Abstract:
The cap is a durable flexible head covering foundation article to be used on the head of a person under an artificial head covering. The body is dome shaped and contains a smooth inner layer to protect the natural hair and hairline and to retain/provide moisture to the natural hair thereby lessening breakage along the hairline and the hair itself that can be caused by artificial head coverings. The body also includes a smooth or textured outer layer with notches above/framing the top of the ears enabling it to conform to the head of the wearer. The body further includes a reinforced rim allowing for lasting or durable stretch memory of the perimeter of the cap. The present invention contains zero to multiple openings allowing for attachment of the artificial head covering to the natural hair of the wearer.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Claims the benefit of the provisional application #61710788 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Technical Field 
         [0005]    This invention relates to a wig cap and more specifically a wig cap that effectively protects the hairline and the hair from thinning, baldness, and breakage as a result of wearing wigs and hats. 
         [0006]    2. Prior Art 
         [0007]    The problem with wig caps currently on the market is that they are made of a nylon that does not adequately protect the hairline from the rim of the wig or the adhesive used on many wigs to secure the lace of the wig to the head and give a more natural appearance to the customer. Current nylon wig caps tend to pull out hair strands when removed from head. Further, nylon wig caps currently on the market tend to shrink or retreat from the hairline after a few hours of wear thereby exposing the hairline to the adhesives of the lace front wig or the rim of the wig causing unnecessary breakage or balding of the hairline. African-American women tend to have naturally dry hair that tends to break easily if not kept moisturized. Therefore, the nylon wig caps currently on the market are likely to damage African-American hair when worn under wigs that are worn and changed like accessories in the current society. Additionally, nylon wig caps do not, retain moisture to the hair therefore leaving it more susceptible to breakage especially for African-American customers. Nylon wig caps on the market also tend to be useless after four or five wears because they stretch out and lack sufficient stretch memory. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present novel invention provides a solution to the problems outlined above, and provides a secure fit to the circumference of the head so as not to expose the hairline to unnecessary breakage. This new invention does exist on the market and has never been commercialized. The present invention is stretchable circumferentially and conforms to the shape of the head. The present invention can be worn under any artificial head covering to maintain or increase moisture and prevent damage to the natural hair of the wearer. The present invention has a circumference that is equal to the circumference of the head and contains a thin inside layer and outside layer. The inside layer is a stretchy smooth silky fabric or material that does not pull or damage the natural hair strands and retains and/or provides moisture to the natural hair when worn under an artificial head covering. It is therefore the object of the invention to provide a smooth inside protective layer that separates the artificial head covering from the natural hair of the wearer. 
         [0009]    The present invention contains a reinforced elasticized band equal to the circumference of the head. The present invention contains ear notches/notches above both ears that surround or conforms to the top of both ears and enabling a framing of the face covering the hairline and providing a stay-in-place secure fit of the overall cap. The indentations on the right and left side of the cap enables the cap to fit securely on the head and snugly beneath the top of the right and left ear without risk of the cap receding backwards or upwards on the head exposing the hairline and risking hair damage. The innovative ear notches ensures that the cap will not retreat from the hairline thereby protecting it from damage or balding. 
         [0010]    The inventive cap contains zero to four openings strategically placed in the front or sides or back of the cap to accommodate the insertion of combs typically attached to commercial wigs and used to secure the wig to the head. 
         [0011]    The object of the present invention is to provide a new improved protective head covering foundation with a structure for securely holding the wig in place and protecting the wearer&#39;s natural hairline and hair. 
         [0012]    The object of this invention is to provide a cap that protects the hair of the wearer and maintains or provides moisture to the natural hair of the wearer and is comfortably worn under any artificial head covering. 
         [0013]    Another object of the invention is to provide a cap that accommodates and can be adapted to be worn with a variety of artificial head coverings currently being sold on the market. 
