Specialized Comb

Abstract

A specialized comb is described. It includes a main body, a handle portion attached to the main body, and a parting elongated portion attached to the handle portion. The comb includes several hair styling areas. A first styling area uses substantially straight teeth extending from a cross-bar. A second styling area comprises a notch with indentations for guiding hair.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The field of the invention is a hair comb with specialized features. In one embodiment, the comb includes components designed to facilitate parting of hair, including an elongated portion and multiple hairstyling portions.

2. Background of the Invention

[0002] General-purpose hair styling tools are often insufficient to achieve desired hairstyling results. For example, the parting of hair is challenging to execute using a standard comb. A well-defined hair part requires both movements of large amounts of hair and precise styling of small quantities of hair, as frequently found around an end user's hairline.

[0003] Combs designed for hair parting exist; however, they still require external tools for some parts of the hairstyling process. They also frequently trap hair and result in pulling or tugging of hair.

[0004] Standard parting combs are time-consuming and do not incorporate all the hairstyling surfaces needed to create a desirable hair part. It is difficult to create a straight part using standard combs, and the stylist must reach for multiple tools to complete a job.

[0005] A need exists in the art for a single-piece hair parting comb that includes all of the hairstyling surfaces needed to achieve a substantially straight hair part. A need also exists for a method of using and manufacturing such a hair parting comb.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0006] An object of the invention is to provide a specialized comb that overcomes drawbacks in the prior art. A feature of the invention is that it incorporates multiple hair styling tools in one compact comb. An advantage of the invention is that a single specialized comb can be used to accomplish a number of possible hairstyles with precision. An additional advantage of the invention is that the end-user can use a single comb for a number of tasks.

[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide a comb that facilitates the parting of hair. A feature of the invention is that it includes an elongated portion that can move a large quantity of hair at one time and also includes other hairstyling tools that manipulate smaller quantities of hair with greater precision. An advantage of the invention is that the end-user can perform tasks that require lower precision as well as high precision manipulation using a single tool to achieve a desirable parting of the hair.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to create a comb that is easy to grip to facilitate fast and secure hair manipulation. A feature of the invention is that, in one embodiment, the comb includes a gripping segment and gripping features. An advantage of the invention is that the comb is maintained in a firm grip by the user while providing many areas for hairstyling, including areas that will come in contact with hair styling products.

[0009] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a comb that is adapted for all phases of hairstyling. A feature of the invention is that the comb includes at least three hairstyling tools in a single unit. An advantage of the invention is that the end-user can rely on a single specialized comb to perform all tasks related to hairstyling.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a comb with grip stabilizing characteristics. A feature of the invention is that the main body of the comb includes indentations for the thumb of the end-user to facilitate balancing of the comb while passing the comb through the hair being styled. A benefit of the invention is that it will remain balanced in the hand of the end-user even when the end-user is moving quickly or manipulating large quantities of hair.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a comb that is convenient to manufacture. A feature of the invention is that all tools are integrally molded, in one embodiment, or easily combined, in another embodiment. An advantage of the invention is that the comb can be mass-produced.

[0012] The invention provides a comb comprising: a main body; a handle portion attached to said main body; and a parting elongated portion having a proximal end attached to said handle portion; wherein said main body comprises at least two hairstyling areas wherein said first area comprises substantially straight teeth forming extending from a cross-bar forming least one substantially surface; and said second area comprises an extending member with indentations adapted to guide end-user's hair and a hook addition adapted for fine adjustment of hair.

[0013] Also provided is a method of combing hair comprising providing a comb having multiple portions, including at least one elongated portion, a handle portion; and a main comb area; holding the specialized comb at the handle portion; parting hair using said at least one elongated portion; and combing parted hair using the main comb area extending past the handle portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The invention, together with the above and other objects and advantages, will be best understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 depicts a front view of one embodiment of the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 depicts a top view of one embodiment of the invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of one embodiment of the invention;

[0018] FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the invention;

[0019] FIG. 5 depicts yet another embodiment of the invention;

[0020] FIG. 6 depicts a detailed view of one element of the invention;

[0021] FIG. 7 depicts a flow chart of the manufacturing of one embodiment of the comb; and

[0022] FIGS. 8A and 8B depict overviews of two embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The foregoing summary and the following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.

