U.S. patent application number 10/728984 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-09 for device including a cover having limited opening movement.
Invention is credited to Garcia, Luis Manuel, Longworth, Stephanie L., Seidler, David.
Application Number | 20040244812 10/728984 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32507756 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040244812 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seidler, David ; et
al. |
December 9, 2004 |
Device including a cover having limited opening movement
Abstract
A device includes a cover and a base. The base may define at
least one compartment including an opening. The cover may be
movable with respect to the base, in a generally hinge-like manner,
between a closed position in which the cover covers the opening of
the compartment and an open position in which access to the
compartment is permitted. The device may be configured to limit the
angular extent of generally hinge-like movement of the cover. In
some examples, the device may be in the form of a cosmetic compact
having a mirror that is oriented in a desired manner when cover is
in its open position.
Inventors: |
Seidler, David; (Forest
Hills, NY) ; Longworth, Stephanie L.; (Brooklyn
Heights, NY) ; Garcia, Luis Manuel; (N. Bergen,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow,
Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.
1300 I Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005-3315
US
|
Family ID: |
32507756 |
Appl. No.: |
10/728984 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60431582 |
Dec 7, 2002 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/301 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/221 20130101;
A45D 2040/226 20130101; A45D 33/008 20130101; A45D 40/222 20130101;
A45D 40/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/301 |
International
Class: |
A45D 042/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device comprising: a base defining at least one compartment
comprising an opening; a cover, wherein an inner surface of the
cover comprises a mirror; and at least one first magnet associated
with the base and at least one second magnet associated with the
cover, the first and second magnets coupling the base and the cover
together so as to permit movement of the cover with respect to the
base, in a generally hinge-like manner, between a closed position
in which the cover covers the opening of the compartment and an
open position in which access to the compartment is permitted,
wherein the device is configured to limit an extent of generally
hinge-like movement of the cover so that when the cover is moved
from the closed position to the open position, the cover moves with
respect to the base up to a maximum angular extent of less than 180
degrees and greater than or equal to about 100 degrees.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a cosmetic compact,
and wherein the device further comprises at least one of a cosmetic
product and a cosmetic applicator disposed in the compartment.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the maximum angular extent is
less than or equal to about 160 degrees.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the maximum angular extent is
about 130 degrees.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a cover
opening limiter comprising a first end portion associated with the
cover and a second end portion associated with the base.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein the second end portion of the
cover opening limiter comprises a projection, and wherein the base
engages with the projection when the cover is in the open
position.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the cover comprises a cover
recess and the first end portion of the cover opening limiter
comprises an axle configured to couple the first end portion of the
cover opening limiter to a portion of the cover defining the cover
recess.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to
generally stabilize the cover with respect to the base when the
cover is in the open position.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one first magnet
comprises a pair of first magnets and the at least one second
magnet comprises a pair of second magnets.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a first
generally plate-shaped member and a second generally plate-shaped
member, wherein the first and second generally plate-shaped members
comprise magnets coupling the first and second generally
plate-shaped members together with one of the generally
plate-shaped members being stacked on the other generally
plate-shaped member.
11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a first cosmetic
product contained in the first generally plate-shaped member and a
second cosmetic product contained in the second generally
plate-shaped member, the first and second cosmetic products
differing from one another.
12. A device comprising: a base defining at least one compartment
comprising an opening, the base further defining at least one base
recess; a cover, wherein the cover comprises a mirror; and at least
one first magnet associated with the base and at least one second
magnet associated with the cover, the first and second magnets
coupling the base and the cover together so as to permit movement
of the cover with respect to the base, in a generally hinge-like
manner, between a closed position in which the cover covers the
opening of the compartment and an open position in which access to
the compartment is permitted; and a cover opening limiter extending
from the cover, the cover opening limiter comprising an end portion
configured to be engaged with a portion of the base defining the
base recess when the cover is in the open position, wherein the
cover opening limiter is configured to limit an angular extent of
generally hinge-like movement of the cover.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein an inner surface of the cover
comprises the mirror.
14. The device of claim 12, wherein the cover opening limiter is
configured so that when the cover is moved from the closed position
to the open position, the cover moves with respect to the base up
to a maximum angular extent of less than 180 degrees and greater
than or equal to about 100 degrees.
