The present invention relates to a hair press apparatus, particularly but not necessarily exclusively for heatless setting of hair into a straightened condition. The invention further relates to an extendable hair press system, to a hair press member, and also to a method of at least partially straightening curled, curly, coiled, kinky or wavy hair to improve the appearance of length of the hair.

For certain hair types, particularly those having curled, curly, kinky or wavy hair texture, then the appearance of length cannot be achieved naturally. Since the hair curls back on itself, long hair will not hang to its full length without additional input. There are products available on the market which allow the hair to be straightened, in order to achieve or hang close to its natural length. Heated hair straighteners are the most common form of straightening tool, which use heated platens to heat-treat the hair to break down the positive hydrogen bonds in the hair, allowing straightening to occur. Relaxers or straightening chemicals can also be used to create a similar effect chemically.

The problem with such treatments is that the hair is damaged in the process. Heated straighteners can cause the hair to become brittle and dry, potentially requiring the hair to be cut in order to then assume an aesthetically-pleasing glossy texture once more. Chemical treatments can also damage the hair. There is also a danger to the user; hair irons can result in bums, whilst the straightening chemicals can cause skin irritation or even chemical bums themselves.

The present invention seeks to provide a less harsh means of producing straightened hair, which is able to be applied to users having a wide variety of different hair lengths.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a hair press apparatus comprising: at least one hair press member, the or each press member including first and second elongate press bodies which are connected to one another at their longitudinally-extended edges, the first and second elongate press bodies defining a flat or substantially flat press channel therebetween; and an elongate hair hook dimensioned to be insertable through the press channel for drawing wet hair therethrough to be pressed whilst the hair dries.

The provision of an apparatus which allows for hair to be pressed without the use of heat or chemicals provides for a much less harsh straightening process. Hair is less likely to become damaged in the process of straightening, and therefore a user is likely to be more confident in the final appearance of the hair once the hair press apparatus is utilised.

Preferably, each of the first and second elongate press bodies may include a plurality of edge connectors which are longitudinally spaced apart from one another. The or each hair press member may be at least in part flexible between adjacent edge connectors.

Fixing the press bodies together at longitudinally spaced apart edge connectors provides rigidity to the press members, advantageously improving the efficacy of the press action, whilst the flexion in between these rigid portions allows for the user to lie down with a plurality of hair press members installed. Optionally, the or each hair press member may comprise at least one engagement connector for connecting a plurality of hair press members to one another to extend the length of the press channel.

The ability to modularly extend the hair press is significant. The user has no need to purchase different presses depending on their current hair length. Instead, the hair press members can be interengaged so that a desired length can be achieved using the components already to hand. This vastly reduces the obsolescence of the parts which would otherwise go unused.

The or each hair press member may comprise a male said engagement connector at a first end thereof and a female said engagement connector at a second end thereof, wherein male and female engagement connectors of adjacent press members are mutually interengagable. Since a straightening effect is desired using the press, the sequential connection of end- to-end press members provides the simplest means of producing an extended press channel capable of pressing long hair.

Optionally, the or each engagement connector may include a press-fit engagement element.

Press-fit engagement allows for a good longitudinal latch so that the hair press does not disassemble during the use of the hair hook, whilst also providing a simple mechanism for disassembly as desired.

The hair hook may be provided as a modularly extendable hair hook having a plurality of interengagable hook body portions.

In order to be usable with a modularly extendable hair press, the length of the hair hook also needs to be adaptable.

Optionally, the hook body portions may be rotatably engagable with one another.

Rotatable engagement provides a simple means of quickly assembling a long hair hook which can be used to put very long hair through an extended hair press.

Preferably, the hook body portions may comprise a hook-end body portion and a handle-end body portion, and more preferably may further comprise at least one intermediate extender body portion engagable between the hook-end body portion and the handle-end body portion. At the very least, a hair hook needs to be able to hook the hair, and also have a suitable area for a user to hold in order to draw the hair through the entire press channel.

