This invention relates to retractable mirrors. In particular, though not exclusively, this invention relates to an improved retractable mirror, which may optionally perform the secondary function of holding or storing items.

Mirrors find a wide variety of uses. One of their oldest and most important functions is to assist in the application or use of products or objects on the human face, head or neck region. Non-limiting examples of products or objects that may be applied to, or used on, the face, head or neck region are: cosmetics, such as makeup (e.g. eyeshadow, blusher, bronzer, foundation, lipstick, eyeliner or mascara), lotions, creams, soaps, conditioners, scrubs, sunscreen or powders; medicines, such as ointments or eye drops; dental products; contact lenses; jewellery, such as earrings or necklaces; or grooming equipment, such as hair trimmers or shavers. Mirrors assisting in the application or use of these products are often portable.

Portable mirrors are typically carried in handbags, where other items rub against them. It is therefore important for portable mirrors to be protected from damage such as scratching. In this regard it is known for portable mirrors to comprise a casing and a hinged lid covering the face of the mirror. Whilst this mitigates scratching, it can make the portable mirror less convenient to use.

Portable mirrors must not only function effectively, i.e. be scratch free and convenient to use: they are fashion accessories and as such should have an attractive appearance and, preferably, intriguing characteristics. Users are more likely to wish to buy and keep portable mirrors that look attractive, that are a pleasure to use and that work in an intriguing way.

It is an object of the invention to provide a mirror that is more convenient, useful, interesting, attractive, and/or surprising than prior art mirrors.

From a first aspect, the invention broadly resides in a retractable mirror comprising: a structure; a mirror movable with respect to the structure, in a first direction, from a retracted position in which the mirror has a first orientation to an extended position in which the mirror has a second orientation that differs from the first orientation; bias means for biasing movement of the mirror from the first orientation into the second orientation; a tab member movable by a user with respect to the structure, in a second direction that differs from the first direction, from a closed position of lesser extension to an open position of greater extension; and drive means connecting the mirror and the tab member such that movement of the tab member in the second direction drives movement of the mirror in the first direction.

The retractable mirror according to the first aspect of the invention has intriguing characteristics for users. Movement of the tab member is linked to movement of the mirror by the drive means, and the mirror adopts differing orientations in the retracted position and the extended position. Therefore, when the tab member of the retractable mirror is moved in the second direction from the closed position, the drive means can initiate a double movement of the mirror namely (i) in the first direction and (ii) into the second orientation. This double movement is surprising and makes the retractable mirror a pleasure to use. To further enhance the surprise, the drive means is preferably concealed by the structure, at least when the mirror is in the retracted position.

The bias of the mirror into the second orientation in the extended position is additionally useful because it helps to prevent slippage or misadjustment of the mirror.

Advantageously, in the retracted position, the mirror may be concealed by the structure. This helps to prevent scratching of the mirror and also contributes to the surprise caused by the link between movement of the tab member and (double) movement of the mirror. The mirror may preferably be visibly clear of the structure in the extended position.

To further enhance the advantage of the linkage between the mirror and the tab member by the drive means, the mirror may advantageously adopt the extended position when the tab member is in the open position, and adopt the retracted position when the tab member is in the closed position.

The structure may preferably define opposite sides and the tab member may be movable away from one side of the structure to cause the mirror to move away from the opposite side of the structure. Opposed movement of the tab member and the mirror also contributes to the surprising nature of the retractable mirror and its convenience of operation. In the second orientation the mirror may advantageously be tilted with respect to the first orientation.

Conveniently, in the retracted position, the mirror may be held in the first orientation by the structure, preferably against the bias of the bias means. For example, the mirror may advantageously be held in the first orientation by a wall of a chamber for slidingly receiving the mirror.

Preferably, the structure may hold the mirror in the first orientation when the tab member is closer to the closed position than to the open position. This ensures that there is a correlation between the first orientation and the closed position. When the tab member is then moved from the closed position to the open position, the mirror may advantageously move from the first orientation into the second orientation after the tab member is closer to the open position than to the closed position. As a result, movement of the mirror into the second orientation is delayed at least until the tab member is moved more than halfway towards the open position. This delay in the movement of the mirror into the second orientation further enhances the surprising nature of the retractable mirror, since movement of the mirror into the second orientation becomes even more unexpected. To maximise this aspect of the surprising nature of the retractable mirror, movement of the mirror into the second orientation may advantageously be delayed until the tab member is substantially in the open position.

