Synthetic hair crimper

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a manual device for crimping synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of the arms supporting one of a pair of mold portions capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, the mold portions having mating surfaces which abut one another when the device is in an operative position, at least one of the mold portions having a plurality of braid-receiving cavities locating in the corresponding mating surface, each of the cavities having a different size, the mating surfaces being arranged, in the operative position, to terminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair in the braid beyond one of the cavities.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to hair and more particularly to methods of preparing synthetic hair, such as for example synthetic hair braids.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Synthetic fibers have been used in wigs for many years. More recently, synthetic fibers have been introduced as synthetic braids which can be intermingled with natural hair to create a new and popular fashion trend. However, the braids must first be finished past the length of the natural hair, by being cut to an appropriate length and then singed, so they do not unravel.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel tool for the preparation of synthetic hair braids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly stated, the invention involves a device for crimping synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of said arms supporting one of a pair of mold portions capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, said mold portions having mating surfaces which abut one another when the device is in an operative position, at least one of the mold portions having a plurality of braid-receiving cavities located in the corresponding mating surface, said mating surfaces being arranged, in the operative position, to terminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair in the braid beyond one of said cavities.

[0007] In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a manual device for crimping synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of the arms supporting one of a pair of mold portions which, when sufficiently externally heated, are capable of cutting and singeing a braid of synthetic hair when the arms are scissored together.

[0008] Preferably, the mold portions are made of cast materials, such aluminum, zinc, iron, or copper or alloys thereof. The arms may be made from materials such as steel, which may be stainless or may be painted or otherwise coated or decorated. The arms may also be stainless steel and coated by metallic coatings such as nickel coatings. The mold portions may also be aluminum alloys which may also be coated by metallic coatings such as nickel coatings. Selected ones of these coatings can have a low friction finish leading to favourable ‘non-stick’ properties which can reduce damage to the braid when being removed from the device.

[0009] Desirably, the device has hand grip portion molded or otherwise fixed on each arm, which will be appropriately formed for the user's comfort.

[0010] In one embodiment, each mold portion includes a pair of members positioned on opposite sides of the arm which are removably fastened together. The mold members have complementary surface portions which cooperate to cut the braid of synthetic hair. At least one of the mold members, preferably both, have a plurality of cavities of different sizes or diameters to receive braids of different sizes.

[0011] In still another of its aspects, there present invention provides a method of crimping braided synthetic hair using the device as above described.

[0012] In still another of its aspects, there is provided a device for preparing synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arm means, each of said arm means supporting one of a pair of mold means capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, said mold means having mating surface means which abut one another when the device is in an operative position, at least one of the mold means having a plurality of braid-receiving cavities located in the corresponding mating surface, each of said cavities having a different size, said mating surface means being arranged, in the operative position, to terminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair in the braid beyond one of said cavities.

[0013] In one embodiment, the mold means includes a mold portion which is removably mounted on a corresponding supporting arm means.

[0014] In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides a hair crimping kit, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of the arms having a free end, a plurality of pairs of mold portions capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, each pair of mold portions having mating surfaces which abut one another when the device is in an operative position, each pair of mold portions being removably mounted to the arms.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one pair of the mold portions are provided with a plurality of braid-receiving cavities locating in the corresponding mating surface, each of the cavities having a different size, the mating surfaces being arranged, in the operative position, to terminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair in the braid beyond one of the cavities.

[0016] In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides a manual device for crimping synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of said arms supporting one of a pair of mold portions capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, said mold portions having mating surfaces which abut one another when the device is in an operative position, each of said mold portions having a plurality of braid-receiving cavities locating in the corresponding mating surface, each of said cavities having a different size, said mating surfaces being arranged, in the operative position, to terminate the braid by squeezing excess synthetic hair in the braid beyond one of said cavities.

[0017] In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides a method for crimping synthetic hair, comprising:

[0018] a step for providing a pair of molds on a pair of arms and which are capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, the molds having complementary mating surfaces, at least one of which having a number of differently sized cavities therein;

[0019] a step for heating the molds;

[0020] a step for selecting one of the cavities;

[0021] a step for inserting a synthetic hair braid in the selected cavity;

[0022] a step for bringing the molds to their operative position with the complementary surfaces brought into abutment, to squeeze excess synthetic hair therebetween away from the cavity, wherein the braid is shaped in the cavity; and

[0023] a step for releasing the molds from their operative position.

[0024] In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides a method for crimping synthetic hair, comprising the steps of:

[0025] providing a pair of molds on a pair of arms and which are capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, the molds having complementary mating surfaces, at least one of which having a number of differently sized cavities therein;

[0026] heating the molds;

[0027] selecting one of the cavities;

[0028] inserting a synthetic hair braid in the selected cavity;

[0029] bringing the molds to their operative position with the complementary surfaces brought into abutment, to squeeze excess synthetic hair therebetween away from the cavity, wherein the braid is shaped in the cavity; and

[0030] releasing the molds from their operative position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Several preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the appended drawing in which:

[0032] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a device for preparing synthetic braids;

[0033] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a device of FIG. 1 in an open position;

[0034] FIGS. 5 through 7 are upper plan, side and lower plan views respectively of the device of FIG. 1; and

[0035] FIG. 8 is an assembly view of the device of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Referring to the figures, particularly FIGS. 4 and 8, there is provided a manual device 10 for preparing synthetic hair, having a pair of scissored first and second arms 12, 14, each of the arms supporting one of a pair of mold portions 16, 18 which, when sufficiently externally heated, are capable of cutting and singeing a braid of synthetic hair, when the arms are scissored together. The arms may be made from materials such as steel, which may be stainless or may be painted or otherwise coated. Preferably, the mold portions are made of a cast materials, such aluminum, zinc, iron, or copper or alloys thereof.

[0037] In one example, the device has first and second arms which are made from SS304 stainless steel which has been coated with a nickel coating known as NEDOX at a thickness of 0.05+/−0.02 mm. The mold portions are cast A124-F aluminum alloy also coated with nickel coating is NEDOX. In both cases, the nickel coating provides reduced friction and increased heat resistance.

[0038] Desirably, the device has a hand grip portion 20, 22 formed on each arm 12, 14, preferably by molding plastics or other materials thereon, which will be appropriately formed to be of comfort to the user.

[0039] Each mold portion includes a pair of members 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b positioned on opposite sides of the arm which are removably fastened together by way of fasteners 16c, 18c. The mold members have complementary surface portions which cooperate to cut the braid of synthetic hair. At least one of the mold members, preferably both, have a plurality of cavities of different diameters to receive the braid.

[0040] The mold portions are significant because they may be heated externally, as for example, by using an oven of the type currently used in hair salons. The device is beneficial because it is less expensive than other plug or flame heated devices. The mold portions are of sufficient size that they are capable of retaining sufficient heat to prepare one or a number of braids without having to be reheated.

[0041] Each mold portion 16a, 18a has a plurality of cavities 22a, 22b of different diameters to receive the braid therein, wherein the cavities of one mold member are open to the cavities of the other mold member. The mold portion 16a has a concave inner surface 24a, while the mold portion 18a has a convex inner surface 24b. In this case, the cavities 22a are located within the concave inner surface 24a while the cavities 22b are located within the convex inner surface 24b.

[0042] The device 10 may be used for the finishing an end of a braid, made from a synthetic fibre such as that known by the trade name KANEKALON, though other synthetic fibers may also be suitable and which are capable of being cut and singed with normal heating temperatures such as, for example, a range of about 150 to 200 degrees Celsius.

[0043] The device is placed near a heating element, for example those which resemble a mini pizza oven, that currently exist in professional hair salons, at a temperature ranging from about 150 to 200 degrees Celsius, for sufficient period of time for the mold portions to reach the ambient temperature of this range. After this time period, the device may be left in the oven while the braids are prepared to a point about two inches past their desirable length and beyond the length of the client's natural hair. The heated device is then applied to the braid so that the braid is aligned with the appropriate one of three cavities provided for in the mold portions. In this case, the correct cavity may be the cavity which has a slightly smaller diameter than the braid. The arms are then scissored together to their operative position which results in the braid being slightly compressed by the cavity and therefore molded into the slightly tapered shape thereof.

[0044] The convex and concave surfaces are complementary, allowing for them to abut one another when the arms are in the operative position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Any hair that is located outside the cavity and between the convex and concave surfaces is squeezed away from the cavity. Though not necessary in all cases, the convex and concave surfaces, in this example, may provide a clean end on the molded braid and thereby avoids the jagged edge that can be formed by knife edges. As a result, the braid is shaped or molded by the cavity. This process may be repeated as desired and the device reheated when necessary. It will, of course, be understood that other embodiments of the present invention may not provide the clean end as is provided in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0045] Thus, the device 10 offers a number of benefits. It is relatively simple to operate and economical to produce. It is heated externally by means of an oven or the like and therefore eliminates the need for an internal heating element. The device is able to melt and mold the braid end while also cleanly removing excess synthetic hair by the squeezing action of the complementary convex and concave surfaces.

[0046] The cavities may either be slightly tapered or not, depending on the type of shape desired for the braid.

[0047] The device 10 may also be packaged as a kit including a number of alternative mold portions with different cavity sizes and the like, thereby providing for interchangeable mold portions which will offer still more flexibility to the user. The alternative mold portions are illustrated, for example, in dashed lines in FIG. 3.

Claims

1. A device for crimping synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of said arms supporting one of a pair of mold portions capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, said mold portions having mating surfaces which abut one another when the device is in an operative position, at least one of the mold portions having a plurality of braid-receiving cavities located in the corresponding mating surface, said mating surfaces being arranged, in the operative position, to terminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair in the braid beyond one of said cavities.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the mold portions are made of cast materials.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the mold portions are cast from aluminum, zinc, iron, or copper or alloys thereof.

4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the mold portions are made from aluminum alloy materials.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein the mold portions are coated with a metallic coating.

6. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the arms are made of stainless steel.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising a hand grip portion formed on each arm.

8. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein the hand grip portion is molded on the arm.

9. A device as defined in claim 7 wherein each arm is metallic and the hand grip is formed from plastic materials.

10. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein each mold portion includes a pair of members positioned on opposite sides of said arm.

11. A device as defined in claim 10 wherein the members are removably fastened together.

12. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the mold members have complementary surface portions which cooperate to cut the braid of synthetic hair.

13. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of the mold members includes a plurality of cavities of different diameters to receive the braid.

14. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said mold members includes a plurality of cavities of different diameters to receive the braid, wherein the cavities of one mold member are open to the cavities of the other mold member.

15. A method of crimping braided synthetic hair using the device of claim 1.

16. A manual device for preparing synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of said arms supporting one of a pair of mold portions capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, said mold portions having mating surfaces which abut one another when the device is in an operative position, each of said mold portions having a plurality of braid-receiving cavities locating in the corresponding mating surface, each of said cavities having a different size, said mating surfaces being arranged, in the operative position, to terminate the braid by squeezing excess synthetic hair in the braid beyond one of said cavities.

17. A device as defined in claim 16 wherein each mold portion is removably mounted on a corresponding supporting arm.

18. A hair crimping kit, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of said arms having a free end, a plurality of pairs of mold portions capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, each pair of mold portions having mating surfaces which abut one another when the device is in an operative position, each pair of mold portions being removably mounted to the arms.

19. A kit as defined in claim 18 wherein at least one pair of said mold portions are provided with a plurality of braid-receiving cavities locating in the corresponding mating surface, each of said cavities having a different size, said mating surfaces being arranged, in the operative position, to terminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair in the braid beyond one of said cavities.

20. A manual device for crimping synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of said arms supporting one of a pair of mold portions which, when sufficiently externally heated, are capable of cutting and singeing a braid of synthetic hair when the arms are scissored together.

21. A device for crimping synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arm means, each of said arm means supporting one of a pair of mold means capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, said mold means having mating surface means which abut one another when the device is in an operative position, at least one of the mold means having a plurality of braid-receiving cavities located in the corresponding mating surface, each of said cavities having a different size, said mating surface means being arranged, in the operative position, to terminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair in the braid beyond one of said cavities.

22. A method for crimping synthetic hair, comprising:

a step for providing a pair of molds on a pair of arms and which are capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, the molds having complementary mating surfaces, at least one of which having a number of differently sized cavities therein;

a step for heating the molds;

a step for selecting one of the cavities;

a step for inserting a synthetic hair braid in the selected cavity;

a step for bringing the molds to their operative position with the complementary surfaces brought into abutment, to squeeze excess synthetic hair therebetween away from the cavity, wherein the braid is shaped in the cavity; and

a step for releasing the molds from their operative position.

23. A method for crimping synthetic hair, comprising the steps of:

providing a pair of molds on a pair of arms and which are capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, the molds having complementary mating surfaces, at least one of which having a number of differently sized cavities therein;

heating the molds;

selecting one of the cavities;

inserting a synthetic hair braid in the selected cavity;

bringing the molds to their operative position with the complementary surfaces brought into abutment, to squeeze excess synthetic hair therebetween away from the cavity, wherein the braid is shaped in the cavity; and

releasing the molds from their operative position.