Patent Application
20250031792
The present invention relates to a wig and hair extension system that offers improved comfort, natural appearance, and versatility. The wig system includes a foundation with a side portion and a top portion, as well as separate pieces that can be used independently or in conjunction with the main wig.
Prior art wigs require the user to wear an artificial parting made of lace or other materials or to wear a section of their hair out at the top of the wig. The Invention is the first to permit the wearer to wear a wig while exposing the wearer's real scalp in their parting area with none of the wearer's hair left out.
Wigs cover or supplement the natural hair of a wearer. Wig hair may be human hair or may be synthetic. The highest quality wigs are composed of human hairs that are attached to a foundation or cap. A full lace wig generally includes a foundation that conforms to the head of the wearer to cover all of the wearer's natural hair. The foundation usually is composed of a lightweight knitted or thermally welded fabric known as ‘lace.’ If the wig includes a part, the lace is visible at the part and is not readily disguised. See, for example, U.S. Patent Publication 20150013708 by Chamberlain published Jan. 15, 2015, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,568 to Lee issued May 12, 2015. For a prior art full lace wig where the lace foundation covers part of the wearer's natural hair, the color of the foundation matches the color of the wearer's scalp. Where the wearer's natural hair is dark and the wearer's scalp is light, the lace foundation is readily visible against the wearer's natural hair.
A prior art U-part wig addresses the problem of the lace of the foundation being visible on the wearer's part. A U-part wig includes a foundation having a U-shaped opening corresponding to the location of the wearer's part. The U-shaped opening is two to four inches wide and exposes a significant portion of the wearer's natural scalp and hair. The U-part wig relies upon the wearer's natural hair to hide the thick edges of the U-shaped opening. See U.S. Patent Publication 2007/0044814 by Belo published Mar. 1, 2007.
The U-part wig has a structural disadvantage compared to other wigs in that the U-shaped opening interrupts the structural integrity of the wig foundation. To support the weight of the wig and to support the elastic forces when the U-shaped wig foundation is stretched over the head of the wearer, the opposing sides of the U-shaped opening must be attached to the user's natural hair using wig clips. Wig clips are sewn using thread to the foundation at anchor locations on the opposing edges of the U-shaped opening. The foundation at the anchor locations is composed of multiple layers of lace or layers of a reinforcing fabric combined with the lace to support the weight of the wig and to support the elastic forces without stretching, fraying, or other failures of the foundation. The thick edges of the foundation at the opposing edges of the U-shaped opening are easily visible.
The two-to-four-inch gap in the prior art U-part wig requires that a substantial portion of the wearer's natural hair, known as a ‘leave-out,’ is exposed when wearing the wig and that the wearer's natural hair of the leave-out must blend with the hair of the wig. If the wearer's natural hair is of a different texture or color from the hair of the wig, the wearer will not be able to effectively integrate the wearer's hair with the hair of the wig. The wearer will style the leave-out after donning the prior art U-part wig to cover the thick edges of the U-shaped opening. Styling the wearer's natural hair to hide the edges of the U-shaped opening may involve the application of heat, which can damage the wearer's natural hair and scalp. If the texture of the wig is curly or wavy and the wearer's real hair has a different texture, the leave-out will not mimic the texture of the wig. For example, if the wig's texture is 3A and the wearer's texture is 4c, as those terms are used in the wig art, it is extremely difficult to match the textures of the leave-out and the wig. If the textures do not match, it will be obvious to observers that the wearer is wearing a wig.
Because of the thick foundation, prior art U-part wigs use wefts to attach human hair to the foundation corresponding to the top of the wearer's head. A ‘weft’ is comprised of rows of human or synthetic hairs that are sewn or otherwise attached to an elongated substrate so that the hairs depend on the substrate like a fringe. The use of wefts proximal to the U-shaped opening contributes to the thickness, and hence visibility, of the edges of the prior art U-part wig at the wearer's part.
As described above, when using the usual method of wearing a prior art U-part wig that has a weft at the U-shaped opening, the wearer will wear a section of their own hair out in order to cover the weft and the edge of the U-shaped opening. The wearer will also use their own hair to cover the wig clips, which risk sliding from the underside of the wig. The use of the wearer's own hair has the disadvantages noted above.
