Water resistant hair pouch

An apparatus and methods are provided for a water-resistant hair pouch that is secure, lightweight, easy to use, and capable of preventing tangles and water damage often encountered due to recreational swimming in pools, water parks, lakes, oceans, and the like. The water-resistant hair pouch comprises a pouch that tapers from an opening to an apex. The opening provides access to a water-resistant cavity inside the pouch. An elastic loop coupled with the pouch, adjacent to the opening, is configured to be wrapped around a ponytail that is inserted through the opening into the water-resistant cavity. A drawstring facilitates cinching the opening around the base of the ponytail to minimize water exposure to the hair, or maintain a dry state of the hair, during immersion in water. Straps are attached to opposite sides of the pouch to enable a practitioner to secure the ponytail within a folded configuration of the pouch.

FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of hair covers. More specifically, embodiments of the disclosure relate to an apparatus and methods for a water-resistant hair pouch that is secure, lightweight, easy to use, and capable of preventing tangles and damage to hair often encountered due to recreational swimming in swimming pools, water parks, lakes, oceans, and the like.

BACKGROUND

Inconveniences due to water exposure typically include having to painfully comb through tangled, snarled hair as well as attempting to repair the effects of chlorine-damaged hair. Often times, damage due to chlorine in swimming pools necessitates cutting off damaged portions of hair, such as split ends and discolored hair, while leaving the hair dry, brittle, and unhealthy.

A possible option to preventing water damage to hair, caused by both chemical (chlorine) and natural (salt water) elements, is to wear a conventional swimming cap. Unfortunately, conventional swimming caps tend to be heavy, uncomfortable, and aesthetically lacking for recreational water activities other than competitive swim meets. As such, conventional swimming caps typically are not water resistant and not designed or intended to keep hair dry and prevent tangles, but rather swimming caps are configured primarily to keep the hair out of the face and reduce drag to assist with faster swimming during competition. Drawbacks to conventional swimming caps include pronounced heating of the head, as well as painfully constricting the head and forehead area. Removal of swimming caps typically causes undesirable pulling of the scalp, often leading to painfully tearing loose portions of the hair. Further, conventional swimming caps typically are silicone-based or include latex, which are known to cause potential allergic reactions in many swimmers.

Attempting to avoid the use of conventional swimming caps, many swimmers manipulate or treat their hair prior to entering the water. For example, long hair is often braided before swimming in an attempt to keep longer strands in place and reduce the likelihood of tangling. Unfortunately, braiding hair is a time-consuming process and poses a relatively high degree of difficulty when braiding one's own hair. In addition to a general lack of knowledge on various braiding techniques, many parents find attempting to braid a child's hair prior to swimming to be a painful, frustrating experience. Further, many parents find it difficult to undo the braids after swimming without causing severe tangling of the hair and significant discomfort to the child.

Another attempt to prevent damage has been the use of leave-in conditioners. One drawback to leave-in conditioners is that the hair must be wetted prior to application of the conditioner. Other drawbacks to leave-in conditioners include releasing chemicals into the water during swimming and leaving the hair with a greasy feeling after swimming.

Moreover, neither the use of leave-in conditioners nor braiding the hair protects the hair from the potentially damaging effects of exposure to saltwater or chlorinated swimming pools. As such, there is an unaddressed need for hair covers that are water resistant, secure, lightweight, and capable of preventing tangles and water damage often encountered due to recreational swimming in pools, water parks, lakes, oceans, and the like.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and methods are provided for a water-resistant hair pouch that is secure, lightweight, easy to use, and capable of preventing tangles and water damage often encountered due to recreational swimming in pools, water parks, lakes, and oceans. The water-resistant hair pouch comprises a pouch that tapers from an opening to an apex. The opening provides access to a water-resistant cavity inside the pouch. An elastic loop coupled with the pouch, adjacent to the opening, is configured to be wrapped around a ponytail that is inserted through the opening into the water-resistant cavity. A drawstring facilitates cinching the opening around the base of the ponytail to minimize water exposure to the hair, or maintain a dry state of the hair, during immersion in water. Straps are attached to opposite sides of the pouch to enable a practitioner to secure the ponytail within a folded configuration of the pouch.

In an exemplary embodiment, a water-resistant hair pouch for protecting long hair from tangles and water damage during recreational swimming comprises: a pouch that tapers from an opening to an apex; an elastic loop coupled with the pouch adjacent to the opening; a drawstring configured to cinch the opening; and at least one strap attached to the pouch.

In another exemplary embodiment, the opening is configured to provide access to a water-resistant cavity inside the pouch. In another exemplary embodiment, the pouch is comprised of a pliable, lightweight, water-resistant material capable of minimizing water exposure to hair during immersion. In another exemplary embodiment, the elastic loop is configured to be wrapped around a group of hair, such as a ponytail that is inserted through the opening into a water-resistant cavity within the pouch.

