Flipping Compact Assembly

Abstract

The invention concerns a compact cosmetic case having a cover, base, tray and frame. The tray and frame are within the cover and base and the tray may be rotated within a frame opening defined by the walls of the frame. The tray has recesses on both an upper and lower side so that material may be stored on both sides of the tray for consumer use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention pertains to a compact assembly, i.e. a compact case, for holding cosmetics which comprises a base and a cover. The compact further comprises a tray which is within a frame member. The tray is capable of rotation within the frame member when the cover is in an open position. The tray may have separate sections at a first surface and/or a second surface.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] Cosmetics may be packaged in compact cases for the convenience of the consumer by providing a portable case which can be held, for instance in a pocket book or glove compartment, without having the cosmetic material exposed to the environment. An essential element of a compact case is a tray or other means for holding cosmetic material which is easily accessible when the compact case is open for use but is isolated within the compact case when not in use. Conventionally, compact cases comprise a base and a cover with the base generally having a space where the cosmetic material is held. When the consumer wishes to use the cosmetic, he or she opens the cover to expose the cosmetic material and after cosmetic is applied the case can be closed. The art is constantly seeking new and improved compact cases for cosmetics including those which maximize the ability to store different colors and types of cosmetics within a single compact case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention pertains to a compact case comprising a tray having two sides, each with a means for holding material, such as cosmetic material. The tray is secured to a frame having a frame opening. The tray is attached to the frame by frame attachment means which allows the tray rotational movement within the frame opening. The compact case further comprises a cover and a base, with the cover and base attached to each other, such as by cover attachment means which allows the cover to be rotated upwards away from the base around the axis of the cover attachment means. The cover attachment means may, for example, be a hinge. The base comprises a well which accommodates the tray and frame. The compact case may also comprise one or more multiple attachment means which secures the base, frame and cover together, such as one or more pins inserted through bore holes in the cover, frame and base.

[0006] In an embodiment of the invention, each side of the tray comprises a recess. One or both recess may be divided into smaller sections to accommodate different types and/or colors of cosmetic materials. The recesses may be divided into smaller sections that are integral with the tray, such as walls which divide each tray into two or more smaller sections. Also, the cosmetic case may comprise one or more pans and one or more recesses of the tray may have one or more, such as two or more, pans within the recess. The pans effectively divide the trays into smaller sections for the storage of different cosmetic materials and/or colors.

[0007] When the compact case is in a closed position, the cover and frame meet thereby enclosing the tray and frame within the inside of the compact case, for example within the well, such that the tray is not exposed to the environment external to the inside of the compact case. The frame is generally attached to the base at one end of the frame by frame attachment means or by multiple attachment means, such that when the cover is moved from a closed position to an open position, the frame is capable of moving or being moved upwards. This moves the tray out of the base and allows for the tray to be rotated within the frame opening. As such, only when the cover is opened will the cosmetic material within the tray be exposed for use to the environment external to the compact case.

[0008] The tray is capable of rotating such that material may be stored in both a first recess and a second recess of the tray. This allows for the storage and sale of more varieties of cosmetic material within one compact case. For example, cosmetic materials having one color or one color scheme can be stored within a first recess of the tray and another color or color scheme within the opposite second recess of the tray thereby providing the consumer with more options within a single compact case. Thus, if after the cover is opened the consumer does not want to use the cosmetic material that is in the recess of the tray facing upwards (i.e. opposite to the base), the consumer may rotate the tray within the frame so that the opposite recess is facing upwards.

