METHOD AND DEVICE WHICH ALLOWS CHEMOTHERAPY PATIENTS TO STYLISHLY COVER THEIR HEADS AND GIVES THEM THE OPTION OF TURNING THE HEAD COVERING INTO A BALL
A method and device which allows chemotherapy patients to stylishly cover their heads and gives them the option of turning the head covering into a ball. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/561,548, filed on Nov. 18, 2011.
BACKGROUND1. Technical Field
The present application relates to a method and device which allows chemotherapy patients to stylishly cover their heads and gives them the option of turning the head covering into a ball.
2. Background Information
Background information is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily admit that subsequently mentioned information and publications are prior art.
Patients who must endure chemotherapy sessions often lose their hair in the process. As a result, some patients prefer to wear a head covering to keep their head warm in the winter and protect it from the sun in the summer. However, these head coverings usually are not very stylish and do not reflect the tastes of the wearer. Also, when traditional head covers are not in use, they cannot function as a toy for family entertainment indoors or outdoors. A solution is necessary.
OBJECT OR OBJECTSAn object of at least one possible embodiment of the present application is to teach a method and device which allows chemotherapy patients to stylishly cover their heads and gives them the option of turning the head covering into a ball.
SUMMARYThe unique “Ballkapz” may come in a variety of colors and patterns and may include logos of favorite sports teams. When used as a head covering, the product may lay flat and have two ties at the back. The machine-washable product may be turned into a ball by blowing air into a balloon inserted into the “Ballkapz.” Fundraising groups, chemotherapy patients and their friends and family will enjoy the functionality of this innovative product.
The above-discussed embodiments of the present invention will be described further herein below. When the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” is used in this specification, the word “invention” or “embodiment of the invention” includes “inventions” or “embodiments of the invention”, that is the plural of “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”. By stating “invention” or “embodiment of the invention”, the Applicant does not in any way admit that the present application does not include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention, and maintains that this application may include more than one patentably and non-obviously distinct invention. The Applicant hereby asserts that the disclosure of this application may include more than one invention, and, in the event that there is more than one invention, that these inventions may be patentable and non-obvious one with respect to the other.
At least one possible embodiment of the present application is described below by way of the figures, in which, in detail:
“Ballkapz” provides a way for chemotherapy patients to get more use out of their head coverings.
In other possible embodiments, the ball could be constructed of fewer than six sections of fabric or greater than six sections of fabric. It is also possible that the sections of fabric could vary in shape or size from the ones shown here. Other embodiments could conceivably use some other type of flexible material to construct the ball. Also, other possible embodiments may comprise six pieces of fabric made from cotton or other suitable material that may be cut in a rounded diamond shape and sewn together to form a ball shape. Other possible embodiments may comprise more or less than six pieces of fabric and may be cut into various shapes and sizes that can be sewn together to form a ball shape being substantially spherical or even somewhat oblong in its shape. Fabrics or other appropriate materials of various colors, patterns and sports logos may be utilized.
