Fiber bundle for artificial hair

Abstract

A fiber bundle for artificial hair includes a plurality of artificial hair fibers. Each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers has an end surface in a longitudinal direction. The end surface is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction. A ratio of an average roughness of the end surface in the longitudinal direction to an average roughness of a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is 350% or less. The smoothness of combing of the fiber bundle for artificial hair is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a fiber bundle for artificial hair.BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, a fiber bundle for artificial hair resembling human hair has been used as a material of a head decoration product such as a hairpiece, a wig, an extension, a braid, or a hair band (for example, Patent Document 1).PATENT DOCUMENTPatent Document 1: JP 2010-47846 A

[0004] In the production of a conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair, a worker grips a plurality of artificial hair fibers by hand to form a bundle-like body, and the bundle-like body is directly pressed against a rotary blade perpendicularly to an extending direction of the fibers and cut the fibers to produce the fiber bundle for artificial hair.

[0005] However, in the conventional method for producing a fiber bundle for artificial hair, in which the bundle-like body is cut with a rotary blade in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction, the hair end portion of the tip collapses, burrs and the like are generated and spread in a radial direction, the burrs and the like are caught when combed with the fingers or the like, and the combing property deteriorates.

[0006] A fiber bundle for artificial hair whose smoothness of combing is improved as compared to conventional fiber bundles is provided.SUMMARY

[0007] One aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention to solve the problem described above is a fiber bundle for artificial hair including a plurality of artificial hair fibers, wherein each of the artificial hair fibers has an end surface in a longitudinal direction, the end surface being inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, and a ratio of an average roughness of the end surface in the longitudinal direction to an average roughness of a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is 350% or less.

[0008] The term “cross section” as used herein refers to a cut surface when the fiber is cut using a plane blade having a thickness of 0.23 mm or more and 0.26 mm or less and a blade angle of 20 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less.

[0009] The term “average roughness” as used herein refers to a ten-point average roughness RzJIS conforming to JIS B 0601:2001 (ISO4287-1997).

[0010] According to this aspect, the end surfaces of the artificial hair fibers are inclined, and the average roughness of the end surfaces is not extremely coarse with respect to the average roughness of the cross section. Thus, the artificial hair fibers are less likely to be entangled between the fibers, and the unevenness of the end surfaces is less likely to be caught by a comb when the artificial hair fibers are combed. As a result, the smoothness of combing is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair, and the combing property is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair.

[0011] In a preferred aspect, the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the artificial hair fibers has an average roughness of 1.2 μm or less.

[0012] In a preferred aspect, the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction in plan view.

[0013] Each of the artificial hair fibers has a ratio of a maximum peak height of the end surface in the longitudinal direction to a maximum peak height of the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of 140% or less.

[0014] The “maximum peak height” as used herein refers to the maximum peak height (Sp) conforming to ISO25178.

[0015] In a preferred aspect, the cross section of each of the artificial hair fibers has an outer shape of any of an H shape, a C shape, a circular shape, a Y shape, a U shape, an X shape, a flat shape, and a horseshoe shape, and the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the artificial hair fibers when viewed in the longitudinal direction is similar to the outer shape of the cross section.

[0016] The “shape similar to the outer shape of the cross section” as used herein refers to a shape having a common point with the outer shape of the cross section and evoking the outer shape of the cross section when visually observed even though the shape is slightly deformed from the outer shape of the section. That is, when the outer shape of the cross section is regarded as the original shape, the shape similar to the outer shape of the cross section means a shape in which the original shape is maintained. For example, when the outer shape of the cross section is an H shape, the shape is included in a shape similar to the outer shape of the cross section when the outer shape looks like an H shape even though the outer shape is slightly deformed when visually observed.

[0017] In a preferred aspect, the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction when viewed from one direction in a circumferential direction, and the end surface in the longitudinal direction is visually recognized when viewed after being further rotated by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

[0018] According to this aspect, the end surface is greatly inclined as compared with the case of cutting with a normal blade member. Thus, the comb is easily guided to the end surface, and the combing property is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair.

[0019] In a preferred aspect, the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 95 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction when viewed after being rotated by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

[0020] The above-described aspects can be mutually dependent, some configurations can be cited, or some configurations can be replaced between the aspects as long as the aspects are included in the technical scope of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the smoothness of combing is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a fiber bundle for artificial hair according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] FIGS. 2A to 2C are explanatory diagrams of a main part of the artificial hair fiber of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the main part, FIG. 2B is an end view of the main part, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2A.

[0024] FIGS. 3A to 3D are explanatory diagrams of a main part of the artificial hair fiber of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a plan view of the main part, FIG. 3B is a right side view of the main part, FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the main part, and FIG. 3D is a left side view of the main part.

[0025] FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of a first in-progress fiber strip according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a plan view of the first in-progress fiber strip, and FIG. 4B is a plan view illustrating an outline (contour) of a main part of FIG. 4A.

[0026] FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of a second in-progress fiber strip according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A is a plan view of the second in-progress fiber strip, and FIG. 5B is a plan view illustrating an outline (contour) of a main part of FIG. 5A.

[0027] FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of a blade member according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the blade member, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 6A.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the blade member of FIG. 6.

[0029] FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of a production process of the fiber bundle for artificial hair of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 8A is a plan view of a strip-shaped body in a strip-shaped body forming step, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of an in-progress fiber strip after cutting in a cutting step.

[0030] FIGS. 9A to 9C are explanatory diagrams of an artificial hair fiber of Example 1 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein the diagram on the left of FIG. 9A is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 0 degrees with respect to a base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 9A is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 9A, the diagram on the left of FIG. 9B is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 9B is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 9B, the diagram on the left of FIG. 9C is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 180 degrees with respect to the base surface, and the diagram on the right of FIG. 9C is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 9C.

[0031] FIGS. 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams of an artificial hair fiber of Example 2 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein the diagram on the left of FIG. 10A is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 0 degrees with respect to a base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 10A is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 10A, the diagram on the left of FIG. 10B is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 10B is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 10B, the diagram on the left of FIG. 10C is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 180 degrees with respect to the base surface, and the diagram on the right of FIG. 10C is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 10C.

[0032] FIGS. 11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams of an artificial hair fiber of Comparative Example 1 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein the diagram on the left of FIG. 11A is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 0 degrees with respect to a base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 11A is a diagram tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 11A, the diagram on the left of FIG. 11B is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 11B is a diagram tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 11B, the diagram on the left of FIG. 11C is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 180 degrees with respect to the base surface, and the diagram on the right of FIG. 11C is a diagram tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 11C.

[0033] FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams of the artificial hair fiber of Example 1 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 12B is an end view.

[0034] FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams of the artificial hair fiber of Example 2 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 13B is an end view.

[0035] FIGS. 14A and 14B are explanatory diagrams of the artificial hair fiber of Comparative Example 1 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 14B is an end view.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0037] A fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention constitutes a kind of head ornament selected from the group consisting of a hair wig, a hairpiece, weaving, a hair extension, a braid hair, a hair accessory, and a doll hair.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 is a fiber bundle in which a plurality of artificial hair fibers 2 (hereinafter, it is also simply referred to as fiber 2) are bundled at a fixing part 3. The fiber bundle is used by being folded back near the fixing part 3. The fiber bundle extends in a predetermined direction as a whole in a folded state.

[0039] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, a state in which the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 is linearly stretched is taken as a reference, and an extending direction thereof is described as a length direction L (longitudinal direction).

[0040] The fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 is made up of fibers 2 of a plurality of types of lengths.

[0041] The fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments is formed by arranging the fibers 2 in a strip shape as illustrated in FIG. 8 and cutting the fibers 2 with a blade member 100 illustrated in FIG. 6 to form in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11, thereafter hackling the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11.

[0042] In a state where the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 is linearly extended, both longitudinal ends are not aligned, and the ends of the fibers 2 are located at substantially different positions. Thus, the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 has a cohesive hair end in a brush shape.

[0043] In the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1, when the fixing part 3 is removed to disentangle the fibers 2, 300 fibers 2 are randomly extracted from the fibers 2, and the extracted 300 fibers 2 are arranged in order from the longest fiber, the difference in length between adjacent fibers 2 is 3 cm or less, and the number of fibers having the same length is 30 or less in a range of 50 to 250 fibers counted from the longest fiber.

[0044] The fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 includes a first fiber bundle for artificial hair formed by hackling a first in-progress fiber strip 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 and a second fiber bundle for artificial hair formed by hackling a second in-progress fiber strip 11 illustrated in FIG. 5.(Artificial Hair Fiber 2)

[0045] The artificial hair fibers 2 may be made from at least one fiber selected from the group consisting of acrylic fibers (AC fibers) such as Modacrylic fibers (MODA fibers), polyethylene terephthalate fibers (PET fibers), polyvinyl chloride fibers (PVC fibers), nylon fibers (Ny fibers), and polypropylene fibers (PP fibers).

