U.S. patent application number 16/004178 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-13 for eyelash application system.
The applicant listed for this patent is David Harris, Sandi Schroeder. Invention is credited to David Harris, Sandi Schroeder.
Application Number | 20180352886 16/004178 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64562331 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180352886 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schroeder; Sandi ; et
al. |
December 13, 2018 |
Eyelash Application System
Abstract
A single folding case that defines two recesses and retains all
additional component parts for storage and transport. A first
recess of the case is used to retain a mirror on the inner recess
surface and provide a recess area for retained other internal
component parts. The second recess retaining an applicator/tweezer
like eyelash installation tool and rectangular drawer, and a
semi-circular recess for retaining two semi-circular eyelash trays.
The applicator/tweezer has a rounded proximal end and a two-pronged
distal end. In use, a user would take the applicator/tweezer and
secure both of the prongs located on the distal end and engage them
with the eyelash cartridge. Once the applicator has eyelash
cartridges attached, as user would then proceed to press the
eyelash on at the desired location. The eyelash would then remain
and be retained to the face by glue.
Inventors: |
Schroeder; Sandi; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Harris; David; (Nashua, NH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Schroeder; Sandi
Harris; David |
Los Angeles
Nashua |
CA
NH |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
64562331 |
Appl. No.: |
16/004178 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62516691 |
Jun 8, 2017 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 26/0066 20130101;
A41G 5/02 20130101; A45C 11/008 20130101; A45D 42/04 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41G 5/02 20060101
A41G005/02 |
Claims
1. An eyelash application device comprising: a cartridge having a
top surface for retaining an eyelash strip and an open recess
acting as an eyelash cartridge mating structure; an eyelash strip
attached to the seat of the eyelash cartridge; and an
applicator/tweezer having a distal and proximal end, the distal end
defined as having one or more prongs acting as an eyelash cartridge
mating structure; the proximal end is defined by a rounded portion
and is connected to the distal end by a rigid member; and the rigid
member can be further defined by concave, semi-circular sections
providing finger grips for squeezing the applicator as/if necessary
or just providing a solid, no-slip location for positioning the
fingers.
2. The eyelash application device of claim 1, wherein the eyelash
strip is attached to the seat of the eyelash cartridge with an
adhesive.
3. The eyelash application device of claim 1, wherein the eyelash
cartridge is made of a pliable material.
4. The eyelash application device of claim 1, wherein the eyelash
strip overhangs the seat.
5. The eyelash application device of claim 1, wherein the eyelash
strip includes a lash that curves toward the clip.
6. The eyelash application device of claim 1, wherein between the a
distal and proximal end of the applicator/tweezer, a rotating joint
is provided allowing the one or more prongs acting as an eyelash
cartridge mating structure to rotate.
7. The eyelash application device of claim 7, wherein rotating the
distal end with respect to the proximal ends allows the
applicator/tweezer to be held and used at a varying angle with
respect to curing the lash toward the face for attachment.
8. A method of manufacturing an eyelash application system
comprising: providing an eyelash cartridge; attaching an eyelash
strip to the eyelash cartridge; and attaching an applicator to the
eyelash cartridge, each having a mating structure configured to
interlock with the other.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein attaching the eyelash strip
includes attaching the eyelash strip with an adhesive to the seat
of the cartridge.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein attaching the eyelash strip
includes attaching the eyelash strip to the seat and overhanging
the seat.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/516,691, entitled "Eyelash Application
System", filed on Jun. 8, 2017. The benefit under 35 USC .sctn.
119(e) of the U.S. provisional application is hereby claimed, and
the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
[0002] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 14/476,746 filed on Sep. 4, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,215,901
issued on Dec. 22, 2015, entitled "Eyelash application system",
filed on 6 Jun. 2016.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0003] Not Applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0004] Not Applicable
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention relates in general to systems and
methods for personal care. More specifically, the present invention
relates to systems and methods for personal care, more partially
for handling, storing, and applying false eyelashes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] People around the world use products to enhance their
appearance. All forms of cosmetics are used in the fashion,
medical, and entertainment industries. False eyelashes and eyelash
extensions are a commonly used technique for enhancing or
augmenting the appearance of the eye.
