APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING AND APPLYING AN ARTIFICIAL EYELASH AND METHOD FOR APPLYING THE PACKAGED ARTIFICIAL EYELASH
An apparatus is provided for packaging and applying artificial eyelashes, and a method is provided for applying the packaged artificial eyelashes. The apparatus includes a packaging tray having a top surface, and at least one artificial eyelash applicator integrated with the top surface of the packaging tray through at least one attachment point, and removable from the packaging tray when the at least one attachment point is broken.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cosmetic items, and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for packaging and applying an artificial eyelash and a method for applying the packaged artificial eyelash.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an alternative to or in addition to mascara, eyelash lengthening, darkening or thickening may be accomplished by attaching artificial eyelashes to a user's eyelids to enhance the appearance of eyelashes. Such artificial eyelashes are generally secured to the user's eyelids by an adhesive.
The artificial eyelashes may be manually applied to an eyelid with the user's fingers. Specifically, an artificial eyelash may be gripped by the fingers, bent to a selected curvature, and applied to the eyelid. Applicators have been introduced for use in artificial eyelash application. Effective application requires the proper adjustment for curvature of the user's eyelid, and also requires accurate placement of the artificial eyelash. However, typically, the location of the user's hands, fingers and the applicator, which are proximate to the user's eye during application, may obstruct the user's view in a mirror, making proper placement of the artificial eyelash difficult.
The adhesive used to secure the artificial eyelash to the user's eyelid can adhere to the user's fingers and/or the applicator, requiring excessive handling of the artificial eyelash and causing unwanted distortion and bending of the artificial eyelash. Existing applicator devices also do not adequately allow for effective application of the artificial eyelash on different eye shapes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention has been made to address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for packaging and applying an artificial eyelash and a method for applying the packaged artificial eyelash.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for packaging and applying artificial eyelashes. The apparatus includes a packaging tray having a top surface, and at least one artificial eyelash applicator integrated with the top surface of the packaging tray through at least one attachment point, and removable from the packaging tray when the at least one attachment point is broken.
According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for packaging and applying artificial eyelashes is provided. The apparatus includes a packaging tray having a top surface and one or more receiving slits in the top surface. The apparatus also includes at least one artificial eyelash applicator attached to the top surface of the packaging tray via insertion of at least one portion of the artificial eyelash applicator into the one or more receiving slits.
According to an additional aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for applying artificial eyelashes. The apparatus includes a main body upon which an artificial eyelash is disposed. The apparatus also includes two legs extending from the main body for handling the at least one artificial eyelash applicator, one disposed at each end of the main body.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for applying an artificial eyelash is provided. Force is applied to at least one leg of an artificial eyelash applicator integrated with a top surface of a packaging tray such that at least one attachment point between the artificial eyelash applicator and the packaging tray breaks. The artificial eyelash applicator is removed from the packaging tray. An artificial eyelash is disposed on the artificial eyelash applicator. The artificial eyelash is applied to an eyelid of a user using the artificial eyelash applicator.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar components may be designated by the same or similar reference numerals although they are illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions of constructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present invention. Further, in the following description of the present invention, various specific definitions found in the following description are provided only to provide a general understanding of the present invention, and it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented without such definitions.
Referring initially to
First and second artificial eyelashes 114 and 116 are disposed on and temporarily adhered to the main bodies 106 and 110 of the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104, respectively. Base portions of the first and second artificial eyelashes 114 rest on first and second contoured projections 118 and 120 of the packaging tray 100. The first and second contoured projections 118 and 120 are disposed on a side of the main bodies 106 and 110 opposite that from which the corresponding legs 108a, 108b, 112a and 112b extend.
Both the packaging tray 100 and the integrated artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 may be composted a synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solid, such as, for example, a lightweight or thin plastic or polymer.
