A45D

The present invention relates to a storage container for infant cleaning toiletries containing at least two such toiletries.

BACKGROUND

Infant toiletries traditionally comprise a number of different products which are required for both cleaning and conditioning the infant. These include wet tissues known as wet-wipes, various types of creams and lotions, disinfectant solutions, diapers and diaper disposal packets.

When changing the diaper of an infant, several of the aforementioned products are required simultaneously such as wet-wipes, moisturizing lotion and a new diaper. Dispensing or obtaining these products, as the case may be, is usually done with one hand by the person changing the diaper as the other hand is required for securing the infant. At such times it is often difficult, if not traumatic, for the changer to complete the task in the most expeditious and simplest manner. This difficulty is further exacerbated by the infant crying and requiring a bottle further distressing the changer. Typically, even in the event that an infant has a changing area with all the required toiletries set-up for the changer, these toiletries need to be accessed individually by the changer for example, opening a tube of cream; opening a packet of wet-wipes and removing them; and taking a new diaper from its storage packet. Often however, the required toiletries are scattered and the task of accessing them is thereby made more difficult. In cases, where the infant is travelling and requires a diaper change in an environment not having all the toiletries laid out - this problem is further exacerbated. This scenario often results in the changer frantically searching or all the required toiletries, laying them out an accessing them. The use of one-handed lotion dispensers does alleviate some of the abovementioned problems, however they are not suitable for travel as the contents are easily dispensed which would spill into the infant toiletry bag. It is an object of the invention to at least partially ameliorate the abovementioned disadvantages associated with locating and accessing infant changing toiletries. In particular, the invention seeks to facilitate a one-handed accessing of numerous toiletries, which are in a secure storage condition.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided an infant toiletry storage container, the container comprising at least two storage compartments, the compartments having a cover, wherein the storage compartments are accessible and releasably sealable using a single-handed release mechanism to open the cover.

Preferably each compartment comprises a separate cover, which is independently accessible and releasably sealable. The user may thereby elect to only use selected products stored therein.

Preferably the compartments are substantially watertight when the cover is in a closed position thereby preventing liquid contents from evaporating from or spilling out of the compartments and foreign contaminants entering the compartments during storage. Preferably the compartments are releasably sealable, wherein the cover and the compartment releasably engage by any one of a press-release means, a snap-fit means, or a biasing means. In the case of the press-release means, the user simply presses a locking means to release the cover, which may subsequently be lifted by the user. In the case of the snap-fit means, the user applies an upward lifting force on the cover while simultaneously applying a downward force with another part of his hand on to the container. In the case of a biasing means, the cover may be biased to either the open or closed position and have an obstructing means to maintain it in the position opposite to the relaxed position.

Preferably the container is used by placing a disposable toiletry container within each of the compartments, the cover of such disposable containers thereafter being removed for access of its contents. The integrity of the contents is maintained due to the substantially water-tight seal of the storage container. Once the toiletries are consumed, the disposable container is replaced.

Conveniently the storage container comprises a combination of at least any two of the following: wet-wipes, infant lotion, infant cream, diapers, diaper disposal packets, hygiene solution or pacifier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an infant toiletry storage container of the invention in an exploded condition;

Figure 2 is an underside perspective view of the infant toiletry storage container of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is an underside perspective view of a top portion of the infant toiletry storage container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of the infant toiletry storage container; and

Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the infant toiletry storage container of Figure 4 in an open condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 , 2 and 4, 5 show an infant toiletry storage container 10 of the invention. The container comprises a housing having a base portion 12 and a top portion 14 releasably secured thereover. The top portion comprises a recess defining a first compartment 16 and the remaining cavity in the container defining the second compartment. An aperture 18 provides access to the second compartment when the top portion and the base portion are engaged. Both the first and second compartments have a cover 20 which is hingedly attached proximal to a longitudinal perimeter of the top portion. The hinges are in additional biased to the open position by means of a resiliently deformable hinge assembly (not shown).

The covers releasably engage the compartment with a snap-fit securing means. The compartments have a recessed section 22 to enable the user to insert a finger underneath the cover and between the compartment, thereby forcing the cover open, in use. The hinges thereafter bias the cover to the open position for access of the contents by the user. When the user has finished using the toiletries, he simply pushes and snap-fits the cover to the closed position. In doing so the contents of the storage container remain in the intended condition without evaporation or spilling. Further, unwanted contaminants do not enter the compartments when the toiletries are not being used. In use, a disposable container of cream (not shown) is inserted into the first compartment and a packet of wet-wipes is inserted into the second compartment. In the case of the cream container, the lid is removed and in the case of the wet-wipes, a peel-tab seal is removed. The contents of the cream container and wet-wipes packet are therefore readily available to a user once the cover is open. Once closed however, the first and second container are sealed to prevent the contents from escaping. The compartments are separate from one another. Figure 2 shows an underside perspective view of the storage container of the invention. Figure 3 shows an underside view of the top portion.

Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the invention. The covers of the compartments are hingedly attached to the top portion and proximal to the perimeter of the longitudinal axis of the top portion. The covers are biased to the open position and have a press-release mechanism to open the cover. This is opened by pressing the release button 30.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the abovementioned embodiments. For example the storage container may include a third toiletry such as a hygiene solution, diaper container or diaper disposal packet. To this extent, for the purposes of the invention, a toiletry is defined as anything associated with facilitating the cleaning of an infant and the disposal of waste products resulting from such cleaning.

The summary of invention and claims form an integral aspect of the description of the invention.