Headbands including expandable, stretchable holes or wells and methods for manufacturing same

Abstract

Among other things, the present invention provides fashion accessories commonly known as headbands. Various embodiments include headbands that encircle the head partially or fully, primarily made of a resilient, molded foam or lofting material which include expandable, stretchable, wells or holes that are designed for insertion of various decorative ornaments. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing such headbands and various accompanying headband pieces.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. Appl. No. 60/902,245, entitled “HEADBAND WITH EXPANDABLE/STRETCHABLE WELLS OR HOLES AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME,” filed Feb. 20, 2007. The entirety of the aforementioned patent application is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to fashion accessories, and in particular hair accessories commonly known as “headbands” that encircle a wearer's head partially or fully.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known in the art to make hair accessories commonly known as “headbands” that encircle the wearer's head partially or fully, to be worn as a fashion accessory or to serve an ornamental purpose. In addition, headbands also serve a utilitarian purpose, for example, to hold the wearer's hair in place or to retain the hair and keep it away from the wearer's face.

It is common that fashion accessories, such as headbands, be designed to keep up with a current trend or to coordinate with other accessories or other articles of clothing worn by an individual.

Currently, trends are toward wearing articles of clothing such as shoes or other fashion accessories such as wrist or ankle bands made from a resilient material (generally comprised of a moldable foam) that include expandable or stretchable holes. It is also the current trend to accessorize the holes of these articles of clothing or fashion accessories with decorative ornaments that have been designed to securely fit these holes. This allows an individual to decorate their article of clothing (e.g. shoe) or fashion accessory in their own unique style. This also allows the individual to easily change the decorative ornaments or use multiple ornaments depending upon the amount of holes within the article of clothing, and change the look of the article of clothing by changing the ornaments.

For example, shoe manufacturers have recently begun manufacturing molded shoes, generally formed of a foam material with an outer protective layer, that include expandable holes in the upper portion of the shoe. These holes have the requisite stretch characteristic when forced, but return to their shape when the external force is removed CROCS.™, located in Boulder, Colo., is one manufacturer of these types of shoes. HOLEY SOLES HOLDING, LTD., located in Richmond, BC, Canada is another manufacturer of these types of shoes. More recently, manufacturers have begun manufacturing decorative ornaments consisting of one-piece designed post and end attachments that insert directly through the holes of said articles of clothing, and stay securely in place within the holes, or two-piece designed post and end attachments that interlock by snapping, twisting or pressing the two ends together within the holes of said articles of clothing. JIBBITZ™, located in Boulder, Colo., and FOYO, LLC., located in Lakewood, Co., are two manufacturers of these types of decorative ornaments.

Within the fashion industry, headbands are generally formed from a nylon or plastic material, fabric or cloth and different types of elastic. Moreover, headbands are typically limited to a specific design. For example, if a headband contains an accessory or embellishment (such as a flower or bow), that accessory or embellishment is permanently affixed to that particular headband. This limits the design of the headband to that particular design.

Thus, in keeping up with current trends within the fashion industry, there is a need in the art for this type of ornamental exchange to be available in hair accessories, and this as well as other types of limitations are to be addressed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among other things, the present invention is related to fashion accessories to be worn on the head, commonly known as headbands. In the present invention several embodiments are detailed to make headbands that encircle the head partially or fully that are made primarily from a molded foam or lofting material. In various cases the headbands include wells or holes which exhibit a requisite stretch characteristic when forced, but return to their shape when the external force is removed. Such wells or holes are pliable, stretchable, and/or expandable as to allow for insertion of various types of decorative ornaments, and can securely retain such decorative ornaments.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide headbands that encircle the head partially, covering the crown of the head basically from ear to ear. These embodiments provide various headband parts and pieces, and methods for manufacturing same.

Other embodiments of the present invention provide headbands that encircle the head fully, covering the head from the top of the head to the base of the neck and covering either sides of the head. These embodiments provide various headband parts and pieces, and methods for manufacturing same.

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and details of the current invention are more fully described below. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in the Detailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that there are numerous modifications, equivalents, and alternative constructions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A (top-down view) illustrates the top portion of a headband made of foam material 100 including a plurality of holes 200 wherein a decorative ornament 205 is inserted into said hole by means of expanding hole for insertion.

