US20190281950A1

US20190281950A1 - Push and slide compact

Info

Publication number: US20190281950A1
Application number: US16/298,796
Authority: US
Inventors: Xiaojun Huang; Stephen Charles Burditt; Armando Villarreal
Original assignee: HCT Group Holding Ltd
Current assignee: HCT Group Holdings Ltd; HCT Group Holding Ltd
Priority date: 2018-03-13
Filing date: 2019-03-11
Publication date: 2019-09-19

Abstract

A cosmetic compact may comprise a housing including an open top, a front opening, a back side, lateral sides, and a slidable drawer at least partly within the housing having a first position and a second position. The cosmetic compact may include a first actuator positioned above the slidable drawer and accessible from the open top of the housing. The cosmetic compact may include one or more resistive members positioned between the slidable drawer and the first actuator, configured to bias the first actuator upwards, and a second actuator coupled to the back side of the housing and adapted to be compressed when the slidable drawer is closed and in an extended state when the slidable drawer is open. A downward force may be applied to the first actuator to release the slidable drawer from the first position and allow it to assume the second position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/642,498, filed on Mar. 13, 2018, titled PUSH AND SLIDE
COMPACT, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

The present application relates generally to a cosmetic compact, and in particular to a push and slide compact.

BACKGROUND

There are numerous containers such as compacts and palettes for cosmetic products available. Such containers hold products in a useable form with various designs to allow a user access to the products. New and alternative approaches to such devices are desired.
Some “drawer” designs call for a user to manually open a drawer, which can be inconvenient and may be difficult due to limited access to structures for gripping or opening the drawer. Other designs can include a distinct button to be pressed that allows a drawer to be opened, such as a button mounted on the side or front of the apparatus. Such buttons may be easily triggered, causing inadvertent release. In some examples, the buttons take away from an otherwise sleek appearance. New and alternative designs are desired.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing methods, and use alternatives for cosmetic packaging. The present inventors have discovered that a problem to be solved is that a compact having a sliding drawer should be provided with cleaner design while preventing inadvertent opening of the drawer. In several examples, a design is illustrated in which a top surface of a compact having a drawer serves as a button or actuator for releasing a drawer. In some examples, a design is illustrated that allows for “button”-type opening, with internal mechanisms that limit inadvertent release of the drawer. Some examples combine these two features, with a top surface serving as an actuator or button, and with internal features to prevent or limit inadvertent opening.
In a first example a cosmetic compact may comprise a housing including an open top, a front opening, a back side, lateral sides, a slidable drawer at least partly within the housing having a first position and a second position, a first actuator having a first and second engaging arm positioned above the slidable drawer and accessible from the open top of the housing, one or more resistive members positioned between the slidable drawer and the first actuator and configured to bias the first actuator upwards, and a second actuator coupled to the back side of the housing and adapted to be compressed when the slidable drawer is in the first position and in an extended state when the slidable drawer is in the second position. A downward force may be applied to the first actuator to release the slidable drawer from the first position and allow it to assume the second position.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the housing may comprise at least one spring engagement feature at the back of the housing, and the second actuator may take on the form of at least one spring that is coupled to the spring engagement feature at the back of the housing.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the at least one spring may be a torsion spring.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the housing may include a first stopper and a second stopper positioned within the housing near the front opening. The first stopper may be positioned behind the second stopper, relative to the front opening, and configured to engage the slidable drawer so the slidable drawer remains in the second position.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the second stopper may be larger than the first stopper to prevent removal of the slidable drawer from the housing.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the resistive member may be a spring plate having openings to allow the engaging arms to pass therethrough, and may include spring arms adapted to press the first actuator upwards toward the open top.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the second actuator may be a shroud configured to engage a spring, wherein the spring may be coupled to the spring engagement feature at the back of the housing.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the resistive member may be a sponge.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the resistive member may be a spring.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the cosmetic compact may include a container positioned within the compartment of the slidable drawer that is configured to be removable from the compartment of the slidable drawer.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the downward force may be applied evenly across the top of the first actuator.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the top of the cosmetic compact may further comprise an outer rim defined by the housing and a top of the first actuator and the top of the first actuator may take up more than ninety (90) percent of the area of the top of the cosmetic compact.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the top of the cosmetic compact may consist of an outer rim defined by the housing and a top of the first actuator.
Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the top of the cosmetic compact may further comprise an outer rim defined by the housing and a top of the first actuator and the top of the first actuator, and the outer rim and the top of the first actuator may be flush with one another.
The above summary of some example embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following Figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of an illustrative cosmetic compact.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the illustrative cosmetic compact.

