U.S. patent application number 13/779438 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-19 for dual-compartment container.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tony J. Abfall, Paul Holbrook, David M. Waskin. Invention is credited to Tony J. Abfall, Paul Holbrook, David M. Waskin.
Application Number | 20130240534 13/779438 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40522389 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130240534 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Holbrook; Paul ; et
al. |
September 19, 2013 |
Dual-Compartment Container
Abstract
A container and container cap for storage and dispensing of
moist articles and for storing at least one normally dry article.
The container includes a body defining a first compartment for
storage of moist articles. The cap defines a second compartment for
storage of at least one normally dry article. The cap also defines
an opening for dispensing moist articles from the first
compartment. A lid is coupled to the cap and includes a pair of
sealing flaps for selectively closing the first and second
compartments. The ventilated flap for closing the second
compartment includes openings for ventilating the second
compartment to help dry the normally dry article.
Inventors: |
Holbrook; Paul; (Buffalo
Grove, IL) ; Abfall; Tony J.; (Mount Prospect,
IL) ; Waskin; David M.; (Palatine, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Holbrook; Paul
Abfall; Tony J.
Waskin; David M. |
Buffalo Grove
Mount Prospect
Palatine |
IL
IL
IL |
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
40522389 |
Appl. No.: |
13/779438 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12247857 |
Oct 8, 2008 |
|
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13779438 |
|
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|
60978295 |
Oct 8, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/521 ;
220/524 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/28 20130101;
B65D 2205/02 20130101; B65D 43/161 20130101; B65D 25/06 20130101;
B65D 83/0805 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/521 ;
220/524 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/28 20060101
B65D051/28 |
Claims
1. A container for storage and dispensing of a first article and
for storage of a second article, the container comprising: a body
at least partially defining a first compartment for storage of the
first article, and a second compartment for storage of the second
article, wherein the first article is a moist article and the
second article is a dry article; a cap supported by the body
further defining an opening facilitating access to the first
compartment for dispensing the moist article from the first
compartment; and a lid supported by the cap, the lid having a first
flap for selectively sealing the first compartment and a second
flap for selectively closing the second compartment, the second
flap having at least one opening allowing ventilation of the second
compartment when the second flap is closed.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the cap is coupled to the body
by a press fit.
3. The container of claim 1 wherein the lid is substantially
circular, and wherein the first and second flaps are substantially
semi-circular.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein the lid includes a central
portion that substantially bisects the lid, and wherein the first
and second flaps are pivotally coupled to the central portion.
5. The container of claim 4 wherein the central portion includes a
plurality of posts and the cap includes an attachment portion that
defines a plurality of openings; wherein each of the plurality of
openings receives a respective one of the plurality of posts.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein the cap defines a substantially
circular opening and the first flap includes a peripheral rim that
selectively engages an edge surrounding the circular opening;
wherein engagement between the rim and the edge provides a seal for
retaining moisture within the first compartment.
7. The container of claim 1 wherein the opening in the second flap
includes a plurality of holes in a grid-like pattern.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein the opening in the first flap
includes a plurality of intersecting slits.
9. The container of claim 1 wherein the cap includes a
substantially continuous edge that defines an opening to the second
compartment and the opening to the first compartment, the cap also
including an attachment portion for the lid that extends between
the opening for the second compartment and the opening facilitating
access to the first compartment.
10. The container of claim 9 wherein the opening to the second
compartment and the opening to the first compartment are
substantially semi-circular.
11. The container of claim 9 wherein the cap defines at least one
recess adjacent the substantially continuous edge that provides
access to an underside of the lid for opening at least one of the
first and second flaps.
12. A combination cap and lid for forming a dual-compartment
storage container from a single-compartment storage container, the
combination comprising: body for attachment to the
single-compartment storage container, the body defining a secondary
storage compartment that extends into the single compartment
storage container when the body is attached to the single
compartment storage container, and an opening having a first
portion that communicates with the single compartment storage
container and a second portion that communicates with the secondary
storage compartment; a first flap configured to selectively overlie
the first portion of the opening to open and close the single
compartment storage container; a second flap configured to
selectively overlie the second portion of the opening to open and
close the secondary storage compartment; and a central portion
extending across the opening between the first portion and the
second portion, wherein the first and second flaps are flexibly
coupled to the central portion; wherein the second flap has at
least one hole to allow ventilation of the secondary storage
compartment when the second flap is closed, and wherein the first
flap seals the single compartment storage container when the first
flap is closed; and wherein said single compartment storage
container contains a moist article and said secondary storage
compartment contains a normally dry article.
13. The combination cap and lid of claim 12 wherein the first flap
is substantially semi-circular and includes a peripheral rim
configured to engage an edge of the opening to seal at least one of
the first portion and the second portion of the opening.
14. The combination cap and lid of claim 12 wherein the second flap
is substantially semi-circular and defines an opening for
ventilating the secondary storage compartment.
15. The combination cap and lid of claim 12 wherein the central
portion bisects the lid and is flexibly coupled to the first and
second flaps.
16. The combination cap and lid of claim 12, wherein the central
portion includes a plurality of posts, and the cap includes an
attachment portion that defines a plurality of openings; wherein
each of the plurality of openings receives a respective one of the
plurality of posts.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
12/247,857 filed Oct. 8, 2008. Application Ser. No. 12/247,857 is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/978,295, filed Oct. 8, 2007, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a dual-zone container
having a first compartment for containing a moist product and a
second compartment for containing a normally dry product.
BACKGROUND
[0004] When cleaning or wiping an object with a normally wet cloth,
it is possible for the surface of the object to remain moist
subsequent to the cleaning action. Many times, a dry cloth is
required to completely dry the object and eliminate the possibility
of streaks forming on the surface. Known wipe containers maintain a
single compartment for moist cloths, resulting in the user needing
to also obtain and carry a separate dry cloth. Additionally, as the
dry cloth is used, it retains moisture from the surface of the
object and, if not properly dried between cleaning cycles, can be
left damp and thereby susceptible to mold or mildew formation.
SUMMARY
[0005] A container for storage and dispensing of moist articles and
for storing at least one normally dry article includes a body at
least partially defining a first compartment for storage of moist
articles. The container further includes a cap defining a second
compartment therein for storage of at least one normally dry
article. The cap also defines an opening for dispensing moist
articles from the first compartment. A lid of the container has a
sealing flap for selectively closing the first compartment and
sealing the first compartment from the environment and a ventilated
flap for selectively closing the second compartment. The ventilated
flap includes at least one opening for ventilating the second
compartment when the ventilated flap is closed.
[0006] The container incorporates a second vented chamber within
the cap of the first chamber. The first chamber may therefore
maintain wet wipes necessary for cleaning, while the second chamber
provides a convenient location to store a dry cloth. Moreover, the
flap that covers the second chamber includes venting holes to
promote drying of the dry cloth between cleaning cycles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a dual-zone
container.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the dual-zone container of
FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the dual-zone container
of FIG. 1 with both portions of a two-part lid in open
positions.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a cap of the
dual-zone container of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the two-part lid shown
in FIGS. 1-3.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of an alternative
construction of a dual-zone container.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the dual-zone container of
FIG. 6.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the dual-zone container
of FIG. 6 with both portions of a two-part lid in open
positions.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a cap of the
dual-zone container of FIG. 6.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the two-part lid shown
in FIGS. 6-8.
[0017] Before any constructions of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
constructions and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a dual-zone container 20. FIG. 1
illustrates the container 20 in a closed configuration, and FIG. 3
illustrates the container 20 in an open configuration. The
container 20 includes a body 24 and a cap 28 removably attached to
the body 24. Both the body 24 and the cap 28 have a generally
rectangular polyhedral shape such that the entire container 20 also
has a generally rectangular polyhedral shape. The cap 28 is
provided with a two-part lid 32 allowing selective access to an
interior of the container 20. The interior of the container 20
includes a first compartment 36 (FIG. 2) formed by both the body 24
and the cap 28. The interior of the container 20 further includes a
second compartment 40 (FIGS. 2 and 3) formed solely by the cap 28.
The first and second compartments 36, 40, while both formed at
least partially by the cap 28, are separated from each other such
that the contents of the first and second compartments 36, 40 are
not mixed or touching. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first
compartment 36 is substantially larger than the second compartment
40 in the illustrated construction of the container 20. In other
constructions, the second compartment 40 can be larger than the
first compartment 20 or the first and second compartments 20, 40
can have substantially the same size.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the cap 28 includes a first part 44
having a slit-type opening 48. In the illustrated construction, the
opening 48 in the first part 44 is generally star-shaped, being
formed by six equally-spaced slits intersect at a center of the
opening 48. Alternatively, the opening 48 can be other shapes. The
opening 48 in the first part 44 of the cap 28 is configured to
retain a sheet article (not shown) in a position to be grasped by a
user. Typically, sheet articles are interleaved so that the
dispensing of one sheet article positions a portion of the
following sheet article in the opening 48 so that it may be easily
grasped as desired. The first part 44 of the cap 28 is selectively
covered by a first flap 52 of the lid 32. The first flap 52 is
rotatable between a closed position (FIG. 1) that closes and seals
the first compartment 36 from the external environment and an open
position (FIG. 3) that provides access to the first compartment 36
through the opening 48.
[0020] The cap 28 further includes a second part 56 adjacent the
first part 44. The second part 56 forms the second compartment 40
of the container 20. The second compartment 40 is accessible by a
second flap 60 rotatable between a closed position (FIG. 1) and an
open position (FIG. 3). In the illustrated construction, the second
flap 60 includes at least one opening 64 for venting the second
compartment 40 when the second flap 60 is in the closed position.
In other words, the interior of the second compartment 40 is in
fluid communication with the external environment via opening 64 to
facilitate venting of the interior of the second compartment 40. In
other constructions, the second flap 60 may not include an opening
and the second flap 60 may engage or be connected to the cap 28 in
a manner that facilitates fluid communication with the environment.
In yet other constructions, the second compartment 40 may not be in
fluid communication with the environment.
[0021] In between the first part 44 and the second part 56 of the
cap 28, an attachment portion 68 (FIGS. 2 and 4) provides a
location for coupling the lid 32 to the cap 28. The attachment
portion 68 of the cap 28 includes at least one opening 72 (FIG. 2)
configured to receive a corresponding post 76 (FIG. 5) extending
from a central portion 80 of the lid 32 between the first and
second flaps 52, 60. In the illustrated construction, five openings
72 in the attachment portion 68 receive five corresponding posts 76
of the lid 32. Alternatively, the container 20 can include other
components and means for attaching the lid 32 to the cap 28.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the body 24 includes a recessed edge 84
over which the cap 28 is positionable to removably connect the cap
28 to the body 24. The body 24 and the cap 28 fit together at the
recessed edge 84 allowing for the cap 28 to remain attached during
normal use of the container 20 and allowing for the cap 28 to be
removed from the body 24 to access the first compartment 36. The
first compartment 36 may be accessed periodically to replenish or
replace the contents thereof. In one construction, the first
compartment 36 contains a stack of interleaved "wet wipes" or moist
tissues. The wet wipes may be individually dispensed through the
opening 48 and used for cleaning various objects and/or body parts.
The first flap 52 of the lid 32 includes a peripheral rim 88 (FIG.
5) configured to selectively engage a corresponding edge 92 (see
FIG. 3) of the cap 28 to maintain the first flap 52 in the closed
position and seal the first compartment 36 closed so that its
contents do not dry out.
[0023] The second compartment 40 is configured to contain one or
more normally dry products such as a "dry wipe" or polishing cloth.
The second compartment 40, which is configured to contain one or
more reusable items, may be smaller than the first compartment 36,
which is configured to contain a bulk supply of one-time-use
articles. The second flap 60 of the lid 32 may be provided with a
snap closure mechanism similar to that of the first flap 52 (i.e.,
rim 88 and edge 92). However, the openings 64 in the second flap 60
expose the second compartment 40 and the contents therein to the
external environment for purposes of ventilation. For example, the
second compartment 40 may contain a reusable polishing or drying
cloth that may become damp during use. When returned to storage in
the second compartment 40, the cloth is able to dry-out due to the
ventilation of the second compartment 40 provided by the openings
64.
[0024] Thus, the container 20 provides a first compartment 36 for
storage and dispensing of moist articles and a second compartment
40 unitarily formed with the cap 28 for storage and ventilation of
a normally dry article. In some constructions, the container 20
provides a first compartment and a second compartment as described
above, except that neither compartment is unitarily formed as part
of the cap 28. For example, the body 24 may include a separator
wall dividing the interior space into a first compartment for
storage and dispensing of moist articles and a second compartment
for storage and ventilation of a normally dry article. It is also
conceived that the compartment for storage and dispensing of moist
articles may be unitarily formed with and as part of the cap 28, or
that both of a first compartment for storage and dispensing of
moist articles and a second compartment for storage and ventilation
of a dry article are unitarily formed with and as part of the cap
28.
[0025] FIGS. 6-10 illustrate a container 120 according to a second
construction. The container 120 has similarities with the container
20 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 except for the particular differences
pointed out below. Therefore, reference is made to the description
above (relating to the container 20 of FIGS. 1-5) with respect to
the features in common with the container 120. Those features of
the container 120 in common with features of the container 20 are
labeled with reference numerals corresponding to those of FIGS.
1-5, but with each number incremented by 100 in FIGS. 6-10.
[0026] The container 120, including the body 124 and the cap 128,
is generally cylindrical as opposed to the rectangular container 20
of FIGS. 1-5. In addition to rectangular and cylindrical, other
known shapes may be utilized as well. These include other
polyhedral and prismatic shapes as well as non-polyhedral and
non-prismatic shapes.
[0027] Although illustrated as having a press fit at the recessed
edge 184 of the body 124, the cylindrical shape of the body 124 and
the cap 128 allow the container 120 to optionally be opened and
closed for selectively accessing the first compartment 136 by a set
of male and female threads provided on the body 124 and the cap
128. Where this feature is desired, at least the mating portions of
the body 124 and the cap 128 can be of cylindrical form.
[0028] It should be understood that although the illustrated
construction of the container is a dual-zone and dual-compartment
container, the container is capable of having more than two zones
and two compartments and still be within the spirit and scope of
the present invention. Such constructions could have any
combination of wet compartments and dry compartments.
[0029] It should also be understood that a large variety of
alternatives and variations exist to the constructions discussed
above and illustrated in the drawings. The constructions described
above and illustrated in the figures are presented by way of
example only and are not intended as a limitation upon the concepts
and principles of the present invention. One of ordinary skill in
the art will be able to recognize such alternatives and variations
from the disclosure herein and, therefore, such alternatives and
variations are within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *