REUSABLE POUCH FOR TREATING A LOCK OF HAIR
A device is provided that allows a user to apply a hair treatment chemical to hair. The device comprises an impervious sheet which can be folded along a transverse axis to form an envelope for retaining a lock of hair and a dose of hair treatment chemical. A releasable fastener is arranged around peripheral regions of the sheet to engage the sheet to fasten together opposing portions of the sheet. A region of the fastener engages the device to the lock of hair to retain the device to the hair while the sheet is unfolded, to permit the user to apply a chemical with the device in the open position. The fastener may consist of a layer of grip material comprising a self-engaging three dimensional structure wherein opposing portions of said grip material are capable of releasably fastening together when urged together and of releasably engaging a lock of hair.
This application claims Convention priority to U.S. application No. 61/769,894 filed on Feb. 27, 2013. The contents of said application are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to cosmetic treatment of hair. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus in the form of a reusable envelope or pouch for applying a chemical such as dye or bleach to human or animal hair and a method for using such a pouch.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONChemical treatment of human or animal hair, for example by highlighting, low lighting or bleaching, is traditionally performed by separating individual locks of hair, placing aluminum foil under each lock, applying hair dye or other chemical to the locks and wrapping the foil around each lock to temporarily seal in the chemical. When properly performed, this method allows the chemical to contact the hair for a prolonged period to treat the hair. However, this traditional method is laborious and requires a degree of expertise. Unless carefully performed, the hair treatment chemical can ooze out of the aluminum foil wrap. Aluminum foil is also opaque, requiring a user to open the wrap to check for hair color changes and/or to have sufficient expertise to determine the appropriate treatment time.
An alternative treatment involves the use of a plastic masking sheet, such as that described in UK patent no. GB 2426447 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,864. The masking sheet is generally rectangular with a pressure sensitive contact adhesive along one edge. A lock of hair can be placed on the sheet and adheres to the selected adhesive. A chemical is applied to the hair, normally in the form of a paste or other viscous formulation. The sheet is then folded over to cover the lock of hair and the adhesive layer retains the sheet in the folded over position with the treated lock of hair sandwiched between the two layers of the sheet. The folded structure is open at the sides. Unless carefully performed, the chemical can escape from the sides of the structure and the device can dislodge from the hair with movement.
For these reasons, these treatments are usually performed in a beauty parlor and are relatively costly and time-consuming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn objective of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for applying a chemical treatment to hair.
One aspect of the invention relates to a device for applying a chemical to a lock of hair. According to this aspect, the device comprises:
a sheet comprising a liquid-impervious material having opposing lateral edge regions, a top edge region and a bottom edge region opposed to the top edge region. The sheet is configured to be folded along a transverse axis wherein the top and bottom edge regions are brought together to form an envelope configuration for retaining a lock of hair and a dose of hair treatment chemical within the interior of the envelope; and
grip material adjacent to the top, bottom and lateral edge regions facing the interior of the envelope when folded. The grip material consists of a self-engaging three dimensional structure that self-engages when two opposing layers are brought into contact, such as Velcro™ or Dual Lock™. The grip material is arranged on the sheet such that opposing layers of the material grip each other when the sheet is folded to secure the top, bottom and side edge regions together to form a substantially sealed envelope structure. Furthermore, at least one layer of the grip material (such as, in specific embodiments, the hook layer of a hook and loop material or either layer of a “Dual Lock” material) can releasably engage a lock of hair to retain said lock of hair to said sheet when the sheet is in an unfolded configuration. This permits the user to secure the device to a lock of hair and apply a chemical thereto while the sheet is open. The sheet may then be folded over to form an essentially sealed envelope which retains the hair and chemical with the interior.
The device may further comprise a clip for fastening a lock of hair to the sheet prior to folding the sheet into an envelope configuration.
In another aspect, a layer of the grip material substantially fully cover a portion of the sheet that corresponds to one side of the envelope, such that one interior face of the envelope is fully or substantially covered with the grip material. This embodiment provides a relatively large surface area on the open sheet for gripping the lock of hair prior to folding the sheet into an envelope.
The impervious material can be flexible and foldable along said transverse axis or it can be rigid whereby the sheet is hinged along said transverse axis. The impervious material can also be transparent.
