US3556113A

US3556113A - Applicator for artificial eyelashes

Info

Publication number: US3556113A
Application number: US770770A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roland W Frieder
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-10-25
Filing date: 1968-10-25
Publication date: 1971-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1988-01-19

Abstract

An eyelash applicator for assisting in the attachment of an artificial eyelash to the human eyelid and having individually operable and releasable clamping jaws which support the artificial eyelash at spaced points and in such a manner as to facilitate correct placement thereof to the eyelid.

Description

United States Patent Roland W. Frieder 5555 S. Everett Ave., Chicago, 111. 60637 [21] Appl. No. 770,770

[22] Filed Oct. 25, 1968 [45] Patented Jan. 19,1971

[72] Inventor [54] APPLICATOR FOR ARTIFICIAL EYELASHES 4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 132/31 A45d 2/00 Field ofSearch 132/31, 37,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,201,144 5/1940 Scott 24/258 2,268,082 12/1941 Phillips, Sr... 132/53 3,101,185 8/1963 Gustafson 248/316 3,196,884 7/1965 Safianoff 132/46 3,367,336 2/1968 Eizenberg 128/321 Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-Gregory E. McNeil] Attorney-Norman H. Gerlach ABSTRACT: An eyelash applicator for assisting in the attachment of an artificial eyelash to the human eyelid and having individually operable and releasable clamping jaws which support the artificial eyelash at spaced points and in such a manner as to facilitate correct placement thereof to the eyelid.

APPLICATOR FOR ARTIFICIAL EYELASHES The present invention relates generally to an applicator for use in holding an artificial eyelash during application thereof to the eyelid so that, by proper manipulation thereof, the artificial eyelash may be caused to conform to the curvature of the eyelid and the former applied to the latter in ,a more efficient manner and with greater ease than has heretofore been possible with conventional applicators for the same purpose.

It is among the general objects of the present invention to provide a novel applicator of the character outlined above which arranges and maintains the artificial eyelash in a shape which conformsclosely to the shape of the eyelid and enables the user of the applicator to apply the attaching margin or selvage edge of the artificial eyelash to the forward rim of the eyelid in a progressive manner from the medial region of the artificial eyelash to the opposite ends thereof so that evenness of application is assured.

He retofore, any conventional artificial eyelash applicator usually employs a jaw-type clamping device which engages the artificial eyelash along the selvage edge throughout the latter's length, thus maintaining such edge in a rigid condition conforming to the curvature of the clamping jaws. With the selvage edge thus firmly held, the usual eyelash adhesive is applied and the selvage edge is then forced against the forward rim of the eyelid, contact being made coextensively and simultaneously at all points therealong. Such a procedure is not conducive toward even application, especially if the curvature of the clamping jaws does not conform precisely to the natural curvature of the eyelid. Furthermore, the heavy pressure that is required to effect the adhesion coextensively along the line of juncture between the artificial eyelash selvage edge and the forward rim of the eyelid frequently causes flinching so that several attempts must be made before satisfactory application is attained. Additionally, previously designed applicators are relatively heavy and bulky, embodying as they do spring devices for maintaining jaw pressure and bearings for effecting jaw alignment. Thus, not only are they difficult to manipulate but they are relatively costly to manufacture.

Another limitation that is attendant upon the construction and use of a conventional jaw-type eyelash applicator is concerned with a matter of visibility. Practically all artificial eyelashes are applied to the upper eyelid in front of a mirror and, thus, due to the fact that the opposed jaws which are associated with the applicator are of full eyelid width so as to fit the entire arcuate extent of the eyelash, the vision of the eye which is associated with the eyelid undergoing treatment is completely blocked and the application is made solely by the sight which is obtained from the other eye which is not in direct line with the operation being conducted.

The present invention is designed to overcome the abovenoted limitations that are attendant upon the construction and use of conventional artificial eyelash applicators, and toward this end, the invention contemplates the provision of a novel applicator which may be made entirely from a suitable plastic sheet material by simple stamping and shaping operations, the completed assembled applicator embodying two laterally spaced pairs of clamping jaws which engage and support the artificial eyelash immediately behind and alongside the selvage edge portion thereof and at spaced apart regions along the selvage edge, two pairs of jaws being fixed with respect to each other and being selectively operable to engage and release the artificial eyelash by independent manipulation thereof. The opening and closing movements of each pair of jaws are effected by a novel form of latch mechanism which constitutes one of the principal features of the present invention and includes a swingable latch arm which is capable of being manipulated by a flick of the finger betweena jaw-engaging position wherein its associated jaws assume their closed position of eyelash engagement, and a jaw-releasing position herein said jaws completely release the artificial eyelash. Because the two pairs of jaws are independently operable, installation of the artificial eyelash in its supported position within the applicator in the proper relationship for application to the eyelid is facilitated, adjustment of the eyelash being made by successive manipulation of the two pairs ofjaws until the desired position is attained. Release of the artificial eyelash after application of the eyelash to the eyelid is facilitated by a substantially simultaneous manipulation of both pairs of jaws. The nature of the novel latch mechanisms for the two pairs of clamping jaws is such that, unlike conventional applicators, direct finger pressure to the clamping jaws for jaw-closing purposes is not required inasmuch as manipulation of the swingable arms of the latch mechanisms exerts a camming action on the jaws tending to close them automatically. Thus, at no time is the operator obliged to maintain finger pressure on any part of the applicator to hold either pair ofjaws in its open position and, conversely, finger pressure is not required to maintain either pair ofjaws in its closedposition.

Although the present applicator may be used in a variety of ways to effect artificial eyelash attachment so that thc invention is not limited to any specific mode of application, the applicator is so designed that the two pairs of clamping jaws exert a light pressure on the hairs of the artificial eyelash at spaced regions near the opposite ends of the series of hairs and immediately behind selvage edge of the eyelash. The portion of the selvage edge which spans the distance between the two pairs ofjaws extends in a substantially straight line with only a small amount of overhand beyond the pairs of jaws, if any. With the artificial eyelash thus supported, the medial region of the selvage edge thereof may be caused to first engage the eyelid at its medial region on the rim thereof, after which a forward motion of the applicator as a whole will affect eyelash application by a wrapping" action, so to speak, wherein the selvage edge is applied to the eyelid in a progressive manner in opposite directions away from the center of the selvage edge. During such application of the artificial eyelash, the edges of the clamping jaws serve as thrust members for forcibly pushing the end regions of the selvage forwardly.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the fact that the aforementioned independently operable latch mechanisms, while capable of being, manipulated to effect wither jawopening or jaw-closing movements, need not necessarily be manually actuated when it is desired to effect jaw-opening movements for eyelash release. These latch mechanisms are yieldingly biased to jaw-opening positions and the clamping jaws are so designed that by the application of slight manual pressure to either pair of jaws, the associated latch mechanism will automatically return to its position of jaw release so that when the pressure on the jaws is relieved, the jaws will move automatically to their open positions, all in a manner that will be made clear when. the nature of the inven tion is better understood.

The provision of an artificial eyelash applicator of the character briefly outlined above constitutes the principal object of the present invention, and it is a further and important object to provide such applicator wherein the shape characteristic of the applicator as a whole conveniently accommodates the disposition of the fingers of the hand so that very little practice is required by a novice when first using the applicator. Thus, the present applicator lends itself to use by an amateur user, i.e., to home use, and no particular degree of skill is required for, its successful manipulation.

Insofar as visibility during eyelash application is concerned, the present applicator affords a direct line of vision toward the work that is being performed. Due to the fact that the applicator is comprised of mating jaws which are of U-shape design with widely separated jaw arms, visibility of operation is obtained from the same eye which is being adorned with the artificial eyelash, the line of vision extending between the widely spaced jaw arms. Since the operation also is visible with the other eye, the three-dimensional vision which is offered by both eyes is available for eyelash application.

The provision of an artificial eyelash applicator which is extremely simple in its construction and, therefore, may be manufactured at a low cost; one which is comprised of a minimum number of moving parts and, therefore, is unlikely to get out of order; one which is rugged and durable and, therefore, will withstand rough usage; one which, in the main. is fashioned from flat resilient sheet stock, preferably plastic sheet stock, although sheet metal stock is suitable, thereby further contributing to low production costs; one which may be made from transparent material so that its proper application to the artificial eyelash is visually facilitated; one which, in the preferred form thereof, is entirely self-contained and is devoid of separate biasing springs and other separable parts; one which is of lightweight construction; one which is so designed that in connection with use the user can readily see without interference the eyelid to which the artificial eyelash is to be applied; one which is attractive in its appearance and pleasing in its design; and one which otherwise is well-adapted to perform the services required of it, are further desirable features which have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Other objects and advantages of the invention, not at this time enumerated. will readily suggest themselves as the following description ensues.

