Patent Publication Number: US-2020288805-A1

Title: Swimming head cap

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/818,708, filed Mar. 14, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to swimming head caps, and, more particularly, relates to a swimming head cap configured to avoid pulling a user&#39;s hair and skin during removal. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The consumer marketplace features a large variety of swimming head caps with watertight configurations designed to keep a user&#39;s hair dry when said user is swimming in a body of water. The goal of such swimming head caps is to prevent water from seeping through the swimming head cap, which is typically accomplished by use of a latex or silicone material composition. The tension generated when a user stretches the swimming head cap over their scalp ensures a very tight fit over the scalp. It is this tight fit that both protects the user&#39;s hair by preventing water from seeping in, but also creates painful pulling of the user&#39;s hair upon removal. Although these head caps achieve their intended purpose, they cost the user considerable physical pain in the process. 
     Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a swimming head cap that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that is effectively and efficiently configured to couple with a user&#39;s head in a substantially watertight configuration unlike any known swimming head cap, while substantially maintaining the integrity of a user&#39;s hair disposed within the swimming head cap. Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a swimming head cap, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a swimming head cap comprising an inner layer having an annular shaped elastic band and an outer layer of an elastically deformable material. The inner layer is of at least one of the following materials: silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic. The outer layer is of at least one of the following materials: nylon and spandex blend, a polyester and spandex blend, a cotton and spandex blend, and a regenerative fiber and spandex blend. It is this material composition that substantially facilitates the ease of use and that prevents a user&#39;s hair and scalp from being painfully pulled upon the cap&#39;s removal therefrom. 
     In accordance with another feature, the inner layer further comprises an outer perimeter edge, an outer surface, and an inner surface opposing the outer surface and defining an enclosed cavity. The enclosed cavity is designed for the insertion of the user&#39;s head when the user is ready to use the swimming head cap. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the outer layer of an elastically deformable material comprises an outer surface, and an inner surface opposing the outer surface of the outer layer and directly coupled to the outer surface and the annular shaped elastic band of the inner layer. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the inner layer is of a thickness ranging from 25-1110 microns and of a hardness ranging from 5-70 shore A. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the inner layer is also of an elastically deformable material designed to provide a greater stretch and closer fit. 
     In yet another embodiment, the outer layer may be laminated to a polyurethane film for an added layer of protection or for aesthetic reasons. The outer layer may also be compliant with an ASTM D4964 test at 100 N or 22.5 lbs. and have the following properties or characteristics: 3 Flex. % Elongation length Range 20%-300%, % Elongation width Range 20%-300%. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a swimming head cap, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user&#39;s perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction of the swimming head cap. The term “traverse” should be understood to mean in a direction horizontally across the swimming head cap. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary swimming head cap, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of a swimming head cap during use, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a bird&#39;s eye view of the inside cavity of a swimming head cap, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevational top view of the inside cavity of a swimming head cap, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a bird&#39;s eye view of the inside cavity of a swimming head cap, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevational top view of the swimming head cap, in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is a close-up elevational top view of a swimming head cap, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. 
     The present invention provides a novel and efficient swimming head cap of a material composition that prevents the painful pulling or tugging of a user&#39;s hair and scalp upon removal. In contrast to existing swimming head caps, the present invention achieves its intended function, e.g. providing a watertight seal that prevents water from seeping in and wetting the user&#39;s hair, while also sparing the user considerable physical pain and discomfort when the user removes the swimming head cap. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a cross-sectional view of an exemplary swimming head cap  100 .  FIG. 1  shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a swimming head cap  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes an inner layer  102  having an annular shaped elastic band  110  and an outer layer  104  of an elastically deformable material. 
     The continuous inner layer  102  is annular, or circular, in shape and form to facilitate a closer and more comfortable fit around the user&#39;s head. In other words, the annular shape of the inner layer  102  is designed to mirror the generally annular shape of a user&#39;s head. This configuration creates a closer fit between the swimming head cap  100  and the user&#39;s head, thereby reducing the amount of free space between the two. In turn, this allows the swimming head cap  100  to have a more effective grip on the user&#39;s head, providing a watertight seal around the user&#39;s head. 
