HEADBAND

Abstract

The present invention provides a headband that is constructed of a combination of elements. The headband is constructed in layers where by a top layer can be of any material including decorative materials or wicking materials. The bottom layer of comprises a material which functions to cling to the hair of the wearer by friction created at the interface of the material and the hair and of the user. Situated between the top and bottom layer is at least one facing layer providing absorption and/or starchiness or reduced pliability of the band.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application seeks priority from provisional applications 61/207,735 filed on Feb. 17, 2009 and 61/240,698 filed on Sep. 9, 2009.

FIELD

The device disclosed herein generally relates to headbands. In one aspect it more particularly relates to comfortable non-slip headbands.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Headbands are widely used by children, athletes and others with long hair, and among various other people, to keep their hair out of their field of vision. Headbands are conventionally found in a variety of styles and are popularly used by girls and women.

Headbands are found made of various materials (i.e. wood, plastic, metal, cloth, etc.). Some headbands are made from rigid materials and are oblong in shape with an opening at the bottom end to slide over the head of the wearer and each end fits behind the wearer's ear to secure in place by pressure behind the ear. However, these styles can often cause the wearer discomfort as pressure is felt from the point of contact behind the ears. Typically, adjustable headbands which are purported as comfortable and can be worn during strenuous activity may comprise rubber band or elastic material which can shred and break. Often, elastic-containing headbands can be uncomfortably tight to securely stay on the head.

Often, styles include a wraparound style headband which comprises at least a portion of a circular piece of elasticized material, which is secured in place by pressure from the elastic band as the elastic constricts around the head and hair of the wearer.

There is a continuing unmet need for headbands comprising comfortable fabric which remain comfortable during prolonged wear and remain secure, as well as comfortable, during vigorous activity.

SUMMARY

Provided herein is a headband that is constructed of a combination of elements. The headband is constructed in layers whereby a top layer can be of any material including decorative materials or wicking materials. The bottom layer of the headband comprises a material which functions to cling to the hair of the wearer by friction created at the interface of the material and the hair of the user. The bottom layer of the headband may also comprise a wicking material which clings to the hair of the wearer by way of friction. Situated between the top and bottom layer is at least one supporting layer providing starchiness or reduced pliability of the band and may also provide for absorption.

Having briefly described the invention, it will be understood that it is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight thin headband which clings to the user's head and does not slide off with strenuous activity or extended use. It is another object of the invention to provide a lightweight flexible headband with a relatively high moisture absorption capacity in addition to the ability to cling to the user's head during strenuous activity. It is still a further object of the invention to provide a headband which is secured using a Velcro closure at the base of the head of the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the front and back of the headband.

FIG. 2 illustrates each layer of the headband.

Having described generally the present invention and its objectives, the full scope of the present invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art upon a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention which is made in conjunction with the attached drawings. In the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, like numerals refer to like elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND EMBODIMENTS

Provided herein is a headband made of soft, pliable materials that is resilient to damage and wear and is adjustable to fit almost any head. The headband of the present invention is pain-free, non-slip and machine washable. The headband is constructed in layers whereby a top, or first layer in reversible embodiments of the material, layer can be of any material including decorative materials or wicking materials or aristate materials of the invention. The bottom layer of comprises an aristate material, which is any soft, finely bristled material having a velvet like texture, which functions to cling to the hair of the wearer by friction created at the interface of the material and the hair and of the user. The bottom layer, or third layer, of the headband material may also comprise a wicking material which clings to the hair of the wearer by way of friction. Situated between the top and bottom layer is at least one supporting layer providing starchiness or reduced pliability of the band and may also provide for absorption.

A headband comprising: an elongated band which comprises a first layer of material (101); at least one middle layer of support material (201); a third layer of soft aristate fabric, i.e. having a velvet-like or soft, finely bristled texture, material, (104); and a closure for securing the band around the head of a user of the headband, wherein the headband clings to the head of the user by friction between the third layer and the hair of the user. In an embodiment of the invention, the first layer of material (101) is an aristate material for use of the product in a reversible manner. The closure (103) comprises a hook and loop fastening material such as Velcro®, which may include as appropriate any fastening means that is known in the art including, but not limited to, snaps, buttons, and other fasteners. One side of the faster is the hooked side (103) of a Velcro® fabric and the other side is the loop side (105) of a Velcro® fabric.

The material of the top layer (101) may comprise any material selected for practical, e.g. absorptive, or decorative, e.g. color or design purposes. Important to the invention is the material of the bottom layer, or any layer in contact with the head. The material of the bottom layer (104) comprises material which has a aristate texture where the soft and fine bristles of the material interact with the hairs on the head of the wearer to cling or stick to the head of the wearer. Such aristate materials include but are not limited to any material with fine bristles or hairs including but not limited to velour, velvet, textured polyester, soft hook side of Velcro® and any other materials having a finely bristled texture, as are known in the art. Consequently, excessive or strenuous activity will not cause the headband to slip off.