An alternative prior art method of wearing a U-part wig that uses wefts around the U-shaped opening is known as the “U-part wig crochet method.” The purpose of the U-part wig crochet method is to show the wearer's natural scalp while not leaving out the wearer's natural hair. A prior art U-part wig using wefts does not include a lace cap and the wig hairs of the wefts are accessible from below. In the U-part wig crochet method, the wearer uses a crochet hook to pull wig hairs from the underside of the wig between the top individual wefts and to an edge of the U-shaped opening. The wearer then wraps the wig hairs around the edge of the U-shaped opening in an effort to hide the edge of the U-shaped opening and the adjacent weft. The wearer leaves the wearer's natural scalp exposed between the opposing edges of the U-shaped opening without leaving out the wearer's natural hair. The U-part wig crochet method has the disadvantage that it leaves multiple humps around the user's parting area. These unsightly humps make it obvious that the wearer is wearing a wig. The U-part crochet method of wearing a U-part wig is also time-intensive and requires skill to effectively use the crochet hook.
A prior art U-part wig with an opening to expose the wearer's scalp may include a lace cap to which wig hairs are attached rather than wefts. The lace is light (nude) in color to correspond to the color of the wearer's scalp but is readily visible against dark hair. To wear a prior art wig that has lace around the opening, the user must wear a section of their own hair out to lay on top of the edge of the wig opening in order to hide the nude color of the lace at the edge and to hide the wig clips that may slide from under the underside of the wig. Also, the lace does not lie flat against the wearer's head because the lace is thin and fine. When a wearer begins to move their head or go outside where there is wind, this lace material pulls away from their scalp, and the wig clips and sticks upward rather than lying flat. The leave-out helps to cover the lace as it moves and a larger leave-out helps to weigh down the lace.
If the lace of the opening is reinforced, the leave-out helps to hide the reinforcement. Due to the issues noted regarding prior methods using wigs with an opening at the top, wearers have mostly worn these wigs with a “leave-out” with the exception of the unnatural results and time-intensive U-part wig crochet method.
A prior art wig by the Inventor herein had a lace top portion and hid the opposing edges of the opening by folding over the edge of the lace and attached hair and sewing the lace and attached hair through the wig clips to the underside of the top portion, covering the wig clips. The thickness of the resulting opposing edges of the opening rendered the opposing edges too bulky to effectively hide without a leave-out, which is the same result as the prior art U-part wigs.
There is a need for a method and wig that permits the wearer to wear their real scalp in their parting area without the need for the wearer to use their own natural hair to cover the top edge of the opening of the wig, that makes the wig hair to appear to grow from the wearer's own real scalp, that is without lumps, that is easy for the average wearer to install, that takes little time, and that is undetectable.
The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The wig for the method of the Invention has a foundation that includes a top portion and a side portion. The side portion corresponds to the sides and back of the wearer's head and is conventional. The side portion may include wefts to which rows of wig hairs are attached, as is known in the art. Alternatively, the side portion may include lace and may include wig hairs crocheted or otherwise attached to the lace. The wig hairs may be synthetic or human hair.
The top portion conforms to the top of the wearer's head when the wearer is wearing the wig. The top portion is novel and may include fabric, as defined herein. The fabric may comprise lace, as that term is used in wig-making art. The fabric defines an opening corresponding in location to the wearer's natural part when the wearer is wearing the wig. The opening defines opposing edges of the fabric. The opposing edges of the fabric may be unfinished and unreinforced. The fabric may comprise a single layer.
Wig hairs may be attached to the fabric of the top portion by crocheting. In crocheting, individual wig hairs or a few wig hairs are knotted to the fabric by hand. The knots and the wig hairs extend to the very edges of the opposing edges of the fabric at the opening.
The crocheted wig hairs at the opposing edges of the fabric may be teased or otherwise processed to create a frizzy appearance or tangles in the wig hair at the edges either before or after donning the wig to effectively hide the edges of the fabric while exposing the part in the wearer's natural hair. Because the crocheted wig hairs extend to the opposing edges of the fabric, the edges of the fabric are not readily visible.
The fabric of the top portion is selected to define a net to which the wig hairs are crocheted. A synthetic lace describing a net that has openings of 0.3-1.5 mm in diameter and thickness of 0.35-0.45 mm is suitable as the foundation for the top portion. The fabric at the opposing edges may comprise a single layer and may be unfinished and unreinforced, as those terms are defined below.
The wig attaches to the wearer's natural hair adjacent to the wearer's natural part, as described below, using wig clips. The wig clips, and hence the wearer's natural hair, support the weight and elastic forces of the wig. Each wig clip is sewn or glued to the underside of the top portion and is separated from a corresponding edge of the opening by a separation distance of 1 to 4 millimeters, preferably 1.5 to 3 millimeters. If the wig clip is too close to the corresponding edge, then the movement of the fabric may cause the wig clip to be visible at the edge. If the wig clip is too far from the edge, then the fabric at the edge will roll upward when the wig is in place on the wearer's head, making the edge visible. The actual distance selected will depend upon the stiffness of the fabric. For a flexible lace, 1 to 4 millimeters has proven suitable in practice and allows the stiffness of the fabric to maintain the fabric edge in place on the wearer's head.
