US3390689A - Arrangement for treating hair - Google Patents

Description

July 2, 1968 M. NEWMAN 3,390,689

ARRANGEMENT FOR TREATING HAIR Filed March 24, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet `1 .drrae/l/Ey July 2, 1968 M. NEWMAN 3,390,689

ARRANGEMENT FOR TREATING HAIR Filed March `2.4, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 22 24 23 n@ y. Mm xix/Tg5 July 2, 1968 M NEWMAN 3,390,689

ARRANGEMENT FOR TREATING HAIR Filed March 24, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 A762. JZ.

BW g/Qw United States Patent Office 3,390,689 Patented July 2, 1968 3,390,689 ARRANGEMENT FOR TREATING HAIR Martin Newman, 815 S. LeDoux,

Los Angeles, Calif. 90035 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 259,768, Feb. 4, 1963. This application Mar. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 469,958

10 Claims. (Cl. 132-9) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A head covering device for treating hair which includes a continuous sheet of duid-impervious material having spaced thickened portions providing protuberances dented to allow the sheet to be punctured at those loc'ations for drawing strands of hair outwardly. A reinforcing ring of thickened material may be provided around each protuberance.

This application is a continuation-impart of my copending application Ser. No. 259,768, filed Feb. 4, 1963, for Arrangement for Treating Hair, now abandoned, which `is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser. No. 182,034, tiled Mar. 23, 1962, now abandoned.

This invention pertains to a hair treating arrangement and particularly to a head cover through which are drawn strands of hair for bleaching or the like.

Frequently in hair beautieation, it is desired to operate on a few individual strands of hair. This may involve what is known as hair tipping, where portions only of the hair are to be bleached or otherwise colored. Obviously, the operator can select and grasp a lock of the hair to be dipped in the bleach or other uid. However, this is a difficult operation because the liquid used tends to con-v tact the adjacent portions of the hair and not merely the strands selected. As a result, instead of treating a single tress as desired, a spotted or splotched appearance obtains.

In an etort to alleviate this, it was proposed in the past to provide a hair covering having perforations through which the hair strands could be drawn. This was to separate the hair to be treated from the remainder of the hair. While this suggestion possesses certain obvious advantages, nevertheless it is not satisfactory in many respects. This is because the liquid is free to run down the strand of hair, through the aperture in the head covering, and then to spread out beneath. Thus, again a spotted appearance often results rather than the anticipated bleaching or other treating of only a selected lock of hair.

The device of this invention overcomes the problems of the prior art by the provision of a head covering such as a hat through which the strands of hair may be drawn, and which seats around the hair which is so removed from beneath it. Then in operating on the hair on the exterior of the hat, the liquid cannot run through the opening and will not contact the adjacent hair. In accomplishing this, the hat may be formed as a laminated structure having'a layer of a mastic material in between two Outer sheets. The hat is not perforated before use, and is punctured only when the hair is to be drawn out, whereupon the mastic forms a seal to preclude leakage of fluid. Although the hat is continuous and of a fluid-impervious nature, indentations may be provided in the exterior layer to assist in making the perforations through the hat. A brim may be included to collect any fluid that runs' down over the exterior of the unit. Alternative to the laminated arrangement, the hat may be constructed of a continuous ilm of material that is of a sealing nature in and of itself. This avoids the necessity for a laminated construction, again forming a seal around the opening punctured through the hat to prevent leakage of uid around the strand of hair.

Particularly advantageous where theunit is made of a single film of material is an embodiment in which amultiplicity of spaced locally thickened portions are provided about the surface of the sheet member. These may be projecting portions that are semispherical in shape and include indentations through which thel instrument is passed in drawing hair from beneath the hat. The extra quantity of material at these locations is effective invcausing the material to seal around the hair to preclude leakage of fluid to the area beneath the hat.

Greater strength and ability to seal are realized when there is an additional thickened portion in the form of a thickened ring of material crcumscribing'each of the proj tuberances. There is a space of normal thickness between the ring and the protuberance, assuring minimum sheet thickness at the lock of hair to give access tothe roots of the hair, while at the same time assuring that iluid cannot run through the puncture to spot beneath the protective head covering.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an arrangement for treating individual portions of hair.

Another object of this invention is to provide a head covering used in treating hair that allows strands of hair to be drawn to the outside while preventing ilow of liquid to the undersurface.

A further object of this invention is to provide a hairtreating arrangement in the form of a fluiddmpervious hat to be punctured when a strand of hair is to be drawn outwardly, and of a nature to seal around the hair when the hat is punctured. l

An additional object of this invention is to provide a device for tipping hair usable several different times.

Yet another object of this invention s'to provide a hat puncturable for drawing out strands of hair for treatment, the hat including means to facilitate the locating of the puncture to be made.

A still further object of this invention is to lprovide a device for treating individual locks of hair which effectively prevents uid from contacting other parts of the hair, and which allows substantially the full length of the lock to be treated. y

These and other `objects will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of the arrangement of this invention in use in treating hair;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE l illustrating the manner in which a strand of hair is drawn outwardly through the hat;

FIGURE 3 is a further enlarged sectional View taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2, but with the hook implement in a different position, showing in detail the construction of the laminated head covering device;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of the invention in which the material of the hat is of a sealing nature; p

FIGURE 5- is a fragmentary perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention in which spaced protuberances project from a unitary sheet defining the hair covering device;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the embodiment of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a further enlarged transverse sectional view, taken along line 7-7 of FIGURE 6, illustrating the form of the protuberance and the indentation therein;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 7 l illustrating the device after a strand of hair has been tuberance to provide greater strength and ability to seal; and

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIGURE 10.

With reference to the drawing, the device of this invention may include a hat-like covering 1 which is positioned over the top of the head, covering hair prior to treatment. The unit 1 is of a flexible nature dimensioned to t comfortably over the head of a person while covering substantially all portions of the scalp. Preferably, the unit 1 is constructed so that a brim 2 is formed or can be rolled up 'at the periphery. This brim provides a channel 3 which collects any fluid which may run over the outer surface of the unit 1 during use.

The unit 1 is of laminated construction including any outer layer 4, an inner sheet 5, and an interlayer 6 between the sheets 4 and 5. Layers 4 and 5 may be flexible plastic material such as polyvinylchloride resin of about two mills thickness. The interlayer 6 is of a sealant material such as a plastic mastic adhesive. Thus, the material 6 is a nonhardening, or tacky, substance.

The layers of the unit 1 are continuous and include no openings therethrough. It is preferred, however, to include a plurality of indentations 7 in the extrerior sheet 4. These are to provide convenient locations where punctures are to be made as the hat is used and the hair is treated.

The hair to be bleached or otherwise dealt with is drawn to the exterior of the unit 1 by means of an implement 8. This device resembles a conventional crochet needle having an elongated shank terminating in a hooked end portion 9.

Therefore, to use the device of this invention the operator presses the end 9 through the unit 1 at the location of one of the indentations 7. With the use of the relatively thin flexible vinyl sheets and the mastic innerlayer, it is a simple matter to puncture the hat and force the hook through the opening thus formed, as generally illustrated in FIGURE 3. With the hook inside in this manner, it is engaged with the portion of hair beneath and then pulled outwardly, thereby drawing a lock of hair 10 through the punctured opening, as seen in FIGURE 2. In this manner individual spaced strands of hair may be brought to the exterior of the hat 1.

