A one-hand operable cosmetic container includes a pair of cases pivotally mounted to a base. The cases are resiliently biased to a closed position wherein the product is enclosed by the cases. A trigger or tabs are provided for pivoting the cases to an open position wherein the product is exposed.

BACKGROUND 
The field of the present invention is containers and dispensors for facial 
products such as lipstick and other cosmetics. 
Lipstick and other types of facial products, whether oil or water based, or 
comprised of other constituents, must be appropriately contained if they 
are to be applied without soiling the hands, clothes, etc. of the user. 
The product must also be protected against breakage. In the past, 
containers developed for these products have required two-handed 
operation. For example, virtually all lipstick containers presently 
available comprise a base portion that supports the lipstick and a cap 
that fits over the base to enclose and protect the lipstick when not in 
use. In addition to requiring two-handed operation, such containers 
possess several disadvantages. First, the cap can become lost. Second, if 
the lipstick is dropped during use it can break and/or contact unwanted 
surfaces such as clothing, etc. A facial product container overcoming the 
above disadvantages would therefore be desirable. 
SUMMARY 
The present invention is directed to a one-hand operable container for 
facial products. To this end a base portion supports the product while 
pivotable cases are employed to enclose the product when not in use. Means 
are provided to pivot the cases between closed and open positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Turning in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a container 2 
comprising a base or can 4 that includes a first end portion 6 and a 
second end portion 8. The can 4 is shown in detail in FIG. 7. A pair of 
cases 10 and 12 are pivotally mounted on the can 4 at a common axis 14 
located between the first and second end portions of the can 4. The can 4 
and cases 10 and 12 are preferably injection-molded plastic but many other 
materials could also be used. If desired, the cases 10 and 12 could be a 
transparent material. The first end 6 of the can 4 is adapted to support a 
facial product, which would generally be available in stick form mounted 
in a holder or insert such as element 15. A slot 16 is disposed 
longitudinally in the can 4 and is adapted to receive tabs 17 extending 
from the holder 15. A sleeve 18 fits over the can 4 and has a spiral slot 
disposed in the interior surface thereof adapted to receive the tabs 17. 
Rotating the sleeve 18 thus causes the product to advance or retract 
longitudinally with respect to the can 4. 
Associated with the can 4 are means for pivoting the cases 10 and 12 
between a closed position wherein the cases enclose the product to an open 
position wherein the product is exposed. These positions are illustrated 
in FIG. 1 by solid and phantom lines, respectively. In the container of 
FIG. 1, pivoting is accomplished in part by an approximately U-shaped 
trigger 20 having arm portions 22 and a base portion 24. The arms 22 are 
engaged with the cases 10 and 12 at tabs 26. The tabs 26 are slotted and 
the arms 22 have enlarged ends to provide positive engagement with the 
tabs 26. Pulling the trigger in the direction indicated by the arrow 
causes the cases to open. To close the case a pair of springs 28 are 
provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the springs 28 are torsional in nature. They 
are mounted on a pair of pins 30 oriented along the common axis 14 which 
support the cases 10 and 12 in pivotal relation with the can 4. The 
torsion springs 28 are typically stainless steel although many other 
materials could also be used. The end portions of each spring are 
positioned to engage end portions of the cases 10 and 12, thereby 
resiliently joining the cases and urging them into a closed position. A 
trigger housing 32 mounted to the can 4 supports the trigger 20, which is 
slidably mounted therein, and provides a handle for the container 2. 
To use the container, the user grasps the handle 32, places a finger over 
the trigger 20 and depresses the trigger. If desired one or more mirrors 
34 can be mounted in the cases 10 and 12 to facilitate product 
application. When the container is not in use the facial product within 
will be enclosed by the cases 10 and 12. To ensure that the cases 10 and 
12 fit snuggly together, the case 10 includes an enlarged inner lip 36 
that fits over the inner edge of the case 12. 
FIGS. 4 through 6 depict a modified container 102 comprising a base or can 
104 having a first end portion 106 and a second end portion 108. A pair of 
cases 110 and 112 are pivotally mounted on the can 104 at a common axis 
114 located between the first and second end portions of the can 104. The 
first end 106 of the can 104 is adapted to support a facial product. The 
cases 110 and 112 are resiliently biased in a closed position by means of 
torsion springs 128. The springs 128 are mounted on pins 130 oriented 
along the common axis 114 which support the cases 110 and 112 in pivotal 
relation with the can 104. The end portions of each spring engages an end 
portion of the cases 110 and 112 thereby resiliently joining the cases and 
urging them into a closed position. A pair of gripping members 136 are 
mounted to the cases 110 and 112 and extend outwardly and downwardly such 
that pressing the gripping members together causes the cases 110 and 112 
to pivot against the force of the springs 128. These positions are 
illustrated in FIG. 4 by solid and phantom lines, respectively. 
Thus, a one-hand operable facial product container is disclosed. While 
embodiments have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those 
skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without 
departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention therefor, is 
not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.