Abstract:
A container is disclosed that includes an elongated, substantially hollow body having at least one opening, and a recoil mechanism integrally formed in the body and comprising a lanyard configured to extend from and recoil into the body. The container also includes a plunger slideably coupled with an interior surface of the body and configured to one of extend the item outward from an opening in the body, or, retract the item inward into the body. The container may include a flip-top cap integrally formed with the body, and an advance mechanism that causes the plunger to extend or retract in response to the direction of a rotating force.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/759,122 entitled “CONTAINER WITH INTEGRALLY FORMED RECOIL DEVICE” and filed on Jan. 13, 2006 for Jacob D. Samuelson, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to lip balm containers and more particularly relates to a lip balm dispenser having an integrally formed recoil device for securely fastening the lip balm dispenser to an object. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    For at least 70 years people have been applying various forms of lip balm to their lips in order to relieve chapped or dry lips, and cold sores. Lip balm is generally formed of petroleum jelly, menthol, scented oils, and various other ingredients. Some lip balms also contain vitamins or other beneficial agents such as aspirin. Many lip balms also contain some form of a sunscreen to protect the lips. 
         [0006]    Lip balm comes in many different form factors including a tub for dipping a finger and then spreading on the lips, or a stick form (similar to lipstick) which is applied directly to the lips. These containers are often small in nature and therefore prone to being lost. Furthermore, lip balm containers are often stored in a bag or purse and become difficult to locate among the various other articles in the bag. 
         [0007]    Another problem with current lip balm containers is the dexterity required to open, dispense, and close the lip balm container. Due to the size of the container, often times a person must use both hands to remove the cap and dispense lip balm. If gloves are being worn this task becomes nearly impossible. A large number of outdoor winter enthusiasts use lip balm because cold weather leads to chapped lips. Outdoor winter enthusiasts almost always wear some type of glove or mitten, and unfortunately, are unable to dispense and apply lip balm without first removing the gloves or mittens. Typically a skier must first remove his or her gloves, dig through the pocket or bag that contains the lip balm, apply the lip balm, return the lip balm to the pocket or bag, and replace the gloves. This is an uncomfortable but necessary procedure when using lip balm of the prior art. 
         [0008]    Many have attempted to solve portions of the above described problem. For example, one apparatus provides a carrying case that attaches to a hook on a ski jacket. The carrying case is similar in structure to a pouch. However, one must still remove his or her gloves in order to remove the lip balm from the pouch, and dispense lip balm. 
         [0009]    Another solution is to attach a neck lanyard to the lip balm. One problem with this solution is that the lanyard must be of sufficient length so that the lip balm can be applied to the lips when the lanyard is around a person&#39;s neck. However, the resulting length of the lanyard requires that one tuck the lanyard beneath clothing to prevent the lip balm from swinging and bouncing excessively. Again, gloves or mittens must be removed in order to retrieve and apply the lip balm. 
         [0010]    From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a container having an integrally formed recoil device that prevents loss and a lip balm dispensing device that capable of one-handed operation, or operation when a person is Z wearing a glove or mitten. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available lip balm containers. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus that overcomes many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. 
         [0012]    The container is provided with an elongated, substantially hollow body having at least one opening, a recoil mechanism integrally formed in the body and comprising a lanyard configured to extend from and recoil into the body, and a plunger slideably coupled with an interior surface of the body and configured to one of extend the item outward from an opening in the body, or, retract the item inward into the body. 
         [0013]    The container may include a flip-top cap integrally formed with the body. The cap may include a ridge extending outward from the cap to enable one-finger operation. The cap is configured to cover the opening. The container also includes an advance mechanism formed on an exterior surface of the body. The advance mechanism is mechanically coupled with the plunger such that a rotating force causes the plunger to one of extend or retract in response to the direction of the rotating force. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the container includes a threaded shaft coupled with the body. The shaft extends along a longitudinal axis of the body from a partition towards the opening. The threaded shaft is configured to engage a threaded opening in the plunger, rotate with the advance mechanism, and slide the plunger along the longitudinal axis in response to the rotating force. 
         [0015]    In a further embodiment, the body includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a partition disposed between the first and second chambers. The container may also include a hook coupled to a first end of the lanyard and configured to securely couple the container with an object. Examples of the object include articles of clothing, luggage, outerwear, sporting equipment, and vehicles. The item may include lip balm, cosmetic products, food products, coins, keys, pocket knives, and flashlights. In one embodiment, the recoil mechanism includes a spiral spring having first and second ends, where the first end is securely fastened with a shaft and the second end is coupled with the lanyard. 
         [0016]    Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention. 
         [0018]    These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a container having an integrally formed recoil device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side and bottom perspective view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a container having a lanyard extending outward from a bottom of the container in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view diagram illustrating one embodiment of the container in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view diagram illustrating the assembled internal components of the container in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of a container in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0026]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a container  100  having an integrally formed recoil device in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, the container  100  is configured with a flip-top lid  102 , an advance mechanism  104 , a lanyard  106 , and an attachment mechanism  108 . The container  100  may be cylindrical as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the container  100  may have an elongated tubular shape having a cross-sectional area in the form of a square, rectangle, oval, etc. 
