JEWELLERY BOX

Abstract

A jewellery box for storing a piece of jewellery formed of two box halves positioned against one another with their open sides and which are connected to one another by means of a hinge at one of their connecting edges is presented. A presentation plate is provided in the space inside the box on whose top side the piece of jewellery can be placed, and which is made in such a way that the piece of jewellery on the presentation plate, when the jewellery box is opened around the above-mentioned hinge, automatically comes out so as to present the piece of jewellery.

Description

PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. Application claiming priority over PCT/BE2008/000056, filed Jul. 24, 2008; which claims priority to Belgium Application No. 2007/0365, filed Jul. 26, 2007, which both are incorporated herein in their entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH STATEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention concerns a jewellery box.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In particular, the invention is designed for storing pieces of jewellery and for presenting these pieces of jewellery in a stylish manner when opening the jewellery box.

Jewellery boxes formed of a box half which is joined to a lid by means of a hinge are already known.

The invention aims a jewellery box which makes it possible to present a piece of jewellery in a particularly original way.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To this end, the invention concerns a jewellery box for storing a piece of jewellery formed of two box halves positioned against one another with their open sides and which are connected to one another by means of a hinge at one of their connecting edges, whereby a presentation plate is provided in the space inside the box on whose top side the piece of jewellery can be placed, and which is made in such a way that the piece of jewellery on the presentation plate, when the jewellery box is opened around the above-mentioned hinge, automatically comes out so as to present the piece of jewellery.

As the piece of jewellery automatically comes out, this has a surprise effect for the user.

Another advantage is that the jewellery box can be presented in several open positions, whereby the piece of jewellery can be presented so to say in different ways on the presentation plate, for example with the jewellery box half or entirely open.

Another advantage is that the jewellery box according to the present invention has a simple construction and is very easy to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiment of a jewellery box according to the invention is described as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents a jewellery box according to the invention when closed, seen in perspective;

FIG. 2 represents a section according to line II-II in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 represent a section as in FIG. 2, but for the successive opening steps up to the completely open position of FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 represents a section analogous to that in FIG. 6, but for another embodiment of the jewellery box according to the invention;

FIG. 8 represents a view according to arrow F8 in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically represent the jewellery box 1 when closed. The jewellery box 1 consists of two box halves 2 made of a rigid material enclosing a space 3 in which the piece of jewellery 4 is being held and whereby the open sides 5 of both box halves 2 are positioned against each other. On one of their connecting edges 6, the box halves 2 are connected by means of a hinged joint 7.

The hinged joint 7 connecting both box halves 2 is made for example of a foil material such as cardboard, leather, plastic or the like, and it is formed in this case of the outer coating 8 of the jewellery box 1.

Inside the space 3 is provided a presentation plate 9 on which the piece of jewellery 4 to be presented can be placed, and which is hinge-mounted on to the jewellery box 1 and which turns around an axis running parallel to the hinge 7 of the jewellery box 1.

The presentation plate 9 has a top side 10 which is provided with means 11 to maintain the piece of jewellery 4 in a desired position and a bottom side 12 which is directed towards the walls 13 of the box halves 2 which are connected by means of the hinge 7.

The presentation plate 9 is hinge-mounted with each of the hinge-mounted walls 13 of both box halves 2 on its bottom side 12.

Said hinges 14 are situated at the same distance from the hinge 7 of the jewellery box 1 and they are made of a flexible material.

In the given example, they are formed of a flexible strip 15, for example made of cardboard, plastic film or the like, with two parallel folding lines 16 along which the strip in three parts (17, 18, 19) can be folded double, and which runs in a direction parallel to the hinge 7 of the jewellery box 1. This strip 15 is connected to one of the above-mentioned box halves 2 with one free edge 19 and to the bottom side 12 of the presentation plate 9 with its other free edge 17.

The top side 10 and the bottom side 12 of the presentation plate 9 have a rectangular shape. This rectangular shape is characterised by a length and a width, whereby the length is measured in the direction of the hinge 7 of the jewellery box 1 and the width is measured in a direction perpendicular to the hinge 7 of the jewellery box 1.

The width of the bottom side 12 of the presentation surface 9 is in this case larger than the width of the top side 10.

This shape can be realised by conically bevelling the presentation plate 9 on both side edges 20 running parallel to the direction of the hinge 7.

Further, the bottom side 12 of the presentation plate 9 is optionally connected to the box halves 2 on both sides of the hinge by means of a loose connection 21 which is formed for example of a ribbon 22 or a string or a piece of fabric extending in the longitudinal direction.

In the walls 23 of each box half 2 are located magnets 24, in particular at the edges 25, which touch when the jewellery box 1 is closed, and magnets 26 which are located in the hinge-mounted walls 13.

Further, magnets 27 can also be provided in the presentation plate 9.

