US3305679A - Feminine accessory receiving receptacles - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 21, 1967 J. M. BARCITA-PERUCHENA FEMININE ACCESSORY RECEIVING RECEPTACLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 11; 1965 INVENTOR JOSE M. BARCITA-PERUCHENA ATTORNEY 1967 J. M. BARCITA-PERUCHENA 3,305,679

FEMININE ACCESSORY RECEIVING RECEPTACLES Feb. 21

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 11, 1965 INVENTOR JOSE M. BARCITA- PERUCHENA ATTORNEY 3,305,679 FEMININE ACCESSiGRY RECEIVING RECEFTACLES .Iose M. Barcita-lrerucliena 500 Patrick Ave., Richmond, Va. 23222 Filed Feb. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 431,912 Claims. (Cl. 24tl6.45)

This invention relates to feminine accessory receiving receptacles such as vanity cases or the like, and more particularly to such receptacles of the type wherein an artificially illuminated mirror is included for use with the receptacle.

Heretofore feminine accessory receiving receptacles of the type having an artificially illuminated mirror have been available. Some of these receptacles are constructed so that the artificially illuminated mirror unit is removable from the receptacle for servicing or the like. However, such receptacles are not always satisfactory because of their bulkiness, the awkward positioning of the illuminated mirror unit in the receptacle, the dimculty involved in removing the illuminated mirror unit, and because of the expense of providing such illuminated mirror units in each of the several accessory receiving receptacles that may be carried by women.

In recognition of the need for an improved artificially illuminated feminine accessory receiving receptacle of the type heretofore described, it is an object of the present invention to provide such a receptacle which substantially obviates or minimizes problems such as heretofore noted.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide an artificially illuminated, mirrored feminine accessory receiving receptacle of a rugged, compact design and offering convenience in use.

More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide such a receptacle wherein an illuminated mirror is provided that is conveniently interchangeable among the several types of feminine accessory receiving receptacles with which the use thereof may be desired.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a receptacle wherein the mirrored illumination unit may be conveniently interchangeable among a number of such receptacles but wherein the unit may be accurately positioned and retained within the receptacles.

In achieving these and other object as will become apparent hereinafter, the present invention provides a feminine accessory receiving receptacle comprising an accessory receiving portion with a standardized fixed housing connected to.the accessory receiving portion. The standardized housing include side walls projecting from the accessory receiving portion, the side walls having an opening therein. Removably positioned in the standardized housing is an illuminated mirror unit, this unit comprising a removable housing including an end wall having inner and outer faces and side walls projecting from the inner face of the end wall. A mirror is fixed to the outer face of the end wall and the end wall is provided with an aperture therein. An illumination unit is fixed within the removable housing adjacent the inner face of the end wall, the illumination unit including a light bulb projecting through the aperture in the end wall to illuminate the mirror. A battery for energizing the light bulb and an appropriate circuit electrically connecting the battery to the light bulb is provided. A switch means is interposed in the circuit means, the switch means including a switch actuator rod projecting through openings in the side walls of the standardized and removable housings.

Because of the design of the inner periphery of the side walls of the standardized housing and the outer periphery of the side wall of the removable housing, the

ited States Patent illuminated mirror unit may be slidably but removably retained on the receptacle. The switch actuator rod, because it projects through openings in the side walls of the removable and standardized housing functions not only to rotatably position the mirror and the light bulb in a most convenient manner, but also functions to position the switch actuator in a position most conveniently grasped during operation of the illumination unit. Further, in some applications the projecting switch actuator rod functions to maintain the actuator of the illumination unit in a position relative to the receptacle wherein accidental actuation of the switch rod and the consequential draining of the batteries is not likely.

In describing the invention, reference will be made to a preferred embodiment illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a mirrored illumination unit according to the present invention positioned within a vanity case;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the mirrored illumination unit shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of the mirrored illumination unit shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a mirrored illumination unit according to the present invention identical to that shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 but shown installed on a ladies Wallet; and

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a fixed housing which may be installed on the wallet shown in FIGURE 4 to facilitate mounting the mirrored illuminating unit thereon.

Referring in more detail to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a mirrored illumination unit 1 according to the present invention is shown installed in a pan-like upper portion 2 of a ladies vanity case. The upper portion 2 of the vanity case is pivot-ally connected by a hinge 4 to a pan-like lower portion 6 of the case.

