Abstract: A packaging includes an elongated member having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The elongated member is elongated along a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends. At least one hair product having a plurality of hair strands is wound around the elongated member. The packaging also includes at least one wrap wound around the elongated member over the hair strands so as to keep the hair strands wound around the elongated member.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes an form which holds a hair extension and maintains the order and curl of the strands of hair. The form provides optimum display of the wig or hair extension evaluation by the prospective user. In addition, after purchase, the form provides a means for convenient space-saving storage of the hair extension which maintains the appearance of the hair extension.

Abstract: A box and/or form for a wig or hair piece are provided. The form may include a torus-shaped member and a mandrel. In use, the wig or hair piece may be wrapped about or otherwise secured to the mandrel and the mandrel may be placed within a lumen of the torus-shaped member. A curved or curled portion of the strands of hair of the wig or hair piece may extend over a curved surface of the torus-shaped member. The wig form and attached wig or hair piece may be covered with a hairnet and may be placed in a box for sale to a consumer or for storage by the consumer after sale. Embodiments allow the display before sale and convenient storage of wigs and hair pieces by the consumer while preserving the curl of the hair.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment providing one or more improvements includes wig or hair piece boxes for both the efficient storage and display of wigs or hair pieces before sell, as well as providing simple, efficient and effective storage facilities for wigs or hair pieces for use of the consumer. The wig or hair piece boxes include a form which holds the wig or hair piece and preserves the curl, style, and one directional curl of the hair tip end on the wig or hair piece. This avoids the common problem of loss of original curl and style of the wig or hair piece which plagues conventional wig and hair piece boxes.

Abstract: A ball cap shaper for restoring and maintaining an original pre-washed shape of a ball cap. The ball cap shaper generally includes a support apparatus having a lower surface and an upper surface, the lower surface being substantially planar, the upper surface having a curved-hemispherical shape. The support apparatus is comprised of a compressible and resilient material. An absorbent member having a lower surface and an upper surface covers at least a portion of the support apparatus, wherein the lower surface of the absorbent member is in contact with the upper surface of the support apparatus to substantially cover an entire the upper surface of the support apparatus. The upper surface of the absorbent member faces outwardly from the support apparatus and adapted to receive an inside surface of a crown of a cap for retaining a curved-hemispherical shape of the cap and absorbing moisture from the crown.

Abstract: A ball cap blocking and stretching system includes a steamer and a stretcher on which the crown of the ball cap is positioned, and a brim positioner. The steamer has a crown-contourer for contouring the crown that has a hemispherical shape and includes at least one aperture for emitting steam; and a steam generator located substantially within and in communication with the crown-contourer. The stretcher includes a front-contourer overlappingly provided adjacent to the crown-contourer so that the inside surface of the crown of the ball cap covers the front-contourer and the crown-contourer; a mover for cooperatively moving the front-contourer relative to the crown-contourer for stretching at least the perimeter of the crown in cooperation with the steamer; and a stretcher fixator for temporarily fixing the position of the front-contourer relative to the crown-contourer when the mover is moved. Additionally provided is a ball cap blocking and stretching kit and method.

Abstract: A hat pallet for use in a printer which prints an image onto a hat of the type having a cap and a brim attached thereto includes a bottom plate and a top plate mountable in a closed position over the bottom plate. The bottom plate includes a printing plate and a brim support fixedly mounted thereon. The top plate has an opening exposing at least a portion of the printing plate when the top plate is in the closed position. The brim support is positioned relative to the printing plate such that when the hat is mounted in the pallet with the top plate in the closed position, a portion of the cap on which the image is to be printed is supported on the printing plate and exposed through the opening of the top plate and the underside of the brim of the hat is supported by the brim support.

Abstract: A cap drying and shaping apparatus includes a substantially planar base, an inflatable bladder disposed proximal one end of the planar base, and a ribbed cage member. The ribbed cage member includes a domed portion having a predetermined radius to the apex and a predetermined diameter parallel to the planar base, and a planar portion at least as long and wide as a bill on a typical ball cap. Attachment means are disposed on top of the planar base for removably clamping the ribbed cage member to the planar base.