Referring now to
The first artificial eyelash applicator 102 is integrated with the packaging tray 100 through four attachment points 122a-122d. The remaining portions and edges of the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 are detached from the packaging tray 100. The four attachment points 122a-122d are preferably disposed on each side of the first main body 106 proximate to an area where the corresponding legs 108a and 108b meet the first main body 106. The four attachment points 122a-122d maintain the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 in-line with the contours of the packaging tray 100. The first artificial eyelash applicator 102 is removed from the packaging tray by breaking the four attachment points 122a-122d. While this embodiment of the present invention illustrates four attachment points 122a-122d, any number of connection points may be utilized that maintain the artificial eyelash applicator 102 in the proper position with respect to this embodiment and also allow for removal of the artificial eyelash applicator 102 from the packaging tray 100.
The first artificial eyelash applicator 102 also includes a flexible region 124. The flexible region 124 is disposed in a central portion of the first main body 106. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexible region 124 is cut to an accordion shape so that the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 is easily bent when the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 is being used to apply the first artificial eyelash 114, which will be described in greater detail below with reference to
Further, with respect to
The main body 106 of the first artificial eyelash applicator 102 also includes first and second corner regions 126a and 126b. The first corner region 126a is disposed at a portion of the first main body 106 that meets the first leg 108a, and the second corner region 126b is disposed at a portion of the first main body 106 that meets the second leg 108b. Adhesive is applied at both the first and second corner regions 126a and 126b for temporary adhesion of the first artificial eyelash 114 to the first main body 106 of the first artificial eyelash applicator 102. Adhesive may be applied to a top surface of the main body 106 in the first and second corner regions 126a and 126b, or adhesive may be applied from a bottom surface of the main body 106 through apertures in the first and second corner regions 126a and 126b, as described in greater detail below with reference to
Referring now to
In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
Referring now to
Accordingly, in the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
Although the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104 are disposed differently in
Referring now to
Referring now to
In block 1004, a force is applied to at least one leg of one of the first and second artificial eyelash applicators 102 and 104, such that the attachment points between the artificial eyelash applicator and the packaging tray 100 break. In block 1006, the artificial eyelash applicator is removed from the packaging tray. The artificial eyelash remains disposed on and adhered to the artificial eyelash applicator.
In order to apply the artificial eyelash, an adhesive at the base of the artificial eyelash is activated, by moisture for example, in block 1008. The user then bends the artificial eyelash applicator to shape the artificial eyelash to the contours of the user's eyelid, in block 1010, and applies the base of the artificial eyelash to the user's eyelid using the artificial eyelash applicator, in block 1012. As described above with respect to
Referring now to
The packaging tray 1100 of
Referring now to
The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. An apparatus for packaging and applying artificial eyelashes, the apparatus comprising:
- a packaging tray having a top surface;
- at least one artificial eyelash applicator integrated with the top surface of the packaging tray through at least one attachment point, and removable from the packaging tray when the at least one attachment point is broken.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one artificial eyelash applicator comprises a main body upon which an artificial eyelash is disposed, and at least one leg extending from the main body for handling the at least one artificial eyelash applicator.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one artificial eyelash applicator comprises at least one aperture through the main body at a position where the at least one leg meets the main body.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising an adhesive layer that is attached to a bottom surface of the main body covering the at least one aperture, wherein adhesive from the adhesive layer is accessible from a top surface of the main body for temporary adherence of the artificial eyelash to the main body.
5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein adhesive is disposed on a top surface of the main body at a position where the at least one leg meets the main body for temporary adherence of the at least one artificial eyelash to the main body.
6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one artificial eyelash applicator is integrated with the top surface of the packaging tray through a plurality of attachment points, the remainder of the at least one artificial eyelash applicator is separated from the packaging tray, and the at least one artificial eyelash applicator comprises two legs, one disposed at each end of the main body.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein two attachment points are disposed on each side of the main body of the at least one artificial eyelash applicator proximate to an area where the two legs meet the main body.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one artificial eyelash applicator lies in-line with contours of the top surface of the packaging tray.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the two legs extend from the main body when the packaging tray is bent along an axis that runs parallel with a length of the main body.
10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein two attachment points are disposed on a single side of the main body opposite from a direction that the two legs extends from the main body.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the two legs of the at least one artificial eyelash applicator project outward at an angle from the top surface of the packaging tray.
12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one artificial eyelash applicator is removed from the packaging tray when force is applied to the at least one leg, breaking the at least one attachment point.
13. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one artificial eyelash applicator comprises two legs, one disposed at each end of the main body, and a central region of the main body between the two legs has an accordion shape that provides flexibility to the at least one artificial eyelash applicator when the at least one artificial eyelash applicator is bent due to individual forces applied to the two legs.
14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the packaging tray comprises at least one contoured projection that is disposed adjacent to a side of the main body opposite that from which the at least one leg extends, and wherein the at least one contoured projection is shaped to support a base of the artificial eyelash when the artificial eyelash is disposed on the at least one artificial eyelash applicator and the at least one artificial eyelash applicator is integrated with the top surface of the packaging tray.
15. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the artificial eyelash is disposed on the main body such that an angle from which the artificial eyelash extends from its own base is approximately 20-30 degrees from the top surface of the packaging tray.
16. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the artificial eyelash is disposed on the main body such that a line extending through the length of the base of the artificial eyelash forms an angle of approximately 10-30 degrees with the top surface of the packaging tray.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises two artificial eyelash applicators.
18. An apparatus for packaging and applying artificial eyelashes, the apparatus comprising:
- a packaging tray having a top surface and one or more receiving slits in the top surface;
- at least one artificial eyelash applicator attached to the top surface of the packaging tray via insertion of at least one portion of the artificial eyelash applicator into the one or more receiving slits.
19. An apparatus for applying artificial eyelashes, the apparatus comprising:
- a main body upon which an artificial eyelash is disposed; and
- two legs extending from the main body for handling the at least one artificial eyelash applicator, one disposed at each end of the main body.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising two apertures through the main body, each at position where the one of the two legs meets the main body.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising adhesive layers that are attached to a bottom surface of the main body covering the two apertures, wherein adhesive from the adhesive layers is accessible from a top surface of the main body for temporary adherence of the artificial eyelash to the main body.
22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein adhesive is disposed on a top surface of the main body at positions where the two legs meets the main body for temporary adherence of the at least one artificial eyelash to the main body.
23. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a central region of the main body between the two legs has an accordion shape that provides flexibility to the at least one artificial eyelash applicator when the at least one artificial eyelash applicator is bent due to individual forces applied to the two legs.
24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the artificial eyelash is disposed on the main body such that a line extending through the length of the base of the artificial eyelash forms an angle of approximately 10-30 degrees with a top surface of the two legs.
25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the main body and the two legs comprise a cover layer disposed over an adhesive layer.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the main body has a portion of the adhesive layer exposed.
27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the cover layer is precut across the two legs for removal of the cover layer and exposing the adhesive layer at a lower half of each of the two legs.
28. A method for applying artificial eyelashes comprising the steps of:
- applying force to at least one leg of an artificial eyelash applicator integrated with a top surface of a packaging tray such that at least one attachment point between the artificial eyelash applicator and the packaging tray breaks;
- removing the artificial eyelash applicator from the packaging tray, wherein an artificial eyelash is disposed on the artificial eyelash applicator; and
- applying the artificial eyelash to an eyelid of a user using the artificial eyelash applicator.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising bending the packaging tray so that the at least one leg of the artificial eyelash applicator is moved from in-line with contours of the top surface of the packaging tray to projecting outwardly at an angle from the top surface of the packaging tray.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein in applying the artificial eyelash comprises:
- activating an adhesive at a base of the artificial eyelash;
- bending the artificial eyelash applicator and the artificial eyelash in accordance with contours of the eyelid of the user;
- applying the artificial eyelash to the eyelid of the user; and
- removing the artificial eyelash applicator from the artificial eyelash;
- wherein the artificial eyelash applicator comprises two legs and a central region between the two legs having an accordion shape that provides flexibility to the artificial eyelash applicator.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 22, 2011
Publication Date: Jun 27, 2013
Applicant: Kiss Nail Products, Inc. (Port Washington, NY)
Inventors: Sung-an Chae (Levittown, NY), Kyu-sang Han (Port Washington, NY), Ki-chul AHN (Jericho, NY), Won-seok Oh (Port Washington, NY)
Application Number: 13/335,306
International Classification: A41G 5/02 (20060101); B65D 85/00 (20060101); B65D 81/36 (20060101);