Portable light source with mirror

• US 6,991,345 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2003
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jacek Helenowski
• Original Assignee: Jacek Helenowski
• Inventors: Helenowski, Jacek
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Han, Jason
• Application Number:
  US10/741,085
• Publication Number:
  US 20050135088A1
• Time in Patent Office: 773 Days
• Field of Search: 362135-137, 362154-156
• US Class Current: 362/137
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 33/008 comprising a mirror hand or pocket mirrors A45D42/00; handbags or purses with mirrors A45C15/04
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 33/32 with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/18 Casings combined with other objects A45D40/24, A45D42/02 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 42/02 Mirrors with lipstick or powder-pads

Abstract

A light source is disposed in a cosmetic housing. One or more mirrors are disposed between the cosmetic housing and a cover that opens to expose the mirror(s). The light source is manually or automatically activated. The light source is activatable over any angle between the cover and the rest of the housing, thus an angle for turning on the light source is selectable.

Claims

1. A cosmetic housing comprising:

a first member that is elongated and has a compartment disposed at one end;

a second member operably couplable with the first member, such that a cosmetic is enclosed between the first member and the second member;

a cover having a first end operably couplable outside the first member, such that the cover is rotatable;

a light source at least partially disposed between the cover and the first member and activated by opening the cover;

a switch and a power source for the light source disposed in the compartment;

at least one mirror disposed between the cover and the first member.

2. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, further comprising a switch disposed between the cover and the first member, and arranged to activate the light source.

3. The cosmetic housing of claim 2, wherein the switch is integrated with the light source.

4. The cosmetic housing of claim 2, wherein the switch is spring loaded.

5. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, wherein the light source is activated when the cover is opened at least part of the way between a closed position and a fully open position.

6. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, wherein the cover has a surface that at least partially mates with a surface of the first member when the cover is closed.

7. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, further comprising a clasp arranged and constructed to hold the cover to the first member when the cover is in a closed position and to facilitate opening of the cover.

8. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, wherein the at least one mirror is disposed on at least one of the first member and the cover.

9. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least one mirror and the light source is recessed into the first member.

10. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed externally to a cosmetic disposed within the cosmetic housing.

11. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, further comprising a removable covering that houses a battery to power the light source.

12. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, wherein the cover is rotatable with respect to the first member by a hinge that is partially integrated in the cover and partially integrated in the first member.

13. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, wherein the light source is comprised of at least one of a light emitting diode, a plasma light source, and an electroluminescent light source.

14. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, further comprising a switch comprised of a flexible electrical conductor that activates the light source when the cover is open to an angle between the cover and the first member.

15. The cosmetic housing of claim 1, further comprising a switch comprised of a plurality of electrical conductors disposed on a hinge connecting the cover and the first member, wherein a first part of the hinge comprises a first electrical conductor and is a part of the cover;

wherein a second part of the hinge comprises a second electrical conductor and is part of the first member; and

wherein the switch is closed when the first electrical conductor contacts the second electrical conductor.

16. A cosmetic housing comprising:

a first member that is elongated;

a second member operably couplable with the first member, such that a cosmetic is enclosed between the first member and the second member;

a cover having a first end operably couplable outside the first member, such that the cover is rotatable;

a light source at least partially disposed between the cover and the first member and activated by opening the cover;

at least one mirror disposed between the cover and the first member;

a power source and a switch are disposed in the first member.

17. A cosmetic housing comprising:

a first member having a power source disposed at a first end;

a second member operably couplable with the first member, such that a cosmetic is enclosed between the first member and the second member;

a cover having a first end operably couplable to the first member, such that the cover is rotatable;

a light source that is at least partially disposed within the first member and is actuatable when the first end of the cover engages a switch disposed at the first end of the first member;

at least one mirror disposed on the first member and between the cover and the first member.

18. The cosmetic housing of claim 17, wherein the switch comprises a plurality of electrical conductors disposed on a hinge connecting the cover and the first member;

wherein the switch is closed with the cover and the first member are in a first position and the switch is open when the cover and the first member are in a second position.

19. The cosmetic housing of claim 17, further comprising a clasp arranged and constructed to hold the cover to the first member when the cover is in a closed position and to facilitate opening of the cover.

20. The cosmetic housing of claim 17, wherein the at least one mirror is disposed on at least one of the first member and the cover.

21. The cosmetic housing of claim 17, wherein at least one of the at least one mirror and the light source is recessed into the first member.

22. The cosmetic housing of claim 17, wherein the cover is rotatable with respect to the first member at the first end of the cover and the switch comprises a flexible electrical conductor disposed inside the first member.