Abstract:
A container for storing and displaying a soap system. The soap system includes a bar of soap, a flexible, porous sheet retained around the bar of soap and a sliding fastener. The sliding fastener includes a peripheral wall that defines a central passageway therethrough. The sliding fastener is arranged for engaging a gathered end of the sheet extending through the central passageway thereof to retain the sheet about the bar of soap in a taut condition. The container includes a cover member arranged to fit together with a tray member. The cover member includes at least a top panel, two side panels, a front panel and a rear panel. The cover member also includes a projection that extends downwardly from the top panel and through the central passageway of the sliding fastener to retain the soap system within the tray member while housed within said container.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/543,137, filed on Apr. 5, 2000 (hereinafter “the &#39;137 application”) and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to the &#39;137 application. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a container for storing and displaying a soap system for both soaping and scrubbing a person&#39;s body and more particularly to a storage and display container that employs a device for positioning the soap system within the container. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Display containers, including those that are transparent, often serve to contain products during shipping and storage in addition to serving as a display piece to promote the sales of those products. The means by which products are displayed to the potential purchaser is an extremely important element in the marketing and perceived value of the products being sold. Expensive products can appear to be cheap if poorly displayed. Similarly, a less expensive product may have its perceived value substantially enhanced if it is well presented in a context of luxury and value. While the store environment is also an important element of the sales environment, the box or container which is the immediate visual and physical surrounding of the displayed product, is probably the most important portion of the sales environment. 
     Typically, many prior art display containers, including those that are transparent, are simple boxes that are sufficient in size for holding the product therein. However, these display containers do not take best advantage of preserving the product and presenting it for sale. For example, if the display container is also being utilized to house the product during shipping, the container could become marred or damaged as the result of movement of the product within the container during shipping. Likewise, the product itself could become damaged as the result of such movement. A damaged product or container will not provide an effective presentation from a sales standpoint. While the prior art display containers are adequate for basic storage purposes, they are not particularly well adapted for preserving products during shipping and storage and are not adequate for displaying such products in a commercial environment. Thus, it is desirable to provide a display container, such as one that is transparent, that retains the product at a fixed position and orientation within the container so as to minimize the potential for damage to the container or product held therein during shipping while providing a most advantageous presentation for sales purposes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above and other objects of this invention are provided by a container for storing and displaying a soap system. The soap system, which is arranged to be housed within the container, includes a bar of soap, a flexible, porous sheet retained around the bar of soap and a sliding fastener. The sliding fastener includes a peripheral wall that defines a central passageway therethrough. The sliding fastener is arranged for engaging a gathered end of the sheet extending through the central passageway thereof to retain the sheet about the bar of soap in a taut condition. The container includes a cover member arranged to fit together with a tray member. The cover member includes a projection that extends downwardly from the top panel and through the central passageway of the sliding fastener to retain the soap system within the tray member while the soap system is housed within the container. 
     In a variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the cover member includes a plurality of registration tabs extending inwardly therefrom and the tray member includes slots corresponding in number to the plurality of registration tabs. The slots are aligned with the plurality of tabs for engagement with the tabs for securement of the cover member to the tray member. 
     In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the cover member includes at least a top panel, two side panels, a front panel and a rear panel. 
     In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the internal dimensions of the slots correspond to the external dimensions of the registration tabs. 
     In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the cover member is transparent. 
     In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the container includes a retention means for retaining a card member that includes display indicia, the retention means comprising a pair of retention slots disposed adjacent opposite sides of the rear panel, the card member being sized to slide within the retention slots for positioning against the rear panel. 
     In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the top panel, side panels, front panel and rear panel of the cover member are molded together to form a one-piece construction. 
     In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the tray member includes a soap dish portion volumetrically contoured for receiving the soap system. 
     In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the soap dish portion additionally comprises an aperture located at the bottom thereof for allowing the drainage of soapy water from the soap system. 
     In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the tray member additionally comprises a plurality of corners, the container additionally comprising a plurality of feet, one located at each of the corners. 
