Salon Foil Product Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel color-changing foil device. The device is designed to notify stylists when a hair treatment process is complete, preventing hair from being overprocessed and overtreated. The device comprises a color-changing hair foil which is used in the process of hair treatments. The hair foils comprise heat activation elements which produce a color change when a predetermined temperature reaches a specific threshold. Thus, the hair foil changes color when it reaches a certain temperature, thereby indicating that the hair treatment process is finished or needs to be stopped to protect the hair from damage.

Claims

1. A color-changing foil device that protects hair and prevents overprocessing, the color-changing foil device comprising: a plurality of foil components; and a thermochromic material positioned on the plurality of foil components, wherein the plurality of foil components change color when a specific temperature is reached, and further wherein the color change indicates that a hair treatment process is complete.

2. The color-changing foil device of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of foil components comprise a top, a bottom, a front and back opposing sides, and a right and left opposing sides.

3. The color-changing foil device of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of foil components are rectangular in shape.

4. The color-changing foil device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of foil components are manufactured from an aluminum foil.

5. The color-changing foil device of claim 1, wherein the thermochromic material is comprised of a thermochromic ink.

6. The color-changing foil device of claim 5, wherein the thermochromic ink is transparent.

7. The color-changing foil device of claim 6, wherein after the thermochromic ink reaches a predetermined temperature it changes to a color.

8. The color-changing foil device of claim 5, wherein the thermochromic ink is a first color.

9. The color-changing foil device of claim 8, wherein after the thermochromic ink reaches a predetermined temperature, it changes to a second color.

10. The color-changing foil device of claim 1, wherein the thermochromic material is applied to the plurality of foil components via a dipping, a dripping, a spray, a coating, a dying, a roll coating or a printing.

11. The color-changing foil device of claim 10, wherein the thermochromic material is then dried before use.

12. The color-changing foil device of claim 1, wherein the thermochromic material is only applied to a portion of each of the plurality of foil components.

13. The color-changing foil device of claim 12, wherein the color change only occurs to a portion of each of the plurality of foil components that is coated with the thermochromic material.

14. A color-changing foil device that protects hair and prevents overprocessing, the color-changing foil device comprising: a plurality of foil components, wherein each of the plurality of foil components are rectangular in shape; and a thermochromic ink positioned on the plurality of foil components; wherein the thermochromic ink is initially transparent; wherein after the thermochromic ink reaches a predetermined temperature, the thermochromic ink changes to a color; and further wherein the color change indicates that a hair treatment process is complete.

15. The color-changing foil device of claim 14 further comprising a plurality of indicia.

16. The color-changing foil device of claim 14 wherein the thermochromic ink is applied to each of the plurality of foil components via a dipping, a dripping, a spray, a coating, a dying, a roll coating or a printing, and then dried before use.

17. The color-changing foil device of claim 14, wherein the thermochromic ink is only applied to a portion of each of the plurality of foil components.

18. The color-changing foil device of claim 17, wherein the color change only occurs to the portion of each of the plurality of foil components coated with the thermochromic ink.

19. The color-changing foil device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of foil components are manufactured from an aluminum foil.

20. A method of color-treating a user's hair without worry of overprocessing, the method comprising the steps of: providing a color-changing foil device comprised of a plurality of foil components that change color when the plurality of foil components reach a specific temperature to indicate that the stylist needs to stop a hair treatment and rinse the user's hair to prevent damage; positioning the plurality of foil components within the user's hair for a color treatment; allowing the plurality of foil components to process while in the user's hair; indicating that the color treatment is complete, via the plurality of foil components changing color; and removing the plurality of foil components from the user's hair.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the color-changing foil device of the present invention in use in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the color-changing foil device of the present invention wherein the foil components are placed in a client's hair in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the color-changing foil device of the present invention wherein the foil components have changed color in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the color-changing foil device of the present invention after the foil components were removed in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the color-changing foil device of the present invention after use in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of using one potential embodiment of the color-changing foil device of the present invention to color-treat a client's hair without worry of overprocessing in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0029] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0030] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a color-changing salon foil device that provides users with a modified, color-changing hair foil designed to notify stylists when a treatment process is complete. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a color-changing salon foil device that protects hair, ensuring it does not get brittle, damaged, and permanently ruined. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a color-changing salon foil device that changes color when the foil reaches a specific temperature to indicate that the stylist needs to stop the treatment and rinse the hair to prevent damage. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that benefits salon stylists, barbers, etc., keeping clients happy with how their hair looks once coloring treatment, etc., is finished. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a color-changing foil device that allows hair to be treated while preventing brittleness, damage, etc. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a color-changing salon foil device that prevents clients from receiving overprocessed and overtreated hair.

[0031] The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel color-changing foil device. The device is designed to notify stylists when a hair treatment process is complete, preventing hair from being overprocessed and overtreated. The device comprises a color-changing hair foil which is used in the process of hair treatments. The hair foils comprise heat activation elements which produce a color change when a predetermined temperature reaches a specific threshold. Thus, the hair foil changes color when it reaches a certain temperature, thereby indicating that the hair treatment process is finished or needs to be stopped to protect the hair from damage. The present invention also includes a novel method of color-treating a client's hair without the worry of overprocessing. The method includes the steps of providing a color-changing foil device that changes color when the foil components reach a specific temperature to indicate that the stylist needs to stop the treatment and rinse the hair to prevent damage. The method also comprises positioning the foil components of the device within a client's hair for color treatment. Further, the method comprises allowing the foil components to process while in a client's hair. The method also comprises, indicating that color treatment is complete, via the foil components turning color. Finally, removing the foil components from a client's hair.

