Title of Invention

"AUTOMATED HAIR IMPLANTING APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING WIG AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING WIG"

Abstract An automatic hair implanter for manufacturing a wig and a method of manufacturing the wig, the implanter comprising a means for supplying artificial hair (30) on the entire surface of a base (11) and a needle (41) movable forward and backward in a direction orthogonal to one surface of the base (11); the method comprising the steps of piercing the needle (41) into the base (11) in extended state and pulling out the artificial hair (30) to the other surface of the base (11), supplying the base (11) to the upper surface of a movable moving table (21) moving in a direction two-dimensionally orthogonal to the base according to the order preset at a specified pitch and bringing the base into the extended state, implanting the artificial hairs in the extended state, and releasing the extended state after implanting, whereby the needle holes due to implanting of artificial hair can be prevented from being formed continuously (FIG. - 1)
Full Text AUTOMATED HAIR-IMPLANTING APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING WIG AND
METHOD OF MANUFACTURING WIG
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to automated hair implanting for
manufacturing wig and method of manufacturing wig, and it pertains to an
automation of wig manufacturing and, more particularly to an automated hair-
implanting apparatus for manufacturing a wig and a method of manufacturing a
wig. The expression "transplanting" used throughout the description ought to
mean "implanting".
BACKGROUND
A wig has been manufactured in such a manner that a hair segment to be
transplanted/implanted is folded in two, which is one by one transplanted onto a three-
dimensional thick base by handwork. When one folded hair segment is transplanted
on the base, it looks as if two hairs are transplanted. Several folded hair segments
may be transplanted at one time.
However, such a prior art handwork is extremely inefficient, because it would
take two or three weeks or more to transplant 20,000 hairs, for example. When a wig
is manufactured in foreign countries in order to save labor costs, it tends to increase
inferior products and reduce a production yield.
Some attempts have been made to develop automated wig manufacturing
systems, but no success has been achieved.
To achieve the above-described object, the present invention has been made
in view of the above-described background. Its object is to provide an automated hair-
transplanting apparatus for manufacturing a wig and a method of manufacturing a wig,
which makes it possible to achieve automation of wig manufacturing, manufacture a
wig quickly and efficiently while preventing inferior products.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
To achieve the above-described object, an automated hair-implanting
apparatus for manufacturing a wig in accordance with the present invention comprises:
a conveyor table, base supplying means for supplying a
base onto said conveyor table, tensioning/positioning means for applying tension to
said base which has been supplied onto said conveyor table by said base supplying
means so that said base is placed in position in a stretched condition, artificial hair
supplying means for supplying artificial hairs of predetermined length onto one surface
of said base which has been supplied onto said conveyor table by said base supplying
means and positioned in the stretched condition by said tensioning/positioning means;
needle movable in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces of said base, said needle
piercing said base from the other surface to said one surface and then engaging at
said one surface said artificial hair supplied by said artificial hair supplying means and
then returning back to said other surface so that said artificial hair is drawn out toward
said other surface of said base to be implanted onto said base; table driving
means for moving said conveyor table in X and Y directions perpendicular to each
other with predetermined pitch so that said artificial hair implanting operation by
said needle is repeated with said predetermined pitch; and tension releasing means
for releasing said tension given by said tensioning/positioning means to release said
stretched condition of said base onto which said artificial hair have been implanted,
after said artificial hair implanting operation with said needle has been completed.
A method of manufacturing a wig in accordance with the present invention
comprises the steps of supplying a two-dimensional thin base onto a conveyor table,
applying tension to stretch said base on said conveyor table, positioning said
stretched base on said conveyor table, supplying artificial hairs to one surface of said
stretched base, engaging said supplied artificial hairs with needle reciprocating to
pierce said stretched base, said needle engaging said artificial hairs piercing said
base so that said artificial hairs are implanted onto said stretched base, said
artificial hair implanting operation by said needle being repeated during movement
of said conveyor table with a predetermined pitch, and releasing said stretched
condition of said base after completing said artificial hair implanting operation with
said needle. This method may further comprise a first adhesive applying step for
applying first adhesive to a back surface of said base so as to fix said transplanted
artificial hairs onto said base, and a second adhesive applying step for applying
second adhesive to said one surface of said base.
This manner of operation prevents needle holes, formed by hair-
transplantation, from being connected with each other to form a continuous slit. This
enables automation of wig manufacturing, quick wig manufacturing and prevents
inferior products.
Preferably, the artificial hairs are supplied by said artificial hair supplying
means onto a lower or upper surface of the base.
The apparatus preferably further comprises press means that may be opened
and closed to hold the artificial hairs, the artificial hairs being temporarily held by the
press means and drawn out by the needle.
The press means is preferably swingable toward the needle, drawing-out of the
artificial hairs by the needle being initiated after swinging movement of the press
means toward the needle.
The press means preferably holds the artificial hairs from opposite sides, or
from up and down, or both from opposite sides and from up and down.
The needle preferably comprises at least a pair of needles reciprocating in
synchronism with each other, said needles being arranged at a predetermined space
along a direction of supply of the artificial hairs by said artificial hair supplying means.
A pitch of the artificial hair transplantation with the needle is preferably larger
than a needle width defined in a direction perpendicular to a direction of supply of the
artificial hairs.
Preferably, the artificial hairs are transplanted by the needle after the base is
moved in a direction perpendicular to a direction of supply of the artificial hairs, or
after the base is moved in a direction of supply of the artificial hairs, or the artificial
hairs are transplanted onto the base in a slanting direction.
Preferably, more than one of said hair supplying means are provided.
The apparatus preferably further comprises means for blowing the artificial
hairs, transplanted by the needles, toward a predetermined direction. The blowing
means preferably comprises a bar arranged just below the transplanted artificial hairs
and movable in a predetermined direction.
Movement of the conveyor table and the needle is preferably controlled
by control means comprising a computer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Fig.1 is a general view showing an embodiment of an automated hair-
transplanting apparatus for manufacturing a wig in accordance with the present
invention and also diagrammatically showing a process flow.
Fig.2 is a diagrammatic front view showing an example of a base supply unit of
the present invention.
Fig.3 is a view showing an example of a tensioning/positioning unit of the
present invention, wherein Fig.3 (A) is a diagrammatic plan view thereof, Fig.3(B) is a
diagrammatic front view thereof and Fig.3 (C) is a diagrammatic plan view showing a
main part thereof.
Fig.4 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing an example of a part, namely
a hair color selecting and cutting unit of an artificial hair supply unit of the present
invention.
Fig.5 is a front view showing an example of a hair-transplanting unit of the
present invention.
