Device for assisting with hair styling

Abstract

A device for assisting with the styling of hair, such as with a flat ironing process. The device includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tubular body including an axial hair passage that runs from the first end to the second end. The tubular body or other elements associated with the tubular body are elastic in nature so to constrict about and removably retain hair that is pulled through the tubular body in preparation for styling. At least the axial hair passage is comprised of, or covered or coated with, a material having a low coefficient of friction to facilitate deliberate removal of sections of hair from the tubular body during styling.

1 . A device for assisting with hair styling, comprising:
 a stretchable tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tubular body including an axial hair passage that runs from the first end to the second end; and   at least one banding member positioned on and encircling the tubular body between the first end and second end, wherein the banding member is elastic and capable of being expanded under the application of force such that when the expanding force is removed the banding member contracts around the tubular body causing it to constrict;   wherein at least the surface of the tubular body that is exposed within the axial hair passage has a low coefficient of friction.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the banding member is positioned at approximately the mid-point between the first end and second end of the tubular body. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the axial hair passage has a substantially circular cross section. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the axial hair passage has a different diameter at the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the diameter of the axial hair passage is smallest at approximately the mid-point between the first end and second end of the tubular body. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the low-friction material is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, satin, silk, and spandex. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one hair sectioning cavity at or near the first end of the tubular body, the at least one hair sectioning cavity adapted to facilitate the withdrawal of selected sections of hair that has been pulled through the opening in the tubular body. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body is axially stretchable as well as radially stretchable. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular body is substantially axially non-stretchable. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein multiple banding members are positioned on and encircle the tubular body between the first end and second end. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein at least one of the multiple banding members has a different elasticity or circumference from another of the banding members. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the tubular body and banding members are provided in a kit, the kit containing banding members of different elasticities and/or circumferences. 
     
     
         13 . A device for assisting with hair styling, comprising:
 a one-piece elastic molded tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tubular body including an axial hair passage that runs from the first end to the second end;   wherein, the elastic nature of the tubular body allows the hair passage to be enlarged upon application of an expansion force so as to facilitate the passage of hair therethrough, while also causing the hair passage to constrict against the hair pulled therethrough when the expansion force is removed; and   wherein, at least the surface of the tubular body that is exposed within the axial hair passage has a low coefficient of friction to facilitate the deliberate removal of sections of hair from the tubular body during styling.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the tubular body has a circular cross-section that is smaller at the first end than the second end. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the tubular body has a circular cross-section that is larger at the first end than the second end. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the tubular body is substantially hourglass shaped, such that a portion of the tubular body located between the first end and second end is of a lesser diameter than either the first or second end. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising at least one hair sectioning cavity located at or near the first end of the tubular body, the at least one hair sectioning cavity adapted to facilitate the withdrawal of selected sections of hair that has been pulled through the hair passage in the tubular body. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the tubular body is encased in a stretchable fabric material having a low coefficient of friction. 
     
     
         19 . A device for assisting with hair styling, comprising:
 a multi-layered tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the tubular body including an axial hair passage that runs from the first end to the second end, the tubular body further comprising:
 an internal layer formed from a plurality of stacked doughnut-shaped members, the doughnut-shaped members aligned such that central openings therein collectively form the axial hair passage that extends from one end of the tubular body to the other end, at least one of the doughnut-shaped members being elastic; and 
 an external layer of a stretchable low coefficient of friction fabric that encases the doughnut-shaped members. 
   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the external layer of a stretchable low coefficient of friction fabric covers the axial hair passage.