The present disclosure relates to hair curlers. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to foam hair curlers that may be used for overnight styling of hair without discomfort and without the need for heat application or chemical treatment to properly style the hair.
Trends in fashions for hair styling have far outpaced the ability of product technology to adapt readily to these new trends, to make these newer styles easy and comfortable to apply, and to use. Individuals have long sought to style their hair by modifying the waviness or curliness of the hair. Processes to allow such curling of the hair often use the application of thermal heat or chemical products to change, reset, or adjust the bonds of protein structures within the strands of hair and thereby be able to fixate the hair in different patterns, such as straight, wavy, or curly. Such thermal heating processes and chemical processes present a real risk of possibly long-lasting or permanent damage to the physical structure of the hair. As such, stylists look for other technological means to style hair without the need or risk of thermal heat application or use of harsh chemicals.
One way adopted by stylists to enable them to style hair in waves or curls without substantial use of heat or chemical processes, is for stylists (or consumers) to style and set hair via mechanical means; for example, to fix portions of the hair for a length of time wrapped about hard plastic curlers (or rollers). A disadvantage of such mechanical methods to create waves or curls in the hair is that these methods often take a much longer duration to set the hair than methods which use heat and/or chemicals. As such, these mechanical curling processes, which frequently involve overnight application of hard plastic curlers, can create inconvenience and discomfort for the user. Other mechanical curling processes make use of hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®) curlers to secure the hair portions in the desired position for a length of time. These hook-and-loop fastener curlers can also cause significant inconvenience and discomfort for users, especially in that strands of hair can easily become entangled within or between the hook-and-loop fasteners and cause discomfort, making the act of removing the curler and releasing the user's hair difficult and potentially painful, with attendant risks of pulling, including pulling out (removing), portions of the user's hair. Other mechanical curling processes include the use of securing pieces, such as clips, pins, or bands, to hold the hair portions fixed in the desired position. Unfortunately, these securing pieces may also cause discomfort or inconvenience and often can lead to unwanted lines or indentations in the styled hair.
Accordingly, there is a need for tools that allow stylists and consumers to style hair, for example, by adding waves or curls, without creating risks to the health of the hair and without creating unnecessary expense, discomfort, or inconvenience for the user. The present disclosure seeks to solve these and other problems.
In one embodiment, a hair curler comprises a soft foam cylindrical body having an elasticized fabric net attached at one end of the curler body. Portions of the user's hair to be styled may be wrapped or curled about the cylindrical body and then the elasticized fabric net may be inverted about the hair portion and the cylindrical body to maintain the hair portion in a curled position for a sufficient period of time, including possibly an overnight period, to allow the hair portion to maintain the curled form upon release or removal from the curler, all without causing, or by minimizing, discomfort to the user throughout the process.
Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings. The figures are illustrative of invention functionality and are not necessarily to actual scale.
The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “various embodiments,” and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
Reference to the drawings is done throughout the disclosure using various numbers. The numbers used are for the convenience of the drafter only and the absence of numbers in an apparent sequence should not be considered limiting and does not imply that additional parts of that particular embodiment exist. Numbering patterns from one embodiment to the other need not imply that each embodiment has similar parts, although it may.
Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. When used herein to join a list of items, the term “or” denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. For exemplary methods or processes, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.
It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.
The term “coupled” may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, “coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.
The terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including, but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes, but is not limited to,” etc.).
As previously discussed, there is a need for tools that allow stylists and consumers to style hair, for example, by adding waves or curls, without creating risks to the health of the hair and without creating unnecessary expense, discomfort, or inconvenience for the user. The present invention allows users to curl and style hair comfortably and conveniently while minimizing risk and cost.
In one embodiment, as depicted in
In one embodiment, as best seen in
In one embodiment, the net 104 is comprised of a synthetic polymer, such as nylon. In other embodiments, all or portions of the net 104 may be comprised of such materials as silk, cotton, polyester, natural or synthetic polymers, blends (e.g., spandex-nylon), or other suitable materials. In one embodiment, the net 104 comprises elastic properties, such that when inverted to surround the curler body 102, the net 104 is secured to the body 102 due to the elasticity.
In one embodiment, as shown in
It will be appreciated that the cylindrical body 102 may vary in size, according to the desires of the user. For example, the body 102 may be in a range from three to eight inches in length. For example, shorter lengths would be used for short hairstyles, while longer lengths are used for longer hairstyles. While sizes are given as examples herein, they are not to be considered limiting, and sizes differing from those mentioned here are contemplated. In one embodiment, the cylindrical body 102 may be in a range from one-half inch in diameter to four inches in diameter. In one embodiment, the net 104 is proportionate in size relative to the cylindrical body 102. For example, if the body 102 is eight inches in length, the net 104 will be of sufficient size and elasticity to extend and encompass at least to the second end 110 of the body 102.
Therefore, it will be appreciated that the hair curler 100 solves the need for a curler that is inexpensive, easy to use, does not require heat or chemical treatment, that is comfortable to lay on while sleeping, and that is easy to remove.
Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/641,292, filed on Mar. 10, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62641292 | Mar 2018 | US |