JP2004536645A - Method and apparatus for use in the treatment of braided hair - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in treating strands of hair selected from a head of hair. Apparatus (2) according to the invention comprises a substrate (4) of material for separating selected strands of hair from other hair strands while the selected strands are treated. Apparatus (2) further comprises securing means (6) provided on the substrate (4) for securing the substrate (4) to strands of hair. The apparatus (2) is characterised in that the securing means (6) comprises a plurality of elements for hooking about and gripping one or more strands of hair.

Description

【Technical field】
[0001]
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in treating selected braided hair, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a method and apparatus for use in coloring selected braided hair.
[Background Art]
[0002]
It is known to use a length of flexible material to separate selected braided hair during the process of hair treatment, such as coloring. Generally, the braided hair to be colored is first selected by a hair dressing known as weaving. These braided hairs are then placed on a single liquid impervious material to effectively separate the selected hairs from the rest of the hair. The barrier material is typically 2 to 3 inches (ie, between 5 and 8 cm) wide, and the length is at least equal to the length of the hair to be treated. One edge of the material is placed near the root of the selected braided hair and is in contact with the scalp. The root of the hair is then pressed onto the part of the material provided with the contact adhesive. This keeps the material in place on the scalp during the hair treatment process. With the material fixed in place, a suitable hair treatment substrate is applied to the selected braided hair. The scalp and the remaining braided hair are protected from exposure to the hair treatment substrate by the barrier material.
[0003]
The present invention seeks a solution to certain problems associated with currently known hair treatment devices and processes. In particular, the use of prior art devices is problematic because practitioners often accidentally contact the adhesive on the barrier material with the surface (such as the scalp, the tip of the hair rather than the root of the hair, or the barrier material itself). is there. Further use of the device requires a corrective action to free the barrier material from the incorrectly attached surface. In some situations, in particular, some of the barrier materials may be adhered to each other by an adhesive, making subsequent use of the device impossible or even discarding it without use. Even if further use of the device is possible, the effectiveness of the contact adhesive is often reduced by its previous surface contact. Thus, prior art devices are time consuming and lead to wasted hair treatment steps. Additionally, prior art devices do not tend to effectively bond greasy hair. As a result, it is very often necessary to clean the hair to be treated before using the prior art devices described above. Again, this will lead to a time consuming process. In addition, the adhesive only secures these braided hairs in contact with the barrier material. Thus, if the subject with the dense (dense) hair is under treatment, the selected braided hair will very often overlap the further selected braided hair in contact with the adhesive, This will not result in itself being fixed to the barrier material. This leads to an increased risk of flowing hair treatment material onto the scalp.
[0004]
Problems with the prior art also include the difficulty of selecting a barrier material from such a large amount of material. In the prior art, barrier materials are usually sold in cartons that are tightly packed with the individual barrier material. Thus, when the carton is opened, the user will see a plurality of barrier materials that are compressed close together and are not easily separated. During the hair treatment process, it is particularly desirable that the barrier material can be selected quickly and conveniently with one hand. This is generally not possible with packaged barrier materials (especially in recent open cartons of this type of material), so the number of barrier materials required for a particular process will increase It is often the case that the material is first removed from the container and the material can be selected with one hand during the treatment process. However, removing the material from the carton will lead to misplacement of the material and will not give good results in the procedure.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0005]
A first aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for use in treating a selected braided hair, wherein the apparatus comprises a selected braided hair of the hair on which the selected braided hair is to be treated. And a fixing means provided on the substrate for fixing the substrate to the braided hair, said fixing means comprising one or more braids. It has multiple elements that hold and grip around the hair.
[0006]
A plurality of elements are located near an edge of the substrate. Preferably, a plurality of elements are arranged across the entire width of the substrate. The number of elements per unit area varies across the substrate. The fixing means is preferably manufactured using injection molding techniques.
[0007]
Preferably, at least one of the plurality of elements comprises an elongate member defined by a groove in the device. Ideally, the groove is straight. The opposing sides of the groove each define an elongate member, whereby the groove defines two elements for gripping one or more braided hairs. At least one of the plurality of elements includes a head having a sloped surface such that the braided hair is pressed directly against a position opposite the at least one element, thereby the braided hair Are clamped by said at least one element.
