U.S. patent application number 12/058741 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-16 for artificial eyelash hairs with decorative applique.
Invention is credited to Sophy Merszei, Maria A. NAVARRO.
Application Number | 20090178689 12/058741 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39808702 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090178689 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAVARRO; Maria A. ; et
al. |
July 16, 2009 |
Artificial Eyelash Hairs with Decorative Applique
Abstract
A decorative artificial eyelash hair (10) has an artificial
eyelash hair (12) with a base portion (14), a tip portion (16) and
an outer surface (18). A decorative applique (20) is adhered to at
least a portion of the outer surface (18) of the artificial eyelash
hair (12). The applique includes a decorative component (28) fixed
to the outer surface (18) of the hair (12) by an adhesive (24). The
decorative component (28) is made of very small, reflective
particles adhered to the outer surface of the individual artificial
eyelash hair. The reflective particles (28) were accomplished using
plastic film and colored crystals of different colors, hues and
reflectivity. The particles (28) were adhered to the individual
artificial eyelash hairs (10) with an adhesive: ethoxy-ethyl
cyanoacrylate. The decorative artificial eyelash hair (10) can be
practiced as artificial eyelash single hair extensions (10a), or it
can be practiced on the individual artificial eyelash hairs of an
artificial eyelash set (10b).
Inventors: |
NAVARRO; Maria A.; (Houston,
TX) ; Merszei; Sophy; (Houston, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERMAN D. PERNIA, ESQ, P.C.
950 Gemini Drive, SUITE 5
HOUSTON
TX
77058-2730
US
|
Family ID: |
39808702 |
Appl. No.: |
12/058741 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60909046 |
Mar 30, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/201 ;
132/216; 132/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41G 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/201 ;
132/216; 132/53 |
International
Class: |
A41G 5/02 20060101
A41G005/02 |
Claims
1. A decorative artificial eyelash hair (10) comprising: an
artificial eyelash hair (12) having a base portion (14) proximate a
base end (14a), a tip portion (16) at a tip end (16a) and an outer
surface (18); and a decorative applique (20) adhered to at least a
portion of the outer surface (18) of the artificial eyelash hair
(12), the applique being a decorative component (28) fixed to the
outer surface (18) of the hair (12), and an adhesive (24) fixing
the decorative components (28) to the outer surface (18) of the
hair (12).
2. The decorative artificial eyelash hair (10) of claim 1, wherein
the tip portion (16) of the artificial eyelash hair (12) tapers to
the tip end (16a).
3. The decorative artificial eyelash hair (10) of claim 1, wherein
the decorative applique (20) is adhered to about the two-thirds of
the outer surface (18) of the artificial eyelash hair (12)
proximate the tip end (16a).
4. The decorative artificial eyelash hair (10) of claim 1, wherein
the decorative applique (20) is adhered to substantially all of the
outer surface (18) of the artificial eyelash hair (12) that is
exposed.
5. The decorative artificial eyelash hair (10) of claim 1, wherein
the decorative component (28) of the decorative applique (20) is a
plurality of small, reflective particles (28).
6. The decorative applique (20) of claim 5, wherein the plurality
of small, reflective particles (28) of the decorative component
(28) is a mix of small, reflective particles (28a-x) having
different characteristics.
7. The decorative applique (20) of claim 6, wherein the plurality
of small, reflective particles (28) of the decorative component
(28) is a mix of small, reflective particles (28a-x) having
different characteristics selected from the group of
characteristics consisting of size, shape, color, hue, or
reflectivity.
8. The decorative applique (20) of claim 6, wherein the small,
reflective particles (28a-x) of the decorative component (28) are
made of a reflective material selected from the group of reflective
materials consisting of: a plastic material and a crystal material,
a polymeric material, polyester flakes, calcium crystals, quartz
crystals, foil material or a combinations thereof.
9. The decorative artificial eyelash hair (10) of claim 1, wherein
the decorative applique (20) is applied to an eyelash hair selected
from the group of eyelash hairs consisting of: an artificial
eyelash single hair extension 10a, or an individual artificial
eyelash hairs of an artificial eyelash set 10b.
