FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of organizing containers and, more specifically, relates to containers or utility cases that may be used to easily organize, maintain, protect, and provide ready access to a wide variety of individual or limited use items, where the utility case is formed as a multi-module/multi-compartment utility case with a plurality of openings and/or compartments formed within or housed within the case.
BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Most everyone carries a wide variety of smaller items along with themselves during each day. Many of these items, including chewing gum, medicines, wipes, cologne or perfume, and so on, are either difficult to carry discretely in a pocket because of larger packaging, or are difficult to carry and protect as individual items. For example, carrying an entire aspirin or ibuprofen container, having hundreds of pills or tablets, when a user may only want or need one or two tablets, is cumbersome. Similarly, items such as perfumes or colognes are difficult to carry in the larger original manufacturing packaging, when all that is desired is a smaller amount for one or two individual uses. Still further, other items may need to be protected from heat, friction, or impact such as individual cleaning wipes, medications, or condoms.
While many manufacturers have acknowledged the need for individual packaging, many of these individual packets are themselves fragile or difficult to carry. What is needed is a single, compact and discrete, container or case that is flexible enough to store or house multiple, disparate items or products that may be for single use or limited use.
Various cases and containers have been designed. However, there does not appear to be any one or more of such products that have achieved consumer acceptance or commercial success. More specifically, many of these containers are designed for use with a particular type of item and are not able to accommodate different sized, different shaped, or merely disparate items, such as pills, tablets, liquid products, powder products, and other items.
Several examples of such containers and cases include U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,045,597 and 9,284,095, both granted to Caruth. The '597 patent discloses a medication carrying case having a modular interior and a deployable tray work surface. While the case structure of the '597 patent provides several different sizes and designs, the device is limited to housing and storing medication type articles.
Similarly, the '095 patent discloses a medication carrying case having a modular interior and deployable tray work surface. The '095 patent further discloses a structure that allows for the storage of several different size medication containers, which like the '597 patent is a limitation of the '095 patent. Neither the '597 nor the '095 patents provide any disclosure for a compact carrying case that discretely houses and stores a wide variety of items within various size modules such as a thermally insulated module, a liquid-proof module, a contact lens module, an electrical charger, and other similar items.
Each of these patents and other prior devices disclose certain products that have particular uses or applications, but none provides a comprehensive solution for the overall objective and need to compactly, and securely hold multiple different types of items within a single utility case where each such item may only be a single use or single application.
Accordingly, while certain of the current designs and products appear to provide certain components and elements attempting to address the need for carrying single use, or individual use items, none of these designs provides a comprehensive solution that teaches or discloses a multi-module or multi-compartment utility case for carrying and protecting a plurality of individual use items. Indeed, what is needed is a multi-module/multi-compartment utility case, that has a plurality of openings and compartments formed within the case, and a plurality of modules sized to form fit within at least one of the plurality of openings and compartments formed within the case, and further wherein the plurality of modules may include at least one of a thermal insulated module, a liquid-proof module, a spray module; an electrically insulated module, a mirror, a dental pick, an electrical charger, a hair comb module, a toothbrush module, and/or a contact lens case module. Such a device or case has not been created, disclosed, or used in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and fulfills the needs described above by providing multi-module utility case in varied embodiments using different sized, shaped, and configurations of modules that fit within the utility case.
A preferred embodiment of the invention is a multi-module utility case, comprising a case having a plurality of compartments and openings formed within said case; a plurality of modules, with each said module being sized and shaped to form fit within at least one of the plurality of compartments and openings formed within the case; a retention means incorporated into each of the case plurality of compartments wherein each retention means provides a force to hold each respective module within a respective compartment; wherein said plurality of modules are at least one of a thermal insulated module, a liquid-proof module, a spray module, an electrically insulated module, a mirror, a dental pick, an electrical charger, a hair comb module, a toothbrush module, a contact lens case module.
Another preferred embodiment of the invention is a multi-module utility case, comprising a case sleeve having a larger opening at one end, a plate sized and shaped to slide within said case sleeve larger opening and to form fit within said case sleeve; a plurality of modules, with each said module being sized and shaped so that said plurality of modules form fit upon said plate; and a retention means incorporated into said case sleeve and plate to provide a retaining force of said plate and said plurality of modules within said case sleeve.
A further embodiment of the invention is a multi-module utility case, comprising a case sleeve having a larger opening at one end, a plate sized and shaped to slide within said case sleeve larger opening and to form fit within said case sleeve; a plurality of modules, with each said module being sized and shaped so that said plurality of modules form fit upon said plate; and a retention means incorporated into said case sleeve and plate to provide a retaining force of said plate and said plurality of modules within said case sleeve, wherein said plurality of modules are dimensionally sized in length and width to permit rearranging of said plurality of modules into different configurations on said plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refers to the figure number in which that element is or was first shown and introduced.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the multi-module utility case shown in a fully closed configuration.
