The present invention relates to a permanent-wave hair-curling device comprising a hair holding means and a hair shaping means, wherein the hair shaping means comprises a cross-member defining a gap between a first leg, which protrudes at a first angle smaller than 180° from a first end of the cross-member towards a first free end, and a second leg, which protrudes at a second angle smaller than 180° from a second end of the cross-member opposite the first end of the cross-member towards a second free end.

British patent no. GB 573039 A discloses a hair curler consisting of a metallic strip bend into V-shape to create two diverging flexible limbs. The limbs are covered with woven or other textile material. The ends of said covering are secured to the free ends of the limbs by means of adhesive or bound by means of a binding material to prevent unravelling or fraying during use of the hair curler. Given the strip-like design of the limbs only very densely curly hair can be made, not deep waves as most women prefer. Moreover the covering material will instantaneously absorb liquid, the curler gets heavy to carry, and is susceptible to drop off due to lack of reliable securing means. Thus this known hair curler is not suited for hairstyling or hairshaping for making deep waves, in particular not making deep permanent-waving.

The chemicals of perm solutions are harsh and conventional styling curlers may degrade.

Hair stylists and common people still lack a convenient hair- curling device for creating smooth deep waves in the hair, in particular for making smooth deep permanent-waves. „

It is a main aspect of the present invention to provide a new or improved permanent-wave hair-curling device of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph. It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a permanent-wave hair-curling device of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph by means of which it is possible to create a hairdressing style of curly hair with big waves. It is yet a further aspect of the present invention to provide a permanent-wave hair-curling device of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph by means of which it is possible to create a hairdressing style that is not fuzzy.

It is yet a further aspect of the present invention to provide a permanent-wave hair-curling device of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph by means of which a lock of hair can be held intimately and firmly on the hair shaping means during perm .

The novel and unique whereby these and other aspects are achieved according to the present invention consists in that the hair holding means of the permanent-wave hair-curling device comprises at least one first fixing means for holding a lock of hair that is twisted or wound around at least one of the first and/or second legs on the hair shaping means, and at least one second fixing means comprising one or more first projection provided in relation to or on the cross-member and at least one second projection on at least one of the legs of the hair shaping means .

In the following the term "curler" may be used as a shorter term for the permanent-wave hair-curling device according to the present invention. The cross-member of the hair shaping means serves to wind the part of the lock of hair, which is closest to the scalp, onto the curler. The remaining part of the lock of hair can be winded onto the protruding opposite facing legs in any suitable pattern, systems or manners depending on the kind and size of the desired curls. The hair is treated with an appropriate setting solution, either prior to being winded onto the hair shaping means, or subsequently to having been winded, or on both occasions. Any other treating solution, such as hair-dye, can be used on the hair, e.g. prior to application on the curler. The curls made using the cross-member will lift the hair-styling above the scalp, and curls made by the legs make styling appear loose with deep waves around the head without appearing flat on the top of the scalp. The lock of hair can be wrapped around both legs to create the same twisting in all hair, or alternatively be winded via the gap in a figure eight turns between respective first and second legs. Using this winding pattern the hair closest to the scalp can be given a more dense curling than the remaining part of the hair. Conventional tip paper may be useful in some winding patterns to hold the free tip of a lock of hair onto the curler during a period sufficient for the perm solution to act on the hair or during drying. The inventive hair-curling device thus has two bends defining the respective first angle and the second angle.

In order to ensure that the lock of hair remains wrapped onto the hair shaping means, the hair holding means of the permanent-wave hair-curling device according to the invention comprises at least one first fixing means for holding the lock of hair, that is twisted or winded around at least one of the first and/or second legs, onto the hair shaping means. The first fixing means could be selected among e.g. a number of hair pins or hair slides, however although suitable to some extent, such conventional means can only span over the first and second wrapped legs of the hair shaping means to a certain degree, and the lock of hair may be inclined to unwind during ,

the dwelling and reaction time of the setting solution, e.g. if the head is shaken or otherwise moved. Thus, the hair shaping means includes at least one second fixing means for coupling with the at least one first fixing means to retain the winded lock of hair on the cross-member as well as on the first and second legs .

The at least one second fixing means of the hair shaping means comprises one or more of at least one first projection provided in relation to or on the cross-member and at least one second projection on at least one of the legs of the hair shaping means. In this configuration of the second fixing means the first fixing means may be configured to be attached to both the at least one first projection provided on or in relation to the cross-member and the at least one second projection provided on at least one of the legs of the hair shaping means so that the wrapped hair is forceably held in the winded pattern and system on the legs .

