Water Absorbant Evaporative Cooling Hat

Abstract

A hat with a brim extending outward from the base of a crown wherein a water adsorbent material is disposed on the inside lower portion of the crown, and extends outward onto the underside of the brim. A headband member on the outside lower portion of the base of the crown constricts the crown, causing it to apply the portion of the water adsorbent material disposed therein directly to the head of a user. The crown has venting holes incorporated along the head band. The water absorbent material comprises a closed cell foam material. The closed cell foam material is encased in a water adsorbent matting material to prevent direct contact between the closed cell foam material and the skin of a user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

None

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to hats, and more particularly to hats made up of a brim, a head covering, water absorbent materials, and a head band.

Several hats are known to exist in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,182,295 to Sciglia discloses a hat capable of reflecting radiant energy from the exterior thereof and of releasing thermal energy from the interior thereof, the hat comprises a side band having a top panel and a double ply outer brim attached to the upper and lower peripheral portions thereof to shield the head, neck and face of the wearer from the elements and to allow heat to escape from the interior thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,230 to Fujino , et al. discloses a cap element mainly composed of a three-layer fabric, the three-layer fabric member including: a mesh-like front surface fabric; a waterproof back surface fabric; and a non-woven fabric formed of water absorptive high molecular fibers, which is sealed between the front surface fabric and the back surface fabric. At least one of the front surface fabric and the back surface fabric may be subjected to ultraviolet ray shielding treatment.

It is common for hats to be worn around the crown of the head. Due to perspiration or other causes which make the brim and head covering wet, a water absorbent material is needed. Hats, once wet in these areas, don't easily dry out. Hats in the current art fail to present a wide-brimmed had with an absorbent material disposed on the bottom of the crown and all around the lower circumference of the hat. A ribbon or head band made of such absorbent materials is ineffective in brimmed hats, because the pressure of the brim of the hat against the head of the user keeps the absorbent materials under pressure, eliminating any existing water absorbing characteristics. Additionally, significant ventilation provided in conjunction with a water absorbing material is needed in the art.

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved boonie hat with a head covering incorporating a venting means for covering the crown of the head of a user. Another object of the invention is to provide a head covering that adjoins a brim member extending substantially laterally outward from the edge of the base of the crown, which comprises a water adsorbent material. Another object of the invention is to provide a headband on the outside lower base portion of the head covering member, wherein the headband constricts the head covering member, causing it to apply the portion of the water adsorbent material disposed therein directly to the head of a user.

SUMMARY

The present invention comprises an improved water absorbent evaporative cooling hat. The hat comprises a crown for covering the top of a user's head and has vents incorporated into the sides of the crown. The vents comprise holes in the crown above a headband. The headband circumscribes the outside lower portion of the base of the crown and constricts the crown, wherein a closed cell foam material is encased in a water absorbent matting material to prevent direct contact between the closed cell foam material and the skin of the user. This causes the hat to apply a portion of the water adsorbent material directly to the head of a user.

The hat comprises a water adsorbent material disposed on the inside lower portion of the crown, with the ability and tendency to absorb liquids while encasing a closed cell foam material. The water adsorbent material is disposed adjacent the headband and extends outward, onto the underside of a brim. The brim extends substantially laterally outward from the periphery of the base of the crown.

The apex of the hat is dome shaped particularly to form a cap on user's head. The dome cap structure extends to form side walls about the circumference of the hat, which continue to extend and form a chamber with folds along the area above the head band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the water absorbent evaporative cooling hat.

FIG. 2 is a cut away side view of the water absorbent evaporative cooling hat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1 an improved head apparel article is shown and described. The article 10 comprises a head covering member 26 for covering the crown of the head of a user wherein the head covering member 26 has venting means 22 incorporated therein. The venting means 22 comprises holes disposed in the head covering member 26 above a headband member 40. The headband member 40 is disposed on the outside lower portion of the base 24 of the head covering member 26, wherein the headband member 40 constricts the head covering member 26, causing it to apply the portion of the water adsorbent material 30 (shown in FIG. 2) disposed therein directly to the head of a user.

Referring to FIG. 2, the article 10 comprises a water adsorbent material 30 disposed on the inside lower portion of the head covering member, and extending outward, onto the underside of a brim member 20. The brim member 20 extends substantially laterally outward from the periphery of the base of the head covering member 26.

Still referring to FIG. 2, in one preferred embodiment of the article, the water adsorbent material 30 comprises a closed cell foam material, including neoprene. The closed cell foam material is encased in a water adsorbent material 30 to prevent direct contact between the closed cell foam material and the skin of a user since the head covering member 26 fits loosely above the head of a user, except where it makes contact with the headband member 40.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

Claims

1. An improved article of head apparel comprising;

a. a head covering member for covering the crown of the head of a user;

b. a brim member extending substantially laterally outward from the periphery of the base of the head covering member;

c. a water adsorbent material disposed on the inside lower portion of the head covering member, and extending outward, onto the underside of the brim member, wherein the water adsorbent material comprises a closed cell material surrounded by a water absorbing layer;

d. a headband member disposed on the outside lower portion of the base of the head covering member, wherein the headband constricts the head covering member, causing it to apply the portion of the water adsorbent material disposed therein directly to the head of a user; and

e. where a pad of water adsorbent material is disposed on the apex of the interior of the head covering member.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the head covering member has venting means incorporated therein.

3. The article of claim 2, wherein the venting means comprises holes disposed in the head covering member above the headband member.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the head covering member fits loosely above the head of a user, except where it makes contact with the headband member

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the closed cell foam material comprises neoprene.

6. The article of claim 5, wherein the closed cell foam material is encased in a water adsorbent matting material to prevent direct contact between the closed cell foam material and the skin of a user.