FIG. 2 is another perspective view of an embodiment of the multi-module utility case showing one of the modules partially open and released from the utility case.
FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the multi-module utility case showing an exemplary internal configuration of six modules and module openings.
FIG. 4A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module having a tear section to open the module.
FIG. 4B is another perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module having a tear section to open the module.
FIG. 5A is another view of the example module of FIG. 4, showing the module before release of the tear section.
FIG. 5B is another view of the example module of FIG. 4, showing how the module may be opened after release of the tear section.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module having a slide-to-open section.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module having three push-to-release sections.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module having a single push-to-release sections.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module having a corner tear or twist to open section.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module being a spray device.
FIG. 11A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the multi-module utility case shown with a separate additional element, being a mirror, magnetically attachable to the multi-module utility case.
FIG. 11B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the multi-module utility case shown with a separate additional element, being a decorative cover, magnetically attachable to the multi-module utility case.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module being a rechargeable battery pack.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module being a cigar cutting device.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module being a contact lens case.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module being a hair comb.
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module being a light emitting diode flashlight.
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module being a lighter.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module being a pen or marker.
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module that fits within the multi-module case, with the module being an eye-drop dispenser.
FIG. 20A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example case sleeve.
FIG. 20B is a perspective view of another embodiment of an example case sleeve.
FIG. 21A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example mounting plate that fits within the case sleeve.
FIG. 21B is a perspective view of another embodiment of an example mounting plate that fits within the case sleeve of an example.
FIG. 22A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module configured to hold tubular-shaped items.
FIG. 22B is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module configured with a hinged cover.
FIG. 22C is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example module configured as a contact lens case.
FIG. 23A is a perspective view of an embodiment of an example layout and configuration of different size modules positioned on the mounting plate.
FIG. 23B is a perspective view of an embodiment of another example layout and configuration of different size modules positioned on the mounting plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS
An innovative multi-module, multi-purpose utility case for use by anyone who desires to carry one or more of a variety of items, in a discrete and compact utility case, is disclosed. The multi-module utility case is designed to be compact, and discrete, while still providing users with a highly versatile and flexible tool within which they may store, carry, have ready access to, and protect a wide variety of single-use, limited use, or multi-use items.
In more particularity, and in certain embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1 through 19, the multi-module utility case 100 is structured as a case having a plurality of openings 110 and associated plurality of compartments 111 formed within the utility case 100, along with a plurality of modules 120 sized to form fit within at least one of the plurality of openings 110 and plurality of compartments 111 formed within the case 100. When located within the utility case 100 and plurality of compartments 111, the modules 120 stay in place within the plurality of compartments through a variety of means. Because the modules 120 are sized to form fit within each compartment 111, the modules 120 stay in position through friction between the modules 120 surface and the corresponding surface of the compartments 111.
In another embodiment, each of the modules 120 may have a small detent 112 that fits within a corresponding section of the respective opening 110 or compartment 111. The small detent providing an additional retention force along with the surface friction to hold the module 120 within the compartment 111 and utility case 100.
In other embodiments, the multi-module utility case 100 may also or alternatively incorporate a push spring release mechanism 150 located with each of the utility case 100 plurality of compartments 111 wherein each said spring release mechanism 150 provides a spring force to urge the respective module 120 out of the case opening 110 and case compartment 111 when push actuated by a user.
In more specific embodiments, the plurality of modules 120 are at least one of a thermal insulated module, a liquid-proof module, a spray module, an electrically insulated module, a mirror, a dental pick, an electrical charger, a hair comb module, a toothbrush module, a marker or pen, and/or a contact lens case module.
In further detail, in preferred embodiments, the utility case 100 and one or more of the modules 120 may be partially or fully manufactured using a resilient thermoplastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or a polycarbonate material. Through use of such thermoplastic materials, a blow-molding manufacturing process may be used to rapidly and repeatedly fabricate the utility case 100 and modules 120. Alternatively, the utility case 100 and/or one or more of the modules 120 may be alternatively manufactured from a lightweight metal such as aluminum or steel. For obvious durability reasons, and to protect the contents of each of the modules 120, having the case manufactured from a resilient or rigid material would be beneficial.
As shown in one embodiment in FIG. 1, the utility case 100 is illustrated in a fully closed configuration. FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the utility case 100 with one the modules 120 partially engaged within its respective opening 110 and compartment 111.
