MULTI-LAYER MULTI-COMPARTMENT COSMETIC AND PERSONAL ITEMS CONTAINER FOR HOLDING BOTH FLAT AND TALL ITEMS

Abstract

Disclosed is a multi-compartment cosmetic and personal item container with multiple layers which are stacked on top of each other, with the ability to hold vertical tall items and horizontal flat items at the same time. Vertical tall cosmetic and personal items like lipstick, eye-shadow, eye-liner, makeup brush, perfume, nail polish, nail file, nail cutter, deodorant, lotion, etc. are contained in multiple vertical sub-compartments that form one compartment layer, with each sub-compartment holding one vertical tall item. This layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments can be stacked onto single container layers each holding one horizontal flat cosmetic or personal item like powder, rouge, foundation, sponge, cream, etc. One or more horizontal flat compartments can be stuck or screwed onto the top or the bottom of the compartment layer with plurality of vertical tall sub-compartments. Multiple horizontal flat compartments can be stuck on top of each other and onto the top and the bottom of the compartment layer with vertical tall sub-compartments using fastening mechanism at the top and bottom peripheral edges.

Claims

1. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items, comprising of: a layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments, having greater height than width and having solid boundaries and solid bottom with open top and fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge, to hold multiple vertical items with greater height than width in vertical sub-compartments; and one or more layers with horizontal compartments, having greater width than height and having solid boundary walls and solid bottom with open top and fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge and bottom peripheral edge, to hold horizontal items with greater width than height; wherein each horizontal compartment layer can be attached on top of another horizontal compartment layer, if there are more than one layer with horizontal compartment, using the fastening mechanism at the bottom edge of the top horizontal compartment and the fastening mechanism at the top edge of the bottom horizontal compartment, to form a stack of multiple layers of horizontal compartments to store multiple horizontal items; wherein the bottommost horizontal compartment layer can be attached on top of the layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments, using the fastening mechanism at the bottom edge of the bottommost horizontal compartment and the fastening mechanism at the top edge of the layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments, to form a combined container to store both vertical and horizontal items, with horizontal items in top layers, and vertical items in bottom layer; and the top of the topmost horizontal compartment layer is covered with a solid cover with bottom peripheral edge, wherein the fastening mechanism on side of the peripheral edge of the cover can be used to fasten on the fastening mechanism of the top peripheral edge of the topmost horizontal layer container.

2. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items, comprising of: a layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments, having greater height than width and having solid boundaries and solid bottom with open top and fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge, to hold multiple vertical items with greater height than width; and one or more layers with horizontal compartments, having greater width than height and having solid boundary walls and solid bottom with open top and fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge and bottom peripheral edge, to hold horizontal item with greater width than height; wherein each horizontal compartment layer can be attached on top of another horizontal compartment layer, if there are more than one layer with horizontal compartment, using the fastening mechanism at the bottom edge of the top horizontal compartment and the fastening mechanism at the top edge of the bottom horizontal compartment, to form a stack of multiple layers of horizontal compartments to store multiple horizontal items; wherein the topmost horizontal compartment layer can be attached at the bottom of the layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments, using the fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge of the topmost horizontal compartment and the fastening mechanism at the bottom peripheral edge of the layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments, to form a combined container to store both vertical and horizontal items, with vertical items in top layer, and horizontal items in bottom layers; and the top of the vertical layer with multiple sub-compartments is covered with a solid cover with bottom peripheral edge, wherein the fastening mechanism on the peripheral edge of the cover can be used to fasten on the top peripheral edge of the vertical layer with multiple sub-compartments.

3. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 1, with one or more layers with horizontal compartments, having greater width than height and having solid boundary walls and solid bottom with open top and fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge and bottom peripheral edge, to hold horizontal item with greater width than height; wherein each horizontal compartment layer can be attached on top of another horizontal compartment layer, if there are more than one layer with horizontal compartment, using the fastening mechanism at the bottom edge of the top horizontal compartment and the fastening mechanism at the top edge of the bottom horizontal compartment, to form a stack of multiple layers of horizontal compartments to store multiple horizontal items; wherein the topmost horizontal compartment layer can be attached at the bottom of the layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments, using the fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge of the topmost horizontal compartment and the fastening mechanism at the bottom peripheral edge of the layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments, to form a combined container to store horizontal items in the top layers, vertical items in middle layer, and more horizontal items in the bottom layers.

4. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein perimeter of the horizontal cross-section of all the layers are circular in shape.

5. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein perimeter of the horizontal cross-section of all the layers are elliptical or oval in shape.

6. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein perimeter of the horizontal cross-section of all the layers have two or more outer edges with two or more outer angles.

7. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein the multiple vertical sub-compartments of the vertical item storage layer can be separated from each other and can be attached to each other using embossed projected cylindrical or square dowel end that snaps onto depressed cylindrical or square surface, with each sub-compartment having their own side surface boundary walls.

8. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein the multiple vertical sub-compartments of the vertical item storage layer are constructed together as a single piece with shared side surface boundary walls and cannot be separated from each other.

9. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein the top and bottom horizontal layers, that are attached to the top and the bottom of the layer with vertical sub-compartments, are gradually larger in perimeter area than the perimeter area of the middle layer with vertical sub-compartments, and each horizontal layer have greater perimeter area at the other end than the perimeter area of the end where it is connected to the previous horizontal layer or the layer with vertical sub-compartments.

10. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein the layer of multiple vertical sub-compartments has a swollen middle with gradual swelling from top and bottom to the middle of the layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments.

11. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein the layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments has an access door on the side of the vertical layer to have access to vertical sub-compartments located on that side without removing the top horizontal layers; while open top area of other vertical sub-compartments, that are not located on the side with side access door, can only be accessed by removing the top horizontal layers.

12. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein the layer with multiple vertical sub-compartments has an access door on the side of the vertical layer to have access to all the vertical sub-compartments without removing any of the horizontal layers; wherein all the vertical sub-compartments are flipped 90 degrees to have all of their top opening area accessible from the side upon opening the side access door.

13. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein the cover covering the top of the topmost horizontal compartment layer or the bottom of the bottommost horizontal compartment layer has a mirror on the inside of the cover to help in using cosmetic item or toiletry item.

14. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 13, wherein the cover covering the top of the topmost horizontal compartment layer or the bottom of the bottommost horizontal compartment layer, with a mirror on the inside of the cover, is connected to the horizontal compartment layer with a hinge at the edge of the compartment so that the cover with mirror can be flipped open and cosmetic and toiletry item can be used with the help of the mirror.

15. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein the perimeter of the horizontal cross-section of each of the vertical sub-compartments can have a shape that is circular, square, rectangular, triangular, pie, or a geometric area with two or more outer edges with two or more outer angles, where any of the edges can be straight or curved.

16. A device for containing cosmetic and personal items in claim 3, wherein the top opening of any of the vertical sub-compartment is covered with nozzle head forming a receptacle of liquids in the empty cavity of that vertical sub-compartment, whereby the liquid contained in the receptacle can be sprayed using the nozzle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The present disclosure, in accordance with one or more embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict typical or example embodiments. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the apparatus and its use and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

[0022] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment with a layer with three vertical sub-compartments that is covered on the top by a horizontal compartment layer, wherein all layers have circular perimeter.

[0023] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment with a layer with four vertical sub-compartments that is covered on the top by a cover, and a horizontal compartment layer is stuck to the bottom of the vertical layer, wherein all layers have circular perimeter.

[0025] FIG. 4 is an assembled perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 3.

[0026] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment with a layer with six vertical sub-compartments that is covered on the top by a horizontal compartment layer, and another horizontal compartment layer is stuck at the bottom of the vertical layer, wherein all layers have hexagonal perimeter.

[0027] FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 5.

[0028] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment with a layer with three vertical sub-compartments that is covered on the top by two consecutive horizontal compartment layers stuck on top of each other, and two other consecutive horizontal compartment layers that that are stuck on top of each other are stuck at the bottom of the vertical layer, wherein all layers have elliptical perimeter.

