PROTECTIVE COVERING FOR BLOCKING ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Abstract

A protective facial cover that protects a person's face from exposure to ultraviolet radiation while other portions of the person's body are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The protective facial cover includes a main section, a peripheral section, a resilient material, and at least one tie. The peripheral section extends substantially around the main section. The resilient material is attached to the peripheral section proximate an edge thereof. The at least one tie extends from at least one of the main section and the peripheral section.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Applic. No. 60/772,385, filed Feb. 10, 2006, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to protective coverings for use in tanning beds and in particular. More particularly, the invention is directed to a protective facial cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tanning using artificial light leads to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. For a variety of reasons, a person may wish some parts of the body to be exposed to a certain amount of UV radiation but to reduce or eliminate UV exposure to other parts.

For example, when tanning using indoor tanning equipment, it may be desirable for certain people to restrict exposure of a person's face to ultraviolet radiation. One such reason would be that the person desires to limit ultraviolet radiation exposure to reduce the potential of developing wrinkles. Another reason would be that the person has applied cosmetics to the face.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a covering for a person's face. The covering has the shape of a bonnet with a generally oval main section. The back of the covering defines an opening with an elastic band around its periphery for securing the covering to the face. A peripheral edging extends outwardly from the elastic band. Two ties extend from the periphery of the opening to allow the covering to be secured around the wearer's head by connecting the ties at the back of the head.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a covering for male genitalia. The covering has the shape of a bag with an opening having a drawstring enclosure and drawstring. An adjustable clasp mechanism is disposed on the drawstring to allow the size of the opening to be adjusted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of protective facial cover according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the protective facial cover.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the protective facial cover.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the protective facial cover over a person's face.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a protective genital cover according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of protective genital cover.

FIG. 7 is a side view of protective genital cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a protective facial cover, as illustrated at 20 in FIGS. 1-4. The protective facial cover 20 is placed over a person's face to protect the person's face from exposure to ultraviolet radiation when other portions of the person's body are exposed to ultraviolet radiation such as when using indoor tanning equipment.

The protective facial cover includes a main section 22 and a peripheral section 24. The main section 22 may be formed with an oval or round shape to generally conform to the shape of a person's face who is wearing the protective facial cover 20.

A peripheral section 24 generally extends around the main section 22 to define a partially enclosed region 25. Forming the protective facial cover 20 with the main section 22 and the peripheral section 24 facilitates not only covering the portions of the person's face where skin is exposed but also facilitates retaining the protective facial cover 20 in a stationary position with respect to the person's face during use.

Proximate an edge of the peripheral section 24 that is opposite the main section, a resilient band 26 is attached to the peripheral section 24. The resilient band 26 further enhances the ability of the protective facial cover 20 to remain in a stationary position with respect to the person's face.

At least one tie 29 extends from at least one of the main section 22 and the peripheral section 24. In one embodiment, there are two ties 29 and the ties 29 are formed with a length that permits the ties 29 to extend around the person's head and then tied together. The at least one tie 29 thereby further enhances the ability to retain the protective facial cover 20 in a stationary position with respect to the person's face.

The protective facial cover 20 is fabricated from a material that blocks a high percentage of ultraviolet radiation from passing therethrough. The material from which the protective facial cover 20 is fabricated may have a sufficiently large pore structure that enables a person to readily breathe while the protective facial cover 20 is over the person's face and thereby covering the person's mouth and nose. With this configuration it is not necessary to have additional apertures in the protective facial cover 20 to permit the person to readily breathe. The protective facial cover 20 may be fabricated from a material that enables the protective facial cover 20 to be washed using a conventional washing machine.

In use, the person stretches the resilient band 26 and then positions the protective facial cover 20 so that the person's face is received in the opening 25. Ties are then extended around the person's head and tied together. When secured around the person's head by ties 29, the main portion 22 covers the person's face, as shown in FIG. 5. The peripheral edging 28 extends outwardly from the opening 25 and provides additional protection to parts of the head and face not enclosed by the opening 25.

As an alternative to covering only the person's face, the protective facial cover 20 may also cover at least a portion of the person's hair to thereby also protect the person's hair from exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In this configuration, the protective facial cover 20 would resemble a sack.

Another embodiment of the invention is direct to a protective cover for male genitalia 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. The protective genital cover 30 generally includes a bag 32 with an opening 34. Around a periphery of the opening 34 is a drawstring enclosure 35. Inside the drawstring enclosure 35 is a drawstring 36. The ends of the drawstring 36 that extend from a drawstring enclosure 35 may be knotted and retained with an adjustable clasp mechanism 38. The adjustable clasp mechanism 38 may be repositioned at along the length of the drawstring 36 thereby adjusting the size of the opening 34.

In use, the protective cover 30 is positioned over male genitalia and secured in place by adjusting the size of the opening 34 with the adjustable clasp mechanism 38.

The protective covering 20 may be made of mesh material, although other materials could also be used. To increase UV protection, the material may be doubled, but this is not necessary. In a preferred embodiment, the material used to form the covering is all or partially of a dark color, such as blue, to increase absorption of UV rays.

It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and matched to suit particular circumstances. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.

Claims

1. A protective facial cover for protecting a person's face from exposure to ultraviolet radiation while other portions of the person's body are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, wherein the protective facial cover comprises:

a main section;

a peripheral section that extends substantially around the main section;

a resilient material attached to the peripheral section proximate an edge thereof, and

at least one tie extending from at least one of the main section and the peripheral section.

2. The protective facial cover of claim 1, wherein the main section has a round or oval shape.

3. The protective facial cover of claim 1, wherein the main section and the peripheral section define a partially enclosed region.

4. The protective facial cover of claim 1, wherein the protective facial cover is fabricated from a material that prevents a high percentage of ultraviolet radiation from passing therethrough.

5. The protective facial cover of claim 1, wherein the protective facial cover is fabricated from a material that permits a person to breathe therethrough when the protective facial cover is placed over the person's face.

6. The protective facial cover of claim 1, wherein the protective facial cover has a rear cover portion.

7. A protective genital cover for protecting a male's genitalia from exposure to ultraviolet radiation while other portions of the person's body are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, wherein the protective cover comprises:

a partially enclosed sack having an opening;

a drawstring extending substantially around the opening; and

an adjustable clasp mechanism that selectively engages the drawstring.

8. The protective genital cover of claim 7, wherein the sack further comprises a drawstring enclosure that extends at least partially around the opening, wherein the drawstring passes through the drawstring enclosure.

9. The protective genital cover of claim 7, wherein the protective cover is fabricated from a material that prevents a high percentage of ultraviolet radiation from passing therethrough.

10. A method of protecting a person's face from exposure to ultraviolet radiation when other portions of the person's body are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, wherein the method comprises:

providing a protective facial cover comprising a main section, a peripheral section, a resilient material and at least one tie, wherein the peripheral section extends substantially around the main section, wherein the resilient material is attached to the peripheral section proximate an edge thereof, and wherein the at least one tie extends from at least one of the main section and the peripheral section;

stretching the resilient material;

positioning the protective facial cover to substantially cover the person's face; and

extending the at least one tie around the person's head and securing the at least one tie.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the main section has a round or oval shape.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the main section and the peripheral section define partially enclosed region.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the protective facial cover is fabricated from a material that prevents a high percentage of ultraviolet radiation from passing therethrough.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the protective facial cover is fabricated from a material that permits a person to breathe therethrough when the protective facial cover is placed over the person's face.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the protective facial cover further covers substantially all of the person's hair to thereby protect the person's hair from exposure to ultraviolet radiation.