Hair styling utensil and production method

Abstract

The invention relates to a hair styling utensil having a flat structure and at least one wire which has a shape memory alloy and is connected to the flat structure, wherein, in an undeformed state, the hair styling utensil has a longitudinal direction running centrally through the hair styling utensil and has a longitudinal extent along the longitudinal direction, wherein, in the undeformed state, the at least one wire having a shape memory alloy extends on both sides of the centrally extending longitudinal direction along at least part of the longitudinal extent, and wherein the hair styling utensil is designed to be converted into a deformed state by mechanical deformation of the at least one wire having a shape memory alloy. The invention also relates to a method for producing a hair styling utensil.

Description

Hair styling tool and method for manufacturing Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a hair styling tool designed to be applied to human hair to create curls, waves, and / or voluminous hair. Furthermore, the invention relates to a manufacturing method for the hair styling tool. State of the art and technical background of the invention

[0002] The following methods are known for creating curls, waves, and voluminous hair: 1) thermal methods using heatable devices such as curling irons and straighteners; 2) chemical methods using liquids and curling devices; and 3) devices that are sometimes difficult to insert into the hair and are sometimes uncomfortable to wear or require various additional devices such as clips, hair ties, and clamps. Heating and the use of chemical methods damage the hair, making it brittle and thus prone to breakage.

[0003] A curling iron or a straightening iron can be used to create a variety of hairstyles. However, the disadvantage is that it takes a lot of time, as the hair can only be partially styled at a time, and manual twisting is required, which can cause pain in the shoulder area and wrists. The Dyson Airwrap styler attempts to minimize the problem of heat exposure by using a warm airflow (95°C) and the Coanda effect. However, the Dyson Airwrap styler requires various attachments, which makes handling complicated; with the Airwrap styler, the hair can only be partially styled at a time. processed, which means that more time is required to prepare the hair.

[0004] Furthermore, methods for creating curls using common household items are known from the prior art, such as creating curls using socks or creating curls using a bathrobe strap or a scarf. A particular advantage here is that everyone has the necessary utensils at home. Since socks or scarves, for example, lack intrinsic stability, applying them to the hair to create curls necessarily requires additional aids such as external hair ties or uncomfortable hair clips, which are a nuisance at night or while sleeping and lead to unwanted marks and dents in the hair ends or in the hair. Furthermore, these items applied to the hair are not suitable for everyday wear.

[0005] Creating waves in hair without the use of heat has already been achieved in the prior art as a commercially available product, such as the "Heatless Curl Hair Ribbon" or other products similar to the "Heatless Curl Hair Ribbon". The "Heatless Curl Hair Ribbon" has a central core made of aluminum wire, which is encased in foam and then covered with silk or a synthetic fabric. The product is designed as a long tube and comes with a large hair clip and two hair ties. The "Heatless Curl Hair Ribbon" is cumbersome and difficult to apply to the hair. Sleeping with the "Heatless Curl Hair Ribbon" in place is uncomfortable; furthermore, the "Heatless Curl Hair Ribbon" only offers one handling option and cannot be washed, making it unsuitable for everyday use.

[0006] Other commercially available products similar to the "Heatless Curl Hair Ribbon" are designed to be tied at the top of the head with a bow, snap fasteners, or a clip. These other products, for example, the "Heatless Curl Ribbon Curling Wand, hair Iron Fabric Wave Curling Iron» mentioned, but still require external tools to attach to the hair.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a hair styling utensil and a method for its manufacture which eliminates at least some of the disadvantages of the hair styling devices known from the prior art. Description of the invention

[0008] The invention relates to a hair styling utensil, comprising a sheet-like structure and at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy which is connected to the sheet-like structure, wherein the hair styling utensil, in an undeformed state, has a longitudinal direction running centrally through the hair styling utensil and a longitudinal extent along the longitudinal direction, wherein in the undeformed state the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy runs on both sides of the central longitudinal direction along at least a part of the longitudinal extent, and wherein the hair styling utensil is designed to be converted into a deformed state by mechanical deformation of the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy.

[0009] Shape memory alloys are alloys that can be deformed in a "cold" state and can return to an original shape, which the shape memory alloy "remembers", through phase transformation, preferably by heating, e.g., with a hairdryer, iron (also known as household products), or in a washing machine (other ways of achieving a phase transformation are also possible, however). Shape memory alloys are particularly reversible. In an undeformed state, the hair styling utensil can be band-shaped, wherein the longitudinal direction can correspond to a main extension direction of the band-shaped hair styling utensil. The at least one A wire comprising a shape memory alloy is arranged on both sides of the longitudinal direction in the undeformed state. Such an arrangement of the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy imparts high stability to the hair styling tool according to the invention. In the deformed state, the hair styling tool is thus dimensionally stable and can be inserted into the hair without additional aids. A wire comprising a shape memory alloy can also be subjected to greater stress during bending than wires made of conventional metals; wires made of conventional metals can break, especially after repeated bending; wires made of shape memory alloys can be bent much more frequently without breaking.A hair styling tool according to the invention can be designed such that its shape, induced by the original shape of the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy, in the undeformed state is such that strands of hair are held by the hair styling tool without the need for additional aids such as clips or hair ties. For example, deforming the hair styling tool into a deformed state can contribute to the hair styling tool according to the invention being easily inserted into the hair, and a subsequent phase transformation into the original shape can then fix the inserted hair styling tool. Alternatively, strands of hair can also be fixed in the deformed state, in which case the stability of the shape memory alloys can be utilized. The hair styling tool can be folded or rolled up.The high flexibility of shape memory alloys also makes it possible to deform a hair styling tool according to the invention into a variety of shapes, thus creating a wide variety of different hairstyles. A hair styling tool according to the invention is also gentle on the hair, as the hair is only shaped by mechanically twisting the tool. A hair styling tool according to the invention is sustainable; in particular, it does not require electrical energy to shape the hair, and the materials used can be designed to be highly recyclable throughout the product's life cycle.

[0010] The term "fabric" can serve as a generic term for all two-dimensional textile products. The term "fabric" can also encompass circularly knitted textile products without a seam or flat-knitted textile products with a seam. The fabric is designed such that the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy is connected to the fabric in such a way that deformation of the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy also leads to deformation of the fabric. The at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy can also be formed from a plurality of wire threads. The size of the particularly flexible fabric can vary and be adapted for different hair lengths and handling options. A hair styling tool according to the invention can be used to create different hairstyles and, in particular, for curling or waving hair.The at least one wire can also be designed as a copper wire (with or without a plastic sheath), as a enameled copper wire (with or without a plastic sheath) or as an aluminum wire (with or without a plastic sheath). The at least one wire can be designed as a single wire and have a diameter of 0.1 to 2 millimeters. The at least one wire can also be designed as a stranded wire and have at least two individual strands, wherein the at least two individual strands are twisted / braided to form the at least one wire. The ends of a braided stranded wire can be fixed, for example, by welding or gluing. One advantage of a braided stranded wire compared to a single wire is that the bending radius can be significantly smaller, while the required wire cross-section can still be maintained.

[0011] In one embodiment of the hair styling utensil according to the invention, the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy comprises only a single wire, wherein the single wire forms a closed curve.

[0012] The individual wire can run at a short distance, and especially parallel, to the edges of the fabric. The individual wire runs on both sides of the hair styling tool, which are defined by the central longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the closed curve can be formed as an oval curve in the undeformed state. For example, the individual wire can be at least partially rod-shaped or can also run in a zigzag pattern; however, other configurations of the individual wire are also possible. The individual wire can be designed as a single wire or as a stranded wire.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the hair styling tool according to the invention, the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy comprises a first wire and a second wire, wherein the first wire runs along a first side of the two sides and the second wire runs along a second side of the two sides, and wherein, in particular, free-standing ends of the two wires are each capped with a protective cap, which is respectively attached to the free-standing ends. In this embodiment, too, the first wire and the second wire can each be designed as a single wire or as a stranded wire.

