Patent Description:
As described herein, according to one non-limiting example, a hairpiece holder for holding hair is described. The holder may include: a first portion having one or more protrusions extending therefrom, which protrusion(s) are adapted to position at least one hairpiece relative to the first portion; and a second portion couplable to the first portion, wherein, when the first and second portions are in a closed position, the first and second portions define a sealed cavity which encloses the protrusion(s).

As described herein, according to another non-limiting example, a hairpiece holder for holding hair is described. The holder may include: a base; a lid coupled to the base, wherein the base or the lid comprises one or more protrusions extending therefrom, which protrusion(s) are adapted to retain a position of at least one hairpiece relative to the respective portion; a seal ring interposed between the base and lid, when the base and lid are in a closed position; and a sealed cavity formed by the base and lid, which cavity encloses the protrusion(s).

As described herein, according to another non-limiting example, a hairpiece holder is disclosed that comprises: a first longitudinal portion having a plurality of protrusions, wherein the plurality of protrusions is arranged in series along the first portion; and a second portion couplable to the first portion, wherein, when the first and second portions are in a closed position, the first and second portions define a sealed cavity which encloses the plurality of protrusions, wherein the hairpiece holder is configured such that, when an adhesive coupling of a hairpiece is located in the cavity and hair of the hairpiece is located around the plurality of protrusions and when first and second portions are in the closed position, the adhesive coupling is isolated from an exterior of the hairpiece holder.

According to at least non-limiting example, the plurality of protrusions includes teeth spaced from one another between a first end of the first portion and a second end thereof.

According to at least non-limiting example, the plurality of protrusions is axially aligned along a length of the first portion.

According to at least non-limiting example, the hairpiece holder further comprises one or more feet coupled to the first or second portion.

According to at least non-limiting example, the feet comprise suction cups having an offset arrangement.

According to at least non-limiting example, the first or second portion further comprises a coupling feature configured to retain the first and second portions in the closed position.

According to at least non-limiting example, the feature comprises one or more of a clip, a latch, a magnet, and a hinge.

According to at least non-limiting example, the feature comprises the magnet, wherein one of the first longitudinal portion or the second portion includes the magnet and the other of the first longitudinal portion or the second portion includes a magnetically attracted element, the magnet and the magnetically attracted element configured to retain the first portion and the second portion in the closed position.

According to at least non-limiting example, the hairpiece holder further comprises a seal ring that is positioned between the first and second portions in the closed position.

According to at least non-limiting example, at least one of the first and second portions comprise a circumferential edge, wherein, in the closed position, the seal ring is positioned between the circumferential edge and the respective other portion.

According to at least non-limiting example, at least one of the first or second portions comprise a channel that at least partially defines the cavity.

As described herein, according to another non-limiting example, a hairpiece holder is disclosed that comprises: a base; a lid coupled to the base, wherein the base or the lid comprises a series of protrusions extending therefrom, wherein the series of protrusions are arranged along the base or lid; a seal ring interposed between the base and lid, when the base and lid are in a closed position; and a sealed cavity formed by the base and lid, which cavity encloses the series of protrusions, wherein the hairpiece holder is configured such that, when an adhesive coupling of a hairpiece is located in the cavity and hair of the hairpiece is located around the series of protrusions and when the base and the lid are in the closed position, the adhesive coupling is isolated from an exterior of the hairpiece holder.

According to at least non-limiting example, the base or the lid further comprises one or more of a clip, a latch, a magnet, and a hinge configured to retain the base or the lid in the closed position.

According to at least non-limiting example, one of the base or the lid carries the magnet and the other of the base or the lid carries a magnetically attracted element, wherein the magnet and the magnetically attracted element are configured to retain the base and the lid in the closed position.

According to at least non-limiting example, at least one of the base or the lid comprise a circumferential edge, wherein, in the closed position, the seal ring is positioned between the circumferential edge and the respective other base or lid.

