US20210007559A1

US20210007559A1 - Multipurpose wearable hair care towel and methods for wearing and using the same

Info

Publication number: US20210007559A1
Application number: US16/919,554
Authority: US
Inventors: Tiffany DiVirgilio; Cassandra Holloway
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-07-09
Filing date: 2020-07-02
Publication date: 2021-01-14

Abstract

Disclosed is a wearable towel configured for assisting with the styling of one's hair and methods of wearing and using the towel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/872,034, entitled “Multipurpose Wearable Hair Care Towel,” filed on Jul. 9, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The disclosed concept relates generally to towels used for hair care. More particularly, the disclosed concept relates to a wearable towel particularly suitable for curly hair and methods for wearing and using the same.

2. Description of Related Art

In caring for hair that is curly, wavy, coiled or kinky (hereinafter, “curly”), the hair must be styled when it is wet and in its natural curly state, to achieve optimal results. Styling includes, for example, raking products such as gels, conditioners and creams through one's wet hair. Gathering sections of one's curly hair at the ends and squeezing with the towel in the palm of one's hand towards the scalp, while the hair is wet, is known as “scrunching.” Scrunching removes water from the hair while encouraging, rather than disturbing, the curl. In contrast to persons with curly hair, individuals with straight hair are able to simply rub a towel around because they do not have a curl pattern to disturb. Typically, a person with curly hair who comes out of the shower or after a wash at the salon would style her hair with products and have her hair scrunched with a rectangular towel. While styling and scrunching, water and products will tend to drip and potentially soak and damage the person's neck, shoulders, back and chest, unless there is some sort of covering atop those areas. Such covering may typically include, for example, one or more towels lying over the top of the person's torso, or alternatively a single rectangular towel clipped together (e.g., using a hair clip) at two ends.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a person wearing a conventional rectangular towel. The towel in FIG. 1 is loose and the towel in FIG. 2 is clipped together at two ends. The towel of FIG. 2 is clipped with a separate fastener (e.g., hair clip) just below the neck to retain the towel about the neck of the wearer. Such a configuration is bulky, awkward and does not provide ideal coverage of the upper torso, especially over one's back. A hair clip used in this fashion can be clunky, get in the way of styling and cause the towel to bunch up around the neck. Often, the clip will come off, inadvertently causing the towel to fall. Moreover, due to the size and shape of standard towels, one would need to use a separate towel or remove the towel from around one's neck in order to scrunch one's hair, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the case of using more than one towel, the experience could be awkward and burdensome. Where only a single towel is used to scrunch with no covering on a person's torso, the person can be potentially soaked by her hair in the process.
There thus is a strong need for a towel that addresses one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks of conventional towels and methods typically used when styling curly hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one optional embodiment, a wearable towel is provided. The wearable towel is configured for assisting with the styling of one's hair. The towel includes a piece of fabric having a generally circular or oval perimeter when the piece of fabric lays flat. The piece of fabric has a first end at one point on the perimeter and a second end at another point on the perimeter, opposite the first end. The first end includes a slit running from the perimeter towards the second end, the slit leading to and opening into a neckband that is optionally round. The neckband is positioned generally in a central portion of the towel, the neckband being configured to seat around one's neck. The slit defines a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and second edge being configured to adjoin and/or overlap and fasten to one another. The first edge has at least one integral or permanently affixed first fastener component. The second edge has at least one integral or permanently affixed second fastener component. The first fastener component is configured to removably retain the second fastener component in a fastening relationship so as to form a fastener assembly.
Optionally, in any embodiment, the piece of fabric is made from a microfiber material. The inventors have found a microfiber material to be best for curly hair when drying, as the typical cotton/terrycloth towel is abrasive due to the raised fibers which causes fizziness, disruption of the curl spiral, and breakage/damage to the hair. Microfiber is a smooth and gentle material, yet powerful, removing excess wetness without drying out hair, damaging hair or otherwise ruining the look or styling process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in conjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a front view of a person wearing a conventional prior art rectangular towel, loosely seated around her neck and shoulders.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a front view of the person wearing the prior art towel of FIG. 1, wherein portions of the towel are clipped together about the front part of the person's neck.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the person utilizing the prior art towel of FIG. 1 to scrunch her hair.

FIG. 4 is another illustration of the person utilizing the prior art towel of FIG. 1 to scrunch her hair.

FIG. 5 is a photograph of a portion of the abrasive looped raised cotton material of a conventional prior art towel.

FIG. 6 is a photograph of a smooth microfiber material that may optionally be used for a multi-purpose wearable hair care towel according to an aspect of the disclosed concept.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a multi-purpose wearable hair care towel according to an optional aspect of the disclosed concept, in a flat and fully laid out position.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the towel of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a person wearing the towel of FIG. 7 about her neck and shoulders, the towel being fastened along two adjoining edges in the front of the person so as to secure the towel onto the person's upper torso and cover a substantial portion of the person's torso.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of a portion of the illustration of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is a back view of the person wearing the towel as described with respect to FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the person wearing the towel as described with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the person wearing the towel of FIGS. 7-10 as a head wrap, e.g., as a turban.

FIG. 12 is a back view of the person wearing the towel as described with respect to FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a photograph of the person wearing the towel as described with respect to FIGS. 8-10 and simultaneously using it to scrunch her hair.

FIG. 14 is another photograph, like FIG. 13, of the person wearing the towel as described with respect to FIGS. 8-10 and simultaneously using it to scrunch her hair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed concept will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth here. Rather, these embodiments are examples of the invention, which has the full scope indicated by the language of the claims. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Unless indicated otherwise, the features characterizing the embodiments and aspects described in the following may be combined with each other, and the resulting combinations are also embodiments of the present invention.
Referring now in detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts, there is shown in FIG. 5 a portion of an abrasive looped raised cotton material of a prior art towel. Such a towel may be made from terry cloth. While in the broadest sense, a towel according to the disclosed concept is not limited to any preferred material and may even, in come embodiments, be made from terry cloth, it is preferred that a towel according to the disclosed concept be made from a very smooth fabric material. One particularly preferred material for a towel according to the disclosed concept is a microfiber material, such as that shown in FIG. 6. Microfiber materials tend to comprise synthetic fibers that are finer than one denier or decitex per thread, each fiber having a diameter of 10 μm or less. Microfiber may be made from a polymer, e.g., polyester, polyamide, polypropylene or a mixture of two or more of the foregoing. Microfiber material is particularly desirable for persons with curly hair because the material is smooth and gentle, yet strong and effective. Microfiber material is capable of removing excess wetness without overly drying or damaging the hair or otherwise ruining the curly look during the styling process.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 7A, there is shown a wearable towel 10 configured for assisting with the styling of one's hair. The towel includes a piece of fabric 12 having a generally circular or oval perimeter 14 when the piece of fabric 12 lays flat. In a preferred embodiment, the piece of fabric 12 comprises microfiber, as set forth above. The towel 10 has a first end 16 at one point on the perimeter 14 and a second end 18 at another point on the perimeter, opposite the first end 16.
The first end 16 includes a slit 20 extending from the perimeter 14 and running in a direction towards the second end 18. The slit 20 leads to and opens into a neckband 22 positioned generally in a central portion 24 of the towel 10. The term “central portion” 24 is used herein to indicate a position generally inward of the perimeter 14, which can include the geometric center of the piece of fabric 12, but is not necessarily limited thereto. Optionally, the neckband 22 is positioned within the central portion 24, at a location closer to the first end 16 of the towel 10 than the second end 18. The neckband 22 is optionally round and is preferably configured to fit snugly and comfortably around a person's neck when the towel 10 is worn.
The slit 20 defines a first edge 26 and an opposing second edge 28. As shown, the first edge 26 and second edge 28 are substantially linear in configuration and parallel to one another when separated, but other configurations are also contemplated. The first edge 26 and second edge 28 are configured to adjoin and/or slightly overlap with each other. The first edge 26 and second edges 28 are also configured to fasten, one to the other. The first edge 26 comprises at least one integral or permanently affixed first fastener component 30. The second edge 28 comprises at least one integral or permanently affixed second fastener component 32. The first fastener component 30 is configured to removably retain the second fastener component 32 in a fastening relationship so as to form a fastener assembly 34 or closure. In other words, the fastener assembly 34 is formed when respective fastener components 30,32 are connected to each other. Optionally, one or more such fastener assemblies 34 are provided. Formation of a respective fastener assembly 34 effectively connects the first edge 26 and second edge 28, making the towel 10 a wearable article. The fastener assembly 34 is configured to help retain the towel 10 when worn on a person, while being relatively simple for the wearer or a stylist to manually unfasten and remove.
