U.S. patent application number 12/030636 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-24 for compact case with detachable leaves.
Invention is credited to Jill Washington.
Application Number | 20080173324 12/030636 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39640087 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080173324 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Washington; Jill |
July 24, 2008 |
Compact Case with Detachable Leaves
Abstract
A makeup compact with one or more detachable leaves for holding
cosmetic products that may be detached and replaced when the
cosmetic product is depleted or as otherwise desired by the user.
The leaves may also be detached from the compact and interchanged
with different detachable leaves holding different cosmetic
products.
Inventors: |
Washington; Jill;
(Weehawken, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON P.C.
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Family ID: |
39640087 |
Appl. No.: |
12/030636 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11553945 |
Oct 27, 2006 |
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12030636 |
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60901163 |
Feb 13, 2007 |
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60901180 |
Feb 13, 2007 |
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60901199 |
Feb 13, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/295 ;
132/294; 132/314; 132/315 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 33/24 20130101;
A45D 40/24 20130101; A45D 33/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/295 ;
132/294; 132/315; 132/314 |
International
Class: |
A45D 33/22 20060101
A45D033/22; A45D 33/24 20060101 A45D033/24; A45D 33/00 20060101
A45D033/00; A45D 40/24 20060101 A45D040/24 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a top member; a bottom member; a base
member, and one or more leaves that are detachably connected to the
base member.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a hinge assembly fixedly
connects the top member to the bottom member.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the hinge assembly further
comprises: a housing member, the housing member comprising one or
more grooves; a shaft mounted inside the housing member; and one or
more arms molded to the top member, the arms being connectable to
the shaft such that the arms are pivotable about the shaft through
the grooves of the housing member.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a clasp assembly secures the
top and bottom members in a closed position.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the top member comprises a
clasp member, the clasp member further comprising an indentation,
and the bottom member comprises a tooth, the clasp member being
engageable to the tooth.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the leaf comprises: a main
member, a hinge pin for detachably connecting the leaf to the base
member.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the base member comprises a
first pair of snap fingers; a second pair of snap fingers; and a
mechanical stop, the first pair of snap fingers, the second pair of
snap fingers, and the mechanical stop forming an area to receive
the hinge pin.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the leaf is detachably
connected to the compact by inserting the hinge pin in the area
formed by the first pair of snap fingers, the second pair of snap
fingers, and the mechanical stop.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the leaf is pivotable about the
axis of the hinge pin.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the base member is fixedly
attached to either the top or bottom member.
11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the main member comprises one
or more recessed areas for housing cosmetic product.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the leaf comprises a tab.
13. An organizer structure for organizing cosmetic products, the
organizer structure comprising: a generally cylindrical body; two
hinged doors disposed on an outside surface of the cylindrical
body; a plurality of receptacles adapted to receive the apparatus
of claim 1; and a plurality of receptacles adapted to receive
cosmetic applicators.
14. A carrying case for storing one or more makeup compacts, the
carrying case comprising: a generally elliptical upper member and
lower member; a plurality of receptacles adapted to receive the
apparatus of claim 1; and a receptacle adapted to receive a
cosmetic applicator.
15. The carrying case of claim 14 wherein the cosmetic applicator
comprises: a generally cylindrical body having a first end and a
second end; an applicator for a first cosmetic product disposed
proximate to the first end; and an applicator for a second cosmetic
product disposed proximate to the second end.
16. The cosmetic applicator of claim 15 wherein the first cosmetic
product is eyeliner and the second cosmetic product is mascara.
17. The carrying case of claim 14 wherein the cosmetic applicator
comprises: a generally pencil-shaped body having a first end and a
second end; an applicator for a first cosmetic product disposed
proximate to the first end; and an applicator for a second cosmetic
product disposed proximate to the second end.
18. The cosmetic applicator of claim 17 wherein the first cosmetic
product is lip liner and the second cosmetic product is
lipstick.
19. The cosmetic applicator of claim 15 wherein at least one of the
first and second cosmetic products is stored in the generally
cylindrical body.