[0014] Freestanding ends of the two wires can be capped, e.g., with a hat, to protect a user of the hair styling utensil according to the invention. Such capping can also protect the fabric from damage when the two wires are bent. In a further embodiment of the hair styling utensil according to the invention, the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy can also comprise more than two wires. The wires can be laid in different ways, in particular in sections parallel to the longitudinal direction and / or to an edge of the fabric, or in a zigzag pattern, or the wires can be bent in sections.

[0015] In a further embodiment of the hair styling utensil according to the invention, in the undeformed state, the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy runs on both sides of the centrally running longitudinal direction at least in sections parallel to the longitudinal direction.

[0016] In a further embodiment of the hair styling utensil according to the invention, the at least one wire is formed from a nickel-titanium shape memory alloy, wherein the nickel content in the nickel-titanium shape memory alloy is between 49.0 and 53.0 atomic percent, and preferably between 49.0 and 51.0 atomic percent, or the at least one wire is formed from a nickel-titanium-copper shape memory alloy, wherein the copper content in the nickel-titanium-copper shape memory alloy is between x = 0 to 15 atomic percent and the nickel content in the nickel-titanium-copper shape memory alloy is between 49.0 - x and 53.0 - x atomic percent.

[0017] With a nickel content of between 49.0 and 51.0 atomic percent in the nickel-titanium shape memory alloy, transformation temperatures in the range of approximately -10°C to +100°C can be achieved. To achieve lower transformation temperatures, the nickel content in the nickel-titanium shape memory alloy can be up to 53.0 atomic percent. Due to their passive layer, nickel-titanium shape memory alloys are food-safe and biocompatible. Shape memory alloys are also characterized, unlike many other metals, by their long service life despite frequent deformation. The shape memory alloy can also be formed as a ternary nickel-titanium-copper shape memory alloy. In such a ternary shape memory alloy, the nickel content can be reduced and replaced with copper, whereby such a replacement leads to a shift in the transformation temperatures. Wires made of a nickel-titanium-copper shape memory alloy have an improved thermal coefficient compared to a nickel-titanium shape memory alloy, so such a wire can be heated more easily, for example, using a hairdryer.

[0018] Nevertheless, the at least one wire can also be made of shape memory alloys with a different material composition. Other possible shape memory alloys can include the following material combinations with different material proportions: copper-zinc-aluminum, copper-aluminum-nickel, iron-nickel-cobalt-titanium, or iron-manganese-silicon. However, the composition must be adapted to the respective purpose. The use of the aforementioned shape memory alloys can lead to an improved product lifespan. Furthermore, it may be necessary to coat / bond the at least one wire made of the aforementioned shape memory alloys with plastic or a lacquer. This is particularly advantageous for alloys used by users with contact allergies, since any skin contact, for example with zinc, cobalt, or nickel, would lead to an allergic reaction.Furthermore, since using the hair styling tool with damp hair or hair care products can cause the wire to come into contact with moisture or chemical substances, there is a risk of corrosion, which would reduce its service life. For these applications, a shape memory alloy can be selected that offers high corrosion resistance to water or other chemical substances. Salts, fats, or acids released or produced by perspiration from the scalp could also lead to wire corrosion unless a suitable material composition or coating is chosen.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the hair styling utensil according to the invention, the fabric is made of cotton, or the fabric is made of cotton and elastane and / or Lycra, or the fabric is made of silk, or the fabric is made of silk and elastane and / or Lycra.

[0020] The fabric may also be made from other plant or animal natural fibers / yarns / twines or synthetic fibers / yarns / twines and / or may also contain microfibers or the like. Cotton can be beneficial because it doesn't put additional strain on, dry out, or damage the hair. Furthermore, a hair styling tool made of cotton and a shape-memory alloy, for example, can be washed in a washing machine without losing its shape, allowing the tool to be used hygienically. The surface of the fabric can be smooth or terry-woven, for example, or even otherwise finished or coated.

[0021] In a further embodiment of the hair styling utensil according to the invention, the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy is coated with a plastic, and / or the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy is coated with a shape memory polymer.

[0022] Such a coating can help reduce the stress on the at least one wire containing a shape memory alloy when bent, thus improving the service life of the hair styling tool. A shape memory polymer used for the coating can have a similar transition temperature to the wire, so that a phase transition occurs, for example, for both the wire and the shape memory polymer upon heating.

[0023] In a further embodiment of the hair styling utensil according to the invention, the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy is arranged in at least one receiving area sewn into the fabric, in particular designed as a receiving tube, and / or the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy is sewn and / or woven and / or knitted and / or circularly knitted and / or embroidered and / or knitted into the fabric.

[0024] Furthermore, the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy can be placed on the sheet material and by means of a A rolled hem extending along a closed curve of the outer edge of the fabric is secured. The rolled hem can be created using an overlock. The rolled hem can also be created by inserting the at least one wire into the receiving tube and securing it by forming the said rolled hem along the outer edges. In each of the aforementioned cases, the material of the rolled hem encloses the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy.

[0025] In a further embodiment of the hair styling utensil according to the invention, the sheet-like structure has at least one slit and / or at least one hole, wherein the sheet-like structure has in particular two holes, which are in particular each positioned around the central longitudinal direction, and wherein the two holes are in particular positioned such that after a symmetrical folding of the hair styling utensil around a folding direction running substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the two holes lie one above the other.

[0026] In a further embodiment of the hair styling utensil according to the invention, the sheet is tubular and has a tubular region, and a single slit is formed on one side of the tubular sheet, and / or the hair styling utensil is designed to receive rollers and / or inserts, and / or at least one band is attached to the sheet of the hair styling utensil.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the hair styling utensil according to the invention, the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy is placed on the sheet-like structure and the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy is fixed to the sheet-like structure by means of a fastening thread at least partially enclosing the wire in order to form a composite.

[0028] The fabric can be made from one of the materials mentioned above, such as cotton, a blend of cotton and elastane, Lycra, silk, felt or another breathable material. Furthermore, the material should have the necessary tear resistance to securely hold a thread, such as the fastening thread. Preferably, the fabric consists of a fleece that is tear-resistant but still lightweight, i.e. has a low density. The wire can be placed on the fabric, for example in pre-formed form, and fixed to the fabric using the fastening thread, which at least partially encloses the wire. In this case, the fastening thread penetrates the material of the fabric so that it emerges on the underside of the fabric or can be seen there, as is the case, for example, with embroidered textiles.The fastening thread can be made of the same material as the fabric. However, the fastening thread preferably has a higher tensile strength than the yarn or fabric used to make the fabric. The fastening thread can be a tear-resistant twine, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the fastening thread can have a higher stretchability than the yarn or fabric of the fabric.

[0029] Instead of applying the pre-formed wire to the fabric and securing it with a fastening thread, the so-called Tailored Fiber Placement (TFP) process can be used to produce the composite. A guide head places the wire along a predetermined contour on the fabric, with this process step occurring while simultaneously securing the wire with the fastening thread. The wire is continuously fed along the contour as the guide head moves, giving the wire the desired shape (preferably corresponding to the contour). The wire is preferably in a mechanically undeformed state during application, i.e., in its initial undeformed state. The TFP process advantageously results in a mechanically stable connection between the wire and the fabric. This allows the hair tool to be returned to its original undeformed state after deformation and the addition of energy (e.g., thermal energy) through the transformation of the shape memory alloys. This can further improve the product's service life, as the wire's movement is restricted by the additional fastening thread.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the hair styling utensil according to the invention, the hair styling utensil further comprises a tubular sheath with an inner volume, wherein the composite is completely introduced into the inner volume and wherein preferably the tubular sheath is mechanically connected to the sheet-like structure of the composite.

[0031] The tubular casing can, for example, be made of the same material as the sheet material, or it can also be made of a different material, such as a waterproof or gas-tight material. If the material is made of a material that can be obtained by knitting, the casing can advantageously be produced using a circular knitting process. This allows the tubular casing to be manufactured in large quantities and lengths in a continuous process. Advantageously, producing the tubular casing using a circular knitting process, independent of the production of the composite, reduces production costs and increases flexibility in the selection of the casing materials used. The tubular casing can also be or become bonded to the composite, in particular the sheet material.Common joining methods such as gluing, sewing, embroidery, or ultrasonic welding can be used, depending on the material. This mechanical bond between the sheath and the composite can ensure good dimensional stability, allowing the sheath to adapt to the change in shape of the wire and / or composite, or even follow this change in shape.

[0032] The invention further relates to a method for producing a hair styling tool, wherein the hair styling tool has the structure according to at least one of the aforementioned embodiments (or a combination of embodiments). The method comprises the following steps: - Providing the sheet-like structure, the at least one wire comprising a shape memory alloy and the fastening thread; - Continuously placing the wire on a surface of the fabric while simultaneously guiding the wire along a predetermined contour and simultaneously fixing the wire on the surface of the fabric by means of the fixing thread using a tailored fibre placement embroidery machine to form the composite.

[0033] The described process advantageously results in a hair styling tool that exhibits good (re-)formability and long durability. Furthermore, the manufacturing process is simple to use and can be used for large-scale production, which can lead to significant cost savings. Furthermore, the use of the TFP process has the advantage that the hair styling tool can be easily recycled, i.e., without great effort. For this purpose, the fastening thread can be separated and the wire removed from the composite. This allows the individual elements to be individually recycled.

[0034] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the following steps: - Providing the tubular sheath; - Introducing the composite into the internal volume of the tubular casing; - closing the tubular casing to form a closed pocket; - Preferably connecting the tubular casing with the sheet material of the composite.

[0035] Tubular sheaths typically have two open ends. After inserting the composite into the tubular sheath, both ends can be sealed to securely hold the composite within the internal volume. If one open end has already been sealed prior to insertion, only one open end needs to be sealed. The retention within the internal volume can also be improved by bonding the composite to the sheath.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the method further comprises the following steps: - reducing the longitudinal extent of the composite or of the closed pocket containing the composite to provide a compact hair styling utensil, preferably by rolling or folding along an axis running transversely to the longitudinal extent; - Packaging the compact hair styling tool in a package that has a smaller longitudinal dimension than the composite or the closed bag containing the composite. However, the present embodiment can also represent an independent aspect of the invention.

[0037] Reducing longitudinal expansion, especially deformation, can result in a compact hair styling tool that can easily be stored in space-saving packaging. For example, the hair styling tool can be rolled onto a roll of a specified diameter and packaged together with the roll in a space-saving manner. Space-saving packaging allows for cost-effective transport, as more products can be transported per volume. Short description of the characters

[0038] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows schematically embodiments of a hair styling utensil according to the invention.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows schematically possible extensions of a hair styling utensil according to the invention.

[0041] Fig. 3 schematically shows further embodiments of a hair styling utensil according to the invention.

[0042] Fig. 4 schematically shows further embodiments of a hair styling utensil according to the invention.

[0043] Fig.5, Fig.6, Fig.7 and Fig.8 show schematically possibilities of applying a hair styling utensil according to the invention in the hair.

