WIG MAINTENANCE DEVICE

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hairpiece maintenance, and, more particularly, to a wig maintenance device.

Wigs and other hairpieces require care and upkeep, such as washing, like natural human hair. Traditionally, wigs are washed in a sink, tub, or basin of water and then hung to dry, with or without blow drying. Drying in this manner is disadvantageous because fluid can drip from the wig and puddle on the surface below the wig, causing a slipping hazard. Furthermore, maintenance of wigs mounted to a mannequin head, such as cutting and styling, can leave trimmings and other material to collect on the surface below the wig, causing an undesirable mess.

As can be seen, there is a need for a device that prevents wet and/or messy surfaces otherwise produced during wig maintenance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a wig maintenance device comprises a water resistant, elongated hood having a concave inner surface, a convex outer surface, and a fold formed along at least one edge thereof, a pocket formed on the convex outer surface at a first end of the water resistant, elongated hood; a flexible reinforcement strip contained within the fold; and an absorbent installed within the pocket for mess-free maintenance of hair pieces. The device may be formed of water repellant material, such as polyester, and may include a flexible reinforcement strip enclosed in a sealable flap for securing the apparatus to a structure. The pocket can capture fluids and materials used during maintenance of synthetic hair. The absorbent can include an absorbing liner, an absorbing cover, and an absorbing material disposed within the absorbing cover. The absorbent captures and retains fluids associated with wig maintenance for a safe, clean workspace.

The wig maintenance device is water resistant and can be used to prevent any mess. For example, it helps prevent leaks and spills of water and chemicals, e.g., haircare chemicals. The device can be used in every workstation. For example, the device can be used to cut, blow dry, and style hair in a hairpiece and it can be used for a rest station when the hair is wet.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wig maintenance device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, shown in use;

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view thereof; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view thereof, shown in a flattened condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated 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 is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a wig maintenance device that can prevent messes associated with wig care and maintenance.

The wig maintenance device is sometimes called the “Wig Dripper” herein.

The wig maintenance device comprises a hood manufactured of a water repellant material. The hood may have a pocket at the rear, configured to receive water dripping from a wig placed on top of the hood, and a reinforcement insert at the top front, operative to retain the wig maintenance device suspended from a doorknob, banister, towel hook, etc. The pocket generally contains a water absorbent pad and a water absorbent sock containing a water absorbent material.

The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited. For example, the hood may be made of polyester and the reinforcement insert may be a flexible strip of plastic.

To use the wig dripper, the user may place the wig dripper on a doorknob. The user may wash the hair and drape the wig over the wig dripper, then transfer the wig dripper onto a mannequin head, and start the process of hair cutting or blow drying. Any water dripping from the wig may drip directly into the insulated pocket containing absorbent material.

To make the wig dripper, the manufacturer may cut fabric to predetermined dimensions and sew the fabric to form the hood, body, and pocket. For example, the head piece or hood of The Wig Dripper may be about 12 in.×about 8½ in. The body of The Wig Dripper may be about 18 in. long. The insulated pocket may be about 10 in. deep. A flexible plastic strip may be inserted in a flap on the front of the hood. Absorbent padding and an absorbent sock may be placed in the pocket.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, FIG. 1 illustrates a wig maintenance device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown with a hair piece 12, such as a wig, weave, etc. thereon. For simplicity, the hair piece will be referred to as a wig 12. The wig maintenance device comprises a hood 26 with a pocket 14A formed at one end of a water resistant material 22. The pocket may contain an absorbent pad 14B.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pocket 14A may be held in an open position to receive water or trimmings 12A from the wig 12 by way of an absorbent cover, sleeve, or sock 16 containing an absorbent material 18, shown in more detail in FIG. 3. The pad 14B may be folded, with the sock 16 folded between the ends of the pad 14B.

The device 10 may be placed on a mannequin head 20 with the pocket 14A positioned at a rear of the mannequin head 20.

FIG. 5 illustrates the presence of a flexible plastic strip 24 installed inside of a flap of the hood 26 comprising a water repellant fabric 22, which retains the shape of the hood 26 and keeps the device 10 in place on a substrate such as a doorknob.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.