Patent Publication Number: US-6217957-B1

Title: Receptacle for floral-tipped bobby pins

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     (Not Applicable) 
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     (Not Applicable) 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to hair accessories and more particularly to a receptacle adapted to retain bobby pins. 
     Bobby pins are used to pull back and secure hair in a desired position. Typically, the pins are covered by the hair so as not to be seen. The bobby pin is formed from a metallic wire bent in half to form a generally planar portion and a generally undulating portion. The planar portion and the undulating portion are spring biased into laminar juxtaposition with each other by the bend formed in the wire. The exposed ends of the wire are covered with a plastic coating to protect the user during insertion of the bobby pin into the hair. Additionally, one end of the bobby pin is outwardly turned or bent to facilitate insertion of the pin into the hair. 
     Recently, bobby pins have been made with decorative elements such as silk flowers and/or jewelry to create a more pleasing appearance. The decorative element is attached to the bend in the bobby pin and projects outwardly from the hair when the bobby pin is inserted. Typically, many bobby pins with decorative elements are inserted into the hair at the same time to create artistic designs. 
     Bobby pins are small and can be lost very easily. Typically, bobby pins are stored in a horizontal position within a drawer, jewelry or cosmetic case. However, bobby pins with decorative elements need to be stored carefully in order to protect the decorative element from damage. Additionally, if the decorative element is a silk flower, then the bobby pin should be stored vertically to prevent crushing and deformation of the silk flower. 
     The present invention addresses the above-mentioned deficiencies in bobby pin storage by providing a receptacle that stores bobby pins vertically. Additionally, the present invention provides a receptacle that stores bobby pins with decorative elements in an artistically pleasing manner. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention there is provided a decorative receptacle for retaining at least one decorative bobby pin in a generally vertical orientation. The decorative bobby pin has opposed first and second ends and a decorative element disposed on the first end thereof. Further, the decorative receptacle includes a container having an interior chamber and an open end which communicates with the interior chamber. A prescribed quantity of retention material is disposed within the interior chamber of the container. The retention material is adapted to maintain the bobby pin in a substantially vertical orientation upon advancement of the second end thereinto. Additionally, the retention material displays the first end including the decorative element thereon exteriorly of the container. Typically, the container is a terra cotta pot and the decorative bobby pins have flowers attached thereto in order to simulate a pot or bouquet of flowers. 
     The retention material may be moss that comprises individual interwoven strands of material that define a plurality of spaces. A plurality of bobby pins may be inserted into the spaces formed within the strands of moss such that the bobby pins are supported in substantially spaced relationship to one another. Additionally, the strands of moss may be sized such that the bobby pins are attachable to the strands. 
     In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of storing at least one decorative bobby pin within a receptacle having a container filled a retention material. The method comprises inserting the bobby pin within the material such that the bobby pin is supported in a substantially vertical orientation. As will be recognized, a plurality of bobby pins can be inserted into the container at the same time in order to form the simulated pot of flowers. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These as well as other features of the present invention, will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bobby pin receptacle constructed in accordance with the present invention and containing multiple bobby pins; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the bobby pin receptacle shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a bobby pin shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the manner in which a bobby pin is inserted into the bobby pin receptacle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 perspectively illustrates a bobby pin receptacle  10  for storing a plurality of decorative bobby pins  12 . Each decorative bobby pin  12  has a decorative element  14  such as a silk flower attached thereto. As seen in FIG. 3, the decorative bobby pin  12  is fabricated by attaching the decorative element  14  to a conventional bobby pin. In this respect, the decorative bobby pin  12  has a generally planar portion  16  and a generally undulating portion  18  integrally attached together via a bent portion  20 . The decorative element  14  (i.e., silk flower) is attached to the bent portion  20  with an adhesive  22  and/or a wire wrapped around the bent portion  20 . As seen in FIG. 4, the bent portion  20  of the decorative bobby pin  12  is disposed in opposite relation to an open bottom end  24 . As will be recognized, the open bottom end  24  is used to insert hair between the side portion  16  and the undulating portion  18 . 
     The bobby pin receptacle  10  comprises a container  25  having a generally tapered, cylindrical side-wall  26  integrally attached to a closed base  28 . An upper rim  30  of side-wall  26  defines an open end  32  wherein the decorative bobby pins  12  are inserted into the container  25 . The side-wall  26  and the base  28  collectively define an interior chamber  29  wherein access to such is obtained by the open end  32 . As will be recognized, the container  25  is typically a terra cotta pot but can also be fabricated from glass, plastic, ceramic or metal. 
     The bobby pin receptacle  10  additionally includes strands of moss  34  which functions as bobby pin retention material. The strands of moss  34  are formed by interweaving individual strands of flexible material into a random configuration. The strands of moss  34  are disposed within the interior of the container  25  such that voids or spaces are created between the individual strands. The strands of moss  34  may be attached to the interior of container  25  with an adhesive in order to prevent the removal of such. Additionally, a pair of silk leaves  36   a,    36   b  are adhered to the rim  30  of the container  25  for decorative purposes, as will be further explained below. 
     The strands of moss  34  are used to secure multiple decorative bobby pins  12  within the container  25 . In this respect, the open end  24  of each decorative bobby pin  12  is inserted into the strands of moss  34 , as seen in FIG.  4 . Each decorative bobby pin  12  is frictionally supported in a substantially vertical position in the spaces formed between the strands of moss  34 . Additionally, the strands of moss  34  may also be frictionally gripped between the planar portion  16  and the undulating portion  18  of each decorative bobby pin  12 . The strands of moss  34  can therefore support a plurality of decorative bobby pins  12  within the container  25 , as seen in FIGS. 1 and 4. Each of the decorative bobby pins  12  is easily removable from the container  25  by pulling the decorative bobby pin  12  away from the moss  34 . Since the strands of moss  34  support the decorative bobby pins  12  in generally vertical, spaced relation, the decorative element  14  attached to each bobby pin  12  is protected from crushing and deformation. 
     Additionally, each decorative bobby pin  12  can be inserted into the container  25  in order to create a simulated pot of flowers which can be displayed. Specifically, since the decorative elements  14  attached to each respective bobby pin  12  may be silk flowers, the decorative bobby pins  12  inserted into the container  25  create a simulated pot or bouquet of flowers. As previously mentioned, a pair of silk leaves  36   a,    36   b  attached to the container  25  add realism to the simulated bouquet by serving as the leaves of the flowers. Additionally, the strands of moss  34  add realism by serving as the planting medium for the flowers. Therefore, the bobby pin receptacle  10  can be placed on a sink or dresser for display since it is artistically pleasing. 
     As will be recognized to those of ordinary skill in the art, the decorative elements  14  may be stars, boats, animals, etc . . . , such that the decorative bobby pins  12  have varying themes. Therefore, the container  25  can be fabricated from other types of materials to suite the theme of the decorative bobby pins  12 . Additionally, other types of bobby pin retention material may be used such as strands of paper and/or strands of metallic material. Thus, additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only a certain embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention.