Patent Application
20250107584
Embodiments described herein relate to hair extensions and, in particular, to hair extensions in which an attachment to natural hair of a wearer and/or a scalp portion of a wearer is facilitated, supported, or otherwise achieved at least in part by a substrate, fabric section, weft, adhesive length, or other material that is oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the sagittal plane or longitudinal axis of a wearer.
Conventional hair extensions have many forms and may be made from human or from synthetic hair and may be attached in a different number of ways, depending on the budget of the wearer, the time available to attach the extensions to the hair, as well as other needs of the user. In some cases, hair extensions may include clips to “clip in” to the user's hair.
Other variations include “tape in” hair extensions that are glued on to the wearer's head. In some cases, hair extensions may be sewn in or women on to the hair for more permanent attachment. Regardless of the type of extension, hair extensions generally have a base or a thin strip that is perpendicular with respect to the direction of hair (e.g., the base is straight with respect to the hair).
This conventional arrangement necessitates the use of specialty high bond adhesives and special application techniques that can cause damage to natural hair if applied incorrectly.
Embodiments described herein take the form of a method of installing a hair extension section at an installation site of a wearer, the hair extension section with a base portion with a plurality of extension strands extending from the base portion at an oblique angle relative to a length of the base portion, the method including at least selecting the installation site, sectioning, at the installation site, natural hair of the wearer at the oblique angle such that an upper section of natural hair may be parted from a lower section of natural hair by an angled path that may be angled with respect to a sagittal axis of the wearer, select the base portion from a set of base portions, preparing an adhesive for attachment of the base portion to the lower section of natural hair, aligning the base portion of the hair extension section with the angled path, placing the prepared adhesive against the lower section of natural hair to affix the hair extension section against the lower section of natural hair such that the plurality of extension strands fall parallel to strands of natural hair of the lower section of natural hair, and causing the adhesive to affix to the hair extension section against the lower section.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the base portion includes a linear section and an angled section joined at a junction.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which aligning the base portion of the hair extension section with the angled path comprise aligning the angled section of the base portion with the angled path.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which causing the adhesive to affix to the hair extension includes applying heat to the base portion.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the adhesive may be a temperature sensitive adhesive.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the adhesive may be a keratin-based adhesive.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the oblique angle may be between thirty degrees and sixty degrees.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the base portion includes fabric.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which preparing the adhesive for attachment includes removing a backing layer of adhesive formed on the base portion.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which preparing the adhesive for attachment includes heating the base portion.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which preparing the adhesive for attachment includes applying pressure to the base portion.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which selecting the base portion from the set of base portions includes selecting a respective base portion based on a respective oblique angle at which a respective plurality of extension strands extend from the respective base portion.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the plurality of extension strands comprise human hair with a common cuticle scale direction.
Some embodiments described herein take the form of a method of installing a hair extension section at an installation site of a wearer, the hair extension section with a base portion with a first section and a second section and a plurality of extension strands extending from at least one of the first section or the second section at an oblique angle relative to the respective section of the base portion, the method including at least sectioning, at the installation site, natural hair of the wearer at the oblique angle such that an upper section of natural hair may be parted from a lower section of natural hair by an angled path that may be at least partially angled with respect to a sagittal axis of the wearer, aligning at least one of the first section or the second section of the base portion of the hair extension section with the angled path, placing the base portion against the lower section of natural hair to affix the hair extension section against the lower section of natural hair such that the plurality of extension strands fall parallel to strands of natural hair of the lower section of natural hair, and affixing the hair extension section against the lower section at the installation site.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the first section may be a linear section.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which at least one of the first section or the second section comprise a curved path part.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the first section defines a first angle with respect to the sagittal axis and the second section defines a second angle with respect to the sagittal axis, the second angle different from the first axis.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which affixing the hair extension section against the lower section at the installation site includes sewing.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which affixing the hair extension section against the lower section at the installation site includes applying a keratin-based glue to at least one of the hair extension section or the installation site.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which affixing the hair extension section against the lower section at the installation site includes curing an adhesive.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the adhesive may be a keratin-based adhesive.
