GB2161788A

GB2161788A - A cosmetics case

Info

Publication number: GB2161788A
Application number: GB08418381A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hirofumi Katada; Tetsuya Taniguchi; Koki Ikarashi
Original assignee: Pola Chemical Industries Inc
Current assignee: Pola Orbis Holdings Inc
Priority date: 1984-07-19
Filing date: 1984-07-19
Publication date: 1986-01-22
Also published as: GB2161788B; GB8418381D0

Abstract

A cosmetics case holds one or more cosmetic pencils 6/9 in a flat hollow container body having a plurality of openings 2 on one-side to receive the cosmetic pencils, lipsticks or the like. A holding body 7 is slidable in the container body and releasably holds (at 20) the cosmetic pencils or the like. The holding body slides between a retracted position and a projected position (shown) which projects a portion of the cosmetic pencils or the like from the opening. Spring means 41 to urge the holding body to the projected position and retainer means 8/28 to releasably retain the holding body in the retracted position are used to control the desired position. A plurality of separately controllable holding bodies may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A cosmetics case Background of the invention The present invention relates to a portable cosmetics case which receives a plurality of cosmetic pencils in an easily usable manner.

Conventionally, a flat box- like cosmetics case is used which contains a plurality of cosmetic pencils, lipsticks and the like arranged in parallel. In use, the cover of the case is opened and a selected cosmetic pencil is taken from the case. However, to pick up a cosmetic pencil or the like with its upper half exposed is rather difficult and an impatient lady tends to tip all the cosmetic pencils or the like onto the palm of her hand. Also unrequired cosmetic pencils tend to drop from the case.

Summary of the invention The object of the present invention is to provide an improved cosmetics case to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantage.

The cosmetics case according to the present invention comprises a flat box like hollow container body having at least one opening through which a cosmetic pencil, a lipstick or the like can be inserted in the container body, at least one cosmetic pencil holding body releasably holding at least one cosmetic pencil or the like and adapted to slide in the container body in the longitudinal direction of the cosmetic pencil contained in the holding body between a retracted position in which the contained cosmetic pencil or the like is fully retracted in-the container body and a projected position in which a portion of the cosmetic pencil or the like projects beyond the opening of the container body, spring means urging the holding body to said projected position, and releasable retainer means retaining the holding means against said spring means to said retracted position.

The cosmetics case according to the present invention is convenient for carrying selected cosmetic pencils, lipsticks or the like, in a hand bag.

As a portion of the cosmetic pencils projects longitudinally from the case by operating the releasable retainer means, a desired lipstick can be pulled out very easily. Also unrequired cosmetic pencils do not accidentally drop out of the case.

Bried description of the drawing.

Other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, by way of example, and accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetics case according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, a portion of which is removed; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a lower box of the container body shown in Figure 1 with a guide member; Figure 4 is a perspective view similar to Figure 2, showing the projected position of the holding. body and cosmetic pencil; Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of Figure 2, a portion of which is broken away to show the retaining means; Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the holding body; Figure 7 is a sectional view along line VII-VII in Figure 2;; Figure 8 is a sectional view along line VIII-VIII in Figure 4; Figure 9 is a sectional view along line IX-IX in Figure 2; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a first cosmetic pencil Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second cosmetic pencil; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a cosmetics case according to a second embodiment of the present invention, a portion of which is broken away; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a cosmetics case according to a third embodiment of the present invention, a portion of which is broken away; Figure 14 is a sectional view along line XIV-XIV of Figure 13; Figure 15 is a perspective view of a cosmetics case according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which a portion is broken away; and Figure 16 is a sectional view along line XVI-XVI of Figure 15.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments Referring now to Figures 1-11, which show a cosmetics case according to a first embodiment of the present invention, the case comprises a flat cosmetics container body 1 which has a plurality of openings 2 on its front end surface as shown by arrow A in Figure 1. A cosmetic pencil 6 is removably inserted through each opening 2 into an accommodation space 5 formed in the container body 1. The cosmetic pencils 6 are held by a holding body 7 which is slidably received in the container body 1. The holding body 7 moves forwards by operation of a lock knob 8 to expose hand held portions 9 of the cosmetic pencils 6 as will be explained in more detail below.