The utility case 100, as shown in FIG. 3, may have six separate openings 110 and six separate compartments 111 into which six separate modules 120 form fit. As described above, each of the compartment 111 within the utility case 100 may have a push spring release mechanism 150 such that when a module 120 is placed and pushed into an opening 110, the module 120 stays in place within the opening 110 and compartment 111. And when the module 120 is then pushed again, into the utility case 100 and compartment 111, the push spring release mechanism 150 is released and urges or pushes the module 120 out of the compartment 111 and out of the utility case 100 so that the user may readily and fully remove the module 120 from the utility case 100, and have access to whatever item is stored within the removed module 120. FIG. 2 illustrates this action and shows an embodiment of the utility case 100 with one of the modules 120 partially released from the utility case opening 110 and utility case compartment 111.
While the FIGS. 1 and 3 embodiments show the utility case 100 having six separate compartments 111 for holding and housing six separate modules 120, in other embodiments, the utility case 100 may have less or more compartments 111 and respective modules, including as shown in FIG. 2. Moreover, while shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, in particular embodiments, the six compartments 111 may be configured with different sizes to hold different contents and materials. In other embodiments, the utility case 100 may have less or more compartments 111 and modules 120 each of the same size.
In other embodiments, as shown and described in FIGS. 4A through 19 there are many different alternative configurations, designs, and uses for the modules 120 that fit within and are protected by the utility case 100. For example, in a one-time usage configuration, as shown in FIGS. 4A through 5B, incorporating a removable or tearable strip 410, the module 120 may be separated into two sections to provide access to an element or component, such as a facial, make-up, or hand wipe 450. The removable strip 410 could be manufactured as part of the assembly or manufacturing of the module 120, and could be located to separate the module 120 into two equal halves, or could be located closer to one end of the module 120 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 5B.
Another embodiment of a re-usable module, as shown in FIG. 6, provides a top or side section 610 that is slidable to one or both sides of the module 120, to allow access to the interior of the module 120. In another embodiment, the slidable side section 610 may be fully removed from the module 120 by simply sliding the section 610 completely away from the module 120. This type of module could be used to store a key or capsule, vitamins, or any of a wide variety of pills or medications.
A further module embodiment, being a further example of a one-time usage module and as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, may incorporate one or more openings 710 within the module 120, and a blister-pak or breakable film 720 located over one or both sides of the opening 710, such that by pushing through the breakable film 720, the item stored in the opening 710 may be accessed by the user. This type of module, similar to the slidably openable module 120 shown in FIG. 6, may be used to store medications, or mints, or candies.
In a further embodiment of a one-time usage module 120, the module may be fabricated with a removable end or corner to allow access to a liquid or powder product stored within the module 120. As shown in FIG. 9, the module may have a perforation or breakaway section 910 along one corner, or one end of the module 120 that allows the user to easily twist or breakoff the corner or end. This type of a one-time usage module may be used to store a small amount of a liquid or powder, such as perfume or cologne. Where the module 120 is designed to house a liquid or powder, the module would be manufactured to be liquid or water-tight. Such a module design could be manufactured to have an ingress protection rating (IP rating) of 67 or higher to prevent the ingress of dust, and ingress of water to a depth of 1 meter. While this type of module 120 is well-suited to house a liquid or powder substance or product, the module could also be used to hold a tablet, capsule, or other non-liquid product.
A further embodiment of a reusable module 120 may be a spray device 1010 as illustrated in FIG. 10. The spray device module 1010 could be used to house and allow ready access to perfume, cologne, air freshener, or most any other type of liquid that can be stored within the spray device module 1010. In one configuration, the spray device module 1010, as shown in FIG. 10, may include a push-to-actuate mechanism 1011, a push-to-actuate valve 1012 to allow re-loading of the module 1010, and a clear section 1013 formed in the module 1010 to allow users to see the level of liquid remaining within the module 1010. The push-to-actuate mechanism 1011 could be a standard pressure valve release, or alternative could be a pump type mechanism. Accordingly, the spray device module 1010 may contain the liquid under pressure, or it could actuate and release the liquid as a spray by pressure created from the pump actuation by a user.
In a similar configuration, a further embodiment of a module 120 having contents held under pressure, could be an epinephrine auto-injector type device such as an EpiPen®. Such a module would likely be a one-time usage device.
