CA2574684A1 - Hairpiece and method of making same - Google Patents

Abstract

A hair replacement or hairpiece that comprises a base woven with natural human hair, color amended and attached such as to simulate a natural growth pattern, hair density and hairline appearance and a method for making same. The hairpiece comprises a base with a front area (12) comprised of coated lace, a back area (18) comprised of about three pieces and reinforced with polyurethane; a knotting pattern wherein the front and crown areas are comprised of hair fired to the base with single hair split knots, the side and top areas are comprised of hair fired to the base with alternating single hair flat knots and single hair split knots and the back area comprises hair fixed to the base with single hair flat knots; and a color pattern wherein the base comprises about three color regions comprising a lighter shade in the front, a medium shade in the top and crown areas, and a darker shade in the back area.
The knotting pattern is further defined by the directions of the knots, which are either in a crisscross pattern, in a vertical, downward direction, or a horizontal, forward direction. The hairpiece further comprises a hairline comprising hair fixed to the base with single hair split knots fixed to the base in a horizontal, backward direction. Furthermore, the hairpiece comprises natural human hair, wherein the color of the natural hair is enhanced.

Description

HAIRPIECE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/588,760, filed on July 19, 2004, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a hair replacement or hairpiece and the art of concealing baldness, especially in men, and in particular, to a hair replacement or hairpiece and a method of making same, which will provide, at an affordable cost, a natural appearing substitute for hair. More particularly, the hair replacement or hairpiece of the present invention comprises a base comprised of a combination of coated front lace and back material, wherein hair is comprised of a blend of human hair from various origins and is attached to the base in a specific direction and color pattern that simulates a natural appearance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The art of making hairpieces or toupees has been practiced for many years.
However, these hairpieces often lack a natural appearance, are prohibitively expensive and can not be easily applied correctly, but during this time there has been little advancement in the art. Present hair replacements or hairpieces are typically too full as a result of an effort to hide the base material. Further such hairpieces often have the wrong growth pattern, ignoring the natural growth pattern of human hair; experience problems with the knotting direction;
andlor offer a semi-natural hairline that is still detectable. Furthermore, the base materials are reinforced and therefore too thick. Moreover, the stitching needed to reinforce the front lace and the back materials are visible when the hair is parted. Some hairpieces have attempted to provide a natural look, but have been relatively expensive and can not be applied without the aide of a highly experienced professional.

DC:307330v2 Examples of such hairpieces include, tor example, U.S. Patent 2,907,334 to Mole discloses a hairpiece and a method of making same.
U.S. Patent 3,905,378 (the "'378 patent") to Levin et al. discloses a method for making a man's hairpiece comprising a non-woven network foundation and weighing approximately 6 grams. The monofilament nylon strands of the '378. patent are molecularly bonded to form a rectangular network which is then shaped and cut to. form a foundation. Hair fibers of the '378 patent are secured to the bond points in a manner simulating natural growth.
U.S. Patent 5,368,052 (the "'052 patent") to Finamore discloses a hairpiece comprising a molded, flexible, plastic foundation member covered by a sheet of net material having spaced-apart cross-elements. The foundation member of the '052 patent has a large central opening therein traversed by said net material. A group of hairs is provided in the '052 patent having double knots tied around cross-elements of the net material traversing said central opening so as to be freely movable back and forth. Other groups of hairs according to the '052 patent are secured to the foundation member for providing a natural looking part, and for covering edges of the hairpiece foundation.
U.S. Patent 6,561,197 (the "'197 patent") to. Harrison discloses a hair integration apparatus and method of attachment. The hair integration apparatus in the '197 patent is comprised of a cap-like base that has numerous spaced, hair pull-through openings located on its side and rear faces. The hair integration of the '197 patent is attached to a wearer's scalp when a continuous band of material contained around the perimeter of the cap is adhered to the wearer's head. The top face of the cap of the '197 patent does not contain any hair pull-through openings and is instead made of a breathable material to allow for the release of heat from the wearer's body.
Accordingly, current hair replacements or hairpieces available to the public do not have a natural appearance, are prohibitively expensive and can not be easily applied correctly. The present invention provides a hair replacement or hairpiece that solves these problems and a method of making a hair replacement or hairpiece that is simplified, less costly, easy to apply, and of superior quality.

DC:307330v2 - 2 -SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that can be mass produced and easily adapted to a wearer, that is of improved quality and that simulates natural hair and a natural hairline.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that is a substitute for hair loss and is used to cover such hair loss, whether total or partial.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece made by a method that is relatively simple compared to prior art methods thereby materially reducing the cost of manufacture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that can be easily applied by technicians in the industry.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that can be temporarily, semi-permanently or permanently attached such that the hair replacement or hairpiece stays attached for a few hours, a few weeks, i.e., 3-5 weeks, a few months or more, depending on the method of attachment.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that may be combed, brushed, styled and washed while attached.

It is a fiuther object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that has a base, preferably made entirely of a lace material, preferably a nylon lace material, wherein the back of the hair replacement or hairpiece is made of a stronger material or a reinforced material and the front is made of a thinner, less detectable, more durable, coated material to provide a more natural hairline. Preferably, the coated material is coated lace.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece wherein the top and upper crown areas do not have any stitches to create a more natural appearance and the back area is reinforced. Preferably, the back area is reinforced with polyurethane.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece wherein a pattern of fine lines of polyurethane are applied to the back of the base for DC:307330v2 - 3 -reintorcement and to facilitate resizing by preventing fraying when the hair replacement or hairpiece is trimmed to fit.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece wherein the back section of the base is comprises of at least two (2), preferably three (3), sections to permit greater flexibility and better fit along the back of the wearer's head.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece with a specific hair density which is achieved using a crisscross knotting technique involving single hair, flat and split knots on the entire crown and top area, and flat, double and single hair knots on the back and sides to create a more natural appearance.
More preferably, the hair replacement or hairpiece comprises single hair alternating flat and split knots on the top and side areas, single hair split knots in the front and crown areas and single hair flat knots in the back area, wherein the hair is fixed to the base in a crisscross pattern in the front, top and crown areas.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece comprising at least two (2) color regions comprising a lighter shade in the front area and a darker shade in the back area. More preferably, the hairpiece fu.rther comprises a medium shade in the top and crown areas.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that utilizes natural hair to eliminate the need for excessive bleaching that may damage the hair and cause it to break and fall out.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that uses natural hair and enhances it with fabric dye to change the tonal value, e.g., ash, gold, etc., but not the depth of the value, e.g., medium brown, light brown, etc.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a hair replacement or hairpiece that utilizes a color and texture blend, preferably a blend of natural, virgin, human hair, more preferably natural hair that has been de-cuticleized, even more preferably hair of European and Indian origin, to simulate a natural front hairline and an overall more natural look.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DC:307330v2 - 4 -BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a base structure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a color blending;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing different kinds of knots and knotting direction; and FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a perspective top view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention showing different kinds of knots and knotting direction along the hairline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Fig. 1, the base foundation unit comprises a front 12, top 16 and back 18 composed of a nylon mesh or lace material. The mesh/lace material used depends on the density desired, e.g., a small hole lace or mesh is used for full density, a medium size hole lace or mesh is used for medium density and a large hole lace or mesh is used for light density. Preferably, the front 12, about 2.5 to 3 cm from the hairline 10 is coated lace, preferably about 10 to 20 denier, more preferably about 15 denier, lace coated with a clear, flexible plastic material such as acrylic. In a preferred embodiment, the lace is stained or dyed using commercial fabric dye to a specific skin tone, more preferably the lace is stained or dyed prior to coating in order to protect the coloring of the lace. The lace may be dyed to match a variety of skin tones, including light, light/medium, medium, medium/dark and dark. Such a dyed, coated lace material is commercially available, for example, from Man-Sta in California.

To make the base foundation, heat is applied to the base and starting from the back area, using the malleability provided by the heat, the base material is worked into the desired shape.
The use of heat results in a base material that is a smooth, wrinkle-free layer of nylon and/or lace. In order to avoid a sharp line, the edges of the hairline 10 are preferably scalloped.

