L pin and plastic coated anchors for hairs, rollers and foils

Abstract

Anchoring devices consisting of an L-pin, a three-loop and a multi-loop device for anchoring hairs, rollers, foils and the like and useful in hair styling, sectioning and dimensional treatment of hair by anchoring portions of hair in desired positions.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/370,146 filed Apr. 8, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to anchors for anchoring hairs, rollers, foils and so on in order to facilitate hair styling, hair decorations and hair treatments to a closure that may be applied to a vial or other container in either a child resistant configuration or a non-child resistant configuration. The anchors can be made of metals, alloys, plastics or most preferably plastic coated wires.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to devices for anchoring hairs, rollers, foils etc and are designed to take the struggle out of fighting gravity when hair styling. They also allow the user to gain more control when sectioning hair for dimensional coloring. One embodiment of the device called the L-pin is particularly useful for holding the ends down so that the user does not have to struggle with end papers. It also reduces fish hooks.

[0004] Salons often lose revenues performing the hair color techniques shown in trade magazines. This is due in large part to the time involved in securing and monitoring the foil placement on head . . . and possible color correction if foil move around.

[0005] Also, conventional rollers and techniques already on market pull hair down at the scalp area creating an undesired result. Methods used today require you to anchor roller by pinning roller at the scalp. Rollers are unstable and twist around. Results are never consistent. The clients' mobility is also limited. Every time the head leans to one side, the rollers slide down and eventually slide out. Additionally, because of the difficulties involved, most women roll their hair only for special occasions. The present invention will make women want to start rolling their hair everyday on the rollers they already on the market.

[0006] Thus, the anchor devices of the present invention are intended to aid the hair dresser in having greater control of hairs during treatment than is provided by any device currently known in the art.

[0007] These anchor devices are designed for the professional cosmetologist to perform hair color, and texture (perm and relaxers) services. The cosmetologist can also retail these products to their clients for home use with hot rollers, Velcro rollers, spiral rollers and any other conventional rollers already on the market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is directed to an L-pin, a multi-loop anchor and a three-loop anchor designed to facilitate hair dressing and treatment by anchoring hairs, rollers and foils to desired locations particularly during sectioning. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the apparatus particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as in the appended drawings.

[0009] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the anchor device of the present invention can consist of an L-pin, a three-loop anchor or a multi-loop anchor. These devices may be made of lightweight metals, metallic alloys, or molded plastics. In one embodiment, the device is made preferably of plastic coated wires.

[0010] The L-pin anchor is an “L” shaped anchoring device comprising a top loop and a bottom loop with the plane of the top loop and the bottom loop offset from each other in relation to the horizontal plane with the loops ending in either a straight tail or a coiled tail. In one embodiment of the L-pin, the top loop ends in a coiled tail and the bottom loop ends in a straight tail.

[0011] The three-loop anchoring device comprises two end loops and a middle loop with the plane of the end loops projecting away from the middle loop, wherein the end loops both project in the same direction.

[0012] The multi-loop anchoring device comprises semi-circular arcs originating from two end nodes. The semi-circular arcs are spaced apart and are preferably made of malleable material that allow spacing depending on the styling requirements and hair placements of the individual being treated. Arising from, and projective outwards from the semi-circular arch are a series of semi-circular loops. In one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises four semi-circular arcs, the semi-circular loops arising from and project outwards from the middle arcs.

[0013] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify similar elements throughout several views:

[0015] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the multi-loop anchor in a side and top-perspective view.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the multi-loop anchor in a side and top perspective view.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows a precursor of the three-loop anchor in its intermediate stage.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a top view of the three-loop anchor.

[0019] FIG. 5 shows a precursor of the three-loop anchor in its initial stage.

[0020] FIG. 6 shows another perspective view of the three-loop anchor.

[0021] FIG. 7 shows an application of the multi-loop anchor in hair dressing.

[0022] FIG. 8 shows a top perspective view of the multi-loop anchor being used in hair dressing.

[0023] FIG. 9 shows another perspective view of the multi-loop anchor in hair dressing.

[0024] FIG. 10 shows another perspective view of the multi-loop anchor in hair dressing.

[0025] FIG. 11 shows another perspective view of the multi-loop anchor in hair dressing.

[0026] FIG. 12 shows another perspective view of the multi-loop anchor in hair dressing.

[0027] FIG. 13 shows another perspective view of the multi-loop anchor in hair dressing.

