U.S. patent application number 14/524300 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-30 for eye makeup device.
The applicant listed for this patent is And.B, LLC. Invention is credited to Andrea Abraham, Bobbie Grund.
Application Number | 20150114422 14/524300 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52994034 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150114422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abraham; Andrea ; et
al. |
April 30, 2015 |
EYE MAKEUP DEVICE
Abstract
An eye makeup device includes a carrier, which has a surface
adapted to adhere to an eyelid of a person. The carrier includes
pigment and further has a shape to form an eyeliner for eye shadow
when applied to the eyelid of the person. In addition, a plurality
of eye lashes are mounted to the carrier. For example, the carrier
may comprise a textile, a film, and further may include pigments
encapsulated in or applied to the carrier.
Inventors: |
Abraham; Andrea; (New York,
NY) ; Grund; Bobbie; (New York, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
And.B, LLC |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52994034 |
Appl. No.: |
14/524300 |
Filed: |
October 27, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61896873 |
Oct 29, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/201 ;
132/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41G 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/201 ;
132/53 |
International
Class: |
A41G 5/02 20060101
A41G005/02; A45D 40/30 20060101 A45D040/30 |
Claims
1. An eye makeup device comprising: a carrier, said carrier having
a surface adapted to adhere to an eyelid of a person, and said
carrier including pigment and further having a shape to form an
eyeliner or eye shadow when applied to the eyelid of the person;
and a plurality of eye lashes mounted to said carrier.
2. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier
comprises a textile.
3. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier
comprises a film.
4. The eye makeup device according to claim 3, wherein said
pigments are encapsulated in said film or applied to said film.
5. The eye makeup device according to claim 3, wherein said film is
water soluble.
6. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier
is translucent.
7. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier
is permeable.
8. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier
is foraminous.
9. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier
comprises first and second films joined together to form said
carrier.
10. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said
carrier has a shape to form eye shadow.
11. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said
carrier is formed from a material having adhesive properties.
12. The eye makeup device according to claim 11, wherein said
material has adhesive properties when moistened.
13. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said
carrier includes a first portion and a second portion, said first
portion having adhesive properties, and said second portion forming
a non-adhesive portion, and said lashes being mounted to said
second portion.
14. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said
carrier includes a first portion and a second portion, said first
portion for mounting to an eye lid of a person, and said second
portion joined with said first portion by a hinge, and said lashes
being mounted to said second portion.
15. An eye makeup device comprising: a matrix having a surface
adapted to adhere to an eyelid of a person, and said matrix
including pigment embedded therein and further having a shape to
form an eyeliner or eye shadow when applied to the eyelid of the
person; and a plurality of eyelash filaments mounted to said
matrix.
16. The eye makeup device according to claim 15, wherein said
matrix comprises a film.
17. The eye makeup device according to claim 15, wherein said
matrix is water soluble.
18. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said matrix
is (a) translucent, (b) permeable, and/or (c) foraminous.
19. The eye makeup device according to claim 15, said matrix has
adhesive properties when moistened.
20. The eye makeup device according to claim 15, wherein said
matrix includes a non-adhesive portion, and said lashes being
mounted to said non-adhesive portion.
21. A method of making false eyelashes comprising: providing a
carrier with an adhesive free portion and an adhesive portion; and
mounting the roots of the false eyelashes to the non-adhesive
portion.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said providing a
carrier with an adhesive portion includes forming at least a
portion of the carrier from a material having adhesive
properties.
23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said forming at least
a portion of the carrier from a material having adhesive properties
comprises forming at least a portion of the carrier from a material
having adhesive properties when moistened.
24. A method of applying false lashes comprising: locating the
roots of the false eyelashes adjacent the roots of natural lashes;
mounting a carrier of the false eyelashes to the eyelid inward of
the edge of the eyelid.
25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising: leaving
the carrier free of adhesive where the roots of the false eyelashes
mount to the carrier.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 61/896,873, entitled PATIENT SUPPORT, filed on
Oct. 29, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an eye makeup device, and
more particularly to an eye makeup device that includes false
eyelashes to enhance the appearance of a person's eyes.
[0003] False eyelashes can be intimidating to most people, because
they are difficult to apply. Our eyes are not only vital, but also
extremely sensitive and vulnerable. The first challenge is the
adhesive, which must be used while wet, after being exposed to air,
so that it's somewhat tacky, but before it dries to form the bond.