[0044] Fig. 9 schematically shows further embodiments of a hair styling utensil according to the invention. Detailed description of the characters

[0045] Fig. 1 schematically shows embodiments of a hair styling utensil according to the invention. Fig. 1a shows a sheet-like structure 1 with a wire 2 made of a shape memory alloy, which runs along the edges of the sheet-like structure 1. The hair styling utensil has a longitudinal direction 8 and a longitudinal extension along the longitudinal direction 8. The wire runs on both sides of the longitudinal direction 8. The wire 2 forms a closed curve. Fig. 1b shows a section of a hair styling utensil according to the invention having a A sheet-like structure and a wire made of shape memory alloys at the edges of the sheet-like structure, wherein the wire 2 runs parallel to the longitudinal direction 8 on both sides of the longitudinal direction 8 in the section shown. The section shown in Fig. 1b does not include the end regions of the hair styling utensil, one end region being shown in Fig. 1c. The sheet-like structure 1 shown in Fig. 1b has two tubular edge regions (receiving region / receiving tube) in which the wire 2 is laid. The wire 2 is connected to the sheet-like structure 1 by the tubular edge regions, so that a deformation of the wire 2 leads to a deformation of the sheet-like structure 1. The wire 2 can also be connected to the sheet-like structure in another way, wherein the connection should be designed such that a deformation of the wire 2 leads to a deformation of the sheet-like structure and thus of the hair styling utensil. Fig.1d shows a further embodiment of a hair styling utensil according to the invention, comprising a sheet-like structure 1, a wire 2 and a sheath 3 of the wire 2 with a plastic and / or with a. Shape memory polymer. Fig. 1e corresponds to Fig. 1d, although, unlike Fig. 1d, Fig. 1e does not have a sheathing of the wire 2. Fig. 1f, in turn, shows a plan view of an embodiment of a hair styling utensil according to the invention, wherein a wire 2 comprising a shape memory alloy is arranged at the edges of a sheet 1.

[0046] Fig. 2 schematically shows possible extensions of a hair styling tool according to the invention. For example, as shown in Fig. 2a, bands 4 or cords 4 can be attached to the hair styling tool, wherein the hair styling tool comprises a flat structure 1 and a wire 2: a hair styling tool adapted in this way can sometimes be attached more easily to the hair. Fig. 2b shows additional rollers 5 and / or inserts 5 that can be used additionally. Bands 4, cords 4, or other possible attachments 4 can already be attached to the hair styling tool, or the hair styling tool can be designed such that a user can attach these attachments 4 to the hair styling tool.

[0047] Fig. 3 schematically shows further embodiments of a hair styling utensil according to the invention. Fig. 3a shows one embodiment of a hair styling utensil with two parallel wires 2 and another embodiment with a plurality of parallel wires 2. The free-standing ends of the wires 2 can be capped. Fig. 3b shows an embodiment of a hair styling utensil that is constructed similarly to the embodiments shown in Fig. 1: in addition, the embodiment shown in Fig. 3b has two holes 6 in the sheet material through which hair can be passed. In a different perspective, the example shown in Fig. 3b can also be seen in Fig. 3c. Fig. 3d, in turn, is similar to Fig. 3c, although instead of two holes 6 in Fig. 3d, only one hole 6 is arranged centrally in the sheet material 1.

[0048] Fig. 4 schematically shows further embodiments of a hair styling utensil according to the invention. Fig. 4a shows an embodiment of a hair styling utensil which is similar to the embodiments shown in Fig. 1: in addition, the embodiment shown in Fig. 4a also has two slits 7 arranged on one side of the sheet-like structure, and through which hair, for example, can be guided. Fig. 4b is similar to Fig. 4a, but in contrast to Fig. 4a there is only one slit 7 running through the sheet-like structure through which hair can be guided. Fig. 4c, in turn, shows an embodiment of a hair styling utensil which is tubular and has a slit 7 on only one side of the sheet-like structure: hair can then be guided into the tubular area provided by the tubular hair styling utensil and leave this tubular area through the slit 7.

