US20130042884A1

US20130042884A1 - Techniques for false eyelash application

Info

Publication number: US20130042884A1
Application number: US13/552,538
Authority: US
Inventors: Vania Wilkinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-18
Filing date: 2012-07-18
Publication date: 2013-02-21
Also published as: WO2013012957A1

Abstract

False eyelash applicator apparatuses for applying a false eyelash to an eyelid are provided. One apparatus includes an applicator unit having an approximate shape of a hollow cylinder and including a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end to the second end along a lengthwise direction of the applicator unit, and at least one false eyelash holder disposed on the body of the applicator unit and for securing the false eyelash to the applicator unit. Another apparatus includes an applicator unit having a base, a first side surface, a second side surface, a first top surface, and a second top surface, a hole extending through the applicator unit from the first side surface to the second side surface, and at least one false eyelash holder disposed on the body of the applicator unit and for securing the false eyelash to the applicator unit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of a U.S. Provisional application filed on Jul. 18, 2011 in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and assigned Ser. No. 61/508,795, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cosmetics in general, and more particularly, to an applicator for false eyelashes. More particularly, the present invention relates to techniques for false eyelash application.
2. Description of the Related Art
False eyelashes are an increasingly popular cosmetic item and are widely available through retail venues. False eyelashes of the related art are applied by a hand of a user of the false eyelashes, or a third party's hand, to the eyelid of the user. A user may apply the false eyelashes by manipulating the eyelash with the user's or the third party's hand and fingers in order place the false eyelashes at a desired position on the eyelid. Accordingly, false eyelashes may be applied to the eyelid without the use of an eyelash applicator or tool. However, such practice may be undesirable and difficult for the user or the third party because of the considerable skill and dexterity that may be required to apply the false eyelashes to the eyelid. False eyelashes that are applied in this manner may be incorrectly aligned on the eyelid and may end up being applied in an uneven, crooked, or misaligned manner, so as to be above the natural eyelash line or misaligned with respect to the natural eyelash line. Misalignment may cause the user discomfort or may be visually unappealing. Furthermore, in order to properly secure false eyelashes to the user's eyelid, the false eyelashes should be held still at the position at which they are to be affixed to the eyelid until an adhesive used in their application adheres to the eyelid. Accordingly, if the false eyelashes are moved before the adhesive adheres to the eyelid or before the adhesive dries, the false eyelashes may be dropped, may adhere in a misaligned manner, and may adhere to other objects. Accordingly, because of the difficulty of the application process, potential consumers of false eyelashes may avoid use of the false eyelashes.
In some cases, users of false eyelashes have utilized cosmetic tools to help in the application of the false eyelashes. For example, users who apply and/or wear false eyelashes may have used narrow-tipped tweezers or tweezers designed for false eyelash application to help in the application of the false eyelashes. However, the tweezers may only hold or grip a few of the delicate fine hairs of the false eyelash and may not provide much control to the user applying the false eyelashes during application. For example, the user of such devices may squeeze the tweezers to hold the false eyelash in a clamped position as the false eyelashes are placed on the eyelid. In such a case, the user's fingers may become tired, or the user may lack the fine motor skills and/or dexterity to properly place the false eyelash on the eyelid. Thus, the user may place or apply the false eyelashes to the eyelid in an unsteady or inaccurate manner. Also, the user's attention may be on the squeezing and clamping of the eyelash and the user may not provide proper attention to the placement of the false eyelashes on the eyelid.
Accordingly, there is a need for a steady, simple and accurate technique for false eyelash application.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as Prior Art with regard to the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention is to provide techniques for false eyelash application.
Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a technique that addresses the need for a false eyelash applicator that is simple, easy to use and specifically designed for the application of false eyelashes. Accordingly, another aspect of the present invention is to provide a false eyelash applicator that is easy to use such that a user of negligible skill or practice may use the false eyelash applicator for the proper application of false eyelashes.
Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a false eyelash applicator that allows the user to securely load a false eyelash to the false eyelash applicator and then align, place and attach the false eyelash to the eyelid without concern given to securely holding the false eyelash, thus allowing for more accurate placement of the eyelash.
Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a false eyelash applicator that secures a false eyelash at a fixed position on the false eyelash applicator, wherein the false eyelash applicator is manipulated so as to apply the false eyelash secured to the false eyelash applicator to an eyelid.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a false eyelash applicator apparatus for applying a false eyelash to an eyelid is provided. The apparatus includes an applicator unit having an approximate shape of a hollow cylinder and including a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end to the second end along a lengthwise direction of the applicator unit, and at least one false eyelash holder disposed on the body of the applicator unit and for securing the false eyelash to the applicator unit.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a false eyelash applicator apparatus for applying a false eyelash to an eyelid is provided. The apparatus includes an applicator unit having a base, a first side surface, a second side surface, a first top surface, and a second top surface, a hole extending through the applicator unit from the first side surface to the second side surface, and at least one false eyelash holder disposed on the body of the applicator unit and for securing the false eyelash to the applicator unit.
Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A to 1D illustrate a false eyelash applicator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A to 2E illustrate a false eyelash applicator pen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-3L illustrate a false eyelash applicator ring according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate a false eyelash applicator clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding, but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purposes only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
FIGS. 1A to 1D illustrate a false eyelash applicator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1D, a false eyelash applicator sleeve 101, which may also be referred to as the applicator sleeve 101, may be an elongated tubular sleeve having an open end 102 in which a user's finger may be inserted. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the applicator sleeve 101 may be disposed on any suitable device, item, and/or tool, such as a tubular rod. The open end 102 is connected to a body 104 of the false eyelash applicator 101, which may be hollow and may have a generally cylindrical shape that extends from the open end 102 to a closed end 103. The closed end 103 is disposed at an opposite end of the applicator sleeve 101 with respect to the open end 102 so as to receive a user's fingertip or an end of the device or tool on which the applicator sleeve 101 is placed. Furthermore, the applicator sleeve 101 may be formed of a rubber, a plastic, a polymer, cloth, metal, paper, or any other suitable material.
The body 104 of the applicator sleeve 101 is formed so as to accommodate a user's finger, such as an index finger. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and any suitable and/or similar finger, tool, element, or object that may be inserted into the applicator sleeve 101 may be used according to the user's preference. According to another exemplary embodiment, although not shown, the body 104 may be adjustable so as to allow the user to adjust a diameter of the body 104 in order to more securely fit around the user's finger or object upon which the applicator sleeve 101 is placed. For example, the body 104 may extend over only half of a user's finger and/or may include a belt, a strap, or any suitable and/or similar means for adjusting, increasing, and/or decreasing the diameter of the body 104.
As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, the body 104 may have a cylindrical shape so as to permit a user's finger, or any other suitable object, to be inserted through the open end 102 into the body 104. According to another exemplary embodiment, and although not shown, the body 104 may limit the ingress of the user's finger or the object inserted into the body 104 from extending beyond a predetermined point of the body 104 of the false eyelash applicator 101. In such a case, the body 104 of the applicator sleeve 101 may have a reduced and/or decreasing diameter at or before the predetermined point of the body 104 that prevents a user's finger or the object inserted into the body 104 from moving further into the body 104.
Additionally, the closed end 103 of the applicator sleeve 101 may be omitted from the body of the applicator sleeve 101 so as to allow for both ends of the applicator sleeve 101 to be open. In such a case, the applicator sleeve 101 has the form of a hollow cylinder having two open ends opposite to each other. In such a case, for example, a user having a finger with a long fingernail or an object having a pointed end may be inserted into the false eyelash applicator in a manner that allows the applicator sleeve 101 to securely engage with the inserted finger or object because the inserted finger or the object is not restricted from extending through the body 104 of the applicator sleeve 101 by the closed end 103.
Furthermore, in the case where the applicator sleeve 101 includes two open ends that are opposite to each other, the body 104 of the applicator sleeve 101 may be substantially symmetrical so as to allow the user to insert a finger or an object into either end of the false eyelash applicator 101. Additionally, in the case where the applicator sleeve 101 includes two open ends, and in the case where the applicator sleeve 101 includes the closed end 103, one of the two open ends or the open end 104 may further include, although not shown, a lip portion around the circumference of the one of the two open ends or the open end 104 in order to reinforce the respective end allow for easier placement of the applicator sleeve 101 onto the finger.
