Abstract:
A cosmetic compact having an expansive base member containing a series of upwardly-facing product wells to accommodate one or more cosmetic items, the compact further having a cover member, and having a shuttle piece interposed between the base member and cover member. The various parts have cooperating slide components for permitting relative movement of the members in four opposed directions. A versatile, four way slide compact construction is thus made possible.

Description:
The present application claims U.S. priority of our corresponding U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/626,615 filed Sep. 29, 2011, entitled COSMETIC COMPACT. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to cosmetic compacts, and more particularly to compacts of the type that are capable of storing and dispensing an unusually large variety of different cosmetic products in a single, easy-to-use package. 
     2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97-1.99 
     The following references are hereinbelow listed as being considered a representative sampling of prior art in the field to which the present invention pertains: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. Nos.: 
                 1,453,563 
               
               
                   
                   
                 1,698,266 
               
               
                   
                   
                 2,104,104 
               
               
                   
                   
                 3,828,802 
               
               
                   
                   
                 4,944,402 
               
               
                   
                   
                 5,025,817 
               
               
                   
                   
                 7,828,000 
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Patent Application 
                 2010/0319723 
               
               
                   
                 Publication No.: 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     In particular, the earliest U.S. Pat. No. 1,453,563, illustrates a vanity case which presents a first compartment constituted as a pull-out drawer slidably received in a base, and a second compartment formed in the base itself, with a hinged lid and a clasp at the front of the lid. This prior art device is considered by applicants, to be exemplary of a very large number of subsequently developed cosmetic containers. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,698,266 discloses a two compartment container, wherein the compartments are arranged side-by-side in a base with a slidable closure member. A cup-like recess is formed in upper portion of the closure member, and a secondary closure member is arranged to fit onto the first. The recess and secondary closure member constitute a third compartment for storage of a cosmetic substance. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,104,104 shows a cosmetic compact utilizing a container with a slide cover, and further including a flap on the cover, which can be opened to reveal a mirror. The unit is made up of essentially one base, and one slide cover on the base. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,828,802 relates to a device for applying wax to human hair, and features a base with a hinged closure, and a multi-sided cake therein, provided with different wax compositions. The base has a side opening, and the cake is turnable in the base so as to expose any one of its multiple sides toward the opening of the base. Several variations on this theme are also disclosed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,402 relates to a multiple-compartment cosmetic container having a number of interconnected, sectional parts capable of being fitted one upon the other, and wherein the sectional parts each have slots to receive sliding drawers for containing cosmetic substances. Cooperable interlocking structures on the sectional parts enable them to be quickly assembled to one another, or broken down. The arrangement is such that different sectional configurations are made possible, according to the preferences of the user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,817 involves a cylindrical vanity case providing a plurality of individual drawers about the side wall of the case. The drawers can be opened simultaneously by twisting one part of the case with respect to a second. An upper compartment is also provided, with its own closure, and a second, larger closure is hingedly connected to the remainder of the case. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,828,000 discloses a multi-part cosmetic container, having essentially a base and slide cover therefor, with a compartment in the base and a second compartment in a recess in the cover. The second compartment has a flap hinged thereto, to expose a mirror on the underside of the flap. 
     Published Patent Application No. 2010/0319723 discloses a multi-drawer make-up kit constituted of a plurality of complementary boxes that can be interconnected to one another in order to form a number of different configurations. Complementary male and female structures on different faces of the blocks provide retention to maintain the blocks in assembled relation. 
     It is considered that large scale commercialization of the devices noted above has not occurred. Undue complexity may have been a concern. Alternately, promotional considerations may have prevented the disclosed arrangements from being made and sold in quantity. 
     It is further noted that some of the devices discussed above did not relate directly to cosmetic applications. Accordingly, the relatively high demand today, for treatments to the face, hands, and body, has resulted in the need for large-scale, inexpensive yet reliable methods and fixtures for storing and dispensing health-care and/or beauty-care products. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The above shortcomings of prior cosmetic and like dispensers are largely overcome by the present invention, which is believed to have at least one or more of the following objects: 
     To provide an improved cosmetic compact which is both simple in construction and reliable in operation. 
     To provide an improved compact as above, wherein an especially large number of separate cosmetic products and/or cosmetic utensils can be accommodated. 
     To provide an improved compact of the kind indicated, wherein different products are accessed by selective movement between base and cover members, in any one of four different directions. 
     The invention provides a cosmetic compact, comprising in combination an expansive base member having a series of upwardly-facing product wells to accommodate one or more cosmetic substances or cosmetic articles, respectively, a cover member, and an expansive shuttle piece interposed between the base member and cover member, said shuttle piece and base member having cooperable slide bearing means for enabling the shuttle piece to slide in opposite directions with respect to the base member, said shuttle piece and cover member having additional cooperable slide bearing means for enabling the cover member to slide in opposite directions with respect to the shuttle piece and base member, said first cooperable slide bearing means and said additional cooperable slide bearing means being substantially orthogonal with respect to one another, whereby the cover member can undergo universal sliding movement with respect to the base member. 
     Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, illustrating several embodiments of the invention: 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of the improved cosmetic compact of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom plan view of the compact of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation of the compact of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation, inverted, of the compact of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a right side elevation, of the compact of  FIGS. 1-4 , the corresponding left side view being a mirror image of the right side view. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective, pictorial representation of the compact of  FIGS. 1-5  with the compact shown in the closed position. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view like  FIG. 6 , except showing the compact of  FIGS. 1-6  in one of four selectable open positions. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view like  FIG. 6 , except showing the compact of  FIGS. 1-7  in a second one of four selectable open positions. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view like  FIG. 6 , except showing the compact of  FIGS. 1-8  in a third one of four selectable open positions. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view like  FIG. 6 , except showing the compact of  FIGS. 1-9  in a fourth one of four selectable open positions. 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the compact of  FIGS. 1-10 . 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view, inverted, of the compact of  FIGS. 1-11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the base member and shuttle piece of the compact of  FIGS. 1-12 , with the shuttle piece in a central or “home” position on the base member. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the base member and shuttle piece of the compact of  FIGS. 1-13 , except with the shuttle piece in one of two possible open positions on the base member. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the underside of the cover member and shuttle piece of the compact of  FIGS. 1-14 , with the shuttle piece in a central or “home” position on the cover member. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view like  FIG. 15 , except with the shuttle piece in one of two possible open positions on the cover member. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective, pictorial representation of the compact of  FIGS. 1-16 , showing the cover member semi-transparent, and illustrating internal details of the compact when it is disposed in the closed position of  FIGS. 1-6 . 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view like  FIG. 17 , except illustrating internal details of the compact when it is disposed in one of four selectable open positions. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view like  FIG. 18 , except illustrating internal details of the compact when it is disposed in another of four selectable open positions. 
         FIG. 20  is a top plan view of the compact of  FIGS. 1-19 , illustrating the compact when it is disposed in one of four selectable open positions. 
         FIG. 21  is a front elevation of the compact of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 22  is a vertical section taken on line C-C of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 23  is a top plan view of the compact of  FIGS. 1-22 , illustrating the compact when it is disposed in a second one of four selectable open positions, different from the position of  FIG. 20 . 
         FIG. 24  is a right side elevation of the compact of  FIGS. 1-23 . 
         FIG. 25  is a section taken on the line D-D of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 26  is an exploded view of a modified cosmetic compact, constituting another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 27  is an exploded view of the compact of  FIG. 26 , viewed from above its base member and shuttle piece. 
         FIG. 28  is an exploded view of the underside of the base member and shuttle piece, of the compact of  FIGS. 26-27 . 
         FIG. 29  is an exploded view of the underside of the base member, shuttle piece and cover member of the compact of  FIGS. 26-28 . 
         FIG. 30  is a plan view of the underside of the cover member in the compact of  FIGS. 26-29 . 
         FIG. 31  is a vertical section taken on the line B-B of  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 32  is a left end elevation of the cover member of  FIGS. 26-31 . 
         FIG. 33  is a vertical section taken on the line A-A of  FIG. 30 . 
         FIG. 34  is a top plan view of the shuttle piece utilized in the compact of  FIGS. 26-33 . 
         FIG. 35  is a transverse section taken on the line A-A of  FIG. 34 . 
         FIG. 36  is a front elevation of the shuttle piece utilized in the compact of  FIGS. 26-35 . 
         FIG. 37  is a left end elevation of the shuttle piece utilized in the compact of  FIGS. 26-36 . 
         FIG. 38  is a transverse section taken on the line B-B of  FIG. 34 . 
         FIG. 39  is a top plan view of the base member utilized in the compact of  FIGS. 27-38 . 
         FIG. 40  is transverse section taken on the line A-A of  FIG. 39 . 
         FIG. 41  is a front elevation of the base member as utilized in the compact of  FIGS. 27-40 . 
         FIG. 42  is a left side elevation of the base member as utilized in the compact of  FIGS. 27-41 . 
