AU2021107191A4 - Hair curling device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair curling device (1) having a pliable body (2) configured to be intertwined with hair to be styled and a pair of fasteners (3,4) for securing the device to the hair. Figure 1 2 4 35 FIGURE 1

Description

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35

FIGURE 1

Hair curling device and method

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for curling and/or styling hair.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

[0003] There are various non-electrical devices for curling hair. Traditionally, non electrical devices in the form of hair rollers made of hard material, including plastic or metal material, were commonly used to curl hair. Certain hair rollers require heat to be applied to them in order for the curls to set in place, while some hair rollers are heatless.

[0004] More recently, non-electrical hair rollers that require no heat have been developed with softer materials for user comfort, including foam, silk, and satin. These devices are typically secured onto hair using ties, elastics, and hook and loop fasteners. However, these devices are often made up of a number of separate parts, with users necessarily requiring multiple rollers to curl all of their hair and/or secure numerous ties or fasteners to ensure the curling device stays in place. Managing these numerous separate parts results in such devices being difficult to use and time consuming to place in hair. During hair setting, there is a risk that the components of the device will untie, loosen, or fall out during result, resulting in a poor styling outcome. Additionally, due to the materials used for these curlers, including foam and silk, these devices often require some disassembly and specific treatments for cleaning between uses.

[0005] For long lasting curls without the use of heat, non-electrical heatless curlers require hair to be damp before the device is placed in the hair. Curlers that are made of delicate material such as silk and satin are not absorbent and therefore do not aid in the drying of hair, therefore prolonging the time taken for curls to set.

[0006] Many hair curlers are configured to only allow for a single curl type or structure to be produced, with the curl type being dependent upon the shape of the hair curling device. This restricts users from being able to choose the tightness of the curls produced. As a result, users are required to purchase different devices to achieve different curl types and different hair styles.

Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to a first aspect the present invention provides a device for curling hair including: a pliable body configured to be intertwined with hair to be curled, wherein once the hair and body are intertwined, the body is configured to be manoeuvred to form a hair style; and at least one fastener for securing the device to the hair.

[0008] Preferably, the body is in the form of an elongate strip, having a first end and a second end. The body is preferably formed from fabric or material.

[0009] The body preferably includes an inner structure configured to provide the device with pliability and shape. The inner structure may include any one or more of: fibers, webbing, fabrics, wire forms, synthetics, natural materials, foams, sponges, polymers, and elastomers.

[0010] Preferably, the inner structure includes at least one interfacing layer and at least one adhesive layer. An outer fabric sheet is preferably adhered to the inner structure. Preferably, the fabric is adhered using heat. More preferably, the fabric is arranged to encompass the inner structure. Preferably, the device includes an outer fabric sheet arranged on either side of the inner structure. The outer fabric sheets are preferably stitched together around the perimeter of each sheet.

[0011] Alternatively, the inner structure includes a flexible and resilient wire. The wire is preferably covered in foam material. In a further alterative, the inner structure includes a resilient foam material. In both options, the foam material is preferably covered in an outer fabric casing.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment, the inner structure may include an elastic material. In another embodiment, the inner structure includes at least two layers of flexible fabric. In a further embodiment , the inner structure includes a polyester fiber filling. The inner structure is preferably covered in an outer fabric casing.

[0013] A fastener is preferably located at one of the ends. More preferably, a fastener is located at each end of the body. Each fastener preferably includes a hook strip and a loop strip fixed on either side of the body of the device.

[0014] Preferably, the device includes two hook strips located on one face of the elongate body. Each hook strip is preferably located at an opposite end of the elongate body. Preferably, two loop strips are located on another face of the elongate body. Each loop strip is located intermediate the ends of the elongate body and positioned to releasably connect to a respective hook strip when the device is intertwined with the hair. Alternatively, the loop strips may be located at each end of the body and the hook strips located on the opposite face of the body and intermediate the ends. In other embodiments, fasteners such as buttons, snaps, ties, magnets, elastic, or fabric can be used.

[0015] The device is preferably formed from a washable material. Advantageously, the device will be easily washed and does not need to be taken apart for cleaning between uses.

[0016] Preferably, the device is formed from a light to medium weight, soft material. This advantageously allows the curling device to be secured to the hair for an extended period of time to allow the hair style to set without causing discomfort to the user.

[0017] Preferably, the device is formed from an absorbent material. Preferably, the absorbent material includes bamboo. This advantageously allows curls to form faster as the material of the device will absorb moisture from the user's hair.

[0018] The device is preferably formed from a smooth fabric. This advantageously reduces or eliminates frizz in the hair due to the hair drying against a smooth surface. Very textured and rough material can rub against hair and create frizz.

