Description of Related Art Processes and devices for applying color-altering dyes and other agents to hair are well known in the prior art. The purpose of such applications is to temporarily or permanently dye the hair, which may be desirable for many reasons, including to alter the hair color, to create designs or patterns of color in the hair, or to cover signs of aging or disease.

Coloring agents are typically dyes and bleach combinations, and may also include activators, toners, and other chemicals. Some of these agents may be applied to an entire head at a single time, but a more artistic and methodical effect is made by designing a section-by-section application process of coloring agents to be used, and then held in contact with the hair by means

of some device that is folded around small sections of the hair for a period of time sufficient for the coloring materials to react, allowing for variegating, streaking, highlighting, and other color designs.

There already exists in the hair-coloring field several devices to wrap and hold coloring agents on hair, the most commonly used being paper and foil strips.

Although these products have been tried in the art of coloring design and application, they do not satisfy all the needs of the modern professional colorist.

Many professional hair colorists use foil strips in a single color. In the basic foil method, the hair to be colored is first isolated by known weaving techniques. A sheet of aluminum foil is placed against the scalp with the edge of the foil as close to the roots of the hair as possible and the coloring agent is applied to the isolated strands of hair within the foil sheet. The lower end of the foil is folded towards the head one or more times and the sides are folded inward toward the center, three or more times, forming a rigid, sealed, crimped packet containing the treated hair. This procedure is repeated approximately thirty or more times or a full head of hair.

While the basic foil method is excellent for isolating desired strands of hair, it does have many serious drawbacks. One drawback is that it creates a substantially airtight envelope. Most known permanent coloring agents require ambient oxygen from the air in order for a chemical reaction, known as oxidation, to occur and work as designed and suggested by their manufacturers.

Another problem is that the foil strip has a tendency to slip away from the scalp area due to manipulation while applying the coloring agent, the folding and crimping process, and its own weight. Such slippage causes the coloring agent to blend onto adjacent strands of hair that are not intended for

coloration. It is also necessary for the colorist, after applying the coloring agent and foil to the hair, to reopen and inspect the color development, thereby increasing the risk of color bleeding onto the scalp and surrounding hair, resulting in blotchy or patchy, uneven coloration because of seepage.

In addition, the basic foil technique requires that the foil strips be precut to adjust to different lengths of hair, and if the hair exceeds a certain length (e. g. , more than ten inches), it becomes compacted into the foil envelope that is formed, increasing the uneven distribution and processing of the coloring agent on the treated hair and leaving an inferior appearance. A further drawback is that the instructions on the packaging for foil strips specifically state :"once hair color mixture is on hair, do NOT press on the foil or make creases. "These instructions are contrary to the way foil must be used by colorists, as there is no other way to use foil without having to fold and crimp it several times while pressing the color agent into the hair. Therefore, foil is not a superior application.

Finally, colorists usually use foil that is only one color, such as silver, to apply the coloring agents. If more than one coloring agent is being applied, the colorist can easily lose track of the various colors applied and become confused during the process because the foil strips are all of a single color. It then becomes necessary to open the crimped packages for inspection of the color, again creating a risk of seepage and uneven coloration.

White paper strips are also popular with professional colorists. These strips are available precut in three (or more) sizes with a waxy finish (laminate) on one or both sides. They require only a single fold. The hair and coloring agent material are placed on the non-waxy, dull side. White strips that are too wide must be overlapped during application to the head. A colorist has the same problem keeping track of the coloring agent being applied with the single- colored, white paper strips as with the foil strips.

The applicants have developed a new, faster, and more efficient and reliable systematic method for applying coloring agents to the hair based on a color- coded indexing system. Additionally, the applicants have invented colored paper hair strips and a manufacturing process by which the strips are colored to match the color-coded indexing system. With these innovations, the hair colorist can index the color of the hair strip and synchronize it with the coloring material applied to each section of the hair, making application of a specific color formula or designs fast, efficient, and reliable, regardless of distractions in the hair salon.

