Patent Publication Number: US-11026460-B2

Title: Hair filler device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/466,458, filed on Mar. 3, 2017, entitled “HAIR FILLER DEVICE,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Hair extensions and other hair attachments have existed in the marketplace for some time. Hair extensions and attachments offer stylistic effects or hide unwanted thinning and/or balding. However, conventional hair extensions and hair filler attachments are generally limited to a specific placement on a user&#39;s head and even to a specific direction. The limitations on positioning and direction limit the comfort, security and natural appearance of such attachments. It may therefore be desired to have a hair attachment that can be secured to any area of a user&#39;s head and adjusted at any angle, while also offering a blendable, natural appearance. 
     SUMMARY 
     A hair filler device may be provided. A hair filler device may include a backing having a base and a flap portion. A plurality of hair strands may project from the base and the flap. A hair filler device may further include at least two clips disposed on the base for securing the hair filler device to a desired material, such as a wearer&#39;s existing hair. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which: 
       Exemplary  FIG. 1  shows a hair filler device; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 2  shows a hair filler device; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 3  shows a hair filler device; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 4  shows a hair filler device; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 5  shows a hair filler device; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 6  shows a hair filler device; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 7  shows a hair filler device; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 8  shows a hair filler device; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 9  shows a snap clip; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 10  shows a hair filler device orientation chart; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 11  shows a hair filler device orientation chart; 
       Exemplary  FIG. 12  shows a snap clip; and 
       Exemplary  FIG. 13  shows a method of forming a hair filler device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of several terms used herein follows. 
     As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance or illustration.” The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms “embodiments of the invention”, “embodiments” or “invention” do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
     According to at least one exemplary embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 1-15 , a hair filler device  100  may be provided. Hair filler device  100  may conform to the shape and size of a wearer&#39;s head and may provide a natural, discreet appearance. Hair filler device  100  may include a backing  110  with a plurality of hair strands  120  projecting therefrom. Hair strands  120  may include human hair or processed human hair. In some alternative embodiments, animal hair, or imitation hair, such as synthetic hair strands, may be used, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. According to one exemplary embodiment, backing  110  may be made of a mesh material. In some exemplary embodiments, backing  110  may be a monofilament lace material, glass silk material, or other fabric as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Backing  110  may optionally be transparent. 
     The plurality of hair strands  120  may be tied or otherwise affixed to backing  110 , as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. According to an exemplary embodiment, and as shown in the Figures generally, backing  110  may be folded or otherwise constructed to provide a bottom edge or base  112  and a top flap  114 . Top flap  114  may fold at least partially over base  112 . The plurality of hair strands  120  may be affixed to base  112  and top flap  114 , such that multiple layers of hair strands  120  are created. 
     According to at least one exemplary embodiment, hair strands  120  may be tied to backing  110 . Hair strands  120  may be tied to backing  110  in a series of rows. Strands  120  may be tied to backing  110  with single knots, double knots, or other knots as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, strands  120  may be tied to backing  110  using a combination or variety of knots. For example, each row of hair strands  120  may be tied using a particular knot. Single knots may be used to minimize the visibility of the knots and provide a more natural appearance. Double split knots may be used to control the direction and orientation of hair strands  120 . Double split knots may further contribute to desired texture and depth for a natural appearance, as desired. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, backing  110  may be cut to a desired size and shape, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. An exemplary backing  110  may be rectangular. Backing  110  may be sewn around its perimeter. Backing  110  may be folded over itself at least once and sewn in a folded orientation. In an exemplary embodiment, backing  110  may be folded over itself twice. All edges of backing  110  may be sewn to prevent fraying and undesired loose material. Side edges may also be folded inward prior to sewing, resulting in a neat, folded seam  113  around the perimeter. After the second fold, an overhanging flap  114  may be folded back over the bottom edge portion or base  112  of the backing  110 , forming a seam  116 . In some exemplary embodiments, flap  114  may be approximately ⅛th of an inch. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a first row of hair strands  120  may be secured to flap  114  along seam  116  using single hair knotted. A second row below the first row may be double split knotted. Lastly, a third row below the second row may be single knotted. Any number of desired rows may be implemented, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. According to some further exemplary embodiments, five rows of hair strands  120  may be provided on flap  114 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . A single machine weft strip of hair  120  may be sewn to base  112  under or proximate the flap  114  on backing  110 . The hair  120  sewn to base  112  may provide added thickness and volume. In some exemplary embodiments, additional rows of hair strands  120  may be provided on base  112 . 
     An exemplary embodiment may further include clips  130 , as shown in  FIG. 11-15 . Clips  130  may optionally be snap clips or hinged clips, as would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. Clips  130  may include a bar  132  and comb component  134 . Hinge clips  130  may include a bar  132  connected to a comb component  134  by a hinge  136 . Hinge  136  may allow comb component  134  to open and close from bar  132 . Hinge clips may allow the comb component to open and close from the bar by swinging backwards and forwards. The swinging nature of the hinge clip may allow for grabbing a greater amount of a user&#39;s hair or a varied amount of a user&#39;s hair. Hinge clips may be capable of locking in a closed orientation. In snap clip embodiments, there may be no hinge and instead, bar  132  may be flexible and may be snapped or bent, such that the bar locks against a comb component  134 , locking the clip to a desired material disposed between the bar and the comb component, such as a wearer&#39;s existing hair. An exemplary hair filler device may include two clips  130 . To allow for orienting a hair filler device in a variety of orientations on a wearer&#39;s head, clips  130  may be disposed such that a first clip and second clip open toward opposing corners of backing  110 . Clips  130  may be affixed to backing  130  by sewing, rivets, adhesive, snaps, clips, hook and loop fasteners, or other comparable fasteners as would be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Clips may optionally include a rubber coating on bar  132  or comb component  134  for additional grip. An exemplary clip may be approximately 1¼ inches wide by 1½ inches deep. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, and as shown in  FIG. 16 , a supplemental hair attachment device may be formed according to method  1600 . In a first step  1602 , the backing may be formed by folding backing material, such as mesh, over itself at least once, optionally folding the ends over and securing the ends by sewing in order to prevent fraying. In a next step  1604 , the backing may be folded in order to form a seam, with the base and the top flap disposed on either side of the seam. In a next step  1606 , the hair strands may be coupled to the mesh material. In a next step  1608 , the clips may be coupled to the base. Any other steps, such as the coupling of additional rows of hair strands to the mesh material (such as the mesh material of the base) may be introduced where desired. 
     The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
     Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.