Eyelash separator and methods of use for removing excess mascara

Abstract

Provided for are devices and methods for separating eyelashes and/or removing excess mascara, such as after application of mascara which results in undesirable clumps and/or excess mascara. The devices include a pin effective for breaking up or removing the clumps and/or removing excess mascara. Advantageously, the devices include a pivotable pin storable within a storage cavity of a housing or handle for safety and portability. The pin may be lockable or positionable in one or more positions for ergonomic and safe positioning for use near the eye.

Claims

1. An eyelash separator, comprising: a housing having an internal storage cavity on a top of the housing aligned with a pivot plane orthogonal to a pivot axis of a hinge member; a pin coupled with the hinge member and pivotable along the pivot plane between a closed position and a plurality of open positions, the pin having a substantially cylindrical shaft terminating in a tip, wherein the pin is contained within the storage cavity of the housing in a closed position and deployed from the storage cavity in the plurality of open positions; a projection disposed on the hinge member, the projection extending, in the closed position, vertically outwardly from the top of the housing and laterally outwardly from the hinge member and pin coupled thereto, wherein the pin is pivotable between the closed position and the plurality of open positions by force applied to the projection; and an internal mechanism including a spring arranged to apply force to a bearing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pivot plane of the hinge member, to engage the bearing with one or more complementary holes or depressions disposed on an internal portion of the hinge member, the one or complementary holes or depressions releasably engaging with the bearing to locate the hinge member in at least one of the plurality of open positions.

2. The eyelash separator of claim 1, wherein the hinge member is disposed on a first end of the housing and a second end of the housing terminates beyond the end of the storage cavity.

3. The eyelash separator of claim 1, wherein the hinge member and pin coupled thereto are lockable in one or more positions defined by an angle between the housing and the pin along the pivot plane.

4. The eyelash separator of claim 3, wherein the hinge member and pin coupled thereto are lockable in one or more of the closed position, and the plurality of open positions defined by an angle of 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, or 180 degrees.

5. The eyelash separator of claim 1, wherein the hinge member and pin coupled thereto are positionable, by the internal mechanism, in one or more of the closed position and the plurality of open positions defined by an angle of 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, or 180 degrees between the housing and the pin along the pivot plane.

6. The eyelash separator of claim 1, wherein the pin is pivotable from the closed position to a fully deployed position, the fully deployed position defined by an interference of the projection with a bottom portion of the housing.

7. The eyelash separator of claim 6, wherein an angle along the pivot plane between the closed position and fully deployed position is about 180 degrees.

8. The eyelash separator of claim 1, wherein the housing, hinge member, and projection are each constructed from a material including one or more of plastic, metal, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, and wood.

9. The eyelash separator of claim 8, wherein the housing, hinge member, and projection are coated with a no-slip grip material.

10. The eyelash separator of claim 1, wherein the pin is formed of a material including one or more of metal, stainless steel, surgical steel, plastic, rubber, and silicon.

11. The eyelash separator of claim 10, wherein the tip is pointed, blunted, or bladed.

12. The eyelash separator of claim 11, wherein the shaft of the pin is formed of a metal, and the tip is formed from a flexible material.

13. The eyelash separator of claim 11, wherein the pointed tip terminating the substantially cylindrical shaft of the pin is conical in shape, and wherein the blunted tip terminating the substantially cylindrical shaft of the pin is frustro-conical in shape.

14. The eyelash separator of claim 10, wherein the pin is removably engaged with the hinge member.

15. A method comprising: applying mascara to an eyelash, wherein the application of the mascara results in the formation of one or more eyelash clumps and/or results in excess mascara that requires removal; opening an eyelash separator according to claim 1 from the closed position to any one of the plurality of open positions; placing the pin behind or within a clump and/or the excess mascara; and pulling the device and pin away from the eyelash to break up the clump and/or remove the excess mascara.

