The present disclosure is concerned with a storage case for storing a power-driven personal care implement, the storage case comprising a primary cavity, a primary cover, a secondary cavity, and a secondary cover. The primary cavity and the primary cover define a primary compartment, while the secondary cavity and the secondary cover define a secondary compartment separate from the primary compartment. The present disclosure is further concerned with a personal care kit comprising such storage case.
Storage cases for storing power-driven personal care implements, like power-driven toothbrushes, power-driven shavers, and power-driven epilators, are well known in the art. Generally, power-driven personal care implements require a power source, such as a battery, to operate. Storage cases known in the art are suitable to store power-driven personal care implements. However, such storage cases are not adapted to store the power source independent from the power-driven personal care implement.
Storage cases known in the art may comprise a battery that is utilized for various functions other than powering the power-driven personal care implements. For example, the battery may be utilized to power an ultra-violet (UV) light for disinfecting the power-driven personal care implement stored in the storage case. In other words, the battery housed in such storage cases is generally not connected to the power-driven personal care implement itself to power the implement.
Usually, the power source powering the power-driven personal care implement is stored and carried separately from the storage cases by a user during travel. However, separately storing and carrying the power source may cause inconvenience to the user during travel. In addition, the power source stored separately from the storage cases may get misplaced or lost during travel, causing further inconvenience.
In some instances, the user may also need to carry spare power sources for the power-driven personal care implements during travel. Storing the spare power sources separately, or procuring the spare power sources during travel, may be inconvenient and impractical for the user.
Storing the power source together with the power-driven personal care implement in one compartment may potentially result in a short-circuit of the power source, for example, due to the presence of contaminants within the compartment, such as moisture and/or any other electrically conductive material. For instance, water along with any additional material, such as toothpaste, could be introduced into the compartment if the power-driven personal care implement is not sufficiently cleaned and dried after use. Water may come into contact with the power source and act as an electrical conductor, thereby short circuiting positive and negative terminals or poles of the power source. This may result in discharge of the power source, and in some cases, may pose electrical hazard to the user.
Therefore, there is a need for a storage case that is suitable for storing a power-driven personal care implement along with a power source , so that that the power source does not suffer any damage or short-circuit during storage, for example, due to contact with any contaminants.
It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a storage case for storing a power-driven personal care implement which overcomes at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks. It is also an object of the present disclosure to provide a personal care kit comprising such storage case.
In accordance with one aspect, a storage case for storing a power-driven personal care implement is provided, the storage case comprising a primary cavity, a primary cover, preferably movably connected to the primary cavity, the primary cavity and the primary cover defining a primary compartment configured to store the power-driven personal care implement therein, the primary cover being configured to set the primary compartment in an open position or a closed position, the storage case further comprising a secondary cavity, and a secondary cover, preferably movably connected to the secondary cavity, the secondary cavity and the secondary cover defining a secondary compartment separate from the primary compartment, the secondary cover being configured to set the secondary compartment in an open position or a closed position, wherein the secondary compartment is configured to store a power source electrically unconnected to any electrical conductors. In accordance with one aspect, a personal care kit is provided that comprises such storage case.
The invention is described in more detail below with reference to various embodiments and figures, wherein:
A storage case for a power-driven personal care implement according to the present disclosure comprises a primary cavity and a primary cover. The primary cavity and the primary cover define a primary compartment configured to store the power-driven personal care implement therein. In the context of this disclosure, the term “power-driven personal care implement” refers to any implement which can be utilized for the purposes of personal care and is powered by a power source, such as a battery. Examples of the power-driven personal care implement include power-driven toothbrushes, power-driven razors, power-driven epilators, and the like.
The primary cover is configured to set the primary compartment in an open or a closed position. In other words, the primary cover may be movable to an open cover position to set the primary compartment in the open position, i.e., a state of the primary compartment in which the power-driven personal care implement may be accessed by a user. Therefore, in the open position, the power-driven personal care implement can be removed from the primary compartment. The primary cover may further be movable to a closed cover position to set the primary compartment in the closed position, i.e., a state of the primary compartment in which the power-driven personal care implement may not be accessible by a user. In the closed position, the power-driven personal care implement may be securely stored within the primary compartment and cannot be removed or ejected from the primary compartment even if the storage case undergoes any movement (e.g., jerks or rotations).
The primary cover may be configured to set the primary compartment in the open position or the closed position by any suitable mechanism, such as a snap-fit. Specifically, the primary cover and the primary cavity may comprise complementary primary interlocking features, such that the primary cover may be attachable to and detachable from the primary cavity. In some examples, the primary cover may be fully detachable from the primary cavity after the complementary primary interlocking features are unlocked or unlatched. However, the primary cover is preferably movably connected to the primary cavity. In other words, the primary cover is preferably configured to move relative to the primary cavity, while staying mechanically connected to the primary cavity. Therefore, the primary cover may not get misplaced or lost during travel.
In some cases, the primary cover is movably connected to the primary cavity in addition to the complementary primary interlocking features. The complementary primary interlocking features may detachably secure the primary cover to the primary cavity in the closed position. Moreover, the primary cover can be moved relative to the primary cavity after unlocking or unlatching the complementary primary interlocking features. For example, after unlocking the complementary primary interlocking features, the primary cover can be moved to the open cover position to set the primary compartment in the open position. The relative movement between the primary cavity and the primary cover may be linear, curvilinear, rotational, or a combination thereof.
The storage case further comprises a secondary cavity and a secondary cover. The secondary cavity and the secondary cover define a secondary compartment separate from the primary compartment. The secondary compartment is configured to store a power source electrically unconnected to any electrical conductors. In other words, the secondary compartment is free of any electrical conductors. In the context of this disclosure, an electrical conductor is defined as any type of object or material allowing flow of electrical current in one or more directions. Further, in the context of this disclosure, the term “power source” refers to any power source which can power the power-driven personal care implement, such as a battery. The power source may be rechargeable or non-rechargeable. Examples of the power source include AA batteries, AAA batteries, 9-volt batteries, and the like.
Therefore, the secondary compartment may store the power source in an electrically-isolated and detached state. The power source, when stored in the secondary compartment, does not supply power to any electrical devices (e.g., a UV light for disinfecting the power-driven personal care implement). In other words, no power may be drawn from the power source when stored in the secondary compartment. Therefore, the power source may substantially retain its charge level. Further, the power source can be removed from the secondary compartment for use with the power-driven personal care implement. In addition, the secondary compartment may be used to store spare power sources (i.e., extra power sources) during travel.
The secondary cover is configured to set the secondary compartment in an open or a closed position. In other words, the secondary cover may be movable to an open cover position to set the secondary compartment in open position, i.e., in a state in which the power source may be accessible by the user. Therefore, in the open position, the power source can be removed from the secondary compartment. The secondary cover may further be movable to a closed cover position to set the secondary compartment in closed position, i.e., in a state in which the power source may not be accessible by the user. In the closed position, the power source can be securely stored within the secondary compartment and cannot be removed or ejected from the secondary compartment even if the storage case undergoes any movement (e.g., jerks or rotations).
The secondary cover may be configured to set the secondary compartment in the open or closed position by any suitable mechanism, such as a snap-fit. Specifically, the secondary cover and the secondary cavity may comprise complementary secondary interlocking features, so that the secondary cover is attachable to and detachable from the secondary cavity. In some examples, the secondary cover may be fully detachable from the secondary cavity after the complementary secondary interlocking features are unlocked or unlatched. However, the secondary cover is preferably movably connected to the secondary cavity. In other words, the secondary cover is preferably configured to move relative to the secondary cavity, while staying mechanically connected to the secondary cavity. Therefore, the secondary cover may not get misplaced or lost during travel.
In some cases, the secondary cover is movably connected to the secondary cavity in addition to the complementary secondary interlocking features. The complementary secondary interlocking features may detachably secure the secondary cover to the secondary cavity in the closed position. Moreover, the secondary cover can be moved relative to the secondary cavity after unlocking or unlatching the complementary secondary interlocking features. For example, after unlocking the complementary secondary interlocking features, the secondary cover can be moved to the open cover position to set the secondary compartment in the open position. The relative movement between the secondary cavity and the secondary cover may be linear, curvilinear, rotational, or a combination thereof.
