MANNEQUIN HEAD CONTAINER FOR USE IN MAKEUP PRACTICE AND STORAGE OF COSMETIC TOOLS

Abstract

The present invention is in the technical field of cosmetology. More specifically, the present invention is utilized in the application of eyelash extension and storage of the tools used in the application of eyelash extensions. The mannequin head provides students of cosmetology a practical device to practice and perfect the technique of their craft. Existing mannequin heads do not provide the angle or consistency of the eyelid that is necessary for students to apply eyelashes in a manner that is realistic to that of applying an eyelash directly to a human eyelid. Further, the application of eyelash extensions requires numerous tools, and the present invention allows for easy storage and access to these tools.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/698,694 filed on Sep. 9, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the study of cosmetology and specifically is an aid for the application of cosmetics and for the storage of cosmetic tools.

Mannequin heads for practice purposes are known. Aids have been used to teach cosmetology in the past and are necessary in order to allow students to practice their craft prior to implementing their talents on actual human faces.

There is a significant problem with such cosmetic aids because they do not allow for storage of makeup and related tools, leaving open the possibility that users will misplace items or have to carry the mannequin and the tools separately, creating an unnecessary nuisance.

There is also a significant problem with mannequin heads for cosmetic practice as they relate to eyelash cosmetology, in that artificial eyelashes are generally simulated by a single strip of eyelashes, rather than by multiple rows of eyelashes. Since human eyelashes grow naturally in multiple rows, prior art fails to provide a fully accurate simulation for an esthetician or cosmetologist in-training.

Thus, a need exists for improvements in the design of the mannequins, especially for practical storage purposes, and more accurate simulations of the eyelash features of the human face. The integration of a storage area inside the mannequin head cures those deficiencies and allows users of the invention the practical advantage of having a mannequin with which they may practice and store all tools necessary for successful cosmetological learning. The inclusion in the mannequin head system of attachable eyelash strips that accurately simulate multiple rows of lashes further improves on the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a mannequin head, with a hollow inside that acts as a storage container, for use in the application of eyelash extensions with removable sponges shaped like eyelids that resemble the human eyelid for a more practical and authentic extension application practice tool for cosmetology students.

A more specific objective of the invention is to overcome the difficulty that eyelash extension students have in practicing the application of eyelashes to a mannequin.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mannequin head with storage space for the various tools that are used in make-up practice as it relates to the application of eyelash extensions.

The prior art generally fails to provide the appropriate angle that a human head would be positioned in when eyelash extensions are applied. Additionally, the prior art generally fails to provide the correct shape or consistency that the lid of a human eyelash would have in terms of applying a lash to a lid. Furthermore, the prior art fails to include removable artificial eyelashes to practice the accurate application of eyelash extensions. Finally, the prior art fails to include removable artificial eyelashes that are arranged in multiple rows accurately simulated the natural growth of human eyelashes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective of a preferred embodiment of the mannequin head fully-assembled, with the top face section and bottom base portion of the mannequin head container fit together;

FIG. 2 is the side perspective of the eyelid patch attached to the top of the eye cavity of the facial configuration portion of the mannequin head, with eyelash strip attached to the eyelid patch;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the mannequin head completely assembled, with the facial configuration portion and back surface portion of the mannequin head container fit together, and showing the eyelid patches and eyelash strips attached to the mannequin head.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective of a preferred embodiment of the mannequin head showing how the back surface portion and face portion fit together;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective of the back surface portion of the mannequin head container, which in its preferred embodiment includes a raised keeper to hold a compact disc in place, and is a kit that holds a compact disc and notebook.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective of the back surface portion of the mannequin head container, which in its preferred embodiment is a kit that holds a notebook on top of a compact disc.

FIG. 7 is a front and a side perspective of the eyelid patch and eyelash strip assembly, showing how lower and upper configurations of the eyelash strip may be attached to the eyelid patch, and showing how the eyelid patch may be folded and unfolded to approximate the size and shape of both an open and closed human eyelid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, the mannequin head container approximates the size and shape of a human female head, including an oval human facial configuration whose shape resembles that of a human female, and which is made of plastic or other similarly rigid material. In one embodiment the plastic mannequin head is of a color and shade of that of human skin.

In further detail, as shown in FIG. 1, the mannequin head container also includes a back surface portion that has a moderate depth of approximately one inch. The back surface portion includes a protrusion portion, shown be reference number 25, protruding a sufficient distance of approximately one-half inch from the base that would allow the entire mannequin unit to sit angularly upward when said back surface portion is set on a horizontal surface.

