Abstract:
A hair carrying system to carry hairpieces, such as hair extensions, utilizing a hanger to hold the hairpiece, and an elongated bag having an opening through which the hanger with the hairpiece can be introduced inside the bag, the bag having a top slit through which a hook portion of the hanger can protrude so that the hanger can hang the hairpiece and the bag in a safe location.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/008,728, entitled “Hair Carrier Bag,” filed Jun. 6, 2014, which application is incorporated in its entirety here by this reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to a bag for carrier a hair piece. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Hairpieces, such as wigs, hair extensions, and the like, are popular for making a fashion statement or for covering up balding or missing hair. Although many solutions are sought after for attaching hair extensions to the hair, not much attention has been directed to the problem of caring for the hair extensions. In addition, as most people simply wear their hair extensions, not much attention has been given to options for transporting hair extensions when not in use. 
         [0004]    Given the growing popularity of using hair extensions, and there is a need for finding a solution for easily storing and transporting hair pieces when not in use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention is directed to a hair carrier bag for carrying hairpieces, such as hair extensions, when not in use. The hair carrier bag of the present invention comprises an elongated bag and a hanger that can clamp a hairpiece and be inserted into the elongated bag with a portion of the hanger sticking out from the top of the elongated bag so that the hairpiece inside the elongated bag can be fixed on to an object, such as a rod. The bag can have a transparent portion on at least one side so that the hairpiece can be easily seen and identified for quick and easy selection. 
         [0006]    The hanger comprises a hook portion to facilitate hanging the bag, and a clamp portion to clamp the hairpiece, wherein the hook portion is operatively connected to the clamp portion, such that the hook portion provides the means for causing the clamp portion to have a closed configuration and an open configuration. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention then used. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the hanger in the closed configuration. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the hanger in the open configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows an exploded view of the hanger. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0015]    The present invention is directed towards a device for carrying a hair piece in a safe and convenient manner. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the hair carrier device  100  comprises a bag  102  and, optionally, a hanger  200  that can be operatively connected to the bag  102  to hang the hair piece safely inside the bag  102 . 
         [0016]    The bag  102  comprises a top edge  104 , a bottom edge  106  opposite the top edge  104 , a first side edge  108  adjacent to the top edge  104  and the bottom edge  106 , and a second side edge  110  opposite the first side edge  108  and adjacent to the top edge  104  and the bottom edge  106 , a front side  112  bound by the top edge  104 , the bottom edge  106 , the first side edge  108 , and the second side edge  110 , and a back side  114  opposite the front side  112  and operatively connected to the front side  112  along at least the first side edge  108 , the second side edge  110 , and the bottom edge  106  to define an interior compartment. For ease of description, the distance from the bottom edge  106  to the top edge  104  is referred to as the height H, and the distance from one side edge  108  to the other side edge  110  is referred to as the width W. In the preferred embodiment, the bag  100  may be an elongated bag having the height H greater than the width W. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , preferably, the front side  112  comprises an opening  120  along a center line C equidistant from the first side  108  and the second side  110 , and a fastener  122  associated with the opening  120  to close the opening  120  to allow and prevent access to the interior compartment. The fastener can be any type of fastener, such as a zipper, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, magnets, hooks, clasps, and the like. The opening  120  and the fastener  122  may extend substantially from the bottom edge  106  to at least approximately 70 percent of the height H towards the top edge  104 . Preferably, the opening  120  and fastener  122  extend from the bottom edge  106  to at least approximately 75 percent of the way to the top edge  104 . Most preferably, the opening  120  and the fastener  122  extend from the bottom edge  106  to approximately 80 percent to approximately 85 percent of the way to the top edge  104 . 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the opening  120  may be offset from the center line C. In some embodiments, the opening  120  may be on the back side  114 , along one or both of the side edges  108 ,  110 , along the bottom edge  106 , along the top edge  104 , or any combination thereof to increase the options for how to place the hairpiece into the bag  102 . 
         [0019]    In the preferred embodiment, the front side  112  has a transparent portion  130 . However, the front side  112  may be opaque. Preferably, at least approximately 70 percent of the front side  112  is transparent. More preferably, at least approximately 75 percent of the front side  112  is transparent. Most preferably, approximately 80 percent to approximately 85 percent of the front side  112  is transparent. The transparent portion  130  may extend from substantially one side edge  108  to the opposite side edge  110 . In addition, the transparent portion  130  may extend substantially from the bottom edge  106 , but not extend all the way to the top edge  104 , leaving a small opaque portion  132  adjacent to the top edge  104 . The small opaque portion  132  may be approximately at least approximately 30 percent of the front side  112 . More preferably, the small opaque portion  132  is at least approximately 25 percent of the front side  112 . Most preferably, the small opaque portion  132  is approximately 80 percent to approximately 85 percent of the front side  112 . In the preferred embodiment, the central opening  120  and the fastener  122  is on the transparent portion  130 . 
         [0020]    The transparent portion  130  may be made of a plastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride or poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC); however, other types of transparent materials can be used. The small opaque portion  132  may be made from any type of synthetic or non-synthetic material, such as cotton, nylon, polyester, and the like, and any combination thereof. The back side  114  is also substantially opaque and may be made from the same material as the small opaque portion  132 . However, in some embodiments, the back side  114  may be transparent, or have a transparent portion  130  as described for the front side  112 . 
         [0021]    The top edge  104  and the first side edge  108  define a first obtuse angle A, and the top edge  104  and the second side edge  110  define a second obtuse angle B. In some embodiments, the top edge  104  and the first side edge  108  define a right angle, and the top edge  104  and the second side edge  110  define a second right angle. The top edge  104  comprises a central slit  134  approximately equidistant from the first side edge  108  and the second side edge  110 . Therefore, the front side  112  and the back side  114  may be attached together along the first side edge  108 , the second side edge  110 , the bottom edge  106  and a substantial portion of the top edge  104 , except at the central slit  134 . Therefore, the central slit  134  is defined by a front central top edge  136  and a back central top edge  138 . 
         [0022]    When viewed from the front  112  or back side  114 , the top edge  104  is non-parallel relative to the bottom edge  106  because the top edge  104  rises upwardly as it moves towards the central slit  134 . The top edge  104  at the central slit  134  (i.e. the front central top edge  136  and the back central top edge  138 ) deviates back towards the bottom edge  106  creating a broad “V” or “U”-shape. The height of the “V” or “U”-shape is approximately 0.5 inch to approximately 2 inches. Preferably, the height of the “V” or “U”-shape is approximately 1 inch. The width of the central slit  134  is approximately 5 inches or less. More preferably, the width of the slit  134  is approximately 4 inches or less. Most preferably, the width of the central slit  134  is approximately 2 inches to approximately 3 inches. The hanger  200  is placed inside the bag  102  through the central opening  120  and a portion of the hanger  200  is pulled out through the central slit  134  with the remainder of the hanger inside the bag  102  holding the hairpiece. 
         [0023]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the hanger  200  comprises a holder  202  attached to a clamp  204 . The holder  202  allows the bag  102  to be hung on a rod or other similar objects to keep the hairpiece stored in a safe manner. The holder  202  comprises a hook  206  and a clasp  208 . The hook  206  has a curved portion  210  and a stem  212 . The curved portion  210  is used to hang the hanger  200  on other objects. The stem  212 , defining a stem axis S, allows the hook portion  206  to attach to the clasp  208 . 
         [0024]    The clasp  208  has a bent arm  220  attached to the stem  212 . In the preferred embodiment, the bent arm  220  has a first bend  224  causing a first arm portion  226  to deviate laterally from the stem  212 , and a second bend  228  causing a second arm portion  230  to extend towards the stem axis S and terminate in a hair-pin turn  232  under the stem S. The clasp  208  interacts with the clamp  204  to secure the hairpiece in place. 
