GB2384425A

GB2384425A - Hair treatment device with indicia

Info

Publication number: GB2384425A
Application number: GB0227877A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chris Rossi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-11-29
Filing date: 2002-11-29
Publication date: 2003-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-29
Also published as: GB2384425B; GB0128531D0; GB0227877D0

Abstract

The device comprises two strips 2,3 of eg foil or plastics, foldable at their connection to isolate a portion of hair to be treated, eg highlighted. One sheet carries indicia 9 (see Fig 2) for determining the length 10 and/or thickness 11 of hair to be treated. Strip 3 may be transparent to enable the indicia to be read through it. Adhesive portions 7,8 grip the hair and seal the strips when folded. An indicator line 12 shows the limit of where treatment liquid should be applied so as to avoid skin damage.

Description

1 Hairdressing Apparatus 2 3 The present invention relates to an apparatus which can 4 be used by a hairdresser to isolate or separate sections 5 or strands of hair, for example when applying colourant 6 or straightening the hair. Specifically the present 7 invention relates to such an apparatus which allows the 8 stylist to accurately measure and determine the amount of 9 hair to be treated in a reproducible manner.

] 0 ]] M-. ny techniques used in a hairdressing salon require ] 2 ir. dividual strands or sections of hair to separated or 13 isolated from the remaining head of hair. In addition to 14 the separation or isolation of sections of hair, many 15 techniques benefit from the provision of a system, which 16 facilitates the application of a treatment in a safe and 17 tidy manner and allows the stylist to concentrate and J8 work on one section of the hair at a time. For example, 19 this may be desirable during colouring, dyeing, 20 straightening or bleaching of the hail, and in particular 21 in instances where highlights are being created or only 22 some of the hair is being coloured, e. g. , when re- 3 applying colour 1-0 the roots of the hair.

1 2 In particular, a significant number of people choose to 3 treat their hair in order to make it more attractive in 4 appearance by adding colour, often using"highlights".

5"Highlights"do not cover all the hair on the head but 6 only selected sections of the hair. As new hair grows 7 from the scalp the"highlights"must either be allowed to 8 grow out, leaving the new hair closest to the head

9 uncoloured, or"highlights"must be applied again. To 10 retain the effect"highlights"must also be reapplied to I1 replace the colour of the highlights in the hair as it zu fades over time.

J 3 ] 4 Many people choose to have"highlights"reapplied by the ] 5 hairdresser continuously every few months. The process 16 os re-applying involves two aspects namely; a) colouring 17 only those parts of the hair which have not been ]8 previously coloured as repeated applications of chemicals J9 damage the hair, and b) selecting sections of the hair 20 for colouring which are similar in thickness to previous 21 applications to produce a similar effect.

zu 23 A number of different apparatus has been developed to 24 a'ilow highlighting to be carried out. European Patent No 25 0122145 describes an apparatus, which can be used to 6 separate strands of hair from the rest of the head of '7 hair for treatment.

r L 8 29 However, at present, using conventional apparatus, such 30 as that disclosed in European Patent No 0122145, 31 hairstylists have to use guesswork when applying or re- 32 applying highlights (or other treatments) to calculate 33 the length of hair that has regrown since the last

1 application, and also the thickness of hair isolated into 2 sections for highlighting. The length of regrowth of 3 hair is estimated on the basis of time passed since the 4 last application, and the thickness of hair selected into 5 sections for colouring, is estimated, generally as"fine, 6 medium or thick". It will be appreciated that these 7 methods are not very scientific and allow for error and 8 lack in definition in providing a professional service.

9 It is also difficult to reproduce results over several ] 0 treatments. As a result, in the case where highlights 11 are being added the result may appear to the individual 12 toc) be more or less"bright"than on previous occasions.

] 3 Generally this is because the highlights added to the 14 h,. lr are thicker or thinner than those added in the

] 5 previous application.

J 6 17 There are also times when colour should be applied to ] 8 more than just the regrowth area to"lift"the colour to 19 a desired effect. However, this process must be carried 20 out with caution as applying any treatment or chemical il repeatedly can result in damage to the condition of this

2 area of the hair which in turn can lead to breakage.

