GB2351277A

GB2351277A - Anti-theft containers

Info

Publication number: GB2351277A
Application number: GB0015137A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Masuhiro Mitsuyama
Original assignee: Nisshin Co Ltd
Current assignee: Nisshin Co Ltd
Priority date: 1999-06-21
Filing date: 2000-06-20
Publication date: 2000-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 2020-06-20
Also published as: FR2795056A1; ID26374A; SG91288A1; GB2351277B; ITTO20000598A1; CA2312019A1; JP3394728B2; JP2001002101A; IT1320511B1; KR100440432B1; ITTO20000598A0; DE10030126A1; KR20010049581A; FR2795056B1; CN1278509A; TW431996B; GB0015137D0; CN1117682C

Abstract

A container for receiving an article comprises a casing 2 having a flange 10, a cover 4 having a flange 10 and hinged to the casing 2 and a slidable member B for engagement with the flanges 10 to hold the container in a closed condition. The slidable member B may bear an anti-theft tag and may have a V-shaped leading portion to facilitate penetration of a packaging film of the container to engage the flanges 10. Release of the slidable member is effected by insertion of a separate unlocking piece.

Description

2351277 CONTAINER FOR RECEIVING ARTICLE

FIELD OF MHE INVENTION

The present invention relates to containers and, more particularly, to a container for receiving an article or articles which can be displayed ffi the shelf of a store for sale or rent and help prevent a contained artieli., from being stolen.

BACKGROUND OF THE RJ'ON

When an article. such as a video tape or a compact disk, contained in a box is displayed in the shelf of a store for sale or rent, the containcd article may be easily stolen because the conventional box does ncit provide the anti-theft fimction for the contained articles, that is, there is no mechanism to prevent thieves from opening the box and stealing th,..:. contained article.

Therefore, a prior art anti-theft device is provided which consists cif a detector installed on the entrance and exit of the store and theft-wamin!, :, magnetic tags are adhered to the boxes or contained articles.

However, because the theft-warning magnetic tags must be adhere,J to all boxes or articles, it will take a lot of time and effort for tag adherini", and the cost will be significantly increased.

Moreover, if the boxes adhered with tags are for sale, the intafle,:.[ tags must be recovered; otherwise, it win result in the loss of tags. Of course. the same problem is also happened on the articles adhered witli tags.

SUMMARY OF TEE INVENTION

It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide;,,1 container for receiving an article, which can prevent the article contained in the box from being stolen without the need of tag adhering and detecting devices as required in the prior art

In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives of the present invention, a container for receiving an article is provided. The container o.l.' the invention includes a casing having an access opening for placing iri. and removing from the casing an article therethrough and formed with ari. engaging flange; a cover pivotally hinged to the casing for reclosably covering the access opening and formed with an engaging flange far cooperating with the engaging flange of the casing; and a shdable membei: operative to be engaged with the engaging flanges for locking the cover tc, the casing.

The container of the invention flirther includes an unlocking piec(,.!, operative to be engaged with a receptacle portion formed on the sliceabl(:: member for disengaging the slidable member form the container. As th(:. slidable member is released from the engagement with the engagini:,, flanges of the casing and the cover, the container is free to be opened b:,' upwardly flipping the cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TEM DRAWINGS

