U.S. patent application number 12/792349 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-08 for wig for a doll head.
This patent application is currently assigned to Spin Master Ltd.. Invention is credited to Wike Lie Baur, Siu-chung Fong.
Application Number | 20110300773 12/792349 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45064806 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110300773 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fong; Siu-chung ; et
al. |
December 8, 2011 |
Wig for a Doll Head
Abstract
The present application provides a wig for a doll head. The wig
has a concave or cup-shaped wig cap and a plurality of hair fibers
extending from the exterior convex surface of the wig cap. The wig
cap has a skull cap made of a flexible material which covers at
least part of the head and a rigid projection which extends from
the interior concave surface of the wig cap so as to be received by
an aperture in the doll head when the wig is in place on the
head.
Inventors: |
Fong; Siu-chung; (Kwai
Chung, CN) ; Baur; Wike Lie; (Kowloon Tong,
CN) |
Assignee: |
Spin Master Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
45064806 |
Appl. No.: |
12/792349 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
446/394 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 3/44 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
446/394 |
International
Class: |
A63H 3/44 20060101
A63H003/44 |
Claims
1. A wig for a head of a doll, the head having an aperture, the wig
comprising: a wig cap having an interior concave surface and an
exterior convex surface, the interior concave surface being adapted
to contact the head in use; the wig cap comprising a skull cap
adapted to cover at least part of the head; and a rigid projection
extending from the interior concave surface, the projection being
adapted for mating fit with the aperture; and a plurality of hair
fibers attached to the wig cap so as to extend from the exterior
convex surface.
2. The wig according to claim 1 wherein the skull cap comprises a
first material and the projection comprises a second material, the
second material being more rigid than the first material.
3. The wig according to claim 2 wherein the first material and the
second material are polymeric materials.
4. The wig according to claim 3 wherein the first material is
polyvinyl chloride and the second material is ABS plastic.
5. The wig according to claim 2 wherein the projection comprises an
inner core comprising the first material, the inner core being
integrally formed with the skull cap; and an outer sheath
comprising the second material, the outer sheath being attached to
the skull cap so as to substantially surround the inner core.
6. The wig according to claim 5 wherein the outer sheath is
attached to the skull cap by gluing.
7. The wig according to claim 5 wherein the outer sheath is
attached to the skull cap by insert molding.
8. The wig according to claim 1 wherein the hair fibers are
selected from artificial hair, synthetic hair and natural hair.
9. A doll head adapted to he covered at least in part by the wig
according to claim 1, the doll head having an aperture adapted to
receive the projection in mating fit.
10. A wig cap having an interior concave surface; the wig cap
comprising a rigid projection extending from the interior concave
surface.
11. A method of manufacturing a wig for a doll, the method
comprising: positioning a sheath having a first end and a second
end in a concave mold having an interior cavity and shaped for
production of a skull cap having a concave interior surface, such
that the first end of the sheath contacts the interior cavity of
the mold and the second end protrudes from the concave interior
surface; injecting a first material into the interior cavity of the
mold such that the first end of the sheath is embedded in the first
material; allowing the first material to solidify so as to form a
skull cap; and attaching a plurality of hair fibers to the skull
cap.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present application relates to a wig for a doll head.
More specifically, the present application relates to a wig bearing
a rigid projection which is receivable by an opening in a doll
head.
[0002] Many children enjoy playing with dolls and action figures,
and their enjoyment is enhanced when they can change the clothing,
accessories, and hair colour and style of a doll. Wigs provide a
convenient way of updating the look of a doll, in addition to being
a vehicle whereby a child can learn about fashion and hair care and
styling while engaging in play.
[0003] A doll wig can be prepared from a wig cap which is designed
to fit closely on the doll head, and to which artificial or natural
hair fibers have been attached. However, such doll wigs suffer from
certain drawbacks and disadvantages. For example, the wig must fit
snugly enough on the doll head so as not to become too easily
detached, and perhaps lost, during normal play. However, such a
close-fitting wig cap may be difficult to remove and replace,
thereby frustrating a child, and also his or her parents, who may
be frequently asked to change the wig for the child who has trouble
doing so him- or herself. As the wig is removed and replaced on the
doll's head numerous times, the cap may stretch or become damaged,
increasing the risk of the wig falling off the doll's head and
being lost during play. Furthermore, the wig may slide so as to be
displaced on the doll's head, causing further frustration.