[0008]
At least one of the plurality of elements extends outwardly from the surface at an acute angle to the surface to define a space between the member and the surface, wherein at least one braided hair is positioned for use in the space. It is particularly desired that The joint between the member and the surface has a closed loop shape. The closed loop shape is substantially circular and defines a space between the member and the substantially annular surface. The acute angle is preferably less than 45 °, and more preferably 30 °.
[0009]
At least one of the plurality of elements includes a member extending vertically from the plane. The vertically extending member has a substantially cylindrical outer surface. At least one of the plurality of elements includes a member extending substantially parallel to the plane. The member extending substantially parallel to the plane is substantially annular.
[0010]
Most preferably, the plurality of elements are located on a portion of the substrate surface that extends along the length of the substrate. A plurality of elements are disposed on a curved portion of the substrate surface. Preferably, a plurality of elements are provided integrally with a base manufactured separately from the substrate. The base portion defines a curved surface that is fixed in contact with the substrate. The curved surface is provided near the leading edge of the base portion, and is placed against the scalp in use. The edge of the base is free from the substrate so that the tool can be placed between the base and the substrate in use. The free edge is positioned so that a tool can be placed between the free edge and the substrate in use and the edge of the substrate is pressed against the scalp. The free edge is the rear edge of the base that is opposite to and parallel to the leading edge. The base portion is fixed in contact with the substrate by an adhesive. Ideally, the base includes means for restricting liquid flow across the surface of the base. The flow restricting means may include a groove in the plane of the base. The substrate is a flexible material and is also a transparent material.
[0011]
A second plurality of elements is provided on the substrate such that in use, the second plurality of elements can be releasably coupled to the first plurality of elements when the substrate is folded around the selected braided hair. Is desirable. The second plurality of elements comprises fibers and / or a plurality of hooks. The fibers are looped or have free ends. Furthermore, these latter hooks are provided as described above with respect to the elements of the securing means.
[0012]
A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of using the device of the first aspect, wherein a substrate of the device is placed near a selected braided hair of the hair; Pressing at least one of the plurality of elements in the vicinity of the at least one braided hair, thereby grasping the at least one braided hair and replacing the selected braided hair with another braid Fixing the substrate at a position separated from the hair. The braided hair pressed against the fixing means is a braided hair selected for masking from other braided hairs.
[0013]
A third aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for use in treating selected braided hair, wherein the other braided hair of the scalp is treated while the selected braided hair is being treated. A substrate material for separating from the hair; fixing means provided on the substrate for fixing the substrate to the braided hair; provided with a plurality of perforations arranged on the line of the substrate; Each end of the line is arranged near the edge of the substrate.
[0014]
Preferably, the perforation line is arranged near the fixing means.
[0015]
The perforation line extends across the width of the substrate from one longitudinally extending edge to an oppositely extending edge. The perforation line defines a common boundary between the two parts of the substrate, one part of the substrate being provided with fixing means. The other of the portions of the substrate has at least one aperture.
[0016]
A fourth aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for use in treating selected braided hair, comprising a plurality of apparatuses according to the third aspect, wherein the other of the substrate portions of the plurality of apparatuses are coupled to each other. .
[0017]
A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a method of using the third and fourth devices, shearing one portion of the substrate along the perforation line from the other portion of the substrate; Disposing a portion of the substrate provided with the means near the selected braided hair of the hair; fixing the substrate portion near the selected braided hair and replacing the braided hair with another braided hair; And separating them from each other.
[0018]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
【Example】
[0019]
A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. This embodiment 2 is a hair treatment apparatus, which includes a long piece of a flexible material forming a base sheet 4, and a hook material piece 6 (described later) is mounted on this sheet. The material of the base sheet 4 is impervious to the hair treatment substance in which the device 2 is to be used. Thus, the base sheet 4 forms an effective barrier between the hair treatment substance and the braided hair intended to be separated from the substance. In addition to having impervious properties, the material of the base sheet 4 should also be transparent so as to allow inspection of the selected braided hair in order to process it without having to remove the device 2 from the hair. preferable. The aforementioned properties of the base sheet 4 can be provided by a synthetic plastic material such as Cellophane.
