Carrier for feminine hygiene products

Abstract

A carrier comprises a lid defining a first compartment, a bottom container portion coupled to the lid and defining a second compartment, a plurality of feminine hygiene products retained inside the first and second compartments, and first and second elastic bands respectively and releaseably retaining the feminine hygiene products in the first and second compartments.

Description

RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 60/670,180 filed on Apr. 11, 2005, and entitled Portable Feminine Accessory Storage and Carrying System, incorporated herein by reference.

This patent application is related to co-pending patent application (Attorney Docket No. 34863.3) filed on Apr. 11, 2006, and entitled Tubular Dispenser for Cleansing Wipes, incorporated herein by reference. This patent application is also related to co-pending patent application (Attorney Docket No. 34863.3) filed on Apr. 11, 2006, and entitled Feminine Product Disposal Envelope With Cleansing Wipes, also incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

All women of all ages have to contend with the dilemma of where and how to discreetly carry and store feminine hygiene products so that they are easily accessible when needed. A variety of feminine hygiene products may be used for menstrual discharge, such as tampons, sanitary napkins, panty liners, and moistened wipes. Many women prefer to use more than one type of feminine hygiene product at one time. Many women may also use a number of different products with varying absorption capabilities at different times during the menstrual cycle.

Because the menstrual flow begins unexpectedly, women have to carry the feminine hygiene products with them in advance of the start of menstrual discharge. Young women may crave the security of having feminine products available and on-hand in anticipation of their first menstrual period. The feminine products therefore may be carried in purses or backpacks for a period of time before they are used. Because most feminine products lack an outer wrapping or have a very thin outer packaging that is easily torn, they can easily become soiled, damaged and otherwise unusable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carrier for feminine hygiene products;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of an embodiment of carrier for feminine hygiene products with an open lid;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an embodiment of carrier for feminine hygiene products with an open lid; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of an embodiment of a latch for the elastic band; and

FIG. 5 is yet another perspective view of an embodiment of carrier for feminine hygiene products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is desirable to provide a discreet and stylish storage container to carry and store feminine hygiene products.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a carrier 10 for feminine hygiene products. Carrier 10 is generally rectangular in shape and has a lid 12 that fits over a bottom container portion 14. Lid 12 may be coupled to bottom container portion 14 by a hinge or a hinge fastener 15. Hinge 15 may be biased to close the lid onto the bottom container portion. Carrier 10 may be constructed of a rigid and light-weight plastic material. A corner of bottom container portion 14 may define an opening 16 that is operable to accommodate a ring 17 attached to a lanyard hook, snap hook, slip hook or swivel hook 18. Hook 18 may be used to releaseably attach carrier 10 to another item such as a purse or backpack strap, for example. Lid 12 and bottom container portion 14 may be adorned with decorative designs to further enhance the appearance of the carrier. The carrier may be dimensioned and/or contoured to fit specific brands or types of feminine products. The carrier may be streamlined and have a thin profile so that it may be easily carried in a purse or pocket. Fashionable colors and designs may be used to adorn the outer surfaces of the carrier.

In order to further secure carrier 10, a lock 19 may be included to ensure that the carrier does not open accidentally. Lock 19 may be a combination lock-type having three rotatable number wheels that requires the user to line up three numbers in the proper sequence in order to open the lock. Other suitable types of locks may also be used.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are a perspective view and a top plan view of an embodiment of carrier 10 for feminine hygiene products with an open lid 12. The open lid reveals two main compartments 20 and 22, one defined inside lid 12 and one defined inside bottom container portion 14. As shown in FIG. 2, for example, compartment 20 houses a plurality of feminine napkins and/or panty liners 24. Compartment 22 may house a variety of feminine hygiene products such as one or more tampons 26, rolled-up panty liners or moistened wipes 27, and moistened wipes housed in a tubular container 28. Tubular container 28 is described in more detail in co-pending patent application (Attorney Docket No. 34863.4) entitled Tubular Dispenser for Hygiene Wipes.

The contents stored inside compartments 20 and 22 may be held in place by elastic bands 30 and 32. Lid 12 may include a tab 34 operable to engage a catch 36 disposed on bottom container portion 14. A hook 18 (lanyard hook, snap hook, slip hook or swivel hook) attached to a strap 38 may be coupled to opening 16 defined in the bottom container portion.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 in FIG. 3 of an embodiment of a latch 40 for retaining elastic band 32. It may be seen in FIG. 2 that elastic band 30 is releaseably retained by latch 42 to keep the contents within compartment 20 inside lid 12. It may be seen that the elastic bands may be easily unhooked from the latches if needed.

FIG. 5 is yet another perspective view of an embodiment of carrier 10 for feminine hygiene products. A different type of hook is used herein for releaseably engaging a carrying strap 38 to the carrier. Alternatively, lid 12 may define an opening for engaging a hook.

Carrier 10 is preferably constructed of a rigid material that enables carrier 10 to retain its general shape and preventing its contents from being crushed. Alternatively, carrier 10 may be constructed of a semi-rigid material that more or less retains its general shape. Suitable materials include plastic, thick fabric, and other materials. Compartments 20 and/or 22 may be further subdivided into smaller compartments to carry items of varying sizes.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they may make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such changes, substitutions and alterations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

Claims

1. A carrier comprising:

a lid defining a first compartment;

a bottom container portion coupled to the lid and defining a second compartment;

a plurality of feminine hygiene products retained inside the first and second compartments; and

first and second elastic bands respectively and releaseably retaining the feminine hygiene products in the first and second compartments.

2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the bottom container portion further defines an opening operable to releaseably engage a hook.

3. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the bottom container portion further defines an opening operable to releaseably engage a carrying strap.

4. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the plurality of feminine hygiene products is selected from the group consisting of tampons, feminine napkins, panty liners, and moistened wipes.

5. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the plurality of feminine hygiene products comprise at least one tampon.

6. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the plurality of feminine hygiene products comprise at least one feminine napkin.

7. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the plurality of feminine hygiene products comprise a tubular moistened wipe dispenser.

8. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a tab and the bottom container portion comprises a catch, the tab and the catch are operable to engage one another.

9. The carrier of claim 1, further comprising a lock operable to securely engage the lid to the bottom container.

10. A feminine hygiene product carrier comprising:

a lid defining a first compartment;

a bottom container portion hinged to the lid and defining a second compartment;

at least one panty liner housed inside the first compartment;

at least one tubular moistened wipe dispenser housed inside the second compartment; and

first and second elastic bands respectively and releaseably retaining the at least one panty liner and the at least one tubular moistened wipe dispenser in the first and second compartments.

11. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the bottom container portion further defines an opening operable to releaseably engage a hook.

12. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the bottom container portion further defines an opening operable to releaseably engage a carrying strap.

13. The carrier of claim 10, further comprising a hinge coupling the lid and the bottom container portion and further being biased to close the lid over the bottom container portion.

14. The carrier of claim 10, wherein the at least one tubular moistened wipe dispenser comprises:

a long slender tubular body having a diameter between about one to about two inches;

a dispensing lid having a plurality of cross-wise slits disposed at a first end of the tubular body; and

a self-hinged lid covering the dispensing lid at the first end of the tubular body.

15. The dispenser of claim 10, further comprising means for urging moistened wipes disposed in the long slender tubular body toward the dispensing lid.

16. The dispenser of claim 15, further comprising a rotatable base operable to actuate the urging means.

17. A feminine hygiene product carrying system comprising:

a first compartment carrying: a tubular container having cross-wise slits and a cap, and a plurality of pre-moistened cleansing wipes rolled and stored in the tubular container; at least one tampon; and

a second compartment carrying: at least one feminine napkin.

18. The carrier system of claim 17, wherein the first compartment comprises a plurality of sub-compartments.

19. The carrier system of claim 17, wherein the second compartment comprises a plurality of sub-compartments.

20. The carrier system of claim 17, further comprising a carrying strap releaseably coupled to the bottom container portion.

21. The carrier system of claim 17, further comprising a lock operable to securely engage the lid to the bottom container.

22. A carrier comprising:

a lid defining a first compartment;

a bottom container portion coupled to the lid and defining a second compartment;

the bottom container portion further defines an opening operable to releaseably engage a hook;

a lock operable to securely engage the lid to the bottom container; and

first and second elastic bands operable to respectively and releaseably retaining a plurality of feminine hygiene products in the first and second compartments respectively.