Patent Application
20160213120
This application claims priority from earlier filed GB Patent Application No. 1501421.0 filed Jan. 28, 2015, contents in its entirety are incorporated herein.
The present invention is concerned with a hair fastener and in particular a type of hair fasteners in the form of an elastic loop.
There is a variety of hair fasteners. One historical hair fasteners is in the form of an elastic band integrally formed into an elastic loop. However, this type of fasteners is disadvantageous because due to the material used hair tends to get tangled with the loop and cause damage to hair. Removal of such hair fasteners after use is thus challenging. An improvement has existed to provide a layer of fabric over the elastic loop before closing the loop. However, such improved hair fasteners, among other disadvantages, tend to break easily at where the loop closes.
The present invention seeks to address this problem, or at least to provide an alternative to the public.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hair fastener comprising an elastic band defining circumferential surface along a length of the elongate band and with opposite ends defining end surfaces positioned adjacent each other thus in the form of a closed loop, a first coupler for fixedly connecting the opposite ends together, a layer of fabric enveloping said elastic band, and a second coupler for connecting the opposite ends, wherein the first coupler is an adhesive for gluing the opposite ends together at the end surfaces but without substantially increasing circumferential width or diameter of the elastic band at the opposite ends, wherein region of the first coupler is molded over by material of the second coupler, and wherein the second coupler is made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) fixedly molded over on the fabric layer. Such a hair fastener is technically advantageous in a multifold manner. First, the use of glue instead of, for example a rigid or metallic connector minimize the risk that the connector would puncture the second coupler or the outer sleeve. Second, the use of glue is preferable because even when it is dried the glue would not substantially increase the rigidity of the region of the end surfaces such that the entire hair fastener can still possess a continuous and consistent degree of flexibility along its circumferential length. Third, the second coupler fixedly molded over the fabric layer can increase the durability of the integrity of the hair fastener despite when used under repeated tensions. Fourth, the use of TPE enhance interaction of an entire outwardly facing surface of the hair fastener.
Preferably, the elastic band may be made from a material selected from a group including natural rubber, silicone thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and polyester-polyurethane copolymer elastane.
Suitably, the adhesive may be a glue selected from a cyanoacrylate family.
In an embodiment, the fabric may be made of nylon, polyester, polypropylene or a combination thereof, and knitted or otherwise formed over said elastic band.
In other embodiments, the elastic band at the first and second connectors has a pull strength of at least 4 Kg, or 4-15 Kg, or more preferably 10-15 Kg.
The fastener may be free of clip, crimp or clamp for connecting the opposite ends together.
The second coupler may be substantially free of silicon rubber, rubber or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Surface of the coupler may be configured with an anti-slipping characteristics for enhancing grip of surrounding hair.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacture of a hair fastener as described above, comprising a step of encasing the opposite ends of the elastic band.
According to third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacture of a hair fastener, comprising steps in the sequence of:
Preferably, the elastic band may be made of natural rubber, silicone, TPE, or polyester-polyurethane copolymer elastane.
Suitably, the jacket may be made of a nylon, polyester, polypropylene or a combination thereof, knitted or otherwise formed over the elastic band.
Advantageously, the adhesive may be selected from a cyanoacrylate family.
The second connector may be substantially free of silicon rubber, rubber or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
The elastic band at the first and second connectors may have a pull strength of at least 4 Kg, preferably 4-15 Kg, and more preferably 0-15 Kg.
Some embodiments of the present invention will now be explained, with reference to the accompanied drawings, in which:
a,
6
b and 6c are schematic views showing steps involved in closing of the elastic member of the fastener of
After provision of the elongate elastic band 24, a step is performed by knitting a layer of fabric 30 over a majority length or essentially an entire length of the open-ended elastic band. In this embodiment, the fabric 30 used is made of essentially nylon although studies leading to the present invention identifies that the fabric may be made of polyester, polypropylene or a combination thereof. Nylon is one preferred material because fabric formed therefrom possesses appropriate degree of smoothness which is particularly suitable in this application. In this step, the knitting is initially performed with the opposite ends still being un-connected yet. As the knitting is almost being completed such that the majority of the surface of the elastic band is covered, it is cut into the desired sections for subsequently forming closed loops. Regardless of the profile of the elastic band 24, each elastic band section has end surfaces defined by open ends still designated 26, 28 and circumferential surface along an elongate length of the elastic band 24. Please see
The opposite ends of the sections of the elastic band are then connected together by positioning the opposite ends adjacent each other and joining them by an adhesive. The adhesive itself forms a first coupler 32. In this embodiment, the adhesive used is generally known as or contains a glue in the cyanoacrylate family. It is to be noted that no metallic clip or crimp is used in the connection of the opposite ends 26, 28. This is advantageous because upon repeated stretching the use of metal crimps would actually induce breakage at the opposite ends 26, 28. In other words, embodiments of fasteners in accordance with the present invention is advantageous in at least a two-fold manner. First, they can reduce breakage of hair when they are removed or unfastened from hair. Second, in the absence of the metallic clip or crimp breakage at the region of the opposite ends is much reduced. It is also to be appreciated that the use of the adhesive can avoid the use of rigid or metallic component which would substantially increase the width or diameter of region at the first coupler.
When an elastic loop of a desired size is formed by joining opposite ends 26, 28, it is subjected to a step of overmoulding a second coupler 34 over region of the connected opposite ends 26, 28 at the first coupler 32. The second coupler 34 is formed by injection moulding thermoplastic elastomer. In this embodiment, the second coupler 34 is elongate in shape resembling a bead and molded over the region of the nylon fabric layer covering the connected opposite ends. The second coupler acts as an envelope protecting this region and enhance connection of the opposite ends. The second coupler is made with a material with higher frictional surface. Due to the higher frictional surface of the second coupler material, it also enhances the fasteners to grip on the hair being tight and thus to increase its gripping capability. In other embodiments, the second coupler may adopt the configuration of a decorative item.
Hair fasteners made in accordance with the present invention are advantageous in a number of ways. First, the use of dual connection, i.e. adhesion by adhesive of the opposite ends and connection by coupler at the opposite ends over the nylon fabric significantly improve repeated tension of the hair fastener. Studies show that such hair fasteners have a pull strength at the region of the coupler of over 4 Kg, and often >4 Kg to 15 Kg, or even >10 Kg to 15 Kg. Second, the use of the second coupler made of TPE is advantageous because this particular material can provide contact comfort which is not possible when using for example natural rubber. Further, optionally, without the use of metallic crimp or clip in connecting the opposite ends of the elastic band, the drawback of the opposite ends actually torn apart by the crimp or clip is prevented. The possibility of an exposed metallic clip tearing off user's hair in use is also prevented.
It should be understood that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the content of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the content of a single embodiment, may be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations. It is to be noted that certain features of the embodiments are illustrated by way of non-limiting examples. Also, a skilled person in the art will be aware of the prior art which is not explained in the above for brevity purpose.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1501421.0 | Jan 2015 | GB | national |
