GB2508635A

GB2508635A - Foundations for hair extensions and their use in methods of applying hair extensions

Info

Publication number: GB2508635A
Application number: GB201221961A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cameron John Douglas
Original assignee: HAIR TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Current assignee: HAIR TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Priority date: 2012-12-06
Filing date: 2012-12-06
Publication date: 2014-06-11

Abstract

A foundation for hair extensions 10 comprises a net 12 formed into a generally bowl-shaped configuration with a convex outer surface 14 sized to closely fit over at least a portion of a wearers head, a skin section 16 integrated into a portion 18 of the net and a plurality of hairs 20 arranged in the skin section to form a parting 22. The skin section is preferably formed of a combination of co-polymers and is more preferably an ultra-thin gas permeable membrane. One or more bands of skin section (42 - 52, figure 3) may be arranged on and integral with the net, preferably substantially circumferentially around a crown position. Also disclosed is a method of applying hair extensions comprising the steps of providing the foundation of the invention comprising strands of hair matched to an intended wearers own hair, locating the foundation on the wearers head so that the skin section provides a parting at a desired position, drawing the wearers hair through the foundation and locking in place on the wearers head.

Description

FOUNDATION FOR HAIR EXTENSIONS

The present invention relates to hair extensions for supplementing the natural hair of a wearer. More particularly the present invention relates to a foundation for hair extensions.

It has become popular for individuals to enhance their appearance by using hair extensions to increase the length of their hair. Extensions are also used by individuals with fine or thinning hair to increase the volume of their hair.

Hair extensions are provided as small sections of hair strands which are fixed together by gluing or use of a bobble. These sections can be woven into on a strip to provide a weft. The extensions are typically attached to the head close to the scalp.

Various attachment means are available which include fusing to existing hair; gluing to existing hair or scalp; using metal or plastic tubes crimped between existing hair and the extension; weaving welts to existing hair; and attaching welts by using clips or elasticated bands.

These known hair extensions and their methods of fixing have a number of disadvantages. The fixings damage the individuals existing hair, with the result that when they are removed, a significant amount of the individuals existing hair must be cut away. The extensions can look unnatural particularly when applied in larger wefts such as hairpieces which are clipped in place. Even the smaller sections can show through the existing hair particularly for those with fine or thinning hair. Of more damage is the weight which the extensions and their fixings apply to the existing hair which can cause traction alopecia.

An obvious way to overcome these disadvantages is for an individual to wear a wig.

These are artificial caps on which hair is weft. There are, however, disadvantages in wearing a wig. Natural hair is expensive and thus a full wig of natural hair is typically too expensive for the average person to consider wearing for cosmetic purposes. A wig of unnatural hair is easily noticed as a real head of hair gradually looks darker from the edge of the hairline towards the centre of the hair body on the top of the head due to the effects of sunlight on the hair. This can't be reproduced in synthetic

I

hair. The wefting process adds bulk to the lace cloth and as a result, when one's own hair is rolled under the lace cloth, the wig appears to increase the size of the head, giving an unnatural look. There are also limited hairstyles available as most wigs have fringes because the lace cap would give a hairline which is unnaturally straight.

Additionally, due to the bulk in the wig, they tend to be uncomfortable to wear, causing sweating and itchiness to the scalp. Thus they are unsuitable for those wishing a more permanent arrangement which they can, for instance, sleep in while wearing.

To overcome these disadvantages a foundation has been proposed. The foundation is a net in the form of a mesh which is shaped to the head. The net is located over the hair and then the individuals own hair is pulled through the net so that the net sits on the scalp. The net is formed of a rubber material which provides flexibility and can be skin coloured. The individuals hair can be weaved to the net to help keep the net in place. Hair extensions can be glued, or woven onto the net.

Use of a foundation does limit the damage of prior art extensions, but the process takes a very long time as the extensions are woven into the net when on the individuals head. A further disadvantage of the foundation is that were the individual has a parting in their hair, the net is exposed and is noticeable. While a parting hairpiece could be used to cover the net at the parting, these are formed from thick plastic and are unnatural looking which is not desired by those seeking extensions for purely cosmetic reasons.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of providing hair extensions which obviates or mitigates disadvantages in

the prior art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a foundation for hair extensions which takes less time to fit than the foundation mesh of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a foundation for hair extensions, the foundation comprising a net formed into a generally bowl-shaped configuration with a convex outer surface sized to closely fit over at least a portion of a wearers head; a skin section integrated into a portion of the net; and a plurality of hairs arranged in the skin section to form a parting.

In this way, a parting section is integrally formed with the net so that a separate parting hairpiece is not required to cover the net at a parting.

Preferably, the skin section is formed of a combination of co-polymers. More preferably, the skin section is an ultra-thin gas permeable membrane. Such a skin section has been developed by skin graft technology so that it most naturally matches human skin in tone and colour. By being ultra-thin, the material is flexible to contour against a person's scalp and hold a position close enough to the scalp to look entirely natural.

Preferably, stands of hair are implanted in the skin section. In this way the hair looks like natural growth. The strands of hair may be inserted in the skin section in a v-loop construction. This allows a single strand of hair to provide two strands from the surface of the skin section. Preferably, the strands of hair are implanted at an angle to the surface of skin section. In this way, the strands can be made to naturally form a parting. In an embodiment, the skin section extends to include the crown of a wearers head. In this way, the fall of the hair at the crown can also look natural.

Preferably, the net is formed of a similar material to the skin section. In this way the foundation is moulded in a single piece and is entirely flexible. Preferably the filaments of the net are fine with large spacings in the net. Thus the net can be considered to be an open mesh of small gauge. In this way, the net is better concealed on the head and the wearers hair can be drawn through the spacings.

Preferably, the net includes one or more bands of skin section arranged on the net, the bands being integral with the net. More preferably, the one or more bands are arranged substantially circumferentially around a crown position on the net. The one or more bands may be arranged to follow an outer edge of the skin section.

Preferably, the one or more bands are spaced apart across the net. More preferably strands of hair are implanted in the bands. In this way, a foundation is provided which is pre-loaded' with hair so that the process of fitting to a user does not take as

long as for the prior art.

Preferably, one or more hair wefts are applied to the one or more bands. In this way, further bulk can be added to the hair without weight being applied directly to the wearers own hair. Optionally, hair wefts may also be attached to the mesh of the foundation. In this way, small sections of hair can be attached anywhere across the wearers head as required. These may be contrasting strands of hair, to mimic highlights.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of applying hair extensions, comprising the steps: a) providing a foundation according to the first aspect, the strands of hair being matched to an intended wearers own hair; b) locating the foundation on the wearers head so that the skin section provides a parting at a desired position; c) drawing the wearers hair through the foundation; and d) locking the foundation in place on the wearers head.

In this way, a pre-loaded foundation including a hair parting section is fitted to a wearers head in a relatively short time without putting undue weight to tension on the wearers own hair.

Preferably, step (a) also includes selecting a foundation based on a desired style of the wearer. Step (a) may also consider the parting, density, length and wave of the wearers own hair for matching purposes.

The method may include the step of trimming the foundation to remove one or more bands. In this way, the foundation can be made in a standard configuration and adjusted to suit a wearer.

Preferably the method includes the step of applying hair wefts to the one or more bands on the foundation. Alternatively or additionally the method may include the step of applying hair wefts to the mesh of the foundation. In this way, a stylist can select the size of hair wefts and their location on the wearers head.

Preferably the step of locking the foundation in place is done by folding the wearer's hair and bonding it at one or more positions across the foundation. Alternatively, it may be done by applying beads as is known in the art. In this way, the foundation is locked in place without directly attaching the hair of the wearer to the foundation.

Preferably the method includes the step of styling the wearers hair including the extensions. As the foundation lies close to the scalp, styling can be done as if the wearer had a full head of natural of hair.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a foundation according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through a skin section in a foundation according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a top view of a foundation without implanted hair according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

Reference is initially made to Figure 1 of the drawings which illustrates a foundation for hair extensions, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, the foundation comprising a net 12 formed into a generally bowl-shaped configuration with a convex outer surface 14 sized to closely fit over at least a portion of a wearers head; a skin section 16 integrated into a portion 18 of the net; and a plurality of hairs 20 arranged in the skin section 16 to form a parting 22, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Net 12 is formed as an open mesh 24 which has fine filaments 26, less than one millimetre in diameter, criss-crossed to leave open apertures 28 there between. The mesh 24 is moulded to provide a bowl-shaped net 12 with a convex outer surface 14 and a substantially elliptical edge 30. In a portion 18 of the net 12, leading from the edge 30 to around a crown point 32 there is provided a skin section 16. The skin section 16 is a strip of material with a rounded top end. The skin section 16 and the net 12 are made of the same material and moulded as a single piece. In this way, the skin section 16 is integral with the net 12 and forms the basis for the foundation 10.

Prior art mesh used in wigs is made of lace. More recently, nylon has been used. In the present invention, an ultra-thin gas permeable membrane comprised of a combination of polymers is used. The material is that developed from skin graft technology and can be considered as artificial skin. By forming the foundation 10 in this material, the foundation 10 is lightweight and fully flexible. The skin section 16 is entirely lifelike and natural, with the filaments 26 also blending with the scalp of the wearer as they are skin coloured and opaque. As the material is pliable, breathable and formed of a non-irritant material, the foundation 10 can be worn permanently.

Indeed, by only having a portion 18 of the net 12 which is filled in with the skin section 16, the majority of the wearers scalp is covered in the open mesh 24 which is fully breathable and non-irritant.

Implanted into the skin section 16 are strands of hair 20. By implanting the hairs 20 individually into the skin section 16, they appear identical to growing hairs from a scalp. The angle of entry 34 can also be selected to mimic the wearers own hair and/or provide the desired parting 22. Additionally, the angle of entry 34 can be varied around the crown to provide a natural looking crown 32 to a wearer. This is particularly useful as the crown 32 is typically where thinning of a wearers own hair can be most noticeable. There are a number of known techniques for implanting hairs 20 and one is illustrated in Figure 2. This is a v-loop construction. The hair 20 is sewn through the skin section 16 from the from the front face 36 to the back face 38 and then returned from the back face 38 to the front face 36, creating a pair of strands 20a,b with a loop 40 on the back face. An adhesive may be applied to the loop 40 to further hold the hair2o, but in the skin material of the present invention this is not necessary. In Figure 2, the hair strands 20a,b are sewn in with opposing angles of entry 34. In this way, a natural parting 22 is created between the hair strands 20a,b.

Reference is now made to Figure 3 of the drawings which illustrates a foundation, generally indicated by reference numeral 110, according to a further embodiment of the present invention. Like parts to those of Figures 1 and 2 have been given the same reference numeral with the addition of 100 to aid clarity. Like Figure 1 the foundation 110 comprises a net 112 formed into a generally bowl-shaped configuration with a convex outer surface 114 sized to closely fit over at least a portion of a wearers head; a skin section 116 integrated into a portion 118 of the net 112; and a plurality of hairs (not shown) arranged in the skin section 116 to form a parting (not shown). Hair is not shown in Figure 3 so that the formation of the base can be seen more clearly.

Foundation 110 is a single piece construction and is of the same material as the foundation 10. An open mesh 124 forms the elliptical net 112 with a skin section 116, being approximately 5 cm in diameter, which sweeps up from the front outer edge 130 in a straight line to cover the crown point 132 near the centre of the foundation 110. Spaced apart from and following the outline of the skin section 116 is a band 42. Ends 54 of the band 42 are arranged to meet the edge 56 of the skin section 116 as it widens at the outer edge 130. Band 42 is made of the same material as the rest of the foundation 110 and is formed integrally with the net 112.

The band 42 has a thickness similar to the skin section 116 and a width of approximately 7 mm. The open mesh 124 separates the band 42 from the skin section 116. A second band 44 is arranged at a distance from the first band 42 and is identical to the first band 42. Similarly, third 46 and fourth 48 bands are spaced apart across the net 112 to provide a cascade of bands over the outer surface 114 of the foundation. A fifth band 50 is substantially spaced apart from the fourth band 48 but also follows the outer edge 130 and each band 42,44,46,48 meets the fifth band 50.

A further band 52 may be arranged at the interface between the skin section 116 and the net 112. Such a further band 52 may be provided where the skin section 116 is formed of a thickened section of the material depending on the amount of material expected to be seen at the parting 122.

In the foundation 110, hair is added to the skin section 116 to form a parting 112 as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Additionally hair is implanted into the bands 42,44,46,48,50,52. This effectively pre-loads' the foundation 110 with hair so that a wearer does not have to sit and wait for additional hair to be weaved into a foundation once it is placed on their head. The implanted hair on the bands 42,44,46,48,50,52 can be placed around the entire band or may only be located at portions of each band as determined by the stylist when designing the foundation 110.

In use, an individual wishing hair extensions would initially discuss their requirements with their stylist. The stylist would consider the parting, density, length and wave of the individuals own hair for matching a foundation 10,110. In this way a stock of foundations 10,110 may be kept by the stylist. The stylist can then determine the number of bands 42,44,46,48,50,52 required, bearing in mind that extensions typically are not attached at the hairline. The stylist can simply cut the foundation 110 at the desired band and with the extra net 112 and unwanted bands removed, the remaining outer band will form an edge 130. Alternatively, the stylist may order a foundation 10,110 to suit the individual, particularly if the foundation is required to cover thinning or bald spots on the scalp.

With the foundation 110 prepared, it is placed on the individuals scalp, matching the crown point 132 to the individuals own or locating the crown 132 in a newly desired location. The parting 22 is aligned on the scalp and then the individuals own hair is drawn through the mesh 124. Around the perimeter, at the outer edge 130, as well as drawing the individuals hair through, the hair is either folded and bonded or beads are applied, as is known in the art, to lock the foundation 110 in place. These contacts can be as numerous or as few as desired.

The presence of the implanted hair 20 on the skin section 116 and on the bands 42- 52 will automatically add bulk to the individuals own hair and may be sufficient to create their desired style. If not, hair wefts or individual strands can be added by either attachment to the bands 42-52 or to the mesh 124. These additional welts and strands may be in a contrasting hair colour to provide highlights or a cosmetic effect to the style.

With the foundation 110 now in place, the hair can be washed and styled as desired.

The individual can wear the foundation permanently as it will not move when they sleep in it. They can treat the extensions as their own hair, washing and styling as desired. As the individuals own hair grows they will need to have visits to the stylist as the extensions will not grow. This gives the stylist the opportunity to check the attachment of the foundation 110 and replace it if alternative extensions are required or remove it if the extensions are no longer required.

In removing the foundation 110, only the few connections around the outer edge will require to be cut or dissolved. Once this is done, the foundation 110 will lift off with the individual's hair passing back through the mesh 124.

The principle advantage of the present invention is that it provides a foundation for the application of hair extensions which incorporates a parting and the hair extensions are not connected to the wearers own hair or scalp. The foundation does not require clips, elastic or string to be held in place.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a foundation for the application of hair extensions which incorporates a parting and does not damage a wearers hair as no weight is applied to the wearers own hair.

A yet further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method for applying hair extensions which is quicker to apply than the prior art methods by the provision of a pre-loaded' foundation.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention herein described without departing from the scope thereof. For example, while only hair has been discussed, the invention is not limited to real hair but may find application using synthetic hair as is known in the art. The bands can be arranged in a different geometrical pattern to match an intended users requirements. The parting need not run from the crown to the edge of the foundation, it may only be a short section at the crown to mimic the layout of many hairstyles.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A foundation for hair extensions, the foundation comprising a net formed into a generally bowl-shaped configuration with a convex outer surface sized to closely fit over at least a portion of a wearers head; a skin section integrated into a portion of the net; and a plurality of hairs arranged in the skin section to form a parting.
2. A foundation according to claim I wherein the skin section is formed of a combination of co-polymers.
3. A foundation according to claim 2 wherein the skin section is an ultra-thin gas permeable membrane.
4. A foundation according to any preceding claim wherein stands of hair are implanted in the skin section.
5. A foundation according to claim 4 wherein the strands of hair are implanted at an angle to the surface of skin section.
6. A foundation according to any preceding claim wherein the skin section extends to include the crown of a wearers head.
7. A foundation according to any preceding claim wherein the net is formed of a similar material to the skin section.
8. A foundation according to any preceding claim wherein filaments of the net are fine with large spacing's in the net providing an open mesh of small gauge.
9. A foundation according to any preceding claim wherein the net includes one or more bands of skin section arranged on the net, the bands being integral with the net.
10. A foundation according to claim 9 wherein the one or more bands are arranged substantially circumferentially around a crown position on the net.
11. A foundation according to claim 9 wherein the one or more bands may be arranged to follow an outer edge of the skin section.
12. A foundation according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the one or more bands are spaced apart across the net.
13. A foundation according to any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein strands of hair are implanted in the bands.
14. A foundation according to any one of claims 9 to 13 wherein one or more hair wefts are applied to the one or more bands.
15. A foundation according to any one of claims 9 to 14 wherein hair wefts are also be attached to the mesh of the foundation.
16. A method of applying hair extensions, comprising the steps: a) providing a foundation according to any one of claims ito 15, the strands of hair being matched to an intended wearers own hair; b) locating the foundation on the wearers head so that the skin section provides a parting at a desired position; c) drawing the wearers hair through the foundation; and d) locking the foundation in place on the wearers head.
17. A method according to claim 16 wherein step (a) also includes selecting a foundation based on a desired style of the wearer.
18. A method according to claim 16 or claim 17 wherein step (a) considers the parting, density, length and wave of the wearers own hair for matching purposes.
19. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the method includes the step of trimming the foundation to remove one or more bands.
20. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 19 wherein the method includes the step of applying hair wefts to the one or more bands on the foundation.
21. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 20 wherein the method includes the step of applying hair wefts to the mesh of the foundation.
22. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 21 wherein the step of locking the foundation in place is done by folding the wearer's hair and bonding it at one or more positions across the foundation.
23. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 21 wherein the step of locking the foundation in place is done by applying beads as is known in the art.
24. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 23 wherein the method includes the step of styling the wearers hair including the extensions.