Patent Publication Number: US-6991345-B2

Title: Portable light source with mirror

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to illumination, including, but not limited to, illumination sources disposed in portable housings, for example, cosmetic housings. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Cosmetics come in various different types, such as lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, and so forth. In order to apply cosmetics, one needs to see the area on which the cosmetic is to be applied. Often a mirror is utilized to apply cosmetics to oneself, but carrying a mirror can be inconvenient, especially when it is dark and one needs to dig in one&#39;s purse, bag, or knapsack to find the mirror. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that more conveniently facilitates the application of cosmetics. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional view of a cosmetic housing with a light source, a cover partially open, and a mirror in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a view of a part of the cosmetic housing with the cover open and illustrating the light source and mirror in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the cosmetic housing with the cover closed in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an electrical diagram for the light source in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  are perspective views of the cosmetic housing in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 9 , and  FIG. 10  show optional various switching mechanisms for the cosmetic housing in accordance with the invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following describes a cosmetic housing that includes one or more mirrors and a light source. The mirror(s) are protected by a rotatable cover that protects the mirror(s) when closed and when opened to a certain point, activates the light source to facilitate convenient application of cosmetics in any lighting conditions. The cover also protects the light source. 
   A partial cross-sectional view of a cosmetic housing with a light source, a cover partially open, and a mirror is shown in  FIG. 1 . A cap  101  and a base  103  form a cosmetic housing. A light source  105  is at least partially disposed in the cap  101 . The light source  105  may be one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), a plasma light source, an electroluminescent light source, and so forth, or any combination thereof. The light source  105  may be a single elongated bulb or a plurality of bulbs or LEDs. The light source  105  may provide one or more different colors, such as may be provided by bulbs of different colors, and/or the light source  105  may provide a variety of different lighting levels, such as may be provided by a dimmer switch. A light source  105  that is energy efficient by nature also provides advantage. 
   A mirror  107  is shown disposed on a part of an outer surface of the cap  101 . A cover  109  is rotatable to open and close to expose the mirror  107  and the light emitted by the light source  105 . A removable covering  111 , such as a threaded or pryable lid, is optionally provided near a battery  113  that powers the light source  105  to allow for replacement of the battery  113 . 
   A cosmetic  115 , such as lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, and so forth, is disposed within the cosmetic housing. Although  FIG. 1  shows the cosmetic  115  attached to the base  103  and the mirror  107  and light source  105  disposed on the cap  101 , the cosmetic  115  need not be disposed in the base  103 , and the mirror  107  and/or light source  105  may be disposed on the base  103 . 
   A view of a part of the cosmetic housing with the cover in an open position and illustrating the light source and mirror(s) is shown in  FIG. 2 . A switch  201  for the light source  105  is shown as extending away from the cap  101  when the cover  109  is open. The switch  201  may be, for example, a spring-loaded switch that activates the light source  105  when the cover  109  is opened at least part of the way between a closed position and a fully open position. The switch  201  may operate in a similar way as the switch operates to turn on a refrigerator light when its door opens. Alternatively, the switch may be integrated into the housing of the light source  105 . For example, the light source  105  may be incorporated with a spring-loaded switch, for example making the light source  105  spring-loaded, such that a circuit (see  FIG. 4 ) is closed when the cover  109  is opened at least part of the way between a closed position and a fully open position, and the light source  105  is activated. The switch  201  may be a manually-activated switch. 
   A mirror  107  may be disposed on the outer surface of the cap  101  and/or a mirror  203  may be disposed on the inner surface of the cover  109 . Thus, one or more mirrors  107  and  203  may be disposed between the cap  101  and the cover  109 . The mirrors  107  and  203  may advantageously be recessed into the cap  101  and/or the cover  109 . The mirror(s)  107  and  203  may be comprised of tempered or shatter-resistant glass or safety glass or plastic. 
   A hinge  205  is shown coupling the cover  109  to the cap  101 , as well as providing for a rotatable connection that facilitates the opening and closing of the cover  109 . The hinge  205  may be integrated into the cover  109  to the cap  101  during molding, or added as a separate device after molding. A hinge pin may be part of the hinge. The light source  105  and/or switch  201  are advantageously disposed near the hinge  205  for additional protection of these devices. A gasket (not shown), such as an elastomeric, rubber, or other type of sealing material, may be disposed between the light source  105  and the cap  101  to provide resistance to moisture. 
   A cross-sectional view of the cosmetic housing with the cover closed is shown in  FIG. 3 . An optional clasp  301  is shown holding the cover  109  to the base  103  to aid in protecting the mirror(s)  107  and  203  and light source  105  when not in use. The clasp  301  may optionally hold the cover  109  to the cap  101 . The clasp  301  may be a flexible material, such as plastic, that facilitates opening of the cover  109 . The clasp  301  may be molded when the housing is molded or it may be a separate piece attached after molding. The cover  109  may contain a recess to provide space for the light source when the cover  109  is closed. 
   An electrical diagram for the light source is shown in  FIG. 4 . The battery  113  powers the light source  105  when the switch  201  is closed. The battery  113  is appropriately orientated to illuminate the light source  105 , as known in the art. When the switch  201  is open, the light source  105  is not activated. 
   Perspective views of the cosmetic housing are shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 5  illustrates an option with an internal switch. Various different internal switches may be utilized, including a spring-loaded switch. Another type of switch is shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , whereby the switch  201  comprises a flexible electrical conductor that makes no contact with the circuit containing the light source  105  when the cover  109  is closed as shown in  FIG. 7 , but when the cover  109  is open to a certain point, the flexible electrical conductor makes contact with the circuit containing the light source  105 , which is then illuminated. The flexible electrical conductor may be arranged to change the angle between the cover  109  and the mirror  107  or cap  101  at which angle the light source  105  illuminates. 
   Another option for a switching mechanism for the cosmetic housing is shown in  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 . In this embodiment, the switch  201  is implemented as electrical conductors disposed on or embedded in a hinge  205 . Part of the hinge  205  of the cap  101  has an electrical conductor  901 A disposed on or embedded on one side, which electrical conductor  901 A is electrically connected to one end of the light source  105 . An opposing part of the hinge  205  of the cap  101  has an electrical conductor  901 B disposed on or embedded on one side, which electrical conductor  901 B is electrically connected to one end of the battery  113 . The other end of the light source  105  is connected to the other end of the battery  113 . A part of the hinge  205  of the cover  109  has an electrical conductor  903  disposed along a part of the hinge  205 , such that when the cover  109  is closed, the electrical conductors  901 A,  901 B, and  903  are not electrically connected and the light source  105  remains off, and when the cover  109  opens to a certain angle with respect to the mirror  107  or cap  101 , the electrical conductors  901 A and  901 B make contact with the electrical conductor  903 , and the light source  105  is activated. By modifying how much coverage and/or the location of the electrical conductors  901 A,  901 B, and  903  on the various parts of the hinge  205 , the angle between the cover  109  and the mirror  107  or base  103  at which the light source  105  is activated varies. The angle may be between almost 0 degrees and a fully open cover  109  with respect to the mirror  107  or cap  101 . 
   The present invention provides a cosmetic housing that provides one or more mirrors and a light source. A rotatable cover protects the mirror(s) and light source when closed. The cover automatically turns off the light source when closed, and activates the light source when opened a predetermined part of its travel. Automatic and manual activation of the light source is provided. The mirror and light are maintained separately from the cosmetic to keep the cosmetic from fouling them. The invention provides for a convenient way to apply cosmetics without having to carry a separate cosmetic, mirror, and light source. 
   The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.