U.S. patent application number 09/754742 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-21 for multi-purpose eyeglass holding and cleaning kit.
Invention is credited to Taormina, David.
Application Number | 20010004053 09/754742 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46257385 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010004053 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taormina, David |
June 21, 2001 |
Multi-purpose eyeglass holding and cleaning kit
Abstract
A multi-purpose eyeglass holding and cleaning kit capable of
storing a pair of eyeglasses and including a body with an outer
shell constructed of a durable material, the body having a selected
length, width and thickness which defines a generally elongate
article with a first end and a second end and defining, in
combination, a hollow interior suitable for receiving in inserting
fashion the pair of the eyeglasses. A hingedly secured portion is
secured to the body at a desired location and is actuated from a
closed position to an open position in order to reveal an interior
of the shell interior and to permit the insertion or removal of the
pair of eyeglasses. A volume of a glass lens cleaning solution is
contained within the shell at a selected location, the cleaning
solution further including a dispensing pump incorporated within
the body. A flap defined on an inner face of the shell interior
supports a fabric material is contained within the shell. When the
pair of eyeglasses are removed from the body, the dispensing pump
is employed in a first step to apply cleaning solution to the
surfaces of the eyeglass lenses and the fabric material is removed
from the flap and employed in a second step to wipe dry the
solution from the cleaned lenses.
Inventors: |
Taormina, David; (Clinton
TWP, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOUGLAS J. McEVOY
Gifford, Krass, Groh, Sprinkle,
Anderson & Citkowski, P.C.
280 N. Old Woodward, Suite 400
Birmingham
MI
48009
US
|
Family ID: |
46257385 |
Appl. No.: |
09/754742 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09754742 |
Jan 4, 2001 |
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09466115 |
Dec 17, 1999 |
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6170651 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/6 ; 206/38;
206/581 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 11/043
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/6 ; 206/38;
206/581 |
International
Class: |
A45C 011/04; B65D
069/00; B65D 071/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A multi-purpose eyeglass holding and cleaning kit capable of
storing a pair of eyeglasses, said eyeglass holding and cleaning
kit comprising: a body with an outer shell constructed of a durable
material, said body having a selected length, width and thickness
which defines a generally elongate article with a hollow interior
suitable for receiving in inserting fashion the pair of eyeglasses;
said body further including a hingedly secured portion which is
actuated from a closed position to an open position in order to
reveal said hollow interior of said shell and to permit the
insertion or removal of the pair of eyeglasses; and a volume of a
glass lens cleaning solution contained within said shell, said
cleaning solution further including a dispensing pump; whereupon,
when the pair of eyeglasses are removed from said body, said
cleaning solution is applied to the surfaces of the eyeglass
lenses, a fabric material is employed to wipe dry the solution from
the cleaned lenses.
2. The multi-purpose eyeglass kit according to claim 1, said
hingedly secured portion further comprising a lid pivotally secured
along an axially extending edge of said body.
3. The multi-purpose eyeglass kit according to claim 2, further
comprising a flap securing to an inner face of said lid and
securing in place a cloth insert.
4. The multi-purpose eyeglass kit according to claim 1, said
cleaning solution further comprising an insertable and affixable
fluid carrying unit within which said volume of cleaning solution
is held, a dispensing pump being visible upon inserting said fluid
carrying unit into an associating recess defined within said
body.
5. The multi-purpose eyeglass kit according to claim 4, further
comprising a depressible portion for actuating said dispensing
pump.
6. The multi-purpose eyeglass kit according to claim 4, said
hingedly secured portion further comprising a lid pivotally secured
along an axially extending edge of said body, a portion of said lid
being configured to reveal said dispensing pump when said lid is
actuated to a closed position.
7. The multi-purpose eyeglass kit according to claim 1, said body
further comprising an integrally formed and axially extending
subcompartment within which said volume of cleaning solution is
held.
8. The multi-purpose eyeglass kit according to claim 7, said
generally elongate extending body further comprising first and
second substantially flattened faces, a first extending side and a
second opposite extending side, a first end and a second end, said
integrally formed and fluid holding subcompartment being defined in
proximity to a selected extending side between said first end and
said second end.
9. A multi-purpose eyeglass holding and cleaning kit capable of
storing a pair of eyeglasses, said eyeglass holding and cleaning
kit comprising: a body with an outer shell constructed of a durable
material, said body having a selected length, width and thickness
defined by first and second flattened faces, a first extending side
and a second extending side and which defines a generally elongate
article with a hollow interior suitable for receiving in inserting
fashion the pair of eyeglasses, said body further having a first
end and a second end; said first face being defined by a lid
pivotally secured along an axially extending edge of said body and
which is actuated from a closed position to an open position in
order to reveal an interior of said shell and to permit the
insertion or removal of the pair of eyeglasses; said lid further
including an inner face defining a flap within which is held a
fabric material; a volume of a glass lens cleaning solution being
contained within said shell, said cleaning solution further
including a dispensing pump incorporated within said body, a
portion of said lid being configured to reveal said dispensing pump
when said lid is actuated to a closed position; and whereupon, when
the pair of eyeglasses are removed from said body, said dispensing
pump is employed in a first step to apply cleaning solution to the
surfaces of the eyeglass lenses, said fabric material wiping dry
the solution from the cleaned lenses.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/466,115, filed Dec. 17, 1999, for a
MULTI-PURPOSE EYEGLASS HOLDING AND CLEANING KIT.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to eyeglass carrying
and storage cases, as well as to eyeglass cleaning devices and,
more particularly, to a combination and multi-purpose eyeglass
holding and cleaning kit.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Eyeglass holding cases and eyeglass cleaning devices are by
themselves very well known in the art. Numerous types and
constructions of eyeglass holding sleeves constructed of soft vinyl
and leather are known, as are hardened shell cases typically
constructed of polymerized materials.
[0006] Some attempts have been made in the prior art to combine the
features of eyeglass holding and eyeglass cleaning/polishing
devices. A notable example of this is set forth in U.S. Pat. No.
5,344,002, issued to Baczkowski, and which discloses a combination
eyeglass lens polisher and holder device. The device of Baczkowski
includes the provision of an elongated, flexible and resilient
bottom strip having opposite ends, a bottom surface and an opposite
upper surface. The bottom surface is constructed of a flexible and
non-abrasive surface and is adapted for polishing the glasses lens.
A pair of flexible, resilient eyeglass holder pockets are secured
to the upper surface of the bottom strip adjacent its opposite ends
and are spaced apart to define a central foldable portion
therebetween. The pockets hold a pair of eyeglasses, with each lens
contained within an associated pocket. The eyeglasses are polished
upon being removed from the pockets, by inserting the thumb into
one pocket, the forefinger and middle finger of the same hand into
the other pocket, folding the device around the central foldable
portion, and embracing the selected eyeglass lens between to polish
it by applying kneading action of the non-abrasive surfaces against
each of the lenses in succession.
[0007] Although providing an interesting example of carrying a pair
of eyeglasses in a soft, flexible covering member, the device of
Baczkowski does not provide any level of durable and
crush-resistant protection to the eyeglasses held within and
further does not provide any form of a fluid wetting/cleaning
solution. The non-abrasive opposing surfaces defined upon the
Baczkowski pockets are further inapplicable in combination with a
suitable spray or wetting solution which has been found to be most
effective for cleaning eyeglass lenses.
[0008] A further example of a combined eyeglass and contact lens
and accessories case is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,811,
issued to Lines. The Lines patent discloses combining the glasses
with a contact lens case, a first wetting solution bottle, and a
second cleaning solution bottle. As illustrated, the carrying case
may be folded upon itself through the use of Velcro strips. A small
rectangular mirror is glued to the fabric material along one
inwardly facing surface as illustrated.
[0009] As with Baczkowski, the Lines patent is likewise directed to
a flexible carrying case. Further, wetting and cleaning solution
bottles are disclosed as being directed for use with the contact
lenses and no provision is made for employing either or both
without first removing them from within associated pockets formed
in the fabric material.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is a novel and useful multi-purpose
eyeglass holding and cleaning kit which is capable of storing a
pair of eyeglasses in a convenient and secure fashion, as well as
providing the ability to quickly remove and clean the eyeglasses
using both a fluid cleaning solution and one or more non-abrasive
lens tissue wipes.
[0011] According to a first preferred embodiment, the body is
constructed with an outer shell of a durable material. The body is
shaped so as to form a generally smooth edged and elongated article
with a selected length, width and thickness defined by first and
second flattened faces, a first extending side and a second
extending side and which defines a generally elongate article with
a hollow interior suitable for receiving a pair of eyeglasses.
[0012] The first face further defines a lid pivotally secured along
an axially extending edge of the body and being actuated from a
closed position to an open position to reveal a hollow interior
suitable for receiving in inserting fashion a pair of eyeglasses.
The hingedly secured lid includes an inner face and within which is
positioned a flap for holding a fabric material.