20. The cosmetic applicator of claim 17 wherein at least one of the
first and second cosmetic products is stored in the generally
cylindrical body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/553,945, filed
on Oct. 27, 2006.
[0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/901,163, filed on
Feb. 13, 2007, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/901,180, filed
on Feb. 13, 2007, and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/901,199,
filed on Feb. 13, 2007, the entire contents of each of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] This disclosure relates to a compact case with detachable
leaves.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Makeup compacts are known in the art. Conventional makeup
compacts typically comprise a top housing, a bottom housing, and
one or more receptacles filled with one or more cosmetic products.
Typically, each receptacle is fixedly attached to the interior of
the compact. As such, once one of the receptacles is empty, the
entire compact is no longer of use to the user, and is typically
discarded. Alternatively, the receptacles may be cleansed and
refilled with the depleted cosmetic product. But this process is
difficult and highly inefficient for the user.
[0005] In addition, traditional compacts typically house only one
or two types of cosmetic products. Thus, if a user wants to carry
and apply more than one cosmetic product, the user has to carry
more than one makeup compact. This is also inefficient, cumbersome,
and inconvenient.
[0006] Compacts with removable receptacles are also known in the
art. In these compacts, the receptacles themselves are removable
from the inside of a compact lid. This allows the user to refill
and customize the receptacles with desired products. These prior
art receptacles may be removable in a variety of different ways,
such as, for example through the use of magnets. However, these
solutions are complicated and unsatisfactory for efficient and easy
use.
[0007] One reason compacts with removable receptacles are
inefficient is their large size. The size of the receptacles in a
compact (and by extension, the amount of cosmetic product the
receptacles are capable of housing) is directly related to the size
of the compact case itself. For example, a wider or larger compact
has more interior surface area for receptacles, and therefore may
hold more cosmetic product. Ideally, a user would have as much
surface area as possible in which to house and arrange a customized
selection of cosmetics products. To enable this degree of
flexibility, a compact with removable receptacles would have to be
quite large. However, users typically desire cosmetic compacts to
be small and conveniently carried. Compacts are typically placed
and transported in purses, handbags, pockets, or other places where
space is limited. They also may be used to apply makeup in places
where there is little room to maneuver. Thus, large compacts may be
difficult to manipulate. Therefore, despite the refillable nature
of the receptacles, the usefulness of a compact with removable
receptacles is severely limited by its large size.
[0008] Compacts with multiple fixed leaves are also known in the
art. Typically, a portion of the faces of these leaves are recessed
to form receptacles that may hold cosmetic product. Having multiple
leaves provides additional surface area to hold cosmetic product.
However, compacts with fixed leaves are still inconvenient due to
the lack of flexibility of removing, customizing, or refilling the
compact with cosmetic products that the user desires. For example,
if there is more than one type of product in the compact and the
user finishes one of them before the other, the user may cleanse
and refill the empty receptacle, discard the compact, or carry an
additional compact to replace the depleted one, all of which, as
noted above, are undesirable options.
SUMMARY
[0009] In some implementations, a makeup compact comprises one or
more detachable leaves for holding cosmetic products that may be
detached and replaced when the cosmetic product is depleted or as
otherwise desired by the user. The leaves may also be detached from
the compact and interchanged with different detachable leaves
holding different cosmetic products.
[0010] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in
the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features
and advantages will be apparent to in view of the following
description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1A depicts a top view of an open
compact with a single detachable leaf;
[0011] FIG. 1B depicts a top view of a single detachable leaf;
[0012] FIG. 2A depicts an illustrative view of a first leaf
implementation;
[0013] FIG. 2B depicts an illustrative view of a second leaf
implementation;
[0014] FIG. 2C depicts an illustrative view of a third leaf
implementation;
[0015] FIG. 3A depicts a perspective view of a first compact
implementation;
[0016] FIG. 3B depicts a closed cross-section view of a first
compact implementation;
[0017] FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a second compact
implementation;
[0018] FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a third compact
implementation; and
[0019] FIGS. 5A-B depict the lines along which an injection molded
plastic structure may be cut in order to form the top and bottom
housing of a compact.
[0020] FIGS. 6A-6M depict an implementation of a home organizer for
storing a variety of cosmetic products.
[0021] FIGS. 7A-7E depict implementations of a multi-purpose
cosmetic applicator wand.
[0022] FIGS. 8A-8J depict implementations of a compact carrying
case for securing and carrying one or more cosmetic compacts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The following is a description of some implementations of a
compact case with detachable leaves. In some implementations, a
compact case houses, protects and stores facial cosmetic products,
such as, for example, foundations, concealers, eye shadows,
lipsticks, lip glosses, mascara, and makeup application tools such
as, for example, brushes, mirrors, and tweezers. In some
implementations, a makeup compact comprises detachable leaves for
housing makeup and facial application tools. In some
implementations, a makeup compact comprises detachable leaves
having recessed areas, or receptacles, that hold cosmetic products.
The leaves may be detached, removed, interchanged, and refilled as
desired.
[0024] FIG. 1A shows one implementation. Depicted is an open makeup
compact 100 comprising a top housing 110, a bottom housing 112, a
base member 114, and a leaf 116. The leaf 116 comprises a main
member 118, a connecting member 119, and a cylindrical hinge pin
120. The cylindrical hinge pin 120 may be detachably connected to
the base member 114, which is molded to the bottom housing 112. As
discussed further below, the base member 114 and the cylindrical
hinge pin 120 allow the leaf to be detachably connected to the
compact.
[0025] In some implementations, the compact opens and closes in a
clam shell-like manner. The top housing 110 may comprise a convex
elliptical shape. The bottom housing 112 may also comprise a convex
elliptical shape. When the compact 100 is closed, the top housing
110 and the bottom housing 112 meet and align along their perimeter
edges.
[0026] In some implementations, the top and bottom housings 110,
112 are fixedly connected to one another by a hinge assembly 126.
As shown in FIG. 1A, the top housing 110 has two arms 117, 121
molded to its base end. The arms 117, 121 of the top housing 110
extend in the horizontal direction away from the base end of the
top housing 110. The ends of the arms 117, 121 distal to the top
housing 110 are preferably rounded so that the arms do not come
into contact with the bottom housing 112 when the top housing is
pivoted about a shaft 328 as discussed below. Near the center of
each of the ends of the arms 117, 121, there is a hole (not shown).
The hole is used to mount the arms 117, 121 to a shaft 328 that is
mounted inside a hinge cover 127 at the base end of the bottom
housing 112. The hinge cover 127 is preferably created when the top
housing 110 is cut away from the bottom housing 112 after an
injection molding process as discussed below. The hinge cover 127
has two grooves 129, 131, one at each end of the housing. In order
to connect the top housing 110 to the bottom housing 112, the arms
117, 121 mount to the shaft 328 through their respective holes and
extend through the grooves 129, 131. The arms 117, 121 may pivot
about the shaft 328 so that the compact 100 may be opened and
closed without the arms 117 and 121 coming into contact with the
bottom housing 112. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that other structures may be used to fixedly connect the top and
bottom housings 110, 112 without deviating from the scope of the
present invention. Some implementations include structures that
allow the top and bottom housings 110, 112 to be removably
connected to one another.
[0027] Once closed, the top and bottom housings 110, 112 are
preferably secured in the closed position by a clasp assembly 350.
The clasp assembly comprises a clasp member 351 at the top end of
the top housing 110. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the compact is
closed, the clasp member 351 engages the top end of the bottom side
of the bottom housing 112 such that the compact is secured in the
closed position. The clasp member 351 has an indentation 352 that
securely engages with a tooth 353 on the top end of the bottom
housing 112 when the clasp member 351 is pressed against the tooth
353. The clasp member 351 is preferably flexible to allow it to be
detachably connected to the tooth 353. As is apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art, the top and bottom housings 110, 112 may
be secured in the closed position by other well known means.
Alternatively, the top and bottom housings 110, 112 may be secured
in the closed position by other means not including a clasp
assembly. For example, the hinge assembly may be designed with
sufficient resistance such that without a certain degree of force,
the top and bottom housings may be held in the closed position
without a clasp assembly. As is apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art, other such closures may be used and are considered to
be within the scope of the invention.
[0028] In some implementations, the leaf 116 can be oblong in
shape. The main member 118 of the leaf 116 can comprise one or more
recessed areas, or receptacles, on its face. The leaf 116 depicted
in FIG. 1A comprises one such receptacle 130. In another
implementation, there may be one or more recessed areas on the face
of leaf 116. For example, the leaf depicted in FIG. 1B houses two
such receptacles 132, 133. In another implementation, the compact
may house one or more leaves 116 as discussed below.
[0029] An implementation of a makeup compact capable of housing two
detachable leaves is shown in FIG. 3A. As depicted in FIG. 1A, the
base member 114 comprises a first set of snap fingers A1/A2 that
are molded to the bottom housing 112. The snap fingers A1/A2 are
spaced apart at a distance such that the connecting member 119 fits
in between the two snap fingers. Each of the ends of the snap
fingers A1/A2 are angled such that the snap fingers resemble an
inverted "L" and so that they may grasp opposite ends of the hinge
pin 120 once the leaf 116 is snapped into position as discussed
below.
[0030] In some implementations, the base member 114 also comprises
a mechanical stop 323. As is depicted in FIG. 3B, the mechanical
stop 323 comprises a first and second plane 324, 325. A second set
of L-shaped snap fingers B1/B2 are molded to the first plane 324. A
third set of snap fingers C1/C2 are molded to the second plane 325.
Snap fingers C1/C2 preferably have flat ends.
[0031] In some implementations, the leaf 340 may be detachably
connected to the base member 114 by inserting the connecting member
119 between the snap fingers A1/A2 such that the ends of hinge pin
120 engage between the area formed by the interior of snap fingers
A1/A2 and the exterior of snap fingers B1/B2 and the first plane
324. Preferably, the hinge pin 120 is able to pivot about its axis.
The leaf 340 may be detached from the base member by slightly
flexing snap fingers A1/A2 away from the cylindrical member in
order to disengage the hinge pin 120. The leaf 338 may be
detachably connected to the base member 114 between snap fingers
B1/B2 such that the ends of hinge pin 120 engage between the area
formed by the interior of snap fingers B1/B2 and the exterior of
snap fingers C1/C2 and the second plane 325 As is apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art, other types mechanisms that allow for
detachability of a leaf 340 and pivotability about the axis of the
hinge pin 120 may be used.
[0032] In addition to one or more leaves being detachably connected
to the compact, leaves may be interchanged as well. Any number of
leaves with the same mechanical ability to detachably connect to
the base member of a compact may be attached, removed, and
interchanged with other leaves that may then be connected in their
place. In this manner, the user may customize which leaves are
placed into the compact at any point in time. For example, on a
daily basis, a user may select her leaves based on her choice of
clothing color, accessories, and planned schedule for the day. A
user may have her preferred selection for workday, weekend, evening
out, and other such day-to-day activities.
[0033] In some implementations, the leaf 116 may also comprise a
tab 122 extending from the main member. The tab 122 may preferably
be used to label the leaf 116.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows an illustrative view of three implementations
of the leaf 216. FIG. 2A shows an implementation of the leaf 216
that comprises a single receptacle 230 covering virtually the
entire face of the main member 218. FIG. 2B shows a second
implementation of leaf 216 that comprises two receptacles 231, 232,
side by side on the leaf 216, together covering virtually the
entire face of the main member 218. FIG. 2C shows a third
implementation of leaf 216 that comprises three receptacles
234-236.
[0035] In some implementations, the compact and leaves are made of
injection-molded plastic. This compact is created starting with a
solid mold of plastic. In order to create the pieces that form the
top and bottom housing of the compact, a first cut is made along
the line A-A, to a halfway depth in the mold, as shown in FIG. AA,
at a point that is sufficient distance from the right end of the
mold to leave sufficient material to form hinge cover 127. A second
cut is made along the line B-B, to a halfway depth in the compact
at a point near that is sufficient distance from the left end of
the mold to leave sufficient material to form clasp assembly 350. A
third cut is made along the line C-C, along the perimeter of the
compact 100, as shown in FIG. 5B in order to split the mold into
the top housing and the bottom housing. One of ordinary skill in
the art will recognize that other materials and methods may be used
as well.
[0036] With several implementations having been described above,
the function is now described. The function of some implementations
is to house and protect cosmetic products and application tools for
a user inside an efficiently packaged and easily organized,
refillable, and customizable compact.
[0037] In some implementations, the compact as described above is
designed to hold detachable leaves 216 that comprise receptacles
(as shown in FIG. 2) that house cosmetic products. Each receptacle
may house one or more cosmetic products for application by a user.
The cosmetic products may comprise any one or more of the
following: foundation, applicator brush, mirror, concealer, lip
gloss, lipstick, mascara, blusher, eye shadow, or a lipstick/liner
or a mascara/eyeliner duo, among other products. The term cosmetic
product, when used in this disclosure, is not limited to the
products listed above, rather, is intended to include any and all
products that are in any way applied to the skin to enhance or
change the skin's appearance. The tab on the leaf may be used to
identify the product housed by the leaf, the shade of the product
housed, or directions for applying the product, among other
attributes.
[0038] The hinge assembly 126 connecting the top and bottom
housings 110, 112 allows the user to open and close the compact,
and access the products inside the compact. The scope of the
invention is not meant to be limited to hinges only. Rather, any
assembly that fixedly connects two members about a point such that
the member can be opened and closed relative to each other can be
used.
[0039] The clasp assembly 350 is used to secure the top and bottom
housings 110, 112 in a closed position for a desired period of
time, thereby protecting the cosmetic products inside the compact
from contamination by external sources in the surrounding
environment (e.g., air or the inside of a purse). Similarly, the
surrounding environment is protected, be it the inside of a user's
jean pocket or the laptop beneath the compact in a user's bag, from
coming into contact with the cosmetic product in the compact. Any
closure that secures two members in a closed position such that the
integrity of the members is not compromised by attaching and
detaching them can be used.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows an implementation of a makeup compact. The
compact comprises a top housing 310, a bottom housing 312, and a
base member 314. In this implementation, there are two detachable
leaves 338, 340 connected to the base member 314. Base member 314
comprises two set of snap fingers A1/A2 and B1/B2, and B1/B2 and
C1/C2, respectively.
[0041] In this implementation, the first leaf 338 comprises two
receptacles. The first receptacle may preferably house concealer
and the second receptacle may house eye shadow base. The second
leaf 340 comprises a single receptacle and may preferably house
foundation. A mirror 341 may be affixed to the inner face of the
top housing 110. The mirror 341 may be used to facilitate the
user's application of the cosmetics. The area between the bottom
housing and the leaf 340 forms a pocket 343 for housing an
applicator brush 344 that may be used to apply the products housed
in the compact's leaves. For example, in an implementation where
one of the leaves houses concealer, an applicator brush properly
angled to apply concealer to a user's skin may be housed in the
pocket 343. The top housing and bottom housing 312, 314 are aligned
along their perimeter, and fixedly attached via the hinge assembly
326 at one end, for opening and closing as described above. At the
other end, the top and bottom housings 312, 314 may secured in a
closed position by a clasp assembly 350 as described above. A user
may open the compact by pressing upward on the clasp member 351 in
order to disengage the top and bottom housings 312, 314.
[0042] FIG. 4 shows a second implementation of a makeup compact.
The compact comprises a top housing 410, a bottom housing 412, and
a base member 414. In this implementation, two detachable leaves
are removably connected to the base member 414. The first leaf 446
comprises three receptacles. The first receptacle can house one
matte lipstick. The second receptacle can house lip gloss, possibly
in a coordinating shade to the lipstick. The third receptacle can
house an applicator brush in between the lipstick and lip gloss.
The second leaf 448 comprises a single receptacle which houses
blusher. One of the top or bottom housings houses a lighted mirror
that may be permanently or removably affixed to the interior of the
top or bottom housings of the compact. The hinge assembly, the
clasp assembly, and the attachment of the leaf 446 to the base
member 414 can operate the same as described with respect to FIG.
3.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a third implementation of the makeup compact.
The compact comprises a top housing 510, a bottom housing 512, and
a base member 514. In this implementation, there is one detachable
leaf 550 removably connected to the base member 514. The leaf 550
comprises three receptacles. The first receptacle can house a first
shade of eye shadow. The second receptacle can house a second shade
of eye shadow. It is also possible that both receptacles house the
same shade of eye shadow. The third receptacle can house an
applicator brush that may be positioned to reside between the two
receptacles housing eye shadow. Again, the top and bottom housings
are fixedly attached at their edges by a hinge assembly 526 which
allows the top and bottom housings 510, 512 to pivot with respect
to one another about the hinge. In addition, the top and bottom
housings 510, 512 may be removably connected to each other by a
clasp member 551 in the manner described in FIG. 3 above. Also, the
base member 514 holds the cylindrical bar of the leaf 550, as
described in FIG. 3.
[0044] A user may utilize the cosmetic compacts described above to
become more efficient in carrying, storing, and applying cosmetics.
The removable and interchangeable leaf arrangement allows a user to
customize what products are in a compact, to design the arrangement
and organization of the compact, and to conveniently package
together different products needed. The cosmetics are efficiently
grouped and arranged by a typical order of application by a user.
For example, regarding one implementation of the compact, concealer
and eye shadow base are packaged together, which is logical as they
are applied at the same or similar stage of makeup application.
Similarly, another leaf in the same compact may house foundation,
which users typically apply immediately before or after the
concealer, depending on preference. An arrangement with all of
these products in one compact facilitates maneuverability and
application for the user. This also saves the user time in
manipulating makeup cases, and causes makeup application to be a
faster process. Similar efficiencies exist in the implementation
housing lipstick and lip gloss together as typically these are
applied one after the other. Whenever a receptacle becomes empty, a
user may preferably remove leaves with empty receptacles and
replace them with new leaves.
[0045] Home Organizer for Cosmetic Products
[0046] FIGS. 6A-6F illustrate a home organizer 600 for storing a
variety of cosmetic products. The home organizer may comprise a
cylindrical shape, having sectional doors (601a and 601b) that open
to reveal the internal storage space. When used in conjunction with
a set of makeup compacts (100), compact carrying cases (800) and
applicators (700), the organizer is used to store current,
alternative, and backup supplies, as the flexibility of the compact
system allows.
[0047] In the interior of the cylinder, there may be different
platforms, shelves, and drawers inside, designed to accommodate
storage of different types of cosmetic products and applicators
(e.g., items 700 and 701). The middle section of the cylindrical
tower may comprise drawers or trays. A user may pull these drawers
to an open position to place a makeup compact (e.g., item 100)
inside, or retrieve one already there. The trays are shaped and
sized to hold one or more standard sized makeup compacts (e.g.,
item 100), including powders, foundations, or blush. And, the trays
can hold individual compact leaves containing cosmetics, if these
leaves are separable from larger makeup compacts.
[0048] When the home organizer doors are opened, more storage is
revealed on the interior walls of the doors. The doors are sections
of the perimeter of the cylinder's face, which lay flush when
closed, and pivot back on hinges when opened. Some internal
portions of the doors comprise slots or pegs designed to store lip
and eye makeup applicators (e.g., items 700 and 701) including
eyeliner, mascara, lip-liner, and lipstick or gloss. Other portions
of the doors comprise holders for cosmetic tools and applicators
such as tweezers and brushes of different shapes and sizes. The
brushes may correspond to the makeup stored elsewhere in the home
organizer. For example, there may be one or more brushes for
applying each of powder, blush, eye shadow, or lip-gloss, among
others; all items that may be stored in trays or slots in the home
organizer, if desired. Pull-out drawers 602 can store compact
carrying cases (e.g., item 800).
[0049] Multi-Purpose Cosmetic Applicator
[0050] FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate implementations (700 and 701) of a
multi-purpose cosmetic applicator wand comprising at least two
extensions for applying different kinds of cosmetics. The two
extensions are secured to a connecting base portion. The dual-ended
applicator typically contains cosmetic products and applicators
that are related by type, and proximity (in terms of typical user
application sequence); for example, one implementation 701 can
contain lip-liner and a brush, and another implementation 700 can
contain eyeliner and mascara. Both items in the applicator (700,
701) would typically be used for applying makeup to the same region
of the face, so having them integrated into a single applicator
wand is both convenient and efficient for the user. It is not
uncommon for a user to apply makeup in an unconventional place,
such as a train, and therefore be constrained by a lack of space
for spreading out and maneuvering the cosmetic cases, mirror, and
other makeup application paraphernalia.
[0051] In an implementation, the multi-purpose applicator 700
resembles a tube of mascara. At one end, a wand is housed in a tube
containing liquid, such as mascara. At the other end, an eyeliner
pen may protrude from the connecting base portion. The connecting
base portion is the center to which both extensions attach or dock,
at opposite ends. At the ends, certain products are covered with a
cap or shield to seal in and protect the cosmetic within. Covers
snap on and off, and the extensions join with the connecting base
portion by screwing securely into place.
[0052] In another implementation 701, the multi-purpose applicator
may resemble a pencil and comprise a lip-liner at one end, and a
brush at the other. When applying makeup, a typical user would
first line the lips with the pencil and then use the brush for
evenly distributing lipstick or lip-gloss product onto the
lips.
[0053] Other implementations can combine various cosmetic products
in a dual-ended applicator wand.
[0054] Compact Carrying Case
[0055] FIGS. 8A-8J illustrate implementations (800 and 801) of a
compact carrying case for securing and carrying one or more
cosmetic compacts (100). The carrying case may comprise an
elliptical clam-shell shape. A handle is carved out of the case for
easy carrying and handling. A clasp secures the top and bottom
clam-shells together, and to open the case, a user may push the
clasp portions in opposite directions from their connected
positions.
[0056] When used in conjunction with a set of makeup compacts (100)
and applicators (e.g., 700), the compact carrying case allows the
user to store makeup in one organized location, and keep compacts
(100) and applicators (e.g., 700) safe from the everyday jarring
that occurs to those items when they are simply tossed haphazardly
together into a big purse.
[0057] When opened, the clam-shell case reveals a clam-shell top
and clam-shell bottom, the bottom portion having at least one
carve-out sized to hold a compact (100). There may be carve-outs
for any number of compacts, arranged side-by-side or in a circular
pattern. The compact carve-outs themselves are typically elliptical
or oval in shape, to accommodate the coordinating shape of the
standard-sized makeup compacts. There also may be at least one
carve-out provided to secure a multi-purpose cosmetic applicator
(e.g., 700). The compacts and applicator may "snap" securely into
place in the carve-outs.
[0058] Although there may be one particular size and shape of
carve-out that best coordinates with a particular set of cosmetic
compacts and applicators, the carrying case can comprise different
sizes and shapes to accommodate the most typical, or any specific
size, of compact cases. The overall style and function of the
carrying case would remain unchanged.
[0059] A number of implementations have been described.
Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. For example, the compact could be designed with only a
bottom housing, a base member, and a detachable leaf. The base
member would be connected to the bottom housing and the leaves
would still removably connected to the base member via their hinge
pins. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the
claims.
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