WORK KIT FOR HAIR, MAKEUP AND GROOMING

Abstract

A plurality of makeup containers that can be layered laterally adjacent to each other is disclosed. In particular, a body of one container can be disposed within a lid of an adjacent container to conserve space. The lids do not typically have any function other than to keep the makeup components within the containers when the lids are closed. In this manner, the lids are used to hold adjacent containers and relative position to each other so that the plurality of makeup containers that might be laid out on a workspace are not disrupted when jostled. Moreover, the plurality of makeup containers may have features that allow the makeup containers to be vertically stacked upon each other for easy transport and compact carry.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a makeup work kit.

In the entertainment industry, a makeup artist must be efficient and effective at applying makeup to a subject in a variety of circumstances and conditions. Oftentimes, the makeup artist is required to work within cramped spaces within short time frames yet produce spectacular results. By way of example and not limitation, a jobsite will provide a work area for a makeup artist. The makeup artist must carry a plurality of makeup components to this assigned and provided work area and use the various makeup components to prepare a subject. Unfortunately, many work areas have limited space. Moreover, a limited work area may not sufficiently provide enough space to allow the artist to unpack and spread out the many needed tools and products necessary for preparing the subject. The artist, however, must work within the provided space, accessing products that are still packed, and needing to open the products, use, close and put them back in a bag to transport the products. The lack of proper set up creates these extra actions which wastes scheduled time that is meant to be devoted to the actual job of subject preparation. An entire crew of working individuals on a job can be kept waiting if this occurs, and an entire schedule can be greatly affected. This could ultimately result in a quite costly outcome for a client if a schedule is not met, putting a whole production behind. Accordingly, the work areas, time demands, and limits therein, create a highly stressed working environment, one which is counterproductive for not only the makeup artist, but for all those hired and waiting. A whole job/day is built around a subject. Moreover, a makeup artist must manage time and efficiency effectively, so as not to disrupt the entire process of the immediate job.

Moreover, a makeup artist may be required to travel from place to place. As such, the makeup artist must pack up each of the makeup components that were opened during the work session carry the makeup components to the new job site and set up again. Unfortunately, the packing and unpacking of the makeup components is time-consuming. Also, the makeup artist may leave a crucial makeup component at the first job site.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved makeup work kit.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The various embodiments disclosed herein address the needs discussed above, discussed below and those that are known in the art.

A work kit is the most important tool of the trade. It contains all the essential products an artist uses, and must include every item necessary to create any and every desired look. Each individual artist assembles his or her own work kit based on products and tools that are chosen from years of trial and error. Work kits will share many common items, however, no two will be exactly alike. The work kit is brought to and from every job. It is packed, unpacked, set up, used, and repacked which is oftentimes more than once a day. A work week could easily include, for example, a commercial at the beach one day, a photo shoot in a studio the next, a hotel room to prepare a celebrity for an appearance the following day, and finally flying out of town for a catalogue shoot immediately after that. This reality challenges any artist to keep track of all the items in his or her work kit. Items can be forgotten or left behind on previous jobs, and unfortunately, possibly go unnoticed until they are needed on a job again. Fortunately, the work kit described herein allows the artist to keep up with the busy demand schedule due to its unique design in allowing the artist to create a custom work kit suitable for his or her general work type, a particular job or a specific need which may arise. As ability and experience grows, so often, will the work kit. The work kit described herein helps the artist to manage the product so that the artist can remain focused on doing the actual job instead of wasting precious time and energy searching through, opening and closing, countless amounts of items in an overgrown, out of control work kit. This steals time and energy.

Container components will thus, create a working kit that allows an artist (hair, makeup, men's groomer) to *1* choose and use his or her personal favorite products inside *2* streamline, organize and consolidate products (more choices within). *3* saves space (set up, layout and packing of products. *4* improve speed and performance (easy open access and visual recognition), *5*stable and durable for moving and travelling (protects interior products-strong abs clear plastic)

Moreover, a better work kit means a better job performance. It creates an atmosphere for less stress and chaos on the job. It provides confidence for performance and helps the artist physically by enabling travelling from place to place to be accomplished with less weight. It helps to manage and afford the best use of time.

