US20150265019A1

US20150265019A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: US20150265019A1
Application number: US14/661,270
Authority: US
Inventors: Deidre L. Niedzwiecki; Thomas R. Niedzwiecki; James T. Wilkinson
Original assignee: Tnd Holdings Inc
Current assignee: Tnd Holdings Inc
Priority date: 2014-03-18
Filing date: 2015-03-18
Publication date: 2015-09-24

Abstract

A container for containing personal hygiene items includes a pair of mating clamshell halves coupled together to form a space inside when mated together. The container includes a tray shaped and sized to fit within the space and able to be disposed therein. The tray includes a top filling cavity bounded on a front-side by a cage wall extending below a bottom surface of the cavity such that the cage wall and the bottom surface of the cavity form an enclosed space together with an inside surface of one of the clamshell halves when the tray is disposed therein. The container includes an arm extending from the tray to a collar that is rotatably coupled about a hinge coupling the mating clamshell halves together. The container material includes anti-bacterial material. The container includes a fluid dispensing container disposed in the cavity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims priority, under 35 U.S.C. §120, to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/955,022 to Niedzwiecki et al. filed on Mar. 18, 2014, which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to containers, specifically a compact shower hygiene kit.
2. Description of the Related Art
A soap dispenser is a device that, when manipulated or triggered appropriately, yields soap (usually in small, single-use quantities). It may be manually operated by means of a handle, or may be automatic. Soap dispensers are often found in restrooms. The design of a manual soap dispenser is generally determined by whether the soap comes in liquid, powder, or foam form. When soap is dispensed in liquid form, it is generally in a squeeze bottle or pump. The most popular soap dispensers of this type are plastic pump bottles, many of which are disposable.
Dispensers of powder soaps, such as borax, often take the form of a metal box with a weighted lever; when the lever is pressed, a handful of soap is released. Manual dispensers of foam soap often consist of a large button which squeezes the foam out of a tube. Many liquid soap dispensers operate in this way as well. A few dispensers operate with a lever that pulls forward and squeezes the soap out. 99% of manual foam soap dispensers have the soap in a bladder in the dispenser in liquid form, as the pump is pressed the liquid soap is pushed through a small foaming nozzle which foams the soap.
Some improvements have been made in the field. Examples of references related to the present invention are described below in their own words, and the supporting teachings of each reference are incorporated by reference herein:
U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,027, issued to Law et al., discloses dispensers, and particularly automatic dispensers, and even more particularly, automatic soap dispensers for dispensing a foamed soap or another cleaning or antibacterial substance to a user's hands. The dispensers provide an internal working system that allows soap or foam to be dispensed from an inverted bottle via movement of an actuator.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,075, issued to Simkins, discloses a personal squeeze bottle dispenser has a clamshell housing adapted to receive a squeeze bottle having a push/pull dispensing valve. A slide mechanism is received within the housing and has a collar at one end engaging the push/pull valve, and a spring at the other end to effect automatic return of the slide mechanism upon termination of a dispensing cycle. The spring biases the push/pull valve to the closed position. The clamshell housing is configured with an opening for a thumb pad of the slid mechanism to achieve opening of the push/pull valve and accommodating pressure upon the squeeze bottle. An opening on the backside of the housing, opposite the thumb pad, is also provided to allow the user's fingers to access the squeeze bottle for the application of dispensing force.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,005, issued to McMahan, discloses a soap dispensing shower unit includes a base member which has plural shower head unit supporting members and plural soap container supporting members. Several soap supply containers are held by the soap container supporting members, and plural shower head units are held by the shower head unit supporting members. A soap dispensing shower head is included with the shower unit. This shower head includes a support with a shower head detachably fit to one end and a water supply pipe connector at the other end. A valve arrangement is provided with the support. This valve arrangement includes a soap supply line, a soap valve, a water supply line, a water valve and a junction where the soap supply line and the water supply line merge together. The soap valve and water valve may be selectively activated to supply soap only, water only, or a mixture of soap and water. Liquid soap is fed from the supply container to the soap supply line by a venturi feed arrangement or by a gravity feed arrangement. The support of the shower head may be in the form of a hand grip, wherein the valve arrangement is provided in the hand grip. The soap supply container may be provided at least partially in the hand grip.
The inventions heretofore known suffer from a number of disadvantages which include, but not limited to, being unsafe, being harsh to the environment; being bulky; being limited in use; being limited in application; being non-airtight; being expensive; failing to prevent luggage/clothes/washcloths/etc. from being exposed to soap/shampoo/cleaner/toothpaste/etc.; being difficult to store; being difficult to travel with; not having enough storage space inside; not preventing bacteria growth; not being customizable; and/or being limited in application to just one of touring, camping, hiking, or home use.
