Collapsible hair rollers and methods of using the same

Abstract

Hair rollers that can be collapsed to a substantially flat configuration when not in use and formed into a standard roller configuration when in use.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A collapsible hair roller that can be unfolded into a near flat configuration when not in use and can be folded into an assembled roller shape when in use; said collapsible hair roller includes first and second roller frame sections; each of said first and second roller frame sections include a frame body that has first and second ends; said first ends of said first and second frame sections include a first connection arrangement that forms a releasably connection between said first ends of said first and second frame sections; said second ends of said first and second frame sections includes an second connection arrangement that forms a movable connection between a) said second ends of said first and second frame sections or b) an intermediate roller frame system and said second ends of said first and second frame sections, and wherein said intermediate roller frame system includes one or more intermediate frame sections; said first connection arrangement is different from said second connection arrangement; said second connection arrangement forms a hinge or pivotable connection. 
     
     
         2 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first connection arrangement is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive connection, a magnetic connection, a hook and loop fastener connection, a snap connection, a latch connection, and a friction connection. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second connection arrangement is selected from the group consisting of a living hinge and a mechanical hinge. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said frame body of said first and second roller frame sections has the same shape and size. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said frame body of said first and second roller frame sections are each arcuate shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 1 , including one or more of said intermediate frame sections; each of said intermediate frame sections has an intermediate frame body; said intermediate frame body of each of said intermediate frame sections has the same shape and size of said frame body of said first and second roller frame sections. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein one or both of said frame body of said first and second roller frame sections include one or more body openings therethrough that are configured to allow air and liquid to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 1 , further including a hair attachment arrangement that is connected to an outer surface of one or both of said first and second roller frame sections; said hair attachment arrangement is formed of a different material from said body of said first and second roller frame sections; said hair attachment arrangement is form of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fastener, plastic, adhesive, paper, and static cling material. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said hair attachment arrangement is a single piece of flexible material that is connected to both said first and second roller frame sections. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said hair attachment arrangement is a plurality of pieces material, and wherein each of said plurality of pieces of material are connected to one of said first and second roller frame sections. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said hair attachment arrangement has a thickness that is less than a thickness of said frame body of each of said first and second roller frame sections. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said frame body of said first and second roller frame sections a) includes one or more electric heating elements, b) is be partially or fully formed of or include materials that can rapidly absorb heat when heated, c) is be partially or fully formed of or include materials that can be inductively heated and/or microwave heated, and/or d) is partially or fully formed of or include materials that can be heated when said frame body is placed in a heating system. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible hair roller as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each said first and second ends of said first and second frame sections has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of a region between said first and second ends; said first and second ends of said first and second frame sections are configured to extend inwardly into a central opening of said collapsible hair roller when said collapsible hair roller is in said assembled roller shape. 
     
     
         14 . A method for forming a collapsible hair roller into an assembled hair roller configuration from a collapsed orientation comprising:
 providing said collapsible hair roller that is in an unfolded and near flat configuration; said collapsible hair roller includes first and second roller frame sections; each of said first and second roller frame sections include a frame body that has first and second ends; said first ends of said first and second frame sections include a first connection arrangement that forms a releasably connection between said first ends of said first and second frame sections; said second ends of said first and second frame sections include an second connection arrangement that forms a movable connection between a) said second ends of said first and second frame sections or b) an intermediate roller frame system and said second ends of said first and second frame sections, and wherein said intermediate roller frame system includes one or more intermediate frame sections; said first connection arrangement is different from said second connection arrangement; said second connection arrangement forms a hinge or pivotable connection; and   moving said first ends of said first and second frame sections together to form a releasably connection between said first ends of said first and second frame sections to form said collapsible hair roller into said assembled hair roller configuration, and wherein said second ends of said first and second frame sections pivot or hingably move when said first ends of said first and second frame sections are releasably connected together.   
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said first connection arrangement is selected from the group consisting of an adhesive connection, a magnetic connection, a hook and loop fastener connection, a snap connection, a latch connection, and a friction connection; said second connection arrangement is selected from the group consisting of a living hinge and a mechanical hinge. 
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said frame body of said first and second roller frame sections has the same shape and size; said frame body of said first and second roller frame sections are each arcuate shaped. 
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , including one or more of said intermediate frame sections; each of said intermediate frame sections has an intermediate frame body; said intermediate frame body of each of said intermediate frame sections has the same shape and size of said frame body of said first and second roller frame sections; one or both of said frame body of said first and second roller frame sections include one or more body openings therethrough that are configured to allow air and liquid to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , further including a hair attachment arrangement that is connected to an outer surface of one or both of said first and second roller frame sections; said hair attachment arrangement is formed of a different material from said body of said first and second roller frame sections; said hair attachment arrangement is form of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fastener, plastic, adhesive, paper, and static cling material. 
     
     
         19 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said hair attachment arrangement is a) a single piece of flexible material that is connected to both said first and second roller frame sections, or b) a plurality of pieces material, and wherein each of said plurality of pieces of material are connected to one of said first and second roller frame sections; said hair attachment arrangement has a thickness that is less than a thickness of said frame body of each of said first and second roller frame sections. 
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said frame body of said first and second roller frame sections a) includes one or more electric heating elements, b) is be partially or fully formed of or include materials that can rapidly absorb heat when heated, c) is be partially or fully formed of or include materials that can be inductively heated and/or microwave heated, and/or d) is partially or fully formed of or include materials that can be heated when said frame body is placed in a heating system. 
     
     
         21 . The method as defined in  claim 14 , wherein each said first and second ends of said first and second frame sections has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of a region between said first and second ends; said first and second ends of said first and second frame sections are configured to extend inwardly into a central opening of said collapsible hair roller when said collapsible hair roller is in said assembled hair roller configuration.