Device for protecting an object against moisture

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (2) for storing an article, comprising: a main part (4) having a main part lower face (6), a main part top face (8) opposite the main part lower face (6), and an outer face (10) interconnecting the main part lower face (6) and the main part top face (8), and a folding part (12) which can be folded over the outer face (10) of the main part (4) when seen from the main part lower face (6) towards the main part top face (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for storing an object.

[0002] Such a device is known from DE 20 2005 011 685 U1.

[0003] US Patent 2,036,687 relates to a pouch. To close it, a flexible neck section can be twisted around itself to seal its tubular shape against moisture ingress. The twisted neck element is then bent downwards over the side of a pouch section and detachably secured in this position.

[0004] US Patent 10,178,815 addresses the problem of unauthorized and / or accidental theft of electronic or electromagnetic information from personal electronics, such as credit / debit cards, mobile phones, key fobs, etc., carried by a user. A solution proposed is a bag shielded from electromagnetic radiation.

[0005] The object of the invention is to improve the known devices.

[0006] The invention comprises a device according to claim 1. The receiving chamber and the associated opening reduce the surface area through which moisture can reach the stored object, thereby further improving moisture protection. Furthermore, the base body and the receiving chamber can be manufactured as a single piece, which is advantageous from a manufacturing perspective.

[0007] The described procedure is based on the premise that the aforementioned device already recognizes that a device for storing an object for use while bathing must be waterproof. However, since complete waterproofing cannot be guaranteed, a visual inspection of the aforementioned device is provided.

[0008] The described device takes a different approach. It is designed with a cover body that can be placed over an opening in a receiving chamber within a base body. By placing the cover body over the opening, the receiving chamber is not only effectively sealed, but the gap between the base body and the cover body, through which water could potentially penetrate, is also significantly widened and lengthened. This noticeably reduces the risk of water unintentionally entering the receiving chamber.

[0009] Viewed from the opening of the receiving chamber, on the side of the opening opposite the fastening between the base body and the cover body, a locking mechanism is arranged that fixes the position of the cover body relative to the base body. This locking mechanism further reduces the risk of water ingress at this point, thus further increasing the watertightness of the device.

[0010] The locking mechanism comprises a first positive locking element on the base body and a second positive locking element on the cover body, with both positive locking elements designed to prevent movement of the cover body against a locking direction. The positive locking design of the locking mechanism allows the cover body to be engaged with the base body, preventing it from unintentionally opening the opening to the receiving chamber.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the described device, the first positive locking element is a groove and the second positive locking element is a projection engaging in the groove. By forming the positive locking elements as a groove and a projection, the aforementioned sealing gap between the base body and the cover body is further extended, thus further increasing the watertightness. For this reason, both the groove and the projection should advantageously be formed circumferentially around the base body and the cover body, respectively.

[0012] In a further development of the described device, the base body is made of a material that is harder than the material of the cover body. This allows the cover body to be clamped over the base body, thereby forcefully closing the aforementioned gap and further reducing the risk of moisture ingress.

[0013] In a further development of the described device, the cover body is attached to the base body in a completely enclosed manner. In this way, one side of the base body is already sealed watertight, thus ensuring that no water can penetrate at this point.

[0014] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the described device, the retracting element is conically tapered from a mounting point on the base body. Due to this conical taper, the retracting element, which is placed over the base body, is pressed against the base body when it is pulled against the direction of application. In this way, the sealing gap is further closed, so that

[0015] In a further embodiment of the described device, the opening to the receiving chamber on the outer surface of the base body is formed in a recess projecting into the base body, and the cover body has a pin element that can be inserted into the recess. The pin element engaging in the recess, together with the recess, forms the closure gap as a labyrinthine gap, further extending it and thus improving the watertightness.

[0016] In another embodiment of the device, the base body has blind holes on its top surface, directed into the body itself. These blind holes equalize pressure when forces are applied from different directions, ensuring that the sealing gap remains securely closed at all times. Watertightness is thus guaranteed under various operating conditions.

[0017] In a further development of the described device, the blind holes are designed with a circular or elliptical segment cross-section, with the arc of the circular segment directed inwards towards the interior of the base body. In this way, the straight sections of the circular segment cross-sections opposite the arcs are directed outwards and, when deformed by external pressure, are tensioned like a bow. The resulting restoring force ensures that the base body is reliably returned to its original shape.

[0018] In a further development of the device described, the inverted body tapers conically from a mounting point on the base body. Particularly when the base body is shortened, requiring the inverted body to be attached to a different surface, such as the arm of the wearer, this reduces the pressure surfaces and thus increases wearing comfort.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the described device, the retractable body, viewed from a mounting point on the base body, has a material thickness that decreases, at least in certain areas. This ensures sufficient extensibility of the opening of the retractable body for inverting while simultaneously maintaining a sufficiently high overall stability.

