A beauty case

Abstract

A beauty case for receiving and storing refillable pods, the beauty case comprising container for receiving refillable pods therein, the container comprising a base having a magnetic region thereon, the magnetic region being configured to magnetically attach one or more refillable pods thereto; and a lid connected to the base container.

Description

A BEAUTY CASETECHNICAL FIELD[1] The present invention relates to a beauty case for receiving and storing refillable pods.BACKGROUND[2] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.[3] Beauty cases are vessels for holding, storing, and transporting cosmetics.Typically, these case include one or more types of cosmetics, such as foundations, skin powders, skin creams, eye shadow, mascara, blush, lip gloss, lip stick, or other cosmetics products.[4] There are many disadvantages to existing beauty cases. For example, some cases can only contain a single cosmetic product. In other beauty cases, the cosmetic provided is not replaceable.[5] Thus, there is a need for an improved beauty case.SUMMARY OF INVENTION[6] In an aspect, the invention provides a beauty case for receiving and storing refillable pods, the beauty case comprising: a container for receiving refillable pods therein, the container comprising a base having a magnetic region thereon, the magnetic region being configured tomagnetically attach one or more refillable pods thereto; and a lid connected to the base container.[7] In another aspect, the invention provides a beauty case system for receiving and storing refillable pods, the beauty case system comprising: a beauty case comprising a container for receiving refillable pods therein, the container comprising a base having a magnetic region thereon, the magnetic region being configured to magnetically attach one or more refillable pods thereto, and a lid connected to the base container; and a refillable pod configured to be filled and refilled with a cosmetic product, the refillable pod having a base with a magnetic region that is configured to magnetically attach to the magnetic region of the base of the beauty case.[8] Preferably, the container comprises one or more sections. Preferably, the container comprises a plurality of sections divided by walls.[9] Preferably, the lid is hingedly connected to the container.

[0010] Preferably, the refillable pod comprises a cosmetic container for receiving and storing a cosmetic product and a lid connected to the cosmetic container. Preferably, the lid is configured to releasably secure to the cosmetic container. Preferably, refillable pod comprises a latch to releasably secure the lid to the cosmetic container. Preferably, the lid is hingedly connected to the cosmetic container.

[0011] Preferably, the beauty case further comprises a mirror attached to a surface of the lid.

[0012] Preferably, the lid is configured to magnetically, releasably secure to the container. Preferably, the container comprises a secondary magnetic region located along an edge of the container and the lid comprises a magnetic region. Thesecondary magnetic region of the container is located to magnetically engage the magnetic region of the lid when the container is in a closed configuration. That is, the secondary magnetic region of the container is located to magnetically engage the magnetic region of the lid when a portion of the lid abuts a portion of the container.

[0013] Preferably, the refillable pods contain replaceable or refillable cosmetics.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:Figures 1 through 3 illustrate a beauty case system according to an embodiment of the present invention;Figure 4 illustrates a removable divider for reconfiguring the internal space of the beauty case;Figures 5 through 8 illustrates a first embodiment of a refillable pod for use with a beauty case;Figures 9 through 12 illustrates a second embodiment of a refillable pod for use with a beauty case; andFigures 13 through 16 illustrates a third embodiment of a refillable pod for use with a beauty case.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Figures 1 to 16 illustrate a beauty case system 10 for receiving and storingrefillable pods that store cosmetic products.

[0016] The beauty case system 10 includes a beauty case 100 and a plurality of refillable pods that can be filled and refilled with cosmetic products and housed within the beauty case.

[0017] The beauty case 100 includes a container 102 for receiving the refillable pods therein and has a lid 104 that is hingedly connected to the container 102. The container 102 is substantially rectangular and the lid is shaped to entirely cover an open top portion of the container 102 when in a closed configuration (see Figure 1, for example).

[0018] The container 102 includes a base 106 having one or more magnetic regions thereon. These magnetic regions may take the form of magnets or ferromagnetic discs or elements (e.g. stainless steel discs) that are configured to magnetically attach the refillable pods 200, 300, 400 to the base 106. In the present embodiment, the magnetic regions take the form of a plurality of stainless discs 108 arranged in an array and located in reciprocally shaped recesses. This ensures the refillable pods do not move about when the beauty case 100 is in transit, or is dropped.Advantageously, this prevents, or at least limits, the chance of the cosmetic products stored within the refillable pods 200, 300, 400 from spilling out of the refillable pods 200, 300, 400. The magnetic regions of the base 106 can be covered with a base cover portion 110 that sits between the magnetic regions of the base 106 and the refillable pods 200, 300, 400.

