SYSTEM FOR A HEAD COVERING WITH INTEGRATED HAIR

Abstract

Described herein is a head covering with integrated hair that is constructed to benefit the physical and emotional wellbeing of a person with hair loss due to, for example, chemotherapy. In one embodiment, the head covering includes a cap, a sweatband attached to the cap constructed and arranged to attach a hair piece to the cap, a crown portion forming a portion of the cap and configured to receive an attachment, and a brow pocket formed by the sweatband.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of head coverings, and more specifically, to a head covering that contains integrated hair.

BACKGROUND

Many people fighting diseases suffer from hair loss, for example, hair loss associated with chemotherapy treatments. Wigs and head coverings can help conceal this hair loss, providing the person an amount of privacy about their diagnosis. This privacy can be helpful to maintain the emotional wellbeing of the person which is associated with better treatment outcomes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, a head covering with integrated hair is provided. The head covering includes a cap, a sweatband of the cap constructed to attach a hair piece, a crown portion of the cap configured to receive a crown attachment, and a brow pocket on the sweatband. The cap can be a hat. The hat can have an opening to receive a charm. The cap can also be configured to attach to the interior of an existing hat.

The head covering can include a temperature control attachment shaped to fit into to the crown portion of the cap. The head covering can also include a temperature control attachment shaped to fit into the brow pocket of the cap. The temperature control attachment can provide heating or cooling.

The brow pocket can be shaped to receive a sensor. The sensor can be a temperature sensor, blood oxygen sensor, a pulse sensor, a touch sensor, or a location sensor. The brow pocket can be constructed to allow for contact between a sensor placed in the pocket and a user's skin. The sensor can be configured to communicate with a secondary device to report data received from the sensor.

The brow pocket can be shaped to receive a therapeutic attachment. The therapeutic attachment can be a massage system, an aromatherapy diffuser, a therapy LED light, or a compression attachment. The brow pocket can include two or more pockets to accommodate multiple sensors or attachments.

The head covering can include a hair piece. The hair piece may be removably attached to the cap. The hair piece may be permanently attached to the cap. The hair piece may comprise two or more hair pieces which are attached to the sweatband apart from each other.

In another aspect, a head covering is provided. The head covering includes a hat constructed to attach a hair piece, a cap configured to be removably attached to an interior of the hat, a sweatband attached to the cap, a crown portion forming a portion of the cap and configured to receive an attachment, and a brow pocket formed by the sweatband.

The systems, devices and methods described herein may be used separately or together, and components or techniques described in relation to one system or method are capable of being implemented with the others. The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates one embodiment of a cap.

FIG. 1B illustrates the cap attached to the interior of a hat.

FIG. 2 illustrates a hat used as a cap with a charm and an opening to receive the charm.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sensor inside a brow pocket of a cap wherein the brow pocket has an opening to allow contact between the sensor and a user's skin.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sensor in a cap in communication with a secondary device.

FIG. 5A illustrates a temperature control attachment shaped to fit in a crown portion of a cap.

FIG. 5B illustrates a temperature control attachment situated in the crown portion of a cap.

FIG. 6 illustrates a temperature control attachment situated in a brow pocket of a cap.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a temperature control attachment and a sensor in a brow pocket of a cap.

FIG. 8 illustrates a hair piece.

FIG. 9 illustrates a single hair piece attached to a sweatband of a cap.

FIG. 10 illustrates multiple hair pieces attached to a sweatband of a cap.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a head covering with hair pieces.

FIG. 12 illustrates a head covering with hair pieces on the head of a user.

FIG. 13A illustrates a hat with hair pieces attached to a sweatband.

FIG. 13B illustrates a hat with hair pieces attached to the sweatband and a cap with a brow pocket.

The above-mentioned and other features of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Many people fighting diseases suffer from hair loss, such as, for example, hair loss associated with chemotherapy treatments. Wigs can help conceal this hair loss, providing the person an amount of privacy about their diagnosis as they go about their day-to-day activities. This privacy can be helpful to maintain the person's emotional wellbeing, which is associated with better treatment outcomes.

Some activities make it difficult to wear a wig, however. More active activities such as swimming, biking, or running can cause a wig to shift and become offset on the head. It can be difficult to privately readjust the wig, and attempting to do so can draw attention to the hair loss that the wig is intended to conceal in the first place. One solution is to place a hat over the wig, but this can cause the wig to become further offset or interfere with the styling of the wig. Additionally, wearing a hat over a wig can cause a person to overheat, especially if they are participating in outdoor activities. People receiving chemotherapy treatments often experience issues with feeling too hot or cold, so there is a particular need to help control body temperature for these individuals.

