Package with means for maintaining objects in place
The package design with a deformable parallelogram mechanism and elastic link compression ensures secure object retention and controlled lid opening, addressing retention and closure issues in existing packages.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023562900
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-04-22
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-08
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-04-20
AI Technical Summary
Existing shipping packages with bungee cords for retaining objects face issues of inadequate retention during shocks and unexpected lid opening due to excessive tension, complicating closure and closure maintenance.
A package design featuring a deformable parallelogram mechanism with elastic links and compression means that reduces elastic deformation capacity in the closed position, ensuring effective retention without sudden lid opening.
The design provides secure object retention during shocks and prevents unexpected lid opening, maintaining package closure integrity while allowing easy opening and closing.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The field of the invention is that of designing and manufacturing means for transporting objects.
[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates to a particular shipping package. [Background technology]
[0003] The shipping package allows the object to be safely transported from a first destination to a second destination.
[0004] These packages generally comprise a case defining a cavity forming a storage space in which the object to be transported is housed, and a lid for closing the case and protecting the object to be transported.
[0005] To ensure greater protection of the object, some packages are provided with means for retaining the object within the package, in particular to prevent its displacement within the case.
[0006] This retaining means may, for example, be in the form of a plate which exerts a force on the object tending to keep it pressed against the bottom of the case.
[0007] The holding means then comprises a mechanism for connecting the plate to the package, which mechanism incorporates elastic return means for returning the plate to a position pressed towards the base, in which the object is fixed between the base and the plate.
[0008] The plate of this holding means is attached to the lid and to one of the panels forming the case, for example, in order to position the plate on an object placed on the bottom of the case during closure of the lid, in which case the linkage further integrates means for movably driving the plate during opening or closing of the lid.
[0009] When such a package is opened, the plate is placed next to the storage space. When the lid is closed, the plate is lowered onto the object and the elastic return means tend to return the plate towards the bottom, pressing the object against the bottom.
[0010] The elastic return means may take the form of, for example, a bungee cord which is connected by one of its ends to the plate and stretches towards the plate to exert a return force from the plate towards the bottom.
[0011] There are two known drawbacks to this type of retention means.
[0012] According to the first type of drawback, the object may not be held adequately within the package. Although the object is located between the base and the plate, a shock may move the object against the restoring force. Therefore, the bungee cord may be considered subpar, or at least not effective enough.
[0013] A bungee cord exerting a larger return force can counter the problems normally encountered with a smaller bungee cord, so that an impact is no longer or is less likely to displace an object secured between the plate and the bottom.
[0014] Such bungee cords present a second type of drawback that leads to the bungee cord being considered larger than normal, which causes the lid to pop open unexpectedly when you want to open the package.
[0015] In fact, the plate is attached to the package in such a way that it can be lifted when the lid is opened, so that the means for movably driving the plate provide support for the elastic return means, so that the return force is borne by the lid, so that as soon as the lid is no longer locked to the case of the package, a considerable return force causes the lid to suddenly open.
[0016] It may also be noted that a larger than normal tensioner may make it difficult to close a package containing a bulky object. Summary of the Invention
[0017] The object of the present invention is, inter alia, to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
[0018] More specifically, the invention aims to propose a package that is provided with return means that allow the object to be effectively secured, but which prevent the lid from being accidentally opened.
[0019] It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a package in which the effectiveness of the return means to secure the object does not prejudice closure of the package.
[0020] These objects, and others that will appear hereinafter, are achieved thanks to the present invention, which relates to a package comprising: - a case defining a cavity, the extent of the cavity being defined by an interior surface; - means for closing the cavity, comprising a lid; - a holding means comprising a plate intended to press an object against one of the inner surfaces of the case, called the support surface, and a mechanism connecting the plate to the lid and the case, the closure means is attached to the case so as to be movable between an open position allowing access to the cavity and a closed position blocking access to the cavity; The connecting mechanism is - means for movably driving the plate during opening or closing of the closing means; - means for elastically returning the plate to the position pressed against the support surface, the drive means is designed to drive the plate towards the lid during movement of the closure means from its closed position to its open position to allow access to the cavity; the drive means and the resilient return means are designed to cooperate to drive the plate into a position pressed against its support surface during movement of the closure means from its open position to its closed position; the resilient return means comprises at least one resilient link extending from one end connected to the plate to another end connected to an attachment point on the package; The linking mechanism comprises means for compressing the elastic link between its two ends, the compressing means being active in the closed position of the closure means and inactive outside this closed position.