Any of the first angle and/or the second angle can be smaller than 150°, preferably smaller than 120°, more preferred smaller than 100°, and most preferred about 90°, to provide a gap of suitable size between the first and second leg for making a trendy loose curl style, as preferred by many women. The narrower the gap is the smaller the curls. The smaller the gap, the easier the lock of hair can be held wrapped on the hair shaping means, e.g. by means of the hair holding means.

In the most simple embodiment the cross-member is straight, but it may also be incurved into the gap between opposite first and second legs to define an exterior concavity that conforms to the curvature of the scalp, thereby getting an optimum intimate contact between the cross-member wrapped with hair and the scalp, enabling the cross-member to rest in contact with the scalp at the hair roots during the chemical action of setting solutions, such as a perm solutions, lotions, gels or foams or combinations of these.

The at least one second fixing means of the permanent-wave hair-curling device may comprise a tubular member having a main body adapted to at least partly surround and/or engage the cross-member, including an incurved cross-member. Such tubular member adds structural integrity to the cross-member, so that the shape of the cross-member can be kept during manipulation of the permanent-wave hair-curling device. Moreover, the tubular member substantially defines the length of the cross- member and provides an inexpensive and convenient means to provide said cross-member with the one or more first projection for securing the at least one first fixing means. The tubular member can easily be replaced because the hair-shaping means can be detachable and displaceable arranged through the tubular member. A tubular member can be made of chemical resistant plastic materials and can be washed numerous times. Same tubular member can be used and reused for several hair-shaping means, including hair-shaping means having different lengths. Thus when a tubular member is included in the permanent-wave hair-curling device the lock of hair is wound on said tubular member that surround the cross-member. Preferably the tubular member can be detachable.

The one or more first projection of the tubular member or otherwise associated with the cross-member may extend co- axially with any of the tubular member or the cross-member so that the one or more first projection do not interact with the scalp or touch the scalp to an extent that causes scalp injuries. The one or more first projection may have any expedient shape, including being straight projections, being dove-tailed or T-shaped. The tubular member may have an internal diameter corresponding to or smaller than the outer diameter of the cross-member so that the tubular member does not slide on the hair-shaping means during use in permanent-wave hair-curling.

The tubular member is threaded on the hair-shaping means but mounting a tubular member on the cross-member can advantageously also be done if the tubular member has a longitudinal slot. The slot allows the circumferential wall of the tubular member to yield to accommodate the cross-member and to regain shape and clamp around the cross-member once the tubular member has been positioned correctly to at least partly surround said cross-member.

Alternatively or in combination with a longitudinal slot the free ends of the tubular member may have a first incision and a second incision for receiving the transition from a cross- member to a first leg and second leg, respectively. This embodiment of a tubular member allows said legs to be bend below the tubular member so that a conveniently sized gap between the legs can be establish and maintained. Accordingly, the incisions provide spaces for the bended sections of the hair shaping means at the transitions between cross-member and legs .

The main body of the tubular member may comprise one or more third projections arranged in cut-out sections of said main body to confer an additional securing option for the first fixing means e.g. in case the first fixing means has insufficient length to reach between first and second projections. If e.g. the lock hair is very long twisting of the lock of hair provides too much volume to the device and makes it very thick. In this case the stylist has the option of securing the first fixing means to a second and third projection instead of to a second and first projection or include an additional first fixing means. A very good hold at the winded and twisted lock of hair is obtained in an embodiment where the at least one first projection is situated at the ends of the cross-member or the tubular member. The at least one first projection can be an integral part of the cross-member, be secured to the cross- member directly, or be provided on another component to be coupled to the cross-member, e.g. the tubular member. Such an at least one first projection may be provided in combination with or as an alternative to at least one second projection that is situated at the first end of the first leg and/or at the second end of the second leg. Accordingly, projections that are located at or close to opposite ends of the respective first and second legs can be coupled both together with the first fixing means in any foreseeable and appropriate manner that keeps and traps the wrapped hair in selected fixed position and pattern onto and between the legs, and as well as onto the cross-member during the entire perm period. Wrapped hair cannot escape the hair holding means to any significant extent, and optimum loose deep wave curls, including deep perm curls, can be obtained.

