Patent Publication Number: US-11659914-B2

Title: Shampoo roll

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS SECTION 
     This application is a U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application that claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/015,578 filed on Apr. 26, 2020, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     This invention relates to a neck cushioning device (or a “shampoo roll”) that relieves neck pain of a first user during the washing of the first user&#39;s hair and also relieves back pain of a second user who is washing the first user&#39;s hair. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Professional hair stylists typically utilize a shampoo basin or bowl for shampooing the hair of their patrons. The patron reclines in a chair such that the head of the patron is within the basin with the patrons neck rests against the rim of the basin. Typical basins are made of a hard porcelain or fiberglass, which causes discomfort to the patron&#39;s neck when the patron is getting his/her hair shampooed. Similarly, when shampooing the hair of a child, it is necessary to extend the child&#39;s head over a basin or a sink when wetting the hair, applying the shampoo, and rinsing the hair. 
     In either scenario, it is preferable to use some sort of object to alleviate neck pain for the patron or the child. Towels may be used in this situation, but typically provide insufficient comfort and may slip out of place. Moreover, though durable pads may be used, these objects are difficult to clean. Thus, what is needed is an improved device that not only relieves neck pain of a first user during the washing of the first user&#39;s hair and also relieves back pain of a second user who is washing the first user&#39;s hair. 
     Review of Related Technology 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,707,663B1 describes a shampoo basin cushioning piece that cushions the neck along notch in the shampoo basin, and also securely fastens along the top perimeter of the shampoo basin. The ability of the cushioning device to securely attach along the perimeter of the shampoo basin enables the cushioning device to avoid movement and remain steady when the neck of an end user is placed upon it. The cushioning piece seeks to eliminate the movement and associated neck soreness associated with moving cushions that are designed for the neck notch of a shampoo basin. A sink or porcelain base converter that when placed over the sink or porcelain base will convert it into a shampoo basin. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,660B1 describes a cushioning device for use with a shampoo bowl that includes a front wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a U-shaped, neck-receiving notch in the front wall. The cushioning device includes a flexible cushion constructed of a matrix of formed cushioning pockets separated by seams. The flexible cushion includes opposing proximal and distal extremities and a waist therebetween. The waist is adapted to overlie a segment of the U-shaped, neck receiving notch, the proximal extremity is adapted to overlie and secure a portion of the inner surface of the front wall, and the distal extremity is adapted to overlie a secure portion of the outer surface of the front wall. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,980A describes a neck cushioning device that is adapted for use with a shampoo basin having a neck-receiving notch and includes a cushioning pad formed of a gel-based material. The shape of the cushioning pad is configured in such a way that the neck cushioning device conforms to a variety of different-shaped neck-receiving notches in shampoo basins. The shape of the cushioning pad is symmetrical about two orthogonal axes, with the first of these axes being generally transverse to a person&#39;s head and neck. The first dimension of the cushioning pad along the first axis is greater than a second dimension of the cushioning pad along the other of the two axes. The neck cushioning device includes a covering for housing the cushioning pad which is formed of a flexible, water-repellent material. The covering includes a pair of flap portions on opposed sides of the first axis of the cushioning pad. The flap portions include components for releasably securing the neck cushioning device to the shampoo basin. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,364A describes a neck cushioning device for engagement with hair shampoo bowls. The cushioning device is comprised of a cushion of resilient material coated with a flexible, water-repellent substance over the entire surface. The cushioning device is adaptable to over-lay the U-shaped neck-receiving notch found on a commercial shampoo bowl and to wrap laterally around the edges of the notch for engagement therewith by means of downwardly projecting walls, one of which includes a protruding lip that curls around the notch and secures the cushioning device to the bowl. 
     Various systems are known in the art. However, their function and means of operation are substantially different from the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention comprises a neck cushioning device (or a “shampoo roll”) that relieves neck pain of a first user during the washing of the first user&#39;s hair and also relieves back pain of a second user who is washing the first user&#39;s hair. 
     An embodiment of the present invention describes a neck cushioning device to relieve neck pain of a user during washing the user&#39;s hair. The neck cushioning device includes a unitary elongated piece and a portion. The unitary elongated piece has a first side disposed opposite a second side and a first end disposed opposite a second end. The portion is affixed to the first end of the unitary elongated piece. The portion may comprise a circular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, a triangular shape, a quadrilateral shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, a heptagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a nonagonal shape, a decagonal shape, a tear-drop shape, or a crescent shape, among other shapes not explicitly listed herein. In preferred examples, the portion comprises the tear-drop shape. In other examples, the shape is formed from material folded upon itself. 
     The second side of the neck cushioning device rests on a horizontal surface. The user is lying flat on the first side of the unitary elongated piece and a neck of a user is rested on the portion. Hair of the user is received in a sink. 
     In some examples, the neck cushioning device is a one-time use device. In other examples, the neck cushioning device is a reusable device. In scenarios where the neck cushioning device is reusable, the neck cushioning device includes a flexible cushioning material, a gel-based material, a waterproof or water-repellant material, and/or a foam material and may include a removable waterproof cover configured to receive the neck cushioning device therein. In some examples, the unitary elongated piece is affixed to the portion via a fixation means, where the fixation means includes: Velcro, securing ties, loops, snaps, hooks, clasps, adhesives, and/or thread. In other examples, the unitary elongated piece and the portion are configured as a single component. 
     In some embodiments, the portion comprises an indentation portion configured to receive the neck of the user. In other examples, the neck cushioning device includes a flap component affixed to the portion, where the flap component is received in the sink during use. The portion rolls upon the unitary elongated piece to reduce a length of the unitary elongated piece for storage of the neck cushioning device. The flap component comprises a first set of fixation means configured to interact with a second set of fixation means on the unitary elongated piece to maintain a closed or stored position of the neck cushioning device. 
     In some examples, the second side of the unitary elongated piece further comprises a handle component used to carry the neck cushioning device when in a closed or stored position. Moreover, in examples, the second side of the unitary elongated piece further comprises a pouch configured to receive one or more objects therein for storage. 
     In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following benefits and objectives. 
     The present invention provides a neck cushioning device (or a “shampoo roll”) that relieves neck pain of a first user during the washing of the first user&#39;s hair. 
     The present invention provides a neck cushioning device that relieves back pain of a second user who is washing the first user&#39;s hair. 
     The present invention provides a single-use neck cushioning device. 
     The present invention provides a reusable neck cushioning device. 
     The present invention provides a neck cushioning device that may be used in numerous settings, such as a professional salon setting, a home setting, a rehabilitative setting, a medical/healthcare/hospital/nursing home facility, a school setting, etc. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    and  FIG.  2    depict perspective views of a neck cushioning device, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG.  3    depicts a bottom view of a neck cushioning device, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG.  4    depicts a perspective view of a neck cushioning device, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG.  5    depicts a perspective view of various dimensions of a neck cushioning device, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG.  6    depicts a side view of various dimensions of a neck cushioning device, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG.  7 A  depicts a perspective view of a neck cushioning device that comprises an indentation portion and a flap component, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG.  7 B  depicts a perspective view of a neck cushioning device that comprises a flap component, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG.  8    depicts a perspective view of a neck cushioning device that comprises an indentation portion and a flap component, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG.  9    depicts a perspective view of a stored configuration of a neck cushioning device, where the neck cushioning device comprises a handle component and a pouch component, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
         FIG.  10    depicts a perspective view of a stored configuration of a neck cushioning device, according to at least some embodiments described herein. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
     As described, a need exists for a device that not only relieves neck pain of a first user during the washing of the first user&#39;s hair, but also relieves back pain of a second user who is washing the first user&#39;s hair. Traditional towels often provide insufficient comfort and may slip out of place. Moreover, durable pads known in the field are difficult to clean. A neck cushioning device  100  of the present invention provides these benefits and is described and depicted herein. 
     The neck cushioning device  100  of  FIG.  1   - FIG.  10   , may include several components, such as a unitary elongated piece  102  and a portion  104 . The unitary elongated piece  102  may have a first side  106  disposed opposite a second side  108  and a first end  112  disposed opposite a second end  110 . The portion  104  may be affixed to the first end  112  of the unitary elongated piece  102 . 
     Various dimensions of the neck cushioning device  100  are depicted in  FIG.  5    and  FIG.  6    and are listed below in Table 1. It should be appreciated that these dimensions are provided for illustrative purposes only and other dimensions are contemplated herein. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Dimensions of the Neck Cushioning Device 100 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Reference Number 
                 Dimensional Range (in inches) 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 D1 
                 20-30 
               
               
                   
                 D2 
                 10-20 
               
               
                   
                 D3 
                 20-30 
               
               
                   
                 D4 
                 10-20 
               
               
                   
                 D5 
                 0.1-2.5 
               
               
                   
                 D6 
                 2-4 
               
               
                   
                 D7 
                 2-4 
               
               
                   
                 D8 
                 2-4 
               
               
                   
                 D9 
                 0.1-2.5 
               
               
                   
                 D10 
                 0.1-2.5 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     In some examples, a shape of the portion  104  of the neck cushioning device  100  may be: a circular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, a square shape, a triangular shape, a quadrilateral shape, a pentagonal shape, a hexagonal shape, a heptagonal shape, an octagonal shape, a nonagonal shape, a decagonal shape, a tear-drop shape, or a crescent shape, among other shapes not explicitly listed herein. In preferred examples, the shape of the portion  104  of the neck cushioning device  100  is the tear-drop shape. In this preferred example, an apex  114  of the portion  104  is affixed to the first end  112  of the unitary elongated piece  102 . In other examples, a shape of the portion  104  may be formed from material folded upon itself. 
     In some examples, the neck cushioning device  100  is a one-time use device for sanitary purposes. In other implementations, the neck cushioning device  100  is a reusable device. In situations where the neck cushioning device  100  is reusable, the neck cushioning device  100  may include a material  116 , as shown in  FIG.  2   . The material  116  may be a flexible cushioning material, a gel-based material, and/or a foam material, among other materials not explicitly listed herein. The foam material may be a memory foam material, among other materials. In some examples, the material  116  may be deformable such that it conforms to the users&#39; neck, ensuring water will not run down the patrons back during the shampoo process. It should further be appreciated that the material  116  may be identical for the unitary elongated piece  102  and the portion  104 . In other examples, the material  116  may differ for the unitary elongated piece  102  and the portion  104 . 
     In some examples, the material  116  may include a waterproof or a water-repellent coating. In other implementations, the material  116  may include a non-slip material to prevent movement of the neck cushioning device  100  during use. It should be appreciated that the non-slip material is not limited to any particular materials. 
     In some examples, the neck cushioning device  100  may also include a removable waterproof cover  118  (of  FIG.  2   ) that is configured to receive the neck cushioning device  100  therein. In some examples, the waterproof cover  118  comprises a polyurethane (PU) leather material. However, it should be appreciated that the waterproof cover  118  is not limited to such material. As shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , a zipper  120  and a teeth chain  124  of the removable waterproof cover  118  may allow the removable waterproof cover  118  to be removed from the neck cushioning device  100 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  3   , the zipper  120  and the teeth chain  124  of the removable waterproof cover  118  may allow the removable waterproof cover  118  to receive the neck cushioning device  100  therein for affixing the removable waterproof cover  118  to the neck cushioning device  100 . The waterproof or a water-repellent coating of the material  116  and the removable waterproof cover  118  ensure that water will not get trapped within the neck cushioning device  100 , preventing bacteria from growing. 
     The unitary elongated piece  102  may be affixed to the portion  104  via one or more fixation means  122  located on the second side  108  of the unitary elongated piece  102 , as shown in  FIG.  3   . The one or more fixation means  122  may include Velcro, securing ties, snaps, hooks, loops, clasps, adhesives, and/or thread, among other fixation means not explicitly listed herein. It should be appreciated that any fixation means may be used. In other examples, the unitary elongated piece  102  and the portion  104  are configured as a single component or a single unit. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7 A  and  FIG.  8   , the portion  104  of the neck cushioning device  100  may include an indentation portion  126  configured to receive a neck of the user therein when the neck cushioning device  100  rests on a horizontal surface  130  (e.g., a countertop) of  FIG.  8    and the user is lying flat on the first side  106  of the unitary elongated piece  102 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG.  7 A ,  FIG.  7 B , and  FIG.  8   , in some embodiments, the neck cushioning device  100  may further include a flap component  128  affixed to the portion  104 . The flap component  128  is received in a sink during use. It should be appreciated that in some examples, the flap component  128  is removably affixed to the portion  104 . In other examples, the flap component  128 , the unitary elongated piece  102 , and the portion  104  are configured as a singular unit/component. 
     In some examples, the second side  108  of the neck cushioning device  100  rests on the horizontal surface  130 , such as a countertop. In this example, the user is lying flat on the first side  106  of the unitary elongated piece  102  and a neck of a user rests on the portion  104 , such that hair of the user is received in the sink. It should be appreciated that the portion  104  is lifted a distance from the first side  106  of the unitary elongated piece  102 , which allows the users head to be lifted, thereby reducing the neck pain of the user getting his/her hair washed. 
     Moreover, for storage purposes, the portion  104  may be rolled upon the unitary elongated piece  102  to reduce a length of the unitary elongated piece  102 , as shown in  FIG.  7   . As described, this device may be used for children or adults in numerous settings, such as: a professional salon setting, a home setting, a rehabilitative setting, a medical/healthcare/hospital/nursing home facility, a school setting, etc. 
     In some examples, a first side of the flap component  128  may comprise a first set of fixation means  138  configured to interact with a second set of fixation means ( 123 ) on the second side  108  of the unitary elongated piece  102  to establish and maintain a closed or stored position of the neck cushioning device  100 . The first set of fixation means  138  and the second set of fixation means  123  may be any fixation means or mechanism known in the art, such as: Velcro, securing ties, snaps, hooks, loops, clasps, adhesives, and/or thread, among other fixation means not explicitly listed herein. 
     As shown in  FIG.  9   , the second side  108  of the unitary elongated piece  102  further comprises a handle component  132  used to carry the neck cushioning device  100  when in a closed or stored position. In some embodiments, and as shown in  FIG.  9   , the second side  108  of the unitary elongated piece  100  may further include a pouch  136  having an opening  134  configured to receive one or more objects therein for storage when the neck cushioning device  100  is in the closed or stored position. 
     The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others or ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. 
     When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective “another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.