Hair bands with easy to change fashion accessories and storage and display cases

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a hair band for keeping hair out of the face of the wearer, comprising a band having two surfaces, an inner surface that contacts the head and hair of an individual, which is formed to fit the head over the hair in a vertical orientation, and an outer surface that face away from the head, wherein the band has a multitude of magnets distributed along the length of the band, or wherein the band has an opening through the inner and outer surfaces that runs the majority of the length of the band. In one embodiment, the opening has a soft plastic or silicon strip inserted therein, wherein the strip has a series of openings or holes formed down its length or the opening has a lattice formed within the opening of the band, wherein the lattice is created by a series of crisscrossing strings or strands, and the holes formed by the lattice allow for one or more tabs to be inserted therein to allow fashion accessories that have tabs to be attached to the hair band. Additionally, the present invention is directed to the fashion accessories themselves, storage/carrying cases and display cases for use with the hair bands and fashion accessories

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The current invention is directed to hair bands that allow for the easy changing of fashion accessories, the fashion accessories themselves, storage/carrying cases and display cases for use with the hair bands and fashion accessories.

Related Background Art

Hair bands, which are sometimes also called head bands, are used to keep the hair off the face of the wearer. They are particularly popular with young girls and women, who often buy many different ones to have a variety of looks and/or styles to match different clothes or accessories. Purchasing so many different hair bands requires spending a lot of money and takes up a lot of space.

Thus, there exists a need for hair bands that can be easily and quickly changed in appearance to fit the occasion or outfit. This invention fulfils this need, since accessories can be readily added or removed to suit the wearer. This will substantially reduce the total cost of purchase, since an individual will only need to own one, or perhaps a few, hair bands to create hundreds or even thousands of different looks by just changing the accessories attached thereto. Therefore, this will greatly reduce the total cost. Additionally, having only a few hair bands, along with the accompanying accessories, will require less space for storage.

Also disclosed herein is a holder that stores, organizes and displays the hair bands and accessories in a convenient and space saving manner. Additionally disclosed in a carrying case for storing and transporting the hair bands and accessories in a neat and organized manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a hair band for keeping hair out of the face of the wearer, comprising a band having two surfaces, an inner surface that contacts the head and hair of an individual, which is formed to fit the head over the hair in a vertical orientation, and an outer surface that faces away from the head, wherein the band has a multitude of magnets distributed along the length of the band, the band has a width selected from the range of about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches; and a thickness selected from the range of about ⅛^th inch to about 1.0 inch.

Additionally, the invention is also directed to a hair band for keeping hair out of the face of the wearer, comprising a band having two surfaces, an inner surface that contacts the head and hair of an individual, which is formed to fit the head over the hair in a vertical orientation, and an outer surface that faces away from the head, the band is made of a material selected from a plastic or a metal, has a width selected from the range of about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, and has a thickness selected from the range of about ⅛^th inch to about 1.0 inch. The band has an opening through the inner and outer surfaces that runs the majority of the length of the band, wherein the opening has either a soft plastic or silicon strip inserted therein and the strip has a series of openings formed down its length to allow one or more tabs to be inserted through the openings, or has a lattice formed within the opening of the band, wherein the lattice is created by a series of crisscrossing strings or strands, which are made of a soft rubber, plastic or silicon material, and the holes formed by the lattice allow for one or more tabs to be inserted.

A fashion accessory for a hair band, comprising a fashionable design or item with a magnet attached thereto, such that the magnet can be used to attach the fashionable fashion accessory to a hair band containing one or more magnets.

A fashion accessory for a hair band, comprising a fashionable design or item with a tab which may be inserted into a hole/opening in a hair band in order to attach the fashion accessory to the hair band.

A fashion accessory for a hair band, comprising a fashionable design or item with a piece of ferromagnetic metal attached thereto, wherein the piece of ferromagnetic metal can be used to attach the fashionable fashion accessory to a hair band containing one or more magnets.

