DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hair thickness assessment meter/device and, more specifically, to a ready and user friendly hair thickness assessment meter/device which would enable user to self monitor and ascertain the extent of hair thinning or growth or possible maintenance of hair thickness. Importantly, the hair thickness assessment meter/device of the invention is especially suited for persons with long hair such as women which would enable the person to readily monitor from time to time the conditions of the hair thickness and would benefit them in ascertaining the conditions of loss or growth and maintenance of hair over time. Advantageously, the hair thickness assessment meter/device of the invention has been provided in form which would facilitate such monitoring of hair conditions even for illiterate persons and therefore can be used by person from all walks of life.

BACKGROUND ART

It is well known that hair loss is a problem with both men and women and is usually experienced by almost everyone during lifetime. While normal ageing related hair loss is one of the reasons, in the present day lifestyle, even the younger generation is found to have problems of hair loss and related complexities. In case of women who are more concerned with looks and hairstyles etc., it is always a conscious need to ensure that there is no unwanted hair thinning so that there is required intervention through medical and related support such as hair growth formulations, conditioners etc. which could prevent unwanted hair loss etc. However, it is extremely difficult for an individual to assess the condition of the hair and its thickness on her own which again usually tends to leave such problem to follow the natural consequences and hair loss to extend beyond control which can be highly stressful and unnatural for a given age.

While it is known that, following androgenetic alopecia, more men have hereditary hair thinning compared to women. However, androgenetic alopecia is non discriminating and affects men and women of all ages, all races and is passed down by one’s parents.

Apart from such hereditary concerns of hair loss, as one ages the effects of hormones and age further causes hair loss which is again a common problem.

Also due to the fine characteristics of hair,hair loss is usually experienced only when there has been substantial loss of hair. Although hair loss usually takes place over time, it is usually very difficult for an individual to readily notice such hair loss unless substantial loss has taken place and only then that it attracts the attention of the individual to the problem. However, it is very obvious that if such loss of hair or thinning of hair is noted at an earlier point of time there may be avenues to restore or prevent further loss by availing proper medical advice or identifying reason for such hair loss and taking corrective measures.

Thus, while there is always a chance of hair loss/or thinning of hair, in the absence of any hair thickness assessment device, it is usually extremely difficult to monitor the condition of the hair thickness of individuals and take ready measures to check further hair loss or thinning of hair.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide for a hair thickness assessment device/meter which would, for the first time provide a simple and user friendly means for quick and ready assessment of the condition of hair in terms of assessment of hair thickness.

Another object of the present invention is to provide for a hair thickness assessment device/meter which would enable quick and ready assessment of thickness condition of the hair of an individual and even enable illiterate persons to monitor their hair thickness readily and effectively.

Further object of the present invention is to assist customers and consumers of hair care products for self-evaluation of any relation that a product may have on hair growth and consequential the hair thickness from time to time especially after the use of any product claiming to serve in hair growth or maintenance thereby favouring such customers/consumers to ensure that the products/cosmetics being applied are really suitably working on an individual or has related problems of hair loss or maintenance.

A further object of the present invention is directed to provide a method and means for assessing the hair thickness in a given individual readily and effectively on her own and would be useful to know about possible hair loss and related symptoms quite early and help in spotting effective therapy/conditioning for regaining hair loss or maintaining the hair thickness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus according to a basic aspect of the invention there is provided a hair thickness assessment meter/device comprising:

a flexible thickness assessing portion adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

said flexible thickness assessing portion having indications of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed;

said indications of thickness on said flexible thickness assessing portion being based on cumulative probability distribution capable of measuring (a) thin hair (b) medium thick hair and (c ) thick hair.

Importantly according to an aspect of the present invention the hair thickness assessment meter/device is integrally formed of said flexible thickness assessing portion adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed with a narrower measuring region upto a front end and atleast slightly larger rear end having a slit therethrough for allowing passage of the narrower front end and said measuring region therethrough for said measuring purposes .

Thus according to another aspect of the invention there is provided a hair thickness assessment meter/device comprising:

a flexible thickness assessing portion adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed.

In the above disclosed hair thickness assessment meter/device the said indications of thickness can include indicative markings and/or thickness indicating regions such as defined by (a) thin hair region (b) medium thick hair region and (c ) thick hair region.

In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention the said (a) thin hair region (b) medium thick hair region and (c) thick hair region are further provided with measuring scale to monitor changes in hair growth or hair fall in individuals.

According to another aspect of the invention the said flexible thickness assessing portion can be obtained of any flexible material such as paper, laminated sheet, plastic, polymeric material, cloth materials etc.

According to a further aspect of the invention the flexible thickness assessing portion extends upto about 15 cms and said (a) thin hair region comprises upto 6.6 cm (b) medium thick hair region from 6.7 cm to up to about 9.1 cm and (c ) thick hair region from 9.2 cmupto about 15 cms.

