GB2349816A

GB2349816A - Hairdresser's masking aid

Info

Publication number: GB2349816A
Application number: GB9910877A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Derrick John Martin Barker
Original assignee: JOHN MARTIN DESIGN ASSOCIATES
Current assignee: JOHN MARTIN DESIGN ASSOCIATES
Priority date: 1999-05-11
Filing date: 1999-05-11
Publication date: 2000-11-15
Also published as: GB9910877D0

Abstract

A strip (30) of flexible material is positioned partially below a selected strand of hair and, after treatment of that strand, e.g. with colorant, the other part of the strip is folded over and secured to the underlying part. Securement may be achieved by a strip of pressure sensitive adhesive (18, 28 Fig 1) or by corner areas 35, 37 of a foil layer which are folded over and crimped. A transverse bend 40 of absorbent material is provided near one end of the strip to lie between the overlying parts of the strip when folded and serve as a reservoir of treatment fluid. A transparent window 42 may be provided, and also a lifting tab 38. In another embodiment two separate strips may be provided to overlie each other.

Description

1 2349816 - P60772 - RAIRDREUER'S AID This invention concerns a

hairdresser's masking device for masking selected strands of a head of hair from other strands of the hair while the selected strands are treated, e.g. with colorant.

Several different devices for this purposes, each comprising a strip of flexible material which is folded or foldable so that, in use, one portion of the strip can overlie another portion, with selected, treated strands of hair sandwiched therebetween, are commercially available.

In particular a device is known which comprises a flexible strip of plastics material having two portions, one transparent, the other opaque, which have a common boundary defined by a formation about which one of the portions is pivotable relative to the other, one of the portions also carrying, along its edge margin remote from the common boundary, securing means in the form of a pressure sensitive contact adhesive whereby the other portion is securable thereto in the folded condition of the device. Such a device is described in EP-A-0122145.

An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative device, for the same purposes, incorporating improvements.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a hairdresser's masking device comprising a strip of flexible material for masking selected strands of a head of hair from other strands of the hair while the selected strands are treated, a first portion of the strip, when folded to overlie a second portion thereof, being securable thereto to envelop the selected strands of hair, characterised in that a transverse band of absorbent material is provided at or near one end of the strip so as to lie between overlying portions of the strip when it is f olded.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a hairdresser's masking device comprising two separate strips of flexible material for masking selected strands of a head of hair from other strands of the hair while the selected strands are treated, the first strip having, on at least one surface, securing means whereby the second strip, when overlying the first strip, may be secured thereto to envelop the selected strands of hair, a transverse band of absorbent material being provided at or near one end of the f irst or second strip so as to lie between the overlying strips when they are secured together.

In use, the ends of the folded strip or the ends of the respective overlying strips between which the absorbent material is located, are disposed near the roots of the selected strands of hair which are undergoing treatment. These root-adjacent regions of hair are always problematic. It is desirable that they be thoroughly subjected to the treatment, usually colouring treatment, right up to the scalp, but it is often difficult to secure the flexible strip right next to the scalp. Moreover, after treatment, with colorant or other solution, the liquid, which is supposed to stay in contact with the selected strands for a certain period of time, tends to drain downwardly away from the roots. When using a device in accordance with either aspect of the invention, however, the absorbent material, e.g. a strip of felt, serves as a reservoir for the colorant or other treatment fluid and ensures that regions of hair adjacent the roots are adequately covered by the fluid for a sufficient period of time.

In order to hold the strip in a folded condition, or to hold the respective strips together in overlying relation, some form of securing means is to be preferred. This may be adhesive or it may be edges or corners or tabs of foil or similar material which can be crimped around the edges of the other portion or strip. However, it is also possible that the material of the strip itself, or the strips themselves, may inherently be clingable and be held in overlying relation to the other portion or strip with the treated hair therebetween by virtue of the dampened hair and/or the presence of the treatment fluid.

Some means of securing the side edges of the folded strip or the respective strips is desirable so as to minimise leakage of treatment fluid from the sides, and keep the selected strands bathed in said fluid for the allotted time. Thus adhesive spots along or near the side edges is an advantageous manner of securing the strip portions or strips together, or crimping of the edges at one or more locations.

In order to keep the strip or strips near to the roots of the selected strands of hair, additional securing means, in the form of pressure sensitive contact adhesive is advantageously provided on the other surface of the strip or one of the strips to enable the strip or that strip to be secured to other underlying strands of hair while the selected strands are treated.

other features are developments of the present invention are referred to in the claims appended hereto and will be apparent from the following description of some exemplary embodiments. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a f irst embodiment of a hairdresser's masking device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows the same device when folded so that the two portions overlie each other; Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of the top right hand corner of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a similar view of a modified embodiment; Figures 5 to 7 show three variants of tabs or cut outs which may be used in devices of the invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a hairdresser's masking device in accordance with the invention; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic longitudinal cross-section approximately through a mid-line of the device shown in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the device of Figure 8 as it is being folded; and Figure 11 is a similar view showing the device of Figure 8 once fully folded and with the overlying portions secured.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a first practical embodiment of the masking device of the invention comprises an elongate rectangular strip (10) of flexible plastics material. The strip (10) is divided into a first portion (12) and a second portion (14) which are of substantially equal size/length, and are joined along a common boundary in the form of a well-defined fold line (16). As is clearly shown in Figure 1, the strip (10) tends to fold along the line (16) so that the portions (12, 14) overlie each other.

The strip (10) in this embodiment is made of a laminate of a transparent and an opaque plastics material, the latter being cut away, prior to lamination, in two oval areas, substantially centrally of the respective portions (12, 14) so as to provide corresponding windows (22, 24) in the folded condition of the device (Figure 2).

The first portion (12) has a strip or line of adhesive (18), preferably pressure sensitive contact adhesive, adjacent its free end. It also has spots (28) of the same adhesive adjacent each side edge. The adhesive (18, 28) serves to hold the second portion (14) in overlying relation to the first portion (12) in the folded condition of the device, both prior to use and after selected strands of hair are arranged therebetween and treated by colorant.

The first portion (12) also has a strip of absorbent material, such as felt (20), along its free end. This serves as a reservoir for colorant or other treatment fluid during use of the masking device. The felt (20) may, in modified embodiments, extend around the corners of the strip (10), as shown in Figure 4.

The second portion (14) has a projecting tab (26) formed on its free end to facilitate separation of the second portion (14) from the first portion (12) as the device is put into use, and also at the end of the hair treatment.

In use, a strand of hair is selected for treatment and the strip (10) is opened (using the tab (26)) so that the second portion (14) hangs loose of the first portion (12), as shown in Figure 1, and then positioned below that strand so that the felt (20) and the adhesive (18) are near the hair roots. The hairs of the strand overlie the first portion (12) and may be secured, in part, to the adhesive. The strand is then treated, e.g. by colorant fluid being applied thereto by a brush, swab or other applicator. The second portion (14) of the strip (10) is then folded over the first portion (12), to envelop the treated hair, and is retained by the adhesive spots (28), and possible also by the adhesive strip (18). The adhesive (28) at the sides minimises leakage of treatment fluid from the envelope.

However, the discontinuous adhesive application - i.e. spaced spots - is important in enabling some access to the enveloped space by air so as to dissipate heat during the take up of colorant by the hair.

To develop the appropriate colour, the hair has to be kept in contact with colorant fluid for a certain time - minimum and maximum may be specified. The windows (22, 24) are useful in this respect in allowing inspection of the hair as the treatment progresses.

Once the allotted time is over, or the hair is assessed to have been adequately exposed to colorant, the tab (26) is again used to open up the strip (10), which can then be removed and discarded.

Figures 5 to 7 show various ways in which extensions (tabs) slots, slits, notches or cut aways may be provided in other modified embodiments of the device to facilitate the separation of the first and second portions (12, 14) of the strip (10).

In another embodiment, comparable to that shown in Figures 1 and 3 in other respects, the opaque plastics of the laminated strip (10) could be of a type (e.g. styrene) which clings to itself, or which can be held to another similar surface by the surface tension of fluid therebetween. In such an embodiment, the adhesive strip (18) and the adhesive spots (28) need not be provided. To hold the strip (10) in position below the selected strands of hair adhesive would preferably be provided on the reverse side of the first portion (12), to adhere to underlying hair.

With reference to Figures 8 to 11, a second practical embodiment of the masking device of the invention also comprises an elongate strip (30) of flexible material. However, this strip (30), unlike that in Figures 1 to 3, does not have any defined fold line. In use it can be folded over at any position selected by the hairdresser so that a portion at one end overlies a portion at the other end.

The strip (30) is composed of a laminate of two pieces of plastics material (32, 34) and one piece of metal foil (36) e.g. aluminium foil, as shown i Figure 9. At least one piece (32) of the plastics material is substantially transparent and forms a window (42), where an oval area of the foil (36) is cut away (similar to the windows (22, 24) in the first embodiment).

The same piece of plastics material (32) is shaped so as to provide a projecting tab (38) and also so as to leave free two corner areas (35, 39) of foil above.

At the other end, the foil is shaped to leave free corner regions and an end region of the plastics piece (34), which may be transparent or opaque.

There is no adhesive at all on the surface of the strip (30) which will lie inside the envelope when one end portion is folded over onto the other.

By means of a double sided tape (41) - or comparable layers of glue, paper and glue (43, 44, 45) as shown in Figure 9, - a strip of absorbent material (40), such as foamed plastics or felt, is secured to the end of the plastics web (34). One layer of glue (43) adheres the paper (44) and foam (40) at respective sides to the end of the web (34).

The other layer of glue (45) remains exposed on the other surface of the strip (10) to secure it, in use, to underlying strands of hair, as explained in relation to the modified embodiment described above.

