EYE MAKEUP DEVICE

Abstract

An eye makeup device includes a carrier, which has a surface adapted to adhere to an eyelid of a person. The carrier includes pigment and further has a shape to form an eyeliner for eye shadow when applied to the eyelid of the person. In addition, a plurality of eye lashes are mounted to the carrier. For example, the carrier may comprise a textile, a film, and further may include pigments encapsulated in or applied to the carrier.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an eye makeup device, and more particularly to an eye makeup device that includes false eyelashes to enhance the appearance of a person's eyes.

False eyelashes can be intimidating to most people, because they are difficult to apply. Our eyes are not only vital, but also extremely sensitive and vulnerable. The first challenge is the adhesive, which must be used while wet, after being exposed to air, so that it's somewhat tacky, but before it dries to form the bond. Beyond this estimated, short window of opportunity, it's important to avoid using too much or too little glue. Too much glue could envelope the natural lashes and potentially cause the top and bottom lashes to bond, or create unsightly clumps, which in both cases could lead to eyelashes being unintentionally plucked out when trying to remove the false lashes or adhesive residue and irritate the eye. Too little adhesive could cause the false lash strips to unbind at certain points or fall off unexpectedly at an embarrassing moment. Furthermore, to achieve a natural look, it is usually best to integrate the false lashes with a person's real eyelashes, but this often results in the adhesive penetrating between the natural eyelashes, which can again lead to eyelashes being unintentionally plucked out when the false eyelashes or adhesive residue is removed. If the false eyelashes are adhered to the lid, adjacent to the edge of the lash line (roots of your natural lashes), it is then harder to create the appearance of a natural seamless line resulting in a gap or uneven, crooked application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides an eye makeup device with false eyelashes that can eliminate the need to apply adhesive to the lash line (at the root of the eyelashes) while still being able to locate the false eyelashes at the root of the person's natural eyelashes so that they can be integrated with a person's natural eyelashes.

In one form of the invention, an eye makeup device includes a carrier that has a surface adapted to adhere to an eyelid of a person. The carrier has a first portion with a shape to follow the edge of the eye lid inward of the person's lash line and a second portion with a shape to follow the edge of the eyelid along the lash line (at roots of a person's natural lashes. The second portion is joined with the first portion and also supports a plurality of false eyelashes.

In one aspect, the second portion is free of an applied adhesive, though it may have self-adhesive properties.

In another form of the invention, an eye makeup device includes a carrier that has a surface adapted to adhere to an eyelid of a person. The carrier has a first portion with shape to follow the edge of the eye lid inward of the lash line and a second portion with a shape to follow the edge of the eyelid along the lash line, which is self-adhesive. The second portion is joined with the first portion and also supports a plurality of false eyelashes.

In yet another form of the invention, an eye makeup device includes a carrier that has a surface adapted to adhere to an eyelid of a person. The carrier includes pigment and further has a shape to form an eyeliner or eye shadow when applied to the eyelid of the person. The device also includes a plurality of false eyelashes mounted to the carrier.

In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may comprise a textile.

In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may comprise a film.

In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may comprise a matrix with pigments encapsulated in the matrix.

In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may be water soluble.

In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may be translucent.

In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier gas may be gas permeable.

In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may be foraminous.

In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may comprise first and second films joined together to form the carrier.

In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier has a portion that is shaped to form eye shadow.

In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier is formed from a material having self-adhesive properties. For example, the material may have self-adhesive properties when moistened.

In any of the above eye makeup devices, the carrier may include a first portion and a second portion, with the first portion having adhesive properties, and the second portion forming a non-adhesive portion, and the lashes being mounted to said second portion.

According to another form of the invention, a false eyelash assembly is formed by providing a carrier with an adhesive free portion and an adhesive portion. The false eyelashes are then mounted to the non-adhesive portion.

In one form, providing the carrier includes forming at least a portion of the carrier from a material having adhesive properties. For example, the material may have the adhesive properties when moistened.

