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Dripless hair bibRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Head CoveringsDripless hair bib description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070271678, Dripless hair bib. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to hair bibs used by beauticians in the treatment of an individual customer. In particular, it relates to a specialized hair bib with a semi-rigid front panel and fluid guide that prevents liquids from dripping onto the face or the front of the customer's clothes by directing liquids toward the back of the hair bib. In addition, it includes a partial elastic band which works in combination with adjustable end tabs to control the tension applied to the wearer's head and the manner in which the semi-rigid front panel is shaped to form a channel. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Hair bibs have been used extensively in beauty parlors for a number of years. Typically, they are secured to the customer's head just below the hairline and provide a waterproof barrier to protect the back of the customer's clothing from water and hair treatment fluids. Unfortunately, they are typically very flexible. The flexibility of existing hair bibs does not pose a problem for the extended length rear portion of the bib that protects the user's back. However, the front portion of the hair bib does pose a problem for the customer. In particular, due to the flexible nature of the bibs, the short front strap that secures the bib tends to drape downward toward the user's face. As a result, fluids can drip from the user's hair downward on both the face of the user as well as the front of the user's clothing. It would be desirable to have a hair bib that protects not only the rear of the user's clothing, but also the user's face and the front side of the user's clothing. [0003] Hair bibs also are difficult to secure to a user's head such that they do not leak, but also are comfortable to wear. Often, they either leak, or when they do not leak, they are uncomfortable because they are too tight. This is caused in part by the use of a single elastic band that entirely circles the wearer's head. In order to ensure that the bib does not leak, elastic band is often sized such that it is too snug. In turn, this leads to discomfort for the wearer. It would be desirable to have a hair bib which does not leak, but could also be comfortably worn. [0004] While the prior art has produced a variety of hair bibs, it has failed to produce an adjustable hair bib that can be adjusted to secure to a wearer such that there are no leaks, but also to adjust the pressure on the wearer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention provides a hair bib with a partial elastic band that works in conjunction adjustable end tabs. The partial elastic band provides pressure around a substantial portion of the wearer's head to prevent leaks, while he and hands are used to adjust pressure applied by the elastic band and to adjustably shape the front panel. In addition, a semi-rigid deformable front panel is used that holds its shape during use. The front flap may be bent to form a channel to guide water away from the face of the user toward the rear flap of the bib. Optional hook and loop strips allow the front panel to be split for easy attachment and detachment from a user. Alternate embodiments provide reinforcing struts to hold the shape of the front panel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art hair bib. [0007] FIG. 2 is a front view of a prior art hair bib. [0008] FIG. 3 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the hair bib which uses a semi-rigid front panel. [0009] FIG. 4 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the hair bib which uses a semi-rigid front panel. This view also illustrates an optional split front panel. [0010] FIG. 5 is a side cutaway view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the hair bib which uses hook and loop material to secure adjacent segments of the front panel together. [0011] FIG. 6 is a side cutaway view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the hair bib which uses a rigid support bracket to retain the shape of the front panel. [0012] FIG. 7A is a top plan view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention which uses a partial elastic band to relieve pressure on the wearer's forehead. This view is shown in the open configuration. [0013] FIG. 7B is a top plan view of an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention which uses a partial elastic band to relieve pressure on the wearer's forehead. This view is shown in the closed configuration. [0014] FIG. 8 illustrates the alternative preferred embodiment of FIGS. 7A-B, with the hair bib secured to the wearer's forehead. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0015] Prior to a detailed discussion of the figures, a general overview of the system will be presented. The invention provides a hair bib which has a front panel formed in the shape of a channel. The channel diverts water and hair treatment liquids away from the face of the used and toward the rear flap of the hair bib. [0016] A preferred embodiment uses a front panel that is fabricated from semi-rigid deformable material. When secured to a user's head, the front panel is deformed to create the channel. [0017] Another alternative embodiment uses a front panel that is split to allow easy attachment to a user's head. The front panel segments are secured together via any convenient method, such as hook and loop material. [0018] Yet another embodiment uses rigid braces to form the channel in the front panel. [0019] Having discussed the features and advantages of the invention in general, we turn now to a more detailed discussion of the figures. Continue reading about Dripless hair bib... Full patent description for Dripless hair bib Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Dripless hair bib patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Dripless hair bib or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Touch sensitization glove Next Patent Application: Headgear article incorporating a bottle opener Industry Class: Apparel ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Dripless hair bib patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.5904 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , 174 |
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