CA3134663A1 - Reusable and adjustable heat-insulating bonnet and a cape combination for use in hair treatment - Google Patents

Abstract

A reusable and adjustable heat-insulating bonnet and a cape combination for use in hair treatment comprising: the bonnet having a heat reflecting inner layer and an outer layer made of a durable and flexible plastic material; a collar protector extending integrally from the lower part of the bonnet;
the bonnet having a set of receptacles for receiving press studs located at the top of the cape so that the bonnet and the cape can be releasably attached together; the cape having sleeves located at the front so as to free up arm movement.

Description

Reusable and adjustable heat-insulating bonnet and a cape combination for use in hair treatment BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention 100011 The present invention relates generally to body covering garments but more particularly to a reusable and adjustable heat-insulating bonnet and a cape combination for use in hair treatment particularly for hair salons.

2. Description of Related Art 100021 In hair salons, a bonnet is fitted over the hair portion of the head of the client so as to trap body heat and thus accelerate the dying and bleaching and other hair treatment processes.
Another piece of plastic is also used to cover the clothes around the collar of the client.
100031 The main drawback in using a disposable bonnet is of course an environmental concern as several bonnets can be thrown out on a daily basis. The type of plastic currently in use by hair salons is not the kind of plastic that is easily recyclable.
100041 In art not directly related to hair salons or hair dressing in , there are US Patents 0946770 and 1056391 that describe a bonnet or beanie which has a small neck cape which is retained by press studs.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18 100051 US patent 822,986, 981,738 describes a head bonnet which is connected to a bonnet-like piece of clothing which covers the anterior and posterior portions of the body. Front openings give free passage to the arms.
100061 US patents 1,232,567, 1,652,145, 2,156,251, 4,468,815 and 4,864,662, as well as German patents DE710,269 and French FR792,832 describe a hat or a head bonnet which is adjustable in dimensions. Buttons or a cord ensure an increase in the diameter of the hat.
100071 US patents 1,485,392, 4,980,928 and 20060248623 describe a head hat or a bonnet which is connected to a piece of clothing for the body in particular by means of buttons or hook and loop fasteners.
100081 US patents 2,804,695, 2,919,494, 3,714,670, 5,249,308 and 20080196144, as well as international patent W02017031085 describe a head bonnet which in particular comprises various layers and / or a peripheral compression elastic.
100091 US patent 2,851,690 describes a protective garment for the body which can in particular receive a cape. The two are notably connected by means of press studs.
100101 US patents 3,868,728, 4,171,542, 4,408,357, 4,535,481 and 4,622,699, as well as European patent EP1224876 describe a garment for the body which has in particular sleeves which may be earlier, depending on its installation.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

-3-100111 US patent 7,661,149 describes a protective cape that covers the entire body.
100121 US patent 8,225,422 describes a piece of clothing which can in particular receive a cape.
The two are notably linked by press studs.
100131 Chinese patent CN202697771 describes a body garment which has in particular front openings to allow the hands to pass.
100141 Although the art of bonnets and capes appears to be a very crowded art, there is no prior art directly related to the field of hairdressing such as performed in hair salons, although the current situation, besides the use of disposable equipment, has the problems of:
100151 a) not offering many size adjustable options;
100161 b) not being fully configured to trap heat around the head area so as to increase treatment efficiency;
100171 c) providing ergonomic features for the intended user (client);
100181 d) providing ease of use and installation for the hairdresser.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

- 4 -BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
100191 The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
100201 In view of the unresolved problems by the prior art, is a main object of the present disclosure to provide for a reusable and adjustable, heat insulating bonnet.
100211 Although the prior art has had capability and motivation, amply sufficient to presumably give incentive to the development of a cape and bonnet to solve the current situation in hair salons, the fact remains that the problem awaited the creativity and inventive discovery of the present inventor. In spite of ample motivation and capability shown by the many illustrations herein, the prior art did not suggest this invention.
100221 In order to do so, there is provided a bonnet having a heat reflecting inner layer and an outer layer. The bonnet is pleated at the back as well as having a drawstring so that it is size adjustable so as to match the client's head size. This is particularly important since some treatments require the use of aluminum foil sheets, which makes the head bigger. A collar protector extends integrally from the lower part of the bonnet. The bonnet has a set of receptacles for receiving press studs located at the top of the cape.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

-5-100231 Even in hindsight consideration of the present invention to determine its inventive and novel nature, it is not only conceded but emphasized that the prior art had many details usable in this invention, but only if the prior art had had the guidance of the present invention, details of both capability and motivation.
100241 Applicant, being a hairdresser, had the idea for an adjustable, washable and reusable thermal bonnet, which is in line with today's tendencies towards more eco-responsible products.
100251 The adjustable function of the head bonnet, or beanie is very important. As of now, in hair salons, disposable plastic bonnets are not large enough to fully cover the head of the client --who is the intended user -- having foil wicks wrapped around their hair. The back of the bonnet has a plurality of pleats so as to adjust its size in order to completely cover the client's head. By making the bonnet adjustable, the problem is solved. Moreover, the bonnet is accompanied by a cape with sleeves in the front, and not the sides, as often seen in some disposable raincoats.
Having the sleeves in the front provides more freedom for the client who is generally seated in a chair with armrests. With the sleeves at the front, it makes it easier to free the arms and hands for holding a magazine, a tablet or a phone. While waiting for the treatment to be completed. The cape with sleeves is of course optimized in size for covering all of an intended user's clothing.
100261 The sleeves, cape and bonnet are made from a soft, stain resistant vinyl. The interior of the bonnet is made of a thermal blackout fabric to reflect the heat back towards the head of the intended user. A drawstring at the front of the bonnet ensures that it can be adjustably closed Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

- 6 -around the face in order to retain the maximum heath on the hair. Aside for making hair wicks, the bonnet and cape can also be used for other hair treatments such as moisturizing, repair, keratin, etc...
100271 In a preferred embodiment, a collar protector extends integrally from the lower part of the bonnet; the bonnet has a set of receptacles for receiving press studs located at the top of the cape so that the bonnet and the cape can be releasably attached together.
100281 In a preferred embodiment, a hook and loop strap tightens the back portion of the bonnet where the pleats are located; press studs allow the rear collar of the cape to be attached to the bonnet.
100291 In yet another preferred embodiment, the bonnet has the exterior layer made out of polyester and the interior layer is made out of polyurethane.
100301 The bonnet and cape combination has a method for installing the reusable and adjustable heat insulating bonnet and a cape consisting in the steps of:
100311 a) placing the cape on the intended user while seated;
100321 b) the intended user putting her arms into the sleeves;
100331 c) the bonnet is placed on the head of the intended user by adjusting the pleats as required;
100341 d) the bonnet is attached to the cape by pressing the press studs;
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

-7-100351 e) the drawstrings are tightened to fit around a face portion of the intended user; and 100361 f) the pleats are secured by way of the hook and loop.
100371 The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent and important features of the present disclosure so that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated.
Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
100381 Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
100391 FIG. 1 is a front view, looking at the interior of the bonnet, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

-8-100401 FIG. 2A Rear view of the bonnet, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
100411 FIG. 2B Close up of the press stubs, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
100421 FIG. 3A Front view of the bonnet tightened, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
100431 FIG. 3B Close up view of the drawstrings, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
100441 FIG. 4A Rear view of the bonnet tightened, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
100451 FIG. 4B Close up view of the press studs, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
100461 FIG. 5 Front view of the cape showing the sleeves, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

- 9 -DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
100471 The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide a ratchet socket organizer.
100481 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 to mean "at least one". The term "plurality," as used herein, is defined as two or more. 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, not necessarily mechanically, and not permanent. 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. As used herein, the terms "about", "generally", 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 near the stated amount by about 0%, 5%, or Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