'3 24 Estimating the"thickness"of the treatment to be 25 applied, in a reproducible and identical manner each time 26 the treatment is carried out, or even during an 27 individual application to ensure the highlights at the

28 front of the head are the same thickness to the back, has 29 until now been impossible. In addition no two stylist's 30 ides of "thickness" is the same and thus reproducibility : :, 1 is difficult, particularly if for example a junior 32 stylist or technician is assisting in the treatment.

33 Similarly the lack of reproducibility may cause a problem

1 should, for example, a different stylist have to carry 2 out the treatment, which may be necessary if the usual 3 stylist is too busy or not in the salon.

4 5 It is wherefore an object of the present invention to 6 provide apparatus, which allows reproducible results to 7 be obtained when application of a hair 8 colourant/dye/bleach or straightening or some other 9 treatment is carried out to a head of hair.

10 11 According to the present invention there is provided J2 apparatus for isolating a section of hair during 13 treatment, comprising a generally elongate sheet of 14 pliable material having a first and second portion,

]5 wherein the first portion can be folded onto the second zu portion, and wherein at least one of the first and second ]'7 portions has indicator means which can be used to ]8 determine the amount of hair which is to be treated.

J 9 20 Preferably the indicator means are lines or markings on il at least one of the first and second portions.

22 23 The lines or markings may have imperial or metric 24 measuring units. For example the lines or markings may

zu be provided in centimetre increments. In one preferred 26 embodiment the lines or markings are provided in '7 increments of 0. 25 centimetres. The lines or markings 28 may also indicate weeks or months. z 10 In a preferred embodiment the apparatus has a first set 31 of indicator means which can be used to determine the 32 length of hair which is to be treated. Advantageously 33 this can be used to measure the area of hair which has

1 regrown since a previous treatment. The apparatus may 2 also have a second set of indicator means which can be 3 used to determine the thickness of the hair which is to 4 be treated.

5 6 The apparatus may also have indicator means for ensuring 7 that an area of the hair closest to the head is not 8 treated.

9 ] 0 Preferably the first and second portion are separated by

] 1 a crease or fold.

J 2 13 In one embodiment at least one of the first and second 14 portions has a curved leading edge.

J 5 J6 The treatment may be any which requires sections of the J7 hair to be isolated from the remainder of the head of ] 8 hair and may include bleaching, colouring, dyeing, 19 highlighting, straightening or perming.

20 21 Preferably the apparatus is manufactured from a pliable 22 plastics material. The plastic may be polyethylene.

23 4 The apparatus may also be manufactured from foil.

25 26 Preferably at least one of the first and second portions

27 is transparent.

28 9 Preferably the leading edge of at least one of the first 30 and second portions has adhesive means. Most preferably 31 said adhesive means are adhesive strips.

; 2

1 Preferably the leading edge has two corner adhesive 2 strips.

3 4 An example embodiment of the invention will now be 5 illustrated with reference to the following Figures in

6 which : 7 8 Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the apparatus of 9 the present invention before it is folded over a section ] 0 oi'hair ; and J 1 ] 2 Figures 2 to 4 illustrate alternative embodiments of the J3 present invention.

J 4 J5 Referring to Figure 1, the apparatus of the present ] 6 invention comprises an elongate sheet of material 17 generally depicted at 1. In the depicted embodiment the J 8 sheet of material is in the form of a strip which can be

29 of various lengths or widths. The apparatus 1 is 20 manufactured from a flexible, pliable material which may l be plastic, foil or the like, and comprises a first 2 portion 2 and second portion 3. The second portion 3 can

-3 first portion'.

3 b folded onto the first portion 2. Typically at least 24 one of the first 2 or second 3 portions is made from a 25 transparent material which will facilitate viewing of the 26 indication means described below and will also allow the 7 stylist to observe processing of the treatment on the 28 hair.

29 30 It can be seen from Figure 1 that in use, the edge 4 of 31 the depicted apparatus which is placed against the head 32 has a slight curve 5 which allows the apparatus to be 33 placed closer and more comfortably to the head, as the

1 curve will follow the shape of the head. It will be 2 appreciated that as the apparatus can be moved closer to 3 the head, the entire strand or section of hair can be 4 coated by the treatment, for example in the case where it 5 is being coloured or bleached. This is also of 6 particular advantage when colouring the roots of the 7 hair, as the curve on the apparatus allows it to be 8 brought into direct and fitting contact with the head, 9 and hence the entire length of the section or strand of

10 hair, including the roots can be treated.

