WO2009013691A2

WO2009013691A2 - Hair extension, method of application thereof and device for applying hair extensions

Info

Publication number: WO2009013691A2
Application number: PCT/IB2008/052909
Authority: WO
Inventors: David A. Gold
Original assignee: Great Lengths S.R.L.
Priority date: 2007-07-20
Filing date: 2008-07-18
Publication date: 2009-01-29
Also published as: WO2009013691A3; ITRM20070418A1

Abstract

A hair extension (C) comprises a plurality of substantially parallel additional hairs (H), extending from a distal end to a proximal end (1 ); and a connection element (2) made of thermoplastic material, keeping said additional hairs (H) joined at said proximal end (1 ), which is provided with ferromagnetic material so as to be magnetically restrained to an application device (10).

Description

HAIR EXTENSION, METHOD OF APPLICATION THEREOF AND DEVICE FOR

APPLYING HAIR EXTENSIONS

Description

The present invention concerns a hair extension and to a related method of application, and to a device for applying hair extensions as well.

The above mentioned hair extension is introduced for the lengthening and the thickening of hair. Here and in the following, hair thickening is understood as the lengthening and/or the volume increase of a human hair, through the application of hair extensions to receiving hairs. Hair extension is understood as a hair tuft composed by a plurality of artificial or human hairs, apt to be handled as a single lengthening unit and to be applied to receiving hairs thanks to a connection element.

Several examples of hair extensions are known from patent applications in the name of the present applicant. Further, Italian Patent No. 1 ,283,953 discloses a particular hair extension wherein the connection element, joined to the extension, is wrapped around the receiving hairs and after molten and then solidified, to obtain a long- lasting connection.

To follow this operation, pliers application devices are used, pressing on the connection element which is made of a thermo-welding material, specifically a polymer like a polyamide or a polyester, as well as a polyurethane, e.g. a nylon. An amount of thermal or mechanical energy is transferred to the connection element, after that the latter has been placed on a certain number of receiving hairs. The momentary material melting, together with the pressure exerted by the pliers device, produces the mingling of the material and the receiving hairs, and with the extension hairs as well. The cooling down of the material, or the cut of the mechanical energy supply, produces the solidification of the connection element and the linking of the hair extension to the receiving hairs.

The obliged manual character of such known methods involves several problems.

First, the operator, to realize a well done connection, shall be provided with great experience and training, which obviously is not always possible. Further, to hold in place the extension through the connection thereof and, at the same time, to be able to operate with at least one free hand, the hair stylist is forced to a complicate working or, otherwise, the intervention of more than one operator is required.

The technical problem at the root of the present invention is to provide a hair extension allowing to obviate to the drawbacks mention with reference to the known art.

Such a problem s solved by a hair extension as above specified, wherein the connection element s provided with ferromagnetic material.

According to a preferred embodiment, the connection element is formed by a thermoplastic polymer including ferromagnetic material, e.g. ferrite powder. The main advantage of the hair extension according to the present invention lies in allowing a eased hold between the connection element and any application device wherein a magnetic field is provided.

The magnetic field may be induced in the application device or, otherwise, it can be generated by the connection element itself. In the latter case, the ferromagnetic material is magnetized.

A sensor for detecting magnetic fields may be used in the application device and, if the presence of the magnetic field is not detected, the device may be inhibited to supply thermal or mechanical energy to the connection element.

Hence, such a system can prevent either the application of extensions not suitable to the application device or the application of extensions which are a fake of original extensions.

This invention is also referred to a method for applying hair extensions as above specified, wherein, a positioning step preceding a step wherein the connection between hair extension and receiving hairs is produced, a magnetic field generated at the connection element of the hair extension hold in place such connection element in a predetermined position in a device for the application of hair extensions.

Further, the invention is referred to a device for the application of hair extensions as above specified, comprising magnetic field means for holding in place a connection element of the hair extension in a predetermined position. It is understood that the above specified hair extension can be thought for a single extension application, i.e. extension by extension, as disclosed in the Italian Patent No. 1 ,283,953 herein incorporated by reference.

The shape of the connection element can be anyone, i.e. a platelet, a tablet or a booklet.

Further, the method of application and the device for the application as above specified may be used in the application of either single tufts or series of tufts, e.g. of the kind disclosed in PCT Applications Ser. Publ. No. WO02098250, WO2004023910 or WO2005060776. The present invention will be detailed in the following according to a preferred embodiment thereof, given to an exemplificative and non limitative purpose with reference to the annexed drawings, wherein:

* Figure 1 shows a device for the application of hair extensions according to the present invention; * Figure 2A shows a hair extension of a first embodiment of the present invention;

* Figure 2B shows a hair extension of a second embodiment of the present invention;

* Figure 3A shows a detailed and partially sectioned view of the device of Figure 1 , illustrating a step of application of the hair extension of Figure 2A; * Figure 3B shows a detailed and partially sectioned view of the device of Figure 1 , illustrating a further step of application of the hair extension of Figure 2A;

* Figure 4A shows an enlarged view of the device of Figure 1 shows an enlarged view of the device of Figure 1 ; illustrating a step of application of the hair extension of Figure 2A; * Figure 4B shows an enlarged view of the device of Figure 1; illustrating a subsequent step of application of the hair extension of Figure 2A; and

* Figure 4C shows an enlarged view of the device of Figure 1 ; illustrationg a further step of application of the hair extension of Figure 2A. In connection with Figures 2A and 2B, a hair extension is detailed, indicated by C as a whole.

It comprises a plurality of substantially parallel additional hairs H₁ extending from a distal end to a proximal end indicated by 1. The extension C has, at the latter end, a connection element 2 made of thermoplastic material; it keeps the additional hairs H joined together at said proximal end 1.

The additional hairs H are provided in a substantially predefined amount and they can be natural or artificial, with a properly selected and uniform colouring or with meches as well.

Hair extensions C may have different thickness, length and colour. The respective additional hairs H have a preferably uniform length.

The thermoplastic material can melt by the application of either thermal energy or even mechanical energy. In the first case, the thermoplastic material is a substance apt to be molten at a temperature higher than the room temperature, acquiring the properties of a plastic fluid, to be cooled down to and then solidified at room temperature.

In the second case, the involved substances, even having analogous properties, can be molten through the direct application of mechanical energy, in the form of high frequency vibrations, particularly ultrasonic. In such a case, the intermolecular vibration and the related friction generates an amount of heat required to let the molecules plastically flow with respect to each other. The liquefaction cease at the interruption of the vibration, producing a substantially immediate solidification.

In both cases, the thermoplastic material can be a plastic polymer like polyamide, polyester or even polyurethane, e.g. a nylon.

The connection element 2 can have different shapes and sizes, just to be adapted to thicken hair extensions, with hairs of high length and thickness; medium, for hair extensions with intermediate length and thickness; and small for hair extensions characterised by a minimum thickness, intended to be massively applied. The task of the connection element 2 according to the present invention is to keep the hairs of each extension C joined together, and t provide an attachment point for the hair extension to the hair to be thickened, in the following mentioned as receiving hairs.

Further decorative elements may be possibly added to the connection element 2, like shiny stones and so on, however not shown in the drawings.

The connection element 2 can be shaped as a booklet, a platelet, a tablet, a chip, a spherule or a pellet as well.

In Figure 2A, the connection element 2 has a booklet shape, with two wings 3 hinged by a bending line 4. As it can be noted, the above mentioned two wings 3 may be approached to each other to trap between them an amount of receiving hairs. An analogous function is performed by a flattened and/or arched connection element, apt to be bent trapping receiving hairs.

In Figure 2B, the connection element is shaped as an elongate platelet, so as to minimize the amount of thermoplastic material associated to the extension C. According to the invention, the connection element 2 is provided with ferromagnetic material.

In the current embodiment, such ferromagnetic material is provided to the connection element in the form of powder mixed with the thermoplastic material.

The ferromagnetic material can be or can comprise ferrite. In this way, the connection element 2 is sensitive to magnetic field and, in particular, it may be temporarily bond to a permanent magnet or to an electromagnet as well.

According to an equally preferred variation, the connection element 2 is magnetized, i.e. the ferromagnetic material has been put through a magnetic field so as to confer to it a permanent magnetization. Such magnetization can be also conferred to the thermoplastic material mixed with ferrous powder. The liquefaction of the thermoplastic material mitigates or eliminates such magnetization, because the orientation produced in the ferrous particles is substantially altered.

The connection element 2, i.e. the respective thermoplastic material comprises a dye agent so as to be uniform with the colour of the additional hairs.

With reference to Figures 1 , 3A and 3B, a device for the application of the above described hair extensions will be detailed hereinafter.

In such Figures, a device of this kind is indicated by 10. It is substantially shaped as a gun, with an handle 11 and a body 12 provided with an operating end wherein pressing means 13 are provided, acting to press said connection element 2 with a predetermined pressure.

Such predetermined pressure may be obtained as disclosed in the PCT application Ser. Publ. No. WO03061416. The pressing means 13 comprises a mobile member 14 cooperating with a fixed member, between them a receptacle being formed, wherein said connection element 2 is placed.

The mobile member 14 is driver by controls 16 positioned at the handle 11.

According to a first embodiment of the present device, one or both the mobile 14 and fixed members transmit mechanical energy to the connection element, in the form of ultrasonic frequency vibrations.