The working of the jewellery box 1 is very simple and as follows, and it is illustrated by means of FIGS. 3 to 6.

In the closed position, as represented in FIGS. 1 and 2, the jewellery box 1 is kept closed thanks to the interaction between the magnets 24 in the edges 25 of the jewellery box 1.

In order to open the jewellery box 1 as of this closed position, one only has to interrupt the magnetic attraction and to turn the two box halves 2 in relation to each other along the hinge 7.

As the jewellery box 1 is gradually turned further open, according to the successive positions of FIGS. 3 to 6, the presentation plate 9 will hinge on both hinges 14 made of a flexible material, whereby, thanks to the symmetrical configuration of the whole, the presentation plate 9 moves in a hinging manner so to say in relation to an axis running parallel to the hinge of the jewellery box 1, thereby maintaining a position which extends in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane of symmetry of the jewellery box 1.

In this way, as the jewellery box 1 is opened, the presentation plate 9 will automatically come out into a position whereby the presentation plate 9 rests on the edges 28 of the jewellery box 1 that are connected to the hinge, thus bringing out the piece of jewellery 4 on the presentation plate 9.

When the box is opened, the ribbons 22 on the bottom side 12 of the presentation plate 9 will be tightened, which improves the stability of the presentation plate 9.

When the jewellery box 1 is almost entirely open, the magnetic attraction between the magnets 26 in the hinge-mounted walls 13 of the box halves 2 will make sure that both walls 13 are drawn towards each other and that the jewellery box 1 is opened as far as possible and is maintained in this position by the magnets 26.

In this entirely open position, the presentation plate 9 at least partly reaches the open side of both box halves 2.

It is clear that, in order to present the piece of jewellery 4, the jewellery box 1 must not be entirely opened into the position of FIG. 6, but that it is not excluded to present the piece of jewellery 4 in a partly open position of the jewellery box 1, for example in the intermediate position as represented in FIG. 4, whereby in this case also the piece of jewellery 4 is presented in a stylish manner.

If required, the opening angle A at which the jewellery box 1 is opened can be restricted, for example by making the loose connections 21 shorter than in the given example, whereby if the maximal opening corresponded for example to the situation of FIG. 3, one would have to make sure to tighten the loose connections 21 in this situation.

It is clear that instead of the magnets (24,26), also other means such as locks or the like can be used to maintain the jewellery box 1 in the entirely closed or entirely open position respectively.

Preferably, leather is used for the outer coating 8, and the inside 29 of the jewellery box 1 and the presentation plate 9 is coated with velvet or another suitable material.

Although, in the figures, the hinge 7 of both box halves 2 is formed of the outer coating 8, it is not excluded to apply other types of hinges.

In another embodiment of this jewellery box 1, the flexible strip 15 connecting the bottom side 12 of the presentation plate 9 to each box half 2 can be provided with only one folding line 16.

In an alternative embodiment of this jewellery box 1, the folding line(s) 16 in the flexible strip 15 can be replaced by (a) crease(s) or perforated score(s).

FIGS. 7 and 8 represent an alternative embodiment of a jewellery box 1 that is entirely open.

In this embodiment, the presentation plate 9 is provided with a central groove 30 on its bottom side 12 running over the entire length of the bottom side 12.

This groove 30 may have standing walls 31 or a conical shape, whereby the width of the groove 30 becomes smaller as a function of the depth. The width of the base 32 of this groove 30 is such that, in the entirely open position, the presentation plate 9 meshes over the hinging edges 28 of the box halves 2 with its groove 30, as represented in FIG. 7.

In this way, the presentation plate 9 will be situated somewhat deeper than the non-hinged edges 25 of the box halves 2 in the open position of the jewellery box 1.

In this embodiment, no connection is provided between the presentation plate 9 and the connecting walls 13 of the box halves.

Further, the non-hinged edges of each box half 2 are provided with an inwardly directed collar 33 extending up to or practically up to the edges 20 of the presentation plate 9, in such a way that the opening 5 between the walls 23 of the jewellery box 1 and the presentation plate 9 is completely covered when the jewellery box 1 is entirely open.

The distance between the two opposite collars 33 that are parallel to the hinge 7 is smaller than the width of the bottom side 12 of the presentation plate 9.

The length of the bottom side 12 of the presentation plate 9, measured in the direction of the hinge 7 of the jewellery box 1, is equal to or smaller than the distance between the opposite collars 33 situated perpendicular to the direction of the hinge 7 of the jewellery box 1.

The presentation plate 9 keeps lying stable in this position as the presentation plate 9 is clasped under the collars 33 at its conical edges 20 along the non-hinged edges 25 and on top of the hinge-mounted edges 28.

In this embodiment, the means 11 for keeping the piece of jewellery 4 in the required position are formed of a clip under which the piece of jewellery 4 is clasped.

