GB2578776A

GB2578776A - Hair dye wrap

Info

Publication number: GB2578776A
Application number: GB1818223.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jenkins Mair
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-11-08
Filing date: 2018-11-08
Publication date: 2020-05-27
Also published as: GB201818223D0

Abstract

A sheet 10 for separating portions of hair to be dyed comprises a substantially transparent flexible plastic sheet 11 and a securing strip 13 attached to an end of the plastic sheet. The securing strip is formed of a different material to the plastic sheet, such as metal foil. The sheet 10 is reversibly deformable between an open and a folded configuration, wherein the stiffness of the securing strip holds the plastic sheet in the folded configuration. There may be a securing strip 13 arranged at both ends of the sheet 10. The securing strip 13 may be attached to both the front and rear face of the transparent sheet. It may project beyond an edge of the transparent sheet, either longitudinally or transversely. Also disclosed is a kit of parts comprising a housing or a hair dye and a plurality of such sheets, or a roll of such sheets joined together (see figure 4). The sheet allows the colour development to be monitored by the user without unwrapping the sheet, and as it is held in place by the gripping effect of the securing strip it is also easy to remove.

Description

-I-

HAIR DYE WRAP

Introduction

This invention relates to the field of hair dressing. In particular, this invention provides improved sheets or wraps for separating portions of hair to be dyed.

When only a portion of hair is being dyed a certain colour, for example when applying highlights or lowlights, the portion of hair to be dyed must be separated from the remaining 10 hair. This prevents unwanted spreading of the dye, either to other sections or hair, skin or clothes It is known to wrap sections of hair to be dyed in metal foil. The section of hair is placed onto the foil, the dye is applied to the hair and then the foil is folded up around the hair into squares. Unfortunately, as the foil is opaque it is impossible to see how the hair colour is developing without opening the foil wrapping to examine the hair. In particular, when bleaching hair the colour development would need to be checked multiple times. This is awkward and time consuming and can pull the hair, as the foil needs to be unfolded and refolded back into a secure position each time it is opened.

Alternatively, a product called meche can be used. A meche strip comprises a plastic backing sheet with an adhesive strip at the top. A section of hair is placed on the backing sheet, the adhesive sticks to hair and the hair dye is applied. A transparent plastic cover sheet is then placed over the top of the hair and this is held in place by the adhesive. The transparent cover allows the colour development to be viewed on one side of the hair. However, the adhesive can make it difficult and/or painful to remove the meche strip, particularly if used with fine hair. Moreover, when used with thick hair or larger sections of hair the adhesive can be insufficient to hold the meche strip in place.

Alternatively, it is known to use transparent plastic film to separate portions of hair to be dyed. This is also known as balayage film. The plastic film can be cut to the size required. However, it can be difficult for the plastic film to grip to the hair. The plastic film also does not provide a hard straight edge when wrapped around the hair, which can be a disadvantage, especially when trying to achieve clean lines and dye hair close to the roots.

There is therefore a need for an improved product for separating portions of hair to be dyed

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a sheet for separating portions of hair to be dyed, comprising: a substantially transparent flexible plastic sheet; and a securing strip attached to an end of the plastic sheet, wherein the securing strip is formed of a different material to the plastic sheet, wherein the sheet is reversibly deformable between an open and a folded configuration, and wherein the stiffness of the securing strip is such that when the securing strip and the plastic sheet are deformed around a portion of hair into the folded configuration the securing strip retains its shape, thereby holding the plastic sheet in the folded configuration.

The combination of the securing strip and the flexible transparent plastic sheet provides technical advantages over the prior art. The securing strip is easy and convenient to fold around the hair into the folded configuration and holds the transparent plastic sheet securely in place. There is no adhesive required to attach the plastic sheet to the hair, so the sheet is also easy and painless to remove. The securing strip and the plastic sheet are simply unfolded to the open configuration, allowing the sheet to be removed. The transparent flexible plastic sheet also allows the colour development of the hair to be monitored on both sides without requiring the sheet to be unwrapped.

Optionally, the flexible plastic sheet is a thin film For example, the plastic sheet may be a balayage film.

Optionally, the flexible plastic sheet may have a thickness of less than 30m, or a thickness of between 10gm and 30gm. The flexible plastic sheet may have a thickness of between 10gm and 20mm.

The flexible plastic sheet may be an orientated polypropylene (OPP) filmS Optionally,the plastic sheet may comprise polyethylene.

When a first portion of the plastic sheet is brought into contact with a second portion of the plastic sheet the first and second portions may at least partially cling together without the 10 use of adhesive. This may be an inherent property of the plastic sheet.

Optionally, the securing strip is formed of a metal foil. The metal foil may be an aluminium foil.

Metal foil such as aluminium foil is relatively low cost, malleable and has the required stiffness to hold the sheet in the folded configuration around a portion of hair. The use of metal foil also provides a hard straight edge when folded into the folded configuration.

Optionally, the plastic sheet has a front face and a rear face, and the securing strip is attached 20 to both the front and rear face of the plastic sheet. For example, the securing strip may be folded over an edge of the plastic sheet and attached to both faces of the plastic sheet.

A portion of the securing strip may be arranged to project beyond the plastic sheet.

For example, the securing strip may comprise at least one flap or wing which extends from a side of the sheet. Additionally or alternatively, a longitudinal portion of the securing strip may be arranged to project beyond the end of the plastic sheet to which it is attached.

Optionally, the length of the plastic sheet extends in a first direction and the securing strip 30 extends along the end of the plastic sheet in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the portion of hair is received in the sheet substantially along the first direction.

The length of the plastic sheet in the first direction may be greater than the length of the securing strip in the first direction.

Optionally, the securing strip extends beyond an edge of the plastic sheet in the second direction.

Optionally, the securing strip extends beyond an edge of the plastic sheet in the first direction Optionally, in the folded configuration, the plastic sheet and the securing strip are configured to be folded along the first direction.

Optionally, in the folded configuration, the plastic sheet and the securing strip are configured to be folded along the second direction. Thus, the sheet can be folded sideways and/or vertically.

Only a single fold may be required to hold the securing strip and the plastic sheet in the folded configuration. For example, in use, the plastic sheet and the securing strip may be folded in half around a portion of hair. The number of folds and the orientation of the folds in the folded configuration may be varied according to user requirements, thus the invention is less restrictive than many known products which can only be wrapped or folded around the hair in certain prescribed ways.

The securing strip may extend along the length of one edge of the plastic sheet. Thus, the securing strip may cover an edge of the plastic sheet Optionally, the securing strip is elongate Optionally, the longitudinal axis of the securing strip is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plastic sheet.

The securing strip may be attached to the plastic sheet by an adhesive.

Optionally, the adhesive is heat resistant up to at least 50°C. This may allow the hair to be heat treated after the sheet has been wrapped around the hair.

Optionally, more than one securing strip may be attached to the plastic sheet. In some embodiments, a first securing strip may be attached to a first end of the plastic sheet and a second securing strip may be attached to a second end of the plastic strip, wherein the first end is opposite the second end.

Thus, a securing strip may be attached to the top and bottom of the plastic sheet. This may be particularly useful for longer sheets (i.e. sheets for use with longer hair), as the securing strips will help keep the plastic sheet in the folded configuration at both ends of the hair, providing additional stability.

Optionally, the sheet is single-use. Thus, it may be disposed of after a single use.

In other embodiments, the sheet may be reusable. It is more cost effective and environmentally friendly to wash and reuse the sheet.

Optionally, the transparent plastic sheet is configured such that the hair dye or colourant applied to the hair can be smudged or blended when the plastic sheet is in the folded configuration. This helps improve blending techniques and removal of colour from overloaded section of hair.

Optionally, the transparent plastic sheet is configured such that, when in the folded configuration, pressure can be applied to the hair through the transparent plastic sheet to at least partially remove the hair colourant or dye This allows the colour result of the hair to be reviewed without removing the sheet The pressure may be applied, for example, with a comb.

10 15 20 It may be possible to open an end of the transparent flexible sheet when in the folded configuration without removing the sheet from the folded configuration. For example, an end of the flexible transparent sheet may be opened to apply additional colourant or product to the ends of the portion of hair without removing the sheet from the folded configuration In a second aspect, the present invention provides a kit of parts, comprising: a housing or cover; and a plurality of sheets according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the sheets are provided in the housing or cover.

Each of the plurality of sheets may be the same size Alternatively, a mixture of different sized sheets may be provided in the housing or cover.

Optionally, the plurality of sheets may be frangibly connected together to form a continuous 15 sheet. For example, adjacent sheets may be connected by a line of perforations.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a roll of sheets for separating portions of hair to be dyed, comprising a plurality of sheets according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention which are joined together and formed into a roll.

Optionally, the central axis of the roll is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the securing strips of the sheets.

Optionally, each sheet is joined to the adjacent sheet in the roll by a line of perforations.

Optionally, the roll further comprises an inner tube around which the sheets are rolled. For example, the inner tube may be made of cardboard.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a hair dyeing kit, comprising: a container of hair dye or colourant; and at least one sheet according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; or a roll of sheets according to any of embodiment of the third aspect of the invention.

The hair dyeing kit may be provided in a housing, such as a box.

In use, the sheets can be overlaid or placed at least partially on top of each other. For example, a first sheet can be applied around a portion of hair close to the roots and a second sheet can be applied around the ends of the ends of portion of hair, overlapping the first sheet.