[0021] Thanks to the package according to the invention, it is possible to use return means that exert a return force that can be considered "less than normal".
[0022] Because of the compression means, the restoring force exerted on the plate by the elastic restoring means is significantly increased during the occurrence of an event likely to move the object over the restoring force that would be exerted in the absence of this compression means, and therefore the object is better fixed.
[0023] The use of resilient return means, which are considered to be smaller than usual, has the effect that opening of the package is not sudden.
[0024] These effects are possible thanks to compression means that are able to reduce the elastic deformation capacity of the elastic link or links as soon as the closure means, more particularly the lid, reaches its closed position.
[0025] In other words, as soon as the obstruction means reaches its closed position, a shorter portion of the elastic link or links acts to keep the object fixed compared to the entire elastic link or links acting except in the closed position.
[0026] According to one advantageous feature, the lid extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge, the lid being attached by its trailing edge to an upper edge of the rear panel of the package, the actuation means comprising at least one deployable member movably attached to the lid proximate its leading edge, and the lid, the rear panel, the plate, the elastic return means and the one or more deployable members form a deformable parallelogram.
[0027] Thus, the plate is driven by the deformable parallelogram mechanism by the entrance to the cavity during movement of the closure means from its closed position to its open position.
[0028] Preferably, the rear panel of the package also forms part of the closure means, the rear panel being rotatably attached to the bottom of the case.
[0029] In this way, the kinematics of the displacement of the plate during opening or closing of the package are simplified: in fact, in this case the plate can move completely alongside the cavity during opening of the package, and the plate has a large clearance space for its positioning with an object placed on the support surface of the package during closing of the closure means.
[0030] According to one advantageous feature, at least one elastic link, called the front elastic link, is attached to the deployable member, the means for compressing said front elastic link being provided by the case.
[0031] Deployment of the deployable member can bring the front elastic link carried by the deployable member towards the compression means while closing the closure means.
[0032] In other words, deployment of the deployable member drives the front elastic link towards the compression means so that the compression means can act in the closed position of the closure means.
[0033] According to one advantageous design, the case comprises two side panels, each of which is provided with a guide rail, the deployable member or one of the deployable members being intended to be guided by the guide rail during the movement of the lid from its open position to its closed position, the deployable member having at least one slider intended to slide in the guide rail intended to guide the deployable member, said slider being engaged with an end of the guide rail when the closure means is in its closed position, and means for compressing one or more front resilient links attached to the deployable member are located in the immediate vicinity of the end of each guide rail.
[0034] In this way, guiding of the deployable member is achieved during closing of the closure means, in particular the lid. This guiding ensures correct positioning of the retention means as the closure means approaches the closed position. As at least one front elastic link is attached to the deployable member, the guiding function can also ensure cooperation of the front elastic link(s) with compression means located in the immediate vicinity of the end of each guide rail.
[0035] According to one preferred solution, the deployable member is in the form of an arm extending between a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the lid and the second end having a slider, the arm having an insertion passage extending from its first end to its second end, the front elastic link extending freely and elongated along the insertion passage.
[0036] In this way, the arms make it possible to accommodate a considerable length of the front elastic link. The total capacity of elastic deformation of the elastic link is therefore particularly high, so that the plate does not exert too great a restoring force in the position pressed against the support surface of the plate, except in the closed position of the closure means. In fact, except in the closed position of the closure means, the entire front elastic link or links is free to move between its two ends and can therefore be stretched evenly.
[0037] Advantageously, the means for compressing the front elastic link attached to the deployable member comprises two jaws elastically deformable between an open position allowing insertion and displacement of the front elastic link between the jaws, and a position clamping the elastic link.
[0038] These two jaws may be designed in particular to enhance the clamping function of the jaws as soon as the front elastic link is pulled while the plate is displaced in the direction opposite to the support surface.