     In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the container additionally comprising a strip arranged for releasable adhesive securement over the aperture. 
     In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the cover and tray members are formed of a plastic material. 
     Other objects and many attendant features of this invention will become readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a soap system in accordance with this invention; 
     FIG.2 is an exploded isometric view of the soap system of this invention, schematically illustrating the manner in which the corners of the flexible sheet of the system are gathered and directed through the central opening of the sliding fastener of this invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the fastener of this invention showing details of construction of the locking member; 
     FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a soap system in accordance with this invention stored within a display case of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a section view taken along line  7 — 7  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the tray portion of the display case of the present invention; and, FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of the display case of the present invention and the soap system stored therein. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A soap system employing the features of this invention is generally shown at  10  in FIGS. 1 and 2. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 the soap system  10  includes a bar of soap  12  and a flexible, porous sheet  14  which is retained around the bar of soap in a taut condition by a unique sliding fastener  16  of this invention. 
     The bar of soap  12  can be of any desired composition and shape and is shown in a rectangular shape herein solely for illustrative purposes. For example, the bar of soap can include lanolin and/or other skin treating components therein and can be of a variety of different shapes, including round, oval, elliptical, etc. Reference throughout this application to a “bar of soap” or “soap bar” should be given its broadest interpretation. 
     The flexible, porous sheet  14  can be of any desired material that preferably will not disintegrate during the life of the product. Most preferable the flexible, porous sheet is made of a porous plastic material, such as Nylon, and has mildly abrasive properties so that it will provide an effective scrubbing action on a person&#39;s skin. One plastic material which has been found well suited for use in this invention is porous plastic web material employed as bridal tulle. Although a preferred polymer employed in the flexible, porous sheet is Nylon, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the use of any particular plastic or polymer composition. As long as the sheet material is sufficiently porous to permit an effective amount of the soap to be metered therethrough in use, and is capable of providing a desired, mildly abrasive action against the person&#39;s skin without deteriorating in use, such a sheet material is satisfactory for use in the present invention. 
     Referring specifically to FIG. 2, it should be noted that the soap system  10  of this invention is constructed by placing the bar of soap  12  generally in the center of the flexible, porous sheet  14 , and then gathering the ends of the sheet together and directing the ends through the unique sliding fastener  16  of this invention. As can be seen best in FIGS. 1 and 3, when the gathered ends are directed through the fastener  16  so as to position the fastener close to the surface of the bar of soap  12 , the porous sheet  14  is maintained in a generally taut condition about the periphery of the bar of soap. In particular, it should be noted that the porous sheet  14  is maintained taut against inner surface  18  of the bar of soap, and it is this surface that is predominately utilized to engage a person&#39;s skin to provide the desired body washing and scrubbing action. 
     Reference throughout this application to “inner” or “inward” in identifying an orientation, position, or direction of movement, is relative to a person&#39;s skin. In other words, the surface  18  of the bar of soap is referred to herein as the inner surface of the bar of soap, and the movement of the sliding fastener  16  toward the bar of soap is movement in an inward direction. Correspondently, the sliding fastener  16  is located closely adjacent an outer surface  20  of the bar of soap  12 , i.e., that surface opposed to inner surface  18 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, the sliding fastener  16  of this invention preferable is an injection molded plastic member including a hollow body  22  providing a central passageway  24  therein. The hollow body  22  includes an outer, central hub section  26  and an inner, flange  28  that extends beyond the periphery of the hub  16  and includes a generally flat inner surface  30 . 
     As can be seen best in FIGS. 3 through 5, a plurality of sheet locking members  32  are disposed in the central passageway  24 , and are angled toward the center of the passageway  24  in an outward direction. 