The lower portion 6 of the vanity case comprises a disk shaped end wall 8 having a cylindrical side wall or skirt 10 upwardly projecting from the outer periphery of the end wall. A cord-like partition 12 projects upwardly from the end wall 8 and extends from side wall to side wall below the upper periphery thereof to divide the interior of the lower portion 6 into a cosmetic receiving portion 14-, as for facial powder and puff, and a segregated area 16. An opening 18 is provided near the periphery of the end wall 8 in the segregated area 16 and a transparent closure 26 is provided in the opening 18 for purposes which will be hereafter discussed.

The upper portion 2 of the vanity case includes a diskshaped end wall 22 having a depending cylindrical side wall or skirt 24 projecting therefrom. The upper external periphery of the side walls 24, as shown in FIG- URE 1, may be provided with a slightly flexible clasp 26, or the like, which, when the upper portion 2 is pivoted into contact with the lower portion 6, acts to lock these portions together by frictional contact with the side walls 10 of the lower portion 6. A slot-like opening 28 is provided in the lower right-hand inner periphery of the side walls 24 at a location which is proximate to the usual location of the fingers or thumb of an individual holding the vanity case during use.

The mirrored illumination unit 1 comprises a pan-like removable housing 30 including a disk-shaped end wall 32 and a cylindrical side wall or annular skirt 34- projecting in a perpendicular relationship to the end wall 32 fro-m a position slightly inwardly of the outer periphery thereof. The outer diameter of the skirt 34 is slightly less than the inner diameter of the side walls 24 of the upper portion 2 to permit the unit 1 to be slidable but frictionally retained therein. The external diameter of the end wall 32 of the mirrored illumination unit 1 is substantially equal to the external diameter of the side walls of the upper and lower portions of the case. Annular shoulder portions 36 formed by the portions of the inner face 38 of the end wall 32 that are radially outwardly of the skirt 34 act to limit the inward movement of the mirrored illumination unit 1 into the upper portion 2 of the vanity case.

An outer face 40 of the end wall 32 is provided with a reflecting mirror 42 of a generally circular periphery but flattened on the upper periphery thereof, as shown in FIGURE 1. Adjacent the upper periphery of the mirror 42 a moon-shaped plate 44 is provided, the block including a central aperture mating with an aperture 4-6 in the end wall 32 through which an electric bulb 48 and socket project. Additionally, a semi-cylindrical shield or shade 50 having a closed outer end projects from the moon-shaped plate 44 in a generally coextensive manner with the bulb 48 to thereby shield the same against accidental damage and shade the users eyes from glare.

The mirrored illumination unit 1 further comprises a pair of electric batteries 52 of the dry cell type suitably removably installed on the inner face 38 of the end wall 32 of the illumination unit 1. The batteries are electrically connected to a switch 54 by any appropriate circuitry 56. The switch 54 comprises an inwardly disposed fixed contact 56 and an outwardly disposed, offset arcuate leafshaped resiliently movable contact 58. The contact 58 is biased to the open position by appropriate positioning of an arcuate block 59. The block 59 is fixed to the end wall 32 so as to retain the contact 58 between the block and the inner periphery of the annular skirt 34. A nonconductive switch actuating rod 60 is provided with an enlarged head 62 on its outer end and an annular collar 64 intermediate its length and inwardly of an opening 66 in the annular skirt 34 through which it slidably projects. The collar 64 functions to limit outward movement of the actuator rod 69 by abutment with the inner periphery of the skirt 34 as urged by the resilient movable contact 58. However, as will be appreciated, inward pressure on the head 62 causes the movable contact 58 to close on the fixed contact 56 to thereby energize the bulb.

To install the mirrored illumination unit 1 in the upper portion 2 of the vanity case, it is merely necessary to rotate the unit so that the switch actuator rod 60 is radially aligned with the slot 28 in the skirt 24 of the upper portion 2 of the vanity case. Insertion of the mirrored illumination unit 1 into the upper portion 2 is easily accomplished, the extent of the insertion being limited by abutment of the shoulders 36 against the periphery of the side walls 24. Proper alignment is thus insured.

Upon pivoting the upper portion 2 to close the same on the lower portion 6 of the vanity case, the outer periphery of the mirror 42 and the moon-shaped plate 44 are received within the side walls 1% of the lower portion 6 and may abut the partition 12. The shoulders 36 are sandwiched and locked against vibration between the upper and lower portions. The electric bulb 48 and the shield 50 are received within the segregated cavity 16 and thereby protected by the partition 12 which abuts the mirror from the powder or the like in the cavity 14. However, even in this position, upon actuation of the switch the light from the bulb is emitted through the transparent closure 20 to provide illumination as desired.

Because the mirrored illumination unit 1 is of an uncomplicated, unitary construction, it is particularly adaptable to interchangeability between various types of feminine accessory receiving receptacles that may be carried by women. As may be appreciated, when a woman carries a large handbag, she may Well desire to carry a vanity case therein. However, on many occasions a woman carries simply a small wallet similar to that shown in FIG- URE 4 of the drawings. In such instances, it is a convenient matter to remove the mirrored illumination unit 4 1 from a vanity case, as shown in FIGURE 1, and install the same in the wallet shown in FIGURE 4.

To facilitate installation of the mirrored illumination unit 1 on the wallet 70 a standardized outer housing 72 is provided which is generally the same in dimensions as the corresponding portions of the upper portion 2 of the vanity case shown in FIGURE 1. That is to say, an end wall 74 is provided having side walls or an annular skirt 76 projecting therefrom. A slot-like opening 78 is provided to slidably receive the switch actuating rod 60. The standardized housing 72 may be direct-1y fixed by adhesive or the like to the wallet 70, but, in the preferred embodiment a pair of rectangular, laterally extending flanges 80 and 82 are fixed to the rear face of the end wall 74. The wallet is provided with a rectangular pocket 82 formed by a rectangular peripheral flap 84 of a slightly flexible construction and of a slightly greater dimension than the outside dimensions of the flanges 82 and 80. To removably position the housing 72 on the wallet, it is merely necessary to insert the ends of the flanges 80 and 82 under the flaps 84. Thereafter the mirrored illumination unit may be installed in the standardized housing of the wallet as in the vanity case.

It should be noted that the switch actuator rod as positioned in the slot of the standardized housing, not only functions to rotatably position the mirror and light bulb in a manner most convenient for use, but also positions the switch actuator per se at a location that, when the wallet is closed or in a folded condition, is adjacent the wallet fold and therefore protects the switch actuator against accidental displacement and consequential draining on the batteries.

It will be appreciated that while transfer from a vanity case to a wallet of a mirrored illumination unit is suggested, standardized housings might similarly be provided on ladies handbags or on the inside of the flap thereof, or on other feminine accessory receiving receptacles normally carried by women.

Similarly, although the instant invention is shown as including a cylindrical pan-like housing, any convenient shape may be utilized as long as the illumination unit may :be conveniently interchangeable and accurately and conveniently positioned in the various units by the switch actuator rod.

While the invention has been described with reference to only two embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that additions, deletions, modifications and substitutions and other changes specifically described in the illustrated embodiments may be made which fall under the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A feminine accessory receiving receptacle comprising an accessory receiving portion, a fixed housing connected to said portion, said fixed housing including side walls projecting from said portion, said side walls having a slot-like opening therein, an illuminated mirror unit slidably received in said fixed housing, said illuminated mirror unit comprising a removable housing including an end wall having inner and outer faces, side walls projecting from said inner face of said end wall, said end wall having an aperture therein, a mirror fixed to said outer face of said end wall, an illumination unit fixed within said removable housing adjacent said inner face, said illumination unit including a light bulb projecting through said aperture in said end wall to illuminate said mirror, battery means for energizing said bulb, circuit means electrically connecting said battery and said light bulb, and switch means interposed in said circuit means, said switch means including a switch actuator projecting through said openings in said side walls of said fixed and removable housing to rotatably fix said illuminated mirror unit relative to the remainder of the receptacle.

2. A feminine accessory receiving receptacle comprising an accessory receiving portion, a cylindrical, fixed hq g U JQQQQ to said portion, said fixed housing including annular side walls projecting from said portion, said side walls having a generally smooth inner periphery and having a slot therein, an illuminated mirror unit slidably received in said fixed housing, said illuminated mirror unit comprising a removable cylindrical housing including an end wall having inner and outer faces, annular side walls projecting from said inner face of said end wall, said side walls of said removable housing having an opening aligned with said slot in said side walls of said fixed housing, a mirror fixed to said outer face of said end Wall, said end wall having an aperture therein, a semi-cylindrical shield projecting from said outer face of said end wall adjacent said aperture, an illumination unit fixed within said removable housing adjacent said inner face, said illumination unit including a light bulb projecting through said aperture adjacent said shield to illuminate said mirror, battery means for energizing said bulb, circuit means electrically connecting said battery to said light bulb, and switch means biased to the open position interposed in said circuit means, said switch means including a nonconductive switch actuator projecting through said slot in said side walls of said fixed housing and said opening in said side walls of said removable housing, said actuator having an enlarged head spaced from the outer periphery of said fixed housing and a collar inwardly of said aperture in said side walls of said removable housing.

3. A vanity case comprising a pan-like cosmetic receiving portion, a pan-like cover pivotally connected to said cosmetic receiving portion by hinge means, said cover comprising an end wall, side Walls projecting from said end wall, said side walls having a slot-like opening therein, an illuminated mirror unit slidably and removably received in said cover, said illuminated mirror unit comprising a removable housing including an end wall having inner and outer faces, side walls projecting from said inner face of said end wall, said side walls of said removable housing having an opening aligned with said slot-like opening in said side walls of said cover, a mirror fixed to said outer face of said end wall, said end wall having an aperture therein, the semi-cylindrical shield projecting from said outer face of said end wall adjacent said aperture, an illumination unit fixed within said removable housing adjacent said inner face, said illumination unit including a light bulb projecting from said aperture to illuminate said mirror, battery means for energizing said bulb, circuit means electrically connecting said battery and said light bulb, and switch means biased to an open position interposed in said circuit means, said switch means including a nonconductive switch actuator projecting through said openings in said side walls of said cover and removable housing, said cosmetic receiving portion including a segregated cavity adapted to receive said light bulb and said shield when said compact is in the closed condition, and transparent means adjacent said light bulb in said segregated cavity adapted to permit the passage of light therethrough.

4. A vanity case according to claim 3 wherein clasp means are provided on said cover to lock the vanity case in the closed position and wherein said end wall of said removable housing includes shoulder means adapted to be locked between adjacent surfaces of said side walls of said cover and said pan-like cosmetic receiving portion when the vanity case is in the closed position.

5. A feminine accessory receiving receptacle according to claim 1 wherein said accessory receiving portion includes flexible pocket means, said fixed housing including an end wall adjacent said accessory receiving portion, and a pair of fianges fixed to said end wall and extending laterally on opposite sides of said fixed housing, the outer ends of said flanges slidably and removably received in said flexible pocket means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,998,523 4/1935 Ramstad 2406.45 2,480,800 8/1949 WickWire 2406.45 3,163,364 12/1964 Ritter et al 2406.45

NORTON ANSHER, Primary Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. A FEMININE ACCESSORY RECEIVING RECEPTACLE COMPRISING AN ACCESSORY RECEIVING PORTION, A FIXED HOUSING CONNECTED TO SAID PORTION, SAID FIXED HOUSING INCLUDING SIDE WALLS PROJECTING FROM SAID PORTION, SAID SIDE WALLS HAVING A SLOT-LIKE OPENING THEREIN, AN ILLUMINATED MIRROR UNIT SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN SAID FIXED HOUSING, SAID ILLUMINATED MIRROR UNIT COMPRISING A REMOVABLE HOUSING INCLUDING AN END WALL HAVING INNER AND OUTER FACES, SIDE WALLS PROJECTING FROM SAID INNER FACE OF SAID END WALL, SAID END WALL HAVING AN APERTURE THEREIN, A MIRROR FIXED TO SAID OUTER FACE OF SAID END WALL, AN ILLUMINATION UNIT FIXED WITHIN SAID REMOVABLE HOUSING ADJACENT SAID INNER FACE, SAID ILLUMINATION UNIT INCLUDING A LIGHT BULB PROJECTING THROUGH SAID APERTURE IN SAID END WALL TO ILLUMINATE SAID MIRROR, BATTERY MEANS FOR ENERGIZING SAID BULB, CIRCUIT MEANS ELECTRICALLY CONNECTING SAID BATTERY AND SAID LIGHT BULB, AND SWITCH MEANS INTERPOSED IN SAID CIRCUIT MEANS, SAID SWITCH MEANS INCLUDING A SWITCH ACTUATOR PROJECTING THROUGH SAID OPENINGS IN SAID SIDE WALLS OF SAID FIXED AND REMOVABLE HOUSING TO ROTATABLY FIX SAID ILLUMINATED MIRROR UNIT RELATIVE TO THE REMAINDER OF THE RECEPTACLE.

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