Many variations in the way the invention may be performed will present themselves to those skilled in the art upon reading the following description The description which follows should not be regarded as limiting but rather, as an illustration only of one manner of performing the invention. Where possible any element or component 15 should be taken as including any or all equivalents thereof whether or not specifically mentioned.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic illustration of a sheet for separating portions of hair to be dyed according to an embodiment of the present invention in an open configuration; Figure 2a shows a schematic illustration of a sheet for separating portions of hair to be dyed according to an embodiment of the present invention in an open configuration; Figure 2b shows the sheet of Figure 2a in the folded configuration; Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of a sheet for separating portions of hair to be dyed according to an embodiment of the present invention about to be deformed into the folded configuration about a portion of hair; and Figure 4 shows a schematic illustration of forming a roll of sheets of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that Figures 1 to 4 are schematic illustrations and are not shown to scale.

Figure 1 shows a sheet 10 for separating portions of hair to be dyed in an open configuration. The sheet 10 may be square, or the sheet may be oblong in shape.

The sheet 10 comprises a thin transparent flexible plastic sheet 11 and a securing strip 13.

The securing strip 13 is attached to an end of the plastic sheet 11 by an adhesive 14. In this embodiment the securing strip 13 projects above the edge 12 of the plastic sheet 11. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments the securing strip 13 may be aligned with the plastic sheet 11, such that it does not project beyond the edge 12 The adhesive 14 may substantially cover a surface of the securing strip H. The length, Li, of the plastic sheet 11 in a first direction is greater than the length, L2, of the securing strip 13 in the first direction. In this embodiment, LI is between 90mm and 200mm and L2 is around 25mm. It will be appreciated that these dimensions are variable, for 25 example depending on the length of hair to be dyed.

The securing strip 13 is elongate. The longitudinal axis of the securing strip 13 perpendicular to length L2 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plastic sheet 11 whi ch is parallel to length Li.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the securing strip 13 is formed of metal foil and the plastic sheet 13 is a thin OPP film. For example, the metal foil of the securing strip 13 may have a thickness of around 40jtm and the OPP film of the plastic sheet 11 may have a thickness of around 17um. It will be appreciated that other materials and dimensions fall within the scope of the claimed invention.

Figure 2a shows a sheet 10 according to another embodiment of the invention when in the open configuration. In this embodiment, the sheet 10 comprises two securing strips 13. The securing strips 13 are attached at opposite ends of the plastic transparent sheet 11. This can be particularly useful for longer sheets designed to be used with longer hair, as the securing strips 13 secure the sheet 10 in the folded configuration at both ends of the hair (see Figure 2b).

A portion of hair 20 has been placed on the sheet 10. When the dye or colourant has been applied to the hair 20 the transparent plastic sheet 11 and the securing strips 13 are then deformed into the folded configuration as shown in Figure 2b. As the plastic sheet 11 is transparent, the development or saturation of the hair dye is easy to monitor on all sides of the hair 20 without requiring the sheet 10 be unwrapped from the folded configuration.

In this example, to move from the open configuration to the folded configuration, the plastic sheet 11 and the securing strips 13 are folded along fold line A in the direction shown by the arrow in Figure 2a. Thus, the sheet 10 is folded roughly in half around the portion of hair 20. The single fold along line A is sufficient to hold the plastic sheet 11 and the securing strips 13 in the folded configuration as shown in Figure 2b. It will be appreciated that additional folds could be made if desired.

Figure 3 shows a sheet 10 about to be deformed into the folded configuration. Features of the sheet 10 which are common between Figures 1 and 2 have been labelled accordingly. In this embodiment, the securing strip 13 comprises two flaps or wings 15 which project from the sides of the plastic sheet 11 It will be appreciated that these flaps or wings 15 are not essential. -10-

As shown in Figure 3, a portion of hair 20 is placed on the sheet 10. The hair 20 extends along the sheet 10 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (or length) of the securing strip 13 (as in Figures 2a and 2b).

Hair dye or colourant is applied to the hair 20. The sheet 10 is then deformed into the folded configuration. A side of the securing strip 13 and the flexible plastic sheet 11 is folded over the hair 20 in the direction shown by arrow A. The other side of the securing strip 13 and plastic sheet 11 is then folded over the hair 20 in the direction shown by arrow B. Optionally, the end of the plastic sheet 11 may also be folded upwards in the direction shown by arrow C This fold could be removed to allow additional dye or product to be applied to the ends of the hair 20 and the plastic sheet 11 would remain secured around the hair 20.

It will be appreciated that the folds shown by arrows A, B and C could be performed in any 15 order. In addition, all three folds are not required to hold the sheet 10 in the folded configuration. For example, the securing strip 13 and the plastic sheet 11 may only be folded along directions A and B (i.e. sideways), or only along directions A and C. The stiffness of the securing strip 13 grips the hair 20 and retains the sheet 10 in the folded 20 configuration without applying any adhesive to the hair 20. Additionally, the flaps or wings 15 can be folded or deformed to further secure the sheet 10 around the hair 20.

