Eyelash Applicator

Abstract

An eyelash applicator having at least one pivotable jaw provided to assist in supporting and applying artificial eyelashes in a manner whereby the applicaton of the eyelash may be observed by a mirror on the applicator.

Parent Case Text

This case is a CIP of copending application Ser. No. 262,384 filed June 13, 1972 and entitled Device For Applying Materials to the Area of the Eye.

Description

This invention relates to a device for applying materials to the area of the eye, and more particularly, to an applicator which will enable a woman to apply artificial eyelashes in a facile manner. Heretofore, application of artificial eyelashes by a women has resulted in the eyelashes being applied lopsided or otherwise improperly due to the inability of a person to see the eyelid. In accordance with the present invention, a housing structure is provided having a pair of jaws. One or both of the jaws may be pivotable.

The eyelash to be applied is held by the jaws. On the housing structure, there is provided a mirror below the jaws so that the mirror will be generally opposite the eye. In this manner, a person may easily manipulate and apply artificial eyelashes in a professional manner. At the same time, the applicator is structurally interrelated in a manner which is simple, inexpensive, and capable of repeated usage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel eyelash applicator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an eyelash applicator whereby artificial eyelashes may be readily applied in a professional manner by way of a device which is simple, inexpensive and capable of repeated usage.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the eyelash applicator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view taken along the line 4--4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view illustrating the eyelash applicator of the present invention being utilized to apply an eyelash.

Referring to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is illustrated an eyelash applicator in accordance with the present invention designated generally as 10.

The applicator 10 includes a housing structure 12 having a first housing portion 14 and a second housing portion 16. For ease of construction, the housing portions 14 and 16 are separate members made from a lightweight inexpensive noncorrosive material such as plastic and are adapted to be snapped or threaded together. Concavities 18 and 20 are provided on opposite side faces of the housing 12 to facilitate the ease with which the housing structure 12 is to be held by fingers when being used.

The housing portion 14 has a front wall 22. The concavities 18 and 20 may extend from the front wall 22 rearwardly so as to terminate in the housing portion 16. See FIGS. 1 and 5.

First and second jaws 24 and 26 are provided. The jaws are mating jaws and are arcuate in elevation as shown more clearly in FIG. 4. One or both of the jaws 24, 26 may be movable. For purposes of illustration, the jaw 26 is stationary and supported from the housing structure 12 by a support member 28. Support member 28 projects forwardly from the upper end of the front wall 22. The jaw 24 is attached to one end of a support member 30. Means including a bead on support member 30 and a concavity supported by the first housing portion 14 defines a pivot 32 for support member 30.

The end portion 34 on the support member 30 remote from jaw 24 is biased upwardly by a spring 36. Spring 36 extends from strut 38 to said end portion 34. The strut 38 preferably extends across the width of the housing structure 12 adjacent the concavities 18 and 20 to provide internal strength for the housing structure 12 and prevent collapsing of the same.

The housing portion 14 is provided with a hole in the upper end thereof. A pin or button 40 extends through the hole. The button 40 is provided with an enlarged head on the inside of the housing structure 12 for contact with the end portion 34 of the support member 30.

A concave mirror 42 is supported by the front wall 22 below the support member 28. Mirror 42 has a rearwardly extending peripheral flange 44. Flange 44 is removably secured to a forwardly projecting boss 46 in any convenient manner such as by screw threads.

In view of the above description, it should be apparent as to how the applicator 10 is used. Hence, it is believed that the following description will be adequate. An artificial eyelash is removed from a casing or other storage location by pressing on button 40, embracing the eyelash by the jaws 24 and 26, and then releasing pressure on button 40. The artificial eyelash is now embraced by the jaws 24 and 26 with the curvature of said jaws corresponding to the curvature of the eyelash.

Thereafter, adhesive may be applied to the base of the artificial eyelash if necessary. The base of some artificial eyelashes will already have thereon a pressure sensitive adhesive. The housing structure 12 is then held as shown in FIG. 5. The artificial eyelash is applied while the proper location is ascertained by observation through the concave mirror 42. After the artificial eyelash has been applied, button 40 is depressed so as to separate the jaws and permit the artificial eyelash to remain in position.

While the above description and the accompanying drawing provide for the jaws being separated by pushing down on button 40, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the reverse may be provided for. That is, if desired the jaws could be caused to separate only when the button 40 is released. In this regard, a variety of equivalent devices will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The entire applicator 10 is preferably made from lightweight noncorrosive material such as plastic, aluminum, etc. The mirror 42 may be attained by a silver coating on a plastic surface. Alternatively, a conventional concave mirror may be utilized.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1. An artificial eyelash applicator comprising a housing structure adapted to be hand held, a pair of jaws for embracing an artificial eyelash, said jaws being supported by said structure in a manner so that at least one jaw is movable, means supported by said structure for selectively causing the jaws to separate, and a mirror supported by said structure adjacent said jaws.

2. An applicator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said jaws are supported by support members extending forwardly from one end of said housing structure, and said mirror being mounted on said one end of said structure, said mirror being concave.

3. An applicator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means supported by said structure for selectively causing the jaws to separate includes an applicator button on said structure, said button being coupled to a support member pivotably mounted on said housing, said support member having one end connected to said movable jaw, and spring means biasing said movable jaw to a closed disposition.

4. An applicator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing structure is a hollow body having a finger receiving concavity on opposite sides thereof.

5. An eyelash applicator comprising a housing adapted to be hand held, a pair of jaws supported by said housing in a manner so that at least one jaw is movable, said jaws being arcuate and mating with one another, a support member pivotably mounted by said housing and having one end connected to said movable jaw, and means on said housing for selectively pivoting said support member to cause the jaws to separate.

6. An applicator in accordance with claim 5 wherein the movable jaw is above the stationary jaw.

7. An applicator in accordance with claim 6 including a concave mirror supported by said housing on one end of said housing, said jaws being supported by said one end of said housing adjacent the periphery of said mirror.

8. An applicator in accordance with claim 5 including a spring in said housing and operatively positioned to bias said movable jaw toward the other jaw.