The at least one first fixing means can expediently be an elastic band, such as a rubber band, provided with one or more holes to engage with any part of the at least one second fixing means. Preferably a first fixing means engages both a first projection or a third projection on the cross-member or on the tubular member as well as a second projection on a leg, e.g. by means of the holes, traversing both the first leg and the second leg of the hair shaping means to prevent unwinding of the lock of hair, or extending along the length of a leg. A further first fixing means, e.g a further rubber band or other kind of first fixing means, may be arranged in a similar manner crosswise the first rubber band. A projection may alternatively be configured as an eye to be hooked by complementary means on the first fixing means. Advantageously, the device according to the present invention can comprise a stiffening member provided with a covering, which covering may have one or more of the properties selected from the group comprising water-repellence, chemical resistance, flexibility, be bendable or be made of a soft plastic foam material. Also, the stiffening member may have one or more of the properties selected from the group comprising pliable, flexible, bendable, and dimensionally stable. The stiffening member ensures the dimensional stability, and optionally flexibility, of the hair shaping means, while the covering ensures the diameter of the same. Alternatively, the stiffness of the permanent-wave hair-curling device and the softness of the covering can be inherent features obtained by one and the same material.

The invention also relates to a method of using a permanent- wave hair-curling device comprising a hair holding means and a hair shaping means as described above. The method comprises the steps of,

selecting a lock of hair,

treating the lock of hair with a setting solution, preferably a perm solutions, lotion, gel or foam,

placing the cross-member adjacent the roots of the selected hair lock, optionally the cross-member is surrounded by a tubular member,

winding the lock of hair on the hair shaping means in a desired winding pattern, and

allowing the setting solution to react on the hair.

The method can also comprise at least one of the additional steps of winding the lock of the hair closest to the hair roots one or more winds on the cross-member or the tubular member, winding the lock of the hair in figure-eight loops around the protruding opposite first and second legs,

securing the tip of the hair lock to the device using a further first fixing means, optionally a piece of hair tip paper,

securing at least one first fixing means to at least one second fixing means on the hair shaping means so that the first fixing means traverse the first and second legs and keeps the hair winding pattern fixed on the hair shaping means,

securing at least one first fixing means to at least one second fixing means on the hair shaping means so that the first fixing means extends along the length of at least one of the first and second legs and keeps the hair winding pattern fixed on the hair shaping means, and/or

treating the lock of hair twisted or wound on the hair shaping means with more setting solution and/or any further components . The method according to the present inventions is distinctively different from conventional methods in that the hair is wound on the curler starting with the hair closest to the scalp and not at the free end of the lock of hair, which allows many new kinds og curl styles to be created.

The perm solution can be neutralised and/or washed out while the hair is on the curler, and the curler can easily be removed. The neutralizer may e.g. be of the kind containing an oxidizing agent for neutralising the chemicals of the setting solution. The hair may be washed one or more times prior to, during and subsequent to the perm procedure, as well as being dyed at the same stages as occasion requires or is desired. Once the perm procedure is finally effectuated, further hair styling can be made. The type of curl that can be produced using conventional curlers depends on numerous factors, including a.o. the size and diameter of the curler, as well as kind and strength of setting solution, its dwelling and the reaction time. According to the present inventions hair can be shaped in new and creative perm curl styles at less efforts than hitherto known. Using the inventive device for making perm procedures enables the stylist to make long-lasting deep wave curl hair styles. The invention will be described in further details with reference to the drawing in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view, oblique from a longitudinal side of an embodiment of a permanent-wave hair-curling device according to the present invention with first and second fixing means ,

Fig. 2 shows the same but with the first and second legs spread apart to emphasize a gap in-between said legs,

Fig. 3 shows a top view of the same with parallel legs,

Fig. 4 shows the device in the configuration shown in fig. 3 with a long lock of hair wrapped onto it in figure-eight winds, and where the hair holding means is arranged crosswise the device,

Fig. 5 shows the device in the configuration shown in fig. 3 with a short lock of hair wrapped onto it in figure-eight winds and where the hair holding means is arranged lengthwise the device,

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a tubular member according to the present invention seen from below,

Fig. 7 shows the same seen from above, Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a tubular member according to the present invention seen from above,

Fig. 9 shows in perspective, seen from outside, the second embodiment of a tubular member mounted on a hair shaping means, and Fig. 10 shows the same seen from the gap between the legs of the hair shaping means .

