Disposable Sweatband
A disposable sweatband is constructed from an absorbent material, the disposable sweatband including a pliable planar body, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end, and a second end. The interior surface is pressed against a user's head, with the first end being attached to the second end in order to secure the pliable planar body and thus the disposable sweatband about the user's head. The means by which the first end is attached to the second end is open-ended, with possibilities including an integrated adhesive material with removable liner, separately provided adhesive material, and separately provided paper clip. The pliable planar body has a laminated construction, being formed by four overlapping individual layers. This increases absorbency. The pliable planar body is made from paper towels, specifically, which are disposable, inexpensive, and biodegradable.
The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/030,326 filed on Jul. 29, 2014.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to athletic head gear, more particularly an absorbent disposable sweatband. The disposable sweatband is disposable, lightweight, and keeps perspiration from dripping into the eyes or on to eye glasses.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPerspiration is a vital bodily function in which salty fluids are produced from the sweat glands to help the body regulate its temperature and stay cool. Sweat is commonly found under the arms, on the palms of the hand, and particularly the forehead (as well as many other places). A problem arises when sweat drips down from the forehead and into a person's eyes or onto their eye glasses. This is why many people use sweatbands around their cranium during strenuous activity, both indoor and outdoor, or during any activity that causes them to sweat.
Several issues exist with common sweatbands in today's market that deter people from buying and using them. Common reusable sweatbands work fairly well, but need to be washed after each use. Washing them changes their elasticity, and the product becomes either too loose or tight, resulting in headaches. As well as this, they tend to be fairly expensive.
The present invention provides users with an inexpensive alternative to current sweatbands on the market. The present invention is lightweight, cost effective, and works well to absorb sweat around the entire circumference of the cranium, thus preventing perspiration from dripping into the user's eyes or onto eye glasses. Another convenience is that each sweatband is disposable, easy to use, quick to put on, and poses no environmental impact. This product will be made from recycled materials, be comfortable enough to fit all head sizes, and can be sprayed with insect repellent to give 360 degree insect protection. On top of this, this invention will be easy to manufacture. They can be produced as a roll or package with 10-20 sweatbands, stacked in either a box or in clear plastic wrap, with specific packages being determined according to results of market studies.
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
The present invention is a disposable sweatband which is easily produced, stored, applied, and discarded. The present invention is intended to be worn around a person's head, though a user may choose to secure the present invention around other limbs or body parts. The present invention comprises a pliable planar body 1 that a user can adjust to fit around the user's head (or other body part as desired). The pliable planar body 1 itself comprises an interior surface 2, an exterior surface 3, a first end 4, and a second end 5. The interior surface 2 and exterior surface 3 are opposite faces of the pliable planar body 1, with the interior surface 2 and exterior surface 3 being positioned opposite each other through the pliable planar body 1. The first end 4 and the second end 5 are delineated by opposite edges of the pliable planar body 1, with the first end 4 and second end 5 being positioned opposite each other along the pliable planar body 1. In order to secure the disposable sweatband about a user, the first end 4 is attached to the second end 5, creating a member receiving volume 6 between the interior surface 2 and interior to the pliable planar body 1. The pliable planar body 1 encircles a body part (e.g. head) positioned in the member receiving volume 6, secured in a position which allows the disposable sweatband to absorb perspiration and keep a user's body dry. The pliable planar body 1 is illustrated independently in
The pliable planar body 1 is preferable constructed from an absorbent material 7. The absorbent material 7 is necessary to allow the present invention to keep a user's skin dry by soaking up perspiration. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment the paper towels 8 are used for the absorbent material 7; this is because paper towels 8 are low cost, absorbent, and environmentally friendly.
While the specific dimensions of the pliable planar body 1 can vary between embodiments, in a preferred embodiment the pliable planar body 1 is a four ply paper towel 8 with a length of 27 inches, width of 2½ inches, and thickness of 3/64 inches. In embodiments where more or less layers are used this thickness will correspondingly increase or decrease, but the length and width will preferably remain constant.
In the preferred embodiment, the pliable planar body 1 comprises a plurality of layers 9. The layered construction provided for better moisture absorbing properties. Each of the plurality of layers 9 are perimetrically aligned with each other and adjacently connected to each other to form the pliable planar body 1. More specifically, an adjacent layer 10 from the plurality of layers 9 is connected atop a reference layer 11 from the plurality of layers 9. Effectively, the pliable planar body 1 has a laminate construction, the laminate construction being used to form the pliable planar body 1 from the plurality of layers 9. This layered construction is illustrated via
The specific number of layers used for the pliable planar body 1 can be altered in different embodiments of the present invention. In the preferred embodiment the plurality of layers 9 numbers four layers, offering an ideal combination of absorbability and flexibility. In embodiments that use fewer layers for the plurality of layers 9, the pliable planar body 1 may not be as effective stemming from reduced absorption capabilities corresponding to the reduced number of layers. Oppositely, while embodiments with a greater number of layers for the plurality of layers 9 may have excellent absorptive properties, the added layers 9 may reduce the flexibility of the pliable planar body 1. This has the effect of making the pliable planar body 1 more difficult to flex to match a user's body. It is for these reasons that the plurality of layers 9 comprises four layers in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
The core configuration of the present invention allows the disposable sweatband to be secured around a user's head or other body part. Different embodiments may utilize different means of securing said disposable sweatband. The exact method of attaching the first end 4 to the second end 5 is flexible; a means to do so can be provided on the pliable planar body 1 or a separate fastener may be used in conjunction with the first end 4 and the second end 5. Ultimately, any means is suitable as long as it allows for the two ends of the present invention to be secured to each other.
In one embodiment, the pliable planar body 1 can comprise a first attachment means and a second attachment means. The first attachment means is positioned at the first end 4 while the second attachment means is positioned at the second end 5 The first attachment means is engaged with the second attachment means in order to attach the first end 4 to the second end 5.
The first attachment means and second attachment means themselves can be chosen from a range of possibilities; for example, the first attachment means can be a tab while the second attachment means can be a notch. The tab is placed into the notch in order to engage the tab with the notch and subsequently attach the first end 4 to the second end 5.
Other examples of how the first attachment means and second attachment means can be embodied include hook-and-loop fasteners (more commonly referred to be the trademark name of Velcro), snap fasteners, and staples. Of the available choices, the most optimal are ones which are low cost, light-weight, and environmentally friendly.
In another embodiment, an adhesive material 12 and removable liner 13 are included. The adhesive liner is positioned on the exterior surface 3 and is covered by the removable liner 13. Peeling off the removable liner 13 exposes the adhesive material 12 and allows for the first end 4 to be attached to the second end 5 by pressing the interior surface 2 (at the second end 5) against the exterior surface 3 (at the first end 4). An example of an adhesive material 12 with removable liner 13 is provided through
As an alternative to incorporating the adhesive material 12 and removable liner 13 onto the pliable planar body 1, the adhesive material 12 may be provided separately as a strip, with the adhesive strip being covered by the removable liner 13. This independent sticker can then be used to attach the first end 4 and second end 5 by taking the removable liner 13 off the strip and then pressing the adhesive strip across the first end 4 and second end 5. The sticker thus attaches the first end 4 to the second end 5. The sticker can be provided alongside the present invention, with multiple stickers being positioned on a strip or sheet of material, as shown in
Another example of a potential coupling mechanism which can be used to attach the first end 4 to the second end 5 is a paper clip 14. The paper clip 14 is affixed to both the first end 4 and the second end 5 of the disposable sweatband; the paper clip 14 thus serves to attach the first end 4 to the second end 5, creating a circular band that stays in place about a user's head. An illustration showing an example of how the paper clip 14 could be used is provided in
These are just a few examples of ways in which the first end 4 and second end 5 can be connected to each other; different methods of attaching the ends can be employed by different embodiments of the present invention.
The method of applying the present invention about a person's forehead is subsequently described. The user presses the interior surface 2 of the disposable sweatband against their forehead, grasping the first end 4 and second end 5 and pulling each end around their head. The first end 4 and the second end 5 meet at the back of the head, with the user wrapping the headband as loosely or tightly as they desire. Once the headband is at a desired tightness, the user secures the first end 4 to the second end 5. As earlier discussed, this attachment can be accomplished via a number of methods, such as an integrated adhesive material 12 or separately provided attachment, e.g. a paperclip.