The secondary compartment may be separated from the primary compartment in a substantially watertight manner. In other words, a wall of the secondary cavity may seal the secondary compartment from the primary compartment in order to prevent a flow of liquid from the primary compartment to the secondary compartment. This may prevent a short-circuit of the power source stored in the secondary compartment. Such short-circuit can otherwise occur due to ingress of liquid from the primary compartment in which the power-driven personal care implement is stored. Separating the primary and the secondary compartment in a watertight manner may prevent contaminants, such as water and toothpaste, entering the secondary compartment from the primary compartment. In one example, the secondary cavity may comprise one or more walls made of an impermeable material, such as polypropylene, to separate the secondary compartment from the primary compartment in a substantially watertight manner. Other examples of impermeable materials include polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyamide, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyoxymethylene, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, and the like.
The secondary cavity may extend at least partially into the primary compartment to enable a compact design. The storage case may consequently be easy to carry and store.
The primary cavity may comprise a first side wall and a second side wall disposed opposite to the first side wall. Further, the secondary cavity may comprise an edge wall disposed distal to the first side wall and proximal to the second side wall. The primary cover may be movably coupled to the primary cavity at the first side wall, and the secondary cover may be movably coupled to the secondary cavity at the edge wall. In other words, the primary cover and the secondary cover may be movably connected to the storage case opposite to each other. Therefore, movements of the primary cover and the secondary cover may not interfere with each other. The user can easily open the primary cover without accidentally opening the secondary cover, and vice versa.
The primary cavity may further define an opening communicating with the secondary compartment. In some examples, the opening may be defined at the second side wall. The opening may allow moving the secondary cover from the closed cover position to the open cover position to access the secondary compartment without moving the primary cover. In other words, the primary cover and the secondary cover may be movable independently of each other for accessing the respective primary and secondary compartments. Thus, the user may access the primary compartment or the secondary compartment independently of each other, as desired.
The primary cavity may comprise an open front side and a back wall disposed opposite to the open front side. Further, the primary cover may cover the open front side in the closed position, and the secondary cover may be disposed adjacent to the back wall in the closed position of the secondary compartment. Such a configuration may further prevent accidental movement of the primary cover when the secondary cover is moved, and vice versa. Further, the back wall may define a recess to facilitate moving the secondary cover from the closed cover position to the open cover position. Since the primary cover and the secondary cover open from opposing sides (i.e., front and back sides) of the storage case, any accidental entry of liquid or any contaminants from the primary compartment to the secondary compartment may be further prevented when both the primary cover and the secondary cover are opened simultaneously.
The secondary cavity may further comprise a main wall and one or more retaining members extending from the main wall. The one or more retaining members may be configured to removably secure the power source within the secondary compartment. The one or more retaining members may be configured to engage and removably secure the power source within the secondary compartment. In some instances, the one or more retaining members may substantially prevent movement of the power source when stored within the secondary compartment.
The storage case may further comprise a primary hinge joint pivotally connecting the primary cover to the primary cavity, and/or a secondary hinge joint pivotally connecting the secondary cover to the secondary cavity. The primary hinge joint and the secondary hinge joint may be any suitable type of hinge joints, such as barrel hinges, flag hinges, self-closing hinges, living hinges, and the like. The primary hinge joint is preferably a primary flexural hinge and the secondary hinge joint is preferably a secondary flexural hinge. The primary flexural hinge may allow the primary cavity and the primary cover to be integrally formed as one component. Further, the secondary flexural hinge may allow the secondary cavity and the secondary cover to be integrally formed as one component. Advantageously, the primary flexural hinge and the secondary flexural hinge may allow the primary cavity, the primary cover, the secondary cavity, and the secondary cover to be integrally formed as a single component. Thus, the storage case may be easy to manufacture at relatively low costs, and may not require major modifications in existing manufacturing lines.
The storage case may further comprise a primary latch mechanism configured to releasably secure the primary cover to the primary cavity, and/or a secondary latch mechanism configured to releasably secure the secondary cover to the secondary cavity. The primary latch mechanism and the secondary latch mechanism may be of any suitable type, such as a clasp, a snap-fit latch, and the like.
