Hair fixing device and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a hair fixing device. The hair fixing device is annular and is used for fixing a hair bundle in the ring. The hair securing device has an elastic inner core and an outer fabric cover covering the elastic inner core, wherein the elastic core is made of a tape having a width of 2 to 6 mm and a thickness of 1 to 3 mm and is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The hair securing device has a first initial state in which the opening defined and surrounded by the loop has a first area and a second state in which the opening defined and surrounded by the loop has a second area. Due to the physical state and material characteristics of the strap, the strap may be elongated to 8.5 to 10 times its initial length, thereby expanding the first area of the loop to the second area by a multiple of 72.3 to 100.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The original application has the Chinese national application number 201911083146.6, the application date is November 7, 2019, and the invention title is "Hair fixing device and manufacturing method thereof".

[0002] Cross-references to related applications

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 16 / 184544, filed November 8, 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] This invention relates to an improved hair-fixing device and its manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0005] Various hair styling devices are available on the market to meet different needs for securing and styling hair. These devices include hair claws, barrettes, and others. A type of hair styling device commonly known as a hair tie is generally used to hold a user's ponytail. However, these hair ties often have various drawbacks. For example, the internal structure of these hair ties, made of fabric, often retains moisture, which is detrimental to their binding performance, increases their weight, and / or causes hygiene problems. Furthermore, hair ties on the market are often insufficient to accommodate the different sizes of hair that different users need for securing or tying their hair. This invention attempts to at least solve the problems of binding performance and binding comfort, and to increase binding adaptability to suit different users, or at least provide the public with an alternative. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, a ring-shaped hair-fixing device is provided for securing a hair bundle within the ring, comprising an elastic inner core and an outer fabric cover covering the elastic inner core, wherein the elastic inner core is made of a band with a width of 2 to 6 mm and a thickness of 1 to 3 mm and is made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), wherein the hair-fixing device has a first initial state and a fully extended second state, wherein the opening defined and surrounded by the ring in the first initial state has a first circular area "a", and the opening defined and surrounded by the ring in the second state has a second circular area, and due to the physical construction and material properties of the band, the band can stretch to 8.5 to 10 times its initial length, thereby expanding the first area of ​​the ring to the second area in multiples of 72.3 to 100. It should be noted that this combination of parameters is not arbitrary but is the result of extensive research and development. With this configuration, during hair-tying practice, users can stretch the initial length of the hair-fixing device to its maximum length and wrap the hair bundle multiple times (at least four times) with the hair-fixing device in a more relaxed manner. After completion, the hair-fixing device can be firmly fixed to the hair bundle, thus reliably tying the hair.

[0007] Preferably, the tensile strength of the strap can be from 3.02 to 4.08 MPa. The tensile modulus of the strap can be from 0.37 to 0.49 MPa. The tensile stress of the strap at 100% can be from 0.38 to 0.52 MPa. The Shore A hardness of the strap can be from 23.8 to 32.2. The maximum tensile force of the strap can be approximately 57.31 N (Newtons). The specific gravity of the strap can be approximately 0.9. These properties further enhance the physical characteristics, thus giving the hair ties sufficient elasticity, resilience, and adaptability to meet the needs of ponytail tying.

[0008] Appropriately, the outer fabric can be loose enough to allow room for maximum extension of the strap.

[0009] Advantageously, the similar or near-circular strap can have a joint that connects the opposite free ends of the strap by an adhesive and is encased in an outer fabric. Alternatively, the similar or near-circular strap can have a one-piece structure made by a single injection molding step, which has no joint and is encased in an outer fabric.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for manufacturing a hair-fixing device as described above is provided, the method comprising the step of: forming an elastic core from a thermoplastic elastomer using injection molding with a melt flow rate of 7.57 to 10.23. This range of melt flow rates can enhance the elasticity and resilience of the elastic core.

[0011] Other features and advantages of this application will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Some embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an example of a traditional hair tie securing device;

[0014] Figure 2a It shows Figure 1 The elastic core of the traditional hair tie fixing device shown;

[0015] Figure 2b An embodiment of the elastic core of the hair tie fixing device according to the present invention is shown;

[0016] Figure 3a Corresponding to Figure 1 and 2b And schematically shown Figure 1 The traditional hair tie fixing device shown;

[0017] Figure 3b It shows the combination of Figure 2b The elastic core shown is an embodiment of the hair tie fixing device according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 It is a series of diagrams showing Figure 1 and 3a An extension of the traditional hair tie fixing device shown;

[0019] Figure 5 It is a series of diagrams showing Figure 3b The extension of the hair tie fixing device shown; and

[0020] Figure 6 It shows the effect during user use. Figure 3b and 5 The hair tie fixing device shown. Detailed Implementation

[0021] As background, let’s first explain traditional hair-fixing devices. Figure 1 This traditional hair-fixing device 2 is shown. Figure 2a The setting is shown Figure 1 The elastic core 4 in the hair fixing device 2 shown. Figure 3a A hair-fixing device 2 having an elastic core 4 is shown. The elastic core 4 is made of a braided structure comprising a fabric material that is substantially made of or includes non-polymeric materials. Figure 4This indicates that the length of this hair-fixing device can be extended up to four times its initial length.

[0022] This invention relates to a hair-fixing device, and more particularly to a ring-shaped hair-fixing device, which is commonly used for tying and holding a user's ponytail. The hair-fixing device has improved performance.

