The present invention relates to the general field of eyelash extensions, and is more specifically concerned with an eyelash extensions support device usable for supporting strips of eyelash extensions during their application on the lash lines of a person, and a method of using same.
Various trays, holders and support devices for facilitating the work of esthetician and beauty salon personnel when applying eyelash extensions to the lash lines of clients are known. These known trays, holders and support devices typically comprise some form of support on which may be disposed commercially available eyelash extensions strips or, alternatively, individual eyelash extensions, and a handle or attachment means allowing a user to hold the support device with one hand and apply individual eyelash extensions to a person with the other hand using typically pointed tweezers.
While these known trays, holders and support devices can generally fulfill the main objective of facilitating the work of esthetician and beauty salon personnel when applying eyelash extensions to the lash lines of clients, they also entail one or more of the following disadvantages.
These known trays, holders and support devices generally do not provide means for helping the user to hold stably the eyelash extensions strips with one hand while the other hand already has a precision task to accomplish.
Furthermore, these known trays, holders and support devices generally hold the eyelash extensions strips far the work area (e.g. the face of the client) and require that the esthetician supports them with one hand, which can thus not help in the difficult process of attaching the eyelash extensions.
Against this background, there exists a need in the industry to provide an improved eyelash extensions support device. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide such a device.
In a broad aspect, the invention provides an eyelash extensions support device for supporting a pair of eyelash extensions strips, each of the eyelash extensions strips including a plurality of eyelash extensions provided in a side-by-side relationship relative to each other on a backing strip support, each of the eyelash extensions being individually removable from the backing strip support for securing the eyelash extension to a respective eyelash of a person having left and right cheeks and a nose therebetween, the eyelash extensions support device comprising: a right side support element abuttable against the right cheek; and a left side support element abuttable against the left cheek; the right and left side support elements each defining a strip supporting portion for supporting a respective backing strip support.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the right and left side support elements are substantially elongated and each define substantially longitudinally opposed proximal and distal end portions and forward and backward edges each extending between the proximal and distal end portions, the forward edges being configured and sized so that at least part thereof abuts against a respective one of the right and left cheeks when the eyelash extensions support device is operatively abutted against the person, the right and left side support elements being pivotally coupled to each other at their proximal end portions so that an angle between the forward edges is adjustable.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the right and left side support elements are movable relative to each other between retracted and deployed positions, wherein, in the retracted position, the backward edges are facing each other substantially parallel to each other, and, in the deployed position, the forwards edges cooperatively form a contour profile that generally conforms to the cooperative contour profile of the cheeks and nose.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the right and left side support elements together define a nose receiving recess for receiving the nose thereinto.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the right and left side support elements each define opposed top and bottom surfaces each extending between the forward and backward edges, the strip supporting portion being defined in the top surface.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the strip supporting portion includes a substantially smooth portion of the top surface.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the strip supporting portion includes an elongated groove formed in the top surface.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the groove has a substantially inverted T-shaped transversal cross-sectional configuration and opens longitudinally and the distal end.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the right and left side support elements each define a respective fulcrum support portion at the proximal end, the fulcrum support portions being superposed and interconnected through a pin extending through both fulcrum support portions to allow rotation of the fulcrum support portions relative to each other about a rotation axis colinear with the pin.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the forward edges each include a substantially rectilinear portion for abutting against a respective one of the right and left cheeks.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the forward edges each include a substantially concave portion for abutting against a respective one of the right and left cheeks.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device further comprising a glue cup for receiving eyelash extension glue.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the glue cup engages the pin.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the glue cup and the pin are removably magnetically coupled to each other.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device further comprising an angle support bracket provided between the glue cup and the pin, the angle support bracket supporting the glue cup so that the glue cup opens along a cup axis that is angled relative to the rotation axis.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device further comprising a support magnetically removably securable to the pin, the support including a handle, wherein, with the support secured to the coupling element, the eyelash support can be held through the handle.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein at least one of the right and left side support elements includes a coupling element, the eyelash support further comprising a support magnetically removably securable to the coupling element, the support including a handle, wherein, with the support secured to the coupling element, the eyelash extensions support device can be held through the handle.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the coupling element is magnetizable and the support includes a magnet for magnetically coupling to the coupling element.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein at least one of the right and left side support elements includes a coupling element, the eyelash support further comprising a glue cup magnetically removably securable to the coupling element.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the coupling element is magnetizable and the glue cup includes a magnet for magnetically coupling to the coupling element.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein at least one of the right and left side support elements includes a coupling element, the eyelash support further comprising a cheek support removably securable to the coupling element, the cheek support being configured and sized for abutting against one of the right and left cheeks when operatively secured to the coupling element.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the cheek support is magnetically coupled to the coupling element.