[0013] A volume of a glass cleaning solution is contained within
the shell of the body and, in one particular variant of the first
preferred embodiment, includes a dispensing pump mechanism with a
depressible spray head. A portion of the hingedly secured lid is
configured to reveal the dispensing pump when the lid is actuated
to the closed position. An externally viewable and transparent
fluid measuring window is provided along an insertable and
affixable fluid carrying unit within which the cleaning solution is
held.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when
read in combination with the following specification, wherein like
reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several
views, and in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the multi-purpose eyeglass
holding and cleaning kit according to the preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the eyeglass holding
and cleaning kit illustrated in FIG. 1 and further showing the
axially secured lid actuated to an open position to reveal the
eyeglass holding interior;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 2 and
illustrating, in enlarged section, the removable nature of the
fluid carrying unit according to one preferred variant of the
present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the eyeglass holding and
cleaning kit and illustrating the eyeglass holding compartment and
cleaning solution subcompartment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a perspective view is shown
at 10 of a multi-purpose eyeglass holding and cleaning kit
according to the first preferred embodiment of the present
invention. A body of the kit is constructed with an outer shell of
a durable material, and particularly a plasticized or vinyl
material or a combination of both. The body according to the
preferred embodiment further has a selected length, width and
thickness defined by a first generally flattened face 12 and a
second generally flattened face 14.
[0020] The body further includes a first elongate, axial extending
and generally arcuate side 16 and a second opposite and likewise
extending side 18 combined with the first and second generally
flattened faces 12 and 14 to define a generally elongate article
with a hollow interior 20 (see FIG. 2) suitable for receiving in
inserting fashion the pair of eyeglasses 22 (see also cross
sectional cutaway of FIG. 4). The body further has a first end 24
and a second end 26.
[0021] The first generally flattened face 12, in the preferred
variant, defines a hingedly secured lid and which is actuated from
a closed position (as shown in FIG. 1) to an open position (as best
seen in FIGS. 2 and 3) by a conventional latch 27 to reveal the
interior 20 of the body shell and to permit the insertion or
removal of the pair of eyeglasses 22. The hingedly secured face 12
is biasingly opened and closed along a hinged edge 28 (this
typically being defined by an elongated and coil-type spring
element) and which influences the lid/face 12 in either opening or
closing directions as is known in the art and depending upon a
selected actuating force being applied to the lid. Also, the
lid/first face 12 terminates in a curved edge 29 which encloses
over an abutting edge 31 of the extending side 18 of the body.
[0022] A flap 30 is secured to an inner face 32 of the lid and
supports a suitable cloth or other fabric insert (see at 33) for
cleaning the lens surfaces of the eyeglasses 22. In a preferred
variant, interengaging portions 34 and 36 (and such as which may
include Velcro.RTM. portions) are arranged between the flap 30 and
the inner face 32 to maintain the flap 30 and interdisposed cloth
in place. It is also understood that the provision of the flap 30
is optional and that the multi-purpose eyeglass holding and
cleaning kit may function without the flap 30 or any otherwise
secured fabric material.
[0023] A volume of a glass lens cleaning solution is contained
within the shell and is provided as an insertable and affixable
unit 38 within which the volume of cleaning solution is held. As is
also illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the fluid solution unit 38
includes a dispensing pump 40. A portion of the first face 12 is
configured, at 41, to permit the dispensing pump 40 to be visible
upon said unit 38 being affixed within the shell body and the
hinged face 12 being actuated to the closed position.
[0024] A depressible portion 42 is provided at a selected location
of the pump 40 for actuating the pump. The dispensing pump 40
further includes a spray nozzle 44 which, upon inwardly actuating
the dispensing pump, causes a fine mist spray to be issued.
Referring further to FIG. 3, the unit 38 is illustrated in exploded
fashion and also evident is the axially extending and subdivided
compartment 46 defined within the interior 20 of the shell body (by
interior dividing wall 47) and which permits installation of the
unit 38.
[0025] It is also envisioned that the fluid carrying capability of
the unit can be provided by an integrally defined subcompartment
within the body and which is directly refilled without the need for
a separately installable spray application unit. In such an
instance, an attachable spray head (not shown) with fluid
withdrawing stem (again not shown) is attachable to the fluid
carrying subcompartment.
[0026] Having described my invention, it will be apparent that it
discloses a novel and useful multi-purpose eyeglass holding and
cleaning kit which is a significant improvement over that taught by
the prior art. Additional embodiments will become apparent to those
skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviating from the
scope of the appended claims. Specifically, the elongate and
three-dimensional body can be provided as first and second
telescoping and axially adjustable tubes and so as to establish an
overall length of the body to accommodate different sized
eyeglasses. Additionally, the glass cleaning fluid can be
incorporated and applied in additional variations beyond those
specifically disclosed, such as being held entirely within a
selected three-dimensional hingedly secured portion attached to
either a selected end or a selected flattened face of the body.
* * * * *