The holding body 7 is slidably received in the accommodation space 5 and has a plurality of openings 10 which receive cosmetic pencils 6. The cosmetic pencils 6 can be selected as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, first cosmetic pencils 16, which have telescopable cosmetic, e.g. lipstick, and second cosmetic pencils 17, which have pencil like cosmetic 17, e.g. eyebrow pencil, are shown.

The container body 1 is formed by a lower box 25, an upper box 26 and a front plate 27 which forms the opening 2 for receiving the cosmetic pencils 6. The container body 1 may be formed of a suitable plastic. A surface plate 3 of the upper box 26 has a mounting recess 11 for a mirror 4 which is formed of suitable material e.g. plastic, glass or metal plate. The mirror 4 is attached in the recess 11 by a suitable adhesive 12.

In the accommodation space 5 in the container body 1 are a plurality of parallel guide rails 19 and 19 which engage in guide grooves 13 and 13 of the holding body 7 to guide the holding body 7, and partition walls 14 and 14. The guide rails 19 and the partition walls 14 are formed integrally with the lower box 25 and reinforce the container body 1.

The holding body 7 is formed of a suitable plastic material as that of the container body 1. One or more locking projections 20 are formed on the holding body 7 near the front end of the holding body 7, and project into each opening 10 as shown in Figure 6. On a side surface 21 of the holding body an elastic projection 28 is formed to engage with a recess 22 formed on the upper box 26 of the container body 1. Thus, the innermost position of the holding body 7 is limited. A guide member 23 is slidably accommodated in the container body 1 between two of the partition walls 14. A compression spring 41 is inserted between the rear wall of the container body 1 and the rear end member 31 of the guide member 23 to urge the guide member forward. Thus front end 24 of the guide member 23 engages with the rear end surface of the holding body 7.When the elastic projection 28 engages with the recess 22 of the container body 1, the spring 41 is compressed as shown in Figure 7.

When the lock knob 8 is operated to release the elastic projection 28 from the recess 22, the spring 41 urges the holding body 7 forward, as shown in Figure 8, to project the hand held portions 9 of the cosmetic pencils 6 from the opening 2.

The first cosmetic pencil 16 has a cylindrical body 34 which includes, as shown in Figure 10, a first peripheral lock projection 32 which engages with the lock projection or projections 20 of the holding body 7 and a first pick up portion 33 which is formed as a peripheral projection and is engageable with the opening 2 of the container body 1 to protect to accommodaton space 5 from dust intrusion. The first pick up portion 33 and adjacent cylindrical portion form the above-mentioned hand held portion 9. The color of the particular cosmetic pencil 16 or color number may be indicated on the outer surface of the pick up portion 33 or on the cylindrical portion 34, to identify the particular cosmetic pencil. By turning the pick up portion 33, cosmetic 15, e.g. lipstick, projects from or is retracted into the cylindrical cover 36.

The second cosmetic pencil 18 has a cylindrical body 1 as shown in Figure 11, which includes a second peripheral lock projection 37 which engages with the lock projection or projections 20 of the holding body 7 and a second pick up portion 38 which engages with the opening 2 of the container body 1.-A pencil like cosmetic having a cosmetic core 17 is inserted in the hollow opening 39 of the cylindrical body. As before, the second pick up portion 38 and adjacent cylindrical portion form the hand held portion 9. Also, a- particular color or color number may be indicated on the end surface of the pick up portion 38 andlor on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion to identify the cosmetic 17.

The container body 1 is assembled by means of alignment hole 29. On the side surface of the container body 1, a recess 30 is formed to receive at least a major portion of the lock knob 8 to prevent the knob 8 from being accidentally actuated. The guide member 23 has end surfaces 40 which engage with end surfaces 35 of the partition walls 14 to delimit the forwardmost position of the guide member 23. Shown at 31 is a spring receiving recess.

In the illustrated embodiment, five cosmetic pencils 6 of the same size are received in the container body 1. However, the cosmetic container may be adapted to receive any suitable member of cosmetic pencils, including only one, and also may be adapted to receive a plurality of cosmetic pencils of different diameter.