FIG. 3 is cross-sectional front view of the illustrative cosmetic compact.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a housing of the illustrative cosmetic compact.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a slidable drawer of the illustrative cosmetic compact.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a compartment of the illustrative cosmetic compact.

FIG. 5C is a perspective top view of the slidable drawer including the compartment slidable relative to the housing of the illustrative cosmetic compact.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a first actuator of the illustrative cosmetic compact.

FIGS. 7A-7B are perspective top views of two distinct illustrative resistive members of the illustrative cosmetic compact.

FIG. 8A is a top view of a second actuator of the illustrative cosmetic compact in a compressed position including an illustrative compression spring.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the second actuator of the illustrative cosmetic compact in an extended state including the illustrative compression spring.

FIG. 8C is a top view of the second actuator of the illustrative cosmetic compact in an extended state including an illustrative torsion spring.

FIG. 8D is a top view of the second actuator of the illustrative cosmetic compact in an extended state including an illustrative plastic spring.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the resistive member of the illustrative cosmetic compact shown as an illustrative sponge.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the resistive member of the illustrative cosmetic compact shown as illustrative magnets.

FIG. 9C is a perspective view of the resistive member of the illustrative cosmetic compact shown as an illustrative spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description should be read with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views. The description and drawings show several embodiments which are meant to be illustrative in nature.
For convenience, the present disclosure may be described using relative terms including, for example, left, right, top, bottom, front, back, upper, lower, up, and down, as well as others. It is to be understood that these terms are merely used for illustrative purposes and are not meant to be limiting in any manner.
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a push and slide compact or cosmetic compact 10 in a closed configuration according to the embodiments described herein. As shown in FIG. 1, the cosmetic compact 10 may include a housing 14, a button or first actuator 16, and a slidable drawer 12. As shown in the isolated view of FIG. 4, the housing 14 may include an open top 34, a front opening 32, a back side and lateral sides. Returning to FIG. 1, the slidable drawer 12 may be adapted to have a first position and a second position. When the slidable drawer 12 is in the first position, the slidable drawer may be contained within the housing 14 and may be inaccessible from the exterior of the housing 14, as shown in FIG. 1. When the slidable drawer 12 is in the second position, the slidable drawer 12 may be at least partially extended outward from the front opening 32 of the housing 14, and may be accessible from the exterior of the housing 14.
The first actuator 16 may be accessible from the open top of the housing 14. While the first actuator 16 is illustrated as having a size that substantially encompasses the entirety (e.g., more than ninety (90) percent) of the open top of the housing 14, it is contemplated that the first actuator 16 can have differing sizes relative to the size of the top of the housing 14 (e.g., more than fifty (50) percent, more than seventy (70) percent, more than eighty (80) percent, more than ninety-five (95) percent), as desired.
As shown in the various Figures, the cosmetic compact 10 may have a generally rectangular shape. However, the cosmetic compact 10 may take any shape desired, including, but not limited to, square, circular, triangular, half-ovoid, polygonal, etc. For example, a round version could have a drawer with a round front edge.
In some embodiments, the cosmetic compact 10 and/or the various components thereof may be made from a rigid material (e.g., acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, thermoplastics, other polymers, glass, metal, alloy, wood, and the like). Other embodiments may, however, include containers 20 made from a flexible or semi-rigid material, such as plastic. In some embodiments, the housing 14, the slidable drawer 12, and/or the first actuator 16, or portions thereof, may comprise a transparent or translucent material so that the cosmetic product within may be externally viewed and/or for decorative purposes (e.g., showing decoration under the first actuator 16).
As shown in FIG. 2, which is an exploded view of the cosmetic compact 10, the cosmetic compact 10 may include a plate 18 positioned below the first actuator 16 and above the slidable drawer 12. The plate 18 may include one or more resistive members 24, which are configured to resist a downward force and bias the first actuator 16 in an upward direction towards the open top of the housing 14. In some embodiments, the plate 18 may include one or more openings 42 at one and/or both ends of the plate 18 near the lateral sides of the housing 14. The first actuator 16 may include a first engaging arm 22 and a second engaging arm 23 (the second engaging arm 23 not seen in FIG. 2 but can be observed in FIG. 6). The first and second engaging arms 22, 23 of the first actuator 16 are configured to pass through the openings 42 of the plate 18 and engage with first and second receiving slots 38 of the slidable drawer 12, as shown more clearly in FIG. 3.
When the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 are engaged with the receiving slots 38 of the slidable drawer 12, the slidable drawer 12 is held in the first position and remains inaccessible from the housing 14. A second actuator is coupled to the back side of the housing 14 and is adapted to be in a compressed state when the slidable drawer 12 is in the first position; details and several designs for the second actuator are shown below relative to FIGS. 8A-8D and 9A-9B. In some cases, actuation of the first actuator 16 in a downward direction may overcome the resisting force of the one or more resistive members 24. When the resisting force is overcome, the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 disengage from the receiving slots 38, and the slidable drawer 12 is opened under the force of the second actuator and/or a spring, as shown by, for example, FIGS. 8A-8D below.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional front view of the cosmetic compact 10, the housing 14, the first actuator 16 including the first and second engaging arms 22, 23, the plate 18 including the one or more resistive members 24, the slidable drawer 12, and the container 20. The plate 18 including the one or more resistive members 24, the slidable drawer 12, and the container 20 which is disposed within the slidable drawer 12, are held within the housing 14 by the first actuator 16. The first actuator 16 and the housing 14 may include mating tabs 50 and recesses 52 to allow the first actuator 16 and the housing 14 to form a generally uniform or planar top surface of the cosmetic compact 10, and to hold the components of the cosmetic compact 10 in their respective positions. That is, the mating tabs 50 are operable with the recesses 52 to prevent the first actuator 16 from falling out. As mentioned above the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 of the first actuator 16 engage with the receiving slots 38 of the slidable drawer 12 to hold the slidable drawer 12 in the first position when the cosmetic compact 10 is a closed configuration.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing 14 of the cosmetic compact 10. As mentioned above, the housing 14 may include an open top 34, the front opening 32, the back side, and lateral sides. In some embodiments, the housing 14 may include a first stopper 26 and a second stopper 27. The first stopper 26 and the second stopper 27 may be disposed on the base of the housing 14 near the front opening 32. The first stopper 26 may be located behind the second stopper 27, relative to the front opening 32 of the housing 14. The first stopper 26 may have a size smaller than that of the second stopper 27 and may be configured to allow the slidable drawer 12 to pass over the first stopper 26 and engage with the slidable drawer 12 to hold the slidable drawer 12 in the second (open) position. The second stopper 27 may have a size larger than that of the first stopper 26 and may be configured to engage with the slidable drawer 12 so as to prevent or at least make difficult the complete removal of the slidable drawer 12 from the housing 14. The first stopper 26 and the second stopper 27 may be used to “lock” the slidable drawer 12 in the second position, where the slidable drawer 12 may then be accessible exterior to the housing 14. While FIG. 4 depicts the first stopper 26 and the second stopper 27 as having a semi-rounded, rectangular shape, the first stopper 26 and the second stopper 27 may have any shape, size, length, or width desired.
The housing 14 may further include one or more spring engagement features positioned at the back side of the housing 14. A first spring engagement feature 30 may be configured to be coupled to one or more springs 44 (not shown in FIG. 4), the details of which will be further described herein. Although the first spring engagement feature 30 is depicted in the Figures as a structural component for engaging the one or more springs 44, it is contemplated that the first spring engagement feature 30 may be (alternatively or additionally) one or more magnets disposed on, embedded in, attached to, or otherwise part of the housing 14.
As seen in FIG. 4, the housing 14 may include recesses 52 within the lateral sides. The recesses 52 are configured to engage (e.g., mate) with the tabs 50 of the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 of the first actuator 16. The recesses 52 are configured to allow vertical movement of the first actuator 16 when the first actuator 16 is depressed by a downward force, thereby allowing the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 to disengage with the slidable drawer 12. When the downward force is removed from the first actuator 16, the recesses 52 engage with the tabs 50, creating a mechanical stop to prevent removal of the first actuator 16 from the cosmetic compact 10. In some cases, the recesses 52 may not be provided and the housing 14 and the first actuator 16 may be magnetically coupled to limit removal.
FIGS. 5 A-C are perspective views of the slidable drawer 12, a container 20, and the position of the combined slidable drawer 12 and container 20 relative to the housing 14. FIG. 5A is a perspective top view of the slidable drawer 12 removed from the cosmetic compact 10. As discussed above, the slidable drawer 12 may be adapted to have a first position and a second position. When the slidable drawer 12 is in the first position, the slidable drawer may be contained within the housing 14 and may be inaccessible, and when the slidable drawer 12 is in the second position, the slidable drawer 12 may be at least partially extended outward from the front opening 32 of the housing 14, and may be accessible exterior to the housing 14. The slidable drawer 12 may include one or more receiving slots 38. The receiving slots 38 are adapted to engage with the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 of the first actuator 16. The receiving slots 38 and the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 may be in a mated configuration. When the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 are engaged with the receiving slots 38 of the slidable drawer 12, the slidable drawer 12 is held in the first position and remains inaccessible from the housing 14. When a downward force is applied to the first actuator 16, the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 are depressed downward thereby disengaging the receiving slots 38 and the slidable drawer 12 may then move to the second position.
