Abstract:
A sanitary and compact container having a recessed compartment for holding condoms and a convex compartment that registers with the recessed compartment. The container is provided with a hinge, an air-tight seal or gasket and a button-snap closure, and is decorative and aesthetically pleasing. The container may be provided with one or more additional compartments for holding additional condoms, spermicide and/or personal lubricant. Condoms may be removed from their wrapper before placement in the container.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The invention pertains in general to sanitary containers, and in particular, to sanitary containers for prophylactics, and is a continuation-in-part to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/481,556 filed Jan. 11, 2000.  
           [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Throughout the years attempts have been made to carry and conceal condoms in a aesthetically, discreet, convenient, easy access, and socially acceptable manner. Such attempts both tried to have the condoms ready for quick access and immediate use while at the same time present the condoms in a visually pleasing and sanitary container.  
           [0005]    For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,434 disclose a keyholder having a case for holding a condom package. Although interesting, this keyholder condom case does not provide easy access as pins must first be removed to use the condom package, followed by opening of the package to access the condom contained therein.  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,188 disclose a condom case having a container. However, this condom case is not air-tight and therefore not as sanitary or hygienic as needed for proper unpackaged condom usage.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,136 disclose a case for housing packaged condoms. The case includes upper and lower lids, and a pair of holes for receiving two separate keys that simultaneously disengage a pair of locking mechanisms within the case. This packaged condom housing arrangement is mechanically intricate, not sufficiently hygenic for unpackaged condom usage, and inconvenient.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, the present invention provides a case for carrying condoms that is convenient, sanitary and aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, the present invention case is reusable, lightweight and discreet.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    One object of the present invention to provide a container for prophylactic articles that is discreet and hygienic.  
           [0010]    Another object of the invention is to provide a container for prophylactic articles that is reusable and aesthetically pleasing.  
           [0011]    A further object of the invention is to provide a container for prophylactic articles that can be efficiently manufactured at a low cost.  
           [0012]    A yet further object of the invention is to provide a method for containing unpackaged prophylactic articles in a sanitary manner.  
           [0013]    A further object yet still of the invention is to provide a method for containing a prophylactic article that is convenient and easy to use.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 shows an overall view of the prophylactic case of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 shows an internal view of the prophylactic case of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 shows a side view of the prophylactic case in the open position; and  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 shows a side view of the prophylactic case in the closed position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 shows the prophylactic container or condom storage case of the present invention, which is generally designated by reference numeral  1 . Another term for the prophylactic article container of the present invention is simply a condom case.  
         [0020]    The condom case  1  may take on almost any visually pleasing appearance or form, but is shown in FIG. 1 and in the remaining FIGS.  2 - 4 , as having an overall rectangular shape.  
         [0021]    The condom case  1  of the present invention can be formed of any material, including molded plastic, carved wood, stainless steel, copper, glass, carved stone, extruded aluminum, etc.  
         [0022]    What is meant by the term prophylactic article with respect to the present invention is a condom, especially the male-use condom, which is also known simply as a male condom. However, the term prophylactic article can also refer to a female-use condom, which is also known simply as a female condom. Thus, the present invention can be suitably used to contain a female condom as well as a male condom. Throughout the entire discussion presented herein, the term condom is meant to refer to either a male condom or a female condom. Furthermore, it is contemplated that, in the sense that a diaphragm is also a type of prophylactic article, the present invention prophylactic case can be used to contain a diaphragm.  
         [0023]    The size of the condom case  1  is selected based upon whether it is to contain a male condom or a female condom, which may tend to be larger in size than the male condom. The size of the condom case  1  can also be selected based upon the size of the condom it is to contain. For instance, a larger case  1  should be chosen to contain a larger size condom, or a smaller size condom case  1  should be chosen to contain a smaller size condom.  
         [0024]    The condom case  1  shown in FIG. 1 is configured to hold two condoms in that the condom case  1  is provided with two compartments, such that each compartment is intended to hold one condom. However, the condom case  1  of the present invention can be designed to hold any number of condoms, from one to several, provided that each condom is situated in its own compartment.  
         [0025]    The condom case  1  shown in FIG. 1 is provided with two compartments delineated by a break  5  which indicates the separation between the two compartments. The two compartments are identical in size, shape and configuration. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, any discussion of the structure and arrangement of one compartment similarly applies to the other compartment. However, for ease of discussion one compartment will be denoted as a first compartment and the other compartment will be denoted as a second compartment.  
         [0026]    The first compartment is provided with a lid  10 , a hinge  11 , a clasp  12 , and a base  13  which mates with the lid  10 . Similarly, the second compartment is provided with a lid  20 , a hinge  21 , a clasp  22  and a base  23  which mates with the lid  20 . The lids  10 ,  20 , the hinges  11 ,  21 , the clasps  12 ,  22 , and the bases  13 ,  23  of the first compartment and the second compartment respectively, are identical in size, shape and construction. It is necessary for the lid  10  to be matched in size and construction to the base  13  and the lid  20  to be matched in size and construction to the base  23  in order that the first compartment and the second compartment will close and seal properly in an air tight manner, thereby making the condom case  1  of the present invention hygienic and sanitary when the condom is placed unpackaged into the container.  