[0020]
The base sheet 4 has a long rectangular shape. The specific example 2 shown in FIG. 1 has a width W of 75 mm and a total length L of 170 mm. However, these dimensions can be varied to suit the particular situation.
[0021]
In particular, the length L may be longer or shorter depending on the length of the hair to be treated. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the device 2 is at least as long as the length of the braided hair being treated, and ensures separation of the braided hair from the surrounding hair. There must be. Embodiments of the present invention contemplate that the base sheet will provide a standard length of 200 mm, 400 mm and 500 mm, and a standard width of 75 mm and 90 mm.
[0022]
The top 8 of the base sheet 4 is provided with two circular apertures 10 located on both sides of the long axis 12 of the device 2. As described below with reference to FIG. 7, the aperture 10 enables the base sheet 4 to be attached to the wicket of the supply device. The base sheet 4 is further provided with a perforation line 14 extending in a direction perpendicular to the major axis 12 across the width of the base sheet 4. The perforation line 14 extends through the thickness of the base sheet 4 so that the top 8 of the base sheet 4 is easily separated from the rest of the base sheet 4 in use.
[0023]
The hook material pieces 6 have a rectangular shape and extend across the entire width of the base sheet 4. The hook material 6 extends about 15 mm along the length of the base sheet 4 and is firmly attached to the rest of the base sheet 4 with a suitable adhesive. In another embodiment, the hook material piece 6 can be formed integrally with the base sheet 4. A top edge 16 of the hook material 6 (located near the scalp in use) is located on the remaining portion of the base sheet 4 within the perforation line 14. In another embodiment, the top edge may be located above the perforation line 14 and a portion of the hook material 6 may overlap the top 8 of the base sheet 4. However, in this alternative configuration, the overlap of the hook material 6 is not fixed to the top 8 by an adhesive (or other method), and the hook material 6 and the rest of the base sheet 4 are removed from the top 8 during use. Facilitates separation.
[0024]
The hook material piece 6 is formed in a unique curved shape. This curved shape is preferably partially circular. As shown in FIG. 1, once the hook material 6 is fixed to the base sheet 4, the base sheet 4 (at least near the hook material 6) becomes a curved shape of the hook material 6. In use, the curvature of the top edge 16 of the hook material 6 ensures that the base sheet 4 more easily matches the curvature of the scalp. To help ensure the conformity of the base sheet 4 with the scalp, at least the top edge region of the hook material 6 is flexible (preferably elastically flexible) and the top deforms to It is possible to contact the scalp across the entire width of the scalp. In fact, the hook material 6 may be a flexible planar (i.e. without a curved shape). As a result, the device 2 can be applied more easily and can give more comfort to the person treating the hair. The identification device 2 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a hook material 6 having a radius of 4.25 cm. However, other degrees of curvature may of course be used.
[0025]
The outwardly curved surface 18 of the hook material 6 grips the root of the braided hair selected during use and comprises a plurality of small hooks for this purpose (omitted in FIG. 1). The hook has a mushroom shape and is of the type commonly used for hook / loop cloth fasteners. However, other hook shapes used for hook / loop fasteners can be provided on the curved surface 18 as well. For example, the hook may include a member that extends outwardly from the curved surface 18 at an acute angle to the surface, defining a space between the member and the surface in which at least one braided hair is used. It is arranged at the time. The acute angle is preferably 30 °, but other angles can be used. The braided hair to be gripped is compressed between the member and the surface in the direction of its convergence, thereby being gripped by the member and the surface. The hooks are trapezoidal and can receive and grip one or more braided hairs that are pressed toward the hooks from any direction along the surface of the hook material 6.
