Disposable drape for grooming

Abstract

A disposable drape is provided including a collection region suitably positioned to protect a sink area including a sink basin and sink drain from grooming debris. In one embodiment, the collection region is constructed from material having properties to improve debris retention and aid disposal. The drape can be manufactured with patterned features to enhance forming into a shape such as a bowl. Furthermore, the drape is sufficiently thin, light, and flexible to be efficiently folded, packaged, transported, and stored until needed.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to grooming accessories that help collect trimmed hair from the head, face, and/or neck into a convenient collection region and more specifically to an inexpensive, disposable drape that can be used to collect trimmed hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The need for a drape or bib (a drape attached to a user) to collect and contain debris is well known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 590,991 issued in 1897 describes an archetype bib. In this case, the bib is fabric with ties to secure one end of the bib to a child's neck and an integral clamp to attach the opposite end to a nearby edge of a table. The result is a debris collecting portion formed from the bib material between the clamp attachment and the child's neck. Since this early design, many improvements have been proposed to accommodate different arrangements, environments, and users. In particular, personal grooming is an activity that has been well served by bib and drape innovations. For example, shaving and trimming facial hair near or over a sink area necessarily produces trimmed hair and protecting the sink area, including the sink basin and the sink drain, from the trimmed hair is desirable.

Previous efforts such as U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/124,497 have attempted to address the need to protect a sink area from grooming debris. These bibs are attached around the user's neck and the opposite end is adhered to a vertical surface such as a bathroom mirror with suction devices. This solution is not disposable, requires a vertical mirror surface for attachment, and lacks features that would improve retention of grooming debris. Several other patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,991,942 and 7,685,654 have disclosed drapes covering the sink and drain to contain debris. These drapes are semi-rigid and lack the enhanced debris collection and convenience of the present invention.

Thus, there exists a need for a disposable grooming drape that provides low cost, convenience, and improved collection of grooming debris.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As related to the present invention, a sink area substantially includes a sink basin with a sink rim or counter-top surrounding the basin, a faucet, and a sink drain in the bottom of the basin. The present invention provides a novel and improved disposable grooming drape intended to protect a sink area from grooming debris such as hair, whiskers, and mixtures of hair, whiskers, soap, and shaving cream residues. The structural design of the present invention provides a simple, effective method to collect trimmed facial hair incorporating formed geometry, textures, and material properties to enhance debris collection. In addition, modern materials are used to improve the durability and function of the drape. The design and materials are chosen to allow useful and economical storage and dispensing of the drape product. Similarly, a bib is within the scope of the present disclosure. A bib is a drape which includes an extended edge attached to the user, for example around their neck.

Design and Structure of a Drape:

In general, the drape is manufactured as a flat sheet or web of appropriate disposable material. Several materials are discussed below. Each drape includes a die cut hole and/or perforated slits near one edge. The hole can be looped around the faucet to secure one edge. The hole or slit acts as an orientation feature, orienting and maintaining position of the drape. During typical use, the drape is spread out to cover the sink basin and at least a portion of the sink basin rim. The portion covering the sink is the collection region. In one embodiment, several slits can be added to the periphery of the die cut hole to allow fitting over larger faucet heads.

The present invention includes several features to improve debris collection and removal.

The drape can be further modified along one or more edges to improve positioning of the drape. For example, one edge can be weighted by several methods (e.g. portions of cardboard added to the edge, the edge made from paper that is then saturated with water, attaching a weight to the edge, or other things that would make at least one edge heavier) so that it hangs over the front edge of the counter or sink basin. The hanging edge reduces the tendency of the material to move around and spill debris and acts as an additional orientation feature.

In addition, adhesives can be applied to the top and/or bottom surfaces of the drape. In one embodiment, the adhesive regions are initially covered with removable tabs. When the tabs are removed by the user, the adhesive is exposed and ready for use. The bottom surface adhesive can be positioned adjacent to one or more edges to secure the drape to a nearby wall or to the counter-top or sink rim area. The top surface adhesive can help secure loose hair trimmings and debris much like a lint roller common to the apparel industry. Adhesive regions can also be used to secure the drape into a pouch form after use to prevent spillage and ease disposal. Adhesives can be moisture-activated.