Beyond this estimated, short window of opportunity, it's important
to avoid using too much or too little glue. Too much glue could
envelope the natural lashes and potentially cause the top and
bottom lashes to bond, or create unsightly clumps, which in both
cases could lead to eyelashes being unintentionally plucked out
when trying to remove the false lashes or adhesive residue and
irritate the eye. Too little adhesive could cause the false lash
strips to unbind at certain points or fall off unexpectedly at an
embarrassing moment. Furthermore, to achieve a natural look, it is
usually best to integrate the false lashes with a person's real
eyelashes, but this often results in the adhesive penetrating
between the natural eyelashes, which can again lead to eyelashes
being unintentionally plucked out when the false eyelashes or
adhesive residue is removed. If the false eyelashes are adhered to
the lid, adjacent to the edge of the lash line (roots of your
natural lashes), it is then harder to create the appearance of a
natural seamless line resulting in a gap or uneven, crooked
application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, the present invention provides an eye makeup
device with false eyelashes that can eliminate the need to apply
adhesive to the lash line (at the root of the eyelashes) while
still being able to locate the false eyelashes at the root of the
person's natural eyelashes so that they can be integrated with a
person's natural eyelashes.
[0005] In one form of the invention, an eye makeup device includes
a carrier that has a surface adapted to adhere to an eyelid of a
person. The carrier has a first portion with a shape to follow the
edge of the eye lid inward of the person's lash line and a second
portion with a shape to follow the edge of the eyelid along the
lash line (at roots of a person's natural lashes. The second
portion is joined with the first portion and also supports a
plurality of false eyelashes.
[0006] In one aspect, the second portion is free of an applied
adhesive, though it may have self-adhesive properties.
[0007] In another form of the invention, an eye makeup device
includes a carrier that has a surface adapted to adhere to an
eyelid of a person. The carrier has a first portion with shape to
follow the edge of the eye lid inward of the lash line and a second
portion with a shape to follow the edge of the eyelid along the
lash line, which is self-adhesive. The second portion is joined
with the first portion and also supports a plurality of false
eyelashes.
[0008] In yet another form of the invention, an eye makeup device
includes a carrier that has a surface adapted to adhere to an
eyelid of a person. The carrier includes pigment and further has a
shape to form an eyeliner or eye shadow when applied to the eyelid
of the person. The device also includes a plurality of false
eyelashes mounted to the carrier.
[0009] In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may
comprise a textile.
[0010] In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may
comprise a film.
[0011] In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may
comprise a matrix with pigments encapsulated in the matrix.
[0012] In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may be
water soluble.
[0013] In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may be
translucent.
[0014] In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier gas may
be gas permeable.
[0015] In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may be
foraminous.
[0016] In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may
comprise first and second films joined together to form the
carrier.
[0017] In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier has a
portion that is shaped to form eye shadow.
[0018] In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier is
formed from a material having self-adhesive properties. For
example, the material may have self-adhesive properties when
moistened.
[0019] In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may
include a first portion and a second portion, with the first
portion having adhesive properties, and the second portion forming
a non-adhesive portion, and the lashes being mounted to said second
portion.
[0020] According to another form of the invention, a false eyelash
assembly is formed by providing a carrier with an adhesive free
portion and an adhesive portion. The false eyelashes are then
mounted to the non-adhesive portion.
[0021] In one form, providing the carrier includes forming at least
a portion of the carrier from a material having adhesive
properties. For example, the material may have the adhesive
properties when moistened.
[0022] In one form, providing the carrier includes providing
pigment in or on at least a portion of the carrier. For example,
the pigment may be embedded or applied to the carrier.
[0023] According to yet another form of the invention, a false
eyelash assembly is formed by providing a carrier with a first
portion with pigments to form an eyeliner and/or eye shadow and
with a second portion, which supports a plurality of false
eyelashes.
[0024] In one aspect, providing the carrier includes forming at
least a portion, such as the first portion, of the carrier from a
material having adhesive properties. For example, the material may
have the adhesive properties when moistened.
[0025] In another aspect, providing the carrier with a first
portion with pigments includes embedding or applying the pigment to
the carrier.
[0026] In yet another form of the invention, a method of applying
false lashes includes locating and aligning the roots of a
plurality of false eyelashes adjacent the lash line of a person,
and mounting a carrier that supports the false eyelashes to the
eyelid inward of the lash line and inward of the roots of the
natural eyelashes of the person.
[0027] In one aspect, the method further includes leaving the
carrier free of adhesive where the false lashes align with the lash
line.
[0028] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to
the details of operation or to the details of construction and the
arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be
implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or
being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed
herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including" and
"comprising" and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items
listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional
items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in
the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly
stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting
the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor
should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the
scope of the invention any additional steps or components that
might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or
components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of an eye makeup
device of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is perspective view of the eye makeup device of FIG.
1 applied to the eye lid of a person;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a compact holding a pair of
the eye makeup devices of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is front elevation view of a pair of another
embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 5 is front elevation view of a pair of a third
embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 6 is front elevation view of a pair of a fourth
embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 7 is front elevation view of a pair of a fifth
embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a sixth embodiment
of an eye makeup device of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 9 is front elevation view of a pair of a seventh
embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 10 is front elevation view of a pair of a tenth
embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;
[0039] FIG. 11 is front elevation view of a pair of an eleventh
embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 12 is front elevation view of a pair of a twelfth
embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;
and
[0041] FIG. 13 is perspective view of the eye makeup device applied
to the underside of the eye lid of a person.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 generally designates an
eye makeup device of the present invention, which includes a
plurality of false eyelashes. As will be more fully described
below, device 10 is configured so that it can be applied to the
eyelid in a manner to reduce the likelihood of a person's eyelashes
being plucked when the device is removed. For example, device 10
may be configured to be applied to the eyelid in a manner to
eliminate the need for a separate adhesive, at least in the region
of the lash line. Further, device 10 may be configured so that it
can either form an eye liner and/or eye shadow or provide a
relatively smooth surface for eye liner or eye shadow
application.
[0043] As best seen ion FIG. 2, device 10 includes a carrier 12 to
which false eye lashes 14 are mounted. The lashes may be adhered to
the carrier using conventional adhesives used in making false
lashes. Carrier 12 may have two portions--an upper or first portion
16 and a lower or second portion 18. First portion 16 has an inner
surface 16a adapted to adhere to an eyelid (either the upper side
as shown in FIG. 2 or underside as shown in FIG. 13) of a person,
and a shape to generally follow the shape of the person's eye lid
inward of the lash line (i.e., inward of the roots of the person's
natural lashes). Optionally, first portion 16 is shaped in the form
of an eye liner so that when device is mounted to a person's eyelid
device 10 will provide false eyelashes as well as eyeliner.
Alternately, or in addition, as will more fully described below,
first portion 16 may also form an eye shadow region.
[0044] In one aspect, at least first portion 16 may be configured
to form a solid or translucent colored line to form eyeliner, such
as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-7. Further, first portion 16 may be
configured to adhere to a person's eyelid either through the
properties of the material forming first portion 16, e.g. a
self-adhesive material, but which is covered by a release sheet,
which when removed allows first portion 16 to then be secured to a
person's eyelid. Alternately, inner surface 16a may provide a
surface for receiving an applied adhesive. In yet another form, an
adhesive layer may be pre-applied to the inner surface of portion
16 during the manufacturing process, such as a pressure-sensitive
adhesive, but which may also be covered by a release sheet, which
when removed allows first portion 16 to then be secured to a
person's eyelid.
[0045] Second portion 18 may comprise a non-adhesive portion or
formed from a self-adhesive material, which forms the support for
eye lashes 14 so that lashes 14 may be located and aligned along
the lash line and over the roots of the natural lashes, where they
can be meshed or interwoven with the person's natural lashes, but
without the need for an applied adhesive. Though it should be
understood that an adhesive may be used, including an applied
adhesive, and optionally an applied adhesive which has a lower pull
force or that is less sticky than conventional false eyelash
adhesives.
[0046] Either one or both portions 16 and 18 may be colored or
translucent to create eyeliner. For example, carrier 12 may be
formed from a matrix with pigment suspended or embedded in the
matrix. The matrix may be formed from a polymer that is flexible
and may be configured as a film that can be applied over the eyelid
to color a portion of the eyelid, for example, as noted a line that
extends along the edge of the lid adjacent the roots of the
person's natural eye lashes to form eye liner. Another suitable
matrix may comprise a hydrophilic material, such a hydrogel film.
