Patent Application
20210204628
This disclosure relates generally to a hair extension apparatus which can be worn by a user. More particularly, but not exclusively, to a hair extension apparatus using a magnet.
Hair styles are one of the more noticeable features of people. Due to this, people generally style, color, and cut hair to improve their appearance and even self-esteem. Others, due to age, genetics or preference choose to use hair extensions to provide a temporary and non-committal method to change their hair style. Hair extensions can be used to add different hair colors, lengths, and even form (e.g., curls, waves, straight) into the natural hair of a user. Common methods of incorporating hair extensions are by weaves, by the strand-by-strand method, and by the clip-in-hair method.
A traditional weave hair extension is expensive and lasts for a short period. Further, the application process for the traditional weave can take several hours. In the strand-by-strand method, the extensions are glued to small pieces of natural hair of the user by a trained and licensed hair stylist. The strand-by-strand application process can harm the hands of the stylist and the hair of the user, while also costing significantly high.
Introduced here is a hair extension apparatus that utilizes magnetic fields to attach a hair extension apparatus to the hair of the user. The apparatus can use a magnet, which enables the apparatus to be conveniently applied and removed from the hair of the user. The apparatus includes a magnet, magnetic material, a hair weft, and a polymer base. The magnet is attracted to the magnetic material and thus, can securely attach the apparatus to the hair of the user.
In some embodiments, the apparatus has two separate portions. The first portion comprises a magnet, a hair weft, and a polymer base. The second portion comprises a magnetic material such as iron oxide, a hair weft, and a polymer base. In other embodiments, the apparatus is one piece with two portions or ends. The first portion comprises a magnet, a hair weft, and a polymer base, and the second portion, which is foldably coupled with the first portion, comprises a magnetic material, a hair weft, and a polymer base.
One or more embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.
The hair extension apparatus can provide an easy to apply, easy to remove, and harmless method of using hair extensions. The hair extension apparatus disclosed herein can include a first portion with a magnet, a second portion with a magnetic material, a hair weft, and a polymer base. The first portion is attracted to the second portion due to the attraction between the magnet and the magnetic material. Thus, the first portion and the second portion securely attach to each other and the hair of the user. The second portion can include materials that act as a shield to diminish the magnetic field caused by the first portion. By doing so, the magnetic field of the apparatus may not attract peripheral metallic objects. In some embodiments, the two portions are implemented as separate and distinct portions, e.g., as shown in
Inner portion 104 can be in various shapes and/or sizes to help conceal or place the apparatus 100 in the hair of a user. Inner portion 104 can also be shaped differently based on the preference of a user. For example, a user may only want a small hair extension. Thus, a small dot-like shape may be best. In other situations, a user may want to maximize the use of a hair extension. Thus, a large square or rectangle may be best. An example dimension of inner portion 104 can be a rectangle of 4 cm by 1 cm.
Additionally, inner portion 104 can be in various colors. This helps the apparatus 100 blend in with the hair of the user. For example, a user with black hair may not want to use the inner portion 104 that is of a color other than black as the inner portion 104 may appear to be distinct from the hair, which may not be a pleasing sight. Therefore, inner portion 104 can incorporate a dye for a particular color during manufacture.
Inner portion 104 includes magnet 102. Magnet 102 can be in the form of one or more pieces, one or more shapes, and can be of one or more types. In some embodiments, magnet 102 is a permanent earth magnet such as a neodymium rare earth magnet. In other embodiments, magnet 102 is a combination of neodymium rare earth magnets and samarium-cobalt magnets.
Magnet 102 is mechanically coupled to inner portion 104. Magnet 102 is incorporated to inner portion 104 by various methods such as by adhesive or incorporated therein during manufacture. In some embodiments, inner portion 104 can act as a sleeve to receive magnet 102. In other embodiments, magnet 102 can be incorporated inside a polyurethane material of inner portion 104 during manufacture. Thus, magnet 102 can be encapsulated inside the polyurethane material of inner portion 104. In other embodiments, magnet 102 can be bonded (e.g., by adhesive) to inner portion 104.