15. The device of claim 12, wherein the device is a cosmetic
compact, and wherein the device further comprises at least one of a
cosmetic product and a cosmetic applicator disposed in the
compartment.
16. The device of claim 14, wherein the maximum angular extent is
less than or equal to about 160 degrees.
17. The device of claim 14, wherein the maximum angular extent is
about 130 degrees.
18. The device of claim 12, wherein the end portion of the cover
opening limiter comprises a projection configured to engage with
the portion of the base defining the base recess when the cover is
in the open position.
19. The device of claim 18, wherein the cover comprises a cover
recess and the cover opening limiter comprises an axle configured
to couple the cover opening limiter to a portion of the cover
defining the cover recess.
20. The device of claim 12, wherein the device is configured to
generally stabilize the cover with respect to the base when the
cover is in the open position.
21. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one first magnet
comprises a pair of first magnets and the at least one second
magnet comprises a pair of second magnets.
22. The device of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a first
generally plate-shaped member and a second generally plate-shaped
member, wherein the first and second generally plate-shaped members
comprise magnets coupling the first and second generally
plate-shaped members together with one of the generally
plate-shaped members being stacked on the other generally
plate-shaped member.
23. The device of claim 22, further comprising a first cosmetic
product contained in the first generally plate-shaped member and a
second cosmetic product contained in the second generally
plate-shaped member, the first and second cosmetic products
differing from one another.
24. The device of claim 22, wherein each of the first and second
generally plate-shaped members comprises a respective portion
defining a recess and being configured to engage with the end
portion of the cover opening limiter.
25. A device comprising: a base defining at least one compartment
comprising an opening, wherein the base comprises a first member
and a second member, wherein the first and second members comprise
magnets coupling the first and second members together with one of
the members being stacked on the other member; and a cover, wherein
an inner surface of the cover comprises a mirror, wherein the cover
is movable with respect to the base, in a generally hinge-like
manner, between a closed position in which the cover covers the
opening of the compartment and an open position in which access to
the compartment is permitted, wherein the device is configured to
limit an extent of generally hinge-like movement of the cover so
that when the cover is moved from the closed position to the open
position, the cover moves with respect to the base up to a maximum
angular extent of less than 180 degrees and greater than or equal
to about 100 degrees.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is a cosmetic
compact, and wherein the device further comprises at least one of a
cosmetic product and a cosmetic applicator disposed in the
compartment.
27. The device of claim 25, wherein the maximum angular extent is
less than or equal to about 160 degrees.
28. The device of claim 25, wherein the maximum angular extent is
about 130 degrees.
29. The device of claim 25, wherein the device comprises a cover
opening limiter comprising a first end portion associated with the
cover and a second end portion associated with the base.
30. The device of claim 29, wherein the second end portion of the
cover opening limiter comprises a projection, and wherein the base
engages with the projection when the cover is in the open
position.
31. The device of claim 30, wherein the cover comprises a cover
recess and the first end portion of the cover opening limiter
comprises an axle configured to couple the first end portion of the
cover opening limiter to a portion of the cover defining the cover
recess.
32. The device of claim 25, wherein the device is configured to
generally stabilize the cover with respect to the base when the
cover is in the open position.
33. The device of claim 25, wherein the magnets coupling the first
and second members together comprise a first pair of magnets
associated with the first member and a second pair of magnets
associated with the second member.
34. The device of claim 25, further comprising a first cosmetic
product contained in the first member and a second cosmetic product
contained in the second member, the first and second cosmetic
products differing from one another.
35. The device of claim 25, further comprising a cosmetic product
contained in one of the members and a cosmetic applicator in the
other member.
36. The device of claim 29, wherein each of the first and second
members comprises a respective portion defining a recess and being
configured to engage with the end portion of the cover opening
limiter.
37. A device comprising: a base defining at least one compartment
comprising an opening, the base further defining at least one base
recess; a cover movable with respect to the base, in a generally
hinge-like manner, between a closed position in which the cover
covers the opening of the compartment and an open position in which
access to the compartment is permitted; and a cover opening limiter
extending from the cover, the cover opening limiter comprising an
end portion configured to be engaged with a portion of the base
defining the base recess when the cover is in the open position,
wherein the cover opening limiter is configured to limit an angular
extent of generally hinge-like movement of the cover, and wherein
the device is configured so that the end portion of the cover
opening limiter moves into the base recess when the cover is moved
from the open position to the closed position.
