Patent Publication Number: US-2018042314-A1

Title: Shirt with UV Protection Collar

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/374,608 entitled “Shirt with UV Protection Collar,” filed Aug. 12, 2016. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to sports apparel. The present invention relates particularly, though not exclusively, to ultraviolet radiation blocking sports apparel. The present invention relates more particularly, though not exclusively, with ultraviolet radiation blocking shirts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Being outside has always been an essential part of life. People go outside to travel, people go outside as part of their jobs, and people go outside for leisure. Being outside allows people to enjoy the warmth of the sun and its health benefits. Vitamin D is activated in a person&#39;s body when their skin is exposed to sunlight. Recent medical studies suggest that just a half hour or more of exposure to sunlight will cause an enormous amount of the vitamin to circulate in your bloodstream, which is crucial for bone and immune system health. However, too much sunlight can be deadly. 
     As people spend more and more time outside, they are being exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods of time. Sunlight is a portion of the electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun, in particular infrared, visible, and ultraviolet radiation. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes certain effects to the skin, the most common being a skin tan. Skin tans occurs when an increase in the dark pigment inside skin cells called melanocytes occurs, and is an automatic response mechanism of the body to sufficient exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or from artificial sunlamps. Short-term overexposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation causes a skin burn. However, long-term overexposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation may have even more severe effects and is known to be associated with the development of skin cancer, skin aging, immune suppression, and eye diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration. 
     Too much sun, either from cumulative daily exposure, or intermittent, intense exposure put people at extreme risk of permanently damaging their skin, causing skin cancer, even life-threatening versions. The damage caused by lying in the sun is cumulative, that&#39;s why cancers tend to occur later in life, and why overexposure to ultraviolet radiation beginning early in our lives can have such a dramatic impact on our chances of developing skin cancer. Melanoma is the sixth most common fatal skin malignancy in the United States, responsible for 4% of all cancer deaths and 6 of every 7 skin cancer-related deaths. One in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetimes, which means that each year there are at least one million new cases in the U.S. alone. Non-melanoma skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are also on the rise, with two million new cases every year. 
     Even though there are harmful effects to prolonged exposure to sunlight, people are spending more and more time outdoors. Popular among people is tanning, where people purposefully expose themselves to prolonged periods of sunlight to achieve the darkening of their skin. People also spend time doing outdoor activities and as a result they are exposed to prolonged periods of sunlight. Outdoor sports such as baseball, soccer, football, and golf are played outdoors and require them to be in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time; anywhere from an hour to six hours. Dependent on the sport being played, the uniform may help block some of the skins exposure from the sun. However, it is often that the uniforms do a poor job of protecting the skin. Particularly, uniforms do not adequately block ultraviolet radiation from reaching the skin. Additionally, uniforms are not made to protect the back of the neck. Shirts are made with neck openings that stop at the neckline leaving the entirety of the neck exposed. Shirts with collars do not provide any meaningful blocking of the sunlight from reaching the entirety of the neck. 
     In light of the above, it would be advantageous to provide apparel capable of blocking sunlight. It would further be advantageous to provide apparel capable of blocking sunlight from a user&#39;s neck without being obtrusive to the wearer. It would further be advantageous to provide a shirt capable of blocking sunlight from a user&#39;s neck. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     The present invention is a shirt having an ultraviolet (“UV”) protection collar. The UV protection collar of the shirt is designed to protect the back of the neck of a user from harmful UV radiation. The UV protection collar includes a top collar, a top collar band, an under collar, and an under collar band. The top collar and the under collar together form the collar and the top collar band and under collar band together form the collar band. The collar is tallest at the center and tapers towards the edges. The collar is attached to the collar band to create the UV protection collar, which is attached to the shirt. The shirt and the UV protection collar is constructed of fabric having at least a UPF 50 rating, four-way stretch capabilities, and moisture wicking properties. The UV protection collar is made up of multiple layers of the fabric to enhance its UV protection properties. 
