Patent Application
20060081267
The present invention relates generally to a hair replacement or hairpiece and the art of concealing baldness, especially in men, and in particular, to a hair replacement or hairpiece and a method of making same, which will provide, at an affordable cost, a natural appearing substitute for hair. More particularly, the hair replacement or hairpiece of the present invention comprises a base comprised of a combination of coated front lace and back material, wherein hair is comprised of a blend of human hair from various origins and is attached to the base in a specific direction and color pattern that simulates a natural appearance.
The art of making hairpieces or toupees has been practiced for many years. However, these hairpieces often lack a natural appearance, are prohibitively expensive and can not be easily applied correctly, but during this time there has been little advancement in the art. Present hair replacements or hairpieces are typically too full as a result of an effort to hide the base material. Further such hairpieces often have the wrong growth pattern, ignoring the natural growth pattern of human hair; experience problems with the knotting direction; and/or offer a semi-natural hairline that is still detectable. Furthermore, the base materials are reinforced and therefore too thick. Moreover, the stitching needed to reinforce the front lace and the back materials are visible when the hair is parted. Some hairpieces have attempted to provide a natural look, but have been relatively expensive and can not be applied without the aide of a highly experienced professional.
Examples of such hairpieces include, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,907,334 to Mole discloses a hairpiece and a method of making same.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,905,378 (the “'378 patent”) to Levin et al. discloses a method for making a man's hairpiece comprising a non-woven network foundation and weighing approximately 6 grams. The monofilament nylon strands of the '378 patent are molecularly bonded to form a rectangular network which is then shaped and cut to form a foundation. Hair fibers of the '378 patent are secured to the bond points in a manner simulating natural growth.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,052 (the “'052 patent”) to Finamore discloses a hairpiece comprising a molded, flexible, plastic foundation member covered by a sheet of net material having spaced-apart cross-elements. The foundation member of the '052 patent has a large central opening therein traversed by said net material. A group of hairs is provided in the '052 patent having double knots tied around cross-elements of the net material traversing said central opening so as to be freely movable back and forth. Other groups of hairs according to the '052 patent are secured to the foundation member for providing a natural looking part, and for covering edges of the hairpiece foundation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,197 (the “'197 patent”) to Harrison discloses a hair integration apparatus and method of attachment. The hair integration apparatus in the '197 patent is comprised of a cap-like base that has numerous spaced, hair pull-through openings located on its side and rear faces. The hair integration of the '197 patent is attached to a wearer's scalp when a continuous band of material contained around the perimeter of the cap is adhered to the wearer's head. The top face of the cap of the '197 patent does not contain any hair pull-through openings and is instead made of a breathable material to allow for the release of heat from the wearer's body.
Accordingly, current hair replacements or hairpieces available to the public do not have a natural appearance, are prohibitively expensive and can not be easily applied correctly. The present invention provides a hair replacement or hairpiece that solves these problems and a method of making a hair replacement or hairpiece that is simplified, less costly, easy to apply, and of superior quality.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that can be mass produced and easily adapted to a wearer, that is of improved quality and that simulates natural hair and a natural hairline.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that is a substitute for hair loss and is used to cover such hair loss, whether total or partial.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece made by a method that is relatively simple compared to prior art methods thereby materially reducing the cost of manufacture.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that can be easily applied by technicians in the industry.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that can be temporarily, semi-permanently or permanently attached such that the hair replacement or hairpiece stays attached for a few hours, a few weeks, i.e., 3-5 weeks, a few months or more, depending on the method of attachment.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that may be combed, brushed, styled and washed while attached.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that has a base, preferably made entirely of a lace material, preferably a nylon lace material, wherein the back of the hair replacement or hairpiece is made of a stronger material or a reinforced material and the front is made of a thinner, less detectable, more durable, coated material to provide a more natural hairline. Preferably, the coated material is coated lace.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece wherein the top and upper crown areas do not have any stitches to create a more natural appearance and the back area is reinforced. Preferably, the back area is reinforced with polyurethane.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece wherein a pattern of fine lines of polyurethane are applied to the back of the base for reinforcement and to facilitate resizing by preventing fraying when the hair replacement or hairpiece is trimmed to fit.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece wherein the back section of the base is comprises of at least two (2), preferably three (3), sections to permit greater flexibility and better fit along the back of the wearer's head.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece with a specific hair density which is achieved using a crisscross knotting technique involving single hair, flat and split knots on the entire crown and top area, and flat, double and single hair knots on the back and sides to create a more natural appearance. More preferably, the hair replacement or hairpiece comprises single hair alternating flat and split knots on the top and side areas, single hair split knots in the front and crown areas and single hair flat knots in the back area, wherein the hair is fixed to the base in a crisscross pattern in the front, top and crown areas.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece comprising at least two (2) color regions comprising a lighter shade in the front area and a darker shade in the back area. More preferably, the hairpiece further comprises a medium shade in the top and crown areas.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that utilizes natural hair to eliminate the need for excessive bleaching that may damage the hair and cause it to break and fall out.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that uses natural hair and enhances it with fabric dye to change the tonal value, e.g., ash, gold, etc., but not the depth of the value, e.g., medium brown, light brown, etc.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that utilizes a color and texture blend, preferably a blend of natural, virgin, human hair, more preferably natural hair that has been de-cuticleized, even more preferably hair of European and Indian origin, to simulate a natural front hairline and an overall more natural look.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
To make the base foundation, heat is applied to the base and starting from the back area, using the malleability provided by the heat, the base material is worked into the desired shape. The use of heat results in a base material that is a smooth, wrinkle-free layer of nylon and/or lace. In order to avoid a sharp line, the edges of the hairline 10 are preferably scalloped.