Fig.6(A) is a side view of Fig.5, Fig.6(B) is an enlarged view showing a part
thereof when presser means is opened, and Fig.6 (C) is an enlarged view showing the
same part when presser means is closed.
Fig.7 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing relationship between a head
unit and a conveyor table of the present invention.
Fig.8 is a diagrammatic side view showing an example of a blowing unit of the
present invention, wherein Fig.8(A) shows the condition immediately after the artificial
hairs have been transplanted, whereas Fig.8(B) shows the condition wherein the
artificial hairs have been blown toward the base.
Fig.9 is a (diagrammatic side) view explaining the manner of applying tension
to the base.
Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic front view showing the artificial hair supplying process
in accordance with the present invention.
Fig.11 is a view showing elevation of the transplanting needle in accordance
with the present invention, wherein Fig.11(A) is a diagrammatic front view thereof and
Fig.11(B) is a. diagrammatic left-side view thereof.
Fig. 12 is a view showing descent of the transplanting needle in accordance
with the present invention, wherein Fig.12(A) is a diagrammatic front view thereof and
Fig.12(B) is a diagrammatic left-side view thereof.
Fig. 13 is a view showing the condition where the artificial hairs have been
transplanted onto the base.
Fig.14 is a (diagrammatic plan) view explaining the process succeeding the
hair-transplanting process.
Fig. 15 shows an example of an electromagnetic valve for use in the automated
hair-transplanting apparatus for manufacturing a wig in accordance with the present
invention, wherein Fig.15(A) is a diagrammatic perspective view thereof and Fig.15(B)
is a circuit diagram.
Fig. 16 is (a part of) a flowchart showing a method of manufacturing a wig in
accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 17 is (a part of) a flowchart showing the method of manufacturing a wig in
accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 18 is (a part of) a flowchart showing the method of manufacturing a wig in
accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 19 is a flowchart showing respective unit initializing processes shown
in Figs.16-18.
Fig.20 is a flowchart showing a roller initializing process of Fig. 19.
Fig.21 is (a part of) a flowchart showing a tensioner initializing process
of Fig. 19.
Fig.22 is (a part of) a flowchart showing the tensioner initializing process
of Fig. 19.
Fig.23 is a flowchart showing a needle initializing process of Fig. 19.
Fig.24 is (a part of) a flowchart showing a conveyor table initializing
process of Fig. 19.
Fig.25 is (a part of) a flowchart showing the conveyor table initializing
process of Fig. 19.
Fig.26 is (a part of) a flowchart showing a hair-transplanting process of
Figs.16-18.
Fig.27 is (a part of) a flowchart showing the hair-transplanting process of
Figs.16-18.
Fig.28 is (a part of) a flowchart showing the hair-transplanting process of
Figs.16-18.
Fig.29(A) is a flowchart showing a needle elevating process of Figs.26-
28 and (B) is a flowchart showing a needle descending process.
Fig.30 is a flowchart showing a sheet feeding process of Figs.16-18.
Fig.31 is a flowchart showing a sheet discharging process (by forward
rotation) of Figs.16-18.
Fig.32 is a flowchart showing a sheet discharging process (by reverse
rotation) of Figs.16-18.
Fig.33 is a flowchart showing a discharge process of Figs.16-18.
MOST PREFERABLE EMBODIMENTS OF INVENTION
Next, an automated hair-transplanting apparatus for manufacturing a wig
embodying the present invention will be described in more detail in reference to the
accompanying drawings showing embodiments thereof. For the sake of convenience,
elements or parts having the same function are indicated by the same reference
numerals and explanation thereof will be omitted. Fig.1 is a general view
diagrammatically showing an automated hair-transplanting apparatus for
manufacturing a wig in accordance with the present invention together with a process
flow. As shown also in Fig.2, a base supply unit 1 supplies a base 11 to a
tensioning/positioning unit 2 in a horizontal orientation. The base. 11 is a very thin
sheet woven by polyurethane fiber, for example, having a thickness of 0.06mm, for
example, which is reeled around a sheet roller 13. The sheet roller 13 is driven by a
motor 15 to supply the reeled base 11 therefrom onto a conveyor table 21. A
reference numeral 17 indicates a sheet roller stopper.
Fig.3 shows the tensioning/positioning unit 2. The tensioning/positioning unit 2
has conveyor table 21 movable on a two-dimensional plane in directions
perpendicular to each other, that is, along X- and Y-axes. The conveyor table 21 is
moved along X- and Y-axes over a predetermined pitch of 2mm, for example, by an X-
axis drive motor (not shown) and a Y-axis drive motor (not shown), respectively, in a
predetermined order. By this, the base 11 becomes stretched and is positioned in a
predetermined position. More particularly, there are tensioners 23 at four corners on
the conveyor table 21 for tensioning the supplied base 11. Each tensioner 23
comprises a pair of opposed tension nip rollers 24, 25 for pressing and clamping the
base 11 from up and down, and tensioning motors 26 (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) that may
be rotated in forward and reverse directions to drive the rollers 24, 25. A reference
numeral 27 indicates upper and lower sheet feeding rollers arranged at a supply side
of the tensioning/positioning unit 2, which are driven by a motor 27a, shown in Fig.14,
to rotate in one predetermined direction for feeding the base 11 onto the conveyor
table 21. A reference numeral 28 indicates upper and lower sheet discharging rollers
arranged at a discharge side of the tensioning/positioning unit 2, which is rotatable in
forward and reverse directions by a motor 28a, shown in Fig. 14. A reference numeral
29 indicates a sheet slack sensor 29 mounted at the supply side of the
tensioning/positioning unit 2, upstream of the sheet feedingTollers 27, for detecting a
slack of the supplied base 11.
An artificial hair supplying unit 3 shown in Fig. 4, including bobbins 31 A, 31B,
31C and 31D (which may be hereinlater referred to by a generic humeral 31),
supplies an artificial hair 30 onto the upper surface of the base 11. A thread (or the
artificial hair 30) of a different color is reeled around each bobbin 31, which may be
unreeled from the bobbin over a predetermined length by an unreeling motor 31AM,
31BM, 31 CM, 31 DM. The unreeled thread is fed by actuating a vacuum generator 32
(32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) and a single vacuum generator 33, shown in Fig.1. Each bobbin
system 31 has a conduit 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d that forms a travel path, and the artificial
hairs 30 are supplied through the conduit 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d and a conduit 35 to a
hair-transplanting unit 4. As shown in Fig.4, in the middle of each travel path, there is
a movable cutter 34 driven by a cutter motor 34a for cutting the respective artificial
hairs 30 after they are unreeled over a predetermined length by the unreeling motors
31AM, 31 BM, 31 CM, 31 DM. Between the conduit 35 and the conduits 35a, 35b, 35c,
35d are formed gap G1 that allows the cutter 34 to pass therethrough. The artificial
hair 30 may comprise, for example, polyester, acrylic or other chemical fiber that has
been subjected to special treatment for use as an artificial hair. The respective
artificial hairs 30 are supplied through the conduit 35.
