Patent Publication Number: US-11029017-B2

Title: Storage compartment

Description:
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/572,641 filed on Oct. 16, 2017. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a personal storage container. More specifically, the present invention is a storage compartment that can be used to store a variety of personal items. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Humans have been concerned with personal appearance for centuries. Each culture has developed unique styles over time, that are influenced by tradition, region and other factors. In modern times, cosmetic products are commonly used to hide or accentuate certain features. Applying these products is usually done by the user, however in some cases professional assistance may be required depending on the complexity of the procedure, or the event. Cosmetics are designed to be applied externally, and the products may have skin care properties, or esthetical enhancement capabilities. Maintaining a consistent appearance through the day can be an especially difficult task especially if the person has an active lifestyle or lives in an environment with harsh weather. Therefore, touchups and repairs are sometimes needed to sustain the initial look. Storing and carrying these products can be a laborious task, especially if the user chooses to transport them at all times on a daily basis. 
     Personal storage containers are commonly used for numerous purposes. People carry personal items, depending on their needs and lifestyle. Cell phones, keys, wallets, and personal hygiene items are just a few objects that a person may carry on a usual basis. Keeping personal items organized allows users to find objects quicker and more efficiently. Most make-up containers are portable. However, each of these objects has a specific configuration, and may serve a different purpose. The process of putting on make-up can vary depending on complexity, and the level of detail which the user desires however the process generally requires a few common tools to ensure the job can be done accurately and effortlessly. A light source and a mirror are usually needed to ensure the user is able to apply the cosmetics uniformly. Integrating all of the required accessories into a single compact carrying case, can lead to a bulky and heavy product that is laborious to transport. The present invention aims to solve some of these problems by disclosing a case which combines both functional and esthetical features. Even though the present invention is preferably used to carry make-up items, the present invention can also be used to carry other items such as supplements, hair ties, pens, and pencils. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the present invention is in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the present invention, wherein the present invention is in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention, wherein the mirror and the light source are illustrated. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the present invention, wherein the mirror and the light source are illustrated. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the present invention, wherein a compartment opening is illustrated. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     The present introduces a storage container for carrying personal items. The personal items that can be used with the present invention can be, but is not limited to, feminine products, hair supplies, supplements, medications, make-up, and jewelry. The overall shape and design of the present invention allows the user to organize the personal items as preferred. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , to fulfill the intended functionalities, the present invention comprises a first half shell  1 , a second half shell  5 , a separation panel  9 , a hinging mechanism  11 , a clamping mechanism  12 , a mirror  16 , and a lighting assembly  100 . The personal items of the user are stored within the first half shell  1  and the second half shell  5 . The overall size and shape of the first half shell  1  and the second half shell  5  can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. Regardless of the size and shape, the first half shell  1  comprises a first-lengthwise edge  2 , a structural body  3 , and a second-lengthwise edge  4 . Likewise, the second half shell  5  also comprises a first-lengthwise edge  6 , a structural body  7 , and a second-lengthwise edge  8 . When considering the first half shell  1 , the first-lengthwise edge  2  is positioned opposite the second-lengthwise edge  4  across the structural body  3 . Similarly, the first-lengthwise edge  6  of the second half shell  5  is positioned opposite the second-lengthwise edge  8  across the structural body  7 . The structural body  3  of the first half shell  1  extends from the first-lengthwise edge  2  to the second-lengthwise edge  4  and determines an overall width of the first half shell  1 . The structural body  7  of the second half shell  5  extends from the first-lengthwise edge  6  to the second-lengthwise edge  8  and determines an overall width of the second half shell  5 . The first half shell  1  and the second half shell  5  are manufactured from material that is durable and lightweight. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first half shell  1  and the second half shell  5  are manufactured from polypropylene. However, the material used for the first half shell  1  and the second half shell  5 , the color of the first half shell  1  and the second half shell  5 , and other materialistic properties can vary in other embodiments of the present invention. 
     To create a storage area with the first half shell  1  and the second half shell  5 , the first-lengthwise edge  2  of the first half shell  1  is hingedly connected to the first-lengthwise edge  6  of the second half shell  5  with the hinging mechanism  11 . The hinging mechanism  11  can be, but is not limited to, concealed hinges, spring hinges, and case hinges. As seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the hinging mechanism  11  allows the present invention to have an open configuration and a closed configuration. The user utilizes the open configuration to place and remove the personal items from within the present invention. On the other hand, the user utilizes the closed configuration to secure the personal items within the present invention. To secure content within the first half shell  1  and the second half shell  5 , the second-lengthwise edge  4  of the first half shell  1  is detachably attached along the second-lengthwise edge  8  of the second half shell  5  with the clamping mechanism  12  which can vary in different embodiments of the present invention. 
     The user might have a need to separate the personal items stored within the present invention. To do so, as seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separation panel  9  is mounted into the structural body  3  of the first half shell  1  adjacent a top edge  21  of the first half shell  1 . However, in a different embodiment of the present invention, the separation panel  9  can be removably positioned into the structural body  3  of the first half shell  1 . The materialistic properties of the separation panel  9  can vary from one embodiment to another. As an example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the separation panel  9  can be transparent so that the user can clearly view the personal items held separated by the separation panel  9 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the separation panel  9  can be opaque so that the personal items separated by the separation panel cannot be seen. The mirror  16  is externally mounted onto the receiving surface  10  of the separation panel  9 . If the present invention is being used to store make-up items, the mirror  16  can be used during the process of applying make-up. 
     The lighting assembly  100  is used to provide an external lighting source to the user. To do so, as seen in  FIGS. 4-6 , the lighting assembly  100  comprises a light source  13 , a power source  14 , and a switch  15 . The light source  13 , which is preferably at least one light-emitting diode (LED), can be used to view the personal items stored within the present invention. The power source  14  is electrically connected to the light source  13  through the switch  15  so that the illumination of the light source  13  can be controlled. The light source  13 , the power source  14 , and the switch  15  are externally mounted onto a receiving surface  10  of the separation panel  9 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the switch  15  is a pressure switch. Thus, the light source  13  is illuminated only when the present invention is in the open configuration. When the present invention is in the closed configuration, the light source  13  is switched off. If the present invention is used to carry make-up items, the light source  13  and the mirror  16  can be used to apply make-up during low-light conditions. Preferably, the light source  13  will be positioned adjacent the mirror  16 . 
     As discussed before, the separation panel  9  can be used to organize the personal items stored within the present invention. As further illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 , to access the personal items held in between the structural body  3  of the first half shell  1  and the separation panel  9 , the present invention comprises a compartment opening  17  and a cover panel  18  in another embodiment of the present invention. The compartment opening  17  is positioned adjacent the mirror  16  and traverses through the receiving surface  10  of the separation panel  9 . Thus, the user can access the personal items separated by the separation panel  9 . The compartment opening  17  is secured with the cover panel  18  which is hingedly connected along a lateral edge of the compartment opening  17 . The cover panel  18  will consist of a gripping protrusion that allows the user to control the position of the cover panel  18 . Preferably, the gripping protrusion will be externally mounted onto the cover panel  18 . 
     When the present invention is being used, the following process flow is generally followed. The personal items that need to be stored are initially selected. The space created by the separation panel  9  is used if a portion of the selected items needs to be separated from the remainder of the selected items. More specifically, the portion of selected items is positioned within the structural body  3  of the first half shell  1  and the separation panel  9 . Next, the remainder of the selected items is placed within the structural body  7  of the second half shell  5 . Finally, the present invention is positioned in the closed configuration such that the first half shell  1  and the second half shell  5  are detachably attached through the clamping mechanism  12 . When the cover panel  18  and compartment opening  17  are used to access the personal items separated by the separation panel  9 , the cover panel  18  is positioned in an open configuration so that the user can access the personal items separated by the separation panel  9 . The personal items that can be stored within the present invention can be, but is not limited to, feminine products, hair supplies, supplements, jewelry, and make-up. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.