US20010037518A1

US20010037518A1 - Facesaver--garment, hair, and makeup protector

Info

Publication number: US20010037518A1
Application number: US09/837,401
Authority: US
Inventors: Joyce Whitfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-20
Filing date: 2001-04-18
Publication date: 2001-11-08
Also published as: WO2001080683A3; WO2001080683A2

Abstract

A protective apparel to be worn when changing clothes comprising an air permeable stretch material (14) with an elasticized, expandable edging (10). The apparel is preferably manufactured by knitting, weaving or spinning, as with hosiery for example, and can be adapted to the needs of the user. The apparel can be worn covering the face, the top of the head, head and race, or head, face and neck. It can be manufactured with existing technology inexpensively to be disposable or be manufactured more durably for use many times.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to makeup, hair and garment protection while dressing and undressing.

BACKGROUND

2. Description of Prior Art

Clothiers and consumers experience loss, damage and inconvenience due to garments being soiled while dressing and undressing. Although protective devices have been patented, it is rare that department or clothing store dressing rooms come equipped with them. It is rare even to find these devices for sale to consumers.

Garment protectors: U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,560 to Garcia, U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,100 to Greer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,316 to Morandini, U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,887 to Kozawa and U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,853 to Walton are described as hoods. U.S. Pat. No. 4,665,567 to Dilger is described as a mask.

The aforementioned inventions cover the head entirely and in some cases, the neck and shoulders, also (Walton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,853). So that with these inventions, an effort to cover the face, necessarily involves the hair as well. Most protectors employ closures such as Velcro, tape, zipper or tie. These closures require additional steps, thus more time spent putting on and taking off garments.

In addition, the cited protectors are loose fitting or loosely woven making it more likely that buttons, hooks or zippers on garments could be caught on the protector during a change, futher inconveniencing the user. Also, if the customer is in a dressing room trying several garments, she would likely want to view herself without encumberances. The protector would then have to be taken off and put on again between each change of clothing. Lastly, the design of most protectors appears to require specialized manufacturing and appears to not be cost effective for clothiers to provide to customers.

SUMMARY

The garment hair and makeup protector presented here minimizes loss and damage to clothing, is easy to manufacture and use, is cost effective, and easily adapts to the needs of the user.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

(a) to provide a protection against soiling clothing with makeup, hair oils or hair coloring during changes;

(b) to provide a protector which would hold hair in place and prevent entanglement;

(c) to provide a protector which uses present manufacturing technology;

(d) to design a protector without complicating closures such as zippers or ties;

(e) to provide a versatile protector that can be worn either covering the face, top of head, top of head and face, or face, head and neck;

(f) to provide a protector that can be put on or taken off with ease;

(g) to provide a protector whose construction minimizes the likelihood of being caught on buttons, hooks, zippers, sequins, and so forth during a change;

(h) to provide a protector that is inexpensive to produce, even disposable, if need be;

(i) to provide a protector which is easy to carry, dispense or otherwise have available at any time;

(j) to provide a protector which could be easily embellished—with logos, colors, facial features, initials—or otherwise personalized as a novelty;

(k) to provide a protector which could be easily washed, dried and stored.

DRAWING FIGURES

The four figures in the drawings demonstrate ways in which the protector might be worn. [0022]
FIG. 1A shows a side view of the invention worn as a face protector. [0023]
FIG. 1B shows a front view of the invention worn as a face protector. [0024]
FIG. 2 shows the invention worn to protect the top of the head and the face. [0025]
FIG. 3 shows the invention worn to cover the face, head and neck. [0026]
FIG. 4 shows the invention worn to protect the top of the head,[0027]

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0028] 10 elasticized edging material
[0029] 12 example of eyelash embellishment
[0030] 14 stretch material

DESCRIPTION—FIGS. 1,2,3,4—PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the makeup and garment protector of the present invention is illustrated in the figures presented. The protector is an expanse of [0031] porous stretch material 14 edged with elasticized or rubberized material 10. The finished product would likely be knit, woven or spun and have the stretch and elasticity similar to that found in hosiery. With the proper length, stretch elasticity, one protector could be worn in the four ways shown. In order to adjust the protector to a shorter length, simply roll or fold the elasticized edge up as far as needed onto the stretch material.
The protector shortened could be worn as a face protector (FIGS. 1A and B) or to protect the top of the head (FIG. 4). At this shortened length the protector could also be worn to protect the top of the head and the face (FIG. 2). At full length and stretched, the protector could cover the head, face neck of the wearer (FIG. 3). [0032]

ADDITIONAL EMBODIMENTS

This garment and makeup protector can be manufactured in various colors or be multi-colored, with designs or logos. It can be manufactured expensively or inexpensively using paper, cotton, silk, nylon, rayon—whatever material suits the occasion, the needs or means of the buyers. These protectors could be specialized for bridal shops, cheerleaders, modeling agencies, dress shops, department stores—any place or occasion where a change of clothes is likely. It can also be made with a chin or head strap for additional security. [0033]

