US3397804A - Container having a plurality of pockets affixed thereto - Google Patents

Description

0, 1968 H. J. DAVIS 3,397,804

CONTAINER HAVING A PLURALITY OF POCKETS AFFIXED THERETO Filed Aug. 22, 1966 i E E a 1/! I I I I III I I I I I I I I, 32 Fig- 4;.

INVENTOR f/fl/PVEY J. D/JV/S BY MJWMJQ/MHZ 4l AU/anre 9 s United States Patent 3,397,804 CONTAINER HAVING A PLURALITY 0F POCKETS AFFIXED THERETO Harvey J. Davis, 10249 N. Delaware St., Indianapolis, Ind. 46280 Filed Aug. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 574,022 3 Claims. (Cl. 220-) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A container for transporting toilet articles and the like having a cup-shaped member, a bail and a plurality of pockets disposed about the cup-shaped member.

This invention relates to containers for transporting a number of relatively small articles, and more particularly relates to a pail-type container having a circumferentially extending apron for transporting toilet articles and the like.

In a number of college dormitories, there is normally a community bathroom for each corridor or floor, depending upon the size of the dormitory. Thus toilet articles must be transported to and from the rooms and the bathrooms. Girls either attempt to carry the articles by hand, or utilize shoe boxes, bags, plastic trays and the like.

Improvised containers have a number of problems. Boxes and bags are not compartmentalized. Thus, it is diflicult to maintain bottles of shampoo and the like in an upright position. If caps are not tightly replaced, as they often are not, spillage is common. If glass containers are carried in the bag or box, there is a danger of breakage as they roll around. It is also diflicult to locate small items as there is no way to keep the articles separated. A further problem is encountered when the improvised containers become wet. Thus a compact, compartmentalized, water resistant, yet economical transporting container would solve a problem common to great numbers of college girls. Such a container would also solve the storage problem of toilet articles inherent in dormitory rooms.

Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a pail-type container for transporting toilet articles and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pail-type container having a central receptacle for receiving towels, washcloths and the like, said central receptacle being removably fitted with a circumferentially extending pocketed-apron for receiving smaller toilet articles such as shampoo, toothpaste and the like and maintaining them in a readily accessible and upright position.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a container of the type described which is waterresistant and easily cleaned.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a container of the type described which is compact, attractive, economical and readily stored.

Related objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

One embodiment of the present invention might include a substantially cup-shaped member having a projecting base portion or flange. A circumferentially extending apron is removable, seated on and supported by the flange. The apron has a plurality of pockets for receiving articles such as toothpaste, shampoo and the like. The cup-shaped member has a handle at its upper end which is usable either for carrying the container or storing it on a hook.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from the accompanying drawings and the following description and claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container in accord with the present invention.

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FIG. 2 is a section view of the cup-shaped member and flange of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a section view of the container shown in FIG. 3.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will never theless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention. The pail-type container, generally shown at 10 comprises a substantially cup-shaped member 11, which will hereinafter be referred to as pail 11. Pail 11 has a projecting base portion or flange 12. A circumferentially extending removable apron shown generally at 13 is seated on and supported by flange 12.

Apron 13 is preferably constructed of a heavy fabric The apron includes a skirt 14 which is adapted to envelop the outer surface of the pail 11 and which fits tightly thereabout. A plurality of pockets 15 are aflixed to the skirt 14, with the closed end of the pockets supported by flange 12.

Spaced buttons 16 are integrally formed with the outer wall of the pail 11. The buttons include a shank 17 which spaces the button head from the pail so that the material of the apron may be retained therebetween. Button holes 18 are formed in the skirt 14 of the apron 13. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper portion of the skirt 14 is buttoned to the pail 11 to insure that the weight of the toilet articles 19 will not cause the apron to slip down about the base of the pail.

Spaced apertures 20 are formed adjacent to the top of the pail. The apertures receive a handle 21 therein. In FIG. 1, the handle 21 consists of a heavy cord which is knotted to retain the ends of the cord in the apertures.