It is also desirable to monitor the vital signs of a person receiving chemotherapy as they are particularly vulnerable to infection from their treatments. Additionally, it is desirable to provide a calm and relaxing environment to a person receiving chemotherapy, especially while they participate in more active activities. The person may experience more stress or fatigue during these activities than usual due to the symptoms of their treatment.

In one aspect, this disclosure describes a head covering system with integrated hair that is constructed to benefit the physical and emotional wellbeing of a person with hair loss due to, for example, chemotherapy treatments. The system includes a cap, a sweatband on the cap, a crown portion of the cap, and a brow pocket on the sweatband. The cap is shaped to fit securely on a user's head so it does not become unsettled during more active activities. The cap can also be configured to attach to the interior of a hat. The cap can be removably attached so that it can be moved from one hat to another as a user desires. The cap can also be permanently attached to provide a more secure attachment so it is less likely to become unsettled on a user's head.

Alternatively, the cap can be a hat such as a baseball hat, a beanie, a sunhat, a bucket hat, or a cowboy hat. Rather than attaching a cap with a sweatband, a crown section, and a brow pocket into a separate hat, the hat can incorporate the cap that includes a sweatband, a crown section, and a brow pocket. This embodiment can eliminate one potential layer of material from the system, which can be useful if a user is prone to overheating. Eliminating the extra cap layer can also provide for a more secure attachment of the crown portion, the sweatband, and the brow pocket as those components can be attached directly to one outer head covering. The hat can also have an opening for attaching a charm so that users can decorate the hat. The hat can also have a unique QR code that, when scanned by a mobile device, displays information about the wearer and their experience with their disease or treatments.

The sweatband can be constructed to attach a hair piece. A hair piece can also be included in the system. The hair piece can be removably attached to the sweatband so a user can change the piece out for one of a different length, color, texture, or style. The hair piece can be permanently attached to the sweatband for added security. The hair piece can be one piece, or it can be two or more pieces. The hair of the hair piece can be natural or synthetic and can include anti-microbial treatment to reduce the chance of passing on a pathogen to the user. Interspersed with the hair can be a device, such as a thermocouple that can provide the ambient temperature to a microprocessor. This can be used to compare the ambient temperature with the temperature of the user's scalp.

The crown portion of the cap can be configured to receive an attachment. This attachment can be a temperature control attachment which can help either heat or cool a user. As used herein a temperature control attachment is a product that can either add heat or withdraw heat from the head of the user. The temperature control attachment can be shaped to fit into the crown portion and to sit flush with the crown of a user's head during use. Examples of temperature control attachments include gel packs, electrical heaters, electrical coolers, microwaveable heat packs and phase change cooling sheets or packs.

The brow pocket of the sweatband can contain a temperature control attachment as well. The temperature control attachment can be shaped as a rectangle to fit in the brow pocket along a user's forehead and temples. The brow pocket can also contain a sensor. The sensor can be configured to communicate with a secondary device to report data. A sensor can measure temperature, humidity, blood oxygen level, heart rate, or other biometric data. This allows for monitoring of a person's vitals, which is particularly useful while they are receiving chemotherapy treatment. The brow pocket can also contain a touch or location sensor. A touch sensor can be configured as an emergency sensor so that when it is pressed by a user, and emergency contact is notified via the secondary device. A location sensor can provide the whereabouts of the user to a secondary device. The sensor can also be a motion or position sensor, such as an accelerometer, that can automatically notify another person or system if the user should fall. The brow pocket can contain a therapeutic attachment such as a massage system, an aromatherapy diffuser, a therapy LED, or a compression attachment. The therapeutic attachment can help to relieve stress or fatigue of the user as they participate in activities.

FIG. 1A provides one embodiment of cap 100 with sweatband 102, crown portion 104, and brow pocket 106. The cap can be shaped to fit snuggly on a user's head to prevent unsettling or movement while the user participates in activities. The cap and sweatband 102 can be made of any materials suitable for clothing items such as cotton, hemp, silk, polyester, nylon, and combinations thereof. The sweatband can be attached to the interior of the cap such that the sweatband contacts a user's forehead and temples when in use. The sweatband can also extend around to the back of the user's head. The cap, sweatband and other portions of the device can be of elastic material to fit snugly and comfortably on a variety of heads. The cap can also be adjustable, for example, via a fastener such as a buckle or hook and loop fastener.

