1. Field
This invention generally relates to a field of cases or kits for housing and carrying a plurality of individual cosmetic containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved compact case, which can be worn around the user's wrist or neck, wherein removable inserts, each containing a predetermined shade and/or type of cosmetic, can be securely held in place thereby providing the user with a variety of cosmetic materials from which to choose.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cosmetic materials available to the consumers in the market place are very numerous. The particular cosmetic assortment which an individual consumer purchases is entirely dependent upon that consumer's subjective preferences. A typical consumer of cosmetics normally desires an assortment of cosmetics which includes the desired colors, tints and hues to satisfy the consumer's preferences, in particular to fit and complement that consumer's facial characteristics, skin and hair color and condition, and even clothes. Additionally, various types of cosmetics may be desirable, for example, shadows, mascara, foundations, lipstick, powder, blush, lip gloss and so on.
A typical packaging of cosmetics supplies traditionally comprised pre-selected, fixed containers of cosmetic materials having a variety of both colors and types. However, individual users' tastes and needs vary widely, as noted above. Consequently, the cosmetics materials which do not suit a particular user's needs or taste would be inevitably wasted. This, of course, is costly to the consumer since the unused and wasted cosmetics are purchased together with desired cosmetics.
It is, therefore, highly desirable to ameliorate such squander, to alleviate the prodigal practices and to ensure that consumers will have at their disposal a complete array of only desired cosmetics. To accomplish this advantageous result, there is need to provide a cosmetic compact case wherein a matrix configuration is provided to accept a plurality of individual removable cosmetic inserts so as to establish a cosmetic palette.
There is, therefore, a need that the individual cosmetic inserts can be offered to the consumer independent of the compact case into which they will be positioned. Should such device be provided, consumers will be able to choose only those preferred cosmetics which are desirable for purchase and assemble them in a compact case so as to establish a personal and unique arrangement of cosmetics.
In order to securely hold the inserts in their predetermined matrix position, it is very beneficial to use the inserts made of magnetic materials.
Furthermore, it is desired that the case also include a centrally positioned divider, which can be a mirror. The divider would separate a powder section of the case from the section containing other supplies, such as eye shadows, lip color concealers, etc. Such design is especially desired by professional users of cosmetics, like professional actors and actresses, entertainers, musicians, and the like. Moreover, it is further beneficial to have a cosmetics case which can be worn around the user's wrist or neck, so as to be immediately available. A belt attached to the case, for example, a VELCRO® belt, can be used for this purpose.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,808,961 to Lyhne describes a compact and puff holder for vanity boxes. The Lyhne device has two sections each capable of holding containers with cosmetic supplies. The two sections are separated by a mirror serving also as a divider between the two sections. Yet, the Lyhne device comprises no VELCRO® fastener, and it cannot be worn around the user's neck or wrist, but only in a handbag. Furthermore, the Lyhne device does not have magnetically held inserts. Instead, the trays in Lyhne are held in place by mechanical means, which is less efficient and less reliable than the magnetic holders.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,127 to Geer also describes a cosmetic case having interchangeable cosmetic inserts. This device also comprises a divider. However, the divider in the Geer device does not really separate different kinds of cosmetics. In Geer, they all are on one side and the purpose the lid serves is not to separate the inserts on either side of the lid, but rather to hold them in place and to prevent them from shifting. Geer uses no magnets to accomplish this goal.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,300 to Davies describes a case having two halves. The first half is designed to hold cleansing disks, wafers and the like, which have to be kept moist. The second half is for holding cosmetic supplies. The two halves are separated by a mirror which also serves as a divider. However, in Davies, just as in Geer, all the cosmetic are located on the same side and no magnets to hold the cosmetic inserts in place are used. Davies does not even teach that those inserts are replaceable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,420 to Sussman describes a make-up kit having replaceable inserts. Each kind of cosmetic is held in a separate module, the contents of each are replaced upon exhaustion. However, this patent does not disclose any kind of a divider in the middle. Furthermore, Sussman does not disclose any magnets for holding the cosmetic modules in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,697 to Jimbo, et. al describes a make-up case containing a number of cosmetic pans. The bottom of each pan is provided with a magnet and the pans are held in place magnetically. However, there is no divider of any kind described in this patent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,012 to Kamen, et. al. describes a compact case and is somewhat alike the above-mentioned Jimbo patent. Kamen also uses magnets to hold cosmetic containers in place. In addition, the magnets are used to seal a joint between the lid and the base of the compact case. However, like in Jimbo, this patent describes no divider.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,006,350 to Grünfeld describes a vanity case. It is designed to be worn around a person's wrist thus simultaneously being a bracelet as well. However, Grünfeld does not teach using a divider inside the case. Nor is there any use of magnets to hold the cosmetic in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,553 to Giese, et. al. describes a cosmetic compact with cosmetic pans which can be removed, and with a mirror. The pans are held in place mechanically and are removed by applying pressure using mechanical means. This patent does not describe any magnetic devices for retaining the pans in place nor does it have a divider.