U.S. patent application number 10/722751 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for storage apparatus for catamenial related products.
Invention is credited to Krey, L. Marie.
Application Number | 20050109786 10/722751 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34592059 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050109786 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Krey, L. Marie |
May 26, 2005 |
Storage apparatus for catamenial related products
Abstract
A storage apparatus for catamenial related products is provided.
According to the invention, a container base having a back wall, a
generally circular side wall, and a bottom creates an interior
space for storage. The interior space of the container base is
further divided into three storage compartments. The first storage
compartment is used, for example, for the storage of at least one
tampon, the second storage compartment used for storing sanitary
wipes, and the third storage compartment used for storing
pharmaceuticals. The apparatus further includes a lid for
reversibly sealing the apparatus.
Inventors: |
Krey, L. Marie; (South
Wayne, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert Knechtel
Suite 3300
10 S. LaSalle St.
Chicago
IL
60603
US
|
Family ID: |
34592059 |
Appl. No.: |
10/722751 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/526 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/24 20130101; A61F
15/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/526 |
International
Class: |
B65D 001/24 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for storing and transporting catamenial related
items comprising: a container base including a bottom, a back wall
having a first end and a second end, a generally circular side wall
having a length and further including a first side wall end
adjacent to the back wall first end and a second side wall end
adjacent to the back wall second end, the length and back wall
defining a space, the space being disposed over the bottom; the
space further comprising a first cross member and a second cross
member, the first and second cross members further defining the
space into a first compartment, a second compartment, and a third
compartment; and, a cover affixed to the back wall, the cover
disposed to reversibly cover the space of the container.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprised of a rigid
material.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a latch for
releasably securing the cover onto the container.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a prepackaged wipe
disposed in any one of the first compartment, the second
compartment, or the third compartment.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lid further includes an
exterior surface on which ornamentation can be applied.
6. An apparatus for storing and transporting catamenial related
items comprising: a container including a bottom, a back wall
having a first end and a second end, a generally circular side wall
having a length and further including a first side wall end
adjacent to the back wall first end and a second side wall end
adjacent to the back wall second end, the length defining a space;
the space further comprising a first cross member and a second
cross member, the first and second cross members further defining
the space into a first compartment, a second compartment, and a
third compartment; and a cover sized to reversibly cover the space
of the container.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprised of a rigid
material.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 further including a latch for
releasably securing the cover onto the container.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 further including a prepackaged wipe
disposed in any one of the first compartment, the second
compartment, or the third compartment.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the lid further includes an
exterior surface on which ornamentation can be applied.
11. An apparatus for storing and transporting catamenial related
items comprising: a container including a bottom, a back wall, a
first side wall, and a second side wall, the container having an
interior defining a space; the space further comprising a first
cross member and a second cross member, the first and second cross
members further defining the space into a first compartment, a
second compartment, and a third compartment; and a cover affixed to
the back wall, the cover disposed to reversibly cover the space of
the container.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprised of a rigid
material.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 further including a latch for
releasably securing the cover onto the container.
14. The apparatus of Claim 11 further including a prepackaged wipe
disposed in any one of the first compartment, the second
compartment, or the third compartment.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the lid further includes an
exterior surface on which ornamentation can be applied.
16. An apparatus for storing and transporting catamenial related
items comprising: a container including a bottom, a back wall, a
first side wall, and a second side wall, the container having an
interior defining a space; the space further comprising a first
cross member and a second cross member, the first and second cross
members further defining the space into a first compartment, a
second compartment, and a third compartment; and a cover sized to
reversibly cover the space of the container.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprised of a rigid
material.
18. The apparatus of claim 16 further including a prepackaged wipe
disposed in any one of the first compartment, the second
compartment, or the third compartment.
19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the lid further includes an
exterior surface on which ornamentation can be applied.
20. A catamenial products storage apparatus comprising a container
base further divider into at least three compartments and a lid
disposed to reversibly seal the container base.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a storage apparatus for
catamenial related products, and, more particularly, to a
reversibly sealable container having compartments for the storage
of multiple items, including tampons, sanitary wipes, and
pharmaceuticals, in an orderly, safe, clean, and convenient
manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
[0002] During menses, women typically carry many items with them
for sanitary and health purposes. These items can include tampons
for protection, feminine wipes for sanitary purposes, and
pharmaceuticals for the relief of catamenial related maladies.
These items are often placed into a purse or pocket where they can
easily become damaged and rendered unusable, or misplaced. Many
women like to carry catamenial related items perennially but cannot
or do not do so because of the risk of damage to the items. Not
infrequently, therefore, women will not take the products with them
because there is no convenient or safe way to store them. This can
lead to embarrassment if the situation arises that the products are
needed.
[0003] When a women needs to use the products, she needs to
alternatively carry her purse with her to a restroom facility or
take the needed items from her purse and carry them to a restroom.
Both of these situations can be inconvenient or a cause of
embarrassment.
[0004] Over the years, several attempts at providing a solution to
the problems of carrying required catamenial products have been
proposed. Each of the prior art, while advancing the field, has
shortcomings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,639 to Murphy
discloses and teaches a wallet for carrying a sanitary napkin or a
tampon. This prior art consists of a soft sided apparatus that will
not prevent the crushing of a tampon held within it. It also does
not provide for the storage of other necessary items such as wipes
and pharmaceuticals.
[0005] Another example is seen in related U.S. design patents,
D427,424 and D432,784, both to Conway. These design patents each
claim an elongated, oval apparatus having closed ends. Being design
patents, there cannot, of course, be a claimed function, but it is
presumed that the ornamental design contemplates a solid,
protective case.
[0006] Yet another example is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,294 to
Blosser which discloses a designer tampon case. The case has two
concave storage compartments for the storage of tampons. In an
alternate embodiment, the apparatus contains a third concave
storage compartment for storing items such as lipstick, coins, or
keys. While this apparatus is a step forward for the art field, it
is not without shortcomings. First, it is a rigid apparatus but
requires two or more pieces as essential to make up its
configuration: an exterior layer and an internal layer. A third
covering layer is also included. This multiple layer design makes
the apparatus unnecessarily costly to produce. Second, the
apparatus teaches and claims concave channels in which tampons are
stored separated from one another. This feature limits the
apparatus in terms of the ability to store tampons and does not
permit a user the flexibility to store other items such as panty
liners. The concave channels further limit the ability to store
other items to cylindrical items and does not contemplate storing
non-cylindrical items such as sanitary wipes or pharmaceuticals.
Third, the covering taught by the invention can create an
environment for bacteria or virus growth. Finally, this patent does
not teach the ability to store other catamenial related items.
[0007] There is need, therefore, for an apparatus that is a single
piece, inexpensive to manufacture, and provides the ability to
store tampons and other necessary items for menses in a convenient,
rigid, safe, clean, and organized manner.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a storage
container for multiple catamenial related items, such as tampons,
panty liners, sanitary wipes, and pharmaceuticals.
[0009] It is a further object of the invention to provide a safe,
rigid, convenient, and organized manner in which to store the
items.
[0010] It is yet another object of the invention to provide such a
storage container that provides a clean environment for the storage
of necessary items.
[0011] It is yet another object of the invention to provide such a
storage container that can be made economically in a single
piece.
[0012] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
storage apparatus to provide an apparatus that enables a user to
customize its look.
[0013] An advantage of the above objects of the invention is that
catamenially necessary items will be conveniently and safely
available to a user.
[0014] A further advantage of the invention is that a user will be
able to carry multiple catamenial items in a single apparatus.
[0015] Yet another advantage of the invention is that the user will
have a simple, easy to use apparatus that is made of a single
material that promotes a clean environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The above objects and advantages are provided for in a
storage apparatus for catamenial related items. According to the
invention, a container base having a back wall, a generally
circular side wall, and a bottom creates an interior space for
storage. The interior space of the container base is further
divided into three storage compartments. The first storage
compartment is used, for example, for the storage of at least one
tampon, the second storage compartment used for storing sanitary
wipes, and the third storage compartment used for storing
pharmaceuticals.
[0017] The apparatus further includes a lid for covering the
interior space of the container base. The lid is preferably
hingedly attached to the back wall of the container base. The lid
is disposed to be reversibly closed over the interior space to seal
the apparatus. The lid further includes a latch to reversibly lock
the apparatus in a closed position.
[0018] In an alternate embodiment of the apparatus, the lid is not
hingedly attached to the container base but is, instead, a separate
lid sized to fit the container base and reversibly seal the
apparatus closed.
[0019] In another embodiment of the invention the apparatus is of a
generally square or rectangular shape with a hingedly affixed or a
separate lid.
[0020] There has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
There are, of course, additional features of the invention that
will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter
of the invention.
[0021] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0022] Further, the purpose of the abstract is to enable the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is
neither intended to define the invention of the application, which
is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to
the scope of the present invention in any way.
[0023] These together with other objects of the present invention,
along with the various features of novelty which characterize the
present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims
annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages
and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be
had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which
there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of the inventive
apparatus with the lid hingedly affixed and in an open
position.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross sectional view of the
inventive apparatus with the lid hingedly affixed and in an open
position.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the inventive apparatus
with the lid hingedly affixed and in an open position with
representative items stored within the container base.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a side cross sectional view of the
inventive apparatus with the lid hingedly affixed and in an open
position with representative items stored within the container
base.
[0028] FIG. 5 illustrates a side cross sectional view of the
inventive apparatus with the lid rotating about a hinge to a cover
position.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross sectional view of the inventive
apparatus with the lid being a separate feature from the container
base, the lid being disposed above the container base in position
to reversibly seal the apparatus.
[0030] FIG. 7 illustrates a side perspective view of a
representative embodiment of the inventive apparatus in a generally
rectangular configuration with the lid hingedly affixed and in an
open position.
[0031] FIG. 8 illustrates a side perspective view of a
representative embodiment of the inventive apparatus in a generally
rectangular configuration with the lid being a separate feature
from the container base.
[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the inventive apparatus
with stickers applied to it.
[0033] FIG. 10 illustrates a prepackaged sanitary wipe designed to
fit in the second compartment or the third compartment of the
container base.
[0034] FIG. 11 illustrates a sanitary wipe separated from the
packaging and in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] Before explaining the preferred embodiment of the present
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
present invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as
limiting.
[0036] FIG. 1 depicts a side perspective view of catamenial item
storage apparatus ("apparatus") 20. The apparatus comprises an
apparatus base 22 having an interior space A defined by a back wall
24, an outer wall 26, and a bottom 28. Apparatus 20 further
comprises a lid 30 hingedly affixed to apparatus base 22 by hinge
32. Space A is further divided into multiple compartments by first
divider member 34 and second divider member 36. First divider
member 34 extends a length L1 (see FIG. 3) across a selected
portion of Space A, ending adjacent to fixed locations about outer
wall 26, creating first compartment 38. Second divider member 36
extends a length L2 (see FIG. 3) that is generally perpendicular
from a selected point on first divider member 34 to a selected
point on outer wall 26, further dividing space A into a second
compartment 40 and a third compartment 42. It is important to
understand that first divider member and second divider member do
not have to extend and come in contact with outer wall (first
divider member) or first divider member and outer wall (second
divider member). It is enough that they extend sufficient length so
as to compartmentalize space A.
[0037] Further lid 30 can also include reciprocal divider members,
denoted as 34' (corresponding to first divider member 34) and 36'
(corresponding to second divider member 36), thereby creating
reciprocal first compartment 38', reciprocal second compartment
40', and reciprocal third compartment 42' Apparatus 20 can be made
of any material. The inventor has found that plastic appears to
work best when balancing durability and cost of manufacture. The
material should preferably be rigid so as to provide protection to
the items stored in the apparatus. Another feature of apparatus 20
is that it can serve as a surface for the placement of
ornamentation 50 (see FIG. 9). For a non-limiting example, lid 30
has an exterior surface 58 onto which ornamentation in the form of
stickers can be adhered.
[0038] Apparatus 20 further includes means for reversibly securing
the lid in a closed position adjacent to the apparatus base 22. The
means for reversibly securing can be any variety. FIGS. 2 and 5
depict a non-limiting example of a latch having a lid latch portion
44 that interacts with container base portion 46.
[0039] As depicted in FIG. 6, in an alternate embodiment lid 30 is
a separate piece from container base 22. In this embodiment, lid 30
is preferably sized to fit in a compression fashion on container
base 22 via edge 48.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention
in which the container base is of a rectangular or square
configuration with a lid of a like-shaped configuration. In this
configuration, the lid 30 can be hingedly affixed to container base
22 or be a separate piece fitting the apparatus base 22 (not shown)
as in the preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0041] One of the main features of the inventive apparatus is that
it enables a user to carry multiple catamenial related items in a
safe, clean, and orderly manner. One item that many women find
particularly helpful is a sanitary wipe 52. The wipe can be of any
variety acceptable to the user but the inventor preferably
contemplates a sanitary wipe sized and packaged to fit in any of
the compartments 38, 40, or 42 of the apparatus base 22. The
inventor has developed a sanitary wipe 52 (FIG. 11) that is
individually packaged and sized to fit within second compartment 40
or third compartment 42. The sanitary wipe 52 is housed in a sealed
package 54 (FIG. 10) having a first package length L3 and a second
package length L4. Length L3 and length L4 are preferably 3 cm with
a range of 2.5 cm to 4 cm being acceptable. The inventor has found
that this range for the package is ideally suited for use with the
apparatus while at the same time enables the package to contain a
sanitary wipe of sufficient size to be of value yet not so large as
to limit the number of sanitary wipes that can be transported at
any given time. As for the sanitary wipe 52, the inventor has found
that a 10 cm.times.10 cm size is ideal; however the wipe can range
in size from 4 cm.times.4 cm to 12 cm.times.12 cm and still fit the
criteria of the package 54.
[0042] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the preferred and alternative
embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description,
together with details of the structure and function of the
embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may
be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and
arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the
full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in
which the appended claims are expressed.
* * * * *