The outer surface of the false eyelash applicator 104 may be smooth or may be textured, such as a bumpy or ribbed texture, in order to facilitate in sliding the false eyelash applicator 104 onto the finger. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the outer surface of the false eyelash applicator 104 may be formed in any suitable manner. Additionally, although not shown, the false eyelash applicator 104 may have a non-slip lining or texture disposed on the inner surface of the false eyelash applicator 104 in order to prevent the user's finger or object from slipping from or sliding along the false eyelash applicator 104 during false eyelash application.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a clasp 105 may be disposed on the outer surface of the applicator sleeve 101 in order to securely grip a false eyelash that is to be applied to an eyelid. The clasp 105 may include a base 106 disposed on the outer surface of the false eyelash applicator 101. According to an exemplary embodiment, the base 106 may be formed of the same material as the body 104 of the applicator sleeve 101 so as to be formed as one body. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the base 106 may be formed separately from the body 104 so as to be affixed to the body 104 by any suitable manner. The base 106 includes a hinge 107 for connecting a flap 108 to the base 106. The flap 108 may rotate about the hinge 107 so as to be able to rotate either away from or towards the base 106 so as to be in an open position when rotated away from the base 106 and to be in a closed position when rotated towards the base 106.
The base 106 may include a plurality of protrusions 109 extending away from the base 106. The protrusions 109 are disposed so as to be aligned with a plurality of guide holes 110, and the number of protrusions 109 may be equal to the number of guide holes 110. Accordingly, when the flap 108 is rotated such that it is adjacent to the base 106, the protrusions 109 of the base 106 penetrate through the guide holes 110 of the flap 108, thus, securing the flap 108 to the base 106. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the flap 108 is in the open position and rotated away from the base 106, a false eyelash may be placed on the applicator sleeve 101 by having the protrusions 109 penetrate the fine hairs of the false eyelash. When the false eyelash has been placed on the applicator sleeve 101 in the manner shown in FIG. 1B, then, as shown in FIG. 1C, the flap 108 may be placed in the closed position, having the protrusions 109 penetrate the guide holes 110, so as secure the false eyelash to the applicator sleeve 101 using the clasp 105.
As shown in FIG. 1D, an adhesive may be applied to the false eyelash that is secured to the applicator sleeve 101 in order to provide the adhesive used to secure the false eyelash to the eyelid. Accordingly, with the false eyelash having the adhesive and secured to the false eyelash applicator 101, the user of the applicator sleeve 101 may apply the false eyelash to the eyelid. For example, the user may roll the user's finger or object having the applicator sleeve 101 disposed thereon along the eyelid in order to apply the false eyelash having the adhesive thereon to the eyelid. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the user may apply the false eyelash having the adhesive while secured to the applicator sleeve 101 to the eyelid in any suitable manner.
FIGS. 2A to 2E illustrate a false eyelash applicator pen according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2E, the false eyelash applicator pen 201, which may also be referred to as the applicator pen 201, may be in the shape of a hollow cylinder having a closed end 202 and an open end 203 having an opening 204, such that the open end 203 of the hollow cylinder has a circular opening 204 at the end of the applicator pen 201opposite to the closed end 202. The false eyelash applicator pen 201 may be hollow for the entirety of the false eyelash applicator 201, i.e., from the open end 203 to the closed end 202, or may be partially hollow. For example, a front half of the applicator pen 201 may be hollow such that the remainder of the applicator pen 201 is formed to be a solid cylinder that may be used as a handle to grip the applicator pen 201. The front half of the applicator pen 201 may include a flap 205 that may be rotated about at least one hinge 206. The flap 205 extends from a slot 207 disposed at the open end 203 of the false eyelash applicator, such that the slot 207 extends along a direction from the open end 203 towards the closed end 202. A width of the slot 207 may be any suitable width for accommodating a false eyelash that is disposed along the length of the slot 207, as shown in FIG. 2C. Furthermore, the applicator pen 201 may be formed of a rubber, a plastic, a polymer, cloth, metal, paper, or any other suitable material.
The flap 205 extends in a lengthwise direction for a portion of the slot 207 and extends in a widthwise direction along the circumference of the applicator pen 201 so as to expose an interior of the applicator pen 201 when in an open position and so as to be part of the cylindrical form of the applicator pen 201 when in a closed position. The flap 205 may be moved between the open position and the closed position via rotation about the at least one hinge 205 that is connected to the flap 205 and the body of the false eyelash applicator 201. Accordingly, the at least one hinge may be disposed along a lengthwise side of the flap 205 opposite to the lengthwise side of the flap 205 that is adjacent to the slot 207. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the at least one hinge 206 may be disposed at any suitable location allowing for rotation of the flap 205 so as to provide exposure of the interior of the false eyelash applicator 201.
The body of the false eyelash applicator 201, which has the slot 207 extending through the open end 203, may include a tapered portion so as to decrease in circumference as the body of the false eyelash applicator extends from the flap 205 to the opening 204 of the open end 203. In other words, the slot 207 may bisect a circumference of the opening 204. Accordingly, one half of the body of the applicator pen 201 may be a one of a hollow and a solid cylinder having the closed end 202, and the other half of the body of the false eyelash applicator may be a hollow cylinder including the flap 205 and the tapered portion leading to the open end 203, wherein the slot 207 extends from the opening 204 through the tapered portion and along the length of the flap 205. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the proportions of the totality of the false eyelash applicator that include the slot 207, the tapered portion and the open end 203 may be any suitable proportion of the totality.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the flap 205 may be in an open position so as to expose an interior of the false eyelash applicator 201. In other words, the flap 205 may be rotated about the at least one hinge 206 so as to rotate away from the body of the false eyelash applicator. As shown in FIG. 2C, when the flap 205 is rotated so as to expose the interior of the false eyelash applicator, the false eyelash may be placed along one half of the slot 207, which is exposed by the rotating of the flap 205. In order to guide placement of the false eyelash, the one half of the slot 207 onto which the false eyelash is placed may be beveled so as to allow for a recess upon which the false eyelash is secured. As shown in FIG. 2D, the flap 205 may be rotated so as to be in a closed position, thereby concealing the interior of the applicator pen 201 in which the false eyelash has been placed. Furthermore, although not shown, at least one of the widthwise edges of the flap 205 may include a protrusion that secures the flap 205 to the body of the false eyelash applicator that may include a receiving indentation aligned with the protrusion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the flap 205 may be secured to the body of the applicator pen 201according to any suitable method. Furthermore, the flap 205 may also include a beveled edge along the lengthwise edge of the flap 205 that is opposite to the lengthwise edge of the flap 205 that is connected to the at least one hinge 206.
When the false eyelash is secured in the false eyelash applicator 201, as shown in FIG. 2D, the adhesive may be applied to the exposed edge of the false eyelash. Accordingly, the user of the applicator pen 201 may apply the false eyelash including the adhesive to the eyelid by rotating or rolling the applicator pen 201 while adjacent to the eyelid. Upon the adhesive contact to the eyelid, the user may remove the false eyelash from the applicator pen 201 by pulling the false eyelash applicator away from the eyelid while having the false eyelash slide out of the slot 207 of false eyelash applicator 201. For example, the user may hold the false eyelash applicator in a direction approximately orthogonal to the direction in which a person's face having the eyelid to which the false eyelash is applied is facing. Thus, the user may pull the applicator pen 201along the approximately orthogonal direction in order to remove the false eyelash from the false eyelash applicator 201. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the user may apply the false eyelash to the eyelid and remove the false eyelash from the applicator pen 201in any suitable manner.
Furthermore, the applicator pen 201 may be used to hold any size of false eyelashes, such as false eyelashes having a long or short base from which the false eyelashes extend. Additionally, a multipart false eyelash including a plurality of false eyelash sections, each having one or a small number of false eyelashes, may be disposed in the slot 207 so as to allow each of the plurality of false eyelash sections to be applied to the eyelid. For example, the multipart eyelash may have a base having a front side from which the false eyelashes of each of the plurality of false eyelashes extend, and the base may include a back side for applying an adhesive thereto, or the back side may have an adhesive tape thereupon. Accordingly, a user may remove a section of the adhesive tape corresponding to at least one of the plurality of false eyelash sections when applying the false eyelash to the eyelid so as to only apply a certain number of false eyelash sections from among the plurality of false eyelash sections included in the false eyelash.
FIGS. 3A-3L illustrate a false eyelash applicator ring according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 3A-3L the false eyelash applicator ring 301, which may also be referred to as the applicator ring 301, may be formed as a hollow cylinder having a first end 302 and a second end 304. The first end 302, which may include a first opening 303, and the second end 304, which may include a second opening 305, are disposed at opposing ends of a body 306 of the applicator ring 301. The body 306 of the applicator ring 301 may be tapered as it extends from the first end 302 towards the second end 304, so as to provide a more secure fit onto a finger of a user of the applicator ring 301. Furthermore, the second end 304 may be curved or rounded from the body 306 up to the second opening 305 in order to provide a shape that is in accord with an average human's fingertip. Furthermore, the applicator ring 301 may be formed of a rubber, a plastic, a polymer, cloth, metal, paper, or any other suitable material.
Accordingly, a user may insert a finger, or any other suitable object upon which the applicator ring 301 may be placed, into the first opening 303 such that a fingertip of the user's finger, or an end of the object being inserted into the applicator ring 301 extends from the first end 302 up to the second end 304 or through the second opening 305. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the body 306 of the applicator ring 301 may be straight so as to not be tapered, and the user may insert the user's finger or the object in any suitable manner so as to be able to securely hold the applicator ring 301. Additionally, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and although not shown, the second end 304 may not include the second opening 305 such that the second end encloses the cylinder shape of the applicator ring 301.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the applicator ring 301 may include at least one flange 306. The flange 307 may be formed so as to be part of the body 306 extending from the first end 302 to the second end 304. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the flange 307 may be formed so as to extend along any suitable portion of the body 306. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3A, the body 306 may be curved at the area of the flange 307 so as to smoothly integrate the flange 307 with the body 306. In other words, the body 306 may include the flange as a smoothly integrated bump at a side of the body 306, wherein an outer surface of the body 306 is smoothly curved at both ingress and egress of the bump shaped flange 307. Although not required in all embodiments, the flange 307 may include a ledge 308 that may be curved so as to be smoothly shaped with the body 306 or may be a flat ledge 308 that is tangential to or a different angle than a curvature of the body 306.
