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.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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

Not applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The applicant is not aware of any previously described art having the features and advantages of the present invention.

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

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.

FIG. 2 is an edge view showing the opposed tabs that provide a channel through which an elastic loop may be positioned.

FIG. 3 is an edge view showing the position of the elastic loop as it relates to the opposed tabs.

FIG. 4 is an edge view looking lengthwise also showing the position of the elastic loop as it relates to the opposed tabs.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the device showing the opposed tabs and a compartment for the placement of a watch type battery.

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.

FIG. 7 shows a detailed frontal view of a hinge assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

FIG. 7 shows a simple circuit diagram illustrating two LED's wired in series as they would be in the current invention.

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.

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.