U.S. patent application number 14/080436 was filed with the patent office on 2014-05-15 for artifical eyelid and eyelashes device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nancy S. Conant. Invention is credited to Nancy S. Conant.
Application Number | 20140135914 14/080436 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50682449 |
Filed Date | 2014-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140135914 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Conant; Nancy S. |
May 15, 2014 |
ARTIFICAL EYELID AND EYELASHES DEVICE
Abstract
An artificial eyelid and eyelashes device. In one example
embodiment, an artificial eyelid and eyelashes device includes an
eyelid portion and an eyelashes portion. The eyelid portion is
configured to be temporarily glued to a human eyelid. The eyelid
portion is sized and shaped to cover a substantial surface area of
the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to the human
eyelid. The eyelashes portion includes multiple individual
eyelashes that are each permanently attached near a bottom edge of
the eyelid portion. The individual eyelashes are configured to be
positioned near the natural human eyelashes extending from the
bottom edge of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to
the human eyelid.
Inventors: |
Conant; Nancy S.; (Holladay,
UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Conant; Nancy S. |
Holladay |
UT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50682449 |
Appl. No.: |
14/080436 |
Filed: |
November 14, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61726468 |
Nov 14, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
623/4.1 ;
132/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41G 5/02 20130101; B33Y
80/00 20141201 |
Class at
Publication: |
623/4.1 ;
132/53 |
International
Class: |
A41G 5/02 20060101
A41G005/02 |
Claims
1. An artificial eyelid and eyelashes device comprising: an eyelid
portion configured to be temporarily glued to a human eyelid, the
eyelid portion sized and shaped to cover a substantial surface area
of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to the human
eyelid; and an eyelashes portion including multiple individual
eyelashes that are each permanently attached near a bottom edge of
the eyelid portion, the individual eyelashes configured to be
positioned near the natural human eyelashes extending from the
bottom edge of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to
the human eyelid.
2. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim
1, wherein the eyelid portion is sized and curved to match an
average curvature of the human eye covered by the human eyelid.
3. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim
1, wherein the eyelid portion is sized and shaped to cover between
about one-third and about two-thirds of the surface area of the
human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to the human
eyelid.
4. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim
1, wherein the individual eyelashes are configured to rest on, and
intermingle with, the natural human eyelashes extending from the
bottom edge of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to
the human eyelid.
5. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim
1, wherein at least a portion of the eyelid portion includes a
hypoallergenic material that is designed to have prolonged contact
with the skin and that is at least semi-flexible.
6. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim
5, wherein at least a portion of the eyelid portion includes
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
7. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim
5, wherein at least a portion of the eyelid portion includes at
least a semi-clear material.
8. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim
1, wherein each of the individual eyelashes includes animal or
human hair.
9. An artificial eyelid and eyelashes device comprising: an eyelid
portion sized and curved to match an average curvature of the human
eye, the eyelid portion including a bottom edge, a front surface,
and a rear surface, the rear surface of the eyelid portion
configured to be temporarily glued to a substantial exposed surface
area of a human eyelid; and an eyelashes portion including multiple
individual eyelashes that are each permanently attached near the
bottom edge of the eyelid portion, the individual eyelashes
configured to rest on, and intermingle with, the natural human
eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when
the rear surface of eyelid portion is glued to the human
eyelid.
10. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim
9, wherein the front surface of the eyelid portion is the color of
any natural human skin tone.
11. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim
9, further comprising: glue pre-applied to the rear surface of the
eyelid portion; and a peel-off backing covering the glue.
12. A method of manufacturing an artificial eyelid and eyelashes
device comprising: forming an eyelid portion sized and curved to
match an average curvature of the human eye, the eyelid portion
including a bottom edge, a front surface, and a rear surface, the
rear surface of the eyelid portion configured to be temporarily
glued to a substantial exposed surface area of a human eyelid; and
forming an eyelashes portion including multiple individual
eyelashes; permanently attaching the eyelashes portion near the
bottom edge of the eyelid portion, the individual eyelashes
configured to be positioned near the natural human eyelashes
extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when the rear
surface of eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid.
13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein forming the eyelid
portion comprises forming the eyelid portion includes forming the
eyelid portion using injection molding, thermoforming, vacuum
forming, or additive manufacturing, or some combination
thereof.
14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein forming the eyelid
portion includes texturing the front surface of the eyelid portion
such that it will more easily accept the application of eyelid
makeup.
15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein forming the eyelid
portion includes texturing the rears surface of the eyelid portion
such that it will more easily bond to glue.
16. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein forming the
eyelashes portion includes texturing the individual eyelashes such
that they will more easily accept the application of eyelash
makeup.
17. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein permanently
attaching the eyelashes portion near the bottom edge of the eyelid
portion comprises permanently gluing the eyelashes portion near the
bottom edge of the eyelid portion.
18. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein permanently
attaching the eyelashes portion near the bottom edge of the eyelid
portion including over-molding each of the individual eyelashes
molded into the eyelid portion near the bottom edge of the eyelid
portion.
19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the over-molding
permanently attaches each of the individual eyelids to the eyelid
portion without the individual eyelids being attached to each other
in any other way.
20. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising:
pre-applying glue to the rear surface of the eyelid portion; and
covering the glue with a peel-off backing.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/726,468, filed Nov. 14, 2012, titled
AN ARTIFICIAL EYELID AND EYELASHES DEVICE, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The embodiments discussed herein are related to an
artificial eyelid and eyelashes device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] An eyelash is one of the hairs that grow at the bottom edge
of the upper eyelid. Beyond the practical utility of protecting the
eye from dust and other debris, eyelashes are also valued for their
aesthetics. In particular, long eyelashes are considered attractive
as a sign of femininity in many cultures. Unfortunately, however,
many people suffer from natural eyelashes that are lacking in
appearance in terms of color, length, thickness, and fullness.
[0004] Several methods have been developed to enhance eyelashes
appearance. One such method is the application of eyelash
extensions in which a single artificial eyelash is glued to each
natural eyelash, thus extending the length of each individual
natural eyelash. Unfortunately, the application of eyelash
extensions is a tedious and expensive procedure that is out of
reach for many consumers.
[0005] Another method of enhancing the appearance of eyelashes is
the application of a false eyelashes. FIG. 1 discloses two standard
false eyelashes 100. As disclosed in FIG. 1, each false eyelashes
100 includes multiple individual eyelashes 102 that are strung
together along a thin thread 104. Each false eyelashes 100 is
configured to be applied to a human eyelid by applying glue along
the thin thread 104 and then pressing the thin thread 104 against
the edge of a human eyelid just above the natural eyelashes. While
less expensive than eyelash extensions, application of each of the
false eyelashes 100 with bare hands can be extremely difficult. For
example, it can be very difficult for a human user to evenly apply
glue to the thin thread 104. Then, once the glue is applied to the
thin thread 104, it can be very difficult for the user to avoid
getting the applied glue on the user's hands. Also, it can be very
difficult for the user to avoid accidentally gluing the thin thread
104 to the user's hands while trying to position the thin thread
104 against the user's eyelid. Finally, it is very difficult for
the user to correctly position the thin thread 104 along the edge
of the user's eyelid so that the false eyelashes 100 looks as
natural as possible, since each individual section of the thin
thread 104 must be positioned individually.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a relatively
inexpensive and effortless method for artificially enhancing the
appearance of eyelashes that does not suffer from the disadvantages
of current eyelash extensions and false eyelashes.
[0007] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to
embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in
environments such as those described above. Rather, this background
is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where
some embodiments described herein may be practiced.
SUMMARY
[0008] In general, example embodiments described herein relate to
an artificial eyelid and eyelashes device. The example devices
disclosed herein may be employed to enhance the appearance of a
human user's natural eyelashes in terms of color, length,
thickness, and fullness. Advantageously, the manufacture of the
example devices disclosed herein may be significantly less
expensive than the application of eyelash extensions, and the
application of the example devices disclosed herein is
significantly less tedious and time consuming than the application
of eyelash extensions. Further, the example devices disclosed
herein can be applied to a human eyelid with significantly less
difficulty, mess, frustration, and time than is required for the
application of the false eyelashes 100 disclosed in FIG. 1.
Accordingly, the example devices disclosed herein can be employed
in a relatively inexpensive and effortless fashion to artificially
enhance the appearance of natural eyelashes.
[0009] In one example embodiment, an artificial eyelid and
eyelashes device includes an eyelid portion and an eyelashes
portion. The eyelid portion is configured to be temporarily glued
to a human eyelid. The eyelid portion is sized and shaped to cover
a substantial surface area of the human eyelid when the eyelid
portion is glued to the human eyelid. The eyelashes portion
includes multiple individual eyelashes that are each permanently
attached near a bottom edge of the eyelid portion. The individual
eyelashes are configured to be positioned near the natural human
eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when
the eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid.
[0010] In another example embodiment, an artificial eyelid and
eyelashes device includes an eyelid portion and an eyelashes
portion. The eyelid portion is sized and curved to match an average
curvature of the human eye and includes a bottom edge, a front
surface, and a rear surface. The rear surface of the eyelid portion
is configured to be temporarily glued to a substantial exposed
surface area of a human eyelid. The eyelashes portion includes
multiple individual eyelashes that are each permanently attached
near the bottom edge of the eyelid portion. The individual
eyelashes are configured to rest on, and intermingle with, the
natural human eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human
eyelid when the rear surface of eyelid portion is glued to the
human eyelid.
[0011] In yet another example embodiment, a method of manufacturing
an artificial eyelid and eyelashes device includes forming an
eyelid portion, forming an eyelashes portion, and permanently
attaching the eyelashes portion to the eyelid portion. The eyelid
portion is sized and curved to match an average curvature of the
human eye. The eyelid portion includes a bottom edge, a front
surface, and a rear surface. The rear surface of the eyelid portion
is configured to be temporarily glued to a substantial exposed
surface area of a human eyelid. The eyelashes portion includes
multiple individual eyelashes. The eyelashes portion is permanently
attached near the bottom edge of the eyelid portion. The individual
eyelashes are configured to be positioned near the natural human
eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when
the rear surface of eyelid portion is glued to the human
eyelid.
[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention as
claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] To further clarify certain aspects of the present invention,
a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by
reference to example embodiments thereof which are disclosed in the
appended drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are
diagrammatic and schematic representations of such example
embodiments, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are
they necessarily drawn to scale. Aspects of the invention will be
described and explained with additional specificity and detail
through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two prior art false
eyelashes;
[0015] FIG. 2A is a side view of an example artificial eyelashes
device;
[0016] FIG. 2B is a front view of the example device of FIG.
2A;
[0017] FIG. 2C is another side view of the example device of FIG.
2A;
[0018] FIG. 2D is a rear view of the example device of FIG. 2A;
[0019] FIG. 2E is a side bottom perspective view of the example
device of FIG. 2A;
[0020] FIG. 2F is a bottom view of the example device of FIG.
2A;
[0021] FIG. 3A is a rear view of eyelid portion of the example
device of FIG. 2A;
[0022] FIG. 3B is a side view of eyelid portion of FIG. 3A; and
[0023] FIG. 3C is a top view of eyelid portion of FIG. 3A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Example embodiments of the present invention relate to an
artificial eyelid and eyelashes device. The example devices
disclosed herein may be employed to enhance the appearance of a
human user's natural eyelashes in terms of color, length,
thickness, and fullness. Advantageously, the manufacture of the
example devices disclosed herein may be significantly less
expensive than the application of eyelash extensions, and the
application of the example devices disclosed herein is
significantly less tedious and time consuming than the application
of eyelash extensions. Further, the example devices disclosed
herein can be applied to a human eyelid with significantly less
difficulty, mess, frustration, and time than is required for the
application of the false eyelashes 100 disclosed in FIG. 1.
Accordingly, the example devices disclosed herein can be employed
in a relatively inexpensive and effortless fashion to artificially
enhance the appearance of natural eyelashes.