The present invention is by no means restricted to the embodiments described by way of example and represented in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a jewellery box according to the invention can be made in all sorts of shapes and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1-19. (canceled)

20. A jewellery box (1) for storing a piece of jewellery (4) comprising two box halves (2) each half having an open side (5) and at least one connecting edge (6), the halves (2) positioned against one another at their open sides (5) and connected to one another by means of a hinge (7) at one of their connecting edges (6), wherein a presentation plate (9) is provided in the space inside the box (3) on whose top side (10) the piece of jewellery (4) can be placed, and which is made in such a way that the piece of jewellery (4) on the presentation plate (9), when the jewellery box (1) is opened around the above-mentioned hinge (7), automatically comes out so as to present the piece of jewellery (4).

21. The jewellery box (1) of claim 20, wherein the hinge (7) is made of a foil material comprising cardboard, leather, plastic or the like, and wherein the hinge (7) is formed by an outer coating (8) of the jewellery box (1).

22. The jewellery box (1) of claim 20, wherein the presentation plate (9) is hinge-mounted on the jewellery box (1) around an axis running parallel to the hinge (7) of the jewellery box (1).

23. The jewellery box (1) of claim 20, wherein the presentation plate (9) is provided with a groove (30) on a bottom side (12) with which the presentation plate (9) meshes over one or more edges (28) that are directed towards each other when the jewellery box (1) is opened.

24. The jewellery box (1) of claim 23, wherein the presentation plate (9) is hinge-mounted to one or more hinge-mounted walls (13) of the box halves (2) on the bottom side (12) by a plurality of hinges.

25. The jewellery box (1) of claim 24, wherein the presentation plate (9) is hinge-mounted to each of the box halves (2) by two hinges (14) made of a flexible material.

26. The jewellery box (1) of claim 25, wherein the two hinges (14) are situated at the same distance from the hinge (7) of the jewellery box (1).

27. The jewellery box (1) of claim 25, wherein the two hinges (14) are made of a flexible strip (15) which is provided with at least one folding line (16) extending in the longitudinal direction along which the strip (15) can hinge and whereby this strip (15) is connected to one of the above-mentioned box halves (2) at a longitudinal free edge (19, 17) on the one hand, and to the presentation plate (9) on the other hand.

28. The jewellery box (1) of claim 27, wherein the two hinges (14) are made of a flexible strip (15) which is provided with at least two parallel folding lines (16) extending in the longitudinal direction along which the strip (15) can hinge and whereby this strip is connected to one of the above-mentioned box halves (2) at a longitudinal free edge (19, 17) on the one hand, and to the presentation plate (9) on the other hand.

29. The jewellery box (1) of claim 24, wherein the hinges (14) with which the presentation plate (9) is connected to the jewellery box (1) are made in such a way and are dimensioned in such a way that, when the jewellery box (1) is entirely or practically entirely open, the presentation plate (9) rests on one or more hinge-mounted edges (28).

30. The jewellery box (1) of claim 20, wherein the presentation plate (9) at least partly covers the open side (5) of the box halves (2) when the jewellery box (1) is entirely open.

31. The jewellery box (1) of claim 23, wherein each of the box halves (2) are provided with an inwardly directed collar (33) along one or more non-hinged edges (25).

32. The jewellery box (1) of claim 31, wherein the width of the collar (33) is such that the collar (33) covers the opening between the presentation plate (9) and one or more walls (23) of the box halves (2) when the jewellery box (1) is open or practically entirely open.

33. The jewellery box (1) according to claim 31, wherein the width of the bottom side (12) of the presentation plate (9), measured at right angles to the direction of the hinge (7) of the jewellery box (1), is larger than the distance between the opposite collars (33) extending parallel to the hinge (7) of the jewellery box (1).

34. The jewellery box (1) of claim 33, wherein the presentation plate (9) is conically bevelled along one or more side edges (20) that are parallel to the hinge (7) of the jewellery box (1) and in that the width of the bottom side (12) of the presentation plate (9) is larger than the top side (10).

35. The jewellery box (1) of claim 31, wherein the length of the bottom side (12) of the presentation plate (9), measured in the direction of the hinge (7) of the jewellery box (1), is equal to or somewhat smaller than the distance between the opposite collars (33) extending perpendicular to the direction of the hinge (7) of the jewellery box (1).

36. The jewellery box (1) of claim 20, wherein the presentation plate (9) is connected to a box half (2) on either side of the hinge (7) by means of a loose connection (21)

37. The jewellery box (1) of claim 36, wherein the loose connection (21) comprises a ribbon (22) or the like.

38. The jewellery box (1) of claim 29, wherein the jewellery box (1) comprises co-operating magnets (24, 26) in each of the box halves (2) at the edges (28) of the box halves (2) and/or at the walls (13) of the box halves (2) that are hinge-mounted to one another.

39. The jewellery box (1) of claim 20, having a plane of symmetry running through the hinge (7).