Container for money clip

A sealed container for pills on a clip such as a money clip. Preferably, the container is hermetically sealed and suitable for holding moisture sensitive pills in a fashion which prevents the sensitive substances from being adversely affected during transport. The container has a main body having a first finger and a second finger with a generally U-shaped spring forming joint therebetween. The first finger has an upper surface upon which a container base portion is mounted. The container base portion has a threaded portion along the peripheral sides thereof, and a sealing surface at the upper reaches thereof. A cap is provided with threads complimentary to those on the outside of the container base portion, so that the cap can be removably affixed to the container base portion. A sealing portion, preferably of the O-ring type, is used to form a seal between the container base portion, at the sealing surface, and the cap. By tightly affixing the cap, a hermetic seal is provided, which substantially prevents ingress of undesirable liquids or gases which might otherwise tend to degrade or destroy substances, such as pharmaceuticals, stored in the container. An embodiment with an integral one-piece clip and container base portion is provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a container carrying small objects such as pills, 
preferably for use in conjunction with a clip type device, and to a method 
of preserving and carrying pills via use of the container. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
A continuing demand exists for a simple, unobtrusive, and inexpensive 
container which can be used to store pills or the like while being carried 
by a person. Presently, the most common types of devices to carry pills 
involve bulky containers or prescription bottles. Such devices frequently 
provide unattractive and uncomfortable bulges in pockets, and often result 
in additional expense to repair or replace clothing which may be damaged 
while carting such bulky containers around. 
The need to provide an unobtrusive container is particularly great at this 
time, especially for certain types of individuals for whom my type of 
money clip type pill container would be particularly useful, such as 
patients with a heart or other medical condition which requires constant 
availability of certain medications. 
One of the most common deficiencies of the heretofore available pill box 
devices of which I am aware is their tendency to distort the shape of 
clothing in which they are placed, due to their extremely bulky shape. 
Thus, elimination of the need to use such undesirable and bulky containers 
would be advantageous for many folks, particularly for men who carry money 
clips in their pockets. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
I have now invented, and disclose herein, a novel, improved pill box which 
does not have the above-discussed drawbacks common to those heretofore 
used pill boxes of which I am aware. Unlike the pill boxes or containers 
heretofore available, my product is simple, lightweight, relatively 
inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and otherwise superior to those 
heretofore used or proposed. In addition, it provides a hermetically 
sealed container which is easy to open and close, and a method for 
conveniently storing small amounts of medications in a hermetically sealed 
container. 
I have disclosed and claimed herein a useful and novel hermetically sealed 
container in combination with a money clip device. The container has a 
main body having a first finger and a second finger with a generally 
U-shaped spring forming joint therebetween. The first finger has an upper 
surface upon which a container base portion is mounted. The container base 
portion has a threaded portion along the peripheral sides thereof, and a 
sealing surface at the upper reaches thereof. A cap is provided with 
threads complimentary to those on the outside of the container base 
portion, so that the cap can be removably affixed to the container base 
portion. A sealing portion, preferably of the O-ring type, is used to form 
a seal between the container base portion, at the sealing surface, and the 
cap. By tightly affixing the cap, a hermetic seal is provided, which 
substantially prevents ingress of undesirable liquids or gases which might 
otherwise tend to degrade or destroy substances, such as pharmaceuticals, 
stored in the container. 
My improved pill container possesses the advantage that the container is 
preferably hermetically sealed, yet easily manually operable. This is 
because the cap for the container is preferably provided with easy to 
grasp frictional knurling along the periphery thereof. 
In one embodiment, a U-shaped spring means is provided between a first 
portion and a second portion, and is integrally formed along with the 
first portion and the second portion from a single piece of material. 
Thus, no separate spring or spring mounting means is required, and as a 
result, there are no extra or extraneous parts to increase complexity of 
the device or the costs of manufacture. 
A pill container made according to the teachings herein differ from 
previously available products of which I am aware in one respect in that 
hermetically sealed container is provided in combination with a simple, 
lightweight, easily used clip. When both the springs and the container 
base portion are integrally manufactured with the clip, as in the 
preferred configuration shown herein, my container will provide convenient 
carriage of objects such as pills, while generally being smaller in size 
and lighter in weight than conventional or previously available pill 
carrying devices. 
OBJECTS, ADVANTAGES, AND FEATURES OF THE INVENTION 
From the foregoing, it will be apparent to the reader that one important 
and primary object of the present invention resides in the provision of a 
novel, improved container to provide a means for easily, simply, securely, 
and unobtrusively carry a small object such as a pill. 
Other important but more specific objects of the invention reside in the 
provision of a pill container as described in the preceding paragraph 
which: 
can be manufactured in a simple, straightforward manner; 
results in an effective pill container which can be hidden in use; 
have an integral spring means for securing objects such as folding money to 
the clip; 
have an integral sealing portion for hermetically sealing the pill 
container when the cap is tightly affixed thereto; 
in conjunction with the preceding objects, have the advantage that the pill 
box cap lips can be quickly engaged and disengaged; and therefore, 
provides a pill box which is easy to use and re-use; and as a result, 
provides a means and method for safely and reliably transporting an object 
in a hermetically sealed environment; 
provides a device which can easily be used for carriage of small quantities 
of pills or other small objects on the person. 