According to one embodiment, at least one of said top edge region or bottom edge region comprises a sleeve extending transversly between the lateral edge regions. The sleeve has open ends to permit insertion of a manipulation tool therein to permit manipulation of the device against the user's scalp.
According to another aspect, the invention relates to a kit for hair treatment comprising at least one device as described herein and a hair treatment chemical in a dispenser or other convenient container for application to a lock of hair.
According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for applying a chemical to a lock of hair, comprising:
placing a lock of hair on a sheet of liquid-impervious material which can be folded along a transverse axis to form an envelope. The sheet is as described above and has opposing lateral edge regions, a top edge region, a bottom edge region opposed to the top edge region with grip material as described above, adjacent the top, bottom and lateral edge regions facing the interior of the envelope when folded;
contacting the lock of hair to the layer of grip material on the top edge region to thereby retain the lock of hair to said sheet, while the sheet is open;
applying a dose of a hair treatment chemical whereby the chemical contacts the hair;
folding the sheet about the transverse axis whereby opposing layers of said grip material contact each other to form an envelope wherein the lock of hair is retained within said envelope, to retain the hair and chemical within the interior of the envelope; and
separating said opposing portions after the lock of hair has been treated to release the lock of hair from the sheet.
The grip material, as mentioned, is a three-dimensional structure whereby two opposing layers, which may be the same or different, engage each other when brought into contact. Such materials are well known, such as Velcro and Dual Lock. In general terms, they are characterized by a structural configuration that provides interlocks for releasable engagement. A hook and loop fastener comprises a first layer with hook-shaped projections and a second layer with looped material that engages the hooks. A self-engaging “stem” fastener system consists of two identical layers of stems, each having a neck and enlarged head in a mushroom-like configuration that releasably engage when brought into contact.
In the present invention, the grip material provides two functions: a single, unopposed layer of the grip material engages a lock of hair to the sheet, and two opposed layers of the grip material may physically engage together to retain the sheet in a folded configuration.
A strip of said grip material can extend substantially around the periphery of the entire sheet wherein the grip material is configured to self-engage to retain opposing regions of said sheet together to form said envelope structure wherein the central portion of the envelope is free of the grip material. Alternatively, one of the upper or lower portions of the sheet, corresponding to one face of the envelope, may have a strip of grip material adjacent to the side and upper or lower edge regions and the other of the upper or lower portions may be substantially fully covered with an opposing layer of the grip material. According to this embodiment, the central portion of the envelope has one clear face and one face fully covered by grip material within the envelope interior. The fully covered face provides a larger surface for engaging the lock of hair when placed on the sheet in the open configuration.
According to another aspect, at least one of the top edge region or bottom edge region of the sheet comprises a sleeve extending transversely between the lateral edge regions. The sleeve has open ends to permit insertion of a manipulation tool through the sleeve, such as a skewer or rod, to permit manipulation of the device against the user's scalp. This optional configuration permits a user to more easily position the sheet close to or in contact with the user's scalp to ensure that the lock of hair is treated as close to the roots as possible.
Directional references used herein such as “upper”, “lower”, “side” and the like are used purely for convenience of description and are intended to refer to the device when in an upright position as shown in the figures. It is evident that the invention may be used in any orientation.
The term “sealed” as used herein in reference to the envelope structure is not intended to describe a completely leak-proof seal. Rather, the term is intended to be used in the context of the intended use of the device, which requires only that the device only be leak-proof to a degree. It is understood that if pressure is applied to the device when in use, fluids contained therein may leak.
The terms “impervious” or “liquid-impervious” in reference to the sheet refer to a property whereby the sheet substantially prevents passage of conventional hair treatment chemicals through the sheet. It will be understood that such a sheet is not necessarily impervious to non-conventional hair treatment chemicals or other substances, nor that it be completely impervious to materials. Rather, the term is used in the context of the intended use of the invention whereby it is sufficient to substantially prevent leakage or seepage of hair treatment chemicals through the device.
The invention will now be further illustrated by reference to particular embodiments thereof. The described embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is to be understood by reference to this specification as a whole including the claims.
Sheet 104 may have a surface suitable for marking, for example to provide directions to users or to allow a user to indicate the chemical that is in use or the time for removing the device. Preferably, the surface permits an erasable form of marking to be applied. As well, the device 100 is preferably washable and reusable.