[0026]
Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that a plurality of identical mushroom-like hooks 20 are evenly arranged across the curved surface 18. However, in another embodiment, the size and density of the hook will vary with the diameter of the surface 18. Advantageously, for example, the density of the hooks (i.e., the number per unit area) increases and decreases along the length of the base sheet 4. Preferably, the density of hooks across the width of the base sheet 4 does not change. In this way, any optional piece of hook material 6 can effectively and better grip a variety of selected braided hairs of different types (in particular, different densities / thicknesses). Due to the varying hook density and shape along the length of the base sheet 4 (on the surface 18 of the hook material 6) rather than across the width of the base sheet 4, proper gripping of all types of hair can be achieved. Can be provided across the full width of the However, in the type of situation where the selected braided hair is best gripped by hooks having the density and shape of hooks 20 located near the lower edge 22 of the surface 18 opposite the upper edge 16, near the upper edge 16 The density and shape of the hooks arranged across the width of the base sheet 4 is ineffective at gripping the selected braided hair. If this is not considered desirable due to the need to maintain the upper edge 16 fixed to the selected braided hair, and thereby hold against the scalp, a plurality of hooks 20 can be deployed to reduce the hook density. Preferably, and / or the geometry is varied across the width of the base sheet 4. In this manner, at least some of the selected braided hair is gripped at a location along the length of the upper edge 16 so that the entire length of the upper edge 16 is retained against the scalp. . The use of a plurality of hooks 20 to grip a selected braided hair is described in further detail below.
[0027]
As best shown in FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings, the curved surface 18 of the hook material 6 is provided with a groove 24 extending along the upper edge 16. In use, the grooves 24 function as gutters and provide resistance to the liquid hair treatment material that is intended to flow from the aforementioned remaining portion of the base sheet 4 to the scalp toward the upper edge 16. In another piece of hook material 6 'shown in FIG. 6, the groove 24 has been replaced by a ridge 26 extending upwardly from the surface 18' and extending along the upper edge 16 '. In use, the ridge 16 'functions as a barrier for fluid flowing out over the edge 16'. Although the hook material strips 6, 6 'shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are shown as flat elements, the strips 6, 6' are actually curved in shape (preferably partly) when in the relaxed state. (Having a circular shape). As mentioned above, the curvature of the hook material pieces 6, 6 'is curved such that the upper edges 16, 16' match the shape of said edges 16, 16 'with the scalp of the person under treatment. .
[0028]
The base sheet 4 is further provided with a fold 28 extending in a direction perpendicular to the long axis 12 across the width of the base sheet 4. This fold is located midway between the upper edge 16 and the lower edge 30 of the base sheet 4. However, the fold 28 can be provided at another position. The lower edge 30 is preferably folded over the upper edge 16 in use, and is positioned so that the selected braided hair is completely enclosed. Alternatively, the folds 28 may be omitted, and if necessary and made by the user when necessary.
[0029]
Referring to FIG. 7, the device 2 is attached to a wicket 32 of a supply device 34. The wicket 32 is a U-shaped bar having a circular cross section. The wicket 32 can be manufactured from any suitable material, such as a metal or plastic material. The two free ends 36 of the wicket 32 (only one of which can be seen in FIG. 7) are equidistantly separated from one another by separating the apertures 10 provided in the base sheet 4. Further, the circular cross section of the diameter of the wicket 32 is substantially equal to the diameter of the aperture 10 such that one free end 36 passes through one aperture 10 and the other free end 36 passes through the other aperture 10. It has become. This allows the wicket 32 to act as a fixture, to which one or more base sheets 4 can be attached. Although not shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of devices 2 are preferably provided on the wicket 32. For example, 20, 30, or 40 base sheets 4 can be attached to the wicket 32. The devices so mounted may be identical to one another or may differ in size or design. In the latter case, the plurality of devices may include devices having different lengths, widths and / or different designs of hook material (eg, as described above).
[0030]
Once the wicket 32 has been supplied to the required device, the free end 36 of the wicket 32 is received in the base member 38 of the supply device 34. This prevents the plurality of devices 2 from sliding from the wicket 32. In fact, a plurality of devices 2 are pre-mounted on wickets 32 and sold to the user. The wicket 32 is removably secured to a base member 38 already installed at the user's workplace. Alternatively, the plurality of devices 2 can be supplied as a whole supply device. In such a situation, the base member 38 of the supply device 34 can be provided with an optimal fixing member that allows for quick and convenient detachable attachment to the wall of the base member 38, for example the base member The back surface 40 of 38 can be provided with an aperture for engaging a hook member attached to the wall.
[0031]
It can be seen that the use of the supply device 34 allows a convenient selection of the required device 2. The plurality of devices 2 are arranged on the wicket 32 in a defined manner, thereby assisting the user in gripping the particular device 2 for separating and using the selected braided hair. The user selects the required device 2 by gripping the aforementioned remaining portion of the base sheet 4 below the perforations 14. Next, the remaining portion of the base sheet 4 is pulled along the wicket 32 in the direction of the arrow 42 (see FIG. 7) away from the base member 38. However, the top portion 8 is prevented from coming off the wicket 32 by the crossbar portion 44 of the wicket 32 (shown by a chain line in FIG. 7). Nevertheless, while the top 8 is not dislodged, the perforations 14 extending across the width of the base sheet 4 allow the remaining portion of the base sheet 4 to be easily separated from the top 8. I have. Thus, the part of the device 2 required for the separation of the selected braided hair (ie the remaining part of the base sheet 4 provided with the hook material pieces 6) can be easily selected for use. it can. The top 8 of the selected device 2 remains on the wicket 32, but this does not prevent easy selection of further devices 2. The top 8 'of the selected device, which was previously peeled from the wicket 32, is shown in FIG.
[0032]
Once the required braided hair is selected (by a technique commonly known as weaving), once the required device 2 has been pulled away from the wicket 32, the remaining portion of the base sheet 4 Placed under the selected braided hair. The upper edge 16 is pressed against the scalp and near the root of the selected braided hair. Next, the selected braided hair is strongly pressed and massaged against the curved surface 18 of the hook material 6. This causes the selected braided hair to be pressed between adjacent mushroom-like hooks 20 extending from surface 18 and tend to be located between the head of hook 20 and surface 18. Hair covering the entire width and length of the hook material 6 is massaged (eg, by the user's thumb), a mushroom-like hook 20 is placed around the braided hair, and the braided hair is grasped and the upper edge 16 is near the scalp. To be kept in place. The engagement of the hooks 20 with the selected braided hair also serves to resist lateral movement of the base sheet 4 during the hair treatment process.
[0033]
The effectiveness of the hook 20 to grip the selected braided hair does not substantially depend on whether the braided hair has been recently washed. The hooks 20 tend to grip oily hair with essentially the same effect as gripping non-greasy hair. The hook 20 can be removed from the braided hair and reapplied without losing the gripping effect. Thus, a failure to position the upper edge 16 can be easily corrected without the need for further use of the device 2. The ease of use is also facilitated by the hooks 20, which tend to adhere only to the surface containing the cloth around which the hooks 20 are located. Thus, the hooks 20 do not tend to adhere to the rest of the base sheet 4 or the skin of the person under treatment.
[0034]
With the upper edge 16 positioned at the desired location on the scalp, the selected braided hair is arranged to spread over the rest of the base sheet 4. Thus, the remaining portion of the base sheet 4 separates the selected braided hair from other hairs located below the remaining portion and is exposed to the treatment material applied to the selected braided hair. It will be clear from this that there is an effect of masking the other hair. A suitable hair treatment substance, such as a coloring liquid, can be conveniently applied to the braided hair selected by the brush. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the grooves 24 serve to block the flow of hair treatment material from the hook material 6 to the scalp.
[0035]
Once the hair treatment substance is applied, the selected braided hair is covered by folding the rest of the base sheet 4 along the fold line 28, thereby placing the lower edge 30 near the upper edge 16. You. Alternatively, the selected braided hair can be covered with a cover sheet separating the rest of the base sheet 4. The lower edge 30 can be fixed to the upper edge 16 by an adhesive, but the portion of the base sheet 4 near the lower edge 30 is preferably provided with a material that is gripped by the plurality of hooks 20 provided on the curved surface 18. . This material may be a fibrous material including a plurality of loops 46 conventionally used in hook / loop fasteners (see FIG. 3). Alternatively, the material includes an additional plurality of hooks 48, which are preferably of the mushroom type (see FIG. 4).
[0036]
When the lower edge 30 is secured near the upper edge 16 (or with a separate cover sheet in place), the selected hair is received and shielded from the immediate surrounding members.
[0037]
The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Other configurations and suitable materials will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the device 2 can be modified by a raised piece of hook material 6 'as shown in FIG. 6 instead of a grooved piece of hook material 6 as shown in FIG. A partial side view of the resulting device 2 'is shown in FIG. Still other devices 102, 202 are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively. These other devices 102, 202 differ from the device 2 shown in FIG. 1 only in the following respects. That is, a piece of fiber material 104 is provided on the base sheet 4 of the device 102 of FIG. 9 and two portions 204, 206 of fiber material are provided on the base sheet 4 of the device 202 shown in FIG. Elements of further devices 102, 202 that are common with device 2 shown in FIG. 1 are identified with similar reference numerals.