[0029] FIG. 8 is an assembled perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 7.

[0030] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the three vertical sub-compartments of the middle layer of the embodiment in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0031] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment with a layer with four vertical sub-compartments that is covered on the top by three consecutive horizontal compartment layers stuck on top of each other, and another horizontal compartment layer is stuck at the bottom of the vertical layer, wherein all layers have long rectangular perimeter.

[0032] FIG. 11 is an assembled perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 10.

[0033] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the four vertical sub-compartments of the middle layer of the embodiment in FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0034] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment with a layer with nine vertical sub-compartments that is covered on the top by a horizontal compartment layer, and three other consecutive horizontal compartment layers that that are stuck on top of each other are stuck at the bottom of the vertical layer, wherein all layers have square perimeter.

[0035] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the alternate middle layer of the embodiment in FIG. 13, with a side door and all nine vertical tall sub-compartments rotated 90 degree clock-wise toward the side with the door to have their top openings accessible from the side upon opening of the side door.

[0036] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the alternate middle layer of the embodiment in FIG. 13, with a side door and only three vertical tall sub-compartments, that are next to the door, rotated 90 degree around the surfaces, that are perpendicular to the door, to have their top openings closed by one of the surface wall while opening up the side of the three vertical sub-compartments to have them accessible upon opening of the side door.

[0037] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment with a layer with gradually swollen middle and two vertical sub-compartments that is covered on the top by a horizontal compartment layer, and a horizontal compartment layer that is stuck to the bottom of the vertical layer, wherein all layers have circular perimeter.

[0038] FIG. 17 is an assembled perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 16.

[0039] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the two vertical sub-compartments of the middle layer of the embodiment in FIGS. 16 and 17.

[0040] FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment with a layer with four vertical sub-compartments that is covered on the top by two consecutive horizontal compartment layers stuck on top of each other with their perimeter gradually growing towards the top, and two other consecutive horizontal compartment layers that are stuck on top of each other with their perimeter gradually growing towards the bottom is stuck at the bottom of the vertical layer, wherein all layers have circular perimeter.

[0041] FIG. 20 is an assembled perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 19.

[0042] FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the four vertical sub-compartments of the middle layer of the embodiment in FIGS. 19 and 20.

[0043] FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment with a layer with five vertical sub-compartments that is covered on the top by a horizontal compartment layer, and three other consecutive horizontal compartment layers that that are stuck on top of each other are stuck at the bottom of the vertical layer, wherein all layers have square perimeter.

[0044] FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment with a layer with four vertical sub-compartments with one circular sub-compartment at the center that is surrounded by three other sub-compartments around the perimeter, and this layer is covered on the top by a horizontal compartment layer, wherein all layers have circular perimeter.

[0045] FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment with a layer with five vertical sub-compartments with one circular sub-compartment at the center surrounded by four other sub-compartments around the perimeter, and this layer is covered on the top by a cover, and a horizontal compartment layer is stuck to the bottom of the vertical layer, wherein all layers have circular perimeter.

[0046] The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the various embodiment can be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the invention is limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The embodiments described herein are exemplary. Descriptions in terms of these embodiments is provided to allow various features to be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application. As will be clear to one of ordinary skill in the art, the invention can be implemented in different and alternative embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0048] Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

[0049] In disclosed device, multiple vertical sub-compartments are all combined together in one compartment layer 2. The sub-compartments are separated by vertical surface walls 22. A cover or a horizontal compartment layer 1 can cover the top openings 21 of plurality of sub-compartments of the vertical layer 2. Another horizontal compartment layer 3 can be attached to the bottom of the vertical layer 2. More than one horizontal compartment layers can also be attached on top of the vertical layer 2 by adding other horizontal compartment layers 1a, 1b, 1c, etc. in addition to one horizontal compartment layer 1. In the same way, more than one horizontal compartment layers can be attached to the bottom of the vertical layer 2 by adding other horizontal compartment layers 3a, 3b, 3c, etc. in addition to one horizontal compartment layer 3.

[0050] Multiple vertical sub-compartments 2a, 2b, etc. can be attached to each other using extended embossed projection 28 and corresponding depressed surface 29 on vertical surface walls 22. Multiple horizontal compartment layers 1, 1a, 1b, etc. can be stacked on top of vertical layer 2 by attaching on top of each other. For example, 1b can be attached on top of 2 covering top openings 21, 1a can be attached on top of 1b covering top opening 13b, and 1 can be attached on top of 1a covering top opening 13a. Similarly, multiple horizontal compartment layers 2, 2a, 2b, etc. can be stacked at the bottom of vertical layer 2 by attaching on top of each other. For example, 3b can be attached at the bottom of 2, 3a can be attached at the bottom of 3b, and 3 can be attached at the bottom of 3a.

[0051] Compartment layer 2 with multiple vertical sub-compartments have fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge 23 and the bottom peripheral edge 23 of the layer 2. Top horizontal compartment layer 1 has fastening mechanism at the bottom peripheral edge 15, which is attached to the fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge 23 of the vertical layer 2. Bottom horizontal compartment layer 3 has fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge 35, which is attached to the fastening mechanism at the bottom peripheral edge 23 of the vertical layer 2.

[0052] When using multiple horizontal compartment layers 1a, 1b, etc. on top of the vertical layer 2, fastening mechanism 15a, 15b, etc. at their bottom peripheral edge gets attached to the fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge of the lower layer. When using multiple horizontal compartment layers 3a, 3b, etc. at the bottom of the vertical layer 2, fastening mechanism 35a, 35b, etc. at their top peripheral edge gets attached to the fastening mechanism at the bottom peripheral edge of the upper layer. For example, fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge 35b of the horizontal compartment layer 3b gets attached to the fastening mechanism at the bottom peripheral edge 23 of the vertical layer 2; fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge 35a of the horizontal compartment layer 3a gets attached to the fastening mechanism at the bottom peripheral edge 33b of the horizontal compartment layer 3b; fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge 35 of the horizontal compartment layer 3 gets attached to the fastening mechanism at the bottom peripheral edge 33b of the horizontal compartment layer 3b.

[0053] Topmost horizontal compartment layer 1 can be covered with a cover 14. The cover 14 can be attached to the top peripheral edge of 1 with fastening mechanism. 14 can also be connected to 1 with a hinge 12, so that 14 can be flipped open to uncover the container cavity of 1. There can be a mirror 11 on the bottom inside of the cover 14 for use when applying cosmetic or toiletry item.

[0054] Bottommost horizontal compartment layer 3 can also have a mirror 31 attached to the inside of the bottom cover 34, which can be attached with fastening mechanism at the top peripheral edge of 34 and fastening mechanism at the bottom peripheral edge of 3. Bottom cover 34 along with the mirror 31 can also be connected with a hinge 32, so that the mirror 31 can be flipped open for use when applying cosmetic or toiletry item.

[0055] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the device according to one example of the invention. The device has at least one layer with a single horizontal compartment that can be stuck onto the top or the bottom of multiple vertical sub-compartment layer 2. In this example embodiment, one layer with one horizontal compartment 1 is stuck on top of the vertical sub-compartment 2, which has multiple vertical sub-compartments with top opening 21 and with separating common boundary walls 22. In this example embodiment there are three sub-compartments, but there can be any plural number of vertical sub-compartments, with the only limitation being the number of vertical sub-compartments has to be more than one. The sub-compartments are vertical or tall with height greater than width or diameter. Vertical or tall shape enables storing vertical or tall cosmetic or toiletry items.

[0056] FIGS. 3 and 4 show another example of the device. Similar to the example embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, this example embodiment has only one horizontal compartment 3, which is stuck or fastened at the bottom of the compartment layer 2 with multiple vertical sub-compartments. Since the top openings 21 of the vertical compartment layer 2 is not covered by a horizontal compartment layer, a cover 1 is used to cover the top openings 21. Outside peripheral edges 23 at the top and the bottom of 2 have screw like helical ridges. Bottom inside peripheral edge 15 of top cover 1 and top inside peripheral edge 35 of the bottom horizontal compartment layer have similar screw like helical ridges. Since all these layers are circular in shape in this example embodiment, they can be attached and fastened together like screws using the complimenting helical ridges.

[0057] FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example of the device with hexagonal perimeter shape. It has six triangle shaped vertical sub-compartments at the vertical layer compartment 2. Two horizontal layers 1 and 3 with one horizontal compartment each are attached onto the top and the bottom of 2. Since all these layers have hexagonal perimeter, they cannot be attached with each other using screw like fastening mechanism. Therefore, male type depressed peripheral edge 23 is used as fastening mechanism at the top and the bottom peripheral edge of 2. Bottom peripheral edge 15 of the top horizontal compartment layer 1 and top peripheral edge 35 of the bottom horizontal compartment layer 3 have female type expanded peripheral edge, which can be stuck on top of male type depressed peripheral edge 21.

[0058] FIGS. 9, 12, 18, and 21 show how vertical sub-compartment of some embodiments can be attached to each other and detached from each other. For example, two vertical sub-compartments 2a and 2b can be attached to each other using extended embossed projection 28 and corresponding depressed surface 29 on vertical surface walls 22. This makes vertical sub-compartments 2a and 2b interchangeable with any similar vertical sub-compartments. They can be replaced when the cosmetic contained in them runs out, with a similar one that has already been filled up.

[0059] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 show one example embodiment with elliptical shape, with two top horizontal compartment layers 1 and 1a, and two bottom horizontal compartment layers 3 and 3a. 1 and 3 both have top cover 14 and 34 with mirrors 11 and 31. 1 and 3 are interchangeable, and can also be exchanged with another similar elliptical horizontal compartment layer with cover. This helps shuffling a number of horizontal layer compartments containing multiple vertical cosmetic item, using only the ones that are needed or useful.

[0060] FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 show one example embodiment with rectangular shape, with a number of horizontal compartment layers 1a, 1b, 1, and 3. 1a and 1b are interchangeable and can also be interchanged with similar attachable and detachable layers with horizontal compartments. Rectangular shape makes the combined container thin and easy to carry in a purse or handbag. Rectangular shape also makes the shape of all the vertical sub-compartments that same, and therefore making these attachable and detachable sub-compartments easy to interchange or shuffle.

[0061] FIG. 13 show one example device with square shape. It has nine vertical sub-compartments at the vertical layer 2. Large number of sub-compartments leave the vertical layer with very narrow and tall vertical sub-compartments, which are very suitable to store very narrow and tall cosmetic and toiletry items like, lipstick, eye shadow, lip liner, nail polish, etc. FIGS. 14 and 15 show different arrangement of the vertical sub-compartments with a side door 26 for easy access. 203, 202, and 201 are door handle, door handle groove, and latch.

[0062] FIGS. 16, 17, and 18 show one example embodiment with circular shape and gradually swelled middle layer 2. Gradually swelled middle layer 2 helps to store more vertical tall cosmetic material.

[0063] FIGS. 19, 20, and 21 show another example embodiment with circular perimeter shape. It has four vertical sub-compartments 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d that are covered on the top by two consecutive horizontal compartment layers 1a and 1b stuck on top of each other with their perimeter gradually growing towards the top, and two other consecutive horizontal compartment layers 3a and 3b that are stuck on top of each other with their perimeter gradually growing towards the bottom is stuck at the bottom of the vertical layer. Top of 1a is covered with cover 1, and bottom of 3a is covered with cover 3. 1 and 3 are interchangeable. 1a and 3a are also interchangeable.

[0064] FIG. 22 show another example embodiment with circular perimeter shape and five vertical sub-compartments forming one vertical layer compartment unit. Top opening of the vertical sub-compartments are covered with nozzle head 24 forming receptacles of liquids in the empty cavity of that vertical sub-compartments, whereby the liquid contained in the receptacle can be sprayed using the nozzle. Perfume, deodorant, etc. liquids that are usually applied by spraying can be stored in these vertical sub-compartments.

[0065] FIGS. 23 and 24 show example embodiments where a circular vertical sub-compartment at the center of vertical compartment layer helps to effectively utilize the space in the vertical layer. Efficient usage of the space helps in storing more vertical items.