U.S. patent application number 12/651669 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-19 for headband.
Invention is credited to PAMELA ANNE AUGUST.
Application Number | 20100206323 12/651669 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42558825 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100206323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AUGUST; PAMELA ANNE |
August 19, 2010 |
HEADBAND
Abstract
The present invention provides a headband that is constructed of
a combination of elements. The headband is constructed in layers
where by a top layer can be of any material including decorative
materials or wicking materials. The bottom layer of comprises a
material which functions to cling to the hair of the wearer by
friction created at the interface of the material and the hair and
of the user. Situated between the top and bottom layer is at least
one facing layer providing absorption and/or starchiness or reduced
pliability of the band.
Inventors: |
AUGUST; PAMELA ANNE;
(Kensington, MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Saul Ewing LLP (Baltimore);Attn: Patent Docket Clerk
Penn National Insurance Plaza, 2 North Second Street, 7th Floor
Harrisburg
PA
17101
US
|
Family ID: |
42558825 |
Appl. No.: |
12/651669 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61207735 |
Feb 17, 2009 |
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61240678 |
Sep 9, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/273 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 20/00 20130101;
A45D 8/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/273 |
International
Class: |
A45D 8/00 20060101
A45D008/00 |
Claims
1. A headband comprising: an elongated band which comprises a first
layer of material; at least one middle layer of support material; a
third layer of aristate material; and a closure for securing the
band about the head of a user of the headband, wherein the headband
clings to the head of the user by friction between the third layer
and the hair of the user.
2. The headband of claim 1, wherein the first layer of material is
an aristate material.
3. The headband of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a closure
selected from the groups consisting of a hook and loop material,
snap, tie and button.
4. The headband of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a hook
and loop material.
5. The headband of claim 1, wherein the length of the band is from
about 15 inches to about 26 inches in length.
6. The headband of claim 5, wherein the length of the band is from
about 15 inches to about 20 inches in length.
7. The headband of claim 5, wherein the length of the band is from
about 20 inches to about 26 inches in length.
8. The headband of claim 1, wherein the band can be about 7/8
inches to about 1 inch in width.
9. The headband of claim 1, comprising distal ends of the headband
band are about 7/8 inches in width to about 1 inch in width.
10. The headband of claim 9, wherein the distal ends of the
invention can be from about 2 1/2 to about 3 1/2 inches in
length.
11. The headband of claim 1, comprising an overhead section at
least 7/8 inches in width.
12. The headband of claim 1, wherein the headband is secured around
the head of a user.
13. The headband of claim 1, wherein the headband prevents
discomfort in the user.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application seeks priority from provisional
applications 61/207,735 filed on Feb. 17, 2009 and 61/240,698 filed
on Sep. 9, 2009.
FIELD
[0002] The device disclosed herein generally relates to headbands.
In one aspect it more particularly relates to comfortable non-slip
headbands.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Headbands are widely used by children, athletes and others
with long hair, and among various other people, to keep their hair
out of their field of vision. Headbands are conventionally found in
a variety of styles and are popularly used by girls and women.
[0004] Headbands are found made of various materials (i.e. wood,
plastic, metal, cloth, etc.). Some headbands are made from rigid
materials and are oblong in shape with an opening at the bottom end
to slide over the head of the wearer and each end fits behind the
wearer's ear to secure in place by pressure behind the ear.
However, these styles can often cause the wearer discomfort as
pressure is felt from the point of contact behind the ears.
Typically, adjustable headbands which are purported as comfortable
and can be worn during strenuous activity may comprise rubber band
or elastic material which can shred and break. Often,
elastic-containing headbands can be uncomfortably tight to securely
stay on the head.
[0005] Often, styles include a wraparound style headband which
comprises at least a portion of a circular piece of elasticized
material, which is secured in place by pressure from the elastic
band as the elastic constricts around the head and hair of the
wearer.
[0006] There is a continuing unmet need for headbands comprising
comfortable fabric which remain comfortable during prolonged wear
and remain secure, as well as comfortable, during vigorous
activity.
SUMMARY
[0007] Provided herein is a headband that is constructed of a
combination of elements. The headband is constructed in layers
whereby a top layer can be of any material including decorative
materials or wicking materials. The bottom layer of the headband
comprises a material which functions to cling to the hair of the
wearer by friction created at the interface of the material and the
hair of the user. The bottom layer of the headband may also
comprise a wicking material which clings to the hair of the wearer
by way of friction. Situated between the top and bottom layer is at
least one supporting layer providing starchiness or reduced
pliability of the band and may also provide for absorption.
[0008] Having briefly described the invention, it will be
understood that it is an object of the present invention to provide
a lightweight thin headband which clings to the user's head and
does not slide off with strenuous activity or extended use. It is
another object of the invention to provide a lightweight flexible
headband with a relatively high moisture absorption capacity in
addition to the ability to cling to the user's head during
strenuous activity. It is still a further object of the invention
to provide a headband which is secured using a Velcro closure at
the base of the head of the user.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the front and back of the
headband.
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates each layer of the headband.
[0011] Having described generally the present invention and its
objectives, the full scope of the present invention will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art upon a review of the
following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention which is made in conjunction with the attached drawings.
In the following description of the preferred embodiment of the
invention, like numerals refer to like elements of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Provided herein is a headband made of soft, pliable
materials that is resilient to damage and wear and is adjustable to
fit almost any head. The headband of the present invention is
pain-free, non-slip and machine washable. The headband is
constructed in layers whereby a top, or first layer in reversible
embodiments of the material, layer can be of any material including
decorative materials or wicking materials or aristate materials of
the invention. The bottom layer of comprises an aristate material,
which is any soft, finely bristled material having a velvet like
texture, which functions to cling to the hair of the wearer by
friction created at the interface of the material and the hair and
of the user. The bottom layer, or third layer, of the headband
material may also comprise a wicking material which clings to the
hair of the wearer by way of friction. Situated between the top and
bottom layer is at least one supporting layer providing starchiness
or reduced pliability of the band and may also provide for
absorption.