As the plastic sheet 11 is transparent, the development or saturation of the hair dye is easy to monitor on all sides of the hair 20 without requiring the sheet 10 be unvvmpped from the 25 folded configuration As multiple sheets 10 are required in a sitting to dye multiple portions of hair, a plurality of sheets 10 may be provided in pre-cut form in a housing or cover (not shown) Alternatively, the plurality of sheets 10 may be formed into a roll, as shown in Figure 4.

In Figure 4, a plurality of sheets 10 are joined together. The individual sheets 10 may be as shown in Figure 1. Each sheet 10 is separated from the adjacent sheet(s) by a line of perforations 16. The sheets 10 may be separated by tearing or cutting along the perforation lines 16.

An end 18 of one of the sheets is removeably attached to an inner tube 17 via an adhesive 5 The sheets 10 are wrapped around the inner tube 17 in the direction shown by arrow D, such that the central axis of the inner tube 17 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the securing strips 13 of the sheets.

It should be noted that, in the appended claims, any reference signs placed in parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" and "comprises", and the like, does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. In the present specification, "comprises" means "includes or consists of' and "comprising" means "including or consisting of'. The singular reference of an element does not exclude the plural reference of such elements and vice-versa. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sheet for separating portions of hair to be dyed, comprising: a substantially transparent flexible plastic sheet; and a securing strip attached to an end of the plastic sheet, wherein the securing strip is formed of a different material to the plastic sheet; wherein the sheet is reversibly deformable between an open and a folded configuration, and wherein the stiffness of the securing strip is such that when the securing strip and the plastic sheet are deformed around a portion of hair into the folded configuration the securing strip retains its shape, thereby holding the plastic sheet in the folded configuration.
2. The sheet of claim 1, wherein the flexible plastic sheet is a thin film.
3. The sheet of claim 2, wherein the flexible plastic sheet is an orientated polypropylene (OPP) film.
4. The sheet of any preceding claim, wherein the securing strip is formed of a metal foil.
5. The sheet of claim 4, wherein the metal foil is an aluminium foil.
6. The sheet of any preceding claim, wherein the plastic sheet has a front face and a rear face, and the securing strip is attached to both the front and rear face of the plastic sheet.
7. The sheet of any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the securing strip is arranged to project beyond the plastic sheet.
8 The sheet of any preceding claim, wherein the length of the plastic sheet extends in a first direction and the securing strip extends along the end of the plastic sheet in a second 30 direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the portion of hair is received in the sheet substantially along the first direction.
9. The sheet of claim 8, wherein the length of the plastic sheet in the first direction is greater than the length of the securing strip in the first direction.
The sheet of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the securing strip extends beyond an edge of 5 the plastic sheet in the second direction
11. The sheet of any of claims 8 to 10, wherein the securing strip extends beyond an edge of the plastic sheet in the first direction.
12. The sheet of any of claims 8 to 11, wherein, in the folded configuration, the plastic sheet and the securing strip are configured to be folded along the first direction.
13. The sheet of claim 12, wherein, in the folded configuration, the plastic sheet and the securing strip are also configured to be folded along the second direction.
14. The sheet of any preceding claim, wherein the securing strip extends along the length of one edge of the plastic sheet.
15. The sheet of any preceding claim, wherein the securing strip is elongate.
16. The sheet of any preceding claim, wherein the longitudinal axis of the securing strip is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the plastic sheet
17. The sheet of any preceding claim, wherein the securing strip is attached to the plastic 25 sheet by an adhesive.
18. The sheet of any preceding claim, wherein a first securing strip is attached to a first end of the plastic sheet and a second securing strip is attached to a second end of the plastic strip, wherein the first end is opposite the second end.
19. The sheet of any preceding claim, wherein the sheet is single-use.
20. A kit of parts, comprising: a housing or cover; and a plurality of sheets according to any preceding claim, wherein the sheets are provided in the housing or cover.
21. The kit of parts of claim 20, wherein the plurality of sheets are frangibly connected together to form a continuous sheet.
22. A roll of sheets for separating portions of hair to be dyed, comprising a plurality of 10 sheets according to any of claims 1 to 19 which are joined together and formed into a roll.
23. The roll of claim 22, wherein the central axis of the roll is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the securing strips of the sheets; and/or wherein each sheet is joined to the adjacent sheet in the roll by a line of 15 perforations.
24. The roll of claim 22 or claim 23, further comprising an inner tube around which the sheets are rolled 25 A hair dyeing kit, comprising: a container of hair dye or colourant; and at least one sheet according to any of claims 1 to 19 or a roll of sheets according to any of claims 22 to 24.