[0020] In a further refinement of the described device, the cover body is elastically designed at least on one side opposite its attachment to the base body. This allows the cover body, when placed over the base body, to be pressed elastically against it, thus sealing the gap more effectively. As a result, the watertightness is further increased.

[0021] In a further refinement, the device includes a through-opening extending through the main body. This through-opening can optionally be separated from the receiving chamber. A fastening element, such as a strap, can be easily attached to this through-opening, allowing the device to be easily secured to and worn on the body. If the through-opening is sufficiently large, a body part of the user, such as a leg or arm, can also be passed through it.

[0022] The properties, features, and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective rendering of a first, non-inventive embodiment of a device for storing an object, Fig. 2 a multi-view view of the device Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a device for storing an object, Fig. 4 a multi-view view of the device Fig. 3 , Fig. 5 a perspective view of the device from Fig. 3 , which is cut open by a first cutting plane, Fig. 6 a perspective view of the device from Fig. 3 , which is cut open by a second cutting plane, Fig. 7 a perspective view of a third embodiment of a device for storing an object in a first state, and Fig. 8 a perspective view of the third embodiment of the device for storing an object in a second state

[0023] The figures use identical technical elements with the same reference symbols and describe them only once. The figures are purely schematic and, above all, do not represent the actual geometric relationships.

[0024] It will be on Fig. 1 and 2 Reference is made to a device 2 for storing an object not further illustrated according to a first embodiment, which is not according to the invention.

[0025] The device 2 comprises a base body 4 with a base body base 6, a base body top 8 opposite the base body base 6, and a shell 10 connecting the base body base 6 and the base body top 8. A cover body 12 is attached to the base body 4 and is circumferentially fastened around the base body 4 by a fixed end 14. The fastening can be of any type. For example, the base body 4 and the cover body 12 can be formed in one piece, so that the fastening is intrinsically determined by the structure. If both parts 4 and 12 are constructed separately, the cover body 12 can, for example, be welded to the base body 4.

[0026] The cover body 12 is tubular with a Fig. 2 The visible through-opening 16 is formed. The base body 4 has an opening 18 analogous to the through-opening 16. In the assembled state, the through-opening 16 and the opening 18 are concentrically aligned with each other, so that, with appropriate dimensions, an object or a user's body part, such as their arm, can be inserted through the opening 18 and the through-opening 16 in an insertion direction 20.

[0027] In this state, the user can take a folded end 22 of the cover body 12, which is opposite the fixed end 14 of the cover body 12, and turn it inside out or fold it over in a folding direction 24 opposite to the insertion direction 20, and then pull it over the base body 4. In this way, the Fig. 1 The visible surface 26 of the envelope body 12 is folded downwards, so that the unseen object is, for example, between the user's arm and the surface in Fig. 1 The visible surface 26 can be stored.

[0028] For a defined position of the object to be stored, a housing 28 with a receiving space 30 formed therein can optionally be held on the surface 26. In the present embodiment, two housings 28 are arranged so that several receiving spaces 30 are formed for holding multiple objects.

[0029] The object, such as a credit card, can then be inserted into the corresponding receiving chamber 30 via an opening 32 on each receiving chamber 30.

[0030] Both the base body 4 and the cover body 12 can be made of a flexible material. However, the cover body 12 should be made softer than the base body 4. Silicone is a suitable material for both bodies 4 and 12. However, in this case, the base body 4 should be made more solid than the cover body 12.

[0031] As in the multi-view of the Fig. 2 As can be seen, the cover body 12 can be designed to taper conically in one area. This is particularly relevant in the design of the Fig. 1 and 2 the advantage that if the envelope body 12, in its inverted state, presses, for example, on the user's arm, the entire arm is not compressed by the envelope body 12 over its entire surface, but only at the point of the envelope end 22 where the conical tip is located.

[0032] In Fig. 3 bis 6 Another embodiment of the device 2 for storing an object is shown. In this device 2, the base body 4 is elongated and extends, viewed in the inversion direction 24, at least over the entire length of the cover body 12. This has the advantage that, when the device 2 is used in this way, the cover body 12 does not press directly on the user's arm, but rather on the base body 4. This prevents the cover body 12 from constricting the user's arm.

