Hair wrap with outer waterproof shield

Abstract

A double-layered hair wrap/bathing cap keeps the hair up and away from the face and nape of the neck. A first stretchable layer confines the hair while a second waterproof layer protects the confined hair from getting wet and/or soiled from facial or bathing products.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to headbands or hair wraps and bathing caps or shower caps used for confining and protecting the hair and more specifically to an aesthetically pleasing, quick and easy to apply hair wrap with an outer waterproof shield for keeping the hair away from the face and neck and further, for protecting the hair from getting wet, soiled, oily or sticky.

BACKGROUND ART

The main function of headbands or hair wraps is to confine the hair to varying degrees. Often, it is desirable to completely confine the hair, such as when a person is engaged in activities such as cleansing the face over a sink. Depending upon the length and style of a person's hair, many headbands require that pins, clips and other hair-holding devices be additionally used and can be time consuming and often still prove ineffective. An alternative is to use a head covering such as a boudoir or shower cap as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,909. The inventor therein addresses the problem of excessive time spent tucking the hair under these types of head coverings and offers an easy to use annular hair wrap. While the hair wrap described in this patent is effective in confining the hair, it does not offer a waterproof feature. Also, this hair wrap, with its signature pouch, allows the confined hair to drop below the nape of the neck, which can be inconvenient to those wishing to keep the hair dry while immersing the neck into a bath, pool, or tub of water, especially if the water is agitated as in a hot tub or splashing as when a person engages in water aerobics.

An older patent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,211,184 describes a waterproof headband. However, the application of the invention requires that the hair be tucked into the headband, much like a shower cap, for even though the headband therein described is, in fact, annular, the second opening at or around the crown of the head is not expandable to a size that would allow the user to insert the head completely into both openings and pull the headband down around the neck, which is a necessary feature in a hair wrap that intends to obviate tucking of the hair at and/or around the hairline during application.

The main function of bathing and shower caps is to keep the wearer's hair dry while the wearer engages in activities wherein the hair may become wet.

The shower cap, however, in its current form, suffers many shortcomings. Besides being time consuming and frustrating to apply, shower caps shift, do not breathe, do not offer full protection against moisture at the hairline, are not aesthetically pleasing and can cause creases or lines in the forehead of the wearer. Many modifications to bathing and shower caps have been patented over time. Improved aesthetics is the primary object of the invention detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,830. For many, the disclosed cap would provide a preferred aesthetic, as it extends up above the forehead in a crown-like manner. However, the invention does not address difficulty of application in the necessity of the user to tuck the hair and is likely expensive to produce. With intention of preventing crease marks on the forehead, U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,681 offers a two-piece “HAIR PROTECTOR.” While the described band would indeed prevent creases, the invention includes a second piece that must be placed on the head in the same manner as a shower cap, thereby requiring the user to tuck the hair. U.S. Pat. No. 6,560,784 discusses the failing of shower caps to securely hold the confined hair in place thereby preventing the cap from shifting and becoming ineffective. It also discusses the shower cap's lack of breathability. The inventor offers a solution to these problems by providing a turban style applied hair wrap that covers the entire head and may employ a desiccant to absorb moisture.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

As used herein, the terms “hair wrap with outer waterproof shield” and “hair wrap/bathing cap” are interchangeable.

The object of the present invention is to provide a one-piece, double-layered “hair wrap with an outer water proof shield” that has a crown-like aesthetic, is easy to apply, confines the hair up and away from both the face and nape of the neck, and does not mark or crease the forehead. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a non-shifting, securely fitting hair wrap that allows the hair to breathe but provides some protection against getting wet and/or otherwise soiled. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hair wrap/bathing cap which may be produced in numerous colors and/or prints which will allow for a wide range of decorative and/or fashionable options.

In a first aspect, the present invention solves the problem of excessive time spent tucking the hair into a head covering such as a shower cap and the problem of the hair becoming wet from splashing water and/or soiled from facial products by providing an annularly shaped hair wrap/bathing cap with an outer waterproof shield that can be quickly applied to confine and protect the hair.

In a second aspect, the present invention solves the problem of marks and/or creases left in the forehead by, for example, the elastic band in shower caps, by providing a hair wrap/bathing cap that is not elasticized at that portion of the lower annular opening coming into contact with the forehead.

In a third aspect, the present invention solves the problem of shifting caps by providing a hair wrap/bathing cap comprising a double-layer construction with an inner layer that fits snugly to the wearer's head and hair and a substantial outer waterproof layer.

In a forth aspect, the present invention solves the problem of confined hair falling below the nape of the neck by providing a hair wrap/bathing cap that sturdily confines and lifts the hair up and away from the face and neck.

In another aspect, the present invention solves the problem of the lack of breathability of a shower cap by providing a hair wrap/bathing cap that has an opening at the crown and allows the hair to breathe.

In another aspect, the present invention solves the problem of the displeasing aesthetic of shower caps by providing a hair wrap/bathing cap that possesses a crown-like height.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 represents one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention fully applied on the head of a user showing a partial front and side view.

FIG. 2 represents one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention fully applied by a user showing a partial top, rear, and side view.

FIGS. 3A-3E show one process for applying, onto the head of a wearer, one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic view of a second embodiment of that section of the back of a first embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention taken along line 4A-4A from FIG. 2 and indicated by the numeral 4.

FIG. 5 represents one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention fully applied on the head of a user showing a front view.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of components that may be used to produce one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a vertical section through one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1, 2, 3E and 5 show the hair wrap with outer waterproof shield 30 of the present invention fully applied on the head of a wearer.

To apply the hair wrap/bathing cap 30, a user may follow the process outlined in FIGS. 3A-3E. As shown in FIG. 3A, a user may pull down on the lower annular opening 22 of the hair wrap/bathing cap 30 passing it over the head and down onto the neck, as shown in FIG. 3B. Once there located, the user may remove any restricted hair from the inside to the outside of the hair wrap/bathing cap 30, as shown in FIG. 3C. Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, the user may pull up on the upper annular opening 23 of the inner layer 20 of the hair wrap/bathing cap 30, causing the hair to fall into the inner layer 20, becoming there confined. By subsequently adjusting the lower annular opening 22 to the exact desired position around the hairline and by gently pulling upward on the upper annular opening 24 of the outer layer 25, the user completes the application of the hair wrap/bathing cap 30, as shown in FIG. 3E.

FIG. 1 shows a partial front and side view of a preferred embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap 30 of the present invention on the head of a wearer wherein the hair wrap/bathing cap 30 comprises an outer layer 25 comprised of a centerpiece 26 that is not elasticized 29 designed to hinder marks and creases typically left in the forehead by elastic and a remainder piece 28 that is elasticized. In a preferred embodiment, the outer layer 25 of the hair wrap/bathing cap 30 is comprised of oilcloth, which has sufficient body to remain mostly erect while on the head of the wearer, but may be produced with other waterproof fabrics or materials possessing such characteristics.

FIG. 2 shows, from an angled top view, one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap 30 of the present invention comprising an outer layer 25 and an inner layer 20 as it confines the hair of a user. In the embodiment represented by FIG. 2, elastic is used inside the casing 33 which is created by the seams that attach the inner layer 20 to the outer layer 25, to be described in somewhat more detail below. The elastic is threaded through the casing 33 and as is shown in FIG. 5, the first end and second end of the elastic is attached at two points 32, each point being within the seams that join the centerpiece 26 and remainder piece 28. In another embodiment wherein the outer layer 25 comprises one piece of fabric or other material, the first end and second end of the elastic is tacked at or near the same two points 32. In a preferred embodiment, as is shown in FIG. 4, a system employing elastic cord 34 and a cord lock 35 is used, whereby the elastic cord is rendered adjustable by a cord lock 35 installed on the elastic cord 34 protruding out through two apertures 36 in the casing 33 area of the outer layer 25.

FIG. 6 shows the components that may be used to construct one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention. The inner layer 20 comprises a band 38 of pliable and stretchable cloth material, preferably stretch terry knit, about 6 inches in width and having two ends 42 and 43 which are sewn together to form an annular band having a circumferential length of approximately 26 inches, or more or less depending upon the size of the wearer's head, and having an upper annular edge 44 and a lower annular edge 39. Elastic 40 is sewn to the upper annular edge 44. In a preferred embodiment, said elastic is sewed-on lace elastic but any means of elasticizing available to the art may be used, including but not limited to fold over elastic, ruffled elastic, elastic thread, elastic inside of a casing, adhesives and elastic, and shirring of the edge and/or a predetermined area greater than the edge.

The outer layer 25 comprises a centerpiece 26 of approximately 6 inches in width and having two ends 52 and 53 and a remainder piece 28 of the same width as the centerpiece 26 and having two ends 54 and 55. End 53 of the centerpiece 26 and end 54 of the remainder piece 28 are sewn together and end 52 of the centerpiece 26 and end 55 of the remainder piece 28 are sewn together to form an annular band having a circumferential length of approximately 28 inches, or more or less depending upon the size of the wearer's head, and having an upper annular edge 62 and a lower annular edge 63.

The lower annular edge 39 of the inner layer 20 is attached, preferably by stitching, to the lower annular edge 63 of the outer layer 25 in a manner commonly known to the art such as to create a casing 33 into which elastic 64 having two ends 65 and 66 is inserted and each end tacked at two points 32 by including the ends into the seams that join the centerpiece 26 to the remainder piece 28.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lower annular edge 39 of the inner layer 20 and the lower annular edge 63 of the outer layer 25, once attached, further define the lower annular opening 22 of one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap 30 of the present invention.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

U.S. Pat. No. 2,211,184	August 1940	Varell
U.S. Pat. No. 3,234,563	February 1966	Tabbat
U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,681	August 1973	Claunch
U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,830	August 1983	Gaitan
U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,909	July 1999	Ellsworth et at.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,560,784	May 2003	Hill

Non Patent Literature

• http://www.tassicompany.com/company/news/\

Claims

1. A double-layered hair wrap/bathing cap for containing the hair of a wearer (up and away from the face and nape of the neck), and protecting the wearer's confined hair from becoming wet and/or oily and/or soiled and/or sticky from splashing water and/or cosmetics and/or products used on the face or body, comprising: a. an inner layer comprising an annular band of a pliable and stretchable cloth material approximately 6 inches in width and a circumferential length of approximately 26 inches, more or less; said annular band having an upper annular edge and a lower annular edge; said upper annular edge being elasticized and defining an upper annular opening which is expandable from a first size adapted to be smaller than the head size of a wearer wherein said upper annular opening may grip the head of a wearer to a second expanded size adapted to be greater than the head size of a wearer wherein said upper annular opening can in use be passed over the head of a wearer and down around the neck of the wearer and subsequently pulled back up to sweep the hair of the wearer up off of the face and neck and confine the hair within the inner layer, with the upper annular opening having been pulled up to a location around the crown of the head and then causing the protruding length of hair, by gravity or additional assistance, to slip into said inner layer; and wherein said lower annular edge defining a lower annular opening of said inner layer of the hair wrap/bathing cap is attached, by stitching or any other method, tob. an outer layer comprising a waterproof fabric, which may be waterproof on one or both sides of the fabric, possessing sufficient body as to remain mostly erect while on the wearer; said outer layer comprising an annular band—which may be comprised of one piece or of two pieces, one of said two pieces being referred to as a centerpiece and the other of said two pieces being referred to as the remainder piece—approximately 6 inches in width and a circumferential length of approximately 28 inches, more or less, and having an upper annular edge and a lower annular edge; said lower annular edge defining a lower annular opening of the outer layer of the hair wrap/bathing cap and being further defined by its attachment to the inner layer whereby a casing is formed to enclose an elastic means for adapting the size of the lower annular opening of the hair wrap/bathing cap from its predetermined first circumferential length to a second circumferential length so as to create a snug fit on the wearers head when the lower annular opening, in use, has been positioned at the hairline just above the forehead; wherein said elastic means may, within said casing, encircle the entire head of the wearer, but preferably wherein said elastic means is attached within the casing at 2 points at a location about 3 inches on either side of the center of the wearer's forehead.

2. The hair wrap/bathing cap of claim 1, wherein: said elastic means at the lower annular opening of the hair wrap/bathing cap may be adjustable by a system incorporating an elastic cord and cord stop; wherein the elastic cord may protrude out of the casing through two apertures in the outer layer of the hair wrap/bathing cap and upon that protrusion bear a cord lock.

3. The hair wrap/bathing cap of claim 1, wherein: any and/or all components of the hair wrap/bathing cap may be adjusted in lengths and widths to accommodate various head sizes.

4. The hair wrap/bathing cap of claim 1, wherein: any and/or all components of the hair wrap/bathing cap may be embellished upon and/or finished with innumerable finishing items and designs available to the art, including, but not limited to decorative stitching, appliqués and notions.