MULTI-FUNCTIONAL WRAP

Abstract

A multi-functional wrap comprising an elongated tube of fabric material having mating fastener elements at opposite ends. The tube can be wrapped around one's head forming a head covering with a bun portion in back. It can also be wrapped around one's head and neck or used in a variety of ways.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/175,332 filed May 4, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates to multi-functional wraps, and, more particularly, to a elongated tube of fabric material with mating connector portions at each end that can be wrapped around one's head, one's head and neck, about one's shoulders, etc.

2. General Background

Fabric materials that wrap around one's head are know but generally do not have the functionality of a quick and easy wrap nor are able to function as more than a conventional head wrap.

There is a need for a multi-functional wrap which includes an elongated tube of a fabric material that quickly and easily wraps around one's head, one's head and neck, one's shoulders, etc.

SUMMARY

It is an object of this invention to provide a multi-functional wrap for one's head.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a multi-functional wrap for one's head and neck.

It is still further an object of this invention to provide a multi-functional wrap that can go around either one's head, ones' head and neck, one's shoulders, around the waist, etc.

These and other objects are preferably accomplished by providing an elongated tube of fabric material having mating fastening elements at opposite ends which tube can be wrapped about one's head, or ones' head and neck, about one's shoulders or used in a variety of ways.

DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an elongated tube of fabric material.

FIG. 1a is a plan view of the opposite side of the tube in FIG. 1 showing mating fastener portions at opposite ends;

FIG. 1b is a view taken along lines 1b-1b of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1c is a view taken along lines 1c-1c of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 2 is the initial position of the tubular wrap prior to the position as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the wrap of the invention disposed on the head of a user; the hair inside;

FIGS. 4 through 6 are subsequent positions of the tubular wrap prior to the final position shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 7 is the final position of the wrap of the invention; and

FIGS. 8 to 11 are perspective views of the wrap of the invention shown in a variety of uses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, an elongated tubular piece of flexible material is shown approximately 9½″ wide by 29″ long. Thus, tube 10 has a throughbore 11 and, as seen in FIG. 1a, the opposite side of tube 10 as seen in FIG. 1 has a longitudinal seam 12 so that tube 10 is formed by sewing or stitching together the elongated sides of a planar piece of material that usually is a rectangle about 19″ wide and 29″ long. A fastener, such as mating button snaps 13, 14, is provided at opposite ends adjacent seam 12 on the same side of seam 12. Fastener 13 may be a female button fastener having the female button portion 15 (FIG. 1b) accessible inside the tube whereas fastener 14 may be a male button fastener having the male button portion 16 (FIG. 1c) accessible inside tube 10. It is to be understood that fastener 13 may have a female button portion and fastener 14 may have a mating male button portion as is well known in the art. Of course, fasteners other than snaps, such as hook and loop material, may be used. However, preferably snap buttons are used such the portions on the other side of the mating portions 15, 16 are visible on the outside of tube 10 and accessible there for quick and easy fastening, as will be discussed.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the initial position of the wrap 17 is shown on the head 18 of a user. One open end of tube 10 is placed on the head of a user and the tube 10 is pulled down around the front of the head 18 of the user forming wrap 17. The wrap 17 is pulled upwardly with the hair of the user extending through the tube. This is the position shown in FIG. 3. Thus, seam 12 is on the side opposite the face of the user. As seen in FIG. 3, the tube 10 is pulled down the back side of the head of the user. As seen in FIG. 4, the elongated portion 19 of tube 10 is twisted and the twisted portion 19 is coiled, as seen in FIG. 5, with the free end 21 pulled through the looped part 20 until the free end 21 extends out of the looped part 20 (FIG. 6). As seen in FIG. 6, male snap portion 16 is then secured to female snap portion 15.

The final position of wrap 17 is shown in side view in FIG. 7 forming a bun at the back of the head. FIG. 8 shows the tubular piece of material 10 wrapped around one's neck, the snaps at the free end of tube 10 being secured together to hold tube 10 in place for warmth. FIG. 9 shows the forming a head and neck wrap, the free end of the tube 10 is being wrapped about one's neck and the snaps secured together.

