Abstract:
A pack for carrying and dispensing toiletries includes a container having (a) a floor with at least one lower opening, and (b) at least one wall with a front, a back, a right and a left portion. A plurality of bottles with pumping heads that will fit in the container with the pumping heads projecting through the lower opening of the container. Each of the pumping heads when inverted can be operated to dispense fluid from the bottle. The pack also has a cover for locking the bottles in the container and providing a backstop for the bottles during operation of the pumping heads.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to containers for holding a number of bottles, and in particular to bottles containing fluids such as toiletries. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Travelers often carry in their luggage a number of toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash or gel, shaving cream, toothpaste, hand or facial lotion, after shave, etc. Full-size bottles of such toiletries are ordinarily too bulky to be carried on most trips. Carrying several miniature bottles may be feasible but finding them all at shower or bath time can be a problem. 
   Some travelers use a toiletries kit, which is a small zippered pouch holding a variety of toiletries. While such a kit will keep toiletries together and organized, the kit cannot be brought into a shower stall and used during a shower. Furthermore, accessing individual bottles is cumbersome since the traveler must hunt through the kit, identify the correct bottle, remove the bottle, and then use and replace it before searching for the next bottle. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,182 shows a complicated panel that is not designed for easy portability. A shell  24  has a cover  28  hinged to the top of a back panel  26 , which may be secured to a shower wall by glue, screws, or two-sided adhesive foam. A number of bottles can be placed on back panel  26  so lower pump handles  74  can protrude through cover  28 . The panel has complex structure for holding bottles in a predetermined position. Bottles  20  can be filled with shampoo, grooming liquids, etc. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,251 the bottles  16  can be filled with shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, etc. Thereafter, the pump handles  32  can be inserted through holes in cover  14 , which is then locked in place on back panel  12  so that caps  54  rest on ledge  56 . 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,967 bottles  36  are screwed into annular tops  40 , which are glued into counterbores  22  of countertop  12 . The hinged front door  66  can be swung down in order to unscrew and refill bottles  36  with shampoo, mouthwash, hand lotion, etc. 
   In  FIG. 6  of U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,580 bottles of shampoo and conditioner can be placed on shelves with their valve caps extending through notches in the shelves. The hanger is shown suspended by a hook on a shower head pipe. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,503 housing  11  is mounted in a shower and a number of bottles  30  can be screwed into the underside of housing. The housing has a hand pump and dispenser nozzle for dispensing shampoo, etc. 
   In  FIG. 1  of U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,061 four containers  34  rest on shelf  22  on the inside of refrigerator door  14 . Faucets  28  protrude through notches in the front apron of shelf  22 . Containers  34  can be filled with beverages by removing covers  42 . 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,522, shampoo, conditioner, etc. can be poured through the openings  24  to fill the compartments  14  in container  12 , which is suspended from the shower head by hanger  16 . These liquids are dispensed by pressing dispensing buttons  56 . 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,242 four large bottles of different cleaning chemicals are placed on a top rack and connected by caps  47  and tubes  42  to siphoning valves  28 . When one of the siphoning valves  28  is operated, water from hose connection  31  is discharged while the cleaning chemical is drawn from one of the large bottles and mixed with the water. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,462 bottles  18  and  20  can be removed from receiver  26  and replaced. The bottles are filled with oil and can be lifted as shown in  FIG. 2  so that oil will be siphoned through line  22  to a shower head. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 3,955,715 interlocking containers can be secured to the wall of a shower by adhesive strips. The container lids can be removed to refill the container with shampoo, liquid soap, etc. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,006 squeeze bottles can be hung valve-end-down from a towel rack to dispense shampoo, conditioner, etc. 
   In U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,090 a suction cup supports a handle that is inserted into a pocket molded in the side of a bottle of shampoo, conditioner, or the like. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for an container that can hold a number of toiletry bottles that can be easily transported. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a pack for carrying and dispensing toiletries. The pack includes a container having (a) a floor with at least one lower opening, and (b) at least one wall with a front, a back, a right and a left portion. Also included is a plurality of bottles with pumping heads adapted to fit in the container with the pumping heads projecting through the at least one lower opening of the container. Each of the pumping heads, when inverted, are operable to dispense fluid from the bottle. The pack also includes a cover for locking the bottles in the container and providing a backstop for the bottles during operation of the pumping heads. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a pack is provided for carrying a plurality of bottles with pumping heads for dispensing toiletries. The pack includes a container having (a) a floor with at least one lower opening, and (b) at least one wall with a front, a back, a right and a left portion. The container is adapted to hold the plurality of bottles. The lower opening is arranged to allow the pumping heads to project through the at least one lower opening of the container. The pack also includes a cover for locking the bottles in the container and providing a backstop for the bottles during operation of the pumping heads. 
