Abstract:
A compact cosmetic case, including a carrying case and a refrigerable device, for refrigerated storage and transportation of heat-sensitive cosmetics. The cosmetic case includes a narrow cavity that is defined by two attached non-absorbent protective panels, each panel including an insulating material to decrease heat transfer between the outside ambient air and the cavity of the carrying case, where the cosmetics are stored. The arrangement of the cosmetic case keeps cosmetics in close proximity to the refrigerable device and the non-absorbent panels, thereby decreasing the void space within the cavity. The cosmetic case includes a divider that efficiently organizes the cosmetics and the refrigerable devices within the cavity of the carrying case of the cosmetic case.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to a portable cosmetic case and more specifically concerns a portable cosmetic case having a compact carrying case and refrigerable device that reduces or avoids melting problems associated with the exposure of cosmetics to heated environments. 
     PROBLEM 
     Many conventional cosmetic products, such as lipsticks, lip balms facial foundations, contain a base material which is generally a wax-like, cream-like or petroleum based substance. These substances are generally heat sensitive, meaning they become more liquid like when exposed to heat. When these substances are subjected to heat they become undesirably messy and unusable by the user. These cosmetic products can become subjected to heat when a user is storing or transporting these products in warm climates. There are known in the prior art, devices that attempt to solve this problem of storing and transporting cosmetic products while in warm climates. 
     Some of these known prior art devices are large sized and use bulky removable refrigerated liners, which enables a user to carry large amounts of a sundry of cosmetics, but that have inherently large void spaces between the cosmetics and the carrying case liner. These large void spaces require large bulky refrigerated liners to keep the void space and the cosmetics refrigerated. Oftentimes a user desires to carry a few cosmetic products, such as lipstick or lip balm, because of increased mobility or activity, such as traveling to and from the swimming pool, golf course or tennis court. The prior art devices are not designed to satisfy this need to easily store and transport, under refrigerated conditions, a few smaller cosmetic products in a compact case. 
     Users with active lifestyles don&#39;t wish to tote or carry another large bag, in addition to their purse, golf bag or tennis bag. There is a need for a smaller compact refrigerated cosmetic case that slips into a purse, golf bag or tennis bag, thereby eliminating another bulky bag to carry around. Presently, these prior art bulky devices are not designed to fit into a users purse or other personal carrying container, such as a golf bag or tennis bag. 
     In addition, these prior art bulky devices inherently are thermodynamically inefficient, because, among other reasons, they include large openings that allow large amounts of ambient temperature air to enter into the cosmetic cooler, thereby increasing the temperature within the bag, each time a user opens the bag to access the interior of the cosmetic product. Once this ambient air enters the known devices the large void space is heated up as well, which creates a greater load on the refrigerating device employed. This is thermodynamically inefficient. 
     It is more thermodynamically efficient when the cosmetics are generally in direct contact or close proximity with the cooling apparatus, such as a freezable packet or liner, however most known cosmetic coolers place the cosmetics loose in large tote-sized bags that have cooling devices around the perimeter of the bags and therefore the cosmetics and cooling devices do not directly contact each other. Therefore, these prior art devices waste much of their cooling capacity, cooling void spaces within the coolers. This large void space requires large refrigerable liners to chill the cosmetics and the inherent void space. 
     There are known prior art devices that include large bulky cooling liners that are folded to conform to the inside perimeter of the large tote-sized bag. These can take up more space than desired in a users freezer when freezing the liquid contained in the cooling devices. In addition, they are cumbersome to remove from and place into the carrying bag. Further, these large bulky cooling liners add significant amount of weight to the tote-sized bag. 
     Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,226 issued Jan. 9, 1990 to Abtahi; U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,642 issued Feb. 8, 2000 to Guinn; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,457 issued Nov. 17, 1992 to Lombardi, Jr. However, each one of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: bulky storage compartment, large void spaces or clumsy large cooling devices. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a small compact cosmetic carrier that has little or minimal void space between the cosmetic and cooling device with small easy to freeze cooling devices and that are compact enough to be able to be carried easily or stored in a user&#39;s purse or other carrying bag, without being another article to be carried separately, like a purse, portable chair or umbrella. 
     SOLUTION 
     The above-described problems are solved and a technical advance achieved by the present invention by using a carrying case that includes two panels that are attached to each other thereby creating a compact thermodynamically efficient cavity for the cooling of cosmetics, such as lipstick and lip balm for active users. 