The fastener assemblies 34 are visible in FIGS. 8 and 8A, wherein a person is wearing the towel 10 about her neck and shoulders. The towel 10 is fastened along its adjoining first edge 26 and second edge 28 on the front of the person, so as to secure the towel onto the person's upper torso and cover a substantial portion of the person's torso. The fastener assemblies 34 shown are snap buttons. However, alternative fastener assemblies or closures may be used, including, but not limited to: button and button hole; hook and loop (e.g., Velcro style fastener); hook and eye; zipper; buckle; and magnets.
As shown, when the first edge 26 is connected to the second edge 28, the towel 10 becomes a wearable article that comfortably seats around the person's neck and shoulders, covering the person's upper torso. FIGS. 9 and 10 show back and side views, respectively, of the person wearing the towel 10 on her upper torso. As shown, much of her body beneath her hair is covered to prevent her from getting wet when her hair is wet (e.g., from washing) and ready to be scrunched. The towel 10 is comfortable to wear and allows the wearer to apply hair care products (e.g., oil treatment, conditioner or protein treatment) and/or makeup while preventing her body from becoming wet from dripping water or tainted by hair care products coming out of her hair.
FIGS. 11 and 12 show the versatility of the towel 10, as it is used here as a head wrap, e.g., a turban. Such a configuration allows for excessive moisture to be absorbed efficiently prior to scrunching. This configuration also keeps the persons hair out of her eyes while drying. Optionally, the towel 10 includes a head wrap fastener assembly 36 (e.g., comprising snap buttons or any of the other exemplary fastener components disclosed herein) at the second end 18. The head wrap fastener assembly 36 is configured to create a fastening relationship with corresponding fastener components to facilitate securing the towel 10 when worn as a head wrap. After wearing the towel as a head wrap, e.g., to dry wet hair, a person may optionally wear it as shown in FIGS. 8-10.
FIGS. 13 and 14 show the person simultaneously wearing the towel 10 as described with respect to FIGS. 8-10 and scrunching her hair. The towel 10 is advantageously sized, shaped and configured to permit its wearer to protect her torso from water emanating from her hair while also using the same towel for scrunching. As such, this towel 10 is particularly advantageous for a person with curly hair. The circular or oval shape of the towel 10 provides an ideal fit for comfort, ease of use and motion. This shape rounds over the shoulders without extra fabric folding as a rectangular towel would do (compare FIG. 8 of the disclosed concept to FIG. 2 of the prior art).
Optionally, the towel 10 is usable in a professional setting (e.g., salon) or may be used by a person who styles her or his own hair at home.
Optionally, a method for wearing the towel 10, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 8-10, is provided. The method includes draping the towel 10 over one's upper torso such that the neck band 22 wraps around the neck of the person and the slit 20 is approximately centered vertically down the person's chest. As such, the first end 16 of the towel 10 is positioned on the front of the person and the second end 18 is positioned on the back of the person. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 10, the towel 10, when draped over the person, includes a longer section positioned on the persons back and a shorter section positioned on the person's front. Next, a first fastener component 30 is removably retained to a corresponding second fastener component 32 to form a fastener assembly 34. Optionally, more than one fastener assembly 34 is formed (e.g., two or more snap closures or hook and loop closures may be used). This fastens the first edge 26 with the adjoining second edge 28 along the front of the person so as to secure the towel 10 onto the person's upper torso and cover a substantial portion of the person's torso, including the chest, shoulders and a substantial portion of the person's back, optionally the person's entire back. The towel 10 should be generally spread out on the wearer to provide the aforementioned coverage. Optionally, the method further comprises scrunching one's hair with the towel while simultaneously wearing the towel 10.
Optionally, in any embodiment, the piece of fabric 12 is a single layer of water permeable material. In other words, the towel 10 does not include a water impermeable layer, such as a plastic or rubber layer configured to be impervious to water or hydrophobic. Further, the towel 10 may comprise an outer side (facing outward when worn as shown in FIGS. 8-10) and an inner side (facing inward when worn as shown in FIGS. 8-10), wherein both the outer side and inner side are configured to dry hair. Optionally, in such an embodiment, both the outer side and inner side comprise a microfiber material, both of which are configured to absorb water and thus dry hair.
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A wearable towel configured for assisting with the styling of one's hair, the wearable towel comprising:

