Patent Application
20210030139
The present invention generally relates to wearable jewelry and storage accessories. Specifically, this invention relates to storage accessories having the ability to store materials, including cosmetic makeup materials, lotions, and perfumes.
The use of accessories to enhance or showcase individual style is universal. Some accessories provide utility by coupling to storage containers, permitting a user to wear the storage container as an accessory piece, such as a bracelet or necklace. Conventional storage containers coupled to wearable elements are connected to each other by latches, hooks, or other interlocking assemblies. However, such accessories do not provide a convenient and efficient means of easily replacing the storage containers attached thereto.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a storage device which provides a convenient and efficient means of removing and replacing the storage accessory cartridge, as desired by a user. These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be explained and will become obvious to one skilled in the art through the summary of the invention that follows.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an accessory device capable of storing makeup, lotions, perfume and similar materials.
Embodiments of the present invention include a device and method of using the device. In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, provided is an accessory device with an efficient detachable and replaceable cartridge or storage receptacle for storing makeup, lotions, perfume and similar materials.
The foregoing summary of the present invention with the preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood and obvious to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention thus described may be further modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accompanying this written specification is a collection of drawings of example embodiments of the present invention. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that these are merely exemplary embodiments, and additional and alternative embodiments may exist and still be within the scope and spirit of the invention as described herein.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, wherever possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed toward an accessory device with an efficient detachable and replaceable storage element such as a cartridge.
A wearable storage device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention generally includes a base or carrier 106 and a storage element, for example, a cartridge 101. The wearable storage device is adapted to receive and store cosmetic makeup, such as lip stick, lip gloss and mascara, lotions, perfumes and the like within a cartridge which may be reversibly engaged with jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, broaches and anklets, and accessories such as book bags, purses, and belts. Advantageously, having the aforementioned materials stored in an easily removeable and replaceable cartridge serves several functions, including, but not limited to, providing a means for a user to optionally store and carry the materials on their person during various activities, without requiring the use of a purse or a pocket, and providing a means for easily removing and exchanging the cartridge from the base of the accessory device, for replacement with a new cartridge or a cartridge storing an alternative material, such as alternate makeup options. For example, the replaceable cartridge may be attached to an accessory device such that the contents of the replaceable cartridge are accessible during daily activities, including when a user is at home, work, or partaking in athletic activities.
Referring generally to the figures, an accessory storage device 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is shown. As shown in
According to embodiments of the present invention, the cartridge 101 may have a round, square, or multi-angular front or side cross section. In some embodiments, the exterior appearance of the cartridge 101 may be round, square, oval or any other shape or configuration.
As shown in
As shown in
As generally shown in the figures, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the dimensions of the locking protrusion 114 and the notch 103 permit the locking protrusion 114 to friction fit within the notch 103 thereby permitting the cartridge 101 to maintain its engagement with the base 106 while the device 100 is worn by a user. Further, the cartridge 101 may slidably engage with the base 106. For example, a user may engage the cartridge 101 with the base 106 by sliding the cartridge 101 onto the base 106. Alternatively, a user may slide the cartridge 101 off of the base 106 to disengage the cartridge 101 from the base 106 in order to remove the cartridge 101 from the base 106. This enables a user to easily remove and replace one cartridge for another cartridge, as desired by the user. In some embodiments, the locking protrusion 114 is disposed on a bottom side of the cartridge 101 and is engageable with a notch incorporated at the top of the base 106. In some embodiments, similarly suitable fastening means are envisioned which may be similarly utilized to easily and reversibly engage the cartridge 101 to the base 106.
According to embodiments of the present invention, a magnet may be disposed within the base 106, engageable with a magnet disposed on the cartridge 101. Additionally, the base 106 may comprise at least one screw or snap latch to reversibly secure the cartridge 101 to the base 106. The cartridge 101 may be reversibly locked to the base 106 when the snap latch is engaged. Alternatively, the snap latch may be disengaged, and the cartridge 101 may be separated from (i.e. not secured to) the base 106.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the base 106 and the locking protrusion 114 are substantially comprised of the same or similar material such as plastic, metal, or wood. As shown in
According to embodiments of the present invention, the cartridge 101 may be reflective. In some embodiments, the cartridge 101 may be a mirror. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the base 106 may include a mirror. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a side wall of the cartridge 101 may include a mirror. In some embodiments, the exterior surface of the cartridge 101 may be a mirror.
As shown in
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, various substances may be stored within the internal compartments of the cartridge 113, including but not limited to makeup such as lip balm (i.e. ChapStick®), lip stick, ointments, eye shadows, eye liners, creams, lotions, perfume and similar products. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any number of makeup materials could be used with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with makeup, lotion, perfume, cologne and similar materials.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the cap 108 may snap on to the cartridge 101 via a snap latch, to reversibly seal the cartridge 101. Alternatively, the cap 108 may be configured to pivotally engage with the cartridge 101. The cartridge 101 and the cap 108 may be threaded to permit the cap 108 to screw onto the opening of the cartridge 101. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any number of means of reversibly sealing the cartridge could be used with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with reversible sealing means.
As shown in
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the cap 108 may comprise a spray nozzle or similar mechanism for spraying liquid contents such as perfume, air freshener or cologne placed within the cavity 113. In some embodiments, the cavity may contain a mouth freshener, which may be similarly sprayed or applied using a spray nozzle.
As shown in
According to embodiments of the present invention, the band 104 may comprise a fastener 115 or any similar locking mechanism to facilitate the opening and closing of the band 104. In some embodiments, the fastener 115 comprises a clip 110 configured to engage with a hollow channel 111 in the band 104. In some embodiments, the clip 110 is configured to latch onto an opening 124 in the hollow channel 111, to lock the band 104 in a closed position. In some embodiments, the fastener 115 is a snap closure for clasping or securing one portion of the band 104 to another portion of the band 104. A user may wear the device by first unfastening the snap closure to create an opening large enough to allow for insertion of a wrist, ankle or similar body part so that the band 104 and base 106 may be refastened to substantially encircle the desired body part.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the band 104 may be composed of a substantially resilient material. In some embodiments, the band 104 may be substantially flexible. For example, the band 104 may be substantially comprised of fabric, plastic, nylon, cloth, metal, rubber or any composite of the foregoing materials. The band 104 may include a joint or hinge 120 configured to permit rotational movement of the upper portion 121 and lower portion 122 of the band 104 along the axis of the joint 120. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any number of bands could be used with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any such bands.
According to embodiments of the present invention, the length, size, or circumference of the band 104 includes a size adjustment mechanism such as a buckle and corresponding loops, similar to that of a belt or a watch band. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that any number of size adjustment mechanisms could be used with embodiments of the present invention, and embodiments of the present invention are contemplated for use with any type of size adjustment mechanisms.
In some embodiments, the band 104 may be stylized or designed with characters, colors, pictures, or patterns. In some embodiments, the design of the band is customizable. In some embodiments, the band 104 is adorned with charms. In some embodiments, the charms are stylized. In some embodiments, the band 104 includes one or more clips, buttons or similar attachment members for attaching one or more pictures, characters, colors or patterns to the band 104.
According to embodiments of the present invention, cartridge 101 and base 106 may be configured for use as jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, anklets, rings, broaches, charm pins or any similar type of adornment. As shown in
Advantageously, several of the contemplated embodiments provide for an efficient storage of cosmetics while simultaneously functioning as an article of jewelry. While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