     In particular, the present invention includes two panels that are each constructed of two layers of a protective material and an insulating material layer located between the two layers of protective material of each panel, to create a sleek slim width carrying case. Further, the panels are attached or folded together around most of their common perimeter to create a compact design that keeps the cosmetics contained in close proximity to the refrigerable device and insulated panels, thereby creating a compact case that has a truly thermodynamically efficient design and that can be carried within a purse, tote, golf bag or tennis bag. Part of the novel compact design of the present invention is that it provides for minimal void space. 
     The present invention provides minimal void space within the cosmetic case, so the cooling source does not waste cooling capacity to large void spaces within the cosmetic case. In particular, the present invention&#39;s compact design allows for the insertion of cosmetics between the two panels to create a snug fit between the cosmetics and the insulated panels. Further, void space is almost reduced to zero, due to the fact that the panels normally collapse back on themselves due to the compact design. Therefore, the user can fill or partially fill the cosmetic case with cosmetics and where there would normally be void space with prior art devices, the present invention provides panels that collapse together thereby, eliminating the need to waste cooling capacity to chill the void space. The present invention further provides a compact refrigerable device that is easy to handle and refrigerate. 
     The novel present invention further includes a refrigerable device that is compact and is easy to remove from and place into the carrying case. The refrigerable device is shaped to fit into the carrying case&#39;s design, thereby adding refrigeration capabilities to the cosmetic case without denigrating its compact and thermodynamically efficient shape. The refrigerable device is smaller than prior art devices and is easily and unobtrusively stored in a user&#39;s freezer. 
    
    
     The above and other features of present invention can be better understood from a reading of the detailed description and the following drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the cosmetic case showing the carrying case and the refrigerable device; and 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section view of the cosmetic case of FIG.  1  through  2 — 2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Layout of the Cosmetic Case 
     FIG. 1 illustrates the cosmetic case  100 . Cosmetic case  100  includes a carrying case  102  and a refrigerable device  104 . The refrigerable device  104  is removable from the carrying case  102  for placement in a freezer or other refrigeration appliances. The carrying case  102  includes a first non-absorbent panel  106  and a second non-absorbent panel  112  that are attached or folded together along the bottom perimeter  122 , and attached on the right side perimeter  124  and left side perimeter  126  to create an opening  120  and a cavity  110  within the carrying case  102  for holding cosmetics, including lipstick containers, such as A in FIG.  2 . An upper perimeter  128  of the carrying case  102  defines a part of the opening  120 . The opening  120  is also defined by the second non-absorbent panel  112 . 
     The second non-absorbent panel  112  includes a closure flap  108 , which is an extension of the second non-absorbent panel  112  and that encloses the cavity  110  of the carrying case  102  by folding over the opening  120  and cavity  110  and attaches to the front panel  106  by closure flap device  116  and first non-absorbent panel closure device  118 . The carrying case  102  also includes a divider  114  that is located within the cavity  110  of the carrying case  102 . The divider  114  is attached to the left side perimeter  126  and right side perimeter  124  of the carrying case  102 . Also, the divider  114  may be attached to the second non-absorbent panel  112  at interim locations to define at least one refrigerable device storage area  130  for holding more than one refrigerable device  104 . Further, the divider  114  also defines at least one cosmetic storage area  132  for the placement of cosmetics, such as A in FIG.  2 . The cosmetic case  100  may be made of varying sizes to fit the needs of a user. 
     The height of carrying case  102 , when the is closure flap  108  is attached to the first non-absorbent panel  106 , is between 1 and 8 inches, and preferably between 3 and 6 inches. Further, the width of the carrying case  102  is between 2 and 12 inches, and preferably 4 and 10 inches. When the closure flap  108  is fully extended the height of the carrying case  102  is between 3 and 12 inches, and preferably between 5 and 9 inches. 
     The closure flap  108  is an extension of the second non-absorbent panel  112  and is long enough to enclose the contents of the cavity  110  and attach to the first non-absorbent panel  106 . Since the closure flap  108  is an extension of the second non-absorbent panel  112 , it includes the same construction of protective material layers and insulating material layers as the second non-absorbent panel  112 . In one embodiment, the second non-absorbent panel  112  is longer than the first non-absorbent panel  106 , whereby the extra length of the second non-absorbent panel  112  comprises the closure flap  108 . The closure flap includes a closure flap device  116 . The closure flap device  116  and the first non-absorbent panel closure device  118  may be different or may be the same device. Generally, the closure flap device  116  and the first non-absorbent panel closure device  118  are the same type of device such as Velcro, or alternatively other such devices such as zippers, buttons, buckles, laces, snaps or grommets. The types and number of such devices are only limited by the size of the carrying case  102 . 
     Directing attention to FIG. 2 is shown the cosmetic case  100  in a cross-section view. The first non-absorbent panel  106  includes a first inner protective material layer  106 B and a first outer protective material layer  106 A. A first insulating material layer  204  is located between the first inner protective material layer  106 B and the first outer protective material layer  106 A. The second non-absorbent panel  112  includes a second inner protective material layer  112 B and an second outer protective material layer  112 A. A second insulating material layer  202  is located between the second inner protective material layer  112 B and the second outer protective material layer  112 A. The novel arrangement of the first non-absorbent panel  106  and the second non-absorbent panel  112  enable the efficient thermodynamics within the cosmetic case  100 . 
     The first non-absorbent panel  106  and second non-absorbent panel  112  are in close proximity to each other to create a snug fit between the cosmetic, such as A in FIG.  2  and the first non-absorbent panel  106  and the second non-absorbent panel  112 . The cosmetic storage area  132  is located between the divider  114  and the first non-absorbent panel  106 . More specifically, the cosmetic storage area  132  is located between the divider  114  and the first inner protective material layer  106 B. The novel construction of the carrying case  102  permits this snug and thermodynamically efficient design. 
     The first non-absorbent panel  106  and the second non-absorbent panel  112  are attached or folded along the right side perimeter  124 , the left side perimeter  126  and the bottom perimeter  122 . The attachment can be stitching that is commonly used by those skilled in the art, or alternatively by other such attachment methods such as glue, hot glue, binders, epoxies, sewing, riveting or stapling. The entire length of the right side perimeter  124  is generally attached together to form a seam that runs the length from the bottom perimeter  122  to the upper perimeter  128 . In addition, the entire length of the left side perimeter  126  is generally attached together to form a seam that runs the length from the bottom perimeter  122  to the upper perimeter  128 . The bottom perimeter  122  may be formed by folding the second non-absorbent panel  112  or attached as described above. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the first non-absorbent panel  106  and the second non-absorbent panel  112  are separate panels. In another embodiment, as would be known to one skilled in the art, one long panel including an inner and outer protective material layer including an insulating material layer therebetween, could be folded in half, where the fold would define the bottom perimeter  122  and the first non-absorbent panel  106  and the second non-absorbent panel  112  would be defined by each half of the folded material. These embodiments are for purposes of constructing the present invention and not to limit in any way the inventive concept claimed herein. 
     The first non-absorbent panel  106  comprises a first inner protective material layer  106 B and a first outer protective material layer  106 A. The second non-absorbent panel  112  comprises a second inner protective material layer  112 B and a second outer protective material layer  112 A. The first inner protective material layer  106 B and the second inner protective material layer  112 B both face inward and towards the cavity  110 . Conversely, the first outer protective material layer  106 A and the second outer protective material layer  112 A face outward and away from the cavity  110 . The inner protective material layers  106 B and  112 B may be made of the same or a different material as the outer protective material layers  106 A and  112 A. The inner and outer protective material layers,  106 A,  106 B,  112 A and  112 B may be made of nylon, or alternatively other non-absorbent materials such as polyester, Gortex, rubber, vinyl, plastic or canvas. These non-absorbent protective materials help keep the integrity of the insulating material of the carrying case  102  and the cosmetics dry and intact. 
     The first non-absorbent panel  106  comprises a first insulating material layer  204  located between the first inner protective material layer  106 B and the first outer protective material layer  106 A. Also, the second non-absorbent panel  112  comprises a second insulating material layer  202  located between the second inner protective material layer  1   12 B and the second outer protective material layer  112 A. The first insulating material layer  204  and the second insulating material layer  202  are made of an insulating material such as Thinsulate, or alternatively other insulating material such as Polartec, cotton, wool or polyester. The thickness of the insulating material layers  204  and  202  are between 0 and 1.5 inches, and preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 inches. The height and width of the first insulating material layer  204  are equal to or just slightly smaller than the dimensions of the first non-absorbent panel  106 . In addition, the height and width of the second insulating material layer  202  are equal to or just slightly smaller than the dimensions of the second non-absorbent panel  112 . Also of equal of just slightly smaller dimensions than the first non-absorbent panel  106  is the divider  114 . 
     The divider  114  may be located and affixed to the case in various arrangements. In one embodiment, the divider  114  is attached to the right side perimeter  124  and spans the width of the cavity  110  where it is attached to the left side perimeter  126  of the cavity  110 . In this embodiment, the divider  114  defines one refrigerable device storage area and one refrigerable device  104  can be inserted that may span the full or partial width of the cavity  110 . In another embodiment, the divider  114  is attached to the right side perimeter  124  and spans the width of the cavity  110  where it is attached to the left side perimeter  126 , in addition it is attached to the second non-absorbent panel  112  at intervals, thereby defining several individual refrigerable device storage areas, whereby one or more refrigerable devices  104  can be inserted. 
