WO2011036654A2

WO2011036654A2 - Hair extension and related thickening method

Info

Publication number: WO2011036654A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/054374
Authority: WO
Inventors: David A. Gold
Original assignee: Great Lengths S.R.L.
Priority date: 2009-09-28
Filing date: 2010-09-28
Publication date: 2011-03-31
Also published as: ITRM20090495A1; WO2011036654A3

Abstract

A hair extension (1 ), of the kind particularly used for the thickening of hair, allows either a permanent or a non-permanent application and has a linear fixing member (2) from which hairs (3) perpendicularly branch, arranged in a flat configuration, characterized in that the linear fixing member (2) is formed by two tapes (4, 5) adhered to each other so as to obtain a fixing strip, with hairs embedded between the two tapes (4, 5) due to an adhesive layer (6) arranged therebetween, wherein: the tapes (4, 5) are flexible and made in a thermoplastic material; the tapes (4, 5) are provided with a plurality of passing through holes all over the surface thereof; at least one of said tapes (4, 5) has an exposed face provided with a pressure-activated and non- permanent outer adhesive layer (8); and the tapes (4, 5) has been pressed against each other, so that the hairs and the adhesive material of the adhesive layer (6) are at least partially penetrated into said passing through holes.

Description

HAIR EXTENSION AND RELATED THICKENING METHOD

Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention The present invention is related to a permanent or non-permanent hair extension, of the kind particularly used for the thickening of hair. It can be embodied either by a plurality of individual lock-like extension, i.e. a hair extension assembly for thickening hair, or it can be substantially shaped as a weft or layer, known as weft extension. Further, the present invention is referred to a hair thickening method or thickening method, and to a related separating device for receiving hairs as well, for the application of a thickening assembly with hair extensions apt to be used in said method. Then, the invention is also referred to an applicator device for said assembly, apt to be used according to said method. As thickening of hair here and below it is intended the lengthening and the mass increasing of a human hair, through the application of hair extensions to receiving hairs. As hair extension here and below it is intended a lock of hairs composed by a plurality of single human or artificial hairs, suitable to be handled as a single lengthening unit and to be applied to receiving hairs by a fixing element.

Instead, with reference to the weft extension, it typically has a linear fixing element from which natural or artificial hairs perpendicularly branch, arranged according to a flat configuration having a uniform density.

2. Description of the prior art Different system for achieving an thickening of hair and also a lengthening thereof are known. Such systems generally adopt hair extensions having natural or artificial origin, which are fixed to the hair according to methods producing, in view of their intended application steps, the acceptance and the satisfaction of the final user requiring the treatment. Another aspect contributing to the approval increasing for this kind of treatments is the application speed.

Therefore, the known systems provide a step wherein the hair extensions are fixed to user's hair. In this step, the hair extension may be substantially sewn, bound or knotted to user's hair, but this thickening way requires a very long time to be operated, considering that a manual and precise handling is requested for each single hair extension.

Besides, means for fixing hair extensions to hair are known, providing the use of auxiliary member like fasteners, combs, clips and so on. By these members, also large size hair extensions may be associated to user's receiving hair, but with the serious drawback that the fixing remains visible and perceptible to the user himself, receiving a discomfort feeling there through. Among further known fixing means, some of them allow the link between small size hair extensions and receiving hairs. Such means, involving the use of glues, small fixing elements and the like, permits to achieve more or less good results, but in any case they need lengthy application sessions because the operator must fix each single hair extension which cannot have a large size to not make the connection visible to the user and to other observers.

Similar problems are felt where a gluing system is used applied just in the fixing process, e.g. in the method disclosed in US 4,934,387 (Megna) which is particularly burdensome in terms of time, because the adhesive is supplied in a liquid and hot state on the end of each hair extension to be fixed. By the way, the operator must manipulate with the fingers hot adhesive, with a comprehensible discomfort.

Also in US 5,107,867 (Barrington) this kind of methodology is disclosed, wherein the adhesive is provided at the fixing point in a predetermined amount by a glue gun or by a similar applicator. However, in Barrington the adhesive is kept inside a thermoshrinking sleeve allowing the curing and preventing the adhesive to stick to other hairs.

