Patent Publication Number: US-4732169-A

Title: Waffle sponge perm rod

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a permanent wave roller for use in providing a permanent wave to hair which includes a pad affixed to an elongated pressure element. The pad has a waffle-like shape for enhancing the passage of a permanent solution to a curl and to prevent damage to an individual&#39;s hair. 
     2. Description of Background Art 
     It is conventional to use a permanent wave roller when applying a permanent wave solution to an individual&#39;s hair. Normally, a strand of hair is separated and rolled onto a roller to produce a curl. A permanent wave solution is applied to the wave on the permanent wave roller. Heat and pressure are applied to the hair to impart a permanent wave thereto. A neutralizer is applied to the hair to reform the primary bonds to the new wave imparted by the permanent wave roller. 
     A number of theories are necessary to understand to comprehend the procedure utilized in administering a permanent wave to an individual&#39;s hair. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,791 issued on May 3, 1983 to the same inventor as the present invention. Three steps must occur to provide a permanent wave to an individual&#39;s hair: 
     1. Open the primary bond (usually accomplished by a strong chemical curling lotion). 
     2. Shift the position of the open bond ends (usually accomplished by rolling the hair on a spindle or rod). 
     3. Reform the primary bonds in the new shifted position (usually accomplished by a reforming chemical called a neutralizer). 
     When pressure is applied to the hair positioned on a permanent wave roller, a crease is formed in the softened hair. Thereafter, when the neutralizer is applied to the hair, the hair is hardened and damage occurs along the creased portions. The creased portions are not acceptable and are a considerable drawback to conventional permanent wave roller techniques. The invention set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,791 overcomes the disadvantage of creasing which is caused by a permanent wave roller. 
     SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention also is designed to overcome a problem in conventional permanent wave rollers by eliminating crease lines on the softened hair which is caused by the band holding the permanent wave roller to the curl in a strand of an individual&#39;s hair. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a waffle-like pad positioned between an elongated pressure element and an individual&#39;s hair which enhances the passage of a permanent solution to a curl disposed on a permanent wave roller. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a waffle-like pad which prevents damage to an individual&#39;s hair positioned on a permanent wave roller. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a permanent wave roller which includes slots at both end thereof. The slots maintain an elongated pressure element in a predetermined disposition relative to the permanent wave roller to prevent rotation of a pad disposed on the elongated pressure element. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of apertures in the permanent wave roller rod. The plurality of apertures are preferably shaped in the form of a diamond to permit a better flow of permanent solution without weakening the structure of the rod. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a rod having a central section of decreased diameter relative to the enlarged diameter end sections. An elongated pressure element extends along the rod for applying pressure toward an outer surface of the rod for maintaining hair in a curl upon the rod. A pad is positioned between the elongated pressure element and hair positioned on the outer surface of the rod. The pad extends substantially along the length of the rod and includes a waffle-like shape for enhancing the passage of a permanent solution to a curl and for preventing damage to an individual&#39;s hair. The pressure element is an elastic cord which is removably affixed to a first and second end of the rod. A stopper member is affixed to one end of the elastic cord and is removably disposed within a bore passing through the permanent wave roller rod. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the permanent wave roller rod of the present invention with one end of the elongated pressure element disengaged from the rod; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the connection of the elongated pressure element and pad to the rod; and 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a permanent wave roller 10 includes a tubular rod 20, an elongated pressure element or elastic cord 30 and a pad or sponge element 40. The tubular rod 20 includes a central portion of reduced diameter 20A relative to the diameter of end portions 18, 22. An elongated pressure element 30 may be an elastic cord which is affixed to one end of the tubular rod 20 and extends along the length thereof and may be affixed to the end portion 22. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, the elastic cord 30 includes an enlarged end 32 which is received within a slot 28 and 26 in the end portion 18. The enlarged portion 32 is removably affixed within the slot 28 so as to secure the elongated pressure element for elastic cord 30 relative thereto. The other end of the elastic cord 30 includes an enlarged end 32&#39;. The enlarged end 32&#39; is received within slots 28&#39; and 26&#39; disposed in a stopper 34. The elastic cord 30 is removably affixed to the end 22 of the tubular rod 20. In this manner, a strand of an individual&#39;s hair may be curled upon the tubular rod 20 when the elastic cord 30 is disengaged therefrom. Thereafter, the elastic cord 30 may be secured to the end portion 22 to exert pressure for retaining the curl of hair on the tubular rod 20. 
     The stopper 34 includes an enlarged head 36. The enlarged head 36 engages the end portion 22 of the tubular rod 20. In addition, the slots 28&#39; and 26&#39; are disposed in the stopper 34. In addition, a slot 41 is disposed on the end portion 22 of the tubular rod 20. The slot 41 retains the elastic cord 30 in a predetermined disposition relative to the tubular rod 20. In addition, a slot 42 is formed in the end portion 18. In this manner, the slots 41 and 42 ensure that the elastic cord 30 is disposed in an accurate arrangement relative to the tubular rod 20. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 1, the tubular rod 20 includes a plurality of apertures 14 positioned therethrough. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a bore 14 extends along the length of the tubular rod 20. The plurality of apertures 14 may be any shape for producing the desired result. Diamond-shaped apertures have been found to produce satisfactory results. The diamond-shaped apertures permit permanent waving solution to flow through the tubular rod 20 and to impinge upon the curl of an individual&#39;s hair without weakening the structure of the tubular rod 20. 
     The pad member 40 may be constructed from a variety of various materials. Suitable materials include sponge, rubber, or plastic foam. The pad member 40 is a waffle-shaped element with a plurality of indentations therein. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the pad member 40 includes projecting pad portions 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F, 40G, 40H, and 40I. Similarly, indentations 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D, 46E, 46F, 46G, and 46H are provided between the projections 40A-40I. The series of projections and indentations permit the permanent wave solution to penetrate deep into the hair which is wrapped around the rod itself. 
     The pad 40 engages a strand of hair disposed on the tubular rod 20 to secure the strand of hair in a predetermined curl on the tubular rod 20. The pad 40 does not produce a crease in the hair. Thus, disadvantages of conventional permanent wave rollers are obviated. In addition, the waffle shape of the pad 40 produces improved results in permitting the permanent wave solution to penetrate deep into the hair. Further, the slots 41 and 42 retain the elongated pressure element 30 in a predetermined position relative to the tubular rod 20. 
     The elongated pressure element 30 may be constructed from a variety of various materials such as rubber or any other elastic material which will produce a force for pressuring the pad member 30 to impinge upon a curl of hair disposed on the tubular rod 20. Although a stopper 34 is illustrated in FIG. 2, a number of various connecting mechanisms may be employed within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the tubular rod 20 may be constructed of a wide variety of materials such as plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.