The tacky mastic innerlayer 6 seals around the hair that extends through the opening caused by puncturing by the implement 8. Thus, even though the hat 1 is punctured in many places as the strands of hair are drawn outwardly, in each instance the mastic innerlayer automatically forms a seal around the hair. Hence, as subsequently the operator is treating the hair, no liquid can run down through the openings in the hat 1 formed by the implement 8. This means that, where spotting was a frequent occurrence with prior art arrangements, it is entirely avoided by the provisions of this invention. It is a simple matter even for relatively unskilled personnel to provide `a neat hair tipping operation exactly in a predetermined manner. The indentations 7 on the exterior of the hat 1 facilitate the puncturing operation and assist the operator in properly spacing the strands of hair to lbe treated. Nevertheless, the underneath portions are protected at all times, and with the remainder of the sheet unperforated, no fluid can flow beneath the hat 1. Any leakage along the outer surface is collected in the brim channel 3.

Following the bleaching operation, generally it is pre'- ferred to include a second covering over the hat 1 during the setting operation for the treated hair.

If desired, the invention may be modified as indicated in FIGURE 4. Here, instead of the laminated construction, the hat 11 is only a single thickness of continuous sheet material. This material is of such a nature that it will form a seal around the hair when it is punctured. lFor this purpose, again vinyl material may be utilized. Specifically, it may be polyvinylchloride resins in suitable plasticizers and stabilizers to provide a material having a certain amount of elasticity. A suitable material has about to 45 Shore A hardness, and may be of approximately 18 to 34 mils in thickness. This gives a Huid-impervious substance that can be punctured without difculty by the implement 8, and which will contract and seal around the openings for the strands of hair passing through the openings. This design is particularly adapted to low cost molded construction.

Preferably with the unit 11, instead of the indentations as for the previously described embodiment, there are spaced markings 12 suitably formed to be visible from the exterior of the hat. These markings may be in groups of three with the individual markings in each group being of different colors. Alternatively, markings in the groups may be of distinctive shapes. For illustration, there may be seen in FIGURE 4 groups 12 each of which includes a circle 13, a square 14, and a triangle 15. These groups 12 are repeated over the exterior of the hat. As a result, the hat is readily usable for three hair-treating operations. For the iirst, the operator may elect to puncture the hat at the locations of the circles. The hair is then drawn out and bleached or otherwise treated in the usual manner. For the next hair-treating operation at a later time, the square markings may be chosen as the locations for puncturing the hat. Subsequently, of course, the triangles may serve to direct the puncturing of the hat for treating the hair. It is obvious, of course, that such markings may be utilized with the embodiment of FIGURES 1-3, or that indentations are possible for the arrangement of FIG- URE 4.

An arrangement of lthe invention illustrated in FIG- URES 5, 6, 7 and 8 also is adapted for low cost molded construction Vutilizing a single unitary sheet of material. Any rubber-like elastomer may be utilized. This may be a vinyl dispersion, having the characteristics of flexibility and elastic memory.

The head covering or hat 16 includes a brim 17 substantially as before, which is adapted to be rolled upwardly to capture the liquid which may run olf the exterior surface of the hat. Projecting from the outer surface of the hat 16 is a plurality of protuberances 18. These elements, which are integral with the remainder of the sheet member, preferably Iare made of substantially semispherical contour as best seen in FIGURES 6 and 7. In a typical example, their radius of generation is %2 inch. At the central outer portion of each protuberance 18 is an indentation 19. This is conical in form and radially directed, with its apex 20 at the inner end of the recess 19. The recess 19 extends into the protuberance 18 a distance so that the apex 20 is substantially aligned with the exterior surface 21 of the sheet element forming the hat 16. At its outer edge, the indentation 19 in the example given has a diameter of from IAG inch to 1%.; inch.

This version of the invention is utilized substantially the same las for the previously described embodiment. The end of the implement 8 is forced downwardly through the indentation 19 puncturing the material beneath the inner end 20. Then, the implement 8 draws a lock of hair 10 upwardly through the puncture and the opening 19.

A considerably greater sealing eifect is obtained by the use of the thickened portion 18 at the location where the puncture is made. The increased material at this point constricts the expansion and precludes any tearing of the sheet material. 'Ihe result is a natural tendency for the material 4to contract about the strand of hair 10 to form a perfect fluid-tight seal. Thus, this embodiment of the invention lavoids the expense and complexity of a laminated construction as illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. It also avoids the necessity of special material formulation as may be required for the embodiment of FIGURE 4, as well as forming a far superior seal around the lock of hair to that obtained with the arrangement of FIGURE 4. The constricting ring of thickened material is readily formed in a molding process, hence not being an item of any significant cost.

The indentation 19 serves an important function in assuring that the puncturmg implement willv pass through the mdportion of the protuberance so that maximum sealing effect is obtained. The conical shape of this recess allows the implement -to enter the opening readily, yet assures that the recess tapers to a minimum dimension at the point where the puncture is to be made. As a result, there is no tendency to tear the material, and the whole width dimension of the protuberance at its base is effective in assuring that :a seal is formed around the lock of hair.

While exteriorly projecting semispherical protuberances normally are utilized, the invention is not limited to such arrangements. Locally thickened areas of other configuration are possible. In the arrangement of FIGURE 9, there are projections 22 similar in contour to the protuberances 18 described above. However, these elements extend from the inner surface 23 of the sheet material rather than from the exterior surface as in the previously described embodiment. With the recess 24 in the protuberance 22 facing the interior of the sheet, it is somewhat more difficult to puncture accurately at the center of the protuberance from the outside surface 25 than in the previously described arrangement where the protuberances are on the exterior. Asa practical matter, therefore, the arrangement of FIG- URES 5 through 8 is easier and more satisfactory to use.

One of the advantages realized -by this invention arises from the transparent nature of the material utilized in the covering for the hair. This is true for :any version of the device. Even the nonhardening or tacky interlayer of the laminated unit can be made transparent or at least partially transparent. Therefore, the operator can handle the implement 8 to maximum advantage by being able to view conditions beneath the cover sheet.

One of the objectives in the bleaching or other treatment of individual locks of hair is to cause the treating fluid to reach as close as possible to the scalp. Thus, if a lock of hair is to -be bleached, the pigment should be removed through the full length of the lock of hair to its roots to avoid an artificial appearance and to permit the treatment to last a maximum period of time without reapplication. Consequently, the head covering of this invention should be very thin to allow such access to the root areas of the hair. Conflicting with this is the fact that, in order to seal most effectively around the hair to prevent the bleach or other iiuid from running beneath the hat, the covering sheet should have the thickened areas (protuberances `18) jat the locations where the punctures are made. As described above, these protuberances cause the material to closely confine the base portion of the lock of hair, forming the seal that prevents the liquid from running through the opening.

In utilizing the arrangement of FIGURES and 11, it is possible to minimize the thickness of each protuberance from the surface of the hat while, rat the same time, assuring a positive seal around the hair and strengthening the head covering so that it will not tear. In this version of the invention, the head covering 26 is generally similar to the element 16, being dome-shaped to fit over the head and provided with -a brim to receive any runoff liquid. Preferably, too, the element 26 is of a unitary sheet material, typically a vinyl dispersion that has flexibility and elastic memory.

As before, there are at intervals semispherical protuberances 27, each provided with .a radially extending conical indentation 28, which may extend inwardly substantially to the level of the outer surface 29. The indentations 28, the axes of which are normal to the surface of the sheet, allow punctures to be made for drawing out individual locks of hair.

In :addition lto the protuberances 27, however, the sheet 26 has around each one of the protuberances 27 an annular projection 30. Each of these is a thickened portion on the exterior surface 29 of the sheet 26, closely spaced from the protuberance 27 and semicircular in cross section, as seen in FIGURE 1l. Hence, the annular thickened parts 30 :are convex outwardly and form a concentric ring around each of the protuberances 27. There is a small annular zone 31 of the normal sheet thickness between each ring 30 and its protuberance 27 This added thickened portion 30 circumscribing the protuberance through which the puncture is made considerably improves the strength and ability to seal, while at the same time permitting the protuberance and the sheet in general to be made to the smallest possible thickness. It also gives the head covering an increased resistance to tearing so that, even for a carelessly made puncture, any rip formed in the sheet 26 will be confined. The operator st illcan see through the sheet 26 quite readily because of the fact that it is very thin, and there is full access to substantially the entire length of the lock of hair drawn through the puncture formed at the identation 28. Optimum results, therefore, are realized through the utilization of the arrangement of FIGURES l() and 11.

While one of the principal uses of the invention is in tipping human hair, it is not limited to such purpose. It is equally suitable for use with wigs. Additionally, it can be employed in treating fur. In such instances, it will -generally not be contoured as in the above-described embodiments, but may be in at sheet form or other shape so that it lmay be placed over a piece of fur.

It is apparent from the foregoing that, regardless of which version of the invention is selected, the results are superior to the prior arrangements wherein leakage always was a problem. Nevertheless, the unit itself may be constructed of relatively low cost material and basically is an expendable item. It lends itself to use even by relatively unskilled operators.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A device for treating locks of hair comprising a Huid-impervious continuous sheet of flexible elastomeric material,

said sheet being substantially dome-shaped,

whereby said sheet is adapted to lit over the scalp of a person, said sheet having a plurality of spaced thickened portions provided by protuberances integral with said sheet and extending from the outer surface thereof, each of said protuberances including an indentation extending inwardly from the outer portion thereof to provide a relatively thin wall at the inner end of each of said indentations,

whereby said sheet is puncturable at said indentations for permitting a lock o'f hair to be drawn therethrough. 2. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said indentations are substantially conical in shape with lthe apices thereof at the inner ends of said indentations.

3. A device as recited in claim 1 in which said sheet is provided with an annular thickened portion around each of said protuberances.

4. A device for treating locks of hair comprising a continuous sheet of substantially transparent rubberlike elastomeric material,

said sheet being substantially dome-shaped whereby said sheet is adapted to fit over the scalp of a person, said sheet having a plurality of spaced integral substantially semispherical protuberances projecting from the outer surface thereof,

each of said protuberances including an indentation extending from the youter midportion thereof inwardly of said protuberances for permitting said sheet to be punctured at said indentations. 5. A device as recited in claim 4 in which each of said indentations extends radially inwardly from the exterior of the protuberances to a location substantially in alignment With the exterior surface of said sheet. 6. A device as recited in claim 5 in which said indentations are substantially conical in shape having their apices at the inner ends thereof. 7. A device as recited in claim 4 in which said sheet includes an annular thickened portion concentrically circumscribing each of Said protuberances in a spaced relationship therewith. 8. A device for treating locks of hair comprising a continuous sheet of substantially transparent rubberlike elastomeric material,

said sheet having a substantially dome-shaped coniguration so that it is adapted to lit over the head of a person, said sheet having a brim portion at the periphery thereof capable of assuming an upturned position to catch uid, said sheet having a plurality of spaced integral substantially semispherical protuberances projecting from the outer surface thereof,

each of said protuberances including a substantially radially extending indentation extending from the outer midportion thereof inwardly of the protuberance for permitting said sheet to be punctured at said indentations,

said sheet additionally having an annular thickened portion circumscribing each of said protuberances in a closely spaced relationship therewith. 9. A device as recited in claim 8 in which each of said annular thickened portion comprises a ring concentric with the protuberance it circumscribes,

said ring being in closely spaced relationship with with said protuberance,

thereby to define an intermediate relatively thinner zone between said ring and said protuberance. 10. A device as recited in claim 9 in which said annular thickened portions extend from said outer surface of said sheet, and are substantially semicircular in cross section.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,957,480 10/ 1960 Wido" et al. 132-7 3,249,113 5/ 1766 Sobeck 132--9 3,270,753 9/1966 Cook et al. 132-9 3,304,945 2/ 1967 Anderson 132-9 LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner.

G. E. MCNEILL, Assistant Examiner.

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