Lipstick sorting container

Abstract

A lipstick sorting container is provided which includes a ridged box shaped holder having a bottom wall, side walls, an opening, and a first partition matrix housed within the sidewalls. The first partition matrix is housed within the sidewalls and is an arrangement of lipstick tube containers into rows and columns. Each container is configured in order to receive a lipstick tube when inserted into the box opening. A top includes a transparent top wall with a lower surface, side walls, and a second partition matrix connected to the lower surface. The second partition matrix is an arrangement of erasable indicia cells into rows and columns. The rows and columns of the second partition matrix are configured in alignment with the rows and columns or the first partition matrix. Each of the cells receives a separate lipstick color indicia, when marked on the lower surface, corresponding to a lipstick color of the lipstick tube contained in alignment with the indicia cell.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to lipstick containers. In particular, it relates to a lipstick sorter and container for identifying a lipstick tube having the specific lipstick color by viewing a color specific indicia through a transparent top wall of the container.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional containers are well known in the art. These containers have evolved along a common conception in the design of cosmetic containing systems. These containers are devices for containing a plurality of tubes of lipstick, in order to organize and protect the lipstick while in use. Up until now, a few such examples of these container devices exist.

One such example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,153 to Lahaye., discloses a lipstick and container system for containing a plurality of tubes of lipstick to organize and protect the lipstick while being carried in a handbag. The case has a holder formed of plastic with a plurality of vertically aligned open-top elongated chambers. The chambers each have dimensions to snugly receive an outer protective tube of a conventional cosmetic lipstick. The lipstick is inverted within the chamber so that the base of the lipstick may be readily viewed and easily grasped by the user to withdraw the coloring medium from the protective outer tube while retaining the tube within the chamber. A top closure flap is integrally formed on the holder so that the lipstick tubes are prevented from falling out of the chambers. A fastener holds the top closure flap in a closed position.

Another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,734 to Tiramani., discloses a cosmetic organizer with a lower tray and an upper cover. The upper cover has an upper rim hinged to the lower tray. The upper rim has an erect annular wall. A flexible upper shell overlays and is mounted flush on the erect annular wall providing an organizer with a soft feel but retention of an erect shape.

While the foregoing examples offer some utility, a major disadvantage in each lies in the fact that, while they do provide for a lipstick organizer, they do not provide for a lipstick organizer and sorter which is useful in order to identify a specific lipstick tube for application of a lipstick color formulation by viewing a corresponding a corresponding specific lipstick color from an outer surface of the organizer. Thus, it is desirable to provide a lipstick container and sorter which is useful in identifying a specific tube corresponding to a specific lipstick color formulation when viewing the organizer from an outside surface, but which is durable and inexpensive in cost and manufacture. The present invention satisfies these needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lipstick sorter and container for identifying a lipstick tube having a specific lipstick color when viewing a tube color specific indicia through a top wall of the container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lipstick sorter and container for identifying a lipstick tube having a specific lipstick color when viewing a tube color specific indicia through a top wall of the container, but which inexpensive in manufacture and cost.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a lipstick sorter and container for identifying a lipstick tube having a specific lipstick color when viewing a tube color specific indicia through a top wall of the container, but which is also useful in aiding in the application of the lipstick.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a lipstick sorter and container for identifying a lipstick tube having a specific lipstick color when viewing a tube color specific indicia through a top wall of the container, and which is also capable of holding cosmetic accessories.

To overcome the problems of the prior art methods and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, briefly a lipstick sorting container is provided which includes a ridged box shaped holder having a bottom wall, side walls, an opening, and a first partition matrix housed within the sidewalls comprising an arrangement of lipstick tube containers into rows and columns each container configured in order to receive a lipstick tube when inserted into the box opening, and a top including a transparent top wall having a lower surface, side walls, and a second partition matrix connected to the lower surface comprising an arrangement of erasable indicia cells into rows and columns, the rows and columns of the second partition matrix configured in alignment with the rows and columns or the first partition matrix, each the cells to receive a separate lipstick color indicia when marked on the lower surface corresponding to a lipstick color of the lipstick tube contained in alignment with the indicia cell.

Additional advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will be obvious from that description or can be learned from practice of the invention. As used herein “indicia” means an actual lipstick color medium identifying a lipstick color and/or formulation. The advantages of the invention can be realized and obtained by the apparatus particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and which constitute a part of the specification, illustrate at least one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the lipstick sorting container in accordance with the present invention showing the top opening for receiving lipstick tubes and applying the color indicia.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lipstick sorting container in accordance with the present invention showing the top in a closed position for viewing a corresponding lipstick coloring medium.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lipstick sorting container in accordance with the present invention showing a foldable hinged top portion.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the lipstick sorting container hinge portion in accordance with the present invention showing a preferred embodiment where the hinge is foldable polymer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lipstick sorting container in accordance with the present invention showing the lipstick color medium indicia viewed through the transparent top and the accessory tray.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lipstick sorting container in accordance with the present invention showing an embodiment which includes the tray and mirror.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless specifically defined otherwise, all technical or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

Although any of the methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described. Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals represent like features of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing figures, the lipstick sorting container 10 is includes a ridged box shaped holder 12. The components of the holder 12 are preferably constructed of a molded polymer, such as polypropylene, polycarbonate, or Nalgene®. The holder 12 has a bottom wall 14, side walls 16, and an opening.