In one form, providing the carrier includes providing pigment in or on at least a portion of the carrier. For example, the pigment may be embedded or applied to the carrier.

According to yet another form of the invention, a false eyelash assembly is formed by providing a carrier with a first portion with pigments to form an eyeliner and/or eye shadow and with a second portion, which supports a plurality of false eyelashes.

In one aspect, providing the carrier includes forming at least a portion, such as the first portion, of the carrier from a material having adhesive properties. For example, the material may have the adhesive properties when moistened.

In another aspect, providing the carrier with a first portion with pigments includes embedding or applying the pigment to the carrier.

In yet another form of the invention, a method of applying false lashes includes locating and aligning the roots of a plurality of false eyelashes adjacent the lash line of a person, and mounting a carrier that supports the false eyelashes to the eyelid inward of the lash line and inward of the roots of the natural eyelashes of the person.

In one aspect, the method further includes leaving the carrier free of adhesive where the false lashes align with the lash line.

Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of operation or to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention may be implemented in various other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in alternative ways not expressly disclosed herein. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. Further, enumeration may be used in the description of various embodiments. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the use of enumeration should not be construed as limiting the invention to any specific order or number of components. Nor should the use of enumeration be construed as excluding from the scope of the invention any additional steps or components that might be combined with or into the enumerated steps or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the eye makeup device of FIG. 1 applied to the eye lid of a person;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a compact holding a pair of the eye makeup devices of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is front elevation view of a pair of another embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is front elevation view of a pair of a third embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is front elevation view of a pair of a fourth embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is front elevation view of a pair of a fifth embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is front elevation view of a pair of a seventh embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is front elevation view of a pair of a tenth embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is front elevation view of a pair of an eleventh embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is front elevation view of a pair of a twelfth embodiment of an eye makeup device of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 is perspective view of the eye makeup device applied to the underside of the eye lid of a person.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the numeral 10 generally designates an eye makeup device of the present invention, which includes a plurality of false eyelashes. As will be more fully described below, device 10 is configured so that it can be applied to the eyelid in a manner to reduce the likelihood of a person's eyelashes being plucked when the device is removed. For example, device 10 may be configured to be applied to the eyelid in a manner to eliminate the need for a separate adhesive, at least in the region of the lash line. Further, device 10 may be configured so that it can either form an eye liner and/or eye shadow or provide a relatively smooth surface for eye liner or eye shadow application.

As best seen ion FIG. 2, device 10 includes a carrier 12 to which false eye lashes 14 are mounted. The lashes may be adhered to the carrier using conventional adhesives used in making false lashes. Carrier 12 may have two portions—an upper or first portion 16 and a lower or second portion 18. First portion 16 has an inner surface 16a adapted to adhere to an eyelid (either the upper side as shown in FIG. 2 or underside as shown in FIG. 13) of a person, and a shape to generally follow the shape of the person's eye lid inward of the lash line (i.e., inward of the roots of the person's natural lashes). Optionally, first portion 16 is shaped in the form of an eye liner so that when device is mounted to a person's eyelid device 10 will provide false eyelashes as well as eyeliner. Alternately, or in addition, as will more fully described below, first portion 16 may also form an eye shadow region.

In one aspect, at least first portion 16 may be configured to form a solid or translucent colored line to form eyeliner, such as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-7. Further, first portion 16 may be configured to adhere to a person's eyelid either through the properties of the material forming first portion 16, e.g. a self-adhesive material, but which is covered by a release sheet, which when removed allows first portion 16 to then be secured to a person's eyelid. Alternately, inner surface 16a may provide a surface for receiving an applied adhesive. In yet another form, an adhesive layer may be pre-applied to the inner surface of portion 16 during the manufacturing process, such as a pressure-sensitive adhesive, but which may also be covered by a release sheet, which when removed allows first portion 16 to then be secured to a person's eyelid.

Second portion 18 may comprise a non-adhesive portion or formed from a self-adhesive material, which forms the support for eye lashes 14 so that lashes 14 may be located and aligned along the lash line and over the roots of the natural lashes, where they can be meshed or interwoven with the person's natural lashes, but without the need for an applied adhesive. Though it should be understood that an adhesive may be used, including an applied adhesive, and optionally an applied adhesive which has a lower pull force or that is less sticky than conventional false eyelash adhesives.

Either one or both portions 16 and 18 may be colored or translucent to create eyeliner. For example, carrier 12 may be formed from a matrix with pigment suspended or embedded in the matrix. The matrix may be formed from a polymer that is flexible and may be configured as a film that can be applied over the eyelid to color a portion of the eyelid, for example, as noted a line that extends along the edge of the lid adjacent the roots of the person's natural eye lashes to form eye liner. Another suitable matrix may comprise a hydrophilic material, such a hydrogel film. Further, as noted, at least portion of the carrier may be self-adhesive though it can be removed easily without much risk, if any, of plucking any of the natural eyelashes. Optionally, the carrier may be adhesive when wetted or moistened.

Alternately or in addition, carrier 12 may be formed from a film, such as polymeric film. The film may have the pigment applied thereto, such as by coating, dipping or spraying, onto the film. Alternately, carrier 12 may be transparent and instead provide a smooth surface onto which makeup may be applied.

Second portion 18 generally follows the shape of a person's eye lid at the lash line, along the roots of a person's natural lashes, which is free of an applied adhesive or simply has self-adhesive properties, which eliminates the chances of any applied adhesive from running between the lashes and/or into the eyes of the wearer. The second portion is joined with the first portion so that it supports the false eyelashes spaced from any possible adhesive, which may be applied to portion 16. Optionally, second portion may be joined with the first portion at a fold or hinge line to allow the orientation of the lashes to remain generally constant even when the eyelid of the wearer moves.

Other suitable carriers include thin flexible textiles, such as tape, nylon/lycra, or latex based textiles. Optionally, carrier 12, or at least first portion 16, is water soluble to facilitate removal. For example, as noted carrier 12 or just first portion 16 may be made from a hydrogel or a gelatin or gelatin-like material that when wetted blends with the skin. Therefore, it should be understood that first portion 16 and second portion 18 may be formed from two different materials. Carrier 12 may also be gas and/or liquid permeable or generally porous or foraminous to allow both air and/or moisture pass through carrier 12, which can make the carrier more comfortable to wear.

In addition, carrier 12 may be formed from two or more films that are joined together to form the carrier. Suitable films include polymeric or hydrophilic materials. In this form, the pigment may be suspended or embedded on one or both films or may be applied to one or both inside or outer surfaces of each film. For example, each film may have inside and outer surfaces, with the inside surface of the outer film facing the outer surface of the inner film, and the inner surface of the inner film attaching to the eyelid. The outer surface of the outer film therefore forms the outer surface of the carrier. In this manner, as noted, the pigment maybe applied between the films on either facing surface so that the pigment is sealed in the carrier, or the pigment may be embedded in either one. Alternately, the pigment may be stamped into either film.

When forming carrier 12, the matrix or film may be cut into the desired shape (such as shown in FIGS. 1.2, 4-7 and 9-12) and further may have areas of weakened regions so that a user can tear off sections to adjust the shape. When applying the device, and when carrier 12 is formed from a self-adhesive material or includes a pre-applied adhesive layer, the carrier optionally includes a release sheet or tape which is then removed before positioning the carrier to align eye lashes 14 to along the lash line and thereafter applying and pressing the carrier to the eyelid. For example, as noted, carrier 12 may include at least a portion may from a self-adhesive material, such as a hygrogel or gelatin or gelatin-like material. Alternately, carrier 12 may include a layer of adhesive that is suitable for use on skin and in the eye area and which pre-applied during the manufacturing process, such as an epoxy based resin, an acrylic adhesive, or a rubber latex or the like, or which may be applied when applying the carrier to the eyelid using a conventional eye lash glue or other suitable adhesives.

Referring to FIG. 3, a pair of devices 10 may be stored in a compact case 20. For example, compact case 20 may include a compartment 22 with a pair of projecting flanges 24 shaped with a curved support surface, for example, in the shape of an eyelid. Compact case 20 optionally includes a lid or cover 26, such as a hinged cover, that closes compartment to protect devices from dust and, also in the case of the hydrogel-based carrier, from drying out.

As noted above, carrier 12 may have a varied number of shapes. Further, the style of lashes 14 may be varied, from a full lash set 14 (FIG. 4), to a defined lash set 14′ where certain lashes are longer and thicker than others (FIG. 5), to a whisper lash set 14″(FIG. 6), to a partial lash set 14″'(FIG. 7) and anything in between. Referring to again to FIGS. 4-7, first portion 16 may form a tapered, but uniform line 30, a tapered but gradiated line 30′, a “cat eye” line 30″, or a half eye line 30″'. Again, the shape of the line may be varied, and as noted may be transparent to allow the wearer to customize the color or shape of the line.

In addition, as best seen in FIGS. 8-12, device 10′ includes a first portion 16 that is sized and shaped to form eye shadow area 32 when applied to a person's eyelid. Similar to the eye liner described above, first portion 16 of device 10′ may be formed from a thin matrix, such as film or films, which is either color or translucent and includes pigment (such as by encapsulation or suspension I the matrix or applied thereto such as by coating, spraying, or dipping) or is transparent to allow make up to be applied thereto. The shape of the eye shadow area 32 can also be varied. Further, first portion 16 may be configured with pre-defined shapes 32″(FIG 11), such as stars etc., mounted to first portion 16 or to lashes 14. First portion 16 may be formed with a pattern 32″, such as shown in FIG. 12, either in conjunction with a color or with a transparent background. The patterns or shapes may be printed or applied or transferred on the exterior surface of the carrier. In this manner, device 10′ may provide, in addition to the eye liner noted above, a panel that forms eye shadow and/or a decorative panel that follows the surface topology of the eyelid or “melds” into the eyelid skin but which may be removed by dissolving it in water or simply peeling it off.

While described as being supported in a compact case, devices 10 and 10′ may be formed optionally mounted to a carrier sheet to which each device is adhered to by its own adhesive properties or by a layer of applied adhesive and further configured as disposable devices. In this manner, each device can be peeled off the carrier sheet and then applied to the eye of a person and then once removed discarded.

To apply the device, if needed, the release paper is first removed. The device is then positioned to locate the roots of the false eyelashes alone the lash line (i.e. at the roots of natural lashes), and then the carrier that supports the false eyelashes is mounted to the eyelid inward of the edge of the eyelid and inward of the lash line and hence roots of the natural eyelashes of the person. Optionally, the carrier can be left free of adhesive where the roots of the false eyelashes mount to the carrier.

As noted above the eye makeup device may be adhered to the upper side of a person's eyelid (as shown in FIG. 2) or the underside as shown in FIG. 13. In order to apply the device to the underside, the device (e.g. devices 10 or 10′ with or without an integrated liner) includes a topside adhesive strip that would allow for the lashes to be applied on the underside of a person's top lash line for a more natural appearance. When false eye lashes are designed to be applied on top of natural lashes, this may leave the adhesive strip visible, especially when someone looks down or blinks. To hide the adhesive strip, some users will apply use liner or shadow to diminish or camouflage the strip. Therefore, reversing the placement of the false lash strip to the underside of a person's top lash line, conceals the strip below the natural lashes.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device that may include an adhesive portion for attaching the device above the lash line on a person's lid and further which may form an eye liner (or provide a surface to form an eye liner) or to provide an eye shadow area (or provide an area to apply eye shadow). The device also includes a second portion that may be non-adhesive or simply have self-adhesive properties so that it either does not stick to the natural lashes of the person or sticks with such a low pull force that when removed the natural lashes are left in place and not plucked from the eyelids. Further, as such, there is little, if not no, likelihood of any adhesive flowing into the wearer's eyes or between their natural lashes.

While several forms of the inventions have been shown and described, the above description is that of current embodiments of the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents. This disclosure is presented for illustrative purposes and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive description of all embodiments of the invention or to limit the scope of the claims to the specific elements illustrated or described in connection with these embodiments. For example, and without limitation, any individual element(s) of the described invention may be replaced by alternative elements that provide substantially similar functionality or otherwise provide adequate operation. This includes, for example, presently known alternative elements, such as those that might be currently known to one skilled in the art, and alternative elements that may be developed in the future, such as those that one skilled in the art might, upon development, recognize as an alternative. Further, the disclosed embodiments include a plurality of features that are described in concert but which can be used independently and/ or combined with other features. The present invention is not limited to only those embodiments that include all of these features or that provide all of the stated benefits, except to the extent otherwise expressly set forth in the issued claims. For example, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the” or “said,” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Additionally, directional terms used in the specification, such as “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “outer” and “outwardly,” are used to assist in describing the invention based on the orientation of the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The use of directional terms should not be interpreted to limit the invention to any specific orientation(s).

Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow as interpreted under the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. An eye makeup device comprising: a carrier, said carrier having a surface adapted to adhere to an eyelid of a person, and said carrier including pigment and further having a shape to form an eyeliner or eye shadow when applied to the eyelid of the person; anda plurality of eye lashes mounted to said carrier.

2. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises a textile.

3. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises a film.

4. The eye makeup device according to claim 3, wherein said pigments are encapsulated in said film or applied to said film.

5. The eye makeup device according to claim 3, wherein said film is water soluble.

6. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier is translucent.

7. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier is permeable.

8. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier is foraminous.

9. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier comprises first and second films joined together to form said carrier.

10. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier has a shape to form eye shadow.

11. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier is formed from a material having adhesive properties.

12. The eye makeup device according to claim 11, wherein said material has adhesive properties when moistened.

13. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier includes a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having adhesive properties, and said second portion forming a non-adhesive portion, and said lashes being mounted to said second portion.

14. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said carrier includes a first portion and a second portion, said first portion for mounting to an eye lid of a person, and said second portion joined with said first portion by a hinge, and said lashes being mounted to said second portion.

15. An eye makeup device comprising: a matrix having a surface adapted to adhere to an eyelid of a person, and said matrix including pigment embedded therein and further having a shape to form an eyeliner or eye shadow when applied to the eyelid of the person; anda plurality of eyelash filaments mounted to said matrix.

16. The eye makeup device according to claim 15, wherein said matrix comprises a film.

17. The eye makeup device according to claim 15, wherein said matrix is water soluble.

18. The eye makeup device according to claim 1, wherein said matrix is (a) translucent, (b) permeable, and/or (c) foraminous.

19. The eye makeup device according to claim 15, said matrix has adhesive properties when moistened.

20. The eye makeup device according to claim 15, wherein said matrix includes a non-adhesive portion, and said lashes being mounted to said non-adhesive portion.

21. A method of making false eyelashes comprising: providing a carrier with an adhesive free portion and an adhesive portion; andmounting the roots of the false eyelashes to the non-adhesive portion.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said providing a carrier with an adhesive portion includes forming at least a portion of the carrier from a material having adhesive properties.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein said forming at least a portion of the carrier from a material having adhesive properties comprises forming at least a portion of the carrier from a material having adhesive properties when moistened.

24. A method of applying false lashes comprising: locating the roots of the false eyelashes adjacent the roots of natural lashes;mounting a carrier of the false eyelashes to the eyelid inward of the edge of the eyelid.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising: leaving the carrier free of adhesive where the roots of the false eyelashes mount to the carrier.