Compartmentalized protective case for portable handheld electronic devices

• US 8,499,933 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2009
• Issued: 08/06/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John T. Ziemba
• Original Assignee: Aquarian, LLC (Shepard Exposition Services, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ziemba, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reynolds, Steven A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chu, King M
• Application Number:
  US12/589,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20110089077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,386 Days
• Field of Search: 206/235, 206/576, 206/320, 132/297, 132/294, 132/295
• US Class Current: 206/320
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/008 Pocket toiletry etuis
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/24 Etuis for purposes not covered by a single one of groups A45C11/02 - A45C11/22, A45C11/26, A45C11/32 - A45C11/38
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/007 Receptacles for personal medical or care products, e.g. drugs, condoms or patches; Small first-aid kits
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/303 with strap loop for carrying an object by passing the hand through the loop, the loop resting partially around the wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 33/26 combined with other objects
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/00 Bundles of articles held together by packaging elements for convenience of storage or transport, e.g. portable segregating carrier for plural receptacles such as beer cans or pop bottles; Bales of material

Abstract

A compartmentalized protective case houses a portable electronic device and personal care items that are organized and held securely therewithin. The compartmentalized protective case has a major compartment for receiving and housing an electronic device such as a smart phone, cellular phone, music player, or other digital media device. At least one cell compartment constructed within the case receives and houses personal care items removably integrated therein. Personal care items include a plurality of interchangeable replacement cells containing beauty items, cosmetics, hygienic items, oral care products such as floss or breath strips, medications, vitamins, breathe fresheners and/or health care products. A second cell compartment is preferably provided as a removable pouch or restraining system for holding identification cards, currency, visa or bank cards, and/or keys.

Claims

1. A compartmentalized protective case for a handheld electronic device, comprising:

a. a major compartment located in and substantially forming a bottom side of said case appointed for removably receiving and housing a handheld electronic device selected from the group consisting of a cell phone and a smart phone, said major compartment forming a single uninterrupted compartment;

b. a removably mounted handheld electronic device selected from the group consisting of a cell phone and a smart phone housed within said major compartment, wherein the removably mounted handheld electronic device is configured to be removable from said major compartment and be usable as a stand-alone electronic device outside said compartmentalized protective case;

c. at least one cell compartment located in and substantially forming a top side of said case appointed for receiving and housing personal care items, wherein said at least one cell compartment includes a plurality of replaceable cells for housing said personal care items; and

d. one of said major compartment and said at least one cell compartment is enclosed with a sliding cover;

wherein said major compartment and said at least one cell compartment are arranged parallel to and piggybacked upon one another.

2. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 1, wherein said at least one cell compartment comprises internal attachment means for securing said plurality of replaceable cells to said at least one cell compartment, wherein said personal care items include makeup items housed within said plurality of replaceable cells, said plurality of replaceable cells each having mating cell attachment means for attaching to said internal attachment means.

3. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 2, wherein said internal attachment means comprises grooves/rails and said mating cell attachment means comprises rails/grooves so that said plurality of replaceable cells are slidably secured within said cell compartment.

4. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 2, wherein said internal attachment means comprises a low bond adhesive, a mating clip, magnetic portions, or hook and loop fastener mechanisms.

5. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 2, wherein said makeup items are selected from the group consisting of foundation, concealer, lipstick, lip gloss, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, blush, and combinations thereof.

6. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 1 comprising said personal care items, wherein the personal care items comprise a health care product.

7. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 6, wherein said health care product includes an oral hygienic item comprising dental floss.

8. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 6, wherein said health care product includes a hygienic item selected from the group consisting of lotions, serums, sun screens, and anti-aging creams.

9. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 6, wherein said health care product includes an item selected from the group consisting of breath strips, breath mints, gum, and candies.

10. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 6, wherein said health care product includes an item selected from the group consisting of pill medication, cold medication, vitamins, eye drops, ointments, adhesive strips for cuts, bandages and hand sanitizer.

11. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 1 comprising at least one applicator.

12. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 1 comprising a second cell compartment.

13. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 12, wherein said second cell compartment is a removable pouch and/or a clip.

14. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 12, wherein said second cell compartment is a restraining system.

15. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 1, wherein said primary and/cell compartment is enclosed with a hinged cover.

16. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 1, wherein said primary and/cell compartment is enclosed with a sliding cover.

17. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 1 comprising a mirror or reflective material.

18. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 1 comprising an opening appointed to receive a wristlet attachment.

19. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 1 comprising at least two parallel opening appointed, to receive a strap or chain attachment.

20. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 1, wherein said at least one cell compartment includes internal attachment means, and wherein each of said plurality of replaceable cells includes cell attachment means in mating communication for interchangeability and securing said plurality of replaceable cells within said at least one cell compartment.

21. A compartmentalized protective case as recited by claim 1, wherein one of said major compartment and said at least one cell compartment is enclosed with a hinged cover.

22. A compartmentalized protective case for a portable electronic device, comprising:

a. a major compartment configured for receiving and housing the electronic device, the major compartment defining two major sides including an open major bottom side allowing the electronic device to be viewed from an exterior of the protective case when housed within the major compartment and a generally closed major top side opposing the open major bottom side, the open major bottom side defined at least in part by first and second opposing sidewalls, wherein each of the first and second sidewalls defines at least a portion configured to overlie the electronic device when housed within the major compartment so as to prevent the device from falling out of the major compartment through the open major bottom side, wherein a major side is defined as a side having a larger surface area than a rest of the sides defined by the major-compartment; and

b. at least one cell compartment configured for receiving and housing personal care items, wherein the at least one cell compartment includes a plurality of replaceable cells for housing the personal care items, wherein the at least one cell compartment includes internal attachment means and each of the plurality of replaceable cells includes cell attachment means in mating communication for interchangeability and securing the plurality of replaceable cells within the at least one cell compartment;

wherein the major compartment and the at least one cell compartment are arranged parallel to and piggybacked upon one another, wherein the open major bottom side is defined by an opening that encompasses a majority of a surface area of the open major bottom side.