[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, an elastic link, called a rear elastic link, extends between two ends each connected to the rear edge of the plate, the rear elastic link having a central portion extending along the lower edge of the rear panel within a passage through which the rear elastic link passes, the passage being delimited by two guides connected to the case, each guide forming part of the compression means.
[0040] In this configuration, the plate has two attachment points for the ends of the rear resilient links.
[0041] The rear elastic link thus participates in the formation of a deformable parallelogram, which allows the plate to have clearance with respect to the rear panel, in particular allowing a relative rotation of the plate with respect to the rear panel and / or a lifting of the rear edge of the plate along the rear panel. In addition, this elastic link makes it possible to achieve a change in the restoring force by means of a single rear elastic link, with the guide forming the compression means.
[0042] In one preferred design, each guide has: a body defining a central space within which the rear elastic links extend; a bracket; The bracket is The rear elastic link is movable relative to the main body between a remote position where the rear elastic link is free to translate within the central space and a position where the rear elastic link is pressed against the main body and is compressed between the main body and the bracket; Movement of the closure means from its open position to its closed position causes the bracket to move from its remote position to its compressed position.
[0043] Closing the obstruction means allows the compression means formed by the guide to be activated.
[0044] In this way, the portion of the rear resilient link extending between each guide and the plate is restricted when the closure means, and therefore the lid, is moved to the closed position.
[0045] This limits the elastic deformation capacity of the rear elastic links in these portions.
[0046] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of various preferred embodiments of the invention, given as illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0047] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a first embodiment of a package according to the invention, the package comprising a case defining a cavity and means for closing the cavity, the package being in an open configuration in which the cavity is accessible and the lid being in a raised position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a package according to a second embodiment, the closure also comprising a rear panel, with an object inserted into the cavity and the closure in a fully open position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view of the package of FIG. 2 with the closure in transition between a fully open position and the closed position shown in FIG. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a portion of the package of Figures 2 and 3 with the closure means in a closed position, the package comprising means for holding an object in a position pressed against the inner surface of the case, the holding means comprising a plate and a mechanism for connecting the plate to the lid and the case. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a part of the connecting mechanism. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing another part of the linkage mechanism cooperating with the plate. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the linkage and part of the plate of FIG. 6, the plate being in a position corresponding to the raised position assumed by the plate of FIG. 4, for example. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the implementation of the holding means of FIG. 7 on a package 1, in which a slider provided by a deployable member of the linkage cooperates with a means for compressing the elastic link of the linkage. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view focusing on the slider and the compression means intended to cooperate with the elastic link. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the cooperation of the elastic link and the compression means. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the elastic return means of the coupling mechanism mounted in close proximity to the rear panel of the package. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the holding means shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a detailed view focusing on the retaining means of FIGS. 11 and 12, with the package in the fully open position of the closure shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the retaining means of FIG. 13 with the closure means partially lowered into its closed position. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the guide of the elastic return means; [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the guide according to FIG. 15 with compression on the elastic links. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic view of the compression means of FIGS. 9 and 10 according to a cross section perpendicular to the cross section shown in FIG. 10, with the compression means in an inactive state. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic view of the compression means of FIGS. 9 and 10 according to a cross section perpendicular to the cross section shown in FIG. 10, with the compression means in an active state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] 1 to 4, a package 1 according to the present invention is shown.
[0049] The package 1 comprises a case 2 defining a cavity and means for closing the cavity.
[0050] The cavity 2 is defined by an inner surface 24 of the case 2 .
[0051] More specifically, the case 2 comprises a bottom 20, a front panel 21, a rear panel 22, and two side panels 23.
[0052] The closure means is movably attached to the case 2. The closure means comprises a lid 3.
[0053] The package 1 also comprises a rear panel 22. Depending on the embodiment, the rear panel 22 forms part of the case 2 or part of the closure means.
[0054] With respect to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the closure means comprises only a lid 3 which is rotatably attached to the rear panel 22 .
[0055] According to a second embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, the closure means also comprises a rear panel 22. In this case, the rear panel 22 is necessarily rotatably attached to the base 20, as will be explained in more detail below.
[0056] The package 1 according to these embodiments is foldable.
[0057] 1, the package 1 is in an in-use configuration, in which the case 2 defines a cavity having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape.
