Patent Application
20210120938
The present invention relates to devices and methods of performing eyelash extensions and other eyelash services.
During the process of applying eyelash extensions or performing any eyelash procedure, a pad is used to hold down and isolate the lower eyelashes from the upper eyelashes. Several products currently exist to perform this function.
Gel eye pads are manufactured overseas and sold online. They were originally designed as treatment pads (helps with wrinkles, alleviates bags under eyes) but have now crossed over to be used for holding down lower lashes during eyelash extension services. Gel eye pads do not hold lower lashes well. There is also a problem in that gel leaks into eyes from the pads and burns, resulting in irritation. Moisture from clients' tears weaken the pad's adhesive. These pads are not designed for eyelash extensions and the resulting problems are evidence of these serious design flaws.
Microfoam tape rolls are presently used and are sold online or at pharmacies. It is very time consuming to use this product. In handling the product, it is difficult to peel and cut with the sticky side of the tape rolls. The process of cutting shapes from a tape roll to fit the eye area is not sanitary and adhesive from the tape sticks to eyelash artists' fingers several times before reaching the client eye area.
Gel-free eye pads are sold online. These are paper-thin pads that have sharp edges that can cut the client's eyeball. The pad adhesive is only serviceable for one-time use, not allowing for repositioning of the pad. Any moisture from client's tears weakens the pad's adhesive and causes sliding of the pad relative to it's preferred position. These eye pads are stiff so any movement from facial expressions or speaking will lift the pads' against it's own adhesion. They are not lint-free which allows the white lint fibers to stick to the dark eyelashes and irritate the eye during an eyelash extension service.
Silicone reusable eye pads are sold online. They are advertised to be used up to 100 times if cleaned properly. They need to be applied with tape and act as just a placeholder that lays over top of lower lashes, but do not guarantee the lower lashes will not escape and pop out from the eye pad. Multiple steps are required to secure the eye pad after the application of the tape after placement of the silicone eye pad and it is very time consuming. Sharp edges of the tape can also cut the eyeball during the application.
An eye pad made in Korea was used in an eyelash extension service, and the pad slid down off of the lower lashes and exposed them to glue on the upper lashes. The client's lower lashes ended up glued to their upper lashes.
Each of the above described eyelash pads fail to hold the lashes down sufficiently as well as provides dangerous conditions to clients. Therefore, there is a need for an effective method to hold lower lashes in place while performing eyelash extensions or other eyelash services.
The present invention provides for an eyelash pad including a base layer, an adhesive layer operatively attached thereto, and a removable layer removably attached to the adhesive layer, wherein the eyelash pad is in a curved shape having a concave side and rounded edges.
The present invention provides for a method of performing an eyelash service, by removing the removable layer from the adhesive layer of the eyelash pad, positioning the eyelash pad over lower eyelashes of a user, securing the eyelash pad over the lower eyelashes of the user with the adhesive layer, and performing eyelash services on upper eyelashes of the user.
Other advantages of the present invention are readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
The present invention generally provides for an eyelash pad and method of use during eyelash services, shown at 10 in the FIGURES. The eyelash pad 10 includes a base layer 12, an adhesive layer 14 operatively attached thereto, and a removable layer 16 removably attached to the adhesive layer 14 as shown in
“Eyelash services” as used herein refers to any procedure performed on the eyelashes where it is desirable to separate the lower eyelashes from the upper eyelashes during the procedure. This can include, but is not limited to, eyelash extensions, eyelash lifts, or eyelash tints.
The base layer 12 is preferably a foam material. Most preferably, the eyelash pad 10 is made of 3M™ 9777L microfoam tape material. In other words the base layer 12 and the adhesive layer 14 are made of the 9777L microfoam tape material having an adhesive operatively attached thereto. 9777L has been shown to have no primary skin irritation, no delayed dermal contact sensitization, and no allergic contact dermatitis in testing in both humans and animals, and is thus considered hypoallergenic. Another preferred material is 3M™ 9781 PVC single coated foam medical tape. 9871 is a hypoallergenic pressure sensitive adhesive, is soft and cushioning, highly conformable, ETO and Gamma compatible, and provides good adhesion to skin. In 9871, the base layer 12 is 0.5 mm PVC closed-cell foam, the adhesive layer 14 is acrylate, and the removable layer 16 is 65 lb. super-calendered Kraft paper with silicone on one side. Alternatively, the foam material can be made from any suitable material, such as, but not limited to, polyolefin, polyethylene, polyurethane, rubber foams, vinyl foams and combinations thereof. The foam can be closed cell or open cell.
The adhesive layer 14 is operatively attached to the base layer 12 in any suitable manner. The adhesive layer 14 is strong enough to maintain the eyelash pad 10 on an eyelash line 28 during use but can also easily be removed by the individual after use or for repositioning. The adhesive layer 14 can cover all or a portion of the base layer 12. The adhesive layer 14 can be a pressure sensitive adhesive that forms a bond due to the application of light pressure on the adhesive layer 14. The adhesive layer 14 can be made of an epoxy adhesive, cyanoacrylates, water-based adhesives, double-sided bonding tapes, 3M™ gripping material, masking/duct tapes, and adhesive transfer tapes, or any other suitable adhesive. The adhesive layer 14 is designed to retain contact with the eyelash line 28 in dry and moist conditions.
The removable layer 16 can easily be removed by a person performing an eyelash service when they want to apply eyelash pad 10 to the eyelash line 28. The removable layer 16 protects the adhesive layer 14 until the eyelash pad 10 is ready to be used. The removable layer 16 is generally in the shape of the base layer 12, but can be in any other shape and can cover areas of the base layer 12 that have the adhesive layer 14. The removable layer 16 can be made out of paper, plastic, plastic coated paper, wax paper, silicone coated paper, or any other suitable material that allows the removable layer 16 to easily be released from the adhesive layer 14.
The eyelash pad 10 is generally in a curved shape 18 having a concave side 20 and preferably a convex side 22 with rounded edges 24, shown in
The use of the eyelash pad 10 in an eyelash service, and in particular in an eyelash extension procedure, is generally shown in
There are several benefits of the eyelash pad 10 of the present invention. The 3M™ 9777L material is a surgical-grade adhesive. This adhesive does not slide during the eyelash service and when removed, it releases the lower lashes. Repositioning the eyelash pad 10 is possible if needed. If the client is wearing concealer/makeup, the eyelash pad 10 will still hold the lower eyelashes. The eyelash pad 10 does not need additional tape to be applied on top to secure adhesion, saving time during the eyelash service. Other pads on the market do not stick well enough so additional tape is required to hold down the lower lashes. The 9777L material has foaming/cushioned edges, unlike traditional dispenser tape which can cut the eyeball with the sharp edges. The eyelash pad 10 is hypoallergenic and latex-free. The eyelash pad 10 does not itch or cause blisters unlike many other pads on the market that do. The eyelash pad 10 is lint-free, unlike others on the market that can cause white fibers of lint to stick to the dark eyelashes and irritate the eye. The eyelash pad 10 is gel-free, so no gel can spill into the client's eye and burn. Many gel pads on the market leak into the eye. The eyelash pad 10 is also flexible, allowing the client to move and talk with facial expressions. Movement will not affect the eyelash pad 10 or its adhesion to hold the lower lashes. Moisture from clients' tears does not affect the eyelash pad 10 or its adhesion to hold the lower lashes.
Throughout this application, various publications, including United States patents, are referenced by author and year and patents by number. Full citations for the publications are listed below. The disclosures of these publications and patents in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62926008 | Oct 2019 | US |
