Storage Container

A storage container for tools and cosmetics. The storage container comprises a generally square or rectangular container designed to store a plurality of tools or cosmetic products/applicators. The storage container is feminine-themed in appearance. The storage container comprises a locking mechanism and a lid that is comprised of a bottom surface configured to retain a mirror. The bottom surface of the lid may also comprise a plurality of automatic lights which are activated when the lid is opened and wherein the lights are directed to illuminate a user using the storage container to apply makeup or to illuminate the contents that are being stored within. The storage container further comprises of a plurality of storage trays that can be configured by the user to store a plurality of items.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a container for housing tools, and more specifically to a storage container designed to store a plurality of tools or cosmetic products/applicators. Accordingly, the present specification makes specific reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally amenable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A toolbox is generally a container or box used to retain tools within. A makeup container is similarly a container or box used to retain cosmetic articles within. Historically, the majority of carpenters have been traditionally men. Unsurprisingly, most carpenters' products such as toolboxes and the like are marketed and designed for male aesthetic appeal and functionality. As such, many women who may choose to enter the carpenter/tradesman field or even take up general wood working as a hobby may feel intimidated and unwelcomed by a product market specifically targeted towards appealing to men.

Further, toolboxes or other similar storage containers are often used in the makeup industry by makeup artists or makeup users to transport large quantities of cosmetic products and applicators such as makeup brushes (e.g. if traveling to do a client's makeup). As such, many of the toolboxes or tackleboxes used for cosmetic purposes are masculine in appearance, which is undesirable for many female makeup artists. In addition, toolboxes used for makeup purposes often require an external mirror and external lighting to be used while applying the makeup. These existing storage solutions also lack a means to effectively illuminate the interior of the toolbox when in a dark environment. As such, a user would require a separate light source in order to locate and select tools or products retained within the storage container.

Therefore, there exists a long felt need in a long felt need for a storage container that is more welcoming and aesthetically appealing to female users. Further, there exists a long felt need in the art for a storage container that can be dually used not only for storing tools and similar items of the like, but also for storing and transporting makeup. Further, there exists a long felt need in the art for a storage container that does not require any external lighting/mirrors to be used when being utilized for makeup purposes, as well as a need for a storage container that does not rely on an external light source to illuminate its contents.

In this manner, the improved storage container of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides a storage container that is more female-friendly in appearance. Further, the storage container provides a means to illuminate the contents of the storage container. In addition, the storage container provides a platform configured for a user to use the storage container to apply makeup via the storage container without the use of external mirrors or lights.

SUMMARY

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises an improved storage container. The storage container comprises a housing and a lid. The housing comprises a plurality of walls defining an interior volume that is open at the top that is closable via the lid. The lid is pivotally attached to the housing along a rear wall of the housing via a pair of hinges. The lid is movable between an open position and a closed position via the hinges. The storage container further comprises a locking component. The locking component is configured to secure the lid to a front wall of the housing opposite the hinges.

The storage container further comprises at least one removable storage tray. The at least one removable storage tray is positional within the interior volume of the housing. The at least one removable storage tray comprises a plurality of dividers. The plurality of dividers section the at least one removable storage tray into individual tool compartments. The at least one removable storage tray further comprises a plurality of through holes. The plurality of through holes penetrate a base of the at least one removable storage tray leading further into the interior volume of the housing.

The storage container further comprises at least one personal grooming element. The at least one personal grooming element is attachable to an interior of the lid. The at least one personal grooming element comprises a plurality of lighting elements. The plurality of lighting elements may be angled downward into the interior volume of the housing to illuminate the interior volume. The plurality of lighting elements may also be positional by the user. The user could direct the plurality of lighting elements out of the storage container toward their face while applying makeup. The plurality of lighting elements may be automatically activated whenever the lid is opened. The at least one personal grooming element may further comprise a mirror. The mirror may be removable from or permanently fixed to the interior of the lid.

The storage container further comprises at least one fold out tray. The at least one fold out tray is attached to a sidewall of the housing. The at least one fold out tray is positional within the housing and can extend laterally out of the housing. A second fold out tray may be similarly attached to an opposing sidewall. Each fold out tray comprises a plurality of dividers that section each respective tray into individual tool compartments. The storage container may further comprise a power source. The power source may be a power strip integrated into the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, there exists a long felt need in a long felt need for a toolbox-type storage container that is more welcoming and aesthetically appealing to female users. Further, there exists a long felt need in the art for a storage container that can be dually used not only for storing tools and similar items of the like, but also for storing and transporting makeup. Finally, there exists a long felt need in the art for a storage container that does not require any external lighting/mirrors to be used when the device is being utilized for makeup purposes (e.g. to apply makeup using the mirror of the device). There is also further a need for a storage container that does not rely on an external lighting source to illuminate its contents and/or the user.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of an improved storage container. The storage container is comprised of a plurality of exterior surfaces that are comprised of female-appealing design elements. Such elements may include but are not limited to designs, patterns, images, text, quotes, colors, or any other indica. Further, other elements of the device such as exterior handles or locks may also be feminine-themed in design or structure. In the preferred embodiment of the device, the exterior of the storage container is comprised of a floral design and an inspirational quote.