a. a piece of fabric having a circular or oval perimeter when the piece of fabric lays flat, the piece of fabric having a first end at one point on the perimeter and a second end at another point on the perimeter, opposite the first end;

b. the first end comprising a slit running from the perimeter towards the second end, the slit leading to and opening into a neckband, the neckband positioned generally in a central portion of the wearable towel, the neckband being configured to seat around one's neck;

c. the slit defining a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and second edge being configured to adjoin or overlap and fasten to one another, the first edge comprising at least one integral or permanently affixed first fastener component, the second edge comprising at least one integral or permanently affixed second fastener component, wherein the first fastener component is configured to removably retain the second fastener component in a fastening relationship so as to form a fastener assembly.

2. The wearable towel of claim 1, wherein the piece of fabric is made from a microfiber material.

3. The wearable towel of claim 2, wherein the microfiber material comprises synthetic fibers that are finer than one denier or decitex per thread, each fiber having a diameter of 10 μm or less.

4. The wearable towel of claim 2, wherein the microfiber is made from at least one member selected from the group consisting of: polyester, polyamide and polypropylene.

5. The wearable towel of claim 1, wherein the fastener assembly is a member selected from the group consisting of:

a. snap button;

b. button and button hole;

c. hook and loop;

d. hook and eye;

e. zipper;

f. buckle; and

g. magnet.

6. The wearable towel of claim 1, wherein the piece of fabric is a single layer of water permeable material.

7. The wearable towel of claim 1, wherein the wearable towel does not include a water impermeable layer.

8. The wearable towel of claim 1 comprising an outer side and an inner side, wherein both the outer side and inner side are water absorbent.

9. The wearable towel of claim 8, wherein both the outer side and inner side comprise a microfiber material.

10. The wearable towel of claim 1, wherein the neckband is positioned at a location closer to the first end of the wearable towel than the second end.

11. A wearable towel configured for assisting with the styling of one's hair, the wearable towel consisting essentially of:

a. a single piece of fabric having a circular or oval perimeter when the piece of fabric lays flat, the piece of fabric having a first end at one point on the perimeter and a second end at another point on the perimeter, opposite the first end, the single piece of fabric made from a microfiber material having an outer side and an inner side, wherein both the outer side and the inner side are water absorbent;

b. the first end comprising a slit running from the perimeter towards the second end, the slit leading to and opening into a neckband, the neckband positioned generally in a central portion of the wearable towel at a location closer to the first end of the wearable towel than the second end, the neckband being configured to seat around one's neck;

12. A wearable towel configured for assisting with the styling of one's hair, the wearable towel comprising:

a. a piece of fabric having a circular or oval perimeter when the piece of fabric lays flat, the piece of fabric having a first end at one point on the perimeter and a second end at another point on the perimeter, opposite the first end, the single piece of fabric made from a microfiber material having an outer side and an inner side, wherein both the outer side and the inner side are water absorbent;

c. the slit defining a first edge and a second edge, the first edge and second edge being configured to adjoin or overlap and fasten to one another, the first edge comprising at least one integral or permanently affixed first fastener component, the second edge comprising at least one integral or permanently affixed second fastener component, wherein the first fastener component is configured to removably retain the second fastener component in a fastening relationship so as to form a fastener assembly;

wherein the wearable towel does not include a water impermeable layer.

13. A method of for wearing the wearable towel of claim 11, the method comprising:

a. draping the wearable towel over a person's upper torso such that the neck band wraps around the person's neck and the slit is approximately centered down the person's chest; and

b. removably retaining the at least one first fastener component to the corresponding at least one second fastener component to form the fastener assembly, thus securing the first edge to the second edge about a front of the person's torso and securing the wearable towel onto the person's upper torso to cover the person's chest, shoulders and a substantial portion or entirety of the person's back.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of scrunching the person's hair using the wearable towel while the person wears the wearable towel.

15. A method of for wearing the wearable towel of claim 12, the method comprising:

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of scrunching the person's hair using the wearable towel while the person wears the wearable towel.