     As the UV protection collar is folded, the shape of the top collar allows the collar to make a substantially straight edge where the collar folds down from the collar band. The center of the collar is the tallest and allows the back portion of the collar to span the majority of the back of the neck of the person when folded down. The collar provides complete coverage of the back of the neck to protect the neck from UV radiation. As the collar is folded down, the collar overlaps the collar band. This provides four layers of UV protection: the top collar, the under collar, the top collar band, and the under collar band. Further, the material used for the top collar, the under collar, the top collar band, and the under collar band has at least a UPF 50 rating for sun blocking thereby providing unequalled UV radiation blocking when compared with a single layer of fabric. 
     The fabric utilized for the UV protection collar also has moisture wicking and four-way stretch capabilities. Since the UV protection collar covers the entirety of the back of the neck, the moisture wicking capabilities of the material will allow the perspiration to be absorbed by the UV protection collar and evaporate. The evaporation of the perspiration by the UV protection collar will cool the neck of the user due to evaporative cooling and also remove any discomfort caused by excess perspiration lingering on the skin. The four-way stretch capability of the fabric used in the UV protection collar provides a collar that is comfortable for the wearer. The UV protection collar is not overly stiff and allows for the uninhibited movement of the neck. Since the UV protection collar may lie on the back of the neck when the shirt with UV protection collar is worn, the stretch material will stretch or rotate with the neck when the person rotates their neck. 
     By having the collar being its tallest at the center and tapering towards the edges, the unique shape of the collar provides for a taller collar at the back and for edge dimensions similar to those of standard collars. The visuals of the collar from the front are visually similar to that of a shirt with regular sized collar without any defining indications of the taller back portion of the collar. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be more clearly perceived from the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a shirt with ultraviolet protection collar; 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of the shirt with ultraviolet protection collar; 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the top collar of the ultraviolet protection shirt collar; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the top collar band of the ultraviolet protection shirt collar; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the under collar of the ultraviolet protection shirt collar; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the under collar band of the ultraviolet protection shirt collar; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the UV protection collar showing the top collar and the top collar band; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the UV protection collar showing the under collar and the under collar band; 
         FIG. 9  is a back view of a person wearing the shirt with ultraviolet protection collar; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of a person wearing the shirt with ultraviolet protection collar; 
         FIG. 11 a    shows the UV Transmission characteristics of a fabric in dry conditions; 
         FIG. 11 b    shows the UV transmission characteristics of the fabric in  FIG. 11 a    in wet conditions; 
         FIG. 12 a    shows the UV Transmission characteristics of an alternative fabric in dry conditions; 
         FIG. 12 b    shows the UV transmission characteristics of the fabric in  FIG. 12 a    in wet conditions; 
         FIG. 13 a    shows the UV Transmission characteristics of another alternative fabric in dry conditions; and 
         FIG. 13 b    shows the UV transmission characteristics of the fabric in  FIG. 13 a    in wet conditions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , the shirt with ultraviolet (“UV”) protection collar is shown and generally designated  10 . The shirt with ultraviolet protection collar  10  includes the UV protection collar  100  and the shirt  300 . The shirt  300 , described in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , includes a body  302 , sleeves  330 , and placket  340 . The body  302  includes two pieces of fabric sewn together to form a tubular shaped body  302  with a hem  314  with sweep  306 , a neck opening  316  with neck width  318 , and armholes  320  with armhole circumference  322 . The body  302  has a chest width  304 , sweep  306 , a front length  308 , a back length  310 , and shoulder length  312 . The neck opening  316  has a front neck drop  324  and a back neck drop  326 . The slits  328  are formed on either side of the body  302  adjacent the hem  314  and extend a vent opening length  329 . 
     Attached to each of the two armholes  320 , are the sleeves  330 . Sleeves  330  is a single piece of fabric sewn together to form a tubular shape with sleeve armhole circumference  332  (not shown) equal to armhole circumference  322  of the body  302  at one end and tapering to sleeve opening  334  at the opposite end. The sleeve  330  has sleeve length  336  and at approximately the midpoint of the sleeves  330  is bicep width  338 . The placket  340  is attached to the front of the body  302  and includes an inner layer  342  (not shown) and an outer layer  344 . The inner layer  342  and outer layer  344  of placket  340  has a length  346  and width  347 . The outer layer  344  is formed with button holes  348  and buttons  349  are attached to the inner layer  342 . Attached to the body  302  at the neck opening  316  is the UV protection shirt collar  100 . 
