Patent Application
20230309675
The present invention is directed a curling device for curling eye lashes of a user.
There have been multiple ways proposed to enhance the curve of natural eyelashes. One prior art device employs mechanical crescent shaped clamping jaws, with two plastic inserts in the “mouth” of the jaws, two arms, and two finger holes used similarly to scissors, where you insert your thumb finger and index finger into the holes and squeeze the arms to clamp your eyelashes between the crescent shaped clamping jaws. There are multiple problems that arise when these devices are used for the intended purpose of adding curve to a natural shaped eyelash. The eyelash fits into the clamp and the clamp is squeezed upon it to form a curve. However, the mechanics of this device do not actually curl or curve the eyelash, they crimp it, sharply bending it into a 90 degree angle, ending up with the eyelash straight and perpendicular to the face. Another issue is that it pulls eyelashes out when they get stuck to the plastic portion of the clamping jaws. A further issue is that the eyelid skin can become stuck between the clamping jaws causing injury to the eye area. Once the user puts the device in front of the eye, and the lashes into the clamp, one cannot see behind the device to make sure the eyelid skin isn't going to get pinched. In addition, the entire device is difficult to clean, and when dirty the plastic inserts frequently stick together; when this happens the plastic pieces pull out of the mouth of the clamping jaw and need to be re-inserted. Another problem is prior art devices are not able to be used comfortably or effectively by users with flat almond shaped eyes. This is due to the fact that the prior art devices have a pronounced curve which does not fit naturally against an eye having a flat almond shape. Furthermore, the pressure on the fingers is uncomfortable, and the grip where the user holds the device to perform the squeezing motion is unnatural and can be difficult to manipulate. The entire process is inefficient and ineffective at adding a curve or curl to the eyelash.
Another device issued comprises of a grip with a fixed ellipsoid curvature tongue at one end. A problem with this device is the shape of the fixed ellipsoid concave/convex tongue. This is because the concave shape of the tongue is in a downward facing position, towards a user's cheek, with the lashes against the face of the concave portion. Used as intended, this directs the user to scrape the eyelashes with the thumb against the face of the device in a downward facing motion, pulling the lashes downwards, not imparting an effective curl. Another problem is that the placement of the user's hand, and the motion intended to perform the task, does not optimize human wellbeing or aid in the overall hand coordination needed to produce a full upwards facing curl and only produces a slight curve in a few lashes at a time. Another problem is that the user has to repeat the action many times per eye as only a few eyelashes can be tended to at once. This repeated action, having to be done many times per eye, can cause shoulder, arm, and hand fatigue. Another problem is that when the thumb is placed in the intended face of the concave area, the usable surface area of the device is only as wide as the tip of the user's thumb, which can only pull a few lashes at a time. Another problem is when the grip is held between the index and middle fingers as intended the device is difficult for the user to maneuver without the aid of all the fingers. Another problem is that for the majority of action, the device is designed to utilize the tip of the user's thumb to grab the eyelashes and position them against the concave face of the device, however, if the user has false, or long, thumb nails they will poke into the eye while positioned to maneuver the device as intended. Another problem with this device is that to curl a portion of the eyelashes the device has to be positioned with the tip of the device facing straight into the user's eye which can be dangerous to the user. Another problem is that the device is also designed to be used as a mascara applicator, and mascara remover, which will render the specific eyelash curling portion difficult to sanitize or clean, and wasteful to the mascara if the wand needs to be removed and cleaned of usable makeup to sanitize the eyelash curling end. Another problem arises when the user has to remove and clean eye makeup remover clothes from the end of the curling portion for it to be used to be an eyelash curler. The user now has to sanitize the end of the curling portion to remove the eye makeup removing solution from it as the eye makeup remover residue will be imparted to the eyelash curler portion making the user's mascara less effective.
Another device proposed is a non-mechanical curler composed of a handle and convex piece of suitable material that when used as intended engages the tip of the thumb, pointing at the eye, to pull the lashes straight out and downwards. The modus operandi is similar to curling a feather. The problem with this device is that the handle is not designed to fit into the hand naturally when the thumb tip is facing the eyelashes, and may result in difficulty holding the device efficiently, particularly for a user with no experience. Another problem is that it requires the use of a mirror along with the use of both the left and right hand. This may also be difficult for users that are not ambidextrous, or lack the same ability to use both hands for minute work near the eyeball safely. Another problem is that similar to the aforementioned device, the convex edge of this device can only attend to very few eyelashes at once, requiring the user to have to repeat the curling motion many times per eye. Finally, this device allows only one portion of the curling area to be used in a longitudinal direction.
The devices that have been proposed, with a concave/convex spoon shaped curling end, and incorporate the tip of the thumb to drag a user's eyelashes across said curved face, cannot give the user the most effective curl desired due to the fundamental shape of the device and the position of the thumb, with the thumb tip being used to pull the eyelashes to curl, and the thumb tip and device directly facing the eyeball. The mechanics of the curve, and placement of the thumb, give the user only a minute amount of surface area to gather only a very few lashes to curl at once, forcing the user to have to repeat the curling motion many times per eye. The prior are devices requiring a motion that the user has to perform to obtain a curl which drags the eyelashes down, expecting them to pop back up, but for the most part end up pulling lashes out of the eye when pulled in this fashion. The eyelashes also do not spring back but only form a very slight curve, which doesn't give the user the full curl desired. Additionally, the thumb tip being placed in a position to point directly into the user's eye is impossible for user's with long thumb nails, and potentially dangerous to the eye area. The user cannot get the intended tip of the thumb to the root of the lashes as the user's eyeball will be in the way of the user's thumbnail. The tip of the device, pointing straight into the user's eye when used as intended, is also a potential hazard.
Thus, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method for curling eyelashes that addressed the problems described above.
According to aspects illustrated herein, there is disclosed a curling device for curling eye lashes which includes a handle extending along a longitudinal axis thereof; and a curling blade extending from the handle along the longitudinal axis, the curling blade having a first lateral face and a second lateral face, each of the first lateral face and the second lateral face being flat, the curling blade having a contact edge, the contact edge longitudinally from the handle and terminating at a distal end of the curling blade, and the contact edge extending laterally between the first lateral face and the second lateral face.
The present invention also includes a method for using the curling device.
Any of the foregoing embodiments may be combined.
Referring now to the Figures, which are exemplary embodiments, and wherein the like elements are numbered alike:
As shown in
In some embodiments, the contact edge 33 is flat. In some embodiments, contact edge 33, 35 is perpendicular to the first lateral face 38A and the second lateral face 38B. In some embodiments, a portion of the contact edge 33 between a point 31 and a second point 34 is parallel to the longitudinal axis L. In some embodiments, a portion of the contact edge 35 has an arcuate section between the point 34 and the distal end 32. The portion of the contact edge 35 with the arcuate section curves inwardly toward the longitudinal axis L and terminates at the distal end 32 of the curling blade 30. The portion of the contact edge 35 with the arcuate section has a radius of curvature R1.
As shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments the handle 20 is made from a polymer based material such as a thermosetting plastic. In some embodiments, the curling blade 30 is manufactured from a metallic material such as stainless steel or brass. In some embodiments, the handle 20 and curling blade 30 are integrally formed as a single unitary piece. In some embodiments, the curling blade 30 is made from a polymer based material such as a thermosetting plastic. In some embodiments, the handle 20 and/or the curling blade 30 are made from a composite material. In some embodiments, where the curling blade 30 is manufactured from a polymer based material such as a thermosetting plastic, the contact edge 33, 35 has a metallic edge insert therein.
There is disclosed herein a method for curling eye lashes. The method can be achieved with the curling device 10 grasped by either the user's right or left hand for the full duration of the curling process. While the method disclosed herein can be performed with either the right or left hand of the user, the method is described herein assuming the curling device 10 is held in the right hand and starts with the left upper eyelashes. If the curling device is held in the left hand the curling process would begin with the right upper eyelashes. While the method is described with the curling device held in the user's right hand and starting with the left upper eye lashes, the present method is not limited in this regard as the user can decide to start with either the left or righteye, and with the device being held in either hand for one or both eyes, adjusting the method per hand and device position per eye to suit the curling process. If the user is more comfortable using firstly the left hand for the right eye and secondly the right hand for the left eye this is also included in the present method, as the curling device is designed to be used bi-directionally.
The method includes the following steps in the order presented below.
Step 1—Providing a curling device 10 having a handle 20 extending along a longitudinal axis L thereof and a curling blade 30 extending from the handle 20, along the longitudinal axis L, the curling blade 30 having a first lateral face 38A and a second lateral face 38B, each of the first lateral face 38A and the second lateral face 38B being flat, the curling blade 30 having a contact edge 33, 35, the contact edge 33, 35 extending longitudinally from the handle 20 and terminating at a distal end 32 of the curling blade 30, and the contact edge 33, 35 extending laterally between the first lateral face 38A and the second lateral face 38B.
Step 2—Gripping the handle 20 of the curling device 10 in either hand with the outer surface of the middle phalanx's facing towards the users face and the pad of the distal phalanx along the bottom edge 24 of the handle, with the wrist and hand being parallel to the user's face.
