Eyelash Isolation Hook and Spreader Tool

Abstract

An eyelash isolation tool having a body extending between a first lash-engaging member and a second lash-engaging member. The body comprises the first lash-engaging member at one end and the second lash-engaging member at another end. The first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging member each configured to engage a set of eyelashes. The first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging member positioned relative to one another to define a lash-isolation region for separating a controlled portion of the set of eyelashes from a working portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18 / 468,765, filed Sep. 18, 2023, entitled “Eyelash Isolation Tool”, currently pending before the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The present application claims the benefit of priority to that parent application under 35 U.S.C. § 121, and incorporates the entire disclosure of the parent application herein by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IF APPLICABLE)

[0002] Not applicable.REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE)

[0003] Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to cosmetic and beauty-care instruments and, more particularly, to tools for isolating or separating selected eyelashes during the process of eyelash extension, treatment, or cosmetic application.Related Applications

[0005] The parent application, U.S. application Ser. No. 18 / 468,765, discloses multiple embodiments of an eyelash isolation system, including a pinning configuration shown in FIGS. 1 through 3B and 8 through 9 (identified by the examiner as Species I), a hook configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (Species II), and a spreader configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 (Species III). In a restriction requirement mailed Aug. 5, 2025, the examiner required election of a single species for prosecution. Applicant elected Species I without traverse for examination in the parent case. The present divisional application is directed to the unelected embodiments, namely Species II and III, which share the same overall inventive purpose of isolating a subset of lashes during a cosmetic procedure.Description of the Related Art

[0006] During examination of the parent application, the United States Patent and Trademark Office cited several references believed to be representative of the eyelash manipulation art. These included U.S. Pat. No. 2,109,244 to Zajicek, issued in 1938, which describes an eyelash curler having opposing clamping plates; U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,255 to Glover, issued in 2003, directed to a cosmetic implement for treating eyelashes; U.S. Pat. No. 7,478,958 to Ramet, issued in 2009, relating to a hand-held applicator and separator device; and U.S. Pat. No. 9,226,537 to Han, issued in 2016, concerning a lash tool with flexible applicator surfaces. These references were analyzed primarily in connection with the pinning configuration of Species I, which uses press members to hold a section of lashes stationary during cosmetic work. While the cited art generally concerns eyelash curling or pressing mechanisms, it may also be considered of background relevance to the hook and spreader embodiments described herein. None of the cited patents, however, teaches or suggests the present combination of structural and functional elements that enable passive, self-retaining isolation of lash bundles during precision application.Need for the Invention

[0007] Conventional eyelash-handling tools, such as curlers, tweezers, and clamp-style isolators, are designed primarily for gripping or bending lashes rather than maintaining consistent isolation of specific lash bundles during the application of extensions or cosmetic coatings. In typical salon practice, a stylist must frequently reposition several different tools—one to separate, another to hold, and another to apply—resulting in hand fatigue, workflow inefficiency, and inconsistent lash alignment. The embodiments described in this divisional application address those shortcomings by introducing two alternate isolation configurations. The first, corresponding to Species II, employs paired lash hooks connected by a bridging portion that gently draws aside and retains a selected group of lashes to permit unobstructed access to adjacent strands. The second, corresponding to Species III, employs a spreader body with two extension bars that establish a stable lash gap for isolating the working lashes. Both configurations achieve continuous separation without requiring a sustained gripping force, thereby improving visibility, alignment precision, and application speed. Because these embodiments operate under the same functional principle as the pinning configuration of the parent application-namely, temporary separation of lashes during cosmetic work-they represent structural variants of the same inventive concept rather than distinct inventions.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An eyelash isolation tool 100 is disclosed. Comprising a body 402 extending between a first lash-engaging member 400a and a second lash-engaging member 400b. The body 402 comprises the first lash-engaging member 400a at one end and the second lash-engaging member 400b at another end. said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b each configured to engage a set of eyelashes 302. said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b positioned relative to one another to define a lash-isolation region for separating a controlled portion 500 of said set of eyelashes 302 from a working portion 502.