In addition, the applicants have developed a manufacturing process by which the colored hair strips are precut in a wide assortment of sizes and shapes to allow precise application of the strips to the hair without overlapping, which eliminates the need for the colorist to clip wrapped hair out of the way during the process. In addition, a laminate is applied to the color hair strips during the manufacturing process and the colorist uses the colored hair strips with the laminated, waxy side facing the hair, which makes the colored hair strips stronger, holds the coloring agent better, eliminates the tendency of the strip to curl, and conducts the heat evenly and efficiently.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, the following U. S. patents are considered related : 1. The U. S. No. 5, 931, 168 Abercrombie, et al., Patent discloses the use of a flexible, thin foil paper or synthetic polymer applicator that is covered with a color-altering agents held in place by an adhesive and that is wrapped around a bundle of hair and squeezed or wiped against the hair.

2. The U. S. No. 5,845, 653 Abercrombie, et al., Patent discloses an applicator for transferring color-altering agents from a rigid structure (12) to hair or fibers, and methods for making and using the same.

For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention is related reference may be made to the remaining cited patents.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present innovation consists of a color-coded indexing system for applying and holding coloring materials in contact with natural or artificial hair and a manufacturing process for the colored strips that match the indexing system.

When using this invention, a professional colorist can index the colors of the hair strips to the coloring agent materials being applied to the hair, and therefore, at a glance, can track the coloring agents that have been applied to a head of hair, section by section, without having to open up any hair strips already applied. Confusion and distraction are frequently present during the hair coloring process in a busy salon because of interruptions from telephone calls, other clients, or salon workers. By using the color-coded indexing system and synchronized colored hair strips, the colorist can conduct the hair coloring process easily by merely noting the color coding of the hair strips already applied.

This invention for the color-coded indexing system and synchronized colored strips has been developed over years of trial and error, research and development, and it has required the applicants to develop an innovative manufacturing process to produce the color strips. The innovative manufacturing process creates colorfast colored or designed strips of paper using water-based or chemical-based inks, coated on one or both sides with

lamination for use in a color-coded index system used by colorists in the process of coloring or otherwise treating human or artificial hair. During this process, the hair strips are flooded with color and coated with a waxy finish (laminate) on one or both sides. The strips are manufactured in a select pallet of colors, sizes and shapes, although various hues and shades of these exact colors are possible. Some strips are straight-edged, others are curved, making it easy to apply to a head of hair without overlapping. The wide array of shapes and sizes, widths and edges allow the colorist to select the application strip already sized and shaped perfectly to the application. No cutting or otherwise forming of the strip is required. The resulting product allows the colorist to use a precise and systematic method of applying hair chemicals to human or artificial hair, with more accuracy, and greater efficiency.

The innovation consists of certain manufacturing processes and steps combined together to create the desired product. In the ideal embodiment of the inventors'unique manufacturing process, a printed, laminated and cut paper product is produced that makes the colored hair strips stronger, holds the coloring or other treatment agents better, eliminates the tendency of the application strip to curl, conducts the heat evenly and efficiently. Additionally, this unique manufacturing process produces a product with enough moisture retention to keep the coloring or treatment agents moist, without having to use a heat source.

This aspect of the invention is a new manufacturing method and process for creating colorfast colored or designed, cut strips of paper that can then be used in the described color-coded hair treatment system, which is another aspect of the present invention. However, this invention is not limited to paper, or to this particular use. The method may be applied to any paper- composite product, including paper-celluloid or micro-fiber materials having the same or similar characteristics as paper, although paper is employed in the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, as follows : Fig. 1 The color-coded indexing process before application of color chemicals, when the colorist decides on the appropriate placement of chemicals to achieve the desired results for the customer.

Fig. 2 The color-coded indexing system color pallet.

Figs. 3-6 The color-coded indexing process during the first stages of application of coloring materials, when the colorist invokes the color-coded indexing system using colored hair strips to denote which coloring materials is being applied to a particular section of hair.

Fig. 7 The color index process, after the application of color chemicals, showing the colorist which color chemicals have been applied to the head of hair.

Fig. 8 The color side of a colored hair strip, which when used, is folded with the color outside. It is neither in contact with the hair nor the coloring agent materials.

Fig. 9 The waxy side of a colored hair strip, which when used, is folded with the waxy layer inside, in contact with the hair and the coloring agent materials.

Fig. 10 A colored hair strip as folded.