A plurality of makeup containers that assist hair/makeup/grooming artists in effectively and efficiently applying makeup within a short time frame and with limited work space is disclosed. In particular, the containers have a plurality of makeup compartments which contain makeup components. These makeup components may be powders, eye shadows, bobby pins, hair pomades/waxes, combs, brushes, razors, scissors, combs. The makeup compartments may fill the entire container or may only be distributed in certain portions of the container while leaving a negative space for larger makeup tools (e.g., brushes, lip liners, etc.). A lid of the container when open can receive a body of an adjacent container so that the plurality of containers may be layered laterally adjacent to each other. In this manner, the makeup containers can be spread out while taking up minimal space. Moreover, the container may be fabricated from a transparent material so that the makeup artist can visually inspect the makeup components contained within the container without having to open up the lid. If a certain makeup component is low, the makeup artist can refill such makeup component. Additionally, when the lids of the makeup containers are traversed to the closed position, the lids and bodies have mating protrusions or features that lock the containers vertically above one another.

More particularly, a makeup artist work kit is disclosed. The work kit may comprise a first container, a lid and a second container. The first container may have a body with a plurality of compartments for receiving a plurality of makeup components and maintaining separation between the plurality of makeup components. A bottom of the body may define an exterior length and width.

The lid may be pivotally attached to the body for covering an open top of the body during transportation. The lid when opened may define an interior length and width. A lower surface of the lid forms a seal with upper edges of walls that define the compartments and the open top of the body to isolate the makeup components during transportation when the lid is in a closed position.

The second container may have a body and a lid. A bottom of the body of the second container may have a length and width smaller than a length and width of the lid of the first container so that the first and second containers may be opened and layered body to lid to conserve space.

The lids may be fabricated from a transparent material so that the makeup components are visible when the lid is in the closed position. The lids and the bodies of the first and second containers may be fabricated from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic.

The first container may have a plurality of compartments for makeup components disposed on a first end of the body and an opposed second end may have a negative space for elongate makeup utensils.

The top surfaces of each of the lids of the containers may have an upper ridge. The lower surfaces of the body may have a lower ridge that mates with and locks the first and second containers into vertical position when the lids are closed and the first and second containers are stacked upon each other.

The upper edges of the walls that define the plurality of compartments may be coplanar with the upper edges of the walls defining the open top of the container.

In another aspect, a method of deploying a makeup artist work kit is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of pivoting a lid of a first container to an open position, the first container having a plurality of makeup compartments for receiving a plurality of makeup components; pivoting a lid of a second container to the open position, the second container having a plurality of makeup compartments for receiving a plurality of makeup components; and disposing a body of the second container within the lid of the first container to make efficient use of a work table.

The method may further comprise the steps of pivoting a lid of a third container to the open position, the third container having a plurality of makeup compartments for receiving a plurality of makeup components; and disposing a body of the third container within the lid of the second container to make efficient use of the work table.

The method may further comprise the steps of pivoting a lid of a fourth container to the open position, the fourth container having a plurality of makeup compartments for receiving a plurality of makeup components; and disposing a body of the fourth container within the lid of the third container to make efficient use of the work table.

The method may further comprising the steps of pivoting a lid of a fifth container to the open position, the fifth container having a plurality of makeup compartments for receiving a plurality of makeup components; and disposing a body of the fifth container within the lid of the first container adjacent to the second container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container for holding a makeup component;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the container with a lid in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container for holding a makeup component;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the container with the lid in the open position;

FIG. 5 illustrates the second embodiment of the container being layered into a lid of the first embodiment of the container for the purposes of conserving workspace;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the first embodiment of the container illustrating a protrusion for facilitating vertical stacking of the container; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the containers of the first and second embodiments being vertically stacked upon each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, a plurality of containers 10a, b that can be layered laterally and stacked vertically is shown. Each of the containers 10a, b has a low-profile configuration and a plurality of makeup compartments 12 for holding a plurality of makeup components separately in each of the makeup compartments 12. The lids 14a, b are traversable between a closed position (see FIG. 1) for transportation of the containers 10a, b and an open position (see FIG. 2) for use during a work assignment. When the lids 14a, b are traversed to the open position, a body 16a, b of one of the containers 10 may be disposed within the lid 14 of an adjacent container 10, as shown in FIG. 5 thereby layering the container 10a, b, body 16a, b to lid 14a, b. Moreover, when the makeup artist work assignment is completed, the lids 14 of the containers 10 may be traversed to the closed position to prepare the containers 10 for transportation. The containers 10 may be stacked one upon each other in a vertical fashion as shown in FIG. 7 for convenient carrying of the plurality of containers 10.

More particularly, referring now to FIG. 1, the container 10a is shown. The container 10a has a body 16a defined by a generally rectangular flat bottom 18 and a vertical wall 20 that circumscribes the periphery of the flat bottom 18. The flat bottom 18 and the vertical wall 20 define an interior cavity of the container 10a. Within the interior cavity of the container 10a, a plurality of dividers 22 are formed. These dividers 22 form isolated makeup compartments 12. The makeup artist may dispose a small quantity of makeup components into each of the makeup compartments 12. The dividers 22 extend from the flat bottom 18 to the same height 24 of the vertical wall 20 of the body 16 of the container 10. Accordingly, the upper edges 26 of the dividers 22 are coplanar with the upper edges 28 which form a seal with a lower surface 30 of the lid 14 when the lid 14a is in the closed position.

The plurality of makeup compartments 12 are shown as being disposed on one side of the container 10a. However, it is also contemplated that the plurality of makeup compartments 12 may be disposed at other areas within the container 10. By way of example and not limitation, as shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of makeup compartments 12 may be distributed throughout the entire interior cavity within the container 10b. It is also contemplated that the plurality of makeup compartments 12 may be distributed about the periphery of the container 10 while leaving a negative space 32 in the center of the containers 10. It is also further contemplated that a plurality of compartments 12 may be formed on both opposed end portions of the container 10 while leaving a negative space 32 therebetween in the middle.

The negative space 32 is for storing brushes, pencils, etc., namely, those makeup tools which do not fit within the makeup compartments 12.

The lid 14 is pivotably attached to the body 16 with a brass hinge for strength. The lid 14 of the container 10 is pivotable between an opened position (see FIG. 2) and a closed position (see FIG. 1). The lid 14 may be pivoted about 180° from the closed position so that the lid 14 may rest on the support surface 34 (see FIG. 2) upon which the container 10 rests during a makeup session. When the lid 14 is traversed to the closed position, shown in FIG. 1, the lower surface 30 of the lid 14 is closely adjacent to or contacts the upper edges 26 of the dividers 22 that form the makeup compartments 12 and the upper edges 28 of the body 16. In this manner, the makeup components disposed within the makeup compartments 12 are isolated from each other. During transportation, one makeup component does not shift into a different compartment 12 but rather stays within its isolated compartment 12 regardless of movement of the container 10.

The lower surface 30 of the lid 14 may be smooth. In certain instances, the makeup component may be a powdery substance or glitter. In this event, when the lid 14 is closed, a portion of the lower surface 30 of the lid may be covered with the makeup component by lightly shaking the container. When the lid 14 is traversed to the open position, the makeup artist may swab the portion of the lower surface of the lid 14 to pick up the makeup component. This allows the makeup artist to swab a small amount of makeup component with the brush or other makeup tool. The makeup artist may wipe the lower surface 30 of the lid clean, close the lid 14 to reapply the makeup component to the lower surface 30 of the lid 14 for subsequent swabbing.

The container 10 may have a locking mechanism to prevent lid 14 from opening inadvertently. The locking mechanism may include a hook 36 and a tab 38. When the lid 14 is traversed to the closed position, the hook 36 formed on the lid 14 engages the tab 38 formed on the body. The vertical wall 20 of the body 16 is flexible due to the material from which the body 16 is fabricated. When the hook 36 contacts tab 38, the vertical wall 20 flexes inward slightly and the tab 38 may flex outward to allow the hook to engage the tab 38 and lock the lid to the closed position.

The lid 14 may additionally have a side skirt 40 which extends downward when the lid 14 is in the closed position. The side skirt 40 helps to keep the makeup components within the container 10 during transportation and jostling of the container 10. Additionally, the side skirt 40 helps to position a plurality of containers 10 next to each other during a makeup session. By way of example and not limitation, the body of containers 10b may be disposed within the lid 14a of the container 10a. By doing so, the entire work area is effectively used and the lid 14 does not waste workspace.

