U.S. patent application number 12/862920 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-07 for system, apparatus, and method for hair weaving thread.
Invention is credited to GLADYS B. REED.
Application Number | 20110079235 12/862920 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43822218 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110079235 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
REED; GLADYS B. |
April 7, 2011 |
SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR HAIR WEAVING THREAD
Abstract
A method and system to facilitate the removal of hair
extensions, weaves, and other hair augmentation products, wherein a
thread that is colored such that it substantially matches natural
human hair is treated with a substance. The substance will be one
that does not interact with hair products and will maintain its
color while the wearer has the extensions. When the wearer desires
removal of the extensions, the stylist applies a second substance
to the area where the extensions are sewn to human hair by the
thread, the second substance being an activator. The activator will
then react with the first substance with which the thread is
treated, causing the thread to change color from the natural human
hair, making the thread more identifiable and providing ease of
removal.
Inventors: |
REED; GLADYS B.; (Lithonia,
GA) |
Family ID: |
43822218 |
Appl. No.: |
12/862920 |
Filed: |
August 25, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61236965 |
Aug 26, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/200 ;
132/212; 132/53 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41G 5/004 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/200 ;
132/212; 132/53 |
International
Class: |
A41G 5/00 20060101
A41G005/00; A41G 3/00 20060101 A41G003/00 |
Claims
1. A system for removing hair extensions, comprising: a thread for
sewing said extensions to human hair; and an activator
substance.
2. The system for removing hair extensions described in claim 1
wherein said thread is of a color such that it may substantially
match the color of natural human hair.
3. The system for removing hair extensions described in claim 1
wherein said thread is treated with a neutral base.
4. The system for removing hair extensions described in claim 1
wherein said activator substance is selected from the group of
substances consisting of strong acids, weak acids, strong bases, or
weak bases.
5. The system for removing hair extensions described in claim 3
wherein said neutral base substance has a pH level between 3 and
14.
6. A method for removing hair extensions, comprising: locating
where said hair extensions are sewn to natural human hair;
identifying the approximate location of thread used to sew said
extensions to said natural human hair; applying an activator to
said thread; and detaching said thread and said extensions from
said natural human hair.
7. The method for removing hair extensions described in claim 6,
wherein said thread is of a color that it may substantially match
the color of natural human hair.
8. The method for removing hair extensions described in claim 6,
wherein said thread is treated with a chemical substance.
9. The method for removing hair extensions described in claim 6,
wherein said thread is treated with a neutral base of pH from 3 to
14.
10. The method for removing hair extensions described in claim 6,
wherein said activator is selected from the group consisting of
strong acids, weak acids, strong bases, or weak bases.
11. The method for removing hair extensions described in claim 7,
wherein when said activator is applied to said thread, the thread
changes color to one distinguishable from that of said natural
human hair
12. A thread for attaching human hair extensions comprising a
thread colored to match human hair color, said thread being treated
with a chemical substance.
13. The thread described in claim 12 wherein said chemical
substance further comprises a neutral base with pH between 3 and
14.
14. The thread described in claim 12 wherein said substance changes
color when an activator substance is applied.
15. The thread described in claim 14 where in said activator is
selected from the group consisting of strong acids, weak acids,
strong bases, or weak bases.
Description
CITATION TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to, and is entitled to the
filing date of, the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/236,965, filed Aug. 26, 2009. No new matter has been added to
the specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Technology
[0003] This invention relates, generally, to the field of hair
extensions, weaves, and other hair augmentation products and
processes. More specifically, this invention relates to the removal
of such products and the chemicals used in such processes and how
they may make the removal of such products easier, less painful,
and less damaging to the user's hair.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] The use and wearing of hair extensions, weaves, and other
hair augmentation products has increased dramatically in popularity
over the past few years. Individuals wear hair extensions, weaves,
and other hair augmentation products in order to provide fuller
hair, more length, or to assist in hair growth while keeping the
individual's natural hair healthy. It will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the use of the terms extensions,
weaves, and hair augmentation products are synonymous, may be used
interchangeably, and are not meant for purposes of limitation or
exclusivity. The principles and methods discussed herein apply to
any of these types of products. Celebrities and the general
population alike wear these products for special events, to
temporarily alter an appearance, or to just simply have more hair.
They are a common fixture of current style and cosmology.
[0006] These products may be made of natural human or other types
of hair or of synthetic fibers. Extensions are used and put in
place by sewing them on to an individual's natural hair. They are
sewn on with a traditional needle and thread. In order to mask the
fact that the user has extensions, the thread used to sew the
extensions onto natural hair is substantially the same color as the
natural hair and the extensions.
[0007] Thread matching the color of the user's hair presents a
problem when the extensions are to be removed. As noted above,
extensions are commonly used to promote the health of a wearer's
natural hair while it is growing out. Because the thread, the
extensions, and the wearer's natural hair color are all very
similar, it is difficult for the stylist to identify the thread
versus natural hair. Such a problem may lead to it being necessary
to cut the wearer's hair to remove the extensions. Cutting away
natural hair thwarts the intention and desired effect of using
extensions or weaves--longer hair. Removing the thread may also, by
nature of the process, damage the natural hair when the stylist
cannot differentiate between the wearer's natural hair, the
extensions, and the thread.
[0008] It would be advantageous to have a system, method, and
product that would allow a stylist to remove extensions from hair
without causing damage to the natural hair. Specifically, it would
be advantageous to have a thread that is substantially the color of
the wearer's hair when the extensions are sewn into natural hair,
but could change color so that it may be distinguishable for
removal. It would be advantageous that such a thread would be
coated with a substance or chemical that is safe for use by humans
and with natural human hair, such that when the wearer desires that
the extensions be removed, the thread is treated with another
substance or chemical safe for human use. When the second chemical
is applied to the thread, it would be advantageous for the thread
to change to a different color than that of the wearer's natural
hair color, such as a bright or fluorescent pink, green, blue, or
any other color that is not a naturally occurring human hair color.
Such a system and method allow a stylist to remove the extensions
with substantially less damage to the wearer's natural hair and
without having to cut off the wearer's natural hair.
[0009] The invention, described in more detail below, provides a
method, system, and thread used for attaching extensions, weaves,
and other hair augmentation products. The thread will be of a type
that is the color of a wearer's natural hair and treated with a
chemical or substance that is inactive until another compound is
applied. The hair-colored thread is used to sew extensions, weaves,
and other hair augmentation products into a wearer's hair. The
second chemical or substance is applied when the stylist removes
the extensions from the wearer's natural hair. When applied, the
second chemical or substance reacts with the thread treated by the
first compound and turns it another, bright color that is
distinguishable from the color of human hair.
SUMMARY
[0010] An embodiment of the present invention chosen to be
described herein comprises a system for removing hair extensions,
comprising: a thread for sewing said extensions to human hair; and
an activator substance.
[0011] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises a thread of a color such that it may substantially match
the color of natural human hair.
[0012] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises a thread treated with a neutral base.
[0013] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises an activator substance selected from the group of
substances consisting of strong acids, weak acids, strong bases,
and weak bases.
[0014] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises a neutral base substance having a pH level between 3 and
14.
[0015] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises a method for removing hair extensions, comprising:
locating where said hair extensions are sewn to natural human hair;
identifying the approximate location of thread used to sew said
extensions to said natural human hair; applying an activator to
said thread; and detaching said thread and said extensions from
said natural human hair.
[0016] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises a thread of a color that it may substantially match the
color of natural human hair.
[0017] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises a thread is treated with a chemical substance.
[0018] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises a thread treated with a neutral base of pH from 3 to
14.
[0019] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises an activator substance selected from the group of
substances consisting of strong acids, weak acids, strong bases,
and weak bases.
[0020] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises that when an activator is applied to said thread, the
thread changes color to one distinguishable from that of said
natural human hair
[0021] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises a thread colored to match human hair color, said thread
being treated with a chemical substance.
[0022] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises a chemical substance further comprising a neutral base
with pH between 3 and 14.
[0023] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises a substance changing color when an activator substance is
applied.
[0024] A further embodiment of the present invention further
comprises the activator substance being selected from the group
consisting of strong acids, weak acids, strong bases, and weak
bases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is an exemplary drawing of a thread sewn into natural
hair and attaching an extension.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a photograph of a various types of treated thread
substantially colored as natural human hair and a container that
may be used for the second, activator substance or chemical.
[0027] FIGS. 3-5 are photographs of a stylist removing hair
extensions from a wearer by applying the second chemical or
substance.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a photograph of the end result with the wearer
with the extensions removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Turning now to the Figures, FIG. 1 is a rendering of an
extension 100 being attached to natural hair 101. The natural hair
101 and extension 100 are braided together and sewn together by a
thread 102. The thread 102 is of a type described above. The thread
102 used in the invention will substantially be the color of the
natural human hair 101 and extensions 100 to which it is applied
such that an observer would not be able to discern where the
natural hair 101 ends and the extensions 100 begin. The thread 102
may be coated with a chemical or substance that is a Neutral Base,
from 14 to 3 on the pH scale that will change color when treated by
a second chemical or substance. It will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that such a base is also inert, not
harmful to humans, and will not react with most common products
used in natural human hair 101 such that the wearer may style his
or her hair 101 without activating the thread 102 and thus causing
the color to change.
[0030] When the wearer is ready to have the extensions 100 removed,
the natural hair 101 is lifted so that the thread 102 used to sew
in the extensions 100 is exposed. Because the thread 102 matches
both the extensions 100 and natural hair color 101, it is difficult
at this point to determine where the natural hair 101 ends and the
extensions 100 begin and which strands are the threads 102 tying
them together. At this stage, the stylist applies a second chemical
or substance to the area where the extensions 100 are sewn in. This
second chemical or substance is non-damaging to human hair and is
non-toxic. It may be a Strong Acid, a Weak Acid, a Strong Base, or
a Weak Base, such that it will react with the Neutral Base of the
thread 102 and change its color. It will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the activator used will be relative
to and dependent on the pH of the treated thread and will be
selected and paired with the thread to ensure a color-changing
reaction.
[0031] Examples of strong acids that may be used are hydrochloric
acid (HCl), nitric acid (HNO.sub.3), sulfuric acid
(H.sub.2SO.sub.4), hydrobromic acid (HBr), hydroiodic acid (HI), or
perchloric acid (HCIO.sub.4). It will be understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art that such strong acids will be diluted to
non-harmful and non-toxic levels and used in a concentration
sufficient only to react with the Neutral Base of the thread 102
such that it will change color and make the thread 102
distinguishable from the extensions 100 and from natural human hair
101. Examples of weak acids that may be used are hydrofluoric acid
(HF) and acetic acid (CH.sub.3COOH).). It will be understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art that such strong acids will be diluted
to non-harmful and non-toxic levels and used in a concentration
sufficient only to react with the Neutral Base of the thread 102
such that it will change color and make the thread 102
distinguishable from the extensions 100 and from natural human hair
101.
[0032] Examples of strong bases that may be used are sodium
hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), rubidium hydroxide
(RbOH), cesium hydroxide (CsOH), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH).sub.2),
strontium hydroxide (Sr(OH).sub.2), and barium hydroxide (Br
(OH).sub.2).). It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in
the art that such strong bases will be diluted to non-harmful and
non-toxic levels and used in a concentration sufficient only to
react with the Neutral Base of the thread 102 such that it will
change color and make the thread 102 distinguishable from the
extensions 100 and from natural human hair 101. Examples of weak
bases that may be used are ammonia (NH.sub.3) and diethylamine
(CH.sub.3CH.sub.2NHCH.sub.2CH.sub.3). It will be understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art that such weak bases will be diluted
to non-harmful and non-toxic levels and used in a concentration
sufficient only to react with the Neutral Base of the thread 102
such that it will change color and make the thread 102
distinguishable from the extensions 100 and from natural human hair
101.
[0033] Once treated with the activator, the thread 102 will react
and change color based on the activating chemical or substance. The
thread 102 will then change to a color based on the reaction
between the first treating chemical and the second, activating
chemical or substance, different from the surrounding human hair
101 and extensions 100 it is sewn through. The stylist may then
remove the threads 102 and extensions 100 without damaging the
natural hair 100 through tugging or unnecessary cutting. It will be
further understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
above listings of substances are by no means exclusive and are
meant only for exemplary purposes and not as limitations of this
disclosure. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
any number of substances, chemicals, and combinations may be maybe
be used to accomplish the desired results.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a photograph of exemplary rolls of thread 102 used
in the process. The thread 102 has been treated with a Neutral Base
as described in detail, above, and substantially matches the color
of natural human hair 101 and extensions into which it is to be
sewn. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a container that will contain the
activator chemical or substance, and it may be a strong or weak
acid or a strong or weak base, as described above. One of ordinary
skill in the art that such an activator will be of a concentration
only strong enough to create the color change of the neutral base.
The activator chemical will be safe and non-damaging to human hair
and non-toxic.
[0035] FIGS. 3-6 are photographs of the process of removing the
extension in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3 shows
the step of exposing the area of the hair where the extensions 100
are sewn in by the thread 102. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the application
of the activator solution to the area where the threads 102 sew the
extensions 100 to the natural hair 101. It will be understood by
one of ordinary skill in the art that the activator may be applied
in any amount necessary to distinguish the threads 102 from the
surrounding natural hair 101 and extensions 100 and anywhere to
function as prescribed in the present invention. FIG. 6 shows the
end result of the wearer with the extensions removed.
[0036] The above disclosure of the present invention is for
exemplary purposes only and not for the purposes of limitation. The
invention and process as described above may be accomplished by any
number of chemicals and substances, and others of ordinary skill in
the art may apply the procedure and substances as necessary to
accomplish the desired results.
* * * * *