U.S. patent application number 10/231343 was filed with the patent office on 2004-03-04 for flexible case for carrying small objects.
Invention is credited to Menceles, Andrew.
Application Number | 20040040869 10/231343 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32683234 |
Filed Date | 2004-03-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040040869 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Menceles, Andrew |
March 4, 2004 |
Flexible case for carrying small objects
Abstract
A flexible purse or case for holding small objects within a
user's pocket or handbag includes a flexible skin which forms a
shaped body having enclosed space and a slot extending between the
ends of the body for accessing the interior of the purse. A
semi-rigid frame is engaged to the body and includes a downwardly
curved bar extending between the ends of the body. Opposed rigid
end caps cover the body ends and are engaged to opposed ends of the
frame. Squeezing the first and second opposed ends together by
squeezing the end caps flexes the frame and urges the slot open to
allow access to the interior of the body. The skin and end caps
form a visually unitary structure with a continuously curving
exterior surface which may be in the shape of an ellipsoid.
Inventors: |
Menceles, Andrew;
(Willowdale, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Adrian Zahl
Ridout & Maybee LLP
19th Floor
150 Metcalfe Street
Ottawa
ON
K2P 1P1
CA
|
Family ID: |
32683234 |
Appl. No.: |
10/231343 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/37 ; 206/.8;
206/38 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/04 20130101;
A45C 11/00 20130101; A45C 2005/032 20130101; A45C 2013/1007
20130101; A45C 2001/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/037 ;
206/000.8; 206/038 |
International
Class: |
A45C 011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flexible case for holding small objects comprising: a flexible
skin having sufficient rigidity to maintain a selected shape of a
case body defining an enclosed space, said body having first and
second opposed ends and a slot extending between said ends for
accessing the interior of the body; a frame comprising an elongate,
semi-rigid resilient downwardly curved bar engaged to said body and
extending between said ends; and opposed rigid end caps separate
from said skin and covering said first and second opposed ends of
said body, said end caps being engaged to opposed ends of said
frame; wherein upon squeezing said first and second opposed ends
together, said bar is flexed and said slot is urged open allowing
access to the interior of the body.
2. A case defined in claim 1, wherein said end caps and said body
form a visually unitary structure with a continuously curving
exterior surface.
3. A case as defined in claim 1, wherein said bar has opposed side
edges which bow outwardly towards the middle of said bar.
4. A case as defined in claim 1, wherein said frame is disposed
within the interior of said hollow body.
5. A case as defined in claim 1, comprising outwardly protruding
lips along the borders of said slot.
6. A case as defined in claim 1, wherein a tab extends from one of
said rigid end caps, said tab including an aperture for a key ring,
chain, card or other member.
7. A case as defined in claim 1, wherein said end caps and said
body together form a generally ellipsoidal structure.
8. A package comprising the case as defined in claim 6, a pocket
including an optical cleaner and a manual of instructions; and a
cord securing the case, the pocket, and the manual of instructions
together.
9. A case for holding small objects comprising: a frame, said frame
comprising an elongate semi-rigid arcuate spine joined with end
caps on either end of said strip for finger contact by a user; and
a flexible skin separate from and supported by said frame and
extending longitudinally between said end caps, said skin having an
elongate slot therein extending between said end caps for access
into the interior of said case, wherein squeezing together of said
end caps by a user urges said slot to an open position while
flexing said strip, while release of said end caps causes said
strip to revert to a relaxed position wherein said end caps are
drawn apart for closing of said slot, said end caps and covering
comprising a visually unitary and continuously curving ellipsoidal
exterior surface.
10. A case as defined in claim 9, wherein said end caps each
include a constricted throat region for engaging said skin with a
friction fit and an annular groove for engaging respective ends of
said skin.
11. A case as defined in claim 9, wherein said strip is retained
within the interior of said case.
12. A case as defined in claim 9, wherein said spine opposed side
edges which bow outwardly towards the middle of said spine.
13. A case as defined in claim 9, further comprising a pair of
upstanding lips extending along the borders of said slot and
opposed to each other, said lips being arranged for contact with
each other when said case is closed.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates generally to cases or storage pouches
and particularly to flexible cases for storing small articles such
as a cloth eyeglass wipe or spare change and which may be easily
carried in a user's pocket.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
[0002] There are many uses for small pouches or cases suitable for
carrying in one's pocket or handbag. One such use is to carry a
wipe for eyeglasses, to keep the wipe clean and readily available.
