Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
  • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
  • A45D4/00—Separate devices designed for heating hair curlers or hair-wavers
  • A45D4/16—Independent devices characterised by heating the hair-curling or hair-waving means before use
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
  • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
  • A45D2/00—Hair-curling or hair-waving appliances ; Appliances for hair dressing treatment not otherwise provided for
  • A45D2/48—Eyelash curlers; Eyebrow curlers

Definitions

• Eyelash curlers have been employed to effect the curling of eyelashes, such as those disclosed in the following U S Patent Nos 3,640,290, 4,305,412, 4,784,165, 4,791,944 and 4,993,439
• Most eyelash curlers employ a pair of tongs which are moveable toward and away from each other
• An upper tong is typically made of metal or plastic while a lower tong, also made of metal or plastic, is often covered with a softer, more flexible material, such as rubber
• a pair of levers are typically used to operate the tongs to bring them together tightly during the curling operation
• the hard upper tong squeezes the eyelashes against the lower rubber tong
• the eyelashes are caused to curl and remain curled for a few hours
• This general method and device for curling eyelashes suffers from a number of drawbacks 1) the curling often takes a considerable amount of time, 2) the eyelashes do not remain curled for an acceptably long duration, and 3) the significant pressure often employed to speed up the rate of curling can cause eyelashes to break or fracture
• blow dryers and heat lamps do not constitute appropriate heat-transfer media in light of the indiscriminate nature ofthe way in which they heat
• blow dryers and heat lamps are unable to confine the heat to, e.g., the flexible compression strip ofthe eyelash curling device
• the entire eyelash curling device is typically heated, which is known to result in discomfort or even burning ofthe person whose eyelashes are being curled
• this method is widely used underscores the fact that the above-referenced patents do not teach eyelash curling mechanisms that have proven adequate for common, everyday use
• the present invention relates to a system for curling eyelashes comprising a remote heating apparatus and an eyelash curling device, such as those presently used in the art for curling eyelashes
• the eyelash curling device is separate and detachable from the remote heating apparatus so that the eyelash curling device can be used in similar fashion as unheated eyelash curling devices typically used by beauty salons, make-up artists, professionals and individuals
• the remote heating apparatus is equipped with connecting features that are adapted to secure an eyelash curling device onto the heating apparatus while the heating process is being performed Once the eyelash curling device has been heated to an acceptable level, it may be removed from the remote heating apparatus at any time and used as desired to curl eyelashes
• unheated eyelash curling devices typically include two tongs that are pivotally secured together by means of a pin
• One ofthe two tongs includes a flexible compression strip, while the other includes a compression blade
• the compression blade and compression strip are squeezed together by means of the two tongs in order to cause the person's eyelashes to be compressed between the compression blade and the flexible compression strip
• the flexible compression strip is able to flex or give way somewhat as the compression blade is pressed against it, it will naturally cause the eyelashes pressed between the compression blade and the flexible compression strip to curl upwards, away from the flexible compression strip and towards the compression blade
• most eyelash curling devices have been utilized at room temperature and have provided somewhat adequate curling ofthe eyelashes Nevertheless, it has been discovered that by introducing heat to the curling process, much like curling irons used to curl ordinary hair, the eyelashes can be more easily curled and will remain curled longer
• typical heated eyelash curling devices have included self-contained heating elements, which greatly increase the size, bulkiness and weight of
• the present invention utilizes the system of using a remote heating apparatus along with an eyelash curling device, such as those normally used in an unheated fashion
• the remote heating apparatus is designed so that only the mechanism involved in curling the eyelashes, typically a flexible compression strip, is heated, while the rest ofthe eyelash curling device remains cool, particularly those areas that might come in contact with the face during the eyelash curling procedure
• the remote heating apparatus may also be equipped with a thermostat and an activation switch that is triggered when engaged with the eyelash curling device
• the eyelash curling device may alternatively be modified in order to adapt it for particular use with a remote heating apparatus
• the eyelash curling device may be equipped with a flange or other activation feature for activating a corresponding switch in the remote heating apparatus when the two are engaged
• the eyelash curling device might optionally include an insulating strip or other means for insulating the flexible compression strip from the rest ofthe eyelash curling device in order to keep the compression strip hotter longer and also in order to keep the eyelash curling device cool
• the compression strip may be modified by being made from a more heat-resistant material and/or it may be impregnated with a material having a high specific heat to increase the length of time the compression strip remains heated within the proper temperature range BRJIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation of a conventional eyelash curling device
• Figure 2 is a schematic front elevation of a human eye, depicting the upper eyelashes for curling with the curling device of Figure 1 and 2
• Figure 3 A is a perspective view of a remote heating apparatus adapted shown in use with the eyelash curling device of Figure 1
• Figure 3B is a side cross-sectional view ofthe heating apparatus in use with the eyelash curling device as depicted in Figure 3 A
• Figure 4A is a perspective view of an alternative heating apparatus according to the invention.
