ITTO20100834A1 - CASE / DISPLAY FOR SWIMMING GLASSES AND UNDERWATER MASKS - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION of the industrial invention entitled:

"Case / display for swimming goggles and diving masks"

TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

The present invention relates in general to packages for swimming goggles and diving masks, including a protective case within which the goggles or mask are displayed for sale.

State of the known art

There is a very large number of cases for swimming goggles and masks: some types currently in use are described below.

1) Cardboard boxes. They can convey logos and technical and commercial information well, but they completely hide the glasses. As protective cases, they are useless: in a wet bag, containing a wet glasses, they are destroyed immediately.

2) Cases in textile or similar material, sewn, with zippers or other closures, and areas in transparent PVC. As a protective case, they do not protect above all from being crushed in the bag; furthermore, the parts of the goggle made of thermoplastic rubber are irreparably deformed. As a sales exhibitor, they almost completely hide the eyewear, its aesthetics and colors. Finally, they are made using toxic and eliminated materials (PVC).

3) Two-piece cases, not hinged, with interlocking closure. They are both good protectors and good exhibitors; but (i) they are difficult to open and close, (ii) since the two pieces are released, it is very frequent to lose the thinner of the two (typically, at the bottom of the user's bag).

4) Monobloc single-material cartons, flexible and opaque (PP). They solve the problem of hinges, because the material is suitable for use in integrated hinges; however, it is opaque or has a very relative transparency. Therefore, as exhibitors, they do not allow free vision of the aesthetics of the eyewear or its colors. Furthermore, in many cases the subdivision of the heights of the two parts 50% -50% hides the free vision of the content.

5) Monobloc single-material cartons, transparent but rigid, possibly shockproof (PS and similar). They exhibit the product excellently, thanks to the high transparency; unfortunately the integral hinges do not resist if not a few dozen operations.

6) Cases of types 3), 4), 5), in which the demonstration function is entrusted to a semi-packaging of printed cardboard, in the form of a box perforated on one side, to let the transparent box partially come out. They solve the task of protective case very well, obviously after the cardboard box has been removed. The half-box also solves well the function related to the affixing of logos / advertising / marketing inscriptions, obviously being printable in color. However, years of experience have shown some negativity: (i) the half-box partially hides the product, (ii) the box / product assembly is complex and expensive, (iii) to inspect the eyeglass, the potential buyer is forced to tear the box or in any case to damage it, in such a way that the (complicated) reassembly is almost impossible. It follows that this type of packaging is not popular among shopkeepers, who find bare cases and broken boxes thrown on the ground.

7) "Giant" case for mask and snorkel set, in blister. After use it is thrown away, the mask is unprotected; therefore, it fulfills only the exhibition function. 8) "Giant" case for mask and snorkel set, injection molded. Apart from the high cost of the mold, this solution fulfills the display function, but after the purchase it is so cumbersome that very few decide to carry it inside the diving bag, so the mask will remain unprotected.

Summary of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to make available a package for swimming goggles and diving masks which allows to perform both the function of protective case and the function of displaying the product at the point of sale, also allowing it to be possibly integrated with a special advertising / explanatory tool, easily removable without affecting the display function of the box.

This object is achieved thanks to a case / display for swimming goggles and diving masks defined in the following claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation view of a case / display for swimming goggles according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation view of Figure 1,

- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the case / display stand for glasses with the case open,

- Figure 4 is an exploded front perspective view of the case / display stand for glasses,

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the back of the case,

- Figure 6 is a dorsal and larger scale perspective view showing a detail of the case / display stand for glasses,

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the instruction booklet contained within the case,

Figure 8 is a front elevation view of a case / display according to the invention for sets consisting of a diving mask and a mouthpiece,

Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a top perspective view, on a larger scale, of the case for the diving mask, Figure 11 is a bottom perspective view of Figure 10, and

Figure 12 is a front elevation view showing a series of cartons according to Figures 10 and in stacked condition.

Brief description of the invention

The object of the invention is a case / display, specially designed for two functions: to protect and transport, and effectively display at the point of sale, a swimming goggle, a swimming mask or a diving mask.

