Replacement hair strand having a hair-joining element

Abstract

Replacement hair strands having a hair-joining element comprise a flat, thin platelet with one replacement hair strand embedded on an end of the platelet, and at least one thin rib that protrudes at an angle with respect to the strand direction of the replacement hair strand from one of two flat sides of the platelet. The rib has flat sides that taper toward its free end. The rib has a height and a base thickness, and the height is greater than the base thickness. The base thickness is approximately the same as a thickness of the platelet. The rib is configured to envelop natural hair strands longitudinally aligned with the strand direction of the replacement hair strand to securely connect the replacement hair strand to the natural hair strands.

1 . Replacement hair strands having a hair-joining element comprising a flat, thin platelet with one replacement hair strand embedded on an end of the platelet, and at least one thin rib that protrudes at an angle with respect to the strand direction of the replacement hair strand from one of two flat sides of the platelet, wherein the rib has flat sides that taper toward its free end, wherein the rib has a height and a base thickness, wherein the height is greater than the base thickness, wherein the base thickness is approximately the same as a thickness of the platelet, and wherein the rib is configured to envelop natural hair strands longitudinally aligned with the strand direction of the replacement hair strand to securely connect the replacement hair strand to the natural hair strands. 
     
     
         2 . Replacement hair strands having a hair-joining element according to  claim 1 , wherein a maximum height of the rib is approximately equal to a longitudinal size of the platelet in the strand direction. 
     
     
         3 . Replacement hair strands having a hair-joining element according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one thin rib consists of a single thin rib. 
     
     
         4 . Replacement hair strands having a hair-joining element according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one thin rib consists of two thin ribs. 
     
     
         5 . Replacement hair strands having a hair-joining element according to  claim 1 , wherein the hair-joining element is constructed of a material other than thermoplastic. 
     
     
         6 . Replacement hair strands having a hair-joining element according to  claim 1 , wherein the hair-joining element is constructed of a material that is cured by ultraviolet or laser light. 
     
     
         7 . Replacement hair strands having a hair-joining element according to  claim 1 , wherein the free end of the rib is flat and the rib has a trapezoidal profile. 
     
     
         8 . Replacement hair strands having a hair-joining element comprising:
 a flat, thin platelet with one replacement hair strand embedded on an end of the platelet; and   a single thin rib that protrudes at an angle with respect to the strand direction of the replacement hair strand from one of two flat sides of the platelet, wherein the rib has flat sides that taper toward its free end, wherein the rib has a height and a base thickness, wherein the height is greater than the base thickness, wherein the base thickness is approximately the same as a thickness of the platelet, wherein the rib is configured to envelop natural hair strands longitudinally aligned with the strand direction of the replacement hair strand to securely connect the replacement hair strand to the natural hair strands, wherein a maximum height of the rib is approximately equal to a longitudinal size of the platelet in the strand direction, and wherein the free end of the rib is flat and the rib has a trapezoidal profile;   wherein the hair-joining element is constructed of a material that is cured by ultraviolet or laser light.