MODULAR STORAGE CONTAINER
A modular storage candle container includes a base and a lid with a candle disposed on said lid. Specifically, the lid is dimensioned and configured to receive the candle that is releasably held in the exterior of the lid. The candle may be a faux candle or a wax candle. When a wax candle is used, the candle is designed to have a convex base and a concave interior so when the wax melts, the wax is directed toward a central portion of the concave interior thereby extending the life of the candle. In other embodiments, the candle may be replaced with a memorabilia insert or modular insert. On an underside of the lid is an interior insert positioned to extend down and into the compartment when the lid is position over the base. The interior insert includes a holding device such as a basket, jewelry holder or pill dispenser.
This application claims priority to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/365,132, filed Jul. 2, 2010, entitled COMBINATION CONTAINER AND CANDLE, to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/366,424, filed Jul. 21, 2010, entitled MODULAR STORAGE SYSTEM, and to U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/375,088, filed Sep. 17, 2010, entitled MODULAR STORAGE SYSTEM, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to storage containers. Specifically, the present invention relates to modular storage containers having dual functions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONStorage containers exist for a variety of objects and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The options available in the realm of storage containers for personal hygiene products are practical but insipid. For instance, containers used to hold flushable wipes or hemorrhoid pads are white or colored plastic tubs having a lid. Such containers are easily recognizable these days especially when located in the bathroom. Containers for dentures, retainers likewise are stored in standard issued vessels that are also easily recognizable in the public.
What is desired is a discreet container with lid that can store a broad range of personal hygiene and related personal use products. A container is also desired that allows a user to position the container for convenient usage in plain view, while disguising the personal nature of the contents within the container. A container is further desired that has a modular attachment system of interchangable elements or exterior inserts on an exterior of the lid which includes a wide variety of externally visible elements such as faux-candles, live candles, LED candles, and memorabilia inserts. It is also desired that a container with lid include interior inserts for elements that suspend on an underside of the lid into the storage container. Such interior inserts include, but are not limited to a two-stage, drop-down denture storage basket that suspends dental appliances discreetly within the container with or without solution, a two-stage drop-down jewelry holder that suspends jewelry discreetly within the container with or without solution, and a multi-cavity pill dispenser that organizes and suspends pills discreetly, down within the interior of the container. It is further desired that an exterior portion of the storage container accept a variety of printed or dimensional over-wraps that conform to the exterior of the storage base, and change the overall look of the individual product.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA modular storage container provides a dual purpose container for discreetly storing items therein and publicly displaying or serving as a candle mount. The modular storage container includes a base and a lid with an insert disposed on said lid. Specifically, the lid is dimensioned and configured to receive the insert that is releasably held in the exterior of the lid. The insert may be a faux candle, a wax candle or any other insert types such as a memorabilia insert or modular insert. When a wax candle insert is used, the candle is designed to have a convex base and a concave interior so when the wax melts, the wax is directed toward a central portion of the concave interior thereby extending the life of the candle. On an underside of the lid is an interior insert positioned to extend down and into the compartment when the lid is positioned over the base. The interior insert includes a holding device such as a basket, jewelry holder or pill dispenser.
The exterior insert 110 shown in
The underside 134 of the lid 130 has provisions to allow for a series of interior inserts 140 to hold elements and suspend the elements below the lid 130 and into the storage base 150 when the lid is placed on the base 150. See
The platform 144 of the interior insert 140 may include but is not limited to a two-stage, drop-down holder that suspends items within the base. For instance, the platform 144 may be a two-stage, drop-down holder being a denture storage basket, as shown in
The exterior surface of the base 150 may be embellished, accept a variety of printed or dimensional over-wraps that conform to the exterior of the base 150 or retain graphics for advertisements, amusement, etc. purposes.
The present invention as described above provides a discreet storage container for a broad range of personal hygiene and related personal use products. The unique configuration of the invention allows the user to position the product for convenient usage in plain view, while disguising the personal nature of the contents within the container. While the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, those of normal skill in the art will appreciate the modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope and the spirit of the present invention. Such modifications and variations are envisioned to be within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A discreet storage unit comprising:
- a base, said base having a compartment and an open end;
- a lid, said lid having an exterior side and an underside, said exterior side defining a cradle, said lid being dimensioned and configured to cover said open end of said base in a first position and expose said open end in an second position; and
- at least one exterior insert, said exterior insert being dimensioned and configured to be releasably held in said cradle of said lid.
2. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said compartment is dimensioned and configured to receive personal use products.
3. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said exterior insert includes a candle, a faux candle, a memorabilia insert and a modular insert.
4. The storage unit of claim 1, further comprising an interior insert, said interior insert being suspended from said underside of said lid and extending within said compartment when said lid is in said first position.
5. The storage unit of claim 4, wherein said interior insert includes a basket, a holder, and a dispenser.
6. The storage unit of claim 4, wherein said interior insert includes a denture storage basket, a jewelry holder, and a pill dispenser.
7. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein said base has an exterior surface, said exterior surface includes graphics.
8. The storage unit of claim 7, wherein said exterior surface includes a graphics compartment, said graphic compartment receiving a graphic sleeve therein.
9. A discreet storage unit comprising:
- a base, said base having a compartment and an open end;
- a lid, said lid having an exterior side and an underside, said exterior side defining a cradle, said lid being dimensioned and configured to cover said open end of said base in a first position and expose said open end in an second position; and
- a candle, said candle being dimensioned and configured to be releasably held in said cradle of said lid.
10. The storage unit of claim 9, wherein said candle has a base said base having an inner surface opposite an outer surface, said inner surface being concave and said outer surface being convex.
11. The storage unit of claim 10, wherein legs are disposed on said outer convex surface, said legs supporting said candle within said cradle.
12. The storage unit of claim 9, wherein said candle is a faux-candle.
13. The storage unit of claim 9, wherein wax is retained in said concave inner surface with a wick disposed in a central portion of said concave inner surface, wherein as said wick burns melted wax is directed along sides of the concave inner surface to said central portion of said concave inner surface thereby extending the life of the candle.
14. A discreet storage unit comprising:
- a base, said base having a compartment and an open end;
- a lid, said lid having an exterior side and an underside, said exterior side defining a cradle, said lid being dimensioned and configured to cover said open end of said base in a first position and expose said open end in an second position;
- at least one exterior insert, said exterior insert being dimensioned and configured to be releasably held in said cradle of said lid; and
- an interior insert, said interior insert being suspended from said underside of said lid and extending within said compartment when said lid is in said first position.
15. The storage unit of claim 14, wherein said exterior insert includes a candle, a faux candle, a memorabilia insert and a modular insert.
16. The storage unit of claim 14, wherein said interior insert includes a basket, a holder, and a dispenser.
17. The storage unit of claim 14, wherein said interior insert includes a denture storage basket, a jewelry holder, and a pill dispenser.
18. The storage unit of claim 15, wherein said candle has a base said base having an inner surface opposite an outer surface, said inner surface being concave and said outer surface being convex.
19. The storage unit of claim 18, wherein wax is retained in said concave inner surface with a wick disposed in a central portion of said concave inner surface, wherein as said wick burns melted wax is directed along sides of the concave inner surface to said central portion of said concave inner surface thereby extending the life of the candle.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 1, 2010
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2012
Inventor: Gary Rein (New York, NY)
Application Number: 12/917,140
International Classification: B65D 71/00 (20060101); B65D 90/00 (20060101);