DUAL COMPARTMENT STORAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

A dual compartment storage container including an upper body member pivotally attached to a lower body member, an upper compartment and a lower compartment, the two segregated compartments being accessible through separate openings. The upper compartment is designed to contain wet items such as baby wipes, and the lower compartment is designed to contain dry items such as facial tissues. The upper compartment is accessible through an access opening, while the lower compartment is accessible by pivotally moving the upper body member relative to the lower body member. As a result, one compartment may be accessed while the other remains closed and vice versa. In another embodiment, the divider member may be removed to create one large compartment accessible via two separate openings.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to storage containers such as those used to store baby wipes and other baby care items and, more particularly, to a single container that can be used to store both wet items and dry items simultaneously in separate compartments, each compartment separately accessible.

As any parent can attest, traveling with a child, even on a short trip such as to a restaurant, can be difficult. In addition to the child, the parent must transport a wide variety of different items, depending upon the age of the child, such as, for example, a bassinet, diapers, food, baby wipes, table place mats, bibs, facial tissues, lotions, powders, toys, coloring books, and many other items. Typically, all of these items are stored in their own separate containers, travel bags and/or separate storage compartments. For example, baby wipes are generally stored in a plastic container designed for storing wet items, while facial tissues and other dry items are each stored in their own separate container. This results in the parent having to travel with many different containers.

For a short trip, such as to a restaurant, it would be helpful to simply place several baby wipes, several facial tissues, several bibs, and whatever other items may be needed in one single, small container so that the parent does not have to carry and transport several large containers and/or bags for a short trip. Still further, since baby wipes are wet and may moisten or leak all over dry items if they are stored in the same container, there is a need for a single container that can store both wet items and dry items without wetting or otherwise damaging the dry items.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a dual compartment storage container which overcomes one or more of the problems set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes any of the shortcomings and limitations discussed above and teaches the construction, operation and use of several embodiments of a dual compartment storage container adaptable for use in segregating and storing both wet and dry items in the same container. In one aspect of the present invention, the present dual compartment storage container includes an upper body member attached to a lower body member through the use of a hinge mechanism. The storage container further includes an upper compartment and a lower compartment, the two compartments being separated by a removable divider member. The upper compartment is preferably designed to contain wet items, such as baby wipes, and the lower compartment is preferably designed to contain dry items, such as facial tissues. The two compartments are accessible through separate openings. The upper compartment is accessible through an access opening associated with the upper body member, while the lower compartment is accessible by moving and opening the upper body member relative to the lower body member via the hinge mechanism. As a result, one compartment may be accessed while the other compartment remains closed and vice versa.

The two compartments associated with the present container are separated by a divider member which is removably securable to the upper body member. In another aspect of the present invention, the divider member may be removed to create one large compartment accessible by two different opening means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present dual compartment storage container constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dual compartment storage container of FIG. 1 showing the divider member removably attached to the upper body member.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dual compartment storage container of FIG. 1 showing the access lid associated with the upper body member in its open position.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the dual compartment storage container of FIG. 1 showing the access lid attachment means.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dual compartment storage container of FIG. 1 showing the access lid of FIG. 3 in its closed position.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the bottom portion of the access lid of FIGS. 3 and 5 detached from the dual compartment storage container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the divider member of FIG. 2 removed from the dual compartment storage container of FIG. 1 showing its associated retaining wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers wherein like numbers refer to like parts, the number 1 in FIGS. 1-5 identifies a dual compartment storage container constructed according to the teachings of one embodiment of the present invention. The storage container 1 includes an upper body member 10, a lower body member 12, a lower compartment 14, an upper compartment 16, and a divider member 20. The divider member 20 is preferably removably attachable to the upper body member 10 in order to create an upper compartment 16 which is enclosed by the upper portion 22 of the upper body member 10, the side portions 24 of the upper body member 10, and the divider member 20. The lower compartment 14 is enclosed by the divider member 20, the side portions 23 of the lower body member 12, and the bottom portion 25 of the lower body member 12. When the upper body member 10 is opened, the lower compartment 14 is accessible, but the upper compartment 16 remains closed because the divider member 20 is removably attached to the upper body member 10. The upper compartment 16 may be accessed through the access opening 26 illustrated in FIG. 3 as will be hereinafter further explained. As a result, one embodiment of the present storage container 1 includes two compartments, both accessible through different openings, the upper compartment 16 being accessible through the access opening 26 and the lower compartment 14 as being accessible by moving and opening the upper body member 10 relative to the lower body member 12 as will likewise be hereinafter further explained. Preferably, the upper compartment 16 is constructed so that wet baby wipes or other wet articles can be stored therein, while not allowing the wetness, condensation, moisture or liquids associated with the wet baby wipes or other wet articles to enter the lower compartment 14. The lower compartment 14, therefore, can be used to store dry articles. The user may access the wet articles through the access opening 26, while the dry articles remain enclosed in the lower compartment 14. Similarly, the dry articles may be accessed from the lower compartment 14 by opening the upper body member 10 relative to the lower body member 12 while the wet articles remain enclosed in the upper compartment 16.

The upper compartment 16 is an enclosure formed by the upper portion 22 of the upper body member 10, the side portions 24 of the upper body member 10 and the divider member 20. Preferably, the upper compartment 16 includes a series of elongated protrusions 30 which protrude inwardly from the side portions 24 and extend vertically along at least a portion of the side portions 24 as shown in FIG. 1. The divider member 20 preferably includes recesses or cutouts 32 that are shaped and sized so as to receive the protrusions 30. This interaction helps to locate, orient and stabilize the divider member 20 when it is attached to the upper body member 10. Also, the protrusions 30 and the corresponding recesses 32 ensure that the user does not attach the divider member 20 in an incorrect orientation.

The upper compartment 16 also includes at least one flange 34 extending inwardly from at least one side portion 24 of the upper body member 10 and extending horizontally along a portion thereof as best illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment includes five flanges 34, at least one flange 34 associated with each of the four side portions 24. These flanges 34 help to removably secure the divider member 20 to the upper body member 10 by interacting with a lip portion 36 which extends around the periphery of the divider member 20 and a securing edge 37 which extends around the side portions 24. In the preferred embodiment, the lip portion 36 includes a plurality of indentations 38 which are positioned and located to interact with the flanges 34 via a snap fit mechanism or other cooperatively engageable means. The user aligns the protrusions 30 with the recesses 32 and thereafter snaps the lip portion 36 between the flanges 34 and the securing edge 37 such that the flanges 34 mate with and rests within a corresponding indentation 38. This interaction between the lip portion 36, the flanges 34, the indentations 38 and the securing edge 37 removably secures the divider member 20 to the upper body member 10. In the attached position, the divider member 20 rests on the securing edge 37. To remove the divider member 20, a user simply pulls or pushes the divider member 20 away from the securing edge 37 thereby snapping the lip portion 36 out from between the flanges 34 and the securing edge 37.

It is also recognized and anticipated that many other ways of removably attaching the divider member 20 to the upper body member 10 may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the divider member 20 may include recesses which are designed to receive the flanges 34 or conversely, the divider member 20 may include flanges, while the side portions 24 of the upper body member 10 may include recesses designed to accept the flanges. The divider member may also be removably secured by screws, bolts, rivets, or other common attachment means. Also, the divider member may be permanently secured to the upper body member 10, although it is preferred that it be removably attached as will be hereinafter further explained.

The divider member 20 serves as the bottom of the upper compartment 16. Therefore, it is preferably designed to prevent condensation, moisture or liquids from the wet items stored in the upper compartment 16 from entering the lower compartment 14. In this regard, it should be noted that the upper compartment 16 is not necessarily designed to contain free-flowing liquids, but merely wet or dampened articles such as baby wipes. Therefore, in another aspect of the present invention, the divider member 20 is designed to prevent the condensation, moisture or liquids associated with the wet items, such as baby wipes, from entering the lower compartment 14. Although a water-tight upper compartment is within the scope of the present invention, such a construction is not necessary for the purposes of preventing the wetness or moisture associated with the wet items from entering the lower compartment 12. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the divider member 20 may include a retaining wall 21 which is preferably integrally and homogenously molded onto the divider member. The retaining wall 21 acts as a barrier that obstructs moisture or liquids associated with the wet items from entering the lower compartment 14. So long as the moisture or liquids do not rise above the level or height of the retaining wall 21, no moisture or liquids will seep into the lower compartment 14. In this constructions, the lip portion 36 is associated with the terminal end portion of the retaining wall 21 and since the lip portion 36 mates with and rests upon the securing edge 37 of the upper body member 10, a further seal and barrier to allowing moisture or liquids to enter the lower compartment 14 is created.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper compartment 16 can be accessible through the access opening 26 located on the top portion 22 of the upper body member 10. When the upper body member 10 is closed and engaged with the lower body member 12 as will be further explained, thereby closing access to the lower compartment 14, the upper compartment 16 can be accessed without moving or opening the upper body member 10 relative to the lower body member 12. A user simply opens the access lid 28 associated with the opening 26.

The access lid 28 is attached to the storage container 1 through a first hinge means 40. Preferably, the first hinge means 40 is a flexible or living hinge as shown in FIG. 3. Although the flexible hinge 40 is shown attached to the lower body member 12, it is recognized and anticipated that it could also be attached to the upper body member 10. The flexible hinge 40 is preferably a flexible piece of plastic material 42 which is attachable to the lower body member 12 through an attachment means 41. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the attachment means 41 is a snap fit mechanism and includes at least one flared portion 43 located near the terminal end of member 42 which is slightly larger than a recess 49 associated with the lower body member 12. The flared portion 43 snaps into the recess 49 and is held therewithin. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the flexible member 42 includes a pair of flared portions 43 which are engageable with a pair of recesses 49. It is also recognized and anticipated that there are many other attachment means and many other cooperatively engageable means that are within the scope of the present invention to hingedly or pivotally attach the access lid 28 to the storage container 1. For example, the hinge means 40 may be integrally and homogenously molded to either the lower body member 12 or the upper body member 10. Although the attachment means 41 includes separate parts for the purpose of simplifying the manufacturing process, a one-piece or unitary construction is also within the scope of the present invention. Also, the hinge means may be glued, stapled, bolted, screwed, or otherwise attached through the use of any suitable attachment means. Still further, although the preferred flexible hinge 40 is constructed of a plastic material, any number of suitable flexible materials may be used to accomplish the task.

The access opening 26 and access lid 28 also include a seal means. As best shown in FIG. 6, the access lid 28 includes a pair of concentric annularly shaped flanges 44 and 45 extending substantially therearound near its periphery. As best shown in FIG. 3, the access opening 26 also includes an annularly shaped flange 46 extending around its periphery which is shaped and sized so as to mate with and fit in between the two concentric annularly shaped flanges 44 and 45 associated with the access lid 28, when the lid 28 is in its closed position. The interaction between these flanges 44, 45 and 46 provides a seal around the access opening 26 when the lid 28 is closed. It is not necessary that this seal be fluid or air tight, but it should preferably prevent excessive condensation, moisture or liquid from leaking out of the upper compartment 16.

