Patent Abstract:
A wig drying apparatus and method are provided, the apparatus being adapted to support a wig and which may be used to direct air currents upward such that a wig may be dried quickly and easily without damaging the wig or unduly altering the wig&#39;s outer appearance, comprises, a stand adapted to hold a wig, the stand comprising a main body member comprising a base and a neck member, and upper members comprising a central member and side members. The neck member comprises a base tube comprising a base opening. The base opening is adapted to accept a hose/outlet portion of a dryer. In the preferred embodiment, the device&#39;s shape is generally that of a human head and neck. In one embodiment, the central member and base tube are removable and may be used to dry a wig not supported by the remaining portions of the stand.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a wig dryer and specifically to an apparatus adapted to hold a wig and which may be used to direct air currents to dry the wig. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Wigs, or hair pieces, are often worn by persons seeking to change their appearance without the fuss and bother that may otherwise accompany visiting an expensive beauty parlor or hair salon. Wigs are made of strands of hair attached to a foundation—a sheet-like material that overlays a portion of the head of the wearer. The hair can be natural such as that from a human or an animal, or wigs may be synthetic, in which the hair strands are formed from manmade materials. Whether formed from natural or synthetic hair strands, wigs offer wearers a way to create a virtually unlimited number of looks, styles, colors, textures, lengths, and appearances that might otherwise be impractical or impossible. 
     Although wigs generally comprise several desirable features such as being generally easy to maintain, style, and wear, one drawback of wigs is that after a period of time, they become dirty and in need of cleaning. A common way to clean a wig involves detangling the strands, wetting the wig with water, applying a suitable cleaning product such as shampoo, applying a conditioner, rinsing the wig with water, and placing the wig on a towel, hair spray can, or wig stand to permit the wig to dry. Unfortunately, there is presently no easy way to quickly dry a wig. In most circumstances, measures such as wringing, squeezing, twisting, or rubbing the wig result in damage to the wig and/or cause matting and tangles. Those wearers attempting to use a hair dryer to dry the wig often find that the dryer fails to satisfactorily dry the wig in that the resulting wig may have an unattractive outward appearance and a damp foundation. Because of these problems and others, most wearers simply allow the wig to air dry over a period of time. Therefore, wearers are often forced to purchase additional wigs simply because of having to wait for a wet wig to dry. What is needed is an apparatus which may be used to hold a wig and which will facilitate and shorten the wig drying process. 
     The present disclosure provides a wig drying apparatus adapted to hold a wig and which may be used to direct air currents upward through the foundation such that a wig may be dried quickly and easily without damaging the wig or unduly altering the wig&#39;s outer appearance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure provides a wig drying apparatus adapted to hold a wig and which may be used to direct air currents upward through the foundation such that a wig may be dried quickly and easily without damaging the wig or unduly altering the wig&#39;s outer appearance. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a stand portion adapted to hold a wig, the stand comprising a main body member comprising a base member and a neck member, and upper members comprising a central member and side members. The neck member comprises a base tube comprising a base opening. The base opening is adapted to accept a hose portion of a dryer. The base tube extends away from the base and towards a side tube manifold. 
     The central member comprises an upwardly extending curved contour. When viewed from a side, the central member comprises a contour comprising a hook configuration approximating a rear, crown, and forehead configuration of a human. The central member has a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     The side members each comprise curved contours and extend from respective sides of the stand from respective lower side member connection areas. Each side member has a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     Such lower side member connection areas are each positioned approximately midway between respective lower base and upper stand surfaces. Each side member extends upwardly from the respective lower side member connection area to respective upper side member connection areas. The upper side member connection areas are each adjacent to the crown portion of the central removable member. 
     Each side member is hingedly coupled to the main body portion at the lower side member connection area such that upper side member portions may be pivoted away from the central removable member. 
     The base tube manifold comprises one or more side branching tubes. The central member comprises one or more central branching tubes. The central branching tubes extend upward between sides of the central member. 
     The central and side branching tubes comprise a plurality of perforations extending from the branch tubes through outer surfaces of the central and side members. A wig positioned on the upper members can easily be dried. Air produced by a conventional and commercially available hair dryer is blown through base opening, into and through the base tube, upward through the neck and base and side tube manifolds, through the branching tubes, through the branching tubes perforations, and against an undersurface of a wig positioned on the outer surface of the upper member. 
