Eyelash comb

Abstract

The eyelash comb of the present invention is comprised of two curved limbs joined or hinged at one end. Each limb has a toothed section for combing the eyelashes. The teeth are triangular and so positioned on the each toothed section that they intermesh when the limbs are pressed closed. A resilient material can be used as a spring to aid in keeping the limbs apart when no pressure is applied to the limbs. A critical aspect of the invention is that it is advantageously made of cardboard or cardboard like material,

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

There are no utility patent applications related to this application

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP

No invention claimed in this application was made under Federally sponsored research or development.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an eyelash comb.

2. Description of the Related Art

Some prior mascara applicator and eyelashes combs are based on set of teeth or filaments mounted on a single base, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,927,295; 4,660,582; 3,343,551; 2,035,667; 1,727,837 and Des 315,428. Other mascara applicators that utilize dual arms or limbs have one arm bearing a toothed element are exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,325,071 and 5,007,442.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an inexpensive dual arm or limb eyelash comb. One problem with prior eyelash combs is poor in-use visibility, i.e., the position of the comb is obscured or not easily seen during use. In one embodiment of the present invention portion of the limbs are curved or angled to advantageously permit better in-use visibility and thus, enhanced safety over those eyelash combs or applicators mounted on a straight limb or arm when combing one's eyelashes and for removal of excess mascara. The combing and removal of excess mascara is also more effectively removed by the intermeshing teeth arrangement of the inventive eyelash comb.

An important aspect and advantage of the present invention lies in the use of cardboard or cardboard like material in its construction. The use of cardboard is better for the environment as it is based on a renewable resource unlike most plastics. It is rigid but soft enough to minimize hurting the eye in the event of an accidental slip when combing one's eyelashes, another advantage over plastic and other more rigid materials.

The generally triangular shaped teeth allow for more efficient and effective separation of the lashes. The effect is enhanced by the use of opposing teeth arranged to intermesh when the two limbs are pressed together. The teeth of the present invention are extensions of the distal ends of the planar limbs.

Another aspect of the invention lies in the curved distal end of the limbs on which the teeth are located. This advantageously enables one to quickly comb smaller or larger areas of the eyelashes by pivoting the comb in one's hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the eyelash comb of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational thereof;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational thereof, the opposite side view is a mirror image of the image shown;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the eyelash comb of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The eyelash comb of the present invention is basically and broadly comprised of two planar curved limbs joined or hinged at one end. Each limb has a toothed zone or section and teeth projecting therefrom for combing the eyelashes at a distal end opposite the hinged end. The teeth are extensions of the outer edges of the planar limbs. The teeth are triangular and so positioned on the each toothed section that they intermesh when the limbs are pressed closed. A resilient material can be used as a spring to aid in keeping the limbs apart when no pressure is applied to the limbs. An important aspect of the invention is that it is advantageously made of relatively thin cardboard or cardboard like material, i.e., material having the physical properties of cardboard. Cardboard is a material made from a renewable resource such as plant or tree fiber and it is more ecologically friendly and cost effective than plastics that are derived from non-renewable resources like oil. Cardboard is sufficiently rigid to effectively perform the combing and aid in removal of excess mascara and yet resilient enough to be bent into a resilient hinge.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1-5, limbs (1,2) are joined at fold or bend 18, which acts as a hinge. The limbs have respective lower edge portions (3, 15) that have substantially straight horizontal edges with respective edge portions (4,13) that tapers or curves upwardly toward the toothed distal end section or zone (5, 11) of their respective limbs (1,2). The points of teeth (8,12) as shown in these Figures, are made and positioned to circumscribe a convex curve or outward vertical curve as indicated by imaginary line (19) and more particularly as shown in the Figures, a compound convex curve or partial parabolic curve. The outer edge (6,10) of the last tooth (8, 12) curves and smoothly merges with upper edge 7 and 9 of limbs 1 and 2, respectively. Teeth (8) of limb 1 are bent inward towards teeth (12) and likewise, teeth (12) of limb 2 are bent inwards toward teeth (8). Teeth (8) and (12) are triangular. Spring (16) can be made of a strip of cardboard, cardboard-like material or less preferably any commercially available resilient plastic material such as PET or polystyrene. The ends of the strip are shown as 17 and 24. Portions of the strip is adhered or glued to the inside portion of the limbs to create the spring.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, tips of triangular teeth (20) of the toothed section or zone (22) are linearly aligned as shown by imaginary line (21) instead of the curved alignment of the previous embodiment. Teeth (20) may be bent inwardly as in the previous embodiment.

The dimensions, i.e., width, length, of the limbs of the inventive eyelash comb, are selected to provide optimal in-use visibility. The degree of curvature of the curved limb including the curved toothed section embodiment offers an additional means for adjusting the in-use visibility.

The limbs of the comb including the toothed sections are cut or formed from a single piece of cardboard or cardboard-like material and then folded or bent to form hinge area 18. The resilient spring material 16 can be attached to the limbs by any suitable means such as by adhesive bonding.

It is noted that changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An eyelash comb comprising two opposing curved cardboard or cardboard-like material limbs joined at one end to form a hinge; each of said limb having a toothed section at a distal end opposite said hinge; said toothed section having triangular teeth, each tooth having a tip; said teeth of the toothed section arranged such that the tips of said teeth intermesh with said toothed section of the opposing limb when the limbs are pressed closed.

2. The eyelash comb of claim 1, wherein said tips of said teeth of the toothed section are aligned to circumscribe an outward curve.

3. The eyelash comb of claim 2, wherein said outward curve is substantially a compound curve.

4. The eyelash comb of claim 2, wherein said outward curve is substantially a parabolic curve.

5. The eyelash comb of claim 1, wherein teeth of each of said toothed section are bent or angled inwardly toward each other.

6. The eyelash comb of claim 1, further comprising spring means positioned between said limbs for applying opening tension to said limbs.

7. The eyelash comb of claim 6, wherein said spring means is comprised of cardboard or cardboard like material.

8. The eyelash comb of claim 6, wherein said hinge is comprised of plastic.

9. The eyelash comb of claim 1, wherein said teeth of the toothed section are linearly aligned.

10. The eyelash comb of claim 1, wherein said limbs and corresponding toothed sections and hinge are formed of a unitary piece of cardboard or cardboard-like material.

11. An eyelash comb comprising two opposing curved planar limbs joined at one end to form a hinge; each of said limb having a toothed section at a distal end opposite said hinge; said toothed section having triangular teeth, each tooth having a tip; said teeth of the toothed section arranged such that the tips of said teeth intermesh with said toothed section of the opposing limb when the limbs are pressed closed; said teeth of the toothed section are aligned to circumscribe a outward curve and said teeth being an extension of an edge of said distal end.

12. The eyelash comb of claim 11, wherein said outward curve is substantially a compound curve.

13. The eyelash comb of claim 11, wherein said outward curve is substantially a parabolic curve.

14. The eyelash comb of claim 11, further comprising spring means positioned between said limbs for applying opening tension to said limbs.

15. The eyelash comb of claim 14, wherein said spring means is comprised of cardboard or cardboard like material.

16. The eyelash comb of claim 14, wherein said hinge is comprised of plastic.

17. The eyelash comb of claim 1, wherein teeth of each of said toothed section are bent or angled inwardly toward each other.