The fabric of the top portion is selected to conform in color to the wig hair that will be crocheted to the fabric and is not selected to conform in color to the wearer's scalp. Where the wig hair is black, the fabric of the top portion is also selected to be black. In wig art, black wigs generally are available in three color choices-jet black, which includes blue, natural black, which includes brown, and off black, which is between jet black and natural black. Variations exist in these colors, particularly where the wig hair is human hair. The color of the wig hair and the color of the fabric of the top portion are selected to conform as closely as possible, with the goal that a person observing a wearer wearing the wig of the Invention will not perceive a difference between the color of the fabric and the color of the wig hair attached to the fabric.
Applying the method of the Invention to the wig of the Invention causes the opposing edges of the fabric to be effectively invisible to an observer and causes the wig hair to appear to be the natural hair of the wearer. In the method of wearing the wig, the wig is installed on the wearer's head so that the opening in the fabric of the top portion is adjacent to the wearer's natural part and reveals the wearer's scalp at the part without a leave-out and without covering the edge of the opening with the wearer's natural hair.
The wearer will first prepare her natural part and her natural hair to receive the wig. The wearer will ensure that her natural part is straight and corresponds in location to the location of the opening of the wig. The wearer will prepare her hair to receive the wig clips, as described below. The wearer will don the wig so that the opposing edges of the opening are adjacent to the wearer's natural part. The wearer will secure the wig clips on the underside of the top portion to the wearer's natural hair on opposing sides of the wearer's natural part. While the best results are achieved when the opposing edges of the opening are immediately adjacent to the part, the Invention also contemplates that the opposing edges may be in a spaced apart relation from the wearer's natural part, for example when the opposing edges are up to two inches from the wearer's natural part.
Because the wig on either side of the opening has a low profile to blend with the wearer's natural part, the wearer's natural hair outside of the part also should have a low profile, while also being able to retain the wig clips. The wearer has options for achieving a low profile and wig clip retention; namely, the teasing option and anchor braid options, discussed below. Alternatively, the wearer may have hair with natural characteristics that may make the hair suitable for attachment to the wig clips without any preparation, such as naturally coarse roots. In addition, the wig clips may be attached to a wearer's unprepared hair for demonstration purposes.
In the teasing option for preparing the wearer's natural hair to receive the wig, the wearer will segregate her natural hair on opposing sides of the wearer's natural part and tease the segregated hair at the root. To tease the hair, the wearer will hold the hair and then will repeatedly comb her natural hair adjacent to the root toward the wearer's scalp. The effect is to create a tangle of the wearer's natural hair on either side of the wearer's part adjacent to the roots of the wearer's natural hair. The wearer will pull her natural hair out of the way, exposing the tangled, teased hair on either side of her natural part. The wearer will place the wig on her head and will engage the wig clips on the opposing edges of the opening with the tangles of the wearer's teased hair immediately adjacent to the wearer's natural part. By engaging the teased hair on either side of the wearer's natural part, the wearer's natural hair retains the wig clips and hence the opposing edges of the opening immediately adjacent to the wearer's natural part.
Rather than teasing her hair to retain the wig clips, the wearer may create anchor braids or small ponytails from her natural hair outside of her natural part. When donning the wig, the wearer may engage the wig clips that are disposed adjacent to the corresponding edges of the fabric with the wearer's natural hair between the wearer's natural part and the anchor braid or the small ponytails. Alternatively, the wearer may engage the wig clips directly with the anchor braids. For some wearers, the step of teasing the wearer's natural hair or creating anchor braids or small ponytails may be unnecessary due to the nature of the wearer's natural hair; for example, where the wearer has naturally thick roots to which to attach the wig.
The method of wearing the wig of the Invention applies to any steps and any order of steps for installing the wig, including steps and orders of steps that do not result in an attractive appearance of the wig of the Invention or that do not result in concealment of the opposing edges of the opening.
As an option, the wearer may create a small ‘leave-out’ as a styling preference, for example, if the wearer wants to wear a style with sleek, flat roots incompatible with no leave-out. The ‘leave-out’ of this option is a small fraction of the leave-out of a prior art U-part wig. For example, the small leave-out may be up to 0.5 inches in width, compared to a 2- to 4-inch-wide leave-out of a prior art U-part wig. The leave-out may be located at the wearer's part and located between the wearer's natural part and the wearer's natural hair that is separated and teased adjacent to the wearer's part. The wearer may comb and blend the leave-out with the hair of the wig to further hide the opposing fabric edges of the opening. The small leave-out of this paragraph may be disposed on one side of the wearer's part rather than both sides of the wearer's part.