[0038]
As seen in FIG. 9, a piece of fibrous material 104 is located near the lower edge 30 of the base sheet 4 and extends across the entire width of the base sheet 4. When the base sheet 4 is folded along the fold line 28, the fiber material piece 104 coincides with the hook material piece 6 and the lower edge 30 is fixed near the upper edge 16. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the two parts of the fiber material 204, 206 of the device 202 are square and are located near the lower edge 30 and near the opposing longitudinal extension edges 208, 210 of the base sheet 4. ing. Thus, when the rest of the base sheet 4 is folded along the fold line 28, the portions 204, 206 of fibrous material engage the hooks 20 of the hook material 6 so that the lower edge It acts to hold 30.
[0039]
Other configurations of hook / loop or hook / loop fasteners will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the hook / loop fastener material may be applied around the entire circumference of the rest of the base sheet 4 (i.e., along the length of the base sheet 4 longitudinal edge as well as the lower edge 30 of the base sheet 4). T) can be provided. In this manner, the selected braided hair is completely wrapped and contained between the base sheet 4 materials when the remaining portion of the base sheet 4 is folded along the fold line 28.
[0040]
Yet another configuration is shown in FIG. 11 of the accompanying drawings. The device 302 in FIG. 11 differs from the device 2 shown in FIG. 1 only in the following points. That is, the fiber material piece 304 is provided near the lower edge 30 on the side of the base sheet 4, the hook material 6 is provided opposite thereto, and the hook material piece 6 extends in the lateral direction of the base sheet 4. It has a portion 306. The fiber material 304 extends across the entire width of the base sheet 4. Further, the extension 306 of the hook material 6 has a length substantially the same as the width of the base sheet 4. In use of device 302, base sheet 4 is folded along fold line 28, thereby positioning lower edge 30 near upper edge 16. Next, the lower edge 30 is locked in place by folding the extension 306 of the hook material 6 onto the fiber material 304. The extension 306 is folded at the edge of the base sheet 4 along the preformed fold line 308. This causes the hooks provided on the extension 306 to engage the fiber material 304 and prevent substantial movement of the lower edge 30 relative to the upper edge 16. In a further variant, extensions of the hook material 6 extend from both longitudinal edges of the base sheet 4. Preferably, the two parts have a length substantially equal to half the width of the base sheet 4.
[0041]
The above-described fibrous material includes a plurality of loops for engaging hook members as known in conventional hook / loop fasteners. The fiber material can also be provided as a cloth or absorbent paper material. Alternatively, the fiber material can be exchanged for hook material, and the hook-to-hook connection forms a hook-to-loop connection. The hook-to-hook connection is particularly secure when the mushroom-like hook is used as shown in FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings.
[0042]
In addition, more than one hook to ensure that the portion of the substrate with the hooks provides a connection with a type of braided hair and / or hooks / loops of varying uniform length across said portion. The type (i.e., hook geometry and / or density) is evenly distributed across the part. Thus, any optional hook member can be placed next to a different type of hook member.
[0043]
In a still further variation, the function of the hook and loop and hook and hook fastener together with the fixed portion of the base sheet (or with another cover portion for the base sheet) may be performed by a tongue and groove mechanism. A tongue extending from one part can be received and gripped by a groove in another part.
[0044]
A sixth embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. The sixth embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment, including a long piece of flexible material forming a base sheet 404, with a hook material piece 406 mounted on the base sheet. The material of the base sheet 404 does not penetrate the hair treatment substance used in combination with the device 400. Thus, the base sheet 404 forms an effective barrier between the hair treatment material and the braided hair that is to be separated from this material. A piece of hook material extends across the entire width of the base sheet 404 and is firmly attached along its upper edge by a suitable adhesive. The dimensions of base sheet 404 and hook material 406 are as described above with respect to the previous embodiment. Between 2 mm and 4 mm of the lower edge 407 of the hook material 406 is free and not attached to the base sheet 404. The purpose of this feature is to allow the rear of the comb or the user's fingernail to be positioned between the hook material 406 and the base sheet 404 in the area of the lower edge 407, with the upper edge 409 of the base sheet 404 being in use on the scalp. This is for the purpose of pressing against. The portion of hook material 406 that is adhered to base sheet 404 is that portion of hook material 406 that is located between upper edge 409 of base sheet 404 and dashed line 410 shown in FIG. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that this feature can be used in any of the previously described embodiments.
