Container for drying and storing polishing pads

Abstract

Disclosed herein are devices for drying and storing polishing pads. The polishing pads may be used, for example, to polish paint or apply various waxes, sealants, and other coatings on the exterior surface of a vehicle. The devices herein include a first container for drying polishing pads. The first container has one or more perforations configured to allow the passage of air into and out of the first container. The devices may also include a second container for storing polishing pads, such as the dry and clean polishing pads. The devices may also include a third container for holding other items, such as additional polishing pads, and bottles (e.g., containing polish).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for drying and storing polishing pads, the device comprising:
 a) a first container comprising:
 a bottom; 
 a plurality of side walls, each extending upwards from said bottom and enclosing an interior of the first container, 
 at least one of the plurality of side walls comprising one or more perforations configured to allow passage of air into and out of said first container, and 
 the interior comprising one or more partitions dividing the interior into one or more first compartments, each of the one or more first compartments sized to hold an individual polishing pad; and 
 a lid engaged with a top of the first container; and 
   b) a second container removably coupled to the first container, the second container comprising:
 a bottom; 
 a plurality of side walls each extending upwards from the bottom and enclosing an interior of the second container, the interior comprising one or more partitions dividing the interior into one or more second compartments, each of the one or more second compartments sized to hold an individual polishing pad; and 
 a lid engaged with a top of the second container. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more perforations is one or more ventilation holes. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more perforations are configured to allow passive airflow into and out of the first container. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more perforations are configured to be removably coupled to an air-generating device. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first container and the second container each comprise a plurality of partitions. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an exterior of at least one of the plurality of side walls of the first container comprises one or more guide slots for receiving one or more guide plates present on the exterior of at least one of the plurality of side walls of the second container. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more guide plates are configured to be slidably engaged with one or more guide slots. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an exterior of at least one of the plurality of side walls of the second container comprises one or more guide slots for receiving one or more guide plates present on an exterior of at least one of the plurality of side walls of the first container. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more guide plates are configured to be slidably engaged with one or more guide slots. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (i) the first container comprises at least one handle; or   (ii) the second container comprises at least one handle, or   both (i) and (ii).   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a third container. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the third container is removably coupled to at least one of the first container and the second container. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is composed of a thermoplastic polymer or a thermoset. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (i) the lid of the first container is a hard lid;   (ii) the lid of the second container is a hard lid; or   both (i) and (ii).   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (i) the lid of the first container is a soft lid;   (ii) the lid of the second container is a soft lid; or   both (i) and (ii).   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the soft lid comprises at least one attachment mechanism to open or close the soft lid. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein:
 (i) the at least one attachment mechanism is in a closed position, thereby allowing a user to carry the container by the handle; or   (ii) the at least one attachment mechanism is in an open position, thereby allowing a user to access the interior of the container.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein at least one attachment mechanism is a zipper. 
     
     
         19 . A method for drying and storing polishing pads using a device of  claim 1 , comprising:
 drying a cleaned and wet polishing pad in a first compartment of the first container; and   storing the dried clean polishing pad in either a first compartment of the first container or a second compartment of the second container.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the polishing pad is used to polish paint or apply various waxes, sealants, and other coatings on the exterior surface of a vehicle.