Abstract:
An accessory case, and method of using the same, is disclosed that comprises a plurality of removable pouches, wherein each pouch is fabricated from a translucent material and several of the plurality of pouches are colored and have a different color from each other pouch, so that articles within each pouch are readily identifiable.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a portable case for toting personal articles.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    People often tote personal articles such as money and cosmetic materials. In particular, cosmetic materials available to the consumers in the market place are very numerous. The cosmetic assortment that an individual consumer owns is entirely dependent upon that consumer&#39;s subjective preferences. A typical consumer of cosmetics normally desires an assortment of cosmetics which includes the desired colors, tints and hues to satisfy the consumer&#39;s preferences, in particular to fit and complement that consumer&#39;s facial characteristics, skin and hair color and condition, and even clothes. Additionally, various types of cosmetics may be desirable, for example, shadows, mascara, foundations, lipstick, powder, blush, lip-gloss and so on.  
           [0003]    Consumers are required to sort through and organize the various cosmetic materials to achieve a desired aesthetic presentation. For example, a certain cosmetic set complements a purple evening dress, while a completely dissimilar cosmetic set complements a green formal gown.  
           [0004]    After organizing the cosmetic materials, the consumer typically stores the cosmetics in an accessory case, known in the art. Known accessory cases tend to mix the once organized cosmetic materials with not only each other, but also other stored personal articles. This mixing become problematic when a person anticipates attending more than one type of occasion and stores more than one cosmetic set in the cosmetic bag. For each attended occasion, the consumer is again required to sort through the mixed and disorganized cosmetic materials and other personal articles.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    An accessory case is disclosed having a plurality of removable pouches. Each pouch is fabricated from a translucent material. Several of the plurality of pouches are colored and have a different color from each other pouch. Accordingly, colored pouches may be coordinated with stored articles. Stored articles include cosmetics, such as lipstick, mascara, etc. Stored articles also include other personal belongings, such as money and medical instrumentation. As such, the color of the pouch enables the easy identification of the articles within the pouch. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    In order that the manner in which the above recited and other advantages of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 a  is a top perspective view of an accessory case according to the invention, where the case is closed;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 b  is a side perspective view of the accessory case;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 c  is a front perspective view of the accessory case;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the accessory case;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a side view of the accessory case, where the case is opened;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a top view of the accessory case;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a top view of one portion of the accessory case;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 a  is a top view of another portion of the accessory case, exposing a removable section, where the removable section is opened and placed in a first configuration;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 b  is a top view of the accessory case, exposing a removable section, where the removable section is opened and placed in a section configuration;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is a top view of the accessory case, exclusive of the removable section;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is a rear view of the removable section;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a top view of the removable section;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is a side view of the removable section, where the section is closed; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 is a side view of the removable section, where the section is opened.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]    Turning to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an accessory case  1  according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Case  1  is shaped as a rectangular box. For purposes of illustration only, case  1  is eight inches in width, six inches in height, and three-and-a-half inches in depth. In comparison, an average woman&#39;s hand has a palm that is four-and-a-half inches in width, four inches in length, and has fingers that are four inches in length. Accordingly, case  1  will fit comfortably within the hand of an average woman, where only a couple of inches on either side of case  1  will protrude from either side of the hand.  
         [0022]    It is to be appreciated that for case  1 , any shape or dimension is appropriate that provides comfortable portability. For example, although the preferred shape of case  1  is rectangular, case  1  can be any shape, such as circular or triangular. Case  1  is fabricated from nylon. Alternatively, case  1  is fabricated from canvas, leather, or any tear-resistant material.  
