Patent Application
20250228347
The present invention generally relates to the field of haircare, and in particular to devices and methods for creating a volumizing effect in a hair style.
A large number of methods have been created over the years to increase the apparent volume of hairstyles. Some methods require hair setting products such as gel or mousse. However, these products have several inherent disadvantages such as the need to lather a product into the hair, and fluff the hair into a rigid shape. These types of products can leave the hair dirty and rigid, and appearing unnatural. Furthermore, various hair products and hair styling techniques can be time consuming and/or damaging to the hair itself.
Other types of products created over the years have attempted to insert padding or other substantial objects under the hair, effectively creating a raised platform under the hair. These types of products also have significant disadvantages, at least including the appearance of being obviously unnatural.
Other devices are intended to be inserted into a small portion of the hair, at specific locations on the head, to create a localized effect. However, these devices are limited to a small portion of the head, creating a limited spot of added volume. Furthermore, these small localized items either fall out quickly as the user moves the head throughout the day, or require a significant amount of pins or clips to hold the device into place. The current state of the art does not include a volumizing device that can remain anchored in place without it being obvious and visible that the user is using a hair volumizing device and/or clips to hold the device in place. This again makes for an obvious and unnatural look, with the user forced to use visible clips required to keep the item in place, or else the user is forced to remove and re-install the device many times throughout the day as it shifts locations.
There has been a long-felt need in the art for a system and method that will provide volume and lift to beautiful hair without the need for artificial products that make the hair appear glued or rigid. There exists a need for a system and method of hair volumization that allows the user to appear to have naturally voluminous and beautiful hair without anyone else being able to detect the use or presence of hair products, or hair tools or devices within the hair. Furthermore, there is a need for the volumizing effect to remain effective throughout the day, without sagging, shifting locations, or requiring upkeep throughout the day, so that it can remain concealed and unnoticeable to others throughout an entire day.
This invention overcomes disadvantages of the prior art by providing a hair volumizing tool for discretely providing volume to the hair of a user without outside observers seeing the tool or understanding what the tool is doing to create volume in the hair. A volumizer headband can lift and scoop hair upwards from the scalp to create a volumizing effect without the need for gel, mousse, or other hair product. The volumizer headband can produce a volumizing effect in seconds, without the user needing to spend time using various hair products and heat treatments or other time-consuming techniques. This not only saves time for the user, but also prevents damage to the hair. The volumizer headband can lay flat along the scalp, having a total thickness of approximately one third of an inch or less, so that it can be easily hidden. The volumizer headband can extend over/around the head of the user, from ear to ear, so that the ears of the user can help to stabilize the headband in place and limit movement of the headband relative to the ears of the user. Because of the low profile of the volumizing headband, the tool can also be effectively and easily hidden under a bandana or other concealer, so that the hair volumizing tool is not visible to others.
The volumizing headband can include a headband with a plurality of rearward-facing tines that can scoop up and lift hair, with the hair being pushed upwards between the tines. The tines can be long and wide to provide the scooping and lifting effect over a large area of the user's head. Narrow gaps between the tines can serve to gather and trap the hair strands. A detachably attached bandana or scarf can be attached to the headband using hook-and-loop tape or a similar fastening mechanism, so that the volumizing tool can be hidden from view.
In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can have a headband adapted to extend from the top of a user's head around the sides of the user's head, the headband having two ear regions at the two ends of the headband, the ear regions adapted to be positioned behind the ears of the user, and a plurality of tines extending back from the headband, the tines having distal tips at distal ends of the tines, wherein the tines define tine gaps between the tines, and wherein the tine gaps are narrowest at a maximum tine width zone.
In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can have a headband shaped in a horseshoe shape adapted to extend from the top of a user's head around the sides of the user's head, the headband having two ear regions at the two ends of the headband, the ear regions adapted to be positioned behind the ears of the user, and a plurality of tines extending back from the headband, wherein the tines extend back in a posterior direction from the headband, the tines having distal ends, wherein the tines define tine gaps between the tines, and wherein the tine gaps are widest between the distal ends, and wherein the tine gaps are narrowest at a maximum tine width zone.
