CA3000095A1 - Hand held cosmetic storage system - Google Patents

Description

HAND HELD COSMETIC STORAGE SYSTEM
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to handheld cases for cosmetics and applicators of cosmetics, and more particularly to compact storage, preservation and application system of cosmetics.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
This invention is a cosmetic case that offers protection, storage, portability and the opportunity to customize cosmetic choices to be housed in the case and is designed to accommodate a more eco-friendly and on-the-go movement in the cosmetic industry. The lid of the case houses a mirror and a base houses a magnetic plate. The top perimeter rim of the bottom of the case contains an elastomer gasket, establishing an air-tight seal to protect cosmetics from contamination and leakage if a cosmetic is broken. The left and right sides of the bottom rim perimeter house concave ergonomic thumb holds that will provide for a secure grip with one hand. The case houses magnetic movable divider strips made of supple elastomer compounds, such as urethane, and are securely fixated to the base plate with magnetic force. The dividers can be used to prevent cross contamination between cosmetics, secure pods, pans and cosmetic tools, or define visual compartmental spaces.
The case contains reusable cosmetic containers with magnetic bases that can hold small amounts of cosmetic creams, liquids, powders, etc. for flexibility in the use of the case.

- 2 -Description of drawings In order to understand the invention and features thereof, the following drawings are referenced in the detailed description and must be viewed in conjunction thereof:
Fig. 1 illustrates the overall concept of the said invention with a summary of the details Fig. 2 shows the hinge details Fig. 3 is a side view of the concave thumb grip Fig. 4 is a detailed illustration of the locking mechanism Fig. 5 shows the clasp and catch relationship Fig. 6 shows four views of the magnetic divider strip Fig. 7 shows four views of the divider strip internally housing permanent magnets Fig. 8 shows four views of the divider strip internally housing a steel plate Fig. 9 shows four views of the divider strip with magnetic strip adhered to the bottom.
Fig. 10 illustrates the magnetic divider strip's function as a seal to prevent cross-contamination Fig. 11 illustrates the magnetic divider strip's function as a holder for cosmetic tools and cosmetic pods and pans Fig. 12 illustrates the magnetic divider strip's function as a visual divider Fig. 13 is an example of a pod with attached and separate lid Fig. 14 shows actual sizes of how container pods sizes ID-5, ID-6 and ID-8 fit inside the case

- 3 -DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
Referring to Fig. 1 in accordance with the invention; a handheld cosmetic storage system, referred hereafter as "the case" (1.1), consisting of a bottom shell (1.2), a hinged top shell (1.3) connected to rear wall of the bottom shell (1.2) with two hinges (1.4).
Figure 2, detail A exhibits a side view of the hinges (1.4) showing the interconnection between the top and bottom shells. The case is ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in one hand.
The interior bottom shell (1.2) houses a magnetic plate (1.5) which matches the surface area of the interior cavity.
Encircling the interior perimeter of the bottom shell is a flexible gasket (1.6) comprised of material such as urethane or other flexible material which provides an airtight seal with the top shell (1.3) in the closed position, preventing contamination and leakage if a cosmetic container is broken. The gasket (1.6) is manufactured in a variety of colors, so each case can be a visual identifier to define its use. Two ergonomic concave recessed thumb grips, as shown in Figure 3, detail B, are located at each side of the case (1.7), allowing the case to be held with the left or right hand. The ergonomically shaped concave provides a positive surface for the thumb to securely hold the cosmetic case while the rest of the hand is placed on the bottom of the base (1.2).
Dual closure gaskets (1.8) on either side of the cavity grip (1.7) provide airtight seals in the closed position.
A mirror (1.9) is located on the interior of the top shell (1.3) inset into the gasket contact surface.
The interior cavity provides enough room to house cosmetic pans, containers, pods, brushes, eyeliners and other cosmetic paraphernalia, but is not limited to such.

- 4 -A spring loaded sliding latch (1.10) locks to the lid catch (1.11) when closing the case and provides positive pressure on perimeter gasket to ensure an airtight seal.
Figure 4, detail C-a embodies the spring loaded slider mechanism. Figure 5, detail D, shows the catch configuration. The catch (5.1) is secured by the latch (5.2) when the two shells are compressed together as shown in detail C-b.
Magnetic Divider Strips Two or more moveable magnetic divider strips (1.12) are housed within the inner cavity of the case. Referring to Figure 6, the strips are made up of a urethane (6.1) or other elastomer compound. The dividers adhere to the base plate via magnetic attraction, using a number of embodiments such as internally housed permanent magnets (7.1) or a steel plate (8.1) located inside the bottom of the strip, a flexible magnetic strip adhered to the bottom of the divider strip (9.1), or other combinations of these or other temporal adhesions.
Functionality of the magnetic divider strips A number of different functions can be realized with the magnetic divider strips.
One function of the dividers (10.2) is to create two separate areas/compartments (10.5, 10.6) in the case (10.1). When two dividers are end to end (10.3) and touching the opposite sides of the interior case (10.4), it creates a seal from the interior top to interior bottom of the case, and between the two different compartments (10.5, 10.6) to prevent cross contamination of one cosmetic product (10.7) to another cosmetic product (10.8).
Another function of the dividers (11.2) as shown in Figure 11 is to secure is to secure cosmetics products such as, yet not limited to, eyeliner, brow liner, and cosmetic tools (11.3) and cosmetic pods and pans (11.4) from moving around in the case (11.1).
Another embodiment or functionality of the dividers is illustrated in Figure 12. The dividers (12.2) can be placed to visually define spaces in the case (12.1) to separate the different applications for each set of cosmetic products.
Figure 14 illustrates a layout of a number of standard, container pods that can be housed in the case, but is not limited to only these sizes alone.

- 5 -Pods and containers Referring to Figure 13 as a preferable embodiment; the case houses reusable cosmetic containers (13.1) with magnetic bases (13.4) with hinged (13.2) or snap-on or screw-on lids (13.4) that can hold, but are not limited to, small amounts of cosmetic creams, liquids, powders. Containers (13.1) can be of various sizes, shapes and colors and the top lid (13.3) surface allows for product logos, trademarks, instructions or branding. The container lid can be an affixed hinge to the base (13.2), snap-on or screw-on (13.3), or other type of latching mechanism.
The container (13.1) is made of non-chemical leaching material, such as industry compliant plastic but not limited to these materials.
The reusable nature allows repeatable filling of any cosmetic, or other products that fit the container size such as pills, toothpaste etc., and can be repeatedly washed [cleansed, detoxed, purified] to prevent contamination.