GB2334511A - Container for display of article - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for displaying articles comprises a base (B), a lid (L) and an internal platform (P). The platform is removably attachable to the base against a detent and the lid is removably attachable to the base. The lid may therefore be removed from the combination of the platform and base. The lid is provided with means 18 which co-operate with the platform (when the lid is in place) to constrain the platform against the detent in the base. Consequently, when the container is in an assembled condition, the platform is field securely relative to the base and the lid. The detent may be the upper edge of the side wall of the base B and the co-operating means 18 be a shoulder or step on the lid L, a peripheral lip 24 of the platform P being sandwiched between them. The parts are held together by friction. The platform P may have means to retain an article such as a model vehicle thereon, literature relating to which may be accommodated in the base B.

Description

A CONTAINER The present invention relates to a container, in particular a container that permits its contents to be removed and/or displayed and which can be readily assembled.

Containers for the transport arid display of model cars, trucks, trains and so on have to fulfil a number of requirements. Of particular importance is the combination of prevention of damage to the model while still giving a good view of the model to the owner or potential purchaser. Protection can be readily provided, for example, by a box containing expanded polystyrene, foam rubber or a rigidly-constructed cardboard insert.

However, a view of the model is consequently not provided or at the very least is considerably reduced if, for example, an acetate window is provided. A typical compromise is to fashion a piece of foam rubber to surround the model on four or five sides so that limited viewing (typically of one or both of the model's longer sides) is still possible. However, no protection is afforded to the side or sides that are still visible. They may be damaged by frequent contact with the inside of the box during transit. In addition, when the box is made of transparent plastics material, the inside of the box is liable to become scratched by this contact which further impedes the view of the model.

When considering prestige models (as opposed to toys), the model is likely to be retained in the box or case throughout its life. A two part plastics case is known that allows a model to be mounted on a base part while a transparent lid part friction fits over an edge on the base part. However, although the model may be readily removable, it is often desired to study it briefly or to consider a number of models together without removing them from their cases. Such models are often very small and can easily be obscured within the box by manufacturer's labelling, trademarks and so on. In addition, guarantees, instruction booklets, a description of the history and function of the original item from which the model is derived and a certificate of authenticity (especially when the model is a limited edition) may all need to be provided within the case. While these can be removed after purchase, they can conceal the model sufficiently to deter a potential purchaser. In addition, it will often be more convenient to store such items together with the model after purchase for ease of access and to reduce the opportunities for them becoming lost.

Making the case somewhat larger than necessary to contain the model has been done to allow the base part around the model to carry manufacturer's names and so on.

However this does not address the problem of storage of the further paperwork that accompanies the model.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container for displaying removable articles which ameliorates the above disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a container for displaying articles, the container comprising a base, a lid and an internal platform, the platform being removably attachable to the base against a detent and the lid being removably attachable to the base, wherein the lid is provided with means for cooperating with the platform to constrain the platform against the detent in the base when the container is in an assembled condition.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a three part container for displaying articles, comprising a base tray, a lid and an internal platform each being removably detachable from the other, such that in the container's assembled condition, the provision of a detent and a flange of the removable lid used in combination with the removable base tray, co-operates to restrain and secure the internal platform.

By constraining the platform relative to the base when the container is assembled, the possibility of damage to the model, when attached to the platform, by contact with the lid of the container is removed. The lid will typically be transparent to allow an unimpeded view of the contents. The platform and the base may be of a material upon which information may be printed or moulded. Preferably, however, the base is also transparent to carry a printed insert of paper or cardboard. The base may be dimensioned to comfortably hold any further paperwork and, in the case where it is transparent, to provide a large enough area for display of the manufacturer's trade mark, model name and so on.

The container may be used in at least three different ways: 1) The container is fully assembled and displays the model through a transparent lid.

2) The lid is removed to permit even better viewing of the model on the combined base and platform. This arrangement may also be used as an attractive store for pens, pencils and the like which are located in the base. They can be removed by separation of the platform from the base.

3) The lid and base are removed, allowing the platform to provide an attractive support for the model In one embodiment, the means for retaining the platform in contact with the base may be a step or detent in the lid. This permits the lower edge of the lid to overlap the platform and part of the base when it is in position, providing good protection from dust and the like.

The platform may be arranged to have a display shelf which is raised above the remainder of the platform. This provides a still better view of a model and the platform may conveniently be provided with a tapered portion to attach to the display shelf.

The shape of the container in the following examples is rectangular, suitable, for example, for a model railway carriage. However, the invention may be realised in an unlimited variety of configurations, for example squares, circles, hexagons and so on.

The container may conveniently be fitted together by means of friction between the lid, platform and base. In a preferred embodiment there is a greater frictional force between the base and the platform than between the lid and the platform. This has the advantage that the platform and the base remain together as one unit to allow the lid to be removed. On the (often rarer) occasions when access to the base is required, then the base and the platform can be separated. In one embodiment, clearance is provided between the lid and the platform such that as the lid is placed upon or removed from the base, there is little or no frictional force between it and platform. The only significant contact between the lid and the platform is that which retains the platform against the base when the lid is fully applied.

Further preferred features of the present invention will become apparent to the skilled person on reading the detailed description which follows.

The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows exploded side and end elevations of a container according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an expanded view of the point at which the platform is sandwiched between the lid and the base when the container is assembled; Figure 3 shows a part of the container of Figure 2 to a much larger scale; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the lid of the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 show a plan view of the platform of the container shown in Figure 1, and Figure 6 show a plan view of the base of the container shown in Figure 1.

In the figures, dotted lines are used to denote hidden features of the container although, as will be appreciated, these features will be visible in those parts of the container that are made from transparent materials. Corresponding features in different views of the same part may be identified using the same reference numerals but have been omitted in places in the interests of clarity.

Figure 1 shows a container in a separated, or exploded condition. A lid L, a platform P and a base B are shown together in elevation and end view. The lid L is moulded from a transparent plastics material and comprises four wall portions and a roof portion each having an outer face 12 and an inner face 14. The four wall portions also comprise a thinner section 16 separated from the remainder of the wall portions by a step 18. The roof portion of the lid L is provided with four foot-receiving portions 10 which cooperate with feet 46 provided on the base B (see below) when another container is stacked on top of the lid L.

The platform P comprises a display shelf 20 surrounded by sloping portions 22, a peripheral lip 24 and a depending skirt portion 26. The peripheral lip 24 is slightly smaller in dimension than the interior of the lid L at the part where the four walls are thinner. The display shelf 20 is also provided with a small pillar 30 and boss 28 for retaining a model placed on the shelf. These features may clearly be modified for holding different models and a number of alternatives may be provided to hold one of a number of different models depending upon requirements. These may conveniently be arranged at positions under the various models so that they do not detract from the appearance of the models. Alternative means of fixing the model to the platform will be apparent to the skilled person.

The base B comprises a lower portion 40 having outer dimensions substantially equal to those of the bottom of the wall portions of the lid L. Above the lower portion there is a reduced dimension portion having a short peripheral wall with an outer surface 42 and an inner surface 44. There is a step 48 at the join between the lower portion and the reduced dimension portion. The lower portion carries four feet 46 which separate the bottom surface of the base B from a surface upon which it is placed thus reducing the likelihood that the base B will become scratched. The feet are arranged at the correct pitch to sit on the foot-receiving portions 10 of the lid L so that they do not scratch the roof portion of the lid L when a number of containers are stacked upon one another.

This also serves to slightly increase the stability of a stack of containers.

The container is assembled by placing the platform P on the base B so that the skirt portion 26 of the platform P forms a friction fit with the inside face 44 of the short wall portions of the base B. The lid L is then placed over the platform P and the short walls of the base B so that the thinner portions of the walls of the lid L form a friction fit with the outer surfaces 42 of the short walls of the base B. The base of the walls of the lid L come to rest on the step 48 of the base B. More significantly, the step 18 of the lid L comes to rest on the peripheral lip 24 of the platform P. This holds the platform firmly in position, preventing it from moving within the container.

The base B may thus hold further written material relating to the contents of the container. In order that this material is not visible, the base B and the platform P may be made from non-transparent material. Preferably, however, the base B is made from a transparent material and a piece of folded paper or card is arranged against the inside surfaces of the base. This paper or card may be printed with the manufacturer's information, trade marks and so on.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the assembled container. For additional security in transit the whole container may be placed in another box or cardboard sleeve.

Figure 3 illustrates the retaining function of the lid L in more detail. The figure shows a small portion of the assembled container where the lid L, platform P and base B meet.

The peripheral lip 24 of the platform P is clearly shown sandwiched between the step 18 of the lid L and the short wall portion of the base B. Thus no significant movement of the platform P can occur and an model attached thereto cannot contact the inside walls or the inside roof of the lid L.

