Abstract:
This invention concerns hair salon accessories and especially devices for assisting in customer comfort while the hair is wetted.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Some treatments of the hair involve lengthy procedures and substantial periods spent with the hair submerged in water in the salon wash basin while hair is washed, examined and rinsed. Wetting the hair in the wash basin might occur more than once in a particular hair treatment, and each time the customer&#39;s skin and clothes must be protected adequately. It is usual to provide this protection by copious use of towels placed on the neck and in the shoulder region. This leads to expensive laundering and drying moreover the very absorbency of the towels tends to transfer moisture to the customer&#39;s clothes sooner or later. Occasionally the use of towelling allows water to run down the customer&#39;s neck leading to wet underclothes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides a seal for positioning between a person&#39;s neck, and the concave region of a salon neck tray which tray is profiled to accommodate a person&#39;s neck, such seal comprising a collar having 
     (a) a water proof flexible outer layer of sheet material which at least partially surrounds 
     (b) a cushioning inner layer capable of being compressed by the wearer between the wearer&#39;s neck and the concave region of the salon neck tray in order to act as a water barrier where the collar contacts the wearer and 
     (c) means to fix the seal in an operative position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan of a salon tray showing the position of the person&#39;s neck for washing the hair; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear view of the garment with the cape extended; 
     FIG. 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a fragment of the collar on a larger scale showing the constructional detail; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the garment; 
     FIG. 6 is a diagram of the garment in use with a fragment of the tray shown in section. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to FIG. 1 the ceramic salon tray 2 has a profiled portion 4 which receives the neck of the person whose hair is to be washed. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 5, the garment is made from a pair of polyvinyl chloride sheet plies 1 which are joined by a perimeter weld 6 so that the finished garment is of double sheet thickness. The garment consists of a collar 8, a cape 10 extending from the collar in a direction which will cover the upper back and shoulders of the wearer and a pair of ties 12 extending one from each end of the collar for retaining the garment in position. 
     The collar 8 is a tube closed by peripheral weld 6, cape weld 14 and end welds 16 (one only shown). The tube contains a preformed, polyether cushion 17 (see FIG. 3) with a groove 18 in the face which will be directed to the rear in the finished collar. The groove 18 defines an upper rib 20 and a lower rib 22. The ends 24 of the cushion are tapered so as to be accommodated beneath the chin of the wearer without undue bulk. 
     The plies are secured around the cushion by an upper weld line 26 and a lower weld line 28. This structure allows flexibility in the collar and the portion 30 of the cushion between the weld lines groove provides sufficient resilience to render contact with the tray, acceptably comfortable. 
     In another embodiment the plies are made of nylon and the whole garment is stitched together. Crumbed polyether may be used instead of a sculptured cushion. The collar may instead be hollow and inflatable. 
     In use the garment is placed about the wearer&#39;s shoulders and the ties 12 secured. The wearer is seated adjacent the salon tray and the assistant guides the wearer&#39;s head rearwardly until the groove 18 engages the profiled edge 4 of the tray. 
     I have found the garment described in the embodiment to be comfortable to wear, easy to dry and keep clean and effective in operation.