WATERPROOF CASE IN PARTICULAR TO SEA WATER OPENING BY MERE PRESSURE ON TWO OPPOSITE POINTS

Abstract

The invention concerns a waterproof case, in particular to sea water, opening by mere pressure on two opposite points, consisting of a flattened wallet (1) preferably made in one single piece of synthetic material and comprising on the inner face of the opening edges (5, 6) at least a compressible bonded or sealed joint (7) pressed against the second joint (8) or the opposite edge so as to make it absolutely waterproof when no pressure is exerted, the walls of the device being arranged such that pressure on the side ends of these edges causes them to move apart thus providing access inside the device. The invention is useful for the protection of various objects, such as coins, bank notes, keys, identity papers again water, perspiration, sand, dust and the like.

Description

[0001] The object of the present invention is a waterproof case, in particular to sea water, opening by mere pressure on two opposite points.

[0002] It has the object of protecting various objects, such as coins, bank notes, keys, identity papers against water, perspiration, sand, dust, and the like.

[0003] It is adapted in particular for swimmers and allows them to keep their objects of value on them while they engage in nautical activities, such as swimming, diving, windsurfing, or others.

[0004] A certain number of devices adapted to protect objects against sea water currently exist. In particular, belts comprising one or a plurality of waterproof compartments are known, but they are relatively expensive and cumbersome systems, use of which can become generalized only with difficulty.

[0005] French Patents No. 2 513 864 and 2 517 183, filed by the Applicant, refer to a flattened flexible waterproof case comprising on one of its faces a cutout into which a rigid cover fits due to a groove arranged either on periphery of this cutout, or on the periphery of the cover.

[0006] The necessity of having to insert the cover into the groove of the case, or the edges of the cutout into that of the cover makes the operations of opening and closing difficult, and the cover may be lost.

[0007] Moreover, since this type of device is adapted especially for use on the beach, there is a risk of grains of sand becoming lodged in the grooves, compromising the waterproofness of the unit.

[0008] The object of the device according to present invention is to overcome this situation by enabling the realization of an absolutely waterproof case with a relatively low manufacturing cost which may be placed in the pocket, hung around the neck, or attached to any clothing base, to enable the user not to be separated from his money or papers while swimming.

[0009] It is constituted of a flattened wallet made preferably in one single piece of synthetic material, and comprising on the inner face of the opening edges at least one compressible bonded or sealed joint pressed against the second joint or against the opposite edge so as to make the wallet absolutely waterproof when no pressure is exerted on it, the walls of the device being arranged such that pressure on the side ends of these edges causes them to move apart permitting access inside the device.

[0010] In the attached drawings, provided by way of nonrestrictive examples of embodiments of the object of the invention:

[0011] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict the open and closed case respectively in axonometric projection,

[0012] FIG. 3 is a vertical transverse cross-section along the arrows A-A′ of FIG. 2,

[0013] FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged cross-section depicting a case comprising longitudinally grooved waterproof joints,

[0014] FIG. 5 depicts, under the same conditions, a case equipped with steel strips adapted to increase the closing pressure,

[0015] FIG. 6 depicts a partial enlarged cross-section showing a case comprising waterproof joints according to a geometry adapted to produce a sucking effect between the two opening edges,

[0016] and FIG. 7 depicts a partial enlarged cross-section showing a case comprising a locking system adapted to interlock the two opening edges.

[0017] The device, FIGS. 1 through 7, is constituted of a case 1 forming a flattened wallet with a generally rectangular shape, closed on three sides 2, 3, 4 and of which the edges 5, 6 of the fourth side can be brought together to ensure a waterproof closing or moved apart to enable filling or emptying the wallet.

[0018] The case 1 is made of a semi-rigid or flexible material and arranged such that the edges 5, 6 press against each other when no force is exerted (FIG. 1), with pressure applied according to the arrows P-P′ on the side ends of these edges causing their deformation in a circular arch and sufficient spreading to enable access to the contents of the device (FIG. 2).

[0019] The latter is preferably made in one single piece in a sea water resistant material, such as a synthetic material injection molded or thermoformed by blowing, or produced by any other technique making it possible to obtain the same result.

[0020] At least one of the inner faces of the edges 5, 6 of the fourth side is covered by a compressible joint 7, 8 made, for example, of an elastomer foam, predetermined such that the case is absolutely waterproof at rest, when no pressure is exerted on the side ends of the edges.

[0021] The joint or joints 7, 8 can be affixed by gluing, or by heat sealing at the time of fabrication of the case 1. They can have a rectangular section or have a longitudinally grooved inner surface, which can improve the waterproofness of the system (FIG. 4).

[0022] In order to have sufficient rigidity to guarantee the waterproofness of the unit, the edges 5, 6 may advantageously have a greater thickness than that of the walls 9, 10 of the wallet 1.

[0023] According to a variant embodiment, the closing force is obtained due to steel strips 11, 12 incorporated into the walls 9, 10 of the case 1, for example, between these walls and the waterproof joints 7, 8. This arrangement enables using a flexible material for the fabrication of the wallet (FIG. 5).

[0024] A loop 13, through which a belt can pass in order to affix the case at the waist, may be provided on one of the outer faces of the device (FIG. 3). Similarly, the sides of the wallet may comprise eyelets 14 capable of accommodating a cord or a chain running around the neck or enabling hanging the case 1 (FIG. 1).

[0025] According to a variant embodiment, the force for maintaining the closing is obtained due to the use of a locking system 15, which serves to interlock the two opening edges of the wallet (FIG. 7).

[0026] Due to its simplicity, its ease-of-use, and its low cost, the device just described lends itself particularly well to achieving a wallet or a card-holder which may be used in all places and under all circumstances, and in particular on the beach.

[0027] The positioning of the various constituent elements gives the object of the invention a maximum of useful effects which have not been previously obtained by similar devices.

Claims

1. Waterproof case, in particular to sea water, opening by mere pressure on two opposite points, adapted in particular for swimmers and having the object of protecting various objects, such as coins, bank notes, keys, identity papers against water, perspiration, sand, dust, and the like, characterized by the combination of a case (1) comprising, on the inner face of at least one of the opening edges (5, 6), a compressible bonded or sealed joint (7, 8) which is pressed against the opposite edge or against the second joint so as to make said case absolutely waterproof when no pressure is exerted, the walls of the device being arranged such that pressure on the side ends of said edges causes them to move apart providing access inside the device.

2. Waterproof case according to

claim 1, characterized in that it is made in one single piece of a sea water resistant material.

3. Waterproof case according to either one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of a synthetic material injection molded or thermoformed by blowing.

4. Waterproof case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening edges (5, 6) have a thickness greater than that of the walls (9, 10) of said case.

5. Waterproof case according to any one of claims 1 through 3, characterized in that the closing force is obtained through steel strips (11, 12) incorporated between the walls (9, 10) of said case and the joints (7, 8).

6. Waterproof case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint or joints (7, 8) have a hollow geometry enabling the creation of a sucking effect.

7. Waterproof case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the joint or joints (7, 8) are made of an elastomer foam affixed by gluing or heat sealing.

8. Waterproof case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the outer faces of said case is provided with a loop (13) through which a belt may pass.

9. Waterproof case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that its sides comprise eyelets (14) capable of accommodating a cord or a chain which passes around the neck or enables hanging said case.

10. Waterproof case according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking system (15) enables interlocking the two opening edges.