FIG. 1B (side-angle view) illustrates a decorative ornament 205 that is represented by a butterfly for illustrative purposes only, which is permanently affixed to a one-piece post and end attachment 210.

FIG. 1C (close-up/top-down view) illustrates a decorative ornament 205 affixed to a one-piece designed post and end attachment 210 that may be inserted directly through the wells or holes 200 by expanding and pushing the post and end 210 of the decorative ornament 205 through the hole 200.

FIG. 1D (side-angle view) illustrates a decorate ornament 205 affixed to a two-piece post and end attachment 215, that generally interlocks, for example, by snapping, twisting or pressing the two ends together or that connect by some other similar means.

FIG. 1E (close-up/top-down view) illustrates a decorate ornament 205 inserted within the hole 200 by placing one end of the post through the hole from the top of the headband and connecting the other end of the post (end attachment) under the headband.

FIG. 2A (top-down view) illustrates a one-piece design “wrap around” style headband 110, including wells or holes 200, and made of foam material 100, where foam material is one continuous piece molded together with no breaks and no connectors.

FIG. 2B (top-down view) illustrates a one-piece design “wrap around” style headband 110, including wells or holes 200, and made of foam material 100, where foam material is designed as an elongated piece that connects in one section of the band by fasteners 220.

FIG. 2C (top-down view) illustrates a one-piece design “wrap around” style headband 110, including wells or holes 200, and made of foam material 100, where foam material is an elongated piece connected by an expandable section of elastic or elastic fabric 225.

FIG. 2D (close-up/side-angle view) illustrates a close-up of the foam material ends 105 of the headband 110, connected by an expandable section of elastic or elastic fabric 225, and covered by an additional piece of accordion fabric material 230.

FIG. 3A (top-down view) illustrates a u-shaped “crown style” headband 120, intended to partially cover the head, typically from ear to ear, including wells or holes 200, and made of foam material 100.

FIG. 3B (top-down view) illustrates a sturdy headband base 125, comprised of connected strips or one continuous strip of plastic material 130 formed to a crown style shape, making up the edges of the headband. This design allows for empty space between the plastic strip(s) 130 along the top portion of the base.

FIG. 3C (top-down view) illustrates a sturdy headband base 125, wherein the sides 135 of the base are solid plastic material, which may be used for added sturdiness or stability. This design allows for empty space between the plastic strip(s) 130 along the top portion of the base.

FIG. 3D (top-down view) illustrates a sturdy headband base 125, wherein the top portion of the band includes small vertical strips 140 of plastic material connecting larger strips of plastic material 130 together at various locations. The sides may or may not be solid, however, this drawing uses the solid sides 135 for illustrative purposes only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention, specific terminology will be selected for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings where like reference numerals are used throughout to refer to similar components. In the preferred embodiments, a band intended to encircle the head in a “wrap around” style from the top of the head to the base of neck and on either side of the head, in accordance with the present invention, is generally indicated at 110, and a band intended to partially cover the head, typically over the crown of the head from ear to ear, generally taking on a u-shape, in accordance with the present invention, is generally indicated at 120.

In the preferred embodiments of the invention, headbands 110 and 120 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “bands”) are made of a resilient, molded foam material (hereinafter referred to as “foam material”, which in all references, include specifications and examples of such foam materials to be used, as more fully described herein). Such foam material, for example, can be lofted material manufactured using resin or a resin that includes a pre-mixture of resin, pigment, and a growth additive, closed cell resin, or an injected resin process that includes a heating and cooling process, injected foam, polymer, or Ethylene Vinyl Acetate copolymer (EVA) based material, and the like. Said foam material can be molded to create a “wrap-around” style headband 110 and a “u-shaped” style headband 120 as detailed in this Description of the Invention. For sake of reference in the accompanying drawings, the above described foam material is generally indicated at 100.

As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, headbands 110 and 120 include at least one, but preferably a plurality of wells or holes 200 generally used as ornamental holding means. Such holes may be of varying sizes, shapes, amounts, and positions within the band. Additionally, the placement of said holes may vary among bands as to create different designs or patters. For example, one band may use holes placed in a straight line pattern, while another band may use holes placed in two rows sporadically placed. There are many variations of hole placement that may be used within the scope of this invention. Further, although the shape of the wells or holes may be somewhat arbitrary, a circular shape may be used as a universal receptacle for a decorative ornament. However, the shape of the holes is not intended to be limited by such.