     The annular shaped elastic band  110  likewise has this same circular shape and form, as it is also designed to encircle the user&#39;s head. In an exemplary embodiment, the annular shaped elastic band  110 , when in use, will fall somewhere around the user&#39;s upper forehead and span around the circumference of the user&#39;s head. In other embodiments, the annular shaped elastic band  110 , along with some or all of the elements of claim  1 , may be approximately 0.25 inches to 3 inches in width, wrapping around the circumference of a user&#39;s head and serving the function of a headband that does not painfully pull or tug the user&#39;s hair and skin when in use or during removal. 
     The inner layer  102  also comprises an outer perimeter edge  112 , an outer surface  400 , and an inner surface opposing the outer surface  400  and defining an enclosed cavity  108 . The inner surface  400  of the inner layer  102  is in direct contact with the user&#39;s head and hair during use. The enclosed cavity  108  is designed to store the user&#39;s head when the swimming head cap  100  is in use and to conveniently and selectively close when not in use. The entire swimming head cap  100  may be folded or laid down in a substantially planar form, wherein planar is defined as flat or two-dimensional. 
     The inner layer  102  is of at least one of the following elastically deformable materials: silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic. As used herein, elastically deformable is defined as flexible and capable of being reshaped. Silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic are materials characterized by a low coefficient of friction, wherein a low coefficient of friction is defined as one ranging approximately between 0.15 to 2.5, though this coefficient is subject to change in different embodiments of the present invention. A low coefficient of friction facilitates a more stable and consistent grip of the swimming head cap  100  on the user&#39;s head and hair, wherein the swimming head cap  100  remains securely on the user&#39;s head without slipping or sliding off. Silicone, polyurethane, and acrylic materials are conducive to maintaining the integrity of a user&#39;s hair. Said another way, the material of the inner layer  102  resists the possibility or occurrence of hair sticking to or rubbing against the head cap. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the inner layer  300  is depicted in a bird&#39;s eye view featuring the enclosed cavity  108 , the outer surface  400  of the inner layer  300 , an inner surface  302  opposing the outer surface  400  of the inner layer  300 , and the annular shaped elastic band  110 . 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the inner layer  102  is operably configured to directly couple to and, with the annular shaped elastic band  110 , surround a user&#39;s head in a substantially watertight configuration, i.e., resisting the transfer of water within the cavity of the cap where the user&#39;s head is placed. 
     In accordance with another feature, the outer layer  104  has an outer surface  500  (as best seen in  FIG. 5 ), and an inner surface  502  opposing the outer surface  500  of the outer layer  104  and directly coupled to the outer surface  400  of the inner layer  102  and to the annular shaped elastic band  110  of the inner layer  102 . The outer layer  104  is of at least one of the following materials: nylon and spandex blend, a polyester and spandex blend, a cotton and spandex blend, and a regenerative fiber and spandex blend. As used herein, spandex refers to the elastic synthetic fiber that is also generally known as lycra or elastane and is comprised of polyether-polyurea copolymer fabrics; nylon refers to a family of synthetic polymers based on aliphatic or semi-aromatic polyamides; polyester generally refers to a type of polymer called polyethylene terephthalate. 
     After insertion of the user&#39;s head within the enclosed cavity  108 , the distal end of the annular shaped elastic band  110  or inner layer  102  reduces in diameter and frictionally retains a circumference of a user&#39;s head (as those of skill in the art will appreciate). 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner layer  102  is of a thickness ranging from 25-1110 microns and of a hardness ranging from 5-70 shore A. In another embodiment, the inner layer  102  is of an elastically deformable material, as defined herein. 
     In yet other embodiments, the outer layer  104  may be laminated to a polyurethane film with a film thickness ranging from 25-500 microns, while in other embodiments, it may be outside of said range. The outer layer  104  may be compliant with an ASTM D4964 test at 100 N or 22.5 lbs. and have the following properties or characteristics: 3 Flex. % Elongation length Range 20%-300%, % Elongation width Range 20%-300%. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  is a zoomed in top view of the outer layer  104  of the swimming head cap  100  and features the outer layer  104 , the outer surface  500  of the outer layer  104 , and the inner surface  502  of the outer layer  104 . 
     The inner layer  102  and the outer layer  104  may be directly coupled thereto through the use of an adhesive or they may be laminated thereto. 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.