Abstract:
A protective device can protect a person positioned under a dryer. The device has a back and a front panel. The back panel has a strap adapted to secure the back panel to the person&#39;s head. The back panel is secured across the person&#39;s nape to project away. The front panel is adapted to attach to the back panel and cover its strap at least partially The front panel is secured across the person&#39;s forehead to project away. A person fitted with these panels can stay under a hair dryer with a reduced risk of overheating of the face or neck.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/880,713 filed 17 Jan. 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to protective devices and methods, and in particular, to head gear to be worn while under a hair dryer. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Hair styling is an important and popular activity for the large number of people that are interested in their appearance and good grooming. In hair styling salons the patrons often have their hair shampooed and rinsed before hair styling and cutting begins. Also salons usually offer hair dyeing, which involves applying certain dyeing agents either over the entire head of hair or just along sections to create streaks or highlights. After the application of the hair dye, the hair must be rinsed to remove the dyeing agents. While the foregoing focused on commercial hair salons, it will be appreciated that the same techniques are often used by individual consumers who will regularly shampoo, dye and rinse their hair at home. 
         [0006]    After the rinsing that follows a shampoo or an application of hair dye, the hair must be dried before further styling or at least before going outside. Handheld hair dryers can be used to dry the hair but these dryers must be relatively light and will therefore produce a relatively small and narrow stream of heated air. Because this air stream is so narrow the dryer must be passed repetitively over the hair to reach all wet regions. Since each region of the hair is being treated with heated air for a relatively small percentage of the drying interval, the heated air must be fairly hot to dry a full head of hair in a reasonable amount of time. The resulting periodic bursts of intense heat can be undesirable for certain types of hair, especially hair that has been treated chemically. 
         [0007]    A milder kind of drying can be achieved with the helmet-type of hair dryer available for commercial salons and for home use. This type of dryer is freestanding and can be much larger because it is not handheld. These dryers produce a diffuse stream of heated air that blankets the entire scalp. Because a large area is being dried the temperature of the heated air can be less. In fact, the temperature can be reduced to produce a relatively long drying interval, which reduces the risk of hair damage. 
         [0008]    A disadvantage with the helmet-type of hair dryer is that heated hair air can flow beyond the hair and across the forehead and ears for an extended period of time. This heated air can be uncomfortable and in some cases cause pain or excessive drying of the skin. Another disadvantage with this type of hair dryer is the inability to effectively direct heated air across long hair that falls along the nape of the neck. On the other hand, with short hairstyles the nape of the neck is exposed to heated air for an extended time period, which again tends to cause the discomfort previously noted. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a method employing a front panel and a back panel for protecting a person under a dryer. The method includes the steps, performed in any order, of: (a) securing the back panel across the person&#39;s nape to project away; (b) securing the front panel across the person&#39;s forehead to project away; and (c) positioning the person under the dryer. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a protective device for protecting a person positioned under a dryer. The device has a first panel and a second panel. The first panel has a strap adapted to secure the first panel to the person&#39;s head. The second panel is adapted to attach to the first panel and cover the strap at least partially. 
         [0011]    In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a protective device for protecting a person positioned under a dryer. The device has a first and a second crescent-shaped panel. The first crescent-shaped panel has a strap with hook and loop material. The first panel is adapted to secure the first panel to the person&#39;s head. The first panel has a pair of ear flaps arranged to overlap the person&#39;s ears. The first panel has along at least a portion of its periphery a prominent absorbent pad adapted to absorb drips from the person&#39;s hair. The second crescent-shaped panel is adapted to attach to the first panel and extend therefrom in a direction different from that of the first panel. The second panel extends centrally and the first panel extending centrally at approximately a right angle relative to each other. The second panel has at least one band adapted to overlay and attach to the first panel. The second panel has an inside hook and loop type pad arranged to attach to and at least partially cover the strap of the first panel. The first and the second panel each have a foam core with a cloth covering. 