The wearer may tease, brush, or otherwise process the wig hair attached to the fabric adjacent to the opposing fabric edges to generate tangles to give the wig at that location more volume, to hide the fabric edges, and so that the wig hair mimics the roots of the wearer's natural hair. This option is particularly useful when wearing a wig with no leave-out, as it creates the appearance of natural roots and makes the wig hair appear to grow from the wearer's natural scalp. Alternatively, and as an option, the wig hair may be processed during manufacture to create tangles in the wig hair adjacent to the edges so that when the wearer is wearing the wig the tangled wig hair adjacent to the opening mimics the roots of the wearer's natural hair.
In the first method of making the wig of the Invention, the manufacturer will provide a top portion that may be composed of fabric. The fabric may comprise a single layer of lace. The manufacturer will provide a conventional side portion. The manufacturer will attach the side and top portions. The manufacturer may create an opening in the top portion, by cutting the top portion. The manufacturer may create the opening either before or after assembling the side and top portions. The manufacturer may crochet a plurality of human or synthetic hair to the fabric of the top portion up to the opposing edges of the opening and may sew or adhere a plurality of wig clips to the underside of the top portion adjacent to the opposing edges of the opening. The manufacturer may sew or adhere to another wig clip at the back end of the opening. The manufacturer may attach conventional wig combs to secure the side portion of the foundation to the wearer's hair. The manufacturer may attach wefts of human hair to the side portion of the foundation, completing the wig. Alternatively, the side portions may be composed of fabric and the wig hairs may be crocheted to the fabric. The manufacturer will not fold over the fabric and attach wig hair at the edge of the opening to cover the wig clips and will not sew folded fabric and attach wig hair through the wig clips.
In the second method of making the wig of the Invention, a manufacturer may modify an existing completed wig, as defined herein, to produce the wig of the Invention as described above. As used herein, the ‘manufacturer’ may be a wig supplier but also may be a social media influencer, the wearer, or any other person. For example, a social media influencer who demonstrates modifying a completed wig to become the wig of the Invention is a ‘manufacturer.’ As a first alternative, the manufacturer may start with a wig that has no opening, but that is otherwise complete. The foundation of the wig may include a top portion composed of fabric with human or synthetic hair crocheted to the top portion. The manufacturer may cut the fabric of the top portion from front to back at a location corresponding to the part of the wearer's natural hair when the wearer is wearing the wig, with the cut in the fabric defining an opening. As described above, the manufacturer may sew or adhere a plurality of wig clips to the underside of the top portion on either edge of the opening and may attach a wig clip to the underside of the top portion at the back end of the opening. The result is the wig of the Invention.
As a second alternative, the manufacturer may start with a completed wig that has some but not all the features of the wig of the Invention. For example, a completed wig has an opening but does not include wig clips on either side of the opening. The manufacturer, who may be the wearer or a social media influencer, may install the wig clips as described above. The result is the wig of the Invention.
As a third alternative, the manufacturer may start with a completed wig that has wig clips installed on either side of a location where the opening will be cut but that does not yet include an opening. The manufacturer, who may be the wearer or a social media influencer, may cut the opening. The result is the wig of the Invention.
Unlike the prior art, the method and wig of the Invention do not require that the installer provide a leave-out of the wearer's natural hair at the wearer's part to disguise the edges of the opening, and the wig hairs adjacent to the opening appear to grow from the wearer's scalp.
In certain implementation, the invention comprises a wig with a foundation that defines a side portion and a top portion. The side portion conforms to the sides of the head of a wearer, and the top portion is composed of a fabric. The top portion is configured to conform to the top of the head of the wearer, with the fabric defining an opening. This opening can be in various shapes, such as U, V, or slit, and features a scalloped edge for a more natural appearance.
The wig includes a plurality of wig clips attached to the underside of the top portion to secure the wig to the wearer's hair. Wig hairs are attached to the top portion at the opposing edges of the opening, with the color of the fabric matching the wig hairs to ensure a seamless blend.
The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.
Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.
Disclosed is an exercise machine for a total body workout and building coordination among body movements. The disclosed exercise machine is compact and requires a limited floor area. The level of resistance can be adjusted according to the needs of a user. Moreover, the resistance for the upper body portion and the legs can be adjusted separately making the disclosed apparatus versatile and the exercise experience better, joyful, and time efficient.
As used in this document, the following terms have the following meanings:
Adhesive—A glue or other agent that will adhere to a fabric and that also will adhere to a wig clip. The adhesive may define a two-sided tape. The two-sided tape may be a differential tape and may include a first adhesive on the first end that will adhere to the wig clip and a second adhesive on the opposite second end that will adhere to the fabric.