The slidable drawer 12 may define a compartment configured for receiving one or more cosmetic implements and/or products. For example, the slidable drawer 12 may be configured to receive the container 20. The container 20 is shown in FIG. 5B, which is a perspective top view of the container 20 removed from the cosmetic compact 10. The container 20 may be configured to receive a cosmetic product such as, but not limited to loose powders (e.g., for eye, cheek, face, and the like), pressed powders (e.g., for eye, cheek, face, and the like), creams (e.g., skincare, eye, foundation, and the like), sunscreen, hot pour products (e.g., lipsticks, glosses, and the like). touchup, spot cover, baked powders, moisturizers, hair creams, gels, serums, and the like. The container 20 may be a simple cosmetic pan (e.g., a metal pan) for holding a cosmetic product. The container 20 may be removable, replaceable, and/or interchangeable, as desired.
While the slidable drawer 12 is illustrated as receiving only one container 20 having a rectangular shape, it is contemplated that one or more containers 20 may be used and that the containers 20 may have differing sizes and shapes. For example, there may be two containers 20 provided in which the combined size of the two containers 20 may fit within the slidable drawer 12. This is just an example. In some cases, the container(s) 20 may have a shape less than that of the slidable drawer 12 to allow for the placement and/or retention of a cosmetic implement. Some illustrative implements may include but are not limited to an applicator with a handle, an applicator without a handle, a stencil, (e.g., a brow stencil), tweezers, a brush with or without a handle, a sponge with or without a handle, a pencil, a vial, a lipstick, etc. Items contained in the drawer 12 may include lids or mirrors, if desired; for example, an airtight, lidded container may be provided within the drawer 12.
FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the slidable drawer 12 having the container 20 disposed within the slidable drawer 12, wherein the slidable drawer 12 is in the second position relative to the housing 14.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the first actuator 16 removed from the cosmetic compact 10. As mentioned above, the first actuator 16 may be accessible from the open top 34 of the housing 14. The first actuator 16 may have first and second engaging arms 22, 23 that may be configured to engage with the receiving slots 38 of the slidable drawer 12. The first and second engaging arms may include tabs 50 that are configured to engage with the recesses 52 of the housing 14. As discussed above, the mating tabs 50 and recesses 52 allow the first actuator 16 and the housing 14 to form a generally uniform or planar outer surface of the cosmetic compact 10, and to hold the components of the cosmetic compact 10 in their respective positions. The first and second engaging arms are further configured to engage with the receiving slots 38 of the slidable drawer 12 to hold the slidable drawer 12 in the first position (e.g., the cosmetic compact 10 is in the closed configuration).
Actuation of the first actuator 16 may include applying a downward force to the surface of the first actuator 16. When the downward force is applied to the first actuator 16, the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 are moved in a longitudinal fashion downward thereby overcoming the resistive force of the resistive members 24, and disengaging from the slidable drawer 12. In the preferred embodiment, the downward force may be applied evenly across the top of the first actuator 16 in order to overcome the resistive force and release the drawer 12. For example, simply pressing on one side of the actuator 16, such as the side nearest engaging arm 22, would not disengage both of the engaging arms 22, 23, as only arm 22 would become disengaged. Such a design may prevent inadvertent opening of the drawer if, for example, the compact is being carried in a user's luggage, bag, or pocket. While this useful feature is included in some examples, it may be omitted in other embodiments.
In some cases, the top of the cosmetic compact 10 may comprise an outer rim defined by the housing 14 and the top of the first actuator 16. The first actuator 16 may be a size sufficient to provide a flush seam between the outer rim of the housing 14 and the top of the first actuator 16 when the first actuator 16 is in a resting state (e.g., when no downward force is present), such as is shown above in FIG. 1. For example, the size of the first actuator 16 may be more than ninety (90) percent of the open top 34 of the housing 14, however, it is contemplated that the first actuator 16 can have differing sizes (e.g., more than fifty (50) percent, more than seventy (70) percent, more than eighty (80) percent, more than ninety-five (95) percent), as desired. It may be contemplated that the top of the first actuator 16 may be used to display a design (e.g., a logo, a picture, a mirrored surface, and the like). While the edges of the top of the first actuator 16 are shown in FIG. 6 as having a bevel, this may be omitted and a sharp edge provided for decorative purposes, if desired.
