Field of invention

This application relates to a protective cover or guard for a collar of a shirt or similar item of clothing.

Background

Over a six month period, a survey in the City Of London of male white collar workers showed that 40% of all males, 20% being Afro American males suffer with five big problems, four of which result in bleeding may stain the top part of the wings of the collar or the knot of the tie, namely in-growing hairs, spots, coarse hairs and moles. The final problem is that 90% of ties are made of silk and it is necessary to use chemicals to remove bloodstains from the tie.

Turning to the first problem, in-growing hairs cause the skin to form a lump which may be unnoticeable when shaving a 2 to 4-day beard growth. When wet-shaving, the razor may cut off the top part of the lump, causing the face to bleed profusely. Similarly, spots around the lower jaw also form lumps on the top layer of the skin which may be unnoticeable under a 2 to 4-day growth, especially under the jaw line. Moles can be located below the jaw area including below and above the mouth and also form a lump on the top layer of the skin. Approximately 20% of all males suffer with the problem of face moles. This increases to 40% in elderly males. Five out often times, males when taking a wet shave, catch the mole with the razor, causing the mole to bleed profusely. Finally, one problem which is more applicable to Afro American males (approximately 50%) and which also causes bleeding when shaving is coarse hairs and skin.

A variety of collar protectors are known in the art. For example, US 3,860,967 and US 4,953,232 both describe protectors which may be worn to conceal and protect a shirt collar. Both protectors have a shape matching that of the collar to be protected and have pockets at each tip to hold the collar in place. US 5,651,110 and US 7,080,413 describe collar protectors which have a banded section fitting inside a collar and a wide section which is used to protect the front of a wearer's clothing. There are also a wide variety of other shaped collar protectors, e.g. FR2800576, US 4,190,903, US 2003/0093850 and US 5,940,882, AU002865297, US2007/039084, US 4,190,903 and FR2645717. A label for outwear incorporating a fluidifying agent for natural airway secretions is shown in WO2008/046603. A disposable styptic device is shown in GB2340400 and a delivery system for a haemostatic material in US2006/0008505.

The present applicant has recognized the need for an improved collar protector.

Statements of invention

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a collar protector comprising a first elongate portion which is shaped to match an inside band of a collar; and a second elongate portion which is generally shaped to match an outside surface of a collar, wherein at least part of the collar protector is impregnated with a reagent which promotes blood clotting.

For example, at least an outer surface (i.e. the surface which is visible in use) or layer of the second elongate portion may be impregnated with the blood-clotting agent. In this way, any blood falling on this surface should congeal quickly. Additionally, this portion of the collar protector may be brought into contact with the face to assist clotting in seconds. The whole outer surface of the collar protector may be impregnated with the blood-clotting agent. In this way, blood running down a user's neck will be clotted by the outer surface of the first elongate portion.

The collar protector may comprise a material impregnated with blood-clotting agent which has been manufactured by soaking the material with the agent, followed by drying the soaked material. The material impregnated with blood-clotting agent may be compressed tissue paper. By impregnating the material with the blood-clotting agent rather than spraying a coating of the agent onto the outer surface of the collar protector, the risk of the blood-clotting agent itself staining a user's face or collar may be reduced. The collar protector may be made from a multi-layered material which may include at least one impermeable layer. In this way, any blood which does not clot quickly is prevented from penetrating the collar protector to the collar. Additionally, sweat from a user's neck may be prevented from sullying the collar. The impermeable layer may be sandwiched between two layers, one or both of which may be impregnated with blood- clotting agent.

At least part of the collar protector may contain a substance which alleviates minor medical conditions that temporarily impair breathing.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a collar protector comprising a first elongate portion which is shaped to match an inside band of a collar; and a second elongate portion which is generally shaped to match an outside surface of a collar, wherein at least part of the collar protector is impregnated with a substance which alleviates minor medical conditions that temporarily impair breathing.

At least a part of an outer surface of the second elongate portion may be coated with the substance. The substance may be a vaporising substance and may be covered with a removable patch whereby removal of the patch releases the substance. The substance may be mentholated, e.g. such as the medication sold under the trademark Vicks ®.