[0019] According to a second aspect the present invention provides a method for curling hair using the device as described in the first aspect, the method including the steps of: (a) intertwining the body of the device with a section of hair to be curled; (b) thereafter manoeuvring the body of the device to form a hair style, and (c) securing the device to the hair with the fastener.

[0020] Step (b) preferably includes rotating and/or twisting the device and the intertwined hair to form a bun shape.

[0021] The method may achieve tight curls by intertwining a small section of hair with the device in step (a). Alternatively, the method may achieve loose curls by intertwining a large section of hair with the device in step (a).

[0022] Preferably, the method includes a step prior to step (a) of dampening the hair.

[0023] Preferably, the method includes the further step of (d) disconnecting the fastener to detach the device from the hair.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0025] Figure 1 shows the curling device.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a section of the curling device in a straight configuration.

[0027] Figure 3 shows a section of the curling device in a bent configuration.

[0028] Figure 4 shows an end section of the curling device.

[0029] Figures 5 shows both ends of the curling device, with one end oriented to show the hook strip and the other end turned over to show the back face.

[0030] Figure 6 shows the curling device in a first storage configuration.

[0031] Figure 7 shows the curling device in a second storage configuration.

[0032] Figure 8 shows the curling device in use being wrapped around the hair of a user.

[0033] Figure 9 shows the curling device in use after placement in the hair of the user.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

[0034] The present invention will now be described with reference to the following examples which should be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive.

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the heatless non-electric curling device (1) includes a long narrow body (2) made of fabric, that hair is wrapped around or intertwined with to form curls.

[0036] The outer body (2) of the curling device is made from soft absorbent fabric material largely composed of bamboo. Absorbent material is important as users are recommended to dampen their hair prior to using the device as this ensures that curls last longer. The absorbent fabric helps to shorten the time taken for hair to dry and the curls to set. Other material that is flexible, soft and/or absorbent can also be used for the body of the curling device. This includes but is not limited to materials such as cotton, linen, modal, rayon, wool, cotton terry, fleece, microfiber, plush, hemp, flannel, cashmere, other natural and synthetic materials, or a combination of those listed.

[0037] The inner body of the curling device (not shown) contains interfacing and adhesive that add to the structure and maintain the shape of the device. In its current form, interfacing and adhesive layers are adhered to the outer bamboo fabric using an iron. The fabrics are then sewn together by stitching around the perimeter of the body.

[0038] The inner body can be made up of other materials, including but not limited to fibers, webbing, fabrics, wire forms, synthetics, natural materials, foams, sponges, polymers, elastomers or a combination of those listed.

[0039] For example, in another embodiment, the inner structure includes a flexible and resilient wire covered in a foam material. Alternatively, the inner structure includes a resilient foam material. In both options, the foam material is covered in an outer fabric casing to form the body of the curling device.

[0040] In a further alternative embodiment, the inner structure may include an elastic material. In another embodiment, the inner structure includes at least two layers of flexible fabric, adhered together by adhesive or stitching. In a further embodiment , the inner structure includes a polyester fiber filling. In all of these examples, the inner structure is covered in an outer fabric casing to form the body of the device.

[0041] Hook and loop strips are used as fasteners that are fixed on either side of the body of the device at both ends. There are two hook strips (3) fixed on one side of the curling device at either end. These hook strips are fixed onto the very ends of the curling device. There are two loop strips (4) fixed on the other side of the curling device, located intermediate the ends of the body and to allow connection to a respective hook strip. The fasteners can be in the form of hook and loop strips, however other materials can be used. For example, buttons, snaps, ties, magnets, elastic, or fabric can be used in place of the hook and loop straps to secure the curler in place.

[0042] For storage, the device may be rolled up, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. It will be appreciated that the device is easy to store and take minimal storage space.

[0043] In use, hair is wrapped around or intertwined with the body of the curling device. Users part their hair down the middle into two large sections and position the middle (5) of the curling device (1) on top of their head (6). This ensures that the body of the device is of equal lengths for the two large sections of hair to be wrapped around. The length of the hair curler is therefore required to be long enough for all hair to be wrapped around. The hair curler comes in multiple lengths to be suitable for short, medium, and long hair.

[0044] Referring to Figure 8, starting with one side of the hair, a user takes a small section of hair at the front and wraps this section around the body (2) of the device (1). While holding onto the hair which is coiled around the device, the user then adds the next section of hair on the side of their head and wraps it around the device. The user continues this process until all of the hair on the one side of the head has been wrapped around the body of the device. Users are able to choose the type of curl that is produced by grabbing smaller or larger sections of hair. Larger sections of hair will produce more looser curls while smaller sections will result in tighter curls.

[0045] The width of the curling device provides a suitable structure for hair to be coiled around and for curls to be formed. The height of the curling device is short, providing enough thickness to stabilise the body of the device when hair is wrapped around it and it is twisted. Like the length of the curling device, the width and height can also vary as different sizes are required for short, medium, and long hair.

[0046] In some embodiments, the body of the device may measure between 3 and 4cm in width, preferably about 3.5cm, and between about 180cm and 200cm in length, preferably about 190cm. For short hair, the body of the device could be between 40 to cm shorter and the width between 2.5cm and 3.5cm. For long hair, the body of the device could be between 30 to 50cm longer and the width between about 3.5 and 5cm.

[0047] In further embodiments, the device may include attachable extenders to more easily suit different lengths of hair. Alternatively, two hair curling devices may be connected together by their respective fasteners to form a longer device.

[0048] In further embodiments, the shape of the body may be a spiral, allowing hair to be guided around the spiral as it is being wrapped around the body. Alternatively, the body may be any one of a rod, a hollow cylinder, tapered at either end, tapered at both ends, tapered in the middle, bubbled, or have a bubbled portion at either end where hair is wrapped between the bubbles.

[0049] Once all hair is wrapped around the curling device, the body of the device and the intertwined hair can be rotated and twisted to form a bun shape, as shown in Figure 9. To hold the curling device in place and secure the bun, the fastener hook and loop strips are pressed together. This step is repeated on both sides of the user's hair, resulting in two buns that are positioned close to the user's head.

[0050] The hook and loop strips on each end of the body of the curling device are positioned at a distance from each other so that they join up and close to form a bun. The length of the hook strips (3) and loop strips (4) accommodate for varying thicknesses of hair, in order for the user to be able to press the hook and loop strips together regardless of having thinner or thicker hair. The length of the distance in between the hook strip and loop strip on each side of the device will vary for the different curling devices made for short, medium, and long hair.

[0051] The material of the curling device is soft and lightweight which allows users to comfortably leave the device in their hair for a few hours until their hair is dry and curls are set. No heat is required to set the curls, as hair can be left to dry naturally and is aided by the absorbency of the material that the device is made up of.

[0052] Once the user's hair is dry and curls have set, the device can simply be removed from the user's hair by pulling apart the hook and loop strips on each bun and unravelling their hair from the device. The user is left with hair which is formed in curls. The user can break up the curls by running their fingers through their hair, or use a brush to further loosen the curls.

[0053] The curling device is easy to wash, as there is no dissembling required and all material is able to be washed. Given the size of the curling device and the ability to wrap the device around itself into a spiral shape, the device is easy to store and takes up little storage space.

[0054] This invention has been specifically devised in order to provide users with a single piece non-electrical heatless hair curling device made of soft absorbent material, that is comfortable and quick to use, allows for different curl types to be formed, and requires little maintenance.

[0055] The invention is a single piece non-electric and heatless hair curling device, that allows users to curl their hair while maintaining the health of their hair.

[0056] The single piece design ensures that the device is quick and easy to use, as the user does not need to manage different parts when placing the device onto their hair. The single piece design is also easy to store and there are no additional parts that are at risk of being misplaced or damaged.

[0057] The single piece design and the fabric used for the device requires little care and maintenance as the device can be easily washed and does not need to be taken apart.

[0058] The device is made of lightweight, soft material, for user comfort which ensures that the hair curler can left in hair for a long period of time if preferred, while the curls set.

[0059] As the material of the heatless curler is absorbent, it allows for curls to form faster as the material will absorb some of the moisture in the user's hair.

[0060] The smooth fabric used for the device helps to eliminate frizz as hair dries against a smooth surface. Very textured and rough material can rub against hair and create frizz.

[0061] While the above description is directed towards what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A device for curling hair including: a pliable body configured to be intertwined with hair to be curled, wherein once the hair and body are intertwined, the body is configured to be manoeuvred to form a hair style; and at least one fastener for securing the device to the hair.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the body is in the form of an elongate strip, having a first end and a second end.

3. A device according to claim 2, including a pair of fasteners, each fastener located at a respective end of the body.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body includes a pliable inner structure.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the inner structure includes at least one interfacing layer and at least one adhesive layer.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the body includes an outer fabric sheet is adhered around the inner structure.

7. A method for curling hair using a device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the method including the steps of: (a) intertwining the body of the device with a section of hair to be curled; (b) thereafter manoeuvring the body of the device to form a hair style, and (c) securing the device to the hair with the fastener.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein step (b) includes rotating and/or twisting the device and the intertwined hair to form a bun shape.

9. A method according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the method includes a further step of (d) disconnecting the fastener to detach the device from the hair.

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FIGURE 1