The or each hair press member may include a plurality of airflow apertures which extend through the first and/or second press bodies to permit airflow into the press channel. Air drying is the best way to safely achieve straightening without causing damage to the hair itself, which might otherwise occur with heat or chemical treatment. The hair press apparatus may further comprise a retaining clip which is engagable laterally around a said hair press member for holding the press member with respect to hair inside the press channel.

As the hair dries, there may be a tendency for the hair press to slip off. As such, a retaining clip can be provided to mitigate any risk of travel of the hair press members during the drying process.

Optionally, the retaining clip may include a plurality of airflow apertures which align with at least one of the plurality of airflow apertures of the hair press members.

Since the retaining clip could feasibly block the access to the press channel, airflow apertures can be advantageously included to ensure an even dry.

The first and second press bodies may be formed from a resiliently deformable material.

The hair press member needs to be able to deform slightly in order to allow the hair hook to be inserted. However, the press still needs to apply a pressure to wet hair therein, and therefore resilience is an important material quality for the first and second press bodies.

Preferably, at least one of the longitudinally-extended edges of the or each hair press member may have an ergonomic profile.

Since the user will most likely be applying the hair press apparatus whilst having wet and/or slippery hands, an ergonomic grip is highly desirable. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an extendable hair press system comprising a plurality of hair press members, each hair press member including first and second elongate press bodies which are connected to one another at their longitudinally-extended edges, the first and second elongate press bodies defining a flat or substantially flat press channel therebetween, wherein each hair press member comprises at least one engagement connector for connecting a plurality of hair press members to one another to extend the length of the press channel. The ability to modularly extend the length of a hair press would be highly beneficial, since a user no longer needs to replace their hair press as their hair grows or is cut. This significantly reduces material waste and cost.

The extendable hair press system may further comprise an elongate hair hook dimensioned to be insertable through the press channel for drawing wet hair therethrough to be pressed whilst the hair dries, the hair hook being a modularly extendable hair hook having a plurality of interengagable hook body portions so as to match the length of the press channel.

It stands to reason that, where a modularly extendable hair press is provided, a modularly extendable hair hook would also be beneficial in order to avoid needing to provide several different hair hooks of different lengths.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a hair press member including first and second elongate press bodies which are connected to one another at their longitudinally-extended edges, the first and second elongate press bodies defining a flat or substantially flat press channel therebetween.

No hair press is presently available which can press hair into a straightened condition without the use of chemical or heat treatment. As such, the present hair press members are extremely useful.

The hair press member may further comprise at least one engagement connector for connecting a plurality of hair press members to one another to extend the length of the press channel.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of at least partially straightening curled, curly, kinky or wavy hair to improve the appearance of length of the hair, the method comprising the steps of: a] wetting the hair; b] providing at least one hair press member, the or each press member including first and second elongate press bodies which are connected to one another at their longitudinally- extended edges, the first and second elongate press bodies defining a flat or substantially flat press channel therebetween; c] using an elongate hair hook dimensioned to be insertable through the press channel, drawing the wet hair through the press channel; d] allowing the hair to dry; and e] removing the or each hair press member from the hair.

There is no method available for persons having curly hair to straighten the hair using presses, other than by the use of, for instance, straightening irons. This technique is much less damaging to the user’s hair and therefore will improve the overall appearance of the straightened hair.

Optionally, during step b], a plurality of interengagable said hair press members may be provided, the hair press members being connected together to form a desired length of press channel for the hair.

Preferably, during step c], the hair hook may be provided as a modularly extendable hair hook having a plurality of interengagable hook body portions, so as to match the length of the press channel.

In a preferred embodiment, there may be a further step c](i) subsequent to step c], of attaching a retaining clip to the or each hair press member to ensure an adequate pressure is applied to the hair by the first and second press bodies.

Preferably, during step e], the or each hair press member is slidably removable from the hair.