A package for carrying and storing hair bands and fashion accessories, comprising a case or a bag with one or more handles and an interior area, and contains a means to open the case or bag in order to gain access to the interior area of the case or bag, and wherein the interior area contains means of storing one or more hair bands and one or more fashion accessories.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a hair band slightly askew in order to show both the inner and outer surface.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a hair band viewed from above with a partial cross-section.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a hair band with a partial cross-section view.

FIG. 4a is an illustration of a hair band, containing a lattice created by a series of crisscrossing strings or strands in order to allow the attachment of fashion accessories with tabs, viewed from the front at slight upward angle to show the opening down the length.

FIG. 4b is an illustration of a fashion accessory with a flower and a tab that would attach to the top of a hair band, containing a soft plastic or silicon strip,wherein the strip has a series of openings formed down its length, or a lattice created by a series of crisscrossing strings or strands.

FIG. 4c is an illustration of a fashion accessory with a hair extension and a tab that would attach to the bottom of a hair band, containing a soft plastic or silicon strip, wherein the strip has a series of openings formed down its length, or a lattice created by a series of crisscrossing strings or strands.

FIG. 4d is an illustration of how fashion accessory with tabs would attach, either on the bottom (i.e. the tab would be inserted upward through the an opening in the soft plastic or silicon strip or through an opening created by the lattice created by a series of crisscrossing strings or strands) or the top (i.e. the tab would be inserted downward through the an opening in the soft plastic or silicon strip or through an opening created by the lattice created by a series of crisscrossing strings or strands), to a hair band containing a soft plastic or silicon strip with a series of openings formed down its length to allow one or more tabs to be inserted through the openings, or a lattice created by a series of crisscrossing strings or strands.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of two fashion accessories containing a piece of ferromagnetic metal with hair extensions and a hair braid attached thereto, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustration of a fashion accessory containing a piece of ferromagnetic metal with a hair extension and a feather attached.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a bow fashion accessory containing a magnet viewed from the bottom.

FIG. 8a is an illustration of a front view of a hair band holder for storing and displaying the hair bands and the fashion accessories containing magnets or pieces of ferromagnetic metal.

FIG. 8b is an illustration of a side view of a hair band holder for storing and displaying the hair bands and the fashion accessories containing magnets or pieces of ferromagnetic metal.

FIG. 9a is an illustration of a front view of a hair band holder for storing and displaying the hair bands and the fashion accessories that attach via a tab.

FIG. 9b is an illustration of a side view of a hair band holder for storing and displaying the hair bands and the fashion accessories that attach via a tab.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a package for carrying and storing hair bands and fashion accessories.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a package for carrying and storing hair bands and fashion accessories.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a straight on front view of a hair band with magnets attached to the inner surface.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a hair band with magnets attached to the inner surface viewed from above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is directed towards hair bands that allow for the easy changing of fashion accessories, the fashion accessories themselves, storage/carrying cases and display cases for use with the hair bands and fashion accessories.

For the purposes of this invention the term “hair band” refers to a more or less “U” shaped device worn by a person in order to keep their hair from falling over or covering their face. Such devices sit on top of the head in a more or less vertical orientation (i.e. bi-laterally from ear-to-ear) and are kept in place by the flexible material that the hair band is made from exerting pressure against the sides of the head and friction. Though hair bands often also have teeth (similar to those on a comb or hair pick) that engage with the hair, thereby creating more friction in order to hold the hair band in place. Hair bands are also commonly known as head bands or simply as bands.

In one embodiment, the hair band, which is used for keeping hair out of the face of the wearer, comprising a band having two surfaces, an inner surface that contacts the head and hair of an individual, which is formed to fit the head over the hair in a vertical orientation, and an outer surface that face away from the head, wherein the band has a multitude of magnets distributed along the length of the band, the band has a width selected from the range of about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches; and the band has a depth selected from the range of about ⅛ inch to about 1.0 inch. Additionally, the present invention is directed to fashion accessories for use with the above magnetic hair band. These fashion accessories have a magnet attached to them, such that it may be easily attached to a hair band containing magnets by using the magnets' attraction.