[0023] First see Figure 3b The hair-fixing device, generally designated 12, has an outer fabric cover 16 that loosely covers or otherwise surrounds the elastic inner core 14. (See reference...) Figure 2b The elastic core 14 is in the form of a strip, with a width of 2 to 6 mm and a thickness of 1 to 3 mm. The elastic core 14 is essentially made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Figure 3b In one embodiment, the elastic core 14 is made of a strip, the opposite open ends 18, 20 of which are joined together by an adhesive. Alternatively, the elastic core 14 can be formed into a ring-shaped structure in a single injection molding step. See also Figure 2b The image above illustrates this. Through these physical characteristics, the elastic core 14 can stretch from its initial state to an expanded state of 8.5 to 10 times its initial length. The ring-shaped hair-holding device 12 defines an area for securing the hair bundle. Therefore, the circular area defined by the ring can significantly expand from its initial state to its maximum expanded state of 72.3 to 100 times. It is conceivable that, due to such a large degree of expansion, the hair bundle can be wrapped around the hair tie multiple times, at least four times or more. Furthermore, during hair-tying practice, the hair-holding device 12 can be fully extended to make it easier for the user to manipulate the hair tie to wrap the hair bundle. Additionally, using TPE as the elastic inner core 14 minimizes moisture within the fabric covering.

[0024] Although the circumferential length of the strap of the elastic core 14 can be assumed to be any length in different embodiments, research and development of the present invention have shown that this length will affect the binding performance in the context of the present invention. In this regard, relevant studies have determined that the elastic core 14 preferably has a circumferential length of 8 to 18 cm in order to produce the desired binding performance.

[0025] Studies have shown that the hair-fixing device 12 described above enhances the convenience and reliability of hair tying. The table below shows other preferred characteristics of the elastic inner core in an experiment.

[0026] Table 1: Experimental data of the elastic inner core of the hair tie fixing device

[0027]

[0028] Further experiments have shown that the test results remain within ±15%.

[0029] In a first embodiment of the manufacturing method, the elastic core 14 may first be formed as an elongated band. A fabric cover 16 is then produced to form a substantially closed covering structure, but with a small opening similar to a pocket, allowing the elongated band to pass through the opening into the fabric cover 16. The opposite ends of the band 14 are then joined together with an adhesive to form a loop. The opening of the fabric cover 16 is then closed by sewing to completely enclose the loop. In an alternative embodiment, the elastic core 14 may be formed into a loop by a single injection molding step, and the loop is then placed within the fabric cover. The inner periphery of the hair-fixing device 12 is then closed by sewing the fabric covers 16 together, thereby completely concealing the loop.

[0030] In one embodiment of the method for manufacturing the hair-fixing device, a step is provided in which an elastic core 14 is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer by injection molding using a melt flow rate of 7.57 to 10.23. Using such a flow rate allows the manufactured elastic core 14 to have the binding properties described above.

[0031] It should be understood that certain features of the invention described in different embodiments for clarity may be provided in combination within a single embodiment. Conversely, for brevity, various features of the invention described within a single embodiment may be provided individually or in any suitable sub-combination. It should be noted that certain features of the embodiments are shown by way of non-limiting example. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that prior art not explained above is acceptable for the sake of brevity.

Claims

1. A hair-fixing device, the hair-fixing device being ring-shaped for securing a hair bundle within the ring, the hair-fixing device comprising an elastic inner core and an outer fabric covering the elastic inner core; wherein, The elastic inner core is made of a circular strip, which is an injection-molded integral structure; The strap is a seamless, one-piece structure and is covered in an outer fabric; The outer fabric is loose enough to provide space for the maximum expansion of the strap, and the elastic inner core passes through the outer fabric, which loosely wraps around the elastic inner core, thereby providing sufficient space for the maximum expansion of the strap; The strap and the outer fabric give the hair-fixing device a first initial state and a fully extended second state, wherein the opening defined and surrounded by the ring in the first initial state has a first area, and the opening defined and surrounded by the ring in the second state has a second area, and the physical and material properties of the strap allow it to stretch to 8.5 to 10 times its initial length, thereby expanding the first area of ​​the ring to the second area in multiples of 72.3 to 100.

2. The hair-fixing device according to claim 1, wherein, The elastic inner core has a width of 2 to 6 mm and a thickness of 1 to 3 mm.

3. The hair-fixing device according to claim 2, wherein, The elastic inner core is made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

4. The hair-fixing device according to claim 1, wherein, The tensile strength of the strip is 3.02 to 4.08 MPa.

5. The hair-fixing device according to claim 4, wherein, The Shore hardness A of the strip is 23.8 to 32.

2.

6. The hair-fixing device according to claim 5, wherein, The tensile modulus of the strip is 0.37 to 0.49 MPa.

7. The hair-fixing device according to claim 6, wherein, The strip has a tensile stress value of 0.38 to 0.52 MPa at 100%.

8. The hair-fixing device according to claim 7, wherein, The maximum tensile force of the belt is 57.31 N.

9. The hair-fixing device according to claim 8, wherein, The specific gravity of the strip is approximately 0.

9.

10. A method of manufacturing a hair-fixing device as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising the step of forming the elastic core from a thermoplastic elastomer by injection molding using a melt flow rate of 7.57 to 10.23.

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