U.S. patent application number 09/851197 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-08 for attachable hair extension.
Invention is credited to Ra, James W..
Application Number | 20010037813 09/851197 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26897923 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010037813 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ra, James W. |
November 8, 2001 |
Attachable hair extension
Abstract
A hair gathering construction for securing hair strands together
preparatory for securement to the head of the user which includes a
single layer of curable tacky material extending across an edge
marginal region of the hair strands. A thin fabric strip may be
used to aid attachment of the strands together and for handling
purposes. A peel-off strip may be used to removably cover the tacky
material. Exposed tacky material such as an adhesive is placed in a
desired position on the natural hair of the user.
Inventors: |
Ra, James W.; (Paramount,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Roger A. Marrs
Suite 1120
15233 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks
CA
91403
US
|
Family ID: |
26897923 |
Appl. No.: |
09/851197 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60202674 |
May 8, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41G 5/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/53 |
International
Class: |
A41G 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hair extension comprising a plurality of hair strands arranged
in an array with a top portion of gathered hair strands downward
depending therefrom; a coating of tacky adhesive extending across
said top portion securing said gathered hair strands together into
a unitary construction; and said coating constituting an attachment
means for securing said plurality of hair strands to the head of
the user.
2. The hair extension defined in claim 1 wherein: said plurality of
hair strands are composed of human or synthetic hair; and said
coating saturated said top portion.
3. The hair extension defined in claim 2 including: a narrow mesh
fabric band extending across said top portion with said coating of
said tacky adhesive securing said plurality of hair strands to said
fabric band.
4. The hair extension defined in claim 3 wherein: said coating of
said tacky adhesive appears across both sides of said top
portion.
5. The hair extension defined in claim 3 including: a peel-off
strip covering said tacky adhesive extending across said top
portion.
Description
[0001] Priority Claimed Based on Ser. No. 60-202,674 filed May 8,
2000
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of artificial or
replacement hair decorations, and more particularly to a hair
extension employing real and synthetic hair that is readily
attachable to the user's hair and wherein the construction is
thinner and more secured than conventional hair extensions and
which can be more readily attached or removed from the hair of the
user in a convenient and comfortable manner.
[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Hair extensions have been widely used among women. The main
reason for using a hair extension varies in each individual case
such as a simple decoration for fashion on the user's own hair or
to making a partial or full hair supplement to compensate for
thinning hair or the like. A great percentage of hair used for
extensions is either from a natural source or artificially produced
and the supply is usually obtainable from an import source from
mostly Asian countries.
[0006] Problems and difficulties have been encountered in the
method of making a weft hair extension. Currently, all weft
extensions have been made with a sewing technique. Such a technique
involves sorting, spreading and aligning strands of bulk hair
followed by sewing the top side of the gathered hair with a sewing
machine so that the strands of hair are sewn in a row. Due to the
sewing technique, the strands of hair are not firmly caught by the
stitches so that the strands either fall or are easily pulled away
or apart from the stitches. This has the effect of thinning the
hair when user's are engaged in combing or brushing procedures.
Also, the sewing technique results in relatively thick double
layers of stitching in order to make tight stitches which makes the
hair extension heavy and this is a serious shortcoming of utilizing
the sewing machine method of construction.
[0007] Therefore, a long-standing need has existed to provide a
hair extension product which eliminates the shortcomings inherent
in a hair extension made with a sewing method so that the
attachment or securement of the hair to the user's hair is as thin
as possible and which retains the strands of hair in a secure
manner to the hair of the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are avoided
by the present invention which provides a hair gathering
construction including a base strip of thin fabric which is
flexible and has a back side and a front side. A plurality of hair
strands are spread out and gathered to form a wide array of hair
strands and wherein the top end of the array is secured to the
front of the base strip by an adhesive securement means. Initially,
the adhesive is applied to the front of the base strip so that the
hair strands can be laid directly on the adhesive for securement.
If desired, a peel-off strip may be added to the exposed top end or
portion of the array of hair so that the adhesive at the top of the
hair strands is covered preparatory for use while the hair
extension is positioned for placement on the user's hair. Once
assembled or constructed, the plurality of hair strands forming the
array are secured at the gathered top end to a selected area of
hair of the user in any position desired by the user. Preferably,
the gathered top portion or end is composed of a lightweight
adhesive which aids in the handling of the hair extension during
application or usage.
[0009] Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present
invention to provide a hair extension wherein an array of hair is
carried on an adhesively coated gathering of hair flexible and
readily attachable to the user's hair.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
novel attachable hair extension employing the positive
characteristics of glue or adhesive for not only attaching a
plurality of hair strands together on one side of a fabric strip
but which also includes employing the glue or adhesive securing the
hair extension or array of hair to the natural hair of the
user.
[0011] Another object resides in providing a hair extension which
does not rely on sewing techniques and which totally eliminates the
double stitch connection of gathered strands of hair.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The features of the present invention which are believed to
be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.
The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of
operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof,
may best be understood with reference to the following description,
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a conventional hair
extension construction utilizing sewing techniques;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the
novel attachable hair extension which incorporates the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the attachable hair
extension shown in FIG. 2;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view of the
attachable hair extension shown in FIG. 3 as taken in the direction
of arrows 4-4 thereof;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional view of another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing another
embodiment; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a production
process for manufacturing the hair extension illustrated in FIGS.
2-5 inclusive.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, a standard or conventional prior art
hair extension is illustrated in the general direction of arrow 10
which includes a gathering of a plurality of hair strands such as
indicated by numeral 12 which are joined or collected together.
Attachment takes place by employing sewing techniques and a
plurality of cross stitches as well as horizontal stitches are
illustrated by numerals 13 and 14 respectively. An end view of the
hairpiece extension would show that the attachment area is very
wide since the threads are of a given dimension or thickness and
the stitching occurs over each other to provide a double stitch.
All of this has the effect of not only thickening the end product
but rigid sizes the product so that it lacks flexibility. Also,
comfort of wear is adversely affected and convenience in attaching
the strip to the hair of the user is cumbersome.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, the novel hair extension is illustrated
in the general direction of arrow 15 which includes a thin,
elongated fabric base strip 16 having a front surface which is
coated with an adhesive such as glue or the like as indicated by
numeral 17. The back or reverse side of the base strip 16 is plain
while the adhesive 17 serves as an attachment adhesive intended to
be engaged with the hair of the user in order to install the hair
extension onto the head of the user. A peel-off strip 21 may be
used to cover the tacky adhesive 17 and may take the form of a wax
paper strip or the like. An alternative construction is to provide
the adhesive 17 in a form which will readily dry and, therefore,
the covering peel-off strip 21 need not be used.
[0022] The front side of the base strip 16 carrying the adhesive 17
is used to secure the top ends of a plurality of hair strands
forming an array of hair to the natural hair of the user. The ends
of the hair strands are forcibly pressed into the adhesive 17 and
after curing, are firmly attached to the base strip 16. If desired,
the strip 21 may be placed over the top end array of hair strands
in contact with adhesive 17 so that the hair extension can be
handled preparatory to securement to the natural hair of the user.
It is to be understood that the peel-off strip 21 is an option. In
any event, the thickness of the base strip 16 and the adhesive is
extremely thin and flexible and even when combined together,
provide a thickness which is under the thickness of the stitching
or double stitching of the prior art as shown in FIG. 1.
[0023] Referring now in detail to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the
array of hair strands 20 crosses the entire length of the base
strip 16 and that the peel-off strip 21, when used, is of the same
length. The ends of the hairs are sandwiched between the opposing
surfaces or sides of the base strip 16 and the peel-off strip 21.
The strands of hair downwardly depend from the base strip and may
be combed or otherwise woven into a variety of decorative styles
and forms, even when attached to the natural hair of the user.
[0024] Referring in detail to FIG. 4, a greatly enlarged
cross-section is illustrated of the inventive hair extension
wherein it can be seen that the fabric base strip 16 includes a
plain back side 18 and on its front side, an adhesive 17. The
individual hairs or strands of the array 20 are placed against the
adhesive 17 and after curing, securement takes place so that the
array of hair downwardly depends on the front surface of the base
strip 16. If desired, a peel-off covering or strip 21 may be
employed, as previously described, which may be used to cover or
protect the adhesive 17. However, when adhesive 17 is a dry
adhesive, no cover strip or sheet is required.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the hair strands 20
are separate and illustrated preparatory for attachment to the dry
adhesive 17. The top end of the gathered hairs are placed against
the dry adhesive 17 to effect securement and a cover or peel-off
strip is not needed.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 6, a double layer or array of hair can
be accommodated by the present invention by applying a tacky
material or adhesive 40 and 41 to both sides of a small mesh fabric
base 42. The extension hair is indicated by numerals 43 and 44 held
on opposite sides of the strip or netting 42. The adhesive is
applied along the top edge marginal region of gathered hair strands
43 and 44. The adhesive saturates the gathered hair strands and is
tacky for securement onto the user's natural hair at a desired
location. If desired, a peel-off strip may be used to temporarily
cover the adhesive.
[0027] In all instances, the color of the strip or band should
match the natural or synthetic hair. The adhesive must be strong in
its bonding strength, flexible after drying, water resistant,
chemical resistant and heat resistant. The adhesive must be
nontoxic and non-hypoallergenic on skin contact. Bee-waxed paper
may serve as the peel-off strip.
[0028] For a manual production process, a melted adhesive is
applied to the fabric strip. Bulk hair strands are spread thinly
onto the adhesive fabric band and allowed to dry to make a dry
surface hair extension. For a pressure sensitive application,
another coat of adhesive is placed over the hair on the band. Nest,
the bee-waxed paper or strip is placed over the glued band before
it is dry.
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates an automated production process wherein
the fabric band or strip indicated by numeral 30, is contained on a
roll 31 and is fed past an adhesive sprayer 32 which places a
quantity of glue onto the fabric of the band 30. As the band
progresses, the adhesive coated band is introduced to an applicator
for placing hair strands 34 onto the adhesive using a pusher. Next,
a dryer 35 is employed followed by an adhesive sprayed 36 for
pressure-sensitive application. Next a glossy paper cover or strip
carried on roller 37 can be applied over the adhesive. After
curing, the hair extension is introduced to a cutter, which may be
set to cut the length of the hair array to a predetermined
length.
[0030] In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the inventive
hair extension eliminates all shortcomings of the conventional
prior art product. The invention's major benefits include the fact
that there is no thinning problem and that thickness or density of
the hair can be completely controllable. Furthermore, when the hair
extension is cut, there are no open ends and cutting can occur at
any hair length desired. The resultant construction provides a more
natural look and it is more versatile in that a variety of
different glues or adhesives can be used as well as a fabric base
strip and/or a protective peelable strip. Manufacturing cost is
lowered since there is less labor intensive utilization.
[0031] While particular embodiments of the present invention have
been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in
the art that changes and modifications may be made without
departing from this invention in its broader aspects and,
therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such
changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope
of this invention.
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