The front 12 is blocked using a moderate stretch at the highest point of the curve of the forehead, preferably about 1 cm from the hairline 10 of the base unit, from one side to the other and secured with pins, staples or other means. The whole hairline 10 is secured about 3 cm from the base unit's hairline. The coated mesh/lace is then slightly pulled upward to overlap 14 the nylon mesh or lace material of the top 16 by about 2 cm and secured with pins or other suitable means. In order to avoid a sharp line, the edges of the overlapping coated lace material in the front 12 and the nylon or lace material of the top 16 are preferably scalloped. Beginning on one side and continuously switching sides to ensure even blocking, excess material at the top of the block is pleated, resulting in pleats, preferably as small as possible. Care is taken to ensure that the pleats end about 1.5 cm from the front hairline 10. Depending on the desired shape of the base unit, there may be about 2 pleats, but preferably no more than about 4 pleats.
After the front 12 is blocked and smoothed, the overlap 14 is stitched using an invisible thread to create a first stitch line. The first stitch line follows the scalloped edge of the nylon or lace material from one side of the base unit across the top to the other side. A second stitch line is made about 1 cm behind the first stitch line to connect the front 12 coated mesh/lace with the top 18 mesh or lace material. Excess mesh/lace material is trimmed-off at about the second stitch line, preferably directly at the second stitch line.
Once the mesh or lace is blocked, reinforcement 19 is added to the back 18 of the base by applying a reinforcing material, preferably polyurethane, more preferably polyurethane liquid, in a linear or slightly curved pattern. Of course, any suitable reinforcing material may be used as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. According to a preferred embodiment, the lines are no wider than about 2 mm, preferably about 1 to about 1.5 mm wide. According to another preferred embodiment, the polyurethane lines are applied in vertical lines or in an “M” pattern and in horizontal lines, wherein the horizontal lines are preferably about 1 cm apart. According to a further preferred embodiment, the polyurethane in applied in at least about 5, preferably about 7, more preferably about 9 vertical lines and at least about 3, preferably about 5 and more preferably about 7 horizontal lines. Preferably, the top 16, as well as the front 12 mesh/lace will have no polyurethane reinforcement. The polyurethane adds support and permits customization of the hairpiece without fraying when the hairpiece is trimmed to fit the wearer.
Once the reinforcing material has cured and dried, at least one thin layer of clear material, preferably a clear, flexible plastic, more preferably an acrylic spray is applied to the entire base unit. In a preferred embodiment, at least three (3) layers are applied, allowing each layer to dry to the touch, about 10 min., before applying the next layer. The base unit is now ready for knotting.
According to another preferred embodiment, the back 18 is prepared in two parts, preferably three parts, e.g., lower sides on each side and a back middle part, wherein the nylon mesh or lace is laid flat to the block, in a straight downward direction, the midsection is laid straight across, overlapping at the polyurethane reinforcement lines, preferably at the 4th and 6th vertical polyurethane lines. The front 12 mesh/lace is then added to the last about 5 to about 10 cm of the hairline 10. Preferably, the mesh/lace should overlap 14 the top 16 by about 0.5 to 0.8 cm, preferably about 0.6 cm to about 0.7 cm. The lace is then blocked in a stretch pull manner to create a hooking effect, i.e., stretching the lace around the forehead to shape it to the forehead and make it fit snugly, at the front 12 for a proper fit. Two (2) to three (3) small pleats are then placed where the mesh/lace is connected at overlap 14 to create depth. The lace is secured with two (2) lines of stitching at either end of the overlap 14 and excess lace at the top is cut at the stitching line facing the top of the base. The polyurethane lines are now applied, preferably with three (3) layers of polyurethane using masking tape to create fine lines. After the polyurethane is dry, a thin layer coating of liquid polyurethane is sprayed on, preferably two (2), more preferably three (3) layers.
