ROTATION TRAY TYPE COSMETIC CASE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to cosmetic cases and, more particularly, to a rotation tray type cosmetic case, which is constructed so that cosmetic storage trays are arranged in layers and are individually rotated to be opened. Background Art

[2] Generally, a cosmetic case is used to store cosmetic articles, such as compacts, eye shadows, twin cakes, or pressed powders. The cosmetic case includes a main body having a thickness which is suitable for storing cosmetics, and a cover which is rotatably connected to a predetermined portion on the main body via a hinge pin. Further, an inner case is provided in the main body to receive the cosmetics therein. Thus, when cosmetics are not in use, the cover is closed to protect the cosmetics. Meanwhile, when a person desires to use the cosmetics, the user opens the cover and uses the cosmetics stored in the inner case.

[3] However, a conventional cosmetic case is problematic in that it stores only one kind of cosmetic, so that several cosmetic cases storing respective cosmetics are required when a person desires to use various kinds of cosmetics.

[4] Another cosmetic case is constructed so that the inner case is partitioned into several sections by partitions, and respective sections store different kinds of cosmetics. However, such a cosmetic case is problematic in that the space storing the cosmetics is deep, so that an additional brush is needed so as to use a cosmetic present on the bottom, thus causing inconvenience to a user.

[5] In order to solve the problem, Korean U.M. Registration No. 0227229 (2001. 04.

02) discloses a cosmetic case which is constructed so that a plurality of trays holding different kinds of cosmetics is rotatably opened or closed. The rotation type cosmetic case disclosed in Korean U.M. Registration No. 0227229 will be described in brief with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[6] The rotation type cosmetic case includes a body 1, a cover 2, upper and lower hinge members 3 and 4, a plurality of trays 5, and a sleeve 6. The body 1 is provided on the lower portion of the cosmetic case. The cover 2 is located above the body 1 in such a way as to be spaced apart from the body 1 by a predetermined distance. The upper and lower hinge members 3 and 4 are secured to a portion of the cover 2 and a portion of the body 1, respectively. The trays 5 are stacked between the body 1 and the cover 2. The sleeve 6 is fitted between the upper and lower hinge members 3 and 4, and the trays 5 are rotatably connected to the sleeve 6.

[7] Further, each of the body 1 and the trays 5 has on an upper portion thereof a cosmetic storage part S that stores cosmetics therein.

[8] The rotation type cosmetic case keeps the trays 5 closed via a hole 5a and a protrusion 5b provided on upper and lower portions of each tray 5, and a hole Ia formed in the upper portion of the body 1 and a protrusion 2a provided on the lower portion of the cover 2. That is, the protrusion 2a of the cover 2 is inserted into the hole 5a of the uppermost tray 5, and the protrusion 5b of the lowermost tray 5 is inserted into the hole Ia of the body 1. Further, other trays 5 are arranged so that a protrusion 5b of a tray 5 located at an upper position is inserted into a corresponding hole 5a of another tray 5 located at a lower position.

[9] Thus, a user rotates the body 1 or the tray 5 holding a desired cosmetic, thus using the cosmetic stored in the cosmetic storage part S.

[10] However, the rotation type cosmetic case is problematic in that, when a user desires to open one of the trays 5, trays located above and under the desired tray 5 may be undesirably opened, because the trays 5 are coupled to each other by the engagement of the holes 5 a and the protrusions 5b.

[11] As such, if a specific tray 5 and trays located above and under the specific tray 5 are opened, the undesirably opened trays 5 must be closed again, so that it is inconvenient to use.

[12] Further, the conventional cosmetic case has another problem in that it is difficult to refill new cosmetics into the cosmetic storage parts S of the trays 5, after the cosmetics stored in the cosmetic storage parts S have been used up. Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[13] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a rotation tray type cosmetic case, having several rotating trays which are arranged in layers and may be individually rotated. [14] Another object of the present invention is to provide a rotation tray type cosmetic case, which easily enables refilling with new cosmetics after cosmetics have been exhausted. [15] A further object of the present invention is to provide a rotation tray type cosmetic case, which has the function of a mirror, which is essential for applying makeup, thus affording convenience.

Technical Solution [16] In order to accomplish the object, the present invention provides a rotation tray type cosmetic case, including a tray housing having an upper plate, a lower plate

arranged under the upper plate, and a coupling part to couple one end of the upper plate to one end of the lower plate in such a way that the upper and lower plates are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval, thus defining a tray holding space; at least two rotating trays stacked in the tray holding space, with a cosmetic storage space provided on an upper portion of each of the rotating trays; and a rotating shaft coupled to the tray housing, and rotatably supporting one end of each of the rotating trays so that the rotating trays are rotated while maintaining a horizontal state.

[17] The rotation tray type cosmetic case further includes a cover which is rotatably mounted to a predetermined portion of the upper plate of the tray housing via a hinge pin.

[18] The upper plate has on a predetermined portion thereof a concave hinge seat, and the cover includes a hinge link which is seated in the hinge seat to be secured to the hinge seat via the hinge pin.

[19] A mirror may be attached to at least one of a lower surface of the cover and an upper surface of the upper plate.

[20] A puff receiving part is provided on an upper portion of the upper plate of the tray housing to receive a cosmetic application puff.

[21] A locking piece having a hook protrudes downwards from the cover, and a locking hole is formed in an upper surface of the upper plate so that the locking piece is fitted into the locking hole.

[22] An actuating protrusion is provided at a predetermined position on each of the rotating trays in such a way as to protrude higher than other portions defining an edge of the rotating tray.

[23] A locking step is provided on each of the rotating trays in such a way as to protrude from an edge of the rotating tray, which is positioned inside an end of the coupling part, when the rotating tray is rotated and inserted into the tray holding space, and a locking groove is provided on the coupling part to engage with the locking step. Brief Description of the Drawings

[24] FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a conventional rotation type cosmetic case;

[25] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the conventional rotation type cosmetic case;

[26] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rotation tray type cosmetic case, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[27] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rotation tray type cosmetic case shown in FIG. 3;

[28] FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views taken along line A-A and line B-B of FIG. 3, respectively;

[29] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 5, in which a rotating tray is opened; and

[30] FIG. 8 is a view showing the use of the rotation tray type cosmetic case, according to the present invention.

[31] *Description of reference characters of important parts *

[32] 10: rotation tray type cosmetic case 20: tray housing

[33] 2OA: upper plate 2OB: lower plate

[34] 2OC: coupling part 21: tray holding space

[35] 22: shaft insertion holes 23: locking groove

[36] 24: locking hole 25: mirror

[37] 26: hinge seat 30: cover

[38] 32: hinge link 33: locking piece

[39] 34: mirror 40: hinge pin

[40] 50: rotating shaft 60: rotating trays

[41] 61: shaft link holes 62: cosmetic storage space

[42] 63: actuating protrusions 64: locking steps

[43] 65: holes

Mode for the Invention

[44] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention may be practiced in various ways without being limited to the specific embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiment of this invention is for illustrative purposes only.

[45] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rotation tray type cosmetic case, according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the rotation tray type cosmetic case shown in FIG. 3, FIGS. 5 and 6 are sectional views taken along line A-A and line B-B of FIG. 3, respectively, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is a view showing the use of the rotation tray type cosmetic case, according to the present invention.

[46] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 8, a rotation tray type cosmetic case 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a tray housing 20 having the shape of a cylinder which is closed at upper and lower portions thereof and is hollow at a central portion thereof. The tray housing 20 is opened on a side thereof, thus defining a tray holing space 21. The tray housing 20 includes an upper plate 2OA, a lower plate 2OB, and a coupling part 2OC which couples one end of the upper plate to one end of the lower plate.

[47] Further, shaft insertion holes 20 are formed through the upper and lower plates 2OA

an 2OB at a position of an opening which defines the tray holding space 21 of the tray housing 20, and are positioned along an identical line on the upper and lower plates 2OA and 2OB. A mirror 25 may be attached to the upper surface of the upper plate 2OA. Preferably, each shaft insertion hole 20 is located near one end of the coupling part 2OC so as to maximize the size of a rotating tray 60, which will be described later.

[48] A hinge seat 26 is provided at a junction of the upper plate 2OA and the coupling part 2OC, and pin holes (not shown) are formed in left and right sides of the hinge seat 26. Further, a locking groove 23 having a predetermined depth may be formed inside an end of the coupling part 2OC, which is distant from the shaft insertion hole 20.

[49] A hinge link 32 extends from one end of the cover 30 which is mounted to the upper portion of the tray housing 20, and is seated in the hinge seat 26, so that the cover is rotatably coupled to the tray housing. That is, a hole is bored through the central portion of the hinge link 32, and a hinge pin 40 is inserted into the hole of the hinge link 32 to couple the hinge link 32 to the tray housing 20. Thereby, the cover 30 is rotatable about the hinge pin 40.

[50] Further, a locking piece 33 protrudes downwards from the edge of the cover 30, and a locking hole 24 is formed in the upper plate 2OA of the tray housing 20 at a position corresponding to the locking piece 33, so that the locking piece 33 is fitted int o the locking hole 24. Thus, when the hinge link 32 of the cover 30 is seated in the hinge seat 26 of the tray housing 20 and is linked to the tray housing via the hinge pin 40, the cover 30 pivots relative to the tray housing 20 and opens or closes the tray housing 20.

[51] Meanwhile, a plurality of rotating trays 60 is stacked and held in the tray holding space 21 of the tray housing 20. The rotating trays 60 are coupled to the tray housing 20 by means of a shaft so as to be freely rotated. Each of the trays 60 has on an upper surface thereof a cosmetic storage space 62 so that a cosmetic (e.g. a color tone powder, such as pressed powder or compact powder, and a cosmetic article, such as lip gloss) is disposed in the cosmetic storage space 62. A shaft link hole 61 is formed in a predetermined portion of each tray 60, and an actuating protrusion 63 and a locking step 64 are provided at a position opposite the shaft link hole 61. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, each tray 60 is seated in the tray housing 20 in such a way that the central axis of each shaft link hole 61 is aligned with the central axis of each shaft insertion hole 22 of the tray housing 20.

[52] Further, an inner case (not shown), having the same shape as the cosmetic storage space 62 of each rotating tray 60 such that the bottom and the edge of the inner case correspond to those of the cosmetic storage space 62, may be inserted into an associated cosmetic storage space 62. A cosmetic is disposed in the inner case. Preferably, a hole 65 is formed vertically through each rotating tray 60 so as to permit

the inner case to be replaced with another inner case having a new cosmetic, when the cosmetic of the old inner case is exhausted. In a detailed description, when the cosmetic in the inner case is used up, a sharp auger is inserted into the lower portion of the hole 65 so as to push the inner case up. At this time, the inner case, inserted in an associated cosmetic storage space 62, is removed from the cosmetic storage space 62. Afterwards, another inner case having a new cosmetic is inserted into the cosmetic storage space 62. In this way, the replacement of a cosmetic is carried out simply.

[53] After the rotating trays 60 are stacked and inserted into the tray holding space 21, the rotating shaft 50 is inserted into the shaft insertion holes 22 of the tray housing 20, as shown in FIG. 5. The rotating trays 60 may be freely rotated by the rotating shaft 50. Of course, the rotating shaft may comprise two rotating shafts, that is, an upper rotating shaft 50 inserted from the upper plate 2OA and a lower rotating shaft 52 inserted from the lower plate 2OB.

[54] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the two rotating shafts 50 and 52 comprise the upper rotating shaft 50 and the lower rotating shaft 52, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The upper rotating shaft 50 has the shape of a hollow cylinder that is open at a bottom thereof, and is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 22 at a position above the tray housing 20. The lower rotating shaft 50 is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 22 at a position beneath the tray housing 20, and is inserted into the upper rotating shaft 50. In this case, a screw may be inserted into the lower portion of the lower rotating shaft 52 to be fastened to the lower rotating shaft 52. In such a construction, the screw enlarges the outer diameter of the lower portion of the lower rotating shaft 52, and allows the lower rotating shaft 52 to come into close contact with the inner surface of the lower portion of the upper rotating shaft 50. Thereby, a coupling force of the upper and lower rotating shafts 50 and 52 is slightly increased, thus preventing the lower rotating shaft 52 from being separated from the upper rotating shaft 50.

