Patent Publication Number: US-2020288848-A1

Title: Makeup and hair protector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/817,908, filed Mar. 13, 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to protecting makeup and hair and, more particularly, to a makeup shield and hair protector. 
     Makeup has been used throughout the ages and all over the world for various purposes. It has been applied ritualistically by warriors of various tribal societies before battle as a means of creating unity and encouragement within the warriors and striking fear into their opponents on the battlefield. Makeup has also been used by religious sects to indicate symbols of faith and belonging. In addition to the historical and/or religious purposes of makeup and other cosmetics, many people within our modern society have their own individualistic reasons to use makeup. For example, some people use makeup to beautify their appearance. Others use it as a form of artistic expression. Still others use makeup to cover blemishes, to increase confidence, or simply because they enjoy doing so. 
     Regardless of the motivation for using makeup, applying it is an investment in time. It is desirable, then, to preserve the appearance of makeup once it has been applied to a user&#39;s body. However, there are many circumstances and scenarios encountered by people on a daily basis that may cause the makeup to smear, run, or otherwise be impacted in an undesirable way. This not only has a negative impact on the individual whose makeup is ruined, but it has the potential to soil objects that it contacts. Makeup commonly includes oils, waxes, pigments, or other colorants that are difficult, if not impossible, to clean. Yet, despite the widespread use of makeup in many modern day societies and the potential downside of inadvertently displacing applied makeup onto an object and soiling it, there is a surprising dearth of devices that act to preserve an individual&#39;s makeup and/or protect other articles from coming into contact with it. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for a makeup shield and hair protector. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a makeup and hair protector comprises: a makeup shield comprising a body having an outer edge, a first securing strap protruding from the outer edge on a first side of the body, a second securing strap protruding form the outer edge on a second side of the body opposite the first side, and a first connecter coupled to an outer surface at an upper portion of the body adjacent the outer edge; and a hair bonnet comprising a hair covering portion generally shaped to cover a head, and having an inner edge defining an open end, and a second connector coupled to an inner surface adjacent the inner edge at a front portion of the hair bonnet, wherein the first connector releasably connects to the second connector. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the present invention includes a makeup shield and hair protector  1 . The makeup shield and hair protector  1  includes a makeup shield  3  and a hair bonnet  2 . The makeup shield  3  attaches to a user&#39;s head and covers the user&#39;s face while the hair bonnet  2  covers the user&#39;s hair. The makeup shield  3  may releasably connect with the hair bonnet  2 . The makeup shield and hair protector  1  protects a user&#39;s hair and makeup while putting clothes on. 
     The makeup shield  3  includes a body  1  made of a mesh material  3 . The makeup shield  3  may include eye openings  6   a , nose openings  6   b , and mouth openings  6   c . The makeup shield  3  further includes a first and second securing strap  4  attached to the body  1  by stitching  5 . The securing straps  4  act to retain the makeup shield  3  on the user despite disturbances or minor forces applied transverse to a plane that is parallel to the user&#39;s face (e.g., forces that pull the makeup shield  3  away from the user&#39;s face). The securing strap  4  is selectively placed behind a user&#39;s ear. The securing strap  4  is illustrated as a predefined loop of elastic material configured to stretch and secure about the user&#39;s ear. In one embodiment, the securing strap  4  is a predefined loop of non-elastic material (e.g., cloth, or the nontransferable material(s) of the makeup shield  3 ) configured to be secured about the ear. In one embodiment, securing straps  4  are disposed on opposing sides of the makeup shield  3 , and each strap  4  may be selectively secured to an ear on the same side as the securing strap  4 . 
     The present invention may further include a hair bonnet  2 . The hair bonnet  2  may be made of a silk or satin material. The bonnet  2  includes a hair covering  12  which is generally shaped to cover a head. The bonnet  2  is shaped to have an open end  14  into which a wearer&#39;s head is inserted. A strip  14  is attached to an inner edge that defines the open end  14  of the bonnet  2 . The strip  14  may be placed on the inside of the bonnet  2  at or slightly above the open end  14  so that the open end region is drawn tightly against the head. The strip  14  may be made of a material including an elastic material such as a natural or synthetic rubber or latex covered with knit or braided synthetic fiber. Alternatively, the strip  14  may be an inelastic material that may be tightened around the user&#39;s head by a spring toggle  7 . 
     The hair bonnet  2  and the makeup shield  3  may be releasably coupled together. In such embodiments, a first connector  8   a  may be attached to an outer surface of the makeup shield  3  along an upper rim and a second connector  8   b  may be attached to an inner surface of the bonnet  22  along a front portion of the inner edge. Therefore, when a user places the makeup shield  3  over their face and the hair bonnet  2  over their hair, the first connector  8   a  releasably couples to the second connector  8   b , thereby releasably connecting the makeup shield  3  to the hair bonnet  2 . The first connector  8   a  and the second connector  8   b  may include at least one of snap buttons, magnets, ties, hook and loop fasteners, or other connectors. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the first and second connectors  8   a ,  8   b  are snap buttons. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first and second connectors  8   a ,  8   b  are hook and loop patches. 
     Using the present invention, a user may cloth themselves without disrupting their hair or their makeup. Additionally, because the hair bonnet  2  and the makeup shield  3  are connected, the present invention is further retained to the user to prevent disruptions due to disturbances or minor forces applied transverse to a plane that is parallel to the user&#39;s face (e.g., forces that pull the makeup shield  3  away from the user&#39;s face). 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.