It is made up of two parts: a box, in turn made up of a lid and a base, and a display plate consisting of a cardboard connected stably but in a separable way to the box:

a) the transparent lid / container, preferably in rigid and shockproof plastic material, designed to contain the glasses or mask with minimum waste of space and highlighting their function by means of shapes that explicitly suggest the containment of a pair of glasses. For example, if intended for eyeglasses equipped with a curved lens according to the patent relating to the eyewear marketed by the Applicant with the name "Seal" <®>, the transparent container will repeat similar curvatures. Equally peculiar will be the hollow corresponding to the area of the nose. With obvious advantages not only on aesthetics and bulk, but also on the mechanical resistance to crushing inside a full bag etc .; b) the base, in flexible material, suitable for use with the integrated hinges mentioned above, which make it permanently connected to the container (therefore unmissable); it is also equipped with both closing members which engage corresponding members of the transparent container, and with members for quick connection to the cardboard;

c) the display card, printed with the company logo, the commercial name of the glasses, technical advertising information and anything else that supports the buyer's choice.

The transparent container must allow a wide and clear view of the glasses contained. Therefore the subdivision in height of the two limbs will be rather shifted downwards, eg. 10 to 25% for the base and 90 to 75% for the lid. The hinging between the container and the base must be permanent: Simple lock elements will keep the two parts solidly closed, but can be opened with a simple and ergonomic maneuver.

The display card must allow the opening of the box, and the removal of the glasses by the potential buyer and its subsequent re-insertion, without the need to remove the card itself or request any break-in.

It must be possible to expose the box even if without the cardboard: one or more suspension devices integral to the base / container assembly will preferably be provided, and essential data for identification will be reported on this assembly, even if legible even when the card is assembled.

Detailed description of the invention

The following numerical references are indicated in the drawings: 1 -Complete packaging for swimming goggles

2 - Case or container

3 - Transparent container lid

4 -Basetta

5 - Demo card

6 -Swimming goggles

7 - Container lid curvature

8 -Glasses profile in plan

9 - Case profile in plan view

10 -Nose area recess

11 -Suspension hook

12 - Mushroom head for hinge

13 -Integrated hinge

14 - Barcode adhesive label

15 - Window for barcode sticker

16 - Instruction booklet

17 - Booklet locking tooth

18 - Lock hook

19 -Lock ladder

20 - Base mushroom foot

21 - Cardboard key type hole

22 -Piolino cardboard locking

23 - Locking hole

30 - Box for diving mask

31 - Mask container lid

32 -Base container for mask

33 - Snorkel diving mask set

34 - Mouthpiece holder blister

35 - Bottom plate of the blister-holder blister

36 - Nose volume

37 - Nose volume counterform

38 - Mushroom foot of the mask container base 39 - Key-type hole in the bottom plate of the blister-holder blister

40 - Key-type hole in the blister-holder blister

41 - Seat of the blister-holder blister

42, 43 - Suspension hooks

The invention, now described in detail with reference to a first example of embodiment represented in Figures 1 to 7, consists of a package 1 for swimming goggles 6 (or also for swimming masks, or diving masks) suitable to constitute a case The display unit is essentially composed of a box or container 2 formed by two parts 3, 4 in injection-molded plastic material, and by a back plate 5 of cardboard or any suitable material, applied in a removable way to the box 2 and stamped on a or both sides with the affixing of technical and / or commercial information relating to the item contained in the box / display 1. The upper part of the box 2, called container lid 3, is made of rigid material with excellent transparency (polystyrene , or shockproof polystyrene, or polycarbonate, or p.e.t.g. etc); the lower part, called base 4, is made of a material that is not necessarily transparent, but unbreakable and quite elastic, in any case suitable for the application called "integrated hinge", i.e. flexible elastic hinges consisting of integral formations of parts 3 and 4, without rotating pins , functioning thanks to the flexibility of the material that is able to withstand thousands of opening / closing cycles, polyethylene or better polypropylene.

As can be seen in the figures, the shapes of the case 2, both in perspective and in plan view, are such as to circumscribe the profile 8 of the glasses 6 contained therein at a very short distance, both to reduce the bulk and to increase the resistance to crushing, both to explicitly suggest that the content is an eyewear, even recalling design details such as angular lenses, or the curvature according to the Seal patent on the curvature of the lenses.

The container lid 3 incorporates members such as the step 19 for the lock, and one or more mushroom heads 12 for the assembly of the integrated hinges.

The base 3 has various functional members, integrally formed with it: a suspension hook 11, an elastic lock hook 18 which can be snapped onto the step 19, flexible protrusions 13 of the integrated flexible hinges (one or more), formed with respective openings 13a of the mushroom heads 12, teeth 17 to hold an instruction booklet 16 (shown in fig 7), mushroom feet 20 to anchor the cardboard 5, and one or more pins 22 for hooking to the cardboard 5.

