CN113795429A

CN113795429A - Container for storing personal care articles

Info

Publication number: CN113795429A
Application number: CN202080034269.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 凯特·维斯塔
Original assignee: Kai TeWeisita
Current assignee: Kai TeWeisita
Priority date: 2019-05-08
Filing date: 2020-05-07
Publication date: 2021-12-14
Also published as: GB2615207A; GB2597410B; GB2597410A; EP3966119B8; EP3966119A4; EP3966119C0; KR20220006576A; SG11202112311RA; EP3966119B1; WO2020227565A1; GB2615207B; EP3966119A1

Abstract

A container for storing at least one personal care item, the container comprising a base plate and a well. The substrate defines an aperture and has a top surface and a bottom surface. A well passes through the bore and has: an open top and a closed bottom that together define a chamber accessible through the top; a base adjacent the bottom surface; and a flange covering a portion of the substrate. The cap is removably secured atop the chamber and abuts the flange such that when the cap is secured atop the chamber, the flange seals between the cap and the base plate. The well has an uppermost point and a lowermost point and a height defined between the uppermost point and the lowermost point, and the lowermost point is foldable toward the uppermost point to a maximum distance that is at least 40% and no more than 60% of the height.

Description

Container for storing personal care articles

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. application No. 62/845,285, filed on 8/5/2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background

People use a variety of personal care items (e.g., cosmetics, toiletries, and/or toiletries), such as lotions, liquids, creams, pastes, powders, and oils. The absence of such personal care articles can be extremely inconvenient, but such articles and their associated containers can consume a large amount of space and can be difficult to organize. And even if the traveler chooses to ship these items, current packaging for personal care items is often fragile and therefore dangerous. There is a need for a container that facilitates the storage, organization, and carrying of personal care products, minimizes the amount of space required for packaging, allows for customization of the quantity and quality of the items, and avoids leakage. Furthermore, when traveling by airplane, it is desirable to meet the volume constraints of air travel carrying liquids with them. The present invention may address one or more of these needs, but need not do so unless specified in the claims.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure or to delineate the scope of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented elsewhere.

According to an embodiment, a container for storing at least one personal care article includes a base, a well, and a cap. The substrate defines an aperture and has a top surface and a bottom surface. The well has an open top and a closed bottom, and the top and bottom together define a chamber accessible through the open top. The well has a base abutting the bottom surface of the substrate and the well passes through the aperture and has a flange overlying a portion of the substrate. A cap is removably secured atop the chamber, and the cap abuts the flange such that when the cap is secured atop the chamber, the flange seals between the cap and the base plate. The well has an uppermost point and a lowermost point and a height defined therebetween, and the lowermost point is foldable toward the uppermost point to a maximum distance that is at least 40% and no more than 60% of the height.

According to another embodiment, the basic and novel features of a container for storing at least one personal care article are a base plate, a plurality of substantially uniform wells, and a plurality of substantially uniform caps having the following features. The substrate defines a plurality of substantially uniform holes and has a top surface and a bottom surface. There are as many holes and caps as there are. Each well passes through a respective hole and has: an open top and a closed bottom, wherein the top and the bottom together define a chamber accessible through the open top; a pedestal abutting the bottom surface of the substrate; a flange covering a portion of the substrate; and an uppermost point and a lowermost point and a height defined between the uppermost and lowermost points, the lowermost point being foldable to a maximum distance towards the uppermost point, the maximum distance being at least 40% and not more than 60% of the height. Each cap is removably secured atop a respective chamber, and each cap abuts a respective flange such that when the cap is secured atop the chamber, the flange seals between the cap and the base plate.

According to yet another embodiment, a basic and novel feature of a container for storing at least one personal care article is a base plate, a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of caps having the following features. The substrate defines a plurality of holes and has a top surface and a bottom surface. There are as many wells as there are holes and caps. Each well passes through a respective hole and has: an open top and a closed bottom, wherein the top and the bottom together define a chamber accessible through the open top; a pedestal abutting the bottom surface of the substrate; and a flange covering a portion of the substrate. Each cap is removably secured atop a respective chamber and each cap abuts a respective flange such that when the cap is secured on top of the chamber, the flanges are sealed between the cap and the base plate.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a top exploded perspective view of a travel container according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom exploded perspective view of the travel container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the travel container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the travel container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the travel container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the well of the travel container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top exploded perspective view of a travel container according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a bottom exploded perspective view of the travel container of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front cross-sectional view of the travel container of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the travel container of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the well of the travel container of FIG. 6.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1-5 illustrate an exemplary container 100 suitable for storing and carrying one or more personal care items, such as lotions, liquids, creams, pastes, powders, oils, and the like. The container 100 includes a base plate 102 defining a plurality of wells 104, a plurality of wells 106 for storing personal care items, and a plurality of caps 108 removably engaged with the plurality of wells 106 to cover the plurality of wells 106. Although a substantially rectangular substrate 102 is shown, the substrate 102 may form any other suitable shape, such as a circle, oval, square, octagon, etc. It may be particularly desirable for the plurality of apertures 104 to be substantially linearly aligned along the length of the substrate 102 (e.g., along a longitudinal axis). However, although a linear arrangement of apertures 104 is shown, the plurality of apertures 104 may form a circular array, a wave shape, or any other suitable design.

The substrate 102 has opposing top and

bottom surfaces

110, 112, and each hole 104 may extend completely through the substrate 102 so as to pass through the top and

bottom surfaces

110, 112. Further, the base plate 102 may include a plurality of wall portions 200, wherein each wall portion 200 surrounds a corresponding aperture 104 and extends outwardly away from (and preferably substantially perpendicular to) the top surface 110. Wall portion 200 defines a cavity 202, cavity 202 having a vertical axis 204 aligned with a vertical axis 206 of a corresponding aperture 104.

The base plate 102 and the wall portions 200 support the wells 106 such that the respective well 106 extends through each of the holes 104 and the cavity 202 and below the base plate 102 and above the respective wall portion 200. Further, each wall portion 200 includes threads 140 (e.g., at an outer surface 142 of the wall portion 200). The threads 140 facilitate engagement of the cap 108, as described further below. For simplicity and clarity, the travel container 100 is generally described with reference to the structure, function, and assembly of a single well 106 and a single cap 108; those skilled in the art will appreciate that the description may be equally applicable to all wells 106 and caps 108.

Referring to fig. 1-5, well 106 includes a lower portion 120 and an upper portion 122 extending from lower portion 120. The upper portion 122 has an upper edge 124 that defines an access opening 126 of the well 106, and the upper portion 122 extends substantially cylindrically from the upper edge 124 to the lower portion 120. Lower portion 120 extends from upper portion 122 to a lower end 208 of well 106. The lower portion 120 defines a first elongated opening 210 extending from the interior of the lower end 208 to the upper portion 122, while the upper portion 122 defines a second elongated opening 212 extending from the upper edge 124 to the lower portion 120. The first and second

elongated openings

210, 212, and thus the lower and

upper portions

120, 122, together define a chamber 130 for receiving and storing personal items. As shown, the first elongated opening 210 may be coaxial with the second elongated opening 212, and each may be substantially cylindrical.

Further, the lower portion 120 may include a central flattened portion 132 and a peripheral bend 134 connecting the upper portion 122 to the central flattened portion 132. In an embodiment, the peripheral bend 134 meets the central flat portion 132 such that an inner surface 220 of the central flat portion 132 extends generally tangentially from an inner surface 222 of the peripheral bend 134. The upper portion 122 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the central flattened portion 132. Alternatively, the lower portion 120 (and the inner surface 220) may include a hemispherical shape to facilitate easy (e.g., single finger) removal of the cosmetic article from the well 106. The lower portion 120 may be disposed on the bottom surface 112 of the substrate 102 while the upper portion 122 is at least partially above the top surface 110 of the substrate 102 such that the access opening 126 is above the substrate 102. This configuration and material may also have the particular advantage of allowing multiple containers 100 to be stacked on top of each other.

Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer diameter D1 of the lower portion 120 may be greater than the adjacent outer diameter D2 of the upper portion 122, thereby defining a seat or "step" 230 at the interface of the lower portion 120 and the upper portion 122. It may be desirable for D2 to be between two-thirds of D1 and three-quarters of D1. The step 230 is adapted to abut the bottom surface 112 of the base plate 102 to limit or prevent movement of the step 230 in the first direction a when a pushing force is applied at the lower portion 120 from outside the well 106 (i.e., to the central flat 132). A person may exert a pushing force on the central flattened portion 132 of the lower portion 120 to push at least a portion of the central flattened portion 132 within the chamber 130 to facilitate easy and complete removal of personal items from the chamber 130. To this end, the central flattened portion 132 is made of a relatively flexible and resilient material such that the central flattened portion 132 may automatically return to the original configuration upon removal of the pushing force. In some embodiments, the bend 134 may also be constructed of a flexible and resilient material, and it may be desirable for the flat portion 132 and the bend 134 to be constructed of the same material as a single piece. In some embodiments, the flattened portion 132 includes a gripping texture to enhance friction between the flattened portion 132 and a support surface (such as a counter or table). Further, being generally flat, the flattened portion 132 may help prevent the container 100 from tipping over when lowered.

In addition, well 106 includes a flange 144 disposed at upper edge 124 of well 106 and extending radially outward from an outer surface 240 of upper portion 122 to cover wall portion 200. In this case, the outer surface 240 of the upper portion 122 abuts the inner surface 242 of the wall portion 200 such that the wall portion 200 surrounds a majority of the upper portion 122. When fully assembled, flange 144 engages cap 108 and defines a sealed connection between well 106 and cap 108, with flange 144 disposed between wall 200 and an inner surface of cap 108. It may be desirable for the outer diameter of the flange 144 to be between 80% and 90% of the diameter D1.

It may be particularly desirable for the well 106 to be overmolded or otherwise adhered to the substrate 102. For example, the flange 144 may be adhered to the top surface of the wall portion 200, the outer surface 240 may be adhered to the inner surface 242, and/or the step 230 may be adhered to the bottom surface 112. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 112 includes protrusions or other coupling features to aid in adhesion between the step 230 and the bottom surface 112. These protrusions may form annular rings or any other suitable features, as desired. In any event, securing the well 106 to the substrate 102 may prevent undesired separation of the well 106 relative to the substrate 102. Further, by making the step 230 wide enough, adhering the step 230 to the base plate 102, and selecting an elastic material for the well 106, the pushing force on the central flattened portion 132 may move the inner surface 220 of the central flattened portion 132 upward to a maximum position between 40% and 60% of the height of the well 106, which may be particularly desirable in some embodiments. As shown, each well 106 may be independently coupled to the substrate 102, although in other embodiments multiple wells 106 may be formed jointly.

The cap 108 is configured to cover the access opening 126 and includes a cover portion 150 and an upright portion 152 (e.g., extending substantially vertically from the cover portion 150). The upstanding portion 152 has an outer surface 154 and an inner surface 156 and may extend circularly along the edge of the cover 150. When in use, the lid portion 150 covers the access opening 126 of the well 106, while the upright portion 152 surrounds the wall portion 200. As shown in fig. 3, the cap 108 includes threads 160 (e.g., defined along the inner surface 156 of the upright portion 152) that are complementary to the threads 140. During transport, each cap 108 may be screwed onto its corresponding wall 120 (using threads 160 and 140) to ensure a tight fit over each corresponding well 106. Although a threaded engagement is shown, other types of couplings, such as snap fittings, may also be acceptable.

