US20250153894A1

US20250153894A1 - Compressible organiser device for a game box

Info

Publication number: US20250153894A1
Application number: US18/840,714
Authority: US
Inventors: Alberto Adrian ALONSO PEREZ
Original assignee: Gamegenic GmbH
Current assignee: Gamegenic GmbH
Priority date: 2022-02-28
Filing date: 2023-02-27
Publication date: 2025-05-15
Also published as: WO2023161476A1; FR3133021B1; FR3133021A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a game box organiser device (1), comprising a rectangular parallelepiped block (4) made of compressible material, the block (4) being supported by at least one separator (2, 3), the device (1) being intended to be placed in a game box (10) and configured so that its volume retracts under the action of a force on the separator (2, 3) or otherwise has an initial volume, the volume occupied by the device (1) thus being variable so as to adjust a storage capacity of a game box (10).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND STATE OF THE ART

The invention relates to an organizer device for a game box and in particular a card game box.
A game box allows storing gaming equipment such as playing cards. Such a box comprises in this respect an enclosure for storing the gaming equipment and a lid for closing the enclosure.
To store game cards, the box has dimensions adapted to the width and height of the cards. However, the storage volume is not always adapted to the number of cards to be stored. In this case, the cards can move in the box and get damaged. This is not desirable.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention makes it possible to store gaming equipment and in particular playing cards without damaging them.
The invention makes it possible to modulate a storage volume to store the cards. It also allows compartmentalizing the storage volume depending on the needs.
According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a game box organizer device, comprising a rectangular parallelepiped block made of compressible material, the block being supported by at least one separator, the device being intended to be disposed in a game box and is configured so that its volume retracts under the action of a force on the separator or otherwise presents an initial volume, the volume occupied by the device thus being variable so as to adjust a storage capacity of a game box.
The invention is advantageously supplemented by the following characteristics, taken alone or in any one of their technically possible combinations:

- it comprises two separators, the block being interposed between the two separators;
- each separator is fixed to the block, preferably by means of glue;
- at least one separator comprises a tab protruding from the separator so as to be able to grip the device;
- the tab and the separator are connected via a fold line so as to be able to fold the tab against the block or against the separator;
- in which the block is made of foam, for example polyurethane preferably of RG14/18 type;
- in which each separator is made of polypropylene or cardboard or leather or plastic;
- in which the separators have a smooth surface so as to facilitate the removal of the device when it is in a box and in contact with a set of card(s).

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a set comprising a game box and at least one organizer device according to the first aspect of the invention configured to adapt the storage volume of the game box and to compartmentalize the box.
The invention therefore makes it possible to adapt the storage capacity of a game box. This is particularly advantageous for keeping playing cards in the box so as not to damage them as well as to prevent them from falling to the bottom of the box and from being difficult to catch. Furthermore, by compartmentalizing the volume, the device makes it possible to classify the cards.
The organizer device is light and easy to handle. Furthermore, it is perfectly adapted to the game box into which it is inserted.

PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and which should be read in relation to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate in perspective a view of an organizer device for a game box according to one embodiment of the invention in an uncompressed position;

FIG. 3 a , FIG. 3 b and FIG. 3 c illustrate several side views of an organizer device for a game box according to one embodiment of the invention in an uncompressed position, with a tab in several positions;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an organizer device for a game box according to one embodiment of the invention in a compressed position;

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate side views of an organizer device for a game box according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of an organizer device for a game box according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate a game box with the organizer device in an uncompressed position;

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 illustrate a game box with the organizer device in a compressed position.

In all the figures, similar elements bear identical references.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 8 illustrate a game box organizer device 1 according to the invention. Such a device 1 is intended to be positioned in a game box in order to organize its storage volume. It is specified that a game box can comprise several devices 1. Particularly, the game box stores playing cards. FIGS. 8 to 11 illustrate a game box 10 with the organizer device 1.
Such an organizer device 1 comprises two main faces 21, 31 formed respectively by rectangular plates 2, 3 and defining a first separator 2 and a second separator 3. Each separator 2, 3 has a thickness. The two main faces 21, 31 are opposite to each other and disposed facing each other. The main faces 21, 31 extend along a longitudinal axis AA.
The device 1 comprises a parallelepiped block 4 made of compressible material disposed between the two main faces 2, 3. The block 4 therefore fills a volume defined between the two separators 2, 3. The block 4 is thus sandwiched between the two separators 2, 3.
The separators 2, 3 are fixed to the block 4 using glue for example.
The block 4 has a height H and a thickness E. The height H is taken along the longitudinal axis AA while the thickness E is taken along a transverse axis BB perpendicular to the longitudinal axis AA. For example, the block 4 has a thickness comprised between 2 cm and 5 cm, preferably 3 cm, and a height H comprised between 7 cm and 9 cm, preferably 8.6 cm.
The separators 2, 3 comprise four side faces 22, 32, 23, 33, longitudinal side faces 22, 23 and transverse side faces 23, 33. The longitudinal side faces 22 are of height H′ along the upper longitudinal axis or equal to the height H of the block 4. This is in particular visible in FIGS. 1 and 2 where the height H′ of the separators is greater than the height H of the block 4. The separators 2, 3 for example have a thickness E′ comprised between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, preferably 1 mm. They are therefore very thin compared to the block 4.
The separators 2, 3 advantageously have rounded corners which allow a comfortable grip thus by not having sharp tips.
As will be explained later, the dimensions of the device 1 of the invention are more generally adapted to the size of playing cards. It will therefore be understood that the dimensions may vary.
A tab 5 of rectangular shape extends on at least one of the separators 2, 3 from a transverse side face 23. The corners of the tab 5 are rounded for the same reasons as the corners of the separators 2, 3. This tab 5 has a thickness E′ identical to that of the separators 2, 3 and protrudes from the separator. This is an extension of the separator 5 in a longitudinal direction AA. The tab 5 is advantageously integral from the separator 2. In the figures, only one of the separators 2, 3 comprises a tab 5. Complementarily, each separator 2, 3 comprises a tab 5. At the junction between the tab 5 and the separator 2, a fold line 6 is provided over the entire junction. In this way it is possible to fold the tab 5 above the block 4 or against the separator 2 along the direction in which the tab is folded. It is possible to fold the tab 5 in several directions as is visible in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b in particular.
As a non-limiting example, the separator with the tab has a height comprised between 65 mm and 68 mm, preferably equal to 66.4 mm.
The block 4 therefore consists of a compressible material having a variable volume. Particularly, this volume is variable when a force is applied on either of the main faces of the device 1. On the other hand, the block 4 is such that when a force is applied on one of the main faces 21, 31, it will compress less than when a force is applied on the faces of the block that are not in contact with the separators 2, 3. The compressible material is advantageously very flexible, airy foam. For example, it is polyurethane of RG14/1 or RG14/18 type. Of course, those skilled in the art can use any material provided that it is compressible so that its volume can vary from an initial uncompressed volume to a minimal volume when compressed to the maximum. Furthermore, between this initial volume and this minimum volume and depending on the force applied, the volume of the block 4 varies. Thus, the block 4 presented acts like a spring which compresses more or less depending on the needs.
The separators 2, 3 are made of material such as cardboard, plastic or artificial leather or Polypropylene (PP). In other words, the separators are made of a material that deforms less than the block 4. The thickness E′ of the separator 2, 3 will be adjusted depending on the type of material to give it sufficient rigidity in order to be able to compress the block 4. Furthermore, the material of the separators 2, 3 is chosen to allow the tab 5 to be folded without it being able to be separated from the separator 2, 3 with which it is associated. It is indeed undesirable to damage the device 1 in this way. Also and in a complementary manner, the separators 2, 3 have a smooth surface which facilitates the removal of the block 4 when pulling on the tab 5.
In relation to FIGS. 8 to 11 , the device 1 is adapted to be positioned in a game box 10 which comprises a bottom 11 and side walls 12, 13, 14, 15 rising from the sides of the bottom 11. A box 10 can comprise several devices 1 thus described.
The device 1 is such that it rests against the bottom 11 of the box. The game box 10 makes it possible to store playing cards. In FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 , one-piece sets E1 and E2 of playing cards are represented for the sake of simplicity. The device 1 has dimensions adapted to the size of playing cards as can be seen in these figures. Particularly, the height of the separators 2, 3 conforms to the height of the playing cards.
Indeed, the objective of the device 1 is to allow filling a storage volume not occupied by the playing cards E1, E2 so that they cannot move. Also, it makes it possible to compartmentalize the storage volume. Depending on the needs, the cards can be divided into several sets and distributed on either side of the device 1 or between several devices 1 if present. In this case, the device 1 makes it possible to classify the cards in the storage volume while adapting to the volume occupied by the cards.
To easily adapt to the volume occupied by the cards, the device 1 is compressed and stabilizes the cards. For example, in FIGS. 8 and 9 two sets E1, E2 of playing cards are separated by the device 1 that fills the volume not occupied by the playing cards. The cards are well held and do not fall into the box 10. They can therefore be easily grabbed without being damaged.
In FIGS. 10 and 11 , the cards are in greater number and the device 1 is adapted to the volume to be filled which is smaller than the volume to be filled in FIGS. 8 and 9 . In the case where a single device 1 is not enough to fill the volume not occupied by the cards then one or several devices 1 can be provided by adjusting the compression of the devices 1. Furthermore, in FIGS. 8 to 10 the device 1 is disposed between two sets E1, E2 of cards but this is not mandatory. Furthermore, several devices 1 can be used to separate the cards into desired sets.
Advantageously, when the separators 2, 3 are of a height greater than that of the block 4, the block 4 is not in direct contact with the bottom 11 of the box 10. This prevents damaging the block 4 and facilitates compression since the block 4 does not rub against the bottom 11. Furthermore, in the compressed position, the block 4 can deform and the separators being larger than the block 4, the block 4 does not protrude from the separators. The size difference between the block 4 and the separators 2, 3 makes it possible to compensate for the deformation of the block 4 when it compresses between the separators 2, 3. Thus, as visible in FIGS. 9 and 10 , the block 4 does not rest directly against the bottom 11 of the box 10, only the transverse faces 23, 33 of the separators are in contact with the block 4.
Alternatively, depending on the material of the block 4, the separators 2, 3 can be of identical dimensions to the faces of the block 4 with which the separators 2, 3 are in contact. This is the case where when the block 4 is compressed it does not deform and therefore does not project from the separators 2, 3.
The tab 5 makes it possible to remove the device 1 from the box and can also comprise inscriptions to designate sets of playing cards.
The removal of the device 1 via the tab 5 is facilitated by the compression/decompression of the block 4 and by the fact that the material of the separators 2, 3 in contact with the cards has a smooth surface. Having a smooth surface, the surrounding cards will not be damaged (there will be no rough friction). Also, for this same reason, having a smooth surface, the removal of the device 1 will not take away any cards in its wake.
Being able to fold the tab 5 also makes it possible to close the box 10 with a lid (not represented) without damaging the tab 5.

Claims

1. A game box organizer device comprising a rectangular parallelepiped block made of compressible material, the block being supported by two separators made of a material that deforms less than the block, the block being interposed between the two separators, the device being:

adapted to be disposed in a game box and to compartmentalize the game box, and

configured so that a volume of the device retracts under the action of a force on the separator or otherwise presents an initial volume, the volume occupied by the device thus being variable so as to adjust a storage capacity of the game box.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein each separator is fixed to the block, preferably by means of glue.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one separator comprises a tab protruding from the separator so as to allow gripping the device.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the tab and the separator are connected via a fold line so as to allow folding the tab against the block or against the separator.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the block is made of foam, for example polyurethane preferably of RG14/18 type.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein each separator is made of polypropylene or cardboard or leather or plastic.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the two separators have a smooth surface so as to facilitate removal of the device when it is in the game box and in contact with a set of card(s).

8. A set comprising a game box and at least one organizer device according to claim 1 configured to adapt a storage volume of the game box and to compartmentalize the game box.