RS304A - PROCEDURE AND KIT FOR INCREASING HAIR VOLUME - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for increasing the volume or length of hair, which consists of the following steps: providing a plurality of extensions (C) containing several hairs (3) which are fastened by a fastening element (13), which extensions (C) are arranged parallel and substantially parallel to their fastening elements (13) located on the support strip (11) having an adhesive side (11a); - adhering extensions (C); - connecting the extensions (C) to the strand by attaching the connecting elements (13) to it. The invention further relates to a kit (12) for use in this method.

Description

PROCEDURE AND KIT FOR INCREASE HAIR VOLUME

This invention relates to a procedure for increasing the volume of hair and to a set of hair extensions designed for use in this procedure and to a procedure for manufacturing these sets.

Different systems are known for increasing the volume of hair as well as for lengthening hair. These systems generally use hair extensions, natural or artificial in structure, which are then attached to the hair of the head, using procedures which, based on the proposed application procedures, cause acceptance and satisfaction by the user who requested such treatment.

Another aspect that helps increase satisfaction with such treatment is the speed of incorporation.

Known systems include a stage where the extensions are bonded to the user's hair. During that stage, the extensions can basically be sewn, bonded, or braided to the user's hair. However, these extension procedures require a period of time that is very long, bearing in mind that each extension specifically requires manual insertion and precision.

Other methods that are known to create a connection between the extensions and the hair, require the use of external elements such as clips, combs, clamps, etc. These elements can be used to attach larger extensions to the user's hair, but have a major disadvantage in that the connection is clearly visible and the user can feel it and feel uncomfortable with it.

Among other known procedures, there are those that allow extensions of smaller dimensions to be attached to the hair. These procedures, which require the use of adhesives, small clips, etc. they give good enough results, but in all cases require a long time to apply because the operator has to connect each extension individually, none of which can be of large dimensions because otherwise the connections could be visible to the user and the observer.

An example of this process is described in JP 03152205 (Aderans Co. Ltd.) and in other patents that followed based on the refinement of this technique. The inventor of the present invention has developed such processes and ties for lengthening and thickening the hair described in ZA 93/5214 or in DE 196 26 107 C.

These documents describe the extension elements and the relevant application procedure where the extension is attached to the scalp using a thermoplastic adhesive. In this context, it is clear that the application is manual and cannot be uniform from extension to extension.

Forced manual application of these known procedures therefore entails a number of problems. In the first case, the operator must have extensive experience and practice in this technique to be able to install the correct connections, a condition that is not always possible. Also, apart from experience, it will be extremely difficult to produce uniform bonds: they will vary a lot since they will not be placed exactly along the lines intended for hair extensions and will vary in quality and size.

All this means that the quality of the finished work will not be optimal, it will be more exposed to wear and tear, with imperfections that cannot be corrected, increased costs caused by very long periods of application time and difficulties in finding experienced operators.

Similar difficulties exist with processes in which an adhesive applied to a bond is used, for example, in the process described in US 4,934,387 (Megna).

The object of the invention is to provide a process for increasing the volume of hair and to provide a set of extensions designed for use in this process which solve the disadvantages mentioned with reference to the indicated techniques.

This problem is solved by the process as defined above, which includes the steps of claim 1.

The conceptual solution consists in determining a procedure and kit for increasing the volume of hair without any required manual interventions and which allows the application of extensions in rows by applying several extensions in one step. The fastening elements that connect the hairs of each extension are usually called ties.

The advantages of this method according to the invention are:

Since several extensions are attached to the hair of the head in just one step, applying the extensions is much faster compared to the known procedure. A hair extension procedure in which about 200 extensions are applied takes at least two hours when done in the usual way. With the process of the invention the same amount of extensions can be applied in fifteen minutes or less. That is why not only the costs have been reduced, but also the comfort for the users has been increased.