Abstract: The technology described herein provides a device and associated methods for storing, displaying, and shaping hats, caps, or the like. This device includes multiple rings of the same diameter and multiple rings of varied diameters to provide for the storing and displaying of a multiplicity of hats while simultaneously maintaining the curvature of the brim portion of the hat. This device provides for the training of the brim of a hat to a particular degree of curvature as desired by the wearer and as selected from the multiple rings of varied diameters of the device. Other comparable uses are also contemplated herein, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Abstract: A portable apparatus that allows users to block, steam, stretch, and/or dry ball caps, including a kit and methods. The ball cap is placed onto the steamer. The steamer has a hemispherical back portion that provides steam, and a front portion that moves to stretch the ball cap while excluding steam from the decorated front portion of the ball cap. The ball cap can be stretched, with or without steam, to adjust the size of the cap. The ball cap can be hot-air dried by the apparatus to block the ball cap to the correct shape. The front portions may be interchangeable with different front portions having different shapes.

Abstract: A method of making a fur plate includes cutting lengthwise at least one elongate animal tail skin having fur to form a plurality of split tail pieces, and cutting at least one of the split tail pieces to form a plurality of short tail pieces. A plate backing material form is provided by a tongue of backing material having a pair of sides which form a long dimension, and a pair of ends which form a short dimension, the ends comprising a proximal end and a distal end. A split tail piece is attached to the tongue along each of the sides and layers of short tail pieces are attached to the tongue adjacent to the distal end. To make a hat, a plurality of fur plates are attached to the crown of a hat shell by attaching the proximal ends of the tongues to the crown so that the tongues overlap and form a ring bounded by the fur on the sides.

Abstract: A hat shaping and drying support assembly includes a base with a back portion and a front portion. Each of the front and back portions has a bottom side, a top side, a pair of lateral sides, an outer side and an inner side wherein the inner sides face toward each other. A rear frame is attached to and extends upwardly from the top side of the back portion and a front frame is attached to and extends upwardly from the top side of the front portion. A coupler is mounted to the rear and front frames such that the rear and front frames may be selectively moved with respect to each other. A biasing assembly is attached to the coupler for selectively biasing the back and front portions away from each other. A wet hat is positioned on the front and rear frames for drying and shaping.

Abstract: A storage and display device for baseball-type caps having a domed cap section and a brim mounted thereon includes a base and at least one generally concave brim shaping and receiving arcuate wall section mounted on and extending outwards from the base, the arcuate wall section having an inner curved wall surface and outer edges. The arcuate wall section is operative to receive a brim of a baseball-type cap therein and force the brim to retain a curved shape along a longitudinal axis thereof when the brim is in at least partial adjacent contact with the inner curved wall surface. A brim retaining wall structure mounted adjacent the outer edges of the arcuate wall section frictionally contacts a section of the brim when the brim is within the arcuate wall section thereby releasably retaining the brim on the storage and display device.

Abstract: A system for cleaning and blocking hats involves the use of a water impervious, elastomeric, foam form that permits a hat to be washed with a conventional laundry washing detergent without shrinking or losing its shape. The spongy, foam form is resiliently compressed somewhat so that, following laundering, the hat can be mounted upon the form in tight-fitting engagement therewith. The hat, mounted upon the form, is then left to dry in open air. The hat, once dried following laundering, may be removed from the form and sprayed with an appropriate aerosol spray that stiffens and retards deformation of the hat. The hat, while still moist from the spray, is placed back on the form and is then left to again dry in ambient air. Once dry, the hat is removed from the form. Following this treatment the hat is clean, but is not deformed by shrinking or otherwise. To the contrary, it retains its original shape and blocking.

Abstract: This invention satisfies a long felt need to protect a typical baseball type cap from the crushing forces often associated with shipping and packaging. This invention incorporates the not previously used idea of a half-crown or full-crown insert to support the cap from underneath against crushing forces occurring during shipping which tend to make an unsupported hat have a sloppy, wrinkled and undesirable appearance. The insert is retained inside the baseball type cap by tucking it into or around the sweatband. The industry has typically used outer rigid packaging covers to protect the cap during shipping and packaging. While these covers protect the cap from crushing forces, they do not support the crown portion from underneath. An underneath supporting insert will force the cap to retain its shape for long periods of time and can be used by the retail purchaser to retain the cap's shape when not in use.

Abstract: A storage and display device for baseball-type caps having a domed cap section and a brim mounted thereon includes a base and at least one generally concave brim shaping and receiving arcuate wall section mounted on and extending outwards from the base, the arcuate wall section having an inner curved wall surface and outer edges. The arcuate wall section is operative to receive a brim of a baseball-type cap therein and force the brim to retain a curved shape along a longitudinal axis thereof when the brim is in at least partial adjacent contact with the inner curved wall surface. A brim retaining wall structure mounted adjacent the outer edges of the arcuate wall section frictionally contacts a section of the brim when the brim is within the arcuate wall section thereby releasably retaining the brim on the storage and display device.

