Watch presentation case

The invention relates to a case for receiving, in a fixed position, an article secured to a support (5). This case (1) includes a bottom part (3) forming the base and a top part (2) forming the cover. The bottom part (3) and top part (2) cooperate with each other to define a closed space in a closed position. The support (4) includes holding means (6) so that the article does not rest on the base, or against the cover.

This is a National Phase Application in the United States of International Patent Application PCT/EP2009/062644 filed Sep. 29, 2009, which claims priority on Swiss Patent Application No. 01597/08 of Oct. 6, 2008. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a case or a container for receiving, in a fixed position, an article secured to a support. This case includes a bottom part forming the base and a top part forming the cover. The bottom and top parts cooperate with each other to define a closed space when the case is in a closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presentation cases or containers for watches are known from the prior art. These cases take the form of a parallelepiped box, comprising a base and a cover, and generally containing a support. The support is generally placed in the bottom of the case and is used for holding the article, in a fixed position when the article is placed in the case.

For watch models within the upper market range, the inside of the case is leather or alcantara. The support then takes the form of a cushion covered in the same material as that covering the case therefore watch, onto which the watch is attached. For watch belonging to the lower market range models, the support takes the form of a foam or plastic part. In the latter case, the support is then in the shape of an arch that rests or is fixed on the bottom of the case.

However, the position of the article, such as a watch, on the support raises some problems. In fact, the watch is placed on the support as if it were attached to a wrist. Thus, when the support is placed in the case, the support-watch assembly generally rests on the watch wristband or bracelet. The fact that the support-watch assembly is pressing on the bracelet may then damage the bracelet.

Moreover, the support is generally sized so that it is not free to move once placed in the case. This is generally achieved by making the width of the support the same size as the inner width of the case. This blocks the support in the case making it incapable of any movement and resistant to any shocks that the case might undergo. This arrangement consequently provides better protection for the article secured to the support.

However, although this arrangement protects the article from any shocks experienced by the case, the positioning of the support on the bottom of the case makes it more difficult to take hold of the watch. It is thus usual for the support to be inserted or removed from the case by gripping the article secured to the support, with the risk that this will damage or spoil the article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a case wherein the article that has to be placed therein can be inserted in and removed from the case in a simple manner while, still being protected from shocks.

The invention therefore concerns the aforecited case, characterized in that the support includes holding means, which are arranged so that the article is not resting on the bottom, or against the cover.

One advantage of this case is therefore that it makes it easier to place the article in the case. Indeed, the support to which the article is secured is not in the bottom of the case. This allows the user of the case to secure the article to the support and put the support in the case or remove it therefrom very easily.

This also means that the case and the support can be secured to each other, thus preventing the support from moving under the effect of shocks. The article secured to the support is then protected from external shocks.

Thus, in accordance with a first non-limiting, illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a case is provided for receiving, in a fixed position, an article secured to a support (5), wherein the case (1) includes a bottom part (3) forming the base and a top part (2) forming the cover, wherein the bottom (3) and top (2) parts cooperate with each other to define a closed space in a closed position, and the case (1) is characterized in that the support (5) includes holding means (6) so that the article does not rest on the base, nor against the cover.

Advantageous embodiments of this case form the subject of the following additional non-limiting illustrative embodiments. In accordance with a second non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first non-limiting embodiment is modified so that in the closed position of the case (1), there are at least two gaps (4) between the base (3) and the cover (2) of the case, and the support (5) rests in the gaps (4) via the holding means (6). In accordance with a third non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the second non-limiting embodiment is further modified so that the holding means (6) are formed by at least two shoulders (6). In accordance with a fourth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first, second and third non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that it is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material. In accordance with a fifth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, third and fourth non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the support (5) includes ribs (7) limiting the transverse movements of the support. In accordance with a sixth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the fifth non-limiting embodiment is further modified so that the ribs (7) of the support (5) are extended by side edges (10). In accordance with a seventh non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the sixth non-limiting embodiment is further modified so that the edges (10) of the support (5) include at least one pattern in relief. In accordance with an eighth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the seventh non-limiting embodiment is further modified so that it includes at least one pattern in relief arranged for cooperating with the pattern of the support (5) to achieve an effect of depth.

In accordance with a ninth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the support (5) is C-shaped. In accordance with a tenth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the ninth non-limiting embodiment is further modified so that the ends of the C-shaped support (5) are at least partially flexible. In accordance with an eleventh non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the bottom (3) and top (2) parts are hinged to each other. In accordance with a twelfth non-limiting illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh non-limiting embodiments are further modified so that the bottom (3) and top (2) parts include locking means (9) for locking the case (1) in a closed position.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the case is made of a transparent material allowing the article to be seen from outside the case. The transparency of the case also means that the support can be associated with the case to achieve advantageous visual effects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A presentation case for a watch will be used as an example in the following description. However, this example will be used by way of non-limiting example, as the presentation case could be used for bracelets, earrings, rings or other articles.