The procedure is much simpler to perform since it is no longer necessary to wrap the laces with the fingers so that the procedure according to the invention can be performed not only by specialized and trained personnel but also by hairdressers after a short presentation. The probabilities of errors are minimized and the appearance of the results is much better. This is because the ties are applied correctly with equal distances. Furthermore, the laces are completely flat and less visible. The hair of the head is not pulled from the sides to secure the tie as is the case with known procedures where the hair is separated from its natural fall so that the hair of the head forms a small triangle with the top in the tie. With the procedure according to the invention, the hair of the head remains substantially parallel so that the hair is not disturbed by the laces and the natural appearance is preserved.

Another advantage of the invention is that it is possible to use smaller extensions, i.e. each extension contains fewer hairs compared to the usual procedure. Since it is possible to apply a larger number of extensions in a reasonable period of time, a better distribution of the hair can be achieved. The use of very small ties is not possible with the usual process as the thermal capacities would be too small, so the tie would cool down in a short time after removing the heating device so that the time in which the tie is soft and sticky is too short to establish a suitable bond with the hair of the head, by wrapping with fingers, for example.

The method according to the invention is very safe since although a hot instrument is used to melt the thermoplastic material of the tie or on the tie, it is possible to prevent the hot instrument from coming into contact with the hair or head hair. Furthermore, no protective cap is needed anymore to protect the client when applying the extension.

There are two main ways of applying the method according to the invention. In the first method of application, binding means are placed on the ties or fastening elements, which are used to fix the extension on the hair of the head. Such bonding agents may consist of drops of glue or hot melt adhesive, for example. Applying the extensions is especially easy if using room air activated glue. In another application, the fastening element itself is used as a binding agent. In this case, the attachment element itself is softened by applying heat or ultrasonic energy to establish a connection with the hair of the head for example.

When the extensions are applied via heat, the bonding agent preferably consists of a thermoplastic material that softens when heat is applied. After cooling the bonding agent, the thermoplastic material hardens and a secure bond is established.

Instead of applying heat directly, ultrasonic energy can be applied to the bonding agents. In this case, the thermoplastic material softens due to the heat and vibrations produced by the ultrasonic waves. The advantage of this procedure is that the hair of the head is less exposed to heat and the procedure is completely safe.

The invention further relates to a kit in accordance with claims 10 and 11 relating to the first and second ways of applying the invention.

The main advantage of this procedure and set of extensions consists, according to this invention, in enabling the rapid application of a large number of extensions in one step, incorporating at the same time an appropriate number of links of very small dimensions and therefore almost invisible and imperceptible to the user.

In the next variant of the invention, the extension contains hair of a different color than the hair of the head. In this way, lighter or darker shades can be done much more easily than with the usual procedures in which individual strands of hair are dyed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening elements consist of plates having at least layers of plastics with different melting points. So it is possible to be sure that only part of the fastening elements will be softened after heat or ultrasonic energy treatment.

The present invention will now be described according to various forms of preferred application designated by way of example but without limitation by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Drawing 1 represents a global view of a thread kit according to the invention;

Figures 2 to 6 illustrate schematically, using a global perspective, the different stages of the procedure for increasing hair volume according to the present invention, applied with a set of extensions according to the invention;

Figures 7 through 12 illustrate six additional examples of making the kits of the preceding drawings;

Figure 13 is a detail of another method of application of the invention in a partially enlarged scale perspective;

Drawing 14 of the clamp used for the method according to the invention in a global perspective; and

Drawing 15 of the clamp of drawing 14 with some parts disassembled for a better understanding of the function.

With reference to drawing 1, a set of 12 extensions C, according to the initial example for incorporating the invention, consists of a number of extensions C, aligned and basically parallel, consisting of a quantity of pre-prepared hairs 3 that can be natural or artificial, with appropriately selected colors, uniform or in shades.

The C extensions are arranged so that they are basically equidistant. They extend from their respective proximal ends 2, designed to be joined to the hair of the head, towards the free distal ends. Extensions C and individual hairs 3 preferably have the same length.

Together with the aforementioned proximal ends 2, the assembly 12 includes, on each extension C, a fastening element 13 produced from a thermoplastic material such as polyamide, polyester or even polyurethane, for example, nylon.

In order to connect the fastening element 13 to the individual ends 3, different systems can be used, including hot gluing, injection, etc. which are well known in the art.

