WO2019067889A1

WO2019067889A1 - Hairpiece holder

Info

Publication number: WO2019067889A1
Application number: PCT/US2018/053408
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shelley M. OHLGART
Original assignee: SignatureShelley, LLC
Priority date: 2017-09-28
Filing date: 2018-09-28
Publication date: 2019-04-04
Also published as: EP3687337A1; EP3687337A4

Abstract

A hairpiece holder that includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion may include one or more protrusions extending therefrom, which protrusion(s) may be adapted to position at least one hairpiece relative to the first portion. The second portion may be couplable to the first portion. And when the first and second portions are in a closed position, the first and second portions may define a sealed cavity which encloses the protrusion(s).

Description

HAIRPIECE HOLDER

BACKGROUND

[0001] Hair extensions may be washed, blow-dried, and/or dyed. The strands of hair with respect to certain extensions are coupled together using certain adhesive products. Examples of adhesive products include a glue, a crystal-polymer based product, a keratin-based product, a plant or petroleum-based product, or a combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] FIG. 1 is a front view of a hairpiece holder in a closed position, holding a hairpiece adjacent a vertical workpiece surface.

[0003] FIG. 2 is an example of a hairpiece.

[0004] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hairpiece holder, in the closed position.

[0005] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hairpiece holder, in an open position.

[0006] FIG. 5 is a top view of the hairpiece holder, in the closed position.

[0007] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the hairpiece holder, in the closed position.

[0008] FIG. 7 is a top view of the hairpiece holder, in the open position.

[0009] FIG. 8 is another example of a hairpiece holder, having protrusions on a lid thereof.

[0010] FIG. 9 illustrates another example of a hairpiece holder, in an open position.

[0011] FIG. 10 illustrates yet another example of a hairpiece holder, in an open position.

[0012] FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of yet another example of a hairpiece holder in an open position.

[0013] FIG. 12 is another perspective view of the hairpiece holder of FIG 11 in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] As described herein, according to one non-limiting example, a hairpiece holder for holding hair is described. The holder may include: a first portion having one or more protrusions extending therefrom, which protrusion(s) are adapted to position at least one hairpiece relative to the first portion; and a second portion couplable to the first portion, wherein, when the first and second portions are in a closed position, the first and second portions define a sealed cavity which encloses the protrusion(s).

[0015] As described herein, according to another non- limiting example, a hairpiece holder for holding hair is described. The holder may include: a base; a lid coupled to the base, wherein the base or the lid comprises one or more protrusions extending therefrom, which protrusion(s) are adapted to retain a position of at least one hairpiece relative to the respective portion; a seal ring interposed between the base and lid, when the base and lid are in a closed position; and a sealed cavity formed by the base and lid, which cavity encloses the protrusion(s).

[0016] As described herein, according to another non- limiting example, a hairpiece holder is disclosed that comprises: a first longitudinal portion having a plurality of protrusions, wherein the plurality of protrusions is arranged in series along the first portion; and a second portion couplable to the first portion, wherein, when the first and second portions are in a closed position, the first and second portions define a sealed cavity which encloses the plurality of protrusions, wherein the hairpiece holder is configured such that, when an adhesive coupling of a hairpiece is located in the cavity and hair of the hairpiece is located around the plurality of protrusions and when first and second portions are in the closed position, the adhesive coupling is isolated from an exterior of the hairpiece holder.

[0017] According to at least non-limiting example, the plurality of protrusions includes teeth spaced from one another between a first end of the first portion and a second end thereof.

[0018] According to at least non-limiting example, the plurality of protrusions is axially aligned along a length of the first portion.

[0019] According to at least non-limiting example, the hairpiece holder further comprises one or more feet coupled to the first or second portion.

[0020] According to at least non-limiting example, the feet comprise suction cups having an offset arrangement.

[0021] According to at least non-limiting example, the first or second portion further comprises a coupling feature configured to retain the first and second portions in the closed position.

[0022] According to at least non- limiting example, the feature comprises one or more of a clip, a latch, a magnet, and a hinge.

[0023] According to at least non-limiting example, the feature comprises the magnet, wherein one of the first longitudinal portion or the second portion includes the magnet and the other of the first longitudinal portion or the second portion includes a magnetically attracted element, the magnet and the magnetically attracted element configured to retain the first portion and the second portion in the closed position.

