Patent Application
20210227910
The present invention relates generally to a method for applying a weft hair extension with concealed beads. More so, the present invention relates to a method for applying a weft hair extension to a human scalp by utilizing a fresh set of silicone locking beads that are applied every time, with weft hair extensions to maintain structural integrity, and then covers the locking beads with an upper section of the same weft hair extension to conceal the locking beads. The method: applies the weft hair strands along a seam in parted scalp hair; divides the weft hair strands between an upper and lower portion; weaves the lower portion of weft hair with a portion of adjacent scalp hair; pulls the combined weft and scalp hair strands through the locking bead; clamps the locking bead to secure the weft and scalp hair strands; spaces subsequent adjacent locking beads; and covers the locking beads and the lower section of weft hair strands with the upper section of weft hair strands, such that the locking beads are substantially concealed.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Typically, hair extensions include loose hair strand extensions that are not attached to one another, and hair weft extensions that are gathered together in some manner along a common edge or band. Loose hair strand extensions can be very time consuming to apply, and with the improvement in hair weft technologies, application of hair weft extensions has become more and more popular. Typically, a weft hair extension provides strands of real or artificial hair that are sewn together by machine to create a tracking effect with a polyurethane strip or clip sewn on after. Such weft hair is the most common weft hair to use, especially for clip in hair extensions. It allows the hair to be sewn together, facing the same direction, and can create the most natural-looking results with your hair extensions.
Methods used to attach different hair wefts include the use of mechanical attachment, such as with clips, beads, clamps, or the like; the use of adhesives including chemical and heat setting types; or the use of natural hair for the attachment, e.g., braiding, weaving, tying, knotting, etc. Beads, or microbeads are also used to apply the weft hair extensions. Typically, to apply weft hair, the scalp hair is separated into sections, then the weft hair extension is clipped to the scalp hair. Then, a small section of scalp hair and a small section of the weft hair are joined. Next, a small bead that matches hair color, is slipped on and crimped it into place. This works to combine the scalp hair and the weft hair strands. However, attachment with such beads can be highly visible and can interfere with hair care.
Other proposals have involved methods for applying weft hair strands. The problem with these hair methods is that the beads are visible. Also, the beads are integrated into the weft hair strands, and thus reused, which reduces structural integrity. Even though the above cited weft hair application methods meets some of the needs of the market, a method for applying a weft hair extension to a human scalp by utilizing a fresh set of silicone locking beads with weft hair extensions to maintain structural integrity, and then covers the locking beads with an upper section of the same weft hair extension to conceal the locking beads, is still desired.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a method for applying a weft hair extension with concealed beads. The method utilizes unique silicone locking beads that receive, and mechanically force together, a lower section of weft hair strands with an adjacent portion of scalp hair to create a secure connection therebetween; and then covers the locking beads with an upper section of the same weft hair extension to conceal the locking beads, creating an invisible effect on the locking beads. Further, fresh locking beads are used for subsequent applications of weft hair extensions, so as to optimize structural integrity of the locking beads.
In some embodiments, the method for applying a weft hair extension to a human scalp is configured to: apply the weft hair strands along a seam in parted scalp hair; divides the weft hair strands between an upper and lower portion; weave the lower portion of weft hair with a portion of adjacent scalp hair; pull the combined weft and scalp hair strands through the locking bead; clamp the locking bead to secure the weft and scalp hair strands; space subsequent locking beads as close to each other as possible; and cover the locking beads and the lower section of weft hair strands with the upper section of weft hair strands, such that the locking beads are substantially concealed.
A method for applying a weft hair extension with concealed beads, comprises:
In another aspect, the joined weft hair strands and scalp hair strands are substantially equal in quantity.
In another aspect, the step of advancing the joined strands of hair through a locking bead, further comprises advancing the joined weft and scalp strands of hair through an opening in a locking bead.
In another aspect, the step of deforming the locking bead, further comprises crimping the locking bead against the weft strands of hair and the scalp strands of hair.
In another aspect, the step of advancing the joined strands of hair through a locking bead, further comprises pulling the joined strands of hair through an opening in the locking bead.
In another aspect, the step of positioning the locking beads that are adjacently positioned, further comprises spacing the subsequent locking beads in a linear, closely-spaced apart relationship of less than one-inch part.
In another aspect, the locking bead comprises silicone.
In another aspect, the strip of the weft hair extension comprises polyurethane.
In another aspect, the step of separating the weft strands of hair into an upper portion and a lower portion, further comprises separating the about half the weft strands of hair into an upper portion, and separating about half the weft strands of hair into a lower portion.
In another aspect, the method further comprises a step of joining the weft hair extension along the entire length of the seam formed in the scalp.
In another aspect, the step of advancing the joined strands of hair through a locking bead, further comprises advancing the joined strands of hair through a locking bead with a weft application tool having a flexible elongated loop.
In another aspect, the method further comprises a step of passing the joined strands of hair through the loop of the weft application tool exposed above the locking bead.
In another aspect, the method further comprises a step of drawing the loop of the weft application tool through the locking bead in order to pass the joined strands of hair through the locking bead.
In another aspect, the method further comprises a step of cutting superfluous sections of the weft hair extension after application to the scalp.
In another aspect, the locking bead is defined by a color that substantially matches the color of the client's hair, aka, base color hair.
