U.S. patent application number 13/197648 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for device for assisting with hair styling.
Invention is credited to Matthew Ungar, Susan Cohen Ungar.
Application Number | 20120186601 13/197648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46543220 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120186601 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ungar; Susan Cohen ; et
al. |
July 26, 2012 |
DEVICE FOR ASSISTING WITH HAIR STYLING
Abstract
A device for assisting with the styling of hair, such as with a
flat ironing process. The device includes a tubular body having a
first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tubular body
including an axial hair passage that runs from the first end to the
second end. The tubular body or other elements associated with the
tubular body are elastic in nature so to constrict about and
removably retain hair that is pulled through the tubular body in
preparation for styling. At least the axial hair passage is
comprised of, or covered or coated with, a material having a low
coefficient of friction to facilitate deliberate removal of
sections of hair from the tubular body during styling.
Inventors: |
Ungar; Susan Cohen;
(Columbus, OH) ; Ungar; Matthew; (Columbus,
OH) |
Family ID: |
46543220 |
Appl. No.: |
13/197648 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61461927 |
Jan 25, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/273 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/273 |
International
Class: |
A45D 8/00 20060101
A45D008/00 |
Claims
1. A device for assisting with hair styling, comprising: a
stretchable tubular body having a first end and a second end
opposite the first end, the tubular body including an axial hair
passage that runs from the first end to the second end; and at
least one banding member positioned on and encircling the tubular
body between the first end and second end, wherein the banding
member is elastic and capable of being expanded under the
application of force such that when the expanding force is removed
the banding member contracts around the tubular body causing it to
constrict; wherein at least the surface of the tubular body that is
exposed within the axial hair passage has a low coefficient of
friction.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the banding member is positioned
at approximately the mid-point between the first end and second end
of the tubular body.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the axial hair passage has a
substantially circular cross section.
4. The device of claim 3, wherein the axial hair passage has a
different diameter at the first end and the second end.
5. The device of claim 3, wherein the diameter of the axial hair
passage is smallest at approximately the mid-point between the
first end and second end of the tubular body.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the low-friction material is
comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of
nylon, satin, silk, and spandex.
7. The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one hair
sectioning cavity at or near the first end of the tubular body, the
at least one hair sectioning cavity adapted to facilitate the
withdrawal of selected sections of hair that has been pulled
through the opening in the tubular body.
8. The device of claim 1, wherein the tubular body is axially
stretchable as well as radially stretchable.
9. The device of claim 1, wherein the tubular body is substantially
axially non-stretchable.
10. The device of claim 1, wherein multiple banding members are
positioned on and encircle the tubular body between the first end
and second end.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the multiple
banding members has a different elasticity or circumference from
another of the banding members.
12. The device of claim 9, wherein the tubular body and banding
members are provided in a kit, the kit containing banding members
of different elasticities and/or circumferences.
13. A device for assisting with hair styling, comprising: a
one-piece elastic molded tubular body having a first end and a
second end opposite the first end, the tubular body including an
axial hair passage that runs from the first end to the second end;
wherein, the elastic nature of the tubular body allows the hair
passage to be enlarged upon application of an expansion force so as
to facilitate the passage of hair therethrough, while also causing
the hair passage to constrict against the hair pulled therethrough
when the expansion force is removed; and wherein, at least the
surface of the tubular body that is exposed within the axial hair
passage has a low coefficient of friction to facilitate the
deliberate removal of sections of hair from the tubular body during
styling.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the tubular body has a circular
cross-section that is smaller at the first end than the second
end.
15. The device of claim 13, wherein the tubular body has a circular
cross-section that is larger at the first end than the second
end.
16. The device of claim 13, wherein the tubular body is
substantially hourglass shaped, such that a portion of the tubular
body located between the first end and second end is of a lesser
diameter than either the first or second end.
17. The device of claim 13, further comprising at least one hair
sectioning cavity located at or near the first end of the tubular
body, the at least one hair sectioning cavity adapted to facilitate
the withdrawal of selected sections of hair that has been pulled
through the hair passage in the tubular body.
18. The device of claim 13, wherein the tubular body is encased in
a stretchable fabric material having a low coefficient of
friction.
19. A device for assisting with hair styling, comprising: a
multi-layered tubular body having a first end and a second end
opposite the first end, the tubular body including an axial hair
passage that runs from the first end to the second end, the tubular
body further comprising: an internal layer formed from a plurality
of stacked doughnut-shaped members, the doughnut-shaped members
aligned such that central openings therein collectively form the
axial hair passage that extends from one end of the tubular body to
the other end, at least one of the doughnut-shaped members being
elastic; and an external layer of a stretchable low coefficient of
friction fabric that encases the doughnut-shaped members.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein the external layer of a
stretchable low coefficient of friction fabric covers the axial
hair passage.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/461,927 filed on Jan. 25, 2011, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A common complaint among women is that it is difficult to
obtain salon styling results when one attempts to style their own
hair at home. Certainly, the difference between the capabilities of
a trained hair stylist and those of an untrained individual is
sometimes at fault. However, many hairstyling techniques employed
by salons are simple and it is frustrating when employing the same
techniques at home does not produce the desired look, even when
salon quality hair products and styling tools are used. A
non-limiting example of such a technique is flat ironing.
