Abstract: A hair waver system is presented. The system includes a top waver. The system also includes a bottom waver configured to mate with the top waver. The system further includes a plurality of connectors designed to connect the top waver with the bottom waver and structured to maintain hair designated to be styled between the top waver and the bottom waver during hair styling evolutions. The system also provides for hair styling without the need for hot irons or chemicals.

Abstract: A hair styling device is described, for waving hair by forming a length of hair into a wave form. A first forming member, a second forming member and a third forming member are located within a chamber of the device. There is a first hair-receiving region between the first and second forming members and a second hair-receiving region between the second and third forming members. A first driving member drives a portion of the length of hair into the first hair-receiving region and a second driving member drives another portion of the length of hair into the second hair-receiving region. The first and second driving members move independently and sequentially so as to reduce the tension applied to the length of hair.

Abstract: A hair styling device comprising two hinged arms able to move relative to each other for the receiving and shaping of a strand of hair. Each arm carries a shaping plate on its side facing the other arm. These shaping surfaces making contact with the hair strand being styled. The hair being styled is pulled past these shaping surfaces. One of the two arms has a hair support on its side carrying the shaping plate. The hair support is arranged at a spacing from the shaping surface of the other arm, so that the other arm can be introduced into an arm support between the hair support and the shaping surface of the shaping plate of the arm carrying the hair support. The shaping plates of the two arms which cooperate with each other for the hair styling can move relative to each other in the manner of scissors.

Abstract: A hair styling device simplifies the task of curling a person's hair. The device includes a first heating element extending from the first end of a handle. The first heating element is elongated and spiral defining a first plurality of spaced coils. A pivot arm coupled to the handle is pivotable between a closed position and a pivoted position. A second heating element extends from a primary end of the pivot arm. The second heating element is elongated and spiral defining a second plurality of spaced coils. The second plurality of spaced coils is interlaced and substantially co-linear with the first plurality of coils when the pivot arm is in the closed position. The second heating element pivots away from the first heating element when the pivot arm is pivoted into the pivoted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to hair styling apparatus. A hair styling apparatus comprises a first and a second arm each comprising a heatable plate and arm member. The first and second arms are moveable between a closed position in which the heatable plate of the first arm is adjacent the heatable plate of the second arm and an open position in which the heatable plates of each arm are spaced apart. The heatable plate of at least one of the arms is coupled to a respective arm member about a pivot arranged to allow the heatable plate to move relative to the respective arm member about an axis transverse to the length of said respective arm member such that the plate pivots.

Abstract: A hair volumizing device is designed specifically for adding lift or volume to any hairstyle. The device comprises two arms with heated interlocking plates that employ interlocking two dimensional arrays of individual treatment elements with alternating spaces. The individual treatment element design and the two-dimensional array pattern provide substantial lift and holding strength. The individual treatment elements of the volumizing device transforms the under layer of hair of a person into a matrix that can support the outer or upper visible layer of hair to create volume. The various embodiments also minimize any discernible pattern left in the hair.

Abstract: A hair volumizing device designed specifically for adding lift or volume to any hairstyle. The device comprises two arms with heated interlocking plates that employ interlocking two dimensional arrays of outwardly projecting individual teeth with alternating spaces. The individual tooth design and the two-dimensional array pattern provide substantial lift and holding strength. The individual teeth of the volumizing device transforms the under layer of a person's hair into a matrix that can support the outer or upper visible layer of hair to create volume. The various embodiments also minimize any discernible pattern left in the hair.

Abstract: A hair accessory is provided for producing wavy hair. In one embodiment a hair accessory comprises a hair molding body made up of separate first and second portions which pivot about at least one hinge. The first and second portions respectively define first and second interior surfaces which cooperatively define a wave shaped mold for producing wavy hair. The first and second portions can be forced towards each other using at least one elastic band tied around the exterior of the hair molding body to force the first and second portions towards each other. In the alternative, the at least one hinge is preferably at least one spring hinge that biases the first and second portions together. In a second embodiment the hair accessory lacks a hinge.

