Patent Application
20150033436
Embodiments of the current invention are related to clothing and specifically to a shirt collar protection apparatus and method addressing maintenance of collar cleanliness and prevention of collar staining.
When wearing a shirt having a collar, it is desirable that the inside of the collar be stain free and clean—reflecting an aesthetic and overall clean appearance of the wearer. Especially when a shirt is worn having a white or lighter color, there is a problem of the collar being visibly stained with wear, due to perspiration, for example. Frequently, laundering the shirt requires extra attention in an attempt to remove discoloration from this typical stain-prone location. At times, even after laundering, such a stain may not be completely removed, presenting a problem.
Examples of prior art relative to this problem follow hereinbelow. Smith, in U.S. Patent Application 20080301848, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a collar protecting tape apparatus and dispensing system for protecting the interior surface of a garment collar, comprising a semi-visible adhesive strip of dimensions to protect a collar.
In U.S. Patent Application 20040148678, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, Spears describes a disposable auxiliary collar element made of disposable material, such as heavy gauge fibrous material adapted to be positioned on the integral collar of a garment to present a normal appearance when the garment is worn. Depending upon the degree of soiling, it may be reused or discarded at the end of a wearing. In one embodiment, the device is held in position by adhesive. In another embodiment it is maintained in position by a member extending below the garment collar.
Maggs, in U.S. Patent Application 20080229472, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a collar protector comprising patch mount that is attached to the back portion of a shirt collar. A collar shield removeably attaches to the patch mount and covers a back portion of a wearer's neck preventing staining and discoloration of the shirt's collar. As the collar shield becomes stained, it is replaced with a new one keeping the shirt from being soiled. In one embodiment, a hook and loop attachment system is used to removeably attach the collar shield to the patch mount. In one embodiment, the collar shield is made of a fabric that matches the shirt.
Lomas, in U.S. Patent Application 20060021108, by Lomas, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes a thin breathable material affixed to a collared shirt. The breathable material is affixed with an affixing mechanism. The material is disposable and reusable. The affixing mechanism is adhered on one side of the collar.
In international patent application No. PCT/GB2009/05147, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, Shannon describes a collar protector comprising a first elongate portion which is shaped to match an inside band of a collar and a second elongate portion which is generally shaped to match an outside surface of a collar. The collar protector may comprise a plurality of foldable tabs to detachably secure the collar protector to a collar. The second elongate portion may be coated with a reagent which promotes blood clotting.
In the prior art mentioned above, there remains a need to address the problem of staining in a cost effective and convenient manner.
Among various shortcomings of the prior art are:
There is therefore a need for an alternative collar protection apparatus that can effectively address the problem of shirt collar staining and to protect a larger area of the shirt collar in a cost effective and convenient manner.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a shirt collar protection apparatus for protecting a shirt collar of a wearer, the shirt collar having an upper edge, the apparatus comprising: a collar protector having a shape adapted to protect the shirt collar at a surface touching the wearer's neck and at the upper edge; wherein the collar protector is formable of one piece of material. Preferably, the collar protector has a grasping lip which is attachable directly to the shirt collar. Most preferably, the collar protector is adherable to the shirt collar by means of a sticky surface on the collar protector. Typically, the collar protector is made of a material chosen from the list including: polyethylene (PE); cotton; and polyester. Most typically, the collar protector is substantially transparent. Preferably, the collar protector has a color matching that of the shirt collar. Most preferably, the collar protector is imprintable with a visible logo.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is further provided a method of using a shirt collar protection apparatus for protecting a shirt collar of a wearer, the shirt collar having an upper edge, comprising the steps of: shaping a first collar protector from one piece to protect the shirt collar at the wearer's neck and at the upper edge of the shirt collar; attaching the first collar protector to the shirt collar using a grasping lip of the shirt collar; and replacing the first collar protector with another color protector when the first color protector is soiled. Preferably, the collar protector is adhered to the shirt collar by means of a sticky surface on the collar protector. Most preferably, the collar protector is made of a material chosen from the list including: polyethylene (PE); cotton; and polyester. Typically, the collar protector is substantially transparent. Most typically, the collar protector has a color matching that of the shirt collar. Preferably, the collar protector is imprintable with a visible logo.
The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Embodiments of the current invention are related to clothing and specifically to a shirt collar protection apparatus and method addressing maintenance of collar cleanliness and prevention of collar staining.
Reference is presently made to
Reference is presently made to
Reference is presently made to
Alternatively or optionally, collar protector 20 may be placed directly onto and conforming in shape with collar 10, as shown in
In all the configurations of embodiments of the collar protectors shown in the figures, the shirt may be worn with its collar closed or open. The material of the collar protectors allows for a comfortable fit and feeling, allowing protection the shirt collar not only at the position of the shirt collar normally contacted heavily by the user's neck, but also on the upper edge of the shirt collar, as described hereinabove.
Embodiments of the current invention address the problems identified hereinabove by configuring the shirt collar from substantially transparent material, preferably made from polyethylene (PE), the shirt collar covering the entire shirt collar, having matched sizes to fit a wide array of collared shirts. Embodiments of the current invention additionally include a material which is inexpensive, allowing it to be conveniently disposed after each use. Additionally or optionally, the material of the shirt collar is hypoallergic. Alternatively or optionally, a logo may be printed on a visible part of the collar protector, thereby having the collar protector serve additionally as a commercial and/or personal item of attire, for example.
It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IL2012/000099 | 3/4/2012 | WO | 00 | 9/4/2014 |
