US20140020703A1

US20140020703A1 - Wig

Info

Publication number: US20140020703A1
Application number: US13/554,157
Authority: US
Inventors: Aaron Tiram
Original assignee: Ecoco Inc
Current assignee: Ecoco Inc
Priority date: 2012-07-20
Filing date: 2012-07-20
Publication date: 2014-01-23

Abstract

A wig with a band. The band has a length, a width, an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface engages a user's head with the wig operatively positioned on the user's head. The outside surface has hair strands strategically projecting therefrom. The band is configured to extend around the user's head to overlie a scalp region extending from the user's forehead to behind each of the user's ears leaving an open top at which the user's scalp is exposed with the wig operatively positioned. The user's natural hair, if any exists, can be blended with the strands on the body with the wig operatively positioned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to wigs and, more particularly, to a wig construction that allows hair to be placed locally over an area or areas where there has been hair loss or at which hair is naturally thin.
2. Background Art
Wigs have been worn for decades for many different reasons. Some wearers enjoy the convenience of donning a wig to allow instantaneous selection of a hair style and/or color without the inconvenience associated with maintaining and styling the wearer's natural hair. The wigs may be worn over the wearer's natural hair that may have a substantial length. Alternatively, a wearer may choose to closely crop his/her hair to allow a closer conformance of the wig to the wearer's scalp.
Wigs worn in this fashion do have some drawbacks. One of the most significant problems with wigs is that they tend to shift on a wearer's head, particularly when the wearer engages in certain activities and/or is exposed to the elements, such as high winds, etc.
One attempted solution to this problem is to tightly conform the head-engaging surface on the wig to the wearer's head. A certain amount of elasticity may be built into the wig to accommodate some size variation. However, head sizes may vary significantly from one wearer to the next. It is not practical to keep on hand all hair styles and colors in the many anticipated sizes that may be needed. Thus, inventory control becomes problematic. From the standpoint of the purveyor, excess inventory of certain wig styles and colors may remain on hand; whereas, from a consumer standpoint, desired styles and colors may not be available, whereby the potential purchaser is left with the options of either not making the purchase or settling for a product that is less than optimal.
A further problem with this design is that the head-engaging layer, if stretchable, may eventually lose its memory. The material may stretch to the point that it is no longer practical to wear the wig, which necessitates a further purchase. This problem is aggravated when the wig is worn over lengthy hair and subsequently worn over hair that has been cut to a significantly shorter length. The wig may stretch permanently to accommodate the mass of longer hair and may thereafter fit loosely upon the wearer's head with the hair cropped.
In short, it is very difficult to make available to consumers a range of hairstyles and colors in wigs that will snugly embrace a wearer's head without uncomfortable pressure over a relatively lengthy useful life.
Oftentimes, persons will have localized hair loss or thinning hair, whereas the hair may be relatively full at other areas. This condition may be the result of natural hair loss or hair loss induced by use of topical chemicals or chemicals used during medical treatment.
Heretofore, the main option to address such conditions has been to wear a full wig that covers not only the troubled areas but the areas where there is thick hair. An individual may opt to closely crop all of his/her hair or leave the natural hair at a substantial length.
In the latter case, one contends with the difficulty of avoiding shifting of the wig on the head. In the former case, the cutting of the hair commits the individual to either wearing a wig at all times or exposing hair that is cut to a length that is much less than desirable.
By wearing a full wig, the wearer also contends with other problems associated with the full coverage of the scalp region. That is, provision must be made to prevent shifting of the wig. Further, the wig, regardless of its construction, causes some level of discomfort in terms of irritation and confining heat on the user's head.
The industry continues to seek out wig designs that overcome one or more of the above problems. Notwithstanding this effort, in a very mature industry, at least the above problems persist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one form, the invention is directed to a wig including a band consisting of a body and having a length, a width, an inside surface and an outside surface. The inside surface engages a user's head with the wig operatively positioned on a user's head. The outside surface has hair strands strategically projecting therefrom. The band is configured to extend around a user's head to overlie a scalp region extending from a user's forehead to behind each of a user's ears, leaving an open top at which a user's scalp is exposed with the wig operatively positioned. A user's natural hair can be blended with the hair strands on the body with the wig operatively positioned.
In one form, the body extends continuously through 360°.
In one form, the body has spaced ends and the wig further includes connecting structure for drawing the spaced body ends towards each other to bear the body snugly against a user's head with the wig operatively positioned.
In one form, the connecting structure includes first and second components, connected one each to the spaced body ends, that can be joined to each other.
In one form, the first and second components are releasably joinable to each other.
In one form, the first and second components are releasably joinable to each other in a manner to selectively vary an effective diameter of the band with the wig operatively positioned.
In one form, the band is made at least partially from an elastic material that allows the length of the band to be changed.
In one form, the band consists of a first material which defines at least a part of the inside surface, and a second material, that is different than the first material, which defines at least a part of the outside surface.
In one form, the second material is a mesh material into which the hair strands are woven.
In one form, the mesh material defines substantially the entire outside surface that extends continuously through 360°.
In one form, the body defines the outside surface that extends continuously through 360° and the mesh material defines a majority, but less than all, of the outside surface.
In one form, the body has a width of 1-4 inches.
In one form, the body has a substantially uniform width.
In one form, the body has a non-uniform width.
In one form, the first material is a softer material than the second material to be non-abrasive against a user's scalp.
In one form, the first material makes up a part of the outside surface of the body.
In one form, the invention is directed to a method of using a wig, as described above, to strategically cover scalp regions of a user where there is thinned or no hair. The method includes the steps of: operatively placing the wig on the user's head so that the outside surface with the hair strands overlies at least one of: a) a front forehead region; and b) opposite side regions of a user's head; and after operatively placing the wig, blending a user's natural hair with the hair strands on the band.
In one form, the body extends continuously through 360° and is elastic to define a diameter that is variable. The step of operatively placing the wig involves stretching the band from a relaxed diameter to a larger diameter. With the band in the larger diameter, the band is placed around the user's head. The band is thereafter placed so that the band tends, by reason of elasticity, from the larger diameter towards the relaxed diameter to thereby snugly embrace the user's head.
In one form, the body has spaced ends and the wig further includes a connecting structure consisting of first and second components, connected one each to the spaced body ends. The step of operatively placing the wig involves placing the band strategically on the user's head and thereafter reconfiguring the first and second components to thereby draw the spaced body ends towards each other to thereby cause the band to snugly embrace the user's head.
In one form, the inside surface is made of a first material and the outside surface is made of a second material that is different than the first material. The second material is a mesh material into which the hair strands are woven. The first material is softer than the second material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user's head with natural head on the top of the scalp and showing regions around the scalp where there is an absence of hair or hair thinning;