Anchor braid—An anchor braid is a braid of the wearer's natural hair comprising two, three, or four groups of hairs that are braided together in a row close to the scalp. A wig clip may be attached to anchor braids to attach the wig to the wearer. Alternatively, the wig clip may be attached to the wearer's natural hair between the wearer's natural part and the anchor braid.
Anchor location—In a prior art U-part wig, a robust location on the foundation to which wig clips are sewn adjacent to the U-shaped opening.
Cap or Foundation—a substrate to which wig hairs or wefts are attached and that supports the wig hairs or wefts. The cap or foundation may be composed of a fabric and is attached to the natural hair of the wearer.
Completed wig—As used herein and relating to modifying an existing wig to define the wig of the Invention, a ‘completed wig’ is a prior art wig that is otherwise ready for wear but that does not include an opening or wig clips attached on either side of the opening. A ‘completed wig’ is also a wig that does not include the opening but does include wig clips along the opposing edges of where the opening will be when the opening is cut. A ‘completed wig’ also is a wig that includes the opening but does not include the wig clips disposed on either side of the opening.
Crochet or ventilate—the labor-intensive process of attaching individual human or synthetic hairs to a fabric wig foundation by passing a specialized wig crochet hook through the foundation, pulling the human hair through the foundation, and knotting the wig hair to the foundation. Wig hairs are attached to the foundation by crocheting (ventilating) one hair at a time or a few hairs at a time.
Crocheted hair—wig hair, usually human hair, that has been attached to a foundation by crocheting.
Fabric—means any sheet material that is adequately flexible to conform to a wearer's head, including a woven, knitted, or fused stranded fabric, polyurethane or other synthetic sheet, or any other suitable material. A fabric may have a single layer. The fabric also may have two or more layers.
Fraying and unraveling—a woven fabric, such as a plain weave, satin, or twill, will come apart when the woven threads become separated at an edge. A knitted fabric will unravel, or come apart, from an end.
Full lace wig—a wig including a lace foundation that covers the wearer's natural hair, including the natural part of a wearer.
Installing—in relation to installing a wig means installing the wig on the head of the wearer by the wearer and also means installing the wig on the head of the wearer by another person.
Lace—a woven, knitted, or fused fabric used for wig foundations. The lace usually is light in weight and low in strength.
Leave-out—For a prior art U-part wig, a ‘leave-out’ is the portion of the wearer's natural hair that is exposed by the U-shaped opening of the prior art wig and is generally two to four inches wide. The ends of the wearer's natural hair of the leave-out are not covered by the wig and are disposed over the wig hair at the edges of the U-shaped opening. The wearer must blend the wearer's natural hair of the leave-out with the wig hair. Differences in color, texture, or length can be readily apparent. The wearer of the wig of the Invention may optionally elect to create a narrow leave-out, for example of up to 0.5 inches in width as a style choice or to further hide the opposing edges of the opening.
Manufacturer—A maker of wig. The term ‘manufacturer’ also means any other person, such as a wearer of a wig or a social media influencer, who takes any of the steps of manufacturing the wig of the invention, including steps to modify a completed wig, as that term is defined, to become the wig of the Invention. For example, a social media influencer who cuts a completed wig to define an opening and adds wig clips adjacent to the opening is a manufacturer. The social media influencer who cuts an opening in a completed wig having wig clips disposed on opposing locations about which the opening is to be cut is also a manufacturer. The social media influencer who adds wig clips on either side of an opening defined by an otherwise completed wig is a manufacturer.
Natural hair—hair growing from the head of the wearer of the wig.
Natural part—The wearer's natural part is the portion of the wearer's scalp that is exposed when the wearer combs or brushes the wearer's natural hair in opposing directions.
Non-fraying and non-unraveling in ordinary and expected usage—a fabric that does not fray or unravel when worn and stored as wigs are usually worn and stored.
Opening—an opening communicating through the fabric top portion of the wig that corresponds in location to the natural part of a wearer when the wearer is wearing the wig. The opening may be defined by a single cut through the fabric of the top portion of the wig; alternatively, the opening may have any width or shape provided that the top portion will conform to the head of an adult human being and so that the edges of the opening may be disposed adjacent to the opposing sides of the wearer's natural part when the wig is installed on the head of the wearer.
Reinforce—to add structure that strengthens the edges of fabric at the opening. Reinforcement includes finishing and includes adding layers of the fabric or of another fabric at the edge. A fabric edge is unreinforced when no structure is added to the fabric edge to support a structural load or to prevent fraying or unraveling of the fabric.