10. A decorative artificial eyelash comprising: an elongated body
formed to resemble an eyelash; a decorative component; and an
adhesive disposed between the body and the element.
11. The decorative artificial eyelash of claim 10 wherein the
decorative component is selected from the list consisting of
polymeric materials, polyester flakes, calcium crystals, quartz,
foil and combinations thereof.
12. The decorative artificial eyelash of claim 10, wherein the
adhesive comprises a cyanoacrylate.
13. The decorative artificial eyelash of claim 10, wherein the
decorative component is visually distinguishable from the body.
14. The decorative artificial eyelash of claim 10, wherein the body
includes a blunt end and a tapered end, and the adhesive extends
from the tapered end along about 75% of the body length.
15. The decorative artificial eyelash of claim 10, wherein the body
has a length ranging from about 8 mm to about 20 mm.
16. The decorative artificial eyelash of claim 10, wherein the body
has a largest diameter of less than about 0.2 mm.
17. The decorative artificial eyelash of claim 10, wherein the body
has a largest diameter of less than about 0.16 mm.
18. A method of forming a decorative artificial eyelash comprising
the step of: applying an adhesive to the body of an artificial
eyelash; and adhering a decorative component to the adhesive.
Description
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of prior filed
U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/909,046, filed 30 Mar.
2007, which application is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is in the field of cosmetic devices
and methods used by persons in making their toilet (Class 132),
i.e., device specifically adapted for treating, dressing or
manipulating the hair (subclass 212), the devices including
artificial eyelashes (subclass 53). More particularly, the present
invention relates personal grooming and artificial eyelash devices
specifically adapted for attachment on hair growing from an eyelid
(subclass 216).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Prosthetic eyelashes, commonly known as false or artificial
eyelashes have existed for many years. The cosmetic use of
artificial eyelashes by persons in the making of their toilet is
old in the art. Because cosmetic compositions and materials are
typically intended for use by persons, it is important that the
cosmetic materials and composition be clearly suitable for human
use, and that the materials and methods used be very simple to
practice, or that they be designated and controlled for practice by
individuals trained in their safe application, especially adhesive
compositions and solvents. This is particularly important for
cosmetic products intended for use in the area of a subject's eyes
because of the sensitive and delicate nature of the organs and
tissues involved. So, it is important in the field to provide
materials and compositions appropriate for human use, and also
important to provide education and training in the proper use of
such materials and compositions.
[0004] Typically, artificial eyelashes are applied as a group or
cluster to the skin of a wearer's lower and/or upper eyelid. Some
examples include US patent publication no. 2005/0061341 to Choe, US
patent publication no. 2002/0056465 to Shin and U.S. Pat. No.
6,029,674 to Han. The field has even been motivated to combine the
cosmetic effect of artificial eyelashes and eyeliner, as in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,029,111 to Barton. In addition to adhering other
decorative cosmetic devices such as glitter flakes, costume gems,
etc. to the skin of the wearer's eyelids is also known in the field
to adhere decorative devices to a subject's eyelashes, as
illustrated in US patent publication no. 2003/0005941 to
Iosilevich. However, these references do not teach or disclose the
application of artificial eyelashes to the existing natural
eyelashes of a subject wearer. It would be beneficial to the field
to have available decorative eyelash devices which provided a safe
decorative lash applique that can be applied on a lash-by-lash
basis to a wearer's natural eyelashes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention comprises individual comprises
individual artificial eyelash hairs each of which has a decorative
applique on at least a portion of its outer surface. The decorative
applique is disposed as an applique on the surface of the
artificial eyelash hair. The decorative applique is made up of a
plurality of individual decorative components. The individual
decorative components can be all the same (i.e., have the same
size, shape, color, reflectivity, etc.), or the applique can made
up of a mix of different decorative components of different colors,
hues and reflectivity, etc., and can contrast the artificial
eyelash hair on which the applique is fixed. The present individual
artificial eyelash hairs with decorative applique can be embodied
using artificial eyelash single hair extensions, or it can be
embodied on the individual artificial eyelash hairs of an
artificial eyelash set. Examples of these two embodiments are
illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B.
