THERMALLY INSULATED COSMETICS CARRYING CASE

A thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case includes a chamber wall having oppositely disposed parallel first and second walls each formed with a refrigerant pack and temperature controlling characteristics. The first and second walls extend between opposed upper and lower ends and opposed first and second sides together bounding a storage compartment, and a closure is formed in the upper end to open and close the upper end with respect to the storage compartment. The refrigerant packs form elongate holding areas in the storage compartment to receive and hold heat-sensitive cosmetics, and which are arranged in parallel rows extending horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/060,333, filed Jun. 10, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of bags and cases and, more particularly, to a portable thermally insulated carrying case or bag for heat-sensitive cosmetics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cosmetics are substances used to enhance or protect the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, lip gloss, lip balm, eye liners and various types of eye and facial makeup, and many other types of products. The use of cosmetics is widespread, especially among women. Most cosmetic products are packed in small, portable containers suitable to make use of these and other cosmetic products easy and efficient, and to carry in a purse or small bag or case. Most packaged, cosmetic products are heat sensitive in that they melt, crack, or degrade when exposed to heat even for short periods of time, especially in warm weather climates. As such, what is needed is a thermally insulated cosmetic carrying case useful in efficiently storing heat-sensitive cosmetics in a cool, temperature controlled environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above objects and others realized in a thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case including a chamber wall having oppositely disposed parallel first and second walls extending between opposed upper and lower ends and opposed first and second sides together bounding a storage compartment. A closure, such as a zipper, is formed in the upper end to open and close the upper end. First and second auxiliary storage compartments are formed in the first and second walls, respectively, extending between the upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides of the chamber wall, and first and second refrigerant packs are positioned in the first and second auxiliary storage compartments, respectively. The first refrigerant pack is formed with opposed, unbroken parallel first pouches of refrigerant material separated by opposed, unbroken parallel first depressions, which first pouches and first depressions extend horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall. The second refrigerant pack is formed with opposed, unbroken parallel second pouches of refrigerant material separated by opposed, unbroken parallel second depressions, which second pouches and second depressions extend horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall. The first and second walls support the first and second refrigerant packs in an opposed, parallel relation on either side of the storage compartment to form unbroken, elongate holding areas in the storage compartment each formed by and between a pair of opposed first and second depressions located between a pair of closely confronting first and second pouches on either side of the pair of opposed first and second depressions. The elongate holding areas are arranged in parallel rows extending horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall. The first and second walls are each formed with insulation to reduce heat transfer through the first and second walls to the first and second refrigerant packs positioned in the first and second auxiliary storage compartments, respectively, to reduce thermal loss between the storage compartment and the first and second refrigerant packs. A first substantially fluid-impervious liner is formed in the first wall between the first refrigerant pack and the storage compartment substantially preventing moisture transfer between the storage compartment and the first auxiliary storage compartment, and a second substantially fluid-impervious liner is formed in the second wall between the second refrigerant pack and the storage compartment substantially preventing moisture transfer between the storage compartment and the second auxiliary storage compartment. The first and second auxiliary storage compartments are permanently closed to prevent unauthorized access to the first and second refrigerant packs positioned in the first and second auxiliary storage compartments, respectfully. A mirror is attached exteriorly to the first wall. In a further and more specific aspect, the mirror adjusts between an open position with respect to the first wall and a closed position with respect to the first wall.