Abstract: The present invention is a storage and shaping device for caps having a bill. The device is comprised of a cavity that is sized to accommodate at least one billed cap. The cavity has an opening on one end that allows for the insertion of caps into the device. A portion of the cavity is provided as a bill shaping structure.

Abstract: A folding hanger for hats comprised of a hook detail, suspending a foldable support, on which vertically depends an oval shaped flat ring. The hook detail, foldable support, and ring are molded of plastic, in a generally flat form. The hook detail and foldable support are attached to the oval shaped flat ring, and folded into a generally box-shaped structure by a user. This foldable box-shaped support provides protection for a brim of a hat, and suspends the oval shaped flat ring. The ring is inserted into the crown of a hat, and retains the hat by maintaining outwardly tensile pressure, throughout circumference of inside of the crown, thereby retaining, and protecting its shape.

Abstract: A device for reforming the brim of a cap having a flexible frame constructed of two flexible members and a third, hinged arcuate member, of rigid construction is provided. The two flexible members are attached to the top of the curved, rigid, bottom member and are maintained in a parallel relationship regardless of the degree of articulation of the bottom member around the hinge. This construction allows the user to insert a cap brim into the parallel slot and bend the device thereby imparting a variable degree of curvature to the brim of the cap. A ratchet device is connected to the bottom member to allow the device to be adjusted or set in a specific position to impart the desired curvature to the brim. In addition, the device has a mounting hook at one end for hanging so that it can be used as a storage or display device while the cap is retained therein.

Abstract: A cap storage and bill shape maintenance device (10) is adapted to receive the bills of a plurality of baseball or similar type caps, and to maintain the curvature of the bills of those caps. A main body (20) is formed of substantially mirror image front and back halves (30), (50) connected by a plurality of peg and socket or similar fastening structures. A plurality of generally horseshoe-shaped bill slots is defined in the main body. Two feet (70), (80) are attachable to the lower edge to support the main body in a vertical orientation. A hanger (90) attaches to a upper edge of the main body, and allows the device to be supported by the upper edge of a door, a rod in a closet, or other supporting structure. In use, by curving the bill of a cap, such as a baseball cap, the bill may be inserted into the bill slot. Time spent by the bill of the cap in the bill slot tends to overcome the resilience of the bill, allowing it to retain the rounded shape for hours.

Abstract: A hat shaping arrangement. The hat shaping arrangement comprises an inflation assembly and a inflatable bladder assembly. The bladder assembly has an air receiving space, an air port, and a deflated state. The bladder assembly is configured to substantially conform to an interior circumference of a hat to be shaped when the bladder assembly is in said deflated state. The inflation assembly is in fluid communication with the air receiving space through the air port. The inflation assembly is adapted to selectively input air pressure to and release air pressure from the air receiving space through the air port to inflate the bladder assembly toward conformance with an interior surface of the hat and deflate the bladder assembly away from conformance with the interior surface of the hat to be shaped thereby facilitating the retention of the shape of the hat.

Abstract: A device for bending a cap brim includes first and second interconnected block members each having an S-shaped portion upwardly extending from the outer edge thereof that forms a groove on the upper surface for receiving a side edge of a cap brim. An externally threaded shaft extends from an inwardly facing side of one of the block members and is threadedly received within a threaded bore on the other block member whereby rotation of the shaft moves the block members toward each other. Accordingly, a user can bend a cap brim to a desired curvature by securing the brim within the block grooves and moving the blocks a select distance until the desired curvature is achieved.

Abstract: A combination cap hanger and cap brim curving device (10) that is especially designed to hold and display a “baseball-type” hat (40) while retaining the cap brim (42) at an angle of 176°. The device (10) consists of an integrally molded, rectangular arched body (12) having a middle portion (14), a first end (16) and a second end (18). From the middle portion (14) extends upward a hook (20) that is configured and dimensioned to allow the device (10) to be hung on a conventional clothes hanging rod (44). The device (10) features, near each end (16, 18) a circular, hollow sleeve (24). The sleeves (24) are each dimensioned to allow the cap brim (42) to be inserted into the sleeve (24) with the portion of the cap (40) adjacent the brim (42) resting and displayed above the surface of the sleeve (24).

Abstract: A hat hanger device for safely storing a hat when not being worn. The hat hanger device includes includes a frame having a first elongate support member and a second elongate support member which is attached to the first elongate support member and has a second end portion which is spaced from and parallel to the first elongate support member, and further includes an arm member being pivotally and biasedly attached to a first end of the first elongate support member and having a padded member securely attached to a second end thereof, and also includes a ring member which is securely attached to a second end of the second elongate support member and is adapted to fit about the crown of a hat; and further includes a hook member which is pivotally secured in a coupling member which is also pivotally attached to the first elongate support member. In combination, the arm member and the ring member securely retains a hat to the hat hanger device.

Abstract: An attachment 10 being made with a springy, yet relatively rigid material includes at least one U-shaped arm 12 which is in contact with an internal surface of a crown 22 of a headgear 20. The crown has an opening which is larger than its ordinary size for a wearer's head 30. The arm has two end portions oriented toward the left and right portions of a lower periphery of the crown respectively, spaced apart to each other in a distance shorter than a width between the left and right sides of the head, adapted to clamp the left and right sides of the head in the springy manner, also adapted to make the opening of the crown narrowed in its left and right directions while the opening is lengthened elliptically in its front and rear directions to provide air space to the head, whereby the air space can engage to ventilate scalp 32 of the head keeping cool and dry and also to prevent hair 34 of the head from being disturbed and pressed.

Abstract: A device for bowing the brim of a cap and for storing, transporting, washing and/or displaying such cap having a body portion with first and second retention arms extending upwards at each end thereof forming first and second receipt areas at their junctions for receipt therein of the first side and second side of the cap brim, to form such brim into a desired curve. Notches can be disposed inward of each of the receipt areas for receipt of one side of the brim to form alternate brim receipt areas for different desired brim curvatures.

Abstract: A support device for a cap is formed as a block of compressible, resilient material shaped generally to conform to the inside of a cap and sized somewhat larger than a cap to be supported. The support device is compressed, inserted into a cap, and released to secure the device within the cap. The cap supporting device can be used to support a cap for retail or collection display as well as for transportation or in other instances when the cap is to be protected. Since the cap supporting device of the present application can also be used to support a cap during washing and/or drying of a cap, ventilation holes can be formed partially or entirely through the device. The cap supporting device can be formed as a solid block of material or can be formed as a shell or hollow generally hemispherical block. While the device tends to be self-securing within a cap, it can also be secured within a cap by means of clips which engage a portion of the device and extend over the outside of a cap.

Abstract: The present invention features a brim-shaping device for a baseball-type cap, a device that helps create and maintain the desired curvature of the cap brim. The shaping device is a mold that has a substantially hollow, curved body, and a curved, shaping slot for insertion of the cap brim into the hollow, curved body. The mold may have a number of slots running along the sides of it to allow for aeration of the cap when it is wet, so that the cap will dry more easily after washing. The hollow mold is shaped to present the cap at a given angle, so that the cap portion is displayed above the brim as it rests in the shaping slot. The given angle, usually approximately thirty degrees, presents a good angle for a viewing display. This angle also allows a washed baseball cap to drain of water. The mold itself is attachable to a display rack, so that the shaping device can also double as a merchandising tool during the sale of the cap. That is, both the cap and the shaping tool can be sold together as a single unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reforming a visor of a baseball type cap including a flexible member to be positioned adjacent the visor and having retention plates along the sides or center thereof that form visor receiving slots to position and retain the visor during reforming. Clips may be used in lieu of slots to retain the visor. Straps or similar elongated devices are affixed to the sides of the flexible member and are tensioned to draw said sides together thereby imparting an increased angular contour to the visor. Latches on the straps hold the desired tension and visor contour until the visor has assumed the new contour set. The method may include moisturizing the visor and may be performed iteratively to permit various intermediate contours to be sampled or as required to provide the desired semi-permanent visor set.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display for billed caps which functions to suspend a cap either above a counter top via a cross-shaped base or via a string in order to rotate while operating to display a cap. The display includes first and second paperboard members which are interlocked via slots to form a skeleton crown supporting frame disposed interiorly of the cap and a suspension system located exteriorly above or below the cap to be displayed. The skeleton crown supporting frame functions to maintain the crown of the cap to be displayed in an appealing expanded state.

Abstract: A device for bowing the brim of a cap and for storing, transporting and/or displaying such cap having a central body portion extending downward on each side and terminating with upwardly extending retention arms at each side thereof forming first and second receipt areas for receipt therein of the first side and second side of the cap brim, to form such brim into a desired curve with an elastic band extending over the top of the brim from the first retention arm to the second retention arm. Slots can be disposed inward of one of the receipt areas for receipt of one side of the brim to form alternate brim receipt areas for different desired brim curvatures.

Abstract: A device for washing a ball cap in a dishwasher formed from a male top frame assembly and a female bottom frame assembly that nest together in a stacked formation. The front ends of the respective frame assemblies are pivotally secured to each other and there is structure for latching their rear ends together. There is a sufficient spacing between the respective frame assemblies when they are assembled together so that a ball cap placed between them is not wedged therein but free to move about. The ball cap device has been designed to be placed in a conventional dishwashing machine for washing a ball cap.

Abstract: A cap press includes a generally cylindrical base portion for stretching the body of a cap, and a visor clamp with a pair of jaws operably connected together to press the cap visor into a predetermined shape.

Abstract: A cap shaping and drying device having a mesh (16) covered support frame (12) conforming to the shape of the crown of ball caps (42). Also consisting of a conformable interconnected frame projection (14) used to support and shape the bill of ball caps (44). Device adequately and efficiently allows washed or wetted ball caps to regain their original shape and style during the drying phase.

Abstract: An adjustable cap shaper is described for supporting a cap during drying. The cap shaper includes a crown portion having a ring-shaped band and a plurality of arch members which converge towards each other and are held in the desired position by a connector. The arch members and the band are adjustable so that the cap shaper can be adjusted as to size and shape. The cap shaper can be used to support any type or size of cap for drying.

Abstract: A first arcuate band and a second arcuate band include a threaded rod and a ratchet rod, respectively, secured to one another by an adjustment block to define the operative elements of a hat stretcher. A pair of pawls, lockable in place, extend from the adjustment block to lockingly engage selected ratchet grooves of the ratchet rod and provide coarse adjustment. A threaded bore in the adjustment block threadedly receives the threaded rod to provide fine adjustment. Release and reengagement of the pawls with the selected grooves eliminates the need for readjustment of the hat stretcher between periods of use with a same sized hat.

Abstract: A portable hat box for a brimmed hat having an upper member and a lower member. The upper member being pivotal relative to the lower member about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. The members in the closed position completely enclose a hat chamber. Each of the members having a platen surface. The lower member platen surface is substantially complementary in shape to the upper member platen surface. The platen surfaces are adjacent having a substantially constant vertical clearance therebetween in the closed position. The platen surfaces are nonadjacent and obliquely related in the open position.

Abstract: A cap drier and shaper which achieves effectiveness is reconditioning a soiled fabric cap. The drier and shaper is presented in the form of a continuous side wall blending into a crown, a bill extending from the continuous side wall, and a cut-out area in the continuous side wall beneath the bill, the latter permitting a stacking relationship. The unit is fabricated and/or molded from a lightweight plastic resin and may include ventilating ports in the crown.

Abstract: A hat rack for effectively holding a hat in a manner and position simulative of the position that the hat would take when placed on a person's head and maintaining the shape of the hat without leaving any marks on the hat. The device includes a generally frustoconical hat form which is inserted into the hat with the form being generally oval shaped in plan configuration for shaping the hat. The device also includes a hanger bracket and adjustable arms forming a supporting linkage assembly to enable the hat to be supported from various supporting structures including but not limited to a vertical wall surface or the like, a horizontal desk or tabletop surface, the top edge of a seatback such as in a vehicle, on a dashboard of a vehicle, or in any other desired location with the adjustment features enabling the hat to be positioned generally in the attitude that the hat would assume when placed on a person's head.

Abstract: A drying insert for caps of the kind having stiff visors which wrinkle badly after being laundered and dried includes a rigid visor-shaped section to be pressed against the wet visor of a laundered cap and a crown section having a plurality of spaced arches. The crown section of the drying insert is forced snugly into the crown section of a wet freshly laundered cap, pressing the rigid visor-shaped section against the bottom surface of the wet visor of the cap. Means are provided for holding the visor against the rigid visor-shaped section of the insert, so that the cap retains its original shape as it is dried.

Abstract: A silk screen cap printing device has a saddle secured to a frame member for mounting a cap for printing. The saddle has a flat platen which supports the front panel of the cap and is further designed to provide interior supports to the cap thereby blocking it. This blocking prevents creases along the front panel and serves to maintain the cap in position during printing. A means for mounting the cap in the same position upon the saddle each time is provided by a registration plate which is secured to the frame in a spaced-apart perpendicular relationship to the platen and defines a channel between the platen and the plates for receiving the sweatband of the cap. Also connected to the frame is a silk screen which is adapted to move between an advanced position wherein the silk screen contacts the front panel of the cap which is mounted upon the saddle and a retracted position wherein the silk screen is withdrawn for changing caps.

Abstract: Presented is a hat blocking structure that is convertible to provide for the blocking of different styles of brims with different styles of crowns on hats to be blocked.