11 12 First 2 portion also has attachment means 6, which allow 13 hair to be gently gripped by the apparatus and held 14 in place. Typically the attachment means will comprise 15 wo adhesive strips, and more particularly in the

J6 preferred embodiment the attachment means will comprise ] 7 two corner adhesive strips designated by 7 and 8. The ] 8 two corner adhesive strips are located on the curved edge ] 9 of the apparatus which is placed against the head, and 20 gently grips the hair when it is placed flat on the lower 21 portion 2 of the apparatus. The corner adhesive strips 2 also act to seal the first 2 and second 3 portions of the 3 material together during use, protecting untreated hair 24 from the colourant or treatment and ensuring the treated 25 hair is sufficiently coated by the colourant or treatment 26 when required.

27 28 An important aspect of the present invention is that the 9 first 2 portion of the material also comprises a number 30 of indicator means 9 which allow the colourant or 31 treatment to be applied in an even and uniform manner.

32 Examples of the type of indicator means 9 are shown in 33 Figures 2 to 4. In the depicted embodiments the

1 indicator means are lines, but other markings such as 2 arrows, or words could be used. It is known that normal 3 ho. in grows approximately 1 inches within 12 weeks.

4 Typically the first 2 portion of the apparatus has 5 measurement lines. In a preferred embodiment these are 6 in increments of 0.25 cm, although this may be altered 7 depending on the accuracy required.

8 9 The apparatus has two sets of indicator means, each for a ] 0 different purpose. Referring to Figures 2 to 4, a first 11 set of indicator means 10 is used to record, and measure ] 2 regrowth of the hair (e. g. the length which has regrown J3 since the last application of treatment and which 14 requires re-treatment). In the depicted embodiment the 15 indicator means are provided in 0.25cm increments which ' ! 6 correlate to a designated number of weeks regrowth. For 17 example, the indicator means 10 can be used by the 18 stylised to determine the required amount of treatment 19 which needs to be applied to a section of hair which was

20 last coloured 8, 16, 24 or 32 weeks ago. The apparatus 21 also comprises a second set of indicator means 11 which 2 can be used by the stylist to determine the thickness of 23 the hair which is to be treated, e. g"fine, medium or 24 thick"sections, and is particularly useful for

5 highlights. The advantage of the second set of indicator 26 means lies in the fact that an accurate, and most 27 importantly reproducible measure of the thickness of 28 treatment or highlights to be applied can be obtained.

29 In the depicted embodiments in Figures 3 and 4, the

30 apparatus is 40cm in length and 9cm wide, although it should be appreciated that the size of the apparatus is 32 not limited to this.

33

1 Both sets of indicator means could be provided in metric 2 or imperial form, or alternatively may be provided with 3 markings in weeks or months to aid use. The divisions 4 could be smaller or larger if required. As an option, a 5 third indicator means 12 can also be provided as a 6 warning line which indicated the area closest to the 7 individuals head where no treatment should be applied (to 8 prevent damage to the skin, especially if the individual 9 is particularly sensitive to the chemical being used).

20 In the depicted embodiment, this is 5mm from the edge.

J1 ] 2 An inherent advantage of the present invention lies in 13 the fact that the apparatus eliminates the need for 14 guesswork or rough estimation when a hairstylist treats a ] 5 client's hair e. g. by applying colour, tints, highlights, 16 straightener or the like. Using the present invention, ] 7 the stylist or even junior stylist or technician will be 18 able to determine that after 8 weeks the hair will have 19 grown 25 mm and can therefore apply colour up to the 25 20 mm line. If the stylist also wishes to replace the 21 highlights previously added at the last time of treatment L2 (in this case 8 weeks prior) then colour can be applied L 3 up to the 50 mm line. This measuring system can be 24 incorporated as an essential part of the Client's 25 records, and the number of mistakes and errors will be

26 reproduced thereby increasing confidence in the stylist.