In US 4,982,748 (Trimarchi) the use of a thermocurable adhesive is provided, therefore requiring to be heated after a cold state application. In these application examples with adhesive in anyway requested a complex handling of several elements: additional hairs, adhesive, sleeve, glue gun, being also additionally time consuming.

Moreover, the cured adhesive realizes a sort of ball or skirt which is clearly felt by the touch, decreasing the comfort level of the methodology, making the fixing element visible and thwarting the desired aesthetic improvement of the thickening.

Another example of this methodology, which became well known for the lock by lock thickening and lengthening, is disclosed in the Japanese patent JP 03152205 (Aderans Co. Ltd.) and in further subsequent patents devoted to improvements of this technique, e.g. the improvement developed by the inventor of the present invention, disclosed in South Africa patent No. ZA 93/5214 and in German patent DE 196 26 107 C.

These citations disclose a thickening element and a related application method wherein a hair extension is fixed to a hair by the application of a thermoplastic adhesive. In this connection, it is apparent how the application remain manual and how it can be unevenly realized extension by extension.

The forced manual character of these methods then implies several problems. First, the operator must have an extensive experience and practice to be able to execute standardized connections, an occurrence which is not always possible. Further, beyond the experience, it is extremely difficult to produce even connections: they will be at least partially different to each other, not exactly located along the lines foreseen for the thickening, having variable quality and size.

All the above causes a not perfect quality of the final application, more exposed to obsolescence and with forcedly uneliminable imperfections, high cost influenced by the very lengthy application and by the uneasy availability of experienced operators.

A further improvement has been disclosed in the PCT application No. Publ. WO 02/098250 in the name of the same Applicant and designating the same inventor of the present invention. In such a document, a method and a hair extension assembly are disclosed, to increase the mass of hair by the bulk application of several hair extensions, using an adhesive tape to correctly position the related fixing elements and then to simultaneously activate them.

Although this system allow to hugely speed up the application of hair extensions, it does not solve the problem of the non perfect connections, resulting in unsatisfying size and possibly even visible.

Similar consideration may be brought on the basis of the PCT application No. Publ. WO 2004/023910 in the name of the same Applicant and designating the same inventor of the present invention. Moreover, to the above drawback it is related the problem of determining the exact amount of receiving hairs for each glue-based fixing element. It is understood that the behavior of the connection element is different by the change of such amount, and then it is possible that, in the same application stage, different actual connections be different from adjacent fixing elements. Finally, a problem detectable in the above mentioned prior art examples is represented by the unsatisfied requirement of being able to decide, at the thickening application stage, whether to make it permanent or to have it applied in a non permanent way.

As a permanent connection it is understood a stable connection, able to resist unaltered for days and weeks, suitable to undergo washing and hair styling. The permanent connection is then eliminated by using suitable non aggressive and hypo allergenic solvents.

As a non permanent connection it is understood a positioning suitable to resist for hours in a sufficiently stable way, but also apt to be easily eliminated by pulling the extensions themselves and apt to allow a possible repositioning or a reuse.

Finally, several kinds of weft extensions are known, wherein the fixing element is generally achieved through sewing or through weaving blocking the hairs in their position. The connection element is then positioned in contact with the hair skin, hidden among the hairs of the receiving hair which are advantageously separated and combed.

The fixing element is then applied to the receiving hairs, a many systems are known for this purpose, using sewing, adhesive, combs, pins and so on.

However, the most relevant problem in the application of this kind of thickening is represented by the thickness of the fixing element, combined with the fixing system.

The latter can be reduced at a minimum thickness e.g. by using an adhesive layer, but the sewn and or woven fixing element should anyway have a weft and a warp suitable to safely keep the hairs secured, in turn inevitably determining a thickness pressed against the hair skin, causing a discomfort feeling.

Further, even in this case, it is extremely difficult to make this kind of thickenings either non-permanent, due to the troubles inherent in the fixing operation, or permanent, mainly for the connection thickness.

Examples of this kind of thickening are disclosed in the US patent applications No. 2009/120,451 A1 , No. 2009/032041 A1 and USA No. 2006/169296 and in the German Utility Model No. 20 2005 010 845 U1 .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a method for thickening hair, a separator device, a thickening assembly with hair extension and an applicator device apt to be used in said method, allowing to obviate to the drawbacks mentioned with reference to the prior art, generally improving the simultaneous application of hair extensions. Such a problem is solved by a hair extension as above specified, in which that the linear fixing member is formed by two tapes adhered to each other so as to obtain a fixing strip, with hairs embedded between the two tapes due to an adhesive layer arranged therebetween, wherein:

• the tapes are flexible and made in a thermoplastic material; · the tapes are provided with a plurality of passing through holes all over the surface thereof;

• at least one of said tapes has an exposed face provided with a pressure-activated and non-permanent outer adhesive layer; and

• the tapes has been pressed against each other, so that the hairs and the adhesive material of the adhesive layer are at least partially penetrated into said passing through holes.

The main advantage of the hair extension according to the present invention lies in allowing either a permanent application, carried out by thermowelding of the fixing member, or a non-permanent application, carried out by the outer adhesive layer.

Further, a reduction of the thickness of the tapes is allowed, the of the overall fixing member, the hairs being kept together not only by the adhesive layer but also by their partial penetration into the tape holes, thus increasing the bonding force keeping the hairs together, and decreasing the overall weigh of the connection.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tapes of the fixing member are formed by a network of woven threads, said holes being determined by the network meshes.

Then, the present invention is also related to a method for thickening hair by the application of one or more hair extensions as above defined, comprising the steps of: · providing a hair extension according to any of the preceding claims;

• selecting a weft of receiving hairs, raising the receiving hairs so as to bare a linear segment of hair skin having a length at least equal to that of the linear fixing member;

• keeping stretched the receiving hairs, and adhere on them, closet o the hair skin, linear fixing member of one hair extension;

• laying out and stretching also the hairs of the hair extension; and

• exerting a pressure so as to fix the outer adhesive layer to the receiving hairs while they are kept stretched, to prevent that the receiving hairs adhere diagonally or longitudinally to the linear fixing member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be hereinafter described according to several preferred embodiments thereof, provided to an exemplificative and non limitative purpose with referefence to the annexed drawings wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective and exploded view of a first embodiment of the invention of a hair extension according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the hair extension of Figure 1 ;

Figure 2A shows a detail of the hair extension of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows an overal I perspective view of the hair extension of Figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows a side and longitudinal sectional view of the hair extension of Figure 1 ;

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the application procedure of the hair extension of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a first comb-based device for the application of the hair extension according to the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a partial perspective view of a second embodiment of a hair extension according to the invention;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view illustrating a separation step of the hair extension of Figure 7, carried out by the device of Figure 6; Figure 9 shows a magnified perspective view illustrationg an application and simultaneous separation of the hair extension of Figure 3 or 7;

Figures 10A, 10B and 10C illustrate through perspective views three different application and separation steps of the hair extension of Figure 3 or 7; Figure 1 1 shows a perspective view of an application and separation device of the hair extensions of Figure 3 or 7, explaining the assembling thereof;

Figure 12 shows a perspective view of the application and separation device of Figure 1 1 in an assembled configuration;

Figure 12A shows a transversal section of the application and separation device of Figure 1 1 , according to axis A-A shown in Figure 12; and

Figures 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E and 13F illustrate the use of the application and separation device of Figure 1 1 through specified perspective views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures from 1 to 5C, a hair extension, of the weft or layer shaped kind, is indicate as 1 as a whole.

It has a linear fixing member 2 from which hairs 3 perpendicularly branch, in this embodiment of natural kind, arranged in a flat configuration having a uniform distribution. The fixing member 2 is formed by tho overlapped tapes 4, 5, provided with inner faces facing to each other, adhered to carry out a fixing strip.

Between the two tapes, 4, 5 a first adhesive layer 6 is provided, which can be the result of the justaxposition of respective adhesive layer on eache of the adhered faces of the tapes 4, 5. Such a justaxposition is therefore the result of a manufacturing step of the hair extension 1 .

Between said tapes 4, 5 the proximal ends 7 of the hairs 3 are entrapped, embedded into the adhesive layer 6.