Sheet 104 can comprise a broad range of sizes depending on the desired application. In one aspect, sheet 104 ranges from 6 cm to 9 cm in width, preferably about 7.5 cm and from about 10 cm to about 18 cm, preferably about 15 cm in length. However, the dimensions and configuration of the device 100 may vary considerably.
Sheet 104 can be folded in on itself along midline 106 to form an envelope configuration composed of upper and lower opposing portions 20 and 22 of sheet 104. When thus folded, midline 106 forms a sealed edge of device 100, and the remaining three sides are initially open. The lateral sides 10 and 12 are then fastened together by hook-and-loop fasteners 112 and 114; it will be seen that other fasteners or fastening means may be employed to fasten the respective portions together along or adjacent to lateral sides 10 and 12. However, as discussed below a hook and loop fastening system provides particular advantages. Fasteners 112 and 114 are releasable whereby they may be readily pulled apart or otherwise released to unfold sheet 104 to release the lock of hair 102. When fastened, fasteners 112 and 114 close the opposing sides of sheet 104 along lateral sides 10 and 12. Since hair treatment chemicals that are typically used with the device 100 are usually in the form of a paste, it is not necessary for the closure to be fully sealed, provided that it is sufficient leak-proof to prevent or substantially prevent leakage of paste.
Additional fastener portions 25 and 27 are provided adjacent to upper and lower edges 14 and 16 respectively. Fastener 25 located on upper edge 14 is the hook portion of the fastener, which serves to grip a lock of hair 102 that is pressed against fastener 25. This allows the user to temporarily retain the device 100 in the open position to the lock of hair 102, whereby the sheet 104 is held in an open position to the lock of hair 102. For this purpose, while many hook and loop fastener systems will work, it can be desirable to select a hook and loop fastener that is specifically adapted for engaging hair. This feature permits the user to apply a chemical to the hair 102 while sheet 104 is open and a lock hair 102 rests against the inside surface of sheet 104. When sheet 104 is folded in half and the respective fasteners are fastened along the lateral and upper/lower edges, sheet 104 forms an essentially fully enclosed envelope structure that is substantially closed along all four sides. Fasteners 25 and 27 retain edges 14 and 16 together to grip the user's hair 102 for secure retention with the interior of sheet 104, as folded into an envelope. In this embodiment, fasteners 112, 114, 25 and 27 comprise strips arranged around the periphery of sheet 104 and that may range in width from about 1 cm to 3 cm and preferably are about 2 cm in width. The respective fastener strips surround an uncovered region 30 of sheet 104. When sheet 104 is folded in half, region 30 provides a pocket that retains the lock of hair and the hair treatment chemical, as described below.
Hook and loop fasteners 112 and 114 may be replaced with other releasable fasteners or fastening means that provide a similar function of fastening the opposing portions of sheet 104 together for forming an envelope. The fasteners may also serve to engage a lock of the user's hair 102 to the envelope to permit the user to apply a chemical while the envelope is open. Suitable fastening means include, without limitation, mechanical fastening means such as hook and loop fasteners as described above or zipper-type fasteners, as well as non-mechanical fasteners such as magnetic fastening means or other substances that engage on contact and readily disengage by peeling apart, and which are suitable for repeated use and are relatively unaffected by contamination. The latter types of mechanical fasteners may not provide the second function of retaining the user's hair, and can be used in conjunction with a clip or other means to retain the user's hair to the envelope prior to closing the envelope.
As an alternative to a flexible, foldable material that can be folded over to form an envelope, sheet 104 may comprise a rigid material that is hinged along midline 106. In this embodiment, the opposing portions of the sheet are spaced apart when folded so as to form an interior space at central region 30 within the envelope to accommodate the lock of hair 102 and hair treatment chemical. The fasteners may serve to space apart the respective portions of the sheet 104 in this embodiment.