27 More importantly the apparatus of the present invention 28 can be used to ensure that reproducible results can be 29 obtained every time the client's hair is treated, 30 regardless of the time which has elapsed between 31 treatment, and who carries out the treatment. The ? 2 stylist therefore has an exact tool to record accurate 33 records and to replicate exact colouring styles. A

1 further advantage lies in rhe fact that as unnecessary 2 re-treatment of hair will be avoided, the hair condition 3 will be improved and breakage will be avoided.

4 5 The apparatus of the present invention can also be used 6 to determine the amount of treatment to be applied, even 7 if the client's written records are lost or the client 8 previously had the treatment applied in a different 9 Selon. To do this, a section of the previous highlight ] 0 is weaved out and placed against the apparatus. Using ]1 the second indicator means 11 will allow the stylist to ]2 determine exactly how thick the last highlights were.

13 The first set of indicator means 10 can also be used to 14 determine how long ago the last treatment was carried out

15 and the length which must be retreated.

16 ]7 The apparatus is also useful for complicated procedures, 18 e. g where it is required to replicate a difficult or 19 complicated colouring treatment, as the exact thickness

20 and length used to create the effect can be recorded and 21 thus reproduced not only over the entire head of hair in 22 hat instance, but on later treatments as well.

: :' 3 zu is now also very common for individuals to have two, 25 three or four different colours in the hair. This : : 6 procedure may involve the use of a blanching cr me (e. g.

27 a"high lift"blonde), with 40 vol peroxide, a golden 28 tint with 20/30 vol peroxide and a red tint with 20 vol 29 peroxide. Because the high lift blonde uses 40 vol 30 peroxide it generally only is applied to the new regrowth 31 area (which can be determined using the first set of 32 indicator means 11 e. g up to the 25 mm line). However it 33 may also be applied to the previous growth (e. g up to the

1 50 mm line on the first set of indicator means 10) with 2 care. The second set of measurements 11 can be used to 3 accurately measure the thickness of strand to be 4 highlighted. The red tint can fade by 50 % between 5 treatments and therefore requires re-application right 6 through to the ends or up to a previous growth where 7 there is enough red pigment so further requiring is not 8 required. If, for example the reel colour in the style is 9 more subdued a less thick strand can be measured using

]0 the second set 0 : indicator means. Similarly the golden zu highlights can be applied in a set thickness. To carry ] 2 out this procedure without a measuring system such as the 13 one included in the present invention would be extremely

]4 difficult, whilst reproducing the exact effect several ]5 weeks or months later would be impossible.

] 6 ]7 The apparatus is also useful for training purposes, as it ]8 can be used to eliminate the guesswork, which has been 19 previously necessary when treating hair. The junior 20 stylist can use the apparatus to produce exact and 21 consistent results, even if they have no or very little 22 experience of the procedure.

r 23 24 In use, the apparatus of the present invention allows a 5 head of hair to be treated in an exact and uniformed 26 manner. This may be particularly useful in salons where 27 colouring technicians or junior stylists apply colour, as 8 the provision of measuring lines will give an exact 29 measured description of how much of the hair is to be 30 coloured. The present invention also eliminates the need 31 for timely training of junior stylists to assess the 32 extent of treatment which needs to be applied. In other -, 3 words, the apparatus of the present invention eliminates

1 the need for an individual to interpret how much of the 2 strand or section of hair is to be treated or coloured, 3 as the exact amount can be calculated by assessing the 4 length of time which has elapsed since the hair was last 5 treated or coloured, and applying this to the measurement 6 lines on the apparatus. This may also be of an advantage 7 if more than one stylist is colouring the hair, as using 8 the apparatus of the present invention it will be 9 possible to keep the extent of application exact and 10 without variation.

1 1 ] 2 T e apparatus of the present invention is used as 23 follows. The strand or section of hair, which is 14 intended to be coloured or treated will be divided from ] 5 tre head of hair and placed over first portion 2 of the ] 6 apparatus. It will be appreciated that first portion 2 17 can be of any size or length. Feu example, various ] 8 embodlments of differing length are envisaged in the 19 present application to suit different lengths of hair.