[0007] Current methods for applying, storing, and handling false
eyelashes present many problems that range from deleterious health
consequences to difficulty in handling requiring a high degree of
skill. Health consequences can result from the false eyelashes
coming into contact with bacteria or other contagion eventually
infecting the eye. This can happen when tools are improperly used
or sanitized. This can also happen when an adhesive is applied in
an unsanitary way.
[0008] Difficulty in applying false eyelashes can result from the
awkward use of a delicate tweezer or even from attempting to apply
the false eyelash with the naked finger tips. It is common for the
false eyelash to be applied further from the base of the real
eyelash than desirable, or with too much glue or adhesive.
[0009] Solutions have been long sought but prior developments have
not taught or suggested any solutions that provide a comprehensive
answer to these difficulties, and solutions to these problems have
long eluded those skilled in the art. Thus there remains a
considerable need for devices and methods that allow the
application of false eyelashes in an easy intuitive way with
minimal expertise or experience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is comprised of the following
component parts. A single folding case that defines two recesses
and retains all additional component parts for storage and
transport. A first recess of the case is used to retain a mirror on
the inner recess surface and provide a recess area for retained
other internal component parts. A second recess of the case is used
to retain the additional component parts for storage, travel, and
usage.
[0011] The second recess creates two internal recesses for
retaining component parts, a rectangular recess for retaining an
applicator/tweezer like eyelash installation tool and rectangular
drawer, and a semi-circular recess for retaining two semi-circular
eyelash trays
[0012] The applicator/tweezer is shown having a rounded proximal
end and a two-pronged distal end. The proximal end is the end that
is closer to a user's wrist during operation while the distal end
is the end that is closer to a user's eye during operation. The
proximal end can be formed with a smaller cross-section than the
distal end for greater mobility in the hand so that the distal end
can be held in a number of different positions within the hand.
[0013] The proximal end is defined by the rounded portion and is
connected to the distal end by a rigid member. This rigid member
can be further defined by concave, semi-circular sections providing
finger grips for squeezing the applicator as/if necessary or just
providing a solid, no-slip location for positioning the
fingers.
[0014] It has been discovered that providing the distal end having
a large width and surface to handle reduces the skill requirement
for use. The large width and surface allows the applicator to be
used by users with a lesser dexterity and allows users to fix
multiple fingers along with the thumb on the applicator during used
and utilize the larger muscles of the arm and wrist allowing for
greater controllability and stability which can result in safer and
more precise operation.
[0015] In use, a user would take the applicator/tweezer and secure
both of the prongs located on the distal end and engage them with
the eyelash cartridge. Once the applicator has one or two eyelash
cartridges with eyelashes attached, as user would then proceed to
press the eyelash on at the desired location. The eyelash would
then remain and be retained to the face by glue, and the used
eyelash cartridge can be discarded or a new eyelash applied for
later use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and
form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention
and, together with the description, further explain the principles
of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent
art to make and use the invention.
[0017] FIGS. 1-3 are engineering diagrams illustrating the system
of the present invention and component parts.
[0018] FIG. 4 is an exploded diagram of the system and component
parts of the present invention illustrating how all the parts are
assembled.
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates the assembled system and component parts
of the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates the assembled system and component parts
of the present invention with an extra pair of replacement eyelash
inserts.
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates the present invention in a case closed
position.
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates a pair of eyelashes, one component used
as part of the system of the present invention.
[0023] FIGS. 9-10 illustrate a pair of tweezers and components used
as part of the system of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] In the following detailed description of the invention of
exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements),
which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of
illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention
may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical,
mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by
the appended claims.
[0025] In the following description, specific details are set forth
to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it
is understood that the invention may be practiced without these
specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and
techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art have not been
shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention. Referring to
the figure, it is possible to see the various major elements
constituting the apparatus of the present invention.
[0026] The eyelash application system is described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the
eyelash application system and provide numerous specific details to
give a thorough understanding of the eyelash application system;
however, it will be apparent that the eyelash application system
may be practiced without these specific details.
[0027] In order to avoid obscuring the eyelash application system,
some well-known system configurations are not disclosed in detail.
Likewise, the drawings showing embodiments of the system are
semi-diagrammatic and not to scale and, particularly, some of the
dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown
greatly exaggerated in the drawing figures. Generally, the eyelash
application system can be operated in any orientation.
