Apparatus and Method for Forming Hair Buns and Curls

Abstract

A hair retention device for forming a bun or curls in a person's hair is provided that is comprised of a cylindrical roll made of a mesh material. The cylindrical roll contains one or more strips of a material that are placed around the circumference of the roll and that grip a person's hair. The strips of material can be made of any material that can grip a person's hair and hold in place without causing serious discomfort to the user. Examples of the material include Velcro plastic, rubber, metal, silicone and the like. The ends of the cylindrical roll contain an attachment device that allows the ends of the cylindrical roll to attach together to form a circle or ring-like structure. The hair retention device can also include an elastic cord that can run internally in the hair retention device and the length of the cylindrical roll. The elastic cord can be used to synch the ring-like structure to a desired tightness, thus creating a bun with a desired circumference. The external slack of the internal elastic cord can be wrapped around the resultant bun, thus further securing the bun and holding it tightly in place.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hair retention device for forming a bun in a person's hair, comprising:
 a flexible cylindrical roll having a first end and a second end, comprised of a pliable mesh material and one or more strips of a stiffer hair gripping material placed around a circumference of the roll; and   an attachment device disposed at least one of the ends of the cylindrical roll to attach the ends together to form a loop or ring-like structure.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh material is at least one of a soft, lightweight, and breathable material. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffer hair gripping material grips via a hook and/or loop mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffer hair gripping material is at least one of a plastic, rubber, metal, and silicone material. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffer hair gripping material is substantially triangle-shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic cord internally disposed within and extending through a substantial length of the roll and exiting through an opening in at least one of the ends so as to be exposed, allowing the the length of the roll to be shortened by a pulling of the exposed cord. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a retention bead disposed about the exposed elastic cord, the bead sized to prevent retraction of the exposed cord through the opening into the roll. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic cord exits each end of the roll. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a retention bead disposed about each exposed elastic cord, each bead sized to prevent retraction of the exposed cord through the opening into the roll. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment device is at least one of a snap, hook and loop, magnet, and button. 
     
     
         11 . A method for forming a hair bun, comprising:
 fabricating a flexible cylindrical roll having a first end and a second end, from a pliable mesh material with one or more strips of a stiffer hair gripping material around a circumference of the roll;   placing an elastic cord within and extending through a substantial length of the roll, exiting through an opening in at least one of the ends so as to be exposed;   connecting an attachment device to at least one of the ends of the cylindrical roll;   placing the cylindrical roll at an end of one or more strands of a person's hair, so as to contact the hair gripping material to the hair;   rolling the cylindrical roll upwards towards the scalp, thereby rolling the gripped hair with the roll;   attaching the ends of the cylindrical roll together to form a ring-like structure; and   pulling the elastic cord to tighten the ring-like structure of the roll.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising attaching a retention bead to the exposed elastic cord, the bead being sized to prevent retraction of the exposed cord through the opening into the roll. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising adjusting a circumference of the ring-like structure by a pull strength on the cord. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising wrapping an exposed slack cord around a formed bun of the person's hair. 
     
     
         15 . A device for forming a hair bun, comprising:
 a flexible cylindrical means for wrapping hair, containing one or more strips of a stiffer hair gripping material around a circumference of the cylindrical means;   end tensioning means, extending through a substantial length of the cylindrical means, exiting through an opening in at least one of the ends so as to be exposed; and   attachment means coupled to at least one of the ends of the cylindrical means.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the stiffer hair gripping material is at least one of a plastic, rubber, metal, and silicone material. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the stiffer hair gripping material is substantially triangle-shaped. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising a retention means disposed about the exposed tensioning means, the retention means sized to prevent retraction of the exposed tensioning means through the opening into the cylindrical means. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the tensioning means exits each end of the cylindrical means. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising a retention means disposed about each exposed tensioning means, each retention means sized to prevent retraction of the exposed tensioning means through the opening into the cylindrical means.