Patent Publication Number: US-11019897-B2

Title: Pocket utility case and travel tool

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Application Ser. No. filed Ser. No. 16/252,659, filed Jan. 20, 2019 and U.S. Application Ser. No. filed Ser. No. 16/257,044, filed Jan. 24, 2019 which are herein incorporated by reference to the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a pocket utility case and travel tool. Particularly, the pocket utility case and travel tool device includes a portable and multifunctional utility case for storing personal care products while having a variety of quickly assembled utility tools for maintaining oral hygiene, personal hygiene and grooming. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Utility cases are bulky, large, and primarily used to store and protect items. Toiletry cases or travel cases are portable zipper type fabric case for storing personal hygiene products while traveling. 
     One such personal travel and utility case is exemplified by U.S. Patent No. US20180289129A1, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This patent application generally teaches a makeup utility case for use by individuals to remove, touchup or reapply makeup, especially around one&#39;s eyes, is disclosed. 
     Though these types of personal utility cases and many like them may have some desirable features, it is still lacking in other areas that may be beneficial to individual requiring additional and diverse features while on the go. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a pocket utility case and travel tool for storing personal care products and having a variety of quickly assembled personal utility tools for maintaining personal hygiene, oral hygiene, and grooming, the pocket utility case and travel tool may include a housing having a top portion, storage compartments, and a comb slot, a detachable lid coupled to the top portion of the housing, the detachable lid includes an adapter head and a handle coupled to the adapter head, the adapter head includes a hemispherical shell having a first adapter port for receiving a detachable dental appliance adapter and a second adapter port for receiving a detachable razor adapter; and a pivoting comb coupled to the handle of the detachable lid at a pivot point, the comb slot is configured to receive the pivoting comb when the detachable lid is attached to the housing. 
     In one embodiment, a brush assembly may be coupled to a bottom portion of the housing. In another embodiment, the brush assembly is magnetically coupled to the bottom portion of the housing. In yet another embodiment, the hemispherical shell includes a third adapter port for receiving an LED light component. It still yet another embodiment, the pivoting comb has a maximum rotation of approximately 90 degrees about the pivot point. 
     In one aspect, the first adapter port may be positioned to run parallel to a lengthwise midsection of the handle. In another aspect, the second adapter port positioned at an angle of approximately 40-50 degrees formed between a lengthwise midsection of the handle and the second adapter port. 
     In one implementation, the detachable dental appliance adapter may include a dental connecting shaft for receiving a dental appliance at a dental receiving end of the dental connecting shaft, a dental appliance base coupled to the dental connecting shaft for providing support to the dental connecting shaft, and a dental appliance fastener coupled to the dental connecting shaft for connecting the detachable dental appliance adapter to the first adapter port. In another implementation, the detachable razor adapter includes a razor bracket for receiving a razor head at a razor receiving end of the razor bracket, a razor base coupled to the razor bracket for providing support to the razor bracket, and a razor fastener coupled to the razor bracket for connecting the detachable razor adapter to the second adapter port. In yet another implementation, the housing includes a panel frame for supporting a mirror or optical panel. In still yet another implementation, the optical panel may be a solar panel. 
     In another embodiment, the housing may include a battery coupled to the solar panel and a USB port for delivering power to an external device. 
     In one example, a template and guide insert slot may be formed along a top portion of the pivoting comb having a narrow slot for receiving a hair styling template and guide. In another example, the storage compartments may include at least two tube storage areas, at least two rectangular storage areas, and a guide slot compartment for storing the hair styling template and guide. In yet another example, the guide slot compartment may be formed on a lower side portion of the housing for storing the hair styling template and guide. 
     Some advantages of the pocket utility case and travel tool include 1} compact and portable (i.e., travel size, carry in pockets of pants, shirts, sweaters, backpacks); 2) mobile and streamline features; 3) diverse and interchangeable set of personal products and personal care tools; 4) light-weight; and 5) space-savings. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and from the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  illustrate a front view and a back view, respectively, of a pocket utility case and travel tool in accordance to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front of the pocket utility case and travel tool with the pivoting comb being partially exposed from the case and the detachable brush assembly removed from the bottom of the case, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front perspective and exploded view of the pocket utility case and travel tool according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A - FIG. 4B  illustrate a top and bottom view, respectively, of the housing, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  illustrate a front side view and a back side view, respectively, of the housing, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 6A - FIG. 6D  illustrate a front side, top side, backside, and bottom side views, respectively, of the detachable lid, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a back side view of the detachable lid  103  according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  illustrate top exploded view of the pivoting comb detached from the detachable lid, and a top perspective view of the pivoting comb attached to the detachable lid, respectively, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 9A - FIG. 9C  illustrate various rotated positions of the pivoting comb relative to the detachable lid, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 10A - FIG. 10C  illustrate an example of a razor adapter and razor head attached to the detachable lid, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B  illustrate an example of a dental appliance adapter and toothbrush attached to the detachable lid, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 12A  and  FIG. 12B  illustrate a side and a front perspective view of the pivoting comb, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an application of the pivoting comb and the dental or template and guide according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a typical use of the template and guide according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 15A - FIG. 15C  illustrate an example of unfolding the template and guide from a compact state to an unfolded state, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 16A - FIG. 16C  illustrate an example of folding the template and guide back to its compact size, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 17A - FIG. 17B  illustrate an example of inserting the template and guide in its compacted state into the guide slot of the housing, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 18A - FIG. 18D  illustrate a variety of shapes and configuration of the template and guide, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 19A - FIG. 19C  illustrate other configurations of the template and guide, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 20A - FIG. 20B  illustrate the mirror or optical panel, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 21A - FIG. 21B  illustrate the housing having a rechargeable battery compartment for receiving a rechargeable battery, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates an example of the storage capability, available tools, and space savings using the pocket utility case and travel tool, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates the pocket utility case and travel tool inserted into a pocket of the user, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     In the appended figures, one or more elements may have the same reference numeral in different figures indicating previously described elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments in this disclosure include a novel pocket utility case and travel tool for storing personal care products and having a variety of utility tools maintaining oral hygiene, personal hygiene and grooming. 
     Unlike the conventional utility cases and travel cases available on the market which typically include small bags or storage containers storing an assortment of personal items like brushes, combs, shaving products, dental products, hair sprays, and hair gel as separate items, the novel pocket utility case and travel tool includes a unified, simple, portable, multipurpose, and versatile device, making it less expensive and simple to manufacture, and advantageous and a key distinction over conventional utility cases. In the examples presented below, the novel pocket utility case and travel tool includes quickly assembled personal utility tools and is generally applicable to oral hygiene, personal hygiene and grooming while on the go. 
       FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B  illustrate a front view and a back view, respectively, of a pocket utility case and travel tool  100  for storing personal care products and having a variety of utility tools for maintaining oral hygiene, personal hygiene and grooming according to an embodiment. The pocket utility case and travel tool  100  includes a housing  101 , a detachable lid  103  (or top cover) coupled to a top portion of the housing  101 , a pivoting comb  105  coupled to the detachable lid  103  and configured to fit into a comb holder slot  107  formed in the housing  101  when the detachable lid  103  is attached to the housing  101 . Optionally, a detachable brush assembly  109  may be coupled to a bottom portion of the housing  101 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a front of the pocket utility case and travel tool  100  with the pivoting comb  105  being partially exposed from the housing  101  and the detachable brush assembly  109  removed from the bottom of the housing  101 , according to an embodiment. Additional components of the housing  101  may include, for example, a panel frame  111  for supporting a mirror or optical panel  113 , a guide slot  115  for storing hair styling template and guide, and a brush clip catches ( 117 A,  117 B) providing quick release fasteners to corresponding latches ( 109 A,  109 B) that may be coupled to the brush assembly  109 . In another implementation, the housing  101  and the brush assembly  109  may be magnetically coupled using a magnet and magnetic plate. Also shown are strap clips ( 119 A,  119 B) for attaching an optional carrying strap (not shown). In addition, an optional personal LED light  121  may be coupled to a dome section of the lid  103 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front perspective and exploded view of the pocket utility case and travel tool  100  according to an embodiment. Many individual components are depicted in this disassembled state including the detachable lid  103 , the optional personal LED light  121 , the pivoting comb  105  the housing  101 , and brush assembly  109 . Also revealed in the disassembly are individual components of the brush assembly  109 , including a brush bristle member  109 C and brush handle member  109 D. 
       FIG. 4A - FIG. 4B  illustrate a top and bottom view, respectively, of the housing  101 , according to an embodiment. The housing  101  is a storage container having many compartments of varying shapes for storing different types of personal items. In  FIG. 4A , for example, the housing  101  may include a round tube-shaped storage area  123 A formed on a first end  101 A of the housing  101  and a secondary storage area  123 B formed on a second end  101 B of the housing  101 . The tube-shaped storage area  123 A is generally cylindrical in shape having an opening  124 A formed on a top end of the tube-shaped storage area  123 A and a closed end  124 B formed at a bottom end of the tube-shaped storage area  123 A. The tube-shaped storage area  123 A may be slightly projected to form a circular lip at the top end of the tube-shaped storage area  123 A to provide support and secure the detachable lid  103  the housing  101  when attached. In the secondary storage area  123 B other separate compartments may include two rectangular containers ( 125 ,  127 ) and a smaller tube-shaped container  129 . An optional support ledge  131  may be coupled to one side of the housing  101  providing additional support the detachable lid  103  when attached. In  FIG. 4B , a brush compartment  133  is formed along the bottom portion of the housing  101  having a container sufficient in height and shape to fully contain the brush assembly  109  when inserted and attached to the bottom of the housing  101 . In practice, the tube-shaped storage area  123 A has a circular radius of approximately 20 mm and a height of about 135 mm while the secondary storage area  123 B is approximately 60 mm (W)×30 mm (D)×135 mm (H). 
       FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  illustrate a front side view and a back side view, respectively, of the housing  101 , according to an embodiment. Various personal items may be stored in the available compartments of the housing  101 . For example, a 1-2 ounce bottle  135  of beard oil, hair spray, hair gel, toothpaste, or mouthwash may be stored in the tube-shaped storage area  123 A as shown  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B . In addition, the two rectangular containers ( 125 ,  127 ) may be configured to store a moustache comb, toothbrush head, small scissors, nail filer, nail clipper, a battery, dental appliance adapter, or razor adapter while the smaller tube-shaped container  129  may store personal items such as a beard stick, lip balm container, or lip stick. The housing  101  may also include the guide slot  115  for storing template and guide  137 . In yet another implementation, the housing  101  may also include spool container  139  for storing and dispensing string  141  including, for example, dental floss. The individual compartments ( 115 ,  123 A,  125 ,  127 ,  129 ,  139 ) in the housing  101  may be customized to store other personal travel items including, for example, a combination of first aid supplies, hand sanitizers, hand wipes, hand cleaners, lotions, body powders, deodorants, mouthwash, cotton swabs, vitamins, pills, drug testing supplies, perfumes, colognes, smoking pipes, grinders, cleaning tools, eardrops, nose drops, and eye drops. 
       FIG. 6A - FIG. 6D  illustrate a front side, top side, backside, and bottom side views, respectively, of the detachable lid  103 , according to an embodiment. The detachable lid  103  includes a first lid member  103 A comprising of an adapter head  143  and a second lid member  103 B comprising a handle  145  coupled to the adapter head  143 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , the adapter head  143  includes a hemispherical shell and is adapted to fit into the top portion of the tube-shaped storage area  123 A when the detachable lid  103  is attached the housing  101 . An interlocking lip  147  formed at a bottom portion of the adapter head  143  is configured to mate and secure with the top portion of the tube-shaped storage area  123 A when the detachable lid  103  is attached the housing  101 . Additional components in the second lid member  103 B include 1) a comb stop member  149  coupled near a comb pivoting end (at an opposite end of the adapter head  143 ) of the handle  145  for preventing the pivoting comb  105  from being rotated beyond a top portion of the handle  145 ; and 2) a panel frame cap  151  coupled to a front side portion of the handle  145  for securing the mirror or optical panel  113  to the housing  101  when the detachable lid  103  is attached. 
     Other components of the detachable lid  103  are revealed in the top side view as shown  FIG. 6B . These components include, for example, a first adapter port  153  positioned along a lengthwise mid-section  103 C of the lid detachable  103  near a lower portion of the adapter head  143 , a second adapter port  155  positioned along the lengthwise mid-section  103 C of the detachable lid  103  above the second adapter port  155 , and an optional LED port  157  positioned along the lengthwise mid-section  103 C of the detachable lid  103  near a top center portion of the adapter head  143 . The detachable lid  103  may also include an optional lid ledge  159  formed on the back side portion of the handle  145 . Functionally, the optional lid ledge  159  may rest on the support ledge  131  of the housing  101 , providing additional support to the detachable lid  103  when attached to the housing  101 . Also shown and included is a lid comb slot  161  which is formed at the comb pivoting end of the handle  145  opposite to the adapter head  143 . The lid comb slot  161  provides a channel into which the comb is guided when attached to the detachable lid  103 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6C , a lid-comb fastener and pivot slot  163  and lid-comb catch pin slot  165  are formed near the end portion of the handle  145 . In operation, the lid-comb fastener and pivot slot  163  provides an opening in the handle  145  to insert a fastener (not shown) to secure the pivoting comb  105  to the handle  145  while the lid-comb catch pin slot  165  provides another opening in the handle  145  to insert a comb catch pin (not shown) for preventing the pivoting comb  105  from being rotated and extended above the handle  143 . 
     In  FIG. 6D , multiple shallow lid chambers are formed in a bottom portion of the second lid member  1033 . These multiple shallow chambers may include 1) a circular lid chamber  167  corresponding and aligned to the smaller tube-shaped container  129  of the housing  101  when the detachable lid  103  is attached to the housing  101 ; 2) a first rectangular lid chamber  167  corresponding and aligned to the one of the rectangular containers  127  of the housing  101  when the detachable lid  103  is attached to the housing  101 ; and 3) a second rectangular lid chamber  171  corresponding and aligned to the other the rectangular container  125  of the housing  101  when the detachable lid  103  is attached to the housing  101 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a back side view of the detachable lid  103 , according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, specific angular placements of the first adapter port  153  and second adapter port  155  relative to the adapter head  143  and the handle  145  are provided. In one implementation, the placement of the first adapter port  153  along line  103 D is configured to run parallel to a lengthwise midsection  103 E of the handle  145 . In another implementation, the second adapter port  155  is positioned along line  103 F having an angle  103 G of approximately 40-50 degrees formed between the lengthwise midsection  103 E of the handle  145  and the second adapter port  155 . Relative to the hemispherical shape of the adapter head  143 , the second adapter port is positioned at the angle  103 G of approximately 40-50 degrees of the hemispherical shell. These placements are based on specific usage of the adapter head  143  of the detachable lid  103  for different applications. For example, the placement of the first adapter port  153  running parallel to the adapter head  143  is necessary for certain applications such as when the neck of a toothbrush is mounted to the adapter head  143  while the placement of the second adapter port  155  at a 40-50 degree angle relative to the handle  145  is necessary for other applications such as when a razor head is mounted to the adapter head  143 . 
       FIG. 8A  and  FIG. 8B  illustrate top exploded view of the pivoting comb  105  detached from the detachable lid  103 , and a top perspective view of the pivoting comb  105  attached to the detachable lid  103 , respectively, according to an embodiment. In  FIG. 8A , certain elements of the detached pivoting comb  105  are shown including a comb fastener and pivot slot  173  and comb catch pin slot  175  which are both formed at a comb pivoting end  105 A of the pivoting comb  105 . Also shown are 1) a comb pivot pin and fastener  177  inserted into the lid-comb fastener pivot slot  163  through the comb fastener and pivot slot  173  for securing the pivoting comb  105  to the detachable lid  103  when attached; and 2) a comb catch pin  179  inserted into the lid-comb catch pin slot  165  through the comb catch pin slot  175  for preventing the pivoting comb  105  from being extended above the handle  145  when rotated. In  FIG. 8B , the comb pivoting end  105 A of the pivoting comb  105  is inserted through the lid comb slot  161  of the handle  145  when the pivoting comb  105  is attached to the detachable lid  103 . Functionally, the comb pivot pin and fastener  177  provides a central pivot point on which the pivoting comb  105  rotates. 
       FIG. 9A - FIG. 9C  illustrate various rotated positions of the pivoting comb  105  relative to the detachable lid  103 , according to an embodiment.  FIG. 9A , for example, shows a closed position with a lengthwise edge  105 C of the pivoting comb  105  rotated at an angle of approximately 90 degrees relative to the lengthwise midsection  103 E of the handle  145 .  FIG. 9B  shows a partially opened position with a lengthwise edge  105 C of the pivoting comb  105  rotated at an angle of approximately between 91-179 degrees relative to the lengthwise midsection  103 E of the handle  145 .  FIG. 9C  shows a fully opened position with a lengthwise edge  105 C of the pivoting comb  105  running parallel to the lengthwise midsection  103 E of the handle  145 . Also shown in  FIG. 9A-9C  is the comb stop member  149  for preventing the pivoting comb  105  from being rotated beyond and above the handle  145 . Overall, the pivoting comb  105  may be rotated at a maximum of approximately 90 degrees about the pivot point  177  (90 degree=closed position; 180 degrees=open position). 
       FIG. 10A - FIG. 10C  illustrate an example of a razor adapter and razor head attached to the detachable lid  103 , according to an embodiment. In  FIG. 10A , the second adapter port  155  of the detachable lid  103  may receive a razor adapter  181 . Functionally, the razor adapter  181  is made to be easily detachable from the adapter head  143  and stored in one of the compartments in the housing  101 . The razor adapter  181  having a razor bracket  181 A for receiving a razor head  183  at a razor receiving end of the razor bracket  181 A, a razor base  181 B coupled to the razor bracket  181 A for providing support to the razor bracket  181 A, and a razor fastener  181 C coupled to the razor bracket  181 A for connecting the razor adapter  181  to the second adapter port  155  of the adapter head  143  which is part of the detachable lid  103 . In  FIG. 10B , the razor head  183  may be inserted into the razor receiving end by sliding a top and bottom portion of the razor head  183  into razor channels formed inside the razor bracket  181 A, securing the razor head into the razor bracket  181 A.  FIG. 10C  illustrates a quickly assembled razor blade including handle  145  for personal shaving use. In practice, the quickly assembled razor blade provides a user the equivalent of a full size razor assembly while the optional personal LED light  121  may provide the user the convenience of direct lighting to the shaving area in low lighting situations. 
       FIG. 11A  and  FIG. 11B  illustrate an example of a dental appliance adapter and toothbrush attached to the detachable lid  103 , according to an embodiment. In  FIG. 11A , the first adapter port  153  of the detachable lid  103  may receive a dental appliance adapter  185 . Functionally, the dental appliance adapter  185  is made to be easily detachable from the adapter head  143  and stored in one of the compartments in the housing  101 . The dental appliance adapter  185  having a dental connecting shaft  185 A for receiving a dental appliance  187  at a dental receiving end of the dental connecting shaft  185 A, a dental appliance base  185 B coupled to the dental connecting shaft  185 A for providing support to the dental connecting shaft  185 A, and a dental appliance fastener  185 C coupled to the dental connecting shaft  185 A for connecting the dental appliance  187  to the first adapter port  153  of the adapter head  143  which is part of the detachable lid  103 . In  FIG. 11B , the dental appliance  187  (e.g., a head and neck of a toothbrush) having a support cavity at a distal end opposite to the brush end of the dental appliance  187  may be inserted into the dental connecting shaft  185 A, securing the dental appliance  187  to the adapter head  143  of the detachable lid  103  and providing a quickly assembled dental appliance (i.e., toothbrush) including the handle  145  for personal oral use. In practice, the quickly assembled dental appliance provides a user the equivalent of a full size toothbrush assembly while the optional personal LED light  121  may provide the user the convenience of direct lighting to the shaving area in low lighting situations. 
       FIG. 12A  and  FIG. 12B  illustrate a side and a front perspective view of the pivoting comb  105 , according to an embodiment. In addition to the pivoting components ( 173 ,  175 ) of the pivoting comb  105 , a template and guide insert slot  189  may be formed along a top comb end  105 B opposite to the comb pivoting end  105 A of the pivoting comb  105 . The template and guide insert slot  189  is configured to have a narrow slot for receiving the template and guide  137  as describe in the following section. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an application of the pivoting comb  105  and the dental or template and guide  137  according to an embodiment. In one implementation, the template and guide  137  is generally a thin and narrow strip yet sturdy material that includes a guide slot  191  centrally position along a bottom portion of the template and guide  137  as shown in  FIG. 13 . In general, the guide slot  191  is complementary in shape to the top comb end  105 B into which the guide slot  191  is inserted. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a typical use of the template and guide  137  according to an embodiment. In one application, the template and guide  137  may be in the form of a beard styling template having a curved shape that generally follows a beard path  193  along the face of the user  195 . In practice, the beard styling template may be applied to the cheek of the user  195  between the ear and chin. Using the handle  145  and with the template and guide  137  attached to the pivoting comb  105 , the user may apply the beard styling template to rest firmly against the cheek, shaping the beard with a razor blade or scissor to follow the pattern along the beard path  193  of the beard styling template. 