Figs.5-7 show the hair-transplant unit 4. The hair-transplant unit 4 comprises
vertically reciprocatable needles 41 (41a, 41b) arranged below the base 11 and a
head 42 arranged above the base 11 and just above the needles 41. The head 42 is
provided with a movable guide 43 in the form of a pipe detachably connected to an
artificial hair supplying nozzle 37 attached to the leading end of the conduit 35, and
press means 44, 45 that may be opened and closed for clamping the artificial hair 30
that has been removed from the movable guide 43 and the artificial hair supplying
nozzle 37, and is driven by a motor 46 to rotate on horizontal plane of the base 11. A
reference numeral 43a indicates a motor for reciprocating the movable guide 43 on a
horizontal plane, which drives the movable guide 43 via a lever 43b connected to a
motor shaft and a connector plate 43c. The press means 44 comprises a movable
member 44a driven by a motor 44c to be opened and closed, and a stationary
receiving member 44b, between which the artificial hair 30 is clamped from opposite
sides thereof. The press means 45 comprises members 45a, 45b that are moved up
and down in synchronism with movement of the movable member 44a to clamp the
artificial hair 30 therebetween. A reference numeral 47 indicates a motor for swinging
the head 42, including the press means 44, toward the needles 41. A reference
numeral 48a indicates a sensor for detecting a rotational angle of the head 42. A
reference numeral 48b indicates a sensor for detecting a rotational angle of the press
means 44. A reference numeral 49a indicates a motor for reciprocating the needles
41, and a reference numeral 49b indicates a motor operative in synchronism with the
motor 46 to rotate the needles 41 on a horizontal plane with respect to the plane of
the base 11. In Fig.5, the artificial hair 30 is transferred in an arrowed direction (in a
direction of X-axis) with respect to the base 11. The needle 41 has a speared or
pointed end provided with a groove 41". The needle 41 comprises two needles 41a,
41b supported to a vertically reciprocatable needle arm (not shown) with a
predetermined gap of 1mm, for example, therebetween. The needles 41a, 41b are
positioned with their grooves 41" extending in the same direction that is perpendicular
to the artificial hair 30.
Fig.8 shows a hair-blowing unit 5 in the hair-transplanting unit 4. More
particularly, just below the transplanted artificial hair 30 is arranged a chain conveyor
51 that rotates clockwise, and the conveyor 51 is provided with a plurality of raking
bars 52. A holding bar 53 is suitably separated from the transplanted artificial hairs
30. The conveyor 51 is driven to rotate at a predetermined time interval so that the
raking bars 52 rake the transplanted artificial hairs 30 to right, which are then held by
the holding bar 53. This assures that next transplanting operation may be done with
no obstacles on an area to be hair-transplanted.
Shown in Fig.15 is an electrostatic valve (three position, closed center double
solenoid) 39a that is linked with an air compressor 39 to actuate the vacuum
generators 32, 33.
Next, operation of the automated hair-transplanting apparatus for
manufacturing a wig in accordance with the present invention will be described in
reference to Figs.9-14. A slack T1 is first given between the sheet feeding rollers 27
and the tension nip rollers 24, 25 (Fig.9(A)), and the discharge roller 28 is driven to
rotate to feed the base 11 (Fig.9 (B)). Up to this time, the tension nip rollers 24, 25
remains opened. Next, the tension nip rollers 24, 25 are closed to hold the supplied
base 11 therebetween, thereby again providing a slack T1 between the sheet feeding
rollers 27 and the tension nip rollers 24, 25 (Fig.9 (C)). Then, the sheet discharging
rollers 28 are driven to rotate in a reverse direction to provide another slack T2
between the tension nip rollers 24, 25 and the sheet discharging rollers 28 (Fig.9
(D)). The total amount of the slacks T1 and T2 thus given should be enough to move
the conveyor table 21. The hatched portion of the sheet slack sensor 29 in Fig.9
indicates a detectable area. The base 11 is transferred from left to right.
The base 11 thus fed is nipped from top and bottom between the tension nip
rollers 24, 25 to become stretched on the conveyor table 21 (see Fig.3). Then,
predetermined data designating a pitch of hair-transplantation, coloring of the artificial
hairs 30, etc. are read out by control means comprising a computer, not shown,
according to which hair-transplanting process will start. The color scheme of the
artificial hairs 30 is determined in advance as a combination of 50% of the hair from
the bobbin 31 A, 30% from the bobbin 31B, 15% from the bobbin 31C and 5% from the
bobbin 31D, for example.
Prior to the hair-transplanting process, the artificial hairs 30 have been supplied
to above the base 11. Supply of the artificial hair 30 is carried out by the vacuum
generators 32, 33 that are driven in response to a command from the control means
to absorb by vacuum the thread. More specifically, when the artificial hair 30 of "A"
color is to be selected, ports "1-A" and "2-A" of the electromagnetic valve 39a (shown
in Fig.15) in the vacuum generator 32 are turned on, and a motor for the bobbin 31A
is turned on. When the artificial hair 30 of "B" color is to be selected, ports "1-B" and
"2-B" of the electromagnetic valve 39a are turned on, and a motor for the bobbin 31B
is turned on. When the artificial hair 30 of "C" color should be selected, ports "3-A"
and "4-A" of the electromagnetic valve 39a are turned on, and a motor for the bobbin
31C is turned on. When the artificial hair 30 of "D" color is to be selected, ports "3-B"
and "4-B" of the electromagnetic valve 39a are turned on, and a motor for the bobbin
31D is turned on. When a thread sensor (not shown) comprising a photoelectric tube,
for example, detects that the artificial hair 30 reaches a predetermined length, the
cutter 34 become operative to cut the artificial hair 30 to a predetermined length. The
artificial hair segment 30 thus cut is supplied to above the base 11.