     In one embodiment, the central member is removable. When removed and coupled to a hair dryer, the central member can be used to dry a wig by hand. 
     In other embodiments, the branching tubes comprise sub-branches in fluid communication with sub-branch perforations. 
     In other embodiments, the side members comprise a hook on the outside surface. 
     The present disclosure also presents a method of drying a wig, the method comprising the steps of providing a wig, a wig drying apparatus, and a hairdryer, the wig drying apparatus comprising a base member, a neck member, a central member and side members, the neck member comprising a base tube comprising a base opening; the base opening being adapted to accept a hose portion of the hairdryer; said base tube extending away from the base member and towards a branching portion; said branching portion comprising said base tube and one or more side branching tubes; the side branching tubes extending upward between sides of the neck and side members; the central member comprising one or more central branching tubes extending between sides of the central member, the central and side branching tubes comprising a plurality of perforations extending from branching tubes through outer surfaces of the wig drying apparatus; positioning the wig on the wig drying apparatus; and directing air from the hairdryer into the base opening. 
     In other embodiments of the method, the method comprising the steps of providing a wig, a wig drying apparatus, and a hairdryer, the wig drying apparatus comprising a base member, a neck member, a removable central member and side members, the neck member comprising a base tube comprising a base opening; the base opening being adapted to accept a hose portion of the hairdryer; said base tube extending away from the base member and towards a branching portion; said branching portion comprising said base tube and one or more side branching tubes; the side branching tubes extending upward between sides of the neck and side members; the central member comprising one or more central branching tubes extending between sides of the central member, the central and side branching tubes comprising a plurality of perforations extending from branching tubes through outer surfaces of the wig drying apparatus; removing the central member, and drying the wig with the central member. 
     In other embodiments of the method, the central and side branching tubes comprise sub-branches in fluid communication with sub-branch perforations. 
     In other embodiments of the method, the perforations on the outer surfaces of the wig drying apparatus are configured to permit air to be directed to the majority of the underside of the wig. 
     In other embodiments of the method, the perforations on the outer surface of the stand are configured to permit air to be directed to the majority of the underside of the wig. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a left, front, and top side isometric view of the wig drying apparatus and wig in accordance with a preferred embodiment 
         FIG. 2  is a right side perspective view of the wig drying apparatus with the wig removed and a hair dryer attachment inserted within the base, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is right side perspective view of the wig drying apparatus with the wig removed and the outer surface drawn in phantom, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a right and upper side perspective view of the intersection between the side members and central member. 
         FIG. 5  is a right side perspective view of the wig drying apparatus of  FIG. 2  with the central member and base tube removed, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view of the wig drying apparatus of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is an underside elevation view of the base opening of wig drying apparatus of  FIG. 2 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment of the device  14  is presented in the figures referenced above. In describing the embodiments of the invention, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, it being understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents operating in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. It is understood that the drawings are not drawn exactly to scale. In the drawings, similar reference numbers are used for designating similar elements throughout the several drawings. 
     This specification and appended claims describe particular embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited to the embodiments detailed herein. As used herein, the terms “a” or “an” shall mean one or more than one. The term “plurality” shall mean two or more than two. The term “another” is defined as a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having” are open ended (e.g., comprising). The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C” An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive. 
     Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment,” “certain embodiments,” “an embodiment,” or similar term means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner on one or more embodiments without limitation. The detailed description illustrates by way of example, not by way of limitation, the principles of the invention. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, aspects, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the invention. 