Further, as noted, at least portion of the carrier may be
self-adhesive though it can be removed easily without much risk, if
any, of plucking any of the natural eyelashes. Optionally, the
carrier may be adhesive when wetted or moistened.
[0047] Alternately or in addition, carrier 12 may be formed from a
film, such as polymeric film. The film may have the pigment applied
thereto, such as by coating, dipping or spraying, onto the film.
Alternately, carrier 12 may be transparent and instead provide a
smooth surface onto which makeup may be applied.
[0048] Second portion 18 generally follows the shape of a person's
eye lid at the lash line, along the roots of a person's natural
lashes, which is free of an applied adhesive or simply has
self-adhesive properties, which eliminates the chances of any
applied adhesive from running between the lashes and/or into the
eyes of the wearer. The second portion is joined with the first
portion so that it supports the false eyelashes spaced from any
possible adhesive, which may be applied to portion 16. Optionally,
second portion may be joined with the first portion at a fold or
hinge line to allow the orientation of the lashes to remain
generally constant even when the eyelid of the wearer moves.
[0049] Other suitable carriers include thin flexible textiles, such
as tape, nylon/lycra, or latex based textiles. Optionally, carrier
12, or at least first portion 16, is water soluble to facilitate
removal. For example, as noted carrier 12 or just first portion 16
may be made from a hydrogel or a gelatin or gelatin-like material
that when wetted blends with the skin. Therefore, it should be
understood that first portion 16 and second portion 18 may be
formed from two different materials. Carrier 12 may also be gas
and/or liquid permeable or generally porous or foraminous to allow
both air and/or moisture pass through carrier 12, which can make
the carrier more comfortable to wear.
[0050] In addition, carrier 12 may be formed from two or more films
that are joined together to form the carrier. Suitable films
include polymeric or hydrophilic materials. In this form, the
pigment may be suspended or embedded on one or both films or may be
applied to one or both inside or outer surfaces of each film. For
example, each film may have inside and outer surfaces, with the
inside surface of the outer film facing the outer surface of the
inner film, and the inner surface of the inner film attaching to
the eyelid. The outer surface of the outer film therefore forms the
outer surface of the carrier. In this manner, as noted, the pigment
maybe applied between the films on either facing surface so that
the pigment is sealed in the carrier, or the pigment may be
embedded in either one. Alternately, the pigment may be stamped
into either film.
[0051] When forming carrier 12, the matrix or film may be cut into
the desired shape (such as shown in FIGS. 1.2, 4-7 and 9-12) and
further may have areas of weakened regions so that a user can tear
off sections to adjust the shape. When applying the device, and
when carrier 12 is formed from a self-adhesive material or includes
a pre-applied adhesive layer, the carrier optionally includes a
release sheet or tape which is then removed before positioning the
carrier to align eye lashes 14 to along the lash line and
thereafter applying and pressing the carrier to the eyelid. For
example, as noted, carrier 12 may include at least a portion may
from a self-adhesive material, such as a hygrogel or gelatin or
gelatin-like material. Alternately, carrier 12 may include a layer
of adhesive that is suitable for use on skin and in the eye area
and which pre-applied during the manufacturing process, such as an
epoxy based resin, an acrylic adhesive, or a rubber latex or the
like, or which may be applied when applying the carrier to the
eyelid using a conventional eye lash glue or other suitable
adhesives.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 3, a pair of devices 10 may be stored in a
compact case 20. For example, compact case 20 may include a
compartment 22 with a pair of projecting flanges 24 shaped with a
curved support surface, for example, in the shape of an eyelid.
Compact case 20 optionally includes a lid or cover 26, such as a
hinged cover, that closes compartment to protect devices from dust
and, also in the case of the hydrogel-based carrier, from drying
out.
[0053] As noted above, carrier 12 may have a varied number of
shapes. Further, the style of lashes 14 may be varied, from a full
lash set 14 (FIG. 4), to a defined lash set 14' where certain
lashes are longer and thicker than others (FIG. 5), to a whisper
lash set 14''(FIG. 6), to a partial lash set 14'''(FIG. 7) and
anything in between. Referring to again to FIGS. 4-7, first portion
16 may form a tapered, but uniform line 30, a tapered but gradiated
line 30', a "cat eye" line 30'', or a half eye line 30'''. Again,
the shape of the line may be varied, and as noted may be
transparent to allow the wearer to customize the color or shape of
the line.
