Illuminated makeup mirror case

Abstract

A makeup mirror case of approximately the size of the palm of a hand and having a pair of separable case halves joined by a hinge enabling movement of the case halves between a closed attitude and an open attitude. The case halves are the same size and shape. An interior surface of one of the case halves includes a non-magnifying mirror surface and an interior surface of the other of the case halves provides a magnifying mirror surface. The interior surfaces of each of the case halves further includes a surface peripheral to the mirror surfaces and provides plural lamps set flush for directing illumination outwardly. A clasp is set flush with the peripheral surfaces, and in opposition to the hinging means, the clasp maintains the pair of case halves in the closed attitude.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE: Applicant(s) hereby incorporate herein by reference, any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents and printed matter cited or referred to in this application.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to makeup cases and more particularly to a makeup case having illumination.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] The following art defines the present state of this field:

[0006] Petit, U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,628 teaches a compact with a lid, hollow base, intermediate grid, a hinge and a clasp.

[0007] Joulia, U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,093 teaches a makeup case with a screw-on lid.

[0008] Litton, U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,989 teaches a makeup kit having a reservoir for cosmetic products.

[0009] Quintana et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,790 teaches a purse lighting system that is detachably mountable within a purse and that includes a lamp control circuit.

[0010] Keeman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,177 teaches a case for storing cosmetics which has a holder and a lid pivotally secured to the holder. A window provides visibility to the cosmetics.

[0011] Montoli, U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,451 teaches a compact with pop-up tray operated by a hinged cover.

[0012] Silberberg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,608 teaches a molded plastic cover with three compartments and having a living hinge between each of the compartments.

[0013] The prior art teaches cosmetics compacts, makeup cases and kits, purse lighting systems, and compacts with hinges, but does not teach a compact makeup mirror with peripheral lighting system. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

[0015] A makeup mirror case of approximately the size of the palm of a hand and having a pair of separable case halves joined by a hinge enables movement of the case halves between a closed attitude and an open attitude. The case halves are the same size and shape. An interior surface of one of the case halves includes a non-magnifying mirror surface and an interior surface of the other of the case halves provides a magnifying mirror surface. The interior surfaces of each of the case halves further includes a surface peripheral to the mirror surfaces and provides plural lamps set flush for directing illumination outwardly. A clasp is set flush with the peripheral surfaces, and in opposition to the hinging means, the clasp maintains the pair of case halves in the closed attitude.

[0016] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method of use of such apparatus that provides advantages not taught by the prior art.

[0017] Another objective is to provide such an invention capable of being made in a hand held size and stored in a purse.

[0018] A further objective is to provide such an invention capable of providing non-magnified and magnified images of a reflected image.

[0019] A still further objective is to provide such an invention capable of being illuminated peripherally.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in a closed attitude; and

[0023] FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof shown in an open attitude; and

[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The above described drawing figures illustrate the invention in at least one of its preferred embodiments, which is further defined in detail in the following description.

[0026] The present invention is an apparatus comprising a makeup mirror case 5 of approximately the size of the palm of a hand and having a pair of separable case halves 10, 20 joined by a hinging means 30 which enables movement of the pair of case halves 10, 20 between a closed attitude, shown in FIG. 1, and an open attitude shown in FIG. 2. The case halves 10, 20 are preferably, identical in size and shape. An interior surface of one of the case halves 10 includes a non-magnifying mirror surface 14 and an interior surface of the other of the case halves 20 provides a magnifying mirror surface 24. The interior surfaces of each of the case halves 10, 20 further includes a surface 16, 26 peripheral to the mirror surfaces, the peripheral surfaces 16, 26 each comprises a plurality of lamps 40 set flush therewith for directing illumination outwardly therefrom. A clasping means 50 is set flush with the peripheral surfaces 16, 26 and in opposition to the hinging means 30, the clasping means 50 is enabled, preferably by magnetic attraction, for maintaining the pair of case halves 10, 20 in the closed attitude but is easily overcome manually for opening the device into the attitude shown in FIG. 2 which clearly shows the interior of the case and the various surfaces, etc.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows the electrical circuit of the present invention. Preferably, a position sensitive switch S1 is mounted in one of the case halves and is enabled by pressing against the other of the case halves, for directing electrical current from a power supply B1, preferably a miniature battery within one of the case halves, to the plurality of lamps 40 when the case halves 10, 20 are in the open attitude (FIG. 2) and for breaking the electrical current when the case halves are in the closed attitude (FIG. 1). Such position sensitive switching is very well known in the art and may function similarly to a refrigerator or closet lamp switch mounted near a door.

[0028] Preferably, a manual switch S2, is set into the peripheral surface for controlling the electrical current when the case halves are in the open attitude. For instance, when the case is open in bright light, the use of lamps 40 is not desirable, so that S2 may be opened to shut off these lamps. Switches for the intended purpose are known in the art.

[0029] While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising: a makeup mirror case of approximately the size of the palm of a hand and having a pair of separable case halves joined by a hinging means enabling movement of the pair of case halves between a closed attitude and an open attitude; the case halves providing mutually identical size and shape; wherein an interior surface of one of the case halves includes a non-magnifying mirror surface and an interior surface of the other of the case halves provides a magnifying mirror surface; the interior surfaces of each of the case halves further including a surface peripheral to the mirror surfaces, the peripheral surfaces each comprising a plurality of lamps set flush therewith for directing illumination outwardly therefrom; a clasping means set flush with the peripheral surfaces, and in opposition to the hinging means, the clasping means enabled for maintaining the pair of case halves in the closed attitude.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the clasping means maintains closure of the case halves by magnetic attraction force when the case halves are in the closed attitude.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a position sensitive switch mounted in one of the case halves and enabled for directing electrical current from a power supply within one of the case halves, to the plurality of lamps when the case halves are in the open attitude and for breaking the electrical current when the case halves are in the closed attitude.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a manual switch set into the peripheral surface for controlling the electrical current when the case halves are in the open attitude.