For the purposes of this invention the term “magnet” refers to a material or object that produces a magnetic field. Materials that can be magnetized, which are also the ones that are strongly attracted to a magnet, are called ferromagnetic, and include iron, nickel, cobalt, some alloys of rare earth metals, and some naturally occurring minerals such as lodestone. Rare earth (lanthanoid) elements have a partially occupied f electron shell (which can accommodate up to 14 electrons). The spin of these electrons can be aligned, resulting in very strong magnetic fields, and therefore, these elements are used in compact high-strength magnets. The most common types of rare-earth magnets are samarium-cobalt and neodymium-iron-boron (NIB) magnets. In one embodiment, the magnets used are neodymium based magnets.

In one embodiment, the magnets are attached to the band on the outer surface facing away from the head of the wearer, or are countersunk into the band on the outer surface facing away from the head. Preferably, the magnets are covered by a soft rubber, a silicon substance, a plastic substance or a fabric. Preferably, the magnets are covered such that the magnets cannot be seen.

In one embodiment, the magnets are attached to the band on the inner surface facing toward the head of the wearer, or are countersunk into the band on the inner surface facing toward the head of the wearer. Preferably, the magnets are covered by a soft rubber, a silicon substance, a plastic substance or a fabric. Preferably, the magnets are covered such that the magnets cannot be seen.

In another preferable embodiment, the magnets are embedded withina band that is made of a plastic material, such that the magnets are completely covered and cannot touch the hair or scalp of the individual wearing the band.

In other embodiments, the sizes of the magnets range between about 0.25 inches in diameter to about 0.75 inches in diameter, and betweenabout 1/32 inches in thickness and ¼ inches in thickness. In another embodiment, all of the magnets attached to or embedded in a hair band are the same size.

In another embodiment, the number of magnets in a hair band is in the range of about 2 to about 20, but preferably the number is between the range of about 2 and about 10, and most preferably the number is between the range of about 3 to about 7.

The hair band may be made in a number of different sizes to fit different sizes of heads (i.e. small children, tweens and adults). The hair band may be made of several different widths, preferably selected from group consisting of about 0.5 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 1.0 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 2.0 inches and about 2.5 inches. Similarly, the depth (or thickness) can be in the range of about ⅛^th inch to about 1.0 inch, but preferably is selected from the group consisting of ⅛^th inch, ¼^th inch, 0.5 inch, 0.75 inch and 1.0 inch. Additionally, the hair band may be made of several different lengths, depending mainly on whether it designed for an adult's head or a child's heads. Preferably an adult sized hair band would have a length of about 15 inches to about 16 inches. Preferably a child sized hair band would have a length of about 12 inches to about 14 inches. In another embodiment, hair bands are made for children's dolls, so a child and her doll can wear matching hair bands.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the hair band comprises a band having two surfaces, an inner surface that contacts the head and hair of an individual, which is formed to fit the head over the hair in a vertical orientation, and an outer surface that face away from the head. The hair band is made of a material selected from a plastic or a metal. The band has a width selected from the range of about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, a depth selected from the range of about ⅛^th inch to about 1.0 inch, wherein the band has an opening through the inner and outer surfaces that runs the majority of the length of the band. In one embodiment, the opening has a soft plastic or silicon strip inserted therein, wherein the strip has a series of openings or holes formed down its length to allow one or more tabs to be inserted through the openings (one tab may be insert in any one of the openings/holes) in order to allow fashion accessories that have tabs to be attached to the hair band. In another embodiment, the opening has a lattice formed within the opening of the band, wherein the lattice is created by a series of crisscrossing strings or strands, which are made of a soft rubber, plastic or silicon material, and the holes formed by the lattice allow for one or more tabs to be inserted (one tab may be insert in any one of the openings/holes) therein to allow fashion accessories that have tabs to be attached to the hair band.

