Patent Application
20180279742
The present invention relates generally to cosmetic cases, and, more particularly, relates to a cosmetic case that is operably configured to dispense one or more cosmetic items.
Due to the hectic daily schedules of modern society, users of cosmetic items do not always have the time to apply cosmetic items within the spacious confines of a bathroom. As a result, portable cosmetic cases have become a staple of life for many cosmetic item users, allowing the users to efficiently store and use cosmetic items at almost any time and in almost any place. A variety of portable cosmetic cases currently exist, having different orientations and features. Many of the currently available cases contain a portion for storing various cosmetic products, such as foundation or blush. A user can use this storage portion to efficiently store and subsequently apply cosmetic items. Further, a variety of cosmetic items, such as mascara and eyeliner, are sold within self-contained cases. Users can store these cosmetic items without the fear of the items breaking or spilling within a container, such as a bag or a purse.
While users can store cosmetic items within a bag or a purse, they are often loosely stored within a bag or a purse, forcing the user to reach into the container and struggle to find and retrieve the cosmetic items in an efficient manner. Further, while a variety of portable cosmetic cases currently exist, they do not contain a portion for the storage of self-contained cosmetic items, such as mascara and eyeliner. Therefore, a user must take up space by storing a cosmetic case in addition to individual cosmetic items, subsequently creating an inefficient, messy, and bulky bag or purse.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.
The invention provides a cosmetic case and dispenser assembly that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that effectively and efficiently operates to store and dispense one or more various types of cosmetic items, e.g., lipstick, eyeliner, etc.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a cosmetic case and dispenser assembly that includes a cosmetic case cover having an upper surface and a bottom surface opposing the upper surface of the cosmetic case cover and a cosmetic case body with the cosmetic case cover selectively removably coupled thereto. The cosmetic case body has a first end, a second end, and a body length separating the first and second ends of the cosmetic case body and has a bottom surface and an upper surface defining an upper cavity thereon. The cosmetic case cover is operably configured to enclose the upper cavity when placed in a closed position along a cover translation path. The case body also defines a plurality of independent channels, with each respectively spanning in a direction from a first end aperture defined by the first end of the cosmetic case body toward the second end of the cosmetic case body and interposed between the upper cavity and the bottom surface of the cosmetic case body. The plurality of independent channels also each span a length at least greater than 50% the body length. The assembly also includes a plurality of platform assemblies, with each respectively disposed within one of the plurality of independent channels proximal to the second end of the cosmetic case body, and a plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures. The plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures are each respectively disposed within the plurality of independent channels and have a cap selectively removably coupleable thereto, are selectively translatably coupled to one of the plurality of platform assemblies, have a first position along a sleeved cosmetic enclosure translation path with an upper surface of the cap disposed a first cap-offset-length from the one of the plurality of platform assemblies and at least one of proximal to and recessed within the first end of the cosmetic case body and also have a second position along the sleeved cosmetic enclosure translation path with an upper surface of the cap disposed a second cap-offset-length from the one of the plurality of platform assemblies. The second cap-offset-length is greater than the first cap-offset-length and the sleeved cosmetic enclosure translation path is limited by the one of the plurality of platform assemblies.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the second position having the upper surface of the cap disposed in an ambient environment a length spatially removed from the first end of the cosmetic case body.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the upper surface of each cap coupled to the plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures includes a cosmetic classification indicia disposed thereon, wherein each cosmetic classification indicia has an independent visual representation corresponding to a cosmetic classification group, e.g., lipstick.
In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes each of the plurality of platform assemblies respectively including a spring disposed therein that is operably configured to compress and apply a force on one of the plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures in a direction toward the first end of the cosmetic case body.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, each of the plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures are respectively selectively translatably coupled to the one of the plurality of platform assemblies through a cam assembly. The cam assembly may include a cam arm with a first end mechanically coupled to the one of the plurality of platform assemblies and a cyclical cam path defined by each of the respective plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures. Additionally, the cyclical cam path may be defined by an outer surface of each of the respective plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures, wherein the cyclical cam path has a second end of the cam arm disposed within the one of the respective plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures and is operably configured to revolve therein.
In accordance with a further feature, another embodiment of the present invention includes the cosmetic case cover having a mirror disposed on the bottom surface of the cosmetic case cover.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the cosmetic case cover is hingedly coupled to the cosmetic case about a joint disposed proximal to a first outer longitudinal edge of the cosmetic case cover and a first longitudinal outer edge of the cosmetic case body.
In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes each of the plurality of platform assemblies having a snap tab, wherein each of the respective plurality of platform assemblies are selectively removably coupled to a bottom end of each of the respective plurality of cosmetic sleeve enclosures with the snap tab.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the second position having the upper surface of the cap disposed in an ambient environment a length spatially removed from the first end of the cosmetic body.
In accordance with a further feature, the first sleeved cosmetic enclosure and the second sleeved cosmetic enclosure are each respectively translatably coupled to each of the first platform assembly and the second platform assembly through a first cam assembly and a second cam assembly.
In accordance with an additional characteristic, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the first cam assembly and the second cam assembly each respectively having a cam arm with a first end mechanically coupled to either the first platform assembly or the second platform assembly, wherein the cam arm defined by a cam arm length, and include a cyclical cam path defined by each of the respective first sleeved cosmetic enclosure and second sleeved cosmetic enclosure. In one embodiment, the cyclical cam path is defined by an outer surface of each of the respective first sleeved cosmetic enclosure and second sleeved cosmetic enclosure, wherein the cyclical cam path has a second end of the cam arm disposed within either the first sleeved cosmetic enclosure or the second sleeved cosmetic enclosure and is operably configured to revolve therein.
