US20150164165A1

US20150164165A1 - Wig system comprising a temperature control accessory

Info

Publication number: US20150164165A1
Application number: US14/415,165
Authority: US
Inventors: Francoise Constanti Epouse Goubron
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: PAPIN EPOUSE TAHRI CLAIRE
Priority date: 2012-07-16
Filing date: 2013-06-10
Publication date: 2015-06-18
Also published as: FR2993146A1; FR2993146B1; EP2871989A1; WO2014013150A1; IL236594A0; CA2877200A1; EP2871989B1; ES2589111T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a wig system (P) comprising a temperature control accessory (A) configured to be arranged under said wig when same is placed on the wearer's scalp, and in which: the wig (P) includes a body (1) defined by a perimeter (10) and having a shape that matches the shape of the skull of the wearer, hair being affixed to said body, the accessory (A) being installed between said body and said scalp; the control accessory (A) is in the form of a flexible skull cap (2) defined by a perimeter (20) having a shape that matches the shape of the skull of the wearer; the skull cap (2) is detachable from the body (1) of the wig (P), said skull cap including an inner surface which comes in contact with the skull of the wearer and an outer surface opposite said inner surface, characterized by the fact that: the perimeter (20) of the skull cap (2) is smaller than that of the body (1) of the wig (P), at least the inner surface of the skull cap (2) is produced from an absorbent material intended to be humidified before said skull cap is placed on said scalp, and at least the outer surface of the skull cap (2) is skin colored.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the invention is a wig system comprising a temperature control accessory. Another subject matter is an accessory and method for controlling the temperature under a wig.
The invention concerns the general technical field of wigs worn by humans, and more particularly that of accessories for controlling the temperature of the scalp when a wig is worn.

PRIOR ART

Wigs are well known in the prior art. They may be worn for reasons related to fashion, for aesthetic or work considerations or to conform to cultural or religious requirements. Wigs may also be worn in order to conceal a loss of hair, in particular following medical treatment such as chemotherapy.
Wigs have the disadvantage of excessively heating the scalp of the wearer during the summer and/or in the case of high ambient heat. To overcome this, there exist temperature control accessories configured to be arranged under the wig when it is installed on the scalp of the wearer.
For example, through the patent document AU 722661 (BUNTER) a temperature control device is known comprising pouches of heating/cooling gel arranged between the body of the wig and the scalp of the wearer. When the gel is no longer active, the wearer must return home in order to remove the pouches from the wig and place them in a refrigerator or in an oven in order to cool or heat said gel. This control device is therefore effective only during the short period when the gel is active.
The patent documents KR 100894715 (FAJIN COSMETICS) or KR 20100051144 (CHO YOUNG SOO) teach the use of a phase-change material for controlling the temperature under a wig. It will easily be understood that a wig that includes such a control device is very complex to manufacture and certainly very expensive.
A wig comprising a central net made from carbon fibers is also known through the patent document EP 0.476.132 (MASAKATSU). These fibers have the particularity of being highly heat conductive, which cools the scalp. Such fibers are however fragile so that this type of wig is suitable only for relatively careful wearers.
The patent document EP 2.027.785 (ADERANS HOLDINGS) concerns a moisture-permeable material for wigs preventing sweltering heat when a wig is being worn. This material has a structure with three layers comprising a porous polyurethane employed as a middle material, a meshed layer consisting of a synthetic fiber or a natural fiber that is situated on the side of the middle material that will be in contact with the head, and a layer of fibers consisting of a synthetic fiber or a natural fiber serving to plant artificial hair or natural hair that is layered on the other side of the middle material. In practice, the results obtained are not optimum.
The main objective of the invention is to remedy this state of affairs. In particular, one objective of the invention is to propose a temperature control accessory that can effectively fulfil its role over a long period so that the wearer of the wig is not obliged to return home in order to “reactivate” it.
Another objective of the invention is to propose a temperature control accessory that is very easy to manufacture, inexpensive and very simple to use and which can easily be manipulated.
Another objective of the invention is to propose a temperature control accessory that is completely unobtrusive when it is installed under the wig.

Disclosure of the Invention

The solution proposed by the invention is a wig system, for example of the type described in the aforementioned document AU 722661 (BUNTER), and comprising a temperature control accessory configured so as to be arranged under the wig when it is installed on the scalp of the wearer, and in which:

- the wig comprises a body delimited by a perimeter and having a shape adapted to the shape of the skull of the wearer, hairs being fixed to said body, the accessory being installed between said body and said scalp,
- the control accessory is in the form of a flexible skull cap delimited by a perimeter having a shape adapted to the shape of the skull of the wearer,
- the skull cap is removable with respect to the body of the wig, said skull cap comprising an internal face intended to be in contact with the scalp of the wearer and an external face opposite to said internal face.

This system is remarkable in that:

- the perimeter of the skull cap is smaller than that of the body of the wig,
- at least the internal face of the skull cap is produced from an absorbent material intended to be moistened before said skull cap is installed on said scalp,
- at least the external face of the skull cap is flesh colored.

The wearer therefore now has available a comfort accessory that is very simple to use. This is because, when it is too hot, it suffices for the wearer to go to a public or private water point (restrooms, bathrooms, fountains, etc.), to moisten the cap, and to replace it under his wig. The wearer therefore no longer needs to return home in order to “reactivate” it, the moistening of the skull cap being able to be done quickly, discretely and as required, by going for example to the restrooms in a restaurant. The applicant has found that the refreshing sensation appears almost instantaneously as soon as the moistened skull cap is replaced directly on the scalp. In addition, given that the skull cap can be completely disconnected from the wig, handling it is much easier. In addition, given that the dimensions of the skull cap are smaller than that of the body of the wig and the material of said skull cap is flesh colored, this novel comfort accessory is completely undetectable when it is placed under the wig.
Other remarkable features of the system that is the subject matter of the invention are listed below, each of these features being able to be considered alone or in combination, independently of the remarkable features defined above:

- The skull cap may be roughly oblong in shape, the perimeter of said skull cap having two symmetrical concave portions connected by two circular end portions.
- In a variant embodiment, the skull cap is roughly pear shaped, the perimeter of said skull cap having two symmetrical concave portions connected by two circular end portions, said circular portions being of difference sizes.
- Whatever the design of the skull cap, one of its circular end portions is advantageously configured so as to cover part of the nape of the wearer.
- One of the circular end portions of the skull cap is also preferentially configured so as to cover part of the top of the skull of the wearer.
- Advantageously, the internal face and/or the external face (that is to say either said internal face or the two said faces) of the skull cap is produced from a material based on microfibers comprising between 60% and 90% polyester and between 10% and 40% polyamide.
- In a variant embodiment, the internal face and/or the external face of the skull cap can be produced from a material chosen from the following family: bamboo, terry cloth, or cotton fibers.
- Seams are advantageously produced on the perimeter of the skull cap in order to prevent fraying of the material constituting said skull cap.
- Removable connection means are preferentially provided between the skull cap and the body of the wig.

Another aspect of the invention concerns an accessory for controlling the temperature under a wig, said accessory being in the form of a removable flexible skull cap delimited by a perimeter having a shape adapted to the shape of the skull of the wearer, said skull cap comprising an internal face and an external face opposite to said internal face, at least said internal face being produced from an absorbent material intended to be moistened, and at least said external face being flesh colored.
Yet another aspect of the invention concerns a method for controlling the temperature under a wig comprising a body delimited by a perimeter and having a shape adapted to the shape of the skull of the wearer, hairs being fixed to said body, said method comprising the steps consisting of:

- removing the wig from the scalp of said wearer,
- moistening the accessory in accordance with one of the above technical features, by soaking the skull cap with liquid and then optionally wringing it out,
- placing said moist skull cap on the scalp of said wearer,
- reinstalling the wig on the scalp of said wearer, on top of said moist skull cap, so that that said skull cap does not project beyond the body of said wig.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other advantages and features of the invention will emerge more clearly from a reading of the description of a preferred embodiment that follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, produced by way of indicative and non-limitative examples and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the arrangement of the various elements constituting the system that is the subject matter of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the system that is the subject matter of the invention installed on the head of a wearer,

