Jewellery presentation box

Abstract

A presentation box for jewellery rings has symmetrical (mirror image) halves which are connected by a hinge and expose upon opening, a pivotable deck portion which holds a centrally located ring. In the fully open position, the pivotable deck portion mates with further deck portions to form a continuous planar surface having a distinctive shape such as a heart (shown).

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a presentation box and in particular to a box as used for the purposes of storing, displaying and presenting a small item of jewellery such as a ring, pendant or set of ear-rings. For the purposes of this description these boxes will be referred to as ring boxes.

BACKGROUND ART

For centuries and millennia, humans have treasured gems and jewellery and the objects have featured prominently in gift giving and expressions of love. Over the past century, rings and to a lesser extent ear-rings and necklace pendants, have been given as gifts on occasions such as engagements, Valentine's Day and celebrations of achievement. These jewellery pieces are universally presented to a recipient in a box that is predominantly square in plan profile with a base component and lid component hinged together along one side. The hinge is typically spring-loaded to provide a bias for closing and to remain open in a position near 90 degrees to the plane of the base half. The item of jewellery is captured in the lower half of the box.

Whilst such ring boxes achieve the requirement of protecting the item and preserving the orientation until opened, when open the lid is conspicuous and the overall appearance of the box is unappealing. Attempts have been made to make the boxes more appealing for example making the outline of the box a heart shape with a lid of similar shape. But they still suffer from having a prominent lid when open.

The object of this invention is to provide a ring box for which there is no lid and which presents and appealing form when open, for example a heart shape.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention is said to reside in a presentation box for an object comprising two symmetrical halves hinged along the axis of symmetry such that when the box is fully open the outline shape corresponds to a distinctive or geometric form with the object secured central to the axis of symmetry and proud of surrounding box.

The invention is further said to reside in a jewellery presentation box which comprises a pivot deck onto which a jewellery article may be secured, said deck extending across the width of the box and being captured by a hinged chamber that comprises two main-deck portions and sub-chambers that are symmetric about a hinge axis, the two deck portions being hingeable over an angle of 180 degrees such that in a first closed position the chambers envelope the pivot deck and a secured jewellery article, while in a second open position the pivot deck, main-deck portions and jewellery piece are exposed. The combined shape of the pivot deck and co-planar surface corresponds to a distinctive shape such as a heart, oval or diamond. The two chambers are urged into an open or closed position by magnets suitably located under the surfaces that come in contact in the open or closed positions.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The invention can be better understood with a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to accompanying figures for which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a heart shaped ring box in an open position

FIGS. 2a and 2b shows the box in a closed position, with FIG. 2c showing an enlargement in a plane across the main deck.

FIGS. 3a and 3b shows the box in an open position.

Referring to FIG. 1, it shows an exploded view of the components, a pivot deck 1 has a ring securing means 2 to hold a ring (not shown). Two chamber halves 3 and 4 have mating flat inner walls 5 which are contiguous with floors 6. An outer wall 7 defines the shape of the open box. Main decks 8 and 9 fill the area within the inner and outer walls which is not occupied by the pivot deck, such that in the open position a viewer is presented with co-planar pivot and main decks. The edges 10 of the pivot deck are bevelled to engage with a bevelled lip 11 on the main decks to prevent rotation of the pivot deck when the box is in the open position. The main decks are coupled to the chamber floors by means of a post 12 and sleeve 13 arrangement, though other fixing means can also be used.

In order that the two chambers can hinge about an axis that is in the plane of the upper surface of the decks, a flexible membrane is affixed to the decks. Alternatively, the main decks can be moulded from polypropylene and joined to their mirror half by integral hinges also known as live hinges.

Urging the two chambers into an open or closed position is achieved by strong magnets 14 secured inside the inner walls and by magnets 15 secured under the deck. Clearly the two pairs of magnets need to be suitably orientated to provide mutual attraction when in proximity of their partner.

A remaining feature of the assembly is a curved vane array 16 that serves to capture the pivot deck during an opening and closing operation in addition to preventing any small objects, such as a dislodged ring or loose gem from entering the chamber volume. Internal walls complete the isolation of the internal chamber volume from the outside.

For all the components thus far described, they may be effectively made using conventional plastic moulding technologies, and coated in flock or paint in order to provide colour and texture.

The above description provides an overall description of the invention, but a more detailed examination of the salient features can be obtained with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2a shows the box in a closed state while FIG. 2b shows a vertical cross section through the widest section of the box, while FIG. 2c shows an enlargement of the hinge arrangement in plane through the main deck. Referring to FIG. 2b, it shows the inner walls 5 becoming a base for the unit, against which on the inside the pivot deck 1 rests. A ring 17 is enclosed by the chamber walls and floor that are dimensioned to accommodate what may be considered a large ring.

Referring to FIG. 2c, it will be noted that the hinge axis 18 is in-line with the upper surface of the main decks 8. A flexible membrane 19 is adhered to the inner side of the main decks, the axis is directed to the upper surface by bevelled edges on the deck 8 and inner walls 5. The two halves are urged in the closed form by the magnets 17. Preferably these magnets are of the rare earth variety having a size 4 mm diameter×10 mm long and the deck area to which they contact is about 0.5 mm thick.

With reference to FIG. 3b, a cross section through the same plane as FIG. 2 is shown, however the box is in the fully open position and would appear as in FIG. 3a. It can be seen that magnets 21 attract the inner walls 5 together. The pivot deck 1 rests on the inner wall which has a recess equivalent to the thickness of the pivot deck, typically about 1-2 mm. FIG. 3a shows the box in an open state, of not is an inclined planar section 22 on which the box rests in a tilted position when placed on a horizontal surface.

Numerous variations to the preferred embodiment can be used to advantage. For example the hinge can be achieved by having an adhesive flexible sheet applied to the upper surface of the main deck, said sheet having insignia relevant to a jeweller.

The outline shape may also be different, for example being a circle, a square hinged about a diagonal, or the profile of a brilliant cut diamond with the outer walls having a faceted contour. The outer walls could also be curved for example to produce a hemisphere in both the closed and open position.

Additionally, various ring holding means can be used and these do not form part of the invention. Although a ring is described as the object displayed in the presentation box, it may also be an unmounted gem held in a suitable holder or it may be another precious object such as a nugget of gold or small object d'art.

To enhance the presentation, a cardboard sleeve can cover the box in the closed position.

The details and dimensions suitable for the invention have not been described in detail as they will be rudimentary to anyone in the engineering field. Likewise the manufacturing techniques will be rudimentary to those familiar with plastics injection moulding. Though embodiments can be considered in which some components are machined from metals or alloys, and special finishes such as leather used.

Claims

1. A presentation box for a precious object, said box comprising two symmetrical halves hinged along the axis of symmetry such that when the box is fully open the outline shape corresponds to a distinctive or geometric form with the object secured centrally to the axis of symmetry and exposed proud of the surrounding box.

2. A jewellery presentation box which comprises a pivot deck onto which a jewellery article may be secured, said deck extending across the width of the box and being captured by a hinged chamber which comprises two chambers which are symmetric about a hinge axis, the two chambers being hingeable over an angle of 180 degrees such that in a first closed position the chambers envelope the pivot deck and a secured jewellery article, while in a second open position the pivot deck and jewellery piece are exposed.

3. A jewellery presentation box as in claim 2 in which the deck portions are attached to the sub-chambers and compliment the pivot check in the open position and extend to wall extremities of the chambers to provide an uppermost planar surface when in the open position.

4. A presentation box as in claim 2 in which the combined shape of the pivot deck and co-planar surface corresponds to a distinctive shape such as a heart, oval, circle or diamond.

5. A presentation box as in claim 2 whereby the two chambers are urged into an open or closed position by magnets suitably located under the surfaces that come in contact in the respective open or closed positions.

6. A jewellery presentation box as in claim 2 in which the pivot deck has a thickness of between 1 and 2 mm.

7. A jewellery presentation box as in claim 2 wherein the two main-deck portions are formed integrally, joined by a thin-section hinge.

8. A jewellery presentation box as in claim 3 wherein the two main-deck portions are formed integrally, joined by a thin-section hinge.

9. A jewellery presentation box as in claim 4 wherein the two main-deck portions are formed integrally, joined by a thin-section hinge.