FIG. 2 is a view as in FIG. 1 wherein one form of wig is operatively positioned on the user's head, the wig having a band for extending around the user's head and shown with hair strands omitted from the band for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the wig in FIG. 2 and showing only a portion thereof with hair strands incorporated;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the portion of the wig within the circle in FIG. 3 and showing hair strands woven into the band;

FIG. 5 is a view as in FIG. 2 with the hair strands woven into the band;

FIG. 6 is a view as in FIG. 5 wherein the strands on the wig and user's natural hair have been blended in a first style;

FIG. 7 is a view as in FIG. 6 wherein the user's natural hair and wig hair strands have been blended in a second style;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of wig band, according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a view as in FIG. 2 showing a modified form of wig band with the hair strands omitted for clarity;

FIG. 10 is a view as in FIG. 9 with hair strands incorporated;

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of a modified form of wig and incorporating cooperating components that snug a band on the wig against a user's head;

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the cooperating components in FIG. 11 and showing further detail thereof;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further modified form of wig band;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a user's head with no natural hair thereon and a wig thereon preparatory to styling;

FIG. 15 is a view as in FIG. 14 wherein the hair strands on the wig have been repositioned to produce one style;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a still further modified form of wig;

FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of a method of using the wigs, as shown in the preceding figures;

FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a wig incorporating a supplemental holding structure;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a wig band incorporating one specific form of supplemental holding structure; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another wig band incorporating an alternative construction for a supplemental holding structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIG. 1, a condition is shown on the head 10 of a wig user 12 wherein the scalp 14 has regions whereat the user's hair is locally thin or altogether absent. For purposes of simplicity, the “scalp”, as used herein, will be considered the entire surface area on the user's head where hair typically grows, including on front, top, side, and back regions. There are many different potential causes for this condition, amongst which are the repetitive use of strong topical chemicals and treatment for certain medical conditions that utilize medicines that cause hair loss.
As seen in FIG. 1, the regions at which hair thinning/loss is most common is at 16—at the sides of the user's head in the vicinity of each ear 18. Significant hair loss/thinning may also occur at the forehead region 20 of the scalp 14. It is less common, but possible, for there to be hair loss also in the region at the back of the scalp 14, as shown at 22.
As shown in FIG. 1, a full growth of natural hair 24 may remain intact at the top region 26 on the user's scalp 14.
In FIGS. 2-7, one form of wig, according to the invention, is shown at 30. The wig 30 consists of a band 32 with a body 34 having a circumferential length, as indicated by the double-headed arrow L, and a width W. The band 32 has an inside surface 36 and an outside surface 38.
The inside surface 36 engages the user's head 10 with the wig 30 operatively positioned, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5-7.
The outside surface 38 has hair strands 40 strategically projecting therefrom. The hair strands 40 are incorporated to give the appearance of natural hair. In FIGS. 2 and 3, hair strands 40 have been omitted to allow the structure of the band 32 to be more clearly seen and described.
As seen most clearly in FIG. 2, the band 32 is configured to extend around the user's head 10 to overlie a scalp region extending from a user's forehead 42 to behind each of the user's ears 18, leaving an open top 44 at which a user's scalp 14 is exposed with the wig 30 operatively positioned.
In this embodiment, the body 34 extends continuously through 360°. The body 34 is preferably made with at least portions that are elastic to allow the length L of the body 34 to be changed.
In this embodiment, the body 34 is made using at least two layers. The multi-layer construction can extend fully or partially around the length of the body 34. The inside surface 36 is defined at least partially by a first material that has a soft feel so as not to irritate the user's scalp 14. The material may be selected from those commonly used to make head-engaging surfaces on headwear and headbands on headwear.
The layer that defines the outside surface 38 is shown to be a mesh material 46 into which the strands 40 can be woven, as shown most clearly in FIG. 4. The multi-layer construction allows the material making up the inside surface to be softer than that to which the hair strands 40 can be readily woven.
