Abstract:
A carrier comprises a lid defining a first compartment, a bottom container portion coupled to the lid and defining a second compartment, a plurality of feminine hygiene products retained inside the first and second compartments, and first and second elastic bands respectively and releaseably retaining the feminine hygiene products in the first and second compartments.

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This patent application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 60/670,180 filed on Apr. 11, 2005, and entitled  Portable Feminine Accessory Storage and Carrying System,  incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0002]     This patent application is related to co-pending patent application (Attorney Docket No. 34863.3) filed on Apr. 11, 2006, and entitled  Tubular Dispenser for Cleansing Wipes,  incorporated herein by reference. This patent application is also related to co-pending patent application (Attorney Docket No. 34863.3) filed on Apr. 11, 2006, and entitled  Feminine Product Disposal Envelope With Cleansing Wipes,  also incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     All women of all ages have to contend with the dilemma of where and how to discreetly carry and store feminine hygiene products so that they are easily accessible when needed. A variety of feminine hygiene products may be used for menstrual discharge, such as tampons, sanitary napkins, panty liners, and moistened wipes. Many women prefer to use more than one type of feminine hygiene product at one time. Many women may also use a number of different products with varying absorption capabilities at different times during the menstrual cycle.  
         [0004]     Because the menstrual flow begins unexpectedly, women have to carry the feminine hygiene products with them in advance of the start of menstrual discharge. Young women may crave the security of having feminine products available and on-hand in anticipation of their first menstrual period. The feminine products therefore may be carried in purses or backpacks for a period of time before they are used. Because most feminine products lack an outer wrapping or have a very thin outer packaging that is easily torn, they can easily become soiled, damaged and otherwise unusable. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]     Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.  
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carrier for feminine hygiene products;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of an embodiment of carrier for feminine hygiene products with an open lid;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of an embodiment of carrier for feminine hygiene products with an open lid; and  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3  of an embodiment of a latch for the elastic band; and  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is yet another perspective view of an embodiment of carrier for feminine hygiene products. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]     It is desirable to provide a discreet and stylish storage container to carry and store feminine hygiene products.  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carrier  10  for feminine hygiene products. Carrier  10  is generally rectangular in shape and has a lid  12  that fits over a bottom container portion  14 . Lid  12  may be coupled to bottom container portion  14  by a hinge or a hinge fastener  15 . Hinge  15  may be biased to close the lid onto the bottom container portion. Carrier  10  may be constructed of a rigid and light-weight plastic material. A corner of bottom container portion  14  may define an opening  16  that is operable to accommodate a ring  17  attached to a lanyard hook, snap hook, slip hook or swivel hook  18 . Hook  18  may be used to releaseably attach carrier  10  to another item such as a purse or backpack strap, for example. Lid  12  and bottom container portion  14  may be adorned with decorative designs to further enhance the appearance of the carrier. The carrier may be dimensioned and/or contoured to fit specific brands or types of feminine products. The carrier may be streamlined and have a thin profile so that it may be easily carried in a purse or pocket. Fashionable colors and designs may be used to adorn the outer surfaces of the carrier.  
         [0013]     In order to further secure carrier  10 , a lock  19  may be included to ensure that the carrier does not open accidentally. Lock  19  may be a combination lock-type having three rotatable number wheels that requires the user to line up three numbers in the proper sequence in order to open the lock. Other suitable types of locks may also be used.  
         [0014]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are a perspective view and a top plan view of an embodiment of carrier  10  for feminine hygiene products with an open lid  12 . The open lid reveals two main compartments  20  and  22 , one defined inside lid  12  and one defined inside bottom container portion  14 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , for example, compartment  20  houses a plurality of feminine napkins and/or panty liners  24 . Compartment  22  may house a variety of feminine hygiene products such as one or more tampons  26 , rolled-up panty liners or moistened wipes  27 , and moistened wipes housed in a tubular container  28 . Tubular container  28  is described in more detail in co-pending patent application (Attorney Docket No. 34863.4) entitled  Tubular Dispenser for Hygiene Wipes.    
         [0015]     The contents stored inside compartments  20  and  22  may be held in place by elastic bands  30  and  32 . Lid  12  may include a tab  34  operable to engage a catch  36  disposed on bottom container portion  14 . A hook  18  (lanyard hook, snap hook, slip hook or swivel hook) attached to a strap  38  may be coupled to opening  16  defined in the bottom container portion.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3  of an embodiment of a latch  40  for retaining elastic band  32 . It may be seen in  FIG. 2  that elastic band  30  is releaseably retained by latch  42  to keep the contents within compartment  20  inside lid  12 . It may be seen that the elastic bands may be easily unhooked from the latches if needed.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is yet another perspective view of an embodiment of carrier  10  for feminine hygiene products. A different type of hook is used herein for releaseably engaging a carrying strap  38  to the carrier. Alternatively, lid  12  may define an opening for engaging a hook.  
         [0018]     Carrier  10  is preferably constructed of a rigid material that enables carrier  10  to retain its general shape and preventing its contents from being crushed. Alternatively, carrier  10  may be constructed of a semi-rigid material that more or less retains its general shape. Suitable materials include plastic, thick fabric, and other materials. Compartments  20  and/or  22  may be further subdivided into smaller compartments to carry items of varying sizes.  
         [0019]     Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such changes, substitutions and alterations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.