Patent Application
20230200509
The present invention relates to a waterproof container, and more specifically, to a waterproof container adapted for an electronic device with a touch screen.
Electronic devices, such as mobile phones, may be damaged by water during outdoor activities. Therefore, there are various waterproof containers, such as a waterproof bag or a waterproof case, available in the market to protect the electronic devices from water damage. However, the conventional waterproof containers cannot allow a reliable operation of capacitive touch screens of the electronic devices underwater. Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved waterproof container adapted for an electronic device with a touch screen.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a waterproof container adapted for an electronic device with a touch screen for solving the aforementioned problem.
In order to achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention discloses a waterproof container adapted for an electronic device with a touch screen. The waterproof container includes an upper component and a lower component. The upper component includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. A second touched part of the second layer is disposed between a first touched part of the first layer and a third touched part of the third layer. The second touched part of the second layer is connected to the first touched part of the first layer by a plurality of first connections. The second touched part of the second layer is connected to the third touched part of the third layer by a plurality of second connections, and the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections are staggered relative to each other. The lower component is connected to the upper component. An accommodating space is enclosed by the lower component and the upper component for accommodating the electronic device.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first touched part of the first layer is separated from the third touched part of the third layer by the second touched part of the second layer and spaced from the third touched part of the third layer at a uniform distance.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections are staggered relative to each other along a longitudinal direction of the upper component.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections are line-shaped connections extending along a traverse direction of the upper component.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections are staggered relative to each other along a longitudinal direction and a traverse direction of the upper component.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections are dot-shaped connections.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first touched part of the first layer, the second touched part of the second layer and the third touched part of the third layer is formed in a wave-shaped structure.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof container further includes a sealable opening structure for providing access to the accommodating space.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof container further includes an inflating pump for inflating an enclosing space enclosed by the first layer and the third layer with a fluid by allowing the fluid to flow into the enclosing space enclosed by the first layer and the third layer.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the accommodating space is enclosed by the lower component and the third layer, and the inflating pump inflates the enclosing space enclosed by the first layer and the third layer with the fluid by allowing the fluid to flow from the accommodating space enclosed by the lower component and the third layer to the enclosing space enclosed by the first layer and the third layer.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inflating pump inflates the enclosing space enclosed by the first layer and the third layer with the fluid by allowing the fluid to flow from an environment outside the waterproof container to the enclosing space enclosed by the first layer and the third layer.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof container further includes a relief valve for deflating the enclosing space enclosed by the first layer and the third layer by allowing a fluid to flow out of the enclosing space enclosed by the first layer and the third layer.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the accommodating space is enclosed by the lower component and the third layer, and the relief valve deflates the enclosing space enclosed by the first layer and the third layer by allowing the fluid to flow from the enclosing space enclosed by the first layer and the third layer to the accommodating space enclosed by the lower component and the third layer.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the relief valve deflates the enclosing space enclosed by the first layer and the third layer by allowing the fluid to flow from the accommodating space enclosed by the lower component and the third layer to an environment outside the waterproof container.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper component further includes a fourth layer. A fourth touched part of the fourth layer is connected to the third touched part of the third layer by a plurality of third connections, and the plurality of second connections and the plurality of third connections are staggered relative to each other.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper component further includes a fifth layer. A fifth touched part of the fifth layer is connected to the fourth touched part of the fourth layer by a plurality of fourth connections, and the plurality of third connections and the plurality of fourth connections are staggered relative to each other.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an enclosing space is enclosed by the first layer and the fifth layer, and the accommodating space is enclosed by the lower component and the fifth layer.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections are staggered relative to each other along a longitudinal direction of the upper component and are line-shaped connections extending along a traverse direction of the upper component.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections are staggered relative to each other along a longitudinal direction and a traverse direction of the upper component and are dot-shaped connections.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first touched part of the first layer, the second touched part of the second layer, the third touched part of the third layer, the fourth touched part of the fourth layer and the fifth touched part of the fifth layer is formed in a wave-shaped structure.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lower component is a flat film, and the waterproof container further includes a sealable opening structure disposed on the upper component for providing access to the accommodating space.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealable opening structure includes an elastomeric protruding component and a covering assembly. The elastomeric protruding component protrudes from the upper component. A slit penetrates through the elastomeric protruding component and is communicated with the accommodating space. The covering assembly is configured to pivotally engage with the elastomeric protruding component to seal the slit.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a surrounding wall protrudes from a first side of the lower component. An opening is enclosed by a connecting portion of the surrounding wall. The upper component is located at a position corresponding to the opening and connected to the connecting portion of the surrounding wall, and the waterproof container further includes a sealable opening structure disposed on the lower component for providing access to the accommodating space.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealable opening structure includes an elastomeric protruding component and a covering assembly. The elastomeric protruding component protrudes from one of the first side of the lower component and a second side of the lower component opposite to the first side of the lower component. A slit penetrates through the elastomeric protruding component and is communicated with the accommodating space. The covering assembly is configured to pivotally engage with the elastomeric protruding component to seal the slit.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sealable opening structure further includes a first engaging component and a second engaging component. The first engaging component is pivotally coupled to the covering assembly. A pivoting axis of the first engaging component is parallel to a pivoting axis of the covering assembly and perpendicular to a normal direction of the one of the first side and the second side of the lower component. The second engaging component protrudes from another one of the first side and the second side of the lower component, and the first engaging component engages with the second engaging component for restraining the covering assembly from disengaging from the elastomeric protruding component.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof container further includes a clip pivotally coupled to the another one of the first side and second side of the lower component. A pivoting axis of the clip is parallel to a normal direction of the another one of the first side and the second side of the lower component. The second engaging component is located between the clip and the lower component, and the clip is configured to pivotally reveal the second engaging component or pivotally cover the second engaging component.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, the waterproof container further includes a window. An aperture structure is formed on the lower component, and the window is disposed on the aperture structure.