[0009] In an embodiment of the invention, the recesses in one or both of the first surface and second surface of the tray comprise pans for holding material, such as cosmetic material, which facilitates packaging of material in the compact cosmetic case. For example, the pans may be filled with material prior to the placement of the pans into the recesses. The filled pans may then be placed into the first recess and the second recess of the tray and secured to the tray. Hence, the pans with material may be filled and then secured to the recess on one side of the tray in the packaging line and then the tray can be rotated about 180.degree. to invert the recess which does not yet comprise pans so that pans can be placed into and secured within this recess of the tray. In a further embodiment of the invention, the pans may be placed into the recesses of the trays before the trays are incorporated into the cosmetic case which further facilitates the packaging of cosmetic material in the compact cosmetic case of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a compact cosmetic case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the cover in a closed position.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a compact cosmetic case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the cover in an open position.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a compact cosmetic case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the cover in an open position and the frame and tray assembly partially removed from the base well.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a compact cosmetic case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the cover in an open position, the frame and tray assembly moved outwards from the base well and the frame pivoted within the frame opening. The dotted lines in this perspective view show the ability of the tray to pivot within the frame opening in that the dotted line shows the tray in a position from which the consumer would likely obtain material from the tray.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a back view of a compact cosmetic case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the compact cosmetic case of FIG. 2 along line 6 with the cover in a closed position.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the compact cosmetic case of FIG. 2 along line 7 with the cover in a closed position.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the compact cosmetic case of FIG. 2 along line 8 with the cover in a closed position.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a compact cosmetic case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the cover opened and a lower terminal of a distal wall of the cover impacting a shelf ledge of the frame.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a compact cosmetic case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention wherein lower terminal of a distal wall of the cover having impacted the shelf ledge of the frame has lifted shelf and tray assembly out of the base well.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a compact cosmetic case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention with the recess at a surface of the tray not divided into two or more sections

[0021] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a compact cosmetic case in accordance with an embodiment of the invention wherein a tray and frame assembly having the recesses at both surfaces of the tray divided into sections with pans, with the tray and pans shown in exploded view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the compact cosmetic case 1 comprises a cover 2 and a base 3. The cover 2 is secured to the base 3 by means of first attachment means, which may be a hinge, snaps, buttons, strings, hook and loop fasteners or other types of fasteners. In an embodiment of the invention, as discussed herein, the cover and base, with the frame, may all be secured together by one or more, such as two, multiple attachment means which secure the cover, tray and base together in a manner which allows the cover, tray and base to move independent of the other.

[0023] As shown in the drawings, the base 2 comprises a base interior surface 4 and a base exterior surface 5. The base further comprises one or more side walls extending about perpendicularly from the base exterior surface. Each of the side wall(s) has an outer face which forms part of the exterior of the compact cosmetic case and an inner face. The inner face of each side wall of the base and the base interior surface define a base well.

[0024] In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, particularly FIGS. 6 and 7, the base comprises mutually opposed first base side wall 7 and second base side wall 8 and mutually opposed front base side wall 9 and back base side wall 10. Each base side wall has an outer face and an inner face, which are shown, for example, in FIGS. 6 and 7 by the suffix a to the element number for the outer surface and the suffix b to the element number for the inner surface. The base side walls are generally perpendicular to each other such that the base 3 comprises a base well 11 defined by the base interior surface 4 and the inner faces of the base side walls (7b, 8b, 9b, 10b). In the drawings, the base well is in the shape of a square or rectangle, although other shapes are within the scope of the invention even though not specifically shown in the drawings.

[0025] The cover 2 generally has the same or a similar geometric shape as the base. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 2 has a cover exterior surface 12 and a cover interior surface 13 and one or more cover side walls which extend generally perpendicular from the cover exterior surface 12. Each cover side wall has an outer surface and an inner surface. The cover interior surface 12 and the inner surface of each cover side wall define a cover well 14. The cover interior surface may comprise a mirror 75 (see FIG. 9), such as a mirror that is laminated to the cover interior surface or the cover interior surface may itself be a mirror. Also, both the cover interior surface and cover exterior surface may have one or more decorative features attached to the cover interior surface and/or cover exterior surface or decorative features may be a part of the cover interior surface and/or cover exterior surface or printed or painted onto such surfaces. In an embodiment of the invention, the cover, particularly the cover interior surface and/or cover exterior surface may be clear or opaque to allow for viewing of the contents of the compact case when the cover is in a closed position.

