Abstract
A hair curler for styling hair having a container and a first fastener. The container includes an enclosure portion and a curl portion. The enclosure portion has a first end and a first opening. The curl portion is opposite to the enclosure portion and has a second end. The enclosure portion can be inverted over to encompass the curl portion such that the first end extends toward the second end of the curl portion. The first fastener secures the position of the enclosure portion relative to the curl portion and maintaining the position of the enclosure portion over the curl portion.
Claims
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9. A method of curling hair comprising: providing a hair curler including: a container having: a first portion, the first portion has a first end and a first opening; a second portion opposite to the second portion and having a second end, wherein the second portion and the first portion are made of the same material, the first portion can be inverted over the second portion such that the first end extends toward the second end of the second portion; and a first fastener attached to the first portion; wrapping the hair around the second portion of the container to form substantially helical shape; inverting the first portion over the second portion to encompass the hair and the second portion; securing a position of the first portion over the second portion using the first fastener; and leaving the hair encompassed in the first portion for a desired period of time.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing the hair curler includes making the container using stretchable fabrics.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising applying a hair product on the hair before wrapping the hair around the second portion of the container.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing the hair curler includes creating a second opening at the second end of the second portion.
13. The method of claim 9 further comprising: coupling the container to the hair using a clip before wrapping the hair around the second portion of the container; the step of securing a position of the first portion to encompass over the second portion includes: holding the container in one hand and removing the clip from the container with another hand; releasably closing the first opening using the first fastener; and locking the first fastener in position to maintain a placement of the first portion to encompass over the hair around the second portion.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of securing the position of the first portion includes coupling the clip with the first portion to further secures the position of the first portion to encompass over the second portion.
15. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing the hair curler includes adjustably attaching the first fastener to the first end of the first portion and surrounding the first opening; the step of securing the position of the first portion over the second portion includes adjusting the first fastener to change a size of the first opening.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of securing the position of the first portion over the second portion includes coupling a clip with the first portion to further secures the position of the first portion to encompass over the second portion together with the first fastener.
17. The method of claim 9, further comprising: disposing a third fastener on the first portion; and disposing a fourth fastener on the second portion; wherein the step of securing the position of the first portion over the second portion includes coupling the third and fourth fasteners when the first portion is inverted and over the second portion.
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Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] It should be noted that the drawing figures may be in simplified form and might not be to precise scale.
[0008] FIGS. 1-2 are top views of the first curler according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0009] FIGS. 3-4 are perspective views of the first curler according to the first embodiment.
[0010] FIGS. 5-7 are top views of various hair curlers according to the first embodiment having different length.
[0011] FIGS. 8-17 illustrate steps of using the hair curler of the first embodiment to create and maintain lasting hair curl.
[0012] FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the method of curling hair according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The embodiment and various other embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiment defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiment as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below. Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments.
[0014] FIGS. 1-2 are top views of the first curler 100 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIGS. 3-4 are perspective views of the first curler 100 according to the first embodiment. The first curler 100 is preferably made of fabrics that are stretchable, breathable, soft, and does not strip the hair products applied to hair, such as modal, satin, Tencel, rayon, and lyocell. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the first curler 100 has the structure and shape of a long sock or long portable pocket and has length substantially greater than its width. Also, the first curler 100 of the first embodiment is substantially rectangular when laid flat but can be configured to be oval or have other shapes.
[0015] In the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the first curler 100 has a first end 101 and a second end 102 opposite to the first end 101. In the first embodiment, the first end 101 is has an opening 101a and the second end 102 is closed. A first fastener 103 attached thereon to regulate the size of the opening 101a. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the first fastener 103 of the first embodiment is a cord fastener that includes a cord lock 103a and a drawstring 103b coupled with the cord lock 103a and sewn inside the first end 101 of the hair curler 100. A user can greatly reduce the size of the opening 101a by first releasing the cord lock 103a and then pulling the drawstring 103b. The user can then maintain the reduced opening 101a by releasing the cord lock 103a and the drawstring 103b previously pulled. Further, the second end 102 of the present is closed so that the first curler 100 has the structure of a sock or portable pocket. However, in different embodiments, the second end 102 can also have an opening similar to the opening 101a of the first end 101.
[0016] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the first curler 100 includes a first portion 100a and a second portion 100b. The opening 101a allows a user to flip the first portion 100a inside out and move the first end 101 toward the second end 102 in order for the first portion 100a to enclose at least part of the second portion 100b. This allows the first portion 100a to also enclose whatever attached to the second portion 100b (such as hair wrapped around the first portion 100a).
[0017] FIGS. 5-6 are top views of a first curler 100 and a second curler 110 according to the first embodiment and having different length. For instance, the length of the first curler 100 is approximately 10 inches and the length of the second curler 110 is approximately 16 inches. The two curlers 100, 110 of the present disclosure can also be configured to have different length and width to accommodate users of different hair length and hair volume.
[0018] FIG. 7 is another top view of the first curler 100, the second curler 110, and a third curler 120. The third curler 120 further includes two second fasteners 104 disposed at the second end 102 and two second fasteners 104 (not illustrated) disposed on the inner surface of the third curler 120 at the first end 101. Thus, the first end 101 can be flipped over to reveal the second fasteners 104 on its inner surface for a user to couple the second fasteners 104 and the two opposite ends 101, 102 together.
[0019] FIGS. 8-17 illustrate steps of using the first curler 100 of the first embodiment to create and maintain lasting hair curls. FIG. 8 illustrates the step of applying hair mousse or hair foam to the user's hair 300 to give the hair 300 some hold and definition to strands, as well as protect and tame the hair 300. The hair mousse also helps keeps frizz in check and help make the later formed hair curls bouncier.
[0020] FIG. 9 illustrates the step of attaching the first curler 100 to the user's hair 300. The user uses a clip 105 to couple the second end 102 of the first curler 100 with hair 300 near the user's scalp. In the present disclosure, the clip 105 is a simple clip used attach the first curler 100 to the user's hair 300. In different embodiments, the clip 105 includes crocodile clip, hair claw clip, bobby clip, round clip, or other conventional clip that can be used to removably and securely couple the first curler 100 to the user's hair 300.
[0021] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate the step of forming hair curls 301 on the first curler 100. As illustrated, the user wraps strands of her hair 300 in a substantially helical shape so as to form a wave or a curl around the first curler 100. More specifically, the user wraps his/her hair around the second portion 100b (illustrated in FIGS. 1-2) while the clip 105 securely couple the second end 102 with the user's hair 300. Please note that no hair curls 301 are formed on the first portion 100a (illustrated in FIGS. 1-2) which will later be flipped over and then enclose the second portion 100b and the hair curls thereon.
[0022] FIGS. 13-14 illustrates the step of enclosing the second portion 100b and the hair curls 301 thereon with the first portion 100a of the same first curler 100. At first, the opening 101a (illustrated in FIGS. 4-5) of the first curler 100 faces away from the second end 102. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the user starts by flipping the first portion 100a over inside out to invert the first portion 100a, wherein the above-mentioned opening 101a now faces the second end 102. In FIG. 14, the user moves the first portion 100a toward the second end 102 and in the process encloses the second portion 100b and the hair curls 301 thereon. Once the first portion 100a encloses the second portion 100b and the hair curls 301 thereon, the user can then hold the first portion 100a with one hand and remove the clip 105 with another hand as illustrated in FIG. 15.
[0023] FIGS. 15-17 illustrates the step of securing the position of the first portion 100a in order to keep the hair curls 301 wrapped around the second portion 100b. In FIG. 15, the user removes the clip 105 from the user's hair with one hand and hold the first portion 100a in position with another. Once the clip 105 is remove, the user can selectively tuck the second end 102 inside the first portion 100a. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the user can then release the cord lock 103a (illustrated in FIG. 1) and pull the drawstring 103b (also illustrated in FIG. 1) to reduce the diameter of the opening 101a (illustrated in FIGS. 4-5). The user can then release the cord lock 103a to keep the opening 101a at a reduced diameter which is preferably smaller than those of the hair curls inside the first portion 100a. Now, the cord lock 103a can maintain the opening 101a at a fixed size and prevents the second portion 100b from coming loose and return to its original position illustrated in FIG. 11. In different embodiment, the user can attach the clip 105 (illustrated in FIGS. 13-14) to the second end 102 to close opening 102a to ensure that the second portion 100b will not come loose and return to its original position illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0024] FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the method of curling hair according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. The method includes step 400 of providing a hair curler for a user to wrap his/her hair around the hair curler. The first curler is preferably made of fabrics that are stretchable, breathable, soft, and does not strip the hair products applied to hair, such as modal, satin, Tencel, rayon, and lyocell. The first curler preferably has the structure and shape of a long sock or long portable pocket and has length substantially greater than its width. Also, the first curler of the first embodiment can be substantially rectangular when laid flat but can be configured to be oval or have other shapes.
[0025] In one embodiment of the method, the hair curler includes the one illustrated in FIGS. 1-17. The hair curler has a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end has an opening and the second end is preferably closed. The hair curler further includes a first fastener attached thereon to regulate the size of the opening 101a. The first fastener in one embodiment is a cord fastener that can be used to regulate the size of the opening on the first end. Further, the second end of the present is preferably closed so that the hair curler has the structure of a sock or portable pocket. However, in different embodiments, the second end can also have an opening similar to the opening of the first end.
[0026] The method further includes step 410 of wrapping the user's hair around the hair curler. In the present embodiment, the hair curler includes a first portion and a second portion. The user wraps strands of his/her hair in a substantially helical shape so as to form a wave or a curl around the hair curler. More specifically, the user wraps his/her hair around the second portion 100b (illustrated in FIGS. 11-12 and discussed above) while a clip securely couple the second end of the hair curler with the user's hair. Please note that no hair curls are formed on the first portion (illustrated in FIGS. 11-12) which will later be flipped over and then enclose the second portion 100b and the hair curls thereon.
[0027] The method further includes step 420 of inverting the first portion of the hair curler to encompass the second portion and the hair curls thereon. Please refer to FIGS. 4-5 and 13-14 for illustration. At first, the opening (illustrated in FIGS. 4-5) of the hair curler faces away from the second end. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the user starts by flipping the first portion over inside out to invert the first portion, wherein the above-mentioned opening now faces the second end. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the user moves the first portion toward the second end and in the process encloses the second portion and the hair curls thereon. Once the first portion encloses the second portion and the hair curls thereon, the user can then hold the first portion with one hand and remove the clip with another hand as illustrated in FIG. 15.
[0028] The method further includes step 430 of securing the position of the first portion to keep encompassing the second portion and the hair curls thereon. Please refer to FIGS. 4-5 and 15-17 for illustration. In FIG. 15, the user removes the clip from the user's hair with one hand and hold the first portion in position with another. Once the clip is remove, the user can selectively tuck the second end inside the first portion. As illustrated in FIG. 16, the user can then release the cord lock (illustrated in FIG. 1) and pull the drawstring (also illustrated in FIG. 1) to reduce the diameter of the opening (illustrated in FIGS. 4-5). The user can then release the cord lock to keep the opening at a reduced diameter which is preferably smaller than those of the hair curls inside the first portion 100a. Now, the cord lock will maintain the opening at a fixed size and prevents the second portion from coming loose and return to its original position. In different embodiment, the user can then attach the clip (illustrated in FIGS. 13-14) to the second end to close opening to ensure that the second portion will not come loose and return to its original position illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0029] Last but not least, the method includes step 440 of leaving the hair encompassed in the second portion for a desired period of time. The user should keep the hair curls on the second portion for a sufficient period of time (preferably an overnight period) to allow the hair curls to maintain its curled form upon release of the first fastener.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the method can further include a step of applying hair product (such as hair mousse or hair foam) to the user's hair before wrapped around the hair curl. The hair product applied to the hair gives the hair some hold and definition to strands, as well as protect and tame the hair. The hair product can also help keeping frizz in check and help make the later formed hair curls bouncier.
[0031] The foregoing descriptions of specific implementations have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teaching. The exemplary implementations were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its implementations with modifications as suited to the use contemplated.
[0032] It is therefore submitted that the invention has been shown and described in the most practical and exemplary implementations. It should be recognized that departures may be made which fall within the scope of the invention. With respect to the description provided herein, it is submitted that the optimal features of the invention include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, manner of operation, assembly, and use. All structures, functions, and relationships equivalent or essentially equivalent to those disclosed are intended to be encompassed by the invention.