     The locking members  32  preferably are injection molded as an integral part of the sliding fastener  16  and the outer edges thereof are pointed so as to engage the periphery of the gathered end of the flexible sheet  14 . Due to the orientation of the locking members  32 , the sliding fastener  16  is capable of freely moving, or sliding, in an inward direction toward the outer surface  20  of the bar of soap. However, due to the outwardly angled orientation of the locking members  32 , movement of the sliding fastener  16  in an outward direction, away from the bar of soap, is precluded. Specifically, the locking members  32  will dig into the flexible, porous sheet  14  to preclude such outward movement. Thus, the sliding fastener  16  is a “one-way” device; capable of movement only in a direction to continuously foreshorten the sheet  14  about the bar of soap  12 , to thereby maintain the sheet in a taut condition as the soap is being dissipated during continuous use. 
     It should be apparent that the gathered end of the sheet material  14  extending through the sliding fastener  16  provides a convenient gripping area for a person using the soap device, thereby permitting the device to be easily gripped to wash and scrub a person&#39;s body even when the bar of soap  12  is almost completely dissipated. 
     It also should be noted that the flexible sheet  14 , by virtue of being maintained taut about the bar of soap, aids in retaining the general configuration of the bar of soap, even when the bar of soap is wet. 
     A further benefit of this invention is that the flexible, porous sheet material effectively meters smaller quantities of soap through the porous sheet than otherwise would be applied to a person&#39;s skin if the bar of soap were being utilized in an unconfined manner. Accordingly, it is believed that the bar of soap  12  employed in the soap system of this invention will have a greater useful life than if the bar of soap were used in a conventional manner, without being confined in any flexible, porous retaining sheet. 
     It should be understood that various modifications can be made within the scope of this invention, the embodiments described herein being presented solely for purposes of illustrating the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. 
     For example, although the preferred embodiment of this invention includes a unique sliding fastener  16  to continuously maintain the flexible, porous sheet taut about the bar of soap  12 , in accordance with the broadest aspects of this invention other fastening means can be employed. In fact, in accordance with the broadest aspects of this invention, the fastening means does not necessarily need to be a sliding fastening means, e.g., it could be a conventional, flexible band either twisted or tied about the gathered end of the flexible, porous sheet  14 . However, in accordance with the most preferred embodiment of this invention, a sliding fastener clearly is desirable, since it permits the easy and continuous adjustment of the flexible, porous sheet  14  about the bar of soap  12  as the bar of soap is being dissipated. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the soap system  10  of the present invention is shown as being disposed within a box-shaped container  50  (FIG. 6) that includes a cover member  52  (FIG. 7) and a tray member  54 . The cover member  52  includes a top panel  56 , two side panels  58 , a front panel  60  and a rear panel  62  positioned rearwards of the front panel  60 . The panels  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62  may be formed as an integral one-piece construction such as by injection molding of any suitable plastic material. Alternatively, the panels  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62  may be fabricated individually and then joined to one another to form the cover member  52 . Although under the preferred exemplary embodiment of this invention the cover member  52  includes panels  56 ,  58 ,  60  and  62  to form a box shape, it is within the scope of this invention for the container to employ a greater or fewer number of panels to obtain shapes other than a box shape, e.g., triangular, hexagonal, circular, etc. Moreover, the top panel  56  could be eliminated and the container could be pyramidal in shape comprising a plurality of triangular side panels. Under the preferred exemplary embodiment, the panels are transparent to enable one to see therethrough to the soap system  10  located therein. 