[0013] A headband comprising: an elongated band which comprises a
first layer of material (101); at least one middle layer of support
material (201); a third layer of soft aristate fabric, i.e. having
a velvet-like or soft, finely bristled texture, material, (104);
and a closure for securing the band around the head of a user of
the headband, wherein the headband clings to the head of the user
by friction between the third layer and the hair of the user. In an
embodiment of the invention, the first layer of material (101) is
an aristate material for use of the product in a reversible manner.
The closure (103) comprises a hook and loop fastening material such
as Velcro.RTM., which may include as appropriate any fastening
means that is known in the art including, but not limited to,
snaps, buttons, and other fasteners. One side of the faster is the
hooked side (103) of a Velcro.RTM. fabric and the other side is the
loop side (105) of a Velcro.RTM. fabric.
[0014] The material of the top layer (101) may comprise any
material selected for practical, e.g. absorptive, or decorative,
e.g. color or design purposes. Important to the invention is the
material of the bottom layer, or any layer in contact with the
head. The material of the bottom layer (104) comprises material
which has a aristate texture where the soft and fine bristles of
the material interact with the hairs on the head of the wearer to
cling or stick to the head of the wearer. Such aristate materials
include but are not limited to any material with fine bristles or
hairs including but not limited to velour, velvet, textured
polyester, soft hook side of Velcro.RTM. and any other materials
having a finely bristled texture, as are known in the art.
Consequently, excessive or strenuous activity will not cause the
headband to slip off.
[0015] It is yet another embodiment of the invention, that the
bottom layer (104) of the headband can interact with even very fine
hairs on the head of the wearer, such that it can be worn by
individuals with little or no hair, e.g. infants, for decorative
purposes.
[0016] It is an embodiment of the invention where the length of the
band is between about 15 inches to about 26 inches in length.
Further, in some embodiments for applications, the headband can be
used on dolls or infants, where the length of the band is about 15
inches to about 20 inches in length. In yet another embodiment, the
length of the band is about 20 inches to about 26 inches in length.
In preferred embodiments the length of the band is about 22 to
about 23 inches; about 23 to about 24.5 inches and about 24.5 to
about 27 inches in length.
[0017] It is an embodiment where the headband can be about 7/8
inches to about 1 inch in width from end to end. It is an
embodiment of the invention where each of the distal ends of the
headband can be about 7/8 inches in width to about 1 inch in width.
The distal ends of the invention can be from about 2 1/2 to about 3
1/2 inches in length.
[0018] At the distal ends, provided is a closure means. The closure
means may include snaps, clips, hook and loop, Velcro.RTM.,
closures. In a preferred embodiment, the closure means is a strip
of Velcro.RTM. at each of the distal ends of the headband of about
5/8 in to about 7/8 in width and about 2 1/2 inches to about 3 1/2
inches in length.
[0019] In another embodiment, the overhead section (106), between
the distal ends (107) of the invention, can be of any width as
desired, but is at least 7/8 inches in width. The overhead section
can comprise a top layer and bottom layer of any material,
including but not limited to elasticized materials, to provide
stretchable sizing, and, in some instances, may not comprise a
velvet-like bottom layer. The headband may also be completely
circular, such that the ends of the band are joined by elasticized
material as a closure.
[0020] In another embodiment, the layers of material of the
headband are attached by an attaching means, including fusing the
layer elements by using heat, gluing the fabrics, stitching the
layers, or a combination thereof. The edges of the headband can
also be seared with heat to prevent fraying. Optionally, a thicker
piece of interfacing can be used, depending on the flexibility or
thickness of the first or top layer of fabric.
[0021] In yet another embodiment, the headband can be worn by a
user by flipping the head upside-down, removing the hair off the
neck so that it hangs freely. Then with the bottom layer facing the
user it is attached using the Velcro.RTM. closure toward the back
of the head at the base of the neck. Alternatively, the device can
be used with the user's hair in a ponytail with the bottom layer of
the headband facing the head and attached with the closure toward
the back of the head at the base of the neck.
[0022] The aforesaid devices may have ornamental accessories which
slide through either end of the open headband or attach one or more
grommets on the device to which accessories or decorative elements
can be attached. The decorative elements can pin on or buckle to
the headband. Moreover, a reversible embodiment of the headband the
accessories can attach through Velcro, hook and closure
interactions.
[0023] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will
so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others
can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for
various applications such specific embodiments without departing
from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and
modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the
meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It
is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed
herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.
Therefore, while the embodiments of the invention have been
described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the
art will recognize that the embodiments of the invention can be
practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the
appended claims.
[0024] Each of the applications and patents cited in this text, as
well as each document or reference, patient or non-patient
literature, cited in each of the applications and patents
(including during the prosecution of each issued patent;
"application cited documents"), and each of the PCT and foreign
applications or patents corresponding to and/or claiming priority
from any of these applications and patents, and each of the
documents cited or referenced in each of the application cited
documents, are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety. More generally, documents or references are cited
in this text, either in a Reference List before the claims; or in
the text itself; and, each of these documents or references
("herein-cited references"), as well as each document or reference
cited in each of the herein-cited references (including any
manufacturer's specifications, instructions, etc.), is hereby
expressly incorporated herein by reference.
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