Cosmetic Holder

Abstract

This cosmetic holder integrates cosmetic products or makeup into accessories, such as rings, bracelets, watches, or necklaces. This invention minimizes or eliminates the need to carry a bulky handbag or cosmetic compact case, enabling a woman to appear more chic and elegant, particularly useful during formal event. The cosmetic holder stores makeup in a removable pan, which fits inside one or more containers that are fastened to an accessory. Because the pans store a broad range of makeup, the interchangeability feature of the pan enables a person to carry different colors of makeup using the same cosmetic holder. A cover is fastened to the container to not only conceal the makeup, but also provide a surface for personalized engravings, emboss, or precious stones, which further enhancing the attractiveness of the cosmetic holder.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/381,146 filed on Sep. 9, 2010 by Satin Van Cleef entitled “Cosmetic Holder” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cosmetic holder useful for the storage, transport, and application of all cosmetic products. This invention eliminates or minimizes the need to keep cosmetic products inside a purse, enabling a person to carry of a much smaller or less bulky purse.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To beautify a woman's face, the cosmetic industry created a variety of makeup, which include blush, eye shadow, lipstick, mascara, and press powders. Such makeup comes in an assortment of colors. Various tools such as brushes, pens, or applicators are required to apply make-up. When at home, there is plenty of space to scatter numerous cosmetic products on a table or in front of a sink with a mirror. But when away from home, a woman must figure out how to carry a collection of these cosmetic products in a hand bag, the same handbag that carries a purse, cellular phone, keys, and other non-cosmetic items. Existing methods to transport cosmetic products require a large and bulky handbag. However, women prefer to carry smaller handbags, or avoid carrying a handbag altogether, especially during events that require dancing or wearing of formal attire, yet have access to cosmetic products when needed. Existing patents do not teach ways to conceal, transport, or store cosmetic products in jewelry or accessories.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,951 issued on Apr. 28, 1981 to Siegel discloses the use of interchangeable handbag compartments or organizers. While the handbag organizer improves the use of space within a handbag, cosmetic products must still be kept in a handbag, which is not convenient to carry during formal events, especially when such events require ballroom or modern dancing.

U.S. Pat. No. D 274,900 issued on Oct. 9, 1984 to Sweder discloses another wrist-borne cosmetic compact. While the compact does not require storage in a handbag, the patent does not teach the use of the compact as an accessory. Specifically, it does not teach the integration of functional components such as a timepieces or precious stones, enabling it to function as a watch or bracelet. Furthermore, the patent does not teach the use of a compartment to hold an applicator, integration of one or more containers, or interchangeable pans to make the device more efficient and environmentally friendly.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,127 issued on Dec. 20, 1983 to Geer discloses a compact case with interchangeable cosmetic inserts. While the compact case allows the transport a variety and small amounts of cosmetic products, it must also be kept in a handbag, which is not convenient to carry during formal events. Furthermore, a person must dig through an often-cluttered handbag to find the desired compact case.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,697 issued on Apr. 9, 1991 to Jimbo et al. discloses the use of magnets to attach a plurality of cosmetic pans to the bottom of a makeup case. U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,553 issued on Aug. 12, 1997 to Giese et al. claims the use of U-shape channels and ejectors to attach and remove a plurality of cosmetic pans to and from the bottom of a makeup case. U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,420 issued on Sep. 29, 1998 to Sussman claims the use of guide pin to anchor a plurality of makeup modules to the base of a makeup case. While these patents teach different ways to secure a plurality of cosmetic pans to the bottom of a makeup case, a woman must nevertheless store and transport the compact case in a handbag, which is not always convenient to carry during a formal event.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,130 issued on Apr. 17, 1990 to Sweder discloses a method to secure a cosmetic case to the steering wheel of a vehicle. While this method overcomes the hindrances of carrying a cosmetic case in a handbag, the cosmetic product is inconveniently located in a vehicle. Walking to a parking lot or asking a valley to fetch one's car to freshen up is not practical.