[0058] In this mode of use, the package 1 can contain an object O, as shown in FIGS.
[0059] Also, the package 1 will assume a flattened configuration with the side panels 23 , front panel 21 , and rear panel 22 resting on or extending from the bottom 20 .
[0060] For this purpose, the front panel 21, the rear panel 22, and the side panels 23 are rotatably connected to the bottom 20.
[0061] More specifically, the rear panel 22 extends between an upper edge 221 and a lower edge 222. The rear panel 22 is rotatably connected to the base 20 via its lower edge 222.
[0062] In addition, the lid 3 is rotatably attached to the rear panel 22 .
[0063] The lid 3 extends between a front edge 31 and a rear edge 32. The lid 3 is rotatably attached to the upper edge 221 of the rear panel 22 via its rear edge 32.
[0064] In the flat configuration of the package 1, the side panels 23 are folded over the bottom 20 first.
[0065] The rear panel 2 is then lowered rearward on the extension of the bottom 20 as shown in FIG.
[0066] The front panel 21 is then folded over the bottom 20 overlapping the side panels 23 .
[0067] Finally, the lid 3 is folded completely over the other components of the package 1 in the flattened configuration, overlapping the rear panel 22 in the continuation of the front panel 21 and the side panels 23 on the bottom 20 .
[0068] 2, the closure is in an open position allowing access to the cavity, and the lid 3 and rear panel 22 have been rotated to the rear of the case 2.
[0069] Referring to Figure 4, the closure means is in the closed position, with the rear panel 22 and lid 3 therefore positioned to block access to the cavity.
[0070] Also, according to the embodiment of Figures 2 to 4, when the lid 3 is moved to its maximum open position relative to the case 2, the rear panel 22 is moved to a position in which it is lowered backward relative to the bottom 20 in an extension of the bottom 20.
[0071] 1 to 8 and 13 and 14, the package 1 further comprises a retaining means 4.
[0072] This holding means 4 comprises a plate 41 intended to press the object O against one of the internal surfaces 24 of the case 2, this internal surface 24 therefore being called "support surface".
[0073] The holding means 4 further comprises a mechanism for connecting the plate 41 to the lid 3 and the case 2 .
[0074] According to this embodiment, the object O is intended to be pressed against the inner surface 24 of the bottom 20 of the case 2 by the holding means 4 .
[0075] For this reason, the plate 41 has a clearance along the direction transverse to the bottom 20 when the closure means is in its closed position shown in FIG.
[0076] The linkage, as far as it is concerned, means 5 for driving the plate 41 during the opening or closing of the lid 3, and therefore more generally during the opening or closing of the closure means; means 6 for elastically returning the plate 41 to the position pressed against the support surface;
[0077] The drive means 5 and the resilient return means 6 are designed to cooperate to drive the plate 41 into a position pressed against its support surface during the movement of the closure means from its open position to its closed position.
[0078] The drive means 5 is further designed to drive the plate 41 towards the lid 3 during the movement of the closure means from its closed position to its open position, allowing access to the cavity.
[0079] The drive means 5 and the elastic return means 6 make it possible to apply pressure to the object O, placed on the inner surface 24 of the bottom 20, to keep it pressed against the support surface during the closing of the closure means. This pressure is exerted by a plate 41 which transmits the traction force generated by the elastic return means 6.
[0080] When the lid 3 is closed, i.e. when the closure means assumes its closed position, the plate 41 can be returned towards the bottom 20 by the means 6 which elastically return the plate 41 to a position pressed against its support surface.
[0081] According to this embodiment, with reference to Figures 1 to 9, the drive means 5 comprises two deployable members 51 movably attached to the lid 3 in the immediate vicinity of its front edge 31. More precisely, the two deployable members 51 are each located in the immediate vicinity of a side panel 23 in the closed position of the lid 3.
[0082] The lid 3, rear panel 22, plate 41, elastic return means 6, and deployable member 51 together form a deformable parallelogram. The elastic return means 6 participates in forming the deformable parallelogram at the point where it connects the plate 41 to the deployable member 51 and the rear panel 22. This deformable parallelogram mechanism allows the plate 41 to be retracted from the entrance to the cavity when the closure is in its open position, and to be lowered towards the bottom 20 during movement of the closure from its open position to its closed position.
[0083] As will be explained in more detail below, the deployable member 51 takes the form of a movable arm connected at one end to the lid 3 .
[0084] 2 to 8 and 10 to 16, the elastic return means 6 comprises at least one elastic link.
[0085] In this case, the elastic return means 6 comprises a front elastic link 61 intended to be located in the front part of the package 1 and a rear elastic link 62 intended to be located in the rear part of the package.
[0086] These elastic links are in particular formed by tensioners.
[0087] As will be explained in more detail below, with reference to Figures 2 to 4, 8 to 10 and 13 to 16, the linkage mechanism comprises means 7 for compressing at least one of the resilient links between its ends.
[0088] The compression means 7 are active in the closed position of the obstruction means and inactive outside this closed position.
[0089] The front elastic links 61 and the implementation and cooperation of the compression means 7 associated with these front elastic links 61 will first be described in detail below. The rear elastic links 62 and the implementation and cooperation of the compression means 7 associated with these rear elastic links 62 will be described in detail later.
[0090] Referring to FIGS. 5 to 8, each front resilient link 61 extends from a first end 611 to a second end 612 .
[0091] The first end 611 is connected to the plate 41 , more specifically to the leading edge 411 of the plate 41 .
[0092] The second end 612 , for its part, is connected to the attachment point 60 .
[0093] As will be described in more detail below, attachment points 60 are carried by deployable members 51 .
[0094] A first end 611 of the front elastic link 61 has a bar crimped to the front elastic link 61 , and a second end 612 has a clip crimped to the front elastic link 61 .
[0095] The clip is intended to cooperate with the attachment point 60 to securely fasten the second end 612 to the attachment point 60 .
[0096] The bar, for its part, is inserted into the through-holes 410 located in the plate 41 and, after passing through the through-holes 410, is expanded so as to enable the front elastic links 61 to return the plate 41 to the position pressed against its bottom 20.
[0097] Any type of fastener other than a bar or clip may be envisaged. The bar and / or clip may advantageously be replaced by an overmoulding of one end of the front elastic link forming the joint.
[0098] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 and 10, a front resilient link 61 is attached to each deployable member 51.
[0099] The compression means 7 associated with each front elastic link 61 is fixed to the case 2 .
[0100] With reference to Figures 8 and 9, the deployable member 51 makes it possible to bring a front elastic link 61 attached to said deployable member 51 towards the compression means 7 in the closed position of the closure means.
[0101] More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 8, 9, and 10, each side panel 23 includes a guide rail 231.
[0102] Each guide rail 231 is intended to guide the deployable member 51 during the movement of the closure means from its open position to its closed position.
[0103] In fact, each guide rail 231 has an upper end forming a widened opening and a lower end close to the bottom 20 .
[0104] This lower end forms the end 2310 of the guide rail 231 .
[0105] Complementary to each guide rail 231 , each deployable member 51 has a slider 513 intended to slide within the guide rail 231 .
[0106] Referring to Figures 2 to 8, as explained above, each deployable member 51 takes the form of an arm.
[0107] The arm extends between a first end 511 and a second end 512 .
[0108] The first end 511 is connected to the lid 3 via a pivot link.
[0109] The second end 512 has, for its part, a slider 513 .
[0110] As shown in Figures 8 and 10, the slider 513 is engaged with the end 2310 of the guide rail 231 when the closure means is in its closed position.
[0111] The end 2310 can be opened to allow the slider 513 to protrude from this end 2310 while remaining engaged in and guided by the guide rail 231 .
[0112] In fact, according to this embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9, the package 1 is a foldable package and the side walls 23 are designed to fold onto the bottom 20, so that each end 2310 is opened when the package is in the use configuration, allowing the slider 513 to reach the compression means 7 located at the bottom 20 in the extension of the guide rail 231.
[0113] 2 to 9, the slider 513 is designed to engage the widened opening of the guide rail 231 during movement of the closure means from its open position to its closed position.
[0114] Referring to FIG. 3, the slider 513 is close to the guide rails 231 rather than being engaged with them.
