DUAL COMB HAIR ACCESSORY HAVING PLANAR STRETCH ELEMENTS WITH EMBEDDED DECORATIVE DESIGNS
A dual comb hair accessory has two opposed combs and at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element, preferably silicone, extending between the spines of the combs to hold the combs in opposition to each other and to allow the combs to be stretched away from each other before placement into the hair. The planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element contacts the hair when the hair accessory is worn and provides an exposed planar form with decorative elements integrated into the planar form.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/619,888 filed Apr. 3, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to dual comb hair accessory products and more particularly to dual comb hair accessories which are intended to provide decorative elements in the hair.
Dual comb hair accessories are in widespread use and are most often used by women to create a particular hair style or for hair ornamentation. Such accessories are characterized by two opposed combs interconnected by elastic stretch elements, which are attached to the spines of the combs. The accessories are used by flipping the combs on the ends of the elastic stretch elements over to an inverted position, placing the accessory over a portion of the hair, typically a gathered portion, and then, while stretching the bands, inserting the combs into the hair at either side of the portion of hair being retained. The restoring force of the elastic bands of the retainer acts to hold the accessory in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,086 shows a dual comb hair accessory wherein two opposed plastic combs are connected by a series of elastic bands which are covered by fabric to create a decorative effect. The inner elastic bands are hidden and indeed are considered unsightly and unfinished elements of the accessory. The fabric coverings on the bands are relatively bulky and require assembly steps that can add to manufacturing costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,748,390 shows a dual comb hair accessory having wire loop combs interconnected with beaded elastic strands. The beaded strands provide a decorative bead pattern against the hair. While much less bulky, the beaded strands are labor intensive to create. They can also break and have relatively little overall holding power, that is, the ability to hold the hair beneath the accessory without strands of hair falling out.
The present invention provides an improved dual comb hair accessory having decorative elements between the opposed combs that have elastomeric properties, that can be easily fabricated and installed on the combs, and that provide increased holding power for keeping the hair in place at all times. The dual comb accessory of the invention will provide special benefits for athletes where hair must be pinned flat rather than in a ponytail, braid or bun, for example when participating in martial arts, pilates, yoga, or wrestling where hair can get caught under the body, or when participating in sports involving a helmet (equestrian, motocross, bicycling) where hanging hair gets tangled or caught in a jacket.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides for a dual comb hair accessory having opposed combs and one or more planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch elements between the spines of the combs to hold the combs in opposition to each other and to allow the combs to be stretched away from each other before placement into the hair. Decorative elements are embedded or integrated into the elastomeric elements, such as by providing the elastomeric elements with patterns of openings or cutouts of different sizes and shapes or by shaping the longitudinal edges of the planar elastomeric stretch elements, or both. The degree of stretch allowed by the elastomeric elements can be manipulated by selection of the design elements embodied in the non-fabric elements, such as selecting the number and placement of the cut-outs in the elastomeric elements. Preferably, comb attachment means are also integrated into the ends of the planar elastomeric stretch elements allowing the planar elastomeric elements to be attached to the opposed combs without ties or separate mechanical attachments. However, use of separate mechanical attachments to connect the planar elastomeric elements to the combs is considered within the scope of the invention.
The non-fabric elastomeric stretch elements are most suitably silicone in a sheet form in which a decorative pattern including decorative openings can be punched, die cut, laser cut, injection molded or otherwise formed in the material.
Using planar elastomeric stretch elements having some amount of breadth allows the wearer to more securely hold hair without the hair escaping. By integrating design elements and attachment means into the non-fabric elastomeric that ties the opposed combs together, the dual comb accessory can be made with a minimum number of parts and easily assembled. It also permits planar elastomeric elements having different embedded designs to be easily substituted for easily creating dual comb hair accessories having different aesthetic looks and different stretch capabilities using the same pair of combs. By substituting planar elastomeric elements having different embedded designs, the invention also allows a wide range of aesthetically diverse dual comb hair accessory looks and different stretch capabilities using the same pair of combs.
As best seen in
The material used for the planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch elements can be selected such that the elastomeric element maintains its general pattern and shape when relaxed and when the combs are stretched apart against the restoring force of the elastomeric element. The material will preferably be formulated to provide the following physical characteristics:
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- Hardness: Durometer reading between about 15 and 30, and more preferably between about 15 and 25.
- Tensile strength: at least about 900 psi, preferably between about 1200 psi-1400 psi
- Elongation: at least about 200%, preferably 400% to 600%
- Tear Strength: at least about 150 psi, preferably between about 175-250 psi
Most suitably the material for the planar elastomeric element is silicone. If injection molded the part can be liquid silicone rubber. If formed from flat sheet stock, it can be made from heat pressed silicone gum resin. The silicone would preferably be kept as thin as possible without compromising tear strength as a thin silicone material will be more supple. The thickness of the silicone would most suitably be about 1/16 (0.0625) inches, and preferably would be no thicker than about 0.075 inches.
Silicone has a number of advantages. It can be formulated to have increased stretch, suppleness, and strength. It is impervious to high heat and doesn't burn or melt like other substances, thus a hair accessory in accordance with the invention could be left in the direct sunlight without sustaining damage, and can be put through a dishwasher or clothes washer to clean. It is also hygienic and non-allergenic, and, unlike typical rubber and neoprene, has no odor. Further, unlike most rubber, silicone can be formulated to be less “sticky” and hold hair it comes in contact with without breaking the hair. Unlike most rubber, silicone can be created in a wide range of finishes, for example, the same material can be made translucent, transparent, opaque, or multi-colored. Also, with silicone exact Pantone specified colors can be created using colorants and additives mixed into the silicone while it is in a soft gum or liquid state.