The present invention is also directed to fashion accessories for use with the hair bands disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, a fashion accessory for a hair band, comprising a fashionable design or item with a magnet attached thereto, such that the magnet can be used to attach the fashion accessory to a hair band containing one or more magnets. In another similar embodiment the fashion accessory for a hair band has more than one magnet attached thereto, and furthermore the fashion accessory containing more than one magnet can be attached length-wise to the hair band, and may potentially cover most or the entire outer surface of the hair band.

In another embodiment the fashion accessory for a hair band comprises a fashionable design or item with a piece of ferromagnetic metal attached thereto, wherein the piece of ferromagnetic metal can be used to attach the fashionable fashion accessory to a hair band containing one or more magnets. In another similar embodiment the fashion accessory for a hair band has more than one piece of ferromagnetic metal attached thereto, and furthermore the fashion accessory containing more than one piece of ferromagnetic metal can be attached length-wise to the hair band containing more than one magnet, and may potentially cover most, or all of, the outer surface of the hair band. In another embodiment the piece of ferromagnetic metal can be in a circular shape, and more preferably has a hole through the center, which would allow fashion accessories such as hair braids, hair extensions, ribbons etc. . . . to be attached by looping them through the hole in the center of the ferromagnetic metal piece and secured by tying a knot or other conventional means, such as adhesives. In another embodiment the ferromagnetic metal pieces are between about 0.25 inch to about 1.0 inch in diameter, and between about 1/32 inch in thickness and ¼ inch in thickness.

In another embodiment, the fashion accessory for a hair band, comprises a fashionable design or item with a tab which may be inserted into a hole or opening in a hair band in order to attach the fashion accessory to the hair band.

For the purposes of the present invention the terms “fashion accessory” or “fashion accessories” refer to items that are typically used to decorate hair bands or hair, and/or that coordinate with other worn items. For example, items such as buttons with slogans or sayings, decorative “insects”, such as butterflies, dragonflies or lady bugs etc. . . . , bows or ribbons, flowers, hair braids (made of either real hair or faux hair), hair extensions (made either of real hair or faux hair), feathers or a combination thereof, for example a hair braid or a hair extension combined with a ribbon, a bow and/or a feather.

For the purposes of the present invention the term “tab” refers to an appendage that is used to attach an item to another item by inserting the appendage into opening or hole, similar to inserting a button into a button hole.

Another aspect of the present invention is a package for carrying and storing hair bands and fashion accessories, comprising a case or a bag with one or more handles and an interior area, which contains a means to open the case or bag in order to gain access to the interior area of the case or bag, andwherein the interior area contains means of storing one or more hair bands and one or more fashion accessories.

In one embodiment, the package has a zippered opening as the means of opening the case or bag to gain access to the interior.

In another embodiment, the package has a locking mechanism and one or more hinges that allow the case or bag to open in a clam-shell manner as the means of opening the case or bag to gain access to the interior.

In another embodiment, the package contains one or more of the following means of storing hair bands and fashion accessories: hooks, pegs, clips, magnets, or holes (to attach fashion accessories that use tabs to attach to hair bands).

Another aspect of the present invention is a hair band holder for storing and displaying the hair bands and the fashion accessories disclosed herein, comprising a board having a front surface and a rear surface.

The rear surface has an arm attached, which extends therefrom in a perpendicular or near-perpendicular manner allowing the hair band holder to stand on an essentially level surface and is also capable of folding flat against the rear surface, and a means for hanging the hair band holder on a vertical surface.

The means of hanging can be a hook, an extension (either made of metal or hard plastic) capable of accepting the head of a nail or tack and capable of supporting the weight of hair band holder, a wire or string mount to the rear surface and capable of accepting the head of a nail or tack and capable of supporting the weight of hair band holder, and a notch or cut-out portion in the back of the board capable of accepting the head of a nail or tack and capable of supporting the weight of hair band holder.