The demonstration card 5, better visible in Figure 4, is preferably flat, and offers large printable surfaces with the company logo, the name of the product, advertising images, technical descriptions of the product or of the possible uses. It can be made, as well as in rigid cardboard of the most various types, also in a sheet of plastic material or any material that can then be stamped or otherwise decorated. It also incorporates functional members, and in particular key-shaped holes 21, intended for bayonet fitting with the mushroom heads 20 which are located under the base 3 of the case 2; one or more locking holes 23, intended to engage with the respective pins 22 also placed under the base 3; a window 15 for reading the bar code; any hanging holes, not shown in the figure and alternative to the suspension hook

Optionally, a multilingual instruction manual 16 is also provided, punched into one or more accordion sheets or book-bound and shaped in the shape of the glasses, and therefore strongly characterizing, which is housed within corresponding profiles of the base 3, and which preferably remains slightly wedged inside it thanks to the undercut teeth 17, which hold it back so that it does not fall when the buyer opens the box 2.

The assembly, easy to understand but innovative, is carried out as follows.

First, to connect the base and the lid of the box together, the mushroom heads (oval) are manually positioned within the oval holes (large) of the integrated elastic hinges. Preferably, to make the stem (small oval) penetrate into the small oval hole, it will be sufficient to close the case for the first time: the precise sizing of the parts will lead the system to the definitive interlocking. A small step on the widths of the holes will prevent accidental disassembly Then proceed with the union between the box and the cardboard: bring the mushroom-shaped feet of the base to match the wider area of the key-type holes of the cardboard, just slide the cardboard until the hooking pin engages in the relative hole.

An adhesive label of the bar code can be applied under the card, or a second one can be provided, indicated with 14, to be applied under the base, useful if the shopkeeper wants to eliminate the card itself, for reasons of space. An innovative solution, preferable even if not essential, (Fig. 6), is represented by a single adhesive label 14 glued under the base, but also visible with the cardboard 5 mounted, through the relative window 15. As regards the use of the case / display according to the invention, the system is designed to brilliantly fulfill two different purposes. The first purpose is to provide the buyer with a valid container case, with reduced additional bulk and considerable strength, capable of containing the glasses without deforming it, and protecting it in all phases of transport and storage, and also inside a bag full of tools. swimming or diving. The second purpose is that the box, alone or (preferably) integrated with the display tool consisting of the cardboard, can allow the box to be kept on display at the point of sale, while keeping the glasses contained in it perfectly visible. As mentioned, the card will be stamped with even complex and multicolored inscriptions and graphics, so as to convey captivating messages to the potential buyer. The possibility of hanging the box, displaying it, must be preserved even if the shopkeeper, for example for reasons of space, preferred to eliminate the cardboard, while also retaining the possibility of identifying the object using an adhesive label bearing the bar code, therefore visible both when the cardboard is mounted and in the absence of cardboard.

The particular geometry deriving from the cardboard placed under the base, rather than around it, and not protruding beyond the hinges, makes it possible for the potential buyer to open the case and extract the eyeglass (and then reinsert it) without any break-in and without damaging the cardboard. On the other hand, the cardboard can also be removed without damaging it, with an easy maneuver.

Another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figures 8 and 12, consists of a package 33 for including a case or box 30 for a diving mask, naked or with an integrated "snorkel". The box 30, illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, is also formed by two hinged pieces: a transparent lid 31 and a base 32 which incorporates the hinging and assembly members, for example similar to those described above and indicated with 12 , 13 and 18. Its peculiar shape, thanks to the protruding housing 36 for the silicone nose of the mask, strongly suggests the content. Also peculiar is the characteristic according to which the upper surfaces of the lid 31 and the lower surfaces of the base 32 are exactly complementary, so that it is possible to stack two or more boxes 30 on the shelves of the store, in the way illustrated in Figure 12, and also to make it possible packing in multiple cartons

Also in this embodiment, under the base 32 of the box 30 there are protruding mushroom-shaped feet 38 which can be used to connect a display card 35 which is entirely similar to that described in the first example, except obviously shape and dimensions. The aforementioned feet 38 are also conveniently used to assemble a "blister" half-shell 34 for the snorkel or mouthpiece, preferably disposable and in transparent and thermoformable material ("kristal" PVC sheet), formed with a seat or recess 41 to receive the box 30

