Container for storing and displaying a soap system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6257790
  • Patent Number
    6,257,790
  • Date Filed
    Friday, December 29, 2000
    24 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, July 10, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Walczak; David J.
    Agents
    • Caesar, Rivise, Bernstein, Cohen & Pokotilow, Ltd.
Abstract
A container for storing and displaying a soap system. The soap system includes a bar of soap, a flexible, porous sheet retained around the bar of soap and a sliding fastener. The sliding fastener includes a peripheral wall that defines a central passageway therethrough. The sliding fastener is arranged for engaging a gathered end of the sheet extending through the central passageway thereof to retain the sheet about the bar of soap in a taut condition. The container includes a cover member arranged to fit together with a tray member. The cover member includes at least a top panel, two side panels, a front panel and a rear panel. The cover member also includes a projection that extends downwardly from the top panel and through the central passageway of the sliding fastener to retain the soap system within the tray member while housed within said container.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates generally to a container for storing and displaying a soap system for both soaping and scrubbing a person's body and more particularly to a storage and display container that employs a device for positioning the soap system within the container.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Display containers, including those that are transparent, often serve to contain products during shipping and storage in addition to serving as a display piece to promote the sales of those products. The means by which products are displayed to the potential purchaser is an extremely important element in the marketing and perceived value of the products being sold. Expensive products can appear to be cheap if poorly displayed. Similarly, a less expensive product may have its perceived value substantially enhanced if it is well presented in a context of luxury and value. While the store environment is also an important element of the sales environment, the box or container which is the immediate visual and physical surrounding of the displayed product, is probably the most important portion of the sales environment.




Typically, many prior art display containers, including those that are transparent, are simple boxes that are sufficient in size for holding the product therein. However, these display containers do not take best advantage of preserving the product and presenting it for sale. For example, if the display container is also being utilized to house the product during shipping, the container could become marred or damaged as the result of movement of the product within the container during shipping. Likewise, the product itself could become damaged as the result of such movement. A damaged product or container will not provide an effective presentation from a sales standpoint. While the prior art display containers are adequate for basic storage purposes, they are not particularly well adapted for preserving products during shipping and storage and are not adequate for displaying such products in a commercial environment. Thus, it is desirable to provide a display container, such as one that is transparent, that retains the product at a fixed position and orientation within the container so as to minimize the potential for damage to the container or product held therein during shipping while providing a most advantageous presentation for sales purposes.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




The above and other objects of this invention are provided by a container for storing and displaying a soap system. The soap system, which is arranged to be housed within the container, includes a bar of soap, a flexible, porous sheet retained around the bar of soap and a sliding fastener. The sliding fastener includes a peripheral wall that defines a central passageway therethrough. The sliding fastener is arranged for engaging a gathered end of the sheet extending through the central passageway thereof to retain the sheet about the bar of soap in a taut condition. The container includes a cover member arranged to fit together with a tray member. The cover member includes a projection that extends downwardly from the top panel and through the central passageway of the sliding fastener to retain the soap system within the tray member while the soap system is housed within the container.




In a variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the cover member includes a plurality of registration tabs extending inwardly therefrom and the tray member includes slots corresponding in number to the plurality of registration tabs. The slots are aligned with the plurality of tabs for engagement with the tabs for securement of the cover member to the tray member.




In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the cover member includes at least a top panel, two side panels, a front panel and a rear panel.




In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the internal dimensions of the slots correspond to the external dimensions of the registration tabs.




In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the cover member is transparent.




In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the container includes a retention means for retaining a card member that includes display indicia, the retention means comprising a pair of retention slots disposed adjacent opposite sides of the rear panel, the card member being sized to slide within the retention slots for positioning against the rear panel.




In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the top panel, side panels, front panel and rear panel of the cover member are molded together to form a one-piece construction.




In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the tray member includes a soap dish portion volumetrically contoured for receiving the soap system.




In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the soap dish portion additionally comprises an aperture located at the bottom thereof for allowing the drainage of soapy water from the soap system.




In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the tray member additionally comprises a plurality of corners, the container additionally comprising a plurality of feet, one located at each of the corners.




In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the container additionally comprising a strip arranged for releasable adhesive securement over the aperture.




In another variation of the first exemplary embodiment, the cover and tray members are formed of a plastic material.




Other objects and many attendant features of this invention will become readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS





FIG. 1

is an isometric view of a soap system in accordance with this invention;





FIG.2

is an exploded isometric view of the soap system of this invention, schematically illustrating the manner in which the corners of the flexible sheet of the system are gathered and directed through the central opening of the sliding fastener of this invention;





FIG. 3

is a sectional view taken along line


3





3


of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 4

is a section view taken along line


4





4


of

FIG. 3

;





FIG. 5

is a bottom view of the fastener of this invention showing details of construction of the locking member;





FIG. 6

is an isometric view of a soap system in accordance with this invention stored within a display case of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a section view taken along line


7





7


of

FIG. 6

;





FIG. 8

is an isometric view of the tray portion of the display case of the present invention; and,

FIG. 9

is an exploded isometric view of the display case of the present invention and the soap system stored therein.











DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT




A soap system employing the features of this invention is generally shown at


10


in

FIGS. 1 and 2

. As can be seen in

FIGS. 1 and 2

the soap system


10


includes a bar of soap


12


and a flexible, porous sheet


14


which is retained around the bar of soap in a taut condition by a unique sliding fastener


16


of this invention.




The bar of soap


12


can be of any desired composition and shape and is shown in a rectangular shape herein solely for illustrative purposes. For example, the bar of soap can include lanolin and/or other skin treating components therein and can be of a variety of different shapes, including round, oval, elliptical, etc. Reference throughout this application to a “bar of soap” or “soap bar” should be given its broadest interpretation.




The flexible, porous sheet


14


can be of any desired material that preferably will not disintegrate during the life of the product. Most preferable the flexible, porous sheet is made of a porous plastic material, such as Nylon, and has mildly abrasive properties so that it will provide an effective scrubbing action on a person's skin. One plastic material which has been found well suited for use in this invention is porous plastic web material employed as bridal tulle. Although a preferred polymer employed in the flexible, porous sheet is Nylon, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the use of any particular plastic or polymer composition. As long as the sheet material is sufficiently porous to permit an effective amount of the soap to be metered therethrough in use, and is capable of providing a desired, mildly abrasive action against the person's skin without deteriorating in use, such a sheet material is satisfactory for use in the present invention.




Referring specifically to

FIG. 2

, it should be noted that the soap system


10


of this invention is constructed by placing the bar of soap


12


generally in the center of the flexible, porous sheet


14


, and then gathering the ends of the sheet together and directing the ends through the unique sliding fastener


16


of this invention. As can be seen best in

FIGS. 1 and 3

, when the gathered ends are directed through the fastener


16


so as to position the fastener close to the surface of the bar of soap


12


, the porous sheet


14


is maintained in a generally taut condition about the periphery of the bar of soap. In particular, it should be noted that the porous sheet


14


is maintained taut against inner surface


18


of the bar of soap, and it is this surface that is predominately utilized to engage a person's skin to provide the desired body washing and scrubbing action.




Reference throughout this application to “inner” or “inward” in identifying an orientation, position, or direction of movement, is relative to a person's skin. In other words, the surface


18


of the bar of soap is referred to herein as the inner surface of the bar of soap, and the movement of the sliding fastener


16


toward the bar of soap is movement in an inward direction. Correspondently, the sliding fastener


16


is located closely adjacent an outer surface


20


of the bar of soap


12


, i.e., that surface opposed to inner surface


18


.




Referring to

FIGS. 3 through 5

, the sliding fastener


16


of this invention preferable is an injection molded plastic member including a hollow body


22


providing a central passageway


24


therein. The hollow body


22


includes an outer, central hub section


26


and an inner, flange


28


that extends beyond the periphery of the hub


16


and includes a generally flat inner surface


30


.




As can be seen best in

FIGS. 3 through 5

, a plurality of sheet locking members


32


are disposed in the central passageway


24


, and are angled toward the center of the passageway


24


in an outward direction.




The locking members


32


preferably are injection molded as an integral part of the sliding fastener


16


and the outer edges thereof are pointed so as to engage the periphery of the gathered end of the flexible sheet


14


. Due to the orientation of the locking members


32


, the sliding fastener


16


is capable of freely moving, or sliding, in an inward direction toward the outer surface


20


of the bar of soap. However, due to the outwardly angled orientation of the locking members


32


, movement of the sliding fastener


16


in an outward direction, away from the bar of soap, is precluded. Specifically, the locking members


32


will dig into the flexible, porous sheet


14


to preclude such outward movement. Thus, the sliding fastener


16


is a “one-way” device; capable of movement only in a direction to continuously foreshorten the sheet


14


about the bar of soap


12


, to thereby maintain the sheet in a taut condition as the soap is being dissipated during continuous use.




It should be apparent that the gathered end of the sheet material


14


extending through the sliding fastener


16


provides a convenient gripping area for a person using the soap device, thereby permitting the device to be easily gripped to wash and scrub a person's body even when the bar of soap


12


is almost completely dissipated.




It also should be noted that the flexible sheet


14


, by virtue of being maintained taut about the bar of soap, aids in retaining the general configuration of the bar of soap, even when the bar of soap is wet.




A further benefit of this invention is that the flexible, porous sheet material effectively meters smaller quantities of soap through the porous sheet than otherwise would be applied to a person's skin if the bar of soap were being utilized in an unconfined manner. Accordingly, it is believed that the bar of soap


12


employed in the soap system of this invention will have a greater useful life than if the bar of soap were used in a conventional manner, without being confined in any flexible, porous retaining sheet.




It should be understood that various modifications can be made within the scope of this invention, the embodiments described herein being presented solely for purposes of illustrating the best mode contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.




For example, although the preferred embodiment of this invention includes a unique sliding fastener


16


to continuously maintain the flexible, porous sheet taut about the bar of soap


12


, in accordance with the broadest aspects of this invention other fastening means can be employed. In fact, in accordance with the broadest aspects of this invention, the fastening means does not necessarily need to be a sliding fastening means, e.g., it could be a conventional, flexible band either twisted or tied about the gathered end of the flexible, porous sheet


14


. However, in accordance with the most preferred embodiment of this invention, a sliding fastener clearly is desirable, since it permits the easy and continuous adjustment of the flexible, porous sheet


14


about the bar of soap


12


as the bar of soap is being dissipated.




Referring now to

FIGS. 6 and 7

, the soap system


10


of the present invention is shown as being disposed within a box-shaped container


50


(

FIG. 6

) that includes a cover member


52


(

FIG. 7

) and a tray member


54


. The cover member


52


includes a top panel


56


, two side panels


58


, a front panel


60


and a rear panel


62


positioned rearwards of the front panel


60


. The panels


56


,


58


,


60


and


62


may be formed as an integral one-piece construction such as by injection molding of any suitable plastic material. Alternatively, the panels


56


,


58


,


60


and


62


may be fabricated individually and then joined to one another to form the cover member


52


. Although under the preferred exemplary embodiment of this invention the cover member


52


includes panels


56


,


58


,


60


and


62


to form a box shape, it is within the scope of this invention for the container to employ a greater or fewer number of panels to obtain shapes other than a box shape, e.g., triangular, hexagonal, circular, etc. Moreover, the top panel


56


could be eliminated and the container could be pyramidal in shape comprising a plurality of triangular side panels. Under the preferred exemplary embodiment, the panels are transparent to enable one to see therethrough to the soap system


10


located therein.




As best shown in

FIG. 7

, the cover member includes a plurality of inwardly extending registration tabs


64


that are located at the bottom center of the inside surface of side panels


58


. The registration tabs


64


are arranged for engagement with a plurality of aligned through slots


66


, one of which is best shown in FIG.


8


. The slots


66


are located on side walls


68


of the tray member


54


. The internal dimensions of the through slots


66


correspond to the external dimensions of the registration tabs


64


. Alternatively, the registration tabs


64


could be located on the inside surface of the front and rear panels,


60


and


62


, and aligned for engagement with a plurality of through slots


66


located on the front wall


80


(

FIG. 8

) and rear wall of the tray member


54


. Alternatively, the registration tabs could be located on the outside surface of the front and rear walls of the tray member


54


and arranged for engagement with a plurality of through slots located on the front and rear panels,


60


and


62


, of the cover member


52


. Together, the cover member


52


and tray member


54


serve for housing the soap system


10


of the present invention for display such as at a point of sale or for safely storing the soap system


10


during shipping. The cover member


52


is removable from the tray member


54


to obtain access to the soap system


10


.




Referring again to

FIG. 8

, the tray member


54


includes a bottom wall


70


, the lower surface of which includes a plurality of feet


72


disposed thereon by any suitable means, e.g., adhesive. Although in

FIG. 8

, the feet


72


are depicted as located at the corners of the bottom wall


70


, it should understood that these feet could be located elsewhere along the bottom wall


70


of the tray


54


without departing from the scope of this invention. Moreover, a greater or fewer number of feet


70


could be provided on the bottom wall


70


without departing from the scope of this invention. Moreover, although the feet


72


are illustrated as being square in shape, they could be of any other suitable shape, e.g., circular, rectangular, etc.




The tray member


54


is arranged to be utilized as a soap dish for storing the soap system


10


after use and re-use. Referring now to

FIG. 7

, the tray member


54


includes a downwardly sloping soap dish portion


74


that is volumetrically contoured for receiving the soap system


10


of the present invention therein. As best shown in

FIG. 9

, centered at the bottom of the soap dish portion


74


is a large drainage aperture


76


that serves to drain any soapy water that may remain on the soap system


10


after use. As best shown in

FIG. 8

, a strip of adhesive


78


is used for covering the drainage aperture


76


to preserve the contents of the soap system


10


during display and shipping of the soap system


10


. Prior to use of the soap system


10


, the strip of adhesive


78


may be removed from the tray member


54


to expose the drainage aperture


76


thus allowing any soapy water that may remain on the soap system after use to drain through the aperture


76


to avoid any soap scum buildup.




Referring now to

FIGS. 6 and 9

, each side panel


58


includes a vertically oriented rib


84


,


86


located on the inside wall thereof in close proximity with the rear panel


62


. A vertical slot is defined between each vertically oriented rib


84


,


86


and the rear panel


62


. The vertical slots are arranged for slidingly receiving and positioning against the rear panel


62


a card or other suitable paper stock


87


on which display indicia is located. Under the preferred embodiment, the paper stock


87


is approximately the width of the rear panel


62


and when folded in half, as shown in

FIG. 9

, is approximately the height of the rear panel


62


. The display indicia may be a colorful and decorative pattern or design such as a floral design for sales, advertising or other purposes.




Referring now to

FIGS. 6 and 7

, a vertical member


90


is shown extending downwardly for a fixed distance from the top panel


56


. When packaging the soap system


10


of the present invention, the soap system


10


is placed centrally within the soap dish portion


74


of the tray member


54


with the sliding fastener


16


situated centrally on the top of the bar of soap


12


. Next, the cover member


52


is placed over the tray member


54


with the vertical member


90


extending downwardly through the central passageway


24


of the sliding fastener


16


. Specifically, as best shown in

FIG. 7

, the vertical member


90


extends downwardly within the central hub section


26


of the fastener


16


and within the flexible sheet


14


gathered therein but does not extend so far as to actually touch the bar of soap


12


. Although under the preferred exemplary embodiment of this invention the vertical member


90


is shown as not touching the bar of soap


12


, it is within the scope of this invention for the vertical member


90


to touch the bar of soap


12


, or if desired, to penetrate the surface of the bar of soap


12


by a small distance, e.g., one eighth of an inch. In this manner, the vertical member


90


secures the position and orientation of the soap system


10


within the container


50


for shipping and display. The inwardly extending registration tabs


64


located on the cover member


50


extend through the slots


66


located on the tray


54


to secure the cover member


50


to the tray member


54


. In the preferred embodiment, in cross-section, the vertical member


90


includes a plurality of outwardly extending ribs that are arranged to fit between the plurality of sheet locking members


32


disposed in the central passageway


24


.




Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.



Claims
  • 1. A container for storing and displaying a soap system, the soap system including a bar of soap, a flexible, porous sheet retained around the bar of soap and a sliding fastener having a peripheral wall defining a central passageway therethrough, the sliding fastener arranged for engaging a gathered end of the sheet extending through the central passageway thereof to retain the sheet about the bar of soap in a taut condition, said container comprising:a. a cover member; b. a tray member arranged to fit together with said cover member to define a space for housing said soap system; and, c. a projection extending downwardly from said cover member and arranged for passage into the central passageway of the sliding fastener to retain the soap system within said tray member while the soap system is housed within said container.
  • 2. The container of claim 1 wherein said cover member includes a plurality of registration tabs extending inwardly from said cover member and wherein said tray member includes slots corresponding in number to said plurality of registration tabs, said slots being aligned with said plurality of tabs for engagement therewith for securement of said cover member to said tray member.
  • 3. The container of claim 2 wherein the internal dimensions of said slots correspond to the external dimensions of said registration tabs.
  • 4. The container of claim 1 wherein said cover member is transparent.
  • 5. The container of claim 1 further comprising retention means for retaining a card member that includes display indicia.
  • 6. The container of claim 5 wherein said retention means comprises a pair of linearly aligned retention slots disposed adjacent opposite sides of said rear panel, said card member being sized to slide within said retention slots for positioning against said rear panel.
  • 7. The container of claim 1 wherein a top panel, side panels, a front panel and rear panel of said cover member are molded together to form a one-piece construction.
  • 8. The container of claim 1 wherein said tray member includes a soap dish portion volumetrically contoured for receiving the soap system.
  • 9. The container of claim 8 wherein said soap dish portion additionally comprises an aperture located at the bottom thereof for allowing the drainage of water from the soap system.
  • 10. The container of claim 9 additionally comprising a strip arranged for releasable adhesive securement over said aperture.
  • 11. The container of claim 1 wherein said tray member additionally comprises a plurality of corners, said container additionally comprising a plurality of feet, one located at each of said corners.
  • 12. The container of claim 1 wherein said cover member and said tray member are formed of a plastic material.
  • 13. The container of claim 1 wherein said cover member comprises at least a top panel, two side panels, a front panel and a rear panel positioned rearwards of said front panel.
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/543,137, filed on Apr. 5, 2000 (hereinafter “the '137 application”) and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to the '137 application.

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Continuation in Parts (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 09/543137 Apr 2000 US
Child 09/752569 US