AU2021107419A4

AU2021107419A4 - A storage device

Info

Publication number: AU2021107419A4
Application number: AU2021107419A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Cindianne Slorach
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-09-15
Filing date: 2021-08-25
Publication date: 2021-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-25

Abstract

In a first aspect there is provided a storage device for holding and dispensing personal hygiene items having a pair of compartments comprising one compartment being configured to hold sanitary items and the other compartment being for holding receptacles for sanitary items and/or sanitary items, including spray bottles wherein the compartments are formed of biodegradable material. According to another aspect there is provided a receptacle for holding soiled personal hygiene item(s) comprising an expandable envelope having an opening at one end for receiving said personal hygiene item(s) and a flap member hingedly connected to the opening wherein the flap member has an adhesive portion for sealing the receptacle once the personal hygiene item has been received, and wherein the adhesive portion is releasably attachable to a surface for assisting insertion of the personal hygiene item(s). According to a further aspect there is provided a packaging for holding an item, the packaging having a body which is configured to be extendable and foldable into a box wherein the body comprises multiple planar layers, each planar layer having a hole such that the holes form a cavity for receiving the item, and wherein edges of the planar layers are connected via longitudinal fold-lines thereby allowing the planar layers to be extendable and foldable such that the planar layers form walls of the box. 5/11 Fig. 5

Description

/11

Fig. 5

A STORAGE DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a storage device for holding and dispensing personal hygiene items. The invention also relates to receptacles for holding soiled personal hygiene item(s) and packaging for the storage device.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] It is often necessary to carry personal hygiene items on a person especially during the course of work or when travelling. However storage devices typically only store a single type of personal hygiene item such as tampons, panty liners and the like. The storage devices provided commercially are normally made of soft cardboard and often get damaged when kept in a handbag or other carrier and the contents often become soiled and damaged themselves which reduces the hygiene level.

[0003] Some storage devices for holding personal hygiene items have been proposed however they are typically made of non-compostable plastics and therefore are often toxic and further do not biodegrade which adds to landfill.

[0004] Examples of the invention seek to solve or at least ameliorate one or more disadvantages of previous storage devices for personal hygiene items.

[0005] The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the above prior art discussion does not relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but assists in the understanding of the inventive step of the present invention of which the identification of pertinent prior art proposals is but one part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage device for holding and dispensing personal hygiene items having a pair of compartments comprising one compartment being configured to hold sanitary items and the other compartment being for holding receptacles for sanitary items and/or sanitary items, including spray bottles wherein the compartments are formed of biodegradable material. Preferably, the dispensing device is entirely formed of biodegradable material. The biodegradable material can be a non-toxic bioplastic material. The non-toxic bioplastic material preferably conforms to industrial compostable standards.

[0007] The dispensing device can have one compartment which is in the form of a drawer which is slidably movable between open and closed positions which respectively enable and restrict access to the contents thereof.

[0008] The dispensing device can have another compartment which is movably rotatable with respect to the first compartment between three positions wherein in the first position the compartment is closed and the compartment is rotatable into second and third positions which allow access to half the contents of either side of the drawer respectively by rotation in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction. Preferably, the compartment is rotatable about an axis which is generally lateral to the longitudinal axis of the device. More preferably, the pivot axis is located at the end opposite to the end of the first compartment.

[0009] At least one face of the dispensing device can have embossment on an outer surface thereof for facilitating manual opening and closing of the compartment(s).

[0010] One or both compartments can have at least one partition for forming space(s) for confinement of the stored items. Preferably one of the compartments has three partitions for forming further spaces for confinement of the stored items.

[0011] A base of each compartments can form external opposing faces of the device such that, when the compartments are open, openings of the compartments are directed inwardly towards each other.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a receptacle for holding soiled personal hygiene item(s) comprising an expandable envelope having an opening at one end for receiving said personal hygiene item(s) and a flap member hingedly connected to the opening wherein the flap member has an adhesive portion for sealing the receptacle once the personal hygiene item has been received, and wherein the adhesive portion is releasably attachable to a surface for assisting insertion of the personal hygiene item(s).

[0013] Preferably, the envelope has a front panel, a rear panel and a pair of expansion members wherein opposing edges of the expansion members are operatively connected to side edges of the front and rear panels respectively, the envelope being configured so as to have a receptacle-opening mechanism wherein each expansion member having a longitudinal fold-line and wherein the front panel is substantially narrower than the rear panel such that the top edge of the front panel forms a pocket to assist opening by action of the expansion members.

