CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application no. 62/560,082 filed on September 18, 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth below in its entirety and for all applicable purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The subject disclosure generally relates to aspects that facilitate securing one's hair in any number of different positions and formations upon the head, (e.g., in a "ponytail," "bun," or "high ball"), and more specifically to improving the performance, design, and branding of an apparatus used for such purposes including, for instance, a looped band made of elastic or other stretchy material referred to herein as a "hair tie."

INTRODUCTION

[0003] By way of background concerning the securing of hair, it is noted that certain qualities are desirable in a hair tie. The apparatus should be composed of a material with adequate stretch such that it can secure the hair firmly, but also soft enough that it won't damage the hair. It should be constructed in such a manner that it will remain intact with regular use without breaking or losing sufficient stretch. It would also be desirable to allow for different creative designs to be emblazoned thereon for preferences in taste, as well as for marking the specific brand name to be visible on individual hair ties.

[0004] Concerning conventional hair ties, the problems and limitations include poor quality and performance (e.g., hair ties snap easily, damage or crease hair, don't hold the hair securely, etc.), and the inability to creatively design and brand hair ties without sacrificing quality and performance. For instance, the conventional elastic hair tie in Fig. 1 may be undesirable because it may snap easily, it may damage the hair and/or crease the hair when used, and due to its size and shape, it lacks a sufficient surface area to print detailed creative designs or effectively brand individual hair ties. [0005] Manufacturers have attempted to alleviate some undesirable qualities.

The conventional hair tie in Fig. 2 is composed of a nylon material that can be printed on, in a flat shape allowing for sufficient printable surface area. However, the material composition lacks sufficient stretch or strength to perform its desired function as effectively, nor is there a particular mechanism allowing for the branding of individual hair ties.

[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an adequate apparatus using a material and methodology which overcomes these limitations. To this end, it should be noted that above-described deficiencies are merely intended to provide an overview of some of the problems of conventional hair ties, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with the state of the art and corresponding benefits of some of the various non-limiting embodiments may become further apparent upon review of the following detailed description.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0007] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects of the present disclosure, in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated features of the disclosure, and is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0008] Various aspects directed towards hair ties are disclosed. In a particular example, a hair tie apparatus is disclosed, which includes a branding component coupled to a substantially circular component. For this example, the substantially circular component has a flat surface area and is comprised of elastic material.

[0009] In a second aspect, another hair tie apparatus is disclosed. Here, the hair tie apparatus includes a substantially circular component comprising a flat surface area. Furthermore, the substantially circular component in this example is comprised of a polyester-based elastic material and includes a sublimation print.

[0010] In yet another aspect, a method is disclosed, which includes obtaining a rectangular- shaped piece of elastic material, and printing on at least one side of the rectangular- shaped piece of elastic material via a sublimation printing technique. The method further includes attaching a first end of the rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material to a second end of the rectangular-shaped piece of elastic material to form a substantially circular component comprising a flat surface area.

[0011] These and other aspects of the invention will become more fully understood upon a review of the detailed description, which follows. Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, upon reviewing the following description of specific, exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the

accompanying figures. While features of the present invention may be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures below, all embodiments of the present invention can include one or more of the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, while one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention discussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments may be discussed below as device, system, or method embodiments it should be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Various non-limiting embodiments are further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates a first conventional hair tie;

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates a second conventional hair tie;

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates exemplary hair tie apparatuses in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification;

[0016] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary methodology for manufacturing hair tie apparatuses in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification;

[0017] Figure 5 provides illustrations of various manufacturing stages corresponding to the exemplary methodology illustrated in Figure 4;

[0018] Figure 6 is a first schematic of an exemplary hair tie apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification;

[0019] Figure 7 is a second schematic of an exemplary hair tie apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification; [0020] Figure 8 is a schematic of an exemplary packaging of hair tie apparatuses in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification; and

[0021] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary hair tie apparatus with a key attachment mechanism in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

OVERVIEW

[0022] As discussed in the introduction, conventional hair ties have several undesirable limitations with respect to quality and performance and the ability to print creative designs and brand individual hair ties without sacrificing performance. The embodiments disclosed herein are directed towards overcoming these limitations by providing an apparatus composed of a material that possesses and retains adequate stretch that can be printed on using a sublimation printing technique, with a shape providing suitable printable surface area, complete with a mechanism that allows for individual branding of hair ties. In Fig. 3, a photo of exemplary hair tie apparatuses in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification is provided.