[0049] Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 schematically show possibilities for applying a hair styling tool according to the invention to the hair. Fig. 5a schematically shows the case in which the two halves of hair separated at the parting can be styled separately with a hair styling tool according to the invention: in particular, a A hair styling tool according to the invention can be twisted into the hair, as shown in Fig. 5b, wherein one end of the hair styling tool according to the invention can be folded up for fastening, as shown in Fig. 5c. The shape memory alloys used in the hair styling tool according to the invention enable such severe deformation, whereby the at least one wire is only slightly damaged or fatigued despite the severe deformation. In general, individual strands can be twisted around a hair styling tool according to the invention, thereby creating curls, or a hair styling tool according to the invention can be braided together with the hair like a braid, a French braid, or a fishtail braid, thereby creating waves.Since, in contrast to known solutions from the prior art, a hair styling tool according to the invention does not require any additional aids such as hair ties, elastic bands, bands, and hair clips for attaching it to the hair, unwanted marks and dents in the hair can be avoided. Fig. 5d-f and Fig. 6a-c show how the separately styled hair can be brought together at the back of the head, then twisted, and finally secured in a bun. Fig. 6c-d show further possibilities for how a hair styling tool according to the invention can be inserted into the hair. The hair styling tool used in Fig. 6d has additional bands with which the hair can be tied back together at the top of the head. As shown in Fig. 7, many other hairstyles can be created with a hair styling tool according to the invention. After removing the hair styling tool, the hair can then be curled or wavy.The hair can be tied at the top of the head, as shown in Fig. 7a, or at the back of the head, as shown in Fig. 7c. As shown in Fig. 7b, the hair can also be coiled (in a bun) on both sides of the head. As shown in Fig. 7d, a hair styling tool according to the invention can also be twisted at the top of the head, thereby achieving greater hair volume. As shown in Figs. 8a-b, many hair styling tools according to the invention can also be attached to a headband. whereby strands of hair can then be twisted around the hair styling utensils attached to the main band.

[0050] Fig. 9 schematically shows further embodiments of a hair styling utensil according to the invention. Fig. 9a shows an embodiment, in particular a part of a hair styling utensil, wherein a wire 2 comprising a shape memory alloy is arranged at the edges of a sheet 1 (cf. Fig. 1f). However, the sheet 1 in Fig. 9a is designed as a nonwoven, and the wire 2 was attached to the nonwoven, which acts as a laminate base, using a TFP process. For this purpose, a tear-resistant fastening thread 9 was used, which partially covers the wire 2 and dips into the nonwoven on both sides along the contour of the wire 2 in order to be countered on the underside of the sheet 2, for example with a transverse thread. The wire 2 is then firmly held on the sheet 1 by the fastening thread 9. To implement the TFP process, a TFP embroidery machine with a movable guide head is used.The sheet-like structure 1 is further provided with a central slit 7 along the longitudinal axis, which, among other things, improves deformability, e.g., rotation about its own longitudinal axis. Fig. 9b shows a tubular sleeve 10 having an internal volume (not shown). The part of the hair styling utensil shown in Fig. 9a can be inserted into the internal volume, with open ends of the tubular sleeve 10 being folded over and closed by means of a roll seam to provide a closed pocket containing the part from Fig. 9a. This forms the hair styling utensil. In this example, the tubular sleeve 10 is made of cotton. Other methods for closing the open ends of the tubular sleeve 10 can be used alternatively. Fig. 9c shows a sectional view of the sleeve 10 from Fig. 9b, into which the part from Fig. 9a has been inserted.As can be seen, the sheath 10 encloses the part, with the wire 2 having been attached to the sheet 1 using the TFP process. As can also be seen from the figure, the fastening thread 9 encloses the wire on the upper side and dips into the sheet 1 on both sides next to the wire 2, so that part of the Fastening thread 9 extends to the underside of the fabric 1 and is countered there, if necessary, with a cross thread (not shown). However, the cross thread for countering on the underside is not absolutely necessary, as it can be omitted depending on the TFP process or stitch used.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A hair styling utensil, comprising a sheet-like structure (1) and at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy, which is connected to the sheet-like structure (1), wherein the hair styling utensil, in an undeformed state, has a longitudinal direction (8) running centrally through the hair styling utensil and a longitudinal extent along the longitudinal direction (8), wherein in the undeformed state the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy runs on both sides of the central longitudinal direction (8) along at least a part of the longitudinal extent, and wherein the hair styling utensil is designed to be converted into a deformed state by mechanical deformation of the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy.