In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the first sleeved cosmetic enclosure and the second sleeved cosmetic enclosure each respectively translatably coupled to each of the first platform assembly and the second platform assembly through a first cam assembly and a second cam assembly, wherein the first cam assembly and the second cam assembly each respectively have a cam arm with a first end mechanically coupled to either the first platform assembly or the second platform assembly and wherein the cam arm is defined by a cam arm length and the snap tab length is greater than the cam arm length.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the cap also includes an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The inner surface may be made of a silicone material and may define an inner surface cavity. The inner surface of the cap may be operably configured to frictionally retain a cosmetic item within the inner surface cavity.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a cosmetic case and dispenser assembly, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.
Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time.
As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the body length of the cosmetic case body of the cosmetic case and dispenser assembly.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
The present invention provides a novel and efficient cosmetic case and dispenser assembly. Embodiments of the invention provide a user with the ability to efficiently store and retrieve cosmetic items from a cosmetic case by using removable sleeved cosmetic enclosures housed within independent channels. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide indicia on caps of the sleeved cosmetic enclosures, allowing the user to quickly identify the cosmetic item stored within each sleeved cosmetic enclosure.
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The shape of the cosmetic case body 104 is also shown in greater detail in
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In one embodiment, each cap 206 may include an outer side surface 604 and an inner surface 702 that may be opposite the outer side surface 604. In one embodiment, the inner surface 702 may define an inner surface cavity 704. In one embodiment, the inner surface 702 may be of a flexible material, such as silicone, in order to tightly grip or frictionally retain an item stored within the inner surface cavity 704, such as a cosmetic item 1502. As such, the cap 206 may consist of an outer shell that is of a substantially rigid material and a substantially elastic inner shell coupled thereto (using adhesive or other bonding material or method). Therefore, in one embodiment, the cosmetic items are specially designed to be frictionally retained with the confines the cap cavity defined by the inner surface 702. Said another way, the inner surface 702 and the cap 206 may be specially sized and shaped to receive the cosmetic item 1502 of a specialized and particular make and/or model. In other embodiments, the inner surface 702 and the cap 206 may be sized and shaped to receive the cosmetic item 1502 of any make and/or model. The bottom end 706 of the cap 206 may also include a portion operably configured to selectively removably couple with the upper end of one or more of the sleeved cosmetic enclosures 1000a-n. Various coupling configurations between the cap 206 and the enclosures 1000a-n include snap, tongue-and-groove, and/or friction-based configurations.
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Regardless of the coupling mechanism, the cosmetic case cover 102 may be operably configured to enclose, together with the cosmetic case body 104, the upper cavity 508 of the cosmetic case body 104. In one embodiment, this enclosure may be accomplished by translating the cosmetic case cover 102 from an open position along a cover translation path 516 to a closed position along a cover translation path 402. One example of a cover translation path is shown in
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At least one of the plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures 1000a-n may translate to a second position along a sleeved cosmetic enclosure translation path 1102 from the first position along the sleeved cosmetic enclosure translation path 1102. In one embodiment, at the second position along the sleeved cosmetic enclosure translation path 1102, the upper surface 602 of the cap 206 may be disposed a second cap-offset-length 1508 from the one of the plurality of platform assemblies 1002a-n. In one embodiment, the second cap-offset-length 1508 may be greater than the first cap-offset-length 1508. Said differently, as the sleeve cosmetic enclosures 1000a-n translate with respect to respective platform assemblies 1002a-n, in one position they are further offset from the respective platform assembly to which it is coupled so as to provide a user quick and easy access thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the upper surface 602 of the cap 206, when at the second cap-offset-length 1508, may be disposed in the ambient environment surrounding the cosmetic case body 104 at a length spatially removed from the first end 108 of the cosmetic case body 104 (as best shown in
In one embodiment, the translation of the one of the plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures 1000a-n between the first position along the sleeved cosmetic enclosure translation path 1102 and the second position along the sleeved cosmetic enclosure translation path 1102 may be accomplished by applying a force to one of plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures 1000a-n. More particularly, in one embodiment, applying a force to one of the plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures 1000 in a direction toward the second end 110 of the body 104 functions to compress the spring 1202, thereby disengaging the one of the plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures 1000a-n from one of the plurality of platform assemblies 1002a-n. Said differently, applying a force to the one of the plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures 1000a-n provides the impetus to initiate the cam arm 1402 along the cam path 1404. In another embodiment, the disengagement may be accomplished by another mechanism or process.
Regardless of the mechanism, in one embodiment, the first position along the sleeved cosmetic enclosure translation path 1102 and the second position along the sleeved cosmetic enclosure translation path 1102 may be limited by the one of the plurality of platform assemblies 1002a-n. In one embodiment, this limitation may be accomplished by the snap tab 1204, whereby the snap tab 1204 limits the translation of the one of the plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures 1000a-n by providing a rigid structure, requiring a force on the spring 1202 to translate the one of the plurality of sleeved cosmetic enclosures 1000a-n beyond the snap tab 1204 and through the first end aperture 904 of the cosmetic case body 104.
With reference to
A cosmetic case and dispenser assembly has been disclosed that may include a cosmetic case cover selectively removably coupled to a cosmetic case body, in which cosmetic items may be stored within sleeved cosmetic enclosures disposed within independent channels of the cosmetic case body. The sleeved cosmetic enclosures may be selectively translatably coupled to platform assemblies that may allow for the sleeved cosmetic enclosures to translate from a first position to a second position, in which the second position is extended away from the cosmetic case body, allowing a user to efficiently store and easily access a cosmetic item within one of the independent channels.