Such system involves the use of mechanical energy in the form of ultrasonic frequency vibrations, e.g. in the range of 20 and 0 kHz. In this embodiment, the fixed member, indicated by 17 in Figures 3A and 3B, are connected to a vibrating member 18, e.g. a piezoelectric member subject to an alternate voltage with the requested frequency, so as to transmit vibrations to the connection element 2 to have it liquefied.

In this case, it has to be noted that the administering of vibrations let the molecules of the connection element 2 in thermoplastic material easily flow among single hairs of the hair extension and of the receiving hairs, permeating through them and mingling with them.

Alternatively or additionally, just to exploit a synergistic effect, heating means of the connection element 2 can be provided at said receptacle 15.

Such system may provide the heating of one or both the mobile and fixed members 14, 17, at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined timing, ,

corresponding to a compression cycle of the pressing means 13.

The parameters of this cycle can be selected through a control unit 5 connected to the application device 10.

At the receptacle 15 and the pressing means 13, the device comprises comb means 20, for selecting and driving an amount of receiving hairs, indicated by R, on the connection element 2.

In the present embodiment, the comb means 20 comprises a first guide member 22, formed on the mobile member 14 of the pressing means 13, and a second guide member 21 , retractable at the operational end of the device 10, inside a properly shaped channel 23. The movement of the second guide member 21 is coupled with that of the mobile member 14.

According to the invention, the device 10 herein described comprises magnetic field means to hold in place a respective connection element 2 of a hair extension C in a predetermined position, i.e. inside the above detailed receptacle 15, so as to allow to operate the device 10 with an increased freedom, approaching it to the receiving hairs with the hair extension C already loaded at the operational end 11.

In the present embodiment, the magnetic field means comprises a magnet 24 and operates generating a magnetic field just at the connection element 2.

Such magnet 24 can be permanent, or can b activated at the loading of the extension C.

Alternatively, the magnetic field means comprises ferromagnetic materials sensitive to the attraction produced at the receptacle 15 while, e.g., the parts of the device 10 touching the connection element 2 can be made of a non ferromagnetic material like aluminium. In such case, instead of the magnet, a ferrous plate can be provided.

In both these cases, the magnetic field means are arranged at the pressing means acting to press said connection element at a predetermined pressure.

The above detailed device comprises a sensor, not shown, apt to detect the presence of a magnetic field, and it is provided so as to condition the supply of energy to the connection element in case of presence of magnetic field. This kind of sensor may work according to the so called Hall effect.

In this way, by this device it is not possible to hair-dress a client with hair extensions not having ferromagnetic material, or present in an insufficient amount, to prevent the application of not proper hair extensions or infringed hair extensions. Analogously, if the magnetic field is generated by the device itself, the latter can be equipped with a sensor apt to detect the passage of magnetic field flux lines at the connection element 2, i.e. the presence of ferromagnetic material into the connection element 2, conditioning the supply of energy to the connection element 2, in a way similar to that previously described. According to a variation not shown in the drawings, the pressing means are arranged so as to act on a plurality of aligned connection elements, e.g. as described in PCT application Ser. Publ. No. WO02098250, WO2004023910 or WO2005060776.

With reference to Figures 4A to 4C, a method of application of the above detailed hair extensions will be described hereinafter, i.e. a method for using the application device 10.

A hair extension C as previously described, with a connection element 2 provided with ferromagnetic material, is positioned in a predetermined position in a device for the application of hair extensions, by generating a magnetic field at the connection element 2 so as to hold in place the connection element 2 between the mobile and the fixed members 14, 17 of suitable pressing means, possibly pliers shaped.

Once positioned the extension C, the latter do not requires further operation to be held in place because the connection element is bond to the device 10.

Then, the receiving hairs R properly selected by an operator can be inserted through said comb means. The cooperation of the latter and of the receptacle allows to select the correct amount of receiving hairs R.

Now, means for activating the connection element can be set going, i.e. energy can be supplied.

At the same time, the application device 10 is operated and a constant pressure, not depending upon the thickness of what included between the pliers operated mobile and fixed members 14, 17, uniformly exerting such pressure along a time with a predetermined length on the connection element 2 transforming into a connection onto the hair.

According to the variant wherein the connection element 2 is magnetized, the latter is simply positioned in a predetermined position in the device for the application of the hair extension, sensitive to the magnetic attraction of said ferromagnetic material.

The subsequent steps are identical to those previously described. The activation of the connection element 2 mitigates or eliminates the magnetic effect and frees the extension C from the device 10. Further, in this way, the connections formed thereby neither are attracted nor are repulsed by each other.

According to another variant, the connection element 2 is provided with magnetic material and possibly magnetized immediately before the application of the extension, e.g. momentarily forming the connection element. Through these applications, energy is supplied either in the form of ultrasonic frequency vibrations or as thermal energy.

