Field of the Invention

[1 ] The present invention relates to a separation tool for eyelashes.

Background of the Invention

[2] There are other available eyelash separation tools but none of them work satisfactorily.

[3] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[4] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[5] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an eyelash separation tool having a handle portion and a tool tip, the tool tip comprising a distal portion, wherein the distal portion has at least one side surface with a series of grooves formed therein.

[6] Preferably, the distal portion is angled relative to the handle portion.

[7] Preferably, the distal portion provides first and second side surfaces and a sharp distal point, wherein each of the first side surface and the second side surface includes a series of grooves formed therein.

[8] Preferably, the grooves are formed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the distal portion.

[9] Preferably, the grooves are parallel and evenly spaced along the first and second side surfaces.

[10] Preferably, the grooves are formed along the entire length of the distal portion.

[1 1 ] Preferably, the grooves form respective channels for receiving an eyelash therein, with peaks between the channels which are used to separate the eyelashes.

[12] In another embodiment, the grooves on the second side are wider than the grooves on the first side.

[13] The invention also provides a method of separating and shaping a customer’s eyelashes, the method comprising: a. placing a shield onto a closed eyelid, the shied being a curved body shaped to the desired shape for the eyelashes, b. using the grooves in the distal portion of the tool of any one of the above to separate the eyelashes along the shield.

[14] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[15] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[16] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an eyelash separation tool in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[17] Fig. 2 is a close-up view of a first side of the distal portion of the tool tip;

[18] Fig. 3 is a close-up view of a second side of the distal portion of the tool tip;

[19] Fig. 4 and 5 show an example use of the invention

[20] Fig. 6 shows a modified embodiment with the grooves all the way around the tip, and

[21 ] Fig. 7 shows a modified embodiment with grooves on one side having a larger spacing than the grooves on the other side.

Description of Embodiments

[22] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[23] Figures 1 to 3 show an eyelash separation tool 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The tool 10 is shaped in a similar manner to a dentist pick having an elongated handle portion 12 and from which extends a tool tip 14. The tool tip 14 has a proximal portion 15 which is generally aligned with the handle portion 12 and a distal portion 16 which is angled relative to the proximal portion 15. The distal portion 16 of the tool tip 14 is thus angled relative to the handle portion 12. The distal portion 16 provides shaped first and second side surfaces 22 and 24 and a sharp distal point 25.

[24] Each of the first side surface 22 and the second side surface 24 includes a series of grooves 26 formed therein. The grooves 26 are formed perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the distal portion 16. The grooves 26 are parallel and evenly spaced along the first and second side surfaces 22 and 24. The grooves 26 are formed along the entire length of the distal portion 16. The grooves 26 form respective channels 32 for receiving an eyelash therein, with peaks 34 between the channels 32 which are used to separate the eyelashes. The peaks 34 thus acts similar to a very fine comb in use. [25] In the example shown, each of the first and second side surfaces 22 and 24 includes at least twenty-five grooves 26, with each of the grooves 26 being about 1 to 2 mm in width. The first and second side surfaces 22 and 24 have identical number of grooves 26 in the example shown. The grooves 26 can be made to be smaller in diameter for finer eyelashes, such as any with from 0.03 mm to 0.40 mm.

[26] In use, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the customer’s eyelid is shut and a shield 40 is placed onto the closed eyelid. The shield 40 is a curved body made from plastics or rubber material which acts as a shaping bed for eyelashes 50. The shield 40 is curved to the desired shape for the eyelashes 50. The user then uses grooves 26 in the distal portion 16 to separate the eyelashes 50 along the shield 40. Thus, the eyelashes 50 are being separated by the tool 10 whist they are being shaped along the shield 40. The sharp point 25 can also be used to assist with separation if needed. As shown on Figure 5, use of the tool 10 results in consistent evenly spaced separation of the eyelashes 50.

[27] The invention thus provides an eyelash lifting and separating tool which has built-in grooves at the distal tip portion to separate lashes at the same time as it lifts them onto the shield. The tool has grooves on both sides of the distal portion to allow for left and right handed users to use it. The example shown provides 29 separating grooves to gives precise lash separation.

[28] The tool in the embodiment is lightweight even with built in grooves and easy to use, saves time in wrapping eyelashes on the rod, and instantly separates as lashes are lifted on the shield. The tool provides lash separation in less time. The tool in the example shown is made from high grade stainless steel and will not oxidise with sterilization.

[29] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described. For example, Figure 6 shows a modified embodiment where each groove 26 is formed to extend all the way around the distal portion 16. This embodiment provides additional angles for use of the tool. As shown in Figure 7, the tool tip distal portion 16 can also be modified such that the second side 24 has grooves 26 which are wider than the grooves 26 on the first side 22, for example for use with thicker eyelashes.