Title

SINGLE APPLICATION IMPLEMENT AND METHOD TO GENERATE

MULTIPLE HAIR CURLS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a single implement device for the generation of hair curls without the need for heat. Such an implement utilizes two flexible fabric-covered rod structures that curve around a user's head, each from the forehead area to the back of the head, thereby providing two substantially symmetrical components. These structures are connected through a middle flat portion that resides on the user's forehead during utilization and includes connector means to attach with the ends of each fabric-covered rod structure. Such structures also include extendible ends to allow for size accommodations, as well. In utilization, the user places the middle flat portion on the forehead, brings a first flexible structure around the head and the extendible end thereof attaches to at least one connector in the middle flat portion. The user then takes collected strands of hair and wraps around the flexible structure curving around one side of the user's head until the full amount of such collected strand is fully wrapped around the flexible structure. Further collected strands, including, if desired, remaining amounts of a prior collected strand added with a new collected strand, are then handled in the same manner until one side of the user's hair is completely wrapped around the flexible structure on that side. The same is then undertaken for the user's other side, as well, with the flexible structure brought around and the extendible end attached to the flat middle portion. Once completely wrapped around both flexible structures, the user may then undertake any number of activities while the hair curls are generated without any need for heat or for multiple, cumbersome-to-apply hair rollers, to accomplish such a result. The user may recline and/or sleep with the implement in place without any discomfort or may be able to go out in public without possible issues with the presence of multiple rollers providing uncomfortable outward presentations from an aesthetic perspective, as well. The single implement provides an in-use appearance that is unique and may be viewed as a manner of wearing one's hair, rather than just as a hair curl generation procedure. After a certain period of time, the user removes the implement and the previously wrapped hair exhibits desired curls that last another 24 hours, at least. The method of utilizing such a single implement to generate hair curls throughout the entirety of a user's hair is also encompassed within this invention.

Background of the Prior Art

People have long sought to present personal aesthetic appearances, whether in terms of clothing, makeup, even plastic surgery, on occasion. One of the standard means of providing such external personal aesthetics has been through hair designs, particularly in terms of creating curls and like configurations for modification purposes. Such activities to achieve desirable curl results, however, have involved certain drawbacks, particularly in terms of either actual physical and chemical damage to such a person's keratinous fibers, through, for example, the utilization of heated implements (including curling irons, hot rollers, and the like), or in terms of discomfort and/or displeasing appearance through the utilization of foam or other types of rollers applied individually and for long periods of time. Additionally, such individually applied foam or other types of rollers are cumbersome and, as noted above, uncomfortable for the user when applied overnight, for example; trying to recline or sleep with multiple rollers in place on a user's head is not desirable, in other words. Wearing such multiple rollers in public is undesirable to certain individuals, as well, primarily due to appearance issues and limited activities permitted when such multiple implements are in place (for instance, gym workouts, running, jogging, etc., may impacted due to the presence of such rollers), particularly, as noted above, since significant time periods are generally required to generate the resultant curls through such a procedure.

Furthermore, the aforementioned heat application procedures typically because a user's hair to lose significant amounts of natural oils (sebum, in particular, a mixture created by the sebaceous glands of fatty acids, triglycerides, squalene, and wax esters), a unique

combination of substances that provides helpful protective coatings on hair fibers, generating moisture and sheen thereto. The loss of such oils may result in any number of problems, from brittleness, to color loss, to structural losses, and so on. At the very least, the need to replenish oils to the hair surface in such situations may be necessary, at potentially high costs, and to an extent that oils other than sebum-based materials are utilized. In any event, the typical activities associated with hair curling generation processes exhibit certain deficiencies, resulting in a definite need for a simpler, less damaging, and far more comfortable approach.

Improvements in the hair curling process/implement industry has been rather limited to softer hair rollers, hair ties for extended application, and possibly lower heat applications, although the effectiveness of such procedures is questionable. Permanent or semi-permanent curl applications are likewise possible, but such activities typically involve the utilization of sodium thioglycolate-containing applications that are rather noxious in terms of fumes and smells, and such curling procedures generally result in very large numbers of very small, tight curls. Larger curl results are actually outside the scope of such permanent (and/or semipermanent) concerns, thereby not an equivalent consideration with the types of curls available through curling iron/foam roller processes. As it stands, then, there remains a definite need to provide temporary large curls (as opposed to typical permanent small, tight curls) for human keratinous fibers (e.g., hair) without the need for heated treatments or multiple, individual roller applications. In terms of any improvements for avoidance of such problems as noted with these methods noted above, nothing has been proposed to date that avoids such specific actions that generates desired curl results, particularly in terms of allowing a user to wear such a curl -generating implement and/or avoiding the need for heated applications. As such, no simple suggestions for improvements in this area have been provided within the large hair curl generation industry.

Advantages and Summary of the Invention

One distinct advantage of the present disclosure is the ability to provide a single application of a single implement to a user's hair for the generation of large curls without any need for heat application. Another advantage is the ability to provide such a large curl generation result over substantial portion of a user's head of hair without the need for a multiple, or even a plurality, of hair curl-generating implements. Additionally, as another advantage, the inventive single implement device may include flexible extensions that permit application to different head sizes, thereby allowing for limited numbers of units needed for manufacturing purposes. Still another advantage is the capability of providing a hair nourishing fabric and/or chemical treatment through such a fabric, whether as an initial supply for continuous application to subject hair, or through a replenished chemical on demand during the lifetime of utilization of such an implement.

Accordingly, this invention encompasses a single implement device including two elongated flexible rod structures (e.g., foam cylinders, tubes, and the like) enclosed within complementarily shaped fabric sheaths, both sheaths being connected by a common middle portion including at least two connecting means, said common middle portion provided as a flat structure wherein said connecting means extend on one side thereof said common middle portion, both sheaths further including flexible ends that elongate and retract on demand, and wherein said flexible ends both include complementary connecting means with said common middle portion connecting means such that both ends may be connected with said common middle portion simultaneously. The implement may thus be applied to a user's hair through a method of situating the common middle portion on the subject user's forehead and bringing a first flexible end around one side of the user's head, around the back of the user's head, and around the opposing head side to permit attachment of the connecting means on the first flexible end to a connecting means on the common middle portion, leaving a first fabric sheath-covered flexible rod structure in place around the first side of the user's head, subsequently wrapping the hair present on such first side of the user's head around the first fabric sheath-covered flexible rod structure to the back of the user's head, subsequently bringing the second flexible end around the opposing side of the user's head, around the back of the user's head, and around the first head side to permit attachment of the connecting means on the second flexible end to a different connecting means on the common middle portion, leaving the second fabric sheath-covered flexible rod structure in place around the second side of the user's head, subsequently wrapping the hair present on such second side of the user's head around the second fabric sheath-covered flexible rod structure to the back of the user's head, wherein the applied single implement device exhibits a crossed partem of said first and second fabric sheath-covered flexible rod structures at the back of the user's head, allowing the single implement device to remain in place in such a configuration around the user's head with the hair wrapped over both fabric sheath-covered flexible rod structures for a sufficient period of time to generate a plurality of curls within the user's hair upon removal of said single implement device thereafter.

The term "single implement" used throughout this disclosure is intended to denote that the entire structure of the device described herein is provided as a unitary piece. In such a manner, although there are multiple components described herein, they are all attached and/or enveloped to provide the single, unitary structure thereof. Thus, as provided a user for actual hair curl generation purposes, the complete device is a single implement.

The fabric sheaths noted above thus entirely envelop the flexible rod structures to provide a surface for hair wrapping during curl generation utilization, as well as a contact surface for hair treatment purposes, as one possibility. The sheaths are sewn, welded, etc., around the flexible rod structures upon manufacture thereof to retain and closely hold such flexible structures in place during utilization thereof. Additionally, one end of each sheath leads to a flexible end that is attached thereto (sewn, welded, etc., again) and likewise attached at the opposing end to the common middle portion (again through sewing, welding, etc.). Such sheaths may be manufactured from a hair-nourishing fabric material, possibly a satin that exhibits particular beneficial contact and treatment of the subject's hair during utilization. Such materials may be pre-selected and provided in relation to certain hair types. In other words, satin may be utilized as the material and directed for a single implement device product for a specific type or types of hair. A different material may then be utilized for a different type or types of hair, as needed, and directed with a commercial product in like fashion. As well, such sheaths may also be treated to provide striations or like pattems on the surface thereof to provide improved retention potential of the subject hair during utilization. Additionally, the sheaths may include certain chemicals impregnated therein that may migrate from the fabric to the wrapped hair in order to apply certain treatments thereto. Likewise, if desired, such a fabric sheath may include regions thereof and/or therein, including reservoirs and the like, to allow for such chemical materials to be stored for delivery to the subject hair during utilization, as well (either way serves ostensibly as manner for hair treatment while worn). Such chemicals include certain essential oils, including, without limitation, jojoba oil, coconut oil, and the like, and may be provided as, again, an impregnated treatment within the fabric sheath for migration and delivery therefrom to subject hair or possibly as a replenishable source that a user may apply to the fabric sheath surface (or, again, possibly within reservoirs or like structures within the fabric or on the surface thereof) prior to application for hair curl generation purposes.

The flexible rod structures (again, cylinders, tubes, etc.) that provide the dimensional stability for wrapping of the subject hair around the fabric sheaths may be made of any suitable material or materials that are of a structure and weight that permits such an effective curl generation result. In other words, the flexible rod structures must not be too heavy as that could cause the implement to fall or become disengaged at the connection means during utilization. These structures must not be too light, either, as the structural integrity must be of a measurement that allows for hair wrapping in a substantially circular configuration; if the flexible rod structures were too light, they may lose such a circular geometry thus impacting and potentially compromising the ability to create the desired hair curls. Thus, a polyurethane rubber having a diameter of from about 1 cm to about 5 cm (about 1/3 inch to 2 inches) and a length of from about 20 cm to about 30 cm in length, would be one possible example of such a structure and material. The flexible rod structures may also be provided with more than one within each covered sheath component of the single implement device. In other words, if desired, rather than a single flexible rod structure, a plurality of such rod structures may be present within the hair-wrapping sheath. Such structures would have roughly the same diameter measurements as noted above, but with lengths that are modified in relation to the number of rod structures present therein (and in a sequential line, for that matter).

Additionally, again, if desired, the fabric sheaths may be provided with openings that may permit removal and insertion of different diameter flexible rod structures on demand to allow for a user to select certain curl sizes in relation thereto. Though not a requirement, certainly, such a possible altemative would still result in a single implement device as the fabric sheaths would be securely closed (such as through a zipper, hook and look fabric, and the like) connection structure therein for such a possible purpose. Such materials for such rod structures may be compatible with the hair treatments potentially utilized with the fabric sheaths such that their structural integrity will not be compromised if and when contacted with such hair treatment chemicals. Furthermore, there is also a possible type of foam roller component that exhibits a self-heating result upon manipulation of the roller itself while enclosed within the fabric sheath. As such, non-direct heating of the hair occurs, with the fabric sheath protecting from oil removal or hair degradation, yet still permitting quicker curl generation with such a potential heated internal roller.

The connection means on the common middle portion and the flexible

elongating/retracting ends may be of any standard type that provides reliable attachment and detachment on demand in relation to the single implement during utilization and removal thereof. Thus, snaps (with male/female counterparts on either component for proper connections), hook and loop fabric articles, hook and loop structures, and magnets, may be utilized for such purposes and thus are to be understood as possible connection means in this instance. The common middle portion will thus include at least two connection means (which may include, in this instance, a single portion of a hook or loop fabric, should that be selected for the subject single implement device connection capability, ostensibly since there would not be a need for separated strips of such fabric present) in order to permit

simultaneously connection of the opposing flexible ends thereto for complete reliable and secure placement of the single implement device around the user's head when utilized for hair curl generation. Such a common middle portion may thus be a substantially flat region of the entire single implement device in order to permit a comfortable, flat placement on the subject user's forehead during such utilization. The connection means would thus be provided outwardly on the opposing face of the flat structure in order to permit the attachment with the opposing flexible ends of the device. In order to permit different size variations for the single implement device (around differently sized heads, in other words), as alluded to above, more than two connection means may be incorporated within this common middle portion of the device (or, again, a single hook or loop fabric strip may be utilized, as this structure would allow for different locations of attachment with the complementary hook or loop fabric present on the flexible ends of the device). Thus, a plurality of snaps, hooks, loops, magnets, etc., may be present for such a purpose. The length of the common middle portion may be from about 7.5 cm to 15 cm (roughly 3 to 6 inches) with a height of from about 2.5 cm to about 5 cm (1 to 2 inches, roughly). This middle portion may be made from the same materials as the fabric sheath, or possibly a polyolefin or like synthetic plastic, if desired. The connection means may be metal or plastic if snaps, hooks, or loops, as well.

The flexible ends of the single implement device are attached to the fabric sheath encompassing the flexible rod structures through sewn, welded, etc., means (as noted above) and include elastic components therein (such as rubber-impregnated fabrics, as one example). These elastic components may be covered and enveloped (for protection purposes) by a fabric (which may be the same, for example, as utilized for the fabric sheath of the flexible rod structures) that is properly attenuated to permit elongation and return of the internal elastic component on demand. Present at or near the edge of the flexible end itself would thus be the above-noted connection means complementary to the connection means present within the common middle portion (which may be of any type as described above, both in terms of form and material). The flexible ends may have a squared edge, rounded edge, or any other geometry suitable to facilitate utilization and grasp by the user during application thereof.

In terms of actual utilization, as noted previously, the subject user would first separate her (or possibly his) hair at the back of the head (at the nape, in other words) to create two separate portions of hair for application of the device. The user would then situate the common middle portion with the connection means on her forehead and take one of the flexible ends and bring it around one side of her head, around the back of her head, around the opposite side of her head, and attach the connecting means thereof to a selected complementary connecting means on the common middle portion (in order to secure the fabric sheath-covered flexible rod structure in place around the initial side of her head). The user would then take portions of her hair and begin to wrap them around the flexible rod structure until the hair is no longer available for further wrapping (and may be accomplished through separating portions of the hair on such an initial side of her head for wrapping, with overlapping portions in each separated portion for such a purpose until the available hair has been completely wrapped, or, for that matter, wrapped to a certain extent as desired by the user). The user may then utilize an attachment implement, such as a bobby pin, or like article, to attach the very end of the wrapped hair portion on the initial side of her head to the fabric sheath. The user may then take the other flexible end and bring that around the other side of her head, around the back of her head, and around the opposing side of her head (from the location of the fabric sheath-covered flexible rod structure already in place) and attach the connection means of the flexible end to the common middle portion, again at a selected distance as desired for comfort or other purpose. The hair on that side of the user's head is then wrapped in similar fashion to the first side, and attached by bobby pin, etc., as and if desired, for retention purposes. The user may then adjust the common middle portion on her forehead as needed for comfort purposes, at least. As well, the overall structure of the applied device will show a criss-cross of the fabric-covered flexible rod structures at the back of the user's head when applied with both such rod structures in place. The overall configuration provides a halo-like effect over and around a user's head. Certainly, if desired, the user may utilize only one of the flexible rod structures in this manner, particularly, for instance, if such a user desires to have curls on one side of her head. Such a single implement hair curl generating device thus provides, as noted in the drawings provided herein, a more aesthetic configuration than if a multitude of rollers are in place on a subject user's head. Additionally, the secure connections, both in terms of the flexible ends/common middle portion attachments and the wrapped hair around the fabric sheath-covered flexible rod structures, permits a user to recline, sleep, work out, perform various other activities, etc., without any appreciable loss of stability of such a device as applied for such a purpose. Thus, the subject user may not only go out in public with an aesthetically acceptable implement applied for hair curl generating purposes, but also may undertake any number of activities without compromising the implement's ability to create the desired hair curl results. Furthermore, the removal of the single implement device is simple and does not involve any appreciable tangling of the user's hair. With a suitable nourishing fabric and/or chemical treatment applied, the resultant curls are not only flawless and untangled, but are properly treated while the single implement device is applied, as well.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one possible single implement hair curling generating device embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of a subject user's head after application of the single implement hair curling generating device.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of a subject user's head after application of the device.

FIG. 4 depicts a side view of a subject user's head after application of the device.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Without any intention of limiting the scope of the inventive device/method, the drawings described herein provide but certain possible embodiments herein. Various modifications and different configurations of such a device/method may be employed without deviating from the scope and basis of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a hair curl generating single implement device having a middle portion 1 that includes a plurality of connection means 4 embedded within a flat fabric material 3. On either side of the middle portion 1 are connections 2 (here male snaps, as one possible non-limiting example) to flexible rod structures 5 enveloped and covered by fabric sheaths 6. Each flexible rod structure 5 and thus fabric sheath 6 leads to an elastic flexible end 7, each end 7 including a connection 8 near its edge. Such flexible end connections 8 are

complementary to the middle portion connections 2 (here female snaps, again, as one possible non-limiting example). As alluded to previously, the fabric sheaths 6 may be of a hair nourishing fabric material (satin, for example) and/or may include hair treatment chemicals, either impregnated or externally introduced prior to application of the device to the user's hair (as in FIGs. 2-4).

FIGs. 2, 3, and 4 show different perspective views of the device of FIG. 1 applied to a user's hair 12 and around her head 14. The middle portion 1 is on the user's forehead 11 , with the flexible end connections 8 attached to the middle portion connections 2. The flexible rods 5 thus go around one side of the user's head 14 and the hair 12 is wrapped around each rod 5. As shown in FIG. 2, the back 10 of the user's head 14 shows the crisscross pattern 15 of the flexible rods 5, as well. With this single implement device, as noted above, the attachments are secure and reliable, thus allowing for freedom of movement of the user in various activities. The user may retain such an applied single implement device for any suitable amount of time to generate hair curls thereby. Such a time frame is generally from 4 to 8 hours, although shorter times and longer times may be utilized, certainly, if needed or desired. If retained in place for such a range as noted above, however, such hair curls may keep, even without hair spray treatments, about 24 hours. With hair spray in place, such a time frame will exceed that minimum hair curl retention time, for evident reasons.

Additionally, the overall aesthetic of the implement device as applied to the user's head 14, shows a unique configuration that is far different from an application with a multiple of rollers. Furthermore, the application of such a single implement device does not require any heat to generate the desired hair curl results. The size of the flexible rod 5 diameters ostensibly determines the degree of curl generated, certainly, and thus varied sizes may be utilized for such a purpose (and may, as noted above, be provided a user with differently sized flexible rods that may be inserted/removed on demand from within the fabric sheaths, which may, themselves, be adjustable in size, if needed). In any event, the comfort level for the user is provided through the adjustable connections 2 within the middle portion 1, as well.

Overall, then, a comfortable, secure, single implement device is provided herein for a user to generate hair curls without resorting to heat treatments or multiple hair rollers.

Having described the invention in detail it is obvious that one skilled in the art will be able to make variations and modifications thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be determined only by the claims appended hereto.