US20080179323A1 - Closable container for personal items - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for storing personal items, such as toothbrushes, cotton swabs, make-up applicators, and the like, is disclosed. The container has a body made from at least two telescoping walls, and a lid for closing an open end of the body. The lid is connected to the telescoping walls in a manner which provides better access to the stored items when the lid is opened. The container may be embodied such that the innermost wall of the body is raised to expose the stored items, or such that the outermost wall of the body is retracted to expose the stored items.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present device relates to containers for storing personal items, such as toothbrushes, cotton swabs, and the like. Particularly, the present device relates to closable containers for storing personal items to maintain some level of a hygienic condition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• In general, many people keep personal items, such as a toothbrush, cotton swabs, razors, make up brushes, and the like, in a bathroom. Unfortunately, bathrooms, as a result of warm and humid conditions, can often be ideal breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses. The specific uses of such personal items can also be a contributing factor to these breeding conditions. That is, toothbrushes and razors are often stored in a wet condition.
• Further, many prior art containers designed to store these personal items will either be uncovered or have covers which require two hands to remove, such as screw caps, snap-fit lids, and the like. These prior art containers may even require that they be held by a user while being opened. Obviously, each of these scenarios has serious drawbacks with regard to hygiene and ease of use.
• The present invention overcomes these and many other disadvantages of previous devices. Disclosed is a closable container which is decorative, yet functional; versatile as a container for storing any number of personal items; and is easy to open with a single downward movement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• There is disclosed herein an closable container for storing personal items, such as a toothbrush, cotton swabs, combs, brushes, and the like, in a hygienic condition which avoids the disadvantages of prior devices while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
• In a first embodiment the holder for storing personal items comprises a body having telescoping walls which define a cavity open on at least one end, the walls being capable of extension and retraction movement, a lid hingably connected to a wall of the body, the lid being capable of moving between a first position covering an open end of the cavity, and a second position uncovering the open end of the cavity, and a lift mechanism having first and second ends, wherein the first end connects to a telescoping wall of the body and the second end connects to the lid such that extension and retraction movement of the telescoping body walls operates to move the lid between the first position and the second position and vice versa.
• In a particular embodiment, the body is comprised of two telescoping walls, wherein the innermost telescoping wall comprises an extension, and the lid is hingably connected to the extension of the innermost telescoping wall.
• In another particular embodiment the holder comprises a first body having an outer wall defining a cavity, a second body having an outer wall surrounding at least a portion of the first body and capable of sliding movement thereabout, a lid hingably connected to the first body and capable of moving between a first open position and a second closed position, and a lift mechanism having a first end connected to the second body and a second end connected to the lid, wherein movement of the second body moves the lid between the first open position and the second closed position.
• These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present container in an open position;
• FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the container shown inFIG. 1 as it about halfway between an open position and a closed position;
• FIG. 3 is still another perspective view of the container ofFIG. 1, shown in a closed position;
• FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the container ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 illustrating the opening and closing motion;
• FIG. 6 is front view of the container ofFIG. 5;
• FIG. 7 is rear view of an embodiment of the container of the present invention in a closed position;
• FIG. 8 is a side view of the embodiment ofFIG. 7;
• FIG. 9 is a top view of an embodiment of the present container showing a divider within the container cavity;
• FIG. 10 is another top view of an embodiment of the present container;
• FIG. 11 is a cross-section of another embodiment of the present container showing the device in an closed position; and
• FIG. 12 is a cross-section of the embodiment ofFIG. 11 showing the device in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated.
• Referring toFIGS. 1-12, there is illustrated multiple embodiments of a closable container, generally designated by thenumeral10. Thecontainer10 is described herein as usable for the purpose of storing a toothbrush (not shown). However, it should be understood that thepresent container10 is also suitable for storing in a closed environment other personal bathroom-type items, such as razors, cotton swabs, cotton balls, hair combs, hair pins, make-up brushes, nail files, medicine droppers, and the like. Additionally, hygienic solutions, such as alcohol, peroxide, and mouthwash, to name but a few, can be added to the cavity to help maintain a more aseptic environment for the stored items.
• Thecontainer10 has abody12, preferably comprised of at least two telescoping walls14 which define acavity20, alid22, abottom24 and a joint orlift mechanism28 connecting thelid22 to a telescoping wall14. Adivider30 may be included to fit within thecavity20.
• Thebody12 is shown inFIGS. 1-3 to include two telescoping walls14, cylindrical in shape. The cross-sectional shape of these walls is almost without limit, and includes circular, oval, triangular, rectangular, square, as well as other geometric configurations. For ease of operation and manufacture, cylindrical walls are preferred.
