COSMETIC COMPACT WITH REMOVABLE PLATE

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a cosmetic compact with a removable plate. The compact includes a lower portion, an upper portion, a light, and a removable plate. The upper portion is movably coupled to the lower portion by a hinge such that the upper portion rotates about the hinge to transition from a closed state to an open state. The light is positioned within the upper portion. The removable plate is attached to the upper portion. The removable plate includes a first portion with a first thickness and a second portion with a second thickness. The first thickness is less than the second thickness such that light produced by the light is more visible through the first portion than through the second portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments presented in this disclosure generally relate to a cosmetic compact. More specifically, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a cosmetic compact that with a removable plate.

BACKGROUND

Cosmetic compacts assist users in applying cosmetic products when the users are away from home (e.g., at a restaurant, at a park, etc.). The users may store the cosmetic compacts in their pockets or bags and retrieve the cosmetic compacts when the users want to apply cosmetic products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, 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 typical embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting; other equally effective embodiments are contemplated.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example compact.

FIG. 2 illustrates the compact of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the compact of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the compact of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates the compact of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 illustrates the compact of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example lower portion of the compact of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example method performed by the compact of FIG. 1.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially used in other embodiments without specific recitation.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Overview

The present disclosure describes a cosmetic compact with a removable plate. According to an embodiment, a compact includes a lower portion, an upper portion, a light, and a removable plate. The upper portion is movably coupled to the lower portion by a hinge such that the upper portion rotates about the hinge to transition from a closed state to an open state. The light is positioned within the upper portion. The removable plate is attached to the upper portion. The removable plate includes a first portion with a first thickness and a second portion with a second thickness. The first thickness is less than the second thickness such that light produced by the light is more visible through the first portion than through the second portion.

According to another embodiment, a compact includes a lower portion, an upper portion, a light, and a removable plate. The upper portion is movably coupled to the lower portion by a hinge such that the upper portion rotates about the hinge to transition from a closed state to an open state. The light is positioned within the upper portion. The removable plate is attached to the upper portion. The removable plate defines an aperture. Light produced by the light is visible through the aperture.

According to another embodiment, a compact includes an upper portion, a light, and a removable plate. The light is positioned within the upper portion. The removable plate is attached to the upper portion. The removable plate includes a first portion with a first thickness and a second portion with a second thickness. The first thickness is less than the second thickness such that light produced by the light is more visible through the first portion than through the second portion.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Cosmetic compacts help users apply cosmetic products. For example, cosmetic compacts may include mirrors that allow the users to see their faces when applying cosmetic products. Conventional compacts, however, offer a limited set of features at a time when users desire more functionality from the items they carry in their pockets or bags.

The present disclosure describes a cosmetic compact with a removable plate. The plate may attach (e.g., via magnet or twisting) to the compact. The plate may include a surface that allows light to shine through specific areas of the plate. For example, the plate may define apertures that allow light to shine through. As another example, the plate may define a solid surface that includes portions that are thinner or not as thick as other portions. The thicker portions may block the light and the thinner portions may allow the light to pass through (e.g., with some attenuation). These areas of the plate that transmit light may be arranged in particular patterns or designs that a user may find aesthetically pleasing.

The compact may include a light beneath the plate. The light may turn on in certain circumstances (e.g., when the compact is open or when a battery in the compact is charging). When the light turns on, light produced by the light shines through the transmissive portions of the plate, illuminating the pattern or design formed by the transmissive portions.

When a user wants to use a different pattern or design on the compact, the user may remove the plate and attach another plate to the compact. In this manner, the user does not need to purchase another compact with the desired pattern or design. Rather, the user may customize the appearance of the compact by switching out the plates, which reduces material waste (e.g., plastic waste) and improves the environment.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example compact 100. Generally, FIG. 1 shows a view of a front side of the compact 100. As seen in FIG. 1, the compact 100 includes a lower portion 102 and an upper portion 104. Generally, the lower portion 102 and the upper portion 104 may be movably coupled to one other (e.g., by a hinge). The upper portion 104 may lift up from the lower portion 102 to transition the compact 100 to an opened state. The upper portion 104 may move back towards the lower portion 102 to transition the compact 100 to a closed state. In the opened state, the compact 100 may provide access to a mirror and other cosmetic products that a user may apply.

The upper portion 104 includes an upper surface 106 and a lower surface 108. Generally, the upper surface 106 is opposite the lower surface 108. Additionally, when the compact 100 is in the closed state, the lower surface 108 is positioned between the lower portion 102 and the upper surface 106. In certain embodiments, the compact 100 includes a removable plate 110 that is attached to the upper portion 104 at the upper surface 106. The plate 110 may form a design that the compact 100 may illuminate in certain instances. For example, the compact 100 may illuminate the design on the plate 110 when the compact 100 is in the open state or when the compact 100 is recharging.

The plate 110 may be attached or removed from the upper portion 104 using any suitable mechanism. For example, one or more of the plate 110 or the upper portion 104 may include a magnet that magnetically attaches the plate 110 to the upper portion 104. The plate 110 may be removed by pulling the plate 110 off the upper portion 104 using a force that exceeds the magnetic force provided by the magnet. As another example, the plate 110 may include ridges or tabs that allow the plate 110 to be attached or removed from the upper portion 104 by twisting or turning the plate 110. By turning the plate 110 in one direction, the ridges or tabs may engage with the upper portion 104 to secure the plate 110 to the upper portion 104. By turning the plate 110 in the other direction, the ridges or tabs may disengage from the upper portion 104 and the plate 110 may be removed from the upper portion 104.

After the plate 110 has been removed from the upper portion 104, another plate 110 with another design may be attached to the upper portion 104. In this manner, the compact 100 may allow a user to install any desired design onto the upper portion 104 of the compact 100 without requiring the user to purchase another compact 100, which reduces material waste.

The plate 110 may form any suitable design. In the example of FIG. 1, the plate 110 forms a starfield design. Other example designs include cross hatch patterns, fictional or cartoon characters, brand logos, famous paintings, or custom designs of the user. The user may own any number of plates 110 with any suitable number of designs. The user may attach these plates 110 to the compact 100 as the user desires. As a result, the user may present any design on the back of the compact 100, instead of buying a separate compact 100 for each design.

FIG. 2 illustrates the compact 100 of FIG. 1. Generally, FIG. 2 shows a view of the back side of the compact 100. As seen in FIG. 2, the compact 100 includes a hinge 202, a port 204, and a button 206.

The hinge 202 couples the lower portion 102 with the upper portion 104. The upper portion 104 may rotate about the hinge 202 to transition the compact 100 between the open state and the closed state. For example, the upper portion 104 may rotate away from the lower portion 102 about the hinge 202 to transition the compact 100 to the open state. The upper portion 104 may rotate towards the lower portion 102 about the hinge 202 to transition the compact 100 to the closed state. The compact 100 may include any suitable number of hinges 202 to attach the lower portion 102 to the upper portion 104.

The port 204 may allow an electric cable to be connected to the compact 100. Electric power may then be supplied through the cable to a battery within the compact 100 to recharge the battery. The battery may be used to power a light that illuminates the design formed by the plate 110. In some embodiments, when the battery is charging, the light in the compact 100 may turn on to illuminate the design formed by the plate 110. In this manner, the compact 100 indicates that the battery is charging.

