Patent Publication Number: US-2023138986-A1

Title: Double eyelid artificial eyelash and method

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The field of the invention is a beauty-enhancing product comprising an artificial eyelash assembly with the ability to create the appearance of a double eyelid. 
     Background of the Invention 
     Double eyelids and long eyelashes are two attractive features. Double eyelids or epicanthic folds are attractive because the extra fold above an eye can make the eye appear fuller and brighter. Similarly, long eyelashes create a contrast between the eye and the eyelid and make the eyes look bigger. Fuller and larger eyes are an attractive quality. When eyes have an epicanthal fold (also referred to as having a monolid), the eyes do not have any creases or lines along the eyelid, the eyelids tend to cover the top part of eyelashes and make the eyelashes grow downwards. While beauty standards are subjective and vary amongst cultures, many people agree that a person with single-part eyelids or monolids would become more attractive by wearing artificial eyelashes and creating artificial double eyelids simultaneously. Therefore, a person with single eyelids may desire to change their appearance by simultaneously wearing artificial eyelashes and cosmetics to form double eyelids. 
     In prior art approaches, the answer to that demand in the beauty products are two separate cosmetic lines, and a consumer may have to purchase different cosmetics and separately wear artificial eyelashes and double eyelid forming glue or tape. Artificial eyelashes are a cosmetic makeup device used to enhance the length and volume of natural eyelashes by gluing the extensions to the natural lash or the natural eyelid. Double eyelid forming members, such as tape and glue, are cosmetics to stick the top of the eyelid skin together to create the illusion of a double eyelid and open up the eye exposing the eyelashes 
     A need exists in the art for extended eyelashes that allows the creation of double eyelid illusion in one product which further uses convenient and easy steps. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an artificial eyelash that can form a double eyelid with a clear fold in one simple device without additional cosmetics. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention, together with the above and other objects and advantages, will be best understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1 A  depicts a front view of one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  1 B  depicts a front view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG.  2    depicts a schematic front view of a monolid person wearing an embodiment of the invention on her right eye. 
         FIG.  3    depicts a front view of an exemplary right eye. 
         FIG.  4    depicts a schematic overview of using an embodiment of the artificial eyelashes. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The above summary and the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. 
     As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or steps unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. 
     As used herein, the phrase “artificial eyelash” refers to an apparatus that is not part of the wearer&#39;s body. 
     Artificial Eyelash Enabling Double Eyelid Illusion 
     Turning to the figures,  FIG.  1 A  depicts an embodiment of an artificial eyelash  10 . The artificial eyelash  10  comprises a support strip  13  and a flexible member  23 . The support strip  13  acts as a base strand for the artificial eyelashes. In this embodiment, the flexible member  23  serves as the double eyelid feature. 
     A plurality of eyelash filaments  15  is coupled to the support strip  13 . The eyelash filaments  15  preferably have a curved profile simulating the appearance of an actual human eyelash and may be formed from, for example, human hair, animal hair, or synthetic fibers, or a combination thereof. 
     The support strip  13  has a first end  11  and a second end  12  opposite the first end  11 . A support strip application area is between the first end  11  and the second end  12 . The flexible member  23  has a first end  21  and a second end  22  opposite the first end  21 . The first end  21  of the flexible member  23  is coupled with the first end  11  of the support strip, and the second end  22  of the flexible member  23  is coupled with the second end  12  of the support strip. 
     In one embodiment, the support strip  13  is divided into three sub-segments  1 ,  2 ,  3 . Each sub-subsegment comprises approximately one-third of the total length of the support strip  13 . It should be noted that the sub-segments are a logical division of the support strip  13  and in one embodiment, the support strip  13  comprises a single continuous piece of material. As shown in  FIG.  1 A , the first sub-segment  1  and the third sub-segment  3  comprise the edge portions of the support strip  13 , while the second sub-segment  2  comprises a middle portion. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG.  1 A , the flexible member  23  is shown attached at approximately the first end  11  and the second end  12  of the support strip  13 . In other embodiments, the first end  21  of the flexible member  23  is attached at the support strip  13  at any location comprising the first sub-segment  1 . The second end  22  of the flexible member  23  is attached at the support strip  13  at any location comprising the third sub-segment  3 . In this way, the first sub-segment  1  and the third sub-segment  3  comprise attachment points between the flexible member  23  and the support strip  13 . 
     While in  FIG.  1 A , the sub-segments  1 , 2 , 3  are shown as being substantially the same length, in other embodiments, the middle sub-segment  2  is longer than the other two sub-segments. 
     In some embodiments, the flexible member  23  is attached at each attachment point such that it is moveable along the length of the corresponding sub-segment. For example, flexible member  23  is hooked on the support strip  13  so that it can be unhooked and repositioned. In such an embodiment, the first attachment point and the second attachment point are user-selectable. 