[0023] In one particular aspect, the invention is directed towards a novel shape for hair ties, wherein a flat design is contemplated. Whereas conventional hair ties have used a rounded shape and design, preventing sufficient surface area on which robust creative designs can be printed, this flat design will allow sufficient printable surface area, which may be desirable for branding purposes.

[0024] In another aspect, the invention is directed towards a novel composition for hair ties, wherein a specific blend of polyester-based elastic material is contemplated. This specific material possesses sufficient stretch and strength to hold hair securely, even with long, thick or heavy hair. This specific material can also withstand a heat intensive printing process without losing its elasticity or other desirable qualities. Whereas conventional hair ties have used nylon-based materials to print creative designs thereupon, such nylon material does not possess the stretching power nor the strength to hold the hair securely, in particular with thick or heavy hair.

[0025] In yet another aspect, a novel "sleeve" of material wrapping around the seam where the hair tie is joined together is contemplated, which serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. From a functional standpoint, this sleeve provides a surface area, separate from the flat side of the hair tie, which can be used for the branding of individual hair ties. The sleeve may also be stitched onto, or otherwise attached, to the seam so as to reinforce the holding strength of the seam. From an aesthetic standpoint the sleeve effectively covers the seam at which the ends of the hair tie are joined, concealing the stitching and loose edges from view. Whereas conventional hair ties have tied the ends together to join, or used other means of fastening two ends together, no hair tie has used a sleeve as described herein to provide an adequate surface area for the branding of individual hair ties.

EXEMPLARY METHODOLOGY AND HAIR TIE EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Referring next to Fig. 4, a flow chart illustrating an exemplary methodology for manufacturing a hair tie apparatus in accordance with aspects disclosed herein is provided. As illustrated, process 400 may begin at act 410 where a rectangular- shaped piece of elastic material is obtained. For instance, such rectangular- shaped piece of elastic material may be cut from a larger piece of elastic material, or may have been pre-fabricated into a rectangular shape.

[0027] An exemplary illustration of the rectangular- shaped piece of elastic material obtained at act 410 is provided in Fig. 5. In particular, it is contemplated that the elastic material 505 provided in illustration 500 may correspond to the rectangular- shaped piece of elastic material obtained at act 410, wherein the elastic material 505 includes a first end 502 and a second end 504, as shown.

[0028] Furthermore, with respect to the type of material used for elastic material 505, it should be appreciated that any of a plurality of types of elastic material generally known in the art may be used. For instance, in a particular embodiment, elastic material 505 is a polyester-based material (e.g., a blend comprising 70% polyester yarn and 30% spandex yarn), which has been found to have various characteristics for facilitating the desired properties of hair ties disclosed herein. For example, it has been found that using a polyester-based material for elastic material 505 yields a hair tie with much more structural integrity than conventional hair ties. The structural integrity of a polyester-based material also provides a desirable canvass for printing designs via high temperature sublimation printing techniques, which generally yield more robust prints that are less susceptible to fading.

[0029] Referring back to process 400, once the elastic material is obtained at act 410, process 400 continues to act 420 where at least one side of the rectangular- shaped piece of elastic material is printed upon via a sublimation printing technique. In Fig. 5, illustration 520 shows an exemplary sublimation print 515 in accordance with such technique. Here, although any sublimation printing technique may be used, it may be desirable to utilize high temperature sublimation so that sublimation print 515 is less susceptible to fading, as previously stated. For instance, such high temperature technique may comprise a printing temperature of at least 200 degrees centigrade (e.g., between 230-240 degrees centigrade).

[0030] After printing a desired design at act 420, process 400 proceeds to act

430 where the rectangular- shaped piece of elastic material is formed into a substantially circular component. For instance, as shown in illustration 520, a first end 502 of the rectangular- shaped piece of elastic material may be attached to a second end 504 (e.g., via stitching to form seam 525), wherein the attaching transforms the rectangular- shaped piece of elastic material into a substantially circular component comprising a flat surface area.

[0031] Once the substantially circular component is formed at act 430, a determination is made at act 440 of whether to include a branding component, such as the exemplary branding component 535 shown in illustration 530. Here, it should be appreciated that including a branding component, such as branding component 535, may be desirable for any of various reasons. For instance, branding component 535 provides greater flexibility with respect to what types of material can be used to brand a hair tie product. Such material, for example, does not necessarily need to be elastic. Indeed, since branding component 535 may also be used to reinforce the attachment of first end 502 to second end 504 (e.g., by stitching/forming branding component 535 onto seam 525), it may be desirable to select a durable non-elastic material (e.g., a nylon-based fabric, a non-elastic rubber/plastic/metal, etc.) for branding component 535.

[0032] If it is determined that no branding is desired at act 440, process 400 concludes at act 470 where a finalized hair tie is output. Otherwise, if branding is indeed desired at act 440, process 400 proceeds with the selecting of a branding type at act 450 and a coupling of the branding component to the substantially circular component at act 460, before concluding at act 470 where a finalized hair tie is output.

[0033] In a first exemplary type of branding, a patch design is contemplated.

For instance, branding component 535 may be a single patch stitched onto a single side of the hair tie' s flat surface area. Alternatively, a dual patch design is contemplated, wherein branding component 535 comprises a first patch stitched onto a first side of the hair tie' s flat surface area and a second patch stitched onto a second side of the hair tie' s flat surface area.

[0034] In a second exemplary type of branding, a sleeve design is contemplated. For instance, branding component 535 may be a sleeve configured to wrap around a portion of the hair tie's flat surface area. If reinforcement and/or concealment of seam 525 is not desired, such a sleeve may be configured to slide along the substantially circular component. Otherwise, if reinforcement and/or concealment of seam 525 is indeed desired, the sleeve may be attached to a portion of the substantially circular component proximate to the seam 525. For instance, the sleeve may be stitched to a portion proximate to seam 525, wherein such stitching may comprise stitching across seam 525 (e.g., as illustrated in Fig. 6), stitching a parameter substantially encompassing seam 525 (e.g., as illustrated in Fig. 7), or any of various other types of stitch patterns. Of course, if the sleeve is a non-fabric material (e.g., rubber, plastic, metal, etc.), the sleeve may be directly formed onto seam 525.

[0035] Referring next to Figs. 6-8, various schematics are provided of exemplary implementations disclosed herein. For instance, Figs. 6-7 are schematics of exemplary hair tie apparatuses, whereas Fig. 8 is a schematic of an exemplary packaging in accordance with aspects disclosed herein.

[0036] In another aspect of the disclosure, it is contemplated that the hair tie apparatus disclosed herein may be further configured to include a mechanism which allows a user to securely attach a key. In Fig. 9, for instance, an exemplary hair tie 900 with a key attachment mechanism 905 in accordance with an aspect of the subject specification is provided. As illustrated, such embodiment may comprise having the ends of the hair tie 900 configured to attach and reattach from each other via attachment mechanism 905. Here, it should be appreciated that such attachment mechanism may be any mechanism known in the art (e.g., a clasp, a male/female attachment, etc.). Within such embodiment, an end of the hair tie 900 may thus be inserted through an opening 915 of a key 910 while the hair tie 900 is detached, wherein the key 910 may then be secured to the hair tie 900 by closing the hair tie attachment mechanism 905.

[0037] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes," "has," "contains," and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, for the avoidance of doubt, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as an open transition word without precluding any additional or other elements.

[0038] The aforementioned systems have been described with respect to interaction between several components. It can be appreciated that such systems and components can include those components or specified sub-components, some of the specified components or sub-components, and/or additional components, and according to various permutations and combinations of the foregoing. Subcomponents can also be implemented as components coupled to other components rather than included within parent components (hierarchical). Additionally, it is noted that one or more components may be combined into a single component providing aggregate functionality or divided into several separate sub-components, and any one or more middle layers may be provided to couple to such sub-components in order to provide integrated functionality. Any components described herein may also interact with one or more other components not specifically described herein but generally known by those of skill in the art.

[0039] In view of the exemplary systems described supra, methodologies that may be implemented in accordance with the disclosed subject matter can be appreciated with reference to the various figures. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies are described as a series of steps, it is to be understood and appreciated that the disclosed subject matter is not limited by the order of the steps, as some steps may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other steps from what is described herein. Moreover, not all disclosed steps may be required to implement the methodologies described hereinafter.

[0040] While the various embodiments have been described in connection with the exemplary embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function without deviating there from. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment.