Patent Publication Number: US-8991407-B2

Title: Actuatable cosmetic device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to beauty products, and more specifically to cosmetic related products that can be stored in a user&#39;s hand bag or purse. 
     There is need for improvements in such products such as support receptacles that are easily operable to controllably and movably present useful articles, particularly in such manner that the articles are retained or partly retained by the receptacles. There is also need for such products having the improvements in construction, modes of operation, and unusually beneficial results as are disclosed herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a major object of the invention to provide easily manipulable relatively movable elements defining such improvements. Basically, a beauty product, as for example cosmetic equipment, embodying the invention comprises in combination: 
     a) a support receptacle containing a chamber, 
     b) a cosmetic device at least partly concealed in stored position in the chamber, 
     c) a pusher to controllably displace the device from stored position so that at least a portion of the device protrudes from the chamber and is presented for use, 
     d) a handle movable carried by and movable relative to the support receptacle to controllably displace the pusher. 
     Typically, the handle has a first position collapsed relative to the support receptacle and a displaced position or position in which the handle projects away from the support and the pusher has been controllably displaced; and the handle is pivotally carried by the support receptacle to conform in configuration to that of the receptacle in handle closed position. 
     Another object is to provide a device carried by the support receptacle to be displaced endwise from stored position to use position as the handle is manually pivoted. That device may comprise a cosmetic sponge or tray to be advanced and retracted relative to the support receptacle, in response to handle pivoting. 
     Yet another object comprises provision of the handle in the form of a cover configured to fit the support receptacle. 
     A further object includes provision of handle and pusher cam surfaces to engage and be relatively displaced, as the handle is pivoted. 
     An added object is to provide a mirror carried by the handle to become exposed as the handle is provided. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which: 
    
    
     
       DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one form of equipment embodying the invention, and in handle pivoted and actuating position; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged top plan view of the  FIG. 1  equipment, in closed position; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view taken on lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevation view taken on lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevation view taken on lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom plan view taken on lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged section taken on lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged view, like  FIG. 7 , but showing the configuration and position of movable elements, after handle pivoting to  FIG. 1  open position; 
         FIG. 9  is a view like  FIG. 1  showing a modification; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the  FIG. 9  device; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view taken on lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a view like  FIG. 7 , showing a modification; 
         FIG. 13  is a view like  FIG. 8 , showing a modification. 
         FIGS. 9-13  are views showing modifications. 
     
    
    
     DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
     In the drawings, showing a preferred form of the invention, a support receptacle or case  10 , which may be circular, includes a bottom wall  11 , and a generally circular side wall  12  having a front opening  13 . A slider or carrier  14  is located next to wall  11 , to slide back and forth (see arrows  15  and  16 ) to advance and retract a cosmetic device  17 , as for example a sponge or tray. The slider may define a tray  18 . Device  17  has a fully stored position in receptacle interior chamber  19 , as in  FIG. 7 , and an advanced or partly projected position seen in  FIG. 8 . See projected forward extent  17   a  of the sponge. See also rearward extent  17   b  of the sponge, remaining in chamber  19  and supported on the slider, which remain concealed. This enables guided, assured reception of the sponge back into  FIG. 7  position after sponge use, the rearward  17   c  end of the sponge engaging slider end wall  14   b , to correctly endwise position the sponge for full retraction into stored position, as the slider retracts. Also, the used extent  17   a  of the removed sponge can be re-inserted first after positioning, so that the un-used extent of the sponge  17   aa  will be first projected by the slider, upon subsequent sponge projection into  FIG. 8  position. 
     The slider may be regarded as a lower tray to carry cosmetics material (powder, rouge, etc.) in the zone defined by the sponge.  FIGS. 10 and 11  show the substitution of a cosmetics applicator  50 , for the sponge.  FIGS. 12 and 13  show substitution of a combined sponge  47  and cosmetic applicator  48 , endwise connected at  49 . A lower tray  55  is seen in Fig  13 , as well as upper tray  35 . 
     Also provided is a handle  25  in the form of a lever pivoted at  26  to the receptacle, to swing between  FIG. 7  (closed) position, and  FIG. 8  (open) position. A stiff, yet bendable elongated connector or pusher  27  extends between a swingable locus  27   a  on tang or arm  28  integral with the lever, and the slider end wall  14   a , to effect slider movement endwise, as the handle  25  is swung between its  FIGS. 12 and 13  positions. A guide projection  29  integral with bottom wall  11 , guides endwise movement of the connector  27 . The handle includes top wall or cover  30  and end walls  31   a  and  31   b , that fit over opposite ends of the receptacle, as in  FIGS. 7 and 12 , to conform the handle to the receptacle container shape, to readily fit in a hand bag or purse. 
       FIGS. 8 and 13  also show a cosmetic top tray  35  extending over the sponge or applicator in the receptacle. Tray  35  may contain cosmetic substance  36  that does not spill. Also,  FIG. 13  shows provision of a mirror  37  attached at  38  to the inner side of the handle. See also  FIG. 8 . 
     A stop  60  on the slider engages the receptacle at  61  to limit forward positioning of device  17 . 
     The invention also provides multiple highly advantageous sponge use position, as follows:
         i) a fully stored position in the receptacle, the handle being closed onto the receptacle,   ii) a partly endwise exposed position in which one end of the sponge projects from the receptacle with the sponge endwise positioned by the slider,   iii) a partly endwise exposed and replaced position in which the opposite end of the sponge projects from the receptacle and said one end of the sponge, with soils therein, is received on the slider, in the receptacle,   iv) a fully stored position with both ends of the sponge stored in the receptacle said soiled one end of the sponge completely concealed.