Pressure Sensitive Hair Grooming Device

Abstract

A novel device for hair grooming comprises a flexible guide band and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The PSA is bonded to the front side of the guide band, has substantially the same shape as the guide band, and substantially covers the guide band's area. The device is configured to reversibly adhere to the hair and skin of a user via the PSA, and act as a guide for trimming, cutting or other grooming. The device can be applied, removed, and reapplied without discomfort or damage to the skin or hair. The guide band is preferably made of silicone rubber and the PSA is preferably a pressure sensitive silicone or acrylic gel. The device may take on a variety of shapes and may have an opening within its perimeter in the shape of a pattern that is to be transferred to the user's hair or to otherwise facilitate grooming.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices that aid in hair grooming or styling.

BACKGROUND

Currently many men and women are faced with hair growth on the back of their neck or other areas that are difficult to tend to due to lack of a line of sight or inability to trim the hair in an accurate manner. Mirrors are often used to help ensure accurate trimming, but using mirrors is awkward and challenging for most users and results in frequent mistakes. Most people that are concerned with this type of grooming have someone assist them, which is inconvenient and often impossible. The difficulties associated with self grooming leads many people to either go ungroomed or visit the hair salon for a trim or clean up treatment in between hair cuts, which is an undesirable cost. Moreover, users may desire to not only trim overgrown regions, but reliably trim or style their hair by themselves. Thus there is a need in the art for a device that allows a user to self-groom or style hair in an accurate and convenient manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device and its use as a guideline for haircut maintenance.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device and its use as a guideline for curved haircut maintenance.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device and its use as a guideline for stylized hair cutting.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device and its use as a guideline for body hair trimming.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device, with negative stencil, and its use as a guideline for creative hair cutting.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective top view of the pressure-sensitive hair grooming device, with reverse stencil, and its use as a guideline for creative hair cutting.

SUMMARY

A novel device for hair grooming comprises a flexible guide band and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). The PSA is bonded to the front side of the guide band, has substantially the same shape as the guide band, and substantially covers the guide band's area. The device is configured to reversibly adhere to the hair and skin of a user via the PSA, and act as a guide for trimming, cutting or other grooming. At the same time, the hair beneath the device is protected during grooming. The device can be applied, removed, and reapplied without discomfort or damage to the skin or hair. The guide band is preferably made of silicone rubber and the PSA is preferably a pressure sensitive silicone or acrylic gel. The device may take on a variety of shapes and may have an opening within its perimeter in the shape of a pattern that is to be transferred to the user's hair or to otherwise facilitate grooming.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a bottom view of the pressure sensitive hair-grooming device. This side of the device will also be referred to as the “front side” as it is the side that makes contact with the user's hair/body. For visual purposes, a dimension of length 111 and a dimension of width 112 (as well as a dimension of thickness 213 as shown in FIG. 2) are provided alongside the device 110 to aid in the foregoing description. In a preferred embodiment, the device has a length 111 of 18 inches, width 112 of 0.9 inches, and thickness of 0.125 inches. However, any relative or absolute dimensions provided herein should not be viewed as limiting in nature, as the device's actual dimensions may be variable based on product type and application. The pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device 110 comprises a guide band 120 and pressure-sensitive adhesive (i.e. “PSA”) 115. These two components are bonded via known fabrication methods to form a composite material ideal for addressing personal trimming and styling needs. In a preferred embodiment, both components are composed of silicone. The guide band 120 is a 100% silicone rubber strip, or similar two-part silicone composite. It provides a semi-rigid base for the PSA 115 that is thick enough to serve as a guideline during trimming/styling applications. A portion of its bottom surface (that surface which faces the viewer in FIG. 1) makes contact with the PSA 115. The PSA is a clear, durable, two-part silicone gel with an aggressive surface tack. Alternatively, the PSA may be a comparable gel other than silicone, such as acrylic gel.

As shown, the shape of the PSA 115 is substantially the same as the shape of the guide band 120, in order to optimize adhesion of the device to the hair/skin and provide a uniform gap between the guide band and the user's hair/skin. Otherwise, if the shape of the PSA 115 was not the same as the guide band 120, then certain portions of the guide band perimeter would be more or less adhered, and thus closer or farther away from the hair/skin, respectively, than other portions of the guide band perimeter. Similarly, the PSA 115 substantially covers the area of the guide band 120 in order to keep the guide band 120 uniformly adhered and positioned with respect to the user's hair or body. Otherwise, the portions of the guide band 120 that have less PSA 115 than other portions, will tend to peel or curl upward away from the skin/hair relative to the guide band portions have more PSA 115. Conversely, the PSA 115 should not occupy too much of the area on the bottom surface of guide band 115 to allow for easy handling by the user. Otherwise, the device would stick to the users fingers during handling and placement of the device, making positioning of the device on the body more difficult and less accurate. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the ends of the guide band 120 have an area that does not have the PSA 115 to allow for convenient user handling of the device.

The PSA 115 is applied, and bonded to, the bottom surface of the guide band 120. The bonding can be achieved via a physical bond, or a stronger chemical bond. For physical bonding, the raw liquid form of the PSA polymer may first be mixed, then simultaneously cured and bonded with the solid-state silicone rubber guide band 120. The liquid PSA 115 may be applied to a laser-scored section of the silicone guide band, with the resulting combination laser-cut to the desired dimensions/shapes. However, cutting techniques other than laser cutting (e.g. mechanical cutting) may also be used. For chemical bonding of the PSA and the guide band, the liquid silicone for the guide band 120 is placed in a mold along with the two-part liquid silicone (the PSA 115) so that the two components cure simultaneously. When cured together, the guide band and PSA form chemical bonds and become permanently bonded to each other. However, either bonding type is acceptable because strong non-chemical, physical bonds are formed between silicone materials. Such physical bonds are sufficiently strong to withstand normal use of the device. Regardless of the two components' states, they are bonded via the preceding manufacturing techniques, or via comparable methods. The result is a layer of pressure-sensitive material, bonded to the bottom portion of the guide band 120, with adhesive properties that are ideally suited for usage on human skin and hair. Additionally, these components are inert and suitable for use on human hair and skin. These components also possess a high degree of environmental stability, and can experience a wide range of physical manipulation or temperature changes without warming or failure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device. A dimension of length 211 and a dimension of height 213 placed alongside the device 210 may be used for descriptive purposes, as mentioned above. The height 213 of the device includes the thicknesses of both the PSA 215 and the guide band 220. Said components make contact via a bond 217, shown as a line perpendicular to the height 213 of the device 210. The actual thickness of said bond may be negligible, depending on manufacturing methods. Moreover, the bond 217 can be viewed more as a theoretical plane of contact between the PSA 215 and the guide band 220, as the preferred embodiment provides a method of uniting the two materials without the need for a dedicated bonding agent. As described in FIG. 1, the PSA 215 makes contact with the guide band 220 on a portion of the band's bottom surface. During user applications, the exposed surface of the PSA 215 is adhered to the user's skin or hair. The device is highly suited for usage in this capacity, as subsequent figures will show in more detail.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device. This side of the device will also be referred to as the “back side” as it is opposite from the side that makes contact with the user's hair/body (i.e. the side that is visible when the device is in place). A dimension of length 311 and a dimension of width 312 are provided for visual reference, and show the general proportions of the device 310 in an exemplary embodiment. This figure shows the top surface of the device 310—that surface which faces away from a user during trimming applications. Consequently, only the guide band 320 is visible in this view. The perimeter of the pressure-sensitive adhesive 315 is shown with dotted lines, since it lies on the opposite side, or bottom surface of the guide band 320. The manufacturing methods of laser cutting and mold making used to cut or shape the device 310 are highly accurate in creating straight edges/angles along the perimeter of the guide band 320. The silicone composition of the device 310 makes it very flexible. Thus, it is an ideal tool for symmetrical hair trimming and styling, offering a versatile yet guideline.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device and its use as a guideline for hair maintenance (i.e. trimming or cutting). A user 430 may apply the device 410 to any desired location on their head region 435 or body region 440. While applications to other parts of the body are possible, a preferred application of the present invention is for the trimming of hair on the head. FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary use of the present device for hair maintenance in which the user 430, during a period of hair growth between haircuts, requires trimming of stray hairs that have grown to an undesirable length. Content with the remaining portions of his/her hair, the user may prefer a cost-effective means of self-maintenance as opposed to a new haircut. The pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device 410 offers this capability, which provides a novel capability that is advantageous to conventional alternatives. In a preferred embodiment, the device 410 is manufactured in the shape of a rectangular strip. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the device can take on various shapes to facilitate more specialized hair grooming and styling. The device includes a guide band 420 with pressure-sensitive adhesive, i.e. PSA 415. As previously mentioned, the PSA 415 is bonded to a portion of the guide band 420's bottom surface. As noted above, the shape of the PSA 415 is substantially the same as the shape of the guide band 420, in order to optimize adhesion of the device to the hair/skin and provide a uniform gap between the guide band and the user's hair/skin. Otherwise, if the shape of the PSA 415 was not the same as the guide band 420, then certain portions of the guide band perimeter would be more or less adhered, and thus closer or farther away from the neck, respectively, than other portions of the guide band perimeter and thus lead to inconsistent. This holds true for any guide band shape.