• Figure 4B is a side elevation ofthe heating apparatus of Figure 5 in use with an alternative eyelash curling device adapted to activate the heating apparatus of Figure 5A
• Figure 5A is a perspective view another alternative heating apparatus according to the invention
• Figure 5B is a side elevation ofthe heating apparatus of Figure 5 A in use with an alternative eyelash curling device adapted to activate the heating apparatus of Figure 5 A
• Figure 6A is a perspective view another alternative heating apparatus according to the invention
• Figure 6B is a side elevation ofthe heating apparatus of Figure 6A in use with the eyelash curling device of Figure 1
• Figure 7 is side cross-sectional view of a compression strip of an alternative eyelash curling device that is insulated from the rest ofthe eyelash curling device
• the present invention relates to a system for curling eyelashes comprising a remote heating apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with eyelash curling devices presently used in the market to curl eyelashes
• eyelash curling devices specially adapted for use with the remote heating device may be used
• the remote heating apparatus is separate and detachable from the eyelash curling device so that the eyelash curling device can be used in similar fashion as unheated eyelash curling devices typically used by beauty salons and individuals. Once the eyelash curling device has been heated to an acceptable level, it may be removed from the remote heating apparatus at any time and used as desired to curl eyelashes.
• the present invention provides for the heating of an eyelash curling device without the attendant increased size, bulk, weight, and clumsiness of self-heating eyelash curling devices. Instead, the present invention utilizes a remote heating apparatus equipped with connecting features that are adapted to secure an eyelash curling device on to the surface of the heating device while the heating process is being performed.
• the apparatus also provides for localized heating ofthe mechanism actually used in the curling process, in contrast to indiscriminate heating by, e.g., blow dryers or heat lamps.
• FIG. 1 shows a human eye and the upper eyelashes which may be curled using the curling device of Figure 1.
• the eyelash curling device 10 depicted in Figure 1 includes a stationary tong 12 having an upper frame 14 and a lower handle 16, both ofwhich may be constructed of any sufficiently tough or durable material such as metal or plastic.
• a compression blade 18 Disposed on the upper end of the upper frame 14 is a compression blade 18 intended to compress the eyelashes against a flexible compression strip, as discussed hereinafter.
• Pivotally secured to the stationary tong is a moveable tong 20 that includes a lower handle 22, a pressure bar 24, and a pair of support arms 26.
• the moveable tong 20 is pivotally attached to the stationary tong 12 by means of a pivot pin 28 that passes between recesses within stationary tong 12 and moveable tong 20.
• the pair of support arms 26 are in turn pivotally attached to the pressure bar 24 by simply being looped through a hole 30 at an end ofthe pressure bar 24.
• a compression strip platform 32 At the top of the pair of support arms 26 is a compression strip platform 32 into which is placed, or onto which is secured, a flexible compression strip 34.
• the compression strip platform is typically made of a durable material, such as metal or plastic, while the flexible compression strip is made of an elastomeric material, such as rubber, typically silicone rubber.
• the compression strip platform 32 is in turn slidably secured to the upper frame 14 and is disposed in engaging relationship below the compression blade 18 that is permanently secured to the upper frame 14.
• the flexible compression strip 34, the compression strip platform 32, and the compression blade 18 are contoured and curved in the horizontal plane to conform to the approximate spherical bulge ofthe human eye and eyelids.
• An opposing edge ofthe compression blade 18 and an opposing surface of the flexible compression strip 34 are essentially horizontal, parallel and symmetrical.
• the eyelash curling device 10 is normally only used to apply a curl to the upper eyelashes 42 ofthe eye 40 shown in Figure 2.
• the lower eyelashes 44 are usually not curled by the curling device since they are thin, short and naturally curled. Moreover, the force of gravity naturally causes the lower eyelashes 44 to fall down away from the eye, while causing the upper eyelashes 42 to droop.
• the eyelash curling device 10 may also be adapted with a pitched, or angled flexible compression strip 34 (not shown) in order to cause the eyelashes to curl more acutely in the area where the compression strip 34 is caused to first close against the compression blade 18 and hence, more firmly during the eyelash curling operation.
• eyelashes have been curled for many years. Nevertheless, it is known that heating the eyelashes during the curling operation would make the curling process easier, faster and make the eyelashes so that they remain curled longer.
• Heating also reduces the amount of pressure that must be applied during the curling process, which reduces the likelihood that the eyelashes will fracture or split during the curling process.
• the present invention uses a far simpler system in which a remote heating apparatus is adapted to be used with any eyelash curling device known in the art or future devices that may be developed.
• the remote heating apparatus can also be used with eyelash curling devices that are specially adapted for use with the remote heating apparatus.
• a remote heating apparatus 50 is provided and shown in coupled arrangement with the eyelash curling device 10.
• the remote heating apparatus 50 includes a power source, such as may be provided by a power cord 52 or, alternatively, batteries (not shown).
• a switch such as may be provided by a power cord 52 or, alternatively, batteries (not shown).
• the heating apparatus 54 may be used to activate and turn off the heating apparatus 50.
• the heating apparatus may optionally include a thermostat 56 for regulating the temperature ofthe heat transfer bar 58, which heats the compression strip 34.
• the heating apparatus may include a timer so that it shuts off after a set duration. Heating ofthe heat transfer bar 58 is accomplished by means of a resistive heating element (not shown) located within or near the heat transfer bar 58.
• the heating apparatus may simply include a nonadjustable thermostat that regulates the temperature of the heating element, or the heating element may be such that it is only capable of heating up to a maximum temperature within the desired temperature range
• the heating apparatus may optionally include a light or other indicator (not shown) to tell the user when the compression strip 34 has reached the appropriate temperature
• the heating apparatus also includes a spring biased wire base 60, which is used in conjunction with the heat transfer bar 58 to hold the eyelash curling device 10 in place while the heating process is carried out
• the wire base 60 pushes against the compression blade 18 in order to urge apart the compression blade 18 and compression strip 34
• the countervailing forces of the wire base 60 against the compression blade 18 and of the heating transfer bar 58 against the compression strip 34 work together as means for holding the eyelash curling device 10 in place while the heat transfer bar 58 heats the compression strip 34 to a desired temperature
• the heat transfer bar 58 may include a heat transfer strip 62 that is configured to localize the heat in the immediate area of the compression strip 34 In this way, the rest ofthe heat transfer bar 58 remains relatively cool compared to the heat transfer strip 62 in order to minimize the chance that the user will burn his or her hand while attaching or detaching the eyelash curling device 10 This feature may also reduce the likelihood that the heat transfer bar 58 will inadvertently heat the compression blade 18 or other part of the eyelash curling device, which preferably remains cool relative to the compression strip 34
• the space that would ordinarily exist between the heat transfer bar 58 and the compression blade 18 would be expected in most cases to minimize heat transfer from the heat transfer bar 58 to the compression blade 18
• the heat transfer bar 58 it would be possible for the heat transfer bar 58 to be heated on both sides without unduly heating the compression blade 18 as long as there were adequate space between the heat transfer bar 58 and the compression blade 18
• Figure 4A depicts an alternative embodiment ofthe remote heating apparatus
• alternative heating apparatus 70 includes a heated projection 72 having a heated surface 74 and an insulated surface 76
• a handle channel 78 and pressure bar channel 80 are provided to assist in holding the eyelash curling device 10 in the proper position for heating the compression strip 34
• Figure 4B shows the remote heating apparatus 70 of Figure 4 A in use with an eyelash curling device, wherein the lower handle 16 ofthe stationary tong 12 fits within the handle channel 78, while the pressure bar 24 ofthe moveable tong 20 fits within the pressure bar channel 80
• the flexible compression strip 34 and compression blade 18 are spread apart to a distance sufficient to admit entrance therebetween ofthe heated projection 72
• the heated surface 74 makes and maintains direct contact with the flexible compression strip 34, while the insulated surface 76 may or may not actually touch the compression blade 18 Because the heated projection 72 is insulated on the side adjacent the compression blade 18, the compression blade 18 is not heated even when the heated surface 74 heats the flexible compression strip 34 to the desired temperature, or within a desired temperature range
• the remote heating apparatus 70 may optionally include an activation switch 82 that is engaged by an activation projection 84 located in the corresponding position within the eyelash curling device 10
• the activation switch 82 may be disposed in an appropriate location within the handle channel 78, although it may be located anywhere so long as it can engage the activation projection 84 ofthe eyelash curling device 10
• the activation projection 84 ofthe illustrative embodiment may be located at an end ofthe lower handle 16 ofthe stationary tong 12, although the activation projection 84 may be located anywhere within the eyelash curling device 10 so long as it is designed to engage the activation switch 82 ofthe heating apparatus
• Figures 5 A and 5B show another alternative embodiment ofthe remote heating apparatus in which the remote heating apparatus 90 is designed to engage the eyelash curling device 10 in a manner such that the eyelash curling device 10 projects vertically from the remote heating device 90 while in use
• the remote heating apparatus 90 of Figures 5 A and 5B includes a heated projection 92, which includes a heated surface 94 and an insulated surface 96
• the width of the heated projection 92 corresponds approximately to the widest opening ofthe compression blade 18 and compression strip 34 in order to provide a tight enough fit when the eyelash curling device 10 is engaged with the heating apparatus 90 so that it will remain in place as a result ofthe pressure ofthe compression blade 18 and compression strip 34 on the heated projection 92
• the remote heating apparatus 90 of Figures 5 A and 5B may optionally include an activation switch 98 disposed near the heated projection 92 in order to engage an activation projection 100 located within eyelash curling device 10.
• the activation switch 98 is located within a recess within which the heated projection 92 is disposed, while the activation projection 100 is laterally displaced from the compression blade 18 in a direction away from the eye when the eyelash curling device 10 is in use.
• Figures 6 A and 6 B are yet another alternative embodiment ofthe heating apparatus.
• FIG. 6B depict a remote heating apparatus 110 having a heated projection 92 configured such that the eyelash curling device 10 is in an approximate horizontal configuration when attached to the remote heating apparatus 110.
• This embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 4A and 4B in that there are no channels for accepting the pressure bar, lower handle, or any other structure ofthe eyelash curling device save the compression blade 18, compression strip 34 and adjacent structures.
• the heated projection 112 includes a heated surface 1 14 and an insulated surface 1 16.
• a heating element such as a resistive heating element powered by electricity.
• the remote heating apparatus includes means (not shown) for transferring the heat generated by said resistive heating element to the heated projection, particularly the heated surface.
• a thermostat for maintaining the temperature ofthe heated surface to within an appropriate temperature range in order to heat the flexible compression strip to the desired temperature or temperature range.
• the flexible compression strip may be heated to a wide range of temperatures because it has been found that any temperature above about 80°F will have a positive effect on the curling process, i.e., will increase the ease and speed of curling and/or maintain the curl longer. On the other hand, hair doesn't actually burn or become severely damaged until it is heated to about 400°F. Therefore, the flexible compression strip may conceivably be heated to any temperature within the broad range of about 80°F to about 400°F so long as the temperature does not harm or destroy the flexible compression strip, cause the flexible compression strip to melt or otherwise become transferred to the eyelashes, or cause burning ofthe eyes and adjacent tissues due to radiant heat from the flexible compression strip. In general, temperatures ranging from about 90°F to about
• 250°F are prefe ⁇ ed, with about 100°F to about 150°F being more prefe ⁇ ed, and about 100°F to about 125°F being most prefe ⁇ ed.
• the remote heating apparatus may optionally include a temperature gauge or temperature light in order to alert the user that the flexible compression strip of the eyelash curling device has been heated to an acceptable temperature or within an appropriate temperature range.
• the remote heating apparatus can be optionally adapted to include an on/off switch that can be manually actuated ( Figures 3 A and 3B), or automatically actuated upon inserting or placing the eyelash curling device onto the remote heating apparatus ( Figures 4A-5B).
• an on/off switch can be manually actuated ( Figures 3 A and 3B), or automatically actuated upon inserting or placing the eyelash curling device onto the remote heating apparatus ( Figures 4A-5B).
• the remote heating apparatus is activated in this manner it will generally not work with conventional eyelash curling devices.
• any of the remote heating apparatus depicted above may be used with any conventional eyelash curling device known in the art. Nevertheless, it is certainly within the scope ofthe present invention to modify the eyelash curling device in order for it to be better suited or compatible with the remote heating apparatus.
• the flexible compression strip may preferably be made of an elastomeric material that is able to withstand wide fluctuations of temperature without experiencing thermal breakdown.
• silicone rubbers exist that can withstand temperatures within the prefe ⁇ ed ranges, although specially adapted materials might be substituted for ordinary silicone rubber for any reason, such as where high operating temperatures are used.
• the flexible compression strip may be impregnated with a material having a high specific heat in order to increase the time in which the compression strip is maintained at the desired temperature or within the desired temperature range after decoupling the eyelash curling device from the remote heating apparatus.
• a material having a high specific heat include metal, ceramics, metal oxides, and other dense materials.
• the materials having a high specific heat may be included as small particles or fibers or as a bar inserted within the flexible compression strip at a distance below the surface that still maintains the flexibility ofthe compression strip. This embodiment would also be expected to speed up the time it takes to heat up the compression strip.
• the soft flexible material within the compression strip comprises dimethyl silicone rubber impregnated with a heat retention filler.
• a preferred heat retention filler having a high specific heat comprises precipitated micro alumina hydrate.
• Other materials include finely divided alumina, microsilica, finely divided silica, or mixtures of the foregoing. Nevertheless, any metallic oxide or ceramic having an appropriate heat capacity and compatibility with rubbers used in the compression strip may be used.
• the compression strip material may also include color pigments and other components to give it the desired properties
• the dimethyl silicone rubber is cured with an organic peroxide
• the compression strip may also be better maintained within the desired operating temperature if insulated from the rest ofthe eyelash curling device in order to impede the flow of heat This may be accomplished, for example, by placing a highly insulating material between the compression strip and the compression strip platform to which it is attached, as depicted in Figure 7
• the compression strip platform may, either in whole or in part, comprise a highly insulating material that would serve to impede the flow of heat from the flexible compression strip to the rest of the eyelash curling device, such as the moveable tongs or handles This alteration would also have the beneficial effect of keeping the rest ofthe eyelash curling device cool relative to the heated compression strip
• the compression blade may be made of an insulating material and/or a material having a relatively low specific heat so that it will remain relatively cool even after being pressed against the heated compression strip

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• 1996
  • 1996-08-13 AU AU68457/96A patent/AU6845796A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1996-08-13 WO PCT/US1996/013147 patent/WO1997006710A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1996-08-13 CN CN96196339A patent/CN1193261A/zh active Pending
  • 1996-08-13 EP EP96928856A patent/EP0955823A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1996-08-13 JP JP50943597A patent/JP2001509035A/ja active Pending

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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