Step 3—Positioning the curling device 10 in front of the user's eye with the distal end 32 of the curling blade 30 nearest the user's nose.
Step 4—Gently, but firmly, pinch approximately half of the user's upper eyelashes, beginning at the base of the upper eyelashes, at the inner corner of the user's eye between the pad of the distal phalanx and the contact edge 33, 35 of the curling blade 30.
Step 5—Rolling in one motion the user's wrist upwards, gently but firmly pulling the upper eyelashes through the pad of the distal phalanx and the contact edge 33, 35, resulting in the proximal phalanx's now being positioned in front of the eye and the wrist and hand being at a 90 degree angle.
Step 6—Releasing the curled upper eyelash.
Step 7—Moving the curling device 10 to the base of remaining half of upper lashes at outer edge of eye and with distal end 32 of curling blade 30 still pointing towards the user's nose repeat the curling process.
Step 8—For the next eye, gripping curling device 10 bring across the user's face to position the contact edge 33, 35 of curling blade away from the nose, pointing towards the ear.
Step 9—Gently, but firmly, at base of upper lashes, pinch approximately half of the upper eyelashes at the outer corner of the eye between the pad of the distal phalanx and the contact edge 33, 35 of the curling blade 30.
Step 10—In one motion, rolling the user's wrist upwards, gently but firmly pulling the upper eyelashes through the pad of the distal phalanx and the contact edge 33, 35, resulting in the proximal phalanx's now being positioned in front of the eye and the user's wrist and hand being at a 90 degree angle.
Step 11—Releasing the curled upper eyelash.
Step 12—Moving curling device to remaining half of upper lashes, gripping at base of upper lashes, at inner edge of eye, with contact edge 33, 35 of curling blade 30 still pointing away from the nose and towards the ear, and repeat the curling process.
Step 13—Release curled upper eyelashes.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications, adaptations and variations of the foregoing specific disclosure can be made without departing from the scope of the invention claimed herein. The various features and elements of the invention described herein may be combined in a manner different than the specific examples described or claimed herein without departing from the scope of the invention. In other words, any element or feature may be combined with any other element or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obvious or inherent incompatibility between the two, or it is specifically excluded.
References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portions of the specification.
The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “a plant” includes a plurality of such plants. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology, such as “solely,” “only,” and the like, in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a “negative” limitation. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.
The term “and/or” means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated. The phrase “one or more” is readily understood by one of skill in the art, particularly when read in context of its usage.
Each numerical or measured value in this specification is modified by the term “about”. The term “about” can refer to a variation of ±5%, ±10%, ±20%, or ±25% of the value specified. For example, “about 50” percent can in some embodiments carry a variation from 45 to 55 percent. For integer ranges, the term “about” can include one or two integers greater than and/or less than a recited integer at each end of the range. Unless indicated otherwise herein, the term “about” is intended to include values and ranges proximate to the recited range that are equivalent in terms of the functionality of the composition, or the embodiment.
As will be understood by the skilled artisan, all numbers, including those expressing quantities of reagents or ingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions, and so forth, are approximations and are understood as being optionally modified in all instances by the term “about.” These values can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings of the descriptions herein. It is also understood that such values inherently contain variability necessarily resulting from the standard deviations found in their respective testing measurements.
As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges recited herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof, as well as the individual values making up the range, particularly integer values. A recited range includes each specific value, integer, decimal, or identity within the range. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, or tenths. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc.
As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, all language such as “up to”, “at least”, “greater than”, “less than”, “more than”, “or more”, and the like, include the number recited and such terms refer to ranges that can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. In the same manner, all ratios recited herein also include all sub-ratios falling within the broader ratio. Accordingly, specific values recited for radicals, substituents, and ranges, are for illustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or other values within defined ranges for radicals and substituents.
One skilled in the art will also readily recognize that where members are grouped together in a common manner, such as in a Markush group, the invention encompasses not only the entire group listed as a whole, but each member of the group individually and all possible subgroups of the main group. Additionally, for all purposes, the invention encompasses not only the main group, but also the main group absent one or more of the group members. The invention therefore envisages the explicit exclusion of any one or more of members of a recited group. Accordingly, provisos may apply to any of the disclosed categories or embodiments whereby any one or more of the recited elements, species, or embodiments, may be excluded from such categories or embodiments, for example, as used in an explicit negative limitation.
This application claims priority to commonly owned and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/325,848 filed Mar. 31, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63325848 | Mar 2022 | US |