In the manufacturing step, both the tapes can be provided with hairs arranged with the proximal ends 7 thereof aligned and uniformly distributed on the respective adhesive face of the tape.

The extension 1 is hence the result of the coupling of two hemi-extensions obtained on each tape 4, 5.

Otherwise, the proximal ends 7 of the hairs may be initially applied onto only one of said tapes, the other being simply overlapped and pressed against the first one.

The tapes are formed by strips of thick and flexible material, provided with a plurality of passing through holes on their whole surface, i.e. with a dense foramination extended on the whole surface of each tape. According to the preferred embodiment herein described, the tapes 4, 5 of the fixing member 2 are formed by a network, composed by intertwined or anyway woven threads, and the holes being therefore constituted by the network meshes.

Such tapes are pressed against each other, so that the hairs 3 and the adhesive material of the adhesive layer are at least partially penetrated inside the network meshes, thus minimizing the overall thicknedd and increasing the strenght by which the hairs are kept between the two tapes.

It should be noted how the proximal ends 7 reach the upper edge of the tapes 4, 5, an arrangement obtainable punching and crushing the tapes and the relative hairs during the manufacturing step.

In this embodiment, the material constituting the tapes is transparent and it is a thermoplastic material. The transparency allows to more clearly see the application steps and the visual effect obtained even with linear fixing member 2 applied.

The thermoplastic material is a substance apt to be melted at a temperature higher than the room temperature, assuming the properties of a plastic fluid, and then cooling and hence solidifying at room temperature.

Substances with similar properties can be melted through the direct application of mechanical energy, as high frequency vibrations, namely ultrasound vibrations. In such a case, the intermolecular vibration and the corresponding friction produces an amount of heat required to make the molecules plastically flowing. The heat generation immediately stops when the vibrations are stopped, causing a substantially immediate solidification.

Examples of usable substances ad thermoplastic material are polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes and the like.

Therefore, the threads constituting the network can be made in polyester, in Elastam (a polyurethane fibre, Lycra^®). An embodiment understood only for a non permanent application may comprise also very fine cotton threads.

The network can have an overall exemplarily thickness of 150 μιτι, however preferably not beyond 200 μιτι.

The adhesive material is a very strong adhesive agent, e.g. an acrylic based adhesive agent.

At least one or both the tapes have a further adhesive layer 8 even on the externally exposed face, protected by a protection strip 9.

Hence, both the tapes 4, 5 or even only one tape are substantially bi- adhesive, i.e. adhesive on both the faces thereof, with the adhesive material permeating through the thickness of the tape and incorporating the hairs of the extension.

The outer adhesive layer 8 is used to fix the extension to the receiving hair.

To this purpose, the receiving hairs are raised so as to bare a linear segment of hair skin having a length at least equal to that of the linear fixing member 2 (Figure 5A).

The latter, stripped of one of the two protection strips, that of the face of the fixing member 2 intended to face the hair skin, is pressed on the receiving hairs, arranging the upper edge 10 of the extension nearly in contact with the hair skin (Figure 5B).

Then, also the other protection strip 9 is removed, and the raised receiving hairs are brought back onto the hair, pressing on the area of the fixing member 2.

In this way, a simplified and long lasting application is achieved, at the same time removable, i.e. non-permanent.

The thickness of the fixing member, whose transversal size is obviously magnified in the drawings, is uniform and unperceivable to the touch. the same above described hair extension can be made permanent simply applying, on the linear fixing member, an adequate pressure and heat so as to temporarily melt the threads in thermoplastic material.

An embodiment of applicator device which is suitable to this purpose is disclosed in the PCT application No. WO 2003/061416, wherein the pressing member has a shape apt to cover the whole linear fixing member.

Energy in the form of ultrasound frequency vibration may be used instead of heat, e.g. frequencies in the range from 20 to 60 kHz. In this case, one or both the pressing members will be linked to a vibrating device, e.g. a piezoelectric member supplied with alternate voltage at a desired frequency, and they will transmit the vibration to the fixing member 9, either directly or through the tape 1 .