The drape can be manufactured with fold lines, die cut shapes and tabs, and pleats to improve the debris collecting structure. In one embodiment, fold lines help the drape form into a receptacle or bowl shape. This is an example of a predetermined formable shape. The formation of the bowl shape can be assisted by a central weighted portion. Extra weight can be provided by thicker material or adding water to a thicker, absorbent portion. The effect is like placing a coin in the center of a taught handkerchief. A small depression is formed by the coin's weight. This depression improves the collection of debris. In another embodiment, pleats are formed parallel to an edge of the drape. The pleats serve at least two functions. First, the pleats allow the drape to be folded and stored compactly. Second, the pleats form individual troughs to collect grooming debris. The pleated collection region can also have weighted, adhesive, or moisture dependent properties.

Design and Structure of a Bib:

As mentioned above, a bib has features to secure one edge to a user and the opposite edge to a nearby structure such as a sink faucet or the counter top surrounding a sink. In most cases, the opposite edge will be loosely attached to a faucet. The portion of the bib between the user and the opposite edge includes the collection region. The dimensions of the bib are chosen so that, in typical use, a slack, collection region is formed. This region is similar to a hammock and provides an effective structure to collect hair and debris.

In one embodiment, the bib is formed with two die cut holes, one adjacent to each of two opposite edges. One hole is used to encircle the sink faucet and the other hole encircles the user's neck. The collection region of the bib is thus suspended between the user and the faucet. The holes can be manufactured with perforations to make it easier to remove from the neck and faucet by tearing. In addition, multiple radial slits can be formed around the periphery of each hole. These slits allow the holes to expand around faucets of different sizes and user heads of different sizes. If needed, these holes can be reinforced around the edges with a ring of material such as cardboard or plastic laminated to the bib. The reinforcement is intended to minimize unwanted tearing of the bib but allow removal of the bib from the faucet and the user when needed.

Additional embodiments can be manufactured with adhesive regions similar to drape embodiments. In addition, a portion of the bib can be removed to form a pair of ties. These ties can be used to form a hoop for the user's neck or for looping around a sink faucet. Adhesive regions are a convenient way to secure these ties and form the hoop.

In another embodiment, the shape of the bib can be modified during manufacture to improve its collection of hair trimming and debris. For example, pleats can be formed in the bib as previously described with the drape. In the case of the bib, pleats allow the user to move relative to the faucet or attachment point without tearing the bib. In this way, the pleats act like an accordion to expand and contract as the user moves.

In another embodiment, the shape of the bib in-use is designed to improve collection. In this case, the bib has a flat die cut shape such that tabs are formed. When the tabs are brought together during use, a boat-shaped collection region is formed. This region collects and contains trimmings better than a bib with a flat collection region.

Materials for the Drape or Bib:

The present invention is intended to provide a uniquely useful and disposable drape for grooming. A large variety of thin, flexible, non-rigid materials are appropriate. For example, thin tissue, such as used for public toilet seat covers, or thin plastic film such as that used for plastic wrap or thin garbage pail liners are usable for the present invention. Drape material properties, in particular properties of the collection region, can be designed to improve the debris collection. Moisture management is an important property of a successful grooming drape. It is known that trimmed hair will tend to stick to surfaces moist with water. In one embodiment, a tissue/polymer construction is used for the drape material. This material is well known in the construction of disposable adult bib products and disposable drop clothes and provides an absorbent top surface that can be moistened. On the bottom surface is a water resistant coating adding strength and reducing any moisture passing through the drape. A drape embodiment using fiber reinforced paper material, such as reinforcement with integrated cotton thread, provides improved strength when wet like scrim wiping towels. This improved wet strength enables a user to add moisture to the drape material which improves both its formability to the sink basin and its retention of grooming debris. In addition, non-woven materials such as those used commercially for moist baby wipes are possible options. In another embodiment, the drape is manufactured from material with high surface area and inherent debris collecting features. In this case, the material is similar to materials used in dusting sheets and electrostatic dusting sheets. Importantly, these high surface area materials are characterized by numerous, loosely connected fibers. The fibers form a network to collect and trap debris. Vertically oriented fibers form a brush-like surface with short vertical brush hairs positioned to trap grooming detritus. Paper made with courser fibrous material is known to the art and provides a material with tooth. Tooth in this case defines the roughness of the material produced by mechanically abrading the material or using additives. These materials can be further improved by the addition of adhesive coatings. An appropriate adhesive would be similar to the glue used in “sticky” notes. This adhesive collects debris but does not permanently adhere to surfaces or itself. In one embodiment, adhesive is applied to at least the top surface of the drape. Debris such as hair trimmings will fall onto the surface and become attached to the drape via the adhesive. Other types of adhesive and surface treatments are within the scope of this idea.