At least an outer surface of the second elongate portion may be impregnated with a blood clotting agent thus combining the two aspects of the invention. Alternatively or additionally, the collar protector may be made from a multi-layered material including at least one impermeable layer and at least one layer impregnated with a blood clotting agent. The impermeable layer may be sandwiched between two layers of compressed tissue paper impregnated with the blood-clotting agent.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a sachet for use on any collar protector described above or below, e.g. to provide another way to combine the benefits of the above aspects or to increase the alleviation of the minor medical condition. The sachet may comprise a layer containing a vaporising substance which alleviates minor medical conditions that temporarily impair breathing, a transparent cover which is removable to release the vaporizing substance and an adhesive layer for attaching the sachet. The sachet may also be used on other items of clothing or attached to any surface, e.g. a cot wall.

In all aspects, the collar is preferably a standard winged collar and thus the second elongate portion may comprise a central portion made from a multi-layered material including at least one impermeable layer and two generally triangular wing portions which are at opposed ends of the central portion and which are made from a transparent material.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a collar protector comprising a first elongate portion which is shaped to match an inside band of a collar; and a second elongate portion which is generally shaped to match an outside surface of a collar and comprising a central portion made from a multi-layered material including at least one impermeable layer and two generally triangular wing portions which are at opposed ends of the central portion and which are made from a transparent material.

The transparent material may be water impermeable. The collar protector of this aspect may incorporate the features of the other aspects, e.g. blood clotting agent and/or substance which alleviates minor medical conditions that temporarily impair breathing.

In aspects for use with a standard winged collar, the second elongate portion may have a triangular shaped pocket at each opposed end adapted to receive the collar tips. Alternatively or additionally, there may be a plurality of (e.g five) foldable tabs. The plurality may include a pair of foldable tabs to secure each wing portion to the corresponding wing of the collar and a foldable tab at the centre of the second elongate portion to secure the second portion to the band of the collar. The tabs may be reinforced with a small length of wire, e.g. lmm wire, to allow the tabs to be bent securely into place. The use of tabs allows the collar protector to be simply attached and detached from a collar. Furthermore, if the collar protector is not a perfect fit on the collar, the use of tabs allow for more flexibility in fitting the collar protector than the pockets of US 3,860,967 and US 4,953,232. Where a vaporizing substance is used, the substance may be applied to the generally triangular winged portions of the second elongate portion.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a collar protector comprising a first elongate portion which is shaped to match an inside band of a collar; a second elongate portion which is generally shaped to match an outside surface of a collar, and a plurality of foldable tabs to detachably secure the collar protector to a collar. The collar protector may be impregnated with a blood clotting agent as described above.

In each aspect, the collar protector may be disposable and may be made from a biodegradable material. Multiple collar protectors and/or sachets may be housed in a dispenser, e.g. a box or a packet which may be transparent with a notice explaining how to use the collar guard or sachets, e.g. to remove the cover to release the medicine (vaporising substance). Similarly, multiple sachets may be provided in a dispenser.

Brief description of drawings

How the present invention may be put into effect will now be described by way of example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a collar protector being placed on a collar;

Fig. 2 shows the collar protector of Fig.1 on a collar;

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the collar protector of Fig. 1 showing internal details;

Fig. 4 shows various sizes of collar protectors,

Fig. 5a shows a box containing a plurality of collar protectors;

Fig. 5b shows a pocket sized packet containing a plurality of collar protectors;

Fig. 6 shows an alternative collar protector;

Fig. 7 shows a box for housing a plurality of patches used in the collar protector of Fig.

6, and

Fig. 8 shows a sachet attachable to the collar protector, and

Fig. 9 shows a variation of the collar protector of Fig 1. Detailed description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a collar protector or guard 10 which is shaped to match a standard collar 12. Thus, as shown in Figure 1, the collar protector 10 comprises a first band portion 16 which, in use, fits on the inside band of a collar and a second band portion 18 which has two generally triangular wing portions at opposed ends and which, in use, fits over the outside of a collar. The collar protector 10 is lowered into position so that, in use as shown in Figure 2, the band portion of the protector is inside the shirt collar 12 and is adjacent a user's neck. In use, the wing portions lie on top of the corresponding wing portions of the collar. Thus, the collar protector 10 is a perfect fit over the collar 12.

