WO2009023254A1

WO2009023254A1 - Child hair protection system

Info

Publication number: WO2009023254A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/009744
Authority: WO
Inventors: Suzanne G. Yellowtail
Original assignee: Yellowtail Suzanne G
Priority date: 2007-08-15
Filing date: 2008-08-15
Publication date: 2009-02-19
Also published as: CA2692418A1; US20090044312A1

Abstract

A child hair protective system including a covering including a front portion; a rear portion coupled to the front portion; a side portion extending from at least one of the front portion and the rear portion; a cavity defined within the covering; and a strap portion extending from each side portion.

Description

CHILD HAIR PROTECTION SYSTEM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 60/955,994, filed August 15, 2007 and entitled CHILD HAIR PROTECTION SYSTEM, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to head and hair coverings and more specifically, to a child hair protection system for covering a child's hair during generally messy activities such as self-feeding and play-time.

[0003] During activities, such as self-feeding and play-time, a small child generally uses their hands and fingers to engage in such activities. In one known example, a small child uses their hand and fingers when they are feeding themselves food. In another known example, a child uses their hands and fingers to paint and color during play-time. As a result, the child's hands and fingers accumulate substances, such as food, paint and/or other substances thereon. In the event the child touches their head and hair, the substance is transferred from the child's hands to the child's hair. Generally, this requires the parent or guardian to clean the child's hair. Such a process lengthens the amount of time required for feeding or playing. As a result, the time and energy required to feed the child or allow the child to engage in playful activities is increased, which decreases the amount of time available to the parent or guardian for other activities.

SUMMARY

[0004] In one exemplary embodiment, a child hair protective system is provided. The system may include a covering including a front portion; a rear portion coupled to the front portion; a side portion extending from at least one of the front portion and the rear portion; a cavity defined within the covering; and a strap portion extending from each side portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments. The following detailed description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in which:

[0006] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a child hair protective system;

[0007] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a covering that may be used with the system shown in Figure 1 ;

[0008] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the covering that may be used with the system shown in Figure 1 ; and

[0009] Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the system shown in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and related figures directed to specific embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope 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.

[0011] As used herein, the word "exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance or illustration." The embodiments described herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Moreover, the terms "embodiments of the invention", "embodiments" or "invention" do not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. [0012] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a child hair protective system 10. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a covering 12. Figure 3 is a cross- sectional view of an alternate embodiment of covering 12. Figure 4 is a front perspective view of system 10. In the exemplary embodiment, system 10 includes covering 12, which may include a front portion 14, a rear portion 16, an upper portion 18, a first side portion 20 and a second side portion 22. In one embodiment, front, rear, upper and side portions 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 may be integrally formed to define covering 12. In another embodiment, front, rear, upper and side portions 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 may be individually formed and coupled to one another to form covering 12. In the exemplary embodiment, a first strap portion 24 and a second strap portion 26 may extend from first and second side portions 20 and 22, respectively. In one embodiment, first and second strap portions 24 and 26 may be elongated and may extend away from first and second side portions 20 and 22, respectively. As a result, first and second strap portions 24 and 26 may extend such that they are positioned under a child's chin, as described in more detail below.

[0013] In the exemplary embodiment, a fastener 28 may be coupled to each end of first and second strap portions 24 and 26 to facilitate coupling first and second strap portions 24 and 26 together. In one embodiment, fastener 28 may include, but not limited to, a snap-type fastener, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in Figure 3, a fastener 42 may include a hook and loop attachment. Alternatively, covering 12 may include fasteners such as, but not limited to, tie straps, burtons and/or any other type of coupling device that enables covering 12 to function as described herein.

[0014] In the exemplary embodiment, a cavity 30 may be defined within covering 12. Moreover, cavity 30 facilitates receiving a child's head therein, as described in more detail below. Covering 12 may also include a first opening 32 defined by front portion 14, first and second side portions 20 and 22 and first and second strap portions 24 and 26. Covering 12 may also include a second opening 34 defined by rear portion 16 and first and second strap portions 24 and 26. An outer edge material 36 may be coupled to covering 12 and may surround first and second openings 32 and 34. In one embodiment, outer edge material 36 may include, but not limited to, a resilient material and may extend along an edge of covering 12 and more specifically, the outer edge of first and second openings 32 and 34. In another embodiment, outer edge material may be made of stretchable material.

[0015] In the exemplary embodiment, covering 12 may also include an inner material 38 and an outer coating 40. In the one embodiment, inner material 38 may include, but not limited to, a comfortable and soft material that is oriented within covering 12, and more specifically within cavity 30, to facilitate surrounding a child's head, as described in more detail below. In another embodiment, inner material 38 may include, but not limited to, cotton, terry cotton, polyester, polyester knit, nylon and/or other soft fabrics. In yet another embodiment, inner material 38 may be made from a washable material.

[0016] Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, outer coating 40 may be made of a waterproof material such as, but not limited to, urethane and/or a laminate coating that enables outer coating 40 to be wiped clean after use and resistant to liquid. Moreover, in one embodiment, outer coating 40 may be made of a material that is substantially similar to the material of outer material of baby bibs. In the exemplary embodiment, outer coating 40 may cover an outer surface (not shown) of inner material 38 to facilitate preventing food and other substances from coupling to inner material 38, and more specifically, a child's head and/or hair.

[0017] In the exemplary embodiment, covering 12 may be made of material that may be, but not limited to, breathable, waterproof, and/or stretchable. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, covering 12 may be resilient to tearing and/or deformations, such as but not limited to stretching. In another embodiment, covering 12 may be disposable.

[0018] In the exemplary embodiment, inner material 38 may be integrally formed with outer coating 40. As a result, inner material 38 and outer coating 40 may include, but not limited to, cotton, terry cotton, polyester, polyester knit, nylon and/or other soft fabrics. As such, inner material 38 and outer coating 40 may include a single material that includes a waterproof barrier coupled to the outer surface of inner material 38. In another embodiment, inner material 38 and outer coating 40 may include various other types of materials, such as, but not limited to, GORE-TEX®, vinyl, laminate material and/or other various types of durable water-repellent material. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, laminate material may include, but not limited to, polyester urethane laminate material, urethane laminate material, and/or any other type of laminate material that enables system 10 to function as described herein.

[0019] During operation, covering 12 may be coupled to a child's head to facilitate covering the child's hair prior to the child engaging in messy activities, such as, but not limited to, meal -time and play-time. Specifically, covering 12 is oriented on the child's head such that inner material 38 is in contact with the child's hair and/or head. Upper portion 18 facilitates covering a top part of the child's head and rear portion 16 facilitates covering a back portion of the child's head. Moreover, front portion 14 facilitates covering the child's forehead and first and second side portions 20 and 22 facilitate covering the child's ears and sides of face. First and second strap portions 24 and 26 may extend substantially parallel to the child's jaw such that first and second strap portions 24 and 26 are coupled together under the child's chin using fastener 28. As a result, the child's face may extend through first opening 32 and the child's neck may extend through second opening 34.

[0020] Covering 12 facilitates preventing food and other substances from coupling to a child's hair and/or sides of face. In the event the child has food and/or other substances on their hands and touches their head, the food and/or other substances will couple to outer coating 40 of covering 12. Moreover, covering 12 facilitates preventing any liquid from contacting the child's hair.

[0021] Once the child is finished eating and/or playing, covering 12 may be removed from the child's head. Specifically, fasteners 28 may be uncoupled to facilitate uncoupling first and second strap portions 24 and 26. Then covering 12 may be removed from the child's head. In one embodiment, covering 12 may be wiped clean such that covering 12 is ready for another use. In another embodiment, covering 12 may be washed in a washing machine such that covering 12 is ready for another use. In yet another embodiment, covering 12 may be disposable.

[0022] The foregoing description and accompanying figures illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

[0023] Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A child hair protective system comprising:

a covering comprising:

a front portion;

a rear portion coupled to said front portion;

a side portion extending from at least one of said front portion and said rear portion;

a cavity defined within said covering; and

a strap portion extending from each side portion.

2. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising an outer coating comprising at least one of urethane material, GORE-TEX, vinyl, laminate material, polyester urethane laminate material and urethane laminate material.

3. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising an outer coating and an inner material, said outer coating is integrally formed with said inner material.

4. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising an inner material comprising at least one of cotton, terry cotton, polyester, polyester knit and nylon.

5. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising a first opening defined by said front portion and said side portions.

6. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 5 further comprising an outer edge material coupled to said covering such that said outer edge material extends along an edge that defines said first opening.

7. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising a second opening defined by said rear portion and said strap portions.

8. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 7 further comprising an outer edge material coupled to said covering such that said outer edge material extends along an edge that defines said second opening.

9. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising a fastener coupled to an end of each strap portion.

10. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 9, wherein said fastener further comprises hook and loop attachments coupled to said strap portions.

11. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 9, wherein said fastener further comprises a snap fastener coupled to said strap portions.

12. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 9, wherein said fastener further comprises a plurality of tie straps coupled to said strap portions.

13. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 9, wherein said fastener further comprises a button and hole fastener coupled to said strap portions.

14. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said covering is disposable.

15. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said covering is washable.

16. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said covering is breathable.

17. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1, wherein said covering is waterproof.

18. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising an outer edge material that is stretchable.

19. A child hair protection system in accordance with Claim 1 further comprising an outer edge material that is resilient.