Packaging:

The convenience of an improved disposable grooming drape or bib is important. In one embodiment, the drapes are manufactured in a continuous web and rolled into a cylindrical form similar to a roll of paper towels. The user can grab a drape, pull it out until a cross perforation is reached, and tear it free for use. In an additional embodiment, the drape is compactly folded into a small, palm-sized sealed envelope. The envelope can be part of a grooming kit provided as a guest convenience at a hotel or spa. The user tears open the envelope and unfolds the drape for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, its embodiments, and its advantages can be made with reference to the following description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1a is a top view of a user and the preferred embodiment of the present grooming drape.

FIG. 1b is a side view of a user and the preferred embodiment of the present grooming drape.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a drape sheet with tear away perforation and auxiliary regions.

FIG. 3a is a top view of a drape with added features in the auxiliary regions.

FIG. 3b is a side view of the drape configured to attach to a wall and extend forward.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a drape with a top surface adhesive pattern.

FIG. 5a is a top view of a drape with a top and bottom adhesive pattern.

FIG. 5b is an illustration of a drape in pouch form ready for disposal.

FIG. 5c is an additional view of a drape ready for disposal.

FIG. 6a is a top view of a drape with predefined fold lines.

FIG. 6b is a perspective of a drape shaped along fold lines forming a bowl.

FIG. 7a is a top view of a drape with pleats. The drape is in a partially compacted form.

FIG. 7b is a top view of a drape with pleats in an extended form.

FIG. 7c is a side view of a drape with pleats positioned adjacent to a faucet and vertical wall.

FIG. 8a is a top view of a user and an embodiment of the present grooming drape with an extended length and attachment to a user's neck. This is referred to as a grooming bib.

FIG. 8b is a side view of a user and an embodiment of the present grooming bib.

FIG. 9a is a top view of a grooming bib with die cut holes and perforations

FIG. 9b is a top view of a bib embodiment having a reinforced hole and slits for accommodating larger heads.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a bib embodiment with slits for accommodating faucets and heads.

FIG. 11a is a top view of a bib with removable perforated portions and adhesive regions.

FIG. 11b is a view showing a perforated portion of a bib or drape removed and the resulting ties adhered to one another.

FIG. 12a is a top view of a bib with pleats. The bib is in a partially compacted form.

FIG. 12b is a top view of a bib with pleats in an extended form.

FIG. 12c is a side view of a bib with pleats positioned adjacent to a faucet and vertical wall.

FIG. 13a is a top view of a bib with a die cut V removed and adhesive regions on bib tabs.

FIG. 13b is a perspective view of a bib boat formed by connecting bib tabs.

FIG. 14a is an illustration of a web of bibs stored in a roll for dispensing.

FIG. 14b is an illustration of a pleated bib compacted for storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1a and 1b depict the preferred embodiment of the present disposable grooming drape and its typical usage. In FIG. 1a, a drape 100 is shown with one edge secured around a faucet 160 with a die cut hole 130. This hole helps the user secure and orient the drape. An optional perforation 110 is located so the drape can be torn away gently when no longer in use. The opposite edge extends toward the user and the edge of the sink rim area. The collection region 105 (outlined in a dotted line for clarity) covers the sink and portions of the sink rim area 140 as shown in the side view of FIG. 1b. Auxiliary regions 200 and 210 are also indicated in FIG. 1b.

The general features of the present drape are shown in FIG. 2. The drape is a thin, flexible, rectangular sheet of disposable material 100 with a die cut hole 130 and at least one line of perforations 110 extending radially from the die cut hole. In this case, the perforation 110 provides an easy location to tear the drape when removing it from around a faucet. Auxiliary regions 200 and 210 are designated by dotted lines and are located along opposite edges of the drape. Several embodiments add features to these regions to improve the performance of the drape.

FIG. 3a shows a drape with features 310 and 300 positioned in respective auxiliary regions 210 and 200. In this embodiment, feature 310 is a temporary adhesive that can be used to attach the drape edge to an adjacent wall or the counter/sink rim area behind the faucet. The adhesive can be manufactured with a removable film covering. The user removes the film and sticks the edge to a wall. FIG. 3b shows region 210 secured to a wall in this way. Feature 300 is a bead of material that adds weight to the special region 200. FIG. 3b shows region 200 hanging off the edge of the sink rim area. The extra weight helps keep the drape from moving around.

