Patent Application
20230165351
The present disclosure relates to the field of hairdressing. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed toward a curling rod device and hair curling technique used for the formation of spiral curls/coils/ringlets for all hair textures, with or without heat.
Generally speaking, a hair roller or hair curler is a small tube that is rolled into a person's hair in order to curl it, or to straighten curly hair, making a new hairstyle. The diameter of a roller varies from approximately 0.8 inches (20 mm) to 1.5 inches (38 mm). A hot roller or hot curler is designed to be heated in an electric chamber before one rolls it into the hair. A hair dryer heats the hair after the rolls are in place. When the hair is heated, the rollers strain and break the hydrogen bonds of each hair's cortex, which causes the hair to curl. The hydrogen bonds reform after the hair is moistened. Alternatively, hair spray can temporarily fix curled hair in place.
There are many hair curling devices available for the purpose of creating heatless spiral curls. However, the instant disclosure recognizes the challenge in the ability to easily and effectively secure hair tresses to such known devise. The majority of existing curl rods lack ease of use, hence time spent in the curling process is a big disadvantage. As an example, some existing curl rods use a form of rubber straps extending from one end of the rod and is stretched over the wound hair tress to a fastening socket at the other end in order to hold the curl in place on the rod. This is not always easy to achieve unless one is a skilled hair dresser. The tip of hair tresses tends to slip out from the securing rubber straps and ruin the curl formation process. A great deal of devices require excess hair manipulation or pulling of hair tresses when attempting to effectively secure the curl on the rod. Some hair textures require excess re-moistening and/or chemical products in order to effectively hold looped curls in place and achieve the desired spiral curl. Clearly, there is a need and/or desire to provide a curling rod device and/or method of use thereof that is easier to use.
In addition, the instant disclosure recognizes the cumbersome nature or size of most existing curl rods and discomfort in wearing such large curling rods. As a result, there is clearly a need to provide a curling rod device that is less cumbersome and more comfortable to wear.
Furthermore, the instant disclosure recognizes the dangers of using heated curling rods, especially when used by children. Accordingly, there is clearly a need to provide a curling rod device that is safe to use, especially with children, and does not require heat.
The instant disclosure may be designed to address at least certain aspects of the problems or needs discussed above by providing a hair curling rod device for creating tight spiral curls for all hair textures, with or without the use of heat.
The present disclosure may solve the aforementioned limitations of the currently available curling devices, by providing the disclosed hair curling rod device. The disclosed hair curling rod device may be for creating tight spiral curls for all hair textures, with or without the use of heat. In general, the hair curling rod device may include a top member and a bottom member. The top member may have a relatively flat orientation and a flat bottom side. The bottom member may have a convex orientation to the top member and a substantially circular cross-section. The top member may be connected to the bottom member at a first end by a U-shaped connection. The U-shaped connection may bias the top member toward the bottom member. The top member may have a first length and the bottom member may have a second length. Where the second length may be longer than the first length, where the bottom member extends beyond the top member at a second end. The bottom member may have an upward angled portion at the second end. The upward angled portion may be positioned where the bottom member extends beyond the top member at the second end.
One feature of the disclosed hair curling rod device may be that the top member is configured to clamp down onto hair wrapped around the bottom member and apply pressure on the hair wrapped around the bottom member via the flat bottom side. Whereby, the hair curling rod device is configured to curl, spiral, or ringlet the hair wrapped around the bottom member without the need for heat.
In select embodiments of the disclosed hair curling rod device, the top member and the bottom member may include a soft exterior. In select embodiments, the soft exterior may be a soft silicone material. In other select embodiments, the top member and the bottom member with the U-shaped connection may be integrally formed by a metal material with a soft silicone material applied thereto for creating the soft exterior.
In select embodiments of the disclosed hair curling rod device, the bottom member may include a cylindrical tube sleeve. The cylindrical tube sleeve may extend from the U-shaped connection at the first end to before the upward angled portion at the second end. In select embodiments, the cylindrical tube sleeve may include a smooth exterior. The smooth exterior may be configured for winding of hair around the cylindrical tube sleeve and for removal of the wound hair around the cylindrical tube sleeve by siding the wound hair off of the smooth exterior of the cylindrical tube sleeve. The cylindrical tube sleeve may be configured to conform to the convex orientation of the bottom member. In select embodiments, the cylindrical tube sleeve may be a plastic, rubber or silicone tube sleeve.
Another feature of the disclosed hair curling rod device may be that the upward angled portion of the bottom member may be configured for preventing hair wrapped around the bottom member from sliding off. In select embodiments, the upward angled portion may include a bulbous distal end. The bulbous distal end may be configured for aiding the upward angled portion in preventing hair wrapped around the bottom member from sliding off.
In select embodiments of the disclosed hair curling rod device, a protective cover portion may be included. The protective cover portion may be positioned on the bottom member approximate the U-shaped connection at the first end. The protective cover portion may be sized and/or positioned to extend partly around the U-shaped connection. In select embodiments, the protective cover portion may be sized and configured to prevent the bottom member and the U-shaped connection from rubbing or being in contact with a scalp when in use. In select embodiments, the protective cover portion may be a soft tube positioned on the bottom member approximate the U-shaped connection at the first end.
In select embodiments of the disclosed hair curling rod device, a locking cap may be included. The locking cap may be configured to lock the top member onto the bottom member at the second end. In select embodiments, the locking cap may have a conical shape with a locking hole therethrough. The locking hole may be sized and configured to allow the locking cap to slide down the upward angled portion of the bottom member and onto the top member for locking the top member onto the bottom member at the second end. The locking cap may be made from any desired material configured to lock the bottom member to the top member. In select possibly preferred embodiments, the locking cap may be a soft, non-porous foam with venting holes configured to enable venting or drying of hair inside the locking cap. However, the disclosure is not so limited, and locking cap may be made from a material without the venting holes.
Another feature of the disclosed hair curling rod device, may be that in select embodiments, a combination of the locking cap and the protective cover portion positioned on the bottom member approximate the U-shaped connection at the first end may be configured to prevent the bottom member and the U-shaped connection from rubbing or being in contact with a scalp when in use.
In another aspect, the instant disclosure embraces the disclosed hair curling rod device in any embodiment and/or combination of embodiments shown and/or described herein.
In another aspect, the instant disclosure embraces a method of curling hair without heat. The disclosed method of curling hair without heat may generally include utilizing the disclosed hair curling rod device in any embodiment and/or combination of embodiments shown and/or described herein. As such, the disclosed method of curling hair without heat generally includes the step of providing the disclosed hair curling rod device in any embodiment and/or combination of embodiments shown and/or described herein. With the provided hair curling rod device, the disclosed method of curling hair without heat further includes the steps of: spreading the top member from the bottom member; wrapping the hair around the bottom member; and closing the top member onto the bottom member thereby clamping down onto the hair wrapped around the bottom member and applying pressure on the hair wrapped around the bottom member via the flat bottom side, whereby the hair wrapped around the bottom member is curled, spiraled, or ringleted without the need for heat.
In select embodiment of the disclosed method of curling hair without heat, the step of wrapping the hair around the bottom member may include starting from a scalp and wrapping the hair around the bottom member at the first end, and wrapping the hair around the bottom member in a spiral configuration toward the second end.
In other select embodiment of the disclosed method of curling hair without heat, the step of closing the top member onto the bottom member may include locking the top member to the bottom member by sliding a locking cap with a locking hole onto the upward angled portion of the bottom member and around the top member thereby locking the top member to the bottom member.
The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the disclosure, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
The present disclosure will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:
It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed disclosure.
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As shown in the Figures, in select embodiments of hair curling rod device 10, protective cover portion 60 may be included. Protective cover portion 60 may be for providing a protective cover for aiding in the comfort and wearability of hair curling rod device 10, like for preventing any hard surfaces of hair curling rod device 10 from rubbing or being in contact with a scalp when in use. Protective cover portion 60 may be positioned on bottom member 20 approximate U-shaped connection 28 at first end 26. As shown in the Figures, protective cover portion 60 may be sized and/or positioned to extend partly around U-shaped connection 28. As such, in select embodiments, protective cover portion 60 may be sized and configured to prevent bottom member 20 and U-shaped connection 28 from rubbing or being in contact with a scalp when in use. Protective cover 60 may be any size, shape, or design of a protective cover for hair curling rod device configured for preventing bottom member 20 and U-shaped connection 28 from rubbing or being in contact with a scalp when in use. In select embodiments, as shown in the Figures, protective cover portion 60 may be soft tube 66 positioned on bottom member 20 approximate U-shaped connection 28 at first end 26.
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In another aspect, the instant disclosure embraces hair curling rod device 10 in any embodiment and/or combination of embodiments shown and/or described herein.
