Method for preserving hairstyle and pillow used therefor

Abstract

The method for preserving hairstyle includes the use of an ear pillow. The ear pillow is placed upon a conventional pillow and one's ear is rested thereupon. By this method, the head is elevated from the surface of the conventional pillow so that neither the ear pillow nor the conventional pillow disturbs one's hairstyle. The ear pillow is a miniature pillow, having a generally round shape. The ear pillow is formed from two equally sized sheets of a flexible material that are attached together along their peripheral edges. A padding layer is disposed between the two sheets. The padding layer is provided in an amount suitable for the desired firmness and elevation of a user's head.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/520,315, filed Nov. 17, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a method for preserving hairstyle while sleeping and a pillow used therefor, and more particularly, to an ear pillow and a method of using the ear pillow for elevating one's head above the surface of a conventional pillow while sleeping.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is quite common for individuals to have their hair professionally styled for social and other functions a day or two prior to the event. However, many find it difficult to preserve their hairstyles overnight. Oftentimes, many individuals resort to sleeping in a seated position so as not to mat or mess their hair upon a pillow. In other instances, a pillow or other object is placed under the nape of the neck, leaving the upper portion of the head unsupported. However, sleeping upright or sleeping with only a support under the neck can be painful and uncomfortable. Other attempts to provide a means for one to sleep comfortably while preserving one's hairstyle have not been successful.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,582, issued Sep. 6, 1994 to A. L. Baylor, discloses a headrest for use when sleeping to protect an individual's hairstyle. The headrest includes a pivoted base from which extends a “comb-like” cradle for engaging the individual's head above the ears and a cushion platform for engaging the head below the ears.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,112, issued Mar. 1, 1983 to V. R. Leonhart, discloses a pillow to protect one's hairdo. The pillow is a generally rectangular structure having a hole in the center. The pillow is made from foam. The hole in the center of the pillow receives an individual's hair, while the cheek rests on the area around the hole.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,602,928, issued Sep. 7, 1971 to F. V. Helzer, discloses an inflatable pillow having a central aperture. The pillow is configured to elevate a user's neck and lower head so that the hair is received in the central aperture and held above a supporting surface.

Other related references include U.S. Pat. No. 3,423,774, issued Jan. 28, 1969 to Foy J. Streetman (pillow cover to protect a coiffure of styled hair); U.S. Pat. No. 3,035,279, issued May 22, 1962 to Z. M. Stead (support for resting one's head without disturbing one's hairdo); U.S. patent Publication No. 2003/0000019, published Jan. 2, 2003 to S. Glaze (hairstyle pillow); U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,669, issued Sep. 12, 1989 to C. L. Jones (pillow and pillowcase); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,530, issued Jul. 19, 1983 to L. Stark (a two-component pivotal pillow structure).

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a method to preserve hairstyles and a pillow used therefore that would solve the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The method for preserving hairstyle of the present invention relates to use of an ear pillow to preserve one's hairstyle while sleeping or resting one's head upon a support. The ear pillow is placed upon a conventional pillow and used as a support for resting one's ear. In this manner, the hair is elevated from the surface of the conventional pillow, and neither the ear pillow nor the conventional pillow disturbs one's hairdo.

The ear pillow is a miniature-sized pillow, having a generally round shape. The ear pillow is made from two equally sized sheets of a flexible material and a padding layer that is disposed between the two sheets. The two sheets are fixedly attached together along their peripheral edges.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a method that may be utilized by an individual to protect the individual's hairstyle while resting or sleeping in a reclined position.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device that may be utilized by an individual to elevate an individual's head above a support surface while resting or sleeping in a reclined position.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device and method which may be utilized by an individual to protect the individual's hairstyle while resting or sleeping in a reclined position without causing pain or discomfort to the individual.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of an ear pillow to preserve hairstyle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an ear pillow to preserve hairstyle according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates to a method for preserving hairstyle and an ear pillow used therefor. The ear pillow is generally designated as 10 in the drawings.

The ear pillow 10 is a miniature pillow, adapted for positioning beneath one's ear during sleep or while resting one's head upon a support, as is shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen, the ear pillow 10 can be positioned upon a conventional pillow C so that one may rest one's ear thereon. By positioning the ear upon the ear pillow 10, one's head is also elevated above the surface of the conventional pillow C and one's hairstyle remains intact. Preferably, one or more side edges of the conventional pillow C may be folded under to further elevate the head, as is shown. Use of the ear pillow 10 in this manner prevents both the ear pillow 10 and the conventional pillow C from interfering with one's hairdo.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the ear pillow 10 is preferably round in shape. It is also preferred that the diameter of the ear pillow 10 be about 16 cm. The ear pillow 10 is made from two equally sized cover sheets 12 of a flexible material and a padding layer 14 that is disposed between the two sheets 12, as is more clearly shown in FIG. 3. The two cover sheets 12 are attached together along their peripheral edges. Preferably, the sheets 12 are sewn together. The cover sheets 12 can be made from cotton, satin, silk, wool, or any other suitable material. While the padding layer 14 can be any suitable material, it is preferably cotton batting. The amount of batting which is inserted in the pillow 10 depends on the firmness and elevation desired by the user.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims

Claims

1. A method for preserving a hairstyle, comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning an ear pillow upon the surface of a conventional pillow; and

(b) resting one's ear on said ear pillow in order to maintain one's hair above the surface of said ear pillow and the conventional pillow while sleeping.

2. An ear pillow to preserve hairstyle, comprising:

first and second cover sheets made of flexible material, each of the cover sheets having a peripheral edge, the cover sheets being fixedly attached to each other along the peripheral edges; and

a padding layer disposed between the first and second cover sheets; wherein-the cover sheets are circular with a diameter of about 16 centimeters.

3. The ear pillow of claim 2, wherein said padding layer is provided in an amount suitable for the desired firmness and elevation of a user's head.

4. A method for preserving a hairstyle, comprising the steps of:

(a) positioning an ear pillow upon the surface of a conventional pillow, said ear pillow having two flexible circular cover sheets fixedly attached to each other along the periphery of each sheet and a padding layer disposed between the sheets provided in an amount suitable for a desired firmness and elevation for a user's head;

(b) resting one's ear upon the ear pillow so that one's hair is above the surface of the ear pillow and the conventional pillow.

5. The method for preserving a hairstyle of claim 4, wherein said cover sheets have a diameter of about 16 centimeters.