Unfinished—With respect to the wig of the Invention, the opposing edges of the opening may be ‘unfinished’ when the edges are not modified to prevent fraying or unraveling of the edge or to reinforce the edge using any of the techniques for finishing an edge known in the sewing art, including a serge finish, a chemical sealant finish, a stitched edge finish, a zigzag seam, a hemmed fell seam finish, a bound edge finish, a scalloped edge finish, an overcast finish, a double-stitched finish, a piped edge, a heated edge finish and any other technique known in the sewing art for finishing an edge of a fabric.
Teasing—Teasing hair means back-combing the hair repeatedly towards the scalp, causing the hair to tangle and knot. When a person teases the hair adjacent to her scalp, the resulting tangles can engage and retain the wig clips of the Invention adjacent to the wearer's part.
U-part wig—a prior art wig that exposes the wearer's natural part and that exposes the wearer's hair around the part. The cap or foundation of a U-part wig includes a U-shaped opening that is two to four inches wide and that corresponds in location to a part in the wearer's natural hair. The prior art U-part wig requires a thick, reinforced edge at the part and requires the wearer's natural hair to be arranged in a leave-out over the part to hide the thick edges of the wig.
Weft—a row or fringe of human or synthetic hair that is attached, as by sewing, to a substrate. A weft is sometimes described as a portion of a hula skirt. By attaching a weft to a cap or foundation, a wig maker can attach a large number of hairs relatively quickly and without resorting to labor-intensive crocheting. The term ‘weft’ in wig-making art is different from ‘weft’ as applied to a woven fabric.
Wig clip—a clip that is attached to the wig foundation to attach the wig foundation to the wearer's natural hair. The term ‘wig clip’ in this document also means ‘wig comb,’ as both of those terms are used in the wig art unless the context specifically requires otherwise. In a prior art U-part wig, each wig clip is sewn to a robust and thick anchor location on the foundation on either side of the part. The wig clips of the Invention may be sewn with or without adhesive to the top portion, which may comprise a single layer or two or more layers of fabric.
Wig hair—means one or more strands that are or that will be attached to a wig foundation to mimic or represent human hair. The wig hair may be composed of human hair or may be synthetic. Synthetic hair may be composed of any material to mimic human hair, including thread.
The wig 2 of the Invention includes a foundation 4, shown by
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In this document and in the drawings, element names or numbers appearing in more than one drawing or more than one paragraph relate to the same or equivalent elements unless the context requires otherwise.
The following is a list of numbered elements in the specification and drawings.
In certain implementations, the wig includes:
Foundation: The foundation defines a side portion and a top portion. The side portion conforms to the sides of the head, and the top portion is composed of a fabric that conforms to the top of the head. The fabric defines an opening that communicates through the fabric.
Fabric: The fabric can be lace or another type of fabric. It defines the top portion and the opposing edges of the opening, which are unfinished and un-reinforced. The fabric color matches the color of the wig hairs for a natural appearance.
Wig Clips: A plurality of wig clips are attached at corresponding edges on the underside of the top portion, securing the wig to the wearer's hair.
Wig Hairs: Wig hairs are attached to the top portion at the opposing edges of the opening. These hairs can be human or synthetic and are coupled to the top portion through knots. The wig hairs along the edges are profiled differently from those in the rest of the top portion, and the fabric is the same color as the wig hairs.
Reinforcing Structure: The top portion further includes a reinforcing structure to enhance durability and stability. The rest of the top portion may include wefts or be devoid of wefts, with hand-tied wig hairs.
Crown Pieces: The separate crown pieces are designed to enhance the versatility and comfort of the wig system. They can cover the crown area or other parts of the wearer's head and can be used independently or with the U-part wig. These pieces are characterized by: Fabric: Like the wig's top portion, the crown pieces are made from fabric that can be lace or another type of fabric. The fabric color matches the wig hairs.
Edges: The opposing edges of the crown pieces are unfinished and un-reinforced. The surrounding area of the fabric may be either reinforced or un-reinforced.
Wig Hairs: High-density wig hairs are attached to the crown piece at the opposing edges of the opening. These hairs match the fabric color to ensure the fabric is virtually undetectable. The wig hairs can be hand-tied/knotted along the edges and may include or be devoid of wefts in the remainder of the crown area.
Scalloped Edge: The crown pieces may feature a scalloped edge to enhance blending with the wearer's natural hair or scalp, providing a more seamless appearance.
The crown pieces and the U-part wig can be attached to the wearer's hair using various methods, including:
Wig Clips: Securing the pieces independently to the wearer's hair using wig clips.
Sewing: Sewing the pieces directly to the wearer's hair, scalp, or a nylon stocking cap using techniques that minimize visibility, such as a back stitch.
Adhesive: Using adhesive or bonding agents to glue the pieces to the wearer's hair or scalp.
Other Methods: Other attachment methods are suitable for securing the hairpieces.
The scalloped edge design is an innovative feature that enhances the natural appearance and functionality of the wig and hairpieces. This design consists of small, rounded, or V-shaped curves along the edge, creating a zigzag pattern. The scalloped edge is implemented along the edge of the opening in the top portion of the wig and the edges of the separate hairpieces. This design helps blend the hairpiece with the wearer's natural hair or scalp, reducing visibility and providing a more seamless appearance. The small zigzag curves or sharp zigzag V-like scalloped area provide a more natural and seamless finish than a straight edge. This reduces the requirement to create frizzy hair around the edge to create a more natural appearance and hide the edge. Especially when wearing a no-leave-out style, it makes the transition from the wearer's parting area more natural and seamless, making the product more beginner-friendly. It also decreases the requirement of having frizzy processed hairs in that area.
Both the wig and hairpiece system are designed to allow the user to wear their real scalp in their parting area without any of their hair left out to cover the wig, or they can wear a thinner section of their hair out compared to traditional wigs with an opening at the top. This design offers better weight distribution and increased comfort, reducing the chances of experiencing traction alopecia. The system improves comfort levels, increases wear time, and decreases the likelihood of alopecia.
The innovation of separating the top hair piece from the larger portion of the wig to create a wig system addresses several critical issues associated with wigs in which the crown is attached and worn while exposing wearers' real scalp and the wig top opening is intended to mic hair roots. The primary purposes of this separation include:
Better weight distribution: By distributing the weight of the wig more evenly across the head, this design alleviates the pressure and strain traditionally exerted on the top portion of the head. This results in a more comfortable wearing experience.
Reduced Risk of Alopecia: The decreased strain on the scalp minimizes the risk of traction alopecia, an issue for some when wearing wigs for the use of wearing their real scalp in their parting areas while the wig mimics real hair roots. For some wearers, these wigs can pull on the hair follicles and lead to hair loss over time.
Extended Wear Time: The improved comfort and reduced strain allow wearers to comfortably wear the wig for longer periods, enhancing the usability of the product.
Versatility: This modular approach allows users to customize their look more easily by mixing and matching different top pieces and larger wig portions, catering to a variety of styles and preferences.
Improved Ventilation: Separating the top piece can also improve airflow to the scalp, reducing heat buildup and increasing comfort, especially in warmer climates.
Ease of Maintenance: Smaller, separate pieces can be more easily cleaned and maintained compared to a full wig, ensuring better hygiene and longevity of the wig system.
The scalloped edge design of both the opening in the top portion of the wig and the hair system's crown piece offers several advantages over traditional straight edges:
Enhanced Blending: The small, curved zigzag or sharp spiky-like scalloped edge blends more seamlessly with the wearer's natural hairline, creating a more natural and undetectable appearance.
Reduced Frizz Requirement: The scalloped design reduces the need to process the hair to be frizzy around the edges, which is typically done to create a more natural look. This not only simplifies the manufacturing process but also maintains the integrity of the hair fibers.
Beginner-Friendly Application: For individuals new to wearing wigs, the scalloped edge makes it easier to achieve a natural-looking finish without extensive styling skills. This feature is particularly beneficial for no-leave-out styles, where the transition from the wearer's parting area needs to be smooth and natural.
Improved Stability: The scalloped edge can also enhance the grip and stability of the wig or crown piece, preventing it from shifting during wear and ensuring a secure fit.
Aesthetic Appeal: The scalloped edge adds a visually pleasing detail that can enhance the overall aesthetic of the wig, making it more appealing to potential users.
High-Density Hand-Tied Hairs: The high density of hand-tied hairs along the edges ensures full coverage of the fabric, making it virtually undetectable and enhancing the natural appearance of the wig. This feature is particularly useful for no-leave-out styles.
Versatile Fabric Options: The use of lace or other types of fabrics for the top piece and crown pieces allows for customization based on user preferences and specific styling needs. The fabric is selected to match the color of the wig hair roots, ensuring a seamless blend.
Attachment Methods: The wig system supports multiple attachment methods, including wig clips, sewing, and adhesives. This versatility allows users to choose the method that best suits their comfort and lifestyle.
Scalability and Customization: The modular design of the wig system enables users to scale their wig collection by adding different top pieces and crown pieces, providing endless customization options to suit various occasions and personal styles.
By incorporating these features, the wig system not only addresses common pain points associated with wigs but also introduces new levels of comfort, customization, and aesthetic appeal. This innovative approach ensures that users can achieve a natural, seamless look while maintaining the health and integrity of their natural hair and scalp.
In certain implementations, the scalloped edge design for both the opening in the top portion of the wig and the edges of the separate crown pieces is an innovative feature that enhances the natural appearance and functionality of the hairpiece system. This design consists of small, rounded or V-shaped curves along the edge, creating a zigzag pattern. Here, we provide a detailed description of the scalloped edge to ensure a comprehensive understanding of its purpose and benefits.
The scalloped edge is characterized by a series of evenly spaced, small curves or points that create a wavy or zigzag pattern. These curves can be either rounded (resembling a scallop shell) or sharp (resembling a series of small V-shaped notches). The size and spacing of these curves can vary depending on the desired effect, but typically, the curves are small enough to provide a subtle, natural transition between the wig or crown piece and the wearer's natural hair or scalp.
Top Portion of the Wig: In the top opening of the wigs u, v, or slit, the scalloped edge is implemented along the edge of the opening in the top portion. This opening, which can be U-shaped, V-shaped, or slit, features a scalloped edge to blend more seamlessly with the wearer's natural parting area. The scalloped design is intended to break up the straight line of the opening, making it less noticeable and more natural-looking.
Crown Pieces: The separate crown pieces, which can be used with or without the U-part wig, also feature a scalloped edge along the part of the piece closest to the wearer's exposed scalp or parting area. If the crown piece consists of multiple pieces, the scalloped edge is applied to the edge of each piece that sits closest to the hair parting area.
Enhanced Blending: The scalloped edge design allows for better blending with the wearer's natural hair or scalp. The irregular, wavy pattern breaks up the straight line that is often noticeable with traditional hairpiece edges, creating a more natural and seamless appearance.
Reduced Visibility: By creating a less uniform edge, the scalloped design reduces the visibility of the fabric or lace, making the transition between the hairpiece and the natural hair or scalp less detectable. This feature is particularly beneficial for no-leave-out styles, where the wearer's natural hair is not used to cover the edges of the hairpiece.
Less Need for Frizz: Traditional hairpieces often require the hair along the edges to be processed to be frizzy or kinky curly to help hide the fabric. The scalloped edge design reduces the need for this processing, as the natural-looking curves already help to disguise the edge.
Beginner-Friendly: The scalloped edge design makes the hairpiece easier to apply for beginners. The natural transition created by the scalloped edge means that less styling skill is required to achieve a natural look, making the product more accessible to a wider audience.
Aesthetic Appeal: The scalloped edge adds a visually appealing detail to the hairpiece. This design not only improves functionality but also enhances the overall look of the wig and crown pieces, making them more attractive to consumers.
Curve Size and Shape: The size and shape of the curves can be adjusted to suit different preferences. Larger curves may be used for a more dramatic effect, while smaller curves provide a subtler transition. The curves can be rounded or sharp, depending on the desired aesthetic.
Application Areas: While the primary application of the scalloped edge is along the opening of the top portion of the wig and the edges of the crown pieces, this design can also be applied to other parts of the hairpiece to enhance blending and natural appearance.
It is also envisioned that the images and detailed diagrams of the scalloped edge design can be included to provide a visual representation of the concept. This description serves as a comprehensive guide to the purpose, benefits, and implementation of the scalloped edge, ensuring that the innovative nature of this feature is clearly communicated and protected.
Referring to
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.
This application is a continuation-in-part of a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/361,788 filed on Jul. 28, 2023, which is a continuation of a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/933,143 filed on Sep. 19, 2022 and a divisional of a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/519,501, filed on Nov. 4, 2021, wherein the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/361,788 also claims priority from a U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 63/253,959 filed on Oct. 8, 2021, also the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/933,143 is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/519,501 filed on Nov. 4, 2021, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/519,501 is also entitled to priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/174,774 filed Apr. 14, 2021, 63/218,614 filed Jul. 6, 2021, 63/253,959 filed Oct. 8, 2021, and 63/254,386 filed Oct. 11, 2021, all of the above are incorporated herein by reference. This application is also a continuation-in-part of a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/519,527 filed on Nov. 4, 2021, which is a continuation of a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/519,501 filed on Nov. 4, 2021, wherein the U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 17/519,527 and 17/519,501 are also entitled to priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/174,774 filed Apr. 14, 2021, 63/218,614 filed Jul. 6, 2021, 63/253,959 filed Oct. 8, 2021, and 63/254,386 filed Oct. 11, 2021, all of the above are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63659533 | Jun 2024 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17519501 | Nov 2021 | US |
| Child | 18792434 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17933143 | Sep 2022 | US |
| Child | 18792434 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18361788 | Jul 2023 | US |
| Child | 18792434 | US |
