US20180332916A1

US20180332916A1 - Hair flocking apparatus and methods of use thereof

Info

Publication number: US20180332916A1
Application number: US15/596,439
Authority: US
Inventors: Louisa Victoria Anthony
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-05-16
Filing date: 2017-05-16
Publication date: 2018-11-22

Abstract

An apparatus adapted to flock fibers upon one or more surfaces. The apparatus may include a container, a plurality of panels, and a filtering layer. The fibers may be human hairs, and the one or more surfaces may be a human head. The panels may be adapted to open and close a cavity in the container. One or more of the panels may be adapted for fibers to be chopped upon it. One or more of the panels may be transparent, and there may be handles affixed to one or more of the panels. The filtering layer may be adapted for fibers of one or more predetermined characteristics to pass through it.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to devices used to manually flock fibers onto a human head, and more generally to devices used to apply fibers onto surfaces. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to devices which allow users with minimal training, compared to professional hair stylists, to manually flock hair fibers onto human heads in complex, precise, fashionable, authentic, creative, aesthetically pleasing, culturally relevant, or otherwise meaningful than hair styles, at lower cost and in less time than those available using currently known devices and methods.

BACKGROUND

Hair styling has been an important part of fashion and culture since time immemorial, and changing tastes and trends have made the ability to change one's hairstyle quickly, frequently, and affordably even more valuable in the current climate of rapid customization. As celebrities and tastemakers update their styles, fans rush to follow suit. Beyond merely changing one's hair color, many recent styles have incorporated shaved heads with patterns of fibers, powders, and other materials flocked onto and adjacent to bald portions of one's scalp.
In addition, naturally and otherwise occurring baldness has, for many years, driven the desire to cover bald spots and receding hairlines, with the challenge of providing authentic looking and lasting results, using flocking, covering, and other methods. Similarly, the demands for authentic looking and quickly adaptable hairstyles for actors in the theatrical, television, and film industries have placed a high value on professionals and flocking methods that can provide, and change, quality hair styles on short notice, to match the high production values of today's makeup and costuming in the performing arts.
The primary challenge of currently available devices and methods has been to provide these complex, authentic looking, aesthetically pleasing, and quickly available flocked fiber hairstyles, both more quickly and at lower costs. Currently, consumers must choose between expensive hair stylists to achieve believable results, especially in the film industry; mechanical flocking methods that can only cover surfaces uniformly, and with no ability to accomplish complex patterns that may include areas of the surface intentionally left bald, particularly given the innumerably wide variety of head sizes and shapes; or comparatively cheap and cheap-looking alternatives, such as powders or artificial fibers placed on one's head manually by someone with significantly less training than a professional stylist. It would be advantageous to identify new devices and methods that would provide a higher level of pattern complexity and longevity than purely mechanical flocking devices and methods, and greater authenticity of flocked fiber hair styles than that available with powders or artificial fibers, while overcoming the high cost of hiring trained hairstyling professionals, and the significant time and quality constraints of manual fiber flocking by users without extensive training.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure overcomes one or more deficiencies of the prior art. In particular, the device of the subject disclosure may achieve more complex, precise, fashionable, authentic, creative, aesthetically pleasing, culturally relevant, or otherwise meaningful than hair styles or styles of fibers flocked onto a surface, such as, e.g., a human head or scalp; the device and method of the subject disclosure may be less expensive than currently available devices and methods known in the art; the device and method of the subject disclosure may be more readily teachable, learnable, translatable, and accessible than currently available alternatives; and the method of the subject disclosure may take much less time than, and provide longer lasting results than, the current state of the art.
The device of the subject disclosure may be adapted to affix fibers, such as, e.g., natural human hair fibers, to areas of a surface, such as, e.g., a human head where naturally grown hair has thinned, been shaven, or no longer grows. Flocking devices and methods known in the art may only be able to fully and uniformly cover a surface with synthetic fibers or powders. Such methods do not provide the flexibility to affix fibers to a surface in complex patterns, such as, e.g., in gradient or “faded” patterns, and at various fiber densities or fiber thicknesses. By contrast, an advantage of the device and method of the subject disclosure may be to adapt or customize the attachment of fibers to a surface in countless arrangements or patterns, and at a multitude of fiber densities and fiber thicknesses, as may be valuable for aesthetic applications, such as, e.g., hair styling or other decorative products.
For example, the device and method of the subject disclosure may be adapted to accomplish gradient patterns of hair fibers common in “faded” hair styles, as well as hair styles that feature areas of a head intentionally left bald or shaven. Accordingly, the manual customization and precision possible using the device and method of the subject disclosure may provide an advantage over the uniform application of mechanical flocking devices, as well as the more cumbersome alternative of creating the same patterns by affixing fibers by hand or using only a makeup brush applicator to apply fibers to a surface.
