Abstract:
The rope perm apparatus includes a plurality of ropes made from an absorbent material and cut into lengths of approximately 7 to 12 inches. Each rope end has an end tip to reduce fraying of the rope and in some embodiments the end tip is color coded or printed with advertising information. Hair is wrapped around the rope to induce curling and then the rope is tied in a knot to keep it in place during the curling period. In some cases, a curling agent is then applied.

Description:
[0001]     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]     This invention relates to a method and apparatus for styling hair and more specifically, for styling hair into soft curls.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Hair curling is a well know art with many devices, mixtures and processes designed to transform a person from having straight hair to a person having curly hair. Sometimes hair is curled for a short period of time, perhaps a day or two. This is called “party curls.” In this case, the hair is rolled onto a curling rod and, optionally, a liquid is applied to retain the curl, perhaps water or a styling gel. If it is desired to maintain the curl for an extended period of time, perhaps a few months, a different mixture, sometimes referred to as a reducing agent, is applied to the hair after it is rolled onto the curling rods. The most common reducing agents are: Ammonium Thioglycolate (alkaline wave) pH 9.0-10, Glycerylmonothiogrlycolate (acid wave) pH 6.5-8.2, Ammonium Thioglycolate and Hydrogen Peroxide (exothermic wave) pH 8.4-9.0. These mixtures are also referred to as perm solutions or curling lotions.  
         [0004]     Most curling operations consist of wrapping an amount of hair or strand around a curling rod and, optionally, applying water, a styling gel or a reducing agent and allowing the hair to stay wrapped for a period of time. The hair is than removed from the curling rod and may be washed, especially if a reducing agent is used.  
         [0005]     Curling rods come in many shapes and sizes. For example, there are small size rods that measure 5/16″ in diameter and 3″ in length, medium size rods that measure ⅜″ in diameter and 3″ in length, large size rods that measure ½″ in diameter and 3″ in length and Jumbo size rods measuring ⅝″ in diameter and 3″ in length. Some rods are designed to be lightweight to prevent loosening and breakage of hair. Some have a corkscrew design to produce a true spiral curl. Some have rubber bands in the rod to keep the hair in place. In some, the rubber bands are replaceable. Some rods also have a fastener cap which attaches to the rod. Some rods can be piggy-backed to create longer rods. Some rods are spiral or concaved for creating a looser curl.  
         [0006]     Another type of curling procedure uses a rod that is 7 inches in length ×1 cm in diameter. The rod has a heavy duty rubber layer over a bendable plastic insert. They are used by attaching the bottom of your hair to one end and gradually rolling on an angle so hair drapes across the rod, then to hold the hair in place, the rod is bent into a ‘U’ shape. This procedure works best on wet hair or with a perm solution.  
         [0007]     For a natural wave pattern, a straight or cylindrical type rod may be used. A straight or cylindrical rod can be wrapped with hair strands the same width from the scalp to the ends, allowing the wrap to be executed in a true croquinole technique and helping to avoid spiraling of the hair. It also prevents bunching of the hair which distorts the wave pattern.  
         [0008]     To protect ones face from the harsh chemicals used for reducing agents, an absorbent rope is sometimes tied around the hairline. One example of this rope is CELLUCOTTON® Beauty Coil which comes in 100% cotton or a blend of cotton and rayon for added strength. CELLUCOTTON® comes in professional size boxes and 10 foot bags. This product is designed for protecting ones face and eyes and is not a curling medium.  
         [0009]     What is needed is a method and apparatus for curling hair that is easy to use and enables natural wave curls.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     For the purposes of this application, the agent or term curling agent refers to any liquid, gel or spray that is applied to the hair to keep it in place, either for a short period of time or for weeks or months. A short term curling agent may be water or styling gel while a long term curling agent may be a reducing agent such as a perm solution.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, a method for curling hair is disclosed, including providing a plurality of curling ropes and for each of the plurality of curling ropes: separating strands of hair from a head of hair; wrapping the strands of hair around one of the plurality of curling ropes; and tying the one of the plurality of curling ropes into a knot.  
         [0012]     In another embodiment, an apparatus for curling hair is disclosed including a plurality of curling ropes, each being between 7 and 12 inches long and each having an end tip at both ends.  
         [0013]     In another embodiment, a method for curling hair is disclosed including a plurality of cloth curling ropes, each cloth curling rope being from 7 inches to 12 inches in length and having two ends, each of the two ends having an end tip.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a curling rope of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a curling rope of the present invention in a knot pattern.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a curling rope of the present invention with strands of hair ready to wrap.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a curling rope of the present invention with strands of hair wrapped around it.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a curling rope of the present invention with strands of hair wrapped around it and the curling rope tied in a knot.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates multiple curling rope of the present invention with strands of hair wrapped around them and the curling ropes tied in a knot.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  illustrates multiple curling ropes of the present invention with strands of hair wrapped around them and the curling ropes tied in a knot and a reducing agent being applied.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  illustrates a curling rope of the present invention with advertising.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  illustrates a completed style after using the curling rope of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0025]     Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a curling rope  12  of the present invention is shown. The curling rope  12  has two end tips  14 . The curling rope  12  is made from a soft, absorbent material, preferably cotton or a cotton blend such as cotton and nylon. Any curling rope material that provides absorbency can be used. The absorbency reduces the amount of perming solution required, keeping it in contact with the hair for a longer period of time for better curling. A material such as a cotton/nylon blend provides curling ropes that conform to the hair, are softer, washable, reusable and more comfortable than prior curling methods. Furthermore, the absorbency reduced runoff onto the head, clothing, etc. For sanitary reasons, the curling rope is washable. In some embodiments, the curling rope is colored and in some embodiments, curling ropes of different lengths or diameters are colored differently to distinguish each size. The curling rope is cut to a length that is long enough to permit hair to be wrapped around it, and short enough to be tied in a single knot without too much excess hanging out of the knot, preferably 7 to 12 inches. The end tips  14  are provided to reduce fraying and in some cases to provide color coding or advertisement. In this embodiment, the end tips  14  are made from a flexible rubberized dip. In other embodiments, other materials are used to cover the ends of the curling rope  12  such as wax, paint, glue, metal, acetate tape such as used as end tips for shoe laces and the like. An example of a flexible rubberized dip is “Pasti-Dip” from Performix. In some embodiments, the ropes  12  are made in various diameters such as ½ inch, 1 inch and 1-½ inch. In some embodiments where the ropes  12  are made in various diameters, the end tips  14  are color coded so as to differentiate between the different diameters. In some embodiments, advertisements, logos and/or the manufacturer&#39;s name are printed or branded on the end tips  14 .  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a curling rope  12  of the present invention in a knot pattern is shown. This shows how the curling rope  12  with end tips  14  can be easily formed into a knot.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a curling rope  12  of the present invention with strands of hair  16  ready to wrap is shown. This figure shows a first step in the curling process, where strands of hair  16  are sectioned together and are ready to wrap around a curling rope  12  with end tips  14 .  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a curling rope  12  of the present invention with strands of hair  16  wrapped around it is shown. In this step of the curling process, the strands of hair  16  are wrapped around the curling rope  12  with end tips  14 .  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a curling rope  12  of the present invention with strands of hair wrapped around it and the curling rope tied in a knot is shown. In this step of the process, the stands of hair  16  are already wrapped around the curling rope  12  with end tips  14  and the curling rope  12  is tied into a knot.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , multiple curling ropes  12  of the present invention with strands of hair wrapped around them and the curling ropes tied in a knot is shown. In this step of the process, multiple curling ropes  12  are wrapped with strands of hair  16  and each curling rope  12  is tied in a knot. In some embodiments, an agent  18  may be applied to the wrapped strands of hair  16  to increase the longevity of the resulting curls. One possible agent  18  is water, resulting in a shorter longevity. Another possible agent  18  is a hair styling gel or hair spray, resulting in a slightly longer longevity. For an increased longevity, possibly lasting for months, a reducing agent  18  may be applied to the wrapped strands of hair. The most common reducing agents  18  are: Ammonium Thioglycolate (alkaline wave) pH 9.0-10, Glycerylmonothiogrlycolate (acid wave) pH 6.5-8.2, Ammonium Thioglycolate and Hydrogen Peroxide (exothermic wave). These reducing agents  18  are sometimes called a perm solution or curling lotion.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a curling rope  12  of the present invention is shown. The curling rope  12  has two end tips  14 . In this embodiment, the end tips  14  include advertising material  20  such as a manufacturer&#39;s name, a logo or a salon&#39;s name. In some embodiments, the advertising  20  is printed on the end tip, and in some embodiments, it is printed around the edge. In some embodiments, printing is done by an ink method and in some embodiments; printing is done by branding the end tips.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a completed style after using the curling rope of the present invention is shown. The hair  30  is now curled.  
         [0034]     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially same manner in the same way for achieving substantially the same result.  
         [0035]     It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.