FIGS. 7A-7B are perspective top views of exemplary resistive members 24 of the cosmetic compact 10. The resistive members 24 may be part of the plate 18, and may be positioned below the first actuator 16 and above the slidable drawer 12, within the housing 14. The plate 18 may include openings 42 on one or both ends of the plate 18 near the lateral sides of the housing 14 to allow the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 to pass therethrough. The resistive members 24 may be configured to provide a resistive force, biasing the first actuator 16 in an upward direction towards the open top 34 of the housing 14.
As discussed above, when a downward force is applied to the first actuator 16, the resistive force may be overcome allowing the first actuator 16 to depress, and disengage from the slidable drawer 12. In some cases, the resistive members 24 may be spring arms disposed on the plate 18 and/or spring arms constructed as part of the plate 18 (as seen in FIGS. 7A, 7B). However, it is contemplated that the resistive members 24 could be any suitable component and/or material capable of providing a resistive force, biasing the first actuator 16 in an upward direction, as well as depress when a downward force is applied to the first actuator. Suitable components and/or materials may include, but are not limited to, magnets, sponges, springs, foam, flexible plastic such as rubber, silicone, or other elastomers, and the like.
In the illustrations of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the resistive members 24 are shown as cut pieces of a single piece plate 18, which edges that have been folded downward, which may be formed by stamping, for example. A mold or other process may be used instead. In other examples, resistive members 24 may be placed on top of the surface of the plate 18.
FIGS. 8A-D are top views of the second actuator of the cosmetic compact 10. Referring to FIG. 8A, the second actuator is shown as a shroud 36 that covers springs 44 which are in turn coupled to the back side of the housing 14. The shroud 36 is located between the slidable drawer 12 and the back side of the housing 14. Two springs 44 are shown and couple the shroud 36 to the back of the housing; any suitable number of springs may be used (a single spring, or three or more springs, for example). The shroud 36 may have a generally flat surface configured to engage with the back side of the slidable drawer 12, which also may have a generally flat surface. The shroud 36 may further include a second spring engagement feature 40 configured to be coupled to one or more springs 44. The one or more springs 44 may also be coupled to the first spring engagement feature 30 at the back side of the housing. The springs 44 are shown adjacent to the spring attachment features 30, 40, but in another embodiment the springs 44 may slide over the respective spring attachment features. Adhesive, heat, or mechanical attachment may be used, if desired to hold the springs in place.
When the cosmetic compact 10 is in a closed configuration (e.g., the first position of the slidable drawer 12), the one or more springs 44 may be in a compressed state, as seen in FIG. 8A. The one or more springs 44 may be a compression spring, as seen in FIGS. 8A and 8B, and may provide a spring force that is biased towards the extended state. As explained above, actuation of the first actuator 16 in a downward direction may overcome the resisting force of the one or more resistive members 24. When the resisting force is overcome, the first and second engaging arms 22, 23 disengage from the receiving slots 38, and the springs 44 are released from the compressed state to the extended state (e.g., releasing the spring force), causing the shroud 36 to engage the slidable drawer 12, and push the slidable drawer 12 so the slidable drawer 12 assumes the second position, as seen in FIG. 8B.
The user can push the drawer 12 shut by overcoming the spring force provided by the one or more springs 44, and allow the slidable drawer 12 to move from the second position back to the first position. As the drawer 12 slides back into place, the engaging arms 22, 23 re-engage the receiving slots 38, securing the drawer in a closed position.
Inclusion of a shroud 36 to contain or obscure the springs from view is optional. In some cases, the shroud 36 may be omitted and the “second actuator” takes the form of just the one or more springs 44 which may interact directly with the back side of the slidable drawer 12.
The one or more springs 44 may be any suitable type of spring capable of providing a spring force (e.g., a torsion spring, a compression spring, a plastic spring, repelling magnets, a sponge, and the like). FIGS. 8C-8D illustrate exemplary embodiments of the second actuator in which the shroud 36 is pressed against by including a torsion spring 80 and a plastic spring 90, respectively. As discussed above the first and second spring engagement features 30, 40 may be one or more magnets disposed on, embedded in, attached to, or otherwise part of the housing 14 and/or the shroud 36 and/or the slidable drawer 12.
FIGS. 9A-9C are perspective views of the exemplary embodiments of various alternatives to resistive members 24. Further, the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9B may be integrated and/or used in place of the springs 44 shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, to provide the spring force of the second actuator, used for actuation of the slidable drawer 12. FIG. 9A illustrates a compressible sponge. FIG. 9B illustrates repelling magnets. FIG. 9C illustrates an illustrative spring.
Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is therefore intended that the appended claims be construed to cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cosmetic compact comprising:

a housing having an open top, a front opening, a back side, and lateral sides;

a slidable drawer at least partly within the housing, wherein the slidable drawer defines a compartment for receiving one or more cosmetic implements or products, and the slidable drawer is adapted for a first position in which the compartment is within the housing and inaccessible, and a second position in which the slidable drawer is extended out from the front opening of the housing to make the compartment accessible exterior to the housing, the slidable drawer including first and second receiving slots;

a first actuator positioned above the slidable drawer and within the housing wherein the first actuator is accessible through the open top of the housing, and wherein the first actuator has first and second engaging arms to engage the receiving slots on the slidable drawer;

one or more resistive members positioned between the slidable drawer and the first actuator, configured to resist a downward force; and

a second actuator coupled to the back side of the housing and adapted to be compressed when the slidable drawer is in the first position; wherein:

when the slidable drawer is in the first position, the second actuator is held in a compressed state between the slidable drawer and the back edge of the housing and the engaging arms of the actuator are engaged with the receiving slots to hold the slidable drawer in the first position;

when the slidable drawer is in the second position, the second actuator is in an extended state; and

in order to release the slidable drawer from the first position and allow it to assume the second position, the first actuator is depressed to overcome the force of the one or more resistive members and thereby disengage the engaging arms from the receiving slots of the slidable drawer.

2. The cosmetic compact of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises at least one spring engagement feature at the back of the housing, and the second actuator takes the form of at least one spring that is coupled to the spring engagement feature at the back of the housing.

3. The cosmetic compact of claim 2, wherein the at least one spring is a torsion spring.

4. The cosmetic compact of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first stopper and a second stopper positioned within the housing near the front opening, the first stopper behind the second stopper relative to the front opening and configured to engage the slidable drawer so the slidable drawer remains in the second position.

5. The cosmetic compact of claim 4, wherein the second stopper is in front of the first stopper nearer to the front opening of the housing, and the second stopper is larger than the first stopper to prevent removal of the slidable drawer from the housing.

6. The cosmetic compact of claim 1, wherein the resistive member is a plate having openings to allow the engaging arms to pass therethrough to the slidable drawer, the plate comprising spring arms adapted to press the actuator upwards toward the open top.