The front surface that has a multitude of pegs, wherein the pegs extend from the front surface in a perpendicular manner and are spatially arrange to accommodate hanging one or more hair bands and one or more accessories, and/or a multitude of magnets, which are attached to or embedded in the front surface and spatially arranged for mounting one or more hair bands containing magnets and one or more fashion accessories containing at least one magnet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a slightly askew view of a hair band 1 having two surfaces, an inner surface3 that contacts the head and hair of an individual, which is formed to fit the head over the hair in a vertical orientation, and an outer surface 2 that faces away from the head, wherein the band has a multitude of magnets5 distributed along the length 22 of the band. The hair band 1 is made of a material selected from a plastic or a metal. The magnets 5 can be mounted or attached to either the outer surface 2 or the inner surface 3, or can be embedded in the hair band 1 itself. Along the inner surface 3 are teeth 4 projecting approximately perpendicular from the inner surface 3 for engaging with the wearer's hair, thereby creating more friction in order to hold the hair band 1 in position. The hair band 1 has a width 20 selected from the range of about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches; and a thickness 21 selected from the range of about ⅛^th inch to about 1.0 inch.

Illustrated in FIG. 2 is a top view of a hair band 1, wherein the right half of the illustration is a partial cross-section to show the magnets 5 embedded within the hair band 1. The left side of the hair band 1 has an outer surface 2 with a width 20 selected from the range of about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches.

Illustrated in FIG. 3 is straight-on front view of a hair band 1, wherein the right half of the illustration is a partial cross-section to show the magnets 5 embedded within the hair band 1, between the inner surface 3 and the outer surface 2. The illustration also shows that the hair band 1 has a length 22 that can range between 15 inches and 16 inches and a thickness 21 selected from the range of about ⅛^th inch to about 1.0 inch, wherein the inner surface 3 has teeth 4 projecting outward toward the wearers head (approximately perpendicular to the inner surface 3).

Illustrated in FIG. 4a is a hair band 19 viewed at slight upward angle to better show the opening 23 through the inner surface 3 and outer surface 2 that runs the majority of the length 22 of the hair band 19. The hair band 19 is made of a material selected from a plastic or a metal, and has a width 20 selected from the range of about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches, and a thickness 21 selected from the range of about ⅛^th inch to about 1.0 inch. The hair band 19 has an opening 23 through the inner surface 3 and outer surface 2 that runs the majority of the length 22 of the band 19, wherein the opening has a lattice formed within the opening of the hair band 19. The lattice is created by a series of crisscrossing strings or strands 6, which are made of a soft rubber, plastic or silicon material. The crisscrossing strings or strands 6 create holes 7 that allow for a tab to be inserted therein.

In FIG. 4b a fashion accessory 8 is illustrated. The fashion accessory 8 is shown having a fashionable design, a flower 11, with a tab 9 which may be inserted into a hole/opening in a hair band in order to attach the fashion accessory 8to the top (or outer surface) of a hair band.

In FIG. 4c a fashion accessory 8 is illustrated. The fashion accessory 8 is shown having a fashionable design, a hair extension 10, with a tab 9 which may be inserted into a hole/opening in a hair band in order to attach the fashion accessory 8 to the bottom (or inner surface) of a hair band.

Illustrated in FIG. 4d is a hair band 19 viewed from the front to show how fashion accessories 8 may be attached to a hair band 19 by inserting a tab 9 through an opening 7 so that a fashionable design, such as a flower 11, will be attached to the outer surface 2, or that a fashionable design, a hair extension 10, is attached to the inner surface 3.

Illustrated in FIG. 5 are two fashionable accessories 8. Both fashionable accessories 8 have a piece of ferromagnetic metal 13 in a circular shape with a round opening formed in the middle, which is used to attach the fashionable accessories 8 to a hair band containing magnets. The left fashionable accessory 8 has a faux hair extension 10 attached to the piece of ferromagnetic metal 13, while the fashionable accessory 8 on the right has a faux hair braid 12 attached to the piece of ferromagnetic metal 13.