The mirror may conveniently be pivotable about at least one hinge between the first orientation and the second orientation. Advantageously, the or each hinge may be supported on a support panel movable between the retracted position and the extended position. To facilitate a delay in the movement of the mirror into the second orientation when the tab member is moved into the open position, the or each hinge may preferably be located on a leading edge of the support panel with respect to the first direction of movement.

The or each hinge may advantageously be spring biased by a spring (preferably a torsion spring or a plate spring) which acts as the bias means.

Additionally or alternatively, the bias means may comprise a mirror drive, such as a lug arrangement, for positively driving the mirror from the first orientation into the second orientation. The lug arrangement may advantageously translate movement of the mirror with respect to the structure into a pivoting force that biases or drives the mirror from the first orientation into the second orientation. To provide the lug arrangement, for ease of construction, the mirror may conveniently comprise a lug, whilst the structure may comprise a formation (such as a projection) for engaging the lug. Preferably, the lug and the mirror may be opposed about a mirror pivot such as a hinge.

Alternatively, the bias means may comprise a cam arrangement, which is another form of mirror drive. The cam arrangement may preferably translate movement of the mirror with respect to the structure into a pivoting force that biases or drives the mirror from the first orientation into the second orientation. To provide the cam arrangement, the structure may conveniently comprise a channel of the cam arrangement, whilst the mirror may comprise a projection of the cam arrangement for engaging the channel. Preferably, the structure may comprise first and second channels having at least one divergent section, the divergence of the channels biasing or driving the mirror from the first orientation into the second orientation, via projections associated with the channels. Advantageously, at least one of the projections may act as a pivot for pivoting movement of the mirror from the first orientation into the second orientation. Such a pivot projection may preferably be co-axial with another mirror pivot, such as a hinge, and may be borne on the support panel, if present.

The presence of a lug or cam arrangement, i.e. mirror drive, can lead to enhanced durability, as it helps to eliminate the problem of worn springs. Positively driving the mirror into the second orientation means that there need not necessarily be a passive reliance on spring bias, which may be prone to wane or vary over time. That said, a bias means comprising both a lug or cam arrangement and a spring may be particularly advantageous, as it provides consistent bias for the mirror, whilst increasing spring durability.

To minimise storage height of the mirror in the retracted position, the mirror may conveniently be substantially coplanar with the support panel in the first configuration.

The structure may preferably be arranged to guide the mirror from the second orientation into the first orientation when the mirror is moved from the extended state into the retracted state. The structure may, for example, advantageously comprise a concealing wall, or a chamber, having an edge for guiding the mirror. To ensure that the mirror remains in optimal condition for use, the retractable mirror may preferably further comprise cleaning means for cleaning the mirror. Cleaning means can also contribute to a longer lifespan of the retractable mirror since it can help to avoid scratching of the mirror by keeping it dust-free. The cleaning means may advantageously comprise a strip supported by the structure and arranged to wipe the mirror when it moves between the extended position and the retracted position. The strip may conveniently perform the secondary function of guiding the mirror from the second orientation into the first orientation when the mirror is moved from the extended state into the retracted state, and may, for example, be positioned on an edge of a wall or chamber of the structure.

The tab member may advantageously comprise a formation, such as a grip, for facilitating movement of the tab member between the closed position and the open position. The grip may conveniently co-operate with an indentation of the structure when the tab member is in the closed position. Additionally or alternatively, the retractable mirror may optionally comprise a formation, such as a grip, for facilitating movement of the mirror between the retracted position and the extended position.

To allow the retractable mirror to function as a package or container, the tab member may preferably comprise a storage tray for holding items. This dual functionality makes the retractable mirror even more valuable, allowing it to be used as complementary packaging for items that may be applied to, or used on, the human face, head or neck region.

