Beverage container and toothbrush holder

A beverage container having a recessed storage compartment in the container wall for storing a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. The compartment has access through an exterior opening in the wall so that the toothbrush and toothpaste are dry, when the container contains a liquid.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a container (bottle) which contains a beverage such as mineral water, and has a recessed storage area for storing a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Travelers and others commonly carry mineral water. Occasionally, they want to cleanse their mouth and teeth, however, their toothbrush is not readily available.

The broad purpose of the present invention is to provide a combination beverage container and toothbrush and toothpaste storage container. Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings,FIG. 1illustrates a symmetrical container10of the type commonly used for holding water, mineral water and the like. Container10has an elongated body12and a cap14.

An extendible toothbrush16and a small tube of toothpaste18are contained within a cylindrical case20. Case20has a cap22for retaining the contents of the container.

Referring toFIG. 5, toothbrush16has a hollow body22, a handle24and a brush26. The hollow body receives handle24so that the handle can be extended to the position shown inFIG. 5in which an internal enlargement28on the handle engages a recess30in the body to hold the toothbrush in an extended position.

Toothbrush16also has a retracted condition illustrated inFIG. 2.

For illustrative purposes, container10has a height of about 8.5 inches. The body of the container has an elongated recess32for receiving case20and its contents. When case20is inserted in recess32, the outside surface of the width of the case is flush with the external profile of container10as illustrated inFIG. 1.

Recess30has a top34, a bottom36and a semi-cylindrical wall38. The top and bottom are joined to cylindrical wall38to form a watertight enclosure for case20. When case20is inserted in recess30, a section of adhesive tape40is attached to the opposite sides of the recess, and to the case to hold them in position until the toothbrush is to be used. The recess has height of about 4 inches. Wall38has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the inside surface of case20which preferably is about 1 inch in diameter.

In use, the user inserts case20into the recess. He then can carry the container, filled with, for example mineral water, until such time as he feels that he desires to cleanse his mouth. He removes tape40and case20, removes cap22and then uses the contents, that is toothbrush16and toothpaste18.

FIGS. 6 and 7illustrate another embodiment of the invention which also comprises a container50having a recess52. The handle of a toothbrush54, a shaving razor56, and a tube of toothpaste58are inserted in a case59into recess60of container50. In this case, a cap62is snapped over the recess opening and held in place by a pair of raised lips64and66on opposite sides of the recess.

Case59, used for storing the toothbrush, toothpaste and razor, comprises a cylindrical body68and a clip-on cap70which telescopically receives the upper end of body68. The upper end of recess60has a fairly flat portion72with an internal recess74. Cap70has a finger76which in its normal position supports a shoulder78that is snapped into recess74. Finger76is resilient in such a manner that it can be passed downwardly in the direction of arrow80to remove shoulder78from the recess. When the case is to be inserted into the recess, the user pushes the case into the recess in such a manner that shoulder78bends downwardly a distance sufficient to enter and be retained in recess74. At the same time, a protuberance82at the bottom of case59is received by a recess84.

Referring toFIGS. 8 and 9, another embodiment of the invention is illustrated and comprises a case100having a cylindrical body102with a resilient finger104which snaps into the opening of recess74in the bottle. When finger104is depressed by the user, it can be removed from recess32. The case102can also be inserted into the recess by pushing the case into the recess until the finger snaps into recess74. In this case, the case has a cap106threadably mounted on the lower end of the body of the case on a cylindrical threaded section108. The cap has a dispensing element110. The cap106can be mounted on the top of container10by removing cap14and screwing on cap106. The user can then remove the contents of the bottle by squeezing on the bottle. In this case, the container would have a resilient or squeezable configuration. The lower end of the case has a thin pad112to prevent the contents of the case from being accidentally removed. When the user wants to remove the contents of the case, he will use a tool or his finger to penetrate through barrier112and open the bottom of the case.