In this case, it should be noted how the vibration supply allow the molecules of the fixing member 2 in thermoplastic material to easily flow among the single hairs of the hair extension and of the receiving hairs, permeating and mixing with them.

The applicator device is preferably operated at a constant pressure, not depending upon the thickness of what received between the pliers-like pressing members. The pressure is exerted for a predetermined time, uniformly along the linear fixing member length. With reference to Figure 7, a further embodiment of the hair extension according to the present invention is described, wherein the hairs 3 are provided in the form of individual lock-like extensions, each indicated as 1 1 . In this embodiment, the hairs are joined in locks 1 1 distinct and separated to each other, whose proximal ends 7' are equidistant to each other along the linear fixing member 2. The latter one can be produced as previously described.

In the present embodiment, the fixing member further comprises means for making the separation of the individual lock-like hair extensions easier, which can be realized forming notches embodying tearing lines 12 transverse to the linear fixing member 2 between adjacent individual locklike hair extensions, so as the separated portions of the linear fixing member 2 operate as fixing members for the individual lock-like hair extensions.

Therefore, the hair extension herein described can be easily transformed in several individual hair extensions, each individually applicable according to the previously described application methodology, either in a non-permanent way or in a permanent way.

It is therefore understood that the application of the individual hair extension in a permanent way can be achieved with a pliers device providing the individual fixing member with pressure plus heat and/or mechanical energy in the form of ultrasound vibrations.

With reference to Figure 7, a comb-like separation device 20 is illustrated, comprising a basement 21 connected to a handle 22, having a shape similar to that of a hairbrush, and a plurality of teeth 23 arranged along a line on a face 24 of the basement 21 .

The teeth 23 are aligned along the longitudinal development of the basement 21 . Each of them is substantially blade-shaped, arranged perpendicularly to that longitudinal development so as to achieve a series of blades aligned and parallel to each other. The teeth 23 are mounted on a vibrating support (not shown), connected to suitable driving means, e.g. of the piezoelectric kind or with a rotating motor provided with cams, which may be started by a suitable switch 25.

The vibration may be ultrasonic, so as the teeth 23 can locally melt a linear fixing member made of thermoplastic material. With reference to Figure 8, a separation step is explained, in which the teeth 23 are arranged in the empty spaces between adjacent locks. It is anyway understood that such a device can be used also for separating a hair extension as described with reference to the first embodiment.

In particular, the hair extension can be applied to a receiving hair (Figure 9), and the above described device can be used for separating the individual hair extensions, transversally cutting the linear fixing member.

To this purpose, the receiving hairs are raised so as to show a linear segment of hair skin having a lengths at least equal to that of the linear fixing member 2 (Figure 10A).

The latter, with one of the two protection strips 9 removed, that on the surface intended to face towards the hair skin is pressed onto the receiving hairs, arranging the upper edge 10 of the hair extension nearly in contact with the hair skin (Figure 10B). Then, also the other protection strip 9 is removed, and the previously raised receiving hairs are brought back on the hair, pressing in the area of the fixing member 2.

Finally, the device 20 is used, operated so as the teeth 23 follow a path strictly parallel to the receiving hairs and to the additional hairs suitably combed and kept stretched, separating the linear fixing member 2 in several individual fixing members.

Each of them can later be permanently fixed to the receiving hair according the above described methodology. In this way, a single application of a hair extension as above described achieves the application of multiple locks distinct to each other, with an improved thickening effect, similar to those implemented according to the teachings known from WO 2006/106412 A.

The hair extension 1 can also be applied by a plate- or table-like separator device 51 (Figures 1 1 , 12, 12A), which can divide o portion of hair apt to receive individual hair extensions 1 1 keeping them adjacent to each other and aligned to the corresponding locks of receiving hairs, substantially made of the same amount of receiving hairs, said individual hair extension 1 1 hence being already spaced in relationship with the position of the individual fixing members produced by the separation of the linear fixing member.

To this purpose, the separator device 51 comprises a plurality of teeth 52, substantially blade-shaped. They, in view of their size and reciprocal spacing, can automatically select the adjacent portions of receiving hairs, simply laying said portion of hair on them, providing to arrange said portion with a uniform thickness of receiving hairs.

