Abstract:
A double-layered hair wrap/bathing cap keeps the hair up and away from the face and nape of the neck. A first stretchable layer confines the hair while a second waterproof layer protects the confined hair from getting wet and/or soiled from facial or bathing products.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of an earlier filed provisional application, application No. 62/070,430, filed Aug. 25, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to headbands or hair wraps and bathing caps or shower caps used for confining and protecting the hair and more specifically to an aesthetically pleasing, quick and easy to apply hair wrap with an outer waterproof shield for keeping the hair away from the face and neck and further, for protecting the hair from getting wet, soiled, oily or sticky. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    The main function of headbands or hair wraps is to confine the hair to varying degrees. Often, it is desirable to completely confine the hair, such as when a person is engaged in activities such as cleansing the face over a sink. Depending upon the length and style of a person&#39;s hair, many headbands require that pins, clips and other hair-holding devices be additionally used and can be time consuming and often still prove ineffective. An alternative is to use a head covering such as a boudoir or shower cap as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,909. The inventor therein addresses the problem of excessive time spent tucking the hair under these types of head coverings and offers an easy to use annular hair wrap. While the hair wrap described in this patent is effective in confining the hair, it does not offer a waterproof feature. Also, this hair wrap, with its signature pouch, allows the confined hair to drop below the nape of the neck, which can be inconvenient to those wishing to keep the hair dry while immersing the neck into a bath, pool, or tub of water, especially if the water is agitated as in a hot tub or splashing as when a person engages in water aerobics. 
         [0004]    An older patent, U.S. Pat. No. 2,211,184 describes a waterproof headband. However, the application of the invention requires that the hair be tucked into the headband, much like a shower cap, for even though the headband therein described is, in fact, annular, the second opening at or around the crown of the head is not expandable to a size that would allow the user to insert the head completely into both openings and pull the headband down around the neck, which is a necessary feature in a hair wrap that intends to obviate tucking of the hair at and/or around the hairline during application. 
         [0005]    The main function of bathing and shower caps is to keep the wearer&#39;s hair dry while the wearer engages in activities wherein the hair may become wet. 
         [0006]    The shower cap, however, in its current form, suffers many shortcomings. Besides being time consuming and frustrating to apply, shower caps shift, do not breathe, do not offer full protection against moisture at the hairline, are not aesthetically pleasing and can cause creases or lines in the forehead of the wearer. Many modifications to bathing and shower caps have been patented over time. Improved aesthetics is the primary object of the invention detailed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,830. For many, the disclosed cap would provide a preferred aesthetic, as it extends up above the forehead in a crown-like manner. However, the invention does not address difficulty of application in the necessity of the user to tuck the hair and is likely expensive to produce. With intention of preventing crease marks on the forehead, U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,681 offers a two-piece “HAIR PROTECTOR.” While the described band would indeed prevent creases, the invention includes a second piece that must be placed on the head in the same manner as a shower cap, thereby requiring the user to tuck the hair. U.S. Pat. No. 6,560,784 discusses the failing of shower caps to securely hold the confined hair in place thereby preventing the cap from shifting and becoming ineffective. It also discusses the shower cap&#39;s lack of breathability. The inventor offers a solution to these problems by providing a turban style applied hair wrap that covers the entire head and may employ a desiccant to absorb moisture. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0007]    As used herein, the terms “hair wrap with outer waterproof shield” and “hair wrap/bathing cap” are interchangeable. 
         [0008]    The object of the present invention is to provide a one-piece, double-layered “hair wrap with an outer water proof shield” that has a crown-like aesthetic, is easy to apply, confines the hair up and away from both the face and nape of the neck, and does not mark or crease the forehead. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a non-shifting, securely fitting hair wrap that allows the hair to breathe but provides some protection against getting wet and/or otherwise soiled. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hair wrap/bathing cap which may be produced in numerous colors and/or prints which will allow for a wide range of decorative and/or fashionable options. 
         [0009]    In a first aspect, the present invention solves the problem of excessive time spent tucking the hair into a head covering such as a shower cap and the problem of the hair becoming wet from splashing water and/or soiled from facial products by providing an annularly shaped hair wrap/bathing cap with an outer waterproof shield that can be quickly applied to confine and protect the hair. 
         [0010]    In a second aspect, the present invention solves the problem of marks and/or creases left in the forehead by, for example, the elastic band in shower caps, by providing a hair wrap/bathing cap that is not elasticized at that portion of the lower annular opening coming into contact with the forehead. 
         [0011]    In a third aspect, the present invention solves the problem of shifting caps by providing a hair wrap/bathing cap comprising a double-layer construction with an inner layer that fits snugly to the wearer&#39;s head and hair and a substantial outer waterproof layer. 
         [0012]    In a forth aspect, the present invention solves the problem of confined hair falling below the nape of the neck by providing a hair wrap/bathing cap that sturdily confines and lifts the hair up and away from the face and neck. 
