Container

Abstract

A container comprises first and second parts that are hinged with respect to each other about a pivot axis such that they may be rotated between open and closed configurations of the container. The first and second parts include respective first and second mutually engageable features arranged on or adjacent to the pivot axis such that when the container is in its closed configuration the first and second parts are substantially prevented from being prised apart along the pivot axis. The container may be for securely housing goods for display in a retail store.

Description

This invention relates to a container and, more particularly, a container for securely housing goods for display in a retail outlet. Such containers are often referred to in the trade as “safers”.

Containers used as safers have been used to house goods such as compact disks (CDs) and digital versatile disks (DVDs). Such containers typically comprise a tough plastic box, e.g. formed of polycarbonate, with a base part and lid part that are hinged along one edge and secured together by a locking mechanism at the opposite edge. Various locking mechanisms are used.

Safers and other containers are frequently attacked by thieves who attempt to open them in order to remove the goods, or other contents, of the containers. Thieves will attack any part of the container that they believe may allow them entry, including the hinge part. The present invention seeks to provide a container having a hinge that is able to withstand such an attack, but which is of a simple construction that does not affect its normal operation.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a container comprising first and second parts that are hinged with respect to each other about a pivot axis such that they may be rotated between open and closed configurations of the container, the first and second parts including respective first and second mutually engageable features arranged on or adjacent to the pivot axis such that when the container is in its closed configuration the first and second parts are substantially prevented from being prised apart along the pivot axis.

A second aspect of the invention provides a container comprising first and second parts that are hinged with respect to each other about a pivot axis such that they may be rotated between an open configuration in which corresponding regions of the parts are separated, and a closed configuration in which the corresponding regions of the parts are in contact with each other, the first and second parts including respective first and second mutually engageable features situated on an opposite side of the pivot axis to the corresponding regions, such that on rotating from the open to the closed configuration the first and second features are thereby rotated into engagement with each other.

A third aspect of the invention provides a container comprising first and second parts that are hinged with respect to each other such that they may be rotated between open and closed configurations of the container, the first and second parts including respective first and second mutually engageable features arranged such that on rotating from the open to the closed configuration at least a portion of the second part rotates around the first engageable feature and the first and second features are thereby rotated into engagement with each other.

Any component of any aspect of the invention may be a component of any other aspect of the invention.

Preferably, one or both of the first and second mutually engageable features extend(s) along substantially the entire length of the pivot axis of the container. Additionally or alternatively, one or both of the first and second mutually engageable features may be provided at one or more locations along the length of the pivot axis of the container.

One or both of the first and second mutually engageable features preferably comprise(s) a ledge or shoulder.

Advantageously, when the container is in its closed configuration, the first and second mutually engageable features are interlocked with each other.

Most preferably, when the container is in its closed configuration, the second engageable feature substantially overlaps the first engageable feature.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the container includes a locking arrangement by which the container may be locked in its closed configuration. The locking arrangement preferably locks the container on a side of the container opposite to that of the hinge.

Other preferred and optional features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the subsidiary claims of the specification.

Embodiments of the invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 (views (a) and (b)) are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the functioning of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a container 1 comprising a first part 3 in the form of a rectangular base, and a second part 5 in the form of a corresponding rectangular lid. The two parts 3 and 5 are hinged with respect to each other, by means of a hinge 7, about a pivot axis 9 such that the parts 3 and 5 may be rotated between open and closed configurations of the container. In FIG. 1, the container is shown in an open configuration, and comprises a shallow rectangular box. However, substantially any container shape may be used. The container 1 is suitable for holding a CD box or a DVD box for example, and comprises a “safer”, as described above.

The first 3 and second 5 parts of the container are hinged with respect to each other along one side of the container 1. Along the opposite side of the container is a novel locking arrangement 11 by which the container may be secured in its closed configuration. The locking arrangement 11 comprises a holding bar 13 and a security device 15 for securing the holding bar in a holding configuration when the container is closed. When the container is locked closed, the holding bar 13 is arranged to be located inside the lid part 5, and the security device 15 is arranged to be located on the exterior of the lid part 5 such that it extends partially into the interior of the container under the holding bar and in a recess 17 of the lid part. However, alternative forms of locking arrangement may be used. The locking arrangement may be conventional, and merely needs to perform the functions of securing the container in its closed configuration, and of enabling the container to be opened when a key or other authorised release apparatus is used.

The hinge 7 of the container 1 comprises a simple pivoting joint whereby pivot pins (not shown) carried by respective flanges 19 at opposite ends of the pivot axis 9 of the lid part 5 are located in corresponding respective pivot holes (sockets) 21 (see FIG. 2) located at opposite ends of the pivot axis 9 of the base part 3. This aspect of the hinge is entirely conventional. Not conventional however, are the first 23 and second 25 mutually engageable features shown schematically in FIG. 2. (The first engageable feature 23 is also shown in FIG. 1, but it is most clearly illustrated in FIG. 2.)

The first feature 23 comprises part of the first (base) part 3 of the container, and the second feature 25 comprises part of the second (lid) part 5. Both features are arranged adjacent to their respective hinge portions when viewed along the pivot axis 9; thus, the first feature 23 is adjacent to the pivot holes 21, and the second feature 25 is adjacent to the pivot pins (not shown, but arranged to extend into the respective pivot holes 21). Both features consequently are situated adjacent to the pivot axis 9.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), when the container 1 is closed (i.e. the first and second parts are in their closed configuration) the first and second mutually engageable features 23, 25 are engaged with each other, whereas when the container is open (i.e. the first and second parts are in an open configuration) as shown in FIG. 2(b), the first and second features are spaced apart from each other. As may be understand from a consideration of both views of FIG. 2, the first and second features 23, 25 arranged such that on rotating from the open (view (b)) to the closed (view (a)) configuration at least a portion 27 of the second part 5 rotates around the first feature 23, and the first and second features are thereby rotated into engagement with each other.

When the container 1 is in an open configuration (as shown in FIG. 2(b)), corresponding regions 29 and 31 of the first and second parts are separated from each other, and when the container is in its closed configuration (as shown in FIG. 2(a)) the corresponding regions are in contact with each other. The first feature 23 may be regarded as being on the opposite side of the pivot axis 9 to that of the region 29, and the second feature 25 may be regarded as being on the opposite side of the pivot axis 9 to that of the region 31. Consequently, as the two regions 29 and 31 are rotated towards each other as the container is closed, the first and second features 23 and 25 are also rotated towards each other, but on the opposite side of the pivot axis 9 to the regions 29 and 31. (This arrangement is akin to the relationship between the handles and the blades of a pair of scissors, for example, where the handles are on the opposite side of the pivot axis to the blades.)

When the container 1 is closed, the first and second features 23, 25 are mutually engaged such that the first and second parts 3, 5 are substantially prevented from being prised apart along the pivot axis 9. That is, effective continued rotation of the second part 5 relative to the first part 3 in the direction of arrow A in the region of the hinge 7, in order to separate the first and second parts in the hinge region, is substantially prevented by the first and second features.

Preferably, the first and second mutually engageable features each extend along substantially the entire length of the pivot axis 9 (i.e. along substantially the entire length of the side of the container 1 along which the pivot axis extends). This provides excellent security to the container 1 along substantially the entire length of the hinge 7, to prevent (or at least significantly deter) a thief or vandal from prising apart the first and second parts of the container along the hinge region. Alternatively, however, the mutually engageable features may be provided at one or more locations along the length of the pivot axis 9.

Whilst the container has been described in relation to housing a CD or DVD box, it will be appreciated that a wide variety of other goods may be housed therein, the container either being the primary container for the goods or a secondary container, i.e. a safer for deterring theft of a primary container housed therein. As is well known in the field, the container may be provided with a security tag which triggers an alarm if removed from the retail outlet.

Claims

1. A container comprising first and second parts that are hinged with respect to each other about a pivot axis such that they may be rotated between open and closed configurations of the container, the first and second parts including respective first and second mutually engageable features arranged on or adjacent to the pivot axis such that when the container is in its closed configuration the first and second parts are substantially prevented from being prised apart along the pivot axis.

2. A container comprising first and second parts that are hinged with respect to each other about a pivot axis such that they may be rotated between an open configuration in which corresponding regions of the parts are separated, and a closed configuration in which the corresponding regions of the parts are in contact with each other, the first and second parts including respective first and second mutually engageable features situated on an opposite side of the pivot axis to the corresponding regions, such that on rotating from the open to the closed configuration the first and second features are thereby rotated into engagement with each other.

3. A container comprising first and second parts that are hinged with respect to each other such that they may be rotated between open and closed configurations of the container, the first and second parts including respective first and second mutually engageable features arranged such that on rotating from the open to the closed configuration at least a portion of the second part rotates around the first engageable feature and the first and second features are thereby rotated into engagement with each other.

4. A container according to claim 1 or claim 3, in which, when the container is in the open configuration corresponding regions of the parts are separated, and when the container is in the closed configuration the corresponding regions of the parts are in contact with each other, the respective first and second mutually engageable features being situated on an opposite side of the pivot axis to the corresponding regions, such that on rotating from the open to the closed configuration the first and second features are thereby rotated into engagement with each other.

5. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the first and second mutually engageable features are arranged such that on rotating from the open to the closed configuration at least a portion of the second part rotates around the first engageable feature.

6. A container according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 5, in which, on rotating from the open to the closed configuration of the container the first and second features are rotated into engagement with each other.

7. A container according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which, when the container is in its closed configuration the first and second parts are substantially prevented from being prised apart along the pivot axis by the mutual engagement of the first and second features.

8. A container according to any preceding claim, in which one or both of the first and second mutually engageable features extend(s) along substantially the entire length of the pivot axis of the container.

9. A container according to any preceding claim, in which one or both of the first and second mutually engageable features are provided at one or more locations along the length of the pivot axis of the container.

10. A container according to any preceding claim, in which one or both of the first and second mutually engageable features comprise(s) a ledge or shoulder.

11. A container according to any preceding claim, in which, when the container is in its closed configuration, the first and second mutually engageable features are interlocked with each other.

12. A container according to any preceding claim, in which, when the container is in its closed configuration, the second engageable feature substantially overlaps the first engageable feature.

13. A container according to any preceding claim, including a locking arrangement by which the container may be locked in its closed configuration.

14. A container according to claim 13, in which the locking arrangement locks the container on a side of the container opposite to that of the hinge.

15. A container according to any preceding claim which is a generally flat container suitable for holding a CD or DVD box.

16. A container according to any preceding claim, which comprises a container for securely housing goods for display in a retail store.

17. A container according to claim 16, provided with a security tag which triggers an alarm if removed from the retail store.

18. A container substantially as herein before described with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, the accompanying FIGS. 1 and/or 2.