U.S. patent application number 12/005016 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for cosmetic accessory for lipstick tube.
Invention is credited to Marianne Irene Steele.
Application Number | 20080245386 12/005016 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39825888 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080245386 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steele; Marianne Irene |
October 9, 2008 |
Cosmetic accessory for lipstick tube
Abstract
A cosmetic accessory to aid in the application of lipstick and
the like, having a container with a hinged lid and a reflective
surface on the underside of the lid with the option of LED
illumination, that may be removably affixed to any conventional
cosmetic canister such as lipstick or eye liner tubes. A releasably
attachable elastic loop at the bottom of the container is slid over
the lipstick canister whereby the canister and container are held
together.
Inventors: |
Steele; Marianne Irene;
(Flower Mound, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JEFFREY H. RODDY
525 ROYAL CREST DRIVE
RICHARDSON
TX
75081
US
|
Family ID: |
39825888 |
Appl. No.: |
12/005016 |
Filed: |
December 24, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60921926 |
Apr 5, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/318 ;
206/385 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 42/02 20130101;
A45D 40/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/318 ;
206/385 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/24 20060101
A45D040/24; B65D 85/72 20060101 B65D085/72 |
Claims
1. A cosmetic accessory comprising: a container with a bottom and
sides forming a recessed compartment; and, a hinged lid having a
top side and a bottom side having a reflective surface and wherein
said lid is adjustable between an open position that is minimally
ninety degrees relative to that of said container and a closed
position occluding said recessed compartment; and, a elastically
deformable loop releasably attachable to the exterior of the
container opposite said lid through which any conventional lipstick
canister may be slid and releasably retained therein, thus securing
the entire container to the lipstick canister; and, a plurality of
L-shaped non-deformable opposed tabs affixed to the bottom of said
container forming a channel for the releasable retention of said
deformable loop.
2. The cosmetic accessory of claim 1 having a plurality of LEDs
fitted to the inner face of said lid such that illumination is
provided when the lid is in the open position and wherein a battery
and an electronic circuit provide the operative powering means for
said LEDs.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/921,926 filed Apr. 5, 2007
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0004] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates generally to an aftermarket
cosmetic case and mirror constructed to releasably secure to any
conventional cosmetic canister such as lipstick or eyeliner
tubes.
[0006] Aftermarket cosmetic cases having a compartment meant to
secure to, or incorporate a lipstick canister are well known in the
art and fall into two basic categories: those manufactured to
contain the lipstick canister within their interior; and those
constructed to fit to the outside of the lipstick canister. The
present invention is in the latter category, with U.S. Pat. No.
2,804,082 to Dewing felt the most relevant describing a lipstick
mirror clip with a fastener for securing articles to a generally
cylindrical shape, with a fastening means described as being spring
clips; the article itself being a frame and mirror on one side, and
fastening means on the opposite side. Although this arrangement is
suitable for its intended purpose, current lipstick canisters may
not be cylindrically shaped, having proprietary ovoid or semi
rectangular shapes depending on the manufacturer. Therefore a
current aftermarket product in this category requires a more
versatile fastening means. Additionally, the Dewing patent
describes only an attachable frame with mirror, but neither
describes a compartment element or means of illumination.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is a container with a compartment and
a hinged lid, the underside of which is affixed a reflective
surface. The container is constructed to releasably retain a
lipstick canister by means of an elastically deformable loop
releasably attachable to the bottom of the container and slid onto
the body of the lipstick canister of ovoid, cylindrical, triangular
or rectangular shape. The underside of the lid has a reflective
surface to assist in the application of lipstick and the like and
an illuminating means provided by an LED.
[0008] In the preferred embodiment, the invention is a container
with a continuous side, and bottom forming a compartment; and a
hinged lid having affixed to the compartment facing side a
reflective surface. An LED and powering means are optionally
provided for illumination.
[0009] One object of the present invention is to provide an
accessory to aid in the application of lipstick and other cosmetics
that is readily accessible and easily located being attached to a
lipstick canister.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
container compartment that may hold a quantity of lip gloss,
powder, or breath mints or the like depending on user
preference.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
container compartment having a hinged lid with a mirror to provide
an aid in the application of cosmetic when the container is
attached to; or detached from a conventional lipstick canister.
[0012] The applicant is not aware of any previously described art
having the features and advantages of the present invention.
[0013] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein by way of
illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of the present
invention is disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view the device mounted atop a
lipstick canister with lid with mirror and LEDs at the top corners
of the mirror.
[0015] FIG. 2 is an edge view showing the opposed tabs that provide
a channel through which an elastic loop may be positioned.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an edge view showing the position of the elastic
loop as it relates to the opposed tabs.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an edge view looking lengthwise also showing the
position of the elastic loop as it relates to the opposed tabs.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the device showing the opposed
tabs and a compartment for the placement of a watch type
battery.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a detailed edge view of the pivot-type hinge used
in securing the lid to the container body and whereby the lid may
be adjusted to an open or closed position.
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a detailed frontal view of a hinge
assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention attached
to a lipstick tube in what would be a typical arrangement with the
lid 3 in open position, reflective surface 1 outward. Shown also
are light emitting diodes 2a and 2b, pivot hinges 4a and 4b, the
case body 5, and the elastic band 6. In the preferred embodiment
these hinges would be of the pivot type shown in FIG. 5 although a
piano type, butt hinge, or any other type allowing the lid to open
to at least a ninety degree angle relative to the case is suitable.
The affixed reflective surface may be a glass or foil with an
adhesive backing.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an edge view of the long side of the case 5, with
thumb catch 8, with lid 3 closed and the opposed tabs 7 that form a
channel for the insertion of the elastic band 6. The case and lid
may be made of fabricated metal or plastic sheet, or injection
molded thermoplastic as wearable decorative article are
conventionally, as is understood by a person skilled in the art
[0023] FIG. 3 shows an edge view of the short side of the case 5
with the elastic band 6 in place when slid through the opposed tabs
7.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows a detail view of one corner of the inside of
the lid with the LED 2a, and the pivot hinge, here shown comprising
a pin 18a, a spring 16a and a cam 17a.
[0025] FIG. 5 further illustrates the pivot hinge of FIG. 4 with an
end view with spring 16a, a cam 17a, and pin 18a that is fused with
the cam 17a such that the two rotate along the pins axis together
allowing the cams corners to press against the interior wall of the
spring. Although a pivot hinge with cam is the preferred hinging
means because it is compact and retains the lid at a fixed ninety
degree angle relative to the case by friction, any hinge allowing
the lid to open to at least ninety degrees relative to the case is
suitable.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the bottom of the case 5, with two
sets of opposing tabs 7 for the releasable retention of the
elastically deformable band 6 of FIG. 2; and a battery plate cover
14 fitting over a battery recess 12 and battery 13.
[0027] FIG. 7 shows a simple circuit diagram illustrating two LED's
wired in series as they would be in the current invention.
[0028] While the invention has been described in connection with
only two principal embodiments, it is not intended to limit the
scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the
contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications,
and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *