Patent Description:
A lash extension or artificial eyelashes typically has a base and a plurality of hairs extending from the base. As such, when applying the lash extension to a natural eyelash of a user, the user attempts to blend the base with the natural eyelash as much as possible in order to cause the lash extension to appear as real as possible. In some lash extension styles, the base is attached to an eyelid of a user. And, depending on the thickness of the base, the base is readily observed when worn by the user, which effectively ruins the natural eyelash appearance of the lash extension. <CIT> relates to clusters of artificial lashes that are initially formed using a hot melt method in which artificial hairs are secured to one another following exposure to a heat source.

The invention and embodiments are set out in the accompanying claims. Generally, this disclosure discloses a lash extension that allows for a more natural blending with a natural eyelash of a user. The lash extension may be formed of multiple hairs that have a base between a first end of the hairs and a second end of the hairs. The base may define a first segment of hair between the first end and the base and a second segment of hair between the base and second end. In an embodiment, the base may be located towards the first end such that the hairs that extend from the base to the second end extend along natural lashes of a user. The hairs between the first end and the base may thereby be blended in with natural eyelashes of the user towards the eyelids of the user, which results in the base being better concealed as the lash extension blends with the natural lashes both above and below the base. In an
embodiment, the base may be heat fused so that the base is thin. Alternatively, the base may be formed using other techniques. If the base is not heat fused, then a string, fiber, tape, or other base material may be used. By having the artificial hairs above and below the base with any style of base, the lash extensions may appear more natural when applied to natural eyelashes of a user.

A a lash extension includes a first hair having a first proximal end and a first distal end. A second hair has a second proximal end and a second distal end. A base intersects (i) the first hair between the first proximal end and the first distal end and (ii) the second hair between the second proximal end and the second distal end such that a first segment of the first hair extends between the base and the first proximal end and a second segment of the second hair extends between the base and the second proximal end. The base may be a heat fusion of the first and second hairs. Alternatively, the base may be any other connection type between the first and second hairs, including, but not limited to, tape, adhesive, string, fiber, or otherwise.

A process for forming a lash extension includes depositing a first hair across a region. The first hair includes a first proximal end and a first distal end. The region intersects the first hair between the first proximal end and the first distal end such that a first segment of the first hair is formed between the region and the first proximal end. The process includes depositing a second hair across the region. The second hair includes a second proximal end and a second distal end. The region intersects the second hair between the second proximal end and the second distal end such that a second segment of the second hair is formed between the region and the second proximal end. The process includes forming a base at the region to cause the first hair and the second hair to be secured to the base.

A process for forming a lash extension includes depositing a first hair having a first proximal end and a first distal end across a base such that the base intersects the first hair between the first proximal end and the first distal end thereby forming a first segment of the first hair between the base and the first proximal end. The process includes depositing a second hair having a second proximal end and a second distal end across the base such that the base intersects the
second hair between the second proximal end and the second distal end thereby forming a second segment of the second hair between the base and the second proximal end. The process includes causing the first hair to be secured to the base between the first proximal end and the first distal end and the second hair to be secured to the base between the second proximal end and the second distal end.

It is further herein disclosed a process for forming a lash extension that may include depositing a base across a first hair having a first proximal end and a first distal end such that the base intersects the first hair between the first proximal end and the first distal end and such that a first segment of hair is formed between the base and the first proximal end. The process may include depositing the base across a second hair having a second proximal end and a second distal end such that the base intersects the second hair between the second proximal end and the second distal end and such that a second segment of hair is formed between the base and the second proximal end. The process may include causing the base to be secured to the first hair between the first proximal end and the first distal end and to the second hair between the second proximal end and the second distal end.

Generally, this disclosure discloses a lash extension that allows for a more natural blending with a natural eyelash of a user. The lash extension may be formed of multiple hairs that have a base between a first end of the hairs and a second end of the hairs. The base may define a first segment of hair between the first end and the base and a second segment of hair between the base and second end. In an embodiment, the base may be located towards the first end such that the hairs that extend from the base to the second end extend along natural lashes of a user. The hairs between the first end and the base may thereby be blended in with natural eyelashes of the user towards the eyelids of the user, which results in the base being better concealed as the lash extension blends with the natural lashes both above and below the base. In an embodiment, the base may be heat fused so that the base is thin. Alternatively, the base may be formed using other techniques. If the base is not heat fused, then a string, fiber, tape, or other base material may be used. By having the artificial hairs above and below the base with any style of base, the lash extensions may appear more natural when applied to natural eyelashes of a user. Note that this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as necessarily being limited to various embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and fully conveys various concepts of this disclosure to skilled artisans.

Various terminology used herein can imply direct or indirect, full or partial, temporary or permanent, action or inaction. For example, when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected," or "coupled" to another element, then the element can be directly on, connected, or coupled to another element or intervening elements can be present, including indirect or direct variants. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, then there are no intervening elements present.

As used herein, various singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include various plural forms as well, unless specific context clearly indicates otherwise.

As used herein, various presence verbs "comprises," "includes" or "comprising," "including" when used in this specification, specify a presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.

As used herein, unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in an art to which this disclosure belongs. Various terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with a meaning in a context of a relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

As used herein, relative terms such as "below," "lower," "above," and "upper" can be used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings. Such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of illustrated technologies in addition to an orientation depicted in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings. For example, if a device in the set of accompanying illustrative drawings were turned over, then various elements described as being on a "lower" side of other elements would then be oriented on "up-per" sides of other elements. Similarly, if a device in one of illustrative figures were turned over, then various elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements would then be oriented "above" other elements. Therefore, various example terms "below" and "lower" can encompass both an orientation of above and below.

As used herein, a term "about" or "substantially" refers to a +/- <NUM>% variation from a nominal value/term. Such variation is always included in any given value/term provided herein, whether or not such variation is specifically referred thereto.

Features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in or with various some embodiments in any permutational or combinatory manner. Different aspects or elements of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, may be combined in a similar manner.

Features described with respect to certain example embodiments can be combined and sub-combined in or with various other example embodiments. Also, different aspects or elements of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, can be combined and sub-combined in a similar manner as well. Further, some example embodiments, whether individually or collectively, can be components of a larger system, wherein other procedures can take precedence over or otherwise modify their application. Additionally, a number of steps can be required before, after, or concurrently with example embodiments, as disclosed herein. Note that any or all methods or processes, at least as dis-closed herein, can be at least partially performed via at least one entity in any manner.

Any or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece, such as being unitary, or be separately manufactured or connected, such as being an assembly or modules. Any or all elements, as disclosed herein, can be manufactured via any manufacturing processes, whether additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing, or other any other types of manufacturing. For example, some manufacturing processes include three dimensional (3D) printing, laser cutting, computer numerical control routing, milling, pressing, stamping, vacuum forming, hydroforming, injection molding, lithography, and so forth.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a lash extension for mounting onto a natural eyelash of a user according to this disclosure. In particular, a lash extension <NUM> includes a first hair <NUM> having a first proximal end 102PE and a first distal end 102DE. The lash extension <NUM> includes a second hair <NUM> having a second proximal end 104PE and a second distal end 104DE. The lash extension <NUM> includes a base <NUM> intersecting the first hair <NUM> between the first proximal end 102PE and the first distal end 102DE and the second hair <NUM> between the second proximal end 104PE and the second distal end 104DE such that a first segment <NUM> of the first hair <NUM> extends between the base <NUM> and the first proximal end 102PE and a second segment <NUM> of the second hair <NUM> extends between the base <NUM> and the second proximal end 104PE. The first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> intersect each other at the base <NUM>. The first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> are spaced apart from each other along the base <NUM>. The first hair <NUM> is included in a first cluster of hair and the second hair <NUM> is included in a second cluster of hair, where the first cluster of hair and the second cluster of hair are spaced apart from each other along the base <NUM>.

Each of the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> include a synthetic hair. Each of the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The base <NUM> can have a thickness between about <NUM> millimeters and about <NUM> millimeters. The base <NUM> can include a string connected to the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM>. The first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can be monolithic with the base <NUM>. The first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can be heat fused with the base <NUM>. The first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> may be not monolithic with the base. For example, the first hair <NUM> or the second hair <NUM> can be looped or tied to the base <NUM>. The first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> can be or can avoid being identical in length. Each of the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> can have a length between about <NUM> millimeters to about <NUM> millimeters.

The lash extension <NUM> can be formed in several ways. For example, the base <NUM> can be heated. The first hair <NUM> can be deposited across the base <NUM>, where the base <NUM> intersects the first hair <NUM> between the first proximal end 102PE and the first distal end 102DE such that the first segment <NUM> of the first hair <NUM> is formed between the base <NUM> and the first proximal end 102PE. The second hair <NUM> can be deposited across the base <NUM>, where the base <NUM> intersects the second hair <NUM> between the second proximal end <NUM> PE and the second distal end <NUM> DE such that the second segment <NUM> of the second hair <NUM> is formed between the base <NUM> and the second proximal end 104PE. Heating the base <NUM> can include melting the base <NUM> such that the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> are heat fused with the base <NUM>. Depositing the first hair <NUM> and depositing the second hair <NUM> respectively causes each of the first segment <NUM> of the first hair <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> of the second hair <NUM> to have a length between about <NUM> millimeters to about <NUM> millimeters. The first hair <NUM> can be cut between the base <NUM> and the first proximal end 102PE such that the first segment <NUM> of the first hair <NUM> still exists after being cut. The second hair <NUM> can be cut between the base <NUM> and the second proximal end 104PE such that the second segment <NUM> of the second hair <NUM> still exists after being cut. Cutting the first hair <NUM> can include cutting the first hair <NUM> between the base <NUM> and the first proximal end 102PE such that the first segment <NUM> of the first hair <NUM> still has a first length between about <NUM> millimeters to about <NUM> millimeters after being cut. Cutting the second hair <NUM> includes cutting the second hair <NUM> between the base <NUM> and the second proximal end 104PE such that the second segment <NUM> of the second hair <NUM> still has a second length between about <NUM> millimeters to about <NUM> millimeters after being cut. The first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can intersect each other at the base <NUM>. Each of the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can includes polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or another suitable synthetic material.

As shown in <FIG>, the lash extension <NUM> includes the spine or base <NUM>. The spine or base <NUM> can include a fiber or a bundle of fibers (e.g., natural materials, natural silk, natural mink hair, synthetic materials, acrylic resin, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), synthetic mink hair, synthetic silk, polyester, polymer). During manufacturing, the spine or base <NUM> can be melted or heated to predetermined pre-melt temperature and then a fiber or a bundle of fibers, which can be the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM>, can be positioned or deposited thereon such that the fiber or the bundle of fibers is coupled thereto (e.g., adhering, bonding). Such positioning or deposition can result in an additional length of the fiber or the bundle of fibers extending past the spine or base <NUM> (e.g., between about <NUM> millimeters to about <NUM> millimeters). For example, a manufacturing process can have an "open" length of the fiber or the bundle of fibers coupled to the spine or base <NUM>, where the "open" length is longer than between about <NUM> millimeters to about <NUM> millimeters, and then that length is cut down to be sized to the above range. Further, the fiber or the bundle of fibers can be cross-crossed with another fiber or bundle of fibers where the spine or <NUM> base melting or heating is being performed.

<FIG> show a plurality of embodiments of a plurality of lash extensions for mounting onto a natural eyelash of a user according to this disclosure. In particular, an arrangement 200A and an arrangement 200B are shown. The arrangement 200A shows the first hair <NUM>, the second hair <NUM>, the base <NUM>, the first segment <NUM>, the second segment <NUM>, and a region <NUM>, which can have any shape (e.g., polygonal, rectangular, oval, circular, triangular, trapezoidal, open-shaped, closed-shape, symmetrical, asymmetrical). The first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> are parallel to each other within the region <NUM>, while intersecting the base <NUM> within the region <NUM>. The first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> extend within the region <NUM> and can extend past or outside of the region. The arrangement 200B is similar to the arrangement but for the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> intersecting each other at the base <NUM> within the region <NUM>.

A process for forming a lash extension includes depositing the first hair <NUM> across the region <NUM>, where the first hair includes the first proximal end 102PE and the first distal end 102DE. The region <NUM> intersects the first hair <NUM> between the first proximal end 102PE and the first distal end 102DE such that the first segment <NUM> of the first hair <NUM> is formed between the region <NUM> and the first proximal end 102PE. The process includes depositing the second hair <NUM> across the region <NUM>, where the second hair <NUM> includes the second proximal end 104PE and the second distal end 104DE. The region <NUM> intersects the second hair <NUM> between the second proximal end 104PE and the second distal end 104DE such that the second segment <NUM> of the second hair is formed between the region <NUM> and the second proximal end 104PE. The process includes forming the base <NUM> at the region <NUM> to cause the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> to be secured to the base <NUM>. The process includes heating the first hair and the second hair at the region to melt the first hair and the second hair to form the base such that the first hair and the second hair are heat fused with the base. For example, the process can include depositing the first hair and depositing the second hair to respectively cause each of the first segment and the second segment to have a length between about <NUM> millimeters to about <NUM> millimeters. For example, the process can include cutting the first segment <NUM> at a first point between the base <NUM> and the first proximal end 102PE such that the first segment <NUM> still extends from the base <NUM> to the first point after the first segment <NUM> is cut at the first point and cutting the second segment <NUM> at a second point between the base <NUM> and the second proximal end 104PE such that the second segment <NUM> still extends from the base <NUM> to the second point after the second segment <NUM> is cut at the second point. For example, the process can include cutting the first segment causes the first segment to have a first length from the base to the first point, where the first length is between about <NUM> millimeters to about <NUM> millimeters. For example, the process can include cutting the second segment causes the second segment to have a second length from the base to the second point, where the second length is between about <NUM> millimeters to about <NUM> millimeters. For example, the process can include causing the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> to intersect each other at the base <NUM>. For example, the process can include each of the first hair and the second hair includes polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or another suitable material. For example, the process can include the base <NUM> may be formed of or include PBT. For example, the process can include other fibers that are melted onto the first hair <NUM> or the second hair <NUM>, if not already there yet. Note that these processes can be reversed. For example, in some embodiments, the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> are deposited and then the base <NUM> is formed over the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM>, as described herein. However, in some embodiments, the base <NUM> is formed and then the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> are deposited over the base <NUM>, as described herein. Note that this process, or any specific steps thereof, can be combined and/or mixed-and-matched with any other processes described herein.

Another process for forming a lash extension includes depositing the first hair <NUM> having the first proximal end 102PE and the first distal end 102DE across the base <NUM> such that the base <NUM> intersects the first hair <NUM> between the first proximal end 102PE and the first distal end 102DE thereby forming the first segment <NUM> of the first hair <NUM> between the base <NUM> and the first proximal end 102PE. The process includes depositing the second hair <NUM> having the second proximal end 104PE and the second distal end 104DE across the base <NUM> such that the base <NUM> intersects the second hair <NUM> between the second proximal end 104PE and the second distal end 104DE thereby forming the second segment <NUM> of the second hair <NUM> between the base <NUM> and the second proximal end 104PE. The process includes causing the first hair <NUM> to be secured to the base <NUM> between the first proximal end 102PE and the first distal end 102DE and the second hair <NUM> to be secured to the base <NUM> between the second proximal end 104PE and the second distal end 104DE. Depositing the first hair <NUM> and depositing the second hair <NUM> is such that the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> intersect each other at the base <NUM>. For example, the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can be spaced apart from each other along the base <NUM>. The first hair <NUM> is included in a first cluster of hair and the second hair <NUM> is included in a second cluster of hair. For example, the first cluster of hair and the second cluster of hair can be spaced apart from each other along the base <NUM>. Each of the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> are a synthetic hair. For example, each of the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). For example, the base <NUM> can have a thickness between about <NUM> millimeters and about <NUM> millimeters. For example, the base <NUM> can include a string connected to the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM>. For example, the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can be monolithic with the base <NUM>. The first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> are heat fused with the base <NUM>. For example, the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can be not monolithic with the base <NUM>. For example, the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> can be identical in length or not identical in length. For example, each of the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> can have a length between about <NUM> millimeters to about <NUM> millimeters. Note that this process, or any specific steps thereof, can be combined and/or mixed-and-matched with any other processes described herein.

It is further herein disclosed a process for forming a lash extension that may include depositing the base <NUM> across the first hair <NUM> having the first proximal end 102PE and the first distal end 102DE such that the base <NUM> intersects the first hair <NUM> between the first proximal end 102PE and the first distal end 102DE and such that the first segment of hair <NUM> is formed between the base <NUM> and the first proximal end 102PE. The process may include depositing the base <NUM> across the second hair <NUM> having the second proximal end 104PE and the second distal end 104DE such that the base <NUM> intersects the second hair <NUM> between the second proximal end 104PE and the second distal end 104DE and such that the second segment of hair <NUM> is formed between the base <NUM> and the second proximal end 104PE. The process may include causing the base <NUM> to be secured to the first hair <NUM> between the first proximal end 102PE and the first distal end 102DE and to the second hair <NUM> between the second proximal end 104PE and the second distal end 104DE. For example, depositing the base <NUM> across the first hair <NUM> and depositing the base <NUM> across the second hair <NUM> can be such that the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> intersect each other at the base <NUM>. For example, the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can be spaced apart from each other along the base <NUM>. For example, the first hair <NUM> can be included in a first cluster of hair and the second hair <NUM> can be included in a second cluster of hair. For example, the first cluster of hair and the second cluster of hair can be spaced apart from each other along the base <NUM>. For example, each of the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can be a synthetic hair. For example, each of the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can include polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). For example, the base <NUM> can have a thickness between about <NUM> millimeters and about <NUM> millimeters. For example, the base <NUM> can include a string connected to the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM>. For example, the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can be monolithic with the base <NUM>. For example, the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can be heat fused with the base <NUM>. For example, the first hair <NUM> and the second hair <NUM> can be not monolithic with the base. For example, the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> can be identical in length or not identical in length. For example, each of the first segment <NUM> and the second segment <NUM> can have a length between about <NUM> millimeters to about <NUM> millimeters. Note that this process, or any specific steps thereof, can be combined and/or mixed-and-matched with any other processes described herein.

Claim 1:
A lash extension (<NUM>) comprising:
a first cluster of hair comprising a first synthetic hair (<NUM>) and a second cluster of hair comprising a second synthetic hair (<NUM>), wherein each of the first synthetic hair (<NUM>) and the second synthetic hair (<NUM>) have a proximal end (102PE, 104PE) and a distal end (102DE, 104DE); and
a base (<NUM>), characterized in that the base intersects each synthetic hair (<NUM>, <NUM>) between the proximal end (102PE, 104PE) and the distal end (102DE, 104DE), wherein the first synthetic hair (<NUM>) of the first cluster intersects the second synthetic hair (<NUM>) of the second cluster at the base (<NUM>), wherein a first segment (<NUM>) of each synthetic hair (<NUM>, <NUM>) extends between the base (<NUM>) and the proximal end (102PE, 104PE) and a second segment of each synthetic hair (<NUM>, <NUM>) extends between the base (<NUM>) and the distal end (102DE, 104DE).