U.S. patent application number 11/980266 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-30 for hinged-lid feminine hygiene product dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tia Ludden-Biegel. Invention is credited to Terri Louise Ludden-Biegel.
Application Number | 20090108010 11/980266 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40581516 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090108010 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ludden-Biegel; Terri
Louise |
April 30, 2009 |
Hinged-lid feminine hygiene product dispenser
Abstract
A hinged-lid feminine hygiene product dispenser comprising an
open box shaped container being of adequate height, depth, and
width so as to accommodate a plurality of feminine hygiene products
within said open box shaped container, further having a lid being
slightly longitudinally longer than the bottom of the container and
hingedly connected so as to fittingly swing over the top of the
container closing the box, while still having an overhang to easily
open and close the lid.
Inventors: |
Ludden-Biegel; Terri Louise;
(Tillamook, OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT IRELAND
P.O. BOX 273
BANKS
OR
97124
US
|
Assignee: |
Tia Ludden-Biegel
Tillamook
OR
|
Family ID: |
40581516 |
Appl. No.: |
11/980266 |
Filed: |
October 31, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/051 20130101;
A45D 40/24 20130101; A45C 5/005 20130101; A45D 40/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/810 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/62 20060101
B65D085/62 |
Claims
1. A hinged-lid feminine hygiene product dispenser comprising: an
open box shaped container having a front panel, a rear panel, a
bottom panel, a right panel, and a left panel, said bottom panel,
said front panel, and said rear panel extending to said right panel
and left panel to form said open box shaped container, said right
panel and left panel being a distance apart and of adequate height
so as to accommodate a plurality of feminine hygiene products
within said open box shaped container; a lid; said lid being
slightly longitudinally longer than said bottom panel; said lid
hingedly connects to said open box shaped container approximately
along the axis of the long side of the rear panel; said lid
fittingly swings between the right panel and left panel enclosing
the open box shaped container; and said lid overhangs said front
panel providing a surface to easily lift said lid and open the
dispenser.
2. The hinged-lid feminine hygiene product dispenser of claim 1,
wherein said lid fittingly swings on top of the right panel and
left panel, covering the open box shaped container providing an
enclosure for the feminine hygiene product.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a feminine hygiene product
dispenser.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to a dispenser for feminine
hygiene products wherein the products are easily accessed by
lifting or sliding a lid, and after the selected product is
removed, the lid self-closes protecting the remaining products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Feminine hygiene products come in many forms including
sanitary napkins, vaginal tampons, panty liners, and panty shields.
These products are generally sold in box packaging containing a
plurality of individual units. The box packaging usually displays
the contents of the box via external advertising and is usually
constructed from a paper product. The box packaging is not easily
opened and closed, often tearing or failing to adequately seal the
remaining product from contaminants once opened. The external
advertising and paper packaging makes the box the hygiene products
came in an undesirable storage option, and definitely not a
desirable option if kept in plain view. Women often store the box
packaging and hygiene product out of sight, under the sink, or in a
bottom drawer, making access more difficult and contamination more
likely. A preferred storage location would be sterile or aseptic,
and easy to access.
[0004] Easy access becomes imperative for women with limited
motility, the handicapped, and the aging. A good location for
storage and easy access would be the bathroom countertop, however
the undesirable box packaging prevents placement there. Many women
require habitual and regular feminine hygiene products, and
repeatedly accessing a difficultly located product is
undesirable.
[0005] Therefore it is desirable to have a dispenser for feminine
hygiene products that is pleasing to look at, so as to be placed
for convenient access, is easy to open and close, and which will
maintain a protected environment for the unused hygiene
products.
[0006] Boxes, containers, packages, and cases for holding or
storing general items are numerous. There are many of the same
constructed specifically for feminine hygiene products. However,
none satisfy the described needs above.
PRIOR ART
[0007] Boxes and containers with lids are well known in the art.
Simple cigar type boxes have been used to package various tobacco
products and after emptied of the original contents, the cigar box
has been historically utilized for protecting or keeping personal
items safe and secure. When used to package tobacco products, the
cigar box is of a shape and dimension, usually rectangular, to
match the stacking of the tobacco products to maximize the number
of products contained within the box. Cigar type boxes are
generally constructed to be durable enough to be utilized beyond
the original purpose of packaging. The cigar box tends to be ornate
and appealing to look at, often with gold inlay or wooden trim. The
indication from the cigar box appearance is that the user is proud
of its contents, and displays the box prominently in plain view on
a desk or table When the lid is closed, the cigar box seals the
tobacco products from the outside environment, protecting the
contents. The advantages of the cigar box include sealing the
product from the outside environment, constructed to contain many
tobacco products, aesthetically pleasing, and able to be opened
with a specific pressure and lift of the lid. The disadvantages of
a cigar box, when used for containing items other than tobacco
product is that the size and dimension cannot accommodate some
items such as feminine hygiene products. The lid requires specific
pressure, and often times, a hook of a fingernail to open. Finally,
in the context of feminine hygiene products, the user may not
desire the contents of the box to be known, and therefore a
discrete pleasing appearance is preferred.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,639 to Murphy discloses a flexible,
flat, wallet-like case for enclosing a single tampon or sanitary
napkin. Murphy's teaching is directed to a single-pocket case with
the additional object of maintaining thinness. The characteristics
of thinness, flexibility and the ability to hold only one tampon or
sanitary napkin limit the usefulness of Murphy's invention. It is
not suitable for carrying a variety of feminine hygiene
products.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 3,557,853 to Jones discloses a foldable cloth
bag for carrying one or two sanitary napkins but fails to teach a
dispenser for home use that is easy to open and able to store many
feminine hygiene products.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,526 to Stephens teaches a case
specifically designed to house a variety of feminine hygiene
products of various sizes for easy carrying and access, but fails
to teach of a dispenser for home use that would hold a plurality
and/or variety of feminine products.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 2,843,170 to Frankfurt discloses a flexible
case for sanitary napkins. The primary disadvantages of the case
are that it is flexible and it is configured to primarily
accommodate sanitary napkins. In addition, the case's general
construction, including its combination of zippers and snaps, does
not provide an easily accessible dispenser.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
dispenser for a plurality of feminine hygiene products, that is
pleasing to look at but not descriptive of contents allowing for
accessible placement in the bathroom, bedroom, or convenient
accessible location.
[0013] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a
dispenser that is easy to open and close for the ordinary user, as
well as the user who suffers from limited motility, arthritis, or
other physical limitations.
[0014] It is a further object of the invention is to provide a
dispenser that stores the unused feminine hygiene products in an
aseptic or clean environment safe from damage or contamination.
[0015] It is also a further object of the invention to provide a
dispenser of a size and dimension matching the feminine hygiene
product desired to be stored within, so that the feminine hygiene
product precisely stacks within the dispenser, maximizing the
number of product stored while still maintaining the intended
shape.
[0016] Other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon reading the detailed description of a preferred embodiment in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a hinged-lid feminine
hygiene product dispenser, in accordance with one embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a two-dimensional left-view of the hinged-lid
feminine hygiene product dispenser of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a two-dimensional right-view of the hinged-lid
feminine hygiene product dispenser of FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a two-dimensional view of the top-view of the
hinged-lid feminine hygiene product dispenser of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a two-dimensional bottom-view of the hinged-lid
feminine hygiene product dispenser of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a two-dimensional rear-view of the hinged-lid
feminine hygiene product dispenser of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a two-dimensional front-view of the hinged-lid
feminine hygiene product dispenser of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS.
1-7, a preferred embodiment of the present device is shown,
illustrating the hinged-lid feminine hygiene product dispenser. The
exemplary embodiments according to the present device are
illustrated with those components necessary to demonstrate the
inventive design.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the assembled device
from a perspective view having an open box shaped container 100,
constructed of a front panel 110, a left panel 150, a right panel
140, a bottom panel 130, a rear panel 120, and a lid 160. Said left
panel 150 and right panel 140 are of a distance apart so as to
accommodate a feminine hygiene product. The lid 160, is of a
longitudinal length greater than the bottom panel 130 and hingedly
connects at hinge points 170. Said hinge points 170 being located
on the right panel 140 and left panel 150, approximately along the
axis of the long side of the rear panel 120. The lid 160 being of a
greater longitudinal length provides for an overhang 180 that when
closed hangs over the front panel 110, said overhang 180 makes for
an easy surface to open and close the lid 160. A further reason for
the overhang 180 is to facilitate closing of the lid 160 in that
the weight of the overhang 180 is sufficient enough to overcome the
friction in the hinge points 170, thus the lid 160 will self close
once the user releases the lid 160. FIG. 1 demonstrates the
embodiment having the lid 160 in the open position.
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1, having an open
box shaped container 100, constructed of a front panel 110, a left
panel 150, a bottom panel 130, a rear panel 120, and a lid 160. The
lid 160, is of a longitudinal length greater than the bottom panel
130 and hingedly connects at hinge points 170. Said hinge point 170
being shown located on the left panel 150, approximately along the
axis of the long side of the rear panel 120. The lid 160 being of a
greater longitudinal length than the bottom panel 130, provides for
an overhang 180 that when closed hangs over the front panel 110. By
practice, applicant discovered that overhang 180 should be a width
approximately the width of a finger, thus making for easy opening
for users suffering from limited motility, arthritis, or other
ailments preventing normal hand dexterity.
[0027] To open the invention, a user would run her finger or edge
of her hand up the front panel 110 and up against the overhang 180
underside surface. Applying easy pressure the lid 160 swingably
opens exposing the feminine hygiene products for selection, when
the pressure is removed the weight of the lid 160 and overhang 180
overcomes the friction in the hinge points 170 and the lid self
closes. With the lid 160 closed, the feminine hygiene products are
protected.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1, having an open
box shaped container 100, constructed of a front panel 110, a right
panel 140, a bottom panel 130, a rear panel 120, and a lid 160. The
lid 160, is of a longitudinal length greater than the bottom panel
130 and hingedly connects at hinge points 170. Said hinge points
170 being shown located on the right panel 140, approximately along
the axis of the long side of the rear panel 120. The lid 160 being
of a greater longitudinal length than the bottom panel 130,
provides for an overhang 180 that when closed hangs over the front
panel 110. The hinge points 170 may be at any location on the rear
panel 120, right panel 140 or left panel 150 so as to allow for
easy opening and closing of the lid 160.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,
having an open box shaped container 100, constructed of a front
panel 110, a right panel 140, a left panel 150, a bottom panel 130,
a rear panel 120, and a lid 160. The lid 160 is shown in the closed
position. The lid 160, is of a longitudinal length greater than the
bottom panel 130 and hingedly connects at hinge points 170. Said
hinge points 170 being shown located on the right panel 140,
approximately along the axis of the long side of the rear panel
120. The lid 160 being of a greater longitudinal length than the
bottom panel 130, provides for an overhang 180 that when closed
hangs over the front panel 110. The overhang 180 allows for an easy
and accessible surface for opening the invention.
[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG.
1, having an open box shaped container 100, constructed of a front
panel 110, a right panel 140, a left panel 150, a bottom panel 130,
a rear panel 120, and a lid 160. The lid 160 is shown in the closed
position. The lid 160, is of a longitudinal length greater than the
bottom panel 130 and hingedly connects at hinge points 170. Said
hinge points 170 being shown located on the right panel 140,
approximately along the axis of the long side of the rear panel
120. The lid 160 being of a greater longitudinal length than the
bottom panel 130, provides for an overhang 180 that when closed
hangs over the front panel 10 and can be clearly seen from the
bottom view. In the illustrated embodiment the overhang 180 is of
an elliptical arc shape, however the overhang 180 may be of any
shape to match the aesthetic tastes of the user.
[0031] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,
having an open box shaped container 100, constructed of a front
panel 110, a right panel 140, a left panel 150, a bottom panel 130,
a rear panel 120, and a lid 160. The lid 160 is shown in the closed
position. The lid 160, is of a longitudinal length greater than the
bottom panel 130 and hingedly connects at hinge points 170. The
illustrated configuration allows for the hinge points 170 to be
singular on each side, and could be constructed from a wooden
dowel, a metal pin, or any other round object that the lid 160
could pivot on. The rear panel 120 can also be used as a hinge
point 170 so long as the hinging method makes for an easy to open
lid 160.
[0032] FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1,
having an open box shaped container 100, constructed of a front
panel 110, a right panel 140, a left panel 150, a bottom panel 130,
and a lid 160. The lid 160 is shown in the closed position. The lid
160, is of a longitudinal length greater than the bottom panel 130
and hingedly connects at hinge points 170. In the illustrated
embodiment, the lid 160 fittingly inserts between the right panel
140 and left panel 150, coming to rest on the front panel 120. The
illustrated configuration allows for the hinge points 170 to be
singular on each side and approximately centered on the rear panel
120 and could be constructed from a wooden dowel, a metal pin, or
any other round object that the lid 160 could pivot on. The rear
panel 120 can also be used as a hinge point 170 so long as the
hinging method makes for an easy to open lid 160.
[0033] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely
exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present
invention. Those skilled in the art can appreciate from the
foregoing description that the techniques of the embodiments of the
invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. For example,
the hinge point 170 may be put anywhere so as to facilitate opening
and closing of the lid. For another example, the lid 160 may either
be between the left panel 150 and right panel 140 or in the
alternative; the lid 160 could be on top of the left panel 150 and
right panel 140, having the front panel 110 and rear panel 120
being of greater width to compensate for the lid's 160 different
location. Therefore, while the embodiments of this invention have
been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the
true scope of the embodiments of the invention should not be so
limited since other modifications will become apparent to the
skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification,
and following claims.
* * * * *