Another common use is to carry spare change.
[0003] The use of cloth wipe, such as a piece of microfibrous
fabric for cleaning the lenses of eyeglasses is recommended by the
optometrists. A fabric wipe is also convenient for use with a
variety of equipment including cameras, computer screens and
binoculars. Such fabrics provide a quick, effective and
scratch-free cleaning of a lense or other surface. Needless to
mention a fabric wipe should be kept clean for better efficiency.
Generally, eyeglass wearers carry a wipe in the eyeglass protective
case, with the risk of not having the wipe at hand when the case
has been forgotten elsewhere. Combined eyeglass case and cleaning
kits are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,170,651 to Taormina;
6,164,452 to Ellis; and 5,803,244 to Shefler et al.
[0004] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,366,072 to Goldenberg and 6,131,202 to
Thayer et al. attempt to solve this problem by providing a
protective case which can be secured to the arms of the eyeglass by
straps or attached to a belt. An optical cleaner can be carried
within such a case, but this solution can be aesthetically
unappealing as well as inconvenient, the case can hamper the back
of the wear's head, or the user may not be dressed adequately to
wear a belt.
[0005] In further efforts to make an optical cloth cleaner
conveniently available to eyeglass wearers, U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,115,841 to Thompson II et al. and 6,233,741 to Loree IV et al.
disclose a necktie having attached thereto an optical cloth cleaner
ready to be used at any time by the wearer of the necktie.
Obviously, this invention is suitable only when the user wears a
tie.
[0006] A well known example of a flexible pouch which may be used
to hold an object such as an optical wipe or spare change is the
widely used colourful plastic change purse, having an oval shape
with generally flat top and bottom surfaces and a slit extending
along the top surface. The plastic is semi-rigid, such that it
retains its shape while held in a pocket or handbag, but
intentionally squeezing the ends of the purse together bends the
purse and forces the slit open for access to the interior. While
inexpensive and ubiquitous, there are several disadvantages to this
item. For example, the slit may inadvertently open, releasing the
contents at the wrong time. Constant flexing of the semi-rigid
plastic can cause it to crack, particularly in cold weather.
Similarly, the resiliency of the plastic will vary with
temperature, becoming more flexible at high temperatures resulting
in greater likelihood of unwanted opening, while being too stiff
for convenient use in cold temperatures. Further, the item is often
associated with childhood and adults may be reluctant to be seen to
carry it; there is thus a need for a more sophisticated-appearing
and versatile pouch.
[0007] The prior art discloses several purses, pouches and
containers specifically adapted for eyeglass wipes. U.S. Pat. No.
5,083,661 to Burwell discloses an elongated storage container for
optical cloth. A retaining cord is attached near the centre of the
cloth and extends through the main aperture of the storage
container. The cord then passes through a small hole at the end of
the container opposite the aperture, and terminates with a stopper
bead. The cloth is removed from the container by pulling on the
cord. The stopper bead can be a cap for the aperture or act to
latch a hinged lid for the aperture. U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,204 to
Smith discloses a plastic portable storage case for a chemically
treated pig skin chamois. The case consists of an annular snap-on
lid attached to a short tubular housing by a living hinge. The case
comprises a detachable chain which enables the unit to serve as a
key chain or be attachable to one.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a flexible
protective pouch or purse for storing objects such as an optical
cloth cleaner, which is compact, portable and easily operable.
[0009] The invention comprises, in one aspect, a flexible purse for
holding small objects, comprising:
[0010] a flexible skin which has sufficient rigidity to maintain a
selected shape of a hollow purse body i.e. while during normal use,
resting in a users pocket or handbag, having first and second
opposed ends and a slot for accessing the interior of the body
extending between said ends;
[0011] a frame comprising an elongate, semi-rigid resilient
downwardly curved bar engaged to said skin and extending between
said opposed ends; and
[0012] opposed rigid end caps separate from said skin and covering
the opposed ends of said body, said end caps being engaged to
opposed ends of said frame.