[0014] More preferably, the receptacle is composed of compostable material.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a packaging for holding an item, the packaging having a body which is configured to be extendable and foldable into a box wherein the body comprises multiple planar layers, each planar layer having a hole such that the holes form a cavity for receiving the item, and wherein edges of the planar layers are connected via longitudinal fold-lines thereby allowing the planar layers to be extendable and foldable such that the planar layers form walls of the box.

[0016] A packaging can include a cover portion for the body and which also acts as a cover portion for the box. Preferably the packaging is formed of biodegradable and/or recyclable material.

[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing device as described above arranged for holding and dispensing a receptacle as described above. In another aspect there is provided a packaging as described above wherein the item is a storage device as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0019] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a storage device for holding sanitary items according to ; and

[0020] Fig. 2 is a rear perspective view of Fig. 1;

[0021] Figs. 3a and 3b are front views of the storage device of Figs. 1 and 2 having a rotatable compartment;

[0022] Fig. 4 is a rear view of the storage device of Figs. 1 and 2 having a slidable cover portion to allow access to a first compartment;

[0023] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the storage device of Figs. 1 to 4;

[0024] Figs. 6 and 7 are rear and front views of a receptacle for receiving used personal hygiene items in a folded and unexpanded condition for storage;

[0025] Figs. 8 and 9 are rear and front views of the receptacle of Figs. 6 and 7 with the flap unfolded and the receptacle in unfolded configuration; and

[0026] Figs. 10 and 11 are front views of the receptacle of Figs. 6 to 9 being sealed after the used items have been received therein;

[0027] Fig. 12 is a rear view of alternate receptacle according to another preferred embodiment in the invention with the receptacle in a folded configuration;

[0028] Fig. 13 is a rear and front view respectively of the receptacle of Fig. 12 and 13 being sealed after the used items have been received therein;

[0029] Figs. 14a and 14b are front views respectively of the receptacle of Figs. 12 and 13;

[0030] Fig. 15 is a unfolded blank which can be used to form the receptacle of Figs. 12 to 14;

[0031] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of packaging for the storage device of Figs. I to 4;

[0032] Fig. 17 is a view of the packaging which is configured to form a box for holding refuse;

[0033] Fig. 18A is a view showing the box portion of the packaging being formed intoa cover for the box; and

[0034] Fig. 18B is a perspective view of the assembled box.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

[0036] Referring now to Figs. 1 to 5 there is shown a storage device 2 for holding and dispensing items, in particular personal hygiene items, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The storage device 2 has a pair of compartments 4, 6 which is advantageous in enabling different personal hygiene items 8, 10 to be stored both compactly and separately and to discreetly and easily access the contents. The storage device 2 therefore provides hygienic and damage protection for the personal hygiene items 8, 10 which can be damaged or soiled if held in a handbag or purse. For example, one compartment 4 may be used for storing tampons 8 while the other compartment 6 could be used for storing receptacles 12 that could be used to handle soiled and used personal hygiene items for disposal or panty liners 10. This is a mere example only and it would be understood that other items could be stored. The details of the receptacles 12 will discussed in further detail in the following paragraphs.

[0037] The compartments 4, 6 are preferably formed of compostable material which is also robust enough to be used multiple times, thereby being also reusable and is suitable for industrially compostable, such as being compliant with Australian or overseas standards for example AS 4736 or other relevant EPA (US) standards. Specifically the compartments 4, 6 are preferably composed of materials which are known to be safe for the users and free from typically used plasticisers such as Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, PVC, bisphenols and latex. In particular the compostable material is a plant-based bio-plastic material which therefore provides a biodegradable non-toxic material which is robust, strong yet light and duplicates the properties of similar non-compostable bioplastic materials. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bioplastic material is a renewable resource such as a non-GMO corn starch. Being formed of biodegradable plant-based bioplastic allows for multiple uses and reuses for storage of personal items, particularly portable storage, and which also does not contribute to landfill and allows for easy disposal in a user's or community compost bin. In a preferred embodiment, the entire storage device 2 is biodegradable and/or compostable.