Then, the artificial hair 30 is transplanted. First, the movable guide 43 is
moved to right to be connected with the artificial hair supply nozzle 37. At this time,
the press means 44, 45 remain opened. When the artificial hair 30 is inserted into the
movable guide 43, the movable guide 43 is moved to left to separate from the artificial
hair supply nozzle 37. Then, the press means 44, 45 are closed substantially at the
same time to hold the artificial hair 30 into a horizontal orientation. While the artificial
hair 30 is temporarily fixed in such a manner, the head 42 is driven by the motor 46 to
rotate about its axis. At the same time, the needle 41 is driven by the motor 49b in
synchronism with the motor 46 to rotate about its axis. Then, the needle 41 is moved
upward. While the artificial hair 30 is temporarily fixed by the press means 44, 45, it is
driven by the motor 47 to rotate toward the needle 41 so that the artificial hair 30 is
forced against the needle 41, and then needle 41 is moved downward. An angle of
this swinging movement is determined in advance, which is detected by the sensor
48a. During descent of the needle 41, the artificial hair 30 goes into the groove 41" of
the needle 41 and, therefore, is pulled out by the needle 41 to below the base 11. At
this time, the press means 44, 45 remain opened. The conveyor 51 is driven to rotate
at a predetermined time interval, and the transplanted artificial hair 30 is raked to right
by the raking bars 53. This assures that next transplanting operation may be done
with no obstacles on an area to be hair-transplanted. Transplantation of the artificial
hair 30 onto the base 11 may be done at a predetermined pitch of 2mm, for example,
in a predetermined order, after the base 11 has been moved in a direction of Y-axis
(shown in Fig. 13) that is perpendicular to the direction of supply of the artificial hair 30
(X-axis) or it has been moved in a direction of X-axis.
After completing the hair-transplantation in the above-described manner, the
stretched condition of the base 11 is released, and the sheet discharging rollers 28
are rotated to discharge the completed base 11a (Fig.14(A)). Next, the base feeding
process is again carried out in the afore-mentioned manner to feed a plane 11b as a
new base 11 to be hair-transplanted (Fig.14(B)).
The respective parts, described above, will be controlled by control means
comprising a computer, not shown.
The above-described process A will be described in detail in reference to the
flowcharts of Figs. 16-33.
In Figs. 16-18, the power source is turned on (S1) and the respective units are
initialized (to be ready for starting operation) (S2). Then, a READY signal that notifies
completion of initialization is supplied from each unit to the computer (S3). The
computer then outputs an operation start signal. When receiving this signal (S4), the
procedure goes to a step 5 (S5). If this signal is not received, the procedure is
returned to the step 4 (S4). At the step 5 (S5), it is discriminated that there is a film
sheet to be used as a base 11 between the sheet discharging rollers 28 at the
discharge side. When there is the base 11, the sheet feeding process (S6) is carried
out, which will be described in detail in reference to Fig.30, and the sheet discharging
process (S7) is carried out wherein the sheet discharging rollers 28 are driven to
rotate in a forward direction, which will be described in detail in reference to Fig.31.
When there is no film sheet to be used as a base 11 at the discharge side, the
computer determines that the apparatus is in an ERROR LEVEL 9 indicating no film
sheet set (S8), and the procedure is returned to the step 5 (S5). Then, the tensioning
motor 26a rotates in a forward or clockwise direction, the tensioning motor 26b rotates
in a reverse direction, the tensioning motor 26c rotates in a forward direction and the
tensioning motor 26d rotates in a reverse direction (S9a-S9d). It is then discriminated
if cam sensors, not shown, are ON or not (S10a-S10d). When the cam sensor is ON,
the corresponding tensioning motor 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d is turned off (S11a-S11d).
When the cam sensor is not ON, the procedure is returned to S9a-S9d. Then,
variables that determines the amount of rotation of the tensioning motors 26a, 26b,
26c, 26d are initialized (S12a-S12d), and It is discriminated if its value reaches a
predetermined value (S13a-S13d). If YES, the tensioning motors 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d
are caused to stop (S14a-S14d). If NO, the tensioning motor 26a rotates in a reverse
direction, the tensioning motor 26b rotates forward, the tensioning motor 26c rotates
reversely and the tensioning motor 26d rotates forward (S15a-S15d), and the amount
of rotation of the respective tensioning motors 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d are count (S16a-
S16d). By performing the processes through S9a, S9b, S9c and S9d to S14a, S14b,
S14c and S14d, the sheet base 11 supplied onto the conveyor table 21 is nipped
between the tensioning nip rollers 24, 25 and become stretched. Then, the sheet
feeding process is carried out, which will be described in detail in reference to Fig.30,
wherein the sheet feeding rollers 27 becomes operative (S17). Then, the sheet
discharging process is carried out, which will be described in detail in reference to
Fig.32, wherein the sheet discharging rollers 28 become operative (S18). Then, the
prescribed data are received (S19), and the coordinate data are read out (S20). After
the coordinate data have been read out (S21), the X-axis drive motor for the
conveyor table 21 will stop (S22), and the Y-axis drive motor will also stop (S23).
Then, the procedure advances to the discharging process (S24), which will be
described in detail in reference to Fig.33. If all the coordinate data have not yet been
read out, the procedure advances to a step 25 (S25) where it is discriminated if the
coordinate data designates predetermined position. If YES, the X-axis drive motor
(not shown) for the conveyor table 21 is caused to stop (S26), and then the Y-axis
drive motor is also caused to stop (S27). Thus, the positioning has been completed,
and the procedure advances to the next, hair-transplanting process is to be carried out
(S28). If the coordinate data position is NO, the X-axis drive motor for the conveyor
table 21 is turned on (S29), and it is then discriminated if an X-axis limit sensor is ON
or not (S30). If YES, the X-axis drive motor for the conveyor table 21 is caused to
stop (S31). If there is an ERROR 11 (S32), the procedure is returned to S2. If the X-
axis limit sensor is not ON, it is then discriminated if a Y-axis limit sensor is ON or not
(S33). If it is ON, the Y-axis drive motor for the conveyor table 21 is caused to stop
(S34). If there is an ERROR 12 (S35), which indicates that an X-axis H/P sensor and
the X-axis drive motor should be out of order, the procedure is returned to S2. When
the left-hand Y-axis limit sensor is not ON, it is then discriminated if the Y-axis limit
sensor is ON or not (S36). If YES, the procedure advances to S34. If NO, the Y-axis
drive motor for the conveyor table 21 is turned on (S37), and the procedure is
returned to S25.
The initialization of the respective units (S2) will be described based on
Figs. 19-23. It is first discriminated if a sensor for detecting insertion of the artificial
hairs 30 into the bobbins 31 is ON or not (S201). If the sensor is ON, the artificial
hairs 30 of different colors reeled around the bobbins 31A, 31B, 31C and 31D are
ready for starting operation, and the roller initialization is carried out, which will be
described in detail in reference to Fig.20 (S203). If the sensor is not ON, there is an
ERROR LEVEL 7 indicating no insertion of the artificial hair 30 into the bobbin (S202),
and the procedure is returned to S201. The tensioning rollers 23 in the
tensioning/positioning unit 2 and the needle 41 in the hair-transplanting unit 4 are set
to be ready for starting the respective operation (S204, S205). The conveyor table 21
is then set to be ready for its operation (S206).
The above-described roller initialization is shown in more detail in Fig.20. A
timer is first initialized (S2031) and the variation determining the amount of rotation of
the sheet feeding rollers 27 that feeds a film sheet to be used as a base 11 is
initialized (S2032). Then, the timer starts (S2033), and it is discriminated if the sheet
slack sensor 29 is ON or not (S2034). If YES, the drive motor for the sheet feeding
rollers 27 is turned off (S2035), and the procedure is returned. If NO at S2034, it is
then discriminated if the timer reaches to a predetermined count (S2036). If YES, the
drive motor for the sheet feeding rollers 27 is turned off (S2037). When there arises
an ERROR LEVEL 1 indicating no film sheet for use as a base 11 (S2038), the
procedure is returned to S201. If the timer does not reach the predetermined count,
the drive motor for the sheet feeding rollers 27 is turned on (S2039), the amount of
rotation of the sheet feeding rollers 27 is count (S2040), and the procedure is returned
to S2034.
The tensioner initialization will be described in more detail based on Fig.21 and
Fig.22. The timer is first itialized (S2041) and then caused to start (S2042). The
tensioning motor 26a rotates in a reverse direction, the tensioning motor 26b rotates
forward, the tensioning motor 26c rotates reversely and the tensioning motor 26d
rotates forward (S2043a-S2043d). It is then discriminated if the cam position sensors,
not shown, are ON or not (S2044a-S2044d). If YES, the corresponding tensioning
motor 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d will stop (S2045a-S2045d), and the procedure is returned.
If NO at S2044a-S2044d, it is then discriminated if the timer has reached a
predetermined count (S2046a-S2046d). If YES, the corresponding tensioning motor
26a, 26b, 26c, 26d stops (S2047a-S2047d). If there is an ERROR LEVEL 2, 3, 4 or 5
(S2048a-S2048d), which indicates that the tensioning roller 23 is out of order, the
procedure is returned to S201. If NO at S2046a-S2046d, the procedure is returned to
S2043a-S2043d.
The needle initialization is shown in more detail in Fig.23. The timer is first
initialized (S2051) and then caused to start (S2052). It is then discriminated if there is
a film sheet for use as a. base 11 above a needle position sensor, not shown (S2053).
If YES, a motor 49a for initialization of the needle 41 stops (S2054), and the
procedure is returned. If NO at S2053, it is discriminated if the timer has reached a
predetermined count (S2055). If YES, the motor 49a for initialization of the needle 41
stops (S2056). When there is an ERROR LEVEL 6 indicating that the needle unit
would be out of order, the procedure is returned to S201. When the timer has not yet
reached a predetermined count, the motor 49a for initialization of the needle 41 is
turned on (S2058), and the procedure is returned to S2053.
The conveyor table initialization is shown in more detail in Fig.24 and Fig.25.
The timer is initialized (S2061) and caused to start (S2062). It is then discriminated if
a Y-axis H/P sensor for detecting the origin along Y-axis is ON or not (S2063). If YES,
the Y-axis drive motor for the conveyor table 21 is turned off (S2064). Next, it is
discriminated if the X-axis H/P sensor for detecting the origin along X-axis is ON or not
(S2065). If YES, the X-axis drive motor for the conveyor table 21 is turned off
(S2066), and the timer stops (S2067). It is then discriminated if the table position
agrees with the origin on the Y-axis at which the hair-transplantation should start
(S2068). If YES, the Y-axis drive motor for the conveyor table 21 is turned off
(S2069). The variation deterrhining the amount of movement along the X-axis is
initialized (S2070) and then the variation determining the amount of movement along
the Y-axis is initialized (S2071), and the procedure is returned. If NO at S2068, the Y-
axis drive motor for the conveyor table 21 is turned on to rotate in a forward direction
(S2072). The amount of movement along the Y-axis is count (S2073), and the
procedure is returned to S2068.
If No at S2063, the procedure advances to S2074 where it is discriminated if
the Y-axis limit sensor is ON or not. If YES, the Y-axis drive motor for the conveyor
table 21 is turned off (S2075), and the timer also stops (S2076). When there arises
an ERROR LEVEL 10 (S2077), indicating that the Y-axis H/P sensor and the Y-axis
drive motor are both out of order, the procedure is returned to S201. If NO at S2074,
it is then discriminated if the timer has reached a predetermined count (S2078). If
YES, the procedure advances to S2075, whereas if NO, the Y-axis drive motor for the
conveyor table 21 rotates in a reverse direction (S2079), and the procedure is
returned to S2063.
If No at S2065, it is then discriminated if the X-axis limit sensor is ON or not
(S2080). If YES, the X-axis drive motor for the conveyor table 21 is turned off
(S2081), and the timer stops (S2082). When there arises an ERROR LEVEL 11
indicating malfunction (S2083), the procedure is returned to S201. If NO at S2080, it
is then discriminated if the timer has reached a predetermined count (S2084). If YES,
the procedure advances to S2081. If NO, the X-axis drive motor on the conveyor
table 21 is turned on to rotate in a forward direction (S2085), and the procedure is
returned to S2065.
The hair-transplantation of the artificial hair 30 will now be described in
reference to Figs.26-28. The timer is initialized (S2801) and caused to start (S2802).
The electromagnetic valve in the vacuum generator 32 is turned on (S2803), and the
electromagnetic valve in the vacuum generator 33 is also turned on (S2804). Then,
the drive motor for the selected bobbin is turned on so that the artificial hair 30 is
supplied therefrom (S2805) to pass through the movable guide 43. It is then
discriminated if the thread sensor for detecting the artificial hair 30 of a predetermined
length is ON or not (S2806). If YES, a motor (not shown) for driving the selected
bobbin 31 is turned off (S2807). The electromagnetic valve in the vacuum generator
33 is turned off (S2808) and the electromagnetic valve in the vacuum generator 32 is
turned off (S2809). The motor 43a for driving the movable guide 43 is turned on to
rotate in a reverse direction (S2810) to rotate the movable guide 43 to move to left
(S2811-S2812). Once the movable guide 43 reaches the left-end position, the
reverse rotation of the motor 43a is turned off by the limit switch (not shown). At the
same time, the motor 44c rotates over a predetermined angle (S2813-S2815) to close
the press means 44,45 to hold the artificial hair 30 therebetween (S2816). Then, the
cutter motor 34a is driven (S2817). The cutter solenoid is turned on to move the
cutter 34 into the gap G1 (S2818). After the cutter solenoid has been turned off
(S1819), the cutter motor 34a stops (S2820) so that the artificial hair 30 is cut by the
cutter 34 into a predetermined length. Then, the cutter solenoid is turned on to return
its original position (S2821-S2822), and then turned off (S2823). Then, the motors
46, 49b rotates forward to horizontally rotate the head 42 and the needle 41 (S2824-
S2825), followed by the needle elevation (S2826) that will be described in detail in
reference to Fig.28. Then, the motor 47 rotates over a predetermined angle to rotate
the press means 44 toward the needle 41 (S2827-S2829), followed by the needle
descent (S2830) that will be described in detail in reference to Fig.29. In the needle
descending step, the needle 41 goes down with the artificial hair 30 being entrapped
by the groove 41". Immediately after (or almost at the same time when) the needle-
descending step, the motor 44c starts to rotate reversely to open the movable
member 44a (S2831-S2833). This allows the artificial hair 3Q to be pulled down.
Then, the motors 46, 49b rotates reversely on a horizontal plane to be returned to
their original positions (S2834-S2835). Then, the motor 43a for driving the movable
guide 43 is turned on to rotate forward (S2836) to move the movable guide 43 to right
(S2837). This connects the movable guide 43 with the artificial hair supply nozzle 37,
and the forward rotation of the motor 43a is turned off (S2838). The procedure is then
returned to S2803 and, after movement along X-axis and Y-axis over predetermined
pitches, respectively, the above-described transplanting operation of the artificial hair
30 will be repeated. If NO at S2806, it is discriminated if the timer has reached a set
value (S2839). If YES, the motors for driving the respective bobbins 31 will stop
(S2840). If there arises an ERROR LEVEL 8 indicating no artificial hair 30 around
bobbin 31, a stopped-up condition with hairs or sensor malfunction (S2841), the
procedure is returned to S2801. If the count has not yet reached the set value at
S2839, the motors for driving the respective bobbins 31 are driven (S2842), and the
procedure is returned to S2806.
The needle-elevating step at S2826 will be described in more detail based on
Fig.29(A). It is first discriminated if the needle position sensor, not shown, detects that
the needle is in the upper position (S2826-1). If YES, rotation of the motor 49a for
elevating the needle 41 comes to a stop (S2826-2), and the procedure is returned. If
NO, rotation of the motor 49a for elevating the needle 41 is turned on (S2826-3), and
the procedure is returned to S2826-1.
The needle-descending step at S2830 will be described in more detail based
on Fig.29(B). It is first discriminated if the needle position sensor, not shown, detects
that the needle is in the lower position (S2830-1). If YES, rotation of the motor 49a for
lowering the needle 41 comes to a stop (S2830-2), and the procedure is returned. If
NO, rotation of the motor 49a for lowering the needle 41 is turned on (S2830-3), and
the procedure is returned to S2830-1.
The sheet-feeding step at S6 will be described in more detail based on Fig.30.
After the variation for determining the amount of rotation of the feeder rollers 27 is
initialized (S61), it is discriminated if the slack sensor 29 is ON or not (S62). If YES,
the roller drive motor 15 in the base supply unit 1 is turned off (S63). If NO, the said
roller drive motor 15 is turned on (S64), and the procedure is returned to S62. It is
then discriminated if the sheet feeding rollers 27 has been rotated over a
predetermined unreel period (S65). If YES, the sheet feeding motor 27a for driving
the sheet feeding rollers 27 is turned off (S66), and the procedure is returned. If NO
at S65, the sheet feeding motor 27a is turned on (S67), the amount of rotation of the
sheet feeding rollers 27 is count by a pulse counter (S68), and the procedure is then
returned to S62.
The sheet discharging operation at S7 wherein the sheet discharging rollers 28
rotate forward will be described in more detail based on Fig.31. The count value
indicating the number of forward rotation of the sheet discharging rollers 28 is
initialized (S71). It is then discriminated if the number of forward rotation of the sheet
discharging rollers 28 has reached a predetermined number (S72). If YES, the drive
motor 28a for the sheet discharging rollers 28 is turned off (S73), and the procedure is
returned. If NO at S72, the drive motor 28a for the sheet discharging rollers 28 is
driven forward (S74), and the number of forward rotation thereof is count (S75). The
procedure is then returned to S72. Thus, the operation shown in Figs.9(A)-9(C) has
been carried out.
The sheet-discharging step at S18 wherein the sheet discharging rollers 28
rotate reversely will be described in more detail based on Fig.32. The count value
indicating the number of reverse rotation of the sheet discharging rollers 28 is
initialized (S181). It is then discriminated if the number of reverse rotation of the sheet
discharging rollers 28 has reached a predetermined number (S182). If YES, the drive
motor 28a for the sheet discharging rollers 28 is turned off (S183), and the procedure
is returned. If NO at S182, the drive motor 28a for the sheet discharging rollers 28 is
driven reversely (S184), and the number of reverse rotation thereof is count (S185).
The procedure is then returned to S182. Thus, the operation shown in Fig.9(D) has
been carried out.
The sheet-discharging step at S24 will be described in more detail based on
Fig.33. At first, it is discriminated if the Y-axis H/P sensor is ON or not and if the X-
axis H/P sensor are ON or not (S241 a, S241 b). If YES, the Y-axis drive motor for the
conveyor table 21 is turned off (S242a), and the X-axis drive motor for the conveyor
table 21 is also turned off (S242b). If NO, the Y-axis drive motor on the conveyor
table 21 is driven to rotate reversely (S243a), and the procedure is returned to S241a.
Likewise, the X-axis drive motor for the conveyor table 21 is driven to rotate forward
(S243b), and the procedure is returned to S241b. The pulse counter is then initialized
so that the amount of movement along the Y-axis is set to zero (S244). It is then
discriminated if the amount of movement along the Y-axis has reached a
predetermined position (S245). If YES, the Y-axis drive motor for the conveyor table
21 is turned off (S246). If NO, the Y-axis drive motor for the conveyor table 21 is
driven to rotate forward (S247), and the amount of forward movement is count (S248).
The procedure is then returned to S245. The procedure then advances to the sheet-
discharging step (Fig.31) (S249), followed by the tensioner initialization (Fig.21 and
Fig.22) (S250). Then, the amount of rotation of the sheet discharging rollers 28 is
initialized (S251), and it is discriminated if it reaches a predetermined amount (S252).