According to another aspect the Hair thickness assessment meter of the invention comprises:

a flexible thickness assessing portion having a hand/finger holdable end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed along its free other end ;

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions adapted for ready indication of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed;

According to yet another aspect the Hair thickness assessment meter comprises :

a hand/finger holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion contiguous to said broad end adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed along its free other end ;

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions adapted for ready indication of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being measured based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed;

According to another aspect the Hair thickness assessment meter of the invention comprises :
a hand/finger holdable end portion defining a broader end having a slit;
a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion contiguous to said broad end adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed along its free other end ;

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked regions thereon for ready indication of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed;

said marked regions categorizing thin hair, medium thick hair and thick hair in a scaled manner with the point of zero thickness indicative of a slit in the said broader end through which the free end of the said flexible thickness assessing portion after being wrapped around the bunch of hair being measured can pass through enabling said desired ready indication of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

In the above disclosed hair thickness assessment meter the said flexible thickness assessing portion can be obtained of any selective shape and configuration and marking suitably provided such that based on the length of the said flexible thickness assessing portion at the slit after wrapping around the hair bunch is indicative of the category of the thickness of the hair bunch.

According to another aspect the said flexible thickness assessing portion can comprise of any flexible lengthwise member adapted to pass through the said slit preferably a flexible strip like member having said marked regions categorizing thin hair, medium thick hair and thick hair in a scaled manner in both sides thereof.

According to a preferred aspect the said marked regions categorizing thin hair, medium thick hair and thick hair include a scaled categorization with the point of zero thickness indicative by the slit position in the said broader end and higher thickness values uniformly extending there from lengthwise upto its free end.

In accordance with another aspect the Hair thickness assessment meter of the invention comprises :

a hand/finger holdable end portion defining a broader end having a slit;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion contiguous to said broad end adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed along its free other end ;
said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked regions thereon for ready indication of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed;

said marked regions categorizing thin hair, medium thick hair and thick hair including a scaled categorization with the point of zero thickness indicative by the slit position in the said broader end and higher thickness values uniformly extending there from lengthwise upto its free end

said hand/finger holdable end portion defining a broader end also having identically scaled assessing along its length as that of the flexible thickness assessing portion such that it is also possible to note the length of the flexible member exiting through the slit after wrapping around the bunch of hair based on said scale in said hand/finger holdable end portion defining a broader end and generating the thickness value by subtracting the same from the total length of the flexible thickness assessing portion.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the Hair thickness assessment meter comprises:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion having measuring scale thereon extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;
cooperative tie means selectively disposed and provided to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle in place to facilitate the assessment; and
said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides for a Hair thickness assessment meter comprising:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end having a slit;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion having measuring scale thereon extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

said slit in said hand holdable end portion having cooperative tie means selectively disposed and provided to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle and passing through said slit in place to facilitate the assessment; and

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

According to another aspect of the invention, the Hair thickness assessment meter comprises:
a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion contiguous to said broader end and having assessing scale thereon extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

cooperative tie means selectively disposed comprises slit in the broader end region of said hand holdable end portion at the point zero of said assessing scale of flexible thickness assessing portion and provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle to enter therethrough to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion in place on the hair bundle to facilitate the assessment; and

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

A further aspect of the invention provides for a Hair thickness assessment meter comprising:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion contiguous to said broader end and extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

cooperative tie means selectively disposed comprises a slit in the broader end region of said hand holdable end portion at the point zero of said assessing scale of flexible thickness assessing portion and provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle to enter therethrough to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion in place wrapped on the hair bundle to facilitate the assessment; and

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the Hair thickness assessment meter comprises:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion having assessing scale thereon extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

cooperative tie means selectively disposed comprises a slit in said broader end of said hand holdable end portion with ratchet means at the point zero of said of said measuring scale of flexible assessing portion and provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion having cooperating gear racks adapted to pass through the ratchet while bunching the hair with said assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle such that after tightening around the bunch of hair the flexible thickness assessing portion is prevented from being pulled back and avoid loosening of the bunched hair such as to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion in place on the hair bundle to facilitate the assessment involving said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

According to a further aspect of the invention the Hair thickness assessment meter comprises:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

cooperative tie means selectively disposed comprises a slit with ratchet means at the lower end of said flexible thickness assessing portion and provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion having cooperating gear racks adapted to pass through the ratchet while bunching the hair with said assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle such that after tightening around the bunch of hair the flexible thickness assessing portion is prevented from being pulled back and avoid loosening of the bunched hair such as to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion in place on the hair bundle to facilitate the assessment involving said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a Hair thickness assessment meter comprising:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion obtained of selective material preferably leatherlite material extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

cooperative tie means selectively disposed comprises a slit with spike means in said broader end of said hand holdable end portion and at the point zero of said of said assessing scale of flexible thickness assessing portion at the lower end of said flexible thickness assessing portion and provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion adapted to pass through the slit and as per the hair thickness get arrested by a clip mechanism while bunching the hair with said flexible thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion in place on the hair bundle to facilitate the assessment involving said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being measured and a lever means adapted to facilitate the said arrested flexible thickness assessing portion to release from said spikes after the assessment is over.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a Hair thickness assessment meter comprising:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion having assessing scale thereon contiguous and extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed;

said hand /finger holdable end portion and said narrower flexible thickness assessing portion adapted for detachable securing such that when operatively connected the same defines a cooperative tie means comprising a slit provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion to pass through the slit while bunching the hair with said thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle such that after tightening around the bunch of hair the part of the flexible thickness assessing portion extending out through said slit is maintained in position and is prevented from being pulled back and avoid loosening of the bunched hair to facilitate the assessment involving said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

In the above discussed embodiment the said detachable securing of the hand holdable end portion and said narrower flexible thickness assessing portion comprises of a detachable plug and socket combination.

The connecting end of the narrower flexible thickness assessing portion having projecting plug members and the adjacent face of the hand holdable end portion having corresponding matching sockets wherein the plugs get secured providing said slit there between to allow the passage of the flexible thickness assessing portion for said assessing of hair thickness.

The part of the flexible thickness assessing portion extending out through said slit is maintained in position and is prevented from being pulled back and avoid loosening of the bunched hair by provision of a slidable clip mounted on the hand holdable end portion.

According to a further aspect the said hand /finger holdable end portion can be selectively also flexible.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for carrying out measurement of hair thickness involving the Hair thickness assessment meter as above comprising :
a.Wrapping the flexible thickness assessing portion around the hair;
b.Inserting the front end/tip of the flexible thickness assessing portion in the slit;
c.Pulling the flexible thickness assessing portion at its front end extending beyond said slit to make it tight;and
d.Check the hair thickness as indicated by the meter reading.

The further details of the nature of the invention, its objects and advantages are explained hereunder in greater detail in relation to some non-limiting exemplary illustrations involving the following accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYIG FIGURES

Figure 1: illustrate the analysis of raw data before was and after wash ;

Figure 2: illustrates study results carried out based on probability distribution studies which enabled the development of the thickness scale in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3: illustrates a first embodiment of the hair thickness assessment device/meter obtained in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4: illustrates a second embodiment of the hair thickness assessment device/meter obtained in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5: illustrates a third embodiment of the hair thickness assessment device/meter obtained in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6: illustrates a fourth embodiment of the hair thickness assessment device/meter obtained in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7: illustrates a fifth embodiment of the hair thickness assessment device/meter obtained in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8: illustrates a sixth embodiment of the hair thickness assessment device/meter obtained in accordance with the present invention;

Figures 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate yet further possible seventh embodiment of the hair thickness assessment device/meter obtained in accordance with the present invention;

As would be evident from the discussions hereinbefore, the hair thickness assessment meter/device of the invention involves means which would enable ready identification of the thickness conditions i.e. whether the individual’s hair thickness is thin, medium thickness or thick. Now to achieve such constructional benefits in the hair thickness meter/device of the invention, by way of the present invention extensive studies were carried out to ascertain the nature of hair thickness and variations thereof as discussed hereunder in relation to the following examples.

It was found that out of the various ways of assessing thickness of hair especially individuals with long hair such as women one of the effective ways was to ascertain the thickness of the hair on head when the same is bunched together along its longitudinal direction.

Having identified the possible way of assembling the hair of individuals which can give estimation of the hair thickness the present advancement was directed to a means which could effectively assess such thickness. It was identified such hair thickness assessing means should essentially be flexible so that the same can be wrapped around the bunch of the individual hair to make the assessment. Thus, involving such flexible thickness assessing means further studies were carried out as detailed hereunder in relation to the following examples.

EXAMPLE I:

Under this example, a flexible thickness assessing scale which could effectively wrap around the bunch of an individual’s hair was used and the thickness assessment of hair of volunteers were carried out and SPSS analysis of raw data both before and after wash were obtained.The SPSS analysis of histogram and the normal distribution curve was generated.The graphs generated are shown in accompanying Figure 1.Based on the inputs the normal distribution curve was obtained as a continuous line.

EXAMPLE II:

Under this Example, the cumulative probability distribution was drawn which is shown in accompanying Figure 2.

Based on the cumulative probability distribution obtained from the raw data analysis, it was possible to develop the thickness parameters of the meter/device of the invention.In particular based on the cumulative probability distribution, it was found that the hair thickness meter/device of the invention should have a workable thickness range of upto about 12 cm and preferably upto 15 cm since the thickness range of all the samples varied between 3 cm to upto 15 cms only.

Having ascertained the basic thickness levels the possible range for the scale , the probability distribution was further studied and it was surprisingly and specially noted that the pattern of variation in hair thickness could be basically categorized into three basic zones which were identified as (i) thin hair thickness zone (ii) medium thick hair thickness zone and (iii) thick hair thickness zone.

Thus a thickness range of below 6.6 cm was identified as a thin hair category , a thickness range of 6.6 cm to 9.1 cm was identified as medium thick hair category which was noted to be the average zone of thickness and a thickness range of above 9.1 cm preferably 9.1 cm to 15 cm was identified as thick hair category.

It was thus based on the above studies and findings under the present invention that it was possible to develop the hair thickness meter/device which could for the first time enable a fast and ready indication of the individuals hair thickness in terms of thickness assessment/identification feature including (i) thin hair thickness zone (ii) medium thick hair thickness zone and (iii) thick hair thickness zone.