     The shirt  300  including the body  302 , sleeves  330 , and placket  340  are constructed of fabric having at least a UPF 50+ rating, four-way stretch capabilities, and moisture wicking properties. Ultraviolet Protection Factor or UPF represents the ratio of the average effective UV radiation irradiance transmitted and calculated through air to the average effect UV radiation irradiance transmitted and calculated through fabric. Standard summer fabrics have a UPF rating of approximately six and sun protective clothing typically have a UPF rating of approximately 30, which means that only 1 out of approximately 30 units of UV radiation will pass through (approximately 3%). The fabric material used for the shirt  300  including the body  302 , sleeves  330 , and placket  340 , and collar  100  has at least a UPF rating of 50+, which is almost double the rating of standard sun protective clothing. By using the fabric with at least a UPF rating of 50+, only 1 out of approximately 50 units of UV radiation will pass through (approximately 2%). 
     The fabric also has moisture wicking and four-way stretch capabilities. Since the shirt  300  covers the entirety of the torso, the moisture wicking capabilities of the material will allow the perspiration of the torso to be absorbed by the fabric and evaporate. The evaporation of the perspiration will cool the torso of the user due to evaporative cooling and also remove any discomfort caused by excess perspiration lingering on the skin. The four-way stretch capability of the fabric provides a shirt that is comfortable for the wearer. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the fabric used in the shirt with UV protection collar  10  has a greater than UPF 50+ rating for UV protection. The fabric is a knitted fabric made of 87% polyester and 13% elastane. The fabric has a mean UPF of 920 with a standard deviation of 69.0 in dry conditions. In dry conditions the fabric has a UV-A percent transmittance of 0.31% and UV-A percent blocking of 99.69% with a UV-B percent transmittance of 0.08% and UV-B percent blocking of 99.92%. The fabric has a mean UPF of 861 with a standard deviation of 76.7 in wet conditions. In wet conditions the fabric has a UV-A percent transmittance of 0.32% and UV-A percent blocking of 99.68% with a UV-B percent transmittance of 0.09% and UV-B percent blocking of 99.91%.  FIG. 11  a shows the UV Transmission characteristics in dry conditions and  FIG. 11 b    shows the UV transmission characteristics in wet conditions. 
     Another fabric that may be used in the shirt with UV protection collar  10  is a knitted fabric made of 90.5% polyester and 9.5% elastane. The fabric has a mean UPF of 1898 with a standard deviation of 150.5 in dry conditions. In dry conditions the fabric has a UV-A percent transmittance of 0.03% and UV-A percent blocking of 99.97% with a UV-B percent transmittance of 0.05% and UV-B percent blocking of 99.95%. The fabric has a mean UPF of 1494 with a standard deviation of 185.2 in wet conditions. In wet conditions the fabric has a UV-A percent transmittance of 0.03% and UV-A percent blocking of 99.97% with a UV-B percent transmittance of 0.06% and UV-B percent blocking of 99.94%.  FIG. 12 a    shows the UV Transmission characteristics in dry conditions and  FIG. 12 b    shows the UV transmission characteristics in wet conditions. 