In various cases, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the wells or holes 200 may extend from the outer surface of the band to a pre-determined depth within the band.

In the preferred embodiment, the wells or holes extend completely through the bands. In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, said wells or holes 200 will exhibit a requisite stretch characteristic when forced, but return to its shape when the external force is removed. Such wells or holes are pliable, stretchable, and/or expandable to allow for insertion of various types of decorative ornaments as hereinafter more fully described.

Reference will be now be made to FIGS. 1A through 1C. As an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1A illustrates the top portion of a headband made of foam material 100 including a plurality of holes 200 wherein a decorative ornament 205 (drawn as a butterfly for illustrative purposes only) using a post/end attachment is inserted into said hole by means of expanding hole for insertion. FIG. 1B illustrates a decorative ornament 205 that is represented by a butterfly for illustrative purposes only, which is permanently affixed to a one-piece post and end attachment 210.

For example in further clarifying this process, the wells or holes 200 should be such that a decorative ornament 205 affixed to a one-piece designed post and end attachment 210 may be inserted directly through the holes 200 by expanding said hole and pushing the post and end 210 of the decorative ornament 205 through the hole 200 (as depicted in FIG. 1C), and having said hole return to its shape once the ornament has been inserted, thereby retaining said decorative ornament 205 by retaining its post 210 within the hole 200.

Now referring to FIGS. 1D & 1E, the hole will also accommodate a decorate ornament 205 affixed to a two-piece post and end attachment 215, that generally interlocks, for example, by snapping, twisting or pressing the two ends together or that connect by some other similar means. A decorative ornament 205 permanently affixed to a two-piece post and end attachment 215 is illustrated in FIG. 1D. In this scenario, the decorative ornament 205 may be inserted within the hole 200 by inserting one end of the post through the hole from the top of the headband and connecting the other end of the post (end attachment) under the headband as depicted in FIG. 1E of the drawings.

As an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2A depicts a one-piece design “wrap around” style headband 110, including said wells or holes 200, and made of said foam material 100 where foam material is one continuous piece of material molded together with no breaks and no connectors. Although this type of band is in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, since the type of foam material intended to be used in this invention does not stretch, for example, the way elastic does, this design may or may not address comfort and the ability to fit numerous wearers.

Another embodiment of headband 110 illustrated in FIG. 2B, depicts a one-piece design “wrap around” style band, including said wells or holes 200, and made of said foam material 100, typically designed as an elongated piece of foam material, that connects in one section of the band by fastener 220. A fastener used to connect the two ends 105 of the band, for example, may include a snap, latch and hook, velcro tying two ends together, or any other means generally used in the art. For illustrative purposes only, a latch and hook 220 are depicted in FIG. 2B. This may or may not address comfort and the ability to fit numerous wearers in the manner necessary.

FIG. 2C illustrates yet another embodiment of headband 110 in accordance with the present invention. In this preferred embodiment, a one-piece design “wrap around” style headband 110, including said wells or holes 200, and made of said foam material 100, is molded as an elongated piece and connected by a piece of elastic or elastic fabric 225 (or other type of material which can expand and retract), giving the ability to change the size of the headband with its expansion to fit numerous wearers. The elastic piece or elastic fabric 225 is permanently affixed to the two ends 105 of the foam material band. Permanent means of affixing said elastic 225 to the ends 105 of the molded foam material may be, for example, by sewing the elastic piece or elastic fabric 225 directly to the foam material end 105.

Although the piece of elastic may remain exposed, said piece of elastic 225 may also be covered with an additional piece of material, such as fabric or cloth 230 that also expands and retracts, so that the elastic piece 225 is not exposed. In this embodiment, said additional piece of material 230 would, as an example, take on an accordion shape, that expands when the elastic expands, and retracts when the elastic retracts, with expansion of both the elastic and material being the same distance. Said material or fabric would also be permanently affixed to the foam material ends 105 of the headband 110. FIG. 2D illustrates a piece of material 230 covering the piece of elastic or elastic fabric 225. This is a common design in the fashion industry when making headbands that use elastic to connect material.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, as an embodiment of the present invention, which illustrates “crown style” headband 120, intended to partially cover the head, typically from ear to ear, including said wells or holes 200, and made of said foam material. This band generally takes on a u-shape.

