Abstract:
An earplug container is combined with a reusable clip such as a snap bolt fastener and the clip is rigidly attached to a wall of the container, for example by an E-clip or by integral molding. The resulting clip-on earplug container provides a secure and compact earplug case for attachment to the exterior of clothing of an active user such as a lumberjack or tree trimmer. Other exemplary embodiments are also described.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Utility Patent Application Ser. No. 61/417,977 filed Nov. 30, 2010. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     This invention relates generally to special receptacles (class 206), specifically to special receptacles for body treatment devices (subclass 363), and more specifically to special earplug receptacles. 
     Prior Art 
     Earplug containers are typically plastic containers with smooth exteriors so that they can be easily inserted into a pocket and easily removed from the pocket without catching on loose threads or a pocket lining. Projections get in the way of doing that. For some occupations where ear plugs are more frequently needed, such as factory work, it is desirable to have the earplug more accessible, so they are connected by a string and worn around the neck or attached by a cord or chain to some clip that can be attached to a clothing flap or loop. For more active occupations, such as a lumberjack or motorcyclist that is not secure enough so a closed clip such as a carabiner or snap bolt is added to the chain. These chain-mounted closed clips tend to flop around and get in the way of the user until they catch on something and get pulled loose or rip the clothing. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above noted problems are solved by the exemplary embodiments disclosed below. In a first “best mode” exemplary embodiment, a snap bolt is rigidly attached to a wall of the ear plug container by an E-clip. The first exemplary embodiment provides a secure and compact earplug case for attachment to the exterior of clothing of an active user such as a lumberjack or tree trimmer. Other exemplary embodiments are also described and the invention is applicable to containers for storage of small objects other than earplugs. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood by referring to the attached drawing showing exemplary embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom side perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment  100  in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of embodiment  100  along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     First Exemplary “Best Mode” Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a bottom side perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment  100  in a closed position. First exemplary embodiment  100  is an attachable earplug receptacle comprising a chrome-plated metal snap bolt clip  101  and a plastic canister  102 . Clip  101  has a metal J-shaped main body portion  103  and a metal closure bolt  104  with a tab  110 . Bolt  104  is spring-biased toward a closed position  111  as shown, but can be opened to an open position  213  (see  FIG. 2 ) by pressing tab  110  to the left. Canister  102  comprises a plastic lid  105  connected to a plastic cup-like bottom portion  106  by a flexible plastic hinge  107  and resilient plastic snap closure tab  109 , and is configured so as to receive and securely contain a pair of earplugs (not shown). Clip  101  is attached to a wall  108  of canister  102  in the manner shown in  FIG. 2 . Tab  109  is aligned with clip  101  while hinge  107  is oriented 180 degrees from clip  101 , so that lid  105  opens downwardly (to the left in  FIG. 1 ) to form a shelf and assist in preventing the contents of canister  102  from falling. Clip  101  is hung from any loop or opening on a jacket and thus in  FIG. 1 , right is up and left is down and the canister  102  would hang from clip  101 . Lid  105  is opened by pulling outwardly (up in  FIG. 1 ) on tab  109  and rotating lid  105  counterclockwise about hinge  107  to gain access to the earplugs (not shown) in canister  102 . 
