WO2015027284A1

WO2015027284A1 - A hair styling device and method

Info

Publication number: WO2015027284A1
Application number: PCT/AU2014/000861
Authority: WO
Inventors: Simone LEE
Original assignee: Savoir Faire Cosmetics Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2013-08-30
Filing date: 2014-08-29
Publication date: 2015-03-05

Abstract

A hair styling device (10) has a body (12) with a plurality of openings (14) allowing for a length of a person's hair (30) to be passed between the openings (14) and after application of a treatment, removed. The body (12) has a first side (16), a second opposite side (18) and a peripheral edge (20). Each opening (14) is has a hole (26) that opens onto each of the opposite sides (16) and (18), and a passage (28) that extends form the hole to the edge (20). Each opening (14) is accessible from the edge (20) of the body. This enables the hair to be moved into each opening from the edge (20). A treatment can be applied to the hair (30) when engaged with the device (10). After the treatment has been taken up by the hair (30), the hair is (30) is withdrawn from the openings (14).

Description

A HAIR STYLING DEVICE AND METHOD

Technical Field A device and method are disclosed for styling hair. In particular but not exclusively the device and method enable different treatments to contiguous portions of a length of hair.

Background Art Known hair styling devices include: curling irons, brushes, rollers and combs.

Generally these devices are designed to temporarily or permanently manipulate human hair for the purpose of a applying some treatment or enhancement. Examples include: (i) colour alteration to darken, lighten or rejuvenate the hair; (ii) textural alteration to stylize the hair, including artificial curling or straightening; and (iii) volume development.

References to prior art documents in this specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

Summary of the Disclosure

In a first aspect there is disclosed a hair styling device comprising a body having a plurality of openings therein, the openings allowing for a length of a person's hair to be passed between the openings. This enables the length of hair to be held in a particular

configuration while a treatment is applied. After the treatment has set or taken the hair can be removed from the openings. The expression "length of hair' is intended to mean a length of one or more strands of hair treated as or forming a single common length of hair. Thus when this specification talks of a length of hair being passed between or through openings or holes, this means that the length comprised of the one or more strands of hair is passes as a single bunch or bundle of strands through respective individual openings or holes.

In one embodiment the body has opposite first and second sides and an edge, and each opening comprises a hole that opens onto the different sides of the body and a passage that extends from the hole to the edge.

In a second aspect there is disclosed a hair styling device comprising a body having a plurality of openings for receiving one or more strands of hair, the openings being accessible from an edge of the body, wherein the openings are configured to enable the one or more strands, when received in the plurality of openings, to be arranged as contiguous segments on different first and second sides of the body. This enables either the same or different treatments to be applied to the segments on the different sides. For example a dye of one colour can be applied to the segments on one side of the body and a different colour dye applied to the segments on the second side. In this example when the hair is removed from the contiguous segments will have alternating colour. In another example a perming treatment can be applied to length of hair on so that when the hair is removed form the body it assumes a particular shape.

In one embodiment each opening comprises a hole that opens onto the different sides of the body and a passage that extends from the hole to the edge.

In a third aspect there is disclosed a hair styling device comprising: a body having a first side and a second side defining a relatively narrow breadth there between, the body having a plurality openings extending between the first side and the second side, the openings arranged to so that a length of a person's hair received in different openings repeatedly passed between the first and second sides. In the third aspect each opening comprises a hole that opens onto the different sides of the body and a passage that extends from the hole to the edge.

In one embodiment of any one of the aspects the passages are in the form of slits. However is an alternate embodiment of any one of the aspects the passages are in the form of slots. In one embodiments the slots may be provided with a flared mouth that opens onto the edge.

In one embodiment of any one of the aspects the body comprises a strip or sheet of material.

In one embodiment the material is flexible. In various embodiments the material may be one of: a plastics material; metal; metal alloy; silicone; cardboard; paper; laminated paper and laminated card. In one embodiment of any one of the aspects the body is of a planar configuration.

In an alternate embodiment of any one of the aspects the body may have a corrugated configuration. In one embodiment of any one of the aspects the body may being formed to have a footprint of any one of a plurality of different shapes including but not limited to a: rectangle, circle, oval/ellipse; square, and triangle.

In one embodiment of any one of the aspects the strip or sheet has a thickness of less than 3mm.

In one embodiment of any one of the aspects the plurality of openings comprise at least ten openings.

In one embodiment of any one of the aspects the plurality of openings comprise at least twenty openings. In one embodiment of any one of the aspects the edge comprises a first edge portion and a second opposite edge portion and wherein at least one of the openings opens onto the first edge portion and at least one other of the openings opens onto the second edge portion.

In an alternate embodiment of any one of the aspects the edge comprises a first edge portion and a second opposite edge portion and all of the openings open onto first edge portion.

In one embodiment of any one of the aspects each opening extends laterally to the edge of the body allowing the length hair of to be moved laterally into the opening.

In one embodiment of any one of the aspects the openings are arranged in a regular pattern. In one embodiment the openings are arrange in two parallel lines along the body. In one embodiment the openings in the two parallel lines are juxtaposed to form pairs that align with each other along respective lines perpendicular to the two parallel lines. In an alternative embodiment the openings in one of the two parallel lines are staggered with respect to the openings in the other of the two parallel lines.

In one embodiment of any one of the aspects the body may be provided with a heater. The heater may for example be in the form of one or more wires embedded in the body and connectable to an electrical power supply so that when an electrical current passes through the one or more wires heat is generated which is transferred by conduction to the hair.

According to a fourth aspect there is disclosed a kit of hair styling devices comprising a plurality of hair styling devices in accordance with any one or more of the first , second and third aspects.

In one embodiment of the fourth aspect the openings in at least two of the hair styling devices are of different size to each other. In the same or an alternate embodiment at least two of the hair styling devices are of different configuration to each other.

According to a fifth aspect there is disclosed a method of styling hair, the method comprising: manipulating a length of hair so as to pass between a plurality of openings extending through a body having a first side, and a second side, the sides defining a relatively narrow breadth there between.

According to a sixth aspect there is disclosed a method of styling hair comprising manipulating a length of hair onto opposite sides of a body to form alternating contiguous segments of the lengths on the opposite sides.

According to a seventh aspect there is disclosed a method of styling hair comprising manipulating a length of hair so as to traverse a path having a plurality bends the bends forming respective transitions in the path between opposite sides of a body.

In the seventh embodiment the method comprises arranging each bend to cause a changing in direction of the hair of about 90°.

In embodiments of the sixth or seventh aspect the method further comprises applying a treatment to the hair on at least a first of the sides of the body.

In one embodiment the method further comprises applying a treatment to the hair on a second side of the body, wherein the treatment applied on the second side is the same or is different to the treatment applied to the first side.

In one embodiment manipulating the hair comprises locating the length of hair to pass through respective opening formed in the body.

In one embodiment manipulating the hair comprises laterally moving the length of hair towards the openings such that the hair passes through passages that open onto an edge of the body and into the openings.

In any one of the fifth to seventh aspects the body is the body of the hair styling device according to any one of the first to third aspects.

Brief Description of the Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the device and method as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 a is a top view of a hair styling device according to a first embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device;

Figure 1 b is a section view of a portion of the hair styling device shown in Figure

1 a; Figure 1 c is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device;

Figure 1 d is a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device;

Figure 1 e is a schematic representation of a fourth embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device;

Figure 1f is a schematic representation of a fifth embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device;

Figure 1g is a schematic representation of a sixth embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device; Figure 1 h is a schematic representation of a seventh embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device;

Figure 1 i is a schematic representation of an eight embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device;

Figure 1j is a schematic representation of a ninth embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a tenth embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device;

Figure 3a depicts holes of different size that may be incorporated in embodiments of the hair styling device;

Figure 3b depicts different configurations of holes that may be incorporated in

embodiments of the hair styling device; Figure 4a depicts a first kit comprising a plurality of different embodiments of hair styling devices;

Figure 4b depicts a different possible kit comprising a plurality of disclosed hair

styling devices of different configurations; and

Figure 5 illustrates one of a plurality of many different configurations of hair that may be produced by use of embodiments of the disclosed hair styling device.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a first embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device 10.

