GB2441832A - Flexible helical container with connection means for a linear non planar object - Google Patents
Flexible helical container with connection means for a linear non planar object Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2441832A GB2441832A GB0618322A GB0618322A GB2441832A GB 2441832 A GB2441832 A GB 2441832A GB 0618322 A GB0618322 A GB 0618322A GB 0618322 A GB0618322 A GB 0618322A GB 2441832 A GB2441832 A GB 2441832A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- helical member
- container
- container according
- item
- turns
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002520 smart material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C11/00—Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00
- A45C11/24—Etuis for purposes not covered by a single one of groups A45C11/02 - A45C11/22, A45C11/26, A45C11/32 - A45C11/38
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C7/00—Collapsible or extensible purses, luggage, bags or the like
- A45C7/0018—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
- A45C7/0036—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage collapsible to a minimal configuration, e.g. for storage purposes
- A45C7/004—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage collapsible to a minimal configuration, e.g. for storage purposes inflatable and deflatable
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F5/00—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D37/00—Portable flexible containers not otherwise provided for
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16G—BELTS, CABLES, OR ROPES, PREDOMINANTLY USED FOR DRIVING PURPOSES; CHAINS; FITTINGS PREDOMINANTLY USED THEREFOR
- F16G11/00—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes
- F16G11/02—Means for fastening cables or ropes to one another or to other objects; Caps or sleeves for fixing on cables or ropes with parts deformable to grip the cable or cables; Fastening means which engage a sleeve or the like fixed on the cable
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L—PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16L3/00—Supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing, e.g. hangers, holders, clamps, cleats, clips, brackets
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
- F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F5/00—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping
- A45F2005/006—Holders or carriers for hand articles; Holders or carriers for use while travelling or camping comprising a suspension strap or lanyard
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
A helically wound spiral container 5 has a series of coils 16 that surround a linear non planar object (Fig 3 item 20). Said container is flexible and has at least one connection means 12 at one of its ends, said connection means may be a ring connector or a vacuum sucker 14. Said container may flex and may be biased to a first position. The turns of the container and the cross section of each of the turns may be substantially circular, square, oval or rectangular in shape. Said helical member may have a textured finish. Said helical member may act as a spring to grip said linear member and may distort to at least partially assume the shape of said object. Brushes or fins or bristles may be provided on the inside of said container to clean an item placed therein. Said container may be attached to another object such as a key ring or necklace. The individual coils of said container may be hollow and a liquid may be stored therein. A number of containers may be attached to each other.
Description
1 2441832
Container
The invention relates to a container, particularly for a non-planar linear object The invention is particularly useful for holding and protecting such objects.
5
According to the invention, there is provided a container, suitable for use with a linear non-planar object, comprising a flexible helical member for partially or substantially surrounding the object, the helical member having at least one connection means at least one of its ends.
10 The container is particularly suitable for containing non-planar linear objects, because the helical member is able to flex about the object. The helical member may be any helical member, such as a spring, that is able or adapted to be able to contain an object. The helical member is able to flex between a first position and a number of other positions. The helical member is preferably biased towards the first position, that is when flexed away from the first 15 position, the helical member returns to the first position. The helical member is preferably sufficiently stiff or resilient, i.e. it is preferably sufficiently biased towards the first position to allow it to contain and preferably retain the object. It is preferred that in the first position, the helical member is a different shape to the shape of the object, helping the helical member to grip the object, because introduction of the object into the container distorts the shape of 20 the helical member. The helical member may be made of any appropriate material, especially an elastic or smart material that is able and biased to return to its first position. For example, the helical member may be made of a metal or a plastic.
The helical member may be equally flexible along its length, or along the length of the 25 container, or certain areas may be more flexible than other areas. For example, the helical member may be more flexible near to the ends than in the centre. Also, the helical member may vary in flexibility around the turns of the helix, such that there may be areas of varying flexibility within one turn of the helix. The variety in flexibility may occur in one turn only, or in a number of turns, or in all turns.