       FIG. 2  is an inverted (up is left and down is right) cross sectional view of embodiment  100  taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , but showing bolt  104  in an open position  213  such that an outerwear ring  210  can pass into position to be captured by bolt  104  when bolt  104  is released to return to a closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  is intended to show both an exemplary construction of clip  101  and an exemplary retainer  214  for attachment of clip  101  to wall  108 . Wall  108  has an opening  201  through which an end flange  200  and an annular recess  211  of clip  101  extend. Clip  101  also has a large diameter flange  203  of a greater diameter than that of opening  201  to limit insertion of of end flange  200  and recess  211  through opening  201  into canister  102 . A washer  212  and E-shaped snap ring  202  fasten clip  101  to wall  108 . Washer  212  has an outer diameter greater than opening  201  and an inner diameter. Ring  202  has an outer diameter greater than the inner diameter of washer  212  and an inner diameter slightly less than the diameter of recess  211  but can be resiliently expanded when pushed to the left over flange  200  so that ring  202  can snap into recess  211  and prevent flange  200  from passing back out of opening  201 , thus retaining clip  101  attached to wall  108 . Clip  101  also has an internal passageway  204  configured to receive closure bolt  104  and a compressible spiral spring  205 . Clip  101  also has a slot  207  through which a stem  206  of tab  110  radially passes to screw into a captive nut  209  within bolt  104 . 
     Second Exemplary Embodiment 
     A second alternate exemplary embodiment (not shown) would have a metal canister for added strength rather than plastic canister  102 , but would otherwise be the same as embodiment  100 . 
     Third Exemplary Embodiment 
     A third exemplary embodiment (not shown) would have a screw on lid rather than a hinge  107  and locking tab  109  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The advantage of a hinged lid is that it is not likely to be lost since it is attached. The advantage of a screw on lid is that it is more easy to make the canister waterproof since more pressure can be applied due to the mechanical advantage of a screw. A string, wire or chain (not shown) could be provided to connect the lid to the remainder of the canister to eliminate this problem and a waterproof seal would be needed for opening  201 . 
     Fourth Exemplary Embodiment 
     A fourth exemplary (not shown) would have a plastic snap bolt clip rather than metal clip  101 . The advantage of a plastic clip is that it could be molded integral with the canister rather than having a separate clip and having to fasten that clip to the canister. This integral molding, although not removable and not rotatable like retainer  214  would significantly reduce manufacturing costs as would plastic rather than metal construction. Even for such a plastic clip, spring  205  and closure bolt  104  might still be metal for added strength and durability. 
     Fifth Exemplary Embodiment 
     A fifth exemplary embodiment (not shown) would have a carabiner clip (swing gate type clip) rather than snap bolt type metal clip  101 , but have the carabiner clip closely attached to opening  201  using a snap ring connection similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  rather than to a chain, so the receptacle does not flop around as much. That is, the attachment could be by a projection with a flange  203 , recess  211 , ring  202  and flange  200  and an opening  201 , or some other close fitting attachment. Alternatively, such carabiner clip could have a plastic body integrally molded to the canister, as is the plastic snap bolt clip of the fourth exemplary embodiment above. The advantage of a plastic clip is that it could be molded integral with the canister rather than having a separate clip and having to fasten that clip to the canister. This integral molding would significantly reduce manufacturing costs as would plastic rather than metal construction. Even for such a plastic clip, spring  205  and closure bolt  104  might still be metal for added strength. 
     Sixth Exemplary Embodiment 
     A sixth exemplary embodiment (not shown) would have a threaded connection rather than snap ring  202 . Snap bolts conventionally come with flanged connections, but for a close fitting connection like this might have a threaded end of a diameter equal to that of recess  211  and no flange  200  so that opening  201  could be made smaller and clip  101  might be more easily attached with a simple washer and nut. 
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     Accordingly the reader will see that, according to the invention, I have provided for a more compact and secure earplug receptacle for those applications where it is desired to attach the receptacle to outerwear and make it readily available for use. 
     While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but in accordance with the principles set forth by the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in  Phillips v. AWH Corporation,  415 F.3d 1303 (CAFC 2005), are exemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof intended to meet enablement and best mode requirements of 35 USC 112. The person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many other ramifications and variations are possible within the scope of the invention. Thus the scope of the invention and claim construction should be determined broadly by the appended claims and their legal equivalents in view of both intrinsic and extrinsic evidence as to the person having ordinary skill in the art and the broad scope such a person would comprehend consistent with such limitations as are needed to define patentably from the prior art, and not limited to just one or more of the examples given.