         [0013]    In another aspect, the present invention solves the problem of the lack of breathability of a shower cap by providing a hair wrap/bathing cap that has an opening at the crown and allows the hair to breathe. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, the present invention solves the problem of the displeasing aesthetic of shower caps by providing a hair wrap/bathing cap that possesses a crown-like height. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  represents one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention fully applied on the head of a user showing a partial front and side view. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  represents one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention fully applied by a user showing a partial top, rear, and side view. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 3A-3E  show one process for applying, onto the head of a wearer, one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an exploded schematic view of a second embodiment of that section of the back of a first embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention taken along line  4 A- 4 A from  FIG. 2  and indicated by the numeral  4 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  represents one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention fully applied on the head of a user showing a front view. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of components that may be used to produce one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a vertical section through one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention taken along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1, 2, 3E and 5  show the hair wrap with outer waterproof shield  30  of the present invention fully applied on the head of a wearer. 
         [0023]    To apply the hair wrap/bathing cap  30 , a user may follow the process outlined in  FIGS. 3A-3E . As shown in  FIG. 3A , a user may pull down on the lower annular opening  22  of the hair wrap/bathing cap  30  passing it over the head and down onto the neck, as shown in  FIG. 3B . Once there located, the user may remove any restricted hair from the inside to the outside of the hair wrap/bathing cap  30 , as shown in  FIG. 3C . Next, as shown in  FIG. 3D , the user may pull up on the upper annular opening  23  of the inner layer  20  of the hair wrap/bathing cap  30 , causing the hair to fall into the inner layer  20 , becoming there confined. By subsequently adjusting the lower annular opening  22  to the exact desired position around the hairline and by gently pulling upward on the upper annular opening  24  of the outer layer  25 , the user completes the application of the hair wrap/bathing cap  30 , as shown in  FIG. 3E . 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a partial front and side view of a preferred embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap  30  of the present invention on the head of a wearer wherein the hair wrap/bathing cap  30  comprises an outer layer  25  comprised of a centerpiece  26  that is not elasticized  29  designed to hinder marks and creases typically left in the forehead by elastic and a remainder piece  28  that is elasticized. In a preferred embodiment, the outer layer  25  of the hair wrap/bathing cap  30  is comprised of oilcloth, which has sufficient body to remain mostly erect while on the head of the wearer, but may be produced with other waterproof fabrics or materials possessing such characteristics. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows, from an angled top view, one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap  30  of the present invention comprising an outer layer  25  and an inner layer  20  as it confines the hair of a user. In the embodiment represented by  FIG. 2 , elastic is used inside the casing  33  which is created by the seams that attach the inner layer  20  to the outer layer  25 , to be described in somewhat more detail below. The elastic is threaded through the casing  33  and as is shown in  FIG. 5 , the first end and second end of the elastic is attached at two points  32 , each point being within the seams that join the centerpiece  26  and remainder piece  28 . In another embodiment wherein the outer layer  25  comprises one piece of fabric or other material, the first end and second end of the elastic is tacked at or near the same two points  32 . In a preferred embodiment, as is shown in  FIG. 4 , a system employing elastic cord  34  and a cord lock  35  is used, whereby the elastic cord is rendered adjustable by a cord lock  35  installed on the elastic cord  34  protruding out through two apertures  36  in the casing  33  area of the outer layer  25 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  shows the components that may be used to construct one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap of the present invention. The inner layer  20  comprises a band  38  of pliable and stretchable cloth material, preferably stretch terry knit, about 6 inches in width and having two ends  42  and  43  which are sewn together to form an annular band having a circumferential length of approximately 26 inches, or more or less depending upon the size of the wearer&#39;s head, and having an upper annular edge  44  and a lower annular edge  39 . Elastic  40  is sewn to the upper annular edge  44 . In a preferred embodiment, said elastic is sewed-on lace elastic but any means of elasticizing available to the art may be used, including but not limited to fold over elastic, ruffled elastic, elastic thread, elastic inside of a casing, adhesives and elastic, and shirring of the edge and/or a predetermined area greater than the edge. 
         [0027]    The outer layer  25  comprises a centerpiece  26  of approximately 6 inches in width and having two ends  52  and  53  and a remainder piece  28  of the same width as the centerpiece  26  and having two ends  54  and  55 . End  53  of the centerpiece  26  and end  54  of the remainder piece  28  are sewn together and end  52  of the centerpiece  26  and end  55  of the remainder piece  28  are sewn together to form an annular band having a circumferential length of approximately 28 inches, or more or less depending upon the size of the wearer&#39;s head, and having an upper annular edge  62  and a lower annular edge  63 . 
         [0028]    The lower annular edge  39  of the inner layer  20  is attached, preferably by stitching, to the lower annular edge  63  of the outer layer  25  in a manner commonly known to the art such as to create a casing  33  into which elastic  64  having two ends  65  and  66  is inserted and each end tacked at two points  32  by including the ends into the seams that join the centerpiece  26  to the remainder piece  28 . 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the lower annular edge  39  of the inner layer  20  and the lower annular edge  63  of the outer layer  25 , once attached, further define the lower annular opening  22  of one embodiment of the hair wrap/bathing cap  30  of the present invention. 
       CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
       [0030]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 2,211,184  
                 August 1940 
                 Varell 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 3,234,563  
                 February 1966 
                 Tabbat 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 3,750,681  
                 August 1973 
                 Claunch 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 4,400,830  
                 August 1983 
                 Gaitan 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 5,920,909  
                 July 1999 
                 Ellsworth et at. 
               
               
                 U.S. Pat. No. 6,560,784  
                 May 2003 
                 Hill 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Non Patent Literature 
       [0000]    
       
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