The present disclosure relates to an eyelash extension system. More particularly, the disclosure relates to artificial eyelashes units for application to natural lashes and methods of applying and removing the same.
Artificial eyelashes may be used to alter the appearance of natural lashes, for example, by making the natural lashes appear longer or thicker. Artificial eyelashes may be applied professionally or at home (at-home lashes) and come in a variety of formats, including individual lashes and strip lashes. The artificial lashes can be applied in many distinct ways, such as by using threading, adhesives, or even magnets. These various forms of artificial eyelashes can last from a couple of days to several weeks. Conventionally, at-home lashes are less durable and will not withstand getting wet, such as during swimming, showering, exercising, and the like.
Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers may indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Embodiments are described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.
Referring to
Although
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In some embodiments, the lashes 12 are grouped into one or more clusters 16, each cluster 16 including a plurality of lashes 12 bound together and being secured to the base 14. In some embodiments, each extension unit 10 includes at least two clusters 16 secured to the base 14. Two or more lashes of the plurality of lashes 12 within a single cluster 16 may be bound together by an adhesive or a fastener, such as lashing wrapped around the plurality of lashes 12, at a cinch point 16a. In some embodiments, the cinch points 16a do not include a heat fusion. In some embodiments, the extension unit 10 does not include any heat-fused lashes. That is, in such embodiments, none of the plurality of lashes 12 is bonded to the base 14 or any other artificial lash using heat fusion and the extension unit 10 does not include any junctures formed by heat fusion. In some embodiments, the cinch point 16a is spaced from the proximal end 12a of the lashes. In some embodiments, the cinch point 16a is also spaced from the base 14 such that the cinch point 16a does not contact the base 14. In some embodiments, the cinch point 16a is spaced at least 1 mm, at least 2 mm, or at least 3 mm from the base 14. In some embodiments, all of the plurality of lashes 12 within the cluster 16 are bound to one another at the cinch point 16a. In other embodiments, some of the plurality of lashes 12 may not be bound at the cinch point 16a.
In some embodiments, the clusters 16 are discrete between the base 14 and a distal end of the cinch points 16a. That is, the plurality of lashes 12 of any one cluster 16 do not cross, overlap, or intersect with the plurality of lashes 12 of any other cluster of the extension unit 10 from the base 14 to beyond the cinch point 16a. In such embodiments, the cinch points 16a are likewise discrete and are in a one-to-one relationship with their respective cluster 16. That is, the cinch points 16a do not cross, intersect, or overlap one another. In some embodiments, the clusters 16 are each independently and discretely cinched at the cinch points 16a, such that a number of cinch points 16a is equal to a number of clusters 16 and each cinch point 16a only cinches artificial lashes from a single cluster 16.
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As shown in
In some embodiments, the adhesive 18 is applied to both the upper natural lashes 20 and the extension unit 10. This configuration allows for a double bond that may provide better adhesion and more durability. In one or more embodiments, the adhesive 18 is be applied to the upper natural lashes 20 from a root 20a adjacent the eyelid 22 to about a mid-point of the upper natural lashes 20 between the root 20a and a distal end 20b. In some embodiments, the adhesive 18 is applied to 20-80%, 30-70%, 40-60%, or about 50% of the length L2 of each of the upper natural lashes 20.
With reference to
The tips 34 are biased to be spaced from one another but application of force on the outer sides of the left arm 33 and the right arm 35 can cause the inner surfaces 34a proximate the tips 34 to contact one another. For example, force may be applied at the grip portion 36. In some embodiments, the grip portion 36 may include grooves or surface roughness or may be smooth. As shown in
With reference to
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In a step 106, the adhesive is allowed to tackify for a set period of time. This time may be measured either from the end of step 102 or from the end of step 104. The set period of time may be at least 5 seconds, at least 10 second, at least 15 second, at least 20 seconds, or 10 to 15 seconds. In some embodiments, the set period of time is no more than 60 seconds, no more than 45 second, or no more than 30 seconds such that the adhesive 18 remains tacky and does not dry. In some embodiments, step 106 may include fanning the extension unit 10 having the adhesive 18 thereon and/or blowing on the extension unit 10. In some embodiments, step 106 may include fanning the natural lashes 20 having the adhesive 18 thereon.
Next, in a step 108, the extension unit 10 is applied to the upper natural lashes 20. Step 108 may be facilitated by using the applicator 30 to grasp the extension unit 10 and position the extension unit 10 on the upper natural lashes 20. The applicator 30 may also be used to clamp around both the extension unit 10 and the upper natural lashes 20 to apply pressure and ensure tight adhesion.
In one or more embodiments, a plurality of artificial eyelash extension units 10 are applied to the upper natural lashes 20. In such embodiments, steps 102 through 108 may be repeated for each extension unit 10. In some of these embodiments, step 102 or step 104 may include applying the adhesive 18 to two or more extension units 10 of the plurality of extension units 10. Each of the extension units 10 of the plurality of extension units 10 may be the same or different. In some embodiments, the extension units 10 of the plurality of extension units 10 differ from one another in average length of the lashes 12 and/or in depth of the respective extension units 10. In some embodiments, two extension units 10 of the plurality of extension units 10 have the same ratio of average lash length to depth but differ in terms of average lash length. When a plurality of extension units 10 are applied, step 108 may include arranging the extension units 10 along the upper natural lashes 20 such that adjacent extension units 10 are spaced from one another, about one another, overlap one another, or a combination thereof.
In some embodiments, the method 100 may include a step 110 of keeping the natural lashes 20 and artificial lashes 12 dry for a period of time, such as at least 24 hours. Step 110 allows the adhesive 18 to cure and may improve the strength of the bond between the natural lashes 20 and the extension unit 10.
In some embodiments, the method 100 may include a step 112 of removing the extension unit 10. Step 112 may include using an oil-based solvent to at least partially dissolve the adhesive 18 and thereby allow the extension unit 10 to be separated from the upper natural lashes 20. In some embodiments, the oil-based solvent is an oil-based makeup remover or coconut oil. In some embodiments, step 112 comprises soaking the upper natural lashes 20 and the extension unit 10 in the oil-based solvent for at least 15 seconds, at least 30 seconds, or at least 60 seconds.
In an embodiment, step 102 comprises applying the adhesive 18 from the root 20a of the natural lashes 20 to a midpoint of a portion of the natural lashes 20 at an outer corner of the eye; step 104 comprises applying the adhesive 18 to the artificial lashes 12 of a first extension unit 10; step 106 comprises waiting 10 to 15 second to allow the adhesive 18 to tackify; and step 108 comprises using the applicator 30 to clamp the extension unit 10 to the portion of natural lashes 20. In this embodiment, steps 102 through 108 may be repeated working inward from the outer corner of the eye to an inner corner of the eye until a desired look it achieved.
A method has been described herein. The method includes providing the artificial eyelash extension unit having an elongated base having a plurality of artificial eyelashes attached thereto and extending therefrom, applying a first adhesive to the base, applying a second adhesive to the natural lashes, wherein the second adhesive may be the same or different from the first adhesive, waiting for a period of time of at least 5 seconds or about 10 to 15 seconds to allow the adhesive to tackify, and attaching the artificial eyelash extension unit to the natural lashes such that the first and second adhesives contact one another. The first adhesive and the second adhesive may be the same and may include a polymer-based adhesive. The polymer-based adhesive may be not water-soluble. The polymer-based adhesive may be soluble in an oil-based solvent. Applying the second adhesive may include application of the second adhesive to no more than 60% of a length of the natural lashes. Applying the second adhesive may include applying the second adhesive from roots of the natural lashes to a position between the roots and distal ends of the natural lashes. The artificial eyelash extension unit may be applied to an underside of the natural lashes, such that the first adhesive is applied to a top surface of the base and the second adhesive is applied to an underside of the natural lashes. Applying the first adhesive may be completed before applying the second adhesive and the period of time may be at least 10 seconds measured from after applying the second adhesive. Applying the second adhesive may be completed before applying the first adhesive and the period of time may be at least 10 seconds measured from after applying the first adhesive.
An applicator had been described herein. The applicator includes a first arm; a second arm connected to the first arm at a base; wherein the first and second arms comprise tips opposite the base; wherein the tips are biased away from one another; a grip portion between the base and the tips; a bottom concave portion on an underside of the first and second arms and positioned between the grip portion and the tips; knuckles formed on top sides of the first and second arms opposite the bottom concave portion; a first top concave portion formed on top sides of the first and second arms between the grip portion and the knuckles; and a second top concave portion formed on top sides of the first and second arms between the knuckles and the tips. The applicator may include a tool affixed to the base, the tool may be an angled silicone pusher or a comb.
An artificial eyelash extension unit has been described herein. The artificial eyelash extension unit includes an elongated base; and a plurality of artificial lashes each having a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal end of each lash is attached to the elongated base, the plurality of artificial lashes is arranged in two or more clusters, each cluster comprising two or more artificial lashes, the clusters are cinched together at a cinch point, and the cinch point is spaced from the elongated base. The cinch point may be spaced from the base by at least 2 mm. The cinch point may include an adhesive or lashing bonding the two or more artificial lashes to one another. The artificial lashes may have lengths measured from the proximal end to the distal end, the eyelash extension may have a depth measured as a maximum transverse distance between two lash distal ends when the eyelash extension is viewed in a projection onto a plane perpendicular to the elongated base, and a ratio of an average length of the artificial lashes to the depth may be at most 3. The depth may be at least 5 mm.
A system has been described herein. The system includes a plurality of eyelash extensions each comprising an elongated base; and a plurality of artificial lashes each having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein a proximal end of each lash is attached to the elongated base; a polymer-based adhesive configured to bind the plurality of eyelash extension to natural lashes, wherein the adhesive is water insoluble; an applicator configured to grip the eyelash extensions and position the eyelash extensions on the natural lashes; and an oil-based remover, wherein the polymer-based adhesive is soluble in the oil-based remover.
It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
In one or more embodiments, the elements and teachings of the various disclosed embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the disclosed embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various disclosed embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various disclosed embodiments.
Any spatial references such as, for example, “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” “between,” “bottom,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “angular,” “upwards,” “downwards,” “side-to-side,” “left-to-right,” “left,” “right,” “right-to-left,” “top-to-bottom,” “bottom-to-top,” “top,” “bottom,” “bottom-up,” “top-down,” etc., are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the specific orientation or location of the structure described above.
In one or more embodiments, while different steps, processes, and procedures are described as appearing as distinct acts, one or more of the steps, one or more of the processes, or one or more of the procedures may also be performed in different orders, simultaneously or sequentially. In one or more embodiments, the steps, processes, or procedures may be merged into one or more steps, processes, or procedures. In one or more embodiments, one or more of the operational steps in each embodiment may be omitted. Moreover, in some instances, some features of the present disclosure may be employed without a corresponding use of the other features.
Although several embodiments have been disclosed in detail above, the embodiments disclosed are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes, and substitutions are possible in the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Moreover, it is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word “means” together with an associated function.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/265,524 filed Dec. 16, 2021, the contents of which are herein incorporated in their entirety.
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63265524 | Dec 2021 | US |