As seen in
The amount of split and flat knots will vary from area to area. As seen in arrow indicates areas with split knots. Preferably, the flat knots are tight and close to the base unit, so that they are as invisible as possible, especially when darker hair colors are used. The split knots should also be tight, but by their very nature, appear softer and need not be as tight as the flat knots. Split knots also have the added advantage of creating styling flexibility and lift as well as movement to the hair replacement or hairpiece.
Density should be adjusted depending on the desired appearance. According to a preferred embodiment, mesh or lace material with different size holes is used so that when hair is knotted in every hole, a thicker hairpiece results if the mesh or lace has small holes and a thinner hairpiece results if the mesh or lace has larger holes. Alternatively, an average or smaller size mesh or lace can be used and holes can be left open to create a thinner hairpiece, i.e., the more holes left open in the mesh or lace of the base unit, the lesser the density of the hair replacement or hairpiece will be. For applications seeking to match finer natural hair, the density of the hair replacement or hairpiece should be adjusted accordingly, meaning that either a mesh or lace with larger holes is used and every hole has a hair or, a mesh or lace with smaller holes is used and some holes are left open in the base unit. In any case, the density of the hair replacement or hairpiece can be easily adjusted to achieve the desired results with either of these techniques. However, if ventilation is desired, the method of using a smaller lace and skipping holes is preferred. It should be notes that for applications where lighter colored hair is desired, the density will appear thinner anyway, because lighter hair is typically finer.
Further, the number of split knots used will affect the density, because split knots create volume and movement.
With respect to knotting direction, the knotted back 38 is preferably kept flat and tight to the base unit by using flat knots in order to get a good blend with the natural hair. According to the present invention, it is important to match volume as well as color and density in order to achieve a natural appearance. A straight downward hair direction with a natural density is preferred for the knotted back 38, whereas on the knotted top 34, and especially in the knotted crown 36, more volume and flexibility in style is preferred. Such results are achieved using a combination of single hair, flat and split knots in varying amounts in different areas such as at the knotted top 34 and knotted crown 36 of the hair replacement or hairpiece. According to a preferred embodiment, the knotted crown 36 comprises only split knots. Special care must be taken in the front knotted 30 and knotted sides 32, which is the most visible area of the hair replacement or hairpiece. For example, in one preferred embodiment, blonde hair is used in the knotted front 30 and knotted sides 32 and hairline 10 and the knots are bleached even blonder while still creating a natural density pattern around this area.
As seen in
Turning now in more detail to
The knotted top 34 is preferably knotted with alternating single hair flat knots and single hair split knots in a crisscross pattern. To balance the amount of split knots with the desired density, every 2nd and 3rd hole should be preferably knotted with two single hair flat knots and then one single hair split knot if a mesh or lace is used that has an appropriate hole size. In the knotted top 34, a blend of 50% split knot and 50% flat knot is preferred with tight knots.
The knotted crown 36 is knotted with single hair split knots in a crisscross pattern. According to another embodiment, every 2nd hole in the knotted crown 36 may alternatively be knotted with a single hair flat knot and a single hair split knot, in order to create movement and lift, preferably 80% single hair split knots and 20% single hair, tight flat knots knotted in a crisscross pattern, in a reverse direction.
In the front 12, the hairline 10 has a knotted front 30 and knotted sides 32. In this area, any lines, especially straight lines, should preferably be avoided. According to a preferred embodiment, about 90% of the knots should be single hair split knots and 10% should be single hair flat knots. According to another preferred embodiment, about 80% should be single hair split knots and 20% should be single hair flat knots. According to a further preferred embodiment, about 70% of the area is covered by single hair, split knots and about 30% of the area is covered by single hair, flat tight knots. As this area is the most visible, the edge of this area should be very soft and not show a line. As seen in
Another important aspect of the present invention is the hair quality and design. For example, in one embodiment, the hair replacement or hairpiece will have various blends of stripped, virgin hair, preferably Indian and European, more preferably Russian hair. According to a preferred embodiment, the lighter the desired color of the final hair replacement or hairpiece, the more Russian hair is used in order to avoid the need for bleaching as much as possible. By using natural, virgin hair of different colors, excessive chemical treatment can be avoided, resulting in a hairpiece of better quality.
Most Indian hair is cool black to cool medium brown with varying undertones from blue to golden red, which are preferably dyed to achieve cooler colors. According to a preferred embodiment, the hair is dyed with fabric dye or with another method that is well known to one skilled in the art in order to achieve a Level 1 (cool black), a Level 2 (cool brown-black), and a Level 3 (cool dark brown) color.
Color Levels 4 (medium brown) and 5 (medium light brown) are archived with a light bleach formula to lighten the hair to a level lighter than needed, and than colored with fabric dye or the like, to eliminate the orange-red undertones resulting from the bleaching.