To use the device 410 in the scenario described above, the user 430 temporarily adheres the device to an area of skin and/or hair adjacent to the aforementioned unwanted hairs, via the PSA 415. As shown, the device has been placed around the back of the neck and continues around to the sides of the neck, directly beneath the user's ears 437. The versatile, pliable device 410 conforms to any location on the user's body, regardless of curvature, amount of hair, skin characteristics, etc. The PSA 415 possesses adhesive qualities that allow it to form a reversible yet reliable bond with both the skin and hair in contact with it. Importantly, the bonding of the PSA 415 to the skin and hair is strong enough to hold the device reliably in place yet not so strong as to cause pain or hair removal upon removal. As well, the amount of force required to create this bond is negligible, and merely wrapping the device around one's neck is enough to create said bond, making it quick and easy to use. Once the device is in place, a user is free to dedicate both hands to the activity of hair cutting/trimming. Moreover, the user no longer needs the assistance of another person, or the use of a mirror to provide a visual guide. A powered trimming apparatus 451 (i.e. “clipper”) is likely the ideal tool for use with the device 410, although scissors or other cutting tools may be utilized as desired. Motion arrow 400 indicates the cutting motion of the trimming apparatus 451 in a straight line along the guide band 420 across the back of the neck. Stray or unwanted hairs below the edge of the guide band 420 are thereby cut away during trimming. At the same time, the wanted hair is protected because it is covered by the device 410. Approaching the contours of the neck, the line of trimming can continue around to the sides of the user's face along the perimeter of the device 410. Owing to the adhesive force of the PSA 415, the device 410 remains in place to allow a reliable cutting edge until removed or repositioned. Because removal of the device 410 from the user's skin/hair is effortless and painless, the device can be repeatedly and easily repositioned without discomfort. Due to the durability of the silicone in the guide band 420 and PSA 415, the device is immune to reasonable short-term wear, and may be rinse-able and reusable for a large number of uses. As described, the device 410 provides an effective and versatile means of self-trimming by providing a physical guide while protecting the area of hair beneath the device that is to remain unchanged.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device and its use as a guideline for curved haircut maintenance. Similar to the scenario depicted in FIG. 4, this figure illustrates an example of haircut maintenance in which the user 530, desires trimming of stray hairs that have grown to an undesirable length. Instead of cutting along a path that is constrained to a straight line (single plane), for stylistic or maintenance-related purposes, the user 530 may desire to cut a curved line, traveling around the neck and terminating higher on the head region 535, adjacent to the ears 537. The pressure-sensitive hair grooming device 510, with guide band 520 and PSA 515, can be wrapped around the area shown with minimal pressure, bonding it temporarily to the user's hair (and skin, if applicable). Motion arrow 505 indicates the curved cutting path along the edge of the device 510 using a powered trimming apparatus 551. The cutting path can include a straight path along the back of the neck, a forward path towards the side of the neck, and an upward path towards and/or past the rear of the ears 537. The guide band 520 prevents any cutting beyond its edge, thus allowing curved haircut maintenance with the consistency and symmetry afforded by a guideline. Any manner of cutting, shaving, and/or trimming can be accomplished, without assistance from another person. The device 510 conforms to every contour of the user's head, regardless of shape or irregularities. Furthermore the adhesive qualities of the PSA 515 make it immune to the unpredictable and varied nature of human hair. The burdens of adhesion are wholly transferred to the PSA 515, simultaneously making adhesion highly consistent, and removal pain-free. Following an initial usage, the device 510 can be continuously reused. The device can be rinsed with water, allowed to air dry for a short time and then stored for future use. The device may last up to a year for example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device and its use as a guideline for stylized hair cutting. In this case, the user 630 may desire to shave one side of their head, or create a “mohawk” hairstyle. The device 610 with guide band 620 and PSA 615 can be easily adhered to any portion of skin or hair, large or small, on the head region 635 of the user 630. The user can then self-cut their own hair in straight angles or curved lines without having to tend to the device 610 in the process, as described in previous figures. In an example of stylized hair cutting, the user 630 wraps the device 610 on top of the head 635 from the forehead to the back of the head, with its terminal edges lying on the forehead and back of the head. Using a powered trimming apparatus 651, the user may then trim away large portions of exposed hair on one or both sides of the device 610, trimming right up to the edge of its guide band 620 as indicated by motion arrow 601. Naturally, the hair beneath the device 610 is protected from the clipper/cutting. Thus, the device 610 has the dual advantage of serving as a guide for grooming while at the same time protecting the hair that the user does not want to modify. As in previous scenarios, the device 610 can be removed and repositioned upon the head region 635 as desired, for continued grooming and a complete trimming/styling experience. Removal is pain-free via the safe, temporary bond created with the user's hair.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device and its use as a guideline for body hair cutting. This figure focuses on the frontal portion of the user's body region 740. The device 710 with guide band 720 and PSA 715 can be placed along the chest of the user 730 with minimal force. Varying hair to skin ratios are of no consequence. to the versatile PSA 715 and its adhesive properties, making the device highly suited for use anywhere on the body. Using a powered trimming apparatus 751, the user may trim body hair right up to the edge of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device 710. Motion arrow 702 indicates this cutting path along the length 711 of the device 710. A user may continue to trim alongside the width 712 of the device 710 as needed, as the entire perimeter edge of the device provides the same guideline for symmetrical cutting. As in previous usage scenarios, the device 710 is easily removable and repositionable around the body, without any pain or injury. Use of the device 710 can thus be easily extended to the trimming, cutting, or shaving of underarm regions, pubic regions, etc. In any given scenario, the device conforms to the body's contour, due to its flexibility. As the user readjusts positions their body for comfort or to achieve more optimal cutting, the device remains in place.

As shown and described above, the device of the present invention has a rectangular shape like that of a strap or band. However, the device can take on other shapes for specialized grooming or styling applications. FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device in a stencil form having a star pattern within its perimeter for creative hair-cutting and pattern creation. The device 810 can be cut into any shape, with varying proportions. Exemplary shapes may include a circle, triangle, star, jagged line, lighting bolt, and so forth. The result is the ability to provide a multitude of shapes or patterns that can be transferred to the user's hair or otherwise used as a grooming guide. As with the rectangular embodiment, the perimeter edges (inner and outer perimeter edges) of the guide band 820 provide a stable and accurate guide for the desired trimming, cutting or grooming that can be applied, removed and reapplied without pain or injury. Similarly, as with the rectangular embodiment, the shape of the PSA 815 substantially mirrors the shape of the guide band 820. FIG. 8 shows an example of a stencil with creative interior shapes 861, e.g. star shaped patterns, that form a space 860 through the body of the device 810 (i.e. through guide band 820 and PSA 815) on the interior of its perimeter. The device, with guide band 820 and PSA 815 can be adhered to hair and skin on the head region 835 of the user 830 as in previous figures. The PSA 815 forms a safe, temporary bond that is continuously repositionable, without pain. With a powered trimming apparatus 851, the user 830 may trim exposed hair lying inside the spaces 860 formed by the creative interior shapes 861, leaving hair outside the space untouched. The perimeter edges of these spaces provide a guideline as in previous scenarios. This provides a symmetrical cut within the target areas provided by the creative interior shapes 861. The user 830 may reposition the device 810 around the head region 835 as needed, to create a finished design that satisfies the creative grooming needs. The device 810 can be removed, rinsed, and stored for later usage.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective top view of the pressure-sensitive hair-grooming device in a customized shape or pattern. In contrast to the stencil embodiment of FIG. 8, this could be called a “reverse stencil” whereby the user cuts or trims around the perimeter of the device in order to transfer the pattern to their hair or otherwise be used as a guideline for creative hair cutting. As shown in FIG. 9, the device can take on various shapes to facilitate more specialized hair grooming and styling. Using conventional cutting techniques, various shapes can be formed from the guide band material (i.e. silicone rubber). In this scenario, the perimeter of the guide band 920 is defined by the star shape or pattern 963. In this embodiment a star-shaped device is shown, but as previously mentioned, an unlimited number of shapes/stencils and lines are possible. As with the rectangular embodiment of the device, the perimeter edges of the guide band 920 provide a stable and accurate guide for the desired trimming, cutting or grooming that can be applied, removed and reapplied without pain or injury. As with prior embodiments, and regardless of the shape of the device, the shape of the PSA 915 substantially mirrors the shape of the guide band 920. The user 930 may place the device 910 anywhere on their head region 935 via the bond created by the PSA 915, then proceed to cut uncovered portions of hair that surround it with a powered trimming apparatus 951. Using the perimeter of the guide band 920 as a guideline, the user can trim away hair, up to and along the edge of the guide band. The user can reposition the device 910 during this process as needed to complete his/her design, with pain-free removal. The resulting areas of longer hair will possess the shape dictated by the reverse stencil. Even with irregular shapes, pointy edges, etc., the device will always readily conform to any portion of the user's body and form a reliable, safe, yet temporary bond with hair and skin. Because of its durable material composition, the device can be cleaned as needed and stored for future use.