With reference to the figures listed above, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown a hairpiece holder <NUM> for holding hairpieces while washing, drying, and/or coloring them. As used herein, a hairpiece <NUM> is a plurality of human or synthetic strands of hair <NUM> (e.g., a so-called tress) which are coupled together using an adhesive coupling <NUM> (i.e., a dab of cured adhesive or glue, or coupling using one or more adhesive strips). Typically, the adhesive coupling <NUM> is located at one end <NUM> of the strands of hair <NUM>. Non-limiting examples of hairpieces include so-called hair-extensions, wigs, and hairpieces, just to name a few examples. Washing, blow-drying, applying colors or dyes, and the like can deteriorate the adhesive coupling <NUM>. And as will be described in more detail below, the hairpiece holder <NUM> described herein inhibits such fluids, dyes, etc. from contacting the coupling <NUM> while a hair-stylist washes, dries, or treats the hair <NUM> of the hairpiece <NUM> and thereby inhibits such degradation.

The hairpiece holder <NUM> comprises a first portion or base <NUM> and a second portion or lid <NUM> which, when located adjacent one another, form and define a sealed cavity <NUM>. The base <NUM> may comprise an elongated bottom <NUM> and a plurality of walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> extending from a first side <NUM> of the bottom <NUM>- the bottom <NUM> and walls <NUM>-<NUM> forming a channel <NUM>. And according to one example, a length of the base <NUM> may be <NUM> - <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> inches) long and/or a width thereof may be between <NUM> - <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> inches) wide (e.g., this length may permit the holder <NUM> to fit within and be coupled to an inner surface of a conventional salon sinks). Further, according to at least one example, a volume of the channel <NUM> may be between <NUM> - <NUM><NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> cubic inches). Of course, these are merely examples, and other examples exist (e.g., in at least one example, the base <NUM> is approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches) long and approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches) wide).

A height of the walls <NUM>-<NUM> may be uniform so that ends <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of respective walls <NUM>-<NUM> collectively define a circumferential edge <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In at least one example, a thickness of one longitudinal wall (e.g., one of wall <NUM> or wall <NUM>) may be thicker than the remaining walls. For instance, in the illustrated example, wall <NUM> is shown as thicker than walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

According to at least one example, one of ends <NUM>, <NUM> of respective walls <NUM>, <NUM> may have one or more protrusions <NUM> extending outwardly therefrom. For example, <FIG> illustrates a plurality of protrusions <NUM> extending from thicker wall <NUM>. More particularly, the protrusions <NUM> may extend from an inboard region <NUM> of end <NUM> (of wall <NUM>). The protrusion(s) <NUM> may comprise teeth or tines <NUM>- which may or may not be evenly spaced along a portion of a length of end <NUM>. In some examples, the protrusions <NUM> are axially aligned and parallel to axis A. The protrusions <NUM> may be spaced inboard (e.g., closer to channel <NUM> so that the protrusions <NUM> are located within the cavity <NUM> of holder <NUM> when the lid <NUM> is in the closed position; further, by spacing the protrusions <NUM> on the inboard region <NUM>, an outboard region <NUM> of end <NUM> may be available for a sealing engagement between the base <NUM> and lid <NUM>, as will be described in greater detail below.

As will be explained in more detail below, a hair stylist may use the protrusions <NUM> to retain a hairpiece by locating the adhesive coupling <NUM> of the hairpiece <NUM> within the cavity <NUM> so that the strands of hair <NUM> extend through the protrusions <NUM> and dangle outside of the hairpiece holder <NUM> (e.g., dangle vertically as shown in <FIG>). Thereafter, the stylist may close the lid <NUM>. In this manner, when the hairpiece <NUM> is pulled and handled by the stylist, the hairpiece <NUM> does not move relative to the holder <NUM>- e.g., as the coupling <NUM> may abut against the protrusions <NUM> within the cavity <NUM> thereby inhibiting the hairpiece <NUM> from slipping out of the holder <NUM>. The hairpiece <NUM> may be held in place by gravity, the circumferential sealing engagement, or a combination thereof.