Magnet 102 can be placed anywhere on inner portion 104 to maximize attraction to the magnetic material incorporated in outer portion 110. For example, magnet 102 can be placed in the middle, near the outer edges, or in any other placement pattern. In addition, magnet 102 can be any size or shape that fits within the dimensions of inner portion 104. For example, magnet 102 can be a 0.5-inch by 1-inch rectangle, a 0.5-inch by 0.5-inch square, or a circle with a 0.5-inch diameter.
Inner portion 104 includes hair weft 106. Hair weft 106 can be Remy hair, non-Remy hair, human hair, synthetic hair, or a combination thereof. Hair weft 106 can be attached to inner surface 104 by, for example, weaving, heat and bond, or adhesive. Additionally, hair weft 106 can be placed anywhere near any side of inner portion 104. For example, hair weft 106 can be placed to only cover 25% of inner portion 104 or to cover a 100% of inner portion 104. In another example, hair weft 106 can be placed near one or both sides of inner portion 104. Regardless, the placement of the hair weft 106 is such that the hair weft 106 does not diminish the magnetic attraction between the inner portion 104 and the outer portion 110 to an extent that keeps the apparatus 100 from being secured to the hair of the user.
Outer portion 110 can be made of a polymer such as polyurethane, oil based materials, or wax based materials. Outer portion 110 can also be made of other materials, which can be coated with a polymer, or covered using a polymer tape. For example, outer portion 110 can have a cardboard base which is coated with polyurethane. Additionally, similar to inner portion 104, the polymer can be in various colors and various shapes to blend in with the hair of the user or align with the preference of the user. An example dimension of outer portion 110 can be a rectangle of 4 cm by 1 cm.
Magnetic material 108 is mechanically coupled to outer portion 110. Magnetic material 108 can be in the form of a powder (as shown) or solid piece(s). In some embodiments, magnetic material 108 is made of a ferromagnetic magnetic material such as black iron oxide. Magnetic material 108 is incorporated to outer portion 110 by various methods such as by adhesive or by incorporation during manufacture. In some embodiments, outer portion 110 can act as a sleeve to receive magnetic material 108. In other embodiments, magnetic material 108 can be incorporated inside a polyurethane material of outer portion 110 during manufacture. Thus, magnetic material 108 can be encapsulated inside the polyurethane material of outer portion 110. In other embodiments, magnetic material 108 can be bonded (e.g., by adhesive) to outer surface 110. In yet another embodiment, magnetic material 108 can be in the form of a powder which can be incorporated into outer surface 110 during manufacture. For example, black iron oxide powder can be mixed into polyurethane during manufacture. This mixture is then molded to become outer surface 110. In some embodiments, the magnetic material 108 can also be a magnet.
According to another embodiment, the outer surface 110 is comprised of a magnoelastic material. The magnoelastic material comprising a polymer and magnetic material 108. The polymer being malleable, so that the outer surface can be formed to conform with the shape of the user's head or any other advantageous shape. According to another embodiment, the magnoelastic material is rigid. For example, the polymer is a polyurethane that is mixed with neodymium iron boron powder and then formed using injection molding.
The magnetic material 108 being magnetically attracted to a magnet 102 on the inner portion 104. The magnet 102 comprising a ferromagnetic material. The magnet 102 attached to the inner portion 104 by various methods such as by adhesive or by incorporation during manufacture. The magnetic attraction between the magnetic material 108 and the magnet 102 is sufficient to hold the hair extension apparatus 100 on the user's natural hair.
Outer portion 110 includes hair weft 112. Hair weft 112 is mechanically coupled to outer portion 110. Hair weft 112 can be mechanically coupled to outer surface 110 by, for example, weaving, heat and bond, or adhesive. Additionally, hair weft 112 can be placed anywhere near any side of the outer portion 110. For example, hair weft 112 can be placed to cover 25% of the outer portion 110 or to cover a 100% of the outer portion 110. In another example, hair weft 106 is placed near one or both sides of outer portion 110.
The two portions 104 and 110 can be placed anywhere on hair 204 of user 202. In some embodiments, apparatus 100 can be placed on the scalp of user 202. In other embodiments, apparatus 100 can be placed in hair 204 near neck of user 202, near the bottom of hair 204, or away from the scalp of user 202. For example, to thicken the appearance of hair 204, user 202 can place apparatus 100 near the scalp of user 202. Similarly, to make hair 204 of user 202 appear longer, user 202 can attach apparatus 100 away from the scalp of user 202.
The two portions 104 and 110 can be placed anywhere on the scalp or hair of user 202 and at any angle. In some embodiments, apparatus 100 can be placed on the side, back, front or top of the head of user 202. Although the slant of the scalp of the user 202 may change, it will not affect the ability of the apparatus 100 to stay in place. This is because portions 104 and 110 do not adhere to the scalp of the user 202. Portions 104 and 110 adhere to each other and hair 204 of user 202. In other embodiments, the portions 104 and 110 can be placed at any angle. For example, the apparatus 100 can be placed horizontally or vertically, in reference to the directionality of hair 204 of user 202. While the example of
Outer portion 110 can shield the magnetic field of magnet 102. This is beneficial because apparatus 100 may be less attracted to the peripheral metallic materials in the proximity of apparatus 100. In some embodiments, outer portion 110 covers up inner portion 104. By doing so, the magnetic field of magnet 102 may be diminished or may have a smaller range that keeps apparatus 100 from being attracted to the peripheral metallic materials.
In other embodiments, outer portion 110 may include non-magnetic materials to better prevent attraction to peripheral metallic materials. For example, one side of the outer portion 110 may have the magnetic material (e.g., the side attracted to inner portion 104), while the other side (e.g., the side facing outwards from the user 202) may be made of a non-magnetic material such as plastic.
Middle portion 402 can be means or a mechanism that allows the left portion 404 and the right portion 406 to be folded towards and away from each other. In some embodiments, the middle portion 402 can be a mechanical element that connects two objects, such as a hinge, a coiled spring, or a clasp. In some embodiments, the left portion 404, middle portion 402, and the right portion 406 are part of the same piece (and made of the same material such as polyurethane), and middle portion 402 can be a perforated fold line that facilitates the folding of the left portion 404 and the right portion 406 towards or away from each other. In some embodiments, middle portion 402 can be made of similar material as the left portion 404 and the right portion 406. For example, all three portions 404, 402, and 406 can be made of polyurethane in which middle portion 402 forms a perforated fold line separating the left and right portions. Left portion 404 can be in the form of a sleeve to receive a neodymium rare earth magnet, and right portion 406 can have black iron oxide powder incorporated into polyurethane during manufacture.
Middle portion 402 can physically couple both the left portion 404 and the right portion 406. User 202 can wear apparatus 400 in a way similar to apparatus 100. User 202 can hold the left portion 404 near the selected spot, cover the left portion 404 with a portion of the hair 204 of the user 202, then fold the right portion 406 onto the left portion 404 to adhere the apparatus 400 to hair 204 of user 202. To remove apparatus 400, user 202 can pull one portion (e.g., left portion 404 or right portion 406) away from the other portion (e.g., left portion 404 or right portion 406).
In step 504, inner portion 104 is placed against the scalp of user 202. In other embodiments, user 202 can place inner portion 104 anywhere along hair 204 of user 202.
In step 506, inner portion 104 is covered with a portion of hair 202.
In step 508, outer portion 110 is magnetically coupled to inner portion 104.
In other embodiments, user 202 can alter these steps in order to best achieve the preference of user 202. For example, user 202 may place outer portion 110 against the scalp of user 202 and inner portion 104 on top of the outer portion 110. This can be done if user 202 wants to magnetically couple other decorative accessories to the head of user 202.