In order to improve the frictional contact between the platform P and the base B, the outer surface of the skirt portion 26 on the platform P may be provided with a number of moulded semi friction bars. This helps to ensure that the platform P stays in contact with the base B when the lid L is removed. Alternatively, or in addition to this measure, the outer dimensions of the lip 24 may be arranged to be slightly less than those of the top of the short walls of the base B. This ensures that there is a slight clearance around the lip 24 of the platform P when the lid L is in place. The action of the lid to retain the platform will still operate satisfactorily because the upper surface of the lip 24 of the platform P still makes good contact with the step 18 of the lid L.

Moulded semi friction bars may also be provided on the inner face of the narrow portion of the walls of the lid L or on the outer face 42 of the short walls of the base B.

In a preferred embodiment the outer surface 42 of the short walls of the base B are tapered slightly inwardly (rightwards in Figure 3). Thus, as the lid L is placed on the base B the frictional force between the two increases with the degree of overlap between the portion 16 of the walls of the lid L and the short walls of the base B. This provides a sufficiently tight fit between the lid and the base without requiring excessive force to join/separate the parts.

Figure 4 shows a plan view of the lid L of the container shown in Figure 1. The feetretaining portions 10 on the top surface of the lid can be clearly seen as can an optional point TM for mounting a decal or trade mark. The point comprises an outer ring which defines the extent of a recess over which the roof of the lid L has a reduced thickness. A decal or other printed material can be affixed (for example by gluing) into this recess without reducing the visibility of a model to any appreciable extent. This is also a convenient place to locate the gate/sprue of the moulding process.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the platform P shown in Figure 1. The small pillars 30 and the boss 28 to which a model can be screwed can clearly be seen. Alternative attachment means may be provided as required by the model for which the container is intended. The tooling for moulding of the container may be arranged to allow for this by using inserts and pins to define these areas of the platform. While the viewing shelf 20 is shown as occupying a certain proportion of the platform P this can clearly be altered as required. For example, by variation of the size of the viewing shelf relative to the size of the platform, different sizes of models may be attractively accornmodated without having to provide differently sized base B and lid L parts. The sloping portion of the platform could even be omitted but at the cost of slightly reduced visibility of the model and reduced storage space in the base. Where the sloping portion of the platform exists it may be is provided with moulded and/or printed matter for display to the owner or potential customer.

Figure 6 shows a plan view of the base B of the container shown in Figure 1. The step 48 which surrounds the base can be seen as can the four feet 46.

To assist in the separation of the lid L from the base B one or more finger detents may be provided on the lid L and/or the base B. These may be of the well-known "fingernail" shape and placed at the interface between the two parts to allow a person to obtain purchase to separate them.

The manufacture of the various components of the container is accomplished by injection moulding. For moulding the platform, the mould may be provided with adjustable features to vary the mountings for the model.

As will be apparent to the person skilled in the art, the present invention may be realised in a number of ways which differ from those of the specific embodiment. For example, the various steps and lips that inter-engage when the container is assembled have been shown as being present over the whole of the periphery of the container.

However, the same advantages would be provided if these features were provided over a reduced amount of the periphery, for example at the corners thereof. While the present invention has been described by way of non-limiting example, the scope of that invention encompasses any inventive features disclosed explicitly or implicitly herein and any generalisation thereof.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A container for displaying articles, the container comprising a base, a lid and an internal platform, the platform being removably attachable to the base against a detent and the lid being removably attachable to the base, wherein the lid is provided with means for co-operating with the platform to constrain the platform against the detent in the base when the container is in an assembled condition.
2. 2. A three part container for displaying articles, comprising a base tray, a lid and an internal platform each being removably detachable from the other, such that in the container's assembled condition, the provision of a detent and a flange of the removable lid used in combination with the removable base tray, co-operates to restrain and secure the intemal platform.
3. 3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the platform and lid are respectively attachable to the base by friction.
4. 4. A container as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the platform and the base are held together against the detent with a greater force than the lid and the base are held together.
5. 5. A container as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the lid and the platform are dimensioned such that separation of the lid and the base does not urge the base and the platform to separate.
6. 6. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for co-operating with the platform to constrain the platform from moving in the said dimension relative to the base comprise a stepped portion of the lid and a lip of the platform.
7. 7. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the lid and the base are provided with finger detents.
8. 8. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base is provided with feet.
9. 9. A container as claimed in claim 8, wherein the lid is provided with feetreceiving portions.
10. 10. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the platform is provided with means for attaching a removable article.
11. 11. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.