BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cosmetic items, and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for packaging and applying an artificial eyelash and a method for applying the packaged artificial eyelash.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an alternative to or in addition to mascara, eyelash lengthening, darkening or thickening may be accomplished by attaching artificial eyelashes to a user's eyelids to enhance the appearance of eyelashes. Such artificial eyelashes are generally secured to the user's eyelids by an adhesive.
The artificial eyelashes may be manually applied to an eyelid with the user's fingers. Specifically, an artificial eyelash may be gripped by the fingers, bent to a selected curvature, and applied to the eyelid. Applicators have been introduced for use in artificial eyelash application. Effective application requires the proper adjustment for curvature of the user's eyelid, and also requires accurate placement of the artificial eyelash. However, typically, the location of the user's hands, fingers and the applicator, which are proximate to the user's eye during application, may obstruct the user's view in a mirror, making proper placement of the artificial eyelash difficult.
The adhesive used to secure the artificial eyelash to the user's eyelid can adhere to the user's fingers and/or the applicator, requiring excessive handling of the artificial eyelash and causing unwanted distortion and bending of the artificial eyelash. Existing applicator devices also do not adequately allow for effective application of the artificial eyelash on different eye shapes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made to address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for packaging and applying an artificial eyelash and a method for applying the packaged artificial eyelash.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for packaging and applying artificial eyelashes. The apparatus includes a packaging tray having a top surface, and at least one artificial eyelash applicator integrated with the top surface of the packaging tray through at least one attachment point, and removable from the packaging tray when the at least one attachment point is broken.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for packaging and applying artificial eyelashes is provided. The apparatus includes a packaging tray having a top surface and one or more receiving slits in the top surface. The apparatus also includes at least one artificial eyelash applicator attached to the top surface of the packaging tray via insertion of at least one portion of the artificial eyelash applicator into the one or more receiving slits.
According to an additional aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for applying artificial eyelashes. The apparatus includes a main body upon which an artificial eyelash is disposed. The apparatus also includes two legs extending from the main body for handling the at least one artificial eyelash applicator, one disposed at each end of the main body.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for applying an artificial eyelash is provided. Force is applied to at least one leg of an artificial eyelash applicator integrated with a top surface of a packaging tray such that at least one attachment point between the artificial eyelash applicator and the packaging tray breaks. The artificial eyelash applicator is removed from the packaging tray. An artificial eyelash is disposed on the artificial eyelash applicator. The artificial eyelash is applied to an eyelid of a user using the artificial eyelash applicator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a top view of a packaging tray for artificial eyelashes, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a side view of the packaging tray for artificial eyelashes, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an artificial eyelash applicator integrated with the packaging tray, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a series of diagrams illustrating removal of the artificial eyelash applicator from the packaging tray, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the artificial eyelash applicator removed from the packaging tray, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an artificial eyelash applicator integrated with the packaging tray, according to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a perspective view of the packaging tray for artificial eyelashes, according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 provides diagrams illustrating top and bottom surfaces of the artificial eyelash applicator, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a side view of the artificial eyelash applicator, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating an artificial eyelash application methodology, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating perspective views of an artificial eyelash applicator integrated with a packaging tray, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating perspective views of the artificial eyelash applicator of FIG. 11, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating removal of a cover layer from an adhesive layer of the artificial eyelash applicator, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar components may be designated by the same or similar reference numerals although they are illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions of constructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. Further, in the following description of the present invention, various specific definitions found in the following description are provided only to provide a general understanding of the present invention, and it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented without such definitions.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a diagram illustrates a top view of a packaging tray 100 for artificial eyelashes, according to an embodiment of the present invention. A top surface of the packaging tray 100 of FIG. 1 includes first and second integrated artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104. The first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 are attached to the packaging tray 100 and lie in-line with the contours are of the top surface of the packaging tray 100. While the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1 shows two artificial eyelash applicators, any number of artificial eyelash applicators may be integrated into the top surface of the packaging tray 100. First artificial eyelash applicator 102 has a first main body 106 and two corresponding legs 108a and 108b, while second artificial eyelash applicator 104 has a second main body 110 and two corresponding legs 112a and 112b. The corresponding legs 108a, 108b, 112a and 112b extend in substantially the same direction from one of the main bodies 106 and 110. While the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1 shows artificial eyelash applicators having two legs, any number of legs may be provided that also allow for proper application of the artificial eyelash. Further, the main bodies 106 and 110 are shown having a slightly concave curvature that results in a slight wishbone shape of the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104.
First and second artificial eyelashes 114 and 116 are disposed on and temporarily adhered to the main bodies 106 and 110 of the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104, respectively. Base portions of the first and second artificial eyelashes 114 rest on first and second contoured projections 118 and 120 of the packaging tray 100. The first and second contoured projections 118 and 120 are disposed on a side of the main bodies 106 and 110 opposite that from which the corresponding legs 108a, 108b, 112a and 112b extend.
Both the packaging tray 100 and the integrated artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 may be composted a synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solid, such as, for example, a lightweight or thin plastic or polymer.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a diagram illustrates a side view of the packaging tray 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The second artificial eyelash 116 is disposed on the second artificial eyelash applicator 104 in a specific position. The second contoured projection 120 of the packaging tray 100 supports this specific position of the artificial eyelash 116. More specifically, in this embodiment of the present invention, an angle from which the second artificial eyelash 116 extends from its own base is preferably approximately 20-30 degrees from a vertical line representing the top surface of the packaging tray 100. Accordingly, a front surface of the second contoured projection 120 that supports the base of the second artificial eyelash 116 is also angled at 20-30 degrees from the vertical line of the packaging tray 100. The first artificial eyelash 114 and the first contoured projection 118 are angled in a similar manner. This angled disposition of the first and second artificial eyelashes 114 and 116 allow for proper display when the first and second contoured projections 118 and 120 are envisioned as the eyelids of the user. Further, this angled disposition maintains the first and second artificial eyelashes 114 and 116 in the proper shape so that they are not damaged within the packaging.
FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates the first artificial eyelash applicator 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 provides a view of the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 prior to application of the first artificial eyelash 114. As described above with respect to FIG. 1, the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 includes the first main body 106 and two corresponding legs 108a and 108b. The second eyelash applicator 104 has a configuration that is substantially identical to that described herein with respect to FIG. 3.
The first artificial eyelash applicator 102 is integrated with the packaging tray 100 through four attachment points 122a-122d. The remaining portions and edges of the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 are detached from the packaging tray 100. The four attachment points 122a-122d are preferably disposed on each side of the first main body 106 proximate to an area where the corresponding legs 108a and 108b meet the first main body 106. The four attachment points 122a-122d maintain the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 in-line with the contours of the packaging tray 100. The first artificial eyelash applicator 102 is removed from the packaging tray by breaking the four attachment points 122a-122d. While this embodiment of the present invention illustrates four attachment points 122a-122d, any number of connection points may be utilized that maintain the artificial eyelash applicator 102 in the proper position with respect to this embodiment and also allow for removal of the artificial eyelash applicator 102 from the packaging tray 100.
The first artificial eyelash applicator 102 also includes a flexible region 124. The flexible region 124 is disposed in a central portion of the first main body 106. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexible region 124 is cut to an accordion shape so that the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 is easily bent when the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 is being used to apply the first artificial eyelash 114, which will be described in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 10.
Further, with respect to FIG. 3, the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 is shown to include a portion of the first contoured projection 118. More specifically, when the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 is removed from the packaging tray 100 a portion of the first contoured projection is also removed. Thus, the main body 106 of the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 includes both a substantially horizontal portion and a substantially vertical portion, which form a ledge-like shape. This shape of the main body 106 allows for easier retention of the first artificial eyelash 114, when the artificial eyelash applicator 102 is being used and the first artificial eyelash 114 is being applied.
The main body 106 of the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 also includes first and second corner regions 126a and 126b. The first corner region 126a is disposed at a portion of the first main body 106 that meets the first leg 108a, and the second corner region 126b is disposed at a portion of the first main body 106 that meets the second leg 108b. Adhesive is applied at both the first and second corner regions 126a and 126b for temporary adhesion of the first artificial eyelash 114 to the first main body 106 of the first artificial eyelash applicator 102. Adhesive may be applied to a top surface of the main body 106 in the first and second corner regions 126a and 126b, or adhesive may be applied from a bottom surface of the main body 106 through apertures in the first and second corner regions 126a and 126b, as described in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 8.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a series of diagrams illustrate removal of the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 from the packaging tray 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 lie in-line with the contours of the top surface of the packaging tray 100 when integrated with packaging tray 100. When it is desired to remove the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104, a portion of the first and second artificial eyelash applicators must extend out from the packaging tray 100 so that the user is able to grip a portion of the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 for removal. Thus, the user preferably bends the packaging tray 100 along an axis ‘a’ that runs parallel with lengths of the first and second main bodies 106 and 110, thereby causing the corresponding legs 108a, 108b, 112a and 112b to extend outwardly at an angle from the top surface of the packaging tray 100. This allows the user to grip the corresponding legs 108a, 108b, 112a and 112b and break the four connection points 122a-122d when force is applied, removing the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 from the packaging tray 100. An independent artificial eyelash applicator with an adhered artificial eyelash after removal from the packaging tray 100 is illustrated in FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 represents both the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 with the first artificial eyelash 114 and the second artificial eyelash applicator 104 with the second artificial eyelash 116.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 integrated with the packaging tray 100, according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 6 only differs from FIG. 3 in the number of attachment points integrating the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 with the packaging tray 100. Accordingly a detailed description of the elements of FIG. 6 can be found above with reference to FIG. 3. The second eyelash applicator 104 has a configuration that is substantially identical to that described herein with respect to FIG. 6.
In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6, the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 is only connected to the packaging tray 100 at attachment points 122a and 122b. Accordingly, less force is required to remove the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 from the packaging tray 100. Further, the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 does not lie in-line with the contours of the packaging tray 100 when integrated with the packaging tray 100. While this embodiment of the present invention illustrates two attachment points 122a and 122b, any number of connection points may be utilized that maintain the artificial eyelash applicator 102 in the proper position with respect to this embodiment, and also allow for removal of the artificial eyelash applicator 102 from the packaging tray 100.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a diagram illustrates a perspective view of the packaging tray 100 for artificial eyelashes, according to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 6. Specifically, FIG. 7 clearly illustrates that the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 do not lie in-line with the contours of the packaging tray 100 when only two attachment points 122a and 122b are provided. Instead the corresponding legs 108a, 108b, 112a and 112b project outwardly at an angle from the top surface of the packaging tray 100. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ends of the corresponding legs 108a, 108b, 112a and 112b are approximately 3-6 millimeters (mm) away from the top surface of the packaging tray.
Accordingly, in the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the packaging tray 100 does not need to be bent in order for the corresponding legs 108a, 108b, 112a and 112b to project outwardly, and easier access is provided to the user.
Although the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 are disposed differently in FIGS. 6 and 7, the artificial eyelashes 114 and 116 are disposed in the same manner and at the same angle as described above with respect to FIG. 2. Further, when the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 are removed from the packaging tray 100 in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, they are still embodied as described above with respect to FIG. 5.
Referring now to FIG. 8, diagrams illustrate top and bottom surfaces of the artificial eyelash applicator, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described above with respect to FIG. 3, in order to adhere the first artificial eyelash 114 to the first artificial eyelash applicator 102, adhesive may be applied to a top surface of the first main body 106 in the first and second corner regions 126a and 126b, or adhesive may be applied from a bottom surface of the main body 106 through apertures in the first and second corner regions 126a and 126b. The embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 illustrates first and second apertures 128a and 128b in the first and second corner regions 126a and 126b. Adhesive surfaces 130a and 130b, such as tape, is applied to the bottom surface of the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 over the first and second apertures 128a and 128b. Thus, the adhesive is accessed from the top surface of the main body 106 of the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 through each of the first and second apertures 128a and 128b for application of the first artificial eyelash 114. The second eyelash applicator 104 may have a configuration that is substantially identical to that described herein with respect to FIG. 8.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a side view of the first artificial eyelash applicator 102, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first artificial eyelash 114 is disposed on and adhered to the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 in a manner that allows for easy application. Specifically, the first artificial eyelash 114 is disposed such that hands, fingers and the first artificial eyelash applicator 102, which are proximate to the user's eye during application, do not obstruct the user's view in a mirror when placing the first artificial eyelash 114 on the user's eyelid. A line extending through the length of the base of the first artificial eyelash 114 is preferably at an angle of approximately 10-30 degrees from a vertical line of the top surface of the packaging tray 100 or the first artificial eyelash applicator 201, in this embodiment of the present invention. This angle allows for proper sight lines during application of the first artificial eyelash 114. The second eyelash applicator 104 has a configuration that is substantially identical to that described herein with respect to FIG. 9.
Referring now to FIG. 10, a flow diagram illustrates an artificial eyelash application methodology, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The methodology begins in at block 1002 when the packaging tray 100 is bent by a user so that the corresponding legs 108a, 108b, 112a and 112b of the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 are moved so that they are no longer in-line with contours of the top surface of the packaging tray 100. Instead, the corresponding legs 108a, 108b, 112a and 112b now project outwardly at an angle from the top surface of the packaging tray 100. As described above with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7, block 1002 may be skipped in the methodology, when the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 are connected to the packaging tray 100 at fewer attachment points.
In block 1004, a force is applied to at least one leg of one of the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104, such that the attachment points between the artificial eyelash applicator and the packaging tray 100 break. In block 1006, the artificial eyelash applicator is removed from the packaging tray. The artificial eyelash remains disposed on and adhered to the artificial eyelash applicator.
In order to apply the artificial eyelash, an adhesive at the base of the artificial eyelash is activated, by moisture for example, in block 1008. The user then bends the artificial eyelash applicator to shape the artificial eyelash to the contours of the user's eyelid, in block 1010, and applies the base of the artificial eyelash to the user's eyelid using the artificial eyelash applicator, in block 1012. As described above with respect to FIG. 9, the artificial eyelash is disposed on the applicator such that hands, fingers and the applicator itself do not obstruct the user's view in a mirror when placing the artificial eyelash on the user's eyelid. When adhered to the user's eyelid, the artificial eyelash applicator is removed from the artificial eyelash, in block 1014. The artificial eyelash applicator is able to be removed because it has a weaker adhesive than that between the artificial eyelash and the user's eyelid.
Referring now to FIGS. 11A and 11B, diagrams illustrate perspective views of an artificial eyelash applicator integrated with a packaging tray, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A illustrates artificial eyelash applicators arranged side by side, while FIG. 11B illustrates artificial eyelash applicators arranged above and below each other. A packaging tray 1100, a first artificial eyelash applicator 1102, and a second artificial eyelash applicator 1104 have substantially the same shape as the corresponding components described with respect to FIGS. 1-9. However, the packaging tray 1100 also includes a plurality of primary receiving slits 1132a-1132d. Each of the plurality of primary receiving slits 1132a-1132d receives a corresponding end of legs 1108a, 1108b, 1112a and 1112b of the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 1102 and 1104. Specifically, a first primary receiving slit 1132a receives an end of a first leg 1108a of the first artificial eyelash applicator 1102. A second primary receiving slit 1132b receives an end of a first leg 1112a of the second artificial eyelash applicator 1104. A third primary receiving slit 1132c receives an end of a second leg 1108b of the first eyelash applicator 1102. A fourth primary receiving slit 1132d receives an end of a second leg 1112b of the second eyelash applicator 1104.
The packaging tray 1100 of FIG. 11 also includes a plurality of secondary receiving slits 1134a-1134d. Each of the plurality of secondary receiving slits 1134a-1134d receives an extension from a corresponding end of first and second main bodies 1106 and 1110 of the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 1102 and 1104. Specifically, a first secondary receiving slit 1134a receives an extension from first end of a first main body 1106 of the first artificial eyelash applicator 1102. A second secondary receiving slit 1134b receives an extension from a second opposing end of the first main body 1106 of the first artificial eyelash applicator 1102. A third secondary receiving slit 1134c receives an extension from a first end of the second main body 1110 of the second artificial eyelash applicator 1104. A fourth secondary receiving slit 1134d receives an extension from a second opposing end of the second main body 1110 of the second artificial eyelash applicator 1104. The primary and secondary receiving slits 1132a-1134d assist in maintaining the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 1102 and 1104 in the packaging tray 1100. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this number and configuration of receiving slits. Specifically, any number and configuration of receiving slits may be used that achieve the object of maintaining the artificial eyelash applicators in the packaging tray.
Referring now to FIGS. 12A and 12B, diagrams illustrate perspective views of the artificial eyelash applicator of FIGS. 11A and 11B, according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12A shows the first artificial eyelash applicator 1102 having a cover layer 1136 that is disposed on top of an adhesive layer 1138. The cover layer 1136 is precut in an area on each of the first leg 1108a and the second leg 1108b, which allows for removal of the cover layer 1136 to expose the adhesive layer 1138 beneath. This removal is described in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 13A and 13B. The cover layer 1136 covers a portion of the first main body 1106. A remaining portion of the first main body 1106 has the adhesive layer 1138 exposed. The adhesive layer 1138 is exposed on this remaining portion of the first main body 1106 for attachment of the artificial eyelash, as illustrated in FIG. 12B.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating removal of a cover layer from an adhesive layer of the artificial eyelash applicator of FIG. 11, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13A, the first and second legs 1108a and 1108b are bent such that tabs 1140a and 1140b are exposed. The tabs 1140a and 1140b are precut in the cover layer 1136 in a midsection of each of the first and second legs 1108a and 1108b. The cover layer 1136 is then peeled away from the adhesive layer 1138 using the tabs 1140a and 1140b, exposing the adhesive layer 1138 on the lower half of each of the first and second legs 1108a and 1108b. The adhesive layer 1138 allows for easier control of the artificial eyelash applicator during application. Specifically, the adhesive layer 1138 adheres to the fingers of a user during application of the artificial eyelash. The second artificial eyelash applicator 1104 may be embodied in a manner substantially identical to that described above in FIGS. 12A-13B with respect to the first artificial eyelash applicator 1104. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the positioning and shape of the precut lines and the removed portions of the cover layer on the first and second legs illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B. Further, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the shape, size or number of exposed adhesive portions on the main body as illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B. Specifically, any shape, configuration or number of exposed portions of adhesive layer may be used that achieve the object of the present invention.
The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 11A-13B may include a packaging tray constructed of a lightweight material, such as, for example, paper or cardboard. Further, the artificial eyelash applicators in this embodiment of the present invention may also be constructed of a lightweight material that includes a paper layer with an adhesive and a wax paper cover layer that covers the adhesive of the paper layer.
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Patent Application
20130160787