     As best shown in FIG. 7, the cover member includes a plurality of inwardly extending registration tabs  64  that are located at the bottom center of the inside surface of side panels  58 . The registration tabs  64  are arranged for engagement with a plurality of aligned through slots  66 , one of which is best shown in FIG.  8 . The slots  66  are located on side walls  68  of the tray member  54 . The internal dimensions of the through slots  66  correspond to the external dimensions of the registration tabs  64 . Alternatively, the registration tabs  64  could be located on the inside surface of the front and rear panels,  60  and  62 , and aligned for engagement with a plurality of through slots  66  located on the front wall  80  (FIG. 8) and rear wall of the tray member  54 . Alternatively, the registration tabs could be located on the outside surface of the front and rear walls of the tray member  54  and arranged for engagement with a plurality of through slots located on the front and rear panels,  60  and  62 , of the cover member  52 . Together, the cover member  52  and tray member  54  serve for housing the soap system  10  of the present invention for display such as at a point of sale or for safely storing the soap system  10  during shipping. The cover member  52  is removable from the tray member  54  to obtain access to the soap system  10 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 8, the tray member  54  includes a bottom wall  70 , the lower surface of which includes a plurality of feet  72  disposed thereon by any suitable means, e.g., adhesive. Although in FIG. 8, the feet  72  are depicted as located at the corners of the bottom wall  70 , it should understood that these feet could be located elsewhere along the bottom wall  70  of the tray  54  without departing from the scope of this invention. Moreover, a greater or fewer number of feet  70  could be provided on the bottom wall  70  without departing from the scope of this invention. Moreover, although the feet  72  are illustrated as being square in shape, they could be of any other suitable shape, e.g., circular, rectangular, etc. 
     The tray member  54  is arranged to be utilized as a soap dish for storing the soap system  10  after use and re-use. Referring now to FIG. 7, the tray member  54  includes a downwardly sloping soap dish portion  74  that is volumetrically contoured for receiving the soap system  10  of the present invention therein. As best shown in FIG. 9, centered at the bottom of the soap dish portion  74  is a large drainage aperture  76  that serves to drain any soapy water that may remain on the soap system  10  after use. As best shown in FIG. 8, a strip of adhesive  78  is used for covering the drainage aperture  76  to preserve the contents of the soap system  10  during display and shipping of the soap system  10 . Prior to use of the soap system  10 , the strip of adhesive  78  may be removed from the tray member  54  to expose the drainage aperture  76  thus allowing any soapy water that may remain on the soap system after use to drain through the aperture  76  to avoid any soap scum buildup. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 9, each side panel  58  includes a vertically oriented rib  84 ,  86  located on the inside wall thereof in close proximity with the rear panel  62 . A vertical slot is defined between each vertically oriented rib  84 ,  86  and the rear panel  62 . The vertical slots are arranged for slidingly receiving and positioning against the rear panel  62  a card or other suitable paper stock  87  on which display indicia is located. Under the preferred embodiment, the paper stock  87  is approximately the width of the rear panel  62  and when folded in half, as shown in FIG. 9, is approximately the height of the rear panel  62 . The display indicia may be a colorful and decorative pattern or design such as a floral design for sales, advertising or other purposes. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a vertical member  90  is shown extending downwardly for a fixed distance from the top panel  56 . When packaging the soap system  10  of the present invention, the soap system  10  is placed centrally within the soap dish portion  74  of the tray member  54  with the sliding fastener  16  situated centrally on the top of the bar of soap  12 . Next, the cover member  52  is placed over the tray member  54  with the vertical member  90  extending downwardly through the central passageway  24  of the sliding fastener  16 . Specifically, as best shown in FIG. 7, the vertical member  90  extends downwardly within the central hub section  26  of the fastener  16  and within the flexible sheet  14  gathered therein but does not extend so far as to actually touch the bar of soap  12 . Although under the preferred exemplary embodiment of this invention the vertical member  90  is shown as not touching the bar of soap  12 , it is within the scope of this invention for the vertical member  90  to touch the bar of soap  12 , or if desired, to penetrate the surface of the bar of soap  12  by a small distance, e.g., one eighth of an inch. In this manner, the vertical member  90  secures the position and orientation of the soap system  10  within the container  50  for shipping and display. The inwardly extending registration tabs  64  located on the cover member  50  extend through the slots  66  located on the tray  54  to secure the cover member  50  to the tray member  54 . In the preferred embodiment, in cross-section, the vertical member  90  includes a plurality of outwardly extending ribs that are arranged to fit between the plurality of sheet locking members  32  disposed in the central passageway  24 . 
     Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.