It is yet another embodiment of the invention, that the bottom layer (104) of the headband can interact with even very fine hairs on the head of the wearer, such that it can be worn by individuals with little or no hair, e.g. infants, for decorative purposes.

It is an embodiment of the invention where the length of the band is between about 15 inches to about 26 inches in length. Further, in some embodiments for applications, the headband can be used on dolls or infants, where the length of the band is about 15 inches to about 20 inches in length. In yet another embodiment, the length of the band is about 20 inches to about 26 inches in length. In preferred embodiments the length of the band is about 22 to about 23 inches; about 23 to about 24.5 inches and about 24.5 to about 27 inches in length.

It is an embodiment where the headband can be about ⅞ inches to about 1 inch in width from end to end. It is an embodiment of the invention where each of the distal ends of the headband can be about ⅞ inches in width to about 1 inch in width. The distal ends of the invention can be from about 2 ½ to about 3 ½ inches in length.

At the distal ends, provided is a closure means. The closure means may include snaps, clips, hook and loop, Velcro®, closures. In a preferred embodiment, the closure means is a strip of Velcro® at each of the distal ends of the headband of about ⅝ in to about ⅞ in width and about 2 ½ inches to about 3 ½ inches in length.

In another embodiment, the overhead section (106), between the distal ends (107) of the invention, can be of any width as desired, but is at least ⅞ inches in width. The overhead section can comprise a top layer and bottom layer of any material, including but not limited to elasticized materials, to provide stretchable sizing, and, in some instances, may not comprise a velvet-like bottom layer. The headband may also be completely circular, such that the ends of the band are joined by elasticized material as a closure.

In another embodiment, the layers of material of the headband are attached by an attaching means, including fusing the layer elements by using heat, gluing the fabrics, stitching the layers, or a combination thereof. The edges of the headband can also be seared with heat to prevent fraying. Optionally, a thicker piece of interfacing can be used, depending on the flexibility or thickness of the first or top layer of fabric.

In yet another embodiment, the headband can be worn by a user by flipping the head upside-down, removing the hair off the neck so that it hangs freely. Then with the bottom layer facing the user it is attached using the Velcro® closure toward the back of the head at the base of the neck. Alternatively, the device can be used with the user's hair in a ponytail with the bottom layer of the headband facing the head and attached with the closure toward the back of the head at the base of the neck.

The aforesaid devices may have ornamental accessories which slide through either end of the open headband or attach one or more grommets on the device to which accessories or decorative elements can be attached. The decorative elements can pin on or buckle to the headband. Moreover, a reversible embodiment of the headband the accessories can attach through Velcro, hook and closure interactions.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments of the invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Each of the applications and patents cited in this text, as well as each document or reference, patient or non-patient literature, cited in each of the applications and patents (including during the prosecution of each issued patent; “application cited documents”), and each of the PCT and foreign applications or patents corresponding to and/or claiming priority from any of these applications and patents, and each of the documents cited or referenced in each of the application cited documents, are hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. More generally, documents or references are cited in this text, either in a Reference List before the claims; or in the text itself; and, each of these documents or references (“herein-cited references”), as well as each document or reference cited in each of the herein-cited references (including any manufacturer's specifications, instructions, etc.), is hereby expressly incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A headband comprising: an elongated band which comprises a first layer of material; at least one middle layer of support material; a third layer of aristate material; and a closure for securing the band about the head of a user of the headband, wherein the headband clings to the head of the user by friction between the third layer and the hair of the user.

2. The headband of claim 1, wherein the first layer of material is an aristate material.

3. The headband of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a closure selected from the groups consisting of a hook and loop material, snap, tie and button.

4. The headband of claim 1, wherein the closure comprises a hook and loop material.

5. The headband of claim 1, wherein the length of the band is from about 15 inches to about 26 inches in length.

6. The headband of claim 5, wherein the length of the band is from about 15 inches to about 20 inches in length.

7. The headband of claim 5, wherein the length of the band is from about 20 inches to about 26 inches in length.

8. The headband of claim 1, wherein the band can be about ⅞ inches to about 1 inch in width.

9. The headband of claim 1, comprising distal ends of the headband band are about ⅞ inches in width to about 1 inch in width.

10. The headband of claim 9, wherein the distal ends of the invention can be from about 2 ½ to about 3 ½ inches in length.

11. The headband of claim 1, comprising an overhead section at least ⅞ inches in width.

12. The headband of claim 1, wherein the headband is secured around the head of a user.

13. The headband of claim 1, wherein the headband prevents discomfort in the user.