Advantageously, the storage tray may comprise one or more items that may be applied to, or used on, the human face, head or neck region. Non-limiting examples of such items are: cosmetics, such as makeup (e.g. eyeshadow, blusher, bronzer, foundation, lipstick, eyeliner or mascara), lotions, creams, soaps, conditioners, scrubs, sunscreen or powders; medicines, such as ointments or eye drops; dental products; contact lenses; jewellery, such as earrings or necklaces; or grooming equipment, such as hair trimmers or shavers.

The mirror may preferably lie at an obtuse angle to the tab member in the second orientation. This is particularly advantageous where the tab member comprises a storage tray since the mirror then adopts a complementary position in the second orientation.

The oblique angle of the mirror with respect to the tab member can provide a reflection of the face of a user holding the retractable mirror (or placing it on a surface) about 20 to 50 centimetres below eye level, depending on the user's distance from the mirror.

The obtuse angle may preferably lie within the range of 110 degrees to 175 degrees, most preferably 130 degrees to 160 degrees. For flexibility of use, the second orientation of the mirror may advantageously be adjustable by a user.

The mirror may preferably face away from the tab member in the first orientation and/or be shielded from the tab member by a divider of the structure. This allows the mirror to be particularly well protected from scratching, which could, for example, be caused by the tab member, or items stored within the tab member.

Advantageously, the drive means may comprise a belt member extending around a divider of the structure. The divider may suitably comprise a guide formation for cooperating with a runner projection of the tab member, the guide formation and the runner projection delimiting movement of the tab member and the mirror.

The structure may preferably define an upper chamber for housing the mirror and a lower chamber for housing the tab member. The upper chamber and the lower chamber may advantageously comprise oppositely facing openings to allow extending movement of the mirror and the tab member respectively.

Other advantages of the invention will be apparent to the skilled person from the following description.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are used for like parts, and in which:

Figure 1 a is an upper perspective exploded view of a retractable mirror according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 b is a lower perspective view of an upper body of the retractable mirror of Figure 1 a; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the retractable mirror of Figure 1 a in a fully closed state;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the retractable mirror of Figures 1 and 2 in a fully open state;

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are sequential, schematic, longitudinal, sectional views of the retractable mirror of Figures 1 to 3 showing movement between the fully closed state and the fully open state;

Figure 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a retractable mirror according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figures 6a and 6b are sequential, schematic, longitudinal, sectional views of a retractable mirror according to a third embodiment of the invention; and

Figures 7a and 7b are sequential, schematic, longitudinal, sectional views of a retractable mirror according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Referring firstly to the exploded view of Figure 1a, in a first embodiment of the invention a portable retractable mirror 2 comprises as major components: a structure 10 consisting of an upper body 20, a lower body 30 and a divider 40; a generally planar tab member in the form of a storage tray 50; and a mirror tray 60.

The retractable mirror 2, and each of its components and subcomponents, comprises a proximal end A, a distal end B, an upper side C, a lower side D, a left side E and a right side F.

The main function of the structure 10, which is comprised of moulded plastics material, is to receive and house the storage tray 50 and the mirror tray 60. With reference to the

Figures, when assembled, the upper body 20 and the lower body 30 of the structure 10 together define: upper, lower, left, right, proximal and distal walls 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F,

12A, 12B of the structure 10. As can be seen in Figures 4a to 4c, the walls 12C, 12D,

12E, 12F, 12A, 12B enclose an inner volume 13 of the structure 10 that is separated by the divider 40 into an upper chamber 14 and a lower chamber 16 for receiving the mirror tray 60 and the storage tray 50 respectively in sliding fashion. Referring again to the exploded view of Figure 1 a, the upper body 20 is rectangular in plan, comprising a rectangular upper panel 22 measuring about six by five centimetres, whose longer edges face laterally. The upper panel 22 forms the upper wall 12C of the structure 10 when the retractable mirror 2 is assembled. Left 24E, right 24F and proximal 24A side walls of the upper body 20, having a height of about half a centimetre, extend orthogonally downwards from associated edges of the upper panel 22. Notably, the upper body 20 does not comprise a distal wall. Instead, as illustrated in the lower perspective view of Figure 1 b, the upper body 20 comprises a microfibrous cleaning strip 23, which extends downwards at the distal end B of the upper panel 22. The function of the cleaning strip 23 will be described later.

The lower body 30 of the structure 10 is also rectangular in plan, comprising a rectangular lower panel 32 that has substantially the same dimensions as the upper panel 22, with the longer edges also facing laterally. The lower panel 32 forms the lower wall 12D of the structure 10 in the assembled retractable mirror 2. Left 34E, right 34F and distal 34B side walls of the lower body 30, having a height of about one centimetre, extend orthogonally upwards from associated edges of the lower panel 30. The left and right side walls 34E, 34F stop about half a centimetre short of the proximal end A of the lower panel 32. Notably, the lower body 30 does not comprise a proximal wall.

As aforesaid, and referring to Figures 1 a and 2, when the upper body 20 and the lower body 30 are assembled, i.e. joined, for example adhesively, with their respective side walls 24E, 24F, 24A, 34E, 34F, 34B meeting at an interface 15 of the structure 10, the bodies define the walls 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, 12A, 12B of the structure 10, enclosing an inner volume 13 of the structure 10. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the left and right walls 12E, 12F of the structure 10 are defined in combination by the respective left and right walls 24E, 24F, 34E, 34F of the upper and lower bodies 20, 30. However, the upper and proximal walls 12C, 12B of the structure 10 are defined exclusively by the upper body 20 and the lower and distal walls 12D, 12A of the structure 10 are defined exclusively by the lower body 30.

Referring again to Figure 1a, the divider 40 is generally oblong and sized to engage in an interference fit (supplemented adhesively if necessary) with the left and right walls 12E, 12F of the structure 10. The divider 40 is comprised of moulded plastics material and comprises central cut-outs 42A, 42B at its proximal and distal ends A, B. The cut-outs 42A, 42B define a longitudinal band path for an endless belt or band 44 to which the storage tray 50 and the mirror tray 60 are attached as will be described. The band 44 is typically a strip of a low-friction sheet material such as plastics film, e.g. polypropylene sold under the trade mark Treofan GND, and slides around proximal and distal edges 46A, 46B of the divider 40.

The divider 40 comprises left and right lateral slots 48E, 48F situated to the left and right of the cut-outs 42A, 42B respectively. Each slot 48E, 48F extends between, but stops a few millimetres short of, the proximal and distal ends A, B of the divider 40. The slots 48E, 48F assist in locating and delimiting the movement of the storage tray 50, as will be described later.

As is best appreciated from schematic Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, in the assembled structure

10, the divider 40 divides the inner volume 13 of the structure 10 into the upper chamber 14 and the lower chamber 16. The divider 40 is positioned approximately at the interface

15 of the upper body 20 and the lower body 30, leading the lower chamber 16 to have a greater height (and hence volume) than the upper chamber 14 on account of the differing heights of the side walls 24E, 24F, 34E, 34F of the upper and lower bodies 20, 30.

Schematic Figures 4a, 4b and 4c show only the upper and lower wall 12C, 12D of the structure 10 for clarity reasons. However, it will be appreciated from Figures 1 to 3 that the proximal end A of the upper chamber 14 and the distal end B of the lower chamber

16 are closed by the proximal wall 24A and the distal wall 34B of the upper and lower bodies 20, 30 respectively, with the left and right walls 12E, 12F of the structure 10 acting as left and right walls of the chambers 14, 16. Due to the fact that the left and right walls 24E, 24F of the lower body 30 stop short of the proximal end A of the lower panel 32 of the lower body 30, the side walls 32E, 32F of the lower chamber 16 each comprise left and right indentations 36E, 36F whose function will be described below. Given the lack of a distal wall in the upper body 20 and the lack of a proximal wall in the lower body 30, the positioning of the divider 40 leads the upper chamber 14 to have a distal opening 18B and the lower chamber 16 to have a proximal opening 18A. The cleaning strip 23 is disposed along the upper side C of the distal opening 18B of the upper chamber 14, projecting downwards at the distal end of the upper wall 12C.

Referring specifically to Figure 1a again, the storage tray 50 of the retractable mirror 2 is generally oblong and sized to fit slidingly and snugly within the lower chamber 16. The storage tray 50 is comprised of moulded plastics material and defines a support 51 for items. Specifically, in this embodiment, the storage tray 50 comprises first and second rectangular compartments 52A, 52B for holding an applicator and eye shadow respectively (both not shown in the drawings). The compartments 52A, 52B take the form of indentations or wells in the storage tray 50 and are located in a major proximal portion of the storage tray 50. A remaining minor distal portion of the storage tray 50 comprises an integral support panel 54 of the storage tray 50.

In the assembled retractable mirror 2, the storage tray 50 may be slid within the lower chamber 16 of the structure 10 between a fully closed position in which the storage tray 50 is fully inserted into the lower chamber 16 of the structure 10 such that the items held by the storage tray 50 are inaccessible, and a fully open position in which the items are accessibly clear of the structure 10. The fully closed position of the storage tray 50 is shown in Figure 2, whilst the fully open position is shown in Figure 3.

To assist in locating and moving the storage tray 50 within the lower chamber 16 of the structure 10, the storage tray 50 comprises left and right grips 56E, 56F at its proximal end. The left and right grips 56E, 56F project laterally from the storage tray 50 and are shaped to fit snugly into the left and right indentations 36E, 36F of the left and right walls 34E, 34F of the lower body 30 of the structure 10. When the storage tray 50 is in the fully closed position, the left and right grips 56E, 56F complement and lie flush with the left and right walls 34E, 34F of the lower body 30 of the structure 10. To facilitate sliding movement of the storage tray 50 by a user, the grips 56E, 56F each comprise a knurled surface 57 for improving friction between the storage tray 50 and a user's fingers.

Location and movement of the storage tray 50 within the lower chamber 16 is further assisted by left and right runner projections 58E, 58F (of which only the right projection 58F is visible in the view of Figure 1 a), which are integrally formed on the support panel 54 of the storage tray 50. The block-shaped left and right runner projections 58E, 58F are positioned and sized to engage, and slide within, the left and right slots 48E, 48F of the divider 40 as the storage tray 50 slides in and out of the lower chamber 16 of the structure 10. The runner projections 58E, 58F help to counteract any twisting forces that may be applied to the storage tray 50 by users and thereby help to prevent snagging. Furthermore, the runner projections 58E, 58F delimit extending movement of the storage tray 50 out of the lower chamber 16: when the runner projections 58E, 58F reach the proximal ends A of their respective slots 48E, 48F, the storage tray 50 is in the fully open position and cannot be extended further. Similarly, when the runner projections 58E, 58F reach the distal ends B of their respective slots 48E, 48F, the storage tray 50 is in the fully closed position and cannot be retracted further.

The mirror tray 60 comprises a proximal planar rectangular mirror support panel 62 comprised of moulded plastics material and a distal, upward facing, rectangular mirror 64. The mirror 64 is encased in a moulded plastics frame 65 and is pivotably supported by left and right spring-biased hinges 66E, 66F at a distal edge 67B of the support panel 62. With reference to Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, the hinges 66E, 66F bias the mirror 64 from a first, flat orientation shown in Figure 4a, in which the mirror 64 extends distally in the same plane as the support panel 62, into a second, angled orientation shown in Figure 4c, in which the mirror 64 lies at an obtuse angle of about 160 degrees with respect to the support panel 62.

In this embodiment of the invention the range of pivoting movement of the mirror 64 is limited to the arc of 160 to 180 degrees by suitable locking formations (not shown) at the hinges 66E, 66F. The bias towards the angled orientation is provided by left and right coiled torsion springs 68E, 68F acting between the mirror 64 and the support panel 62 at the left and right hinges 66E, 66F respectively.

The mirror tray 60 is sized to fit slidingly and snugly into the upper chamber 14 when the mirror 64 is in the flat orientation. The mirror tray 60 (and consequently the mirror 64 itself) can be moved between a fully retracted position, in which the mirror tray 60 is fully inserted into the upper chamber 14 and the mirror 64 is concealed from users, and a fully extended position in which the mirror 64 is visibly clear of the structure 10 and biased into its angled orientation by the first and second hinges 66E, 66F, which also lie (marginally) clear of the structure 10.

When the mirror tray 60 is moved distally from the fully retracted position towards the fully extended position, the mirror 64 remains in the flat orientation until the hinges 66E,

66F of the mirror tray 60 pass the distal end B of the upper wall 12C of the structure 10, at which point the mirror 64 is freed to flip into the angled orientation due to the bias of the springs 68E 68F at the hinges 66E, 66F and reaches the fully extended position. If on the other hand the mirror tray 60 is moved proximally from the fully extended position towards the fully retracted position, the cleaning strip 23 at the distal end B of the upper wall 12C of the structure 10 acts as a guide which forces the mirror 64 into the flat orientation, against the bias of the springs 68E, 68F at the hinges 66E, 66F, so that the mirror tray 60 can slide into the upper chamber 14 to reach the fully retracted position.

An advantageous secondary effect of the guiding action of the cleaning strip 23 is that the mirror 64 is wiped. Wiping occurs both when the mirror is forced from the angled orientation into the flat orientation, as described above, and when the mirror 64 is moved from the fully retracted position to the fully extended position. During extending movement of the mirror tray 60, the springs 68E, 68F bias the mirror 64 upwards, against the distal end B of the upper wall 12C, i.e. the cleaning strip 23. The main benefit of wiping the mirror 64 is that it remains in optimum condition for use. However, in addition to removing smudges or the like, cleaning the mirror 64 can also prevent scratching due to dust or dirt trapped between the mirror 60 and the structure 10. Thus the durability of the retractable mirror 2 is enhanced by the cleaning strip 23.

Movement of the storage tray 50 and the mirror tray 60 is coupled via the band 44 supported by the divider 40 of the retractable mirror 2, as described in our European patent number EP1140639. To this end, the storage tray 50 and the mirror tray 60 are attached to the band 44 as follows.

With reference to Figure 1 a, a lower section of the band 44, located on the lower side D of the divider 40 (and hence not visible in the view of Figure 1a), is attached to the upper side C of the support panel 54 of the storage tray 50 with the help of a first lateral adhesive strip 45B. The first adhesive strip 45B is offset by about one centimetre from the distal ends B of the divider 40 and the storage tray 50.

Similarly, referring still to Figure 1a, an upper section of the band 44, located on the upper side C of the divider 40, is attached to the lower side D of the support panel 62 of the mirror tray 60 (not visible in the view of Figure 1a), with the help of a second lateral adhesive strip 45A. The second adhesive strip 45A is offset by about one centimetre from the proximal ends of the divider 40 and the storage tray 50.

Referring now to Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, when the storage tray 50 is pulled proximally, in direction X, by a user (aided by the grips of the storage tray 50) the band 44 is turned about the divider 40 in the direction of arrow Z, since the storage tray 50 is attached to the band 44 with the first adhesive strip 45B on the lower side D of the divider 40. The movement of the band 44 causes the mirror tray 60 to move distally, in the direction of arrow Y, since the mirror tray 60 is also attached to the band 44 with the second adhesive strip 45A on the upper side C of the divider 40.

When the first and second adhesive strips 45B, 45A reach the edges of the divider 40 at the proximal and distal ends A, B of the retractable mirror 2 the storage tray 50 can be pulled no further in the direction of arrow X and the mirror tray 60 can move no further in direction Y. The retractable mirror 2 is then in a fully open state shown in Figures 3 and 4c, in which the storage tray 50 is in its fully open position and the mirror tray 60 is in its fully extended position, with the mirror 64 in the angled orientation.

Referring still to Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, when the storage tray 50 is moved back distally, in the direction of arrow Y, the storage tray 50 causes the band 44 to turn about the divider 40 in a direction opposite to arrow Z, so that the mirror tray 60 moves proximally, in the direction of arrow X. When the storage tray 50 and the mirror tray 60 are fully inserted within their respective chambers 16, 14, i.e. when the storage tray 50 is in the fully closed position and the mirror tray 60 is in the fully retracted position, further movement is prevented by the proximal and distal walls 12A, 12B and the runner projections 58F, 58E as described above. The retractable mirror 2 is then in a fully closed state shown in Figures 2 and 4a.