30
The helical member is preferably elongate and is made up of a number of helix turns about a central axis. The helical member is preferably straight. The turns of the helical member may be any shape, for example, substantially circular, the helix forming a substantially tubular, conical or frustro-conical shape in the first position. Alternatively, the turns may be any other
2
shape, such as oval, square, rectangular, or any other shape. The turns may be the same size along the length of the helical member, or the turns may be of different sizes. For example, the turns may be larger in the centre of the helical member and smaller at the ends. In particular, the turns may decrease in size at one or both ends to close the end or ends of the 5 container. When the ends of the container are closed, the interior of the container may be accessed by flexing the helical member so that the space between adjacent turns is increased. The helical member may be stretched or compressed to move the turns apart from each other or move the turns closer together.
10 The connection means may be any appropriate means to allow the helical member to be connected to another object. For example, the connection means may be a ring or loop, formed firom or attached to the helical member. This allows the container to be joined to, for example, a key ring, a necklace or bracelet. Alternatively, the connection may be a sucker or a magnet. There may be a connection means at one or both ends. Where there is a connection
15 means at both ends, the connection means may be the same or different. There may be other connection means elsewhere on the helical member. Alternatively one end of the helical member may be provided with a cap. The cap may be removable to allow beads or loops to be threaded onto the helical member.
20 The helical member may be coated to provide it with colour or texture. Alternatively, the material itself may be coloured or textured. A texture on the surface of the helical member may help it to grip the object to be contained within it. The helical member may be provided with one or my brushes, bristles or fins. Such brushes, bristles or fins are preferably positioned so that they face the inside of the helical member. This allows the object to be
25 brushed or cleaned as it is placed inside the helical member.
The helical member may be coloured or transparent. Its colour may change, for example with heat or light.
30 The cross section of the helical member may be any shape, for example it may be circular, rectangular, oval, cross shaped and heart shaped. The cross section may be the same shape along the length of the helical member, or may change.
3
The helical member may be solid, or may be hollow. When the helical member is hollow, a liquid may be stored inside. When the helical member is hollow, the helical member is preferably provided with a cap to allow the liquid to stored and removed from the helical member.
5
The helical member may be longer or shorter than the item to be contained. The item may be contained entirely within the member, or may protrude from it. The helical member may be any size and is preferably sized appropriately for the object to be contained therein. The container is preferably between 5cm and 30 cm in length when the helical member is in the 10 first position, more preferably between 5cm and 20 cm. The container is preferably between 5 and 30mm, more preferably between 5 and 20mm in diameter. This preferably refers to the largest diameter of the container. The helical member may contain any number of turns.
Hie container may be used to contain any item. In particular, when the turns of the helical 15 member are smaller in size at the ends of the container than in other areas of the container, such that the ends of the container are substantially closed, the container may contain an item of any shape. The container may be shaped to suit the item to be contained. The container is preferably used to contain a non-planar linear object, for example a curved object. In particular the container may be used to contain a curved nail file.
20
The container may be connected to the item to be contained therein.
A number of containers may be connected together, to allow more than one object to be contained.
25
Also provided is a container according to the invention containing an item. The item is preferably elongate or linear. Further, it is preferably non planer, that is to say it is not flat. The item is preferably curved in at least one direction, and along at least one axis, hi one embodiment the item is S-shaped. Alternatively, the item may be curved such that it has non 30 parallel sides. In a further embodiment, the item has an abrasive surface. It is particularly preferred that the item is a curved nail file, especially an S-shaped nail file.
Also provided is a method of containing an item, comprising flexing the helical member according to the invention to increase a gap between two adjacent turns of the helix and
4
placing the item through the gap so that the item is partially or substantially surrounded by the helical member.
The invention will now be described in detail by way of example only with reference to the 5 drawings in which:
figure 1 is a side view of a container according to the invention containing an S-shaped nail file;
figure 2 is a side view of a different embodiment of a container according to the invention; 10 figure 3 is a side view of an empty container according to the invention and an item to be inserted into the container;
figure 4 is a view of one of the ends of the container according to the invention;
figure 5 is a view of one of the ends of a different embodiment of the container;
figure 6 is a side view of a container according to the invention, showing how a non-planar 15 linear object may be introduced into the container;
figure 7 is a side view of another embodiment of the container according to the invention, showing how a non-planar linear object may be introduced into the container; and figure 8 is a side view of a further embodiment of the container.