Certain modules 120 may be of a size and shape that they may be too large to fit within the utility case 100. In such configurations and embodiments, the module may be attached to the outside of the utility case. One such example of this type of side module 120 could be where the module 120 is a mirror as shown in FIG. 11A, or a utility case 100 decorative cover as shown in FIG. 11B. The attachment mechanism 1100 to allow the side module to affix to a side of the utility case 100 could by a series of magnets, as illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B, or alternatively, the attachment mechanism 1100 could be pressure snaps or small fasteners such as flathead screws.
Another example of a module could be a rechargeable battery pack as shown in FIG. 12. The battery pack could be a module 120 that fits within the utility case, as shown in FIG. 12 or attached as a side module similar to mirror attachment as shown in FIG. 11A. Such a battery pack could be used to charge one or more modules in the utility case 100, or could be used to charge separate or exterior devices.
Similarly, another type of module 120 could be a cigar cutter 1310 as shown in FIG. 13. If the cigar cutter 1310 module 120 were formed as a side attachment module, it could have a similar attachment mechanism 1100 as shown for the mirror module in FIG. 11A.
As described above, the modules 120 may be manufactured in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. The shapes for example may be created to specifically house particular products or devices. By way of one example, in another embodiment, a module could be a contact lens case 1020 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The contact lens case could include removable screw tops 1021, 1022, or alternatively could have top elements 1021, 1022 that remain attached to the contact lens case module 1020 through use of a flexible living hinge (not shown), or could have a form of fluid-tight slidable top mechanism. For ease of use, the top elements 1021, 1022 may have embedded indicia showing “left” and “right” to provide immediate identification to the user of which lens is for each eye.
Another example of a module that may be shaped and formed for a particular purpose and utility is where a module 120 could be a hair comb 1030 as shown in FIG. 15. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the hair comb 1030 could be formed as a device that unfolds or pivots into an open position for ease of use, and then folds or pivots into a closed position for compact storage.
A further embodiment of a module 120 could be a flashlight as shown in FIG. 16. The flashlight module 1040 could use one or more small incandescent bulbs or one or more light emitting diodes. The flashlight module 1040 would further include a power storage element 1041 which could be a replaceable or disposable battery or a rechargeable battery. For reduced size and compact usage, a small coin shaped battery or button battery could be used with the flashlight module 1040, such as a standard 675 hearing aid battery size.
Similar to the above described spray module 1010, a further module could be a flame lighter as shown in FIG. 17. The flame lighter module 1050 could in one embodiment, and similar to the spray module 1010, have a push-to-actuate mechanism 1051, a push-to-actuate valve 1052 to allow re-loading of the flame lighter module 1050, and a clear section 1053 formed in the module 1050 to allow users to see the level of lighter fluid within the module 1050.
A further module could be a pen or marker as illustrated in FIG. 18. The pen module 1060 could incorporate a ball-point pen, a gel-type pen, a felt-tip marker, a highlighting-type marker, or most any other type of marking or writing device. To protect the pen or marker tip or end, a cap 1061 could fit over the pen module 1060 end as shown in FIG. 18.
Another module could be another type of liquid container that would dispense the liquid in droplet fashion when slightly compressed, as illustrated in FIG. 19. Such a droplet module 1070 could be an alternative version of the spray module 1010, and could be used as an eye-drop dispenser. The droplet module 1070 could be manufactured from a flexible material such as a flexible thermoplastic, to allow the user to control the amount of liquid in the module 1070 to be dispensed. Moreover, the module 1070 could have a nozzle 1071 that allows the user to easily direct the dispense liquid to a precise location, such as the user's eye.
As shown in FIGS. 4 through 19, many of the modules 120 are sized, shaped, and configured to specifically address the intended purposes and uses of that module. For example, the hand-wipe module shown in FIGS. 4A through 5B; the single-use medication push to open module of FIGS. 7 and 8; the liquid spray dispenser shown in FIG. 10; and the contact lens module shown in FIG. 14. Each of these modules, as well as the others described, have a structure, shape, and size to accommodate the particular module purpose. Other examples of such modules could be where the module has the shape of a straw or eating utensil. Such devices could have telescoping sections to allow for more ready usage. In other embodiments, a module 120 could have an open compartment that houses a straw or eating utensil. For such a configuration, the straw or eating utensil could have one or more telescoping sections to allow for expansion of the device for usage, or alternatively could have add on sections that snap together or screw together to expand the length of the straw or utensil, to again allow for more productive use.
Accordingly, in different embodiments, the utility case 100 may have different size compartments and openings to accommodate the different configuration and size modules. As such, in alternative embodiments, the utility case 100 may be larger or smaller in overall dimensions based upon the number and size of modules fitting within the utility case 100. The overall shape and size of the utility case 100 is fully flexible to meet the needs of the users' purposes for the utility case 100.
Another embodiment for the utility case 100, illustrating a varied structure and configuration for the utility case 100, includes, as shown in FIGS. 20A through 23B, a case sleeve 300 (FIGS. 20A and 20B), a mounting plate 310 (FIGS. 21A and 21B), and a plurality of modules 330 (FIGS. 22A, 22B, and 22C) that are sized and shaped to form fit upon the mounting plate 310, and in turn, the mounting plate 310 with the plurality of modules 330 held in place on the mounting plate 310 slidably fits with the case sleeve 300.
As shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the case sleeve 300 may be formed with a larger opening 301 at one end to allow the mounting plate 310 and the plurality of modules 330 held on the mounting plate 310 to slide within and be surrounded by the case sleeve 300. In one embodiment, the modules 330 may be mechanically, or friction fit on the mounting plate 310. In another embodiment, the modules 330 may each incorporate a magnet that is attracted to the mounting plate 310, where the mounting plate is fabricated from a magnetically attracting metal material, and thereby the modules 330 are retained on the mounting plate by the magnetic force.
The mounting plate 310 may also mechanically, or friction fit within the case sleeve 300 to provide a retaining force to maintain the mounting plate 310 and modules 330 within the case sleeve 300. In another embodiment, the mounting plate 310, or the case sleeve 300, may incorporate a magnet that applies a retaining force between the mounting plate and case sleeve 300 and thereby provide a retaining force to keep the mounting plate 310 and modules 330 within the case sleeve 300.
In either configuration of the mounting plate 310 being friction retained, or magnetically retained within the case sleeve 300, for ease of operation, a means to urge or force the mounting plate 310 out of the case sleeve 300 may be provided by incorporating a smaller hole 303 at the opposite end of the case sleeve 300 from the larger opening 301. The smaller hole 303 should have a diameter large enough to allow a user to easily push the mounting plate 310 out of the case sleeve 300 by applying pressure from the user's finger tip.
As shown in FIGS. 22A through 22C, the modules 330 may be formed in different sizes and in different configurations to hold a variety of items, especially smaller, individual, or single use items. One embodiment of a module 330 could have a hinged surface 331, as shown in FIG. 22B, to hold and protect any items stored in the module 330. Another module embodiment, shown in FIG. 22A, could have an element 335 to hold tubular shaped items, such as lip balm, lipstick, or other tubular-shaped containers. In another embodiment, similar to the FIG. 14 embodiment of a contact lens case module 1020, a module 330 could be formed, as shown in FIG. 22C, as a contact lens case. The contact lens case module 330 could have a hinged top surface 331, or in a further embodiment, the two contact lens cups could each have press-fit or screw tops (not shown).
One feature of the utility case 100 configuration and embodiment shown in FIGS. 20A through 23B, that uses a mounting plate 310, is that the modules may be dimensionally sized to precisely allow for varied placements and orientations of the modules 330 on the mounting plate 310, as shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B.
More particularly, in certain embodiments, the modules may have three or more different sizes, including a larger square size and shape 330a; a smaller rectangular size and shape 330b; and a longer rectangular size and shape 330c. In one embodiment for example, the width of the smaller rectangular module 330b could be half the length of the module 330b, and one half of the width of the mounting plate 310. In such a dimensional configuration, the smaller module 330b could fit across the mounting plate 310 as shown in FIG. 23B, or two smaller modules 330b could fit side-by-side within the mounting plate 310 as shown in FIG. 23A. Selecting and fabricating the modules 330 with such length and width dimensions allows for greater flexibility and options for how to fit appropriate modules 330 on the mounting plate 310, and within the case sleeve 300.
While several preferred embodiments and features of the inventive utility case 100 have been described and disclosed, in particular with reference to certain figures and drawings showing certain exemplary embodiments that relate to a particular sized case having a particular number of, and particular sizes for the modules, such a case and the particular design shown are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the inventive device or inventive products. For example, as described above, the utility case 100 may be made having different sizes or shapes, such as having rounded edges, or being contoured to more readily and comfortable fit in a user's pocket. Such different shapes for the utility case and/or the modules could be formed for particular user's needs or tools, including for example first-aid needs, or camping, or hiking uses. Moreover, alternative materials may be used for the utility case to provide different outside design configurations or ornamental features. All such alternate embodiments are believed to be within the scope of the inventive design and the below claims.
It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that other modifications, substitutions, and/or other applications are possible, and all such modifications, substitutions and applications are within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. It is likewise understood that the above disclosure and attached claims are intended to cover all such modifications, substitutions, and/or applications.
Patent Application
20210204665