In the following the permanent-wave hair-curling device is, as an example, described with certain designs, outlines, shapes and thicknesses of stiffening member, covering and tubular member. Variations and modifications of the designs, outlines, shapes, lengths and thicknesses provide alternative permanent- wave hair-curling devices useful for making any sorts of deep and/or curly curls. The second fixing means may also be modified to protrude more or less from the covering, the cross- member or the tubular member. The second fixing means can also be shaped as e.g. an eye or a fork to couple with complementary shaped first fixing means, and vice versa. It is essential to the present invention that the first fixing means and the second fixing means are arranged and designed to engage or otherwise interconnect or couple together.

The permanent-wave hair-curling device 1 shown in the perspective view of fig. 1 includes a first fixing means 2, in the form of an elastic band 2, and a hair shaping means 3, comprising a stiffening member 4 provided partially with a covering 5. The stiffening member 4 makes the hair shaping means 3 dimensional stable in a given configuration and the covering 5 serves as a gentle padding for the hair to be wrapped on. The hair shaping means 3 has first and second opposite legs 6,7 mutually connected opposite their respective free ends 8,9 by means of a cross-member 10, so as to define a gap 11 in-between said legs 6,7. The first and second opposite legs 6,7 can be more or less flexible in relation to each other to accommodate various amounts of hair in the gap 11. The cross-member 10 extends at its opposite ends 12,13 into the legs 6,7 via transitions at respective first and second angles OC, β that can be the same or different, but at least smaller than 180°. In the configuration shown in figs. 1 and 3 the first and second angles OC, β are both 90°, and a narrow gap 11 for optimum accommodation and trapping of the hair is defined between the legs 6,7. In the configuration shown in fig. 2 the flexible legs 6,7 diverge prior to being wrapped with hair, and the first and second angles OC, β are both larger than 90°. The gap 11 is thus also larger, and therefore easier accessible than in the configuration shown in figs. 1 and 3.

The stiffening member 4 projects outside the covering 5 at the free ends 14,15 of the legs 6,7 and at the cross-member 10 to define the second 16,17 and first projections 18,19, respectively, thereby providing the second fixing means of the hair holding means. A total of four projections 14,15,16,17 are shown. This number can be higher or lower as occasion requires, and the shown shape of the projections is only exemplary. E.g. the cross-member 10 may in some embodiments only have one first projection 18 to be interconnected with a second projection 17 by means of the first fixing means 2, in order to span across both legs 6,7 or along a leg. Although two first and two second projection allows the permanent-wave hair-curling 1 to be used more universally, as such a configuration allows for two first fixing means 2 to be secured to the hair shaping means 3, devices with less projections may be more suitable at some areas of the scalp. The projections need not be part of the stiffening member but can be separate components or be provided on accessories, such as a tubular member to be fitted on the cross-member as will be described later with references to figs. 6-10.

The elastic band 2, which is used as the first fixing means in the disclosed embodiment, has a length sufficient to extend across and/or along the legs 6,7 so as to be secured to the first and second projections on the hair shaping means 3. When said hair shaping means 3 are wrapped with hair, the elastic rubber band 2 holds the hair in the desired winding pattern, as shown in figs. 4 and 5. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 the elastic rubber band 2 has a first hole 20 at a first end 21 and two second holes 22,23 at the opposite second end 24.

The holes 20,22,23 serve to engage with any of the projections 16,17,18,19 as seen in figs. 4 and 5. Preferably the rubber band 2 engages both the hair shaping means 3 and some of the winded hair when traversing both the first leg 6 and the second leg 7 of said hair shaping means 3 or when extending alongside a leg .

In fig. 4 a long lock of hair 25 has been divided from the remaining hair on the scalp (not shown) . The part 26 of the lock of hair closest to the scalp is wound about the cross- member 10. Thereafter successive figure-eight windings 27 are made by wrapping the legs 6,7 with the lock of hair until the entire or the desired part of the lock of hair is wound on the hair shaping means 3. The entire legs 6,7 or part of the legs 6,7 may be wrapped as desired and depending on the length of the hair to be permed. The elastic band 2 is then used to hold the hair wrapped on the hair shaping means 3. A first hole 20 of the elastic band 2 engages a first projection 18 radiating from the cross-member 10, and the second holes 22,23 engage the second projections 17,16 radiating from the second leg 7 and first 6 leg, respectively, extending crosswise both said legs 6,7. In this way the hair is trapped between the legs, which are forced against each other by means of the elastic band 2 in order to prevent hair from escaping the winding pattern.

