APPARATUS FOR ADORNING WEARER AND ASSOCIATED METHODS

An adornment assembly includes an adornment component with exterior and interior surfaces and an interior hook fabric. The interior hook fabric including hook and back surfaces. The interior hook fabric assembled with the adornment component such that the hook surface faces away from the interior surface of the adornment component and the exterior surface faces away from the back surface of the interior hook fabric. The adornment assembly configured for placement on the wearer in relation to an existing elastic band. The existing elastic band surrounding a bundle of hair and forming a constricted area in the bundle. The interior hook fabric configured to embed and become releasably attached to the existing elastic band in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the constricted area such that the adornment assembly adorns the wearer and the hook surface serves as a fastening mechanism to secure the adornment component in place.

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Description

This application is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/741,748, filed Jan. 15, 2013, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer, a kit for making an adornment assembly, and a method for using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly. While various embodiments of the adornment assembly, kit, and method are described in relation to adorning a wearer, it is understood that the item referred to as the adornment assembly can also be used to adorn persons, animals, and other objects, such as dolls, drapes, napkins, or pillows. For example, the adornment assembly may be used as a ponytail holder, bridal headpiece, bracelet, pet hair adornment, or as a pet tail adornment.

Existing ponytail holders or adornments have several disadvantages. For example, existing ponytail holders or adornments may have the following characteristics: i) overly juvenile, feminine, or “fussy;” ii) difficult to insert or position accurately; iii) problems staying in place, particularly during active situations; iv) difficult to store or transport without becoming wrinkled or damaged; v) too heavy; vi) visible unattractive hinges, parts, or hardware; and vii) painful to the wearer.

Many ponytail holders or adornments, when inserted into the hair, form the appearance of ruffles, bows, or layers of gathered fabric. This appearance, for many, is too juvenile, overly feminine looking, or “fussy”. Many ponytail holders or adornments are difficult to insert and position accurately. For example, sometimes two or more mirrors, much adjustment, and the help of another person may be required. This may be why many women that have their hair in a ponytail use the bare, unattractive, elastic band without any adornment. For example, such elastic bands are distributed Conair Corporation of East Windsor, N.J. under the “Scünci” brand name. “Scünci” “no damage” hair ties are examples of non-damaging elastic bands.

Many existing ponytail holders do not provide sufficient means to stay accurately placed, particularly when the wearer is moving actively. Many types of ponytail holders are difficult to store or transport. Ponytail holders may become wrinkled or disheveled from storage or during transport. This makes the ponytail holder less attractive for subsequent use. For example, ponytail holders that include bows, layers, or folds of fabric may require time-consuming care, such as steaming to remove wrinkles or the need to store them in space-consuming boxes. This is a disadvantage, especially for travelers.

Many existing hair adornments are too heavy and cause the person wearing the adornment to feel as if an uncomfortable weight was added to the back of the head by the adornment. Many of the opening and closing adornments for the hair are operated with clips or hinges. This type of hardware on an adornment is usually visible during normal wear and detracts from the beauty of the adornment. Many hair ornaments have pointed ends, pull the hair, and can cause scalp pain or headaches, especially with prolonged use. Examples of these are combs, tight clips, claws, and bobby pins.

For these and other reasons, there is a need for an improved adornment assembly (e.g., ponytail holder) that is i) simple and professional-looking; ii) easy to put in place and reliably stays in place, even when the wearer is very active; iii) easy to store and transport; iv) lightweight; v) avoids revealing unattractive components, and vi) is comfortable to wear, even for prolonged periods.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, an apparatus for adorning a wearer is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: an adornment component with an exterior surface and an interior surface, the adornment component configured to adorn a wearer; and at least one interior hook fabric, each interior hook fabric including a hook surface and a back surface. Each interior hook fabric is assembled with the adornment component to form an adornment assembly such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component and at least a corresponding portion of the exterior surface of the adorning component faces away from the corresponding back surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric. The adornment assembly is configured for placement on the wearer in relation to at least one existing elastic band. Each existing elastic band surrounding a bundle of hair and forming a constricted area in the corresponding bundle. One or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is configured to embed and become releasably attached to one or more of the at least one existing elastic band in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle such that the adornment assembly adorns the wearer and the corresponding hook surface of each one or more interior hook fabric serves as an attaching mechanism to secure the adornment component to the wearer. When the releasably attached one or more interior hook fabric is conjoined and comingled with the one or more existing elastic band, the one or more interior hook fabric securely attaches the adornment component to the wearer by affixing to the corresponding bundle of hair.

In another aspect, a kit for making an adornment assembly configured to adorn a wearer is provided. In one embodiment, the kit includes: directions for making or obtaining an adornment component, the adornment component including an exterior surface and an interior surface and configured to adorn a wearer; at least one interior hook fabric, each interior hook fabric including a hook surface and a back surface; and instructions for assembly of the at least one interior hook fabric and the adornment component to form an adornment assembly such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component and at least a corresponding portion of the exterior surface of the adorning component faces away from the corresponding back surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric. The adornment assembly is configured for placement onto the wearer in relation to at least one pre-placed existing elastic band. Each existing elastic band surrounding a bundle of hair and forming a constricted area in the corresponding bundle. One or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is configured to embed and become releasably attached to a corresponding one or more of the at least one existing elastic band in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle such that the adornment assembly adorns the wearer and the corresponding hook surface of each one or more interior hook fabric serves as an attaching mechanism to secure the adornment component onto the wearer. When the releasably attached one or more interior hook fabric is conjoined and comingled with the one or more existing elastic band, the one or more interior hook fabric securely attaches the adornment component to the wearer by affixing to the corresponding bundle of hair.

In yet another aspect, a method of using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes: obtaining an adornment component and at least one interior hook fabric, the adornment component including an exterior surface and an interior surface and configured to adorn a wearer, each interior hook fabric including a hook surface and a back surface; and positioning each interior hook fabric onto the interior surface of the adornment component to form an adornment assembly such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component and at least a corresponding portion of the exterior surface of the adorning component faces away from the corresponding back surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric. The adornment assembly is configured for placement onto the wearer in relation to at least one existing, pre-placed elastic band. Each existing elastic band surrounding a bundle of hair and forming a constricted area in the corresponding bundle. One or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is configured to embed and become releasably attached to a corresponding one or more of the at least one existing elastic band in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle such that the adornment assembly adorns the wearer and the corresponding hook surface of each one or more interior hook fabric serves as an attaching mechanism to secure the adornment component to the wearer. When the releasably attached one or more interior hook fabric is conjoined and comingled with the one or more existing elastic band, the one or more interior hook fabric securely attaches the adornment component to the wearer by affixing to the corresponding bundle of hair.

Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention exists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, and steps of the method, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of an exemplary embodiment of a ponytail holder;

FIGS. 2A-F show six additional views of the exemplary embodiment of the ponytail holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of another exemplary embodiment of a ponytail holder;

FIGS. 4A-F show six additional views of the exemplary embodiment of the ponytail holder of FIG. 3 in a closed position;

FIGS. 5A-F show six additional views of the exemplary embodiment of the ponytail holder of FIG. 3 in an open, flattened position;

FIGS. 6A-B are perspective drawings of still another exemplary embodiment of a ponytail holder and a perspective view of an exemplary outer covering for the ponytail holder;

FIGS. 7A-C show top views of three exemplary embodiments of tubes in which the tubes are flattened out for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 8 is a drawing of an exemplary embodiment of a kit for making an exemplary ponytail holder;

FIGS. 9A-B show top and side views of still yet another exemplary embodiment of a ponytail holder, the top view shows the ponytail holder at least partially flattened out for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 10A is a top view of another exemplary embodiment of a ponytail holder in which the ponytail holder is at least partially flattened out for illustrative purposes, FIG. 10B is a back of head view before the ponytail holder is in place, and FIG. 10C is a back of head view after the ponytail holder is in place;

FIGS. 11A-B show front and side views of an exemplary embodiment of a storage device for ponytail holders;

FIGS. 12A-K show enlarged cross sectional and perspective views of the exemplary embodiment of the ponytail holder of FIGS. 1 and 2B;

FIG. 13A-D show several exemplary embodiments of an adornment assembly, FIGS. 13A-B provide views of a person prior to and after wearing the adornment assembly, and FIGS. 13C-D provide interior view of several embodiments of the concave headpiece portion of the exemplary adornment assembly;

FIG. 14 shows another exemplary embodiment of an adornment assembly in which the outer surface of the tube is the adornment component;

FIG. 15 is a drawing of an exemplary embodiment of a kit for making an exemplary adornment assembly;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a process for using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer;

FIG. 17, in combination with FIG. 16, is a flowchart of another exemplary embodiment of a process for using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer;

FIG. 18, in combination with FIG. 16, is a flowchart of another exemplary embodiment of a process for using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer; and

FIG. 19, in combination with FIG. 16, is a flowchart of another exemplary embodiment of a process for using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a ponytail holder includes an outer covering 10, a tube 11 with outer and inner surfaces, and a hook fabric 12 with a hook surface. A longitudinal slit 14 in the tube 11 forms opposing longitudinal edges 13. The outer covering 10 is secured to the outer surface of the tube 11. The hook fabric 12 is secured to the inner surface of the tube 11 such that the hook surface faces away from the tube 11. The circumference, width, structure, surface texture, thickness, color, edge-detail, shape, and other dimensions and characteristics of the ponytail holder and its components may vary.

The outer covering 10 may be secured to the outer surface of the tube 11 using glue 26 (see FIG. 12A), tape 26 (see FIG. 12A), thread 27 (see FIG. 12B-D), string 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), wire 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), staples 28 (see FIG. 12E), rivets 29 (see FIGS. 12F-G), or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination. The outer covering 10 may include fabric, leather, vinyl, beading, decorative tape, stickers, paper, ribbon, or any other suitable material in any suitable combination. The outer covering 10 conforms to the tube 11 and moves with the tube 11 when the tube 11 is flexed in conjunction with placement and removal of the ponytail holder on a ponytail or another object adorned by the ponytail holder. The outer covering 10 may be painted, stained, colored, or marked with any suitable coating or marking material. The outer covering 10 and tube 11 may be pierced, notched, punched, shaped, or scalloped in any suitable combination. The outer covering 10 may be decorated with any suitable accessories.

In another embodiment, the outer covering 10 may include the outer surface of the tube 11. Where the outer covering 10 includes the outer surface of the tube 11, the outer covering 10 may simply be the color and texture of the tube 11. Alternatively, the outer surface of the tube 11 may be painted, stained, colored, or marked with any suitable coating or marking material in any suitable combination to form the outer covering 10. Likewise, the outer surface of the tube 11 may be pierced, notched, punched, shaped, or scalloped in any suitable combination to form the outer covering 10. Additionally, the outer surface of the tube 11 may be decorated with any suitable accessories to form the outer covering 10. Unless the outer covering 10 is simply the outer surface of the tube 11, any combination of coating or marking material and accessories forms the outer covering 10 on top of the outer surface of the tube 11.

The outer covering 10 may be wrapped around the sides of the tube 11 and secured to an inner surface of the tube 11. Likewise, the outer covering 10 may be wrapped around the longitudinal edges 13 of the tube 11 and secured to the inner surface. The wrapped around portions of the outer covering 10 may be secured to the inner surface of the tube 11 using glue 26 (see FIG. 12A), tape 26 (see FIG. 12A), thread 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), string 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), wire 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), staples 28 (see FIG. 12E), rivets 29 (see FIGS. 12F-G), or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination. Portions of the outer covering 10 proximate to or wrapped around the opposing longitudinal edges 13 may be covered with corresponding end caps 15 to secure the outer covering 10 to the tube 11 and give the longitudinal edges 13 a more finished appearance. The end cap 15 may be made of plastic, metal, or any suitable material that will hold the outer covering 10 in place. Each end cap 15 may be crimped in place or secured to the combined outer covering 10 and tube 11 at the corresponding longitudinal edge 14 using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination.

The tube 11 provides a semi-rigid structure having both stiffness and flexibility. The tube 11 can be flared open or deformed by separating the opposing longitudinal edges 13. The tube 11 is biased to generally return to its original form when the opposing longitudinal edges 13 are released. The tube 11 may include plastic or any other suitable material. The longitudinal slit 14 allows insertion of the ponytail or another object that the ponytail holder may adorn (other uses may be possible and are described later). The opposing longitudinal edges 13 of the tube 11 can be separated to place the ponytail holder around the ponytail and over the pre-placed elastic band. After insertion of the ponytail, the longitudinal edges 13 are released and the tube 11 approximates its original shape.

The hook fabric 12 may be adhesive-backed or secured to the inner surface of the tube 11 using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination. The hook fabric 12 and the loop fabric referred to below are related to hook-and-loop fasteners such as those commercially marketed by Velcro Industries B.V. of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Hook-and-loop fasteners include a hook fabric and a loop fabric attached to two separate surfaces for fastening the surfaces together. The hook fabric includes tiny hooks on a hook surface. The loop fabric includes small loops on a loop surface. The hook surface mates with the loop surface such that when the hook and loop fabrics are pressed together, the hooks catch and embed themselves in the loops and the two fabrics fasten or bind temporarily, in a uniform, reliable, and releasable manner.

When the ponytail holder is worn, hooks in the hook fabric 12 adhere to, for example, a commercially-available elastic band that has been pre-placed, for example, in a person's hair to form a ponytail. The elastic band in this example is made of material (or covered with material) that mates with the hook fabric 12 in a uniform, reliable and releasable manner, much like loop fabric mates with hook fabric. The mating of the hook fabric 12 with the elastic band affixes the ponytail holder and securely attaches it to the wearer, even when the wearer is very active. The hook fabric 12 is normally not visible when the ponytail holder is worn.

In an alternate embodiment, the outer covering 10 may be secured to the outer surface of the tube 11 by applying hook or loop fabric 36 (see FIG. 12H) to the outer surface (hidden) of the tube 11, applying the corresponding loop or hook fabric 37 (see FIG. 12H) to an inner surface (hidden) of the outer covering 10, and pressing the outer covering 10 on the tube 11 to mate the loop and hook fabrics 36, 37. The hook or loop fabric 36 (see FIG. 12H) applied to the outer surface of the tube 11 may be adhesive-backed or may be secured to the tube using glue 26 (see FIG. 12A), tape 26 (see FIG. 12A), thread 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), string 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), wire 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), staples 28 (see FIG. 12E), rivets 29 (see FIGS. 12F-G), or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination. The loop fabric 37 (see FIG. 12H) applied to the inner surface of the outer covering 10 may be adhesive-backed or may be secured to the outer covering 10 using glue 26 (see FIG. 12A), tape 26 (see FIG. 12A), thread 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), string 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), wire 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), staples 28 (see FIG. 12E), rivets 29 (see FIGS. 12F-G), or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination. Hook and loop attachment of the outer covering 10 to the tube 11 allows for substitution of outer coverings 10 on the tube 11 so that, for example, alternate colors, patterns, and fanciful designs for outer coverings 10 can be used with the same tube 11.

With reference to FIGS. 2A-F, six additional views of the exemplary embodiment of the ponytail holder of FIG. 1 are shown, including top, left, front, right, back, and bottom views. For example, the front view shows an aperture formed by the ponytail holder which may enclose a ponytail or another object. In all views, one can see the outer covering 20. The front view shows the outer covering 20 on the outer surface of the tube 21. The hook fabric 22 is secured to the inner surface of the tube 21. The hook fabric 22 allows the ponytail holder to adhere to a commercially-available elastic band ponytail holder that has been pre-placed by the wearer. Optional end caps 23 give a finished appearance to the longitudinal edges formed by the longitudinal slit 24 in the tube 21. In the bottom view, the end caps 23 are visible. The longitudinal slit 24 reveals the hook fabric 22 on the inner surface of the tube 21.

With reference to FIG. 3, another exemplary embodiment of a ponytail holder includes an outer covering 30 with front and back surfaces and a hook fabric 31 with a hook surface. The back surface of the outer covering 30 is secured to the hook fabric 31 such that with the hook surface faces away from the outer covering 30. The outer covering 30 and hook fabric 31 form a ribbon-like strip with opposing ends 32. For example, the hook surface may be slightly smaller than the outer covering. The ponytail holder may also include a fastening mechanism with mating fastener components secured to the opposing ends 32. In one embodiment, the fastener components may include one or more wire segments disposed between the outer covering 30 and the hook fabric 31. A suitable closing device may be may be used in conjunction with the embedded wire to maintain the shape of the ponytail holder when worn. The circumference, width, structure, surface texture, thickness, color, edge-detail, shape, and other dimensions and characteristics of the ponytail holder and its components may vary.

The hook fabric 31 may be adhesive-backed or the outer covering 30 may be secured to the hook fabric 31 using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination. The outer covering 30 may include fabric, leather, vinyl, beading, or any other suitable material in any suitable combination. The outer covering 30 conforms to the hook fabric 31 and moves with the hook fabric 31 when the hook fabric 31 is flexed in conjunction with placement and removal of the ponytail holder on a ponytail or another object adorned by the ponytail holder. The outer covering 30 may be painted, stained, colored, or marked with any suitable coating or marking material. The outer covering 30 and hook fabric 31 may pierced, notched, punched, shaped, or scalloped in any suitable combination. The outer covering 30 may be decorated with any suitable accessories.

The outer covering 30 may be wrapped around the hook fabric 31 at one or more opposing end 32 and secured to the hook surface. The wrapped around portions of the outer covering 30 may be secured to the hook surface of the hook fabric 31 using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination. Portions of the outer covering 30 proximate to or wrapped around one or more opposing end 32 may be covered with an end cap to secure the outer covering 30 to the hook fabric 31 and give the corresponding end 32 a more finished appearance. The end cap may be made of plastic, metal, or any suitable material that will hold the outer covering 30 in place. Each end cap may be crimped in place or secured to the outer covering 30 at the corresponding end 32 using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination.

The hook fabric 31 provides stiffness and flexibility. The hook fabric 31 also prevents fraying or unraveling of the outer covering 30. The hook fabric 31 and the loop fabric referred to below are related to hook-and-loop fasteners such as those commercially marketed by Velcro Industries B.V. of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The fastening mechanism may include a loop fabric 33 secured to the front surface of the outer covering 30 at a first end 32. The hook fabric 31 may extend to the other end 32. The loop fabric 33 may be adhesive-backed or secured to the front surface of the outer covering 30 using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination. The loop fabric 33 may extend along the entire width of the outer covering 30. The opposing end 32 can be pressed over the first end 32 to mate the hook fabric 31 with the loop fabric 33 to hold the ponytail holder in a closed position around a ponytail or another object adorned by the ponytail holder.

When the ponytail holder is worn, hooks in the hook fabric 31 adhere to, for example, a commercially-available elastic band that has been pre-placed, for example, in a person's hair to form a ponytail. The elastic band in this example is made of material (or covered with material) that mates with the hook fabric 31 much like loop fabric mates with hook fabric. The mating of the hook fabric 31 with the elastic band affixes the ponytail holder to the wearer and keeps it well positioned and attached, even when the wearer is very active. The hook fabric 31 is normally not visible when the ponytail holder is worn.

With reference to FIGS. 4A-F, six additional views of the exemplary embodiment of the ponytail holder of FIG. 3 are shown, including top, left, front, right, back, and bottom views. For example, the front view shows the ponytail holder with loop fabric 42 pressed together with the hook fabric 41 at mating ends 43 to form an aperture. For example, the aperture may enclose a ponytail or another object. The front view also shows the outer covering 40 directly connected onto the hook fabric 41. The hook fabric 41 functions to secure the ponytail holder to a pre-placed commercially-available elastic band. The hook fabric 41 also provides some stiffness to support the outer covering 40 and prevents fraying of the outer covering 40. The right view shows how the loop fabric 42 extends across the width of the ponytail holder to help keep it in the closed position when worn. Other types of fastening mechanisms may be used, including snaps, hooks, lengths of elastic, ties, buttons, tabs, and loops.

With reference to FIGS. 5A-F, six additional views of the exemplary embodiment of the ponytail holder of FIG. 3 are shown in an opened, flattened position, including a top view 50, a front view 51, a left view 55, a back view 56, a right view 57, and a bottom view 58. For example, the front view shows the outer covering 52, hook fabric 53, and loop fabric 54 of the ponytail holder in the opened, flattened position. The outer covering 52 is secured directly to the hook fabric 53. The hook fabric 53 extends very close to edges of the outer covering 52. The loop fabric 53 is used to form an aperture to enclose a ponytail or another object by adhering to the hook fabric 53 when the ponytail holder is in the closed position.

With reference to FIGS. 6A-B, still another exemplary embodiment of a ponytail holder includes an outer covering 60 with front and back portions, a hook fabric 61 with a hook surface, and a tube. The front and back portions of the outer covering 60 form a sleeve 62 with opposing open ends. The hook fabric 61 is secured to the back portion of the outer covering 60 such that with the hook surface faces away from the outer covering 60. A longitudinal slit 63 in the tube forms opposing longitudinal edges 64. The combined outer covering 60 and hook fabric 61 is configured to slide over the tube by feeding a longitudinal edge 64 through the sleeve 62 until both longitudinal edges 64 are covered. The circumference, width, structure, surface texture, thickness, color, edge-detail, shape, and other dimensions and characteristics of the ponytail holder and its components may vary.

The outer covering 60 may include fabric, leather, vinyl, beading, faux or real hair, or any other suitable material in any suitable combination. The outer covering 60 conforms to the tube and moves with the tube when the tube is flexed in conjunction with placement and removal of the ponytail holder on a ponytail or another object adorned by the ponytail holder. The outer covering 60, particularly the front portion, may be painted, stained, colored, or marked with any suitable coating or marking material. The outer covering 60, hook fabric 61, and tube may be pierced, notched, punched, shaped, or scalloped in any suitable combination. The outer covering 60 may be decorated with any suitable accessories.

The outer covering 60 may include a piece of material with mating sides that are secured together to form the sleeve 62. In another embodiment, the outer covering 60 may include multiple pieces of material that are arranged and secured together to form the sleeve 62. One end of the sleeve 62 may be closed by securing the front and back portions of the outer covering 60 together at that end. In this embodiment, the outer covering 60 forms a pocket defined by the sleeve 62, the closed end, and the opening at the opposite end. After the outer covering 60 is slid on the tube and both longitudinal edges 64 are covered, the open end(s) of the sleeve may be closed by securing the front and back portions of the outer covering 60 together at that end. The material of the outer covering 60 may be secured together using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination to form the sleeve 62 and to close one or both ends of the sleeve.

One or more end of the sleeve 62 may be covered with an end cap to secure the front and back portions of the outer covering 60 together at that end and give the corresponding end a more finished appearance. The end cap may be made of plastic, metal, or any suitable material that will hold the front and back portions of the outer covering 60 in place. Each end cap may be crimped in place or secured to the outer covering 60 at the corresponding end of the sleeve 62 using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination.

The hook fabric 61 may be adhesive-backed or secured to the outer covering 60 using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination. The hook fabric 61 and the loop fabric referred to below are related to hook-and-loop fasteners such as those commercially marketed by Velcro Industries B.V. of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The tube is semirigid and provides stiffness and flexibility. The tube can be flared open or deformed by separating the opposing longitudinal edges 64. The tube is biased to generally return to its original form when the opposing longitudinal edges 64 are released. The tube may include plastic or any other suitable material. The opposing longitudinal edges 64 can be spread apart to facilitate sliding the sleeve 62 over the tube. When the sleeve 62 is in place the tube is covered and not visible, as the outer covering 60 covers both longitudinal edges 64. The longitudinal slit 63 allows insertion of the ponytail or another object that the ponytail holder may adorn (other uses may be possible and are described later). The opposing longitudinal edges 64 of the tube can be separated to place the ponytail holder around the ponytail and over the elastic band. After insertion of the ponytail, the longitudinal edges 64 are released and the tube approximates its original shape.

When the ponytail holder is worn, hooks in the hook fabric 61 adhere to, for example, a commercially-available elastic band that has been pre-placed, for example, in a person's hair to form a ponytail. The elastic band in this example is made of material (or covered with material) that mates with the hook fabric 61 much like loop fabric mates with hook fabric. The mating of the hook fabric 61 with the elastic band attaches the ponytail holder to the wearer and keeps it securely in place, even when the wearer is very active. The hook fabric 61 is normally hidden from view when the ponytail holder is worn.

With reference to FIGS. 7A-C, top views of three exemplary embodiments of tubes are shown in which the tubes are flattened out for illustrative purposes. For example, in one embodiment, the tube 70 may include a series of holes through which various add-ons, such as decorations with a stud and backing similar to a pierced earring, can be inserted. In another embodiment, the tube 71 may include mesh plastic material to allow such add-ons and to further reduce the weight of the ponytail holder. The mesh plastic material may incorporate variations in shape, such as a medallion-like shape. In yet another embodiment, the outer surface of the tube 72 may be decorative. This eliminates the need for a separate fabric-like decorative outer covering. The tube 72 may come in various colors and with a variety of embedded textures configured into the outer surface. The sides and/or ends of the tube 72 do not necessarily need to be straight and may include a variety of shapes, such as scallops or waves.

With reference to FIG. 8, an exemplary embodiment of a kit for making an exemplary ponytail holder includes a tube 80, a hook fabric 81, and two end caps 83. The kit may also include an outer covering 86 and/or a template 85 to assist in accurately marking and cutting an outer covering from a separately-obtained stock material. Additionally, the kit may include a list 82 of additional items needed to make the ponytail holder, such as pliers and/or other tools and glue and/or other materials. The kit may also include instructions 84 for making the ponytail holder. Kitting parts for making the ponytail holder may be implemented in an overall manufacturing process for making ponytail holders as consumer products. Moreover, ponytail holder kits may be sold to consumers for craft projects which enables the consumer to make ponytail holders for personal use, gifting, or selling.