[0025] FIGS. 2A-2F are various views of an example artificial
eyelashes device 200. The example device 200 generally includes an
eyelid portion 202 and an eyelashes portion 204. The eyelid portion
202 includes a front surface 208 and a rear surface 210. The
eyelashes portion 204 includes a full set of individual eyelashes
206 that are each attached near a bottom edge of the eyelid portion
202, in positions that are similar to the positions of natural
eyelashes growing from the bottom edge of a natural eyelid. It is
understood that the "near the bottom edge" includes directly along
the bottom edge of the eyelid portion 202 or proximate the bottom
edge of the eyelid portion 202 on either the front surface 208 or
the rear surface 210.
[0026] The eyelid portion 202, or some portion thereof, may be
formed from a hypoallergenic material that is designed to have
prolonged contact with the skin and that is at least semi-flexible.
In one example embodiment, the eyelid portion 202 may be formed
from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The eyelid portion 202
may be formed using any one of various methods including, but not
limited to, injection molding, thermoforming, vacuum forming,
and/or additive manufacturing. The eyelid portion 202 may be formed
to be semi or completely clear or semi or completely opaque, and
may have any color, especially on the visible front surface 208,
including the color/hue of any natural human skin tone and any
decorative color or combination of colors, including metallic color
and colors of common eyelid makeup. In addition, the finish of the
front surface 208 may be textured during molding, or after molding
using a spray-on or hand-applied process for example, such that it
will more easily accept the application of common eyelid makeup,
and the rear surface 210 may be textured to more easily bond to
glue, such as the glues discussed below.
[0027] Each individual eyelash 206 may be formed from any organic,
inorganic, or synthetic material, or any natural material,
including animal or human hair and eyelashes. Each individual
eyelash 206 may have any color, including any natural eyelash color
and any decorative color or combination of colors, including the
colors of common eyelash makeup. In addition, each individual
eyelash 206 may be textured such that it will more easily accept
the application of common eyelash makeup.
[0028] Although the individual eyelashes 206 of the eyelashes
portion 204 are disclosed in FIGS. 2A-2F as being permanently glued
to the bottom edge of the eyelid portion 202, it is understood that
there are various methods for permanently attaching the eyelashes
portion 204 to the eyelid portion 202 during the manufacturing
process. One such method is over-molding, where each individual
eyelash 206 is molded into the eyelid portion 202 near the bottom
edge of the eyelid portion 202. Over-molding may allow each
individual eyelash 206 to be permanently attached to the eyelid
portion 202 individually without being attached in any way directly
to each other. Alternatively, the eyelashes portion 204 may be made
in an automated woven or lattice fashion where the individual
eyelashes 206 are attached directly or indirectly to each other
prior to being permanently attached to the eyelid portion 202.
Another method is in-mold decorating.
[0029] Once the individual eyelashes 206 are permanently attached
to the eyelid portion 202 during manufacturing of the device 200,
the device 200 may be temporarily attached to a human eyelid. This
may be accomplished by a human user applying glue to the rear
surface 210 of the eyelid portion 202. The glue may be any
hypoallergenic glue that is either reusable or disposable,
including common eyelash glues such as DUO.RTM. manufactured by
A.I.I. in Los Angeles, Calif. or LASHTITE.TM. manufactured by
Ardell, Intl. in Los Angeles, Calif. Alternatively, the glue may be
pre-applied during manufacturing and covered with a peel-off
backing to enable the user to simply remove the peel-off backing
from the rear surface 210 instead of the user having to apply the
glue to the rear surface 210. Next, the user may balance the front
surface 208 of the eyelid portion 202 on a single finger or grasp
the front surface 208 using multiple fingers. Finally, the user may
press the rear surface 210 of the eyelid portion 202 against the
user's natural eyelid such that the individual eyelashes 206 of the
eyelashes portion 204 rest on, and possibly intermingle with, the
natural human eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the
user's natural human eyelid. This pressing can be accomplished in a
similar fashion as the pressing of a contact lens against a cornea
of a natural eyeball. In at least some example embodiments, the
glue employed should be configured to remain flexible for a brief
time to allow the user to correctly position, or reposition as
necessary, the eyelid portion 202 on the user's natural eyelid
prior to the glue setting up and the position of the eyelid portion
202 becoming fixed. Upon the glue setting up, the glue will
temporarily attach the device 200 to the user's natural eyelid. The
user may then change the appearance of the device 200 by applying
makeup to the eyelid portion 202 and the eyelashes portion 204, in
a manner similar to the conventional application of makeup to the
user's natural eyelid and natural eyelashes.
[0030] FIGS. 3A-3C are various views of the eyelid portion 202 of
the example artificial eyelashes device 200 of FIGS. 2A-2F. As
disclosed in FIGS. 3A-3C, the eyelid portion 202 may be sized and
curved to match an average curvature of a human eye. It is
understood that the dimensions disclosed in FIGS. 3A-3C are example
dimensions only, and other dimensions are possible. In at least
some example embodiments, the eyelid portion 202 may be sized to
cover between one-third and two-thirds of the surface area of an
average human eyelid. Also, in at least some example embodiments,
the eyelid portion 202 may be sized to cover between one-eighth and
five-eighths of the surface area of an average human eyelid. This
range of sizes, and the complementary curvature, of the eyelid
portion 202 enables the surfaces 208 and 202 to be large enough to
allow for quick and simple gluing of the eyelid portion 210 to a
human eyelid without interfering with the natural opening and
closing of the human eyelid. Also, it is understood that smaller
sizes of the eyelid portion 202 may be appropriate for younger
human users (whose eyes and eyelids are slightly smaller) than for
older human users (whose eyes and eyelids are slightly larger).
Further the dimensions disclosed in FIGS. 3A-3C may be further
modified to accommodate the eyelid shapes and sizes of eyes and
eyelids found in any particular human population, including certain
ethnic subsets of the population.
[0031] Unlike the thin thread 104 of the false eyelashes of FIG. 1,
which has minimal surface area, the front surface 208 and the rear
surface 210 of the eyelid portion 202 each includes a substantial
surface area. The substantial surface areas of the front surface
208 and the rear surface 210 enable a human user to glue the eyelid
portion 202 to the user's eyelid without much of the difficulty
associated with the application of the false eyelashes 100 of FIG.
1. In particular, the user can use a bare hand or hands to evenly
apply glue to the rear surface 210 without much risk of getting
glue on the user's hands, and then easily position the rear surface
210 in the appropriate position on the user's natural eyelid by
pressing against the front surface 208. Also, unlike the thin
thread 104 of the false eyelashes 100 of FIG. 1, the device 200 can
be positioned as a single unit. Thus, the example device 200 can be
applied to a human eyelid with significantly less difficulty, mess,
frustration, and time than is required for the application of the
false eyelashes 100 disclosed in FIG. 1. Also, the manufacture of
the device 200 is significantly less expensive than the application
of eyelash extensions, and the application of the device 200 is
significantly less tedious and time consuming than the application
of eyelash extensions. Accordingly, the example device 200 can be
employed in a relatively inexpensive and effortless fashion to
artificially enhance the appearance of natural eyelashes.
[0032] Although the example device 200 has been discussed herein
for gluing to the upper eyelid, it is understood that the example
device 200 can instead be configured to be glued to the lower
eyelid, since eyelashes also grow at the top edge of the lower
eyelid, and a user may additionally or alternatively wish to
enhance the appearance of these lower eyelashes in terms of color,
length, thickness, and fullness. Since the lower eyelid is
proportionally smaller than the upper eyelid, this configuration of
the example device 200 may be sized proportionally smaller.
Further, although the example device 200 has been discussed herein
for enhancing human eyelashes, it is understood that the example
device 200 can instead be configured to enhance animal eyelashes.
For example, a human owner of a pet dog or a pet cat may wish to
employ the example device 200 on the pet to enhance the appearance
of the pet's natural eyelashes in terms of color, length,
thickness, and fullness.
[0033] The example embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in
other specific forms. The example embodiments disclosed herein are
to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not
restrictive.
* * * * *