Abstract:
A portable carrying for transporting cosmetics, office tools and the like holds a series of desired implements in a ready to use position by providing a flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid, carrying case having an attachable surface thereon, which permits removably attaching at least one small item thereto, preferably using a hook and loop assembly.

Description:
[0001]    This invention relates to a portable carrying case and more particularly to a portable carrying case adapted to provide easy access to office items, cosmetics, or the like.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In this hectic world, portability offers great advantages. If an item or a series of items can be contained and transported simply, great advantage can be obtained. The container must, however, provide both ease of storage and access to the items contained therein, while sacrificing the desire of neither aspect. However, clearly these requirements work against each other. Ease of storage for a container holding a plurality of items requires a relatively small size. The small size works against ease of access. A larger size for a carrying case, which permits the holding or storage of a number of items, works against ease of storage.  
           [0003]    Furthermore, the items within the container must have a specified position. In providing a rather small container, fixed positions are difficult to obtain. Additionally, holding a plurality of small items within such a container complicates the issue.  
           [0004]    For example, a suitable cosmetic case requires items such as lipstick, eyeliner, rouge, powder, lotion, fragrance, and the like. While all of these items are available in small containers, no effective mechanism exists for efficient storing the items, while maintaining access thereto.  
           [0005]    In order to have the access to these items, a container holding these items must have ease of storage, while providing accessibility to each item. Thus each item must have a set place in the container, and be easily removed therefrom or returned thereto.  
           [0006]    If an office container is desired, the cosmetic items are replaced with office items. Typical of the office items are a stapler, a writing instrument, a note pad, a business cardholder and the like. The items also, as the cosmetic items must be, are required to be kept at the ready. No container exists to accomplish these features of maximizing the portability of the carrying case, while minimizing the size thereof, and, at the same, providing good access to the contents thereof.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    Among the many objectives of this invention is providing a portable carrying case for holding a plurality of small items.  
           [0008]    A further objective of this invention is the provision of a portable carrying case with a positioning device.  
           [0009]    Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of a portable carrying case providing access to a plurality of small items.  
           [0010]    A still further objective of this invention is the provision of a portable carrying case being foldable.  
           [0011]    Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of a portable carrying case with a pouch.  
           [0012]    Another objective of this invention is the provision of a portable carrying case having closable assembly.  
           [0013]    Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of a portable carrying case having improved utility.  
           [0014]    Still, another objective of this invention is the provision of a portable carrying case capable of being rolled in order to close the same.  
           [0015]    A further objective of this invention is the provision of a portable carrying case with a cover.  
           [0016]    These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing a flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid, carrying case having an attachable surface thereon, which permits removably attaching at least one small item thereto. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a flexible carrying case  100  of this invention, in closed position  120 .  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a flexible carrying case  100  of this invention, in open position  130 , showing case storage side  132 .  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of a flexible carrying case  100  of this invention, which is a reverse view of FIG. 2.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 depicts an exploded, perspective view of a semi-rigid carrying case  200  of this invention.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 depicts a front plan view of a semi-rigid carrying case  200  of this invention.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a semi-rigid carrying case  200  of this invention.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a closable carrying case  300  of this invention having a double door assembly  302 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 depicts a front, plan view of the closable carrying case  300  of this invention in closed position  302 .  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 depicts a side view of the closable carrying case  300  of this invention based on FIG. 8.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view of a hinged carrying case  350  of this invention. 
     
    
       [0027]    Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    The container provides various positioning points for individual items. Preferably, the holding mechanism for each of the positioning points is a hook and loop assembly. Mounted on the container is one side of the hook and loop assembly in either a continuous or discontinuance action. The other part of the hook and loop assembly is mounted on each item, for which support within the container is desired.  
         [0029]    The container may be a flexible material, a rigid material, or a semi-rigid material. With a flexible material, it is possible to roll up the container in order to close the same and provide for easy storage. If the material is rigid or semi-rigid, the portable carrying may be completed by placing that material in a bag or other protective item for transportation. When use is desired, storage procedures may be reversed.  
         [0030]    Any material may be used to form the portable carrying cases. An inexpensive material may be used to manufacture a utilitarian case. More expensive materials may be used for high fashion versions of the portable carrying case, whether the case is flexible, semi-rigid or rigid.  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, flexible carrying case  100  includes flexible sheet  118  having a holding mechanism  122  mounted thereon. Clearly, the holding mechanism  122  is also flexible. In this fashion, when flexible carrying case  100  is rolled up, any article  124  may be contained therein.  
         [0032]    Article  124  includes thereon a fixing device  126  adapted to be removably secured to holding mechanism  122 . Fixing device  126  and holding mechanism  122  combine to provide rolled closure  128  (FIG. 1). A typical material for fixing device  126  is part of a hook and loop assembly, commonly available under the registered trademark VELCRO. Holding mechanism  122  and fixing device  126  may be of any suitable type. However, the hook and loop assembly available under the Registered Trademark VELCRO is preferred.  
         [0033]    Flexible sheet  118  has holding mechanism  122  on storage side  132 . Outside view  134  is oppositely disposed from storage side  132 , and is visible when flexible carrying case  100  is closed position  120  in the form of rolled closure  128 . Optionally, a clasp  136  on the edge of rolled closure  128  provides assistance in the opening and closing of the flexible holding device  100 .  