16. A kit comprising: an eyelash separator comprising: a housing having an internal storage cavity on a top of the housing aligned with a pivot plane orthogonal to a pivot axis of a hinge member; a pin removably engaged with the hinge member and pivotable along the pivot plane between a closed position and a plurality of open positions, wherein the pin is contained within the storage cavity of the housing in a closed position and deployed from the storage cavity in the plurality of open positions; a projection disposed on the hinge member, the projection extending, in the closed position, vertically outwardly from the top of the housing and laterally outwardly from the hinge member and pin coupled thereto, wherein the pin is pivotable between the closed position and the plurality of open positions by force applied to the projection; an internal mechanism having a spring arranged to apply force to a bearing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pivot plane of the hinge member, to engage the bearing with one or more complementary holes or depressions disposed on an internal portion of the hinge member, the one or complementary holes or depressions releasably engaging with the bearing to locate the hinge member in at least one of the plurality of open positions; and one or more additional pins replaceable with the removably engaged pin, wherein the removably engaged pin and additional pins each have a substantially cylindrical shaft terminating in a tip.

17. An eyelash separator, comprising: a housing having an internal storage cavity on a top of the housing aligned with a pivot plane orthogonal to a pivot axis of a hinge member; a pin coupled with the hinge member and pivotable along the pivot plane between a closed position and a plurality of open positions, the pin having a substantially cylindrical shaft terminating in a tip; wherein the pin is contained within the storage cavity of the housing in a closed position and deployed from the storage cavity in the plurality of open positions; a projection disposed on the hinge member, wherein the pin is pivotable between the closed position and the plurality of open positions by force applied to the projection; and an internal mechanism including a spring arranged to apply force to a bearing in a direction substantially orthogonal to the pivot plane of the hinge member, to engage the bearing with one or more complementary holes or depressions disposed on an internal portion of the hinge member, the one or complementary holes or depressions releasably engaging with the bearing to locate the hinge member in at least one of the plurality of open positions.

18. The eyelash separator of claim 17, wherein the pin is pivotable from the closed position to a fully deployed position, the fully deployed position defined by an interference of the projection with a bottom portion of the housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 depicts a front side view of an exemplary embodiment of an eyelash separator in a closed position;

(2) FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the exemplary embodiment of an eyelash separator in a closed position;

(3) FIG. 3 depicts the exemplary embodiment in an open position of 45 degrees;

(4) FIG. 4 depicts the exemplary embodiment in an open position of 45 degrees;

(5) FIG. 5 depicts the exemplary embodiment in an open position of 135 degrees;

(6) FIG. 6 depicts the exemplary embodiment in an open position of 180 degrees;

(7) FIGS. 7A and 7B depict, respectively, left and right end views of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1;

(8) FIG. 8 depicts a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment;

(9) FIG. 9 depicts a back-side view of the exemplary embodiment;

(10) FIG. 10 depicts an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment having a ball-and-click mechanism;

(11) FIG. 11 depicts exemplary embodiments of pins; and

(12) FIG. 12 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a pin removable from a hinge member or intermediate member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) While some specific embodiments will be shown and described, it will be understood that such disclosure is not intended to be limiting, but rather, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein.

(14) FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an eyelash separator 100 in a closed position. In the closed side-view, the housing 102 is visible as well as the knob or projection 116 that is coupled to the internally housed separator pin. It can be appreciated that the housing may have any shape, contour, or design. The housing may be constructed from any suitable material, including plastics, recycled plastics, metal, recycled metals, biodegradable plastics, acrylic, and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the housing is further coated with a further material such as a no-slip grip. Alternatively, or in addition to the no-slip grip, the housing may have one or more textures so as to further prevent slippage from the hand. In some embodiments, the housing has an inlaid or protruding texture pattern 106. In some embodiments, the texture pattern 106 is formed onto a cover plate or panel coupled with or adhered to the side of the housing 102. In some embodiments, the housing may include a depression or concave feature 103 near the knob such that a finger can easily access the bottom of the knob to open the device.

(15) The knob or projection 116 may be constructed from any suitable material, including plastics, recycled plastics, metal, recycled metals, biodegradable plastics, acrylic, and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the knob also has a no-slip grip and/or texture. The knob may be accented with a jewel or design feature for visual and aesthetic appeal. In some embodiments, the knob may be accessible in the device's closed position due to a depression or concave feature 103 in the housing. In some embodiments, the knob may have one or more outwardly extending features for pressing against to open the device. The knob 116 may be referred to as a projection for opening the device and/or moving the pin between the plurality of positions.