It is also recognized that a wide variety of other seal means may also be utilized to provide a seal between the access lid 28 and the access opening 26. For example, instead of the pair of concentric annularly shaped flanges 44 and 45 being located on the access lid 28, these flanges may be located around the access opening 26, while the single annularly shaped flange 46 could be located on the access lid 28. Still further, instead of the pair of concentric annularly shaped flanges 44 and 45, the access lid 28 may include a recessed portion which is shaped and sized so as to receive the annularly shaped flange 46 associated with the access opening 26. Also, the access lid 28 may include a flange extending around its periphery, while the upper body member 10 which may include a recessed portion which is shaped and sized so as to accept the flange. Also, the access opening 26 may not be annularly shaped, but may be of any shape and size such as circular, rectangular, square, triangular, or any other polygonal shape. As a result, there is no requirement that the seal means such as flanges 44, 45 and 46 be annular in shape. Instead, the size and shape of the seal flanges will be compatible to the shape of the opening 26.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the access lid 28 is removably secured to the upper body member 10 when in its closed position through a securement or attachment means 50. Preferably the attachment means 50 operates via a snap fit mechanism and, in one embodiment, includes a flange member 52 associated with the access opening 26 and a recessed portion 54 associated with the access lid 28. The recessed portion 54 is formed as part of the outermost annularly shaped flange 45. It is recognized and anticipated, however, that the recessed portion 54 could be associated with the access opening 26, while the flange member 52 could be associated with the access lid 28. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, the flange member 52 is located on the annularly shaped flange 46 while the recessed portion 54, as explained above, is located on the outermost annularly shaped flange 45 of the access lid 28. Other configurations and arrangements of cooperatively engageable attachment means can likewise be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the inner annularly shaped flange 44 associated with the access lid 28 includes a space 55 which allows the flange member 52 to interact with the recessed portion 54. In this regard, because of the flexibility of the hinge means 40 and the member 42, the recessed portion 54 can be maneuvered and positioned such that the flange member 52 can be located and snapped into the recess 52 when the access lid 28 is being moved to its closed position. Once the flange member 52 is positioned and located within the recessed portion 54, the access lid 28 is removably secured to the upper body member 10 closing the access opening 26. The access lid 28 also preferably includes a grip tab 47 which helps the user grip the access lid 28 when opening or closing the same.

Referring to FIG. 2, the upper body member 10 is also attached to the lower body member 12 via a second hinge means 60. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, hinge means 60 includes two hinges 60. The hinges 60 are living hinges and are preferably integrally and homogenously connected to both the upper body member 10 and the lower body member 12 and are constructed of the same material, preferably a plastic material. Nonetheless, the hinges 60 could also be connected by means other than being integrally and homogenously connected. For example, the hinges 60 could be connected to either or both of the upper body member 10 and the lower body member 12 via any known attachment means such as glue, screws, rivets, a snap fit mechanism, and so forth. The hinges 60 are constructed so that they are bendable, while still being sturdy enough not to break. The hinges 60 allow the upper body member 10 to be opened and closed under normal wear and tear conditions without breaking, cracking, or otherwise deforming or deteriorating to the extent that the hinge becomes inoperative.

In other embodiments, the upper body member 10 may be movably attached to the lower body member 12 other than through a hinge means. For example, the upper body member 10 may be slidably attached to the lower body member 12 so that a user may slide the upper body member 10 relative to the lower body member 12 in order to access the lower compartment 14. Also, the upper body member 10 may be removably attached to the lower body member 12 such as through the use of fastening clips, a snap fit arrangement, or any other cooperatively engageable means. The user may remove the upper body member 10 from the lower body member 12 in order to access the lower compartment 14 and then removably attach the upper body member 10 to the lower body member 12 to close the lower compartment 14. Any manner of movably attaching the upper body member 10 to the lower body member 12, while still allowing the upper and lower body members 10 and 12 to be moved relative to each other in order to access the lower compartment 14 is within the scope of the present invention. In similar fashion, the access lid 28 may movably attached to the upper body member 10 other than through a hinge or pivot arrangement.

The upper body member 10 is removably secured in its closed position to the lower body member 12 by the operation of the attachment means 70. In one embodiment, the attachment means 70 operates via a snap fit mechanism and includes a recess 72 associated with the upper body member 10 which is shaped and sized so as to removably receive a flange member 74 associated with the lower body member 12. A user may secure the upper body member 10 in its closed position by causing the flange member 74 to be inserted in the recess 72. To open, the user simply removes the flange 74 from the recess 72. This provides access to the lower compartment 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the recess 72 is formed in a projection member 76. Other cooperatively engageable means besides recess 72 and flange member 74 are likewise envisioned and recognized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The upper body member 10 may also include a grip tab 78 to facilitate the opening and closing of the upper body member 10 relative to the lower body member 12.

As can be seen from the foregoing, the present dual compartment storage container 1 allows a user to easily segregate and store both wet and dry items in the same container by using the segregated compartments 14 and 16. Each segregated compartment has its own means for accessing the contents positioned therewithin and each compartment can be separately accessed while the other compartment remains in its closed position.

The present storage container 1 can also be utilized without the divider member 20. In this configuration, the upper and lower body members 10 and 12 create one large compartment which is accessible via two separate opening means. Depending upon the particular application and the particular items being stored within the storage container 1, this one large compartment can be accessed by pivotally moving the access lid 28 to its open position, or the one large compartment can be accessed by unlocking the attachment means 70 and pivotally moving the upper body member 10 relative to the lower body member 12. This feature allows a user to store and carry different bulkier items or more items in a single storage compartment as compared to a dual compartmented container depending upon the particular application.

It is also anticipated that the dual compartment storage container 1 and all of the various components associated therewith such as upper body member 10, lower body member 12, divider member 20, access lid 28 and hinge means 40 and 60 can be fabricated using an injection molded plastic resin, although other materials may likewise be utilized. Still further, it is recognized that the overall dimensions of the storage container 1 as well as the specific shape and configuration of the container 1 and the various components associated therewith such as the divider member 20 are all subject to wide variations and may be sized and shaped into a variety of different sizes and configurations so as to be compatible with any particular application, or to conform with any space limitations associated therewith without impairing the teachings and practice of the present invention. Although the storage container 1 is illustrated as being substantially rectangular, as previously explained, the storage container 1 and its associated components can likewise take on a wide variety of other shapes including other polygonal shapes. Other variations and modifications to the various components comprising the present structures are also contemplated.

Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel storage container which is adaptable for holding both wet and dry items in separate compartments, which containers fulfill all of the objects and advantages sought therefore. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are deemed to be covered by the present invention which is limited by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. A storage container comprising:

a lower body member;

an upper body member pivotally attached to said lower body member, said upper body member including an access opening;

an access lid pivotally attached to said storage container, said access lid being positioned and located to selectively close the access opening associated with said upper body member; and

a divider member removably securable to said storage container, said divider member separating said storage container into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, said upper compartment being accessible though said access opening and said lower compartment being accessible by pivotally moving said upper body member relative to said lower body member.

2. The storage container of claim 1 further comprising:

side portions associated with said upper body member;

at least one protrusion associated with said side portions protruding inwardly towards the interior of said storage container; and

at least one recessed portion associated with said divider member, said at least one recessed portion being shaped and sized so as to receive said at least one protrusion when said divider member is removably secured to said storage container.

3. The storage container of claim 1 further comprising:

side portions associated with said upper body member;

at least one flange associated with said side portions extending inwardly towards the interior of said storage container;

a lip portion extending around the periphery of said divider member; and

a securing edge associated with said upper body member;

said divider member being removably secured to said storage container by positioning said lip portion between said flange and said securing edge.

4. The storage container of claim 1 wherein said access opening and said access lid include seal means for creating a seal therebetween.

5. The storage container of claim 1 wherein said access lid is removably secured to said upper body member, said access lid being held in its closed position via a securement means.

6. The storage container of claim 1 wherein said upper body member is removably secured to the lower body member in its closed position via a securement means.

7. The storage container of claim 1 wherein said divider member includes a retaining wall extending around the periphery thereof.

8. The storage container of claim 5 wherein said securement means includes a flange member associated with said upper body member adjacent said access opening and a recessed portion associated with said access lid, said flange member being engageable with said recessed portion when said access lid is in its closed position.

9. The storage container of claim 6 wherein said securement means includes a recess associated with said upper body member and a flange member associated with said lower body member, said flange member being removably received within said recess when said upper body member is in its closed position.

10. A storage container comprising:

a lower body member;

an upper body member attached to said lower body member via at least one hinge member integrally connected to both said upper body member and said lower body member;

an access opening associated with said upper body member;

an access lid attached to said lower body member via at least one hinge member for providing access to said access opening; and

a divider member removably attachable to said upper body member and separating the storage container into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, said upper compartment being accessible through said access opening and said lower compartment being accessible by moving said upper body member relative to said lower body member about said at least one hinge member.

11. The storage container of claim 10 further comprising:

side portions associated with said upper body member;

a plurality of protrusions associated with said side portions extending inwardly therefrom toward the interior of said storage container; and

a plurality of recessed portions associated with said divider member, said plurality of protrusions being cooperatively engageable with said plurality of recessed portions when said divider member is removably attached to said upper body member.

12. The storage container of claim 10 further comprising:

side portions associated with said upper body member;

a plurality of flanges associated with said side portions extending inwardly therefrom towards the interior of said storage container;

a securing edge associated with said side portions; and

a lip portion extending around the periphery of said divider member;

said divider member being removably attachable to said upper body member by positioning said lip portion between said plurality of flanges and said securing edge.

13. The storage container of claim 10 further comprising:

a pair of concentric annularly shaped flanges extending around said access lid, said pair including an inner flange and an outer flange; and

an annularly shaped flange extending around said access opening associated with said upper body member, said annularly shaped flange associated with said access opening being positionable between the inner and outer flanges associated with said access lid when said access lid is in its closed position.

14. The storage container of claim 10 further comprising:

a flange member associated with said upper body member adjacent said access opening; and

a recessed portion associated with the access lid;

said access lid being removably secured to said upper body member by positioning said flange member into said recessed portion.

15. The storage container of claim 10 further comprising:

a flange member associated with the lower body member; and

a recessed portion associated with the upper body member;

said upper body member being removably secured to said lower body member in its closed position by inserting said flange member associated with said lower body member into said recessed portion associated with said upper body member.

16. The storage container of claim 10 further including a grip tab associated with said access lid.

17. A dual compartment storage container comprising:

a lower body member;

an upper body member pivotally attached to said lower body member, said upper body member including at least one flange portion extending inwardly towards the interior of said storage container, an access opening, and a securing edge;

an access lid pivotally attached to said lower body member for providing access to the access opening associated with said upper body member; and

a divider member having a lip portion extending around the periphery thereof, said divider member being removably attachable to said upper body member by positioning said lip portion between said at least one flange portion and the securing edge associated with said upper body member, said divider member separating the storage container into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, said upper compartment being accessible through said access opening and said lower compartment being accessible by pivotally moving said upper body member relative to said lower body member.

18. The dual compartment storage container of claim 17 wherein said upper body member includes a plurality of protrusions extending inwardly therefrom towards the interior of said storage container, and said divider member including a plurality of recessed portions, said plurality of protrusions being cooperatively engageable with said plurality of recessed portions when said divider member is removably attached to said upper body member.

19. The dual compartment storage container of claim 17 wherein said access lid includes a pair of concentric annularly shaped flanges extending therearound, and said upper body member includes an annularly shaped flange extending around said access opening, the annularly shaped flange associated with said upper body member being positionable between said pair of annularly shaped flanges associated with said access lid when said access lid is in its closed position.

20. The dual compartment storage container of claim 17 wherein said lip portion includes at least one indentation positioned and located to interact with the at least one flange portion associated with said upper body member when said divider member is removably attached to said upper body member.

21. A storage container comprising:

a lower body member;

an upper body member movably attached to said lower body member, said upper body member including an access opening;

an access lid movably attached to said upper body member, said access lid being positioned and located to selectively close the access opening associated with said upper body member; and

a divider member removably securable to said upper body member, said divider member separating said storage container into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, said upper compartment being accessible though said access opening and said lower compartment being accessible by moving said upper body member relative to said lower body member.