One or more corner regions 116 of sheet 104 are uncovered by fasteners 112 and 114. This feature permits opposing layers of sheet 104 to be easily separated at corner regions 116, to allow a user to separate the respective layers to open the device 100 from the closed position. Corner regions 116 may comprise recessed portions of fasteners 112 and 114, as seen in
In use, a lock of hair 102 is placed on sheet 104 with the device 100 in an open (unfolded) position, as in
The term “chemical” as used herein is not restricted to a chemical compound, but is used broadly to include without limitation essentially any substance that may be placed within a pouch to treat hair by contact with a lock of hair for an extended period. For example, suitable chemicals for this purpose may comprise individual compounds, compositions, mixtures, colloids, and emulsions. The chemical may be in any form or phase that permits application to hair, such as a paste, cream, gel, foam or liquid. It may also be in the form of a powder or other solid phase. Preferably, the chemical comprises a liquid that is relatively viscous to minimize leakage and which the user can work into the hair before closing the device. Examples include hair dyes, bleaches, lighteners and darkeners. The chemical may be applied by any suitable means including without limitation brushing, spraying, dripping or any other suitable means of application. Alternatively, a lock of hair 102 may be dipped in a bath of the chemical prior to placement on sheet 104.
After the chemical is applied to the lock of hair 102, sheet 104 is closed to form a substantially sealed and leak-proof envelope around the lock to allow for an extended period of contact with the chemical. For this purpose, sheet 104 is formed into an envelope by folding along the midline 106 and engaging fasteners 112 and 114. As well, fasteners 25 and 27 are engaged to close the upper and lower edges 14 and 16 of sheet 104 together to thereby form a substantially sealed envelope wherein the only openings are where the lock of hair 102 enters the envelope, as seen in
Clip 208 can be fastened to sheet 204 by a sleeve 248 adjacent to upper edge 14 of sheet 204. First arm 242 slides into the sleeve 248 to be retained thereby. An alternative means to fasten clip 208 to sheet 204 is to provide clip 208 with sufficient length to exceed the width of sheet 204, which permits the user to close clip 208 on a portion of sheet 204 adjacent its upper edge 14, along with a lock of hair 102. For this purpose, it can be useful to locate the fold in sheet 204 at a non-central position whereby upper edge 14 will protrude above lower edge 16 when sheet 204 is folded, to provide a protruding portion 250 comprising a single layer of sheet 204 where clip 208 can fasten to sheet 204. The protruding portion can also be provided with the sleeve configuration 248 described above.
In use, clip 208 and sheet 204 are initially both placed in the open position and a lock of hair 102 is placed on sheet 204 between arms 240 of 242 of clip 208. Clip 208 is then closed to secure hair 102, as seen in
The grip material that forms segments 422, 424, 426 and 428 comprises a physical structure that is self-engaging. That is, opposing sheets of the same material can grip each other when pressed together. The term “self-engaging” as used herein refers to the property wherein the same material can form two opposing faces and grip together when brought into contact. The term “physical structure” refers to a three dimensional configuration that provides such a function by its physical structure, as distinct from a gripping property provided by a non-structural material such as an adhesive. An example of such a material is a layer of material that comprises an array of fingers protruding from a substrate, each finger comprising a stem with an outwardly projecting head at the free end thereof. The fingers are spaced sufficiently closely whereby when mated to a layer of similar material, the respective heads interlock for releasable engagement between the opposing layers. The fingers can comprise a mushroom-shaped configuration having a rounded upper surface and a flat or concave lower surface for contact with an opposing flat or concave surface. An example of such material is Dual Lock™ by 3M.
It is the surprising discovery of the inventor that a single unopposed layer of a self-engaging material of this type can provide sufficient retention of a lock of hair 102 to retain a sheet in an open position to the lock of hair 102, to permit treatment of the hair 102 prior to folding the sheet into an envelope. The device may thus comprise a region having a single layer of such material to hold the hair 102 in place or, in another embodiment, opposing regions of such material for also fastening the device into an envelope configuration, in addition to releasably retaining a lock of hair 102.
In the present example, a lock of hair 102 is held against sheet 400 when in the open position. A hair treatment material is applied to the lock of hair 102. Sheet 400 is then be folded in on itself to form an envelope as seen in
In alternative embodiments, only segments 422 and 428 comprise the self-engaging material described above. In this embodiment, lateral segments 424 and 426 may comprise a different type of engageable material such as a hook and loop or other mechanical fastener or a non-mechanical fastener such as an adhesive. Alternatively, segments 424 and 426 may be absent and lateral edges 410 and 412 may be unfastened. In a still further alternative, only one of segments 422 and 428 comprises the self-engaging material described above, whereby this segment is unopposed when folded into an envelope. In a still further embodiment, the entire surface of sheet 400 or a substantial portion thereof is covered with the self-engaging material, in the manner shown in
In a further aspect, the device further comprises opposing regions of said sheet uncovered by said grip located to permit a user to grip said uncovered portions for unfastening said opposing portions. The uncovered portions may be located at corners of the device, as described above, or form strips 430 adjacent to the upper and lower edges 408 and 414.