- The spring 41 is shown as a coil spring. However, a suitable leaf spring may be advantageously used, in place of the coil spring. The lock knob 8 is shown as being inserted in the recess 30 from the outside. Of course, a suitable means, not shown in the drawing, prevents the knob 8 from dropping off. The lock projections 20 and 28 are shown as urging the projections radially inwards or sideways by means of the elasticity of the formed plastic material. However, to reinforce this elastic force, a suitable leaf-spring, not shown, can be mounted.

Figure 12 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the same reference numerals show the same or similar parts or portions as that of the first embodiment, and repeated explanation will not be necessary. In Figure 12, a coil spring 42 is inserted between the rear surface of the holding body 7 and two of the partition walls 14 in the container body 1. Thus, the guide member 23 shown in Figure 3 can be eliminated.

Figures 13 and 14 show a third embodiment of the present invention, in which the reference numerals correspond to those shown in Figures 1-12 with the addition of 100 thereto. In this embodiment, the holding body 107 is divided into a first holding body 51 and a second holding body 52, and the lock knob 108 is also arranged as a first lock knob 53 and a second lock knob 54. To urge the holding bodies 51 and 52, springs 142, of which only one is shown, are inserted between the partition walls 114 and the holding bodies 51 and 52 respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the first holding body receives two first cosmetic pencils 116 and the second holding body 52 receives three second cosmetic pencils 118.

Figures 15-and 16 show a fourth embodiment of the present invention in which the reference numerals correspond to those shown in Figures 1-12 with the addition of 200 thereto. As shown, the holding body 207 is divided into five holding bodies 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 which each receive only one cosmetic pencil 206 respectively. Each holding body is guided and separated. by guide rails 219 and 219 formed on the inside surface of the container body 201. The lock knob 208 is formed as five lock buttons 71, 72, 73, 74 and 75 on the upper surface of the container body 201 to operate the desired holding body, 61, 62, 63, 64 or 65, independently. Further, to urge each holding body for wards, springs 242 are engaged between the partition walls 214 and the holding bodies 61-65 respectively.Whilst in the illustrated embodiment two lipsticks 216 and three eyebrow pencils 218 are shown, the combination can be determined as desired.

As described in detail, the cosmetics case according to the present invention receives one or more cosmetic pencils fully in the container body 1, and no part of the cosmetic pencils 6 is projected beyond the container body 1. Thus, the cosmetics case is very conveniently carried in a hand bag. In operation, by simply operating the lock knob 8, the holding body 7 or one of the holding bodies 107 or 61-65 projects the hand held portion(s) 9 of the received cosmetic pencil(s) 6 from one end of the container body. Thus a desired cosmetic pencil can be pulled from the holding body.

After use, the cosmetic pencil is inserted in the opening 2 of the container body 1 and is pushed into the holding body to engage the projection 32 or 37 with the lock projection 20, and also push back the holding body 7 to engage the projection 28 with the recess 22.

The construction of the cosmetics case is very simple and can be manufactured cheaply. The cosmetics case can be easily operated. Desired cosmetic pencils 6 can be selected and inserted in the cosmetics case as desired.

Claims

1. A cosmetics case comprising: (a) a flat box like hollow container body having at least one opening through which a cosmetic pencil or the like can be inserted in the container body; (b) at least one cosmetic pencil holding body releasably holding at least one cosmetic pencil or the like and adapted to slide in the container body in the longitudinal direction of the cosmetic pencil contained in the holding body between a retracted position in which the contained cosmetic pencil or the like is fully retracted in the container body and a projected position in which a portion of the cosmetic pencil or the like projects beyond the opening of the container body; (c) spring means urging the holding body to said projected position; and (d) releasable retainer means retaining the holding body against said spring means in said retracted position

2. A cosmetics case according to Claim 1, in which a plurality of cosmetic pencils or the like are received in one holding body.

3. A cosmetics case according to Claim 1, in which a plurality of cosmetic pencils are received in a plurality of holding bodies respectively.

4. A cosmetics case according to Claim 1, in which a plurality of holding bodies each receiving one cosmetic pencil or the like are engaged in one container body.

5. A cosmetics case according to Claim 1 in which one cosmetic pencil or the like is received in one holding body.

6. A cosmetics case substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 to 11; or Figure 12; or Figures 13 and 14; or Figures 15 and 16 of the accompanying drawings.