Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SHOW-SHADE COSMETIC CASE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cosmetic case, particularly, with a post
affixed/rotateable hinge to allow for ease of identification of a shaded
colored cosmetic
packaged within the case.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For centuries, consumers have bought cosmetic powders in cases hoping to
achieve the perfect "flawless" look. Typically, a powder of a particular shade
can be
found in a cosmetic case to match the desired complexion of the consumer.
Matching the
color of the product, however, can be somewhat difficult when the contents
within the
compact cannot be seen. Because opaque packaging is often desired, a conflict
occurs
creating the inability to clearly see the specific product shade while
packaged on the
shelf. Solid color compacts are often used, particularly, in the case of
cosmetic powders
since a solid color is considered better quality and the placement of mirrors
inside are
considered a necessary convenience. Previously, there have been attempts to
"show
shade" by displaying a color sample on the package or display card. Although
this aided
the consumer in selecting their desired color, errors could be made when a
consumer
purchased a particular product based solely on the color sample. Sometimes,
the color of
the sample did not meet the consumer's expectation of the contents within the
package.
Although one may employ a transparent lid, it is not as aesthetically pleasing
as an
opaque compact due to the presence of a mirror. Another alternative to "show
shade" is
to display the compact in an opened position, which wastes space, or have the
consumer
open the package. Such options are not desirable and can hinder marketing.
The present invention provides a uniquely designed cosmetic case which
maintains a high quality look yet assists the consumer in quickly selecting
the desired
product shade by viewing the actual product without the necessity of removing
the
product from the package.
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The present invention further provides a cosmetic case with a uniquely
designed
hinge that allows for the cover and base of the case to be packaged in a
particular
configuration that allows the consumer to view and select the desired product
shade.
The present invention also provides a method of doing business whereby the
cosmetic case of the present invention and the assembly of such is used as a
means of
assisting in an unaided selection of a cosmetic shade from an array of
cosmetic shades
available to the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a cosmetic case is provided wherein
the
cover and container base are packaged in such a way as to allow a view of the
product
shade in the base. After point of purchase, the consumer joins the cover and
base by
either turning the cover over on the base and snapping the locking
protuberance into the
receiver or by rotating the cover from an angled position to an equal position
over the
container base. The cover is then locked into the base by the locking ledge
that flexes
through a smaller diameter hole in the hinge receiver and lands on an internal
locking
shelf on the inner wall of the hinge receiver. The consumer then operates the
compact as
usual, opening and closing it about the hinge via the front push button.
Assembly of the
cover and base or rotation of the cover to become aligned with the base is no
longer
required as it is now affixed for maneuverability about the hinge.
One embodiment of the present invention provides for a snap-assembly cosmetic
case wherein the cover is disengaged from the container base and is packaged
in such a
way as to allow for a consumer to view the contents of the container base
while in a
packaging such as a blister package. The cover, for example, may be packaged
underneath the container base in a configuration such as to cradle the
container base.
Such configuration is advantageous to the consumer since it allows for the
contents of the
container base to be viewed without the impairment of a cover atop of the
container base.
One of the base or cover includes a protuberance with a ledge formed by the
use of a flat
surface below a pointed tip. The consumer is directed to assemble the case by
snapping
the protuberance into the hinge receiver of one of the container base or
cover,
respectively. The protuberance locks by means of a locking shelf that allows
the
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container base and cover to be engaged such that the cover and base cannot be
detached.
The cosmetic case then becomes operable to open and close accordingly.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides for a rotate-assembly
cosmetic case wherein the cover and base are packaged similarly to the snap-
assembly
case above such that the container base sits within the inner face of the
cover. The cover
and the container base, however, are already engaged by means of a rotating
hinge during
packaging. After point of purchase, the consumer rotates the cover from
underneath the
container base so that the cover and the container base sit along a similar
axis. A locking
lug engages a notch on the hinge receiver to prevent the cover and base from
rotating.