[0003] For many women, flat ironing is the key to having smooth,
straight hair. A flat iron is a device having two substantially
flat plates that may be heated to a temperature sufficient to
change the structure of hair when the hair is placed between the
plates and the plates are compressed together. In the process of
flat ironing, hair is placed between the heated plates of the iron,
the plates are brought together, and the iron is pulled along the
length of the hair typically proceeding in a direction going from
near the scalp to the end of the hair. Though there is not much to
the process, it is still difficult to flat iron one's own hair as
efficiently and effectively as can be done in a salon. This is
largely in part because effective flat ironing requires 1) ironing
of substantially each strand of hair, section-by-section; 2)
ironing of substantially each strand of hair from very close to the
scalp to the end of the hair; and 3) ironing of all the sections of
hair in an organized manner (usually moving from the neck area
toward the top of the head). When one is flat ironing their own
hair it is difficult to see whether all of the hair has been ironed
and it can be difficult to manage and keep separate the sections of
hair that have already been or are being ironed from those that
have not yet been ironed. This makes it difficult to get all the
hair ironed as well as to get close to the scalp with the flat
iron.
[0004] While clips have been utilized to hold un-styled hair out of
the way during flat ironing, clips cannot hold a large amount of
hair at one time and must be opened and closed each time one needs
to remove a section of hair from the clamp for styling. Further,
clips can be uncomfortable to use and easily become tangled in
curly hair. Similarly, commercially available devices for holding
hair and for wearing hair in a fashionable way--such as hair
ties--are ineffective tools for assisting with flat ironing because
they are specifically designed to securely hold hair in a tied
fashion until the hair tie is deliberately removed. Consequently,
typical hair ties generally have an outer surface with a relatively
high coefficient of friction, which does not facilitate the removal
of sections of hair therefrom. Rather, removing a section of hair
from such a hair tie can only be done with great difficulty and
with the potential risk of damaging or pulling out at least some
strands of hair. Further, the general use of common hair ties
frequently results in pulled, broken, creased, ringed or otherwise
imprinted hair--especially with certain hair types--due to the
binding (constricting) force that such a hair tie exerts on the
tied hair.
[0005] Thus, it can be understood that there is a need in the art
for a device for selectively holding un-styled hair in place and
out of the way during styling (e.g., flat ironing), while
simultaneously permitting the easy removal of un-styled hair
sections from the device so that they may be styled. Devices of the
present invention provide this functionality.
SUMMARY
[0006] An exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with the
styling of hair may comprise a tubular body with a first end
opposite a second end and an axial passage extending therethrough,
such that hair to be styled (e.g., flat ironed) may be pulled
through the passage in the tubular body from the first end so as to
exit and protrude from the tubular body at the second end. In one
exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a tubular body only. In
another exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a tubular body
in combination with one or more banding members that are positioned
on and encircle the tubular body at one or more selected positions
between the first end and second end to exert a circumferential
force against the hair that has been pulled through the tubular
body. The banding member(s) is preferably elastic in nature, such
that the banding member(s) may be expanded under the application of
force but will automatically contract when the force is removed. In
yet other exemplary embodiments, one or more banding members may be
encased by a tubular body. In any case, at least the exposed
surface of the tubular body within the axial passage is comprised
of or coated with a low coefficient of friction material so as to
facilitate the deliberate removal of hair sections from the tubular
body during styling.
[0007] A device of the present invention may comprise a
multi-layered tubular body. In certain exemplary embodiments having
a multi-layered tubular body, the multi-layered tubular body with a
first end opposite a second end and an axial passage extending
therethrough, such that hair to be styled (e.g., flat ironed) may
be pulled through the passage in the tubular body from the first
end so as to exit and protrude from the tubular body at the second
end. The multi-layered tubular body may comprise an internal layer
and an external layer.
[0008] In one such exemplary embodiment the internal layer
comprises a plurality of separate, stacked doughnut-shaped members,
each member having a central opening, wherein the central openings
of the stacked doughnut shaped members are aligned to collectively
form the axial passage. In such an embodiment, the external layer
may comprise a stretchable fabric or similar material that encases
and retains the doughnut-shaped members. The stretchable fabric
preferably has a low coefficient of friction so as to facilitate
the deliberate removal of hair sections from the tubular body
during styling.