Embodiments described herein take the form of a hair extension section including at least a base portion including at least a first section, and a second section, and a plurality of extension strands extending from at least one of the first section or the second section at an oblique angle relative to the respective section of the base portion.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the base portion comprise fabric.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the plurality of extension strands includes natural hair with a common cuticle scale direction/
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the base portion comprise an adhesive layer.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the adhesive layer includes a keratin based adhesive.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the adhesive layer comprise a backing.
Certain embodiments can include a configuration in which the oblique angle may be between thirty and sixty degrees.
Reference will now be made to representative embodiments illustrated in the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the following descriptions are not intended to limit this disclosure to one included embodiment. To the contrary, the disclosure provided herein is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the described embodiments, and as defined by the appended claims.
The use of the same or similar reference numerals in different figures indicates similar, related, or identical items.
Additionally, it should be understood that the proportions and dimensions (either relative or absolute) of the various features and elements (and collections and groupings thereof) and the boundaries, separations, and positional relationships presented therebetween, are provided in the accompanying figures merely to facilitate an understanding of the various embodiments described herein and, accordingly, may not necessarily be presented or illustrated to scale, and are not intended to indicate any preference or requirement for an illustrated embodiment to the exclusion of embodiments described with reference thereto.
Embodiments described herein relate to hair extensions. More specifically, embodiments described herein relate to hair extensions with an oblique base/extension strip with respect to the hair strands that is installed at an angle with respect to a wearer's sagittal plane.
Hair extensions are a popular option for persons looking to augment the appearance of natural hair. Extensions of various types can be installed to provide additional length, volume, color, and/or dimension, enabling a wider range of styling options. Extensions can be attached either temporarily, semi-permanently, or permanently, depending on desired effects, maintenance preferences, and the like. Temporary options may be favored for special occasions or short-term style changes, while longer-term installations may accommodate other preferences and style objectives.
As noted above, beyond adding length and volume, hair extensions may also provide an opportunity for more creative and varied hairstyling options to serve as a valuable tool for personal expression. Wearers and stylists can experiment with different hair textures, colors, and styles that may not be possible with natural hair alone.
Generally and broadly, hair extension pieces, bundles, or sections include a section of strands of natural hair or synthetic material. In many cases, although not required, sections include strands of natural human or animal hair oriented in a common cuticle scale direction. Each section or bundle of hair can be thereafter affixed or otherwise fastened to a substrate, carrier, adhesive, or other material that, in turn, can be coupled to a section of natural hair or a portion of a scalp of a wearer. In some cases, the carrier can affix to and stay attached to the wearer's scalp and/or hair section. In other cases, the carrier may be partially removed during or after installation (e.g., adhesive backing). In yet other embodiments, the carrier may be cured, melted, or otherwise chemically or structurally changed during installation (e.g., multi-part epoxy, cured keratin-based adhesive, heat-cured adhesive, the like). In other cases, other carrier constructions are possible. It may be appreciated that generally and broadly, different hair extension types may affix to a wearer's hair in different ways.
Example hair extension types include, clip-ins, tape-ins, sew-ins (also known as weave extensions), fusion extensions, microlink extensions, glue-in extensions, halo and/or flip-in extensions, and the like. Other hair extensions may be conventionally classified as wig parts, wiglets, hairpieces, lace-fronts, and the like.
Broadly, clip-in hair extensions are temporary extensions that can be mechanically attached to a natural hair section and removed at a later time without damage or permanent attachment to natural hair. Clip-in extensions are fitted with clips sewn into the base of extension strands (whether natural or synthetic or a combination thereof), allowing for faster installation than other extension types. Installation can typically involve sectioning natural hair, selecting an installation site, selecting a bundle of natural hair to couple the clip-in extension to, and clipping the extensions around the selected section, close to the root of the natural hair. Clips can be two-sided and may clamp around a sectioned natural hair bundle at selected installation site. In other cases, clips can be one-sided and may be folded/doubled-back to clamp around a sectioned natural hair bundle at a selected installation site. As noted above, clip-ins may be preferable for short-term use.