The cosmetic case will then articulate around the hinge to open and close.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides for a pivot-assembly
cosmetic case wherein the cover and base are already engaged by means of a
rotating
hinge during packaging and are rotated apart whereas the cover and container
base are
angled in relation to each other in order to show the shade of the product.
Distinguished
from the previous embodiment, the inner areas of the cover and container base
comprise a
first position to face each other. After point of purchase, the consumer joins
the cover
and container base by rotating either part such that the inside surfaces of
the cover and
container base are at least about evenly atop of each other. After assembly
and the cover
and/or base are completely rotated, a locking lug engages a notch on the hinge
receiver to
lock the compact in a hinged configuration. The compact then operates
accordingly
rotating about the hinge. Rotation of the cover and base is no longer required
as the
compact is now locked to rotate about the hinge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
It is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the
following description of preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the cosmetic case of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is an inner perspective view of the container base of the cosmetic case
of
the present invention;
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FIG. 3 is an outer perspective view of the cover of the cosmetic case of the
present
invention;
FIG. 4 is an inner perspective view of the cover of the cosmetic case of the
present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the snap-assembly cosmetic case of the present
invention as packaged in a cradle position;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the cover engaged with the container
base
of the snap-assembly cosmetic case of the present invention with the cover in
the open
position;
FIG. 7 is a magnified cross-sectional side view of the cover engaged with the
container base of the snap-assembly cosmetic case of the present invention
with the cover
in the open position;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the snap-assembly cosmetic case in an open
position after assembly;
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the cover, hinge receiver and container base of
the
pivot-assembly and rotate-assembly cosmetic case of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a top view of the pivot-assembly cosmetic case of the present
invention;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the protuberance and hinge receiver of the
rotate-
assembly and pivot-assembly cosmetic case of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the protuberance, locking lug and locking notch
of
the cosmetic case of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the rotate-assembly cosmetic case of the
present
invention in a first position such as that found while packaged;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the rotate-assembly cosmetic case of the
present
invention during rotation; and
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the rotate-assembly cosmetic case of the
present
invention wherein the rotating protuberance is locked so that the cosmetic
case can open
and close.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for a cosmetic case that allows the customer to
view the product shade while it is shelved or on display yet is packaged in
such a way as
to not hinder marketing. As used herein, "package" is a unitary means by which
the
5 cosmetic case of the present invention is shelved, displayed, stored or
shipped. The outer
wrap can comprise a variety of materials such as blisters, cartons, thermoform
clam
shells, shrink sleeves, plastic sleeve and bags, injection molded container
and the like.
As used herein, the position of the cover relative to the container base when
the
cover and the base are packaged together as a package unit is described as the
"first
position". The "second position" as used herein describes the position of the
cover
(locked) engaged with the base so that the cosmetic case can be opened and
closed by the
cover rotating about the hinge. In the first position, the cover is disposed
such that a
combined projected area of both the cover and the base totals no more than a
sum of an
individual total area of the cover and an individual total area of the base.
In other words,
within the package unit the total area defined by the base and the cover in
combination is
not greater than the sum of individual total areas of the base and the cover.
This is so
because in the packaged unit the cover and the base are at least partially
superimposed in
plan view, as shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 13. The areas of the cover and of the
base are
defined by their respective perimeters, as one skilled in the art will
appreciate. When
added together as described above, these areas are hereby referred to as
"cumulative
area". For example, if the area of the cover is "A" and the area of the
container base is
"B", the cumulative area is A + B. The "projected area" as used herein refers
to the
combined areas of the area of the cover and the area of the base in a packaged
unit, when
the cover is in the first position. As opposed to the cumulative area, the
projected area can
vary depending on the position of the cover with respect to the base. For
given sizes of
cosmetic cases, the cumulative area is constant and will not change regardless
of the
disposition of the cover and base. In the packaged unit, the cosmetic case of
the present
invention comprises a combined projected area of no more than about 95% of the
cumulative area. Specifically, the combined projected area is no more than
about 85%,
more specifically no more than about 75%, more specifically no more than about
65%,
and even more specifically no more than about 50% of the cumulative area of
the
cosmetic case. The second position of the cosmetic case of the present
invention can be
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seen in the closed position as shown generally in FIG. 5 or the open position
as shown
generally in FIG. 8. In the second position when closed, either the base or
the cover is
rotated parallel or at least substantially parallel to the base or cover,
respectively.
Through mechanisms described herein, cosmetic cases of the present invention
can be engaged and thus assembled by a variety of means. Specifically, the
present
invention provides for an engagement means such as a hinge. Cosmetic cases of
the
present invention can comprise a variety of sizes to hold various products
such as
foundation, powders, blush, eye shadow, lip products and the like.
The present invention provides in FIG. 1 generally for a cosmetic case 100
wherein the cover and container base are packaged in such a way as to allow a
view of the
product shade in the base. While the present invention provides for three
variations of
such cosmetic case, one of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that many
elements are
common amongst the various cosmetic cases. Specifically, the various cosmetic
cases are
represented herein as Snap-assembly 101, FIGS. 1-8; Pivot-assembly 102, FIGS.
9-12;
and Rotate-assembly 103, FIGS. 9, 11-15.
Generally FIG. 1 provides for a cosmetic case 100 and more specifically, a
snap-
assembly cosmetic case 101 that allows the customer to view the product shade
while
shelved or on display yet is packaged in such a way as to not hinder
marketing. The
cosmetic case 100 includes a container base 124 and a corresponding cover 128.
The
container base 124 and the corresponding cover 128 have an outside perimeter
that can
vary according to size and may measure from about 20 to about 200 mm.
Referring generally to FIG. 2, the container base 124 has a bottom 132 and a
peripheral wall 136. The bottom 132 may have a thickness of about 1 to about 5
mm.
The container base peripheral wall 136 preferably has a thickness of about 1
to about 5
mm in the front area and a height of about 5 to about 15 mm at the center of
the side. The
container base 124 includes an interior compartment for containing a cosmetic
product.
The area of the interior compartment can comprise all product within the
compartment or
the interior compartment may be divided to comprise more than one interior
compartment. For example, there may be two interior compartments (upper and
lower or
left and right, respectively). The upper interior compartment 140 for
containing the
cosmetic product such as face powder, compact face powder, foundation powder,
eye
shadow, blushes and the like. The cosmetic product can sit within a pan 138
(FIG. 1) to
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hold the cosmetic and the pan 138 (FIG. 1) sits within the upper interior
compartment 140
of the cosmetic case. The upper interior compartment 140 can comprise an area
of from
no less than about 30%, specifically no less than about 60% and no more than
about 80%,
specifically no more than about 60% of the total area of the container base.
The lower
interior compartment 144 may include an area for containing an applicator
(e.g., sponge,
puff, brush or the like). The lower interior compartment 144 can comprise an
area of
from no less than about 20%, specifically no less than about 40% and no more
than about
70%, specifically no more than about 40% of the total area of the container
base. The
lower interior compartment 144 may be solid but it may also be aerated through
the
bottom of the container base 124 with aerated holes 146 to ensure proper
storage of
applicator devices. A latching device 184 is located in the front end wall 180
of the
container base 124. The latching device 184 may include several components
that
provide the opening and locking/securing functions for the cosmetic case 100.
One
component of the latching device 184 that provides such features is the push
button 188.
When closed, the push button 188 will be engaged with a cover clasp 192 (FIG.
4) on the
cover 128 to keep the compact closed when not in use.