In summary, in the present invention, when a touched portion of the upper component is collapsed by a user's finger underwater, an untouched portion of the upper component is not collapsed due to a staggered arrangement of the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections. Furthermore, when the fluid is forced by the user's finger to flow inside the enclosing space, the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections can prevent excessive inflation and excessive deflation of the untouched portion of the upper component, so as to prevent abnormal excessive accumulation and loss of the fluid to prevent collapse of the untouched portion of the upper component caused by the abnormal accumulation and loss of the fluid. Therefore, a first portion of the touch screen corresponding to the touch portion of the upper component is close to the user's finger, and a second portion of the touch screen corresponding to the untouched portion of the upper component is still away from water, which prevents a desired touch operation of the first portion of the touch screen from being interfered by an unintentional touch operation of the second portion of the touch screen caused by the water.
These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings.
In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the Figure (s) being described. The components of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations. As such, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. Also, the term “connect” and “coupled” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct mechanical connection. Thus, if a first device is connected or coupled to a second device, that connection may be through a direct mechanical connection, or through an indirect mechanical connection via other devices and connections.
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Specifically, each of the first touched part TP1 of the first layer 111, the second touched part TP2 of the second layer 112 and the third touched part TP3 of the third layer 113 can be formed in a wave-shaped structure. The plurality of first connections 114 and the plurality of second connections 115 are staggered relative to each other along the longitudinal direction L of the upper component 11 and are line-shaped connections extending along the traverse direction T of the upper component 11 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L of the upper component 11.
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the first touched part of the first layer and the third touched part of the third layer can be two flat structures parallel to each other, and the second touched part of the second layer can be a wave-shaped structure sandwiched between and connected to the first touched part of the first layer and the third touched part of the third layer. Furthermore, the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections can be line-shaped connections extending along the longitudinal direction of the upper component and staggered relative to each other along the traverse direction.
Preferably, the first touched part TP1 of the first layer 111 is separated from the third touched part TP3 of the third layer 113 by the second touched part TP2 of the second layer 112 and can be spaced from the third touched part TP3 of the third layer 113 at a uniform distance D. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the first touched part of the first layer can be separated from the third touched part of the third layer at varied distances.
Furthermore, preferably, the second layer 112 is configured to divide the enclosing space 116 into a first enclosing space 118 enclosed by the first layer 111 and the second layer 112 and a second enclosing space 119 enclosed by the second layer 112 and the third layer 113 and communicated with the first enclosing space 118. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the first enclosing space can be isolated from the second enclosing space by the second layer.
Besides, in this embodiment, the lower component 12 is connected to the first layer 111 of the upper component 11, and the accommodating space 117 is enclosed by the lower component 12 and the third layer 113 of the upper component 11. Specifically, as shown in
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, each of the first border part and the third border part can be formed in a wave-shaped structure, and the lower component can be connected to the third layer.
