Abstract:
A hair color towel. A towel for hair colorists that includes a towel body and a male/female snap system. The female snap is secured to the edge of the towel so as to provide means for securing to a male snap that is located on the opposite side edge of the towel. This makes a triangular shape on and around the neck and shoulders. A straight line is created across the front of the chest and back. Securing this towel around the neck and shoulders makes for a NO DRIP-NO DROP color towel. Specifically designed for use in the cosmetology, beauty, or hair care industries.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119(e) of the following co-pending and commonly-assigned U.S. provisional patent application(s), which is/are incorporated by reference herein: 
         [0002]    Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/139,587, filed on Mar. 27, 2015, with inventor(s) Stephanie A. Hobgood, entitled “Snap Towel,” attorneys&#39; docket number 271.1-US-P1. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    The present invention relates generally to the beauty industry in the field of hair salon towels, and in particular, to an improved towel specifically designed and used by hair colorists, cosmetologists, spas, and other related industries and services. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0006]    Whenever a client visits a hair salon for color or other related services, the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology requires (Title 16, Division 9, California Code of Federal Regulations §985) a towel to be draped around the client&#39;s neck and shoulders for their protection. The purpose of the towel is to protect the skin from contact with chemicals and water, and to protect the client&#39;s clothing. It is usual practice to use a rectangular towel (ranging in size depending on region and salon) to provide the client with this needed protection. However, a rectangular towel is not ergonomically suited to stay draped around the neck and shoulders without being secured (see  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B ). In this regard,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are photographs illustrating a towel secured with a hair clip of the prior art. 
         [0007]    In the past, hair clips have been used to secure the towel around the client&#39;s neck and shoulders. This practice has drawbacks and limitations. Hair clips are intended to aid the stylist by holding hair in place while cutting, coloring, or styling. These hair clips were not designed with the purpose of securing a towel. Stylists began using hair clips to secure the towel around the neck because of convenience. Hair clips are simply not strong enough to hold two edges of a towel together while around the client&#39;s neck and shoulders. Also, some clients (e.g., individuals with larger necks) remove the clip because it is uncomfortable. 
         [0008]    In addition, when the towel is secured with a plastic clip, the towel can continuously fall from the client&#39;s shoulders once the client moves (see  FIG. 1C ). In this regard,  FIG. 1C  illustrates a towel that is not secured on a client&#39;s shoulders in the prior art. Without properly securing the towel, towels often and repeatedly fall on the floor. The Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (Title 16, Division 9, California Code of Federal Regulations §987) provides that once a towel has been used (which includes when the towel touches the floor) it must be properly laundered and sanitized (i.e., cannot come in contact with the client prior to being laundered and sanitized). Thus, clients can use five or more (5+) towels per visit. This creates additional laundry for the salon, increasing costs by using more water, electricity, and time. 
         [0009]    Color clients are in the salon twice as long as those there for a haircut only, increasing the chances of the towel falling off the neck and shoulders. An improved hair-cutting towel exists. This towel has a slit down the middle of the towel allowing it to lay flat around the neck and shoulders. This new design is ergonomically correct; therefore, it does not need to be secured. However, when coloring hair, the ideal towel design is one that bunches up around the back of the neck for the needed protection to skin and clothing from coloring chemicals (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0010]    In view of the above, securing the towel around the neck and shoulders is imperative. What is needed is a NO DRIP-NO DROP color towel that is better for the client&#39;s protection, salon costs, and the environment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved towel that is intended and designed to overcome the limitations of the prior art. The towel is designed for colorists to be used primarily in the cosmetology, beauty, and hair care industries. 
         [0012]    The towel is draped on or around the shoulders with snaps on both side edges with one side edge having male components of the snap and the other side edge having female components of the snap. The male/female components snap together making a triangular shape across the neck and shoulders. This shape creates a straight line across the chest and back of the body, and secures the towel on the shoulders and around the neck for the duration of their salon visit. 
         [0013]    This design creates a NO DRIP-NO DROP, environmentally conscious color towel. 