A lid of the storage container is preferably secured to a housing via at least one female-themed lock, as well as at least one hinge. A mirror attachable to an interior of the lid allows a user to use the storage container to apply makeup or to view any tool or item being worked on from a differing viewing angle. Further, a plurality of LED lights, which may be angled such that they illuminate the user to further assist the user in applying makeup or angled downwards to illuminate the contents of the storage container, are integrated into the lid.

The contents of the angled downwards to illuminate the contents (e.g. tools or cosmetic-related items) may be stored in a removable tray that is comprised of a plurality of configurable dividers. Further, the tray may be additionally be comprised of a plurality of trays that are attached to the device body via a plurality of hinges that allow the trays to extend outwards from the housing. In addition, differing embodiment of the storage container may employ a plurality of removable trays that are stored within the housing in a stacked fashion, or a singular large empty internal body space below at least one removable tray.

Referring initially to the drawings,FIGS. 1-5illustrates a storage container100. The storage container100is preferably comprises a housing110and a lid120. As illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, the housing110is generally square or rectangular and comprises a front wall112, a rear wall116, a pair of side walls114, and a bottom118defining an interior volume140. The housing110is open at the top and is closable via the lid120.

The housing110may be manufactured from a metal, such as steel or aluminum, allowing for magnetic attachment to the housing110. Alternatively, the housing110may be manufactured from other materials, such as, but not limited to wood, rigid plastic, or other rigid materials. Further, any surface112,114,116, or118of the housing110or lid120may be decorated with a plurality of indica, including, but not limited to motivational quotes, images, designs, colors, patterns, photographs, text, song lyrics, sayings/phrases, etc. that may be feminine or otherwise themed. Further, any surface112,114,116, or118of the housing110or lid120may have a chalk surface or dry-erase surface that allows a user to draw custom images/text upon the housing110or lid120.

The lid120is pivotally attached to the housing110along the rear wall116via a pair of hinges132. He hinges132may be offset blind hinges, knuckle hinges, butt hinges, rising butt hinges, gravity pivot hinges, ball bearing hinges, barrel hinges, concealed hinges, knife hinges, piano hinges, strap hinges, pivot hinges, gas-piston hinges, etc. The lid120is movable between an open position as illustrated inFIG. 3and a closed position as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2via the hinges132. The lid120comprises a front surface122, a rear surface124, a pair of sides128, an exterior126, and an interior130.

The storage container100further comprises a locking component150. The locking component150is configured to secure the lid120to the front wall112opposite the hinges130. The locking component150may be two separate mechanisms150each comprising a first anchor plate156that fixedly secures the mechanism150to the front surface122of the lid120and a second anchor plate158that fixedly secures the mechanism150to the front wall112. Each mechanism150is further comprises two rigid bars152that are secured to the first anchor plate156via a hinge153that allows the bars152to rotate no further than 180 degrees from the front surface122and top surface of the front wall112.

In differing embodiments, the hinges153may be comprised of a plurality of hinge types such as but not limited to: an offset blind hinge, knuckle hinge, butt hinge, rising butt hinge, gravity pivot hinge, ball bearing hinge, barrel hinge, concealed hinge, knife hinge, piano hinge, strap hinge, pivot hinge, etc. The bars152are typically connected to a decorative lock body155that may be comprised of a plurality of shapes. Said shapes may include but are not limited to: hearts, flowers, logos, shapes, characters, food items, makeup/cosmetic items, other feminine or otherwise-themed objects, etc. wherein the rear surface of the lock155may be comprised of a male locking means (not shown) that engages a female receiver opening (not shown) that may comprise the second anchor plate158to effectively lock the lid120to the front wall112and secure the contents within the container100. In differing embodiments of the storage container100, the locking mechanism may be comprised of various other lock types such as but not limited to: a padlock, a deadbolt lock, a cam lock, a rim/mortise lock, a euro profile cylinder lock, an interchangeable core cylinder lock, a furniture latch lock, a rim latch lock, a biometric fingerprint scanning lock, an RFID key fob lock, a Bluetooth lock that unlocks via a smart device mobile application, a mechanical dial lock, a numerical combination lock, a pedestal lock, a draw lock, a fixed core lock, etc.

The lid120may further comprise a handle127that allows the storage container100to be easily transported. In differing embodiments of the storage container100, the handle127or other attachment point (not shown) may be attached to any surface. The handle127may also be employ of a plurality of indica, such as but not limited to motivational quotes, images, designs, colors, patterns, photographs, text, song lyrics, sayings/phrases, etc. that may be feminine themed, or a feminine themed architecture/shape (e.g. the handle127) itself is shaped as a feminine-themed item).

