Apparatus and Method for Use in the Treatment of Hair

Abstract

A hair clip comprises first and second elongate members moveable between open and closed configurations. One of the first and second elongate members mounts a plurality of notches, and the other of the elongate members mounts a plate, the plate and the plurality of notches being disposed laterally of one another, and in the closed position the plurality of notches are adjacent and substantially overlap the plate. In use hair is located between the first and second elongate member and the plate which serves to press the hair into the notches.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to an apparatus and method for use in the treatment of hair, and in particular to an apparatus and methods facilitating the weaving and colouring of hair. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] When colouring or highlighting hair it is necessary separate out hairs into strands. This is because when colouring hair it is normal practice to colour only some of the hairs, and by separating the hairs out into strands selected strands of hairs can be coloured to achieve a particular desired effect. [0003] It is known to use flexible film materials to isolate strands of hair selected for colouring from other hair and the scalp. Typically, strands of hair to be coloured are first selected using a hairdressing technique known as “weaving”. The selected strands are then laid over a length of liquid impermeable material which effectively isolates the selected hair from the remaining hair. The barrier material is generally between 5 and 8 cm wide ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] The apparatus of the invention is particularly advantageous as it conveniently weaves hair mechanically, that is as the first and second elongate members are pressed together strands of hair are forced into the notches. Another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the separated strands lying in the notches located in the 1st elongate member are spaced apart from the separated strands of hair lying in the notches located in the 2nd elongate member. This feature allows the hair dresser to manipulate the groups of strands of hair easily, and is particularly useful where more than one colour is to be applied. An advantage provided by one embodiment of the invention lies in the ability to removably attach a film to a clip. This allows different films to be used with the same clip, thereby providing for flexibility in hair styling, and allows films to be easily washed and re-used.

lies in the fact that the separated strands lying in the notches located in the 1st elongate member are spaced apart from the separated strands of hair lying in the notches located in the 2nd elongate member. This feature allows the hair dresser to manipulate the groups of strands of hair easily, and is particularly useful where more than one colour is to be applied. An advantage provided by one embodiment of the invention lies in the ability to removably attach a film to a clip. This allows different films to be used with the same clip, thereby providing for flexibility in hair styling, and allows films to be easily washed and re-used.

Problems solved by technology

A number of problems are known to exist with the typical method of colouring hair.

This technique is not easy, and is very time consuming.

Where the hair is very thick, not all the roots stick to the adhesive, leading to poor colouring.

One of the problems with the securing means of this apparatus is that adjacent gripped strands of hair are closely aligned and therefore difficult to separate.

Another problem associated with the securing means of this apparatus is that the shape of the elements means the apparatus would be expensive to manufacture.

Another problem associated with the securing means of this apparatus is that individual hooking elements physically interfere with other hooking elements when the securing device is opened and closed.

The cyclical loading and unloading of the hook elements will lead to stress failures.

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