portion 1 0a, lOb is inserted into an enlarged inner space of the cavity 8a, 8b, it regains its normal form due to its own resiliency and becomes engagable with a step 1 4a, 1 4b provided inside the cavity, so that the slider element 9a, 9b is prevented from falling out. The intermediate flat portion 1 a, 1 b allows smooth sliding of the slider element 9a, 9b along the cavity.

The slider element 9a, 9b further includes an outer enlarged head portion 1 2a, 1 2b which has a thickness considerably larger than the gap of the cavity 8a, 8b, thereby providing an inclined upper surface 1 3a, 1 3b between the head portion and the flat portion. This inclined upper surface is so arranged that when the cover member 2 is closed over the receptacle member 1 , the lower ends of the first and second projections 3a, 3b lightly contact the inclined surfaces 1 spa and 1 3b respectively, as shown in Fig. 2.

It is preferable that the slider element 9a, 9b should be so arranged as to position the outer end thereof on or inside the vertical plane containing the side wall of the receptacle member 1, thereby preventing the outer end of the slider element 9a, 9b from projecting and creating a smooth profile of the vanity case.

A concave tray 1 5 may be embedded in the receptacle member 1 for containing cosmetic material and a mirror 16 may be attached to the inner surface of the cover member 2.

Reference is now made to the usage of the present vanity case. In the position shown in Fig. 2, where the cover member 2 is closed over the receptacle member 1 with the first and second latch tongues 4a and 4b on the cover member being respectively in engagement with the third and fourth latch tongues 7a and 7b on the receptacle member 1. The case thus closed is put on the palm of one hand of a user in such a manner that the thumb of the same hand comes to one of the slider elements 9a and 9b and one of the fingers comes to the other slider element 9b or 9a, as shown in Fig. 4. Then, the slider elements 9a and 9b are simultaneously pushed inwardly by this finger and thumb and moved along the cavities.At this time, the inclined upper surface 1 spa, 1 3b acts against the lower end of the projection 3a, Sb on the cover member 2 to push up the latter. Thus, the engagements of the first and second latch tongues 4a and 4b with the third and fourth latch tongues 7a and 7b, respectively, are released whereby the cover member 2 is partially opened, as shown in Fig. 3. The user, thereafter, can open the cover and set the same at any desired angle to use the cosmetic material contained in the tray 1 5 as well as the mirror 1 6.

It should be noted here that the operation for opening the cover member 2 by disengaging the latch. tongues from other ones is very simple and can be made quickly because the user can easily push both slider elements 9a and 9b by lightly squeezing the vanity case put on the palm of his hand. Also, the force needed to open the cover member 2 can be considerably reduced due to the employment of the slider elements 9a and 9b disposed at both sides of the receptacle member 1.

Furthermore, it is not necessary for the user to shift the holding position of the case on his palm in order to use cosmetic material and mirror 1 6 after the cover member 2 is fully opened, since the case is necessarily held at both side portions, as shown in Fig. 4.

Reference is now made to a second embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In the second embodiment, a projection 1 03a, 1 03b respectively having at the inner wall thereof a first and a second latch tongue 104a,104b is formed integrally with and extends from a side portion of a receptacle member 101. A cover member 102 is provided at each side portion thereof with a recess 105a,105b having at an inner end wall 106a, 106b a third and a fourth latch tongue 1 07a, 1 07b, respectively.The upper part of the recess is recessed inwardly thereby forming a cavity 1 08a, 1 08b, into which a slider element 1 09a, 1 09b is slidably inserted with the upper side down, that is, with an inclined surface 113a,113b facing downwards to lightly contact the upper end of the projection 103a, 1 03b. Other structures of the second embodiment are substantially the same as in the first embodiment, so that in the drawings the same or corresponding parts are shown by the same reference numerals but with the addition of "100".

As in the first embodiment, the vanity case according to the second embodiment is very convenient for quick use since a user can open the cover member 102 by simply putting the case on his hand and lightly squeezing it to push the slider elements 109a and 109b inwardly.

