Abstract:
A storage case substantially in a shape of a hand-held whistle comprises two (2) halves hingedly connected to each other at a top portion. The case is provided with a storage unit located at a side surface of the case configured to hold a plurality of moistened wipes.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are no current related applications. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a storage case particularly suited to hold a whistle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When coaching, directing traffic, or merely commanding someone&#39;s respect and attention the use of a whistle accomplishes wonders. The whistle produces a distinct sound that makes even the most un-attentivealert. A problem with the use of a whistle is the transportation and caring of it. Whistles are small, and so they tend to fall out of our sight and get lost. Furthermore, the use of a whistle occurs in situations that typically require rigorous activity, which is usually outdoors. A misplaced whistle can pose a precarious situation for a user, especially considering the fact that the whistle must be placed in one&#39;s mouth for use. There is a need to assist whistle users in keeping the whistle in a contained and secure location within a case. There is also a need to protect the whistle in situations where it does fall out of sight. 
     Also, during the use of a whistle, it is sometimes necessary to put the whistle down and pick it back up. This is often the case in between uses of the whistle. The development of present invention also provides a hygienic method of storing the whistle when not in use. The addition of a separate package of sanitary wipes that is removably placed on the invention also contributes greatly to maintaining proper hygiene. A user can conveniently grasp an individual wipe from the package that is place on the invention and not have to search for them. 
     The device comprises a casing, having two (2) hinged attach members forming the case. The case is provided with a means to lock the members in a closed position. A rear portion of the case is provided with an aperture to facilitate the use of a lanyard. The invention is further equipped with a wipe packet that houses sanitation wipes. This packet is securely placed within the case for use at a user&#39;s discretion. 
     Prior art in this field consists of accessory cases and whistle covers. Prior art fails to provide a case for a whistle that can protect the whistle, act as a carrying case for the whistle, and hold sanitary wipes for the whistle. It is an objective of this invention to provide a case for a whistle that covers the whistle and keeps the whistle in a clean state while not in use. It is a further object of this invention to provide a whistle case with a hinged door for easy access to the whistle. It is a further object of this invention to enable the case to facilitate the use of a lanyard with the whistle case. It is a further object of this invention to provide a wipe pack that may be enclosed in the case along with the whistle to assist a user in maintaining the whistle in a clean and sterilized state. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises a case that is molded to form a first shell hingedly attached to a second shell. The first shell and the second shell, when in a closed position, form a general shape of a common mouth whistle. The case is further provided with an aperture to facilitate the use of a lanyard. A clasp and bead securement construction is disposed on a side surface of the case to enable securement of the two (2) shells in a closed position. 
     The invention is further equipped with a packet having a sterilizing sanitary wipe within. In an alternative embodiment, the packet is provided with a pull cord embedded between the sealed edges of the packet to assist a user in tearing open the packet when attempting to employ the wipe within. The wipe packet fits into an interior space of a shell while a whistle is also enclosed inside the case. The wipe packet and the whistle is held within the case and transported to various sporting and other events until the time arises to use the whistle. At the user&#39;s discretion, the wipe packet can be used to clean and disinfect the whistle prior to use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a storage case for a whistle  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the storage case for a whistle  10  opened to reveal the interior  21  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the wipe packet  32  opened to show a wipe  31  of the storage case for a whistle  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the wipe packet  32  of the storage case for a whistle  10  in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  storage case for a whistle 
               14  first shell 
               16  hinge 
               18  second shell 
               21  interior 
               22  shell aperture 
               24  clasp 
               25  clasp aperture 
               28  clasp bead 
               31  wipe 
               32  wipe packet 
               33  pull string 
               34  mastic layer 
               35  packet seam 
               36  protective cover 
               39  packet indicia 
               100  whistle 
               101  threading eye 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein is depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a storage case (herein referred to as the “case”)  10 , which provides a means to store a pea whistle  100 , preferably of the style of “Acme Thunderer”, in a biostatically controlled environment when not in use and sanitize it prior to the next use. This case  10  may also accommodate a Fox 40® pealess whistle in some embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of the case  10 , and  FIG. 2 , an isometric view of an open case  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The case  10  is comprised preferably of a molded thermoplastic material and as such may be presented in a wide variety of colors and surface finish textures. However, it is understood that other materials may be utilized without limiting the scope of the invention. The case  10  is comprised of a first shell  14  attached by means of a hinge  16  to a second shell  18 . The hinge  16  is preferably comprised of a strip of thermoplastic sheet goods with a groove medially impressed therein to ease the flexure of the material, and bonded to each of the first shell  14  and the second shell  18 , either by heat or chemically. The first shell  14  and the second shell  18  in the illustrated closed position take the general shape of a common mouth whistle  100  with a shell aperture  22  provided in a rear portion for clearance of a lanyard or threading eye  101  on the whistle  100 . The interior  21  of the case  10  is of sufficient size to accommodate a whistle  100 . 
     Disposed upon a rounded portion of the front of the second shell  18  is a clasp  24  provided with a clasp aperture  25 . The clasp  24  is preferably comprised of a thermoplastic material and bonded to the second shell  18 . The clasp aperture  25  is provided for the insertion of a clasp bead  28 . The clasp bead  28  is comprised of a preferably cylindrical post with a spherical end either molded with, or bonded to a rounded portion of the front of the first shell  14 . The clasp aperture  25  is approximately the size of the spherical end of the clasp bead  28  such that said clasp bead  28  is retained in said clasp aperture  25  to hold the case  10  in a closed position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , perspective views of the wipe packet  32 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The wipe packet  32  is comprised preferably of a thin metal foil membrane or other barrier material, bonded to an exterior paper membrane and formed into a cylinder which is then flattened and sealed around a folded wipe  31  soaked in alcohol or other disinfecting solution. In some embodiments a second end of a length of cotton or nylon pull string  33  may be embedded under the barrier layer of the wipe packet  32  and entrapped in a packet seam  35  to assist the user in opening said wipe packet  32  to access the folded wipe  31  by pulling on the exposed first end of said pull string  33 . Disposed upon the majority of the outer surface on one (1) side of the wipe packet  32  is a pressure sensitive mastic layer  34  with a peel-off protective cover  36 . The wipe packets  32  would be procured in this manner and, as suited a user, the peel-off protective cover  36  would be removed to expose the mastic layer  34  and said wipe packet  32  would be applied to the flat exterior side of the second shell  18 . The wipe packet  32  would remain on the case  10  until such time as the wipe  31  would be required to cleanse the whistle  100 . 
     The upper surface of the wipe packet  32  may include packet indicia  39  which may provide script or logos based upon the inventor&#39;s preference or a user&#39;s preference and may include images such as, but not limited to, instructions for use, symbols, pictures, and the like to further customize or personalize the case  10  further comprising a variety of colors and patterns. 
     While the illustrations presented with this preferred embodiment depict a right-handed case  10 , it can be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that a case  10  with opposite handing would be within the scope of this invention. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the enabled user in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. The method of utilizing the case  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring a model of the case  10  having a desired style to suit the taste of the user; opening the case by disengaging the clasp bead  28  from the clasp aperture  25 ; inserting a whistle  100  into the case  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; closing the case; and applying a wipe packet  32  to the second shell  18 . The case  10  with a whistle  100  stored inside could be transported anywhere to suit the user. When the user determined that cleansing of the whistle  100  was required, said whistle would be removed from the case and the wipe packet  32  would be opened to access the folded wipe  31 . The wipe  31  would then be unfolded and used to clean the whistle  100 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.