20 The container 5 comprises a helical member 10 having a connection means such as a loop 12 or a sucker 14 on or formed iiom at least one end to allow the container. The connection means may be formed separately to the helical member and attached to it, or it may be integrally formed or formed from part of the helical member. For example, an end of the helical member could be formed into a loop to allow connections to another article.
25
The helical member has a number of turns 16 which may be any shape. The turns are substantially circular in the embodiment shown in figure 4 and oval in the embodiment shown in figure 5.
30 The helical member has a first position, as shown in figure 3, to which it is biased to return. In particular, the first position may be one in which the helical member is substantially straight. On introduction of the object or item 20 to be contained, the helical member may be forced into a second position. It can be seen from figures 1 and 2 that the helical member is curved when the item is introduced, in comparison to the straight helical member seen in
5
figure 3, prior to introduction of the item. The helical member is sufficiently stiff that in trying to return to the first position, it is able to grip an item placed within it.
As can be seen from figures 6 and 7, the item may be introduced into the container by either 5 placing it into the container via an open end of the container 18 (as shown in figure 7) or by bending the container to increase the distance between two adjacent turns to form an opening through which the item may be placed. This is particularly useful if one or both ends of the container are closed.
10 The container is usually between 5 and 30cm in length, when the helical member is in the first position. This length is shown by the arrows marked A in figure 3. The container is usually between 5 and 30 mm in diameter (B on figure 4). The container may be shorter than the item it is to contain, as shown in the embodiment in figure 8 or may be a similar length or longer than the item.
15
In some embodiments, not shown, the helical member is coloured or textured, the helical member itself may be coloured or textured, or a coloured or textured coating may be applied to the helical member. One skilled in the art would know how to do this. A texture on the surface of the helical member may help it to grip the object to be contained within it. In a
20 further embodiment, not shown, the helical member is provided with one or my brushes, bristles or fins, positioned on the inside of helical member, and, hence on the inside of the container. These may be used to clean an object placed in the container.
6
Claims (1)
- Claims1. A container for a linear non-planar object, comprising a flexible helical member for partially or substantially surrounding the object, the helical member having at least5 one connection means at least one of its ends.2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the helical member is able to flex between a first position and at least one other position, but is biased towards the first position.10 3. A container according to claim 1 or 2 in which the flexibility of the helical member varies along its length.4. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the turns of the helical members are substantially, circular, oval, square or rectangular in shape.155. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the turns of the helical member vary in size along the length of the helical member.6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the turns of the helical member are smaller20 at one or both ends of the container to close the end or ends.7. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the connection means is a ring or loop.25 8. A container according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the connection means is a sucker.9. A container according to any preceding claim in which the helical member is textured.30 10. A container according to any preceding claim in which the helical member is provided with at least one brush, bristle or fin.11. A container according to any preceding claim in which the cross section of the helical member is circular, rectangular, oval, cross shaped or heart shaped.712. A container according to any preceding claim in which the cross section of the helical member is the same shape along the length of the helical member.5 13. A container according to any preceding claim in which the helical member is hollow.14. A container according to claim 1, further comprising an item, contained within the container.10 15. A method of containing an item, comprising flexing the helical member according to claim to increase a gap between two adjacent turns of the helical member and placing the item through the gap so that the item is partially or substantially surrounded by the helical member.15