The inner component and outer component are both comprised of a magnoelastic material. A magnoelastic material is a material that can be deformed and has magnetic properties. The magnoelastic material can include a polymer, polymers can be natural or manmade. Manmade polymers that could form a part of the magnoelastic material include polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, synthetic rubber, phenol formaldehyde resin, neoprene, nylon, polyacrylonitrile, PVB, silicone, etc. Natural polymers can also be used such as hemp, shellac, amber, wool, silk, and natural rubber. According to one embodiment the polymer is malleable so that the magnoelastic material is pliable and can conform to any shape, including being bent to conform to the shape of a user's head.
A magnoelastic material is created by incorporating small magnetic particles 602 into a polymer. Magnetic materials can consist of rare-earth magnets such as samarium cobalt and neodymium iron boron; ferromagnets such as iron ore, cobalt, nickel, gadolinium and dysprosium; ferrites such as powdered iron oxide and barium/strontium carbonate ceramic; alnico magnets that are a combination of aluminum, nickel and cobalt with iron; and ferromagnetic compounds such as ferric oxide. According to one embodiment, the magnetic particles are in the form of a powder when they are incorporated into the polymer to form the magnoelastic material.
According to an embodiment, the magnoelastic material is formed by injection molding. The magnetic particles 602 and the polymer are combined and then injected into a mold during manufacturing or alternatively, the magnetic particles 602 are placed in the mold and then the polymer is injected into the mold. The mold can be adapted to any shape including a rectangle, a square, a circle, an ellipse, etc.
The inner component 604 and outer component 606 are placed above and below a section of the user's hair. The hair extension apparatus 600 is held on to the user's hair by the magnetic force of the magnetic particles 602 incorporated into the magnoelastic material of the inner component 604 and the outer component 606. The magnetic particles 602 are attracted by magnetic forces and hold the hair extension apparatus on the user's hair.
According to an embodiment, the inner component 604 and outer component 606 are connected so that they fold on top of each other. The connection between the inner component 604 and outer component 606 is a mechanical element that connects two objects, such as a hinge, a coiled spring, or a clasp. When applied to the user's hair, the hair extension apparatus is slid into the user's hair and the inner component 604 and outer component 606 are brought together around a section of the user's hair.
According to an embodiment, the magnoelastic material is only pliable when heat is applied to the magnoelastic material. When the magnoelastic material is heated it can be deformed and made into a new shape. When the magnoelastic material cools it becomes rigid.
The hair extension apparatus 600 can be placed in a user's hair by identifying and sectioning off a small portion of the user's hair. The small portion of the user's hair is underneath the top most layer of the user's hair so that the inner component 604 and the outer component 606 are disguised by an upper layer of user hair that lays over the top of the hair extension apparatus 600.
The inner component 604 is then placed below the small portion of the user's hair. The outer component 606 is place above the small portion of the user's hair. The inner component 604 and the outer component 606 sandwich the small portion of user hair between them. The hair extension apparatus 600 is held on to the user's hair by the magnetic attraction between the inner component 604 and the outer component 606. The upper layer of the user's hair is then laid over the outer component 606, disguising the outer component 606.
In this description, references to “user” mean the person who wears the hair extension apparatus or the person who has the apparatus placed on their person.
In this description, references to “an embodiment”, “one embodiment” or the like, mean that the particular feature, function, structure or characteristics being described is included in at least one embodiment of the technique introduced here. Occurrences of such phrases in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. On the other hand, the embodiments referred to also are not necessarily mutually exclusive.
Any or all of the features and functions described above can be combined with each other, except to the extent it may be otherwise stated above or to the extent that any such embodiments may be incompatible by virtue of their function or structure, as will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. Unless contrary to physical possibility, it is envisioned that (i) the methods/steps described herein may be performed in any sequence and/or in any combination, and that (ii) the components of respective embodiments may be combined in any manner.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims, and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/005,449 filed Jun. 11, 2018 entitled “Magnetic Hair Extensions” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16005449 | Jun 2018 | US |
| Child | 17190640 | US |
