U.S. patent application number 16/134874 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-19 for apparatus and methodology for branding a hair tie.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Longhairs, Inc.. Invention is credited to Lindsay Barto, Chris Healy.
Application Number | 20190281943 16/134874 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65723918 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190281943 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Healy; Chris ; et
al. |
September 19, 2019 |
APPARATUS AND METHODOLOGY FOR BRANDING A HAIR TIE
Abstract
Aspects directed towards hair ties are disclosed. In one
example, a hair tie includes a branding component coupled to a
substantially circular component comprising a flat surface area and
comprised of elastic material. In another example, a hair tie
includes a substantially circular component comprising a flat
surface area and comprised of a polyester-based elastic material
that includes a sublimation print. In yet another example, a method
is disclosed, which includes obtaining a rectangular-shaped piece
of elastic material, and printing on at least one side of the
rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material via a sublimation
printing technique. A first end of the rectangular-shaped piece of
elastic material is then attached to a second end of the
rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material to form a
substantially circular component comprising a flat surface
area.
Inventors: |
Healy; Chris; (San Diego,
CA) ; Barto; Lindsay; (Chula Vista, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Longhairs, Inc. |
Chula Vista |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
65723918 |
Appl. No.: |
16/134874 |
Filed: |
September 18, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62560082 |
Sep 18, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 8/34 20130101; A45D
2008/004 20130101; A45F 2200/0558 20130101; B65D 73/0007
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 8/34 20060101
A45D008/34 |
Claims
1. A hair tie apparatus, comprising: a substantially circular
component comprising a flat surface area, wherein the substantially
circular component is comprised of elastic material; and a branding
component coupled to the substantially circular component.
2. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
branding component is a patch stitched onto one of a first side of
the flat surface area or a second side of the flat surface
area.
3. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
branding component comprises a first patch stitched onto a first
side of the flat surface area and a second patch stitched onto a
second side of the flat surface area.
4. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
branding component is a sleeve wrapped around a portion of the flat
surface area.
5. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the sleeve
is stitched onto the substantially circular component.
6. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the sleeve
is stitched proximate to a seam of the substantially circular
component.
7. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a stitching
of the sleeve forms a parameter substantially encompassing the
seam.
8. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elastic
material is a polyester-based material.
9. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the
polyester-based material is a blend of at least polyester yarn and
spandex yarn.
10. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the blend
comprises a greater amount of polyester yarn than spandex yarn.
11. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 1, wherein ends of
the substantially circular component are configured to attach and
reattach from each other.
12. A hair tie apparatus, comprising: a substantially circular
component comprising a flat surface area, wherein the substantially
circular component is comprised of a polyester-based elastic
material and includes a sublimation print.
13. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
polyester-based elastic material is a blend of at least polyester
yarn and spandex yarn.
14. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the blend
comprises a greater amount of polyester yarn than spandex yarn.
15. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 12, further
comprising a branding component coupled to the substantially
circular component.
16. The hair tie apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the
branding component is a sleeve wrapped around a portion of the flat
surface area.
17. A method, comprising: obtaining a rectangular-shaped piece of
elastic material; printing on at least one side of the
rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material via a sublimation
printing technique; and attaching a first end of the
rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material to a second end of the
rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material to form a
substantially circular component comprising a flat surface
area.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the sublimation printing
technique comprises a printing temperature of at least 200 degrees
centigrade.
19. The method of claim 17, further comprising coupling a branding
component to the substantially circular component.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the branding component is a
sleeve.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
provisional patent application No. 62/560,082 filed on Sep. 18,
2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference as if fully set forth below in its entirety and for all
applicable purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The subject disclosure generally relates to aspects that
facilitate securing one's hair in any number of different positions
and formations upon the head. (e.g., in a "ponytail," "bun," or
"high ball"), and more specifically to improving the performance,
design, and branding of an apparatus used for such purposes
including, for instance, a looped band made of elastic or other
stretchy material referred to herein as a "hair tie."
INTRODUCTION
[0003] By way of background concerning the securing of hair, it is
noted that certain qualities are desirable in a hair tie. The
apparatus should be composed of a material with adequate stretch
such that it can secure the hair firmly, but also soft enough that
it won't damage the hair. It should be constructed in such a manner
that it will remain intact with regular use without breaking or
losing sufficient stretch. It would also be desirable to allow for
different creative designs to be emblazoned thereon for preferences
in taste, as well as for marking the specific brand name to be
visible on individual hair ties.
