U.S. patent application number 10/843510 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-17 for personal care storage container.
Invention is credited to Wilkinson, William T..
Application Number | 20050252793 10/843510 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35308376 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050252793 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wilkinson, William T. |
November 17, 2005 |
Personal care storage container
Abstract
This invention is a personal care storage container with a
storage base with outer and inner walls and a floor connected
generally perpendicularly to the walls. This creates an opening
opposite from the storage base floor and with an edge along the
perimeter of the walls opposite from the base floor and a lid with
outer and inner surfaces generally perpendicular to the lid
surfaces and with an edge along the perimeter of the surfaces
opposite from the cup top. The storage base and lid interconnect to
create a water tight closed container. This interconnection can be
accomplished by a pair of coordinating ledges on the respective
edges of the storage base and the lid to a create a water-tight
friction fit connection. The lid can be configured such that when
it is inverted it can be placed on a horizontal surface and it will
remain in a stable inverted position for use as a gargle/wash cup.
The lid can be configured such that it is of a decorative
configuration. The device can have a plurality of vertical pockets
within the storage base that are of various sizes and depths. An
organizer can coordinate with the inner walls of the storage base
and contain a plurality of apertures of various shapes and sizes to
separate the various items stored in the container. A plurality of
parallel mounting slots are contained in the outer surface of one
side of the base cup. A receiving bracket that can be attached to a
vertical surface accepts the mounting slot in the base cup. A UV
sanitizing light can be mounted in the lid or the storage base.
Alternately, a UV sanitizing light can be mounted in an
intermediate lid that is inserted between the storage base and the
lid.
Inventors: |
Wilkinson, William T.;
(Salem, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Charles S. Knothe, Esquire
3516-14 Silverside Road
Wilmington
DE
19810
US
|
Family ID: |
35308376 |
Appl. No.: |
10/843510 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/210 ;
206/581; 206/63.5; 206/823 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 1/09 20130101; A45C
15/06 20130101; A45D 44/18 20130101; A45C 11/008 20130101; A45D
29/20 20130101; A45D 27/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/210 ;
206/581; 206/823; 206/063.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 081/24 |
Claims
1. I claim a personal care storage container comprising: a storage
base with outer and inner walls and a floor connected generally
perpendicularly to the walls, creating an opening opposite from the
storage base floor and with an edge along the perimeter of the
walls opposite from the base floor; a lid with outer and inner
surfaces and a lid top generally perpendicular to the lid surfaces
and with an edge along the perimeter of the surfaces opposite from
the lid top; a means of interconnecting the storage base and the
lid to create a water tight closed container.
2. The device as claimed in 1 above where the lid contains a UV
light for sanitizing the contents.
3. The device as claimed in 1 above where the storage base contains
a UV light for sanitizing the contents.
4. The device as claimed in 1 above where an intermediate
sanitizing lid with two ends contains a UV light for sanitizing the
contents, interconnects with the base container at one end and the
lid at the other end.
5. The device as claimed in 1 above wherein the means of
interconnecting the storage base and the cup lid are a pair of
coordinating ledges on the respective edges of the storage base and
the lid to a create a water-tight friction fit connection.
6. The device as claimed in 1 above wherein the lid is configured
such that when it is inverted it can be placed on a horizontal
surface and remain in a stable inverted position.
7. The device as claimed in 1 above wherein the lid is configured
such that it can be inverted and used as a gargle/wash cup.
8. The device as claimed in 1 above wherein the lid is configured
such that it is of a decorative configuration.
9. The device as claimed in 1 above wherein a plurality of vertical
pockets are created within the storage base and the depth, size,
and shape of each pocket may vary.
10. The device as claimed in 1 above wherein an organizer
coordinates with the inner walls of the storage base and contains a
plurality of apertures of various shapes and sizes.
11. The device as claimed in 1 above wherein the storage base
contains a means to removably connect to a receiving bracket that
can be mounted on a wall.
12. The device as claimed in 1 wherein organizer has a plurality of
apertures but at least one of the apertures fits a manual
toothbrush handle.
13. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the organizer has a
plurality of apertures but at least one of the apertures fits a
motorized toothbrush.
14. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the organizer has a
plurality of apertures but at least one of the apertures fits a
dental toothpick handle.
15. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the organizer has a
plurality of apertures but at least one of the apertures fits a
tube of toothpaste.
16. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the organizer has a
plurality of apertures but at least one of the apertures fits a
dental floss container.
17. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the organizer has a
plurality of apertures but at least one of the apertures fits a
tooth whitening container.
18. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the organizer has a
plurality of apertures but at least one of the apertures fits a
mouthwash container.
19. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the organizer has a
plurality of apertures but at least one of the apertures fits gum
massager.
20. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the organizer has a
plurality of apertures but at least one of the apertures fits a
dental mirror.
21. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the organizer has a
plurality of apertures but at least one of the apertures fits a
breath strip or mints container.
22. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the outer surface of the
storage base flairs outwardly to give the device a larger base and
more stability.
23. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the device is used for the
storage of shaving instruments and supplies.
24. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the device is used for the
storage of hair care and nail care instruments and supplies.
25. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the device is used for the
storage of cosmetic instruments and supplies.
26. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the device is used for the
storage of manual flossers.
27. The device as claimed in 1 wherein the device is used for the
storage of motorized flossers.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a personal care storage container.
Individuals need an organized means to store their personal care
items both at home and when they travel. This invention can be
utilized for different types of personal care items. In particular,
it can be used for storage of dental items, shaving items, hair and
nail items and cosmetic items.
[0002] The need for the storage of dental apparatus has increased
as the number of items for dental hygiene has increased. At one
time all that was necessary for dental hygiene was a toothbrush and
a tube of tooth paste. With the importance of dental hygiene
increasing, the number and variety of items necessary for proper
dental hygiene has grown. Now, besides the toothbrush and tooth
paste, dental care includes various picks, stimulus devices, floss,
floss holders, whitening strips, mouthwash and more. At home this
has caused a storage and clutter problem. An invention is needed to
store them so they remain clean and organized. A similar problem
exists for those who travel. Travelers need a means to transport
their dental hygiene items in their luggage.
[0003] Another use for this invention is the storage of shaving
apparatus. The storage of razor, shaving cream, spare blades, after
shave, and styptic create clutter and need organization both at
home and for the individual that travels. This invention is
especially important for the individual who travels because it
keeps all the items together when the individual is at home and
makes packing for travel easy because the items are all together.
This way nothing is forgotten when packing.
[0004] Similarly, the same problem occurs for nail care items. Nail
care requires the use of clipper, scissors, tools to shape the
cuticle, nail polish, nail polish remover, etc.
[0005] Finally, this invention can be used for the storage of
cosmetic items such as lipstick, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, cover-up
stick, and other related items.
[0006] The invention disclosed in this patent provides for a
cleanable, aesthetically pleasing, durable, and affordable
container that can accommodate various shaped items for a variety
of purposes.
[0007] Many of the personal care items stored in this invention
need to be sanitized. In this invention a UV light can be used to
sanitize the items stored in the storage container. The UV light
can be placed in the lid or the storage base. Alternatively, a
separate lid containing the UV light can be used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] This invention discloses a personal care storage container
with a storage base with outer and inner walls and a floor
connected generally perpendicularly to the walls. This creates an
opening opposite from the storage base floor with an edge along the
perimeter of the walls opposite from the base floor.
[0009] The invention has a lid with outer and inner surfaces and a
cup top generally perpendicular to the lid surfaces with an edge
along the perimeter of the surfaces opposite from the lid top. The
storage base and lid interconnect to create a water tight closed
container. This interconnection can be accomplished by a pair of
coordinating ledges on the respective edges of the storage base and
the lid to a create a water-tight friction fit connection.
[0010] The lid can be configured such that when it is inverted it
can be placed on a horizontal surface, and it will remain in a
stable inverted position for use as a gargle/wash cup. The lid can
be configured such that it is of a decorative configuration.
[0011] The device can have a plurality of vertical pockets within
the storage base that are of various sizes and depths.
[0012] An organizer can coordinate with the inner walls of the
storage base and contain a plurality of apertures of various shapes
and sizes to separate the various items stored in the container.
These apertures can fit a manual toothbrush handle, a motorized
toothbrush, dental toothpick handle, tube of toothpaste, dental
floss container, tooth whitening container, mouth wash container,
gum massager, dental mirror, breath strip and mints container.
[0013] The storage base can have a means to removably connect it to
a receiving bracket that can be mounted on a wall.
[0014] The outer surface of the storage base can flair outwardly to
give the device a larger base and more stability.
[0015] The device can also be used for the storage of shaving
instruments and supplies, hair care and nail care instruments and
supplies, cosmetic instruments and supplies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the device with lid installed
on the storage base.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the device along the
line A-A of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of the organizer.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view of the organizer.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the lid.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a top view of the mounting bracket.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a front view of the mounting bracket.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a front view of the storage base containing the UV
light.
[0024] FIG. 9 is the bottom view of the storage base containing the
UV light.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a front view of the lid with the UV light.
[0026] FIG. 11 is the top view of the lid containing the UV
light.
[0027] FIG. 12 is the front view of the intermediate sanitizing lid
with the UV light.
[0028] FIG. 13 is the top view of the intermediate sanitizing lid
with the UV light.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] FIG. 1 depicts the invention with the lid 2 secured to the
storage base 1. All the items are stored under the lid 2 keeping
the items clean and resulting in a clutter free environment. In the
preferred embodiment the storage base can have a flared base as
shown by 3 to give the storage unit more stability. FIG. 1 also
shows the receiving bracket 11 connected to the storage base 1. The
receiving bracket can be permanently affixed to a wall or some
other vertical surface. The lid 2 can have a decorative form 15. In
FIG. 1 this form simulates the shape of the top of a molar but the
exact shape of the lid 2 is not limited to this particular shape
but can be any decorative shape that coordinates with the
particular use of the personal care storage device.
[0030] FIG. 2 depicts the water-tight interconnection between the
storage base 1 and the lid 1 at 15. This water-tight connection
keeps water from leaking out of the storage container when it is
used to travel and from water getting into the container when it is
stored on the sink top to keep the contents clean. 9 shows the
pocket which is created in the storage base. There can be a
plurality of pockets depending on the specific use of the storage
container and they can be of various depths as shown by 10 which in
the depicted example has less depth. The organizer 4 interconnects
with the inner surface of the base cup 1 at the opening edge.
Depending upon the specific application of the personal care
storage device the organizer may be optionally omitted.
[0031] The organizer 4 is shown in FIG. 3. It contains a plurality
of apertures 5, 6, and 7. These apertures are of various sizes and
shapes such that various supplies or instruments can fit into them.
Some of the items that can fit in these apertures 5, 6, and 7 are
toothbrush, dental pick, dental stimulus, toothpaste tube, dental
floss, razor, shaving cream, nail cutters, nail polish, polish
remover, mascara, eyeliner, eye-brow pencil, manual and motorized
flossers, etc. FIG. 4 shows the side view of the organizer 4.
[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates the lid 1. The lid can have any shape but
the preferred embodiment is such that the lid can be inverted and
used as a gargle/wash cup. The lid can serve as a dust cover to
keep dust, insects and rodents from the personal care items. The
top surface of the lid should be such that the lid can be placed on
a horizontal surface and remain erect. The mounting slots 8 are
illustrated in FIG. 5. These slots are used to interact with the
mounting bracket shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The plurality of mounting
slots are parallel with one another and are all contained on one
side of the storage base 1. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the receiving
bracket 11 that can be mounted to a vertical surface. The device
can be inserted in the receiving bracket 11 and removed when
necessary for travel or cleaning. The receiving bracket 4 has a
plurality of rails 13 with guides 14 that interact with the
mounting slots 8 shown in FIG. 5. The receiving bracket contains a
plurality of holes 12 to permanently mount it to a vertical
surface.
[0033] FIG. 8 shows the storage base 1 with the UV light assembly.
15 is the UV bulb inserted in the socket 16 attached to the base 1
by the mounting bracket 17. The bulb 15 is powered by the power
cord 18 which is inserted in a conventional power socket. FIG. 9
shows the same storage base 1 with the UV light from the
bottom.
[0034] FIG. 9 depicts an alternate means of mounting the UV
sanitizing light. In this embodiment the UV light is mounted in the
side of the lid 2. The UV light is powered by the cord 18. FIG. 10
is the bottom view of this means of mounting the UV sanitizing
light. The light 15 is mounted in the socket 16 which is attached
the mounting bracket 17.
[0035] FIG. 12 depicts yet another alternate means of mounting the
UV sanitizing light. In this embodiment an intermediate sanitizing
lid 19 contains the VU light assembly. The lip 20 interacts with
the corresponding lip on lid 2 of FIG. 2. The personal care storage
devise can be used without or with the sanitizing feature. This is
particularly important with this devise is used by a traveler.
Also, it allows for the use of the lid 1 in FIG. 1 as a gargle/wash
cup. FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the intermediate sanitizing lid 19
with the UV light 15 inserted in the socket 16 attached to the
mounting bracket 17.
* * * * *