[55] Further, each of the rotating trays 60, which are stacked and inserted into the tray holding space 21, includes the actuating protrusion 63. The actuating protrusion 63 protrudes slightly outwards from the tray holding space 21 when each rotating tray 60 is inserted into the tray holding space 21. The locking step 64 is formed in front of the actuating protrusion 63, as shown in FIG. 7, and protrudes slightly outwards to engage with the locking groove 23 of the coupling part 2OC. Thus, when each rotating tray 60 rotates about the rotating shaft 50 of the tray housing 20, as shown in FIG. 7, and is inserted into the tray holding space 21, the locking step 64 engages with the locking groove 23, thus keeping the rotating tray 60 locked.

[56] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, cosmetics having different purposes and/or colors are charged in corresponding cosmetic storage spaces 62 of the rotating trays 60. As

shown in FIG. 6, the rotating trays 60 are stacked, inserted into the tray holding space 21 of the tray housing 20, and secured via the rotating shaft 50. The use of the rotation tray type cosmetic case 10 will be described below in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

[57] When a force is applied to pull a desired rotating tray 60 outwards using the actuating protrusion 63 which is installed on the front of each rotating tray 60, the locking step 64 engaging with the locking groove 23 of the tray housing 20 is dislodged from the locking groove 23. Thereby, the rotating tray 60 is taken out of the tray housing 20. In this case, a user may select the actuating protrusions 63 of the plurality of rotating trays 60 so that one or more rotating trays 60 are simultaneously rotated and opened.

[58] In such a state, when the front portion of the edge of the cover 30 is rotated upwards using the user's hand, the engagement of the locking piece 33 and the locking hole 24 is released, and the cover 30, coupled to the tray housing 20 via the hinge link 32, is opened. The mirror 34, 25 may be attached to the lower surface of the cover 30 or the upper surface of the tray housing 20. Both of the mirrors 34 and 25 may be attached. Alternatively, either of the mirrors 34 and 25 may be attached.

[59] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the mirror 25 is attached to the upper surface of the tray housing 20. However, a puff receiving part may be provided in place of the mirror 25 to receive cosmetic application puffs. As such, when the puff receiving part is provided on the upper surface of the tray housing 20 in place of the mirror 25, the user takes the puff out of the puff receiving part, imbues the puff with a cosmetic stored in the cosmetic storage space 62 of each rotating tray 60, and applies the cosmetic to his or her face while using the mirror 35 attached to the lower surface of the cover 20.

[60] When the makeup session has been completed, the puff is put into the puff receiving part, and thereafter the cover 30 is pushed downwards to be closed. At this time, the locking piece 33, provided on an edge of the cover 30, is inserted into the locking hole 24 provided in an upper edge of the tray housing 20, so that the cover 30 is closed as shown in FIG. 5.

[61] Afterwards, as shown in FIG. 8, when the side surface of each rotating tray 60, taken out of the tray holding space 21 of the tray housing 20, is pushed and rotated, the rotating trays 60 are inserted into the tray holding space 21 and maintain a stacked state, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6. At this time, the locking step 64 provided adjacent to the actuating protrusion 63 of each rotating tray 60 engages with the locking groove 23 provided on a predetermined portion adjacent to the opening of the tray housing 20. Thereby, the rotating trays 60 entering the tray holding space 21 of the tray housing 20 are maintained therein.

[62] According to this embodiment, the tray housing 20 has the shape of a cylinder

which is closed at upper and lower portions thereof. However, the shape of the tray housing 20 may be changed into a rectangular shape or a triangular shape, because the shape does not affect the operation of the cosmetic case. Industrial Applicability

[63] As described above, the present invention provides a rotation tray type cosmetic case, which is constructed so that a tray housing has the shape of a cylinder that is closed at upper and lower portions thereof and is open at a front thereof, and rotating trays are stacked and inserted into a tray holding space of the tray housing and are rotatable about a rotating shaft inserted into shaft insertion holes that are formed in predetermined portions of the tray housing, thus allowing a plurality of rotating trays storing different kinds of cosmetics to be individually opened. Further, when the rotating trays are selectively opened or closed, the opened or closed rotating trays do not affect neighboring upper and lower trays, thus optimizing the use of the cosmetic case having the plurality of rotating trays.