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Rather then have a multi-purpose protector, this invention could tbe manufactured in small, medium or large sizes so that the consumer can adapt it for one purpose—small to protect the face alone (FIG. 1) or top of the head (FIG. 4), medium to protect the top of the head and face (FIG. 2), and large for the face, head and neck (FIG. 3). Or, this protector could be manufactured with more porosity and elasticity for a combination of purposes—face mask and top of head (FIGS. 1,4), for instance, or hood and head and face (FIGS. 2,3). [0034]

ADVANTAGES

From the descriptions above, a number of advantages of my makeup and garment protector become evident: [0035]
(a) This protector can prevent or cut losses due to stains from makeup, hair oils, gels and coloring while trying or changing clothing. [0036]
(b) This protector can be used for a variety or purposes, from covering only the face or top of the head to covering the entire head, face and neck. [0037]
(c) This protector can fold flat into a tiny case to be conveniently carried in pocket or purse, [0038]
(d) This protector is easily manufactured with existing technology. [0039]
(e) This protector can hold hair in place and prevent entanglements. [0040]
(f) This protector has no closures such as zippers or ties. [0041]
(g) This protector can be put on and taken off with ease. [0042]
(h) The close fit knit or weave construction of this protector greatly lessens the likelihood of it being caught on zippers, hooks, and other adornments such as sequins. [0043]
(i) This protector can be reproduced inexpensively, even made to be disposable, if need be and dispensed to customers. [0044]
(j) This protector can be personalized with colors, embroidery, and such to the desire of the consumer. [0045]
(k) This protector can be laundered and stored easily. [0046]
(l) The user can breathe through this fabric and, depending on need, can see through it, with or without eyeholes. [0047]

OPERATION

The wearer of this protector decides before a change of clothing which area is of concern and needs to be covered—the face only, the top of the head only, top of head and face or face, head and neck. [0048]
If only the face needs to be covered (FIGS. 1A, 1B) the protector is taken in hand by the elasticized edging [0049] 10 with the opening facing the wearer. The top edge of the elastic is pulled across the top center of the head, down each side and released beneath the chin. The garment then, whether dressing or undressing, is taken over the head with reasonable care.
If only the top of the head is to be covered (FIG. 4), the protector is taken in hand with the opening facing the user. The [0050] top edging 10 is pulled across the center of the back of the head, passed along the sides to the forehead, and released.
If the top of the head and face are to be covered (FIG. 2), the protector is taken in hand with the opening facing the user. The [0051] top edging 10 is pulled across the center of the back of the head, down along the sides of the head to beneath the chin.
If the head, face and neck are to be covered (FIG. 3), the protector is taken in hand. The edging [0052] 10 is pulled over the top of the head down to beneath the chin and base of the neck. Some stretch of the protector may be necessary to accomplish this depending upon the size of the head and amount of hair.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

This FaceSaver invention is an inexpensive way to protect clothing from soiling during changes whether from makeup, hair oils, gels or coloring. Clothiers suffer losses from soiled goods which have to be cleaned, discounted or discarded. Consumers suffer embarrassment and inconvenience from soiled garments. Since this protector can be made from a variety of materials, it can be manufactured inexpensively for one-time use or more durably for use many times. [0053]
If made inexpensively, clothing stores could dispense one to each customer taking garments to the dressing room. More durable versions could be carried very conveniently in its own pouch in a pocket or purse for changes away from home. In addition, this protector has other advantages in that [0054]
it is made of stretch material over which garments move with ease; [0055]
one protect can be worn in a variety of ways depending upon the needs of the consumer; [0056]
it is made without complicating closures such as zippers and ties; [0057]
the fit and construction reduce likelihood of the protector being caught on zippers, hooks, buttons, sequins, and so forth during a change; [0058]
it can be manufactured easily with existing technology; [0059]
it is easily laundered and stored; [0060]
it can be taken off and put on again with ease between changes; [0061]
it can be easily made in colors or embellished with logos, initials, facial features or other personalizations. [0062]
it can easily be provided with eyeholes if desired [0063]

Claims

1. A protective apparel to be worn when changing clothes comprising:

(a) an air permeable stretch material of predetermined size and shape

(b) an elasticized, expandable edging for said air permeable stretch material

(c) the apparel preferably manufactured in one piece substantially by knit, weave, spinning as with hosiery, for example

(d) whereby the apparel is adaptable to be worn either 1) covering the face like a mask, 2) covering the top of the head like a skullcap, 3) covering head and face as a hood, 4) covering head, face and neck.

2. The apparel of

claim 1

wherein stretch material is partially elasticized

3. The apparel of

claim 1

wherein said edging is partially elasticized

4. The apparel of

claim 1

wherein manufacture is of parts assembled with seams

5. The apparel of

claim 1

wherein manufacture is of parts assembled with closures

6. The apparel of

claim 1

whereby manufacture is in sizes for single purpose, dual purpose or multi-purpose use

7. The apparel of

claim 1

whereby manufacture provides breathing holes, eyeholes, other personalizations, embellishments.