FACILITATING APPLICATION OF FALSE EYELASHES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The embodiments of the present invention relate to a cosmetic eye-enhancer, and more particularly, the embodiments of the present invention relate to an integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier for facilitating donning of the cosmetic eye- enhancer by holding the applier by the fingertips of a user generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user but not have to squeeze the applier by the fingertips of the user when donning the cosmetic eye-enhancer.

2. Description of the Related Art

Having the right cosmetic tool is essential for applying makeup correctly and accurately.

Today there are a number of cosmetic tools in the market, each with its own specific purpose. In some cases people have utilized one cosmetic tool to do more than one job. For example, individuals who apply and/or wear false eyelashes may have used narrow- tipped tweezers to help in the application of the false eyelash.

These narrow-tipped tweezers are generally designed to remove fine hairs, not to hold lashes. The narrow-tipped tweezers, if used to hold false eyelashes, will only hold just a few lashes, and will not provide much control over the false eyelash during application.

A number of cosmetic tools have been developed to help apply false eyelashes, while other tools having different intended purposes have been substituted to assist in the process of putting on eyelashes.

Numerous innovations for false eyelashes, their applicators, and their adhesives have been provided in the prior art, which will be described below in chronological order to show advancement in the art. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach an integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier for facilitating donning of the cosmetic eye-enhancer by holding the applier by the fingertips of a user generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user but not have to squeeze the applier by the fingertips of the user when donning the cosmetic eye-enhancer.

U.S. Patent No. 3,516,423 to Seidler teaches a cosmetic article applicator especially suited for applying false eyelashes. The applicator includes a support surface to which the cosmetic article is temporarily adhered for manipulation of the article into adhering engagement with the skin of the wearer. The surface to which the cosmetic article is temporarily adhered includes an adhering medium that is, preferably, a silicone base adhesive that is washable to remove contaminants and renew the tackiness of the adhesive. In applying the cosmetic article to the skin, a surgical tape is utilized, which is supported on a compressible surface in order that the tape is caused to conform to the cosmetic article on the support surface.

U.S. Design Patent No. 223,787 to Seidler teaches the ornamental design for a false eyelash holder.

U.S. Patent No. 3,880,175 to Hosokawa teaches a false eyelash structure including a number of hair units mounted on a supporting yarn and bonded to a plastic film that is mountable onto the upper eyelid of a human being. The film may be colored to function as eye shadow.

U.S. Patent No. 5,547,529 to Woolf teaches a false eyelash system for producing unknotted clusters of false eyelashes from long fibers. A plurality of long fibers is knotted around a main string with a preliminary knot. The long fibers are trimmed a distance away from the main string, which corresponds to a desired eyelash length. Cement is applied to the preliminary knot and a discernible distance therefrom to form a cement clot. The preliminary knot is removed by cutting through the cement clot to form unknotted clusters of false eyelashes. U.S. Patent No. 6,029,674 to Han teaches a device for attaching a false eyelash, with an original adhesive thereon, to an eyelid when the original adhesive thereon has lost its adhesion. The device includes a core and an adhesive coating that surrounds the core so as to form an attaching element. The adhesive coating attaches the core along the false eyelash and also allows the false eyelash to then be attached to the eyelid. The device further includes a primary substrate, a secondary substrate disposed on the primary substrate and has a plurality of the attaching elements spaced longitudinally therealong and held releasibly thereon by the adhesive coating of each attaching element, a plurality of release sheet covers, each of which covers and protects an associated attaching element prior to use, and is held releasibly thereon by the adhesive coating of the associated attaching element, and at least one pair of false eyelashes disposed on the primary substrate.

U.S. Patent No. 6,308,716 to Han teaches an improved core for an adhesive device for attaching a false eyelash to an eyelid. The adhesive device is of a type that has a core, an adhesive coating that surrounds the core so as to form an attaching element, a primary substrate that is a card and has a face with an upper area that has a display throughbore therethrough for a hanging display and a lower area, a secondary substrate that is disposed on the upper area of the primary substrate, below the display throughbore, and a plurality of release sheet covers that are individual and separate from each other. The improvement includes the core being a plurality of synthetic fibers laid side by side and not twisted, braided, interwoven, intertwined, entwined, or interlaced with each other. Each synthetic fiber is thin, smooth, and does not absorb the adhesive coating so as to remain soft and pliable.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0166939 to Stroud teaches a false eyelash applicator that is a generally U-shaped hand tool having two arms joined together by a middle portion. The arms are mirror images of each other and are parallel to the other. Each arm has an end, a neck section, and a handle section. The middle portion is flanked on each side by the handle sections of each arm. The ends have a width and a slightly concave edge that serves to hold the false eyelash. The width of the

applicator's ends permits the applicator to grasp up to about three-fourths of the false eyelash, and not just a few lashes, at one time for more accuracy. The applicator is constructed of flexible and resilient material to permit the applicator to be folded into its generally U-shaped configuration and be manipulated.

