Abstract:
A crush resistant container for receiving catamenial related products, the container being adapted to waterproofably seal the products therein, thereby providing active women more freedom and flexibility in their everyday affairs, so that they are no longer tied down to their purses, backpacks, briefcases, and the like.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates generally to the field of catamenial related product containers and, more particularly, to a waterproof, crush resistant container for storing and transporting multiple catamenial required products in a safe, convenient, orderly environment.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND THE PRIOR ART  
       [0002]     During menses, women typically carry many items with them for sanitary and health purposes. These items can include tampons for protection, feminine wipes for sanitary purposes, and pharmaceuticals for the relief of catamenial related maladies. Many women carry these catamenial related products in their purses, briefcases, or pockets where they can easily become damaged and rendered unusable, or misplaced. Occasionally, women will not take the products with them because there is no convenient or safe way to store them. This can lead to embarrassment if the situation arises that the products are needed.  
         [0003]     The problems are compounded in the case of active women. Active women have the additional worry that required items will become soiled or ruined by exposure to water, snow, sleet, dirt, or any number of other environmental conditions. Also, storage space is often at a premium when an individual is camping or participating in water sports such as rafting, canoeing, sailing, or swimming or in other outdoor activities like biking or hiking.  
         [0004]     Over the years, several methods and apparatuses have been proposed to provide means of carrying catamenial related items. For example, a wallet-like carrying case having a pocket therein for the insertion of catamenial related products is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,639 to Murphy. However, the case is essentially flat, does not provide crush resistance for the product held therein, and is intended to disguise the catamenial related product from the general view of the public.  
         [0005]     Another carrying case is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,620 to Barabino. This multi-compartmental carrying case includes a partition to separate catamenial related products from more frequently accessed items such as cosmetics. Again, a product held within the separated storage area is susceptible to being crushed as the device is not crush resistant.  
         [0006]     Both of these prior art examples, while illustrating the need for catamenial storage and transporting devices, do not offer crush resistant protection nor are they waterproof.  
         [0007]     A further advance in the art field is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,386 to Morrow. This device is essentially a two-piece plastic tube with closed ends. However, it takes on the size and shape of a tampon and must be carried within a purse, briefcase, or pocket purse. Additionally, such a container makes no provision for other catamenial related products such as moistened towelettes or pharmaceuticals.  
         [0008]     The unifying feature of the prior art is that they all relate to devices that discreetly enable a women to carry catamenial related products. However, women are increasingly finding that it is not embarrassing to carry catamenial related products in public. Additionally, women are also becoming more active in extracurricular activities; activities that require they carry catamenial related products in a manner appropriate to the activity. Oftentimes this means they need the ability to store many items in clean, crush resistant, convenient, and waterproof manner. Therefore, a new and improved technology is needed to provide active women more freedom and flexibility in their everyday affairs, so that they are no longer tied down to their purses, backpacks, briefcases, and the like. The present invention meets this need.  
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
       [0009]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a watertight container for catamenial related products.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a crush resistant container for catamenial related products.  
         [0011]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a portable container for catamenial related products.  
         [0012]     It is still yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable container for simultaneously storing many different types of catamenial related products.  
         [0013]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable container for catamenial related products specially suited for active women.  
         [0014]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable container for catamenial related products that can be affixed to clothing, belts, belt loops, necklaces, key chains, backpacks, or the like, in order to allow active women more freedom and flexibility in their everyday affairs.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     The present invention therefore relates to a new and improved storage and transport apparatus for multiple catamenial related products, specially suited for active women. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved portable, crush resistant and watertight closure for such products. In this respect, before explaining the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The present invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0016]     There has been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the invention.  
         [0017]     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0018]     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the present invention in any way.  