The fastening element 13 has the shape of a small rectangle or disk with a width (exaggerated in the drawings) essentially the same or only slightly greater than that of the individual extensions C. The same applies to the height, in order to limit to a minimum the amount of thermoplastic material which, as described below, acts as an adhesive.

The kit 12 also includes a support strip 11, made of a transparent material with an adhesive side 4 on which there are fastening elements 13.

It is preferred, but not mandatory, that the material from which the support strip 11 is made is made of a heat-resistant material. The adhesive used is unstable and reversible, acting under pressure. Its adhesive strength on the tape 11 is greater than that produced on the thermoplastic material that forms the fastening elements 13 so that the subsequent separation of the tape 11 from this material does not leave any adhesive residue.

The above-mentioned adhesive side 4 can be covered with a protective tape 14 (drawing 1) to facilitate the production and storage of the kit 12.

In this production example, the set 12 consists of elements for connecting the extensions C to the hair of the head T which consists of the fastening elements 13 themselves as shown in the description of the hair extension procedure that follows.

The support strip 11 can have a fixed length and hold a predetermined number of extensions C or it can have an indefinite length so that the operator can cut sections to select the desired number of extensions C.

In all cases, the operator can reject one or more extensions that are not compatible with the application made by simply cutting off a section of the strip 11.

On each set of 12, the C extensions can be the same length, size and color, but they can also have variations in length to create graduated extensions, variations in color to produce multi-colored strands, and variations in size.

The covering and protective tape 14 may also be adhesive and/or transparent and may also be composed of paper coated with ordinary silicone.

Still based on the current example, a thermoplastic material may be a substance suitable for joining at above ambient temperature, assuming the properties of plastic fluids, and then cooling and solidifying at room temperature.

Substances with similar ingredients can be united using the direct application of mechanical energy, in the form of high-frequency vibrations, in particular, ultrasonic vibrations. In this case, intramolecular vibrations and the resulting friction generate the amount of heat necessary to plastically move the molecules relative to each other. Heat generation stops when the vibrations stop, resulting in almost instantaneous solidification.

Examples of substances that can be used as a thermoplastic material are polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes, etc.

The function of the fastening element 13 according to the present invention is to hold the hairs together in each extension C and to allow the points of connection of the extension C with the hairs of the scalp T to be elongated.

Other examples of attachment elements 13 include plastic elements, in the form of discs or balls, to which the extension hairs are attached. These fastening elements 13 are connected with bonding means, which, for example, consist of pieces of thermoplastic material as already described or glues and/or adhesives of another type: pressure hardening, heat hardening, heat shrinking, etc. Such examples will be described below.

The fastening element 13, which can have a color compatible with the hair color of the extension C, can also be embellished with additional decorative elements such as rhinestones, etc.

All fixing elements and their variations described above are suitable for the hair extension procedure described below.

With reference to Figures 2 to 6, the extension procedure using the kit described above proceeds with the following steps.

The extension kit is prepared, the protective tape 14 is removed if it was there. In this configuration, the extensions C are placed in a straight line; the support strip 11 can be attached to the hair T which is extended. The operator can use the adhesive side of the tape 11 and its transparency to check the effects produced on the hair being extended before securing it in place. The user can also check the effects through the mirror.

Subsequently, once the position of the strip 11 and the extension C is set, the next stage takes place in which the fastening element 13 is connected to the user's hair. In this phase, the operator activates the binding means described above.

In the current application example, the fusion property of the thermoplastic material is used. In fact, it is assumed that the energy is applied to the fastening elements by means of the support strip 11. With reference to drawing 3, a clamp 15 is used with two pressure elements 16, sufficiently extended to apply a uniform pressure along the entire length of the strip 11, compressing the fastening elements 13.

In this context, at least two systems for transmitting energy to the fastening elements 13 can be used. The first assumes the application of heat. For this assumption, the pressure elements 16 are conveniently heated using one or more electrical resistors.

In this case, the heat is transferred on one side through the strip 11 and on the other side directly to the fastening elements 13. The strip 11, as described earlier, is resistant to heat and will not deform or decompose when in contact with the hot pressing elements 16.