In FIG. 10, the wrap is pulled down to cover the front of one's head in the form of a banded cap or beanie.

In FIG. 11, the neck wrap of FIG. 8 is pulled up to cover one's face for warmth.

Tube 10 may be made of any suitable fabric material, such as various knits (cotton or polyester), in solids, prints, stripes, etc. and of various colors. The dimensions may vary but I have found that a width of about 10″ and a length of about 30″ is suitable.

Tube 10 can go around several parts of the body, not just the head, neck, and shoulders (can also be a belt, a mock shirt/hip warmer, cover one's arms, etc); it can be made in many different fabrics other than knits.

The fabric material may be super soft and is thus a fun multi-functional accessory, that can be fashioned into a variety of different looks. It keeps one's hair securely away from the face and is good for warmth before, during and after workouts. It is also great for damp or hair wet from exercising or swimming where it can be worn loose. The tube doubles as a stylish neck or ear warmer and headband. It can be worn many different ways.

Among the many advantages of the tube of my invention are the following:

Secures hair into a fun bun instantly.

Snap closure provides added security and closure.

Keeps hair out of one's face and off one's neck.

Absorbs perspiration from the face and the back of one's neck and head.

Uniformity-great for performances and in the classroom.

Compact, noticeable feel for spotting during pirouettes in ballet and while turning.

Soft, lightweight, machine washable.

Doubles as a neck warmer—great for voice students and singers.

Great with damp or wet hair after workout or swimming.

Easy Solution for bad hair day.

It can be worn with short, long or no hair.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention is disclosed it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes may be made departing from the scope of the present invention.

While the apparatus and method have been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.

Claims

1. A method of forming a bun on the head of a user from an elongated flattened hollow tube of a flexible material having a first side and a second side and having a longitudinal seam extending from one end of the tube to the other on said first side, and mating fasteners at opposite ends of said tube on said first side thereof, a first one of said fasteners being on said first side of said tube at one end thereof having a mating fastener portion extending inwardly of said tube, and a second one of said fasteners being on said first side at the other end thereof having a mating fastener portion extending inwardly of said tube adapted to mate with the mating fastener portion of said first one of said fasteners, said method comprising the steps of:

pulling one open end of said tube over one's head forming an endless band around the head of the user;

pulling one's hair upwardly through the band until the hair extends down the back of the user;

pulling the band downwardly over the hair until the band reforms said tube with the hair extending down the back of the head of the user through said reformed tube with said seam and fasteners extending down the back of the head and neck of said user below said neck;

subsequently twisting said tube between one's head and the end of said tube below one's neck forming a twisted rope-like extension;

subsequently winding said twisted rope-like extension into a bun at the back of one's head;

subsequently pulling the terminal end of said twisted rope-like extension having said fasteners under said bun and up through the center of said bun; and

subsequently securing the fasteners together at generally the nape of one's neck securing the bun in place.

2. An elongated flattened tube of a flexible material having an elongated seam extending from one end of said tube to the other on one side thereof, and mating fasteners at opposite ends of said tube on said one side adapted to mate with each other.

3. The tube of claim 2 wherein said material is a fabric material.

4. The tube of claim 3 wherein said fabric is cotton.

5. The tube of claim 4 wherein said fabric is polyester.

6. The tube of claim 3 wherein said material is washable.

7. The tube of claim 2 wherein said tube is about 9½″ in length and about 29″ in width.

8. A multi-functional wrap which comprises an elongated hollow tube of fabric material with mating fasteners at opposite ends which can be quickly and easily wrapped about one's head, one's head and neck, one's shoulders, etc.

9. The wrap of claim 1 wherein the tube is of a solid, print or striped material.

10. The wrap of claim 2 wherein the tube is of various colors.

11. The wrap of claim 8 wherein said tube can be used to form a bun on one's head, a scarf, an ear warmer, a headband, a neck warmer, a mock scarf, a belt, a mock skirt, or a cap.