         [0014]    Other aspects, objects and the several advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, drawings and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout: 
           [0016]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  are photos illustrating a towel secured using a clip of the prior art; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1C  is a photo illustrating a towel that has become unsecured in the prior art; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a frontal view of a towel in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the design of a towel in reference to the client in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a frontal view of a towel use in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a frontal view of a towel use with adjustments to fit all clients in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a back view of a towel in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates snap components of a reversible towel in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates how combining snap components in an unconventional manner allows each side of the towel to have decorative caps, creating a reversible towel in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 9A-9F  illustrate how a towel connects making it reversible in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  illustrates the logical flow for using a rectangular towel to cover a neck portion and a shoulder portion of a client in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which is shown, by way of illustration, several embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a frontal view of a towel  200  having improved the prior art construction by providing security of the towel  200  to a client&#39;s neck because of the addition of a four part snap system (A 1 , A 2 , B 1 , B 2 ). The current construction has a top and bottom edge and two (2) side edges, making a rectangle. Two socket/female (A 1 , A 2 ) and two stud/male (B 1 , B 2 ) components are on either edge of the towel  200 . The two sockets/females will be located on the same side of the towel  200  and two stud/males components will be located on the same opposite side of the towel  200 . Alternatively, as long as a male snap component is located on one side of the towel  200  and a female snap component is located on the opposite side of the towel  200 , there is no need to have two males on the same side of the towel  200  (e.g., A 1  and B 2  may be male snap components while A 2  and B 1  may be female snap components). The snaps are made out of any materials such as metals (e.g., nickel, copper, brass, silver, plastic, etc.). 
         [0029]    It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that the closure means may take many alternative embodiments. In one alternative embodiment, the closure means may consist of a cloth material that adheres/secures to another piece of material (cloth or otherwise), such as hook-and-loop fasteners, hook-and-pile fasteners, touch fasteners (e.g., VELCRO™), etc. In a second alternative embodiment, the closure means may be strings or laces that can be tied together. In yet another embodiment, buttons may be used and paired with holes/slots on the opposing side of the towel  200 . Accordingly, the closure means may be any natural or synthetic binding to hold the towel  200  securely in place. 
         [0030]    The closure of the towel  200  with snaps allows the towel  200  to be fixed around the neck and shoulders of the client and its operation is described in further detail in  FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 2  a frontal view of the preferred embodiment of the improved towel  200  is shown. The towel  200  is rectangular in shape. The towel  200  of embodiments of the present invention is generally of the size of the towels that are used in the beauty and hair care industry. A common size is 16×28 sq. inches. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, however, that exact dimensions may vary without changing the overall working function of the towel  200 . 
         [0032]    In one or more embodiments, the stud/male and socket/female components need to be the same distance from the relative edges (e.g. top and sides) of the towel  200  and each other (e.g. vertical spacing between A 1  and A 2  is equal to the vertical spacing between B 1  and B 2 ). This placement creates mirrored symmetry, resulting in a horizontal line across the client&#39;s chest and back. As long as the vertical measurements of A 1  and A 2  match the vertical measurements of B 1  and B 2 , the distance from the top of the towel  200  can be altered (e.g. a straight line from A 1  to B 1  and A 2  to B 2  still needs to exist). When these rules of placement are followed, the ultimate goal of a straight line across the chest and back will be accomplished. 
         [0033]    The placement of the snaps can vary. In one or more embodiments the snaps are placed one (1) inch from the side edge of the towel  200  and a half (½) inch from the top of the towel  200  (or a distance such that when the snaps are secured, the side edges of the towel  200  overlap to an extent to cover the client&#39;s neck and clothing. Further, in embodiments of the invention, the snaps are vertically spaced (i.e., the distance between A 1  and A 2 , and B 1  and B 2 ) in increments of approximately four (4) inches apart. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a complete snap set has four (4) components: one (1) decorative cap, one (1) post, one (1) stud (also called male), and one (1) socket (also called female). A decorative cap is adhered to the socket/female. The stud/male is adhered to the post. The socket/female and stud/male are what snap into each other, while the cap and post are what holds the socket and stud in the fabric. 
         [0035]    In additional embodiments of the invention, the towel is now reversible because the snap components are joined in an unconventional way. Referring to  FIG. 8 , an additional decorative cap  802  is added to replace the post. More specifically, by replacing the post with a decorative cap  802 , the towel  200  is now reversible. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 9A-9F  illustrate a reversible towel in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.  FIGS. 9A and 9F  illustrate a towel where the snap components (male and female) are joined together with either side of the towel facing outwards. As illustrated, only the decorative snap caps are visible. 