The present invention may best be understood through the followin;!,, description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the containci,! of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic lengthwise sectional view of the container of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the present invention; 3 Fig. 4 is a perspective view of ttic slidable member utilized in the third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment al,' the present invention; Fig. 6 is a schematic crosswise sectional view of the thir(l embodiment of the present invention when the slidable member ts engaged with the juxtaposed engaging flanges; Fig. 7 is a schematic lengthwise sectional view of the thin.l. embodiment of the present invention taken along the line VU-VR show:.t in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a schematic lengthwise sectional view of the thirfl embodiment of the present invention taken along the line VW-VIR shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the unlocking piece utilized in the. third embodiment of the container and the slidable member of the preseri invention; Fig. 10 is a schematic sectional view of the unlocking piece utilized in the third embodiment of the container and the slidable member of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a schematic crosswise sectional view of the unlocking), piece utilized in the third embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the slidable member utilized in the fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the slidable, member utilized in di.e fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 15 is a schematic crosswise sectional view of the unlockinopiece utilized in the sixth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the unlocking piece utilized in thri:. sixth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 17 is a schematic crosswise sectional view of the slidabh-, member inserted in the sixth embodiment of the container; Fig. 18 is a perspective view of an example of the slidable member of the present invention; Fig. 19 is a schematic sectional view of an example of the lockin,,,:, member of the present invention; Fig. 20 is a schematic crosswise sectional View of Fig. 19; Fig. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a specific embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 22 is a perspective view showing another example of tho, slidable member utilized in the fifth embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 23 is a schematic sectional view of the shdable member of Fil:::-, 22 inserted in the container of the present invention; Fig. 24 is a schematic crosswise sectional View of the seventh embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 25 is a schematic lengthwise sectional view of the seventli embodiment of the present invention; and IM Fig. 26 is a schematic crosswise sectional view of another examph. of the slidable member inserted in the juxtaposed guide slots. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TBE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT o The present invention will now be described more detailedly with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of the preferred embodiments of this invention are- presented herein for the purpose of illustration and description only. It i.,1.. not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise fornt disclosed.

FIRST PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the container A includes a casing 2 havin.i,r an access opening 1 for placing in and removing from the casing an ardcli. ,,, therethrough, and a cover 4 pivotally hinged to the casing 2 by a hinge.1 for opening and closing the access opening.

As illustrated, the casing 2 is formed by a basewall 5 and sidewalls 6 vertically extending out from four edges of the basewall 5 and connectin; !.:,, with each other. The cover 4 is also formed by a basewall 7 and side! walls 8 vertically extending out from the edges of the plate 7 an,A connecting with each other. The cover 4 and casing 2 are pivotafl.)f connected by the hinge 3 disposed on the lower edges of the basewalls..5 and 7, which can be made of deformable yet resilient resM. Certainly, a portion of sidewalls 6, 8 can be formed with recessed or protludel.l portions to hold the contained article in position in the casing 2.

In addition, two juxtaposed engaging flanges 10, 10 are formed on tti e, upper edges of the casing 2 and the cover 4 (opposite to the lower edges with which the hinge 3 is interconnected), respectively. The engaginj), flanges 10, 10 are each formed with a guide slot 9 so that a slidable member (to be detailed hereafter) for engagement with the engaging flanges 10, 10 can be smoothly guided by the guide slots 9, 9 at the tirne the slidable member is being sfided to engage with the engaging flanges 9. 9.

As shown in Fig. 2, the access opening of the casing 2 can be sealed by the cover 4. At this time, the engaging flanges 10, 10 are arranged irt. parallel and abut against each other, as shown in Fig. 2.

SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A slidable member B is slidably engaged with the engaging flanges 10:, 10 for preventing the container A from being opened and protecting thc article received therein from being stolen, as shown in Fig. 3.

Although the shdable member B can be withdrawn to open the cover 4., such an operation of withdrawing the slidable member B from th(:! displayed container A will make people feel hesitant, thereby preventinj.1; the article from being stolen.

As shown in Fig. 3, the slidable member B is an integral body forme(I by two opposMig side portions I I and a connecting portion 12 interposecl between and connected with the two side portions 11, making the slidabl(., member B substantially H-shaped in its cross section. The guide slots 9, ';.) defined by the engaging flanges 10, 10 can thus engaged with the two sidr,.-. portions 12 1, 11 of the slidable member B to allow the slidable member B, to move along the extension direction of the guide slots 9,9. When the,, slidable member B is completely engaged with the engaging flanges 10, 10, the front end of the slidable member B is stopped by the stopper 1. protruded on the upper sidewall 8 (as shown) for preventing the slidabli:' member B from moving beyond the stopper 13. As the engagemenf. between the side portion I I and the guide slot 9 is made in a maimer that the side portion 11 of the slidable member B is slightly clamped by th;.-I guide slot 9, the slidable member B can thus be securely engaged with th,:.engaging flanges 10, 10. In addition, the stopper 13 can also be formed on - 7 the end of the engaging flanges 10 relative to the front end of the slidablf.:, member B. TEIRD PREFERRED EMODEVENT As shown in Figs. 4-6, there are a plurality of stoppers 21 integralb,, formed on the shdable member B corresponding to a plurality of holes or recesses 24 formed on the side wall 8 for engaging with the holes or recesses 24 to prevent the slidable member B from being withdrawn. Lt addition, a receptacle portion 23 is formed in the lower portion of thf,., slidable member B to allow an unlocking piece 22 (shown in Fig. 9) to insert therein after the slidable member 13 is engaged with the engaging flanges 10, 10. When the unlocking piece 22 is entirely inserted into the receptacle portion 23, it can upwardly press the stoppers 21 from,.i. locking position to an unlocking position, thereby allowing the slidable, member B to be pulled backwards and withdrawn from the engagin,,,,y flanges 10.

With the foregoing stoppers 21, the slidable member B can bi.,., securely fixed in position to the casing 2 and cover 4 to prevent a backward pull from the engaging flanges 10. When the user desires to take out the article received in the container of the invention, he or shl. can simply insert the unlocking piece 22 entirely into the receptacle, portion 23 to disengage the stoppers 21 from the holes or recesses 24, thereby allowing the slidable member B to be pulled backwards.

As illustrated, a plurality of holes or recesses 24 are formed on the side wall 8 of the cover 4 and a plurality of stoppers 21 are positioned ort the slidable member B, or vice versa. Certainly, the position of the holes or recesses 24 can be changed responsive to the shape of the slidabli. member B or the engaging flanges 10. As shown, the stopper 21 includes a protruded portion 25 extended from an aperture of the comectinf.i; portion 12 of the slidable member B and toward the holes or recesses 24--, and a slanted surface 27 for allowing the slidable member B to b,,..,, smoothly inserted along the guide slots 9. As described in the seconcl. preferred embodiment the slidable member B is slidably engaged with the. justaposed engaging flanges 10, 10 to prevent the container A from beiiRj:1opened. As the slidable member B is inserted along the justaposed guido, slots 9, 9, the free ends of the protruded portions 25 will be protruded inte,:) the holes or recesses 24 as shown in Fig. 6. This engagement can prevent the thief from withdrawing the slidable member B so that the container A can not be opened and the article contained in the container A will bo safely kept. Certainly, the position and number of the stoppers 21 can bo, determined optionally. The protruded portion 25 and the shdable membe:r B can be integrally formed and made of thermalelastic resin for providin;., the protruded portion 2 5 with elasticity, allowing the protruded portion 2 5 to be restored form an unlodking position to a locking position, as shown in Fig. 18.

As shown in Figs. 9-11, the unlocking piece 22 for disengaging thi:1stoppers 21 from the holes or recesses 24 is a fork-like structure having a plate body 31 for engagement with the receptacle portion 23 and;. -i cutaway portion separating a first finger 32 from a second finger 33 whic-4 is shorter in length than the first finger 32, wherein the first and second fingers 32, 33 extend out from the Eront end of the plate body 31. Durin:,)r the course of inserting the unlocking piece 22 into the receptacle portio-ia 23, the first finger 32 has its front end urging against the front stopper 2 1, while the second finger 33 has its front end abutted on the rear stopp(!::r 9 - 21. As a result. the stoppers 21 are disengaged from the holes or recesses 24, as shown in Fig. 11.

When the unlocking piece 22 is inserted in position, the front end c, 17 the first finger 32 is guided and biased toward the underneath of thi.. protruded portion 23 by a guiding member 34 protruded from the slidabl,,.. . member B and a guiding protrusion 35 protruded from one side of the. front protruded portion 25, and the second finger 33 with a sharp an4... '[ slender front end is guided by the juxtaposed positioning members 3,2 protruded from two opposite sides of the rear protruded portion 25 towarel the underneath of the rear protruded portion 25.

Certainly, the unlocking piece 22 is not limited to the abovedescribed structure. If there is only one stopper 21 formed on the slidable. member B, the unlocking piece 22 only requires a finger structure formed therein.