Advantageously, the separator device 51 comprises a resting surface 53, suitable for the laying of the linear fixing member 2. Indexes or edges, not shown in detail, may be provided for correctly positioning the fixing member with respect to the teeth 52 and then to the divided portions of receiving hairs.

However, the resting surface 53 has a width substantially equivalent to that of the fixing member 2, for having the positioning of the latter eased. Sideways, the resting surface 53 can comprise tooth-shaped stop members, apt to be inserted in positioning holes formed at the respective ends of the linear fixing members 2, but not shown in the drawings.

The teeth 52 are arranged on a slider 54 longitudinally sliding on the plate- like separator device 51 , keeping the teeth aligned and parallel to said resting surface 53. The slider 54 can slide along longitudinal supporting grooves 55 on the opposite edges of the exposed surface of the separator device 51 , for drawing up and putting away the teeth 52 to and from the linear fixing member 2, once it has been arranged in place. It should be noted that the fixing member 2, arranged in its position, is spaced from the teeth 52 carrying out the separation of the receiving hairs. In this way, the bad positioning diagonally or curled or on the wrong fixing member as well is prevented, of the hairs intended to be fixed to a certain fixing member. The resting surface is again delimited by a first and a second spring-biased clips 58, 59, arranged at the upper and lower edges of the surface 53, for keeping in a predetermined position the fixing member 2 with respect to the receiving hairs.

Further means operating for keeping the fixing member 2 in place is the electrostatic attraction generated between the tape and the resting surface 53, provided that they are made of suitable materials for generating such an effect.

The application method of a hair extension as previously described with reference to the above embodiments proceeds as follows. In a first step, a portion P of hair to be thickened is combed to align all the hairs in parallel.

Then, the separator device 51 is placed at said hair portion P, so a sit can be separated in adjacent separated portions (Figure 13A), each of them substantially comprising the same amount of receiving hairs, each portion corresponding to a predetermined section of the linear fixing member. The separation is obtained using the upper spring-biased clip 58 for blocking the receiving hairs near the upper edge of the separator device 51 (Figure 13), and using the teeth 52 on the slider 54 for forming said portions (Figure 13C). Then, the teeth 52 are put away from the resting surface 53 on which the fixing member 2 and the hairs of the hair extension 1 are laid down (Figure 13D).

The second spring-biased clip 59 is then used for blocking the hair etesio 1 , while the teeth 52 are operated to couple said portions of receiving hairs to the hairs of the hair extension 1 (Figure 13E).

The stretching applied by the teeth prevents the receiving hairs be tangled at the fixing member 2, opening spaces which can be used for inserting the comb of the previously described application device 20.

Therefore, the application steps of the hair extension 1 can be summarized as follows.

• selecting a weft of receiving hairs, raising the receiving hairs so as to bare a linear segment of hair skin having a length at least equal to that of the linear fixing member 2;

• laying down such a weft of receiving hairs and dividing it in substantially equivalent portions, possibly using the above described separator device, so as each portion correspond to a respective section of linear fixing member and/or to a lock 1 1 in the case of a hair extension corresponding to the second embodiment herein described; · keeping stretched said portions of receiving hairs, and adhere on them, close to the hair skin, the linear fixing member 2 of one hair extension as above described with reference to either the first or the second embodiment;

• laying down and stretching also the hairs of the hair extension; to have them in a position corresponding to said portions;

• exerting a pressure so as to fix the outer adhesive layer 8 to the portions of receiving hairs while they are kept stretched, to prevent that the receiving hairs adhere diagonally or longitudinally to the linear fixing member 2, and to have the hairs of the portion kept substantially centred to their respective section and/or juxtaposed on the hairs of the individual locks 1 1 ;.

• If the fixing member 2 is bi-adhesive, i.e. adhesive on both the faces thereof, the steps at the preceding points can be repeated overlapping another weft of receiving hairs on the hair extension 1 , separating it in portions corresponding to the former ones.

• once the adhesion is carried out, then it is possible: o to use the adhered hair extension as such; or o to carry out a permanent connection of the whole linear fixing member 2; or alternatively o to separate the linear fixing member 2 in individual fixing member and then possibly to carry out a permanent connection.

In such a way it is possible either to permanently or non-permanently connect the weft-like hair extension or to permanently or non-permanently connect the individual lock-like hair extension obtained from the weft-like hair extension.

To the above described hair extension a man skilled in the art, in order to meet further and contingent requirements, can introduce several change and variations, anyway all falling within the protection scope of the present invention, as defined by the annexed claims.

Claims

1 . Hair extension (1 ), of the kind particularly used for the thickening of hair, has a linear fixing member (2) from which hairs (3) perpendicularly branch, arranged in a flat configuration, characterized in that the linear fixing member (2) is formed by two tapes (4, 5) adhered to each other so as to obtain a fixing strip, with hairs embedded between the two tapes (4, 5) due to an adhesive layer (6) arranged therebetween, wherein:

• the tapes (4, 5) are flexible and made in a thermoplastic material;

• the tapes (4, 5) are provided with a plurality of passing through holes all over the surface thereof;

• at least one of said tapes (4, 5) has an exposed face provided with a pressure-activated and non-permanent outer adhesive layer (8); and

• the tapes (4, 5) has been pressed against each other, so that the hairs and the adhesive material of the adhesive layer (6) are at least partially penetrated into said passing through holes.

2. Hair extension (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the tapes (4, 5) of the linear fixing member (2) are both formed by a network of woven threads, said holes being determined by the network meshes, the threads being in thermoplastic material.

3. Hair extension (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer adhesive layer (8) is protected by a removable protection tape.

4. Hair extension (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive layer (6) between the two tapes (4, 5) results from the overlapping of respective adhesive layers on each surface of the tapes (4, 5) adhered to each other.

5. Hair extension (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hair proximal ends (7) reach the upper edge of the tapes (4, 5).

6. Hair extension (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tape material is transparent.

7. Hair extension (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims 2 to 6, wherein the threads of the network are polyester or polyurethane based.

8. Hair extension (1 ) according to any preceding claims, wherein the network has an overall thickness not greater than 200 μιτι, for example 150 μιτι.

9. Hair extension (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive is acrylic based.

10. Hair extension (1 ) according to any preceding claims, wherein the hairs (3) are provided in the form of individual lock-like extension in which the hairs are joined in distinct and separated locks, the proximal ends thereof being equidistant to each other along the linear fixing member (2).

1 1 . Hair extension (1 ) according to claim 10, wherein the linear fixing member (2) comprises means for making easier the separation of the individual lock-like hair extensions.

12. Hair extension (1 ) according to claim 1 1 , wherein said means for making easier the separation comprises notches producing tearing lines transversal to the linear fixing member (2), whereby the separated portions of linear fixing member (2) achieve fixing elements of the individual lock-like hair extensions.

13. Method for thickening hair, comprising the steps of:

• providing a hair extension according to any of the preceding claims; · selecting a weft of receiving hairs, raising the receiving hairs so as to bare a linear segment of hair skin having a length at least equal to that of the linear fixing member (2);

• keeping stretched the receiving hairs, and adhere on them, close to the hair skin, linear fixing member (2) of one hair extension (1 ); · laying down and stretching also the hairs of the hair extension (1 ); and

• exerting a pressure so as to fix the outer adhesive layer (8) to the receiving hairs while they are kept stretched, to prevent that the receiving hairs adhere diagonally or longitudinally to the linear fixing member (2).

14. Method for thickening according to claim 13, wherein a permanent connection of the whole linear fixing member (2) is carried out.

15. Method for thickening according to claim 13, wherein the linear fixing member (2) is separated in individual fixing elements.

16. Method for thickening according to claim 15, wherein a permanent connection of the individual fixing elements is carried out.

17. Method for thickening according to claim 13, wherein the linear fixing member (2) has been made adhesive on both the faces thereof, further comprising the step of overlapping another weft of receiving hairs on the hair extension (1 ).

18. Method for thickening according to claim 13, comprising the step of laying out the weft of receiving hairs and then splitting it in substantially equal portions, whereby each portion correspond to a respective section of the linear fixing member (2) and/or to a lock (1 1 ).