The invention may also provide an eyelash extensions support device wherein the coupling element is magnetizable and the cheek support includes a magnet for magnetically coupling to the coupling element.
Advantageously, the proposed eyelash extensions support device helps in supporting the eyelash extensions stably close to the site where they are to be applied and thus greatly improve the ergonomics of the eyelash extensions application process. The proposed eyelash extensions support device can in some embodiments be manufactured at a relatively low cost.
The present application claims benefit from UK request application 1610713.8 filed Jun. 20, 2017, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The term “substantially” is used throughout this document to indicate variations in the thus qualified terms. These variations are variations that do not materially affect the manner in which the invention works and can be due, for example, to uncertainty in manufacturing processes or to small deviations from a nominal value or ideal shape that do not cause significant changes to the invention. These variations are to be interpreted from the point of view of the person skilled in the art.
Directional terminology, such as right, left, top, bottom, forward and backward, among others, refers to the orientation relative to someone applying eyelash extensions on a person with an upright face. This terminology is used for clarity reasons and should not be used to restrict the scope of the claims. Notably, the claimed invention can be used on faces having a different orientation. Thus, a “top” surface, which would normally face up in the context given above, can be vertical instead is the proposed invention is used on a person lying down. This surface will still be called a “top” surface.
The eyelash extensions support device 10 comprises a right side support element 12 and a left side support element 14 abuttable respectively against the right and left cheeks 110 and 108. The right and left side support elements 12 and 14 each define a strip supporting portion 15 and 17 for supporting a respective backing strip support 106. In the embodiment of the eyelash extensions support device 10 shown in the drawings, each of the right side support element 12 and left side support element 14 includes two strip supporting portions 15 and 17, but only one of them is included in other embodiments. The right and left side support elements 12 and 14 typically have a substantially mirrored shape and size configuration relative to one another.
Referring to
The top surface 24 is suitably configured and sized to support substantially longitudinally thereon in the strip supporting portion 15 at least one self-adhesive eyelash extensions support strip 101, for example, as illustrated in
As seen in
The eyelash extensions support device 10 further comprises a pin 32 suitably sized and configured to pivotally connect the right and left side support elements 12 and 14 through their superposed fulcrum support portions 30. To that effect, the pin 32 extends through both fulcrum support portions 30 to allow rotation of the fulcrum support portions 30 relative to each other about a rotation axis 33 colinear with the pin 32. The assembled right and left side support elements 12 and 14, along with the pin 32, are referred to as an eyelash extensions support assembly 60 hereinbelow.
The right and left side support elements 12 and 14 are cooperatively angularly positionable relative to one another between a retracted position as illustrated in
When in the retracted position, both backward edges 18 are oppositely facing one another in a substantially parallel configuration. Thus, the eyelash extensions support device 10 may be conveniently stowed away in a compact format that can easily fit in a purse, pocket or the likes.
When in the deployed position, the forward edges 16, including their respective forward inner edge portions 28, cooperatively form a contour profile that generally conforms to the cooperative contour profile of both right and left cheeks 110 and 108 and nose 112 of a person taken along a plane extending horizontally at least slightly below the eyes thereof, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, the right and left side support elements 12 and 14 each defines a cross-section that gradually tapers transversally towards the forward edge 16, and ending in a relatively soft edge line that can softly contact the cheeks of a person without leaving a noticeable imprint.
Furthermore, in some embodiments, an elongated portion 34 of the forward edge 16, part of which contacts the right and left cheeks 108 and 110 in use, may be either substantially straight, as best illustrated in
Referring to
In some embodiments, the eyelash extensions support device 10 may further comprise a glue cup 40 for typically containing glue for applying the eyelash extensions 102.
The glue cup 40 defines an underside surface 42 pivotally engaged on a top end portion of the pin 32, as illustrated in an exploded view in
Alternatively, as illustrated in
In some embodiments, the glue cup 40 may be provided with a holding tab portion 48 for ease of manipulating the eyelash extensions support device 10. The holding tab portion 48 may extend substantially laterally from a peripheral portion of the glue cup 40. Other shape and size configurations for a holding tab portion 48 are also possible.
As would be obvious to someone familiar with small tools and accessories for the beauty salon industry, the various elements of the eyelash extensions support device 10 described above, including the pin 32, may be economically made of a substantially light yet relatively rigid plastic material using known injection molding processes. Other substantially light and rigid materials, or combination of materials, are also possible such as, for example, aluminum or a suitable metal alloy. As exemplified in the figures, the various elements of the eyelash extensions support device 10 may be suitably shaped and sized for conforming to the face of an adult, but it is to be understood that other shapes and sizes are possible such as for the relatively smaller face of a teenage person.
Referring to
In these embodiments, the support 52 includes a length adjustable telescopic member 54 provided at one end thereof with a resiliently pivotable magnetic head element 56. The support also includes a handle 55. With the support 52 secured to the coupling element 50, the eyelash extensions support device 10″ can be held through the handle 55.
Thus, by magnetically engaging the magnetic head element 56 at a user selected position along one of the coupling element 50, the assembled right and left side support elements 12 and 14 may be conveniently remotely handled at a distance with one hand during a procedure where the person receiving the eyelash extensions 102 is seated or standing up.
Hence, the hand and, consequently, the arm of the user holding the device do not have to be tiredly maintained elevated for a relatively long period of time near the face of the person receiving the eyelash extensions 102. Furthermore, the general comfort of the person receiving the eyelash extensions 102 is enhanced since there is no intimate presence of a hand to interfere with normal breathing.
In some embodiments of the eyelash extensions support device 10″, the pin 32 (not seen in
Referring to
For example, as seen in
Thus, using angle support brackets 70, one or more glue cups 40 each provided with a relatively strong magnetic element 44 connected to, or otherwise embedded along, an underside surface 42 thereof, as illustrated in
Referring to
For example, each cheek support 80 is removably securable to the coupling element 50. The cheek supports 80 are configured and sized for abutting against one of the right and left cheeks 110 and 108 when operatively secured to the coupling element 50. In a specific embodiment of the invention, each one of the cheek supports 80 may include a base plate 72 substantially similar in shape, size and material as the one described above for the angle support bracket 70, and only one magnetic element 74 along the one of the interior surfaces 76 of the base plate 72.
Thus, as best illustrated in
It is to be understood the base plate 72 of each one of the cheek supports 80 may have other suitable shape configurations. For example, the portion of the base plate 72 in contact with the right or left cheeks 110 or 108 of the person may extend at least slightly laterally along a soft bend around the cheek toward the ear of the person for a more stable and comfortable support thereon.
The eyelash extensions support device 10 of the present invention allows a user to stably support eyelash extensions strips (either the self-adhesive or non-adhesive type) close to the work area by holding with one hand the holding tab portion 48 thereof, all the while gently abutting evenly the pair of forward edges 16 along portions of the cheeks of the person on which are to be applied the individual eyelash extensions 102 with the other hand.
Furthermore, the eyelash extensions support device 10 of the present invention allows a user to configure the latter using a pair of cheek supports 80 so as to free both hands for other tasks.
Furthermore, the eyelash extensions support device 10 of the present invention allows a user to conveniently hold the glue cup 40 close to the work area using a angle support bracket 70.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be readily appreciated that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the claims should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. The present invention can thus be modified without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1610713.8 | Jun 2016 | GB | national |