Eyelash perm rod

Abstract

 An eyelash perm rod (1) for use in eyelash perming in which lashes bent upward to form a curled state are temporarily stuck onto the rod (1) and a permanent wave lotion is applied thereto for producing permanent-treated, curled eyelashes. The eyelash perm rod (1) of the invention has a solid body (4) having an eyelash-setting surface (2) which is a curved surface and an eyelid contact surface which is a flat surface. Preferably the solid body (4) has a wing-shaped cross section, wherein a first portion of the area at which the eyelash-setting surface (2) meets the eyelid contact surface is thin, and a second portion which is opposite to the first portion is thick.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a rod for eyelash perm (hereinafter referred to as eyelash perm rod) which, during use, is placed on the upper eyelid for temporarily fixing lashes in a bent state thereon, while a permanent wave lotion is applied to the lashes to thereby create permanent curls.

[0002] When people, particularly women, apply makeup, they tend to apply their eye makeup in such a manner as to make their eyes appear larger, thereby making their face more attractive as a whole.

[0003] To this end, extending the lashes in upward radial directions is effective, and conventionally, an eyelash curler is generally used to curl up the lashes. However, since the eyelash curler only temporarily bends the lashes at an upward angle, as time passes the lashes return to their original state. Therefore, in order to maintain the upward angle of the lashes, some people must use the eyelash curler several times a day. To cope with this inconvenience, in recent years, permanent treatment, which has hitherto been commonly practiced in hairstyling, has come to be applied to the lashes.

[0004] In such eyelash perm, typically, an object called an "eyelash rod" is placed on the upper eyelid, and while the top lashes are temporarily affixed to an upper surface of the rod, a permanent wave lotion is applied to the lashes for producing permanent curling thereof. Exemplary conventional eyelash rods are described in, for example, JP-A-2002-58523 and JP-A-2004-358049.

[0005] However, conventional eyelash rods as described in the above prior art publications have the following problems.

• Conventional rods may fail to impart appropriate curling to the lashes extending outward from the edge of the upper eyelid. This is because conventional rods are not provided with measures for dealing with lashes of different average lengths, although the lashes differ in length from person to person.
• Conventional rods are stuck to the eyelids by use of glue. However, when glue is used, accurate positioning of respective eyelash fibers and securing them on the rod with just a suitable amount of glue is difficult. Moreover, there is the risk that the glue might enter the eye.
• As mentioned, after the lashes are curled up and placed on the upper surface of the rod, the lashes are fixed thereon with glue. This process requires experience, skill, and concentration, and an inexperienced beautician may fail in this process.
• With conventional rods, the degree, or amount, of curl cannot be changed. Therefore, meeting clients' various requests by freely changing the degree of curl is difficult.
• The length from one corner of the eye that is close to the nose (the inner canthus) to the other corner (the outer canthus) differs from person to person. However, conventional rods cannot properly cope with such differences in length.

[0006] In this connection, the eyelash rods disclosed in the following publications are also considered to represent the state of the art:

JP-A-2004-024824,

JP-A-2003-299520,

JP-A-2003-275015, and

JP-A-1994-105709.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides the following:

a) An eyelash perm rod for use in eyelash perming in which lashes bent upward to form a curled state are temporarily stuck onto the rod and a permanent wave lotion is applied thereto for producing permanent-treated, curled eyelashes, the rod comprising a solid body having an eyelash-setting surface which is a curved surface and an eyelid contact surface which is a flat surface, the solid body having a wing-shaped cross section, wherein a first portion of the area at which the eyelash-setting surface meets the eyelid contact surface is thin, and a second portion which is opposite to the first portion is thick.

b) An eyelash perm rod as described in a) above, wherein, as viewed in a wing-shaped cross section of the solid body, the solid body is the thickest in the vicinity of the second portion and the thickness gradually decreases toward the first portion.

c) An eyelash perm rod as described in a) or b) above, wherein, as viewed in a cross section in the lengthwise direction, the solid body is the thickest in the central portion and the thickness gradually decreases toward either end.

d) An eyelash perm rod as described in any of a) to c) above, wherein at least one of the eyelash setting surface and the eyelid contact surface has bond means.

e) An eyelash perm rod as described in d), wherein the bond means is a glue layer or a double-faced adhesive tape.

f) An eyelash perm rod as described in any of a) to e) above, wherein the solid body is made of a resilient resin, especially silicone resin.

g) An eyelash perm rod as described in any of a) to f) above, wherein the solid body is preferably detachably provided with a height-regulating sheet on the eyelid contact surface thereof.

h) An eyelash perm rod as described in g), wherein the height-regulating sheet has bond means at the bottom surface thereof for repeatedly allowing attachment to and detachment from the eyelid.

[0008] With the above configuration, the eyelash perm rod of the present invention attains various advantages. For example, a rod can be easily affixed to an intended position on the eyelid without use of any adhesive. Moreover, again without use of any adhesive, lashes can be easily bent into a desired state and temporarily stuck onto an eyelash-setting surface of the rod. Long and short lashes are both treated appropriately. Both sharp curls and gentle curls can be easily produced. All these features enable technicians of ordinary skill and ordinary ability to concentrate to carry out eyelash perm quickly and easily while meeting the clients' needs. Furthermore, if the used rod is washed for removal of the perming solution, the rod does not have to be disposed of and can be used repeatedly. Thus, the rod of the present invention is not wasted and is very useful also from the environmental point of view.

[0009] The main body of the eyelash perm rod according to the present invention is a solid body and is preferably made of a resilient resin, more particularly silicone resin. The solid body has an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper surface is a curved surface which is upwardly raised and serves as a surface on which eyelashes are bent up and temporarily fixed (referred to as the eyelash-setting surface). The lower surface is brought into contact with the upper eyelid and thus is referred to as the eyelid contact surface.

[0010] Of the two opposing widthwise ends of the solid body, one end is formed to have a flat surface and the other end is formed to have an outwardly protruding round surface. As used herein, a portion of the solid body proximal to the flat surface is referred to as the thick edge portion, and a portion of the solid body proximal to the outwardly protruding generally round surface is referred to as the thin edge portion. Each of the two opposing lengthwise ends has a flat-cut surface. The solid body has a generally spindle shape in plan view. As will be described later, when the client has a relatively elongated hairline of lashes, the rod is placed on the eyelid so that the thin edge portion faces the basal portion of the lashes. The lashes will then be bent up and temporarily fixed thereon. Conversely, when the client has a relatively short hairline of lashes, the rod is placed on the eyelid so that the thick edge portion faces the basal portion of the lashes.

[0011] The upwardly curved surface of the eyelash setting surface is preferably the highest in the vicinity of the thick edge portion and gradually decreases in height toward the thin edge portion. In a preferred embodiment of the invention between the mentioned two lengthwise ends the central portion is the thickest, and the thickness gradually decreases toward either end.

[0012] The average length of lashes differs from person to person. With short lashes, tight curls are difficult to produce, and therefore, the rod is placed so that the thick edge portion faces the basal portion of the lashes. The sharp rise of the thick edge portion is beneficial for sticking the short lashes to the rod. When the client has long lashes, usually, the rod is placed so that the thin edge portion faces the basal portion of the lashes. However, the thick edge portion may be caused to face the lashes. In this case, tighter curls can be obtained. Thus, either the thick edge portion or the thin edge portion may be suitably selected to be placed close to the basal portion of the lashes, depending on whether gentler or tighter curls are desired.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, on the outer surfaces of the solid body, in particular atop the eyelash-setting surface and the eyelid contact surface, bond means is provided, preferably a glue layer and/or a double-faced adhesive. In the present invention, the glue is preferably a conventionally known one which can be freely affixed and peeled off. Instead of the glue layer, there may be employed a conventionally known double-faced adhesive tape. In this case, the separator of the tape attached to the eyelid contact side of the rod is peeled off, and the rod is stuck to the eyelid, and subsequently, the separator of the other tape attached to the eyelash-setting surface is peeled off, and the lashes are bent upward to be temporarily affixed to the rod.

[0014] As described above, depending on the average length of the lashes or the desired curl degree, either the thin edge portion or the thick edge portion of the rod is selected to be placed closer to the basal portion of the lashes. However, when a client has long lashes and thus the rod itself cannot produce desired curls, or when curls of more acute angle are desired to be created, in an especially preferred embodiment a height-regulating sheet may be placed between the eyelid and the rod.