[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the container 102 can be seen to include a plurality of sections (or compartments) that are divided by dividers 112 or walls within the container. In some embodiments, at least some of the walls or dividers 112(example shown in Figure 4) are removable such that the internal space 114 of the beauty case 100 can be easily and readily reconfigured according to the requirements of the user and thereby accommodate different combinations of differently sized and shaped refillable pods. The internal space 114 is also suitable for storing beauty tools and other cosmetics, alongside the refillable pods 200, 300, 400.

[0020] The beauty case 100 also includes a mirror 116 attached to a surface of the lid 104. The surface of the lid 104 having the mirror 116 thereon faces the internal space of the container 102.

[0021] The lid 104 is configured to be releasably securable to the container 102 magnetically. In one embodiment, this is achieved by a secondary magnetic region located along an edge of the container 102 and the lid 104 having a magnetic region. The secondary magnetic region of the container 102 is located to magnetically engage the magnetic region of the lid when the container 102 is in a closed configuration. That is, the secondary magnetic region of the container 102 is located to magnetically engage the magnetic region of the lid 104 when a portion of the lid 104 abuts a portion of the container 102.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the secondary magnetic region takes the form of a plurality of magnets 116 (or magnetic elements) located within recesses formed within the container 102. Similarly, the magnetic regions of the lid 104 include a plurality of magnets 118 (or magnetic elements) embedded in the lid 104. As described above, the magnets 116 of the container 102 are located and arranged to magnetically engage the magnets 118 of the lid 104 when a portion of the lid 104 abuts a portion of the container 102 to releasably secure the lid 104 and container102 together. This prevents, or at least limits, the opportunity for the lid 104 and container 102 to separate and spill the contents within (i.e. the refillable pods and any other accessories).

[0023] As noted above, the refillable pods 200, 300, 400 are configured to be filled and refilled with a cosmetic product so that they can be reused thereby reducing the cosmetic industry's contribution to landfill and waste.

[0024] Each refillable pod includes a cosmetic container for receiving and storing a cosmetic product and a lid hingedly connected to the cosmetic container. The lid is configured to releasably secure to the cosmetic container. In the illustrated embodiment, the refillable pod includes a latch to releasably secure the lid to the cosmetic container which has a reciprocal recess shaped to receive the latch. However, the lid and container could be releasably secured using a number of well- known mechanisms.

[0025] The cosmetic container includes a base with a magnetic region that is configured to magnetically attach to the magnetic region of the base of the beauty case. The magnetic region of the refillable pod is similar to the magnetic region of the beauty case in that the magnetic region takes the form of a magnet or ferromagnetic disc or element (e.g. stainless steel discs).

[0026] Located within a recess of the lid of each refillable pod is a silicone seal. In use, the silicone seal abuts the upper edge of the cosmetic container to seal the internal space defined by the lid and the cosmetic container from the external atmosphere which can have deleterious effects on the life and efficacy of the cosmetic products stored within the refillable pod.

[0027] Embodiments of the refillable pods can be seen in Figures 5 through 16.

[0028] In Figures 5 to 8, a first embodiment of a refillable pod 200 is shown. The refillable pod 200 includes a substantially cube-shaped body in the form of a cosmetic container 202 and a lid 204 hinged ly connected to the cosmetic container 202. The lid 204 is also configured to releasably secure to the cosmetic container 202 to thereby seal the refillable pod 300 along an edge opposed to the hinged connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the refillable pod 200 includes a latch 206 to releasably secure the lid 204 to the cosmetic container 202 which has a reciprocal recess 208 shaped to receive the latch 206. However, the lid 204 and container 202 could be releasably secured using a number of well-known mechanisms.

[0029] The cosmetic container 202 includes a base 210 with a magnetic region that is configured to magnetically attach to the magnetic region of the base 106 of the beauty case 100. The magnetic region of the refillable pod 200 takes the form of a magnetic disc 212.

[0030] Located within a recess of the lid 204 of refillable pod 200 is a silicone seal 214. In use, the silicone seal 214 abuts the upper edge of the cosmetic container 202 to seal the internal space defined by the lid 204 and the cosmetic container 202 from the external atmosphere which can have deleterious effects on the life and efficacy of the cosmetic products stored within the refillable pod.

[0031] In Figures 9 to 12, a second embodiment of a refillable pod 300 is shown. The refillable pod 300 includes a substantially rectangular body in the form of a cosmetic container 302 and a lid 304 hingedly connected to the cosmetic container 302. The lid 304 is also configured to releasably secure to the cosmetic container 302 to thereby seal the refillable pod 300 along an edge opposed to the hinged connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the refillable pod 300 includes a latch 306 toreleasa bly secure the lid 304 to the cosmetic container 302 which has a reciprocal recess 308 shaped to receive the latch 306. However, the lid 304 and cosmetic container 302 could be releasably secured using a number of well-known mechanisms.

[0032] The cosmetic container 302 includes a base 310 with a magnetic region that is configured to magnetically attach to the magnetic region of the base 106 of the beauty case 100. The magnetic region of the refillable pod 300 takes the form of two magnetic discs 312 spaced apart on the base 310 of the refillable pod 300 at opposing ends.

[0033] Located within a recess of the lid 304 of the refillable pod 300 is a silicone seal 314. In use, the silicone seal 314 abuts the upper edge of the cosmetic container 302 to seal the internal space defined by the lid 304 and the cosmetic container 302 from the external atmosphere which can have deleterious effects on the life and efficacy of the cosmetic products stored within the refillable pod 300.

[0034] In Figures 13 to 16, a third embodiment of a refillable pod 400 is shown. The refillable pod 400 includes a substantially rectangular body in the form of a cosmetic container 402 and a lid 404 hingedly connected to the cosmetic container 402. The lid 404 is also configured to releasably secure to the cosmetic container 402 to thereby seal the refillable pod 400 along an edge opposed to the hinged connection. In the illustrated embodiment, the refillable pod 400 includes a latch 406 to releasably secure the lid 404 to the cosmetic container 402 which has a reciprocal recess 408 shaped to receive the latch 402. However, the lid 404 and cosmetic container 402 could be releasably secured using a number of well-known mechanisms.

[0035] The cosmetic container 402 includes a base 408 with a magnetic region that is configured to magnetically attach to the magnetic region of the base 106 of the beauty case 100. The magnetic region of the refillable pod 400 takes the form of two magnetic discs 410 spaced apart on the base 412 of the refillable pod 400 in opposing corners.

[0036] Located within a recess of the lid 404 of the refillable pod 400 is a silicone seal 414. In use, the silicone seal 414 abuts the upper edge of the cosmetic container 402 to seal the internal space defined by the lid 404 and the cosmetic container 402 from the external atmosphere which can have deleterious effects on the life and efficacy of the cosmetic products stored within the refillable pod.

[0037] In use, the refillable pods 200, 300, 400 can be releasably attached to the base 106 of the beauty case 100. Furthermore, the refillable pods 200, 300, 400 can be removed from the beauty case 100, refilled and then returned to the beauty case 100 for further use.

[0038] Advantageously, the refillable pods reduce waste and allow different cosmetics to be placed within the beauty case depending on the occasion or desire of the user. This allows a single beauty case to be used for multiple occasions.

[0039] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term "comprises" and its variations, such as "comprising" and "comprised of" is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

[0040] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[0041] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A beauty case for receiving and storing refillable pods, the beauty case comprising: a container for receiving refillable pods therein, the container comprising a base having a magnetic region thereon, the magnetic region being configured to magnetically attach one or more refillable pods thereto; and a lid connected to the base container.

2. A beauty case system for receiving and storing refillable pods, the beauty case system comprising: a beauty case comprising a container for receiving refillable pods therein, the container comprising a base having a magnetic region thereon, the magnetic region being configured to magnetically attach one or more refillable pods thereto, and a lid connected to the base container; and a refillable pod configured to be filled and refilled with a cosmetic product, the refillable pod having a base with a magnetic region thatis configured to magnetically attach to the magnetic region of the base of the beauty case.

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