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,601,158 to MacGillivary describes a combination of a wristwatch and a vanity case. The relevancy of this patent lies in the fact that this device can be worn around a woman's wrist. However, the make-up portion of the MacGillivary device has no magnetized receptacles and no divider in the middle and no provisions are described for replacing the contents of the cosmetic bins.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,788,399 to McAtree describes a vanity case having a centrally positioned mirror serving as a separator between two parts of the case. However, McAtree describes no various replaceable receptacles for different kinds of cosmetic nor any magnetic means for keeping the cosmetic in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,777,027 to D'Arlet describes a vanity case worn on a woman's wrist. D'Arlet describes a case with compartments for a few kinds of cosmetic accessories. However, this device has no divider and does not provide for replaceable trays holding cosmetic and held in place with magnets.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,774,171 to Coons describes another vanity case having a circular shape. This case comprises two similar circular portions, one serving as the cover and another—as the body of the case. Each carries powder compact. There is a mirror, but it is attached directly to one of the portions and is not in the middle of the device separating the portions. There are no compartments for other kinds of cosmetic, no central divider of any kind, no provisions for wearing the device and no magnetic devices for securing the cosmetic.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,607,985 to Johnson is similar to the above-described D'Arlet patent, and likewise describes a vanity case worn on a woman's wrist. Johnson describes a case with only two compartments for cosmetics. The case has a mirror on the lid. However, like in D'Arlet, this device has no divider and does not show replaceable containers holding cosmetic and held in place with magnets.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,601,892 to Thralls describes a vanity case having two portions—one for cosmetic supplies and the other—for carrying, for example, business cards or paper money bills. The two portions are separated by a mirror-divider. The presence of this mirror is a feature making the Thralls invention relevant. However, this divider is not used to separate different kinds of cosmetics supplies. Rather, it separates cosmetic supplies from non-cosmetic items such as cards or bills. Moreover, the Thralls invention does not describe features allowing the use of replaceable trays for various cosmetic held in place with magnets.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,515,812 to Lindon describes a powder puff in a shape of oval. It comprises a lipstick holder. However, Lindon has no centrally located divider and no multiple receptacle for various cosmetics. The Lindon device is designed just for carrying powder and lipstick.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,017,122 to Magnus describes a combination of a cigarette case and a vanity case. It shows a device with two compartments, an upper compartment and a lower compartment. The lower compartment serves to hold powder, while the upper compartment contains cigarettes. This device is somewhat relevant because, when the case is open, a mirror separates the two compartments. However, the mirror separates cosmetic (powder) and non-cosmetic (cigarettes) items, similar to the device described in the above-mentioned patent to Thralls. And finally, there are no replaceable cosmetic bins or magnet-based elements to hold them in place.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,130 to Sweder describes a make-up kit mounted on a steering wheel of a vehicle using VELCRO®. The Sweder patent only describes a way the kit is mounted on the steering wheel. It does not disclose any features describing how the kit itself is built.
Therefore, the review of prior art reveals that no known invention describes a make-up case having the following features:
1) a divider, which divider is preferably, but not necessarily, a mirror;
2) a belt securely attached to the case so that the case can either be worn by the user on her wrist or around her ankle or as a pendant on her neck. In order to allow for wearing the case in such manner, the terminal portions of the belt comprise a hook and loop fastener material, such as VELCRO® material;
3) magnets for holding cosmetic supplies in the case. Yet a need to have a device comprising all these features is acute.
The device of the present invention, unlike all prior related art, shows all these features and satisfies all the needs discussed above.
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to make-up cases or kits comprising two sections. The first section includes a plurality of replaceable and interchangeable inserts-holders containing cosmetics supplies, such as eye shadows, lip color concealer, mascara, foundations, lipstick, blush, lip gloss, and the like (except powder). In the first section, a brush holder is also provided to keep a shadow brush, or a lip brush, or a combination brush, one side of which is a shadow brush and the other side—a lip brush. The inserts are made of a magnetic material and are attached to the bottom of the case magnetically.
The second section comprises a compartment for holding pressed (compact) powder. This compartment is also removable and can be replaced when the powder is used up. The second section is separated from the first section by a divider. The divider preferably, but not necessarily, comprises a mirror.
The bottom of a make-up case according to an embodiment of the present invention includes two slots in which a belt is secured. The belt is made of an elastic material and comprises hook and loop fastener (such as VELCRO®) portions, allowing the user to wear the case around his or her wrist or neck.
