BEARD WRAP DEVICE

Abstract

A beard wrap device is provided to wrap around and cover a portion of a human beard. The beard wrap device includes a pair of ear loops configured to hang from ears of a user, and a receptacle comprising a first corner, a second corner, a first flap, and a second flap. A first one of the pair of ear loops is connected to the first corner and a second one of the pair of ear loops is connected to the second corner, the first corner comprises a first fastener, the second corner comprises a second fastener, an end of the first flap comprises a third fastener, and an end of the second flap comprises a fourth fastener. The first fastener is to couple to the third fastener and the second fastener is to couple to the fourth fastener to form the receptacle.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/105,653, filed Oct. 26, 2020, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates in general to cosmetic wraps for hair and, more particularly, facial hair.

Beards have reemerged in recent years as a popular and fashionable feature in men's grooming. While many decades of product development around hair care have resulted in a myriad array of treatments and related products available in the market. Such products may be ill-suited to beards, mustaches, or other facial hairstyles. Additionally, similar or substitute products are often not available for use with facial hair, among other example issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example beard wrap device in a wrapped state;

FIG. 2 is a view of the interior surface of an example beard wrap device in an unwrapped state;

FIG. 3 is a view of an example beard wrap device in a partially wrapped state;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an external surface of an example beard wrap device in an unwrapped state;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of an external surface of an example beard wrap device in an unwrapped state;

FIGS. 6A-6B are close-up views of example ear loop component of example beard wrap devices;

FIGS. 7A-7F are photographs showing the application of a beard wrap device to the face of a human user.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Facial hair may be treated through a variety of conditioners, creams, ointments, oils, and other treatments. Applying such treatments may involve keeping the treatment ingredients in prolonged contact with the user's facial hair. Keeping product on the hair on the head may be more manageable than doing the same with treatments that are to be applied to beards and mustaches. Do to gravity, when the user is upright, a larger portion of the hair may be atop the user's head and may be more prone to stay on the top of the head, as opposed to facial hair which may naturally slip off or run down the face and facial hair of the user while the user is upright.

In an improved arrangement, an example beard wrap device is provided to assist users in applying products to facial hair and keeping the product near or in contact with the hair, while preventing leakage, dripping, or other loss of the product (and associated messes).

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an example beard wrap device 100 in a wrapped state. When in the wrapped state, the beard wrap enrobes at least a portion of the beard (and potentially also a portion of the chin) of a human user and is adapted to catch and contain product from leaking downward from the beard and enhance the effectiveness of the treatment provided through application of the product. In some instances, the product may be applied to the beard hair directly, with the beard wrap wrapped and attached to the user following application of the product. In other instances, the beard wrap may be utilized to perform application of the product, for instance, by applying the product to the inside of the wrap and then wrapping the beard wrap around the beard of the user. In still other examples, product may be applied to the facial hair while the beard wrap is secured to the user (and surrounds the portion of the facial hair to which the product is to be employed, among other example implementations.

In some implementations, the components of an example beard wrap device may include an interior envelope 105 formed when the beard wrap device is in its wrapped state. The beard of a user may be enrobed within the envelope 105 to contain liquid, gel, cream, or other products that are to be applied over a direction of time to the user's beard. Ear loops (e.g., 110, 115) may be provided to connect the beard wrap device to the ears of the user. The beard wrap device may be brought into its wrapped state by connecting (e.g., via a hook and loop fastener, snap, button, adhesive, or other fastening mechanism) a lower left corner 135 to an upper right corner 120 of the beard wrap device, and connecting (e.g., using a similar fastener) the lower right corner 130 to an upper left corner 125 of the beard wrap device. The right and left ear loops (e.g., 110 and 115 respectively) may be fixedly coupled, respectively, to the upper right and upper left corners (e.g., 120 and 125) of the beard wrap device.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the interior surface 150 of an example beard wrap device 100 in a completely unwrapped, or open, state. In some implementations, the beard wrap device may be contoured to form a partial bowl section (e.g., 155) in the portion of the beard wrap device that is to correspond with the bottom of the beard or chin of the user (when the beard wrap device is in a wrapped state). Accordingly, at least the bottom portion of the beard of a user may be set within the bowl 155 of the beard wrap device (e.g., even prior to the beard wrap device being wrapped around the remainder of the bead). This can allow the user to properly orient the beard wrap device on their face and enhance the beard wrap device's ability to effectively capture moisture from products deposited on the beard (e.g., with a portion of the excess product settling within the partial bowl section 155 when in the wrapper state).

