Hair retention device and method of using same

Abstract

A spiral or helical structure for retaining hair or hair-like strands is constructed from one or more rigid, semi-rigid, and/or flexible materials. Rigid or substantially rigid portions of the structure can be inter-spaced with flexible portions of similar spiral or helical structures to accommodate the ability to create desired bends, curves and/or curls. Elastomeric bands can be employed to secure the spiral or helical structures to hair strands, to other spiral or helical structures and/or other hair retention devices. Applying hair dye/stain to bundled hair within the spiral or helical structures provides an ability to “tie dye” hair strand bundles to create desired highlighting and/or hair coloring. The spiral or helical structure can be made of hollow or partially hollow material. Decorative items can be attached or interconnected to the various embodiments of the present invention. In a separate embodiment, an interior component is coupled with an outer component.

1 . A hair retention device adapted to receive a bundle of human or animal hair, said device comprising: 
 a structure comprising a substantially spiral or a substantially helical shape, said structure having at least first and second ends, said structure further comprising a projection near said at least one of said first or second ends, said structure adapted to receive the hair bundle by winding the hair bundle into an interior diameter of said structure; and    an elastomeric band operatively associated with said structure, wherein said elastomeric band is positioned near the same said at least one of said first or second ends as said projection and is at least partially extended around said structure and the hair bundle and interconnected to said structure to hold the hair bundle to said structure.    
   
   
       2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said elastomeric band is positioned near at least one of said first or second ends of said structure.  
   
   
       3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising a projection near said at least one of said first or second ends of said structure.  
   
   
       4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said projection extends radially outward from an exterior surface of said structure.  
   
   
       5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said projection further comprises a hook or a spur.  
   
   
       6 . The device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said hook or said spur is sized to retain at least one portion of said elastomeric band.  
   
   
       7 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said structure comprises pitch openings that are equal to or larger than said interior diameter of said structure.  
   
   
       8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said spiral or helical structure is a single spiral or a single helix.  
   
   
       9 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said substantially spiral shape is not symmetrical.  
   
   
       10 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least first and second ends of said structure tapers inward within said interior diameter of said structure.  
   
   
       11 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising first and second projections, said elastomeric band interconnected to each of said first and second projections.  
   
   
       12 . A hair retention device adapted to receive a bundle of human or animal hair, said device comprising: 
 a substantially helical member adapted to receive the bundle of hair within an interior diameter, the helical member comprising a rigid or semi-rigid interior component and a flexible exterior component encompassing at least a portion of said interior component.    
   
   
       13 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said interior component comprises a helical shaped metal wire.  
   
   
       14 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said interior component comprises a plastic helix.  
   
   
       15 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said exterior component comprises fibers.  
   
   
       16 . The device as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising a flexible member interconnectable to said helical member and means for interconnecting said flexible member to said helical member, wherein said flexible member is at least partially extended around said helical member using said means for interconnecting, whereby the bundle of hair is held to said helical member.