Cosmetic case

Abstract

A cosmetic case is provided that includes a frame and a plurality of interleaved, vertically tiered compartments for the storage of cosmetics or other items. The compartments of the plurality are independent and can pivot laterally to an open position. 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. The case includes a pair of pivot shafts enabling selected compartments to pivot in an opposed lateral direction to an open position so that more than one compartment can be readily opened for concurrent display of their contents.

1 . A case comprising:
 a frame including a lower portion, an upper portion and a back portion extending therebetween;   a pair of spaced apart hinge pins extending between said lower portion and said upper portion;   a plurality of trays located between said lower portion and said upper portion, each said tray having a floor defining a perimeter and a continuously extending raised side edge about said perimeter, each said tray further defining an opening for receiving at least one article for storage;   said trays including a hinge socket for receiving one of said hinge pins for swingable mounting thereon and a latch for engaging either the other of said hinge pins or said frame;   said plurality of trays being arranged with different trays supported by different ones of said hinge pins; and   each of said trays being independently movable with respect to the other trays.   
   
   
       2 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said pivot members of said pair of pivot members are generally coextensive. 
   
   
       3 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said latch is releasable for releasably engaging the other of said hinge pins. 
   
   
       4 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of trays are serially arranged one on top of the other. 
   
   
       5 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of trays are arranged in a single continuous serial array. 
   
   
       6 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of trays are arranged in two serial arrays, each array being supported by a respective one of said hinge pins. 
   
   
       7 . The case of  claim 6  wherein the trays of the serial arrays are interleaved with one another. 
   
   
       8 . The case of  claim 6  wherein the plurality of trays are arranged in a single serial overall array, with a succession of trays taken from each of the serial arrays, alternately. 
   
   
       9 . The case of  claim 1  wherein the hinge pins are selectively removable. 
   
   
       10 . The case of  claim 1  further comprising a storage divider receivable in at least one of said trays. 
   
   
       11 . The case of  claim 10  wherein said storage divider comprises a plurality of storage segments disposed inside of an outer ring. 
   
   
       12 . The case of  claim 11  wherein the outer ring is releasable engageable with the floor of said at least one tray. 
   
   
       13 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said frame further comprises an upper compartment disposed above said plurality of trays. 
   
   
       14 . The case of  claim 13  wherein said case further comprises a lid covering said upper compartment. 
   
   
       15 . The case of  claim 1  wherein said frame further comprises a back wall carrying at least one releasable fastener for releasably securing an external object to said case. 
   
   
       16 . The case of  claim 3  wherein said latch comprises a collar defining a channel for receiving a portion of one of said hinge pins. 
   
   
       17 . A portable case 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 relationship relative to each other outwardly from said back portion;   said upper portion and said lower portion each having a similar perimeter;   a pair of spaced pivot shaft members extending between said lower portion and said upper portion adjacent to said back portion;   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 of said bottom panel and cooperating with the bottom panel to define an upwardly opening cavity therein;   each said compartment having connection means for pivotably associating that compartment with an adjacent portion of one of said pivot shaft members, with each compartment independently pivotable between a closed position located generally in said tiered and aligned sequence and an open position pivoted away from said back portion;   a catch releasably engageable with either one of said pivot shaft members or said frame, for retaining each said compartment in said closed position; and   a transport member for suspending and transporting said frame in association with said plurality of compartments arranged in their respective closed positions.   
   
   
       18 . The case of  claim 17  further comprising 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.