What is needed is a container that solves one or more of the problems described herein and/or one or more problems that may come to the attention of one skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available containers. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a compact and portable personal hygiene shower kit.
According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a container or kit for containing personal hygiene items that may include a pair of mating clamshell halves that may be coupled together and form a space inside when mated together. The container or kit may include a tray that may be shaped and sized to fit within the space and may be able to be disposed therein. The tray may include a top filling cavity that may be bounded on a front-side by a cage wall that may be extending below a bottom surface of the cavity such that the cage wall and the bottom surface of the cavity may form an enclosed space together with an inside surface of one of the clamshell halves when the tray is disposed therein.
The container or kit may include an arm that may be extending from the tray to a collar that may be rotatably coupled about a hinge that may be coupling the mating clamshell halves together. The container or kit may include a plurality of cavities. The container material may include anti-bacterial material. The container or kit may include a loofah that may be disposed in the clamshell half, opposite of the tray. The container or kit may include a fluid dispensing container that may be disposed in the cavity. The container or kit may include a gasket disposed about a mating perimeter of at least of the clamshell halves. The container may include a plurality of support ribs that may be disposed along a surface of one of the clamshell halves. The container may include a clip that may be selectably coupleable to the tray, configured to secure the tray within an interior of a clamshell half.
Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.
These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order for the advantages of the invention to be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawing(s). It is noted that the drawings of the invention are not to scale. The drawings are mere schematics representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Understanding that these drawing(s) depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing(s), in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a container, in an open mode, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a container, in an open mode, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a container, in an open mode, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a kit, in an open mode, according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a container, in a closed mode, according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a partial view of a hinge of a container according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawing(s), and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” an “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or combinations thereof described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases an “embodiment,” an “example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, to different embodiments, or to one or more of the figures. Additionally, reference to the wording “embodiment,” “example” or the like, for two or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features are necessarily related, dissimilar, the same, etc.
Each statement of an embodiment, or example, is to be considered independent of any other statement of an embodiment despite any use of similar or identical language characterizing each embodiment. Therefore, where one embodiment is identified as “another embodiment,” the identified embodiment is independent of any other embodiments characterized by the language “another embodiment.” The features, functions, and the like described herein are considered to be able to be combined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or art may direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.
As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “is,” “are,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising” is to be interpreted as including the more restrictive terms “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of.”
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a container, in an open mode, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a container 10 including a pair of mating clamshell halves 12, and a tray 16 disposed therein.
The illustrated container 10 is for containing personal hygiene items. The container is portable and is made of anti-bacterial material. The container 10 includes a pair of mating clamshell halves 12 coupled together to form a space 14 inside when mated together. The pair of mating clamshell halves create an enclosure to store personal hygiene items therein. The enclosure may be air-impermeable. The container 10 includes a tray 16 shaped and sized to fit within the space 14 and is able to be disposed therein. The tray 16 includes a top filling cavity/receptacle 18 bounded on a front-side by a cage wall 20 extending below a bottom surface 22 of the cavity 18 such that the cage wall 20 and the bottom surface 22 of the cavity 18 form an enclosed space together with an inside surface 24 of one of the clamshell halves 12 when the tray 16 is disposed therein.
The illustrated container 10 includes an arm 26 extending from the tray 16 to a collar 28 rotatably coupled about a hinge 30 that couples the mating clamshell halves 12 together. The arm 26 and collar 28 are more fully described in FIG. 6 below. The illustrated container 10 includes a plurality of cavities. The container 10 includes a fluid dispensing container 32 disposed in the cavity 18. The container 10 may include a plurality of fluid dispensing containers 32 disposed in the plurality of cavities 18. The fluid dispensing container 32 are reuseable and refillable with personal hygiene products. The container 10 includes a gasket 34 disposed about a mating perimeter of at least one of the clamshell halves 12. The gasket 34 is configured to expel air from within the space 14, when the container 10 is in a closed mode, thereby providing a safe and sanitary enclosure for the personal hygiene items to be disposed therein.