     Another fabric that may be used in the shirt with UV protection collar  10  is a knitted fabric made of 92% polyester and 8% elastane. The fabric has a mean UPF of 109 with a standard deviation of 12.8 in dry conditions. In dry conditions the fabric has a UV-A percent transmittance of 1.2% and UV-A percent blocking of 98.80% with a UV-B percent transmittance of 0.88% and UV-B percent blocking of 99.12%. The fabric has a mean UPF of 87 with a standard deviation of 0.7 in wet conditions. In wet conditions the fabric has a UV-A percent transmittance of 1.48% and UV-A percent blocking of 98.52% with a UV-B percent transmittance of 1.11% and UV-B percent blocking of 98.89%.  FIG. 13 a    shows the UV Transmission characteristics in dry conditions and  FIG. 13 b    shows the UV transmission characteristics in wet conditions. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the top collar  110  is shown. The top collar  110  is a top collar fabric panel  112  having a top edge  114  formed with a top edge curvature  116 , a bottom edge  118  formed with a bottom edge curvature  120 , a right edge  122  and a left edge  126 . The top edge  114  has a top edge length  130  extending from edge to edge of the top edge  114 . The bottom edge  118  has a bottom edge length  132  extending from edge to edge of the bottom edge  118 . The right edge  122  extends between the top edge  114  and the bottom edge  118  and has a right edge length  124 . The left edge  126  extends between the top edge  114  and the bottom edge  118  and has a left edge length  128 . At the center of the top collar fabric panel  112 , the top edge  114  and bottom edge  118  is separated by a top collar center back distance  134 . The top collar center back distance  134  is larger than the right edge length  124  and the left edge length  128 , where the right edge length  124  and the left edge length  128  are equal. The bottom edge curvature  120  is larger than the top edge curvature  116 . The top collar fabric panel  112  is tallest at the center and tapers towards the edges. In the preferred embodiment of the top collar  110 , the top collar center back distance  134  is 3.25 inches, the right edge length  124  is 2.5 inches, the left edge length is 2.5 inches, and the top edge length  130  and bottom edge length  132  may vary. Alternatively, the top collar center back distance  134  is 3.25 inches, the right edge length  124  is 2.25 inches, the left edge length  128  is 2.25 inches, and the top edge length  130  and bottom edge length  132  may vary. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the top collar band  140  is shown. The top collar band  140  is a top collar band fabric panel  142  having a top edge  144  formed with a top edge curvature  146 , a bottom edge  148  formed with a bottom edge curvature  150 , a right edge  152  and a left edge  156 . The top edge  144  has a top edge length  160  extending from edge to edge of the top edge  144 . The bottom edge  148  has a bottom edge length  162  extending from edge to edge of the bottom edge  148 . The right edge  152  extends between the top edge  144  and the bottom edge  148  and has a right edge length  154 . The right edge  152  includes a slight curvature  153  adjacent the bottom edge  148 . The left edge  156  extends between the top edge  144  and the bottom edge  148  and has a left edge length  158 . The left edge  156  includes a slight curvature  157  adjacent the bottom edge  148 . At the center of the top collar band fabric panel  142 , the top edge  144  and bottom edge  148  is separated by a top collar band center back distance  164 . The top collar band center back distance  164  is larger than the right edge length  154  and the left edge length  158 , where the right edge length  154  and the left edge length  158  are equal. The top collar band fabric panel  142  is tallest at the center and tapers towards the edges. The bottom edge curvature  150  and the top edge curvature  146  are oriented opposite to one another. In the preferred embodiment of the top collar band  140 , top collar band center back distance  164  is 2.5 inches. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the under collar  210  is shown. The under collar  210  is a under collar fabric panel  212  having a top edge  214  formed with a top edge curvature  216 , a bottom edge  218  formed with a bottom edge curvature  220 , a right edge  222  and a left edge  226 . The top edge  214  has a top edge length  230  extending from edge to edge of the top edge  214 . The bottom edge  218  has a bottom edge length  232  extending from edge to edge of the bottom edge  218 . The right edge  222  extends between the top edge  214  and the bottom edge  218  and has a right edge length  224 . The left edge  226  extends between the top edge  214  and the bottom edge  218  and has a left edge length  228 . At the center of the top collar fabric panel  212 , the top edge  214  and bottom edge  218  is separated by a top collar center back distance  234 . The top collar center back distance  234  is larger than the right edge length  224  and the left edge length  228 , where the right edge length  224  and the left edge length  228  are equal. The bottom edge curvature  220  is larger than the top edge curvature  216 . The under collar fabric panel  212  is tallest at the center and tapers towards the edges. 
     Attached to the under collar fabric panel  212  are collar stay facings. Adjacent to the right edge  222  of the under collar fabric panel  212 , right collar stay panel  238  with length  235  is attached. The right collar stay panel  238  is attached to the under collar fabric panel  212  with a constructed opening for a right collar stay slit  239 . Adjacent to the left edge  226  of the under collar fabric panel  212 , left collar stay panel  236  with a length equal to length  235  is attached. The left collar stay panel  236  is attached to the under collar fabric panel  212  with a constructed opening for a right collar stay slit  237 . 
