CUSTOMIZABLE COSMETICS CARRYING SYSTEM

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to a cosmetics carrying system.

BACKGROUND

A person who uses cosmetics generally uses multiple cosmetics which often vary from day to day. The cosmetics a person uses on a particular day can depend on the user's mood, the occasion, and/or the weather, etc. Typically, the user will choose the cosmetics they would like to use for the day and carry them with him/her. This requires several containers if each cosmetic has its own container. The person using the cosmetics therefore will have to store and carry a number of cosmetics containers. Carrying a number of containers, for example, in a handbag or purse, can be inconvenient and inefficient. A number of separate containers may become intermixed with other articles and therefore be difficult to find.

SUMMARY

A solution to at least one or more of the aforementioned problems has been identified. In one aspect, the solution can include a customizable carrying system for multiple cosmetic products. By way of example, the customizable carrying system can be configured to carry one, two, three, four, five, six, or more cosmetic products (e.g., lipsticks, lip glosses, eye liners, eye pencils, cosmetic brushes and/or cosmetic applicators, sunscreens, creams, lotions, sprays, perfumes, etc.) in a single container system that can include multiple compartments for holding cosmetic products. The customizable carrying system of the present invention can be configured to meet the needs of a person for any given day, event, situations, etc., where the person has one more cosmetic products to carry.

In one aspect, there is disclosed a customizable cosmetics carrying system comprising two more units, wherein each unit comprises a base configured to receive a product receptacle, wherein the base of a first unit is configured to be attached to a base of a second unit by a base attachment mechanism, wherein the product receptacle of each unit is configured to be removably attached to the base of any unit by a receptacle-to-base attachment mechanism.

In some aspects, the base attachment mechanism comprises a spring-loaded pin or the like.

In some aspects, the base of a first unit is configured to rotate 180 degrees from the base of a second unit via the spring-loaded pin.

In some aspects, the receptacle-to-base attachment mechanism comprises a snap-in connection or the like.

In some aspects, the base of each unit comprises a bottom side of the base, a front side of the base, a right lateral side of the base, a left lateral side of the base, and a back side of the base, wherein the bottom side of the base comprises a magnet.

In some aspects, the left lateral side of the base and the right lateral side of the base each comprise a magnet.

In some aspects, the base of each unit comprises a male snap-in connection configured to receive a female snap-in connection, wherein a bottom side of each product receptacle comprises the female snap-in mechanism.

In some aspects, the base of each unit is approximately a cube. In some aspects, the bottom side of the base of each unit is less than about 4 cm×4 cm×4 cm. In some aspects, the bottom side of the base of each unit is about 2 cm×2 cm×2 cm.

In some aspects, each unit comprising a base and a product receptacle is less than about 90 mm tall. In some aspects, the each unit comprising a base and a product receptacle is less than about 60 mm tall.

In some aspects, the system comprises six units.

In some aspects, the product receptacle of each unit is configured to hold/carry/contain a liquid, powder, gel, solid, semi-solid or the like. In some aspects, the system is leakproof. For example, the system is leakproof when each product receptacle is capped with a cap.

In some aspects, each product receptacle comprises or is capable of containing a cosmetic product. In some aspects, the cosmetic product is a lipstick, a lip gloss, an eye liner, an eye pencil, a cosmetic brush, a cosmetic applicator, a sunscreen, a cream, a lotion, a spray, or a perfume.

The following includes definitions of various terms and phrases used throughout this specification.

The terms “about” or “approximately” are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting embodiment, the terms are defined to be within 10%, preferably within 5%, more preferably within 1%, and most preferably within 0.5%.

The term “effective,” as that term is used in the specification and/or claims, means adequate to accomplish a desired, expected, or intended result.

The use of the words “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with any of the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” or “having” in the claims, or the specification, may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one.”

The words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “includes” and “include”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contains” and “contain”) are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

The customizable cosmetic carrying system of the present invention can “comprise,” “consist essentially of,” or “consist of” particular components and or features disclosed throughout the specification. With respect to the transitional phrase “consisting essentially of,” in one non-limiting aspect, a basic and novel characteristic of the customizable cosmetic carrying system of the present invention is that it can be configured to hold one, two, three, four, five, six, or more cosmetic products, as needed. The customizable cosmetic carrying system can help to organize and/or declutter multiple cosmetic products that are being held in, for example, a purse, handbag, suitcase, by keeping the cosmetic products in one container that can have multiple comparts configured to hold each product.

