Absorbent Skull Cap for Wig Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temperature-regulating accessories for wigs are either ineffective over a long period, complex and expensive to manufacture, fragile, or not optimally comfortable, requiring frequent reactivation and handling issues.

Innovation Solution

A flexible, removable cap made of absorbent material with a shape adapted to the skull, which can be moistened and reused without needing to return home, providing immediate cooling or warming effects by fitting under the wig, and being easy to manufacture and handle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heating/cooling gel pockets are used for temperature regulation, then temperature control is achieved, but the device requires frequent reactivation and is only effective for short periods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescalp temperature regulationVSAvoidduration of temperature regulation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of water from liquid to ice through freezing, creating a long-lasting cooling source. The ice pack maintains its solid state for extended periods, providing continuous cooling without frequent reactivation, directly resolving the short duration issue of gel pockets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The ice pack is pre-prepared and frozen before use, storing cooling capacity in advance. This preliminary action of freezing allows the cooling effect to last throughout the entire wearing period of the wig, eliminating the need for frequent reactivation required by gel pockets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If phase change materials are incorporated into the wig, then temperature regulation is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescalp temperature regulationVSAvoidwig structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The temperature regulation function is separated from the wig structure itself. The ice pack is a standalone component that can be removed and replaced independently, while the wig remains a simple, conventional structure. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining temperature regulation functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The complex phase change material functionality is extracted from the wig body and placed in a separate removable ice pack. This allows the wig to be manufactured simply without incorporating complex temperature regulation mechanisms, while still achieving the desired cooling effect through the external ice pack

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Temperature

If carbon fiber net is used for heat conduction, then scalp cooling is achieved, but the fibers are fragile and require careful handling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescalp coolingVSAvoiddurability of cooling structure
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using fragile carbon fiber nets, the patent employs a simple fabric cover that copies the essential function of heat conduction through a more durable medium. The fabric, while less conductive than carbon fiber, provides sufficient cooling through contact with the ice pack and is much more reliable and easier to handle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Ease of operation

If a three-layer moisture-permeable material is used, then some moisture control is achieved, but the cooling effect is not optimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture managementVSAvoidcooling effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining fabric material for the cover with ice for cooling. This composite approach provides both moisture management through the fabric's permeability and optimal cooling through the phase change properties of ice, overcoming the limitations of single-material solutions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution offers effective, long-lasting temperature regulation that is easy to use and maintain, providing instant comfort without protruding from the wig and being discreetly invisible, while being simple to manufacture and handle.

Implementation Method 1

at least the internal face of the cap is made of an absorbent material intended to be moistened before said cap is installed on said scalp

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The wearer therefore no longer needs to return home to 'reactivate' it, the humidification of the cap can be done quickly, discreetly, and at will, by going for example to the toilets of a restaurant. The Applicant has been able to observe that the cooling sensation appears almost instantaneously as soon as the moistened cap is put back in place directly on the scalp.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporative cooling: Evaporative Cooler

Data Source

PatentEP2871989B1Wig system comprising a temperature control accessory
Publication Date: 2016.06.01 PAPIN EPOUSE TAHRI CLAIRE
  • EP2871989B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2871989B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2871989B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a wig system (P) comprising a temperature control accessory (A) configured to be arranged under said wig when same is placed on the wearer's scalp, and in which: the wig (P) includes a body (1) defined by a perimeter (10) and having a shape that matches the shape of the skull of the wearer, hair being affixed to said body, the accessory (A) being installed between said body and said scalp; the control accessory (A) is in the form of a flexible skull cap (2) defined by a perimeter (20) having a shape that matches the shape of the skull of the wearer; the skull cap (2) is detachable from the body (1) of the wig (P), said skull cap including an inner surface which comes in contact with the skull of the wearer and an outer surface opposite said inner surface, characterized by the fact that: the perimeter (20) of the skull cap (2) is smaller than that of the body (1) of the wig (P), at least the inner surface of the skull cap (2) is produced from an absorbent material intended to be humidified before said skull cap is placed on said scalp, and at least the outer surface of the skull cap (2) is skin colored.