Tape-in extensions, broadly, are semi-permanent extensions and may be affixed to a natural hair section via adhesive strips, which may be supported by a carrier that can be referred to as a weft. As with other extension types, tape-in extensions may be made from human or animal hair, synthetic materials, or a combination thereof. Installation can include sectioning hair, selecting an installation site, selecting a section of natural hair at the installation site, and positioning an active side of an adhesive material over the sectioned natural hair bundle at the selected installation site. Tape-in extensions may be thinner and lower mass than clip-in extensions and can provide a more natural appearance, while offering a more comfortable experience to the wearer. In some cases, however, tape-in extensions can be manufactured with adhesives that cause damage to natural hair or can cause damage to natural hair on removal or repositioning.
Sew-in extensions, also known as weaves, can be installed by braiding or twisting natural hair tightly against the scalp and sewing the extensions into the braids. As with other extension types, strand materials can include human hair or synthetic fibers. Sew-in extensions include a fabric or synthetic carrier (which may be referred to as a weft) that serves to support individual strands of human hair, animal hair, or a synthetic material. In these configurations, the carrier (also referred to as a strip) can be sewn to individual braids or twists to permanently or semi-permanently couple the strands to the wearer. Sew-ins can last several weeks but require proper care to prevent damage to natural hair.
Generally and broadly, pre-bonded extensions can be attached to bundles of natural hair using a keratin-based adhesive that bonds extension strand bundles to the natural hair bundles. Localized heat may be used to melt the adhesive during installation. In other cases, heat may not be required and adhesive may be mechanically agitated by an ultrasonic transducer or by mechanical manipulation by a stylist or other installer. Fusion extensions offer a long-lasting and natural appearance, but the application process can be time-consuming and requires specialized tools and expertise to avoid thermal damage to natural hair.
Glue-in extensions, also referred to as bonded extensions, may be coupled to natural hair via application of an adhesive (e.g., powders, gels, and the like). Installation of glue-in extensions includes operations such as applying glue to a gathered base of a bundle of extension strands (optically activating the adhesive with heat, mechanical agitation or application of pressure, or mixture of one or more constituent materials or any combination thereof) and positioning the adhesive section against a selected section of natural hair. Such extensions can be made from either natural or synthetic fibers or strands. Glue-in extensions may be used for short-term wear, as adhesives may weaken over time and may require frequent maintenance.
Microlink extensions involve attaching small wefts of hair using silicone or metal beads that are mechanically clamped around natural hair to fasten thereto. Human hair or synthetic materials may be used for extension strands. The installation process involves selecting and threading small sections of natural hair through the beads. Thereafter, the beads may be clamped or crimped to hold the extensions in place.
Broadly, halo extensions (also referred to as “flip-in” extensions) leverage a thin wire to secure the hair extension around a wearer's head like a halo. The wire rests on top of the head, below one or more natural hair sections. To obscure the halo wire, natural hair may be pulled over it to conceal the extensions.
The foregoing example extension types are not exhaustive. Generally and broadly it may be appreciated that extension can be coupled mechanically or adhesively to a wearer's scalp or natural hair. Mechanical coupling techniques include clips, crimps, clamps, thread, and microlinks. Adhesive techniques include pre-bonded (tipped) extension bundles, bonded extension bundles (glue-in), or taped extension bundles.
In many cases, a bundle of extension hair (whether natural or synthetic) is supported by a length of material typically referred to as a carrier, a strip, or a weft. Examples of hair extension types that include a length of hair (as opposed to a small bundle) include tape-in extensions, clip-in extensions, and sew-in extensions.
For extensions that include a weft, conventional products orient the weft perpendicular to the length of the strands. This orientation supports mass manufacturing and a wide range of application sites and techniques.
However, a perpendicular orientation of a weft (whether that weft is configured for use as a sew-in weft, an adhesive tape weft, or a clip-in weft) has a limited area over which it can potentially bond to a selected section of natural hair. For example, if a conventional weft is 2 mm×20 mm in potential contact area, a selected adhesive must be strong and durable enough to bond a 2 mm surface of each respective natural hair onto which the weft is bonded. Further still, unless the weft is installed in a manner that is directly parallel to the natural hair, a wearer brushing and/or styling will apply shear forces to the weft itself, potentially causing the extension to detach and/or separate.
More simply, if extension strands are not installed parallel to natural hairs, brushing of the extension will apply a shear force to the natural hair and likewise, brushing of the natural hair will apply a shear force to the extension. More realistically, a wearer will brush and style both natural hair and extension strands together, applying shear forces to the weft that can result in breakage of the adhesive bond or, in some cases, damage to underlying natural hair.
Further still, a conventional weft installed at an angle can induce strain and or deformation in the extension strands, as both styling and gravity cause the strands to bend. This can reduce the useful life of the extension considerably.
In view of the foregoing, it may be appreciated that conventional weft-based hair extensions have several disadvantages. First, a small available area for adhesive to interface with natural hair requires manufacturers of hair extensions to use high bond strength adhesives which may damage hair, may be or become uncomfortable to a wearer, or may damage natural hair. Second, unless installed parallel to natural hair, conventional weft-based hair extensions may introduce a risk of shear forces weakening the extension, the weft bond, or the natural hair. Third, unless installed parallel to natural hair conventional weft-based hair extensions may experience premature damage or wear, as the extension strands experience stresses. Further still, unless installed parallel to natural hair, conventional weft-based hair extensions introduce a visible bump at the installation site, which may not be suitable for all styles or preferences.
The embodiments described herein address these issues with conventional weft-based hair extensions by orienting the weft, and the strands attached to it, at an oblique angle. More generally, a weft/strip/carrier may be coupled to extension hair strands (whether natural or synthetic) at a non-perpendicular angle, for example at thirty degrees, forty five degrees, sixty degrees or any other suitable angle.
As may be appreciated, this arrangement provides a geometrically increased surface area for bonding to natural hair, which in turn can relax requirements for adhesive strength. More specifically, with an angled weft, a longer length of natural hair can interface with the adhesive, which in turn can permit the use of less aggressive adhesives that may be more comfortable for a wearer. In other cases, a longer bonding distance or greater bonding length with natural hair can serve to increase hold and/or durability.
Further still an oblique weft as described herein can be installed to installation sites at an angle (e.g., to obscure the extension from particular viewing angles), while remaining parallel to natural hair. As a result, brushing and/or styling of natural hair and extension strands does not introduce lateral stresses or strains or shear forces against the extension, the weft, or the natural hair.
Further still, an oblique weft as described herein occupies a smaller horizontal footprint; multiple oblique extensions can be installed in the same horizontal area to increase apparent volume.
The foregoing embodiments and advantages are not exhaustive. For example, although oblique weft hair extensions placed towards the front of the face are described above, other variations and positions are envisioned. In some cases, oblique weft hair extensions may be applied towards the neck and/or towards the top of a wearer's head, where differently-oriented hair extensions may allow for alternative placement of the obliquely-oriented extensions. In some cases, the hair extensions may be configured and oriented a “U” shaped, a “V”-shaped base, a zigzag, or any combination of non-perpendicular orientations of the base where the hair sits in an oblique or non-perpendicular angle with respect to the base.
These foregoing and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to
In this configuration, edges of the carrier or base portion 106 may be vertical to allow for an adjacent hair extension (e.g., a conventional hair extension) to abut to the oblique weft obliquely-oriented hair extension 102. The strands 108 (which may be natural, synthetic, human, or any suitable mixture thereof) of the obliquely-oriented hair extension 102 can be configured to fall vertically, relative to the longitudinal axis of the wearer 104. As depicted, in this configuration, natural fall direction of the strands 108 is oblique with respect to the carrier or base portion 106.