         [0025]    The clamp  204  holds the hairpiece by squeezing the hairpiece in between a pair of clamp arms  240   a ,  240   b . Each clamp arm  240   a ,  240   b  comprises a top side  242   a ,  242   b , opposing lateral sides  244   a ,  244   b ,  246   a ,  246   b  adjacent to the top side  242   a ,  242   b , a bottom side  248   a ,  248   b  opposite the top side  242   a ,  242   b  and adjacent to the opposing lateral sides  244   a ,  244   b ,  246   a ,  246   b  an interior face  250   a ,  250   b  bound by the top side  242   a ,  242   b , the opposing lateral sides  244   a ,  244   b ,  246   a ,  246   b  and the bottom side  248   a ,  248   b  and an exterior face  252   a ,  252   b  bound by the top side  242   a ,  242   b , the opposing lateral sides  244   a ,  244   b ,  246   a , 246   b  and the bottom side  248   a ,  248   b  wherein each interior face  250   a ,  250   b  is configured to mate with the other when in a clamped configuration. In the preferred embodiment, each interior face  250   a ,  250   b  comprises a concave middle portion  254   a ,  254   b  approximately equidistant and in between the opposing lateral sides  244   a ,  244   b ,  246   a ,  246   b . When in the clamped configuration, the concave middle portions  254   a ,  254   b  define a channel  256 . In some embodiments, the interior faces  250   a ,  250   b  may have score lines, protrusions, or other texturing to improve the ability to grip a hairpiece clamped therebetween. 
         [0026]    The clamp  204  may further comprise a pair of retaining rods  260 ,  262  that facilitates closure or clamping of the clamp arms  240   a ,  240   b , one retaining rod for each clamp arm. The first retaining rod  260  comprises a first pair of support rods  264 ,  266  extending upwardly from the top side  242   a  of the first clamp arm  240   a  and away from the bottom side  248   a  of the clamp arm  240   a . The first pair of support rods  264 ,  266  is bilaterally arranged about the concave middle portion  254   a  of the first clamp arm  240   a . Each of the support rods  264 ,  266  of the first pair of support rods peaks at a loop portion  268 ,  270 . From each loop portion  268 ,  270 , the supporting rods deviate downwardly back towards the top side  242   a  of the first clamp arm  240   a  and converge centrally above the concave middle portion  254   a  of the first clamp arm  240   a  at a first horizontal rod  272 . 
         [0027]    A second retaining rod  262  comprises a second pair of support rods  280 ,  282 , the second pair of support rods  280 ,  282  extending upwardly from the top side  242   b  and away from the bottom side  248   b  of a second clamp arm  240   b . The second pair of support rods  280 ,  282  is bilaterally arranged about the concave middle portion  254   b  of the second clamp arm  240   b . Each of the support rods  280 ,  282  of the second pair of support rods peaks at a cork-screw loop portion  284 ,  286 . From each cork-screw loop portion  284 ,  286 , the supporting rods deviate downwardly back towards the top side  242   b  and the exterior face  252   b  of the second clamp arm  240   b  and converge centrally above the exterior face  252   b  of the second clamp arm  240   b  at a second horizontal rod  288 , such that the first horizontal rod  272  and the second horizontal rod  288  are parallel to each other. Furthermore, each cork-screw loop  284 ,  286  wraps around one of the loop portions  268 ,  270  of the first support rods  264 ,  266  as they make their downward deviation. The first horizontal rod  272  and the second horizontal rod  288  are configured such that when the hair-pin turn  232  of the clasp  208  hooks the second horizontal rod  288 , the clasp  208  is rotatable about the second horizontal rod  288  to a closed configuration and an open configuration. In the closed configuration, the second bend  228  is hooked on the first horizontal rod  272  causing the interior faces  250   a ,  250   b  of the first and second clamp arms  240   a ,  240   b  to mate with each other to clamp a hairpiece  10  therebetween. Therefore, the clasp  208  operates to lock the clamp arms  240   a ,  240   b  in a clamped configuration by imparting a force on the pair of retaining rods. In the open configuration, the first horizontal bar  272  is released from the second bend  228 , which releases the first clamp arm  240   a  from the second clamp arm  240   b.    
         [0028]    In a preferred embodiment, the elongated bag may have a width W of approximately 15 inches or less and a height H of approximately 36 inches or less. More preferably, the width W is approximately 10 inches to approximately 11 inches and the height H is approximately 25 inches to approximately 27 inches. Each clamp arm may have a length L of less than 12 inches, and a combined thickness of 1 inch or less. More preferably, each clamp arm has a length L of approximately 9 inches. 
         [0029]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.