Fig. 11 A flow chart describing and showing an overview of the sequence of steps of a first process for the innovative manufacturing of colored, designed, laminated and cut hair strips.

Fig. 12 An example of the inventors'printing and design manufacturing process using water-based inks to create a colored hair strip with visual indicia.

Fig. 13 An example of the inventors'printing and design manufacturing process using chemical-based inks.

Fig. 14 An example of the hair strips created by the inventors'manufacturing process for colored hair strips of various sizes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Color-coded Hair Strips First, the colorist and the client decide on a desired hair color treatment such as dimensional hair coloring, variegating, highlights and low-lights and other hair coloring designs (Figure 1). Once the colorist and client have agreed on the desired results the colorist writes down the details of the color-coded indexing system selected, on an index card, unique to that client and stored for future referencing.

Color-coded indexing is a detailed system and methodology of designing and planning hair coloring treatments and techniques using a strand-by-strand approach of segmenting selected hair to be treated (Figure 1 represents the strand-by-strand sectioning of hair to achieve the desired results and Figure 2 represents the color indexing color-coded pallet for specific hair coloring treatments).

A preferred and best method of application of this invention is as follows : When designing coloring effects for hair, the colorist is instructed to select from a list of colors that represent an exact coloring reaction. The colors in the color-coded index system consist of the following (variations of shades and hues of each color are also possible): 1. Light Brown to effect light brown low-lights.

2. Yellow to effect blonde highlights.

3. Blue to effect bleach.

4. Rose colors to effect beige and champagne tones.

5. Light red to effect strawberry/light red streaks.

6. Orange to effect bright red streaks.

7. Purple to effect violet and purple bases.

8. Burgundy to effect auburn or maroon streaks.

9. Black to effect black streaks.

10. Green to effect ash bases.

11. Medium brown to effect medium brown low-lights.

12. Dark brown to effect dark brown low-lights.

Note that the invention is not limited to this particular selection of colors or color association with hair treatment regimes.

The colorist formulates the coloring design and treatments for any particular client with the color-coded indexing system in order to denote the coloring agent materials necessary to effect the client's desired result. Color-coded indexing can extend to millions of combinations, shades and hues of the basic colors represented in this description. Once the colorist has selected the desired colors and synchronized each of them with the respective coloring agent (s) the colorist then uses a comb or other similar implement to section (divide) out a specific amount of the client's hair that is to be colored, following exactly the color-coded indexing system. (Figs. 3-6) By matching the colors in the color-coded indexing system to the coloring agents to be applied to the hair to create the desired results the professional colorist, at a glance, can track the coloring agents that have been applied to a head of hair, section by section, without having to open up any hair strips already applied. (Fig. 7) The colorist begins the sectioning of the hair according to the size of the colored hair strip to be used and follows exactly the color-coded indexing system designed for the specific treatment. Once all the hair is clipped into position (Fig. 3), the colorist applies the coloring agents to one segment of the hair at a time (Fig. 4-6), beginning at the nape of the neck area and

working upwards to the crown of the head until all sections of the hair have been treated.

For each segment of hair, the colorist selects the colored hair strip of the color that corresponds to the color-coded indexing system and of the appropriate size, shape and edge. The colorist places the strip, laminated side upwards, as close as possible against the client's scalp. The colorist adds the section of hair on top of the laminated side of the colored hair strip and applies the hair coloring agent (s) to that section of hair, starting at the scalp, working up to 1/16"from the root and towards the end of the hair, as desired, using short firm strokes. The application of the hair coloring agent (s), whether by painting on a liquid/cream, brushing it on, or otherwise, is in accordance with the recommended application method for the particular type of hair coloring agent (s).

Once the hair coloring agent (s) is applied to the section of hair according to the color-coded indexing system, the colorist folds the colored hair strip once over the hair section, enclosing as much of the strand as desired, within the colored hair strip. The colorist then moves to the next hair section and repeats the procedure easily by following the color-coded indexing system and selecting the synchronized colored hair strip that is of the best size, shape and edge to match the hair section and scalp.

