Storage Bag for Cosmetics

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a modular storage bag includes an outer housing and multiple inserts that are releasably secured inside the outer housing using first and second securement mechanisms. The outer housing includes first and second outer shells that are connected along one of a plurality of shell edges to form a hinge for reciprocally rotating the outer shells relative to one another from an open position to a storage position. The first and second shells define a storage compartment when in the storage position. The inserts each have a storage compartment configured to store one or more cosmetic items.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular storage bag comprising:
 an outer housing comprising first and second outer shells that are connected along one of a plurality of shell edges to form a hinge for reciprocally rotating the outer shells relative to one another from an open position to a storage position, the first and second shells defining a storage compartment when in the storage position;   a plurality of inserts each having a storage compartment configured to store one or more cosmetic items; and   first and second securement mechanisms configured to releasably secure the plurality of inserts to the outer housing such that the inserts may be rotated from a first position inside the storage compartment when the outer housing is in the storage position to a second position when the outer housing is in the open position, the first securement mechanism connected along a first of the plurality of shell edges of the outer shells and the second securement mechanism connected to the outer housing along a second of the plurality of shell edges, the first shell edge being different from the second shell edge.   
     
     
         2 . The modular storage bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a third securement mechanism configured to releasably secure another of the plurality of inserts to the outer housing such that the inserts may be rotated from the first position inside the storage compartment when the outer housing is in the storage position to the second position when the outer housing is in the open position, the third securement mechanism secured to the one shell edge defining the hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The modular storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein the outer housing has a generally rectangular shape and the first and second securement mechanisms configured on opposing edges of the outer shells. 
     
     
         4 . The modular storage bag of  claim 3 , wherein the inserts are secured to the first and second securement mechanisms along one insert edge and are dimensioned to extend halfway into the storage compartment when in the first position. 
     
     
         5 . The modular storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second securement mechanisms comprise two or more rings configured to be selectively opened and closed for removing or adding the inserts to the first and second securement mechanisms. 
     
     
         6 . The modular storage bag of  claim 1 , further comprising a zipper extending continuously along the edges of the outer shells, not including the one edge, for selectively maintaining the outer shells in the storage position. 
     
     
         7 . The modular storage bag of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the inserts comprises:
 a panel having a plurality of holes; and   a plurality of expandable bands routed through the holes and configured to releasably secure one or more cosmetic items between the bands and the panel via a friction fit of the bands and the panel.   
     
     
         8 . A modular storage bag comprising:
 an outer housing comprising first and second outer shells that are connected along one of a plurality of shell edges to form a hinge for reciprocally rotating the outer shells relative to one another from an open position to a storage position, the first and second shells defining a storage compartment when in the storage position;   at least one insert including a panel having a plurality of holes, and a plurality of expandable bands routed through the holes and configured to releasably secure one or more cosmetic items between the bands and the panel via a friction fit of the bands and the panel; and   a securement mechanism configured to releasably secure the at least one insert to the outer housing such that the at least one insert may be rotated from a first position inside the storage compartment when the outer housing is in the storage position to a second position when the outer housing is in the open position.   
     
     
         9 . The modular storage bag of  claim 8 , further comprising a closure mechanism affixed to a portion of the perimeter of the panel and configured to, when the panel is folded in half, closed such that the panel is maintained in a folded position. 
     
     
         10 . The modular storage bag of  claim 9 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises at least one of a zipper and a Ziploc™ fastener.