SALON CAPE

Abstract

A cape comprising a rectangular front portion, a semicircular back portion, a circular neck opening at the intersection of the rectangular front portion and the semicircular back portion, a plurality of fasteners about the circular neck opening configured to interface for securing the cape about a neck, a shoulder opening defined by a front shoulder seam and a back shoulder seam, the shoulder opening being defined along a bias from the circular neck opening to an exterior of the cape at the semicircular back portion, and an exterior seam running from the front shoulder seam to the back shoulder seam around the rectangular front portion and the semicircular back portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to hair styling, salon capes, and related garments.

BACKGROUND

Salon capes are garments often used in hair salons to protect clients and clothing, as well as maintain sanitation during hair treatments, including cutting, coloring, styling, and the like. Various designs for salon capes are known in the art. Examples of known designs are shown in FIGS. 1-2.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, in a prior known cape design an exterior seam 4 runs around the perimeter of the cape from front seam 6A to front seam 6B. The cape 2 also includes two yoke/shoulder seams 10A, 10B defining the front 12B from the back 12A of the cape 2. The cape 2 defines a neck opening 8 whereby the cape 2 may be draped around a client and secured in place with buttons 14 along the neck opening 8 and toward the exterior seam 4.

These prior known cape designs include fasteners (e.g., buttons 14) to be located by the collar bone of the client when the cape 2 is worn. Additional fasteners may be included towards the bottom of the cape 2 to prevent the cape 2 from opening during use. When worn, the front seams 6A, 6B are placed down the front of the client.

When the cape 2, of FIGS. 2 and 3, is draped on a client the back 12A of the cape 2 is placed on the client and the sides wrapped around the front of the client. That is, the left side of the cape 2 is first placed across the client and the right side draped over the top of the left side and fastened in place with buttons 14. Additional buttons 14 towards the bottom/exterior seam 4 of the cape 2 can then be fastened. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the yoke seams 10A, 10B are located at the shoulders of the client.

An additional view of the cape 2 draped on a client from the back is shown in FIG. 5. As can be seen, a seam and logo tag are obstacles in place for a hair styling and treatment for certain lengths of hair. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the cape 2 ripples, tightens around the chair, and slides up the chair when the client pulls their hands out from under the cape 2. These ripples can then platform on top of the chair and make it difficult to cut a straight line during a haircut. Additionally, the ripples can cause an accumulation of debris (e.g., cut hair, product) that is undesirable.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a front view of the cape 2 draped on a client. This prior known cape 2 design allows for the front of the client to be covered when the client keeps their hands beneath the cape 2 and does not move. As can be seen in FIG. 8, if the client moves their hands to the outside of the cape 2 the cape 2 gapes and exposes the client's clothing. Additionally, movement may also cause the cape 2 to slide up the client's lap and expose their legs, lap, clothing, pants, etc. Clients constantly move, talk with their hands, use devices such as phones, laptops, etc. and/or need to touch their hair, glasses, and other items. This movement is problematic and moves the cape 2. This movement of the cape 2 may cause the client to be covered in hair and/or product and/or require constant adjustment of the cape 2 by the client or stylist to maintain sanitary conditions.

Further, the position of the fasteners 14 and yoke seams 10A, 10B may impede the ability to achieve a straight cut for short or medium length styles (such as bobs).

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the prior known design of FIGS. 2-8, showing that the fabric gathers and creates ripples about the chair.

There is a need for improved salon capes that provide improved client and stylist experience.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In Example 1, a garment comprising a front portion, a back portion having a generally semicircular shape, a neck opening defined generally at the intersection of the front portion and the back portion, a shoulder opening cut on a bias from the neck opening to an exterior seam of the back portion, and one or more fasteners about the neck opening.

Example 2 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1 and 3-13, wherein the front portion is approximately rectangular.

Example 3 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1-2 and 4-13, wherein a radius of the back portion from the neck opening to the exterior seam is about 21″.

Example 4 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1-3 and 5-13, wherein a length of the garment is about 68″.

Example 5 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1-4 and 6-13, wherein the shoulder opening is about 43″ from the front portion exterior seam at the neck opening and is about 50″ from the front portion exterior seam at the back portion exterior seam.