Abstract: A hair volumizing device designed specifically for adding lift or volume to any hairstyle. The device comprises two arms with heated interlocking plates that employ interlocking two dimensional arrays of outwardly projecting individual teeth with alternating spaces. The individual tooth design and the two-dimensional array pattern provide substantial lift and holding strength. The individual teeth of the volumizing device transforms the under layer of hair of a person into a matrix that can support the outer or upper visible layer of hair to create volume. The various embodiments of this concept also minimize any discernible pattern left in the hair.

Abstract: A heated flat iron 1 includes a first elongated member 2 and a second elongated member 3 that are joined together at one end at a hinge 4. An electrical cord 5 is attached thereto and has a conventional plug (not shown) to connect the iron 1 to a conventional external electrical energy source. An upper plate 6 is attached to the first member 2, and a lower plate 7 us attached to the second member 3. The upper plate 6 comprises a longitudinally aligned groove 8, preferably including in the groove 8 a series of longitudinally spaced laterally oriented slot depressions 9. The lower plate 7 includes a set of raised ridges 10, each having a length L that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the second member 3, a height H measured in a direction extending away from the surface of the lower plate 7, and a thickness T measured transversely to length L, where L is greater than T.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hair iron having a buffer member, particularly to a hair iron having a buffer member, which is located in between two opposing heating plates to help hair passing through the heating plates to be straightened smoothly and prevent thermal deformation of hair. The invention is characterized by a hair iron comprising a first pressing member 10 and a second pressing member 20 to which heating plates 12 and 22 having built-in thermal wire heaters 13 and 23 are attached, respectively. A buffer member 40 is attached to the heating plate 22 which is attached to the second pressing member 20.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hairstyling apparatus for styling hair comprising: a first element, where said first element includes a first front portion and a first rear portion, where said first front portion includes a first heatable plate; a second element, where said second element includes a second front portion and a second rear portion, where the second front portion includes a second heatable plate, where the first element and second element are connected to each other at one end and the first heatable plate and the second heatable plate are in facing engagement with each other; and a power supply mechanism where said power supply mechanism supplies electrical power to the hairstyling apparatus. The first element and second element are pivotally attached to each other and may be attached via a hinge mechanism or a snap fitting.

Abstract: In a professional hair iron, a unit (U) is defined by a lower support element (2) and an upper support element (3) hinged together and movable between a rest, open position and an operation, closed position. Complementary facing plates (20, 30, 300, 333) are removably fastened to the support elements (2,3). Heating electric resistors (R) are inserted within the plates and at least one plate of the plates (20, 30, 300, 333) has a perforated portion connected to a supply pipe (C) in turn connected to a steam generator (G) to supply steam to the perforated portion so as to moisten a lock of hair laid between the plates fastened to the support elements (2,3).

Abstract: A hair crimper comprising a pair of complementary hair crimping surfaces which are configured for hair crimping by application of heat and pressure to hair when cooperatively engaged, wherein each one of said complementary hair crimping surfaces comprises a corrugated hair styling surface which defines a transversal hair shaping profile, characterized in that, said complementary hair crimping surfaces are configured to cooperatively apply heat at predetermined intervals along said transversal hair shaping profile.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus has a heating member and a cloth covering at least a portion of the heating member to define a hair-facing surface onto which hair is placed in contact therewith for heating. The cloth is constructed at least in part of a monofilament of a fluorinated polyethylene. In another embodiment, the cloth is responsive to heating of the heating member to shrink relative to the heating member in at least one of a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction of the cloth. In yet another embodiment, the cloth is unbonded to the heating member and held in tension over the portion of the heating member that defines the hair-facing surface.

Abstract: A hair styling device with a handle part, at least one heater part and two metallic molded parts that are preferably made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and serve, in particular, for straightening, curling or waving hair. Hairs can be inserted between facing contact surfaces of the molded parts and the molded parts can be changed from an open state into a closed state. In order to ensure particularly good sliding properties for the hair, the invention proposes that the contact surfaces are at least regionally provided with an enamel coating.

Abstract: A new hair treatment device is provided for providing lift at the root portion of the hair near the scalp to thereby create volume and body to otherwise limp or flat hair. An embodiment of such a device includes first and second arms. A pivot movably joining the arms about the pivot is provided wherein each arm includes a hair-engaging surface. A heat source is provided for at least one of the hair-engaging surfaces. Each hair-engaging surface has a width suitable for treating a portion of the hair proximate the head, wherein by treating a portion of hair near the scalp, it provides lift and body to the head of hair. A method for adding lift to a head of hair using a hair crimping tool includes the steps of selecting hair from a head of hair for treatment; and using the tool to treat at least one portion of the selected hair proximate the roots of the hairs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for an adjustable multi-barrel hair waving appliance is disclosed herein. The appliance has a plurality of barrels, at least one of which is an adjustable barrel, wherein the barrels are heated during use. In one embodiment two outer barrels and one adjustable center barrel are provided. The center barrel is manually adjusted to be closer or farther from a winged shield that clamps hair against the barrels and is formed to cradle the outer barrels. A locking mechanism locks the center barrel in place after adjustments are made via projections at an end of the center barrel. Adjusting the center barrel closer to the shield results in shallow or tight waves, and deep or loose waves result when the center barrel is adjusted farther from the shield.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic hair treatment device comprising a vibrator having a vibration element for generating ultrasonic vibrations and a receiver facing the vibrator as to apply the ultrasonic vibrations to a bundle of hairs which is pinched between the vibrator and the receiver, the vibration element has an oblong plate shape so as to have a plurality of resonance points arranged like a periodic lattice on a vibration face disposed in a thickness direction thereof, a plurality of circular recesses or grooves for trapping a hair treatment agent therein is formed on a vibration face of a head of the vibrator facing the receiver corresponding to the resonance points of the vibration element.

Abstract: A hair crimper comprising a pair of complementary hair crimping surfaces which are configured for hair crimping by application of heat and pressure to hair when cooperatively engaged, wherein each one of said complementary hair crimping surfaces comprises a corrugated hair styling surface which defines a transversal hair shaping profile, characterised in that, said complementary hair crimping surfaces are configured to cooperatively apply heat at predetermined intervals along said transversal hair shaping profile.

Abstract: A hair iron that can set hairstyles by heating and spraying a treatment agent comprises a pair of holding parts (1, 1); each having heating block (2), the surface of which acts as a holding surface (7); at least one holding part (1) containing liquid container (5), liquid holder (4) that brings the liquid in liquid container (5) in contact with heating block (2) as the liquid in liquid container (5) is transferred to heating block (2), and steam path (19) that sprays from holding surface (7) the steam generated as the liquid transferred from inside liquid container (5) is heated by the contact surface with heating block (2) of liquid holder (4). Hair is held between the holding surfaces (7, 7) of the pair of holding parts (1, 1), and under the action of the steam sprayed from the steam path (19), the hairstyle is set.

Abstract: A hair curling iron/straightener includes a handle; a first elongated member connected with the handle and having a first flat straightening surface; a heating element for heating the first elongated member; a second elongated member pivotally connected relative to the first elongated member and including a second flat straightening surface for mating with the first flat straightening surface to straighten hair placed therebetween, and a curved surface; a second heating element for heating the second elongated member; a curved elongated member pivotally connected relative to the second elongated member for engaging with the curved surface thereof; a first lever for actuating the curved elongated member to pivot the curved elongated member away from the second elongated member; and a second lever for actuating the second elongated member to pivot the second elongated member and the curved elongated member together away from the first elongated member.

Abstract: A hair iron device having a hair iron main body, which holds hair with a first iron and a second iron oscillating to open and close, in order to set the hair. Plural small protruding portions having a pyramid shape are disposed on corresponding faces, and mutually come close to each other when the first and second irons are moved toward each other, so as to mutually engage.

Abstract: A hair waving apparatus having at least two elements with undulations on each element for producing a wave in a lock of human hair is disclosed. The elements are pivotally connected and are biased toward each other and the elements are maintained in engagement with each other by a biasing means in the form of a spring to hold the lock of hair therebetween to impart a wave thereon. The undulations are dimensioned to allow each of the elements to nest within each other. A plurality of vents are disposed thereon the undulations to allow moisture to escape from the hair during hair styling and to hasten the hair drying process and subsequent wave formation in the hair.

Abstract: A simple hair styling device is described which allows a person to style and dry his or her hair to be easily either naturally or with a hair dryer. Opposing sides of the device capture the hair and maintain the hair in a set shape while the hair dries. The hairstyle produced by the device is controlled by the preselectable contour of the opposing sides of the device. The device is easy to grasp and open and is intended for single-handed operation. The device can aid a person having impaired use of his or her hands and arms to style his or her own hair.

Abstract: A device for producing waves and body in hair comprising curling tongs having heatable leg elements. The heatable leg elements have a wave shape with decreasing amplitude. The amplitude decreases from a maximum at the scalp-contacting end of the heatable leg elements to substantially no amplitude at the other end of the heatable leg elements. Heat-reducing lips may extend from the scalp-contacting end of the device. In one embodiment, the heatable leg elements are arcuate and can pivot about an axis extending along each leg, respectively. A method of using the device to form waves and body in hair wherein the amplitude of the wave is greatest near the scalp and decreases along the length of the hair in the direction toward its tip.

Abstract: A hair waving apparatus having at least two elements with undulations on each element for producing a wave in a lock of human hair is disclosed. The elements are pivotally connected and are biased toward each other and the elements are maintained in engagement with each other by a biasing means in the form of a spring to hold the lock of hair therebetween to impart a wave thereon. The undulations are dimensioned to allow each of the elements to nest within each other. A plurality of vents are disposed thereon the undulations to allow moisture to escape from the hair during hair styling and to hasten the hair drying process and subsequent wave formation in the hair.

Abstract: A hair waving apparatus having at least two elements with undulations on each element for producing a wave in a lock of human hair is disclosed. The elements are pivotally connected and are biased toward each other and the elements are maintained in engagement with each other by a biasing means in the form of a spring to hold the lock of hair therebetween to impart a wave thereon. The undulations are dimensioned to allow each of the elements to nest within each other. A plurality of vents are disposed thereon the undulations to allow moisture to escape from the hair during hair styling and to hasten the hair drying process and subsequent wave formation in the hair.

Abstract: A hair iron comprises a pair of holding members having a heating surface and/or a pressing surface oppositionally on their interior surfaces being joined so that they can be flexibly opened and closed via a joint member at their ends. Furthermore, a slip preventing surface, a fingertip fitting cup and/or a finger trapping loop is formed on the exterior surface of at least one of the holding members at a position where the fingers A straddle the joint member so that a bundle of hair can be ironed flexibly by a simple finger operation.

Abstract: The hair iron includes a pair of arms (12 and 14) opened and closed by a pivot (16), and each arm has a gripping portion (18) and a hair treatment portion (20). The hair treatment portions are provided with respective hair treatment members between which hair is held and pressed to hairstyle the hair. The hair treatment members are of the type of having planar top surfaces (22 and 24), or undulating top surfaces (62 and 64). An image marker of concave and convex images (26, 28, 66 and 68) are provided on the opposing surfaces of the hair treatment members, which are also supported by supporting protrusions (32 and 34) formed on the arms. When the arms are closed, the hair is held between the hair treatment members and part of the hair is also held between the image marker so that an image is imparted with the part of the hair by the pressure and temperature applied to the hair.

Abstract: The hair iron includes a pair of arms 12 and 14 opened and closed by a pivot 16, and each arm has a gripping portion 18 and a hair treatment portion 20. The hair treatment portions are provided with respective hair treatment members between which hair is held and pressed to hairstyle the hair. The hair treatment members are of the type of having planar top surfaces 22 and 24, or undulating top surfaces 62 and 64. An image marker of concave and convex images 26, 28, 66 and 68 are provided on the opposing surfaces of the hair treatment members, which are also supported by supporting protrusions 32 and 34 formed on the arms. When the arms are closed, the hair is held between the hair treatment members and part of the hair is also held between the image marker so that an image is imparted with the part of the hair by the pressure and temperature applied to the hair.

Abstract: A manual hairdressing and styling device includes two clamping members, two heating members, two bases, and two styling members. The two heating members are respectively fixed in an inner side of a front portion of each (an upper and a lower) clamping member, and two bases are respectively fixed on the two heating members for connecting with each (an upper and a lower) styling member made of ceramics. And a plurality of the upper and the lower styling members with different styling surfaces are prepared for changeably connected with the two bases so as to set different hair styles on hairs. And the upper and the lower styling member made of ceramics have an advantage- of protecting hairs from harming.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus includes a pair of mating surfaces which engage one another and a handle which guides them into engagement at the manual control of a user. Hair to be styled is placed between the engaged surfaces. A plurality of comb-like pins extend from one of the surfaces and engage holes in the other of the surfaces. In another aspect of the invention, one or both surfaces may incorporate a source of dry heat. In another aspect of the invention, a source of steam is provided together with a trigger for discharging the steam through holes in at least one of the surfaces as an aid to hair styling.

Abstract: A hair styling device includes an elongated first leg having a top surface, a bottom surface, a styling end and a handle end, and an elongated second leg pivotally secured to the first leg between an open and a closed position. The second leg has a top surface, a bottom surface, a styling end and a handle end. A plurality of teeth are disposed on at least one of the top surface of the first leg and the bottom surface of the second leg. Respective styling ends of the first and second legs are configured to nest together in the closed position to define a space on the styling end configured such that hair can flow freely through the space as the device is passed through a subject's hair.

Abstract: A cutting interment (10) for use on multi-strand plastic fiber materials. Opposed handles (22a and 22b) on arms (18a and 18b) may be manually operated to close jaws (14a and 14b) with a cavity (42) for crimping. At the base of the cavity (42) are cutting edges (52a), which employ heat from either heating elements (54a and 54b) or an external source to cut and simultaneously cauterize the cut ends. Optional reliefs (44 and 46) may also be provided to contain and focus the heat at the cavity (42) and thus efficiently apply it specifically to the working material.

Abstract: A hair styling iron having an elongated barrel having a front end and a rear end, the barrel including a heat plate with a corrugated surface composed of a plurality of concavities and convexities arranged along a direction transverse to the length of the barrel and extending along the length of the barrel, the heat plate formed with a plurality of steam vents; a hand grip extending from the rear end of the barrel; a heater mounted in the barrel to heat the heat plate; a steam generator incorporated in the barrel to generate steam which is discharged from the steam vents; and a hair clamping member pivoted at a connection between the barrel and the hand grip for pivotal movement between a closed position of mating with the heat plate and an open position disengaged from the heat plate.

Abstract: A curling iron includes a handle that supports a heating element that projects out from the handle. An adjustable barrel is also carried by the handle and surrounds the heating element such that the heating element is substantially centrally disposed in the barrel. The barrel is adjustable between first and second positions where the diameter of the barrel is larger in the second position than the first position. The heating element remains centrally disposed in the barrel in the first and second positions. The barrel is adjusted by moving the clip assembly that is connected to the barrel. The clip assembly includes a clip that accommodates the changes in barrel diameter. A plurality of support elements are connected to the handle and adjustably support the barrel. The support elements include springs that support shoes that slidably engage the barrel.

Abstract: A hair iron for straight permanents includes a pair of arms joined by a pivot to enable opening and closing, and hair pinching parts formed in such a way that they approach and leave in accordance with the closing and opening of the arms. On both hair pinching parts, convex and concave arrays in waveform cross sections are formed in the arms so as to engage each other when the arms are in the approaching position. The convex and concave arrays are arranged in such a way that, along the full width of the hair pinching part, the hair tip region is dense with a short waveform pitch and the hair root region is sparse with a long waveform pitch.

Abstract: A hair processing apparatus has facing members for nipping hair. The facing members have uneven surface portions on their contact surfaces which are engaged with each other. The uneven surface portions have a plurality of grooves along their length directions. The hair is placed along the grooves between the facing members, and pressed by making the facing members closer. Simultaneously, the facing members are kept at a high temperature to heat the hair. A method for hair processing uses the apparatus.

Abstract: An improved hair waving appliance is disclosed. The disclosed hair waving, appliance includes a pair of W-shaped arms that pivot in relation to one another in a scissors motion. One disclosed W-shaped arm comprises a center raised heater prong bounded by a trough portion on each side. The outer edges of each trough portion may include a curved lip to prevent undue damage to hair. Another W-shaped arm is disclosed comprising two raised heated prongs separated by a trough portion. The disclosed arms fit together to form an interstitial gap therebetween such that more even temperatures are provided over the entire surface of each arm. The disclosed prongs might be of a variety of cross sections, including ovoid and substantially circular. Further disclosed is a plurality of stand members protruding downwardly from the appliance for resting the appliance upon a substantially horizontal surface without causing any heat damage thereto.

Abstract: A curly hair curing iron having a jerking portion which does not exert a severing action on the hair and a stretching portion for making the hair straight. The iron is a scissors type iron having a rod housing with heaters therein. The inlet side constitutes the jerking portion having a strong gripping force. The outlet side constitutes the stretching portion having a weaker gripping force than the jerking portion. The jerking portion includes convex portions 8, 9 and 10 on one rod, and plane portions in engagement with the convex portions on the opposite rod. The stretching portion has a plurality of convex portions 11 on one rod which are square or trapezoidal in section and a plane on the other rod. Both the convex portions and the plane portions on both the jerking portion and the stretching portion are formed of an elastic material.

Abstract: A hair braiding tool for fusing the end of a braid of synthetic fibers includes a first elongated member having at least one substantially semi-cylindrical transverse groove formed in a surface thereof with the groove having an open end and a closed end and a second elongated member pivotally connected to the first elongated member and having at least one substantially semi-cylindrical transverse groove formed in a surface thereof with the groove having an open end and a closed end. Upon bringing the first and second members into engagement with each other, the semi-cylindrical grooves therein mate with each other to define a cylindrical passage having an open end and a closed end for receiving a braid end therein. An electrical heating element is disposed in contact with the closed end of the cylindrical passage for trimming and fusing the braid end.

Abstract: An apparatus for waving the hair comprises a pair of snap-together complementary pieces made of resilient plastic. The pieces when fitted together define a sinuous or swirled path between them. When the pieces are snapped together over a strand of hair, the strand is held in a sinuous waving shape for imparting a "perm". A first piece includes a cylindrical roller and two partial cylindrical cages, resembling those used in ordinary hair rollers except for their mutual attachment and the angular cut from each cage. The second, mating piece includes one cage and two rollers. In both pieces a cage is tangentially attached to a roller at two places. Each roller or cage on one piece mates to a respective cage or roller on the other piece. The pieces snap together by forcing the middle roller of the first piece between the two rollers of the second piece into the cage of second piece; the two rollers of second piece simultaneously snap into the two cages of the first piece.

Abstract: A hair crimping device for use in setting human hair includes a pair of complementary formed triangular wave form members dimensioned for nesting engagement. A base plate is secured to a first tiangular wave form member and includes an elongated projecting handle. A plurality of resilient tabs extend upwardly at opposite ends of the first triangular wave form member and a plurality of apertures are formed in a second trangular wave form member and dimensioned for engagement with the tabs for securing the first and second triangular wave form members in nesting relation. In use, an individual's hair is clamped between the triangular wave form members, thereby assuming a triangular wave form configuration. A plurality of holes are formed through each of the triangular wave form members for establishing fluid communication with hair clamped therebetween.

Abstract: A hair waving device which can be quickly and easily interconnected with adjacent devices of identical construction so that the devices disposed proximate the outer extremities of the strand of hair to be waved, where the individual hairs are very fine, are held firmly in place by the devices clamped proximate the root portion of the strand where the individual hairs are of larger diameter.

Abstract: A hair styling apparatus includes a pair of mating surfaces which engage one another and a handle which guides them into engagement at the manual control of a user. Hair to be styled is placed between the engaged surfaces. A plurality of comb-like pins extend from one of the surfaces and engage holes in the other of the surfaces. In another aspect of the invention, one or both surfaces may incorporate a source of dry heat. In another aspect of the invention, a source of steam is provided together with a trigger for discharging the steam through holes in at least one of the surfaces as an aid to hair styling.

Abstract: A hair styling iron A is provided comprising: a body 1 which includes a grip portion 4, a plate portion 6 including a heater H and a plate 8, and a fulcrum portion 5; and a sandwiching member 2 which includes a lever portion 15 opposed to said grip portion 4, a plate portion 17 equipped with a heater H and a plate 18 and opposed to the plate portion 6 of the body 1, and a fulcrum portion 16 located between the lever portion 15 and the plate portion 17 and pivotally supported by the fulcrum portion 16 of the body 1. Between the rearward portions of the fulcrum portions of the body 1 and the sandwiching member 2 is interposed a spring 12 which biases the plate portions 6 and 17 normally in the direction away from each other. Each of the plate portions 6 and 17 is provided with ridges 14 along the perimeter, and has been subjected to a flocking treatment from its perimeter to the outer surface.