Abstract:
A personal hygiene storage unit, particularly that functions both as a hanging storage/dispensing unit and as a personal hygiene travel pack includes: (a) a hollow body with a bottom, upwardly projecting walls and an open top; (b) a top connected to the bottom and having closing mechanism to fix the top in a closed position; and, (c) a pair of opposing elongated hanging hooks connected to at least one of the main housing, the back hatch top and the front hatch top, for attachment to a toilet paper roll rod and hinges for folding the hooks to create a compact travel pack and positioned for ergonomically beneficial tilting for access when under a roll of toilet paper.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/134,321, filed on Jun. 3, 2011, and entitled “Personal Hygiene Storage Unit”, by the same inventors herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    a. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates generally to personal hygiene storage and dispenser units that may be useful into different modes-in the bathroom or “on the road”. The present invention storage unit may be hung from toilet paper roll rod or the hanger hooks may be folded so as to transform the storage unit into a travel pack for a hand bag, suitcase, backpack or otherwise. When hung from a toilet paper roll rod, it has plural unique features, including a forward tilt for gravity feed of contents such as packaged individual tampons; a forward dispensing capability that clears a toilet paper roll. The present invention also provides more convenient access to contents when hung from various apparatus, such as a towel rack. 
         [0004]    b. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    The following patents are representative of the field pertaining to the present invention: 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,395 B2 to Rogers describes a bathroom accessory adapted to connect with a bathroom tissue roll trunnion and support a container of wipes is disclosed. The bathroom accessory may include first and second brackets connected with and extending upward from base. The first and second brackets can be adapted to connect with a tissue trunnion, and the base can be adapted to support a container of wipes thereon. Embodiments of the bathroom accessory can be configured structural features to provide a keyed engagement a wipe container to help ensure that a particular type of wipe container is used with the wipe container holder. Other embodiments include features that may help secure the wipe container in a particular position on the wipe container holder. Further, embodiments of the wipe container holder can also be used when toilet training an individual. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,235 B2 to Haddad et al. describes a dual arm caddy to be attached to the spindle of a wall mounted toilet paper holder for carrying disposable wet wipes. The upper portion of each arm is attached by hooking the spindle, and the lower, utility portion is attached to a container inclined from front to rear. A lid is rear-hinged. The hooking means can be a U-shaped slot open in the rear of the arm&#39;s upper portion, and inclined upward and elongated to assure the caddy makes wall contact before engaged spindle reaches slot&#39;s upper end. Embodiments include caddies suspendable from crossbars such as towel racks to provide consistently horizontal and stable utility platforms throughout a rage of crossbar-to-wall distances. The hooking means of the arms can also be rounded to allow them to freely rest on top of the crossbar and the caddy configured to always occupy the space closest to the wall to which the crossbar is attached. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,074 to Marino describes a dispenser for moist tissue roll and a slot in the housing for dispensing the tissue from the roll. The dispenser includes arms for hanging the dispenser far from a fixed element. The arms also effect a seal between housing sections forming the housing. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,316 to DeLorean describes, an auxiliary bathroom tissue dispenser incorporating structural provisions for a deodorizer and wet tissue dispenser. A pair of support brackets hook over a conventional pre-existing primary bathroom tissue roll trunnion. A container having a plurality of air passable openings connects with the support brackets for holding replaceable deodorant tablets. A platform located at the top of the container is structured for holding a conventional wet tissue dispenser. A pair of resilient dispenser brackets depend below the container for holding an auxiliary bathroom tissue roll via a nib on each dispenser bracket, the nibs mating with the center tube of the auxiliary bathroom tissue roll. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,427,159 to Miller et al. describes a holder for an extra roll of tissue in a wash room, so to be readily available in case the other roll of tissue is used up, the holder including a wire frame hung from the spindle of the conventional tissue roll holder, a second spindle supported on the frame, and a pivotable cover on the frame for hiding the spare tissue roll from view. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,333 to Boone describes a bathroom fixture of improved construction, function and appearance for making available both conventional toilet-tissue and a supplemental material, for example a moistening material for application to the human body such as premoistened sheets manually withdrawable from a container or housing component. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,617 to Boone describes a unitary multipurpose bathroom fixture of improved function and appearance for making available both conventional dry sheets of toilet-tissue from a roll carried by a spindle component and supplemental premoistened sheets from a container component. A first fastening means, exclusively serving an engaging purpose, is integral with portions supporting the spindle component. A second fastening means, also exclusively serving an engaging function, is integral with the container component. The two fastening means are adapted to effect a firm engagement with one another and thus to provide the unitary fixture. Also included are means for determining the direction of withdrawal of the premoistened sheets to insure their individual availability and to prevent dislodgment of the container. Other means relate to convenience and economy in supplying the premoistened sheets. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,616 to Boone describes a device readily attachable to a standard toilet-tissue dispenser of a roll type for positioning adjacent thereto in visual alignment supplemental material such as a container of pre-wetted toilet sheets. The sheets are manually withdrawable from an aperture, which is held firmly at a fixed position to assure their ready withdrawal and consistent location. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,837,595 to Boone describes a compact auxiliary device providing wetted or self-wetting sheets for releasable proximate mounting in conjunction with a conventional toilet-tissue dispenser of dry sheets; comprises an inexpensive container or magazine component pre-loaded with the supplemental sheets. The magazine can be snapped into functional position rapidly. It serves an improved health care and cleanliness function. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,685,365 to Sieven describes, in combination with a wrapped toilet tissue roll, means for supporting said roll as a replacement from the mandrel of a toilet tissue roll holder bearing a service roll thereon, said means comprising a pair of elongated tabs secured along the end surfaces of said rapped roll and extending beyond the peripheral surface thereof, each of said extensions being provided with a hook formed at the free end thereof adapted to be engaged around the mandrel of a toilet tissue roll holder whereby said roll may be suspended below said mandrel and the service roll positioned thereon as a replacement therefore. 
         [0016]    United States Patent No. 2008/0169411 A1 to Quinn et al. describes a dispenser for small items has a side wall integral with a bottom panel. A top cover joins the side wall and is rotated between a closed position in contact with the side wall and an open position providing access to the interior. A pair of elongate arms is hinged to the side wall and are rotatable over a range of angles. The arms are configured with a cam segment having a sequence of spurs selectively engagable with the side wall so as to set the arms at a desired angle relative to hold the dispenser in a tilted position to better expose the interior. The arms are hooked so as to grip a roll rod for hanging the dispenser below it. 
         [0017]    Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0018]    The present invention is directed to a personal hygiene storage unit that functions both as a hanging storage/dispensing unit and as a personal hygiene travel pack. It includes: a) a main housing being a support base, the main housing having a hollow body with a bottom, upwardly projecting walls and an open top, the main housing walls including a front wall, a back wall and opposing sidewalls; b) a top cover hingeably connected to the back wall of the main housing and having closing means to fix the top cover to the main housing in a closed position and to reopen the top cover; and, c) a pair of opposing elongated hanging hooks connected to at least one of the main housing, each of the pair of opposing elongated hooks having a curved distal end adapted for attachment to a toilet paper roll rod and having a proximal end toward the main housing, the proximal end including hinges for folding the hooks to create a compact moist wipe travel pack and for opening the hooks for hanging. 
         [0019]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal hygiene storage unit, the main housing and the top cover are interconnected plural molded plastic components. 
         [0020]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal hygiene storage unit, main housing and the top cover are a single molded plastic component and the top cover is connected to the main body with at least one living hinge. 
         [0021]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal hygiene storage unit, the unit further includes closing a plurality of stacked moist wipes. 
         [0022]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal hygiene storage unit, the front hatch top closing means is a snap-latch that connects to the back hatch top. 
         [0023]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal hygiene storage unit, the hooks are attached to at one of the main housing and the back hatch top at locations behind an imaginary top view footprint side-to-side center line to create forward downward tilting of the unit when hung by the hooks, to create clearance from a toilet paper roll, to create gravity feed dispensing of plural contents and to create an ergonomically favorable tilt angle. 