The embodiment in
The cap 110 is formed by basically folding the deflated ball 10 in half into itself. The first step to creating the cap 110 is to locate the opening 8 in the deflated ball 10. The second step is to locate the top 18 of the deflated ball 10, which is at a point furthest from the opening 8 of the deflated ball 10, substantially opposite from the opening 8 on the deflated ball 10. While holding the opening 8 in a first hand and the top 18 of the deflated ball 10 in a second hand, a user or patient brings both of the hands together. Then, placing the second hand on top of the first hand, the cap 110 is formed by arranging the top 18 of the deflated ball 10 so that it becomes a substantially top center point of the exterior of the cap 110, resulting in a substantially convex shape. The opening 8 is tucked up into this convex shape, to create a substantially top center point of the interior of the cap 110, resulting in a substantially concave shape. The deflated ball 10 is shaped into the shape of the cap 110 to fit on the head a patient, with the straps 15 located at the back of the cap 110, as shown in
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
One feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a method of entertainment for individuals receiving chemotherapy and/or individuals receiving head operations and/or other medical patients and/or individuals who need to wear a head covering, comprising: a cap being configured for wearing as a head covering, said cap comprising a flexible material being configured for fitting the head of an individual and being configured for assuming a ball shape; at least two strings or straps being configured for fitting and securing said cap to the head of said individual; an opening being configured for receiving an inflatable balloon into said opening; said balloon being disposed in said cap and being configured for inflation; said head covering being further configured for assuming a substantially spherical shape of said balloon; and said head covering being further configured for converting said cap into a ball to entertain, said method comprising the following steps: locating said opening in said covering; holding said opening in a first hand; locating an end of said covering comprising a point on said covering which is furthest from said opening substantially opposite from said opening on said head covering; holding said end in a second hand; bringing both of said hands together; placing said second hand on top of said first hand; arranging said end of covering to create a substantially top center point of exterior of cap, resulting in a substantially convex shape; arranging said opening to create a substantially top center point of interior of cap, resulting in a substantially concave shape; shaping said head covering into a cap shape to fit on head of said individual; locating said at least two strings or straps; placing said cap on head of said individual, with said at least two strings or straps being located at the back of the head of said individual; positioning said cap in a desired location and position on head of said individual; tying said at least two strings or straps to fasten and fit said cap on head of said individual; wearing said cap to shield the head of said individual; untying said at least two strings or straps; removing said cap from the head of said individual; locating and holding said opening inside said cap with said first hand; locating and holding said end outside of said cap with said second hand; pulling said opening and said end away from each other by moving said hands apart, resulting in a substantially collapsed covering; flattening and smoothing said material; locating said opening on said head covering; inserting said balloon into said opening; keeping an end portion of said balloon substantially outside of said opening in said cover to receive inflation; inflating said balloon; creating a ball toy by said inflated balloon changing said covering into a substantially spherical shape; tying said end portion of said balloon to maintain said substantially spherical shape; and playing with said ball as a form of entertainment.
Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device configured to function according to the method above, wherein said head covering comprises: a cap being configured to be worn as a head covering; said cap comprising: a flexible material being configured to fit the head of said individual and being configured to assume a ball shape; at least two strings or straps being configured to fit and secure said cap to the head of said individual; an opening being configured to receive an inflatable balloon; a balloon being disposed inside said head covering and being configured to be inflated and tied; and said head covering being configured to provide entertainment as a ball-like toy when said balloon is inflated.
Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises sections of material fixed together by sewing and/or some other means to create said spherical shape.
Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises substantially diamond-shaped sections.
A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises at least two strings or straps that are attached to said head covering halfway down the spherical shape from said opening, at a point substantially midway between said opening in said covering and said end of said covering.
Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises at least two strings or straps that are approximately 13 inches in length.
Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises one of: A. Sections of the same material; or B. Sections of different material.
Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises different sizes of caps.
A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises six substantially diamond-shaped sections.
Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises a brim.
Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in a device for individuals receiving chemotherapy and/or individuals receiving head operations and/or other medical patients and/or individuals who need to wear a head covering, comprising: a cap being configured to be worn as a head covering; said cap comprising: a flexible material being configured to fit the head of an individual and being configured to assume a ball shape; at least two strings or straps being configured to fit and secure said cap to the head of said individual; an opening being configured to receive an inflatable balloon into said opening; said balloon being configured to be disposed in said cap and being configured to be inflated; said head covering being further configured to assume a substantially spherical shape of said balloon; and said head covering being further configured to be converted from said cap into a ball to entertain.
Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises sections of material fixed together by sewing and/or some other means to create said spherical shape.
A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises substantially diamond-shaped sections.
Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises at least two strings or straps that are attached to said head covering halfway down the spherical shape from said opening, at a point substantially midway between said opening in said covering and said end of said covering.
Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises at least two strings or straps that are approximately 13 inches in length.
Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises one of: A. Sections of the same material; or B. Sections of different material.
A further feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises different sizes of caps.
Another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises six substantially diamond-shaped sections.
Yet another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises a brim.
Still another feature or aspect of an embodiment is believed at the time of the filing of this patent application to possibly reside broadly in the device, wherein said head covering comprises a logo.
The components disclosed in the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents disclosed or incorporated by reference herein, may possibly be used in possible embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof.
The purpose of the statements about the technical field is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the technical field is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the technical field of this patent application. However, the description of the technical field may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the technical field are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
The appended drawings in their entirety, including all dimensions, proportions and/or shapes in at least one embodiment of the invention, are accurate and are hereby included by reference into this specification.
The background information is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately provide background information for this patent application. However, the background information may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the background information are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
All, or substantially all, of the components and methods of the various embodiments may be used with at least one embodiment or all of the embodiments, if more than one embodiment is described herein.
The purpose of the statements about the object or objects is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The description of the object or objects is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the object or objects of this patent application. However, the description of the object or objects may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the object or objects are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein.
The summary is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately summarize this patent application. However, portions or all of the information contained in the summary may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the summary are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
It will be understood that the examples of patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents which are included in this application and which are referred to in paragraphs which state “Some examples of . . . which may possibly be used in at least one possible embodiment of the present application . . . ” may possibly not be used or useable in any one or more embodiments of the application.
The sentence immediately above relates to patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents either incorporated by reference or not incorporated by reference.
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/561,548, filed on Nov. 18, 2011, having the title “Ballkapz”, is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein.
All of the references and documents cited in any of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein, except for the exceptions indicated herein, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein except for the exceptions indicated herein. All of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein, referred to in the immediately preceding sentence, include all of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited anywhere in the present application.
Words relating to the opinions and judgments of the author of all patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein and not directly relating to the technical details of the description of the embodiments therein are not incorporated by reference.
The words all, always, absolutely, consistently, preferably, guarantee, particularly, constantly, ensure, necessarily, immediately, endlessly, avoid, exactly, continually, expediently, ideal, need, must, only, perpetual, precise, perfect, require, requisite, simultaneous, total, unavoidable, and unnecessary, or words substantially equivalent to the above-mentioned words in this sentence, when not used to describe technical features of one or more embodiments of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents, are not considered to be incorporated by reference herein for any of the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein.
The description of the embodiment or embodiments is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately describe the embodiment or embodiments of this patent application. However, portions of the description of the embodiment or embodiments may not be completely applicable to the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, any statements made relating to the embodiment or embodiments are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
The details in the patents, patent applications, patent publications, and other documents cited herein may be considered to be incorporable, at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentably distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.
The purpose of the title of this patent application is generally to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public to determine quickly, from a cursory inspection, the nature of this patent application. The title is believed, at the time of the filing of this patent application, to adequately reflect the general nature of this patent application. However, the title may not be completely applicable to the technical field, the object or objects, the summary, the description of the embodiment or embodiments, and the claims as originally filed in this patent application, as amended during prosecution of this patent application, and as ultimately allowed in any patent issuing from this patent application. Therefore, the title is not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b):
-
- A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
- A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
The embodiments of the invention described herein above in the context of the preferred embodiments are not to be taken as limiting the embodiments of the invention to all of the provided details thereof, since modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention.