[0004] One way of addressing such disadvantages is to provide a
projection on the inside of the wig cap which is designed to be
received by an aperture in the doll's head, thus fixing the wig in
a desired position on the head and allowing for a secure fit that
is less dependent on the snugness of fit of the wig cap on the
doll's head. It is convenient to fabricate such a projection from
the material comprising the wig cap, such that the cap and
projection can be molded as a single unit. However, the wig cap is
best made from a relatively soft, flexible material so that the
hair fibers can be easily attached to the cap and the finished wig
can be readily fitted to the doll's head during use. Because the
aperture receiving the projection is generally designed to be
hidden by the wig when in place, a user cannot easily put the wig
in place by sight but must rely on touch. A projection made of the
same soft flexible material as the wig cap can flex and bend during
the process of attaching the wig, making it more difficult to
locate the aperture and insert the projection into it.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a new way of attaching a wig
to the head of a doll that overcomes the above mentioned
disadvantages.
SUMMARY
[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a wig for a
doll head. The wig is formed from a wig cap having an interior
concave surface, which contacts the head, and an exterior convex
surface. A plurality of hair fibers is attached to the wig cap so
that they extend from the exterior convex surface. The wig cap has
a skull cap which covers at least part of the head and a rigid
projection extending from the interior concave surface, which is
inserted with a mating fit into an aperture in the doll head when
the wig is in place on the head.
[0007] Another aspect of the present invention provides a wig cap
which covers at least part of a doll head and which has an interior
concave surface from which extends a rigid projection, for
insertion with a mating fit into an aperture in the doll head.
[0008] Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a doll
head with an aperture adapted to receive a rigid projection
extending from the interior concave surface of a wig as described
herein.
[0009] A further aspect of the present invention provides a method
for manufacturing a wig as described herein, including positioning
a sheath having a first end and a second end in a concave mold
having an interior cavity and shaped for production of a skull cap
having a concave interior surface, such that the first end of the
sheath contacts the interior cavity of the mold and the second end
protrudes from the concave interior surface; injecting a first
material into the interior cavity of the mold such that the first
end of the sheath is embedded in the first material; allowing the
first material to solidify so as to form a skull cap; and attaching
a plurality of hair fibers to the skull cap.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Further features of the present invention will become
apparent from analysis of the following written description and the
accompanying drawings and the appended claims in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cutaway view of one embodiment of the present
wig.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross section view of one embodiment of the
present wig cap, where the sheath has been attached by gluing.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the embodiment of the
present wig cap shown in
[0014] FIG. 2, placed on the head of a doll.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of another embodiment of the
present wig cap, where the sheath has been attached by insert
molding.
[0016] FIG. 5a is a side perspective view of the sheath illustrated
in FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 5b is a bottom perspective view of the sheath
illustrated in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The present wig is prepared from a wig cap which is
generally concave or cup-shaped so as to readily fit over the head
of a doll. In at least one embodiment, the wig cap has a skull cap
which is generally hemispherical, although in other embodiments, it
can have a more complex contoured shape to closely fit the doll's
head. In at least one embodiment, the perimeter of the skull cap
can be circular in profile, or, in at least one other embodiment,
the perimeter can be contoured to complement the shape of the face
of the doll.
[0019] In at least one embodiment, the skull cap is made from a
material which is flexible enough to adapt to the shape of the
head. Suitable materials for the skull cap material include but are
not limited to polyvinyl chloride, but any polymeric material or
other material can be used which would be flexible and allow for
the rooting, flocking, sewing or gluing of hair fibers, yet allow
the wig cap to remain in place on the head. Such materials are well
known in the art.
[0020] The wig cap has a rigid projection on its inner, concave
surface which can be inserted snugly into a corresponding aperture
on the doll's head, so as to position the wig cap appropriately and
aid in holding it securely on the head. The projection is made at
least partly of material which is more rigid than the material
which makes up the skull cap so that a child or other user of the
doll can readily position the projection in the aperture. If the
projection is too flexible, it will bend as the user is attempting
to insert it into the aperture, making it difficult and frustrating
to position the wig cap properly on the head. In at least one
embodiment, the projection is made at least partly from ABS
(acetylene butadiene styrene) polymer, however, as will be
appreciated by the skilled person, any polymeric material or other
material can be used which will be more rigid than the skull cap
material. Such materials include but are not limited to polystyrene
(PS), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE),
polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and K-Resin.RTM. (styrene-butadiene
copolymer).