         [0012]    By employing devices and methods of the foregoing type an improved technique is achieved for protecting a person under a hair dryer. In a disclosed embodiment a front and a back panel, both crescent-shaped, have a foam core covered with terry cloth. The concave edge of the back panel is positioned around the nape of the neck and is held in place with a strap running across the forehead. The central portion of the disclosed back panel extends rearwardly at an acute angle to the jaw line. 
         [0013]    In this disclosed embodiment the back panel has a pair of earflaps projecting downwardly to cover the ears. Also, an absorbent pad placed along the concave edge of the disclosed a panel can catch drips from the hair. 
         [0014]    The concave edge of the disclosed front panel is positioned around the forehead just over the eyebrows. A hook and loop type pad on the front panel attaches to the previously mentioned strap that runs across the forehead. Straps of the front panel also attach it to the back panel. The disclosed front panel is attached with its central portion projecting upwardly at an acute angle to the forehead. 
         [0015]    Once the disclosed front and back panels are donned in this manner they diverge upwardly. Consequently the panels will converge heated air from a hair dryer placed over the head. This arrangement will prevent the discomfort of heated air running over the exposed skin of the face and neck. Also, the upwardly diverging panels provide a basket-like arrangement that can hold long tresses of hair up closer to the dryer so that all sections of the hair is dried at the same time. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0016]    The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of the outside of a front panel in accordance with principles of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the outside of a back panel adapted to cooperate with the front panel of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of a person wearing the back panel of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of a person wearing the panels of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 5C  is a side view of a person wearing the panels of  FIGS. 1 and 2  and positioned under a hair dryer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a protective device is shown comprising back (first) panel  20  of  FIG. 2  and front (second) panel  10  of  FIG. 1 . Front panel  10  is generally crescent-shaped (i.e. a convex edge  10 A opposite a concave edge  10 B) with rounded tips  10 C. It will be appreciated that other shapes may be employed in different embodiments. 
         [0025]    Projecting laterally in opposite directions from tips  10 C are an aligned pair of elastic straps  12 A and  12 B (also referred to as bands). The proximal ends of straps  12 A and  12 B are attached to the backside of panel  10  (the front side being visible in  FIG. 1 ) by stitching, hot gluing, or other means. Straps  12 A and  12 B project beyond panel  10  about 5 inches (13 cm) although other lengths may be selected depending upon the head size, the stretchiness of the strap, etc. 
         [0026]    Short strips of hook and loop fastening material  14 A and  14 B are fitted on the distal ends of straps  12 A and  12 B on their reverse sides (i.e. the sides not visible in  FIG. 1 ). While other types of fasteners are contemplated (e.g. plastic snaps) it is highly desirable to avoid metal fasteners, which tend to quickly absorb dryer heat and can pose a risk of burning the person wearing the protective panel. 
         [0027]    Decorative bead  11  is attached to the periphery of panel  10  by hot gluing, stitching, or other means. Panel  10  has an overall width (tip to tip direction) of 10.5 inches (27 cm) and an overall depth (transverse dimension from the peak of convex side  10 A to tips  10 C) of 7.5 inches (19 cm). Other embodiments may employ different overall dimensions depending upon the person&#39;s head size, the expected size of the hair dryer, the amount of protection desired, etc. 
         [0028]    Hook and loop type pad  16  is attached to the backside of panel  10  by stitching, hot gluing, or other means. Pad  16  is in this embodiment 5.5 inches (14 cm) long and ¾ inch (2 cm) wide, although other dimensions may be employed in different embodiments. 
         [0029]    The mates of hook and loop fasteners  14 A,  14 B, and  16  of  FIG. 1  are located on back panel  20  of  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment back panel  20  has the same crescent shape as previously mentioned panel  10  of  FIG. 1  and has convex edge  20 A, concave edge  20 B, and tips  20 C. However, identical shapes are unnecessary and in different embodiments the shapes of the two panels may be simply comparable or may have very different individual shapes. Decorative bead  21  is attached to the periphery of panel  20  by hot gluing, stitching, or other means. 
         [0030]    A laterally spaced pair of hook and loop strips  22 A and  22 B are mounted on the outward side of panel  20 , which side is visible in  FIG. 2 . Rectangular strips  22 A and  22 B are designed to mate with hook and loop fasteners  14 A and  14 B of  FIG. 1 , in a manner to be described presently. 
         [0031]    An elastic strap  24  projects from panel  20  transversely (i.e., transverse to the tip to tip direction) from the right one of the tips  20 C. The proximal end of strap  24  is attached to the inner side of panel  10  (the outer side being visible in  FIG. 2 ) by stitching, hot gluing, or other means. The same face of strap  24  that is attached to panel  20  is partially overlaid with a strip of hook and loop material  26  which extends along a central section of strap  24 . Material  26  is designed to fasten to pad  16  of  FIG. 1  in a manner to be described presently. 
         [0032]    A short strip of hook and loop material  28  is attached to the distal end of strap  24  on the face opposite that occupied by material  26 . Strip  28  is designed to fasten to strip  30  of hook and loop material  30  located near the right one of the tips  20 C. In this embodiment strap  24  is about 9 inches (23 cm) long, although other lengths may be selected depending upon the head size, the position of the mating fastener, the stretchiness of the strap, etc. 
         [0033]    Strip  26  is straight and about 5 inches (13 cm) long, although different lengths, shapes and orientations may be employed depending upon the position and geometry of its mating pad  16  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0034]    An optional pair of rectangular ear flaps  32  are attached to the inner side of panel  20  along the concave edge  20 B of panel  20  next to different corresponding ones of the tips  20 C. Flaps  32  are about 3 inches (7.6 cm) long and project from the panel  20  about one inch (2.5 cm), although other dimensions are expected depending upon the amount of ear protection desired. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , this cross-section of previously mentioned panel  20  shows a foam core  34  with a cloth covering  36 . In this embodiment previously mentioned panel  10  ( FIG. 1 ) has the same structure, that is, a core with a cloth covering. Covering  36  may be two panels of terry cloth that are stitched together along the periphery of core  34 . Previously mentioned decorative bead  21  may be stitched as well along the periphery of covering  36 , although this bead may instead be attached by hot gluing or other means. 
         [0036]    Terry cloth is chosen for covering  36  for its absorbency, but other materials may be used instead. In fact, in some embodiments a liquid impermeable covering may be used to keep panel  20  relatively dry and to facilitate cleaning. In still other embodiments covering  36  may have composite layers, some absorbent and some impervious to liquids. 
         [0037]    Core  34  may be a thin slab of polyurethane foam that is sufficiently dense and stiff to give panel  28  a definite erect shape and to prevent bending and drooping. In other embodiments core  34  may be made of a different material depending upon the desired stiffness, softness, thickness chemical resistance, etc. 
         [0038]    Previously mentioned hook and loop fastener  22 B is shown attached on the outer side of panel  20 . On the opposite inner side of panel  20 , next to the convex edge  20 B, a prominent absorbent pad  38  is attached by stitching, heat gluing, or other means. Pad  38  is optional but in one embodiment the pad was made of a 4 inch (10 cm) long strip of terry cloth curved to follow the concave edge  20 B. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , previously mentioned panel  20  is again shown with its core  34  and terry cloth covering  36 . Previously mentioned ear flap  134  is shown attached along concave edge  20 B. Ear flap  32  is shown with a foam core  134  and a cloth covering  136 . Cloth covering  136  may be stitched around core  134 . In this embodiment core  134  and covering  136  are made of the same materials as previously mentioned core  34  and covering  36 . 