The mesh material 46 may define all or only part of the outside surface 38. In this embodiment, the mesh material 46 extends only partially around the circumference of the body 34 between locations L1, L2. An outside surface portion 48 overlies a back scalp region that normally does not need to be augmented with hair and thus can be made from a material, such as that defining the inside surface 36, or another material, that does not lend itself as readily to hair strand attachment. In this embodiment, the mesh material 46 defines a majority of the outside surface 38. Generally, the mesh material 46 is provided wherever hair strands 40 are required. This may be over any size and shape of area. For example, if only bangs are needed, the mesh material 46 can be provided at a limited circumferential extent of the front of the band 32. As another example, if a spot at only one side of the user's head requires hair augmentation, the mesh material can be custom formed to overlie that area. Of course, hair strands 40 do not have to be provided over the entire area of the mesh material, which might define, for example, the entire outside surface 38.
The outside surface portion 48 may be made more elastic than the part made from mesh material. This allows the effective diameter of the band 32 to enlarge principally by circumferentially stretching of the surface portion 48. This allows the mesh material to have a substantially constant exposed area so as not to diminish the density of the strands 40. However, the invention contemplates that the mesh material 46 might also elongate substantially as the band 32 is enlarged in diameter.
The body 34 has a width preferably in the range of 1-4 inches. However, this range should not be viewed as limiting. The width may be customized to the particular scalp condition. The wig 30 might be offered with different band widths for stock supply. In this embodiment, the width W is shown to be substantially uniform around the full circumference of the body 34.
The location of the woven strands 40, their density, and length are all dictated by the particular scalp condition. For example, the strands 40 may be incorporated to produce principally bangs, as shown in FIG. 5. Alternatively, the strands 40 could be longer to match the length of the user's natural hair 50 at the top of the scalp. In the event bangs are formed, the strands 40 can be blended with the user's natural hair 50, as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, the longer strands 40 can be blended as shown in FIG. 7.
The invention contemplates any strand length and combination of strand lengths to be woven into the body 34.
By incorporating the non-mesh material at the outside surface portion 48, and potentially using a material with a lesser frictional coefficient, the user's natural hair 40 is allowed to move slidingly thereagainst without hanging up, as might cause undesired bunching thereat.
As noted above, the strands 40 can be strategically applied in terms of their length and location to produce the desired style and blending with the user's natural hair 50. This may involve using a combination of longer and shorter strands 40 and strategic placement of longer and shorter strands 40 at different heights and lengthwise locations.
While the multi-layer construction is preferred, particularly to allow a softer and less abrasive material to be placed against a user's scalp 14, a single layer construction could also be utilized.
While the body 34 is shown with a substantially constant width, the invention contemplates an alternative construction. As shown in FIG. 8, a modified form of body 34′ has a varying width along its length. A narrower width W1 may be provided at the forehead region 20, whereas a wider width W2 may be provided around the ear region where there is anticipated normally to be more significant hair loss/thinning. The variation shown in FIG. 8 is only exemplary in form, as the invention contemplates that the body 34′ could be customized to an individual user's particular scalp condition to strategically locally cover regions where there is hair loss/thinning.
A further variation of the wig is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 at 30″. The wig 30″ has a body 34″ with an outside surface 38″ that is made entirely of the mesh material 46. Hair strands 40, which have been omitted in FIG. 9 to more clearly show the body 34″, may be woven partially or fully around the circumference of the body 34″. As shown in FIG. 10, the strands 40 extend fully around the body circumference and are blended with the user's natural hair 50 once the wig 30″ is operatively positioned.
In an alternative form, as shown schematically in FIG. 11, the body 34′″ has a non-continuous construction with spaced ends 54, 56. Connecting structure at 58, consisting of first and second separate components 60, 62, is incorporated. The first component 60 is connected to the end 54, with the second component 62 connected to the end 56. The components 60, 62 cooperate to draw the spaced body ends 54, 56 towards each other to thereby bear the body 34′″ snugly against the user's head 10 with the wig 30′″ operatively positioned by reducing the effective diameter of the band 32′″ defined cooperatively by the body 34′″ and the connecting structure 58.
The components 60, 62 may be releasably joinable to each other and/or joinable in a manner whereby they are relatively movable. As one example, the components 60, 62 could be joinable straps that are tied together and drawn tightly to snug the body 34′″ against the wearer's head 10.
As a further alternative, the components 60, 62 could be elastic in nature.
The components 60, 62 might be joined as by using cooperating connector parts 64, 66, as seen in FIG. 12. These connector parts 65, 66 might be snaps, clips, buttons, hook and loop type fasteners, etc. The connector parts 64, 66 may be permanently or releasably joined to each other. In either event, it is preferred, but not required, that the connector parts 64, 66 be joinable in a manner to allow selective variation in the effective diameter of the band 32′″ that is formed cooperatively by the body 30′″ and connecting structure 58.
In a further modified form shown in FIG. 13, the inventive band 32″″ consists of a body 34″″, similar to the body 34″″, but with ends 54″″, 56″″ being joined by a single component 68 extending fully between the ends 54″″, 56″″. The component may be permanently fixed or releasably fixed to one or both of the ends 54″″, 56″″. The component 68 may be substantially inextensible or elastic in nature. One or more such components 68 might be incorporated.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the wigs 30, 30′, 30″ might be utilized to cover the user's entire scalp 14 without blending with any of the user's natural hair. Accordingly, the strands 40 are strategically placed and have lengths to produce the desired style, with one exemplary style shown in FIG. 15.
In FIG. 16, a further variation of wig is shown at 30 ^5′. In this design, the band 32 ^5′ has a body 34 ^5′ that is made from a loose net material 70 that may visibly blend with a user's existing hair. A strategically identified region of the band body 34 ^5′ at 72 has strands 40 projecting therefrom to overlie an area on a user's scalp where there is little or no hair.
While the strands 40 have been described to be woven into place, such strands may be otherwise attached in projecting fashion, as by using adhesives, etc.
The invention also contemplates a method of using a wig, which method is set forth schematically in FIG. 17. More specifically, as shown at block 76, the wig, as described in its various forms above, is placed on the user's head so that the outside surface with the hair strands overlies at least one of: a) a front forehead region; and b) opposite side regions of a user's head. As shown at block 78, after operatively placing the wig, the hair strands on the wig are repositioned. This repositioning may involve blending a user's natural hair with the strands on the wig or using the wig strands to cover the full scalp region whereat hair is desired in a preferred style.
The step of operatively placing the wig may involve stretching the band from a relaxed diameter to a larger diameter. With the band in the larger diameter, the band is placed around the user's head. Thereafter, the band is released so that the band tends, by reason of elasticity, from the larger diameter towards the relaxed diameter to thereby snugly embrace the user's head.
Alternatively, the step of operatively placing the wig involves placing the band strategically on the user's head and thereafter reconfiguring cooperating components to thereby draw spaced body ends towards each other to cause the band to snugly embrace the user's head.
As shown in FIGS. 18-20, the invention also contemplates the use of a supplemental holding structure as shown schematically at 80 for a wig shown at 36′, intended to encompass all of the embodiments disclosed herein, and others. While all of the aforementioned wigs can be shaped and dimensioned to be capable of maintaining themselves upon the user's head, as an additional safeguard, the supplemental holding structure 80 can be utilized.
In FIG. 19, one specific form of supplemental holding structure is shown at 80 ^6′ on a band 32 ^6′. The supplemental holding structure consists of a series of tines 82 that produce a comb-like arrangement that can be passed through the user's existing hair to produce a holding force. In this embodiment, the tines 82 project in cantilever fashion from a circumferentially extending base 84 in parallel, spaced relationship. The tines 82 are shown with a bent configuration that allows the leading ends 86 thereof to be spaced radially inwardly from the inside surface 36 ^6′. One or more additional comb arrangements can be placed circumferentially around the band 32 ^6′.
In this embodiment, the band 32 ^6′ has a multi-layer construction with inside and outside layers 88, 90 joined by stitching 92. The nature of the materials defining the layers is not critical to the incorporation of the supplemental holding structure 80.
In FIG. 20, a further modified form of band 32 ^7′ is shown with the supplemental holing structure 80 ^7′ shown in the form of a discrete patch 94 incorporated into the inside of the band 32 ^7′. The patch 94 has a head-engaging surface 96 that incorporates an adhesive that can be releasably bonded to the user's head. The size of the patch, its precise shape, etc. is not critical and can be changed considerably within the scope of the inventive teachings. More than one patch 94 could be utilized.
Alternatively, the surface 96 may be tacky or otherwise have a high coefficient of friction.
The schematic showing of the supplemental holding structure 80 is intended to incorporate the specific supplemental holding structures 80 ^6′ and 80 ^7′ in FIGS. 19 and 20 and virtually an unlimited number of different structures that perform a like function.
The foregoing disclosure of specific embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the broad concepts comprehended by the invention.