The illustrated container 10 includes a plurality of support ribs 36 disposed along a surface of one or both of the clamshell halves 12. The supporting ribs 36 is configured to support the structure of the clamshell halves 12, thereby protecting the space 14 and the items disposed therein. The container 10 includes a clip 38 selectably coupleable to the tray 16, configured to secure the tray 16 within an interior of a clamshell half 12, thereby securing the fluid dispensing containers 18 within the space 14.
According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a shower container/kit 10 including a pair of shell structures 12 forming a clamshell in cooperation together, a support structure 36, a gasket 34, a tray 16, a space 14, a storage region opposite the dispenser support and sized and configured to store a loofah or similar article; and a plurality of dispensing containers 32.
The illustrated shower container 10 is configured to be used to store personal hygiene items for use in a shower or bathroom. The shower container 10 is configured to be used for home and travel usage. The shower container 10 includes a pair of clamshells halves 12 configured to store and protect the contents of the shower container 10. The clamshell halves 12 are formed by a rigid material configured to retain a shell shape.
The shower container 10 includes a support structure 36 coupled to an interior of the clamshell halves 12 and configured to provide a support structure for the contents of the shell. The support structure 36 includes a rigid material configured to retain a shell exoskeleton shape and/or may be functionally coupled to (thus supporting) one or more of an anti-microbial liner, one or more internal containers (e.g. plastic bottles, etc.), and/or the support structure may form a hinge or a portion thereof. It may be that the shell, due to its characteristics (e.g. thickness, rigidity of the material thereof, etc.) may sufficiently retain its own shape during use and may not need any other support structure(s) to accomplish the same.
The shower container 10 includes a tray 16 for supporting dispensers disposed within the clamshell halves 12 and may be coupled to the support structure or may be independently coupled to the hinge, thereby able to move freely from the support structure 38. The illustrated tray 16 is configured to store a plurality of dispensers. The tray 16 and/or interior of the shell includes anti-bacterial material, such as but not limited to bamboo fibers, colloidal silver, anti-microbial gel, and etc., configured to provide a germ-free structure. The tray 16 may be shaped to secure and support a loofah or sponge. The shower container 10 may include a pair of dispenser supports, each disposed within the shell, on opposite sides of the shell, and coupled to the support structure. The clamshell halves 12 includes a gasket 34 or support ring disposed about the edges of the shell that come into contact when closed that is shaped, sized and positioned to provide an air-tight seal when the shell is closed. The gasket 34 or support ring is configured to be disposed on a top lip of each half shell. The clamshell halves 12 includes a hinge 30 configured to hinge open and close the half shells for storage or use. The tray 16 may be a support netting or cage wall 20 configured to store a personal hygiene item.
According to one embodiment of the invention, there is an airtight water resistant compact travel container 10 for personal soap/shampoo/liquid and toiletry items. It is a green product including an anti-microbial liner. The container 10 is self-contained with pre-empty bottles and pumps. The pumps may be selectably lockable. The container 10 includes a net barrier or tray 16 to carry additional items, including but not limited to net loofahs. The container 10 opens and closes by a built-in hinge and clasp. The container 10 includes a gasket/seal around the perimeter that when the clamshell container is closed, the gasket seal creates an airtight seal. The clamshell container 10 may be plastic and decorative. The bottles or fluid dispensing containers 32 may be clip-in and may clip in multiple bottles at a time. The anti-microbial liner includes bamboo fibers and is attached to the case with clips (not glue). There may be two cages, one for each side, to hold in the materials (bottle and liners and etc.). There is a plastic clip-in barrier that runs across the dispensing containers 32, half the height of the shell that leaves an empty space under the dispensing containers for additional storage. There is a flat surface on both sides of the clamshell that it may lay on.
According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a combination of soap dispenser and loofah holder in a clamshell case/container. The case/container includes antimicrobial netting in a compact storage case/container. The illustrated netting or cage may use bamboo fibers in the liner.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the clamshell structures are mirror images of each other, so that only one tool or manufacturing process is needed to produce both halves. The shell structures join together with a snap together hinge and may be easily separated for cleaning as well. The snap hinge is designed for one half to snap onto the other half. An example of a snap together hinge may be, but not limited to a piano hinge; wherein one half snaps onto the other and which is split at the center so the two ends are mirror images of each other.
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a container, in an open mode, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a container 10 including a pair of mating clamshell halves coupled together by a hinge 30 and including a tray 16 disposed therein.