With reference to FIGS. 9A-B, still yet another exemplary embodiment of a ponytail holder with various exemplary optional add-ons is shown in a top view and a side view. The top view shows a central half of the ponytail holder flattened out to illustrate the add-ons. The outer covering 90, 97 may include one or more type of covering materials, surfaces, and coatings in any suitable combination. Many add-ons are possible to embellish the ponytail holder. Add-ons may be applied to the ponytail holder, particularly to the outer covering using glue, tape, thread, string, hook and loop fabric, wire, staples, rivets, elastic banding, studs or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination. A decorative trim 91 may be formed into the side of the tube 98 or applied to the side edge portions of the tube 98 and/or outer covering 90, 97. The decorative trim 91 may also have additional beading, tassels, or other hanging/dangling elements that may further enhance the appearance of the ponytail holder. The center top portion of the ponytail holder may have a focal point 93 with a background element 92. The types of focal point options are endless. A few types of focal point options include initials, sports emblems, animals, team logos, names, Greek letters, and more. Another add-on can be a string of beads 94 which can be glued to the surface or made to surround the width of the tube 98 as shown. A stud-type add-on 95 would be similar to a studded earring. The stud 99 pierces the outer covering 90, 97 and the stud-type add-on 95 is secured to the ponytail holder by a backing. A line of ribbon or welting 96 can also enhance the appearance of the ponytail holder.

With reference to FIG. 10A, another exemplary embodiment of a ponytail holder with various exemplary optional add-ons is shown in a top view. The top view shows a central half of the ponytail holder flattened out to illustrate the add-ons. This exemplary ponytail holder shows more possibilities for embellishments to enhance the appearance. For example, a fabric ruffle 104 adorns the upper edge of the ponytail holder. The outer covering 101 may be paint or another suitable coating applied to an outer surface of the tube. For example, a coating of silver leafing could be applied to the tube. In this exemplary ponytail holder, a ribbon 102 with a circular icon has been attached to the ponytail holder. A real or faux gem could be attached as a focal point 103. Even real or faux hair 105 can be added to embellish the ponytail holder. Shaped edges 106 or dangling beads and/or tassels 107 are some of the many possibilities of add-ons to the ponytail holder. This exemplary ponytail holder is also shown as it would be worn, in place, on the back lower part of the wearer's head. The “before” view (see FIG. 10B) of the wearer's head shows three ponytails with elastic bands. The “after” view (see FIG. 10C) of the wearer's head shows the oval-shaped ponytail holder in place around the three ponytails and over the elastic bands.

With reference to FIGS. 11A-B, an exemplary embodiment of a storage device for ponytail holders 111 includes at least one chain 110 and at least one tube 112. At least one chain 110 is secured to each tube 112 at an end portion of the corresponding tube 112. Each chain 110 forms a loop that can be selectively opened and closed. Each tube 112 is sized to receive a plurality of ponytail holders 111, such as the ponytail holders described in FIGS. 1-10. The storage device is configured to be suspended from a hanger or hook.

In one embodiment, the storage device is configured to be suspended from by a first chain 110 secured to an end portion of a first tube 112. In this embodiment, the storage device is configured such that the first tube 112 hangs vertically when the storage device is suspended by the first chain 110. In a further embodiment, the storage device also includes a second chain 110 and a second tube 112. The first and second chains 110 are secured at opposing end portions of the first tube 112. The second chain 110 is also secured to an end portion of the second tube 112. In this embodiment, the storage device is configured such that the first and second tubes 112 hang vertically when the storage device is suspended by the first chain 110.

In another embodiment, the storage device also includes a second chain 110 secured to the first tube 112. The first and second chains 110 are secured to opposing end portions of the first tube 112. In this embodiment, the storage device is configured such that the first tube 112 hangs horizontally when the storage device is suspended by the first and second chains 110. In a further embodiment, the storage device also includes third and fourth chains 110 and a second tube 112. The third and fourth chains 110 are secured at opposing end portions of the first and second tubes 112. In this embodiment, the storage device is configured such that the first and second tubes 112 hang horizontally when the storage device is suspended by the first and second chains 110.

Each chain 110 may include a length of bead chain or any suitable type of chain and a coupling or any suitable chain component that permits the loop of chain to be opened and closed. The end portions of each tube 112 may include pre-drilled holes 113 configured to receive the corresponding chain 110. Each chain 112 may be secured to the end portion(s) of the corresponding tube(s) 112 by opening the loop formed by the chain 110, feeding the chain 110 through the pre-drilled hole 113 in the corresponding end portion(s), and closing the loop formed by the chain 110.

Ponytail holders 111 can be stored on the storage device by being placed on the tube 112. The storage device can be suspended from any suitable hanger or hook supplied by a wearer of the ponytail holders or another person. As described above, additional chains and tubes can be interconnected to form a ladder-like storage device having horizontal “rungs” (i.e., tubes) or a rope-like storage device having vertical “segments” (i.e., tubes). The “rungs” or “segments” can be detached by opening the corresponding chains 110. For example, a detached tube 112 can be used to store ponytail holders and keep them in their proper shape for travel.

With reference again to FIG. 3, an exemplary embodiment of an adornment assembly includes an adornment component 30 and at least one interior hook fabric 31. The adornment component 30 with an exterior surface and an interior surface. The adornment component 30 configured to adorn a wearer. For example, a wearer may include a person, an animal, a manikin, a doll, or any other suitable type of being or object. Each interior hook fabric 31 including a hook surface and a back surface. Each interior hook fabric 31 assembled with the adornment component 30 to form an adornment assembly such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric 31 faces away from at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component 30 and at least a corresponding portion of the exterior surface of the adorning component 30 faces away from the corresponding back surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric 31.

The adornment assembly is configured for placement on the wearer in relation to at least one existing elastic band. For example, an elastic band includes a non-damaging elastic band such as No-damage Elastics by Scunci and Ouchless Elastics by Goody. An elastic band also various types of elasticized hair ties, elasticized hair accessories, and any suitable elastic band to which hook fabric can releasably attach. Each existing elastic band surrounding a bundle of hair and forming a constricted area in the corresponding bundle. One or more of the at least one interior hook fabric 31 is configured to embed and become releasably attached to one or more of the at least one existing elastic band in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle such that the adornment assembly adorns the wearer and the corresponding hook surface of each one or more interior hook fabric 31 serves as a fastening mechanism to secure the adornment component 30 in place. When the releasably attached one or more interior hook fabric is conjoined and comingled with the one or more existing elastic band, the one or more interior hook fabric securely attaches the adornment component to the wearer by affixing it to the corresponding bundle of hair. For example, when the hook surface of the interior hook fabric is conjoined and comingled with the elastic band, the interior hook fabric serves as a functional, utilitarian method of securely attaching the adornment component onto the head or hair of the wearer. Moreover, when the adornment assembly is in place, the interior hook fabric and other components are hidden beneath the adornment component.

In another embodiment of the adornment assembly, the adornment component 30 includes a head covering, a headgear, a hat, a cap, a helmet, a bonnet, a headdress, a head piece, a crown, a hood, a scarf, a face covering, a veil, a hair extension, a hair piece, a wig, a wreath, a floral arrangement, a ponytail holder, a hair accessory, a bow, a ribbon, or any suitable adornment component in any suitable combination. For example, FIG. 13C shows an exemplary embodiment of an adornment assembly 1300 that includes an adornment component 1302 and an interior hook fabric 1304 in which the adornment component 1302 is a bridal headpiece with a veil. FIG. 13A shows a person with multiple bundles of hair formed by multiple elastic bands 1306 in preparation for wearing the bridal headpiece. FIG. 13B shows the person wearing the bridal headpiece with the interior hook fabrics 1302 attached to one or more of the multiple elastic bands 1306.

With reference again to FIG. 1, yet another embodiment of an adornment assembly includes an adornment component 10, at least one interior hook fabric 12, and a first tube 11. In other embodiments, the adornment assembly may include multiple tubes (see. e.g., FIG. 13D). The first tube 11 including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit 14 forming opposing longitudinal edges 13. The adornment component 10, the at least one interior hook fabric 12, and the first tube 11 form the adornment assembly. One or more of the at least one interior hook fabric 12 is secured to the inner surface of the first tube 11 such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric 12 faces away from the inner surface of the first tube 11. The first tube 11 is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit 14 in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area. The interior hook fabric is functionally used for attachment purposes, to secure the adornment assembly onto the head or hair of the wearer. Moreover, when the adornment assembly is in place, the tube, interior hook fabric, and other components are hidden beneath the adornment component.

In this embodiment of the adornment assembly, the adornment component 30 may include a head covering, a headgear, a hat, a cap, a helmet, a bonnet, a headdress, a head piece, a crown, a hood, a scarf, a face covering, a veil, a hair extension, a hair piece, a wig, a wreath, a floral arrangement, a ponytail holder, a hair accessory, a bow, a ribbon, or any suitable adornment component in any suitable combination. For example, FIG. 13D shows an exemplary embodiment of an adornment assembly 1300 that includes an adornment component 1302 and multiple pieces of an interior hook fabric 1304 attached to an interior surface of multiple tubes 1308 in which the adornment component 1302 is a bridal headpiece with a veil. FIG. 13A shows a person with multiple bundles of hair formed by multiple elastic bands 1306 in preparation for wearing the bridal headpiece. FIG. 13B shows the person wearing the bridal headpiece with the multiple tubes 1308 in place over the multiple bundles of hair and the interior hook fabrics 1302 attached to one or more of the multiple elastic bands 1306.

