Patent Publication Number: US-2003226242-A1

Title: Magnetic hair clip collector for dancers

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] This invention relates to a method for collecting and storing metallic hair clips within a container.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] Ballerinas are required to wear their hair in a bun for dance class and recital. To maintain the hair in a bun during class or recital, the dancers must use metallic hair clips. Before and after the class or recital, the dancers will toss the metallic hair clips into bags filled with shoes, sweaters, leotards, towels, etc. This permits the metallic hair clips to disperse in a disorganized way throughout the bag when the dancer carries the bag to and from a dance class or recital. This invention provides a useful item for dancers who wish to collect and store the metallic hair clips in a convenient and more organized fashion within the bag.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003] The present invention is directed to a method for collecting and storing metallic hair clips located within a container that consists of a dancer&#39;s bag, luggage, a backpack, or a briefcase. At least one magnet is positioned inside a decorative object. The decorative object is placed within the container and then retained within the container while carrying the container. During the carrying, the decorative object moves (or shifts) within the container as a result of the carrying, thereby causing metallic clips dispersed within the container to collect on an outside surface of the decorative object. After carrying the container, the decorative object may be removed from the container (with the metallic clips retained on its outside surface.) The decorative object may be comprised of a child&#39;s stuffed toy, a cloth object shaped like a ballet slipper or a stuffed animal dressed like a ballerina. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0004] The accompanying drawings which are included to provide further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
     [0005] In the drawings:  
     [0006]FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the container, pins and decorative object in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0007] FIGS.  2 A- 2 B illustrate a front and side view of the decorative object and magnet in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0008]FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate front and side view of a further decorative object with magnets in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.  
     [0009]FIG. 4 illustrates a further decorative object with magnets in accordance with the present invention.  
     [0010]FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of using the present invention.  
     [0011] FIGS.  6 A- 6 B illustrate a front and side view of a decorative object and magnets with metallic hair clips attached in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0012]FIG. 1 illustrates the components used to carry out the method of the present invention. The components include a container  10 , metallic hair clips  15 , a decorative object  20 , magnets  25  within the decorative object  20  and metallic hair clips  35  attracted by magnets  25  and attached to the decorative object  20 . The container may consist of a dancer&#39;s bag, luggage, a handbag, a backpack or a briefcase.  
     [0013] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the decorative object  20  has an outside surface  23  and an inside compartment  24 . The outside surface  23  of the decorative object may be comprised of any soft fabric such as felt, velvet, sherpa or plush material. The inside  24  of the decorative object  20  may contain stuffing such as beans, plastic balls, cotton or polyester batting, cotton/polyester batting, wool stuffing or chipped foam stuffing. The magnets  25  are located inside  24  the decorative object  20  at various locations. The decorative object  20  may be comprised of a stuffed animal dressed as a ballerina, FIGS. 2A and 2B, a child&#39;s stuffed toy, FIGS.  3 A- 3 B or a cloth object shaped like a ballet slipper, FIG. 4.  
     [0014] With reference to FIG. 5, a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention is shown. In step  500 , at least one magnet  25  is provided wherein the magnet  25  is positioned within the inside  24  of a decorative object  20 . In step  510 , the decorative object  20  is placed within a container  10 . In step  520  the decorative object  20  is retained within the container  10  while the user carries the container  10 . During the carrying, the decorative object  20  moves within the container  10  as a result of the carrying, thereby causing the metallic clips  15  to be attracted by magnets  25  and to collect on the outside surface  23  of the decorative object  20 . After carrying the container, the decorative object  20  is removed, in step  530 , from the container  10  where the decorative object  20  retains the metallic clips  15  on its outside surface  23 .  
     [0015] As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the user carries the container  10 , the metallic hair clips  35  collect on an outside surface  23  of the decorative object  20  where the magnets are located. This prevents the metallic hair clips  35  from scattering throughout the container  10  during transportation. The decorative object  20  with the magnets  25  within, permits the user to collect and store the metallic hair clips  35  on the outside surface  23  of the decorative object  20  while stored in the container  10 .  
     [0016] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. Although the foregoing description is directed to the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is noted that other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.