Another system assumes the use of mechanical energy in the form of ultrasonic frequency vibrations, for example in the range between 20 and 60 kilohertz. In this case, one or both pressure elements are connected to a vibrator, for example a piezo-electric element exposed to alternating current at the desired frequency and they will transmit these vibrations to the fastening elements 13 both directly and through the belt 11.

In this case, notice that the application of vibration allows the molecules of the attachment element 13 of thermoplastic material to easily flow between the individual hairs of the extension C and the hair of the head T, interpenetrating and joining them together.

Notice also that, thanks to the efficiency with which the molecules spread themselves around the hair in thin layers, only a minimal amount of thermoplastic material is necessary to incorporate the fastener.

In addition, without any heat source, instant curing when the vibrations stop and the inability of the molten thermoplastic material to fall between the hair or onto the user's head are all important additional benefits.

In all cases, the existence of the strip 11 and the fact that it is compressed against the pile together with the fastening elements 13 means that the thermoplastic material remains in place and forms bonds of very small dimensions.

In addition, the existence of tape 11 means that additional covers for the protection of the user are not required. Once this bonding phase is complete, the strip 11 can be removed without leaving any glue on the hair (Figure 5), to complete the work.

In the case where the fastening elements are not made of thermoplastic material, the binding means are activated using the system described above.

Where the bonding means consist of pieces of thermoplastic material placed in a row on a suitable strip and determined to be connected to their individual elements for attaching 13 extensions C, the aforementioned strip can be applied after the supporting strip 11 with extensions C placed on the hair of the user.

The operator can easily place the fastening elements 13 over the pieces of thermoplastic material, easily placing strips that can be removed and attached as needed.

Once in place, the strips can be compressed together with a clamp 15, placing the strips between the thermal or vibrating pressure elements 16.

In all cases, the two strips contain a thermoplastic material, which adheres to the fixing elements and mixes with the user's hair, connecting the individual extensions C to the hair of the head T.

It is assumed that the dimensions of the attachment element and the portion of the thermoplastic material can be reduced if necessary, without substantially affecting the capacity of the extensions of the set 12 which are connected to the individual hairs of the head.

The considerations and variations of the application procedures given above may be applied to example kits made as shown in Figures 7 through 12, which represent only a portion of the kit 12, which is repeated.

With reference to drawing 7, the assembly 12 is described where the fastening element 13 consists of a hard or semi-hard disk, of non-adhesive or non-thermoplastic material, but resistant to heat and vibration, as well as ordinary plastic. The disk shape is intended to be an example only; a plaque of any suitable shape can be the fastening element. Various systems can be used to join the fastening element 13 and the individual proximal ends 2, such as gluing (glue or bonding) a pair of half-elements that hold the hair or an injection process that joins the ends 2.

In this second method of application, the element 13 adheres to the adhesive side 4 of the support tape and the bonding agents are represented by an amount 20 of adhesive or thermoplastic substances applied directly to the exposed surface 21 of the element 13.

With reference to drawing 8, a third example kit 12 proposes a fastening element similar to the previous example, which is repeated in the fourth and fifth examples. The second and third examples for making the set 12 are adapted to the procedure described above, where the thermoplastic substance of individual quantities 20, 22 is melted using heat or vibration. It has also been proposed that a heat-setting material, semi-liquid and/or plastic at room temperature and solid after application of heat can basically replace this substance.

A fourth example of production (drawing 9) has an amount of adhesive 23 placed on a disc-shaped fastening element 13, for example a pressure-activated, heat-activated or air-curing type, such as a two-component resin. In the latter case, a protective layer 24 that prevents the adhesive from coming into contact with oxygen from the air protects the fastening element 13. The use of the adhesive means that the use of heat or vibration is no longer necessary, as will be indicated, and the application equipment and certain pressure devices serve to place the support strip 11 and the extensions C.

With reference to drawing 10, the fifth example suggests the use of a fastening element as described in the previous examples and binding means consisting of an adhesive ingredient 25, glue, thermoplastic or similar substance, stacked in a row on the protective tape 14. In this case, the protective tape 14 assists in the application of the extensions C and is applied to the hair of the head T before bonding with the hair extension. In the case where the adhesive is activated by air, an additional layer of protection is suggested.

In the sixth and seventh examples of drawing 11 and drawing 12, the fastening element 13 consists of a pair of half-elements 13a and 13b, suitable to be attached to and engage the hair of the head T. Finally, the half-elements will include a recess 26 for holding this hair. The half-element 13a is attached to the closer end 2 of the extension C, while the other 13b is placed in a row on the protective tape 14 and applied in accordance with the procedure from the previous example.

The bonding means consist of a thermoplastic substance or adhesive 28, a single two-component adhesive or the like, protected by a suitable protective layer 29.

In the application mode of the drawing 13, the attachment elements 13 consist of two layers 30 and 31. The first layer 30 is attached to the adhesive side 4 of the support tape 11. The hairs 3 are sandwiched mainly between the first layer 30 and the second layer 31. The second layer 31 has a lower melting point than the first layer 30 so that due to the application of heat or ultrasonic energy, only the second layer 31 will soften to be connected to the hair of the head. The distance d between the fastening elements 13 can be suitably chosen from 1 mm to 3 mm. In the same row, the size is the width b of the fastening elements 13.

Kits can be made by hand by attaching the extensions to the support tape, but it is more convenient to use machines for production.

Figures 14 and 15 show a preferred mode of application of clamp 15 for use in the process of the invention. The clamp 15 consists of a handle 50 with two protruding jaws 46, 47. The first jaw 46 has a recess 48 in which there is a pressure element 49. The fixed jaw 47 has a contact surface 40 made of elastic material to achieve uniform pressure for all extensions.

The pressure element 49 can be heated by the winding thermistors 41 to activate the binding means. The pressure element 49 is moved by a rod 43 which is connected to a spring 42 controlled by an electric motor 44. The pressure element 49 is hinged, since the rod 43 could be adapted to extensions of different densities. Alternatively, the pressure element can be actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders.

The movement of the pressure element 49 can be controlled by the control button 45. The temperature of the thermistor 41, the pressure applied by the pressure element 49 and other parameters are controlled by the programmed control unit connected to the clamp 15.

From the description, it is proposed that this hair extension procedure does not require any handling by the operator and allows the formation of bonds of extended hair of very small dimensions, bearing in mind that the pressure elements, with the presence of at least one strip, contain a material that allows the bond to be established. The resulting connections are very fine, with finished edges, almost imperceptible. The only manual intervention is based on handling the device used to activate the connection.

The dimensions of the connection are not subject to the fact that the thermoplastic material

and the hairs of the extension must forcefully surround the hairs of the scalp, creating a point of attachment whose volume cannot be reduced below a certain limit. For example, in the Japanese patent cited above, the simple fact that the hair of the extension must wrap around the hair of the head makes a voluminous bond in itself.

According to this invention, the dimensions of the junction depend solely on the amount of hair compacted within the extension - the thinner the extension, the thinner the bond.

The absence of handshake therefore leads to the formation of uniform bonds. Their optimal quality prevents disconnection caused by, for example, water penetration or the like.

With this system, it is also possible to hide the extensions inside the hair. Then, because it is possible to apply extensions equidistant from each other, additional extensions can be applied between them, with the possibility of obtaining permanent extensions within short periods of time and creating a variety of strands (shades) by mixing extensions with colors different from the user's hair color.

This process reduces the amount of thermoplastic material used, the activation energy used, no heat loss and no adhesion of equipment or bonding devices.

In addition, as may be appreciated, the above-described extension procedure and related extension kits, due to the possibility of using numerous application variations, allow the professional operator to use his imagination to the maximum.

In addition to the above-described procedures for adding hair extensions, extension kits suitable for use in the above-described process, and procedures for manufacturing those kits, an operator in this field may incorporate numerous additional modifications and variations for the purpose of satisfying additional and supplementary requirements, all of which are included within the protected scope of the subject inventions as defined in the appended claims.

In particular, a person skilled in the art will be aware that the shape of the fastening elements 13 may differ from that of the drawing and that the width of these elements may be the same as that of the extensions C or slightly larger. Furthermore, the distance between the extensions C on the strip 11 can be selected as appropriate.

Claims (25)

1. A method for increasing the volume or length of hair, comprising the following steps: - providing a plurality of extensions (C) containing several hairs (3), which are connected by a fastening element (13), which extensions (C) are arranged in a line and basically parallel to their fastening elements (13) placed on a support strip (11) having an adhesive side (11a); - sticking the adhesive side (11a) of the support strip (11) to the hair of the head (T) and placing the extensions (C); - connecting the extensions (C) to the hair of the head by connecting the fastening elements (13) to them. 2. The method according to claim 1, where the extensions (C) of one support strip (11) are connected to the hair of the head at the same time. 3. The method according to one of claims 1 or 2, where the extensions (C) are attached by activating the binding means (22, 23, 25, 27, 28) from the attachment elements (13). 4. The method according to one of claims 1 or 2, where the extensions are attached by activating the attachment elements (13) which are binding means for connecting the extensions (C) to the hair of the head (T). 5. The method according to one of claims 3 or 4, where said binding means (13, 22, 23, 25, 27, 28) are activated by applying heat or ultrasonic energy. 6. A method according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein mechanical energy, heat or ultrasonic energy is applied via a clamp (15) with two pressure elements (16) which are extended to produce a uniform pressure along the entire length of the strip (11). 7. The method according to claim 6, where a clamp (15) is used which has a fixed jaw (47) and a pressure element (49) which is moved by a driving means (44) in relation to said fixed jaw (47). 8. The method according to claim 7, where the pressure element (49) of the clamp (15) is hinged to compensate for possible differences in hair density. 9. The method according to one of claims 7 or 8, where the pressure element (49) of the clamp (15) is driven by an electric motor (44). 10. The method according to claim 3, where said binding agents (22, 23, 25, 27, 28) consist of glue. 11. The method of claim 11, wherein the adhesive is activated by exposure to ambient air. 12. The method according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the protective tape (14) which is installed on said support tape (11) is removed before adhering the support tape (11) to the hair of the head (T). 13. A set (12) for increasing the volume or length of hair, which contains: - a support tape (11) that has an adhesive side (4); - a plurality of extensions (C), which contain several hairs, which are connected by a fastening element (13) which extensions (C) are arranged in a line and basically parallel to their fastening elements (13) placed on the support strip (11); - connecting means (22, 23, 25, 27, 28) which are installed on the fastening elements (13) to connect the extensions (C) to the hair of the head (T). 14. A set (12) for increasing the volume or length of hair, which contains: - a support strip (11) that has an adhesive side (4); - several extensions (C), which contain several hairs, which are connected by a fastening element (13), which extensions (C) are arranged in a line and basically parallel to their fastening elements (13) placed on the support strip (11), which fastening elements (13) are connecting means for connecting the extensions (C) to the hair of the head (T). 15. Kit (12) according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the support strip (11) is transparent. 16. Kit (12) according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the fastening elements (13) are made of thermoplastic material. 17. Kit (12) according to claim 16, wherein the thermoplastic material is made of polyester and/or polyamide and/or polyurethane. 18. A kit (12) according to one of claims 13 to 17, wherein a protective strip (14) is installed on said support strip (11) to be removed prior to adhering the support strip (11) to the scalp (T). 19. The kit (12) according to one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the support strip (11) is heat resistant. Kit (12) according to one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the fastening elements (13) include decorative elements. 21. Kit (12) according to one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the adhesive side (4) of the support tape (11) is based on an adhesive of a non-permanent and revised type that acts under pressure and with an adhesive force on the support tape (11) greater than that produced on the thermoplastic material of the fastening elements (13). 22. Kit (12) according to one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the bonding means (22, 23, 25, 27, 28) comprise an adhesive substance composed of thermoplastic material, thermoset material, heat-activated adhesives or air-activated adhesives. 23. A kit (12) according to one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the fastening elements (13) are positioned along a straight line with spaces between them on the support strip (11). 24. The kit (12) according to one of claims 13 to 23, wherein the hairs of the extensions (C) are of a different color than the color of the head hair (T). 25. Kit (12) according to one of claims 13 to 24, wherein the fastening elements (13) consist of plates having at least layers of plastic with different melting points.