While there have been described herein what are considered to be preferred and exemplary embodiments of the present invention, other modifications of the invention shall be apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. It is noted that the embodiments disclosed are illustrative rather than limiting in nature and that a wide range of variations, modifications, changes, substitutions are contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and, in some instances, some features of the present invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Many such variations and modifications may be considered desirable by those skilled in the art based upon a review of the foregoing description of preferred embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for hair grooming comprising:

a flexible, rectangular guide band, the guide band having a front side, a back side, a length, a width, and a thickness;

a pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to the front side of the guide band and substantially covering the area of the front side of the guide band;

wherein the device is configured to reversibly adhere to the hair and skin of a user via the pressure sensitive adhesive; and

wherein the shape of the pressure sensitive adhesive is substantially the same as the shape of the guide band.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the guide band is composed of silicone rubber.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is one of pressure sensitive silicone gel, pressure sensitive acrylic gel, and a combination thereof.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the device has a length to width ratio in the range of 19 to 21.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the device has a thickness within the range of 0.1 to 0.15 inches.

6. A device for hair grooming comprising:

a flexible guide band, the guide band having a front side and a back side;

a pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to a front side of the guide band and configured to reversibly adhere the device to hair and skin;

wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive substantially covers the area of the front side guide band; and

wherein the shape of the pressure sensitive adhesive is substantially the same as the shape of the guide band.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the guide band is composed of silicone rubber.

8. The device of claim 6 wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is one of pressure sensitive silicone gel, pressure sensitive acrylic gel, and a combination thereof.

9. The device of claim 6 wherein the device has a thickness within the range of 0.1 to 0.15 inches.

10. The device of claim 6 wherein the shape of the guide band is chosen from the group consisting of circle, rectangle, triangle, star, jagged line, lightning bolt, and a combination thereof.

11. A device for hair grooming comprising:

a flexible guide band, the guide band having a front side and a back side;

a pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to the front side of the guide band and configured to reversibly adhere the device to hair and skin;

an opening through the guide band and pressure sensitive adhesive, the opening defined by an inner perimeter that serves as a grooming guide;

wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive substantially covers the area of the front side guide band; and

wherein the shape of the pressure sensitive adhesive is substantially the same as the shape of the guide band.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein the guide band is composed of silicone rubber.

13. The device of claim 11 wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is one of pressure sensitive silicone gel, pressure sensitive acrylic gel, and a combination thereof.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein the opening has a shape chosen from the group consisting of circle, rectangle, triangle, star, jagged line, lightning bolt, and a combination thereof.

15. The device of claim 11 wherein the device has a thickness within the range of 0.1 to 0.15 inches.