A first partition matrix 20 is housed within the sidewalls 16. The matrix 20 is preferably molded as an arrangement of lipstick tube containers 22 into rows and columns with each container 22 configured in order to receive a lipstick tube 23 inserted in either an upright or inverted position when placed into the box opening.

The top 30 has a transparent top wall 31 in order to viewing a lipstick color medium indicia simply from the upper surface of the top 30. The top 30 includes an erasable lower surface 32, side walls 34, and a second partition matrix 36 connected to the lower surface 32. The second partition matrix 36 is an arrangement of erasable indicia cells 38 into rows and columns. The rows and columns of the second partition matrix 36 are configured in alignment with the rows and columns or the first partition matrix 20. Each of the cells are designed to receive a separate lipstick color indicia 40 when a lipstick color is marked on the lower surface 32 which corresponds to a lipstick color and specific formulation of the lipstick tube 23 which is contained in alignment with the indicia cell 38.

In other embodiment, the lipstick container and sorter 10 may, but need not, include at least one tray 50 molded as an attachment to at least one of the side walls 16 for holding a cosmetic accessory, such as a brush. The lipstick container and sorter 10 may, but need not, also include a mirror 52 adhered as attachment to one of the sidewalls 16 for ease in application.

The top 30 of the lipstick container and sorter 10 is secured to the holder when not in use. In one embodiment (not shown), the top 30 includes four sidewalls 34 projecting downwardly in order to clearance fit the top 30 with the sidewalls 16 of the box shaped holder. In a preferred embodiment the top is fit to the holder with a hinge 60 such as a flexible folding hinge or a cylindrical fit including a piano hinge or clasp. A latch 70 such as a snap, hook or clasp may, or may not, be included to secure the top 30 in place the type of which is of any well known in the art.

In use, one opens the box shaped holder, opens a specific tube of lipstick 23, and marks the lower surface of the top wall 32 with the lipstick medium 40 contained within the tube 23 and inserts the lipstick tube 23 into the lipstick container 22 in alignment with the indicia cell 38. In this manner, the lipstick tube 23 is then easily indentified simply by viewing the lipstick color indicia 40 through the transparent top wall 32 of the top 30.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the embodiments as described and illustrated above, it will be appreciated and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that modifications may be made in the lipstick sorter and container assembly in accordance with the present invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as described and claimed herein.

Claims

1. A lipstick sorting container, comprising:

(a) a ridged box shaped holder having a bottom wall, side walls, an opening, and a first partition matrix housed within the sidewalls comprising an arrangement of lipstick tube containers into rows and columns configured in order to receive a lipstick tube when inserted into the box opening; and

(b) a top including a transparent top wall having a lower surface, side walls, and a second partition matrix connected to the lower surface comprising an arrangement of erasable indicia cells into rows and columns, the rows and columns of the second partition matrix configured in alignment with the rows and columns or the first partition matrix, each of the cells to receive a separate lipstick color indicia when marked on the lower surface corresponding to a lipstick color of the lipstick tube contained in alignment with the indicia cell.

2. The sorting container according to claim 1, further comprising a tray attached to at least one side wall for receiving a cosmetic accessory.

3. The sorting container according to claim 1, further comprising a mirror attached to at least one of the side walls.

4. The sorting container according to claim 1, further comprising a hinge means connecting a sidewall and the top.

5. The sorting container according to claim 1, further comprising a latch means secured to a lateral edge of the top and at an upper portion of at least one sidewall in order to secure the top in a closed position relative to the opening.

6. A method for sorting and containing a plurality of lipstick tubes in order to identify a respective lipstick color with a lipstick tube, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a ridged box shaped holder having a bottom wall, side walls, an opening, and a first partition matrix housed within the sidewalls comprising an arrangement of lipstick tube containers into rows and columns configured in order to receive a lipstick tube when inserted into the box opening;

(b) providing a top including a transparent top wall having a lower surface, side walls, and a second partition matrix connected to the lower surface comprising an arrangement of erasable indicia cells into rows and columns, the rows and columns of the second partition matrix configured in alignment with the rows and columns or the first partition matrix, each of the cells configured to receive a separate lipstick color indicia when marked on the lower surface corresponding to a lipstick color of the lipstick tube contained in alignment with the indicia cell;

(c) marking the lower surface of the top wall with a specific lipstick color indicia in an indicia cell;

(d) inserting a lipstick tube having the specific lipstick color into a lipstick container aligned with the indicia cell; and

(e) identifying the lipstick tube having the specific lipstick color by viewing the specific lipstick color indicia through the transparent top wall of the top.

7. The method for sorting and containing a plurality of lipstick tubes in order to identify a respective lipstick color with a lipstick tube according to claim 6, further comprising the step of providing a tray attached to at least one side wall for receiving a cosmetic accessory.

8. The method for sorting and containing a plurality of lipstick tubes in order to identify a respective lipstick color according to claim 6, further comprising the step of providing a mirror attached to at least one of the side walls.

9. The method for sorting and containing a plurality of lipstick tubes in order to identify a respective lipstick color according to claim 6, further comprising the step of providing a hinge means connecting a sidewall and the top.

10. The method for sorting and containing a plurality of lipstick tubes in order to identify a respective lipstick color according to claim 6, further comprising the step of providing a latch means secured to a lateral edge of the top and at an upper portion of at least one sidewall in order to secure the top in a closed position relative to the opening.