[0024] According to at least non-limiting example, the hairpiece holder further comprises a seal ring that is positioned between the first and second portions in the closed position. [0025] According to at least non-limiting example, at least one of the first and second portions comprise a circumferential edge, wherein, in the closed position, the seal ring is positioned between the circumferential edge and the respective other portion.

[0026] According to at least non-limiting example, at least one of the first or second portions comprise a channel that at least partially defines the cavity.

[0027] As described herein, according to another non- limiting example, a hairpiece holder is disclosed that comprises: a base; a lid coupled to the base, wherein the base or the lid comprises a series of protrusions extending therefrom, wherein the series of protrusions are arranged along the base or lid; a seal ring interposed between the base and lid, when the base and lid are in a closed position; and a sealed cavity formed by the base and lid, which cavity encloses the series of protrusions, wherein the hairpiece holder is configured such that, when an adhesive coupling of a hairpiece is located in the cavity and hair of the hairpiece is located around the series of protrusions and when the base and the lid are in the closed position, the adhesive coupling is isolated from an exterior of the hairpiece holder.

[0028] According to at least non-limiting example, the base or the lid further comprises one or more of a clip, a latch, a magnet, and a hinge configured to retain the base or the lid in the closed position.

[0029] According to at least non-limiting example, one of the base or the lid carries the magnet and the other of the base or the lid carries a magnetically attracted element, wherein the magnet and the magnetically attracted element are configured to retain the base and the lid in the closed position.

[0030] According to at least non-limiting example, at least one of the base or the lid comprise a circumferential edge, wherein, in the closed position, the seal ring is positioned between the circumferential edge and the respective other base or lid.

[0031] With reference to the figures listed above, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown a hairpiece holder 10 for holding hairpieces while washing, drying, and/or coloring them. As used herein, a hairpiece 12 is a plurality of human or synthetic strands of hair 14 (e.g., a so-called tress) which are coupled together using an adhesive coupling 16 (i.e., a dab of cured adhesive or glue, or coupling using one or more adhesive strips). Typically, the adhesive coupling 16 is located at one end 18 of the strands of hair 14. Non-limiting examples of hairpieces include so-called hair-extensions, wigs, and hairpieces, just to name a few examples. Washing, blow-drying, applying colors or dyes, and the like can deteriorate the adhesive coupling 16. And as will be described in more detail below, the hairpiece holder 10 described herein inhibits such fluids, dyes, etc. from contacting the coupling 16 while a hair-stylist washes, dries, or treats the hair 14 of the hairpiece 12 and thereby inhibits such degradation.

[0032] The hairpiece holder 10 comprises a first portion or base 20 and a second portion or lid 22 which, when located adjacent one another, form and define a sealed cavity 24. The base 20 may comprise an elongated bottom 26 and a plurality of walls 28, 30, 32, 34 extending from a first side 36 of the bottom 26— the bottom 26 and walls 28-34 forming a channel 38. And according to one example, a length of the base 20 may be 3-14 inches long and/or a width thereof may be between 2-4 inches wide (e.g., this length may permit the holder 10 to fit within and be coupled to an inner surface of a conventional salon sinks). Further, according to at least one example, a volume of the channel 38 may be between 6-56 cubic inches. Of course, these are merely examples, and other examples exist (e.g., in at least one example, the base 20 is approximately 10 inches long and approximately 2 inches wide).

[0033] A height of the walls 28-34 may be uniform so that ends 48, 50, 52, 54 of respective walls 28-34 collectively define a circumferential edge 56 of the base 20. In at least one example, a thickness of one longitudinal wall (e.g., one of wall 28 or wall 32) may be thicker than the remaining walls. For instance, in the illustrated example, wall 32 is shown as thicker than walls 28, 30, 34.

[0034] According to at least one example, one of ends 48, 52 of respective walls 28, 32 may have one or more protrusions 58 extending outwardly therefrom. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a plurality of protrusions 58 extending from thicker wall 32. More particularly, the protrusions 58 may extend from an inboard region 59 of end 52 (of wall 32). The protrusion(s) 58 may comprise teeth or tines 60— which may or may not be evenly spaced along a portion of a length of end 52. In some examples, the protrusions 58 are axially aligned and parallel to axis A. The protrusions 58 may be spaced inboard (e.g., closer to channel 38 so that the protrusions 58 are located within the cavity 24 of holder 10 when the lid 22 is in the closed position; further, by spacing the protrusions 58 on the inboard region 59, an outboard region 61 of end 52 may be available for a sealing engagement between the base 20 and lid 22, as will be described in greater detail below.