U.S. Pat. No. D436,421 issued on Jan. 16, 2001 to Cooper discloses a wrist mounted cosmetic makeup compact case. U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,970 issued on Mar. 18, 2003 to Phue discloses the use of a belt or Velcro to wear the case around a user's wrist, ankle, or neck. When a cosmetic case is worn, it impeded the wearing of attractive jewelry or accessories around one's wrist, ankle, or neck. While fastening a cosmetic case around one's wrist allows immediate access to the cosmetic products, generally, women do not want to display a cosmetic case around their wrist, ankle, or neck because it is aesthetically unappealing. A cosmetic case is not an accessory, or regarded as jewelry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cosmetic holder is a convenient, portable, and aesthetically appealing way to carry cosmetic products. Unlike existing methods, which require a handbag or cosmetic case to transport cosmetic products, this invention integrates cosmetic products into accessories, including but not limited to watches, rings, necklaces, or jewelry. By using this invention, there is no longer a need to dig or search through a pile of items (e.g., purses, keys, cell phone, other non-cosmetic products) within a handbag to find the right makeup. By combining cosmetic products and an accessory, a woman may carry a smaller handbag or avoid carrying a handbag altogether, especially useful during formal events that require dancing. Furthermore, the cosmetic product would be organized at different locations, e.g., on one's neck or wrist, facilitating retrieval or access to a desired makeup.

The cosmetic holder comprises of one or more containers attached to an accessory. The cosmetic holder may be worn on a person's finger, wrist, arm, neck, waist, ankle, or leg. Types of accessories include, but not limited to the following: ring, bracelet, watch, band, necklace, collar, hair clip, or belt.

The container may have one or more sides creating shapes that include a regularly shaped polygon, for example: circle, triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, or decagon. The shape of the container may also be an irregularly shaped polygon, such as an animal, flower, and other objects.

The cosmetic holder has a removable pan, which enables the cosmetic holder to store a variety cosmetic product, including lip gloss, lipstick, foundation, and blush. Furthermore, the interchangeability of pans makes the refilling process easier. Consequently, the cosmetic holder is green or environmentally friendly.

The pan holds one or more cosmetic product. For example, the pan may store makeup in one or more colors. The purpose is to allow a person to apply cosmetic in not only a single color, but also a blend of colors. In another embodiment, the pan holds foundation on one-half and blush on the other half.

The pan is secured to the inside face of the container with or without fasteners. If fasteners are used, they include magnetic fasteners, snap fasteners, hooks, latches, or friction. Though not required, utilizing a fastener is recommended, if the cosmetic holder is typically in a vertical configuration, for example, when worn around a person's neck.

The pan may also be secured to the container with a cover, which may move between open and closed configurations by one or more interlocking device, such as a hinge, joint, bearing, pivot, pin, slide, rail, track, guide, or channel.

The cover may have a locking mechanism to keep the cover in a closed configuration, until a person intentionally accesses the makeup. The locking mechanism includes, but not limited to, a hook, clip, clasp, lock, latch, linkage, magnetic fastener, snap fastener, joint, or other joining methods known in the art.

The pan may consume less volume than the container, allowing a compartment to hold an applicator, such as a brush, pencil, or pen. The applicator is hidden from view until it is needed. In one embodiment, a spring is used to eject the applicator to facilitate access or retrieval.

The cover may include designs that increase the aesthetic appeal of the cover. For example, the cover may contain etching or precious stones. In one embodiment, a person's initials were etched onto the cover. In another embodiment, precious stones were affixed to the cover. The cover may include mechanical or electronic devices, such as a watch, thermometer, compass, or heart rate monitor.