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In use, hair tresses are arranged to be wrapped in a spiral of multiple loops around the lower cylindrical sleeve 50 of bottom member 20 while flat bottom side 18 of top member 14 clamps down on the spirally wound/wrapped tresses to prevent shifting, thus effectively securing hair on bottom member 20. Hair tresses are wound around cylindrical sleeve 50 of bottom member 20 at first end 26 starting from the scalp, moving along the length of bottom member 20, to the second end 36 where the hair tresses are clamped in place. The clamping action on the spirally wrapped tresses applies pressure needed to form/set curl with or without heat. Soft locking cap 62 may be fastened onto second end 36 of hair curling rod device 10 to hold top member 14 in a closed position on bottom member 20, further securing hair tresses in place in case of disturbing activities such as workout, sleep etc. Soft locking cap 62 may consist of soft, non-porous foam 72 with tiny venting holes 74 which may enable venting/drying of hair wherein, when water/moisturizer/curl setting product is used. Soft locking cap 62, along with protective cover member 60 may prevent the metal material 48 of hair curling rod device 10 from being in contact with the scalp, which may assure maximum comfort to the wearer, as well as comfortable night's sleep if desired to be worn overnight. Second end 36 of hair curling rod device 10 is uneven, or top member 14 is disproportionate in length with bottom member 20, which provide the ease of opening top member 14 from bottom member 20 and inserting hair tresses. As shown in
Hair curling rod device 10 can be designed and configured with varying rod lengths and cylindrical sleeve tube sizes to accommodate different hair lengths and desired curls.
Hair curling rod device 10 may provide crossover between classic hair rollers, perm rods, and curl rod devices, that can be used on human or synthetic hair textures (wigs, extensions, doll hair etc.).
In sum, the present disclosure is directed to an innovative heatless hair curling rod device 10 that may be designed and configured to create tight spiral curls for all hair textures, with or without the use of heat. Hair rod curling device 10 may provide a construction/shape of a devise that is arranged to apply pressure to hair tresses wrapped around a soft smooth rod member/disposed in between, when the rod is in clamped/closed position, thereby causing the tresses to form curls without the need for an application of heat or use of excess hair curl setting mediums (wax, gel, foam, mousse). Optionally, water/curl setting medium may be applied to spirally wrapped tresses on rod afterwards, to facilitate the formation of curls. A great feature of the present disclosure is its ability to reduce the time spent achieving desired curls. The reduced time spent correlates with the technique used to wound hair tresses around hair rod and method used to quickly secure hair tresses to rod.
The disclosed device and method may be designed to allow curls to be spirally wound, where they are not wound on top of each other, like the classic hair rollers. Classic hair rollers described as such usually produce short, round, puffy/frizzy curls or waves. With the present disclosure, hair tresses are wound adjacently to each other in a spiral manner to achieve stretched-out /elongated defined curls (see
Another great feature of the present disclosure may be its ability to produce strong clamping action on the wound hair tresses, thereby securing the curl in place. Soft locking cap 62 may be fastened on second end 36 of hair curling rod device 10, slightly overlapping a portion of clamped hair for an ultimate hold. The clamping action/pressure of curl rod on hair tresses promotes its ability to be used without heat or application of excessive curl setting products, thereby avoiding heat damage or excessive hair manipulation/pulling force/damage. Hair curling rod device 10 may efficiently permit the clamping of hair tress for sufficient time necessary to set spiral curls.
Another feature of the present disclosure is its ability to achieve tight spiral/corkscrew-like curls on dry or slightly moistened/spritzed hair with little or no manipulations. Some hair textures may require excess re-moistening and/or chemical products in order to effectively hold looped curls in place and achieve the perfect spiral curl. The clamping action of hair curling rod device 10 may eliminate unnecessary use of hair products and forceful manipulation. Less manipulation may lead to less breakage and may promote retention of hair length over time.
Another feature of the disclosed hair curling rod device 10 may be the comfort or wearability. Most curling devices are cumbersome in size or made of hard plastic. This present disclosure is compact, and the metal core is surrounded by soft silicone. A protective soft foam locking cap 62 may be fastened/affixed onto the tip of device as well as protective cover portion 60 used at the opposite u-bend end to prevent the metal core rubbing/being in contact with the scalp. This may ensure maximum comfort for prolonged wear.
Another feature of the disclosed hair curling rod device 10 may be its versatility. The ability of the disclosed device to be use on extremely short hair due to clamping action may be revolutionary. Most curl rod devices require longer hair tresses in order to work properly. The disclosure may provide a breakthrough for all hair types, especially those with little to no natural curl pattern.
In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed. The present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.
The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein but is limited only by the following claims.