U.S. Patent No. 7,222,629 to Han teaches an apparatus for securing an eyelash holder platform to a back of a beautician's hand, which has a finger ring, which is removably attachable to an eyelash holder platform, and which is to be worn on a beautician's finger so as to maintain the location of the platform in the proximity of the back of the beautician's hand.

U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0044827 to Zilber et al. teaches a cosmetics container system including a first compact that includes an apparatus for releasibly attaching the first compact to a side or a bottom of another first compact or to a compact of a smaller size.

It is apparent that numerous innovations for false eyelashes, their applicators, and their adhesives have been provided in the prior art, which are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, nevertheless, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the embodiments of the present invention as heretofore described, namely, an integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier for facilitating donning of the cosmetic eye-enhancer by holding the applier by the fingertips of a user generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user but not have to squeeze the applier by the fingertips of the user when donning the cosmetic eye-enhancer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide an integral cosmetic eye- enhancer and applier for facilitating donning of the cosmetic eye-enhancer by holding the applier by the fingertips of a user generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user but not have to squeeze the applier by the fingertips of the user when donning the cosmetic eye-enhancer, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. Briefly stated, another object of the present invention is to provide an integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier facilitating donning of the cosmetic eye-enhancer by holding the applier by the fingertips of a user generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user but not have to squeeze the applier by the fingertips of the user when donning the cosmetic eye-enhancer. A pair of applicator trays are replaceably contained within a storage container. A pair of false eyelashes are releasibly attached to corresponding working ends of the pair of applicator trays, respectively. The other corresponding ends of the pair of applicator trays are held by the fingertips of the user generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user but not have to squeeze the other corresponding ends of the pair of applicator trays by the fingertips of the user when donning the pair of false eyelashes.

The novel features considered characteristic of the embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The embodiments of the present invention themselves, however, both as to their construction and to their method of operation together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying figures of the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier of the embodiments of the present invention facilitating donning of the cosmetic eye-enhancer by holding the applier by the fingertips of a user generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user but not have to squeeze the applier by the fingertips of the user when donning the cosmetic eye-enhancer; FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the integral cosmetic eye- enhancer and applier of the embodiments of the present invention identified by

ARROW 2 in Fig. 1 being donned by holding the applier by the fingertips of a user generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user but not have to squeeze the applier by the fingertips of the user;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of the integral cosmetic eye- enhancer and applier of the embodiments of the present invention identified by

ARROW 3 in Fig. 1 being donned by holding the applier by the fingertips of a user generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user but not have to squeeze the applier by the fingertips of the use;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of the integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier of the embodiments of the present invention identified by ARROW 4 in Fig. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier of the embodiments of the present invention taken generally in the direction of ARROW 5 in Fig. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 6-6 in Fig. 5; FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic front elevational view taken along LINE 7-7 in Fig. 5; FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE 8-8 in Fig. 5; FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the integral cosmetic eye- enhancer and applier of the embodiments of the present invention identified by

ARROW 9 in Fig. 5;

FIG. 10 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view of the integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier of the embodiments of the present invention shown in Fig. 9;

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of an affixing apparatus of the integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier of the

embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of an affixing apparatus of the integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier of the

embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 13 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE

13- 13 in Fig. 11 of the affixing apparatus embodiment shown in Fig. 11 but in a storage container of the integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier of the

embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is an enlarged diagrammatic cross sectional view taken along LINE

14- 14 in Fig. 12 of the affixing apparatus embodiment shown in Fig. 12 but in a storage container of the integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier of the

embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT

INVENTION

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to Figures 1-3, the integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier of the embodiments of the present invention is shown generally at 20 for facilitating donning of the cosmetic eye-enhancer 22 by holding the applier 24 by the fingertips 26 of a user 28 generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user 28 but not have to squeeze the applier 24 by the fingertips 26 of the user 28 when donning the cosmetic eye-enhancer 22.

The configuration of the integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier 20 can best be seen in Figures 4 through 10. The integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier 20 comprises a storage container 30, a pair of applicator trays 32, and a pair of false eyelashes 34.

