Retractable eyelash comb

Abstract

An eyelash comb is described, comprising a handle portion configured to define a hollow interior. An elongate arm is provided having a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of tines extending perpendicular to the arm from the distal end of the arm. The arm is slideable within the handle and is configured to have a first position in which the tines are withdrawn into the handle, and a second position in which the tines extend outside the handle.

1 . An eyelash comb comprising:
 a handle portion configured to define a hollow interior;   an elongate arm having a proximal end and a distal end; and   a plurality of tines extending perpendicular to the arm from the distal end of the arm;   wherein the arm is slidably disposed within the handle and is configured to have a fully retracted position in which the arm and tines are withdrawn into the handle, and a fully extended position in which the arm and tines extend distally outside the handle with the tines in alignment with the handle.   
     
     
         2 . The eyelash comb of  claim 1 , wherein the handle includes a slot and the arm includes a knob, the knob being configured to extend from the slot to the exterior of the handle, whereby a user may apply a sliding force to the arm for extending the arm from or retracting the arm into the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The eyelash comb of  claim 1 , wherein the tines are formed from metal, and each tine includes a pointed end sized to separate one human eyelash from another. 
     
     
         4 . The eyelash comb of  claim 1 , wherein the arm defines a receptacle and the tines are potted into a block of plastic material, and wherein the block is sized to mate with and fit into the receptacle such that the arm and the tines are rigidly connected together and move in unison in relation to the handle. 
     
     
         5 . The eyelash comb of  claim 4 , wherein the block and the receptacle define mating detents configured to hold the block stationary in relation to the arm. 
     
     
         6 . The eyelash comb of  claim 2 , wherein the handle comprises a left side portion and a right side portion, the side portions being configured to be joined to each other to define an interior space for receiving the arm. 
     
     
         7 . The eyelash comb of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the side portions defines a pair of parallel rails for guiding sliding motion of the arm in relation to the handle. 
     
     
         8 . The eyelash comb of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the side portions and the arm define mating detents for temporarily holding the arm in a stationary position when the arm is in the fully extended position and when the arm is in the fully retracted position. 
     
     
         9 . The eyelash comb of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is configured to have a distal portion having parallel upper and lower surfaces that are separated by a first distance between 18 mm and 22 mm, and a proximal portion having parallel upper and lower surfaces that are separated by a second distance between 9 mm and 11 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The eyelash comb of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is configured to have a proximal portion and a distal portion, with a first chamber extending through the proximal and distal portions for receiving the arm when the arm is in the fully retracted position, and a second adjacent chamber in the distal portion terminating short of the proximal portion for receiving the tines when the arm is in the fully retracted position. 
     
     
         11 . The eyelash comb of  claim 10 , wherein the proximal and distal portions of handle have generally rectangular cross sectional shapes.