[0009] In a second embodiment, the eyelash isolation tool 100 comprises the body 402 extending between the first lash-engaging member 400a and the second lash-engaging member 400b. The body 402 comprises the first lash-engaging member 400a at one end and the second lash-engaging member 400b at another end. said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b each configured to engage the set of eyelashes 302. said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b positioned relative to one another to define a lash-isolation region for separating the controlled portion 500 of said set of eyelashes 302 from the working portion 502. An outward engagement configuration 600. wherein said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b connect at opposite ends of said body 402 and extend outwardly away from one another and said body 402. said eyelash isolation tool 100 comprises a lash gap 608 between a two lash-engaging members 400. said lash gap 608 comprises a gap width 606. said eyelash isolation tool 100 in the outward engagement configuration 600 is configured to engage the controlled portion 500 of said set of eyelashes 302 on opposite sides thereof with said two lash-engaging members 400, thereby urging the working portion 502 of said set of eyelashes 302 outward and away from said controlled portion 500 and defining the lash gap 608 having the gap width 606. said body 402 having a bend 612 and two body sides 614. said body 402 having a “U” shape. wherein, said “U” shape comprises said bend 612 at the bend in the “U” and the two body sides 614 comprise the sides of the “U”.

[0010] In a third embodiment, the eyelash isolation tool 100 comprises the body 402 extending between the first lash-engaging member 400a and the second lash-engaging member 400b. The body 402 comprises the first lash-engaging member 400a at one end and the second lash-engaging member 400b at another end. said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b each configured to engage the set of eyelashes 302. said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b positioned relative to one another to define a lash-isolation region for separating the controlled portion 500 of said set of eyelashes 302 from the working portion 502. An inward engagement configuration 410 wherein, said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b extend inwardly toward one another to draw said controlled portion 500 of lashes aside. said two lash-engaging members 400 are configured to pull the controlled portion 500 of the set of eyelashes 302 away from said working portion 502 to improve working accuracy when working with said working portion 502.

[0011] Accordingly, said eyelash isolation tool 100 is useful to isolate said controlled portion 500 from said working portion 502 during the installation and management of eyelash extensions.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0012] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C illustrate an elevated side view, an elevated front view, and a perspective overview of an eyelash isolation tool 100 in a pinning configuration 120, respectively.

[0013] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an elevated front view and perspective overview of the eyelash isolation tool 100 with the first lash press 106a in a straight configuration.

[0014] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an overview of an user 300 without the eyelash isolation tool 100 and with the eyelash isolation tool 100.

[0015] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an elevated front view and perspective overview of the eyelash isolation tool 100 in an inward engagement configuration 410 with two lash-engaging members 400.

[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates the user 300 with the eyelash isolation tool 100 having two lash-engaging members 400 attached to a portion of the set of eyelashes 302.

[0017] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an elevated front view and perspective overview of the eyelash isolation tool 100 in an outward engagement configuration 600.

[0018] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the eyelash isolation tool 100 in the outward engagement configuration 600 installed in the set of eyelashes 302 of the user 300.

[0019] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate an elevated side view, an elevated front view, and a perspective overview of the eyelash isolation tool 100 in the pinning configuration 120 comprising the first lash press 106a and a second lash press 106b.

[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates an overview of the user 300 with the eyelash isolation tool 100.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The drawings include FIGS. 1-3B and 8A-9, which illustrate embodiments directed to a pinning configuration currently being prosecuted in the parent application, U.S. application Ser. No. 18 / 468,765. These figures are included herein for continuity of disclosure and to provide reference for shared terminology and structural features. The embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 4-7 correspond to the unelected configurations (Species II and III) that form the subject of the present divisional application.

[0022] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers' specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0023] FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C illustrate an elevated side view, an elevated front view, and a perspective overview of an eyelash isolation tool 100 in a pinning configuration 120, respectively.

[0024] In one embodiment, said eyelash isolation tool 100 can comprise a handle portion 102, two spreaders 104, a first spreader 104a and a second spreader 104b, and one or more lash presses 106. In one embodiment, one or more lash presses 106 can comprise at least a first lash press 106a. the handle portion 102 can comprise a handle length 108, the eyelash isolation tool 100 can comprise a tool height 110 and a tool width 112.

[0025] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an elevated front view and perspective overview of the eyelash isolation tool 100 with the first lash press 106a in a straight configuration.

[0026] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an overview of an user 300 without the eyelash isolation tool 100 and with the eyelash isolation tool 100.