38. The device of claim 37, wherein an inner surface of the cover
comprises a mirror.
39. The device of claim 38, wherein the device is a cosmetic
compact, and wherein the device further comprises at least one of a
cosmetic product and a cosmetic applicator disposed in the
compartment.
40. The device of claim 37, wherein the end portion of the cover
opening limiter comprises a projection, and wherein the base
engages with the projection when the cover is in the open
position.
41. The device of claim 37, wherein the cover comprises a cover
recess and an opposite end portion of the cover opening limiter
comprises an axle configured to couple the cover opening limiter to
a portion of the cover defining the cover recess.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application No.
60/431,582, filed Dec. 7, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a device including a cover
having a limited extent of opening movement with respect to a base.
In particular, some aspects of the invention relate to a cosmetic
compact arranged to position a cover mirror at a desired angle with
respect to a base.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Containers come in a number of different shapes, sizes and
forms. One type of conventional container arrangement generally
includes a lid movable with respect to another container portion so
as to permit one or more items or substances to be removed from an
interior of the container and/or added to the container interior.
For a variety of different reasons, during use of such conventional
arrangements, there is sometimes a desire to orient the container
lid in a particular position. For example, users sometimes orient
the lid of a cosmetic compact in a particular fashion so as to
obtain a better view of themselves in a mirror during application
of a cosmetic product.
[0006] Although there have been some prior attempts at designing
containers with lids that can be oriented in a particular manner
during use, there are drawbacks associated with at least some
approaches. For example, some designs cannot be easily adapted for
use with certain container mechanisms facilitating the opening
movement of the lid. In addition, at least some prior approaches
detract from the aesthetic quality of the container and/or unduly
increase cost.
[0007] For these and other reasons, there is a need for alternative
approaches.
SUMMARY
[0008] In the following description, certain aspects and
embodiments of the present invention will become evident. It should
be understood that the invention, in its broadest sense, could be
practiced without having one or more features of these aspects and
embodiments. In other words, these aspects and embodiments are
merely exemplary.
[0009] One aspect of the invention relates to a device including a
cover and a base. The base may define at least one compartment
comprising an opening. The cover may be movable with respect to the
base, in a generally hinge-like manner, between a closed position
in which the cover covers the opening of the compartment and an
open position in which access to the compartment is permitted. The
device may be configured to limit the angular extent of generally
hinge-like movement of the cover.
[0010] In at least some examples, the opening movement of the cover
may be a generally rotational movement about a hinge axis
positioned generally perpendicular to a direction that the
compartment opening faces.
[0011] In one aspect, an inner surface of the cover may comprise a
mirror.
[0012] In another aspect, the device may include at least one first
magnet associated with the base and at least one second magnet
associated with the cover. The first and second magnets may couple
the base and the cover together so as to permit the movement of the
cover with respect to the base, in the generally hinge-like manner,
between the closed position and the open position. In some
examples, the at least one first magnet may include a pair of first
magnets and the at least one second magnet may include a pair of
second magnets.
[0013] In a further aspect, the device may include a cover opening
limiter configured to limit the angular extent of generally
hinge-like movement of the cover. In some examples, the cover
opening limiter may comprise a first end portion associated with
the cover and a second end portion associated with the base. For
example, the base may define at least one base recess and the cover
opening limiter may extend from the cover and include an end
portion configured to be engaged with a portion of the base
defining the base recess when the cover is in the open position.
The second end portion of the cover opening limiter may comprise a
projection that engages with the base (e.g., the portion defining
the base recess) when the cover is in the open position. The first
end portion of the cover opening limiter may comprises an axle
configured to couple the first end portion of the cover opening
limiter to a portion of the cover defining a cover recess.
[0014] In still another aspect, the device may be configured so
that the end portion of the cover opening limiter moves into the
base recess when the cover is moved from the open position to the
closed position.
[0015] In yet another aspect, the device (e.g., the cover limiter,
if it is present, and/or any other part of the device) may be
configured to limit an extent of generally hinge-like movement of
the cover so that when the cover is moved from the closed position
to the open position, the cover moves with respect to the base up
to a maximum angular extent of less than 180 degrees and greater
than or equal to about 100 degrees. In some examples, the maximum
angular extent may be less than or equal to about 160 degrees. For
example, the maximum angular extent may be about 130 degrees.
[0016] In at least some examples where the base has a planar upper
surface and/or a planar lower surface and the cover has a mirror
having a planar face, the plane of the base surface(s) and the
planar face of the mirror may define a non-zero angle when the
cover is in the open position. The angle may be less than 180
degrees (e.g., less than or equal to 160 degrees) and greater than
or equal to about 100 degrees. For example, the angle may be about
130 degrees.
[0017] In an even further aspect, the device may be a cosmetic
compact, and the device may include a cosmetic product and/or a
cosmetic applicator disposed in the compartment.
[0018] In one aspect, the device may be configured to generally
stabilize the cover with respect to the base when the cover is in
the open position.
[0019] One more aspect relates to the base optionally including a
first member and a second member, wherein the first and second
members may include magnets coupling the first and second members
together with one of the members being stacked on the other member.
For example, each of the members may be generally plate-shaped. In
some examples, a cosmetic product may be contained in the first
member and a differing cosmetic product may be contained in the
second member. Optionally, a cosmetic applicator may be contained
in one or more of the members. In some examples, each of at least
some of the members may include a respective portion defining a
recess and being configured to engage with the end portion of the
cover opening limiter.
[0020] Aside from the structural arrangements set forth above, the
invention could include a number of other arrangements such as
those explained hereinafter. It is to be understood that both the
foregoing description and the following description are exemplary
only.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute
a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary
embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain
some principles of the invention. In the drawings,
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a device in
accordance with the present invention, showing a cover of the
device in its open position;
[0023] FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-section views showing the device
of FIG. 1 with the cover in its open and closed positions,
respectively; to show details, a mirror and a cosmetic product
shown in FIG. 1 are omitted from FIGS. 2A and 2B;
[0024] FIGS. 3A and 3B are views of portions of FIGS. 2A and 2B,
respectively;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary cover opening
limiter of the device of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a further view of a portion of FIG. 3B;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a further view of a portion of FIG. 3A;
[0028] FIGS. 7A and 7B are cross-section views similar to those of
FIGS. 3A and 3B, showing an alternative embodiment of a device with
its cover in the open and closed positions, respectively;
[0029] FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of a further
embodiment of a device with its cover in the open and closed
positions, respectively;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of a device with its cover in the open position;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a top view of an exemplary plate-shaped member of
the device of FIG. 9;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a top view of another exemplary plate-shaped
member of the device of FIG. 9;
[0033] FIGS. 12 and 13 are respective back and side views of
plate-shaped members of the device of FIG. 9; and
[0034] FIGS. 14 and 15 are views similar to those of FIGS. 5 and 6,
respectively, showing an example of an alternative cover
stabilization arrangement.
DESCRIPTION OF A FEW EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to a few exemplary
embodiments of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to
the same or like parts.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a device 10 including a cover
20 and a base 30. The cover 20 is movable with respect to the base
30, in a generally hinge-like manner, between an open position,
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, and a closed position, shown in FIG.
2B.
[0037] The base defines at least one compartment 32 including an
upward facing opening 34. When the cover 20 is in its closed
position, the cover 20 covers the opening 34 and, when the cover 20
is in its open position, a user is able to access the compartment
32.
[0038] The device 10 is configured to limit the angular extent of
the generally hinge-like movement of the cover 20 with respect to
the base 30. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the device 10 includes a
cover opening limiter 40 that limits the generally hinge-like
movement of the cover 20. The cover opening limiter 40 has one end
portion associated with the cover 20 and an opposite end portion
associated with the base 30.