[0038] The pair of compartments 4, 6 comprises a first slidable compartment 4 and a second compartment 6 rotatable with respect to the first compartment. Thus the compartments 4, 6 are easy to access without cumbersome lids or zips. The compartments 4, 6 which form two storage spaces 14, 16 which are separated by an adjoining wall 18 as exemplified in Fig. 5.

[0039] In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, the first compartment 4 is a slidable drawer 4 where the drawer 4 is slidably movable between open and closed positions which respectively enable and restrict access to the contents thereof and wherein the drawer 4 is slidable in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the axis. One side of the base 20 of the slidable drawer 4 forms an external face of the device 2, in this case the front face 22 of the device as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5.

[0040] The device 2 has a slidable rail arrangement which allows the drawer to be slidable as shown more particularly in Fig. 5. The top opposing edges of the slidable drawer 4 are formed with a longitudinal protrusion 24 which mateably and slidably engages with corresponding recesses in a pair of rails 26 formed on opposing sides of the adjoining wall 18.

[0041] The second compartment 6, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, is a rotatable compartment 6 and is in the form of a drawer 6 which is rotatable about axis X which is generally lateral to the longitudinal axis of the device 2. The second compartment 6 is rotatable in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions about the axis X between three positions. In one position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the second compartment 6 is closed and access to the contents in the second compartment 6 is restricted. By rotating the drawer 6 in a first direction clockwise or anti clockwise, as shown by the curved arrows in Figs. 3a and 3b, the second compartment 6 is rotatable to second and third positions which allow access to half the contents of either side of the drawer 6 respectively. Specifically, in Fig. 3a, the second compartment 6 has been rotated clockwise into the second position to allow access to tampons 8 stored in one side of the device 2. Correspondingly, Fig. 3b illustrates that the second compartment 6 has been rotated anti-clockwise into the third position to allow access to the tampons 8 on the opposite side of the device 2. The device 2 may also contain tampon applicators and glass spray bottles for storage in the compartments. The device 2 includes one or more stopping members which are configured to permit the second compartment 6 to expose half the storage space defined by the second compartment 6 and to prevent any further rotation which would exposed the storage space 14, 16 any further when rotated in either of the two rotating directions.

[0042] The second compartment 6 is rotatable by means of a pivot pin 28 which is held in a sleeve 30 formed in the bottom portion of the second compartment 6 and where one end of the pivot pin 28 is fixedly held in the adjoining wall 18. In a preferred embodiment, the pivot pin 28 is also formed of biodegradable material however in alternative embodiments the pivot pin 28 may be formed of metal if so required. In another embodiment, the pivot pin may be heat sealed.

[0043] The base of the rotatable drawer 6 forms an external face of the device 2, in this case, the rear face 34 of the device as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5. As discussed above, the base of the slidable drawer also forms an external face of the device 2, in this case the rear face 34 of the device 2. Therefore the bases 22, 34 of the drawers 4, 6 form opposing planar faces of the device

2 and correspondingly, when the drawers are open, the openings of the drawers 4, 6 face inwardly towards each other. Thus, during operation of the device 2 to access one of the storage areas 14, 16, the device 2 is held in a generally horizontal orientation where the rotatable drawer 6 is in the lower part of the device 2 as illustrated in Fig. 1 and, in that orientation, the opening of the rotatable drawer 6 is directed upwardly and thus the contents of that rotatable drawer 6 are accessible. Similarly, to access the slidable drawer 4, the device 2 is turned over into the horizontal orientation of Fig. 2 where the slidable drawer 4 is in the lower part of the device 2 and where the opening of the slidable drawer 4 is now directed upwardly allowing the contents to be accessed.

[0044] The compartments 4, 6 can be configured for confinement of personal hygiene items. For example, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the first compartment 4 has a pair of partitions 36 which are configured to confine one or more receptacles 12 for storage of soiled and/or used items. Alternatively, the partitions 36 can be sized to hold one or more sanitary items such as panty liners or the like. Similarly, as exemplified in Fig the second compartment 6 is configured with three partitions 38 thereby defining four spaces in the form of rows, each of which is arranged to hold a pair of tampons 8 held end-to-end. Thus when the second compartment 6 is rotated in one direction the two rows on that side of the compartment 6 are accessible and similarly if the second compartment 6 is rotated in the opposite direction the other two rows on the opposite side of the compartment 6 are accessible.

[0045] Referring now to Figs. 6 to 15, there is shown receptacles 12, 60 for holding soiled personal hygiene items according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. Preferably the receptacles 12, 60 are opaque so that any items so stored therein are desirably not visible. The unused receptacle 12, 60 can be provided in a folded and unexpanded compact condition which is ideal for storage in the storage device 2.

[0046] The receptacle 12 comprises an expandable envelope having an opening 40 at one end for receiving said personal hygiene item(s) 8, 10 and a flap 42 hingedly connected to the opening 40. Thus the receptacle 12 can be expanded to provide a significant disposal volume while providing a compact shape and size when in its unexpanded condition. The receptacle 60 comprises an envelope having a flap 66 hingedly connected thereto and although the receptacle 60 is not expandable it is configured to easily and capably receive any personal hygiene items therein.

[0047] The expandable envelope of receptacle 12 has a front panel 44, a rear panel 46 and a pair of expansion members 48, 50 wherein opposing edges of the expansion members 48, 50 are operatively connected to side edges of the front and rear panels 44, 46 respectively, each expansion member 48, 50 having a longitudinal fold-line 52, 54 and wherein the front panel 44 is substantially narrower than the rear panel 46. Similarly the envelope of receptacle 60 has a front panel 68 and rear panel 70, where the front and rear panels 68, 70 are the same size and width. Thus the expansion members 48, 50 act to provide a gusset mechanism. Although the examples shown the gusset mechanism being in the form of members 48, 50 having a single longitudinal fold, it can be understood that the gusset could be in a variety of other forms comprising multiple longitudinal fold-lines in differing configurations such as a generally U shape, V shape, multiple U or V shapes, or a W shape, accordion-like shapes or a combination thereof.

[0048] The flap member 42, 66 is hingedly attached to an upper edge of the rear panel 46, 70 and includes a closure member for sealing of the receptacle once a soiled and/or used item has been received. In particular the flap member 42, 66 can be attached to the front panel 44, 68 by means of the closure member, thereby sealing it for convenient and discreet disposal. The closure member can be any of a variety of fasteners particularly releasable fasteners including magnetic fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, adhesive fasteners, inter-engaging mechanical fastener, or a combination thereof. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 to 11, the closure member is in the form of an adhesive portion 56, 74 provided on the rear side of the flap member 42, 66. The upper portion of the rear panel 46, 70 has a correspondingly sized portion 58, 76 which is adapted to resist adhesion of the adhesive portion 56 (see Figs . 8 and 13 to 15 ), such when the flap member 42, 66 is folded back to contact the rear panel 46, 70 the flap member 42, 66 does not fixedly adhere thereto and also prevents the adhesive portion 56, 74 from being soiled, especially during storage. Alternatively the adhesive portion 56, 74 can be provided with a removable peel strip portion which prevents the adhesive portion 56, 74 from sticking to other surfaces before use.

[0049] Branding and advertising may be printed on any portion of the receptacle 12, 60, for example on the removable peel strip portion, adhesive portion 56, 74 or any part of the front or rear panel 46, 70.

[0050] The adhesive portion 56, 74 advantageously allows the receptacle 12, 60 to be removably attached to other surfaces, such as a door or wall, thereby exposing the opening of the receptacle 12, 60 and assisting insertion and disposal of used and soiled items. Therefore, during operation of disposal of a used item, the user can easily remove a receptacle 12, 60 from the slidable compartment 4 of the storage device 2. The receptacle 2, 60 is provided in a folded condition, and in the case of receptacle 60 is also provided in an unexpanded condition, with the flap member 42, 66 folded back onto the rear panel 46, 70 for protection of the adhesive portion

56, 74 (see Figs. 6, 7 and 12). The user can then easily lift separate the flap member 42, 66 from the rear panel 46, 70 and unfold the receptacle 12, 60 (see Figs. 8, 9, 12 and 13) although these steps can obviously be performed in reverse. The receptacle 12, 60 of Figs. 9,14a and 14b can then be releasably attached to a nearby surface such as a wall or door by means of the adhesive portion 56,74.

[0051] The applicant has found that the arrangement of the front panel 44 being substantially less wide than the rear panel 46 acts as a natural receptacle-opening mechanism as the front panel 44 is projected slightly forward by natural action of the expansion members 48, 50 and the upper edge of the front panel 44 is easily manually manipulable to easily enlarge the opening 40 of the receptacle 12. Therefore insertion and disposal of the used item into the receptacle 12 is easy and convenient. To seal the receptacle 12, 60 after a used item has been received therein the flap member 42, 66 can be folded over onto the front panel 44, 68 (see Fig. 10) and then folded a second time so that the adhesive portion 56, 74 is in contact with the front panel 44, 68 for sealing (see Fig. 11). In the case of receptacle 60, a second flap member 77 which is attached to an opposite edge of the opening to the first flap member 66 can act to enable easy widening of the opening 40 in absence of any expansion members whilst the rear side of the receptacle 60 is attached to a nearby surface by means of the adhesive portion 74. In Fig. 14a the dotted lines show the position of the adhesive portion 74 although it is located on the opposite side of flap member 66.

[0052] The receptacle 60 is configured so as to facilitate easy insertion of any used and soiled items. In particular, the upper portions of the edges of the front and rear panels 68, 70 are not attached so as to allow the opening 64 to be enlarged for said insertion. As illustrated in Fig. 15 by the dotted lines, there are cut-lines 75 which separate the front and rear panels edges 68, 70. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cut-lines are about 15 mm long but this length can be varied as required.

[0053] Most conveniently, the receptacle 12, 60 has been configured so as to allow the receptacle 12, 60 to be prepared for receiving the disposed item with the use of one hand. This is particularly advantageous as it is typically the case that the other hand is holding the soiled item. Thus the receptacle 12, 60 can be removed with a left hand and by shaking slightly the receptacle 12, 60 can be unfolded. Then by holding the receptacle 12, 60 at the upper portion thereof by the thumb and third finger, the flap member 42, 66 can be unfolded from the rear panel 46, 70 with the first and second fingers and then attached to the nearest surface such as a bathroom wall or door and which is only removable by forcibly pulling the receptacle 12, 60 from the surface. Using a forefinger of the left hand to manipulate the slight opening provided by the natural receptacle opening mechanism of the expansion members 48, 50 the opening can be easily opened sufficiently so that the soiled item can be inserted therein with the right hand. The receptacle 12, can then be detached from the wall and easily sealed by folding over the flap twice so that the adhesive portion 56, 74 attaches the flap member 42, 66 to the front panel 44, 68, which is again easily performed singlehandedly. Although this operation is described by use of the left hand to manipulate the receptacle 12, 60 a similar process can be performed by use of the right hand.

[0054] The receptacles 12, 60 are formed of biodegradable material which is also robust enough to be used to contain the soiled and/or used item safely, for example being liquid impermeable so as to prevent any movement of liquids therethrough. Preferably, the biodegradable material is also industrially compostable, such as being compliant with Australian or overseas standards for example AS 4736 or other relevant EPA (US) or European standards. The receptacles 12 are preferably free from typically used plasticisers such as Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, PVC, bisphenols and latex. The biodegradable material is preferably a plant-based polymer material which therefore provides a biodegradable non-toxic material which is sufficient robust to contain the used item. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bioplastic material is a renewable resource such as a non-GMO corn starch. Similarly the adhesive portion 56 and non adhesive portion are also composed of non-toxic biodegradable material, preferably in compliance in industrial standards.

[0055] Figs. 16 to 18 are views of a packaging 78 for housing the storage device 2 as described above which then is further configured to transform into a box 80 or bin which can receive rubbish. The packaging 78 is initially configured for protecting the storage device 2 during storage and transportation and thereafter is able to be arranged into the form of a box 80. Therefore advantageously the packaging has multiple uses and is reusable as a bin once its role as packaging is complete. In particular, the packaging 78 is formed of a body 82 having multiple planar layers 88 and being adapted so as to form a cavity 92 therein which is shaped so as to receive the storage device 2 therein.

[0056] The packaging 78 also includes a box portion 84 which is configured to receive the body 82 of the packaging 78 therein. The box portion 84 includes a lid portion 86 hingedly attached at one edge to the box portion 84 by way of a perforated connection for allowing access to the storage device 2 contained therein.

[0057] The body 82 is provided in collapsed form, for example, having four planar layers 88 arranged such that opposing edges are connected via longitudinal fold-lines allowing expansion although differing configurations such as a generally U shape, V shape, multiple U or V shapes, or a W shape, accordion-like shapes or a combination thereof are possible.