The carrier or base portion 106 can be formed from a number of suitable materials. Examples include, but are not limited to: fabric; synthetic material; organic material; plastics; acrylics; adhesives; multi-part adhesives; keratin-based adhesives; heat-sensitive adhesives; powdered adhesives; adhesive with a removable backing; and the like.
In some cases, the carrier or base portion 106 can include a first side and a second side. The first side may be configured to interface with and adhere to natural hair, the second side may be configured to interface with and adhere to extension strands, whether human, animal, or synthetic.
In some cases, the carrier or base portion 106 can be sewn into extension hair and/or natural hair. In some cases, the carrier or base portion 106 can be partially sewn and partially adhered to natural hair. Many configurations and constructions are possible.
These foregoing embodiments depicted in
Thus, it is understood that the foregoing and following descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for the limited purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms recited herein. To the contrary, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
For example, although the term “weft” is used to describe the attachment and/or fastening system for securing extension strands as described herein to natural hair, it may be appreciated that similar advantages can be achieved by use of adhesive lines, stripes, carriers, or other systems. For example, a chain of individual beads or microlinks can follow an oblique angle as described herein.
Further it may be appreciated that in some cases one or more different adhesives may be used, which may be keratin based or otherwise. For example, a first portion of a carrier can include a first adhesive and a second portion of the carrier can include a different adhesive of a different adhesive type.
A different orientation of the angle θ allows wearers to use the oblique weft hair extensions 200b on different sides of the head. For example, if a downward angle (e.g., towards the car) is used, a mirror-image hair extension (e.g., having a negative angle with respect to the horizontal) may be used on the opposite side of the head. Depending on the type of hair extensions, the same hair extension may be used on both sides (flipped). However, in some embodiments (e.g., tape-in, clip in), the hair extension may be configured such that only one side is front-facing. In this case, the hair extensions may be configured and oriented different angles.
As described above, different orientations of a weft can serve to increase adhesive contact area with natural hair, while also increasing the variability of sites at which the extension can be installed. For example,
These foregoing embodiments depicted in
Thus, it is understood that the foregoing and following descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for the limited purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions are not targeted to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms recited herein. To the contrary, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.
In some examples, a base of a hair extension may be configured and oriented zig-zag shape. The zig-zag shape may define an angle with respect to portions of the base. This shape may be beneficial to add additional hair strands to the head without adding additional rows of hair extensions. This configuration may also be beneficial to increase the surface area of base that is attached to the hair, thus mitigating the risk of the hair extension falling. As with the oblique weft hair extensions described above, the hair strands fall vertically (with respect to the page) and thus define an oblique, non-perpendicular angle with respect to the base.
At operation 606, the base portion of the oblique weft hair extension is positioned along the angled path. Upon confirmation of the appropriate position, at operation 608, the oblique weft hair extension may be attached using any appropriate coupler, depending on the type of hair extension.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the term “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list. The phrase “at least one of” does not require selection of at least one of each item listed; rather, the phrase allows a meaning' that includes at a minimum one of any of the items, and/or, at a minimum, one of any combination of the items, and/or, at a minimum, one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or one or more of each of A, B, and C. Similarly, it may be appreciated that an order of elements presented for a conjunctive or disjunctive list provided herein should not be construed as limiting the disclosure to only that order provided.
One may appreciate that although many embodiments are disclosed above, the operations and operations presented with respect to methods and techniques described herein are meant as exemplary and, accordingly, are not exhaustive. One may further appreciate that alternate operation order or fewer or additional operations may be required or desired for particular embodiments.
Although the disclosure above is described in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects, and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the some embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments but is instead defined by the claims herein presented.
This application is a nonprovisional of, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/586,967, filed on Sep. 29, 2023, and entitled “Oblique Hair Extensions” the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as if fully disclosed herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63586967 | Sep 2023 | US |