Despite not being able to provide complex hair styles, currently available hair replacement procedures may cost on the order of thousands of dollars, due in part to the cost to hire professionals with the extensive and costly training that may be required to administer those methods, as well as the daily or fixed contract rates that may be involved in hiring these professionals, such as, e.g., hair stylists in the television, theatre, and film industries. In addition, other flocking methods known in the art may require less training than necessary for professional hair replacement, but these methods may still cost on the order of hundreds of dollars, due to the meticulous manner by which fibers may be affixed by hand, and the hourly fee structure of some professionals, such as, e.g., conventional barbers and hair salon stylists.
An advantage of the device and method of the subject disclosure may be to provide a much lower cost alternative, as they may be successfully employed by operators with much less training, such as, e.g., inexpensive practice with the device upon artificial surfaces, such as, e.g., mannequin heads. As a result, the device and method of the subject disclosure are more teachable, learnable, translatable, and accessible to a wider audience of users than currently available and expensive hair replacement and flocking methods. Also, not having to apply the fibers by hand, or by only using a makeup brush applicator, may similarly lessen the hourly cost of hiring a barber or hair stylist. In addition, the device itself may cost significantly less to manufacture and purchase, and its reusability and portability may further lessen the cost associated with its use.
Hair flocking methods known in the art also suffer from the disadvantage of not only requiring significantly more time to complete, but also not providing lasting results: some methods provide affixed hair fibers that only remain attached to the surface for a day, despite the significant costs of those methods. Specifically, current flocking methods may take an hour or more to complete, while the resulting flocked fiber hairstyles may only last for a day or less, depending on the physical activities, including sleeping arrangements, of the user. These limitations of the current state of the art fail to accommodate the intended uses of the flocked hair patterns. For example, in the theatrical, performing arts, and movie industries, it is often desired that hair styles have the ability to be both quickly applied and long-lasting. Long filming sessions or performances may involve rigorous activity, which may involve sweating, temperatures, or weather conditions that would diminish the longevity of flocked fiber attachment, but the current state of the art does not provide results that can withstand these normal and foreseeable conditions. The device and method of the subject disclosure may provide longer lasting results despite the challenging conditions common to these applications.
Alternatively, some applications demand that hair styles be easily changed, but still be accomplished quickly, as in the example of a theatrical or film production where an actor or their character must change their hair style quickly between scenes, such as, e.g., when a character is portrayed in disguise or is shown at various ages. Fortunately, the device and method of the subject disclosure may provide the flexibility and speed of application required by these users and situations, and at lower costs, as described above.
A device of the subject disclosure may be adapted to provide more advantageous flocking of fibers, such as, e.g., hair fibers, upon a surface, such as, e.g., a human head or scalp. The device may include a container, which may be adapted to hold a plurality of fibers, such as, e.g., hair fibers, or a condensed mass of fibers; a plurality of panels translatable relative to the container, such as, e.g., along grooves present in the container; and a filtering layer, such as, e.g., a screen, mesh, or filter, attached to the container, where the filtering layer may be adapted to allow fibers of a suitable size to pass through the filtering layer by any suitable method known in the art, such as, e.g., by gravity or agitation of the container, to be then affixed to a surface positioned in proximity of the device, such as, e.g., below the device.
The plurality of panels may be attached to the container so that the panels may hold fibers inside the container, as well as allow an operator to control the release of fibers from the container, such as, e.g., an upper panel that may be opened to allow loading of fibers into the container, and a lower panel to hold the fibers until the operator opens the lower panel to a degree suitable to the release of fibers onto a surface. The panels may be adapted to be opened manually by an operator, such as, e.g., by a finger grasping a recessed hole or handle in the panel. The panels may also be made of any suitable transparent or translucent material known in the art, such as, e.g., polymethyl methacrylate, acrylic, acrylic glass, or plexiglass, to allow the operator to see characteristics, such as, e.g., quantity, quality, size, or color, of the fibers in the container. The container may feature an additional panel, which may be adapted to allow an operator to cut the fibers in the container into smaller pieces upon it using any suitable device known in the art, such as, e.g., a knife or blade.
A method for flocking fibers, such as, e.g., hair fibers, onto a surface, such as, e.g., a human head or scalp, may comprise applying adhesive to a surface by any suitable method known in the art, such as, e.g., by spraying or by using a manual applicator; closing a lower panel of the flocking apparatus; opening an upper panel of the flocking apparatus; placing fibers into a cavity of the flocking apparatus; closing the upper panel; positioning the flocking apparatus above a surface; opening the lower panel of the flocking apparatus to a suitable degree; manually agitating the flocking apparatus by any means known in the art, such as, e.g., by holding a first side of the flocking apparatus with one hand while tapping a second side of the flocking apparatus with another hand, or by repeatedly opening and closing the lower panel to a suitable degree; directing the release of a suitable amount of fibers from the flocking apparatus onto the surface; repositioning the flocking apparatus above the surface to release fibers upon other areas of the surface; and closing the lower panel at the conclusion of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the flocking apparatus of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the flocking apparatus of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of adhesive being applied to a head by spraying, such as, e.g., using a spray can.

