QuoteReplyTopic: Patent # for Shrink Links by Mark Barrington Concepts, Inc. Posted: January 09 2005 at 5:59pm
I have seen that tip on the Mark Barrington hair and it definitely is different from our pretips that were used to using. That is great that it doesnt break down and that it keeps the shape. And the price for there links isnt a bad deal either for a patented product!
Thanks for posting that. I have been considering taking Marks class. I have talked to him for like an hour on the phone a few months ago, he is super nice. His product seems much more professional than the other ones. And I also want to get my hands on the temporary weft thingies too, the ones that go on with tape. Now I just have to save up $$$ to get my ass out to Cali.
And I hope you don't feel like anyone was attacking you. I, for one, always appreciate your contributions and helpful tips. I think we just sort of panicked, thinking shrinkies wouldn't be available for DIY anymore. Again, I'm sorry if you were offended.
First on all, Concepts, Inc had first originally called their shrink tubes "Toobz", and then soon changed the name to "Elegant Additions". It was only last year or so that they changed the name to Shrink Links, so that is why that name wasn't trademarked until 2003. I'm sure they did trademark the other 2 previous names too. Mark Barrington, who is a stylist also is an engineer. He got tired to the engineer work, so he became a stylist and has been in the hair field for about 15 years.
The company wants to maintain very tight control of their product, so they do require that everyone take a class before they will sell them the product. I took the class about 5 years ago , and at that time it was $1000 (that does includes the tools)
They are working on a DVD that stylists can buy for training, but I don't know when they will have that out or how much it will cost.
They don't demand that you buy their hair. They get their hair from Extensions Plus in LA, which sells top quality real European hair as well as good Indian hair. Any stylist can buy from Extensions Plus, too.
A few times, I have brought them the wefted Bohyme hair that I bought at Super Hair Factory and they put their hard plastic tips on that hair for me. When the stylist supplies their own hair, they charge $40.25 per ounce to turn that hair into their 'perma-plugs'. The tips of the perma plugs are not like the shoelace tip you may be used to. The end plastic is blunt and square.
Also, I don't think that they would care if you use Dr. locks shrinkies, but dr. locks shrinkies are not as good. The Concepts, Inc. shrink links shrink down much better (the tube is thinner) and no rolling of your fingers are required. I bought some of the dr.locks product for comparison, and I don't like them compared to the Shrink Links. Shrink Links do stay in the hair pretty well, most of my clients wear them for 12 weeks at a time without a problem. The cost of the Shrink Links are $27.50 for a container or 200. They also have their own tool to thread them onto the hair, and it workd great.
I don't know anything about patent law, so I don't know what will come of this. It seems to me that many copycat companies (for all categories of product) always find loopholes and are still able to sell their stuff. However, then what is the value of going through the trouble of getting something patented if you can't be protected from copycats?
By the way, please don't anyone direct any angry comments toward me (don't shoot the messenger...) I have no stake in the company other than using the product. I do like Mark and his co owner (wife Jeanette), they are very nice people, but that's it.
If I find out more, I'll keep you guys posted!
Bridget
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no kiddin' - catch all class! that would be great. I believe in Ohio I'm able to do extensions under my cos. license w/out the cert., but for my own satisfaction... I'll take a cource, maybe. Who is going to do your shrinkies?
That sounds like a good idea--just make sure certfication in one method doesn't eliminate you from using other methods (or any hair or supplies of your choice). For example, if you were certified with the Barrington people, would they be totally pissed if you used Doc's shrinkies or whatever? Quite likely the answer is "no," but best to be sure before you spend the money. Also, even though shrinks are the hottest thing right now (and I agree with you that they are getting the biggest and best buzz), who knows what new product could pop up 6 months from now?
People's hair is just so different, and what they want it to look like is really different too, so it's best to be free to use whatever you want. Ideally, it would be nice if there were some catch-all class that taught all the methods with both synth and human, wefts and individuals--pinchbraids, weaving, shrinks, extendtubes, fusion, and the rest--plus integration for hairloss clients. This would probably be one hell of a class, though--maybe 6 months or a year long...
I am definitely interested in taking a class. I was planning on taking the Hairlocs cource this coming March for $1500 - but after learning of the shrinkies, I'm gonna pass on hairlocs. I just want to learn the best technique... I still have no idea what the heck that may be! But it sounds like shrinkies is the new hot thing...
Oh, sorry; I missed that part. I don't know if you have to train with the Barrington people specifically to get their Shrinks or just have a license, but MetalGirl seems to like those Shrinks a lot.
if there's a will there's a way... there's a fine line for everything.... I doubt the dr's shrinkies will be taken off the market... but ya never know.
Near as I can tell he patented the "process" of using shrinkable tubing for hair extensions. I dont see anywhere in there where he calls them by a certain name.
If you read further down, it lists all the other extension methods and their patent numbers. He obviously didnt patent the method for making tips and if someone wanted to get picky they could go after him for using their method in his patent, so it could go round and round and round.
I find it extremely amusing that we now know that this stuff is definetely heat shrinkable tubing.
i am going to have my lawyer look at it tomorrow ;)
hahahaha
edit:
i am pretty sure bc it says "Any standard grade heat shrinkable tubing such as that make by Icorally for electronic purposes is suitable. " that they did not patent the shrinkies but have patented their own pretipped kind of PLUG hair. but my bf is a lawyer and i am going to make him read it tomorrow even though he is a patent lawyer and he is yelling at me for making him be involved with my hair mania lol
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