Other important objects, features, and additional advantages of my 
invention will become apparent to the reader from the foregoing and the 
appended claims and as the ensuing detailed description and discussion 
proceeds in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, in one embodiment, a clip mounted 
container 10 comprises a main body 12, a cap 14, and an O-ring type seal 
portion 16 for being sealingly located therebetween. The main body 12 has 
an upper or first finger 18 with an upper surface 20, a lower or second 
finger 22, a generally U-shaped joint 24 between the first 18 and second 
22 fingers. A container base portion 30 is mounted on upper surface 20 of 
the first finger 18. The cap 14 is adapted to be securely but removably 
affixed to the container base portion 30, preferably by threaded meshing 
engagement via connection formed between complementary threaded sidewall 
portion 32 on the container base portion 30 and second threaded portion 34 
(see FIG. 2) on the cap 14. Preferably, about 22 threads per inch are 
provided when using brass caps. When the cap 14 is in place on the 
container base portion 30, a container compartment C (see FIG. 2) is 
formed between the lower side 35 of cap 14 and the interior sidewalls 36 
and bottom 38 of the container base portion 30. While caps may be of any 
convenient size, I believe that sizes of (a) about one (1) inch diameter, 
and (b) about one and one-half (1.5) inch diameter, will provide for 
compartments C of a size adequate and desirable for many purposes. 
Again referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the first finger 18 has an 
outer or first end 40, and a second or inner end 42. The lower or second 
finger 22 has an outer or third end 44, and an inner or fourth end 46. The 
second end 42 on said first finger 18 and the fourth end 46 of the second 
finger 22 are joined by the generally U-shaped joint 24. The generally 
U-shaped joint 24 forms a spring S between the first finger 18 and the 
second finger 22. The spring S is biased toward a closed, contacting 
position in which said first finger 18 and second finger 22 are urged 
together, in the direction of reference arrows 50 and 52, respectively, to 
form a clasp between the first finger 18 and the second finger 22. 
I prefer that the hermetic seal for chamber C be provided by a seal portion 
in the form of O-ring 16, but any convenient type of seal portion may be 
utilized between cap 14 and container base portion 30, so long as a 
sealingly acceptable joint is provided for the particular service of the 
apparatus 10. In any event, container base portion 30 should be provided 
with an appropriate seat surface 60 which allows the chosen seal portion 
to form a secure, hermetic type seal between the cap 14 and the container 
base portion 30. This sealing feature is important since it prevents 
damage to contents of the container by moisture or water; this is 
important with respect to certain pharmaceuticals. 
For ease of operation, I prefer that the peripheral surface portion 62 of 
cap 14 be provided with knurling 64. The entire peripheral surface portion 
62 can be provided with knurling as is shown in FIG. 1, or alternately, 
only a portion of peripheral surface portion 62' can have knurling 64' as 
shown on cap 14' in FIG. 3. 
As illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, in order to 
enhance the clasping mechanism between first finger 18' and second finger 
22', a center prong 66 can be provided, extending rearward toward the 
generally U-shaped joint 24' and upward toward first prong 18' from near 
the third end 44' of second finger 22'. This center prong enhances the 
ability of the clip to clasp materials such as folded monetary 
instruments, similar to that illustrated for example in FIG. 7 below and 
indicated by reference letter M. 
As is shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, I have also found it preferable to 
provide a clip 10 wherein the second finger 22 (FIG. 1) or 22' (FIGS. 3 
and 5) has at the outer reaches thereof a downwardly extending first 
flange portion 70 (or 70', in FIGS. 3 and 5). The first flange portion 70 
or 70' is adapted to receive an object and urge that object upward toward 
the first finger 18 or 18', so that the object can thence be secured in 
the clasp between the first finger (18 or 18') and the second finger (22 
or 22') of the container clip 10. 
Also, I prefer that at least the clip portion of main body portion 12 
(i.e., main body 12 without container base portion 30), including first 
finger 18 and second finger 22, and the generally U-shaped joint 24 be 
integrally formed from a common unitary part. Generally, this is best 
provided in spring steel, in so far as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-5. 
Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, yet another embodiment is provided, showing 
an integrally formed container C" and clip apparatus 100. The apparatus 
100 has an integrally formed main body portion 102, a cap 104, and a seal 
portion 106, preferably provided in the form of an O-ring type seal. The 
integrally formed main body portion 102 includes a rearwardly located 
union portion 110, a first prong 112, a second prong 114, and third or 
center prong 116 located between the first 112 and second 114 prongs. The 
first prong 112 has a proximal end 120 adjacent the union portion 110, and 
the first prong 112 protrudes outwardly from the proximal end 120 to a 
distal end 122. The first prong 112 has an upper surface portion 124 and a 
lower surface portion 126. The second prong 114 also has a proximal end 
130 at the union portion 110, and protrudes outwardly from the proximal 
end 130 to a distal end 132. The second prong 114 has an upper surface 
portion 134 and a lower surface portion 136. The third prong 116 is 
located (in the transverse direction) between the first 112 and second 114 
prongs. The third prong 116 also has a proximal end 140 at the union 
portion 110, and protrudes outwardly from the proximal end 140 in a 
direction preferably substantially parallel with the first 112 and second 
114 prongs to a distal end 142. The third prong 116 cooperates with the 
union portion 110 to form a spring S" biased in a direction tending to 
urge the third prong 116 toward the lower surface portion 126 of the first 
prong 112 and the lower surface portion 136 of the second prong 114, so 
that the spring S" urges the third prong 116 to cooperate with said first 
and second prongs 112 and 114 to form a clasp therebetween, adapted to 
hold objects such as a monetary instrument M. 
In a preferred embodiment, the third finger 116 extends somewhat downwardly 
with a bowed portion 148. The downwardly bowed portion 148 is adapted to 
accommodate an object thereabove and to urge the object being held toward 
a gripping position against the lower surface 126 of first prong 112, and 
against the lower surface portion 136 of second prong 114. 
As seen in FIG. 8, a container base portion 150 is integrally formed with 
the main body portion 102, and sits above the upper surface portion 124 of 
the first prong 112 and the upper surface portion 134 of the second prong 
114. Cap 104 is provided and is adapted to be securely affixed to the said 
container base portion 150, so as to form a closed container compartment 
C" between cap 104 and the container base portion 150. The container base 
portion 150 includes a first threaded portion 152, and the cap 104 
includes a second threaded portion 154, which are complimentary so as to 
allow the cap 104 and the container base portion 150 to be brought into 
threaded meshing engagement, so as to attach the cap 104 to the container 
base portion 150. Preferably, the seal portion 106 is adapted to form a 
tight fitting seal between the container base portion 150 and the cap 104, 
so that when the cap 104 is tightly secured to the container base portion 
150, the closed container compartment C" is hermetically sealed. Depending 
upon seal type chosen, a seat 160 is provided at the upper reaches of the 
container base portion 150 to advantageously accomplish the necessary 
sealing function. 
Ideally, the integrally formed main body portion 102 is formed from a 
suitable moldable polymer, such as acatel type plastic. Cap 104 may also 
be formed from acatel type polymer. 
Returning to FIG. 6, yet another embodiment 100' of my pill container is 
depicted, with construction similar to that first shown in FIG. 7. 
However, the container base portion 150' and cap 104' are provided in a 
larger size, suitable for holding larger pills. 
Finally, the operation of the clip portion of my container 100 may be seen 
in the bottom perspective view seen in FIG. 7, with reference to FIG. 8. 
In FIG. 7, a folded monetary instrument M is provided with a creased 
portion 200 for insertion at the distal end of, and between third prong 
116 and the other first and second prongs 112 and 114, respectively. The 
instrument M is urged generally toward the gap G near the proximal end of 
the third prong 116, and upward against the lower surfaces 126 and 136 of 
first and second prongs 112 and 114. 
Returning now to FIGS. 1 and 3, it can be seen that my improved pill 
container design, as depicted by reference numeral 10 and 10' possesses 
the advantage that a securely sealed compartment C or C' is formed. As a 
result, the stability and security of pills P located in the compartments 
C and C' is assured. 
In many cases, the actual materials of construction used for forming the 
securely sealed compartment C or C' may be important with respect to 
assuring that the material to be carried does not react with the container 
C or C' itself. Such a result can be achieved by assuring the the 
compartment C has been coated or plated with a substantially inert 
material with respect to the compound to be carried in the container. For 
example with heart patients, use of formulation of nitroglycerine is often 
prescribed, and it is desirable for the patient to carry with them at all 
times an effective dosage amount of the nitroglycerine. Use of gold 
plating in the interior sidewalls 36 and bottom 38 of the container base 
portion 30, as well as in the lower side 35 of cap 14, is advantageous to 
assure that the nitroglycerine remains unaffected by storage in my novel 
container. 
It will be readily apparent to the reader that the present invention may be 
easily adapted to other embodiments incorporating the concepts taught 
herein and that the present embodiments illustrated are shown by way of 
example only and shall not in any way be a limitation. For example, other 
sealed container variations may be provided to accommodate the hermetic 
sealing of an object in a container in combination with a clip such as a 
money clip. As to various embodiments illustrated in drawing, like parts 
have been noted with common reference numerals without further discussion 
thereof. 
Thus, it can be seen that I have developed and have set forth herein an 
exemplary clip mounted container. The container is ideal for sealingly 
holding a pill or other small object in a closed container. The clip 
mounted container is simple to manufacture, and is compact and 
lightweight, making it easy to hide in use, and does not tend to cause 
damage to clothing as with prior art pill carriers. The invention may be 
embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or 
essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore 
to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the 
scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than 
by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the 
meaning and range of equivalences of the claims are therefore intended to 
be embraced therein.