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of adhesive being applied to a head by a manual applicator, such as, e.g., a makeup brush applicator or sponge.

FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of the flocking apparatus held by an operator, and positioned over a surface.

FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of the flocking apparatus loaded with flocking fibers, held by an operator, and positioned over a surface.

FIG. 5A illustrates a side view the flocking apparatus, held by an operator, and positioned over a surface, with fibers being released onto the surface.

FIG. 5B illustrates a side view the flocking apparatus, held by an operator, and positioned over a surface, with fibers having been released onto the surface in a hair style pattern.

FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of an exemplary hair pattern, featuring areas intentionally left bald, accomplished using the flocking apparatus of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary hair pattern, featuring a gradient or “faded” hair pattern, accomplished using the flocking apparatus of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the flocking apparatus of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the flocking apparatus of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart diagram of a method of using the flocking apparatus of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the hair flocking apparatus 10 of the subject disclosure, which may include a container 11, an upper panel 20, a lower panel 21, and a cavity 19. Container 11 may be composed of any suitable material known in the art, such as, e.g., wood or plastic. Container 11 may be in any suitable shape known in the art, such as, e.g., a cube, and container 11 may be adapted to contain a plurality of smaller objects, such as, e.g., fibers, as shown in FIG. 2, below. Container 11 may be comprised of one or more side grooves 17 and rear grooves 18 situated along inner side faces 15 and an inner rear face 16 within cavity 19 of container 11. Front face 12, back face 13, and side faces 14 may be adapted to be held manually by an operator of hair flocking apparatus 10.
Side surfaces 27 of upper panel 20 and lower panel 21 may be adapted to translate along side grooves 17 and towards inner rear surface 16 of container 11 so that back surfaces 26 are in direct contact with rear grooves 18, by which upper panel 20 and lower panel 21 may enclose cavity 19, and objects may be held securely within cavity 19 of container 11. Similarly, upper panel 20 and lower panel 21 may be translated along side grooves 17 and away from inner rear surface 16 of container 11 to varying degrees, by which objects may be added, removed, or released from cavity 19 of container 11 by any suitable manner known in the art, such as, e.g., manually, by acceleration due to gravity, or by another force or forces.
Upper panel 20 and lower panel 21 may be composed of any suitable material known in the art, such as, e.g., wood, plastic, or thermoplastic. In one embodiment, upper panel 20 and lower panel 21 may be composed of any suitable transparent or translucent material known in the art, such as, e.g., polymethyl methacrylate, acrylic, acrylic glass, or plexiglass, which may allow an operator of hair flocking apparatus 10 to observe characteristics, such as, e.g., quantity, quality, size, and color, of objects inside cavity 19 of container 11. A surface, such as, e.g., a top surface 24, of upper panel 20 and lower panel 21 may contain a notch 23, which may be adapted allow an operator to translate upper panel 20 and lower panel 21, by any suitable manner known in the art, such as, e.g., using hand 29, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, below. Notch 23 may be of any suitable shape or geometry known in the art, such as, e.g. a hole, filleted hole, chamfered hole, handle, or knob.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of hair flocking apparatus 10 of the subject disclosure, with upper panel 20 in a closed position, such as, e.g. when back surface 26 of upper panel 20 is in direct contact with rear groove 18, and with lower panel 21 in a partially open position, such as, e.g. when back surface 26 of lower upper panel 21 is not in direct contact with rear groove 18. A filtering layer 30 may be affixed to container 11, in any suitable location known in the art, such as, e.g., in cavity 19 between upper panel 20 and lower panel 21. Fibers 40 that may be placed in cavity 19 by any manner known in the art, such as, e.g., manually or by acceleration due to gravity, when upper panel 20 is in an open position, may rest upon filtering layer 30. Filtering layer 30 may be any suitable material or geometry known in the art, such as, e.g., a screen or mesh.
The geometry, polarity, or positioning of filtering layer 30 may be adapted to allow fibers 40 smaller than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or of a predetermined polarity, to pass through filtering layer 30 and rest upon a portion of top surface 24 of lower panel 21, which may be positioned below filtering layer 30, such as, e.g., when lower panel 21 is in the closed position explained above for upper panel 20. Filtering layer 30 may prevent fibers 40 or other objects larger than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or not of a predetermined polarity, from passing through filtering layer 30. Fibers 40 that pass through filtering layer 30 and that do not come to rest on top surface 24 of lower panel 21 may be released from hair flocking apparatus 10 by any means known in the art, such as, e.g., manually, by acceleration due to gravity, or by another force or forces, as shown in FIGS. 4B, 5A, and 5B. Fibers 40 may be any suitable material known in the art, such as, e.g., artificial fibers. In one embodiment, fibers 40 may be natural human hair or natural human hair fibers.
FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of adhesive being applied to a surface 50 of a head 51 by hand 29 using a spray can 54. The adhesive may be any suitable material known in the art, such as, e.g., light hold hair spray or heavy hold hairspray. An operator may apply adhesive to any suitable surface 50 of head 51, such as, e.g., the sides or top of head 51, in any suitable pattern or density to accomplish a predetermined pattern, such as, e.g., a complex hair pattern 52 or a faded hair pattern 53, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively.
FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of adhesive being applied to a surface 50 of a head 51 by hand 29 using a manual applicator 55. Manual applicator 55 may be any suitable device known in the art, such as, e.g., a makeup brush applicator or sponge. The adhesive may be any suitable material known in the art, such as, e.g., light hold adhesive or heavy hold adhesive. As explained in FIG. 3A, an operator may apply adhesive to any suitable surface 50 of head 51, such as, e.g., the sides or top of head 51, in any suitable pattern or density to accomplish a predetermined hair pattern, such as, e.g., a complex hair pattern 52 or a faded hair pattern 53, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, respectively.
FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of hair flocking apparatus 10 held by hands 29 and positioned over surface 50 of head 51, with upper panel 20 removed to better show filtering layer 30, which may be positioned above lower panel 21, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be positioned above surface 50 by any suitable manner known in the art, such as, e.g., by one hand 29 holding any suitable side or combination of sides of hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while another hand 29 holds lower panel 21 using notch 23 in lower panel 21. Lower panel 21 is shown in a half-open configuration, and the operator may translate lower panel 21 along side grooves 17 to open or close cavity 19, as shown in FIG. 1, in any suitable manner, such as, e.g., by continually opening and closing lower panel 21, which may apply a force upon hair flocking apparatus 10 or fibers 40, and which may cause fibers 40 to be released from hair flocking apparatus 10.
In another embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by both hands 29 on front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while lower panel 21 is left in a partially open position. Hands 29 may be used to apply a force to hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., by shaking or agitating hair flocking apparatus 10 or fibers 40, which may cause fibers 40 to be released from hair flocking apparatus 10.
In yet another embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by a hand 29 on any suitable side or combination of sides, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while lower panel 21 is left in a partially open position, and while another hand 29 applies a force to any suitable side or combination of sides of flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., by tapping front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, which may cause fibers 40 to be released from hair flocking apparatus 10.
FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of hair flocking apparatus 10 held by hands 29 and positioned over the surface 50 of a head 51, with upper panel 20 removed to better show filtering layer 30, which may be positioned above lower panel 21, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, along with fibers 40 present on filtering layer 30 and top surface 24 of lower panel 21. As explained in FIG. 4A, in one embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by any suitable manner to position it above surface 50 of head 51, such as, e.g., by one hand 29 holding any suitable side or combination of sides of hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while another hand 29 holds lower panel 21 using notch 23 in lower panel 21.
Lower panel 21 is shown in a half-open configuration, and the operator may translate lower panel 21 along side grooves 17 to open or close cavity 19, as shown in FIG. 1, in any suitable manner, such as, e.g., by continually opening and closing lower panel 21, which may apply a force upon hair flocking apparatus 10 or fibers 40. This force may cause fibers 40 smaller than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or of a predetermined polarity, to pass through filtering layer 30 and beyond lower panel 21, when it is in an at least partially open position, and onto surface 50 of head 51, below, while fibers 40 or other objects in cavity 19 that are larger than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or not of a predetermined polarity, may remain above filtering layer 30.
In another embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by both hands 29 on front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while lower panel 21 is left in a partially open position. Hands 29 may be used to apply a force to hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., by shaking or agitating hair flocking apparatus 10 or fibers 40. These forces may cause fibers 40 smaller than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or of a predetermined polarity, to pass through filtering layer 30 and beyond lower panel 21, when it is in an at least partially open position, and onto surface 50 of head 51, below, while fibers 40 or other objects in cavity 19 that are larger than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or not of a predetermined polarity, may remain above filtering layer 30.
In yet another embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by a hand 29 on any suitable side or combination of sides, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while lower panel 21 is left in a partially open position, and while another hand 29 applies a force to any suitable side or combination of sides of flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., by tapping front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, which may apply a force or forces upon fibers 40. These forces may agitate container 11 and may force fibers 40 smaller than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or of a predetermined polarity, to pass through filtering layer 30 and beyond lower panel 21, when it is in an at least partially open position, and onto surface 50 of head 51, below, while fibers 40 or other objects in cavity 19 that are larger than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or not of a predetermined polarity, may remain above filtering layer 30.