[0026] In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, particularly in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cover comprises mutually opposed first cover side wall 15 and second cover side wall 16 and mutually opposed front cover side wall 17 and back cover side wall 18. Each cover side wall has an outer face and an inner face which are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 with the suffixes a for the outer surface and b for the inner surface as described above with respect to the base. The cover side walls are generally perpendicular to each other such that the cover comprises the cover well 14 defined by the cover interior surface 13 and the inner faces of the side walls of the cover (15b, 16b, 17b, 18b). The cover well 14 shown in the drawings is in the shape of a square or rectangle, although other shapes are within the scope of the invention even though not specifically shown in the drawings. Referring to FIG. 5, the back cover side wall 18 may comprise a hinge extension 19 which extends from a lower edge of the back side wall, preferably, as shown in the drawings extending partially such that there is a first gap space 20 and second gap space 21 along the lower edge of the back side wall, proximate to the first side wall 15 and second side wall 16 at which the hinge extension 19 does not extend from the back side wall. The hinge extension 19 comprises a first hinge extension side wall 22 and corresponding second hinge extension side wall 23 with a hinge extension bottom wall 24 there between, preferably about perpendicular to the hinge extension sidewalls (22, 23). The hinge extension may further comprise one or more hinge bores 25 within the hinge extension with openings (26, 27) at the first hinge extension side wall 22 and second hinge extension side wall 23. As will be discussed in more detail below, the hinge bore may accommodate a rod which holds the cover, base and tray together, as part of the multiple attachment means.

[0027] The base and cover may comprise a latching means for latching the cover and base when the compact case is closed to prevent or inhibit the cover and base from separating. The latching means will generally comprise an element on the cover which interacts with an element on the base in a manner which, after the compact is in a closed position, prevents the cover and base from separating and thereby exposing the contents of the compact to the external environment. For example, in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, particularly as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the front cover side wall 15 comprises a cover latching piece 28 having an outer surface 29 and an inner surface 30. The cover latching piece 28 extends from an end of the cover front wall. In this embodiment of the invention, the base front wall 9 comprises an indentation 31 which is capable of accommodating the cover latching piece 28. The outer face of the base front wall comprises mutually opposed left indentation wall 32 and right indentation wall 33 and an indentation lower wall 34 which extends from the lower termini of the left indentation wall 32 and right indentation wall 33. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the left indentation wall 32 and right indentation wall 33 are about perpendicular to the indentation lower wall 34 whereby the left indentation wall, right indentation wall and indentation lower wall frame an indentation surface 35 which is at a plane different from outer surface of the base front wall and more proximate to the inner surface of the base front wall than the outer surface of the base front wall such that left indentation wall 32, right indentation wall 32, indentation lower wall 34 and indentation surface 35 define the indentation 31. The base front wall further comprises a projection 36 which extends outward from the indentation surface. When the compact cosmetic case is closed, the cover latching piece 28 is within the indentation 31 with the inner surface of the cover latching piece in contact with projection 36 such that the frictional forces between the cover latching piece and projection prevent the cover from being inadvertently disengaged from the base. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 7, the cover latching piece 28 may further comprise a mating projection 37 which extends from the inner surface 30 of the cover latching piece. As shown in FIG. 7, the mating projection 37 rests beneath the projection 36 in the indentation which permits the cover from moving away from the base without the application of external forces, such as a consumer pushing the cover up and/or moving the base down.

[0028] The compact cosmetic case further comprises a tray and frame. The frame comprises one or more walls each having an inner surface, an outer surface and upper edge and a lower edge. The inner surfaces of the frame wall(s) define the frame opening. The frame is attached, generally at one end, to the base by frame attachment means which allows the frame movement and may be attached by the multiple attachment means as discussed herein.

[0029] In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the frame 38 comprises a first frame wall 39 and a mutually opposed second frame wall 40, and mutually opposed forward frame wall 41 and a distal frame wall 42, each of which has an outer surface and an inner surface identified by element numbers with the designation a for the outer surface and b for inner surface and each of which is approximately perpendicular to its adjoining frame walls. The frame is attached to the base and/or the cover at the first frame wall and second frame wall, proximate to distal frame wall.

[0030] The tray comprises one or more tray walls, an upper surface and a lower surface, with each of the upper surface and lower surface having a recess. The tray is releasably attached to the frame by tray attachment means in a manner which allows the tray to be within the frame opening and have rotational movement within the frame opening.

[0031] For example, in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the tray 43 comprises a first tray wall 44 and a mutually opposed second tray wall 45, and mutually opposed forward tray wail 46 and a distal tray wall 47, each of which has an outer surface and an inner surface and each of which is approximately perpendicular to its adjoining tray walls. The inner surfaces of the tray walls are identified in the drawings by the element number with a for the outer surface and b for the inner surface. The tray further comprises a dividing member 48 which extends completely from the inner surfaces of the first tray wall, second tray wall, forward tray wall and distal tray wall which effectively divides the tray into two distinct areas for storing material, such as cosmetic material. The dividing member 48 has a first surface 49 and a second surface 50. As such, the first surface of the dividing member and inner surfaces of the left tray wall, right tray wall, forward tray wall and distal tray wall define a first recess 51 in the tray, and the second surface of the dividing member and inner surfaces of the left tray wall, right tray wall, forward tray wall and distal tray wall define the second recess 52 in the tray.

[0032] The first recess and/or second recess of the tray may be further divided into sections. For example, in the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawings, the compact cosmetic case may have one or more, such as three, sections in the first recess and/or second recess and no sections in the first recess and/or second recess. In a further embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the compact cosmetic case may have one or more sections in each of the first recess and second recess, like three sections in both the first recess and second recess. FIG. 11 illustrates a compact cosmetic case wherein at least one of the recesses in the tray 38 has no sections or pans. It should be understood that first recess and/or second recess may have any number and configurations of sections. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sections are formed by pans which are inserted into the first recess and/or second recess and secured to the tray such as by adhesive.

[0033] As illustrated in the exploded view of FIG. 12, in an embodiment of the invention in each of the first recess 51 and/or second recess 52 of the tray 43, one or more pans are incorporated into the first recess and/or second recess. These pans (designated as 53a-f) are secured within the recesses of the tray by adhesive.

[0034] As shown by way of example, particularly in FIG. 8, each of the pans has receiving area 54 for holding cosmetic material, corresponding forward pan walls 55 and back pan walls 56, corresponding first pan walls 57 and second pan walls 58, each having an outer and inner surface (designated as a for the outer surface and b for the inner surface), and a floor 59 which has an upper surface 59a and a lower surface 59b. The inner surfaces of the walls (55a, 56a, and 57a) and the upper surface 59a of the pan 59 define the receiving area.

[0035] The tray is secured to, or releasably secured to, the frame, by tray attachment means, which may be a pin, screw, snap fit, mechanical interfacing and the like. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, particularly FIGS. 8 and 12, the outer surface 44a of the first tray wall 44 comprises a first tray nub 60 and the outer surface 45b of the second tray wall 46 comprises a second tray nub 61. The inner surface 39b of the first frame wall 39 comprises a first frame indent 62 and the inner surface 40b of the second frame wall 40 comprises a second frame indent 63. The tray is positioned in the opening of the frame with the first tray nub 60 within the first frame indent 62 and the second tray nub 61 within the second frame indent 63 which releasebaly secures the tray to the frame allowing the tray rotational movement within the frame. The first frame indent is defined by one or more by a first frame indent side walls and one or more first frame indent back walls (shown as 64 and 65 in FIG. 12), at the inner surface of the first frame wall, and although not shown, the second frame indent is similarly defined at the inner surface of the second frame wall in that the second frame indent is defined by one or more second frame indent side wall and one or more second frame indent back wall. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first tray nub and second tray nub are, respectively, about at the middle of the outer surface of the first tray wall and second tray wall, and the first frame indent and second frame indent are, respectively, about at the middle of the inner surface of the first frame wall and second frame wall with the nubs and indents being cylindrical in shape or form. In this embodiment of the invention, the tray is snap fit into the frame.

[0036] The compact cosmetic case is capable of storing cosmetic material in both recesses of the tray, preferably within sections or pans in each of the first recess and second recess. The compact cosmetic case may also be used to hold cosmetic material in one recess with the other recess be used to store an implement for applying the cosmetic material, such as a brush, pillow, sponge and the like. In use, the consumer opens the compact cosmetic case by moving the top away from the base and then can move the frame out of the base. Moving the frame out of the base enables the consumer to then rotate the tray to expose the recess of the tray that was facing the base when the cosmetic case is open. Thus, the compact cosmetic case allows for storage of cosmetic material on both sides of the tray, which improves the storage capacity over other containers in the art which do not allow for the holding of material on both sides of a tray and also provides the consumer with the ability to carry one case having a multitude of choices with respect to the type of cosmetic material, color, tone and the like.

[0037] When the compact is closed the tray and frame are within the inside of the compact case and the material within the first recess and/or second recess of the tray and is not exposed to an environment external to the closed compact case. That is that the cover and base are capable of being moved into a relationship, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the base well and cover well are juxtaposed to each other when the compact case is closed and, when closed, the frame and tray are within the juxtaposed base well and cover well.

[0038] The compact cosmetic case may further comprise a means for lifting the frame and tray when the compact is opened by moving the cover from the base. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9-10, the distal frame wall 42 has a shelf 66 at the outer surface more proximate to a bottom end of the distal front wall than a top end of the distal side wall of the shelf. The shelf is a cut in section at the outer surface 42b of the distal frame wall 42 and has shelf ledge 67 and a shelf wall 68 which extends from the shelf ledge to the bottom end of the distal frame wall 42. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when the compact case is opened and cover is pivoted away from the base, a lower terminus of the hinge extension 19, more precisely, the hinge extension bottom wall 24 of the cover hits the shelf ledge and with further movement of the cover this interaction between the lower terminus of the distal wall of the cover and the shelf ledge moves the frame and tray thereby lifting the frame and tray partially, or in some embodiments, completely out of the base well. This makes it easier for a consumer to access the tray after the container is open in order to move and rotate the tray. After the tray is rotated, the consumer may rotate the cover back towards the base to allow the frame and tray to return to the base well and apply the cosmetic material.

[0039] In an embodiment of the invention, the cover, frame and base may be assembled by one or more multiple attachment means. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the hinge extension 19 comprises a first hinge bore 25a and second hinge bore 25b proximate to both the first end and second end of the hinge extension, and may be through a thickened section (shown as 69 in FIG. 10, for example). The frame, at the distal frame wall has at least one hinge clasp. In an embodiment at the invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the hinge has a first hinge clasp 70 proximate to the point where the second frame wall and distal frame wall join and a second hinge clasp 71 proximate to where the first frame wall and distal frame wall join. Each frame clasp has two sections that protrude about perpendicular from distal frame wall, a vertical section (70a, 71a) and a horizontal section (70b, 71b), although the horizontal section is optional. A clasp bore 72 extends through the vertical section of the clasp. In this embodiment of the invention, the first side wall of the base and second side wall of the base comprise first and second base bores (73a, 73b). The base, frame and cover are assembled by placing the frame and tray within base with the hinge extension between the clasps of the frame with each base bore aligned with a respective clasp bore and hinge bore and then inserting a pin through each set of aligned bores. This arrangement allows each of the base, frame and cover rotational movement.