[0035] As will be explained in more detail below, a hair stylist may use the protrusions 58 to retain a hairpiece by locating the adhesive coupling 16 of the hairpiece 12 within the cavity 24 so that the strands of hair 14 extend through the protrusions 58 and dangle outside of the hairpiece holder 10 (e.g., dangle vertically as shown in FIG. 1). Thereafter, the stylist may close the lid 22. In this manner, when the hairpiece 12 is pulled and handled by the stylist, the hairpiece 12 does not move relative to the holder 10— e.g., as the coupling 16 may abut against the protrusions 58 within the cavity 24 thereby inhibiting the hairpiece 12 from slipping out of the holder 10. The hairpiece 12 may be held in place by gravity, the circumferential sealing engagement, or a combination thereof.

[0036] This arrangement of protrusions 58 is merely one implementation. In other examples, the protrusion(s) 58 could extend from the lid 22 in addition to or instead of extending from the base 20. See for example FIG. 8 which illustrates holder 10' having protrusions 58' extending from lid 22' (in this example, wall 32' may be spaced farther outboard of wall 28' and/or may be thinner than wall 32 (e.g., having a thickness that approximates that of walls 28', 30', and 34'— e.g., thereby providing space for the protrusions 58' to fit within the cavity 24' when the holder 10' is in the closed position. Further, other protrusion examples exist as well. For instance, a distal end of each tooth 60 could be bent or curved toward the cavity 24— e.g., to further aid in retaining a hairpiece position. Still other examples exist as well.

[0037] Returning to FIGS. 4 and 6, a second side 66 of the base 20 (opposite the first side 36) may be coupled to one or more feet 68 which extend outwardly therefrom. The feet 68 may be used to couple the holder 10 to a workpiece surface 70. For example, the feet 68 may be used to couple the holder 10 to a mirror, wash basin, or other vertical workpiece surface so that the hair 14 of the hairpiece 12 dangles therebelow. Of course, the feet 68 could be coupled to horizontal or inclined surfaces as well. In at least one example, the feet 68 comprise suction cups 72 having an open end 74 facing away from base 20. In other examples, one or more feet 68 could comprise a hook-and-loop material (e.g., Velcro), a disposable adhesive pad, or the like— e.g., adapted to couple the base 20 to the workpiece surface 70.

[0038] According to one example, the feet 68 are arranged according to an offset arrangement. As used herein, an offset arrangement of feet 68 means the feet 68 are not arranged in a straight line. For example, while the feet 68 may be coupled to and axially spaced along the length of the base 20, at least one foot 68 may be closer to wall 28 (or 32) than the other feet 68 (e.g., one foot 68 may be a different distance from axis A than the others). In at least one example (e.g., as illustrated), a flange 76 may extend radially outwardly of base 20 (e.g., from wall 32), and at least one of the feet 68 may be coupled to and extend from the flange 76 (e.g., away from second side 66; however, this is merely an example and other implementations also exist. Thus, for example, having several feet 68 in the offset arrangement, when the holder 10 is coupled to vertical workpiece surface 70, the holder 10 is less likely to pivot downwardly as a stylist attempts to wash, handle, or otherwise pull on the hairpiece 12. The illustrations show three feet 68; this is merely an example. Other quantities of feet may be used instead.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, base 20 also may comprise a first coupling feature 78 and a second coupling feature 80 which collectively can be used to retain the base 20 and lid 22 in a closed position. According to one example, the first coupling feature 78 is a hinge which is coupled to lid 22 (as described below) and also to an outer surface 82 of the base 20 at an end 84. Thus, in one instance, feature 78 couples the base 20 and lid 22 together also when the holder 10 is in an open position. According to another example, the second coupling feature 80 is a clip formed in part as a depression in the outer surface 82 of base 20 at an end 86 (which is opposite the end 84). Here, when feature 80 is in a latched position, the holder 10 may be in the closed position, and when feature 80 is in an unlatched position, the holder 10 may be in the open position. For example, the coupling feature 80' may include one or more magnets 200, shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, and further discussed below. Other non-limiting examples of first and/or second coupling features 78, 80 include a latch, a clamp, a snap, a pivotable hook, a post, a tether, and the like.