[0004] Concerning conventional hair ties, the problems and
limitations include poor quality and performance (e.g., hair ties
snap easily, damage or crease hair, don't hold the hair securely,
etc.), and the inability to creatively design and brand hair ties
without sacrificing quality and performance. For instance, the
conventional elastic hair tie in FIG. 1 may be undesirable because
it may snap easily, it may damage the hair and/or crease the hair
when used, and due to its size and shape, it lacks a sufficient
surface area to print detailed creative designs or effectively
brand individual hair ties.
[0005] Manufacturers have attempted to alleviate some undesirable
qualities. The conventional hair tie in FIG. 2 is composed of a
nylon material that can be printed on, in a flat shape allowing for
sufficient printable surface area. However, the material
composition lacks sufficient stretch or strength to perform its
desired function as effectively, nor is there a particular
mechanism allowing for the branding of individual hair ties.
[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an adequate
apparatus using a material and methodology which overcomes these
limitations. To this end, it should be noted that above-described
deficiencies are merely intended to provide an overview of some of
the problems of conventional hair ties, and are not intended to be
exhaustive. Other problems with the state of the art and
corresponding benefits of some of the various non-limiting
embodiments may become further apparent upon review of the
following detailed description.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES
[0007] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more
aspects of the present disclosure, in order to provide a basic
understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive
overview of all contemplated features of the disclosure, and is
intended neither to identify key or critical elements of all
aspects of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any or all
aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some
concepts of one or more aspects of the disclosure in a simplified
form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is
presented later.
[0008] Various aspects directed towards hair ties are disclosed. In
a particular example, a hair tie apparatus is disclosed, which
includes a branding component coupled to a substantially circular
component. For this example, the substantially circular component
has a flat surface area and is comprised of elastic material.
[0009] In a second aspect, another hair tie apparatus is disclosed.
Here, the hair tie apparatus includes a substantially circular
component comprising a flat surface area. Furthermore, the
substantially circular component in this example is comprised of a
polyester-based elastic material and includes a sublimation
print.
[0010] In yet another aspect, a method is disclosed, which includes
obtaining a rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material, and
printing on at least one side of the rectangular-shaped piece of
elastic material via a sublimation printing technique. The method
further includes attaching a first end of the rectangular-shaped
piece of elastic material to a second end of the rectangular-shaped
piece of elastic material to form a substantially circular
component comprising a flat surface area.
[0011] These and other aspects of the invention will become more
fully understood upon a review of the detailed description, which
follows. Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the present
invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art, upon reviewing the following description of specific,
exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with
the accompanying figures. While features of the present invention
may be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures below,
all embodiments of the present invention can include one or more of
the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, while
one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain
advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be
used in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention
discussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments
may be discussed below as device, system, or method embodiments it
should be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be
implemented in various devices, systems, and methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Various non-limiting embodiments are further described with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a first conventional hair tie;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a second conventional hair tie;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary hair tie apparatuses in
accordance with an aspect of the subject specification;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary methodology
for manufacturing hair tie apparatuses in accordance with an aspect
of the subject specification;
[0017] FIG. 5 provides illustrations of various manufacturing
stages corresponding to the exemplary methodology illustrated in
FIG. 4;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a first schematic of an exemplary hair tie
apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the subject
specification;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a second schematic of an exemplary hair tie
apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the subject
specification;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic of an exemplary packaging of hair tie
apparatuses in accordance with an aspect of the subject
specification; and
[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary hair tie apparatus with a
key attachment mechanism in accordance with an aspect of the
subject specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Overview
[0022] As discussed in the introduction, conventional hair ties
have several undesirable limitations with respect to quality and
performance and the ability to print creative designs and brand
individual hair ties without sacrificing performance. The
embodiments disclosed herein are directed towards overcoming these
limitations by providing an apparatus composed of a material that
possesses and retains adequate stretch that can be printed on using
a sublimation printing technique, with a shape providing suitable
printable surface area, complete with a mechanism that allows for
individual branding of hair ties. In FIG. 3, a photo of exemplary
hair tie apparatuses in accordance with an aspect of the subject
specification is provided.
[0023] In one particular aspect, the invention is directed towards
a novel shape for hair ties, wherein a flat design is contemplated.
Whereas conventional hair ties have used a rounded shape and
design, preventing sufficient surface area on which robust creative
designs can be printed, this flat design will allow sufficient
printable surface area, which may be desirable for branding
purposes.
[0024] In another aspect, the invention is directed towards a novel
composition for hair ties, wherein a specific blend of
polyester-based elastic material is contemplated. This specific
material possesses sufficient stretch and strength to hold hair
securely, even with long, thick or heavy hair. This specific
material can also withstand a heat intensive printing process
without losing its elasticity or other desirable qualities. Whereas
conventional hair ties have used nylon-based materials to print
creative designs thereupon, such nylon material does not possess
the stretching power nor the strength to hold the hair securely, in
particular with thick or heavy hair.
[0025] In yet another aspect, a novel "sleeve" of material wrapping
around the seam where the hair tie is joined together is
contemplated, which serves both functional and aesthetic purposes.
From a functional standpoint, this sleeve provides a surface area,
separate from the flat side of the hair tie, which can be used for
the branding of individual hair ties. The sleeve may also be
stitched onto, or otherwise attached, to the seam so as to
reinforce the holding strength of the seam. From an aesthetic
standpoint the sleeve effectively covers the seam at which the ends
of the hair tie are joined, concealing the stitching and loose
edges from view. Whereas conventional hair ties have tied the ends
together to join, or used other means of fastening two ends
together, no hair tie has used a sleeve as described herein to
provide an adequate surface area for the branding of individual
hair ties.
Exemplary Methodology and Hair Tie Embodiments
[0026] Referring next to FIG. 4, a flow chart illustrating an
exemplary methodology for manufacturing a hair tie apparatus in
accordance with aspects disclosed herein is provided. As
illustrated, process 400 may begin at act 410 where a
rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material is obtained. For
instance, such rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material may be
cut from a larger piece of elastic material, or may have been
pre-fabricated into a rectangular shape.
[0027] An exemplary illustration of the rectangular-shaped piece of
elastic material obtained at act 410 is provided in FIG. 5. In
particular, it is contemplated that the elastic material 505
provided in illustration 500 may correspond to the
rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material obtained at act 410,
wherein the elastic material 505 includes a first end 502 and a
second end 504, as shown.
[0028] Furthermore, with respect to the type of material used for
elastic material 505, it should be appreciated that any of a
plurality of types of elastic material generally known in the art
may be used. For instance, in a particular embodiment, elastic
material 505 is a polyester-based material (e.g., a blend
comprising 70% polyester yarn and 30% spandex yarn), which has been
found to have various characteristics for facilitating the desired
properties of hair ties disclosed herein. For example, it has been
found that using a polyester-based material for elastic material
505 yields a hair tie with much more structural integrity than
conventional hair ties. The structural integrity of a
polyester-based material also provides a desirable canvass for
printing designs via high temperature sublimation printing
techniques, which generally yield more robust prints that are less
susceptible to fading.
[0029] Referring back to process 400, once the elastic material is
obtained at act 410, process 400 continues to act 420 where at
least one side of the rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material
is printed upon via a sublimation printing technique. In FIG. 5,
illustration 520 shows an exemplary sublimation print 515 in
accordance with such technique. Here, although any sublimation
printing technique may be used, it may be desirable to utilize high
temperature sublimation so that sublimation print 515 is less
susceptible to fading, as previously stated. For instance, such
high temperature technique may comprise a printing temperature of
at least 200 degrees centigrade (e.g., between 230-240 degrees
centigrade).
[0030] After printing a desired design at act 420, process 400
proceeds to act 430 where the rectangular-shaped piece of elastic
material is formed into a substantially circular component. For
instance, as shown in illustration 520, a first end 502 of the
rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material may be attached to a
second end 504 (e.g., via stitching to form seam 525), wherein the
attaching transforms the rectangular-shaped piece of elastic
material into a substantially circular component comprising a flat
surface area.
[0031] Once the substantially circular component is formed at act
430, a determination is made at act 440 of whether to include a
branding component, such as the exemplary branding component 535
shown in illustration 530. Here, it should be appreciated that
including a branding component, such as branding component 535, may
be desirable for any of various reasons. For instance, branding
component 535 provides greater flexibility with respect to what
types of material can be used to brand a hair tie product. Such
material, for example, does not necessarily need to be elastic.
Indeed, since branding component 535 may also be used to reinforce
the attachment of first end 502 to second end 504 (e.g., by
stitching/forming branding component 535 onto seam 525), it may be
desirable to select a durable non-elastic material (e.g., a
nylon-based fabric, a non-elastic rubber/plastic/metal, etc.) for
branding component 535.
[0032] If it is determined that no branding is desired at act 440,
process 400 concludes at act 470 where a finalized hair tie is
output. Otherwise, if branding is indeed desired at act 440,
process 400 proceeds with the selecting of a branding type at act
450 and a coupling of the branding component to the substantially
circular component at act 460, before concluding at act 470 where a
finalized hair tie is output.
[0033] In a first exemplary type of branding, a patch design is
contemplated. For instance, branding component 535 may be a single
patch stitched onto a single side of the hair tie's flat surface
area. Alternatively, a dual patch design is contemplated, wherein
branding component 535 comprises a first patch stitched onto a
first side of the hair tie's flat surface area and a second patch
stitched onto a second side of the hair tie's flat surface
area.
[0034] In a second exemplary type of branding, a sleeve design is
contemplated. For instance, branding component 535 may be a sleeve
configured to wrap around a portion of the hair tie's flat surface
area. If reinforcement and/or concealment of seam 525 is not
desired, such a sleeve may be configured to slide along the
substantially circular component. Otherwise, if reinforcement
and/or concealment of seam 525 is indeed desired, the sleeve may be
attached to a portion of the substantially circular component
proximate to the seam 525. For instance, the sleeve may be stitched
to a portion proximate to seam 525, wherein such stitching may
comprise stitching across seam 525 (e.g., as illustrated in FIG.
6), stitching a parameter substantially encompassing seam 525
(e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 7), or any of various other types of
stitch patterns. Of course, if the sleeve is a non-fabric material
(e.g., rubber, plastic, metal, etc.), the sleeve may be directly
formed onto seam 525.
[0035] Referring next to FIGS. 6-8, various schematics are provided
of exemplary implementations disclosed herein. For instance, FIGS.
6-7 are schematics of exemplary hair tie apparatuses, whereas FIG.
8 is a schematic of an exemplary packaging in accordance with
aspects disclosed herein.
[0036] In another aspect of the disclosure, it is contemplated that
the hair tie apparatus disclosed herein may be further configured
to include a mechanism which allows a user to securely attach a
key. In FIG. 9, for instance, an exemplary hair tie 900 with a key
attachment mechanism 905 in accordance with an aspect of the
subject specification is provided. As illustrated, such embodiment
may comprise having the ends of the hair tie 900 configured to
attach and reattach from each other via attachment mechanism 905.
Here, it should be appreciated that such attachment mechanism may
be any mechanism known in the art (e.g., a clasp, a male/female
attachment, etc.). Within such embodiment, an end of the hair tie
900 may thus be inserted through an opening 915 of a key 910 while
the hair tie 900 is detached, wherein the key 910 may then be
secured to the hair tie 900 by closing the hair tie attachment
mechanism 905.
[0037] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean serving as an
example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the
subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In
addition, any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is
not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over
other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent
exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary
skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms
"includes," "has," "contains," and other similar words are used in
either the detailed description or the claims, for the avoidance of
doubt, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar
to the term "comprising" as an open transition word without
precluding any additional or other elements.
[0038] The aforementioned systems have been described with respect
to interaction between several components. It can be appreciated
that such systems and components can include those components or
specified sub-components, some of the specified components or
sub-components, and/or additional components, and according to
various permutations and combinations of the foregoing.
Sub-components can also be implemented as components coupled to
other components rather than included within parent components
(hierarchical). Additionally, it is noted that one or more
components may be combined into a single component providing
aggregate functionality or divided into several separate
sub-components, and any one or more middle layers may be provided
to couple to such sub-components in order to provide integrated
functionality. Any components described herein may also interact
with one or more other components not specifically described herein
but generally known by those of skill in the art.
[0039] In view of the exemplary systems described supra,
methodologies that may be implemented in accordance with the
disclosed subject matter can be appreciated with reference to the
various figures. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation,
the methodologies are described as a series of steps, it is to be
understood and appreciated that the disclosed subject matter is not
limited by the order of the steps, as some steps may occur in
different orders and/or concurrently with other steps from what is
described herein. Moreover, not all disclosed steps may be required
to implement the methodologies described hereinafter.
[0040] While the various embodiments have been described in
connection with the exemplary embodiments of the various figures,
it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used
or modifications and additions may be made to the described
embodiment for performing the same function without deviating there
from. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any
single embodiment.
* * * * *