Example 6 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1-5 and 7-13, wherein a length from a front of the neck opening to the exterior seam of the front portion is about 39.5″.

Example 7 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1-6 and 8-13, wherein the one or more fasteners are one or more of snaps, buttons, hook and loop, and magnets.

Example 8 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1-7 and 9-13, wherein the one or more fasteners are snaps.

Example 9 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1-8 and 10-13, wherein the neck opening is adjustable when in use via the one or more fasteners.

Example 10 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1-9 and 11-13, wherein the back portion does not include a seam.

Example 11 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1-10 and 12-13, wherein the garment is seamless from a front seam of the shoulder opening to a back seam of the shoulder opening.

Example 12 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1-11 and 13, wherein the garment is comprised of coated nylon.

Example 13 relates to the garment of any of Examples 1-12, wherein a portion of the back portion is configured to lay below a portion of the front portion when the garment is in use, closing the shoulder opening.

In Example 14, a cape comprising a rectangular front portion, a semicircular back portion, a circular neck opening at the intersection of the rectangular front portion and the semicircular back portion, a plurality of fasteners about the circular neck opening configured to interface for securing the cape about a neck, a shoulder opening defined by a front shoulder seam and a back shoulder seam, the shoulder opening being defined along a bias from the circular neck opening to an exterior of the cape at the semicircular back portion, and an exterior seam running from the front shoulder seam to the back shoulder seam around the rectangular front portion and the semicircular back portion.

Example 15 relates to the cape of any of Examples 14 and 16-20, wherein a portion of the semicircular back portion is configured to lay below a portion the rectangular front portion when in use such that the front shoulder seam and back shoulder seam overlap closing the shoulder opening at a shoulder of a client.

Example 16 relates to the cape of any of Examples 14-15 and 17-20, wherein a length from the rectangular front portion exterior seam to the shoulder opening at the neck opening is about 43″, the length from the rectangular front portion exterior seam to the shoulder opening at the semicircular back portion exterior seam is about 50″, the length from the neck opening to the rectangular front portion exterior seam is about 39.5″, the length from the semicircular back portion exterior seam to the rectangular front portion exterior seam is about 68″, the width of the cape is about 49″, and the radius of the semicircular back portion from the neck opening to the semicircular back portion exterior seam is about 21″.

Example 17 relates to the cape of any of Examples 14-16 and 18-20, wherein the plurality of fasteners are snaps.

Example 18 relates to the cape of any of Examples 14-17 and 19-20, wherein a size of the neck opening is adjustable via the plurality of fasteners when the cape is in use.

Example 19 relates to the cape of any of Examples 14-18 and 20, wherein the cape is seamless from the front shoulder seam to the back shoulder seam.

Example 20 relates to the cape of any of Examples 14-19, wherein the semicircular back portion does not include a seam other than the back shoulder seam and the exterior seam.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. As will be realized, the disclosure is capable of modifications in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a laid flat view of a salon cape, according to one implementation.

FIG. 2 is a flat view of a salon cape, according to one implementation.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a salon cape, according to one implementation.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the closures of the cape of FIGS. 2-3, according to one implementation.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the cape of FIGS. 2-3 on a client, according to one implementation.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the cape of FIGS. 2-3 after a client has moved, according to one implementation.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the cape of FIGS. 2-3 on a client, according to one implementation.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the cape of FIGS. 2-3 on a client after client movement, according to one implementation.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the cape of FIGS. 2-3 on a client, according to one implementation.

FIG. 10 is a laid flat view of a salon cape, according to one implementation.

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of a salon cape, according to one implementation.

FIG. 12 is a detailed view of a salon cape showing exemplary dimensions, according to one implementation.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a cape with the front portion lifted, according to one implementation.

FIG. 14 is a close-up view of the closures of the cape, according to one implementation.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the cape, according to one implementation.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the cape, according to one implementation.

FIG. 17 is a side view of the cape, according to one implementation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As is understood by those of skill in the art, the foundation of a haircut is the perimeter, or length, of the hair. If the perimeter is not level, the whole haircut will not perform correctly. That is, short hair pushes long hair away causing unevenness. For example, if a seam or ripple in the salon cape causes the middle of the back of the perimeter to be uneven (where one side or area is shorter than another along the perimeter) the client's hair will swing to the direction that is longer, throwing off the haircut.

If the environment is not conducive to achieving a level line on the client, the stylist cannot be successful at giving a great haircut. A seam, ripples, and/or gape in the cape can make it impossible to know if the perimeter of the haircut is level. These obstacles often shift the hair out of its natural fall, disrupting the ability to cut the line of the perimeter, and see if the line of the perimeter is level. This ultimately effects client satisfaction, haircut performance, and the stylist's work.

FIG. 10 shows one implementation of the herein disclosed salon cape 50 designed to achieve a level cut and remove obstacles to such a cut.

In various implementations, the salon cape 50 includes a generally rectangular shape (front side) having a half circle at one end (back side), as can be seen in FIG. 11. An exterior seam 52 is located around the perimeter of the cape 50 from shoulder seam 54A to shoulder seam 54B. The shoulder seams 54A, 54B run from the neck opening 56 to the exterior seam 52. In various implementations, the shoulder seams 54A, 54B are generally located at the back 58A of the cape 50 (the half circle portion) extending at an angle (on the bias) near the transition point from the back 58A to the front 58B of the cape 50. Fasteners 62 are located along the neck opening 56 for fastening the cape 50 about the neck of a client.

In various implementations, the shoulder seams 54A, 54B are placed on the clients left shoulder (although a pattern adjustment may be made to locate the seams 54A, 54B on the right shoulder as would be understood). In these implementations, the shoulder opening 60 (space between the shoulder seams 54A, 54B is cut on a bias to sit just behind a shoulder of a client. Cutting the fabric on the bias allows for a contouring drape that follows the shape of the body and creates a flattering silhouette. In these and other implementations, the opening 60 is placed by the shoulder so that the fabric hugs the shoulder helping the cape 50 to stay in place and reduce rippling. This cut allows the cape 50 is drape is a conical pattern about the client when in use.

The size of the neck opening 56 may optionally be enlarged or reduced to accommodate a variety of neck sizes. That is, the point at which the neck opening 56 is fastened can be adjusted to the appropriate size of the client's neck. Additionally, the neck opening 56 can be adjusted to provide optimal comfort for the client.

In various implementations, the back 58A of the cape 50 is rounded (i.e., a half circle) such that the exterior seam 52 at the shoulder seams 54A, 54B closely line up no matter the size of the client's neck.

FIG. 12 shows one implementation of the cape 50 having exemplary measurements when the cape 50 is laid flat. These dimensions are provided by way of example and various changes to dimensions of the cape 50 are possible and contemplated herein. Additionally, changes to the shape of the cape 50 would be obvious when in use and draped on a client. That is, the cape 50 drapes in a conical fashion creating a cone about the client.

In various implementations, the cape 50 is seamless from shoulder seam 54A to shoulder seam 54B. That is, the cape 50 is formed from a single piece of material, such that seams do not impede the cut, as is common with prior known designs, discussed above. Particularly, in various implementations, the back 58A does not includes any seams that would interfere would achieves a level perimeter.

In these implementations, the cape 50 is approximately 68 inches in length from the back 58A exterior seam 52 to the front 58B exterior seam 52. The cape 50 is approximately 49″ in width. The neck opening 56 is approximately 7″ in diameter, as cut, but adjustable during use, as described herein and generally recognized. The front 58B to the neck opening 56 is about 39.5″ and the front 58B to the shoulder seam 54A is about 43″ and the front 58B to the exterior of the shoulder seam 54A is about 50″. The radius of the back 58B (half circle) from the neck opening 56 to the exterior seam 52 is about 21″.

In various implementations, the cape 50 is made from polyurethane or coated nylon, polyester, or other appropriate material as would be recognized by those of skill in the art. In these and other implementations, the fasteners include snaps, buttons, Velcro (hook and loop), magnets, and the like.

FIG. 13 shows the cape 50 as draped on a client with the front 58B shoulder seam 54B being lifted. As can be seen the shoulder sems 58B is located slightly behind the client's shoulder and excess fabric from the back 58A of the cape 50 is wrapped underneath the front 58B of the cape 50.

FIG. 14 shows an up-close view of the neck opening 56 and fasteners 62. Fasteners are placed on the front and back sides of the cape 50 as appropriate to be interfaced for fastening the cape 50 about the client's neck. A plurality of fasteners 62 are optionally provided for adjustability to various neck sizes and preferences.

Turning to FIG. 15, as can be seen the cape 50 does not include a seam down the center of the back, as is common in prior known designs (discussed above). The back 58A of the cape 50 lays flat with no ripples, gaping, or impediments to cutting and styling.

As can be seen in FIG. 16, there is no seam or opening in the front of the cape 50. Because there is not front opening, the client will remain covered despite movement. Remaining covered keeps the client free of hair, product, or other debris. Additionally, remaining covered assist the stylist in maintaining sanitary conditions.

FIG. 17 shows a side view of the cape 50. Here, it can be seen that there are not any ripples or obstructions that would impede achieving the desired services, including a level cut.

Although the disclosure has been described with references to various embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A garment comprising: (a) a front portion;(b) a back portion having a generally semicircular shape;(c) a neck opening defined generally at the intersection of the front portion and the back portion;(d) a shoulder opening cut on a bias from the neck opening to an exterior seam of the back portion; and(e) one or more fasteners about the neck opening.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front portion is approximately rectangular.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein a radius of the back portion from the neck opening to the exterior seam is about 21″.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein a length of the garment is about 68″.

5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the shoulder opening is about 43″ from the front portion exterior seam at the neck opening and is about 50″ from the front portion exterior seam at the back portion exterior seam.

6. The garment of claim 5, wherein a length from a front of the neck opening to the exterior seam of the front portion is about 39.5″.

7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the one or more fasteners are one or more of snaps, buttons, hook and loop, and magnets.

8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the one or more fasteners are snaps.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the neck opening is adjustable when in use via the one or more fasteners.

10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the back portion does not include a seam.

11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is seamless from a front seam of the shoulder opening to a back seam of the shoulder opening.

12. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is comprised of coated nylon.

13. The garment of claim 1, wherein a portion of the back portion is configured to lay below a portion of the front portion when the garment is in use, closing the shoulder opening.

14. A cape comprising: (a) a rectangular front portion;(b) a semicircular back portion;(c) a circular neck opening at the intersection of the rectangular front portion and the semicircular back portion;(d) a plurality of fasteners about the circular neck opening configured to interface for securing the cape about a neck;(e) a shoulder opening defined by a front shoulder seam and a back shoulder seam, the shoulder opening being defined along a bias from the circular neck opening to an exterior of the cape at the semicircular back portion; and(f) an exterior seam running from the front shoulder seam to the back shoulder seam around the rectangular front portion and the semicircular back portion.

15. The cape of claim 14, wherein a portion of the semicircular back portion is configured to lay below a portion the rectangular front portion when in use such that the front shoulder seam and back shoulder seam overlap closing the shoulder opening at a shoulder of a client.

16. The cape of claim 14, wherein a length from the rectangular front portion exterior seam to the shoulder opening at the neck opening is about 43″, the length from the rectangular front portion exterior seam to the shoulder opening at the semicircular back portion exterior seam is about 50″, the length from the neck opening to the rectangular front portion exterior seam is about 39.5″, the length from the semicircular back portion exterior seam to the rectangular front portion exterior seam is about 68″, the width of the cape is about 49″, and the radius of the semicircular back portion from the neck opening to the semicircular back portion exterior seam is about 21″.

17. The cape of claim 14, wherein the plurality of fasteners are snaps.

18. The cape of claim 14, wherein a size of the neck opening is adjustable via the plurality of fasteners when the cape is in use.

19. The cape of claim 14, wherein the cape is seamless from the front shoulder seam to the back shoulder seam.

20. The cape of claim 14, wherein the semicircular back portion does not include a seam other than the back shoulder seam and the exterior seam.