UNWEFT HAIR EXTENSIONS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF
Disclosed is a method of forming an unweft hair extension configured to be attached to cornrowed hair. The method may include soaking a plurality of hair strands in an acidic solution. Further, the method may include looping the plurality of hair strands over a roller to form a loop. Furthermore, the method may include wrapping the plurality of hair strands around the roller. Additionally, the method may include securing the plurality of hair strands around the roller. Further, the method may include placing the roller wrapped by the plurality of hair strands in boiling water for a predetermined time duration. Furthermore, the method may include drying the plurality of hair strands.
Under provisions of 35 U.S.C. §119(e), the Applicant claim the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/251,160, filed Nov. 5, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference.
It is intended that each of the referenced applications may be applicable to the concepts and embodiments disclosed herein, even if such concepts and embodiments are disclosed in the referenced applications with different limitations and configurations and described using different examples and terminology.
FIELD OF DISCLOSUREThe present disclosure generally relates to natural or artificial hair integrations. Generally, the present disclosure relates to installing and wearing a hair protective style using extensions and, more particularly, a crochet/latched hair styling method using a looped pre-curl of hair extension to aid the installation with a top loop defined as the point of start, point of separation that's used as a splitting region in which creates two curls upon opening the pre-curl.
BACKGROUNDArtificial hair integrations, or hair extensions, are often used to add length and/or fullness to human hair. Typically, a hair extension includes hair on a weft, micro-linked hair and/or intertwining hairs (bulk hair). Typical hair extensions are glued or woven into existing, natural hair. However, the typical hair extensions do not enable attachment methods with the use of any loop hairs for installation. Accordingly, typical hair extensions are difficult and expensive to attach.
Various types of hair extensions and methods of making the same loop are not known. Typically, a hair extension includes hair on a weft, micro-linked hair and/or intertwining hairs (bulk hair) into virgin hair. Hence, the typical way lend itself methods without the use of any loop hairs for installation.
BRIEF OVERVIEWA pre-looped, unweft hair extension may be provided. This brief overview is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This brief overview is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this brief overview intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope.
The pre-looped, unweft hair extension may comprise a top loop design for an easy identifiable point of start for latch hook installation, faster knotting, and/or wearing curls for longer periods of time with less disturbance to the curl. The pre-curl with loop may also easily be split from loop to end creating two curl halves, in which provides more voluminous curls.
One feature of the invention resides, briefly stated as a top looped hair extension, as well as in a novel method of making the same, for installing on cornrows as for a splitting region creating two curls upon opening which is defined by a loop atop the curl. The pre-looped, unweft hair extension comprises of a multitude of synthetic fibers and/or human hairs folded in half as to intertwine into a pre-curl with top loop. The pre-looped, unweft hair extension has a circle or oval loop at the top to identify a point of start and separation so that it can maintain and retain a predetermined curl shape upon splitting. The separated pre-curl has two single curls defined solely by the top loop. Means are provided for attaching a pre-curl, either synthetic or human, to a cornrow of hair, preferably by knotting the curl around the cornrow. The pre-looped, unweft hair extensions are attached to all cornrows and substantially all the way up to the front edge of each cornrow.
The elimination of the top loop which, in the prior use of non-existence looped hair extensions, doesn't provide any point of separation or start of installation of a wholly looped pre-curl, and its single curls, are achieved by the user self-identify a point of start. The added loop to the overall pre-curls and its benefits to being easily split and otherwise keeping its predetermined shape permits the loop to be an advantageous because it is a helper in providing a specific anchor (loop) at the very top of the pre-curl.
Both the foregoing brief overview and the following detailed description provide examples and are explanatory only. Accordingly, the foregoing brief overview and the following detailed description should not be considered to be restrictive. Further, features or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments may be directed to various feature combinations and sub-combinations described in the detailed description.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure. The drawings contain representations of various trademarks and copyrights owned by the Applicant. In addition, the drawings may contain other marks owned by third parties and are being used for illustrative purposes only. All rights to various trademarks and copyrights represented herein, except those belonging to their respective owners, are vested in and the property of the Applicant. The Applicant retain and reserve all rights in the trademarks and copyrights included herein, and grant permission to reproduce the material only in connection with reproduction of the granted patent and for no other purpose.
Furthermore, the drawings may contain text or captions that may explain certain embodiments of the present disclosure. This text is included for illustrative, non-limiting, explanatory purposes of certain embodiments detailed in the present disclosure. In the drawings:
As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art that the present disclosure has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the disclosure and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
Accordingly, while embodiments are described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure, and are made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection is to be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.
Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which an ordinary artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the ordinary artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the ordinary artisan should prevail.
Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6, no claim element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutory provision unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element.
Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.”
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. The present disclosure contains headers. It should be understood that these headers are used as references and are not to be construed as limiting upon the subjected matter disclosed under the header.
The present disclosure includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, the context of curls, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to use only in this context. For example, embodiments may take a straight, wavy, or braided form.
I. Overview
Consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, a pre-looped, unweft hair extension may be provided. This overview is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below. This overview is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this overview intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter's scope. The pre-looped, unweft hair extension may be used by individuals to add volume, length, and style to their hair.
The pre-looped, unweft hair extensions may comprise natural or synthetic hair. The hair extensions may be curled in a manner such that the hair extensions retain a curled form. Consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, hair extensions may be available in a plurality styles, varying, for example, by length, curl diameter, and color.
In some embodiments, the hair extensions may comprise a loop for enabling attachment to an individual (i.e., a cornrow of an individual). The loop may enable attachment by, for example, providing a location for hair crocheting, wherein the hair extension is stitched into the individual's cornrowed hair. In this way, the individual's natural hair may be protected from outdoor elements, which may reduce manipulation and hair growth.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to overcome the drawbacks of installing hair extensions without any defining point of start or separation. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure may enable individuals is to detour and eliminate the disadvantages possessed by individuals attempting to create pre-curls in an unsafe way. Still further, embodiments of the present disclosure may be used to substantially eliminate any frustrations of keeping curls defined with a high level of curl disturbance. Moreover, embodiments of the present disclosure may permit the individuals to be groomed with effortless pre-curls installed by loop. Yet further, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a pre-curl hair extension that retains its shape and does not over-fray or otherwise release from cornrow while in use. Additionally, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a unique hair extension design of installing pre-curls using the latch/crochet method.
Both the foregoing overview and the following detailed description provide examples and are explanatory only. Accordingly, the foregoing overview and the following detailed description should not be considered to be restrictive. Further, features or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments may be directed to various feature combinations and sub-combinations described in the detailed description.
II. Configuration
Hair extensions 100 may be embodied with a plurality of lengths, including, but not limited to 10 inches and 20 inches. Further, the curled form may be embodied with a plurality of diameters, including, but not limited to ¼″, 7/16″, ⅝″ and ⅞″. Moreover, the hair extensions may be available in a plurality of colors and textures.
Hair extensions 100 may be made, in part, by using roller 105.
Method 200 may begin at starting block 205 and proceed to stage 210, where raw material (e.g., Toyokalon) may be soaked in acid, such as, for example, dilute cider vinegar.
From stage 210, where the raw material is soaked in acid, method 200 may proceed to stage 220, where a portion of the raw material may be looped and wrapped around roller 105.
From stage 220, where the portion of the raw material is looped and wrapped around roller 105, method 200 may proceed to stage 230, where roller 105 may be bent to hold the raw material in place, as illustrated in
From stage 230, where roller 105 is bent to hold the raw material in place, method 200 may proceed to stage 240, where wrapped roller 400 may be placed in boiling water. For example, wrapped roller may be boiled for 1-2 minutes. In this way, the raw material may be formed into a curl.
From stage 240, where wrapped roller 400 is placed in the boiling water, method 200 may proceed to stage 250, where wrapped roller 400 may be removed from the boiling water to cool off and begin drying. For example, wrapped roller 400 may be placed on a towel for 5-8 minutes to cool off and dry.
From stage 260, where wrapped roller 400 is removed from the boiling water, method 200 may proceed to stage 270, where hair extension 100 may be removed from roller 100. For example, hair extension 100 may be unraveled one curl at a time from a bottom end (furthest from the loop).
From stage 260, method 200 may proceed to stage 270, where hair extension 100 may be left to dry. Once hair extension 100 is left to dry, method 200 may end at stage 280.
Turning now to
However, the plurality of hair strands 700 thus obtained may be coated with extraneous material such as, for example, alkaline substances, dye etc. Accordingly, the method 1200 may include a step 1210 of soaking the plurality of hair strands in an acidic solution, such as, for example, but not limited to, apple cider vinegar. For example, as illustrated in
Further, in some embodiments, the plurality of hair strands 700 may be subjected to one or more processing such as, but not limited to, dyeing and texturing. Additionally, in some embodiments, the plurality of hair strands 700 may be processed to make them kinky.
Further, the method 1200 may include a step 1220 of looping the plurality of hair strands 700 over the roller 105 to form a loop, such as, for example, loop 505 illustrated in
Further, a shape and a size of the roller 105 may be used based on a desired form of the loop. For instance, the roller 105 with an oval cross-section may be used in order to form the loop having an oval opening. Similarly, the roller 105 in the form of a rod having a circular cross-section may be used to form the loop having a circular opening. Further, a cross-sectional size of the roller 105 may be selected based on a size of the loop's opening needed. For example, the loop's opening may be determined based on a corresponding braid size of the cornrowed hair to which the hair extension may attach.
Further, in some embodiments, in order to maintain the loop, the plurality of hair strands 700 may be secured. For example, the ends of the two sets of hair strands that meet at a base portion of the loop may be secured using a securing means such as, for example, but not limited to, glue, clip, hair band and so on. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the plurality of hair strands 700 may be knotted at the base portion of the loop.
Furthermore, the method 1200 may include a step 1230 of wrapping the plurality of hair strands around the roller 105 in order to form curls. However, in other embodiments, the wrapping may be performed on a different roller having a cross-sectional shape and size according to desired characteristics of the curls.
In some embodiments, the looping may form two sets of hair strands, such as 510A and 510B as illustrated in
However, in some embodiments, while the looping forms two sets of hair strands 510A and 510B, the wrapping may include wrapping the two sets of hair strands together over the roller 105. Accordingly, for example, as illustrated in
Additionally, the method 1200 may include a step 1240 of securing the plurality of hair strands around the roller. For example, as illustrated in
Further, the plurality of hair strands 700 may be subjected to high temperature processing as illustrated in
Furthermore, the method 1200 may include a step 1260 of drying the plurality of hair strands. Thereafter, the method 1200 may further include unravelling the plurality of hair strands 700 from the roller 105 to yield the unweft hair extension, such as unweft hair extension 1100 illustrated in
Further disclosed is an unweft hair extension configured to be attached to cornrowed hair. The unweft hair extension may be obtained using, for example, the methods 200 and/or 1200.
Accordingly, the unweft hair extension may include the plurality of hair strands 700 collected together. In some embodiments, the plurality of hair strands 700 may include one or more of synthetic hair and natural hair. Further, each of the plurality of hair strands 700 may be characterized by a curl, as illustrated in
Additionally, the unweft hair extension may include a loop, such as loop 505 illustrated in
In some embodiments, the plurality of hair strands 700 may be separable into two sets of hair strands at the loop. For example, as shown in
Further, each set of hair strands may be characterized by a curl. Further, in some embodiments, the curl corresponding to a set of hair strands may be separately formed.
Further, the curl may be formed by wrapping the plurality of hair strands 700 around the roller 105. In some embodiments, the curl may be formed further by placing the plurality of hair strands 700 in boiling water for a predetermined time duration. Additionally, in some embodiments, the plurality of hair strands 700 may be soaked in an acidic solution, such as, for example, apple cider vinegar.
In some embodiments, the loop may be formed by looping the plurality hair strands over a roller 105. Further, in some embodiments, the loop may be formed at a mid-portion of the plurality of hair strands 700. Accordingly, the unweft hair extension may be split into two curls providing additional hair volume.
III. Use
Embodiments of the present disclosure may be stitched into an individual's natural hair. For example, a crochet hook may be used to stitch hair extension 100 into the individual's natural hair. In this way, a crochet hook may, for example, loop stitch strands into braided cornrows of the individual. Further, a latch hook installation may be used. By using the loop 505, installation may be easier and/or last longer than other hair extensions.
IV. Claims
While the specification includes examples, the disclosure's scope is indicated by the following claims. Furthermore, while the specification has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example for embodiments of the disclosure.
Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawing disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims below, the disclosures are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claims such additional disclosures is reserved.
Claims
1. An unweft hair extension configured to be attached to cornrowed hair, the unweft hair extension comprising:
- a plurality of hair strands collected together, wherein each of the plurality of hair strands is characterized by a curl; and
- a loop formed by the plurality of hair strands, wherein the loop is configured to be attached to a cornrow.
2. The unweft hair extension of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hair strands are separable into two sets of hair strands at the loop, wherein each set of hair strands is characterized by a curl.
3. The unweft hair extension of claim 2, wherein the curl corresponding to a set of hair strands is separately formed.
4. The unweft hair extension of claim 1, wherein the loop is formed by looping the plurality hair strands over a roller.
5. The unweft hair extension of claim 3, wherein the loop is formed at a mid-portion of the plurality of hair strands.
6. The unweft hair extension of claim 1, wherein the curl is formed by wrapping the plurality of hair strands around a roller.
7. The unweft hair extension of claim 5, wherein the curl is formed further by placing the plurality of hair strands in boiling water for a predetermined time duration.
8. The unweft hair extension of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hair strands is soaked in an acidic solution.
9. The unweft hair extension of claim 1, wherein the plurality of hair strands comprises at least one of synthetic hair and natural hair.
10. The unweft hair extension of claim 1, wherein a shape of the loop is at least one of circular and oval.
11. A method of forming an unweft hair extension configured to be attached to cornrowed hair, the method comprising:
- soaking a plurality of hair strands in an acidic solution;
- looping the plurality of hair strands over a roller to form a loop;
- wrapping the plurality of hair strands around the roller;
- securing the plurality of hair strands around the roller;
- placing the roller wrapped by the plurality of hair strands in boiling water for a predetermined time duration; and
- drying the plurality of hair strands.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising placing the roller wrapped by the plurality with hair strands on a water absorbent.
13. The method of claim 11 further comprising unravelling the plurality of hair strands from the roller.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the roller is flexible, wherein the securing comprises bending at least one portion of the roller.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the acidic solution comprises cider vinegar.
16. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of hair strands comprises at least one of synthetic hair and natural hair.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the loop is formed at a mid-portion of the plurality of hair strands.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the looping forms two sets of hair strands, wherein the wrapping comprises wrapping each set of hair strands separately over the roller.
19. The method of claim 11, wherein the looping forms two sets of hair strands, wherein the wrapping comprises wrapping the two sets of hair strands together over the roller.
20. The method of claim 11, wherein a shape of the loop is at least one of circular and oval.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 20, 2016
Publication Date: May 11, 2017
Inventor: Shavone Riggins (Chamblee, GA)
Application Number: 15/215,309