   In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for carrying a plurality of bottles with pumping heads in a container with an open top and a floor with an opening. The method includes the steps of filling the plurality of bottles with different fluids at a first location, and placing the plurality of bottles inside the container with the pumping heads projecting through the opening in the floor of the container. Another step is covering the open top of the container to lock the bottles in the container and provide a backstop for the bottles during operation of the pumping heads. The method also includes the step of traveling to a destination with the bottles in the container, and hanging the container with the bottles from a shower head pipe with the pumping heads of the bottles pointing down. Another step is operating the pumping head of at least one of the bottles while the container is suspended from the shower head pipe. 
   By employing apparatus and methods of the foregoing type an improved toiletries pack is achieved. In one embodiment, a number of pump bottles can be placed, pumping head down, in a five-sided box that is open on top. The floor of the box has a number of holes designed to allow passage of the pumping heads. The box can be closed with a sliding lid, or with a hinged or snap-on lid that presses the pump bottles in place. Bundled in this fashion, the collection of pump bottles can be conveniently packed in a traveler&#39;s luggage. 
   The bottles can contain shampoo, conditioner, body wash or gel, shaving cream, toothpaste, hand or facial lotion, after shave, etc. The bottle&#39;s pumping heads can be swivelled to lock them closed, in some embodiments. 
   The box can be suspended by a strap, hook, or the like from the pipe of a shower head without unpacking the pump bottles. In some cases the box can be mounted elsewhere in a shower stall with suction cups. The pump bottles can be used by pressing the pump heads. In some embodiments the box can have a ledge (cantilevered or recessed) where a user can place one or more fingers to brace the box while another finger (or fingers) operates the pumping heads. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pack in accordance with principles of present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a left elevational view of the pack of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the pack of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a pack that is an alternate to that of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a pack that is an alternate to those shown in the previous drawings. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–3 , a pack is shown employing a container  10  in the form of a five-sided box that is open on top. Box  10  has a left portion  10 A, a right portion  10 B, a front portion  10 C, and a back portion  10 D. Box  10  has a floor  12  that is oversized and extends anteriorly into a cantilevered ledge  12 A. A cover  14  is shown as a panel designed to slide into inside slots  16  formed at the inside of the upper edge of left portion  10 A and right portion  10 B. 
   The box can be made by injection molding, stamping and folding, or by assembling a number of discrete panels by means of glue, fasteners, snapping features, and the like. The box can be made of plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, composite materials, etc. In this embodiment ledge  12 A is 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) deep and excluding the ledge, container  10  is, 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) deep, 5.5 inches (14 cm) wide, and 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) tall, although other dimensions and proportions can be employed in other embodiments. 
   A mirror  18  is secured to front portion  10 C. A pair of suction cups  20  is attached to back portion  10 . A hanger in the form of a flexible strap  22  has its two ends secured to the upper corners of the back portion  10 D. Strap  22  is designed to suspend container  10  from a showerhead pipe P, which feeds a showerhead S. 
   Four identical bottles  24  can fit side-by-side inside container  10 . Three of them are shown inside the container  10 . Projecting from the bottom of all of the bottles  24  is a pumping head  26  having a plunger  28  with a nozzle  30 . Pumping head  26  is a conventional device that can dispense the fluid inside bottle  24  by vertically reciprocating plunger  28  so the fluid is dispensed through nozzle  30 . Each of the bottles  24  is can be refilled by unscrewing pumping head  26  from the externally threaded collar (not shown) at the bottom of bottle  24 . Pumping head  26  is of the type that can be locked to prevent leakage by rotating plunger  26  approximately 90°. 
   In this embodiment bottle  24  has an overall height of 5.25 (13 cm) inches, a thickness of 1 inch (2.5 cm), and a width of 2 inches (5 cm). Excluding the pumping head  26 , bottle  24  has a generally rectangular shape with rounded edges and corners and is designed to hold about four ounces (12 ml) of fluid. The main body of bottles  24  can be made of glass, plastic, metal, or other materials. The pumping head  26  has an overall outside diameter of 1 inch (2.5 cm) and an overall height of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). The plunger  28  has a diameter of 0.75 inch (1.9 cm) and a height of 0.5 inch (1.3 cm). It will be appreciated that bottles of different sizes, shapes and capacities can be employed in other embodiments. Bottles  24  are designed to be filled with any one of various fluids, such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash or gel, shaving cream, toothpaste, hand or facial lotion, after shave, etc. 