         [0028]    The flip-top lid  102  may be integrally formed with a body  110 , and coupled with the body  110  by way of a hinge  112 . In a further embodiment, the lid  102  is detachable from the body  110 . In a further embodiment, the lid  102  may include a ridge  114  for engaging the finger of a user in order to enable “flip-top” like functionality without requiring two fingers to pull off the cap  102 . 
         [0029]    The advance mechanism  104  is configured to vertically lift an item to expose or discharge the item from the body  110 . Examples of items that may be exposed or discharged from the body include, but are not limited to, lip balm, lipstick, other cosmetic products, hard candy such as suckers, soft candy, coins, keys, etc. The body may be formed substantially of a lightweight rigid material such as, a polymer-based material. Examples of polymer based materials suitable for use with the present invention include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, nylon, or the like. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, the lanyard  106  comprises a cable or cord configured to extend and subsequently retract into the body  110 . As used herein, the term “lanyard” refers to a flexible line of rope, wire, wire rope, or strap that is attached to any small object for the purpose of securing the object. The recoil mechanism will be discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As depicted, the lanyard  106  extends outward from the side of the body. Coupled with one end of the lanyard  106  is the attachment mechanism  108 . The attachment mechanism  108  may comprise a hook, plastic or otherwise, configured to secure the container  100  to an article of clothing, a bag, a belt, a belt loop, a pocket, a purse, or the like. Alternatively, the attachment mechanism  108  may comprise a key ring. The lanyard  106  may be formed of nylon or an alternative durable material and is of a length sufficient to enable a user to move the container  100  to a desirable location such as adjacent the user&#39;s mouth. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a side and bottom perspective view diagram illustrating one embodiment of a container  200  having a lanyard  106  extending outward from a bottom  202  of the container  200 . In one embodiment, the body  110  may comprise a first chamber  204  Z for housing the item, and a second chamber  206  for housing the recoil mechanism. The body  1110  may have an externally visual separation of the chamber  204 ,  206  as illustrated by the line  208 , or there may be no externally visual evidence that the body comprises first and second chambers  204 ,  206 . Line  208 , in one embodiment indicates the position of a partition inside the body  110  disposed between the first and second chambers  204 ,  206 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view diagram illustrating one embodiment of the container  100  in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, the container comprises a recoil mechanism  302  located in the second or lower chamber  206  of the body  110 . The recoil mechanism  302  may comprise a spiral spring  304 , and a reel  306 . An interior end of the spiral spring  304  may be fixedly connected with a peg  308 , and the exterior end of the spiral spring  304  may be fixedly connected with the reel  306 . At least one end of the peg  308  is fixedly coupled with the body  110 . 
         [0033]    In one embodiment, the lanyard  106  comprises a first end connected with the reel  306  and a second end connected with the attachment mechanism  108 . The body  110  further comprises an opening  310  through which the lanyard  106  may pass. The opening  310  may include a metal grommet to prevent the lanyard from wearing through the body  110  as the lanyard  106  passes through the opening  310 . As the lanyard  106  is extracted from the body  110 , the reel  306  turns and subsequently tensions the spiral spring  304 . The tensioned spiral spring  304  serves to recoil the lanyard  106  once the extracting force is removed from the lanyard  106 . 
         [0034]    The advance mechanism, in one embodiment, may comprise a threaded rod  314 , and a plunger  315 . In the depicted embodiment, the advance mechanism also comprises a collar  316  configured to engage the finger or fingers of a user in order to extend or discharge the plunger  315 . The collar  316 , as depicted, may be disposed next to the lid  102 , or alternatively may be disposed above the spiral spring  304 . The plunger  315 , as depicted, is configured to contain an item such as lip balm, lip stick, etc., as described above. 
         [0035]    The plunger  315  is configured to support the item, and engage the threaded rod  314 . As a user turns the collar  316 , which may be integrally formed with the body, the threaded rod  314  also turns. Subsequently, the plunger  315  climbs the threaded rod  314  and extends or discharges the item  315 . The threaded rod  314 , in one embodiment, is fixedly coupled with the body  110 . The threaded rod may be coupled with a partition  318  integrally formed with the body  110  and configured to separate the first chamber  204  from the second chamber  206 . 
         [0036]    The body  110 , in one embodiment, may be configured as a sleeve to house the advance mechanism  104 . As depicted, the advance mechanism may comprise an inner cylinder  320  configured to engage the body  110 . This inner cylinder  320  configuration allows a person to, with one hand, hold the body  110  while rotating the advance mechanism  104  and extend or retract the item. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view diagram illustrating the assembled internal components of the container  100  in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, the separate elements may be arranged as depicted, with the spiral spring  304  mounted to a top surface of the reel  306 . Alternatively, the spiral spring  304  may be mounted to a bottom surface of the reel  306 . The threaded rod  314  may be configured to pass into the second chamber and serve as the fixed peg for fixing the interior end of the spiral spring  304  and providing a point about which the reel  306  may rotate. Alternatively, this function may be performed by the peg  308  as described above. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an alternative embodiment of a container  500  in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, the container  500  is configured in the shape of a flashlight. The recoil mechanism  302  may be integrally formed into the container  500  and thereby provide a flashlight with a built-in recoil mechanism  500 . The container  500  is illustrated here as a flashlight by way of example. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that the recoil mechanism  302  may be integrated into many objects. These objects may include, but are not limited to, LED lights, Z pepper spray containers, weapons such as tazers, cigarette lighters, portable flash memory drives, portable media players, etc. 
         [0039]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.