According to the principle of the invention, a thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case includes a chamber wall having oppositely disposed parallel first and second walls extending between opposed upper and lower ends and opposed first and second sides. The first wall includes substantially coextensive first inner and first outer layers permanently joined to form a first auxiliary storage compartment extending between the upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides of the chamber wall. The second wall includes substantially coextensive second inner and second outer layers permanently joined to form a second auxiliary storage compartment extending between the upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides of the chamber wall. The first and second inner layers of the oppositely disposed parallel first and second walls, the opposed upper and lower ends, and the opposed first and second sides together bound a storage compartment. A closure, such as a zipper, is formed in the upper end to open and close the upper end, and first and second refrigerant packs are positioned in the first and second auxiliary storage compartments, respectively. The first refrigerant pack is formed with opposed, unbroken parallel first pouches of refrigerant material separated by opposed, unbroken parallel first depressions, which first pouches and first depressions extend horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall. The second refrigerant pack is formed with opposed, unbroken parallel second pouches of refrigerant material separated by opposed, unbroken parallel second depressions, which second pouches and second depressions extend horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall. The first and second walls support the first and second refrigerant packs in an opposed, parallel relation on either side of the storage compartment to form unbroken, elongate holding areas in the storage compartment each formed by and between a pair of opposed first and second depressions located between a pair of closely confronting first and second pouches on either side of the pair of opposed first and second depressions. The elongate holding areas are arranged in parallel rows extending horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall. The first inner layer is substantially flexibly conformable to the first pouches and the first depressions formed in the first refrigerant pack, and the second inner layer is substantially flexibly conformable to the second pouches and the second depressions formed in the second refrigerant pack. A first insulation layer is formed between the first outer layer of the first wall and the first refrigerant pack, and a second insulation layer is formed between the second outer layer of the second wall and the second refrigerant pack. The first inner layer of the first wall is a substantially fluid-impervious liner substantially preventing moisture transfer between the storage compartment and the first auxiliary storage compartment. The second inner layer of the second wall is also a substantially fluid-impervious liner substantially preventing moisture transfer between the storage compartment and the second auxiliary storage compartment. A mirror is attached exteriorly to the first wall, and adjusts between an open position with respect to the first wall and a closed position with respect to the first wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing cosmetics housed in the thermally insulated carrying case;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, vertical sectional view of the thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case of FIG. 1 illustrating cosmetics housed therein;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a refrigerant pack of the thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a highly generalized horizontal sectional view illustrating a packaged cosmetic product positioned in a depression formed the refrigerant pack of FIG. 6, which is shown in FIG. 7 as it would appear positioned in an auxiliary storage compartment formed in the thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIGS. 1-5 illustrating a thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention and designated generally with the reference character 20 including a chamber wall 21 formed of flexible panels or panel structures including oppositely disposed parallel walls 22 and 23 extending between opposed upper and lower ends 24 and 25 and opposed sides 26 and 27 together bounding a storage compartment 28 referenced in FIG. 2-5. The edge marginal regions of walls 22 and 23 are joined to the edge marginal regions of upper and lower ends 24 and 25 and sides 26 and 27, as indicated by the reference characters 30 and 31 in FIGS. 3-5, preferably permanently by sewing, and adhesive joining, heat bonding, or other like or similar permanent bonding methods. The paneling forming upper and lower ends 24 and 25, and sides 26 and 27 are formed of flexible paneling material, such as vinyl, leather, canvas, polyester fabric, vinyl fabric, nylon fabric, or other like or similar flexible, pliant, durable material or combination of materials, which may be enhanced to have waterproof properties, ultraviolet radiation resistance properties, durability properties, or other desired properties. The inner surfaces of walls 22 and 23, upper and lower ends 24 and 25, and opposed sides 26 and 27 bounding storage compartment 28 may be lined with waterproof or water-resistant material or coating. A closure, such as a conventional zipper 35, is provided across upper end 24 between walls 22 and 23 and extending between sides 26 and 27 to open upper end 24 to provide access through upper end 24 of chamber wall 21 to storage compartment 28 as illustrated in FIG. 2, and to close upper end 24 as illustrated in FIG. 1 to enclose storage compartment 28. Although zipper 35 is a preferred closure for upper end 24, other conventional closure forms may be used without departing from the invention, such as a magnetic closure, snap closure, etc.

Walls 22 and 23 are layered panel or wall structures having a layered construction. Referencing FIGS. 3-5, wall 22 includes substantially coextensive inner and outer layers 40 and 41. The edge marginal regions of inner and outer layers 40 and 41 are permanently joined at 30, such as by sewing, and adhesive joining, heat bonding, or other like or similar permanent bonding methods can be used without departing from the invention. This permanent joining of inner and outer layers 40 and 41 forms an enclosed auxiliary storage compartment 42 in wall 22. Like wall 22, wall 23 has substantially coextensive inner and outer layers 50 and 51. The edge marginal regions of inner and outer layers 50 and 51 are permanently joined at 31, such as by sewing, and adhesive joining, heat bonding, or other like or similar permanent bonding methods can be used without departing from the invention. This permanent joining of inner and outer layers 50 and 51 forms an enclosed auxiliary storage compartment 52 in wall 23. The portions of walls 22 and 23 that cooperative with upper and lower ends 24 and 25 and sides 26 and 27 of chamber wall 21 to form storage compartment 28 are inner layers 40 and 50, respectively.

Refrigerant packs 60 and 61 are positioned in auxiliary storage compartments 42 and 52. Refrigerant packs 60 and 61 are identical to each other. As such, only the details of refrigerant pack 60 will be discussed in detail, with the understanding that the ensuing discussion of refrigerant pack 60 applies in every respect to refrigerant pack 61.

Referencing FIGS. 3-6, refrigerant pack 60 is fabricated of at least two elongate rectangular sheets 70 and 80 of plastic material which are heat-sealed together in facing parallel relationship not only along their respective perimeter edges 71 and 81, but sealed at seals or seal points as illustrated by referenced characters 90 and 91 between perimeter edges 71 and 81 of sheets 70 and 80. In this manner, valleys or depressions 95 and 96 are defined in refrigerant pack 60, and an airtight compartment 100 is defined in refrigerant pack 60 within which a quantity of a refrigerant material is contained, which is denoted generally by the reference character 105 in FIGS. 3-5. Refrigerant material 105 consists of a conventional freezable gel or gel-like substance, and any suitable freezable liquid, including water, may be utilized or any of several conventional freezable gel-like substances. Seals denoted at 90 and 91 are elongate and substantially equal in length and parallel with respect to each and unbroken forming unbroken, parallel valleys depressions 95 and 96 dividing unbroken, parallel pouches 10A, 100B, and 100C in compartment 100, which are also parallel with respect to seals 90 and 91 and thus to valleys or depressions 95 and 96. With respect to the construction of case 20, refrigerant pack 60 is positioned in auxiliary storage compartment 42 between inner and outer layers 40 and 41 as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5 such that sheet 80 is directed toward outer layer 41 and sheet 70 is directed toward inner layer 40, and pouches 10A, 100B, and 100C, and depressions 95 and 96 extend horizontally with respect to auxiliary storage compartment 42 and storage compartment 28 denoted in FIGS. 3-5 from proximate to side 26 of chamber wall 21 to proximate to side 27 of chamber wall 21, and this is best illustrated in FIG. 7.

Referencing FIGS. 3-5, like refrigerant pack 60 refrigerant pack 61 shares sheets 70 and 80 of plastic material which heat-sealed together in facing parallel relationship along their respective perimeter edges 71 and 81 and at elongate seal points 90 and 91 between perimeter edges 71 and 81 of sheets 70 and 80 to form depressions 95 and 96, and airtight compartment 100 containing a quantity of refrigerant material 105. Seals denoted at 90 and 91 are elongate and substantially equal in length and parallel with respect to each and unbroken forming unbroken, parallel depressions 95 and 96 dividing unbroken, parallel pouches 10A, 100B, and 100C in compartment 100. Refrigerant pack 61 is positioned in auxiliary storage compartment 52 between inner and outer layers 50 and 51 such that sheet 80 is directed toward outer layer 51 and sheet 70 is directed toward inner layer 50, and pouches 10A, 100B, and 100C, and depressions 95 and 96 extend horizontally with respect to auxiliary storage compartment 52 and storage compartment 28 from proximate to side 26 of chamber wall 21 to proximate to side 27 of chamber wall 21.

Looking to FIG. 3, walls 22 and 23, which are disposed oppositely and parallel with respect to one another, support refrigerant packs 60 and 61 positioned in auxiliary storage compartments 42 and 52 oppositely and parallel with respect to one another on either side of storage compartment 28 so as to direct pouches 100A-100C and depressions 95 and 96 of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 closely toward each other to form holding areas 110 and 111 in storage compartment 28. Pouches 100A of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 oppositely confront each other, depressions 95 of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 oppositely confront each other, pouches 100B of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 oppositely confront each other, depressions 96 of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 oppositely confront each other, and pouches 100C of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 oppositely confront each other. In this orientation and construction, holding area 110 is formed by and between opposed depressions 95 of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 located by and between the opposite pairs of pouches 100A and 100B of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 on either side of depressions 95 of refrigerant packs 60 and 61, and holding area 111 is formed by and between opposed depressions 96 of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 located by and between the opposite pairs of pouches 100B and 100C of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 on either side of depressions 96 of refrigerant packs 60 and 61. Because pouches 10A, 100B, and 100C, and depressions 95 and 96 extend horizontally with respect to storage compartment 28 from proximate to side 26 of chamber wall 21 to proximate to side 27 of chamber wall 21 as previously explained, elongate holding areas 110 and 111 are, therefore, arranged in parallel rows extending horizontally with respect to storage compartment 28 from proximate to side 26 of chamber wall 21 to proximate to side 27 of chamber wall 21.

Inner layer 41 is preferably formed of a flexible, pliant material, such as nylon or polyester fabric or other like or similar fabric, and is flexible and pliant in construction to be substantially flexibly conformable to pouches 100A-100C and depressions 95 and 96 formed in refrigerant pack 60 as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. Inner layer 51 is likewise preferably formed of a flexible, pliant material, such as nylon or polyester fabric or other like or similar fabric, and is flexible and pliant in construction to be substantially flexibly conformable to pouches 100A-100C and depressions 95 and 96 formed in refrigerant pack 61 as illustrated in FIGS. 3-5. In FIGS. 3-5, inner layers 41 and 51 are depicted substantially flexibly conformable to pouches 100A-100C and depressions 95 and 96 of refrigerant packs 60 and 61, respectively, at forming holding areas 110 and 111 so as to help to define holding areas 110 and 111.

With continuing reference to FIGS. 3-5, insulation in the form of an insulation layer 120 is positioned in auxiliary storage compartment 42 and is formed between outer layer 41 of wall 22 and sheet 80 of refrigerant pack 60 positioned in auxiliary storage compartment 42, and insulation in the form of an insulation layer 121 is positioned in auxiliary storage compartment 52 and is formed between outer layer 51 of wall 23 and sheet 80 of refrigerant pack 61 positioned in auxiliary storage compartment 52. Insulation layers 120 and 121 are preferably constructed of foam insulation, although micro-fiber insulation, or other thermally insulating materials can be used. Insulation layers 120 and 121 reduce heat transfer through outer layers 40 and 50 of first and second walls 22 and 23 to refrigerant packs 60 and 61 positioned in auxiliary storage compartments 42 and 52 of walls 22 and 23, respectively, to reduce thermal loss between storage compartment 28 and refrigerant packs 60 and 61.

Case 20 provides storage compartment 28 into which heat-sensitive articles or products can be stored. Auxiliary storage compartments 42 and 52 on either side of storage compartment 28 into which refrigerant packs 60 and 61 are held in effect substantially surround storage compartment 28, and which are insulated with insulation layers 120 and 121 to prevent heat loss between storage compartment 28 and the exterior environment surrounding case 20. The closure formed by zipper 35 allow upper end 24 of chamber wall 21 to be opened as shown in FIG. 2 to open upper end 24 of chamber wall 21 and storage compartment 28 to allow the passage of items therethrough with respect to storage compartment 28, and closed as shown in FIG. 1 to close upper end 24 of chamber wall 21 and storage compartment 28. The flexible construction of case 20 allow heat-sensitive articles to be easily positioned into and removed from storage compartment 28 through upper end 24 in the open position of the closure formed in upper end 24, which in this instance is zipper 35. By initially placing case 20 in a freezer to initially freeze refrigerant material 105 of refrigerant packs 60 and 61, storage compartment 28 is maintained in a cool or low temperature condition over a long period of time because of the insulation imparted into walls 22 and 23 by insulation layers 120 and 121 formed in walls 22 and 23, respectively. The physical characteristics of chamber wall 21 and its various panel components as herein specifically described ensure that the low temperature condition is maintained over a long period of time as provided by refrigerant packs 60 and 61. Inner layer 41 of wall 22 is a substantially fluid-impervious liner having waterproof or water-resistant characteristics to substantially prevent moisture transfer between storage compartment 28 and auxiliary storage compartment 42. Like inner layer 41, inner layer 51 of wall 22 is a substantially fluid-impervious liner having waterproof or water-resistant characteristics to substantially prevent moisture transfer between storage compartment 28 and auxiliary storage compartment 52. The inner surfaces of upper and lower ends 24 and 25 and sides 27 and 28 of chamber wall 21 are also constructed with waterproof or water-resistant characteristics.

Refrigerant packs 60 and 61 are positioned in auxiliary storage compartments 42 and 52, and because auxiliary storage compartments 42 and 52 are permanently closed and formed with no closure or the like to allow storage compartments 42 and 52 to be opened, unauthorized and unintended access to refrigerant packs 60 and 61 positioned auxiliary storage compartments 42 and 52 is prevented. As such, refrigerant packs 60 and 61 are not removable from case 20. Therefore, the entire case 20 must be placed in a freezer to initially freeze refrigerant material 105 of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 in preparation for use of case 20 in the manner herein specifically described.

The construction of case 20 to form holding areas 110 and 111 are each specifically designed to accept and hold one or more heat-sensitive cosmetic products as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in a parallel relation with respect to storage compartment 28. The heat-sensitive cosmetics in FIGS. 4 and 5 include a packaged lipstick 130 and a packaged eye liner 131, which are each elongate and cylindrical in shape. Lipstick 130 is positioned in holding area 110, and eye liner 131 is positioned in holding area 111, causing walls 22 to spread somewhat apart as shown. However, walls 22 and 23 positioned oppositely and parallel with respect to one another supporting and maintain refrigerant packs 60 and 61 positioned in auxiliary storage compartments 42 and 52 in the opposed, parallel relation on either side of the storage compartment 28 directing pouches 100A-100C and depressions 95 and 96 of refrigerant packs 60 and 61 closely toward each other to form holding areas 110 and 111 in storage compartment 28 to hold and maintain items placed in holding areas 110 and 111, such as lipstick 130 in holding area 110 and eye liner 131 in holding area 111. A heat-sensitive item placed in holding area 110 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is substantially surrounded on either side by refrigerant material 105 held by the pairs of opposed pouches 100A and 100B of the refrigerant packs 60 and 61 to provide an aggressive cooling of the heat-sensitive item placed in holding area 110, which in this instance is lipstick 130 as shown by way of example. Similarly, a heat-sensitive item placed in holding area 111 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is substantially surrounded on either side by refrigerant material 105 held by the pairs of opposed pouches 100B and 100C of the refrigerant packs 60 and 61 to provide an aggressive cooling of the heat-sensitive item placed in holding area 111, which in this instance is eye liner 131 as shown by way of example. The unbroken structure of pouches 100A-100C and depressions 95 and 96 forming holding areas 110 and 111 ensure excellent and contiguous exposure of the heat-sensitive cosmetic products positioned in holding areas 110 and 111 to the cooling influence provided by pouches 100A-100C, and eliminates any possibility of warmer spots occurring along the length of holding areas 110 and 111 that could otherwise produce a warming influence on heat-sensitive cosmetics positioned and held in holding areas 110 and 111.

In FIGS. 1 and 3 case 20 is empty and is shown in its empty, and thus relaxed, state with parallel walls 22 and 23 positioned toward each other. In FIGS. 2 and 4, case 20 is illustrated as it would appear with storage compartment 28 containing or otherwise filled with heat-sensitive items, such as lipstick 130 and eye liner 131, and is shown expanded somewhat with the items contained therein storage compartment 28 spreading parallel walls 22 and 23 somewhat apart from one another with respect to the relaxed state of case 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Because case 20 is intended to be used in connection with heat-sensitive cosmetics, case 20 is provided with a mirror that may look into to assist the user in applying lipstick, eyeliner, or other cosmetic. In the present example with reference to FIG. 2, a mirror 140 is formed in a flap 141 attached exterior of case 20 to outer layer 41 of wall 22 at a generally intermediate position. Flap 141 joined to outer layer 41 of wall 22, such as by sewing, heat bonding, adhesive, or the like, and may be taken up, such as by hand and pivoted between a closed position of mirror 140 as shown in FIG. 1 in juxtaposition with respect to outer layer 41 of wall 22, and an opposite open position illustrated in FIG. 2 opening mirror 140 to allow a user to look into mirror 140, such as while applying facial cosmetics. In this example, flap 141 is secured just beneath a closure, which in this instance is a zipper 150, to an exterior pocket 151 formed in outer layer 41 of wall 22 that is useful in storing selected items, such as cotton swabs, bandages, or the like. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, an exterior pocket 155 formed in outer layer 51 of wall 23 that, like pocket 151, is useful in storing selected items, such as cotton swabs, bandages, or the like. Although case 20 is intended to be used in connection with heat-sensitive cosmetics, case 20 can be used with other types of heat-sensitive products, including medicine or medicinal products or other heat-sensitive products.

The present invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. For instance, although refrigerant packs 60 and 61 each include three pouches 100A-100C and two corresponding depressions 95 and 96, less or more can be provided in refrigerant packs 60 and 61 as may be desired. Various further changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:

Claims

1. A thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case, comprising:

a chamber wall having oppositely disposed parallel first and second walls extending between opposed upper and lower ends and opposed first and second sides together bounding a storage compartment;
a closure formed in the upper end to open and close the upper end;
first and second auxiliary storage compartments formed in the first and second walls, respectively, extending between the upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides of the chamber wall;
first and second refrigerant packs positioned in the first and second auxiliary storage compartments, respectively;
the first refrigerant pack formed with opposed, unbroken parallel first pouches of refrigerant material separated by opposed, unbroken parallel first depressions, which first pouches and first depressions extend horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall;
the second refrigerant pack formed with opposed, unbroken parallel second pouches of refrigerant material separated by opposed, unbroken parallel second depressions, which second pouches and second depressions extend horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall;
the first and second walls supporting the first and second refrigerant packs in an opposed, parallel relation on either side of the storage compartment to form unbroken, elongate holding areas in the storage compartment each formed by and between a pair of opposed first and second depressions located between a pair of closely confronting first and second pouches on either side of the pair of opposed first and second depressions, and the elongate holding areas arranged in parallel rows extending horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall; and
the first and second walls each formed with insulation to reduce heat transfer through the first and second walls to the first and second refrigerant packs positioned in the first and second auxiliary storage compartments, respectively, to reduce thermal loss between the storage compartment and the first and second refrigerant packs.