Fig. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the parts which are the same as or correspond to those in the first embodiment are allotted the same reference numerals with the addition of "200". In this embodiment, an additional recess 21 7 is formed in a front end of a receptacle member 201 substantially at the central part thereof, and also an additional projection 218 is provided integrally with a cover member 202 and extends downwardly from a front edgs thereof in a position corresponding to that of the recess 21 7. On the inner wall of the projection 21 8 is provided a first elastic latch tongue 21 9 which is engagable by snap action with a second elastic latch tongue 220 provided on an inner end wall 221 of the recess 217.Thus, when the cover member 202 is closed over the receptacle member 201, the projection 218 enters the recess 217 and the first latch tongue 21 9 of the cover is engaged with the second tongue 220 of the receptacle to complete the closing.

Other structures and features are substantially the same as in the first embodiment, except that the latch tongues 5a, 5b, 7a and 7b provided in both sides of the vanity case can be omitted. The disengagement of the first latch tongue 219 from the second tongue 220 is effected by the upward movement of the cover member 202 caused by slider elements 209a and 209b, As can be understood from the description of the above embodiments of the present invention, since the slider elements are provided on the sides of the receptacle member or cover member, the user can easily open the vanity case by pushing the slider elements inwardly, which can be carried out by putting the case on the palm of one of his hands and lightly squeezing the case.Once the cover member is fully opened, the user can immediately use cosmetic material and the mirror without a process of shifting the case holding position on his palm, since the case is necessarily held at both side portions thereof. Thus, the opening operation becomes very simple and quick.

Furthermore, the engagement between the latch tongue of the cover member and the tongue of the receptacle member is released by the force exerted in the horizontal direction, thereby making it possible to release the engagement with a weak force even if the engagement is relatively tight.

Therefore, the latch tongues may be designed to have a slightly larger dimension to provide a slightly tighter engagement between them. Such a design enables the vanity case to have an engaging force strong enough to prevent an accidental opening of the cover member even if there occurs an irregularity in the shape or dimension of the moulded tongues.

Claims

1. A vanity case of a synthetic resin comprising a receptacle member capable of containing cosmetic material therein, a cover member hinged with the receptacle member at the rear end thereof so as to close the receptacle member in a predetermined closing position, and latching members provided on both the receptacle and cover members and adapted to be engaged with each other in the closing position, wherein a pair of cavities are formed in either the receptacle member or the cover member, each cavity extending therein from each side portion of either said member in such a direction that the cavities face each other, into each cavity a slider element is slidably inserted with an inner portion ahead, the outer end portion of the slider element being enlarged and remaining outside the cavity so as to be located in the vicinity of the side portion of whichever of the cover member and receptacle member is not formed with the cavity when the cover member is closed over the receptacle member, and the outer end portion of the slider element also being arranged to partially open the cover member with a force vertically applied to each side portion of the cover member while releasing the engagement between the said latching members when the slider element is pushed inwardly.

2. A vanity case according to claim 1, wherein the cavity is formed at a part of a recess provided substantially at the central part of each side portion of either the receptacle or cover member, a projection is provided on the other of the receptacle or cover member at each side portion thereof and arranged to enter the said recess in the closing position whereby an end portion of the said projection lightly contacts an inclined surface of the slider element formed between the said inner portion and the enlarged outer portion thereof.

3. A vanity case according to claim 2, wherein the said recess is provided in each side portion of the receptacle member with the lower part of the said recess being recessed inwardly to form the said cavity, and the said projection is provided on the cover member and downwardly extends from each side portion thereof.

4 A vanity case according to claim 2, wherein the said recess is provided in each side portion of the cover member with the upper part of the said recess being recessed inwardly to form the said cavity into which the slider element is inserted, and the said projection is provided on the receptacle member at each side portion thereof and upwardly extends therefrom.

5. A vanity case according to any of claims 2,3 or 4, wherein the said latching members are elastic latch tongues, the tongues being formed on an inner wall of each said projection and on an inner end wall of each said recess, and said tongues provided on said recesses and said tongues on said projections being arranged to be mutually engagable.

6. A vanity case according to claim 1, wherein the said latching members are a pair of elastic latch tongues, one tongue being formed on an inner wall of an additional projection provided on the front end of either the cover member or receptacle member and the other tongue being formed on an inner wall of an additional recess provided in the front end of the other of the receptacle member or cover member and being arranged to be mutually engagable.

7. A vanity case substantially as herein described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4, or Figs. 5 and 6, or Fig. 7 of the accompanying drawings.