Once in place, the sweatband helps to absorb perspiration during strenuous physical activities, keeping sweat from falling into a user's eyes and interfering with their activity. If the sweatband becomes saturated, it can easily be replaced with a fresh sweatband. A number of sweatbands can easily be carried by a user due to the their light weight and compact size. This allows for a package of sweatbands to last a user a full day without issue. As the sweatbands are disposable and biodegradable, saturated sweatbands can simply be placed in a garbage can or similar refuse collection apparatus.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims
1. A disposable sweatband comprises:
- a pliable planar body;
- the pliable planar body comprises an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end, and a second end;
- the interior surface and the exterior surface being opposite surfaces of the pliable planar body;
- the first end and the second end being opposite ends of the pliable planar body;
- the first end being attached to the second end;
- a member receiving volume being formed between the interior surface and interior to the pliable planar body, wherein the pliable planar body encircles a member in the member receiving volume; and
- the pliable planar body being made of an absorbent material.
2. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- the pliable planar body comprises a plurality of layers;
- an adjacent layer from the plurality of layers being connected atop a reference layer from the plurality of layers; and
- the adjacent layer being perimetrically aligned with the reference layer.
3. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 2 comprises:
- the plurality of layers being laminated together.
4. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 2 comprises:
- the plurality of layers being four layers.
5. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- an adhesive material;
- a removable liner;
- the adhesive material being positioned on the exterior surface;
- the adhesive material being positioned at the first end; and
- the removable liner being positioned atop the adhesive material, wherein the adhesive material is covered by the removable liner.
6. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- a paper clip; and
- the first end being attached to the second end by the paper clip.
7. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 1 comprises:
- the absorbent material being a paper towel.
8. A disposable sweatband comprises:
- a pliable planar body;
- the pliable planar body comprises an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of layers;
- the interior surface and the exterior surface being opposite surfaces of the pliable planar body;
- the first end and the second end being opposite ends of the pliable planar body;
- the first end being attached to the second end;
- a member receiving volume being formed between the interior surface and interior to the pliable planar body, wherein the pliable planar body encircles a member in the member receiving volume;
- an adjacent layer from the plurality of layers being connected atop a reference layer from the plurality of layers;
- the adjacent layer being perimetrically aligned with the base layer; and
- the pliable planar body being made of an absorbent material.
9. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 8 comprises:
- the plurality of layers being laminated together.
10. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 8 comprises:
- the plurality of layers being four layers.
11. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 8 comprises:
- an adhesive material;
- a removable liner;
- the adhesive material being positioned on the exterior surface;
- the adhesive material being positioned at the first end; and
- the removable liner being positioned atop the adhesive material, wherein the adhesive material is covered by the removable liner.
12. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 8 comprises:
- a paper clip; and
- the first end being attached to the second end by the paper clip.
13. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 8 comprises:
- the absorbent material being a paper towel.
14. A disposable sweatband comprises:
- a pliable planar body;
- the pliable planar body comprises an interior surface, an exterior surface, a first end, a second end, and a plurality of layers;
- the plurality of layers being laminated together;
- the interior surface and the exterior surface being opposite surfaces of the pliable planar body;
- the first end and the second end being opposite ends of the pliable planar body;
- the first end being attached to the second end;
- a member receiving volume being formed between the interior surface and interior to the pliable planar body, wherein the pliable planar body encircles a member in the member receiving volume;
- an adjacent layer from the plurality of layers being connected atop a reference layer from the plurality of layers;
- the adjacent layer being perimetrically aligned with the base layer;
- the pliable planar body being made of an absorbent material; and
- the absorbent material being a paper towel.
15. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 14 comprises:
- the plurality of layers being four layers.
16. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 14 comprises:
- an adhesive material;
- a removable liner;
- the adhesive material being positioned on the exterior surface;
- the adhesive material being positioned at the first end; and
- the removable liner being positioned atop the adhesive material, wherein the adhesive material is covered by the removable liner.
17. The disposable sweatband as claimed in claim 14 comprises:
- a paper clip; and
- the first end being attached to the second end by the paper clip.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 27, 2015
Publication Date: Feb 4, 2016
Inventor: ALFRED HORST KLOPFER (DUNEDIN, FL)
Application Number: 14/809,601