         [0040]    To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing device, its operation will be briefly described. Referring to  FIG. 5A , back panel  20  is positioned as shown with the center of the concave edge  20 B placed at the nape of a person&#39;s neck, at or below the hairline so that the hair H is gathered above panel  20 . The side of panel  20  bearing strip  22 A faces away from hair H. The distal portions of edge  20 B are routed upwardly to place the tips  20 C at or just above the ears E. The ear flaps  32  are positioned to cover ears E at least on top. 
         [0041]    Elastic strap  24  is pulled from left to right across the middle of forehead F and its hook and loop strip  28  is fastened to mating strip  30  located on the right tip  20 C. Reference will later be made to line FL, which lies in a median (sagittal) plane and is tangent to the center of forehead F. When strapped in this manner, the central portion of panel  20  extends backwardly along line  20 L, making an acute angle with the jawline J. In this embodiment line  20 L is elevated slightly above jaw line J 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 5B , front panel  10  is positioned with the center of its concave edge  10 B running across forehead F above the line of sight LS. When so positioned, hook and loop strip  16  on the inside of panel  10  will fasten to the previously mentioned strip  26  on strap  24 . Tips  10 C of front panel  10  are pulled back to cover at least partially tips  20 C of back panel  20 . Right band  12 A is pulled back and around panel  20  before its hook and loop strip  14 A is fastened over strip  22 A. At the same time left band  12 B (not visible in this view) is pulled back and fastened to previously mentioned strip  22 B. 
         [0043]    As a result, the central portion of panel  10  extends along line  10 L, traveling toward the anterior region and making an acute angle with previously mentioned forehead line FL. Also, the distal portion  10 P of panel  10  is elevated above the scalp. In this embodiment, front panel  10  extends in front along line  10 L and back panel  20  extends in back along line  20 L at approximately a right angle A relative to each other. 
         [0044]    With this arrangement panels  10  and  20  form a funnel-like structure that extends away divergently. Essentially all the person&#39;s hair falls within the region encompassed by the panels  10  and  20 , so the hair is basically lifted and held above the panels. Thus, even long hair will be lifted for effective drying, rather than falling down along the person&#39;s nape. 
         [0045]    It will be understood that hair H has just undergone shampooing or dyeing followed by a rinse and towel drying. Panels  10  and  20  are able to absorb at least some of the remaining rinse water later shed from hair H because the panels are covered with terry cloth. Also, along the inside edge of panel  20  absorbent strip  38  ( FIG. 3 ) is able to absorb water or other liquids that may drip from hair H when wet. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 5C , a helmet-type hair dryer D is placed over the head of the person illustrated in  FIG. 5B  as wearing panels  10  and  20 . In this embodiment panels  10  and  20  are shown extending beyond the front and back of dryer D, although in other embodiments dryer D may extend further than the panels. Since panels  10  and  20  have a diverging structure, they are able to converge heated air from dryer D onto hair H. 
         [0047]    The heated air being applied to hair H is diverted from the person&#39;s face by panel  10  and from the person&#39;s neck by panel  20 . Because the ears E are prominent, flaps  32  cover them on top and tend to divert heated air away from them. 
         [0048]    When the hair H is dry the dryer D can be lifted. The front panel  10  is removed by releasing straps  12 A and  12 B. Panel  20  is removed by releasing strap  24 . If the panels  10  and  20  are soiled they can be washed by hand or machine. 
         [0049]    It is appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described embodiments. The dimensions, shape, and materials of the foregoing panels can be different in different embodiments depending upon the desired durability, expected head size, resistance to heat and chemicals, etc. As an example, in some cases the panels will themselves be elastic. In some cases the panels will be disposable and will be made of relatively inexpensive materials. While elastic straps are illustrated, in other embodiments cords, plastic chains or other elongate fastening materials may be used instead. In some cases the elongate fastening materials will be non-elastic or will be eliminated. In some embodiments fastening may be accomplished with plastic snaps, plastic hooks and eyelets, or other fastening means. The various angles described above can be different in different embodiments, depending upon the desired coverage, protection, convergence, etc. 
         [0050]    Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.