MAGNETIC COSMETIC CASE

Abstract: A cosmetic case (9) comprising a casing (10) and at least one magnet (20) which is mounted in the casing for releasably securing magnetically attracted pans of colored powder, creams and the like within the casing. The casing preferably has two hingedly connected sections (11, 12) with at least one magnet mounted in each section. A partition, preferably comprising a non-magnifying mirror on one side and a magnifying mirror on the other side, is preferably mounted between the sections to separate pans (24) of colored powders, creams and the like releasably secured in one section from that in the other section.

Description: MAGNETIC COSMETIC CASE Field of the Invention This invention relates to compacts and cosmetic cases and more particularly to a compact or cosmetic case comprising one or more magnets for releasably secur¬ ing within the case one or more pans of a magnetically attracted material which contains colored powders, creams or the like. Background of the Invention Cosmetic cases or compacts typically om ris a plastic casing which opens to expose a mirror ΛIH a select number of colored powders, creams or other cosmw ic mater¬ ials. Such colored materials are typically cori.ained in metai pans which fit into individual preformed compartments within the casing. Additional compartments may be provided for containing an applicator such as a brush or a swab- Other compartments may be provided for containing such things as colored pencils and the like or liquid cosmetic materials such as polishes or removers. Users of such colored powders and creams tend to have a number of favorite colors which are used regularly. Accordingly, manufacturers of such cosmetics tend to offer cosmetic cases containing a variety of colored BAD ORIGINAL materials. However, unless the user likes all of the colors of a particular cosmetic case, only a portion of those colored materials will actually be used. This means that not only are the unused colored materials wasted, but that the cosmetic case is generally much larger than actually required. Frequently, the favorite colors of a user include colors sold by more than one manufacturer. However, a manufacturer's cosmetic case is designed to receive pans of colored powders, creams and the like which are sold by that manufacturer. Accordingly, pans of cosmetic material from one manufacturer's cosmetic case cannot be interchanged with pans from another manufacturer's cos¬ metic case. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, this invention provides a cosmetic case or compact in which magnetically attracted pans containing cosmetic materials such as colored powders, creams and the like from various manufacturers can be mounted. The cosmetic case comprises an openable casing having a hollow interior. At least one magnet, preferably in the form of a plate, is mounted within the casing for releas¬ ably securing at least one magnetically attracted pan containing colored powder, cream or the like within the casing. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cosmetic case comprises a casing having two sections, e.g., an first section and a second section. At least one magnet, preferably in the shape of a flat plate, lines at least a portion of the inner surface of one section for releasably securing one or more magnetically attracted pans which contain colored powder, cream or the like in that section. A mirror preferably lines at least a portion of the inner surface of the other section. One or both sections may be subdivided into compart¬ ments for containing applicators or other articles.. The cosmetic case may also comprise one or more trays comprising one or more magnets for securing magnetically attracted pans of colored powder, cream or the like on the trays. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one magnet, preferably in the form of a plate, lines at least a portion of both sections of the casing to allow magnetically attracted pans of colored powder, creams and the like to be mounted in either section. Brief Description of the Drawings These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred cosmetic case constructed in accordance with the invention shown in an open arrangement; FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view of the cosmetic case of FIG. 1 shown in the closed arrangement; FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the cosmetic case of FIG. 2 showing an alternate method of attaching the mirror and magnet; FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of a second preferred cosmetic case constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third preferred cosmetic case constructed in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a fourth preferred cosmetic case constructed in accordance with the present invention. Detailed Description A preferred compact or cosmetic case 9 made in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and comprises a casing 10 having first and second sections 11 and 12. The casing may be any size which is sufficient to contain at least one magnetically attracted pan containing a colored powder, cream or the like and may be made of any suitable material including rigid mate¬ rials such as metals and rigid plastics or soft, pliable ° materials such as cloth, leather and flexible plastics. In the embodiment shown, the first section 11 and second section 12 are connected at their rear edges by hinges 13. Latch members 14 and 16 are provided for releasably securing the first and second sections together when the 5 housing 10 is closed. Other means for connecting or securing the first and second sections together, e.g., snaps, buttons, zippers, etc., may be used as desired. The casing may have any suitable shape. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the first and second sections 0 have a generally rectangular configuration. Other shapes or configurations, e.g., square, circular, oval, etc. may be used as desired. It is also to be understood that the first and second sections need not have the same thickness. The cosmetic case comprises a mirror 17 which is 5 mounted in the first section 11. The mirror may be mag¬ nifying or non-magnifying as desired. Mounting may be by any conventional means such as bonding the mirror to the interior surface of the first section 11 by adhesives and the like. Alternatively, the mirror may be mounted in the first section 11 and secured by mechanical means, e.g., lip 18 as shown in FIG. 3. With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the second section 12 is subdivided into two compartments, a first compartment 21 for containing pans of colored powders, creams and the like, and a second compartment 22 for containing other articles, e.g., applicators, brushes or the like. A magnet 20 is fixedly attached to the interior surface of the first compartment 21. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the magnet 20 is in the form of a generally rectangular plate and covers substantially the entire interior surface of the first compartment 21. It is apparent that magnets of other shapes and sizes as well as multiple magnets may be used as desired. Attach¬ ment of the magnet 20 to the surface of the first compart¬ ment 21 may be by any suitable means such as glues, adhe¬ sives, or the like. Alternatively, the magnet may be incorporated in the wall of the casing or mounted and held in place by mechanical means such as by lip 23 as shown in FIG. 3. Pans 24 containing a cosmetic material 26 such as colored powders, creams or the like are mounted in the first compartment 21 of the second section 12. The pans 24 comprise a magnetically attracted material, i.e., a material such as iron which is capable of being attracted by a magnet. The magnetically attracted pans are thus held in place with the casing 10 by magnetic attraction to magnet 20. Since it is not required that the pans fit into individual compartments, the pans 24 may be of any shape and size which fit into the first compartment 21. Accordingly, pans 24 of varying shapes and sizes from different cosmetic manufacturers may be incorporated into a single cosmetic case. Further, pans 24 may be removed for replacement or simply to facilitate access to the cosmetic material within the pan by simply lifting the pan off of magnet 20 and are easily mounted back in the casing by simply placing the pan onto magnet 20. It is apparent that, if desired, other articles, such as applicators, enclosed containers of liquid cos¬ metic materials or any other articles may comprise mag¬ netically attracted material and thus may be secured within the casing by magnet -20. In such an embodiment, there may or may not be any need for additional compart¬ ments, such as second compartment 22. Another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, a magnet 30, gener- ally in the form of a rectangular plate, is mounted in the first section 11 as well as in the second section 12. Magnetically attracted pans 24 containing cosmetic mate¬ rial can thus be mounted within the casing in either the first section or second section. In the embodiment shown, magnet 30 extends over substantially all of the inner surface of the first section 11 as shown. Mirror 31 comprising a plurality of small plugs 32 of a magnetically attracted material attached to its back surface is mounted in the first section by attraction between the plugs 32 and magnet 30. In such an embodi¬ ment, the mirror 31, like the pans 24, can be easily removed and reinserted into the casing. It is apparent that, if desired, mirror 31 may be fixedly mounted in the first section 11. In such an embodiment, magnet 30 would preferably extend only over some or all of the portion of the first section 11 not covered by mirror 31. A third preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the compact or cosmetic case comprises a tray 40 which lifts out of the second section 12 as the cosmetic case is opened. A magnet 41, in the form of a rectangular plate is mounted on the tray 40 to secure magnetically attracted pans 24 of cosmetic material thereto. The space 44 beneath the tray 