Double fold compact

Abstract

A cosmetic compact container having a folding lid with a mirror on the folding lid. The compact includes a base and first and section lid sections. One of the two lid sections may include a mirror. An example may enable a user to view the mirror both in the closed and open configuration. Another example may include a particular opening configuration in which the lid is biased to close during a first stage of opening and, after reaching a selected “amount” of opening, the lid is biased to finish opening. Such biasing may be accomplished without the use of a spring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cosmetic container comprising:
 a base for containing cosmetic products and having a first end and a second end;   a first lid section having a first end and a second end, the second end coupled to the base;   a second lid section having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotably attached to the first end of the base;   wherein the second end of the second lid section is pivotably attached to the first lid section, the first lid section comprising a mirror on a first side thereof;   wherein the first and second lid sections together form a lid of the cosmetic container and are coupled to each other and the base such that:
 when the lid is closed, the lid and base define a cavity for containing cosmetic products and the mirror is on an outside of the lid; 
 when the lid is opened, to a user facing the cosmetic container at the second end of the base, the mirror faces the user; and 
 during a step of opening the lid, the mirror faces the user. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cosmetic container of  claim 1  wherein the base comprises at least one groove along a side extending from the first end to the second end, wherein the second end of the first lid section is configured to couple with the groove to maintain the second end of the first lid section coupled to the base. 
     
     
         3 . The cosmetic container of  claim 2  wherein the second end of the first lid section includes a post configured to couple with the groove to maintain the second end of the first lid section coupled to the base. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetic container of  claim 1  wherein the lid is configured such that, as the lid is opened from a closed position to an open position:
 during a first stage of opening, the lid is biased to return to the closed position; and 
 during a second stage of opening, the lid is biased to continue on to the open position. 
 
     
     
         5 . The cosmetic container of  claim 4  wherein the lid biasing is accomplished without the use of a spring. 
     
     
         6 . The cosmetic container of  claim 1  wherein the second end of the second lid section is pivotably attached to the first end of the first lid section. 
     
     
         7 . The cosmetic container of  claim 6  wherein the base comprises a rounded edge to facilitate sliding of the first end of the second lid section around the rounded edge as the second lid section pivots during opening of the lid. 
     
     
         8 . The cosmetic container of  claim 7  wherein the lid is configured such that, as the lid is opened from a closed position to an open position:
 during a first stage of opening, the lid is biased to return to the closed position; and 
 during a second stage of opening, the lid is biased to continue on to the open position. 
 
     
     
         9 . The cosmetic container of  claim 8  wherein the first and second lid sections, in conjunction with the rounded edge, facilitate the biasing of the lid during opening without the use of a spring. 
     
     
         10 . The cosmetic container of  claim 1  wherein the second end of the second lid section is pivotably attached to a middle region of the first lid section. 
     
     
         11 . The cosmetic container of  claim 10 , wherein the base comprises at least one groove along a side extending from the first end to the second end, the groove having a depression adjacent the first end, wherein the second end of the first lid section includes a post, wherein the post couples with the groove to maintain the second end of the first lid section coupled to the base, wherein the post sits in the depression when the lid is fully opened. 
     
     
         12 . The cosmetic container of  claim 1  wherein the first lid section comprises a lid piece and the mirror, the mirror being attached to the lid piece. 
     
     
         13 . The cosmetic container of  claim 1  wherein the first lid section is formed of metal and the mirror is formed of a highly reflective portion of the metal. 
     
     
         14 . A cosmetic container comprising:
 a base for containing cosmetic products and having a first end and a second end;   a first lid section having a first end and a second end, the second end coupled to the base, the first lid section having a mirror coupled thereto;   a second lid section having a first end and a second end, the first end pivotably attached at the first end of the base;   wherein the second end of the second lid section is pivotably attached to the first lid section;   wherein the first and second lid sections together form a lid of the cosmetic container and are coupled to each other and the base such that:
 when the lid is closed, the lid and base define a cavity for containing cosmetic products and the mirror is on an outside of the lid; 
 when the lid is opened, the cavity is accessible to a user; and 
   wherein the lid is configured such that, as the lid is opened from a closed position to an open position:
 during a first stage of opening, the lid is biased to return to the closed position; and 
 during a second stage of opening, the lid is biased to continue on to the open position. 
   
     
     
         15 . The cosmetic container of  claim 14  wherein the base comprises at least one groove along a side extending from the first end to the second end, and the second end of the first lid section includes a post that slides along the groove to maintain the second end of the first lid section coupled to the base. 
     
     
         16 . The cosmetic container of  claim 14  wherein the lid biasing is accomplished without the use of a spring. 
     
     
         17 . The cosmetic container of  claim 14  wherein the second lid section comprises a lid piece and a mirror, the mirror being attached to the lid piece, with the first and second lid sections configured such that during opening a user facing the cosmetic container would see the mirror while the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         18 . The cosmetic container of  claim 14  wherein the second end of the second lid section is pivotably attached to the first end of the first lid section. 
     
     
         19 . The cosmetic container of  claim 18  wherein the base comprises a rounded edge to facilitate sliding of the first end of the second lid section around the rounded edge as the second lid section pivots during opening of the lid. 
     
     
         20 . The cosmetic container of  claim 14  wherein the second end of the second lid section is pivotably attached to a middle region of the first lid section.