         [0037]      FIG. 9B  illustrates one edge of the towel  200  with two studs/males or two sockets/females while  FIG. 9C  illustrates the other edge of the towel  200  (of  FIG. 9B ) with two decorative caps (i.e., that secures the female post to the towel  200 ).  FIGS. 9D and 9E  illustrate the reverse side of the towel  200  (of  FIG. 9C ) with alternate pairing (e.g., two studs/males or two socket/females on one edge and two decorative caps on the other edge [e.g., instead of posts to secure the male studs to the towel  200 ). The importance of the snap component placement is illustrated in  FIGS. 9B and 9D . With one side of the towel opened and either side facing outwards, the male and female components connect to each other. On the reverse of the male/female components are the decorative snap caps. This unconventional snap system pairing allows the towel to be draped around the client&#39;s shoulders with either side of the towel facing outwards and having a decorative appeal. 
         [0038]    In additional embodiments, there may be more than two (2) snaps on each side of the towel  200 . For example, a towel  200  may have a series of snaps that are spaced (in equal or unequal increments) that extend the entire or a portion of the width of the towel  200  (e.g., one-third of the width, one-half of the width, two-thirds of the width, three-fourths of the width, etc.). 
         [0039]    The towel  200  is manufactured from any suitable material. For example, the towel  200  can be manufactured from cotton. Cotton is a common and accepted material for towels  200  that are used in the beauty and hair care industries. Other fabrics include natural materials such as wool or hemp and synthetics such as polyester or rayon. The towel  200  is manufactured to have a sheet like or web construction. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the towel  200  with respect to a client  302  to whom the towel  200  will be secured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  illustrates a towel  200  that is secured around the neck and shoulders of the client  302  by combining A 1  to B 2  and B 1  to A 2  via male and female components. This provides coverage and protection for the client&#39;s  302  clothing and skin. When placed over the neck and shoulders, the towel  200  is not only secured into place, it also creates a triangular shape (see  FIG. 5-502 ) around the neck and shoulders with a straight line (see  FIG. 5-504 ) in the front and back on the body (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Thus, improving the appearance of the towel  200 . In this regard, a straight line  504  is formed along the connected edges of the towel  200  in the front of the body (see  FIG. 4 ) and potentially multiple straight lines  504  along the back of the body (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0042]    Referring next to  FIG. 6  the towel  200  is adjustable to fit clients  302  of all sizes when connecting A 1  to B 1 . This creates a larger opening while still securing the towel  200  to the client&#39;s  302  neck and shoulders (and still maintaining a straight line along the edges of the towel  200 ). This additional connection makes the towel  200  versatile for all clients  302 . 
         [0043]    Referring again to  FIG. 5 , embodiments of the invention are shown in use from a back view. The towel  200  has been secured using either of the two snap options (see  FIGS. 4 and 6 ) creating a straight line along the back. With the towel  200  being secured to the client  302  with snaps and not a clip, it creates a tight enough barrier to continuously protect the client  302  from water and chemicals seeping down the neck (back or front). 
       Logical Flow 
       [0044]      FIG. 10  illustrates the logical flow for using a rectangular towel (e.g., made from cotton or synthetic fiber) to cover a neck portion and a shoulder portion of a client in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. 
         [0045]    At step  1002 , the first and second corners of the rectangular towel are held such that a middle of the towel is oriented vertically behind the client (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0046]    At step  1004 , the corners are wrapped around the neck portion to create a triangular shape  502  around the shoulder portion of the client. An approximately 45-degree angle is created at each shoulder with an equal amount of the towel draping over the edge of each shoulder (see  FIG. 5 ). The remaining angle created is 90-degrees which allows the towel to bunch around the back of the neck (see  FIG. 5 ). This bunching happens because the original shape of the towel is rectangular. This added bunching creates a barrier for the client. 
         [0047]    At step  806 , the corners of the towel are coupled, using a closure means (e.g., snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc.), to hold the towel securely in place. Once coupled, the towel forms a straight line  504  across the chest and back of the client (e.g., as illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 ). 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0048]    This concludes the description of various preferred embodiments of the invention. The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.