         [0014]    An object of the present invention is to provide a secure stay-in-place fit through a reinforced elasticized circumferential edge of cap and crest shaped notches tapered above and hugging each ear located on either side of the head and above each ear thereby acting as stabilizing features for the cap when worn under a variety of artificial head coverings. 
         [0015]    Another object of the invention is to provide a smooth inner layer so as to protect natural hair and hairline. 
         [0016]    A further object of the present invention is a cap construction that may be worn by users with varying head sizes. 
         [0017]    The abovementioned objects, features, and advantages will be more apparent from a full reading and study of the complete application and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when taken in conjunction with the detailed description thereof and in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is an inside view of the combination of inventive slits/openings, the reinforced bottom edge, the tapered crest cutout above the ears, the smooth lining inside the cap. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective of the cap 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a back perspective of the cap 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective f the cap 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective of the cap 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a bottom inside view of the cap 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an in use perspective of the cap 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective of the cap with a two openings/slits modification on the right and left sides of the cap. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective with a single openings/slit modification in the front of the cap 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective with an example zero openings/slits modification 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a front perspective with an example single openings/slit modification at the top of the cap. 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is a front perspective with an example modification of a netted covering of the openings/slits. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is a blown up perspective of the opening/slit feature of the cap 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is a blown up perspective of the opening/slit feature of the cap where the opening has no covering 
           [0033]      FIG. 15  is a blown up perspective of the opening/slit feature of the cap where the opening is covered with a netted material 
           [0034]      FIG. 16  is a blown up perspective of the opening/slit feature of the cap where the opening is covered with a netted material 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    The present invention will be described more fully incorporating reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. This embodiment is provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those fully skilled in the art. The present invention is not limited to the examples chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute a departure from the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0036]    Synthetic wigs, hats, caps are frequently used for cosmetic appearance enhancement. For purposes of this application such head coverings will be referred to as artificial head coverings. An artificial head covering is an article constructed for wearing atop the user&#39;s head. Frequently synthetic wigs are held in place with combs mounted to the wig cap or by friction between the wig cap and the wig. The number of combs on a wig cap can range from zero to four or more. Wigs are also held in place with special adhesives put on the wig to adhere the wig to the wearer&#39;s head. The problem with wig caps currently on the market is that they are made of a nylon that does not adequately protect the hairline from the rim of the wig or the adhesive used on many wigs to secure the lace of the wig to the head of the wearer. Nor do such wig caps protect the natural hair of the wearer for they have a tendency to pull or break hair strands when removed from the head of the wearer. 
         [0037]    The present invention satisfies a need by providing a durable and flexible protective covering for the user&#39;s natural hair and hairline that has two-way stretch and is stretchable in two dimensions and easily conforms to the shape of the head of the wearer. The present invention can be worn under any resent invention has sufficient stretch to compress the natural hair of the wearer and eliminating bulk under a synthetic wig giving the wig a more natural appearance. The present invention is lightweight, comfortable to wear and durable in construction. The present invention is specifically configured so as to fit snugly over the natural hair of the wearer and in alignment with the natural hairline without receding toward the crown of the head. The present invention has a reinforced elasticized bottom edge running along the natural hairline of the wearer and has sufficient memory so as to not become over stretched after several wears. The wearer is not subjected to headaches from pressure of the article and can wear the article all day without being reminded that she is wearing the article. Further, the present invention is constructed using special fabrics and features that protect the wearer&#39;s natural hair and hairline without pulling the hair strands of the wearer, depleting moisture from the hair of the wearer or slipping off the head of the wearer. The present invention provides for a fully stabilized and secure fit of the synthetic wig on the head of the wearer. Synthetic hair can also be attached to the front of the cap and a synthetic half wig can be worn over the body of the cap so that the lace front attached synthetic hair is on the forehead instead of the hairline thereby protecting the hairline from damage yet giving a more natural looking aesthetic to the synthetic hair. The protective cap is completely hidden from view. 
         [0038]    The present invention is designed to aid in the protection of the wearer&#39;s natural hair and hairline when wearing artificial head coverings in addition to enabling a secure fit of the artificial head covering. The present invention is made of a material that is stretchable circumferentially about the head of the wearer. The present invention has a reinforced elasticized edge that runs along the hairline of the wearer but is not overly constricting to the users head thereby causing headaches. The present invention is tapered by way of a crest shaped cutout above the left and right ears so that the invention remains in place. Such features provide for an optimum fit of the article thereby preventing a recession of the article away from hairline toward the dome of the head. The edge running along the hairline may or may not have more elasticity than the body or dome of the protective cap. However, there is reinforced elasticity at the edge of the cap along the hairline thereby providing stability and protection of the hairline. The entire inner lining of the cap including the reinforced elasticized bottom edge is a thin smooth stretchy fabric similar to polyester, spandex, satin, silk or similar fabrics that do not pull the strands of the wearer&#39;s natural hair but lies or slides over the wearer&#39;s natural hair. The inner layer may also be plastic so as to allow increased moisture to hair. The outer side may be made of the same fabric as the inner layer or a more fibrous rougher textured fabric enabling a more secure fit of the artificial head covering and preventing, in the case of a synthetic wig, from slipping off the head of the wearer. Without departing from the scope of this invention, the means for adjusting the size thereof, such as cinching or a drawstring or cord lock may be used and remain within the scope of the present invention. The present invention can also be constructed in a variety of shapes and sizes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a triangle shape is possible without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0039]    The slits/openings in the front, back, left side, and right side of the cap are for the purpose of inserting combs that are usually attached to wigs to go through the cap into the natural hair of the wearer. The openings are integral for advantageously preventing the wig from slipping from the head of the wearer. The opening for the wig combs allows for a secured fit of the hair wig and prevents slippage of the hair wig from the wearer&#39;s head. The invention can be adjusted to have zero to multiple openings depending on the artificial head covering. Some wigs may not have any combs or one comb attached, others may have two combs; others may have three combs attached, the present invention can be adapted accordingly and still be within the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Further, the openings/slits in the front, back, and sides of the article may not be covered by any material (open), the slits may be covered by netting or another material that would enable the wig combs to go through the article to the natural hair of the wearer and secure the synthetic wig to the head of the wearer. Such modifications, though not illustrated in the included drawings remain fully within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the drawings or illustrations included do not limit the range of opening elements that may or may not be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0040]    The fabric or material used in the preparation of the cap can vary widely, and can be selected, for example from nylons, silk, satin, plastic, polyester, lycra, microfiber, spandex, a fabric blend, cotton, etc. The inside lining of the present invention/cap can vary widely from satin to plastic (but not limited to either) as long as it protects and does not break or damage the hair strands of the wearer. The fabric used for inside lining of the present invention/cap protects the hair and hairline. The inside of the cap that is in direct contact with the wearer&#39;s natural hair and hairline is made of a fabric or material that is very smooth and not abrasive and does not pull the hair strands of the wearer when removed. The outside of the present invention/cap may be made of the same fabric or texture as the inside or the outside of the present invention/cap may be treated or matted so as to provide friction between the wig and the present invention thereby providing a more secure fit of the wig or other artificial head covering. The fabric and construction allows for 24-hour protection, comfort and wear. 
         [0041]    The examples of material or fabric given throughout this application do not limit the wide variety of fabrics or materials that can be used and still remain within the scope of the invention. 
         [0042]    The combined features of reinforced elasticity along the hairline, the smooth fabric inner lining of the article, the stabilizing features of a crest tapered right and left side and openings/slits for wig combs keeps the article in place and prevents the recession of the article away from the hairline providing protection of the hair and hairline of the wearer thereby preventing hair loss associated with wig adhesives, wigs, hats, or moisture depletion. 
         [0043]    Though the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0044]    In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. The assembly and use of the present invention are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art.