GB2509687A

GB2509687A - A make-up case with a retractable mirror

Info

Publication number: GB2509687A
Application number: GB201216698A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rehana Parveen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-19
Filing date: 2012-09-19
Publication date: 2014-07-16
Also published as: GB201216698D0

Abstract

A makeup case such as a lipstick or mascara case comprises a base and a lid, wherein a mirror tracks on two runners within the lid. Preferably, the mirror is housed within a cavity in the lid, and it may be spring biased to release the mirror from the cavity. The contents of the case may be offset from the center to accommodate the mirror. A mirror frame may be provided which can be held, minimizing the transfer of dirt or fingerprints onto the mirror. Polishing material may be included in the cavity to clean the mirror as it is inserted or removed. A catch may be provided on the lid to prevent displacement of the mirror. The mirror may be double sided, and each side may have a different magnification.

Description

PATENT APPLICATION

OF

REHANA PARVEEN

FOR

A MAKEUP CASE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a makeup case, more particularly but not exclusively a makeup case for application of solid state makeup.

Background

There are a number of products that require a mirror for application such as lipstick and mascara. Although they can be applied without the use of the mirror for best results a mirror is used.

Most commonly a user will make use of a standalone mirror such as a wall mounted mirror however, if the user is not at home or in a facility that has a mirror this can make application difficulty.

Alternatively people carry small pocket mirrors on them for use when out and about.

However, this requires the user to carry an additional item in their bag or pocket.

Typically the mirror can also easily become lost or damaged when being carried around.

Some products such as lipstick have integrated mirrors however, often these may be too small for a user to be able to see for example their full lips, and tend to easily dirty.

Some products include hinged or rotating mirrors that can be twisted into position however, this may result in a user's finger prints being left on the mirror whilst moving it into position and may also be costly to manufacture and easier to become broken.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Chinese utility model CN 201 426 478 (Zl-4AO), which involves one kind of cosmetic area of technology. Male knowledge lipstick, only then sole function, when forgets the belt mirror, when must use the lipstick, is not very convenient, is not too ideal. This model utility provides one kind the new lipstick tube which is composed of the mirror and the lipstick tube, its characteristic is: Establishes a small mirror on the lipstick tube's cover. When like this we use the lipstick, takes down directly the cover, at the same time saw on nearby cover's mirror to use the lipstick, was very convenient.

Chinese utility model CN 201 213 557 (QINGLANG) discloses a lipstick with an automatic slide-out mirror, which comprises a cover and a lipstick body The cover is connected with the lipstick body through a clamping point, wherein a mirror support is arranged inside the cover, and the mirror is fixed on the mirror support; two sides of the mirror support are provided with convex grooves, concave grooves corresponding to the convex grooves are arranged in the cover, the cover and the mirror support are connected through the convex grooves and the concave grooves, and the mirror support can only slide in the directions of the grooves; the mirror support is provided with a limit rod, and a spring is sleeved on the limit rod and is pressed in a limit hole in the cover; the mirror support is provided with a clamping position, another clamping position corresponding to the clamping position on the mirror support is arranged in the cover, the mirror support slides out the cover to a working position, and the two clamping positions are clamped mutually; and the initial length of the spring is larger than the length when the spring on the mirror support slides out to the working position. The mirror is arranged inside the cover, but the whole design of the appearance of a package is not affected; and when using the lipstick, a user can use the accessory hidden mirror capable of automatically sliding out.

Chinese utility model CN 201 085 217 (MENGZF-IE) relates to a lipstick box, belonging to a woman cosmetic product, which comprises a square lipstick base and a square lipstick cover that are corresponding each other, wherein the lipstick cover is buckled on the lipstick base, the lipstick cover is a sleeve-mounted double-layer push-pull structure, an inner sleeve cover is inserted into an outer sleeve tube, a mirror is arranged at side lace of the inner sleeve cover. The lipstick box of the utility model is self-attached with the small mirror in no need of carrying a small mirror additionally, the lipstick cover is removed and the inner sleeve cover is pushed out, so that the small mirror is exposed so as to be used for spreading lipstick, therefore the utility model is very convenient to be carried and used, moreover the push-pull operation of the inner sleeve cover is smooth and labor-saving, the small mirror can also be hidden in the lipstick box, and have larger area and convenient use, on one hand, integral appearance effect of the lipstick box is ensured, on the other hand, the mirror surface obtains good protection, so as to avoid the abrasion of mirror surface and ensure imaging effect.

Korean patent application KR 20 080 024 806 (OH et al) discloses a lipstick container with a mirror includes a container body, a cover body, an open portion and a rotation portion. A lipstick is coupled to the container body. The cover body is coupled to the container body, protects the lipstick and has a hinge insertion portion formed thereon to be coupled to the open portion. The open portion is coupled to the cover body with a hinge and is folded and unfolded with the hinge as a shaft. The rotation portion is coupled to the open portion by a coupling portion to be rotated and has a mirror attached thereto.

Granted French patent FR 2 889 427 (AUPIAIS) discloses a container that has a chamber parallel to the container and with width 1.5 times greater than a transversal dimension of a cavity housing a cosmetic applicator. A mirror slides parallel to a longitudinal axis of the chamber. The mirror is supported by a sliding support which has a cavity receiving the mirror. A side of the mirror is placed below an upper side of the support. The depth of the cavity of the mirror is greater than the thickness of the mirror inseparable from the chamber, and a stopper is provided.

In contrast the present invention provide a means of ensuring that an easily accessible mirror is available at relevant moments and is always clean and optimal.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a makeup case comprising: a base with chamber, and a lid, wherein a mirror with a reflective glass tracks on two runners within the lid.

