Apparatus for practicing the application of eyelash extensions

Abstract

An eyelash application practice apparatus has a head with a face section and a base for supporting the head. The face section has a plurality of eye zones. The eye zones include a plurality of displaceable parts including at least one eyelid with a closure mechanism that allows the at least one eyelid to be displaced to one of a plurality of discrete positions between a first open eye position and a second closed eye position.

Claims

1. An apparatus for practicing application of eyelash extensions comprising: a head with a face section, the face section having a plurality of eye zones; a base for supporting the head; and a flexible, removable eyelash clip for fixing a plurality of replaceable eyelashes; wherein each eye zone of the plurality of eye zones includes a plurality of displaceable parts, including: an upper eyelid with a ratchet closure mechanism and a plurality of openings, wherein the ratchet closure mechanism allows the upper eyelid to be displaced to any one of a plurality of discrete positions between a first open eye position and a second closed eye position; and a lower eyelid having a closure mechanism and a plurality of openings; wherein the removable eyelash clip is configured to be removably mounted to a first selected one of the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid; and wherein the removable eyelash clip includes: an outer layer hinged to an inner layer, the outer layer folding over and snap-fitting to the inner layer to secure the plurality of replaceable eyelashes therebetween; and a plurality of protrusions on the inner layer forming plural connection points for mating with the plurality of openings of the first selected one of the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the upper eyelid is displaceable vertically.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the upper eyelid is displaceable vertically by a lever.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the lever is connected to a control which moves vertically in a slot provided on a side of the face section.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of displaceable parts are independently displaceable.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the head is moveable on the base.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the head is moveable upon the base by means of a ball joint.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the ratchet closure mechanism of the upper eyelid is controlled by an electrical switch.

9. The apparatus for practicing application of eyelash extensions according to claim 1, wherein: the removable eyelash clip includes a tab at one end for grasping to aid in demount of the removable eyelash clip from the selected one of the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid.

10. The apparatus for practicing application of eyelash extensions according to claim 1, wherein: a first lengthwise end of the removable eyelash clip includes a tab to aid demounting of the removable eyelash clip from the first selected one of the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid; and a second lengthwise end of the removable eyelash clip is formed by an upper surface of the removable eyelash clip folded over a lower surface of the removable eyelash clip.

11. The apparatus for practicing application of eyelash extensions according to claim 1, further comprising: a second removable eyelash clip different from the removable eyelash clip, the second removable eyelash clip for fixing a second plurality of replaceable eyelashes, the second removable eyelash clip including a second plurality of protrusions for mating with the plurality of openings of a second selected one different from the selected one of the upper eyelid or the lower eyelid.

12. The apparatus for practicing application of eyelash extensions according to claim 1, wherein: the closure mechanism of the lower eyelid includes a lower ratchet closure mechanism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(3) FIG. 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 5 show isometric detail views of the face of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 6 show reverse isometric detail views of the face of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 7 show isometric views of the base of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 8 show isometric views of eyelids for use with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; and

(9) FIG. 9 shows a sketch of the eyelids and eyelashes, and a section view of an embodiment thereof, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(10) With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the apparatus comprising a base 12 and a face 3, wherein the face is carried on a full head.

(11) The head and base 12 are connected at a ball 13 and socket 10 joint, with a friction tightening adjustment mechanism 11, comprising a dial 111 and grub screw 110, and a tightening moveable bipartite column comprising the socket 10 and the ball 13 extending from a plate comprising the head's lowermost point.

(12) Ball 13 is adjustable and socket 10 joint allows for the head to tilt in all axes. This allows for a movement that will be similar to that of a human head.

(13) The column comprises two parts 28, 29 sandwiching a connection plate 20, which plate passes through a slot 18 in the base (see FIG. 3). The parts mutually travel on the worm screw so as to clasp or release the plate.

(14) The base includes a weighting frame 16 which is secured using bolts 17 to the base to lower the apparatus centre of balance.

(15) The head comprises three parts, namely a face 3 and shell provided in left 1 and right 2 shell sections. The shell sections 1, 2 provide a channel 5 on its sides, each of which channel 5 allows vertical travel of a control, which control controls a lever 14 which moves in a slot 19 in the channel and connects with members 22 pivoting on pivots 30. Moveable orthogonal portions 23 carry top eyelids 26 and a lid section 25, comprises a curved section extending behind the top eyelid for providing the top lid when the eye is ‘closed’. Eyebrows are also added using a pad printing process.

(16) In this way a lever 14 on each side may be displaced in the channel 5 to vary vertical position of the top eyelid and eyelash in each separate eye zone 6. Advantageous embodiments therefore allow for a plurality of differing eyelash positions to accommodate different styles, techniques and approaches of attaching eyelash extensions.

(17) The front of the face 3 includes an upwardly extending eyeball section 40 (see FIG. 9) above the bottom eyelid 24 that replaces the need for the eyeball to be a separate part. This section is pad printed with pupil features of an eye so as to show when the eye is ‘open’.

(18) The eyes are controlled independently by an arm/lever 14 on each side of the head. The eyes have been developed to allow for 80° of revolution and can lock into 3 different positions.

(19) The user has an option of open, closed or half way between. The corresponding parts of the sections 38, 41 where the lever portion 23 passes comprise bump interference fits corresponding to three positions, open, closed and half-open.

(20) The eyelids are friction fit into the sections in indentations 39, to allow easy replacement.

(21) The controls such as the lever 14 are positioned further back from the eye zones to allow clear access for applying lashes and mascara/semi-permanent mascara and eyelash perming.

(22) The strips of eyelashes provide a realistic effect through use of standard strips of mink eyelashes and a thin polypropylene clamp or clip comprising an adaptor with the section connection studs 32 and layers 31, which are hinged together with a living hinge 30, with a thickness of 1.5 mm. Eyelashes 35 extend from bases 34 fixed between the two layers 31 which fold over using the living hinge 30 and snap fit together. Matching raised and lowered teeth 36 on the layers 31 create a temporary fixing.

(23) This enables the strip to be flexible, to curve and fit into a slot on the eyelids. The studs on the rear stop the strip from coming out once it has been secured in place. A small tab 33 on the side allows for removal from the eye zones.

(24) These strips are supplied in two different sizes, 480 mm and 340 mm one for the top eyelid and one for the bottom. Assembly may be completed by the manufacturer and sold in pre-determined quantities ready for use, or different eyelashes may be inserted between the layers in or before use.

(25) The sections of the head are bonded together and hair may be included such that to achieve more realism, a hair line may be created using the split line where the parts join.

(26) The apparatus may be supplemented by or supplied with a presentation board for displaying eyelashes once they completed, the board for example domed slightly so that they lie in the most realistic way possible. The board may hold a total of 12 pairs of lashes and includes a slot for a name tag underneath each one.

(27) The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.