(16) FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary embodiment of an eyelash separator 100 in a closed position. From the top position, the separator pin 120 can be viewed and is housed within a storage cavity 104 in the housing. The storage cavity may have any shape, contour, or design. In some embodiments, the storage cavity is a safety feature that surrounds the pin in a closed position and prevents accidental deployment of the pin and/or prevents a user from inadvertently grasping the pin or tip thereof. At a first end of the storage cavity, the tip of the pin is housed within the cavity. At a second end of the storage cavity, the base of the pin may be attached to a hinge 110 or intervening member which is in turn attached to a hinge 110. Therefore, the second end of the cavity may terminate with such a hinge 110 or intermediate member. The knob is generally attached to the hinge or intermediate member and it can be appreciated that the knob, hinge, and/or intermediate member may be formed as a single member that secures the base of the pin, and the combination of knob, hinge, and/or intermediate member may be alternatively referred to as the hinge member or pin base 110. In some embodiments, the storage cavity may further have one or more guides or clips that position the pin and/or assist in locking the device in a closed position so that it does not open unless desired. Guides or clips may be formed as a part of the housing or may be attached to the housing.

(17) FIGS. 3-6 depict an exemplary embodiment of an eyelash separator 100 in a plurality of open positions. The figures show positions of 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, and 180 degrees. The angle is generally defined between the long dimension of the housing and the separator pin. It can be appreciated that any number of positions are contemplated, including continuous positioning from 0 degrees (closed) to 180 degrees (fully open). In some embodiments, the fully open position may be greater than 180 degrees. A device opening or deploying to a plurality of positions has specific advantages over a device having only one fully open position. Devices having only one fully open position typically involve a spring-loaded mechanism to hold the device in the open or closed positions. In-between the positions, the mechanism may exert pressure on a rounded lobe or other feature that serves to guide the deployed member into one of the two positions meaning that the intermediate positions are not available for or safe for use without unintended movement of the deployable member. Such mechanisms and devices, therefore, have limited flexibility with respect to safe placement of the deployable member for use near the eye. Alternatively, a device being configured to deploy the deployable member, i.e. pin, into a plurality of positions, can advantageously be used for safe positioning of the pin near the eye during use.

(18) In some embodiments, the separator pin locks into one or more of the plurality of positions. The term locks means that the pin is held tightly in a particular position, but may be moved from the position by applying enough force. Alternatively, the pin can be said to be positionable into one or more positions, having the same meaning as lockable or as a description that the pin locks. In-between the locked positions, the amount of force needed to move the pin is less than the amount of force needed to dislodge the pin from a locked position such that the amount of pressure needed to move the pin through its full range of motion is discontinuous. In embodiments where the pin locks in one or more positions, the locked positions may advantageously secure the pin in place during use so that the angle does not unexpectedly change. Therefore, the locked positions may be a safety feature. The device may have a lock at any one or more positions, including at 0 degrees (closed), 180 degrees or greater (fully open), or any position in between. A limit stop may prevent the pin from opening beyond its fully open position. In an embodiment, the limit stop 130 is a portion of the knob or projection which interferes with the side of the housing opposite the storage cavity. In an embodiment, the limit stop is an internal feature of the hinge or is a feature of the hinge member that interferes with an internal feature of the housing end having the hinge member. It can be appreciated that any limit stop is contemplated. Not counting the closed position, the pin may lock into one or more positions, or two or more positions, or three or more positions, or four or more positions, or five or more positions, or six or more positions, or seven or more positions, or eight or more positions, or nine or more positions. In an exemplary embodiment, the pin may lock into four positions not counting the closed position.