Although the type of foam material used to manufacture these headbands is moldable, it may not completely retain its “u-shape” or securely remain on the head as intended. In part to address this, reinforcing headband 120 with a sturdy base 125, (as depicted in FIGS. 3B through 3D) would be beneficial in providing a consistent shape, and securing the band in a desired location on the head. For example, types of plastic, acrylic or nylon, or the like, (hereinafter referred to as “plastic material”), molded and contoured to the desired u-shape, then covered or encased with the foam material would provide stability of the headband while maintaining the foam material 100 that includes said wells or holes 200.

Attention should be placed on comfort when manufacturing the plastic material used to create the base 125. Certain types of plastic or acrylic may be too hard. The desired base would exhibit a spring-like tension and flexibility, as well as sturdiness in assisting the band to remain in desired location on the head.

Referring to FIG. 3B which illustrates one embodiment of the sturdy base 125, comprising of connected strips or one continuous strip 130 of plastic material formed to shape, that would primarily form the edges of the crown style headband 120. It is important that the base primarily form the edges in the top portion of the band, allowing empty space to remain between the plastic material along the top portion of the base, as to allow for said wells or holes 200 to exist and accommodate insertion of decorative ornaments as described above. Forming a solid base in its top portion would make the creation of a hole impossible, thereby making it impossible to use the above described decorative ornaments. This style base could only be used if the intention is to design a foam material headband without holes or wells.

FIG. 3C illustrates another embodiment of the base 125 wherein the sides 135 of the base are solid plastic material, which may be used for added sturdiness or stability, and the top portion is strips of plastic material, again allowing space to exist to accommodate said wells or holes.

If needed for additional sturdiness and stability, FIG. 3D illustrates yet another embodiment of the base 125 wherein the top portion of the band includes vertical strips 140 of plastic material connected from one edge to the other. The sides may or may not be solid, however, this drawing uses the solid sides 135 for illustrative purposes only. Placement of the vertical strips of plastic material must be factored, as not to interfere with hole placement within the band, to allow easy insertion of decorative ornaments in the finished band.

The invention has now been described in detail for purposes of clarity and understanding. However it will be appreciated that ceratin changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope and spirit of the invention as expressed in the claims. Accordingly, it should be recognized that many other systems, functions, methods, and combinations thereof are possible in accordance with the present invention. Thus, although the invention is described with reference to specific embodiments and figures thereof, the embodiments and figures are merely illustrative, and not limiting of the invention. Many variations, modifications and alternative constructions fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention as expressed in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Headbands and methods for manufacturing same, comprising; forming bands to be worn upon the head, that encircle the head partially or fully; said bands made of resilient, moldable foam material which include at least one, but preferably a plurality of various sizes, shapes, amounts, and positions of wells or holes extending through the foam material; thereby creating wells or holes that exhibit requisite stretch characteristics when forced, but return to its shape when the external force is removed; such wells or holes being pliable, stretchable, and/or expandable to allow for insertion of various types of decorative ornaments.

2. Headbands of claim 1, wherein bands intended to encircling the head fully as one piece molded foam material, are included.

3. Headbands of claim 1, including bands intended to encircle the head fully consisting of one elongated piece of foam material connected by fastener; further including connection to the two ends of the foam material, by means of permanently affixing, stretchable, elastic fabric, thereby creating the ability to extend the diameter of the bands to fit numerous sizes; such extension occurring when elastic fabric is stretched; such elastic fabric returning to its original size when stretch is released.

4. Headbands of claim 1, wherein bands intended to partially cover the head are included.

5. Headbands of claim 1, wherein bands intended to partially cover the head consist of foam material molded into a general u-shape.

6. Headbands of claim 1, further including a sturdy base contoured and shaped to desirable u-shape, encased and covered in foam material; such base offering sturdiness to foam to retain the desired u-shape; said base additionally offering stability so that headband shall remain on the head in desired location.