In use, the strip (30) is applied below the selected strand of hair, in the disposition shown in Figure 8, with the foam (40) facing upwards, adjacent the roots of the hair. The glue layer (45) below adheres to underlying hair. After application of colorant fluid to the selected strand, the strip (30) is folded, as shown in Figure 10, the position of the fold being selected - 10 depending on hair length or other factors. The overlying portion of the strip (30) is secured over the remainder, with the treated hair therebetween, by crimping of the foil corners (37, 39) around the corresponding corners of the plastics laminate (34) at the other end, which then lies below the hair, as shown in Figure 11. Crimping of the foil (36) where the strip (30) has folded, at locations (39), may also be done, but is optional.

Again, the foil in the laminate shown in Figures 8 to 11 may be replaced by a material having self-adhesive properties, or which can be retained in a folded condition solely by the surface tension of the treatment fluid therebetween, thus obviating the need for any crimping or other manual action to hold the strip in a folded condition. of course, respective clips may also be used for this purpose instead of or in addition to any of the means of securement referred to herein.

The invention is not limited to the details of the illustrated embodiments. Many variations are possible and any of the details or features referred to can be used with any others. In particular, in other embodiments (not illustrated) the strip of material may be folded lengthwise over the treated hair, or two separate strips may be provided for enveloping the treated hair.

Claims

1. A hairdresser's masking device comprising a strip of flexible material for masking selected strands of a head of hair from other strands of the hair while the selected strands are treated, a first portion of the strip, when folded to overlie a second portion thereof, being securable thereto to envelop the selected strands of hair, characterised in that a transverse band of absorbent material is provided at or near one end of the strip so as to lie between overlying portions of the strip when it is folded.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein securing means are provided for maintaining the strip in a folded condition in the form of pressure sensitive contact adhesive which is distributed discontinuously on one surface of the strip.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the strip is at least partially formed of metal foil and securing means for maintaining the strip in a folded condition comprises edge margins of foil on one portion of the strip which can be crimped around edges of the other portion of the strip.

4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein additional securing means, also in the form of pressure sensitive contact adhesive, is provided on the other surface of the - 12 strip to enable the strip to be secured to other underlying strands of hair while the selected strands are treated.

5. A device according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein an extension is provided at one end of the strip to facilitate lifting a folded portion of the strip away from the remainder of the strip.

6. A device according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein at least one section of the material of the strip is cut away from one end of the strip to facilitate lifting a folded portion of the strip away from the remainder of the strip.

7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the strip is composed of a laminate of a metal foil and a plastics material.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the plastics material is substantially transparent or translucent and the metal foil is laminated thereto only in part of parts of the area of the strip, leaving at least one window through which hair will be visible.

9. A device according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the strip comprises two portions, one being of metal foil, the other being of a substantially transparent or translucent plastics material.

10. A device according to claim 1 wherein the strip comprises two portions, one being of a clingable material, such as styrene, the other being of a substantially transparent or translucent plastics material.

11. A device according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the two portions have a common boundary defined by a fold line about which on portion is pivotable relative to the other so as to be secured thereto by the adhesive.

12. A device according to claim 1 wherein the strip is composed of a laminate of a clingable material and another plastics material.

13. A device according to claim 12 wherein the plastics material is substantially transparent or translucent and the clingable material is laminated thereto only in part of parts of the area of the strip, leaving at least one window through which hair will be visible.

14. A hairdresser's masking device comprising two separate strips of flexible material for masking selected strands of a head of hair from other strands of the hair while the selected strands are treated, the first strip having, on at least one surf ace, securing means whereby the second strip, when overlying the first strip, may be secured thereto to envelop the selected strands of hair, a transverse band of absorbent material being provided at or near one end of the 14 f irst or second strip so as to lie between the overlying strips when they are secured together.

15. A device according to claim 14 wherein the securing means is in the form of pressure sensitive contact adhesive which is distributed discontinuously along the side edge margins of one surface of the first strip.

16. A device according to claim 14 or 15 wherein additional securing means, also in the form of pressure sensitive contact adhesive, is provided on the other surface of the first strip to enable that strip to be secured to other underlying strands of hair while the selected strands are treated.

17. A device according to claim 14 or 15 wherein additional securing means, also in the form of pressure sensitive contact adhesive, is provided on that surface of the second strip which in use is intended to face away from the first strip to enable the second strip to be secured to other underlying strands of hair while the selected strands are treated.

18. A device according to any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein an extension is provided at one end of the f irst or the second strip to facilitate lifting the respective overlying strip away from the other after securement thereto.

19. A device according to any of claims 14 to 17 wherein at least one section of the material is cut away from one end of the first or the second strip to facilitate lifting the respective overlying strip away from the other after securement thereto.

20. A device according to any of claims 14 to 19 wherein one strip is composed of a metal foil.

21. A device according to any of claims 14 to 20 wherein one strip is composed of a laminate of a metal foil and a plastics material, the plastics material being substantially transparent or translucent and the metal foil being laminated thereto only in part of parts of the area of the strip, leaving at least one window through which hair will be visible.

22. A hairdresser's masking device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by any one of the accompanying drawings.