[0009] At least one of the doughnut shaped members may be elastic
in nature such that its central opening may be expanded under
application of force by a human hand, whereafter the opening
contracts making it possible for hair to be held inside the device
until the user selectively removes it (by sections) for styling by
pulling out from the end closest the scalp using, for example, a
finger, a styling pick or other pointed tool, etc. At least one of
the doughnut-shaped members may be made from a cushioned tube.
[0010] Other exemplary embodiments may comprise a single-layer
tubular body. For example, such a device may comprise a unitary
molded or otherwise formed body with a first end opposite a second
end and an axial passage extending therethrough, such that hair to
be styled (e.g., flat ironed) may be pulled through the passage in
the tubular body from the first end so as to exit and protrude from
the tubular body at the second end. The tubular body is preferably
elastic in nature such that the passage through the tubular body
may be expanded under the application of force, but will return
(contract) to, or substantially to, its original size upon removal
of the expansion force.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects
of the present invention will be readily apparent from the
following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments,
wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to
identical or equivalent features, and wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a first exemplary embodiment of
a device for assisting with hair styling;
[0013] FIG. 2a shows a front view of a second exemplary embodiment
of a device for assisting with hair styling; FIG. 2b shows a front
view of the device of FIG. 2a where the length of the tubular body
has been extended and where arrows show how the device may contract
when an extension force is released;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a front view of a third exemplary embodiment of
a device for assisting with hair styling also showing a cross
section of the exemplary embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth exemplary
embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling having
regions of different elasticity;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a fifth exemplary embodiment of
a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a plurality of
hair sectioning cavities;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a front view of a sixth exemplary embodiment of
a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a wound foam
tube;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a front view of a seventh exemplary embodiment
of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a cushioned
tubular body and a plurality of banding members;
[0019] FIG. 8 shows a front view of an eighth exemplary embodiment
of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a tubular
body having a second end which defines an opening larger than the
opening defined by the first end;
[0020] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a ninth exemplary
embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling which
comprises a single hair sectioning cavity;
[0021] FIG. 10 shows a front view of a tenth exemplary embodiment
of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a tubular
body formed from a plurality of foam tubes and a banding member
encasing the foam tubes at the center portion of the tubular
body;
[0022] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an eleventh exemplary
embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a
tubular body having a plurality of doughnut-shaped sections and a
fabric casing;
[0023] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a twelfth exemplary
embodiment of a device for assisting with the styling of hair
comprising a multi-layered tubular body made from a plurality of
separate doughnut-shaped members;
[0024] FIG. 13a shows a perspective view of a unitary molded or
otherwise formed device for assisting with hair styling having
multiple doughnut-shaped sections, wherein a centrally-located
doughnut-shaped section may provide greater hair retention; FIG.
13b shows the front view of the device of FIG. 13a; FIG. 13c
depicts a slightly version of the device of FIG. 13a having an
exemplary fabric casing; FIG. 13d shows a front view of the device
of FIG. 13c;
[0025] FIG. 14a shows a front view of a fourteenth exemplary
embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling comprising a
cushioned, single-layer tubular body; FIG. 14b shows a top view of
the device of FIG. 14a; and
[0026] FIG. 15a shows a front view of a fifteenth exemplary
embodiment of a device for assisting hair styling comprising a
cushioned, single-layer tubular body having a slightly different
shape than the embodiment of FIG. 14a; FIG. 15b shows a top view of
the device of FIG. 15a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)
[0027] Exemplary embodiments of a device for assisting with hair
styling include a tubular body of some length, with a first end
opposite a second end and an axial passage extending therethrough,
such that hair to be styled (e.g., flat ironed) may be pulled
through the passage in the tubular body from the first end so as to
exit and protrude from the tubular body at the second end. In one
exemplary embodiment, the device comprises a tubular body
only--which may be of sewn, knitted or woven fabric construction
or, alternatively, may be a one-piece molded or otherwise formed
structure.
[0028] In other exemplary embodiments, a device for assisting with
hair styling may comprise a tubular body in combination with one or
more other elements. For example, a one-piece tubular body may be
combined with one or more banding members that are positioned on
and encircle the tubular body at one or more selected positions
between the first end and second end to exert a circumferential
force against the hair that has been pulled through the tubular
body. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the tubular body may be
comprised of separate elements (e.g., doughnut-shaped elements)
that collectively form the tubular body.
[0029] A device of the present invention may also be a multi-layer
device in the sense that a tubular body portion may be partially or
wholly encased in a fabric outer covering. For example, when the
tubular body is comprised of a material that does not exhibit a
sufficiently low coefficient of friction, the tubular body may be
covered with a fabric or other material that does. Further, a
fabric outer covering may be employed to encase and retain the
individual elements that make up a multi-piece tubular body.