[0027] In one embodiment, the eyelash isolation tool 100 can be configured to assist in the service of extending a set of eyelashes 302 of the user 300. As is well known in the art, an artisan can tape down a lower portion of the set of eyelashes 302 of the user 300 with a tape strip 304 and work on an upper portion of the set of eyelashes 302. Accordingly, the eyelash isolation tool 100 can be used to further arrange the set of eyelashes 302 for the installation and management of eyelash extensions.

[0028] In one embodiment, the eyelash isolation tool 100 can be used to isolate the set of eyelashes 302 into a pinned portion 306 and an unpinned portion 308 of the set of eyelashes 302.

[0029] The eyelash isolation tool 100 can be made of metal, PLA, plastics, bamboo or other materials as would be known in the art. In one embodiment, the handle portion 102 can be fabricated from bent metals, 3D printed, injection molding, or similar procedures.

[0030] In one embodiment, one or more lash presses 106 can comprise plastic, wires, nylons, metal wires, or similar.

[0031] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an elevated front view and perspective overview of the eyelash isolation tool 100 in an inward engagement configuration 410 with two lash-engaging members 400.

[0032] In one embodiment, two lash-engaging members 400 can comprise a first lash-engaging member 400a and a second lash-engaging member 400b.

[0033] In one embodiment, a portion of two lash-engaging members 400 can comprise a square shape, and a portion can comprise a curved shape. For example, the first lash-engaging member 400a can comprise a square shape and the second lash-engaging member 400b can comprise a curved shape.

[0034] In one embodiment, the eyelash isolation tool 100 with two lash-engaging members 400 can attach to the set of eyelashes 302 and hold a portion of the set of eyelashes 302.

[0035] In one embodiment, two lash-engaging members 400 are connected to one another using a body 402. For example, the body 402 can comprise the first lash-engaging member 400a at one end and the second lash-engaging member 400b at another end. Wherein, the body 402 can comprise a straight bar.

[0036] FIG. 5 illustrates the user 300 with the eyelash isolation tool 100 having two lash-engaging members 400 attached to a portion of the set of eyelashes 302.

[0037] In one embodiment, two lash-engaging members 400 can attach to and pull a controlled portion 500 of the set of eyelashes 302. With the controlled portion 500 held in two lash-engaging members 400, a working portion 502 of the set of eyelashes 302 can be easily accessed for the installation and management of eyelash extensions.

[0038] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate an elevated front view and perspective overview of the eyelash isolation tool 100 in an outward engagement configuration 600.

[0039] In one embodiment, the eyelash isolation tool 100 in the outward engagement configuration 600 can comprise the body 402 and two lash-engaging members 400, the first lash-engaging member 400a and the second lash-engaging member 400b.

[0040] In one embodiment, the body 402 can comprise a “U” or “V” shape. As illustrated, this shape is upside down. Wherein, the shape comprises a gap width 606 in a lash gap 608 between two lash-engaging members 400. In one embodiment, two lash-engaging members 400 extend outward from the lash gap 608. The two lash-engaging members 400 can be substantially parallel with one another.

[0041] In one embodiment, the body 402 can comprise a body height 610, configured to move the body 402 out of the way when in use on the set of eyelashes 302. Further, said body 402 can comprise a bend 612 and two body sides 614. Wherein, said “U” shape comprise said bend 612 at the bend in the “U” and the two body sides 614 comprise the sides of the “U”.

[0042] FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate the eyelash isolation tool 100 in the outward engagement configuration 600 installed in the set of eyelashes 302 of the user 300.

[0043] In one embodiment, the eyelash isolation tool 100 in the outward engagement configuration 600 can press outward on the controlled portion 500 and isolate the working portion 502 within the lash gap 608.

[0044] FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate an elevated side view, an elevated front view, and a perspective overview of the eyelash isolation tool 100 in the pinning configuration 120 comprising the first lash press 106a and a second lash press 106b.

[0045] In one embodiment, one or more lash presses 106 can comprise the first lash press 106a and the second lash press 106b; wherein, the tool height 110 and two spreaders 104 can be extended to accommodate the second lash press 106b.

[0046] Relative to the first lash press 106a, the second lash press 106b can be attached to a portion of two spreaders 104 being further from the handle portion 102.

[0047] FIG. 9 illustrates an overview of the user 300 with the eyelash isolation tool 100.

[0048] In one embodiment, the eyelash isolation tool 100 can comprise more than one eyelash press, such as the first lash press 106a and the second lash press 106b, can be configured for holding longer or more lush lashes.PARTS LISTthe eyelash isolation tool 100,

[0050] the handle portion 102,

[0051] the first spreader 104a,

[0052] the second spreader 104b,

[0053] the two spreaders 104,

[0054] the first lash press 106a,

[0055] the second lash press 106b,

[0056] the one or more lash presses 106,

[0057] the handle length 108,

[0058] the tool height 110,

[0059] the tool width 112,

[0060] the pinning configuration 120,

[0061] the user 300,

[0062] the set of eyelashes 302,

[0063] the tape strip 304,

[0064] the pinned portion 306,

[0065] the unpinned portion 308,

[0066] the second lash-engaging member 400b,

[0067] the first lash-engaging member 400a,

[0068] the two lash-engaging members 400,

[0069] the body 402,

[0070] the inward engagement configuration 410,

[0071] the controlled portion 500,

[0072] the working portion 502,

[0073] the outward engagement configuration 600,

[0074] the gap width 606,

[0075] the lash gap 608,

[0076] the body height 610,

[0077] the bend 612, and

[0078] the two body sides 614

[0079] One preferred embodiment based on the original claims to this application:

[0080] The eyelash isolation tool 100 can comprise the body 402 extending between the first lash-engaging member 400a and the second lash-engaging member 400b. The body 402 comprises the first lash-engaging member 400a at one end and the second lash-engaging member 400b at another end. Said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b each configured to engage the set of eyelashes 302. Said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b positioned relative to one another to define a lash-isolation region for separating the controlled portion 500 of said set of eyelashes 302 from the working portion 502.

[0081] The inward engagement configuration 410 wherein, said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b extend inwardly toward one another to draw said controlled portion 500 of lashes aside.

[0082] Said body 402, the first lash-engaging member 400a and the second lash-engaging member 400b can be integrally formed from a resilient polymeric or metallic material.

[0083] Said body 402 defines a bend to provide spring tension between said lash-engaging members.

[0084] Wherein said first lash-engaging member 400a has a substantially square cross-section configured to engage and restrain a greater number of lashes, and said second lash-engaging member 400b has a curved cross-section configured to facilitate release of lashes after isolation.

[0085] The body 402 having a straight bar.

[0086] Said two lash-engaging members 400 can be configured to pull the controlled portion 500 of the set of eyelashes 302 away from said working portion 502 to improve working accuracy when working with said working portion 502. Accordingly, said eyelash isolation tool 100 can be useful to isolate said controlled portion 500 from said working portion 502 during the installation and management of eyelash extensions.

[0087] The outward engagement configuration 600. Wherein said first lash-engaging member 400a and second lash-engaging member 400b connect at opposite ends of said body 402 and extend outwardly away from one another and said body 402. Said eyelash isolation tool 100 comprises the lash gap 608 between the two lash-engaging members 400. Said lash gap 608 comprises the gap width 606. Said eyelash isolation tool 100 in the outward engagement configuration 600 can be configured to engage the controlled portion 500 of said set of eyelashes 302 on opposite sides thereof with said two lash-engaging members 400, thereby urging the working portion 502 of said set of eyelashes 302 outward and away from said controlled portion 500 and defining the lash gap 608 having the gap width 606.

[0088] Said body 402, the first lash-engaging member 400a and the second lash-engaging member 400b can be integrally formed from a resilient polymeric or metallic material.

[0089] Said body 402 defines a bend to provide spring tension between said lash-engaging members.

[0090] Said body 402 having the bend 612 and two body sides 614. Said body 402 having a “U” shape. Wherein, said “U” shape comprises said bend 612 at the bend in the “U” and the two body sides 614 comprise the sides of the “U”.

[0091] The two lash-engaging members 400 can be substantially parallel with one another.

[0092] Said body 402 comprises the body height 610, and when positioned within said set of eyelashes 302, said eyelash isolation tool 100 can be configured to rotate about said two lash-engaging members 400 using said body 402 as a lever to move said body 402 out of the working field.

[0093] Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”

Claims

1. An eyelash isolation tool comprising:a body extending between a first lash-engaging member and a second lash-engaging member;the body comprises the first lash-engaging member at one end and the second lash-engaging member at another end;said first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging member each configured to engage a set of eyelashes; andsaid first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging member positioned relative to one another to define a lash-isolation region for separating a controlled portion of said set of eyelashes from a working portion.

2. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 1, comprising:an inward engagement configuration wherein,said first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging member extend inwardly toward one another to draw said controlled portion of lashes aside.

3. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 2, wherein:said body, the first lash-engaging member and the second lash-engaging member are integrally formed from a resilient polymeric or metallic material.

4. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 2, wherein:said body defines a bend to provide spring tension between said lash-engaging members.

5. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 2,wherein said first lash-engaging member has a substantially square cross-section configured to engage and restrain a greater number of lashes, andsaid second lash-engaging member has a curved cross-section configured to facilitate release of lashes after isolation.

6. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 2, comprising:the body having a straight bar.

7. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 2, wherein:said two lash-engaging members are configured to pull the controlled portion of the set of eyelashes away from said working portion to improve working accuracy when working with said working portion; andaccordingly, said eyelash isolation tool is useful to isolate said controlled portion from said working portion during the installation and management of eyelash extensions.

8. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 1, comprising:an outward engagement configuration;wherein said first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging memberconnect at opposite ends of said body andextend outwardly away from one another and said body;said eyelash isolation tool comprises a lash gap between a two lash-engaging members;said lash gap comprises a gap width;said eyelash isolation tool in the outward engagement configuration is configured to engage the controlled portion of said set of eyelashes on opposite sides thereof with said two lash-engaging members, thereby urging the working portion of said set of eyelashes outward and away from said controlled portion and defining the lash gap having the gap width.

9. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 8, wherein:said body, the first lash-engaging member and the second lash-engaging member are integrally formed from a resilient polymeric or metallic material.

10. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 8, wherein:said body defines a bend to provide spring tension between said lash-engaging members.

11. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 8, comprising:said body having a bend and two body sides;said body having a “U” shape;wherein, said “U” shape comprises said bend at the bend in the “U” and the two body sides comprise the sides of the “U”.

12. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 8, whereinthe two lash-engaging members are substantially parallel with one another.

13. The eyelash isolation tool of claim 12, whereinsaid body comprises a body height, andwhen positioned within said set of eyelashes,said eyelash isolation tool is configured to rotate about said two lash-engaging members using said body as a lever to move said body out of the working field.

14. An eyelash isolation tool comprising:a body extending between a first lash-engaging member and a second lash-engaging member;the body comprises the first lash-engaging member at one end and the second lash-engaging member at another end;said first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging member each configured to engage a set of eyelashes;said first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging member positioned relative to one another to define a lash-isolation region for separating a controlled portion of said set of eyelashes from a working portion;an outward engagement configuration;wherein said first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging memberconnect at opposite ends of said body andextend outwardly away from one another and said body;said eyelash isolation tool comprises a lash gap between a two lash-engaging members;said lash gap comprises a gap width;said eyelash isolation tool in the outward engagement configuration is configured to engage the controlled portion of said set of eyelashes on opposite sides thereof with said two lash-engaging members, thereby urging the working portion of said set of eyelashes outward and away from said controlled portion and defining the lash gap having the gap width;said body having a bend and two body sides;said body having a “U” shape; andwherein, said “U” shape comprises said bend at the bend in the “U” and the two body sides comprise the sides of the “U”.

15. An eyelash isolation tool comprising:a body extending between a first lash-engaging member and a second lash-engaging member;the body comprises the first lash-engaging member at one end and the second lash-engaging member at another end;said first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging member each configured to engage a set of eyelashes;said first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging member positioned relative to one another to define a lash-isolation region for separating a controlled portion of said set of eyelashes from a working portion;an inward engagement configuration wherein,said first lash-engaging member and second lash-engaging member extend inwardly toward one another to draw said controlled portion of lashes aside;said two lash-engaging members are configured to pull the controlled portion of the set of eyelashes away from said working portion to improve working accuracy when working with said working portion; andaccordingly, said eyelash isolation tool is useful to isolate said controlled portion from said working portion during the installation and management of eyelash extensions.

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