US20140135914A1

US20140135914A1 - Artifical eyelid and eyelashes device

Info

Publication number: US20140135914A1
Application number: US14/080,436
Authority: US
Inventors: Nancy S. Conant
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-11-14
Filing date: 2013-11-14
Publication date: 2014-05-15

Abstract

An artificial eyelid and eyelashes device. In one example embodiment, an artificial eyelid and eyelashes device includes an eyelid portion and an eyelashes portion. The eyelid portion is configured to be temporarily glued to a human eyelid. The eyelid portion is sized and shaped to cover a substantial surface area of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid. The eyelashes portion includes multiple individual eyelashes that are each permanently attached near a bottom edge of the eyelid portion. The individual eyelashes are configured to be positioned near the natural human eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/726,468, filed Nov. 14, 2012, titled AN ARTIFICIAL EYELID AND EYELASHES DEVICE, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The embodiments discussed herein are related to an artificial eyelid and eyelashes device.

BACKGROUND

An eyelash is one of the hairs that grow at the bottom edge of the upper eyelid. Beyond the practical utility of protecting the eye from dust and other debris, eyelashes are also valued for their aesthetics. In particular, long eyelashes are considered attractive as a sign of femininity in many cultures. Unfortunately, however, many people suffer from natural eyelashes that are lacking in appearance in terms of color, length, thickness, and fullness.
Several methods have been developed to enhance eyelashes appearance. One such method is the application of eyelash extensions in which a single artificial eyelash is glued to each natural eyelash, thus extending the length of each individual natural eyelash. Unfortunately, the application of eyelash extensions is a tedious and expensive procedure that is out of reach for many consumers.
Another method of enhancing the appearance of eyelashes is the application of a false eyelashes. FIG. 1 discloses two standard false eyelashes 100. As disclosed in FIG. 1, each false eyelashes 100 includes multiple individual eyelashes 102 that are strung together along a thin thread 104. Each false eyelashes 100 is configured to be applied to a human eyelid by applying glue along the thin thread 104 and then pressing the thin thread 104 against the edge of a human eyelid just above the natural eyelashes. While less expensive than eyelash extensions, application of each of the false eyelashes 100 with bare hands can be extremely difficult. For example, it can be very difficult for a human user to evenly apply glue to the thin thread 104. Then, once the glue is applied to the thin thread 104, it can be very difficult for the user to avoid getting the applied glue on the user's hands. Also, it can be very difficult for the user to avoid accidentally gluing the thin thread 104 to the user's hands while trying to position the thin thread 104 against the user's eyelid. Finally, it is very difficult for the user to correctly position the thin thread 104 along the edge of the user's eyelid so that the false eyelashes 100 looks as natural as possible, since each individual section of the thin thread 104 must be positioned individually.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a relatively inexpensive and effortless method for artificially enhancing the appearance of eyelashes that does not suffer from the disadvantages of current eyelash extensions and false eyelashes.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

SUMMARY

In general, example embodiments described herein relate to an artificial eyelid and eyelashes device. The example devices disclosed herein may be employed to enhance the appearance of a human user's natural eyelashes in terms of color, length, thickness, and fullness. Advantageously, the manufacture of the example devices disclosed herein may be significantly less expensive than the application of eyelash extensions, and the application of the example devices disclosed herein is significantly less tedious and time consuming than the application of eyelash extensions. Further, the example devices disclosed herein can be applied to a human eyelid with significantly less difficulty, mess, frustration, and time than is required for the application of the false eyelashes 100 disclosed in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the example devices disclosed herein can be employed in a relatively inexpensive and effortless fashion to artificially enhance the appearance of natural eyelashes.
In one example embodiment, an artificial eyelid and eyelashes device includes an eyelid portion and an eyelashes portion. The eyelid portion is configured to be temporarily glued to a human eyelid. The eyelid portion is sized and shaped to cover a substantial surface area of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid. The eyelashes portion includes multiple individual eyelashes that are each permanently attached near a bottom edge of the eyelid portion. The individual eyelashes are configured to be positioned near the natural human eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid.
In another example embodiment, an artificial eyelid and eyelashes device includes an eyelid portion and an eyelashes portion. The eyelid portion is sized and curved to match an average curvature of the human eye and includes a bottom edge, a front surface, and a rear surface. The rear surface of the eyelid portion is configured to be temporarily glued to a substantial exposed surface area of a human eyelid. The eyelashes portion includes multiple individual eyelashes that are each permanently attached near the bottom edge of the eyelid portion. The individual eyelashes are configured to rest on, and intermingle with, the natural human eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when the rear surface of eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid.
In yet another example embodiment, a method of manufacturing an artificial eyelid and eyelashes device includes forming an eyelid portion, forming an eyelashes portion, and permanently attaching the eyelashes portion to the eyelid portion. The eyelid portion is sized and curved to match an average curvature of the human eye. The eyelid portion includes a bottom edge, a front surface, and a rear surface. The rear surface of the eyelid portion is configured to be temporarily glued to a substantial exposed surface area of a human eyelid. The eyelashes portion includes multiple individual eyelashes. The eyelashes portion is permanently attached near the bottom edge of the eyelid portion. The individual eyelashes are configured to be positioned near the natural human eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when the rear surface of eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify certain aspects of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to example embodiments thereof which are disclosed in the appended drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of such example embodiments, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale. Aspects of the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two prior art false eyelashes;

FIG. 2A is a side view of an example artificial eyelashes device;

FIG. 2B is a front view of the example device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is another side view of the example device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D is a rear view of the example device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E is a side bottom perspective view of the example device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2F is a bottom view of the example device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a rear view of eyelid portion of the example device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3B is a side view of eyelid portion of FIG. 3A; and

FIG. 3C is a top view of eyelid portion of FIG. 3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments of the present invention relate to an artificial eyelid and eyelashes device. The example devices disclosed herein may be employed to enhance the appearance of a human user's natural eyelashes in terms of color, length, thickness, and fullness. Advantageously, the manufacture of the example devices disclosed herein may be significantly less expensive than the application of eyelash extensions, and the application of the example devices disclosed herein is significantly less tedious and time consuming than the application of eyelash extensions. Further, the example devices disclosed herein can be applied to a human eyelid with significantly less difficulty, mess, frustration, and time than is required for the application of the false eyelashes 100 disclosed in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the example devices disclosed herein can be employed in a relatively inexpensive and effortless fashion to artificially enhance the appearance of natural eyelashes.
FIGS. 2A-2F are various views of an example artificial eyelashes device 200. The example device 200 generally includes an eyelid portion 202 and an eyelashes portion 204. The eyelid portion 202 includes a front surface 208 and a rear surface 210. The eyelashes portion 204 includes a full set of individual eyelashes 206 that are each attached near a bottom edge of the eyelid portion 202, in positions that are similar to the positions of natural eyelashes growing from the bottom edge of a natural eyelid. It is understood that the “near the bottom edge” includes directly along the bottom edge of the eyelid portion 202 or proximate the bottom edge of the eyelid portion 202 on either the front surface 208 or the rear surface 210.
The eyelid portion 202, or some portion thereof, may be formed from a hypoallergenic material that is designed to have prolonged contact with the skin and that is at least semi-flexible. In one example embodiment, the eyelid portion 202 may be formed from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The eyelid portion 202 may be formed using any one of various methods including, but not limited to, injection molding, thermoforming, vacuum forming, and/or additive manufacturing. The eyelid portion 202 may be formed to be semi or completely clear or semi or completely opaque, and may have any color, especially on the visible front surface 208, including the color/hue of any natural human skin tone and any decorative color or combination of colors, including metallic color and colors of common eyelid makeup. In addition, the finish of the front surface 208 may be textured during molding, or after molding using a spray-on or hand-applied process for example, such that it will more easily accept the application of common eyelid makeup, and the rear surface 210 may be textured to more easily bond to glue, such as the glues discussed below.
Each individual eyelash 206 may be formed from any organic, inorganic, or synthetic material, or any natural material, including animal or human hair and eyelashes. Each individual eyelash 206 may have any color, including any natural eyelash color and any decorative color or combination of colors, including the colors of common eyelash makeup. In addition, each individual eyelash 206 may be textured such that it will more easily accept the application of common eyelash makeup.
Although the individual eyelashes 206 of the eyelashes portion 204 are disclosed in FIGS. 2A-2F as being permanently glued to the bottom edge of the eyelid portion 202, it is understood that there are various methods for permanently attaching the eyelashes portion 204 to the eyelid portion 202 during the manufacturing process. One such method is over-molding, where each individual eyelash 206 is molded into the eyelid portion 202 near the bottom edge of the eyelid portion 202. Over-molding may allow each individual eyelash 206 to be permanently attached to the eyelid portion 202 individually without being attached in any way directly to each other. Alternatively, the eyelashes portion 204 may be made in an automated woven or lattice fashion where the individual eyelashes 206 are attached directly or indirectly to each other prior to being permanently attached to the eyelid portion 202. Another method is in-mold decorating.
Once the individual eyelashes 206 are permanently attached to the eyelid portion 202 during manufacturing of the device 200, the device 200 may be temporarily attached to a human eyelid. This may be accomplished by a human user applying glue to the rear surface 210 of the eyelid portion 202. The glue may be any hypoallergenic glue that is either reusable or disposable, including common eyelash glues such as DUO® manufactured by A.I.I. in Los Angeles, Calif. or LASHTITE™ manufactured by Ardell, Intl. in Los Angeles, Calif. Alternatively, the glue may be pre-applied during manufacturing and covered with a peel-off backing to enable the user to simply remove the peel-off backing from the rear surface 210 instead of the user having to apply the glue to the rear surface 210. Next, the user may balance the front surface 208 of the eyelid portion 202 on a single finger or grasp the front surface 208 using multiple fingers. Finally, the user may press the rear surface 210 of the eyelid portion 202 against the user's natural eyelid such that the individual eyelashes 206 of the eyelashes portion 204 rest on, and possibly intermingle with, the natural human eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the user's natural human eyelid. This pressing can be accomplished in a similar fashion as the pressing of a contact lens against a cornea of a natural eyeball. In at least some example embodiments, the glue employed should be configured to remain flexible for a brief time to allow the user to correctly position, or reposition as necessary, the eyelid portion 202 on the user's natural eyelid prior to the glue setting up and the position of the eyelid portion 202 becoming fixed. Upon the glue setting up, the glue will temporarily attach the device 200 to the user's natural eyelid. The user may then change the appearance of the device 200 by applying makeup to the eyelid portion 202 and the eyelashes portion 204, in a manner similar to the conventional application of makeup to the user's natural eyelid and natural eyelashes.
FIGS. 3A-3C are various views of the eyelid portion 202 of the example artificial eyelashes device 200 of FIGS. 2A-2F. As disclosed in FIGS. 3A-3C, the eyelid portion 202 may be sized and curved to match an average curvature of a human eye. It is understood that the dimensions disclosed in FIGS. 3A-3C are example dimensions only, and other dimensions are possible. In at least some example embodiments, the eyelid portion 202 may be sized to cover between one-third and two-thirds of the surface area of an average human eyelid. Also, in at least some example embodiments, the eyelid portion 202 may be sized to cover between one-eighth and five-eighths of the surface area of an average human eyelid. This range of sizes, and the complementary curvature, of the eyelid portion 202 enables the surfaces 208 and 202 to be large enough to allow for quick and simple gluing of the eyelid portion 210 to a human eyelid without interfering with the natural opening and closing of the human eyelid. Also, it is understood that smaller sizes of the eyelid portion 202 may be appropriate for younger human users (whose eyes and eyelids are slightly smaller) than for older human users (whose eyes and eyelids are slightly larger). Further the dimensions disclosed in FIGS. 3A-3C may be further modified to accommodate the eyelid shapes and sizes of eyes and eyelids found in any particular human population, including certain ethnic subsets of the population.
Unlike the thin thread 104 of the false eyelashes of FIG. 1, which has minimal surface area, the front surface 208 and the rear surface 210 of the eyelid portion 202 each includes a substantial surface area. The substantial surface areas of the front surface 208 and the rear surface 210 enable a human user to glue the eyelid portion 202 to the user's eyelid without much of the difficulty associated with the application of the false eyelashes 100 of FIG. 1. In particular, the user can use a bare hand or hands to evenly apply glue to the rear surface 210 without much risk of getting glue on the user's hands, and then easily position the rear surface 210 in the appropriate position on the user's natural eyelid by pressing against the front surface 208. Also, unlike the thin thread 104 of the false eyelashes 100 of FIG. 1, the device 200 can be positioned as a single unit. Thus, the example device 200 can be applied to a human eyelid with significantly less difficulty, mess, frustration, and time than is required for the application of the false eyelashes 100 disclosed in FIG. 1. Also, the manufacture of the device 200 is significantly less expensive than the application of eyelash extensions, and the application of the device 200 is significantly less tedious and time consuming than the application of eyelash extensions. Accordingly, the example device 200 can be employed in a relatively inexpensive and effortless fashion to artificially enhance the appearance of natural eyelashes.
Although the example device 200 has been discussed herein for gluing to the upper eyelid, it is understood that the example device 200 can instead be configured to be glued to the lower eyelid, since eyelashes also grow at the top edge of the lower eyelid, and a user may additionally or alternatively wish to enhance the appearance of these lower eyelashes in terms of color, length, thickness, and fullness. Since the lower eyelid is proportionally smaller than the upper eyelid, this configuration of the example device 200 may be sized proportionally smaller. Further, although the example device 200 has been discussed herein for enhancing human eyelashes, it is understood that the example device 200 can instead be configured to enhance animal eyelashes. For example, a human owner of a pet dog or a pet cat may wish to employ the example device 200 on the pet to enhance the appearance of the pet's natural eyelashes in terms of color, length, thickness, and fullness.
The example embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms. The example embodiments disclosed herein are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An artificial eyelid and eyelashes device comprising:

an eyelid portion configured to be temporarily glued to a human eyelid, the eyelid portion sized and shaped to cover a substantial surface area of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid; and

an eyelashes portion including multiple individual eyelashes that are each permanently attached near a bottom edge of the eyelid portion, the individual eyelashes configured to be positioned near the natural human eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid.

2. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim 1, wherein the eyelid portion is sized and curved to match an average curvature of the human eye covered by the human eyelid.

3. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim 1, wherein the eyelid portion is sized and shaped to cover between about one-third and about two-thirds of the surface area of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid.

4. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim 1, wherein the individual eyelashes are configured to rest on, and intermingle with, the natural human eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when the eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid.

5. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the eyelid portion includes a hypoallergenic material that is designed to have prolonged contact with the skin and that is at least semi-flexible.

6. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the eyelid portion includes acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

7. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the eyelid portion includes at least a semi-clear material.

8. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the individual eyelashes includes animal or human hair.

9. An artificial eyelid and eyelashes device comprising:

an eyelid portion sized and curved to match an average curvature of the human eye, the eyelid portion including a bottom edge, a front surface, and a rear surface, the rear surface of the eyelid portion configured to be temporarily glued to a substantial exposed surface area of a human eyelid; and

an eyelashes portion including multiple individual eyelashes that are each permanently attached near the bottom edge of the eyelid portion, the individual eyelashes configured to rest on, and intermingle with, the natural human eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when the rear surface of eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid.

10. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim 9, wherein the front surface of the eyelid portion is the color of any natural human skin tone.

11. The artificial eyelid and eyelashes device as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

glue pre-applied to the rear surface of the eyelid portion; and

a peel-off backing covering the glue.

12. A method of manufacturing an artificial eyelid and eyelashes device comprising:

forming an eyelid portion sized and curved to match an average curvature of the human eye, the eyelid portion including a bottom edge, a front surface, and a rear surface, the rear surface of the eyelid portion configured to be temporarily glued to a substantial exposed surface area of a human eyelid; and

forming an eyelashes portion including multiple individual eyelashes;

permanently attaching the eyelashes portion near the bottom edge of the eyelid portion, the individual eyelashes configured to be positioned near the natural human eyelashes extending from the bottom edge of the human eyelid when the rear surface of eyelid portion is glued to the human eyelid.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein forming the eyelid portion comprises forming the eyelid portion includes forming the eyelid portion using injection molding, thermoforming, vacuum forming, or additive manufacturing, or some combination thereof.

14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein forming the eyelid portion includes texturing the front surface of the eyelid portion such that it will more easily accept the application of eyelid makeup.

15. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein forming the eyelid portion includes texturing the rears surface of the eyelid portion such that it will more easily bond to glue.

16. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein forming the eyelashes portion includes texturing the individual eyelashes such that they will more easily accept the application of eyelash makeup.

17. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein permanently attaching the eyelashes portion near the bottom edge of the eyelid portion comprises permanently gluing the eyelashes portion near the bottom edge of the eyelid portion.

18. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein permanently attaching the eyelashes portion near the bottom edge of the eyelid portion including over-molding each of the individual eyelashes molded into the eyelid portion near the bottom edge of the eyelid portion.

19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the over-molding permanently attaches each of the individual eyelids to the eyelid portion without the individual eyelids being attached to each other in any other way.

20. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising:

pre-applying glue to the rear surface of the eyelid portion; and

covering the glue with a peel-off backing.