Wigs and Wig Elements and Related Methods
Wigs include a cloth member, having hairs attached thereto and shaped into a dome for receiving a user's head, and a polymer flexible member adhered to an underside of the cloth member using an adhesive which extends upwards through the cloth member to a topside of the cloth member to form a realistic scalp-like appearance at the topside of the cloth member and to more securely secure the hairs of the wig. Methods of wig modification include adhering a flexible polymer member to an underside of a cloth member of a wig with a flesh-toned adhesive which extends upwards through the cloth member and covers a portion of the topside of the cloth member. Methods of wig construction include providing a cloth member, forming at least one flexible polymer member and coupling hairs thereto, and coupling the flexible polymer member to the cloth member using a flesh-toned adhesive.
This document claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Utility Application Ser. No. 62/580,205, entitled “Wigs and Related Methods,” naming as first inventor Melinda LeBeau, which was filed on Nov. 1, 2017, now pending, and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Utility Application Ser. No. 62/704,013, entitled “Wigs and Wig Elements and Associated Methods,” naming as first inventor Melinda LeBeau, which was filed on Jun. 21, 2018, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.
BACKGROUND 1. Technical FieldAspects of this document relate generally to wigs.
2. Background ArtWigs are used for a variety of purposes and by both genders to conceal hair loss. Some wigs are used by those who suffer with alopecia or chemotherapy-related hair loss. Others have natural or genetic hair loss. Some who wear wigs are bald, while others have some remaining natural hair.
SUMMARYEmbodiments of wigs may include: a cloth member having hairs attached thereto, the cloth member shaped into a dome-like shape for receiving a user's head, and; a polymer flexible member adhered to an underside of the cloth member using an adhesive; wherein the adhesive extends upwards through the cloth member to a topside of the cloth member to form a realistic scalp-like appearance at the topside of the cloth member and to more securely secure the hairs of the wig.
Embodiments of wigs may include one or more or all of the following:
At least a portion of the topside of the cloth member may be covered with the adhesive so that the topside of the cloth member is not visible.
An adjustable strap may be coupled with the cloth member allowing a size adjustment of the wig.
The polymer flexible member may include silicone.
The polymer flexible member may be sized to cover less than half of the underside of the cloth member.
The adhesive may include silicone.
The polymer flexible member and the adhesive may be formed of the same material.
The cloth member may include lace.
The adhesive may be flesh-toned.
Loops may be coupled with the cloth member for receiving hair extensions.
Embodiments of methods of wig modification may include: providing a wig, the wig including a cloth member having hairs attached thereto, the cloth member shaped into a dome-like shape for receiving a user's head; providing a polymer flexible member shaped and sized to cover less than half of an underside of the cloth member; adhering the polymer flexible member to the underside of the cloth member using an adhesive, and; causing the adhesive to extend upwards through the cloth member to a topside of the cloth member so that at least a portion of the topside of the cloth member is covered with the adhesive and is not visible; wherein the adhesive is flesh-toned and creates a realistic, scalp-like appearance at the topside of the cloth member.
Embodiments of methods of wig modification may include one or more or all of the following:
Providing the polymer flexible member may include pouring and shaping a liquid polymer and allowing the liquid polymer to solidify.
The polymer flexible member may include silicone and the adhesive may also include silicone.
The polymer flexible member may be shaped and sized to cover less than one-third of the underside of the cloth member.
The polymer flexible member may be shaped and sized to cover less than one-quarter of the underside of the cloth member.
Embodiments of methods of wig construction may include: providing a cloth member having a dome-like shape for receiving a user's head; forming at least one polymer flexible member; coupling hairs with the at least one polymer flexible member so that a majority of each hair extends outwards from a first surface of the at least one polymer flexible member, and; coupling a second surface of the at least one polymer flexible member with a topside of the cloth member using an adhesive, forming a wig.
Embodiments of methods of wig construction may include one or more or all of the following:
The adhesive may be applied at an underside of the cloth member and seep through to the topside of the cloth member to couple the at least one polymer flexible member with the cloth member.