(19) It can be appreciated that any mechanism which provides for locking the pin in one or more of a plurality of open positions (i.e. the locking mechanism) is contemplated. In an embodiment, the mechanism is a ball-and-click mechanism, where a spring-loaded ball or bearing engages with one or more holes in the pin base or hinge member. In further embodiments, the locking mechanism may have teeth or engaging features in the hinge, which may optionally have one or more spring elements for disengagement. In further embodiments, the locking mechanism may be a continuous-type locking mechanism where the hinge is held in a position by a brake or interfering feature unless a button is depressed to release the brake or interfering feature. In further embodiments, the locking mechanism may be a continuous-type locking mechanism where the hinge is free and continuously positionable until a switch or actuator is pressed to engage a brake or interfering feature.

(20) The term pin or separator pin as used herein generally describes a deployable member having a shaft terminating in a tip. While the shaft and pin may take on various sizes, shapes, and configurations, the term pin excludes structures such as a corkscrew, screwdriver, knife, or any other structure which might be deployed from a cavity in certain unrelated devices.

(21) FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8, and 9 depict further views of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. From the end view of FIG. 7A, the hinge member 110 is sandwiched between two portions of the housing 102. During deployment of the pin, the hinge member 110 and projection 116 may pivot relative to the portions of the housing 102 that sandwich the hinge member 110. At the other end opposite the hinge member, as viewed in FIG. 7B, the two portions of the housing are coupled or held together by any appropriate means including adhesive, rivets, and screw fasteners. The bottom view of FIG. 8 shows that the hinge member 110 is pivotably sandwiched between two projections of the housing 102 such that the hinge member occupies a cut-out in one of two housing portions. For the remainder of the length of the embodiment, the two housing portions are coupled or held together by any appropriate means including adhesive, rivets, and screw fasteners. A back-side view, as depicted in FIG. 9, shows that the projection 116 is accessible by a depression or concave feature 103 in the housing 102.

(22) An exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIG. 10. The embodiment has two housing portions, 1020a and 1020b, which form the outer portion of the eyelash separator device. One of the housing portions 1020a may be flat or may have the same thickness along its length. The other housing portion 1020b may have one or more raised or depressed regions to accommodate one or more features of the device, such as the hinge member 1100 or the pin 1200. Particularly, the hinge member 1100 may be contained within a depression in housing portion 1020b connected with an additional depression forming the cavity 1040 which contains the pin 1200. The hinge member 1100 may be contained upon a pivot projection 1180 such that the hinge member 1100 and pin 1200 may pivot relative to the housing portion 1020b around the pivot projection 1180. One or more positions or stops may be defined by a ball-and-click mechanism involving the hinge member 1100, a ball or bearing 1160, a spring 1170, and the housing portion 1020a. The hinge member may comprise one or more depressions or holes 1150 which engage with the ball 1160 to define one or more positions or stops. Any combination of positions or stops are contemplated, including closed position (0 degrees), 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 135 degrees, and 180 degrees.

(23) In an assembled state, the housing portion 1020a is coupled with the hinge 1170 which is in turn coupled with the ball 1160 such that the spring and ball are not displaced when the hinge member 1100 is pivoted. When the hinge member is pivoted, the spring 1160 is compressed due to forces applied by the region of the hinge member in-between the depressions or holes 1150. Once the hinge member is pivoted to an extent that the ball may rest within a different depression or hole 1150, the spring is decompressed to press the ball into the depression or hole 1150 to define a stop or position. The ball-and-click mechanism may be configured so that the hinge member resists movement between positions when in use on an eyelash. Advantageously, in some embodiments, the ball-and-click mechanism does not place any load on the pin 1200 in-between its fully closed and fully open states, and the pin, in one of the one or more stop positions, is not under any forces which would act to move the pin to a different position if nudged slightly. In alternative embodiments, the spring 1170 and ball 1160 may instead be coupled with the other housing portion 1020b or may be in any other effective arrangement or configuration. In alternative embodiments, each housing portion 1020a and 1020b may comprise a ball and spring. The device may be assembled using any appropriate means to couple the housing portions 1020a and 1020b together, including screw fasteners 1025, adhesives, rivets, press-fit features and combinations thereof.

(24) The separator pin may take on various sizes, shapes, and configurations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Generally, the housing and particularly the storage cavity may be configured and dimensioned to accommodate the pin in a closed position. In an embodiment, such as depicted in FIGS. 3-6, the pin may be a straight pin tapering to a sharp 150 or blunted 152 point. In further embodiments, such as in the exemplary embodiments in FIG. 11, the pin may take on various further forms. In an embodiment, the pin may be curved or bent and/or the tip may be curved or bent 158. In an embodiment, the pin may have a hooked end 160 which is bladed or ends in a pointed tip. In an embodiment, the tip may be curved 158 or hooked 160 such that the tip is directed away from the user's eye while in use. In an embodiment, the tip of the pin may be a flattened and blade-like (i.e. blade-tipped) 156. In an embodiment, a blade tip may further be curved. In an embodiment, a blade tip may taper, in a dimension perpendicular to the length of the pin, to an edge that is sharp or blunted. In an embodiment, a blade tip may end in a point that is blunted or which may curve away from the user's eye when in use.

(25) In an embodiment, the pin is made from a metal or a sterilizable metal. In an embodiment, the pin is made from a steel, surgical steel, stainless steel, and steel alloys. In alternative embodiments, the pin is made from one or more materials, such as two different materials. In an embodiment, the tip of the pin may be constructed from a flexible material which enhances safety for use near the eye, while the remainder of the pin may be a metal or a rigid material. Such an example is shown in FIG. 11 having a flexible tip 154 and a rigid metal shaft 155. A flexible material may be rubber, silicon, polyethylene, or any other plastic material, and may be sterilizable. In an embodiment, the pin is coated with a sterilizable plastic. In an alternative embodiment, the pin is constructed from a rigid or semi-flexible plastic, optionally with a flexible tip. In an alternative embodiment, the pin is removable, or replaceable. In an embodiment, a kit is provided with one or more different tips as described herein which may be releasably engaged with the hinge member or pin base. As shown in FIG. 12, an exemplary embodiment may have one or more removable pins 120 that press-fit into a hinge member 110 having a cavity for accepting the removable pin. One or more pins may be provided, including the exemplary pins of the type shown in FIG. 7. The releasable engagement is not limited to press-fit and may have threaded engagement, releasable fasteners, or any other type of engagement which releasably secures the pin to the hinge member.

(26) In an alternative embodiment, the device may have more than one pins. In an embodiment, a hinge is opposed at each end of the device and two separate pins are housed in the same storage cavity. In such an embodiment, the pins may be stored side-by-side. In an alternative embodiment, a hinge is opposed at each end of the device and two separate pins are each housed in separate storage cavities on opposing sides of the device. In embodiments having more than one pin, each of the pins can be different or identical. In one embodiment, a first pin may have a straight tip and a second pin may have a bent or bladed tip. Any combination of materials may be used to construct the two pins, as described herein.

(27) In an embodiment, a method of use is provided for. In an embodiment, a user applies mascara using any known technique. Immediately after applying mascara, or after allowing the mascara to dry for a period of time (optionally with heat), the user uses the devices as disclosed herein to separate or de-clump one or more eyelashes, and/or to remove excess mascara. The user may first open the device from a closed position to any one of a plurality of open positions. With the device locked in an open position, the user may then identify an eyelash clump which would benefit from being separated or de-clumped, and/or identify excess mascara that would benefit from removal. The user then may insert the tip of the pin within or behind (closer to the base of the eyelash) the clump and/or the excess mascara. With the tip of the pin in place, the user may then carefully pull the pin away from the eye to break apart the clump, and/or carefully pull the pin away to remove the excess mascara. If necessary, the user may repeat on the same clump or may repeat the method on a different clump, and/or repeat on the same excess mascara or repeat the method on a different portion of excess mascara. The user may repeat the method any number of times until a desired appearance is obtained on one or both eyes. Once finished, the user may close the device, optionally after cleaning and/or sterilizing. It can be appreciated that at any point during use, the device may be positioned in different open positions depending upon the position of the clump and/or the excess mascara, or user preference. The user may clean and/or sterilize the pin before or after a session of using the device or, alternatively, in between each use of the device. It can be appreciated that any other known mascara application or personal care steps (such as blow-drying, mascara re-application, brushing steps, etc.) may interpose the method steps described and any implementation of the method steps in any order may be utilized for the purposes of the methods herein.