Patent Application
20250151826
This application claims priority to French Application No. 2312298, filed Nov. 10, 2023, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to the field of make-up, more particularly that of the eyes, by adding false eyelashes, more commonly referred to as “false eyelashes”, to natural eyelashes.
The invention relates more specifically to a false eyelash support configured to be assembled to a case of a false eyelash dispensing device, an associated case, a device comprising such a false eyelash support and such a device, as well as a method for installing a new false eyelash support.
The use of false eyelashes is generally intended to increase the volume, length or shine of natural eyelashes, or to add an aesthetic and decorative element to the face in the same way as jewelry, for example.
The false eyelashes are generally sold in units, each unit comprising a fringe of false eyelashes and a connecting strip holding the false eyelashes together at the level of their base, the other end of the false eyelashes being free. These units are generally placed next to each other on a flat support and sold in cardboard packaging that easily degrades, risking damage to the false eyelashes. The false eyelashes are therefore difficult to remove, particularly without damaging the adjacent units.
There are also false eyelash dispensers wherein units of false eyelashes are arranged on a support strip wound around a reel. In such dispensers, the units of false eyelashes are dispensed progressively by the actuation, usually of a thumbwheel. These dispensers have the disadvantage of crushing the false eyelashes while they are waiting on the support strip, with the risk of damaging their curvature.
There is therefore a need for a solution that allows to solve at least some of the disadvantages mentioned, in particular a solution that allows a large number of false eyelashes to be made available, preferably using a simplified eyelash dispensing and application procedure.
To this end, the invention relates to a false eyelash support configured to be assembled to a case of a device for dispensing false eyelashes.
The false eyelash support comprises, on at least a portion of an outer periphery, a plurality of false eyelashes arranged in predetermined areas. The false eyelash support comprises a first drive means cooperating with the case so that an actuation of the case and/or of the false eyelash support causes a rotary movement of the false eyelash support in order to convey the false eyelashes towards a dispensing opening of the case and allow a gripping of the false eyelashes through the dispensing opening. Unlike other false eyelash dispensers, in particular the dispensers wherein the false eyelashes are arranged on a strip of support rolled up on itself, the false eyelashes here are arranged on the periphery of the support, which prevents them from being crushed during storage. In this way, the false eyelashes keep their original curvature.
As the false eyelash support is housed in the case, the case allows to protect the false eyelashes placed on the false eyelash support.
Finally, each of the predetermined areas comprises an assembly of false eyelashes, also referred to as a false eyelash unit, which may be removed in a single operation. As the opening allows the false eyelashes to emerge unit per unit, the units in the areas adjacent to the one available for gripping remain protected inside the case and are not at risk of being damaged.
Access, selection and gripping of false eyelashes are made easier. According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:
The invention further relates to a case for a device for dispensing false eyelashes, the case comprising a cover comprising a dispensing opening and forming a cavity configured to receive a false eyelash support as described above and a second drive means configured to cooperate with the first drive means of the false eyelash support and so that an actuation of the case and/or of the false eyelash support causes the false eyelash support to move in order to convey the false eyelashes towards the dispensing opening and allow the false eyelashes to exit through the dispensing opening.
According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:
The invention also relates to a device for dispensing false eyelashes comprising at least one case as described above and at least one false eyelash support as described above.
According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:
The invention finally relates to a method for installing a new false eyelash support as described above in a case as described above and dispensing false eyelashes, the method comprising the following steps:
Advantageously, the method may also comprise the following steps:
The invention will be better understood and further details, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description made by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the attached drawings wherein:
In the following description, unless otherwise indicated, elements having an identical structure or similar functions will be designated by the same references.
As illustrated in
The false eyelashes 12 may be made of synthetic or natural fiber, such as hair.
Preferably, the false eyelashes 12 are assembled into units 14 of false eyelashes 12, each comprising a fringe of false eyelashes 12 and a connecting strip 15 connecting the false eyelashes 12 of the fringe. Each false eyelashes 12 is connected to the connecting strip 15 by one end, the other opposite end being free.
In particular, the connecting strip 15 may be pre-glued to make it easier for the user to place the false eyelashes 12 on the eye. This avoids a gluing step wherein the false eyelashes 12 may be damaged.
This device 10 comprises a case 16, preferably made of a plastic material such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Preferably, the device is made of a single material, such as polypropylene (PP) and/or polyethylene (PE).
This case 16 may be transparent to reveal the elements it contains, or opaque.
The case 16 comprises a cover 18 provided with a dispensing opening 20 and forming a cavity 22 configured to receive a false eyelash support 24. According to the invention, the false eyelash support 24 comprises, on at least a portion of an outer periphery 26, a plurality of false eyelashes 12 arranged in predetermined areas.
In addition, the false eyelash support 12 comprises a first drive means 28 cooperating with a second drive means 30 of the case 16 so that an actuation of the case 16 and/or of the false eyelash support 24 causes a rotary movement of the false eyelash support 12 in order to convey the false eyelashes 12 towards the dispensing opening 20 of the case 16 and allow the false eyelashes 12 to be gripped through the dispensing opening 20. In the examples shown here, the false eyelashes 12 are evenly distributed around the outer periphery 26 of the support 24.
As illustrated in the embodiments of
The segment 50 without false eyelashes 12 may extend over an angular segment of between 10° and 60°, preferably between 20° and 50°, even more preferably between 30° and 45°.
In other words, the false eyelashes 12 are evenly distributed over an angular segment of the outer periphery 26 of the support 24 of between 350° and 300°, preferably between 340° and 310°, and even more preferably between 330° and 315°.
Here, as may be seen in
In other embodiments not illustrated, the false eyelashes 12 may be irregularly distributed around the outer periphery 26 of the support 24, i.e. with non-regular spacing between them.
Advantageously, all the false eyelashes 12 are dispensed in less than one turn through said dispensing opening 20.
Preferably, all the false eyelashes 12 are dispensed in a total rotation of between 350° and 300°, preferably between 340° and 310°, even more preferably between 330° and 315°.
In another embodiment not shown, the case has a generally non-circular shape. The two portions 18a, 18b are then non-circular. This could be for example an ovoid shape, a polygonal shape or any other shape with a particular aesthetic appeal.
The first portion 18a of the cover 18 delimits the cavity 22 configured to receive a false eyelash support 24. Here, this cavity 22 is annular. The first portion 18a of the cover 18 comprises a circular central opening. The annular cavity 22 is delimited by a bottom 34 from which an inner wall 36 and an outer wall 38 project concentrically and whose center is the axis of rotation of the false eyelash support 24. The false eyelash support 24 is mounted in this annular cavity 22.
Here, the outer wall 38 is circular so as to obtain a circular case 16.
In another embodiment not shown, the case has a generally non-circular shape and the outer wall 38 is non-circular. This could be for example an ovoid shape, a polygonal shape or any other shape with a particular aesthetic appeal.
The outer wall 38 comprises a slot 20a which forms the dispensing opening of the case 16.
The second portion 18b of the cover 18 is of a similar shape and also comprises a slot 20b which forms the dispensing opening 20 of the case 16. The first and second portions 18a, 18b are assembled, for example by interlocking, in this case by interlocking the outer walls 38, to form the case 16. The two slots 20a, 20b cooperate and form the dispensing opening 20 of the case 16.
The false eyelash support 24 is a ring which is mounted in the annular cavity 22 of the case 16.
The ring consists of an outer periphery 26 and an inner surface.
As may be seen here, the ring is circular.
In this embodiment, the entire outer periphery 26 of the false eyelash support 24 is provided with teeth 40 projecting radially from the outer periphery 26 and forming between them a housing 42 wherein a plurality of false eyelashes 12, in particular a unit 14 of false eyelashes 12, are arranged.
The housing 42 has a wall, referred to as an inclined wall, extending in a direction forming an angle of inclination with respect to the outer surface of the ring and having a curvature. Preferably, the connecting strip 15 of the false eyelashes 12 is in contact with this inclined wall of the housing 42. Advantageously, the connecting strip is located inside the housing 42. It is thus protected to prevent it sticking to other false eyelashes 12 or becoming detached from the false eyelash support 24.
In this way, the false eyelashes 12 follow the curvature of the inclined surface, allowing the false eyelashes 12 to be pre-formed before being applied.
Advantageously, the angle of inclination is between 2° and 60°, preferably between 4° and 50°. Here, the angle of inclination is 45°. To make them easier to grip, the connecting strips 15 are oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the false eyelash support 24 with respect to the case 16.
In another embodiment, not shown, the connecting strips 15 may be oriented perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the false eyelash support 24 with respect to the case 16.
In a non-illustrated embodiment, the units 14 of false eyelashes 12 do not comprise a connecting strip, in particular a pre-glued connecting strip. In this case, preferably, the free end, i.e. the end not configured to be attached, is arranged in the housing 42.
The inner surface of the false eyelash support 24 delimits a central opening provided with the first drive means 28.
The inner surface of the ring thus comprises ridges 44 parallel to the axis of rotation of the device 10. When the false eyelash support 24 is mounted in the case 16, the ridges 44 cooperate with ridges 46 located on an outer surface of the second drive means 30.
The second drive means 30 is thus a ring which is mounted on the inner wall of the first portion 18a of the cover 18. The second drive means 30 comprises an inner surface and the outer surface on which are located the ridges 46 cooperating with the ridges 44 of the false eyelash support 24. Thus, when the false eyelash support 24 is mounted in the cover 18 of the case 16 and the latter is closed, a rotation of the second drive means 30, here at the level of the central portion of the case 16, causes the false eyelash support 24 to rotate and the false eyelashes 12 to emerge, unit 14 by unit 14, through the dispensing opening 20. The user may then pick up the unit 14 of false eyelashes 12 as it emerges.
Advantageously, the device 10 comprises an indexing system, for example a click system felt by the user, which allows to limit the rotation and facilitates the dispensing of the units 14 of false eyelashes 12. In other words, with each rotation, the false eyelash support 24 rotates so as to bring the next unit 14 of false eyelashes 12 into alignment with the dispensing opening 20.
The device may also comprise a reverse rotation blocking system. In other words, the user may only operate the false eyelash support 24 in one direction of rotation.
In this second embodiment, the housings 42 are slots formed between the teeth 40 and arranged around the entire outer periphery 26 of the false eyelash support 24. The slots alternate with the teeth 40, which separate the units 14 of false eyelashes 12 from each other.
Recesses 48 opposite the teeth 40 are located on the inner surface of the false eyelash support 24. The recesses 48 form the first drive means 28 of the false eyelash support 24. The recesses 48 cooperate with the ridges 46 located on an outer surface of a central skirt of the second portion 18b of the cover 18 and which form the second drive means 30.
In contrast to the first embodiment, the second drive means 30 of the case 16 is secured to the second portion 18b of the cover 18 and not with the first portion 18a wherein the false eyelash support 24 is mounted.
The second portion 18b of the cover 18 thus forms a support plate 18b for the false eyelashes 12 of the second drive means 30.
As may be seen in
The user may also return to this position when removal of the false eyelashes 12 is complete, thus protecting the false eyelashes 12 between uses.
The second portion 18b of the cover 18 or support plate 18b has a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the first portion 18a of the cover 18 housing the false eyelash support 24. In this way, several dispensing devices 10 may be stacked, as shown in
In this third embodiment, the support plate 18b comprises two second drive means 30 which are located on either side of the support plate 18b.
Each of the two second drive means 30 will cooperate with a support 24 for different false eyelashes 12. The dispensing device 10 then comprises two false eyelash supports 24.
In this third embodiment, the device 10 also comprises two first portions 18a of cover 18 located on either side of the support plate 18b and each enclosing one of the false eyelash supports 24.
The support plate 18b is thus positioned between two false eyelash supports 24 and between two first portions 18a of cover 18 and corresponds to the second portion 18b of the cover 18 of the previous embodiments. In other words, each of the first portions 18a of cover 18 is assembled on a face of the support plate 18b provided with a second drive means 30 and each of the first portions 18a of the cover 18 encloses a false eyelash support 24 and a second drive means 30.
Each of the false eyelash supports 24 is actuated in a different direction of rotation.
In other embodiments, such as that shown in
In the example shown in
Advantageously, the height of the false eyelash support 24 is adapted and extends over the entire height of the case 16. Preferably, the height of the false eyelash support 24 is at least 1.5 times the diameter of the case 16. Advantageously, the height of the dispensing opening 20 is adapted and extends over the entire height of the case 16.
The height of the second drive means 30 may then also be adapted to the height of the false eyelash support 24. The second drive means 30 then extends over substantially the entire height of the case 16. Preferably, the height of the second drive means 30 is at least 1.5 times the diameter of the case 16.
As illustrated in
In one embodiment, the tool may comprise a circular portion which surrounds the case 16, for example at the level of the support plate 18b, and two curved ends facing each other and forming a clamp.
The false eyelash support 24 may be a refill. In other words, the device 10 for dispensing false eyelashes 12 is refillable, i.e. designed to allow the product to be changed, in particular but not exclusively after it has been fully used, by means of a refill that may be changed freely.
The interchangeability of the false eyelash support 24 allows to use, independently of a complete use, the same case 16 with several false eyelash supports 24 each comprising, for example, a different type of false eyelashes 12 such as false eyelashes 12 of different length, different curvature, different color, etc.
In particular, it is possible to provide a case 16 made of a stronger material and/or finished to a high quality, while the false eyelash support 24 is made of a lighter, less expensive material.
The false eyelash support 24 is thus removably mounted in the case 16. “Removable” means that the false eyelash support 24 may be removed from the case 16 without destroying or deforming either of the two elements. The false eyelash support 24 is configured to be changed, in particular but not exclusively after the false eyelashes 12 have been fully used. The false eyelash support 24 and the case 16 are assembled, for example, by elastic interlocking.
In the embodiments illustrated in
The rib 58 may be a continuous or discontinuous rib. The elasticity of the tenon 56 means that the false eyelash support 24 may be easily inserted and removed. Indeed, the radial movement of the flexible tabs 55 allows the diameter of the tenon 56 to be tightened and reduced, making it easy to interlock and/or remove the false eyelash support 24.
The elastic interlocking ensures an axial blocking between the false eyelash support 24 and the cover 18. On the other hand, the rotation of one relative to the other is possible so as to be able to ensure rotary movement of the false eyelash support 24 in order to convey the false eyelashes 12 to the dispensing opening 20 of the case 16.
As in the previous example, the device 10 may comprise an indexing system and/or a reverse rotation blocking system to facilitate the dispensing of the units 14 of false eyelashes 12, in particular to allow one unit 14 of false eyelashes 12 to exit per unit 14 of false eyelashes 12 and an alignment between the unit 14 of false eyelashes 12 and the dispensing opening 20. In the embodiments illustrated in
Preferably, as illustrated here, the at least one elastic tab 60 is located on the support plate 18b and the plurality of notches 62 are located on the first portion 18a of the cover 18.
More specifically, the support plate 18b comprises at least one elastic tab 60, a first end 60a of which is secured to the support plate 18b and a second end 60b of which, opposite the first end, is free to move. The elastic tab 60 extends from the first fixed end 60a towards the second opposite free end 60b, following the periphery of the support plate 18b.
Preferably, the case comprises a number of indexing systems identical to the number of supports it may operate,
In the case of a device 10 that may accommodate two false eyelash supports 24 as shown in
At least one tooth 64 is arranged on each elastic tab 60 and extends radially outwards from the wall of the elastic tab 60. Thus, this tooth 64 can move radially by a radial movement by bending the elastic tabs 60. The tooth 64 cooperates in particular with the notches 62 positioned radially on the periphery of the first portion 18a of the cover 18.
The notches 62 have crenellated profiles of the same width. Each notch 62 comprises a recess 66, an inclined slope 68, a top 70 and a steep slope 72. This profile of the notches 62 is configured to cooperate with the teeth 64 of the elastic tabs 60.
The rotation of the support 24 is possible by deforming the elastic tabs 60 so as to bring the teeth 64 onto the tops 70 and then into an adjacent recess 66, so that the case 16 is in a stable intermediate position.
So, each time the notch 62 passes, the tooth 64 causes a radial movement of the elastic tab 60. Indeed, the notch 62 pushes the tooth 64 and therefore the elastic tab 60, causing the radial movement of the elastic tab 60. The tooth 64 allows the user to feel a click indicating that a notch 62 has been passed and that a unit 14 of false eyelashes 12 is available for gripping. In other words, the tooth 64 allows each false eyelash location 12 to be precisely angularly positioned relative to the dispensing opening 20.
The angular position of each elastic tab 60 thus corresponds to an alignment of the units 14 of false eyelashes 12 opposite the dispensing opening 20. After each actuation of the rotating case 16, wherein the user rotates the first or second portion 18a, 18b of the cover 18, the teeth move from one recess 66 to the next recess 66, passing through a top 70. Positioning the teeth 64 at a top 70 causes the elastic tabs 60 to be deformed for repositioning in a predetermined area of a unit 14 of false eyelashes 12. The recesses 66 and the steep slopes 72 prevent the case 16 from rotating in the opposite direction.
Preferably, the number of notches 62 is identical to the number of indexing positions.
Once fully engaged, i.e. once the bead 54 cooperates with the rib 58 and the axial locking is ensured, the elastic tabs 60 may engage in the notches 62 to allow the rotation of the case 16.
Advantageously, the elastic tabs 60 and the teeth 64 form a kind of key which may be inserted at a specific angle orientation with respect to the notches 62 in the first portion 18a of the cover 18.
We will now describe a method for installing a new false eyelash support 24 in a case 16 as described in the above embodiments and for dispensing false eyelashes 12.
An example of the method is illustrated in
The method comprises the following steps:
In the embodiments illustrated here, the movement of the false eyelash support 24 is a rotational movement relative to the case 16. The rotary movement is obtained by actuating the second drive means 30.
In the first embodiment, the actuation of the second drive means 30 is obtained by rotation of the center of the case 16 (where the second drive means 30 is located) relative to the cover 18 of the case 16.
In the second embodiment, the second drive means 30 is actuated by rotating the first portion 18a of the cover 18 relative to the support plate 18b of the second drive means 30, here corresponding to the second portion 18b of the cover 18. In other words, a rotation of the first and second portions 18a, 18b of the cover 18 relative to each other allows the false eyelash support 24 to be actuated and a unit 14 of false eyelashes 12 to be dispensed.
In the third embodiment comprising two false eyelash supports 24, two second actuating means, two first portions 18a of the cover 18 and a support plate 18b for the two second drive means 30, the actuating of one of the two second drive means 30 is achieved by rotating the first portion 18a of the cover 18 enclosing the false eyelash support 24 to be actuated relative to the support plate 18b. In other words, the rotation of one of the two first portions 18a of the cover 18 relative to the support plate 18b actuates the corresponding false eyelash support 24 and dispenses a unit 14 of false eyelashes 12.
Advantageously, if the case 16 already comprises a false eyelash support 24 and the user wishes to change it, the method comprises, after step A of opening the case 16, a step B of removing the false eyelash support 24 in place before step C of inserting the other false eyelash support 24. Finally, the last step D is to close the case. In this case, the first portion 18a of the cover 18, which cooperates with the second drive means 30 of the false eyelash support 24, is fitted.
During step A of opening the case 16, the user must apply a sufficient force to disassemble the first portion 18a of the cover 18 from the support plate 18b. The user must apply a sufficient force for the bead 54 of the tenon 56 to disengage from its hold with the rib 58 of the second drive means 30 of the support 24 for false.
Similarly, during step D of closing the case, the user must apply a sufficient force for the bead 54 of the tenon 56 to come together with the rib 58 of the second drive means 30 of the support 24 for false. The axial blocking is then ensured, the elastic tabs 60 on the support plate 18b cooperate with the notches 62 on the first portion 18a of the cover 18 and the device 10 may be used.
If the false eyelash support 24 to be inserted is a new false eyelash support 24, it will advantageously be stored in a packaging 74 comprising an opening closed by a removable lid 76. Advantageously, the method comprises a step E of opening the packaging 74 receiving a new false eyelash support 24. Advantageously, the new false eyelash support 24 may be assembled to the case 16, i.e. inserted onto the second drive means 30 of the false eyelash support 24, without being removed from the packaging 74. This avoids any risk of damaging the false eyelashes 12.
Once the new false eyelash support 24 has been snapped onto the second drive means 30 of the false eyelash support 24, the packaging 74 may be removed and the case 16 closed.
At this stage, no false eyelashes 12 are available in the dispensing opening 20.
The case 16 and/or the false eyelash support 24 may then be actuated to cause the false eyelash support 24 to move in order to convey the false eyelashes 12 towards the dispensing opening 20 and the user may perform the removing of the false eyelashes 12 disposed at the level of the dispensing opening 20.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2312298 | Nov 2023 | FR | national |