The development of the hair thickness meter and in particular its measuring scale efficacy as above was further confirmed by the finding that the thickness range of 6.6 cm to 9.1 cm identified by way of the present hair meter of the invention as medium thick hair category and constituting the average zone of thickness matched the desired number of hairs in average zone of about 126470 to 228204 assuming the accepted standard of average diameter of hair fiber of about 60 µm. This established the efficacy of the hair meter of the invention in effectively measuring the thickness of hair of individuals.

The efficacy of the above hair thickness meter of the invention was further tested by carrying our analysis of data measure involving the hair thickness meter of the invention as further discussed hereunder under Example III:

EXAMAPLE III

Tests were carried out using the hair thickness measurement meter of the present invention to confirm the utility and user friendliness of the device. Test were carried out involving volunteers as well as beauticians as detailed hereunder following the protocol for measurement as hereunder:

Protocol followed for measurement of hair thickness involving the hair meter of the invention was as follows:

a.Wrap the flexible thickness assessing portion around the hair;
b.Insert the front end/tip of the flexible thickness assessing portion in the slit;
c.Pull the flexible thickness assessing portion at its front end extending beyond said slit to make it tight;and
d. Check the hair thickness as indicated by the meter reading.

A. Test Measurement Carried Out By Volunteers A nalysis of data measured by volunteers
The analysis of the hair thickness data, measured by the volunteers using the H air Thickness Assessment Device /M eter, is given in tables 1 and 2.
Zone Population
(Sample Size) Duration % Increase in
Thickness
(Average ± SD) Statistical
significance
Overall 97 1 month 5.4 ± 9.8 Yes (p<0.05)

Table 1. The % change in hair thickness measured by the volunteers using the H air Thickness Assessment Device /M eter over 8 visits (I month). The previsit 1 (baseline) and post visit 8 values are analyzed to obtain the results.
Hair thickness
status % change in thickness
meter reading
(Average ± SD) Duration of
study Percentage
population Statistical
significance
Increase in
thickness 11 ± 6.6 1 month 66 Yes (p<0.05)
No change in
thickness 0 6 N/A
Decrease in
thickness 6.6 ± 3.7 28 Yes (p<0.05)

Table 2. The status of thickness of hair (increase / no change / decrease) measured by the volunteers using the Hair Thickness Assessment Device /M eter over 8 visits (I month) is given. For each thickness category, the average % change in Hair Thickness Assessment Device /M eter reading along with the % population that showed the status is given.
From table 1 it can be inferred that there is a net increase in thickness of hair as measured by the volunteers using the H air Thickness A ssessm ent Device /M eter over 8 visits (1 month). The % increase is calculated to be about 5.4 %.
¾ 66 % of population showed statistically significant increase in the thickness of hair#
(11% increase) as per “H air Thickness A ssessm ent Device /M eter” assessment.
¾ 6 % of population didn’t show any change in thickness of hair# as per “H air
Thickness Assessment Device /M eter” assessment.
¾ 28 % of population showed statistically significant decrease in the thickness of hair# (6% decrease) as per “Hair Thickness Assessment Device /Meter” assessment.
# Over a period of 1 month (8 visits) when compared against the baseline value.
B. Test Measurement Carried Out By Beauticians
The analysis of the hair thickness data, measured by the beauticians on the volunteers’ hair using the Hair Thickness Assessment Device /M eter, is given in tables 3 and 4.
Zone Population
(Sample Size) Duration % Increase in Thickness
(Average ± SD) Statistical
significance
Overall 95 1 month 7 ± 9.9 Yes (p<0.05)

Table 3. The % change in hair thickness measured by the volunteers using the Hair Thickness Assessment Device /Meter over 8 visits (1 month). The previsit 1 (baseline) and post visit 8 values are analyzed to obtain the results.

Hair thickness
status % change in
thickness meter
reading (Average
± SD) Duration of
study Percentage
population Statistical
significance
Increase in
thickness 12 ± 6.9 1 month 75 Yes (p<0.05)
No change in
thickness 0 3 N/A
Decrease in
thickness 6 ± 3.1 22 Yes (p<0.05)

Table 4. The status of thickness of hair (increase / no change / decrease) measured by the volunteers using the Hair Thickness Assessment Device /Meter over 8 visits (I month) is given. For each thickness category, the average % change in Hair Thickness Assessment Device /Meter reading along with the % population that showed the status is given.

From table 1 it can be inferred that there is a net increase in thickness of hair as measured by the volunteers using the H air Thickness Assessment Device /Meter over 8 visits (1 month). The % increase is calculated to be about 7 %.

¾ 75 % of population showed statistically significant increase in the thickness of hair##
(12% increase) as per “H air Thickness Assessment Device /Meter” assessment.

¾ 3 % of population didn’t show any change in thickness of hair## as per “H air
Thickness Assessment Device /Meter” assessment.

¾ 22 % of population showed statistically significant decrease in the thickness of hair## (6% decrease) as per “H air Thickness Assessment Device /Meter” assessment.

## Over a period of 1 month (8 visits) when compared against the baseline value.

The above test measurements carried out by volunteers and beauticians

Thus, while according to the basic aspect the thickness meter/device is essentially comprised of a flexible thickness assessing portion adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ,said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed.

Some possible exemplary embodiments of such a flexible hair thickness assessment meter/device of the invention are discussed hereunder:

Reference is now invited to Figure 3 which shows a first embodiment of the hair thickness assessment device/meter of the invention. As shown in the Figure 3, the hair thickness meter is basically comprised of a flexible thickness assessing portion (C) which is comprised of regions indicating categories of hair thickness such as thin hair, medium thick hair and thick hair. The flexible thickness assessing portion of the meter involving such categorization of the possible thickness ranges of a person’s hair have been identified only after extensive research and studies as has been discussed in relation to accompanying Figures 1 and 2 above. Importantly, such studies have revealed that the thickness of hair of any given individual and its condition is safely identifiable based on the above categorization of the thin hair, medium thick hair and thick hair achieved for the first time under the present invention.

The flexible thickness assessing portion (C) is adapted such that it can be wrapped or wound around the bunch of hair on an individual’s head and the circumferential length of the said flexible thickness assessing portion required for circumferentially covering the bunch of hair is noted to fall in which of the three categories which would help in identifying whether the individual hair thickness would be thin, medium thick or thick hair.

As would be further apparent from the illustration in Figure 3, in order to facilitate the use of the hair thickness meter/device by an individual on her own, the thickness assessment device/meter apart from providing for the flexible thickness assessing portion is constructed in a manner to benefit its user friendly and effective use.

The hair thickness meter/device is thus having said flexible thickness assessing portion operatively connected to a hand/finger holdable member (A) having at least one broader region adjacent to the flexible thickness assessing portion which accommodates a slit (S) region having dimensions which would allow the flexible thickness assessing portions to pass therethrough for the purpose of hair thickness assessment. The broader portion of the hand/finger holdable region can be suitably connected to the flexible thickness assessing portions through a neck region (B) such as a tapering neck region shown in the figure.

Importantly, as also appearing in the figure, the broader end of the holdable member (A) having said slit (S) region is adapted such that the user can first bundle her hair in a bunch and then wrap the flexible thickness assessing portion (C) along the circumference such that its free end (D) enters the slit to provide for the indication on the thickness of the hair based upon the region at which the flexible thickness assessing member reaches the slit after traversing the bunch of hair. Thus, looking at the marked region of the flexible thickness assessing portion (C) the user can immediately ascertain the thickness condition of her hair.

Advantageously, in order to facilitate the ready identification of the thickness condition the regions involving thin, medium thick and thick hair are preferably marked by different colours such as the thin hair region may be identified by RED colour, medium thick hair region may be identified by ORANGE colour and thick hair region may be identified by BLACK colour. Thus, after wrapping the flexible thickness assessing portion along the bunch of hair and allowing the free end of the flexible thickness assessing portion to come out of the slit, the colour portion of the flexible thickness assessing member in the position of the slit will determine the hair thickness condition of the individual i.e. if the portion of the flexible thickness assessing member at the slit region is RED it indicates that the user has thin hair, if it is ORANGE it indicates the user has medium thick hair and if it is BLACK it indicates that the user has thick hair.

As would be apparent the manner of carrying out the hair thickness assessment using the device/meter of the invention thus basically comprises of :-

a) Wrap the flexible thickness assessing portion around your hair;
b) Insert the tip/free end of the flexible thickness assessing portion in the slit;
c) Pull the free end to make it tight;
d) Slide the meter out maintaining the position of the free end as obtained in Step c) above and check if the flexible thickness assessing portion at the slit region stands in the region defined as thin hair or medium thick hair or thick hair.

It would be clearly apparent that such a hair thickness assessing device/meter is self useable and would assist the user to regularly monitor his/her hair thickness ready and effectively.

It is also possible that the hair thickness assessment meter/device in said flexible thickness assessing portion having the demarcated regions of thickness can also have more detailed indication in the form of a scale whereby it would facilitate the user to note not only the category of the thickness but even the precise value of the thickness assessment and follow any subsequent minor variations in hair thickness over time. For the purpose the flexible thickness assessing portion is apart from the possible colour based demarcation of thin hair region, medium thick hair region and thick hair region also provided with scales identifying the values of hair thickness covered by the various regions which have been attained after extensive studies preferably involving a scale of 0 to 15 cm with the thin hair region comprising of upto 6.6 cm with the slit region being indicative of the position 0 of the scale, the medium thick region comprising from 6.7 cm to 9.1 cm and the thick hair region being from 9.2 cm to 15 cm.

Reference is invited to accompanying figure 4 which illustrate an embodiment of the hair thickness meter/device as already discussed in relation to Figure 3 but with the additional qualification of the flexible thickness assessing portion being provided with scales as discussed hereinbefore.

It is also relevant to mention that while for the purposes of noting the assessment of the hair thickness involving the device/meter of the invention in the last step it is mentioned that the user can slide the flexible thickness assessing portion and check the position of the flexible thickness assessing member in relation to the slit to assess the hair thickness condition, while if the user is careful to not to displace the position of the flexible thickness assessing portion in relation to the slit after traversing the circumference of the bunch of hair, the user should readily be able to assess the hair thickness.

However, in case the user is not that careful, the device according to the preferred aspects of the invention can also be provided with a convenient tie means at the slit region, so that the position of the flexible thickness assessing portion after traversing the circumference of the bunch of hair gets arrested and when the user slides the meter out from the hair to check the hair thickness there is no displacement of the flexible thickness assessing portion from the position from which it is taken out from the hair. Some of the possible embodiment of the hair thickness assessing device/meter of the invention involving such tie means are now discussed hereunder.

Reference is invited to accompanying Figure 5 wherein the basic construction of the hair thickness assessing device/meter is same as that of Figure 4 except that in the embodiment of Figure 5 the slit is further provided with tie means to additionally secured that there is no displacement of the position of the flexible member when the device is taken out for reading the hair thickness.

As shown in Figure 5 the slit is provided with the tie means and the operational advantage is discussed hereunder.

The principle of tightening the device in this case involving the tie mechanism is similar to the plastic zip type mechanism where the portion C is made of nylon with integrated gear racks where grooves are at the scale markings. The gear racks passed through the ratchet (R) in the slit (S) while bunching the hair and is pulled tight. After tightening around the bunch of hair, the scale is prevented from being pulled back by such a tie arrangement in the slit (S) which will avoid loosening of the bunched hair. The device can then be slid down the length of hair to get the reading without any distortion/displacement of the flexible measuring portion in relation to the slit. Thus, according to this arrangement of the device/meter of the invention, a more accurate assessment can be made.

Reference is now invited to Figure 6, which shows yet another embodiment of the device similar to that of Figure 4 except that the same is obtained like a hook and loop fastener similar to that found in Velcro fasteners. According to this arrangement the Part A is made like a Velcro hook featuring tiny hooks on the side where the logo is and Part C is made of even smaller and hairer loops (on the side where logo is on A) as found in Velcro loops. After bunching the hair by inserting D through the slot and pulling, the two component A and C are pressed together. The hooks catch in the loops the two pieces fasten or bind temporarily avoiding loosening of the bunched hair. The loop formed can be slid down the entire length of hair to obtain the reading.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 7 which is yet another embodiment of the device/meter of the invention similar to that of Figure 4 except that the slit is further provided in the form of a tie means to facilitate error free reading of the hair thickness.

As shown in the Figure 7, according to this embodiment the slit is provided with spikes (SK) like those found in the trouser belt clips. Part C can in such embodiment preferably made of leatherite kind of material. The spikes will allow the insertion of C freely which will help bunching the hair. After tightening, the scaling portion will be held taut by the clip mechanism which will not allow the scaling portion to loosen. To release the scaling portion after the reading is taken, a small lever arrangement attached to the spikes can be pressed and the scaling portion can then be pulled out of the slit.

Reference is now invited to Figure 8, which shows yet another embodiment of the hair thickness meter/device in accordance with the present invention.

According to this embodiment while the basic construction of the thickness meter/device has been maintained the same as that of Figure 4 and as is clearly illustrated the same basically comprises of the same hand/finger holdable broader region (A), a neck region (B) and the flexible measuring portion involving the scaling (C) and a free end (D) of the flexible thickness assessing portion. The operation of the meter is same as that explained in relation to Figure 4.

However, the embodiment of Figure 8,the said hand/finger holdable broader region (A) additionally includes scaling involving identical units as that of the scaling provided in the flexible thickness assessing portion (C). The additional scaling in the hand/finger holdable broader region (A) is provided to facilitate accurate assessment even under the simplified construction of the meter/device without any tie mechanism in the slit. This is possible by way of involving the additional scale in the hand/finger holdable region (A) also for the thickness assessment as explained hereunder:

Under this embodiment as already mentioned, the Part A is graded/scaled as found in Part C the flexible thickness assessing portion in the case of embodiment as per Figure 4 with the Zero reading starting at the slit (S) portion. After bunching the hair, the position of the tapered end which comes out of the slit can be marked in the additional scaling provided in Part A. The device can then be unfolded and by subtracting the number found at the mark on Part A from the entire length of C scale, the actual hair thickness can be instantaneously assessed.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figures 9A to 9C which is an illustration of yet another embodiment of the hair thickness measuring meter/device in accordance with the present invention.

As would be apparent clearly from Figures 9B and 9C, the meter/device according to this embodiment involves the hand/finger holdable broad portion (A) and the flexible thickness assessing portion (C) including the neck region (B) obtained in two detachably separable components. Thus according to this embodiment the flexible thickness assessing portion at the neck region can be disconnected from the hand/finger holdable broader portion and again reassembled such as by using a male and female type plug and socket mechanism. As more clearly illustrated in accompanying Figure 9B and 9C, for such detachable connection, the neck has two pins (PI) that can be fitted into the matching sockets (SO) provided in hand/finger holdable broad portion (A). The construction of the facing adjacent ends of the hand/finger holdable broad portion (A) and the flexible assessing portion (C ) are such that after the connecting the neck (B) face and the broader portion (A)face are connected , the slit is formed there between due to a channeled adjacent matching facing portions of A and B. Such slit thus formed on assembling A & B would provide for the slit wherein the flexible assessing portion C can then be inserted to bunch the hair and after tightening the bunch it can be fasten by clamping using the clip (CL) (like a “Jump Clip”) attached to A. The clip (CL) can be moved side ways along the length of A to adjust for the length of C that comes out of the slit.