If YES, the sheet discharging motor 28a for driving the discharge, rollers 28 is turned
off (S253), and the procedure is returned. If NO at S252, the sheet discharging motor
28a is driven to rotate forward (S254), the amount of movement at the discharge end
is count (S255), and the procedure is returned to S252.
The following advantages and effects may be achieved in accordance with the
above-mentioned embodiment. First, relationship between width (W) of the needle 41
and the transplanting pitch (P) may be interrupted. More particularly, the pitch of
natural human hairs is less than 1mm, usually approximately 0.5mm. Therefore, it is
desirable that a wig has an equivalent hair-transplanting pitch (P) of less than 1mm,
or of the order of 0.5mm. In order to provide a hair-transplanting pitch (P) of
approximately 0.5mm, the needle width should be much shorter than 0.5mm,
otherwise needle holes in the base produced by needle penetration would become a
continuous slit, which makes hair-transplantation impossible. However, according to
the currently available technology and materials, the width (W) of the needle 41
should be approximately 1mm or larger. If the width (W) of the needle 41 should be
reduced to about 0.5mm, the needle tends to cause some trouble such as breakage
or deformation.
In accordance with the present invention, the base made from an elastic sheet
can be stretched when subjected to tension. Since the pitch (P) (that is 2mm in the
embodiment) is larger than the width (W) of the needle 41 (that is 1mm in the
embodiment) in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the artificial hair
30 that is fed onto the stretched base 11, the needle holes formed by transplantation
can not be transformed into a continuous groove. Further, even when the
transplantation pitch (P) is determined as a double of the needle width (W), when the
stretched condition of the base 11 is released after the transplanting operation is
completed, the base 11 will shrink so that the transplantation pitch (P) is decreased to
substantially a half (to be approximately 0.5mm in the embodiment), which means that
a favorable pitch (P) may be obtained. This enables mechanization, which makes it
possible to manufacture wigs in a reduced time and prevent inferior products. In
addition the base 11 has good breathability, thereby preventing a sweaty condition in
a wig when it is worn on a head or other human body part.
The artificial hair 30 once transplanted is blown away by the blowing unit 5 in a
direction opposite to the needle 41, which assures that the artificial hair 30 may be
transplanted onto a surface having no obstacles. Accordingly, the artificial hair 30 that
has been transplanted and the next artificial hair 30 could not get entangled with each
other, so that he transplanting operation can be achieved smoothly.
Because the base 11 is very thin, post-processing after the hair-
transplanting process A may be done freely and have wide application. Fig.1
illustrates an application where a three-dimensional wig is manufactured in
accordance with the present invention. The discharged base 11 is subjected
to the first adhesive applying process B. A first glue applicator 6 provides first
glue 61 for securing the artificial hairs 30 that have been transplanted onto the
top surface of the base 11. More specifically, the first glue applicator 6
comprises a tank 62, the first glue 61 in the tank 62, and a nozzle device 63
driven by the air compressor 39 to jet the first glue 61. At the hair-
transplanting process A, it jets the first glue 61 toward the base end portions
30a (shown in Fig.8) of the artificial hairs 30 remaining on the top surface of
the base 11 onto which the artificial hairs 30 have been transplanted, thereby
securing the base end portions 30a onto the base 11. The first glue 61 is of a
quick-drying nature and contains a hardening agent for bearing heat and
pressure applied at the forming process D to be described later.
Then, the cutting process C will be carried out. Here, the base 11 to
which the first glue 61 has been applied is cut by the cutter unit 7 comprising
the cutter device 71 into a predetermined shape.
Then, the forming process D will be carried out. Here, the base 11 thus
cut by a forming unit 8 is subjected to heat and pressure to be formed into a
predetermined shape. The forming unit 8 has, for example, a three-
dimensional forming cavity 81 corresponding to a head size, and the base 11
is transformed in conformity to the forming cavity 81. The forming cavity 81 is
divided into right and left halves, each having a pair of upper and lower teeth.
Then, the second adhesive applying process E will be carried out. Here,
a second glue applicator 9 applies second glue 91 onto the top surface of the
base 11. More specifically, the second glue applicator 9 comprises a tank 92,
the second glue 91 in the tank 92, and a nozzle device 93 driven by the air
compressor 39 to jet the second glue 91. It jets the second glue 91 onto the
first glue 61 that has been hardened, to form an adhesive layer (not shown) of
the wig. The second glue 91 is of an adhesive nature that is fittable to the
human skin, which may be one for medical use. Thus, the wig is completely
manufactured and may be directly attached to the head.
The length of the artificial hair 30 is not limited, not like the human hair, and
may be supplied as an endless, continuous one. Accordingly, when the artificial hair
30 in an amount corresponding to the estimated amount of daily work consumption is
supplied to the rollers, the work may be done continuously, without interruption, which
further contributes to improvement of efficiency.
Since the artificial hairs 30 may have different colors and different materials, a
special wig such as one streaked with grizzled hair, one being well resistant to water
and moisture, etc. may conveniently and easily be manufactured. When
manufacturing a wig streaked with grizzled hair, it may be possible to control at will
proportion of gray and black hairs which may differ at different sites.
Since movement of the conveyor table 21 and the needle 41 is controlled by
the control unit such as a computer, the manner or mode of transplanting the artificial
hairs 30 onto the base 11 may be not only a straight stitching but also a zigzag
stitching that provides more resistant to separation after transplanting.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments that have been
described hereinabove and should be understood to have various variations and
modifications without departing from the spirits and scope of the invention defined in
the appended claims. For example, a degree of tension applied to the base 11 is
variable depending upon stretchability of material of the base 11, by which the
transplanting pitch (P) may be determined upon demand.
Although the base 11 is supplied in a horizontal orientation in the foregoing
embodiment, it may be supplied in a vertical orientation. It may also be supplied in a
slanting orientation.
The kinds and number of bobbins 31 may be optional.
The material of the base 11 preferably comprises non-woven made of synthetic
resin fiber or a breathable film, but they are not limitative. It may be made from animal
fiber, vegetable fiber, mineral fiber, etc. It may be woven material, as well. The
material and kind is not at all limited, as far as it has stretchability.
The transplantation of the artificial hair 30 onto the base 11 may be done in a
slanting direction.
The length of the artificial hair 30 may be varied at will in accordance with a
design determined and controlled by the computer.
Means for feeding the artificial hair 30 into the conduit 35 may be one other
than the vacuum generator.
One or plurality of the artificial hair 30 may be supplied.
The hair-transplanted wig, that is flat because not subjected to the forming
process D shown in Fig.1, may be shipped as a final product.
