Hand-tied hair weft

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a hand-tied hair weft having at least two hair bundles fixed to three or more thread-like filaments that provide a cortex, where each two adjacent hair bundles are separated by one or more knots formed by the three or more thread-like filaments. In an illustrative example, the two adjacent hair bundles may be separated by, for example, at least two knots. The knots may include overhand knots. By introducing one or one or more knots, the width of the hand-tied hair weft may be customized without the weft shedding or unraveling.

Claims

1. A method of making a hand-tied hair weft, the method comprising: (a) preparing a machine having a first leg and a second leg and a number of poles detachably coupled to each leg; (b) preparing three or more filaments having distal ends and proximal ends, wherein the three or more filaments are configured to provide a cortex; (c) detachably coupling the distal ends to a first corresponding number of poles detachably fixed to the first leg; (d) detachably coupling the proximal ends to a second corresponding number of poles detachably fixed to the second leg such that the three or more filaments are in a stretched state; (e) fixing a first hair bundle to the three or more filaments; (f) using the three or more filaments to form one or more knots; and, (g) fixing a second hair bundle to the three or more filaments next to the one or more knots.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: detachably coupling the distal ends comprises detachably fixing the distal ends, detachably coupling the proximal ends comprises detachably fixing the proximal ends, and, wherein, coupling at least one of the first hair bundle and the second hair bundle further comprises: introducing a variable i and initialize i=1, picking up an i.sup.th hair and fixing the i.sup.th hair to the three or more filaments in the stretched state; incrementing the variable i until a width of the fixed hair is no less than a predetermined width of a working hair bundle; and, taking a first pole of the corresponding number of poles off of at least one of the first leg and the second leg, holding the first pole and making a knot on the three or more filaments.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the three or more filaments comprise strands.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more knots comprise a stopper knot.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more knots comprise an overhand knot.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more knots comprise two knots.

7. A method of making a hand-tied hair weft, the method comprising: (a) preparing a machine having a first leg and a second leg and a number of poles detachably fixed to each leg; (b) preparing N filaments having distal ends and proximal ends, wherein, the N filaments are configured to provide a cortex; (c) detachably coupling the distal ends to a first plurality of poles detachably fixed to the first leg; (d) detachably coupling the proximal ends to a second plurality of poles detachably fixed to the second leg such that the N filaments are in a stretched state; (e) fixing a first hair bundle to the N filaments; (f) using the N filaments to form one or more knots; and, (g) fixing a second hair bundle to the N filaments next to the one or more knots.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein N equals three.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein N is at least three.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein N is greater than three.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein: detachably coupling the distal ends comprises detachably fixing the distal ends the first plurality of poles comprises a corresponding number of poles detachably fixed to the first leg, detachably coupling the distal ends comprises detachably fixing the proximal ends, and, the second plurality of poles comprises a corresponding number of poles detachably fixed to the second leg.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein coupling at least one of the first hair bundle and the second hair bundle further comprises: introducing a variable i and initialize i=1, selecting an i.sup.th hair and fixing the i.sup.th hair to the N filaments in the stretched state; and, incrementing the variable i until a width of the fixed hair is no less than a predetermined width of a working hair bundle.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: taking a first pole of the corresponding number of poles off of at least one of the first leg and the second leg, holding the first pole, and making a knot on the N filaments.

14. The method of claim 7, wherein the N filaments comprise strands.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more knots comprise a stopper knot.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more knots comprise an overhand knot.

17. The method of claim 7, wherein the one or more knots comprise two knots.

18. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the one or more knots comprises at least a first knot and a second knot adjacent to the first knot, such that a predetermined cut point is provided between the first knot and the second knot.

19. The method of claim 7, wherein coupling at least one of the first hair bundle and the second hair bundle further comprises: introducing a variable i and initializing i=1, picking up an i.sup.th hair and fixing the i.sup.th hair to the N filaments in the stretched state; incrementing the variable i until a width of the fixed hair is no less than a predetermined width of a working hair bundle; and, making a knot on the N filaments with at least one of the N filaments.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary hand-tied hair weft.

(2) FIG. 1B depicts an exemplary sequential process for tailoring the exemplary hand-tied hair weft.

(3) FIG. 1C depicts another exemplary hand-tied hair weft.

(4) FIG. 2 depicts a first embodiment of the exemplary hand-tied hair weft.

(5) FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary method to generate the hand-tied hair weft.

(6) FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary method to perform the hand-tied process discussed with reference to FIG. 3.

(7) FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary method to customize the width of the hand-tied hair weft for a wearer.

(8) FIGS. 6A-6E depict corresponding steps of an exemplary method to form an exemplary secure point implemented in the exemplary hand-tied hair weft.

(9) Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

(10) FIG. 1A depicts an exemplary hand-tied hair weft. Hand-tied hair wefts may be used to enhance thin and/or short natural hair. A hand-tied hair weft is created by an artisan who manipulates, for example, three strings (e.g., thread) on a loom. The three strings may form a cortex extending width-wise to define a width of the weft. From this cortex, strands of hair may be individually suspended by tying the strands to the strings of the cortex, for example. In various implementations, a number of closely spaced hair strands may be adjacently distributed along the cortex to form segments or bundled sections. Between adjacent bundle sections may be formed a secure point, according to various embodiments, examples of which are described herein. In the depicted figure, the exemplary hand-tied hair weft may enable a person such as a hairstylist to customize the width of the hand-tied hair weft when applying the hand-tied hair weft on a wearer's head. An exemplary hand-tied hair weft 100A is designed to have multiple secure points such that the hairstylist may adjust a size of the weft by cutting at a predetermined location (e.g., between two predetermined adjacent secure points) so as to customize the width of the hand-tied hair weft without the weft shedding or unraveling.

(11) In this depicted example, the exemplary hand-tied hair weft 100A includes a number of strands of hair 105 fixed on a number of laterally extending threads that form the cortex. The threads include a proximal end and a distal end. The width of the hand-tied hair weft may refer to the distance between the proximal end and the distal end of the threads. The hand-tied hair weft 100A also includes a number of secure points (e.g., knots, nodes, small amount of glue, or a small clip) arranged on the threads between several strands of hair. For example, a secure point may be formed predetermined intervals (e.g., every thirty or sixty strands of hair). Every thirty or sixty strands may be called a bundle (e.g., the bundle ma be arranged between two secure points). The hairstylist may cut anywhere on the threads to tailor the hand-tied hair weft. In this depicted example, three secure points 110a, 110b, and 110c are shown in FIG. 1A. If the hairstylist cuts the hand-tied hair weft 100A between the first secure point 110a and the second secure point 110b, only the hair between the first secure point 110a and the second secure point 110b may shed or potentially unravel from the hand-tied hair weft 100A, the rest of the hair in the hand-tied hair weft 100A would not be affected. In some embodiments, the bundle cut by the hairstylist may be maintained while substantially or entirely eliminating unraveling.

(12) In some embodiments, the hand-tied hair weft 100A may include one or more secure points. For example, the hand-tied hair weft 100A may include, for example, two, three, six, ten, twelve or more secure points. The number and the locations of the one or more secure points may be decided depending on, for example, the width of the hair weft 100A.

(13) In some examples, the distribution of the secure points may be at a linear density along the cortex as an inverse function, for example, with respect to an absolute distance from a closest one of the distal or proximal ends of the cortex. In such embodiments, a hair stylist may have customize the width of a hair weft with higher resolution, while retaining substantial symmetry as the stylist may customize the width by cutting a similar number of bundles from each of the proximal and the distal ends.

(14) In some examples, the length of each bundle (e.g., corresponding to distance between consecutive secure points) may increase with distance from one of the proximal or distal ends of the cortex. Such embodiments may facilitate a single cut from one end having a high resolution associated with the relatively close proximity of the secure points at the end to be cut.

(15) FIG. 1B depicts an exemplary sequential process for tailoring the exemplary hand-tied hair weft. In this depicted example, the hairstylist holds the proximal end of the hand-tied hair weft 100A and then uses, for example, a scissors cutting the hand-tied hair weft between, for example, a preselected secure point and the distal end of the hand-tied hair weft. In some embodiments, the hairstylist may also cut the hand-tied hair weft between, for example, two adjacent secure points. As shown in the lower right side, the hair between the preselected secure point and the secure point may be taken off by the hairstylist. In contrast, the hair positioned between the proximal end and the preselected secure points may advantageously substantially reduce or prevent shedding or unraveling.

(16) FIG. 1C depicts another exemplary hand-tied hair weft. In this depicted example, a hand-tied hair weft 100C also includes multiple secure points. Each secure point (e.g., the 1.sup.st secure point 120) includes two or more sub secure points (e.g., knots). For example, in this depicted example, the 1.sup.st secure point 120 includes two knots. The hairstylist may cut between the two knots 120a and 120b such that the cut portion may also be advantageously kept from unraveling. For example, when the width of a hand-tied hair weft is 10 inches, the hairstylist may cut it into two pieces without compromising some or all of the hair bundles or wasting any hair of the original hand-tied hair weft.

(17) FIG. 2 depicts a first embodiment of the exemplary hand-tied hair weft. In this depicted example, the hand-tied hair weft is formed on three threads. Multiple knots (e.g., two or more knots) may be formed on the threads to isolate different hair bundles. In some embodiments, the threads may include nylon threads.

(18) FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary method to generate the hand-tied hair weft. An exemplary method 300 to form a hand-tied hair weft (e.g., the hand-tied hair weft 100A) includes, at 305, collecting hair and, at 310, sorting the collected hair. The hair may be sorted based on whether it has, for example, a blue or a red undertone to determine if it can be dyed, for example, blonde. The method 300 also includes, at 315, testing the hair. Every bundle may be tested to ensure it is virgin and that the hair cuticles remain substantially intact.

(19) The method 300 also includes, at 320, performing color preparation. The cuticle may advantageously remain intact and aligned throughout the coloring process. The method 300 also includes, at 325, performing depigmentation. For example, the hair may undergo a slow and precise depigmentation process. The color may be lightened by an oxidation method to preserve cuticle integrity.

(20) The method 300 also includes, at 330, performing re-pigmentation. During the re-pigmentation, a permanent textile dye that stains the cortex of the hair may be used to tenure the color longevity. The hair may be constantly agitated for thorough and even color saturation. The method 300 also includes, at 335, performing rinsing. Every bundle of hair may be washed, for example, more than 30 times. During cleansing and conditioning, treatments may be constantly reformatted to respond to seasonal changes. The hair may be smoothed before it is air-dried to allow for a silky fee without silicones or fillers.

(21) The method 300 also includes, at 340, drawing the hair, for example, twice such that short hairs may be removed from every bundle, which may ensure that the hair is thick from root to tip. The method 300 also includes, at 345, performing color blending. The hair may be weighted and sorted for precisely customized color formulations. The method 300 also includes, at 350, performing a hand-tied process to form the hand-tied hair weft. A flowchart of an exemplary method to perform the hand-tied process is discussed in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

(22) FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary method to perform the hand-tied process discussed with reference to FIG. 3. A method 400 to perform the hand-tied process includes, at 405, preparing, for example, three threads stretched between a number of poles. In some embodiments, the number of the threads may be three or more threads. In some embodiments, the number of threads may be more than three. The method 400 also includes, at 410, introducing a variable i and initialize i=1. The method 400 also includes, at 415, picking up an i.sup.th hair and, at 420, fixing the i.sup.th hair to the stretched threads. The method 400 also includes, at 425, decides whether i is equal to a predetermined number n (e.g., n=50, 100, 200, 300, 500 hair) or whether the width of the fixed hair is ≥ a predetermined width (e.g., a bundle). If not, then the method 400 also includes, at 430, incrementing the variable i, and the method loops back to 415. If yes, the method 400 also includes, at 435, making a secure point (e.g., a knot), and the method loops back to 410.

(23) FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary method to customize the width of the hand-tied hair weft for a wearer. An exemplary method 500 to customize the width of the hand-tied hair weft, includes, at 505, determining the width (e.g., the distance between the distal end and the proximal end of the threads in the hand-tied hair weft) of a hand-tied hair weft to be used by the customer. The method 500 also includes, at 510, choosing a hand-tied hair weft that has the closet width relative to the needed width. For example, the width needed by the customer may be 3 inches, and current available widths of available hair wefts include, for example, 6 inches, 8 inches, and 14 inches. The hairstylist may then choose the 6-inch hand-tied hair weft. The method 500 also includes, at 515, determining whether to customize the width of the chosen hand-tied hair weft. If the width of the hand-tied hair weft is to be customized, then at 520, a secure point is located such that the distance between the located secure point and the proximal end is substantially equal (e.g., within a predetermined margin, for example, ±1 cm) to the determined width. In some embodiments, the hairstylist may also show the customer the potential width of the customized hand-tied hair weft and request the customer's approval. After the secure point the located, the method 500 also includes, at 525, cutting the chosen hand-tied hair weft at the distal-end side of the located secure point and take off the hair between the located secure point and the most adjected secure point from the distal-end side (e.g., shown in FIG. 1B). In some embodiments, when the hairstylist selects a hand-tied hair weft as shown in FIG. 1C, the hairstylist may cut between two sub secure points (e.g., 120a, 120b) of the located secure point (e.g., 120). The method 500 also includes, at 530, applying the hand-tied hair weft to a predetermined region of the wearer.

(24) FIGS. 6A-6E depict corresponding steps of an exemplary method to form an exemplary secure point implemented in the exemplary hand-tied hair weft. In this depicted example, three threads are stretched between three pairs of poles, respectively. The three pairs of poles are detachably installed on a loom. After a number of hair strands are fixed in the three threads, a secure point may be made. In this depicted example, an exemplary method to make a knot is shown. For example, a worker may take off one pole from the loom and hold the pole and make a knot. The knot may include, by way of example but not limitation, a stopper knot. The stopper knot may include, by way of example but not limitation, an overhand knot, double overhand knot, figure-eight knot, Stevedore knot, and/or Ashley's stopper knot. In some embodiments, the knot may include a whipping knot. In some embodiments, the whipping knot may include a binding knot (e.g., constrictor knot). In some embodiments, the secure point may be made from one or more knots, alone or in combination.

(25) Although various embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, other embodiments are possible.

(26) A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made. For example, advantageous results may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques were performed in a different sequence, or if components of the disclosed systems were combined in a different manner, or if the components were supplemented with other components. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.