To the above described hair extension, method of application and application device a man skilled in the art, to meet further and contingent needing, can ad several further modifications and variants, however all falling within the protection scope of the present invention as defined by the annexed claims.

Claims

1. Hair extension (C), comprising:

* a plurality of substantially parallel additional hairs (H), extending from a distal end to a proximal end (1); and * a connection element (2) made of thermoplastic material, keeping said additional hairs (H) joined at said proximal end (1), wherein said connection element (2) is provided with ferromagnetic material.

2. Hair extensions (C) according to claim 1 , wherein said ferromagnetic material is provided to the connection element (2) in the form of powder mixed with the thermoplastic material.

3. Hair extensions (C) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said ferromagnetic material comprises ferrite.

4. Hair extensions (C) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection element (2) is magnetized.

5. Hair extensions (C) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connection element (2) is shaped in the form of a booklet, a platelet, a tablet, a chip, a spherule or a pellet as well.

6. Hair extensions (C) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection element (2) comprises a dye agent so as to be uniform with the colour of the additional hairs (H).

7. Method of application of hair extensions (C) including:

* a plurality of substantially parallel additional hairs (H), extending from a distal end to a proximal end (1 ); and

* a connection element (2) made of thermoplastic material, keeping said additional hairs (H) joined at said proximal end (1), comprising the steps of:

* providing the connection element (2) with ferromagnetic material; * positioning a hair extension (C) generating a magnetic field at the connection element (2), so as to hold in place the connection element (2) in a predetermined position in a device for the application (10) of the hair extension (C); and

* activate said connection element (2) by supplying energy.

8. Method of application of hair extensions (C) including:

* a plurality of substantially parallel additional hairs (H), extending from a distal end to a proximal end (1); and

* a connection element (2) made of thermoplastic material, keeping said additional hairs (H) joined at said proximal end (1), wherein said connection element is provided with ferromagnetic material, comprising the steps of:

* positioning a hair extension (C) generating a magnetic field at the connection element (2), so as to hold in place the connection element (2) in a predetermined position in a device for the application (10) of the hair extension (C); and * activate said connection element (2) by supplying energy.

9. Method of application of hair extensions (C) including:

* a connection element (2) made of thermoplastic material, keeping said additional hairs (H) joined at said proximal end (1), wherein said connection element is provided with magnetized ferromagnetic material, comprising the steps of:

* positioning a hair extension (C) placing the respective connection element (2) in a predetermined position in a device for the application (10) of the hair extension (C) sensitive to the magnetic attraction of said ferromagnetic material; and

* activate said connection element (2) by supplying energy.

10. Method f application of hair extensions (C) according to any of preceding claims 7 to 9, wherein the supplied energy is mechanical energy in the form of ultrasonic frequency vibrations.

11. Method of application of hair extensions (C) according to any of preceding claims 7 to 9, wherein the supplied energy is thermal energy.

12. Device (10) for the application of hair extensions (C) including:

* a connection element (2) made of thermoplastic material, keeping said additional hairs (H) joined at said proximal end (1), wherein said connection element (2) is provided with ferromagnetic material, comprising magnetic field means (24) for holding in place a respective connection element (2) of a hair extension (C) in a predetermined position.

13. Device (10) according to claim 12, wherein said magnetic field means (24) operates by generating a magnetic field.

14. Device (10) according to claim 12, wherein said magnetic field means (24) comprises ferromagnetic material sensitive to the magnetic attraction.

15. Device (10) according to any of the claims 12 to 14, wherein said magnetic field means are provided at pressing means (13) acting to press said connection element (2) with a predetermined pressure.

16. Device (10) according to claim 15, wherein said pressing means (13) comprises a mobile member (14) cooperating with a fixed member (17), a receptacle being formed between them wherein the connection element (2) is placed.

17. Device (10) according to claim 16, wherein one or both the mobile and the fixed members (14, 17) transmit mechanical energy to the connection element (2) in the form of ultrasonic frequency vibrations.

18. Device (10) according to claim 16 or 17, comprising heating means for the connection element (2) at said receptacle (15).

19. Device (10) according to claim 16, comprising comb means (21 , 22) at said receptacle (15) for selecting and driving an amount of receiving hairs (R) on the connection element (2).

20. Device (10) according to claim 15, wherein said pressing means (13) are arranged so as to act on a plurality of aligned connection elements (2).

21. Device (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 20, comprising a sensor apt to detect the presence of a magnetic field, conditioning the supply of energy to the connection element (2).

22. Device (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 20, comprising a sensor apt to detect the passage of magnetic field flux lines at the connection element (2), i.e. the presence of ferromagnetic material inside the connection element (2), conditioning the supply of energy to the connection element (2).