[0006] The decorative component of the applique material are
comprised of very small, reflective particles adhered to the outer
surface of an individual artificial eyelash hair. The reflective
particles of the decorative component in the embodiments
exemplified herein were accomplished using a plastic (polyester,
Mylar.TM.) film, as well as colored crystals. The color and hue of
the reflective particles, while not limited, include at least the
following: pink, gold, purple, black, brown, green and blue. The
applique was formed by adhering the decorative element to the
individual artificial eyelash hairs with an adhesive: ethoxy-ethyl
cyanoacrylate.
[0007] When appliqueing artificial eyelash single hair extensions,
preferably only about the first two-thirds of the length of the
hair from its tip receives the adhesive to which the reflective
particles of the decorative component are applied. The remaining
portion of the hair proximate the base portion of the hair
preferably doe not receive the applique materials. The benefit of
this is to reduce the bulk/size of the joint between the base of
the single hair extension and the natural eyelash of a wearer when
the single hair extension is glued (by its base) to the natural
eyelash of the wearer.
[0008] When the applique is applied to an artificial eyelash set
(i.e., the individual artificial eyelash hairs are mounted to a
support strip), the adhesive to which the reflective particles of
the decorative component are applied can cover substantially the
full length of the individual hairs protruding from the support
strip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1A is a side view of an artificial lash, single hair
extension having a decorative applique at its tip portion, and no
applique at its base portion.
[0010] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a portion an artificial
eyelash set showing the individual artificial eyelash hairs of the
set with the present decorative applique applied to substantially
the entire exposed outer surface of each hair.
[0011] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a lash hair body with
an adhesive layer on the lash hair body and a decorative member
applied to the hair's surface.
[0012] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a lash hair body with
an adhesive layer on a decorative member and the decorative member
applied to hair's surface.
[0013] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of a lash hair body with
the decorative member covered with the adhesive and applied to
hair's surface.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a top view of a self-adhesive artificial eyelash
set of the present invention, wherein only a few of the hairs have
the applique applied to them.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Referring now to the drawings, the details of preferred
embodiments of the present invention are graphically and
schematically illustrated. Like elements in the drawings are
represented by like numbers, and any similar elements are
represented by like numbers with a different lower case letter
suffix.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment exemplified by FIG. 1A, the
present decorative artificial eyelash hair 10 comprises an
artificial eyelash hair 12 with a decorative applique 20 adhered to
at least a portion of its outer surface 18. The artificial eyelash
hair 12 has a base portion 14 proximate a base end 14a, a tip
portion 16 at a tip end 16a and an outer surface 18. The decorative
applique 20 is disposed on the outer surface 18 of the body of the
hair 12. The decorative applique 20 comprises a decorative
component 28 fixed to the outer surface 18 of the hair 12, and an
adhesive 24 fixing the decorative components 28 to the outer
surface 18 of the hair 12. As shown in FIG. 1A, the decorative
artificial eyelash hair 10 can be practiced on an artificial lash,
single hair extension 10a having a decorative applique 20 proximate
its tip portion 16, and no applique at its base portion 14.
Preferably, the tip portion 16 of the artificial eyelash hair 12
tapers towards its tip end 16a as shown in the figure.
[0017] The decorative applique 20 is adhered to about the
two-thirds of the outer surface 18 of the artificial eyelash hair
12 proximate the tip end 16a. This leaves the base portion 14 free
of the decorative applique 20 at its base end 14a. This feature is
beneficial when the present invention 10 is embodied as an
artificial eyelash single hair extension 10a. Specifically, this
feature facilitates the gluing of the single hair extension 10a by
its base portion to the natural eyelash of a wearer (in a
lash-by-lash extension procedure) to provide an otherwise more
streamlined glue joint between the natural and the artificial
lashes. The preferred length L for these lashes is 10 mm to 20 mm,
with the short base portion 14 of each lash hair 12 left bare of
decorative applique 20 and glue 24. This bare part can be trimmed
to determine the final length of the lash.
