Storage enclosure for electronic device
A compartment for storing items comprises a base compartment and a lid. The base compartment may be coupled to a battery cover of a portable electronic device. The lid can be coupled to the base compartment. The lid and the base compartment produce an enclosure for storing items. The items stored may include cosmetic products and other personal items.
This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional Application entitled, “Storage Enclosure for Electronic Device”, having Ser. No. 60/606,456, filed Sep. 1, 2004, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is generally related to a storage enclosure, and more particularly is related to a storage enclosure for cosmetics and personal items coupled to a portable electronic device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCosmetics are typically applied to the facial portion of the body. Cosmetics are often used to accent desirable features of the face and conceal less desirable features, such as wrinkles, blemishes, and freckles. Examples of cosmetic products may include, for example but not limited to, foundation/concealers, blush, eyeliner, mascara, lip liner, lipstick, and lip-gloss. Foundation/concealers are used to alter the tone of the skin of a person and hide shine and imperfections in the skin. Blush is applied to the upper cheeks and provides a reddish hue to the cheeks of the user. Blush can be stored in a power form and applied with a brush or pad.
Throughout the course of a day, cosmetic products often need to be reapplied to the face. Cosmetic products are often stored in a small case with an applicator, often referred to as a compact. The compact allows the user to carry the cosmetic products for touch-up purposes on their person, such as in a purse or pocket. Compacts may have a base with one or more bins where different shades of the cosmetics are stored along with a bin to store the applicator. A lid coupled to the base allows the user to access the cosmetic products within the bins and close the lid for storage.
Portable electronic devices, for example but not limited to, mobile phones, smart phones and IP phones, walkie-talkie phones, Personal Digital Accessories (PDAs), handheld GPS systems, MP3 or other portable recording and playing devices, cameras, handheld remote control units, handheld and pocket personal computers, web pads, handheld tablets, tablet PCs, handheld readers and scanners, handheld calculators, and handheld digital games are becoming regular accessories. People often carry the portable electronic devices on their person throughout their daily activities.
The number of items an individual carries with them during their daily routine is increasing. An individual has to remember to carry and store several items before leaving to begin their daily routine. Often an individual forgets to bring their cosmetic products or must carry and store a large number of different cosmetic products.
Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention provide a compartment for storing items comprising a base compartment and a lid. The base compartment is coupled to a portable electronic device. The lid may be coupled to the base compartment with hinges. The lid allows a user to access the base compartment. The lid and the base compartment produce an enclosure for storing items. The base compartment may be coupled to a battery pack cover of the portable electronic device. The items stored may include cosmetic products and other personal items.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSMany aspects of the invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
FIGS. 11 is a perspective view of the compartment displaying a first exemplary embodiment of the compartment.
FIGS. 12 is a perspective view of the compartment displaying a second exemplary embodiment of the compartment.
FIGS. 13 is a perspective view of the compartment displaying a third exemplary embodiment of the compartment.
FIGS. 14 is a perspective view of the compartment displaying a fourth exemplary embodiment of the compartment.
FIGS. 15 is a perspective view of the compartment displaying a fifth exemplary embodiment of the compartment.
FIGS. 16 is a perspective view of the compartment displaying a sixth exemplary embodiment of the compartment.
The lid 102 may also include a securing device to secure the lid 102 in a closed position. Dimples 206, as shown in
The compartment 100 allows a user to carry personal items with their phone 302 or other electronic device. The compartment 100 can be manufactured as permanently coupled or detachably coupled to the phone 302. The compartment 100 can be molded integrally with the phone 302 or can be molded integrally with a battery cover of the phone 302, or an outer removable cover of the phone 302.
Alternatively, the compartment 100 can be manufactured separately and coupled to the phone 302. The compartment 100 can be coupled directly to the phone 302 using, for example, but not limited to, screws, rivets, brads, adhesives, hooks, and loops or a clasping mechanism.
The compartment 100 can also be coupled to the phone 302 using a sleeve, exterior housing, or clip. The base compartment 104 and lid 102 can be made of a variety of materials, for example, but not limited to, metal, metal alloy, plastic, polyurethane, polymer, carbon fiber, fiberglass, ceramic, vinyl, composite or blended material such as nylon, polyester, neoprene, polycarbonate and epoxy, rubber or rubberized material, or combinations of these materials.
The compartment 100 can also couple to the phone 302 using a battery-coupling portion of the phone 302. In this embodiment (not shown), the compartment 100 may have an exterior housing that has a clip portion that mates to the battery coupling portion of the phone 302. A user can clip the exterior housing and compartment 100 to the phone 302 in place of the battery cover. A variety of different sized and shaped clip portions of the exterior housing can be made to accommodate the different manufacturers and styles of phones 302. The user can couple the compartment 100 to the phone 302 or remove the compartment 100 in order to couple the compartment 100 to an alternative phones. The compartment 100 may be purchased separately from the phone 302 as an add-on feature for the phone 302. The exterior housing can also include a battery stored within a separate storage section of the exterior housing. This allows the user to replace both the battery and battery cover of the phone 302.
The compartment 100 allows a user to store a variety of personal items. In one embodiment, the compartment 100 is used to store cosmetic items, for example, but not limited to, blush.
The compartment 100 is not limited to being coupled to a phone 302. The compartment 100 can be coupled to a variety of portable electronic items, for example, but not limited to, cellular phones, smart phones and IP phones, walkie talkie phones, Personal Digital Accessories (PDAs), handheld GPS systems, MP3 or other portable recording and playing devices, cameras, handheld remote control units, handheld and pocket personal computers, web pads, handheld tablets, tablet PC's, handheld readers and scanners, handheld calculators, and handheld digital games.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.
Claims
1. A compartment for storing items, comprising:
- a base compartment coupled to a battery pack cover of a portable electronic device; and
- a lid coupled to the base compartment wherein the base compartment and lid produce an enclosure for storing items.
2. The compartment of claim 1, wherein the base compartment is integrally fixed to an exterior surface of the battery cover of the portable electronic device.
3. The compartment of claim 1, further comprising:
- a divider between the base compartment and the lid wherein the divider separates the base compartment and a lid compartment adjacent to the lid.
4. The compartment of claim 3, further comprising:
- a reflective surface on one or more surfaces of the divider.
5. The compartment of claim 1, wherein a hinge couples the base compartment to the lid.
6. The compartment of claim 1, wherein the portable electronic device is a device selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, a personal digital accessory, a camera, an audio player, and a hand held gaming device.
7. A compartment for storing cosmetic items, comprising:
- a base compartment coupled to a portable electronic device; and
- a lid coupled to the base compartment wherein the base compartment and lid produce an enclosure for storing cosmetic items.
8. The compartment of claim 7, wherein the base compartment is divided into a plurality of compartments storing one or more types of cosmetics.
9. The compartment of claim 7, wherein the base compartment is integrally fixed to an exterior surface of the portable electronic device.
10. The compartment of claim 7, further comprising:
- a divider between the base compartment and the lid wherein the divider separates the base compartment and a lid compartment.
11. The compartment of claim 10, wherein the divider is rotatably coupled to a top portion of the lid compartment.
12. The compartment of claim 10, further comprising:
- a reflective surface on one or more surfaces of the divider.
13. The compartment of claim 7, wherein a hinge couples the base compartment to the lid.
14. The compartment of claim 7, wherein the portable electronic device is a device selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, a personal digital accessory, a camera, an audio player, and a hand held gaming device.
15. A container for holding items, comprising:
- an exterior housing detachably coupled to a portable electronic device;
- a bottom enclosure portion coupled to the exterior housing; and
- a top enclosure portion rotatably coupled to the bottom enclosure portion wherein the bottom enclosure portion and the top enclosure portion produce a container for storing personal items.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the exterior housing is a sleeve that clips to an exterior surface of the portable electronic device.
17. The container of claim 15, wherein the exterior housing further comprises a clip portion shaped to engage a battery coupling portion of the portable electronic device.
18. The container of claim 15, further comprising:
- a partition between the top enclosure portion and the bottom enclosure portion wherein the partition separates the top enclosure portion and bottom enclosure portion.
19. The container of claim 18, further comprising a reflective surface on one or more surfaces of the partition.
20. The container of claim 15, wherein the portable electronic device is a device selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, a personal digital accessory, a camera, an audio player, and a hand held gaming device.
21. The container of claim 15, wherein the container further comprises one or more sub compartments with one or more types of cosmetics located within the sub compartments.
22. A container for holding items, comprising:
- a means for housing detachably coupled to a portable electronic device;
- a means for enclosing a bottom portion coupled to the means for housing; and
- a means for enclosing a top portion rotatably coupled to the means for enclosing the bottom portion wherein the means for enclosing the bottom portion and the means for enclosing the top portion produce a container for storing personal items.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 12, 2004
Publication Date: Mar 2, 2006
Inventors: John Jeffrey Holmes (Hollis, NH), Modupeh Sowe (Tyreso)
Application Number: 10/963,031
International Classification: B65D 69/00 (20060101);