'O In the example embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first 2 21 and second 3 portions of the apparatus are each 22 approximately 22 cm, whilst the apparatus has a width of 23 approximately 10 cm. In an alternative embodiment the 24 first 2 and second 3 portions are each 11 cm in length 25 and have a width of 10 cm. Once the hair is placed over 26 the first portion 2, it can be pressed gently down onto 27 the adhesive portions 6 which will gently grip the hair 8 i' ! place. Typically the section of hair will be placed 9 over the first portion 2, such that the curved edge 4 of 30 the first portion 2 is abutting the head. This is 1 greatly facilitated by the fact that the edge of the 32 first portion 2 is gently curved to correspond to the : :'3 curve of the head. Once the strands or section of hair

1 is held in place, it can be coated with a colourant or 2 bleach. The accuracy of coating the hair is greatly 3 enhanced by the provision of measurement lines 9 which 4 allow the stylist to accurately apply an even amount of 5 colourant to the whole head of hair without guesswork.

6 7 Finally, the first portion 3 can be folded through the 8 fold/hinge 8 over and on top of the second portion 2, 9 such that the strand or section of hair is sandwiched 10 between the first 2 and second portion 3. The lower ]1 portion 3 will be held in place once folded by the 12 adhesive strips 6. As at least one of the upper 2 and ]3 lower 3 portions is transparent the stylist can monitor

] 4 the processing of the treatment.

15 ] 6 In this manner the strands or section of hair which have 17 colourant applied are separated from the remaining ] 8 sections of hair such that the stylist can concentrate on 19 one section at a time and hence achieve an even and 20 uniform result. This may also be important if some

21 sections of the hair are not being coloured, which is 22 essential in the case where highlights are being applied.

23 24 The apparatus therefore offers a system to measure new 25 growth of hair accurately to ensure that only newly 26 regrown hair is coloured to avoid damage by repeated 27 application of chemicals to hair previously coloured. In 28 addition the apparatus ensures that a consistent amount 29 of hair is treated throughout the head of hair to give 30 uniform application and allows accuracy of client 31 records, thus increasing the standard of customer 32 service. Advantageously the apparatus can also be used zu to accurately re-apply existing highlights which have

1 been applied elsewhere, e. g. in a different salon, and 2 also to re-apply a complicated colouring procedure (e. g.

3 where more than one colour is to be applied, or an 4 asymmetrical application is desired).

5 6 Further modifications and improvements may be 7 incorporated without departing from the scope of the 8 @ vention herein intended.

Claims

1 CLAIMS 2 3 1. Apparatus for isolating a section of hair during 4 treatment, comprising a generally elongate sheet of 5 pliable material having a first and second portion, 6 wherein the first portion can be folded onto the 7 second portion, and wherein at least one of the 8 first and second portions has indicator means which 9 can be used to determine the amount of hair which is 10 to be treated. J 1 12 2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the J3 indicator means are lines or markings on at least ] 4 one of the first and second portions. J 5 16 3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the lines zu or markings have imperial measuring units. 18 ] 9 4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the lines 20 or markings have metric measuring units. 21 zu 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 23 Claims, having a first set of indicator means which 4 can be used to determine the length of hair which is 25 to be treated. 26 27 6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the first =8 set of indicator means can be used to measure the 29 area of hair which has regrown since a previous 30 treatment. 31 32 7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 33 Claims, having a second set of indicator means which <Desc/Clms Page number 16>

1 can be used to determine the thickness of the hair

2 which is to be treated.

3 Claims, wherein the leading edge of at least one of

4 the first and second portions has adhesive means.

5

6 17. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the

7 adhesive means are adhesive strips.

8

9 18. Apparatus as claimed in Claims 15 to 16, wherein the ] 0 leading edge has two corner adhesive strips.

11

3 4 8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 5 Claims, having indicator means for ensuring that an 6 area of the hair closest to the head is not treated.

7

I 8 9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 9 Claims, wherein the first and second portion are

20 separated by a crease or fold.

11 12 10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 13 Claims, wherein at least one of the first and second ]4 portions has a curved leading edge.

15 J 6 1J. A9paraT. us as claimed in any one of the preceding J7 Claims, wherein the treatment is any one of 18 bleaching, colouring, dyeing, highlighting, 19 straightening or perming.

20 21 12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 22 Claims manufactured from a pliable plastics

; ; 3 material.

24 25 13. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12 manufactured from 26 polyethylene.

27 ; ; 8 14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11 29 manufactured from foil.

30 31 15. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding 32 Claims, wherein at least one of the first and second 33 portions is transparent.

1

2 16. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding