ARTIFICIAL HAIR

Abstract

The present invention provides artificial hair having a fluffy and voluminous shape by being immersed in hot water. The artificial hair includes a fiber cord in which one or a plurality of fiber bundles are braided, helically wound, or fixed at intervals with a plurality of fixtures, and has a configuration in which the fiber bundle includes at least first fibers and second fibers having different softening temperatures, and the fiber cord has a plurality of processing regions in a middle section in a longitudinal direction, and in the fiber cord, the number of the processing regions is five or more, and the arithmetic average length of the plurality of processing regions in the longitudinal direction in a suspended state is 0.7 cm or more and 6 cm or less.

Claims

1. Artificial hair comprising: a fiber cord in which one or a plurality of fiber bundles are braided, helically wound, or fixed at intervals with a plurality of fixtures, wherein the fiber bundle includes at least first fibers and second fibers having different softening temperatures, the fiber cord has a plurality of processing regions in a middle section in a longitudinal direction, the plurality of processing regions are any of a region between stitches, a region corresponding to a helical pitch, and a region between the fixtures, adjacent in the longitudinal direction, and in the fiber cord, a number of the processing regions is five or more, and an arithmetic average length of the plurality of processing regions in the longitudinal direction in a suspended state is 0.7 cm or more and 6 cm or less.

2. The artificial hair according to claim 1, wherein the first fibers have a heat shrinkage rate of 5% or less when heated at 90 C. for 10 seconds, and the second fibers have a heat shrinkage rate of 10% or more when heated at 90 C. for 10 seconds.

3. The artificial hair according to claim 2, wherein the first fibers and the second fibers are both made of polyvinyl chloride fibers.

4. The artificial hair according to claim 2, wherein the first fibers have a softening temperature exceeding 100 C., and the second fibers have a softening temperature of less than 80 C.

5. The artificial hair according to claim 2, wherein an amount of the second fibers is 10 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of a total of the first fibers and the second fibers.

6. The artificial hair according to claim 2, wherein an amount of the first fibers is 50 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of a total of the first fibers and the second fibers.

7. The artificial hair according to claim 1, wherein in the fiber cord, the number of the processing regions is ten or more, and the arithmetic average length of the plurality of processing regions in the longitudinal direction in the suspended state is 5 cm or less.

8. The artificial hair according to claim 1, wherein when the artificial hair was heated at 90 C. for 10 seconds, a volume change rate before and after heating is 160% or more, and a density after heating is 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 or more.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a front view of artificial hair according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a front view of artificial hair according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a front view of artificial hair according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of a measurement portion by a hair bundle volume measuring device, in which the measurement portion is indicated by dots.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows photographed images of artificial hairs of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1 of the present invention, where FIG. 5A shows Example 1, FIG. 5B shows Example 2, FIG. 5C shows Example 3, FIG. 5D shows Example 4, and FIG. 5E shows Comparative Example 1.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows photographed images after the artificial hairs of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1 in FIG. 5 were heated with hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds, where FIG. 6A shows Example 1, FIG. 6B shows Example 2, FIG. 6C shows Example 3, FIG. 6D shows Example 4, and FIG. 6E shows Comparative Example 1.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows photographed images of artificial hairs of Examples 5 and 6 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3 of the present invention, where FIG. 7A shows Example 5, FIG. 7B shows Comparative Example 2, FIG. 7C shows Comparative Example 3, and FIG. 7D shows Example 6.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows photographed images after the artificial hairs of Examples 5 and 6 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3 in FIG. 7 were heated with hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds, where FIG. 8A shows Example 5, FIG. 8B shows Comparative Example 2, FIG. 8C shows Comparative Example 3, and FIG. 8D shows Example 6.

[0031] FIG. 9 shows photographed images of artificial hairs of Examples 7 and 8 and Comparative Examples 4 and 5 of the present invention, where FIG. 9A shows Example 7, FIG. 9B shows Example 8, FIG. 9C shows Comparative Example 4, and FIG. 9D shows Comparative Example 5.

[0032] FIG. 10 shows photographed images after the artificial hairs of Examples 7 and 8 and Comparative Examples 4 and 5 in FIG. 9 were heated with hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds, where FIG. 10A shows Example 7, FIG. 10B shows Example 8, FIG. 10C shows Comparative Example 4, and FIG. 10D shows Comparative Example 5.

[0033] FIG. 11 shows photographed images of artificial hairs of Examples 9 and 10 and Comparative Example 6 of the present invention, where FIG. 11A shows Example 9, FIG. 11B shows Example 10, and FIG. 11C shows Comparative Example 6.

[0034] FIG. 12 shows photographed images after the artificial hairs of Examples 9 and 10 and Comparative Example 6 in FIG. 11 were heated with hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds, where FIG. 12A shows Example 9, FIG. 12B shows Example 10, and FIG. 12C shows Comparative Example 6.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0035] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0036] Artificial hair 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a hair accessory attached to the head part of a user, and is attached to the hair of the user directly and/or to a fixing braided portion braided with the hair of the user at the time of use.

[0037] The artificial hair 1 is so-called bulk hair, and various styles can be enjoyed by directly braiding the artificial hair 1 on the hair of a user, hooking the artificial hair 1 on self-hair braided so as to creep on the scalp (cornrows) using a needle or the like, and the like.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 1, the artificial hair 1 includes one or a plurality of fiber cords 2, and each of the fiber cords 2 can be attached to the hair or the fixing braided portion.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, in the fiber cord 2, a fiber bundle 10 is folded back at the central portion, and the folded portion is braided to partially form a rope shape.

[0040] In the fiber cord 2 of the present embodiment, the base end side (the end side on the root side) of the folded portion is bound by a first binding portion 3a, and is divided into three bundle portions 5 (5a to 5c) from the first binding portion 3a and French braided to form a braided portion 7. The distal end (end side on the hair tip side) of the braided portion 7 is bound by a second binding portion 3b.

[0041] The braided portion 7 is provided at a middle section in the longitudinal direction of the fiber cord 2, and stitches 4 are formed at a plurality of places in the longitudinal direction.

[0042] The stitches 4 are a lower end of a portion where the bundle portion 5 constituting the outer contour of the fiber cord 2 is covered for the first time by the other bundle portion 5 when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] The intervals of the stitches 4 may be equal or different.

[0044] The braided portion 7 includes five or more processing regions 6 sandwiched between the first binding portion 3a and the adjacent stitch 4, between the adjacent stitches 4 and 4, or between the stitch 4 and the second binding portion 3b.

[0045] That is, the processing region 6 includes a processing region 6a between the first binding portion 3a and adjacent the stitch 4, processing region 6b between the adjacent stitches 4 and 4, and a processing region 6c between the stitch 4 and the second binding portion 3b.

[0046] The processing region 6 is a region between the fixing parts by the binding portions 3a, 3b or the stitches 4, and is a portion where the bundle portion 5 is not pressed by the other bundle portion 5 and has a degree of freedom.

[0047] The number of the processing regions 6 is preferably ten or more and preferably thirty or less.

[0048] The arithmetic average length of the processing regions in the longitudinal direction 6 is 0.7 cm or more and 6 cm or less.

[0049] The arithmetic average length of the processing regions 6 in the longitudinal direction is preferably 3 cm or less, more preferably 2.5 cm or less, and still more preferably 1.5 cm or less.

[0050] The fiber bundle 10 is a fiber bundle for artificial hair in which a plurality of fibers including at least two types of fibers of first fibers and second fibers having different softening temperatures are bundled.

[0051] The fiber bundle 10 of the present embodiment includes two types of fibers of first fibers and second fibers having different heat shrinkage rates at 90 C.

[0052] The first fibers are thread-like artificial hair fibers and are made of a thermoplastic resin.

[0053] The first fibers have a softening temperature exceeding 90 C., and hardly undergo heat shrinkage when heated with hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds.

[0054] The first fibers preferably have a softening temperature exceeding 100 C.

[0055] The first fibers have a softening temperature exceeding the softening temperature of the second fibers, and is higher than the softening temperature of the second fibers by preferably 50 C. or more, more preferably 60 C. or more, and still more preferably 70 C. or more.

[0056] The first fibers have a heat shrinkage rate preferably exceeding 0% and 5% or less, more preferably 4% or less, and still more preferably 3% or less when heated with hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds.

[0057] The amount of the first fibers is preferably 50 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total of the first fibers and the second fibers.

[0058] As the first fibers, for example, a polyvinyl chloride fiber, a polyester fiber, an acrylic fiber, a nylon fiber, or the like can be used.

[0059] Examples of the polyester fiber that can be used for the first fibers include polyalkylene terephthalates such as polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate.

[0060] As the acrylic fiber that can be used for the first fibers, for example, an acrylic fiber can be used, and a modacrylic fiber is preferable.

[0061] The term modacrylic fiber as used herein refers to an acrylic fiber in which the weight ratio of acrylonitrile is 35% or more and less than 85%.

[0062] As the nylon fiber that can be used for the first fibers, for example, nylon 6, nylon 66, a copolymer of nylon 6 and nylon 66 or the like can be used.

[0063] The second fibers are thread-like artificial hair fibers and are made of a thermoplastic resin.

[0064] The second fibers are highly shrinkable fibers having a higher heat shrinkage rate than that of the first fibers, and are shrink fibers that compress the first fibers by applying hot water.

[0065] The second fibers have a relatively higher heat shrinkage rate than that of the first fibers when heated at the softening temperature of the second fibers, and can be said to be high-shrinkage fibers when the first fibers are low-shrinkage fibers.

[0066] The second fibers have a softening temperature of preferably 50 C. or more and 100 C. or lower, more preferably 90 C. or lower, and still more preferably lower than 80 C.

[0067] The second fibers have a heat shrinkage rate of preferably 10% or more and 80% or less, more preferably 15% or more and 70% or less, and still more preferably 40% or more and 60% or less when heated with hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds.

[0068] As the second fibers, for example, polyvinyl chloride fibers can be used.

[0069] The difference between the heat shrinkage rate of the first fibers and the heat shrinkage rate of the second fibers is preferably 15% or more, more preferably 25% or more, and still more preferably 40% or more when heated with hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds.

[0070] The amount of the second fibers is preferably 10 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total of the first fibers and the second fibers.

[0071] The first binding portion 3a is a fixture that annularly shapes the folded portion of the fiber bundle 10 and binds and fixes the upper end of the braided portion 7. That is, the fiber cord 2 has an annular portion formed above the first binding portion 3a.

[0072] The second binding portion 3b is a fixture that binds and fixes the lower end of the braided portion 7.

[0073] As the binding portions 3a and 3b, for example such as beads, a binder that surrounds the periphery and binds can be used.

[0074] Next, the shape change after the entire braided portion 7 in the fiber cord 2 of the artificial hair 1 of the first embodiment is immersed in hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds will be described.

[0075] When the braided portion 7 of the fiber cord 2 is immersed in hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds, the volume change rate before and after heating with hot water is 160% or more, and the density after heating is 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 or more.

[0076] The volume change rate before and after heating with hot water is preferably 170% or more, and more preferably 200% or more.

[0077] The volume change rate before and after heating with hot water is preferably 300% or less.

[0078] The density after heating with hot water is preferably 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 or more, and more preferably 0.2 g/cm.sup.3 or more.

[0079] The density after heating with hot water is preferably 0.4 g/cm.sup.3 or less, and more preferably 0.36 g/cm.sup.3 or less.

[0080] According to the artificial hair 1 of the first embodiment, the artificial hair 1 has a regular and less voluminous braided shape in a normal state, and can be changed to a fluffy and voluminous shape by being immersed in hot water, and a unique and interesting hair arrangement that is not conventionally available can be made.

[0081] According to the artificial hair 1 of the first embodiment, the heat shrinkage rate of the first fibers when heated at 90 C. for 10 seconds is 5% or less, and the heat shrinkage rate of the second fibers when heated at 90 C. for 10 seconds is 10% or more. Therefore, even in a general hair salon, the shape can be changed to a fluffy and voluminous shape by performing hot water setting.

[0082] According to the artificial hair 1 of the first embodiment, the first fibers have a softening temperature exceeding 100 C., and the second fibers have a softening temperature of less than 80 C. Therefore, even when hot water is used, or even when hot water cools to some extent after a lapse of time, the shape can be changed to a fluffy and voluminous shape.

[0083] According to the artificial hair 1 of the first embodiment, since the amount of the second fibers is 10 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total of the first fibers and the second fibers, it is possible to suppress the fibers from being excessively expanded and entangled with each other.

[0084] According to the artificial hair 1 of the first embodiment, since the amount of the first fibers is 50 parts by mass or more and 90 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total of the first fibers and the second fibers, the artificial hair 1 can be changed to a fluffy and voluminous shape while maintaining the shape.

[0085] According to the artificial hair 1 of the first embodiment, when the braided portion 7 of the fiber cord 2 is immersed in hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds, the volume change rate before and after heating with hot water is 160% or more, and the density after heating is 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 or more. Therefore, by immersing in hot water at 90 C., it is possible to make a subject visually recognize the artificial hair as a fluffy and voluminous shape.

[0086] Next, an artificial hair 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Configurations and methods similar to those of the artificial hair 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted. The same applies hereinafter.

[0087] In the artificial hair 101 of the second embodiment, the structure of a fiber cord 102 is different from the fiber cord 2 of the first embodiment.

[0088] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in the fiber cord 102, the fiber bundle 10 is folded back at the central portion, and the folded portion is fixed at intervals by a plurality of binders 103 (fixtures), and includes five or more processing regions 106 sandwiched between the adjacent binders 103, 103 in the longitudinal direction.

[0089] Each binder 103 is a fixture for fixing the fiber bundle 10 in a bundled state, and a fixture, for example such as beads, surrounding and binding the periphery of the fiber bundle 10 can be used.

[0090] The processing region 106 is a region between the fixing parts by the binders 103, 103, and is a portion where the fiber bundle 10 is not pressed by the binders 103 and has a degree of freedom.

[0091] The number of the processing regions 106 is preferably ten or more and preferably thirty or less.

[0092] The arithmetic average length of the processing regions 106 is 0.7 cm or more and 6 cm or less.

[0093] The arithmetic average length of the processing regions 106 is preferably 3 cm or less, more preferably 2.5 cm or less, and still more preferably 1.5 cm or less.

[0094] Next, an artificial hair 201 according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0095] In the artificial hair 201 of the third embodiment, the fiber bundle 10 was folded back at the central portion, the folded portion was braided into a two-strand braid, and further helically wound.

[0096] The artificial hair 201 includes five or more processing regions 206 corresponding to a helical pitch in the longitudinal direction.

[0097] That is, the processing regions 206 are a portion between the intersection of the fiber bundle 10 and an imaginary line and the intersection of the adjacent fiber bundle 10 and the imaginary line when the linear imaginary line is overlapped in the longitudinal direction in the suspended state.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 3, each processing region 206 is a region having an edge of the fiber bundle 10 as a boundary when viewed from the front, and is a region laminated together with other processing regions 206 in the longitudinal direction to a plurality of stages.

[0099] The number of stages of the fiber bundle 10 is preferably 10 stages or more, and preferably 30 stages or less. That is, the number of processing regions 206 is preferably ten or more and preferably thirty or less.

[0100] The average pitch of the fiber bundle 10 is 0.7 cm or more and 6 cm or less. That is, the arithmetic average length of the processing regions 206 is 0.7 cm or more and 6 cm or less.

[0101] The average pitch of the fiber bundle 10, that is, the arithmetic average length of the processing regions 206 is preferably 3 cm or less, more preferably 2.5 cm or less, and still more preferably 1.5 cm or less.

[0102] In the embodiment described above, the fiber bundle 10 was formed of two types of fibers of the first fibers and the second fibers, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Three or more types of fibers including the first fibers and the second fibers may be collectively formed into a fiber bundle.

[0103] In the embodiment described above, the artificial hairs 1, 101, 201 were used as bulk hairs, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The artificial hairs 1, 101, 201 may be any artificial hair that is used in hair products such as hair wigs, hairpieces, weaving, hair extensions, braid hairs, and hair accessories.

[0104] In the first embodiment described above, the fiber cord 2 was braided by folding back the middle section of one fiber bundle 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The fiber cord 2 may be formed by braiding a plurality of fiber bundles 10 without being folded back.

[0105] In the first embodiment described above, the fiber bundle 10 was French braided to form the fiber cord 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the fiber bundle 10 may be braided into a four-strand braid to form a fiber cord.

[0106] In the third embodiment described above, the fiber bundle 10 was braided into a two-strand braid while being twisted to form a fiber cord 202, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The fiber bundle 10 may be braided into a two-strand braid without being twisted. The fiber bundle 10 may be braided into a two-strand braid to form a plurality of braided bodies, and the braided bodies may be braided to form a fiber cord.

[0107] In the embodiments described above, each component member can be freely replaced or added between the embodiments as long as it is included in the technical scope of the present invention.

Examples

[0108] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to Examples, but the present invention is not limited to these Examples.

Example 1

[0109] First, a polyvinyl chloride fiber having a heat shrinkage rate of 5% or less when heated at 90 C. for 10 seconds (hereinafter, it is also referred to as a low PVC fiber) was used as first fibers, and a polyvinyl chloride fiber having a heat shrinkage rate of 10% or more when heated at 90 C. for 10 seconds (hereinafter, also referred to as a high PVC fiber) was used as second fibers. That is, both the first fibers and the second fibers are made of polyvinyl chloride fiber, but have different heat shrinkage rates.

[0110] The first fibers and the second fibers were each cut into 73 cm, a brush was placed on a desk so that the mass ratio of the first fibers and the second fibers was 70:30, and the fibers bundled on the brush was brushed to shift the hair tip, and brushed so that the total length was 76 cm. Subsequently, the brushed fibers were bundled to form a fiber bundle. The fiber bundle was folded back at the central portion, the folded portion was fixed with a rubber band, and French braided from the fixing part to form thirty processing regions as a braided portion, and the lower end portion of the braided portion was fixed with a rubber band to form a fiber cord for artificial hair.

[0111] The fiber cord for artificial hair thus formed was used as Example 1.

Example 2

[0112] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that twenty processing regions were formed by French braid as the braided portion, and used as Example 2.

Example 3

[0113] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that ten processing regions were formed by French braid as the braided portion, and used as Example 3.

Example 4

[0114] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that five processing regions were formed by French braid as the braided portion, and used as Example 4.

Comparative Example 1

[0115] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that two processing regions were formed by French braid as the braided portion, and used as Comparative Example 1.

Volume Change Rate Measurement and Density Measurement

[0116] First, the arithmetic average lengths of the processing regions of the fiber cords for artificial hair of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1 were calculated, and the volume of the bulk portion (Bulk Volume) before heating was calculated using a hair bundle volume measuring device (manufactured by BOSSA NOVA Vision, product name: BOLERO) with respect to the fiber cords for artificial hair of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1 with a threshold of 50%.

[0117] That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the fiber cords for artificial hair of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1, a portion (braided portion) A from the uppermost portion to the lowermost portion of the processing regions in the longitudinal direction in the suspended state was irradiated with light, and a portion (bulk portion) with a transmittance of less than 50% was detected.

[0118] Subsequently, the fiber cords were heated with hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds, then taken out from the hot water, and allowed to stand until the temperature reached room temperature.

[0119] Then, the arithmetic average lengths of the processed regions of the heated fiber cords for artificial hair were calculated, and the volume of the bulk portion after heating was calculated with a threshold of 50% using the hair bundle volume measuring device for the heated fiber cords for artificial hair in the same manner as described above, and the volume change rate and the density after heating were calculated.

[0120] The volume change rate (%) was calculated by the following formula (1), and the density (g/cm.sup.3) after heating was calculated by the following formula (2).

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Mathematical}\mathrm{formula}1& \\ \mathrm{Volume}\mathrm{change}\mathrm{rate}\left(\%\right)=\frac{\mathrm{Volume}\mathrm{after}\mathrm{heating}\left({\mathrm{cm}}^3\right)}{\mathrm{Volume}\mathrm{before}\mathrm{heating}\left({\mathrm{cm}}^3\right)}100& \left(1\right)\end{array}$$\begin{array}{cc}\mathrm{Mathematical}\mathrm{formula}2& \\ \mathrm{Density}\mathrm{after}\mathrm{heating}\left(g/{\mathrm{cm}}^3\right)=\frac{\mathrm{Mass}\left(g\right)}{\mathrm{Volume}\mathrm{after}\mathrm{heating}\left({\mathrm{cm}}^3\right)}& \left(2\right)\end{array}$

[0121] In Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1, photographs before heating are shown in FIG. 5, and photographs after heating with hot water at 90 C. for 10 seconds are shown in FIG. 6. Also, the measurement results of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1 are shown in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 NUMBER LENGTH OF OF VOLUME DENSITY MASS PROCESSING PROCESSING CHANGE AFTER RAW RATIO REGIONS REGION RATE CHANGE STOCK (%) STYLE (PIECE) (cm) (%) (g/cm.sup.3) EXAMPLE 1 LOW PVC 70 FRENCH 30 0.88 177.5 0.353 HIGH PVC 30 BRAID EXAMPLE 2 LOW PVC 70 FRENCH 20 1.37 270.1 0.217 HIGH PVC 30 BRAID EXAMPLE 3 LOW PVC 70 FRENCH 10 2.81 285.8 0.113 HIGH PVC 30 BRAID EXAMPLE 4 LOW PVC 70 FRENCH 5 5.10 268.1 0.079 HIGH PVC 30 BRAID COMPARATIVE LOW PVC 70 FRENCH 2 13.75 115.5 0.061 EXAMPLE 1 HIGH PVC 30 BRAID

[0122] In Examples 1 to 4 having five or more processing regions and a length of the processing region of 6 cm or less, as shown in Table 1, the volume change rate was 170% or more and the density after the change was 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 or more as compared with those before the change, and the volume change rate and the density after the change were larger than those in Comparative Example 1 having two processing regions and a length of the processing region of 13 cm or more.

[0123] Further, in Examples 1 to 4, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fiber cords were fluffy and expanded while the braid was maintained in each processed region, whereas in Comparative Example 1, the fibers were entangled with each other in each processed region, and the braid was partially unwound.

[0124] From this result, it was suggested that in the French braid style, by having five or more processing regions and setting the length of the processing region to 6 cm or less, the volume change rate before and after heating is 160% or more, the density after the change is 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 or more, and a fluffy appearance is obtained while substantially maintaining the braid style.

Example 5

[0125] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the fiber bundle was folded back at the central portion, eleven fixtures were attached at equal intervals without braiding the folded portion, and ten processing regions having both ends fixed by each fixture were formed, and used as Example 5.

Comparative Example 2

[0126] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 5 except that two processing regions were formed with fixtures, and used as Comparative Example 2.

Comparative Example 3

[0127] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 5 except that one processing region was formed with fixtures, and used as Comparative Example 3.

Example 6

[0128] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the fiber bundle was folded back at the central portion, and the folded portion was braided into a two-strand braid while being twisted to form seventeen processing regions, and used as Example 6.

[0129] In Examples 5 and 6 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3, photographs before heating are shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D, and photographs after heating are shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D. Also, the measurement results of Examples 5 and 6 and Comparative Examples 2 and 3 are shown in Table 2.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 NUMBER LENGTH OF OF VOLUME DENSITY MASS PROCESSING PROCESSING CHANGE AFTER RAW RATIO REGIONS REGION RATE CHANGE STOCK (%) STYLE (PIECE) (cm) (%) (g/cm.sup.3) EXAMPLE 5 LOW PVC 70 STRAIGHT 10 2.40 204.4 0.204 HIGH PVC 30 COMPARATIVE LOW PVC 70 STRAIGHT 2 11.75 151.6 0.069 EXAMPLE 2 HIGH PVC 30 COMPARATIVE LOW PVC 70 STRAIGHT 1 29.50 133.3 0.042 EXAMPLE 3 HIGH PVC 30 EXAMPLE 6 LOW PVC 70 TWIST 17 1.23 223.3 0.196 HIGH PVC 30

[0130] In Example 5 having ten processing regions and a length of the processing region of 3 cm or less, the volume change rate was 200% or more and the density after the change was 0.25 g/cm.sup.3 or more as compared with those before the change, and the volume change rate was larger and the density after the change was also large as compared with those in Comparative Examples 2 and 3 having two or less processing regions and a length of the processing region of 11 cm or more.

[0131] In Example 5, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the fiber cord was fluffy and expanded while maintaining the style with little twisting or the like in each processed region, whereas in Comparative Examples 2 and 3, twisting or the like occurred in each processed region and the fibers were entangled with each other.

[0132] Also in Example 6 of the twist style, by having ten or more processing regions and setting the length of the processing region to 3 cm or less, as shown in Table 2, the volume change rate was 200% or more as compared with that before the change, and the density after the change was 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 or more.

[0133] In Example 6, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in each processed region, the fiber cord was fluffy and expanded while maintaining the style with little twisting or the like.

[0134] From these results, it was suggested that in any of the French braid style, straight style, and twist style, by having five or more processing regions and setting the length of the processing region to 6 cm or less, the volume change rate before and after heating is 160% or more, the density after the change is 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 or more, and a fluffy appearance is obtained while substantially maintaining the style.

Example 7

[0135] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the mass ratio of the first fibers and the second fibers was 90:10, and used as Example 7.

Example 8

[0136] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the mass ratio of the first fibers and the second fibers was 50:50, and used as Example 8.

Comparative Example 4

[0137] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the mass ratio of the first fibers and the second fibers was 30:70, and used as Comparative Example 4.

Comparative Example 5

[0138] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the mass ratio of the first fibers to the second fibers was 10:90, and used as Comparative Example 5.

[0139] In Examples 7 and 8 and Comparative Examples 4 and 5, photographs before heating are shown in FIG. 9, and photographs after heating are shown in FIG. 10. Also, the measurement results of Examples 1, 7, and 8 and Comparative Examples 4 and 5 are shown in Table 3.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 NUMBER LENGTH OF OF VOLUME DENSITY MASS PROCESSING PROCESSING CHANGE AFTER RAW RATIO REGIONS REGION RATE CHANGE STOCK (%) STYLE (PIECE) (cm) (%) (g/cm.sup.3) EXAMPLE 7 LOW PVC 90 FRENCH 30 0.87 168.1 0.318 HIGH PVC 10 BRAID EXAMPLE 1 LOW PVC 70 FRENCH 30 0.88 177.5 0.353 HIGH PVC 30 BRAID EXAMPLE 8 LOW PVC 50 FRENCH 30 0.73 171.4 0.279 HIGH PVC 50 BRAID COMPARATIVE LOW PVC 30 FRENCH 30 0.72 143.8 0.312 EXAMPLE 4 HIGH PVC 70 BRAID COMPARATIVE LOW PVC 10 FRENCH 30 0.67 116.2 0.365 EXAMPLE 5 HIGH PVC 90 BRAID

[0140] In Examples 1, 7, and 8 in which the mass ratio of low PVC exceeded 30%, as shown in Table 3, the volume change rate was 165% or more as compared with that before the change, the density after the change was 0.25 g/cm.sup.3 or more, and the volume change rate was larger as compared with Comparative Examples 4 and 5 in which the mass ratio of low PVC was 30% or less.

[0141] In Examples 7 and 8, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the fiber cords were fluffy and expanded while maintaining the style with little twisting or the like in each processed region, whereas in Comparative Examples 4 and 5, in each processed region, although maintaining the style, the fiber cords were not much expanded, and the change from before the change was poor.

[0142] From this result, it was suggested that, by having five or more processing regions and setting the length of the processing region to 6 cm or less, the density after the change is 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 or more, and further, by setting the mass ratio of low PVC to over 30%, the volume change rate is 160% or more, the density after the change is 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 or more, and a fluffy appearance is obtained while substantially maintaining the style.

Example 9

[0143] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 2 except that a modacrylic fiber (hereinafter, also referred to as MODA) having a heat shrinkage rate of 5% or less when heated at 90 C. for 10 seconds was used as the first fiber, and used as Example 9.

Example 10

[0144] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 2 except that a flame-retardant polyester fiber (hereinafter, also referred to as PET) having a heat shrinkage rate of 5% or less when heated at 90 C. for 10 seconds was used as the first fiber, and used as Example 10.

Comparative Example 6

[0145] The fiber cord for artificial hair was formed in the same manner as in Example 2 except that only the second fiber was used, and used as Comparative Example 6.

[0146] In Examples 9 and 10 and Comparative Example 6, photographs before heating are shown in FIG. 11, and photographs after heating are shown in FIG. 12. Also, the measurement results of Examples 2, 9, and 10 and Comparative Example 6 are shown in Table 4.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 NUMBER LENGTH OF OF VOLUME DENSITY MASS PROCESSING PROCESSING CHANGE AFTER RAW RATIO REGIONS REGION RATE CHANGE STOCK (%) STYLE (PIECE) (cm) (%) (g/cm.sup.3) EXAMPLE 2 LOW PVC 70 FRENCH 20 1.37 270.1 0.217 HIGH PVC 30 BRAID EXAMPLE 9 MODA 70 FRENCH 20 1.38 264.0 0.219 HIGH PVC 30 BRAID EXAMPLE 10 PET 70 FRENCH 20 1.33 272.7 0.191 HIGH PVC 30 BRAID COMPARATIVE FRENCH 20 1.35 135.0 0.430 EXAMPLE 6 HIGH PVC 100 BRAID

[0147] In Examples 2, 9, and 10 in which the first fiber having a low heat shrinkage rate and the second fiber having a high heat shrinkage rate were used, as shown in Table 4, the volume change rate was 260% or more as compared with that before the change, the density after the change was 0.19 g/cm.sup.3 or more, and the density after the change was smaller but the volume change rate was higher as compared with those in Comparative Example 6 in which only the second fiber having a high heat shrinkage rate was used.

[0148] Further, in Examples 9 and 10, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the processed region was fluffy and expanded while maintaining the style with little twisting or the like, whereas in Comparative Example 6, although maintaining the style, the processed region was not much expanded, and the change from before the change was poor.

[0149] From this result, it was suggested that, in order to dramatically improve the volume change rate, it is necessary to contain the first fiber having a lower heat shrinkage rate than that of the second fiber to a certain extent.

[0150] Also from these results, it was suggested that, by using two types of fibers having different shrinkage rates and having five or more processing regions to set the length of the processing region to 6 cm or less, the volume change rate before and after heating is 160% or more, the density after the change is 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 or more, and a fluffy appearance is obtained while substantially maintaining the style.

[0151] From the above, it has been found that, by using two types of fibers having different shrinkage rates and having five or more processing regions to set the length of the processing region to 6 cm or less, the density after the change is 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 or more, and further, by setting the mass ratio of the first fibers to over 30%, the volume change rate before and after heating is 160% or more, and a fluffy appearance is obtained while substantially maintaining the style.

Reference Character List

[0152] 1, 101, 201 Artificial hair [0153] 2, 102 Fiber cord [0154] 3a First binding portion [0155] 3b Second binding portion [0156] 4 Stitch [0157] 5 Bundle portion [0158] 6, 106, 206 Processing region, Processed region [0159] 10 Fiber bundle [0160] 103 Binder (Fixture)