A further embodiment is shown in
When folded into an envelope configuration along midline 506, sleeve 540 and lower edge 514 are brought together wherein sleeve 540 protrudes past edge 514. Lateral edges 510 and 512 are folded in on themselves as in the embodiments described above to form the sealed side edges of the resulting pouch. A strip 520 of grip material extends around the periphery of sheet 500 as in the above embodiment, comprising a first segment 522 adjacent to sleeve 540, second and third segments 524 and 526 adjacent to lateral edges 510 and 512 and fourth segment 528 adjacent to lower edge 514.
In use, a lock of hair is secured to sheet 500 when open, in the same fashion as in the embodiment of
It will be seen that sleeve 540 may be provided on one or both of the top edge region or bottom edge region of sheet 500.
The scope of the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments illustrated and described by way of example in this document. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation
Claims
1. A device for applying a chemical to a lock of hair, comprising:
- a sheet comprising a liquid-impervious material, said sheet comprising opposing lateral edge regions, a top edge region and a bottom edge region opposed to the top edge region, said sheet being configured to be folded along a transverse axis wherein the top and bottom edge regions are brought together to form an envelope configuration for retaining a lock of hair and a dose of hair treatment chemical within said envelope between opposing portions of said sheet when folded; and
- grip material adjacent to the top, bottom and lateral edge regions facing the interior of the envelope when folded, said grip material comprising a self-engaging three dimensional structure which is configured on said sheet to secure said top and bottom edge regions together to form said envelope structure and wherein at least one layer of said grip material releasably engages a lock of hair to retain said lock of hair to said sheet when the sheet is in an unfolded configuration.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said grip material comprises one of a hook and loop fastener material or an array of mushroom-shaped stems.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said grip material comprises Velco™.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said grip material comprises Dual Lock™.
5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a clip for fastening said lock of hair to said sheet prior to folding said sheet into said envelope configuration.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein a portion of said sheet is unopposed when folded and said clip is engageable to said unopposed portion.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said sheet comprises a sleeve for engaging said clip.
8. The device of claim 1 wherein said grip material comprises a strip adjacent to the periphery of said sheet whereby a central region of said envelope is free of said grip material.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein said grip material substantially covers at least one half of said sheet whereby a central region of said envelope is covered by said grip material on one interior face thereof.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein said impervious material is flexible and foldable along said transverse axis.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein said impervious material is rigid and said sheet is hinged along said transverse axis.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein said impervious material is transparent.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said top edge region or bottom edge region comprises a sleeve extending transversly between the lateral edge regions, said sleeve having open ends to permit insertion of a manipulation tool therein to permit manipulation of the device against the user's scalp.
14. A kit for hair treatment comprising at least one device according to claim 1 and hair treatment chemical in a container for application to said lock of hair.
15. A method for applying a chemical to a lock of hair, comprising:
- placing a lock of hair on a sheet of liquid-impervious material, said sheet being foldable along a transverse axis and comprising opposing lateral edge regions, a top edge region, a bottom edge region opposed to the top edge region, and grip material adjacent the top, bottom and lateral edge regions facing the interior of the envelope when folded, said grip material comprising a self-engaging three dimensional structure;
- contacting the lock of hair to the layer of grip material on said top edge region to thereby retain the lock of hair to said sheet;
- applying a dose of a hair treatment chemical whereby the chemical contacts the hair on said sheet;
- folding the sheet about said transverse axis whereby opposing layers of said grip material contact each other to form an envelope wherein the lock of hair is retained within said envelope; and
- separating said opposing portions after the lock of hair has been treated to release the lock of hair from the sheet.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein said grip material comprises one of a hook and loop fastener material or an array of mushroom-shaped stems.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 14, 2014
Publication Date: Aug 28, 2014
Inventor: Diana Bejjani (Ottawa)
Application Number: 14/180,545
International Classification: A45D 19/00 (20060101);