[0040] Turning now to the lid, the lid 22 may comprise an elongated top 90 and a plurality of walls 92, 94, 96, 98 extending from a first side 100 of the top 90— the top 90 and walls 92- 98 also may form a channel 102. A length of the lid 22 may correspond with a length of the base 20; more particularly, the ends 48, 50, 52, 54 of respective walls 28, 30, 32, 34 may correspond and respectively abut with respective ends 112, 114, 116, 118 of walls 92, 94, 96, 98. More particularly still, the outboard region 61 (of wall 32) may abut end 116 (of wall 96). The height of the walls 92-98 may be uniform so that ends 112, 114, 116, 118 collectively define a circumferential edge 120 of the lid 22. And according to one example, a length of the lid 22— which corresponds to a length of the base 20— also may be 3-14 inches long and/or a width thereof may be between 2-4 inches wide. Further, according to at least one example, a volume of the channel 102 may be between 6-56 cubic inches. Again, these dimensions are merely examples, and other examples exist (e.g., in at least one example, the lid 22 is approximately 10 inches long and approximately 2 inches wide).

[0041] The lid 22 may be couplable to the first and/or second coupling features 78, 80, described above. For instance, when feature 78 comprises a hinge, the hinge also may be coupled to an outer surface 122 of lid 22 at an end 124 thereof. In other examples, end 124 may comprise a third coupling feature— e.g., instead of being coupled to the hinge. In at least one example, lid 22 comprises a fourth coupling feature 126 which may extend from the outer surface 122 of lid 22 at an end 128. In at least one example, feature 126 comprises a latch that correspondingly couples to the second coupling feature 80 (e.g., a clip). In another example, the coupling feature 126' may include one or more magnets 220, shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, and further discussed below. The third and/or fourth coupling features may be similar or identical to those features described above with respect to the first and/or second coupling features 78, 80; therefore, these features will not be re-described here.

[0042] Thus, in at least one example, lid 22 may pivot with respect to base 20 at first coupling feature 78 (e.g., a hinge or similar device). In this manner, lid 22 may be coupled to the base 20 in both the open and closed positions. When end 128 of the lid 22 is moved toward the base 20 (and to the closed position), the second and fourth coupling features 80, 126 may engage to the latched position. In the latched position, one or more components of the features 80, 126 resiliently may deform and/or be biased (e.g., to retain the engagement thereof). A user of the holder 10 may displace, bend, or otherwise move one or both coupling features 80, 126 in order to change the holder to the unlatched position. When this occurs, components may resiliently return to their original shape so that the features 80, 126 may be used again to re-latch the features 80, 126 (and also later re-form a sealing engagement between the base 20 and lid 22).

[0043] When the hairpiece holder 10 is moved from the open position to the closed position, the protrusions 58 may be located adjacent to an inner surface 130 of wall 96 (of lid 22). Thus, in at least the illustrated example, strands of hair 14 may be trapped between the protrusions 58 and wall 96. Further, the adhesive coupling 16 of the hairpiece 12 may be located within the cavity 24 (e.g., in the channel 38, channel 102, or a combination thereof). As the circumferential edges 56, 120 may abut one another in a sealing engagement, the adhesive coupling 16 may be isolated from contact with water, detergents, and other chemicals which may deteriorate the adhesive material.

[0044] According to one example, the edge 120 may have a circumferential groove 132, and the groove 132 may carry a seal ring 134 which further may promote a sealing engagement. With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the seal ring 134" " may be supported by the lid 22' ' ' and surround the coupling feature 126', e.g., the magnets 220. Alternately or additionally, a seal ring may be supported by the base 20" " and surround the coupling feature 80', e.g., the magnets 200 (not shown). A cross-section (not shown) of the ring 134 may have any suitable shape (e.g., rounded, rectangular, flat (as a gasket), etc.). Further, the seal ring 134 may comprise any suitable material; non-limiting examples include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), nitrile rubber, silicone, and other polymers. In the closed position, the seal ring 134 may be interposed between and may resiliently deform against the circumferential edges 56, 120 of the base 20 and lid (respectively) in a sealing engagement. As used herein, a sealing engagement means that leakage of fluids is inhibited from passing between the base 20 and lid 22. Thus, in at least one example, this sealing engagement may be based on a compression of the seal ring 134 therebetween. In at least one other example, the sealing engagement is based (at least partially) on a press-fit engagement of a portion of base 20 and/or lid 22, as described more below.