[0028] FIG. 14 shows a side-perspective view of the L-pin.

[0029] FIG. 15 shows a top and side-perspective view of the L-pin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0030] Referring now to the drawings of the present disclosure in which like numbers represent the same structure in the various views, FIGS. 14 and 15 refer to an L-pin anchor 10 in accordance with the present invention. The L-pin anchor 10 is an “L” shaped anchoring device comprising a top loop 12 and a bottom loop 14 with the plane of the top loop and the bottom loop offset from each other in relation to the horizontal plane with the loops ending in either a straight tail 16 or a coiled tail 18. In one embodiment of the L-pin, the top loop 12 ends in a coiled tail 18 and the bottom loop 14 ends in a straight tail. In another embodiment, the top and bottom loops end in coiled loops. The shape of the loops can vary from the circular to the elliptical, preferably circular. The size of the loops is also variable but preferably enough to snugly hold down hair on a roller. Although the L-pin can be made of rigid materials such as metals or plastics, a semi-rigid and flexible material is preferred. In one embodiment, the L-pin is made of plastic coated wire. The gauge of the wire can also vary. In one emdoment, the L-pin is made of six inches of 19 gauge steel wire covered with flannel material. FIG. 7 shows the L-pin 10 anchoring hair to roller and the multi-loop anchor of the present device. This allows hair to be rolled in a desired direction without rollers twisting around or falling out.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows the three-loop anchoring device 30 in accordance with the present invention. It comprises two end loops 32 and 34 and a middle loop 36. The plane of the end loops project away in the same direction from the middle loop. FIG. 5 shows a plastic coated wire used as the starting material for the three-loop anchor. FIG. 4 shows an intermediate stage in the formation of the three-loop anchor 30. Like the L-pin, the three-loop anchor may be made of any suitable material in the art, but is preferably made of flexible plastic coated wire loop. In one embodiment, the three-loop anchor starts of as thirty six inches of plastic coated wire. Any wire of suitable gauge can be used. The three-loop anchor are particularly useful in anchoring foils and rollers for hair styling. The angle of projection of the end loops from the middle loops can vary from about thirty degrees to about 180 degrees, but preferably about 90 degrees. Although the loops need not be of equal sizes, a preferred embodiment is one in which the loops are of equal sizes.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the multi-loop anchoring device 50. It comprises semi-circular arcs 52 originating from two end nodes 54 and 56. The semicircular arcs 52 are spaced apart and are preferably made of malleable material that allow spacing depending on the styling requirements and hair placements of the individual being treated. Arising from, and projective outwards from the semi-circular arcs are a series of semi-circular loops 58 such that the semi-circular loops do not cross-link the semi-circular arcs. In one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises four semi-circular arcs, the semi-circular loops 58, arising from and project outwards from the two middle arcs. The size of the arcs depends on the hair styling and the size of the head but is preferably designed to cover the crown of an individual's head.

[0033] In a typical mode of use, a quarter inch to half inch of crown section of hair is pulled through the center of the multi-loop anchor. For weaving and coloring services, it is desirable to anchor the first foil or section to the multi-loop anchor in such a way that will secure and prevent it from sliding of the head. For texture services, the wrapping method may vary depending on the desired results. Basically, hair sections are pulled through the multi-loop anchor in the desired direction. The sections are rolled in the desired method (twist, spiral, foam, Velcro, conventional rollers etc). The L-pin is then used to secure ends to rollers and attach to the multi-loop anchor as is shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. FIGS. 10-13 illustrate other modes of using the multi-loop anchor.

[0034] It is to be understood that the anchoring devices of the present invention can be formed of any suitable material such as plastic or metal or a combination of materials and the like and that the invention is not intended to be limited by the material from which the devices are formed.

[0035] It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the anchoring devices of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Accordingly, the invention is not limited by the embodiments described above which are presented as examples only but can be modified in various ways within the scope of protection defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

1. An anchoring device, comprising:

an “L” shaped anchor having a top loop and a bottom loop with the plane of the top loop and the bottom loop offset from each other in relation to the horizontal plane with the loops ending in either a straight tail or a coiled tail.

2. An anchoring device, comprising:

two end loops and a middle loop, the plane of the end loops projecting in the same direction and away from the middle loop.

3. An anchoring device, comprising:

semi-circular arcs originating from two end nodes, said arcs being spaced apart and having a series of semi-circular loops projecting upwards there from without cross-linking said arcs, said device useful for anchoring hairs, rollers, and foils.