[0033] The cover body 12 has a positive locking element at its folded end 22 in the form of a projection 34 that extends around the cover body 12. When the cover body 12 is folded over at the attached end 14 on the base surface 6 of the base body 4, the projection 34 can be inserted into a corresponding positive locking element in the form of a groove 36 that extends around the base body 4. The positive locking between these two positive locking elements 34 and 36 not only fixes the folded end 22 of the cover body 12 in its position in and against the folding direction 24, but also extends the penetration path for liquid between the cover body 12 and the base body 4, thus further increasing protection against moisture.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the receiving chambers 30 are integrated into the base body 4. This allows the entire device 2 to be manufactured in one piece, for example, by injection molding. The base body has recesses 38 in the area of ​​the openings 32 of the receiving chambers 30, into which a pin element 40 arranged on the cover body 12 can engage when the cover body 12 is placed over the base body 4 as described above. The pin elements 40 and the corresponding recesses 38 further extend the penetration path for moisture to the receiving chambers 30, thus providing even better protection against moisture for the objects contained therein.

[0035] The pin elements 40 can also be concave or indented on their side opposite the visible surface 26 of the cover body 12. In this way, it is possible to grip the device 2 easily with two fingers even when the cover body 12 is placed over the base body 4 and, for example, to pull it over the user's arm.

[0036] Finally, blind holes 42 can be formed on the top side 8 of the base body 4, directed into it. In the present embodiment, these blind holes 42 are circular segments and each has an arc segment. 44 and a chord section 46. For the sake of clarity, not all of the blind holes 42 and their elements are provided with their own reference symbol in the figures.

[0037] The arch sections 44The chord sections 46 are tensioned. If an external force acts on the lateral surface 10 of the base body 4 in the area of ​​the top surface 8 and deforms the base body 4 at this point, the bow sections ensure 44 Their tension ensures that the tendon sections 46 are realigned. In this way, the base body 4 remains dimensionally stable and the sealing gap between the inverted cover body 12 and the base body 4, which is not visible in the figures, is always minimal.

[0038] As from Fig. 5 and 6 As can be seen, the wall thickness 48 of the wrapping body 12 can be designed to decrease at least section by section against the wrapping direction 24.

[0039] In the Fig. 7 and 8A third perspective view of a third embodiment of the device 2 for storing an object in two different states is shown, which is intended to illustrate that the direction of reversal 24 can be chosen arbitrarily.

Claims

1. Device (2) for storing an object, comprising: - a main body (4) with a main body base face (6), a main body top face (8) opposite the main body base face (6), and a lateral face (10) connecting the main body base face (6) and the main body top face (8); and - a flexible folding body (12) with a tubular sheath, which is fastened at a tube base side to the main body base face (6) in such a way that the folding body (12), seen from the main body base face (6), can be pulled over the lateral face (10) of the main body (4) with a tube top side opposite the tube base side towards the main body top face (8), wherein the device (2) comprises a accommodation space (30) that is open via an opening (32), wherein the accommodation space (30) is formed in the main body (4) with its opening (32) at the lateral face (10), wherein the folding body (12) can be pulled at least over the opening (32) in order to close the accommodation space (30), wherein, seen from the opening (32) of the accommodation space (30), on a side (8, 22) of the opening (32) of the accommodation space (30) opposite the fastening between the main body (4) and the folding body (12), a closure mechanism (34, 36) is arranged that fixes a position of the folding body (12) relative to the main body (4), characterized in that the closure mechanism (34, 36) comprises a first form-fitting element (36) on the main body (4) and a second form-fitting element (34) on the folding body (12), and wherein both form-fitting elements (34, 36) are configured to prevent a movement of the folding body (12) against a covering direction (24).

2. Device (2) according to claim 1, wherein the first form-fitting element (36) is a groove (36) and the second form-fitting element (34) is a projection (34) engaging in the groove (36).

3. Device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main body (4) is made of a main body material that is harder than a folding body material from which the folding body (12) is formed.

4. Device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the folding body (12) is circumferentially closed and fastened to the main body (4).

5. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (32) to the accommodation space (30) is formed at the lateral face (10) of the main body (4) in a recess (38) projecting into the main body (4), and wherein the folding body (12) comprises a peg element (40) insertable into the recess (38).

6. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body (4) comprises blind holes (42) directed into the main body (4) at the main body top face (8).

7. Device (2) according to claim 6, wherein the blind holes (42) are designed in cross-section in a circular-segment or elliptical-segment shape, wherein the arc or elliptical shape (44) of the circular segment is directed into the interior of the main body (4).

8. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the folding body (12), seen from a fastening point on the main body (4), is at least partially conically tapering.

9. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the folding body (12), seen from a fastening point on the main body (4), is at least partially formed with decreasing material thickness (48).

10. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the folding body (12) is elastically formed at least on a side (22) opposite to the fastening on the main body (4).

11. Device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a through-opening (18) extending through the main body (4).

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