Coupling the hairs with the at least one polymer flexible member may include punching the hairs through the at least one polymer flexible member, wherein the hairs are not secured to the wig using knots, and wherein the hairs are not angled to form return hairs.
The at least one polymer flexible member may include a plurality of polymer flexible members, the plurality of polymer flexible members together covering more than 50% of the topside of the cloth member.
Gaps may be formed between the polymer flexible members for breathability through the cloth member.
General details of the above-described embodiments, and other embodiments, are given below in the DESCRIPTION, the DRAWINGS, and the CLAIMS.
Embodiments will be discussed hereafter using reference to the included drawings, briefly described below, wherein like designations refer to like elements:
Implementations/embodiments disclosed herein (including those not expressly discussed in detail) are not limited to the particular components or procedures described herein. Additional or alternative components, assembly procedures, and/or methods of use consistent with the intended wigs and wig elements and related methods may be utilized in any implementation. This may include any materials, components, sub-components, methods, sub-methods, steps, and so forth.
One common wig problem is getting the wig to remain secured, so that the wig does not move or fall off, whether the user is active or non-active. Naturally the more active the wig user is (such as during sports or increased motion) the more difficult this is. Some existing wigs/wig systems use bands, glue, and/or tape, but these can annoy or irritate a user and can be uncomfortable, inconvenient and time consuming. Another common wig problem is having the wig stay put without it being easily detectable that it is a wig (or without the straps or other coupling mechanisms being visible). By non-limiting example, for full lace wigs users often complain that the wigs do not stay put, the knots are visible (especially if it is a dark-hair wig), and the grid lines of the lace are visible (on light or dark-haired wigs). It is also common for conventional wig coupling mechanisms to stretch out (and lose their secure coupling) or to break, shred or rip.
Some conventional wigs, such as monofilament wigs and injected wigs, have a more realistic look (lacking large knots and the like) but are very expensive (sometimes ranging from $1,200-$4,000 USD) and are uncomfortable. Conventional full lace wigs tend to shed hairs (which will be shown in further detail below) and have knots which are visible, and full lace wigs are difficult to adhere to the head of a user. They are also relatively expensive and some currently range in price from $300-$3,000 depending on the length and quality of the hairs.
Accordingly, there are many issues with conventional wigs now existing in the art, and implementations of wigs disclosed herein address these problems.
Referring now to
The flexible member shown in
In the implementation shown in
The silicone adhesive has other benefits, in that it can help to secure the hairs of the wig to the lace. By non-limiting example,
The wig shown in
The wig of
The adjustable band is coupled to the lace on the back portion of the underside of the wig and then coated in the silicone adhesive as well to provide comfort and extra security, as can be seen in
Some wigs do not have a full lace underside but only lace on the front of the underside (lace front wigs). The flexible member shown in
In another implementation of a new wig, not shown in the drawings, a similar flexible portion covering only a portion of the underside of the wig, such as half or less than half of the underside, and only towards the front of the underside, is used in conjunction with a flexible perimeter extending along the place where the polyurethane band is shown in
The flexible perimeter could be formed, by non-limiting example, of the same type of material as the flexible member. Accordingly, in one implementation the flexible perimeter could be formed of silicone. In some implementations the flexible perimeter could be formed together with the flexible member (such as through a melting, molding, and/or curing process so that they are integrally joined. In other implementations the flexible perimeter could be a separate element. In either case, the flexible member will be coupled proximate a perimeter of the underside of the wig. In the case of a full lace wig the flexible member may be adhered with the same silicone material and/or stitched or otherwise coupled with the lace. In the case of a front lace wig there may not be lace to which the flexible perimeter may be adhered but the flexible perimeter may be joined to the flexible member using adhesive, stitching, and/or other coupling mechanisms, and may also be attached to the back/bottom half of the non-lace underside using clips, stitching, or other coupling mechanisms.
In another implementation of a new wig, not shown in the drawings, the wig is a full lace wig (having lace covering the entire underside of the wig) and the flexible member instead of being half-sized is sized to cover substantially the entire lace underside (defined herein as at least 90% of the lace underside), so that it covers the front and back (or top and bottom) of the underside of the wig. In this implementation the flexible member may be made of silicone as described above (though other materials may be used in other implementations) and is sized specifically to fit the head of the user. Having a customized size and/or shape, which fits the size and/or contour of the head of the user, no adjustable band or flexible perimeter band is needed, and so neither are used in this implementation. This variation would be custom sized to the user and there would be sections of one-inch ventilation areas from the crown to nape.
Nevertheless, in another implementation a full scalp flexible member could be used together with an adjustable band, the adjustable band coupled to the flexible member (between the flexible member and the head of the user) using any coupling mechanisms described herein, so that this version is adjustable. In this case the flexible member may not be specifically sized to the user, but the full scalp flexible member, covering the front and back (top and bottom) of the underside of the wig allows for the wig to have a real scalp appearance and for all the hairs of the wig to be more securely attached, so that the visual appearance of the wig is improved, while the adjustability of the adjustable band allows for the wig to be sized in situ. In this implementation the flexible member covers substantially all the lace (defined herein as covering at least 90% of the lace) of the underside of the wig.
Another implementation of a new wig may include a top half flexible member, covering only the top half or less than the full top/front half of the underside of the wig and being adhered or otherwise coupled with the lace (using silicone adhesive creates the advantageous scalp-like appearance and reduces or removes hair loss of the wig, as described above), and additionally including a flexible perimeter (as described above with respect to another implementation), but also including an adjustable band as previously described, which may be adjacent to the flexible perimeter or, alternatively, located on the inner surface of the flexible perimeter between the flexible perimeter and the user's head. This implementation would not need to be custom-sized to the user since the adjustable band would be included, and the adjustable band and flexible perimeter may be coupled with the wig and/or with one another (in implementations where the two are coupled with one another) using any of the coupling mechanisms described herein.
The new wigs described above have been described to some extent in completed format. The wigs, for example, may be sold as completed wigs, with the flexible member, adjustable strap, flexible perimeter, etc., attached and secured prior to selling/shipping to the end consumer. In other implementations, however, wig kits or wig flexible member/strap systems may be sold for a user to modify his/her own lace wig. In cases in which a user's wig is a front only lace wig (having only lace on the front underside of the wig) a kit having a half or relatively half sized flexible member, as shown in
In cases in which a user has a full lace wig (having lace along the full underside of the wig) kits having half or full scalp flexible members, custom sized or not, and/or using flexible perimeters and/or adjustable straps, and including silicone adhesive, thread for stitching or other coupling mechanisms, etc., may be purchased by a user with instructions for a do-it-yourself (DIY) modification to the existing full-lace wig so that the conventional wig may be improved. The kit may come with flexible members that may be cut to size, flexible perimeters that may be cut to size, etc., so that a one-sized kit may be used to modify various wig sizes and shapes.
The new wigs and wig kits described herein are lightweight, less expensive than existing wigs, and easier to use and couple to the head of a user in a snug and secure fashion without being temporarily glued or taped to the head of the user. Because of the ability of the elements to have good friction with the head of the user even if the user has some existing hair, the new wigs disclosed herein couple securely to the heads of persons having some hair or no hair. This is useful as a user may then use the same wig during all stages of hair loss or regrowth.
Methods of creating a new wig may accordingly include utilizing the described kits on an existing conventional lace wig, as described above. Other methods may involve a person doing the installation of the new wig materials to an existing lace wig.
During some installations all knots of the hair of the wig will be brushed lightly with liquid silicone to lessen shedding in all other areas where the flexible member is not present. This reduces shedding but still leaves the wig open for airflow through the lace grid.
Some implementations of new wigs, wig kits or systems, and methods of creating new wigs may include thin flexible ear tabs, which are made of fabric lined with a thin, yet sturdy wire that is bendable. It is attached with thread and then covered with silicone. This is a great option for people who wear glasses and also for people who wear their hair up. The ear tabs serve as a way to make the hair around the ears lay flat without the use of tape or glue.
Although the liquid silicone in places above is referred to as a silicone adhesive, the silicone in some cases may be formed using a resin so long as the resulting solid is relatively flexible as depicted in the images.
In implementations, as in the implementations of wigs and wig elements shown in
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring now to
In some implementations the loops may be replaced with felt pieces to facilitate the use of tape-in instead of clip-in extensions. The loops and the felt pieces may be sized to receive universally-sized clips and tape elements of the most commonly used types of extensions and/or to fit average clip/tape sizes. Felt pieces may be attached using any of the aforementioned methods for the loops.
In any implementations using loops for extensions the configuration shown in
In implementations materials other than polyurethane may be used for the adjustable band, but in implementations the polyurethane may achieve a desirable amount of friction with the neck/nape skin of the user to keep the wig in place and/or a desirable amount of stretchiness.
One or more of the elements described above may be sold as an after-market kit to modify an existing wig. For example, the silicone cap, a liquid silicone for bonding, the polyurethane adjustable strap, and/or the loops or felt pieces may be sold as a kit for a user to modify their own existing wig. In other implementations the methods of modifying an existing wig may be offered as a service.
In some implementations the thin silicone cap inserts are formed by smoothing a thin layer of liquid silicone on plastic wrap and cutting it out once it is cured. After the insert is cured, another thin layer of liquid silicone is applied, and the insert is placed inside the wig and placed on a half dome foam member so that gravity keeps the silicone from extending any further than the knots of the wig. The wig itself is pulled tight and kept on the half dome foam member with T-pins. Once it has cured, the plastic wrap is removed (the plastic wrap that the original mold was made on) and the edges of the silicone cap insert are secured using STITCH WITCHERY fusible bonding tape to secure any loose points and make the appearance a little better on the inside. This also makes the appearance better near the front hairline when the fusible bonding tape is cut into a lattice like pattern to avoid any lines of demarcation. The fusible bonding tape and/or the silicone insert can also be customized to a widow's peak, or any shape that the customer requests, including a horizontal line of demarcation if desired.
The methods and wig elements disclosed herein allow a user to modify a wig in such a way that a scalp area looks much more realistic and so that the hairs are better retained (and including other advantages described above).
In implementations wigs and wig elements/add-ons described herein may be distinguished from prior art wig elements. For example one difference between hand-tied alopecia skin wigs and the wigs/wig elements disclosed herein is the aftermarket modification of the wig. Prior art wigs use a variety of materials, and some have polymer portions on the inside, or in different spots, and in different shapes, and the function of these polymer portions is to help the wig stay on the user's head. These polymer portions of prior art wigs are placed in the cap portion prior to finalized construction of the wig and are made stock, and hair is then ventilated, crocheted, or injected into the cap and polymer (which in some implementations of prior art wigs may be silicone). This, however, is not a customizable solution and does not allow for aftermarket modification of an existing wig to make the scalp look more realistic. In contrast, the silicone cap inserts disclosed herein, which may come in a variety of molded shapes and sizes, can be inserted anywhere inside (front or back, and/or to one side or the other or in the center) of the inside of a wig after the wig is fully fabricated. Accordingly, in implementations kits for modifying a wig may include a silicone cap insert and an adjustable strap, but not the wig itself, and the user may use the kit to modify an existing wig. There are prior art silicone stickers that can be placed inside a wig, but the wig elements disclosed herein allow for permanent coupling of a silicone cap insert using liquid silicone that adheres to the lace or other material of the wig and makes the hairline and hair parting resemble a realistic scalp.
In implementations the silicone cap inserts are formed using one or more molds and are formed of liquid medical grade prosthetic silicone material which is allowed to solidify, and then attached to the inside of a wig using the same (liquid) medical grade prosthetic silicone material.
The polyurethane adjustable strap 2808 ends are also shown in
The fusible bonding tape may be used to secure the edges of the silicone cap insert to the inside of the wig, instead of any thread or sewing. In implementations the fusible bonding tape and liquid silicone combination may be used all around the perimeter of the silicone cap insert, as shown in
Although the example being described at present includes three flexible members, any number of flexible members could be used. The user may form the flexible member into any shape desired for a specific wig. In implementations the flexible members may be formed with ECOFLEX silicone. Once the flexible members are solidified, hair may be implanted into each flexible member using a punch needle or tambour hook (similar to how hair is added to dolls). When hair is injected into the flexible member, due to the texture/viscosity of the flexible member and/or other mechanisms the hair may be held in place without the need for a knot and without the need for any “return hair” sticking out in a different (or the same) direction (return hairs are common with traditional injected wigs with return hairs being in a different direction than the original hair). In some implementations after the hair is punched through the flexible member it is trimmed short where it has punched through and then additional silicone is used on the trimmed side to seal and secure the hairs in place, though in some implementations this step may be unnecessary.
One the hairs have been coupled with the flexible members, the flexible members may be coupled with the substrate. This may be done by placing a flexible member on the top or outside of the cloth member and then placing liquid silicone on the inside (underside) of the cloth member so that the liquid silicone seeps through the openings in the substrate (such as lace grid or the like) and combines with the silicone of the flexible member. In other implementations the adhesive may be applied at the topside of the cloth member—but applying it at the underside of the cloth member ensures a more uniform solidified surface at the underside, once the liquid silicone dries, to provide friction on the user's head so the wig does not undesirably shift/move during use. Once the liquid silicone is solidified the flexible member is permanently coupled with the substrate of the cap member. Materials other than silicone could be used, but silicone is useful for the reasons already set forth above.
In implementations the flexible members cover all, or more than 90%, or more than 75%, or more than 50%, or less than 50% of the topside of the cloth member.
In some implementations the methods of forming wigs may also include adhering a flexible member to the underside of the cloth member using the adhesive.
The flexible members may be made to fit different parts of the cap member as desired, and may be made any size (small, medium, large, extra large, etc.) to fit an existing cap member. The cap member substrate may be a full lace substrate or may be made of some other material.
The method described immediately above allows for the creation of a very natural-looking wig. It also allows the user to select whatever hair is desired for the wig, so that it can be ensured that the hair is of a type and quality desired by the user. This allows an end user to eliminate the middleman or vendor of a wig who may create wigs using sub-par hair.
The methods described immediately above also allow a user to create different-sized and shaped flexible members as desired in such a way as to increase ventilation, as desired. For example,
Allowing a user to custom-fabricate a wig allows hair to be incorporated wherever desired so as to blend a natural hairline. Some hair can also be coupled directly into the substrate in some areas, such as hand tied, for further blending. For example, in areas where there is ventilation between the flexible members, hair can directly be hand tied, or these areas can be left without hair. In the front of the wig, such as at the front hairline, hair may be hand-tied directly to the substrate so that there is a natural blending into the hair of the front-most flexible member. The user may also hand-tie hair of a different color than the hair of the flexible members, wherever desired, to create contrast.
The substrates may, in implementations, be formed of Swiss lace or French lace standard wig caps and flexible member molds. After all flexible members have been glued/adhered to the substrate, the substrate (lace or silk grid, for example) may then be trimmed to a desired size and may be glued or taped for added security or left as-is.
In implementations a mannequin head or a head cast (such as a head cast of the end user) may be used for adhering a flexible member to a wig, so that the flexible member achieves proper curvature. In other implementations a dome-shaped item, such as a STYROFOAM dome, may be used instead of a mannequin head.
In implementations silicone or polyurethane gel may be placed directly on the head of a user (in some implementations only towards the front of the wig) and then a wig attached directly to the wet silicone so that, as the silicone dries, a temporary bond is formed both adhering the wig to the user's head and also creating a realistic scalp-like look for the front of the wig.
In implementations of wigs described herein, the liquid silicone coupling the flexible member with the wig (and/or coupling other elements with the wig) seeps through the cap member or lace member/grid member to form a more realistic-looking scalp for the wig and to more securely hold the hairs of the wig.
In places where the phrase “one of A and B” is used herein, including in the claims, wherein A and B are elements, the phrase shall have the meaning “A or B.” This shall be extrapolated to as many elements as are recited in this manner, for example the phrase “one of A, B, and C” shall mean “A, B, or C,” and so forth.
As used herein, the term “cloth” is defined as a woven or felted fabric made from wool, cotton, or similar natural or artificial fiber. The lace elements and cap members disclosed herein are made of cloth, such as in some implementations a woven into a lace (an open, web-like pattern)
In places where the description above refers to specific embodiments of wigs and related methods, one or more or many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Details of any specific embodiment/implementation described herein may, wherever possible, be applied to any other specific implementation/embodiment described herein.
Claims
1. A wig, comprising:
- a cloth member having hairs attached thereto, the cloth member shaped into a dome-like shape for receiving a user's head, and;
- a polymer flexible member adhered to an underside of the cloth member using an adhesive;
- wherein the adhesive extends upwards through the cloth member to a topside of the cloth member to form a realistic scalp-like appearance at the topside of the cloth member and to more securely secure the hairs of the wig.
2. The wig of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the topside of the cloth member is covered with the adhesive so that the topside of the cloth member is not visible.
3. The wig of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable strap coupled with the cloth member and allowing a size adjustment of the wig.
4. The wig of claim 1, wherein the polymer flexible member comprises silicone.
5. The wig of claim 1, wherein the polymer flexible member is sized to cover less than half of the underside of the cloth member.
6. The wig of claim 1, wherein the adhesive comprises silicone.
7. The wig of claim 1, wherein the polymer flexible member and the adhesive are formed of a same material.
8. The wig of claim 1, wherein the cloth member comprises a lace.
9. The wig of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is flesh-toned.
10. The wig of claim 1, further comprising loops couple with the cloth member for receiving hair extensions.
11. A method of wig modification, comprising:
- providing a wig, the wig comprising a cloth member having hairs attached thereto, the cloth member shaped into a dome-like shape for receiving a user's head;
- providing a polymer flexible member shaped and sized to cover less than half of an underside of the cloth member;
- adhering the polymer flexible member to the underside of the cloth member using an adhesive, and;
- causing the adhesive to extend upwards through the cloth member to a topside of the cloth member so that at least a portion of the topside of the cloth member is covered with the adhesive and is not visible;
- wherein the adhesive is flesh-toned and creates a realistic, scalp-like appearance at the topside of the cloth member.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the polymer flexible member comprises pouring and shaping a liquid polymer and allowing the liquid polymer to solidify.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the polymer flexible member comprises silicone and wherein the adhesive also comprises silicone.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein the polymer flexible member is shaped and sized to cover less than one-third of the underside of the cloth member.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the polymer flexible member is shaped and sized to cover less than one-quarter of the underside of the cloth member.
16. A method of wig construction, comprising:
- providing a cloth member having a dome-like shape for receiving a user's head;
- forming at least one polymer flexible member;
- coupling hairs with the at least one polymer flexible member so that a majority of each hair extends outwards from a first surface of the at least one polymer flexible member, and;
- coupling a second surface of the at least one polymer flexible member with a topside of the cloth member using an adhesive, forming a wig.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the adhesive is applied at an underside of the cloth member and seeps through to the topside of the cloth member to couple the at least one polymer flexible member with the cloth member.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein coupling the hairs with the at least one polymer flexible member comprises punching the hairs through the at least one polymer flexible member, wherein the hairs are not secured to the wig using knots, and wherein the hairs are not angled to form return hairs.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one polymer flexible member comprises a plurality of polymer flexible members, the plurality of polymer flexible members together covering more than 50% of the topside of the cloth member.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein gaps are formed between the polymer flexible members for breathability through the cloth member.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 1, 2018
Publication Date: May 2, 2019
Inventor: Melinda N. LeBeau (Chula Vista, CA)
Application Number: 16/178,524