WO2011008779A1

WO2011008779A1 - Dual switch, multi-lamp make-up mirror

Info

Publication number: WO2011008779A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/041857
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas James Irvine
Original assignee: Thomas James Irvine
Priority date: 2009-07-13
Filing date: 2010-07-13
Publication date: 2011-01-20

Abstract

A makeup mirror equipped with a plurality of sockets for a plurality of lamps, each having a different temperature and a different wattage. The lamps are placed adjacent to each other in a central portion behind the mirror so that the different wavelengths can blend as the light travels to the perimeter. A reflective surround at the perimeter of the mirror directs the blended light outward toward the face of the user. The device allows a selection of one or more bulbs to provide the desired lighting condition.

Description

DUAL SWITCH, MULTI-LAMP MAKE-UP MIRROR

The present invention is directed to a dual-switch multi-lamp makeup mirror having a bulb combination and configuration designed to simulate various light conditions. Background Art

Cosmetic mirrors are used to aid users in the application of cosmetics, installation of contact lenses and completion of other grooming tasks which require a close look at portions of the face. These devices feature mirrors that are generally face-sized or larger and are provided with one or more lamps configured to shine on the face of the user. Some products include a dual mirror construction wherein two mirrors are mounted on opposite faces of a housing, with each mirror having different magnification factors.

Cosmetic mirrors are sometimes problematic for color-critical applications. Many times the light provided with the mirrors is of a different wavelength from that in which the user will be viewed. Attempts to address this problem are seen, for example, in

U.S. Patent 6,604,836 to Carlucci et al. which discloses a mirror that is illuminated by a plurality of incandescent light sources arrayed about the perimeter of the mirror where some of the light sources are of a first color, others are of a second color, and a selector powers various combinations of lights to simulate different light settings. Brief summary of invention

The present invention provides a makeup mirror equipped with a plurality of sockets for a plurality of lamps of differing wattages and temperatures. The lamps may be compact fluorescent lamps ("CFLs"), cold cathode fluorescent lamps ("CCFLs"), or light emitting diodes ("LEDs"). The lamps are placed adjacent to each other in a central portion behind the mirror. When illuminated, the different lights blend as the lightwaves travels to the perimeter. A reflective surround at the perimeter of the mirror directs the blended light outward toward the face of the user. The device allows a selection of two or more bulbs to provide the desired lighting condition. For example, one embodiment of the invention includes a soft warm CFL bulb, having a temperature of about 3000 Kelvin, similar to what may be found in traditional indoor lighting, with a wattage between 3 and 10 watts, and a second lamp could be a CFL bulb of about 5000 Kelvin, having a wattage between 11 and 23 watts. When both lamps are lit, the proximity of the two bulbs to each other provides light similar to daylight. Other embodiments of the invention can include lamps of additional temperatures and wattages. The user may light one, two, or more of the lamps in order to simulate a particular lighting situation. For example, the user may wish to light only the soft warm bulb to simulate more of a candlelight situation or light only the cool bulb to simulate a fluorescent office situation, or may light both a warm and a cool bulb to approach a natural light combination.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the make-up mirror of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front side perspective view thereof with one of the mirrors removed;

Fig. 3. is a front elevation view thereof with bulbs installed in the sockets.

Fig. 4A is a front elevation view of an embodiment with the front mirror in place and showing in broken lines the placement of the bulbs behind the front mirror in a three bulb symmetrical configuration.

Fig. 4B is a front elevation view of an embodiment with the front mirror in place and showing in broken lines the placement of the bulbs behind the front mirror in a three bulb asymmetrical configuration. Detailed description of the invention

An embodiment of the makeup mirror of the present invention is shown generally in Figs. 1-3. Fig. 1 shows mirror 11 , held in frame 21 wherein it occupies a large part of the central portion of the area enclosed by frame 21. Mirror 11 is surrounded by translucent area 22. The framed mirror is mounted on stand 12. Alternatively, the mirror could be flush mounted to the wall, or at the end of an extendable arm. The shape of the mirror can be any shape, such as the traditional mirror shapes: round, square, rectangular, or oval.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the interior of the inventive device with mirror 11 and translucent area 22 removed. Frame 21 houses an interior space in which at least two CFL bases 24 are mounted, such that CFLs 31 inserted into bases 24 will be adjacent to each other, as shown in Fig. 3. Bases 24 may be any standard CFL base, e.g., E12, E26, E27 or GU24. The inside surface of frame 21 is lined with reflective material 25. A second mirror, of a different magnification than the first, may be mounted on the opposite side of the frame (not shown).