[0030] In any case, it is preferred that at least the axial hair
receiving passage of a device for assisting with hair styling be
comprised of, or covered or coated with a low friction material.
Such a construction provides that the surface of the device that
primarily contacts the inserted hair when the device is being
utilized has a low enough coefficient of friction that hair strands
do not get caught on or damaged by the surface of the axial hair
passage upon selective removal therefrom. Exemplary materials that
may be utilized for this purpose may include nylon, spandex, satin,
etc., however, one of ordinary skill in the art would understand
that the use of other low coefficient of friction materials may
also be possible. Other sections of the device may also be covered
with such a material, or the entire device may be so covered.
[0031] In use, a device of the present invention is generally
expanded (stretched) at least circumferentially by a user, and one
end thereof is held near the user's scalp in preparation for
receipt of some amount of the user's hair that has already been
gathered into a ponytail or similar shape. The gathered hair is
passed into the first end of the device and through the axial hair
passage therein until it emerges and protrudes from the opposite
end of the device. With the device preferably placed near the
user's scalp, the expansion force on the device is released, which
allows the device to contract against the hair passing
therethrough, thereby releasably holding the hair in a gathered
state with the protruding portion of the generally held out of the
way during styling. When ready to begin styling, the user
deliberately pulls a desired section of hair from the device
through the first end thereof using a finger or a pick or other
hair styling tool. The low coefficient of friction material of the
axial passage facilitates deliberate removal of hair sections from
the device for styling. Once the selected section of hair has been
styled, the user removes a next section, and then continues in this
manner until all of the desired styling is completed. The device
may be repositioned on the head and the process repeated when it
was not possible to insert all of the user's hair into the device
the first time.
[0032] A device of the present invention may be of various
dimensions. However, it has been found that when a device of the
present invention has a length from the first end to the second end
of at least two inches, the hair protruding from the second end of
the device is held sufficiently away from the user's scalp so as to
permit substantially unencumbered flat ironing of the entire length
of a hair section that has been intentionally removed from the
device.
[0033] Embodiments of a device for assisting with the styling of
hair according to the invention are easy to use, inexpensive to
manufacture, and control and manage hair during styling with a
flat-iron or other styling hair tool (e.g., curling iron).
Consequently, a device of the present invention eliminates the need
to use a hair clip during styling, is easy to position for use,
does not damage the hair during use, and assists the user in
obtaining professional styling results without incurring the high
costs of professional styling services or requiring an exorbitant
amount of styling time.
[0034] A first exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with
the styling of hair 05 is shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen, the
device 05 includes a tubular body 10 having a first end 25 and a
second end 30 opposite the first end 25. An axial hair passage 15
extends through the tubular body from one end to the other. This
particular tubular body 10 has a substantially hourglass shape such
that an area at or near the axial midpoint of the tubular body is
of a lesser diameter than either end 25, 30. This narrowed region
of the tubular body 10 serves as the primary mechanism by which the
hair pulled through the device 05 is retained. More particularly,
contraction of this area of the tubular body 10 against the hair in
the axial passage serves to retain the hair therein. The curved
shape of the tubular body 10 helps to facilitate the movement of
sections of hair through the axial passage 15 during removal from
the device 05.
[0035] As shown, the first end 25 of this particular tubular body
10 is of a greater diameter than the second end 30. The larger
diameter of the first end 25 may assist with comfortably placing
the device 05 against a user's scalp and may also facilitate
initial insertion of gathered hair into the device.
[0036] The tubular body may be made from a material that is elastic
in at least the circumferential (radial) direction, but the tubular
body may be axially elastic as well. For example, the tubular body
may be made from one or more of an elastic fabric, such as a
stretchable nylon or spandex, and may be constructed by, for
example, the sewing together of various fabric patterns, or by
appropriate knitting or weaving. It may also be possible to
construct the tubular body from a molded or otherwise formed
stretchable foam material. In any event, at least the exposed
surface within the axial passage is made from or covered or coated
with a low coefficient of friction material that facilitates the
deliberate removal of hair from the device.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1 the device 05 may also include at least
one banding member 20 that encircles the first end 25 and/or the
second end 30 of the tubular body 10. The banding member 20 may be
provided for reinforcement of the area of the tubular body across
which hair will be most frequently dragged, and/or may comprise an
elastic element that reinforces or strengthens the contractive
properties of the device in these areas. In some exemplary
embodiments, the band 20 is integral with the tubular body 10. For
example, when the tubular body 10 is made from a fabric such as
nylon, the nylon may encase the band 20.
