Cosmetic compact

1. A cosmetic compact, comprising in combination:

a) a molded plastic base having an upwardly facing compartment for storing a quantity of cosmetic product, said base having a hinged end and having a free end disposed opposite to the hinged end, said compartment being disposed adjacent the free end of the base,

b) a first cover,

c) hinge means connecting the first cover to the hinged end of the base, to enable the first cover to be manually swung between a closed position overlying the hinged end of the base and an open position exposing the hinged end of the base,

d) a combined second cover and grip handle, and cooperable means on said second cover and grip handle and on said base for releasably securing the second cover and grip handle to the base,

e) said second cover and grip handle, when secured to the base, overlying said compartment and forming an abutting-type fit therewith so as to minimize inadvertent drying out of the cosmetic product stored therein, and

f) an applicator device carried by said combined second cover and grip handle, the latter enabling the user to hold and to manipulate the applicator device,

g) said second cover and grip handle positioning the applicator device at a location which is disposed between said first cover and the hinged end of the base at such times as the first cover is in its closed position and the combined second cover and grip handle is secured to the base,

h) said base having upstanding flanges disposed on its lateral sides and wherein said combined second cover and grip handle fit snugly between said upstanding flanges and are held in position thereon,

i) said flanges being sufficiently resilient to enable them to yield outwardly and receive the combined second cover and grip handle when the latter is placed onto the base.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:

a) said flanges yield outwardly when the combined second cover and grip handle is physically pried upwardly, with respect to the underlying base.

3. A cosmetic compact, comprising in combination:

a) a molded plastic base having a generally rectangular configuration, and further having a hinged end and a free end, said free end having an upwardly facing rectangular compartment adapted for storing a quantity of cosmetic product, said base having a second compartment disposed adjacent the hinged end and being generally aligned with said upwardly facing compartment,

b) a first cover,

c) hinge means pivotally connecting the first cover to the hinged end of the base, to enable the first cover to be manually swung between a closed position overlying the second compartment and an open position exposing the said second compartment,

d) a combined second cover and grip handle, and a pair of substantially parallel upstanding flanges disposed on lateral sides of said first-mentioned compartment, for releasably securing the combined second cover and grip handle in a position overlying the first-mentioned compartment and forming an abutting-type fit therewith so as to minimize inadvertent drying out of the cosmetic product stored therein, and

e) an applicator device carried by said combined second cover and grip handle, the latter enabling the user to hold and to manipulate the applicator device when removed from the base,

f) said combined second cover and grip handle positioning the applicator device at a location which is disposed between said first-mentioned cover and second compartment at such times as the combined second cover and grip handle is secured to the base,

g) said first cover and said combined second cover and grip handle have edge portions which abut one another when the first cover is disposed in its closed position, and the combined second cover and grip handle are secured over said first-mentioned compartment,

h) said edge portions forming substantially smooth surface continuations of one another such that the abutting edge portions are aligned and substantially completely flush with one another.

4. A cosmetic compact, comprising in combination:

a) a molded plastic base,

b) a first cover,

c) hinge means connecting the first cover to the base, to enable it to be manually swung between a closed position overlying part of the base and an open position exposing the base,

d) a combined second cover and grip handle completely separate from the first cover, said combined second cover and grip handle being slidable between a closed position toward the center of the base, and an open position in a direction either away from the center of the base or else completely removed from physical contact with the base, and

e) cooperable means for locking said combined second cover and grip handle against inadvertent sliding movement away from the center of the base only when the first cover is disposed in its closed position, and for releasing said combined second cover and grip handle to permit sliding movement thereof away from the center of the base and subsequent full disconnect from the base when the first cover is shifted from its closed position toward its open position,

f) said cooperable locking means comprises a flange on the first cover, and

g) means defining a recess in the combined second cover and grip handle and arranged to receive said flange when the combined second cover and grip handle is in a closed position overlying the base and the first cover is swung to its closed position overlying part of the base.