[0024] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or steps unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to "one embodiment" of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments "comprising" or "having" an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

[0025] Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a specialized comb 10. In the depicted embodiment, the comb 10 comprises three primary parts, the main body 12, the handle portion 14, and the elongated portion 16. The elongated portion includes a proximal end 18 on one end and a distal end 20 on the opposing end. In the depicted embodiment, the distal end 20 is tapered to a point. In other embodiments, the distal end 20 is substantially rounded.

[0026] The elongated portion 16 is shown as comprising rectangular sub-segments, in the depiction of FIG. 1. In other embodiments, such as the ones shown in the figures described below, the elongated portion 16 has a rounded exterior surface with a substantially circular cross-section.

[0027] The main body 12 is connected to the handle portion 14, and the proximal end 18 of the elongated portion 16. While the comb 10 is described as comprising these portions, in some embodiments, the comb 10 comprises a single body with the portions being described above only for a logical division between functions of the different parts of the comb 10. In some embodiments, the portions comprise separable elements so that the comb 10 can be disassembled for storage, cleaning, or disinfection.

[0028] In one embodiment, the elongated portion 16 is adapted to parting large quantities of an end-user's hair.

[0029] The main body 12 comprises a number of hairstyling areas. As shown in FIG. 1, two hairstyling areas 22, 28 are shown. The first hairstyling area 22 contains a cross-bar 26. An array of tines or teeth 24 extend from the cross-bar 26. The teeth 24 are substantially perpendicular to the cross-bar 26. The teeth 24 and the cross-bar 26 form a surface with only one column of teeth 24 used in the first hair styling area 22. In one embodiment the side of the cross-bar 26 which is opposite to the side having the teeth 24 is substantially flat. In another embodiment, the side of the cross-bar 26 which is opposite to the side having the teeth 24 is curved and is so adapted to follow the curvature of the end user's hand.

[0030] The second hairstyling area 28 is defined at and end of the cross-bar 26 opposite of the handle portion 14. The second hairstyling area 28 includes an extending member 30. The extending member 30 includes a number of indentations 32 along the length of the extending member 30. In the depicted embodiment, there are seven indentations 32 formed by seven cylindrical structures 34. The second hairstyling area 28 also includes a notch 36 extending past the interior surface 42 of the cross-bar 26. As such, the size of the bar 26 is smaller in the second hairstyling area 28 than in the first hair styling area 22.

[0031] The exterior surface 43 of the cross-bar 26 is opposite from the interior surface 42 of cross-bar 26. The exterior surface 43 includes a depression or an indentation 38. The indentation 38 is adapted to receive an end-user's thumb while the end-user is holding the comb 10 at the handle portion 14. The indentation 38 is also helpful as a location for an end-user's thumb when the end-user is not holding the comb at the handle portion 14.

[0032] As can be appreciated from FIG. 1, the exterior surface 43 can be curved. In other embodiments, the exterior surface 43 is substantially straight, except for the indentation 38.

[0033] The second hairstyling area 28 also includes a catch or a hook addition 40, which will be described in detail below.

[0034] FIG. 2 depicts the comb 10 as seen from a top view, depicted by the arrows 2 in FIG. 1. As can be appreciated from the top view of FIG. 2, the comb 10 has a substantially flat side profile, except for a few features that help in the gripping of the comb 10. In the depicted embodiment, the handle portion 14 includes a first gripping area 44 and a second gripping area 46. The gripping areas 44, 46 include a grip pattern with a protruding cross-section when viewed from the top, as shown in FIG. 2. As visible in FIG. 2, the cross-bar 26 includes the indentation 38 which has an outer rim 48. During use, variable amounts of pressure can be applied to the indentation 38, which causes variations in the orientation of the main body of the comb.

[0035] FIG. 3 depicts the comb 10 as seen from a side view, depicted by the arrows 3 in FIG. 1. The distal end 20 of the elongated portion is closest to the viewer in FIG. 3. The distal end 20 ends in a point 50. The point is a rounded tip in one embodiment and facilitates the parting of hair, in one embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 4 is another overview of an embodiment 60. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the parting elongated portion 66 is substantially cylindrical and has a cross-section that is substantially a circle, except for the rounded tip 62.

[0037] The cross-bar 64 of the embodiment 60 includes a flat area 68. The flat area 68 can accommodate printed or etched indicia, including branding, instructions, product number, or other information. In one embodiment, the flat area 68 includes a QR code with instructions on how to use the embodiment 60.

[0038] Another embodiment is depicted in FIG. 5. In the embodiment of the comb 70, the elongated substrate 72 comprises a different material than the main body 76 of the comb 70. The elongated substrate 72 comprises a metallic cylinder. The metal for the elongated substrate 72 is selected to be non-reactive with hairstyling products. In one embodiment, the metallic elongated substrate 72 comprises a coated aluminum rod. In another embodiment, the metallic elongated substrate 72 includes a layer of non-reactive metal such as stainless steel.

[0039] The elongated substrate 72 is received by an aperture 74 in the comb main body 76. In one embodiment, the aperture 74 includes threads that correspond to threads on the elongated substrate 72. In other embodiments, the elongated substrate 72 frictionally engages with the walls of the aperture 74. In yet another embodiment, the elongated substrate 72 spans the majority of the main body 76. The elongated substrate 72 is present in the mold when the main body 76 plastic is added, forming the main body 76.

[0040] A benefit of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is that it can be used to handle heavy hair that would cause an elongated plastic structure to bend or fail. Another benefit of the embodiment from FIG. 5 is that the metallic elongated substrate 72 can be separated from the main body and is more readily recyclable.

[0041] The plastic components of the comb are generally made from a conventional plastic for hairstyling tools, such as polypropylene. In some embodiments, the comb includes biodegradable components or plant-origin plastics.

[0042] A close-up view of the front of the second hairstyling area of one embodiment is shown in FIG. 6. The location of the second hairstyling area is depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 1 as the second hairstyling area 28.

[0043] In FIG. 6, in that embodiment 80, the second hairstyling area 82 includes a hook addition 84, which includes a first projection 86 and a second projection 88. The first substrate is located directly over the top of the notch 90. The first projection 86 extends further away from the main body 92 of the embodiment 80. While being styled, the hair is first contacted by the first projection 86 and held in place by the second projection 88, while the main body 92 is moved in a direction parallel to the space formed by the first projection 86 and the second projection 88.

[0044] In embodiments where the projections form a single hook structure, such as the embodiment 10 shown in FIG. 1, the end-user's hair is styled by hooking onto the top of the structure, such as the top of the first projection 86.

Use Steps

[0045] In use, the specialized comb is grasped by the handle portion or the elongated portion, or both. Compared with a convention comb, the specialized comb described herein has a defined handle portion that is in the middle of the device as opposed to the top or the end of the main body of the comb that does not include the teeth or tines.

[0046] The elongated portion is then inserted into the hair at the approximate location of where the part will be created. The elongated portion is oriented so that it is substantially parallel to the scalp but is inserted into the hair with the tip at the distal end of the elongated portion entering the hair first.

[0047] Once the elongated portion is in its desired location, the hair is parted by lifting the elongated portion while holding the hair with a free hand.

[0048] Hairstyling product can optionally be added at the time the hair is parted using the elongated substrate.

[0049] At this point, the hairstyle comprises a general part, which must be followed by detailed work. The first step during the detail work is the use of the teeth of the first hairstyling area to generally arrange the hair. If the part is not configured exactly as intended (as is likely), the part can be straightened using the hair manipulation tools found in the second hairstyling area. For example, the extending member with the indentations and cylindrical shapes will help reversibly catch the hair to straighten the part. Hair will also collect in the notch.

[0050] Slight adjustments to hair, especially hair at the start of the hairline, is accomplished with the hook found in the second hairstyling area. The hook structure is used to rearrange individual stray hairs.

[0051] The teeth of the first hairstyling area can also be used to distribute a hair treatment product to help solidify the hairdo.

Manufacturing Overview

[0052] An overview of the manufacturing process 100 is shown in the flowchart in FIG. 7.

[0053] The process begins by preparing a mold 102, in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the process begins by preparing a source material 104 for an additive manufacturing process such as 3D printing. In another embodiment, some parts are manufactured using traditional methods, and other parts are manufactured using additive manufacturing, and so both methods are shown in FIG. 7.

[0054] Next, the plastic components of the comb are manufactured by either filling the mold with the plastic 106 or by performing the additive manufacturing 108.

[0055] The plastic components are then finished 110 by an appropriate method.

[0056] If a separate metallic elongated substrate is added, the elongated substrate is prepared 112, such as by adding threads or by applying a finished layer to the elongated substrate.

[0057] Next, the elongated substrate is joined 114 with the plastic main body of the comb manufactured.

[0058] Optionally, printed or etched indicia is added 116 on the appropriate part of the plastic main body.

[0059] Finally, the completed comb is inserted into the final packaging 118, such as by being placed in a box, hermetically sealed in a plastic container, or placed in a tamper-evident bag.

Elongated Substrate Embodiments

[0060] FIGS. 8A and 8B depict overviews of two embodiments of the invented multi-function comb. In embodiment 120 of FIG. 8A, the elongated substrate 122 comprises a plastic and is integrally molded with the main body of the comb 124. The resulting elongated substrate 122 is thickest at the connection point 126 with the handle portion 128 and then tapers to the opposite end 130. The tapered portion 132 begins after a portion of the elongated substrate 122 that is substantially straight 134. The tapered area is shown to have a substantially constant angle, shown in dashed lines and an angle of tapering .alpha.. In one embodiment, the angle of tapering .alpha. is approximately 7 degrees to 8 degrees.

[0061] While the embodiment 120 is shown as having segments, in one embodiment, the segments are not physically separable components, and all parts of the embodiment 120 are manufactured as a single piece. In other embodiments, some parts of the comb are detachable, as described above.

[0062] The embodiment 120 shown in FIG. 8A is referred to as comprising a rat tail comb.

[0063] FIG. 8B depicts an overview of an embodiment 140 wherein the elongated substrate 142 comprises a pin 144. The pin 144 comprises a segment 146 with a substantially constant cross-section and a tapered segment 148, which terminates in a point 150. The pin 144 comprises a metallic substrate, in one embodiment.

[0064] The tapered segment 148 is a minority of the length of the pin 144, for example, being 15% of the length of the pin 144, in one embodiment.

[0065] The embodiment 140 shown in FIG. 8B is referred to as comprising a pintail comb.

[0066] The pin 144 is received by the handle portion 152. In one embodiment, the pin 144 is kept in place by frictional engagement with the handle portion 152. In another embodiment, the pin 144 has a threaded segment whose threads are received by threads defined in the handle portion 152.

[0067] Although exemplary implementations of the invention have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

[0068] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the invention parameters, they are by no means limiting but are instead exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the terms "comprising" and "wherein." Moreover, in the following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

Claims

1. A comb comprising: a main body; a handle portion attached to said main body; and a parting elongated portion having a proximal end attached to said handle portion; wherein said main body comprises at least two hairstyling areas wherein said first area comprises substantially straight teeth extending from a cross-bar forming least one surface; and said second area comprises an extending member with indentations adapted to guide end-user's hair and a hook addition adapted for fine adjustment of hair.

2. The comb of claim 1, wherein said main body further comprises a depression in the cross-bar.

3. The comb of claim 1, wherein said cross-bar comprises an outside surface which is opposite to the cross-bar surface having the teeth; wherein said outside surface is curved.

4. The comb of claim 1, wherein said main body and handle portion are integrally molded.

5. The comb of claim 1, wherein said parting elongated portion comprises a different material from the main body and the handle portion.

6. The comb of claim 1, wherein said main body further comprises a third hair styling area having a catch.

7. The comb of claim 6, wherein said catch is a continuation of the second hairstyling area.

8. The comb of claim 1, wherein said cross-bar features a cross-section with a variable thickness.

9. The comb of claim 1, wherein said cross-bar comprises an area for indicia.

10. The comb of claim 1, wherein said parting elongated portion comprises a rounded distal end.

11. A method of parting hair using a specialized comb, the method comprising: providing a comb having a main body comprising multiple portions, including at least one elongated portion, a handle portion; and a main comb area; holding the specialized comb at the handle portion; parting hair using said at least one elongated portion; and combing parted hair using the main comb area extending past the handle portion.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising performing detailed hair arrangement using secondary tools on the main comb area.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the detailed hair arrangement is performed using an extending member having indentations adapted to guide hair.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the main comb area further comprises a hook addition adapted for fine adjustment of hair position.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein said elongated portion comprises a plastic tapered cylindrical shape which is integrally molded in the comb.

16. The method of claim 11 wherein said elongated portion comprises a metallic pin which is connected with the main body of the comb.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising cleaning and sanitizing the comb after use.

18. The method of claim 11 wherein holding the specialized comb further comprises adding pressure to an indentation on the comb's main body by placement of a thumb in the indentation.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein said portions are integrally molded into one body of the comb.

20. The method of claim 11 wherein said elongated portion frictionally engages with remaining parts of the comb.