HAIR CURLER

Abstract

A hair curler has a cylindrical body with a net attached to a first end of the cylindrical body, the net invertable to permit extension of the net around the cylindrical body, holding hair in place that is wrapped around the cylindrical body. Because no hard plastics or other hard or rigid materials are present, the hair curler is comfortable for a user while sleeping or lying.

Claims

1. A hair curler for styling hair, the hair curler comprising: a cylindrical body; and a net coupled to a first end of the cylindrical body, the net invertable so as to surround the cylindrical body, the net extending to a second end of the cylindrical body.

2. The hair curler of claim 1, wherein the net is coupled to the cylindrical body using an adhesive.

3. The hair curler of claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body comprises foam.

4. The hair curler of claim 1, wherein the net is removably attachable to the cylindrical body.

5. The hair curler of claim 1, wherein the net comprises elastic materials.

6. A method of using a hair curler to style hair, the method comprising: wrapping hair around a cylindrical body; placing a net around the cylindrical body, the net extending from a first end to a second end of the cylindrical body; and leaving the hair curler in the hair for the desired time.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the net is coupled to the first end of the cylindrical body.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the net is removably attachable to the cylindrical body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings. The figures are illustrative of invention functionality and are not necessarily to actual scale.

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of the hair curler with the net extending from a first end of the cylindrical body;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the hair curler with the net extending from a first end of the cylindrical body;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the hair curler with the net inverted and surrounding the cylindrical body;

[0011] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the hair curler with the net inverted and surrounding the cylindrical body;

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a user wrapping hair around the cylindrical body, the next extending outwardly from the first end;

[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates the hair curler in use, the hair wrapped around the cylindrical body, the net inverted and surrounding the hair and cylindrical body; and

[0014] FIG. 7 illustrates a front end, perspective view of a hair curler, the next extending outwardly from the first end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The following descriptions depict only example embodiments and are not to be considered limiting in scope. Any reference herein to the invention is not intended to restrict or limit the invention to exact features or steps of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed in the present specification. References to one embodiment, an embodiment, various embodiments, and the like, may indicate that the embodiment(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase in one embodiment, or in an embodiment, do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

[0016] Reference to the drawings is done throughout the disclosure using various numbers. The numbers used are for the convenience of the drafter only and the absence of numbers in an apparent sequence should not be considered limiting and does not imply that additional parts of that particular embodiment exist. Numbering patterns from one embodiment to the other need not imply that each embodiment has similar parts, although it may.

[0017] Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Unless otherwise expressly defined herein, such terms are intended to be given their broad, ordinary, and customary meaning not inconsistent with that applicable in the relevant industry and without restriction to any specific embodiment hereinafter described. As used herein, the article a is intended to include one or more items. When used herein to join a list of items, the term or denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. For exemplary methods or processes, the sequence and/or arrangement of steps described herein are illustrative and not restrictive.

[0018] It should be understood that the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence, arrangement, or with any particular graphics or interface. Indeed, the steps of the disclosed processes or methods generally may be carried out in various sequences and arrangements while still falling within the scope of the present invention.

[0019] The term coupled may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical contact. However, coupled may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with each other.

[0020] The terms comprising, including, having, and the like, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous, and are generally intended as open terms (e.g., the term including should be interpreted as including, but not limited to, the term having should be interpreted as having at least, the term includes should be interpreted as includes, but is not limited to, etc.).

[0021] As previously discussed, there is a need for tools that allow stylists and consumers to style hair, for example, by adding waves or curls, without creating risks to the health of the hair and without creating unnecessary expense, discomfort, or inconvenience for the user. The present invention allows users to curl and style hair comfortably and conveniently while minimizing risk and cost.

[0022] In one embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 1-4, a hair curler 100 comprises a cylindrical body 102 and a net 104 coupled to a first end 106 of the cylindrical body 102. The cylindrical body 102 is ideally comprised of foam material sufficiently soft, and providing sufficient cushion, to allow the curler 100 to be worn by a consumer overnight, yet resilient enough in strength to allow the cylindrical body 102 to substantially maintain, or substantially revert to, its initial shape or form without deformation, degradation, or destruction (e.g., breaking, crumbling or flaking, of the cylindrical body). This allows the hair curler 100 to be reused multiple times by a user. In other embodiments, the cylindrical body 102 may be comprised of other materials that are sufficiently soft to allow comfortable overnight use yet also sufficiently resilient to substantially maintain or revert to its initial shape over multiple applications, including such materials as polyvinyl chloride (foam rubber). In preferred embodiments, the cylindrical body 102 will be of sufficiently durable material, such as resilient foam materials, to prevent or minimize degradation of the material due to water exposure or water immersion.

[0023] In one embodiment, as best seen in FIGS. 1-2, the net 104 may be substantially conical in shape. However, the invention should not be limited to a conical-shaped net 104, as other shapes may be used (cylindrical). In one embodiment, the open-end 108 of the net 104 may further comprise elastics or other materials to aid in securing the net to the cylindrical body 102 when inverted (i.e., turned inside out to surround the body 102, also referred to as invertable). In one embodiment, the net 104 is coupled to the cylindrical body 102 by a substantially chemical process; for example, a variety of adhesives known in the art (e.g., fabric glue, hot glue, etc.), may be used to couple the net 104 to the cylindrical body 102. In another embodiment, the net 104 is secured by mechanical process, such as by stitching, tying, crimping, or stapling the net 104 to the first end 106 of the cylindrical body 102. In yet another embodiment, some combination of chemical and mechanical processes may be used. In yet another embodiment, the net 104 is removably attachable to the body 102 (e.g., hook and loop, snap, etc.). In another embodiment, the net 104 is not attachable to the body 102, but rather is a separate component that may fully-encompass the body 102. As an example, the net 104 may be placed over the body 102 during storage. A user would then completely remove the net 102 from the body 102 to wrap hair around the body 102. Once hair is wrapped around the body 102, the user could wrap the net over the body 102 and curled hair, thereby securing the hair to the body 102. Elastics may be used on or more ends of the net 104 to hold it in place on, or around, the body 102.

[0024] In one embodiment, the net 104 is comprised of a synthetic polymer, such as nylon. In other embodiments, all or portions of the net 104 may be comprised of such materials as silk, cotton, polyester, natural or synthetic polymers, blends (e.g., spandex-nylon), or other suitable materials. In one embodiment, the net 104 comprises elastic properties, such that when inverted to surround the curler body 102, the net 104 is secured to the body 102 due to the elasticity.

[0025] FIGS. 3-4 illustrate the net 104 surrounding the cylindrical body 102. This is accomplished by inverting the net 104 and pulling it over the cylindrical body 102. As shown in FIG. 4, the net 104 extends the length of the body 102 to its second end 110. In one embodiment, the net 104 may also extend so as to cover the second end 110, and may, or may not, comprise a means to further secure the net in position. For example, a securing means may be an elastic material, pin, snap, hook and loop, or other material where the open end 108 of the net 104 meets the second end 110 of the body 102.

[0026] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a user may wrap strands of hair 112 around the cylindrical body 102 to position the hair 112 in a substantially helical shape so as to form a wave or a curl. Once the hair 112 is properly positioned around the cylindrical body 102, the user (or an assistant) may invert and wrap the net 104 over, and thus encompass or sheath, the hair 112 and cylindrical body 102, as shown in FIG. 6. The hair 112 may then be maintained in a curled position around the cylindrical body 102 for the desired duration. One of the benefits of using constructing the body 102 from foam and using an adhesive for the net 104 is that no rigid, hard, or uncomfortable components are present. In other words, a user may comfortably sleep with one or more curlers 100 in their hair without being uncomfortable. This overcomes problems in the prior art. For example, curlers in the art use hard plastics, hooks and loops, and other materials that are typically unpleasant to sleep on and to remove hair from. Accordingly, the curler 100 overcomes those problems and limitations by using a foam body 102 with a net 104 to secure the hair.

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates a hair curler 200 comprising an elastic band 209 that terminates the open-end 208 of the net 204. The elastic band 209 aids in securing the net 204 to the cylindrical body 202 when inverted. As such, the elastic band 209 keeps the net 204, and therefore the hair, secured around the curler body 202.

[0028] It will be appreciated that the cylindrical body 102 may vary in size, according to the desires of the user. For example, the body 102 may be in a range from three to eight inches in length. For example, shorter lengths would be used for short hairstyles, while longer lengths are used for longer hairstyles. While sizes are given as examples herein, they are not to be considered limiting, and sizes differing from those mentioned here are contemplated. In one embodiment, the cylindrical body 102 may be in a range from one-half inch in diameter to four inches in diameter. In one embodiment, the net 104 is proportionate in size relative to the cylindrical body 102. For example, if the body 102 is eight inches in length, the net 104 will be of sufficient size and elasticity to extend and encompass at least to the second end 110 of the body 102.

[0029] Therefore, it will be appreciated that the hair curler 100 solves the need for a curler that is inexpensive, easy to use, does not require heat or chemical treatment, that is comfortable to lay on while sleeping, and that is easy to remove.

[0030] Exemplary embodiments are described above. No element, act, or instruction used in this description should be construed as important, necessary, critical, or essential unless explicitly described as such. Although only a few of the exemplary embodiments have been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.