Multi-Compartment Container

Abstract

A multi-compartment container comprises a first compartment and a second compartment, the first and second compartments being connected by a common wall. The first compartment is of a configuration that corresponds and is substantially complementary to the dimensions and size of a cigarette lighter, and the second compartment is of a rectangular shape that corresponds and is substantially complementary to the size and dimensions of a breath freshener dispenser. The container may comprise sections in the compartments thereof to allow a user to access the item stored in a compartment, for removal of the item or for use of the item while it is stored in the compartment. The container may also comprise a belt clip, a key fob, and/or a key chain attached thereto.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/618,273, filed on Dec. 29, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to article holders and, more specifically, to a caddy for simultaneously holding a lighter and breath freshener dispenser in such an arrangement whereby both carried items may be utilized while held therein or easily removed and replaced after use back into their respective compartment.

BACKGROUND

There are existing devices designed for carrying a plurality of small items (for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,747 to Scholz, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,244,981 to Der Tatevasian). However, these devices are structurally cumbersome and do not permit easy access to items stored therein. These existing devices incorporate usually incorporate a cover to enclose and retain an item therein, which inhibits access to an item and adds a component that may break and otherwise add weight to the device. These are undesirable features. Further, the prior art does not provide a satisfactory solution for retaining an item in a container securely, while still allowing a user to access and use an item while it is being retained by the container.

Therefore, in light of the above, there exists a continuing need in the art for a multi-compartment container for storing and transporting a plurality of items, such as a lighter and a breath freshener dispenser. Further, there exists a need for a device that is capable of securely retaining these items and also allowing a user to access and use them while they are being stored in the device.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE

A primary object of the present disclosure is to provide a device for holding a lighter in conjunction with a breath freshener dispenser or other similarly-sized item.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a multi-compartment container for a lighter and breath freshener dispenser that allows utilization of both items without removing the items from the container.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a multi-compartment container for a lighter and breath freshener dispenser having a key attachment or clip for retention of the container in one's possession.

Still yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a multi-compartment container for a lighter and breath freshener dispenser having a plurality of compartments where one compartment is complimentary to the size and shape of a lighter and another is complementary in shape and size of a breath freshener dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present disclosure will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a perspective view of a multi-compartment container, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show another perspective view of a multi-compartment container, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 3A and 3B show another perspective view of a multi-compartment container, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.

• • 100a Multi-compartment container
  • 100b Multi-compartment container with exterior wall
  • 50a First compartment
  • 50b First compartment of multi-compartment container with exterior wall
  • 60b Exterior wall of first compartment
  • 75a Second compartment
  • 75b Second compartment of multi-compartment container with exterior wall

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a thorough understanding of the present disclosure, reference is to be made to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present disclosure is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The present disclosure provides a multi-compartment container, which container may receive a cigarette lighter in a first compartment thereof and a breath freshener dispenser in a second compartment thereof. Each compartment of the container is preferably configured to substantially complement the shape and size of the item to be contained therein. In this regard, the configuration of each compartment facilitates secure retention of the stored item therein. The container may further comprise sections in the compartments thereof to allow a user to access the item stored in a compartment, for removal of the item or for use of the item while it is stored in the compartment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, exemplary embodiments of a multi-compartment container 100a and 100b are shown. The containers 100a and 100b comprise a first compartment 50a and 50b and a second compartment 75a and 75b, which first and second compartments are joined together by a common wall. The first compartment 50a and 50b preferably comprises a configuration that corresponds and is complementary to the dimensions and size of a cigarette lighter. With the first compartment 50a and 50b so configured, a cigarette lighter may securely be retained within the first compartment.

In an embodiment, the first compartment 50a of a container 100a comprises an ellipsoid with an incomplete diameter. The incomplete diameter of the first compartment 50a exposes at least a portion of the lighter or other item held therein, which allows a user to manipulate the item held therein, in order to remove it or utilize it, for example. In that the ellipsoid of the first compartment 50a is incomplete, the ellipsoid may expand slightly to accommodate a lighter or other object that exceeds the dimensions of the first compartment 50a.

The second compartment 75a and 75b of the container 100a and 100b preferably comprises a rectangular shape (to correspond and be complementary to the shape of a breath freshener dispenser). The second compartment 75a and 75b will preferably comprise an open side (opposite the common wall), which open side of the second compartment 75a and 75b exposes at least a portion of the breath freshener dispenser or other item held therein, which allows a user to manipulate the item held therein, in order to remove it or utilize it, for example.

The first compartment 50a and 50b and second compartment 75a and 75b preferably further comprise at least one open side that is substantially perpendicular to the common wall, which at least one open side facilitates placement and removal of an item into and out from a compartment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 3B, a multi-compartment container further comprises an exterior wall 60b of a first compartment 50b. The exterior wall 60b causes the first compartment 50b to comprises a complete ellipsoid, while still providing for at least one open side of the first compartment 50b that is substantially perpendicular to the common wall of the container 100b, to allow a user to access an item that is stored in the compartment 50b or place or remove an item into or out from the compartment 50b.

In another embodiment, the first compartment 50b and exterior wall 60b of a multi-compartment container 100b comprises a substantially rectangular form, in order to accommodate securely and be complementary to a lighter with a substantially rectangular shape. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the first compartment 50b and exterior wall 60b of the container 100b may be configured to any particular geometrical shape to accommodate and be complementary to a lighter of any corresponding geometrical shape.

The multi-compartment container 100b may be provided with a clip on the exterior wall 60b thereof. The container 100a and 100b may have a key chain or key fob attached thereto for convenience for the user. In an embodiment, the clip and/or the key chain or key fob may be retractable, such that a user may extend the container 100a and 100b away from his or her person, or extend the key chain or fob away from his or her person, while having the unextended item be retained in a position with respect to the user.

The multi-compartment container is preferably formed from a durable plastic material such as nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride or any other suitable plastic that exhibits an elastic or flexible property, for accommodating items of various sizes and items of slightly larger dimensions than the interior dimensions of the compartments. The container may otherwise be formed from any other malleable or elastic material that may be manufactured to assume the shapes and/or configurations described herein.

The container may also comprise indicia on any of its exterior surfaces. The indicia may be promotional in nature (i.e. showing a company logo, products images, product information, slogans, sayings, telephone numbers, or the like.)

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such omission and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A multi-compartment container, the container comprising a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein said first and second compartments are connected by a common wall, wherein said first compartment comprises a configuration that corresponds and is substantially complementary to the dimensions and size of a cigarette lighter, and wherein said second compartment comprises a rectangular shape that corresponds and is substantially complementary to the size and dimensions of a breath freshener dispenser.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first compartment comprises an ellipsoid with an incomplete diameter.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the first compartment further comprises an exterior wall, wherein said exterior wall causes the first compartment to comprise a complete ellipsoid,

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the second compartment comprises at least one open side that is parallel to the common wall.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the first compartment further comprises at least one open side that is substantially perpendicular to the common wall.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the second compartment further comprises at least one open side that is substantially perpendicular to the common wall.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the first compartment comprises a rectangular-shaped container with an incomplete perimeter.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is comprised of an elastic material.

9. The container of claim 1. further comprising a key chain.

10. The container of claim 1, further comprising a key fob.

11. The container of claim 1, further comprising a clip.

12. The container of claim 9, wherein said key chain is retractable.

13. The container of claim 11, wherein said clip is retractable.

14. A multi-compartment container, the container comprising a first compartment and 50b and a second compartment, wherein said first and second compartments are connected by a common wall, wherein said first compartment comprises a substantially ellipsoid configuration, and wherein said second compartment comprises a substantially rectangular shape.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the first compartment comprises at least one open side.

16. The container of claim 14, wherein the second compartment comprises at least one open side.

17. A multi-compartment container, the container comprising a first compartment and a second compartment, wherein said first and second compartments are connected by a common wall, wherein said first compartment comprises a substantially rectangular configuration, and wherein said second compartment comprises a substantially rectangular shape.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein the first compartment comprises at least one open side.

19. The container of claim 14, wherein the second compartment comprises at least one open side.