         [0023]    Case  1  comprises top and bottom sections  3 ,  4 . Sections  3 ,  4  each include front face  3   a , top face  3   b , bottom face  3   c , and two side-faces  3   d ,  3   e . Top face  3   b  and side faces  3   d ,  3   e  are fabricated from a continuous piece of fabric, which extends to at least a portion of bottom face  3   c . Front face  3   a  is a singular piece of fabric that is stitched to the remainder of the faces of top or bottom section  3 ,  4 . Bottom face  3   c  joins top and bottom sections  3 ,  4 . Bottom face consists of a singular piece of fabric  3   f  stitched to front face  3   a  and the fabric that extends from side faces  3   d ,  3   e . Bottom face  3   c  includes backs  3   g ,  3   h  for securing binder to case  1  (discussed below).  
         [0024]    Case  1  has zipper  5 . Zipper  5  is connected to the bottom face  3   c  and the singular piece of fabric that composes top and side faces  3   a ,  3   d ,  3   e . Zipper  5  securely closes sections  3 ,  4 , so that the internal components are secured therein toting or storing accessory case  1 . Zipper  5  is fabricated from plastic so that zipper  5  may flex with sections  3 ,  4 . Alternatively, zipper  5  is fabricated from metal, or any suitable material known in the art.  
         [0025]    Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4, accessory case  1  comprises at least one internal pouch  6 - 9 . Pouches  6 - 9  are rectangular. For illustration purposes only, pouches  6 - 9  are six inches wide and four inches in height. Although the preferred shape is rectangular, pouches  6 - 9  can be any shape, such as circular or triangular, as long as pouches  6 - 9  fit within accessory case  1 .  
         [0026]    Pouches  6 - 9  connect to accessory case  1  via binder  13 . Binder  13  is rigid and capable of being opened so that pouches  6 - 9  can be individually added or removed, or so that new pouches may be added. Binder  13  restrains pouches  6 - 9  from being pulled outwardly from the center of case  1 . Accordingly, binder  13  makes pouches  6 - 9  taut so that the contents of pouches  6 - 9  are easily viewed and removed.  
         [0027]    In the preferred embodiment, binder  13  contains two binding elements  14 ,  15 . Alternatively, binder  13  contains many elements. For illustration purposes only, binder elements each have a one and three-quarter-inch diameter. Alternatively, binder elements have a smaller or larger diameter.  
         [0028]    According to the invention, each individual pouch  6 - 9  is colored, and at least some pouches  6 - 9  have a different color from the other pouch  6 - 9 . For example, pouch  6  is orange, pouch  7  is black, pouch  8  is purple, pouch  9  is green, et cetera. According to the invention, each individual pouch is easily distinguished from each other pouch.  
         [0029]    Pouches  6 - 9  are fabricated from a plastic mesh. Alternatively, pouches  6 - 9 . are fabricated from a canvas mesh, a leather mesh, or a mesh consisting of any tear resistant material. The mesh density of pouches  6 - 9  causes the center of pouches  6 - 9  to be transparent. Accordingly, pouches  6 - 9  allow internal items to be clearly viewed. Pouches  6 - 9  also allow the release of fragrances of stored perfumes or colognes.  
         [0030]    In the preferred embodiment, pouches  6 - 9  have front face  6   a  and rear face  6   b , which consist of a single layer of plastic mesh. Side edges  6   c ,  6   d , and bottom edge  6   e  each consist of multiple layers of plastic mesh. Edges  6   c - 6   e  are bound by stitching. The layering on edges  6   c - 6   e  highlights the color of each pouch  6 - 9 .  
         [0031]    Pouches each have zippers  10 - 12 . Zippers  10 - 12  close each pouch and secure the internal components of each pouch when accessory case  1  is opened or closed, during travel. Zippers  10 - 12  are fabricated similar to, and with the same alternatives as, zipper  5 , discussed above.  
         [0032]    Zippers  10 - 12  are stitched to top edge of pouch  6   f , and have fabric  6   g  that extends downwardly into pouch  6 - 9  by half-an-inch. Zippers  10 - 12  and fabric  6   g  are colored to match the respective color pouches  6 - 9 . Accordingly, the combination of zippers  10 - 12 , fabric  6   g  and top edge of pouch  6   f  highlights the color of each pouch  6 - 9 .  