Slidable removal of the hair press member avoids the user needing to attend to the unfastening of securing clips or clamps, and therefore greatly simplifies the extraction procedure.

During step d], the hair may be allowed to air-dry without the application of heat.

Heat treatment can damage the hair, and therefore it is preferably avoided.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective representation of a first embodiment of a hair press apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2a shows a plan view of one of the hair press members of the hair press apparatus of Figure 1;

Figure 2b shows a side view of the hair press member shown in Figure 2a;

Figure 3a shows a perspective representation of the interface between the press members of the hair press apparatus of Figure 1, shown in an uncoupled condition;

Figure 3b shows a plan view of the interface between the hair press members of the hair press apparatus of Figure 1, shown in a coupled condition;

Figure 4a shows a perspective representation of a retaining clip on a hair press member of the hair press apparatus of Figure 1 in a first position;

Figure 4b shows a perspective representation of the retaining claim on the hair press member shown in Figure 4a, in a second position;

Figure 5 shows a perspective representation of the hair press apparatus of Figure 1, with the hair hook being inserted into an end of a hair press member;

Figure 6a shows a perspective representation of the hair hook of the hair press apparatus of Figure 1, with first and second hair hook body portions in a disengaged condition;

Figure 6b shows an enlarged perspective representation of the interface between the first and second hair hook body portions of Figure 6a;

Figures 7a to 7e show a sequential method for using a hair press apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and

Figure 8 shows a perspective representation of a second embodiment of a hair press apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is illustrated a hair press apparatus, referenced globally at 10, and which is designed for the at least partially straightening curled, curly, kinky or wavy hair in order to provide the appearance of length, preferably in a heatless manner. The hair press apparatus 10 is intended to press the hair into a straighter form, and the core component is therefore the hair press member 12. In the depicted embodiment, two such hair press members 12 are shown, which are modularly interconnectable to create a desired length which matches or closely matches the desired hair length following pressing. It will be appreciated, however, that an apparatus could be created in which press members were made to size, and therefore modular interconnection would not be necessary.

Wet hair is positionable within the hair press members 12, and can be drawn through a flat and/or planar press channel 14 thereof, as best illustrated in Figures 3a and 5 and discussed in more detail below, in order to provide pressure on the wet hair for straightening. To pull the wet hair through the press channel 14, an elongate hair hook 16 is provided as part of the hair press apparatus 10. One or more retaining clips 18 may also be provided, which ensure that the appropriate pressure is provided to the wet hair in the hair press members 12 during use.

Figures 2a and 2b show a hair press member 12 in detail. The hair press member 12 is formed from first and second, here rotationally symmetric to one another, press bodies 20a, 20b which are engaged with one another along their longitudinally-extending edges 22. The engagement between the first and second press bodies 20a, 20b is here provided by a plurality of edge connectors 24, either fixedly or removably interengaged with one another. It is preferred that the longitudinally-extended edges 22, optionally via the edge connectors 24, form an ergonomic grip for the user to facilitate usage.

If the edge connectors 24 are fixed relative to one another, for instance by being moulded to one another, this may improve the effectiveness of the press, since there will be no risk of disengagement of the first and second press bodies 20a, 20b. In the depicted embodiment, each edge connector 24 either has a male or female interference- fit connection 26a, 26b which is engagable with a corresponding male or female interference-fit connection 26a, 26b on the other of the first or second press body 20a, 20b. The interference fit is such that the first and second press bodies 20a, 20b cannot be easily disassembled without applying significant force. This reduces the risk of failed press occurring, whilst provide the user with an opportunity to open up the hair press member 12 for cleaning. As noted, releasably engagable edge connectors 24 could be used. This would, for instance, allow the hair press member 12 to be openable in a hinged arrangement, to simplify the insertion of wet hair. It is noted, however, that this is likely to result in a reduced press efficacy, and therefore the drawing of the hair through the hair press member 12 using the hair hook 16 is preferred.