Crown portion 104 is located in the interior of the cap, in an upper section of the cap, such that the crown portion contacts the crown of a user's head when the system is in use. The crown portion is configured to receive an attachment such as a temperature control attachment 500. The crown portion can include attachment means such as hook and loop fabric, zippers, buttons, snaps, cords, riveted cord or cloth tape, and combinations thereof to receive the attachment.

Brow pocket 106 is located on the sweatband 102 of the cap 100. Brow pocket 106 can be a space between the sweatband and the outer layer of cap 100. It can be accessed from an opening along an upper surface of the sweatband 102. The opening can be open or scalable. A layer between the brow pocket 106 and the user's head can include openings or windows. The brow pocket is arranged along the sweatband such that it contacts a user's forehead and/or their temples when in use. The brow pocket can also be arranged along the sweatband so that it contacts the back of the user's head when in use. The brow pocket can be shaped to receive a sensor 300 such as a temperature sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, a pulse sensor, a touch sensor, or a location sensor. The brow pocket can be shaped to accommodate different commercially available versions of these sensors. Using biometric sensors such as the temperature, blood oxygen, or pulse sensors to track the vitals or health of a user is particularly useful for users with weakened immune systems from chemotherapy treatments.

Brow pocket 106 can also be shaped to receive a therapeutic attachment 120 such as a massage system, an aromatherapy diffuser, a therapy LED light, or a compression attachment. The brow pocket can be shaped to accommodate different commercially available versions of these attachments. People receiving chemotherapy treatments can experience more stress of fatigue as they participate in activities, and such therapeutic attachments can help a user manage these feelings while continuing to enjoy the activity they are engaged in. In some cases, brow pocket 106 can include one or more electrical or optical contacts that place the brow pocket in electrical or optical communication with the user's head.

Brow pocket 106 can include one pocket or multiple pockets. In an embodiment with multiple pockets, different sensors or attachments can be placed in each pocket to customize the system to a user's needs. The one or multiple pockets can be formed over attachment means for a hair piece 800. The one or multiple pockets can be formed adjacent to attachment means for a hair piece 800.

FIG. 1B provides an embodiment of cap 100 in a hat 200. Hat 200 can be any type of hat such as a baseball hat, a beanie, a sunhat, a bucket hat, or a cowboy hat. The cap can be removably attached to an interior of the hat by means such as hook and loop fabric, zippers, buttons, snaps, cords, riveted cord or cloth tape, and combinations thereof. Multiple hats that a user selects can be outfitted with such means for attachment so the user can switch the cap into different hats quickly and easily. The cap can be permanently attached to the interior of the hat by means such as adhesives or stitching. Attaching the cap to a hat permanently provides a more secure connection of the two components and can reduce the chance of the system becoming unsettled or misaligned on a user's head.

FIG. 2 provides another embodiment where cap 100 is hat 200. The hat can be any type of hat such as a baseball hat, a beanie, a sunhat, a bucket hat, or a cowboy hat. Being able to exclude the cap from a hat can be beneficial to keep a user cool if they tend to overheat easily. The hat can also have an opening 202 to attach a charm 204. The opening 202 can have a diameter of ¼″ to ½″. A charm can display a message of encouragement, a decorative image, or any other text or images that a user desires. Users can decorate a hat with their own charms or trade charms with loved ones or other people receiving chemotherapy treatments. This can benefit the user's emotional wellbeing as they express themselves and receive encouraging messages from people in their life. A charm can be a two-piece charm that is installed by pushing one piece through opening 202 into a second piece. The two pieces are then fixed together by a connector such as threads, magnets, or an earring type post system. Charms can be used to mark time and can be added, removed or replaced, for example, to mark the number of months, weeks or days until chemotherapy is over, or other goals and accomplishments.

The hat can also have a unique QR code that, when scanned by a mobile device, displays information about the wearer and their experience with their disease or treatments. The QR code can be located on an outer portion of the hat 200. The QR code can be located on the cap 100. The QR can be located on an inner portion of the hat allowing the user to keep the information linked by the code private except to others of their choosing. The QR code can be shaped to display an image or design that represents the individual whose information is linked in the QR code. For example, the QR code can form the shape of a user's favorite animal, such as a hummingbird. The QR code can be another way to benefit a user's emotional wellbeing as it allows them to share their story and experiences with others.

FIG. 3 illustrates a sensor 300 inside a brow pocket 106 of a cap 100 wherein the brow pocket has an opening 302 to allow contact between the sensor and a user's skin. Skin contact can improve the effectiveness of biometric sensor by allowing for a more direct reading of a user's health data. The sensor can measure temperature, humidity, blood oxygen level, heart rate, or other biometric data. This allows for monitoring of a person's vitals, which is particularly useful while they are receiving chemotherapy treatments. The brow pocket can also contain a touch or location sensor. A touch sensor can be configured as an emergency sensor so that when it is pressed by a user, and emergency contact is notified via the secondary device. A location sensor can provide the whereabouts of the user to a secondary device. The sensor can also be a motion or position sensor, such as an accelerometer, that can automatically notify another person or system if the user should fall. The brow pocket can contain a therapeutic attachment such as a massage system, an aromatherapy diffuser, a therapy LED, or a compression attachment. The therapeutic attachment can help to relieve stress or fatigue of the user as they participate in more active activities.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sensor 300 in communication with a secondary device 400. The sensor can include a temperature sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, a pulse sensor, a touch sensor, or a location sensor. The sensor can transmit health data from a biometric sensor to the secondary device. A touch sensor can act as an emergency contact button where, when pressed, it communicates with the secondary device to notify an emergency contact that a user needs help. The sensor can also be a motion or position sensor, such as an accelerometer, that can automatically notify the secondary device if the user should fall. A location sensor can communicate with the secondary device to notify a contact of a user's location.

FIG. 5A illustrates a temperature control attachment 500 shaped to fit in a crown portion 104 of a cap. The temperature control attachment can be rounded to sit flush with the crown of a user's head during use. The temperature control attachment can be a cooling attachment. The cooling attachment can include a phase change material that absorbs heat as it changes from a solid to a liquid. The cooling attachment can include a cooling element such as water or alcohol contained in a retaining material. The cooling attachment can be chilled before use, then attached to a crown portion 104 to cool the crown of a user's head. The temperature control attachment can be a heating attachment. The heating attachment can be microwavable. A microwavable heating attachment can contain a material which will release heat gradually over time such as water, wheat, buckwheat, flaxseed, and combinations thereof. The temperature control attachment can also be a chargeable electronic that provides cooling or heating to a user.

FIG. 5B illustrates a temperature control attachment 500 situated in crown portion 104. The temperature control attachment can include attachment means such as hook and loop fabric, zippers, buttons, snaps, cords, riveted cord or cloth tape, and combinations thereof to attach to the crown portion. The temperature control attachment can also be permanently attached to the crown portion by attachment means such as adhesives or stitching.

FIG. 6 illustrates a temperature control attachment 500 shaped to fit in a brow pocket 106 of a cap 100 and situated as such. The temperature control attachment can be shaped as a rectangle to fit in the brow pocket along a user's forehead and temples. The temperature control attachment can include a gel pack, electrical heater, electrical cooler, microwaveable heat pack and a phase change cooling sheet or pack. The temperature control attachment can be a cooling attachment. The cooling attachment can include a cooling element such as water or alcohol contained in a retaining material. The cooling attachment can be chilled before use, then placed in brow pocket 106 to cool a user's temples and forehead. The temperature control attachment can be a heating attachment. The heating attachment can be microwavable. A microwavable heating attachment can contain a material which will release heat gradually over time such as water, wheat, buckwheat, flaxseed, and combinations thereof. The temperature control attachment can also be a chargeable electronic that provides cooling or heating to a user.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a temperature control attachment 500 in a brow pocket 106 of a cap 100. The brow pocket has an opening 302 to allow contact between the sensor and a user's skin. Skin contact can improve the effectiveness of biometric sensor by allowing for a more direct reading of a user's health data.

FIG. 8 illustrates a hair piece 800. The hair of the hair piece can be natural or synthetic and can include anti-microbial treatment to reduce the chance of passing on a pathogen to the user. The hair piece can be in any style, texture, color, or length as a user desires.

FIG. 9 shows a single hair piece 800 attached to a sweatband of a cap. The hair piece can be permanently attached to the cap by attachment means such as adhesives or stitching. Attaching the hair piece permanently allows for a more secure connection and reduces the chance that the hair piece will become misaligned or unattached. The hair piece can be removably attached to the cap by means such as clips, hook and loop fabric, zippers, buttons, snaps, cords, riveted cord or cloth tape, and combinations thereof. The hair piece being removably attached allows a user to switch out the hair piece for one of a different length, color, texture or style as they desire.

FIG. 10 shows multiple smaller hair pieces 800 attached to a sweatband of the cap. Using multiple hair pieces allows a user to customize the style of the system and can help prevent overheating if the hair pieces are spaced apart from each other. The hair pieces can be permanently attached to the cap by attachment means such as adhesives or stitching. Attaching the hair pieces permanently allows for a more secure connection and reduces the chance that the hair piece will become misaligned or unattached. The hair pieces can be removably attached to the cap by means such as clips, hook and loop fabric, zippers, buttons, snaps, cords, riveted cord or cloth tape, and combinations thereof. The hair pieces being removably attached allows a user to switch out the hair piece for one of a different length, color, texture, or style as they desire.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of a head covering with hair pieces 800.

FIG. 12 illustrates a head covering with hair pieces 800 on the head of a user.

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate another embodiment of a head covering. The head covering includes a hat 200 constructed to attach a hair piece 800, a cap 100 configured to be removably attached to an interior of the hat, a sweatband 102 attached to the cap, a crown portion 104 forming a portion of the cap and configured to receive an attachment, and a brow pocket 106 formed by the sweatband. This embodiment can be convenient for a user if there is a specific length, color, texture, or style of hair piece 800 that they prefer to wear with a certain hat 200. The hair pieces can be attached to the hat, and a user can switch out various caps 100 arranged with different combinations of sensors and attachments.

This embodiment can provide a user more privacy regarding their hair loss, especially if the user is participating in different activities throughout the day. The user can have a cap prepared that is suited to each activity they plan to participate in. As the user moves from one activity to another, they can quickly switch the various caps in and out of one hat. The user is then seen wearing the same hat with the same hair pieces throughout the day, which avoids drawing attention to their hair loss.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the functions and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings of the present invention is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. The present invention is directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present invention.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”

The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified, unless clearly indicated to the contrary.

All references, patents and patent applications and publications that are cited or referred to in this application are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference.

Claims

1. A head covering comprising: a cap;a sweatband attached to the cap, the sweatband constructed and arranged to attach a hair piece to the cap;a crown portion forming a portion of the cap and configured to receive an attachment; anda brow pocket formed by the sweatband.

2. The head covering of claim 1, wherein the cap is a hat.

3. The head covering of claim 2, wherein the hat comprises an opening therethrough sized to receive a charm.

4. The head covering of claim 1, wherein the cap is configured to be removably attached to an interior of a hat.

5. The head covering of claim 1, wherein the cap is configured to be permanently attached to an interior of a hat.

6. The head covering of claim 1, further comprising a temperature control attachment shaped to fit into the crown portion of the cap.

7. The head covering of claim 1, further comprising a temperature control attachment shaped to fit into the brow pocket of the sweatband.

8. The head covering of claim 1, wherein the brow pocket is shaped to receive a sensor.

9. The head covering of claim 8, wherein the sensor is at least one of a temperature sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, a pulse sensor, a touch sensor, or a location sensor.

10. The head covering of claim 8, wherein the brow pocket has an opening constructed to allow contact between the sensor and a user's skin.

11. The head covering of claim 8, further comprising the sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to communicate with a secondary device to report health data.

12. The head covering of claim 1, wherein the brow pocket is shaped to receive a therapeutic attachment.

13. The head covering of claim 12, further comprising the therapeutic attachment, wherein the therapeutic attachment is at least one of a massage system, an aromatherapy diffuser, a therapy LED, or a compression attachment.

14. The head covering of claim 1, wherein the brow pocket comprises two or more pockets.

15. The head covering of claim 1, further comprising the hair piece, wherein the hair piece is removably attached to the cap.

16. The head covering of claim 1, further comprising the hair piece, wherein the hair piece is permanently attached to the cap.

17. The head covering of claim 1, further comprising the hair piece, wherein the hair piece comprises two or more hair pieces, each of the two or more hair pieces constructed to attach to the sweatband separately from the other.

18. A head covering comprising: a hat constructed to attach a hair piece;a cap configured to be removably attached to an interior of the hat;a sweatband attached to the cap;a crown portion forming a portion of the cap and configured to receive an attachment; anda brow pocket formed by the sweatband.