Case for jewelry items

Abstract

A case is provided for jewelry items, including jewelry items of the type having a piercing component. The case comprises a housing defining a storage chamber and a reservoir for holding an antimicrobial agent or a jewelry cleaning agent. The case further comprises a panel member within the housing for receiving and supporting the piercing component of said jewelry items. The housing comprises a top shell member, and a bottom shell member attached thereto by means of a hinge. The angle of opening between the top shell member and the bottom shell member is greater than 90 degrees. The storage chamber comprises a side wall and a floor 40 which are joined by a continuous curve. The user can easily retrieve small items such as earring backs from the storage chamber by sliding them along the curve and up the side wall with one finger.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A case for jewelry items, including jewelry items of the type having a piercing component, said case comprising:
 a housing having a top shell member and a bottom shell member attached thereto, and therebetween defining a jewelry storage chamber; and   a reservoir for holding a portion of an antimicrobial agent or a jewelry cleaning agent into which reservoir a user may dip the piercing component to sterilize.   
     
     
         10 . The case of  claim 9 , wherein the reservoir is integrally moulded into the bottom shell member of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The case of  claim 9 , wherein the reservoir further comprises a flexible absorbent member to trap and retain the antimicrobial agent or jewelry cleaning agent and against which to press the piercing component for cleaning and sterilizing. 
     
     
         12 . The case of  claim 11 , further comprising a panel member within the housing for receiving and supporting the piercing component of said jewelry items. 
     
     
         13 . The case of  claim 11 , wherein the top shell member and the bottom shell member are attached by means of a hinge. 
     
     
         14 . The case of  claim 13 , wherein the top shell member and the bottom shell member have an angle of opening of greater than 90 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The case of  claim 14 , wherein the angle of opening is between 100-115 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The case of  claim 15 , wherein top shell member defines a slot for receiving a hinge leg, the bottom shell member defines a slot for receiving a hinge leg, and said hinge has legs frictionally retained within said slots. 
     
     
         17 . The case of  claim 9 , wherein the top shell member and the bottom shell member are constructed from material selected from the group consisting of plastic, styrene, nylon, and polypropylene. 
     
     
         18 . The case of  claim 9 , wherein the storage chamber comprises a side wall and a floor joined by a continuous curve.