         [0019]     These together with other objects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the present invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  is a view of the preferred container.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a view of an exploded perspective of container.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3   a  is a view along line  3   a - 3   a  in  FIG. 1  showing a tampon being enclosed within first chamber A.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3   b  is a view along line  3   b - 3   b  in  FIG. 2  showing the enclosed end of body.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is a view along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1  showing pharmaceuticals being enclosed within second chamber B and feminine wipes being enclosed within third chamber C.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a view along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4  further showing the partition being positioned between second chamber B and third chamber C.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a view of an alternative embodiment of container where the receptive member is positioned along body.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a view of an alternative embodiment of container where the body is formed in generally a triangular shape.  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a view along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7  showing pharmaceuticals being enclosed within alternative second chamber B′ and feminine wipes being enclosed within alternative third chamber C′.  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a view along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 7  showing tampons being enclosed within alternative first chamber A′.  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  illustrates a prepackaged moistened towelette designed to fit in the second compartment or the third compartment of the container base.  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  illustrates a moistened towelette separated from the packaging and in an open position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0032]      FIG. 1  is a view of the preferred container  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the container  10  has a body  12 . Although the shape of body  12  in the preferred embodiment is generally cylindrical, body  12  can take on many different shapes. For example, an alternative generally triangular body  62  is shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0033]     In the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a first cap  14  and second cap  16  are removably attached to body  12 . First cap  14  has a receptive member  18  attached, which permits attachment of container  10  to clothing, belts, belt loops, necklaces, key chains, backpacks, or the like, in order to allow active women more freedom and flexibility in their everyday affairs. Receptive member  18  is preferably formed along the top edge  17  of first cap  14  and has an aperture  19  which permits a keychain, swivel snap, or the like to pass there through. However, those in the art would readily understand that the receptive member  18  can be any type of mechanism that permits attachment to clothing, belts, belt loops, necklaces, key chains, backpacks, or the like. Alternatively, the receptive member  18  may be placed anywhere along container  10 , as long as such placement permits active women more freedom and flexibility. For example, an alternative embodiment is shown in  FIG. 6  where receptive member  58  is placed along body  12 . Also shown in  FIG. 1 , the preferred body  12  has a surface print  26 , which enables the addition of various indicia. In the alternative, body  12  may have a surface for receiving stickers  28 , and the like, as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a view of an exploded perspective of the preferred embodiment of container  10 . The body  12  has a first fastening end  22  and a second fastening end  24 . The first fastening end  22  removably attaches to cap  14  and second fastening end  24  removably attaches to cap  16 . The removable attachments between cap  14  and end  22 , and cap  16  and end  24  and cap  16  can be any attachment that provides a watertight seal. In the preferred embodiment, the end  22  may have male threads and attach to female threads on the cap  14 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . A threaded connection allows the cap  14  to be repeatedly removed and replaced. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, a first ring  32  is provided to further ensure a watertight seal between cap  14  and end  22 . Likewise, in the preferred embodiment, end  24  may have female threads and attach to male threads on the cap  16 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . A threaded connection allows the cap  16  to be repeatedly removed and replaced. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, a second ring  34  is provided to further ensure a watertight seal between cap  16  and end  24 . Those in the art would understand that the male and female arrangement can be interchanged between the respective ends  22 ,  24  and caps  14 ,  16 .  
         [0035]     In the alternative, those in the art would understand that many different closures that provide a watertight seal between the respective ends  22 ,  24  and caps  14 ,  16  may be utilized. For example, a frictional closure may be utilized in an alternative embodiment to secure cap  14  to end  22  and cap  16  to end  24 . Friction between the respective caps  14  and  16  and ends  22  and  24  may be sufficient to retain the watertight seal without the aid of threads. The first end  22  and the cap  14  may be configured to form there between a watertight seal when the cap  14  is in the closed position with respect to the body  12 . To achieve this end, the first end  22  may be formed as an angled, annular surface that can be described as having a truncated conical shape. The presence of this angled, annular surface will, when the cap  14  is pressed there against, form a pressurized circular area of contact that will optimize sealing between the first end  22  and the cap  14 . Those in the art will understand that a similar arrangement may be had between the second end  24  and cap  16 . Another alternative embodiment would provide a circumferential ridge and groove arrangement used so that the caps  14  and  16  snap into place to the respective ends  22  and  24 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 3   a  is a view along line  3   a - 3   a  in  FIG. 1  showing a tampon  11  being enclosed within first chamber A. While one tampon is shown for illustration purposes, it is to be understood that any number of tampons can be stored in chamber A. The first chamber A is defined by the inner wall  36  of body  12 , which in the preferred embodiment is generally cylindrical in shape. In the preferred embodiment, the body  12 , cap  16  and cap  18  are preferably made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The preferred embodiment utilizes ABS because the material is an easily machined, tough, low cost rigid thermoplastic material with high impact strength. However, those in the art would readily understand the materials to be utilized for constructing container  10  can be any material that protects the contents of container  10  from crushing. Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, the first ring  32  and second ring  34  are preferably made of rubber; however any material may be utilized that aids in creating a watertight seal. As the preferred embodiment in shown in  FIG. 3   a , ring  32  aids in creating a watertight seal between first fastening end  22  and first cap fastening end  42 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 3   b  is a view along line  3   b - 3   b  in  FIG. 2  showing the enclosed end  38  of the body  12 . The enclosed end  38  permits separation of first chamber A, shown in  FIG. 3   a , from second chamber B and third chamber C, shown in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a view along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1  showing pharmaceuticals  13  being enclosed within second chamber B and feminine wipes  15  being enclosed within third chamber C. As shown in  FIG. 4 , second chamber B is defined generally by second cap inner wall  39  and the first partition surface  52  of partition  50 . Second chamber B is preferably shaped to accommodate receiving pharmaceuticals, feminine wipes or other catamenial related products. Also shown in  FIG. 4  is third chamber C, which is generally defined by second cap inner wall  39  and second partition surface  54  of partition  50 . Third chamber C is also preferably shaped to accommodate receiving pharmaceuticals, feminine wipes or other catamenial related products. As shown in  FIG. 4 , second ring  34  aids in providing a watertight seal between second cap fastening end  44  and second fastening end  24 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 5  is a view along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4  further illustrating the partition  50  separating second chamber B from third chamber C, where second chamber B is defined generally as the area between the first partition surface  52  and inner surface  39 , and where third chamber C is defined generally as the area between second partition surface  54  and inner surface  39 .  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , alternative container  10  is illustrated where the receptive member  58  is positioned along body  12 . The receptive member  58  may be positioned anywhere along body  12 , cap  14  or cap  16 , and the receptive member  58  has an aperture  59 , capable of receiving clothing, necklaces, swivel snap clips, key chains, backpacks, or the like, in order to allow active women more freedom and flexibility in their everyday affairs. However, as stated above, the receptive member  58  can be any type of mechanism that permits attachment to clothing, necklaces, key chains, backpacks, or the like. Also illustrated are stickers  28  placed on body  12 , which provides an additional decorative aspect of container  10 .  