In summary, in addition to linking the storage tray 50 and the mirror tray 60, the band 44 supported by the divider 40 delimits further extension of the storage tray 50 and the mirror tray 60 in the fully open state. The movement of the trays 50, 60 is further delimited by the runner projections 58E, 58F engaged in the slots 48E, 48F of the divider 40, which also act to limit opposite movement in the fully closed state, together with the proximal and distal walls 12A, 12B of the structure 10.

The divider 40 and band 44 of the retractable mirror 2 act in synergy since they cause delayed deployment of the mirror 64 into the angled orientation. As aforesaid, when the mirror tray 60 is moved distally from the fully retracted position towards the fully extended position, the mirror 64 remains in the flat orientation until the hinges 66E, 66F of the mirror tray 60 pass the distal end B of the upper wall 12C of the structure 10, at which point the mirror 64 flips into the angled orientation due to the spring bias of the hinges 66E, 66F, bringing the mirror 64 into the fully extended position. This delayed deployment of the mirror 64 at the distal end B of the retractable mirror 2 as a result of proximal movement of the tab member (storage tray) 50 at the proximal end A of the retractable mirror 2 particularly surprises users and makes the retractable mirror 2 intriguing and pleasurable to use. The retractable mirror 2 also works well because it automatically presents the mirror 64 at a convenient angle and can be left on a table with the mirror 64 at that angle.

The spring bias of the mirror 64 into the angled orientation in the fully open state is additionally useful because it helps to prevent slippage or misadjustment of the mirror 64, which can occur in prior art designs where a mirror is positioned on the inside of a hinged lid.

There is additional synergy between the band 44 and the mirror 64 in the first embodiment of the invention due to the fact that the mirror faces the storage tray 50 at an oblique angle in the angular orientation. The band 44 ensures that movement of the storage tray 50 into the fully open position is coupled to movement of the mirror 64 into the fully extended position. Due to this coupling, when a user accesses eye shadow and an associated applicator (not shown) in the storage tray 50, the mirror 64 invariably adopts a suitable position for the application of the eyeshadow: the oblique angle of the mirror 64 with respect to the storage tray 50 provides a reflection of the face of a user holding the retractable mirror 2 (or placing it on a surface) about 20 to 50 centimetres below eye level, depending on the user's distance from the mirror 64. This is the most convenient and conventional position for an eye shadow container (and indeed containers holding other items suitable for use on the face, head or neck region).

The oblique angle of the mirror with respect to the storage tray may be varied as desired, although an angle in the range of 1 10 to 175 degrees, preferably 130 to 160 degrees, has been found to be particularly convenient. The angle of the mirror may be predetermined and fixed, or adjustable by users in the open state of the retractable mirror 2.

A further advantage of the first embodiment of the invention is that the mirror 64 is particularly well protected in the fully retracted position. The mirror 64 is not only protected from contact with external objects, but also from contact with any items held in the storage tray 50, due to the fact that it faces away from the storage tray 50 and is shielded by the divider 40 in the fully closed state of the retractable mirror 2. This helps to prevent scratching of the mirror 64 both by external objects and by any items held by the retractable mirror 2.

As aforesaid, the first embodiment of the invention described above is only exemplary: numerous modifications and alternative embodiments lie within the scope of the invention.

The retractable mirror 2 need not necessarily act as a container. Hence, it is not essential for the tab member to take the form of a storage tray 50, as set out in the first embodiment of the invention. The tab member could take any other form that allows extending movement of the tab member to drive the band 44. The tab member could, for example, consist of a simple panel, tab or grip.

Furthermore, even where the tab member takes the form of a storage tray, it may define a support for items in a variety of ways, depending on the nature of the items. The structure of the storage tray is not limited in any way and may be adapted as necessary to accommodate all manner of items.

The location of the grips may also vary. The band 44 supported by the divider 40 couples movement of the storage tray 50 and the mirror tray 60 both ways. Thus it is not essential that users apply force to the storage tray 50: movement applied by users to the mirror tray 60 would equally be transmitted to the storage tray 50. Hence grips could be placed on the mirror tray 60 to allow users to move the retractable mirror 2 between the extended and closed states by moving the mirror tray 60 instead of (or in addition to) the storage tray 50.

