[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application serial number 63/328,182, filed on April 6, 2022, presently pending, the contents of which are now incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

[0002] The present invention relates to an applicator for applying an artificial eyelash extension system to a user’s natural eyelashes.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] Artificial eyelash extension systems are used to enhance the length, curliness, fullness, and thickness of natural eyelashes. Since artificial eyelash extension systems are small in size and should be accurately attached to the target area, it may be difficult for a user to apply artificial eyelash extension systems to the user’s natural eyelashes or eyelids by hand. This is especially the case for “wisp,” “cluster,” or “individual” artificial eyelash extension systems that have shorter support strip lengths than full-strip artificial eyelash extension systems and may often be applied to the underside of the user’s natural eyelashes. For example, “wisp” artificial eyelash extension systems (e.g., KISS Falscara Eyelash made by Kiss Products, Inc., located in Port Washington, NY) are segmented versions of a full-strip artificial eyelash extension systems and have support strip lengths that are one-half to one-fifth of a full-strip artificial eyelash extension system’s support strip length. Even smaller “cluster” artificial eyelash extension systems (e.g., KISS Lash Couture LuXtensions, also made by Kiss Products, Inc.), or the smallest “flare” or “individual” artificial eyelash extension systems (e.g., KISS i’ENVY Ultra Black Flare Short/Medium/Long, KISS i’ENVY Ultra Black 3D Individual Lash Medium/Long, all of which are also made by Kiss Products, Inc.) may include only a few eyelash filaments attached together at their bases. Therefore, a separate applicator is often used to apply shorter- length artificial eyelash extension systems, although the usage also includes full-strip artificial eyelash extension systems. However, artificial eyelash extension systems may stick to existing applicators due to the adhesives being applied to the eyelash filaments of the artificial eyelash extension systems before being attached to a user’s natural eyelashes or eyelid, thereby making the artificial eyelash extension systems more challenging to attach to the user.

SUMMARY

[0004] A technical object of the present invention is to provide an applicator for an artificial eyelash extension system capable of allowing a user to easily apply the artificial eyelash extension system without sticking thereto.

[0005] In one aspect, an applicator for an artificial eyelash extension system comprises a first head and a second head; a first handle attached to the first head and a second handle attached to the second head, wherein each of the first handle and the second handle comprises: a grip portion, and a distal portion; wherein the grip portion has a width that increasingly narrows towards the corresponding one of the first head and the second head.

[0006] According to one aspect, the width of the grip portion may further narrow towards the distal portion. In addition, a middle portion of the grip portion that has a maximum width is closer to the corresponding one of the first head and the second head than to the distal portion. [0007] According to one aspect, the grip portion may comprise a middle portion between the distal portion and the corresponding one of the first head and the second head, and the width of the grip portion narrows from the middle portion towards the corresponding one of the first head and the second head and does not decrease from the middle portion towards the distal portion. [0008] According to one aspect, each of the first handle and the second handle may further comprise a proximal portion connecting the grip portion and the corresponding one of the first head and the second head. In addition, the proximal portion may have a generally constant width. [0009] According to one aspect, each of the first head and the second head may have a crescent shape.

[0010] According to one aspect, each handle each of the first head and the second head may be connected to a corresponding one of the has a crescent shape.

[0011] According to one aspect, the first handle may be connected to the first head at a point deviated from a center of the first head, and the second handle may be connected to second head at a point deviated from a center of the second head.

[0012] According to one aspect, the first head and the second head may be treated with a nonstick coating.

[0013] According to one aspect, the applicator may be entirely treated with a non-stick coating. [0014] The technical objects and effects of the present invention are not limited to the above, and other technical objects and effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary diagram of an artificial eyelash extension applicator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0017] FIGS. 2 and 3 show exemplary diagrams of differing a view of the artificial eyelash extension applicator 100 shown in FIG. 1; and

[0018] FIG. 4 shows a top-down view of the head of the artificial eyelash extension applicator illustrated in FIG. 1, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and these embodiments are provided only for making the description of the present invention complete and fully informing those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains on the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0020] Spatially relative terms “below,” “beneath,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” can be used to easily describe a correlation between an element or components and other elements or components. The spatially relative terms should be understood as terms including different orientations of the device during use or operation in addition to the orientation shown in the drawings. For example, when an element shown in the figures is turned over, an element described as “below” or “beneath” another element may be placed “above” the other element. Accordingly, the exemplary term “below” may include both directions below and above. The device may also be oriented in other orientations, and thus spatially relative terms may be interpreted according to orientation.