[0038] When the tubular body includes an encased band, such as is
shown in FIG. 1, the band may be expandable such that it may
receive and selectively maintain a plurality of hair strands while
the fabric casing enables selected hair strands to be easily
removed from the device because of the fabric's low coefficient of
friction surface. In this and similar embodiments, the band may be
made from a material with a higher surface friction than the fabric
from which the tubular body has been made, as encasing the band
with the fabric of the tubular body prevents the surface friction
of the band from interfering with the hair's removal from the
device.
[0039] Another exemplary embodiment of a device for assisting with
hair styling is shown in FIGS. 2a-2b. As shown in FIGS. 2a-2b, a
device for assisting with hair styling may comprise a device 35
including a tubular body 40 having a first end 45 and a second end
50 opposite the first end 45. An axial hair passage 55 extends
through the tubular body from one end to the other. In this case,
the tubular body 40 is both axially and circumferentially elastic,
as indicated by the arrows. The expandability of the tubular body
may be derived from the elasticity of the material(s) from which it
is configured. In an alternative embodiment (see FIG. 7), the
tubular body may not be elastic, as hair holding may be
accomplished by the contractive force of one or more banding
members 60, as described below. The tubular body of this embodiment
may have any of the constructions discussed above with respect to
the tubular body of FIG. 1, and may also be fabric covered. In any
event, at least the exposed surface within the axial hair passage
55 is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of
friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair
from the device.
[0040] As shown, the device 35 may further comprise at least one
encircling banding member 60 that is positioned along the length of
the tubular body. In this case, two banding members are shown, but
other numbers of banding members are also possible. The banding
members 60 are elastic in a direction perpendicular to the long
axis of the tubular body so as to exert a constricting force
against the hair that is pulled through the device 35. The banding
member(s) may be circumferentially expanded by a user when
inserting hair into the device. Once the hair has been inserted
into the device, and the user discontinues the application of the
expansion force, the banding member will contracts around the
tubular body to removably hold the inserted hair within the device.
Use of such banding members may allow for greater control over the
exact amount and location of the constricting force used to hold
the hair in the device.
[0041] When more than one banding member is used, the banding
members may be designed to exert a like or a dissimilar
constricting force. Additional banding members may also be added to
increase the overall length of the device by maintaining the
axially elastic tubular body in a more axially stretched condition.
The tubular body and bands may come in a kit, with a number of
bands of different elasticity and/or circumference provided to best
suit a given user. In other embodiments, the banding members may be
trapped on the tubular body in some manner, so as to be
irremovable. The banding members may be of various construction,
but preferably do not interfere with the styling process such as by
sticking to the hair, etc.
[0042] Another exemplary device 65 for assisting with hair styling
is shown in FIG. 3. This device is similar to the device 05 of FIG.
1, except that this device 65 includes an encircling central
banding member 85 which has been positioned at approximately the
mid-point 90 of the length of the tubular body 70. The tubular body
of this embodiment may have any of the constructions discussed
above with respect to the tubular body of FIG. 1, and may also be
partially or wholly covered with a stretchable fabric. In any
event, at least the exposed surface within the axial passage is
made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction
material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the
device. The banding member 85 may assist the tubular body 70 with
removably retaining hair pulled through the device by exerting an
additional constricting force thereagainst. While the device 65 of
this embodiment is shown to have a first end 75 and second end 80
of substantially the same diameter, the diameter of one of the ends
may also be larger than the other.
[0043] Another exemplary embodiment of a device 95 to assist with
hair styling is shown in FIG. 4 where the tubular body 100 is of
molded construction, for example, a stretchable foam material. The
tubular body is generally in the form of a pair of stacked
doughnuts, the central openings of which are aligned to form an
axial passage through the tubular body. The molded tubular body may
or may not be covered with a stretchable fabric.
[0044] At least the exposed surface within the axial passage is
made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction
material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the
device. The exterior surface of the tubular body may be made from
or covered or coated with a material having a higher coefficient of
friction than the exposed surface within the axial passage to
promote grasping of the device by a user while still permitting
easy removal of hair from the device when desired. For example, the
tubular body may be molded from two different materials. The
tubular body may also be covered partially or entirely with a
stretchable fabric material.
[0045] The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, is similar to the
embodiments of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 in the sense that this embodiment
also includes a tubular body 120 of substantially hourglass shape
having a first end 125 and a second end 110 opposite the first end
125, as well as an axial hair passage 105 that extends through the
tubular body 120 from one end to the other. This narrowed region of
the tubular body 120 serves as the primary mechanism by which the
hair pulled through the device 115 is retained. The curved shape of
the tubular body 120 helps to facilitate the movement of sections
of hair through the axial passage 105 during removal from the
device 115.
[0046] This embodiment of a device for assisting with hair styling
also includes a plurality of hair sectioning cavities 130 located
along the first end of the tubular body. The sectioning cavities
130 may further facilitate removal of sections of hair from the
device, and in a variety of directions, so that the removed
sections may be styled. The tubular body of this embodiment of a
device for assisting with hair styling may have any of the
constructions previously described herein, and may or may not be
partially or wholly covered with a stretchable fabric.
[0047] FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a device
135 for assisting with hair styling according to the present
invention. This embodiment is in the form of a coiled tubular body
155 with an axial passage 150 extending therethrough and having an
outer surface comprised of a low coefficient of friction material.
The coiled nature of the tubular body may be achieved, for example,
by forming the tubular body of a spring-type wire that is covered
with a low coefficient of friction fabric material or embedded in a
low coefficient of friction foam material. The spring-type wire
construction allows the tubular body to be circumferentially
expanded but to return to a more constrictive (tightly coiled)
position upon removal of the circumferential expansion force. The
spring-type wire construction also allows the tubular body to
further constrict as hair is removed from the device.
[0048] The exemplary device for assisting with hair styling
depicted in FIG. 7 very similar to the device of FIGS. 2a-2b,
except that in this embodiment the tubular body 165 substantially
lacks axial elasticity. Rather, and unlike the tubular body of
FIGS. 2a-2b, the length of this tubular body is fixed.
[0049] The tubular body of this embodiment again includes a first
end 145, a second end 170 opposite the first end 145, and an axial
hair passage 175 extending through the tubular body from one end to
the other. In this case, however, any elasticity of the tubular
body occurs exclusively or almost exclusively in the
circumferential direction. The elasticity of the tubular body, when
present, may be derived from the elasticity of the material(s) from
which it is configured. In an alternative embodiment, the tubular
body may not be elastic, as hair holding may be accomplished by the
contractive force of one or more banding members 180, as described
below. The tubular body of this embodiment may have any of the
constructions discussed above with respect to the tubular body of
FIG. 2a-2b, and may also be fabric covered. In any event, at least
the exposed surface within the axial hair passage 175 is made from
or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material
that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the
device.
[0050] As shown, the device 160 may further comprise at least one
encircling banding member 180 that is positioned along the length
of the tubular body. In this case, four banding members are shown,
but other numbers of banding members are also possible. The banding
members 180 are elastic in a direction perpendicular to the long
axis of the tubular body so as to exert a constricting force
against the hair that is pulled through the device 160. The banding
member(s) may be circumferentially expanded by a user when
inserting hair into the device. Once the hair has been inserted
into the device, and the user discontinues the application of the
expansion force, the banding member(s) will contract around the
tubular body to removably hold the inserted hair within the device.
Use of such banding members may allow for greater control over the
exact amount and location of the constricting force used to hold
the hair in the device.
[0051] When more than one banding member is used, the banding
members may be designed to exert a like or a dissimilar
constricting force. Additional banding members may also be added to
increase the overall constricting force. A tubular body and
multiple banding members may come in a kit, with a number of
banding members of different elasticity and/or circumference
provided to best suit a given user. In other embodiments, the
banding member(s) may be trapped on the tubular body in some
manner, so as to be irremovable. The banding members may be of
various construction, but preferably do not interfere with the
styling process such as by sticking to the hair, etc.
[0052] The exemplary device for assisting with hair styling
depicted in FIG. 8 is very similar to the device of FIG. 1, except
that the smaller diameter and larger diameter ends are reversed.
That is, the device 185 of FIG. 8 again includes a tubular body 190
having a first end 195, a second end 200 opposite the first end
195, and an axial hair passage 205 that extends through the tubular
body from one end to the other. The tubular body 190 again has a
substantially hourglass shape such that an area at or near the
axial midpoint of the tubular body is of a lesser diameter than
either end 195, 200. This narrowed region of the tubular body 190
serves as the primary mechanism by which the hair pulled through
the device 185 is retained. The curved shape of the tubular body
190 again helps to facilitate the movement of sections of hair
through the axial passage 205 during removal from the device
185.
[0053] As shown, however, the first end 195 of this particular
tubular body 190 is of a lesser diameter than the second end
200--in contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1. The smaller diameter
of the first end 195 may assist with controlling hair as sections
thereof are pulled from the device. For user's with longer and/or
thicker hair, the larger diameter of the second end 200 may
facilitate the pulling of hair fully through the device and may
also help to hold a larger amount of hair out of the way during
styling.
[0054] The tubular body 190 may be made from any material discussed
above in regard to FIG. 1, may be constructed in a similar manner
and may have similar properties as well. Like the device of FIG. 1,
this device may also be provided with a banding member at its first
and/or second ends, as previously described. The device 05 of FIG.
1 and the device 185 of FIG. 8 may also be the same device that is
simply used in a reverse orientation based upon the preference of a
given user.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 9, a first end 220 of a tubular body 215 of
a device 210 for assisting with hair styling may define a single
sectioning cavity. The single sectioning cavity 225 may be sized so
that the user's fingers may reach at least partially into the
cavity in order to grab a section of hair for removal from the
device 210 so that the hair may be styled. When the device 210
defines a single hair sectioning cavity rather than a plurality of
sectioning cavities, it may be possible to make the sectioning
cavity larger in size which may make accessing hair sections
through the cavity easier. While a single sectioning cavity is
shown herein as part of a simple cylindrically-shaped tubular body,
it should be realized that such a sectioning cavity may be provided
on other embodiments of a device for assisting with hair styling as
well.
[0056] FIG. 10 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a
device 230 for assisting with hair styling that comprises a
plurality of foam tubes 140 arranged lengthwise about a central
axis so as to form a tubular body 235 having a first end 240, a
second end 245 opposite the first end 240, and an axial hair
passage 250 extending therethrough. Hair may be inserted into the
opening at the first end and extend through the tubular body until
it protrudes from the opening at the second end. When the first end
of the tubular body is positioned next to the scalp of a user and
her hair is inserted into the device as discussed, the hair may be
selectively removed from the device a little at a time so that it
may be styled.
[0057] In some exemplary embodiments, the foam tube is covered with
a low coefficient of friction fabric or similar material. In other
exemplary embodiments, the surfaces or parts of the surfaces of the
foam tubes may be coated or otherwise treated so that the axial
passage 250 has a low coefficient of friction to facilitate hair
removal. The foam tubes may be joined at one or more spots, and a
banding member 255 may be positioned around the tubular body formed
from the plurality of foam tubes 140 so that the tubular body
constricts around hair that has been inserted into the device and
continues to constrict as sections of hair are selectively removed
so that they may be styled.
[0058] FIG. 11 depicts another exemplary embodiment of a device 260
to assist with hair styling, comprising a molded tubular body 280
similar to that of FIG. 4 and including a first end 270, a second
end 275 opposite the first end 270, and an axial hair passage 265
extending through the tubular body from one end to the other. This
embodiment of the device is also molded from, for example, a
stretchable foam material.
[0059] This tubular body also generally takes the form of stacked
and interconnected doughnuts, the central openings of which are
aligned to form an axial passage through the tubular body. In this
embodiment, the tubular body includes three doughnuts or bulges.
The doughnut shaped sections of the tubular body are preferably
cushioned and at least partially elastic. In some exemplary
embodiments, each of the doughnut-shaped sections has a central
region and an outer region where the central region is the part of
the member immediately surrounding the opening defined by the
member and wherein the central region is more elastic than the
outer region. The elastic region may help hold hair in the device
while the less elastic outer region makes the device stronger and
more able to hold inserted hair up off of the scalp and out of the
way of hair that has been removed from the device for styling. The
regions may have different elasticities because each region is
fabricated from a different material. In other exemplary
embodiments, the entire doughnut-shaped section has the same
elasticity.
[0060] The topmost doughnut may be flared at its free second end to
help with the flow of hair where it exits the device. The molded
tubular body may or may not be covered with a stretchable fabric.
In any event, at least the exposed surface within the axial passage
300 is made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of
friction material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair
from the device.
[0061] The exemplary device 285 of FIG. 12 is similar in appearance
to the device of FIG. 11, but comprises several stacked,
independent doughnut-shaped members, the central openings of which
are aligned to form a tubular body 310 including a first end 290, a
second end 295 opposite the first end 290, and an axial hair
passage 300 extending through the tubular body from one end to the
other. The doughnut-shaped members are at least partially encased
with an outer layer of stretchable fabric.
[0062] In this embodiment, the tubular body includes three
non-connected doughnut-shaped members, the uppermost of which is of
greater diameter than the two lower doughnut-shaped members to help
with the flow of hair where it exits the device. Using two smaller
doughnut-shaped members stacked on top of each other as described
may also permit a user of the device to get closer to the scalp
with a hair styling tool than if only doughnut members of the
larger size were used to form the inside layer of the tubular
body.
[0063] The doughnut-shaped members of the tubular body are
preferably cushioned and at least partially elastic. In some
exemplary embodiments, each of the doughnut-shaped members has a
central region and an outer region where the central region is the
part of the member immediately surrounding the opening defined by
the member and wherein the central region is more elastic than the
outer region. The elastic region may help hold hair in the device
while the less elastic outer region makes the device stronger and
more able to hold inserted hair up off of the scalp and out of the
way of hair that has been removed from the device for styling. The
regions may have different elasticities because each region is
fabricated from a different material. In other exemplary
embodiments, the entire doughnut-shaped member has the same
elasticity.
[0064] Doughnut-shaped members used to form the inside layer of the
tubular body do not have to be made from the same material. In some
exemplary embodiments it may be desirable to use a first doughnut
shaped member made from a first material and a second doughnut
shaped member made from a second material. The second material may
be more elastic than the first material. In the exemplary
embodiment shown in FIG. 12, for example, the doughnut-shaped
member in the middle may be made from a material that is more
elastic than the other doughnut-shaped members. In such an
exemplary embodiment, the more elastic doughnut-shaped member may
constrict around hair that has been inserted into the device and
continue to constrict as hair strands are selectively removed for
styling.
[0065] In this embodiment, the doughnut-shaped members are
generally held together by a fabric casing. The fabric may
partially or wholly encase the doughnut-shaped members. In any
case, at least the exposed surface within the axial passage 300 is
made from or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction
material that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the
device.
[0066] FIGS. 13a-13b illustrate another embodiment of a device to
assist with hair styling, comprising a one-piece molded tubular
body 335 having a first end 320, a second end 325 opposite the
first end 320, and an axial hair passage 330 extending through the
tubular body from one end to the other. The tubular body is molded
from, for example, a stretchable (elastic) foam material.
[0067] The tubular body has three generally doughnut-shaped
sections, with two sections of substantially similar diameter
located at opposite ends of the tubular body and separated by a
central section of lesser diameter. The lower section of larger
diameter may help to locate the device near or against the scalp,
while the top section of larger diameter may help to support hair
that extends from the second end of the device. The central section
of lesser diameter acts as the constriction mechanism by which hair
that has been passed through the device is retained therein. To
this end, the central doughnut-shaped section o lesser diameter may
be of greater elasticity than the other two doughnut-shaped
sections. The overall shape of this embodiment of the device has
also been found easy to grasp and manipulate by a user.
[0068] The material from which the entirety of this embodiment of
the device is molded may have a low coefficient of friction.
Alternatively, in order to improve the grip of the device, the
exterior surface of the device may be constructed from a material
having a higher coefficient of friction than the exposed material
residing in the axial hair passage. In any case, at least the
exposed surface within the axial passage 330 is made from or
covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material that
facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the device.
[0069] As shown in FIGS. 13c-13d, an alternative embodiment of the
device of FIGS. 13a-13b may be encased in a stretchable fabric 340
having a low coefficient of friction. This embodiment of the device
may otherwise have the same construction as described with respect
to the embodiment of FIGS. 13a-13b.
[0070] FIGS. 14a-14b illustrate another embodiment of a device 345
to assist with hair styling, comprising a one-piece molded tubular
body 350 having a first end 355, a second end 360 opposite the
first end 355, and an axial hair passage 365 extending through the
tubular body from one end to the other. The diameter of the first
end and second end of the device may be substantially the same, or
one end (the second end, in this case) may be of greater diameter
than the other.
[0071] The tubular body is molded from, for example, a stretchable
(elastic) foam material, or another material that can provide
similar properties/characteristics. Such a material should allow
the tubular body to stretch, at least in a circumferential
direction, to facilitate expansion during hair insertion and to
cause automatic constriction as sections of hair are removed from
the device for styling. The material from which the entirety of
this embodiment of the device is molded may have a low coefficient
of friction. Alternatively, in order to improve the grip of the
device, the exterior surface of the device may be constructed from
a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the exposed
material residing in the axial hair passage. In any case, at least
the exposed surface within the axial hair passage 365 is made from
or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material
that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the
device.
[0072] FIGS. 15a-15b illustrate yet another embodiment of a device
370 to assist with hair styling, again comprising a one-piece
molded tubular body 375 having a first end 380, a second end 385
opposite the first end 380, and an axial hair passage 390 extending
through the tubular body from one end to the other. This embodiment
of the device is very similar to the device shown in FIGS. 14-14b,
but with a less-defined hourglass shape. The diameter of the first
end and second end of the device may be substantially the same (as
shown), or one end may be of greater diameter than the other.
[0073] The tubular body is molded from, for example, a stretchable
(elastic) foam material, or another material that can provide
similar properties/characteristics. Such a material should allow
the tubular body to stretch, at least in a circumferential
direction, to facilitate expansion during hair insertion and to
cause automatic constriction as sections of hair are removed from
the device for styling. The material from which the entirety of
this embodiment of the device is molded may have a low coefficient
of friction. Alternatively, in order to improve the grip of the
device, the exterior surface of the device may be constructed from
a material having a higher coefficient of friction than the exposed
material residing in the axial hair passage. In any case, at least
the exposed surface within the axial hair passage 390 is made from
or covered or coated with a low coefficient of friction material
that facilitates the deliberate removal of hair from the
device.
[0074] While certain embodiments of the present invention are
described in detail above, the scope of the invention is not to be
considered limited by such disclosure, and modifications are
possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as
evidenced by the following claims:
* * * * *