US20020053585A1

US20020053585A1 - Watertight container

Info

Publication number: US20020053585A1
Application number: US10/032,430
Authority: US
Inventors: Federico Rossi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-05-10
Filing date: 2001-12-31
Publication date: 2002-05-09
Also published as: ATE203876T1; CN1183710A; EP0836396A1; DE69614389T2; HUP9801231A3; BR9608296A; SI9620062A; ITFO950006A1; WO1996035348A1; JPH11504542A; ES2129379A1; MX9708650A; EP0836396B1; US6321957B1; HUP9801231A2; RO117062B1; PL180431B1; DE69614389D1; ES2129379B1; AU5894696A

Abstract

A watertight container, comprising a rigid watertight box connectable by a wrist strap to limbs or other members of a human or animal body, to permit carrying of an object contiguously and safely to an arm, a leg, or the neck, the object preferably being small size articles of value or utility or both particularly in situations of water immersion, engaging in sporting activities, and because of the watersealing feature of the box which is provided with suitable gaskets, seals to the anatomical suitability and the strength of the wrist strap housing the box.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/952,101 filed Jan. 23, 1998. [0001]
This application incorporates the entire subject matter disclosed and set forth in the application Ser. No. 08/952,101 filed Jan. 23, 1998 as if expressly written herein including the specification, claims and abstract as filed.[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns an article comprised of a watertight container to be fastened by means of a strap to limbs or other members or, like a collar, to the neck of domestic animals.

2. Description of Related Art

Document CH-A-682,040 discloses an assembly of a wrist strap and a cup shaped container, provided with a sealed cover and particularly suited for housing watches, whose cover is fastened, by means of a suitable bracket member, to a loop of the wrist strap. This approach has the main drawback due to the fact that the container provides the tasks of both article housing and hermetic sealing which being provided by a not evenly pressed gasket due to a hinge which is too short between the cover and the container, so that a perfect liquid seal cannot be provided.

Further, to ensure that the cover closure is provided by a bracket member fastened to a loop of the wrist strap, any accidental movement of the wrist strap can jeopardize the closure safety of the bracket member itself. Finally, the circular can shape of the container does not render it suitable for articles which differ from watches.

In addition to the above mentioned drawbacks, there is also the fact that the sealed cover is faced outside, so that the only force assuring its closure is due to the bracket member, which is poorly dependent from any engagement of the wrist strap with a limb of the user. It seems that the inventor, possibly worried or concerned to have the sealed cover of the container openable without disengaging the wrist strap from the limb of the user, avoided on purpose an inside face for the cover, not realizing that such an inside facing could strongly enhance the closure and sealing of the cover itself due to abutment of the cover against the limb.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,616 discloses a container in the form of a rigid and resilient box, connectable to a housing, which is in turn fastened to a watch wrist strap.

The system could operate rather well, but it has two main drawbacks.

Firstly, the rigid box intended for containing articles is provided with a cover of very doubtful seal, and for underwater uses the inventor relies chiefly on the presence of an air bubble entering into the box, and it is possible to guess how little can help this air bubble in case of deep immersion or of upsettings due to uncontrolled movements.

Secondly, the box is fastened to the housing just along a side through forced fitting means not able to ensure a safe fastening in case of violent movements especially due to sport practice, so that there is a risk of remotion of the box from the housing.

The document EP-A-0,432,63 relates to a wrist purse, which would be expected to be watertight, and is comprised of an oblong cup shaped container integrally molded with a wrist strap. The cup shaped container has a cover, connected as a book to the container itself and is provided with a rounded protruding edge engaged in a complementary edge of the container itself to provide an interference fitting, which is also trying to be watertight. The obtained results are however rather doubtful because, in spite of any attempt of carefully molding the cover and the container, there are some tolerances never allowing or enabling a complete seal.

Further, the fact of using the same flexible material for molding the wrist strap, the container and the cover, does not free the container and cover assembly from accidental strains, due to stresses, resulting in seal loss and poor practical utility of the article.