Illustrated in FIG. 6 is a fashionable accessory 8, whereina piece of ferromagnetic metal 13 has attached to it a faux hair extension 10, which in turn has a feather 14 attached at the other end.

Illustrated in FIG. 7 is a fashionable accessory 8 in the form of a bow 16 viewed from the bottom so that the piece of ferromagnetic metal 17 can be shown. The piece of ferromagnetic metal can also be a magnet.

In FIG. 8a a hair band holder, shown from a front view, for storing and displaying the hair bands land the fashion accessories disclosed herein, comprising a board 40 having a height 41 that can range between about 12 inches to about 36 inches and a width 42 that can range between about 8 inches to about 24 inches. The board 40 also has a front surface 45 that is either ferromagnetic metal, such as iron or steel, or a thin magnetic sheet of metal, and has a mirror 44 mounted on the front surface 45 for convenience. Also mounted to the front surface 45 are a multitude of pegs 43 that extend from the front surface 45 in a perpendicular manner and are spatially arrange to accommodate hanging one or more hair bands 1 and one or more accessories. In preferred embodiment the board 40 has a height 41 between about 18 inches to about 24 inches and a width 42 between about 12 inches to about 18 inches, and most preferable is a height 41 of about 18 inches and a width 42 of about 12 inches.

In FIG. 8b a hair band holder, shown from a side view, for storing and displaying the hair bands and the fashion accessories disclosed herein, comprising a board 40 having a height 41 that can range between about 12 inches to about 36 inches and a thickness 49 that can range between about ½ inch to about 1 inch. Mounted to the front surface of the board 40 are a multitude of pegs 43 that extend from the front surface in a perpendicular manner and are spatially arrange to accommodate hanging one or more hair bands and one or more accessories. The rear surface 48 has an arm 46 attached, which extends therefrom in a perpendicular or near-perpendicular manner allowing the hair band holder to stand on an essentially level surface, but is also capable of folding flat against the rear surface 48. Also attached to the rear surface 48 is a means 47 for hanging the hair band holder on a vertical surface, wherein the means 47 can be a hook, an extension (either made of metal or hard plastic) capable of accepting the head of a nail or tack, a wire or string mount to the rear surface and capable of accepting the head of a nail or tack, or a notch or cut-out portion in the back of the board capable of accepting the head of a nail or tack. All of which are capable of supporting the weight of hair band holder. In this illustration the means 47 is an extension capable of accepting the head of a nail or tack.

In FIG. 9a a hair band holder,shown from a front view, for storing and displaying the hair bands land the fashion accessories disclosed herein, comprising a board 50 having a height 51 that can range between about 12 inches to about 36 inches and a width 52 that can range between about 8 inches to about 24 inches. The board 50 also has a front surface 59 that has a mirror 54 mounted on the front surface 59 for convenience. Also mounted to the front surface 59 are a multitude of pegs 53 that extend from the front surface 59 in a perpendicular manner and are spatially arrange to accommodate hanging one or more hair bands 1 and one or more accessories. The front surface 59 also has a multitude of openings 55 that are capable of accepting the tabs contained in fashionable accessories for use with non-magnetic hair bands. Thus, a tab containing fashionable accessories may be attached to the front surface 59 for storage and display by inserting the fashionable accessories' tabs in the opening 55. In preferred embodiment the board 50 has a height 51 between about 18 inches to about 24 inches and a width 52 between about 12 inches to about 18 inches, and most preferable is a height 51 of about 18 inches and a width 52 of about 12 inches.

In FIG. 9b a hair band holder, shown from a side view, for storing and displaying the hair bands and the fashion accessories disclosed herein, comprising a board 50 having a height 51 that can range between about 12 inches to about 36 inches and a thickness 58 that can range between about ½ inch to about 1 inch. Mounted to the front surface of the board 50 are a multitude of pegs 53 that extend from the front surfacein a perpendicular manner and are spatially arrange to accommodate hanging one or more hair bandsand one or more accessories. The rear surface 60 has an arm 56 attached, which extends therefrom in a perpendicular or near-perpendicular manner allowing the hair band holder to stand on an essentially level surface, but is also capable of folding flat against the rear surface 60. Also attached to the rear surface 60 is a means 57 for hanging the hair band holder on a vertical surface, wherein the means 57 can be a hook, an extension (either made of metal or hard plastic) capable of accepting the head of a nail or tack, a wire or string mount to the rear surface and capable of accepting the head of a nail or tack, or a notch or cut-out portion in the back of the board capable of accepting the head of a nail or tack. All of which are capable of supporting the weight of hair band holder. In this illustration the means 57 is an extension capable of accepting the head of a nail or tack.

Illustrated in FIG. 10 is a bag 60 for carrying and storing hair bands and fashionable accessories. The bag 60 has a handle 61 and an interior area and contains a zipper 62 means to open the bag in order to gain access to the interior area of the bag 60.

Illustrated in FIG. 11 is a bag 60 for carrying and storing hair bands and fashionable accessories. The bag 60 has a handle 61 and an interior area and contains a locking/toggle 63 means to open the bag in order to gain access to the interior area of the bag 60.

Illustrated in FIG. 12 is a hair band 30 having two surfaces, an inner surface 32, which is formed to fit the head over the hair in a vertical orientation, and an outer surface 31 that faces away from the head of the wearer. The hair band 30 has a multitude of magnets 35 distributed along the length 33 of the hair band 30 on the inner surface 32. The hair band 30 is made of a material selected from a plastic or a metal, though a metallic material is preferable. The hair band 30 has a thickness 36 selected from the range of about ⅛^th inch to about ¼ inch. Ultimately, a hair band 30 of this construction will be covered with a fabric material or thin plastic or rubber material, so that the magnets 35 are not visible.

Illustrated in FIG. 13 is a top view of a hair band 30 that shows the magnets 35 attached to the inner surface of the hair band 30. The hair band 30 has an outer surface 31 with a width 34 selected from the range of about ⅛ inch to about ½ inch.

Illustrated in FIG. 14 is a side view a bag 60 for carrying and storing hair bands and fashionable accessories. The bag 60 has a flap 64 which has a magnetic closure 65 in order to close the access to the interior area of the bag 60. The magnetic closure 65 can consist of a magnet attached to the underside of the flap and that attaches to aferromagnetic metal strip attached to the outside of the Bag 60, a ferromagnetic metal strip of tab attached to the underside of the flap and that attaches to a magnet attached to the outside of the Bag 60, or a first magnet attached to the underside of the flap and that attaches to a second magnetattached to the outside of the Bag 60, wherein the second magnet has the opposing magnetic pole facing outward so that the opposing poles of the first magnet and the second magnet will be attracted to each other.

Claims

1. A hair band for keeping hair out of the face of the wearer, comprising: a band having two surfaces, an inner surface that contacts the head and hair of an individual, which is formed to fit the head over the hair in a vertical orientation, and an outer surface that face away from the head, wherein the band has a multitude of magnets distributed along the length of the band;the band has a width selected from the range of about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches; andthe band has a depth selected from the range of about ⅛th inch to about 1.0 inch.

2. The hair band of claim 1, wherein the band is made of a material selected from a plastic or a metal, and this material may be covered by a soft rubber, a silicon substance, a plastic substance or a fabric.

3. The hair band of claim 1, wherein the magnets are attached to the band on the outer surface facing away from the head, or are countersunk into the band on the outer surface facing away from the head.

4. The hair band of claim 3, wherein the magnets are covered by a soft rubber, a silicon substance, a plastic substance or a fabric.

5. The hair band of claim 4, wherein the magnets are covered such that the magnets cannot be seen.

6. The hair band of claim 1, wherein the magnets are imbedded with the band that is made of a plastic material, such that the magnets are completely covered and cannot touch the hair or scalp of the individual wearing the band.