The above exemplary illustrations thus go to demonstrate some of the non-limiting forms of the hair thickness meter/device in accordance with the present invention. It would be clearly apparent that given the advancement in the art of assessing hair thickness achieved by way of the present invention, it is possible to develop various other forms of the device/meter which would also serve the identification of the level of thickness of an individual’s hair so that one can take more effective and prompt attention and care for the hair.

It is thus possible by way of the present advancement to for the first time provide for a simple yet effective and user friendly device/meter which can be used by anyone even illiterate persons to assess the thickness hair and also determine the state of the persons hair thickness i.e. whether as per the standards, the individual can be said to have thin hair, medium thick hair or thick hair. Importantly, the hair thickness meter/device would be user friendly and enable every individual to readily assess the hair thickness conditions from time to time and in case of any unusual loss of hair/thinning of hair it would be then possible to take immediate corrective measures instead of allowing the loss of hair to aggravate and cause serious thinning in course of time. The hair thickness measuring device/meter as apparent provides for self operable identification of hair thickness condition which would further benefit the individual from assessing the loss or growth or even maintenance of hair thickness even assess hair conditions under conditions of use of hair care products which would further benefit the customers/consumers of hair care products to assess for their own benefit and appreciation whether such hair care products are compatible to their hair characteristics and its use would be safe or need to be discontinued due to any unwanted loss of hair or unwanted thinning of hair or even when any promised growth and thickening of hair on use of a hair care products is not achieved.

,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A hair thickness assessment meter/device comprising:

a flexible thickness assessing portion adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

said flexible thickness assessing portion having indications of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed;

said indications of thickness on said flexible thickness assessing portion being based on cumulative probability distribution capable of measuring (a) thin hair (b) medium thick hair and (c ) thick hair.

2. A hair thickness assessment meter/device as claimed in claim 1 which is integrally formed of said flexible thickness assessing portion adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed with a narrower measuring region upto a front end and atleast slightly larger rear end having a slit therethrough for allowing passage of the narrower front end and said measuring region therethrough for said measuring purposes .

3. A hair thickness assessment meter/device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2 wherein said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of said (a) thin hair (b) medium thick hair and (c ) thick hair conforming to said bunch of hair on head being assessed based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed.

4. A hair thickness assessment meter/device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3 wherein said (a) thin hair region (b) medium thick hair region and (c) thick hair region are further provided with means to monitor changes in hair growth or hair fall in individuals.

5. A hair thickness assessment meter/device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein said flexible thickness assessing portion is obtained of any flexible material preferably including paper, laminated sheet, plastic, polymeric material, cloth materials .

6. A hair thickness assessment meter/device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5 wherein said flexible thickness assessing portion extends upto about 15 cms and said (a) thin hair region comprises upto 6.6 cm (b) medium thick hair region from 6.7 cm to up to about 9.1 cm and (c ) thick hair region from 9.2 cmupto about 15 cms.

7. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising:

a flexible thickness assessing portion having a hand/finger holdable end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed along its free other end ;

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions adapted for ready indication of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed;

said indications of thickness on said flexible thickness assessing portion being based on cumulative probability distribution capable of measuring (a) thin hair (b) medium thick hair and (c ) thick hair.

8. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising :

a hand/finger holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion contiguous to said broad end adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed along its free other end ;

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions adapted for ready indication of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being measured based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed;

said indications of thickness on said flexible thickness assessing portion being based on cumulative probability distribution capable of measuring (a) thin hair (b) medium thick hair and (c ) thick hair.
9. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising:
a hand/finger holdable end portion defining a broader end having a slit;
a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion contiguous to said broad end adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed along its free other end ;

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked regions thereon for ready indication of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed;

said indications of thickness on said flexible thickness assessing portion being based on cumulative probability distribution capable of measuring (a) thin hair (b) medium thick hair and (c ) thick hair

said thin hair, medium thick hair and thick hair being indicative in a scaled manner with the point of zero thickness indicative of a slit in the said broader end through which the free end of the said flexible thickness assessing portion after being wrapped around the bunch of hair being measured can pass through enabling said desired ready indication of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

10. A hair thickness meter as claimed in claim 9 wherein said flexible thickness assessing portion is obtained of any selective shape and configuration and marking suitably provided such that based on the length of the said flexible thickness assessing portion at the slit after wrapping around the hair bunch is indicative of the category of the thickness of the hair bunch.

11. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 9 to 10 wherein said flexible thickness assessing portion comprise of any flexible lengthwise member adapted to pass through the said slit preferably a flexible strip like member having said marked regions categorizing thin hair, medium thick hair and thick hair in a scaled manner in both sides thereof.

12. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 9 to 11 wherein said marked regions categorizing thin hair, medium thick hair and thick hair include a scaled categorization with the point of zero thickness indicative by the slit position in the said broader end and higher thickness values uniformly extending there from lengthwise upto its free end.

13. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising :

a hand/finger holdable end portion defining a broader end having a slit;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion contiguous to said broad end adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed along its free other end ;
said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked regions thereon for ready indication of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed based on the length of its wrapped around circumference on the hair bunch being assessed;

said marked regions categorizing thin hair, medium thick hair and thick hair including a scaled categorization with the point of zero thickness indicative by the slit position in the said broader end and higher thickness values uniformly extending there from lenthgwise upto its free end

said hand/finger holdable end portion defining a broader end also having identically scaled assessing along its length as that of the flexible thickness assessing portion such that it is also possible to note the length of the flexible member exiting through the slit after wrapping around the bunch of hair based on said scale in said hand/finger holdable end portion defining a broader end and generating the thickness value by subtracting the same from the total length of the flexible thickness assessing portion.

14. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprises:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion having measuring scale thereon extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;
cooperative tie means selectively disposed and provided to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle in place to facilitate the assessment; and
said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

15. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end having a slit;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion having measuring scale thereon extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

said slit in said hand holdable end portion having cooperative tie means selectively disposed and provided to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle and passing through said slit in place to facilitate the assessment; and

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

16. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising:
a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion contiguous to said broader end and having assessing scale thereon extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

cooperative tie means selectively disposed comprises slit in the broader end region of said hand holdable end portion at the point zero of said assessing scale of flexible thickness assessing portion and provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle to enter therethrough to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion in place on the hair bundle to facilitate the assessment; and

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

17. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion contiguous to said broader end and extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

cooperative tie means selectively disposed comprises a slit in the broader end region of said hand holdable end portion at the point zero of said assessing scale of flexible thickness assessing portion and provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle to enter therethrough to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion in place wrapped on the hair bundle to facilitate the assessment; and

said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

18. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprises:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion having assessing scale thereon extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

cooperative tie means selectively disposed comprises a slit in said broader end of said hand holdable end portion with ratchet means at the point zero of said of said measuring scale of flexible assessing portion and provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion having cooperating gear racks adapted to pass through the ratchet while bunching the hair with said assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle such that after tightening around the bunch of hair the flexible thickness assessing portion is prevented from being pulled back and avoid loosening of the bunched hair such as to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion in place on the hair bundle to facilitate the assessment involving said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

19. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

cooperative tie means selectively disposed comprises a slit with ratchet means at the lower end of said flexible thickness assessing portion and provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion having cooperating gear racks adapted to pass through the ratchet while bunching the hair with said assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle such that after tightening around the bunch of hair the flexible thickness assessing portion is prevented from being pulled back and avoid loosening of the bunched hair such as to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion in place on the hair bundle to facilitate the assessment involving said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

20. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion obtained of selective material preferably leatherlite material extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed ;

cooperative tie means selectively disposed comprises a slit with spike means in said broader end of said hand holdable end portion and at the point zero of said of said assessing scale of flexible thickness assessing portion at the lower end of said flexible thickness assessing portion and provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion adapted to pass through the slit and as per the hair thickness get arrested by a clip mechanism while bunching the hair with said flexible thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle to maintain the flexible thickness assessing portion in place on the hair bundle to facilitate the assessment involving said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being measured and a lever means adapted to facilitate the said arrested flexible thickness assessing portion to release from said spikes after the assessment is over.

21. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising:

a hand holdable end portion defining a broader end;

a narrower flexible thickness assessing portion having assessing scale thereon contiguous and extending from said hand holdable broader end portion and adapted for flexibly wrapping around circumference of a bunch of hair on head for which the thickness is to be assessed;

said hand /finger holdable end portion and said narrower flexible thickness assessing portion adapted for detachable securing such that when operatively connected the same defines a cooperative tie means comprising a slit provided such as to allow the flexible thickness assessing portion to pass through the slit while bunching the hair with said thickness assessing portion wrapped around the hair bundle such that after tightening around the bunch of hair the part of the flexible thickness assessing portion extending out through said slit is maintained in position and is prevented from being pulled back and avoid loosening of the bunched hair to facilitate the assessment involving said flexible thickness assessing portion having marked thereon regions indicative of thickness of said bunch of hair on head being assessed.

22. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in claim 21 wherein the said detachable securing of the hand holdable end portion and said narrower flexible thickness assessing portion comprises of a detachable plug and socket combination.

23. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 21 or 22 wherein the connecting end of the narrower flexible thickness assessing portion having projecting plug members and the adjacent face of the hand holdable end portion having corresponding matching sockets wherein the plugs get secured providing said slit there between to allow the passage of the flexible thickness assessing portion for said assessing of hair thickness.

24.A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in claim 23 wherein the part of the flexible thickness assessing portion extending out through said slit is maintained in position and is prevented from being pulled back and avoid loosening of the bunched hair by provision of a slidable clip mounted on the hand holdable end portion.

25. A Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 7 to 24 wherein said hand /finger holdable end portion can be selectively also flexible.

26. A method for carrying out measurement of hair thickness involving the Hair thickness assessment meter as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 25 comprising :

a.Wrapping the flexible thickness assessing portion around the hair;

b.Inserting the front end/tip of the flexible thickness assessing portion in the slit;

c.Pulling the flexible thickness assessing portion at its front end extending beyond said slit to make it tight;and

d.Check the hair thickness as indicated by the meter reading.

Dated this the 9th day of December, 2013 Anjan Sen
of Anjan Sen and Associates
(Applicants Agent)