False eyelash apparatus and methods

Abstract

False eyelash apparatus and methods for applying false eyelashes. A false eyelash holder for holding a false eyelash has a support member for supporting the false eyelash and is adjustable to cause inversion of the false eyelash from a convex shape to a substantially concave shape. An inverter-loader device is configured to receive the holder and operable to adjust the holder to cause the false eyelash inversion. An applicator for applying an inverted false eyelash to an eyelid may have a unitary structure or may be a clamp for gripping the inverted false eyelashes. The applicator is operable to carry the inverted false eyelash for allowing the applicator to roll the false eyelash lengthways onto an eyelid and allowing the rolling false eyelash to release from the applicator. The applicator may be disposable.

1 . A false eyelash applicator comprising:
 a false eyelash support, for releasably supporting a false eyelash to be applied to an eyelid; and   a handle portion for manipulating said false eyelash support to apply said false eyelash;   wherein said support is configured to rollably support the false eyelash in a lengthwise roll on configuration for rolling, by manipulation of said handle portion, the false eyelash lengthwise laterally over an eyelid and off said support.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said support has at least one outer side, said at least one outer side being shaped for rollably supporting the base of the false eyelash on the exterior of the outer side in alignment therewith. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein said support outer side is substantially convexly curved lengthwise for supporting a false eyelash in a substantially inverted shape thereon. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein said support outer side is substantially straight lengthwise for supporting the false eyelash in a substantially straight shape. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein said support outer side is substantially concave lengthwise for supporting the false eyelash base; said concave support outer side having a radius of curvature that is much greater than the radius of curvature of the human eye. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein said support comprises a unitary structure. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 2 , further comprising an adhesive medium for releaseably adhering the false eyelash band on the support outer side. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 3 , wherein said support comprises a clamp having a first clamp member and a second clamp member, wherein at least one of said first and second clamp members form said outer side for rollably supporting said inverted false eyelash; said clamp members being operably coupled together for gripping false lashes extending from said false eyelash base. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one alignment post and associated hole formed on at least one of said first and second clamp members, said alignment post(s) and associated hole(s) being arranged on said member(s) to slidable engage one another and align said first and second clamp members one above the other as said first and second clamp members are pressed together. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 8 , wherein said clamp members are configured to be adjustable between an open configuration for loading said substantially inverted false eyelash onto said applicator, a substantially closed configuration for tightly gripping the false lashes of the substantially inverted false eyelash being supported, and a neutral configuration for loosely gripping said false lashes whilst allowing said substantially inverted false eyelash to be releasable from said clamp members without substantial restriction. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 10 , further comprising a biasing device, said biasing device being configured to bias said clamp members between said substantially open, neutral and closed configurations. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 11 , wherein said biasing device comprises a shim clamp integrated with said applicator. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 11 , wherein said biasing device comprises a clip separate from or integrated with said applicator. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 10 , wherein said first clamp member includes a lash receiving groove extending lengthwise along said outer side and said second clamp member includes a corresponding curved portion, said lash receiving groove and corresponding curved portion being testable with one another and being profiled such that, when said clamping members are in the closed configuration gripping said lashes, said lashes substantially maintain their naturally curled shape. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 10 , further comprising a hinge, wherein said first clamp member and said second clamp member are operably coupled together by said hinge for adjusting said first and second clamp members between said open, neutral and closed configurations. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 15 , further comprising a spacer mechanism which is configured to be operable to cause said first and second clamp members to space apart from the substantially closed configuration to the neutral configuration by a predetermined amounted and form a gap therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 16 , wherein said spacer mechanism comprises said hinge, said hinge being an expandable hinge pivotally interconnecting said first and second clamp members together, said expandable hinge being operable between an unexpanded configuration and expanded configuration, wherein in the unexpanded configuration, said first and second members pivot about a common rotational axis of said hinge, and wherein in said expanded configuration, the hinge rotational axis of said first member is displaced generally perpendicularly from the hinge rotational axis of the second member by said predetermined amount so as to form said gap between said members. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 17 , wherein said spacer mechanism further comprises a latch mechanism for adjusting the expandable hinge between said expanded and unexpanded configurations; and a guide member for maintaining the first and second members substantially parallel to one another in the neutral configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The applicator or  claim 10 , further comprising a spacer mechanism which is configured to be operable to cause said first and second clamp members to space apart from the substantially closed configuration to the neutral configuration by a predetermined amounted and form a gap therebetween. 
     
     
         20 . The applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising: a false eyelash, said false eyelash being pre-supported on said applicator in said roll on configuration. 
     
     
         21 - 59 . (canceled)