Abstract:
The present invention is a quality controlled artificial eyelashes extension system having two main features. One of the method and materials for the application of artificial lash hairs onto existing natural eyelashes of a human subject to extend the length of the natural eyelash. This feature provides the training and materials to attach the eyelash extensions on a hair-by hair basis to a subject&#39;s existing natural eyelash. The second is the quality control feature of the present lash extension system which provides for assuring that practitioners of the system are appropriately trained, and the consumable materials utilized by the system are safe for human use. Quality control assurance of practitioners and consumable materials is accomplished by having programs for practitioner training and certification, and for materials quality assurance which controls the quality of the system&#39;s consumable materials made available to practitioners.

Description:
CONTINUITY DATA  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of prior filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/712,757 filed 30 Aug. 2005 and 60/743,948 filed 30 Mar. 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is in the field of cosmetic materials and the education and demonstration of their proper use. More specifically, the present invention relates personal grooming and artificial eyelashes adapted for attachment on hair growing from an eyelid, and the education and demonstration of how to properly practice the invention.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The cosmetic use of artificial eyelashes by persons in the making of their toilet is old in the art. Because cosmetic compositions and materials are typically intended for use by persons, it is important that the cosmetic materials and composition be clearly suitable for human use, and that the materials and methods used be very simple to practice, or that they be designated and controlled for practice by individuals trained in their safe application, especially adhesive compositions and solvents. This is particularly important for cosmetic products intended for use in the area of a subject&#39;s eyes because of the sensitive and delicate nature of the organs and tissues involved. So, it is important in the field to provide materials and compositions appropriate for human use, and also important to provide education and training in the proper use of such materials and compositions.  
         [0004]     Typically, artificial eyelashes are applied as a group or cluster to the skin of a wearer&#39;s lower and/or upper eyelid. Some examples include US patent publication no. 2005/0061341 to Choe. US patent publication no. 2002/0056465 to Shin and U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,674 to Han. The field has even been motivated to combine the cosmetic effect of artificial eyelashes and eyeliner, as in U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,111 to Barton. In addition to adhering other decorative cosmetic devices such as glitter flakes, costume gems, etc. to the skin of the wearer&#39;s eyelids is also known in the field to adhere decorative devices to a subject&#39;s eyelashes, as illustrated in US patent publication no. 2003/0005941 to Iosilevich. However, these references to not teach or disclose the application of artificial eyelashes to the existing natural eyelashes of a subject wearer.  
         [0005]     The cosmetics field has recognized the importance of training and training aids to the skills of well qualified practitioners, and has been motivated to develop such training aids. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,763 to Yau for a teaching method and a teaching aid. The field has also embraced the principle of training and certifying practitioners of certain of the cosmetic arts to one degree or another as required under the authority of various local jurisdictions, or by the industry itself. Therefore, when a new cosmetic procedure becomes available that may represent some level of risk to a subject, it would be beneficial to have a means of controlling the quality of the practitioners involved with the new procedure and the quality of the materials and compositions used in the procedure.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention is in the field of cosmetics that serve to modify or improve the appearance of a physical feature of the human countenance, and the methods and materials for their safe use. Specifically, the present invention is a quality controlled artificial eyelashes extension system. In part, the system provides for the application of the artificial lash hairs onto the existing natural eyelashes of a human subject to extend the length of the natural eyelash. By this feature, the present eyelash extensions differ from typical false eyelashes, in that the present lash hairs correspond (are attached to) an existing natural eyelash.  
         [0007]     The quality control feature of the present lash extension system resides in its assurance that the practitioners of the systems are appropriately trained, and the consumable materials utilized by the system safe for use on humans. The system provides for quality control assurance of practitioners and or consumable materials by having programs for practitioner training and certification, and a program for materials quality assurance which controls the quality of the system&#39;s consumable materials and makes such materials available to practitioners.  
         [0008]     The present eyelash extensions are a fun and safe alternative to mascara or false lashes, but consumers and professionals should follow some basic guidelines when choosing both the product and a practitioner to install the product, a care that may not be obvious to the ordinary consumer when choosing a lash extension product. The present system alleviates this need for such care.  
         [0009]     Generally, the present quality controlled artificial eyelashes extension system comprises a system administrator, practitioner training and certification programs, and a materials quality control program. The system administrator component provides the oversight to implement the quality control assurance of the system&#39;s practitioners and consumable material according to a quality assurance criteria. The training program provides for the education of a practitioner of the system. Practitioner of the system are individuals trained in proper practice of the method of the system for applying artificial lash hairs on a hair-by-hair basis to a human subject&#39;s individual eyelashes, and in the proper use of approved artificial eyelashes materials. The training program provides for the quality control assurance that appropriate training to practice the method and to use the approved artificial eyelashes materials in a manner safe on the human subject is available to a participant. The certification program provides for several quality assurance features of the present system, including certifying: that a participant has successfully completed a training program in the method of the present artificial eyelashes system; whether the participant&#39;s training status is current; and that the participant is authorized to utilize the system&#39;s approved artificial eyelashes materials. The materials quality control program assures the system&#39;s consumable artificial eyelashes materials comply with a materials and composition quality criteria, and makes the quality assured consumable materials available to practitioners.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a flow chart illustrating the quality controlled artificial eyelashes extension system of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a process flow chart illustrating an overview of the method of the present system.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  respectively are photographic images illustrating a live workshop component of the training program and an instructional video media component of the training program.  
         [0013]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  respectively a top plan view of a lash patch stored on a backing sheet, and a photographic image illustrating positioning and use of the lash patch on a subject.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5A  is a photographic image illustrating a training kit and its contents.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5B  is a photographic image of a subject undergoing the application of lash extensions to existing natural eyelashes.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5C  is a photographic image of the present quality assured safe adhesive and containers of the present lash extension hairs.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top plan drawing of an exemplary layout for a kit container of the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective drawing of an exemplary single use foil/film packet for containing and dispensing either the glue or the solvent of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     Referring now to the drawings, the details of preferred embodiments of the present invention care graphically and schematically illustrated. Like elements in the drawings are represented by like numbers, and any similar elements are represented by like numbers with a different lower case letter suffix.  
         [0020]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the present invention is an artificial eyelashes extension system  10  providing certified practitioners  34  and consumable materials  40  quality assured for human use. Because the system  10  is intended for human use, the health and safety aspects of the system  10  and its component parts are a feature of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the quality controlled artificial eyelashes extension system  10  comprises a number of program components and inputs and outputs of people and materials. The present system  10  includes a number of program components, and has inputs of people (trainee-practitioner)  32  and raw materials  38  and outputs of certified practitioners  34  and quality assured materials  40 . See Table 1.  
                         TABLE 1                       System Program Components                                Administration   Provides oversight of System operations and       Program   implementation of System Programs       Training Program   Provides education and training to participants           in the proper use of the System&#39;s methods and           materials       Practitioner   Provides for certifying that participants and       Certification Program   materials meet the System&#39;s quality assurance           criteria       Materials QC Program   Provides quality assurance of the consumable           materials used to practice this System&#39;s methods       Practitioner/Trainee   Persons entering the Training Program       (input)       Certified Practitioners   Persons successfully completing the Training       (output)   Program       Raw Materials (input)   Raw materials entering Material QC Program       QC Materials (output)   Quality assured materials for use by Practitioner                  
 
         [0021]     The system administrator/administration program  16  provides management and oversight of the other programs of the system  10  and functions to implement the quality control assurances of the system&#39;s certified practitioners  34  and consumable material  40  according to a quality assurance criteria (ISO 9000). In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the present system  10  also includes a training program  20 , a certification program  24 , and a materials quality control program  28 . Quality assured consumable materials  40  are accomplished by processing raw materials  38  at a facility that has met National Quality Assurance (NQA) certification under ISO 9000 standards. The inputs to the system  10  comprise “untrained” persons  32  and raw materials  38 . Outputs from the system include persons who are certified practitioners  34  and certified consumable materials  40 .  
         [0022]     The training program  20  provides instructions and training to persons  32  who desire to enter the system  10  and become a certified practitioner  34  of the present lashes extension system  10 . Such “untrained” persons  32  may be cosmetologists or other beauty/cosmetics professionals, or existing practitioners seeking to up grade their education in the field or to up date their certification. The training program  20  provides trainees with instructions in the proper practice system&#39;s lash extension method  100  (see  FIG. 2 ). The training program  20  can be implemented by using instructional materials selected from any one or more of a number of educational means. Such instructional materials include: video media  88  (see  FIG. 3B ) having participant training material included therein, live workshop training sessions  44  (see  FIG. 3A ), video-conferencing training sessions, multi-media training courses, and self-training kits.  
         [0023]     In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the training program  20  was implemented not only using live workshop training sessions  44 , but also with self-starter/self-training kits  90  (see  FIG. 5 ). A starter training kit  90  containes all the items required for a professional in the field to get started. Each kit  90  serviced approximately 200 client subjects when used properly. A typical self-training kit  90  contained: an instructional DVD  88 ; containers  61  of three different lengths of lash Extension hairs  60 : 8 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm; surgical quality stainless steel fine point forceps—straight and curved; double-sided glue dipping trays/dishes; a lash comb and brush; pharmaceutical grade, non-fume adhesive  68 ; adhesive remover; air blower for accelerating curing of the adhesive; shaped lower lash protectors  74 ; medical tape for sensitive skin; aftercare instructions; and explanatory product brochures for subjects.  
         [0024]     Also, the preferred embodiment utilizing workshop training sessions  44  and self-training kits  90  further comprises a testing means for assessing a participant&#39;s successful completion of the training program  20 . Additionally, in the preferred embodiment, the training program instructional materials included an artificial human countenance  46  on which to practice the method  100  of the present system  10  for applying artificial eyelash extensions  60 .  
         [0025]     The workshop training sessions  44  comprised a 6-7 hour high intensity workshop. The course included a theory section from a workbook, and discussed not only the basic extension method  100 , but also the science behind the method  100 , health and safety issues and some advanced practices. At the completion of the lecture portion of the training workshop  44 , trainees were required to take the theoretical part of the certification test. During the practicum portion of the workshop  44 , trainees practiced the extension method  100  on an artificial human countenance  46  (a mannequin head) as well as on live human models. Class size was kept small to ensure that each participant received personalized instruction and attention from the trainer.  
         [0026]     The artificial eyelash extension method  100  of the present system provides for applying artificial lash hairs  60  on a hair-by-hair basis to a human subject&#39;s individual eyelashes  64  in a manner safe for the human subject  70 . The present lash extensions system  10  is currently for professional use only. At home use or use by non-professionals currently is not recommended, as it may result in damage to eyes or loss of vision. Generally, the steps of the method include: 
        cleansing  108  the area of the subject&#39;s eyes with mild cleanser prior to application. Note: use of eye makeup removers containing PEG (polyethylene glycol), propylene glycol, or any other glycol-based ingredients can result in failure of lash hairs  60  to bond.     applying  114  artificial lash extension hairs  60  on a hair-by-hair basis to the human subject&#39;s individual eyelashes  64 , using a low/non-blooming, oil and water resistant adhesive  68  consisting of 100% pure U.S. Pharmaceutical Grade ingredients. Note: a preferred adhesive/glue  68  of the present system  10  was high viscosity, low-blooming and low-fuming, and contained a black pigment/colorant. The intended viscosity of the glue  68  is between about 800 and 2000 cP. In the preferred embodiment of the figures, the glue  68  was an ethoxyethyl cyanoacrylate based composition.     repeating  118  the applying step  114  an appropriate number of times to have applied at least one artificial lash hair extension  60  to a desired number of the subject&#39;s existing natural eyelashes  64 . Note: not every one of the subject&#39;s natural eyelashes  64  may need to have an extension lash hair  60  adhered to it, and more than one extension lash hair  60  may be attached to the same existing natural eyelash  64 . The desired density of artificial lash extension hairs  60  in a particular subject&#39;s case is a personal preference and is determinable by one of ordinary skill in the art.        
 
         [0030]     In the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5B , after the cleansing step  108 , a site preparation step was practiced. The site preparation step comprised: positioning  122  an eyelid separating film or patch  74  over the eyelashes and adjacent eyelid rim of an (usually lower) eyelid (not being worked on) that is to be separated from the eyelashes of the eyelid being worked on. The eyelid separating patch  74  is very easy and economical way to protect and separate, for example, the lower eyelid&#39;s lashes from the upper eyelids lashes while the latter are being worked on. See  FIG. 4B . The patch/film  74  has a hypo-allergenic adhesive film (not shown) that adheres lightly to the delicate skin of the eye area, and is removable without pulling the skin or dislodging healthy eyelashes.  
         [0031]     A subject  70  must take care to not rub or scratch the eyes after application of the artificial lash extensions  60 . Also, after the extensions  60  are adhered to the subject&#39;s natural eyelashes  64 , only NON-waterproof mascara may be used. Use of waterproof mascara can cause lashes to loosen. Repeated use of even water soluble mascara may shorten the life of the lash extensions  60 . Use of eye makeup removers containing PEG (polyethylene glycol), propylene glycol or any other glycol-based ingredients can result in failure of lash hairs bonds. Eye creams, eye makeup remover and facial moisturizers containing oils or solvents can cause the lash extensions  60  to loosen. Therefore, it is recommended that eye creams be used sparingly and to avoid the lash line area.  
         [0032]     The present artificial eyelashes extension system  10  provides for the lengthening and thickening of a subject&#39;s eyelashes  64 . Applying the individual artificial lash hairs  60  on a hair-by-hair basis to the subject&#39;s own lashes  64  provides a totally natural look. When properly applied the present eyelash extensions  60  can last up to two months or more. Touch-ups are recommended after initial full set application to replace any lash extension hairs  60  that might may be dislodged or fall of because they were attached to a “beyond maturity natural” existing natural eyelash  64 . An important object of the present  10  is to provide safe lash extensions that when properly applied will last for the length of the natural growth cycle of each eyelash of the subject to which the extensions are attached.  
         [0033]     The certification program  24  provides for the certification of persons  32  that successfully complete a training program  20  of the system  10 , and provides a hardcopy certificate  34   a  to such participant. The certificate  34   a  evidences to the public and to interested subjects that the certified practitioner  34  has successfully completed a system training program and is authorized to utilize the system&#39;s approved artificial eyelashes materials. The certificate  34   a  can also evidence the level of training of the certified participant  34  and whether the participant&#39;s training is current. The certification program  24  is also responsible for certifying that the consumable artificial eyelashes materials  40  provided under the egis of the system  10  meet the appropriate quality assurance criteria.  
         [0034]     The materials quality control program  28  provides that the system&#39;s products are produced from the raw materials in a manner consistent with the system&#39;s ISO 9000 quality assurance criteria. This is accomplished as noted above, by having critical compositions formulated using USP grade materials in a National Quality Assurance (NQA) certified facility.  
         [0035]     The adhesive  68  of the present invention is surgical quality and approved for use in the eye area of humans. To the contrary, most lash adhesives currently produced and imported from Asia are industrial quality adhesives that are not FDA approved for cosmetic or medical applications. For example, many black pigmented cyanoacrylate adhesives were originally formulated with the automotive industry in mind, and can contain impurities that are not safe for use on humans. It is a feature of the adhesive  68  of the present invention that its ingredients are “USP” or “U.S. Pharmaceutical Grade—Class IV.” This means that the adhesive is pure, medical quality surgical glue, and is safe for use on the eye area. Generally, a patch test is not required to check for skin reaction, because the lashes and glue are intended to not come in contact with skin the subject&#39;s skin. The adhesive/glue  68  of the present invention is high viscosity, low blooming and low fuming and contains a black pigment/colorant. The intended viscosity of the glue is between about 800 and 2000 cP. In a preferred embodiment, the glue was an ethoxyethyl cyanoacrylate based composition, having the physical characteristics noted above. An example of base glue composition practicable in the present invention is Apollo 5100™ (Cyberbond, Ltd, www.cyberbond.com).  
         [0036]     It is intended that the practice of the present system  10  be carried out by a licensed cosmetologist, esthetician, permanent makeup technician or beautician. Further, it is intended in the present system  10  the such practitioner be specifically certified to provide lash extension services using system  10 . An instructional video is provided with the kit of the present invention as well as instructional material in the kit itself. Additionally, as part of the certification to practice the present system, it is intended that 5-10 practice sessions are required before certifying practitioners to use the present system  10 .  
         [0037]     In a preferred embodiment of the kit  90  of the present system, one kit will provide approximately 200 subject applications when used properly. Only one drop of glue is required per client, and 30 to 40 lashes. To provide this many applications for different subjects and to create a more natural, feathery, thick look, the preferred embodiment of the kit includes three lengths of individual artificial eyelashes. Longer lashes can be used towards the center or at the corner of the eye, depending on a subject&#39;s style preference.  
         [0038]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , an artificial eyelashes kit for use on humans with the present artificial eyelash extension system  10  includes a lidded housing  92  for holding all of the other components of the kit. In a preferred embodiment of the kit, the lidded housing  92  was compartmentalized to hold similar components together, but separate from other different components and was closeable by means of the lid. The kit contained a plurality of single artificial eyelashes such as are known in the field. A supply of a specific length of single artificial eyelashes was stored in an eyelash container. A plurality of eyelash containers were included in the kit for storing a selection of different length individual eyelashes.  
         [0039]     At least one implement such as forceps or tweezers for grasping and manipulating an individual artificial eyelash in included in the kit. Preferably, more that one such implement is included. Such implements are known in the field and selectable by one of ordinary skill for use in the present kit. At least one dispensing container of a fast-drying glue for adhering the individual eyelashes to a subject&#39;s existing eyelashes is included in the kit. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of single use dispensing containers  94  are supplied with the kit. See  FIG. 7 .  
         [0040]     The preferred kit further included: a grooming tool useful for manipulating the subject&#39;s existing eyelashes to facilitate proper application of the individual eyelash, and a plurality of eyelid contour patches. The eyelid contour patches had an adhesive on one side and were useful to provide a surface for separating the upper eyelid lashes from the bottom eyelid lashes during application of individual lashes to one or the other eyelids, but especially when applying individual lashes to the upper eyelid. As noted above, the kit also included instructions on the proper practice of the invention to apply the artificial eyelashes on humans.  
         [0041]     In the preferred embodiment, the artificial eyelashes kit further included at least one dispensing container of eyelash remover to dissolve the glue adhering the artificial eyelashes to the subject&#39;s eyelashes. Such solvent are known in the art and in view of the present disclosure are selectable by the ordinary skilled artisan for practice in the present invention. An example of such a remover solvent is “UNDO 6020”™ (Cyberbond: www.cyberbond.com). The instructions included the proper practice of the invention to remove the artificial eyelashes on humans.  
         [0042]     Optionally, the kit may contain other components as desired to further facilitate practice of the invention on humans. These include a number of components useful for their ordinary purposes in the field of cosmetology, such as make-up brushes, a suction bulb useful for providing a gentle stream of air to enhance drying time of the glue as well as its other ordinary uses in cosmetology, and cotton swabs. A roll of plastic medical adhesive tape can be included as an alternative to the eyelid contour patches, and a number of petri dish type vessels can be included as secondary holds for smaller more manageable number of individual artificial eyelashes. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, a mirror was mounted on the inside of the lid of the lidded housing.  
         [0043]     While the above description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of one or another preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible, which would be obvious to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, and not just by the embodiments.