     The divider generally spans the height of the cavity  110 , but it may also be partially span the height of the cavity  110 . The divider  114  may made of an assortment of material such as nylon webbing, or alternatively by other material such as plastic, cotton, rayon, polyester or canvas. The divider  114  can be made of a webbed material or a solid material. In one embodiment, the divider  114  is attached to the right side perimeter  124  by placing an end of the divider  114  between the first non-absorbent panel  106  and the second non-absorbent panel  112  and using a method of attachment as described above. Further in this embodiment, the divider  114  is attached to the left side perimeter  126  by placing the other end of the divider  114  between the first non-absorbent panel  106  and the second non-absorbent panel  112  and using a method of attachment as described above. 
     In another embodiment, the divider  114  may be attached to the right side perimeter  124  and the left side perimeter  126  as described above, in addition the divider  114  may be attached at intervals between the right side perimeter  124  and the left side perimeter  126  to define at least one refrigerable device storage area  130 . An attachment method as described above is used to define the at least one refrigerable device storage area  130 . In one embodiment, where there is one continuous refrigerable device storage area  130 , one refrigerable device  104  may be used. In another embodiment, where there is two or more refrigerable device storage areas  130 , then the equal number of refrigerable devices  104  may be used. 
     The cosmetic case  100  may include one refrigerable device  104  or several refrigerable devices  104 . The refrigerable device  104  is located between the second inner protective material layer  112 B and the divider  114  in the at least one refrigerable device storage area  130 . The refrigerable devices  104  have a thickness of between 0 and 1.5 inches, and preferably between 0.1 and 0.5 inches. Further, the refrigerable device  104  have a height and width of generally that of the cavity  110  as described above. The refrigerable devices  104  are made of a liquid-tight enclosure containing freezable liquid material. The refrigerable devices  104  may be removed from the carrying case  102  to enable them to be refrigerated in a freezer or refrigerator, and then later positioned back into the carrying case  102 . 
     EXAMPLE 
     Cosmetic Case 
     A cosmetic case  100  includes a carrying case  102  having width dimensions of 7 inches and height dimensions of 4 inches and having a closure flap  108  height of 3 inches is made of nylon. The approximate depth of the carrying case is 1 inch when the closure flap  108  is attached to the first non-absorbent material panel  106 . The carrying case  102  includes a first non-absorbent material panel  106  comprising a first inner protective material layer  106 B and a first outer protective material layer  106 A that are made of nylon. The carrying case  102  further includes a second non-absorbent material panel  112  comprising a second inner protective material layer  112 B and a second outer protective material layer  112 A that are made of nylon. The first non-absorbent material panel  106  further includes a first insulating material layer  204  made of cotton that is located between the first inner protective material layer  106 B and the first outer protective material layer  106 A. Further, the second non-absorbent material panel  112  includes a second inner insulating material layer  202  made of cotton that is located between the second inner protective material layer  112 B and the second outer protective material layer  112 A. The carrying case  102  further includes a divider  114  that is approximately 4 inches high and approximately 7 inches wide. The first non-absorbent panel  106 , the second non-absorbent panel  112  and the divider  114  are stitched together on the right side perimeter  124  of the carrying case  102 . The first non-absorbent panel  106 , the second non-absorbent panel  112  and the divider  114  are stitched together on the left side perimeter  126  of the carrying case  102 . The first non-absorbent panel  106 , the second non-absorbent panel  112  and the divider  114  are folded together on the bottom perimeter  122  of the carrying case  102 . The first non-absorbent panel  106  includes a first non-absorbent panel closure device  118  that is made of Velcro. The closure flap  108  includes a closure flap device  116  that is made of Velcro. The cosmetic case  100  further includes a refrigerable device  104  that fits between the divider  114  and the second non-absorbent panel  112 . The cosmetic case is capable of carrying 6 lipstick tubes. 
     SUMMARY 
     The cosmetic case satisfies the need for a compact and thermodynamically efficient way of storing and transporting heat-sensitive cosmetics and the like, by incorporating, within a narrow confined space, non-absorbent protective material panels that include insulative material layers within, for the protection and cooled storage of cosmetics with minimal void space. The cosmetic case further includes removable refrigerable devices that are consistent with the narrow and compact design of the cosmetic case. 
     Although there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description.