[0015] This height-regulating sheet has a shape whose planar projection essentially coincides with that of the rod. Preferably, the sheet has bond means at the bottom surface thereof. The bond means may be analogous to that provided on the rod, and facilitates attachment to and detachment from the eyelid. Thus, the situations related to long lashes or preference of tighter curls are appropriately addressed by increasing the height of the rod by use of the height-regulating sheet.

[0016] In another aspect the invention provides the use of an eyelash perm rod as described above in eyelash perming. Moreover, the invention provides a method for the preparation of an eyelash perm comprising the steps of placing an eyelash perm rod as described above on an upper eyelid, temporarily fixing lashes in a bent state thereon, applying a permanent wave lotion to the lashes, preferably applying a setting lotion to the lashes, preferably rinsing the lashes, and removing the rod. Concerning further features of the use and method according to the invention reference is made to the above description.

[0017] Various other objects, features and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the examples when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1

is a plan view of the solid body of an eyelash perm rod according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2

is a front view of the solid body;

FIG. 3

is a cross-sectional view taken along a line A - A of the solid body of the eyelash perm rod shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4

is a sketch showing the state in which eyelashes 8 are bent along an eyelash-setting surface 2 of the rod 1 (solid body 4) for temporary fixation;

FIG. 5

is a cross-sectional view taken along a line B - B in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6

is another cross-sectional view taken along the line B - B in FIG. 4.

[0018] In FIGs. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes an eyelash perm rod. During use, the rod is placed on the upper eyelid for temporarily fixing lashes in a bent state thereon, and a permanent wave lotion is applied to the lashes to thereby create permanent curls. The rod 1 comprises a somewhat elongated solid body 4 having a wing-shaped cross section. The solid body has an eyelash-setting surface 2, which is a curved upper surface, and an eyelid contact surface 3, which is a flat surface. A portion of the area at which the eyelash setting surface 2 meets the eyelid contact surface 3 is thin, and is referred to as a thin edge portion 5, and the opposite portion thereof is thick, and is thus referred to as a thick edge portion 6. Preferably, the solid body 4 is made of a soft resin material. Specifically, silicone resin is preferred. The lower surface of the solid body, i.e. the eyelid contact surface 3, is formed to have a flat surface as mentioned above, and is brought into contact with the upper eyelid. For temporary fixation of eyelashes, the lashes are affixed onto the upper surface of the solid body, i.e. the eyelash-setting surface, which has an upwardly raised curved surface.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment the solid body 4 has a wing-shaped cross section, in which the solid body is thickest at the thick edge portion 6, and the thickness gradually decreases toward the thin edge portion 5. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, a cross section as taken normal to the wing-shaped cross section has a generally spindle shape, in which the middle portion is the widest, and both ends are narrower.

[0020] Preferably the eyelash-setting surface 2 and/or the eyelid contact surface 3 have bond means (not shown) thereon. In a preferred embodiment, glue layer (or glue film) is employed as the bond means. Preferably, the glue is a conventional one which can be repeatedly affixed and peeled off, and this type of glue is known to those skilled in the art. In place of the glue layer, known double-faced adhesive may be used.

[0021] The eyelid contact surface 3 of the solid body 4 may be preferably detachably provided with a height-regulating sheet (not shown). Through use of this sheet in a number of one or more, the height of the solid body 4 can be changed so as to freely produce curls of different angles, i.e. sharp to obtuse curls. That is, when a client has long lashes and thus the rod itself cannot produce desired curls, or when curls of more acute angle are desired to be created, the height-regulating sheet is very useful. The sheet has a shape whose planar projection essentially coincides with that of the rod 1 (solid body 4). Preferably, the sheet has bond means at the bottom surface thereof. The bond means is analogous to that provided on rod 1 (solid body 4), and facilitates attachment to and detachment from the eyelid.

[0022] Next, use of the eyelash perm rod 1 according to the present embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGs. 4 to 6.

