Patent Application
20230310942
The technical field of the disclosed embodiments generally relates to a system for managing caps. More specifically, it relates to a cohesive system for receiving, storing, drying, and transporting swim or damp caps and extending the life of the cap.
Bathing caps have been used by swimmers for hundreds of years. In Roman times, women wore hair nets made from waxed taffeta, or synthetic silk, to keep their hair from getting damp.
Early modern swim caps used for wet activities looked like aviator helmets with chin straps to hold them in place. By the 1920s the popularity of latex led to the production of stretchy swim caps that fit right in with the styles of the day. During World War II, the availability of swim caps became limited when rubber was widely used to make war materials and such caps became sparse.
As public health awareness began to grow in the 1970s, public swimming pools had established strict rules requiring people to wear swim caps. Durable and resilient silicone swim caps were introduced in more recent years and are considered now to be the most popular of its kind.
Swim caps today are used by swim athletes and recreational swimmers to reduce drag and protect their hair from harsh chemicals in the pool. Caps are also used in other water activities like water polo.
Growing interest in competitive swimming in the 1980s and 1990s led to a surge in swim cap production. Competition swim caps are available today in many styles, materials, and colorful and unique prints. With the increased popularity of swimming, the industry has begun developing bags to store them.
Today, swimmers may dry their cap with their towels and then shove the damp caps into their towels to dry or into their damp mesh bags. When they get home, the caps may remain crumpled up in their bags, shoved into a drawer, or even worse, stay in the damp towel. None of these approaches help dry a damp cap efficiently and without enabling damage to the cap. These approaches also do not allow a user to transfer a damp cap conveniently to a device right after swimming to begin drying the cap or safely store it without further damage to the cap.
With the increased participation in swimming and water related activities e.g., water polo, there is a need to have a way to effectively dry and safely store damp or swim caps. There is also a need to have a one stop, convenient solution and a transportation option that matches the on-the-go lifestyle of people. Finally, with the significant money spent on sports gear and items, people and athletes want to get more for their money and have items they buy last longer.
Disclosed are various embodiments of a damp cap management system (DCMS) that provides a solution to the shortcomings in the prior art for storage of a damp or swim cap. Such caps can include those used for water activities, e.g., swimming and water polo or applicable items requiring holding, drying, storage, transportation, and management.
In an embodiment, The DCMS may have a clam shaped case that can lay flat when in an open position or be snapped shut securely in a closed position. Internal drying flaps may be adjusted to stand at different angles, or lay flat, so caps can be installed on them to dry. The case, as well as the drying flaps, may have apertures for ventilation and continuous air circulation even when the case is closed. The case may also include internal motorized fan(s) for faster drying of the cap(s).
A drying flap may be attached to a cross bar that runs across the length of the bottom of either half of case, the cross bar including stop plugs that fit into slots to enable the flaps to stand vertically at different angles when the case is opened and laid flat. Each half of the case may include a drip reservoir to collect dripping water from wet caps as they dry.
The case may have a utility loop attached at the top for easy attachment to a bag, piece of gear, or a user's wearable accessory. Storage pocket(s) may also be provided inside the case.
An object of the DCMS is to efficiently dry swim and damp caps and also extend the life of the caps through proper management and storage. Swim caps are generally made of rubber or rubber-like materials such as latex and silicone which can become deformed when folded for extended periods. The current disclosure with flaps allows said caps to remain flat and maintain their shape when in storage.
Another object is to provide a means to minimize deterioration of swim and damp caps. It is well-known that such rubber or cap materials can become brittle and pitted when exposed to petroleum products, such as oils, and pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi, when stored damp.
The DCMS may be continuously ventilated and allow moisture to evaporate away from the cap when stored over time. The DCMS may also prevent caps from coming into contact with foreign substances or items.
Another object is to allow users to dry their swim and damp caps in ambient air. The DCMS has internal drying flaps that can be extended at various angles to hold caps in a vertical fashion, thereby allowing said caps to dry while being transported, stored, or not in use.
Another object is to allow users to dry their swim and damp caps more quickly. The DCMS case has apertures for continuous air circulation and drying. The DCMS may have motorized fans to help further accelerate the drying of the caps when they are switched on.
Another object is to allow users to safely store their swim and damp caps when they are not in use. The caps may be stored in a manner that minimizes damage to the cap as the DCMS case and flaps also prevent caps from coming in contact with other damaging items.
Another object is to allow the case to be secure when a swim or damp cap is inside. The case may include a snap lock that allows the case to remain shut when the DCMS is filled with caps.
Another object is to allow a swim or damp cap to be securely transported from one location to another. The case and flap may hold the damp cap in place during transit.
Another object is to provide a utility loop. This utility loop allows a user to affix the DCMS to another item such as a backpack or clothesline by means of, for example, a carabiner, etc. The utility loop can also be used to affix a carry strap and the like, so the consumer can carry or wear the DCMS independently as a piece of gear (to the pool side) and also add attachments, e.g., a goggle case.
Another object is to provide a device that can help with receiving, storing, drying, or transporting swim caps or damp caps or coverings that can have logos, brands, and writings on them. The surface of the case, flaps, and other areas allow these options.
Another object is to provide a single device that addresses multiple use cases that include receiving, storing, drying, transporting, and preserving the life of a swim or damp cap.
The DCMS offers convenience and ease of use for users so they don't have to have multiple devices or bulky devices or difficult to use devices that address all the uses cases listed above.
Another object is to provide a device that is a consumer gear and addresses receiving, storing, drying, transporting, and preserving the life of a damp cap. The DCMS is not required to reside permanently in one location e.g., at home, as simply a storage device. The case can be carried in a user's bag or worn independently by the user in addition to being a device that can reside in a single place without being transported.
Another object is to provide a device that is wearable and addresses receiving, storing, drying, transporting, and preserving the life of a damp cap. The utility loop on the DCMS allows a user to attach a wrist strap and wear the DCMS independently. The DCMS cases can have pockets to hold items as well.
Other methods, applications, and systems adapted to the task may be configured to carry out the various described features and are therefore considered to be within the scope and intent of the various embodiments and claims.
The objects, features, and advantages of the various embodiments, as well as the advantages thereof, which will become apparent from the description are accomplished by the improvements described and shown in the drawings.
Other aspects shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.
In an embodiment, a damp cap management system (DCMS) provides a cohesive system for receiving, storing, drying, and transporting swim and damp caps and extending the life of the caps.
The case may be branded with logos, names, marketing messages, and the like.
A drip reservoir to collect water may be provided in the case adjacent the hinge assembly area 3.
It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. For example, the use of the articles “a,” “an,” or “the” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. Further, the use of directional descriptors such as “up”, “upward”, “down”, “downward”, “front”, “back”, “top”, “upper”, “bottom”, “lower”, “left”, “right” and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only; they are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.
The preceding description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make, implement, or use the claims. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of the claims. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects illustrated herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the claims disclosed herein.
With respect to the above description, it is to be understood that described embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components in the following description or illustrations in the drawings. Other embodiments may be carried out in various ways and used with other items.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed device.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/326,855, entitled “Novel Damp Cap Management System”, and filed Apr. 2, 2022, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63326855 | Apr 2022 | US |