When all desired hair sections have been covered in folded colored hair strips to the extent needed to produce the desired results and in accordance with the color-coded index system, the colorist completes the job of processing the hair treatment material, which may include the application of heat or merely a specific waiting time (Fig. 7). Finally, when the colorist determines that it is time to remove the colored hair strips, the colorist simply unfolds, or slips off, the colored hair strips. Because of the color index system used, the removal

process can be done by color and type of hair coloring agent (s) that were applied, allowing for removal of the strips at different times.

During the manufacturing process, colored hair strips, as shown in Figs. 8- 10 are made in an assortment of straight-edged cut sizes. From 2 inches in width to 8.5 inches in width and from 2 inches in length to 16 inches in length. Colored hair strips are also made with curved corners from a slight curve to a large corner cut curve. They are manufactured with thickness from . 002-. 003 of an inch. For optimum results, the application strip measures . 0025 of an inch thick.

The waxy side of the colored hair strip shown in Fig. 9 is laminated during manufacture with a thin coating of polyethylene (laminate), which is currently being used in the hair dressing industry. This waxy coating helps to strengthen the colored hair strip. This keeps the strip from tearing or disintegrating when liquid coloring agents are applied to the hair. It also helps the strip adhere to itself and the hair, lessening slippage off the hair. Further, this application of the strip is better for conducting and holding low- temperature heat that may be applied to complete the processing of the coloring agent (s). There is no concern that the strip might melt into the hair, as this would only occur at temperatures that are too extreme to be applied near the scalp. Research and development has found that the laminated, waxy side of the hair strip is the preferred side for best practices and optimum results-however, folding it in reverse also shows no diverse affects.

Manufacturing Process for Color-coded Hair Strips The present invention includes an aspect that is an innovative manufacturing process for the fabrication of colored hair strips from paper or any other paper-composition products (including paper-celluloid or micro-fiber types having the same or similar characteristics as paper) in accordance with the inventors'specifications.

The flow chart shown in Figure 11 depicts the sequence of steps that must be followed to carry out one process for fabricating colored hair strips.

At STEP 1, the cylinder represents a roll of blank paper that has been milled to the inventors'specification using current technology in known paper manufacturing techniques. This paper is blank, without color, and uncoated, and it can be manufactured in varying weights. In the preferred embodiment of the manufacturing process, the paper is milled to a basis weight of 8 to 25 pounds (this is the standard process for weighing paper). In the ideal embodiment of the invention, the paper is milled to a weight of 16.76 pounds.

This paper is obtained from a paper supplier to begin the inventors' manufacturing process.

STEP 2 where the hexagon represents the printing of the paper, during which colored inks are applied to one or both sides of the paper using conventional printing procedures. Conventional printing methods are flexographic printing, gravure, silkscreen, offset printing, web offset, and the like. The desired method for this innovative manufacturing process is by a web offset process using flexographic apparatus. In this method, the continuous roll of a selected paper is carried on a web press, which includes an in-line finishing roll.

Printing can take place on both sides of the web, although printing on one side only is contemplated in the preferred method. The colors of the ink are selected in accordance with the indexing system that the inventor has

created, and the colors are changed as needed to produce strips that match the colors required for packaging the strips into the indexing system.

The application of the colored inks is made by spraying, brushing, and/or stamping the inks onto the surface of the paper in a selected pattern which changes from time to time as specified by the inventor. The resulting application produces paper printed entirely in a single color, in shaded color, or in patterns of colors, and may include graphic and/or word designs and/or logos.

The inks used during STEP 2 may be either water-based or chemical-based.

Strict U. S. EPA laws exist governing the quota of how much chemical-based inks a manufacturer is allowed to use per their geographic location. To that end, the inventors have developed a unique and innovative printing and design manufacturing process. The innovative printing process consists of applying the visual indicia in a random pattern until only as much color (s) as is allowable by law has been applied to the paper or until a visually pleasing result is obtained within legal limits for the usage of chemical-based inks. No US EPA guidelines for ink coverage exist for water-based inks. For this reason, printing with water-based inks is the preferred embodiment because there is more flexibility during the ink application and the desired result can be more reliably achieved.

As the paper moves toward STEP 3, the inks on it are either ambient air dried or heat dried. The hexagon at STEP 4 represents the application of polyethylene laminate, which application is made using current state of the art lamination technology. During STEP 4, the paper is laminated with polyethylene (although any commercially available coating or film of liquid- impermeable material may be used to cover substantially the surfaces of the paper) for the purpose of holding coloring and other treating agents in contact with natural or artificial hair and in order to secure the printed ink.