Again, the locking member for engaging with the stopper 21 is ne,t limited to the illustrated hole or recess. A protruded portion 24 can b,,, . formed on the side wall 8, as shown in Figs. 19 and 20, in a manner th, :;i.t the front ends of the first and second fingers 32 and 33 are f-Tee frorn being stopped by the protruded portion 24 during the course of inserting, the unlocking piece 22 into the slidable member B. In the figure, symb(..4 37 is indicated to an inserting stopper of the unlocking piece 22.

FOURTH PREFERRED EMBODMNT As shown in Fig. 12, there is an anti-theft tag adhered on a desired position of the slidable member for preventing the contained article frorn being stolen.

If the tag 41 is a theft-warning magnetic tag, an anti-theft device (:.)r detector, such as a magnetic sensor, can be installed at the entrance ari. d exit of a store for detection. 10 AS illustrated, the tag 41 is fixed to a recessed portion 42 on a side of the shdable member B by an adhensive agent. However, the installffil!., position or method of tag is not limited to the above-described way.

Certainly, as shown in Fig. 21, the length of engaging flange 10 cm.,t be equal to the full length of the edge of container A, making the length o:i" the slidable member B increased to be corresponding to that of the., engaging flange 10. At the same time, the tag 41 can also be adhered ort the elongated portion of the slidable member B. After the article contained in the container are sold or rented, th(.:, shdable member is kept in the store, thereby significantly reducing thg:. manufacting cost of the container and the usage of tag adhered on the article.

FIFTH PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in Fig. 13, the front end of the slidable member B has an acute portion 51. As illustrated, the acute portion 51 has a substantialfif, V- shaped cross section. Alternatively, the acute portion 51 can have.:-.i cross section in the screw driver shape, as shown in Fig. 22.

To sum up, as shown in Fig. 14, the acute portion 51 can prick the package film 52, such as a thermally constructed film, for enclosing tbi, :. container A to thereby engaging the slidable member B with the engagin, l:, flanges 10.

Thus, even though the container A is enclosed by the fihn 52, the slidable member B can still be cooperated with the container A.

As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, there is an aperture 71 disposed at the. insertable end of the engaging flanges 10 for slidably inserting the slidabl e, member B therethrough. Even though the package film 52 is pricked by the acute portion 51 for pushing the shdable member B into the engaginl.:, ,, flanges 10, the pricked end will not enter into the aparture 71 to block thf,:, sildable member B from being inserted. SIXTH PREFERRED EYBODMNT As shown in Figs. 9, 13, and 15 or Figs. 11, 16, and 17, the unlockini:!piece 22 has a stopper 61 formed on a surface thereof facing the shdabl.. member B. As illustrated, a recess 62 is formed on the slidable member B and a protraded portion 63 is formed on the unlocking piece 22. When the, unlocking piece 22 is entirely inserted in position, the protruded portion 63 will be engaged with the recess 62 as shown in Fig. 15. Therefore, by backwardly pulling the unlocking piece 22, the slidable member B can also be withdrawn simultaneously (by slightly raising the unlocking pieci:. 22). Alternatively, a recess 65 is formed on the middle portion of th!:. second finger 33 to be engaged with an elastic piece 66 downwardl)r protruded from the slidable member B as the unlocking piece 22 ii.s inserted in position so as to withdraw the combined structure of th.c. unlocking piece 22 and the slidable member B at the same time.

SEVENTH PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in Figs. 24 and 25, there is a slit 73 formed between two justaposed engaging flanges 10, 10 for allowing a protruded portica 74 upwardly extending from the sildable member B to be received thereirk.

Certainly, because the protruded portion 74 is received in aud movable along the slit 73 as the slidable member B is shdably inserted into the engaging flanges 10, 10, the slit 73 has to be long enough to allow the protruded portion 74 to move along the slit 73 until the slidable member B is completely engaged with the engaging flanges 10, 10.

12 Therefore, by pressing down the protruded portion 74 and then moving backwards the slidable member B (along the arrowhead directiorit shown in Fig. 24), the unlocking piece 22 and the shdable member B cari be withdrawn together from the engaging flanges 10, 10. As a result, tho-.,, stopper 61 in the sixth preferred embodiment is not required. Thi::., protruded height of the protruded portion 74 can be adjusted as required.

Also, as shown in Fig. 26, when the slidable member B is inserte(.:[ into the engaging flanges 10, 19, an elastic piece 76 downwardl,!,r protruded from the slidable member B will be engaged with the stopper 75 disposed on the side wall 8 facing the shdable member B so as to prevent the shdable member B from further sliding along the insertini.:!, direction. In this embodiment, the stopper 13 is not required. Certainly, the elastic piece 76 can be upwardly pushed by inserting the unlockintr piece 22 to disengage the elastic piece 76 from the stopper 75. The engagement between the elastic piece 76 and the stopper 75 is similar to that between the stoppers 21 and holes or recesses 24 so that the detaile..I description is omitted.

The present invention provides an anti-theft container which cal.1L prevent the article contained therein from being stolen away. With th(..,, invention, the article contained in this anti-theft container can be takert out only by using a special unlocking piece held by the owner. The invention can therefore effectively protect the contained article againsttheft. When the article contained in the container are sold or rented, th(:! 1 slidable member can be left in the store.

Because the tag still can be adhered to the slidable member thereb.y eliminating the installing work for the container or article. Furthermore, , the slidable member with the tag can be left in the shore such that the tag will not be lost even though the article contained in a box are sold or rented. That is, each container does not need the slidable member because -the container is used to contain the article and produced by the dealer and the slidable member is held by the owner of the shop. Thus, the slidable member with the tag can be recovered and reused, thereby significantly reducing the cost.

Because the front end of the slidable member has an acute portion, it: can Prick the package film of the container to insert the slidable membei. -into the guide slots. The unlocking piece and the slidable member can be. withdrawn simultaneously.

Again, the unlocking piece and the slidable member can be withdrawn together through the protruded portion embedded within th(.: slit formed between the two guide slots and pressed by the finger tip - In addition, an L-shaped bent piece can be disposed at the end of th(:,: slidable member to be connected with the peripheral wall 8 (not shown). Thus, the bent piece can be used as a blocker. On the other hand, the bent piece has a window to allow the unlocking piece to insert therein.

While the invention has been described in terms of what art.. presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention need not be limited to fla(:. disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover variou:;, modifications and similar arrangements included within. the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.

- 14

Claims

CLAIMS:-

1. a container for receiving an article, comprising: a casing having an access opening for placing in and removing frori-i the casing an article therethrough, the casing being formed with aa engaging flange; a cover pivotally hinged to the casing for covering the access openin:;, and formed with an engaging flange for cooperating with the engaging flange of the casing; and A slidable member operative for engagement with the engagin, flanges so as to lock the cover to the casing.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein said slidable member ha..-, an anti-theft tag adhered thereon.

3. The container according to claim 1, wherein said slidable member has an acute portion at the front end thereof

4. A slidable member adapted to be used with a container having a casing with an access opening for placing in and removmg from tbe casing an article therethrough and being formed with an engagingy flange, and a cover pivotally hinged to the casing for covering the. access opening and formed with an engaging flange for cooperating with the engaging flange of the casing, wherein said slidable member is adapted to be engaged with the engaging flanges of the casing and cover for preventing said access opening of the casing from beiag) opened.

5. A container for receiving an article, comprising: a casing having an access opening for placing in and removing frora the casing an article therethrough and being formed with an engaginj..!,, flange; a cover pivotally hinged to the casing for covering the access openinj::,, and formed with an angaging flange for cooperating with th(,-. -. engaging flange of the casing; a slidable member operative to be engaged with the engaging flanges, for locking the cover to the casing; and an unlocking piece operative to be engaged with the slidabb,member for disengaging the slidable member from the enga g! gin, flanges of the casing and cover.

6. The concontainer according to claim 5, wherein said slidable member has an anti-theft tag adhered thereon.

7. The container according to claim 5, wherein said slidable member has an acute portion at the front end therof

8. The container according to claim 5, wherein said slidable memberiS provided with at least one protruded portion for engaging with at lea;.I; t one recessed portion formed on the unlocking piece.

9. The container according to claim 5, wherein the slidable member iis provided with at least one erecessed portion for engaging with at lea!;,, t one protruded portion formed on the unlocking piece.

10. The container according to claim 5, wherein a slit is formed between the engaging flanges while the casing is covered up by the cover, to allow a protruded portion protruded from the slidable member to be received therein.