[0045]
As in the embodiment of FIG. 9, a piece of fibrous material or hook material 411 is secured near the lower edge 413 of the base sheet 404 by a suitable adhesive. Thus, as the base sheet 404 is folded in use and the lower edge 413 approaches the vicinity of the upper edge 409, the lower piece of material 411 engages and connects with the upper piece of material 406. This connection not only helps to keep the base sheet 404 in the collapsed position, but also helps prevent unwanted leakage of hair treatment material into the scalp. Ideally, when a fibrous material is used in any of the embodiments described herein, the fibers of the material are looped or have free ends.
[0046]
A partial plan view of the hook material piece 406 is shown in FIG. 13 of the accompanying drawings. The enlarged view of FIG. 13 shows hook material 406 with a plurality of circular mushroom-like hook members 414. The hook members 414 are arranged in a plurality of rows provided in parallel with the long axis 415 of the base sheet 404. As a result, the braided hair is positioned between the rows of hook members 414 without being bent or kinked. In other words, the braided hair is placed between adjacent rows of hook members 414 to ensure a straight shape.
[0047]
As shown in the cross-sectional side view of FIG. 14, the head 416 of each hook member 414 has a flat planar top surface 417. However, in a modification of the hook material 406 as shown in FIG. 15, each hook member 414 has a head 416 with a conical top surface 418. As yet another example, the top surface is partially spherical as shown in FIGS. The use of a curved or angled top surface assists in placing the braided hair between the hook members 414. In this regard, the top surface 418 of the hook member 414 acts to guide the braided hair toward the gap between the hook members 414.
[0048]
The hook material pieces 406 shown in FIGS. 13 to 15 can be replaced with further modified hook material pieces shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 of the accompanying drawings. The hook material shown in FIGS. 16-18 includes a plurality of elongated T-shaped hooks 420. The form of the hook member 420 is such that an elongated T-shaped groove 422 is formed between the adjacent hook members 420, and the hook member extends in parallel with the long axis 415 of the base sheet 404, and a hook material is formed. From the upper edge 423 to the lower edge 424 thereof. Since the groove 422 is straight, the braided hair is held in a straight shape between the adjacent long hooks 420. As shown in FIG. 18, the head of the hook member 420 has an inclined top surface 423 for guiding the braided hair toward the groove 422.
[0049]
In order to connect the hook material piece 411 to the hook material piece 406 including the elongated hook member 420 shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the hook material piece is preferably provided with a plurality of hook members (eg, a mushroom hook or a long hook member). Scale T-shaped hook). Such a hook member will be more rigidly connected to a long T-shaped hook member of the hook material than a loop or other fibrous material.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[0050]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of hooks provided in the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a hook / loop connection where the hooks are of the type shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a hook / hook connection in which the hooks are of the type shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a hook material piece provided in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of another piece of hook material provided in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional side view showing an upper portion of the first embodiment fixed to the wicket dispenser.
FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the upper portion of the second embodiment of the present invention providing the hook material shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a schematic plan partial view of a hook material piece including a circular mushroom-shaped hook member.
FIG. 14 is a schematic partial side cross-sectional view of the hook material of FIG. 13 taken along the line AA in the figure.
FIG. 15 is a schematic partial side cross-sectional view of a modified version of the hook material shown in FIG.
FIG. 16 is a schematic plan partial view of a hook material piece including a long T-shaped hook member.
FIG. 17 is a schematic partial side sectional view of the hook material of FIG. 16 taken along the line BB in the above figure.
18 is a schematic partial cross-sectional side view of a modified version of the hook material shown in FIG.

