Patent Abstract:
The present invention generally relates to a container for an article and a process of use thereof. The article can include a body forming a pocket for receiving and displaying the article; and a coupler connected to the body. The coupler can be adapted to secure the container to a doorknob.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to containers, and more particularly, to containers forming a pocket for receiving an article.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Various accessories form pockets for receiving personal articles. Particularly, exemplary accessories for containing personal articles include purses, luggage, toiletry kits, and coin purses.  
         [0003]     Sometimes, combining a container with a personal article enhances the purchasing value of a product. As an example, an accessory can reveal a pocket for receiving clothing such as socks. Generally, the accessory and personal article are marketed together.  
         [0004]     It is desirable, however, to provide a container that not only contains the personal article, but provides other beneficial features.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     One exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a container for an article. The container can include a body and a coupler. The body forms a pocket for receiving and displaying the article. The coupler is connected to the body and is adapted to the secure the container to a doorknob.  
         [0006]     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a process for reminding a person to bring a desired article to an event. The process can include attaching a container to a protrusion. The container may include a transparent member forming a pocket for displaying the desired article and a coupler for receiving at least a portion of the protrusion.  
         [0007]     Still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a container for an article. The container can include a body and a coupler. Generally, the body includes a headpiece and a transparent member forming a pocket for receiving the article. The headpiece can include first and second surfaces displaying indicia. Generally, the coupler is adapted to secure the container to a protrusion.  
         [0008]     The present invention provides a container which can enclose an article, preferably a personal article. The personal article can include a pair of socks, a headband, a wristband, at least one key, currency, a bracelet, a watch, or a ring. The association of the container with a personal article provides a purchaser with a bonus item. Moreover, the container can be modified to present a pleasant appearance to decorate a doorknob or other surface, e.g., a wall. Moreover, the container can include a headpiece that contains indicia for communicating a message or for further decorating the container. In addition, the container includes a coupler which permits attaching the container to a surface or doorknob and can serve to remind an individual to bring a personal article to an event. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container of the present invention coupled to a doorknob.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of a container of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective, plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a container of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective, plan view of an exemplary container of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a back perspective, elevational view of an exemplary container of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective, elevational view of an exemplary container of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     As used herein, the term “coupled” means connecting or fastening at least two items directly or indirectly by use of a third component such as a mechanical fastener, e.g., a screw, a nail, a staple, or a rivet; an adhesive or a solder. The term “coupled” can also include items associated or formed integrally together either by chemical or mechanical means, by processes including stamping, molding, or welding. Furthermore, the term “coupled” can mean two items, directly or indirectly, joined, fastened, associated, connected, or formed integrally together. As used herein, the term “connected” has the same meaning as “coupled” defined above.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , an exemplary container  100  of the present invention is depicted. Container  100  can include a body  120  and a coupler  200 . The body  120  can include a headpiece  140 , a member  160 , a base  180  and a fastener  190 .  
         [0017]     The headpiece  140  can include a first surface  142  and a second surface  146 . Surfaces  142  and  146  can include indicia. The indicia can be decorative, such as indicating events or activities, such as cheerleading or birthdays. The indicia can also provide a message to a viewer. Exemplary messages can include “out at practice”, “go away”, “occupied”, or “do not disturb”. The headpiece  140  and the base  180  can be made out of any suitable material, such as a non-woven web, cloth, wool, cotton, or a combination thereof.  
         [0018]     A member  160  generally includes a first side  162 , a second side  164 , a first portion  166 , and a second portion  168 . The member  160  forms a pocket  170  for receiving an article  300 . The first side  162  is coupled to the headpiece  140  and the second side  164  is coupled to the base  180  using any suitable means such as stitches, staples, rivots, or adhesives. The member  160  can be made out of any suitable material, preferably transparent plastic such as polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene. Alternatively, the member  160  can be tinted or semi-transparent. In another preferred embodiment, the member  160  can include portions that are opaque and others that are transparent or form openings so a viewer can see the article contained within the pocket  170 .  
         [0019]     A fastener  190  is coupled to at least the first portion  166  or the second portion  168 , or alternatively, both the first and second portions  166  and  168 . The fastener  190  can be a zipper  192  as depicted. Alternatively, the fastener  190  can be hook and loop connectors, interlocking profiles, or at least one snap or button. The pocket  170  can receive an article  300 , preferably a personal article. The personal article can be at least one sock, preferably a pair of socks  302  as depicted. Alternatively, the personal article can be a headband, a wristband, keys, currency, a bracelet, a watch, or a ring. The pocket  170  can be sized to receive an article of any desired size.  
         [0020]     The coupler  200  is coupled to the headpiece  140  using any suitable means such as stitches, staples, rivots or adhesives. Desirably, the coupler  200  is an arch shaped member  202  having opposing ends  210  and  212 . Each end  210  and  212  can be independently connected to the headpiece  140 . Alternatively, the coupler  200  can be a loop, a hook, a magnet, a releasable adhesive, or half of a hook and loop connector material corresponding to an opposing half mounted on a surface.  
         [0021]     In one preferred embodiment, the coupler  200  can be positioned about a doorknob  414 . Desirably, the coupler  200  is manufactured from an elastic material, which can include a non-woven web. This elasticity permits the expansion of the coupler  200  around the doorknob  414  for positioning on a door  400 . Alternatively, the coupler  200  can be mounted on a protrusion  410  or at least a portion  412  of the protrusion  410 , such as a bracket, a hook, an over-the-door hanger, or any surface suitable for mounting the container  100 . Although the container  100  is depicted on a door  400  for accessing a room, it should be understood that the container  100  can be positioned on other surfaces, such as a wall or other doors, such as a closet door.  
         [0022]     In use, the container  100  of the present invention permits a purchaser to not only obtain the value of the container  100 , but any personal article  300  residing therein, such as socks  302 . Moreover, the container  100  can be mounted on a surface to remind an individual to bring the personal article to an event. Particularly, in one exemplary use, the container  100  can be mounted on a door  400  and contain therein a pair of socks  302 . If the socks  302  are part of an outfit for a given activity, such as cheerleading, the socks  302  can be placed in a visible location when exiting the room to remind an individual to wear the socks  302  with their outfit. Alternatively, the personal article  300  could be currency or keys, to remind an individual to take the personal article with them when they leave the room. In addition, the headpiece  140  of the container  100  contains indicia for communicating a message, such as “do not disturb” the occupant in the room, or have a decorative feature for enhancing the decor of a surface, such as the door  400 .  
         [0023]     In addition, the headpiece  140  can take a variety of shapes, such as a crown  150  as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the headpiece  140  can resemble a variety of shapes, such as a circle, a square, a triangle, a rectangle, or other desired shapes, e.g., to correspond to a particular activity featured on the indicia of the surface  142  or  146 .  
         [0024]     Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can, using the preceding description, utilize the present invention to its fullest extent. The preceding preferred specific embodiments are, therefore, to be construed as merely illustrative, and not limitative of the remainder of the disclosure in any way whatsoever.  
         [0025]     From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0