In another exemplary embodiment, the drawstring is retained within an elongate passageway that extends around the perimeter of the opening. In another exemplary embodiment, the elongate passageway comprises a peripheral portion of the pouch adjacent to the opening that is folded over and attached to the body of the pouch. In another exemplary embodiment, the elongate passageway includes at least one opening that allows the drawstring to be looped outside of the elongate passageway. In another exemplary embodiment, the elongate passageway includes a first opening and a second opening that allow the drawstring to loop outside the elongate passageway on opposite sides of the opening roughly equidistant from the elastic loop. In another exemplary embodiment, the first and second openings are arranged around the opening to facilitate a practitioner grasping and pulling the drawstring to place the opening into a cinched state around the base of a ponytail that is wrapped in the elastic loop and inserted into the pouch.

In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one strap is constructed of a material similar to the material comprising the pouch. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one strap is configured to enable a practitioner to secure a ponytail within a folded configuration of the pouch. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one strap is configured to be wrapped around the pouch and secured to maintain folded configuration of the pouch. In another exemplary embodiment, the at least one strap comprises a first strap and a second strap that are configured to be tied into a bow or any form of knot suitable to secure the folded configuration of the pouch.

In an exemplary embodiment, a method for a water-resistant hair pouch to protect hair from tangles and water damage during recreational swimming comprises: forming a pouch that tapers from an opening to an apex; coupling an elastic loop with the pouch adjacent to the opening; configuring a drawstring to cinch the opening; constructing at least one strap; and attaching the at least one strap to the pouch.

In another exemplary embodiment, forming the pouch includes attaching together two flat portions of a flexible cloth, such that the flat portions are attached along lower angled edges, the apex, and upper angled edges adjacent to the opening. In another exemplary embodiment, forming the pouch includes coating the flexible cloth with a thin layer of neoprene, urethane, or other similar material. In another exemplary embodiment, configuring the drawstring includes folding over a peripheral portion of the opening and attaching the peripheral portion to a body of the pouch to form an elongate passageway that retains the drawstring. In another exemplary embodiment, constructing the at least one strap includes forming an elongate strip of flexible cloth suitable for being secured around the pouch. In another exemplary embodiment, attaching the at least one strap includes fastening the at least one strap to the pouch near the apex.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, specific numeric references such as “first strap,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first strap” is different than a “second strap.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

Water exposure typically causes hair to become snarled and tangled that is painful to comb through, as well as damaged hair caused by both chemical (chlorine) or natural (salt water) elements. Conventional swimming caps tend to be heavy, uncomfortable, and aesthetically lacking for recreational water activities other than competitive swim meets. Removal of swimming caps typically causes undesirable pulling of the scalp, often leading to painfully tearing loose portions of the hair. Non-accessory techniques often include either braiding the hair or applying leave-in conditioners prior to swimming. However, neither the use of leave-in conditioners nor braiding the hair protects the hair from the potentially damaging effects of exposure to saltwater or chlorinated swimming pools. Embodiments disclosed herein provide a water-resistant hair pouch that is secure, lightweight, easy to use, and capable of preventing tangles and water damage often encountered due to recreational swimming in pools, water parks, lakes, oceans, and the like.

FIG.1illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a water-resistant hair pouch100that is configured to protect hair from tangles and water damage during recreational swimming in pools, water parks, lakes, oceans, and the like. It is contemplated that the water-resistant hair pouch100is not to be limited to protecting hair during recreational swimming, but rather the water-resistant hair pouch100may be used to protect hair during a wide variety of activities wherein water exposure may be encountered. For example, the water-resistant hair pouch100may be used as an alternative to a conventional shower cap so as to protect hair from becoming wet and tangled during showering, or the water-resistant hair pouch100may be used as an accessory to protect the hair during waterskiing, jet skiing, boating, as well as any other activity wherein hair has a tendency to become wet and tangled.

The water-resistant hair pouch100includes a pouch104that generally tapers from an opening108disposed atop the pouch to an apex112at a bottom of the pouch104. The opening108provides access to a water-resistant cavity116inside the pouch104that is configured to receive hair, as described herein. The pouch104preferably is comprised of any pliable, lightweight, water-resistant material capable of minimizing water exposure to hair, or even maintaining the hair in a dry state, during immersion, such as, by way of non-limiting example, neoprene, urethane, treated ripstop, and the like. In some embodiments, for example, the pouch104may be comprised of a flexible cloth that is coated with a thin layer of neoprene, or other similar material. In one embodiment, the pouch104is comprised of a neoprene sheet having a thickness of substantially 0.5 millimeters (mm).

