EE01524U1 - Case for nasal glasses - Google Patents

Abstract

A case 100 for nasal glasses 200 is disclosed. The case 100 includes a first case structure 102 having a first through-hole 134 and a first protruding tab 138 axially spaced from the first through-hole 134 and a second case structure 104 having a second through-hole 154 and a second protruding tab 158 axially spaced from the second through-hole 154. The first case structure 102 and the second case structure 104 are coupled to each other in such way that the first protruding tab 138 is received within the second through-hole 154 and the second protruding tab 158 is received within the first through-hole 134.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention belongs to the field of personal items and relates to a spectacle case. More specifically, the description of the invention relates to a case intended for storing spectacles.

STATE OF THE ART

Nose pads are glasses that stay on the wearer's face without temple arms because the glasses are attached to the bridge of the nose by a flexible frame. Such nose pads are described, for example, by Estonian utility model EE01399. Most often, such nose pads are intended for reading and are so small that they easily fit in a credit card pocket, on a watch strap or between a book. However, in such pockets or on a watch strap, nose pads tend to deform because they are bent. Also, the lenses of nose pads stored in this way may come into contact with one or more surfaces of a book, watch strap or other object, which causes scratches.

Document KR200160789 Y1 describes a spectacle case having an upper and a lower part. This spectacle case also includes a locking system having a button or a protrusion. The spectacle case opens when the button or protrusion is pressed. The disadvantage of said spectacle case is that the locking system is large and cumbersome. The locking system is attached to a separate spectacle case, which causes the spectacle case to have a large side thickness. Given the shape of the spectacle case, the spectacles can move in the case. This can cause the spectacles to get scratched. Also, the manufacture of such a spectacle case is laborious.

ESSENCE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a spectacle case for a pair of spectacles. The spectacle case for a pair of spectacles has a first case portion having a first passage and a first protruding flap axially spaced from the first passage, and a second case portion having a second passage and a second protruding flap axially spaced from the second passage. The first case portion and the second case portion are connected to each other such that the first protruding flap fits into the second passage and the second protruding flap fits into the first passage.

The first housing part and the second housing part are made in such a way that they can be connected and disconnected.

There is a gap between the first case part and the second case part when the first case part and the second case part are connected to each other, wherein the gap is such that it prevents both the glasses from entering the case and the glasses from exiting the case.

The first protruding flap and the second protruding flap are axially aligned with each other such that there is a gap between them. When force is applied to the first protruding flap and the second protruding flap, a separation distance is created between the gaps. This separation distance is provided for both placing the glasses in the glasses case and removing the glasses from the glasses case.

The first housing part includes a first inner surface having a first passage, the first passage defining an edge, and a first projecting flap extending from an edge of the first passage. The first projecting flap includes a first flap portion extending axially from the edge of the first passage and a second flap portion extending from the first flap portion. The second flap portion is spherical and extends from the first flap portion along the longitudinal axis of the first housing part.

The first part of the part forms a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, wherein the first longitudinal edge is curved and the second longitudinal edge includes three convex and two concave portions.

The first housing portion includes a plurality of projections extending perpendicularly from the inner surface of the first housing portion.

The second housing part includes a second inner surface having a plurality of recesses, wherein a plurality of projections of the first housing part fit into the recesses.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a spectacle case for spectacles according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 2A and 2B show the first and second case parts of a spectacle case for nose glasses according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 3A and 3B show the outer surfaces of the first housing part and the second housing part of a spectacle case for nose glasses according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 4A and 4B show the inner surfaces of the first and second parts according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a partial perspective view of one part of the first and second parts according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a spectacle case for nose glasses according to an embodiment of the invention and an enlargement of node B;

Figure 7 and Figure 8 show an enlarged perspective view of an embodiment of the invention and of nodes C and D when the glasses are placed in a glasses case;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the arrangement of glasses in a glasses case and an enlargement of the detail;

Figure 10 and Figure 11 show a perspective view of removing glasses from a case after pressure has been applied to the protruding flaps of each case part, according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of a spectacle case for spectacles, taken along the plane A-A shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 13 shows a cross-section of a spectacle case for nose glasses according to an embodiment of the invention along the plane A-A when pressure is applied to the protruding flaps of the first and second case parts.

EXAMPLE

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to designate like parts.

FIG. 1 shows a spectacle case 100 for nose glasses. More specifically, the spectacle case 100 is configured to receive spectacles 200 (as shown in FIG. 6). Although the embodiments described in the specification and illustrations thereof show the spectacle case 100 for holding spectacles 200, in various other embodiments the spectacle case 100 may be configured to hold spectacles of a different shape or size.

Figures 2A and 2B show a first housing portion 102 and a second housing portion 104 of a spectacle case 100. The first housing portion 102 and the second housing portion 104 are elongated and flat. The first housing portion 102 may extend along a longitudinal axis 1-1', such that its length is L1. Figures 3A and 3B show the first housing portion 102 having a first longitudinal edge 106, a second longitudinal edge 108, a first lateral edge 110 and a second lateral edge 112. The first longitudinal edge 106, the first lateral edge 110 and the second lateral edge 112 are curved (concave). The second lateral edge 108 includes three convex and two concave regions. The concave regions are distributed between the convex regions in such a way that similar regions never follow each other (there are no two convex or two concave regions in a row).

The second part 104 has a similar structure to the first part 102. For example, the second part 104 has a length L2 along the longitudinal axis of 2-2' (in the exemplary embodiment, L2 = L1). The second part 104 has a first longitudinal edge 114, a second longitudinal edge 116, a first lateral edge 118, and a second lateral edge 120. The first longitudinal edge 114, the first lateral edge 118, and the second lateral edge 120 are curved (concave). The second longitudinal edge 116 includes three convex and two concave regions.

The first housing portion 102 includes a first outer surface 130 (best shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B) and a first inner surface 132 (best shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B). Similarly, the second housing portion 104 includes a second outer surface 150 and a second inner surface 152. The second housing portion 102 is illustrated in detail in FIG. 4A.

The first housing portion inner surface 132 has a first through-hole 134 extending across the width of the first housing portion 102, as shown in FIG. 5. In one embodiment, the length of the first through-hole 134 is half (L/2) the length of the first housing portion inner surface 132. More specifically, the first through-hole 134 is such that the central axis of the through-hole 134 passes through a point of the through-hole on an axis of symmetry 135 (as shown in FIG. 3A). The axis of symmetry 135 corresponds to an axis about which the profiles of the first housing portion 102 are symmetrical.

The first via 134 forms an edge 136. The edge 136 corresponds to the peripheral region of the via 134 as shown in FIG. 5 (i.e., a portion of the peripheral region surrounding the first via 134).

The first housing portion 102 also has a first protruding flap 138. The first protruding flap 138 extends from the edge of the first passage 134. At least a portion of the protruding flap 138 is located axially spaced from the first passage 134, as shown in FIG. 5. The first protruding flap 138 includes a first flap portion 140 and a second flap portion 142. The first flap portion 140 extends axially from the edge 136. The second flap portion 142 extends from the first flap portion 140. The second flap portion 142, however, extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (1-1') of the first housing portion 102. In such a configuration, the second flap portion 142 is axially spaced z from the inner surface 132 of the first housing portion. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the second flap portion 142 is spherical. However, in various other embodiments, the second valve portion 142 has a different shape or structure.

In FIGS. 2 and 4 , the first case portion 102 also includes a plurality of projections 144. The plurality of projections 144 include a first type of projections 146, a second type of projections 148, and a third type of projections 147. The first type of projections 146 are circular projections as shown in FIG. 2B . The second type of projections 148 are substantially rectangular projections as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B . The third type of projections 147 are curved projections that are designed to hold the spectacles 200 in place when the spectacles 200 are placed in the spectacle case 100 (as will be described in more detail hereinafter). The first case portion 102 also includes a plurality of teeth 149 (best shown in FIG. 5 ).

Figure 4B shows a detailed view of the second housing portion 104. A second passage 154 is formed on the second inner surface 152 and extends across the width of the second housing portion 104, as shown in Figure 2B and Figure 5. In one embodiment, the length of the second passage 154 is half (L/2) the length of the second inner surface 152 of the second housing portion. More specifically, the second passage 154 is such that the central axis of the second passage 154 passes through a point of the passage on a symmetry axis 155 (as shown in Figure 3B). The symmetry axis 155 corresponds to an axis about which the profiles of the second housing portion 104 are symmetrical.

In Figure 5 , the second via 154 forms a second edge 156. The second edge 156 corresponds to a peripheral region of the second via 154 as shown in Figure 5 (i.e., a portion of the peripheral region surrounding the second via 154).

The second housing portion 104 also has a second projecting flap 158. The projecting flap 158 extends from the second edge 156 of the second passage 154. At least a portion of the second projecting flap 158 is located axially spaced from the second passage 154, as shown in FIG. 5. More specifically, the second projecting flap 158 includes a first portion 160 and a second portion 162. The first portion 160 extends axially from the second edge 156. The second portion 162 extends from the first portion 160. The second portion 162, however, extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (2-2') of the second housing portion 104. In such a configuration, the second portion 162 is axially spaced y from the inner surface 152 of the second housing portion. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the second portion 162 is spherical. In various other embodiments, however, the second portion 162 has a different shape or structure.

In FIGS. 2A and 4B , the second case portion 104 also has a plurality of recesses 164. The plurality of recesses 164 includes a first type of recesses 166 and a second type of recesses 168. The first type of recesses 166 are circular recesses as shown in FIG. 2A . The first type of recesses 166 are adapted to mate with the first type of protrusions 146. The second type of protrusions 168 are substantially rectangular protrusions as shown in FIG. 2 and are adapted to mate with the second type of protrusions 148. The second case portion 104 also has protrusions 167 adapted to hold the spectacles 200 in place when the spectacles 200 are placed in the spectacle case 100 (as described in more detail below in the specification). The second housing portion 104 also includes a plurality of teeth 169 similar to teeth 149 (best shown in FIG. 5 ).

In one aspect of the disclosure, the spectacle case 100 also includes a part separation portion. The part separation portion allows the first part 102 and the second part 104 to be separated from each other. The part separation portion has a separation flap 180 located at one corner of the second part 104. The part separation portion also includes an additional cutout 184 (part of the first part 102) in the first part 102 such that the separation flap 180 is adjacent to the cutout 184.

The connection of the first housing part 102 to the second housing part 104, the structure of the spectacle case 100 for the nosepieces to allow the glasses 200 to enter and exit therefrom, and the separation function of the part on the spectacle case 100 to allow the separation of the housing parts 102 and 104 are shown in detail in Figures 2-12.

Figures 2A and 2B show an exploded view of a spectacle case 100. A first case portion 102 and a second case portion 104 are positioned in front of each other such that an inner surface 132 of the first case portion faces an inner surface 152 of the second case portion, and the axis of the first passage 134 coincides with the axis of the second passage 154. The first case portion 102 and the second case portion 104 are positioned relative to each other such that a plurality of projections 144 are axially aligned with a plurality of recesses 164. The first part 102 and the second part 104 are then assembled, whereby at least one of them, either the part 102 or the part 104, is pressed together such that the set of projections 144 fits into the set of recesses 164. When the first part 102 and the second part 104 are assembled, the first protruding flap 138 fits into the second passage 154, and the second protruding flap 158 fits into the first passage 134, as shown in FIG. 12. When the first part 102 and the second part 104 are assembled, the first protruding flap 138 fits into the second passage 154, and the second protruding flap 158 fits into the first passage 134 such that a portion of the first protruding flap 138 extends beyond the second part 104, and a portion of the second protruding flap 158 fits into the first passage 134. of the protruding flap 158 extends beyond the first case portion 102. In the paired structure of the spectacle case 100, the first protruding flap 138 and the second protruding flap 136 are axially aligned with a gap g between them.

In one embodiment of the invention, there may be no teeth 149 and 169 between the first case portion 102 and the second case portion 104. In such an embodiment, the pair of spectacle case 100 for nose glasses has a gap 250 between the first case portion 102 and the second case portion 104, as shown in FIG. 6. The purpose of the gap is to prevent both the placement of spectacles 200 in spectacle case 100 and the removal of spectacles 200 from spectacle case 100. For example, FIG. 6 shows that gap 250 is smaller than the thickness e of spectacles 200. Thus, the placement of spectacles 200 in spectacle case 100 is prevented.

In another embodiment of the invention, in which teeth 149 and 169 are also present, teeth 149 and 169 in the paired structure of the eyeglass case 100 can be arranged in such a way that they create an obstacle that prevents glasses 200 from being placed in the eyeglass case 100 or from being removed from the eyeglass case 100, as shown in Figure 1.

The role of the first protruding flap 138 and the second protruding flap 158 in enabling the retention of the eyeglasses 200 in the eyeglasses case 100 is illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 13 .

As described above, in a conventional pair construction of the eyeglass case 100, either the slot 250 or the teeth 149 and 169 prevent the glasses (200) from being placed in the eyeglass case 100. However, when one or more of the first protruding flaps 138 and the second protruding flaps 158 are pressed, a distance 260 is formed between the first case portion 102 and the second case portion 104 in addition to the slot 250 (see FIGS. 12 and 13 ). Alternatively, in another embodiment, the distance 260 between them may be formed between the teeth 149 and 169, so that the glasses (200) are more easily placed in the case (100) (as shown in FIG. 7 ).

Figure 12 and Figure 13 show how the separation distance 260 is formed. When the first protruding flap 138 and the second protruding flap 158 are pressed, the first housing part 102 moves away from the second housing part 104. This forms the separation distance 260 between the two parts, so that the glasses 200 can be placed in the glasses case 100.

After placing the glasses 200 in the spectacle frame 100, the force exerted on the first protruding flap 138 and the second protruding flap 158 is released, as shown in FIG. 9. As a result, the separation distance 260 disappears, and the slot 250 and/or the teeth 149 and 169 prevent the glasses 200 from coming out of the spectacle frame 100. The protrusions 147 and 167 inside the spectacle frame allow the glasses 200 to be held in place and prevent them from moving axially in the spectacle frame 100, so that the glasses 200 do not suffer any scratches.

The wearer of the glasses can easily store their glasses 200 in the glasses case 100. The first protruding flap 138 and the second protruding flap 158 can be similarly pressed to allow the glasses 200 to be removed from the glasses case 100. Specifically, pressing the first protruding flap 138 and the second protruding flap 158 creates a distance 260 separating the first case portion 102 and the second case portion 104. As a result, the glasses 200 slide out of the glasses case 100, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

The eyeglass case 100 of the present invention also provides a convenient way to clean the first housing portion 102 and the second housing portion 104. The case 100 can be disassembled by pulling the separation portion 180 away from the first housing portion 102. Such pulling allows the set of protrusions 144 to exit the set of recesses 164, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 .

While aspects of the invention have been primarily shown and described in terms of the embodiments set forth above, those skilled in the art will recognize that various additional embodiments are possible by modifying the disclosed devices, systems, and methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Such embodiments are within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims (13)

1. A spectacle case (100) for storing spectacles (200), the spectacle case (100) comprising a first case portion (102) and a second case portion (104), wherein the first case portion (102) has a first passage (134) and a first protruding flap (138) axially spaced from the first passage (134); and the second case portion (104) has a second passage (154) and a second protruding flap (158) axially spaced from the second passage (154); wherein the first case portion (102) and the second case portion (104) are interconnected such that the first protruding flap (138) fits into the second passage (154) and the second protruding flap (158) fits into the first passage (134). 2. A spectacle case (100) for spectacles according to claim 1, characterized in that the first case part (102) and the second case part (104) are made to be connectable and detachable. 3. A spectacle case (100) for spectacles according to claim 1, characterised in that a gap (250) narrower than the thickness (e) of the spectacles is provided between the first case part (102) and the second case part (104) when the first case part (102) and the second case part (104) are connected to each other. 4. The spectacle case (100) for spectacles according to claim 1, wherein the first protruding flap (138) and the second protruding flap (158) are axially aligned with each other with a gap (g) therebetween. 5. A spectacle case (100) for spectacles according to claim 3 and 4, characterised in that the gap (250) has a separation distance (260) wider than the thickness (e) of the spectacles when the first protruding flap (138) and the second protruding flap (158) have moved closer to each other. 6. The spectacle case (100) of claim 1, wherein the first case portion (102) includes a first inner surface (132) having a first passage (134) defining an edge (136). 7. A spectacle case (100) for spectacles according to claim 6, characterised in that a first protruding flap (138) extends from an edge (136) of the first passage (134). 8. The spectacle case (100) of claim 7, wherein the first protruding flap (138) includes a first flap portion (140) that extends axially from an edge (136) of the first passage (134). 9. A spectacle case (100) for spectacles according to claim 8, characterised in that a second flap part (142) extends from the first flap part (140). 10. A spectacle case (100) for spectacles according to claim 9, characterised in that the second flap part (142) is spherical and extends from the first flap part (140) parallel to the longitudinal axis (1-1') of the first case part (102). 11. A spectacle case (100) for spectacles according to claim 1, characterized in that the first case part (102) forms a first longitudinal edge (106) and a second longitudinal edge (108), wherein the first longitudinal edge (106) is curved and the second longitudinal side (108) includes three convex and two concave portions. 12. The spectacle case (100) of claim 1, wherein the first case portion (102) includes a plurality of projections (144) extending from an inner surface (132) of the first case portion (102) perpendicular to the axis 1-1'. 13. The spectacle case (100) of claim 1, wherein the second case portion (104) includes a plurality of projecting recesses (164) perpendicular to the axis 2-2', wherein the plurality of projections (144) of the first case portion (102) fit into the recesses (164).