Claims
1. A method of entertainment for individuals receiving chemotherapy and/or individuals receiving head operations and/or other medical patients and/or individuals who need to wear a head covering, comprising: a cap being configured for wearing as a head covering, said cap comprising a flexible material being configured for fitting the head of an individual and being configured for assuming a ball shape; at least two strings or straps being configured for fitting and securing said cap to the head of said individual; an opening being configured for receiving an inflatable balloon into said opening; said balloon being disposed in said cap and being configured for inflation; said head covering being further configured for assuming a substantially spherical shape of said balloon; and said head covering being further configured for converting said cap into a ball to entertain, said method comprising the following steps:
- locating said opening in said covering;
- holding said opening in a first hand;
- locating an end of said covering comprising a point on said covering which is furthest from said opening substantially opposite from said opening on said head covering;
- holding said end in a second hand;
- bringing both of said hands together;
- placing said second hand on top of said first hand;
- arranging said end of covering to create a substantially top center point of exterior of cap, resulting in a substantially convex shape;
- arranging said opening to create a substantially top center point of interior of cap, resulting in a substantially concave shape;
- shaping said head covering into a cap shape to fit on head of said individual;
- locating said at least two strings or straps;
- placing said cap on head of said individual, with said at least two strings or straps being located at the back of the head of said individual;
- positioning said cap in a desired location and position on head of said individual;
- tying said at least two strings or straps to fasten and fit said cap on head of said individual;
- wearing said cap to shield the head of said individual;
- untying said at least two strings or straps;
- removing said cap from the head of said individual;
- locating and holding said opening inside said cap with said first hand;
- locating and holding said end outside of said cap with said second hand;
- pulling said opening and said end away from each other by moving said hands apart, resulting in a substantially collapsed covering;
- flattening and smoothing said material;
- locating said opening on said head covering;
- inserting said balloon into said opening;
- keeping an end portion of said balloon substantially outside of said opening in said cover to receive inflation;
- inflating said balloon;
- creating a ball toy by said inflated balloon changing said covering into a substantially spherical shape;
- tying said end portion of said balloon to maintain said substantially spherical shape; and
- playing with said ball as a form of entertainment.
2. The device configured to function according to the method in claim 1, wherein said head covering comprises:
- a cap being configured to be worn as a head covering; said cap comprising: a flexible material being configured to fit the head of said individual and being configured to assume a ball shape; at least two strings or straps being configured to fit and secure said cap to the head of said individual; an opening being configured to receive an inflatable balloon; a balloon being disposed inside said head covering and being configured to be inflated and tied; and
- said head covering being configured to provide entertainment as a ball-like toy when said balloon is inflated.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said head covering comprises sections of material fixed together by sewing and/or some other means to create said spherical shape.
4. The device according claim 3, wherein said head covering comprises substantially diamond-shaped sections.
5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said head covering comprises at least two strings or straps that are attached to said head covering halfway down the spherical shape from said opening, at a point substantially midway between said opening in said covering and said end of said covering.
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said head covering comprises at least two strings or straps that are approximately 13 inches in length.
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said head covering comprises one of:
- A. Sections of the same material; or
- B. Sections of different material.
8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said head covering comprises different sizes of caps.
9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said head covering comprises six substantially diamond-shaped sections.
10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said head covering comprises a brim.
11. A device for individuals receiving chemotherapy and/or individuals receiving head operations and/or other medical patients and/or individuals who need to wear a head covering, comprising:
- a cap being configured to be worn as a head covering;
- said cap comprising: a flexible material being configured to fit the head of an individual and being configured to assume a ball shape; at least two strings or straps being configured to fit and secure said cap to the head of said individual; an opening being configured to receive an inflatable balloon into said opening; said balloon being configured to be disposed in said cap and being configured to be inflated;
- said head covering being further configured to assume a substantially spherical shape of said balloon; and
- said head covering being further configured to be converted from said cap into a ball to entertain.
12. The device according to claim 11, wherein said head covering comprises sections of material fixed together by sewing and/or some other means to create said spherical shape.
13. The device according claim 12, wherein said head covering comprises substantially diamond-shaped sections.
14. The device according to claim 13, wherein said head covering comprises at least two strings or straps that are attached to said head covering halfway down the spherical shape from said opening, at a point substantially midway between said opening in said covering and said end of said covering.
15. The device according to claim 14, wherein said head covering comprises at least two strings or straps that are approximately 13 inches in length.
16. The device according to claim 15, wherein said head covering comprises one of:
- A. Sections of the same material; or
- B. Sections of different material.
17. The device according to claim 16, wherein said head covering comprises different sizes of caps.
18. The device according to claim 17, wherein said head covering comprises six substantially diamond-shaped sections.
19. The device according to claim 18, wherein said head covering comprises a brim.
20. The device according to claim 19, wherein said head covering comprises a logo.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 14, 2012
Publication Date: May 23, 2013
Inventor: Christine SCHULTZ (North Huntingdon, PA)
Application Number: 13/676,232