[0018] The artificial eyelash hair 12 has a largest diameter D of
less than about 0.2 mm, and preferably the largest diameter is less
than about 0.16 mm. Optionally, the lash hair 12 may be curved as
shown in the figures, but may also be substantially straight. The
artificial lash hair 12 can be made of a synthetic material or can
be made of hair from a natural source. It is well within the scope
and capabilities of those skilled in the art to obtain suitable
artificial lash hair 12 for practice in the present invention. Over
the course of this time, experimentation with several thicknesses
of lash hairs 12--including 0.15 mm, 0.20 mm and 0.25 mm--lash
extensions, showed that diameters of 0.15 mm optimal, and that
larger diameters became increasingly too thick after the applique
20 was applied.
[0019] The decorative applique 20 of the decorative artificial
eyelash hair (10) includes a decorative component 28 and an
adhesive 24 to fix it to the outer surface 18 of the lash hair 12.
The decorative component is a plurality of small, reflective
particles 28. Preferably, the plurality of small, reflective
particles 28 is a mix of small, reflective particles (28a-x) having
different characteristics. See FIG. 1B. The reflective particles 28
of the decorative component should be visually distinguishable from
the body of the artificial lash hair 12. The decorative component
28 may be distinguishable from the artificial lash hair 12 by
having a different color than the lash hair 12 or the adhesive 14,
or can extend outward from the artificial lash hair 12, thereby
being visually perceptible due to their geometry. The small,
reflective particles (28a-x) comprises reflective crystals and/or
flake-like particles securable to the outside surface 18 of the
artificial lash hair 12. This includes composite materials having a
reflective outer surface. The mix of small, reflective particles
(28a-x) preferably have different characteristics, such as having
different sizes, shapes, colors, hues, or reflectivity. The small,
reflective particles (28a-x) can be made of any cosmetic use
compatible reflective material, such as reflective materials
consisting of: a plastic material and a crystal material, a
polymeric material, polyester flakes, calcium crystals, quartz
crystals, foil material or a combination thereof. The dimensions of
the reflective particles (28a-x) are selected to present the
desired visual effect when the particles are disposed on the lash
hair 12. One example of a member surface dimension is 6 by 6
microns but size can vary from 4 by 4 to 8 by 8 microns and any
substantially similar dimensions. Examples of colors for the
decorative component 28 include pink, gold, purple, black, brown,
green, blue, and preferably combinations thereof.
[0020] The choice of materials for use as the decorative component
28 was not obvious. After long period of searching and substantial
trial and error, a first success was had in accomplishing
decorative appliques on artificial eyelash hairs after discovering
a glitter powder, which was crystal material. It was found that
this crystal material in combination with certain finely cut
glitter flakes (cut small enough to be used on the lashes) of
different colors provided the desired effect when utilized as the
decorative component 28 in the decorative applique 20.
Unexpectedly, it was discovered that black polyester cut glitter
was an ingredient that common to all the various decorative
component 28 colors. Each effective decorative component 28 color
had the several other colors of polyester cut glitter plus the
crystalline glitter powder. The crystalline glitter powder is a
calcium borosilicate powder. The cut glitter is added for color and
to include larger reflective particles that reflect a little more
light. Alone, the cut polyester glitter is too large in size, and
thus must be mixed with a more finely-ground crystalline glitter
powder.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, an adhesive 24 is disposed to
fix the decorative components 28 to the artificial lash hair 12. In
the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the adhesive 24 covers a portion of the
outside surface 18 of the lash hair 12, and a small, reflective
particle 28 is partially embedded in the adhesive 24. In FIG. 2B,
the adhesive 24 is only between the small, reflective particle 28
and the outside surface 18 of the lash hair 12. In FIG. 2C, the
adhesive 24 covers a portion of the outside surface 18 of the lash
hair 12 and the small, reflective particle 28 is completely
embedded in the adhesive 24. In this embodiment, the adhesive 24 is
at least partially transparent to light. The adhesive 24 may have
the same or a different color from the lash hair 12 and/or the
small, reflective particle 28. An example of a adhesive suitably
practiced in the present invention is a ethoxy-ethyl cyanoacrylate
composition. This selection was the result of several months of
experimentation with several types of glues, including clear
non-viscous cyanoacrylate, black non-viscous cyanoacrylate and
viscous-black-rubberized cyanoacrylate. Specifically, it was
determined that a low-viscosity, black cyanoacrylate adhesive was
appropriate. The other glues and compositions of cyanoacrylate did
not work as well. The adhesive layer thickness should be monitored,
a layer that is too thick will produce a thicker covering of
decorative applique 20, which is not as aesthetically pleasing. A
layer of adhesive 24 that is too thin may cause the decorative
components 28 to displace from the outside surface 18 of the
eyelash hair 12 during normal use. However those skilled in the art
may determine a proper layer thickness without undue
experimentation.
[0022] FIG. 1B is an example of portion of an artificial eyelash
set 10b and shows the individual artificial eyelash hairs 12 of the
set with the present decorative applique 20 applied to
substantially the entire exposed outer surface of each hair. In
this embodiment, the base portion 14 of the lash hairs 10b are
embedded in the support 40 which typically is adhered to a wearer's
eyelid closely proximate the wearer's natural lashes. In this
embodiment of the decorative artificial eyelash hairs 10, the
decorative applique 20 is adhered to substantially all of the outer
surface 18 of the artificial eyelash hair 12 that is exposed.
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates an self-adhesive artificial eyelash set
10b, wherein only a few of the hairs of the lash set 10b have the
decorative applique 20 applied to them. This example illustrates
that conservative, but aesthetically effective results can be
accomplished with a scattering of just a few the present decorative
artificial eyelash hair 10 in a field of otherwise typical
artificial eyelashes.
EXAMPLE
[0024] In one non-limiting example of use, production of an eyelash
extension 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is
discussed. The production method comprises thoroughly mixing on a
flat clean surface a combination of colored crystals with a knife
or any similar utensil. One can typically use 3 or 4 colors to
produce the finished color. There are literally an infinite number
of combinations possible. A few cubic centimeters are sufficient
for hundreds of lashes. Most combinations of the colored elements
should contain black. Black provides depth and gives the lashes the
desired darker look.
[0025] Adhesive is then poured out, six drops should be enough for
about 100 lashes. Since the adhesive will dry over time, the amount
poured should be metered to ensure excess adhesive is not poured
and subsequently wasted. Using tweezers individual lashes are
retrieved by their respective blunt ends and immersed in the
adhesive until a thin coat of adhesive evenly covers the body
surface. For example, when the extension comprises a 12 mm lash,
the glue coverage should begin at the tapered end and extend about
75% of its length. The last quarter of the lash, the blunt end,
should be free of glue as this is the part of the lash that will
attach fully on the real or natural lash.
[0026] Once adhesive has been applied to the extension, the
decorate elements may be applied to its outer surface. The elements
may be dispersed in an even fashion on the body surface, or at any
interval or random pattern. The decorative elements should
instantaneously bond to the extension. Still holding the extension
with the tweezers, moderately tap it on the surface several times
to dislodge any loose elements (or crystals). The lash should then
appear covered with crystals but not perfectly smooth. Set the lash
aside on a flat clean surface to dry. Depending on the adhesive
used, it should be completely dry in about 20 minutes
[0027] Embodiments of the methods and devices described herein,
therefore, are well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the
ends and advantages mentioned, as well as others inherent therein.
While a presently preferred embodiment has been given for purposes
of disclosure, numerous changes exist in the details of procedures
for accomplishing the desired results. For example, the extension
herein described may be used with any follicle type element.
Optionally, the decorative members may be admixed into the adhesive
and the combination may then be sprayed onto the body outer
surface. These and other similar modifications will readily suggest
themselves to those skilled in the art, and are intended to be
encompassed within the spirit of the present invention disclosed
herein and the scope of the appended claims.
[0028] While the above description contains many specifics, these
should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the
invention, but rather as exemplifications of one or another
preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible,
which would be obvious to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the
scope of the invention should be determined by the scope of the
appended claims and their equivalents, and not just by the
embodiments.
* * * * *