         [0033]    In use, each pouch  6 - 9  contains dissimilar items and/or dissimilar sets of cosmetics. For example, pouch  6  contains money and pouch  7  contains portable medical instrumentation. Portable medical instrumentation includes, for example, nail cutters, nail files, a sewing kit, an asthma inhaler, insulin, et cetera.  
         [0034]    Pouches  8  and  9  contain dissimilar cosmetic sets. Pouch  8 , being a purple pouch, may contain a cosmetic set that is appropriately coordinated with garments complimented by a purple color. Pouch  9 , being a green pouch, contains a cosmetic set that is appropriately coordinated with garments complimented by green. Alternatively, pouch  8  contains a cosmetic set defined as eyeliner, lip liner, and the like, and pouch  9  contains a cosmetic set defined by nail polish, lipstick, perfume, and the like. Another pouch having a unique color (not shown) can contain a cosmetic set consisting of cosmetic instrumentation, such as known makeup application brushes.  
         [0035]    Pouches  6 - 9  are removable from accessory case  1 , as discussed. Accordingly, only necessary pouches  6 - 9  need be toted on any specific occasion. For example, when a purple evening gown is worn, purple pouch  8  is required while green pouch  9  is not required. In this situation, pouch  9  is removed from accessory case  1 . Accessory case  1  is thus toted with pouches  6 - 8 , so that money, instruments, and the appropriate cosmetic set is readily available. Alternatively, pouch  8  is removed from accessory case  1  and toted individually.  
         [0036]    Turning to FIG. 5, accessory case  1  includes a non-removable pouch  19 . Non-removable pouch is fabricated onto bottom section of case  4 . Non-removable pouch  19  is fabricated similar to, and with the same alternatives as, removable pouches  6 - 9 , discussed above. Non-removable pouch  19  includes pocket  20  and lid  21 . Lid  21  buttons onto pocket  20 . Alternatively, lid  21  zippers, magnets or any other known system is used to secure lid  21  to pocket  20 .  
         [0037]    Turning to FIGS. 6-11, accessory case  1  comprises an accessory mirror section  16 . Mirror section contains a mirrored top wall  17  and bottom wall  18 . Top and bottom walls  16 ,  17  have substantially the same outside dimension. For illustration purposes only, top and bottom walls  17 ,  18  are six and seven-eighths-inches in length by four and four-eighths-inches in height. It is to be appreciated that top and bottom walls  17 ,  18  are dimensioned fit within accessory case  1 . As disclosed above, in the preferred embodiment, case  1  is eight inches in width and six inches in height.  
         [0038]    Top and bottom wall  17 ,  18  are fabricated from cardboard. Alternatively, top and bottom wall  17 ,  18  are fabricated from plastic or another stiff material known in the art. Top and bottom wall  17 ,  18  are each enclosed in nylon. Alternatively, top and bottom wall  17 ,  18  are each enclosed in canvas, leather, or any tear-resistant material known in the art.  
         [0039]    Mirror section includes straps  23 ,  24  for holding both medical instrumentation and cosmetic instrumentation. Instrumentation straps  23 ,  24  are connected to bottom wall  18 . Instrumentation straps  23 ,  24  are fabricated from Spandex. Alternatively, instrumentation straps  23 ,  24  are fabricated from Lycra, or another stretchable fabric known in the art.  
         [0040]    Instrumentation straps  23 ,  24  are restrained by stitching  25 - 30 . For illustration purposes only, each stitching  25 - 30  is spaced apart by seven-eighths of an inch. It is to be appreciated that any spacing pattern is appropriate so long as instrumentation straps  23 ,  24  restrict lateral motion of instrumentation. For illustration purposes only, instrumentation straps  23 ,  24  are half-an-inch wide. It is to be appreciated that any width is appropriate so long as instrumentation straps  23 ,  24  cause instrumentation to adhere to bottom wall  18 .  