[0021] Although terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used to describe various elements, components, and/or sections, it should be understood that these elements, components, and/or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, or section from another element, component, or section. Accordingly, the first element, the first component, or the first section mentioned below may be the second element, the second component, or the second section within the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary diagram of an artificial eyelash extension applicator 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, as shown in FIG.

1, the artificial eyelash extension applicator 100 may include a handle 110 and a head 120. The handle 110 is connected to the head 120. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the applicator 100 can have two handles 110 and two heads 120 of the same shape.

[0023] The handle 110 may include a proximal portion 112, a grip portion 114, and a distal portion 116. The proximal portion 112 has a generally constant width and connects the grip portion 114 with the head 120. The grip portion 114 has a width profile that widens from the proximal portion 112 toward the middle portion 115. Therefore, the grip portion 114 has a width that narrows towards the head 120. The width of the grip portion 114 also narrows towards the distal portion 116. The distal portion is where the handle 110 meets the other handle (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 but not shown in FIG. 1) when the applicator 100 is in an open state (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). However, the proximal, grip, and distal portions are being used to describe the handle 110 of the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1. A person of ordinary skill will readily understand that the handle 110 does not require separate portions. For example, another embodiment of the applicator of the present invention may have a handle that generally widens in width above half the distance between the head and the distal portion of the handle but with a shape that does not clearly delineate between the proximal and grip portions, thereby having just a grip portion 114 and the distal portion 116 without a proximal portion 112.

[0024] The grip portion 114 has a width profile that can facilitate superior holding of the handle 110 by a user of the applicator 100. As shown in the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1, the grip portion 114 has a shape in which the middle portion 115 is wider in width than both ends of the grip portion 114, so that the width gradually becomes narrower from the middle portion 115 toward both ends (i.e., one end being where the grip portion 114 meets the proximal portion 112, and the other end being where the grip portion 114 meets the distal portion 116). In another embodiment, the grip portion 1 14 may start increasing in width from the head 120 toward the middle portion 115 but does not decrease from the middle portion 115 toward the distal portion 116. Due to the shape of the grip portion 114, it has the effect of allowing a more stable grip of the applicator 100 by a user than a shape that is thinner and straight-lined. As explained above, another embodiment may have a handle 110, whose width increases from the head 120 toward the middle portion 115 without a discernable proximal portion 112.

[0025] In FIG. 1, the proximal portion 112 is provided between the grip portion 114 and the head 120. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the proximal portion 112 has a generally constant width that is narrower than the width of the grip portion 114, and the grip portion 114 starts where the width of the handle 110 starts increasing. As such, in at least one embodiment, the grip portion 114 has a width that increasingly narrows towards the head 120. However, as explained above, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and the width of the proximal portion may be the same as or wider than some portions of the grip portion 114, and some embodiments may even have no proximal portions 112.

[0026] The grip portion 114 extends from the proximal portion 112 and may have a shape in which the width gradually increases from the proximal portion 112 to its maximum width in the middle portion 115 and then gradually decreases toward the distal portion 116, as shown in FIG.

1. In addition, the middle portion 115 that has the maximum width is closer to the head 120 than to the distal portion 116. Therefore, it leverages the force applied by the user when the user applies gripping force at the middle portion 115. However, as explained above, the grip portion 114 may start from the head 120 and ends at the distal portion 116 in another embodiment, and/or it may have a shape that does not decrease in width from the middle portion 115 toward the distal portion 116. As will be described in FIGS. 2 and 3, the applicator 100 may be comprised of a pair of handles 110 of the same shape, where the two handles 110 are joined at the distal portion 116. However, it is also possible to have handles 110 of different shapes. [0027] The head 120 may be used to hold or otherwise maintain one or more artificial eyelash extension systems thereon in order to apply the artificial eyelash extension system to the natural eyelashes of the user. The head 120 has a crescent shape, in which the middle area is thicker in width than both end areas 121. In addition, the head 120 is connected to the handle 110 through the proximal portion 112 in FIG. 1. However, in another embodiment, the head 120 may be connected to the handle 110 through the grip portion 114 without a proximal portion 112 as explained above. In particular, the handle 110 is connected to the head 120 at a point deviated to one side rather than the center of the head 120 and away from both end areas 121 of the head 120 in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, the connection between the handle 110 and the head 120 may be at or closer to one of the end areas 121 of the head 120.

[0028] The handle 110 may be composed of the same material as the head 120 (e.g., both the handle 110 and the head 120 may be composed of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material used for conventional applicators for artificial eyelash extension systems). Alternatively, the handle 110 may be composed of a different material than the head 120 (e.g., the handle 110 may be composed of plastic, and the head 120 may be composed of metal, or vice versa).

[0029] FIGS. 2 and 3 show, respectively, side and perspective views of the applicator 100 shown in FIG. 1. As indicated above, the proximal portion 112 and grip portion 114 may include two separate handles 305 and 310, which are connected at and extending from the distal portion 116. The distal portion 116 acts as a string that allows the two handles 305 and 310 to be in an open state at rest. When a user applies pressure on the two handles 305, 310 in the directions of the arrows 320 and 325, the two handles 305, 310 close to allow the two heads 120 to touch each other, in one embodiment. In another embodiment, only one of the two handles 305,310 is adapted to move with the application of a gripping force. When the pressure is no longer applied, the distal portion 1 16 acts as a spring to open the two handles 305, 310.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, one handle 305 or 310 merges with the other handle 310 or 305, where the merged portion (the portion where the two handles 305, 310 are connected to each other) forms the distal portion 116. The distal portion 116 may be formed by fusing the two handles 305, 310 (e.g., by using heat) or using a glue. Alternatively, the two handles 305, 310 may be formed using a single mold (not shown) where both handles 305, 310 have a common distal portion 116. In addition, a apart of the common distal portion may be thinned to increase the elasticity. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, no spring or hinge is installed between the two handles and the handles may come close to each other when a pressure is applied and may retreat back to its original position due to its elasticity when the pressure is released. In another embodiment (not shown), the two handles 305, 310 may be joined by a hinge mechanism with a spring that facilitates the opening and closing of the handles 305, 310, in which case the distal portion 116 starts where the hinged coupling joins the two handles 305, 310 with each other

[0031] FIG. 4 shows a top-down view of the artificial eyelash extension applicator 100 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, each of the two heads 405, 410 is aligned with the other head so that the two heads 405, 410 touch each other when the two handles 305, 310 are closed. When the user applies pressure to the two handles 305, 310 so as to close them, the two heads 405, 410 engage with each other, thereby allowing the user to pick up one or more artificial eyelash extension systems (e.g., one full-strip artificial eyelash extension system, or one or more shorter-1 ength “wisp,” “cluster,” or “individual” artificial eyelash extension systems) and attach them to the user’s natural eyelashes or eyelid. Further, when the user ceases applying pressure and the two heads 405, 410 move away from each other by the elastic force acting outwardly on the two handles 305, 310 (e.g., in the directions shown by arrows 330 and 335 in FIG. 2), the artificial eyelash extension systems can be separated from the heads 405, 410 after adhering to the user’s natural eyelashes or eyelid. A person of ordinary skill will readily understand that the manners in which the applicator 100 is used to attach artificial eyelash extension systems to the user are similar or the same as conventional prior art applicators for artificial eyelash extension systems. [0032] In some embodiments, the artificial eyelash extension applicator 100 may be partially or wholly coated to improve durability, resistance to scratching, cleanability, resistance to chemicals/solutions, etc. In particular, for shorter-1 ength “wisp,” “cluster,” or “individual” artificial eyelash extension systems that are attached to the underside of a user’s natural eyelashes, the adhesives for attaching such artificial eyelash extension systems to the user will often come in contact with the heads 120, 405, 410 of the applicator 100. Therefore, the applicator 100 may be treated with a non-stick coating to prevent the artificial eyelash extension systems from sticking to the applicator 100 due to an adhesive, glue, sticker, etc. that is applied or pre-applied to the artificial eyelash extension system prior to attachment to the user. Examples of such non-stick coatings may include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coatings, silicone coatings, etc. Such coating may be applied only on the heads 120, 405, 410 or on the entire applicator 100.

[0033] Although exemplary implementations of the invention have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[0034] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Also, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the invention, they are by no means limiting but are instead exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.