Because the base 11 is very thin in the wig manufactured in accordance with
the present invention, it is applicable not only to one directly fitted on a head but also
to one for actors or actresses. In the latter application, the wig is attached to a
separate, thick matrix (that is formed into a three-dimensional shape, without artificial
hairs 30, corresponding to a head of a wearer).
Where the needle 41 is moved perpendicular to the artificial hair 30, the needle
41 may be arranged so as to be movable to left and right.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY ;
The automated hair-transplanting apparatus for manufacturing a wig and the
method of manufacturing a wig in accordance with the present invention will be useful
in manufacturing of a wig.

WE CLAIM :
1 An automated hair-implanting apparatus for manufacturing a wig, said
apparatus comprising a conveyor table; base supplying means for
supplying a base onto said conveyor table; tensioning/positioning means for
applying tension to said base which has been supplied onto said conveyor
table by said base supplying means so that said base is placed in position in a
stretched condition; artificial hair supplying means for supplying artificial hairs
of predetermined length onto one surface of said base which has been
supplied onto said conveyor table by said base supplying means and
positioned in the stretched condition by said tensioning/positioning means;
needle movable in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces of said base, said
needle piercing said base from the other surface to said one surface and then
engaging at said one surface said artificial hair supplied by said artificial hair
supplying means and then returning back to said other surface so that said
artificial hair is drawn out toward said other surface of said base to be
implanted onto said base; table driving means for moving said conveyor
table in X and Y directions perpendicular to each other with predetermined
pitch so that said artificial hair implanting operation by said needle is
repeated with said predetermined pitch; and tension releasing means for
releasing said tension given by said tensioning/positioning means to release
said stretched condition of said base onto which said artificial hair have been
implanted, after said artificial hair implanting., operation with said needle
has been completed.
2. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein said artificial hairs are supplied by said artificial hair
transplanting means onto a lower surface of said base.
3. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein said artificial hairs are supplied by said artificial hair
implanting means onto an upper surface of said base.
4. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 1,
which has press means that may be opened and closed
to hold said artificial hairs, said artificial hairs being temporarily held by said
press means and drawn out by said needle.
5. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein said press means is swingable toward said needle, drawing-out of said
artificial hairs by said needle being initiated after swinging movement of said
press means toward said needle.
6. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein said press means holds said artificial hairs from opposite sides.
ยป
7. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein said press means holds said artificial hairs from up and down.
8. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein said press means holds said artificial hairs from opposite sides and
from up and down.
9. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein said needle comprises at least a pair of needles reciprocating
in synchronism with each other, said needles being arranged at a
predetermined space along a direction of supply of said artificial hairs by said
artificial hair supplying means.
10. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to
claim 1 wherein a pitch of said artificial hair implantation with said needle is
larger than a needle width defined in a direction perpendicular to a direction of
supply of said artificial hairs.
11. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said artificial hairs are caused to be implanted by said needle after said
base is moved in a direction perpendicular to a direction of supply of said
artificial hairs.
12. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said artificial hairs are caused to be implanted by said needle after said
base is moved in a direction of supply of said artificial hairs.
13. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said artificial hairs are caused to be implanted by said needle onto said
base in a slanting direction with respect to said base.
14. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
more than one of said hair supplying means are provided.
15. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
movement of said conveyor table and said needle is adapted to be
controlled by control means comprising a computer.
16. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 1, which
has means for blowing said artificial hairs, implanted by said needle,
toward a predetermined direction.
17. The automated hair-implanting apparatus according to claim 16, wherein
said blowing means comprises a bar arranged just below the implanted
artificial hairs are movable in a predetermined direction.
18. A method of manufacturing a wig comprising the steps of
supplying a two-dimensional thin base onto a conveyor table; applying tension
to stretch said base on said conveyor table; positioning said stretched base on
said conveyor table; supplying artificial hairs to one surface of said stretched "
base; engaging said supplied artificial hairs with needle reciprocating to pierce
said stretched base, said needle engaging said artificial hairs piercing said
base so that said artificial hairs are implanted onto said stretched base, said
artificial hair implanting operation by said needle being repeated during
movement of said conveyor table with a predetermined pitch; and releasing
said stretched condition of said base after completing said artificial hair
implanting operation with said needle.
19. The method according to claim 18, which involves
a first adhesive applying step for applying first adhesive to a back surface of
said base so as to fix said transplanted artificial hairs onto said base, and a
second adhesive applying step for applying second adhesive to said one
surface of said base.
There is disclosed an automated hair-implanting apparatus for manufacturing a wig, said .
apparatus comprising a conveyor table; base supplying means for
supplying a base onto said conveyor table; tensioning/positioning means for
applying tension to said base which has been supplied onto said conveyor
table by said base supplying means so that said base is placed in position in a
stretched condition; artificial hair supplying means for supplying artificial hairs
of predetermined length onto one surface of said base which has been
supplied onto said conveyor table by said base supplying means and
positioned in the stretched condition by said tensioning/positioning means;
needle movable in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces of said base, said
needle piercing said base from the other surface to said one surface and then
engaging at said one surface said artificial hair supplied by said artificial hair
supplying means and then returning back to said other surface so that said
artificial hair is drawn out toward said other surface of said base to be
implanted onto said base; table driving means for moving said conveyor
table in X and Y directions perpendicular to each other with predetermined
pitch so that said artificial hair implanting operation by said needle is
repeated with said predetermined pitch; and tension releasing means for
releasing said tension given by said tensioning/positioning means to release
said stretched condition of said base onto which said artificial hair have been
implanted, after said artificial hair implanting., operation with said needle
has been completed.

Documents:

398-kolnp-2004-granted-abstract.pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-assignment.pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-claims.pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-correspondence.pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-description (complete).pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-drawings.pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-form 1.pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-form 3.pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-form 5.pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-form 6.pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-gpa.pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-letter patent.pdf

398-kolnp-2004-granted-specification.pdf


Patent Number 218573
Indian Patent Application Number 00398/KOLNP/2004
PG Journal Number 14/2008
Publication Date 04-Apr-2008
Grant Date 02-Apr-2008
Date of Filing 25-Mar-2004
Name of Patentee PROPIA CO.LTD.
Applicant Address 4-3 NISHI-SHINJUKU 7-CHOME, SHNJUKU-KU,TOKYO-1600023 JAPAN.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 FUKUYAMA KOHKI 29-4, KOMONE 2-CHOME,ITABASHI-KU TOKYO 173-0035 JAPAN.
PCT International Classification Number A41G
PCT International Application Number PCT/JP02/08462
PCT International Filing date 2002-08-22
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 2001-302537 2001-09-28 Japan