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.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/060,333, filed Jun. 10, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe 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 INVENTIONCosmetics 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 INVENTIONThe 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.
Referring to the drawings:
Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to
Walls 22 and 23 are layered panel or wall structures having a layered construction. Referencing
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
Referencing
Looking to
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
With continuing reference to
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
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
In
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
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 9, 2009
Publication Date: Dec 10, 2009
Inventor: DEBORAH VINCI (Scottsdale, AZ)
Application Number: 12/481,393
International Classification: A45D 42/04 (20060101); F25D 3/00 (20060101); B65D 25/04 (20060101); B65D 81/38 (20060101);