The pail 11 and its projecting base portion 12 and buttons 16 are preferably plastic. A towel, washcloth and the like may be disposed within the pail, and various toilet articles such as toothpaste, shampoo, soap and the like are disposed within the pockets as shown in FIG. 1. The container is stored either by suspending it from a hook or placing it on a flat surface. Thus, the present invention provides a means for neatly storing various articles as well as a convenient means for transporting them.

The pocketed apron may envelop the entire outer surface of the pail or only a portion thereof as shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, the pail type container may be used to transport goods other than toilet articles. For example, dust cloths, sponges and the like may be disposed within the pail, and various cleaning preparations such as furniture polish, cleanser, glass cleaner and the like may be disposed within the pockets.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. The pail-type container shown generally at 30 comprises a generally cup-shaped member 31 which will hereinafter be referred to as pail 31. Pail 31 has a projecting base portion or flange 32. A cylindrical member 33 is seated on and supported by the outer periphery of the upper surface of flange 32. The outer surface of the pail 31, the inner surface of cylindrical member 33, and the upper surface of flange 32 define a channel for receiving various articles to be transported or stored.

A plurality of upstanding partition members 34, are

retained between the outer surface of the pail 31 and the inner wall of the cylindrical member 33. The partition members 34 define a plurality of pockets disposed about the pail.

Spaced apertures 35 are formed adjacent the top of the pail. The apertures receive studs 36 which flexibly secure a handle 37 to the pail 31.

In practice, the partition members are either integrally formed with or aflixed to the cylindrical member 33. The resulting assembly is fitted over the pail 31 and slipped into place. In its preferred construction, all elements of pail-type container 30 are of a plastic material. Partition members 34 are somewhat flexible so that the cylindrical member 33 may easily be positioned without breaking the partition members.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the edge of partition members 34 which abuts the outer surface of pail 31 is generally inclined to provide a tight fit therewith. If the outer wall of the pail is straight, rather than tapered, the abutting edge of the partition members would also be straight. The top edge 38 of each partition member is upwardly inclined so that the point abutting the pail is higher than the point abutting the cylindrical member.

Thus the present invention provides a convenient and economic pail-type container for transporting and storing a plurality of articles. The container, in its representative embodiment has a central pail for receiving articles and a removable pocketed apron for receiving smaller articles. The apron is readily removable for cleaning purposes and is easily fitted back onto the pail. The separate pockets serve not only to render the stored articles readily accessible, but also prevent tipping of possible spillage should caps be loose, and breakage which could occur if glass containers were able to roll around and come into contact with one another while the bucket is being carried.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention and the scope 'of the claims are also desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. A container for transporting toilet articles and the like, said container comprising: a substantially cup-shaped member having an open end, a closed end, an outer surface and an inner surface; a base portion connected to said closed end and projecting therefrom, said portion having an upper surface and'a lower surface; and an apron having a plurality of pockets afiixed thereto, said apron adapted to fit around the outer surface of said cup-shaped member; said cup-shaped member including integral means adjacent an upper portion of said apron for maintaining said apron in position; each of said pockets having a closed end resting on said upper surface of said projecting base portion.

2. A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said integral means for maintaining said apron in position is a first button member having a shank and a head portion, said shank extending from said outer wall of said cupshaped member, said shank portion terminating in said head portion; said apron having a first button hole therein adapted to interfit over said head portion of said button and retained between said head portion and said cupshaped member.

3. A container as defined in claim 1 wherein said container additionally comprises a handle means, said means aflixed to said cup-shaped member adjacent said open end thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 160,500 3/1875 Wooster 15264 435,023 8/1890 Robinson 220-232 XR 2,096,825 10/ 1937 Roman. 2,101,401 12/1937 Leppke 220-2333 2,204,765 6/ 1940 McDaniels 220-20 XR 2,533,725 12/ 1950 Eisenberg. 2,749,198 6/1956 Berber 22023.8 XR

RAPHAEL H. SCHWARTZ, Primary Examiner.

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