The component parts of this set (or "combo") are better highlighted in Figure 9: the box 30 for the mask, consisting of the lid / transparent container 31 and the base 32, permanently hinged thanks to the integral hinges and closable thanks to one or more locks consisting of a flexible hook and a hook step. Inside the box 30, the mask is obviously housed (not shown). Below, the lid of the blister 34 within which the mouthpiece is housed, and the bottom 35 of the blister, typically made of transparent material or printed cardboard. The blister 34 of the mouthpiece can have a peripheral interlocking closure, or preferably be welded on more than half of the perimeter, in order to allow, through the fourth side (not welded), the insertion of the snorkel. To close everything definitively, it will be sufficient to insert the mushroom-shaped feet 38 of the base 32 of the box 30 of the mask through respective holes 40 of the blister 34 and insert them bayonet into holes 39 of the cardboard 35.

Also in this example, the packaging will allow the total undisturbed vision of the product. The potential buyer will be able, without any break-in or breakage, to open the box and extract the mask to examine it, and possibly also to extract the mouthpiece from the blister, then putting them back in place neatly, with a simple maneuver.

Both the base 32 of the box 30 and the blister pack 34 can be equipped with respective suspension hooks 42, 43.

After making the purchase, the buyer can immediately get rid of the blister that contains the snorkel, which is very bulky to be stored in a diving bag. Instead, it will have an efficient, robust and innovative protective and transport box for the mask, thus avoiding the risk of damage to its most delicate parts such as the thin silicone rubber flaps of the skirt and normal or even graduated lenses.

In summary, the peculiarities of the case / display stand for swimming goggles, swimming masks or diving masks according to the invention and the relative advantageous effects are summarized below:

- the box / display has the dual role of (i) effectively protecting the glasses during the transport and storage phases in the bag, (ii) allowing them to be displayed in the shop, hooked to a special rack, integral with one or more tools color printed graphics, bearing the company logo, product name, advertising information, etc .;

-the assembly formed by the transparent container lid and the base hinged to it by means of one or more hinges aligned on one side secures the two parts so as to make them captive;

- the design of these two parts closely follows, both in elevation and in plan, the shapes of the glasses contained and the curvature of the lenses, thus obtaining not only an extreme reduction in size and maximum strength against crushing and impacts, but also an extremely captivating morphology as it is peculiar and capable of suggesting its content;

- the company trademark, the name of the product, technical and advertising information can be advantageously reported on the cardboard or base plate, mounted integral with the box in an economic way and conformed in such a way as not to hinder the perfect vision of the glasses. It is also conceived so that the potential buyer can, without removing it and without break-ins or breakages that could compromise the integrity of the package, open the case to extract and examine the glasses, and even close it again; and also that this base plate can be easily removed without affecting the display of the box at the point of sale;

the structure of the box in two distinct parts allows each of the two to be made in the most appropriate material, and in particular with different materials: transparent and shockproof (e.g. PC, PS, AS etc) the container lid, of suitable shape to allow the most complete and undisturbed vision of the glasses contained, and the base in material that is not necessarily transparent, eg gray to match any color of the glasses, but flexible and suitable for the function of the "integrated hinges". Compromises are eliminated, as would be the case with a mono-material structure, and the bi-material choice is the best not only in terms of quality, but also in terms of costs;

- the integrated hinges, thanks to the suitable material of the base (PP, or PE) with which they are integrally formed, also perform the role of quick and economical assembly of the two parts, and the rigid mushroom-shaped pegs obtained on the rear side of the cover they enter precisely into two holes of the same size, and finally are pushed into the area where the hole narrows: this allows the assembly operations to be mechanized with relative ease, also thanks to the fact that the final maneuver takes place automatically, at the time of the first closure of the case, and therefore at no cost;

-the members with a lock function consist of one or more hooks, arranged on the side of the base (or of the cover) opposite the hinges, and formed integrally with the base (or the cover), in the form of flexible hooks, which when the two shells are closed, they automatically snap onto special steps in the lid (or base); while for opening it is necessary to bend the flexible hook or hooks and climb over the aforementioned step, both operations possible with one hand only;

