U.S. patent application number 11/329537 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-12 for hair weft product and method of use.
This patent application is currently assigned to Amazing Lengths, LLC. Invention is credited to Stacy Catron, Denise Matheny.
Application Number | 20070157944 11/329537 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38231584 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070157944 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Catron; Stacy ; et
al. |
July 12, 2007 |
Hair weft product and method of use
Abstract
A hair weft for increasing the apparent length and/or bulk of a
user's hair includes an elongate arcuate thin flexible substrate
which carries stands of hair or hair-like filaments over
substantially its entire surface area. The substrate is free of
apertures or holes, so that within its perimeter the entire surface
area of the substrate carries hair strands. And, because of the
large number of hair strands carried by the hair weft, only a
single application of one hair weft will be satisfactory to achieve
the desired effect in most cases. The weft is applied adhesively to
underlying human hair, and conceals the adhesive while adding
substantial bulk and/or length to the hair for the wearer. The
substrate of the hair weft serves as an adhesive carrier during
application of the hair weft to a wearers head, so that a
relatively unskilled user can achieve an attractive result, even at
home without the skills of a stylist of cosmetician. Further, the
substrate appears substantially like the human scalp so that the
hair weft is not easily detected.
Inventors: |
Catron; Stacy; (Long Beach,
CA) ; Matheny; Denise; (Huntington Beach,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Law Office of Terry L. Miller
24832 Via San Fernando
Mission Viejo
CA
92692
US
|
Assignee: |
Amazing Lengths, LLC
|
Family ID: |
38231584 |
Appl. No.: |
11/329537 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41G 5/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/201 |
International
Class: |
A41G 3/00 20060101
A41G003/00 |
Claims
1. A hair weft comprising: a thin flexible substrate which is
elongate, arcuate, and free of through apertures; said substrate
having a perimeter bounding an arcuate area, and defining a pair of
opposed surfaces, one of said surfaces carrying; a great plurality
of strands of natural or synthetic hair generally uniformly spaced
apart within said area, and said hair securing into said substrate
generally in parallel to extend to one side of said substrate; on
the opposite surface said substrate providing for adhesive
attachment of said weft to a user's natural hair.
2. The hair weft of claim 1 wherein on said opposite surface said
substrate defines an irregular surface assisting in adhesive
attachment of the hair weft to a user's natural hair.
3. The hair weft of claim 2 wherein said irregular surface is
defined by a multitude of hair strands extending slightly through
said substrate.
4. The hair weft of claim 1 wherein said substrate has a vertical
dimension of about 1 to about 11/4 inches, and a horizontal
dimension of about 7 inches, and is concave upwardly.
5. The hair weft of claim 1 wherein with said substrate in a planar
orientation said multitude of hair stands extend generally in
parallel from said substrate and at an angle of about 40 to about
45 degrees relative to the plane of said substrate.
6. The hair weft of claim 5 wherein said multitude of hair strands
are angulated to extend downwardly from said substrate with said
substrate oriented to be concave upwardly relative to said arcuate
shape thereof.
7. A hair weft comprising: a thin flexible substrate which is
elongate, arcuate, and free of through apertures; said substrate
being in elevation view concave upwardly, and having a vertical
dimension of about 1 to about 11/4 inches, and a horizontal
dimension of about 7 inches and being flexibly conformal to the
human scalp about the rear of a user's head; said substrate having
a perimeter bounding an arcuate area, and defining a pair of
opposed surfaces; one of said pair of opposed surfaces carrying a
multitude of strands of natural or synthetic hair generally
uniformly distributed within said area, and generally uniformly
spaced apart, and said hair securing into said substrate generally
in parallel to extend to one side of said substrate so as to
replicate the appearance of a user's scalp; on the opposite one of
said pair of opposite surfaces said substrate providing an
irregular surface for adhesive attachment of said weft to a user's
natural hair.
8. The hair weft of claim 7 wherein said irregular surface is
defined by end portions of said multitude of hair strands extending
slightly through said substrate.
9. The hair weft of claim 7 wherein said substrate is effective to
conceal adhesive securing said substrate to a user's natural
hair.
10. The hair weft of claim 7 wherein with said substrate in a
planar orientation said multitude of hair stands extend generally
in parallel from said substrate and at an angle of about 40 to
about 45 degrees relative to the plane of said substrate.
11. The hair weft of claim 10 wherein said multitude of hair
strands are angulated to extend downwardly from said substrate with
said substrate oriented to be concave upwardly relative to said
arcuate shape thereof.
12. A method of increasing the apparent length, or bulk, or both,
of a user's hair, said method comprising: providing a hair weft
including a thin flexible substrate which is elongate, arcuate, and
free of through apertures; configuring said substrate to have a
perimeter bounding an arcuate area, and defining a pair of opposed
surfaces; from one of said pair of opposed surfaces extending a
multitude of strands of natural or synthetic hair generally in
parallel, uniformly distributed within said area, and uniformly
spaced apart so as to replicate the appearance of the user's scalp;
and on the opposite one of said pair of opposite surfaces providing
said substrate with an irregular surface facilitating adhesive
attachment of said weft to a user's natural hair.
13. A method of increasing the apparent length, or bulk, or both,
of a user's hair, said method comprising: providing a hair weft
including a thin flexible substrate which is elongate, arcuate, and
free of through apertures; configuring said substrate in elevation
view to present concave upwardly, and to have a vertical dimension
of about 1 to about 11/4 inches, and a horizontal dimension of
about 7 inches so as to be flexibly conformal to the human scalp
about the rear of a user's head; also configuring said substrate to
have a perimeter bounding an arcuate area, and defining a pair of
opposed surfaces; from one of said pair of opposed surfaces
extending a multitude of strands of natural or synthetic hair
generally in parallel to depend at an angle from said substrate,
said hair being uniformly distributed within said area, and
uniformly spaced apart so as to replicate the appearance of the
user's scalp; and on the opposite one of said pair of opposite
surfaces providing said substrate with an irregular surface
facilitating adhesive attachment of said weft to a user's natural
hair.
14. The method of claim 13 further including the step of providing
for said irregular surface to be defined by end portions of said
multitude of hair strands extending slightly through said
substrate.
15. The method of claim 13 further including the step of providing
for said substrate to be effective to conceal adhesive securing
said substrate to a user's natural hair.
16. The method of claim 13 further including the steps of extending
said hair from said substrate in parallel and at an angle of about
40 to about 45 degrees relative to the plane of said substrate.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a hair weft product for
extending or thickening the appearance of human hair, and to a
method of using the hair weft.
RELATED TECHNOLOGY
[0002] Methods and products for supplementing the natural human
hair are well known. All of these products and methods appear to be
intended for use by professional cosmeticians, and to be used in
professional hair salons. All of these products and methods are
either too complex or to difficult for a user to attempt their use
at home.
[0003] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,387, to Megna, describes a
method in which supplemental hair is aligned with the natural hair
of the person and adhered to the natural hair using a colored
thermoplastic glue. The warm adhered natural and supplemental hair
are then intertwined together to permit binding of the supplemental
hair to the natural hair prior to styling of the combined hair.
This method, however, requires the use of a hot glue, which can
cause discomfort to the person to whom the supplemental hair is
provided as well as to the stylist, and also requires extensive
manual manipulation of the natural and supplemental hair, thus
prolonging the time required for completion of the supplementation
process.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,819, to Hicks, teaches a method for
providing supplemental hair to a person which requires stitching
and braiding to secure a weft to the person's hair. This method is
complicated and time consuming, and requires considerable dexterity
on the part of the stylist.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,145, to Spann, discloses a process for
attaching supplemental hair to human natural hair in which a bundle
of supplemental hair is first coated with a liquid latex adhesive,
which is allowed to dry, then with a liquid cyanoacrylate adhesive,
which is also allowed to dry. The coated end is then aligned with
strands of human natural hair to form a junction, and the junction
is coated with an acrylic thermosetting adhesive, which finally is
allowed to harden. This process, however, requires the use of a
plurality of different adhesives, resulting in increased complexity
and expense.
[0006] Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,636 appears to disclose a
stitched and knotted hair weft, which is sandwiched between layers
of natural hair, and is there secured using an adhesive to which a
colorant has been added. Other than the addition of a colorant to
the adhesive used according to the invention of the '636 patent,
there appears to be no additional contribution to the relevant art
by the '636 patent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, an object for this invention is to overcome or
avoid one or more of the limitations and deficiencies of the
conventional art.
[0008] It appears that a need exists for a hair weft product that
is simple to use, and which can possibly be used at home.
[0009] Further, there is a need for a hair weft which in a single
application can provide a sufficient increase in the appearance of
hair bulk, or in the apparent number of supplemental hair strands,
that only a single application of the hair weft is needed to
achieve the desire attractive result. Thus, it is strongly desired
to eliminate the conventional need for the application of plural
conventional hair wefts in order to achieve the appearance of hair
bulk that is commonly desired.
[0010] Further, a need exists for a method of use of such a hair
weft which allows a person with ordinary skills to use it at home,
perhaps with the assistance of another person.
[0011] The satisfaction of one or more of these needs is an object
for this invention.
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a hair weft comprising a thin flexible substrate
which is elongate, arcuate, and free of through apertures. This
substrate has a perimeter bounding an arcuate area, and defining a
pair of opposed surfaces. One of the opposed surfaces carries a
great plurality of strands of natural or synthetic hair generally
uniformly spaced apart within the area of the substrate, and this
hair secures into the substrate generally in parallel to extend to
one side of the substrate. On the opposite surface the substrate
provides for adhesive attachment of the weft to a user's natural
hair.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a method of increasing the apparent length, or
bulk, or both, of a user's hair. This method comprises steps of
providing a hair weft including a thin flexible substrate which is
elongate, arcuate, and free of through apertures. This substrate is
configured to have a perimeter bounding an arcuate area, and
defining a pair of opposed surfaces. From one of the pair of
opposed surfaces extends a multitude of strands of natural or
synthetic hair generally in parallel, which hair is uniformly
distributed within the area, and is also uniformly spaced apart so
as to replicate the appearance of the user's scalp. On the opposite
one of the pair of opposite surfaces the substrate provides an
irregular surface facilitating adhesive attachment of the weft to a
user's natural hair.
[0014] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent art
from the following detailed description of a single exemplary
preferred embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood,
however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while
indicating a single exemplary preferred embodiment of the present
invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation.
Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present
invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.
These and additional objects, advantages and results of the present
invention will appear from a consideration of the following
detailed description of one exemplary preferred embodiment of the
invention, taken in conjunction with the appended drawing Figures
in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a hair weft embodying
the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the hair weft seen in
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 2A is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken at line
2A-2A of FIG. 2, viewed in the direction of the arrows;
[0018] FIG. 3 provides a diagrammatic view of a human head with the
hair being parted preparatory to receiving the hair weft seen in
FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0019] FIG. 4 shows the application of the hair weft to underlying
natural hear of the person seen in FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 5 shows the natural hair of the person seen in FIGS. 3
and 4 being brushed outwardly and over the hair weft applied as
seen in FIG. 4; and
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the person's hair with
the weft secured in place among the person's natural hair.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Viewing now FIGS. 1, 2, and 2A in conjunction, it is seen
that a hair weft 10 embodying the present invention includes an
arcuate flexible carrier portion or substrate 12. The carrier
portion or substrate 12 is preferably thin (i.e., about 1/16 inch
thick or less) is formed of polymer, and most preferably is formed
of a flexible polyurethane polymer. On the one hand, the substrate
12 secures and carries a great multitude of stands 14, which may be
formed of natural human hair, or may be formed of synthetic
filaments replicating human hair, or a combination thereof. The
individual strands 16 of the multitude 14 are each individually (or
in small groups of a few strands each) spaced apart and secured
into the substrate 12. The strands 16 are dispose on substrate 12
so that on one side they extend slightly through this substrate 12
(viewing FIG. 2A). Thus, a surface 20 of the substrate 12 (which is
the surface disposed toward the wearer of the weft 10) is "nubby"
because of the great multitude of short strands 16 protruding on
this surface.
[0023] On the other hand, the opposite side 21 of the substrate 12
appears much as a natural human scalp, with closely spaced apart
strands of hair extending from this surface. That is, at the
opposite side 21 of the substrate 12, the strands 16 each extend
for a considerable distance (i.e., several inches) in order to
depend from the substrate 12, as is best seen in FIG. 2. As is best
seen also in FIG. 2A, the strands 16 also extend through the
substrate 12 substantially in parallel, and in an angulated
orientation. This angulation of the strands 16 is preferably about
40.degree. to about 45.degree. relative to the vertical plane of
the substrate 12 considered near the center of this substrate.
Thus, the strands 16 considered as a group or mass 14 have a
preferred direction of dependence from the substrate 12, and as
FIG. 1 depicts, the multitude of strands 14 tends to depend from
the substrate 12 together with an appearance much like the
direction of growth of thick natural human hair.
[0024] Viewing FIGS. 1 and 2 in greater detail, it is seen that the
substrate 12 has an arcuate body portion 18 defining the surface 20
within a surrounding perimeter 22. The body portion 18 has
dimensions of about 1 to about 11/4 inches in the vertical
direction, and about 7 inches in the horizontal direction, although
the invention is not so limited. The arcuate shape of the substrate
12 is concave in the upward direction. Importantly, as was pointed
out above, this surface 20 is nubbed or irregular to a controlled
and selected extent because of the slight projection on this face
20 of the substrate 12 of the end portions of the multitude of
strands 14. On the opposite face 21 of the substrate 12 (best seen
in FIG. 2), the strands 16 are each elongate and extend to an
extent of several inches or more. Because the substrate 12 is
relatively thin, and because it is made of a polymer which is
flexible and which can be provided in colors closely approximating
the human scalp, the substrate is conformal to the head of a person
wearing it, and replicates their scalp with the addition of the
mass 14 of added hair strands.
[0025] Viewing again particularly FIG. 1, the substrate is arcuate
in rear elevation view. And, it is seen that the multitude of
strands 14 are carried in substrate 12 with an angulation providing
a preferred direction of dependence for these strands relative to
the substrate 12. That is, as is seen in FIG. 2, the stands 16 tend
to all depend or fall together from the substrate 12 in a mass 14.
As is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 in conjunction, the strands 14 prefer
to depend from the substrate 12 generally in parallel with one
another and perpendicular the arc of the substrate 12 about at the
midpoint of this arcuate shape. That is, the strands 16 are all
generally parallel to a line 24 seen in FIG. 1. The line 24 is
perpendicular to a tangent 26 of the arc of the substrate 12
substantially at the midpoint line 24.
[0026] Further, as will be seen, the nubby surface 20 of the
substrate 12 has a particular advantage according to the present
invention. And, following from the unique design of the weft 10 and
from the advantage provided by the nubby surface 20 is the
possibility for a successful "do-it-yourself" use of the weft
10.
[0027] While the steps illustrated and described herein my be
carried out by a stylist or other professional cosmetician, it is
an advantage of the present invention that the use of the weft 10
may be successfully carried out by an individual user on her own
head and hair, or may be carried out by a user with the assistance
of a friend or neighbor, for example. Thus, the services of a
skilled stylist or a professional cosmetician are not essential to
a satisfactory use of the weft 10 according to this invention.
[0028] Turning now to FIGS. 3-6 for an explanation of the use of
the hair weft 10, it is seen in FIG. 3 that the natural hair 28 of
a person is parted, for example by brushing. The natural hair can
be parted in any desired manner depending on the location and
orientation desired for the weft 10 to be attached, but in a
preferred use a horizontal part 30 is defined extending
substantially along and across the occipital bone of the person. A
first portion 32 of the person's natural hair extends below the
horizontal part 30, and the remainder of the person's natural hair
is secured above the part 30, as by use of a comb or hair clip 34
seen in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. Alternatively, a hair net (not shown in
the drawing Figures) may be used to secure the natural hair above
the part 30.
[0029] Next, in preparation for the application of the weft 10, as
will be explained by reference to FIG. 4, an adhesive is first
applied on the surface 20, best seen in FIG. 1 (as is indicated by
the arrowed numeral 36). The adhesive 36 is preferably spread
substantially uniformly over the area of the substrate 12 within
perimeter 22. Because the surface 20 is nubby, the adhesive 36 can
obtain a very secure grip on this surface of the weft 10. Further,
because the surface 20 is within the perimeter 22 of the substrate
12 (which is colored to match the human scalp) the adhesive 36 will
not be visible once the weft 10 is in place. Thus, the use of a
colored adhesive is not required by this invention.
[0030] While a number of adhesives are available to use in practice
of this invention, the inventors have discovered that a
commercially available adhesive available under the trade name,
Butvar.RTM. B-98 works very well. This adhesive is available from:
Solutia, Inc., 575 Maryville Center Drive, P.O. Box 66760, St.
Louis, Mo., 63166-6760. It is believed that the constituents of
this adhesive as applied are: polyvinyl butyral,
1,1-diethoxybutane, and water. This adhesive is available in a dry
powder form, which is then dissolved in a combination of alcohol
and acetone or water in order to make a viscous liquid adhesive of
a consistency appropriate for the application onto the surface 20
of the substrate 12.
[0031] While the Butvar B-98 adhesive applied to the surface 20 in
the form of a somewhat viscous liquid is the currently preferred
adhesive and method of attachment of the weft 10 to the hair of a
user, the invention is not so limited. That is, for example, the
adhesive 36 could be applied to the surface 20 of the weft 10 as an
adhesive tape. In other words, a double-sided tape might be used
providing on one side an adhesive effective to secure to the
substrate 12, and on the other side providing an adhesive effective
to secure to clean natural human hair. Such a double-sided tape
adhesive would still allow removal of the adhesive from the
wearer's hair with a non-toxic solvent, and may be used in the
practice of this invention.
[0032] Returning now to a consideration of FIG. 4), the prepared
hair weft 10 (i.e., with adhesive in place on surface 20) is placed
on the natural hair 32 immediately below the part 30 (as is
indicated by the arrowed numerals 38), and is there pressed in
place with the top edge of the substrate 12 immediately adjacent to
the scalp so as to allow the adhesive to bond to the underlying
hair 32 securing the hair weft 10 in place. Because the weft 10
carries a considerable mass 14 of "hair" stands, only a single
application of the weft 10 will be needed in order to achieve the
desired appearance of significantly added hair length or bulk. It
follows that the multiple applications of several smaller
conventional wefts is avoided by this invention, thus avoiding the
need for the skills of a professional hair stylist or cosmetician.
Similarly, because the weft 10 includes a relatively large and
easily handled substrate 12, this substrate is more easily
maneuvered into place while carrying the necessary adhesive. And,
the nubby surface 20 provides a very good adhesive base for
attachment of the weft 10, so that a secure placement of the weft
10 adjacent to the wearer's scalp and on the hair 32 is achieved
without the need to sandwich the weft between layers of natural
hair.
[0033] It will be further noted viewing FIGS. 1 and 4, that the
side or surface 20 of the hair weft 10 to which adhesive is applied
is disposed toward the wearer so that the adhesive is not visible
once the weft 10 is in place. Thus, the substrate 12, which appears
much like human scalp, conceals the adhesive, and use of a colored
adhesive is not required. Because the substrate 12 is arcuate, it
easily conforms to the curve and shape of the human head, and fits
snugly along part 30 very easily. Also, because of this same
arcuate shape of the substrate 12, the weft 10 does not wrinkle or
bunch as it curves about the head. Such wrinkling or bunching would
make the weft 10 easily detectable. The absence of such wrinkling
or bunching makes the weft 10 easily concealed by the overlying
natural hair.
[0034] Also, viewing FIGS. 1 and 2 again, it is seen that the
substrate 12 is free of apertures or holes which would reduce the
number of hair strands the weft could carry, and substantially the
entire surface 20 within perimeter 22 carries hair strands. So, the
weft 10 is able to provide a significantly greater bulk of hair in
a single application than is the case with conventional small hair
wefts, or conventional hair wefts having holes or apertures for
weaving natural hair through the weft.
[0035] A hair weft embodying the present invention may be formed by
a variety of methods. While a preferred method of manufacture of
the hair weft 10 involves injecting or pooling polyurethane polymer
in such a way as to capture the plural hair stands 14, other
manufacturing processes and methods may be used. For example, a
substrate for the hair weft 10 may include a fabric or gauze layer
which the hair strands 14 confront, pass through, or are knotted
to. This knitted or woven fabric or gauze layer is then coated with
a flexible polymer securing the hair strands into place, and also
providing an irregular surface 20 to which an adhesive may securely
bond.
[0036] It will be understood that throughout this disclosure, the
term "hair," both with respect to the plural strands 14 and the
individual strands 16, is intended to encompass natural human hair,
non-human hair, synthetic hair, or any combination thereof.
[0037] Also, the color of the weft, in preferred embodiments (that
is the color of the hair 14 as well as the color of the substrate
12, desirably matches the color of the wearer's natural hair and
scalp. However, other colors or combinations of colors can be used
to achieve particular desired styling effects.
[0038] Once the weft has been secured in place for a length of time
(up to several weeks or longer) it may be desired to remove the
weft. To remove the weft, the person's hair is again parted to
expose the junction of the weft and the person's hair. A bond
remover composition including a solvent is applied, either by
spraying the solvent from a spray applicator or by dribbling the
solvent from an applicator bottle spout, at the part 30 so that it
flows under the substrate 12. After a few seconds, the adhesive
composition will begin to dissolve, at which point the weft 10 can
be detached from the wearer's hair 28. The natural hair 28 can then
be brushed or combed to remove any residual adhesive, and the weft
can be cleaned before reattachment of the weft.
[0039] While the present invention has be depicted and described by
reference to a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, no
limitation on the invention is implied by this reference, and none
is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable
modification, alteration, and addition within the scope of the
invention. For example, a hair weft embodying this invention could
be made in a much smaller size the depicted embodiment, and then
could be used on other locations of the head, possibly along
angulated parts to add additional length or bulk to the hair at the
sides of the users scalp. Also, although this invention is
preferred to be used in a single application of a single hair weft,
the invention is not so limited. A user is free to use multiple
hair wefts in order to achieve the appearance of hair length or
hair bulk desired. Thus, the invention is intended to be limited
only by the spirit and scope of the appended Claims, giving
cognizance to equivalents in all respects.
* * * * *