The hair styling device 10 comprises a body 12 having a plurality of openings 14 allowing for a length of a person's hair to be passed between the openings 14 and after application of a treatment, removed. While the length of hair is received or otherwise engaged in the openings 14 it can be subjected to various styling effects.

The body 12 has a first side 16 and a second opposite side 18 defining a relatively narrow breadth there between. That is, the body 12 is relatively thin. The plurality openings 14 extend from the first surface 16 to the second surface 18 through the thickness of the body 12.

In this embodiment the body 12 has a substantially rectangular footprint or shape, and a peripheral edge 20. The edge 20 has a first portion 22a and a second opposite portion 22b, hereinafter referred to in general as "edge portions 22". The edge potions 22 are parallel and form longitudinal edges of the body 12. The edge 20 also has a third portion 24a and an opposite fourth portion 24b, hereinafter referred to in general as "edge portions 24". The edge potions 24 are parallel to each other and form transverse edges of the body 12. The edge portions 22 are perpendicular to the edge portions 24.

Each opening 14 is accessible from the edge 20 of the body. This enables the hair to be moved into each opening from the edge 20. There is no need to try to thread the hair into the openings in a direction parallel to the thickness of the body 12, akin to threading a closed loop needle. Rather a length of hair is moved laterally to be received in the openings 14. Therefore in use a hair stylist an easily move a length of hair into or out of the openings 14, in the plane of the first and second sides 16 and 18. This is distinct from the stylist having to thread the hair though the openings 14 into the plane of the body 12 as would otherwise have to be the case. In this embodiment each opening 14 comprises a hole 26 that opens onto each of the opposite sides 16 and 18, and a passage 28 that extends form the hole to the edge 20. In this embodiment the passages 28 extend to a closest one of the edges portions 22.

In the device 10 shown in Figure 1 a the openings 14 and in particular the holes 26 are arranged in two parallel and spaced apart lines L1 and L2. The holes 26 in the line L1 are closer to the longitudinal edge portion 22a while the holes 26 in the line L2 are closer to the longitudinal edge portion 22b. In this particular embodiment the openings 14 and corresponding holes 26 in the respective lines L1 and L2 are offset or staggered with respect to each other. Thus no one opening 14 on line L1 is transversely aligned with an opening 14 on the line L2.

Also, in the present embodiment the passages 28 are in the form of slits. As will be described later in alternate embodiments the passages 28 may be in the form of slots. However when the passages 28 are in the form of slits respective opposite sides of the passage 28 are closely adjacent or can indeed be touching each other. By forming the body 12 from a flexible or pliable material the passages 28 can be easily opened by bending portions of the body 12 in effect along the lines L1 or L2 to enable a length of hair to be easily inserted into a corresponding hole 26. Figure 1 a illustrates a length of hair 30 that has been manipulated so as to traverse a path that passes successively through each of the openings 14. The length of hair comprises one or more strands of hair treated together as a bunch or bundle of hair. In most applications it is envisaged that the length of hair 30 will comprise many more than just one strand, for example tens or hundreds of strands. This arranges the length of hair 30 into contiguous segments S1 and S2 which lie on the first side 16 and the second side 18 respectively. The body 12 effectively isolates the segments S1 from the segments S2. A stylist can now apply various styling effects to the segments S1 and S2 either independently of each other, or together. For example a stylist can apply different coloured dyes to the segments S1 and S2. Additionally or alternately a stylist can apply various treatments including but not limited to heating and chemical treatments to either one or both sides 16 and 18 to provide various effects. The treatments on opposite sides can be the same or different to each other. Once the treatment has been applied and taken by the hair the hair 30 can be removed from the body 12 by sequentially passing it from the respective holes 26 through the corresponding passages 28 and beyond the edge 20 of the body 12.

As will be readily apparent from Figure 1 a the length of hair 30 when received in the openings 14 traverses a path having a plurality of bends. The bends form respective transitions in the path between the opposite sides 16 and 18.