     The under collar fabric panel  212  is substantially similar to the top collar fabric panel  112  and may be sized smaller or larger than the top collar fabric panel  112 . The under collar fabric panel  212  and the top collar fabric panel  112  are attached together to form the collar  180 . The double layer of fabric allows for the construction of a stiff and flexible collar  180 . The additional collar stay panels  238  and  236  adjacent the right edge  222  and left edge  226 , respectively, further stiffens the edges of the collar  180 . The addition of collar stays  270  in the collar stay slits  237  and  239  further stiffens the edges and prevents them from curling up. Additionally, the double layer of material used to form the collar  180  provides double the protection against UV radiation. In the preferred embodiment of the under collar  210 , the under collar center back distance  234  is 3.25 inches, the right edge length  224  is 2.5 inches, the left edge length  228  is 2.5 inches, and the top edge length  230  and bottom edge length  230  may vary. Alternatively, the under collar center back distance  234  is 3.25 inches, the right edge length  224  is 2.25 inches, the left edge length  228  is 2.25 inches, and the top edge length  230  and bottom edge length  230  may vary. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the under collar band  240  is shown. The under collar band  240  is a under collar band fabric panel  242  having a top edge  244  formed with a top edge curvature  246 , a bottom edge  248  formed with a bottom edge curvature  250 , a right edge  252 , and a left edge  256 . The top edge  244  has a top edge length  260  extending from edge to edge of the top edge  244 . The bottom edge  248  has a bottom edge length  262  extending from edge to edge of the bottom edge  248 . The right edge  252  extends between the top edge  244  and the bottom edge  248  and has a right edge length  254 . The right edge  252  includes a slight curvature  253  adjacent the bottom edge  248 . The left edge  256  extends between the top edge  244  and the bottom edge  248  and has a left edge length  258 . The left edge  256  includes a slight curvature  257  adjacent the bottom edge  248 . At the center of the under collar band fabric panel  242 , the top edge  244  and bottom edge  248  is separated by a under collar band center back distance  264 . The under collar band center back distance  264  is larger than the right edge length  254  and the left edge length  258 , where the right edge length  254  and the left edge length  258  are equal. The under collar fabric panel  212  is tallest at the center and tapers towards the edges. The bottom edge curvature  250  and the top edge curvature  246  are oriented opposite to one another. 
     The under collar band fabric panel  242  is substantially similar to the top collar band fabric panel  142  and may be sized smaller or larger than the top collar band fabric panel  142 . The under collar band fabric panel  242  and the top collar band fabric panel  142  are attached together to form the collar band  280 . The double layer of fabric allows for the construction of a stiff and flexible collar band  280 . In the preferred embodiment of the under collar band  240 , under collar band center back distance  264  is 2.5 inches. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , the UV protection shirt collar  100  showing the top collar  110  and the top collar band  140  is shown. The UV protection collar  100  includes a collar  180  and a collar band  280 . The collar  180  is constructed with the top collar  110  and the under collar  210  where the top collar fabric panel  112  is attached to the under collar fabric panel  240  through stitching located adjacent the edges. The collar band  280  is constructed with the top collar band  140  and the under collar band  240  where the top collar band fabric panel  142  is attached to the under collar band fabric panel  242  through stitching located adjacent the edges. 