The hair press member 12 is preferably formed in segments, with each of the first and second press bodies 20a, 20b having thicker material at or around the edge connectors 24, which are spaced apart from one another by thinner material portions. This allows for the hair press member 12 to be rigid in the regions around the edge connectors 24, whilst being flexible between adjacent edge connectors 24. This may allow for some contouring of the hair press members 12, making it more comfortable for a user to, for instance, sleep having a plurality of hair press members 12 in place.

The hair press members 12 preferably also include a plurality of airflow apertures 28 along the length of the first and/or second press bodies 20a, 20b, which allows for air access into the press channel 14, improving the rate of drying of wet hair therein. A plurality of regularly-arranged small airflow apertures 28 are shown, though larger and/or more randomized apertures 28 could be considered.

Each hair press member 12 may be provided with at least one engagement connector 30a, 30b for connecting a plurality of hair press members 12 to one another to extend the length of the press channel 14. Male and female engagement connectors 30a, 30b can be seen on the depicted hair press member 12 which are mutually interengagable between adjacent hair press members 12.

The female engagement connector 30b is provided as an opening at the end of the press channel 14, thereby widening the end of the hair press member 12 to allow the projecting male engagement connector 30a to be received therein. The male engagement connector 30a is positioned at the opposite end of the press channel 14 to the female engagement connector 30b.

The male and female engagement connectors 30a, 30b further comprise a secondary press-fit engagement element to lock the respective positions of adjacent hair press members 12. The female engagement connector 30b includes a receiver aperture 32, within which a press-fit projection 34 of the male engagement connector 30a is laterally engagable. The press-fit projection 34 may be depressible inwardly to disengage the connected hair press members 12 from one another. Figure 3a shows the process of engaging the hair press members 12 together. The opening of the female engagement connector 30b is capable of receiving the male engagement connector 30a, as illustrated in Figure 3b. The shape of the press-fit projection 34 then inhibits disengagement of the two hair press members 12 from one another, particularly in the longitudinal direction. The interconnection of the hair-press members 12 thus results in an extended press channel 14 through which hair can be drawn.

It will be appreciated that not every hair press member 12 requires both male and female engagement connectors 30a, 30b. End components could just have either a male or a female engagement connector, and the apparatus 10 would work just as effectively. The engagement of the retaining clip 18 is illustrated in Figures 4a and 4b, in different positions on the hair press member 12. The retaining clip 18 has upper and lower arms 36a, 36b which are hingeably engaged to one another, and can be closed by a lateral latch 38. The upper and lower arms 36a, 36b respectively press against the first and second press bodies 20a, 20b when engaged, applying pressure to the press channel 14. The retaining clip 18 is dimensioned to be receivable around at least the lateral extent of a pair of edge connectors 24, as is shown in Figure 4a, and may also have a recessed portion on the inside of the upper and lower arms 36a, 36b to accommodate the press-fit projection 34 of the male engagement connector 30a where necessary. This configuration can be seen in Figure 4b. The retaining clip 18 includes a plurality of airflow apertures 40 which may be aligned so as to correspond with the airflow apertures 28 of the hair press member 12 when engaged, thereby not inhibiting the airflow to that portion of the press channel 14.

The hair hook 16 is designed to enter into the press channel 14 so as to draw wet hair therethrough to be pressed. This can be visualised in Figure 5. A hook-end body portion 42a of the hair hook 16, having a curved hook 44 through which hair can be looped and therefore secured, is dimensioned to be received initially within the opening of a female engagement connector 30b, and thereafter urged through the extended press channel 14. A degree of flexibility of the first and second press bodies 20a, 20b will assist with the insertion of the hair hook 16 into the hair press member 12.

It will be apparent that it is preferred that the elongate hair hook 16 be modularly extendable in tandem with the extendibility of the press channel 14 formed by connected hair press members 12. In Figure 6a, a two-part hair hook 16 is shown, having a hook-end body portion 42a and a handle-end body portion 42b which are interconnectable to form the whole hair hook 16. A handle element 46 on the handle- end body portion 42b provides a suitable stop for a user’s hand when operating the hair hook 16.

Figure 6b shows one exemplary method of connection. A rotatable coupling, here formed as a key 48 on the handle-end body portion 42b and a corresponding receiver 50 on the hook-end body portion 42a, is provided to allow for releasably engagement of the hook body portions. The spigots 52 of the key 48 engage, once rotated, with apertures 54 of the receiver 50 to lock the hook-end and handle-end body portions 42a, 42b together.

Other connection methods could be considered. For instance, it would be relatively simple to provide screw-threaded connections between the hook body portions, or a press or interference fit mechanism could also be viable.

The method of using the hair press apparatus is shown in Figures 7a to 7e. In Figure 7a, the user has curly hair, which they wet. Figure 7b shows the user stretching out the curls in order to illustrate the full length of the uncurled hair. The assembled hair press 56 is introduced to the user’s head, with the hair hook 16 having been inserted therethrough so that the curved hook 44 protrudes from an end of the press channel 14. The curved hook 44 can then be engaged with user’s hair, as is shown in Figure 7c. Figure 7d shows the next stage of the process. The hair hook 16 is then drawn back through the press channel 14, simultaneously pulling the hair into the press channel 14. Once the hair hook 16 is fully withdrawn, as seen in Figure 7e, the hair will be fully engaged by the press channel 14, and a retaining clip 18 can be applied to hold the hair press 56 in place.

This process can be repeated until all of the hair to be pressed and straightened has been introduced into one of a plurality of hair presses 56. The user can then allow the hair to dry naturally, and they may even be able to sleep with the hair presses 56 in place. Once the hair is dry, the hair press or presses 56 can be withdrawn, preferably by undoing the retaining clip 18 and then just sliding the hair press 56 over the straightened hair.

This process does not require any heat or chemical addition, and therefore is a much less harsh means of straightening hair, particularly curly, curled, kinky or wavy hair.

An alternative embodiment of the hair press apparatus is shown in Figure 8, indicated globally at 110. Identical or similar features to the first embodiment will be described using identical or similar reference numerals, and further detailed description is omitted for brevity.

A single hair press member 112 is illustrated, and it is noted that the first and second press bodies 120a, 120b are arranged in an alternating configuration, which may reduce resistance to insertion of the hair hook 116 when drawing the hair through, since there will be more scope for flexion. In addition to the smaller airflow apertures 128, larger windows 158 may be provided which provide greater exposure of the pressed hair to the air, and may encourage rapid drying.

The hair hook 116 here has a slightly different hook-end body portion 142a, in that there is a pair of curved hooks 144 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction to improve the engagement with a user’s hair. The handle-end body portion 142b is also provided, and rather than engaging in a rotatable manner, the interface between the hook-end and handle-end body portions 142a, 142b is provided as a shape-mating interface 160.

An intermediate extender body portion 142c is also provided, and this is engagable between the hook-end and handle end body portions 142a, 142b using the same type of shape-mating interface 160. This allows the hair hook 116 to be extended to the desired length, so as to match the length of the total press channel 114.

It is anticipated that the hair press members be formed from a resiliently flexible plastics material, since this will allow for the slight deformation of the press channel whilst the hair hook is extended therethrough. However, other materials, preferably suitably resilient materials, could also be considered.

It is therefore possible to provide a means for curly, curled, kinky or wavy hair to be straightened or partially straightened in order to increase the appearance of length of the hair. This can be achieved via the use of hair press members, specifically avoiding the use of heat and/or chemical treatments which can otherwise damage the hair. The hair press apparatus of the present invention can also be extended to a desired length suitable for a user’s needs, since the hair press members are provided as modularly engagable members.

The words‘comprises/comprising’ and the words‘having/including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.