[0046] The cross-sectional shape of the fiber 2 is not particularly limited, and the shape can be, for example, an H-shape, a C-shape, a circular shape, a Y-shape, a U-shape, an X-shape, a flat shape, a horseshoe shape, or the like.

[0047] The fiber 2 may be hollow or solid.

[0048] The fiber 2 may be crimped by crimping or the like, but does not have to be crimped.

[0049] The fiber 2 of one or more embodiments has an H-shaped cross section as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, both end surfaces 5 (5a, 5b) of the fiber 2 in length directions L (longitudinal directions) are inclined in two directions in the longitudinal directions.

[0051] In the fiber 2, the end surface 5 is inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction in plan view as illustrated in FIG. 3A, and the end surface 5 is inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction in right side view as illustrated in FIG. 3B.

[0052] In the fiber 2, the inclination angle θ1 of the end surface 5 in plan view illustrated in FIG. 3A may be 110 degrees or more or 115 degrees or more.

[0053] In the fiber 2, the inclination angle θ1 of the end surface 5 may be 160 degrees or less or 150 degrees or less.

[0054] In the fiber 2, the inclination angle θ2 of the end surface 5 in right side view as illustrated in FIG. 3B may be 95 degrees or more or 100 degrees or more.

[0055] In the fiber 2, the inclination angle θ2 of the end surface 5 may be 130 degrees or less or 100 degrees or less.

[0056] In the fiber 2, the end surface 5 is visible in plan view as illustrated in FIG. 3A, and the end surface 5 is hidden by an outer peripheral surface 6 and invisible in bottom view as illustrated in FIG. 3C.

[0057] In the fiber 2, the end surface 5 is visible in right side view as illustrated in FIG. 3B, and the end surface 5 is hidden by the outer peripheral surface 6 and invisible in bottom view as illustrated in FIG. 3D.

[0058] One end surface 5a of the fiber 2 is in line symmetry with the other end surface 5b, and both end surfaces 5a and 5b are inclined in a truncated chevron shape in plan view and are also inclined in a truncated chevron shape in left side view.

[0059] The fiber 2 may have a ten-point average roughness (RzJIS) of the end surface 5 conforming to JIS B 0601:2001 (ISO4287-1997) of 0.1 μm or more.

[0060] In the fiber 2, the ten-point average roughness (RzJIS) of the end surface 5 may be 1.2 μm or less, 1 μm or less, or 0.8 μm or less.

[0061] The ratio of the ten-point average roughness (RzJIS) of the end surface 5 to the ten-point average roughness (RzJIS) of a cross section 7 of the fiber 2 cut with a plane blade having a thickness of 0.23 mm or more and 0.26 mm or less and a blade angle of 20 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction may be 100% or more and 350% or less, 320% or less, 200% or less, or 120% or less.

[0062] The cross section 7 is a cross section cut in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction at a position not overlapping with the end surface 5.

[0063] The fiber 2 may have a root mean square height (Sq) of the end surface 5 conforming to ISO25178 of 1 μm or more.

[0064] In the fiber 2, the root mean square height (Sq) of the end surface 5 may be 12 μm or less, 8 μm or less, or 5 μm or less.

[0065] In the fiber 2, the ratio of the root mean square height (Sq) of the end surface 5 to the root mean square height (Sq) of the cross section 7 may be 100% or more and 170% or less, 150% or less, or 130% or less.

[0066] The fiber 2 may have a maximum peak height (Sp) of the end surface 5 conforming to ISO25178 of 3 μm or more.

[0067] In the fiber 2, the maximum peak height (Sp) may be 20 μm or less, 16 μm or less, or 10 μm or less.

[0068] In the fiber 2, the ratio of the maximum peak height (Sp) of the end surface 5 to the maximum peak height (Sp) of the cross section 7 may be 100% or more and 140% or less or 135% or less.(First In-Progress Fiber Strip 10)

[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first in-progress fiber strip 10 includes a first end region 20, a central region 21, and a second end region 22 in this order from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction.

[0070] The first end region 20 is a region extending from one end to a middle section, and is a region in which triangular wave-shaped unevenness is formed.

[0071] The first end region 20 is a portion corresponding to a cut part cut in a cutting step described later.

[0072] The first end region 20 includes two recesses 30a and 30b at a middle section in the width directions.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the recesses 30a and 30b are recessed from one end in the longitudinal direction toward the central region 21, and are configured by a first inclined part 35 and a second inclined part 36.

[0074] Both the first inclined part 35 and the second inclined part 36 extend linearly and intersect at a boundary part with the central region 21.

[0075] An angle θ3 (angle of bottom of the recess 30a or 30b) formed by the adjacent first inclined part 35 and second inclined part 36 illustrated in FIG. 4B may be an acute angle, 10 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less, or 20 degrees or more and 40 degrees or less.

[0076] The first inclined part 35a of the recess 30a and the first inclined part 35b of the recess 30b are parallel to each other, and the second inclined part 36a of the recess 30a and the second inclined part 36b of the recess 30b are also parallel to each other.

[0077] The lengths (depths from the ends) of the recesses 30a and 30b may be 5 cm or more and 40 cm or less, or 22 cm or more and 26 cm or less.

[0078] The lengths of the recesses 30a and 30b may be the same or different.

[0079] The central region 21 is a region having a quadrangular shape provided in the longitudinal center part, and is a region to which 95% or more of the fiber 2 belongs.

[0080] The length of the central region 21 in the longitudinal direction may be 45% or more of the entire length.

[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the second end region 22 is a region extending from the middle section in the longitudinal direction to the other end, and is a region in which triangular wave-shaped unevenness is formed. The second end region 22 is a portion corresponding to a cut part cut in the cutting step described later.

[0082] The second end region 22 has a line-symmetric relationship with the first end region 20. Thus, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the first end region 20 in each member of the second end region 22, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] The second end region 22 includes two recesses 30a and 30b at a middle section in the width directions.

[0084] The depth direction of the recesses 30a and 30b of the second end region 22 is a direction approaching the recesses 30a and 30b of the first end region 20.

[0085] The positions of the bottoms of the recesses 30a and 30b in the second end region 22 (positions of the center lines) are the same as the positions of the bottoms of the recesses 30a and 30b in the first end region 20 (positions of the center lines) in the width directions.(Second In-Progress Fiber Strip 11)

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second in-progress fiber strip 11 includes a third end region 40, a central region 41, and a fourth end region 42 in this order from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction.

[0087] The third end region 40 is a region extending from one end in the longitudinal direction to the middle section, and is a region in which triangular wave-shaped unevenness is formed.

[0088] The third end region 40 is a portion corresponding to a cut part cut in the cutting step described later, and is a region forming a pair with the second end region 22 of the first in-progress fiber strip 10 at the time of cutting.

[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the third end region 40 includes two projections 51a and 51b at the middle section in the width directions.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the projections 51a and 51b are projected from the central region 41 to one end, and are configured by a first inclined part 55 and a second inclined part 56.

[0091] Both the first inclined part 55 and the second inclined part 56 extend linearly and intersect at one end.

[0092] An angle θ4 (angle of the vertex of the projection 51) formed by adjacent first inclined part 55 and second inclined part 56 illustrated in FIG. 5B may be an acute angle, 10 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less, or 20 degrees or more and 40 degrees or less.

[0093] The first inclined part 55a of the projection 51a and the first inclined part 55b of the projection 51b are parallel to each other, and the second inclined part 56a of the projection 51a and the second inclined part 56b of the projection 51b are also parallel to each other.

[0094] The lengths (projection length from the central region 41) of the projection 51a and 51b may be 5 cm or more and 40 cm or less, or 22 cm or more and 26 cm or less.

[0095] The lengths of the projections 51a and 51b may be the same or different.

[0096] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the central region 41 is a region having a quadrangular shape provided in the longitudinal center part, and is a region to which 95% or more of the fiber 2 belongs.

[0097] The length of the central region 41 in the longitudinal direction may be 45% or more of the entire length.

[0098] The fourth end region 42 is a region extending from the other end in the longitudinal direction to the middle section, and is a region in which triangular wave-shaped unevenness is formed. The fourth end region 42 is a portion corresponding to a cut part cut in the cutting step described later, and is a region forming a pair with the first end region 20 of the first in-progress fiber strip 10 at the time of cutting.

[0099] The fourth end region 42 has a line-symmetric relationship with the third end region 40. Thus, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the third end region 40 in each member of the fourth end region 42, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the fourth end region 42 includes two projections 51a and 51b at the middle section in the width directions.

[0101] The projecting direction of the projections 51a and 51b of the fourth end region 42 is a direction away from the projections 51a and 51b of the third end region 40.

[0102] The positions of the tops of the projections 51a and 51b of the fourth end region 42 are the same as the positions of the tops of the projections 51a and 51b of the third end region 40 in the width directions.(Blade Member 100)

[0103] The blade member 100 is a Thomson blade formed by bending a single plate material into a zigzag shape.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the blade member 100 includes a plurality of first blade parts 101, a plurality of second blade parts 102, a first connection part 103, and a second connection part 104.

[0105] In the blade member 100, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the first blade part 101, the first connection part 103, and the second blade part 102 constitute a continuous first peak part 105, and the first blade part 101, the second connection part 104, and the second blade part 102 constitute a continuous second peak part 106.

[0106] The first blade part 101 is a blade part extending in an inclined manner with a width direction component and a length direction component as a whole in plan view.

[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the first blade part 101 has a main body 110 and a blade edge part 111 that is pointed from the main body 110 toward the tip.

[0108] Both side surfaces 112 and 113 of the blade edge part 111 are inclined surfaces, and an angle θ5 formed by the side surfaces 112 and 113 illustrated in FIG. 6B may be 5 degrees or more, and preferably 10 degrees or more.

[0109] The angle θ5 formed by the side surfaces 112 and 113 may be 45 degrees or less, or 30 degrees or less or more.

[0110] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the second blade part 102 is a blade part that extends while being inclined as a whole with respect to the extending direction of the first blade part 101 in plan view.

[0111] Each of the angles θ6 and 07 formed by the second blade part 102 and adjacent first blade parts 101 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be more than 0 degrees, or 5 degrees or more.

[0112] The angles θ6 and 07 of the second blade part 102 are less than 180 degrees, preferably 60 degrees or less, or 30 degrees or less.

[0113] Like the first blade part 101, the second blade part 102 has a main body 110 and a blade edge part 111 that is pointed from the main body 110 toward the tip.

[0114] Each of the peak parts 105 and 106 is a V-shaped peak part having corresponding one of connection parts 103 and 104 as a vertex, and has vertexes in opposite directions in the length direction.

[0115] Next, a method for producing the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0116] The method for producing the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments is mainly a method in which a strip-shaped body forming step, a cutting step, and a hackling step are performed in this order.

[0117] Specifically, first, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the fibers 2 are arranged in a strip shape to form a strip-shaped body 60 (strip-shaped body forming step).

[0118] Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the blade edge part 111 of the blade member 100 is pressed against the strip-shaped body 60 to cut the strip-shaped body 60 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction, whereby the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11 are alternately formed (cutting step).

[0119] At this time, the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11 are cut in a zigzag shape, and the lengths thereof gradually differ in the width direction.

[0120] Subsequently, the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11 are bundled in a bundle shape to form bundle-like bodies, respectively, and each bundle-like body is dropped onto a hackling stand provided with a plurality of rod-shaped parts such as pointed threads, and then the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11 are pulled out from gaps between the rod-shaped parts of the hackling stand to perform hackling (hackling step), then the fixing part 3 is attached and fixed to the middle sections of the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11, and the strips are bent near the fixing part 3, whereby the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 is completed.

[0121] At this time, in the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11, the directions of the fibers 2 are organized and gathered while the positional relationship between the fibers 2 is shifted in the longitudinal direction through the hackling.

[0122] At this time, the number of times of hackling is not particularly limited, but may be 3 times or more and 20 times or less, or 4 times or more and 10 times or less from the viewpoint of more regulating the directions of the fibers 2.

[0123] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, the end surfaces 5 in the longitudinal direction of the artificial hair fibers 2 constituting the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 are inclined, and the ratio of the average roughness of the end surfaces 5 in the longitudinal direction to the average roughness of the cross section 7 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is 350% or less. That is, the end surfaces 5 of the artificial hair fibers 2 are inclined, and the average roughness of the end surfaces 5 is not extremely coarse with respect to the average roughness of the cross section 7. Thus, the artificial hair fibers 2 and 2 are less likely to be entangled between the fibers, and the unevenness of the end surfaces 5 is less likely to be caught by a comb when the artificial hair fibers are combed. As a result, the smoothness of combing is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair, and the combing property is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair.

[0124] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, the average roughness of the end surfaces 5 of the artificial hair fibers 2 in the longitudinal direction is 1.2 μm or less. Thus, there is little unevenness on the end surfaces 5, the hair ends of the artificial hair fibers 2 are less likely to tangle each other, and the smoothness of combing is improved.

[0125] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, the end surface 5 of the artificial hair fiber 2 is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction. Thus, when the fiber bundle is combed, the end surface 5 can be hardly brought into contact with the comb. Thus, the frictional resistance is reduced, and the smoothness of combing is further improved.

[0126] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, in the artificial hair fibers 2, the ratio of the maximum peak height of the end surface 5 in the longitudinal direction to the maximum peak height of the cross section 7 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is 140% or less. Thus, large burrs and the like are not generated, and the smoothness of combing is improved.

[0127] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, the outer shape of the end surface 5 of the artificial hair fiber 2 is similar to the outer shape of the cross section 7. Thus, the function imparted because of the shape of the artificial hair fiber 2 can be maintained also at the hair end portion.

[0128] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, in the artificial hair fiber 2, the end surface 5 in the longitudinal direction is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction when viewed from one direction in the circumferential direction, and the end surface 5 in the longitudinal direction is visually recognized when viewed after being further rotated by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. That is, the surfaces in the two directions are inclined. Thus, a comb is easily guided to the end surface 5 when the fiber bundle is combed, the smoothness of combing is improved, and the combing property is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair.

[0129] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, the end surface 5 is inclined at an angle of 95 degrees or more when viewed after being rotated in the circumferential direction by 90 degrees. Thus, a comb is easily guided by the end surface 5, and further improved combing property is obtained.

[0130] In one or more embodiments described above, a recess or projection is formed in the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. It is sufficient that the length of each fiber gradually changes, and for example, each end region of the in-progress fiber strip may have a right triangular shape.

[0131] In one or more embodiments described above, the first in-progress fiber strip 10 has two recesses in each of the end regions 20 and 22, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. The number of recesses in each end region may be one, or three or more.

[0132] Similarly, in one or more embodiments described above, the second in-progress fiber strip 11 has two projections in each of the end regions 40 and 42, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. The number of projections in each end region may be one, or three or more.

[0133] In one or more embodiments described above, the first in-progress fiber strip 10 and the second in-progress fiber strip 11 are alternately formed in the cutting step, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. In the cutting step, only the first in-progress fiber strip 10 or only the second in-progress fiber strip 11 may be formed.

[0134] In one or more embodiments described above, the recesses 30a and 30b of the second end region 22 are located at the same positions as the recesses 30a and 30b of the first end region 20 in the width directions, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. The recesses 30a and 30b of the second end region 22 may be shifted from the recesses 30a and 30b of the first end region 20 in the width directions.

[0135] Similarly, in one or more embodiments described above, the projections 51a and 51b of the fourth end region 42 are located at the same positions as the projections 51a and 51b of the third end region 40 in the width directions, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. The positions of the projections 51a and 51b of the fourth end region 42 may be shifted from the positions of the projections 51a and 51b of the third end region 40 in the width directions.

[0136] In one or more embodiments described above, the end regions 20, 22, 40, and 42 are formed with triangular wave-shaped unevenness, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. The end regions 20, 22, 40, and 42 may be formed with sawtooth-shaped unevenness.

[0137] In one or more embodiments described above, each component member can be freely replaced or added between the embodiments as long as it is included in the technical scope of one or more embodiments of the present invention.EXAMPLES

[0138] Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these Examples.Example 1

[0139] Modacrylic (MODA) fibers having an H-shaped cross section were used as the fibers. The fibers were arranged in a strip shape with a width of 36 cm and a weight of 65 g, and cut into a triangular wave shape having a length of the longest fiber of 99 cm and a length of the shortest fiber of 51 cm with a blade member, whereby in-progress fiber strips having two recesses in each end region as illustrated in FIG. 4 were formed.

[0140] The formed in-progress fiber strips were bundled to form a bundle-like body, and four sets of hackling were performed on the bundle-like body. Thereafter, the strips were bundled with a fixing string to form a fiber bundle for artificial hair. The fiber bundle for artificial hair thus obtained was used as Example 1.

[0141] In the hackling, the strips were collected into a bundle-like body, the bundle-like body was passed through a hackling stand nine times, and the strips were bundled at the tenth time, which was regarded as one set.Example 2

[0142] A fiber bundle for artificial hair was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that Modacrylic fibers having a C-shaped cross section were used. The fiber bundle for artificial hair thus obtained was used as Example 2.Comparative Example 1

[0143] A fiber bundle for artificial hair was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that Modacrylic (MODA) fibers having an H-shaped cross section were used as the fibers, the fibers were bundled into a bundle-like body with a width of 36 cm and a weight of 65 g, and the bundle-like body was pressed against a rotary blade and cut into a straight line to form an in-progress fiber strip. The fiber bundle for artificial hair thus obtained was used as Comparative Example 1.(Sensory Evaluation)

[0144] Regarding the combing property, a professional beauty evaluator combed the fiber bundles with their fingers and evaluated the ease of combing with the fingers from the fiber bundle root to the hair end. When the beauty evaluator determined that the hair amount decreased toward the hair end, combing with the fingers is easily performed, and the resistance was large, the fiber bundle was rated as ∘. Fiber bundles of other cases were rated as x.TABLE 1ExampleExampleComparative12Example 1Combing property∘∘x

[0145] As illustrated in Table 1, in Comparative Example 1, the resistance was large when the fiber bundle was combed with the fingers, and smoothness of combing was not obtained, whereas in Examples 1 and 2, the resistance was small when the fiber bundles were combed with the fingers, the smoothness of combing improved, and the combing property was good.(Evaluation of Outer Periphery)

[0146] To examine the shape of the artificial hair fiber, the artificial hair fiber was randomly extracted from the fiber bundles for artificial hair of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1, and the artificial hair fiber was rotated every 90 degrees and photographed. That is, a state in which the artificial hair fiber was placed on a flat surface was set to 0 degrees, and the artificial hair fiber was rotated in a circumferential direction by 90 degrees from that state, and photographed at each position of 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees. The photographing results are shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0147] In Example 1, the inclination angle (inclination angle with respect to the longitudinal direction) at 0 degrees was about 95 degrees, and the inclination angle at 90 degrees was about 120 degrees. In Example 2, the inclination angle at 0 degrees was about 126 degrees, and the inclination angle at 90 degrees was about 147 degrees. In Comparative Example 1, the inclination angle at 0 degrees was about 84 degrees, and the inclination angle at 90 degrees was about 96 degrees.

[0148] In Comparative Example 1, as shown in FIG. 11, the end surface was substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and significant difference in the shape of the end surface was not observed at any of the positions of 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees. On the other hand, in Examples 1 and 2, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an inclined surface was formed at any of the positions of 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees, and the end surface had a shape that was visible at both 0 degrees and 90 degrees. That is, in Examples 1 and 2, the end surface was inclined when viewed from any direction of the plane, the side surface, and the bottom surface, and the end surface was inclined in a state of facing the photographing side in the plane and the side surface.

[0149] In Comparative Example 1, a large burr overhanging outward from the end surface was generated, whereas in Examples 1 and 2, a burr overhanging greatly from the end surface was hardly generated.

[0150] From these results, it was suggested that in Examples 1 and 2, by setting the inclination angle of the end surface to 95 degrees or more and making the end surface visible at a position rotated by 90 degrees, the fingers were easily guided to the inclined surface at the tip without being caught by the burr when the fiber bundles were combed with the fingers, and in the result of the sensory evaluation, good combing property was obtained as compared with Comparative Example 1.(Evaluation of End Surface)

[0151] Artificial hair fibers were randomly extracted from the fiber bundles for artificial hair in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1, and an end surface and a side surface of the artificial hair fiber and a cross section cut linearly at a central part (half the length of the artificial hair fiber) were photographed. The photographing results are shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. The ratio of the average roughness of the end surface to the average roughness of the cross section and the ratio of the maximum height of the end surface to the maximum height of the cross section in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1 are shown in Table 2.

[0152] The cross section was cut using a carbon tool steel planer blade (thickness 0.245 mm, single-sided cutting / blade angle 23 degrees, width 18.4 mm, length 39.3 mm) manufactured by FEATHER Safety Razor Co., Ltd.

[0153] The average roughness was defined as a ten-point average roughness RzJIS conforming to JIS B 0601:2001 (ISO4287-1997), and the maximum height was calculated as a maximum peak height (Sp) conforming to ISO25178.

[0154] The ratio of average roughness was determined by (average roughness of end surface)×100 / (average roughness of cross section), and the ratio of maximum peak height was determined by (maximum peak height of end surface)×100 / (maximum peak height of cross section).TABLE 2ExampleExampleComparative12Example 1Ratio of average3001111000roughness (%)Ratio of maximum131134143peak height (%)

[0155] In Comparative Example 1, as shown in FIG. 14, the end surface shape was crushed and deformed as compared with the cross-sectional shape, and the end surface had rough unevenness. On the other hand, in Examples 1 and 2, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the end surface shape was substantially maintained as compared with the cross-sectional shape, and the end surface had a relatively smooth shape.

[0156] In Comparative Example 1, the ratio of average roughness was 1000% as shown in Table 2, whereas in Examples 1 and 2, the ratio of average roughness were 300% and 111%, respectively, and the ratio of average roughness was significantly decreased as compared with Comparative Example 1.

[0157] In Comparative Example 1, the ratio of maximum peak height was 143% as shown in Table 2, whereas in Examples 1 and 2, the ratio of maximum peak height were 131% and 134%, respectively, and the ratio of maximum peak height was significantly decreased as compared with Comparative Example 1.

[0158] From this result, it was suggested that in Examples 1 and 2, because the cut surface was not greatly deformed at the time of cutting as compared with Comparative Example 1, burrs and the like at the end surface were reduced, and good combing property was obtained as compared with Comparative Example 1.

[0159] The above results are summarized as follows.

[0160] (1) It was suggested that a fiber bundle for artificial hair having good combing property is obtained by forming the artificial fiber into a shape in which the end surface is inclined at an inclination angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to a longitudinal direction when viewed from one direction in a circumferential direction, and the end surface is visible at a position rotated by 90 degrees.

[0161] (2) It was suggested that a fiber bundle for artificial hair having good combing property was obtained by inclining the end surface of the artificial hair fiber with respect to the longitudinal direction and suppressing the average roughness of the end surface to 350% or less with respect to the average roughness of the orthogonal cross section in the longitudinal direction.EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SIGNS1: fiber bundle for artificial hair

[0163] 2: artificial hair fiber

[0164] 5, 5a, 5b: end surface

[0165] 7: cross section

[0166] Although the disclosure has been described with respect to only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that various other embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

Examples

example 1

[0139]Modacrylic (MODA) fibers having an H-shaped cross section were used as the fibers. The fibers were arranged in a strip shape with a width of 36 cm and a weight of 65 g, and cut into a triangular wave shape having a length of the longest fiber of 99 cm and a length of the shortest fiber of 51 cm with a blade member, whereby in-progress fiber strips having two recesses in each end region as illustrated in FIG. 4 were formed.

[0140]The formed in-progress fiber strips were bundled to form a bundle-like body, and four sets of hackling were performed on the bundle-like body. Thereafter, the strips were bundled with a fixing string to form a fiber bundle for artificial hair. The fiber bundle for artificial hair thus obtained was used as Example 1.

[0141]In the hackling, the strips were collected into a bundle-like body, the bundle-like body was passed through a hackling stand nine times, and the strips were bundled at the tenth time, which was regarded as one set.

example 2

[0142]A fiber bundle for artificial hair was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that Modacrylic fibers having a C-shaped cross section were used. The fiber bundle for artificial hair thus obtained was used as Example 2.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a fiber bundle for artificial hair.BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventionally, a fiber bundle for artificial hair resembling human hair has been used as a material of a head decoration product such as a hairpiece, a wig, an extension, a braid, or a hair band (for example, Patent Document 1).PATENT DOCUMENTPatent Document 1: JP 2010-47846 A

[0004] In the production of a conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair, a worker grips a plurality of artificial hair fibers by hand to form a bundle-like body, and the bundle-like body is directly pressed against a rotary blade perpendicularly to an extending direction of the fibers and cut the fibers to produce the fiber bundle for artificial hair.

[0005] However, in the conventional method for producing a fiber bundle for artificial hair, in which the bundle-like body is cut with a rotary blade in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction, the hair end portion of the tip collapses, burrs and the like are generated and spread in a radial direction, the burrs and the like are caught when combed with the fingers or the like, and the combing property deteriorates.

[0006] A fiber bundle for artificial hair whose smoothness of combing is improved as compared to conventional fiber bundles is provided.SUMMARY

[0007] One aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention to solve the problem described above is a fiber bundle for artificial hair including a plurality of artificial hair fibers, wherein each of the artificial hair fibers has an end surface in a longitudinal direction, the end surface being inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, and a ratio of an average roughness of the end surface in the longitudinal direction to an average roughness of a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is 350% or less.

[0008] The term “cross section” as used herein refers to a cut surface when the fiber is cut using a plane blade having a thickness of 0.23 mm or more and 0.26 mm or less and a blade angle of 20 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less.

[0009] The term “average roughness” as used herein refers to a ten-point average roughness RzJIS conforming to JIS B 0601:2001 (ISO4287-1997).

[0010] According to this aspect, the end surfaces of the artificial hair fibers are inclined, and the average roughness of the end surfaces is not extremely coarse with respect to the average roughness of the cross section. Thus, the artificial hair fibers are less likely to be entangled between the fibers, and the unevenness of the end surfaces is less likely to be caught by a comb when the artificial hair fibers are combed. As a result, the smoothness of combing is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair, and the combing property is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair.

[0011] In a preferred aspect, the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the artificial hair fibers has an average roughness of 1.2 μm or less.

[0012] In a preferred aspect, the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction in plan view.

[0013] Each of the artificial hair fibers has a ratio of a maximum peak height of the end surface in the longitudinal direction to a maximum peak height of the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of 140% or less.

[0014] The “maximum peak height” as used herein refers to the maximum peak height (Sp) conforming to ISO25178.

[0015] In a preferred aspect, the cross section of each of the artificial hair fibers has an outer shape of any of an H shape, a C shape, a circular shape, a Y shape, a U shape, an X shape, a flat shape, and a horseshoe shape, and the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the artificial hair fibers when viewed in the longitudinal direction is similar to the outer shape of the cross section.

[0016] The “shape similar to the outer shape of the cross section” as used herein refers to a shape having a common point with the outer shape of the cross section and evoking the outer shape of the cross section when visually observed even though the shape is slightly deformed from the outer shape of the section. That is, when the outer shape of the cross section is regarded as the original shape, the shape similar to the outer shape of the cross section means a shape in which the original shape is maintained. For example, when the outer shape of the cross section is an H shape, the shape is included in a shape similar to the outer shape of the cross section when the outer shape looks like an H shape even though the outer shape is slightly deformed when visually observed.

[0017] In a preferred aspect, the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction when viewed from one direction in a circumferential direction, and the end surface in the longitudinal direction is visually recognized when viewed after being further rotated by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

[0018] According to this aspect, the end surface is greatly inclined as compared with the case of cutting with a normal blade member. Thus, the comb is easily guided to the end surface, and the combing property is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair.

[0019] In a preferred aspect, the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 95 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction when viewed after being rotated by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

[0020] The above-described aspects can be mutually dependent, some configurations can be cited, or some configurations can be replaced between the aspects as long as the aspects are included in the technical scope of one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the smoothness of combing is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a fiber bundle for artificial hair according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0023] FIGS. 2A to 2C are explanatory diagrams of a main part of the artificial hair fiber of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the main part, FIG. 2B is an end view of the main part, and FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2A.

[0024] FIGS. 3A to 3D are explanatory diagrams of a main part of the artificial hair fiber of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 3A is a plan view of the main part, FIG. 3B is a right side view of the main part, FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the main part, and FIG. 3D is a left side view of the main part.

[0025] FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of a first in-progress fiber strip according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is a plan view of the first in-progress fiber strip, and FIG. 4B is a plan view illustrating an outline (contour) of a main part of FIG. 4A.

[0026] FIGS. 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams of a second in-progress fiber strip according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 5A is a plan view of the second in-progress fiber strip, and FIG. 5B is a plan view illustrating an outline (contour) of a main part of FIG. 5A.

[0027] FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of a blade member according to one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the blade member, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 6A.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the blade member of FIG. 6.

[0029] FIGS. 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of a production process of the fiber bundle for artificial hair of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 8A is a plan view of a strip-shaped body in a strip-shaped body forming step, and FIG. 8B is a plan view of an in-progress fiber strip after cutting in a cutting step.

[0030] FIGS. 9A to 9C are explanatory diagrams of an artificial hair fiber of Example 1 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein the diagram on the left of FIG. 9A is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 0 degrees with respect to a base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 9A is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 9A, the diagram on the left of FIG. 9B is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 9B is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 9B, the diagram on the left of FIG. 9C is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 180 degrees with respect to the base surface, and the diagram on the right of FIG. 9C is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 9C.

[0031] FIGS. 10A to 10C are explanatory diagrams of an artificial hair fiber of Example 2 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein the diagram on the left of FIG. 10A is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 0 degrees with respect to a base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 10A is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 10A, the diagram on the left of FIG. 10B is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 10B is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 10B, the diagram on the left of FIG. 10C is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 180 degrees with respect to the base surface, and the diagram on the right of FIG. 10C is a diagram obtained by tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 10C.

[0032] FIGS. 11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams of an artificial hair fiber of Comparative Example 1 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein the diagram on the left of FIG. 11A is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 0 degrees with respect to a base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 11A is a diagram tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 11A, the diagram on the left of FIG. 11B is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the base surface, the diagram on the right of FIG. 11B is a diagram tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 11B, the diagram on the left of FIG. 11C is a photographed image photographed from an angle of 180 degrees with respect to the base surface, and the diagram on the right of FIG. 11C is a diagram tracing the diagram on the left of FIG. 11C.

[0033] FIGS. 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams of the artificial hair fiber of Example 1 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 12B is an end view.

[0034] FIGS. 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams of the artificial hair fiber of Example 2 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 13B is an end view.

[0035] FIGS. 14A and 14B are explanatory diagrams of the artificial hair fiber of Comparative Example 1 of one or more embodiments of the present invention, wherein FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 14B is an end view.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0037] A fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention constitutes a kind of head ornament selected from the group consisting of a hair wig, a hairpiece, weaving, a hair extension, a braid hair, a hair accessory, and a doll hair.

[0038] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 is a fiber bundle in which a plurality of artificial hair fibers 2 (hereinafter, it is also simply referred to as fiber 2) are bundled at a fixing part 3. The fiber bundle is used by being folded back near the fixing part 3. The fiber bundle extends in a predetermined direction as a whole in a folded state.

[0039] In the following description, unless otherwise specified, a state in which the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 is linearly stretched is taken as a reference, and an extending direction thereof is described as a length direction L (longitudinal direction).

[0040] The fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 is made up of fibers 2 of a plurality of types of lengths.

[0041] The fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments is formed by arranging the fibers 2 in a strip shape as illustrated in FIG. 8 and cutting the fibers 2 with a blade member 100 illustrated in FIG. 6 to form in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11, thereafter hackling the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11.

[0042] In a state where the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 is linearly extended, both longitudinal ends are not aligned, and the ends of the fibers 2 are located at substantially different positions. Thus, the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 has a cohesive hair end in a brush shape.

[0043] In the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1, when the fixing part 3 is removed to disentangle the fibers 2, 300 fibers 2 are randomly extracted from the fibers 2, and the extracted 300 fibers 2 are arranged in order from the longest fiber, the difference in length between adjacent fibers 2 is 3 cm or less, and the number of fibers having the same length is 30 or less in a range of 50 to 250 fibers counted from the longest fiber.

[0044] The fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 includes a first fiber bundle for artificial hair formed by hackling a first in-progress fiber strip 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 and a second fiber bundle for artificial hair formed by hackling a second in-progress fiber strip 11 illustrated in FIG. 5.(Artificial Hair Fiber 2)

[0045] The artificial hair fibers 2 may be made from at least one fiber selected from the group consisting of acrylic fibers (AC fibers) such as Modacrylic fibers (MODA fibers), polyethylene terephthalate fibers (PET fibers), polyvinyl chloride fibers (PVC fibers), nylon fibers (Ny fibers), and polypropylene fibers (PP fibers).

[0046] The cross-sectional shape of the fiber 2 is not particularly limited, and the shape can be, for example, an H-shape, a C-shape, a circular shape, a Y-shape, a U-shape, an X-shape, a flat shape, a horseshoe shape, or the like.

[0047] The fiber 2 may be hollow or solid.

[0048] The fiber 2 may be crimped by crimping or the like, but does not have to be crimped.

[0049] The fiber 2 of one or more embodiments has an H-shaped cross section as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0050] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, both end surfaces 5 (5a, 5b) of the fiber 2 in length directions L (longitudinal directions) are inclined in two directions in the longitudinal directions.

[0051] In the fiber 2, the end surface 5 is inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction in plan view as illustrated in FIG. 3A, and the end surface 5 is inclined with respect to a longitudinal direction in right side view as illustrated in FIG. 3B.

[0052] In the fiber 2, the inclination angle θ1 of the end surface 5 in plan view illustrated in FIG. 3A may be 110 degrees or more or 115 degrees or more.

[0053] In the fiber 2, the inclination angle θ1 of the end surface 5 may be 160 degrees or less or 150 degrees or less.

[0054] In the fiber 2, the inclination angle θ2 of the end surface 5 in right side view as illustrated in FIG. 3B may be 95 degrees or more or 100 degrees or more.

[0055] In the fiber 2, the inclination angle θ2 of the end surface 5 may be 130 degrees or less or 100 degrees or less.

[0056] In the fiber 2, the end surface 5 is visible in plan view as illustrated in FIG. 3A, and the end surface 5 is hidden by an outer peripheral surface 6 and invisible in bottom view as illustrated in FIG. 3C.

[0057] In the fiber 2, the end surface 5 is visible in right side view as illustrated in FIG. 3B, and the end surface 5 is hidden by the outer peripheral surface 6 and invisible in bottom view as illustrated in FIG. 3D.

[0058] One end surface 5a of the fiber 2 is in line symmetry with the other end surface 5b, and both end surfaces 5a and 5b are inclined in a truncated chevron shape in plan view and are also inclined in a truncated chevron shape in left side view.

[0059] The fiber 2 may have a ten-point average roughness (RzJIS) of the end surface 5 conforming to JIS B 0601:2001 (ISO4287-1997) of 0.1 μm or more.

[0060] In the fiber 2, the ten-point average roughness (RzJIS) of the end surface 5 may be 1.2 μm or less, 1 μm or less, or 0.8 μm or less.

[0061] The ratio of the ten-point average roughness (RzJIS) of the end surface 5 to the ten-point average roughness (RzJIS) of a cross section 7 of the fiber 2 cut with a plane blade having a thickness of 0.23 mm or more and 0.26 mm or less and a blade angle of 20 degrees or more and 25 degrees or less in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction may be 100% or more and 350% or less, 320% or less, 200% or less, or 120% or less.

[0062] The cross section 7 is a cross section cut in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction at a position not overlapping with the end surface 5.

[0063] The fiber 2 may have a root mean square height (Sq) of the end surface 5 conforming to ISO25178 of 1 μm or more.

[0064] In the fiber 2, the root mean square height (Sq) of the end surface 5 may be 12 μm or less, 8 μm or less, or 5 μm or less.

[0065] In the fiber 2, the ratio of the root mean square height (Sq) of the end surface 5 to the root mean square height (Sq) of the cross section 7 may be 100% or more and 170% or less, 150% or less, or 130% or less.

[0066] The fiber 2 may have a maximum peak height (Sp) of the end surface 5 conforming to ISO25178 of 3 μm or more.

[0067] In the fiber 2, the maximum peak height (Sp) may be 20 μm or less, 16 μm or less, or 10 μm or less.

[0068] In the fiber 2, the ratio of the maximum peak height (Sp) of the end surface 5 to the maximum peak height (Sp) of the cross section 7 may be 100% or more and 140% or less or 135% or less.(First In-Progress Fiber Strip 10)

[0069] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first in-progress fiber strip 10 includes a first end region 20, a central region 21, and a second end region 22 in this order from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction.

[0070] The first end region 20 is a region extending from one end to a middle section, and is a region in which triangular wave-shaped unevenness is formed.

[0071] The first end region 20 is a portion corresponding to a cut part cut in a cutting step described later.

[0072] The first end region 20 includes two recesses 30a and 30b at a middle section in the width directions.

[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the recesses 30a and 30b are recessed from one end in the longitudinal direction toward the central region 21, and are configured by a first inclined part 35 and a second inclined part 36.

[0074] Both the first inclined part 35 and the second inclined part 36 extend linearly and intersect at a boundary part with the central region 21.

[0075] An angle θ3 (angle of bottom of the recess 30a or 30b) formed by the adjacent first inclined part 35 and second inclined part 36 illustrated in FIG. 4B may be an acute angle, 10 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less, or 20 degrees or more and 40 degrees or less.

[0076] The first inclined part 35a of the recess 30a and the first inclined part 35b of the recess 30b are parallel to each other, and the second inclined part 36a of the recess 30a and the second inclined part 36b of the recess 30b are also parallel to each other.

[0077] The lengths (depths from the ends) of the recesses 30a and 30b may be 5 cm or more and 40 cm or less, or 22 cm or more and 26 cm or less.

[0078] The lengths of the recesses 30a and 30b may be the same or different.

[0079] The central region 21 is a region having a quadrangular shape provided in the longitudinal center part, and is a region to which 95% or more of the fiber 2 belongs.

[0080] The length of the central region 21 in the longitudinal direction may be 45% or more of the entire length.

[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the second end region 22 is a region extending from the middle section in the longitudinal direction to the other end, and is a region in which triangular wave-shaped unevenness is formed. The second end region 22 is a portion corresponding to a cut part cut in the cutting step described later.

[0082] The second end region 22 has a line-symmetric relationship with the first end region 20. Thus, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the first end region 20 in each member of the second end region 22, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] The second end region 22 includes two recesses 30a and 30b at a middle section in the width directions.

[0084] The depth direction of the recesses 30a and 30b of the second end region 22 is a direction approaching the recesses 30a and 30b of the first end region 20.

[0085] The positions of the bottoms of the recesses 30a and 30b in the second end region 22 (positions of the center lines) are the same as the positions of the bottoms of the recesses 30a and 30b in the first end region 20 (positions of the center lines) in the width directions.(Second In-Progress Fiber Strip 11)

[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the second in-progress fiber strip 11 includes a third end region 40, a central region 41, and a fourth end region 42 in this order from one end side to the other end side in the longitudinal direction.

[0087] The third end region 40 is a region extending from one end in the longitudinal direction to the middle section, and is a region in which triangular wave-shaped unevenness is formed.

[0088] The third end region 40 is a portion corresponding to a cut part cut in the cutting step described later, and is a region forming a pair with the second end region 22 of the first in-progress fiber strip 10 at the time of cutting.

[0089] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the third end region 40 includes two projections 51a and 51b at the middle section in the width directions.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the projections 51a and 51b are projected from the central region 41 to one end, and are configured by a first inclined part 55 and a second inclined part 56.

[0091] Both the first inclined part 55 and the second inclined part 56 extend linearly and intersect at one end.

[0092] An angle θ4 (angle of the vertex of the projection 51) formed by adjacent first inclined part 55 and second inclined part 56 illustrated in FIG. 5B may be an acute angle, 10 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less, or 20 degrees or more and 40 degrees or less.

[0093] The first inclined part 55a of the projection 51a and the first inclined part 55b of the projection 51b are parallel to each other, and the second inclined part 56a of the projection 51a and the second inclined part 56b of the projection 51b are also parallel to each other.

[0094] The lengths (projection length from the central region 41) of the projection 51a and 51b may be 5 cm or more and 40 cm or less, or 22 cm or more and 26 cm or less.

[0095] The lengths of the projections 51a and 51b may be the same or different.

[0096] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the central region 41 is a region having a quadrangular shape provided in the longitudinal center part, and is a region to which 95% or more of the fiber 2 belongs.

[0097] The length of the central region 41 in the longitudinal direction may be 45% or more of the entire length.

[0098] The fourth end region 42 is a region extending from the other end in the longitudinal direction to the middle section, and is a region in which triangular wave-shaped unevenness is formed. The fourth end region 42 is a portion corresponding to a cut part cut in the cutting step described later, and is a region forming a pair with the first end region 20 of the first in-progress fiber strip 10 at the time of cutting.

[0099] The fourth end region 42 has a line-symmetric relationship with the third end region 40. Thus, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the third end region 40 in each member of the fourth end region 42, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0100] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the fourth end region 42 includes two projections 51a and 51b at the middle section in the width directions.

[0101] The projecting direction of the projections 51a and 51b of the fourth end region 42 is a direction away from the projections 51a and 51b of the third end region 40.

[0102] The positions of the tops of the projections 51a and 51b of the fourth end region 42 are the same as the positions of the tops of the projections 51a and 51b of the third end region 40 in the width directions.(Blade Member 100)

[0103] The blade member 100 is a Thomson blade formed by bending a single plate material into a zigzag shape.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the blade member 100 includes a plurality of first blade parts 101, a plurality of second blade parts 102, a first connection part 103, and a second connection part 104.

[0105] In the blade member 100, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the first blade part 101, the first connection part 103, and the second blade part 102 constitute a continuous first peak part 105, and the first blade part 101, the second connection part 104, and the second blade part 102 constitute a continuous second peak part 106.

[0106] The first blade part 101 is a blade part extending in an inclined manner with a width direction component and a length direction component as a whole in plan view.

[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the first blade part 101 has a main body 110 and a blade edge part 111 that is pointed from the main body 110 toward the tip.

[0108] Both side surfaces 112 and 113 of the blade edge part 111 are inclined surfaces, and an angle θ5 formed by the side surfaces 112 and 113 illustrated in FIG. 6B may be 5 degrees or more, and preferably 10 degrees or more.

[0109] The angle θ5 formed by the side surfaces 112 and 113 may be 45 degrees or less, or 30 degrees or less or more.

[0110] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the second blade part 102 is a blade part that extends while being inclined as a whole with respect to the extending direction of the first blade part 101 in plan view.

[0111] Each of the angles θ6 and 07 formed by the second blade part 102 and adjacent first blade parts 101 illustrated in FIG. 7 may be more than 0 degrees, or 5 degrees or more.

[0112] The angles θ6 and 07 of the second blade part 102 are less than 180 degrees, preferably 60 degrees or less, or 30 degrees or less.

[0113] Like the first blade part 101, the second blade part 102 has a main body 110 and a blade edge part 111 that is pointed from the main body 110 toward the tip.

[0114] Each of the peak parts 105 and 106 is a V-shaped peak part having corresponding one of connection parts 103 and 104 as a vertex, and has vertexes in opposite directions in the length direction.

[0115] Next, a method for producing the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention will be described.

[0116] The method for producing the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments is mainly a method in which a strip-shaped body forming step, a cutting step, and a hackling step are performed in this order.

[0117] Specifically, first, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, the fibers 2 are arranged in a strip shape to form a strip-shaped body 60 (strip-shaped body forming step).

[0118] Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the blade edge part 111 of the blade member 100 is pressed against the strip-shaped body 60 to cut the strip-shaped body 60 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction, whereby the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11 are alternately formed (cutting step).

[0119] At this time, the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11 are cut in a zigzag shape, and the lengths thereof gradually differ in the width direction.

[0120] Subsequently, the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11 are bundled in a bundle shape to form bundle-like bodies, respectively, and each bundle-like body is dropped onto a hackling stand provided with a plurality of rod-shaped parts such as pointed threads, and then the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11 are pulled out from gaps between the rod-shaped parts of the hackling stand to perform hackling (hackling step), then the fixing part 3 is attached and fixed to the middle sections of the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11, and the strips are bent near the fixing part 3, whereby the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 is completed.

[0121] At this time, in the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11, the directions of the fibers 2 are organized and gathered while the positional relationship between the fibers 2 is shifted in the longitudinal direction through the hackling.

[0122] At this time, the number of times of hackling is not particularly limited, but may be 3 times or more and 20 times or less, or 4 times or more and 10 times or less from the viewpoint of more regulating the directions of the fibers 2.

[0123] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, the end surfaces 5 in the longitudinal direction of the artificial hair fibers 2 constituting the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 are inclined, and the ratio of the average roughness of the end surfaces 5 in the longitudinal direction to the average roughness of the cross section 7 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is 350% or less. That is, the end surfaces 5 of the artificial hair fibers 2 are inclined, and the average roughness of the end surfaces 5 is not extremely coarse with respect to the average roughness of the cross section 7. Thus, the artificial hair fibers 2 and 2 are less likely to be entangled between the fibers, and the unevenness of the end surfaces 5 is less likely to be caught by a comb when the artificial hair fibers are combed. As a result, the smoothness of combing is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair, and the combing property is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair.

[0124] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, the average roughness of the end surfaces 5 of the artificial hair fibers 2 in the longitudinal direction is 1.2 μm or less. Thus, there is little unevenness on the end surfaces 5, the hair ends of the artificial hair fibers 2 are less likely to tangle each other, and the smoothness of combing is improved.

[0125] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, the end surface 5 of the artificial hair fiber 2 is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction. Thus, when the fiber bundle is combed, the end surface 5 can be hardly brought into contact with the comb. Thus, the frictional resistance is reduced, and the smoothness of combing is further improved.

[0126] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, in the artificial hair fibers 2, the ratio of the maximum peak height of the end surface 5 in the longitudinal direction to the maximum peak height of the cross section 7 orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is 140% or less. Thus, large burrs and the like are not generated, and the smoothness of combing is improved.

[0127] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, the outer shape of the end surface 5 of the artificial hair fiber 2 is similar to the outer shape of the cross section 7. Thus, the function imparted because of the shape of the artificial hair fiber 2 can be maintained also at the hair end portion.

[0128] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, in the artificial hair fiber 2, the end surface 5 in the longitudinal direction is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction when viewed from one direction in the circumferential direction, and the end surface 5 in the longitudinal direction is visually recognized when viewed after being further rotated by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. That is, the surfaces in the two directions are inclined. Thus, a comb is easily guided to the end surface 5 when the fiber bundle is combed, the smoothness of combing is improved, and the combing property is improved as compared with the conventional fiber bundle for artificial hair.

[0129] According to the fiber bundle for artificial hair 1 of one or more embodiments, the end surface 5 is inclined at an angle of 95 degrees or more when viewed after being rotated in the circumferential direction by 90 degrees. Thus, a comb is easily guided by the end surface 5, and further improved combing property is obtained.

[0130] In one or more embodiments described above, a recess or projection is formed in the in-progress fiber strips 10 and 11, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. It is sufficient that the length of each fiber gradually changes, and for example, each end region of the in-progress fiber strip may have a right triangular shape.

[0131] In one or more embodiments described above, the first in-progress fiber strip 10 has two recesses in each of the end regions 20 and 22, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. The number of recesses in each end region may be one, or three or more.

[0132] Similarly, in one or more embodiments described above, the second in-progress fiber strip 11 has two projections in each of the end regions 40 and 42, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. The number of projections in each end region may be one, or three or more.

[0133] In one or more embodiments described above, the first in-progress fiber strip 10 and the second in-progress fiber strip 11 are alternately formed in the cutting step, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. In the cutting step, only the first in-progress fiber strip 10 or only the second in-progress fiber strip 11 may be formed.

[0134] In one or more embodiments described above, the recesses 30a and 30b of the second end region 22 are located at the same positions as the recesses 30a and 30b of the first end region 20 in the width directions, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. The recesses 30a and 30b of the second end region 22 may be shifted from the recesses 30a and 30b of the first end region 20 in the width directions.

[0135] Similarly, in one or more embodiments described above, the projections 51a and 51b of the fourth end region 42 are located at the same positions as the projections 51a and 51b of the third end region 40 in the width directions, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. The positions of the projections 51a and 51b of the fourth end region 42 may be shifted from the positions of the projections 51a and 51b of the third end region 40 in the width directions.

[0136] In one or more embodiments described above, the end regions 20, 22, 40, and 42 are formed with triangular wave-shaped unevenness, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to this example. The end regions 20, 22, 40, and 42 may be formed with sawtooth-shaped unevenness.

[0137] In one or more embodiments described above, each component member can be freely replaced or added between the embodiments as long as it is included in the technical scope of one or more embodiments of the present invention.EXAMPLES

[0138] Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but one or more embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these Examples.Example 1

[0139] Modacrylic (MODA) fibers having an H-shaped cross section were used as the fibers. The fibers were arranged in a strip shape with a width of 36 cm and a weight of 65 g, and cut into a triangular wave shape having a length of the longest fiber of 99 cm and a length of the shortest fiber of 51 cm with a blade member, whereby in-progress fiber strips having two recesses in each end region as illustrated in FIG. 4 were formed.

[0140] The formed in-progress fiber strips were bundled to form a bundle-like body, and four sets of hackling were performed on the bundle-like body. Thereafter, the strips were bundled with a fixing string to form a fiber bundle for artificial hair. The fiber bundle for artificial hair thus obtained was used as Example 1.

[0141] In the hackling, the strips were collected into a bundle-like body, the bundle-like body was passed through a hackling stand nine times, and the strips were bundled at the tenth time, which was regarded as one set.Example 2

[0142] A fiber bundle for artificial hair was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that Modacrylic fibers having a C-shaped cross section were used. The fiber bundle for artificial hair thus obtained was used as Example 2.Comparative Example 1

[0143] A fiber bundle for artificial hair was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that Modacrylic (MODA) fibers having an H-shaped cross section were used as the fibers, the fibers were bundled into a bundle-like body with a width of 36 cm and a weight of 65 g, and the bundle-like body was pressed against a rotary blade and cut into a straight line to form an in-progress fiber strip. The fiber bundle for artificial hair thus obtained was used as Comparative Example 1.(Sensory Evaluation)

[0144] Regarding the combing property, a professional beauty evaluator combed the fiber bundles with their fingers and evaluated the ease of combing with the fingers from the fiber bundle root to the hair end. When the beauty evaluator determined that the hair amount decreased toward the hair end, combing with the fingers is easily performed, and the resistance was large, the fiber bundle was rated as ∘. Fiber bundles of other cases were rated as x.TABLE 1ExampleExampleComparative12Example 1Combing property∘∘x

[0145] As illustrated in Table 1, in Comparative Example 1, the resistance was large when the fiber bundle was combed with the fingers, and smoothness of combing was not obtained, whereas in Examples 1 and 2, the resistance was small when the fiber bundles were combed with the fingers, the smoothness of combing improved, and the combing property was good.(Evaluation of Outer Periphery)

[0146] To examine the shape of the artificial hair fiber, the artificial hair fiber was randomly extracted from the fiber bundles for artificial hair of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1, and the artificial hair fiber was rotated every 90 degrees and photographed. That is, a state in which the artificial hair fiber was placed on a flat surface was set to 0 degrees, and the artificial hair fiber was rotated in a circumferential direction by 90 degrees from that state, and photographed at each position of 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees. The photographing results are shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

[0147] In Example 1, the inclination angle (inclination angle with respect to the longitudinal direction) at 0 degrees was about 95 degrees, and the inclination angle at 90 degrees was about 120 degrees. In Example 2, the inclination angle at 0 degrees was about 126 degrees, and the inclination angle at 90 degrees was about 147 degrees. In Comparative Example 1, the inclination angle at 0 degrees was about 84 degrees, and the inclination angle at 90 degrees was about 96 degrees.

[0148] In Comparative Example 1, as shown in FIG. 11, the end surface was substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and significant difference in the shape of the end surface was not observed at any of the positions of 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees. On the other hand, in Examples 1 and 2, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an inclined surface was formed at any of the positions of 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees, and the end surface had a shape that was visible at both 0 degrees and 90 degrees. That is, in Examples 1 and 2, the end surface was inclined when viewed from any direction of the plane, the side surface, and the bottom surface, and the end surface was inclined in a state of facing the photographing side in the plane and the side surface.

[0149] In Comparative Example 1, a large burr overhanging outward from the end surface was generated, whereas in Examples 1 and 2, a burr overhanging greatly from the end surface was hardly generated.

[0150] From these results, it was suggested that in Examples 1 and 2, by setting the inclination angle of the end surface to 95 degrees or more and making the end surface visible at a position rotated by 90 degrees, the fingers were easily guided to the inclined surface at the tip without being caught by the burr when the fiber bundles were combed with the fingers, and in the result of the sensory evaluation, good combing property was obtained as compared with Comparative Example 1.(Evaluation of End Surface)

[0151] Artificial hair fibers were randomly extracted from the fiber bundles for artificial hair in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1, and an end surface and a side surface of the artificial hair fiber and a cross section cut linearly at a central part (half the length of the artificial hair fiber) were photographed. The photographing results are shown in FIGS. 12 to 14. The ratio of the average roughness of the end surface to the average roughness of the cross section and the ratio of the maximum height of the end surface to the maximum height of the cross section in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 1 are shown in Table 2.

[0152] The cross section was cut using a carbon tool steel planer blade (thickness 0.245 mm, single-sided cutting / blade angle 23 degrees, width 18.4 mm, length 39.3 mm) manufactured by FEATHER Safety Razor Co., Ltd.

[0153] The average roughness was defined as a ten-point average roughness RzJIS conforming to JIS B 0601:2001 (ISO4287-1997), and the maximum height was calculated as a maximum peak height (Sp) conforming to ISO25178.

[0154] The ratio of average roughness was determined by (average roughness of end surface)×100 / (average roughness of cross section), and the ratio of maximum peak height was determined by (maximum peak height of end surface)×100 / (maximum peak height of cross section).TABLE 2ExampleExampleComparative12Example 1Ratio of average3001111000roughness (%)Ratio of maximum131134143peak height (%)

[0155] In Comparative Example 1, as shown in FIG. 14, the end surface shape was crushed and deformed as compared with the cross-sectional shape, and the end surface had rough unevenness. On the other hand, in Examples 1 and 2, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the end surface shape was substantially maintained as compared with the cross-sectional shape, and the end surface had a relatively smooth shape.

[0156] In Comparative Example 1, the ratio of average roughness was 1000% as shown in Table 2, whereas in Examples 1 and 2, the ratio of average roughness were 300% and 111%, respectively, and the ratio of average roughness was significantly decreased as compared with Comparative Example 1.

[0157] In Comparative Example 1, the ratio of maximum peak height was 143% as shown in Table 2, whereas in Examples 1 and 2, the ratio of maximum peak height were 131% and 134%, respectively, and the ratio of maximum peak height was significantly decreased as compared with Comparative Example 1.

[0158] From this result, it was suggested that in Examples 1 and 2, because the cut surface was not greatly deformed at the time of cutting as compared with Comparative Example 1, burrs and the like at the end surface were reduced, and good combing property was obtained as compared with Comparative Example 1.

[0159] The above results are summarized as follows.

[0160] (1) It was suggested that a fiber bundle for artificial hair having good combing property is obtained by forming the artificial fiber into a shape in which the end surface is inclined at an inclination angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to a longitudinal direction when viewed from one direction in a circumferential direction, and the end surface is visible at a position rotated by 90 degrees.

[0161] (2) It was suggested that a fiber bundle for artificial hair having good combing property was obtained by inclining the end surface of the artificial hair fiber with respect to the longitudinal direction and suppressing the average roughness of the end surface to 350% or less with respect to the average roughness of the orthogonal cross section in the longitudinal direction.EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SIGNS1: fiber bundle for artificial hair

[0163] 2: artificial hair fiber

[0164] 5, 5a, 5b: end surface

[0165] 7: cross section

[0166] Although the disclosure has been described with respect to only a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate that various other embodiments may be devised without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be limited only by the attached claims.

Examples

example 1

[0139]Modacrylic (MODA) fibers having an H-shaped cross section were used as the fibers. The fibers were arranged in a strip shape with a width of 36 cm and a weight of 65 g, and cut into a triangular wave shape having a length of the longest fiber of 99 cm and a length of the shortest fiber of 51 cm with a blade member, whereby in-progress fiber strips having two recesses in each end region as illustrated in FIG. 4 were formed.

[0140]The formed in-progress fiber strips were bundled to form a bundle-like body, and four sets of hackling were performed on the bundle-like body. Thereafter, the strips were bundled with a fixing string to form a fiber bundle for artificial hair. The fiber bundle for artificial hair thus obtained was used as Example 1.

[0141]In the hackling, the strips were collected into a bundle-like body, the bundle-like body was passed through a hackling stand nine times, and the strips were bundled at the tenth time, which was regarded as one set.

example 2

[0142]A fiber bundle for artificial hair was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that Modacrylic fibers having a C-shaped cross section were used. The fiber bundle for artificial hair thus obtained was used as Example 2.

Claims

1. A fiber bundle for artificial hair comprising a plurality of artificial hair fibers, whereineach of the plurality of artificial hair fibers has an end surface in a longitudinal direction,the end surface is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction, anda ratio of an average roughness of the end surface in the longitudinal direction to an average roughness of a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is 350% or less.

2. The fiber bundle for artificial hair according to claim 1, wherein the average roughness of the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers is 1.2 μm or less.

3. The fiber bundle for artificial hair according to claim 1, wherein the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction in plan view.

4. The fiber bundle for artificial hair according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers has a ratio of a maximum peak height of the end surface in the longitudinal direction to a maximum peak height of the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of 140% or less.

5. The fiber bundle for artificial hair according to claim 1, whereinthe cross section of each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers has an outer shape selected from the group consisting of an H shape, a C shape, a circular shape, a Y shape, a U shape, an X shape, a flat shape, and a horseshoe shape, andthe end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers when viewed in the longitudinal direction is similar to the outer shape of the cross section.

6. The fiber bundle for artificial hair according to claim 1, whereinthe end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction when viewed from one direction in a circumferential direction, and the end surface in the longitudinal direction is visually recognized when viewed after being further rotated by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

7. The fiber bundle for artificial hair according to claim 6, wherein the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 95 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction when viewed after being rotated by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction with respect to the one direction.

8. The fiber bundle for artificial hair according to claim 2, wherein the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction in plan view.

9. The fiber bundle for artificial hair according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers has a ratio of a maximum peak height of the end surface in the longitudinal direction to a maximum peak height of the cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of 140% or less.

10. The fiber bundle for artificial hair according to claim 2, whereinthe cross section of each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers has an outer shape selected from the group consisting of an H shape, a C shape, a circular shape, a Y shape, a U shape, an X shape, a flat shape, and a horseshoe shape, andthe end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the artificial hair fibers when viewed in the longitudinal direction is similar to the outer shape of the cross section.

11. The fiber bundle for artificial hair according to claim 2, whereinthe end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 115 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction when viewed from one direction in a circumferential direction, andthe end surface in the longitudinal direction is visually recognized when viewed after being further rotated by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction.

12. The fiber bundle for artificial hair according to claim 11, wherein the end surface in the longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of artificial hair fibers is inclined at an angle of 95 degrees or more with respect to the longitudinal direction when viewed after being rotated by 90 degrees in the circumferential direction with respect to the one direction.

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