Cosmetic case

Abstract

A cosmetic case is provided that includes a frame and a plurality of vertically tiered compartments for the storage of cosmetics and other personal items. The compartments of the plurality are independent and can each pivot laterally to an open position about a pivot shaft associated with the frame. The case is provided with a mirror which can occupy either a storage position or a viewing position. The mirror storage position can be located in the frame or in a compartment, preferably an uppermost compartment that is hinged on a horizontal axis. Optionally, the case can include a second pivot shaft enabling desired compartments each to pivot in an opposed lateral direction to an open position so that more than one compartment can be opened without interfering with access. Preferably the compartments are provided with a releasable retaining means in the closed position, and preferably the frame is provided with a carrying member.

1 . A cosmetic case comprising: 
 a frame including a lower portion, an upper portion and a back portion extending therebetween;    at least one pivot member extending between said lower portion and said upper portion;    a plurality of compartments located between said lower portion and said upper portion, each said compartment having a bottom panel defining a perimeter and a continuously extending raised side edge about said perimeter, each said compartment further defining an opening for receiving said at least one pivot member whereby each said compartment is independently pivotable ab out said pivot member; and    a mirror positionable in one of two positions, a first position being a non-viewable storage position, and a second position being a case-supported viewable position.    
   
   
       2 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said first position comprises a first slot defined in said frame, said first slot including an opening through which said mirror can be slidably inserted and removed.  
   
   
       3 . The case of  claim 2  wherein said first slot in reversably associated with the rear side of said back portion.  
   
   
       4 . The case of  claim 2  wherein said second position is defined by an auxiliary, angularly extending second slot defined in said frame adjacent to said first slot, said second slot for receiving a lower portion of said mirror when said mirror is removed from said first position, whereby said mirror is supported at an inclined angle for viewing.  
   
   
       5 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said mirror is positioned adjacent an uppermost compartment, and uppermost compartment can be moved into either one of said first and said second positions, said first position being achieved when said uppermost compartment is in a closed position, and said second position being achieved when said uppermost compartment is in an open, inclined position.  
   
   
       6 . The case of  claim 5  wherein: 
 said uppermost compartment has a rear portion which is associated with an upper rear portion of said frame by hinge means so that said uppermost compartment is upwardly pivotable to an inclined position relative to said frame from a closed position; and    said mirror is associated with the bottom face of said uppermost compartment; whereby said first position is achieved when said uppermost compartment is in said closed position and said second position is achieved when said uppermost compartment is in said inclined position.    
   
   
       7 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said uppermost compartment includes a lid that is hingably connected to the rear of said raised edge, said mirror is positioned on the inside of said lid, said first position is achieved when said lid is in a closed position, and said second position is achieved when said lid is pivoted upwardly to an open position.  
   
   
       8 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said mirror is positioned inside one compartment and wherein said mirror is viewable when said one compartment is in an open position.  
   
   
       9 . The case of  claim 8  wherein said one compartment is the uppermost one of said plurality of compartments, said one compartment is fixed to said back portion and covered by said upper portion, and said upper portion is hinged to said back portion, whereby said mirror is viewable when said upper portion is opened.  
   
   
       10 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said mirror is received in a storage location situated adjacent to the back side of said back portion, is slidably raisable from said storage location relative to said back portion, and, when so raised, a bottom portion of said mirror is supportable by said frame.  
   
   
       11 . The case of  claim 1  wherein a slot is defined in said frame for receiving said bottom portion of said mirror whereby said mirror is angularly positionable and supportable for viewing within said slot.  
   
   
       12 . The case of  claim 10  wherein said mirror when in said storage location is nestably received in a chamber defined in said back portion.  
   