[0028] For expository purposes, the term "horizontal" as used
herein is defined as a plane parallel to the bottom plane or bottom
surface of the cartridge, regardless of its orientation. The term
"vertical" refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal as
just defined. Terms, such as "above", "below", "bottom", "top",
"side", "higher", "lower", "upper", "over", and "under", are
defined with respect to the horizontal plane. The term "system"
means an apparatus or a method based on the context in which it is
used.
[0029] Now referring to FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of the eyelash
application system is shown. FIG. 3 is an exploded diagram of the
system and component parts of the present invention illustrating
how all the parts are assembled.
[0030] The present invention is comprised of the following
component parts. A single folding case 4 that defines two recesses
and retains all additional component parts for storage and
transport. A first recess of the case is used to retain a mirror 3
on the inner recess surface and provide a recess area for retained
other internal component parts. A second recess of the case is used
to retain the additional component parts for storage, travel, and
usage.
[0031] The second recess creates two internal recesses for
retaining component parts, a rectangular recess for retaining an
applicator/tweezer like eyelash installation tool 1 and rectangular
drawer 2, and a semi-circular recess for retaining two
semi-circular eyelash trays 5 and 6.
[0032] When assembled, the two semi-circular eyelash trays 5 and 6
sit on top of each other. The eyelash trays 5 and 6 can hold a
plurality of eyelash cartridges 7 and 8. In the figures, the
eyelash trays 5 and 6 are illustrated holding six eyelash
cartridges 5 and four eyelash cartridges 6 in different
embodiments.
[0033] It would be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the
art that each tray 5 and 6 could hold any number of eyelash
cartridges 7 and 8, and that the number and size of the eyelash
cartridges 7 and 8 will vary based on the size of the eyelashes 9
place and retained by the eyelash cartridge 7 and 8. The drawings
are illustrative only for the most common sizes and combinations of
lashes 9, but the size and number of cartridges 7 and 8 is intended
to vary.
[0034] Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, two applicator/tweezer
devices are shown 1 and 13 in more detail. The applicator/tweezer 1
is shown having a rounded proximal end 14 and a two-pronged distal
end 15. The proximal end 14 is the end that is closer to a user's
wrist during operation while the distal end 15 is the end that is
closer to a user's eye during operation. The proximal end 14 can be
formed with a smaller cross-section than the distal end 15 for
greater mobility in the hand so that the distal end 15 can be held
in a number of different positions within the hand.
[0035] The proximal end 14 is defined by the rounded portion and is
connected to the distal end 15 by a rigid member 16. This rigid
member 16 can be further defined by concave, semi-circular sections
10 and 11 providing finger grips for squeezing the
applicator/tweezer 1 as/if necessary or just providing a solid,
no-slip location for positioning the fingers.
[0036] It has been discovered that providing the distal end 15
having a large width and surface to handle reduces the skill
requirement for use. The large width and surface allows the
applicator 1 to be used by users with a lesser dexterity and allows
users to fix multiple fingers along with the thumb on the
applicator/tweezer 1 during use and utilize the larger muscles of
the arm and wrist allowing for greater controllability and
stability which can result in safer and more precise operation.
[0037] In use, a user would take the applicator/tweezer 1 and
secure both of the prongs located on the distal end 15 and engage
them with the eyelash cartridge 7 shown in FIG. 8. Once the
applicator/tweezer 1 has one or two eyelash cartridges 7 and 8 with
eyelashes 9 attached, as user would then proceed to press the
eyelash on at the desired location. The eyelash 9 and 17 would then
remain and be retained to the face by glue, and the used eyelash
cartridge 7 can be discarded or a new eyelash 9 applied for later
use.
[0038] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the distal
end 15 and proximal end 14 are connected by a pivoting or rotating
joint 12 that allows the distal end 15 to rotate in a positive or
negative 90 degree manner with respect to the proximal end 14. The
rotation between the two ends can be greater than, less than, or
equal to 90 degrees depending on the structure and shape of the
ends or simply limited by placing or adding rotations stop blocks
that will not allow the two component ends parts to be rotate more
than a fixed amount of degrees as desired during manufacture.
[0039] In use, a user would place their fingers around the rotating
joint, use their opposing hand to rotate the distal end 15 with
respect to the proximal end 14. Once the distal end 15 is rotate,
the user can still squeeze the two side of the rotating hinge or
pivot point 12 and the applicator/tweezer 1 will still work in the
same manner as the non-rotatable embodiment where squeezing still
results in the movement of the prongs of the distal end 15 away and
toward each other.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 8, therein is shown a perspective top
view of a two eyelash cartridges 7 and 8 for an embodiment of the
eyelash application system. Each eyelash cartridge 7 and 8 is shown
loaded with an eyelash strip 9 and 17.
[0041] The cartridge 7 and 8 includes an open interior section 18
so that a user may grasp the eyelash cartridge 7 and 8 with ease by
inserting one of the prongs of the applicator/tweezer 1 into the
open interior 18 of the eyelash cartridge 7 and 8.
[0042] The seat 19 of the cartridge provides a platform for the
eyelash strip 9 and 17 to be mounted and stored. The seat 19 can be
curved with a smaller diameter than the eyelash strip 9 and 17
allowing the eyelash strip 9 and 17 to overhang the seat.
[0043] The eyelash strip 9 and 17 can include lashes, a band, and
an adhesive. The lashes can be mounted to the band and extend out
away from the band. The lashes can fan out radially and be curved
upward from a plane defined by the band.
[0044] The band can be in direct contact with the adhesive. The
adhesive can cover the entire band and extend beyond the ends of
the band. It has been discovered that it is advantageous to not
require a user to manually apply the adhesive because it is easy
for a user to apply more than required or to allow the adhesive to
contact an unsanitary surface. Providing the adhesive already
applied therefore increases uniformity of the adhesive as well as
ensuring a non-infectious adhesive is used.
[0045] The eyelash strip 9 and 17 can be provided on the eyelash
cartridge 7 and 8 as a one quarter, two thirds, or a full eyelash
strip. In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the eyelash
strip 9 and 17 can be formed as a quarter or two thirds strip
negating the need for a user to trim the eyelash strip 9 and
17.
[0046] The cartridge 7 and 8 is depicted as having cartridge mating
structures. The cartridge mating structures can be formed as
recesses 18 as illustrated, protrusions, or a combination thereof.
In the present invention and figures, the cartridge mating surface
is a recess 18 that is configured to mirror the pronged protrusion
of the applicator/tweezer 1 and to be joined or fitted to the
applicator/tweezer mating structures, one of the prongs. That is
when one of the applicator/tweezer mating structures is a
protrusion or prong that narrows toward the proximal end 14, the
corresponding cartridge mating structures will be a recess 18 that
also narrows toward the proximal end 18 of the applicator/tweezer
1.
[0047] It is contemplated that the cartridge mating structures as
well as the applicator mating structures can taper toward or away
from the proximal end 14. It is further contemplated that the
cartridge mating structures as well as the applicator/tweezer
mating structures can have no taper toward or away from the
proximal end.
[0048] The applicator mating structures or prongs are configured to
interlock with the cartridge mating structures or recesses where
both the cartridge mating structures and the applicator mating
structures have surfaces that are in continuous direct contact. It
is contemplated that the applicator mating structures can deform
into or around the cartridge mating structures and provide a click
when the applicator mating structures or prong is fully engaged
with the cartridge mating structures or recesses.
[0049] It has been discovered that utilizing the applicator/tweezer
mating structures interlocking with the eyelash cartridge mating
structures, the eyelash strip can be locked in to an exacting
position with regard to the applicator/tweezer and enables users to
more quickly and intuitively apply the eyelash strip.
[0050] During application, the eyelash strip has the adhesive in
direct contact with a base of the user's eyelid. The adhesive
directly couples the base with the band holding the lashes.
[0051] Two ways of applying the eyelash strip are possible
including one method applying the eyelash strip above the eyelash
of the user. The other method includes applying the eyelash strip 4
below the eyelash of the user. When the eyelash strip is attached
below the eyelash of the user, the band and the adhesive are not
visible.
[0052] Thus, it is appreciated that the optimum dimensional
relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation
in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation,
assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of
ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to
those illustrated in the drawings and described in the above
description are intended to be encompassed by the present
invention.
[0053] Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method
and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of
the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their
legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
* * * * *