A user may operate the button 206 to turn on or turn off the light in the compact 100. In this manner, the user may control when the compact 100 illuminates the design formed by the plate 110. In some embodiments, the compact 100 includes a switch that the user may operate to turn on or turn off the light in the compact 100. By operating the switch, the user may control when the compact 100 illuminates or does not illuminate the design formed by the plate 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates the compact 100 of FIG. 1. Generally, FIG. 3 shows the compact 100 with the plate 110 removed. As seen in FIG. 3, the compact 100 includes a light 302 positioned in the upper portion 104. The light 302 may be visible when the plate 110 is removed from the upper portion 104. As discussed previously, the plate 110 may be attached to the upper portion 104 by twisting the plate 110 or by a magnet. The plate 110 may be removed from the upper portion 104 by twisting the plate 110 or by pulling the plate 110 off the magnet. When the light 302 turns on, the light 302 may direct light towards the upper surface 106 of the upper portion 104. If the plate 110 is attached to the upper portion 104, the light may be directed towards the plate 110. Portions of the plate 110 may be optically transmissive and allow some of the light from the light 302 to pass through the plate 110. Other portions of the plate 110 may block or prevent the light from the light 302 to pass through. The optically transmissive portions may form a design. As a result, the light may illuminate these portions of the plate 110 to illuminate the design that is aesthetically pleasing and visible to a user.

Is some embodiments, the optically transmissive portions of the plate 110 may be formed by apertures or cavities formed in the plate 110. These apertures or cavities may extend through the plate 110. When the light 302 is turned on, the light from the light 302 may pass through these apertures or cavities but not other portions of the plate 110.

In certain embodiments, the plate 110 has varying thicknesses. For example, certain portions of the plate 110 may be thicker than other portions of the plate 110. The thicker portions may be thick enough to block the light from the light 302 such that the thicker portions are not optically transmissive. The thinner portions may be thin enough to allow some of the light from the light 302 to pass through the thinner portions. As a result, the thinner portions may be optically transmissive. In some instances, when the light 302 is turned off, the thinner portions of the plate 110 may be visibly indistinguishable from the thicker portions of the plate 110, which may provide a surprise or a shock factor when the light 302 turns on to illuminate the design formed by the thinner portions of the plate 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates the compact of FIG. 1. Generally, FIG. 4 shows the compact 100 in the opened state. As seen in FIG. 4, the compact 100 includes a mirror 402 in the upper portion of 104. The mirror 402 may allow a user to see a reflection when using the compact 100. In some embodiments, the compact 100 may provide access to cosmetic products positioned in the lower portion 102 when the compact 100 is in the opened state. The mirror 402 may allow the user to see a reflection when applying the cosmetic products.

FIG. 5 illustrates the compact 100 of FIG. 1. Generally, FIG. 5 shows the back side of the compact 100 in the opened state. As seen in FIG. 5, the compact 100 includes a plate 110 positioned or attached to the upper portion 104. The plate 110 may include a portion 502 and portions 504. In the example of FIG. 5, the portions 504 may be circular portions that form a starfield design on the plate 110. The portions 504 may be optically transmissive and may allow light produced by the light 302 in the compact 100 to pass through the portions 504. By contrast, the portion 502 may not be optically transmissive and may block or prevent the light produced by the light 302 in the compact 100 from passing through the portion 502. As a result, the plate 110 produces an illuminated design when the light in the compact 100 is turned on.

In some embodiments, the portion 502 is thicker than the portions 504. For example, the portion 502 and the portions 504 may be made of the same material, but the portions 504 may use a thinner layer of the material than the portion 502. As a result, the portions 504 may be optically transmissive and may allow a portion of the light produced by the light 302 in the compact 100 to pass through the portions 504. The portion 502 may block or prevent the light from passing through the portion 502. As a result, when the light in the compact 100 is turned on, the portions 504 may illuminate to produce the illuminated design.

In certain embodiments, the portions 504 may be apertures or cavities formed through the plate 110. The portion 502 may be formed of a solid material. When the light in the compact 100 is turned on, the light may pass through the apertures or cavities in the plate 110 to illuminate the portions 504. The portion 502 may block or prevent the light from passing through the portion 502. In this manner, the portions 504 create an illuminated design when the light in the compact 100 is turned on.