[0040] For example, the base, frame and cover are assembled by placing at least the frame within the base with the first hinge clasp 70 juxtaposed to the first base side wall 7 with the first clasp bore 72a aligned with the first base bore 73a and the second hinge clasp 71 juxtaposed to the second base side wall 8 with the second clasp bore 72b aligned with the second base bore 73b and then placing the cover such that the first hinge extension side wall 22 is proximate to the first hinge clasp 70 on the side opposite to where the first hinge clasp 70 is juxtaposed with the first base side wall 7 and the second hinge extension side wall 23 is proximate to the second hinge clasp 71 on the side opposite to where the second hinge clasp is juxtaposed with the second base side wall having the first hinge bore 25a is aligned with the first clasp bore 71 and the second hinge bore 25b is aligned to the second clasp bore 72. In this embodiment, a first pin is inserted into the first base bore 73a, first clasp bore 72a and first hinge bore 25a and the second pin inserted into the second base bore 73b, second clasp bore 72b and second hinge bore 25b.

[0041] The frame and tray may further comprise transient locking means which prevents the tray from moving within the frame opening without the application of a certain amount of force. As shown in FIG. 12, the transient locking means comprises one or more flanges 74 extending from the outer surfaces of one or more of the first frame wall, second frame wall, forward frame wall and distal frame wall. In an embodiment of the invention, the transient locking means enables the tray and frame to lock at about 180.degree. such that the tray may lock when the tray is completely within the frame opening, like that shown when the frame and tray are within the base. This locking arrangement prevents to the tray from moving when the cover is opened and the tray is lifted out of the base and also allows the consumer to lock the frame regardless of any displacement of the frame from the base well to apply cosmetic. Transient locking means which allow the tray to be locked at different angles of the tray relative to the frame are also within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A compact cosmetic case comprising a) a base having a first base side wall, a second base side wall, a front base side wall and a back base side wall each having an inner face and an outer face and the base further having a base interior surface and a base exterior surface wherein the inner faces of the first base side wall, second base side wall, front base side wall and back base side wall and the base interior surface define a base well; b) a cover having a first cover side wall, a second cover side wall, a front cover side wall and a back cover side wall each having an inner face and an outer face and the cover further having a cover interior surface and cover exterior surface wherein the inner faces of the first cover side wall, second cover side wall, front cover side wall and back cover side wall and the base interior surface define a cover well; c) a frame having a first frame wall, a second frame wall, a distal frame wall and a forward frame wall each having an inner surface and an outer surface and the inner surfaces of the first frame wall, second frame wall, distal frame wall and forward frame wall defining a frame opening wherein the frame is attached to the base and/or the cover at the first frame wall or second frame wall proximate to the distal frame wall; and d) a tray having a first tray wall, a second tray wall, a distal tray wall and a forward tray wall each having an inner surface and an outer surface and the tray further having a dividing member with a first surface and a second surface wherein the first surface of the dividing member and inner surfaces of the left tray wall, a right tray wall, a forward tray wall and a distal tray wall define a first recess and the second surface of the of the dividing member and inner surfaces of the left tray wall, a right tray wall, a forward tray wall and a distal tray wall define the second recess and the tray is releasably attached to the frame by tray attachment means which allows the tray to have rotational movement within the frame opening wherein the cover and base are capable of being moved into a relationship with each other such that the base well and cover well are juxtaposed to each other when the compact cosmetic case is closed and when the compact cosmetic case is closed the frame and tray are within the base well and cover well and not exposed to an environment external to the closed compact cosmetic case

2. The compact cosmetic case of claim 1 wherein the first recess and/or second recess of the tray is divided into sections.

3. The compact cosmetic case of claim 2 further comprising one or more pans each having a first pan wall, a second pan wall, a forward pan wall and a back pan wall each pan wall having an inner surface and an outer surface and the pans further having a floor with an upper surface and a lower surface with the inner surfaces of the first pan wall, second pan wall, forward pan wall and back pan wall and upper surface of the floor defining a receiving area for receiving material.

4. The compact cosmetic case of claim 3 wherein the first recess and second recess are divided into sections with pans.

5. The compact cosmetic case of claim 4 wherein both the first recess and second recess has three pans.

6. The compact cosmetic case of claim 1 wherein the cover interior surface comprises a mirror.

7. The compact cosmetic case of claim 1 further comprising latching means for latching the cover and base when the compact is closed to prevent or inhibit the cover and base from separating.

8. The compact cosmetic case of claim 7 wherein the latching means comprises a) a cover latching piece extending from the front cover side wall, the cover latching piece having an outer surface and an inner surface and b) an indentation at the base front wall defined by a left indentation wall, a right indentation wall, an indentation bottom wall and an indentation surface with the indentation further comprising a projection.

9. the compact cosmetic case of claim 8 wherein the latching means further comprises a mating protrusion at the inner surface of the latching piece.

10. The compact case of claim 1 wherein the tray attachment means comprises a first tray nub on the outer surface of the first tray wall, a second tray nub on the outer surface of the second tray wall, a first frame indent defined by a first frame indent side wall and a first frame indent back wall at the inner surface of the first frame wall and a second frame indent defined by a second frame indent side wall and a second frame indent back wall at the inner surface of the second frame wall.

11. The compact cosmetic case of claim 1 further comprising means for lifting the frame and tray when the compact cosmetic case is opened.

12. The compact cosmetic case of claim 10 wherein the means for lifting the frame and tray when the compact cosmetic case is opened comprises a shelf at the outer surface of the distal frame wall having a shelf ledge and a shelf wall which extends from the shelf ledge to a bottom end of the distal frame wall and a hinge extension at the back cover wall having an hinge extension bottom wall which when the cover is moved away from the base impacts the shelf ledge to move the frame and tray.

13. The compact cosmetic case of claim 1 wherein the base, cover and tray are secured by multiple attachment means.

14. The compact cosmetic case of claim 13 wherein the multiple attachment means comprises a) a hinge extension which extends from a lower edge of the back cover side wall having a first hinge extension side wall, a second hinge extension side wall and a hinge extension bottom wall with the hinge extension comprising a first hinge bore having an opening at the first hinge extension side wall and a second hinge bore having an opening at the second hinge extension side wall, b) a first hinge clasp in the frame proximate to a point where the second frame wall and distal frame wall join having a first hinge clasp vertical section and a first hinge clasp horizontal section with a first clasp bore extending through the first hinge clasp vertical section, c) a second hinge clasp in the frame proximate to a point where the first frame wall and distal frame wall join having a second hinge clasp vertical section and a second hinge clasp horizontal section with a second hinge bore extending through the second hinge clasp vertical section, d) a first base bore at the first base side wall and a second base bore at the second base side wall, and e) a first pin and a second pin wherein the base, frame and cover are assembled by placing at least the frame within the base with the first hinge clasp juxtaposed to the first base side wall with the first clasp bore aligned with the first base bore and the second hinge clasp juxtaposed to the second base side wall with the second clasp bore aligned with the second base bore and the placing the cover such that the first hinge extension side wall is proximate to the first hinge clasp on the side opposite to where the first hinge clasp is juxtaposed with the first base side wall and the second hinge extension side wall is proximate to the second hinge clasp on the side opposite to where the second hinge clasp is juxtaposed with the second base side wall having the first hinge bore aligned with the first clasp bore and the second hinge bore aligned the second clasp bore with the first pin inserted into the first base bore, first clasp bore and first hinge bore and the second pin inserted into the second base bore, second clasp bore and second hinge bore.

15. The compact cosmetic case of claim 14 wherein the hinge extension further comprises a thickened section.

16. The compact cosmetic case of claim 15 wherein the first hinge bore and second hinge bore are in the thickened section.

17. The compact cosmetic case of claim 1 further comprising transient locking means.

18. The compact cosmetic case of claim 17 wherein the transient locking means comprises one or more flanges extending from the outer surface of one or more of the first frame wall, second frame wall, forward frame wall and distal frame wall.

19. A method of placing material into a compact cosmetic case comprising the steps of providing the compact cosmetic case of claim 3 and filling each of the pans with material.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the pans are filled before the pans are placed into the first recess and/or second recess.