In these and other embodiments, the operator may continually reposition hair flocking apparatus 10 above surface 50 of head 51, or reposition or reorient head 51 itself, to direct the release of fibers 40 onto surface 50 of head 51 in various patterns and fiber densities, such as, e.g., patterns and densities based on a previous application of adhesive to surface 50 of head 51, as explained in FIGS. 3A and 3B, above. This release of fibers 40 may be accomplished by any suitable means known in the art, such as, e.g., manually, by acceleration due to gravity, or by another force or forces.
FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of hair flocking apparatus 10 held by hands 29 and positioned over surface 50 of a head 51 before fibers 40 have attached to surface 50 of head 51. As explained in FIG. 4A, above, in one embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by any suitable manner to position it above surface 50 of head 51, such as, e.g., by one hand 29 holding any suitable side or combination of sides of hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while another hand 29 holds lower panel 21 using notch 23 in lower panel 21.
Lower panel 21 is shown in a half-open configuration, and the operator may translate lower panel 21 along side grooves 17 to open or close cavity 19, as shown in FIG. 1, in any suitable manner, such as, e.g., by continually opening and closing lower panel 21, which may apply a force upon hair flocking apparatus 10 or fibers 40. This force may cause fibers 40 smaller than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or of a predetermined polarity, to pass through filtering layer 30 and beyond lower panel 21, when it is in an at least partially open position, and onto surface 50 of head 51, below, while fibers 40 or other objects in cavity 19 that are larger than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or not of a predetermined polarity, may remain above filtering layer 30.
In another embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by both hands 29 on front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while lower panel 21 is left in a partially open position. Hands 29 may be used to apply a force to hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., by shaking or agitating hair flocking apparatus 10 or fibers 40. These forces may cause fibers 40 smaller than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or of a predetermined polarity, to pass through filtering layer 30 and beyond lower panel 21, when it is in an at least partially open position, and onto surface 50 of head 51, below, while fibers 40 or other objects in cavity 19 that are larger than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or not of a predetermined polarity, may remain above filtering layer 30.
In yet another embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by a hand 29 on any suitable side or combination of sides, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while lower panel 21 is left in a partially open position, and while another hand 29 applies a force to any suitable side or combination of sides of flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., by tapping front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, which may apply a force or forces upon fibers 40. These forces may agitate container 11 and may force fibers 40 smaller than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or of a predetermined polarity, to pass through filtering layer 30 and beyond lower panel 21, when it is in an at least partially open position, and onto surface 50 of head 51, below, while fibers 40 or other objects in cavity 19 that are larger than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or not of a predetermined polarity, may remain above filtering layer 30.
FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of hair flocking apparatus 10 held by hands 29 and positioned over the surface 50 of a head 51 after fibers 40 have attached to surface 50 of head 51 in a predetermined pattern. In one embodiment, this predetermined pattern is a faded hair pattern 53, as shown. As explained in FIG. 4A, in one embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by any suitable manner to position it above surface 50 of head 51, such as, e.g., by one hand 29 holding any suitable side or combination of sides of hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while another hand 29 holds lower panel 21 using notch 23 in lower panel 21.
Lower panel 21 is shown in a half-open configuration, and the operator may translate lower panel 21 along side grooves 17 to open or close lower panel 21, as shown in FIG. 1, in any suitable manner, such as, e.g., by continually opening and closing lower panel 21, which may apply a force upon hair flocking apparatus 10 or fibers 40. This force may cause fibers 40 smaller than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or of a predetermined polarity, to pass through filtering layer 30 and beyond lower panel 21, when it is in an at least partially open position, and onto surface 50 of head 51, below, while fibers 40 or other objects in cavity 19 that are larger than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or not of a predetermined polarity, may remain above filtering layer 30.
In another embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by both hands 29 on front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while lower panel 21 is left in a partially open position. Hands 29 may be used to apply a force to hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., by shaking or agitating hair flocking apparatus 10 or fibers 40. These forces may cause fibers 40 smaller than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or of a predetermined polarity, to pass through filtering layer 30 and beyond lower panel 21, when it is in an at least partially open position, and onto surface 50 of head 51, below, while fibers 40 or other objects in cavity 19 that are larger than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or not of a predetermined polarity, may remain above filtering layer 30.
In yet another embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by a hand 29 on any suitable side or combination of sides, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while lower panel 21 is left in one partially open position, and while another hand 29 applies a force to any suitable side or combination of sides of flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., by tapping front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, which may apply a force or forces upon fibers 40. These forces may agitate container 11 and may force fibers 40 smaller than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or of a predetermined polarity, to pass through filtering layer 30 and beyond lower panel 21, when it is in an at least partially open position, and onto surface 50 of head 51, below, while fibers 40 or other objects in cavity 19 that are larger than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or not of a predetermined polarity, may remain above filtering layer 30.
Once the operator has released a suitable amount and configuration of fibers 40 upon surface 50 of head 51 to accomplish a predetermined pattern or hair style, the operator may stabilize fibers 40 upon surface 50 of head 51 by applying a sealant to surface 50 of head 51 by any suitable means known in the art, such as, e.g., by using a spray can 54 by hand, similar to the spraying of adhesive shown in FIG. 3A, or by a manual applicator 55, such as, e.g., a makeup brush applicator or sponge, similar to the manual application of adhesive shown in FIG. 3B. The sealant may be any suitable material known in the art, such as, e.g., silicone or an oil- or water-based moisturizer. Once the operator has finished flocking fibers 40 upon surface 50 of head 51, the operator may translate upper panel 20 and lower panel 21 along side grooves 17 so that back surfaces 27 may be in direct contact with rear grooves 18, so that upper panel 20 and lower panel 21 may be positioned in a closed configuration, which may store remaining fibers 40 in hair flocking apparatus 10 for later use.
FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of an exemplary complex hair pattern 52 upon a head 51, featuring fibers 40 arranged in complex geometries along with areas intentionally left bald, which many be accomplished using hair flocking apparatus 10 of the subject disclosure. In this complex hair pattern 52, fibers 40 may also be affixed to head 51 in various densities, as illustrated by darker and lighter areas of fibers 40 on head 51. Hair styles such as complex hair pattern 52 may be more complex, precise, fashionable, authentic, creative, aesthetically pleasing, culturally relevant, or otherwise meaningful than hair styles otherwise known, available, or possible in the art.
FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary faded hair pattern 53 upon a head 51, featuring fibers 40 which may be arranged in a gradient or “faded” hair style, which may be accomplished using hair flocking apparatus 10 of the subject disclosure. Faded hair pattern 52 may include fibers 40 affixed to head 51 in various fiber densities or gradients, as illustrated by progressively darker areas of fibers 40 from the sides of head 51 to the top of head 51. Hair styles such as faded hair pattern 53 may be more complex, precise, fashionable, authentic, creative, aesthetically pleasing, culturally relevant, or otherwise meaningful than hair styles otherwise known, available, or possible in the art, especially for users that may have naturally other otherwise occurring baldness or receding hairlines, or for operators without extensive professional training.
FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of hair flocking apparatus 10 of the subject disclosure, which, in addition to container 11, an upper panel 20, a lower panel 21, and a cavity 19 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may contain a middle panel 22, which may be situated between upper panel 20 and filtering layer 30 within cavity 19 of container 11, and additional side grooves 17 and rear grooves 18. Similar to upper panel 20 and lower panel 21, middle panel 22 may be adapted to translate along side grooves 17 into open and closed positions, as described in FIG. 2, above.
Furthermore, top surface 24 of middle panel 22 may be adapted to hold fibers 40 so that fibers 40 may be divided into smaller sizes upon top surface 24 of middle panel 22 by any suitable means known in the art, such as, e.g., by cutting or chopping with a cutting implement, which may be inserted into cavity 19. In one embodiment, middle panel 22 may be situated in a closed position, and a cutting implement may be inserted into cavity 19 of container 11, where it may be used to divide fibers 40 into smaller pieces by any suitable means known in the art, such as, e.g., by cutting or chopping, upon middle panel 22. The cutting implement may be any suitable device known in the art, such as, e.g., a knife or blade.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective cross-sectional view of hair flocking apparatus 10 of the subject disclosure, which, in addition to container 11, an upper panel 20, a lower panel 21, and a cavity 19 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may contain a middle panel 22, which may be situated between upper panel 20 and filtering layer 30 within cavity 19 of container 11, and additional side grooves 17 and rear grooves 18. Similar to upper panel 20 and lower panel 21, middle panel 22 may be adapted to translate along side grooves 17 into open and closed positions, as described in FIG. 2, above.
