US20030019502A1

US20030019502A1 - Apparatus for insulated cosmetic case

Info

Publication number: US20030019502A1
Application number: US09/912,880
Authority: US
Inventors: Martin Terzian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-07-25
Filing date: 2001-07-25
Publication date: 2003-01-30

Abstract

The present invention allows for a cosmetic case which is portable, lightweight and insulated to guard temperature-sensitive beauty aids carried therein from melting and/or freezing due to temperature extremes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of cases or containers used on a daily basis for carrying and/or storing cosmetics and protecting the contents therein.

2. Description of Prior Art

In this ever-increasing, mobile society, there is a need to have portable containers to carry and shield from the elements basic beauty aids used daily. While containers or cases for carrying and storing cosmetics have been known for many years in the prior art, such inventions do not address the problems associated with transporting and protecting beauty aids from the extremes of temperatures which result in the ineffectiveness and destruction of such cosmetics.

Cosmetics are meant to be stored and applied at room temperature. The containers from which cosmetics are typically transported outside the home, i.e., handbags of various materials such as leather, vinyl and plastic and cosmetic cases made of plastic, metal and the like, do not contain any insulating material to protect the beauty aids from melting or freezing in extremes of hot and cold temperatures.

While insulated containers used for storing, shipping and transporting items such as food have been around for many years, those containers are usually made of hard plastic and Styrofoam, which are inflexible and aesthetically not pleasing to the eye. Moreover, most insulated containers are bulky and large, hindering those containers' ability to be transported and stored.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an apparatus that overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art in the transportation, storage and preservation of cosmetics used outside the home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention allows for a cosmetic case which is portable, lightweight and insulated to guard the beauty aids carried therein from melting and/or freezing due to temperature extremes.

More specifically, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the insulated cosmetic case comprises one or more chambers coupled together by sewing, double-stitching, adhesively, or the like. At least one chamber is insulated against temperature variations with temperature-resistant, insulating material within all its interior walls for storing and transporting cosmetics that are both non-temperature and temperature-sensitive. The chamber may be also used for securing and transporting money, keys or other personal belongings. A closer such as a zipper or the like provides the means to completely close said chamber, forming a seal firmly securing and protecting items stored therein from the outside environment.

Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is a cosmetic case comprising two or more chambers coupled together by sewing, double-stitching, adhesively, or the like, with at least one chamber being insulated against temperature variations with temperature-resistant, insulating material within all of its interior walls for storing and transporting cosmetics that are both non-temperature and temperature-sensitive.

Furthermore, according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, one of the chambers contains a mirror within its walls, to allow one to view oneself while applying cosmetics.