[0023] Firstly, the procedure of eyelash perm is described. As shown in FIGs. 4, 5, and 6, the rod 1 (solid body 4) is placed and affixed at an appropriate position of the eyelid 7 preferably by means of the glue layer. FIG. 4 shows the state in which the lashes 8 are bent along the eyelash-setting surface 2 of the rod 1 (solid body 4) for temporary fixation thereto. FIGs. 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views taken along line B - B in FIG. 4. Adhesion of the rod 1 onto the eyelid and positioning of the rod 1 thereon can be easily achieved using the bond means which freely allows repeated bonding and release. When the client has a relatively elongated eyelid and thus has a relatively long hairline of the lashes 8, or when the length of lashes 8 is relatively long, the rod 1 is placed so that the thin edge portion 5 shown in FIG. 3 is proximal to the basal portion of the lashes. Conversely, when the client has a relatively short hairline of the lashes 8, or when the length of lashes 8 is relatively short, the rod is placed so that the thick edge portion 6 shown in FIG. 3 is proximal to the basal portion of the lashes 8.

[0024] When attachment of rod 1 (solid body 4) is complete, as shown in FIG. 4, lashes 8, 8, 8 are combed to align neatly, and while bent upward and curled by use of, for example, a spatula or a stick, the lashes are temporarily fixed onto the glue layer of the eyelash setting surface 2. Since the glue layer allows detachable bonding, temporary fixation of lashes 8 in a curled state can be carried out with ease and very conveniently.

[0025] FIG. 5 shows an example of application where the average length of the lashes is relatively short. In this case, the rod 1 (solid body 4) is stuck to the eyelid 7 so that the thick edge portion 6 faces the basal portion of the lashes 8. Even when the lashes 8 are short, they can be easily fixed onto the rod 1 in good condition along the rise of the thick edge portion 6 onto the curved upper surface.

[0026] FIG. 6 shows another example of application where the average length of the lashes is relatively long or curls of sharp curve are desired. In this case, rod 1 (solid body 4) is stuck to the eyelid 7 so that the thin edge portion 5 faces the basal portion of the lashes 8. Since the lashes 8 are long, they form a gentle curve along the curved surface of the eyelash setting surface 2. If use of the rod 1 (solid body 4) alone can attain only a curve that is too gentle, the aforementioned height-regulating sheet 9 is placed between the eyelid 7 and the eyelid contact surface 3 of the solid body 4, whereby the overall height of the rod 1 is raised.

[0027] Through the above procedure, when eyelashes 8 have been temporarily stuck to the eyelash-setting surface 2 in a desired shape of curl, a permanent wave lotion is applied to the entirety of the eyelashes 8. Subsequently, a setting lotion is applied to the lashes for permanent setting.

[0028] Once set, after a predetermined period of time, the lashes are rinsed, and the rod 1 (solid body 4) is removed, whereby the procedure is completed.

[0029] Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. An eyelash perm rod for use in eyelash perming in which lashes bent upward to form a curled state are temporarily stuck onto the rod and a permanent wave lotion is applied thereto for producing permanent-treated, curled eyelashes, the rod comprising a solid body having an eyelash-setting surface which is a curved surface and an eyelid contact surface which is a flat surface, the solid body having a wing-shaped cross section, wherein a first portion of the area at which the eyelash-setting surface meets the eyelid contact surface is thin, and a second portion which is opposite to the first portion is thick.

2. The eyelash perm rod according to claim 1, wherein, as viewed in a wing-shaped cross section of the solid body, the solid body is the thickest in the vicinity of the second portion and the thickness gradually decreases toward the first portion.

3. The eyelash perm rod according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein, as viewed in a cross section in the lengthwise direction, the solid body is the thickest in the central portion and the thickness gradually decreases toward either end.

4. The eyelash perm rod according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the eyelash setting surface and the eyelid contact surface has bond means.

5. The eyelash perm rod according to claim 4, wherein the bond means is a glue layer and/or a double-faced adhesive tape.

6. The eyelash perm rod according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the solid body is made of a resilient resin, especially silicone resin.

7. The eyelash perm rod according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the solid body is preferably detachably provided with a height-regulating sheet on the eyelid contact surface thereof.

8. The eyelash perm rod according to claim 7, wherein the height-regulating sheet has bond means at the bottom surface thereof for repeatedly allowing attachment to and detachment from the eyelid.

9. Use of an eyelash perm rod according to one of claims 1 to 8 in eyelash perming.

10. Method for preparation of an eyelash perm comprising the steps of

- placing an eyelash perm rod according to one of claims 1 to 8 on an upper eyelid,

- temporarily fixing lashes in a bent state thereon,

- applying a permanent wave lotion to the lashes,

- preferably applying a setting lotion to the lashes,

- preferably rinsing the lashes, and

- removing the rod.

Drawing