         [0024]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal hygiene storage unit, main housing has rounded bottom edges and the top cover has rounded top edges. 
         [0025]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal hygiene storage unit, the top cover and the pair of elongated hanging hooks are a single molded plastic component and the top cover is connected to the main body with at least one living hinge. 
         [0026]    In some other preferred embodiments of the present invention personal hygiene storage unit, that functions both as a hanging storage and dispensing unit and as a personal hygiene travel pack, the invention includes: a) a main housing being a support base, the main housing having a hollow body with a bottom, upwardly projecting walls and an open top, the main housing walls including a front wall, a back wall and opposing sidewalls; b) a main top hingeably connected to a wall of the main housing and having closing means to fix the main top to the main housing in a closed position; c) a top dispensing cover located on the main top and being hingedly connected to the main top for opening and closing thereof; and, d) a pair of opposing elongated hanging hooks connected to at least one of the main top and the main housing, each of the pair of opposing elongated hooks having a curved distal end adapted for attachment to a toilet paper roll rod and having a proximal end toward the main housing, the proximal end including hinges for folding the hooks to create a compact moist wipe travel pack and for opening the hooks for hanging. 
         [0027]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit having a top dispensing cover, the main top and the top dispensing cover are interconnected plural molded plastic components. 
         [0028]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit having a top dispensing cover, the main top and the top dispensing cover are a single molded plastic component and the main top is connected to the main body with at least one living hinge. 
         [0029]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit having a top dispensing cover, the main top includes closing means to permanently attach the main top to the main body in a closed position. 
         [0030]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit having a top dispensing cover, the front hatch top closing means is a snap-latch that connects to the back hatch top. 
         [0031]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit having a top dispensing cover, the hooks are attached to at one of the main housing and the back hatch top at locations behind an imaginary top view footprint side-to-side center line to create forward downward tilting of the unit when hung by the hooks, to create clearance from a toilet paper roll, to create gravity feed dispensing of plural contents and to create an ergonomically favorable tilt angle. 
         [0032]    In some other preferred embodiments of the present invention personal hygiene storage unit, that functions both as a hanging storage and dispensing unit and as a personal hygiene travel pack, the invention includes: a) a main housing being a support base, the main housing having a hollow body with a bottom, upwardly projecting walls and an open top, the main walls including a front wall, a back wall, and opposing sidewalls; b) a main top hingedly connected to a wall of the main housing and having closing means to fix the main top to the main housing in a closed position; c) a top dispensing slot located on the main top for pop-up sequential dispensing of a plurality of stacked moist wipes; and d) a pair of opposing elongated hanging hooks connected to at least one of the main top and the main housing, each of the pair of opposing elongated hooks having a curved distal end adapted for attachment to a toilet paper roll rod and having a proximal end toward the main housing, the proximal end including hinges for folding the hooks to create a compact moist wipe travel pack and for opening the hooks for hanging. 
         [0033]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit having a top dispensing cover, the main housing, the main top, and the top dispensing cover are interconnected plural molded plastic compounds. 
         [0034]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit having a top dispensing cover, the main housing, the main top, and the top dispensing cover are a single molded plastic component and the main top is connected to the main body with at least one living hinge. 
         [0035]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit having a top dispensing cover, the main top includes closing means to permanently attach the main top to the main body in a closed position. 
         [0036]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit having a top dispensing cover, the front hatch top closing means is a snap-latch that connects to the back hatch top. 
         [0037]    In some preferred embodiments of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit having a top dispensing cover, the hooks are attached to at one of the main housing and the back hatch top at locations behind an imaginary top view footprint side-to-side center line to create forward downward tilting of the unit when hung by the hooks, to create clearance from a toilet paper roll, to create gravity feed dispensing of plural contents and to create an ergonomically favorable tilt angle. 
         [0038]    Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0039]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0040]      FIG. 1  is an oblique back view of one preferred embodiment present invention personal moist wipe storage unit; 
           [0041]      FIG. 2  represents an open top view of the main housing and top cover of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of an elongated hanging hook of the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the present invention storage moist wipe unit of  FIG. 1  hanging from a toilet paper roll rod; 
           [0044]      FIG. 5  shows the same side view of the present invention storage moist wipe unit of  FIG. 1  hanging from a toilet paper roll rod, but with the top cover in the open position exposing a plurality of moist wipes for use; 
           [0045]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of a different present invention personal moist wipe storage unit, utilizing a main top with a separate hinged top dispensing cover, with the dispensing cover in the open position exposing a plurality of moist wipes for use; 
           [0046]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of another moist wipe storage unit, utilizing a main top with the main top having a dispensing office for dispensing moist wipes; and, 
           [0047]      FIG. 8  shows the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit of a type that is a hybrid of those shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , combining both a dispensing main top with a dispensing orifice therein, and a top-cover (overcap), and being in generally circular rather than rectangular shape. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]    Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, various embodiments of the present invention are shown. 
         [0049]      FIG. 1  illustrates an oblique back view of one preferred embodiment present invention personal hygiene storage unit  100 . It includes a hollowed body main housing that has a bottom  3 , with an open top, upwardly projecting walls that include a front wall, a back wall and side walls, with rounded corners, as shown. Storage unit  100  has a top cover  5  hingedly connected via hinge  35  to the back of bottom  3 . At the front  7  of top cover  5  is latch  11  to fix top cover  5  to bottom  3  of the main housing in a closed position that may be reopened for subsequent use. In this embodiment hinge  35  is a living hinge. Top cover  5  may repeatedly be opened and closed for storing and accessing personal hygiene items, such as wet wipes, bandages, medicine, tampons, feminine napkins and the like. The exact closing latch and positioning is not a critical feature and may be located in any workable configuration. In this case, the top cover  5  has the male component and the bottom  3  has the female component and is a recessed receiver, but the opposite arrangement would function as well. 
         [0050]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2  collectively, when the top cover  5  and the bottom  3  of the present invention storage unit  100  are closed, there is an imaginary side-to-side centerline. Behind this centerline, on bottom  3 , are two receiver straps  23  and  37  for receiving elongated hanging hooks  13  and  15 , as shown. Hook  15  has a proximal end  41  with spring latches  27  and  33  that snap into the main housing bottom  3  receiving strap  23 . Hook  13  has a proximal end as well, that snaps into the main housing bottom receiving strap  37 . Both hooks  15  and  13  have living hinges  25  and  29 , respectively, so as to be foldable for compact transport. Because the hooks  13  and  15  are located behind the side-by-side centerline, an intentional feature in preferred embodiments, the unit  100  will tilt downwardly forward when hung, due to the offset center of gravity, and will create both clearance and content gravity feed. 
         [0051]      FIG. 3  represents a side view of an elongated hanging hook  15  of the present invention personal hygiene storage unit  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Proximal end  41  has spring latches  27  and  33  to lock hook  15  into its receiving orifice (strap  23 ) described above. Living hinge  25  is a thin region that permits the hooks to be folded. Distal end  17  is curved to hook over a rod such as a toilet paper roll rod or a closet rod. 
         [0052]      FIG. 4  shows a side view of the present invention storage hygiene unit  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  hanging from a toilet paper roll rod of toilet paper roll  45 , supported by rod bracket  47 , attached to wall  43 . Also illustrated is female latch component  9 , hidden in prior views. In this hanging, tilted, closed configuration, unit  100  is conveniently located for access and use, yet not interfering with the use of the toilet paper.  FIG. 5  shows the present invention personal hygiene storage unit  100  of  FIG. 4  but opened to provide personal hygiene products for use, e.g., wet wipes  51 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment of a preferred present invention personal hygiene storage unit  200 . It includes a hollowed body main housing that has a bottom  203  with an open top, upwardly projecting walls that include a front wall, a back wall and side walls and rounded corners; bottom permanent latch component  209  (permanent meaning not readily reopenable); a main top  205 ; main top front  207  with permanent latch component  211 . In this embodiment, there are two hanging hooks (one hidden) represented by hanging hook  215 . Hook  215  has a proximal end  241  with spring latches  227  and  233  that snap into the main housing bottom  203  receiving orifice, i.e., strap  223 . Hook  215  has living hinge  225 , as does the hidden hook, so as to be foldable for compact transport. Thus, the elongated hanging hooks, such as hook  215 , are each made from the assemblage of two separate pieces, and are inserted into the receiving orifices. They have curved distal ends, such distal end  219  for hooking onto a rod, such as toilet paper rod  245 . 