This arrangement of protrusions <NUM> is merely one implementation. In other examples, the protrusion(s) <NUM> could extend from the lid <NUM> in addition to or instead of extending from the base <NUM>. See for example <FIG> which illustrates holder <NUM>' having protrusions <NUM>' extending from lid <NUM>' (in this example, wall <NUM>' may be spaced farther outboard of wall <NUM>' and/or may be thinner than wall <NUM> (e.g., having a thickness that approximates that of walls <NUM>', <NUM>', and <NUM>'-e.g., thereby providing space for the protrusions <NUM>' to fit within the cavity <NUM>' when the holder <NUM>' is in the closed position. Further, other protrusion examples exist as well. For instance, a distal end of each tooth <NUM> could be bent or curved toward the cavity <NUM>-e.g., to further aid in retaining a hairpiece position. Still other examples exist as well.

Returning to <FIG> and <FIG>, a second side <NUM> of the base <NUM> (opposite the first side <NUM>) may be coupled to one or more feet <NUM> which extend outwardly therefrom. The feet <NUM> may be used to couple the holder <NUM> to a workpiece surface <NUM>. For example, the feet <NUM> may be used to couple the holder <NUM> to a mirror, wash basin, or other vertical workpiece surface so that the hair <NUM> of the hairpiece <NUM> dangles therebelow. Of course, the feet <NUM> could be coupled to horizontal or inclined surfaces as well. In at least one example, the feet <NUM> comprise suction cups <NUM> having an open end <NUM> facing away from base <NUM>. In other examples, one or more feet <NUM> could comprise a hook-and-loop material (e.g., Velcro), a disposable adhesive pad, or the like-e.g., adapted to couple the base <NUM> to the workpiece surface <NUM>.

According to one example, the feet <NUM> are arranged according to an offset arrangement. As used herein, an offset arrangement of feet <NUM> means the feet <NUM> are not arranged in a straight line. For example, while the feet <NUM> may be coupled to and axially spaced along the length of the base <NUM>, at least one foot <NUM> may be closer to wall <NUM> (or <NUM>) than the other feet <NUM> (e.g., one foot <NUM> may be a different distance from axis A than the others). In at least one example (e.g., as illustrated), a flange <NUM> may extend radially outwardly of base <NUM> (e.g., from wall <NUM>), and at least one of the feet <NUM> may be coupled to and extend from the flange <NUM> (e.g., away from second side <NUM>; however, this is merely an example and other implementations also exist. Thus, for example, having several feet <NUM> in the offset arrangement, when the holder <NUM> is coupled to vertical workpiece surface <NUM>, the holder <NUM> is less likely to pivot downwardly as a stylist attempts to wash, handle, or otherwise pull on the hairpiece <NUM>. The illustrations show three feet <NUM>; this is merely an example. Other quantities of feet may be used instead.

As shown in <FIG>, base <NUM> also may comprise a first coupling feature <NUM> and a second coupling feature <NUM> which collectively can be used to retain the base <NUM> and lid <NUM> in a closed position. According to one example, the first coupling feature <NUM> is a hinge which is coupled to lid <NUM> (as described below) and also to an outer surface <NUM> of the base <NUM> at an end <NUM>. Thus, in one instance, feature <NUM> couples the base <NUM> and lid <NUM> together also when the holder <NUM> is in an open position. According to another example, the second coupling feature <NUM> is a clip formed in part as a depression in the outer surface <NUM> of base <NUM> at an end <NUM> (which is opposite the end <NUM>). Here, when feature <NUM> is in a latched position, the holder <NUM> may be in the closed position, and when feature <NUM> is in an unlatched position, the holder <NUM> may be in the open position. For example, the coupling feature <NUM>' may include one or more magnets <NUM>, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, and further discussed below. Other non-limiting examples of first and/or second coupling features <NUM>, <NUM> include a latch, a clamp, a snap, a pivotable hook, a post, a tether, and the like.

Turning now to the lid, the lid <NUM> may comprise an elongated top <NUM> and a plurality of walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> extending from a first side <NUM> of the top <NUM>- the top <NUM> and walls <NUM>-<NUM> also may form a channel <NUM>. A length of the lid <NUM> may correspond with a length of the base <NUM>; more particularly, the ends <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of respective walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may correspond and respectively abut with respective ends <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of walls <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. More particularly still, the outboard region <NUM> (of wall <NUM>) may abut end <NUM> (of wall <NUM>). The height of the walls <NUM>-<NUM> may be uniform so that ends <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> collectively define a circumferential edge <NUM> of the lid <NUM>. And according to one example, a length of the lid <NUM>-which corresponds to a length of the base <NUM>- also may be <NUM> - <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> inches) long and/or a width thereof may be between <NUM> - <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> inches) wide. Further, according to at least one example, a volume of the channel <NUM> may be between <NUM> - <NUM><NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> cubic inches). Again, these dimensions are merely examples, and other examples exist (e.g., in at least one example, the lid <NUM> is approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches) long and approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches) wide).

The lid <NUM> may be couplable to the first and/or second coupling features <NUM>, <NUM>, described above. For instance, when feature <NUM> comprises a hinge, the hinge also may be coupled to an outer surface <NUM> of lid <NUM> at an end <NUM> thereof. In other examples, end <NUM> may comprise a third coupling feature- e.g., instead of being coupled to the hinge. In at least one example, lid <NUM> comprises a fourth coupling feature <NUM> which may extend from the outer surface <NUM> of lid <NUM> at an end <NUM>. In at least one example, feature <NUM> comprises a latch that correspondingly couples to the second coupling feature <NUM> (e.g., a clip). In another example, the coupling feature <NUM>' may include one or more magnets <NUM>, shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, and further discussed below. The third and/or fourth coupling features may be similar or identical to those features described above with respect to the first and/or second coupling features <NUM>, <NUM>; therefore, these features will not be re-described here.

Thus, in at least one example, lid <NUM> may pivot with respect to base <NUM> at first coupling feature <NUM> (e.g., a hinge or similar device). In this manner, lid <NUM> may be coupled to the base <NUM> in both the open and closed positions. When end <NUM> of the lid <NUM> is moved toward the base <NUM> (and to the closed position), the second and fourth coupling features <NUM>, <NUM> may engage to the latched position. In the latched position, one or more components of the features <NUM>, <NUM> resiliently may deform and/or be biased (e.g., to retain the engagement thereof). A user of the holder <NUM> may displace, bend, or otherwise move one or both coupling features <NUM>, <NUM> in order to change the holder to the unlatched position. When this occurs, components may resiliently return to their original shape so that the features <NUM>, <NUM> may be used again to re-latch the features <NUM>, <NUM> (and also later re-form a sealing engagement between the base <NUM> and lid <NUM>).

When the hairpiece holder <NUM> is moved from the open position to the closed position, the protrusions <NUM> may be located adjacent to an inner surface <NUM> of wall <NUM> (of lid <NUM>). Thus, in at least the illustrated example, strands of hair <NUM> may be trapped between the protrusions <NUM> and wall <NUM>. Further, the adhesive coupling <NUM> of the hairpiece <NUM> may be located within the cavity <NUM> (e.g., in the channel <NUM>, channel <NUM>, or a combination thereof). As the circumferential edges <NUM>, <NUM> may abut one another in a sealing engagement, the adhesive coupling <NUM> may be isolated from contact with water, detergents, and other chemicals which may deteriorate the adhesive material.