     The examples and illustrations of a wig drying apparatus and method are described herein with respect to wig drying apparatus for use in the home. However, the inventive system is equally applicable for use in professional salons by professional hair stylists and beauticians or in other environments. Moreover, while certain materials are discussed herein with respect to various components of the various embodiments, the embodiments are not limited to such materials. For example, in a preferred embodiment, certain components are formed from extruded polystyrene foam such as Styrofoam® or polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or other suitable synthetic material. However, as will be discussed in more detail below, the components of the device may comprise any natural or man-made suitable materials, including metal, glass, or materials formed from a variety of polymers, monomers, and co-polymers, without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device  14  generally comprises a stand  14  adapted to hold a wig  76 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the stand  14  comprises a main body member  16  comprising a base  18  and a neck member  20 , and upper members  22 ,  24  comprising a central member  22  and side members  24 . The neck member  20  comprises a base tube  74  comprising a base opening  26 . The base opening  26  is adapted to accept a hose/outlet portion  28  of a dryer  30  or a dryer attachment  33 . In the preferred embodiment, the device  14  comprises a shape that is generally that of a human head and neck. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 5 , in the preferred embodiment, the base tube  74  is circular and comprises an approximate two inch diameter. With this diameter, base tube  74  is adapted to receive a standard sized hose/outlet portion  28  of a hairdryer  30 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , the base opening  26  of the preferred embodiment comprises a tapered portion  64  comprising flexible members  31  which move towards a base tube  74  perimeter when the hose/outlet portion  28  is inserted within the base tube  74  through the base opening  26 . Therefore, tapered portion  64  acts as a funnel so that the hose/outlet portion  28  may easily be inserted within the base tube  74 . Although in the preferred embodiment, the base tube opening  26  is positioned on a lower surface of the base member  18  and is approximately two inches in diameter, the base tube opening  26  need not be positioned on a lower surface of the base member  18  and may be smaller or larger than approximately two inches in diameter. For example, the base tube opening  26  may be positioned on other surfaces of the device  14  and may be configured to receive hose/outlet portions  28  of varying diameters. In the preferred embodiment, base tube  74  and flexible members  31  are formed from plastic. Flexible members  31  are biased in a constricted position so that when the hose/outlet portion  28  is inserted within opening, the hose/outlet portion  28  is securely retained within the base tube  74 . An elastic band  68  surrounding the perimeter of the base tube  74  and exterior portions of flexible members  31  exerts inward pressure on the flexible members  31  to maintain the flexible members  31  in inwardly biased configuration. Other hose coupling means known in the art may also be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-6 , the central member  22  comprises an upwardly extending curved contour. When viewed from a side, the central member  22  comprises a contour comprising a hook configuration approximating a rear, crown, and forehead configuration of a human. In the preferred embodiment, the central member  22  comprises a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     The side members  24  each comprise curved contours and extend from respective sides  54  of the stand  14  from respective lower side member connection areas  56  ( FIG. 3 ). In the preferred embodiment, each side member  24  comprises a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     Such lower side member connection areas  56  are each positioned approximately midway between respective lower base and upper stand surfaces  58 ,  60 . Each side member  24  extends upwardly from the respective lower side member connection area to respective upper side member connection areas  62 . The upper side member connection areas  62  are each adjacent to a crown portion  31  of the central member  22 . 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , in the preferred embodiment, each side member  24  is hingedly coupled to the main body portion at the lower side member connection area  56  such that upper side member portions  66  may be pivoted away from the central member  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the base tube  74  of the preferred embodiment further comprises a base tube manifold  78  at an upper end of the base tube  74 . The base tube  74  of the preferred embodiment extends away from the base member  18  and towards a side tube manifold  32  to which the base tube manifold  78  sealingly adjoins. The base tube manifold  78  comprises one or more central branching tubes  38 ,  40  and an upper base tube opening  80 . The upper base tube opening  80  leads to the side tube manifold  32 . 
     The side tube manifold  32  comprises one or more side branching tubes  34 ,  36 . The side branching tubes  34 ,  36 , extend upward between sides  42 ,  44  of the neck member  20  (see  FIG. 5 ) and respective sides  70  of side members  24 . The central member  22  comprises one or more central branching tubes  38 ,  40 . The central branching tubes  38 ,  40  extend upward between sides  72  of the central member  22 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the central and side branching tubes  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  comprise a plurality of perforations  46  extending from the branching tubes  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  through outer surfaces of the central and side members  22 . 
     A wig  76  positioned on the upper member can easily be dried. Air  35  produced by a conventional and commercially available hairdryer  30  is blown through base opening  26 , into and through the base tube  74 , upward through the neck  20  and a base tube and side tube manifolds  78   32 , through the branching tubes  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 , through the branching tube perforations  46 , and against an undersurface  48  of a wig  76  positioned on the outer surface  48  of the upper member  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in the preferred embodiment, the central member  22  and base tube  74  are removable. When removed and coupled to a hair dryer  30 , the central member  22  can be used to dry a wig  76  by hand. In this embodiment, the central member  22  nests between the side members  24  and sides of the base  18 . When the central member  22  and base tube  74  are removed, a base tube manifold  78  valve  79  may be closed such that air will not be directed through the upper base tube opening  80 . 