In such a case, an inner surface of the body 306 be cylindrically shaped so as to for the hollow cylinder, while the outer surface of the body 306 may be largely cylindrically shaped but also include the bump shaped flange 307 such that a thickness of the body 307 increases at a location of the bump shaped flange 307. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the flange 307 may be formed in any suitable shape, including a rectangular shape, a beveled shape, or may have an orthogonal side and a curved side, according to a designer's choice. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3L, the flange 307 may have two differently shaped sides, such that a side of the flange 307 is curved or formed at an angle tangential to the outer surface of the body 306 and the other side of the flange 307 may be approximately rectilinear and/or orthogonal to the outer surface of the body 306.
Furthermore, the applicator ring 301 may include more than one flange 307, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3L. In such a case, two flanges 307 may be disposed so as to be opposite to each other on the body 306 of the applicator ring 301. The two flanges 307 may be formed in the same shape or may be formed to have different shapes or may be formed so as to be symmetrical. Accordingly, a user may use either one of a right or left hand because one of the two flanges 307 will be oriented so as to be used respectively with the right or left hand. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and there may be any number of flanges 307, disposed at any suitable location, on the body 306 of the applicator ring 301.
The applicator ring 301 also includes a clip 309 to secure a false eyelash that is to be applied to an eyelid to the applicator ring 301. The clip 309 may be a rod having a first arm and a second arm having a curved portion that arcs 180 degrees so that the first arm and the second arm are approximately parallel to each other. In other words, the clip 309 may be a rod that is bent 180 degrees so as to be shaped like a letter “C”. Furthermore, although not required in all embodiments of the present invention, the first arm of the clip 309 may be longer than the second arm of the clip 309. The second arm of the clip 309 may be inserted into a receiving hole 310 in order to secure the rod to the applicator ring 301.
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the clip 309 is disposed in the receiving hole 310, a gap may exist between the rod 309 and the applicator ring 301 in order to accommodate a false eyelash between the rod 309 and the body 306 of the applicator ring 301. Furthermore, when the clip 309 is disposed in the receiving hole 310, the clip 309 may be rotated about an axis that is the receiving hole 310. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and when the clip 309 is disposed in the receiving hole 310, it may be disposed at a fixed position so as to not be able to rotate, and/or the clip 309 may be disposed such that there is no gap between the clip 309 and the receiving hole 310.
The user of the applicator ring 301 may place a false eyelash between the body 306 and the clip 309, such that the clip 309 secures the false eyelash to the applicator ring 301 with a base of the false eyelash being adjacent to the body 306 and the lashes of the false eyelash extending away from the body 306 while resting upon the flange 307. The user may apply adhesive to the base of the false eyelash, and roll the applicator ring along the eyelid so that the base of the false eyelash adheres to the eyelid. Next, with the false eyelash adhered to the applicator ring 301, the user may slide the applicator ring away from the eyelid in order to remove the false eyelash from the applicator ring 301. Additionally, before removing the false eyelash from the applicator ring 301, the user may rotate the clip 309 so as to not secure the false eyelash to the applicator ring 301, therefore, easing the removal of the false eyelash from the applicator ring 301. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the user may apply the false eyelash having the adhesive to the eyelid, and remove the false eyelash from the applicator ring 301, in any suitable manner.
FIGS. 4A to 4D illustrate a false eyelash applicator clasp according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, the false eyelash applicator clasp 401, which is also referred to as the applicator clasp 401, includes a body 402 and a lever 403 that is attached to the body 402, the lever having a first end 404 and a second end 405. The lever 403 is attached to the body 402 via a hinge 406 that allows the lever 403 to rotate about the hinge 406 so as to be moved between a closed position with the first end 404 of the lever 403 touching and/or proximate to the body 402 and an open position with the first end 404 at a point distal to the body 402. The hinge 406 includes body arms 408 that are attached to the body 402 and lever arms 407 that are attached to the lever 403, wherein the body arms 408 and the lever arms 407 are attached to each other so as to allow rotation about the hinge 402 while attaching the lever 403 to the body 402. Furthermore, the applicator clasp 401 may be formed of a rubber, a plastic, a polymer, cloth, metal, paper, or any other suitable material.