The primary latch mechanism may correspond to the complementary primary interlocking features that releasably retain the primary cover to the primary cavity in the closed position. The primary latch mechanism may be provided in addition to the movable connection between the primary cover and the primary cavity. The primary latch mechanism may prevent accidental movement of the primary cover relative to the primary cavity. Specifically, the primary cover may not move from the closed cover position to the open cover position unless the primary latch mechanism is manually unlocked. This may ensure that the power-driven personal care implement stored in the primary compartment may not get misplaced or lost during travel.
Furthermore, the secondary latch mechanism may correspond to the complementary secondary interlocking features that releasably retain the secondary cover to the secondary cavity in the closed position. The secondary latch mechanism may be provided in addition to the movable connection between the secondary cover and the secondary cavity. The secondary latch mechanism may prevent accidental movement of the secondary cover relative to the secondary cavity. Specifically, the secondary cover may not move from the closed cover position to the open cover position unless the secondary latch mechanism is manually unlocked. This may ensure that the power source stored in the secondary compartment may not get misplaced or lost during travel.
The primary cavity, the primary cover, the secondary cavity, and the secondary cover may be unitarily molded in one molding step. The primary cavity, the primary cover, the secondary cavity, and the secondary cover may be integrally formed as one component, e.g. unitarily molded by injection molding, blow molding, compression molding, transfer molding, or any other suitable molding process. Therefore, the storage case may be easy to manufacture at relatively low costs, and may not require major modifications in existing manufacturing lines.
The storage case may be made from a material selected from the following list: polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyamide, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyoxymethylene, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, and any combinations thereof. Preferably, the storage case may be unitarily made from polypropylene. The materials recited in the list above may be suitable for molding and may be economically feasible. Furthermore, the materials recited in the list above may have the desirable properties, such as impermeability to water, moldability, non-toxicity etc., for making the storage case.
The primary compartment may have a maximum length extension extending along a longitudinal axis of the primary compartment and a maximum width extension extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the primary compartment. Further, the secondary compartment may have a maximum length extension extending along a longitudinal axis of the secondary compartment and a maximum width extension extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the secondary compartment. The maximum length extension of the primary compartment may be greater than the maximum length extension of the secondary compartment by a factor of at least two, and/or the maximum width extension of the primary compartment may be greater than the maximum width extension of the secondary compartment by a factor of at least two. In some examples, the maximum length extension of the primary compartment may be greater than the maximum length extension of the secondary compartment by a factor of at least two, at least three, or at least four. Further, the maximum width extension of the primary compartment may be greater than the maximum width extension of the secondary compartment by a factor of at least two, at least three, or at least four.
A ratio between the maximum length extension of the primary compartment and the maximum length extension of the secondary compartment may be advantageously chosen based on a relative length difference between one or more components of the power-driven personal care implement and the power source. Similarly, a ratio between the maximum width extension of the primary compartment and the maximum width extension of the secondary compartment may be advantageously chosen based on a relative width difference between the one or more components of the power-driven personal care implement and the power source. Generally, the one or more components of the power-driven personal care implement may have greater length and/or width relative to the power source. Therefore, such a relative configuration of the primary compartment and the secondary compartment may allow the storage case to have a compact design by reducing or eliminating any redundant space within the storage case.
Moreover, a personal care kit according to the present disclosure comprises the storage case and a power-driven personal care implement, preferably a power-driven oral care implement, and more preferably a power-driven toothbrush. The power-driven personal care implement may be stored in the primary compartment of the storage case.
The power-driven oral care implement may comprise a handle and a head. The head may be repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the handle. Alternatively, head may be permanently connected to the handle. In some instances, the head and the handle may be integrally formed as a unitary component.
The personal care kit may further comprise a power source removably stored within the secondary compartment. The power source may be at least one battery. The power source may alternatively be a plurality of batteries.
Since the secondary compartment is separate from the primary compartment, the power source may be fluidically and electrically isolated from the power-driven personal care implement when stored within the secondary compartment. In case the power-driven personal care implement is a power-driven toothbrush, the specific configuration of the storage case may prevent entry of contaminants adhering to the toothbrush, such as water and/or toothpaste, from the primary into the secondary compartment. Thus, the storage case of the present disclosure may protect the power source from coming into contact with such contaminants, thereby preventing any damage and/or short-circuit of the power source while being stored within the secondary compartment.
The following is a non-limiting discussion of example embodiments of storage cases, personal care kits and parts thereof in accordance with the present disclosure, where reference to the Figures is made.
The power-driven personal care implement may be any implement that requires power to operate, such as a power-driven toothbrush, a power-driven razor, a power-driven epilator, and the like. The power-driven personal care implement may receive power from any suitable power source. In some examples, the power-driven personal care implement may be a battery-driven implement. That is, the power-driven personal care implement may receive power from one or a plurality of batteries, such as non-rechargeable primary batteries, and rechargeable secondary batteries. Examples of the plurality of batteries include AA batteries, AAA batteries, 9-volt batteries, and the like.
The storage case 100 comprises a primary cavity 120 and a primary cover 140. The primary cavity 120 and the primary cover 140 define a primary compartment 122 configured to store the power-driven personal care implement therein. The primary cavity 120 and the primary cover 140 may have any suitable shape and dimensions to store the power-driven personal care implement.
The primary cover 140 is configured to set the primary compartment 122 in an open position 122a or a closed position 122b (shown in
Further, the closed position 122b (shown in
The primary cover 140 may be configured to set the primary compartment 122 in the open position 122a or the closed position 122b (shown in
In some examples, the primary cover 140 may be fully detachable from the primary cavity 120 after the complementary primary interlocking features are unlocked or unlatched. However, the primary cover 140 is preferably movably connected to the primary cavity 120, as illustrated in
Specifically, the storage case 100 illustrated in
The primary cavity 120 further comprises an open front side 123 and a back wall 127 disposed opposite to the open front side 123. The user may access the power-driven personal care implement stored in the primary compartment 122 from the open front side 123. Further, the primary cover 140 can cover the open front side 123 in the closed position 122b (shown in
The primary cavity 120 further comprises a first side wall 126a and a second side wall 126b disposed opposite to the first side wall 126a. The primary cover 140 illustrated in
Further, the first side wall 126a and the second side wall 126b are connected to the back wall 127. The back wall 127, the first side wall 126a, and the second side wall 126b partially define the primary compartment 122. Further, the back wall 127 may be unitarily formed with the first and second side walls 126a, 126b, thereby forming the primary cavity 120. Moreover, the back wall 127 illustrated in
The primary cavity 120 illustrated in
The plurality of primary cavity retention features 121 may further facilitate placement of the power-driven personal care implement in the primary compartment 122. Moreover, the primary cover 140 illustrated in
The storage case 100 further comprises a secondary cavity 160 and a secondary cover 180. The secondary cavity 160 and the secondary cover 180 define a secondary compartment 162 separate from the primary compartment 122. The secondary compartment 162 is separated from the primary compartment 122 in a substantially watertight manner. In other words, the secondary cavity 160 is sealed from the primary cavity in order to prevent flow of liquid from the primary compartment 122 to the secondary compartment 162. That is, the secondary cavity 160 may have suitable properties and design to separate the secondary compartment 162 from the primary compartment 122 in the substantially watertight manner.
For example, the secondary cavity 160 may comprise one or more walls made from an impermeable material, such as polypropylene. Other examples of impermeable materials include polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyamide, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyoxymethylene, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, and the like.
The secondary compartment 162 is configured to store a power source electrically unconnected to any electrical conductors. In other words, the secondary compartment 162 is free of any electrical conductors. In the context of this disclosure, an electrical conductor is defined as any type of object or material allowing flow of electrical current in one or more directions. Therefore, when stored in secondary compartment 162, the power source does not supply power to any electrical devices (e.g., a UV light, the power-driven personal care implement, and the like). In other words, no power is drawn from the power source when stored in the secondary compartment 162. As such, the power source may substantially retain its charge level when stored in the secondary compartment 162.
In some examples, the secondary compartment 162 may be configured to store a plurality of power sources, e.g., a plurality of batteries. In some examples, dimensions of the secondary cavity 160 and the secondary cover 180 may depend on the type and number of the power source. In some examples, the power source may be one or more spare batteries, i.e., extra batteries for powering the power-driven personal care implement.