Claims

1. A wig comprising:

a band with a body having a length, a width between spaced top and bottom edges, a front, a rear, an inside surface and an outside surface,

the inside surface engaging a user's head with the wig operatively positioned on a user's head,

the outside surface having hair strands strategically projecting therefrom between the spaced edges,

the band configured to extend around a user's head to overlie a scalp region extending from a user's forehead to behind each of a user's ears,

wherein there is no structure connected at the top body edge so that the body has an open top bounded by the top body edge at which a user's scalp is exposed with the wig operatively positioned,

wherein a user's natural hair can be blended with the hair strands on the body with the wig operatively positioned,

wherein the band comprises a first material defining the inside surface at the front of the body and a second material that is different than the first material and defining at least a part of the outside surface.

2. The wig according to claim 1 wherein the body extends continuously through 360°.

3. The wig according to claim 1 wherein the body has a length that is non-continuous with spaced rear ends and the wig further comprises connecting structure for drawing the spaced rear body ends towards each other at a rear region of a wearer's head to bear the body snugly against a user's head with the wig operatively positioned.

4. The wig according to claim 3 wherein the connecting structure comprises first and second components, connected one each to the spaced body ends, that can be joined to each other.

5. The wig according to claim 4 wherein the first and second components are releasably joinable to each other.

6. The wig according to claim 4 wherein the first and second components are releasably joinable to each other in a manner to selectively vary an effective diameter of the band with the wig operatively positioned.

7. The wig according to claim 1 wherein the band is made at least partially from an elastic material that allows the length of the band to be changed.

8. The wig according to claim 1 wherein the first material defines substantially all of the inside surface and the second material defines substantially all of the outside surface.

9. The wig according to claim 1 wherein the second material is a mesh material into which the hair strands are woven.

10. The wig according to claim 9 wherein the mesh material extends continuously through 360°.

11. The wig according to claim 9 wherein the outside surface extends continuously through 360° and the mesh material defines a majority, but less than all, of the outside surface.

12. The wig according to claim 1 wherein the body has a width of 1-4 inches.

13. The wig according to claim 12 wherein the body has a substantially uniform width.

14. The wig according to claim 12 wherein the body has a non-uniform width.

15. The wig according to claim 9 wherein the first material comprises a softer material than the second material to be non-abrasive against a user's scalp.

16. The wig according to claim 9 wherein the first material defines a part of the outside surface of the body.

17. A method of using a wig as recited in claim 15 to strategically cover scalp regions of a user where there is thinned or no hair, the method comprising the steps of:

operatively placing the wig on the user's head so that the outside surface with the hair strands overlies at least one of: a) a front forehead region; and b) opposite side regions of a user's head and the first material at the front of the body is borne against the user's forehead; and

after operatively placing the wig, blending a user's natural hair with the hair strands on the band.

18. The method of using a wig as recited in claim 17 wherein the body extends continuously through 360° and is elastic to define a diameter that is variable and the step of operatively placing the wig comprises stretching the band from a relaxed diameter to a larger diameter, with the band in the larger diameter placing the band around the user's head, and thereafter releasing the band so that the band tends by reason of elasticity from the large diameter towards the relaxed diameter to thereby snugly embrace the user's head.

19. The method of using a wig as recited in claim 17 wherein the body has a non-continuous length with spaced rear ends and the wig further comprises connecting structure comprising first and second components connected one each to the spaced rear body ends and the step of operatively placing the wig comprises placing the band strategically on the user's head and thereafter reconfiguring the first and second components at a rear region of the user's head to thereby draw the spaced rear body ends towards each other to thereby cause the band to snugly embrace the user's head.

20. (canceled)