Abstract:
To address the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a nestable cosmetic package assembly. The nestable package assembly includes at least two cosmetic-containing portions that may be interconnected to provide a convenient, portable, and economical package for cosmetics.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This Application claims priority from provisional application No. 60/215,233 entitled “Nesting Cosmetic Assembly,” to Coy, et. al., filed on Jun. 30, 2000, which is commonly assigned with the present invention and incorporated herein by reference as if reproduced herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention is directed, in general to cosmetic packaging assemblies and carrying cases. More specifically, the present invention is directed to cosmetic carrying cases having a plurality of nestable cosmetic-containing portions.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    This invention relates to the cosmetics industry in general and facial make up applicators in particular. It is well known that women carry makeup for use while traveling or attending social occasions, often as a refresher to an earlier makeup application. Women sometimes try to save time by applying makeup while driving or commuting. Conventional makeup packages are often too large, cumbersome and impractical for short trips and may not get fully used before being discarded or replaced by a new brand or color, ultimately wasting product and money. While some current cosmetic packages address size or convenience, they do not achieve interchangeable, disposable and customizable convenience, choice and size in one design component.  
           [0004]    Nested cosmetic applicators are known in the prior art such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,742.  
           [0005]    Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a convenient cosmetic package having interlocking and interchangeable applicators in an array of color or product choices. The packages which can be customized to fit the owner&#39;s needs and desires. These dispensers are preferably manufactured to be cost efficient and disposable. Although primarily intended for cosmetics, the packages have other applications, such as, tools, pens, markers, toiletries, oral hygiene products, etc.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    To address the deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a cosmetic package assembly including a plurality of interlocking cosmetic-containing portions.  
           [0007]    The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the cosmetic package assembly of the present invention;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 schematically illustrates details of a base portion cooperating with an applicator of the present invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of the cosmetic package assembly of the present invention; and  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the testable cosmetic package assembly of the present invention having a pencil-like cosmetic applicating portion.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]    Turning now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an embodiment of a nestable cosmetic packaging assembly  100  according to the present invention. The assembly or wand is comprised of interlocking make-up applicators  120  assembled according to the individual consumer&#39;s taste. For instance, the package may contain a lipstick, lip liner, lip primer, eye liner, eye shadow and coverup to create a six unit assembly  100 . Each of the nested make-up applicators or ‘bullets’  120  can be changed or replaced as needed/as desired. Therefore, some may opt for all lipsticks, while others choose to have all eye colors, or a mixture. Of course the present invention envisions embodiments with more than six units. Each assembly  100  may also be comprised of a base portion  130 , a plurality of makeup portions  140  and a covered top  150 .  
         [0013]    Now turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, with continued reference to FIG. 1, there are illustrated embodiments of the present invention having a protective cover  150  or a base portion  130 . Because of the nesting, it is preferred that each bullet be interchangeable as the base portion  130  or the top  150 . The base portion of each bullet is shaped and sized to accommodate the makeup portion of the next lower portion making up the assembly  100 . Each nested applicator  120  in the assembly  100  is interlocked to make it rigid enough to be used as a handle while using the exposed applicator, but will separate efficiently and effectively to make for convenient interchange among and between the portions.  
         [0014]    As noted, the applicators are preferably joined by interlocking means  160  to secure portions. There are a number of approaches to achieve the interlock—ranging from a “j” hook design to a screw or snap in mechanism. Each make up portion will be housed in an individual cover that will protect the makeup while it is being reinserted or removed. Preferably, this cover will have a retracting capability to allow for optimum exposure of the product at the time of use. It may be desirable to have a brush type of applicator housed in a section for use with mascara or eye shadow.  
         [0015]    In order to maintain a portable yet functional device, the desired Wand size and shape should be about six to seven inches in length (which translates approximately to 5 or 6.1″ ‘bullet’ components) and have a diameter no larger than a quarter. Materials should be lightweight and inexpensive enough to be disposable.  
         [0016]    Turning now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated another embodiment of the nestable cosmetic package assembly  400  of the present invention. The assembly includes at least two cosmetic-containing portions  410  having a male portion  420  and a female portion  430 . The male portion  420  has a holder  430  is configured to retain a cosmetic pencil  440 . The cosmetic pencil  440  includes a cosmetic applicating portion  450  that may be aligned along a central axis  460  of the assembly  400 . The cosmetic pencil  440  may further include an rigidifying portion  470  disposed about the cosmetic applicating portion  450 . The rigidifying portion  470  comprise wood, plastic or other material that may be formed about and provide rigidity to the cosmetic applicating portion  450 . The cosmetic applicating portion  450  includes a cosmetic that may be any composition suitable for cosmetic purposes such as, but not limited to, eyeliner, mascara, lip liner, lipstick, lip gloss.  
         [0017]    The female portion  420  of the cosmetic-containing portion  410  is configured to receive a male portion  420 . The female portion  430  also includes a fastening mechanism  475  that is configured to engage and retain a male portion  420  of a second cosmetic-containing portion  410 . The fastening mechanism  475  may comprise a snap, screw. One skilled in the art may be aware of other fastening means. Such means are within the broad scope of the invention.  
         [0018]    In another embodiment the nestable cosmetic package assembly  400  may further include a protective cap  480  that also has attachment mechanism  485  configured to secure the protective cap  480  to the male end  410 . The attachment mechanism  485  may be a snap, screw or detent mechanism. In yet another embodiment the testable cosmetic package assembly  400  may further include a sharpener  490  configured to shape the cosmetic pencil  440  in a manner that facilitates the application of the cosmetic from the cosmetic applicating portion  450 . In certain embodiments the sharpener  490  may be a rotary sharpener such as a conventional pencil sharpener. The sharpener  490  will also be configured to interlock, or nest, a cosmetic-containing portion  410 . Another embodiment includes a base  495  configured to engage a cosmetic-containing portion  410  of the assembly  400 .  
         [0019]    Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.