Moreover, the secondary cavity 160 illustrated in
The secondary cover 180 is configured to set the secondary compartment 162 in an open position 162a or a closed position 162b (shown in
Further, the closed position 162b (shown in
The secondary cover 180 may be configured to set the secondary compartment 162 in the open position 162a or the closed position 162b (shown in
In some examples, the secondary cover 180 may be fully detachable from the secondary cavity 160 after the complementary secondary interlocking features have been unlocked or unlatched. However, the secondary cover 180 is preferably movably connected to the secondary cavity 160, as illustrated in
Specifically, the storage case 100 illustrated in
In
In other words, the secondary cover 180 is disposed adjacent to the back wall 127 in the closed cover position 180b. As shown in
The secondary cavity 160 illustrated in
The secondary cavity 160 further comprises a main wall 164. The main wall 164 extends from the primary cavity 120. Specifically, the main wall 164 illustrated in
The secondary cavity 160 illustrated in
The primary cavity 120 illustrated in
The opening 128 may be a cutout in the second side wall 126b that allows the secondary cover 180 to be movably coupled to the edge wall 166 and freely move between the open cover position 180a and the closed cover position 180b without any interference from the primary cover 140. In other words, the primary cover 140 and the secondary cover 180 may be movable independently of each other. Thus, the user may access the primary compartment 122 (shown in
The secondary cavity 160 illustrated in
The secondary cavity 160 illustrated in
As illustrated in
The secondary cavity 160 defines the one or more slots 172 on the first portion 164a of the main wall 164. Accordingly, the secondary cover 180 comprises the one or more extensions 182 corresponding to the one or more slots 172 of the secondary cavity 160. The one or more extensions 182 are configured to be at least partially received in the one or more slots 172 in the closed cover position 180b to releasably secure the secondary cover 180 to the secondary cavity 160. The secondary latch mechanism 190 illustrated in
Referring to
The storage case 100 further comprises a recess 130 extending from the back wall 127 to the engaging surface 170 in order to enable the user to move the secondary cover 180 from the closed cover position 180b to the open cover position 180a. Specifically, the recess 130 may allow the user to grip the shoulder 184 by a finger or fingernail to pry the secondary cover 180 from the closed cover position 180b to the open cover position 180a.
The storage case 100 illustrated in
Further, the engaging protrusion 194 extends from the resilient tab 192. The notch 196 is defined on the primary cover 140 corresponding to the engaging protrusion 194. That is, in the closed cover position 140b (shown in
Furthermore, the primary cover 140 defines one or more second openings 149b at a second longitudinal end 144b of the primary cover 140 corresponding to the one or more second projections 132b. The one or more first projections 132a and the one or more second projections 132b are configured to be at least partially received in the one or more first openings 149a and the more second openings 149b, respectively, in the closed cover position 140b (shown in
The maximum length extension L1 and the maximum width extension W1 of the primary compartment 122 may depend on the power-driven personal care implement to be stored in the primary compartment 122. Further, the maximum length extension L2 and the maximum width extension W2 of the secondary compartment 162 may depend on the power source to be stored in the secondary compartment 162. In some examples, the maximum length extension L1 may be about 160 millimeters (mm) to about 170 mm. In some examples, the maximum length extension L1 may be about 164 mm. Furthermore, in some examples, the maximum width extension W1 of the primary compartment 122 may be about from about 40 mm to about 50 mm. In some examples, the maximum width extension W1 of the primary compartment 122 may be about 45 mm.
In some examples, the maximum length extension L1 of the primary compartment 122 is greater than the maximum length extension L2 of the secondary compartment 162 by a factor of at least two. In other words, in some examples, the maximum length extension L1 is at least twice of the maximum length extension L2. Moreover, in some examples, the maximum width extension W1 of the primary compartment 122 is greater than the maximum width extension W2 of the secondary compartment 162 by a factor of at least two. In other words, in some examples, the maximum width extension W1 is at least twice of the maximum width extension W2.
Furthermore, in some examples, the storage case 100 is made from a material selected from the following list: polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyamide, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyoxymethylene, acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, and any combinations thereof. Preferably, the storage case 100 is unitarily made from polypropylene. The materials recited in the list above may be suitable for molding and may be economically feasible. Furthermore, the materials recited in the list above may have desirable properties, such as., impermeability to water, moldability, non-toxicity etc., for making the storage case 100.
Thus, in some examples, the primary cavity 120, the primary cover 140, the secondary cavity 160, and the secondary cover 180 are unitarily molded in one molding step. The primary cavity 120, the primary cover 140, the secondary cavity 160, and the secondary cover 180 may be unitarily molded by injection molding, blow molding, compression molding, transfer molding, or any other suitable molding process. Therefore, the storage case 100 may be easy and economical to manufacture, and may not require major modifications in existing manufacturing lines to manufacture. The storage case 100 may be made from recycled and/or recyclable and/or biodegradable material.
The personal care kit 200 further comprises a power-driven personal care implement 210. The power-driven personal care implement 210 is removably stored in the primary compartment 122. The personal care kit 200 further comprises a power source 230 removably stored within the secondary compartment 162.
The power-driven personal care implement 210 may be any implement that requires power to operate, such as a power-driven oral care implement, e.g. a toothbrush, a power-driven razor, a power-driven epilator, and the like. The power-driven personal care implement 210 may receive power from any suitable power source, such as the power source 230. In other words, the power source 230 may be configured to be electrically connected to the power-driven personal care implement 210 for supplying power to the power-driven personal care implement 210 after being removed from the secondary compartment 162.
In some examples, the power-driven personal care implement 210 is a battery-driven implement. Accordingly, in some examples, the power source 230 is at least one battery 240. The at least one battery 240 may be any suitable battery, such as a double-A battery (AA), a triple-A battery (AAA), a 9-volt battery, a rechargeable battery, and the like. In some examples, the at least one battery 240 comprises a plurality of batteries 240.
The power-driven personal care implement 210 is preferably a power-driven oral care implement 220, and more preferably a power-driven toothbrush. Specifically, the power-driven oral care implement 220 illustrated in
As illustrated in
In some examples, the primary cavity 120 and the primary cover 140 define a maximum thickness of the storage case 100 in the closed cover position 140b. In one example, the maximum thickness of the storage case 100 may be about 26 mm. Furthermore, in some examples, the primary cavity 120 and the primary cover 140 may have respective maximum thicknesses of about 13 mm.
Moreover, the plurality of primary cover retention features 141 may complement the plurality of primary cavity retention features 121 in removable securement of the power-driven oral care implement 220 in the primary compartment 122 when the primary cover 140 is in the closed cover position 140b and the primary compartment 122 is in the closed position 122b. In some examples, the primary cover retention features 141 may help in removably securing the handle 222 within the primary compartment 122.
The storage case 100 may be used to store the power-driven personal care implement 210 and the power source 230. As such, the power source 230 may not have to be carried separately from the storage case 100. Therefore, the storage case 100 may be suitable for being carried by the user during travel.
The storage case 100 may be used to store the power-driven personal care implement 210 in the primary compartment 122 and the power source 230 in the secondary compartment 162. As discussed above, the secondary compartment 162 may be separated from the primary compartment 122 in a substantially watertight manner. Further, the secondary compartment 162 may be configured to store the power source 230 electrically unconnected to any electrical conductors. Consequently, the storage case 100 may electrically isolate the power source 230 from the power-driven personal care implement 210. Therefore, the power source 230 may not get discharged when stored in the storage case 100.
Further, when stored in the secondary compartment 162, the power source 230 may not pose an electrical hazard due to potential contact with electrically conductive contaminants, such as water and toothpaste, that may be present in the primary compartment 122. Specifically, the secondary cavity 160 may prevent entry of such contaminants into the secondary compartment 162 from the primary compartment 122.
Moreover, since the primary cover 140 and the secondary cover 180 are movably connected to the primary cavity 120 and the secondary cavity 160, respectively, at opposing sides (i.e., proximal to the first and second side walls 126a, 126b, respectively) of the storage case 100, and further open from front and back sides (i.e., from the front open side 123 and the back wall 127, respectively) of the storage case 100, any accidental entry of contaminants from the primary compartment 122 to the secondary compartment 162 may be prevented when the primary compartment 122 and the secondary compartment 162 are open at the same time.
In the context of this disclosure, the term “substantially” refers to an arrangement of elements or features that, while in theory would be expected to exhibit exact correspondence or behavior, may, in practice embody something slightly less than exact. As such, the term denotes the degree by which a quantitative value, measurement or other related representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”
Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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21192362.8 | Aug 2021 | EP | regional |