Portable Storage Case

Abstract

A portable storage case for storing and organizing personal and hygienic items. The portable storage case includes an upper section pivotally connected to a lower section, wherein each section includes an interior volume. The lower section includes a plurality of compartments therein, wherein the compartments are defined by dividing walls. A center panel is pivotally affixed to a hinge on the interior of the cosmetic case, wherein the center panel includes a mirror thereon. The upper section includes one or more bowl holders for removably securing bowls therein. The bowls are used for storing water, lotions, and other fluids. A heating element is provided in the upper section for heating the materials held within the bowls prior to use.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/218,086 filed on Sep. 14, 2015. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to storage devices. More specifically, the present invention provides a portable storage case having compartments for storing and organizing various personal and hygienic items therein, and further having a plurality of bowls removably supported therein for heating water or lotions.

Many people are bed-ridden for a variety of reasons, such as persons who are hospitalized or suffer from a physical handicap. Further, many elderly people have great difficulty moving around and require assistance with daily tasks. As a result, caretakers or others visit a bed-ridden patient and help them bathe, dress, and perform other personal hygiene related tasks. This requires the caretaker to have a variety of items close-by, such as soap, shampoo, lotion, washcloths, and water.

In order to bathe or clean a bed-ridden person, the caretaker must utilize a wet sponge or washcloth to wipe the person's body. However, the caretaker may not have access to warm water, or may have to walk back and forth between the patient and a bathroom in order to continually wet and wring the sponge or washcloth. This can be time consuming and inconvenient. Further, the caretaker may not wish to leave the patient unattended while he or she travels back and forth from a sink in a different room. Additionally, the caretaker may not have suitable means for storing a variety of hygienic items, which can create further difficulties.

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to cosmetic cases and organizers. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to cosmetic storage cases for holding make-up, toiletries, and other personal hygiene accessories, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,698,404, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2011/0030721, U.S. Pat. No. 3,381,120, U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2009/0038900, and U.S. Published Patent Application Number 2006/0231116.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The devices in the prior art disclose cosmetic cases or kits suited for holding, storing, and organizing various items therein. However, such devices fail to provide means for holding and heating water that can be used to wash or clean a user. As a result, the devices in the prior art are used merely for storage and are not useful for helping to clean or bathe a user.

In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing portable storage case devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of storage cases now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new portable storage case wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when bathing or cleaning a person.

The present invention provides a portable storage device that facilitates bathing or cleaning a bed-ridden person, such as a hospital patient or handicapped individual. The portable storage case comprises a container having an upper section pivotally connected to a lower section. The lower section comprises a plurality of compartments for storing hygienic items therein, such as soap, shampoo, lotion, washcloths, and sponges, among various other items. The upper section includes a heating element and one or more bowls adapted to hold water or other fluid therein so that the water can be heated for use in bathing a person.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the portable storage case in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the lower section of the portable storage case in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the upper section of the portable storage case in an open configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the portable storage case. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for helping holding and storing personal hygiene items and other accessories useful in washing or cleaning a person. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the portable storage case in a closed configuration. The portable storage case 11 comprises an upper section 13 pivotally affixed to a lower section 12 via a hinge 18. Preferably, the portable storage case 11 is divided into the upper section 13 and lower section 12 via a plane extending through a longitudinal axis of the container. In the illustrated embodiment, the portable storage case 11 comprises a substantially cylindrical configuration, wherein the upper section 13 comprises half of the cylinder and the lower section 12 comprises the other half of the cylinder. However, in alternate embodiments, the portable storage case 11 may have other configurations, such as a substantially rectangular shape. The portable storage case 11 can be moved between a closed configuration and an open configuration by pivoting the upper section 13 relative to the lower section 12, wherein the open configuration allows a user to access the interior volume of the portable storage case 11 The portable storage case 11 is preferably composed of a rigid, durable material so as to protect the contents of the portable storage case 11 from damage.

The upper section 13 preferably includes a handle 17 thereon for allowing the user to easily carry and transport the portable storage case 11. Further, a locking latch 16 is used to secure the portable storage case 11 in a closed configuration. A first section of the locking latch 16 is positioned on the upper section 13 and a second section of the locking latch 16 is positioned on the lower section 12, wherein the first and second sections 12, 13 are removably engaged in order to lock the portable storage case 11 in the closed configuration. In some embodiments, the locking latch 16 includes male and female mating fasteners.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of the lower section of the portable storage case in an open configuration. The lower section 12 comprises an interior volume in which any of various personal hygiene items or toiletries, such as soap, shampoo, washcloths, sponges, lotions, oils, cosmetics, and other similar items can be stored. The lower section 12 is divided into a plurality of compartments 14 via one or more dividing walls 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the compartments 14 are arranged in a grid, wherein there are two rows of compartments 14. The compartments 14 can be provided in any of various sizes, wherein smaller compartments 14 are used to hold small items, such as soap or sponges, and wherein larger compartments are used to store larger items, such as hand towels or washcloths.

A center panel 19 is pivotally affixed to the hinge 18 on the interior of the portable storage case 11. The center panel 19 preferably comprises a rectangular configuration and includes a mirror 20 thereon. In this way, when the portable storage container 11 is opened, the user can oriented the center panel 19 in a vertical orientation so that he or she can utilize the mirror 20. The mirror 20 allows the user to view his or her face while he or she is washing himself or while he or she is being washed. Further, the compartments 14 on the lower section 12 allow for easy access to any of the various items stored therein.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the upper section of the portable storage case in an open configuration. In the shown embodiment, the center panel 19 is disposed substantially flush over the lower section 12. The upper section 13 of the portable storage case 11 includes a heating element 21 therein. The heating element 21 is operably connected to one or more bowl holders 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the bowl holders 22 comprise one or more pairs of arms each comprising a curved configuration such that they are adapted to removably secure a bowl 23 therein. The bowls 23 can be held by the bowl holders 22 by friction fit, or the bowl holder 22 may engage a lip disposed on the upper end of the bowl 23. The bowls 23 are shown as having a circular opening with a curved or rounded body. The bowls 23 are suited for storing fluids therein, such as water, among others, wherein the water held within the bowls 23 can be heated via the heating element 21.

The heating element 21 is preferably electrically operated. The heating element may include an electrical resistance heating element, such as one or more coils of wire. In some embodiments, the upper section includes a power source, such as one or more batteries, adapted to provide electricity to power the heating element 21. In alternate embodiments, an electrical cable is provided, wherein the electrical cable is adapted to be engaged with a conventional power outlet.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A portable storage case, comprising:

a container comprising an upper section pivotally secured to a lower section via a hinge;

the lower section comprising a plurality of compartments therein;

the upper section comprising a heating element operably connected to one or ore bowl holders each adapted to removably secure a bowl therein, wherein the heating element is adapted to provide heat to the bowl.

2) The portable storage case of claim 1, further comprising a center panel pivotally affixed to the hinge, wherein the center panel includes a mirror thereon.

3) The portable storage case of claim 1, wherein the container is divided into the upper section and the lower section via a plane extending along a longitudinal axis of the container.

4) The portable storage case of claim 1, further comprising a locking latch adapted to selectively secure the container in a closed configuration.

5) The portable storage case of claim 1, wherein the one or more bowl holders each comprise a pair of curved arms adapted to removably secure a bowl therein.

6) The portable storage case of claim 1, further comprising a bowl having an open upper end and a curved body.

7) A portable storage case, comprising:

a container comprising an upper section pivotally secured to a lower section via a hinge;

the lower section comprising a plurality of compartments therein;

the upper section comprising a heating element operably connected to one or more bowl holders, wherein each bowl holder comprises a pair of curved arms adapted to removably secure a bowl therein;

one or more bowls, wherein each or said one or more bowls is adapted to hold a liquid therein;

wherein the heating element is adapted to provide heat to said bowl holders and to said one or more bowls so as to heat fluid stored within said one or more bowls.