According to one example, the edge <NUM> may have a circumferential groove <NUM>, and the groove <NUM> may carry a seal ring <NUM> which further may promote a sealing engagement. With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the seal ring <NUM>"" may be supported by the lid <NUM>‴ and surround the coupling feature <NUM>', e.g., the magnets <NUM>. Alternately or additionally, a seal ring may be supported by the base 20ʺʺ and surround the coupling feature <NUM>', e.g., the magnets <NUM> (not shown). A cross-section (not shown) of the ring <NUM> may have any suitable shape (e.g., rounded, rectangular, flat (as a gasket), etc.). Further, the seal ring <NUM> may comprise any suitable material; non-limiting examples include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), nitrile rubber, silicone, and other polymers. In the closed position, the seal ring <NUM> may be interposed between and may resiliently deform against the circumferential edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the base <NUM> and lid (respectively) in a sealing engagement. As used herein, a sealing engagement means that leakage of fluids is inhibited from passing between the base <NUM> and lid <NUM>. Thus, in at least one example, this sealing engagement may be based on a compression of the seal ring <NUM> therebetween. In at least one other example, the sealing engagement is based (at least partially) on a press-fit engagement of a portion of base <NUM> and/or lid <NUM>, as described more below.

As also described in more detail below, neither the bottom <NUM>, the top <NUM>, nor the walls <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may have a pass-through hole, a pass-through slot, etc. which, in the closed position, permits fluid communication between the inner surface <NUM> (base <NUM>) and inner surface <NUM> (lid <NUM>) of cavity <NUM> and an outer surface <NUM> of the lid <NUM> or outer surface <NUM> of the base <NUM>. For example, holder <NUM> may not have drainage holes or the like as the holder <NUM> is adapted to inhibit moisture, detergents, dyes, and the like from entering the cavity <NUM>. Furthermore, as discussed above, a press-fit engagement between circumferential edges <NUM>, <NUM> may inhibit moisture from entering the cavity <NUM>. Still further, the seal ring <NUM> further may inhibit moisture, detergents, dyes, and the like from seeping between circumferential edges <NUM>, <NUM>. As described above, in this manner, the holder <NUM> may inhibit degradation of the adhesive coupling <NUM> which binds the hairs <NUM> of the hairpiece <NUM> together-thereby increasing the useful life of the hairpiece <NUM> which is typically desirable to a wearer thereof.

The base <NUM> and lid <NUM> may comprise any suitable rigid plastic or polymeric material. For example, the base <NUM> and lid <NUM> may comprise any low-density, medium-density, or high-density polyethylene (e.g., LDPE, MDPE, HDPE). In at least one example, the base <NUM> and lid <NUM> can comprise an anti-static plastic (e.g. such as polyacetylene, polyphenylene vinylene, poly-pyrrole, etc.) so that static charge on hairpiece <NUM> is drawn to the holder <NUM>-e.g., when the holder <NUM> is in the closed position and is holding the hairpiece <NUM> while a stylist blow-dries such hairpiece.

Other examples of the hairpiece holder exist as well. For example, the lid <NUM> could comprise a resilient material so that all or part of the lid deforms in the closed position forming a sealing engagement.

In still other examples (such as that shown in <FIG>), a base <NUM>" may not comprise walls <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, protrusions <NUM>" could extend from a bottom <NUM>" of base <NUM>" and instead circumferential edge <NUM>" of respective walls <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>", <NUM>" (carrying seal <NUM>") may abut the bottom <NUM>" in a sealing engagement.

It should be appreciated that in still other examples, circumferential edge <NUM> of the base <NUM> could have a circumferential groove (e.g., instead of lid <NUM> having groove <NUM>). Thus, base <NUM> may carry a circumferential seal (e.g., similar to seal <NUM>).

In yet other example of hairpiece holder <NUM>‴ (such as that shown in <FIG>), a base <NUM>‴ may comprise a barrier wall <NUM> extending outwardly from circumferential edge <NUM>‴. For example, the wall <NUM> may be spaced radially inwardly from a periphery <NUM> of the edge <NUM>‴. Protrusions <NUM>‴ may extend outwardly from a top <NUM> of wall <NUM>. In this example, lid <NUM>‴ may comprise a counterbore <NUM> that extends from circumferential edge <NUM>‴, wherein the counterbore <NUM> is shaped and sized to correspond with the wall <NUM> and edge <NUM>'" - e.g., so that, in a closed position, the barrier wall <NUM> and counterbore <NUM> form a sealing engagement (e.g., inhibiting the penetration of moisture, fluids, detergents, etc. into cavity <NUM>‴ formed by the base <NUM>‴ and lid <NUM>‴). In this example, the lid <NUM>'" may or may not carry a seal (e.g., such as seal <NUM> shown and discussed above). For example, in one instance, the wall <NUM> and counterbore <NUM> may abut one another in a press-fit engagement, and any resilient deformation of one or both components may form the sealing engagement therebetween.

In another example, the hairpiece holder <NUM> may have more than three feet <NUM>. For example, in some instances, the holder <NUM> may be longer (e.g., up to approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches) long), and additional feet <NUM> may be used to bear the weight of the holder <NUM>, multiple wet hairpieces <NUM>, etc. For example, additional suction cups may be used to retain the holder <NUM> to an inner surface of a salon sink.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, another example of the hairpiece holder <NUM>"" is shown. The base <NUM>"" of the hairpiece holder <NUM>"" may include one or more magnets <NUM> as the coupling feature <NUM>' for coupling the base 20ʺʺ to the lid 22ʺʺ. The magnets <NUM> may be permanent magnets, e.g., magnetized ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel, cobalt, neodymium, etc. The magnets <NUM> may be embedded in the walls 28ʺʺ, 30ʺʺ, 32ʺʺ, 34ʺʺ. For example, the magnets <NUM> may be disposed within holes <NUM> defined in the walls <NUM>"", <NUM>"", 32ʺʺ, 34ʺʺ. The magnets <NUM> may be fixed within the holes <NUM> via an interference fit, an adhesive, a combination thereof, or the like. One of the magnets <NUM> may be embedded in the wall 30ʺʺ and the wall 32ʺʺ, e.g.. , at an inboard corner <NUM> where the walls 30ʺʺ, 32ʺʺ intersect. One of the magnets <NUM> may be embedded in the wall <NUM>"" and the wall <NUM>"", e.g., at an inboard corner <NUM> where the walls 32ʺʺ, 34ʺʺ intersect. Two magnets <NUM> may be embedded in the wall 28ʺʺ e.g., spaced from each other, and spaced from the walls 30ʺʺ, 34ʺʺ, respectively. Other arrangements of magnets may be used, including having a different number and position of magnets. An outer surface <NUM> of each magnet <NUM> may be flush with the ends 48ʺʺ, 50ʺʺ, 52ʺʺ, 54ʺʺ of respective walls 28ʺʺ, 30ʺʺ, 32ʺʺ, 34ʺʺ.

The lid 22ʺʺ of the hairpiece holder 10ʺʺ may include one or more magnets <NUM> as the coupling feature <NUM>' for coupling the lid 22ʺʺ to the base 20ʺʺ. The magnets <NUM> may be as described above for magnets <NUM>. The magnets <NUM> may be embedded in the walls 92ʺʺ, 94ʺʺ, 96ʺʺ, 98ʺʺ. For example, the magnets <NUM> may be disposed within holes <NUM> defined in the walls 92ʺʺ, 94ʺʺ, 96ʺʺ, 98ʺʺ. The magnets <NUM> may be fixed within the holes <NUM> via interference fit, adhesive, etc. One of the magnets <NUM> may be embedded in the wall 94ʺʺ and the wall 96ʺʺ, e.g.. , at an inboard corner <NUM> where the walls 94ʺʺ, 96ʺʺ intersect. One of the magnets <NUM> may be embedded in the wall 96ʺʺ and the wall 98ʺʺ, e.g., at an inboard corner <NUM> where the walls 96ʺʺ, 98ʺʺ intersect. Two magnets <NUM> may be embedded in the wall 92ʺʺ, e.g., spaced from each other, and spaced from the walls 94ʺʺ, 98ʺʺ, respectively. Other arrangements of magnets may be used, including having a different number and position of magnets. An outer surface <NUM> of each magnet <NUM> may be flush with the ends 112ʺʺ, 114ʺʺ, 116ʺʺ, 118ʺʺ of the respective walls 92ʺʺ, 94ʺʺ, 96ʺʺ, 98ʺʺ.