An additional embodiment shown in FIG. 4 has an adhesive pattern 500 applied to the collection region 105 of the drape. The pattern can be in distinct areas as shown or covering the collection region in a uniform film. A suitable adhesive aids the collection of hair trimmings and debris. The region acts much like the adhesive on a lint collecting roller. Another adhesive pattern is shown in FIG. 5a. In this case, small adhesive patches 600 (B, C) are applied to the back side of the drape while patches 610 (A, D) are applied to the top side of the drape. Patches B and C are available to stick to the counter top or edge of the sink basin while patches A and D are available after using the drape to secure the debris and trimmings into a pouch. FIGS. 5b and 5c show several pouch forms. FIG. 5b forms a pouch 620 by using all four adhesive locations to stick all four corners into a bundle. FIG. 5c uses adhesive patches A and D to form a trough to roll up the drape and debris.

The collection region of the present drape can be further improved by deliberate forming of the surface geometry using shape forming features. FIG. 6a shows one embodiment of a formed drape. In this case, several fold lines 700 are pressed into the material or otherwise marked on the material. These fold lines cover the collection region which is not indicated in this view. FIG. 6b shows the resulting drape after creasing along lines 700. The drape in FIG. 6b has distinct bowl shape 710 that greatly improves collection of debris. It can be further improved with the features previously described such as adhesives, adhesive patches, etc. In a similar manner, a plurality of parallel folds 800 can be manufactured into the drape as shown in FIG. 7a. These folds allow the drape to be stored in a compressed form. When in use, the die cut hole is secured around a faucet and the opposite edge is pulled in the direction of the large arrow. The drape extends into a larger area to cover the sink basin as shown in FIG. 7b. The pleats provide troughs to capture debris. The pleated drape is combined with other features in FIG. 7c. Here, collection region 840 is shown with pleats held in position by both an adhesive region 830 stuck to a wall and a weighted region 850 hanging downward.

FIGS. 8a and 8b depict the typical usage of the present disposable grooming bib form. In FIG. 8a, a bib 10 is shown with one edge secured around a faucet 16 with die cut hole 13 and the opposite edge secured around the neck of a user with die cut hole 12. The extended portion of the bib 11, including collection region 17, covers the sink and sink rim area 14 adjacent to the vertical wall 15. FIG. 8b shows a side view of the bib and user. A collection region 17 hangs between the secured edges. This region acts like a hammock to collect and hold trimmings. This region can be modified to have adhesive or shape forming features.

The general features of the present bib are shown in FIG. 9a. In this case, the bib is a flat, rectangular sheet of disposable material with die cut holes 20 and 21. For example, the bib material can be paper, coated paper, or non-woven polymer textile or a combination. Other materials with enhanced debris collecting properties can be used. Perforations 22 and 24 can be added to let the user easily tear the bib away from the faucet or neck. FIG. 9b shows additions to the die cut holes. In one case, a reinforcement 26 is added to a hole. This can help keep the bib in place around the faucet if the bib gets wet or the bib is intentionally wetted and the user is moving and applying forces that would otherwise tear the bib. The reinforcement can be in the form of a cloth, fiber, or cardboard ring. In another case, a hole has slits added to its periphery. These slits 27 allow items to pass through that are larger than the diameter of the hole. For example, the hole can accommodate user's with different head diameters. FIG. 9b demonstrates how several innovative features can be combined in a single bib. FIG. 10 shows another bib embodiment with die cut hole slits 27 around at least two locations 31 and 32 to aid attachment to a variety of bathroom fixtures and head sizes.

Bib attachment is not limited to circular holes or slits. FIGS. 11a and 11b demonstrate a novel method for forming bib attachments. A disposable bib is formed with removable portions outlined with appropriate perforations 43. By tearing along the perforation, a portion 45 can be removed and two adjacent bib ties are formed. Example ties are shown as 41 and 42. In this embodiment, a region 40 is selectively adhesive and is located at the end of each tie. The adhesive is exposed when a cover film is removed (not shown). The ties can be connected with the adhesive as shown in FIG. 11b. A loop 44 is formed when the ties are adhered together or otherwise connected. A version without adhesive regions can simply be tied together. The formed loop is suitable to surround a user's neck or to be positioned around an adjacent faucet.

Several configurations of another embodiment are illustrated in FIGS. 12a, 12b, and 12c. The disposable bib is shown in FIG. 5a with a plurality of horizontal pleats. A portion of the pleats is represented by 50. In this case, the pleated bib has die cut holes 12 and 13 for attachment, but could also be manufactured with selectively adhesive portions. By pulling the bib in the direction of the large arrow, the bib expands for use. FIG. 12b shows an expanded, pleated bib. Note that pleated region 50 has now expanded to a larger region 51. FIG. 12c illustrates one useful configuration of the pleated bib. The pleats allow the bib to expand and contract during use as shown by the arrow. Furthermore, pleat valleys, such as 52, form areas to collect trimmings, thus enhancing debris collection in the collection region. FIG. 12c also shows an edge of the pleated bib 53 adhered to the vertical wall rather than secured around the faucet. In this case, the die cut hole 13 is not needed. The edge could be similarly attached to a portion of the sink rim behind the faucet. The pleated bib is an example of a formed or formable bib having shape forming features. In this case, the pleats are formed during manufacture.