More particularly, the lid 14 may define an inner width 42 and an inner length 44. Referring now to FIG. 4, the body 16b of the container 10b may define an exterior width 46 and an exterior length 48. The exterior width 46 of the body 16a, b of the container 10b may be smaller than the interior width 42 of the lid 14a of the container 10a. Moreover, the exterior length 48 of the body 16b of the container 10 may be smaller than the interior length 44 of the lid 14 of the container 10a. The body 16b of the container 10b may be disposed within the lid 14a of the container 10a. If sufficient room is provided, two (2) containers 10b may be disposed within the lid 14a of the container 10a.

The opposed sides of the side skirts 40 may be parallel with each other. The side skirts 40 may lock or hold the body 16b of the container 10b in place when disposed within the lid 16a of the container 10a. In this manner, as the makeup artist is working, the plurality of containers is held together on a work surface or area 34. As the makeup artist is reaching for each makeup component, the jostling of the containers 10 do not cause the containers to be disorganized. Rather, the containers 10 remain fixed in their relative position to the other container within the work kit. Also, this set up minimizes the workspace needed by the makeup artist.

It is contemplated that the containers 10 may be fabricated from an injection moldable material including but not limited to plastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, etc. These types of materials are preferably crack resistant even in the event that the containers 10a, b are dropped on the ground inadvertently. Moreover, the containers 10 may be fabricated from a transparent material. Preferably, the lids 14 are transparent so that the makeup artist may visually inspect the makeup components contained within the makeup compartments 12 without having to open up the lid 14. Moreover, it is also contemplated that the lid 14 does not necessarily have to be transparent but may be semitransparent or even opaque. Nonetheless, it is preferable to have the lid 14 be transparent so that the makeup artist can visually inspect the makeup components. Additionally, it is contemplated that the body 16a, b may be fabricated from a transparent material but may also be fabricated from a semitransparent or even opaque material.

The containers 10a, b may also be stackable upon each other in a vertical fashion. This is shown in FIG. 7. The upper surface 50 of the lid 14 may have a raised ridge 52. The raised ridge extends about the entire periphery of the lid 14. The bottom surface 54 of the flat bottom 18 may also have a protrusion 54 at the four corners of the flat bottom 18. When the containers 10 are stacked upon each other, the protrusions 54 are disposed within the interior of the raised ridge 52. In this manner, the protrusions 54 assist in stacking and holding the containers 10 one upon the other.

Referring now back to FIG. 1, the ridge 52 on the upper surface 50 of the lid 14 may define an interior width 56 and an interior length 58. The same may be true for the lid 14b of container 10b which is shown in FIG. 3. The ridge 52 may circumscribe the entire upper surface 50 of the lid 14. However, it is also contemplated that the ridge 52 may be formed of two smaller ridge segments on opposed diagonal corners of the lid 14. Preferably, four ridge segments are formed on the four corners of the lid 14.

The lower surface 55 of the flat bottom 18 may also have ridge segments 54, one on each corner of the flat bottom 18. However, it is also contemplated that the ridge segments 54 formed on the flat bottom 18 may be formed on only opposed diagonal corners of the flat bottom 18. The ridge segments 54 may define an exterior width 60 and an exterior length 62. The exterior width 60 of the ridge segments 54 formed on the flat bottom 18 may be smaller than the interior width 56 of the ridge 52 formed on the upper surface 50 of the lid 14. Likewise, the exterior length 62 of the ridge segments 54 formed on the flat bottom 18 may be smaller than the interior length 58 of the ridge 52 formed on the upper surface of the lid 14. In this manner, when the containers 10a, b are stacked upon each other, the ridge segments 54 of an upper container 10 are disposed within the interior of the ridge 52 of the lower container 10. The ridge 52 and the ridge segments 54 help to maintain the containers 10 stacked vertically upon each other.

It is also contemplated that the ridge 52 may be smaller than the footprint of the ridge segments 54 so that when the containers 10 are stacked upon each other, the ridge 52 formed on the lid 14 of the lower container 10 is disposed outside of the ridge segments 54.

Although the raised ridge 52 is shown as circumscribing the entire lid 14, it is also contemplated that the raised ridge 52 may be segmented ridges at two or more of the opposed corners, if not at all four corners. Moreover, it is also contemplated that the ridges may be indentations in which the protrusions 54 are inserted when the containers are stacked upon each other. Conversely, it is contemplated that the protrusions 54 may be formed as recesses in which the raised ridge 52 is received into when the containers 10 are stacked upon each other.

Once the containers 10a, b are stacked upon each other, it is convenient to place these containers 10a, b within a fitted bag or other carry compartment. It is also contemplated that the stacked containers 10 may be held together with a Velcro strip or rubber band.

During use, the makeup artist may have a plurality of containers 10. Each container 10 may include a variety of makeup components. Based on the work to be performed, the makeup artist may select one or more of these containers to properly complete the job. By selecting only those containers having the necessary makeup components, the makeup artists is traveling from jobsite to jobsite with only what is necessary to complete the job. Additionally, at the jobsite, the makeup artist may have a limited work area to lay out his or her makeup. To conserve space, the containers 10 are opened and layered next to each other in that the body 16 of one container 10 is disposed within the lid 14 of an adjacent container 10. In this manner, within a limited area, the makeup artist has access to a significant number of makeup components.

The various aspects of the work kit were described in relation to a makeup artist. However, the work kit may also be utilized by others in the entertainment industry for other purposes such as hair artist, men's grooming artist, hair and makeup artist, wardrobe stylist, tailor, manicurist and barber.

The containers 10 may be fabricated from a material so that the containers 10 may be easy to clean. Simply put, the makeup components are easy to clean off so that new makeup components or different makeup components may be filled in the compartments to reconfigure the combination of makeup components. A clean container also makes for a more aesthetically pleasing presentation. Moreover, the container 10 may be fabricated from a microwave safe material so that a clump of makeup components may be inserted into the compartment and the container/makeup component may be melted by microwave for aesthetics, efficient use of space and also ease of removal.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of configuring the compartments. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A work kit for hair, makeup and grooming, the work kit comprising:

a first container having a body with a plurality of compartments for receiving a plurality of components and maintaining separation between the plurality of components, a bottom of the body having exterior length and width; and

a lid pivotally attached to the body for covering an open top of the body during transportation, the lid when opened having an interior length and width;

wherein a lower surface of the lid forms a seal with upper edges of walls that define the compartments and the open top of the body to isolate the components during transportation when the lid is in a closed position;

a second container having a body and a lid, a bottom of the body of the second container having a length and width smaller than a length and width of the lid of the first container so that the first and second containers may be opened and layered body to lid to conserve space.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein the lids are fabricated from a transparent material so that the components are visible when the lid is in the closed position.

3. The kit of claim 1 wherein the lids and the bodies of the first and second containers are fabricated from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic.

4. The kit of claim 1 wherein the first container has a plurality of compartments for components disposed on a first end of the body and an opposed second end has a negative space for elongate utensils.

5. The kit of claim 1 wherein top surfaces of each of the lids has at least two upper ridges.

6. The kit of claim 5 wherein lower surfaces of the body has at least two lower ridges that mate with and lock the first and second containers into vertical position when the lids are closed and the first and second containers are stacked upon each other.

7. The kit of claim 1 wherein upper edges of the walls that define the plurality of compartments is coplanar with the upper edge of the walls defining the open top.

8. A method of deploying a work kit for hair, makeup and grooming, the method comprising the steps of:

pivoting a lid of a first container to an open position, the first container having a plurality of compartments for receiving a plurality of components;

pivoting a lid of a second container to the open position, the second container having a plurality of compartments for receiving a plurality of components;

disposing a body of the second container within the lid of the first container to make efficient use of a work table.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

pivoting a lid of a third container to the open position, the third container having a plurality of compartments for receiving a plurality of components;

disposing a body of the third container within the lid of the second container to make efficient use of the work table.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

pivoting a lid of a fourth container to the open position, the fourth container having a plurality of compartments for receiving a plurality of components;

disposing a body of the fourth container within the lid of the third container to make efficient use of the work table.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of:

pivoting a lid of a fifth container to the open position, the fifth container having a plurality of compartments for receiving a plurality of components;

disposing a body of the fifth container within the lid of the first container adjacent to the second container.