The illustrated container 10 is for containing personal hygiene items. The container is portable and is made of anti-bacterial material. The container 10 includes a pair of mating clamshell halves 12 coupled together to form a space 14 inside when mated together. The container 10 includes a tray 16 shaped and sized to fit within the space 14 and is able to be disposed therein. The tray 16 includes a top filling cavity bounded on a front-side by a cage wall 20 extending below a bottom surface 22 of the cavity such that the cage wall 20 and the bottom surface 22 of the cavity form an enclosed space together with an inside surface 24 of one of the clamshell halves 12 when the tray 16 is disposed therein. The cage wall 20 and the interior of the clamshell halves 12 includes anti-bacterial material, thereby providing a sanitary storage region for personal hygiene items.
The illustrated container 10 includes an arm 26 extending from the tray 16 to a collar 28 rotatably coupled about a hinge 30 coupling the mating clamshell halves 12 together. The container 10 includes a plurality of cavities. The container 10 includes a gasket 34 disposed about a mating perimeter of at least one of the clamshell halves 12. The illustrated gasket 34 includes a release valve to release excess air disposed within the space 14 when the container 10 is in a closed mode. The container 10 includes a clip 38 selectably coupleable to the tray 16, configured to secure the tray 16 within an interior of a clamshell half 12.
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a container, in an open mode, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a container 10 including a pair of clamshell halves 12 coupled together and having a tray 16 configured to be disposed within the clamshell halves 12.
The illustrated container 10 is for containing personal hygiene items. The container is portable and is made of anti-bacterial material. The container 10 includes a pair of mating clamshell halves 12 coupled together to form a space 14 inside when mated together. The pair of mating clamshell halves create an enclosure to store personal hygiene items therein. The enclosure may be air-impermeable. The container 10 includes a tray 16 shaped and sized to fit within the space 14 and is able to be disposed therein. The illustrated tray 16 is also sized and shaped to fit within one of the supporting ribs 36. The tray 16 includes a top filling cavity 18 bounded on a front-side by a cage wall 20 extending below a bottom surface 22 of the cavity 18 such that the cage wall 20 and the bottom surface 22 of the cavity 18 form an enclosed space together with an inside surface 24 of one of the clamshell halves 12 when the tray 16 is disposed therein.
The illustrated container 10 includes an arm 26 extending from the tray 16 to a collar 28 rotatably coupled about a hinge coupling the mating clamshell halves 12 together. The container 10 includes a plurality of cavities. The container 10 includes a gasket 34 disposed about a mating perimeter of at least one of the clamshell halves 12. The container 10 includes a plurality of support ribs 36 disposed along a surface of one of the clamshell halves. The supporting ribs 36 is configured to support the structure of the clamshell halves 12, thereby protecting the space 14 and the items disposed therein. The container 10 includes a clip 38 selectably coupleable to the tray 16, configured to secure the tray 16 within an interior of a clamshell half 12.
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a kit, in an open mode, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a kit 40 including a container 10 having a pair of mating clamshell halves 12 coupled together and configured to support a tray 16 for supporting a plurality of fluid dispensing containers 32 and a loofah 50.
The illustrated kit 40 is for containing personal hygiene items. The kit 40 includes a container 10 that is portable and is made of anti-bacterial material. The container 10 includes a pair of mating clamshell halves 12 coupled together to form a space 14 inside when mated together. The pair of mating clamshell halves create an enclosure to store personal hygiene items therein. The enclosure may be air-impermeable. The container 10 includes a tray 16 shaped and sized to fit within the space 14 and is able to be disposed therein. The tray 16 includes a top filling cavity 18 bounded on a front-side by a cage wall 20 extending below a bottom surface of the cavity 18 such that the cage wall 20 and the bottom surface of the cavity 18 form an enclosed space together with an inside surface 24 of one of the clamshell halves 12 when the tray 16 is disposed therein.
The illustrated container 10 includes an arm 26 extending from the tray 16 to a collar 28 rotatably coupled about a hinge 30 coupling the mating clamshell halves 12 together. The container 10 includes a plurality of cavities. The container 10 includes a loofah 50 disposed in the clamshell half 12, opposite of the tray 16. The container 10 includes a fluid dispensing container 32 disposed in the cavity 18. The container 10 includes a gasket 34 disposed about a mating perimeter of at least one of the clamshell halves 12. The container 10 includes a plurality of support ribs 36 disposed along a surface of one of the clamshell halves. The supporting ribs 36 is configured to support the structure of the clamshell halves 12, thereby protecting the space 14 and the items disposed therein. The container 10 includes a clip 38 selectably coupleable to the tray 16, configured to secure the tray 16 within an interior of a clamshell half 12.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the shower kit is a combination of soap dispenser and loofah holder in a clamshell case/container. The kit may be configured to secure and store a plurality of hygiene items, such as but not limited to: soap dispensers, bottles, loofahs, sponges or washcloths, toothbrush and toothpaste, replace liner with another structure, wherein the structure uses glue instead of clips and materials other than plastic and bamboo. The case/container may include a suction cup or a rope to hang from shower head. The case/container includes antimicrobial netting/cage wall in a compact storage case/container, wherein the netting or cage wall may vary in the percentage of the bamboo fabric. The clamshell halves 12 may include flattened regions whereby a user may place the shell on a surface such that the flattened surface allows the shell to rest thereon without rocking or shifting.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the shower kit is configured to keep luggage and clothes from getting soapy; keep luggage and clothes from getting wet; keep the loofah from getting dirty or sticky. The shower kit is configured to allow a user to use their own personal hygiene products. The shower kit takes up less space in storage or transportation. The shower kit is configured to protect users from infections or bacteria from loofahs. The shower kit is configured to provide additional storage for other personal items during travel. The shower kit is configured to keep materials germ free. The shower kit is configured to keep surrounding materials safe from moisture and soap explosions. The shower kit is configured to allow a user to customize what the user brings during travel. The shower kit is configured to be used for camping/hiking, not just for touring and traveling in hotels or abroad. The shower kit may be a kit provided by the hotel to guests.
Advantageously, the illustrated shower kit prevents accidental “soap explosions” that sometimes occur during travel from soiling clothing in luggage with soap and/or other liquids. Further, the traveler is able to customize the contents of their dispensers to include the personal care products that they prefer to use instead of those provided by a hotel. Additionally, the kit is much more resistant to bacteria growth even though fluid may be retained within the device during travel. Accordingly, the user is provided with a safer and more customized experience free from the disasters that can occur, especially when traveling between places having substantially different air pressures and/or altitudes.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the shower kit is configured to provide an anti-microbial fabric inside the shell structures. This is a stretchy fabric like a fleece or possibly formed to fit inside the shell structure like a felt. The inside is lined with this fabric to absorb water from dripping out into the suitcase while preventing the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria while wet.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the shower kit includes a holding frame. The holding frame is a designed mirror image so while holding the stretchy fabric in place, only one tool is needed to make both halves of the holding frame. The frame snaps onto a hinge and then snaps into place on the shell structure so that the anti-microbial fabric may be removed for cleaning or replacement.
According to one embodiment of the invention, there is a shower kit including a pair of shell structures, wherein each shell includes a gasket material over molded into the edge to seal the shower kit from leaking liquids into the suitcase. The shower kit includes a dispenser support configured to be snapped onto the shell structure or frame for holding bottles with pumps and for retaining other personal items such as a shaver, a foot file, or other personal items.
FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a container, in a closed mode, according to one embodiment of the invention. There is shown a container 10 including a pair of mating clamshell halves 12.
The illustrated container 10 is for containing personal hygiene items. The container is portable and is made of anti-bacterial material. The container 10 includes a pair of mating clamshell halves 12 coupled together to form a space inside when mated together. The pair of mating clamshell halves create an enclosure to store personal hygiene items therein. The enclosure may be air-impermeable. The illustrated gasket 34 includes a release valve to release excess air disposed within the container 10, when the container 10 is in a closed mode 52.
FIG. 6 is a partial view of a hinge of a container according to one embodiment of the invention. There is a hinge 30 that couples mating clamshell halves together.
The hinge functions to permit the clamshell halves to open and close and also permits the tray to swing outwardly from being nested within one of the clamshell halves. In particular, there is an arm 26 extending from the tray 16 to a collar 28 rotatably coupled about a hinge 30 that couples the mating clamshell halves together (See FIG. 1). The collar may be toroidal (donut-shaped) and may be a solid toroid or may include a cut or missing section therethrough such that the collar may be selectably coupled/decoupled from the hinge 30 as desired.
The region of the hinge 30 where the collar 28 couples to the hinge 30 is inset so that an exterior surface of the collar is flush with an exterior surface of the rest of the hinge. Accordingly, such a region may appear to be barbell-shaped or otherwise have a narrow middle region flanked by wider regions that define the boundaries of the inset portion.
When desired, the tray may be disengaged from the shell into which it is nested (e.g. by disengaging the clip 38, See FIG. 1), and then swung outwardly therefrom rotating with respect to the hinge by operation of the collar 28 and arm 26. In this manner, the space beneath the receptacles but behind the cage wall may be accessed while the tray is still supported by the structure of the container.
It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
It is understood that the above-described embodiments are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiment is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
For example, although the figures illustrate a tray having three identical receptacles, the receptacles of the tray may be heterogeneous.
Additionally, although the figures illustrate symmetrically shaped shells, it may be that one shell is deeper or otherwise has a larger internal volume than the other shell.
It is expected that there could be numerous variations of the design/structure of this invention. The following are non-limiting examples of variations of features, characteristics, structures, functions and the like of non-limiting embodiments of the invention:

- variations in size and/or relative sizing of the variously described and/or illustrated parts;
- wherein there is an integral soap dispenser integral to one or more of the clamshell case and/or the dispenser support;
- variation in the number and/or size/relative sizes of dispenser bottles;
- variation on the types of dispenser bottles (e.g. spray bottles, pressurized bottles, lotion dispensers, shampoo dispensers, powdered talcum dispensers, makeup dispensers);
- the storage spacing in the clamshell may hold one or more loofahs, sponges, washcloths and/or other similar devices which may be coupled to the shell and/or support structure by a cable, cord, rubber band, tie, etc.;
- the clamshell may be structured to open about a middle of the device (e.g. like double doors);
- there may be dedicated space for a toothbrush and/or toothpaste replace liner with another structure such as but not limited to including one or more clips, supports, baskets or the like or combinations thereof shaped and sized to support/contain a toothbrush and/or toothpaste dispenser; and/or
- structures described herein may be coupled to each other using one or more of glue, clips, friction fittings, snaps, belts, buckles, hooks, hook and loop structures, fasteners, screws, nails, staples and the like and combinations thereof.

Finally, it is envisioned that the components of the device may be constructed of a variety of materials, including but not limited to plastic, resins, rubbers, fibers, natural fibers (e.g. bamboo), metals, ceramics, composites and the like and combinations thereof.
Thus, while the present invention has been fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made, without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims. Further, it is contemplated that an embodiment may be limited to consist of or to consist essentially of one or more of the features, functions, structures, methods described herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container for containing personal hygiene items, comprising:

a) a pair of mating clamshell halves coupled together and forming a space inside when mated together; and

b) a tray shaped and sized to fit within the space and able to be disposed therein, including a top filling cavity bounded on a front-side by a cage wall extending below a bottom surface of the cavity such that the cage wall and the bottom surface of the cavity form an enclosed space together with an inside surface of one of the clamshell halves when the tray is disposed therein.

2. The container of claim 1, further comprising an arm extending from the tray to a collar rotatably coupled about a hinge coupling the mating clamshell halves together.

3. The container of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cavities.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the container material includes anti-bacterial material.

5. The container of claim 1, further comprising a loofah disposed in the clamshell half, opposite of the tray.

6. The container of claim 1, further comprising a fluid dispensing container disposed in the cavity.

7. The container of claim 1, further comprising a gasket disposed about a mating perimeter of at least of the clamshell halves.

8. The container of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of support ribs disposed along a surface of one of the clamshell halves.

9. The container of claim 1, further comprising a clip selectably coupleable to the tray, configured to secure the tray within an interior of a clamshell half.

10. A kit for containing personal hygiene items, comprising:

a) a container having a pair of mating clamshell halves coupled together and forming a space inside when mated together;

b) a tray shaped and sized to fit within the space and able to be disposed therein, including a top filling cavity bounded on a front-side by a cage wall extending below a bottom surface of the cavity such that the cage wall and the bottom surface of the cavity form an enclosed space together with an inside surface of one of the clamshell halves when the tray is disposed therein;

c) a fluid dispensing container disposed in the cavity; and

d) a gasket disposed about a mating perimeter of at least of the clamshell halves.

11. The kit of claim 10, further comprising an arm extending from the tray to a collar rotatably coupled about a hinge coupling the mating clamshell halves together.

12. The kit of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of cavities.

13. The kit of claim 12, wherein the container material includes anti-bacterial material.

14. The kit of claim 13, further comprising a loofah disposed in the clamshell half, opposite of the tray.

15. The kit of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of support ribs disposed along a surface of one of the clamshell halves.

16. The kit of claim 15, further comprising a clip selectably coupleable to the tray, configured to secure the tray within an interior of a clamshell half.

17. A container for containing personal hygiene items, comprising:

a) a pair of mating clamshell halves coupled together and forming a space inside when mated together;

c) an arm extending from the tray to a collar rotatably coupled about a hinge coupling the mating clamshell halves together;

d) a plurality of cavities; wherein the container material includes anti-bacterial material;

e) a loofah disposed in the clamshell half, opposite of the tray;

f) a fluid dispensing container disposed in the cavity;

g) a gasket disposed about a mating perimeter of at least of the clamshell halves;

h) a plurality of support ribs disposed along a surface of one of the clamshell halves; and

i) a clip selectably coupleable to the tray, configured to secure the tray within an interior of a clamshell half.