         [0054]    Unit  200  has a main top  205  with a separate hinged top dispensing cover  249  and latch  253 , with the main top  205  having a large dispensing office for dispensing moist wipes  251 . The dispensing cover  249  may be closed and latch  253  engaged with catch  255  to cover and seal the moist wipes  251  for subsequent use. As to storage and hanging, this unit  200  may be used in the same manner as unit  100  described in more detail above. (The non-invention components shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  are repeated and identically numbered and need not be individually repeated.) 
         [0055]      FIG. 7  shows an alternative embodiment of a preferred present invention personal hygiene storage unit  300 . It includes a hollowed body main housing that has a bottom  303  with an open top, upwardly projecting walls that include a front wall, a back wall and side walls and rounded corners; bottom permanent latch component  309  (permanent meaning not readily reopenable); a main top  305 ; main top front  07  with permanent latch component  11 . In this embodiment, there are two hanging hooks (one hidden) represented by hanging hook  315 . Hook  315  has a proximal end  323  that is integrally formed with the main housing bottom  303 , as shown. Hook  315  has living hinge  325 , as does the hidden hook, so as to be foldable for compact transport. The elongated hanging hooks, such as hook  315 , are each made as part of the overall structure in a single mold and the entire structure is “unistructurally” formed. The hooks have curved distal ends, such distal end  319  for hooking onto a rod, such as toilet paper rod  345 . 
         [0056]    Unit  300  has a main top  305  with a dispensing orifice  349  and latch  253 , for dispensing wipes  351 . The dispensing cover  249  may be closed and latch  253  may be engaged with catch  255  to cover and seal the moist wipes  251  in the container for subsequent use. As to storage and hanging, this unit  300  may be used in the same manner as unit  100  described in more detail above. (The non-invention components shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  are repeated and identically numbered and need not be individually repeated.) 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  shows the present invention personal moist wipe storage unit  400  of a type that is a hybrid of those shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , combining both a dispensing main top with a dispensing orifice therein, and a top cover (overcap), and being in generally circular rather than rectangular shape. Unit  400  includes a hollowed body main housing that has a bottom  403  in a generally circular shape. The main housing  403  may include an open top and upwardly projecting walls that include a front wall  407 , a back wall  405  and side walls  409  and  411 , and a bottom (not shown). A main top  417  is permanently attached to main housing  403  (permanent meaning not readily reopenable). Main top  417  has a dispensing orifice  419  (such as a criss-cross cut out) for dispensing wipes  450 , as well as an overcap, namely, top cover  421  with latch  425 , connected to the bottom (or top, as desired) via living hinge  423 . As to storage and hanging, this unit  400  may be used in the same manner as the units described in more detail above. 
         [0058]    In the alternative,  FIG. 8  may be a cap for an existing product container of wipes wherein it fits over the existing product container, to provide both a closeable top and a hanger capability for hanging from a rack or rod. In this version, main housing  403  is an outer portion of a lid, with main top  417  integrally formed therewith to form the lid top. The components-dispensing orifice  419 , cover  421 , etc., In reality, however, a tapered shaft with an increasing or decreasing internal cross section allows for easier mold release during manufacturing. This creates a new problem in that the piston in the parent case is shown to be of a constant diameter. The present invention addresses this problem by adding a flexible seal over an expandable piston. function the same as described immediately above. Its walls would be short and it would be without a bottom to fit directly onto an existing product container of wipes. 
         [0059]    Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.