Referring generally back to FIG. 1, the container base peripheral wall 136 has
a
base notch 148 in the rear of the wall 136. The base notch 148 is sized to
hold a hinge
receiver 150 of the present invention. The base peripheral wall 136, the base
notch 148
and the hinge receiver 150 contain pin holes 160 wherein pins 162 are inserted
as a means
of engaging the hinge receiver 150 to the container base 124. (Pin holes 160
and pins 162
are generally seen in FIG. 9). The pin holes 160 on the hinge receiver 150 are
inserted
into the side of the hinge receiver 150. If the hinge receiver 150 is found
specifically on
the snap-assembly cosmetic case 101, the hinge receiver 151 may have a square
top
opening 153 comprising a locking shelf 156 within at least one wall of the
hinge receiver
151. Specifically, the locking shelf 156 can be located within the front
and/or rear wall of
the hinge receiver 151. Specifically referring to FIG. 9, if the hinge
receiver 150 is found
on the pivot assembly cosmetic case 102 or the rotate assembly cosmetic case
103 of the
present invention, the top opening 154 of the hinge receiver 152 may be round
comprising a locking shelf 156 within at least one wall of the hinge receiver
and a locking
notch 158 within one area on the hinge receiver 152 (also shown in FIGS. 11
and 12).
The locking shelf 156 allows the cover 128 of the cosmetic case to lock into
the container
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base 128 after assembly while the locking notch 158 prevents the cover 128
from rotating
after assembly.
Referring generally to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cover 128 has a top 198 and a cover
peripheral wall 202. The top 198 has a thickness of about 1 to about 5 mm. The
cover
peripheral wall 202 has a thickness and height of about 1 to about 5 mm.
Referring to
FIG. 4, the cover 128 can include an upper inner area 204 providing a volume
for
containing a mirror 207 (FIG. 8) or reflecting device and/or light herein
referred to as
"mirror well" 204. The cover 128 may also include a lower inner area providing
a
volume for containing a compressible seal 206 (FIG. 8) that fits over the
contents held
within the container base 124, herein referred to as "seal well" 208.
Referring generally to FIGS. 6 and 7, the cover 128 contains a molded or
hinged
protuberance 170 below the top of the cover 198 containing a locking ledge 173
that is
shaped and sized to engage with the locking shelf 156 within the top opening
153 of the
snap-assembly hinge receiver 151 or the top opening 154 of the pivot-
assembly/rotate-
assembly hinge receiver 152 (FIG. 9). The protuberance 170 is located no more
than
about 10 mm and no less than about 3 mm below the top of the cover 198, the
protuberance 170 is designed to interact with the hinge receiver 150 such that
when the
cover 128 is affixed to the container base 124, the protuberance 170 locks to
prohibit the
disassembly of the cover 128 and container base 124. In the case of the snap-
assembly
cosmetic case 101, the protuberance 171 and hinge receiver 151 are designed to
ensure
proper assembly so that the cover 128 cannot be assembled backwards. The hinge
receiver 150 becomes the means by which the cosmetic case 100 will open and
close.
The cover 128 will now rotate about the hinge receiver 150. As used herein
"rotate about
the hinge receiver" refers to the fact that the protuberance has been locked
and held
within the hinge receiver 150 in order that the cover 128 can rotate about the
hinge 150 to
open and shut. After the second position of the cosmetic case 100 has been
met, the
cosmetic case 100 now operates by opening and closing similarly to
conventional
cosmetic cases. Preferably, the cosmetic case 100 of the present invention
will open and
close along the y-axis. The cosmetic case 100 may also open and close along
the x and z
axes.
Referring to FIG. 8, the cosmetic case 100 can be opened by the pushing the
push
button 188 in inwardly. When the pushing surface of the push button 188 is
pressed
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inwardly, the button 188 is released from the clasp 192 on the cover 128
allowing the
compact cover 128 to be unclasped. When closing the cosmetic case 100, the
cover 128
and the container base 124 are brought together as they rotate about the hinge
150 until
the clasp 192 on the cover 128 is engaged with the push button 188. With the
cosmetic
case 100 in its closed position (FIG. 5), it is now ready to be opened by
inwardly pressing
the push button 188 as previously described above. With the cosmetic case 100
in its
closed position (FIG. 5), the compressible seal 206 allows the product within
the
container base 124 to contain volatile components. The length of the
protuberance 170
(FIG. 4) and the length of hinge receiver 150 can be adjusted to determine the
amount of
compression on the seal 206.