The storage container100may further comprise a power source117. The power source117may be a power strip integrated into the housing110as illustrated inFIG. 2. The power strip117may have a plurality of female two-pronged or three-pronged power outlets, as well as a plurality of USB ports such as but not limited to: a USB-A port, a USB-B port, a Micro-B port, a Micro-USB port, a Mini-USB port, a USB-C port, or a 9v/12v power supply outlet. As such, the power strip117may power a plurality of external LED's (not shown) when connected to a wall outlet. The power source117may further comprises an internal battery (not shown). The battery may be a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery in the form of an alkaline, nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride battery, etc.

The storage container100further comprises at least one removable storage tray142. The at least one removable storage tray142is positional within the interior volume140of the housing110. The at least one removable storage tray142comprises a plurality of dividers143. The plurality of dividers143section the at least one removable storage tray142into individual tool compartments. The at least one removable storage tray142further comprises a plurality of through holes146. The plurality of through holes146penetrate a base145of the at least one removable storage tray142leading further into the interior volume140of the housing110.

The removable storage tray142rests upon a plurality of tabs141that extend inward from the interior of the side walls114, rear wall116, and/or front wall112or any combination thereof as seen inFIG. 5. The removable storage tray142may be manufactured from the same material as the rest of the body110or may be comprised of a lightweight material such as plastic or wood. The removable storage tray142a plurality of raised sides144and the base145surface. The plurality of vertical dividers143partition the tray142to create a plurality of square/rectangular compartments of differing sizes to allow a user to store a plurality of tools, cosmetic products, or other items of the like within the tray142in an organized manner.

The dividers143may be fixedly attached to the tray142or removably attached to allow a user to create custom compartment sizes by positioning the dividers143within various grooved channels (not shown) that may comprise the raised side walls144and/or base145of the tray142. Accordingly, different portions of the tray142may be designed to specifically receive/store certain tools such as screwdrivers and cosmetic items including makeup brushes or the like via a plurality of through holes146as seen inFIGS. 3 and 4. The through holes146may be sized to allow the tip of a screwdriver or the base of a makeup brush (not shown) to be vertically inserted into the through holes146, wherein the screwdriver is stored with its tip pointing down into the interior volume140of the storage container100, as seen inFIG. 5. It is contemplated that the interior volume140below the tray142may be comprised of a plurality of similar trays142that also rest on a similar series of tabs141. The area within the interior volume140below the tray142is typically a large open space to allow a user to store larger tools and makeup equipment/boxes within the container100. In order to aid a user in removing the tray142, any portion of the tray142may be comprised of a plurality of continuous openings that allow a user to pull the tray142from the housing110via their fingers.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, the storage container100further comprises at least one personal grooming element134or138. The at least one personal grooming element134or138is attachable to the interior130of the lid120. The at least one personal grooming element134or138comprises a plurality of lighting elements134. The plurality of lighting elements134may be angled downward into the interior volume140of the housing110to illuminate the interior volume140. The plurality of lighting elements134may also be positional by the user. The user could direct the plurality of lighting elements134out of the storage container100toward their face while applying makeup. The plurality of lighting elements134may be automatically activated, such as by a motion or contact sensor, whenever the lid120is opened and shut off when the lid120is closed. The plurality of lighting elements134may be LED lights. The plurality of lighting elements134may be powered by the power source117.

The at least one personal grooming element134or138may further comprise a mirror138. The mirror138may be removable from or permanently fixed to the interior130of the lid120. The mirror138may be attached via a plurality of fastening means such as but not limited to hook and loop, mechanical fasteners (e.g. screws, bolts, nails, etc.), a series of magnets, etc. The mirror138allows a user to apply makeup or check their personal appearance. The lid120may further comprise a plurality of pockets136integrated into the lid120. The pockets136may be manufactured from a net-like or fabric material. The pockets136allow the user to further store a plurality of tools/cosmetic items in any easy to reach fashion.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the storage container100may further comprises at least one fold out tray147. The at least one fold out tray147is attached to a sidewall of the housing110. The at least one fold out tray147is positional within the housing110and can extend laterally out of the housing110. A second fold out tray147may be similarly attached to an opposing sidewall. Each fold out tray147comprises a plurality of dividers143that section each respective tray147into individual tool compartments.

The folding trays147are attached to the housing110via a plurality of folding hinges148. The hinges148allow the trays147to fold inwards to be stored within the interior volume140in a position above the main tray142. When extended, it is preferred that the folding trays147extended outwards from the housing110such that they are suspended and supporting by the hinges148. It is contemplated that any number of additional trays142and147that may be arranged in a tiered or stacked manner. The trays142and147further provide a user with easier access to any tools/items that may be stored within the container100and are preferably identical in construction to the main tray142. Further, like the main tray142, the additional trays142and147may be comprised of a plurality of removable/reconfigurable dividers143.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the improved storage container100of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the novel storage container100as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the storage container100are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the storage container100are important design parameters for user convenience, the storage container100may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.