One or more containers may be affixed to an accessory. This enables not only the storage of multiple cosmetic products on a single cosmetic holder, but also enables the storage of an applicator, such as a brush, pencil, or pen. A cosmetic holder with multiple containers is useful for storing wider brushes typically used to apply foundation or blush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder showing a wrist band, container, cover, and pan.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1, showing a cover in an open configuration and a pan removed from the container.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1, showing a cover in an open configuration and a pan secured on the inside face of the container.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1, showing a cover in a closed configuration with a pan secured on the inside face of the container.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1, showing a cover in an open configuration and a pan removed from the container.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1, showing a cover in an open configuration and a pan secured on the inside face of the container.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 1, showing a cover in a closed configuration with a pan secured on the inside face of the container.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a cosmetic holder showing the cover as a watch that is attached to a container, which is fastened to a watchband.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a cosmetic holder showing the cover as a watch that is attached to a container, which is fastened to a watchband.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a cosmetic holder showing the cover as a watch that is attached to a container, which is fastened to a watchband.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 8, showing the cover as a watch in an open configuration and a pan removed from the container.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 8, showing the cover as a watch in an open configuration and a pan secured on the inside face of the container.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 8, showing the cover as a watch in a closed configuration with a pan secured on the inside face of the container.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder showing a container attached to a ring.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder in FIG. 14, showing a pan secured to the inside face of the container and a cover in a closed configuration.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a cosmetic holder showing a container attached to a necklace.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 16, showing the cover in an open configuration and a pan removed from the container.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 16 showing the cover in an open configuration and a pan secured on the inside face of the container.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a cosmetic holder identified in FIG. 16, showing the cover in a closed configuration with a pan secured on the inside face of the container.

FIG. 20 is a top sectional view of a container with a compartment and an applicator removed from the compartment.

FIG. 21 is a top sectional view of a container with a compartment that houses an applicator, which is compressing a spring.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a container with an applicator removed from the compartment and a spring in an uncompressed configuration.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a container with a compartment identified in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view a locking mechanism; specifically, a hook latch that is attached to the side face of a container and cover.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the locking mechanism identified in FIG. 24 with the hook latch in a unlocked configuration.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view the locking mechanism identified in FIG. 24, with the hook latch in a locked configuration.

FIG. 27 is an enlarged view the locking mechanism identified in FIG. 24, with the hook latch in a locked configuration.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a cover with engraved initials.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a cover with precious stones affixed to its top surface.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of two containers attached to a wristband, with the covers in an open configuration.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of two containers attached to a wristband identified in FIG. 30 with the covers in a closed configuration.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of three containers attached to a wristband, with the covers in an open configuration.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of three containers attached to a wristband identified in FIG. 32 with the covers in a closed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As depicted in the accompanying drawings, this invention is a cosmetic holder designed to store or transport cosmetic products or makeup, such as blush, eye shadow, lipstick, mascara, and press powders. In FIG. 1, the makeup is stored on the top face 13 of a round pan 10, which is removably attached to the inside face 21 of a container 20. FIGS. 20-23 illustrate another embodiment where the removable pan 10 is rectangular. Because accessories or jewelries come in numerous aesthetically pleasing shapes and sizes, the pan 10, conforming to the shape of the container and housed inside the container 20, may have numerous shapes and sizes, including regularly shaped polygons (e.g., circle, triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon, nonagon, or decagon) or irregularly shaped polygons (e.g., animal, flower, or other objects). A person may collect a variety of pans 10, containing different types of makeup in a variety of colors. Each pan may store makeup in one or more colors, so an appropriate color, or gradient of colors, can be achieved. The pans associated with a particular accessory are similar or identical in shape and size to facilitate the interchangeability of pans.

The pan 10 in FIG. 1 has a flange 11 with an outside edge that contours the sidewall 23 of the container 20. The flange 11 forms a shoulder 12 that rests on the top surface 22 of the container 20, minimizing the visible gap between the pan 10 and container 20. The diameter of the outside wall of the pan 10 is smaller than the diameter of the inside wall 28 of the container 20, allowing the pan 10 to be housed inside the container 20. The dimensions of the pan 10 may either maximize the amount of space inside the container 20 or provide an ideal amount of space to store makeup. In another embodiment, the outside wall of the pan 10 is tapered, so the pan 10 may press fit to the inside wall 28 of the container 20, whereby friction secures the pan 10 to the inside wall 28 of container 20. In another embodiment, the pan 10 is secured to the container by one or more fasteners, such as magnetic fasteners, snap fasteners, hooks, latches, or ejectors.

In FIGS. 2-7, 11-15, and 17-19, the pan 10 is secured to a container 20 by a cover 30, which can move between an open configuration 35 and a closed configuration 36, to allow a person to conceal cosmetic products within the container 20. The cover 30 is fastened to the container 20 by an interlocking device such as a hinge 37. The cover may move between an open configuration 35 and a closed configuration 36 by other interlocking devices, such as a joint, bearing, pivot, pin, slide, rail, track, guide, or channel.