In fig. 5 a short lock of hair 28 is wound on the hair shaping means 3 in a similar manner as described for fig. 4. The free end 29 of the lock of hair is trapped between the legs 6,7, but can in any embodiment according to the present invention also be held in contact with any of the legs by means of the elastic band 2, in order to avoid or at least reduce the size of the free hair tip. Also the wetness of the hair enhances the hairs ability and tendency to keep close onto the legs during perm treatment, as well at tip paper may be useful. In the arrangement of the elastic band 2 shown in fig. 5 the first hole 20 of the elastic band 2 engages a first projection 19 radiating from the cross-member 10, and the second holes 22,23 engage the second projections 17,16 radiating from the second leg 7 and first 6 leg, respectively. The elastic band 2 is stretched to extend in a substantial L-shape alongside the first leg 6, and is then bend to connect to the second projections 17,16. Bending is substantially perpendicular to the legs and substantially parallel to the cross-member. Other ways of bending, stretching and guiding the elastic band in relation to the body of the hair holding means to engage respective projections are contemplated within the scope of the present invention.

Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views of a first embodiment of a tubular member 30 seen from different angles. The tubular member 30 has a main body 31 that defines a through going passage 32 for receiving the hair shaping means (not shown) . The main body 31 of tubular member 30 has opposite free ends 33,34 with respective incisions 35,36 for the first and second legs 6,7 respectively, as shown in figs. 9 and 10, when these legs 6,7 are bend to define the gap 11. Opposite the incisions 35,36 the circumferential wall 37 of the tubular member 30 has respective coaxially extending first projections 38,39. The shape of the projections illustrated in the figures are only to be taken as examples and many other shapes are contemplated within the scope of the present invention, including hooks and T-shapes. When the tubular member is arranged around the cross- member a lock of hair can be wound on the devices as described for figs. 1 - 5 where no tubular member is provided.

The second embodiment of a tubular member 40 seen from above in fig. 8 corresponds substantially to the first embodiment of a tubular member 30 seen in figs. 5 and 6 and for like parts same reference numerals are used.

The second embodiment of the tubular member 40 differs only in that the circumferential wall 37 has cut-out 41,42 with respective third projections 43,44 for providing an alternative or additional means to the first projections 38,39 for fastening a first fixing means (not shown) or several first fixing means (not shown) .

In figs. 9 and 10 the legs 6,7 of the hair shaping means 3 are illustrated fragmented because the legs can have any suitable length .

Fig. 9 shows as an example, in perspective, seen from outside, the second embodiment of a tubular member 40 mounted on a hair shaping means 3. The cross-member 10 is located inside the passage 32 of tubular member 40, and the legs 6,7 exit the tubular member 40 at said members free ends 33,34 by being bend into incisions 35, 36 at the free ends 33, 34 of the tubular member 40. Once the tubular member 40 is mounted on the cross- member 10 the permanent-wave hair-curling device is ready for use, e.g. in a manner as described above. Fig. 10 shows, as an example, the second embodiment of a tubular member 40 on a hair holding means 3 seen from the gap 11 between the legs 6,7. Thus fig. 10 illustrates, that when the hair shaping means 3 is provided with any of the first or second embodiment of a tubular member 40, then the cross-member 10 is positioned inside the passage 32 of said tubular member and the opposite transitions 45,46 between cross-member 10 and legs 6,7, present due to bending or shape of the hair holding means 3, are located in or externalised from the tubular member 40 via the incisions 35,36, so that unintentional squeezing of or damage to the hair shaping means are avoided.

Although the first projections 18,19,38,39 and third projections 43,44 are illustrated to protrude straight out from the circumferential wall of the tubular member or project from the cross-member almost at the centre axis of the cross-member other locations and angular arrangements of the first projections are contemplated within the scope of the present invention provided that such location and angular arrangement does not injure the person having her/his hair permed.

It is to be understood by a person skilled in the art that the hair can be treated with perm solution whenever appropriate using conventional application techniques, as well as rinsing and washing can be performed.

Very long hair can be styled but also short hair, in which case part of the legs just are left unwrapped as shown in fig. 5. The elastic band 2 can be arranged in various orientations depending on e.g. how the hair is wound on the legs, how much hair is wound on the legs, the winding pattern, etc. The device according to the present invention can also be used for making curls not using perm solutions, although such curls may last shorter. The device according to the present invention is fast to use, and effective long-lasting curl styles can be created.