DC:307330v2 - 5 -The front 12 is blocked using a moderate stretch at the highest point ot tne curve ot tne forehead; preferably about 1 cm from the hairline 10 of the basee unit, from one side to the other and secured with pins, staples or other means. The whole hairline 10 is secured about 3 cm from the base unit's hairline. The coated mesh/lace is then slightly pulled upward to overlap 14 the nylon mesh or lace material of the top 16 by about 2 cm and secured with pins or other suitable means. In order to avoid a sharp line, the edges of the overlapping coated lace material in the front 12 and the nylon or lace material of the top 16 are preferably scalloped. Beginning on one side and continuously switching sides to ensure even blocking, excess material at the top of the block is pleated, resulting in pleats, preferably as small as possible. Care is taken to ensure that the pleats end about 1.5 cm from the front hairline 10. Depending on the desired shape of the base unit, there may be about 2 pleats, but preferably no more than about 4 pleats.

After the front 12 is blocked and smoothed, the overlap 14 is stitched using an invisible thread to create a first stitch line. The first stitch line follows the scalloped edge of the nylon or lace material from one side of the base unit across the top to the other side.
A second stitch line is made about 1 cm behind the first stitch line to connect the front 12 coated meshllace with the top 18 mesh or lace material. Excess mesh/lace material is trimmed-off at about the second stitch line, preferably directly at the second stitch line.

Once the mesh or lace is blocked, reinforcement 19 is added to the back 18 of the base by applying a reinforcing material, preferably polyurethane, more preferably polyurethane liquid, in a linear or slightly curved pattern. Of course, any suitable reinforcing material may be used as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art. According to a preferred embodiment, the lines are no wider than about 2 mm, preferably about 1 to about 1.5 mm wide.
According to another preferred embodiment, the.polyurethane lines are. applied in vertical lines or in an "M"
pattern and in horizontal lines, wherein the horizontal lines are preferably about 1 cm apart.
According to a further preferred embodiment, the polyurethane in applied in at least about 5, preferably about 7, more preferably about 9 vertical lines and at least about 3, preferably about 5 and more preferably about 7 horizontal lines. Preferably, the top 16, as well as the front 12 mesh/lace will have no polyurethane reinforcement. The polyurethane adds support and permits customization of the hairpiece without fraying when the hairpiece is trimmed to fit the wearer.

DC:307330v2 - 6 -Once the reinforcing material has cured and dried, at least one thin layer ot clear matenal, preferably a clear, flexible plastic, more preferably an acrylic spray is applied to the entire base unit. In a preferred embodiment, at least three (3) layers are applied, allowing each layer to dry to the touch, about 10 min., before applying the next layer. The base unit is now ready for knotting.

According to another preferred embodiment, the back 18 is prepared in two parts, preferably three parts, e.g., lower sides on each side and a back middle part, wherein the nylon mesh or lace is laid flat to the block, in a straight downward direction, the midsection is laid straight across, overlapping at the polyurethane reinforcement lines, preferably at the 4th and 6th vertical polyurethane lines. The front 12 mesh/lace is then added to the last about 5 to about 10 cm of the hairline 10. Preferably, the mesh/lace should overlap 14 the top 16 by about 0.5 to 0.8 cm, preferably about 0.6 cm to about 0.7 cm. The lace is then blocked in a stretch pull manner to create a hooking effect, i.e., stretching the lace around the forehead to shape it to the forehead and make it fit snugly, at the front 12 for a proper fit. Two (2) to three (3) small pleats are then placed where the mesh/lace is connected at overlap 14 to create depth. The lace is secured with two (2) lines of stitching at either end of the overlap 14 and excess lace at the top is cut at the stitching line facing the top of the base. The polyurethane lines are now applied, preferably with three (3) layers of polyurethane using masking tape to create fine lines.
After the polyurethane is dry, a thin layer coating of liquid polyurethane is sprayed on, preferably two (2), more preferably three (3) layers.

As seen in Fig._ 3, according to a preferred embodiment, several kinds of knots are used to create a natural appearance. For example, the knotted back 38 of the hair replacement or hairpiece is preferably comprised of single flat knots. According to another embodiment, the knotted back 38 is comprised of a blend of flat, single and double hair knots in the middle area of the knotted back 38 and single hair, tight, flat knots in the side areas of the knotted back 38. The knotted top 34 and the knotted sides 32 are preferably a blend of alternating single hair flat knots and single hair split knots. The knotted crown 36 and the knotted front 30 are preferably single hair split knots. Alternatively, the knotted crown 36, knotted top 34 and knotted front 30 are preferably a blend of single hair flat knots and single hair split knots.
Knotting methods, including flat and split knotting techniques are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

DC:307330v2 -7-The amount of split and flat knots will vary from area to area. As seen in Fig. 3, the ~
arrow indicates areas with flat knots and the 9--> arrow indicates areas with split ' knots.
Preferably, the flat knots are tight and close to the base unit, so that they are as invisible as possible, especially when darker hair colors are used. The split knots should also be tight, but by their very nature, appear softer and need not be as tight as the flat knots.
Split knots also have the added advantage of creating styling flexibility and lift as well as movement to the hair replacement or hairpiece.

Density should be adjusted depending on the desired appearance. According to a preferred embodiment, mesh or lace material with different size holes is used so that when hair is knotted in every hole, a thicker hairpiece results if the mesh or lace has small holes and a thinner hairpiece results if the mesh or lace has larger holes. Alternatively, an average or smaller size mesh or lace can be used and holes can be left open to create a thinner hairpiece, i.e., the more holes left open in the mesh or lace of the base unit, the lesser the density of the hair replacement or hairpiece will be. For applications seeking to match finer natural hair, the density of the hair replacement or hairpiece should be adjusted accordingly, meaning that either a mesh or lace with larger holes is used and every hole has a hair or, a mesh or lace with smaller holes is used and some holes are left open in the base unit. In any case, the density of the hair replacement or hairpiece can be easily adjusted to achieve the desired results with either.
of these techniques.
However, if ventilation is desired, the method of using a smaller lace and skipping holes is preferred. It should be notes that for applications where lighter colored hair is desired, the density will appear thinner anyway, because lighter hair is typically finer.

Further, the number of split knots used will affect the density, because split knots create volume and movement. Fig. 3 depicts a knotting pattern which may be used to create a medium, full density hair replacement or hairpiece for an application which is trying to match an existing, natural head of hair which is not too thin and not too thick.

With respect to knotting direction, the knotted back 38 is preferably kept flat and tight to the base unit by using flat knots in order to get a good blend with the natural hair. According to the present invention, it is important to match volume as well as color and density in order to achieve a natural appearance. A straight downward hair direction with a natural density is preferred for the knotted back 38, whereas on the knotted top 34, and especially in the knotted DC:307330v2 - 8 ' crown 36, more volume and flexibility in style is preferred. Such results are achieved using a combination of single hair, flat and split knots in varying amounts in different areas such as at the knotted top 34 and knotted crown 36 of the hair replacement or hairpiece.
According to a preferred embodiment, the knotted crown 36 comprises only split knots. Special care must be taken in the front knotted 30 and knotted sides 32, which is the most visible area of the hair replacement or hairpiece. For example, in one preferred embodiment, blonde hair is used in the knotted front 30 and knotted sides 32 and hairline 10 and the knots are bleached even blonder while still creating a natural density pattern around this area.

As seen in Fig. 3, excepted for the knotted back 38 and the hairline 10, the entire hairpiece will be knotted in the reverse direction, i.e., in the forward direction, from ear to forehead. In order to permit the hair to fall in any direction, a crisscross knotting technique is used. In this technique, one row of holes is the lace or mesh is knotted to the rights, and the next row is knotted to the left. Such a crisscross pattern allows the hair of the hair replacement or hairpiece to be styled in any way, including, but not limited to, Caesar Style, pompadour style and the like and to be parted anywhere. In a preferred embodiment, the most natural results are obtained when care is taken to ensure that there is no interruption in direction between the crisscross areas and the flat knots on the knotted back 38 of the hair piece.
In order to obtain a natural result, the area where the knotted top 34 meets the knotted back 38 has a knotted overlap 39, wherein every other knot in the uppermost area of the knotted back 38, are preferably single hair split knots, fixed to the hair piece in a reverse, i.e., forward direction (back to front). In other words, in the knotted overlap 39, the uppermost area of knotted back 38, preferably comprises single hair flat knots fixed in a downward direction and single hair split knots fixed in a forward directed.

Turning now in more detail to Fig. 3, the knotted back 38 is preferably knotted with tight, flat knots using single or double hairs, preferably single hairs one at a time. In a preferred embodiment, the hair in the knotted back 38 is knotted in the downward direction. For medium density, a hair will be knotted every 2nd to 3rd hole, unless a medium density lace is used and then every hole will have a hair. The knotted front 30 is preferably about 3-4 rows of the mesh or lace, about 5 cm to 6 cm wide. The knotted sides 32 are preferably about 3-4 rows of mesh or lace, about 2 cm wide. Knotted front 30 and knotted sides 32 are also the areas where the top 16 connects with the front 12. In a preferred embodiment, a break in density is avoided at the DC:307330v2 - 9 -overlap 14 by ensuring that most of the knots are knotted only in the top layer of the iront 12 and only a few knots should go through both materials for added support of the stitching. In this area, most of the knots are alternating split and flat knots, preferably two (2) split knots to every one (1) flat knot on larger holed mesh or lace. Even and tight knots are preferable to further prevent a break in the movement.

The knotted top 34 is preferably knotted with alternating single hair flat knots and single hair split knots in a crisscross pattern. To balance the amount of split knots with the desired density, every 2"d and 3rd hole should be preferably knotted with two single hair flat knots and then one single hair split knot if a mesh or lace is used that has an appropriate hole size. In the knotted top 34, a blend of 50% split knot and 50% flat knot is preferred with tight knots.

The knotted crown 36 is knotted with single hair split knots in a crisscross pattern.
According to another embodiment, every 2 d hole in the knotted crown 36 may alternatively be knotted with a single hair flat knot and a single hair split knot, in order to create movement and lift, preferably 80% single hair split knots and 20% single hair, tight flat knots knotted in a crisscross pattern, in a reverse direction.

In the front 12, the hairline 10 has a knotted front 30 and knotted sides 32.
In this area, any lines, especially straight lines, should preferably be avoided. According to a preferred embodiment, about 90% of the knots should be single hair split knots and 10%
should be single hair flat knots. According to another preferred embodiment, about 80% should be single hair split knots and 20% should be single hair flat knots. According to a further preferred embodiment, about 70% of the area is covered by single hair, split knots and about 30% of the area is covered by single hair, flat tight knots. As this area is the most visible, the edge of this area should be very soft and not show a line. As seen in Fig. 3, the knotted front 30 preferably comprises single hair split knots, attached to the base in a crisscross pattern and the knotted sides 32 are preferably alternating single hair split knots and flat knots.

Fig. 4 represents a detail of the hairline 10 wherein the outer edge of the hairline 10 comprises single hair split knots, knotted in the non-reverse direction, i.e., from forehead to ear.
The knotted front 30 is immediately next to the hairline 10 in the front and comprises single hair split knots, knotted in a crisscross pattern. The knotted sides 32 are immediately next to the DC:307330v2 - 10 -hairline 10 on the sides, and comprise alternating single hair split knots and single hair flat knots in a reverse direction, i.e., from ear to forehead.

Another important aspect of the present invention is the hair quality and design. For example, in one embodiment, the hair replacement or hairpiece will have various blends of stripped, virgin hair, preferably Indian and European, more preferably Russian hair. According to a preferred embodiment, the lighter the desired color of the final hair replacement or hairpiece, the more Russian hair is used in order to avoid the need for bleaching as much as possible. By using natural, virgin hair of different colors, excessive chemical treatment can be avoided, resulting in a hairpiece of better quality.

Most Indian hair is cool black to cool medium brown with varying undertones from blue to golden red, which are preferably dyed to achieve cooler colors. According to a preferred embodiment, the hair is dyed with fabric dye or with another method that is well known to one skilled in the art in order to achieve a Level 1(cool black), a Level 2 (cool brown-black), and a Level 3 (cool dark brown) color.

Color Levels 4 (medium brown) and 5 (medium light brown) are archived with a light bleach formula to lighten the hair to a level lighter than needed, and than colored with fabric dye or the like, to eliminate the orange-red undertones resulting from the bleaching.

European, preferably Russian, hair comes in a variety of colors, mostly a Level 6(dark blonde) to a Level 8(medium/light blonde). This hair is separated by color level and undertone in order to archive a Level 6 (dark blonde), a Level 7 (medium blonde) and a Level 8 (medium/light blonde) color variation using fabric dye formulas involving blue and violet pigments or any other method known that is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The Level 9 and lighter Russian hair is left natural and is only used for the front hairline area (about 2-3 cm). If these lighter colors are not available, the next darker natural hair color will be used so that a minimum amount of bleaching is necessary, which helps prevent hair breakage and hair loss. If desired, for hairstyles with distinguished parts or crown areas (Cesar styles), natural blonde hair can also be used in the part or crown area to avoid over-bleaching the knots from a darker level to a pale blonde.

The knots can then be bleached after the hair replacement or hairpiece is made using a bleach solution comprising about 6 to 9% peroxide.

DC:307330v2 - 11 -All white hair is preferably a synthetic blend of different whites, including ivory, silver, yellow-white, in order to archive a natural gray hair replacement or hairpiece for wearers with a higher percentage of gray hair color, i.e., over 50%. The use of synthetic hair in this instance prevents the yellowing effect that is common when natural white hair is used.

In order to prepare the hair, it is first stripped by removing its cuticle to prevent the hair from tangling. The different origins and thickness of the hair determines the strength and developing time of the cuticle removing acid wash. In general, the cuticle on Russian hair is easier to remove and needs milder treatment than the cuticle on Indian hair.
All cuticle removing is preferably done after the hair is sorted, but prior to perming and coloring. Preferably, an intensive conditioning follows the cuticle removing, prior to any coloring and bleaching, especially for Levels 4 and 5.

Fig. 2 represents the preferred color pattern according to the present invention. The lightest color is in the colored front 20 and the darkest color is in the colored back 24. According to a preferred embodiment, a colored top 22 has a medium color. According to a more preferred embodiment, there may also be multiple color regions, gradually going from light to dark from the hairline 10 in the front to the back 18 of the hairpiece.

The colors acliieved using the procedures described herein are basic opaque colors and do not sufficiently reflect a natural blend of hair colors. Therefore, a blending of different colors is needed in order to more closely simulate natural hair color. Further, depending on the desired end result, appropriate amounts of gray/white hair may be added as needed.
Moreover, in order to achieve a natural color effect, the first overlap 26 and the second overlap 28 between the color regions are zigzagged to blend the light/medium colors in first overlap 26 and the medium/dark colors in the second overlap 28.

To follow are examples of certain color blends for Levels 1, 2 and 3.

Exanavle 1, Level 1, Cool Black:

Colored back 24 has a mix of 80% Level 1 and 20 % Level 2;

Colored top 22 has a mix of 70% Level 1 and 20% Level 2 and 10% Russian Level medium cool;

DC:307330v2 - 12 -Colored front 20 has a mix of 50% Level 1 and 30% Level 2 and 20% Russian Level 6 cool; and Hairline 10 (about 3 cm) is a natural blonde Russian hair with bleached knots.
Example 2, Level 2, Cool Darkest Brown:

Colored back 24 has a mix of 80% Level 2 and 20 % Level 3;

Colored top 22 has a mix of 70% Level 2 and 20% Level 3 and 10% Russian Level cool;

Colored front 20 has a mix of 50% Level 2 and 30% Level 3 and 20% Russian Level 6 cool; and Hairline 10 (about 3 cm) is a natural blonde Russian hair with bleached knots.
Example 3, Level 3, Cool Medium Brown:

Colored back 24 has a mix of 80% Level 3 and 20 % Level 4;

Colored top 22 has a mix of 70% Level 3 and 20% Level 4 and 10% Russian Level cool;

Colored front 20 has a mix of 50% Level 3 and 30% Level 4 and 20% Russian Level 6 cool; and Hairline 10 (about 3 cm) is a natural blonde Russian hair with bleached knots.

Examnle 4, Level 6/7, Medium Dark Cool Blonde:

Colored back 24 has a mix of 80% Russian Level 6 cool and natural, non-colored Russian Level 6;

Colored top 22 has a mix of 70% Russian Level 6 cool and 20% Russian Level 7 cool and 10% Russian Level 8;

Colored front 20 has a mix of 50% Russian Level 6 cool and 30% Level 7 cool and 20%
Russian Leve18; and DC:307330v2 - 13 -Hairline 10 (about 3 cm) is either a mix of 5U% Russian Level 6 cool and 30%
Level 7 cool and 20% Russian Level 8 or a natural blonde Russian hair, but in either case, the knots are bleached.

According to a preferred embodiment, if the hair is to be permed, the hair is permed after the cuticle is removing but prior to the coloring or light bleaching (Level 4 and 5). Preferably, the perm is a generic body wave, which will give support and movement to the hair. The penn size will depend on whether an acid or an alkaline penn is used. In general, acid perms require smaller penn sizes than an alkaline penn.

Once the hairpiece is finished, it may be attached to the wearer using bonds, glues, adhesives, braiding, tape, clips (such as spring clips or another suitable alternative) or any other method commonly known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

It can be appreciated that variations to this invention would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and this invention is intended to include those alternatives.

While this invention is clearly designed to address the unique needs of men suffering from pattern baldness, that does not preclude men with other types of hair loss, women or children from wearing the hair replacement/hairpiece of the present invention and taking advantage of the unique features of same.

Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents thereto.

DC:307330v2 - 14 -

Claims (30)

1. A hairpiece comprising a base, wherein the base comprises front and side hairline areas comprised of coated lace.

2. A hairpiece comprising a base, wherein the base comprises a reinforced back area.

3. The hairpiece of claim 2, wherein the back area is reinforced with polyurethane.

4. The hairpiece of claim 2, wherein the back area is reinforced with about 7 horizontal lines and about 9 vertical lines of polyurethane.

5. A hairpiece comprising a base, wherein the base comprises a back area comprised of at least two pieces.

6. The hairpiece of claim 5, wherein the back area comprises at least three pieces.

7. A hairpiece comprising a base, wherein the base has front, side, top, crown and back areas wherein the front and crown areas comprises hair fixed to the base with single hair split knots, the side and top area comprises hair fixed to the base with alternating single hair flat knots and single hair split knots and the back area comprises hair fixed to the base with single hair flat knots.

8. The hairpiece of claim 7, wherein the hair fixed to the base in the front, crown and top areas are fixed to the base in a crisscross pattern.

9. The hairpiece of claim 7, wherein the hair fixed to the base in the back area is fixed to the base in a vertical, downward direction.

10. The hairpiece of claim 7, wherein the hair fixed to the base in the side area is fixed to the base in a horizontal, forward direction.

11. The hairpiece of claim 7, wherein the front area further comprises a hairline comprising hair fixed to the base with single hair split knots.

12. The hairpiece of claim 11, wherein the single hair split knots of the hairline are fixed to the base in a horizontal, backward direction.

13. A hairpiece comprising a base, wherein the base has at least two (2) color regions comprising a lighter shade in the front area and a darker shade in the back area.

14. The hairpiece of claim 13, wherein the base has at least three (3) color regions further comprising a medium shade in the top and crown areas.

15. The hairpiece of claim 13, wherein the hair comprises natural human hair.

16. The hairpiece of claim 15, wherein the natural hair comprises European hair.

17. The hairpiece of claim 15, wherein the European hair comprises Russian hair.

18. The hairpiece of claim 15, wherein the color of the natural hair is enhanced.

19. The hairpiece of claim 15, wherein the cuticle is removed from the natural hair.

20. A hairpiece comprising a base, wherein the base comprises front, side, top, crown and back areas wherein the front and side areas comprise coated lace, the back area comprises a reinforced area and at least two pieces, the front and crown areas comprise hair fixed to the base with single hair split knots, the side and top area comprises hair fixed to the base with alternating single hair flat knots and single hair split knots and the back area comprises hair fixed to the base with single hair flat knots, and the base has at least two (2) color regions comprising a lighter shade in the front area and a darker shade in the back area.

21. The hairpiece of claim 20, wherein the back area is reinforced with polyurethane.

22. The hairpiece of claim 20, wherein the back area comprises at least three pieces.

23. The hairpiece of claim 20, wherein the hair fixed to the base in the front, crown and top areas are fixed to the base in a crisscross pattern.

24. The hairpiece of claim 20, wherein the hair fixed to the base in the back area is fixed to the base in a vertical, downward direction.

25. The hairpiece of claim 20, wherein the hair fixed to the base in the side area is fixed to the base in a horizontal, forward direction.

26. The hairpiece of claim 20, wherein the front area further comprises a hairline comprising hair fixed to the base with single hair split knots.

27. The hairpiece of claim 20, wherein the single hair split knots of the hairline are fixed to the base in a horizontal, backward direction.

28. The hairpiece of claim 20, wherein the base has at least three (3) color regions further comprising a medium shade in the top and crown areas.

29. The hairpiece of claim 20, wherein the hair comprises natural human hair devoid of cuticle.

30. The hairpiece of claim 29, wherein the color of the natural hair is enhanced.