In a further embodiment of the adornment assembly, at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component 10 is secured to the outer surface of the first tube 11.

In another further embodiment of the adornment assembly, at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component 10 is removably secured to the outer surface of the first tube 11 using glue 26 (see FIG. 12A), tape 26 (see FIG. 12A), thread 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), string 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), wire 27 (see FIGS. 12B-D), staples 28 (see FIG. 12E), rivets 29 (see FIGS. 12F-G), snaps 29 (see FIGS. 12F-G), hooks 29 (see FIG. 12I), pushpins 29 (see FIGS. 12F-G), clips 29 (see FIG. 12J), brads 29 (see FIGS. 12F-G), buttons 29 (see FIGS. 12F-G), a hook-and-loop fastener 36, 37 (see FIG. 12H), or any suitable adhesive or fastener in any suitable combination. The hook-and-loop fastener including a loop or hook portion secured to the outer surface of the first tube 11 and a corresponding hook or loop portion secured to the interior surface of the adornment component 10.

In yet another further embodiment of the adornment assembly, the outer surface of the first tube 11 comprises the adornment component 10. In other words, the adornment component is merged with the tube because the outer surface of the tube serves as the adornment component. For example, FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of an adornment assembly 1400 that includes a first tube 11, 21 and an interior hook fabric 12, 22 in which the outer surface of the first tube 11, 21 is embossed with a symbol and forms the adornment component 10, 20. In other embodiments, stickers, paint, and or other suitable coatings in any suitable combination may be applied to the outer surface of the tube to serve as the adornment component. Likewise, the tube may be sculpted, etched, cut, carved or otherwise altered in any suitable combination to serve as the adornment component.

In still another further embodiment, the adornment assembly includes end caps 15 secured to the adornment assembly along each longitudinal edge 13 of the first tube 11.

In still yet another further embodiment of the adornment assembly, the first tube 11 is configured such that the opposing longitudinal edges 13 can be separated to deform the first tube 11 to facilitate receiving the constricted area of the bundle of hair and biased to return to a tubular-like form when the opposing longitudinal edges 13 are released.

In another further embodiment, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 13D, the adornment assembly 1300 also includes a second tube 11, 1308. Like the first tube 11, the second tube 11, 1308 includes an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges. The adornment component 10, 1302, the at least one interior hook fabric 12, 1304, and the first and second tubes 11, 1308 form the adornment assembly. One or more of the at least one interior hook fabric 12, 1304 is secured to the inner surface of the second tube 11, 1308 such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric 12, 1304 faces away from the inner surface of the second tube 11, 1308. The second tube 11, 1308 is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit 14 in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.

With reference again to FIG. 3, in yet another embodiment of the adornment assembly, the interior surface of the adornment component 30 is secured to one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric 31 to form the adornment assembly. The adornment assembly having a central portion separating opposing end portions 32. In this embodiment, the adornment assembly also includes a supplemental fastening mechanism with opposing fastener components (e.g., 31, 33) secured to the opposing end portions 32 of the adornment assembly. The opposing fastener components (e.g., 31, 33) are configured to be coupled together to fasten the opposing end portions 32 of the adornment assembly together to secure the adornment assembly to the wearer. The supplemental fastening mechanism may also prevent an edge from hanging loosely if the hair bundle is smaller than a circumference of the adornment component.

In a further embodiment of the adornment assembly, the supplemental fastening mechanism includes snaps, hooks, lengths of elastic, ties, buttons, tape, wire, pushpins, clips, brads, tabs, loop, a hook-and-loop fastener, or any suitable fastening mechanism in any suitable combination.

In another further embodiment, the adornment assembly also includes a loop fabric 33 secured to the exterior surface of the adornment component 30 at a first opposing end portion 32 of the adornment assembly and a portion of the corresponding hook surface of a select hook fabric of the one or more interior hook fabric 31. The portion of the corresponding hook surface being disposed at the other opposing end portion 32 of the adornment assembly. The loop fabric 33 is configured to embed and become releasably attached to the portion of the corresponding hook surface of the select hook fabric 31 to fasten the opposing end portions 32 of the adornment assembly together in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area such that the supplemental fastening mechanism secures the adornment assembly in place.

With reference again to FIGS. 1 and 6A-B, in still another embodiment of the adornment assembly, the adornment component 10, 60 includes front and back portions forming a sleeve 62 with opposing open ends. In this embodiment, the adornment assembly also includes a tube 11 with an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit 14 forming opposing longitudinal edges 13. The adornment component 10, 60 is configured to slide over the tube 11 by feeding a first longitudinal edge 13 through the sleeve 62 from a first open end until both longitudinal edges 13 are covered by the sleeve 62. One or more of the at least one interior hook fabric 12, 61 is secured to the back portion of the adornment component 10, 60 such that the corresponding hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric 12, 61 faces away from the back portion of the adornment component 10, 60. The covered tube 11 is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit 14 in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area, to attach it to the wearer.

With reference to FIG. 15, an exemplary embodiment of a kit 1500 for making an adornment assembly configured to adorn a wearer includes directions 1502, at least one interior hook fabric 1506, and instructions 1508. The directions 1502 describe how to make or obtain an adornment component 1504. For example, the directions may describe the materials needed and provide instructions for making the adornment component or may provide information regarding purchase of an off-the-shelf adornment component. The adornment component 1504 including an exterior surface and an interior surface and configured to adorn a wearer. For example, a wearer may include a person, an animal, a manikin, a doll, or any other suitable type of being or object. Each interior hook fabric 1508 including a hook surface and a back surface. The instructions 1508 describe how to assemble the at least one interior hook fabric 1506 and the adornment component 1504 to form an adornment assembly such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric 1506 faces away from at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component 1504 and at least a corresponding portion of the exterior surface of the adorning component 1504 faces away from the corresponding back surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric 1506.

The adornment assembly is configured for placement on the wearer in relation to at least one existing elastic band. For example, an elastic band includes a non-damaging elastic band such as No-damage Elastics by Scunci and Ouchless Elastics by Goody. An elastic band also includes various types of elasticized hair ties, elasticized hair accessories, and any suitable elastic band to which hook fabric can releasably attach. Each existing elastic band surrounding a bundle of hair and forming a constricted area in the corresponding bundle. One or more of the at least one interior hook fabric 1506 is configured to embed and become releasably attached to a corresponding one or more of the at least one existing elastic band in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle such that the adornment assembly adorns the wearer and the corresponding hook surface of each one or more interior hook fabric 1506 serves as an attaching mechanism to secure the adornment component to the wearer. When the releasably attached one or more interior hook fabric 1506 is conjoined and comingled with the one or more existing elastic band, the one or more interior hook fabric 1506 securely attaches the adornment component to the wearer by affixing to the corresponding bundle of hair. For example, when the hook surface of the interior hook fabric is conjoined and comingled with the elastic band, the interior hook fabric serves as a functional, utilitarian method of securely attaching the adornment component onto the head or hair of the wearer. Moreover, when the adornment assembly is in place, the interior hook fabric and other components are hidden beneath the adornment component.

In another embodiment, the kit 1500 also includes a tube 1510. The tube 1510 including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges. In other embodiments, the adornment assembly may include multiple tubes (see. e.g., FIG. 13D). The instructions 1508 include assembly of the adornment component 1504, the at least one interior hook fabric 1506, and the tube 1510 to form the adornment assembly. One or more of the at least one interior hook fabric 1506 are configured for being secured to the inner surface of the tube 1510 such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric 1506 faces away from the inner surface of the tube 1510. The tube 1510 is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area. The interior hook fabric is functionally used for attachment purposes, to secure the adornment assembly onto the head or hair of the wearer. Moreover, when the adornment assembly is in place, the tube, interior hook fabric, and other components are hidden beneath the adornment component.

In other embodiments, the kit may include any combination of components identified in the various embodiments of an adornment assembly (e.g., ponytail holder, etc.) described above. Other embodiment of the kit may include multiple tubes which may be in multiple sizes. For example, one may select a tube from a variety of tubes in the kit to match the size of a particular hair bundle or to match a desired style for the adornment assembly.

In a further embodiment of the kit 1500, at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component 1504 is configured to be removably secured to the outer surface of the tube 1510 using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, snaps, hooks, pushpins, clips, brads, buttons, a hook-and-loop fastener, or any suitable adhesive or fastener in any suitable combination. The hook-and-loop fastener including a loop or hook portion secured to the outer surface of the tube 1510 and a corresponding hook or loop portion secured to the interior surface of the adornment component 1504.

In another further embodiment of the kit 1500, the outer surface of the tube comprises the adornment component (see, e.g., FIG. 14).