[0045] As also described in more detail below, neither the bottom 26, the top 90, nor the walls 28-34, 92-98 may have a pass-through hole, a pass-through slot, etc. which, in the closed position, permits fluid communication between the inner surface 136 (base 20) and inner surface 138 (lid 22) of cavity 24 and an outer surface 122 of the lid 22 or outer surface 82 of the base 20. For example, holder 10 may not have drainage holes or the like as the holder 10 is adapted to inhibit moisture, detergents, dyes, and the like from entering the cavity 24. Furthermore, as discussed above, a press-fit engagement between circumferential edges 56, 120 may inhibit moisture from entering the cavity 24. Still further, the seal ring 134 further may inhibit moisture, detergents, dyes, and the like from seeping between circumferential edges 56, 120. As described above, in this manner, the holder 10 may inhibit degradation of the adhesive coupling 16 which binds the hairs 14 of the hairpiece 12 together— thereby increasing the useful life of the hairpiece 12 which is typically desirable to a wearer thereof.

[0046] The base 20 and lid 22 may comprise any suitable rigid plastic or polymeric material. For example, the base 20 and lid 22 may comprise any low-density, medium-density, or high-density polyethylene (e.g., LDPE, MDPE, HDPE). In at least one example, the base 20 and lid 22 can comprise an anti-static plastic (e.g. such as polyacetylene, polyphenylene vinylene, poly-pyrrole, etc.) so that static charge on hairpiece 12 is drawn to the holder 10— e.g., when the holder 10 is in the closed position and is holding the hairpiece 12 while a stylist blow-dries such hairpiece.

[0047] Other examples of the hairpiece holder exist as well. For example, the lid 22 could comprise a resilient material so that all or part of the lid deforms in the closed position forming a sealing engagement.

[0048] In still other examples (such as that shown in FIG. 9), a base 20" may not comprise walls 28-34. For example, protrusions 58" could extend from a bottom 26' ' of base 20' ' and instead circumferential edge 120" of respective walls 92" , 94", 96" , 98" (carrying seal 134") may abut the bottom 26" in a sealing engagement. [0049] It should be appreciated that in still other examples, circumferential edge 56 of the base 20 could have a circumferential groove (e.g., instead of lid 22 having groove 132). Thus, base 20 may carry a circumferential seal (e.g., similar to seal 134).

[0050] In yet other example of hairpiece holder 10" ' (such as that shown in FIG. 10), a base 20"' may comprise a barrier wall 140 extending outwardly from circumferential edge 56" ' . For example, the wall 140 may be spaced radially inwardly from a periphery 142 of the edge 56"'. Protrusions 58"' may extend outwardly from a top 144 of wall 140. In this example, lid 22" ' may comprise a counterbore 146 that extends from circumferential edge 120"', wherein the counterbore 146 is shaped and sized to correspond with the wall 140 and edge 56"'— e.g., so that, in a closed position, the barrier wall 140 and counterbore 146 form a sealing engagement (e.g., inhibiting the penetration of moisture, fluids, detergents, etc. into cavity 24" ' formed by the base 20" ' and lid 22' "). In this example, the lid 22" ' may or may not carry a seal (e.g., such as seal 134 shown and discussed above). For example, in one instance, the wall 140 and counterbore 146 may abut one another in a press-fit engagement, and any resilient deformation of one or both components may form the sealing engagement therebetween.

[0051] In another example, the hairpiece holder 10 may have more than three feet 68. For example, in some instances, the holder 10 may be longer (e.g., up to approximately 14 inches long), and additional feet 68 may be used to bear the weight of the holder 10, multiple wet hairpieces 12, etc. For example, additional suction cups may be used to retain the holder 10 to an inner surface of a salon sink.

[0052] With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, another example of the hairpiece holder 10"" is shown. The base 20" " of the hairpiece holder 10" "may include one or more magnets 200 as the coupling feature 80' for coupling the base 20" " to the lid 22" " . The magnets 200 may be permanent magnets, e.g., magnetized ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel, cobalt, neodymium, etc. The magnets 200 may be embedded in the walls 28" " , 30" " , 32" " , 34" " . For example, the magnets 200 may be disposed within holes 202 defined in the walls 28" ", 30" " , 32" " , 34" " . The magnets 200 may be fixed within the holes 202 via an interference fit, an adhesive, a combination thereof, or the like. One of the magnets 200 may be embedded in the wall 30" " and the wall 32" ", e.g.., at an inboard corner 204 where the walls 30" ", 32" " intersect. One of the magnets 200 may be embedded in the wall 32"" and the wall 34" " , e.g., at an inboard corner 206 where the walls 32" " , 34" " intersect. Two magnets 200 may be embedded in the wall 28" ", e.g., spaced from each other, and spaced from the walls 30" ", 34" ", respectively. Other arrangements of magnets may be used, including having a different number and position of magnets. An outer surface 208 of each magnet 200 may be flush with the ends 48" " , 50" ", 52" " , 54" " of respective walls 28" " , 30" ", 32" ", 34" ".

[0053] The lid 22" " of the hairpiece holder 10" "may include one or more magnets 220 as the coupling feature 126' for coupling the lid 22" " to the base 20" " . The magnets 220 may be as described above for magnets 200. The magnets 220 may be embedded in the walls 92" " , 94" " , 96" " , 98" " . For example, the magnets 220 may be disposed within holes 222 defined in the walls 92" " , 94" " , 96" " , 98" " . The magnets 220 may be fixed within the holes 222 via interference fit, adhesive, etc. One of the magnets 220 may be embedded in the wall 94' ' ' ' and the wall 96" " , e.g.., at an inboard corner 224 where the walls 94" " , 96" " intersect. One of the magnets 220 may be embedded in the wall 96" " and the wall 98" " , e.g., at an inboard corner 226 where the walls 96' " ' , 98" " intersect. Two magnets 220 may be embedded in the wall 92" ", e.g., spaced from each other, and spaced from the walls 94" ", 98" " , respectively. Other arrangements of magnets may be used, including having a different number and position of magnets. An outer surface 228 of each magnet 220 may be flush with the ends 112" ", 114" ", 116" ", 118" " of the respective walls 92" ", 94" " , 96" " , 98" ".

[0054] The magnets 200, 220 may retain the lid 22" " in the closed position. For example, the magnets 200 of the base 20' ' ' ' may be aligned with and proximate corresponding magnets 220 of the lid 22" ' such that magnetic attraction forces between the magnets 200, 220 urge the base 20" " and the lid 22" " toward each other. A strength of the magnetic attraction forces may be based on a size of the magnets 200, 220, e.g., the larger the magnets 200, 220, the greater the attraction forces. The strength of the magnetic attraction forces may be based on a type of the magnets 200, 220, e.g., neodymium magnets may generate greater attraction forces than iron magnets. The strength of the magnetic attraction forces may be based on a proximity of the magnets 200, 220, e.g., the closer the magnets 200 are to the magnets 220 the greater the attraction forces.

[0055] Further, it is to be understood and appreciated that the coupling feature 80' , 126' may include a magnetically attracted element, i.e., a material that is attracted by a magnetic field but does not necessarily generate its own magnetic field, e.g., a ferromagnetic material such as iron. For example, the coupling feature 80' may include one or more magnetically attracted elements aligned with and proximate corresponding magnet(s) 220 of the lid 22' ' ' in closed position, and/or the coupling feature 126' may include one or more magnetically attracted elements aligned with and proximate corresponding magnet(s) 200 of the base 20" ' in closed position (not shown). Additionally, the one or more magnets 200 and/or magnets 220 may couple the lid 22' ' " to the base 20" " with or without the coupling feature 78, e.g., without or without the hinge.