   
       13 . A portable case for cosmetics and the like comprising: 
 a frame having a lower portion, an upper portion, and a back portion, said lower portion and said upper portion each extending in spaced, parallel relationship relative to each other outwardly from said back portion, said back portion having a perimeter defining a parallelogram with opposed upper and lower edge regions that are in spaced parallel relationship relative to each other;    said upper portion and said lower portion each having a similar perimeter, said perimeter defining a forward region and a rear region, the respective opposite ends of each said region meeting whereby when an end of said rear region meets an end of said forward region, an acute angle is defined;    a pivot shaft member extending between said lower portion and said upper portion adjacent to said back portion and also to said acute angle;    a plurality of compartments, each having a perimeter corresponding to that of said similar perimeter, said compartment plurality being arranged in a vertically tiered and aligned sequence and being located between said upper portion and said lower portion and adjacent to said back portion;    each said compartment comprising a bottom panel having said perimeter and a continuously extending, raised side edge about said perimeter and defining an upwardly opening cavity therein;    each said compartment having connection means for pivotably associating that compartment with an adjacent portion of said pivot shaft member when said compartment plurality is in said vertically tiered and aligned sequence and is located between said upper portion and said lower portion; whereby each said compartment with said cavity thereof oriented upwardly is independently pivotable about said pivot shaft member between a closed position located generally in said tiered and aligned sequence and an open position located generally laterally of said tiered and aligned sequence;    releasable means for retaining each said compartment in said closed position;    means for suspending and transporting said frame in association with said plurality of compartments all being in their respective closed positions; and    a mirror positionable successively in each one of two positions, a first position being a non-viewable case-associated storage position, and a second position being a case-supported viewable position.    
   
   
       14 . The case of  claim 13  wherein said first position comprises a first slot defined in said frame, said first slot including an opening through which said mirror can be slidably inserted and removed.  
   
   
       15 . The case of  claim 14  wherein said first slot is associated with the rear side of said back member.  
   
   
       16 . The case of  claim 14  wherein said second position is defined by an auxiliary, angularly extending second slot defined in said frame adjacent to said first slot, said second slot for receiving a lower portion of said mirror when said mirror is removed from said first position, whereby said mirror is supported at an inclined angle for viewing.  
   
   
       17 . The case of  claim 13  wherein said mirror is positioned inside of an uppermost compartment, said first position is achieved when said uppermost compartment is in a closed position, and said second position is achieved when said uppermost compartment is in an open position.  
   
   
       18 . The case of  claim 17  wherein: 
 said uppermost compartment has a rear portion which is associated with an upper rear portion of said frame by hinge means so that said uppermost compartment is upwardly pivotable to an inclined position relative to said frame from a closed position; and    said mirror is associated with the bottom face of said uppermost compartment; whereby said first position is achieved when said uppermost compartment is in said closed position and said second position is achieved when said uppermost compartment is in said inclined position.    
   
   
       19 . The case of  claim 13  wherein said uppermost compartment includes a lid that is hingably connected to the rear of said raised edge, said mirror is positioned on the inside of said lid, said first position is achieved when said lis is in a closed position, and said second position is achieved when said lid is pivoted upwardly to an open position.  
   
   
       20 . The case of  claim 13  wherein, in said perimeter, said forward region extends arcuately and said rear region extends straight.  
   
   
       21 . The case of  claim 20  wherein said forward region extends in a hemi-circular manner.  
   
   
       22 . The case of  claim 13  wherein said parallelogram defines a rectangular configuration and each of said compartment plurality in said layered and aligned sequence is perpendicularly oriented relative to other said compartment.  
   
   
       23 . The case of  claim 13  wherein said releasable means comprises a flexible strap one end of which is mounted to one of said upper and lower portions while the other end of which is detachably associated with the other one of said upper and lower portions.  
   
   
       24 . The case of  claim 13  wherein said releasable means comprises detent means that releasably engages an aligned receiving pocket whereby each pivotable compartment is independently retainable in a closed position.  
   
   
       25 . The case of  claim 13  wherein each of said compartments has a receiving pocket that engages a different detent means engageable therewith that is located adjacent a corner portion thereof.  
   
   
       26 . The case of  claim 13  wherein, when each said compartment is in said closed position, each said compartment releasably engages a retainer means.  
   
   
       27 . The case of  claim 13  wherein said means for suspending and transporting said frame comprises a strap-like means which has opposite end members each of which is fastenable to a different upper outside corner of said frame.  
   
   
       28 . The case of  claim 13  wherein said connection means comprises a hole extending vertically through the associated said compartment and said pivot shaft means is receivable through said hole when said case is assembled, whereby each said compartment means is pivotable relative to said pivot shaft member.  
   
   
       29 . The case of  claim 13  wherein each said compartment is separated from adjacent compartments by sleeve members associated with said pivot shaft member.