     In other embodiments, the central member  22  comprises a hooking member  50  on the outer surface  48  which permits the wig  76  to be secured. Although the central member  22  and base tube  74  of the preferred embodiment are removable, the central member  22  and base tube  74  need not be removable. In other embodiments, for example, the central member  22  and base tube  74  are fixed to the base  18  and side members  24 . In such embodiments, the base tube manifold  78  can be eliminated, and the base tube manifold  78  may comprise the central branching tubes  38 ,  40  as well as the side branching tubes  34 ,  36 . 
     Although in the preferred embodiment, the central member  22  comprises two central branching tubes  38 ,  40  the device  14  may comprise more or fewer than two central branching tubes  38 ,  40 . For example, in one embodiment, the central member  22  comprises a single branching tube  38 . In other embodiments, the central member comprises three or more central branching tubes  38 ,  40 . 
     Although in the preferred embodiment, the side members  24  each comprise a single side branching tube  34 ,  36  the side members  24  may comprise no side branching tubes  34 ,  36  or more than one central branching tubes  34 ,  36 . For example, in one embodiment, the side members  22  each comprise two branching tubes  34 ,  36 . In other embodiments, the side members  24  comprise two or more side branching tubes  34 ,  36 . Moreover, the side members  24  need not comprise the same number of branching tubes  34 ,  36  as each other  24 . 
     In other embodiments, the central and side branching tubes  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  comprise sub-branches in fluid communication with sub-branch perforations  46 . 
     The present disclosure also presents a method of drying a wig  76 , the method comprising the steps of providing a wig  76 , a wig drying apparatus  14 , and a hairdryer  30 , the wig drying apparatus  14  comprising a base member  18 , a neck member  20 , a central member  22  and side members  74 , the neck member  20  comprising a base tube  74  comprising a base opening  26 ; the base opening  26  being adapted to accept a hose portion  28  of the hairdryer  30 ; said base tube  74  extending away from the base member  18  and towards a side tube manifold  32 ; said side tube manifold  32  comprising said base tube  74  and one or more side branching tubes  34 ,  36 ; the side branching tubes  34 ,  36  extending upward between sides  42 ,  44  of the neck and side members  20 ,  24 ; the central member  22  comprising one or more central branching tubes  38 ,  40  extending between sides of the central member  22 , the central and side branching tubes  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  comprising a plurality of perforations  46  extending from branching tubes  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  through outer surfaces  48  of the wig drying apparatus  14 ; positioning the wig  76  on the wig drying apparatus  14 ; and directing air  52  from the hairdryer  30  into the base opening  26 . 
     In other embodiments of the method, the method comprising the steps of providing a wig  76 , a wig drying apparatus  14 , and a hairdryer  30 , the wig drying apparatus  14  comprising a base member  18 , a neck member  20 , a removable central member  22  and side members  74 , the neck member  20  comprising a base tube  74  comprising a base opening  26 ; the base opening  26  being adapted to accept a hose portion  28  of the hairdryer  30 ; said base tube  74  extending away from the base member  18  and towards a side tube manifold  32 ; said side tube manifold  32  comprising said base tube  74  and one or more side branching tubes  34 ,  36 ; the side branching tubes  34 ,  36  extending upward between sides  42 ,  44  of the neck and side members  20 ,  24 ; the central member  22  comprising one or more central branching tubes  38 ,  40  extending between sides of the central member  22 , the central and side branching tubes  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  comprising a plurality of perforations  46  extending from branching tubes  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  through outer surfaces  48  of the wig drying apparatus  14 ; removing the central member  22 , and drying the wig with the central member  22 . 
     In other embodiments of the method, the central and side branching tubes  34 ,  36 ,  38 , and  40  comprise sub-branches in fluid communication with sub-branch perforations  46 . 
     In other embodiments of the method, the perforations  46  on the outer surfaces  48  of the wig drying apparatus  14  are configured to permit air  52  to be directed to the majority of the underside of the wig  76 . 
     The foregoing disclosure and showings made in the drawing are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. While the invention is shown in only a few forms, it is not just limited to the forms shown, but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be adapted for use in a number of environments. 
     The embodiment was chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention in accordance with the breadth of this disclosure, to which it is fairly, legally, and equitably entitled to be interpreted.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0