The cosmetic case 100 can be made of a resilient material such as a synthetic
resin. Examples of synthetic resins useful for the present invention are
styrene-
acrylonitrile resin (SAN) or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). The hinge
receiver
150 can be molded of a stronger material than the cosmetic case. Previously,
compacts,
particularly, round compacts, have had relatively weak hinge systems.
Compacts that have had a curvature shape in conjunction with a pin hinge were
usually
susceptible to concentrated stress in the hinge creating a break point.
Because the hinge
receiver 150 is a separate piece from the cosmetic case, it can be molded of a
different
material which is advantageous to the overall functionality since this will
allow the
materials used between the case and the receiver to be different. By having
different
materials, the hinge receiver 150 is able to be made of a stronger material
which will
strengthen the overall hinge system and reduce the stress effect of the
cosmetic case 100.
The material of the hinge receiver 150 is strong yet will not shatter or
deform. Materials
used to enhance strength of the cosmetic case 100 are selected from the group
consisting
of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, and nylon. These
materials will
provide a smooth, resistant bearing surface that will provide a quality feel
to the cosmetic
case. In addition to providing strength, it is also desired that the material
of the hinge
receiver 150 allow for significant flexibility without breakage. Flexible
materials useful
in the present invention should operate within the working range and not
extend beyond
the stress yield point. Materials useful for providing flexibility to the
hinge receiver 150
can be made of a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene,
polyethylene, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and mixtures thereof. Through the
use of
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the hinge receiver 150, the physical characteristics of the cosmetic case 100
can
dramatically change. Previously, compacts were made of low cost materials that
created
pressure within the hinge to allow the cover to pop open when the push button
was
engaged. These materials, however would cause creeping and a loss in shape due
to low
5 memory characteristics. "Creep" as used herein refers to the process of the
plastic to lose
its original shape. As used herein, "memory" relates to the ability of the
plastic to return
to its original manufactured form. Thus, it is desirable for the cosmetic case
100 of the
present invention to utilize materials that have high memory characteristics
yet do not
creep nor lose shape. Examples of such high memory materials include, but are
not
10 limited to, TPE, urethane thermoplastic elastomer (TPU), polybutyl,
polyethylene and
mixtures thereof.
The hinge receiver 150 can also comprise a built-in float that allows the
cover 128
to move freely within the hinge receiver 150 and move evenly over the pan 138
to
provide an even seal around the compact. The float also allows the cover 128
to rise
within range of the hinge 150 which reduces pressure around the seal 206 when
the cover
128 is closed. The pressure exerted on the seal 206 can also be varied by
adjusting the
length of the protuberance 170 in order to determine the amount of float the
cover 128
will achieve. The protuberance 170 is designed to be slightly longer than the
distance
needed to fit past the locking shelf 156. The design of the hinge receiver 150
and
protuberance 170 controls the amount of compression and/or gap between the
cover 128
and the container base 124 thereby aiding in providing an even contact with
the cover 128
and base 124 that ensures an even pressure and a good seal.
Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and
described, modifications may be made to the cosmetic case 100 without
departing from
the teachings of the present invention. The terms used in describing the
invention and the
configuration herein are used in their descriptive sense and not as terms of
limitation, it
being intended that all equivalents thereof be included within the scope of
the appended
claims. Any configuration which performs to create the previously mentioned
market
advantages, are included within the scope of this description.
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Snap-assembly Cosmetic Case
Referring to FIG. 1, the snap-assembly cosmetic case 101 of the present
invention
provides for a cover disposed at a first position that is disengaged from the
container base
124. The contents within the container base 124 are at least partially exposed
if not fully
exposed. For example, when the cosmetic case 101 is packaged, it can be
packaged in a
cradle orientation. In the cradle orientation, the container base 101 is
placed on the top of
the cover 128, so the contents of the product held within the pan 138 within
the upper
interior area 140 of the container base 124 can be viewed. Specifically, the
cradle
orientation allows the container base 124 to be packaged face up and stacked
on the cover
128 such that the surface of the bottom of the container base 124 is in
contact with the
inside surface of the cover 128.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, when the consumer purchases the product, the cover
128 is engaged with the container base 124 by turning the cover 128 over onto
the
container base 124 and snapping the protuberance 171 into the hinge receiver
151. The
cover 128 and container base 124 are engaged by the now locked protuberance
171.
Because of the locking shelf 156 within the hinge receiver 151 and the locking
ledge 173
on the protuberance 171, the consumer is able to properly assemble the case
such that the
cover 128 is not snapped in backwards. The locking shelf 156 and the locking
ledge 173
also prevents the cover 128 from being disengaged from the container base 124.
The
cosmetic case 101 continues to operate as generally described above, opening
as in FIG.
8.
Pivot-assembly Cosmetic Case
Referring to FIG. 9, the pivot-assembly case 102 of the present invention
comprises a cover 128 and container base 124 wherein the cover and container
base are
packaged such that the cover 128 and container base 124 are engaged by means
of a hinge
152. The locking shelf 156 within the hinge receiver 152 and the locking ledge
173 on
the protuberance 172 prevents the cover 128 from disengaging from the
container base
124. (See also, FIGS. 11 and 12). Referring to FIG. 10, the cover 128 is
rotated at an
angle in relation to the container base 124 in order to show the shade of the
product while
packaged. Referring again to FIG. 9, the cover 128 or container base 124 is
able to rotate
within the hinge receiver 152 by means of the engaged protuberance 172 and is
angled
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such that the contents of the container base 124 are exposed. As used herein,
"rotate
within the hinge receiver" is distinguished from "rotate about the hinge
receiver". To
rotate within the hinge receiver 152 means that the protuberance 172 is
inserted within the
top opening 154 of the hinge receiver 152 but is not yet locked such that the
cover 128 is
able to rotate as much as 360 within the hinge receiver 152. Rotation will
ultimately be
prevented by the engagement of the locking lug 157 and locking notch 158 on
the hinge
receiver 152. Once rotation has been prevented, the cover 128 will only rotate
about the
hinge receiver 152 to open and close the cosmetic case 102 conventionally as
generally
described above. While packaged, the cover 128 is able to rotate within the
hinge
receiver 152 no more than about 180 , specifically no more than about 120 ,
more
specifically no more than about 90 , even more specifically no more than about
75 , even
more specifically no more than about 60 and no less than about 40 , more
specifically no
less than about 20 , even more specifically no less than about 10 from the
axis of the
container base 124. During assembly, the consumer pivots the cover 128 from
the
angled position to evenly sit atop of the container base 124 where it is lined
up along the
same axis to form the second position. The locking lug 157 and locking notch
158 locks
the cover 128 in place in order to prohibit the cover 128 from continuing to
pivot. The
locking shelf 156 and the locking ledge 173 prevents the cover 128 from being
removed
from the container base 124.
Rotate-assembly Cosmetic Case
Referring to FIG. 13, the rotate-assembly case 103 also comprises a cover
128 and container base 124 that are engaged during packaging. The container
base 124,
however, can be cradled wherein the container base 124 sits within the cover
128. The
locking shelf 156 and the locking ledge 173 prevents the cover 128 from being
removed
from the container base 124. (FIGS. 11 and 12). To assemble the rotate-
assembly case,
the consumer rotates the cover 128 from underneath the container base 124 as
shown in
FIG. 14. Although the cover 128 is able to rotate 360 , rotation will be
haulted with the
help of the engagement between the locking lug 157 and locking notch 158
(FIGS. 11 and
12). Specifically, the cover 128 is able to rotate 180 within the hinge
receiver 152.
Referring to FIG. 15, the container base 103 is positioned to operate
conventionally, to
open and close as generally described above.
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In a preferred execution of the cosmetic case of the present invention the
elements
of the cosmetic case will have the dimensions previously mentioned. It is
understood,
however, that these dimensions are closely related and that if the dimensions
of one
element are changed substantially, corresponding dimensional changes may have
to be
made in the others.
The citation of all documents is, in relevant part, not to be construed as an
admission
that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated
and
described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other
changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