• In the embodiment shown, theinnermost wall16 is open at both ends, but preferably comprisesbottom24 to close off one end of the definedcavity20. Thebottom24 may be integral or removable for ease of cleaning thecavity20. The open end of theinnermost wall16 preferably comprises anextension26. Thisextension26 serves to move the pivot point of the hingably attached lid a distance above the rim of theinnermost wall16. This length of theextension26 should be at least approximately equal to the travel of the second oroutermost telescoping wall18, though it is preferably slightly longer.
• Theoutermost wall18 is open at both ends and fits about the outer surface of theinnermost wall16.Outermost wall18 should frictionally engage theinnermost wall16, but should allow the two telescoping walls to slide freely against one another with only minimal work. Arib32 may be provided on one of the walls (shown inFIG. 4) with a corresponding groove34 in the other wall. By aligning the rib32 and groove34 feature, the two walls will be prevented from turning—and possibly binding—within one another. Other tracking or indexing mechanisms (not shown) may be used to facilitate operation of the opening and closing of thecontainer10.
• At the end of theextension26, ahinge portion40, along with a hinge pin (not shown) connects thelid22 to theinnermost wall16. Thehinge portion40 is comprised of aprotrusion42 having a pin channel (not shown) passing therethrough. Thelid22 is comprised of a correspondingfixed hinge portion40 which affixes to the protrusion of thehinge portion40 via the hinge pin (not shown). Certainly other configurations would be suitable for hingably attaching thelid22.
• Thelid22 is shown to be cylindrical and closed at the top end. As shown inFIG. 3, thelid22 accounts for approximately 25 percent of thecontainer10 height. However, it is contemplated that thelid22 could be a taller (perhaps as much as 50% of the container height) or a substantially flat, planar lid (not shown) with little sidewall height.
• Thelid22 is also connected to theoutermost wall18 ofcontainer10 via joint orlift mechanism28. Thelift mechanism28 is preferably a flat, somewhat bendable member with a first end which is configured to connect to theoutermost wall18 and a second end configured to connect to thelid22. In the embodiment shown, the connections of thelift mechanism28 to thewall18 andlid22 are accomplished byhooked ends38 on thelift mechanism28 which each engage a different slotted opening on the two components.
• Adivider30 may be used to fit within the cavity of the telescoping walls. Such a divider may include a plurality of dividingwalls31 of various heights. Asmall handle33 to facilitate removal of thedivider30 may be provided as well. Preferably, the dividingwalls31 are no higher than theinnermost wall16 when placed within thecavity20. However, the dividingwalls31 may be as high as theextension26 without interfering with the opening and closing of thelid22. The dividingwalls31, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 4, create separate, but not necessarily equal, compartments within thecontainer10.
• In use, with reference toFIG. 5, as theoutermost telescoping wall18 is slid downward about theinnermost telescoping wall16,lift mechanism28 is also pulled downward. Thelift mechanism28 imparts motion to thelid22, which motion is translated into a rotational movement of thelid22 about the pin of thehinge portion40 on theextension26 ofinnermost wall16. As thelid22 cannot move downward, it is forced to pivot about the hinge point. Thelift mechanism28 will then begin to displace from the slidingoutermost wall18 and may bow slightly. As the motion of theoutermost wall18 continues, thelid22 traces an arc of approximately 90 degrees until it is fully open. The motion may be discontinued at any point, whereby the friction between the two walls will preferably hold such position.
• Further, as theoutermost wall18 moves downward it exposes theextension26 of theinnermost wall16. This configuration provides better access to the cavity and any items stored therein.
• To close thecontainer10, theoutermost wall18 may be raised. Thelift mechanism28 reverses the rotational travel of thelid22 discussed above by applying a force at the connection point, preferably proximate the upper end of thelid22. The joint orlift mechanism28 is sized such that thelid22 returns to the closed position exactly as theoutermost wall18 reaches the height of theextension26, thereby meeting with thelid22.
• It should be noted that while the above-description details movement of theoutermost wall18 to open thelid22 ofcontainer10, it is more likely that the user will open thelid22 to thereby move theoutermost wall18 and expose the items within. Due to the travel of theoutermost wall18 across the center-point of thecontainer10, the latter scenario is preferred and more effective for some uses. Likewise, closing thecontainer10 by upward movement of theoutermost wall18, as also described above, may be more effectively accomplished by closing thelid22 to move theoutermost wall18 upwards. Those skilled in the art would understand the nuances and benefits of the design and operational differences for various uses.
• In an alternate embodiment, shown inFIGS. 11 and 12, theoutermost wall118 is stationary, while theinnermost wall116 extends upward. Theoutermost wall118 of this embodiment is preferably longer than in the embodiment ofFIG. 1. However, all other connections are substantially similar to those described above. The difference in operation is a result of the fixed, lengthieroutermost wall118 and the slidable configuration ofinnermost wall116. A trackingchannel50 is provided on the interior surface of theoutermost wall118 such that it engages the extension of theinnermost wall116. As thelid122 is opened,lift mechanism128 applies a downward force to the fixedoutermost wall118. Because theoutermost wall118 is stationary, thelid122 lifts upward on theinnermost wall116 at thehinge portion140 connected to theextension126. The slidableinnermost wall116 moves upward within theoutermost wall118. Theinnermost wall116, which preferably has a closed bottom end, elevates its contents as well.
• The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.

Claims (21)

1. A holder for storing personal items comprising:

a body having telescoping walls which define a cavity open on at least one end, the walls being capable of extension and retraction movement;

a lid hingably connected to a wall of the body, the lid being capable of moving between a first position covering an open end of the cavity, and a second position uncovering the open end of the cavity; and

a lift mechanism having first and second ends, wherein the first end connects to a telescoping wall of the body and the second end connects to the lid such that extension and retraction movement of the telescoping body walls operates to move the lid between the first position and the second position and vice versa.

2. The holder ofclaim 1, wherein extension movement of the telescoping walls operates to move the lid to the first position and vice versa.

3. The holder ofclaim 1, wherein retraction movement of the telescoping walls operates to move the lid to the first position and vice versa.

4. The holder ofclaim 1, further comprising a divider for the cavity.

5. The holder ofclaim 1, wherein the body is comprised of two telescoping walls.

6. The holder ofclaim 1, wherein the body is comprised of at least two telescoping walls.

7. The holder ofclaim 3, wherein the lid is connected to an innermost telescoping wall.

8. The holder ofclaim 1, wherein the lid is connected to an innermost telescoping wall.

9. The holder ofclaim 1, wherein the first end of the lift mechanism connects to an outermost telescoping wall.

10. The holder ofclaim 6, wherein the first end of the lift mechanism connects to an outermost telescoping wall.

11. The holder ofclaim 6, wherein the innermost telescoping wall comprises an extension, wherein the lid is hingably connected to the extension of the innermost telescoping wall.

12. The holder ofclaim 9, wherein the telescoping walls extend a length approximately equal to the extension of the innermost telescoping wall.

13. The holder ofclaim 1, wherein an innermost telescoping wall moves upward within an outermost telescoping wall.

14. The holder ofclaim 1, wherein an outermost telescoping wall moves downward about an innermost telescoping wall.

15. A holder for personal items comprising:

a first body having an outer wall defining a cavity;

a second body having an outer wall surrounding at least a portion of the first body and capable of sliding movement thereabout;

a lid hingably connected to the first body and capable of moving between a first open position and a second closed position; and

a lift mechanism having a first end connected to the second body and a second end connected to the lid, wherein movement of the second body moves the lid between the first open position and the second closed position.

16. The holder ofclaim 11, further comprising an extension attached to the first body and wherein the lid is hingably connected to the extension.

17. The holder ofclaim 12, wherein the extension is integral to the first body.

18. The holder ofclaim 11, further comprising a divider within the cavity of the first body.

19. The holder ofclaim 14, wherein the divider is removable from the cavity.

20. The holder ofclaim 11, wherein the first body has a cross section selected from the group of geometric shapes consisting of circular, square, rectangular, oval, triangular, and variations thereof.

21. The holder ofclaim 16, wherein the second body has a cross section similar to that of the first body.

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