[0058] The cavity 92 is formed through each planar layer 88 for receiving the storage device 2. Therefore the body 82 is extendable and then foldable to form the box 80 as depicted in Fig. 17. In particular, the planar layers 88 of the body 82 are extendable and then foldable such that the planar layers 88 form the sides of the box 80. The cavities 92 of the four planar layers 88 can be filled in with corresponding cardboard portions or alternatively can be left open. A bin liner can be received within the box 80 if required.

[0059] As is shown in Fig. 18B, the box portion 84 can be received on the top of the box to act as a cover for the box 80 by removing the perforated lid portion 86 in Fig. 18A. The box portion 84 can then be inverted such that the base of the box portion 84 then becomes the lid of the box 80. The base of the box 84 may have a perforated portion 84a formed therein that can be partially detached to form a flap to 84a that can be opened/closed to access the box 80 to deposit the rubbish as required.

[0060] As will be appreciated, the packaging 78 is preferably made of recycled and recyclable materials including compostable material such as biodegradable cardboard and thus advantageously does not contribute to landfill. Through-out the specification and claims the word "comprise" and its derivatives is intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the context requires otherwise.

[0061] Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the assembly uppermost.

[0062] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A storage device for holding and dispensing personal hygiene items having a pair of compartments comprising one compartment being configured to hold sanitary items and the other compartment being for holding receptacles for sanitary items and/or sanitary items wherein the compartments are formed of biodegradable material.

2. A storage device according to claim 1 wherein the dispensing device is entirely formed of biodegradable material.

3. A storage device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the biodegradable material is a non-toxic bioplastic material.

4. A storage device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the non-toxic bioplastic material conforms to industrial compostable standards.

5. A storage device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one compartment is in the form of a drawer which is slidably movable between open and closed positions which respectively enable and restrict access to the contents thereof.

6. A storage device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the other compartment is movably rotatable with respect to the first compartment between three positions wherein in the first position the compartment is closed and the compartment is rotatable into second and third positions which allow access to half the contents of either side of the drawer respectively by rotation in a clockwise or anti-clockwise direction.

7. A storage device according to claim 6, wherein the compartment is rotatable about an axis which is generally lateral to the longitudinal axis of the device.

8. A storage device according to claim 7, wherein the pivot axis is located at the end opposite to the end of the first compartment.

9. A storage device according to claim 7, wherein at least one face of the dispensing device having embossment on an outer surface thereof for facilitating manual opening and closing of the compartment(s).

10. A storage device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one or both compartments having at least one partition for forming space(s) for confinement of the stored items.

11. A storage device according to claim 11 wherein one of the compartments having three partitions for forming further spaces for confinement of the stored items.

12. A storage device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a base of each compartments forms external opposing faces of the device such that, when the compartments are open, openings of the compartments are directed inwardly towards each other.

13. A receptacle for holding soiled personal hygiene item(s) comprising an expandable envelope having an opening at one end for receiving said personal hygiene item(s) and a flap member hingedly connected to the opening wherein the flap member has an adhesive portion for sealing the receptacle once the personal hygiene item has been received, and wherein the adhesive portion is releasably attachable to a surface for assisting insertion of the personal hygiene item(s).

14. A receptacle according to claim 13, wherein the envelope has a front panel, a rear panel and a pair of expansion members wherein opposing edges of the expansion members are operatively connected to side edges of the front and rear panels respectively, the envelope being configured so as to have a receptacle-opening mechanism wherein each expansion member having a longitudinal fold-line and wherein the front panel is substantially narrower than the rear panel such that the top edge of the front panel forms a pocket to assist opening by action of the expansion members.

15. A receptacle according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the receptacle is composed of compostable material.

16. A storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 having a compartment arranged for holding and dispensing a receptacle according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. A packaging for holding an item, the packaging having a body which is configured to be extendable and foldable into a box wherein the body comprises multiple planar layers, each planar layer having a hole such that the holes form a cavity for receiving the item, and wherein edges of the planar layers are connected via longitudinal fold-lines thereby allowing the planar layers to be extendable and foldable such that the planar layers form walls of the box.

18. A packaging according to claim 17 including a cover portion for the body and which also acts as a cover portion for the box.

19. A packaging according to claim 17 or claim 18 being formed of biodegradable and/or recyclable material.

20. A packaging wherein the item is a storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and 16.

x 1/11

Fig. 1 /