The pair of applicator trays 32 are replaceably contained within the storage container 30.

The pair of false eyelashes 34 are releasibly attached to corresponding working ends 36 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, while the other corresponding ends 38 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, are for holding by the fingertips 26 of the user 28 generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user 28 but not have to squeeze the other corresponding ends 38 of the pair of applicator trays 32 by the fingertips 26 of the user 28 when donning the pair of false eyelashes 34 so as to facilitate donning of the pair of false eyelashes 34.

The storage container 30 is generally rectangular-shaped, and has a top 40 and a front wall 42.

The top 40 of the storage container 30 has a recess 44 therein, and the front wall 42 of the storage container 30 has a pair of through openings 46 therethrough.

The pair of through openings 46 of thee front wall 42 of the storage container 30 are spaced apart from each other in a side-by-side relationship, and communicate with the recess 44 of the top 40 of the storage container 30.

The pair of through openings 46 of the front wall 42 of the storage container 30 are a pair of dovetailed mortises 48, respectively.

The pair of applicator trays 32 sit replaceably in the recess 44 of the top 40 of the storage container 30, with the other corresponding ends 38 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, extending outwardly through the pair of dovetailed mortises 48 of the pair of through openings 46 of the front wall 42 of the storage container 30, respectively.

The pair of applicator trays 32 have widths that prevent them from being lifted upwardly out of the pair of dovetailed mortises 48 of the pair of through openings 46 of the front wall 42 of the storage container 30, respectively, without having to be bent so as to prevent inadvertent removal of the pair of applicator trays 32 from the storage container 30 via the pair of dovetailed mortises 48 of the pair of through openings 46 of the front wall 42 of the storage container 30, respectively.

The pair of applicator trays 32 diverge from the other corresponding ends 38 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, to the corresponding working ends 36 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively.

The corresponding working ends 36 of the pair of applicator trays 32,

respectively, are arcuately concaved-shaped for matching that of the eyelids of the user 28 to thereby facilitate donning the pair of false eyelashes 34, and the other corresponding ends 38 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, are a pair of generally normally bent down tabs 50, respectively, that generally rest against the front wall 42 of the storage container 30 and that prevent the pair of applicator trays 32 from sliding out of the storage container 30 in a direction opposite to that of the front wall 42 of the storage container 30.

The pair of applicator trays 32 have two pair of through bores 52 therethrough, respectively. The two pair of through bores 52 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, are disposed in close proximity to the corresponding working ends 36 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively. The pair of applicator trays 32 further have a pair of lowermost surfaces 54, respectively, a pair of tape strips 56, respectively, and a pair of uppermost surfaces 58, respectively. The pair of tape strips 56 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, are adhered to the pair of lowermost surfaces 54 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, and are disposed laterally beneath the two pair of through bores 52 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, so as to allow adhesive from the pair of tape strips 56 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, to be accessible from the pair of uppermost surfaces 58 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, via the two pair of through bores 52 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively.

The pair of false eyelashes 34 are arcuately concaved-shaped to match that of, are releasibly affixed to, and extend slightly outwardly from, the corresponding working ends 36 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, via the adhesive from the pair of tape strips 56 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively, that is accessible via the two pair of through bores 52 of the pair of applicator trays 32, respectively. The pair of false eyelashes 34 have an affixing apparatus 60. The affixing apparatus 60 of the pair of false eyelashes 34 is for releasibly affixing the pair of false eyelashes 34 to the eyelashes of the user 28.

The specific configuration of the affixing apparatus 160 can best be seen in Figures 11 and 13. The affixing apparatus 160 includes adhesives 162 and release sheets 164. The adhesives 162 of the affixing apparatus 160 extend along the pair of false eyelashes 34, respectively, and are protected prior to use by the release sheets 164 of the affixing apparatus 160, respectively.

The specific configuration of the affixing apparatus 260 can best be seen in Figures 12 and 14. The affixing apparatus 260 includes adhesives 262. The adhesives 262 of the affixing apparatus 260 are applied along the pair of false eyelashes 34, respectively, and are, preferably provided by a tube 264.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. While the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described as embodied in an integral cosmetic eye-enhancer and applier for

facilitating donning of the cosmetic eye-enhancer by holding the applier by the fingertips of a user generally horizontally so as to have to bend the wrist of the user but not have to squeeze the applier by the fingertips of the user when donning the cosmetic eye-enhancer, however, they are not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions, and changes in the forms and details of the embodiments of the present invention illustrated and their operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the embodiments of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the embodiments of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt them for various applications without omitting features that from the standpoint of prior art fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.