WO2018017601A1

WO2018017601A1 - Collar cover

Info

Publication number: WO2018017601A1
Application number: PCT/US2017/042652
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bridget SMITH
Original assignee: Smith Bridget
Priority date: 2016-07-19
Filing date: 2017-07-18
Publication date: 2018-01-25

Abstract

This invention relates to devices that protect the collar of a shirt. Previously, devices that could protect a user's shirt and collar from moisture and staining during cosmetology, barbering, or dental services was elusive. Embodiments of the present invention use a substantially U-shaped collar cover (10) with a first end, a second end, an inner edge, and an outer edge. A first fastener (20a) is attached to the first end of the cover. A second fastener (20b) is attached to the second end of the cover, the first fastener configured to engage with the second fastener to close the U-shape, forming a center orifice configured to accommodate a user's neck. Edge flaps (19) are positioned along the inner edge of the cover. The edge flaps are configured to fold around the collar of the shirt, sandwiching the collar between layers of the cover.

Description

COLLAR COVER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The embodiments herein relate generally to garment protection, and more particularly, to cover for protecting the collar of a shirt during, for example, cosmetology /barbering services or dental procedures.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] During cosmetology and barbering services and dental procedures, chemicals, water, and other materials or liquids can stain or damage a client's clothing, especially his or her shirt collar. Conventionally, towels and vinyl capes are used to protect a client's shirt during cosmetology and barbering services. However, towels become wetted during shampooing and rinsing and transmit the moisture to the clothing. The vinyl capes are not sanitary without a neck strip. Conventional neck strips do not prevent stains and may dissolve or disintegrate when wet.

[0003] Therefore, what is needed is a device that can protect a user's shirt and collar from moisture and staining during services, such as cosmetology, barbering, or dental services.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for protecting a shirt collar. The device may include a substantially U-shaped collar cover with a first end, a second end, an inner edge, and an outer edge; a first fastener attached to the first end of the cover; a second fastener attached to the second end of the cover, the first fastener configured to engage with the second fastener to close the U-shape, forming a center orifice configured to accommodate a user's neck; and edge flaps positioned along the inner edge of the cover. Some embodiments may also include a back flap, wherein the edge flaps and the back flap are configured to fold around the collar of the shirt, sandwiching the collar between layers of the cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0005] The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention is made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein like numerals represent corresponding parts of the figures.

[0006] Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0007] Fig. 2 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in use.

[0008] Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Fig. 4 is a rear elevation view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Fig. 5 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present disclosure, taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 3.

BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications.

[0013] The device of the present disclosure may be used to protect the collar of a user's shirt and may comprise the following elements. This list of possible constituent elements is intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device.

1. Collar Cover

2. Edge Flaps

3. Back Flap

4. Absorbent Layer

5. Moisture Impermeable Layer [0014] The various elements of the device of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only.

[0015] By way of example, and referring to Figs. 1-6, some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for protecting a collar of a shirt 22 from moisture, stains, and the like, the device comprising a substantially U-shaped collar cover 10 with a first end, a second end, an inner edge, and an outer edge; a first fastener attached to the first end of the collar cover 10; a second fastener attached to the second end of the collar cover 10, the first fastener configured to engage with the second fastener to close the U-shape, forming a center orifice configured to accommodate a user's neck; and edge flaps 19 positioned along the inner edge, wherein the edge flaps 19 are configured to fold around the collar, sandwiching the collar between layers of the cover 10. The cover 10 may also comprise a back flap 16 extending from a central portion of the inner edge of the U-shape, wherein the back flap 16 is designed to extend down the back of a user when the collar cover 10 is in use. In some embodiments, the cover 10 may further comprise fold lines 18 positioned along the cover 10 where the edge flaps 19 and back flap 16 are configured to fold.

[0016] As mentioned above, the cover 10 may comprise a layered construction. For example, a top surface of the cover 10 may comprise an absorbent material 12, and the bottom surface of the cover 10 may comprise a liquid impermeable material 14, wherein the top surface may be designed to be positioned away from a user and the bottom surface may be configured to be positioned against a user. The absorbent material 12 may comprise any desired absorbent material and, in some embodiments, comprises a soft cotton material. The liquid impermeable material 14 may comprise any desired material that resists or prevents the passage of liquid there through and, in some embodiments, comprises a plastic material, such as a thermoplastic polymer. In embodiments, the cover 10 may be made of disposable, onetime use materials or of washable materials configured to be washed and reused.

[0017] As described above, each end of the cover 10 comprises a fastener. In some embodiments, the fastener may comprise hook 20a and loop 20b fastener. However, other fasteners, such as adhesive, buttons, snaps, ties, hooks, and the like are envisioned. In embodiments, the fastener may allow the cover 10 to have an adjustable size.

[0018] To use the collar cover 10 of the present disclosure, a user may place the collar cover 10 on a user's shoulders and around his or her neck, with the center portion of the U-shape positioned on the user's back. The open ends of the U-shape may be attached on a user's chest, as shown in Fig. 2. The edge flaps 19 and back flap 16 may be folded around the collar of the shirt 22, such that the shirt 22 is sandwiched within the cover 10, as shown in Fig. 6. To remove the device, the user may simply unfasten the fasteners and remove the cover 10

[0019] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0020] Embodiments of the claimed invention are useful for protecting a shirt collar.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS :

1. A device for protecting a shirt collar, the device comprising:

a substantially U-shaped collar cover with a first end, a second end, an inner edge, and an outer edge;

a first fastener attached to the first end of the cover;

a second fastener attached to the second end of the cover, the first fastener configured to engage with the second fastener to close the U-shape, forming a center orifice configured to accommodate a user's neck; and

edge flaps positioned along the inner edge of the cover,

wherein:

the edge flaps are configured to fold around the collar of the shirt, sandwiching the collar between layers of the cover.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a back flap extending from a central portion of the inner edge of the U-shape, wherein:

the back flap is designed to extend down a user's back when the cover is in use.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising fold lines positioned along the cover where the edge flaps and the back flap are configured to fold.

4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the first fastener is a hook fastener and the second fastener is a loop fastener configured to engage with the hook fastener.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the cover has a layered construction.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the layered construction comprises:

a top surface comprising an absorbent material; and

a bottom surface comprising a liquid impermeable material,

wherein:

the top surface is designed to be positioned away from a user; and the bottom surface is designed to be positioned against the user.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the absorbent material is a cotton material.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the liquid impermeable material is a thermoplastic polymer material.