In the embodiment ofFIG.1, an elastic loop120is coupled with the pouch104adjacent to the opening108. The elastic loop120is configured to be wrapped around a group of long hair, such as a ponytail124as shown inFIG.3. Specifically,FIG.3illustrates an exemplary use environment wherein the ponytail124of a practitioner128is inserted through the opening108into the water-resistant cavity116. The elastic loop120shown inFIG.3is wound around the ponytail124, thereby advantageously attaching the water-resistant hair cover100to the hair of the practitioner128.

It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, the elastic loop120may be wrapped around a ponytail124that is already formed by way of a rubber band, or other similar device, or the elastic loop120may be wrapped around the hair to form the ponytail124in lieu of the rubber band, as desired. In general, however, it is intended that the elastic loop120is understood to be exemplary in nature, and thus it should be recognized that the elastic loop120may comprise any of various fasteners capable of advantageously attaching the water-resistant hair cover100to the hair of the practitioner128, without limitation. Further, in some embodiments, the elastic loop120may be omitted from the water-resistant hair cover100in instances wherein the hair is grouped into the ponytail124by way of a rubber band, or other similar device, as desired.

With reference again toFIG.1, the water-resistant hair pouch100includes a drawstring132that is retained within an elongate passageway136that extends around the perimeter of the opening108. It is contemplated that the elongate passageway136may be forming by folding a peripheral portion of the pouch104adjacent to the opening108over and stitching the peripheral portion onto the body of the pouch104. The elongate passageway136generally includes at least one opening140that allows the drawstring132to be looped outside of the elongate passageway136for the purpose of being grasped by way of a hand.

In the embodiment ofFIG.1, the elongate passageway136includes a first opening140and a second opening144that allow the drawstring132to loop outside the elongate passageway136on opposite sides of the opening108roughly equidistant from the elastic loop120. The positions of the first and second openings140,144facilitate grasping and pulling the loops of the drawstring132to place the opening108into a cinched state. As best shown inFIG.4, once the ponytail124is positioned in the water-resistant cavity116and fixated by way of the elastic loop120, the loops of the drawstring132may be pulled to tightly cinch the opening108around the base of the ponytail124. As will be appreciated, cinching the opening108around the base of the ponytail124advantageously secures the water-resistant hair pouch100to the practitioner's hair without painfully tugging on portions of the hair as is commonplace with conventional swimming caps.

As shown in the embodiment ofFIG.1, the water-resistant hair pouch100includes a first strap148and a second strap152that are attached to opposite sides of the pouch104. In general, the first and second straps148,152are constructed of a material similar to the material comprising the pouch104, such as, by way of non-limiting example, neoprene, urethane, treated ripstop or flexible cloth, and the like. For example, in some embodiments the first and second straps148,152are comprised of a flexible cloth material that is coated with a thin layer of neoprene, or other similar material. In some embodiments, the first and second straps148,152are comprised of a neoprene sheet having a thickness of substantially 0.5 mm. In some embodiments, however, the neoprene may be omitted from flexible cloth straps148,152without deviating beyond the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It should be understood that the water-resistant hair pouch100is not limited to including the first and second straps148,152. For example, in some embodiments, the water-resistant hair pouch100includes only one strap that may be wrapped around the pouch104, as described herein. In some embodiments, the water-resistant hair pouch100includes one or two straps that include Velcro to assist with securing the pouch104in a folded configuration, as discussed in connection withFIGS.5-8. In some embodiments, the water-resistant hair pouch100includes a single strap that includes a Velcro hook portion on one side of the strap and a Velcro loop portion on the other side of the strap. Thus, the single strap may be wrapped around the pouch104with the Velcro loop portion attached to the Velcro hook portion to maintain the folded configuration of the pouch104. It is further contemplated that, in some embodiments, the first and second straps148,152may be omitted from the water-resistant hair pouch100in lieu of fastening portions disposed on the exterior of the pouch104, including, by way of non-limiting example, Velcro portions, buttons and loops, snaps, and the like, without limitation, and without deviating beyond the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Moreover, it is contemplated that the straps148,152need not be attached to the pouch104near the opening108, as shown inFIG.1. For example, in an exemplary embodiment shown inFIG.1A, a water-resistant hair pouch102that is substantially identical to the water-resistant hair pouch100, shown inFIG.1, includes a first strap148and a second strap152that are attached to the pouch104adjacent to the apex112. It is contemplated that attaching the first and second straps148,152near the apex112simplifies rolling the pouch104into a folded configuration, as discussed in connection withFIGS.5-8.

The first and second straps148,152enable the practitioner128to secure the ponytail124in a folded, or rolled up, configuration of the water-resistant ponytail pouch100, as shown inFIGS.5-8. It is contemplated that the folded configuration of the water-resistant ponytail pouch100discussed herein below advantageously holds the ponytail124in a water-proof state during swimming in pools, water parks, lakes, oceans, and the like without subjecting the practitioner128to painful tugging on portions of the hair and scalp during removal of the pouch100. It is further contemplated that confining movement of the ponytail124during swimming enables the practitioner128to comb through the hair after swimming without having to struggle with tangles and water damage often caused by water exposure.

Referring, now, toFIG.5, the water-resistant ponytail pouch100is shown with the opening108cinched onto the base of the ponytail124, as described hereinabove. After cinching the opening108by way of the drawstring132, the pouch104may be placed into a folded configuration156by tucking the apex112under the body of the pouch104and rolling or folding the pouch upwards until reaching the edge of the cinched opening108. As shown inFIG.6, the folded configuration156of the pouch104may be maintained by initially folding the first and second straps148,152underneath the pouch104. Next, while maintaining the folded configuration156of the pouch104, the practitioner128may loop the first and second straps148,152in opposite directions around the pouch104such that the straps148,152are on top of the folded configuration156of the pouch104. As shown inFIG.7, the practitioner128may secure the folded configuration156of the pouch104by tying the first and second straps148,152together on top of the pouch104. It should be understood that the straps148,152are not limited to being looped in opposite directions before being secured, but rather the straps148,152are intended to be looped and secured in any of various arrangements suitable for maintaining the pouch in the folded configuration without limitation, and without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

FIG.8illustrates the water-resistant ponytail pouch100installed onto the hair of the practitioner128in a manner suitable for swimming. It is contemplated that after tying the first and second straps148,152, as described with respect toFIG.7, the practitioner128may opt to further secure the water-resistant ponytail pouch100to the ponytail124by tying the straps148,152into a bow or forming the straps148,152into any of various suitable knots, as desired. As will be appreciated, tying the straps148,152into a bow or a knot provides further protection against slippage of the pouch100on the hair, compresses the hair into a tighter volume, and advantageously prevents water from leaking into the water-resistant cavity116.

FIG.2Aillustrates a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a water-resistant hair pouch160that is configured to protect long hair from tangles and water damage during recreational swimming in pools, water parks, lakes, oceans, and the like. The water-resistant hair pouch160is substantially similar to the water-resistant hair pouch100, shown inFIG.1, with the exception that the water-resistant hair pouch160includes a pouch164having a beveled apex168, and includes a first strap172and a second strap176that are attached to the pouch164adjacent to the beveled apex168. It is contemplated that attaching the first and second straps172,176near the beveled apex168simplifies rolling the pouch164into the folded configuration156and more effectively secures the pouch160to the ponytail124, as discussed in connection withFIGS.5-8.

FIG.2Billustrates a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the pouch164that may be incorporated into the water-resistant ponytail pouch160ofFIG.2A. In general, the pouch164comprises two flat portions of a flexible cloth, or other suitable material, that are stitched or otherwise attached together along lower angled edges180, the beveled apex168, and upper angled edges184. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.2B, the pouch164comprises a length of 12 inches from the opening108to the beveled apex168. The lower angled edges180each has a length of 11½ inches, and the beveled apex168has a length of ½ inches. It should be understood, however, that the beveled apex168may be omitted in lieu of a pointed apex, such as the apex112, as desired.

With continuing reference toFIG.2B, while the pouch164is laying in the flat configuration, the opening108has a length of about 5¾ inches. A peripheral portion188of the opening108may extend roughly 1½ inches beyond the union between the lower and upper angled edges180,184and have a width of ¾ inches beyond the upper angled edges184. As discussed hereinabove with respect toFIG.1, it is contemplated that the peripheral portion188may be folded over and stitched, or otherwise attached, to the body of the pouch164to form the elongate passageway136that retains the drawstring132. It is further contemplated that the pouch164preferably is comprised of a pliable, water-resistant material capable of maintaining hair in a dry state during immersion in water. In some embodiments, the pouch164is comprised of a flexible cloth that is coated with a thin layer of neoprene, or other similar material.

FIG.2Cillustrates a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a strap192that may be fastened onto the pouch164ofFIG.2Bto form either of the first and second straps172,176. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap192has a length of 14 inches and a width of 2 inches. In general, the strap192is constructed of a material similar to the material comprising the pouch164. In some embodiments, for example, the strap192is comprised of a flexible cloth material that is coated with a thin layer of neoprene, or other similar material. In some embodiments, however, the neoprene may be omitted from the strap192without deviating beyond the spirit and scope of the present invention.