[0115] By continuing the closing operation of the closure means, the slider 513 engages with the widened opening of each guide rail 231 and is then guided to the end 2310 inside these guide rails 231 .
[0116] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the compression means 7 of each front elastic link 61 is located in close proximity to the end 2310 of each guide rail 231 .
[0117] As a result, by closing the blocking means, the slider 513 can be brought to the end 2310 of each guide rail 231, where the front elastic link 61 cooperates with the compression means 7, and the compression means 7 is put into an active state.
[0118] It will be appreciated that except in the closed position the compression means 7 is inactive and therefore the elastic band is not engaged by the compression means.
[0119] With more specific reference to FIG. 5, the arms forming each deployable member 51 have an insertion channel extending from a first end 511 to a second end 512 thereof.
[0120] This insertion path is given shape by a recess or space through which the front resilient link 61 can extend.
[0121] In fact, the front elastic link 61 attached to the deployable member 51 extends freely and elongates along the insertion path.
[0122] The front elastic link 61 is even stretched at the slider 513 so as to be freely extensible, except when the lid 3 is in the closed position.
[0123] That is, when the front elastic link 61 is attached to the deployable member 51 along the insertion path indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5, a traction force applied to the first end 611 of the front elastic link 61 allows the elastic link to stretch elastically throughout its entirety, and particularly over that portion of the link that is initially included in the insertion path of the deployable member 51.
[0124] In summary, the front elastic link 61 can be freely inserted into the deployable member 51 along the insertion path, and when one end of the front elastic link 61 is fixed to one end of the insertion path, it is stretched into the insertion path by a traction force applied to the other end of the front elastic link 61.
[0125] As a result, when the compression means 7 is activated and operates at the slider 513, only the portion of the front elastic link 61 coming out of the slider 513 (i.e., the portion of the front elastic link 61 located between the plate 41 and the slider 513) can be elastically deformed. Therefore, the portion of the front elastic link 61 housed in the insertion path cannot be pulled out of the deployable member 51.
[0126] The compression means 7 reduces the total capacity of elastic deformation of the front elastic link 61 in the closed position of the lid 3 .
[0127] The compression means 7 of the front elastic link 61 attached to the deployable member 51 comprises two jaws 71 .
[0128] These Joe 71s are an open position, shown in particular in FIGS. 9 and 17, allowing the insertion and displacement of the front elastic link 61; and at least one clamping position, in particular shown in FIG. 18, in which the front elastic link 61 inserted between the jaws 71 is compressed.
[0129] The open position of the jaws 71 is taken up by the compression means 7 when the closing means is not yet in its closed position. In fact, therefore, the front elastic link 61 is not yet inserted between the two jaws 71.
[0130] When the closure means reaches its closed position, so that the slider 513 reaches its final position at the end 2310 of the guide rail 231 , the front elastic link 61 is inserted between the jaws 71 .
[0131] When an object O is positioned between the plate 41 and the bottom 20, the extension or displacement of the front elastic link 61 can be seen in the direction D shown in FIG.
[0132] This movement of the front resilient link 61 affects the jaw 71, which then moves to the clamping position of the front resilient link 61.
[0133] The front elastic link 61 is then compressed and can no longer move freely between the jaws 71 .
[0134] 7 and 9, the slider 513 has a shape complementary to the jaws 71. In fact, the slider 513 has an H-shaped profile with two flats and a web connecting the two flats. When the slider 513 reaches the jaws 71, the two flats are intended to border the jaws 71, while the front elastic link 61 extends between the two flats between the jaws 71, through a recess provided by the web of the profile. In this way, cooperation between the jaws 71 and the front elastic link 61 is guaranteed in the closed position of the closure means.
[0135] Additionally, the jaws 71 have an upper surface 710 that slopes towards the outside of the package. The outer guides that border the jaws 71 also have a similar bevel 711 as the upper surface 710 of the jaws 71.
[0136] These upper surfaces 710 and these inclined surfaces 711 make it possible to bring the deployable members 51 towards the outside of the package so that the slider 513 is fully positioned against the jaws 71 when a large object O is inserted into the package and the deployable members 51 tend to be pulled towards the inside of the package.
[0137] 2 to 4 and 11 to 16, the implementation and operation of the rear elastic link 62 and the special compression means 7 will now be explained in more detail.
[0138] Thus, the elastic return means 6 comprises a rear elastic link 62 extending between two ends 621,622.
[0139] Each of the two ends 621, 622 of the rear elastic link 62 is connected to the rear edge 412 of the plate 41 through a hole 413. The two ends 621, 622 of the rear elastic link provide bars that are crimped to the rear elastic link. These bars are expanded after being inserted into the holes 413. Therefore, each of these holes 413 forms one attachment point 60 for the end of the rear elastic link 62.
[0140] The rear resilient link 62 has a central portion 620 that extends within a path defined by two guides 63 connected to the case 2. The path extends along the lower edge 222 of the rear panel 22.
[0141] The rear elastic link 62 passes through two guides 63 and extends on both sides of the central portion 620 to give remainders extending to ends 621 , 622 , which can connect the plate 41 to the case 2 .
[0142] Referring to Figures 11 to 16, each guide 63 is -Main body 631 and - The bracket 632 is movable relative to the main body 631.
[0143] As shown in FIG. 15, the body 631 defines a central space through which the rear elastic links 62 extend.
[0144] The bracket 632 is movably attached to the main body 631 between a position far away from the main body 631 (Figures 13 and 15), in which the rear elastic link 62 is free to move translationally within the central space, and a position pressed against the main body 631 (Figure 16), in which the rear elastic link 62 is compressed between the main body 631 and the bracket 632.
[0145] 16, the elastic link 62 extends in the guide 63 along a chicane route imposed by the unevenness of the bracket 632 and the body 631.
[0146] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, movement of the closure means from its open position to its closed position causes each bracket 632 to move from its remote position to its compressed position.
[0147] In fact, the support surface 200 of the bottom 20 provides support for each bracket 632 when the closure means is moved to its closed position, and in particular, according to this embodiment, when the rear panel 22 is raised by the movement of the lid 3 from its open position to its closed position.
[0148] 11, 12 and 14, each guide 63 has a guide blade 633. Each guide blade 633 is intended to extend along the rear panel 22 from its lower edge 222 to its upper edge 221. These guide blades 633 are intended to guide the sliding of the plate 41 and prevent it from getting stuck on irregularities in the rear panel 22 during closing or opening of the closure means.
[0149] Each guide blade 633 extends from the body 631 of the guide 63 .
[0150] To assemble the guide 63 onto the rear panel 22 , the guide blade 633 has an assembly pin 634 that fits into the rear panel 22 , for example.
[0151] According to this embodiment, the return means 6 comprises only one rear elastic link 62 and two guides 63 .
[0152] However, it is possible to envisage an embodiment in which the return means 6 would comprise two rear resilient links 62 according to a design similar to that of the front resilient link 61 .
[0153] It is likewise possible to envisage that the two front elastic links 61 are replaced by only one front elastic link which would extend, for example, into the lid.
[0154] When an object O is present on the support surface, the closure means closes, causing the plate 41 to rise along the rear panel 22, as shown in Figures 2 to 4 .
[0155] This lifting of the plate 41, forced by the presence of the object O, causes the rear elastic link 62 to stretch.
[0156] The stretch occurs evenly all along the rear elastic link 62, with the central portion 620 and the remaining portions stretching similarly.
[0157] The central portion 620 of the rear elastic link 62 is located between the two guides 63 before the onset of occlusion, and its ends engage and pass through the guides 63 during extension.
[0158] While the closure means approaches the closed position, the support surface 200 of the bottom 20 abuts against and contacts the bracket 632, causing the bracket 632 to move closer to the body 631. The guide 63 then clamps the rear elastic link 62, which then assumes a zigzag shape within the guide 63. The guide 63 then provides compression, at least substantial compression.
[0159] In the closed position of the closure means, the guides 63 firmly press the rear elastic links 62 so that only the remaining portions exert a return force from the plate 41 towards the support surface. These remaining portions have a length that is reduced compared to the overall length of the rear elastic links 62, and in the event of an incident (drop, rough handling of the package 1, etc.), the force that presses the object O against the support surface and holds it in place is increased compared to the holding force that would be exerted in the absence of the pressing means. The effect of the returning means 6 and the pressing means 7 at the front portion of the package 1 is similar to that described above for the rear portion of the package 1.
Claims
1. A package (1), a case (2) defining a cavity, the extent of said cavity being defined by an interior surface (24); a closing means for closing the cavity, comprising a lid (3); a plate (41) intended to press an object against one of the inner surfaces (24) of the case (2), called the support surface, and a holding means (4) comprising a connecting mechanism connecting the plate (41) to the lid (3) and the case (2), the closure means is attached to the case (2) so as to be movable between an open position allowing access to the cavity and a closed position blocking access to the cavity; The connecting mechanism includes: a driving means (5) for movably driving the plate (41) while the closing means is opened or closed; and elastic return means (6) for elastically returning the plate (41) to a position pressed against the support surface, said driving means (5) being designed to drive said plate (41) towards said lid (3) during the movement of said closure means from its closed position to its open position, thereby allowing access to said cavity; said drive means (5) and said elastic return means (6) are designed to cooperate to drive said plate (41) into a position pressed against its support surface during the movement of said closure means from its open position to its closed position, The elastic return means (6) comprises at least one elastic link extending from one end connected to the plate (41) to the other end connected to an attachment point (60) of the package (1); The package (1) is characterized in that the connecting mechanism comprises a compression means (7) for compressing the elastic link (61) between its two ends, the compression means (7) acting in the closed position of the closure means and not acting in any other position.
2. The lid (3) extends between a front edge (31) and a rear edge (32), and the lid (3) is attached by its rear edge (32) to the upper edge (221) of the rear panel (22) of the package (1); said actuation means (5) comprising at least one deployable member (51) movably attached to said lid (3) in the vicinity of its leading edge (31); 2. The package (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid (3), the rear panel (22), the plate (41), the elastic return means (6) and the deployable member (51) form a deformable parallelogram.
3. 3. A package according to claim 2, characterized in that the rear panel (22) of the package (1) also forms part of the closure means, and the rear panel (22) is rotatably attached to the bottom (20) of the case (2).
4. At least one elastic link, called the front elastic link (61), is attached to said deployable member (51); 3. A package (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the means (7) for compressing the front elastic link (61) are provided by the case (2).
5. said case (2) comprising two side panels (23), each side panel (23) comprising a guide rail (231), said deployable member (51) or one of said deployable members being intended to be guided by said guide rail (231) during the movement of said lid (3) from its open position to its closed position; 5. The package (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the deployable member (51) has at least one slider (513) intended to slide in the guide rail (231) intended to guide the deployable member (51), the slider (513) being engaged with an end (2310) of the guide rail (231) when the closure means is in its closed position, and means (7) for compressing the front elastic link (61) attached to the deployable member (51) are located in the immediate vicinity of the end (2310) of each guide rail (231).
6. 6. The package (1) of claim 5, wherein the deployable member (51) is in the form of an arm extending between a first end (511) and a second end (512), the first end (511) being connected to the lid (3) and the second end (512) having the slider (513), the arm having an insertion path extending from its first end (511) to its second end (512), and the front elastic link (61) extending freely and elongately along the insertion path.
7. 5. The package (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the means (7) for compressing the front elastic link (61) attached to the deployable member (51) comprises two jaws (71) which are elastically deformable between an open position allowing insertion and displacement of the front elastic link (61) between the jaws (71) and a clamping position of the front elastic link (61).
8. 3. The package (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that an elastic link, called a rear elastic link (62), extends between two ends (621, 622) each connected to the rear edge (412) of the plate (41), the rear elastic link (62) being bounded along the lower edge (222) of the rear panel (22) by two guides (63) connected to the case (2) and having a central portion (620) extending in a passage through which the rear elastic link (62) passes, each guide (63) forming part of the compression means (7).
9. Each guide (63) a body (631) defining a central space within which the rear elastic link (62) extends; a bracket (632); the bracket (632) is movable relative to the main body (631) between a remote position where the rear elastic link (62) is free to translate within the central space and a position where the rear elastic link (62) is pressed against the main body (631) and is compressed between the main body (631) and the bracket (632); 9. A package (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the movement of said closure means from its open position to its closed position causes said bracket (632) to move from its remote position to its compressed position.
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