Head cover for use under a wig

Abstract

A head cover for use under a wig to secure the wig to the head and to prevent soiling of the wig. A cap has an elastic tape within the cap along its bottom edge which extends outside the cap through an opening, By pulling the tab, the elastic tape secures the cap to the head. Material on the outside of the cap affixes the wig to the cap.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to wigs and more particularly to a head cover to secure a wig to the head of the person wearing the wig while providing comfort to the wearer and reducing soiling of the wig.

PRIOR ART AND OBJECTS

[0002] It is well recognized that wigs are increasingly popular. A great deal of wig usage is cosmetic in that the user, frequently women, can avail themselves of varied hairstyles without having any changes made to their natural hair. Increasingly, however, wigs are worn by both men and women for anyone of a variety of medical reasons which result in both partial and total hair loss. With chemotherapy, hair loss is usually total but in time, hair growth is restored. Thus, a patient of such treatment, has total hair loss followed by a period of new hair growth but where a wig is still necessary. To be able comfortably to secure the wig, it is essential to be able to do so with both total hair loss and with partial hair loss. Partial hair loss may mean some hair on the entire scalp or it may be only a fringe of hair with just the center of the scalp being bald.

[0003] One of the most recognized difficulties with a wig is movement of the wig which both reveals the presence of the wig and causes a very undesirable appearance. The interior of wigs is frequently rough. This is particularly so with wigs of artificial components. Wigs of natural hair are expensive and washing results in the need for hair replacement and corrective coloring of the hair. A head cover beneath the wig which forms a barrier between the wig and the scalp and which maintains wig cleanliness while also protecting the scalp from any harshness of the wig, is very desirable. It is even better if the head cover can be easily washed and then be quickly reused. In addition it is very important to permit the scalp to breath when the head cover is being worn.

[0004] Various techniques have and still are being used to secure a wig to the head of the person wearing the wig. If the wearer has hair, cliping the wig to the hair is a reasonable technique. Sometimes the available hair is so limited as not to provide an acceptable base for securing the wig. Since many persons are permanently or at least temporaily totally bald, an alternative technique is needed to secure the wig to the scalp of such persons. Currently, double sided tape and glue compatible with human skin are used.

[0005] One commercially available device to be worn to secure a wig is a band which is wrapped about the hairline or wherever the wig is to be worn meets the scalp. Undoubtedly, such a device provides benefits. However, no barrier is provided between the scalp and the wig and the wig is secured to the band by hook and loop material.

[0006] Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a head cover to be worn under a wig that can be readily secured to the scalp.

[0007] It is still another object of this invention to provide a head cover which may be readily adapted to be secured by additional means, particularly if fringe hair is available.

[0008] It is a further object of this invention to provide a head cover which prevents soiling of the wig and which head cover can be readily washed and reused.

[0009] It is still another object of this invention to provide a head cover for securing a wig to the scalp which provides a wide variety of ways to secure the wig to the head cover and thus secure the wig to the head.

[0010] It is still another object of this invention to provide a head cover for use beneath a wig that is durable and inexpensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A head cover is provided which comfortably fits upon the head. The head cover includes a cap generally shaped to fit a human head. This cap has an opening through it and the cap has a inner surface and an outer surface as well as a front and a rear. Means are affixed to the outside surface of the cap for securing a wig to the cap. Channel means are located on the inside surface about the bottom edge. An elastic tape is located within the channel means. One end of the elastic tape is secured to the inside surface and extends through the opening means. Means are also provided to secure the end of the elastic tape extending through the opening to the outsdie of the cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the front and left side of the head cover.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the front of the head cover.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the rear and right side of the head cover.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of the front and inside rear of the head cover.

[0016] FIG. 5 is plan view of a metal clip mounted on a section of the inner band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NUMERALS

[0017]

NUMERAL DESCRIPTION
11      Cap
13      Center Section
15      Left Section
17      Right Section
18      Inner Surface
19      Seams
21      Front
23      Rear
24      Bottom Edge
25      Outer Front Band
26      Outer Surface
27      Center Band
29      Right Band
31      Left Band
33      Outer Rear Band
35      Inner Front Band
37      Inner Rear Band
39      Channel
41      Edges (Inner Front and Rear Bands)
43      Attachment Lines
45      Elastic Tape
47      Opening
49      Reinforcement
51      Tab

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the outside of the head cover is shown from all directions. The head cover includes a cap 11 which is made in three sections, namely a center section 13 and a left section 15 and a right section 17. Throughout this specification, including the claims, right is the side of the head cover worn on the right side of a person wearing the head cover while the left side of the head cover is on the left side of a person wearing the head cover. The center section 13 of the head cover is between the left section 15 of the head cover and the right section 17 of the head cover. Thus, the left section 15 of the cap is on the left side of the cap 11 and the right section 17 is on the right side of the cap 11 and the center section 13 is between the left section 15 and the right section 17. The center section 13, the left section 15 and the right section 17 are shown as being secured to one another by seams 19 but these sections 13, 15 and 17 exist even with a cap 11 made in one piece. The cap 11 has a front 21 which is located over the forehead of a person wearing the head cover and a rear 23 which is located over the neck of the wearer. The cap 11 also has a bottom edge 24 located about the head.

[0019] The cap 11 has the general shape of a head, essentially a bowl shape when in the inverted position to the position when being worn. The cap 11 is similar in configuration to caps which generally follow the shape of the head. The cap 11 has an inner surface 18 which is placed against the head. The material used to make the cap 11 is important so as to provide proper flexibility and air flow. The material found most desirable is a filter foam sold by New Dimension Industries, Moonachie, N.J. under the designation of S-90. The S-90 filter foam has the following properties:

CELL		TENSILE	VOLUMETRIC
COUNT	DENSITY	STRENGTH	AIR FLOW
PPI	LB/CU. FT.	PSI (MINIMUM)	CFM (NOMINAL)
90	1.9	30	4

[0020] Although other materials could be used, this material provides the flexibility, strength and ventilation for the cap to have a comfortable head cover that washes easily and quickly drys so as to ready for further use.

[0021] As best seen in FIG. 2, the head cover has an outer front band 25 located on the cap. The outer front band 25 is made of hook and loop material. The outer front band 25 has three parts, namely a center band 27, a right band 29 and left band 31. The center band 27 is essentially across the center section 13 of the cap 11 while the left band 31 is on the front 21 of the left section 15 and the right band 29 is generally on the front 21 of the right section 17. The outer front band 25 is located just above the edge of the cap 11 and on the outer surface 26 which is opposite from the inner surface 18.

[0022] As seen in FIG. 4, an outer rear band 33 is located on the outside surface 26 of the cap 11 at the rear 25 of the cap 11. The outer rear band 33 is also made of hook and loop material. It extends across the center section 13 of the cap 11 and generally extends slightly into the right section 17 and the left section 15 of the cap 11. Like the outer front band 25, the outer rear band 33 is located just above the edge 24 of the cap 11.

[0023] Inside the cap 11, on the inner surface 18, directly behind the outer front band 25 and adjacent to the bottom edge 24 is an inner front band 35. The inner front band 35 is made of a smooth flexible material. Similarly, on the inner surface 18 of the cap 11, directly behind the outer rear band 33 and adjacent to the bottom edge 24, is an inner rear band 37 preferably made of the same material as the inner front band 35.

[0024] The inner front band 35 and the inner rear band 37 are both secured to the inner surface 18 of the cap 11 to form a channel 39 between both the inner front band 35 and the inner rear band 37 with the cap 11. The channel 39 is formed by securing both the inner front band 35 and the inner rear band 37 adjacent their edges 41 along attachment lines 43 thereby leaving both the inner front band 35 and the inner rear band 37 free of the cap 11 between the attachment lines 43. An elastic tape 45 is secured at the end of the inner front band 35 in the right section 17 and extends from there within the channel 39 between the inner front band 35 and the cap 11 to the inner rear band 37. The elastic tape 45 enters the channel 39 beneath the inner rear band 37 at its end in the left section 15 and extends out the end of the inner rear band 37 at the right section 17. Just beyond the end of the inner rear band 37 in the right section 17, an opening 47 is formed through the cap 11. The opening 47 is aligned with the inner rear band 37. A reinforcement 49 is located about the opening 47 on the outside surface 26 of the cap 11. The elastic tape 45 extends through the opening 47. On the end of the elastic tape 45 which has passed through the opening 47 is a tab 51. The tab 51 serves as a grip to pull the elastic tape 45 but the tab 51 is also covered with hook and loop material to mate with the hook and loop material of the outer front band 25.

[0025] When the tab 51 is pulled, the tab 51 can be brought to the right band 29 of the outer front band 25 where, using the hook and loop material on the tab 51, the tab 51 can be secured to the outer front band 25. By pulling the tab 51, the elastic tape 45 is stretched causing the elastic tape 45 to secure the head cover to the head with comfort.

[0026] A wig which is to be worn with the head cover, requires hook and loop material to match with the hook and loop on the outer front panel 25 and the outer rear panel 33 thereby securing the wig to the head cover, which in turn is secured to the head by the elastic tape 45. The cap 11, by means of the elastic tape 45, is securely and comfortably secured to the head regardless of whether or not the wearer has a complete head of hair, partial hair or is completely bald. However, additional means may be used to provide additional security, particularly for situations requiring added security, regardless of the existence or non existence of hair. For normal wear, the elastic tape 45 is most adequate for everyone wearing a wig.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a slightly alternate embodiment for a person who has at least some hair and most specifically has that hair along the fringe of the head. Clips 53 which have a comb design with teeth directed upwardly, are secured to the inner front band 35 and to the inner rear band 37. The clips 53 catch the fringe hair to hold the cap 11 to the head.

[0028] It is also possible to place additional hook and loop material on the outside of the cap 11 for even greater retention between the cap 11 and the wig. Double sided adhesive tape and even glue for use with human skin can be used further to secure the cap 11 to the head. However, the elastic tape 45 provides adequate security with comfort and additional devices to hold the cap 11 to the head are not necessary under normal circumstances. The hook and loop material of the outer front band 25 and the inner rear band 37, when used with matching hook and loop material in the wig, are adequate to hold the wig to the head cover.

[0029] It is to be understood that the drawings and description matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it is contemplated that various changes may be made in various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A head cover for use under a wig to retain the wig in place while providing greater cleanliness and ventilation, such head cover comprising: a cap having a bottom edge generally shaped to fit a human head, the cap having an opening through the cap and having an inner surface and an outer surface and a front and a rear; an elastic tape having two ends, one end being secured to th inner surface, the elastic tape being located within the channel means and the other end extending through the opening; means for securing the end of the elastic tape extending through the opening to the outer surface of the cap; and means affixed to the outer surface of the cap for securing a wig to the cap.

2. A head cover according to claim 1 wherein the cap has three sections, namely a right section, a left section and a center section.

3. A head cover according to claim 1 wherein the cap is made from a polyurethane foam ester.

4. A head cover according to claim 1 wherein the channel means includes at least one inner band mounted on the inner surface of the cap along the bottom edge.

5. A head cover according to claim 1 wherein the channel means includes an inner front band mounted on the inner surface of the cap at the front of the cap along the bottom edge and an inner rear band mounted on the inner surface of the cap at the rear of the cap along the bottom edge.

6. A head cover according to claim 1 wherein the means for securing the end of the elastic tape includes a tab, the tab including hook and loop material.

7. A head cover according to claim 1 wherein the means for securing a wig to the cap includes hook and loop material.

8. A head cover according to claim 1 wherein the means for securing a wig to the cap includes an outer front band affixed to the front of the cap adjacent the bottom edge and an outer rear band affixed to the rear of the cap adjacent to the bottom edge.

9. A head cover according to claim 1 wherein the means for securing a wig to the cap includes an outer front band affixed to the front of the cap adjacent the bottom edge and an outer rear band affixed to the rear of the cap adjacent to the bottom edge, both the outer front band and the outer rear band being made of hook and loop material.

10. A head cover for use under a wig to retain the wig in place while providing greater cleanliness and ventilation, such head cover comprising: a cap, the cap having a bottom edge and generally shaped to fit a human head, the cap having three sections, the cap further having a front and a rear and an inner surface and an outer surface; an outer front band affixed to the front of the cap on the outer surface adjacent the bottom edge; an outer rear band affixed to the rear of the cap on the outer surface adjacent to the bottom edge; an inner front band mounted on the inner surface of the cap at the front of the cap, the inner front panel forming a channel between the inner front band and the cap; an inner rear band mounted on the inner surface of the cap at the rear of the cap, the inner rear band forming a channel between the inner rear band and the cap, the cap having an opening through the cap adjacent to the inner rear band; and an elastic tape having two ends, one end being secured within the channel formed by the inner front band, the elastic tape extending through the channel formed by the inner front band and into the channel formed by the inner rear band and beyond the end of the channel formed by the inner rear band in the right section and extending through the opening in the cap, the elastic tape having a tab mounted on the end of the tape extending through the opening.

11. A head cover according to claim 10 wherein the cap has three sections, namely a right section, a left section and a center section.

12. A head cover according to claim 10 wherein the cap is made from a polyurethane foam ester.

13. A head cover according to claim 10 wherein the outer front band and the outer rear band are hook and loop material.

14. A head cover according to claim 10 wherein hook and loop material is mounted on the tab.

15. A head cover according to claim 10 wherein the outer front band and the outer rear band are hook and loop material and wherein hook and loop material is mounted on the tab.

16. A head cover for use under a wig to retain the wig in place while providing greater cleanliness and ventilation, such head cover comprising: a cap, the cap having a bottom edge and generally shaped to fit a human head, the cap having three sections, namely a right section on the right side of the cap, a left section of the left side of the cap and a center section between the left section and the right section, the cap further having a front and a rear and an inner surface and an outer surface, the cap being made from a polyurethane foam ester; an outer front band affixed to the front of the cap on the outer surface adjacent the bottom edge and extending across the center section and into both the left section and the right section, the outer front band having three sections, namely a center band in the center section of the cap and a left band extending partially along the left section of the cap and a right band extending partially along the right section of the cap, the outer front band being formed from hook and loop material; an outer rear band affixed to the rear of the cap adjacent to the bottom edge and extending across the center section of the cap, the outer rear band being formed from hook and loop material; an inner front band mounted on the inner surface of the cap at the front of the cap behind the outer front band, the inner front band being formed from a smooth flexible material, the inner front panel forming a channel between the inner front band and the cap; an inner rear band mounted on the inner surface of the cap at the rear of the cap behind the outer rear band, the inner rear band being formed from a smooth flexible material, the inner rear band forming a channel between the inner rear band and the cap, the cap having an opening through the cap adjacent to the inner rear band; and an elastic tape having two ends, one end being secured within the channel formed by the inner front band in the right section of the cap, the elastic tape extending through the channel formed by the inner front band to the left section of the cap and into the channel formed by the inner rear band and beyond the end of the channel formed by the inner rear band in the right section and extending through the opening in the cap, the elastic tape having a tab mounted on the end of the tape extending through the opening, hook and loop material being mounted on the tab.