FIG. 3 is a flat view of a skull cap according to the invention according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 4 is a view in cross section along A-A of the skull cap of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5 is a flat view of a skull cap according to the invention in a variant embodiment.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention proposes a temperature control accessory that is configured to be arranged under a wig when the latter is installed on the scalp of the wear.
Referring to FIG. 1, the wig P comprises a body 1 delimited by a perimeter 10. The body 1 is designed so as to be adapted to the shape of the skull of the wearer. The body 1 is for example produced from fabric or is in the form of a net. The body 1 has an internal face intended to come into contact with the scalp of the wearer and an external face on which synthetic false or natural hairs are fixed. The perimeter 10 is advantageously produced from an extensible material, of the elastane type, in order to adapt easily to the shape and dimensions of the skull. In order to effectively hold the wig P on the scalp, the body 1 and/or the perimeter 10 may comprise fixing means, for example of the rubberized non-slip pad type disposed on the internal face of said body and/or of said perimeter that is in contact with said scalp. The design of the wig P will not be described in any further detail since it is well known to persons skilled in the art. Furthermore, the use of the accessory that is the subject matter of the invention is not specific to any particular type of wig but on the contrary adapts to any model, which makes use thereof universal.
Referring to FIG. 1, this control accessory A is in the form of skull cap 2 that is flexible and is delimited by a perimeter 20 having a shape adapted to the shape of the skull of the wearer. The perimeter 20 is smaller than the perimeter 10 of the body 1 of the wig P. In this way, when the system that is the subject matter of the invention is installed on the head of the wearer, the skull cap 2 does not project beyond the wig P, as appears clearly in FIG. 2.
The skull cap 2 is removable with respect to the body 1 of the wig P. The skull cap 2 can therefore be manipulated completely independently of the wig P. In practice, there exist no connection means between the skull cap 2 and the body 1, although removable connection means of the Velcro® strip, hook, or press stud type can be provided between these two elements.
As is clear in FIG. 4, the skull cap 2 comprises an internal face 21 intended to be in contact with the scalp of the wearer and an external face 22 opposite to said internal face. At least the external face 22 (which is visible when the skull cap is installed on the scalp of the wearer) is produced from a flesh-colored material. The two faces 21, 22 may obviously be colored. This color may be darker or lighter in order to suit any type of person. The use of such a color makes the skull cap 2 completely invisible when it is installed under the wig. And even if the body 1 is in the form of a net and it is possible to see through, the skull cap 2 is completely undetectable. In practice, the two faces 21, 22 of the skull cap 2 are colored by a coloring method in which a dye that is insoluble in water is used.
The material of the skull cap 2 is absorbent so as to be able to be moistened before said skull cap is installed on the scalp of the wearer. The internal 21 and external 22 faces of the skull cap 2 can be produced from an absorbent material so that the said two faces can equally well be in contact with the scalp. This simplifies not only the manufacture of the skull cap 2 but also use thereof. Provision can however be made for only the internal face 21 to be produced from an absorbent material.
The absorbent material used is preferentially based on microfibers comprising between 60% and 90% polyester and between 10% and 40% polyamide. This material has the advantage of being very lightweight and being able to absorb a relatively large quantity of water. “Microfibers” means textile fibers the mass per unit length (or yarn count) of which is less than 1 g/10 km and the diameter of which is less than approximately 9 m. In practice, the percentage of microfibers is from 70% to 95%. The absorbent material may however be different, and in particular advantageously chosen from the following family: bamboo, terry cloth or cotton fibers.
The method for manufacturing the skull cap 2 is very simple. It suffices in fact to cut it from a piece of material at least one of the faces 21, 22 of which is absorbent. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, seams 200 are advantageously produced on the perimeter 20 of the skull cap 2 in order to prevent fraying of the material constituting said skull cap.
According to an advantageous feature of the invention, the skull cap 2 is preferably oblong in shape. The applicant has found that this form prevents, or at the very least reduces, the formation of folds when the skull cap 2 is installed on the head of the wearer. Referring more particularly to the embodiment in FIG. 3, the perimeter 2 has two symmetrical concave portions 20A, 20B connected by two circular end portions 20C, 20D. The two concave portions 20A and 20B are designed so as to leave the passage for the ears completely free when the skull cap 2 is placed on the scalp of the wearer. These concave portions 20A, 20B may however have a particular curvature for covering part of the temples of the wearer (the temporal part of the skull). One of the circular end portions, for example the portion 20C, is configured so as to cover part of the nape of the wearer (the occipital part of the skull). The other circular end portion 20D for its part is configured so as to cover part of the top of the skull of the wearer (the parietal and frontal parts of the skull). In this embodiment, the two circular end portions 20C, 20D have the same dimensions. By means of this particular design, the skull cap 2 makes it possible to cover identically, that is to say with the same surface area, the nape of the wearer and the top of his skull.
According the variant embodiment in FIG. 5, the skull cap 2 has the rough shape of a pear. The form of the perimeter 20 is similar to that described previously. It does however have two symmetrical concave portions 20A, 20B connected by two circular end portions 20C, 20D. However, unlike the embodiment described in the previous paragraph, the two circular end portions 20C, 20D have different sizes. In this way, the wearer has the possibility of covering more either his nape or the top of his skull.
In another variant embodiment that is not shown, the skull cap 2 may have a circular shape, similar to a kippa (a religious headgear worn in particular during Jewish ceremonies). Such a skull cap makes it possible to cover only part of the top of the skull of the wearer and in particular the parietal part of the skull.
The use of the accessory A that is the subject matter of the invention is very simple. In the event of extreme heat, and when he is not at home, the wearer removes his wig from his scalp. This removal can be done very discretely, for example in the restroom of a restaurant. He then moistens his accessory by soaking the skull cap 2 with liquid, for example by passing it under a stream of water from the tap or by wetting it by means of a bottle of water or a water vaporizer. The liquid used may optionally be composed of dermatologically acceptable essential oils and/or consist of an anti-irritant and soothing lotion. If necessary, the skull cap 2 is wrung out in order to prevent any running. The wearer then merely has to install the moist skull cap 2 on his scalp. Moistened, the skull cap holds perfectly on the scalp without its being necessary to provide any means for holding in position. The wearer can then reinstall his wig, on top of the moist skull cap 2, so that said skull cap does not project beyond the body 1 of said wig. All these operations can be performed as required, in a few seconds or a few minutes. And the refreshing effect is immediate.
The applicant also found that in winter, when the skull cap 2 was not moistened, the accessory A kept the head of the wearer warm.