         [0041]    Turning to FIG. 8, mirror section  16  includes inner straps  31 ,  32 . Inner straps  31 ,  32  are each connected to both the top wall  17  and bottom wall  18 . Inner straps  31 ,  32  control the motion of top wall  17  relative to bottom wall  18 . When mirror section  16  is closed (FIG. 10), or opened, inner straps  31 ,  32  ensure a close relationship between top wall  17  and bottom wall  18 . Inner straps  31 ,  32  are fabricated from Spandex. Alternatively, inner straps  31 ,  32  are fabricated from Lycra, or another stretchable fabric known in the art.  
         [0042]    Turning to FIG. 9, mirror section  16  includes outer straps  33 ,  34 . Outer Straps  33 ,  34  are each connected to both top wall  17  and bottom wall  18 . Outer straps  33 ,  34  also control the motion of top wall  17  relative to bottom wall  18 . When mirror section  16  is opened, outer straps  33 ,  34  ensure that the angle created between top wall  17  and bottom wall  18  is equal to or less than a right angle. Accordingly, when mirror section  16  is opened within top section of accessory case  3 , outer straps  33 ,  34  inhibit leverage that would otherwise cause mirror section  16  to twist out of accessory case  1 .  
         [0043]    Mirror section  16  has first spacer bar  35  and second spacer bar  36 . For illustration purposes only, spacer bars  35 ,  36  have a diameter of half-an-inch. It is to be appreciated that spacer bars can have any diameter as long as the following objectives are met. The spacer bars  35 ,  36  provide spacing between top wall  17  and bottom wall  18  to assure that, when top wall  17  is closed against bottom wall  18 , instrumentation will not scratch mirrored top wall  17 . However, the spacer bars  35 ,  36  must be small enough to allow the accessory case  1  to close while containing mirror section  16  and removable pouches  6 - 9 .  
         [0044]    Spacer bars  35 ,  36  are manufactured from Styrofoam. Alternatively, spacer bars  35 ,  36  are manufactured from cardboard or plastic. Spacer bars  35 ,  36  are enclosed with materials that are similar to, and have the same alternatives as, top and bottom walls  17 ,  18 , discussed above.  
         [0045]    Mirror section  16  has Velcro strips  37 - 40 . Velcro strips  37 - 40  connect bottom wall  18  to top section  3 . Alternatively, snaps, buttons, zippers, magnets or the like connect mirror section  16  to accessory case  1 . Velcro strips  37 - 40  allow mirror section  16  to be either toted with accessory case  1  or toted separately. Alternatively, accessory case  1  can be toted with or without mirror section  16 .  
         [0046]    Turning to FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b , Velcro strips  37 - 40  provide two dissimilar configurations within case. The preferred configuration places mirrored top wall  17  away from pouches  6 - 9 . According to the preferred configuration, pouches  6 - 9  are easily flipped over binder  13  so the contents of pouches  6 - 9  are visible while mirror is also visible. This is beneficial when focus is needed on an object in the mirror while a medical or cosmetic instrument is needed from pouches  6 - 9 .  
         [0047]    The second configuration, due to Velcro strips  37 - 40 , places mirrored top wall  17  against pouches  6 - 9 . The diameter of binder  13  provides a grade for pouches  6 - 9  so that the tip of each consecutive pouch  6 - 9  is clearly visible behind mirrored wall  17 . Accordingly, while focus is on mirrored wall  17 , the pouches  6 - 9  are sill easily viewed in the background so that a particularly desired pouch can be quickly spotted and ascertained.  
         [0048]    Accordingly, the present invention provides an accessory case that helps maintain an orderly toting and storage system. The accessory case disclosed above enables fast and convenient identification of compartmentalized accessories, so the accessories are more easily retrieved. Moreover, the accessories are retrievable either individually or as a set.  
         [0049]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrated and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims and their combination in whole or in part rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.