Patent Publication Number: US-2010107307-A1

Title: Hat liner

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/195,979 filed Oct. 14, 2008, of common inventorship and title herewith. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention pertains to the field of head wear, and more specifically to hats, and even more specifically to liners for hats. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The prior art has put forth several designs for hat and cap liners. Examples of these inventions include: 
     U.S. Patent Des. 354,160 to Shaffer describes a disposable sweat band for a safety hard hat liner. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,395 to Nebeker describes a liner for a hat comprising a disposable liner fitted against the inside surface of a sweatband of a cap or hat. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,794,189 to Nesbit et al describes a protective cap liner designed to be inserted into a hat or cap for the purpose of adding protection to the head of the wearer. 
     None of these prior art references describe the present invention. 
     Many men wear caps, namely ball caps and golf caps and the variety in these popular caps is tremendous. A ball cap can convey and display one&#39;s loyalty to a professional sports team or player, or race-car driver; brand-loyalty to anything from a soft-drink to chewing tobacco to chainsaws; clever slogans; places the wearer has visited, from bars and restaurants to the national parks, and so much more. Ball caps can be screen printed, embroidered, personalized in innumerable ways. And ball caps are versatile, equally useful when driving a car or driving a golf ball. No wonder, then, that these comfortable and inexpensive caps have become nearly ubiquitous staples of the contemporary man&#39;s wardrobe. 
     Both hats and caps are useful adornments. They look good; they keep the sun out of our eyes and the sweat off our brow. Both have a common shortcoming. The shortcoming is that both hats and caps soak up our perspiration, and in so doing provide us with a service for which they suffer. The sweat stains can ruin a hat or cap, and most hats, and many caps, are not designed to be washed or laundered. Thus, the wearing life of a hat or cap is limited, its appearance gradually declining with wear. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention solves this problem by keeping any hat or cap looking new for a much longer period, by protecting the hat or cap from the wearer&#39;s head. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved liner for a cap or visor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hat liner of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hat liner of the present invention being fitted into a cap. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the visor liner of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the visor liner of the present invention being fitted into a visor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Recognizing the potential to create a product to keep hats and caps in like-new condition despite constant wear, the present invention was developed, hereinafter referred to as the Hat Liner. Simply stated, the Hat Liner is an adjustable, one-size-fits-all synthetic fabric liner to be worn beneath any hat or cap, and thus protect the hat or cap from the perspiration the hat or cap would otherwise absorb. The Hat Liner is reusable and disposable, such that the user wears it as many times as he wished, then either launder the Hat Liner in any washing machine, or simply discard the used Hat Liner and start again with a fresh one. The Hat Liner is produced in a polyester or other fabric, and is configured to cover the wearer&#39;s head in the manner of a skullcap. 
     An adjustable band at the rear of the Hat Liner fitted with hook and loop closures ensures that the Hat Liner is adjustable to fit any hat size. Lightweight and form-fitting, the Hat Liner provides a comfortable, moisture-absorbing barrier between the wearer&#39;s head and hat or cap. 
     The Hat Liner, a lightweight fabric liner to be worn with any hat or cap, presents a number of distinct and significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, the Hat Liner absorbs the wearer&#39;s perspiration, perspiration that would otherwise be absorbed by the material of the hat or cap. Since the Hat Liner acts to wick up this perspiration, the hat or cap remains fresh and unstained, retaining a like-new appearance despite repeated and regular use. The Hat Liner is suitable for use beneath any hat or cap, and be thin enough in construction that no adjustment is necessary in the wearer&#39;s hat or cap. Because the Hat Liner has this universal applicability, a man might purchase several: a few for use with his favorite ballcaps and golf caps, a few for use with more formal hats such as fedoras. Further, the Hat Liner is designed to be both washable, for repeated use, and inexpensive enough to be disposable. The choice between re-use and disposal is up to the consumer. And since the overall purpose and effect of the Hat Liner is to extend indefinitely the wearing life of hats and caps, the Hat Liner is a most economical investment, a minimal outlay for a maximal return in the extended life of hats and caps. 
     A synthetic, adjustable fabric liner for hats and caps, the Hat Liner effectively protects caps and hats from the effects of perspiration and wear, and thus keep hats and caps attractive and presentable, and extend their wearing life as well. Easily adjustable to all sizes, and designed to be both washable and disposable, the Hat Liner is eminently affordable as well. 
     Materials suitable for use for the fabric include cellulose, linen, or other wicking material to absorb moisture from the wearer&#39;s head. The hat liner of the present invention can be constructed of any suitable material such as cotton, polyester, or other natural or synthetic material, for example. 
     Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.