Accordingly, the hinge may include, although not shown, a tensioner, such as a spring or an elastic washer that provides tension to the lever 403 when a user places the lever in the open position so as to return the lever 403 to the closed position. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and any suitable means may be used to allow the lever 403 to rotate about the hinge 406 and to allow the lever to return to and remain in the closed position. In further detail, a user may apply force to the second end 405 of the lever 403, for example, by pressing a finger against the second end 405, in order to rotate the lever about the hinge 406. By doing so, the first end 404 of the lever 403 is moved away from the body 402, thus allowing for placement of a false eyelash between the body 402 and the lever 403. Accordingly, with the placed false eyelash, the user may release the lever 403, which returns the first end 404 to the closed position by the elastic and/or spring action of the tensioner. Furthermore, although not required in all embodiments of the present invention, the lever 403 may include protrusions 411 disposed at the first end 404 of the lever 403 in order to provide grip upon the lashes of the false eyelash disposed between the body 402 and the lever 403. Although not required in all embodiments, the first end 404 may be slanted so as to not be parallel with the second end 405, or may be curved such that the edge of the lever 403 at the first end 404 is concave or convex.
In order to facilitate the application of force by the finger of the user, the body 402 may include a hole 410 through which a user may insert a gripping finger that is not used to apply force to the lever 403 in order to securely grip the applicator clasp 401 when applying force to the lever 403. The hole 410 may extend through the body 402 so as to allow the gripping finger to extend through and grip the body 402. For example, although not limited thereto, a user may use a pointer finger as the gripping finger extending through the hole 410, which may have a diameter of approximately one inch, and may have a base of the body 402 resting on an index finger, thus allowing the user's thumb to apply force to the lever 403.
The body 402 may be formed to have a profile shape that is approximately triangular, and may be similar to that of a shape of a shark fin, a wave, or any other similar triangular shape. In other words, the body 402 may have five faces, including the base of the body 402, two side faces and two top faces. The base may be a rectangular shape, a square shape, or any other suitable shape. The two side faces of the body 402 extend from opposing sides of the base so as to be parallel to each other and have the hole 410 extending from one of the two side faces through the body 402 to the other of the two side faces. The two top faces extend from the two other opposing sides of the base with respective curvatures so as to intersect at a top of the body 402.
In other words, a first top face of the two top faces extends from a side of the base distal to the lever 403 so as to curve in a direction towards the lever 403. A second of the two top faces extends from another side of the base proximate to the lever 403 so as to curve in the same direction the first top face, but with a different rate of curvature or arc than the first top face in order to intersect with the first top face. Accordingly, the first end 404 and/or the protrusions 411 of the lever 403 contacts the second face of the body 402 at the top of the body 403, whereat the first face and the second face of the body 402 intersect so as to form a point at a top of the body 402. Thus, when viewed from either of the two side faces, a profile shape of the body 402 appears in the form of a triangle having a top point skewed to the side corresponding to the respective curvatures of the two top faces. Furthermore, as noted above, the two top faces are curved in the same direction so that both the top faces are concave in the same direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the body 402 may be a circular shape, a rectilinear shape, or any shape allowing for a face of the body 402 to contact the first end 404 of the lever 403.
Furthermore, the lever 403 may be curved in a manner similar to that of the top faces of the body 402. The lever 403 may have any suitable curvature allowing the first end 404 of the lever 403 to contact the body 402 when the lever is in the closed position. Accordingly, by way of example, a user of the applicator clasp 401 may place the user's pointer finger through the hole 410 of the body 402 while resting the base of the body 402 on another of the user's finger or on a palm of the user's hand having the finger placed through the hole 410. With the applicator clasp 401 firmly gripped by the user's hand, the user may use a thumb, or any other suitable finger or object, to apply force to the second end 405 of the lever 403, thus rotating the lever 403 about the hinge 406 so as to move the first end 404 of the lever 403 away from the body 402. When the applicator clasp 401 is in such a state, a false eyelash may be placed on the lever 403 so that the protrusions 411 are threaded between lashes of the false eyelash disposed between the lever 403 and the body 402 and the lashes extend through the space between the body 402 and the lever 403. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the user may place the false eyelash on the applicator clasp 401 using any suitable means or procedure, such as placing the false eyelash on the top face of the body 402 that faces the lever 403.
Upon placing the false eyelash on the applicator clasp 401, the user may release the lever 403 such that the first end 404 returns to the closed position and contacts the body 402 via the elastic force provided by the tensioner of the hinge 406. Accordingly, the false eyelash is securely gripped by the applicator clasp 401 such that the base of the false eyelash is accessible and may have an adhesive placed thereupon. After the user places the adhesive on the base of the false eyelash, the user may guide the applicator clasp 401 towards an eyelid upon which the false eyelash is to be placed, thereupon attaching the false eyelash to the eyelid. After the false eyelash has adhered to the eyelid, the user may again place force on the second end 405 of the lever 403 so as to release the false eyelash from the grip of the applicator clasp 401 and remove the false eyelash, which has adhered to the eyelid, from the applicator clasp 401.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A false eyelash applicator apparatus for applying a false eyelash to an eyelid, the apparatus comprising:

an applicator unit having an approximate shape of a hollow cylinder and including a first end, a second end, and a body extending from the first end to the second end along a lengthwise direction of the applicator unit; and

at least one false eyelash holder disposed on the body of the applicator unit and for securing the false eyelash to the applicator unit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second end of the applicator unit is open so as to allow at least one of a human finger and a rod to be inserted into the second end, and

wherein the first end is at least one of open so as to allow the human finger or the rod to extend up to or past the first end and closed so as to prevent the human finger or the rod from extending past the first end.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the false eyelash holder is a clasp disposed proximate to the first end of the applicator unit, and

wherein the clasp includes a base attached to the body, a hinge disposed at and connected to one side of the base, and a flap connected to the hinge so as to allow the flap to rotate about the hinge between an open position of the flap and a closed position of the flap,

wherein the closed position of the flap comprises the flap being at least one of disposed on the base and directly contacting the base, and

wherein the open position of the flap comprises the flap being disposed at a position exposing a surface of the base that is opposite to another surface of the base that contacts the body.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the base includes at least one protrusion disposed on the base and extending in a direction away from the body,

wherein the flap includes at least one receiving hole extending through the flap, the at least one receiving hole being disposed at a position on the flap corresponding to the at least one protrusion,

wherein the at least one protrusion penetrates through the receiving hole when the flap is in the closed position,

wherein the protrusions extend through lashes of the false eyelash when the false eyelash is disposed on the applicator unit, and

wherein the false eyelash is secured to the applicator unit when the flap is in the closed position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein applicator unit is formed of at least one of a rubber, a plastic, a polymer, a cloth, a metal, and a paper,

wherein an internal surface of the body has a decreasing diameter along the direction from the second end to the first end.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one false eyelash holder is a flange extending along the body of the applicator unit, and

wherein the flange has a receiving hole disposed at a top surface at the second end of the applicator unit.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

a retaining clip disposed in the receiving hole,

wherein the retaining clip is a rod having a first end that is inserted into the receiving hole, a curved portion bending approximately 180 degrees, and a second end extending away from the curved portion so as to be disposed adjacent to the body when the first end of the retaining clip is inserted into the receiving hole,

wherein the retaining clip rotates about the receiving hole so as to produce a gap between the retaining clip and the body, and

wherein the false eyelash is disposed in the gap between the retaining clip and the body so as to secure the false eyelash to the applicator unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the flange is integrally formed with the body of the application unit,

wherein the flange extends from the first end of the body to the second end of the body, and

wherein the flange has a first side and a second side that are integrally formed with an outer surface of the body of the application unit and has a bottom side that directly contacts the body.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first side of the flange and the second side of the flange are approximately symmetrical with respect to the receiving hole.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first side of the flange is flat so as to extend away from the body along an axis that is approximately bisecting the body, and

wherein the second side of the flange extends away from the body along a line approximately tangential to the outer surface of the body so as to intersect with the first side of the flange.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one false eyelash holder comprises at least two flanges, and

wherein the flanges are disposed so as to be opposite each other with respect to the body of the application unit.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one false eyelash holder is disposed at a second half of the applicator unit so as to be proximate to the second end of the applicator unit and a first half of the applicator unit extends from the second half to the first end, and

wherein the at least one false eyelash holder comprises:

a flap that is rotatable between an open position extending the flap away from the body and a closed position having a curvature of the flap align with a curvature the body;

a hinge disposed between the flap and the body allowing for the flap to rotate about the hinge in order to be in the open position or the closed position;

and a slot disposed along a side of the flap that is opposite to another side of the flap that is connected to the hinge.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising a slot extension extending from an end of the slot proximate to the second end towards the second end of the applicator unit,

wherein the slot comprises a first side disposed on the flap and a second side disposed on the body,

wherein, when the flap is disposed in the open position, an interior surface of the body coinciding with the flap is exposed, and

wherein the false eyelash is disposed on the second side of the slot when the flap is in the open position,

wherein the false eyelash is secured to the application unit when the flap is rotated to the closed position while the false eyelash is disposed on the second side of the slot, and

wherein the false eyelash that is secured to the application unit may be removed from the application unit by sliding through the slot and the slot extension.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the body of the applicator unit is tapered so as to have a decreasing diameter from the flap towards the second end.

15. A false eyelash applicator apparatus for applying a false eyelash to an eyelid, the apparatus comprising:

an applicator unit having a base, a first side surface, a second side surface, a first top surface, and a second top surface;

a hole extending through the applicator unit from the first side surface to the second side surface; and

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first side surface and the second side surface extend from a pair of respective sides of the base that are opposite to each other, and

wherein the first side surface and the second side surface are parallel.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first top surface and the second top surface extend from another pair of respective sides of the base that are opposite to each other,

wherein the first top surface and the second top surface intersect at a top of the applicator unit, and

wherein the first top surface and the second top surface are concave so as to curve in the same direction according to respective curvatures.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the hole has a diameter equal to or less than one inch.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a hinge connecting the applicator unit to the at least one false eyelash holder,

wherein the at least one false eyelash holder includes a lever having a first end and a second end,

wherein the hinge includes a tensioning unit disposed proximate to the second end and allowing the lever to move between an open position having the first end disposed distal to the applicator unit and a closed position having the first end disposed proximal to the applicator unit,

wherein the lever is movable from the closed position to the open position by application of force to the second end of the lever,

wherein the lever is formed to have a similar shape as at least one of the first top surface and the second top surface, and

wherein the second end of the lever includes protrusions extending from the lever towards the applicator unit.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the protrusions extend through lashes of the false eyelash when the false eyelash is disposed between the lever and the applicator unit and when the lever is in the closed position.