FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a hair fastening device for styling hair and holding hair. Particularly, the hair fastening device includes a camouflaged layer applied to the hair fastening, making it less visible while worn and secured to the hair of a user.
BACKGROUND Many type of hair fastener clips, including bobby pins, barrettes, jaw clips, spring hair clips and other hair retaining devices, are available in the prior art for use in styling and grooming hair of a user. A recognized problem with hair clips are their styles and shapes that often may clash with the color or style of hair onto which it is applied. In addition, several small hair clips or larger types of hair clips such as barrettes may visually detract from the user's hair appearance due to the size or number of hair clips applied to the hair.
Accordingly, there remains a need for hair fastener clips which less visually intrusive and may be concealed or hidden, providing a user a natural hair styling appearance.
SUMMARY It is one advantage of the present invention to provide a camouflaged hair fastener, including a body having a surface and an interior portion; a hair fastening mechanism coupled to at least one portion of the body; and a camouflaged layer coupled to the surface of the body, the camouflaged layer is configured to decrease an appearance and visibility of the camouflaged hair fastener by attenuating and mitigating reflected light radiated from the surface of the body.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide a camouflaged hair fastener, having a body having a surface and an interior portion; a hair fastening mechanism coupled to at least one portion of the body; and a camouflaged adhesive layer coupled to the surface of the body, the camouflaged adhesive layer is configured to decrease an appearance and visibility of the camouflaged hair fastener by attenuating and mitigating reflected light radiated from the surface of the body.
In one embodiment, the camouflaged layer may include an anti-reflective coating. In another embodiment, the camouflaged hair fastener may include a bobby pin, a barrette, a hair pin, a hair clip, a snap hair clip, or a jaw clip hair fastener.
In one aspect, the interior portion may be opaque. In another aspect, the interior portion may be transparent. In yet another aspect, an anti-glare paint may be applied between the camouflaged layer and the surface of the body. In still yet another aspect, the camouflaged layer may be a matte layer.
In a first example, the camouflaged adhesive layer may include an anti-reflective coating disposed on a first side of the camouflaged adhesive layer and an adhesive layer disposed on a second side of the camouflaged adhesive layer. In another example, the camouflaged hair fastener may include a barrette, a snap hair clip, or a jaw clip hair fastener.
In one configuration, the camouflaged adhesive layer may be shaped to match a portion of the barrette. In another configuration, the camouflaged adhesive layer may be shaped to match a portion of the snap hair clip. In still another configuration, the camouflaged adhesive layer may be shaped to match a portion of the jaw clip hair fastener.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and from the attached drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a common and simple hair fastener in the form of a bobby pin.
FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views along dashed line of the bobby pin.
FIG. 3A-FIG. 3C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of a first camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 4A-FIG. 4C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of a second camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 5A-FIG. 5C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of a third camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 6A-FIG. 6C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of a fourth camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 7A-FIG. 7C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of a fifth camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 8A-FIG. 8C illustrate a side view and cross-sectional views of a sixth camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 9A-FIG. 9D illustrate side views of various matte layers that may be applied to the camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 10A-FIG. 10D illustrate a seventh camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 11A-FIG. 11C illustrate an eighth camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 12A-FIG. 12C illustrate a ninth camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment.
FIG. 13 illustrates cross-section view of a substrate may have an anti-reflective coating layer applied to the top surface of the substrate as shown.
FIG. 14 illustrates a user wearing a common hair fastener.
FIG. 15 illustrates a user wearing a camouflaged hair fastener, in accordance to an embodiment.
In the appended figures, one or more elements may have the same reference numeral in different figures indicating previously described.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a common and simple hair fastener in the form of a bobby pin 100. The bobby pin may include a flexible rod unitary structure having a first arm or blade portion 101, a second arm or ridge portion 103, and protection covers 105a, 105b, the first arm 101 and second arm 103 coupled at a bent portion 107 of the bobby pin 100, forming a slot (or eye) 109. In use, the lengthwise sections of the first arm 101 and the second arm or ridge portion 103 of the bobby pin 100 are designed to contact each other through compressive forces applied via the bent portion 107, allowing the bobby pin 100 to stay in a closed position. In addition, the lengthwise sections of the first arm 101 and the second arm or ridge portion 103 may be slightly separated by pulling one protection cover 105a away from the other protection cover 105b, allowing the bobby pin 100 to be in an opened position for receiving and securing strands of hair. The spaces in the ridge portion 103 may allow extra hair to fit between the blade portion 101 and the ridge portion 103, while the blade portion 101 (or flat side of the bobby pin 101) is meant to be applied and supported against the scalp.
FIG. 2A-FIG. 2C illustrate a side view (FIG. 2A) and cross-sectional views (FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C) along dashed line 111 of the bobby pin 100. In this example, the bobby pin 100 is generally formed as a unitary structure having a single solid structure. This unitary structure may have an opaque surface and composed of various materials such as metals, plastics, wood, synthetic materials, composite materials, or a combination thereof. The cross-sectional view along dashed line 111 illustrates an outer surface 112 and an opaque interior portion 113 of the bobby pin 100. In application, metals are generally the preferred and common type of materials used to construct the bobby pin 100 since they provide durability, flexibility and strength to retain and fasten large strands of hair.
FIG. 3A-FIG. 3C illustrate a side view (FIG. 3A) and cross-sectional views (FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C) of a first camouflaged hair fastener 201, according to an embodiment. In this implementation, the first camouflaged hair fastener 201 may include an anti-reflective coating layer 115 that is applied to the outer surface 112 of the hair fastener 100 for eliminating and/or reducing light that is reflected by the surface of the hair fastener, thereby making it less visible at plain sight when worn by a user. In this example, the hair fastener itself may include the bobby pin 100 as previous described hereinabove. Several techniques for applying of the anti-reflective coating layer 115 onto the hair fastener may include but is not limited to spraying, liquid deposition, spin coating, vacuum deposition, or physical vapor deposition. In practice, each technique is intended to achieve a desired thickness and uniform layer that is applied on the surface of the hair fastener in order to eliminate and/or reduce reflected light from the hair fastener. In other implementations, camouflaged hair fasteners may include but is not limited to other types of hair fasteners such as barrettes, hair pins, or hair clips.
FIG. 4A-FIG. 4C illustrate a side view (FIG. 4A) and cross-sectional views (FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C) of a second camouflaged hair fastener 202, according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the second camouflaged hair fastener 202 may include an anti-glare paint 117 that is applied to the outer surface 112 of the hair fastener 100 for further eliminating and/or reducing light that is reflected by the surface of the hair fastener 202. In addition, the second camouflaged hair fastener 202 may include the anti-reflective coating layer 115 that is further applied onto an outer surface 114 of the anti-glare paint 117 as shown in FIG. 4C.
FIG. 5A-FIG. 5C illustrate a side view (FIG. 5A) and cross-sectional views (FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C) of a third camouflaged hair fastener 203, according to an embodiment. In this example, the third camouflaged hair fastener 203 may include the anti-reflective coating layer 115 that is applied to the outer surface 112 of the hair fastener 100 having a transparent or clear interior portion 113′. In application, the transparent interior portion 113′ in combination with the anti-reflective coating layer 115 provides a non-reflective transparent camouflaged to the hair fastener 203, making it nearly invisible at plain sight when worn by the user.
FIG. 6A-FIG. 6C illustrate a side view (FIG. 6A) and cross-sectional views (FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C) of a fourth camouflaged hair fastener 203, according to an embodiment. In this implementation, the fourth camouflaged hair fastener 204 may include a camouflaged sleeve 119 that is fitted and applied on the outer surface 112 of the hair fastener 100. In practice, the camouflaged sleeve 119 of the camouflaged hair fastener 204 is configured to blend in with the surrounding hair of the user, providing a natural appearance and also making it less visible at plain sight when worn by the user. The sleeve 119 may be fabricated using materials such as plastic, rubber, or composite material, conforming to the outer structure of the hair fastener 100. In addition, the sleeve 119 may be either transparent or opaque and have a smooth, patterned, or matted surface.
FIG. 7A-FIG. 7C illustrate a side view (FIG. 7A) and cross-sectional views (FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C) of a fifth camouflaged hair fastener 205, according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the fifth camouflaged hair fastener 205 may include a matte layer 121 that is formed and applied on the outer surface 112 of the hair fastener 100. The matte layer 121 may include, for example, a surface that is matted, mottled, dulled, textured or includes any other types of non-smooth layers which are configured to scatter or diffuse light. In practice, the matte layer 121 of the camouflaged hair fastener 203 is configured to reduce reflectivity on the surface and along sharp edges of the camouflaged hair fastener 203, making it less visible at plain sight when worn by the user. The matte layer 121 may be fabricated using materials such as metal, wood, plastic, rubber, synthetic material, composite material, or a combination thereof. In addition, the matte layer 121 may be structured to be either transparent or opaque.
FIG. 8A-FIG. 8C illustrate a side view (FIG. 8A) and cross-sectional views (FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C) of a sixth camouflaged hair fastener 206, according to an embodiment. In this example, the sixth camouflaged hair fastener 206 may include the anti-reflective coating layer 115 applied onto an outer surface 116 of the matte layer 121 which is formed and applied on the outer surface 112 of the hair fastener 100. In practice, the anti-reflective coating layer 115 and the matte layer 121 are structured to provide the appearance of a smooth surface, edges and corners, while reducing the overall reflectance of the camouflaged hair fastener 206.
FIG. 9A-FIG. 9D illustrate side views of various matte layers 121 that may be applied to the camouflaged hair fastener, according to an embodiment. In FIG. 9A, for example, the matte layer 121 may include non-uniform and non-linear grooves of various amplitudes forming a dull non-reflective surface. In another example, the matte layer 121 may include uneven sized particles scattered throughout the surface as shown in FIG. 9B. In yet another example, the matte layer 121 may include a series of rectangular or saw-toothed grooves as shown in FIG. 9C and FIG. 9D, respectively.
FIG. 10A-FIG. 10D illustrate a seventh camouflaged hair fastener 207, where FIG. 10A illustrates a front perspective view of the hair fastener 207, FIG. 10B illustrates a side view of the hair fastener 207, FIG. 10C illustrates a top view of the hair fastener 207, and FIG. 10D illustrates a cross-sectional view along dashed line 111′ of hair fastener 207, according to an embodiment. In this implementation, the seventh camouflaged hair fastener 207 may include a barrette 207′ having an anti-reflective coating (ARC) tape 125 that is applied to an outer surface 118 of the barrette 207′. The ARC tape 125 may have an ARC side 127 configured to attenuate and mitigate reflected light and an adhesive side 129 that secures to the outer surface 118 of the barrette 207′. In addition, the ARC tape 125 may be shaped to match the entire top band portion of the barrette 207′ in order to fully cover it, decreasing and/or reducing reflected light emitted by the top band portion of the barrette 207′.
FIG. 11A-FIG. 11C illustrate an eighth camouflaged hair fastener 208, where FIG. 11A illustrates a front perspective view of the hair fastener 208, FIG. 11B illustrates a top view of the hair fastener 208, and FIG. 11C illustrates a cross-sectional view along dashed line 111′ of hair fastener 208, according to an embodiment. In this implementation, the eighth camouflaged hair fastener 208 may include a snap hair clip 208′ having an anti-reflective coating (ARC) tape 131 that is applied to an outer surface 120 of the hair fastener 208. The ARC tape 131 may include an ARC layer 133 and an adhesive side 135, having a shape matching the top band portion of the snap hair clip 208′.
FIG. 12A-FIG. 12C illustrate a ninth camouflaged hair fastener 209, where FIG. 12A illustrates a front perspective view of the hair fastener 209, FIG. 12B illustrates a top view of the hair fastener 209, and FIG. 12C illustrates a cross-sectional view along dashed line 111′ of hair fastener 209, according to an embodiment. In this implementation, the ninth camouflaged hair fastener 209 may include a jaw clip hair fastener 209′ having an anti-reflective coating (ARC) tape 141 that is applied to an outer surface 122 of the hair fastener 209. The ARC tape 141 may include an ARC side 143 and an adhesive side 145, having a shape matching the top band portion of the jaw clip hair fastener 209′. In another embodiment, a matte layer (as previously described hereinabove) may be coupled to the adhesive side 135 with or with the ARC layer 133.
FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-section view of a substrate (Sub) having an anti-reflective coating layer (ARC) applied to the top surface of the substrate as shown. General properties of anti-reflective coatings on reflective substrates may be described in terms of light sources and reflections emitted by the substrate, including, for example, an incoming light Li, a surface reflection R1 stemming from a reflected light from the ARC Layer, and a rear reflection R2 stemming from a reflection of inflected light from substrate Rs. Anti-reflection function generally occurs through the offset of each wave of lights (R1 and R2), resulting in destructive interference between the two reflected beams, and cancelling out both beams before they exit the top most surface. AR coatings are generally designed so that the relative phase shift between the reflected waves of lights (R1 and R2) at the upper and lower boundaries of the ARC layer is 180°. In practice, the thickness of the ARC coating is made to be an odd integer multiple of lambda/4, where lambda is the wavelength optimized in order to achieve the desired path difference of lambda/2 between the reflected beams, causing the cancellation of the beams.
FIG. 14 illustrates a user wearing a common hair fastener 100. In this example, the common hair fastener 100 as worn by the user is generally visible. Several numbers of hair fasteners worn can result in a detracting appearance.
FIG. 15 illustrates a user wearing a camouflaged hair fastener, in accordance to an embodiment. As shown in this example, the camouflaged hair fastener is nearly invisible, blending in with hair strands of the user. Many advantages of the camouflaged hair fastener may include 1) applies to any types and shapes of existing hair fasteners; 2) reduces and may eliminate reflection from the surface of various types hair fasteners; 3) blends in with hair; 4) can be applied to many after-market hair fastener products via custom cut hair clip ARC tape.
As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” included plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
All patents, patent applications, and other references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entireties.
It is noted that the foregoing disclosure has been provided merely for the purpose of explanation and is in no way to be construed as limiting of the present invention. Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof, various changes, omissions, and additions to the form and detail thereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changes may be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in its aspects.
Other embodiments and modifications of the present invention may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims which include all other such embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specifications and accompanying drawings.
