This invention relates to a container and, more particularly, a container for securely housing goods for display in a retail outlet. Such containers are often referred to in the trade as “safers”.
Containers used as safers have been used to house goods such as compact disks (CDs) and digital versatile disks (DVDs). Such containers typically comprise a tough plastic box, e.g. formed of polycarbonate, with a base part and lid part that are hinged along one edge and secured together by a locking mechanism at the opposite edge. Various locking mechanisms are used.
Safers and other containers are frequently attacked by thieves who attempt to open them in order to remove the goods, or other contents, of the containers. Thieves will attack any part of the container that they believe may allow them entry, including the hinge part. The present invention seeks to provide a container having a hinge that is able to withstand such an attack, but which is of a simple construction that does not affect its normal operation.
Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a container comprising first and second parts that are hinged with respect to each other about a pivot axis such that they may be rotated between open and closed configurations of the container, the first and second parts including respective first and second mutually engageable features arranged on or adjacent to the pivot axis such that when the container is in its closed configuration the first and second parts are substantially prevented from being prised apart along the pivot axis.
A second aspect of the invention provides a container comprising first and second parts that are hinged with respect to each other about a pivot axis such that they may be rotated between an open configuration in which corresponding regions of the parts are separated, and a closed configuration in which the corresponding regions of the parts are in contact with each other, the first and second parts including respective first and second mutually engageable features situated on an opposite side of the pivot axis to the corresponding regions, such that on rotating from the open to the closed configuration the first and second features are thereby rotated into engagement with each other.
A third aspect of the invention provides a container comprising first and second parts that are hinged with respect to each other such that they may be rotated between open and closed configurations of the container, the first and second parts including respective first and second mutually engageable features arranged such that on rotating from the open to the closed configuration at least a portion of the second part rotates around the first engageable feature and the first and second features are thereby rotated into engagement with each other.
Any component of any aspect of the invention may be a component of any other aspect of the invention.
Preferably, one or both of the first and second mutually engageable features extend(s) along substantially the entire length of the pivot axis of the container. Additionally or alternatively, one or both of the first and second mutually engageable features may be provided at one or more locations along the length of the pivot axis of the container.
One or both of the first and second mutually engageable features preferably comprise(s) a ledge or shoulder.
Advantageously, when the container is in its closed configuration, the first and second mutually engageable features are interlocked with each other.
Most preferably, when the container is in its closed configuration, the second engageable feature substantially overlaps the first engageable feature.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, the container includes a locking arrangement by which the container may be locked in its closed configuration. The locking arrangement preferably locks the container on a side of the container opposite to that of the hinge.
Other preferred and optional features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the subsidiary claims of the specification.
Embodiments of the invention will now be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
The first 3 and second 5 parts of the container are hinged with respect to each other along one side of the container 1. Along the opposite side of the container is a novel locking arrangement 11 by which the container may be secured in its closed configuration. The locking arrangement 11 comprises a holding bar 13 and a security device 15 for securing the holding bar in a holding configuration when the container is closed. When the container is locked closed, the holding bar 13 is arranged to be located inside the lid part 5, and the security device 15 is arranged to be located on the exterior of the lid part 5 such that it extends partially into the interior of the container under the holding bar and in a recess 17 of the lid part. However, alternative forms of locking arrangement may be used. The locking arrangement may be conventional, and merely needs to perform the functions of securing the container in its closed configuration, and of enabling the container to be opened when a key or other authorised release apparatus is used.
The hinge 7 of the container 1 comprises a simple pivoting joint whereby pivot pins (not shown) carried by respective flanges 19 at opposite ends of the pivot axis 9 of the lid part 5 are located in corresponding respective pivot holes (sockets) 21 (see
The first feature 23 comprises part of the first (base) part 3 of the container, and the second feature 25 comprises part of the second (lid) part 5. Both features are arranged adjacent to their respective hinge portions when viewed along the pivot axis 9; thus, the first feature 23 is adjacent to the pivot holes 21, and the second feature 25 is adjacent to the pivot pins (not shown, but arranged to extend into the respective pivot holes 21). Both features consequently are situated adjacent to the pivot axis 9.
As shown in
When the container 1 is in an open configuration (as shown in
When the container 1 is closed, the first and second features 23, 25 are mutually engaged such that the first and second parts 3, 5 are substantially prevented from being prised apart along the pivot axis 9. That is, effective continued rotation of the second part 5 relative to the first part 3 in the direction of arrow A in the region of the hinge 7, in order to separate the first and second parts in the hinge region, is substantially prevented by the first and second features.
Preferably, the first and second mutually engageable features each extend along substantially the entire length of the pivot axis 9 (i.e. along substantially the entire length of the side of the container 1 along which the pivot axis extends). This provides excellent security to the container 1 along substantially the entire length of the hinge 7, to prevent (or at least significantly deter) a thief or vandal from prising apart the first and second parts of the container along the hinge region. Alternatively, however, the mutually engageable features may be provided at one or more locations along the length of the pivot axis 9.
Whilst the container has been described in relation to housing a CD or DVD box, it will be appreciated that a wide variety of other goods may be housed therein, the container either being the primary container for the goods or a secondary container, i.e. a safer for deterring theft of a primary container housed therein. As is well known in the field, the container may be provided with a security tag which triggers an alarm if removed from the retail outlet.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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0419142.5 | Aug 2004 | GB | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/GB05/03308 | 8/26/2005 | WO | 00 | 8/8/2007 |