The mechanism for biasing the mirror can take a number of forms. By way of illustration, Figure 5 shows a portable retractable mirror 102 according to a second embodiment of the invention, which is substantially identical to the retractable mirror 2 of the first embodiment, save that the left and right coiled torsion springs are replaced by left and right blade springs 104.

The blade springs 104 act between the mirror 64 and the mirror support panel 62 at the left and right hinges 66E, 66F respectively to bias the mirror towards the angled orientation. In a variant of the second embodiment of the invention, only a single blade spring is provided centrally, between the left and right hinges. Additionally, one or more plate springs may be used in combination with torsion springs as described in respect of the first embodiment.

The mirror can also be biased or driven without a spring, for example by a mirror drive such as a lug or cam arrangement.

With reference to Figures 6a and 6b, a portable retractable mirror 202 according to a third embodiment of the invention is substantially identical to the retractable mirror 2 of the first embodiment, save that the left and right coiled torsion springs are replaced by a lug arrangement 204 which functions to bias or drive the mirror 64.

The lug arrangement 204 comprises an upwardly projecting lug 206 on the mirror, preferably on its plastics frame 65, disposed proximally with respect to the hinges 66E, 66F, and a downward projection 208 at the distal end of the upper wall 12C. The downward projection 208 may be integral with, or take the form of, a cleaning strip as described in respect of the first embodiment; additionally or alternatively, it may be integral with or attached to the upper wall 12C.

The lug 206 is preferably hook-shaped, and positioned such that, when the mirror 64 is moved distally to gain freedom of movement beyond the structure 10, the lug 206 engages (or bears against) the downward projection 208 and thereby translates the distal movement of the mirror tray 60 into a pivoting force that biases or drives the mirror

64 into the angled orientation. In a variant of the third embodiment, the lug arrangement

204 may be supplemented by one or more torsion springs as described in respect of the first embodiment, and/or one or more blade springs as described in respect of the second embodiment. A combination lug and spring arrangement has the advantage of increasing spring durability, whilst providing a consistent bias for the mirror.

With reference to Figures 7a and 7b a portable retractable mirror 302 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is substantially identical to the retractable mirror 2 of the first embodiment, save that the left and right coiled torsion springs are replaced by a cam arrangement 304. The cam arrangement 304 comprises: an upper and a lower channel 306, 308 in each of the left and right side walls 24E, 24F of the upper body (only the right channels are shown in Figures 7a and 7b for clarity), and associated upper and lower offset projections 310, 312 on each side of the mirror support panel 62 and the mirror 64 respectively (only the right projections are shown in Figures 7a and 7b for clarity).

The lower channels 308 are generally parallel to the divider 40 and, together with the lower projections 312 of the mirror support panel 62 received therein, guide distal and proximal sliding movement of the mirror tray 60. The lower channels are straight along their length.

The upper channels 306 are also generally parallel to the divider 40 (and hence the lower channels 308), but each comprise an upward kink 314 at the distal end of the side walls 24E, 24F of the upper body. Like the lower channels 308 and lower projections

312, the upper channels 306, together with the upper projections 310 of the mirror 64 (or frame 65) received therein, guide distal and proximal sliding movement of the mirror tray

60. However, additionally, the upper channels 306 and upper projections 310 are shaped and positioned such that, when the mirror 64 is moved distally to gain freedom of movement beyond the structure, the upper projections 310, and thereby the mirror 64 as a whole, are driven upwards along the upward kinks 314 of the upper channels 306, as the mirror support panel 62 reaches the distal end of the structure 10. The lower channels 308 and lower projections 312 ensure that the mirror support panel 62 cannot be driven upwards, and thus the cam arrangement 304 translates distal movement of the mirror tray 60 into a pivoting force that biases or drives the mirror 64 into the angled orientation using the lower projections 312 as pivot points.

In a variant of the fourth embodiment, the cam arrangement 304 may be supplemented by one or more torsion springs as described in respect of the first embodiment, or one or more blade springs as described in respect of the second embodiment. A combination cam and spring arrangement has the advantage of increasing spring durability, whilst providing a consistent bias for the mirror.