Furthermore, top surface 24 of middle panel 22 may be adapted to hold fibers 40 so that fibers 40 may be divided into smaller sizes upon top surface 24 of middle panel 22 by any suitable means known in the art, such as, e.g., by cutting or chopping with a cutting implement, which may be inserted into cavity 19. In one embodiment, middle panel 22 may be situated in a closed position, and a cutting implement may be inserted into cavity 19 of container 11, where it may be used to divide fibers 40 into smaller pieces by any suitable means known in the art, such as, e.g., by cutting or chopping, upon middle panel 22. The cutting implement may be any suitable device known in the art, such as, e.g., a knife or blade.
FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart diagram of a method of using hair flocking apparatus 10. In step S100, the method starts. In step S200, an operator may apply any suitable adhesive known in the art, such as, e.g., light hold hairspray or heavy hold hairspray, to surface 50 by any suitable manner known in the art, such as, e.g., by using a spray can 54 or manual applicator 55, such as, e.g., a makeup brush applicator or sponge, by hand 29.
In step S300, the operator may load fibers 40 into cavity 19 of hair flocking apparatus 10 in any suitable manner, such as, e.g., manually, when upper panel 20 may be in an open configuration, and lower panel 21 may be in a closed configuration. Fibers 40 larger than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or not of a predetermined polarity, may rest upon filtering layer 30, while fibers 40 smaller than a predetermined size, shape, or geometry, or of a predetermined polarity, may pass through filtering layer 30 and rest upon top surface 24 of lower panel 21.
In step S400, the operator may position hair flocking apparatus 10 above surface 50. In one embodiment, surface 50 is a top or side surface of a head 51. In one embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be positioned above surface 50 by any suitable manner known in the art, such as, e.g., by one hand 29 holding any suitable side or combination of sides of hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13. In another embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by a plurality of hands 29 on front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while lower panel 21 is left in a partially open position.
In step S500, the operator may apply a force to hair flocking apparatus 10. In one embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be positioned above surface 50 by any suitable manner known in the art, such as, e.g., by one hand 29 holding any suitable side or combination of sides of hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while another hand 29 holds lower panel 21 using notch 23 in lower panel 21. The operator may translate lower panel 21 along side grooves 17 to open or close cavity 19 in any suitable manner, such as, e.g., by continually opening and closing lower panel 21, which may apply a force upon hair flocking apparatus 10 or fibers 40, and which may cause fibers 40 to be released from hair flocking apparatus 10.
In another embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by both hands 29 on any suitable side or combination of sides of hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while lower panel 21 is left in a partially open position. Hands 29 may be used to apply a force to hair flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., by shaking or agitating hair flocking apparatus 10 or fibers 40, which may cause fibers 40 to be released from hair flocking apparatus 10.
In yet another embodiment, hair flocking apparatus 10 may be held by a hand 29 on any suitable side or combination of sides, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, while lower panel 21 is left in a partially open position, and while another hand 29 applies a force to any suitable side or combination of sides of flocking apparatus 10, such as, e.g., by tapping any suitable side or combination of sides, such as, e.g., front face 12, side face 14, or back face 13, which may cause fibers 40 to be released from hair flocking apparatus 10.
In step S600, the operator may release fibers 40 from hair flocking apparatus 10 as explained in S500, above. The operator may release fibers 40 in various densities upon surface 50 to accomplish various predetermined patterns or arrangements of fibers 40, such as, e.g., a complex hair pattern 52, a gradient or “faded” hair pattern 53, or other hair styles.
In step S700, an operator may apply any suitable sealant known in the art, such as, e.g., silicone or an oil- or water-based moisturizer, to surface 50 by any suitable manner known in the art, such as, e.g., by using a spray can 54 or manual applicator 55, such as, e.g., a makeup brush applicator or sponge, by hand 29.
In step S800, the operator may decide whether he or she is finished using hair flocking apparatus 10. If not, the method may proceed to step S900. If so, the method may proceed to step S1100. In step S900, the operator may continue to use hair flocking apparatus 10, and the method may proceed to step S200. In step S1100, the operator may adjust hair flocking apparatus 10 to be in a closed configuration, such as, e.g., by translating back surfaces 26 of upper panel 20 and lower panel 21 to be in direct contact with rear grooves 18, and the operator may store hair flocking apparatus 10 for later use.
Overall, hair flocking apparatus 10 of the subject disclosure may provide advantages over hair flocking or hair replacement devices or methods currently known in the art. Hair flocking apparatus 10 of the subject disclosure may allow an operator to accomplish more complex, precise, fashionable, authentic, creative, aesthetically pleasing, culturally relevant, or otherwise meaningful hair styles, at lower cost and in less time, than otherwise known, available, or possible in the art. Hair flocking apparatus 10 of the subject disclosure would also offer a durable, reusable, and portable tool for these advantageous application.
The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the subject disclosure. It is understood, therefore, that the subject disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments which are described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the subject disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus adapted to flock fibers upon one or more surfaces, comprising:

a container,

a plurality of panels, and

a filtering layer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fibers are human hairs.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more surfaces is a human head.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels is adapted to open and close a cavity in the container.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of panels is adapted for fibers to be chopped upon it.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the plurality of panels are transparent.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more handles affixed to one or more of the plurality of panels.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filtering layer is adapted for fibers of one or more predetermined characteristics to pass through it.

9. A method for flocking fibers onto one or more surfaces, comprising:

applying adhesive to the one or more surfaces,

loading fibers into a cavity of a flocking apparatus,

positioning the flocking apparatus above the one or more surfaces,

applying a force to the flocking apparatus,

releasing the fibers from the flocking apparatus upon the one or more surfaces,

applying a sealant to the one or more surfaces, and

storing the flocking apparatus until a subsequent use.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the fibers are human hairs.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the one or more surfaces is a human head.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the force is applied to the flocking apparatus by hand.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the force is applied to one or more sides of the flocking apparatus by one or more hands.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the force is applied to the flocking apparatus by opening and closing one or more panels in the flocking apparatus, one or more times.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising chopping the fibers upon one or more of the plurality of panels of the flocking apparatus.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising releasing fibers of one or more predetermined characteristics through a filtering layer.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the fibers are released upon the one or more surfaces by acceleration due to gravity.

18. The method of claim 8, wherein the fibers are released upon the one or more surfaces in one or more predetermined patterns.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more predetermined patterns comprise one or more surfaces that are intended to contain no fibers.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more predetermined patterns comprise the fibers affixed in gradually increasing fiber density on one or more surfaces.