European, preferably Russian, hair comes in a variety of colors, mostly a Level 6 (dark blonde) to a Level 8 (medium/light blonde). This hair is separated by color level and undertone in order to archive a Level 6 (dark blonde), a Level 7 (medium blonde) and a Level 8 (medium/light blonde) color variation using fabric dye formulas involving blue and violet pigments or any other method known that is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
The Level 9 and lighter Russian hair is left natural and is only used for the front hairline area (about 2-3 cm). If these lighter colors are not available, the next darker natural hair color will be used so that a minimum amount of bleaching is necessary, which helps prevent hair breakage and hair loss. If desired, for hairstyles with distinguished parts or crown areas (Cesar styles), natural blonde hair can also be used in the part or crown area to avoid over-bleaching the knots from a darker level to a pale blonde.
The knots can then be bleached after the hair replacement or hairpiece is made using a bleach solution comprising about 6 to 9% peroxide.
All white hair is preferably a synthetic blend of different whites, including ivory, silver, yellow-white, in order to archive a natural gray hair replacement or hairpiece for wearers with a higher percentage of gray hair color, i.e., over 50%. The use of synthetic hair in this instance prevents the yellowing effect that is common when natural white hair is used.
In order to prepare the hair, it is first stripped by removing its cuticle to prevent the hair from tangling. The different origins and thickness of the hair determines the strength and developing time of the cuticle removing acid wash. In general, the cuticle on Russian hair is easier to remove and needs milder treatment than the cuticle on Indian hair. All cuticle removing is preferably done after the hair is sorted, but prior to perming and coloring. Preferably, an intensive conditioning follows the cuticle removing, prior to any coloring and bleaching, especially for Levels 4 and 5.
The colors achieved using the procedures described herein are basic opaque colors and do not sufficiently reflect a natural blend of hair colors. Therefore, a blending of different colors is needed in order to more closely simulate natural hair color. Further, depending on the desired end result, appropriate amounts of gray/white hair may be added as needed. Moreover, in order to achieve a natural color effect, the first overlap 26 and the second overlap 28 between the color regions are zigzagged to blend the light/medium colors in first overlap 26 and the medium/dark colors in the second overlap 28.
To follow are examples of certain color blends for Levels 1, 2 and 3.
Colored back 24 has a mix of 80% Level 1 and 20% Level 2;
Colored top 22 has a mix of 70% Level 1 and 20% Level 2 and 10% Russian Level 6 medium cool;
Colored front 20 has a mix of 50% Level 1 and 30% Level 2 and 20% Russian Level 6 cool; and
Hairline 10 (about 3 cm) is a natural blonde Russian hair with bleached knots.
Colored back 24 has a mix of 80% Level 2 and 20% Level 3;
Colored top 22 has a mix of 70% Level 2 and 20% Level 3 and 10% Russian Level 6 cool;
Colored front 20 has a mix of 50% Level 2 and 30% Level 3 and 20% Russian Level 6 cool; and
Hairline 10 (about 3 cm) is a natural blonde Russian hair with bleached knots.
Colored back 24 has a mix of 80% Level 3 and 20% Level 4;
Colored top 22 has a mix of 70% Level 3 and 20% Level 4 and 10% Russian Level 6 cool;
Colored front 20 has a mix of 50% Level 3 and 30% Level 4 and 20% Russian Level 6 cool; and
Hairline 10 (about 3 cm) is a natural blonde Russian hair with bleached knots.
Colored back 24 has a mix of 80% Russian Level 6 cool and natural, non-colored Russian Level 6;
Colored top 22 has a mix of 70% Russian Level 6 cool and 20% Russian Level 7 cool and 10% Russian Level 8;
Colored front 20 has a mix of 50% Russian Level 6 cool and 30% Level 7 cool and 20% Russian Level 8; and
Hairline 10 (about 3 cm) is either a mix of 50% Russian Level 6 cool and 30% Level 7 cool and 20% Russian Level 8 or a natural blonde Russian hair, but in either case, the knots are bleached.
According to a preferred embodiment, if the hair is to be permed, the hair is permed after the cuticle is removing but prior to the coloring or light bleaching (Level 4 and 5). Preferably, the perm is a generic body wave, which will give support and movement to the hair. The perm size will depend on whether an acid or an alkaline perm is used. In general, acid perms require smaller perm sizes than an alkaline perm.
Once the hairpiece is finished, it may be attached to the wearer using bonds, glues, adhesives, braiding, tape, clips (such as spring clips or another suitable alternative) or any other method commonly known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
It can be appreciated that variations to this invention would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and this invention is intended to include those alternatives.
While this invention is clearly designed to address the unique needs of men suffering from pattern baldness, that does not preclude men with other types of hair loss, women or children from wearing the hair replacement/hairpiece of the present invention and taking advantage of the unique features of same.
Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/588,760, filed on Jul. 19, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60588760 | Jul 2004 | US |