In the accompanying single sheet of drawings forming a part of this specification. one illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an artificial eyelash applicator embodying the present invention and illustrating its manner of use in applying an artificial eyelash to an eyelid;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the applicator;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the applicator;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the applicator, showing the clamping jaws associated therewith in their open eyelashreceiving position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the jaws in their closed eyelash-engaging position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially centrally and-longitudinally through one of the two pairs of clamping jaws and illustrating one of the novel latch mechanisms of the present invention in its position of jaw release;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the illustrated latch mechanism in its position of jaw'e ngagement; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIG. I, a conventional artificial eyelash of the type designed to be applied by the present applicator is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10. This eyelash assembly in volves in its general organization the usual selvage edge 12 which is in the form of a narrow or thin, cordlike band or length of resilient fabric or other material which constitutes the selvage edge for a longitudinal series of closely spaced eyelash hairs 14 which are tied or otherwise secured at their proximate ends to the selvage edge 12 in the usual manner of artificial eyelash construction. The selvage edge 12 possesses slight rigidity so as to give shape to the eyelash 10 as a whole, but it is capable of relative ease of deformation so that it may be shaped during application thereof to the users eyelid so as to conform to the curvature of the latter. In the better grades of artificial eyelashes the hairs proper 14 may be strands of human or animal hair cut to the desired lengths. Ordinarily,

the hairs l4, and also the selvage edge 12 which supports the same, are oversize in length so that after the necessary measurements of the eyelid have been made, the selvage edge may be cut accordingly while the hairs 14 may subsequently be trimmed after the application of the eyelash 10 to the eyelid has been made. The specific character of the eyelash 10 forms no part of the present invention and the particular eyelash shown herein is merely exemplary of one form of artificial eyelash which is suitable for use in connection with the present applicator. Similarly, the mode of application of the v 1 eyelash subsequently to be described is exemplary of a preferred mode of application. utilizing the present applicator. and it will be understood that the procedure involved may be varied to accommodate the preferences and skills of the user within the capabilities ofthe present applicator.

The improved artificial eyelash applicator is designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 20 and preferably is comprised of two principal parts, namely, a lower jaw-forming forming part 22 and an upper jaw-forming part 24, the two parts being preferably formed of a suitable resilient plastic material and each part being cut or stamped from flat sheet stock, In order to facilitate visual application of the artificial eyelash 10 to the applicator prior to applying the same to the users eyelid, the sheet material from which the two

parts

22 and 24 are cut may be of a transparent nature although opaque sheet material such as light gauge spring steel is contemplated. Irrespective, however, of the particular material from which the

parts

22 and 24 may be formed, the essential features of the invention are at all times preserved.

As best seen in FIG. 3. the lower jaw-forming part 22 is generally of fiat U-shaped configuration and comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel tapered arms 26 and a connecting bight portion 28. The arms 24 taper inwardly as they progress toward the distal ends thereof and are of equal length. The distal ends of these arms 26 are rounded as indicated at 30. The upper jaw-forming part of the applicator 20 is shaped similarly to the lower part 22 and comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel tapered arms 32 and a connecting bight portion 34.

The two jaw-forming

parts

22 and 24 are secured together in coextensive face-to-face relationship along their

bight portions

28 and 34 as clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a suitable adhesive being employed for this purpose. Alternatively, a heat-sealing operation or the use of rivets may be resorted to if desired. The left-hand arms .of the

parts

22 and 24, as viewed in FIG. l,form one pair of cooperating clamping jaws and the righthand arms of the two jaw-forming parts form a second pair of cooperating clamping jaws. The two parallel arms 32 of the upper jaw-forming part 24 are of bowed configuration, the proximate regions of these arms diverging from the proximate regions of the arms 26 of the lower jaw-forming part 22 at an angle which is preferably on the order of 30, thus providing inclined ramp portions or land surfaces 36. In the central regions of the arms 32, curved humplike crest portions 38 are formed and these portions merge with relatively sharp dropoff ramp portions or land surfaces 40 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) having an angularity with respect to the lowerjaw-forming part 22 on the order of 45. The portions 42 of the arms 32 which extend from the land surfaces 40 to the extreme distal ends thereof resume their planar configuration and extend at a small angle of approximately 10 with respect to the lower part 22. The distal ends of the arms 32 are curved or rounded as indicated at 44 and directly overlie the curved ends 30 of the arms 26 of the lower jaw-forming part 22. Both the curved ends 30 and 44 are formed with short relief areas.

As previously stated, the two jaw-forming

parts

22 and 24 of the applicator 10 are formed of resilient plastic material and the irregular angularity of the upper jaw part 24 is such that, in the normal or free condition of the two adhered or connected parts, a fairly wide divergence between the corresponding pairs of

arms

26 and 32 obtains, as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 5. The corresponding pairs of superimposed

arms

26 and 32 constitute two pairs of independently operable eyelashclamping jaws as previously pointed out and they are maintained by their inherent resiliency in normally open positions against the restraining action of a pair of latch mechanisms 50. These latch mechanisms are comprised of small T -shaped devices of molded plastic material and each of which embodies a flexible or swingable latch arm 52 and a generally cylindrical T-head or latch element 54. The arm 52 of each latch mechanism forms, in effect, a tension link and the latch element of each latch mechanism forms, in effect, a gripping piece for swinging the latch arm 52. The proximate or base region of each link 52 is embedded in the central region of one of the arms 26 of the lower jaw-forming part 22 as indicated at 56, while the distal region thereof projects through a slot 58in the crest portion 38 of the associated arm 32. Each latch arm 52 is of such linear extent and the curvature of the associated upper arm 32 is such that when the latch element 54 is shifted forwardly, i.e., to the right as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 6, the latch element will rest upon the land surface 40 of the as sociated upper arm 32 and the flexible latch arm 52 will thus draw the arm 32 downwardly toward the underlying arm 26 while the distal end regions of both

arms

32 and 26 will move into clamping engagement with each other so that when a selected region of a given eyelash assembly is interposed between such distal end regions, a clamping and supporting action on the eyelash will take place. The

arms

26 and 32 being of a flexible nature, a yieldable clamping action adequate to support the eyelash will be attained, but the clamping pressure will not be so great as to damage or deform the eyelash as a whole; When the latch element is shifted rearwardly, i.e., to the left as viewed in FIGS. 5 and 7, it will rest upon the inclined portion 36, the length of the flexible latch arm 52 being such that the upper arm 32 will spring away from the underlying lower arm 26, thus separating the distal end regions of the two arms and releasing the eyelash 10. It will be understood, of course, that the two latch elements 54 constitute latch-manipulating members which may be independently operated.

It is to be noted that the embedment of the lower ends of the latch arms 52 in the arms 26 is so effected that the latch arms normally are inclined at a slight angle with respect to the lower jaw-forming part 22 and in such a manner as normally to maintain the same in the positions in which they are shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 wherein the associated arms 32 remain in their open positions. It is to be further noted that the crest portion 38 of each of the two upper arms 32 establishes an overcenter position for the associated latch element 54 and across which the element must pass when moving in either direction from one extreme position to the other. On either side of this crest portion, the associated latch element will assume a position of stable equilibrium wherein theclampirig jaw structure which is afforded by the opposed distal end regions of the

arms

26 and 32 remain either open or closed as the case may be.

The manner in which the present eyelash applicator is manipulated during the application of the artificial eyelash 10, will, of course, vary in accordance with the preference and skill of the operator. Ordinarily, such artificial eyelashes are purchased items and the selvage edges 12 thereof are inherently biased so that they extend along a curved line of long radius which is appreciably longer than that of the curvature of the outer rim of the average eyelid. Excess length is pro vided so that the artificial eyelash may be trimmed, after suitable measurements of the eyelid to which it is to be applied have been made. Assuming, therefore, that a given eyelash 10 has been thus trimmed to size and that the two pairs of clamping jaws are in their open positions, the operator will then insert the eyelash 10 between the two pairs of jaw-establishing

arms

26, 32 with the selvage edge 12 presenting its concave side forwardly, after which the latch elements 54 will be manipulated so that they pass over the dead center position previously described and assume the positions in which they are shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. The initial positioning of the artificial eyelash is such that the jaws will close upon the eyelash at spaced regions near the points where the hairs 14 are joined to the selvage edge 12 and immediately behind the selvage edge. Such a clamped position of the artificial eyelash is illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 3. During the initial installation of the artificial eyelash 10 in the applicator 20, either upper clamping jaw may be released while the other jaw remains in engagement with the eyelash so that a progressive adjustment of said eyelash 10 may be made to attain the desired positioning thereof in the applicator. In the final adjusted position of the eyelash 10, a portion of the selvage edge 12 will span the distance between the tips of the two pairs of jaws and extend in a substantially straight line as shown in FIG. 3. When the desired positioning of the artificial eyelash has thus been attained, the latch elements 54 will have been moved forwardly so that they rest upon the land surfaces40 while the latch arms 52 will become distorted as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 and remain under forced flexion. in this position of the applicator parts, the two pairs ofjaws will engage the hairs 14 of the artificial eyelash 10 under light pressure and near the bases thereof when they are joined to the selvage edge.

When the desired positioning of the artificial eyelash 10 has been thus effected, the operator may grasp the applicator with both hands by placing the two thumbs in supporting relationship beneath the bight portion 34 of the lower jaw-forming part 22 and positioning the two middle fingers on the bight portion 28 of the upper part 24. The two forefingers will then be in a convenient position for selective manipulation of the two latch elements 54, either independently or simultaneously as desired. Assuming that the selvage edge 12 has previously been treated with a conventional adhesive. the applicator may then be moved forwardly toward the users eyelid so that the medial region of the selvage edge engages the medial region of the forward rim of the eyelid with hairs ofthe artificial eyelash overlying the hairs of the users naturalcyelashes. Continued forward movement of the applicator in a careful controlled manner will cause the tips of the two pairs ofjaws to push the end regions of the selvage edge forwardly so as to wrap, so to speak, the selvage edge onto the rim of the eyelid in a progressive manner laterally and away from the medial region of the rim of the eyelid and in opposite directions until such time as the selvage edge is in coextensive contact with the rim of the eyelid. In order to facilitate this pushing of the end regions of the selvage edge forwardly, the clearance regions such as are shown at 30a and 44a are provided on the curved

distal edges

30 and 44, respectively, of the

arms

26 and 32. These clearance regions serve the purpose of increasing the line of contact between the arms and the selvage edge 12.

After the artificial eyelash 10 has been properly applied to the eyelid in the manner indicated above, the jaws of the applicator may be released from the artilficial eyelash either by manipulating the latch elements 54 with the forefinger so as to cause them to move rearwardly past their overcenter positions so that they will come to rest on the land surfaces 36, or by the simple expedient of exerting inward downward pressure on the upper arms 32 until such time as the crest portions 38 thereof clear the latch elements 54 as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 7, whereupon the inherent resilience of the latch arms 52 will effect automatic restoration of these arms to their normal retracted positions, after which the pressure on the arms 32 may be relieved. In order to facilitate such application of pressure to the arms 32, the base regions of these arms may be provided with widened areas as indicated at 32a.

The use of two hands in manipulating the applicator affords a high degree of steadiness of application in this manner and a high degree of skill is not required. An operator with a slight degree of skill, which may readily be acquired after a small amount of practice, may prefer to manipulate the applicator with only one hand as illustrated in HO. 1. It is to be noted that whether one or two hands be used, the applicator may be grasped between the thumb and middle finger as previously described, while the forefinger may be employed, in the case of single hand operation, selectively to manipulate either of the two latch elements 54.

The invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaim:

1. An applicator adapted to attach an artificial eyelash to an eyelid and comprising a lower U-shaped part of substantially flat plate-like construction and including a pair of spaced apart, forwardly extending, generally parallel lower jaw arms and an interconnecting bight portion, an upper U-shaped part formed of yieldable resilient material, conforming generally to the shape of the lower part, and'including a pair of forwardly extending, generally parallel upperjaw arms and an interconnecting bight portion, means securing the bight portions of the two parts together in face-to-face relationship with the upper jaw arms overlying the lower jaw arms in vertically opposed relationship whereby the distal ends of such opposed jaw arms constitute opposed clamping jaws between which the end portions of the artificial eyelash are adapted to be clamped, the upper jaw arms of the upper part being inherently biased to positions wherein the opposed clamping jaws assume spaced apart open eyelash releasing positions, each of said upper jaw arms being of upwardly arched configuration to provide a medial humplike crest portion with sloping proximate and distal end regions on opposite sides of the crest portion, each of said upper jaw arms being formed with a longitudinally extending slot therein which traverses the associated humplike crest portion and extends therebeyond a slight distance into both the proximate and distal sloping end regions, a latch arm in the form ofa tension link having its lower end connected for swinging movement of the latch arm to a medial region of each lower jaw arm and projecting upwardly through the slot in the overlying upper jaw arm, and a manipulating latch element on the upper end of each latch arm and overhanging at least one edge of the associated slot, the effective length of each latch arm being such that when the latch arm projects through one end region of the associated slot the latch element thereon engages the adjacent distal sloping end region and draws the upperjaw arm toward the underlying lowerjaw arm and thereby moves the opposed clamping jaws to eyelash clamping position, and when the latch arm projects through the other end region of the associated slot and latch element thereon engages said proximate sloping end region and partially releases the upper jaw arm and allows the same to release the jaws from their eyelash clamping position.

2. An applicator as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the apex of each crest portion establishes an overcenter position for the associated latch element and across which the latch element passes during swinging movement of the latch arm in either direction.

3. An applicator as set forth in claim 2 and wherein each latch arm is formed of flexible material and has its-lower end fixedly anchored to the associated lowerjaw arm.

4. An applicator as set forth in claim 3 and wherein each latch arm possesses an appreciable degree of resistance in flexion and is inherently biased to a position wherein it projects through the associated slot so that the latch element thereon overlies and engages the proximate sloping end region of the adjacent upperjaw arm.

Claims

1. An applicator adapted to attach an artificial eyelash to an eyelid and comprising a lower U-shaped part of substantially flat plate-like construction and including a pair of spaced apart, forwardly extending, generally parallel lower jaw arms and an interconnecting bight portion, an upper U-shaped part formed of yieldable resilient material, conforming generally to the shape of the lower part, and including a pair of forwardly extending, generally parallel upper jaw arms and an interconnecting bight portion, means securing the bight portions of the two parts together in face-to-face relationship with the upper jaw arms overlying the lower jaw arms in vertically opposed relationship whereby the distal ends of such opposed jaw arms constitute opposed clamping jaws between which the end portions of the artificial eyelash are adapted to be clamped, the upper jaw arms of the upper part being inherently biased to positions wherein the opposed clamping jaws assume spaced apart open eyelash releasing positions, each of said upper jaw arms being of upwardly arched configuration to provide a medial humplike crest portion with sloping proximate and distal end regions on opposite sides of the crest portion, each of said upper jaw arms being formed with a longitudinally extending slot therein which traverses the associated humplike crest portion and extends therebeyond a Slight distance into both the proximate and distal sloping end regions, a latch arm in the form of a tension link having its lower end connected for swinging movement of the latch arm to a medial region of each lower jaw arm and projecting upwardly through the slot in the overlying upper jaw arm, and a manipulating latch element on the upper end of each latch arm and overhanging at least one edge of the associated slot, the effective length of each latch arm being such that when the latch arm projects through one end region of the associated slot the latch element thereon engages the adjacent distal sloping end region and draws the upper jaw arm toward the underlying lower jaw arm and thereby moves the opposed clamping jaws to eyelash clamping position, and when the latch arm projects through the other end region of the associated slot and latch element thereon engages said proximate sloping end region and partially releases the upper jaw arm and allows the same to release the jaws from their eyelash clamping position.

3. An applicator as set forth in claim 2 and wherein each latch arm is formed of flexible material and has its lower end fixedly anchored to the associated lower jaw arm.

4. An applicator as set forth in claim 3 and wherein each latch arm possesses an appreciable degree of resistance in flexion and is inherently biased to a position wherein it projects through the associated slot so that the latch element thereon overlies and engages the proximate sloping end region of the adjacent upper jaw arm.