The magnets <NUM>, <NUM> may retain the lid 22ʺʺ in the closed position. For example, the magnets <NUM> of the base <NUM>"" may be aligned with and proximate corresponding magnets <NUM> of the lid <NUM>‴ such that magnetic attraction forces between the magnets <NUM>, <NUM> urge the base 20ʺʺ and the lid 22ʺʺ toward each other. A strength of the magnetic attraction forces may be based on a size of the magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, e.g., the larger the magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, the greater the attraction forces. The strength of the magnetic attraction forces may be based on a type of the magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, e.g., neodymium magnets may generate greater attraction forces than iron magnets. The strength of the magnetic attraction forces may be based on a proximity of the magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, e.g., the closer the magnets <NUM> are to the magnets <NUM> the greater the attraction forces.

Further, it is to be understood and appreciated that the coupling feature <NUM>', <NUM>' may include a magnetically attracted element, i.e., a material that is attracted by a magnetic field but does not necessarily generate its own magnetic field, e.g., a ferromagnetic material such as iron. For example, the coupling feature <NUM>' may include one or more magnetically attracted elements aligned with and proximate corresponding magnet(s) <NUM> of the lid <NUM>‴ in closed position, and/or the coupling feature <NUM>' may include one or more magnetically attracted elements aligned with and proximate corresponding magnet(s) <NUM> of the base <NUM>‴ in closed position (not shown). Additionally, the one or more magnets <NUM> and/or magnets <NUM> may couple the lid 22ʺʺ to the base 20ʺʺ with or without the coupling feature <NUM>, e.g., without or without the hinge.

In at least one example, at least one hole <NUM> of base 20ʺʺ carries a magnet while the corresponding hole <NUM> of the lid 22ʺʺ carries a magnetically-attracted element In at least one example, at least one hole <NUM> of lid 22ʺʺ carries a magnet while the corresponding hole <NUM> of the base 20ʺʺ carries a magnetically-attracted element. And in one example, some of the holes <NUM> carry a magnet while other holes <NUM> carry a magnetically-attracted element that does not generate its own magnetic field, and some of the holes <NUM> carry a magnet while other holes <NUM> carry a magnetically-attracted element that does not generate its own magnetic field, wherein for each hole <NUM> or <NUM> that carries a magnetic, the corresponding hole (e.g., <NUM> or <NUM>, respectively) carries a magnetically-attracted element that does not generate its own magnetic field. Of course, this is merely an example; other examples also exist.

Thus, there has been described a hairpiece holder having a first portion and a second portion. The first and/or second portions may form a sealed cavity and either (or both) portions may have one or more protrusions for positioning a hairpiece within the cavity. In a closed position and when an adhesive coupling of the hairpiece is located within the cavity, the holder may inhibit fluid contact with fluids located on an exterior of the holder.

As used herein, terminology such as up, down, left, right, vertically, horizontally, inclined, etc. should be construed as terms used to explain or illustrate relative position and/or orientation. These terms are not intended to be limiting.

Claim 1:
A hairpiece holder (<NUM>), comprising:
a first longitudinal portion having a plurality of protrusions (<NUM>), wherein the plurality of protrusions (<NUM>) is arranged in series along the first portion; and
a second portion couplable to the first portion,
characterized in that
when the first and second portions are in a closed position, the first and second portions define a sealed cavity (<NUM>) which encloses the plurality of protrusions (<NUM>),
wherein the hairpiece holder (<NUM>) is configured such that, when an adhesive coupling (<NUM>) of a hairpiece (<NUM>) is located in the cavity (<NUM>) and hair (<NUM>) of the hairpiece (<NUM>) is located around the plurality of protrusions (<NUM>) and when first and second portions are in the closed position, the adhesive coupling (<NUM>) is isolated from an exterior of the hairpiece holder (<NUM>).