2. Hair styling tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy comprises only a single wire, the single wire forming a closed curve.

3. Hair styling utensil according to claim 1, wherein the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy comprises a first wire and a second wire, wherein the first wire runs on a first side of the two sides and the second wire runs on a second side of the two sides, and wherein in particular free-standing ends of the two wires are each capped with a protective cap which is respectively attached to the free-standing ends.

4. Hair styling utensil according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the undeformed state the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy runs on both sides of the centrally extending longitudinal direction (8) at least in sections parallel to the longitudinal direction (8).

5. Hair styling utensil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one wire (2) is formed from a nickel-titanium shape memory alloy, wherein the nickel content in the nickel-titanium shape memory alloy is between 49.0 and 53.0 atomic percent, and preferably between 49.0 and 51.0 atomic percent, or wherein the at least one wire (2) is formed from a nickel-titanium-copper shape memory alloy, wherein the copper content in the nickel-titanium-copper shape memory alloy is between x = 0 to 15 atomic percent and the nickel content in the nickel-titanium-copper shape memory alloy is between 49.0 - x and 53.0 - x atomic percent.

6. Hair styling utensil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet material (1) is formed from cotton, or wherein the sheet material (1) is formed from cotton and elastane and / or Lycra, or wherein the sheet material (1) is formed from silk, or wherein the sheet material (1) is formed from silk and elastane and / or Lycra.

7. Hair styling utensil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy is coated (3) with a plastic, and / or wherein the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy is coated (3) with a shape memory polymer.

8. Hair styling utensil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy is arranged in at least one receiving area sewn into the sheet material (1), in particular designed as a receiving tube, and / or wherein the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy is sewn and / or woven and / or knitted and / or circularly knitted and / or embroidered and / or knitted into the sheet material (1).

9. Hair styling utensil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet material (1) has at least one slot (7) and / or at least one hole (6), wherein the sheet material (1) in particular has two holes, which are in particular each positioned around the central longitudinal direction (8), and wherein the two holes are in particular positioned such that after a symmetrical folding of the hair styling utensil around a folding direction running substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (8), the two holes lie one above the other.

10. Hair styling utensil according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet (1) is tubular and has a tubular region, and wherein a single slit (7) is formed on one side of the tubular sheet (1), and / or wherein the hair styling utensil is designed to receive rollers (5) and / or inserts (5), and / or wherein at least one band (4) is attached to the sheet (1) of the hair styling utensil.

11. Hair styling utensil according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy is placed on the sheet material (1) and wherein the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy is fixed to the sheet material (1) by means of a fastening thread (9) at least partially enclosing the wire (2) and forms a composite.

12. Hair styling utensil according to claim 11, further comprising a tubular sheath (10) with an internal volume, wherein the composite is completely introduced into the internal volume and wherein preferably the tubular sheath (10) is mechanically connected to the sheet-like structure (1) of the composite.

13. A method for producing a hair styling utensil according to one of claims 11 or 12, comprising the following steps: - Providing the sheet-like structure (1), the at least one wire (2) comprising a shape memory alloy and the fastening thread (9); - Continuously laying the wire (2) on a surface of the sheet (1) while simultaneously guiding the wire (1) along a predetermined contour and simultaneous fixing of the wire (2) on the surface of the fabric (1) by means of the fixing thread using a tailored fibre placement embroidery machine to form the composite.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the steps: - Providing the tubular sheath (10); - introducing the composite into the internal volume of the tubular casing (10); - closing the tubular casing (10) to form a closed pocket; - Preferably connecting the tubular sheath (10) to the sheet material (1) of the composite.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising the steps: - reducing the longitudinal extent of the composite or of the closed pocket containing the composite to provide a compact hair styling utensil, preferably by rolling or folding along an axis running transversely to the longitudinal extent; - Packaging the compact hair styling tool in a package that has a smaller longitudinal dimension than the composite or the closed bag containing the composite.

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