         [0027]    The lid  10  is connected to the base  13  by a hinge  11 . Similarly, the lid  20  is connected to the base  23  by a hinge  21 . Each hinge  13 ,  23  allows the lids  10 ,  20 , respectively to pivot smoothly from a closed position to an open position. Any type of hinge is suitable, so long as the hinge chosen provides both secure and dependable attachment of each lid  10 ,  20  to its respective base  13 ,  23 , and smooth and convenient opening and closing movement.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 shows the lids  10 ,  20  in their closed positions thereby showing only the external features of the condom case  1  of the present invention.  
         [0029]    The lid  10  is releasably secured to the base  13  by a clasp  12 . Similarly, the lid  20  is releasably secured to the base  23  by a clasp  22 . Each clasp  12 ,  22  allows the lids  10 ,  20  to be conveniently opened when access to the condom contained in each compartment is desired. Any type of clasp is suitable, so long as the clasp chosen provides both secure and dependable connection of each lid to its respective base, and quick and convenient opening when access to the condom contained in the compartment is desired and effortless closing when access to the compartment is no longer needed.  
         [0030]    Although the condom case  1  shown in FIG. 1 shows the first compartment and the second compartment in side-by-side disposition in right-to-left arrangement, the condom case  1  of the present invention can be configured with the first compartment and the second compartment being in top-to-bottom arrangement, or even a back-to-back arrangement. Nevertheless, it is essential that each compartment is provided with a lid, such as lids  10 ,  20 , which mates with a base, such as bases  13 ,  23 , a hinge which allow the lid to open and close, such as hinges  11 ,  21  and a clasp which secures the lid to the base, such as clasps  12 ,  22 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 2 shows the condom case  1  of the present invention with the first and second compartments in their open positions so as to expose the internal features of each compartment. The internal construction and layout of the first compartment is identical to that of the second compartment, thus, unless otherwise indicated, any discussion of the structure and arrangement of one compartment similarly applies to the other compartment.  
         [0032]    The most significant internal feature of the first compartment is its capacity to form an air-tight seal  15 , due to a convex formation or structure in the lid  10  and a recess or concave formation in the base  13 . Similarly, the most significant internal feature of the second compartment is an air-tight seal  25 , due to a convex formation or structure in the lid  20  and a recess or concave formation in the base  23 . The air-tight seal  15  is due to registry of the convex and concave formations when the lid  10  of the first compartment is in the closed position. Likewise, the air-tight seal  25  is due to registry of the convex and concave formation corresponding surfaces or when the lid  20  of the second compartment is in the closed position. The air-tight seal may be augmented by a gasket (not shown) surrounding its periphery, and the gasket may be any suitable plastic, an elastomer or rubber.  
         [0033]    The air-tight seals  15 ,  25  make the first and second compartments suitable for storing the unpackaged prophylactic in a hygienic and sanitary manner, thereby making the prophylactic safe for use when the lid of either compartment is opened. In other words, when the condom is removed from its wrapper, placed in the second compartment and air-tight sealed by closing the first compartment over the second compartment until ready for use, the condom will not be contaminated, deteriorate or experience any dehydration, and will therefore be reliably ready for use.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 3 shows a side view of the condom case of the present invention. The condom case  1  shown in FIG. 3 is in the open position, that is its lid is in the extended position relative to its base. Since the internal construction and layout of the first compartment is identical to that of the second compartment, any discussion of the structure and arrangement of one compartment similarly applies to the other compartment so that the depiction in of FIG. 3 is to be construed as representing either the first compartment or the second compartment.  
         [0035]    The convex formation  16  in the lid  10 ,  20  fits in registry with the concave formation  17  to form the air-tight seal. A typical condom for use with the condom case  1  of the present invention is represented by reference numeral  30 . The condom is seated in the recess or concave formation of the base  19 ,  29 . All remaining components and features of the condom case of the present invention are the same as discussed with respect to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.  
         [0036]    Due to the fact that a condom can be removed from its wrapper in advance before placement in the condom case  1 , the present invention prevents unpleasant and distracting preparation (such as wrapper noise and fumbling in darkness) of a condom immediately before use. By using the condom case of the present invention, spontaneous and pleasant condom use is assured.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 shows a side view of the condom case  1  of the present invention with the lid  10 ,  20  in the closed position, such that the clasps  12 ,  22  are fully engaged and the air-tight seals  15 ,  25  in place. The condom  30  is securely and properly contained within the case  1  in a sanitary manner. Thus, when either lid  10 ,  20  is opened, the condom  30  is conveniently exposed and will be ready for use.  
         [0038]    Although not shown in drawing FIGS.  1 - 4 , the condom case  1  of the present invention can easily be provided with a separate compartment to receive therein a tube of personal lubricant which may be used is additional lubricant or additional spermicide as necessary. The condom case of the present invention may also be provided with a compartment adapted to receive therein moist towelettes or other clean-up materials, which would assist in hygienic disposal of a used condom as well as aiding in pleasant and tasteful clean-up.  
         [0039]    The additional compartments can be made into either or both the lid  10 ,  20  or the base  13 ,  23  of the condom case  1  without distracting from the overall structure and function of the case  1  already discussed.  
         [0040]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment hereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that several changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.