[0054] In addition, as best seen in FIGS. 8-12, device 10' includes
a first portion 16 that is sized and shaped to form eye shadow area
32 when applied to a person's eyelid. Similar to the eye liner
described above, first portion 16 of device 10' may be formed from
a thin matrix, such as film or films, which is either color or
translucent and includes pigment (such as by encapsulation or
suspension I the matrix or applied thereto such as by coating,
spraying, or dipping) or is transparent to allow make up to be
applied thereto. The shape of the eye shadow area 32 can also be
varied. Further, first portion 16 may be configured with
pre-defined shapes 32''(FIG 11), such as stars etc., mounted to
first portion 16 or to lashes 14. First portion 16 may be formed
with a pattern 32'', such as shown in FIG. 12, either in
conjunction with a color or with a transparent background. The
patterns or shapes may be printed or applied or transferred on the
exterior surface of the carrier. In this manner, device 10' may
provide, in addition to the eye liner noted above, a panel that
forms eye shadow and/or a decorative panel that follows the surface
topology of the eyelid or "melds" into the eyelid skin but which
may be removed by dissolving it in water or simply peeling it
off.
[0055] While described as being supported in a compact case,
devices 10 and 10' may be formed optionally mounted to a carrier
sheet to which each device is adhered to by its own adhesive
properties or by a layer of applied adhesive and further configured
as disposable devices. In this manner, each device can be peeled
off the carrier sheet and then applied to the eye of a person and
then once removed discarded.
[0056] To apply the device, if needed, the release paper is first
removed. The device is then positioned to locate the roots of the
false eyelashes alone the lash line (i.e. at the roots of natural
lashes), and then the carrier that supports the false eyelashes is
mounted to the eyelid inward of the edge of the eyelid and inward
of the lash line and hence roots of the natural eyelashes of the
person. Optionally, the carrier can be left free of adhesive where
the roots of the false eyelashes mount to the carrier.
[0057] As noted above the eye makeup device may be adhered to the
upper side of a person's eyelid (as shown in FIG. 2) or the
underside as shown in FIG. 13. In order to apply the device to the
underside, the device (e.g. devices 10 or 10' with or without an
integrated liner) includes a topside adhesive strip that would
allow for the lashes to be applied on the underside of a person's
top lash line for a more natural appearance. When false eye lashes
are designed to be applied on top of natural lashes, this may leave
the adhesive strip visible, especially when someone looks down or
blinks. To hide the adhesive strip, some users will apply use liner
or shadow to diminish or camouflage the strip. Therefore, reversing
the placement of the false lash strip to the underside of a
person's top lash line, conceals the strip below the natural
lashes.
[0058] Accordingly, the present invention provides a device that
may include an adhesive portion for attaching the device above the
lash line on a person's lid and further which may form an eye liner
(or provide a surface to form an eye liner) or to provide an eye
shadow area (or provide an area to apply eye shadow). The device
also includes a second portion that may be non-adhesive or simply
have self-adhesive properties so that it either does not stick to
the natural lashes of the person or sticks with such a low pull
force that when removed the natural lashes are left in place and
not plucked from the eyelids. Further, as such, there is little, if
not no, likelihood of any adhesive flowing into the wearer's eyes
or between their natural lashes.
[0059] While several forms of the inventions have been shown and
described, the above description is that of current embodiments of
the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without
departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as
defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in
accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine
of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative
purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description
of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the
claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in
connection with these embodiments. For example, and without
limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention
may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially
similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This
includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such
as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art,
and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such
as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development,
recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments
include a plurality of features that are described in concert but
which can be used independently and/ or combined with other
features. The present invention is not limited to only those
embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all
of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly
set forth in the issued claims. For example, any reference to claim
elements in the singular, for example, using the articles "a,"
"an," "the" or "said," is not to be construed as limiting the
element to the singular. Additionally, directional terms used in
the specification, such as "upper," "lower," "inner," "inwardly,"
"outer" and "outwardly," are used to assist in describing the
invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the
illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be
interpreted to limit the invention to any specific
orientation(s).
[0060] Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown
in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative
purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention
which is defined by the claims which follow as interpreted under
the principles of patent law including the doctrine of
equivalents.
* * * * *