US20130056018A1

US20130056018A1 - Cosmetic case with mirror

Info

Publication number: US20130056018A1
Application number: US13/226,825
Authority: US
Inventors: Dawn Marie Anderson-Stimson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-07
Filing date: 2011-09-07
Publication date: 2013-03-07

Abstract

A cosmetic case is provided for containing cosmetics or cosmetic applicators having varying lengths and sizes. The cosmetic case includes a top cover connected to a base by a hinge and is secured in a closed configuration with a closure. A covering is on an outside surface of the base and the top cover, and a liner is on an inside surface of the base and the top cover. A mirror is located on an inside surface of the top cover.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to apparatus for storing and using cosmetic applicators and, more particularly, to a cosmetic case with a mirror.
Some cosmetic cases do not provide a convenient lipstick case that is made to contain a combination of long, short, and odd-shaped lipsticks, lip pencils, and lip liners. As a result, these items may be dropped loosely in a handbag or stored in a larger cosmetic bag, making them hard to find. These items may also leak, damaging the purse or other items contained therein. A user may also have to carry a separate mirror to apply the cosmetic, forcing the user to carry more than necessary in her handbag.
As can be seen, there is a need for an improved apparatus that stows both long and short cosmetic devices and includes a mirror for applying the cosmetics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a cosmetic case comprises a base; a top cover, wherein the base assembled to the top cover define an inside space; a hinge joining the base to the top cover; a covering disposed on an outside surface of the base and on an outside surface of the top cover; a liner disposed on an inside surface of the base; a mirror disposed on an inside surface of the top cover; and a closure for securing the top cover to the base.
In another aspect of the present invention, a cosmetic product package comprises a cosmetic product; and a cosmetic case, the cosmetic case comprising a frame top; a frame base; a hinge joining the metal frame top to the frame base; a covering disposed in the frame top and the frame base; a mirror disposed on an inside surface of the top cover, wherein the cosmetic product is disposed in the cosmetic case.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an oblique perspective view of a cosmetic case;

FIG. 2 is an oblique perspective view of the cosmetic case of FIG. 1 in an open position;

FIG. 3 is an oblique perspective view of an empty cosmetic case of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the cosmetic case of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.
Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a cosmetic case with a mirror designed to hold a combination of short and long lipsticks or cosmetic applicators.
Referring to the Figures, a cosmetic case 10 is provided that may include a base 12 interconnected to a top cover 14 by a hinge 32. A mirror 16 may be assembled to an inside surface of top cover 14. A closure strap 18 may be secured to base 12 and may be configured to selectively assemble to top cover 14 by a closure 20. One or more bumpers 22 may be assembled to first and second ends of base 12 on an inside surface thereof.
Base 12 and top cover 14 may assemble to define an interior space 36, which may be configured to contain one or more cosmetic applicators 34. An interior liner 30 may be assembled to an inside surface of top cover 14 and to an inside surface of base 12. An exterior cover 28 may be assembled to an outside surface of top cover 14 and to an outside surface of base 12.
Base 12 may include a frame base 24, and top cover 14 may include a frame top 26. Frame base 24 and frame top 26 may provide a structural element for base 12 and top cover 14, respectively, and may receive interior liner 30 and exterior cover 28.
Frame base 24 and frame top 26 may be a rigid material and may include a metal, hard plastic, or wood, for example. Exterior cover 28 may include any ornamental covering such as leather, vinyl, or metal sheeting, for example. Exterior cover 28 may join base 12 and top cover 14, and a portion thereof may act as hinge 32, allowing top cover 14 to rotatably open and close with respect to base 12. Hinge 32 may provide a limited angle of rotation between top cover 14 and base 12, and may include a spring-loaded element that may assist in an opening of case 10. Hinge 32 may be any device known in the art including a pivot hinge, a mortise hinge, a barrel hinge, a continuous hinge, or a case hinge, for example. Interior lining may include leather, plastic, or textile (e.g., cloth, velvet), for example. Mirror 16 may include any reflective material or surface and may include a glass mirror, metal mirror, reflective plastic, or other mirrored surface, for example. Mirror 16 may be configured or situated on top cover 14 so that a user may use the mirror to apply cosmetics while cosmetic case 10 is in an open configuration.
Bumper 22 may be a soft, cushioning material that may provide impact protection for contents of cosmetic case 10, and may include open or closed cell foam, or gel, for example. Closure strap 18 may be a length of material that may include metal, leather, plastic, vinyl, or cloth, for example. Closure 20 may include complementary components of a closure that may be configured to selectively adhere closure strap 18 to an outside surface of top cover 14, and may include a hook and loop closure, a snap, a button, or a magnetic closure, for example. Closure 20 may include one or more complementary elements wherein the first complementary element is on closure strap 18 and the second complementary element is on top cover 14. Cosmetic applicators 34 may include any cosmetic product or applicator that may fit into interior space 36 including, for example, lipstick, lip liner, pencil, pen, lip pencil, lip balm, mascara, and eye liner.
Foregoing elements described herein may be assembled by gluing, adhering (e.g., static sticker), punching, riveting, sewing, or welding (e.g., sonic or coalescent), or interference fit for example.
According to some exemplary embodiments, base 12 may be generally configured as a rectangle, wherein base 12 includes first and second opposite sides having a first length, and third and fourth opposite sides having a second length, where the first and second lengths are unequal. Base 12 may include a depth or a concave interior space for containing cosmetic applicators 34. Top cover 14 may have correspondingly similar dimensions as base 12, and cosmetic case 10 may include a cross section being about oval or circular, for example.
According to another exemplary embodiment, cosmetic case 10 may include a gasket (not pictured), which may be assembled to one of base 12 and top cover 14, and situated therebetweeen. The gasket may provide protection to interior space 36 from environmental elements when cosmetic case 10 is in a closed configuration. According to some other exemplary embodiments, exterior cover 28 may be an interchangeable cover that may be removed from and installed on frame base 24 and frame top 26.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A cosmetic case, comprising:

a base;

a top cover, wherein the base assembled to the top cover define an inside space;

a hinge joining the base to the top cover;

a covering disposed on an outside surface of the base and on an outside surface of the top cover;

a liner disposed on an inside surface of the base;

a mirror disposed on an inside surface of the top cover; and

a closure for securing the top cover to the base.

2. The cosmetic case of claim 1, further comprising a bumper disposed on a first end of the base.

3. The cosmetic case of claim 2, further comprising a second bumper disposed on a second end of the base.

4. The cosmetic case of claim 3, wherein the liner is disposed on the inside surface of the top cover and the inside surface of the base.

5. The cosmetic case of claim 4, wherein the closure further comprises:

a closure strap; and

first and second complementary closure components, wherein the first and second complementary components are chosen from a group consisting of a snap, a hook and loop closure, and a magnetic closure.

6. The cosmetic case of claim 5, wherein the base further comprises a frame base, and wherein the top cover further comprises a frame top.

7. A cosmetic product package comprising:

a cosmetic product; and

a cosmetic case, the cosmetic case comprising:

a frame top;

a frame base;

a hinge joining the metal frame top to the frame base;

a covering disposed in the frame top and the frame base;

a mirror disposed on an inside surface of the top cover,

wherein the cosmetic product is disposed in the cosmetic case.

8. The cosmetic product of claim 7, the cosmetic case further comprising:

a liner disposed on an inside surface of the frame base; and

a second liner disposed on an inside surface of frame top.

9. The cosmetic product of claim 7, the cosmetic case further comprising:

a closure strap; and

a closure disposed on the closure strap, wherein the closure strap and the closure are configured to secure the top cover to the base.

10. The cosmetic product of claim 8, further comprising a second cosmetic product, wherein the second cosmetic product is disposed in the cosmetic case, wherein the first and the second cosmetic products are chosen from a group consisting of lipstick, lip liner, pencil, lip balm, mascara, and eye liner.