Container with chain and clip

Abstract

A light-weight, durable, compact container adapted to hold a personal product. The container is attached to a small short chain by way of an anchor. In turn, the chain is attached to a convenient connecter device such that the container is readily accessible to a user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/551,036, filed Mar. 9, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to receptacles. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a closable receptacle adapted to store personal products such as lotion, perfume, medication, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art

On many occasions a person finds it desirous to carry personal products in small quantities in a manner to be easily accessible for instant use. Heretofore such products have been transported in cavernous purses or backpacks, making retrieval therefrom time consuming and frustrating. The art would surely welcome a device for carrying personal products in a convenient and easily accessed manner.

There are many devices in the related art designed to transport small articles. Examples of these devices are cited and identified in the accompanying IDS. However, none of the cited and identified inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a compact container designed to carry an individual-size product as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a light-weight, durable, compact container adapted to hold personal products. The container is attached to a small short chain by way of an anchor. In turn, the chain is attached to a convenient user device such that the container is readily accessible. The user device can take the form of but is not limited to a personal key chain, a purse, a gym bag, a backpack, clothing, a necklace, a bracelet, a lanyard, etc. Various connector devices can be utilized to connect the chain to the user device. Devices such as parrot clips, lobster clips, lanyard hooks, split rings, spring rings, etc. would function as appropriate connectors.

Containers will be fabricated in different sizes, shapes and materials depending on the product to be held therein. The containers will be made for a variety of operations according to the product therein such as (but not limited to) a dropper for liquids, a pump and spray for liquids, flip open top for solids, ball and socket for oils, squeezable containers for gels, etc. The sizes will be small enough to be convenient and hassle-free, but large enough to hold a sufficient amount of the product to be contained therein. Products contemplated to be held in the container include, but are not limited to, lotions, body sprays, perfumes, spray deodorants, eye drops, breath fresheners, medicines, makeup, etc. Because of the various connector devices, the user can determine where and how the container will be carried. Accordingly, the device is adaptable to almost any situation and can be carried around the neck or wrist, supported from a belt or garment, or attached to a key chain or backpack. The permutations and combinations are limited only by the user's imagination. The invention provides for improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

A clear understanding of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a container with chain and clip according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of a container with chain and clip according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container with chain and clip according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a container with chain and clip according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIG. 1 wherein the container of the present invention is generally indicated at 10 and comprises a cylindrical member 12 having an integral wall defining a proximate end. An anchor 14 is attached to the wall at the proximate end. A short chain 16 is secured to the anchor. A removable top 18 defines the distal end of member 12. As illustrated, a necklace 20 is employed as a connector device to support the container however, as indicated above, there are many and varied connector devices that may be utilized for this purpose.

As best seen in FIG. 2, member 12 may be employed to contain an individual cologne or perfume spray vial 22. Vial 22 is provided with a conventional spray nozzle 24 at a distal end. A spring 26 is disposed at the proximate end of vial 22, which spring functions as a retrieval aid. Again, it is emphasized that a vial is only one of many individual devices or items that may be housed in member 12.

A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 wherein the container takes the form of a squeeze bottle 30. Bottle 30 can be utilized to hold fluids such as ointments, lotions, eye drops, etc. A connector device takes the form of a lobster clip 32 whereby the container may be supported from a gym bag, a backpack, etc.

In a fourth embodiment (FIG. 4) the container 40 is configured as a rectangular box having a flip-top lid 42. Container 40 may be utilized to house solid items such as pills and the like. A spring clip 44 is employed as a connector.

The containers can be fabricated from any suitable material (metal, plastic, glass, etc.) and can be adorned with beads, engravings and the like so as to appeal to the consumer's sense of aesthetics.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A device for holding personal products comprising:

a container, said container having a first end and a second end;

a wall closing said first end of said container and integral therewith, said wall having an outer surface;

a removable top disposed on said second end of said container;

an anchor attached to said outer surface of said wall;

a short chain, said short chain attached to said anchor; and

an individual-size product housed in said container.

2. The device for holding personal products as recited in claim 1, further including a connector device attached to said short chain.

3. The device for holding personal products as recited in claim 1, wherein said container is cylindrical.

4. The device for holding personal products as recited in claim 1, wherein said container is a rectangular box.

5. The device for holding personal products as recited in claim 1, wherein said container is a squeeze bottle.

6. The device for holding personal products as recited in claim 1, wherein said container is a perfume spray vial.

7. A device for holding personal products comprising:

a container, said container having a first end and a second end;

a wall closing said first end of said container and integral therewith, said wall having an outer surface;

a removable top disposed on said second end of said container;

an anchor attached to said outer surface of said wall;

a short chain, said short chain attached to said anchor;

a connector device attached to said short chain and extending therefrom; and

an individual-size product housed in said container.

8. The device for holding personal products as recited in claim 7, wherein said connector device is a necklace.

9. The device for holding personal products as recited in claim 7, wherein said connector device is a lobster clip.

10. The device for holding personal products as recited in claim 7, wherein said connector device is a spring clip.

11. A device for holding personal products comprising:

a container, said container having a first end and a second end;

a wall closing said first end of said container and integral therewith, said wall having an outer surface;

a removable top disposed on said second end of said container;

an anchor attached to said outer surface of said wall;

a short chain, said short chain attached to said anchor;

a perfume spray vial housed in said container, said spray vial having a proximate end and a distal end;

a spray nozzle defining said distal end; and

a spring defining said proximate end.