Any suitable design may be formed using the plate 110. FIG. 6 illustrates the compact 100 of FIG. 1. Generally, FIG. 6 shows the back side of the compact 100 in the opened state. As seen in FIG. 6, the plate 110 forms a starfield design using crosses and X′s. The plate 110 includes a portion 502 and portions 504. The portions 504 may be cross-shaped or X-shaped and may be optically transmissive. The portion 502 may not be optically transmissive. When the light 302 in the compact 100 is turned on, the portions 504 may allow the light produced by the light 302 in the compact 100 to pass through the portions 504. As a result, the portions 504 illuminate to produce the illuminated starfield design on the plate 110.

As discussed previously, the portions 504 may be made of the same material as the portion 502, except the portions 504 may use a thinner layer of the material than the portion 502. As a result, the portions 504 may be optically transmissive and may allow a portion of the light produced by the light 302 in the compact 100 to pass through the portions 504. As another example, the portions 504 may be cavities or apertures formed through the plate 110. When the light in the compact 100 is turned on, the light may pass through the apertures or cavities to illuminate the portions 504.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example lower portion 102 of the compact 100 of FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 7, the lower portion 102 houses a battery 702. The battery 702 may be any suitable energy storage device that powers other components of the compact 100. For example, the battery 702 may power the light 302 in the upper portion 104 of the compact 100. Wires or other electrical connectors may pass through the hinge 202 that connects the upper portion 104 with the lower portion 102 of the compact 100 to connect the battery 702 to the light 302. When the light 302 is supposed to turn on (e.g., when the compact 100 is in the open state), the battery 702 may power the light 302. The battery 702 may be rechargeable. For example, the battery 702 may be recharged through the port 204 on the compact 100. Electrical power may be supplied through the port 204 to recharge the battery 702.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example method 800 performed by the compact 100 of FIG. 1. In particular embodiments, by performing the method 800, the compact 100 illuminates a design on a removable plate 110.

In block 802, the plate 110 is attached to the upper portion 104 of the compact 100. The plate 110 may be attached by twisting the plate 110 or by using a magnet. When the plate 110 is attached to the upper portion 104, the plate 110 may form the upper surface 106 of the upper portion 104.

The plate 110 may include portions that form an aesthetic design on the plate 110. For example, these portions may be formed using apertures or cavities through the plate 110. As another example, these portions may be formed using layers of material that are thinner than layers of material used to form other portions of the plate 110. The thinner layers of material may be optically transmissive, whereas the thicker layers of material may not be optically transmissive.

In block 804, the compact 100 determines whether the compact 100 is in the closed state or opened state. In some embodiments, the compact 100 may include a switch or button that detects whether the compact 100 is opened or closed. For example, when the compact 100 is closed, the button may be pressed or the switch may be operated to indicate that the compact 100 is closed. If the compact 100 is in the closed state, then the method 800 may conclude.

If the compact 100 is in the open state, then the compact 100 may turn on the light 302 in block 806. For example, the compact 100 may send electrical power from the battery 702 to the light 302 to power the light 302. When the light 302 is turned on, the light 302 produces light that is directed towards the upper surface 106 of the upper portion 104 of the compact 100. That light may pass through optically transmissive portions of the plate 110. For example, the light may pass through apertures or cavities formed through the plate 110. As another example, the light may pass through portions formed using thinner layers of material. These portions may form an aesthetic design on the plate 110. As a result, when the light passes through these optically transmissive portions, the light may illuminate the aesthetic design on the plate 110.

In summary, the cosmetic compact 100 may include a removable plate 110. The plate 110 may attach (e.g., via magnet or twisting) to the compact 100. The plate 110 may include a surface that allows light to shine through specific areas of the plate 110. For example, the plate 110 may define apertures that allow light to shine through. As another example, the plate 110 may define a solid surface that includes portions that are thinner or not as thick as other portions. The thicker portions may block the light, and the thinner portions may allow the light to pass through (e.g., with some attenuation). These areas of the plate 110 that transmit light may be arranged in particular patterns or designs that a user may find aesthetically pleasing.

When a user wants to use a different pattern or design on the compact 100, the user may remove the plate 110 and attach another plate 110 to the compact 100. In this manner, the user does not need to purchase another compact 100 with the desired pattern or design. Rather, the user may customize the appearance of the compact 100 by switching out the plates 110, which reduces material waste (e.g., plastic waste) and improves the environment.

In the current disclosure, reference is made to various embodiments. However, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to specific described embodiments. Instead, any combination of the described features and elements, whether related to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and practice contemplated embodiments. Additionally, when elements of the embodiments are described in the form of “at least one of A and B,” or “at least one of A or B,” it will be understood that embodiments including element A exclusively, including element B exclusively, and including element A and B are each contemplated. Furthermore, although some embodiments disclosed herein may achieve advantages over other possible solutions or over the prior art, whether or not a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not limiting of the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the aspects, features, embodiments and advantages disclosed herein are merely illustrative and are not considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s). Likewise, reference to “the invention” shall not be construed as a generalization of any inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be considered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).

In view of the foregoing, the scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A compact comprising: a lower portion;an upper portion movably coupled to the lower portion by a hinge such that the upper portion rotates about the hinge to transition from a closed state to an open state;a light positioned within the upper portion; anda removable plate arranged to be attached to the upper portion, wherein the removable plate comprises a first portion with a first thickness and a second portion with a second thickness, and wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness such that light produced by the light is more visible through the first portion than through the second portion.

2. The compact of claim 1, wherein the removable plate is attached to the upper portion by twisting the removable plate.

3. The compact of claim 1, wherein the removable plate is attached to the upper portion by a magnet.

4. The compact of claim 1, wherein the light is arranged to produce the light when the upper portion is in the open state.

5. The compact of claim 1, further comprising a battery positioned in the lower portion, wherein the battery is arranged to provide electric power to the light.

6. The compact of claim 5, wherein the light is arranged to produce the light when the battery is recharging.

7. The compact of claim 5, further comprising a port positioned in the lower portion, wherein the battery is recharged through the port.

8. The compact of claim 1, wherein the upper portion comprises a lower surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface, wherein the lower surface is positioned between the upper surface and the lower portion when the upper portion is in the closed state, and wherein the removable plate is arranged to be attached to the upper surface.

9. The compact of claim 1, further comprising a button or a switch positioned in the lower portion, wherein operating the button or the switch turns on the light.

10. A compact comprising: a lower portion;an upper portion movably coupled to the lower portion by a hinge such that the upper portion rotates about the hinge to transition from a closed state to an open state;a light positioned within the upper portion; anda removable plate arranged to be attached to the upper portion, wherein the removable plate defines an aperture, and wherein light produced by the light is visible through the aperture.

11. The compact of claim 10, wherein the removable plate is attached to the upper portion by twisting the removable plate.

12. The compact of claim 10, wherein the removable plate is attached to the upper portion by a magnet.

13. The compact of claim 10, wherein the light is arranged to produce the light when the upper portion is in the open state.

14. The compact of claim 10, further comprising a battery positioned in the lower portion, wherein the battery is arranged to provide electric power to the light.

15. The compact of claim 14, wherein the light is arranged to produce the light when the battery is recharging.

16. The compact of claim 14, further comprising a port positioned in the lower portion, wherein the battery is recharged through the port.

17. The compact of claim 10, wherein the upper portion comprises a lower surface and an upper surface opposite the lower surface, wherein the lower surface is positioned between the upper surface and the lower portion when the upper portion is in the closed state, and wherein the removable plate is arranged to be attached to the upper surface.

18. The compact of claim 10, further comprising a button or a switch positioned in the lower portion, wherein operating the button or the switch turns on the light.

19. A compact comprising: an upper portion;a light positioned within the upper portion; anda removable plate arranged to be attached to the upper portion, wherein the removable plate comprises a first portion with a first thickness and a second portion with a second thickness, and wherein the first thickness is less than the second thickness such that light produced by the light is more visible through the first portion than through the second portion.

20. The compact of claim 19, wherein the removable plate is attached to the upper portion by twisting the removable plate.