Claims (39)

An apparatus for use in treating selected braided hair, the material being used to separate the selected braided hair of the hair from other braided hairs while the selected braided hair is being treated. A substrate; and fixing means provided on the substrate for fixing the substrate to the braided hair, said fixing means comprising a plurality of elements for fastening and gripping around one or more braided hairs. An apparatus for treating braided hair, characterized in that: The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elements are located near an edge of the substrate. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of elements are arranged across the entire width of the substrate. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the number of elements per unit area varies across the substrate. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plurality of elements comprises an elongate member defined by a groove in the apparatus. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said groove is straight. 7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the opposing sides of the groove each define an elongated member, whereby the groove defines two elements for gripping one or more braided hairs. . At least one of the plurality of elements includes a head having a sloped surface such that the braided hair is directly pressed against a position facing the at least one element, whereby the braided hair is provided. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the device is clamped by the at least one element. At least one of the plurality of elements includes a member extending outward from the surface at an acute angle with respect to the surface, wherein a space is defined between the member and the surface, and at least one braided hair is used in this space. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is located at: The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the connection between the member and the surface has a closed loop shape. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the closed loop shape is substantially circular, defining a space between the member and the substantially annular surface. Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the acute angle is less than 45 °. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein said acute angle is 30 degrees. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plurality of elements comprises a member extending vertically from the surface, the member having a substantially cylindrical outer surface. . Apparatus according to any of claims 9 to 15, wherein at least one of the plurality of elements comprises a member extending substantially parallel to the plane. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said member extending substantially parallel to said surface is substantially annular. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of elements are disposed on a portion of the substrate surface in a portion extending along a length of the substrate. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of elements are arranged on a curved part of the surface of the substrate. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of elements are provided integrally with a base manufactured separately from the substrate. 21. The device of claim 20, wherein the base defines a fixed curved surface against the substrate. 22. Apparatus according to claim 20 or claim 21 wherein the edge of the base is free from the substrate to allow placement of a tool between the base and the substrate in use. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the free edge is positioned such that a tool can be placed between the free edge and the substrate in use, and the edge of the substrate is pressed against the scalp. The device according to any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the base portion is fixed in contact with the substrate by an adhesive. 25. Apparatus according to any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the base comprises means for restricting the flow of liquid across the plane of the base. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said flow restricting means comprises a groove in said plane of the base. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate is a flexible material. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate is a transparent material. A second plurality of elements is provided on the substrate such that, in use, the second plurality of elements can be releasably coupled to the first plurality of elements when the substrate is folded around the selected braided hair. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims. 30. The device of claim 29, wherein the second plurality of elements is a fiber having a looped or free end. 30. The device of claim 29, wherein the second plurality of elements comprises a plurality of hooks. A method of using a device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising placing a substrate of the device in the vicinity of a selected braided hair of the hair, and placing the braided hair against the fixing means. Pressing, placing at least one of the plurality of elements in the vicinity of the at least one braided hair, thereby gripping the at least one braided hair and separating the selected braided hair from other braided hairs Securing the substrate in position. 33. The method of claim 32, wherein the braided hair pressed against the securing means is a braided hair selected for masking from other braided hairs. An apparatus for use in treating selected braided hair, the substrate material for separating the selected braided hair of the hair from other braided hairs while treating the selected braided hair. And fixing means provided on the substrate for fixing the substrate to the braided hair, wherein the substrate is provided with a plurality of perforations arranged on a line, and each end of the line is near an edge of the substrate. An apparatus for use in treating selected braided hair, the apparatus being characterized by being placed in a hair. 35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the perforation line is located near a securing means. 36. The apparatus of claim 34 or 35, wherein the perforation line extends across the width of the substrate from one longitudinally extending edge to an oppositely extending edge. 37. Apparatus according to any one of claims 34 to 36, wherein the perforation line defines a common boundary between two parts of the substrate, one part of the substrate comprising fixing means. 38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the other of the portions of the substrate comprises at least one aperture. 39. An apparatus for use in the treatment of selected braided hair, the apparatus comprising a plurality of devices according to claim 37 or 38, wherein the other of the substrate portions of the plurality of devices are joined together. 40. A method of using an apparatus according to any of claims 34 to 39, wherein one part of the substrate is sheared from the other part of the substrate along the perforation line; Placing the portion of the substrate in the vicinity of the selected braided hair of the hair; fixing the substrate portion in the vicinity of the selected braided hair and separating the braided hair from other braided hairs And a method comprising: