Cap With Ventilation Channels

Abstract

A cap with ventilating holes is provided by the invention. More particularly, the cap is formed with a main body having a curved band shape, which includes a moisture absorbing surface on an inner surface and a Velcro layer or clips on an outer surface of the main body in addition to vertical ventilating holes formed vertically through the main body and horizontal ventilating holes formed horizontally between the vertical ventilating holes and the inner surface of the main body, which facilitates the airflows between inside and outside of the cap.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims foreign priority under Paris Convention and 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0030410, filed Apr. 1, 2008 with the Korean Intellectual Property Office.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a cap. More particularly, this invention relates to a cap with vertical ventilation channel holes facilitating airflows between the inside and outside of the cap along directions of up and down and into the cap.

[0003] Hats or caps are used for blocking sunlight or keeping warmth inside. Especially when one puts on the hat or cap, airflows between inside and outside gets very important and affects selection of a cap on the market. A plurality of methods to provide such a good airflow through the hat had been proposed. A prior art provides a number of ventilating holes on the hat or cap itself for airflow between inside and outside of the hat. However, the airflows do not usually improve because the hat becomes too close to a head. Further, such structure tends to foil outlook of the hat.

[0004] To solve such problems, recently an art providing a spatial structure enabling airflow has been suggested. Accordingly, a need for a ventilator for hat has been present for a long time. This invention is directed to solve these problems and satisfy the long-felt need. In a registered Korean utility patent 20-0342123 by the applicant, for example, to provide airflow, a supporting rim for airflows was formed by attaching top and bottom plates around a corrugated board with a fabric protecting surface contacting forehead inside the hat and a Velcro for attaching/detaching the supporting rim to/from the inner rim of the hat.

[0005] The above prior art by the applicant of the invention enabled the airflow between the inside and outside of the hat through the ventilating holes provided vertically on the corrugated board, cooling the inside of the hat. However, the prior art by the applicant had provided airflow vertically only, which limits the ventilation.

[0006] Also, since the supporting rim was not provided as a single product but an assembly having complicated structure such as the top and bottom plates attached around the corrugated board, the productivity was seriously deteriorated. In addition, there was a problem that the top and bottom plates and the corrugated board were easily detached from each other due to moisture such as sweat while putting on.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention contrives to solve the disadvantages of the prior art by the applicant. An objective of the invention is to provide a cap facilitating a natural airflow throughout the cap.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a cap with ventilating holes or channels which facilitates airflows between the inside and outside of the cap and accommodates its curvature to different sizes of caps.

[0009] Still another object of the invention is to provide ventilating portions in a monolith body, which is adapted to be attached at a portion of inner rim of a crown portion and enhances the manufacturability, reliability, and airflow efficiency.

[0010] Still another object of the invention is to provide a cap, which is easily cleaned and maintained for sanitary usage thanks to the fact that the ventilating portion can be attached to or detached from the cap conveniently.

[0011] An aspect of the invention provides a cap comprising a crown portion having an inner rim, a main body, a plurality of vertical ventilating holes, and a plurality of horizontal ventilating holes.

[0012] The main body disposed at a portion of inner rim of the crown portion, the main body has generally a curved band shape, comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side portions. The plurality of vertical ventilating holes are provided between the top and bottom edges of the main body, and the plurality of vertical ventilating holes are separated by a plurality of vertical dividers.

[0013] The plurality of horizontal ventilating holes are provided between the plurality of vertical ventilating holes and the inner surface of the main body, and the plurality of horizontal ventilating holes are separated by a plurality of horizontal dividers.

[0014] The ventilating portion including the main body, the plurality of vertical ventilating holes, and the plurality of horizontal ventilating holes is formed in a monolith body.

[0015] The cap or the ventilating portion may further comprise a moisture absorbing surface provided on at least part of the inner surface of the main body, and a Velcro layer provided on the outer surface of the main body, and the Velcro layer is adapted to attach the main body to an inner rim of the crown portion.

[0016] The cap may further comprise a plurality of clips provided at the top edge of the main body over the outer surface of the main body, each of which is adapted to fasten to and release a part of an inner rim of the crown portion.

[0017] At least one of the plurality of vertical ventilating holes may have an oblong shape of cross-section, length of which being longer than about two times of one of the other vertical ventilating holes. The top edge of the main body may be narrower than the bottom edge of the main body such that the outer and inner surfaces of the main body are tapered between the top and bottom edges.

[0018] The plurality of horizontal dividers may be disposed behind the plurality of vertical dividers viewing from the outer surface of the main body. The inner surface may comprise a peripheral portion surrounding the plurality of horizontal ventilating holes, and the plurality of horizontal dividers may be extended from the peripheral portion.

[0019] The main body may be configured to cover a part of the inner rim of the crown portion. The main body may be configured to cover full circumference of the inner rim of the crown portion, and the two side portions may be connected with each other to form a ring.

[0020] The main body may be configured to bend accordingly to curvature of the inner rim of the crown portion. The plurality of vertical ventilating holes may comprise a vertical ventilating hole with an oblong shape of cross-section, which is configured to facilitate bending of the main body.

[0021] The advantages of the present invention are: the cap facilitates the airflows between the inside and outside of the hat; and the ventilating portion is formed in one monolith body such that installing and cleaning are convenient.

[0022] Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view showing a ventilating portion according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the ventilating portion of FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a ventilating portion according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of two ventilating portions installed on a cap according to another embodiment of the invention; and

[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a ventilating portion having a ring shape installed on a cap according to still another embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a ventilating portion with clips according still another embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a ventilating portion with clips according still another embodiments of the invention; and

[0031] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a ventilating portion having an oblong central vertical ventilating hole for hat according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0032] FIGS. 1-3 and 6-8 show a ventilating portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 show ventilating portions installed on a cap 2.

[0033] An aspect of the invention provides a ventilating portion, which is formed as a monolith body by molding. Such monolithic structure can maximize the productivity, reliability, and airflow efficiency of the ventilating portion, and makes it possible to install, uninstall, and cleanse for maintaining and reusing of the ventilating portion.

[0034] Another aspect of the invention provides a ventilating portion comprising a crown portion, a main body 10, a plurality of vertical ventilating holes 12, and a plurality of horizontal ventilating holes 13. The main body 10 has generally a curved band shape, comprising an outer surface 112, an inner surface 114, a top edge 116, a bottom edge 118, and two side portions 120.

[0035] The plurality of vertical ventilating holes 12 are provided between the top and bottom edges 112, 114 of the main body 10, and the plurality of vertical ventilating holes 12 are separated by a plurality of vertical dividers 122. The crisscrossed structure of the vertical and horizontal ventilating holes 12, 13 provide complex and thorough airflows between the inside and outside of the cap 2.

[0036] The plurality of horizontal ventilating holes 13 are provided between the plurality of vertical ventilating holes 12 and the inner surface 114 of the main body 10, and the plurality of horizontal ventilating holes 13 are separated by a plurality of horizontal dividers 132.

[0037] For the better performance, the ventilating portion may be formed in a monolith body. The ventilating portion may further comprise a moisture absorbing surface 20 provided on at least part of the inner surface 114 of the main body 10, and a Velcro layer 25 provided on the outer surface 112 of the main body 10, and the Velcro layer 25 is adapted to attach the ventilating portion for cap 2 to an inner rim of the cap 2. In certain embodiments of the invention, the Velcro layer 25 may be substituted by a fabric having similar property.

[0038] The ventilating portion may further comprise a plurality of clips 30 provided at the top edge 116 of the main body 10 over the outer surface 112 of the main body 10, each of which is adapted to fasten to and release a part of an inner rim of the cap 2.

[0039] At least one 12' of the plurality of vertical ventilating holes 12 may have an oblong shape of cross-section, length of which being longer than about two times of one of the other vertical ventilating holes 12.

[0040] The top edge 116 of the main body 10 may be narrower than the bottom edge 118 of the main body 10 such that the outer and inner surfaces 12, 114 of the main body 10 are tapered between the top and bottom edges 116, 118.

[0041] The plurality of horizontal dividers 132 may be disposed behind the plurality of vertical dividers 122 viewing from the outer surface 112 of the main body 10.

[0042] The inner surface 114 may comprise a peripheral portion 115 surrounding the plurality of horizontal ventilating holes 13, and the plurality of horizontal dividers 132 may be extended from the peripheral portion 115 as shown in FIG. 2.

[0043] The ventilating portion may be configured to cover a part of the inner rim of the cap 2 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The ventilator may be configured to cover full circumference of the inner rim of the cap 2, and the two side portions 120 may be connected with each other to form a ring as shown in FIG. 5.

[0044] The main body 10 may be configured to bend accordingly to curvature of the inner rim of the cap 2. Thus, the ventilating portion can be fitted into the inner rim of a cap 2 of a different size. The plurality of vertical ventilating holes 12 may comprise a vertical ventilating hole 12' with an oblong shape of cross-section, which is configured to facilitate bending of the main body 10 as shown in FIG. 8.

[0045] The cap 2 may have one or more ventilating holes 5 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The ventilator is configured to locate between the cap 2 and a user's head providing airflows between the inside and outside of the cap.

[0046] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to different embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations in form, details, compositions and operation may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A cap, comprising: a crown portion having an inner rim; a main body disposed at a portion of inner rim of the crown portion, the main body having a curved band shape, the main body comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side portions; a plurality of vertical ventilating holes provided between the top and bottom edges of the main body, wherein the plurality of vertical ventilating holes are separated by a plurality of vertical dividers; and a plurality of horizontal ventilating holes provided between the plurality of vertical ventilating holes and the inner surface of the main body, wherein the plurality of horizontal ventilating holes are separated by a plurality of horizontal dividers, wherein the main body, the plurality of vertical ventilating holes, and the plurality of horizontal ventilating holes are formed in a monolith body.

2. The cap of claim 1, further comprising: a moisture absorbing surface provided on at least part of the inner surface of the main body; and a Velcro layer provided on the outer surface of the main body, wherein the Velcro layer is adapted to attach the main body to the inner rim of the crown portion.

3. The cap of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of clips provided at the top edge of the main body over the outer surface of the main body, each of which is adapted to fasten to and release a part of the inner rim of the crown portion.

4. The cap of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of vertical ventilating holes has an oblong shape of cross-section, length of which being longer than about two times of one of the other vertical ventilating holes.

5. The cap of claim 1, wherein the top edge of the main body is narrower than the bottom edge of the main body such that the outer and inner surfaces of the main body are tapered between the top and bottom edges.

6. The cap of claim 1, wherein the plurality of horizontal dividers are disposed behind the plurality of vertical dividers viewing from the outer surface of the main body.

7. The cap of claim 6, wherein the inner surface comprises a peripheral portion surrounding the plurality of horizontal ventilating holes, and wherein the plurality of horizontal dividers are extended from the peripheral portion.

8. The cap of claim 1, wherein the main body is configured to cover a part of the inner rim of the crown portion.

9. The cap of claim 1, wherein the main body is configured to cover full circumference of the inner rim of the crown portion, and wherein the two side portions are connected with each other to form a ring.

10. The cap of claim 1, wherein the main body is configured to bend accordingly to curvature of the inner rim of the crown portion.

11. The cap of claim 10, wherein the plurality of vertical ventilating holes comprises a vertical ventilating hole with an oblong shape of cross-section, which is configured to facilitate bending of the main body.