SWIMMING HEAD CAP

The present invention provides for a swimming head cap that is effectively and efficiently configured to couple with a user's head in a substantially watertight configuration unlike any known swimming head cap, while substantially maintaining the integrity of a user's hair disposed within the swimming head cap. The swimming head cap is defined by an inner layer comprising an annular shaped elastic band and an outer layer of an elastically deformable material. The material composition of the inner layer and the outer layer facilitates an easy and convenient removal process wherein no part of the swimming head cap painfully pulls or tugs the user's hair and scalp upon removal of the swimming head cap from the user's head.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to swimming head caps, and, more particularly, relates to a swimming head cap configured to avoid pulling a user's hair and skin during removal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The consumer marketplace features a large variety of swimming head caps with watertight configurations designed to keep a user's hair dry when said user is swimming in a body of water. The goal of such swimming head caps is to prevent water from seeping through the swimming head cap, which is typically accomplished by use of a latex or silicone material composition. The tension generated when a user stretches the swimming head cap over their scalp ensures a very tight fit over the scalp. It is this tight fit that both protects the user's hair by preventing water from seeping in, but also creates painful pulling of the user's hair upon removal. Although these head caps achieve their intended purpose, they cost the user considerable physical pain in the process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a swimming head cap that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that is effectively and efficiently configured to couple with a user's head in a substantially watertight configuration unlike any known swimming head cap, while substantially maintaining the integrity of a user's hair disposed within the swimming head cap. Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a swimming head cap, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a swimming head cap comprising an inner layer having an annular shaped elastic band and an outer layer of an elastically deformable material. The inner layer is of at least one of the following materials: silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic. The outer layer is of at least one of the following materials: nylon and spandex blend, a polyester and spandex blend, a cotton and spandex blend, and a regenerative fiber and spandex blend. It is this material composition that substantially facilitates the ease of use and that prevents a user's hair and scalp from being painfully pulled upon the cap's removal therefrom.

In accordance with another feature, the inner layer further comprises an outer perimeter edge, an outer surface, and an inner surface opposing the outer surface and defining an enclosed cavity. The enclosed cavity is designed for the insertion of the user's head when the user is ready to use the swimming head cap.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the outer layer of an elastically deformable material comprises an outer surface, and an inner surface opposing the outer surface of the outer layer and directly coupled to the outer surface and the annular shaped elastic band of the inner layer.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the inner layer is of a thickness ranging from 25-1110 microns and of a hardness ranging from 5-70 shore A.

In accordance with another embodiment, the inner layer is also of an elastically deformable material designed to provide a greater stretch and closer fit.

In yet another embodiment, the outer layer may be laminated to a polyurethane film for an added layer of protection or for aesthetic reasons. The outer layer may also be compliant with an ASTM D4964 test at 100 N or 22.5 lbs. and have the following properties or characteristics: 3 Flex. % Elongation length Range 20%-300%, % Elongation width Range 20%-300%.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user's perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the swimming head cap. The term “traverse” should be understood to mean in a direction horizontally across the swimming head cap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a novel and efficient swimming head cap of a material composition that prevents the painful pulling or tugging of a user's hair and scalp upon removal. In contrast to existing swimming head caps, the present invention achieves its intended function, e.g. providing a watertight seal that prevents water from seeping in and wetting the user's hair, while also sparing the user considerable physical pain and discomfort when the user removes the swimming head cap.

Referring now toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a cross-sectional view of an exemplary swimming head cap100.FIG. 1shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a swimming head cap100, as shown inFIG. 1, includes an inner layer102having an annular shaped elastic band110and an outer layer104of an elastically deformable material.

The continuous inner layer102is annular, or circular, in shape and form to facilitate a closer and more comfortable fit around the user's head. In other words, the annular shape of the inner layer102is designed to mirror the generally annular shape of a user's head. This configuration creates a closer fit between the swimming head cap100and the user's head, thereby reducing the amount of free space between the two. In turn, this allows the swimming head cap100to have a more effective grip on the user's head, providing a watertight seal around the user's head.