7. The cosmetic compact of claim 1, wherein the top of the compact consists of an outer rim defined by the housing, and a top of the first actuator.

8. The cosmetic compact of claim 1, wherein the resistive member is a spring.

9. The cosmetic compact of claim 1, further comprising a container positioned within the compartment of the slidable drawer and configured to be removable from the compartment of the slidable drawer.

10. A cosmetic compact comprising:

a housing having an open top, a front opening, a back side, and lateral sides;

a slidable drawer at least partly within the housing, wherein the slidable drawer defines a compartment for receiving one or more cosmetic implements or products, and the drawer is adapted for a first position in which the compartment is within the housing and inaccessible, and a second position in which the drawer is extended out from the front opening of the housing to make the compartment accessible exterior to the housing, the drawer including first and second receiving slots;

a first actuator positioned above the drawer and within the housing wherein the first actuator is accessible through the open top of the housing, and wherein the first actuator has first and second engaging arms to engage the receiving slots on the drawer;

a resisting means located below the first actuator, and adapted to resist movement of the first actuator when a downward force is applied to the first actuator moving the first actuator in a downward position; and

a second actuator coupled to the back side of the housing and adapted to be compressed when the drawer is in the first position.

11. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein when the drawer is in the first position, the second actuator is held in a compressed state between the drawer and the back edge of the housing and the engaging arms of the first actuator are engaged with the receiving slots to hold the drawer in the first position.

12. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein when the drawer is in the second position, the second actuator is in an extended state; and in order to release the drawer from the first position and allow it to assume the second position, the first actuator is depressed to overcome the force of the resistive means and thereby disengage the engaging arms from the receiving slots.

13. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a first stopper and a second stopper positioned within the housing near the front opening, the first stopper behind the second stopper relative to the front opening and configured to engage the slidable drawer so the slidable drawer remains in the second position

14. The cosmetic compact of claim 13, wherein the second stopper is in front of the first stopper nearer to the front opening of the housing and the second stopper is larger than the first stopper to prevent removal of the slidable drawer from the housing.

15. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the resisting means is a spring plate having openings to allow the engaging arms to pass therethrough to the slidable drawer, the spring plate comprising spring arms adapted to press the actuator upwards toward the open top.

16. The cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the second actuator comprises a shroud and a spring having a first end and a second end, wherein the shroud is configured to engage the first end of the spring, wherein the second end of the spring is coupled to a spring engagement feature at the back of the housing.

17. The slidable cosmetic compact of claim 10, wherein the downward force applied to the first actuator is applied evenly across a top surface of the first actuator.

18. A cosmetic compact, comprising:

a housing having an open top, a front opening, a back side, and lateral sides;

a first actuator positioned above the slidable drawer and within the housing wherein the first actuator is accessible through the open top of the housing, and wherein the first actuator has first and second engaging arms to engage the receiving slots on the drawer;

a spring plate located between the slidable drawer and the first actuator, having openings to allow the engaging arms to pass therethrough to the slidable drawer, the spring plate comprising spring arms adapted to bias the first actuator upwards toward the open top;

a second actuator coupled to the back side of the housing and adapted to be compressed when the slidable drawer is in the first position; and

wherein a downward force must be applied evenly across a top surface of the first actuator to overcome the bias of the spring arms and disengage the engaging arms from the receiving slots on the slidable drawer.

19. The cosmetic compact of claim 18, when the slidable drawer is in the first position, the second actuator is held in a compressed state between the slidable drawer and the back edge of the housing and the engaging arms of the first actuator are engaged with the receiving slots to hold the slidable drawer in the first position;

when the slidable drawer is in the second position, the second actuator is in an extended state; and in order to release the slidable drawer from the first position and allow it to assume the second position, the first actuator is depressed to overcome the force of the spring arms and thereby disengage the engaging arms from the receiving slots on the slidable drawer.

20. The cosmetic compact of claim 18, wherein the housing comprises at least one spring engagement feature at the back side thereof facing the interior of the housing, and the second actuator comprises a shroud and a spring having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the spring is coupled to the shroud, and the second end of the spring is coupled to the spring engagement feature.