The beard wrap device may be closed, or wrapped, around the chin or beard of a user by taking one of the bottom corners (or flaps) 130, 135 of the beard wrap device and folding it upward and connecting it to an opposing upper corner (e.g., 125, 120) of the beard wrap. For instance, FIG. 3 shows that a bottom right flap 130 has been folded upward and coupled to the upper left corner 125 of the beard wrap device 100 to partially complete the wrapping of the beard wrap. Bringing the bottom left flap 135 upward and connecting the bottom left flap to a top right corner 120 may result in the completed wrapping of the beard wrap (such as shown in FIG. 1).

FIGS. 4 and 5 show perspective views of an external surface of an example beard wrap device. The perspective views of FIGS. 4 and 5 show an external view of the contoured dimensions 180 of the beard wrap device (corresponding to the partial bowl formed on the interior surface of the beard wrap device). In some implementations, a hook and loop fastening system may be deployed to fasten the lower corners or flaps to the opposing upper corners or flaps. For instance, a section of knit loop 170, 175 may be provided on the upper corners 120, 125 of the example beard wrap device, while corresponding sections of plastic hook sections 140, 145 (as shown in the view of FIG. 2) may be provided at the bottom corners (e.g., 130, 135). In other implementations, hook sections may be alternatively provided at the upper corners, while loop sections are provided in the bottom flaps, among other example implementations.

While the example above showed and discussed the use of a hook-and-loop-based fastened to fasten the lower corners to the upper corners of the beard wrap device, other implementations may utilize alternative attachment mechanisms provided at the corners and end flaps of the beard wrap. Various attachments may be utilized, such as snaps, buttons, hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO™ brand fasteners), release-button, zippers (metal or plastic), magnets, quick-release buckles, side/center release buckles, hooks, D-rings, O-rings, tri-loops, plastic slides/loops, cord locks, nylon, clamps, polypropylene, cam and spring buckles, ratchet buckles, brass, snap hooks, breakaway buckled, plastic 4-way crossover buckle, footman loops and spring pins, metal tongue buckles, buckle, military buckle, FIDLOCK™ buckles, among other examples. For instance, FIG. 5 shows a close-up view of one of the corners of an example beard wrap device.

FIGS. 6A-6B show close-up views of an example upper right corner of a beard wrap device showing the attachment of a right ear loop to the end of the upper right corner section. In some implementations, such as shown in FIG. 6A, an ear loop (e.g., 110a) may connect at a single point to the end of the upper corner section 120a (and above the end of a strip of hook-and-loop fastener material 170a running along a portion of the perimeter of the upper corner section. In an alternative implementation, shown in the example of FIG. 6B, an ear loop 110b may connect at its two ends at different points of the upper corner section 120b. In some implementations, the ear loop may be a continuous loop looped through a sleeve formed in the upper corner section, among other example implementations. FIG. 6B also shows alternative placement and geometry of an example upper corner section 120b, its fastener material 170b (e.g., a segment of hook-and-loop fastener material) and the corresponding bottom flap section 135b connected to the upper corner section 120b. It should be appreciated the various upper and lower corners or flap geometries may be utilized without departing from the more generalized beard wrap device concept discussed herein.

In some implementations, specialized material may be utilized to form a liner within an example beard wrap device. The liner may form the interior or exterior surface of the beard wrap device. In some implementations, the liner may be an intermediate layer between the interior surface and exterior surface of the beard wrap device. The inner and outer surfaces may be two separate layers in some implementations and formed of different materials. In other instances, the inner and outer surfaces may be the opposing surfaces of the same layer, among other example implementations.

In some implementations, the liner may be composed of a material that is water-tight, non-absorbent, or is otherwise capable of containing a liquid compound, cream, or other product configured for use in treating facial hair of a user. Containment of the product using this material may prevent the material from leaking out of the beard wrap and promote continued application of the product to the user's hair (within the beard wrap). In one example, a polyurethane laminate (PUL)-based fabric may be used to form an internal surface of the beard wrap, among other example fabrics or materials (e.g., natural rubber, butyl rubber, silicone, polyester (webbing), BIOTHANE™, ribbon, tubular webbing, metal, leather, aluminum, latex, GORE-TEX™, vinyl, THINSULATE™, Fluoropolymer Fabrics, silk, urethane, polyurethane, OTTERTEX™ polyvinyl chloride, elastomer, or other such materials). In other instances, the material within the beard wrap (e.g., the interior surface) may be partially absorbent to keep a product uniformly distributed on the interior of the beard wrap (e.g., to prevent the product from running downward and collecting at or near the bottom of the pocket of the beard wrap, among other example materials or combinations thereof). Materials used in the construction of the interior or exterior of the beard wrap may include such examples as cotton blend fabric, microfiber, leather, pleather, denim, velvet, fleece, flannel, silk, chiffon, tartan, crepe, felt, charmeuse, corduroy, Muslim, linen, terry cloth, brocade, gauze, poplin, damask, Jean, taffeta, voile, lawn cloth, organza, stretch fabrics, gingham, lame, broadcloth, challis, georgette, tweed, batiste, habutai, gabardine, hessian, Bengaline, dobby, mohair, sateen, madras, organdy, chintz, bamboo, chino cloth, alpaca, dimity, paduasoy, GORE-TEX™, moleskin, Bedford cord, crinoline, fustian, whipcord, velour, among other examples. In some implementations, a single layer of fabric may form both the liner and the internal surface of the beard wrap device, with the single layer being water-tight but having an absorbent side to form the internal surface. The same or a different material may be used for the exterior surface of the beard wrap device, such as material adapted for an attractive, fun, or whimsical aesthetic appearance, among other examples.

FIGS. 7A-7F are a series of photographs showing an example of a user putting on an example beard wrap device, such as the device shown and described in association with the sample above. In FIG. 7A, a user prepares to put on an example beard wrap device, with the inner surface of the beard wrap placed behind the beard or front of the chin of the user, the upper right corner section directed toward the right ear of the user, and the upper left corner section directed to the left ear of the user. The right and left ear loops may then be looped over the right and left ears of the user respectively, as shown in FIG. 7A. The beard wrap device may be offered in multiple sizes, each configured to enwrap varying lengths of beards. In FIG. 7B, the user positions the bottom of their beard in the partial bowl or pocket formed by the dimensions and contours of the beard wrap device. With (at least a portion of) the beard hair placed within the pocket of the beard wrap device, the device may be wrapped around the beard to enrobe the beard in the beard wrap device and position the beard wrap device in its wrapped state. For instance, bottom flaps may be folded up and across to attach to corresponding corners. For example, in FIG. 7C, a bottom right corner 130 is brought upward toward the top left corner section and (as shown in FIG. 7D) the bottom left corner 135 is brought upward toward the top right corner 120 to fasten each opposing bottom flap to the corresponding top corner (e.g., using fastener sections 145, 170) and enclose the wrap around the beard of the user. FIG. 7E is a front view of the beard wrap device 100 as worn by a user around their beard while the beard wrap device is in its enclosed and wrapped state. FIG. 7F is a side view of the beard wrap device 100 in its wrapped state as worn by a user.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of any means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any disclosed structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure herein were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a beard cover configured to wrap around and cover a portion of a human beard, wherein the beard cover comprises: a pair of ear loops configured to hang from ears of a user; a receptacle comprising a first corner, a second corner, a first flap, and a second flap;

wherein a first one of the pair of ear loops is connected to the first corner and a second one of the pair of ear loops is connected to the second corner, the first corner comprises a first fastener, the second corner comprises a second fastener, an end of the first flap comprises a third fastener, and an end of the second flap comprises a fourth fastener;

wherein the first fastener is to couple to the third fastener and the second fastener is to couple to the fourth fastener to form the receptacle, and the receptacle is configured to accept the portion of the human beard when formed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fasteners comprise snaps, the first and third fasteners are configured to coordinate with each other, and the second and fourth fasteners are configured to coordinate with each other.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fasteners comprise loop-and-hook-type fasteners.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fasteners comprise snaps.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fasteners comprise buttons and buttonholes.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an inside surface of the receptacle comprises a liner to contain a liquid within the beard cover when the beard cover is in a wrapped state.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the outside surface of the receptacle comprises a different material than the inside surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the beard cover comprises a partial bowl section to accept a bottom of the human beard of the user.

9. A method comprising:

placing a beard wrap device behind the front of a chin of a user;

hanging the beard wrap device from ears of a user using attachments at corners of the beard wrap device;

placing beard hair of the user within a pocket formed in the beard wrap device; and

folding two respective flaps of the beard wrap device upward and across to attach to a respective one of the corners of the beard wrap device to wrap the beard wrap device around the beard hair.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising add a liquid to the beard hair, wherein the beard wrap device assists in containing the liquid and maintaining application of the liquid to the beard hair.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the liquid comprises a hair treatment substance.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the liquid comprises a hair conditioner.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein an inside surface of the beard wrap device is to contact the beard hair and comprises an absorbent material to assist in containing the liquid and maintaining application of the liquid to the beard hair.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the beard wrap device further comprises a liner to prevent the liquid from escaping to an external surface of the beard wrap device.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the beard wrap device comprises a pair of ear loops configured to hang the beard wrap device from the ears of the user.