- 10 -10%, including increments therein. In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.
100491 Referring now to any of the accompanying FIGS. 1-4, there is provided a reusable and adjustable heat insulating bonnet (10). The bonnet (10) is further comprised of a heat reflecting inner layer (16) and an outer layer (18) made of a durable yet flexible plastic material.
100501 A collar protector (12) extends integrally from the lower part of the bonnet (10). The bonnet (10) has a set of receptacles (20) for receiving press studs (22) located at the top of the cape (12) so that the bonnet (10) and the cape (12) can be releasably attached together.
100511 The bonnet (10) has a plurality of pleats (24) at its rear portion to make it adjustable to match the intended user's head size. The use of a plurality of pleats (24), not found in any related prior art, instead of a single pleat, or fold, allows for the bonnet (10) to maintain a size that is compatible with the intended user's head volume while avoiding unnecessary "bagginess" or tail flap if using a single fold. Drawstrings (26) adjust the tightness of the bonnet (10) around the intended user's face while a hook and loop strap (28) tightens the back portion of the bonnet (10) where the pleats (24) are located. Press studs allow the rear collar of the cape to be attached to the bonnet.
100521 The bonnet (10) is made out of two layers. The exterior is polyester and the interior is polyurethane.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

-11-100531 The cape (12) with its sleeves (14) is optimized in size for covering all of an intended user's clothing, and the sleeves are located at the front so as to make it easier to free the arms and hands for holding a magazine, a tablet or a phone. This feature is not found in the prior art, including current disposable capes found in hair salons, even though it can easily be made in a disposable cape and the motivation is there. It is only through this inventor's ingenuity that this and the pleated bonnet (10) that this is done in this instant invention.
100541 There is a method for installing the bonnet and cape combination on an intended user which consists in the steps of:
100551 a) placing the cape (12) on the intended user while seated;
100561 b) the intended user puts her arms into the sleeves (14);
100571 c) the bonnet (10) is placed on the head of the intended user by adjusting the pleats (24) as required;
100581 d) the bonnet (10) is attached to the cape (12) by pressing the press studs (22);
100591 e)the drawstrings (20) are tightened to fit around a face portion of the intended user; and 100601 f) the pleats (24) are secured by way of the hook and loop (28).
100611 Accordingly, the various concepts and components are conceded and emphasized to have been widely known in the prior art as to various installations; nevertheless, the prior art not having had the particular combination of concepts and details as here presented and shown in novel combination different from the prior art and its suggestions, even only a fair amount of Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

- 12 -realistic humility, to avoid consideration of this invention improperly by hindsight, requires the concepts and achievements here to be realistically viewed as a novel combination, inventive in nature. And especially is this a realistic consideration when viewed from the position of a person of ordinary skill in this art at the time of this invention, and without trying to reconstruct this invention from the prior art without use of hindsight toward particulars not suggested by the prior art.
100621 Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, the organizer may be a different shape as long as rotation is enabled between the upper section and base section of the organizer.
100631 It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

- 13 -only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an obj ect.
100641 In addition, reference to "first," "second," "third," and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

Claims (6)

- 14 -What is claimed is:

1. A reusable and adjustable heat-insulating bonnet and a cape combination for use in hair treatment comprising: the bonnet having a heat reflecting inner layer and an outer layer made of a durable and flexible plastic material; a collar protector extending integrally from the lower part of the bonnet; the bonnet having a set of receptacles for receiving press studs located at the top of the cape so that the bonnet and the cape can be releasably attached together;
the cape having sleeves located at the front so as to free up arm movement.

2. The reusable and adjustable heat insulating bonnet and a cape of claim 1 wherein the bonnet having pleats at its rear portion for size adjustability on an intended user's head.

3. The reusable and adjustable heat insulating bonnet and a cape of claim 1 wherein drawstrings adjust the tightness of the bonnet around the intended user's face.

4. The reusable and adjustable heat insulating bonnet and a cape of claim 2 wherein a hook and loop strap tightens the back portion of the bonnet where the pleats are located; press studs allowing the rear collar of the cape to be attached to the bonnet.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18

5.
The reusable and adjustable heat insulating bonnet and a cape of claim 1 wherein the bonnet has the exterior layer made out of polyester and the interior layer made out of polyurethane.

6. A method for installing the reusable and adjustable heat insulating bonnet and a cape of claim 1 consisting in the steps of:
a) placing the cape on the intended user while seated;
b) the intended user putting her arms into the sleeves;
c) the bonnet is placed on the head of the intended user by adjusting the pleats as required;
d) the bonnet is attached to the cape by pressing the press studs;
e) the drawstrings are tightened to fit around a face portion of the intended user; and f) the pleats are secured by way of the hook and loop.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-10-18