The annular shaped elastic band110likewise has this same circular shape and form, as it is also designed to encircle the user's head. In an exemplary embodiment, the annular shaped elastic band110, when in use, will fall somewhere around the user's upper forehead and span around the circumference of the user's head. In other embodiments, the annular shaped elastic band110, along with some or all of the elements of claim1, may be approximately 0.25 inches to 3 inches in width, wrapping around the circumference of a user's head and serving the function of a headband that does not painfully pull or tug the user's hair and skin when in use or during removal.

The inner layer102also comprises an outer perimeter edge112, an outer surface400, and an inner surface opposing the outer surface400and defining an enclosed cavity108. The inner surface400of the inner layer102is in direct contact with the user's head and hair during use. The enclosed cavity108is designed to store the user's head when the swimming head cap100is in use and to conveniently and selectively close when not in use. The entire swimming head cap100may be folded or laid down in a substantially planar form, wherein planar is defined as flat or two-dimensional.

The inner layer102is of at least one of the following elastically deformable materials: silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic. As used herein, elastically deformable is defined as flexible and capable of being reshaped. Silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic are materials characterized by a low coefficient of friction, wherein a low coefficient of friction is defined as one ranging approximately between 0.15 to 2.5, though this coefficient is subject to change in different embodiments of the present invention. A low coefficient of friction facilitates a more stable and consistent grip of the swimming head cap100on the user's head and hair, wherein the swimming head cap100remains securely on the user's head without slipping or sliding off. Silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic materials are conducive to maintaining the integrity of a user's hair. Said another way, the material of the inner layer102resists the possibility or occurrence of hair sticking to or rubbing against the head cap.

Referring now toFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the inner layer300is depicted in a bird's eye view featuring the enclosed cavity108, the outer surface400of the inner layer300, an inner surface302opposing the outer surface400of the inner layer300, and the annular shaped elastic band110.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the inner layer102is operably configured to directly couple to and, with the annular shaped elastic band110, surround a user's head in a substantially watertight configuration, i.e., resisting the transfer of water within the cavity of the cap where the user's head is placed.

In accordance with another feature, the outer layer104has an outer surface500(as best seen inFIG. 5), and an inner surface502opposing the outer surface500of the outer layer104and directly coupled to the outer surface400of the inner layer102and to the annular shaped elastic band110of the inner layer102. The outer layer104is of at least one of the following materials: nylon and spandex blend, a polyester and spandex blend, a cotton and spandex blend, and a regenerative fiber and spandex blend. As used herein, spandex refers to the elastic synthetic fiber that is also generally known as lycra or elastane and is comprised of polyether-polyurea copolymer fabrics; nylon refers to a family of synthetic polymers based on aliphatic or semi-aromatic polyamides; polyester generally refers to a type of polymer called polyethylene terephthalate.

After insertion of the user's head within the enclosed cavity108, the distal end of the annular shaped elastic band110or inner layer102reduces in diameter and frictionally retains a circumference of a user's head (as those of skill in the art will appreciate).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner layer102is of a thickness ranging from 25-1110 microns and of a hardness ranging from 5-70 shore A. In another embodiment, the inner layer102is of an elastically deformable material, as defined herein.

In yet other embodiments, the outer layer104may be laminated to a polyurethane film with a film thickness ranging from 25-500 microns, while in other embodiments, it may be outside of said range. The outer layer104may be compliant with an ASTM D4964 test at 100 N or 22.5 lbs. and have the following properties or characteristics: 3 Flex. % Elongation length Range 20%-300%, % Elongation width Range 20%-300%.

Referring now toFIG. 6andFIG. 7,FIG. 7is a zoomed in top view of the outer layer104of the swimming head cap100and features the outer layer104, the outer surface500of the outer layer104, and the inner surface502of the outer layer104.

The inner layer102and the outer layer104may be directly coupled thereto through the use of an adhesive or they may be laminated thereto.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.