FIGS. 1 and 2show the presentation case according to the present invention. This presentation case takes the form of a case or box1. Case1is formed of two parts: a bottom part3forming the base and a top part2forming the cover. These two parts2,3cooperate with each other to form a closed space when the case is in the closed position. As shown inFIG. 1, the two parts2,3are connected to each other by means of a hinge so that case1can be opened by tipping back top part2with respect to bottom part3. Of course, it would be possible for the two top and bottom parts2,3to be unconnected to each other, with one simply fitted on top of the other. It will be clear that, a front view of case1means looking at it along the longitudinal axis, whereas a profile view of case1means looking at the case along the transverse axis.

Moreover, the case shown inFIG. 1includes locking means9for locking the case in the closed position. These locking means9may be snap fit means or any other known means. Of course, it is clear that it is possible to omit these locking means.

A support5is housed inside case1, as seen inFIG. 2. This support5is used for securing the watch that one wishes to place in the presentation case. In order to make it easier to place the support-watch assembly in case1, the present invention proposes that the support-watch assembly is carried by the edges of case1, so that the article is not resting on the bottom, nor against the cover of case1.

First of all, case1is made such that a gap4appears between bottom part3and top part2on either side of case1when top part2is closed onto bottom part3. This gap4is rectilinear in the example shown, but other shapes could be envisaged. The gaps are preferably located on two opposite sides of case1. Case1could also include more than one gap4per side, with the gaps then taking the shape of slits. Of course, it would be possible for gaps to be in different planes, with top part2and bottom part3then being made accordingly.

Secondly, support5, shown inFIGS. 3 to 5, is altered so that it can rest on edges11of case1. More specifically, support5is altered so as to rest on gaps4. In order to do this, the support has holding means6. These holding means take the form of shoulders. Shoulders6project over the sides of support5. This arrangement allows shoulders6to rest on edges11of the case at gaps4. Once case1is in its closed position, the shoulders6then limit the movements of support5. The dimensions of shoulders are at least equal to those of gap4. Preferably, shoulders6have the same dimensions as gaps4so that support5is held as well as possible in gaps4. In the variant in which case1has gaps in the form of slots4, support5is then fitted with a number of shoulders6equal to the number of slots4.

In a preferred embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 5, case1includes two gaps4and they are not rectilinear. Indeed, as seen inFIGS. 1 to 5, top part3is arranged to offer additional means for holding support5. These additional holding means are at the joint between bottom part3and top part2. The holding means for support5thus consist of a projecting portion8made on two opposite sides of case1and which takes the form of a profile formed of two portions in the arc of a circle connected to each other by a rectilinear portion. These projecting parts8cooperate with support5at shoulders6. In order to do this, shoulders6are made in a complementary shape to projecting parts8so that shoulders6can abut perfectly on the projecting parts8. This provides a longitudinal support for support5. Top part2is of course indented so that bottom part3and top part2can cooperate with each other to close the case1when support5is placed therein. In order to do this, top part2is made so that each opposite side has an indentation of complementary shape to projecting parts8of bottom part3. The dimensions of these indentations are then adapted to form the gaps4.

In a variant of this embodiment, support5is provided with transverse holding means7for holding support5both longitudinally and laterally. In order to do this, a rib7is placed on each side of support5at shoulders6so that the distance Lm between these ribs7is at most equal to the distance between the walls of case1. Thereafter, support5cannot move transversally.

In another variant of this embodiment, ribs7extend to act as a side edge10for the support5as seen inFIGS. 3,4and5. These side edges10then also act as guide means. Indeed, side edges10are separated by a distance equal at most to the inner width of the case. Thus, when the ribs are extended to act as edges, this facilitates the guiding of support5, since edges10will be inserted into case1first, thus ensuring that support5is positioned properly.

Bottom part3and top part2could also be made of transparent material. This transparency would enable the user to see the product inside case1without opening the case. This transparent appearance could be used for aesthetic purposes. Indeed, one of the uses of this transparent appearance is a three-dimensional display. For example, edges10of support5are used and associated with this transparent appearance to achieve this effect. In order to do this, edges11of the case and edges10of the support are etched in the same pattern so that, when the support is positioned in case1, the patterns are superposed. Superposing the transparent etch on case1with the etch on support5gives an effect of depth that improves the aesthetic appearance of case1.

One variant of the invention concerns making support5more practical to use. Support5is thus given a C shape with a slight flattening at the centre of the curve. This shape is very practical when used with a watch, since the watchcase can be placed on the flattened portion, while the ends allow the bracelet to adopt a curved profile almost identical to that of a wrist.

According to another possible variant of the support, the ends of support5are flexible. This flexibility means that the watch bracelet is subjected to less stress when the watch is secured to the support.

Thus, in view of the above description, the invention relates broadly to a case for receiving, in a fixed position, an article secured to a support (5). This case (1) includes a bottom part (3) forming the base and a top part (2) forming the cover. The bottom part (3) and top part (2) cooperate with each other to define a closed space in a closed position. The support (4) includes holding means (6) so that the article does not rest on the base, or against the cover. Of course, the case (1) may be a watch presentation case and the article secured in the case may be a watch. It will be clear, however, that various alterations and/or improvements and/or combinations that are evident to those skilled in the art may be made to the various embodiments of the invention explained above, without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the annexed claims.

Indeed, it is clear that support5could take the shape of a tray on which jewelry is placed. Support5could also be trapezoidal so that the watchcase rests on the tip of the trapeze.