Embodiments of the present invention comprise three features: the magnetic replaceable compartments for cosmetics, a central divider, and a belt so that the case can be worn around the user's wrist or neck thus-maximizing the convenience of the use. No previously known device has all these three features.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a case for carrying and storing cosmetics supplies is provided, the case comprising two hingedly connected compartments, a flat dividing element inserted between the compartments which is hingedly held in place, and a plurality of magnetic holders of said cosmetics supplies removably insertable inside the first compartment, wherein the case is opened and closed by rotating either of the compartments about the hinge and the dividing element is rotatable about the hinge to cover either of the compartments.
According to another aspect of this invention, the case further includes a belt secured to a bottom of either of the compartments the belt allowing to wear the case around a user's wrist or neck, and in order to facilitate wearing of the case in such manner, the belt includes hook and loop fastener sections.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a case for carrying and storing cosmetics is provided where the case comprises: a first compartment; a second compartment disposed within the first compartment, the second compartment having an outer perimeter smaller than an outer perimeter of the first compartment, wherein the second compartment comprises a base portion and a upper portion hingedly coupled to the base portion, the base portion adapted to hold cosmetic powder; a plurality of cosmetic holders disposed along the outer perimeter of the first compartment and extending from the outer perimeter of the first compartment to the outer perimeter of the second compartment, wherein each cosmetic holder has at least one recess adapted to hold cosmetic supplies; and a plurality of cosmetic holder covers, each cosmetic holder cover covering a corresponding cosmetic holder and extending from the outer perimeter of the first compartment to the outer perimeter of the second compartment. Preferably, the cosmetic holders are removable and are magnetically attached to the first compartment.
Still another aspect of the present invention is a cosmetics purse comprising: an internal first compartment; an internal second compartment hingedly connected to the internal first compartment, the internal second compartment having a mirror disposed on a surface of the internal second compartment; a plurality of magnetic cosmetic holders removably disposed inside the internal first compartment; an external lower section, the internal first compartment attached to the external lower section; an external upper section, the external upper section attached to the external lower section at a fold; and a fastener disposed around a portion of a perimeter of the external lower section and the external upper section, the fastener adapted to fasten the external upper section to the external lower section.
The features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
The compartment 1 is designed to hold inserts 4 preferably containing eye shadows, lip color concealer, mascara and other cosmetic supplies, except powder. Compartment 1 further comprises a brush holder section 5 designed to hold any kind of brush used in applying cosmetics. For example, section 5 can be split in two parts: one for an eye shadow brush and another for a lip brush, and a clip can be provided in the middle of section 5 (not shown) to hold the brush or brushes.
The combination of the supplies, as well as the choice of particular brushes can be made according to particular tastes and needs of the user. Those skilled in the art will choose a proper combination of inserts and brushes.
Compartment 2 comprises a tray 6 designed to hold compact powder. Any kind of powder ordinarily used can be placed in tray 6. Those skilled in the art will select proper powder which best suits their particular needs.
Compartments 1 and 2 are separated by a divider 7, connected to the make-up case by using the same hinge 3. At least one side of the divider 7 is preferably a reflective surface and either side of the divider can serve as a mirror. When the kit 100 is opened, compartments 1 and 2 are moved relatively to each other around the hinge 3, until they are positioned in the same plane, as shown on
In such position, the divider 7 lies flat against the top surface of either compartment 1 (when the powder from compartment 2 is used) or compartment 2 (when the supplies from compartment 1 are used), as the case may be.
When the user applies the supplies from either compartment, she uses one surface of the divider 7 as a mirror. When the user has completed using the supplies from a compartment, she rotates the divider 7 on the hinge 3, covering this compartment and opening the other compartment (previously covered by the divider 7), followed by using the cosmetics from the other compartment. The other surface of the divider 7 can again be used as a mirror.
Compartments 1 and 2 can be made of any size as selected. However, the sizes of compartments 1 and 2 should be preferably substantially identical to allow the kit 100 to be safely closed.
In order to allow the divider 7 not to be smudged by the cosmetics supplies, recesses are preferably provided in compartments 1 and 2, so that when the divider 7 lies flat against a particular compartment 1 or 2 (or against both compartments 1 and 2 when not in use), it remains above the top surface of the supplies in inserts 4 or of the powder in the tray 6, respectively. Thus, by not touching the supplies, the divider 7 stays clean and free of marks, smudges and the like. Likewise, the brush section 5 is also provided with a recess, so that brushes in that section do not prevent the kit from being closed.
The bottom of compartment 1 is lined with a thin layer 1a of a magnetic material, for instance, preferably stainless steel, or another suitable metal, as shown on
Each of the inserts 4 is a magnetic insert, substantially in a form of a parallelepiped, as shown in more detail in the enlarged partial view of
Each insert 4 is filled with a particular kind of any desirable cosmetics (except powder) and is open from the side 4b allowing access to the cosmetics. Any number of inserts 4 can be used, depending on the size of the kit. Preferably, between six and nine inserts 4 are used. When the contents of an insert 4 are exhausted, the insert 4 is removed and disposed of, and a new filled-in insert 4 is put in the place of the used one.
Similarly, the tray 6 in compartment 2 is replaceable and when the powder in the tray 6 has been used up, the tray 6 is likewise removed and disposed of, and a new powder tray is put in the place of the used one.
The belt 8 comprises elastic sections 8a and hook and loop fastener sections 8b, such as VELCRO® sections, as shown in more detail on
Other, equally preferred, embodiments of this invention comprise an oval and circular make-up cases. They are designed in way similar to that of the square embodiment with the differences described below A side view of an oval embodiment 200 of the make-up case is shown on
The compartment 201 in the oval embodiment differs somewhat from its counterpart 1 in the square embodiment. The difference is shown on
A side view of the round embodiment 300 of the make-up case is shown in
The compartment 301 in the round embodiment 300 is very similar to the compartment 201 in the oval embodiment 200 but differs somewhat from its counterpart 1 in the square embodiment 100. The difference is shown on
Optionally, a pouch 10 shown in
The pouch 10 is made of leather or other suitable material and comprises a zipper 11, or alternatively a VELCRO® strip, in order to be securely closed.
The pouch 10 also comprises two slots 12 enabling the wearer to insert the belt 8 and thus to attach the pouch 10 to the make-up case. A key ring 14 is also optionally provided. The pouch 10 can be of any color to match that of the make-up case.
Another embodiment of the make-up kit according to the present invention is shown in
The first compartment 201 has a plurality of magnetic inserts 204 which have recesses 204c in which cosmetic supplies are disposed.
As shown in
As noted above, the embodiment depicted in
Thus, the embodiment shown in
Another embodiment of a make-up kit according to the present invention is depicted in
Each cosmetic holder 904 is covered by a hinged cover 907 that extends from the outer edge of the first compartment 901 to the outer edge of the second compartment 902.
Hinges 908, connected to the hinged covers 907, may be disposed on the outer edge of the first compartment 901, such that the covers 907 are directly attached to the first compartment 901. The cosmetic holders 904 may be individually removable and may be held in place in the first compartment 901 by magnetic means where either the first compartment 901 and/or each cosmetic holder 904 comprises magnetic material and the first compartment 901 and/or each cosmetic holder 904 comprises magnetically attractable material.
Alternatively, the hinges 908 may be directly connected to the cosmetic holders 904 as shown in
As shown in
The body of the make-up kit in any embodiment is preferably made of a sturdy and durable plastic to be selected by those skilled in the art. The belt 8 can be chosen of any color, and a holograph or a piece of jewelry can be optionally attached to the case. The belt 8 may be further decorated with glitter, rhinestones, lace, or other decorative features. Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments of the make-up kit described above may also be attached to a necklace, chain, ribbon, or other such attachments to facilitate wearing these embodiments around the neck so that certain embodiments may be considered as a fashion accessory as well as providing easy access to make-up materials.
As described above, the make-kit embodiments described above may be attached to a belt to facilitate carrying the kit. Alternative embodiments of the present invention provide a cosmetics purse used to hold and carry a make-up kit.
The make-up kit 1100 is attached to a lower section 1010 of the cosmetics purse 1000. The make-up kit 1100 may be attached to the lower section by a snap fastener or a hook and loop fastener or other fastening means known in the art. The cosmetics purse 1000 further comprises an upper section 1020. The upper section 1020 preferably has a credit card holding section 1022 and a pouch 1021 for holding currency.
Preferably, the cosmetics purse 1000 comprises cushioned leather. However, the cosmetics purse 1000 may comprise other materials, such as durable nylon, canvas, or even plastic or metal.
Those skilled in the art will understand that the cosmetics purse 1000 shown in
Having described the present invention in connection with several embodiments thereof, modification will now suggest itself to those skilled in the art. As such, the invention is not to be limited to the described embodiments except as required by the appended claims.
The present document is related to and is a Continuation-in-Part of the copending patent application document entitled: “Make-Up Case and Kit,” Ser. No. 09/884,271, filed on Jun. 19, 2001. The contents of this related application are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 10350903 | Jan 2003 | US |
Child | 11332666 | Jan 2006 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 09884271 | Jun 2001 | US |
Child | 10350903 | Jan 2003 | US |