Abstract:
The present invention relates to a device for rolling a lock of hair, the device comprising: a deformable curler extending along a longitudinal axis, capable of taking up a first configuration enabling the lock of hair to be rolled up on the curler, and a second configuration in which at least a fraction of the length of the curler presents a radial dimension that is smaller than in the first configuration so as to facilitate extraction of the curler from the lock that has been rolled up in this way; and a control member enabling the curler to be changed from the first configuration to the second configuration.

Description:
[0001]     This non-provisional application claims the benefit of French Application No. 04 51046 filed on May 27, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/579,241 filed on Jun. 15, 2004, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to treating at least one lock of hair, for example, to implement a permanent wave.  
         [0003]     Permanent waves are based on the principle of deforming hair under the action of a chemical substance while the hair is being subjected to mechanical tension. This tension may be produced, for example, by rolling up the hair around a curler.  
         [0004]     As a general rule, locks of hair are rolled up on a relatively large number of curlers that are distributed more or less uniformly over a head of hair, which takes time, requires some degree of skill, and a great deal of equipment.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     There exists a need to reduce the amount of equipment used for such treatments.  
         [0006]     Various exemplary embodiments of the invention satisfy this need by providing a device for rolling up a lock of hair, the device comprising: a deformable curler extending along a longitudinal axis, arranged to take up a first configuration that enables the lock of hair to be rolled up on the curler, and a second configuration that facilitates extraction of the curler from the lock of hair rolled up on the curler in the first configuration; and a control member arranged to change the curler from the first configuration to the second configuration.  
         [0007]     In the second configuration, the curler may advantageously have a radial dimension, over at least a fraction of a length thereof, that is smaller than in the first configuration. For example, the smaller radial dimension may be in a part of the curler that is not a central region of the curler, for example, a part close to a free end. Such an arrangement may make it easier to extract the curler.  
         [0008]     In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the device may easily be removed from the lock of hair after a permanent wave substance has been applied thereto. This may be advantageous, for example, when the applied substance acts quickly on hair. The time required for making a permanent wave may thus be shortened.  
         [0009]     In exemplary embodiments, the device may include a handle member to which the curler is connected. For example, the curler may be releasably connected to the handle member and the handle member and the curler may co-operate with each other by screw-fastening, for example.  
         [0010]     In exemplary embodiments, the control member may be movable relative to the curler, being movable relative thereto along the longitudinal axis of the curler, for example.  
         [0011]     For example, the control member may comprise a sliding ring, which may advantageously include an outwardly-directed portion in relief making it easier for the user to move the control member.  
         [0012]     In exemplary embodiments, the curler may include a plurality of blades, which may be elastically deformable, for example, being interconnected at proximal ends thereof. All of the blades may be molded together as a single piece, for example.  
         [0013]     In exemplary embodiments, at least one blade may include an enlarged portion in a vicinity of a distal end thereof, the enlarged portion projecting inward. Preferably, this may apply to all of the blades.  
         [0014]     In exemplary embodiments, the control member may comprise a core arranged to push the blades outward, for example, by coming to bear against the enlarged portion.  
         [0015]     In exemplary embodiments, the core and the ring may be made as a single piece, for example, by injection molding a plastics material.  
         [0016]     In exemplary embodiments, the core may include an enlarged head, which may include a tapering portion sloping inward and toward a distal end of the core. At a periphery thereof, the head may also include longitudinal furrows.  
         [0017]     In exemplary embodiments, at least one branch, and preferably two branches, may connect the ring to the core. The curler may include a base, and each branch may be arranged to slide in a respective longitudinal slot formed in the base.  
         [0018]     In exemplary embodiments, the device may include a resilient return element arranged to return the control member toward a position in which the control member urges the curler to pass into the first configuration. The resilient return element may comprise a helical spring, for example, and may be housed at least in part in the handle member.  
         [0019]     In exemplary embodiments, the device may also include an elastically-deformable member that tends to bring the curler into the second configuration. The elastically-deformable member may be annular in shape and may surround the blades. The elastically-deformable member may, for example, be engaged in a groove formed in radially outer surfaces of the blades.  
         [0020]     In the first configuration, the curler may have a shape that is generally cylindrical about the longitudinal axis, while, in the second configuration, the curler may have a shape of transverse dimensions that decrease in a direction toward a free end of the curler. For example, the curler may be generally frustoconical in shape, converging in a direction away from the handle member when in the second configuration.  
         [0021]     Exemplary embodiments of the invention may provide a method for rolling up at least one lock of hair using the device as defined above, the method comprising: 
        rolling a lock of hair around the curler while in the first configuration; applying a substance to the lock of hair as rolled up on the curler; bringing the curler into the second configuration by acting on the control member; and extracting the curler from the lock of hair.        
 
         [0023]     In exemplary embodiments, the lock of hair may be rolled up on the curler by rotating the curler about the longitudinal axis.  
         [0024]     In such a method, the same device may be advantageously reused to roll up another lock of hair.  
         [0025]     For example, the substance applied to the hair may have a viscosity that increases or that solidifies on being put into contact with water. In exemplary embodiments, the curler may be extracted from the lock of hair, for example, less than thirty seconds after the substance has been applied to the lock of hair. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0026]     The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0027]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of an exemplary device with the curler in a first configuration;  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a view analogous to  FIG. 1 , with the curler in a second configuration;  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary and diagrammatic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the device as shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is an end view taken along arrow IV in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of the device as shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is an end view taken along VI in  FIG. 5 ; and  
         [0033]      FIGS. 7A  to  7 E illustrate how the device may be used. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]     The exemplary device  1  shown in the figures may comprise a deformable curler  2  extending along a longitudinal axis X, the curler  2  being connected to a handle member which, in the example shown, may be in the form of a rod  3  extending longitudinally along the same axis X.  
         [0035]     A control member, which may be in the form of a ring  4  arranged to slide along the axis X, may enable a user to actuate the curler  2  to cause the curler to pass from a first configuration shown in  FIG. 1 , in which the curler  2  is generally cylindrical about the axis X, to a second configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , in which the curler  2  is substantially frustoconical in shape, converging away from the handle  3 .  
         [0036]     On the outside, the ring  4  may include a portion in relief  43  that may make it easier for the user to move the ring  4 .  
         [0037]     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the handle  3  may include a threaded skirt  5  and the curler  2  may include a base  6  that is arranged to screw onto said threaded skirt  5 .  
         [0038]     The ring  4  may cover the skirt  5 , as shown.  
         [0039]     The curler  2  may comprise a plurality of flexible blades  10 , for example, six blades as shown. The blades  10  may be connected at proximal ends  11  thereof to the base  6 . The blades  10  may be made integrally by being molded out of a same plastics material as the base  6 .  
         [0040]     In the exemplary embodiment shown, an annular groove  12  may be formed in the outside surface of the blades  10  close to distal ends  13  thereof. The groove  12  may serve to receive an elastic band  15  that urges the blades  10  toward the second configuration shown in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0041]     Each of the blades  10  may include an enlarged portion  17  projecting radially inward close to the distal end  13 . The enlarged portion  17  may be arranged to co-operate with a moving core  20  that includes an enlarged head  21  at a distal end thereof.  
         [0042]     The enlarged portion  17  and an inside face  24  of the corresponding blade  10  together may form a step  23 .  
         [0043]     The head  21  may include a tapering end portion  27  that is connected to a peripheral portion  28  that, in the exemplary embodiment shown, may include longitudinal furrows  40 . The step  23  may slope in a same direction as the tapering portion  27  of the core  20 .  
         [0044]     When the curler  2  is in the first configuration, the enlarged portions  17  of the blades  10  may extend distally relative to the step  23  and may rest against the head  21  so that the blades  10  are spaced apart from one another. The elastic band  15  may be under tension. Outside faces  42  of the blades  10  may be substantially parallel to the axis X.  
         [0045]     When the curler  2  is in the second configuration, the enlarged portions  17  may come to press against one another under a return effect of the elastic band  15  and the tapering end portion  27  of the head  21  may rest against the steps  23  of the blades  10 .  
         [0046]     In the exemplary embodiment shown, the core  20  may be connected to the ring  4  via at least two branches  30 , which may be engaged in corresponding slots  31  of the base  6 . These slots  31  may open to an edge of the base  6  that is adjacent to the handle  3 , thus enabling the core  20  to be put into place between the blades  10  and enabling the branches  30  to be engaged in the slots  31 .  
         [0047]     The handle  3  may include a housing  34  that receives a helical spring  35  with one end bearing against an end  36  of the housing  34  and an opposite end bearing against the branches  30 .  
         [0048]     To assemble the device  1 , the elastic band  15  may be put into place on the blades  10 . The core  20  may be inserted into the curler  2 . The spring  35  may be inserted into the handle  3 . Then, the curler  2  may be screwed onto the handle  3 .  
         [0049]     The exemplary device  1  may be used as follows.  
         [0050]     It is assumed that the curler  2  is in the first configuration as shown in  FIG. 7A . In the first configuration, the head  21  may rub against the inside faces of the blades  10 , and the longitudinal furrows  40  may prevent the blades  10  from skidding on the core  20 .  
         [0051]     The user may roll up a lock M of wet hair by turning the curler  2  about the longitudinal axis X, as shown in  FIG. 7B . Curler paper may be used, where appropriate or desired.  
         [0052]     As shown in  FIG. 7C , the user may apply a permanent wave substance P on the rolled-up lock of hair. The substance P may have a property, for example, of solidifying or increasing in viscosity when coming into contact with water. The substance may be poured onto the surface of the lock and may also penetrate into the internal portion of the roll of hair via the gap between the blades  10 .  
         [0053]     The lock M may be held rolled on the curler  2  for a time required for the substance P to act, which may require a few seconds, after which the user may pull on the ring  4  to withdraw the head  21  of the core  20  against the return action of the spring  35 , as shown in  FIG. 7D . The blades  10  may then retract under the effect of the clamping force exerted by the elastic band  15  and the curler  2  may take up the generally tapering shape shown in  FIG. 5 . With the curler  2  in the second configuration, it is easier to extract the curler  2  from the lock of hair M without spoiling the curl, as shown in  FIG. 7E . These various steps may be repeated with a new lock of hair as desired.  
         [0054]     Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.  
         [0055]     The curler  2  may be secured to the handle  3  other than by screw-fastening. For example, the curler  2  may be secured to the handle  3  by snap-fastening.  
         [0056]     The blades  10  may also be made in some other way. For example, the elastic band  5  may be replaced by a dual-injected elastomer material.  
         [0057]     The control member may also be made differently. For example, movement thereof relative to the curler  2  may be other than movement in pure translation.  
         [0058]     The elastic band  15  may also be eliminated by shaping the blades  10  so that, at rest, the blades  10  slope toward the inside.  
         [0059]     Throughout the description, including in the claims, the term “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one” unless specified to the contrary.  
         [0060]     Although the present invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.