Moisture absorbent mask covering the face, neck and ears

A mask is made of an absorbent material which can be moistened and which will protect a person's face, neck and ears while under an electric hair dryer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The purpose of the mask of the present invention is to protect a person's 
face, neck and ears while under an electric hair dryer. 
It takes about thirty minutes to dry average length hair in curlers under 
an electric hair dryer, exposing the person to a condition similar to a 
hot desert wind with the result of dried out skin thus promoting wrinkles, 
reddening of the ears, neck and facial skin, possibly followed by a 
burning sensation of the mentioned areas. 
The circulating dry hot air from the hair dryer also results in drying out 
and possibly damaging the delicate mucous membranes of the nasal passages. 
Another purpose of the mask is to prevent the drying out of the mucous 
membranes. 
Before the mask is applied, it is ordinarily saturated with cool water and 
wrung out. The dry heat from the hairdryer causes the water in the very 
absorbent material of the mask to evaporate, keeping the inhaled air moist 
enough to prevent drying out of the mucous membranes of the nasal 
passages. 
The mask is preferably made of heavy water absorbent cloth such as terry 
cloth. Across the top of the forehead portion a 3/4 inch pocket is formed 
by folding the material over and sewing it. Through this pocket an elastic 
band is drawn to hold the mask against the face by placing the elastic 
band across the back of the head and enable the gathering of the top of 
the mask to adjust it to the person's hairline; the material of the mask 
should not cover the hair. 
Another such pocket is sewn around the mask and an elastic band is drawn 
through and strapped over the top of the person's head. 
This elastic band again gathers the material to enable a snug fit from 
under the chin up along the sides of the face. The gentle pressure of the 
soft, wet material of the mask under the chin has a beneficial action, 
firming the tissue under the chin. 
The openings for the eyes and nose are mere slits of corresponding 
dimensions which spread apart when the mask is applied, thus enabling the 
mask to be firm against the areas around the eyes and mouth so very 
susceptible to wrinkles. During the hairdrying process, the gentle 
pressure of the wet mask to these wrinkle prone areas has a slight 
smoothing effect. 
Intense heat to a person's head and back of the neck may cause headache, 
dizziness or weakness in sensitive individuals. 
To prevent these symptoms, a scarf like portion extends from the lower part 
of the mask to be folded from the front of the neck to the back so that 
the back of the neck is covered by two layers. Thus, the two flaps of the 
scarf cross each other over the heat sensitive part of the cervical 
vertebrae region, giving it double protection. The ends of the scarf are 
folded to the opposite direction over the ears and tucked under the sides 
of the mask, thus protecting the ears. 
The mask of the present invention was developed for use in beauty salons 
and homes. For sanitary and economical reasons the material used is 
washable and durable. It can be laundered with the towels used to dry the 
hair. The mask made of heavy terry cloth will last a relatively long 
period of time. If the elastic band wears out, it can be easily replaced, 
thus extending the time period of usefulness of the mask.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Refering now to the drawings by reference characters, the mask of the 
present invention consists of two main parts, namely, a face portion, 
generally designated 6 and a neck portion, generally designated 8. 
Portions 6 and 8 are made of a soft, moisture absorbent material, such as 
toweling. The face portion is made large enough to cover the front and 
sides of the face, as is best seen in FIG. 2. If the material is soft and 
flexible, it will conform to the shape of the face. The face portion has 
eye openings 10 and 12 and also a nose opening 14. Normally, there is no 
opening for the mouth although this may be provided if desired. The sides 
and the bottom of the mask are provided with a pocket seam as at 16. 
Through this seam is passed an elastic cord 18 which passes over the top 
of the head as is shown in FIG. 2. This keeps the face mask in a 
protective relationship with the lower chin and neck area 20. 
A similar pocket seam 22 is provided at the top of the mask and a second 
elastic cord 24 passes through this seam around the back of the head 
keeping the mask securely in place. 
The neck strap 8 is preferably fabricated from the same piece of material 
as the face portion 6 although it can be a separate piece of material 
which is sewn to the face portion. The neck portion 8 is long enough so 
that the two ends, designated 26 and 28, can be brought around the neck, 
forming a double layer at the back of the neck as is shown at 30 and the 
terminal ends are further brought upward and around to cover the ears 32 
and tucked under the elastic 18 at the sides of the mask so that the 
terminal end 34 is held securely in place and, of course, the opposite end 
is held on the opposite side of the head in the same manner. 
In use, the mask would ordinarily be moistened and then placed over the 
face, neck and ears as shown. The moisture can be replaced from time to 
time if this is deemed necessary. 
It is believed apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a moisture 
absorbent mask to protect one from a drying influence, such as a hair 
dryer, wherein the face throat, back of the neck and ears are all 
protected by the mask. 
Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown, it will be 
obvious to those skilled in the art that many variations can be made 
without departing from the spirit of the invention.