As above-mentioned, to achieve a silicone elastomeric stretch element in accordance with the invention that does not have undesirable stickiness properties, additives such as a silicone based oil can be added to the silicone formulation. The amount of additive used should be such that the desired properties of the Stretch element are maintained. Alternatively, a silicone based oil can be deposited on the finished piece, such as by a vapor deposition process. It has been discovered that, to achieve acceptable results with a deposited silicone based film, the finished piece must be properly cured (baked) after the deposition process. Suitably, the finished piece would be cured no longer than 30 minutes, and preferably between about 20 and 30 minutes at about 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is also contemplated that the non-fabric planar elastomeric stretch element 17 can be fabricated of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Such a material would have cost advantages over silicone.
Adjacent teeth of comb 55 are seen to form short and long comb teeth separation channels 90, 92, with the longer separation channels 92 extending up into the front edge wall of the spine of the comb. Because hair will flow into the extended length of these longer channels—which can for example extend into the spine by about ¼ inch—the longer channels will permit secure placement of the hair accessory in the hair with greater stability and comfort.
It is further seen that the raised spine 79 of comb 77 is provided with an elongated slot 91. This slot is suitably positioned so that the width of the slot extends from the spine's top wall portion 83 into the trailing wall. The length of the slot preferably has a length that allows not only the flat projecting end flap 71 of the planar elastomeric stretch element 65 to be inserted into and pulled through the slot, but most of the rest of the planar body 67 of the stretch element to be pulled through as well.
The projecting end flap 71 is then pulled down over the teeth of the engaged comb until it cinches up against the comb's raised spine 79 as shown in
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in considerable detail in the foregoing specification, it is understood that it is not intended that the invention be limited to such detail, except as necessitated by the following claims.
Claims
1. A dual comb hair accessory comprising:
- two opposed combs, each of said combs having a spine, and
- at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element extending between the spines of said combs to hold the combs in opposition to each other and to allow the combs to be stretched away from each other before placement into the hair,
- said planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element contacting the hair when the hair accessory is worn and providing an exposed planar form with decorative elements integrated into the stretch element.
2. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 1 wherein a single planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element extends between the spines of said combs, at least portions of said planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element having a width that is comparable to the width of the combs.
3. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 1 wherein at least two planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element extend between the spines of said combs,
4. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a hardness corresponding to a Durometer reading between about 15 and about 30.
5. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a tensile strength of at least about 900 psi.
6. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a tensile strength of between about 1200 and about 1400 psi.
7. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a tear strength of at least about 150 psi.
8. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a tear strength of between about 175 and about 250 psi.
9. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has the following properties:
- i) a hardness corresponding to a Durometer reading between about 15 and about 30;
- ii) a tensile strength of at least about 900 psi; and
- iii) a tear strength of at least about 150 psi.
10. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 9 wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element can be elongated by at least 200% from its original non-stretched length.
11. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 1 wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element is a silicone part.
12. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 11 wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a thickness of about 1/16 of an inch.
13. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 11 wherein said at least one planar non-fabric elastomeric stretch element has a thickness of between about 1/16 of an inch and 0.075 inches.
14. A dual comb hair accessory comprising:
- two opposed combs, each of said combs having a spine, and
- a non-fabric elastomeric stretch element extending between the spines of said combs to hold the combs in opposition to each other and to allow the combs to be stretched away from each other before placement into the hair,
- said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element contacting the hair when the hair accessory is worn and providing an exposed planar form with decorative elements integrated into the stretch element,
- said silicone based planar elastomeric stretch element has the following properties:
- i) a hardness corresponding to a Durometer reading between about 15 and about 30;
- ii) a tensile strength of at least about 900 psi; and
- iii) a tear strength of at least about 150 psi.
15. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 11 wherein said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element is treated with a silicone based oil to reduce stickiness.
16. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 11 wherein said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element has a thickness of between about 1/16 of an inch and 0.075 inches.
17. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 11 wherein at least a portion of the width of said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element is comparable to the width of the combs to which it is attached.
18. A dual comb hair accessory comprising:
- two opposed combs, each of said combs having a spine, and
- a non-fabric elastomeric stretch element extending between the spines of said combs to hold the combs in opposition to each other and to allow the combs to be stretched away from each other before placement into the hair,
- said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element contacting the hair when the hair accessory is worn and providing an exposed planar form with decorative elements integrated into the stretch element,
- said silicone based planar elastomeric stretch element having thickness of between about 1/16 of an inch and about 0.075 inch., at least a portion of the width of said planar silicone based elastomeric stretch element is comparable to the width of the combs to which it is attached, said planar elastomeric stretch element having the following properties:
- i) a hardness corresponding to a Durometer reading between about 15 and about 30;
- ii) a tensile strength of at least about 900 psi; and
- iii) a tear strength of at least about 150 psi,
- iv) can be elongated by at least 200% from its original non-stretched length.
19. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 18 wherein said planar elastomeric stretch element has a hardness corresponding to a Durometer reading between about 15 and about 25.
20. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 19 wherein said planar elastomeric stretch element has a tensile strength of between about 1200 and about 1400 psi.
21. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 20 wherein said planar elastomeric stretch element has a tensile strength of between about 1200 and about 1400 psi.
22. The dual comb hair accessory of claim 21 wherein said planar elastomeric stretch element has a tear strength of between about 175 and about 250 psi.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 3, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 14, 2013
Inventor: Sennits, LLC
Application Number: 13/856,361
International Classification: A45D 8/12 (20060101);