Cosmetic case

A cosmetic case which substantially reduces soiling, has a cover hingedly connected to a base and closed with a locking member. A holder for cosmetic applicators is attached to the base and has a resilient, normally angular pocket for receiving and storing the application end of the applicator, with only the handle exposed. The holder is compressed when the case is closed. A light touch on the locking member permits the holder to push the cover open. A cosmetic applicator which substantially reduces soiling and which can be carried in a handbag, consists of a sliding sleeve attached to a body having a handle end and an application end.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to a cosmetic case and in particular to a case for 
holding various cosmetic implements such as applicators for eye liner, 
rouge, lipstick, or the like. It also relates to improved cosmetic 
applicators. 
A common problem in the handling of a cosmetic applicator is the difficulty 
in preventing the applied material from soiling the hands or fingers of 
the user. Further, commonly available cosmetic cases themselves become 
soiled with use so as to make it very difficult for the user to manipulate 
the contents of the case without getting her hands or fingers soiled. 
One object of the present invention is to provide a cosmetic case which 
will permit clean storage of cosmetic applicators. 
Another object of this invention is to provide such a case which will 
enable the user to keep her hands and fingers clean. 
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the 
description and claims which follow, taken together with the appended 
drawings. 
SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
The cosmetic case of this invention comprises broadly a base, a cover 
hingedly connected to the base and means for securing the front of the 
cover to the base. An important feature of this invention is the provision 
of novel resilient applicator holders which are mounted on the base. The 
applicator holders are characterized in having an upper portion which is 
open at one end. This upper portion is resilient and normally at an angle. 
When the means securing the cover to case is lightly pressed, to release 
it, the upper portion moves upwardly causing the cover to spring open. 
When the case is closed the upper portion is bent down in compressed 
condition. Cosmetic applicators, which typically have a handle portion and 
an application portion, are used or stored by having the application end 
housed within the open upper portion of the resilient holder with only the 
handle exposed. This substantially reduces soiling. The novel cosmetic 
applicators of this invention employ sliding sleeves so that the 
individual applicators can be used and carried outside the case, as, for 
example, in a woman's handbag, without soiling.

SPECIFIC EXAMPLE OF INVENTION 
The cosmetic case illustrated in the drawings comprises a base 11, a tray 
10d on the base and a cover 12 connected to the tray 10d by hinge 10a. 
Base 11 has a locking member 14a with a slot 14. Locking member 14a is 
registrable with an aperture 13a in the cover 12 and adjacent slot 14 is 
registrable with protrusion 13 extending into aperture 13a in cover 12. 
The base and cover are preferably made of a flexible material such as 
plastic. 
Tray 10d holds the various portions of the cosmetic case, namely open, 
pivotable brush holder 23, resilient applicator holder 15, and wells 17, 
18, and 19 for holding cosmetic materials. A brush 24 is insertable into 
the brush holder 23 so that only the brush handle is exposed. 
Applicator holder 23 is characterized as being pivotally mounted through 
pivot 23c on supports 23a and 23b. At its open end 23d is a downwardly 
directed resilient finger 23e. When the brush is inserted into the holder 
the top portion 12 of the case, when closed, pushes the finger downward, 
but when the case is open the finger arches upwardly so that the brush is 
more easily removable being an angled position. 
In a similar manner the applicator holder 15 with its receiving opening 15c 
is angularly and resiliently connected to a base 15b which in turn is 
attached to the cosmetic case. When a cosmetic applicator 16 is inserted 
into the applicator holder 15 the application end 16a is concealed and 
only the applicator handle 16b is exposed. When the upper portion of the 
case 12 is locked to the bottom portion 11 the holding portion 15a is 
pressed down, but when the cover 12 is reopened the applicator holder 15a 
springs upwardly so as to be at an angle to permit ready, clean insertion 
or removal of the applicator. The resilience of holders 15 and 23 is such 
that when the case is closed a light finger touch on locking member is 
sufficient to cause the cover 12 to pop open. 
This automatic angular orientation of brushes and applicators greatly 
improves the ability of the user to grasp the clean handles of the brush 
or applicator and avoid dirtying the fingers with materials on the brush 
or applicator. 
The cosmetic wells 17, 18 and 19 are preferably positioned so as to be 
covered by a sliding, preferably transparent, cover 22 sliding in rails 20 
and 21 in conjunction with end stop 20a. 
The soil-free brush illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is retractable, having a 
handle portion 24a with gripping crevices 24b. The bristles 26 are 
slidable within the housing by means of an upwardly extending member 25 
sliding on slot 24c. 
The soil-free brush described in FIGS. 8 and 9 is not retractable. Brush 30 
has a gripping portion 30b and crevices 30a, an upstanding rod 32, and 
bristles 34. A sleeve 31 is provided having a slot 33 which is stopped by 
rod 32 so that the sleeve can be readily used to cover and uncover the 
bristles. 
The soil-free brush 40 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 has a handle 41 with 
a gripping portion 41d and a depression 41c. The top surface of the brush 
has transverse grooves 41a and bristles 43 at its end. A sleeve 42 is 
provided having transverse teeth 42a registrable with grooves 41a. The 
material of construction is sufficiently flexible so that the sleeve 42 
can be readily positioned as to completely cover the bristles or partially 
so or expose the bristles completely by merely sliding. 
Although the soil-free brushes illustrated in the drawings are flat, they 
can also be circular in cross-section and the grooves 41a shown in FIG. 10 
can extend around a portion or all of the handle 41.