[0021] In at least one embodiment, the projection contains an inner
core made from the skull cap material upon which an outer sheath of
the more rigid material is placed so as to surround the core. In at
least one embodiment, the outer sheath contains a central bore
which can receive the core. The wig cap can be conveniently
manufactured by injection molding or other means well known in the
art, so that the core is formed simultaneously and unitarily with
the wig cap. The sheath can then be placed around the core and
attached to the wig cap by any means known in the art, including
but not limited to gluing, tight fitting, screwing and insert
molding. Alternatively, the wig cap can be molded with the sheath
in place so that the core material is formed within the bore of the
sheath. The use of the core can allow the projection to be
positioned precisely on mass-produced wig caps, thereby producing
wigs that reproducibly and reliably fit mass-produced doll
heads.
[0022] Hair fibers can be attached to the wig cap by methods well
known in the art, so as to prepare the finished wig. For example,
in various embodiments, hair fibers can be embedded, woven,
flocked, rooted, sewn, braided or inserted into perforations in the
skull cap, and secured such that the hair fibers project from the
exterior, convex surface of the wig cap, so as to be accessible and
visible when the wig is in place on the doll head. The hair fibers
can be secured in a pattern on the wig cap so as to provide the
desired hairstyle of the wig. For example, in at least one
embodiment, the hair fibers can be rooted in concentric circles in
the skull cap, and other patterns will be apparent to the skilled
person. The hair fibers can be of any desired colour known in the
art, and the wig can contain hair fibers of a single colour or of a
plurality of colours in any desired arrangement. Suitable hair
fibers are well known in the art and can be natural hair fibers
obtained from human or animal sources, artificial hair fibers, or
synthetic hair fibers, including but not limited to nylon,
polypropylene (PP) (for example, nylon and polypropylene fibers
available from Da-Fil/FiloPlastic), polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
rayon, acetate, acrylic, Saran.TM. (vinylidene chloride copolymer,
AsahiKasei), Kanekalon.TM. modacrylic fiber (a polymer of
acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride) and Toyokalon.TM. fiber
(polyvinyl chloride fiber).
[0023] Specific embodiments of the present wig are described with
reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the present wig has
a wig cap 10 to which are attached hair fibers 12. Wig cap 10 is
generally hemispherical in shape and has a skull cap 15 and a
projection 20 positioned centrally on skull cap 15, as shown in
further detail in FIG. 2. Projection 20 has a sheath 25 surrounding
core 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, sheath 25 is glued to
core 30. As shown in FIG. 3, wig cap 10 fits closely on doll head
40 so that projection 20 is inserted into aperture 45.
[0024] An alternate embodiment of the present wig cap is shown in
FIG. 4. Wig cap 50 is similar in shape and composition to the
embodiment of FIG. 2, but has a central projection 55 formed by
attaching sheath 60 to skull cap 65 by insert molding. As shown in
FIGS. 5a and 5b, sheath 60 has a hollow shaft 70 with a bore 75 and
a crown 80 which has a series of apertures 85. During manufacture
of skull cap 65, the crown 80 of sheath 60 is positioned in an
injection molding cavity shaped for the production of the skull
cap. As the skull cap material is injected into the cavity to form
the skull cap, it flows into apertures 85 and bore 75 of sheath 60.
Thus, when the molding process is complete, crown 80 is embedded in
wig cap 50, as seen in FIG. 4, and the skull cap material occupies
apertures 85, providing for a very secure attachment of crown 80 to
skull cap 65. Furthermore, the skull cap material occupies bore 75
in hollow shaft 70 to form core 90 in projection 55.
[0025] The embodiments of the present invention described herein
are intended to be illustrative and are not intended to limit the
scope of the present invention. Various modifications which are
readily apparent to the person of skill in the art are intended to
be within the scope of the invention, the only limitations to which
are set forth in the appended claims.
* * * * *