The term “snap-in mechanism” refers to a mechanism that were pieces can snap together and are interlocking, similar to LEGOS®. Pieces will be removably locked in place when snapped in together. Exemplary snap-in mechanism are depicted in the figures.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following figures, detailed description, and examples. It should be understood, however, that the figures, detailed description, and examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only and are not meant to be limiting. Additionally, it is contemplated that changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. In further embodiments, features from specific embodiments may be combined with features from other embodiments. For example, features from one embodiment may be combined with features from any of the other embodiments. In further embodiments, additional features may be added to the specific embodiments described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features described herein, additional features and variations will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments. It is to be understood that these drawings depict embodiments and are not intended to be limiting in scope.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of the carrying system with 6 units, without the product receptacles.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of the carrying system with 6 units, each with a product receptacle and cap inserted into each base unit.

FIG. 3 depicts a single unit of the carrying system with a product receptacle and cap inserted into a single base unit.

FIG. 4 exemplifies various products that can be used in the carrying system. In one depiction, the exterior of the system includes mirrored surfaces.

FIG. 5 provides, in one non-limiting example, a size reference for an embodiment of the carrying system.

FIG. 6 depicts the system in various positions when units are separated but remain connected via a base attachment mechanism.

FIG. 7 depicts a front view of a single base unit. Magnets 120 are within the bottom and lateral sides. There is a (male) snap-in mechanism 130 is on the bottom of the base to receive a female snap-in mechanism 210 on a product receptacle. The base can be 20 mm high×20 mm wide ×20 mm deep. The outer walls can be 2 mm thick and the magnets can be 1 mm thick.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of a single base unit with a magnet in the middle and bottom and a (male) snap-in mechanism on the bottom.

FIG. 9 depicts a side view of a single product receptacle unit including a (male) snap-in mechanisms on the sides and at the bottom. In a particular embodiment, the top of the product receptable is 46 mm tall×20 mm wide×20 mm deep and the bottom of the product receptacle is 16 mm by 16 mm.

FIG. 10 depicts a side view of a single cap including (female) snap-in mechanisms to receive male snap-in mechanisms on the product receptacle. In a particular embodiment, the top of the cap is 10 mm tall×20 mm wide and 20 mm deep and the bottom of the cap is 5 mm tall×16 mm wide×16 mm deep.

FIG. 11 depicts a single unit of the carrying system with a product receptacle and cap inserted into a single base unit.

FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of the carrying system with 6 units, with a product receptacle and cap inserted into each base unit and the base attachment mechanisms depicted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a customizable cosmetics carrying system and apparatus for an easy, compact, on-the-go cosmetic carrier that can easily fit into a user's bag/purse/pocket. The system allows the user to place whichever products they need for that day in the carrier. The base of the carrier can ensure that the products are always grouped together, so that the user does not need to search for individual products in one's bag/purse. One advantage of the customizable cosmetics carrying system of the present invention is that it can be configured to hold one, two, three, four, five, six, or more cosmetic products, as needed. The customizable cosmetic carrying system can help to organize and/or declutter multiple cosmetic products that are being held in, for example, a purse, handbag, suitcase, by keeping the cosmetic products in one container system that can have multiple comparts configured to hold each cosmetic product.

These and other non-limiting aspects of the present invention are described below.

With reference to the figures, the customizable cosmetics carrying system 10 can include one or more units, each unit includes a base 100 that is configured to hold a product receptacle 200. The product receptacle can be closed with a cap 300. As an example, FIG. 1 shows a system 10 with 6 units. As an example, FIG. 2 depicts the system with six connected units each comprising a base 100, a product receptacle 200, and a cap 300. FIG. 3 depicts a single unit comprising a base, a product receptacle and a cap. Product receptacles are also referred to herein as “inserts.”

In some embodiments, the system can include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more units. In some embodiments, the system includes at least 4 units. In some embodiments, the system includes less than 9 units. In some embodiments, the system includes 6 units.

The system 10 can be made from any suitable material, for example, thermoplastic or polymer materials such as, but not limited to, acrylonithle butadiene styrene (ABS), aolymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), co-polymerized polyethylene terephthalate (PETG), polycarbonate (PC), or polypropylene (PP). In other aspects, the system 10 can be made from non-polymeric material (e.g., cardboard). The system can be made from about 75%, 80%, 85%, 90% 95% or 100% recyclable materials. The exterior of the system can be decorative, such as those exemplified in FIG. 4. For example, the exterior can include a mirrored surface. The cosmetic products depicted in the figures are only exemplary and each can be replaced with any other cosmetic product.

In some embodiments, the system 10, including the product receptacles with or within caps, is compact. For example, the height of a system with 6 units can be about less than about 100 mm, 90 mm, 80 mm, 70 mm, 60 mm, 50 mm, 40 mm, for example, less than about 60 mm. For example, the length of a system with 6 units can be about less than about 200 mm, 180 mm, 160 mm, 140 mm, 120 mm, 100 mm, for example, less than about 140 mm. For example, about the size of a cellular phone.

A. Base

The base of each unit can be attached to each other by a base attachment mechanism 110. The base attachment mechanism can be a spring-loaded pin or the like. The attachment mechanism allows for a 180 rotation of two connected units. When multiple units are connected, the system can be folded, and/or fan out in a circular at depicted in FIG. 6.

Examples of single base units with a spring-loaded pin are depicted in FIG. 7 (front) and FIG. 8 (left lateral side). The base of each unit is configured to receive and hold a product receptacle. The product receptacle is held in place by a receptacle-to-base attachment mechanism. The mechanism can include, but not be limited to, a magnet, snap-in connection, and/or the like. The product receptacle can be removably attached to the base. The product receptacles are interchangeable such that a user can remove a one product receptacle and replace it with another or remove one product receptacle from one base and insert it into another base.

The base includes a bottom side, front side, back side, left lateral side, and right lateral side. In some embodiments, the bottom side, front side, back side, left lateral side, and/or right lateral side can include a magnet 110. In some embodiments, the bottom and lateral sides include magnets. The magnets can be about 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, or 2.5 mm thick and within the sides of the base. The magnets on the lateral sides hold adjacent base units together. The magnets on the bottoms hold the base units together when in a folded position as depicted in FIG. 6.

The bottom side of the base can include a male snap-in connection 130 configured to insert into a female snap-in connection 210. The male snap-in connection can be in the center of the bottom side or towards one of the sides or the base.

In some embodiments, a base unit includes a protrusion with spring loaded pin 140 that be inserted into a second base. One or more bases of the system will have an indentation complementary to the protrusion such that the protrusion fits in the indentation. One or more bases of the system will have both the protrusion and the indentation. This is illustrated in FIG. 12.

The cavity of the base can be approximately a cube. For example the cavity of the base can be about 40 mm×40 mm×40 mm, 30 mm×30 mm×30 mm, 20 mm×20 mm×20 mm, or 10 mm×10 mm×10 mm, for example about 20 mm×20 mm×20 mm. The sides of the base can be less than 5, 4, 3, 2 mm thick, for example, about 2 mm thick. The walls of the base can be approximately uniform. For example, the walls can be about 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, for example, about 2 mm thick.

B. Product Receptacle

FIGS. 9 and 11 illustrate a product receptacle of a single unit. The product receptacle can have a top portion 230 and bottom portion 240 wherein the bottom portion is narrower that the top portion so that it can fit into a base of the system so that the sides of the top portion are flush with the sides of the base when inserted. The difference in width between the top portion and the bottom portion can be, for example, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, or more, for example, about 4 mm. The height of the top portion can be about 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or more or less, for example about 20-40 mm, for example about 30 mm. The width of the top portion can be about 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or more or less, for example about 10- 30 mm, for example about 20 mm. The depth of the top portion can be about 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or more or less, for example about 10-30 mm, for example about 20 mm. The height of the bottom portion can be any height such that it can fit into a base, for example, about 10 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or more or less, for example about 10-25 mm, for example about 20 mm. The width of the bottom portion can be about 10 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or more or less, for example about 10-25 mm, for example about 16 mm. The depth of the bottom portion can be about 10 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or more or less, for example about 10-25 mm, for example about 16 mm.

Each product receptacle includes a bottom side, front side, back side, left lateral side, and right lateral side. In some embodiments, the bottom side includes a female snap-in mechanism 210.

The product receptacles described herein are configured to contain a cosmetic. The cosmetic can include, but not be limited to, low viscosity liquids, medium viscosity liquids, high viscosity liquids, as well as semi-solid products and solid products, gels, powders and/or the like. For example, the cosmetic can include, but not be limited to, a foundation, concealer, a powder, a blush, a bronzer, highlighter, an eyeshadow, an eyeliner, a mascara, an eyebrow pencil, an eyebrow gel, a lipstick, a lip gloss, a lip liner, a primer, a setting spray, a nail polish, a nail polish remover, a makeup remover, a sunscreen, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the product receptacle can include an applicator (such as for lip gloss, mascara, brow gel, stains, liquid eyeliner, nail polish, etc.). In some embodiments, the product receptacle can include a dispensing mechanism such as a pump or a twist-and-rise mechanism for moving the product up and down (such as for a typical lipstick). Exemplary cosmetic products as can be used in the system are depicted in the figures (e.g., FIGS. 4 and 6). These cosmetic products depicted in the figures are only exemplary and each can be replaced with any other cosmetic product.

The cosmetic can be contained in the product receptacle with a cap 300. An example cap is provided in FIG. 10. The cap can attach to the product receptacle by magnets, snap-in mechanisms, screw-on mechanism, and/or the like. For example, a cap can have a female snap-in connection 310 to receive a male snap-in connection on the sides of the product receptable 220. The cap can be any size that fits into a product receptacle. The cap can have a top portion 320 and bottom portion 330 wherein the bottom portion is narrower that the top portion so that it can fit into a product receptacle of the system. The difference in width between the top portion and the bottom portion can be, for example, 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, or more, for example, about 4 mm. The height of the top portion can be about 5 mm, 10 mm, 20 mm, or more or less, for example about 5 mm -15 mm, for example about 10 mm. The width of the top portion can be about 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or more or less, for example about 10-30 mm, for example about 20 mm. The depth of the top portion can be about 10 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or more or less, for example about 10-30 mm, for example about 20 mm. The height of the bottom portion can be, for example, about 3 mm, 5 mm, 10 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, or more or less, for example about 3-10 mm, for example about 5 mm. The width of the bottom portion can be any width such that it fits into a product receptacle, for example, about 10 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or more or less, for example about 10-25 mm, for example about 16 mm. The depth of the bottom portion can be any depth such that it fits into a product receptacle, for example, about 10 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm, 40 mm, or more or less, for example about 10-25 mm, for example about 16 mm.

In some embodiments, the product receptacle is leak-proof.

In one aspect, an advantage of the customizable cosmetics carrier system is that it can provide a person with an easy, on the go makeup carrier that is a supplement to their current makeup bag, which can fit in any purse or bag they are using. The system allows the person to place whichever products they need for that day in their carrier. The base of the system can help ensure that the products are always grouped together, so that one does not have to search for their desired product in their bag. The base may have hinges on the bottom which allow the inserts to fan out in a circular motion (see FIG. 6). This function also allows the person to access their desired product without having to take the insert out. Furthermore, it gives the person different storage options depending on the length and height of the purse/bag they are carrying the system in. For instance, if the bag is longer than it is tall, the user could fold the system in half so that it could fit (see FIG. 6). The inserts will fit into each hollow square on the base by using female and male snap-in mechanisms bottom of the inserts and at the bottom of the hollow square base. The female and male snap-in mechanisms allows the user to swap out products quickly and easily and also ensure that the products stay in place and do not fall to the bottom of the purse.

The system can be small/compact. The sides of the product receptacles can be flush with the sides of the bases, when inserted. When the system is unfolded (as in FIG. 2), the walls of adjacent inserts can be in contact so that there are no gaps between the adjacent bases and adjacent product receptacle and adjacent caps. When the system is folded (as in bottom left picture of FIG. 6), the bottoms of bases can be in contact so that there are no gaps between the bases.

As described above, the bases can have hinges on the bottom which allow the inserts to fan out in a circular motion. This function also allows the person to access their desired product without having to take the insert out. Furthermore, it gives the person different storage options depending on the length and height of the purse/bag they are carrying the system in. For instance, if the bag is longer than it is tall, the person could fold the system in half so that it could fit. In some embodiments, the inserts can fit into each hollow square on the base by using magnets and/or snap-in mechanism(s) on the bottom of the inserts and at the bottom of the hollow square base. The magnets and/or snap-in mechanism(s) allow the user to swap out products quickly and easily and also ensure that the products stay in place and do not fall to the bottom of one's bag.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

In at least some of the previously described embodiments, one or more elements used in an embodiment can interchangeably be used in another embodiment unless such a replacement is not technically feasible. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various other omissions, additions and modifications may be made to the structures described herein without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. All such modifications and changes are intended to fall within the scope of the subject matter, as defined by the appended claims.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

All references cited herein, including but not limited to published and unpublished applications, patents, and literature references, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and are hereby made a part of this specification. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.