In addition, as shown in
Specifically, the sealable opening structure 13 includes an elastomeric protruding component 131 and a covering assembly 132. The elastomeric protruding component 131 is disposed on a top side of the first border part BP1 of the first layer 111 of the upper component 11 and protrudes from the first layer 111 of the upper component 11 in a protruding direction P which is parallel to a normal direction of the first layer 111 of the upper component 11. A slit 1311 penetrates through the elastomeric protruding component 131 along the protruding direction P and is communicated with the accommodating space 117 for allowing the electronic device 2 to enter into the accommodating space 117 from outside of the waterproof container 1. The covering assembly 132 includes a covering component 1321 and a sealing component 1322. The covering component 1321 is pivotally connected to the elastomeric protruding component 131. The covering component 1321 is for squeezing the elastomeric protruding component 131 along a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction P, e.g., the traverse direction T and/or the longitudinal direction L, when the covering assembly 132 is engaged with the elastomeric protruding component 131. The sealing component 1322 is disposed on the covering component 1321 and made of elastomeric material. The sealing component 1322 is for squeezing the elastomeric protruding component 131 along the protruding direction P when the covering assembly 132 is engaged with the elastomeric protruding component 131. The slit 1311 can be sealed properly when the covering assembly 132 is pivoted to engage with the elastomeric protruding component 131 by the engaging component 1321 and the sealing component 1322. The electronic device 2 can be placed into the accommodating space 117 via the slit 1311 when the covering assembly 132 is pivoted to disengage from the elastomeric protruding component 131. The structure and the operation of the sealable opening structure 13 of the waterproof container 1 of this embodiment of the present invention are similar to the ones of the sealing system of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/835,327. Detailed description is omitted herein for simplicity. Preferably, each of the elastomeric protruding component 131, the covering component 1321 and the sealing component 1322 is formed in a U-shaped structure.
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the sealing component can be omitted. Alternatively, in another embodiment, each of the elastomeric protruding component and the covering assembly can be formed in a straight structure, and the covering assembly can be detachable from the elastomeric protruding component in a sliding manner or in a snapping manner. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the sealable opening structure can be disposed on the lower component. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the sealable opening structure can include an opening formed between the lower component and the upper component, and a zipper assembly for sealing the opening.
As shown in
Moreover, as shown in
Specifically, the inflating pump 14 is for inflating the enclosing space 116 by allowing the fluid to flow from the accommodating space 117 to the enclosing space 116, and the relief valve 15 is for deflating the enclosing space 116 by allowing the fluid to flow from the enclosing space 116 to the accommodating space 117. In other words, a suction 141 and a discharge 142 of the inflating pump 14 are respectively configured to be communicated with the accommodating space 117 and the enclosing space 116, and a suction 151 and a discharge 152 of the relief valve 15 are respectively configured to be communicated with the enclosing space 116 and the accommodating space 117. When it is desired to use the waterproof container 1 under a higher water pressure condition, e.g., deep diving, the user can inflate the enclosing space 116 with the fluid to increase a pressure inside the enclosing space 116 by operating the inflating pump 14 to allow the fluid to flow from the accommodating space 117 to the enclosing space 116. When the pressure inside the enclosing space 116 is increased, it is required for the user to apply a greater force to collapse the touched portion of the upper component 11. Therefore, it can effectively prevent the untouched portion of the upper component 11 from being collapsed by the water even under the higher water pressure condition. On the other hand, when it is desired to use the waterproof container 1 under a lower water pressure condition, e.g., swimming, the user can deflate the enclosing space 116 by operating the relief valve 15 to allow the fluid to flow from the enclosing space 116 to the accommodating space 117. When the pressure inside the enclosing space 116 is decreased, it only needs to apply a small force to collapse the touched portion of the upper component 11, so as to achieve easy operation.
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the inflating pump and the relief valve can be omitted. Furthermore, the types or the structures of the inflating pump and the relief valve are not limited to those illustrated in the figures of this embodiment.
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Furthermore, in another embodiment, the upper component even can include more than three layers. For example, please refer to
Preferably, the plurality of third connections 11C″″ are respectively aligned with the plurality of first connections 114″″ along a protruding direction P″″, and the plurality of fourth connections 11D″″ are respectively aligned with the plurality of second connections 115″″ along the protruding direction P″″. Preferably, the first touched part TP1″″ is spaced from the fifth touched part TPB″″ at a uniform distance D″″.
However, there can be more various embodiments. For example, in another embodiment, the plurality of first connections, the plurality of second connection, the plurality of third connections and the plurality of fourth connections can be staggered relative to one another along the longitudinal direction of the upper component. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the plurality of first connections, the plurality of second connections, the plurality of third connections and the plurality of fourth connections can be line-shaped connections extending along the longitudinal direction of the upper component and staggered relative to one another along the traverse direction. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the plurality of first connections, the plurality of second connections, the plurality of third connections and the plurality of fourth connections can be dot-shaped connections staggered relative to one another along the longitudinal direction, the traverse direction and the protruding direction.