The inventive device may also be equipped with at least two on/off switches 13, one for each bulb. Alternatively, the switches may be configured so that one switch is a master switch, capable of turning off all the bulbs, and additional switches control specific individual bulbs. The switches may be of any technology familiar to those skilled in the art, such as toggle, rotary, or touch pad switches.

The frame may be mounted on a pivot axle attached to a support base for rotating the frame such that either the first or second mirror may be used with equal ease.

In a preferred embodiment, the first switch controls a soft white light with a temperature between 2700 ad 3200 K, having a wattage between 3 and 10 watts. This sheds a warm and cozy light. The second switch controls a 11w to 23w full spectrum bulb, having a temperature of about 5000 K. Both bulbs are energy saving CFLs; LEDs are also appropriate for this use. The two bulbs are proximal to each other. When both switches are turned on, this bulb placement allows the even blending of the different wattages and colors to yield a natural light which is reflected by the reflective surfaces through the translucent perimeter onto the face of the user.

Alternative embodiments may include a third bulb of 9-1Ow with a temperature between 3900 and 4900 K or between 3300 and 3800 K. The bulbs could be configured as shown in Fig. 4A where the sockets 24 would be placed either in a symmetrical configuration around the perimeter of the inner frame or, as shown in Fig. 4B, in an asymmetrical configuration.

Claims

1. A make-up mirror comprising

a frame having an interior space, an inner side surface, a front, and a back;

a front face which fits into the front of the frame and which has a mirror located in a central portion thereof, which mirror is bordered by a translucent area;

a plurality of lamp sockets, each having a base and an open end, wherein the base of each lamp socket is attached to the frame inner side surface and the open end is pointed toward a central area of the interior space;

a plurality of lamps installed into the sockets, wherein a first lamp is of a first temperature and a first wattage and a second lamp is of a second temperature and a second wattage;

a first switch electrically connected to the first lamp and a second switch electrically connected to the second lamp; and

a rear face which fits into the rear of the frame.

2. A make-up mirror according to claim 1 wherein the lamps are compact fluorescent lamps.

3. A make-up mirror according to claim 1 wherein the lamps are light emitting diodes.

4. A make-up mirror according to claim 1 wherein the lamps are cold cathode fluorescent bulbs.

5. A make-up mirror according to claim 2 wherein the first temperature is between 2700 and 3200 K and the second temperature is about 5000 K.

6. A make-up mirror according to claim 5 wherein the first lamp has a first wattage between 3 and 10 watts and the second lamp has a second wattage between

11 and 23 watts.

7. A make-up mirror according to claim 1 wherein the sockets are placed symmetrically around the inner side surface.

8. A make-up mirror according to claim 1 wherein the base sockets are E12, E26, or GU24 base sockets.

9. A make-up mirror according to claim 1 wherein the rear face has a second mirror in a central portion thereof, which second mirror is bordered with a translucent area.

10. A make-up mirror comprising

a frame having an interior space, an inner side surface, a front, and a back;

a plurality of lamps installed into the sockets, wherein a first lamp has a first temperature and a first wattage, a second lamp has a second temperature and a second wattage, and a third lamp has a third temperature and a third wattage;

a first switch electrically connected to the first lamp and second lamp and a second switch electrically connected to the third lamp; and

a rear face which fits into the rear of the frame.

11. A make-up mirror according to claim 10 wherein the lamps are compact fluorescent lamps.

12. A make-up mirror according to claim 10 wherein the lamps are light emitting diodes.

13. A make-up mirror according to claim 10 wherein the lamps are cold cathode fluorescent bulbs.

14. A make-up mirror according to claim 11 wherein the first temperature is between 2700 and 3200 K and the second temperature is about 5000 K and the third temperature is between 3300 and 3800 K or 3900 and 4900 K.

15. A make-up mirror according to claim 14 wherein the first wattage is between 3 and 10 watts and the second wattage is between 11 and 23 watts.

16. A make-up mirror according to claim 10 wherein the sockets are placed symmetrically around the inner side surface.

17. A make-up mirror according to claim 10 wherein the sockets are placed asymmetrically around the inner side surface.

18. A make-up mirror according to claim 10 wherein the base sockets are

E12, E26, or GU24 base sockets.