[0039] There are many possible types of cover opening limiters that
might be used to limit the extent of the cover's hinge-like
movement. As shown in FIG. 4, the exemplary cover opening limiter
40 has a curved configuration shaped generally in the form of a
half-pipe having an axle 42 at one end and an inward facing
projection 44 at an opposite end. Opposite parts of the axle 42
project beyond the remainder of the cover opening limiter 40.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, the base 30
defines at least one base recess 36. The base recess 36 includes an
upward facing hole defined by a ledge extension 38. The projection
end of the cover opening limiter 40 extends into the recess 36 via
the recess hole. When the cover 20 is in its open position, the
projection 44 engages with the ledge extension 38 so as to prevent
further angular movement of the cover 20 beyond the open position.
Movement of the cover 20 from its open position to its closed
position causes the end portion of the cover opening limiter 40 to
be moved further into the base recess 36 so that the cover opening
limiter 40 does not prevent closure of the cover 20.
[0041] The cover 20 includes at least one cover recess 22 including
a hole on the inner face of the cover 20. The axle portion of the
cover opening limiter 40 is positioned in the cover recess 22 while
the remainder of the cover opening limiter 40 extends from cover 20
by passing through the cover recess hole. The axle 42 has a length
greater than that of the cover recess hole, causing the axle 42 to
be retained in the cover recess 22 when the cover is in its open
position. As shown by comparing FIGS. 3A and 3B, the axle 42
rotates and slides in the cover recess 22 when the cover 20 is
moved between its open and closed positions. The rotatability
and/or slidability of the cover opening limiter 40 optionally
enables the cover opening limiter 40 to fit within a relatively
small area and/or a confined space.
[0042] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the device 10 is in the form of
a cosmetic compact including both a mirror 24 forming part of the
inner surface of the cover 20 and a cosmetic product 37 contained
in the base compartment 32. The cosmetic product 39 may be within
an optional pan (not shown) that is attached within the compartment
32. The cosmetic product could be any form of solid, semi-solid,
powder, and/or friable cosmetic product. For example, the cosmetic
product could be a cosmetic product intended to be applied to the
skin, lips, eyelids, cheeks, finger nails, toe nails, and/or hair
(e.g., scalp hair or eyelashes) In some examples, the cosmetic
product could be a makeup product (e.g., a makeup product having a
coloration) and/or include a fragrance. As shown in FIG. 11,
described below, the base compartment might additionally or
alternatively contain at least one cosmetic product applicator
370.
[0043] The device 10 may have a generally box-shape (e.g.,
generally parallelepiped) when the cover 20 is in its closed
position. Other shapes are also possible.
[0044] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the cover opening limiter 40
may be configured to limit the extent of generally hinge-like
movement of the cover 20 so that when the cover 20 is moved from
the closed position to the open position, the cover 20 moves with
respect to the base 30 up to a maximum angular extent of less than
180 degrees (e.g., less than or equal to about 160 degrees) and
greater than or equal to about 100 degrees. For example, the
maximum angular extent may be about 130 degrees.
[0045] The limited opening angle of the cover 20 with respect to
the base 30 may position the mirror 24 at a particular angle,
possibly assisting a user in viewing herself in the mirror 24
during use of the device 10 (e.g., during application of a cosmetic
product when the base 30 is resting on a somewhat flat and level
surface or resting in the user's hand). In the embodiment of FIG.
1, the base 30 has planar upper and lower surfaces and the mirror
24 has a planar face. When the cover 20 is in the open position,
the plane of the mirror face may define a non-zero angle with
respect to the plane of one or more of the base surfaces. The angle
may be less than 180 degrees (e.g., less than or equal to 160
degrees) and greater than or equal to about 100 degrees. For
example, the angle may be about 130 degrees.
[0046] The device 10 may be configured so that the cover 20 is
maintained in its open position as long as the base 30 is placed on
a somewhat level surface. In some examples, the device 10 may be
configured to generally stabilize the cover 20 with respect to the
base 30 when the cover 20 is in its open position. As shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6, the device 10 may include a cover stabilizer in the
form of a generally V-shaped notch 26 on the back of the cover 20.
The V-shaped notch 26 could be configured to engage with a corner
edge of the base 30, as shown in FIG. 6, when the cover 20 is in
its open position, so as to provide at least some additional
vertical cover stabilizing force acting along with the weight force
of the cover 20. Although the shape of the notch 26 is V-shaped,
many other shapes are possible. Additionally (or alternatively),
the cover 20 and/or the base 30 may include one or more extensions
(e.g., an extension including a notch) that may limit cover
movement and/or provide stabilization. One example of an
alternative cover stabilizer is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 which
depict an extension 92 of the cover 20 that engages with a groove
94 on the base 30. Such an alternative cover stabilization
arrangement could be integrated into any of the device embodiments
shown in the drawings.
[0047] Although the cover opening limiter 40 is shown as a discrete
piece movable with respect to the cover 20, alternative
arrangements (not shown) where the opening limiter and cover are
rigidly connected to one another and/or formed of a common piece of
material are also possible. With the exception of the cosmetic
product 37 and possibly also the mirror 24, the device 10 may be
formed entirely or partially of a molded plastic material or a
metal.
[0048] In some embodiments where there is a cover opening limiter,
the device may include a spring (not shown) that exerts a spring
force on the cover opening limiter. For example, a leaf spring may
be provided to exert a spring force against a back portion of the
cover opening limiter (e.g., such a spring could be positioned in
the base recess) and/or a torsion spring could be provided (e.g.,
in the cover recess) to act on the cover limiter axle. For some
embodiments, a spring arrangement might be considered as an option
if the device 10 is to be used while in a position that does not
allow the force of gravity to act in a desired way.
[0049] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is no mechanical
connection between the cover 20 and the base 30 other than the
cover opening limiter 40. The exemplary device 10 is configured so
that the projection end of the cover opening limiter 40 is
removable from the base recess 36 so as to uncouple the base 30
from both the cover and the cover opening limiter 40. For example,
the cover opening limiter 40 could be removed from the base recess
36 by moving the cover 20 upward and inward (i.e., upward and in
the left hand direction in the view of FIG. 3B) with respect to the
base 30 before initiating the opening movement of the cover 20.
Such detachability of the base 30 from the cover opening limiter 40
optionally permits another base to be substituted in place of the
base 30 of FIG. 1 by coupling the cover opening limiter 40 to the
other base. FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, described below, show examples of
exemplary forms of other bases that might be substituted in place
of the base 30 of FIG. 1.
[0050] FIGS. 7A and 7B show an exemplary device 100 having a
supplemental mechanical connection between the cover 20 and base 30
in addition to the cover opening limiter 40. The supplemental
mechanical connection may be in the form of a pin hinge 101.
Alternatively (or additionally), there could be any other form of
mechanical hinge, such as a "living hinge," snap hinge, film hinge,
and/or any other type of mechanical hinge. Optionally, the rear
surfaces of the cover 20 and base 30 of the device 100 may be
configured to contact one another, as shown at 103 in FIG. 7A, when
the cover 20 is moved to the open position, so as to limit the
angular extent of generally hinge-like movement of the cover 20
and/or place a mirror surface at an angle with respect to the base
(e.g., the limited angular extent and/or angle could be like that
described above in connection with FIG. 1). Accordingly, the
embodiment shown in FIG. 7A could be modified to remove the cover
opening limiter 40 while still providing cover opening limiting
and/or angular positioning of a cover mirror.
[0051] FIGS. 8A and 8B show a further embodiment of a device 200.
The device 200 may be configured in a manner like that of the
device 10 of FIG. 1 or the device 100 of FIGS. 7A and 7B (either
with or without the cover opening limiter 40). In addition, the
device 200 includes one or more magnets 50 associated with the
cover 20 and one or more magnets 60 associated with the base 30. To
be more specific, the device 200 has a pair of the magnets 50
integrated into the cover 20 and a pair of magnets 60 integrated
into the base 30. The magnets 50 and 60 may be arranged to create a
magnetic coupling of the cover 20 and the base 30 during the
movement of the cover 20 with respect to the base 30, in the
generally hinge-like manner, between the closed position and the
open position. In addition, the magnets may be arranged to maintain
the cover 20 in its closed position, shown in FIG. 8B, until a
sufficient cover opening force is applied by a user.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 8B, each of the magnets 50 and 60 may have
a generally parallelepiped shape and the longest dimension of each
of the magnets 50 and 60 may be positioned in a direction generally
perpendicular to the axis about which the generally hinge-like
movement of the cover 20 takes place. One of the pair of magnets 50
is magnetically coupled to a respective one of the pair of magnets
60 and the other of the magnets 50 is magnetically coupled to the
other of the magnets 60. In each of the coupled sets of magnets 50
and 60, the poles of the magnets 50 and 60 generally face in
opposite directions. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8B, the
South poles (S) of the cover magnets 50 face in a direction
generally opposite to that of the North poles (N) of the base
magnets 60, and the North poles (N) of the cover magnets 50 face
toward the South poles (S) of the base magnets 60 (or vice versa
(not shown)).
[0053] When the cover 20 is in its closed position, the cover
magnets 50 may be generally parallel with the base magnets 60 and,
in each coupled magnet set, one of the magnets 50 and 60 may
overlap the other. During the opening movement of the cover 20, the
cover magnets 50 may be magnetically coupled to the base magnets 60
at all times from the closed position to the open position. When
the cover is in the open position, the magnets 50 and 60 may be
arranged to apply magnetic forces that stabilize the cover 20 with
respect to the base 60.
[0054] In at least some examples, the magnets 50 and 60 may define
at least part of a virtual hinge as described in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2002/01532276, published on Oct. 24,
2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference
to an extent that is not inconsistent with the subject matter
described herein.
[0055] FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a device 300. The
device 300 may be configured either in a manner like that of the
device 200 of FIG. 8, or in a manner like that of the device 200
but without the cover magnets 50. In addition, the device 300
includes a base 30 comprised of a plurality of generally
plate-shaped members 330A, 330B, and 330C (e.g., tiles) stacked one
upon the other in a generally parallel and generally overlapping
manner. Although three plate-shaped members 330A, 330B, and 330C
are shown, there could be any number of such members (e.g., two,
three, or more than three).
[0056] Each of the plate-shaped members 330A, 330B, and 330C may be
configured in substantially the same manner but contain differing
products, substances, items, and/or objects. (Alternatively, the
plate-shaped members may be configured somewhat different from one
another and/or contain substantially the same products, substances,
items, and/or objects.) The plate shaped member 330A may be
configured like the base 20 shown in FIG. 1 and contain a cosmetic
product 39. As shown in FIG. 10, the plate shaped member 330B may
contain a cosmetic product 39B differing from the cosmetic product
39 (e.g., having a differing color). Referring to FIG. 11, the
plate-shaped member 330C may contain at least one cosmetic
applicator 370 configured to apply the cosmetic product 39 and/or
39B, for example
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 9-13, the plate-shaped members 330A, 330B,
and 330C may include magnets 60, 60B, and 60C coupling adjacent
pairs of the members 330A, 330B, and 330C together in a manner
stacking them together. The member 330A has a pair of magnets 60
magnetically coupled to a respective pair of magnets 60B of the
member 330B. In turn, the pair of magnets 60B of the member 330B is
magnetically coupled to a respective pair of magnets of the member
330C.
[0058] The magnetic coupling of the members may enable the members
to be arranged in a stacked order differing from that shown in FIG.
9. For example, the member 330C could be removed from the member
stack and repositioned so that it becomes sandwiched between the
members 330A and 330B. In addition (or alternatively), the magnetic
coupling may enable one or more of the members to be removed from
the device and/or enable one or more additional members to be added
to the member stack. Such abilities may enable an individual to
customize the device with different orders of members and/or
different numbers of members.
[0059] Each of the members 330A, 330B, and 330C may include a
respective portion defining a base recess 36, 336B, 336C configured
to engage with the projection end portion of the cover opening
limiter 40. If the device 300 includes a cover limiter 40 (and if
the cover is not joined to the base by any other non-releasable
connection, e.g., a permanent mechanical hinge connection), the
cover limiter 40 may be removed from the base recess 36 and placed
in the respective base recess (e.g., 336B, 336C) of one of the
other members so as to reposition another member adjacent to the
cover 20.
[0060] In at least some examples, the members 330A, 330B, and 330C
may define at least part of a virtual hinge as described in
above-mentioned U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2002/01532276.
[0061] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure described
herein. Thus, it should be understood that the invention is not
limited to the subject matter discussed in the specification.
Rather, the present invention is intended to cover modifications
and variations.
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