Patent Application
20070151574
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for styling hair and more specifically, for styling hair into soft curls.
Hair curling is a well know art with many devices, mixtures and processes designed to transform a person from having straight hair to a person having curly hair. Sometimes hair is curled for a short period of time, perhaps a day or two. This is called “party curls.” In this case, the hair is rolled onto a curling rod and, optionally, a liquid is applied to retain the curl, perhaps water or a styling gel. If it is desired to maintain the curl for an extended period of time, perhaps a few months, a different mixture, sometimes referred to as a reducing agent, is applied to the hair after it is rolled onto the curling rods. The most common reducing agents are: Ammonium Thioglycolate (alkaline wave) pH 9.0-10, Glycerylmonothiogrlycolate (acid wave) pH 6.5-8.2, Ammonium Thioglycolate and Hydrogen Peroxide (exothermic wave) pH 8.4-9.0. These mixtures are also referred to as perm solutions or curling lotions.
Most curling operations consist of wrapping an amount of hair or strand around a curling rod and, optionally, applying water, a styling gel or a reducing agent and allowing the hair to stay wrapped for a period of time. The hair is than removed from the curling rod and may be washed, especially if a reducing agent is used.
Curling rods come in many shapes and sizes. For example, there are small size rods that measure 5/16″ in diameter and 3″ in length, medium size rods that measure ⅜″ in diameter and 3″ in length, large size rods that measure ½″ in diameter and 3″ in length and Jumbo size rods measuring ⅝″ in diameter and 3″ in length. Some rods are designed to be lightweight to prevent loosening and breakage of hair. Some have a corkscrew design to produce a true spiral curl. Some have rubber bands in the rod to keep the hair in place. In some, the rubber bands are replaceable. Some rods also have a fastener cap which attaches to the rod. Some rods can be piggy-backed to create longer rods. Some rods are spiral or concaved for creating a looser curl.
Another type of curling procedure uses a rod that is 7 inches in length ×1 cm in diameter. The rod has a heavy duty rubber layer over a bendable plastic insert. They are used by attaching the bottom of your hair to one end and gradually rolling on an angle so hair drapes across the rod, then to hold the hair in place, the rod is bent into a ‘U’ shape. This procedure works best on wet hair or with a perm solution.
For a natural wave pattern, a straight or cylindrical type rod may be used. A straight or cylindrical rod can be wrapped with hair strands the same width from the scalp to the ends, allowing the wrap to be executed in a true croquinole technique and helping to avoid spiraling of the hair. It also prevents bunching of the hair which distorts the wave pattern.
To protect ones face from the harsh chemicals used for reducing agents, an absorbent rope is sometimes tied around the hairline. One example of this rope is CELLUCOTTON® Beauty Coil which comes in 100% cotton or a blend of cotton and rayon for added strength. CELLUCOTTON® comes in professional size boxes and 10 foot bags. This product is designed for protecting ones face and eyes and is not a curling medium.
What is needed is a method and apparatus for curling hair that is easy to use and enables natural wave curls.
For the purposes of this application, the agent or term curling agent refers to any liquid, gel or spray that is applied to the hair to keep it in place, either for a short period of time or for weeks or months. A short term curling agent may be water or styling gel while a long term curling agent may be a reducing agent such as a perm solution.
In one embodiment, a method for curling hair is disclosed, including providing a plurality of curling ropes and for each of the plurality of curling ropes: separating strands of hair from a head of hair; wrapping the strands of hair around one of the plurality of curling ropes; and tying the one of the plurality of curling ropes into a knot.
In another embodiment, an apparatus for curling hair is disclosed including a plurality of curling ropes, each being between 7 and 12 inches long and each having an end tip at both ends.
In another embodiment, a method for curling hair is disclosed including a plurality of cloth curling ropes, each cloth curling rope being from 7 inches to 12 inches in length and having two ends, each of the two ends having an end tip.
The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.
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Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially same manner in the same way for achieving substantially the same result.
It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