One objective of the present invention is to efficiently join a weft hair extension to scalp hair with locking beads that are concealed, so as not to be visible.
Another objective is to reuse a fresh set of locking silicone beads with every new weft hair extension.
Yet another objective is to cover the locking beads with the upper portion of the weft hair extension.
Another objective is to provide a hair extension method that can be used with any type or brand of silicone beads.
Yet another objective is to install the locking beads close to one another, like a stitch, so as to form a smooth and securely fastened weft hair extension.
Another objective is to separate the weft hair extension into the upper and lower section, so that the upper section covers the beads and lower section of weft hair extension.
Yet another objective is to provide an inexpensive hair weft extension method.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
A method 100 for applying a weft hair extension with concealed beads is referenced in
Another unique feature of the method 100 is that during application, the weft hair extension 300 is separated into upper 400 and lower 402 hair extension portions, such that the upper portion 400 of the weft hair extension conceals the locking beads 306, 310 and also conceals the junction between the lower portion 402 of weft hair strands 304 and the scalp hair strands 202. This serves to create an invisible effect by hiding the joined weft hair and scalp hair at the locking bead 306. Yet another unique feature is that the locking beads 306, 310 are closely spaced-apart, such as less than 1″ apart, i.e., ⅛″ linear separation between locking beads. This proximity between locking beads 306, 310 serves to increase the fastening security with the weft hair extension 300.
Turning now to
A Step 106 includes positioning the strip 302 of the weft hair extension 300 along the longitudinal of the seam 202 in the scalp, such that the strip 302 abuts the scalp hair 200. The weft hair extension 300 is abutting the entire length of the seam 202 formed in the scalp to create a seamless transition therebetween. Upon clipping the upper portion 400 of the weft hair extension 300 to the scalp, the lower portion 402 of the weft hair strands 304 are allowed to lie freely for a desired stylistic junction with the scalp hair strands 200 and locking bead 306, 310.
In some embodiments, a Step 108 comprises separating the weft strands 304 of hair into an upper portion 400 and a lower portion 402. This step may include separating about half the weft strands of hair into an upper portion 400, and separating about half the weft strands of hair into a lower portion 402. However, in specific style requirements, an unequal amount of hair can be separated for the upper and lower portions 400, 402. As described below, the lower portion 402 is used to fasten to the scalp hair 200, and the upper portion 400 is used to conceal the locking beads 306, 310 and junction between hair strands.
As
In some embodiments, a Step 112 may include advancing the joined hair strands 200, 304 through a locking bead 306. The locking bead 306 is the component that receives, and binds the lower portion 402 of weft hair strands 304 and the scalp hair 200 strands together.
In one embodiment, the joined strands of hair are pulled through the opening 308 in the locking bead 306. Thus, unlike the prior art, both the weft hair strands 304 and the scalp hair 200 strands are crimped by the locking bead 306. This serves to put less pressure on the scalp hair 200. In one possible embodiment, the joined hair strands 200, 304 are advanced through the opening 308 in the locking bead 306 with a weft application tool 312. As
In this manner, the weft hair strands 304 are pulled through the edge of the weft hair extension 300 with such a needle-shaped tool under gaps in the edge of the weft hair extension 300. Looking again at
A Step 114 comprises deforming the locking bead 306, whereby the scalp and weft hair strands 200, 304 form a snug junction, whereby the scalp hair strands 200 and the weft hair strands 304 passed therethrough are held captive therein. The deformation of the locking bead 306 may be performed through various mechanical means, including crimping with a special crimping tool. The deformation of the locking bead 306 occurs when both the lower portion 402 of weft hair strands 304, and adjacent scalp hair 200 strands are pulled through the locking bead 306 to a desired length.
The method 100 may further comprise a Step 116 of joining a subsequent lower section of the weft strands of hair with a subsequent strand of the scalp hair 200. As a result of the junction between scalp and weft hair strands 200, 304, they are subsequently fastened together, such that the hair extension is not easily dislodged from the scalp. A Step 118 includes advancing the joined strands of hair through a subsequent locking bead 310. A subsequent locking bead 310 may include a second, third, fourth, etc. locking bead. The number of locking bead 306, 310 is dependent on the size of the scalp and weft hair extension 300. Nonetheless, subsequent locking beads 310 receive an adjacent lower portion of the weft hair strands, and an adjacent section of scalp hair strands, generally less than an inch from the prior locking bead 306.
Another Step 120 may include positioning the locking beads 306, 310 less than one inch apart. This may include a very close, adjacent spacing between locking beads. The locking beads 306, 310 are closely spaced-apart, such as less than 1″ apart, i.e., ⅛″ linear separation between locking beads 306, 310 (See
A final Step 124 includes covering the locking beads and the lower section of the weft hair strands 304 with the upper section of the weft hair strands 304, whereby the locking bead 306s are substantially concealed. The upper portion 400 of the weft hair strands 304 are released to fall over the locking beads 306, 310 and the lower portion 402 of the weft hair strands 304. This creates a seamless transition between the weft hair extension 300 and the scalp hair 200. For example,
Although the process-flow diagrams show a specific order of executing the process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted from the process-flow diagrams for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all the process steps shown in the process-flow diagrams can be combined into a single process.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