       FIG. 15A - FIG. 15C  illustrate an example of unfolding the template and guide  137  from a compact state to an unfolded state, according to an embodiment. In  FIG. 15A , the template and guide  137  is in its compacted state, allowing it to be fitted and stored into the guide slot  115  of the housing  101 .  FIG. 15B  illustrate fold lines ( 137 A,  137 B) from which the template and guide  137  is unfolded at each fold wing ( 137 C,  137 D) away from a central guide member  137 E of the template and guide  137 .  FIG. 15C  illustrate the template and guide  137  completely unfolded, flattened, and ready to use by the user. In practice, template and guide  137  be made from materials such as paper, plastic, metal and wood. Optionally, the fold wings ( 137 C,  137 D) may be attached to the central guide member  137 E by hinges along the fold seams ( 137 A,  137 B). 
       FIG. 16A - FIG. 16C  illustrate an example of folding the template and guide  137  back to its compact size, according to an embodiment. In  FIG. 16A , the template and guide  137  is in its unfolded flattened state, having fold lines ( 137 A,  137 B). FIG.  15 B illustrate folding each fold wing ( 137 C,  137 D) towards the central guide member  137 E along fold lines ( 137 A,  137 B) of the template and guide  137 .  FIG. 15C  illustrate the template and guide  137  completely folded, flattened, and ready to be fitted and stored into the guide slot  115  of the housing  101 . 
       FIG. 17A - FIG. 17B  illustrate an example of inserting the template and guide  137  in its compacted state into the guide slot  115  of the housing  101 , according to an embodiment. With the template and guide  137  completely folded, flattened, and in a compact state, the template and guide  137  may be inserted into the guide slot  115  along a short end of the template and guide  137  into a slot area  197  having a shape matching the shape of the folded template and guide  137 . 
       FIG. 18A - FIG. 18D  illustrate a variety of shapes and configuration of the template and guide  137 , according to an embodiment. These shapes include various beard styling templates having different types beard styling curves used to shape the beard of the user. 
       FIG. 19A - FIG. 19C  illustrate other configurations of the template and guide  137 , according to an embodiment. These shapes include a mustache guide template as shown in  FIG. 19A , a sideburn guide template as shown in  FIG. 19B , and a chin beard template shown in  FIG. 19C  for shaping various facial hair of the user. 
       FIG. 20A - FIG. 20B  illustrate the mirror or optical panel  113 , according to an embodiment. In one implementation, the mirror or optical panel  113  is made to be detachable from the housing  101 , allowing the user to replace the mirror or optical panel  113  with different types of panels including, for example, a solar panel, a replacement mirror, or writing panel. 
       FIG. 21A - FIG. 21B  illustrate the housing  101  having a rechargeable battery compartment  201  for receiving a rechargeable battery  203 , according to an embodiment. The rechargeable battery  203  may be used to power the optional solar panel or used to power external electronic devices via a USB port  205 . 
       FIG. 22  illustrates an example of the storage capability, available tools, and space savings using the pocket utility case and travel tool  100 , according to an embodiment. In one configuration, the pocket utility case and travel tool  100  is capable of storing a large 8″ comb  211 , a 4″×2″ mirror  213 , beard wax stick  215 , beard oil  217 , scissors  219 ,  3  beard styling guides  221 , a beard comb  223 , a 8″ brush  225 , and a razor equivalent  227  in the highly compact and pocket size utility case having an approximate dimension of 5″ (H)×4″ (W)×1.5″ (D). 
       FIG. 23  illustrates the pocket utility case and travel tool  100  inserted into a standard pocket  230  of the user, according to an embodiment. This feature provides the user the capability of carrying personal products and tools in a small, durable and compact case in their pocket which is otherwise not possible if carried as separate items. 
     Several advantages of the pocket utility case and travel tool  100  may include, for example, 1) several quickly assembled personal utility tools for maintaining oral hygiene, personal hygiene and grooming including a full size razor and full size toothbrush, full size comb, full size brush, scissors, a beard brush, styling templates include beard shaping templates, mustache shaping templates, and side burn shaping templates; 2) personal products hair products, beard products, and oral products; and 3) other accessories such as a mirror or optical panel for personal care. The pocket utility case and travel tool  100  with its space saving features and quickly assembled personal utility tools provide the user a complete and ready personal package, saving them time while on the go. 
     As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” included plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     All patents, patent applications, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     It is noted that the foregoing disclosure has been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and is in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof, various changes, omissions, and additions to the form and detail thereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects. 
     Other embodiments and modifications of the present invention may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims which include all other such embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specifications and accompanying drawings.