[0056] In at least one example, at least one hole 202 of base 20' ' ' ' carries a magnet while the corresponding hole 222 of the lid 22' ' ' ' carries a magnetically-attracted element. In at least one example, at least one hole 222 of lid 22' ' ' ' carries a magnet while the corresponding hole 202 of the base 20" " carries a magnetically-attracted element. And in one example, some of the holes 202 carry a magnet while other holes 202 carry a magnetically-attracted element that does not generate its own magnetic field, and some of the holes 222 carry a magnet while other holes 222 carry a magnetically-attracted element that does not generate its own magnetic field, wherein for each hole 202 or 222 that carries a magnetic, the corresponding hole (e.g., 222 or 202, respectively) carries a magnetically-attracted element that does not generate its own magnetic field. Of course, this is merely an example; other examples also exist.

[0057] Thus, there has been described a hairpiece holder having a first portion and a second portion. The first and/or second portions may form a sealed cavity and either (or both) portions may have one or more protrusions for positioning a hairpiece within the cavity. In a closed position and when an adhesive coupling of the hairpiece is located within the cavity, the holder may inhibit fluid contact with fluids located on an exterior of the holder.

[0058] As used herein, terminology such as up, down, left, right, vertically, horizontally, inclined, etc. should be construed as terms used to explain or illustrate relative position and/or orientation. These terms are not intended to be limiting.

[0059] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Further, words such as top, bottom, upper, lower, right, left, etc. are used for clarity and for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be limiting; further, the hairpiece holder 10 could be rotated or used in any suitable position.

Claims

1. A hairpiece holder, comprising:

a first longitudinal portion having a plurality of protrusions, wherein the plurality of protrusions is arranged in series along the first portion; and

a second portion couplable to the first portion, wherein, when the first and second portions are in a closed position, the first and second portions define a sealed cavity which encloses the plurality of protrusions,

wherein the hairpiece holder is configured such that, when an adhesive coupling of a hairpiece is located in the cavity and hair of the hairpiece is located around the plurality of protrusions and when first and second portions are in the closed position, the adhesive coupling is isolated from an exterior of the hairpiece holder.

2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions includes teeth spaced from one another between a first end of the first portion and a second end thereof.

3. The holder of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions is axially aligned along a length of the first portion.

4. The holder of claim 1, further comprising one or more feet coupled to the first or second portion.

5. The holder of claim 4, wherein the feet comprise suction cups having an offset arrangement.

6. The holder of claim 1, wherein the first or second portion further comprises a coupling feature configured to retain the first and second portions in the closed position.

7. The holder of claim 6, wherein the feature comprises one or more of a clip, a latch, a magnet, and a hinge.

8. The holder of claim 7, wherein the feature comprises the magnet, wherein one of the first longitudinal portion or the second portion includes the magnet and the other of the first longitudinal portion or the second portion includes a magnetically attracted element, the magnet and the magnetically attracted element configured to retain the first portion and the second portion in the closed position.

9. The holder of claim 1, further comprising a seal ring that is positioned between the first and second portions in the closed position.

10. The holder of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first and second portions comprise a circumferential edge, wherein, in the closed position, the seal ring is positioned between the circumferential edge and the respective other portion.

11. The holder of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second portions comprise a channel that at least partially defines the cavity.

12. A hairpiece holder, comprising:

a base;

a lid coupled to the base, wherein the base or the lid comprises a series of protrusions extending therefrom, wherein the series of protrusions are arranged along the base or lid; a seal ring interposed between the base and lid, when the base and lid are in a closed position; and

a sealed cavity formed by the base and lid, which cavity encloses the series of protrusions,

wherein the hairpiece holder is configured such that, when an adhesive coupling of a hairpiece is located in the cavity and hair of the hairpiece is located around the series of protrusions and when the base and the lid are in the closed position, the adhesive coupling is isolated from an exterior of the hairpiece holder.

13. The holder of claim 12, wherein the base or the lid further comprises one or more of a clip, a latch, a magnet, and a hinge configured to retain the base or the lid in the closed position.

14. The holder of claim 13, wherein one of the base or the lid carries the magnet and the other of the base or the lid carries a magnetically attracted element, wherein the magnet and the magnetically attracted element are configured to retain the base and the lid in the closed position.

15. The holder of claim 12, wherein at least one of the base or the lid comprise a circumferential edge, wherein, in the closed position, the seal ring is positioned between the circumferential edge and the respective other base or lid.