Another alternative embodiment of the present invention contains within one chamber a semi-flexible, band structure fastened to one of the walls of that chamber to provide for the secure placement and storage of cosmetic application instruments, such as brushes, or the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cosmetic application instruments, which are placed in said chamber, may be prevented from contacting directly with the mirror contained within the chamber during its completely closed state by a impermeable structure, fastened on at least one side to the wall of said chamber.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the insulated cosmetic case is of a form, shape and size to be transported and stored in a typical ladies' handbag or concealed in the pocket of one's coat or pants. Other forms, shapes and sizes, however, of the present invention may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate by way of example and not limitation, the present invention, and together with the preceding general description and the following detailed description, explain the principles of the invention. [0015]
In the drawings: [0016]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the insulated cosmetic case, illustrating the insulated cosmetic case in its closed and most compact state. [0017]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the insulated cosmetic case in its fully opened state, illustrating its insulated internal chamber for the storage of non-temperature-sensitive and temperature-sensitive cosmetics. This Figure also illustrates the makeup mirror and the area wherein a makeup application brush set can be stored.[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments consistent with the present invention address the need for a cosmetic case which is portable, lightweight and insulated to protect the temperature-sensitive beauty aids carried therein from destruction due to temperature extremes, especially melting. An insulated cosmetic case ([0019] 1) is described. In order to store, transport and protect cosmetics, in an embodiment of the present invention, the insulated cosmetic case (1) comprises, a non-insulated internal chamber (2), an insulated second internal chamber (3) and a closer such as a zipper (4). In an alternative embodiment, the closer may be Velcro, buttons, snaps or the like.
Referring to FIGS. [0020] 1-2, the insulated cosmetic case (1) may be constructed of fabric, vinyl, leather, or other suitable material, having the components coupled together. For the purposes of this invention, coupling may be achieved by sewing, double-stitching, adhesively, or the like. The fabric may be treated with a stain-resistant product for protecting the insulated cosmetic case (1) from stains.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the insulated cosmetic case ([0021] 1) has at least two internal chambers (2) and (3). Each internal chamber (2) and (3) has a plurality of walls (5), (6), (7) and (8). The walls (5), (7) and (8) have an interior surface and an exterior surface, with wall (6) shared by internal chambers (2) and (3).
Although the present invention is described as having at last two internal chambers ([0022] 2) and (3), it can have additional internal chambers, of which one or more of the internal chambers are lined with insulating material that is padded, non-rigid, and lightweight for the easy storage of temperature-sensitive cosmetics.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the internal chamber ([0023] 2) is closed by the use of a Velcro strap (100) sewn, double-stitched, adhesively connected, or the like into the wall (6). The strap (100) securely closes the internal chamber (2) by connecting to a corresponding piece of Velcro (not shown) attached to the exterior of the wall (5).
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the internal chamber ([0024] 2) may contain a mirror (200) within the interior of the wall (5). The mirror (200) is large enough so that one can readily view oneself when applying cosmetics. The mirror (200) may be fixed to the interior of the wall (5) by sewing, gluing, or the like.
As shown in FIG. 2, in yet another embodiment, the internal chamber ([0025] 2) contains a semi-flexible, band structure (20) fastened into the wall (6) to provide for the insertion, holding, and securing of cosmetic application instruments. The band structure (20) may be constructed of elastic or other suitable material which is readily fastened to the wall (6) by means of intermittent stitching in spaced-apart relation to one another for forming slots between the band structure (20) and the wall (6). Although cosmetic application instruments are necessary for the proper application of many beauty aids, such applicators are temperature resistant and thus are unnecessary to store in the internal chamber (3).
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, the band structure ([0026] 20) is enclosed behind an impermeable structure (40) fastened by sewing, gluing, or the like to the wall (6) to keep residual makeup retained on the cosmetic applicators from impacting, smudging or otherwise marking the mirror (200). The impermeable structure (40) may be made of plastic, vinyl, or the like. As used herein, impermeable refers to a structure that when either wet or dry will block the transfer of cosmetic residue remaining on the cosmetics' applicators to the mirror (200).
As depicted in FIG. 2, in an embodiment of the present invention, the interior of the walls ([0027] 6), (7) and (8) of the internal chamber (3) are lined with insulating material that is padded, non-rigid, and lightweight for the easy storage of temperature-sensitive cosmetics. The insulating material lining the walls (6), (7) and (8) may be formed of a lightweight polymeric material, such as polystyrene or polyurethane foam, which provides the characteristic of structure and padding without being too inflexible and stiff. Insulating material of that type, allows for the present invention to be both thermal resistant, yet compact and portable.
The internal chamber ([0028] 3) is closed and the materials contained within are secured by a conventional zipper (4), which brings the walls (6) and (8) together, creating a seal and a thermally secure internal chamber (3), as depicted in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the internal chamber (3), in addition to storing temperature-sensitive cosmetics, may be utilized to hold paper money, coins, personal identification, credit cards, or other like items.
Thus, an apparatus for an insulated cosmetic case is disclosed. Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to these embodiments, and equivalents may be substituted for elements in these embodiments, without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings should be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. [0029]

Claims

I claim:

1) A cosmetic case, comprising:

a plurality of internal chambers, wherein a first of said plurality of internal chambers has a floor and a peripheral wall projecting upward from said floor, and wherein said first of said plurality of internal chambers is insulated against temperature variations with temperature-resistant, insulating material; and

a closer, said closer being arranged to substantially enclose said plurality of internal chambers.

2) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 1, wherein said first of said plurality of internal chambers contains a mirror.

3) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 1, wherein a second of said plurality of internal chambers contains a mirror.

4) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 2, wherein said first of plurality of internal chambers contains a semi-flexible, band structure fastened into one wall of said plurality of internal chambers.

5) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 3, wherein said second of said plurality of internal chambers contains a semi-flexible, band structure fastened into one wall of said plurality of internal chambers.

6) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 4, wherein said semi-flexible, band structure is enclosed by an impermeable structure.

7) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 5, wherein said semi-flexible, band structure is enclosed by an impermeable structure.

8) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 1, wherein said first of said plurality of internal chambers contains a semi-flexible, band structure fastened into one wall of said plurality of internal chambers.

9) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 1, wherein a second of said plurality of internal chambers contains a semi-flexible, band structure fastened into one wall of said plurality of internal chambers.

10) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 8, wherein said semi-flexible, band structure is enclosed by an impermeable structure.

11) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 9, wherein said semi-flexible, band structure is enclosed by an impermeable structure.

12) A cosmetic case, comprising:

an internal chamber, wherein said chamber has a floor and a peripheral wall projecting upward from said floor, and wherein said internal chamber is insulated against temperature variations with temperature-resistant, insulating material; and

a closer, said closer being arranged to substantially enclose said internal chamber.

13) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 12, wherein said internal chamber contains a mirror.

14) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 13, wherein said internal chamber contains a semi-flexible, band structure fastened into the one wall of said internal chamber.

15) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 14, wherein said semi-flexible, band structure is enclosed by an impermeable structure.

16) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 12, wherein said internal chamber contains a semi-flexible, band structure fastened into one wall of said internal chamber.

17) A cosmetic case as recited in claim 16, wherein said semi-flexible, band structure is enclosed by an impermeable structure.