Please further refer to
Furthermore, the sealable opening structure 13′″″ includes an elastomeric protruding component 131′″″ and a covering assembly 132′″″. The elastomeric protruding component 131′″″ protrudes from the first side 122′″″ of the lower component 12′″″ along a protruding direction parallel to a normal direction of the first side 122′″″ of the lower component 12′″″. A slit 1311′″″ penetrates through the elastomeric protruding component 131′″″ along the protruding direction and is communicated with the accommodating space 117′″″. The covering assembly 132′″″ is configured to pivotally engage with the elastomeric protruding component 131′″″ to seal the slit 1311′″″. The covering assembly 132′″″ includes a covering component 1321′″″ and a sealing component 1322′″″. The covering component 1321′″″ is pivotally connected to the elastomeric protruding component 131′″″. The covering component 1321′″″ is for squeezing the elastomeric protruding component 131′″″ along two different directions when the covering assembly 132′″″ is engaged with the elastomeric protruding component 131′″″. The sealing component 1322′″″ is disposed on the covering component 1321′″″. The sealing component 1322′″″ is for squeezing the elastomeric protruding component 131′″″ along the protruding direction when the covering assembly 132′″″ is engaged with the elastomeric protruding component 131′″″.
Besides, the sealable opening structure 13′″″ further includes a first engaging component 133′″″ and a second engaging component 134′″″. The first engaging component 133′″″ is pivotally coupled to the covering component 1321′″″ of the covering assembly 132′″″. A pivoting axis of the first engaging component 133′″″ is parallel to a pivoting axis of the covering component 1321′″″ of the covering assembly 132′″″ and perpendicular to a normal direction of the first side 122′″″ of the lower component 12′″″. The second engaging component 134′″″ is disposed on the lower component 12′″″ and protrudes from a second side 123′″″ of the lower component 12′″″ opposite to the first side 122′″″ of the lower component 12′″″, and the first engaging component 133′″″ engages with the second engaging component 134′″″ for restraining the covering assembly 132′″″ from disengaging from the elastomeric protruding component 131′″″.
In this embodiment, the waterproof container 1′″″ further includes a clip 16′″″ pivotally coupled to the second side 123′″″ of the lower component 12′″″ by the second engaging component 134′″″. A pivoting axis of the clip 16′″″ is parallel to a normal direction of the second side 123′″″ of the lower component 12′″″. The second engaging component 134′″″ is located between the clip 16′″″ and the lower component 12′″″, and the clip 16′″″ is not only for easy carrying but also configured to pivotally reveal the second engaging component 134′″″ for allowing engagement of the first engaging component 133′″″ and the second engaging component 134′″″. After the first engaging component 133′″″ is engaged with the second engaging component 134′″″, the clip 16′″″ can pivot to cover the first engaging component 133′″″ and the second engaging component 134′″″ for preventing unintentional disengagement of the first engaging component 133′″″ and the second engaging component 134′″″.
In addition, the waterproof container 1′″″ further includes a window 17′″″. An aperture structure 124′″″ is formed on the lower component 12′″″, and the window 17′″″ is disposed on the aperture structure 124′″″ and can be transparent for allowing a camera of the electronic device to capture images.
However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in another embodiment, the elastomeric protruding component can protrude from the second side of the lower component, i.e., the elastomeric protruding component and the upper component are located at two opposite sides of the lower component. The first engaging component can be pivotally coupled to the covering assembly adjacent to the first side of the lower component. The second engaging component can protrude from the first side of the lower component. The clip can be pivotally coupled to the first side of the lower component. The pivoting axis of the first engaging component can be perpendicular to the normal direction of the second side of the lower component, and the pivoting axis of the clip can be parallel to the normal direction the first side of the lower component.
In contrast to the prior art, in the present invention, when the touched portion of the upper component is collapsed by the user's finger underwater, the untouched portion of the upper component is not collapsed due to the staggered arrangement of the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections. Furthermore, when the fluid is forced by the user's finger to flow inside the enclosing space, the plurality of first connections and the plurality of second connections can prevent excessive inflation and excessive deflation of the untouched portion of the upper component, so as to prevent abnormal excessive accumulation and loss of the fluid to prevent collapse of the untouched portion of the upper component caused by the abnormal accumulation and loss of the fluid. Therefore, the first portion of the touch screen corresponding to the touch portion of the upper component is close to the user's finger, and the second portion of the touch screen corresponding to the untouched portion of the upper component is still away from water, which prevents the desired touch operation of the first portion of the touch screen from being interfered by the unintentional touch operation of the second portion of the touch screen caused by the water.
Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims.
