Patent Publication Number: US-2011073130-A1

Title: Cosmetic organizer

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/277,602, which is entitled “SAC-OF-CHIC”, which was filed on Sep. 28, 2009, and which is incorporated in full by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The technology described herein relates generally to portable organizational devices and systems. More specifically, this technology relates to a cosmetic organizer having multiple storage compartments, multiple means with which to secure cosmetic items within the organizer, interactive color pads with which to identify the color or other attribute of any closed cosmetic item, at least one transparent pocket, and at least one mirror. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cosmetic organizers are known to be helpful in securing cosmetic items such as brushes, lipsticks, eyeliners, blush, lip liners, foundations, lip gloss, eyeshadow, mascara, moisturizers, curlers, powders, and so forth. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides a cosmetic organizer having multiple storage compartments, a partition, multiple means with which to secure cosmetic items within the organizer, interactive color pads with which to identify the color or other attribute of any closed cosmetic item, at least one transparent pocket, and at least one mirror. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides an interactive pad for a cosmetic organizer. The interactive pad includes: a base layer adapted for secure coupling to an interior panel disposed within a cosmetic organizer; a sheet disposed upon the base layer and adapted to be operatively marked with at least one notation by a user of the cosmetic organizer to identify at least one adjacent cosmetic by an attribute of the cosmetic; a translucent layer disposed upon the sheet and adapted to cover the sheet and to protect the marked sheet, yet provide visibility of the notation to the user; and a top layer disposed upon the translucent layer and adapted to secure the sheet and the translucent layer to the base layer. The attribute of the cosmetic is unseen to the user. The notation is marked to identify the unseen attribute of the cosmetic. In at least one embodiment, the attribute of the cosmetic in the cosmetic organizer is a color, unseen to the user, and the notation is marked by the user to identify the color of the cosmetic such that the color of the cosmetic is known without opening the cosmetic. 
     The interactive pad also can include a fastener adapted to secure the top layer to the base layer and adapted to retain and secure the sheet and translucent layer within the top layer and the base layer. In at least one embodiment, the fastener includes hook and loop fasteners such that one of the hook and loop fasteners is disposed upon a top surface of the base layer and the other of the hook and loop fasteners is disposed upon a bottom surface of the top layer. 
     In at least one embodiment of the interactive pad, the interactive pad is removable and interchangeable. 
     In at least one embodiment of the interactive pad, the top layer further includes at least one aperture configured to provide visibility of the notation of the attribute of the cosmetic through the translucent layer disposed below the top layer. 
     In at least one embodiment of the interactive pad, at least one notation includes a plurality of notations, and the top layer further includes a plurality of apertures configured to provide visibility of to the plurality of notations of the attributes of the cosmetics through the translucent layer disposed below the top layer. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a cosmetic organizer. The cosmetic organizer includes: a housing defined by an upper portion and a lower portion configured to hingedly open and close relative to one another at an axis, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are adapted for closure to secure a plurality of cosmetic items contained therein; and at least one interactive pad disposed within the housing adapted to enable a user to notate an attribute of at least one cosmetic item. 
     The cosmetic organizer also can include at least one flexible partition disposed within the cosmetic organizer and hingedly coupled along the axis where the upper portion and lower portion open and close and adapted to secure and store a first portion of the plurality of cosmetic items. 
     The cosmetic organizer further can include a panel disposed within the cosmetic organizer and secured to an interior side of the cosmetic organizer and adapted to secure and store a second portion of the plurality of cosmetic items. 
     The cosmetic organizer also can include a mirror disposed within the cosmetic organizer and adapted to provide a reflection to the user to aid in the application of the cosmetic item and review of applied cosmetic item. 
     The cosmetic organizer further can include a zipper adapted to close the upper portion to the lower portion to securely close the cosmetic organizer. 
     The cosmetic organizer also can include a translucent pouch adapted to contain a third portion of the plurality of cosmetic items, wherein the translucent pouch is zippered, and wherein the translucent pouch is removable and interchangeable from the cosmetic organizer. 
     The cosmetic organizer further can include at least one retaining band coupled to the partition and adapted to secure at least one of the first portion of the plurality of cosmetic items to the partition within the cosmetic organizer. 
     In at least one embodiment of the cosmetic organizer, the at least one retaining band coupled to the partition includes a first portion on a forward side of the partition and a second portion on a rearward side such that cosmetic items are retainable on both the forward and rearward sides of the partition. 
     The cosmetic organizer also can include at least one retaining band coupled to the panel and adapted to secure at least one of the second portion of the plurality of cosmetic items to the panel. 
     The cosmetic organizer further can include a panel disposed within the cosmetic organizer and secured to an interior side of the cosmetic organizer and adapted to secure and store a second portion of the plurality of cosmetic items and adapted for receipt of the at least one interactive pad and a mirror. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the technology described herein provides a cosmetic organizer. The cosmetic organizer includes: a housing defined by an upper portion and a lower portion configured to hingedly open and close relative to one another at an axis, wherein the upper portion and the lower portion are adapted for closure to secure a plurality of cosmetic items contained therein; at least one interactive pad disposed within the housing adapted to enable a user to notate an attribute of at least one cosmetic item, wherein the at least one interactive pad comprises: a base layer adapted for secure coupling to an interior panel disposed within a cosmetic organizer; a sheet disposed upon the base layer and adapted to be operatively marked with at least one notation by a user of the cosmetic organizer to identify at least one adjacent cosmetic by an attribute of the cosmetic; a translucent layer disposed upon the sheet and adapted to cover the sheet and to protect the marked sheet, yet provide visibility of the notation to the user; and a top layer disposed upon the translucent layer and adapted to secure the sheet and the translucent layer to the base layer; and at least one flexible partition disposed within the cosmetic organizer and hingedly coupled along the axis where the upper portion and lower portion open and close and adapted to secure and store a first portion of the plurality of cosmetic items. The attribute of the cosmetic is unseen to the user, and wherein the notation is marked to identify the unseen attribute of the cosmetic. 
     The cosmetic organizer of this embodiment, also can include a fastener adapted to secure the top layer to the base layer and adapted to retain and secure the sheet and translucent layer within the top layer and the base layer; a panel disposed within the cosmetic organizer and secured to an interior side of the cosmetic organizer and adapted to secure and store a second portion of the plurality of cosmetic items; a mirror disposed within the cosmetic organizer and adapted to provide a reflection to the user to aid in the application of the cosmetic item and review of applied cosmetic item; a zipper adapted to close the upper portion to the lower portion to securely close the cosmetic organizer; a translucent pouch adapted to contain a third portion of the plurality of cosmetic items, wherein the translucent pouch is zippered, and wherein the translucent pouch is removable and interchangeable from the cosmetic organizer; at least one retaining band coupled to the partition and adapted to secure at least one of the first portion of the plurality of cosmetic items to the partition within the cosmetic organizer; and at least one retaining band coupled to the panel and adapted to secure at least one of the second portion of the plurality of cosmetic items to the panel. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the technology in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the technology that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the technology in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The technology described herein is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the technology described herein. 
     Further objects and advantages of the technology described herein will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The technology described herein is illustrated with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers denote like device components and/or method steps, respectively, and in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of a cosmetic organizer, in an open, extended position, illustrating, in particular, multiple storage compartments, a partition, multiple means with which to secure cosmetic items within the organizer, interactive color pads with which to identify the color or other attribute of any closed cosmetic item, and at least one transparent pocket, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
         FIG. 1B  is a side view of the cosmetic organizer depicted in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  is an end view of the cosmetic organizer depicted in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1D  is a side view of the cosmetic organizer depicted in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of the cosmetic organizer depicted in  FIG. 1A , shown in a closed position, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the cosmetic organizer depicted in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is an end view of the cosmetic organizer depicted in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a top view of the cosmetic organizer depicted in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front perspective view of an interactive pad, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the interactive pad depicted in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a rear view of the interactive pad depicted in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3D  is a top view of the interactive pad depicted in  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a front perspective view of a transparent pouch, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the transparent pouch depicted in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is an end view of the transparent pouch depicted in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4D  is a top view of the transparent pouch depicted in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a front perspective view of a cosmetic organizer partition, illustrating, in particular according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view of the partition side depicted in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5C  is a top view of the partition side depicted in  FIG. 5A ; 
         FIG. 5D  is a side view of the partition side depicted in  FIG. 5B ; 
         FIG. 5E  is a side view of the partition side depicted in  FIG. 5B ; 
         FIG. 5F  is a top view of the partition side depicted in  FIG. 5B ; 
         FIG. 6A  is a front perspective view of a cosmetic organizer interior panel, according to an embodiment of the technology described herein; 
         FIG. 6B  is a side view of the interior panel depicted in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C  is an end view of the interior panel depicted in  FIG. 6A ; and 
         FIG. 6D  is a top view of the interior panel depicted in  FIG. 6A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Before describing the disclosed embodiments of this technology in detail, it is to be understood that the technology is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown here since the technology described is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the technology described herein provides a cosmetic organizer having multiple storage compartments, a partition, multiple means with which to secure cosmetic items within the organizer, interactive color pads with which to identify the color or other attribute of any closed cosmetic item, at least one transparent pocket, and at least one mirror. 
     Referring now specifically to  FIG. 3 , an interactive pad  26  for a cosmetic organizer  10  (depicted in  FIGS. 1A-2D ) is shown. The interactive pad  26  is removable and interchangeable. The interactive pad  26  includes a base layer  40  adapted for secure coupling to an interior panel (such as  42  depicted in  FIG. 6A-6D ) disposed within a cosmetic organizer  10 . 
     The interactive pad  26  includes a sheet  38  disposed upon the base layer  40 . The sheet  38  is adapted to be operatively marked with at least one notation  46  (such as notation  46  depicted in  FIG. 6A-6B ) by a user of the cosmetic organizer  10  to identify at least one adjacent cosmetic (such as lipstick  48  depicted in  FIG. 6A-6D ) by an attribute of the cosmetic. As depicted in the Figures, the sheet  38  (visible through apertures  32 ) provides four pads, such as lipstick color canvases, upon which an attribute of a cosmetic item can be recorded. 
     When a cosmetic organizer  10  having such an interactive pad  26  is used, the attribute of the cosmetic is unseen to the user. The notation  46  previously marked on the sheet  38  is visible to the user to identify the unseen attribute of the cosmetic  48 . By way of example, in one embodiment, the notation  46 , noting the attribute of the cosmetic  48  in the cosmetic organizer  10 , is to identify a color, unseen to the user. The notation  46  is marked by the user to identify the color of the cosmetic  48 , such as a lipstick, such that the color of the cosmetic  48  is known without opening the cosmetic  48 . The sheet  38  can be disposable. By way of example, the sheet  38  is a disposable lipstick color canvas. 
     The interactive pad  26  also includes a translucent layer  34 . The translucent layer  34  is disposed upon the sheet  38  and is adapted to cover and protect the sheet  38 . By way of example, once a user marks a notation  46  on the sheet  38  of the interactive pad  26 , the notation  46  on sheet  38  is covered to prevent a smear, or the like. The interactive pad  26  is translucent in order to still provide easy visibility to the notation  46  on the sheet  38  once covered by the translucent layer  34 . 
     The interactive pad  26  further includes a top layer  30 . The top layer  30  is disposed upon the translucent layer  34 . The top layer  30  is adapted to secure the sheet  38  and the translucent layer  34  to the base layer  40 . The top layer  30  is configured to be easily lifted to replace sheet  38 . 
     The top layer  30  further includes apertures  32 , through which notations  46  on sheet  38  are visible through the translucent layer  34 . As depicted each interactive pad  26  includes two apertures  32 . However, the apertures  32  can vary in number, size, shape, and the like, so long as the notations  46  are visible. 
     The top layer  30  also can include fasteners, such as  36 ,  44 , adapted to secure the top layer  30  to the base layer  40  and adapted to retain and secure the sheet  38  and translucent layer  34  within the top layer  30  and the base layer  40 . By way of example, the fasteners, such as  36 ,  44 , can include hook and loop fasteners (such as hook  36  and loop  44 , or vice versa). 
     Referring now to the  FIGS. 1 and 2  a cosmetic organizer  10  is shown. The cosmetic organizer  10  includes a housing defined by an upper portion  14  and a lower portion  16 . The upper portion  14  and the lower portion  16  of the cosmetic organizer are configured to hingedly open and close relative to one another at an axis  50 . The upper portion  14  and the lower portion  16  are adapted for closure to secure a plurality of cosmetic items contained within the cosmetic organizer  10 . 
     The cosmetic organizer  10  can be made of hard or soft materials dependent upon application. By way of example, the cosmetic organizer  10  can be leather, vinyl, or fabric cloth. The cosmetic organizer  10  can be made of padded materials. Additionally, the cosmetic organizer  10  can include piping or other features for aesthetic purposes. 
     Closure of the upper portion  14  and the lower portion can be attained by zipper  12 . The zipper  12  is adapted to close the upper portion  14  to the lower portion  12  to securely close the cosmetic organizer  10 . The zipper  12  can include a tab with which to more easily grasp the zipper  12 . 
     The cosmetic organizer  10  also includes at least one interactive pad  26  (as depicted specifically in  FIG. 3 ) disposed within the housing. The interactive pad  26  is adapted to enable a user to notate an attribute of at least one cosmetic item, such as to identify the color of a lipstick without having to remove the lid to the lipstick container. 
     The cosmetic organizer  10  also includes at least one flexible partition  20 . The flexible partition  20  is particularly detailed in  FIGS. 5A-5E . The flexible partition  20  is disposed within the cosmetic organizer  10  and hingedly coupled along the axis  50  where the upper portion  14  and lower portion  16  open and close and adapted to secure and store cosmetic items. The flexible partition  20  can include a first side  22  and a second side  24 . Cosmetic items can be secured to the flexible partition  20  on both sides. 
     The cosmetic organizer  10  also includes an interior panel  42  (best depicted in  FIGS. 6A-6D ). The interior panel  42  is disposed within the cosmetic organizer  10  and secured to an interior side of the cosmetic organizer  10 . The interior panel  42  is adapted to secure and store cosmetic items. 
     The cosmetic organizer  10  also includes a mirror  28 . The mirror  28  is disposed within the cosmetic organizer  10  and is adapted to provide a reflection to the user to aid in the application of the cosmetic item and review of applied cosmetic item. 
     The cosmetic organizer  10  also includes a translucent pouch  18 . The translucent pouch  18  can be fixated to the cosmetic organizer  10 . Alternatively, the translucent pouch  18  can be removable and interchangeable such that it can be used outside of the cosmetic organizer  10 . The translucent pouch  18  is adapted to hold cosmetic items. The translucent pouch  18  can be zippered. 
     The cosmetic organizer  10  also includes a retained band  52 . In one embodiment a retaining band  52  is used on the flexible partition  20 . Alternatively, or in addition to, a retaining band  52  is used on the interior panel  42 . The retaining band  52  is adapted to secure cosmetic items to the flexible partition  20  and the interior panel  42 . In at least one embodiment, the retaining band  52  is an elastic band. The retaining band  52  provides a tension to secure a cosmetic item. Additionally, the retaining band  52  can expand and retract to accommodate numerous cosmetic items varied circumferences, such as, for example, a larger lipstick or a smaller eyeliner pencil. 
     Although this technology has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples can perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the invention and are intended to be covered by the following claims.