Figure 1 b depicts in greater detail the nature of the bends formed in the path traversed by the length of hair 30 when engaged with the body 12. In particular Figure 1 b shows a cross-section view of a portion of hair passing through a hole 26 between the sides 16 and 18 of the body 12. The length of hair is divided into the contiguous segments S1 and S2. The plurality of bends comprises two bends for each hole 26. Each bend is approximately 90°. Thus, starting from the first side 16, the segment S1 when transitioning to the segment S2 passes through the hole 26 and initially bends through 90°. When the portion of the hair passing through the hole 26 lies on the side 18 it is bent or turns approximately a further 90°.

Without wishing to be bound by theory it is believed that creating or forming bends in the manner described above over flat or substantially rigid or hard surfaces the salt bond in the hair can be temporarily broken. It is believed that this may assist in the hair in the region of the bend more easily taking up or maintaining various styling effects and treatments such as heat treatment or chemical shaping or texturizing treatments.

The body 12 may be made from a number of different materials. Examples of materials suited to the construction of the device 10 include but are not limited to plastics material, metal, metal alloys, cardboard, paper, silicone; laminated paper and laminated card. As previously described the material from which the device 10 is made may be flexible. In the event that the passages 28 are in the form of slots rather than slits the requirement for flexibility in the body 12 diminishes. Nonetheless flexibility may assist in the useability of the device and allow for the ready manipulation of hair.

In one specific example, the device 10 may comprise a 4cm wide strip of "promeg" polypropylene having a thickness or gauge of 0.38mm. However in other embodiments the device 10 may be of different lengths, widths and/or gauges. For example the body 12 may have a gauge G (Fig 1 b) of up to 3mm. However in other embodiments the gauge can exceed 3mm for example but not limited to up to or more than 20mm. The body 12 when in a rectangular shape or configuration may have an overall length AOL (Fig 1 a) of about 10cm to 30cm or more. The body 12 may have different widths W (Fig 1 a) for example between 1 cm and 6 cm

Also, while the embodiment of the device in Figure 1 a may have a rectangular footprint or shape other footprints or shapes are possible. These can include for example a square, circle, oval/ellipse or triangle.

The method of forming the openings 14 and in particular the holes 26 and passages 28 is of no significance to the working of embodiments of the device 10. Examples of methods of forming the openings 14 include but are not limited to: punching; cutting; and stamping; or moulding when the device 10 is made by a moulding process.

In the embodiment of the device 10 in Figure 1 a the openings 26 are formed in a regular repeating pattern. However this is not necessary. It is possible for example to have each of the holes in the lines L1 and each of the holes in the lines L2 spaced by progressively increasing distances in the longitudinal direction of the body 12. Thus for example with reference to Figure 1 a in such an arrangement the distance between the openings 14 progressively increases in the direction from the edge portion 24a to the edge portion 24b. Thus consequently the segments of hair S1 and S2 progressively increase in length in the same direction. In another variation the transverse distance between the holes 14 in the lines L1 and L2 can vary. For example the lines L1 and L2 can be divergent so that they are closer together at one end than the other. Indeed the lines L2 and L2 can be configured in numerous different configurations. Non limiting examples include:

• zig-zag or wavy lines L1 and L2 shown in Fig 1 c;

• curved lines L1 and L2 shown in Fig 1 d; and

• alternating divergent and convergent lines L1 and L2 shown in Fig 1 e. Figures 1f-1j depict other variations in the configuration of the openings 14. In Fig.1f all the openings 14 open onto the same edge portion 22a. In Fig. 1g the passages 28 are inclined or angled at other than 90° to the edge 20. In Fig 1 h the passages 28 are curved rather than straight. In Fig 1 i the passages are formed with a bend or crest intermediate of their length. In Fig. 1j the openings do not have a separate or distinct hole and passage. Rather the opening 14 is in the form of a cut-out, recess or scallop formed along the edge portions 22a and 22b. This variation may also be considered to be equivalent to a form of the device where the transverse width the passage 28 is the same as the diameter of a circular hole 26 so that they merge to create an opening in the form of a slot or cut-out with a rounded closed inboard end.

The different configurations of the lines of the holes 14 enables variation in the length of the segments S1 and S2 and distance between the bends in the length of hair 30. This produces different visual effects of the treated hair. Irrespective of the shape of the hole 26, the passage 28 from that hole 26 to the edge 20 can be in the form of either a slit or a slot.

Also, it is noted that in Figure 1 a there is a total of twenty six openings 14. Thirteen openings 14 lie along the line L1 and thirteen lie along the line L2. However different embodiments of the device 10 may be made with different numbers of openings 14. The number of openings can range for example, but not limited to from ten to forty and include any sub-range there between. Nevertheless it is possible to also make the device 10 of a length commensurate with the length of hair that one may reasonably expect a person to have. If a person has very long hair, it is also possible to simply cognate a plurality of devices 10 together in a lengthwise direction one after the other to accommodate the length of hair.

In comparison to prior art arrangements known to the inventor, embodiments of the device 10 allow threads of hair to be 'weaved' or otherwise manipulated by the user into an almost infinite variety of patterns. As will be described these patterns allow for the advantageous provision of desirable and new styling effects.

Figure 2 depicts a further embodiment of the device designated here as 10'. The device 10' differs from the device 10 only in terms of the configuration of the openings 14' and by the provision of two fewer openings 14'. In the device 10' each opening 14' comprises a substantially circular hole 26' and a passage 28' which is in the form of a slot 29. This differs from the slit which forms the passage 28 in the device 10. The slot 29 in this embodiment has a width in the order of about 5mm. Also, the slot 29 is provided with a flared mouth 31 that opens onto the edge 20. The flared mouth 31 assists in directing the length of hair 30 into the holes 26'. However in alternate embodiments the slot 29 can be formed with parallel sides to the edge 20 so as to not include any widening.

In one embodiment of the device 10' when made of a width of approximately 40mm, the slot 29 may commence widening at a distance of about 2mm from the edge 20. The remainder of the slot 29 from the commencement of the mouth 31 to the edge of the hole 26' maybe in the order of about 7mm long. The slots 29 can have a width in this embodiment of about 2mm - 3mm. By providing the passage 28' in the form of a slot 29 the length of hair can be passed into a corresponding hole 26' without requiring any bending or distortion of the corresponding body 12.

The holes 26 of any embodiment of the device may be formed in various shapes and/or size. Figure 3a shown holes 26a to 26e all of circular shape but of progressively increasing radius. Figure 3b shows possible different hole shapes namely: an oval/elliptical hole 26f, triangular hole 26g, hexagonal hole 26h, star shaped hole 26i and diamond shaped hole 26j.

Figure 4a shows one possible kit 34a having a number of hair styling devices 10a, 10b and 10c having respective openings 14a, 14b and 14c (hereinafter referred to in general as "openings 14") of different configuration allowing for lengths of hair of different thickness to be styled.

The provision of a kit 34a of hair styling devices each having differently sized openings 14 is considered advantageous as some strands of hair are able to be styled differently to other strands of hair, either for different people or for the same person, that is the same head of hair.

Figure 4b shows a kit 34b having a number of devices 10d, 10e and 10f with the same configuration of openings 14 but of different lengths. In one example of the kit 34b the device 10d is 30cm in length, the device 10e is 20 cm in length and the device 10f is 10cm in length.

Kits 34 can be assembled with devices 10 of different lengths, hole configurations and diameters.

Figure 5 shows one of many different possible configurations of arranging a length of hair 30 through opening 14 of a device 10. The length of hair is passed through the openings 14 to follow the path a-u. Portions of the path on the upper side 16 form segments S1 while portions of the path on side 18 form contiguous segments S2.

Now that several preferred embodiments of the hair styling device have been described in detail, it will be apparent that the embodiments provide a number of advantages over the prior art, including the following:

(i) The ability to apply particular styling effects to hair, which effects cannot be produced using standard curling arrangements.

(ii) Convenient systems allowing for hair to be manipulated and positioned on two sides of a strip of material and subsequently treated on each side.

(iii) Increased comfort in comparison to some curling arrangements where the apparatus maintains a relatively low profile.

(iv) Increased space availability in comparison to curlers which when in position are spaced sided by side in single file, one after the other across a person's head.

(v) Improved flexibility allowing the stylising of several spaced apart portions of a thread or several threads of hair.

Whilst a number of specific embodiments of the disclosed hair styling device and method of styling hair have been described it should be appreciated that the device and method may be embodied in many other forms. Also, the surfaces of sides 16 and 18 may be formed to be smooth or be textured. In another variation, shown in Figure 2 the device 10 may be provided with a heater 50. In this variation the heater 50 comprises of one or more wires 52 embedded in the body 12 and connectable to an electrical power (not shown) via leads 54. When an electrical current passes through the wires 52 heat is generated which is transferred by conduction to hair engaged with the body 12. The heater may of course be used with any embodiment of the disclosed hair styling device.

In the claims which follow, and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the device and method as disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A hair styling device comprising a body having a plurality of openings therein, the openings allowing for a length of a person's hair to be passed between the openings.

2. The hair styling device according to claim 1 wherein the body has opposite first and second sides and an edge, and each opening comprises a hole that opens onto the different sides of the body and a passage that extends from the hole to the edge.

3. A hair styling device comprising a body having a plurality of openings for receiving one or more strands of hair, the openings being accessible from an edge of the body, wherein the openings are configured to enable the one or more strands, when received in the plurality of openings, to be arranged as contiguous segments on different first and second sides of the body.

4. The hair styling device according to claim 3 wherein each opening comprises a hole that opens onto the different sides of the body and a passage that extends from the hole to the edge.

5. A hair styling device comprising:

a body having a first side and a second side defining a relatively narrow breadth there between, the body having a plurality openings extending between the first side and the second side, the openings arranged to so that a length of a person's hair received in different openings repeatedly passed between the first and second sides.

6. The hair styling device according to claim 5 wherein each opening comprises a hole that opens onto the different sides of the body and a passage that extends from the hole to the edge.

7. The hair styling device according to any one of claims 2, 4 and 6 wherein the passages are in the form of slits.

8. The hair styling device according to any one of claims 2, 4 and 6 wherein the passages are in the form of slots.

9. The hair styling device according to claim 8 wherein each slots is provided with a flared mouth that opens onto the edge.

10. The hair styling device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the body comprises a strip or sheet of material.

1 1. The hair styling device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the body has a footprint in the shape of one of a: rectangle, circle, oval/ellipse; square, and triangle.

12. The hair styling device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the plurality of openings comprise at least ten openings.

13. The hair styling device according to any one of the preceding claims dependant directly or indirectly on any one of claims 2, 4 and 6 wherein the edge comprises a first edge portion and a second opposite edge portion and wherein at least one of the openings opens onto the first edge portion and at least one other of the openings opens onto the second edge portion.

14. The hair styling device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the openings are arranged in a regular pattern.

15. The hair styling device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the openings are arrange in two parallel lines along the body.

16. The hair styling device according to claim 15 wherein the openings in the two parallel lines are juxtaposed to form pairs that align with each other along respective lines perpendicular to the two parallel lines.

17. The hair styling device according to claim 15 wherein the openings in one of the two parallel lines are staggered with respect to the openings in the other of the two parallel lines.

18. The hair styling device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the body is provided with a heater.

19. The hair styling device according to claim 18 wherein the heater comprises one or more wires embedded in the body and connectable to an electrical power supply so that when an electrical current passes through the one or more wires heat is generated which is transferred by conduction to hair received in the openings.

20. A kit of hair styling devices comprising a plurality of hair styling devices in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

21. A method of styling hair, the method comprising: manipulating a length of hair so as to pass between a plurality of openings extending through a body having a first side, and a second side, the sides defining a relatively narrow breadth there between.

22. A method of styling hair comprising manipulating a length of hair onto opposite sides of a body to form alternating contiguous segments of the lengths on the opposite sides.

23. A method of styling hair comprising manipulating a length of hair so as to traverse a path having a plurality bends the bends forming respective transitions in the path between opposite sides of a body.

24. The method according to claim 23 comprising arranging each bend to cause a changing in direction of the hair of about 90°.

25. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 24 comprising applying a treatment to the hair on at least one of the sides of the body.

26. The method according to claim 25 comprises applying a treatment to the hair on an other side of the body, wherein the treatment applied on the other side is the same or is different to the treatment applied to the one of the sides.