COLOR READY WIG AND METHOD

Abstract

A color ready wig and a method for making the same is disclosed. The color ready wig comprises a substrate having a plurality of hair strands with the hair cuticle being removed from the strands. The substrate accepts any dye or hair coloring for training purposes without bleaching the substrate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a color ready wig and method. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a device for dying hair that includes a substrate formed from a number of strands that may accept any dye or coloring without applying bleach to the substrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART

Hair colors and dyes are known in the art. Generally, the hair must be bleached prior to the application of hair color or dye. This can be time consuming and can result in many different operations being performed prior to the actual coloring process.

Hair includes an outer cuticle, which is defined as an outermost part of the hair shaft. It is a hard shingle-like layer of overlapping cells, some five to twelve deep. It is formed from dead cells, which form scales that give the hair shaft strength and do the best job of providing protection.

The hair cuticle is the first line of defense against all forms of damage; it acts as a protective barrier for the softer inner structure including the medulla and cortex. The cuticle is responsible for much of the mechanical strength of the hair fiber. A healthy cuticle is more than just a protective layer, as the cuticle also represents the structure that controls the water content of the fiber. Much of the shine that makes healthy hair so attractive is due to the cuticle. The hair cuticle is also said to be water resistant.

Cuticles are often damaged by excessive mechanical manipulation such as brushing, using heat (like using curling irons) or chemical processing (for example, permanent applications processes or texturizers). Everyday elements, such as the sun or wind can also cause wear and tear on your hair and damage the hair cuticles as well.

Although the cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair, it does not give the hair its color because it has no melanin, which is the pigment responsible; the color of a person's hair depends on what type of melanin they have, which is found in the cortex. Also cuticle cells may be elongate, acuminate (gradually tapering to a point), ovate (egg shaped), or flattened.

Generally, in order to dye hair bleach is applied, which is time consuming. Thereafter, the bleach is removed and the hair is colored. There is a need in the art for an operation where dying can be expedited and facilitated. For example, there may be instances where a customer will enter a shop seeking a wig, or an article having at least one hair that is a predetermined color. The color may be exotic. Generally, prior art solutions will send out for such a colored wig, and the customer may be told that a period of time is needed to obtain the colored wig. However, the present disclosure obviates this lag time and may provide a specific color in a rapid and superior manner. For example, a cuticle may be removed from the hair in order to speed the hair coloring process. For example, a number of different ready to color wigs may be manufactured and sold to an intermediate vendor or end user. This intermediate seller may quickly dye the wig and complete the sale utilizing the ready to color wig. Additionally, a training school may use the ready to color wigs in order to speedily color the wigs for instruction purposes. There is also a need in the art for a method that will allow the application of hair color or dye to a wig, hair extension or mannequin head where the hair on the wig, hair extension or mannequin head has been pre-bleached and is ready to receive color or hair dye.

The present invention recognizes that this is time consuming. The present invention thus provides a color ready wig that has been prepared to receive hair color or dye. This results in a color ready wig that is ideal for dying purposes. Thus, where the hair cuticle has been removed end users may freely color the wig and dye the article.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a color ready wig or substrate. A wig as defined herein is a manufactured covering of natural or synthetic hair for the head. The color ready wig includes a plurality of hair strands with the cuticle being removed from the strands. The hair strands are pre bleached and ready to accept any dye or coloring.

In an alternative embodiment, the substrate of the wig comprises an artificial hair. The substrate is utilized as a mannequin's hair. In another aspect, the substrate of the color ready wig, hair extension or mannequin head may comprise natural hair. In another embodiment, the substrate is utilized as a hair extension. The substrate may also comprise a plurality of hair bundles.

The substrate may include a plurality of threads of hair for receiving a dye. In a further aspect, the present invention may further comprise a mannequin head being connected to the substrate or a base support and an adhesive tape being connected to the base support. In yet another aspect, the present invention may further include applying a permanent hair color to the substrate. In another embodiment, the present invention may include applying a non-permanent hair color to the substrate or may include untreated raw human hair strands as the substrate.

In one aspect of the method of the invention, the hair cuticle is removed by a sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid. The sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid is mixed and applied to the substrate to remove the cuticle. In another embodiment, ammonia may be applied to the substrate. The ammonia interrupts the removal of the cuticle from the substrate. In another aspect, a hydrogen peroxide is applied to the substrate after the ammonia is applied.

In a further aspect, the method of the invention may further comprise an acid being applied to the substrate for a predetermined time interval for removal of a cuticle and a second material being applied to the acid and the substrate for a second time period after the first predetermined time interval for interrupting a cuticle removal. The first predetermined time interval may be different than the second time period.

In another aspect, the method of the invention may further include an oxidizing agent being applied to the substrate or a hair dye being applied for a time period of one to sixty minutes and then rinsing the hair dye from the substrate.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method comprising forming a training device that comprises a substrate. The substrate may also include a plurality of strands. The method also includes removing a cuticle from the strands to prepare the strands to accept any dye or coloring without the need to further bleach the substrate. In another aspect, the method may include arranging the substrate as a wig, wherein the wig comprises the plurality of strands. The method also includes that the cuticle is removed by a sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid. The method also may include mixing sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid, wherein after it is mixed; it is applied to the substrate to remove the cuticle.

The method may also further comprise applying ammonia, wherein the ammonia is applied to the substrate to interrupt the removal of the cuticle from the substrate. The method, in an additional embodiment may further comprise applying hydrogen peroxide to the substrate after the ammonia. In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further comprise adding a dye to the substrate, wherein the substrate comprises a natural hair, or wherein the substrate comprises an artificial hair, or wherein the substrate is utilized as a mannequin's hair. The method may also include that the substrate is utilized as a hair extension.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the method may also include adding a body for mating with a user as a skin, and forming in the skin a plurality of holes for ventilation. The substrate may also, in another embodiment, comprise a plurality of hair bundles.

In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the method may further comprise applying an acid to the substrate for a predetermined time interval for removal of a cuticle and applying a second material to the acid and the substrate for a second time period after the first predetermined time interval. This is for interrupting a cuticle removal. The first predetermined time interval may be different than the second time period.

In another aspect, the method may also include connecting a mannequin head to the substrate, or providing a base support and an adhesive tape being connected to the base support. In a further aspect, the method may further comprise applying a permanent hair color to the substrate. In another aspect, the method may further include applying a non-permanent hair color to the substrate. The method may also further include forming untreated raw human hair strands as the substrate. The method may also include adding an oxidizing agent to the substrate and applying a hair dye for a time period of one to sixty minutes and then rinsing the hair dye from the substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of bundles of hair extensions that have been pre-treated by the method of the present invention to be ready to receive color.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of hair extensions that have been pre-treated by the method of the present invention to be ready to receive color.

FIG. 3 illustrates a color ready wig applied to a mannequin.

FIG. 4. is a process flow chart illustrating several different embodiments for the method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an another process flow chart illustrating a different embodiment for the method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is yet another process flow chart illustrating a different embodiment for the method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a process flowchart for preparing a ready to color wig using an automated device that is operatively connected to a processor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a number of strands of hair 10 that are arranged in hair bundles 12 in which the hair cuticle has been removed and the strands may advantageously be colored using a dye without any need for additional bleaching of the hair 10. In one embodiment, the present hair bundles 12 or substrate may be utilized for training purposes. For example, a color ready wig 50 (as shown in FIG. 3) may include a substrate having a plurality of strands 10 with a cuticle being removed from the strands and wherein the substrate accepts any dye or coloring for training purposes without the need for bleaching of the substrate.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a number of strands of hair 10 that are arranged in hair mesh 30. Strands 20 illustrate the hair with the cuticle and original hair color, whereas strands 10 show the hair with the cuticle having been removed and ready to receive color or hair dye without the need for additional bleaching. Strands 10 have undergone a process according to the present disclosure in order to remove a cuticle from the hair and a second process to interrupt the de-cuticlization process and then the hair strands are free to receive a color or dye without any bleach added, which is a time saver for hair professionals. Alternate strands 10 have undergone at least a first process in order to remove the cuticle form the hair strands 10 and a second process to interrupt the first process and thereafter, the hair strands 10 may be dyed or colored as known in the art without undergoing additional bleaching which is time consuming. For example, the method of making the ready to color wig 50 (as shown in FIG. 3) may include obtaining a color ready wig 50 that comprises a substrate a having a plurality of strands 10. The method also includes removing a cuticle from the strands 10, wherein the substrate accepts any dye or coloring for training purposes without bleaching the substrate.

FIG. 3 illustrates a mannequin 40 that includes a wig substrate 50. The wig substrate 50 is color ready where the strands of hair 10 are color ready and may be utilized as a template where a student may color the hair without additional bleaching. In one embodiment, the wig 50 may be utilized as a ready to color wig 50, which is sold to an end user, who may quickly color the wig in a predetermined color. The substrate has undergone a cuticle removal process and a second process to interrupt the cuticle removal process in order to treat the hair. In this manner, a user may train on the wig hair 50 of the mannequin 40 in order to apply dyes and coloring as known in the art without any additional bleaching. In this embodiment, the wig substrate 50 may include a base layer with a number of apertures contained therein for ventilation in the event that the wig substrate 50 is utilized for a human being.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate embodiment methods for the present invention generally shown as a number of method steps. The method may be performed in a different order than the order shown and some steps may be performed in a different or simultaneous order or some steps can be omitted without departing from the present invention. The method includes forming a color ready wig or hair extension that comprises a substrate a having a plurality of strands as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In block 100, hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid are mixed. The mixture is applied to the hair. In block 105, a cuticle is removed from the hair. In block 110, ammonia is applied to the mixture and the hair to interrupt the decuticlization process. In lock 115, peroxide is applied to the hair. This peroxide is to prepare the hair for coloring. The substrate accepts any dye or coloring without additional bleaching of the substrate. The method may include arranging the substrate as a wig, wherein the wig comprises the plurality of strands or may include a different substrate that includes synthetic or real hair. The cuticle may also be removed by any other method known by one reasonably skilled in the art. In one embodiment, the materials may be added at the same time and mixed utilizing a container and a tool. In another embodiment, the mixture may be mixed utilizing a commercial vessel and commercial process with a motorized tool and mixing apparatus.

The method also may include mixing sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid, wherein after it is mixed; it is applied to the substrate to remove the cuticle in block 105. Thereafter, the method may be allowed a time to remove the cuticle, which can be a predetermined time period. Thereafter, the method is preferably interrupted.

The method may also further comprise applying ammonia in block 110, wherein the ammonia is applied to the substrate to interrupt the removal of the cuticle from the substrate. The method, in an additional embodiment may further comprise applying hydrogen peroxide to the substrate after the ammonia in block 115.

Turning now to FIG. 5, blocks 120-135, there is shown an alternative method according to the present disclosure utilizing a substrate having a number of hair threads in block 120. In block 120, a substrate is provided for example for supporting one or more strands. The method includes removing a cuticle from the strands in block 125. The substrate accepts any dye or coloring without additionally bleaching the substrate. The method may include arranging the substrate as a wig, wherein the wig comprises the plurality of strands or may include a different substrate that includes synthetic or real hair. The method also includes that the cuticle is removed by a sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid, which is mixed, or by utilizing different acids, or any other material that may remove the outermost shell in a rapid and safe manner. A different mixture may be used to remove the cuticle as will be appreciated by one reasonably skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the materials may be added at the same time and mixed utilizing a container and a tool. In another embodiment, the mixture may be mixed utilizing a commercial vessel and commercial process with a motorized tool.

The method also may include mixing sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid, wherein after it is mixed; it is applied to the substrate to remove the cuticle in block 125. A time period later, the method may be allowed a time to remove the cuticle, which can be a predetermined time period. Thereafter, the method is preferably interrupted.

The method may also further comprise applying ammonia in block 130, wherein the ammonia is applied to the substrate to interrupt the removal of the cuticle from the substrate. The method, in an additional embodiment may further comprise applying hydrogen peroxide to the substrate after the ammonia in block 130. In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further comprise the substrate comprises an artificial hair, or wherein the substrate is utilized as a mannequin's hair in block 135. The method may also include that the substrate is utilized as a hair extension.

Turning now to FIG. 6, steps 140-155 there is shown an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. In another aspect of the present disclosure, the method may also include adding a body for mating with a user as a skin, and forming in the skin a plurality of holes for ventilation in block 155. The substrate may also in another embodiment comprise a plurality of hair bundles.

As shown the method in FIG. 6, steps 140-155 includes applying an acid to the substrate for a predetermined time interval in block 140. This is for removal of a cuticle and the method may then include applying a second material to the acid and the substrate for a second time period after the first predetermined time interval for interrupting a cuticle removal as shown in blocks 145-150. The first predetermined time interval may be different than the second time period. The substrate may also comprise a plurality of threads of hair. The method may also include connecting a mannequin head to the substrate after applying peroxide to the hair to prepare the hair for coloring. Alternatively, the ready to color wig may be applied to a base support and an adhesive tape being connected to the base support as shown in block 155. The method may also further include forming untreated raw human hair strands as the substrate. Various configurations are possible and within the scope of the present disclosure.

In FIG. 7, the ready to color wig or substrate may be made in an automated manner utilizing a commercial mixing device and an automation device that is operatively connected to a processor that executes the steps shown and described above. For example, the automated manufacturing device may comprise a processor 62 that includes an ALU, or logic unit, registers, and control unit that is operatively connected to a bus 66. Processor 62 is connected to a memory 74 and is operatively connected to input and output device 68. The processor 62 is also connected to a display 72 and a network 76. The processor 62 is connected to a commercial mixing device to formulate the color ready wig or hair extension and substrate.

The various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. References made to particular examples and implementations are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the claims.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DPC), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DPC and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DPC core, or any other such configuration. Alternatively, some steps or methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function.

In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. The steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied in a processor-executable software module, which may reside on a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such as, non-transitory computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of non-transitory computer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a tangible, non-transitory machine readable medium and/or computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1: A color ready wig comprising:

a substrate having a plurality of strands with a cuticle being removed from the strands; and

wherein the substrate accepts any dye or coloring without the need for bleaching of the substrate.

2: The color ready wig of claim 1, wherein the cuticle is removed by a sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid.

3: The color ready wig of claim 2, wherein the sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid is mixed and applied to the substrate to remove the cuticle.

4: The color ready wig of claim 3, further comprising ammonia applied to the substrate, wherein the ammonia is to interrupt the removal of the cuticle from the substrate.

5: The color ready wig of claim 4, further comprising hydrogen peroxide to the substrate after the ammonia.

6: The color ready wig of claim 5, further comprising adding a dye to the substrate.

7: The color ready wig of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a natural hair.

8: The color ready wig of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises an artificial hair.

9: The color ready wig of claim 1, wherein the wig is affixed to a mannequin head.

10: The color ready wig of claim 1, wherein the wig is a hair extension.

11: The color ready wig of claim 1, wherein the wig comprises a plurality of hair bundles.

12: A method comprising:

forming a color ready wig that comprises a substrate a having a plurality of strands;

removing a cuticle from the strands;

wherein the substrate accepts any dye or coloring without bleaching the substrate.

13: The method of claim 12, wherein the cuticle is removed by a sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid.

14: The method of claim 13, further comprising mixing sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid is mixed and applied to the substrate to remove the cuticle.

15: The method of claim 14, further comprising applying ammonia, wherein the ammonia is applied to the substrate to interrupt the removal of the cuticle from the substrate.

16: The method of claim 15, further comprising applying hydrogen peroxide to the substrate after the ammonia.

17: The method of claim 16, further comprising adding a dye to the substrate.

18: The method of claim 12, wherein the color ready wig is affixed to a mannequin's head.

19: The method of claim 12, wherein the color ready wig comprises a plurality of hair bundles.

20: The method of claim 12, further comprising applying an acid to the substrate for a predetermined time interval for removal of a cuticle and applying a second material to the acid and the substrate for a second time period after the first predetermined time interval for interrupting a cuticle removal.

21: The method of claim 12, wherein the first predetermined time interval is different than the second time period.

22: The method of claim 12, further comprising applying a permanent hair color to the color ready wig for training.

23: The method of claim 12, further comprising applying a non-permanent hair color to the color ready wig for training.

24: The method of claim 12, further comprising untreated raw human hair strands as the substrate.

25: The method of claim 12, further comprising applying an oxidizing agent to the substrate.

26: The method of claim 12, further comprising: applying a hair dye for a time period of one to sixty minutes and then rinsing the hair dye from the substrate.