In FIGS. 24-27, the cover 30 has a locking mechanism 38, namely a hook latch 39 to ensure that the cover 30 is kept in a closed configuration 36, until a desired time. The locking mechanism 38 includes, but not limited to, a hook, clip, clasp, lock, latch, linkage, magnetic fastener, snap fastener, joint, or other joining mechanisms known in the art.

The cover 30 is made of opaque material functions to conceal the makeup inside the container, increase the aesthetic appearance of the cosmetic holder. In FIGS. 28-29, different embodiments of a cover 30 are illustrated. In FIG. 28, a person's initials are engraved 31 on the top surface of the cover 30 to personalize the cosmetic holder. Images, symbols, or terms of endearment may also be engraved or embossed on the cover 30. FIG. 29 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, where precious stones 32 are affixed to the top surface of the cover 30 in a circular pattern. While FIGS. 28-29 exemplify two ways to improve the aesthetic appeal of the cosmetic holder, other variations are within the scope of this invention.

The embodiments in FIGS. 8-10 illustrate the cover 30 as a timepiece 33, so the cosmetic holder functions as a watch. In this embodiment, the timepiece 33 is a mechanical device. In another embodiment, the cover 30 is an electronic device that provides a digital display of time and performs other functions (e.g., stopwatch, timer, thermometer, compass, heart rate monitor). In another embodiment, the cover 30 is a mirror or reflective surface. In FIG. 11, the cover 30 is in an open configuration 35 with the pan 10 removed from the container 20. In FIG. 12, the pan 10 is secured to the inside of the container 20. In FIG. 13, the cover, which is fastened to the container 20 by a hinge 37, is in a closed configuration 36.

The container 20 may also house an applicator 27, such as a brush, pencil, or pen. In another embodiment depicted in FIGS. 20-23, the inside wall of the pan 10 is rectangular and do not completely conform to the shape of the inside wall 21 of the container 20. Instead, a outside wall of the pan 10 is set back to allow space for a compartment 24 to hold or store an applicator 27, such as a brush, pencil, or pen. The applicator 27 is inserted into the compartment through an opening in the sidewall 23 of the container 20. As illustrated in FIG. 23, when an applicator 27 is stored inside the compartment 24, the applicator 27 is concealed from view with the bottom end of the applicator 27 handle flush with, or slightly protruding from, the sidewall 23 of the container 20. In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21, removal of an applicator 27 from the compartment 24 is facilitated by a compression spring 26, which ejects the applicator 27 to a distance that is sufficient for a person to grab the handle of the applicator 27 and fully remove the applicator 27 from the compartment 24.

As illustrated by the embodiments in FIGS. 30-33, one or more containers 20 may be affixed to an accessory 40. This not only enables the storage of multiple cosmetic products on a single cosmetic holder, but also enables the storage of wider applicator 27, such as a foundation or blush applicator 27 on the same device. It is desirable to have makeup and its corresponding accessory kept together or within the same proximity.

One or more containers 20 are affixed to an accessory by fasteners, including dowels, pins, clamps, clips, screws, bolts, rivets, fasteners, clasps, hooks, latches, links, lock and key, adhesives, nails, or welds. FIG. 7 illustrates the use of a spring bar 41 to secure a container to an accessory 40, namely a watchband. In FIGS. 11-13 welds are used to secure a container to another type of accessory 40, namely a ring. FIGS. 17-19 illustrate the use of a link 42 to secure a container 20 to another type of accessory 40, namely a necklace. FIGS. 30-33 illustrate the use of adhesives to secure one or more containers to yet another type of accessory 40, namely a wristband.

In other embodiments, one or more containers 20 are affixed to a broad range of accessories 40, including a bracelets, watches, collars, hair clips, or belts. Accessories 40 are also defined as any items regarded as jewelry, including wristbands, watchbands, or earrings. This invention teaches ways to combine cosmetic products and accessories 40, so the cosmetic products become an integral part of the accessories 40 or regarded as accessories 40 themselves. This allows a person to carry and transport makeup in a chic and efficient manner, while minimizing or eliminating the need to carry makeup in a handbag.

The descriptions of the structure, function, or methodological acts are not limited to the specific structures, functions, or acts provided. The description and drawings are intended to be exemplary, illustrative, and not to restrict the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art may modify the embodiments, yet remain within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cosmetic holder, comprising:

a. an accessory,

b. one or more containers affixes to the accessory,

c. a pan that stores one or more cosmetic products or makeup, whereby the pan is removably or interchangeably attached to the container; and,

d. a cover with means to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration relative to the container.

2. The cosmetic holder of claim 1, wherein the accessory is a ring, bracelet, watch, band, necklace, collar, hair clip, belt, or earring.

3. The cosmetic holder of claim 1, wherein the container is either a regularly or irregularly shaped polygon.

4. The cosmetic holder of claim 1, wherein the movable means is one or more interlocking devices, hinges, joints, bearings, pivots, pins, slides, rails, tracks, guides, or channels.

5. The cosmetic holder of claim 1, wherein the cover has one or more etchings, engravings, embosses, precious stones, or combination thereof.

6. The cosmetic holder of claim 1, wherein the cover is a watch, timepiece, stopwatch, timer, thermometer, compass, heart rate monitor, mirror, or combination thereof.

7. A cosmetic holder, comprising:

a. an accessory,

b. one or more containers affixed to the accessory,

c. a removable or interchangeable pan that stores one or more cosmetic products or makeup, wherein the pan has a flange with an outer edge that contours the sidewall of the container, wherein the shoulder of the flange rests on the top surface of the container;

d. a cover, which is fastened to the container, has means to move between an between an open configuration and a closed configuration relative to the container; and,

e. a locking means to ensure the cover is kept in a closed configuration, pressed against the container, until a desired time.

8. The cosmetic holder of claim 7, wherein the accessory is a ring, bracelet, watch, band, necklace, collar, hair clip, belt, or earring.

9. The cosmetic holder of claim 7, wherein the container is either a regularly or irregularly shaped polygon.

10. The cosmetic holder of claim 7, wherein the movable means is one or more interlocking devices, hinges, joints, bearings, pivots, pins, slides, rails, tracks, guides, or channels.

11. The cosmetic holder of claim 7, wherein the cover has one or more etchings, engravings, embosses, precious stones, or combination thereof.

12. The cosmetic holder of claim 7, wherein the cover is a watch, timepiece, stopwatch, timer, thermometer, compass, heart rate monitor, mirror, or combination thereof.

13. A cosmetic holder, comprising:

a. an accessory,

b. one or more containers with means to affix to the accessory,

c. a removable or interchangeable pan that stores one or more cosmetic products or makeup, wherein the pan has a flange with an outer edge that contours the sidewall of the container, wherein the shoulder of the flange rests on the top surface of the container;

d. a cover that is secured to the container with fastening means to allow the cover to move between an between an open configuration and a closed configuration relative to the container,

e. locking means to ensure the cover is kept in a closed configuration, until a desired time; and,

f. a compartment that stores an removable applicator, which is concealed from view with the bottom end of the handle of the applicator flush with, or slightly protruding from, the sidewall of the container.

14. The cosmetic holder of claim 13, wherein the accessory is a ring, bracelet, watch, band, necklace, collar, hair clip, belt, or earring.

15. The cosmetic holder of claim 13, wherein the container is either a regularly or irregularly shaped polygons.

16. The cosmetic holder of claim 13, wherein the fastening means of the cover is one or more interlocking devices, hinges, joints, bearings, pivots, pins, slides, rails, tracks, guides, or channels.

17. The cosmetic holder of claim 13, wherein the cover has one or more etchings, engravings, embosses, precious stones, or combination thereof.

18. The cosmetic holder of claim 13, wherein the cover is a watch, timepiece, stopwatch, timer, thermometer, compass, heart rate monitor, mirror, or combination thereof.

19. The cosmetic holder of claim 13, wherein the locking means is a hook, hook latch clip, clasp, lock, latch, linkage, magnetic fastener, snap fastener, or joint.

20. The cosmetic holder of claim 13, wherein the compartment has a compression spring that can eject the applicator to a distance that is sufficient for a person to grab the handle of the applicator and fully remove the applicator from the compartment.