         [0034]    Flexible sheet  118  permits flexible holding device  100  to be placed any suitable position. For example, if flexible holding device  100  provides a cosmetic kit, flexible sheet  118  may be placed on the leg of the user (not shown) while in a seated position. Even a vehicle driving position is a possible user position for the flexible holding device  100 . Holding mechanism  122  and fixing device  126  provide for keeping various cosmetic elements convenient to use.  
         [0035]    Flexible holding device  100  is stored by rolling up flexible sheet  100 , with articles or implements  124  inside. Flexible fastener  140  is of any suitable type. Typical of flexible fastener  140  is a snap assembly, a clip assembly, a hook and loop assembly (available under the registered trademark VELCRO). The hook and loop assembly is preferred for flexible fastener  140 .  
         [0036]    Clearly, flexible mirror  150  may be permanently or removably secured in flexible holding device  100  if desired. Most uses of flexible holding device  100  are anticipated to require a mirror.  
         [0037]    With FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, semi-rigid case  200  is depicted. Semi-rigid case  200  includes a support stand  202 . Extending upwardly from support stand  202  and is implement face  204 . Implement face  204  also has one or more holding mechanisms  122  fixed thereon. With a fixing device  126  secured to various pieces of small office equipment or cosmetic elements, implement face  204 , through holding mechanism  122 , may receive fixing device  126  and whatever is secured thereto. Furthermore, while holding mechanism  122  is shown as a continuous strip in a preferred fashion, a discontinuous form of holding mechanism  122  is operable.  
         [0038]    Support stand  202  is sufficient to hold implement face  204  in a desired position. Again, whatever implement, having fixing device  126  thereon is desired, may be easily accessed from implement face  204 , used, and then replaced, any desired number of times. Support stand  202  may be solidly connected to implement face  204 . Additionally, a mirror  322  may be secured to implement face  204  if desired.  
         [0039]    Additionally, support stand  202  may be solid as shown; or movably connected to implement face  204 , by a standard snap support (not shown). Such a snap support may permit support stand  202  to be moved parallel to implement face  204 , in order to simplify storage and also may hold support stand  202  at an angle to implement face  204 , in order to permit implement face  204  to stand at an angle and provide better access to or use of any implement  124 .  
         [0040]    Adjacent to the juncture of implement face  204  and support stand  204 , on implement face  204  is arcuate holder  208 . Arcuate holder  208  provides an elongated open member adapted to receive a tube such as lipstick or the like for a cosmetic case. A writing instrument, or the like, may be received in arcuate holder  208  for an office case.  
         [0041]    If desired, semi-rigid carrying case  200  may be transported in pouch  210 . Pouch  210  may be made of any suitable material. Pouch  210  includes a flexible container  212 , without or with drawstring  214 . Drawstring  214  facilitates opening and closing of flexible container  212 . Likewise, drawstring  214  facilitates semi-rigid carrying case  200  being removed from or placed into pouch  210 . Pouch  210  thus simplifies transport of semi-rigid carrying case  200 .  
         [0042]    Still, another modification of a carrying case, within the scope of this invention, is depicted in FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 with the showing of closable carrying case  300 . Closable carrying case  300  has a center support  304  for double door assembly  302 . Center support  304  has a first door  306  secured by hinges  308  to a first side  310  thereof. Center support  304  also has a second door  312  secured by hinges  314  to a second side  316  thereof. Locking mechanism  318  secures first door  306  to the second door  312  and provides a fixed closure for closable carrying case  300 .  
         [0043]    Both first door  306 , second door  312  and center support  304  may include framing members  320  around the edge thereof. Such a structure provides a bag for closable carrying case  300  and permits some more storage. Clearly fixing device  122  and a holding device  126  may be positioned therein appropriately. More particularly, fixing device  122  is positionable within framing members  320 . Any item which does not exceed the side of framing members  320  may be secured therein so long as holding device  126  is present.  
         [0044]    If desired, solid mirror  322  may be fixed therein if desired. In fact, solid mirror  322  or flexible mirror  150  may be placed or secured in any carrying case of this invention, as desired. Also, base stand  324  may assist holding solid mirror  322  and closable carrying case  300  at a desired angle of use  326 . Preferably, angle of use  326  ranges from about five degrees to about 25 degrees from the vertical. More preferably, angle of use  326  ranges from about eight degrees to about 20 degrees. Preferably, angle of use  326  ranges from about nine degrees to about 14 degrees.  
         [0045]    In FIG. 10, hinged carrying case  350  has a fixed base  352  to receive any desired item, whether cosmetics, office tools or the like. On fixed base  352  is holding mechanism  122 . At one side of fixed base  352  is gusset  354 . Mounted to gusset  354  is fixed cover  356 . Standard latch assembly  358  connects fixed base  352  and fixed cover  356  in a releasable closed position and is oppositely disposed from gusset  354 . Even mirror  322  may be secured therein if desired, as a preferred embodiment. Thus, hinged carrying case  350  provides a clutch type cosmetic case or the like.  
         [0046]    Clearly implement  124  can be any desired tool storable on any device of this invention. Flexible carrying case  100 , semi-rigid carrying case  200 , closable carrying case  300 , or hinged carrying case  350  store a plurality of implements  124 . Each implement  124 , stored therein, may be the same or different. If a cosmetic case is desired, implements  124  may be a desired selection of cosmetics. If a portable office case is desired, implements  124  may be a desired selection of office tools. Clearly implements  124  may be tools, baking ingredients, or the like. All that is required is that fixed device  126  be attached to each implement  124 , which may in turn be mounted on holding mechanism  122 .  
         [0047]    This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.  
         [0048]    Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.