Referring now to FIG. 2, said mannequin head includes a top portion, shown by reference number 10, and said back surface portion, showing by reference number 20, which are selectively attachable and detachable from one another. An eyelid patch and eyelash strip assembly, shown by reference number 15, may be affixed by an adhesive to said mannequin head on or around the eye cavity of said facial configuration portion. Said eyelid patch may be made of latex or other sufficiently comprised latex free materials. The components of the eyelash strips may be made of synthetic eyelash materials, fabric, or other sufficiently flexible materials.

Still referring to FIG. 2, said mannequin head container includes said back surface portion that may be made of plastic or any of other sufficiently rigid and strong materials. Said protrusion shown by reference number 25 comprises part of said back surface portion.

Still referring to FIG. 2, an eyebrow piece, shown by reference number 30, may be attached to said facial configuration to more accurately simulate a human female face.

Referring now to FIG. 3, said eyelid patch and eyelash strip assembly, shown by reference number 15, may be attached to said facial configuration portion of said mannequin head. An eyebrow piece of various shapes and sizes approximating different styles of human eyebrows, shown by reference number 30, may be attached to said facial configuration portion of said mannequin head.

Referring now to FIG. 4, said mannequin head and said back surface portion of the mannequin fit together, where in the preferred embodiment said mannequin head has a rim slightly larger in width than the width of the back surface portion, allowing the mannequin head and back surface portion to snap together.

The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG. 4 are that the inside of said mannequin head is a hollow cavity, and that removal of said back surface portion from said mannequin head allows access to said hollow cavity, where in the preferred embodiment items comprising a cosmetic kit, including cosmetic tools and products, may be placed and stored.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the bottom base portion of the mannequin head container has the properties as described in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mannequin head contains a back surface portion that has a depth that would lay flat horizontally on a surface. The inside portion of the back surface portion has a raised keeper to hold a compact disc, shown by reference number 40, in place. In the preferred embodiment a notebook, shown by reference number 50, may be placed over the compact disc and stored within the mannequin head.

In broad embodiment, the present invention is a mannequin head that serves as both a practice head for the application of make-up and the storage of cosmetology tools.

Referring now to FIG. 6, in the preferred embodiment said mannequin head has a back surface portion, the inside of which may contain a notebook which, when said back surface portion is attached to said mannequin head, said notebook will be enclosed and stored.

Referring now to FIG. 7, said eyelid patch and eyelash strip assembly, shown by reference number 15, may be attached to one another. Said eyelid patch and said eyelash strips are selectively detachable. Said eyelash strip may be configured as an upper eyelash strip, shown by reference number 15a, or a lower eyelash strip, shown by reference number 15b. Said eyelash strips may be directly affixed to the top and bottom of said eyelid patch, shown by reference number 15c. A side perspective of the eyelid patch and eyelash strip assembly, fully assembled, is shown by reference number 15d.

In the preferred embodiment, said eyelid patch may be folded in half, simulating a closed eyelid, as shown by reference number 15e. The fully assembled, bifolded eyelid patch and eyelash strip assembly is shown by reference number 15f.

Said eyelash strip is comprised of a strip of material and multiple single rows of synthetic eyelashes. The multiple rows of eyelashes, as shown in side perspective by reference number 15d, and in front perspective by reference numbers 15a and 15b, approximate the size and shape that eyelashes grow on a human eyelid.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A cosmetology teaching, training and practice system comprising:

a rigid, hollow mannequin head having the approximate size and shape of a human female head;

an oval symmetrical facial configuration having the approximate size and shape of a human female face;

a flat back surface portion; and

a storage container within said mannequin head for the purpose of storing cosmetology tools.

2. The system according to claim 1 in which said back surface has an outer side and an inner side, the outer side having a protrusion portion integral therewith at an end portion thereof whereby upon disposition with said base portion surface positioned horizontally, the mannequin head assumes an attitude with the facial configuration thereof directed angularly upward.

3. The system according to claim 1 in which said back surface portion is separately detachable from said mannequin head, said back surface portion engaging an outer surface of a rim of said mannequin head, said back surface portion having a breadth substantially equal to said rim, and said back surface portion being self-adherent to said mannequin head and selectively removable therefrom.

4. The system according to claim 1 in which said storage container includes eyebrow pieces, said eyebrow pieces being made of fabric of similarly flexible material and having a size and shape approximate to that of a human eyebrow.

5. The system according to claim 1 in which said eyebrow pieces have a plurality of shapes and sizes, said plurality of shapes and sizes corresponding to, and approximating, the various shapes and sizes of human eyebrows.

6. The system according to claim 1 in which said storage container includes eyelid patches, said eyelid patches being made of flexible, moldable latex or similarly sufficient material and having a size and shape approximate to that of a human eyelid.

7. The system according to claim 6 in which said eyelid patches are capable of being alternately molded to the approximate size and shape of an upper human eyelid and a lower human eyelid.

8. The system according to claim 6 in which said eyelids have an adhesive backing and are adherent and selectively removable from said facial configuration of said mannequin head.

9. The system according to claim 8 in which said eyelid patches when adhered to said facial configuration of said mannequin head are capable of being folded in half thereby alternately approximating both closed human eyelids and open human eyelids.

10. The system according to claim 6 in which said storage container also contains one or more strips of eyelashes, each said strip of eyelashes comprising a strip of flexible material and a plurality of lashes attached to said strip, said plurality of lashes being made of flexible material and approximating the size and shape of human eyelashes.

11. The system according to claim 10 in which said strips of eyelashes approximate the size and shape of human lashes on a human upper eyelid.

12. The system according to claim 10 in which said strips of eyelashes approximate the size and shape of human lashes on a human lower eyelid.

13. The system according to claim 10 in which said strip of eyelashes is attachable and selectively removable from said eyelid patch.

14. The system according to claim 10 where said plurality of lashes are arranged on said strip in a plurality of rows in a manner so as to approximate the multiple rows of eyelashes inherent in the natural growth of human eyelashes on a human eyelid.

15. The system according to claim 10 in which said inner side has a keeper raised from a center portion for holding down an individual compact disk.

16. A cosmetology mannequin head kit comprising:

a rigid, hollow mannequin head having the approximate size and shape of a human female head;

an oval symmetrical facial configuration having the approximate size and shape of a human female face;

a detachable flat back surface portion;

a storage container within said mannequin, head for the purpose of storing cosmetology tools;

plural eyelid patches made of flexible, moldable latex or similarly sufficient material;

plural eyebrow pieces made of fabric or other sufficiently flexible material and of plural sizes and shapes approximating the various sizes and shapes of human eyebrows;

plural strips of upper eyelashes capable of being attached to said eyelid patches and comprising a strip of flexible material and a plurality of lashes attached to said strip, said plurality of lashes being made of flexible material and approximating the size and shape of human upper eyelashes; and,

plural strips of lower eyelashes capable of being attached to said eyelid patches comprising a strip of flexible material and a plurality of lashes attached to said strip, said plurality of lashes being made of flexible material and approximating the size and shape of human lower eyelashes.

17. The cosmetology mannequin head kit according to claim 16 in which said plurality of lashes of said upper eyelashes are arranged on said strip in a plurality of rows in a manner so as to approximate the multiple rows of eyelashes inherent in the natural growth of human eyelashes on a upper human eyelid.

18. The cosmetology mannequin head kit according to claim 16 in which said plurality of lashes of said lower eyelashes are arranged on said strip in a plurality of rows in a manner so as to approximate the multiple rows of eyelashes inherent in the natural growth of human eyelashes on a upper human eyelid.

19. The cosmetology mannequin head kit according to claim 16 including portable carrier means for holding and transporting the components of said cosmetology mannequin head kit within said storage container, in order to transport said cosmetology mannequin head kit as a unit.

20. The cosmetology mannequin head kit according to claim 16 where said back surface has an outer side and an inner side, the outer side having a protrusion portion integral therewith at an end portion thereof whereby upon disposition with said base portion surface positioned horizontally, the mannequin head assumes an attitude with the facial configuration thereof directed angularly upward.

21. The cosmetology mannequin head kit according to claim 16 in which said detachable back surface portion is separately detachable from said mannequin head in a manner such that said back surface portion engages an outer surface of a rim of said mannequin head, said back surface portion having a breadth substantially equal to said rim, and said back surface portion being self-adherent to said mannequin head and selectively removable therefrom.

22. The cosmetology mannequin head kit according to claim 16 in which said eyelid patches are capable of being alternately molded to the approximate size and shape of an upper human eyelid and a lower human eyelid.

23. The cosmetology mannequin head kit according to claim 16 in which said eyelid patches have an adhesive backing and are adherent and selectively removable from said facial configuration of said mannequin head.

24. The cosmetology mannequin head kit according to claim 16 in which said eyelid patches when adhered to said facial configuration of said mannequin head are capable of being folded in half thereby alternately approximating both closed human eyelids and open human eyelids.

25. The cosmetology mannequin head kit according to claim 20 in which said inner side has a keeper raised from a center portion for holding down an individual compact disk.

26. The cosmetology mannequin head kit according to claim 16 including a notebook.