40 can be used to store other articles such as liquid polishes and removers, colored pencils, etc. Alternatively, a second magnet may be mounted on the interior surface of the second section so that additional magnetically attracted pans of cosmetic material or any other article comprising a magnetically attracted material may be secured in the cosmetic case. A fourth preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, magnets 49 and 50, in the form of plates, are mounted on the inside surfaces of both the first and second sections 51 and 52 of casing 48, which, in this case, is made of a flexible material. Magneti¬ cally attracted pans 53 of colored powder, creams, etc., are releasably secured to each magnet 49 and 50. A partition 54 comprising a non-magnifying mirror 55 on one side and a magnifying mirror 56 on the other side divides the interior of the casing into two chambers 57 and 58 thereby separating the pans 53 secured to magnet 49 from the pans 53 secured to magnet 50. This arrange¬ ment is particularly preferred because it allows pans 53 which contain colored powders to be secured n one cham¬ ber, e.g., chamber 57, and pans 53 which contain colored creams mounted in chamber 58. This effectively prevents powders of one color from inadvertently mixing with creams of another color. Casing 48 is shown with an exterior pouch 59 for containing applicators or other small articles. It is apparent that there are numerous variations and changes in the above structures which can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition to those previously described, it is apparent that the number and shape of compartments, if any, within the cosmetic case is a matter of choice. The cosmetic cases may have no mirrors or, if desired, may have a mirror on the exterior of the cosmetic case. The casing may have more than two sections, if desired. Likewise, the sections need not be of the same size or shape. For example, one section may simply be a panel whose edges slidably engage grooves in the other section. Accordingly, the foregoing description should not be read as pertaining only to the precise structures described, but rather should be read consistent with and as support for the following claims which are to have their fullest fair scope.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A cosmetic case comprising: an openable casing having a hollow interior; and a magnet mounted in said casing for releasably securing at least one magnetically attracted pan contain¬ ing a cosmetic material within the interior of said casing. 2. A cosmetic case as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one magnetically attracted pan con¬ taining a cosmetic material. 3. A cosmetic case as claimed in claim 1 wherein the magnet is in the form of a generally flat plate. 4. A cosmetic case as claimed in claim 1 wherein the casing comprises two hingedly connected sections and wherein the magnet is attached to the interior surface of one section. 5. A cosmetic case as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a second magnet attached to the interior surface of the other section. 6. A cosmetic case as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a partition between the two sections. 7. A cosmetic case as claimed in claim 6 wherein the partition comprises a mirror. 8. A cosmetic case comprising: an openable casing having at least two sections and a hollow interior; and at least one magnet mounted in said casing for releasably securing at least one magnetically attracted pan containing a cosmetic material within the interior of said casing. 9. A cosmetic case as claimed in claim 8 further comprising at least one magnetically attracted pan con¬ taining a cosmetic material. 10. A cosmetic case as claimed in claim 8 wherein a magnet is attached to the interior surface of at least one section. 11. A cosmetic case as claimed in claim 8 further comprising at least one tray mountable in said casing and wherein the " tray comprises at least one magnet for releasably securing at least one magnetically attracted pan containing a cosmetic material. 12. A cosmetic case comprising: a generally rigid casing having a hollow interior and comprising a first section hingedly connected to a second section; at least one magnet mounted in each section for releasably securing at least one magnetically attracted pan containing a cosmetic material in each section; and a partition mounted in said casing between the first and second sections. 13. A cosmetic case as claimed in. claim 12 further comprising at least one magnetically attracted pan containing a cosmetic material releasably secured to a magnet mounted in each section. 14. A cosmetic case as claimed in claim 12 wherein the partition comprises a mirror. 15. A cosmetic case as claimed in claim 14 wherein the partition comprises a non-magnifying mirror on one side and a magnifying mirror on the other side.

Inventors: STRNAD JANET, STRNAD, JANET
Applicants: STRNAD JANET, STRNAD, JANET
Application year: 1985
Main classification: B65D85
IPC codes: A45D33, A45D40