Patent Publication Number: US-2023144398-A1

Title: Hair collection apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a hair collection apparatus that is configured to be releasably secured to a support surface in a bathroom and receives and retains hair strands for subsequent disposal. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The average human head has approximately one hundred thousand strands of hair. Daily hair loss is considered normal and occurs naturally as part of the growing process. The average women loses between fifty to one hundred and fifty strands of hair in a day. This shedding is completely natural but does lead to challenges particularly for those women that have long hair. One of the most common places that individuals shed hair is in the shower. Regular hygiene practices such as but not limited to shampooing of the hair will result in normal hair loss. During this process, hair strand shedding can be exacerbated due to the stress of washing the hair as well as this is a normal occurrence for hair strand to be shed naturally. As the hair strands are shed, the hair strands can accumulate in the bottom of the shower and often be directed by the flow of water towards the drain. Alternatively, many individuals will find that the hair strand will remain on their hands. If the hair strands progress into the shower drain this can result in poor drain performance precipitating the requirement for plumbing repairs and/or maintenance. 
     Most individuals will attempt to collect the hair during the act of other activities such as cleaning the shower or bath. While this helps alleviate the aforementioned plumbing problems it is more desirable to collect the hair on a more frequent basis. Some individuals will collect the shed hair strands during the bathing process but often find that maintaining the collection of hair in an organized manner for subsequent disposal is difficult. Individuals with longer hair will collect the hair and form into clumps or balls and perhaps place in an area which it can subsequently be retrieved. Attempts are often made to place collected hair on a ledge or similar item but again these surfaces do not provide effective retention of the collected hair and the clumps can wind up in the drain or be generally difficult to collect. 
     Accordingly, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a hair collection apparatus that can be releasably secured to a suitable support surface in a shower or bathing area wherein the invention facilitates an improved technique to retain hair and more easily dispose thereof. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a hair collection apparatus that is configured to receive, retain and improve the ability to dispose of hair wherein the present invention includes body having an interior volume. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to assist in the collection of shed hair strands that occur during an activity such as but not limited to showering wherein the body of the present invention includes an upper end and lower end. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a hair collection apparatus that is configured to receive, retain and improve the ability to dispose of hair wherein the lower end of the body includes an opening. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to assist in the collection of shed hair strands that occur during an activity such as but not limited to showering wherein the lower end of the body includes a cap member secured to the opening and wherein the cap member is releasably secured to the opening. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a hair collection apparatus that is configured to receive, retain and improve the ability to dispose of hair wherein the body further includes an upper portion wherein the upper portion includes a receiving aperture. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to assist in the collection of shed hair strands that occur during an activity such as but not limited to showering wherein the receiving aperture is manufactured from a pliable material and includes slit members. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a hair collection apparatus that is configured to receive, retain and improve the ability to dispose of hair wherein the upper portion further can include a hair retention member wherein the hair retention member assists in capture of the hair strands so as to ensure deposit into the interior volume of the body. 
     Still an additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to assist in the collection of shed hair strands that occur during an activity such as but not limited to showering wherein the cap member includes a securing element that is configured to secure the apparatus to a suitable support surface. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hair collection apparatus that is configured to receive, retain and improve the ability to dispose of hair wherein the body can be provided in alternate colors, sizes and shapes. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the present invention with the cap member removed from the body; and 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the present invention in use. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a hair collection apparatus 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
     Referring in particular to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the hair collection apparatus  100  includes a body  10 . The body  10  is manufactured from a suitable material such as but not limited to plastic and includes an upper end  11  and a lower end  12 . The body  10  includes a wall  13  that forms the shape thereof and includes a hollow interior volume (not particularly illustrated herein) suitable for receiving and retaining hair strands therein. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  could have more than one wall so as to form an alternate shape of the body  10 . Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the body  10  could be provided in various sizes. 
     Secured to the lower perimeter edge  16  of the body  10  is the cap member  20 . The cap member  20  is planar in manner and annular in shape so as to cover an opening(not illustrated herein) present at the lower end  12  of the body  10 . The cap member  20  is manufactured from a similar material as the body  10  and is releasably secured to the lower perimeter edge  16  utilizing suitable techniques. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the cap member  20  could be releasably secured utilizing techniques and/or elements such as but not limited to frictional grooves or fasteners. The cap member  20  is removable so as to facilitate the removal of hair strands from within the interior volume of the body  10 . The cap member  20  includes a lower surface  21 . Secured to the lower surface  21  is keeper  25 . The keeper  25  is provided so as to releasably secure the hair collection apparatus  100  to a suitable support surface such as but not limited to a shower wall or tub surface. In a preferred embodiment the keeper  25  is a suction cup but it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the keeper  25  could be manufactured from alternate elements in order to achieve the desired objective stated herein. Additionally, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that more than one keeper  25  could be employed so as to releasably secure the hair collection apparatus  100  to a suitable support surface. 
     Integrally formed into the body  10  proximate the upper end  11  is an upper portion  40 . The upper portion  40  is formed having a diameter smaller than that of the body  10  and extends upward therefrom. While a particular shape of the upper portion  40  is illustrated herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the upper portion  40  could be provided in alternate shapes and sizes. The upper portion  40  includes an upper surface  42  wherein the upper surface  42  has a receiving aperture  45  formed therein. The receiving aperture  45  provides an ability to place hair into the interior volume of the body  10 . It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the receiving aperture  45  could be provided in alternate shapes and sizes. The receiving aperture  45  in a preferred embodiment is generally annular and further includes retention members  46  formed to provide coverage thereof. The retention members  46  are adjacently formed being contiguous having slits  48  therebetween. The retention member  46  are manufactured from a pliable material and function to move inward during engagement with a finger or hand (illustrated herein in  FIG.  3   ). During removal of the finger or hand the retention members  46  function to frictionally engage therewith and as such ensure removal of any hair strands adhered thereto. While four slits  48  are illustrated herein forming four retention members  46 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the receiving aperture  45  could have as few as one slit of more than four slits so as to provide alternate quantities of retention members  46 . While the upper portion  40  has been illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the hair collection apparatus  100  could be provided without the upper portion  40  wherein the receiving aperture  45  would be formed as described herein in an upper surface of the body  10 . 
     While not particularly illustrated herein, it is further contemplated within the scope of the present invention the body  10  could have a second retention member disposed within the interior volume of the body  10  in order to assist in capturing and retention of hair strands therein during the deposit process. By way of example but not limitation, the body  10  could have a sponge or similar material positioned and configured to engage a portion of a finger or hand  99  being inserted into the interior volume of the body  10 . Additionally, while not illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the cap member  20  could have a plurality of apertures formed therein so as to facilitate drainage of moisture from the interior volume of the body  10 . 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.