7. The hair band of claim 1, wherein the band has a width selected from about 0.5 inches, about 0.75 inches, about 1.0 inches, about 1.5 inches, about 2.0 inches and about 2.5 inches.

8. The hair band of claim 1, wherein the band has a depth selected from the group consisting of ⅛th inch, ¼th inch, 0.5 inch, 0.75 inch and 1.0 inch.

9. The hair band of Claiml, wherein the magnets are selected from the group consisting of ferromagnetic, samarium-cobalt and neodymium-iron-boron (NIB).

10. The hair band of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the magnets are between about ¼ inch and about ¾ inch, and the thickness of the magnets are between about 1/32 inch to about ¼ inch.

11. The hair band of claim 1, wherein all of the magnets are the same size.

12. The hair band of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the band has teeth in order to help the hair band stay in place.

13. The hair band of claim 1, wherein the flexibility of the band allows the band to exert pressure on the left and right side of head, which in conjunction with friction, helps the hair band stay in place.

14. A hair band for keeping hair out of the face of the wearer, comprising: a band having two surfaces, an inner surface that contacts the head and hair of an individual, which is formed to fit the head over the hair in a vertical orientation, and an outer surface that face away from the head;the band is made of a material selected from a plastic or a metal;the band has a width selected from the range of about 0.5 inches to about 2.5 inches;the band has a depth selected from the range of about ⅛th inch to about 1.0 inch;the band has an opening through the inner and outer surfaces that runs the majority of the length of the band, wherein the opening has either a soft plastic or silicon strip inserted therein and the strip has a series of openings formed down its length to allow one or more tabs to be inserted through the openings, or has a lattice formed within the opening of the band, wherein the lattice is created by a series of crisscrossing strings or strands, which are made of a soft rubber, plastic or silicon material, and the holes formed by the lattice allow for one or more tabs to be inserted.

15. The hair band of claim 14, wherein the inner surface of the band has teeth in order to help the hair band stay in place.

16. The hair band of claim 14, wherein the flexibility of the band allows the band to exert pressure on the left and right side of head, which in conjunction with friction, helps the hair band stay in place.

17. A fashion accessory for a hair band, comprising: a fashionable design or item with a magnet attached thereto, such that the magnet can be used to attach the fashion accessory to a hair band containing one or more magnets.

18. A fashion accessory for a hair band, comprising: a fashionable design or item with a piece of ferromagnetic metal attached thereto, such that the piece of ferromagnetic metal can be used to attach the fashion accessory to a hair band containing one or more magnets.

19. A fashion accessory for a hair band, comprising: a fashionable design or item with a tab which may be inserted into a hole in a hair band in order to attach the fashion accessory to the hair band.

20. A package for carrying and storing hair bands and fashion accessories, comprising: a case or a bag with one or more handles and an interior area, which contains a means to open the case or bag in order to gain access to the interior area of the case or bag; andwherein the interior area contains means of storing one or more hair bands and one or more fashion accessories.

21. The package of claim 20, wherein the means of opening the case or bag to gain access to the interior is a zippered opening.

22. The package of claim 20, wherein the means of opening the case or bag to gain access to the interior is a locking mechanism and one or more hinges that allow the case or bag to open in a clam-shell manner.

23. A hair band holder for storing and displaying the hair bands of claim 1 and the fashion accessories for use with the same, comprising: a board having a front surface and a rear surface;the rear surface has an arm attached, which extends therefrom in a perpendicular or near-perpendicular manner allowing the hair band holder to stand on an essentially level surface and is also capable of folding flat against the rear surface, and a means for hanging the hair band holder on a vertical surface;the front surface that has a multitude of pegs, wherein the pegs extend from the front surface in a perpendicular manner and are spatially arrange to accommodate hanging one or more hair bands and one or more accessories, and/or a multitude of magnets, which are attached to or embedded in the front surface and spatially arranged for mounting one or more hair bands containing magnets and one or more fashion accessories containing at least one magnet.