Hair styling device

Abstract

A hair styling device is provided. The hair styling device includes a pliable member, a friction surface, and a fastener mechanism. The pliable member includes a first bendable end and a second bendable end. The friction surface is connected to an outer surface of the pliable member and is designed to receive and hold hair to the friction surface. The fastener mechanism connects to the first bendable end and the second bendable end.

Description

OVERNI-PT1 HAIR STYLING DEVICE BACKGROUND

[0001] Hair styling tools are commonly used and come in many designs and types. Rollers or curlers are an example of a hair styling tool that are able to be used on wet and dry hair. Hair curlers, rollers, hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons are other examples of styling tools. Most hair styling tools are not designed to only style hair and not to hold the volume of hair and preserve a blow out or other hair style. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure are described in the following description, read with reference to the figures attached hereto and do not limit the scope of the claims. In the figures, identical and similar structures, elements or parts thereof that appear in more than one figure are generally labeled with the same or similar references in the figures in which they appear. Dimensions of components and features illustrated in the figures are chosen primarily for convenience and clarity of presentation and are not necessarily to scale. Referring to the attached figures:

[0003] FIG.1 illustrates a block diagram of a hair styling device according to an example;

[0004] FIG.2 illustrates an exploded view of the hair styling device of FIG.1 according to an example;

[0005] FIG.3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hair styling device of FIG.1 according to an example;

[0006] FIGS.4-5 illustrate the hair styling device of FIG.1 according to examples;

[0007] FIG.6 illustrates the hair styling device of FIG.1 bent according to an example;

[0008] FIG.7 illustrates a flow chart of a method to use the hair styling device of FIG.1 according to an example; and

[0009] FIGS.8-10 illustrates use of the method of FIG.6 according to examples.OVERNI-PT1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0010] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is depicted by way of illustration specific examples in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples may be utilized, and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] Styling hair can be done in a variety of ways. Hair curlers, rollers, hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons are some examples of hair styling tools. When hair is styled, it can then be held into place using a variety of products such as gel, mouse, and hairspray. Overtime, hair can lose curl, volume, and other features from a style or blowout. Making a hair style that can last for multiple days is something many people aspire for. After making a hair style, many people also want to maintain a hair style multiple days and reducing the time to wash, dry, and style hair. People also look for simple ways to style their hair while doing everyday activities using, for example, heatless styling devices.

[0012] In order to create and preserve a hair style, the hair must be positioned properly. Moreover, different solutions are needed depending on a person’s hair type, hair style, and lifestyle. For example, some people want their hair out of the way while creating a heatless style or preserving the style during a busy day or at night while sleeping. Curlers, clips, caps, and scarves can used to keep hair out of the way, but they do not always provide a desired volume or preserve a hair style. Therefore, the hair styling may need to be redone or partially redone. Therefore, there was a need for a hair styling device that positions hair in a specific manner if someone wants to use a heatless styling method for their hair and retain the hair styling device in a specific position while sleeping, working out, or doing everyday activities.

[0013] In examples, a hair styling device is provided. The hair styling device includes a pliable member, a friction surface, and a fastener mechanism. FIG.1 illustrates a block diagram of a hair styling device 100 according to an example. The hair styling device includes a pliable member 120, a friction surface 140, and a fastener mechanism 160. The pliable member 120 including a first bendable end and a second bendable end. The friction surface 140 is connected to an outer surface of the pliableOVERNI-PT1 member 120 to receive and hold hair to the friction surface 140. The fastener mechanism 160 connects the first bendable end and the second bendable end.

[0014] FIG.2 illustrates an exploded view of the hair styling device of FIG.1 according to an example. The pliable member 120 is illustrated as a bendable rod 230, (may also be referred to as a bendable elongated member) that bends and at least partially retains a position and a body member 220 that surrounds the bendable rod 230. The body member 220 includes a first bendable end 222 and a second bendable end 224. The body member 220 may also include an opening 226 therein to receive the bendable rod 230 according to one example. The bendable rod 230 includes a first rod end 232 and a second rod end 234. For example, the second rod end 234 may be inserted through the opening 226 on the first bendable end 222 of the body member 220 and pushed into the body member 220 until the second rod end 234 is aligned with the second bendable end 224. When assembled, the bendable rod 230 extends between the first bendable end 222 and the second bendable end 224 of the body member 220 to form the pliable member 120. In FIG.2, the body member 220 is a cylinder shape, approximately 10 cm to 39 cm in length, and may have a diameter between 1.5 cm and 8 cm. These measurements are intended to give an idea of the size of the hair styling device 100 and not to limit the invention to those specific dimensions.

[0015] The hair styling device 100 may also include a set of plastic end members, illustrated as a first plastic end member 252 and a second plastic end member 254. The first plastic end member 252 is positioned adjacent to the first bendable end 222 and between the first bendable end 222 the body member 220 and an inside portion of the cover 240. Similarly, the second plastic end member 254 is positioned adjacent to the second bendable end 224 and between the second bendable end 224 of the body member 220 and the inside portion of the cover 240. The first plastic end member 252 and the second plastic end member 254 are illustrated as disc shaped 250 with a small cylinder or plug 251 that could go into the opening 226. Other variations without the disc shaped 250 portion, without the plug 251 or with other shapes and sizes may be used. The purpose of the plastic end members 252, 254 are to prevent the bendable rod 230 from coming out of the body member 220. For example, the first rod end 232OVERNI-PT1 would connect with the first plastic end member 252 and the second rod end 234 would connect with the second plastic end member 254 during use and / or while being positioned or bent, such that the bendable rod 230 will not puncture or come through the body member 220 and / or the cover 240. The bendable rod 230 may fit nested into the cylinder or plug 251 or look around the cylinder or plug 251 to keep the bendable rod 230 connected to the plastic end member. The bendable rod 230 may also go through a hole in the cylinder or plug 252 to keep the bendable rod 230 in place and connected to the plastic end member.

[0016] In FIG.2, the cover 240 surrounds the body member 220. The cover includes a first cover end 242 and a second cover end 244, the first cover end 242 is positioned adjacent to or covering the first bendable end 222 and the second cover end 244 is positioned adjacent to or covering the second bendable end 224. The cover 240 includes a friction surface 140 to hold hair in place. For example, the friction surface 140 is connected to an outer surface of the pliable member 120 such that the friction surface 140 receives and holds hair to the friction surface 140. In the example of FIG. 2, the friction surface 140 is a cover 240, formed using fabric, such as a velvet, microfiber, silk, cotton, polyester, nylon, denim, that retains hair along the hair styling device 100 while positioning the hairstyling device 100. The friction surface 140 may include the whole surface of the cover 240 or a portion of the surface of the cover 240. The friction surface 140 may also create friction when used in a specific manner, like one direction along a contour of material, such as a side of fabric that grips hair. In addition to gripping the hair and creating friction when in use, the fabric may be selected based on other benefits, such as how the hair reacts to the fabric. For example, velvet will not dry out hair like some cottons will.

[0017] The fastening mechanism 160 is illustrated as a two-part clasp including a hook portion 262 and a ring portion 264. A variation of the hook 262 and ring portion 264 are illustrated in FIG.5. Referring back to FIG.2, the hook portion 262 attaches to the first cover end 242 and the ring portion 264 connected to the second cover end 244. When the first bendable end 222 and the second bendable end 224 are bent towards one another the hook portion 262 and the ring portion 264 are able to connect and retain a fastened position as illustrated in examples in FIGS.6 and 10. In the fastenedOVERNI-PT1 position, the hook portion 262 and the ring portion 264 connect to one another to bring the first bendable end 222 and the second bendable end 224 closer to each other, adjacent to one another, and holds the ends in place. Other variations of fastening mechanism 160 may be used, such a loop instead of a ring portion 264 and a button or bead instead of the hook portion 262 (see FIGS.8-10). Another variation of the fastening mechanism 160 includes a side release buckle, as illustrated in FIG.4.

[0018] The fastener mechanism 160 may also include elastic on at least one of the first bendable end 222 and the second bendable end 224 of the pliable member 120. For example, FIG.2 illustrates an elastic member 270 attached to each of a first cover end 242 and a second cover end 244. The elastic members 270 may be sewn or otherwise attached to the cover 240. The hook portion 262 and ring portion 264 of the fastening mechanism 160 may each be attached to the elastic member 270 to allow the fastening mechanism 160 to connect and remain connected under tension as the elastic member 270 is being pulled by the hook portion 262 and ring portion 264 when connected. Alternatively, the elastic member 270 may form a loop and become a ring portion 264 of the fastener mechanism 160 and the hook portion 262 would be replaced with a button or bead that is attached to an elastic member. When the loop is placed over the button or bead, the fastener mechanism 160 would be connected and hold the styling device 100 in place.

[0019] FIG.2 illustrates two elastic members 270; however, there may be only one elastic member 270 connected to the at least one of the first cover end 242 and the second cover end 244. The elastic would also be connected to at least one side of the fastening mechanism 160. For example, when the at least one elastic member 270 includes one elastic member 270, the hook portion 262 or the ring portion 264 would be connected to the elastic member 270 and the other portion would be connected directly to one of the first bendable end 222, the second bendable end 224, the first cover end 242, the second cover end 244 or any equivalent portion of the hair styling device 100. If the pliable member 120 is formed without a cover 240, the elastic would be connected to at least one of the first bendable end 222 and the second bendable end 224. FIG.10 illustrates one elastic member 270 connected to the hook member 262, while the ringOVERNI-PT1 member 264 is directly connected to the second bendable end 224 or the second cover end 244 depending on the design.

[0020] FIG.3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the hair styling device 100 of FIG.1 according to an example. The cross-sectional view of the hair styling device 100 illustrates a portion of a hair rod 310 and the pliable member 120. The hair styling device 100 includes a bendable rod or bendable elongated member such as a rectangular shaped elongated member 330. In contrast to the example of FIG.2 that used a cylindrical rod, FIG.3 shows a version with the rectangular shaped elongated member 330 as another example of a portion of the pliable member 120. Both a cylindrical and rectangular shaped rods and members are examples of what could be used as part of a pliable member 120, but other variations may also be used and are within the scope of this application.

[0021] The body member 220 that surrounds the bendable elongated member includes the opening 226 to receive the bendable elongated member, such as the rectangular shaped elongated member 330. The body member 220 may include padding around the bendable elongated member such as foam, rubber, plastic, or another material. This material may be an outer layer or an internal layer depending on the design. The combination of the rectangular shaped elongated member 330 and body member 220 may also be referred to as the pliable member 120. The body member 220 may be used to determine the diameter D of the hair styling device 100.

[0022] FIG.3 includes a cover 240 that surrounds the body member 220. The cover 240 includes an inside surface 344 that touches the body member 220 and a friction surface 140 on the outside surface of the cover. The cover 240 is illustrated as a separate piece that goes over top of the body member 220; however, the cover 240 does not need to add a significant amount to the diameter. The cover 240 may not be needed if the body member 220 includes the friction surface 140. Moreover, the cover 240 may only cover part of the body member 220 to create a friction surface 140 in the middle portion 246 of the body member 220 as illustrated in FIG.4. FIGS.4-5 illustrate a couple variations of the friction surface 140 and cover 240 as used in the hair styling device 100. The components of the cover 240, body member 220 and bendableOVERNI-PT1 elongated members may also be referred to as the pliable member 120 depending on the specific design and construction.

[0023] FIGS.4-5 illustrate the hair styling device 100 of FIG.1 according to examples. The hair styling device 100 is one similar to that described in FIGS.1-3 and is an assembled version where the pliable member 120 and the body member 140 may not be visible. The hair styling device 100 includes a pliable member 120, a friction surface 140, and a fastener mechanism 160. The diameter of the hair styling device is different in FIGS.4-5. That is because the pliable member 120 and / or the body member 220 discussed above determines the shape, length, and diameter of the hair styling device.

[0024] FIG.4 illustrates the hair styling device 100 with the friction surface 140 only on a middle portion 246 of the pliable member 120. The pliable member 120 in this example may or may not have a cover 240 over a body member 220. For example, the body member 220 may be the exterior surface 228 of the pliable member 120 and it may include a middle portion 246 that has a friction coating or material. If a material or fabric is used, one option is velvet. When velvet is used the fabric creates friction when rolled on the hair in only one direction and not in the other direction, the side that creates friction may be referred to as a side with grip.

[0025] Alternatively, as shown in FIG.5, the friction surface 140 may be a fabric cover. The cover 240 includes a first cover end 242 and a second cover end 244. The first cover end 242 is positioned adjacent to the first bendable end 222 and the second cover end 244 is positioned adjacent to the second bendable end 224. The cover includes a friction surface 160 to hold hair in place. For example, velvet that has a friction coefficient around 0.2 and 0.3 when hair is placed on the friction side of the fabric may be used. FIG.5 may also illustrate a pliable member 120 that does not include a cover 240 but the body member 220 may include a surface with friction that functions similar to velvet.

[0026] FIGS.5 illustrates the hair styling device with the at least one elastic member 270, specifically two elastic members 270. A variation of the fastening mechanism 160 is illustrated. The hook portion 262 is attached to the first bendableOVERNI-PT1 end 222 via a first elastic member 270 and the ring portion 264 is attached to the second bendable end 224 via a second elastic member 270.

[0027] Referring back to FIG.4, the hair styling device 100 does not include an elastic member 270 and is formed with a side release buckle as the fastening member 160. The side release buckle includes a female member that has a set of spring clasps 462 that may be made of metal or plastic, and a male member 464 that is formed to receive the set of spring clasps 262 and hold the hair styling device 100 in place. To remove the side release buckle, the sides of the spring clasps 262 may be pressed in. This is just another variation on the fastening member 160 and optional elastic member 270. Another variation of the fastening member 160 includes the use of Velcro instead of the side release buckle.

[0028] FIG.6 illustrates the hair styling device 100 of FIG.1 bent according to an example. The hair styling device 100 includes a hair rod 310 and a two-part clasp with the hook portion 262 and the ring portion 264, according to an example. The hair rod 310 may include a bendable elongated member, a body member 220, and a cover 240, like the example of FIG.2. The bendable elongated member may include the bendable rod 230 of FIG.2 that bends and at least partially retains a position. The bendable elongated member includes a first bendable end 222 and a second bendable end 224 that bends and at least partially retains a position. The body member 220 surrounds the bendable elongated member to determine diameter of the hair styling device 100. The cover 240 surrounds the body member 220. The cover 240 includes a first cover end 242 and a second cover end 244. The first cover end 242 is positioned adjacent to the first bendable end 222 and the second cover end 244 is positioned adjacent to the second bendable end 224. The cover 240 is also illustrated as including a friction surface 160 to hold hair in place.

[0029] For example, the hair rod 310 illustrated in FIG.6, may function the same as the pliable member 120 illustrated in FIG.2. The pliable member 120 formed from a bendable elongated member may also be one piece of material, not separate members as illustrated in FIG.2. The pliable member 120 as a whole may determine the diameter of the hair styling device 100. The diameter may vary depending on the desired styling and length of hair for the person using the hair styling device 100.OVERNI-PT1

[0030] In this example, the two-part clasp 660 remains connected under resistance between the hook portion 262 and the ring portion 264. The hook portion 262 and the ring portion 264 are connected, and the pliable member 120 is bent in approximately in half. The hook portion 262 and ring portion 264 are under tension, which creates resistance holding the hook portion 262 and the ring portion 264 together. The hair rod 310 of FIG.6 also illustrates elastic member 270 connected to the hook portion 262 and the ring portion 264 to provide additional give in the hair styling device 100 when the two-part clasp 660 is connected.

[0031] FIG.7 illustrates a flow chart of a method to use the hair styling device 100 of FIG.1 according to an example. FIGS.8-10 illustrates use of the method 700 of FIG.7, according to examples. In block, 710, the method provides the hair styling device 100 with a pliable member 120 with a first bendable end 222 and a second bendable end 224, and a fastening member 160. FIGS.2, 4, and 5 illustrate further examples of the hair styling device 100 that can be used with the method of FIG.7.

[0032] In block 730, the method positions the hair styling device under a portion of hair, such that a surface of the pliable member 120 creates friction when the hair styling device 100 is pulled against the portion of hair that allows the surface of the hair styling device 100 to grip hair. The hair styling device 100 may also include a grip indicator. For example, the grip indicator may be on the right side of the hair styling device to let you know to hold / position that side of the hair styling device 100 in your right hand when using the hair styling device 100. FIG.8 illustrates the hair styling device 100 with a portion of hair 805 under and positioned against the hair styling device 100 and the grip indicator 860. In another variation, the hair may be placed under the hair styling device 100 with the device above the hair 805.

[0033] In block 750, the hair styling device is pulled to the end of the portion of hair. At this point, friction holds the hair against the hair styling device 100. Once the end (or almost end) of the hair is reached, the hair may be placed or rotated around the hair styling device 100. In block 770, the hair styling device 100 is rotated to roll the portion of hair around the pliable member 120. In FIG.9, the hair styling device is illustrated rotating, and FIG.10 illustrates how it rotates towards a scalp 1012 of a head 1010 to position the hair styling device 100. The direction that the hair styling deviceOVERNI-PT1 100 is rotated and positioned with respect to the scalp 1012 and the front or back of the head may vary. For example, the positioning and rotation may be forward, backward, sideways, or diagonal with respect to the front of a person’s head. The hair styling device 100 is rolled towards the scalp 1012.

[0034] In block 790, the first bendable end and the second bendable end of the pliable member are bent to connect the fastening member 160 and retain the hair styling device 100 in place. FIG.10 illustrates, an example of a fastening member 160 that includes a button fastener 1060 with a button portion 1062 and a loop portion 1064 that are connected to one another such that the button fastener 1060 remains connected under resistance between the button portion 262 and the loop portion 264. The loop portion 1064 may be an elastic member 270 formed to connect to a button or a bead to hold the loop therearound.

[0035] FIG.10 illustrates how the button fastener 1060 is connected by the pliable member 120 at the first bendable end 222 and the second bendable end 224 to allow the first bendable end 222 and the second bendable end 224 to meet while a center or middle portion 246 of the pliable member 120 remains mostly straight or slightly curved but not fully bent. One way this may be accomplished is using a bendable elongated member that includes a semi-rigid member in the middle and two bendable edges on both ends, such as the first bendable end 222 and the second bendable end 224. Another way includes the pliable member 120 being bendable in many directions but also having the ability to remain rigid and in the same position.

[0036] Although the flow diagram 700 of FIG.7 illustrates specific orders of execution, the order of execution may differ from that which is illustrated. For example, the order of execution of the blocks may be scrambled relative to the order shown. Also, the blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. All such variations are within the scope of the present invention.

[0037] The present disclosure has been described using non-limiting detailed descriptions of examples thereof and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that features and / or operations described with respect to one example may be used with other examples and that not all examples of the present disclosure have all of the features and / or operations illustrated in aOVERNI-PT1 particular figure or described with respect to one of the examples. Variations of examples described will occur to persons of the art. Furthermore, the terms "comprise," "include," "have" and their conjugates, shall mean, when used in the present disclosure and / or claims, "including but not necessarily limited to."

[0038] It is noted that some of the above-described examples may include structure, acts or details of structures and acts that may not be essential to the present disclosure and are intended to be exemplary. Structure and acts described herein are replaceable by equivalents, which perform the same function, even if the structure or acts are different, as known in the art. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the elements and limitations as used in the claims.

Claims

OVERNI-PT1 CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A hair styling device comprising: a hair rod including: a bendable elongated member to bend and at least partially retain a position, the bendable elongated member including a first bendable end and a second bendable end; a body member that surrounds the bendable elongated member to determine diameter of the hair styling device; a cover that surrounds the body member, the cover includes a first cover end and a second cover end, the first cover end is positioned adjacent to the first bendable end and the second cover end is positioned adjacent to the second bendable end, the cover including a friction surface to hold hair in place; a two-part clasp including a hook portion and a ring portion, the hook portion attached the first cover end and the ring portion connected to the second cover end, such that the hook and the ring portion connect when the first bendable end and the second bendable end are bent towards one another.

2. The hair styling device of claim 1, further comprising at least one elastic member connected to the at least one of the first bendable end of the bendable elongated member and the second bendable end of the bendable elongated member.

3. The hair styling device of claim 2, wherein the at least one elastic member includes two elastic members, such that the hook portion is attached to the first bendable end via a first elastic member and the ring portion is attached to the second bendable end via a second elastic member.

4. The hair styling device of claim 2, wherein the body member is a cylinder shape and has a diameter between 1.5 cm and 8 cm.OVERNI-PT1 5. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the two-part clasp remains connected under resistance between the hook portion and the ring portion.

6. The hair styling device of claim 1 wherein the bendable elongated member includes a semi-rigid member in a middle and two bendable edges on both ends.

7. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the cover includes a fabric that creates friction when rolled on the hair in one direction and not in the other direction.

8. The hair styling device of claim 1, further comprising a set of plastic end members, a first plastic end member adjacent to the first bendable end and between the body member and an inside portion of the cover, a second plastic end member adjacent to the second bendable end and between the body member and the inside portion of the cover.

9. The hair styling device of claim 1, wherein the body member includes a padding around the bendable elongated member.

10. The method of using a hair styling device comprising: providing the hair styling device that includes: a pliable member with a first bendable end and a second bendable end, and a fastening member; positioning the hair styling device under a portion of hair, such that a surface of the pliable member creates friction when the hair styling device is pulled against the portion of hair; pulling the hair styling device to the end of the portion of hair; rotating the hair styling device to roll the portion of hair around the pliable member; andOVERNI-PT1 bending the first bendable end and the second bendable end of the pliable member to connect the fastening member and retain the hair styling device in place.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the hair styling device is rotated towards the scalp of a head.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the fastening member includes a two-part clasp that includes a hook portion and a ring portion that are connected to one another such that the two-part clasp remains connected under resistance between the hook portion and the ring portion.

13. The method claim 10, further comprising connecting the two-part clasp including bending the elongated rod at the first bendable end and the second bendable end to allow the first bendable end and the second bendable end to meet while a center portion of the elongated rod remains mostly straight.

14. A hair styling device comprising: a pliable member including a first bendable end and a second bendable end; a friction surface connected to an outer surface of the pliable member to receive and hold hair to the friction surface; and a fastener mechanism to connect the first bendable end and the second bendable end.

15. A hair styling device of claim 14, wherein the friction surface is on a middle portion of the pliable member.

16. The hair styling device of claim 14, wherein the friction surface is formed using fabric.

17. The hair styling device of claim 16, wherein the fabric is velvet.OVERNI-PT1 18. The hair styling device of claim 14, further comprises a bendable rod extending between the first bendable end and the second bendable end of the pliable member.

19. The hair styling device of claim 14, wherein the pliable member determines a shape and a diameter of the hair styling device.

20. The hair styling device of claim 14, wherein the fastener mechanism includes elastic on at least one of the first bendable end and the second bendable end of the pliable member.

Images