     The bottom edge  118  of the top collar fabric panel  112  is attached adjacent to the top edge  144  of the top collar band fabric panel  142 , in between the top collar band fabric panel  142  and the under collar band fabric panel  242  of the collar band  280 . The top edge length  160  and the bottom edge length  162  of the top collar band fabric material  142  is longer than the top edge length  130  and the bottom edge length  132  of the top collar fabric material  112 , leaving the right edge  152  and the left edges  156  of the top collar band fabric material  142  free of the top collar fabric material  112  where a button hole  172  can be formed adjacent the left edge  156  and a button  174  to be attached adjacent the right edge  152 . The double layer of material used to form the collar  180  provides double the protection against UV radiation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the UV protection shirt collar  100  is shown with the under collar  210  and the under collar band  240 . The bottom edge  218  of the under collar fabric panel  212  is attached adjacent to the top edge  244  of the under collar band fabric panel  242 , in between the top collar band fabric panel  142  and the under collar band fabric panel  242  of the collar band  280 . The top edge length  260  and the bottom edge length  262  of the under collar band fabric material  242  is longer than the top edge length  230  and the bottom edge length  232  of the under collar fabric material  212 , leaving the right edge  252  and the left edges  256  of the under collar band fabric material  242  free of the under collar fabric material  212  where the button hole  172  can be formed adjacent the right edge  252  and the button  174  to be attached adjacent the left edge  256 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a back view of a person  20  wearing the shirt with UV protection collar  10  is shown. As shown the collar  180  of the UV protection shirt collar  100  is folded down over the collar band  280  exposing the top collar  110  and hiding the under collar  210 . The shape of the collar  180  is dictated by the curvature of the fabric panels (top collar  110  and under collar  210 ) making up the collar  180 , which allows the collar  180  to make a substantially straight edge where the collar  180  folds down from the collar band  280 . The top collar band center back distance  164  of the top collar band  140  and the under collar band center back distance  264  of the under collar band  240  allows the collar band  280  to span the majority of the back of the neck  22  of the person  20 . The top collar center back distance  134  of the top collar  110  and the under collar center back distance  234  of the under collar  210  allows the collar  180  to span the majority of the back of the neck  22  of the person  20  when the collar  180  is folded down. When folded down a portion of the collar  180  is dedicated to forming the bend, which allows only a portion of the collar  180  to be exposed. The length of the exposed collar  180  when folded is referred to as a top collar center back folded distance  134 A. The top collar center back folded distance  134 A of the collar  180  provides almost complete coverage of the back of the neck  22  of the person  20  and protects the neck  22  from UV radiation. The collar band  280  and the collar  180  when folded over the collar band  280  provide four layers of protection against the sun for the neck area of the person  20 . 
     By having the top collar  110  and under collar  210  being its tallest at the center and tapering towards the edges, the collar  180  is also tallest at the center and tapering towards the edges. The unique shape of the collar  180  resulting from the dimensions of the top collar  110  and under collar  210  being its tallest at the center and tapering towards the edges provides for a taller collar  180  at the center and provides for edge dimensions that are similar to those of standard collars. The visuals of the collar  180  from the front (shown in  FIG. 10 ) are visually similar to that of a regular sized collar without any defining indications of the taller back portion of the collar  180  at the top collar center back folded distance  134 A. 
     As the collar  180  is folded down, the collar  180  overlaps the collar band  280 . Due to the shorter back neck drop  226  which brings the shirt body  202  higher up the back, the collar band  280  also covers the majority of the neck with the portion of the collar  180  dedicated to forming the bend covering the remaining exposed area of the neck. This provides four layers of UV protection: the top collar  110 , the under collar  210 , the top collar band  140 , and the under collar band  240 . Further, with the material used for the top collar  110 , the under collar  210 , the top collar band  140 , and the under collar band  240  has at least a UPF 50+ rating for sun blocking thereby providing unequalled blocking when compared with a single layer of fabric. By having four overlapping layers of UPF 50+ rated fabric, only 1 out of approximately 200 units of radiation will pass through (approximately 0.5%) whereas a single layer of UPF 50+ rated fabric will allow 1 out of approximately 50 units of UV radiation will pass through (approximately 2%). 
     The fabric utilized for the UV protection collar  100  also has a moisture wicking capability. Since the UV protection collar  100  covers the majority of the back of the neck and is in contact with the neck, the moisture wicking capabilities of the material will allow the perspiration to be absorbed by the UV protection collar  100  and evaporate. Due to the UV protection collar  100  having the collar  180  and the collar band  180 , the volume of material available to absorb the perspiration of the neck is at least doubled compared to a single layer of material. Additionally, the exposed surface area of the UV protection collar  100  available for the absorbed perspiration to evaporate is at least double the surface area of the neck that it is in contact with. This provides for quicker evaporation of the perspiration compared to the neck alone, or with a material that has an exposed surface area only equal to the surface area of the neck. The evaporation of the perspiration by the UV protection collar  100  will cool the neck of the user due to evaporative cooling and also remove any discomfort caused by excess perspiration lingering on the skin. Since the carotid arteries are located in the neck close to the surface of the skin, cooling the back of the neck will cool the blood circulating through the carotid arteries. The cooled blood in the carotid arteries is then circulated throughout the body providing a cooling affect for the entire body. Due to the minimal decrease in its UV blocking capabilities when wet and the use of multiply layers of material, the UV protection collar  100  still provides UPF 50+ protection. 
     The fabric utilized for the UV protection collar  100  also has a four-way stretch capability. The four-way stretch capability of the fabric used in the UV protection collar  100  provides a collar that is comfortable for the wearer. The UV protection collar  100  is not overly stiff and allows for the uninhibited movement of the neck  22 . Since the UV protection collar  100  may lie on the back of the neck  22  when the shirt with UV protection collar  10  is worn, the stretch material will stretch or rotate with the neck  22  when the person  20  rotates their neck  22 . 
     The UV protection collar  100  of the shirt with UV protection collar  10  is designed to cover the majority of the back of the neck  22  of the person  20  wearing the shirt with UV protection collar  10 . The average length of a human neck is 3.9-4.7 inches. The UV protection collar  100  covers 67-84 percent of the back of a human neck. It is contemplated that the UV protection collar  100  can cover up to 100 percent of the back of the neck of a person. In a preferred embodiment of the UV protection collar  100 , the top collar center back distance  134  is 3.25 inches, the right edge length  124  is 2.5 inches, and the left edge length is 2.5 inches. Alternatively, the top collar center back distance  134  is 3.25 inches, the right edge length  124  is 2.25 inches, and the left edge length  128  is 2.25 inches. Correspondingly, the top collar center back folded distance  134 A may be 3.15 inches depending on the folded area of the collar  180 . It is contemplated that the top collar center back folded distance  134 A may be between 3.00 inches and 5.00 inches, depending on the length of the top collar center back distance  134  and the folded area of the collar  180 . The UV protection collar  100  provides almost complete coverage of the back of the neck  22  of the person  20  and protects the neck  22  from UV radiation. 
     The collar band  280  and the collar  180  when folded over the collar band  280  provide four layers of protection against the sun for the neck  22  of the person  20 . The shorter right edge length  124  and left edge length  128  provides for front edge dimensions and visuals that are similar to those of standard collars without any defining indications of the taller back portion of the UV protection collar  100 . The UV protection collar  100  provides a visual illusion of a regular sized collar when viewed from the front, while providing almost full coverage of the majority of the back of the neck  22  of the person  20  to protect from harmful UV radiation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , a front view of a person wearing the shirt with UV protection collar  10  is shown. The top collar center back folded distance  134 A of the collar  180  provides almost complete coverage of the back of the neck of the person  20  and protects the neck from UV radiation. As the UV protection collar  100  wraps around the neck of the person  20 , the UV protection collar  100  tapers from the top collar center back folded distance  134 A to a right folded edge  122 A with right folded edge length  124 A and to a left folded edge  126 A with left folded edge length  128 A. The unique shape of the UV protection collar  100  resulting from the dimensions of the collar  180  and collar band  280  provides for front edge dimensions that are similar to those of standard collars, also visually similar to that of a regular sized collar, without any defining indications of the taller back portion of the UV protection collar  100 . The UV protection collar  100  provides an illusion of a regular sized collar when viewed from the front, while providing almost full coverage of the majority of the back of the neck of the person  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11A and 11B ,  FIGS. 12A and 12B , and  FIGS. 13A and 13B , graphs showing the dry and wet UV transmission characteristics of three particular materials are shown. As shown, the UV transmissions characteristics of the three materials are marginally affected by the presence of water. This allows the UV protection collar  100  to maintain its UV transmission characteristics while it cools down the neck of a wearer of the shirt with UV protection collar  10 . The use of the three particular materials are not meant to be limiting and it is contemplated that other types of materials with similar dry and wet UV transmission characteristics may be used for the shirt with UV protection collar  10 . 
     While the shirt with UV protection shirt collar  10  of the present invention as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.