[0032] Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a perspective view of one embodiment of the color-changing foil device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the color-changing foil device 100 is an improved color-changing foil device that protects hair and prevents overprocessing. The device 100 is especially designed to allow any salon owner, barber, hair stylist, etc., or any other suitable user as is known in the art, to easily monitor a color treatment process without worry of overtreatment. More specifically, the device 100 comprises a plurality of foil components 102 which change color when a certain temperature is reached, indicating that the color treatment process is finished. The plurality of hair foil components 102 comprise heat activation elements which produce a color change when a predetermined temperature reaches a specific threshold. Thus, the hair foil components 102 change color when a specific temperature is reached, thereby indicating that the hair treatment process is finished or needs to be stopped to protect the hair from damage.

[0033] Further, the hair foil components 102 comprise standard hair foil components comprising a top 104, a bottom 106, a front and back opposing sides 108, and right and left opposing sides 110. Typically, the hair foil components 102 are rectangular or square in shape but can be any suitable shape as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. The hair foil components 102 are manufactured of aluminum foil, or any other suitable material as is known in the art. In one embodiment, the hair foil components 102 are standard aluminum foil sheets, as is known in the art.

[0034] In one embodiment, the hair foil components 102 are coated or printed with a thermochromic ink 112 in a color or combination of colors, or the ink 112 can be clear. Thermochromic inks change color in response to changes in temperature. For example, in one embodiment, the thermochromic ink 112 can be clear, and colorless, within a specific temperature range. When the thermochromic ink 112 reaches a predetermined temperature, it changes color from a clear, colorless state to a colored state 114. When the thermochromic ink 112 changes from a clear, colorless state to a colored state, the second color is a different color from the color of the underlying substrate or hair foil component 102.

[0035] In another embodiment, the thermochromic inks 112 can be a specific color (i.e., first color) when applied to the foil component 102 or substrate. When the thermochromic ink 112 reaches a predetermined temperature, it changes to a second color, different from the first color. The first and second colors can be any suitable color as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.

[0036] In another embodiment, the hair foil components 102 are coated or printed with a thermochromic material 112, not necessarily an ink. The thermochromic material 112 changes color in response to changes in temperature. For example, the thermochromic material 112 can be clear or comprise a color (i.e., first color) within a specific temperature range. When the thermochromic material 112 reaches a predetermined temperature, it changes color from clear or a first color, to a colored state 114 or a second color.

[0037] Furthermore, the thermochromic ink or material 112 is applied to the substrate or foil component 102 by dipping, dripping, spray, coating, dying, roll coating, printing, or any other suitable application technique as is known in the art. The thermochromic ink or material 112 is then dried before use.

[0038] In one embodiment, the thermochromic ink or material 112 is only applied to a part 116 of the substrate or foil component 102. The color change then only occurs to that part 116 of the substate or foil component 102 that receives the thermochromic ink or material 112. Any suitable part 116 of the foil component 102 can have thermochromic ink 112, in some embodiments, multiple parts 116 can have thermochromic ink or material 112, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user.

[0039] In yet another embodiment, the color-changing foil device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 118. The foil components 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the foil components 102, or any other indicia 118 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 118 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be hair styling or coloring/brand related.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 4-5, once the foil components 102 change color, a user removes them from the hair, as is normally done. Thus, the color-changing foil device 100 prevents overprocessing of a cleint's hair 400 during a color treatment process. The device 100 comprises a plurality of foil components 102 that are coated with a thermochromic material 112 which changes color when a predetermined temperature has been reached. A user inserts the foil components 102 into a client's hair 400 for the color-changing process. Once the foil components 102 change color due to an increase in temperature, the user is alerted to remove the foil components 102. Thus, the device 100 allows for color-treatment without overtreatment.

[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method of color-treating a client's hair without worry of overprocessing. The method includes the steps of at 600, providing a color-changing foil device that changes color when the foil components reach a specific temperature to indicate that the stylist needs to stop the treatment and rinse the hair to prevent damage. The method also comprises at 602, positioning the foil components of the device within a client's hair for color treatment. Typically, the foil components are placed within a client's hair as generally done for color treatment. Further, the method comprises at 604, allowing the foil components to process while in a client's hair. The method also comprises, at 606, indicating that the color treatment is complete, via the foil components turning color. Once the foil components reach a specific temperature, the thermochromic material on the foil components turns a different color, alerting a user that the color treatment is complete. Finally, at 608, removing the foil components from a user's hair.

[0042] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “color-changing foil device”, “color-changing salon foil device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the color-changing foil device 100 of the present invention.

[0043] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the color-changing foil device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the color-changing foil device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the color-changing foil device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the color-changing foil device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the color-changing foil device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0044] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof

[0045] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.