     In one embodiment, the flexible member  23  is connected to the support strip  13  using an adhesive, including a heat-activated adhesive or a fast-acting adhesive, such as a cyanoacrylate. A heat-activated adhesive is dispensed using a hot glue gun in one embodiment. However, in other embodiments, different types of instant adhesives are used. 
     In another embodiment, ends of the flexible member  23  are heat soldered to the support strip  13  by use of an iron or a soldering iron. In this embodiment, tips of the flexible member  23  are partially melted and then connected to the appropriate parts of the support strip  13 . In another embodiment, the support strip  13  is manufactured with excess material in either end, and the material is heated, forming a weld point with the flexible member  23 . 
     In yet another embodiment, the flexible member  23  and the support strip  13  comprise one continuous strand of material. The continuous material is then bent at the first end  11  and the second end  12 . In such an embodiment, the flexible member  23  and the support strip  13  comprise a single continuous clear wire or thread, with bends or other deformations in the thread to define the support strip  13  and the flexible member  23 . In a further embodiment, the bends in the clear thread are fixed in a configuration by applying heat. 
     In one embodiment, another flexible member having a first end and a second end is included in the eyelash assembly  10 . The first end of the additional flexible member is coupled with the first end  11  of the support strip  13 , and the second end of the additional flexible member is coupled with the second end  12  of the support strip  13 . 
     While one flexible member  23  is shown in  FIG.  1 A , in some embodiments, multiple flexible members  23  are used. In some embodiments where multiple flexible members  23  are used, each flexible member  23  is connected at a different location along the support strip  13 . 
     In one embodiment, the flexible member  23  is provided to the end-user separately from the artificial eyelash strip  10 . The end-user may then first trim the eyelash strip and then attach the flexible member  23 . 
     Artificial eyelash  10  includes an adhesive material for securing the artificial eyelash  10  to an eyelid or in close proximity to an eyelid. An adhesive material may be, for example, a latex-based adhesive or any other adhesive material compatible with the material of the artificial eyelash  10  and suitable for adhering the artificial eyelash to an eyelid or in close proximity thereto. Artificial eyelash  10  may be provided with adhesive material pre-applied. In some embodiments, a user applies adhesive material to the artificial eyelash  10  support strip  13  before using the artificial eyelash  10 . The adhesive material is preferably provided on or applied by the user to an entire length or substantially the entire length of support strip  13  and flexible member  23 . For example, the support strip  13  in the artificial eyelash and the flexible member  23  may be dipped in the adhesive material or the adhesive material applied to the artificial eyelash with an applicator, such as an applicator bottle tube, brush, toothpick, tweezers or the like. However, the quantity and location of application of the adhesive is depends on the needs of the end-user and whether the artificial eyelash support strip  13  already came with adhesive. 
     Flexible Member Details 
     The flexible member  23  preferably comprises elongated lengths of wire, string, cord, fiber, or similar materials. In some embodiments, the flexible member is made from a transparent or translucent material. In one embodiment, the flexible member is made from an acrylic material, such as an acrylic wire. In another embodiment, the flexible member is made from a fishing line. 
     A benefit stemming from the use of a transparent material is that it is almost invisible and resembles a deep and natural eyelid crease. Further, as a flexible member is transparent, the end-user can wear eye-makeup over the material after application. 
     In at least some embodiments, the flexible member is made from a different material than the support strip. In some embodiments, the flexible member is more pliable than the support strip. As discussed herein, the flexible member comprises the same material as the support strip in some embodiments. 
     In one embodiment, the flexible member  23  comprises a tape that has been cut to a thread-like thickness, having a diameter of approximately 0.2 mm down to approximately 0.05 mm. In embodiments that use a thread-like tape, the tape is double-sided, in one embodiment, and so the thread does not need to be aligned carefully during manufacturing. In one embodiment, the adhesive is applied to a thread, forming a thread that is sticky on the entirety of its periphery. 
     In some embodiments, the area between the flexible member  23  and the support strip  13  is partially or fully filled with a transparent yet flexible substrate. In such an embodiment, the substrate may have adhesive applied to the user-facing side, in essence being a clear tape applied to the end user&#39;s eyelid. 
     While  FIG.  1 A  shows the filaments  18  as knotted on the support strip  13 , the flexible member  23  may be attached to an artificial eyelash made using any manufacturing method, including knotting, layering with adhesive, layering of filaments with other lightweight materials, heat welding, and other approaches. 
     In an alternative lace embodiment  24 , shown in  FIG.  1 B , the plurality of eyelash filaments  15  is coupled to the support strip  13 , a rounded segment or strip of lace material  25  is also attached to the support strip  13 . In this embodiment, the lace material  25  acts as the double eyelid feature. In one embodiment, the support strip  13  is simply a boundary defined in the lace material strip  25 . The rounded segment of lace material  25  includes the support strip  13  and a rounded edge  26  on the opposite end. The rounded edge  26  will shape the wearer&#39;s eyelid in the same way as the flexible member  23  shown in  FIG.  1 A . 
     To shape the lace embodiment  24 , lateral cuts  27  are made once the plurality of the eyelash filaments  15  is attached to the support strip  13 . 
     The lace material  25 , as used in the lace embodiment  24 , provides a surface area where adhesive may be applied between the product and the user&#39;s eyelid. As a result, the double eyelid can be securely or stably formed, and in some applications, the double eyelid effect may be more stable than the single strand support member  23 . 
     The eyelashes may be made by being knotted onto the support strip  13  or the lace material  25  using the knotting method directly on the strands comprising the lace material  25 . 
     In use of the lace embodiment  24 , the cuts  27  are performed by the end-user depending on the particular end user&#39;s eye size. With the product with a flexible member  23  only, the end-user will need to retie the flexible member  23  to the support strip  13  if they wish to cut the support strip  13 . Without retying, the product may be rendered useless because the ends of the flexible member  23  must be attached to the support strip, and if the corner is cut away, then the flexible member  23  will also be disconnected. However, the lace embodiment  24  is advantageous when the double eyelid product needs to be trimmed by the end-user. 
     The lace material  25  is superior to alternatives, such as clear tape. In addition, the lace material  25  is breathable, is lighter, and eyelash filaments can be knotted straight to the lace material  25 . 
     Method of Use 
     An overview of the method of use  80  is shown in the flowchart in  FIG.  4   . 
     The process begins by applying the adhesive material  82  to the artificial eyelash  10 , including the support strip  13  application area and the flexible member area  23 . As described above, each embodiment of the eyelashes may be provided with adhesive material pre-applied. Alternatively, a user may apply the adhesive material to the artificial eyelash  10 . 
     Once the adhesive material is applied, the user will wear the artificial eyelashes by affixing support strip  84  to her eyelids. In the process of artificial eyelashes attachment, the application locations are defined in accordance with the user&#39;s eyelid, as shown in  FIG.  3    (the relative distances and positions are not to the scale). A user&#39;s eyelid  36  covers an eye  37 . In  FIG.  2   , the eye  37  is shown in dashed lines underneath the eyelid  36 . The eyelid  36  has an eyelash end  34  at the bottom and an opposing upper end  31 . To affix the artificial eyelash  10 , the user manipulates the application area of the support strip  13  with her fingers or tools into a preferred area called base location  33 , an area that includes a line of natural eyelashes  40  of the upper eyelid of the user at least in some embodiments. The user then gently applies forces to the support strip  13  to allow the artificial eyelash  10  to be secured to the eyelid with the said adhesive material. Upon successful application, the affixed eyelashes would extend the user&#39;s downward natural eyelashes  40  and may curl upward, as seen in the right eye of  FIG.  2   . 
     Next, the user will affix flexible member  86  to her eyelids. The flexible member  23  is preferred to affix at a flexible member location  32  somewhere between the base location  33  and the upper end of the user&#39;s eyelid  31 . To affix the flexible member  23 , user may use her fingers or tools to stretch the thread-like flexible member  23  and apply it at flexible member location  32  with approximate pressure such that a line on her eyelid is to be formed and the flexible member will be attached to the eyelid after the user released her fingers or tools. The thread-like flexible member  23  then digs into the eyelid due to the elastic contractive force of the flexible member. In one embodiment, the flexible member  23  is shorter than the support strip  13  in order to ensure the flexible member digging into the eyelid. As a result, a double eyelid or an epicanthic fold is formed in the eyelid. In other embodiments, the flexible member  23  and the support strip  13  are approximately the same lengths, and in other embodiments, the flexible member  23  is longer than the support strip  13 . In such an embodiment, the flexible member  23  can reach higher in the wearer&#39;s eyelid. 
     In one embodiment, artificial eyelashes  10  includes more than one flexible member; the user would follow the same aforementioned procedure in applying and attaching the additional flexible members to the user&#39;s eyelid. 
     As in  FIG.  3   , in some embodiments, during the step of affixing the double eyelid feature  86 , the flexible member location  32  is at a distance d 1  to the upper end of the user&#39;s eyelid  31 , and the based location  33  where the support strip is applied to the user&#39;s eyelid is at a distance d 2  to the upper end of the user&#39;s eyelid  31 . In at least some embodiments, d 1  is less than d 2 . 
     Finally, the attachment of artificial eyelash  10  is finished by affixing support strip  84  and the double eyelid feature  86 . In most embodiments, the order affixing support strip  84  and affixing the double eyelid feature  86  can be reversed. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG.  1 A , the user can affix the flexible member  23  first, then affix the support strip  13 . 
     A benefit of artificial eyelashes integrated with double eyelid forming members is that the user can attach the flexible member in the preferred area as the two ends of the flexible member are already attached due to their coupling with the support strip. 
     Although exemplary implementations of the invention have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the invention parameters, they are by no means limiting but are instead exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.