[0013] Upon squeezing the first and second opposed ends together,
the bar is flexed and the slot is thereby urged open to allow
access to the interior of the body.
[0014] The end caps and body preferably form a visually unitary
structure with a continuously curving exterior surface. The skin is
possessed of sufficient rigidity to maintain a given selected shape
such as an ellipsoid during normal use, i.e. while resting in a
user's pocket or handbag, until compressed or manipulated by a
user. The purse body defines an interior space for holding objects,
such as an optical wipe cloth.
[0015] The body may include outwardly protruding lips extending
along the borders of said slot, to define and seal the opening. A
tab may protrude from one of the rigid end caps, said tab including
an aperture to receive a key ring, chain or other member.
[0016] Directional references within the present specification and
claims refer to terms such as "upper", "lower", "up", "down" and
the like. These references are for convenience of description only,
as it will be understood that the present invention may be
positioned in any orientation. Directional references refer to the
object when positioned generally horizontally, with the access slit
facing upwardly.
[0017] The term "semi-rigid" as used herein means sufficient
rigidity to maintain a given position during normal use, but when
given a firm and deliberate squeeze by hand by a user, the item
will flex.
[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the protective case, in the
normal, closed position;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side view of the protective case;
[0021] FIG. 3 is the upper view of the protective case;
[0022] FIG. 4 is the bottom view of the protective case;
[0023] FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively first and the second end
views of the protective case;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the protective case, in the
opened position and showing the interior of the case;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1a of FIG.
1;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 1b of FIG.
8;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2a of
FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7a of
FIG. 7;
[0029] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the protective case, in the
opened position and showing a tissue or optical wipe cloth being
removed or placed therein; and
[0030] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a kit comprising the case
of this invention, an envelope and an instruction manual.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] A perspective view of the purse or case 10 according to the
invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. As seen in the figures, the
case is of a generally ellipsoidal shape with a hollow interior. In
general, the case comprises a flexible skin 12 supported by a
resilient frame 13 (seen in its entirety in FIG. 11). The skin 12
has sufficient rigidity to maintain its shape during normal use,
i.e. while held in a user's pocket, but will deform with a slight
squeeze to the case. For example, the skin may comprise molded
synthetic rubber having a thickness of about 0.5 mm. A suitable
thickness range is about 0.1 mm. to 2.0 mm, with a preferred range
being about 0.2 mm. to 1.0 mm. The skin forms a body having open
ends, which are fully covered and plugged by rounded and contoured
rigid end caps 14 and 16. The caps are visible from both the
exterior and interior of the case. The end caps 14 and 16 are
joined together by an elongate resilient spine 18 which resides
within the interior of the case and is thus visible only when the
case is open, as will be described below. The spine 18 rests along
the lower side of the case, bearing in mind the note concerning
directional references recited above. The upper side of the skin 12
has an elongate slit 20 which provides access to the interior of
the case and extends longitudinally along a substantial portion of
the skin 12, i.e. extending almost to each end cap.
[0032] The overall configuration of the case is relatively
elongate, in relation to its width and thickness. In transverse and
elongate cross sections, the case is oval. The preferred overall
dimensions of the case are about 8.0 cm.times.2.5 cm.times.3.5 cm
(length, height, width). The relatively long, narrow rounded shape
of the case makes it convenient to carry in a pocket and attractive
in appearance. The forgoing dimensions represent a convenient size
for the present invention but it will be seen that these dimensions
are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which
may be manufactured in any convenient size. By way of a
non-limiting example, the length of the case may range between 4
and 12 cm, the height may range between 1 and 4 cm and the width
may range between 2 and 6 cm. It will be seen that a larger-sized
version of the invention may be suitable for carrying in a handbag,
briefcase or the like, and would be suitable for carrying larger
objects such as spare batteries or even pens or pencils if the
invention is scaled accordingly.
[0033] The body and end caps together form an integral, visually
unitary structure with a continuously curving exterior surface.
That is, apart from possible differences in colour and surface
texture, there is minimal visible junction between the end caps and
the body. The curvature of the body is continued in the exterior
surface of the end caps. Preferably the end caps are molded steel
with coated surfaces for corrosion resistance. The exposed exterior
surface of the caps has a smooth rounded surface. A tab 24
protrudes outwardly from one of caps 14 or 16, comprising an
integrally molded horizontal platelike member. An opening 40
extends through the tab for a key chain, a cord 50 or the like, for
example securing the case to a package 60 which may hold a folded
optional wiping cloth, and an instructional booklet 62, as
illustrated in FIG. 13.
[0034] As best illustrated in FIG. 11, the spine 18 has a generally
boat-shaped configuration in plan view, i.e., the opposed side
edges thereof bow outwardly to reach a maximum width at the
midpoint of the spine. The spine 18 contacts the bottom surface 28
of the interior of the case and is arcuate (downwardly curved)
along its length within a vertical plane to conform to the
curvature of the body 12 and contact the inside surface of the skin
for substantially the length of the case. The spine 18 joins at its
ends 30 and 32 respectively with the end caps 14 and 16. The spine
18 is composed of a highly resilient and moderately flexible
material, such as steel or a semi-rigid and highly resilient
plastic. The spine is not required to be glued to the skin, as the
skin is fitted tightly over the frame composed of the spine and end
caps, although if desired, the skin may be glued or otherwise
fastened to the spine. The spine 18 has sufficient rigidity to
adequately support the case in the fully extended, closed position
under ordinary conditions of use such as being held in a person's
pocket without flexing. At the same time, the spine 18 must have
sufficient flexibility to permit a user to intentionally bend the
spine into a more pronounced arc, in order to open the case as will
be described below. In the example described herein, this is
accomplished by providing a spine fabricated from steel, having a
length of about 6 mm, a thickness of about 1 mm and a maximum width
of about 1 cm at its middle tapering at either end to a width of
about 3 mm. The forgoing dimensions are intended to be non-limiting
of the scope of the invention. For example, the spine may have any
length which is slightly shorter than the length of the case, a
thickness ranging from 0.2 to 3.0 mm, and a maximum width of 0.3 to
3.0 cm, with the foregoing dimensions intended to serve as a
non-limiting range of possible dimensions. The selected dimensions
of the spine will also depend on the nature of the material
selected for the spine.
[0035] The spine 18 is integral with the end caps 14 and 16 which
each have a hollow interior to reduce weight and material costs.
The caps 14 and 16 are rigid and have an eye-pleasing and ergonomic
exterior shape which permits a user to easily squeeze them towards
each other in order to flex the spine and thereby open the
case.
[0036] The end caps may comprise molded metal such as steel. The
end caps 14, 16 and the body 12 together form an ellipsoidal
(egg-shaped) structure with a minimally visible junction between
the body and end caps, i.e. only a minimally narrow space where the
components join.
[0037] As best seen in FIGS. 8(b) and 11, each of the caps 14 and
16 includes an inwardly stepped throat 34 surrounded by an annular
groove 36. The throats 34 each receive an open end of the skin 12
with a tight friction fit, while the groove 36 receives a rib 37
protruding inwardly from the skin 12 adjacent each open end, for
securing the skin 12 to the caps 14 and 16.
[0038] The skin 12 includes integrally formed lips 21a and 21b,
which extend longitudinally for substantially the full length of
the skin on opposed sides of the slit 20. The lips 21 provide a
ready visual identification of the location of the slit 20. As
well, since the lips join together when the case is closed, they
provide a sealing function.
[0039] When the ends of the case are squeezed together, as
illustrated in FIG. 12, this urges the slit 20 open allowing access
to the interior of the case, so that a small object 35 can be
placed therein or removed therefrom. This is accomplished by
pressing together the end caps 14, 16 in directly opposed
directions. The slit 20 closes firmly when the ends are
relaxed.
[0040] The slit 20 resists opening unless the ends of the case are
squeezed firmly together. Hence, inadvertent opening is not likely
to occur in the ordinary course of use unless the user
intentionally squeezes the end caps together.
[0041] The body 12 of the case can be made of a range of flexible
materials having a degree of stiffness for holding the body shape.
A non-limiting list of examples includes natural or synthetic
rubber, a fabric impregnated or coated with a stiffening agent,
leather or a suitable plastic.
[0042] Variations within the scope of this invention will be
apparent from the described embodiment and it is intended that the
present description is merely illustrative of the inventive
features encompassed by the appended claims.
* * * * *