Typically the mirror is housed within a cavity in the lid so that the mirror is separated from any contents in the lid and base, for example to prevent smudging of lipstick on the mirror, and so as to provide protection to the mirror whilst being carried around or should it be dropped.

It is envisaged the contents of the case may be offset to provide space for the mirror cavity and so as to give the impression of a square case when viewed externally.

Preferably the mirror can be extended from the lid but is not removable so as to ensure it is not lost or broken. Ideally the mirror can be extended to a maximum position so as to provide the user with suitable vision to apply for example lipstick or mascara.

In all preferred embodiments the mirror is housed in the lid so that when the lid is removed the contents of the base can be utilised using the mirror to assist, for example the application of lipstick or mascara. Having the mirror stowed in the lid also means that it is protected from spillage of the contents from the base on to the mirror.

Ideally the case is outwardly square in design so as to accept a flat mirror or convex mirror. Typically the lid fits over a base by a detent mechanism. Alternatively the lid may be attached to the base by a clip or screw mechanism.

Typically the mirror tracks to extend at least two thirds, so that maximal width may be visible in the glass, and a stop acts to halt sliding movement of the mirror on the tracks. In some embodiments this stop may be formed from a crimp, shape or arrangement of plastic.

Preferably the lid and base may be joined to form a flush exterior surface as the base has a reduced size of opening that fits contiguously within the lid.

It is envisaged a portion of the base receives the lid, and lid inner that accepts the base portion may not match square design, for example they may be round or ovaloid, in order that an èxtendable product such as lipstick, makeup, salve or other solid state makeup may be used or supported in the base.

In other embodiments the case may be round, ovaloid or multi-sided, and embodiments of the mirror may be arcuate, curved or otherwise convex.

Advantageously this alters reflections to show a greater area of the user, but not distort beyond utility.

In other embodiments the mirror is fully removable so that the mirror can be used independently of the case and is replaceable.

Ideally the mirror is positioned between two track runners that support the longitudinal edges of the mirror and enable it to be extended, in a sliding movement facilitated by the runners.

In order to easily extend the mirror the leading edge may be embossed with or project a small catch, said catch enabling a user to extend the mirror, typically using fingers or fingernails.

The lid ideally includes in addition or the alternative a notch or detent mechanism that holds the mirror in place when not in use, but is easily overcome when the mirror is extended from the cavity under gravity and/or manual interference.

In other embodiments the mirror may be biased to open or may include a spring bias acting to release the mirror from the cavity.

lh all preferred embodiments the mirror includes a frame that prevents, limits or minimises fingerprints, dust or dirt transference, so as to ensure a clean glass.

In all preferred embodiments the mirror has a resilient layer around the edge so as to protect from damage from continuous use or if the case were dropped. Typically this 36 is formed of a resilient material such as rubber or foam, preferably matched in colour to the case or contents.

In further embodiments in addition or the alternative the cavity may be lined so asto provide a cleaning surface for the mirror so that when it is returned to the cavity it passes against a cleaning surface such as a micro fibre cloth or tissue. The lining also serves to protect the mirror should it be dropped.

In advantageous embodiments the mirror may be double sided so that it can be viewed from either side. Additionally each mirror may have different magnifications so as to further assist the user with the application of the product.

In other embodiments the mirror may be folded and unfolded to reveal two mirrors. It is envisaged that each mirror may have different magnifications.

In preferred embodiments the lid is larger than the base so as to provide an increased stowage cavity for the mirror and removing requirements for the case to be of a larger size.

In a yet further embodiment the mirror may be greater in length than the lid so that part of the mirror is always exposed even when in a retracted position.

In all preferred embodiments the lid includes a formation accommodating of an offset mirror.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the case with lid and body separated and mirror extended from the lid; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the case embodiment with mirror retracted; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the lid; Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the case; Figure 5 shows side views of the case lid with mirror extended and case base; and Figure 6 shows a side view of the base and a base view of the lid in use.

The pictured and preferred embodiment includes a mirror held by catch which catch prevents the mirror from falling out, and wherein the glass is enclosed to protect from smudging. The mirror may be biased to open, weighted or quick sliding and frictionless and combine with a detent mechanism.

The mirror includes a frame to prevent contact with the surface of the mirror and is dimensioned to show lips and may be convex as may be helpful in round or arcuate case.

The case may include: Deeper lid side to hold mirror Lid may be a collar or pedestal Mirror may extend into lid and base The end of the lid is embossed to allow the user to easily retract the lid revealing the mirror and the end of the mirror has an embossed edge which will prevent the mirror from completely detaching from the lid.

Inside the lid is a slide rail or track that guides the mirror out. In some embodiments this may be formed from a crimp, shape or arrangement of plastic.

Claims

Claims 1 A makeup case comprising: a base with chamber, and a lid, wherein a mirror with a reflective glass tracks on two runners within the lid.
2. A case according to claim 1 wherein the mirror is housed within a cavity in the lid so that the mirror is separated from any contents in the lid and base.
3. A case according to claim 2 wherein the con(ents of the case may be offset.
4. A case according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the mirror includes a frame that prevents, limits or minimises fingerprints, dust or dirt transference, so as to ensure a clean glass.
5. A case according to claim 1 to 4 wherein the lid internally includes polishing material.
6. A case according to any preceding claim wherein the mirror is double sided.
7. A case according to any preceding claim wherein the tracks are formed from a crimp of the lid.
8. A case according to any preceding claim wherein there is provided a catch to prevent displacement of the mirror.
9. A method of providing a mirror according to any preceding claim or with reference to the figures.