2. The thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case according to claim 1, further comprising a first substantially fluid-impervious liner formed in the first wall between the first refrigerant pack and the storage compartment substantially preventing moisture transfer between the storage compartment and the first auxiliary storage compartment, and a second substantially fluid-impervious liner formed in the second wall between the second refrigerant pack and the storage compartment substantially preventing moisture transfer between the storage compartment and the second auxiliary storage compartment.

3. The thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case according to claim 1, further comprising the first and second auxiliary storage compartments permanently closed to prevent unauthorized access to the first and second refrigerant packs positioned in the first and second auxiliary storage compartments, respectfully.

4. The thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case according to claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a zipper.

5. The thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case according to claim 1, further comprising a mirror attached exteriorly to the first wall.

6. The thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case according to claim 5, wherein the mirror adjusts between an open position with respect to the first wall and a closed position with respect to the first wall.

7. A thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case, comprising:

a chamber wall having oppositely disposed parallel first and second walls extending between opposed upper and lower ends and opposed first and second sides;
the first wall including substantially coextensive first inner and first outer layers permanently joined to form a first auxiliary storage compartment extending between the upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides of the chamber wall;
the second wall including substantially coextensive second inner and second outer layers permanently joined to form a second auxiliary storage compartment extending between the upper and lower ends and the opposed first and second sides of the chamber wall;
first and second inner layers of the oppositely disposed parallel first and second walls, the opposed upper and lower ends, and the opposed first and second sides together bounding a storage compartment;
a closure formed in the upper end to open and close the upper end;
first and second refrigerant packs positioned in the first and second auxiliary storage compartments, respectively;
the first refrigerant pack formed with opposed, unbroken parallel first pouches of refrigerant material separated by opposed, unbroken parallel first depressions, which first pouches and first depressions extend horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall;
the second refrigerant pack formed with opposed, unbroken parallel second pouches of refrigerant material separated by opposed, unbroken parallel second depressions, which second pouches and second depressions extend horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall;
the first and second walls supporting the first and second refrigerant packs in an opposed, parallel relation on either side of the storage compartment to form unbroken, elongate holding areas in the storage compartment each formed by and between a pair of opposed first and second depressions located between a pair of closely confronting first and second pouches on either side of the pair of opposed first and second depressions, and the elongate holding areas arranged in parallel rows extending horizontally with respect to the storage compartment from proximate to the first side of the chamber wall to proximate to the second side of the chamber wall;
the first inner layer substantially flexibly conformable to the first pouches and the first depressions formed in the first refrigerant pack, and the second inner layer substantially flexibly conformable to the second pouches and the second depressions formed in the second refrigerant pack; and
a first insulation layer formed between the first outer layer of the first wall and the first refrigerant pack; and
a second insulation layer formed between the second outer layer of the second wall and the second refrigerant pack.

8. The thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case according to claim 7, wherein the first inner layer of the first wall further comprises a first substantially fluid-impervious liner substantially preventing moisture transfer between the storage compartment and the first auxiliary storage compartment, and the second inner layer of the second wall further comprises a second substantially fluid-impervious liner substantially preventing moisture transfer between the storage compartment and the second auxiliary storage compartment.

9. The thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case according to claim 6, wherein the closure comprises a zipper.

10. The thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case according to claim 6, further comprising a mirror attached exteriorly to the first wall.

11. The thermally insulated cosmetics carrying case according to claim 10, wherein the mirror adjusts between an open position with respect to the first wall and a closed position with respect to the first wall.

Patent History
Publication number: 20090301511
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 9, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 10, 2009
Inventor: DEBORAH VINCI (Scottsdale, AZ)
Application Number: 12/481,393
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Including Mirror (132/316); With Holdover Material (62/457.2); Compartmented Container (220/500); Thermally Insulated Receptacle (220/592.2)
International Classification: A45D 42/04 (20060101); F25D 3/00 (20060101); B65D 25/04 (20060101); B65D 81/38 (20060101);