EP0287532A2 — Container for cards, in particular, credit cards …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 265 words

1) A container for cards, in particular, credit cards and similar items, characterized: -in that it comprises a box, parallelepiped in shape with an open top and a lid (4), of dimensions such that the space internally encompassed will accept a plurality of substantially identical cards (2) stacked together in orderly fashion side by side, to an exact fit, and a manually operated device, located near the bottom (3) of the box and accessible from the outside, by which the single cards are caused to emerge partially from the open top to different respective degrees by sliding in relation to one another in a direction parallel to their mutually breasted surfaces (12); -in that the manually operated device comprises an elongated element (5), hinged about an axis disposed perpendicular to the front (7) and back (8) of the box, with which the breasted surfaces of the cards lie parallel, and shaped in such a way as to afford a succession of steps (9) equal in number to the number of cards (2) accommodated by the container; -in that the steps exhibit respective surfaces (10), lying at different respective distances from the hinge axis, each one of which is designed to enter into contact with the lower edge of a single card, and possessed of a dimension parallel to the hinge axis that is substantially equal to the overall thickness of a single card; and -in that the manually operated device comprises an element for manipulation purposes, positioned on the outside of the box, that is associated and rotatable as one with the hinged element (5).

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 265 words

1) A container for cards, in particular, credit cards and similar items, characterized: -in that it comprises a box, parallelepiped in shape with an open top and a lid (4), of dimensions such that the space internally encompassed will accept a plurality of substantially identical cards (2) stacked together in orderly fashion side by side, to an exact fit, and a manually operated device, located near the bottom (3) of the box and accessible from the outside, by which the single cards are caused to emerge partially from the open top to different respective degrees by sliding in relation to one another in a direction parallel to their mutually breasted surfaces (12); -in that the manually operated device comprises an elongated element (5), hinged about an axis disposed perpendicular to the front (7) and back (8) of the box, with which the breasted surfaces of the cards lie parallel, and shaped in such a way as to afford a succession of steps (9) equal in number to the number of cards (2) accommodated by the container; -in that the steps exhibit respective surfaces (10), lying at different respective distances from the hinge axis, each one of which is designed to enter into contact with the lower edge of a single card, and possessed of a dimension parallel to the hinge axis that is substantially equal to the overall thickness of a single card; and -in that the manually operated device comprises an element for manipulation purposes, positioned on the outside of the box, that is associated and rotatable as one with the hinged element (5).

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 53 words

2) Container as in claim 1, wherein the surface (10) of the step (9) designed to enter into contact with the lower edge of the single card consists in a segment of a cylindrical surface the straight line generators of which lie parallel with the axis of rotation of the hinged element (5).

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 51 words

3) Container as in claim 1, wherein the hinged element (5) is anchored to the box about an axis located a short distance from the bottom (3) and from one of two sides (15) which, together with the front (7) and back (8), constitute the four upright walls of the container.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 71 words

4) Container as in claim 1, wherein the element by which the manually operated device is manipulated consists in a lever (11) disposed substantially parallel with the hinged element (5), one end of which is fastened to the hinged element concurrently with the pivot (6) by which the element is hinged to the box, and the remaining end embodied in such a way as to offer an easily accessible appendage (13).

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 58 words

5) Container as in claim 4, wherein the lever (11) is accommodated internally of a cavity formed in the front (7) of the box, and the appendage (13) moves along a slot exhibiting the shape of arc to a circle, and is of dimensions such that it will not project beyond the outer surface of the front (7).

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 66 words

6) Container as in claim 1, comprising a flip-up lid (4) that is hinged about an axis located at the top edge of the box and fastened or unfastened by way of flexible catch components (16), one associated with the lid (4), the other with the box near to the relative top edge, that can be snapped together and separated by virtue of their elastic properties.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 63 words

7) Container as in claim 1, comprising retaining means, applied to the inside faces of the two sides (15) which together with the front (7) and back (8) constitute the four upright walls of the container, that are designed to interact with the side edges of the cards (2), thereby holding the cards in position and preventing their unwarranted emergence from the container.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 74 words

8) Container as in claim 7, wherein the retaining means comprise at least one elastically deformable element in the form of a flexible strip (20) breasted with the inside face of the side wall (15) and embodied with at least one bulge (21) the convex side of which is directed toward the inside of the container and proportioned so as to ensure that contact is made with the side edges of the cards (2).

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 98 words

9) Container as in claim 8, comprising a flip-up lid (4) that is hinged about an axis located at the top edge of the box, wherein the top end of the strip (20) affords a flexible angled appendage (22) the uppermost extremity of which makes contact with the lid (4) and is capable of bending within a plane parallel to the side (15) of the box against which the strip (20) is breasted, thereby functioning as a spring and flexing in such a way as to urge against the lid (4) and hold it in the open position.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 144 words

10) Container as in claim 1, comprising a flip-open lid (4) that is hinged about an axis located at the top edge of the box and fastened or unfastened by way of a fastening device consisting in: -a socket (23), formed in the front edge of the lid; -an element (24) in the form of a hook, capable of movement in a direction parallel to the axis about which the lid is hinged, and affording a catch (25) that engages in the socket (23); -spring means (26), by which the element (24) is urged toward the socket; wherein the top of the catch (25) is embodied with an angled surface (27) that interacts with the lip of the underside of the socket (23) in such a way that the element (24) will be drawn back when gentle pressure is applied to close the lid.

Container for cards, in particular, credit cards and similar items

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