   The pumping heads  26  of bottles  24  are shown projecting through four keyhole-shaped apertures  32  (lower opening) in the floor  12 . The slot  32 A of each of the holes  32  is designed to pass the nozzle  30  of pumping head  26 . 
   Thus, when cover  14  is slid in slots  16  over the top of bottles  24 , the bottles are securely pressed against the floor  12  so that the pumping heads  26  are fixed in place. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , components identical to those previously illustrated in  FIGS. 1–3  bear the same reference numerals. Container  34  has a shape fairly similar to the previously mentioned container (container  10   FIG. 1 ) and is fitted with the same mirror  18  in front. Container  34  will also have holes similar to those previously described (holes  32  of  FIG. 3 ). 
   Container  34  differs in that its ledge is in the form of an alcove  36 . Also, container  34  has a locking rim  38  in the form of a small flange. A cover  40  is shown as a lid having a dependent lip designed to snap over the locking rim  38  to hold bottles  24  in place. Attached to back of container  34  is a hook  44  designed to suspend container  34  from the previously mentioned showerhead pipe. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , components identical to those previously illustrated in  FIGS. 1–3  bear the same reference numerals. Container  46  has a shape fairly similar to the previously mentioned container (container  10   FIG. 1 ) but is somewhat larger and is designed to hold six bottles  24  side-by-side. The front of container  46  has a mirror  48  that fits flush in a recess. Container  46  will also have holes similar to those previously described (holes  32  of  FIG. 3 ). 
   Container  46  has a molded cantilevered ledge  50  with a curved, sloping upper surface. Hinged to the rear upper edge of container  46  is a cover  52  having a latch  54  designed to snap cover  52  closed on container  46 . A strap  58  is looped through a pair of holes  56  on cover  52 . Strap  58  is designed to suspend container  46  on a showerhead pipe. 
   To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing apparatus, its operation will be briefly described in connection with the embodiment of  FIGS. 1–3 . It will be appreciated that the operation of the other embodiments will be similar. With the cover  14  removed as shown in  FIG. 1 , each of the bottles  24  can be opened by unscrewing its pumping head  26  (head pointing up) in order to fill the bottle with an appropriate toiletry, such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash or gel, shaving cream, toothpaste, hand or facial lotion, after shave, etc. Thereafter, the pumping head  26  can be screwed back in place and the bottles  24  placed inside container  10  with pumping heads  26  projecting down through the lower openings  32  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Cover  14  can then be slid into slots  16  to clamp bottles  24  in place. 
   If the user is planning to travel, the plungers  28  can be rotated to close the pumping heads  26 . This allows the pack to be conveniently stored in luggage without substantial risk of leakage. When the traveler wishes to use the pack, plungers  26  are then rotated back into the operative position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The strap  22  may then be used to suspend container  10  on showerhead pipe P. Suction cups  20  can provide additional stability by holding container  10  securely against the wall of a shower stall. 
   Referring to the hand H of  FIG. 2 , the user may now place a thumb on ledge  12 A and one or more other fingers under plunger  28 . By lifting these other fingers plunger  28  is depressed so that the fluid inside the associated bottle  24  is dispensed through nozzle  30  onto the user&#39;s fingers. The upward pressure on plunger  28  from these fingers is counteracted by the downward thumb pressure on ledge  12 A so that container  10  essentially stays fixed in place. The mirror  18  can be used at any time before, during, or after operation of pumping head  26 . 
   When the container  10  and its contents are no longer needed in a shower, the pack can be stored as an organized group of toiletries, for example in the user&#39;s luggage. Because the various bottles  24  are kept together, they remain organized and are easily found when needed during a shower or any other time. 
   It is appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described, preferred embodiment. In some embodiments the foregoing containers can have a plan that is circular, oval, polygonal, etc. Also, the bottles may have an outline that is circular, oval, polygonal, etc. Additionally, the inside of the container may have appropriate ridges, dividing walls or channels designed to embrace the bottles and keep them in position. Also, two, three or any greater number of bottles may be employed and the container will be sized accordingly. Furthermore, container may at times have less than the maximum number of bottles that will fit. Additionally, various types of alternate pumps can be used and in some cases the bottles will be installed in holes in the container floor before screwing the pump heads onto the bottles. Moreover, the hanger for suspending the pack on a showerhead pipe may attach to different parts of the container, and in some cases may be in the form of a wireframe, a basket, a shelf, etc. In addition, the openings in the floor of the container may have various shapes or be combined into one long opening through which all the pump heads project. 
   Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.