In yet another further embodiment, the kit 1500 also includes end caps 1512 configured to be secured to the adornment assembly along each longitudinal edge of the tube. The instructions 1508 include securing the end caps 1512 to corresponding longitudinal edges of the tube 1510.

In still another further embodiment of the kit 1500, the tube 1510 is configured such that the opposing longitudinal edges can be separated to deform the tube 1510 to facilitate receiving the constricted area of the bundle of hair and biased to return to a tubular-like form when the opposing longitudinal edges are released.

In yet another embodiment of the kit 1500, the interior surface of the adornment component 1504 is configured to be secured to, or near to, one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric 1506 to form the adornment assembly. The adornment assembly having a central portion separating opposing end portions. In this embodiment, the kit 1500 also includes a supplemental fastening mechanism with opposing fastener components configured to be secured to the opposing end portions of the adornment assembly. The instructions 1508 include securing the opposing fastener components to the opposing end portions. The opposing fastener components are configured to be coupled together to fasten the opposing end portions of the adornment assembly together to secure the adornment assembly in place. The supplemental fastening mechanism may also prevent an edge from hanging loosely if the hair bundle is smaller than a circumference of the adornment component.

In still another embodiment of the kit 1500, the adornment component 1504 includes front and back portions configured to form a sleeve with opposing open ends. In this embodiment, the kit 1500 also includes a tube 1510 with an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges. The instructions 1508 include assembly of the adornment component 1504, the at least one interior hook fabric 1506, and the tube 1510 to form the adornment assembly. The adornment component 1504 is configured to slide over the tube 1510 by feeding a first longitudinal edge through the sleeve from a first open end until both longitudinal edges are covered by the sleeve. One or more of the at least one interior hook fabric 1506 is configured to be secured to the back portion of the adornment component 1504 such that the corresponding hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric 1506 faces away from the back portion of the adornment component 1504. The covered tube 1510 is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area. After the adornment component 1504 is slid on the tube 1510 and both longitudinal edges are covered, the open end(s) of the sleeve may be closed by securing the front and back portions of the adornment component 1504 together at that end. The material of the adornment component 1504 may be secured together using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, or any suitable attaching material in any suitable combination to form the sleeve and to close one or both ends of the sleeve.

With reference to FIG. 16, an exemplary embodiment of a process 1600 for using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer begins at 1602 where an adornment component and at least one interior hook fabric are obtained. The adornment component including an exterior surface and an interior surface and configured to adorn a wearer. For example, a wearer may include a person, an animal, a manikin, a doll, or any other suitable type of being or object. Each interior hook fabric including a hook surface and a back surface. At 1604, each interior hook fabric is positioned along the interior surface of the adornment component to form an adornment assembly such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component and at least a corresponding portion of the exterior surface of the adorning component faces away from the corresponding back surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric.

The adornment assembly is configured for placement on the wearer in relation to at least one existing elastic band. For example, an elastic band includes a non-damaging elastic band such as No-damage Elastics by Scunci and Ouchless Elastics by Goody. An elastic band also various types of elasticized hair ties, elasticized hair accessories, and any suitable elastic band to which hook fabric can releasably attach. Each existing elastic band surrounding a bundle of hair and forming a constricted area in the corresponding bundle. One or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is configured to embed and become releasably attached to a corresponding one or more of the at least one existing elastic band in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle such that the adornment assembly adorns the wearer and the corresponding hook surface of each one or more interior hook fabric serves as an attaching mechanism to secure the adornment component to the wearer. When the releasably attached one or more interior hook fabric is conjoined and comingled with the one or more existing elastic band, the one or more interior hook fabric securely attaches the adornment component to the corresponding bundle of hair of the wearer. For example, when the hook surface of the interior hook fabric is conjoined and comingled with the elastic band, the interior hook fabric serves as a functional, utilitarian method of securely attaching the adornment component onto the head or hair of the wearer. Moreover, when the adornment assembly is in place, the interior hook fabric and other components are hidden beneath the adornment component.

In other embodiments, the process for using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer may be used to make any of the various embodiments of an adornment assembly (e.g., ponytail holder, etc.) described above.

With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, an exemplary embodiment of a process 1700 for using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer continues from 1604 of FIGS. 16 to 1702 where a first tube is obtained. The first tube including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges. In other embodiments, the adornment assembly may include multiple tubes (see. e.g., FIG. 13D). At 1704, one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric are secured to the inner surface of the first tube such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from the inner surface of the first tube. The adornment component, the at least one interior hook fabric, and the first tube form the adornment assembly. The first tube is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.

In another embodiment, the process 1700 also includes removably securing at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component to the outer surface of the first tube using glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, snaps, hooks, pushpins, clips, brads, buttons, a hook-and-loop fastener, or any suitable adhesive or fastener in any suitable combination. The hook-and-loop fastener including a loop or hook portion secured to the outer surface of the first tube and a corresponding hook or loop portion secured to the interior surface of the adornment component.

In yet another embodiment of the process 1700, the outer surface of the first tube comprises the adornment component (see, e.g., FIG. 14).

In still another embodiment, the process 1700 also includes obtaining end caps. Next, the end caps are secured to the adornment assembly along each longitudinal edge of the first tube.

In still yet another embodiment of the process 1700, the first tube is configured such that the opposing longitudinal edges can be separated to deform the first tube to facilitate receiving the constricted area of the bundle of hair and biased to return to a tubular-like form when the opposing longitudinal edges are released.

In another embodiment, the process 1700 also includes obtaining a second tube. The second tube including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges. Next, one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is secured to the inner surface of the second tube such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from the inner surface of the second tube, wherein the adornment component, the at least one interior hook fabric, and the first and second tubes form the adornment assembly. The second tube is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.

With reference to FIGS. 16 and 18, an exemplary embodiment of a process 1800 for using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer continues from 1604 of FIGS. 16 to 1802 where the interior surface of the adornment component is secured to one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric to form the adornment assembly. The adornment assembly having a central portion separating opposing end portions. At 1804, a supplemental fastening mechanism is obtained. The supplemental fastening mechanism including opposing fastener components. Next, the opposing fastener components are secured to the opposing end portions of the adornment assembly (1806). The opposing fastener components are configured to be coupled together to fasten the opposing end portions of the adornment assembly together to secure the adornment assembly in place. The supplemental fastening mechanism may also prevent an edge from hanging loosely if the hair bundle is smaller than a circumference of the adornment component.

With reference to FIGS. 16 and 19, an exemplary embodiment of a process 1900 for using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer continues from 1604 of FIGS. 16 to 1902 where a tube is obtained. The tube including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges. In this embodiment, the adornment component includes front and back portions forming a sleeve with opposing open ends. At 1904, the adornment component is slid over the tube by feeding a first longitudinal edge through the sleeve from a first open end until both longitudinal edges are covered by the sleeve. Next, one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is secured to the back portion of the adornment component such that the corresponding hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from the back portion of the adornment component (1906). The covered tube is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.

Various embodiments of a method of manufacturing an anchoring aspect for a ponytail accessory, hat, bridal veil, hair extension, or other head-related accessory specifically for use in conjunction with an existing, typical, thread-wrapped, non-damaging elastic band are described above. For people having long hair, a ponytail (or bundle of hair that has been formed with a typical thread-wrapped non-damaging elastic band) can provide a comfortable and secure source of attachment for a ponytail holder, hair accessory, hat, bridal veil, hair extension, partial wig, or other headgear that will stay put during normal daily activities, and, more importantly, also for active, or windy, and/or wet conditions. This method incorporates hook fabric to the inner surface of the ponytail holder, hat, bridal veil, hairpiece (such as a faux ponytail or hair extension), or other hair accessory, for the purpose of being combined with ponytail(s) formed as described above. Bridal veils are particularly notorious for requiring painful combs and bobby pins and still are in danger of falling off! This method has the utilitarian purpose of creating one or more secure attachment(s) to the wearer's head, while remaining hidden from view, free of heavy or bulky or painful hardware. This method also creates greater ease of application of these articles, and allows more comfort than other methods described in prior art. This method allows the wearer to secure the article to one or more locations on the scalp, with no need to secure it onto the face or forehead or solely at one location.

There exist certain occasions when one may wish to enhance one's appearance by applying a hair accessory, hat, veil, or other headgear. Existing accessories are often too smooth, or slippery, or heavy, or small to remain easily in place, as is often the case when fabric or leather bands or ribbons are applied around a hair bundle with a typical elastic band. In the case of a woman wearing a wedding headdress with or without a veil, it is often held in place with combs, barrettes, or hairpins that can cause painful pressure to the scalp. If the bride were to form one or more bundles of hair with typical elastic bands, then add the headdress that has been made by incorporating hook fabric to its inner aspect, the headdress would stay securely in place after pressing it firmly into the bands, enabling her to avoid painful pressure of the combs on her wedding day, while moving freely, with confidence that the headdress would remain securely in place. In addition, there are times when a wearer is very active, as with children at play, teens during cheerleading, or a person with long hair who is jogging, when a standard enhancement to a bundle of hair would become dislodged, making the overall presentation of fashion or team uniform appear to be incomplete or less attractive. The various embodiments of the method of producing these accessories described above would solve this problem.