For example, the liquid-impermeable-materials may contain any commercial plastic material which can be coated, mechanically connected, or otherwise applied in a thin layer and bonded substantially to the entire surface of the paper to provide a water and chemical resistant surface that is inert when contacted by coloring agents. The use of lamination also enables the end product to conduct moisture retention thereby eliminating the need to use a heat source to keep the coloring chemicals moist. Two-sided lamination is the preferred method, covering both sides of the paper with a protective and impermeable material. The inventors'innovation significantly improves the way the hair coloring agents process in the hair. It also improves the way paper strips stay in the hair, as opposed to aluminum foil, which, because of the design and weight, fall out of the hair easily. When the strips fall out or get moved in the hair, coloring or other treatment agents can spread inadvertently throughout other strands of hair that have not been intended to be colored or treated. The inventor's colored hair strips have eliminated this problem.

Lamination is applied to the paper in an amount of about 1-10 pounds laminate per roll of paper, preferably 3-6 pounds of laminate. The preferred thickness of the lamination layer is approximately 5 millimeters, resulting from 6 pounds of laminate. Various alternative thicknesses are also contemplated in this invention, particularly when varying amounts of laminate are applied.

The lamination may be applied on one or two sides of the paper. The preferred method is to laminate two sides. The amount of laminate applied to each side need not be identical. Indeed, we find it advantageous to apply 6 pounds of laminate per roll to the unprinted side, and only about 4 pounds per roll on the printed side.

During the lamination procedure, adhesive is used to adhere the laminate to the colored paper. The effect of this lamination is to create a protective layer on one or both sides of the paper.

At STEP 5, the colored paper is cut and trimmed to the sizes and shapes specified by the inventor by feeding the paper into a sheeter. The sizes and shapes are variable. Examples of preferred sizes are strips of paper that are 3.5 inches by 6.5 inches, 3.5 inches by 8.5 inches, and 3.5 inches by 12 inches.

The final STEP 6 is the stacking and packaging of the cut colored paper strips for distribution and sale. During this step, the colored strips are assembled into packages in accordance to the color indexing system developed by the inventor.

Figure 12 depicts an example of the paper described above in STEP 1 of Figure 11 after it has been printed with water-based colored inks in the manufacturing process illustrated in STEP 2 of Figure 12.

Figure 13 depicts an example of the paper described above in STEP 1 of Figure 11 after it has been printed with a controlled US EPA guided and measured amount of chemical-based colored inks in the manufacturing process illustrated in STEP 2 of Figure 11.

Figure 14 depicts an example of the paper described above in STEP 1 of Figure 11 after it has been printed and laminated in STEPS 2,3 and 4 of Figure 11 and at STEP 5 is being cut and trimmed in variable shapes and sizes as specified by the inventor. These unique sizes allow the colorist to apply the paper strips to a head of hair without overlapping.

The innovative hair strips are manufactured in a multitude of colors, in unlimited visual indicia, and in unique sizes. The unique array of colors and sizes available with this innovation allow the colorist to select the most

efficient hair strip to successfully accomplish the process of precise coloring of human or artificial hair without overlapping of the hair strips.

The process leads to strips that are uniquely manufactured with the following selection of attributes: 1. Strips of solid color or displaying a combination of colors from ink applied to the paper during the manufacturing process.

2. Strips with useful and interesting designs, including patterns, color shading, graphics, logos, or word designs.

3. Strips cut into unique sizes, including practical, appealing, and remarkable sizes.

4. Strips with a laminate applied to one or both sides during the manufacturing process for the purpose of holding coloring and other treating agents in contact with natural or artificial hair. (The preferred method will incorporate lamination on two sides). Lamination gives the paper strength when it is wet and ensure the ink from bleeding or rubbing off. Additionally, the lamination conducts enough moisture retention to keep the coloring or treatment agents moist, without having to use a heat source.

It will be apparent to the skilled reader that this description of the present invention, both in text and as shown in the accompanying drawings, should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense to the invention herein contemplated.