FIGS. 13a and 13b represent an embodiment of the disposable bib whose shape forming features are in die cut portions and guides for folding. These features enable the user to form the bid (or drape) into a receptacle. A receptacle is a general reference to a concave shape similar to a bowl or the inside hull of a boat. FIG. 13a shows a bib with a die cut hole 12 and a die cut V 62. Die cut hole 13 is shown as 2 halves separated by the V. In addition, the bib has selective adhesive regions such as 61 and a line of fold shown as 60. The line of fold is not a perforation but is included to help visualize how the boat form in FIG. 13b is created. In this embodiment, the user removes the film covering the adhesive region and adheres it to the back of tab 64. The resulting boat form is shown in FIG. 13b. The boat form has a collection region 63 that has an improved shape for collecting and retaining trimmings and grooming debris. It also has a formed hole 13 for securing one edge of the bib to a faucet for example. In much the same way, the boat form is also amenable to a drape embodiment.

Both the disposable bib and drape have several advantages for efficient storage. For example, bibs with die cut holes are shown in FIG. 14a as portions of a roll of bibs. In this case, the bibs are manufactured on a long web and stored in a roll. A single bib can be removed by tearing along the perforation 70. A pleated bib is shown in a very compacted form in FIG. 14b. In this form, many pleated bibs can be stacked in a small volume, then removed and expanded when needed. Similarly, pleated or folded drapes can be packaged in convenient commercial formats. For example, a ⅛th folded drape is packaged in a 10 count pack. A single count packet would enclose a 1/32nd folded drape. In these cases, the fraction indicates the relative ratio of the folded area to the unfolded area.

While a number of practical and preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, they are not intended to be limiting. Various other additions, modifications, and arrangements are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A disposable drape for protecting a sink area from grooming debris, comprising: A thin, flexible sheet of material having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a predetermined size suitable to cover at least said sink area,A collection region covering at least a portion of said upper surface,At least one shape forming feature that provides for a predetermined formable shape of at least a portion of said collection region,At least one orientation feature that provides substantially reproducible and removable positioning of said collection regionwherein said collection region is shaped and positioned to collect said grooming debris.

2. The disposable drape of claim 1 wherein said at least one orientation feature is chosen from a list including: a die-cut hole, a die-cut slit, a perforated slit, a reinforced hole, a weighted edge, a formed loop.

3. The disposable drape of claim 1 wherein said predetermined size includes an extended length and said at least one orientation feature includes a hole providing removable attachment to a user to form a bib.

4. The disposable drape of claim 1 wherein said collection region is characterized by a high surface area provided by said shape forming features chosen from a list including pleats, ridges, wrinkles, embossed shapes.

5. The disposable drape of claim 1 wherein said collection region is characterized by a high surface area provided by a fibrous structure designed to constrain debris that falls upon said fibrous structure.

6. The disposable drape of claim 3 wherein said fibrous structure forms a surface of vertically oriented fibers substantially brush-like thereby providing a surface to constrain debris that falls upon said surface of vertically oriented fibers.

7. The disposable drape of claim 1 wherein said at least one shape forming feature is a patterned guide positioned to enable a user to form said drape collection region into a receptacle shape.

8. The disposable drape of claim 1 wherein said collection region further comprises an upward facing adhesive portion.

9. The disposable drape of claim 1 wherein said collection region further comprises an upward facing water-activated-adhesive portion.

10. A method for protecting a sink area from grooming debris comprising the steps of: Providing a thin, flexible, disposable drape having a collection region, at least one shape forming feature, and at least one orientation featurePreparing said collection regionForming said collection region with the at least one shape forming featurePositioning said prepared and formed collection region to cover said sink area using the at least one orientation featureCollecting grooming debrisDisposing of said disposable drape and said grooming debris

11. The method of claim 10 wherein preparing said collection region comprises the step of wetting the collection region.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein preparing said collection region comprises the step of uncovering an adhesive material coating the upward facing surface said collection region.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein said orientation feature is a hole and said positioning includes looping said hole over a faucet in said sink area.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein said shape forming feature is a visible guide pattern and said forming step comprises folding said drape according to said visible guide pattern.