Claims

1. Wig system comprising a temperature control accessory configured so as to be arranged under said wig when it is installed on the scalp of the wearer, and wherein:

the wig comprises a body delimited by a perimeter and having a shape adapted to the shape of the skull of the wearer, hairs being fixed to said body, the accessory being installed between said body and said scalp,

the control accessory is in the form of a flexible skull cap delimited by a perimeter having a shape adapted to the shape of the skull of the wearer,

the skull cap is removable with respect to the body of the wig, said skull cap comprising an internal face intended to be in contact with the scalp of the wearer and an external face opposite to said internal face,

wherein:

the perimeter of the skull cap is smaller than that of the body of the wig (P),

at least the internal face of the skull cap is produced from an absorbent material intended to be moistened before said skull cap is installed on said scalp,

at least the external face of the skull cap is flesh colored.

2. Wig system according to claim 1, wherein the skull cap is roughly oblong in shape, the perimeter of said skull cap having two symmetrical concave portions connected by two circular end portions.

3. Wig system according to claim 1, wherein the skull cap is roughly pear shaped, the perimeter of said skull cap having two symmetrical concave potions connected by two circular end portions, said circular portions being of different sizes.

4. Wig system according to claim 2, wherein one of the circular end portions of the skull cap is configured so as to cover part of the nape of the wearer.

5. Wig system according to claim 2, wherein one of circular end portions of the skull cap is configured so as to cover part of the top of the skull of the wearer.

6. Wig system according to claim 1, in which the internal face and/or the external face of the skull cap is produced from a material based on microfibers comprising between 60% and 90% polyester and between 10% and 40% polyamide.

7. Wig system according to claim 1, wherein the internal face or the external face of the skull cap is produced from a material chosen from the following family: bamboo, terry cloth, or cotton fibers.

8. Wig system according to claim 1, wherein seams are produced on the perimeter of the skull cap in order to prevent fraying of the material constituting said skull cap.

9. Wig system according to claim 1, wherein removable connection means are provided between the skull cap and the body of the wig.

10. Temperature control accessory under a wig, said accessory being in the form of a removable flexible skull cap delimited by a perimeter having a shape adapted to the shape of the skull of the wearer, said skull cap comprising an internal face and an external face opposite to said internal face,

wherein at least the internal face is produced from an absorbent material intended to be moistened, and at least the external face is flesh colored.

11. Method for controlling the temperature under a wig comprising a body delimited by a perimeter and having a shape adapted to the shape of the skull of the wearer, hairs being fixed to said body, said method comprising the steps of:

removing the wig from the scalp of said wearer,

moistening the accessory according to claim 10, by soaking the skull cap with liquid,

placing said moist skull cap on the scalp of said wearer,

reinstalling the wig on the scalp of said wearer, on top of said moist skull cap, so that that said skull cap does not project beyond the body of said wig.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of moistening the accessory compromises wringing it out.