It may be particularly desirable for the cap 108 to engage the flange 144 of the well 106 and form a seal therebetween to prevent personal items from leaking from the well 106. When assembled, as shown in fig. 3-4B, the cover portion 150 abuts the flange 144, and the upstanding portion 152 can engage a side of the flange 144. Further, to facilitate a seal between the cap 108 and the flange 144, the cap 108 may be lowered to deform the flange 144 when the cap 108 is engaged with the well 106. To this end, the materials for the flange 144 (i.e., for the well 106) and the cap 108 may be selected such that the flange 144 is less rigid than the cap 108. For example, the flange 144 may be formed of a material (e.g., silicone rubber) that will deform between the inner surface 156 and the top surface of the wall portion 200, which may be formed of a material that will not deflect significantly when the cap 108 is secured to the wall portion 200. Further, when the cap 108 is engaged with the well 106, the free end 162 of the cap 108 may contact the top surface 110 of the substrate 102. In certain embodiments, the cap 108 may include a groove that extends annularly on the inner surface 156 of the upright portion 152 and is disposed adjacent the cover portion 150. In this case, the flange 144 may be received within the groove, and the cap 108 and well 106 together may define a sealed connection due to the engagement of the flange 144 with the groove. As shown in fig. 3, the outer diameter of the cap 108 may be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the step 230 (i.e., D1).

In some embodiments, a portion or all of well 106 may be comprised of at least one selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic elastomers, silicone rubbers, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubbers (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubbers), neoprene rubbers, natural rubbers, nitrile rubbers, synthetic rubbers, and self-adhesive (or "self-fluxing") silicone rubbers. And suitable materials for substrate 102 include rigid materials such as high density polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, acrylic, fiberglass, polypropylene, nylon, metal, and bamboo and other wood, among others. Although it is generally preferred to use different materials for substrate 102 and well 106 (where well 106 is more elastic than substrate 102), some embodiments may still use the same material for both. And in some embodiments, both substrate 102 and well 106 may be constructed of rigid materials.

While the container 100 may assume different sizes and configurations, a generally linear or elongated strip-shaped configuration and size that allows the container 100 to be held in the palm of a user's hand is of particular benefit, such that when at least one well 106 rests (although it may be preferred to rest at least two wells 106) on the palm of a user's hand, one side of a corresponding cap 108 may be easily accessed by a user's thumb, while the opposite side of a corresponding cap 108 is easily accessed by a user's index finger, and the thumb and index finger may apply and remove the corresponding cap 108 together. This allows for one-handed operation. For example, the width of the substrate 102, measured substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the substrate 102, may preferably be no greater than 2 inches, more preferably no greater than one and three-quarters inches, and even more preferably no greater than one and five-eighths inches. And the maximum extension of well 106 below bottom surface 112 of substrate 102 may preferably be no more than three-quarters of an inch, more preferably no more than one-half of an inch, and even more preferably no more than three-eighths of an inch. The non-slip nature and shape of the central flattened portion 132 may help to maintain the container 100 in the resting position even if the user chooses to place the well 106 on a countertop or other support surface; and the size and configuration of the container 100 may allow for one-handed operation even if not positioned in the palm of the user's hand.

Fig. 6-10 illustrate another travel container 100 ', which travel container 100' is substantially similar to embodiment 100, except as specifically indicated and/or illustrated, or as inherent. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiment 100 (and thus embodiment 100') may be modified in different ways, such as by incorporating all or part of any of the different embodiments described, for example. For the sake of uniformity and brevity, reference numerals with a prime symbol (') may be used to indicate components corresponding to those components between 100 and 299 described above (e.g., substrate 102 ' generally corresponds to substrate 102; aperture 104 ' generally corresponds to aperture 104; well 106 ' generally corresponds to well 106; cap 108 ' generally corresponds to cap 108; top surface 110 ' and bottom surface 112 ' generally correspond to top surface 110 and bottom surface 112; threads 160 ' generally correspond to threads 160; and sub-base 230 ' generally corresponds to base 230), notwithstanding any noted or illustrated deviations.

In embodiment 100 ', the wall portion 200 is omitted from the base plate 102'. As such, the substrate 102 'may simply include a generally flat top surface 110' and a bottom surface 112 'with the aperture 104' passing therebetween. To compensate for the lack of wall 200, well 106' is altered. The well 106 ' includes a lower base 230 ' adjacent the bottom surface 112 ' and an upper base 330 adjacent the top surface 110 ', wherein the lower base 230 ' and the upper base 330 ' sandwich a portion of the substrate 102 ' to securely couple the well 106 ' to the substrate 102 ' (see, e.g., fig. 8). For example, the lower base 230' and the upper base 330 may be defined by a general area of larger diameter or by different walls. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to overmold or otherwise adhere well 106 'to substrate 102'. Well 106 'also includes threads 340 that are complementary to cap threads 160'.

The travel container 100 ' may be used generally similar to the travel container 100, with the primary difference being that the cap 108 ' is secured directly to the well 106 ' without the wall 200.

The travel container described above may facilitate the transportation of personal care items, and may specifically prevent the items stored in the wells 106, 106 ' from leaking due to the sealed connection between the caps 108, 108 ' and the flanges 144, 144 '. And because a sealed connection is formed due to the interference fit between the cap 108, 108 ' and the flange 144, 144 ', the sealing capability between the cap 108, 108 ' and the well 106, 106 ' is maintained even after repeated removal of the cap 108, 108 ' and without any additional sealing means. Further, the collapsibility of the wells 106, 106 'may allow for complete and easy removal of items from the wells 106, 106'. Because of their configuration, the travel containers 100, 100' may occupy less space than existing devices and may be stored in handbags, cosmetics, or toiletries during travel to provide a convenient means to store and carry items without the risk of spillage. This may be particularly useful when traveling on an aircraft, as travelers can carry liquids, creams and pastes in a convenient (but separate and isolated) container, while meeting Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) regulations.

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description and to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The details and features of the disclosed embodiments are not intended to be limiting, as many variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be broadly construed and includes all variations and modifications falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A container for storing at least one personal care article, the container comprising:

a substrate defining a hole, the substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a well having an open top and a closed bottom that together define a chamber accessible through the open top, the well having a base abutting the bottom surface of the substrate, the well passing through the aperture and having a flange covering a portion of the substrate; and

a cap removably secured atop the chamber, the cap abutting the flange such that the flange seals between the cap and the base plate when the cap is secured atop the chamber;

wherein the well has an uppermost point and a lowermost point and a height defined between the uppermost point and the lowermost point, the lowermost point being foldable towards the uppermost point to a maximum distance, the maximum distance being at least 40% and not more than 60% of the height.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein:

the base plate having a wall extending above the top surface and surrounding the aperture;

the flange covers the wall;

the wall portion has threads; and

the cap has threads complementary to the wall threads for removably securing the cap atop the chamber.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the closed bottom of the well has an outer portion with a central flat portion and a curved portion extending from the central flat portion to the base.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein:

the open top has a generally vertical tubular wall;

the base extending inwardly from the bend to the tubular wall;

the tubular wall having an outer diameter between two-thirds and three-quarters of the outer diameter of the base; and

the lowest point of the well is located along the central flattened portion.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the tubular wall has an outer diameter between two-thirds and three-quarters of the outer diameter of the base.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein an outer diameter of the cap is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the base.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the cap is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the base.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the well has an upper base abutting the top surface of the substrate.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the base plate is rigid and the well is overmolded to the base plate.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein:

the substrate defines a second aperture;

a second well passes through the second hole and is coupled to the substrate; and

a second cap is removably secured atop the chamber of the second well.

11. A container for storing at least one personal care article, the container consisting essentially of:

a substrate defining a plurality of substantially uniform pores, the substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a plurality of substantially uniform wells, the number of wells being the same as the number of holes, each well passing through a respective hole and having:

an open top and a closed bottom that together define a chamber accessible through the open top;

a pedestal abutting the substrate bottom surface;

a flange covering a portion of the substrate; and

an uppermost point and a lowermost point and a height defined between the uppermost point and the lowermost point; and

a plurality of substantially uniform caps, the number of caps being the same as the number of apertures, each cap being removably secured atop a respective said chamber, each said cap abutting a respective said flange such that when said caps are secured atop said chambers, said flanges are sealed between said caps and said base plate.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the base plate is generally rectangular and the apertures are arranged linearly along a longitudinal axis of the base plate.

13. The container of claim 11, wherein:

the base plate having a plurality of walls extending above the top surface, each wall surrounding a respective aperture; and

each flange covers a respective one of the wall portions.

14. The container of claim 11, wherein the well is secured to the base plate.

15. A container for storing at least one personal care article, the container consisting essentially of:

a substrate defining a plurality of apertures, the substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface;

a plurality of wells equal in number to the number of holes, each well passing through a respective hole and having:

a pedestal abutting the substrate bottom surface; and

a flange covering a portion of the substrate;

a plurality of caps equal in number to the number of wells, each cap removably secured atop a respective said chamber, each cap abutting a respective said flange such that when the caps are secured atop the chambers, the flanges are sealed between the caps and the base plate.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein each well has an uppermost point and a lowermost point and a height defined between the uppermost point and the lowermost point, the lowermost point being foldable toward the uppermost point.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein:

the closed bottom of each well has an outer portion with a central flattened portion and a curved portion extending from the central flattened portion to the respective base;

the open top of each well having a generally vertical tubular wall; and

the base of each well extends inwardly from the respective bend to the respective tubular wall.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein:

the outer diameter of each tubular wall is between two-thirds and three-quarters of the outer diameter of each seat; and

the outer diameter of each cap is substantially equal to the outer diameter of each base.

19. The container of claim 17, wherein:

the base plate is substantially rectangular and the plurality of holes are substantially linearly arranged along a longitudinal axis of the base plate;

a width of the substrate measured substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the substrate is no greater than 2 inches; and

the maximum extension of the well below the bottom surface of the substrate is no greater than three-quarters of an inch.

20. The container of claim 15, wherein:

21. The container of claim 20, wherein each well has an uppermost point and a lowermost point and a height defined between the uppermost point and the lowermost point, the lowermost point being foldable toward the uppermost point.

22. The container of claim 15, wherein the base plate and the closed bottom of the well are dimensioned such that when at least one of the closed bottoms rests on a user's hand:

one side of the respective cap is accessible to a thumb of a first hand of a user and an opposite side of the respective cap is accessible to another finger of the first hand of the user, whereby the respective cap is removable and replaceable by the thumb and the other finger.

23. The container of claim 22, wherein each well has an uppermost point and a lowermost point and a height defined between the uppermost point and the lowermost point, the lowermost point being foldable toward the uppermost point.

24. The container of claim 23, wherein the nadir is foldable toward the apex to a maximum distance that is at least 40% and no more than 60% of the height.

25. The container of claim 22, wherein:

each flange covers a respective one of the wall portions.

26. The container of claim 15, wherein the base plate and the closed bottom of the well are dimensioned such that when at least one of the closed bottoms rests on a support surface:

one side of the respective cap is accessible to a thumb of a first hand of the user and an opposite side of the respective cap is accessible to another finger of the first hand of the user, whereby the respective cap is removable and replaceable by the thumb and the other finger.

27. A container for storing at least one personal care article, the container consisting essentially of:

a substrate having opposing surfaces;

a plurality of wells extending upwardly from the base plate, each well having:

an open top and a closed bottom that together define a chamber accessible through the open top; and

a plurality of caps, the number of caps being the same as the number of wells, each cap being removably secured atop a respective chamber;

wherein the base plate, the well, and the cap are collectively dimensioned for single-handed operation.

28. The container of claim 27, wherein:

the substrate defines a plurality of apertures; and

the base plate has a plurality of walls extending above the top surface, each wall surrounding a corresponding aperture.

29. The container of claim 27, wherein:

each well has a flange covering a portion of the substrate; and

each cap abuts a respective said flange for sealing when the cap is secured atop the chamber.

30. The container of claim 27, wherein the well extends downwardly from the base plate.

31. The container of claim 27, wherein the container is configured to resist tipping.

32. The container of claim 27, wherein the container has at least three wells.