         [0040]     Alternative embodiments of container  10 , where the body  62  takes on additional shapes, allows for additional decorative aspects of container  10 . Moreover, different sized and shaped containers  10  permit all kinds of catamenial products to be placed therein. Additionally, those in the art would understand that the container  10  is not necessarily limited in the number of chambers waterproofably sealed therein, such that many different types of catamenial related products can be sealed therein. In one alternative aspect of container  10 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , the body  62  takes a generally triangular shape.  FIG. 8  is a view along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7  showing partition  70  separating pharmaceuticals  13  enclosed within alternative second chamber B′ from feminine wipes  15  enclosed within alternative third chamber C′. In this alternative embodiment, alternative second chamber B′ is defined generally as the area between the alternative first partition surface  76  and alternative second cap  66 . As well, alternative third chamber C′ is defined generally as the area between the alternative second partition surface  78  and alternative second cap  66 . Also shown in  FIG. 8 , alternative second cap  66  and alternative cap fastening end  74  of the alternative body  62  are reversibly affixed to each other, which can be affixed in many different manners as described above, forming a watertight seal there between. Chambers B′ and C′ permit many different types of catamenial products to be placed therein and is not necessarily limited to the placement of feminine wipes or pharmaceuticals.  
         [0041]     As similarly discussed above in the preferred embodiment, the alternative embodiment also has a surface (not shown in  FIG. 7 ), which separates chamber A′ from chambers B′ and C′.  FIG. 9  is a view along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 7  showing tampons  11  being enclosed within alternative first chamber A′, where chamber A′ is defined generally as the area beginning along the first cap fastening end  72  and continuing throughout the body  62 . This chamber A′ permits many different types of catamenial products to be placed therein and is not necessarily limited to the placement of tampons. Also shown in  FIG. 7  is a receptive member  68  positioned along body  12 , although the member  68  may be positioned anywhere along body  62 , cap  64  or cap  66 . Additionally, the receptive member  68  has an aperture  69  capable of receiving clothing, necklaces, key chains, backpacks, or the like, in order to allow active women more freedom and flexibility in their everyday affairs. However, as stated above, the receptive member  68  can be any type of mechanism that permits attachment to clothing, necklaces, key chains, backpacks, or the like.  
         [0042]     One of the main features of the inventive apparatus is that it enables a user to carry multiple catamenial related items in a safe, clean, and orderly manner. One item that many women find particularly helpful is a moistened towelette  15 . The wipe can be of any variety acceptable to the user but the inventor preferably contemplates a moistened towelette sized and packaged to fit in any of the chambers, A, B, or C. The inventor has developed a moistened towelette  15  ( FIG. 11 ) that is individually packaged and sized to fit within second compartment  40  or third compartment  42 . The moistened towelette  15  is housed in a sealed package  80  ( FIG. 10 ) having a first package length L 3  and a second package length L 4 . Length L 3  and length L 4  are preferably 3 cm with a range of 2.5 cm to 4 cm being acceptable. The inventor has found that this range for the package is ideally suited for use with the apparatus while at the same time enables the package to contain a moistened towelette of sufficient size to be of value yet not so large as to limit the number of moistened towelettes that can be transported at any given time. As for the moistened towelette  15 , the inventor has found that a 10 cm×10 cm size is ideal; however the wipe can range in size from 4 cm×4 cm to 12 cm×12 cm and still fit the criteria of the package  54 .  
         [0043]     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the preferred and alternative embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.