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0618322A GB2441832B (en) | 2006-09-18 | 2006-09-18 | Container |
PCT/GB2007/003531 WO2008035054A1 (en) | 2006-09-18 | 2007-09-17 | Container with flexible helical member |
US12/441,425 US20110079600A1 (en) | 2006-09-18 | 2007-09-17 | Container with flexible helical member |
KR1020097007794A KR20090076920A (en) | 2006-09-18 | 2007-09-17 | Container with flexible helical member |
JP2009527897A JP2010522121A (en) | 2006-09-18 | 2007-09-17 | Container with flexible spiral member |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0618322A GB2441832B (en) | 2006-09-18 | 2006-09-18 | Container |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB0618322D0 GB0618322D0 (en) | 2006-10-25 |
GB2441832A true GB2441832A (en) | 2008-03-19 |
GB2441832B GB2441832B (en) | 2010-03-24 |
Family
ID=37310100
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB0618322A Expired - Fee Related GB2441832B (en) | 2006-09-18 | 2006-09-18 | Container |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20110079600A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2010522121A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20090076920A (en) |
GB (1) | GB2441832B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008035054A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9265332B2 (en) * | 2013-11-19 | 2016-02-23 | KUL4U, Inc. | Holder |
JP6415620B2 (en) * | 2017-03-23 | 2018-10-31 | 遠州スプリング有限会社 | Container holder |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3267254A (en) * | 1964-03-31 | 1966-08-16 | Weller Electric Corp | Combination transformer unit and soldering iron stand |
BE886922A (en) * | 1980-12-30 | 1981-06-30 | Schodts Denise R F Ep De Vrees | TENSIONER |
FR2656672A1 (en) * | 1989-12-29 | 1991-07-05 | Arax Sarl | Retaining spiral module |
JPH08261226A (en) * | 1995-03-24 | 1996-10-08 | Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd | Wiring device |
US5655269A (en) * | 1995-08-07 | 1997-08-12 | Dyalem Concepts Inc. | Adjustable clamping device |
JP2000027950A (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 2000-01-25 | Mitsubishi Electric Building Techno Service Co Ltd | Rope holder |
DE10136092A1 (en) * | 2001-07-26 | 2003-02-13 | Gerd Hagemeister | Tubular carrier for use in aircraft and ship building industries has wire wrapping for positive fastening to a component |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB464648A (en) * | 1935-11-11 | 1937-04-22 | Kay Brothers Ltd | Deodorizing and disinfecting contrivances for water-closet basins |
US5441061A (en) * | 1994-02-03 | 1995-08-15 | The Topsytail Company | Interchangeable decorative ornament and method |
CN1158028C (en) * | 1997-07-22 | 2004-07-21 | 索尼娅·狄·玛丽娅 | Support element in the form of a hellical tension spring, applicable to hair or sheet material |
US5960745A (en) * | 1998-10-01 | 1999-10-05 | Boyland; Leslie J. | Horse grooming device |
US6869053B2 (en) * | 2000-05-12 | 2005-03-22 | Adams Mfg. Corp. | Suction holder for razor |
US20030201369A1 (en) * | 2002-04-24 | 2003-10-30 | Interdesign, Inc. | Suction cup with rivet cap assembly |
-
2006
- 2006-09-18 GB GB0618322A patent/GB2441832B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2007
- 2007-09-17 US US12/441,425 patent/US20110079600A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-09-17 JP JP2009527897A patent/JP2010522121A/en active Pending
- 2007-09-17 WO PCT/GB2007/003531 patent/WO2008035054A1/en active Application Filing
- 2007-09-17 KR KR1020097007794A patent/KR20090076920A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3267254A (en) * | 1964-03-31 | 1966-08-16 | Weller Electric Corp | Combination transformer unit and soldering iron stand |
BE886922A (en) * | 1980-12-30 | 1981-06-30 | Schodts Denise R F Ep De Vrees | TENSIONER |
FR2656672A1 (en) * | 1989-12-29 | 1991-07-05 | Arax Sarl | Retaining spiral module |
JPH08261226A (en) * | 1995-03-24 | 1996-10-08 | Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd | Wiring device |
US5655269A (en) * | 1995-08-07 | 1997-08-12 | Dyalem Concepts Inc. | Adjustable clamping device |
JP2000027950A (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 2000-01-25 | Mitsubishi Electric Building Techno Service Co Ltd | Rope holder |
DE10136092A1 (en) * | 2001-07-26 | 2003-02-13 | Gerd Hagemeister | Tubular carrier for use in aircraft and ship building industries has wire wrapping for positive fastening to a component |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2010522121A (en) | 2010-07-01 |
US20110079600A1 (en) | 2011-04-07 |
GB2441832B (en) | 2010-03-24 |
GB0618322D0 (en) | 2006-10-25 |
WO2008035054A1 (en) | 2008-03-27 |
KR20090076920A (en) | 2009-07-13 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
732E | Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977) |
Free format text: REGISTERED BETWEEN 20111027 AND 20111102 |
|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20210918 |