The headband can be adapted to lay within a range that extends no more than 5 mm from the scalp of the user. The headband can be adapted to extend from a first region behind a first ear of the user to a second region behind a second ear of a user, thereby preventing the headband from pivoting away while applying force to the hair. The distal tine gap region can have a tine gap that is approximately 3 to approximately 5 times wider than the tine gap in the minimum tine gap region. A narrow gap width region can have a gap width that is within 20% of the minimum gap width for at least 40% of the length of the tine. The hair volumizing tool can include a concealer, wherein the concealer can have a pressure adhesive on an inner surface, and the headband can have a pressure adhesive on an outer surface, and wherein the concealer is adapted to be attached to the headband by the pressure adhesive, thereby concealing the headband under the concealer so that the headband is not visible to others. The concealer can include tail portions on both sides that are adapted to be tied or otherwise connected together behind the head of the user, thereby concealing the use of the headband and securing the headband in place. The plurality of tines can extend back in a posterior direction from the posterior edge of the headband. The plurality of tines can taper in length from longer tines at the top of the headband to shorter tines around the sides of the headband. The tine gaps can be 1 mm or less at the maximum tine width zone.
In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can include a headband shaped in a horseshoe shape adapted to extend from the top of a user's head around the sides of the user's head, a plurality of tines extending back from the headband, the tines having distal ends, the tines increasing in width between the distal ends and a maximum tine width zone, a pressure adhesive on the circumference of the headband; and a concealer, the concealer having a pressure adhesive on the inner surface, wherein the concealer can be adapted to be attached to the headband by the pressure adhesive after the hair volumizing tool is in a desired position, thereby concealing the headband under the concealer so that the headband is not visible.
The concealer can have a tail at each end of the concealer, the tails configured to tie behind the head of the user, the tails configured to secure the headband in place on the head of the user thereby securing the headband in place so that the headband remains concealed in a fixed location. The headband can have at least one channel around the circumference of the headband, the at least one channel having pressure adhesive within the channel, thereby allowing the concealer to lie closer to the headband. The tines can define a tine gap between the tines, the tine gap being widest at the distal ends of the tines and the tine gap being narrowest at the maximum tine width zone.
A method of volumizing hair can include inserting a hair volumizing tool into hair of a user, the hair volumizing tool having a headband shaped in a horseshoe shape adapted to extend from the top of a user's head around the sides of the user's head, the headband having two ear regions at the two ends of the headband, the ear regions adapted to be positioned behind the ears of the user, the hair volumizing tool having a plurality of tines extending back from the headband, wherein the tines extend back in a posterior direction from the headband, the tines having distal ends, wherein the tines define tine gaps between the tines, and wherein the tine gaps between the distal ends are wider than the tine gaps at a maximum tine width zone; pushing the hair volumizing tool in a posterior direction along the head of the user to gather the hair of the user between the tines and into the minimum tine width zone, thereby pushing the hair upwards to create a volumizing effect above the headband; and positioning the ear regions of the headband behind the ears of the user to prevent the headband from moving out of place. The method can include pulling on the hair in front of the headband to create a volumizing effect in front of the headband. The method can include attaching a concealer to the top of the headband and fully concealing the headband from others. The method can include attaching tail portions of the concealer together behind the head of the user, thereby further securing the headband in place.
The invention description below refers to the accompanying drawings, of which:
There are a great many possible implementations of the invention, too many to describe herein. Some possible implementations are described below. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It should be clear, however, that the innovation can be practiced without various specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, any particular embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages described herein. Thus, in various embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined. It cannot be emphasized too strongly, however, that these are descriptions of implementations of the invention, and not descriptions of the invention, which is not limited to the detailed implementations described in this section but is described in broader terms in the claims.
The headband 102 can have a first end 104 and a second end 106 opposite to the first end 104. The headband can extend sufficiently around the circumference of the head of the user that ear regions 105 and 107 can be tucked behind the ears of the user. When in use, the ear regions 105 and 107 can be positioned adjacent to the ears (such as back of the ears) of the user for keeping the headband 102 in a fixed position all day without any unintentional disengagement. As the headband is applying force to the hair to force the hair upwards, the hair can apply a Newtonian counterforce in an opposite direction, which in some cases can result in the hair pushing on the headband in a direction that would push the headband out of the desired position if the headband were not secured in place. The ear regions 105 and 107, which can also be referred to as leverage regions, can gain leverage from their location behind the ears and around the rear portion of the head of the user, and this leverage can prevent the headband from rotating or pivoting out of place.
The width of the tine 112 varies from proximal end 114 to the distal end 116, and the width of the tine gap 126 also varies from the proximal end to the distal end. The tines 112 can be the narrowest at the tip 118, and correspondingly, the tine gap 126 can be the widest between two tips 118a, 118b. In various embodiments, the tines can have a distal tine width DTW at the distal end of approximately 1 mm. At the distal end, the tines can define a tine gap 126 with a distal gap width DGW of approximately 5 mm. Moving along the tines in an anterior direction starting from the distal tip 118 and moving towards the proximal end, the tines become wider and wider, and the tines can become widest at the maximum tine width zone 140, where the tines are the widest. In various embodiments, at the maximum tine width zone 140, the tines can have a maximum tine width MTW in a range between approximately 3 mm and approximately 10 mm. In various embodiments, at the maximum tine width zone 140, the tines can have a maximum tine width MTW of approximately 5 mm. At the same position along the anterior direction, the tine gap 126 can become narrowest at the minimum gap width zone 142. In various embodiments, at the minimum gap width zone 142, the gap can have a minimum gap width MGW that can be in a range between less than 1 mm and approximately 3 mm. In various embodiments, at the minimum gap width zone 142, the gap can have a minimum gap width MGW of approximately 2 mm. In various embodiments, at the minimum gap width zone 142, the gap can have a minimum gap width MGW of approximately 1 mm. In various embodiments, tines that are narrower than approximately 6 mm and/or minimum gap widths that are narrower than approximately 2 mm can be more effective at keeping volume and more effective at preventing slippage of the hair volumizing tool and keeping the tool in the desired position. In various embodiments, minimum tine gap widths of approximately 1 mm or less can be more effective at keeping volume and more effective at preventing slippage of the hair volumizing tool and keeping the tool in the desired position. Furthermore, in various embodiments, in addition to keeping the volumizing tool in place better, tines that are narrower than approximately 6 mm and/or minimum gap widths that are narrower than approximately 2 mm can be more easily and more effectively concealed within the hair of the user. It should be clear that these dimensions are not meant to be limiting, but are intended to illustrate the relationship between the tine width and the tine gap, and how that relationship changes between the distal end of the tines and maximum tine width zone of the tines.
At a distal end 116 of the tines 112, the tine gap 126 is much wider than the tine gap at the minimum gap width zone 142. In various embodiments, a ratio of the distal gap width DGW to the minimum gap width MGW can be in a range between approximately 5:2 (2.5:1) and approximately 15:2 (7.5:1). In various embodiments, a ratio of the distal gap width DGW to the minimum gap width MGW can approximately 5:1. This feature allows for significant advantages in hair volumizing. The user can insert the tips 118 against the scalp, and the user can push the hair volumizing tool 100 back in a posterior direction, towards the back of the head. As the user pushes the tool 100 in the posterior direction, hair is gathered between the tips, in the tine gaps 126. As the user pushes the tool 100 further in the posterior direction, the hairs are pushed relative to the tool back towards the minimum gap width zone 142. Put another way, at the beginning of the process, the hairs are gathered together into each gap 126 at the distal end, and are then squeezed tighter and tighter together as the movement of the tool pushes the hairs into the minimum gap width zone 142. As the gathered-together hairs reach the minimum gap width zone 142, the increasingly narrow gap forces the hairs to stand up in the superior direction, (extending out of the page in
It should be clear that a number of profiles are possible for the shape of the tine gap 126 defined by the sides of the tines 120 and 122. In various embodiments, starting from the distal tip and moving in the anterior direction (from back to front), the gap can gradually get narrower and narrower to the minimum gap width zone, and then can gradually get wider again approaching the proximal end. In various embodiments, starting from the distal tip and moving in the anterior direction, the gap can quickly narrow to the minimum gap width zone, and the minimum gap width zone can extend for a substantial portion of the tine length.
In various embodiments, the tine length TL can be approximately 40 mm, although a variety of tine lengths TL are possible. In various embodiments, the tine length TL can be in a range between approximately 5 mm and approximately 145 mm. In various embodiments, the tine length TL can be in a range between approximately 5 mm and approximately 45 mm.
The region of the tine gap that has a gap width that is no more than 20% wider than the minimum gap width can be referred to as the narrow gap region of the tine gap. In various embodiments, the gap width can be within 20% of the minimum gap width MGW for more than 50% of the length of the tine. In various embodiments, the narrow gap region can extend for at least 40% of the length of the tine. In various embodiments, the narrow gap region can extend for 40-60% of the length of the tine. It should be clear that these dimensions are not meant to be limiting, but are intended to illustrate the relationship between the tine width and the tine gap, and how that relationship changes along the length of the tines.
In various embodiments, the distal gap width DGW can be multiple times wider than the distal tine width DTW. In various embodiments, the distal gap width DGW can be approximately 3-7 times wider than the distal tine width DTW. In various embodiments, the distal gap width DGW can be approximately 5 times wider than the distal tine width DTW. In various embodiments, the maximum tine width MTW can be multiple times wider than the minimum gap width MGW at the minimum gap width zone. In various embodiments, the maximum tine width MTW can be approximately 3-7 times wider than the minimum gap width MGW at the maximum tine width zone. In various embodiments, the maximum tine width MTW can be approximately 5 times wider than the minimum gap width MGW at the maximum tine width zone.
In various embodiments, the tine gap 126 can have a proximal gap region that can be wider near the headband than the minimum gap width MGW. This widening at the base of the tine gap near the headband can create a pocket 129. The pocket can be defined as the area of the tine gap between the minimum gap width zone and the headband, where the tine gap is wider than the minimum gap width zone. In various embodiments, the pocket can be created by a reduction of the tine width near the proximal end of the tine. In various embodiments, the tine width can taper to as little as 3 mm where the tine meets the headband. This tapering at the base of the tine can create the pocket 129 at the proximal end of the tine gap 126.
In various embodiments, as hairs are pushed through the minimum gap width zone, they can collect in the pocket, and the pocket can collect and hold more hairs sticking up with a volumized effect than just the hairs in the minimum gap width zone alone. In various embodiments, as hairs are pushed through the minimum gap width zone and into the pocket, the hairs can stand up more straightly in the minimum gap width zone and then have more room to spread out and lean towards the minimum gap width zone when they are in the pocket. In various embodiments, as will be described in more detail later, some tine gaps may be free from a pocket. Tine gaps without a pocket can have a tine gap with the minimum tine gap width at the proximal end of the tine gap.
Optionally, the tines 112 can have a tine vent 124 that can allow increased airflow for the comfort of the user. The tine vent 124 can reduce the weight of the device by eliminating material at the wide portions of the tines. The tine vent can also increase flexibility of the tines, allowing for easier and more comfortable insertion of the device onto the scalp of the user. The vents can also the tines to function as a spring, allowing the hairs to pass through the minimum gap width zone and collect in the pocket.
In various embodiments, the tines can be a continuation of the headband extending backwards in a rearward, posterior direction. In various embodiments, the tines can extend straight back without extending above or below the headband. In various embodiments, the tines can extend back in a posterior direction without extending outside of a plane that passes through the anterior side and the posterior side of the headband. In various embodiments, the tines can extend back in a posterior direction without extending above a plane that passes through the anterior side and the posterior side of the headband. In various embodiments, the tines can extend back in a posterior direction without the proximal portion originating outside of a plane that passes through the anterior side and the posterior side of the headband. The tines can lay flush to the headband and extend in a posterior direction from the headband. In various embodiments, the tines 112 can extend straight back from the headband in a posterior direction without curvature. In various embodiments, the tines 112 can extend straight back from the headband 102 in a posterior direction, with a slight curve to conform to the head of the user. In various embodiments, the tines can extend back from the headband 102 in a posterior direction, with a curve that is sharper than the curve of the head of the user. That is to say, in various embodiments, the inward curve of the tines can have a smaller radius than the curve of the head of the user. In this way, the middle area of the tines may be elevated slightly above the head of the user, thereby further enhancing the volumizing effect.
In various embodiments, the tines 112 can extend straight back from the headband 102 in a posterior direction in a straight line, without a curve, or free from curve. In various embodiments, neither the headband nor the tines are raised above the head of the user, and the entire volumizing tool 100 maintains a thickness that is no more than the headband thickness BT.
The tines can extend back in a posterior direction from the posterior edge of the headband, which allows the device to have an extremely low profile. Because of the low profile of the volumizing headband, the tool can also be effectively and easily hidden under a bandana or other concealer, so that the hair volumizing tool is not visible to others.
The present headband can lay entirely in a range no greater than 11 mm from the scalp of the user, and can be free from portions that extend outside of that range. By laying close to the head of the user in a narrow range that extends above the head of the user by no more than the BT of approximately 11 mm, the hair volumizing tool appears to be more effective, because the flatter the hair volumizing tool is to the head, the more the hair can stick up above the tool. Hair volumizing tools that extend above the head reduce the effectiveness of the volumizing effect, because the hair must extend above the tool to appear volumized. The present headband can lay entirely in a range no greater than 7 mm from the scalp of the user, and can be free from portions that extend outside of that range. By laying close to the head of the user in a narrow range that extends above the head of the user by no more than the BT of approximately 7 mm, the hair volumizing tool appears to be more effective, because the flatter the hair volumizing tool is to the head, the more the hair can stick up above the tool. Hair volumizing tools that extend above the head reduce the effectiveness of the volumizing effect, because the hair must extend above the tool to appear volumized. The present headband can lay entirely in a range no greater than 5 mm from the scalp of the user, and can be free from portions that extend outside of that range. By laying close to the head of the user in a narrow range that extends above the head of the user by no more than the BT of approximately 5 mm, the hair volumizing tool appears to be more effective, because the flatter the hair volumizing tool is to the head, the more the hair can stick up above the tool. Hair volumizing tools that extend above the head reduce the effectiveness of the volumizing effect, because the hair must extend above the tool to appear volumized. The present headband can lay entirely in a range no greater than 4 mm from the scalp of the user, and can be free from portions that extend outside of that range. By laying close to the scalp of the user in a narrow range that extends above the head of the user by no more than the BT of approximately 4 mm, the entire hair volumizing tool is also easier to conceal.
The hair volumizing tool that lays close to the head can be more easily concealed with a decorative concealer, such as a bandana or scarf-type cover, discussed more fully below. As shown in
Turning briefly to
In various embodiments, the concealer can contribute to the illusion of naturally volumized hair. The concealer can hide the volumizing tool, making it appear that the hair is naturally volumized without the assistance of any device. Furthermore, as the volumizing tool pushes hairs upwards to create the volumizing effect, the separate concealer can act as an outer line of defense to hide or tame any hairs that are forced upward excessively by the volumizing tool in a way that looks unnatural. By concealing the volumizing tool and taming any hairs that stick up too far, the concealer helps the volumizing effect to appear more natural. The concealer can partially conceal the dramatic lift and give the appearance of a more natural/voluminous look.
In various embodiments, the decorative concealer can have a tail portion at each end of the decorative concealer, and the tail portions can be adapted to be tied together or otherwise connected together behind the head or neck of the user. The user can fully conceal the headband from others by attaching the tails together behind the head or neck after engaging the concealer on the headband. In various embodiments, one or more tail portions can hang freely from one or both sides of the user's head without being tied.
In various embodiments, the decorative concealer can be free from a tail portion, so that the concealer is approximately the same length as, or shorter than, the headband. In various embodiments, a shorter decorative concealer can allow the hair to appear to be more free and less restricted. Various decorative concealers can be replaceable and interchangeable, and different users may prefer different versions of the decorative concealer for different reasons, including but not limited to, different hair types, different hair styles, different levels of personal activity, and different fashions.
Furthermore, in various embodiments, the concealer can help to maintain the headband in a desired position. As the headband is applying force to the hair to force the hair upwards, the hair is applying a Newtonian counterforce in an opposite direction, which in some cases can result in the hair pushing on the headband in a direction that would push the headband out of place if the headband were not secured in place. As mentioned above, the leverage regions 105 and 107 can gain leverage from their location behind the ears and around the rear of the head of the user, and this leverage can prevent the headband from rotating or pivoting out of place. In various embodiments, a concealer that is tied or otherwise fastened behind the head or neck of the user can also help to maintain the headband in a desired position. As the hair exerts a Newtonian counterforce against the headband, pushing the headband forward and out of place in an anterior direction, the concealer can gain leverage from behind the head of the user to hold the headband in the desired location. The concealer can provide work in combination with leverage regions, or by itself, to hold the headband in the desired location and prevent movement of the headband.
Turning back to
Turning back to
The ear regions of the headband are tucked behind the ears of the user, thereby preventing the headband from pivoting or shifting in an anterior-posterior direction. This allows the entire volumizing effect to remain in effect without the user needing to reveal the hidden volumizing tool to re-arrange or replace the volumizing tool throughout the day.
In various embodiments, the concealer 402 may actually be a decorative embellishment, such as a large bow, or imitations of animal ears, or other embellishments. In various embodiments, the concealer that can be a decorative embellishment may not actually be designed to fully conceal the headband.
In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can have tines with a tine length that can be longer or shorter. In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can have tines with a tine width that can be wider or narrower. In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can have tines with tine gaps between tines that can be wider or narrower. In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can have a longer or shorter distance from the maximum tine width zone to the proximal end of the tine, or put another way, the hair volumizing tool can have a longer or shorter pocket. In various embodiments, the hair volumizing tool can have larger or smaller pockets between tines. In various embodiments, the hair volumizing tool can have pockets with different shapes. In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can be various different colors so that it can be more easily concealed within various different hair colors. A range of possible options can create various different volumizing effects, and for different hair colors and/or different hair types.
In various embodiments, the volumizing effect can be affected by various features and the relationships between various features. By way of non-limiting examples, the volumizing effect can be affected by features and relationships between features that can include the length of the tines, the width of the tines, and the variation of the width of the tines along the length of the tines, the width of the gap at the minimum gap width zone, the distance between the minimum gap width zone and the proximal end of the tines (also referred to as the pocket length), the shape of the pocket, and/or the width of the pocket at the widest area of the pocket.
In various embodiments, longer tines can create an increased volumizing effect. In various embodiments, a narrower gap at the narrow gap width zone can create an increased volumizing effect. In various embodiments, a longer pocket can create an increased volumizing effect. In various embodiments, pockets with a larger pocket area can create an increased volumizing effect. In various embodiments, the shape of the pocket where the hair strands gather after being swept through the minimum gap width zone can also determine the position or posture of hair strands within that region. Pockets with more room allow the hair strands to spread out and lean towards the minimum gap width zone where the tine gap is narrowest. For this reason, pockets with a wider area at the proximal end of the pocket can result in more horizontal or relaxed hair strands. The wider the proximal area of the pocket, the more surface area of hair can become visible, aiding the concealment of the individual tines creating the volumizing effect and the tool itself. Additionally, a horseshoe-shaped surface with one continuous, relatively straight curve can help to display the surface area of hair strands collected within the pockets further contributing to the overall concealment of the tool. In various embodiments, narrower tines can be more effectively concealed compared to wider tines.
A volumizing tool with shorter tines and narrower tine gaps 1000 results in a relatively shorter distance of volume from the minimum gap width zone to the proximal end of the tines. In various embodiments with shorter tines, the pocket 1029 can also be shorter. In various embodiments with shorter tines, the proximal base of the tine gap can be wider, thereby creating a pocket 1029 that is wider at the base while also being shorter. The shorter tines can also help contribute to a fade in volume from the top of the head toward the ear regions with longer tines gradually tapering to shorter tine lengths, respectively, explained more fully below in regard to
A volumizing tool with longer tines and narrow tine gaps 1100 can result in a longer stretch of volume compared to the middle length tines shown in
A volumizing tool with long tines and wide tine gaps 1200 can result in a longer stretch of relatively more relaxed volume compared to embodiments with narrower tine gaps, roughly beginning at the minimum gap width zone extending to the proximal end of the tines. Due to the wider tine gaps, and wider minimum gap zone widths, the volumizing effect can be relaxed. Narrow gaps produce increased volume compared to wider gaps, and wider gaps can produce reduced volume compared to narrow gaps.
In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can have tines that can vary in length at different locations around a headband. By way of non-limiting example, tines at the top may be longer than tines along the sides of the headband. In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can have tines that can vary in width at different locations around a headband. By way of non-limiting example, tines at the top may be wider or narrower than tines along the sides of the headband. In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can have tine gaps that can vary in width at different locations around a headband. By way of non-limiting example, tines at the top may have narrower tine widths than tines along the sides of the headband.
In various embodiments, the tine lengths can be longer at the top of the headband to maximize the volumizing effect, and the tine lengths can gradually decrease to reduce the volumizing effect around the sides of the head of the user. In various embodiments, the tine lengths can become shortest in a region that is closer to the ends of the headband. In various embodiments, the tine widths can be wider at the top of the headband to maximize the volumizing effect, and the tine widths can gradually decrease and become narrower to reduce the volumizing effect around the sides of the head of the user. In various embodiments, the tine widths can become narrowest in a region that is closer to the ends of the headband.
In various embodiments, the tine gaps can be narrower at the top of the headband to maximize the volumizing effect, and the tine gaps can gradually increase and become wider to reduce the volumizing effect around the sides of the head of the user. In various embodiments, the tine gaps can become widest in a region that is closer to the ends of the headband.
In various embodiments, the size and/or shape of the pocket can vary in different locations around the headband. In various embodiments, larger pockets such as pockets 1329 can have a larger area to increase the volumizing effect. Larger pockets with larger areas that result in increased volumizing effects can be in locations around the headband where increased volume is desired, such as areas at the top of the volumizing tool. Larger pockets 1329 can have wider bases, at the proximal end of the tine gap, where the proximal bases of the tines are further apart. Larger pockets can have longer lengths of pockets, or put another way, can have a longer distance between the minimal gap with zone and the proximal end of the pocket. The width of the pocket, the length of the pocket, the shape of the pocket, and the overall area of the pocket can affect the volumizing effect.
In various embodiments, reduced tine length around the sides can reduce the volumizing effect at the sides while longer tines at the top can allow for a greater volumizing effect at the top of the wearer's head. In various embodiments, reduced tine length around the sides can allow the volumizing tool to be more easily placed in a desired position, and can allow the volumizing tool to more easily remain in the desired position throughout the day. In various embodiments, reduced tine gap width around the sides can reduce the volumizing effect at the sides while narrower tine gaps at the top can allow for a greater volumizing effect at the top of the wearer's head.
The longer tines at the top, such as longer tines 1302, can also help contribute to a fade in volume from the top of the head toward the ear regions with longer tines gradually tapering to shorter tine lengths, respectively. In various embodiments some tine gaps such as tine gaps at the top of the headband may have pockets, while other tine gaps such as tine gaps at the side may not have pockets. Reducing the size of the pocket gradually around the headband until there are no pockets at the sides of the headband can help to create a fade as the volumizing effect is gradually reduced from the top to the sides. As shown in
The length of the pocket can affect the volumizing effect. Longer pockets can lead to increased volumizing effect, while shorter pockets can reduce the volumizing effect. Moving the minimum gap width zone closer to the headband results in a shorter pocket, which can reduce the volumizing effect. Moving the minimum gap width zone closer to the proximal end of the tine gap can help to reduce the volumizing effect in the areas of the tool where reduced volume is desired. Put another way, moving the maximum tine width zone closer to the proximal end of the tine can help to reduce the volumizing effect in the areas of the tool where reduced volume is desired. Similarly, decreasing the length of the narrow gap region can help to reduce the volumizing effect in the areas of the tool where reduced volume is desired. Gradually moving the minimum gap width zone closer to the headband and gradually decreasing the length of the narrow gap region can both help to gradually reduce the volumizing effect in the areas of the tool where reduced volume is desired. Put another way, gradually reducing the length of the pocket from a maximum pocket length at the top of the volumizing tool to a minimum pocket length at the sides of the volumizing tool that can become a pocket length of zero can gradually reduce the volumizing effect from the top of the volumizing tool to the sides of the volumizing tool.
As shown in
Various adjustments in tine length, tine width, tine spacing, gap width, minimum gap width, minimum gap width zone location, narrow gap region location and length, and pocket size, at different locations around the headband can create various fading effects in the volume created by the hair volumizing tool. It should be clear that varying the dimensions of the tines and the tine gaps at different locations around the headband can allow the volumizing effect to be adjusted at different locations. It should be clear that varying the dimensions of the tines and the tine gaps at different locations around the headband can also impact how easily the headband is secured and concealed within the hair of the user.
It should be clear that the tines and the volumizing gaps between tines can be arranged in a wide range of areas around the headband and can include a wide range of tine dimensions and gap dimensions. In various embodiments, the volumizing effect can exist nearly all the way from one ear to the other. In various embodiments, the volumizing effect can be limited to specific regions, such as only the top of the head. In various embodiments, a hair volumizing tool can be specially designed for providing volumized hair on only the top and not the sides of the head, or the sides and not the top in order to meet the requirements of different hairstyles. It should be clear that many different possibilities and many different arrangements of tines are possible around the headband, allowing for volumization in different areas or different combinations of areas, as is suitable for various different hairstyles.
Furthermore, the described features, operations, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will also be readily understood that the order of the steps or actions of the methods described in connection with the embodiments disclosed may be changed as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, any order in the drawings or Detailed Description is for illustrative purposes only and is not meant to imply a required order, unless specified to require an order.
The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Features of each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with features of other described embodiments as appropriate in order to provide a multiplicity of feature combinations in associated new embodiments. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. For example, in various embodiments, tines may have various different shapes, and may lead to nonsymmetrical gaps between the tines. Also, as used herein, various directional and orientational terms (and grammatical variations thereof) such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, “down”, “bottom”, “top”, “side”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “forward”, “rearward”, and the like, are used only as relative conventions and not as absolute orientations with respect to a fixed coordinate system, such as the acting direction of gravity. Additionally, where the term “substantially” or “approximately” is employed with respect to a given measurement, value or characteristic, it refers to a quantity that is within a normal operating range to achieve desired results, but that includes some variability due to inherent inaccuracy and error within the allowed tolerances (e.g. 5%) of the system. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/620,171, filed Jan. 11, 2024, entitled HAIR VOLUMIZING TOOL AND METHOD OF USE, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63620171 | Jan 2024 | US |