In addition to the above mentioned drawbacks, thee is also the fact that the belt is intended for fastening the holder against a limb of the user but:

a) a does not cooperate to fasten the rigid and more or less watertight container to the holder itself, as such a belt is just inserted into slots located near the bottom of the holder, so that the only operation permitted to the belt is to fasten the bottom of the holder against the limb of the user; and

b) does not provide any improvement to the closure and sealing of the container because it does not cooperate in maintaining closed the poorly watertight cover which is exposed to any accidental stress tending to open it.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A container according to the invention is provided with a watertight closure and is an article having a shape of particularly flattened ellipsoidal cross-section, or the like, in order to provide for little or substantially no encumbrance in the use.

The container is normally inserted into a suitable case or holder associated with either a belt or a wrist strap enclosing it, so as to permit carrying thereof as the case is strongly fastened in one of the members of the human body or an animal or to the neck of animals.

This invention is suitable to solve carriage problems in outstandingly wet environments such as swimming pools, sea and in the areas, or the like, of a plurality of small articles, and particularly money, which can have superior utility for use in water immersion or bathing.

Of course, such an article can also be used for carrying valuables or precious small size articles also in a dry condition because the strong fastening and the location to be chosen on the body assure against bag-snatchings, pocket-pickings and robberies.

It is suited also for the carriage of small precious articles, such as jewels or the like, as well as of necessary articles, such as pills to be swallowed at preset times independently from the environment or location.

It is well known that for carrying banknotes or small articles in wet environments there are in trade come containers comprised of small tubes closed by a screw cap, abutting against a rubber 0-ring gasket, and provided with a cord or string to be carried by the neck. These containers have a decidedly modest safety and comfort rate because, since the tube cap screwed, it permits an imperfectly even pressure against the 0-ring gasket, as, due to the angle of the screw thread, the cap does not evenly press the 0-ring, so that the 0-ring is more pressed in an area than in an opposed area and, consequently, to have a sufficient seal on the whole gasket and therefore, it is necessary to overpress an area thereof.

Further, should by distraction the screw cap be incompletely closed, the hermetic seal is lost rendering useless the operation of the container.

Moreover a neckbearing does not prevent either pulling or slipping of the string, with a consequent high danger of loss or theft, and does not even permit to have the article and its contents under continuous watch.

Finally, the screw cap of the tubes imposes a cylindrical shape not very suitable to reduce the size with respect to the capacity of the container and does not allow any shape adjustment of the container itself.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an absolutely watertight container whose seal is not affected by strains to an associated wrist strap.

Another object is to provide a container fastened by a wrist strap but removable therefrom.

The above mentioned objects are met by a container according to the invention consisting of a rigid box inserted into a case or holder integral with a wrist strap, wherein the holder is as resilient as the wrist strap and substantially completely surrounds the box itself and is provided with an opening for the forced inlet of the bod into the case or holder and the rigid box is comprised of two portions, partially fitted with each other and tightly pressed by the resilient holder, surrounding the rigid box itself, provided with at least a sealing gasket interposed in the fitting area between the two portions, so that the resilience of the holder contributes in sealingly close the rigid box.

Preferably, the holder case is integral with the wrist strap and is comprised of an elastic or resilient shell which along a first side thereof appears as a thickened peripheral frame and along an opposed second side appears as a frame surrounding an opening closed by a substantially rectangular flap hinged along a side to the frame itself and coupled along an opposed side to the frame by means of holes receiving corresponding pins of the frame.

Particularly, the first side of the shell is the external one and the second side of the shell is the internal one.

In a second alternative, the pins could be on the side of the flap and the holes on the side of the frame.

In a third alternative, instead of pins and corresponding holes, snap fasteners could also be used.

In a fourth alternative, use can also be made of a fabric strip on a side and a Velcrum® or Velcr® on an opposite side, and engaged with each other.

In a fifth alternative, use can be made of a ridge on one side and a slot on an opposite side, and engageable with each other.

In a sixth alternative, use can be made of a zip fastener.

Preferably, the rigid closure of box, is provided with a substantially elliptical cross-section, and is transversely divided into two portions of substantially equal length. A first portion is provided with an area having externally thin walls and axially extending, to be inserted into an enlarged opening of the second portion formed by means of a reduction of the inside of the walls thereof and is suited to house the thin wall area of the first portion, and housing on the bottom a first resilient sealing gasket engageable with the basis of the first portion. More preferably, the thin wall area of the first portion houses, at the border with the think walls, a second resilient sealing gasket engageable with one of the basic faces of the second portion.

Alternatively, the thin wall area of the first portion is provided on the lateral external lateral wall, with two parallel slots suited to house two paired gaskets.

Particularly, the gaskets housed in the two portions of the rigid box are two rubber 0-ring gaskets.

In addition, an internally reduced wall area of the second portion is provided with at least a protruding ridge suited to be engaged in a corresponding slot of the externally reduced wall of the first portion.

Preferably, the protruding ridges of the second portion and the slots of the first portion are two in number and arranged on opposed walls.

Alternatively, the two portions forming the rigid box are quite different from each other in size, wherein one portion is of greater length and the other portion is of lesser length.

In addition, the rigid box is provided with a peripheral slot suited to house a rubber gasket operating as a further closing elastic means.

Preferably, the gasket is an 0-ring gasket having a length of the internal perimeter, a little less than the external perimeter of the box.

In addition, the 0-ring gasket is provided with two internal stiffening means insertable into areas of the peripheral slot, adjacent to the joining area of the two portions of the rigid box and reinforced through thickening, in order to prevent flexural strains in such an area.

Preferably, the stiffening means are two small metal tubes obtained by winding a laminate sheet about the corresponding areas of the gasket.

Alternatively, the gasket, is preferably an 0-ring, which surrounds the rigid box and can be replaced by a flexible though inextensible member provided with a buckle comprising a lever and a coupling.

According to a different and alternative embodiment, the box, instead consists of two axially insertable portions insertable with respect to each other and is formed by two hinged portions hinged to each other, similar to a snuff-box, provided with reciprocal coupling means, ensuring a safe closure of the box, and at least a gasket for the seal between the two portions of the box.

Preferably, the sealing gaskets between the two portions of the box are two in number.

Particularly, the reciprocal coupling means of the box are two hook tangs overriding an edge of a half of the rigid box.

In addition, the reciprocal coupling means of the box are supplemented by a flap completely surrounding a half of the box and overriding an edge thereof.

The features of the invention will be particularly and precisely defined in the appended claims forming the conclusive portion of the present description.

However, other features and advantages thereof will result and be self evident from the following detailed description of some embodiments given in an exemplifying and not limiting way, provided with the enclosed drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a complete top view of a container according to the present invention; [0054]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line [0055] 2-2 of FIG. 1, with the closing flap of the external case or holder held open;
FIG. 3 is the same view as FIG. 2, with a closed flap; [0056]
FIG. 4 is a partial view in cross-section of the external case or holder particularly emphasizing the closing flap; [0057]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line [0058] 5-5 of FIG. 3, with the flap held closed;
FIG. 6 is an external view of a first embodiment of a rigid and hermetic box according to the resent invention; [0059]
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line [0060] 7-7 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line [0061] 8-8 of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line [0062] 9-9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a detail indicated by the letter X in FIG. 8; [0063]
FIG. 11 is an exploded view, partially in cross-section, of the same rigid and hermetic box; [0064]
FIG. 12 is an external front view of a second embodiment of a rigid and hermetic box according to the present invention; [0065]
FIG. 13 is a lateral view of the rigid and hermetic box depicted in FIG. 12; [0066]
FIG. 14 is an end view of the same rigid and hermetic box depicted in FIG. 12; [0067]
FIG. 15 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the same rigid and hermetic box of FIG. 12 in the closed state; [0068]
FIG. 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view, of the same rigid and hermetic box of FIG. 12 in the open state; [0069]
FIG. 17 is a partial enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 15 showing the insertion of a male portion of the rigid box in a corresponding female portion thereof in the closed state; [0070]
FIG. 18 is a partial enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 16 showing a separation of the insertable male portion of the rigid box in a corresponding female portion thereof in the open state; [0071]
FIG. 19 is a partial external view of the particular male coupling of the rigid box of FIG. 12; [0072]
FIG. 20 is an external front view of a third embodiment of a rigid and hermetic box according to the present invention; [0073]
FIG. 21 is a lateral view of the rigid and hermetic box depicted in FIG. 20; [0074]
FIG. 22 is a longitudinal cross-section of the same rigid hermetic box of FIG. 20 in a closed state; [0075]
FIG. 23 is a longitudinal cross-section of the same rigid hermetic box of FIG. 20 in the open state; [0076]
FIG. 24 is a partially enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 22 showing the insertion of a male portion of the rigid box into a corresponding female portion in the closed state; [0077]
FIG. 25 is a partially enlarged view of a detail of FIG. 23 showing the position prior to insertion of a male portion of the rigid box into a corresponding female portion in the open state; [0078]
FIG. 26 is a partially external view of the particular male coupling of the rigid box of FIG. 20; [0079]
FIG. 27 is a schematic front view of a resilient member, similar to the 0-[0080] ring gasket 74 closing the rigid box of the first embodiment of the invention to be applied to the rigid boxes of the second and third embodiment, mainly depicted in the respective FIGS. 12 and 20;
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line [0081] 28-28 of FIG. 27;
FIG. 29 is a schematic front view of an alternative closing member consisting of a flexible, though substantially, inextensible wire, provided with a buckle comprising a lever and a coupling; [0082]
FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line [0083] 30-30 of FIG. 20;
FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of the closing buckle of the member of FIG. 29 depicted in a closed state; [0084]
FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the closing buckle of the member of FIG. 29 depicted in an open state; [0085]
FIG. 33 is a lateral enlarged view of the closing buckle of the member of FIG. 29 depicted in an open state; [0086]
FIG. 34 depicts an open top view of a fourth embodiment of a rigid hermetic box according to the invention consisting or two longitudinally, separated half boxes connected along a longer side by hinges and provided on the opposed side or coupling closure means; [0087]
FIG. 35 depicts an open bottom view of the same fourth embodiment of the rigid hermetic box according to the invention; [0088]
FIG. 36 depicts a closed top view of the same fourth embodiment of the rigid hermetic box according to the invention; [0089]
FIG. 37 depicts a closed bottom view of the same fourth embodiment of the rigid hermetic box according to the invention; [0090]
FIG. 38 depicts a closed internal view, on the hinge side, of the FIG. 36 embodiment of rigid hermetic box; [0091]
FIG. 39 depicts a closed lateral view, on the coupling means side of he FIG. 36 embodiment of the rigid hermetic box; [0092]
FIG. 40 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the closed box of FIGS. 36 and 37 taken along line [0093] 40-40 of FIG. 37;
FIG. 41 is an enlarged cross-section al view of the closed box shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 taken along line [0094] 41-41 of FIG. 37;
FIG. 42 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the open box of FIGS. 34 and 35 taken along line [0095] 42-42 of FIG. 34;
FIG. 43 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the open box shown in FIGS. 34 and 35 taken along line [0096] 43-43 of FIG. 34;
FIG. 44 is a closed top view of a rigid hermetic box according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; [0097]
FIG. 45 is a closed end view of the same box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; [0098]
FIG. 46 is a closed bottom view of the box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; [0099]
FIG. 47 is a closed view, taken along the hinge side of the box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; [0100]
FIG. 48 is a closed view, taken along the closure coupling means side, of the box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; [0101]
FIG. 49 is a view taken along the same side of FIG. 48 showing a closure flap, which is disengaged to begin the opening; [0102]
FIG. 50 is an open top view of a rigid hermetic box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; [0103]
FIG. 51 is an open bottom view of the same rigid hermetic box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention; [0104]
FIG. 52 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the closed box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention taken along line [0105] 52-52 of FIG. 44;
FIG. 53 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the closed box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention taken along line [0106] 53-53 of FIG. 44;
FIG. 54 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the open box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention taken along line [0107] 54-54 of FIG. 50;
FIG. 55 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the open box according to the fifth embodiment of the invention taken along the line [0108] 55-55 of FIG. 50.
Referring to FIGS. [0109] 1 to 5, it is seen that a container 10 according to the present invention consists of a wrist strap 12, connected to a hollow case or holder 14, and comprising a left strap portion 16, provided with a buckle 18 and bridges 20 and 22, and a right strap portion 24 provided with a hole line 26 suited for engaging he buckle 18 present at the end of the left strap portion 16 and suited for slipping into the already mentioned bridges 20 and 22.
The hollow case or [0110] holder 14 comprises an external covering portion 28 ending with an internal flap 30, defining the recess of the case 14 itself suited to hold inside a rigid watertight box 32, and provided with holes 34, engageable by pins or similar protrusions 36 coming out from an edge 38 of the covering portion 28 faced against the external end of the flap 30.
As particularly visible in FIG. 4, the [0111] external covering portion 28 comprises two head areas 40 connected by a sidewall 42 to which is fastened the flap 30 provided with the fastening holes 34. The head areas cooperate with sidewalls, such as the wall 42 shown in FIG. 4, to form the external covering portion 28 housing in its recess the rigid watertight box 32.
As particularly visible in FIG. 5, the rigid [0112] watertight box 32 is closed on all its faces by the external covering portion 28 contributing to prevent any accidental opening.
Considering in the whole the FIGS. [0113] 1 to 5, it is seen that the rigid watertight box 32 can be easily inserted into the recess of the covering portion 28 when the flap 30 is pushed aside, leaving a free entry to the recess itself. Once the box 32 has been housed, it is sufficient to close the flap 30 engaging the holes 34 in the pins or protrusions 36 of the edge 38 for obtaining a safe fastening of the box 32 to the strap 12. Any clamping of the strap 12 to a limb member further contributes to fasten the box to the strap because the pressures due to the clamping of the strap 12 push the box 32 against the cover portion 28, relieving, at least partially, the flap 30 of the duty of fastening the box 32.
Referring now to FIGS. [0114] 6 to 11, it is completely understood how the rigid watertight box 32 is made. This box 32 is comprised of two hollow shells 50 and 52, of which a first shell 50 depicted upside, is provided with a sleeve extension 54, having an external wall reduction, suited to be inserted into a corresponding seat 56 housed in the second shell 52 provided with an internal wall reduction.
Of course, the [0115] sleeve extension 54 slips with some precision into the seat 56 and further, for ensuring a forced holding of the sleeve 54 in the seat 56, the internal wall of the seat 56 having a protruding ridge 58 engaged in a corresponding slot 60 present in the lateral wall of the sleeve 54 itself. At the border of the sleeve 54 with the external wall of the shell 50 is housed a first 0-ring gasket 62 remaining there confined when the box 32 is closed, providing a first hermetic seal area.
A [0116] slot 64 at the basis of the seat 56 houses a second 0-ring gasket 66, also there confined, providing a second hermetic seal area.
It is easily understood that, as all the stresses interesting to or pertaining to the rigid [0117] watertight box 32 are directed in a way substantially perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis 70 thereof, do not substantially exist forces able to remove the sleeve 54 from the seat 56, as the protruding ridges 58 on opposite walls of the sleeve 54 of the shell 50 prevent a separation of the shells, unless a pressure is applied to the shell 50 to remove the slots 60 from the ridges 58 of the shell 52 and are pulled on purpose the two shells 50 and 52 by reciprocal remotion, to open the box 32.
In addition, it is possible to add a safety clamping means, contributing to each other and joining the [0118] shells 50 and 52, in the form of a peripheral slot 72 suited to house a resilient member acting by pulling, as for example an 0-ring gasket 74 which, having the length of the internal perimeter a little shorter than the external perimeter of the slot further contributes to close the box 12.
The use and the operation of the watertight container according to the present invention is explained simply. [0119]
When an article is to be inserted into the rigid and [0120] watertight box 32, it is removed from the recess of case 14, by simply opening flap 30 through or by means disengagement of holes 34 from the protrusions 36 of edge 38 and forcefully extracting box 32 in order to overcome the constraints imposed by the case or holder 14, which is of resilient material (for example, an elastomer). Once the box 32 has been extracted from the recess of the holder or case 14, it can be opened by reciprocally removing the two shells 50 and 52.
The articles to be protected are inserted into the open box, and then it is reclosed by simply joining the two [0121] shells 50 and 52 until ridges 58 enter into slots 60, determining the definite snap-closure of box 32 itself. The closure of box 32 can be further ensured by inserting an elastic band, in the form of an 0-ring gasket 74, into peripheral slot 72 of the box 32 itself.
The presently closed [0122] box 32 is reinserted into the recess of case 14, connecting box 32 to strap 12 and thus obtaining the whole complete container 10 ready to be fastened to a body limb or member. Of course, for extracting something from the box 32 born by the strap 12, it is proceeded through an operation logically reversed with respect to the one here above disclosed.
Reference is made to FIGS. [0123] 12 to 55 relating to different variations in the embodiment of the rigid and watertight box indicated as a whole and in its components, where applicable, by the same above given numerals, preceded by a prefix the respective numerals 1, 2, 3, etc.
A first variation of [0124] box 132 is depicted in the FIGS. 12 to 19. This rigid watertight box 132 is comprised of two hollow shells 150 and 152 of which a first shell 150, downwardly depicted, is provided with a sleeve extension 154, having an external wall reduction, suited to be inserted into a corresponding seat 156 located in the second shell 152 having an internal wall reduction. Of course, the sleeve extension 154 slips with some precision into the seat 156 and further, to ensure a forced restraint of the sleeve 154 in the seat 156, the internal wall of the seat 156 is provided with one or more protruding ridges 158 engaged in one or more corresponding slots 160 in the side walls of the sleeve 154 itself.
A [0125] slot 164 at the basis of seat 156 houses an 0-ring gasket 166, therein restricted, providing a hermetically sealed area.
This [0126] box 132 is different from box 32 depicted in FIGS. 6 to 11, has and includes about the peripheral slot 172, which corresponds to the slot 72 of box 32, some thickened areas 180, 182 suited to house a specific stiffening means such as an elastic band, or similar string, to be slipped into the peripheral slot 172, as it will be explained referring to the FIGS. 27 to 33. It is to be remarked that the two shells 150 and 152 have at their poles depressions 184 and 186, respectively, as deep as the peripheral slot 172, having the self-evident purpose of helping the remotion of an elastic band or gasket possibly located in the slots 172.
Reference is made to the FIGS. [0127] 20 to 26 depicting a third embodiment of rigid and hermetically sealed box according to the invention.
This third embodiment of rigid and hermetic box is very similar to the second embodiment from which it differs just because, instead of having the [0128] shell 152 only a slot 164 suited to house an 0-ring gasket 166 at the basis of the seat 156, this embodiment has two parallel slots 168 and 170 on the sleeve 154, one or more protruding ridges 158 a engaged in one or more slots 160 a in seat 156 of shell 152.
Of course, the two [0129] parallel slots 168 and 170 house two 0-ring gaskets (not shown). Also, the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 20 to 26 is provided with the same thickened areas 180 and 182 appearing in the second embodiment and having the same purpose.
All other components forming part of the third embodiment of the invention are indicated by the same numerals of the components of the second embodiment because they are structurally and operatively identical or similar. [0130]
In the FIGS. 27 and 28, there is depicted a [0131] string 174 in the form of an elastic gasket, such as an 0-ring, provided with the two small stiffening tubes 176 so arranged to be inserted into slot 172 of shells 150 and 152 just between the thickened areas 180 and 182, to provide a stiffening of the junction point of the two shells 150 and 152 to prevent any accidental separation owing to flexion between the two shells.
Preferably, the two [0132] stiffening tubes 176 and applied on an 0-ring gasket by winding two cylinder shaped laminations.
These laminations can be of any rigid material deformable through winding, such as plastic or metallic sheets. Metal alloys particularly preferred for this purpose are stainless steels of common use in the industry. [0133]
An alternative string is depicted in the FIGS. [0134] 29 to 33. This alternative string consists of a simple flexible, though inextensible wire or braid 190, which can be of plastic material, but is preferred to be a metallic alloy, such as stainless steel, for self evident inalterability reasons.
Analogously to the [0135] elastic string 174, the wire or braid 190 also is provided with two stiffening tubes 191 made in the same way and of the same material as the stiffening tubes 176 of the string 174.
For clamping [0136] string 190, which by, nature is inextensible, a clamping buckle 192 is used which is similar to some buckles used for clamping metal loop watch straps. This clamping buckle 192 is shown completely closed in the FIG. 31 and completely open in the FIGS. 32 and 33, in which is depicted in a top and a side view, respectively is depicted.
The [0137] buckle 192 is connected to string 190 by means of two crimped areas 195 and 196 and consists of three joined members 192 a, 192 b and 192 c connected to each other by hinges 193 and 194, to allow unclamping and clamping of buckle 192, and member 192 b is provided with a finger 198 to permit locking of buckle 192, once clamped, as depicted in FIG. 31.
Reference is made to FIGS. [0138] 34 to 43 concerning a fourth embodiment of the invention comprising a rigid watertight box 232 formed by, two half boxes 250 and 252, connected by two hinges 254, to form a box similar to a snuff-box.
[0139] Half box 250 is provided with two resilient hooks 256, engageable in corresponding seats 258 in half box 252, for providing the closure of the box 232 itself. Half box 252 is provided with a sleeve 260 connected by a semicylindrical slot 262 to the box body. Of course, this slot 262 is suited to house a seal gasket which is pressed by an external plane 264 of the half box 250, which box is also provided with an internal plane 266 delimitating a slot 268 suited to house a seal gasket pressed by the top area of the sleeve 260.
It is understood that such a system of double gaskets housed in [0140] respective slots 262 and 268, allows an absolutely hermetic seal of the box 232, once it has been closed.
Reference is made to the FIGS. [0141] 44 to 55 concerning a fifth embodiment of the invention comprising a rigid and watertight 332 formed by two half boxes 350 and 352, connected by two hinges 354, to form a box similar to a snuff-box. Half box 350 is provided with two resilient hooks 356, engageable in corresponding seats 358 in the half box 352, for providing a closure of the box 332 itself.
[0142] Half box 352 is provided with a sleeve 360 connected by means of a half cylindrical slot 362 to the box body. Of course, this slot 362 is suited to house a seal gasket which is pressed by an external plane 364 of half box 350, which half box is also provided with an internal plane 366 delimitating a slot 368 suited to house a seal gasket pressed by the top of sleeve 360.
It is meant that such a system of double gaskets housed in the [0143] respective slots 362 and 368 allows an absolutely hermetic seal of the box 32 once it is closed.
This fifth embodiment of rigid [0144] watertight box 332 is moreover provided with a further safety closure system consisting of a flap 370 surrounding, in its closed position, the lower half box 352. This flap 370 is connected by means of a hinge 357 and is coupled to half box 353 by means of a hook 372 engaging an external edge 374 of the half box 351. In order not to go out of size from the lower half box 352, flap 370 is housed in a lowered area 380 in the external wall of half box 352 itself.
What has been hereabove described and depicted are just some embodiments of the present invention not to be meant in limiting way. Indeed, those skilled in the are can devise from the reading of the hereabove disclosed description logically equivalent variations and changes to be held covered by the appended claims. [0145]
While various changes and modifications may be made therein, it is respectfully submitted that such changes will come within the embodiments of the invention as claimed either in basic patent of which is a divisional application thereof or in the present application. [0146]

Claims

1. Watertight container, fastenable to limbs and similar members, consisting of a rigid box (32,132, 232, 332) inserted into a case or holder (14) integral with a wrist strap (12), wherein the holder (14) is as resilient as the wrist strap (12) and completely surrounds the box itself (32,132, 232, 332) and is provided with an opening for a forced inlet of the box (32, 132, 232, 332) in the case or holder (14) and the rigid box (32,132, 232, ; 32) is comprised of two portions (50,150, 250, 350; 52, 152, 252, 352), partially fitted with each other and tightly pressed by the resilient holder (14), surrounding the rigid box itself, provided with at least a sealing gasket interposed in the fitting area between the two portions (50, 150, 250, 350; 52,152, 252, 352), so that the resilience of the holder (14) contributes in sealingly close the rigid box (32,132, 232, 332).

2. Watertight container, as in claim 1, including an 0-ring gasket (74) having an internal perimeter a little lesser than the external perimeter of the box (32).

3. Watertight container as claimed in claim 1, including an 0-ring gasket (174) provided with side stiffening means (176) insertable into areas of a peripheral slot (172) adjacent reinforced areas (10, 182) of the two portions (150,152) of the rigid box (132) for preventing flexions in these areas.

4. Watertight container as claimed in claim 3, including stiffening means (176) comprising two small rigid tubes obtained through winding of a laminate sheet around the corresponding areas of the gasket (174).

5. Watertight container as claimed in claim 1, including a gasket surrounding the rigid box (132) comprising a flexible, though inextendible, wire member (190), provided with a clamping buckle (192) having a lever and coupling.

6. Watertight container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the box (232, 332), is comprised of two portions (250, 252, 350, 352) each other hinged, similar to a snuff-box, provided with reciprocal coupling means (256, 258, 356, 358), ensuring the sealing closure of the box (232, 332) and at least a gasket for the sealing between the two portions (250, 252, 350, 352) of the box.

7. Watertight container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the seal gaskets between the two portions (250, 252, 350, 352) of the box are two in number.

8. Watertight container as claimed in claim 6, wherein the reciprocal coupling means of the box consist of two hook tangs (256, 356) overriding an edge (258, 358) of a half of the rigid box (232, 332).

9. Watertight container as claimed in claims 6, wherein the reciprocal coupling means (356, 358) of the box (332) are supplemented by a flap (370) completely surrounding a half of one of the two portions (352) of the box.

10. A watertight container fastenable to a body part, comprising

a rigid box (32, 132, 232, 332) inserted into a resilient case or resilient holder (14) integral with a resilient wrist strap (13),

said holder (14) being as resilient as the wrist strap (12) and completely surrounding the box itself (32, 132, 232, 332) and being provided with an opening for a forced inlet of the box (32, 132, 232, 332) into the case or holder (14),

said rigid box (32, 132, 232, 332) being comprised of two portions (50, 150, 250, 350; 52, 152, 252, 352), each partially fitted with each other and defining a fitting area between said two portions and tightly pressed by the resilient holder (14), surrounding the rigid box itself, provided with at least a sealing gasket interposed in the fitting area and enclosed between the two portions (50, 150, 250, 350; 52, 152, 252, 352), so that the resilience of the holder (14) contributes in sealingly closing the rigid box (32, 132, 232, 332), and

couplers including snapping coupling means (58, 158, 158 a, 258, 358; 60, 160, 260, 360) for engaging the two portions (50, 150, 250, 350; 52, 152, 252, 358) of the rigid box (32, 132, 232, 332).

11. The watertight container as claimed in claim 10, wherein the couplers include an 0-ring gasket in the form of a string (174) and the 0-ring gasket is provided with side stiffening means (176) insertable into areas of the peripheral slot (172) adjacent to reinforced areas (10, 182) of the two portions (150, 152) of the rigid box (132) for preventing flexions in these areas.

12. The watertight container as claimed in claim 11, wherein the stiffening means (176) includes two small rigid tubes obtained through a winding of a laminate sheet around corresponding areas of the gasket (174).

13. The watertight container as claimed in claim 10, including a surround gasket surrounding the rigid box (132) comprising a flexible, though inextendable, wire member (190), provided with a clamping buckle (192) having a lever and a coupling.

14. The watertight container as claimed in claim 10, wherein the snap coupling means for the box (232, 332) includes two portions (250, 252; 350, 352) hinged to each other, similar to a snuff-box, provided with reciprocal coupling means (256, 258; 356, 358) ensuring a sealing closure of the box (232, 332) and said sealing gasket between the two portions (250, 252; 350, 352) of the box.

15. The watertight container as claimed in claim 14, including two sealing gaskets between the two portions (250, 252; 350, 352) of the box.

16. The watertight container as claimed in claim 15, including reciprocal coupling means for assistance in sealingly closing the rigid box [includes] comprising two hook tangs (256, 356) overriding an edge (258, 358) of a half of the rigid box (232, 332).

17. The watertight container as claimed in claim 10, including an elastic clamping means.

18. The watertight container as claimed in claim 17, wherein the elastic clamping means includes an 0-ring gasket having an internal perimeter less than an external perimeter of a shell (32).