- the device for suspending the package from the rack of a display unit, consisting of a preferably open hook, allows it to be easily removed, even in the case of positioning not "in the front line". The hook, formed integrally to the lid or to the base, can also be conveniently arranged to be easily cut off after purchase;

the multilingual instruction booklet, which must necessarily accompany the eyewear in the packaging, is conveniently punched in the geometry of the box itself (in plan) to find a comfortable accommodation on the bottom of the base, preferably held by the special teeth formed integrally to the base itself;

the base, thanks to the relative anchoring members formed integrally with it, allows a rapid assembly of the cardboard and an equally rapid separation; - the cardboard can also be formed, on the side placed at the top, with a hole suitable for allowing the suspension of the rack package, making the hook integral with the box unnecessary;

-the shape and assembly of the cardboard do not hinder the opening and closing of the box, nor the removal or repositioning of the glasses, thus allowing the potential buyer to try the eyeglass itself without any break-in that could damage the package ;

in the event that the shopkeeper for any reason does not like the card (for example for reasons of space in the shop), it can be easily removed by disassembling it, without losing the possibility of hanging the case in the rack, and also without giving up the code bar, essential for billing. This is thanks to the fact that the bar code is shown on an adhesive label applied, in a certain position, under the base and visible even when the card is mounted, through the relative window located exactly in correspondence with the position of the adhesive label;

- in the event that the graphic information is not transmitted by means of the cardboard, simple adhesives applied to the base or to the lid may be provided, in this case preferably with a transparent background so as not to obstruct the vision of the glasses; - even if the object contained in the package is a diving mask, the shape of the relative box aesthetically and volumetrically repeats the morphology of the mask itself, for example by presenting, in relief in the upper part of the lid / container, a housing, for the 'precisely in the shape of a nose, for the rubber nose of the mask itself. The shape of the lower part of the base, complementary to that of the upper part of the lid, causes a plurality of boxes to be stackable with sufficient stability to allow a stack of moderate height in the store shelf;

-the coupling of the mask box with the blister pack for the mouthpiece and the relative base plate, by means of the mushroom-shaped pegs of the mask box, allows to make available an assembly, or "set", snorkel mask, innovatively useful. Furthermore, the perfect perception of the aesthetic and chromatic characteristics of both components is guaranteed at the point of sale. On the other hand, by simply removing the bayonet feet, the buyer can easily get rid of the snorkel packaging (the blister), while keeping a compact and sturdy container case for the infinitely more delicate mask.

Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the details of construction and the embodiments may widely vary with respect to those described and illustrated purely by way of example, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS 1. Case / display (1; 33) for swimming goggles, swimming masks or diving masks, characterized in that it comprises a container (2; 30) formed by a base (4; 32) and a lid (3; 31) having a shape corresponding to that of the profile of the glasses or mask intended to be housed within the container (2; 30), said base and said lid being hinged together through respective integral formations (12, 13). 2. Case / display according to claim 1, characterized in that at least said lid (3; 31) is transparent. 3. Case / display according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said base (4; 32) has integral hooking members (20; 38) for removable anchoring to a generally flat back plate (5; 35) prepared for the affixing of technical and / or advertising information. 4. Case / display according to claim 3, characterized in that said coupling members include mushroom-shaped pegs (20; 38) engageable through corresponding catching openings (21; 39) of said back plate (5; 35). Box / display according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said integral hinged connection formations include mushroom-like projections (12) arranged at one side of one of said base (4; 32) or said lid (3; 31) and flexible appendages (13) protruding from the corresponding side of the other of said cover (3; 31) or said base (4; 32) and formed with catch openings (13a) of said mushroom-like projections (12 ). 6. Case / display according to claim 5, characterized in that it also comprises an integral lock member (18) elastically protruding from one of said base (4; 32) or said lid (3; 31), on the opposite side to said integral hinged connection formations (12, 13), which can be snap-engaged with one abutment step (19) of the other of said cover (3; 31) or said base (4; 32). 7. A box / display according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said container (2; 30) is formed with an integral suspension hook (11; 42). 8. Case / display according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also includes an instruction booklet (16) having a shape complementary to that of said base (4; 32) and housed therein with the aid of detachable check valve (17). Case / display according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a bar code (14) visible through a window (15) of said back plate (5) is applied externally to said base (4). 10. Case / display according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a half-shell (34) is interposed between said container (30) and said back plate (35) for housing a "snorkel". 11. Case / display according to claim 10, characterized in that said half-shell (34) is transparent and has a central recess (41) forming a seat for said container (30). 12. Case / display according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the shape and positioning of the back plate (5; 35) are such as to allow the opening of the container (2; 30), the extraction of the glasses or of the mask and their reintroduction relative to said container (2; 30) without requiring the removal of said back plate (5; 35) or any break-in.