         FIG. 43  is a transverse section taken on the line B-B of  FIG. 39 . 
         FIG. 44  is a top plan view of the modified compact of  FIGS. 27-43 . 
         FIG. 45  is a transverse section taken on the line A-A of  FIG. 44 . 
         FIG. 46  is a transverse section taken on the line B-B of  FIG. 44 . 
         FIG. 47  is a top plan view of the compact of  FIGS. 27-47 , illustrating the compact when it is disposed in one of four selectable open positions. 
         FIG. 48  is a transverse section taken on the line C-C of  FIG. 47 . 
         FIG. 49  is a top plan view of the compact of  FIGS. 27-48 , illustrating the compact when it is disposed in another one of four selectable open positions, and 
         FIG. 50  is a transverse section taken on the line D-D of  FIG. 49 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 1-10 , there is illustrated a cosmetic compact  10  for storing a plurality of cosmetic materials and/or mirrors and/or cosmetic utensils of a type generally utilized by a consumer and adapted to be carried in a pocketbook or handbag. 
     In accordance with the present invention the cosmetic compact  10  includes a molded plastic outer casing comprising a base member designated by the numeral  12 , a cover member  14  and an intermediary member or shuttle piece  16  interposed therebetween. The shuttle piece  16  and base and cover members  12 ,  14  have complementary molded structures which in a unique manner, permit the cover member  14  to remain captive on the base member  12  while at the same time permitting its controlled, universal movement with respect thereto. 
     Referring to specific details of the construction, reference will be made to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , which are exploded views of the compact, showing its specific structural components. The base member  12  has an expansive bottom wall  18  that features a plurality of molded, upwardly facing peripheral compartments  20  that are arranged to store cosmetic powders, mirrors, or utensils in a manner such that they are normally concealed from view during storage of the compact, and which are capable of being selectively exposed by a unique sliding movement of the cover member in any of four different directions on the base member. The four distinct open positions of the compact are shown particularly in  FIGS. 7-10 , respectively. 
     The upper surfaces of the base member  12  are preferably all in a single plane such that unobstructed sliding movement of the cover member  14  is made possible on this plane. The network of the connections between the various peripheral compartments forms a substantially rectangular lattice  22  when the base member  12  is viewed by itself, from above. Various portions of this lattice  22  are shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . 
     Further by the invention, relative sliding movement between the cover member  14 , the shuttle piece  16  and the base member  12  is rendered possible in part, by a pair of upstanding, coextensive rails  24  on the base member  12 , which in turn are provided with facing, inwardly directed beads  26  along the their full lengths. The upper portions of the rails which contain the beads  26  extend above the plane of the lattice  22  noted above, for engagement by cooperable edge structures on the shuttle piece  16 , as will become apparent below. 
     Two opposite edge portions  28  of the shuttle piece  16  are preferably provided with grooves or other similar formations that will operate to hold the shuttle piece captive while enabling it to slide within limits, with respect to the base member  12 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the shuttle piece  16  is provided on its upper face  30  with a pair of spaced apart rails  32 , whose upper edges are in each case, provided with outwardly facing beads  34 . In these figures it can be seen that the beads cooperate with and engage additional parallel rails  36  that depend from the undersurface of the cover member  14 . Since  FIG. 12  is inverted, the rails  36  are shown as upwardly extending in the figure. With the disclosed arrangement, the rails  36  on the cover member  14  slidably engage the rails  32  on the shuttle piece  16  and as a result, the cover member  14  can move between limits, with respect to the shuttle piece  16 . 
     The cover member  12  is provided with an insert panel  12   i  which can be utilized to individualize the cosmetic unit hereinafter described. 
     In accordance with the invention, the movement between the shuttle piece  16  and cover member  14  is in a direction that is orthogonal to the direction of sliding movement between the shuttle piece  16  and base member  12 . The arrangement is such that the cover member  14  can have universal sliding movement in four directions with respect to the base member, which gives rise to the various possible displacement examples illustrated in  FIGS. 7-10 . 
     Another feature of the arrangement just described resides in the stop function that is provided by the base member  12  and against the cover member  14 . In accomplishing such a stop function which needs to be operative for any one of the four open-cover member arrangements, the cover member  14  is provided with four depending outer flanges  38  which, together with its expansive top wall  40 , form its outermost surfaces. 
       FIG. 12  shows the depending peripheral flange wall  38  (one of four) which slides in one direction until the flange strikes the two ends of the two base rails  24 , respectively,  FIG. 11 , and which can slide in an opposite direction until the flange strikes the opposite ends of the base rails  24 . 
     The remaining two of the depending flanges  38  of the cover member  14  will engage, broadside, one of the rails  24  in one direction, and the other rail  24  in the opposite direction. Again, four possibilities of the 4 way movement of the cover member  14  with respect to the base member  12  are shown in  FIGS. 7-10 . 
     The invention further provides for a biasing force to be exerted on the cover member  14  with respect to the base member  12 , tending to draw the cover member  14  toward its closed or centered position,  FIG. 6 . In accomplishing the centering function, there are provided three magnets  42 ,  44 ,  46 , which are fitted in suitable openings on the base member  12 , shuttle piece  16 , and cover member  14 , respectively. In an alternate arrangement, one magnet  44  can be utilized in the shuttle piece  16 , with ferro magnetic stock for installation in the cover member and base member. Securement of all the magnetic components can be by means of suitable cement or adhesive. 
     Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 26-50 . Components on the embodiment corresponding to those of the first are designated by similar reference numerals except by inclusion of the suffix “a”. The details previously explained function to permit the 4 way sliding movement of the cover member  14  on the base member  12 . 
     In place of the magnetic centering arrangement represented by the components  42 ,  44  and  46 , by the present invention there is provided a modified construction for providing to the user, variable resistance against sliding movement, such resistance being dependent on the relative location of the cover member with respect to the base member shown in  FIGS. 26-29 . Four spring fingers  50  are molded into the shuttle piece  16   a , and disposed in locations thereon so as to engage cooperable contoured upwardly-extending elevator blades  52  on the base member  12   a , and cooperable depending elevator blades  54  on the underside of the cover member  14   a . The elevator blades  52  are both of the same configuration, and each is of arcuate outline or profile, with a dip at the midpoint of the respective blade and a separate, decreasing slope on each end as the distance from the center dip increases, until the blade merges completely into the surrounding plane surface. 
     In operation, the engagement of two spring fingers  50  with the blades  52  on the base member  12   a  tends to retain the shuttle piece  16   a  at the center of the blade  52 , with respect to movement of the shuttle piece  16   a  in either of two opposite directions; the same is true of the other two spring fingers  50  and the elevator blades  54  on the underside of the cover member  14   a . For sliding movement in one or the other of two opposed directions: In the case that the cover member and shuttle piece move together, the user would initially feel increasing resistance while sliding them. Thereafter as the spring fingers  50  approach the ends of the respective elevator blades  52  on the base member  12   a , the user would encounter less resistance toward sliding and eventually no resistance prior to halting of the cover member  14   a  and shuttle piece  16   a . The action is similar to that of the magnetic arrangement described in the first embodiment. 
     For sliding movement in an orthogonal direction with respect to that just described in the previous paragraph, a similar reaction would be felt by the user; that is he would initially feel increasing resistance while sliding the cover member  14   a  on the shuttle piece  16   a  away from center with respect to the shuttle piece, and thereafter as the spring fingers  50  approach the ends of the respective elevator blades  52  on the shuttle piece  16   a , the user would encounter still less resistance, until the cover member was halted. 
     By incorporating the spring fingers entirely in the shuttle piece, a simpler construction is realizable. Similarly, simultaneously with the molding of the base member and cover member, the elevator blades can be included on both, so as to complete the all-plastic detent mechanism. 
     From the above it can be seen that we have provided a novel and improved, four-way sliding compact construction which is simple in its structure and easy to use. The provision of a large number of individual product wells enables a multiplicity of different shades of cosmetic substance/cosmetic utensils to be stored. 
     Moreover, all stored materials are readily accessed by a simple, relative sliding movement of cover and base. When not in use, magnet-type centering or plastic finger-type centering can be used, to avoid inadvertently spilling of the articles/substances carried by the compact. 
     The disclosed arrangements are thus seen to represent a distinct advance and improvement in the cosmetic field. 
     Each and every one of the appended claims defines an aspect of the invention which is separate and distinct from all others, and accordingly it is intended that each claim be treated as such when examined in any determination of novelty or validity. 
     Variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, and portions of the improvement can be used without others. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               10  Cosmetic compact 
               12  Base member 
               12   a  Base member 
               14  Cover Member 
               14   a  Cover Member 
               12   i  Decorative panel insert for cover member 
               16  Shuttle piece 
               16   a  Shuttle piece 
               18  Base member&#39;s expansive bottom wall 
               18   a  Base member&#39;s expansive bottom wall 
               20  Product/Utensil/Mirror compartments 
               20   a  Product/Utensil/Mirror compartments 
               22  Lattice work forming top plane of base member 
               22   a  Lattice work forming top plane of base member 
               24  Rails on base member 
               24   a  Rails on base member 
               26  Beads on rails  24   
               26   a  Beads on rails  24   a    
               28  Opposite longitudinal edges of shuttle piece 
               28   a  Opposite longitudinal edges of shuttle piece 
               30  Upper face of shuttle piece 
               30   a  Upper face of shuttle piece 
               32  Rails on upper face of shuttle piece 
               32   a  Rails on upper face of shuttle piece 
               34  Beads on rails  32   
               34   a  Beads on rails  32   a    
               36  Additional rails depending from underside of cover member 
               36   a  Additional rails depending from underside of cover member 
               38  Cover member depending flanges 
               38   a  Cover member depending flanges 
               40  Cover member expansive top wall 
               40   a  Cover member expansive top wall 
               42  Magnet/ferro metal 
               44  Magnet 
               46  Magnet/ferro metal 
               50  Spring fingers 
               52  Upwardly extending elevator blades on base 
               54  Downwardly extending elevator blades on underside of cover member