Various methods of attaching accessories that enhance hair bundles, formed with typical non-damaging bands, have been described, however heretofore known and utilized methods fail to provide the security, comfort, and ease of attachment as the various embodiments of methods of producing hair accessories with integrated hook fabric on the connecting surface and for use with typical elastic bands that are described above. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,161 to Kohanek discloses a decorative hair accessory for the purpose of holding long hair into a decorative elongated tube. The Kohanek hair accessory is held in place by using a “hooking device,” “typically a thin cylindrical rod curved, that forms an arcuate, hook-like device.” Kohanek diagrams a conventional hook that partially encircles a typical elastic band, and is only a singular point of connectedness and is not pervasive and diffuse, like the bond that occurs with hook fabric. The Kohanek hook does not embed into the fibers, as would occur with hook fabric. In addition, Kohanek describes alternate, less desired methods of connections as “comb like devices or hair pin devices,” but never teaches the use of hook fabric as a possible attachment method. The Kohanek hook method is inferior to the various embodiments of adornment assemblies and associated method described above because a hook can easily move and become dislodged, causing the entire accessory to fall off of the wearer. For example, if the wearer of the Kohanek hair accessory were to lean his or her head against a backrest, the hook could easily dislodge. In contrast, the same activity would not disrupt the attachment to the wearer of the various embodiments of the adornment assembly described herein. In fact, this activity may even tighten the bond of the fibers into the elastic band! In addition, the Kohanek methods of attachment are all technically much more time-consuming and difficult to achieve verses the ease of use of simply squeezing a hair accessory that has inherent hook fabric, into a typical elastic band to embed it securely onto the wearer. Other hair accessories that adorn a ponytail have the typical elastic band attached to the interior surface of the device. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,713 to Mroczek describes the most typical way that ponytail holders are attached to the wearer. A loop attachment connected to the inner surface of a cylindrical body serves to retain a circular elastic cord looped through it which is used to form a ponytail. The cylindrical device is then positioned over the formed ponytail. One typical example currently on the market is known as L. Erickson's Atelier Enamel Cuff Pony, which uses a technique similar to that of Mroczek.

Mroczek and others fail to teach a device that could be attached to a typical band if, in production, the device had incorporated a hook fabric to the inner aspect of the device.

Other hair accessories use surfaces of hook fabric, but only for decorative purposes as a means to attach interchangeable decorative variation, and not as a utilitarian, functional method of attaching a hair accessory to the wearer via a bundle of hair formed by a typical non-damaging elastic band. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Publication No. 2010/0277944 to Hurwitz describes a headband or hair accessory having a top side with a “connection means integrated therein appointed to receive the interchangeable attachment.” At no time does Hurwitz teach that hook fabric is used in a utilitarian way or as method to more securely attach the accessory to the wearer's head.

Hurwitz describes “an interchangeable attachment” that “modifies the look and feel of an article . . . ” and is never described as a method to more securely attach an accessory to a wearer via a bundle of hair. Hurwitz does not specifically teach a ponytail adornment because, using the Hurwitz technique on a ponytail adornment, the accessory would have easily slipped off of the wearer, as previously described, in references to other prior art.

Other accessories are held in place by simple elastic, the type of which is used in waist bands of underwear. For example, U.S. Pat. App. Publication No. 2002/0056467 to Srivastava discloses a knot helper utilizing a sleeve open at the top end as well as the bottom end. A partially or fully exposed elastic circle is used at the top end to tighten the knot helper around the top of a wearer's ponytail. Srivastava never teaches or displays any knowledge that hook fabric (e.g., Velcro) can be used as a method for the utilitarian purpose of embedding it in order to securely attach it to the wearer. The Srivastava accessory, and others like it, could be easily dislodged upon inadvertent loosening of the elastic band and would not provide as secure of an attachment as the various embodiments of an adorning assembly described herein.

A wedding veil or headdress is another example that incorporates inferior methods of attaching to the wearer's head. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,724 to Anzivino, assigned to Love Wigs, Inc., discloses a head cover with a barrette anchorage member and barrette in which a barrette attaches to a sleeve of fabric sewn onto the headwear. Other attachments for wedding veils include combs or hairpins which can be painful, visible, and can easily dislodge. For example: U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,720 to Campbell describes a headband with securement loops adapted to receive a bobby pin. In addition multiple articles on the Internet describe methods of applying a bridal veil, using the tricky procedure of placing combs and bobby pins to hold it in place.

Since 1941, when Velcro Brand of hook and loop tape came on the market, there have been many methods created to attach a hair accessory or adornment to a person's head or hair but never has anybody described the use of elastic bands as a substitute for loop fabric in the in the process of securely and comfortably, attaching such items. In conclusion, therefore, it is demonstrated that those skilled in the art of hair ornaments and accessories have not been aware that this is an efficient means of attaching an adornment. Therefore this lack of application on their part, demonstrates conclusively that doing so is not obvious and is, in fact, novel and unexpected.

Other uses for the adornment assembly (e.g., ponytail holder), beyond using it to adorn a wearer and/or hold a ponytail, are envisioned. For example, various embodiments of the adornment assembly (e.g., ponytail holder) described herein could be used as uniquely decorated identifiers for personal items, such as suitcases, briefcases, school items, golf bags, or other personal items. Various embodiments of the adornment assembly (e.g., ponytail holder) described herein could also be used for interior design and home décor, such as for drapery holdbacks, napkin rings, and pillow accents. Additionally, various embodiments of the adornment assembly (e.g., ponytail holder) described herein could be used for decorative adornments for pets, such as dog or horse hair adornments. Various embodiments of the adornment assembly (e.g., ponytail holder) described herein could also be used for adornment of toys, such as for hair and other adornments of dolls. Additionally, various embodiments of the adornment assembly (e.g., ponytail holder) described herein could be used for other types of adornment for the body, such as bracelets, belts, etc. In certain embodiments, the size and shape of the tube could be altered to suit the intended purpose for the adornment assembly (e.g., ponytail holder). For example, the shape of the tube in longitudinal cross-section could be round-like, oval-like, or any other suitable shape.

The above description merely provides a disclosure of particular embodiments of the invention and is not intended for the purposes of limiting the same thereto. As such, the invention is not limited to only the above-described embodiments. Rather, it is recognized that one skilled in the art could conceive alternative embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for adorning a wearer, comprising:

an adornment component with an exterior surface and an interior surface, the adornment component configured to adorn a wearer; and
at least one interior hook fabric, each interior hook fabric including a hook surface and a back surface, wherein each interior hook fabric is assembled with the adornment component to form an adornment assembly such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component and at least a corresponding portion of the exterior surface of the adorning component faces away from the corresponding back surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric;
wherein the adornment assembly is configured for placement on the wearer in relation to at least one existing elastic band, each existing elastic band surrounding a bundle of hair and forming a constricted area in the corresponding bundle;
wherein one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is configured to embed into and become releasably attached to one or more of the at least one existing elastic band in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle such that the adornment assembly adorns the wearer and the corresponding hook surface of each one or more interior hook fabric serves as an attaching mechanism to secure the adornment component to the wearer;
wherein, when the releasably attached one or more interior hook fabric is conjoined and comingled with the one or more existing elastic band, the one or more interior hook fabric securely attaches the adornment component to the wearer by affixing to the corresponding bundle of hair.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the adornment component includes at least one of a head covering, a headgear, a hat, a cap, a helmet, a bonnet, a headdress, a head piece, a crown, a hood, a scarf, a face covering, a veil, a hair extension, a hair piece, a wig, a wreath, a floral arrangement, a ponytail holder, a hair accessory, a bow, and a ribbon.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first tube including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges, wherein the adornment component, the at least one interior hook fabric, and the tube form the adornment assembly;
wherein one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is secured to the inner surface of the first tube such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from the inner surface of the first tube;
wherein the first tube is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component is secured to the outer surface of the first tube.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component is removably secured to the outer surface of the first tube using at least one of glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, snaps, hooks, pushpins, clips, brads, buttons, and a hook-and-loop fastener, the hook-and-loop fastener including a loop or hook portion secured to the outer surface of the tube and a corresponding hook or loop portion secured to the interior surface of the adornment component.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the outer surface of the first tube comprises the adornment component.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

end caps secured to the adornment assembly along each longitudinal edge of the first tube.

8. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the first tube is configured such that the opposing longitudinal edges can be separated to deform the first tube to facilitate receiving the constricted area of the bundle of hair and biased to return to a tubular-like form when the opposing longitudinal edges are released.

9. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising:

a second tube including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges, wherein the adornment component, the at least one interior hook fabric, and the first and second tubes form the adornment assembly;
wherein one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is secured to the inner surface of the second tube such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from the inner surface of the second tube;
wherein the second tube is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the interior surface of the adornment component is secured to one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric to form the adornment assembly, the adornment assembly having a central portion separating opposing end portions, the apparatus further comprising:

a supplemental fastening mechanism with opposing fastener components secured to, or near to, the opposing end portions of the adornment assembly;
wherein the opposing fastener components are configured to be coupled together to fasten the opposing end portions of the adornment assembly together to secure the adornment assembly in place.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the supplemental fastening mechanism includes at least one of snaps, hooks, lengths of elastic, ties, buttons, tape, wire, pushpins, clips, brads, tabs, loop, and a hook-and-loop fastener.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, the supplemental fastening mechanism further comprising:

a loop fabric secured to the exterior surface of the adornment component at a first opposing end portion of the adornment assembly; and
a portion of the corresponding hook surface of a select hook fabric of the one or more interior hook fabric, the portion of the corresponding hook surface being disposed at the other opposing end portion of the adornment assembly;
wherein the loop fabric is configured to embed and become releasably attached to the portion of the corresponding hook surface of the select hook fabric to fasten the opposing end portions of the adornment assembly together in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area such that the supplemental fastening mechanism secures the adornment assembly in place.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the adornment component includes front and back portions forming a sleeve with opposing open ends, the apparatus further comprising:

a tube including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges;
wherein the adornment component is configured to slide over the tube by feeding a first longitudinal edge through the sleeve from a first open end until both longitudinal edges are covered by the sleeve;
wherein one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is secured to the back portion of the adornment component such that the corresponding hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from the back portion of the adornment component;
wherein the covered tube is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.

14. A kit for making an adornment assembly configured to adorn a wearer, the kit comprising:

directions for making or obtaining an adornment component, the adornment component including an exterior surface and an interior surface and configured to adorn a wearer;
at least one interior hook fabric, each interior hook fabric including a hook surface and a back surface; and
instructions for assembly of the at least one interior hook fabric and the adornment component to form an adornment assembly such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component and at least a corresponding portion of the exterior surface of the adorning component faces away from the corresponding back surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric;
wherein the adornment assembly is configured for placement on the wearer in relation to at least one existing elastic band, each existing elastic band surrounding a bundle of hair and forming a constricted area in the corresponding bundle;
wherein one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is configured to embed and become releasably attached to a corresponding one or more of the at least one existing elastic band in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle such that the adornment assembly adorns the wearer and the corresponding hook surface of each one or more interior hook fabric serves as an attaching mechanism to secure the adornment component to the wearer;
wherein, when the releasably attached one or more interior hook fabric is conjoined and comingled with the one or more existing elastic band, the one or more interior hook fabric securely attaches the adornment component to the wearer via the corresponding bundle of hair.

15. The kit of claim 14, further comprising:

a tube including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges;
wherein the instructions include assembly of the adornment component, the at least one interior hook fabric, and the tube to form the adornment assembly;
wherein one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric are configured for being secured to the inner surface of the tube such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from the inner surface of the tube;
wherein the tube is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.

16. The kit of claim 15 wherein at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component is configured to be removably secured to the outer surface of the tube using at least one of glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, snaps, hooks, pushpins, clips, brads, buttons, and a hook-and-loop fastener, the hook-and-loop fastener including a loop or hook portion secured to the outer surface of the tube and a corresponding hook or loop portion secured to the interior surface of the adornment component.

17. The kit of claim 15 wherein the outer surface of the tube comprises the adornment component.

18. The kit of claim 15, further comprising:

end caps configured to be secured to the adornment assembly along each longitudinal edge of the tube;
wherein the instructions include securing the end caps to corresponding longitudinal edges of the tube.

19. The kit of claim 15 wherein the tube is configured such that the opposing longitudinal edges can be separated to deform the tube to facilitate receiving the constricted area of the bundle of hair and biased to return to a tubular-like form when the opposing longitudinal edges are released.

20. The kit of claim 14 wherein the interior surface of the adornment component is configured to be secured to one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric to form the adornment assembly, the adornment assembly having a central portion separating opposing end portions, the kit further comprising:

a supplemental fastening mechanism with opposing fastener components configured to be secured to, or near to, the opposing end portions of the adornment assembly;
wherein the instructions include securing the opposing fastener components to the opposing end portions;
wherein the opposing fastener components are configured to be coupled together to fasten the opposing end portions of the adornment assembly together to secure the adornment assembly in place.

21. The kit of claim 14 wherein the adornment component includes front and back portions configured to form a sleeve with opposing open ends, the kit further comprising:

a tube including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges;
wherein the instructions include assembly of the adornment component, the at least one interior hook fabric, and the tube to form the adornment assembly;
wherein the adornment component is configured to slide over the tube by feeding a first longitudinal edge through the sleeve from a first open end until both longitudinal edges are covered by the sleeve;
wherein one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is configured to be secured to the back portion of the adornment component such that the corresponding hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from the back portion of the adornment component;
wherein the covered tube is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.

22. A method of using hook fabric to manufacture an adornment assembly for adorning a wearer, comprising:

obtaining an adornment component and at least one interior hook fabric, the adornment component including an exterior surface and an interior surface and configured to adorn a wearer, each interior hook fabric including a hook surface and a back surface; and
positioning each interior hook fabric along the interior surface of the adornment component to form an adornment assembly such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component and at least a corresponding portion of the exterior surface of the adorning component faces away from the corresponding back surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric;
wherein the adornment assembly is configured for placement on the wearer in relation to at least one existing elastic band, each existing elastic band surrounding a bundle of hair and forming a constricted area in the corresponding bundle;
wherein one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric is configured to embed and become releasably attached to a corresponding one or more of the at least one existing elastic band in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle such that the adornment assembly adorns the wearer and the corresponding hook surface of each one or more interior hook fabric serves as an attaching mechanism to secure the adornment component to the wearer;
wherein, when the releasably attached one or more interior hook fabric is conjoined and comingled with the one or more existing elastic band, the one or more interior hook fabric securely attaches the adornment component to the wearer via the corresponding bundle of hair.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

obtaining a first tube including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges;
securing one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric to the inner surface of the first tube such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from the inner surface of the first tube, wherein the adornment component, the at least one interior hook fabric, and the first tube form the adornment assembly;
wherein the first tube is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

removably securing at least a portion of the interior surface of the adornment component to the outer surface of the first tube using at least one of glue, tape, thread, string, wire, staples, rivets, snaps, hooks, pushpins, clips, brads, buttons, and a hook-and-loop fastener, the hook-and-loop fastener including a loop or hook portion secured to the outer surface of the first tube and a corresponding hook or loop portion secured to the interior surface of the adornment component.

25. The method of claim 23 wherein the outer surface of the first tube comprises the adornment component.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

obtaining end caps; and
securing the end caps to the adornment assembly along each longitudinal edge of the first tube.

27. The method of claim 23 wherein the first tube is configured such that the opposing longitudinal edges can be separated to deform the first tube to facilitate receiving the constricted area of the bundle of hair and biased to return to a tubular-like form when the opposing longitudinal edges are released.

28. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

obtaining a second tube including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges;
securing one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric to the inner surface of the second tube such that the hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from the inner surface of the second tube, wherein the adornment component, the at least one interior hook fabric, and the first and second tubes form the adornment assembly;
wherein the second tube is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.

29. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

securing the interior surface of the adornment component to one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric to form the adornment assembly, the adornment assembly having a central portion separating opposing end portions;
obtaining a supplemental fastening mechanism with opposing fastener components; and
securing the opposing fastener components to, or near to, the opposing end portions of the adornment assembly;
wherein the opposing fastener components are configured to be coupled together to fasten the opposing end portions of the adornment assembly together to secure the adornment assembly in place.

30. The method of claim 22 wherein the adornment component includes front and back portions forming a sleeve with opposing open ends, the method further comprising:

obtaining a tube including an inner surface, an outer surface, and a longitudinal slit forming opposing longitudinal edges;
sliding the adornment component over the tube by feeding a first longitudinal edge through the sleeve from a first open end until both longitudinal edges are covered by the sleeve; and
securing one or more of the at least one interior hook fabric to the back portion of the adornment component such that the corresponding hook surface of the corresponding interior hook fabric faces away from the back portion of the adornment component;
wherein the covered tube is configured to receive the corresponding constricted area of the corresponding bundle of hair formed by one or more of the at least one existing elastic band through the longitudinal slit in conjunction with placement of the adornment assembly over the corresponding constricted area.
Patent History
Publication number: 20140290682
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 17, 2014
Publication Date: Oct 2, 2014
Inventor: Susan B. Wendschuh (Avon, OH)
Application Number: 14/306,721
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Methods (132/200); Hair Fastener (132/273)
International Classification: A45D 8/14 (20060101);