CAP

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a cap adapted to be worn by a user with hairstyles comprising a protruding portion of hair, such as a high ponytail or dreadlocks. The cap comprises a rear aperture located substantially adjacent to the crown wherein hair is unobstructed to protrude. The rear aperture comprises an internal and external lining made from a frictionless material such as satin or silk that minimises frictional damage to the protruding hair. The cap may further comprise a headband constructed from a polyurethane foam such as memory foam, an external lining of the headband being satin or silk. The cap may yet further comprise an inner surface that is completely lined with satin or silk to prevent frictional damage to the user's hair and scalp.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to head coverings, hats, caps, and the like. In particular, to a cap comprising a lined aperture to allow the cap to be worn by users with hairstyles that include protruding portions of hair, such as for example the high ponytail.

BACKGROUND ART

Head coverings, including caps, are commonly worn by individuals for fashion, protection from the elements, or hair management. While caps are worn for a number of beneficial reasons, existing caps present problems for many users, such as incompatibility with certain hair styles, damage to or soiling of hair strands, or general discomfort to the user from a friction between the cap and the user's hair and scalp.

Hairstyles such as the high ponytail, dreadlocks, braids, etc., are often incompatible with existing caps. Such hairstyles, which possess protruding portions of hair, are unable to be worn as the protruding portions are often obstructed by fabric. Although prior art caps commonly possess an aperture to allow hair protrusions to extrude through unobstructed, such apertures are often too rearward for the aforementioned hairstyles. Such hairstyles have hair protrusions adjacent to the crown of the head.

Existing caps are also commonly abrasive and may damage a user's hair, hair follicles, and scalp. Commonly, materials used in caps are abrasive against the wearer's skin and hair, resulting in accumulated frictional damage to the user. In particular, users wearing caps with apertures are prone to such frictional damage, as these apertures are commonly required to tightly hold the hair of the user.

Is it therefore an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate a problem of the prior art, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is a provided a head covering to be worn by a user comprising:

• • a crown with an internal and external surface;
  • one or more apertures located on the crown;
  • wherein a perimeter of the one or more apertures comprises a substantially frictionless material.

In an embodiment, the head covering further comprises a headband that extends around a circumference of the crown;

• • wherein the headband is constructed from an inner material surrounded by an external lining.

In an embodiment,

• • the internal material of the headband is an elastic material; and
  • the external lining is the substantially frictionless material.

In an embodiment, a centre of the headband comprises a raised portion.

In an embodiment, the internal surface of the crown comprises a substantially frictionless material, the substantially frictionless material lining an area of the internal surface.

In an embodiment, the substantially frictionless material is satin.

In an embodiment, the substantially frictionless material is silk.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cap to be worn by a user comprising:

• • an internal and external surface;
  • an aperture located at a rear of the cap;
  • wherein the aperture is substantially adjacent to a crown of the cap;
  • a headband extending around a circumference of the cap;
  • wherein the headband is constructed from an inner material surrounded by an external lining;
  • wherein the inner material of the headband is an elastic material;
  • wherein the internal and external surface comprises a substantially frictionless material directly adjacent to the aperture;
  • wherein the internal surface of the cap is lined with a substantially frictionless material; and
  • wherein the external lining of the headband is a substantially frictionless material.

In an embodiment, the substantially frictionless material is satin or silk.

In an embodiment, wherein the elastic material is a polyurethane foam.

It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following detailed description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The detailed description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding summary of the invention in any way. The detailed description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

FIG. 1 illustrates a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a rear aperture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the present invention according to FIG. 1, comprising a rear aperture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the present invention according to FIG. 1, comprising an interior lining;

FIG. 4a illustrates a flat view of the headband according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4b illustrates a cross-sectional view of the headband; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the headband according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

Although reference is made throughout the description to a cap, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the features of the present invention may be generally applied and incorporated into other worn head coverings, such as but not limited to hats, beanies, and the like.

The description refers to a ‘crown’ of the head and a ‘crown’ of a cap. It is to be understood that ‘crown’ in these contexts is not interchangeable. Those skilled in the art understand that the crown of the head refers to the apex, vertex, or more simply the very top of the skull. The crown of a cap is the part that makes contact with the hair and scalp, covering a portion of the head when worn. Typically, it is constructed from multiple panels sewn together in the shape of a half-sphere. The apex of the half-sphere, also the apex of the cap, commonly comprises a button referred to as the ‘top button’ aids in covering the joining point between the multiple panels.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a rear view of a cap 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Located at a rear portion of the cap's crown 12 and adjacent to the top button 26, there is a rear aperture 16 adapted to allow hair to protrude from the cap. The rear aperture 16 allows a user's hair to extrude through the cover 12 of the cap 10, facilitating a user with hairstyles such as a high ponytail, dreadlocks or the like to wear the cap 10. It is to be understood that the location of the rear aperture 16 is not limited to the rear of the crown 12 and adjacent the top button 26, but may be located at different locations on the cap in varying quantities. For example, an embodiment of the invention may comprise two apertures located on opposite side of the cap adapted to allow side-pigtails to protrude. The aperture 16 may also comprise, around its perimeter, an external aperture lining 18 and internal aperture lining 20. The external aperture lining 18 is located on the external surface of the crown 12, with the internal aperture lining 20 located on the internal surface of the crown 12.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the cap may also comprise a headband 22 that extends around the outer circumference of the crown 12. The headband 22 comprises an adjustable closure 24; headband closure 24 may make an opening 28 with the cap 10. Such closures, their use, and openings and their construction are commonly known in the art.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the underside of the cap 10 is illustrated. The underside comprises an internal lining 14 that extends across the internal surface area of the crown 12 and comes into contact with a user's hair and scalp when the cap is worn. In some embodiments, the lining 14 may only partially cover the internal surface area of the crown 12; in other embodiments, the lining 14 may completely cover the internal surface area of the crown 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the head band 22 may be constructed from an inner layer 24 surrounded by an outer lining 30. The inner layer 24 may be manufactured from a polyurethane foam such as memory foam, or any substantially elastic material, such as but not limited to latex, rubber, gels, and the like.

The substantially elastic inner layer 24 of the headband 22 functions to uniformly distribute pressure between the head of the user and the cap 10, thereby increasing user comfort and diminishing the necessity for tension on the adjustable closure. The increased comfort to the user allows the cap to be worn for longer periods without significant discomfort to the head.

The aperture lining 18, 20, crown internal lining 32, and headband lining 30 may be made from a substantially soft and frictionless material such as but not limited to silk or satin. The linings 18, 20, 30, 32 may be affixed to the cap through methods commonly known in the art, such as but not limited to sewing, fabric glue, bonding tape, and the like. Said linings assist in the reducing damage to the hair and scalp of a user that comes into contact with the cap 10 by minimising immediate or accumulated frictional wear-and-tear. This serves to minimise frizz and maintain moisture within the hair over time.

The aperture linings 18, 20 allows hair to be threaded through and securely held in place, preventing excessive frictional damage. This allows the user to engage in physical activities or vigorous movements, with the assurance that protruding hair is firmly secured and resistant to damage caused by movement. Similarly, the headband lining 30 and internal lining 32, which contact significant portions of the user's head and hair when the cap 10 is worn, allows for physical movement without incurring negative effects from friction between the cap 10 and the user. Negative effects from friction include unwanted frizzing of hair, loss of moisture to the head, and irritated skin conditions of the scalp, such as contact dermatitis. By alleviating many negative frictional effects while providing the user with a secure cap, the present invention may be worn for longer periods of time and allows the user to partake in physical activity while adorning the cap 10.

It is to be understood that the size of the aperture 16 may vary, and in some embodiments may be adjustable in itself. For example, in an embodiment the aperture 16 may incorporate an elastic material along its perimeter. This elastic feature aids in both closing securely around threaded hair and facilitating the opening of the aperture to allow the passage of hair.

Referring to FIG. 5, in an embodiment the shape of the headband may be of a form adapted for the contours of the head. In this embodiment, the headband still comprises a substantially elastic inner layer surrounded by an outer lining. In this embodiment, the headband comprises a raised portion 36 located at a centre 34 of the headband proximate where a forehead of the user would come into contact with the cap 10. The raised portion 36 may comprise a notched portion 38. The raised portion 36 and notch 38 increases the contact surface area of the headband with the forehead of the user, thereby producing a more secure and comfortable fit. This ensures the headband stays in place during various activities while minimising discomfort to the user.

The reader will now appreciate the advantages of present invention which provides a cap with a rear aperture substantially adjacent to the cap's crown, the cap further comprising a series of linings adapted to minimise friction at points of contact between the user and the cap.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognised that departure may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

In the present specification and claims (if any), the word “comprising” and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

The drawings include the following integers.

• • 10 cap
  • 12 cap crown
  • 14 cover interior lining
  • 16 aperture
  • 18 aperture external lining
  • 20 aperture internal lining
  • 22 headband
  • 24 headband closure
  • 26 top button
  • 28 headband opening
  • 30 headband external lining
  • 32 headband interior
  • 34 headband centre
  • 36 raised portion
  • 38 notch

Claims

1. A head covering to be worn by a user comprising: a crown with an internal and external surface;one or more apertures located on the crown;wherein a perimeter of the one or more apertures comprises a substantially frictionless material.

2. The head covering of claim 1, further comprising a headband that extends around a circumference of the crown; wherein the headband is constructed from an inner material surrounded by an external lining.

3. The head covering of claim 2wherein the internal material of the headband is an elastic material; andwherein the external lining is the substantially frictionless material.

4. The head covering of claim 2, wherein a centre of the headband comprises a raised portion.

5. The head covering of claim 1, wherein the internal surface of the crown comprises a substantially frictionless material, the substantially frictionless material lining an area of the internal surface.

6. The head covering of claim 1, wherein the substantially frictionless material is satin.

7. The head covering of claim 1, wherein the substantially frictionless material is silk.

8. A cap to be worn by a user comprising: an internal and external surface;an aperture located at a rear of the cap;wherein the aperture is substantially adjacent to a crown of the cap;a headband extending around a circumference of the cap;wherein the headband is constructed from an inner material surrounded by an external lining;wherein the inner material of the headband is an elastic material;wherein the internal and external surface comprises a substantially frictionless material directly adjacent to the aperture;wherein the internal surface of the cap is lined with a substantially frictionless material; andwherein the external lining of the headband is a substantially frictionless material.

9. The cap of claim 8, wherein the substantially frictionless material is satin or silk.

10. The cap of claim 8, wherein the elastic material is a polyurethane foam.