There are five secure tabs 14 on the collar protectors which are folded to secure the collar protector to the collar. There is a pair of tabs to hold each wing portion in place and a tab at the rear of the band portion. The tabs in each pair are symmetrically placed either side of the tip of each wing portion. The five tabs 14 are reinforced with a small length of wire to allow the tabs to be bent securely into place. The wire may be one inch thick. In this way, the collar protectors are securely attached but also easily detachable from the collar.

As shown in Figure 3, the collar protector comprises three layers. There are two outer layers of compressed paper tissue material with a barrier layer made from an impermeable or waterproof material sandwiched between these two outer layers. Compressed paper tissue material is used since this is an absorbent material; other similar materials may also be used. As shown the first elongate portion of the upper outer layer fits inside a user's collar and absorbs water or sweat from a user's neck. The central barrier layer may also be compressed tissue paper impregnated or coated with an appropriate impermeable coating. This prevents fluid, e.g. blood, sweat, make-up, fake tan, etc which is not absorbed by the collar guard from passing through the guard to the collar.

All or part of one or both of the outer layers, particularly the upper outer layer of the wing portions, are impregnated or coated with blood clotting or congealing chemical agents. The outer layers may be impregnated with blood-clotting agent by soaking the material with the agent, followed by drying the soaked material. When bleeding begins, the collar protector may be brought into contact with the face so that the clotting agents may clot the blood and stop the flow of blood from the cut. These clotting agents are designed to stop bleeding in minutes. Alternatively, the collar protector may be left on the collar and the clotting agents are designed to clot in seconds any blood falling on the protector. The impermeable layer prevents any blood which does not congeal immediately from penetrating to the shirt collar. Because bloodstains are eliminated, there is no need to scrub or use bleach and detergents on the shirt outer collar, including the wings, thus prolonging the life of the shirt. Thus, there should also be no blood flow onto a tie. In this way, the top of the shirt collar (and particularly shirt collar wings) are now protected from blood penetration.

Figure 4 shows that the size of the collar protector may be designed to fit shirts of different collar sizes, e.g. 14" to 18" collars. By placing a collar protector which is one size bigger on your collar, the collar protector also covers the knot of a tie completely. This gives the knot full protection from bloodstains and penetration and eliminates the need to use chemicals to clean the tie, which often damages the tie, making it unusable.

Figure 5 a shows a plurality of collar protectors 10 housed in a box which is similar to a standard tissue box. The box comprises a detachable lid which is removed to reveal an aperture on the top of the box through which collar protectors are dispensable. The collar protectors are arranged in the box so that a user takes a single collar protector at a time. A box for an individual user may typically contain 50 collar guards. Collar guards may be available in boxes of 5,000 or 10,000 for commercial users, such as dry cleaners and hair salons. As shown in Figure 5b, the collar protectors may also be dispensed in a pocket sized packet of collar protectors similar to a pocket sized packet of tissues. Such a pocket sized dispenser may hold five protectors, may be made of plastics and is small enough to be carried at all times.

Figure 6 shows an alternative collar protector which is similar to that shown in Figure 3 and thus has two outer layers of compressed paper tissue material with a barrier layer made from an impermeable or waterproof material sandwiched between these two outer layers. A triangular patch 24 of vaporising substance which is suitable for clearing blocked sinuses or otherwise assist with minor medical conditions that temporarily impair breathing is applied to each triangular portion of the second band portion 18. An example of a suitable substance is a mentholated topical cream, including the medication sold under the trademark Vicks ®. Other alternative substances which provide the same effect may also be used. Such substances typically contains camphor or similar substances which are harmful when ingested. Thus, the location of the substance is ideal since it is close enough to a user's nasal passages to alleviate symptoms but there is no danger of the substance being ingested.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 8, the patch 32 is covered with a transparent plastic cover 30 which when removed allows the substance to vaporise and help alleviate a user's blocked nose symptoms. Once the covering patch 30 is removed, there are no visible signs of the medication on the collar and thus the colour of the collar protector matches that of the collar it covers (i.e. is white for a white collar). The patch 32 is held in place on the collar with a layer of double-sided adhesive 34. The cover 30 has a portion extending beyond that of the patch 32 to enable a user to peel off the patch. The patch may also be termed a sachet.

This patch has additional uses to incorporation in the collar guard. For example, when children get flu, a traditional solution to relieve them of their discomfort is to rub medicine onto their chest at night time. A more effective way, would be to place this patch (which may be termed a Flu Guard patch) on their headboard for several reasons. Some children are allergic to having medicines on their skin and the Flu Guard patches may last longer. Last but not least, it is a well know fact that at night some children suck their thumbs and the last thing you want is the child sucking in medicine that you have rubbed on their chest. Furthermore, in the morning a Flu Guard patch may be placed on the ends their shirt collar just before they go to school.

Other uses of Flu Guard patches are:

® When driving to work or taking the children to school, a patch may be stuck in the car. • When visiting elderly relatives, a flu guard patch is a good way to help them when they have flu, e.g. by placing a Flu Guard patch on their clothing. It is well known that elderly people can suffer with arthritis and can not open jars or bottles of medicine. Thus, the patch is a useful alternative.

The collar protector of Figure 6 also differs from that of Figure 3 in that the wired tabs have been removed and the collar protector is held in place by triangular shaped pockets 22 on each triangular portion of the second band portion 18. In use, the corners of a user's collar fit snugly into the pockets to removably secure the collar protector to a collar. A combination of tabs and pockets could be used if desired. The pockets may also be used without applying the vaporising substance.

Figure 7 shows a box for housing a plurality of flu guard patches/sachets that fit at the top end of the shirt wings on collar protector. The box houses, for example 24 flu guard sachets in two rows of 12. Information may be printed on the sides and base of the box, e.g. a box which is transparent may have a notice on one side explaining that a user just peels off the strip (i.e. the transparent plastic cover on the flu guards sachets) to release the medicine.

The collar protector of Figure 9 is similar to that of Figure 6 in that the collar protector is held in place by triangular shaped pockets 22 on each triangular portion of the second band portion 18. In use, the corners of a user's collar fit snugly into the pockets to removably secure the collar protector to a collar. The two generally triangular wing portions at opposed ends of the second band portion are made from transparent thin plastics material. In this way, the wings of the shirt collar are visible through the collar protector, which is particularly useful if the shirt is coloured, e.g. red or blue. The plastic material also prevents the wings of a shirt 12 getting wet when it rains. The central band shaped section of the second band portion 18 is made from three layers as described in relation to Figure 3. The collar protector of Figure 9 may incorporate one or both of the blood clotting agent and the substance that alleviates minor breathing conditions. It will be appreciated that there are various advantages of the collar protector, including prolonging the life of a shirt, environmental friendliness. Although the collar protector is primarily described as protecting again blood stains, it will protect against other stains, e.g. sweat around the inside band of a collar. Because bloodstains and sweat stains are minimized, there is no need to scrub or use bleach and detergents on the shirt collar, thus prolonging the life of the shirt.

The collar protectors may be made of compressed tissue paper or other bio-degradable material. Furthermore, the reduced need for bleach and detergents when washing the shirt collar reduces environmental degradation. Thus the collar protector is environmentally friendly.

The collar protector may be used in a variety of situations. For example, if a user gets up late for work, shaves in a hurry and cuts himself; all he needs to do is put a collar guard over the collar and go to work. As described above, the collar guard is impregnated with a chemical, e.g. white chalk, to stop the bleeding. When the user arrives to work for that important meeting, he simply removes the collar protector and there will be no blood spots on his collar. Alternatively, for users living in hot countries, a collar guard may be used to prevent the inside of the collar becoming black and wet through sweat on the journey to work or whilst out at lunch. As before, the user just puts on a collar guard at home before leaving or when going out to lunch and takes it off when arriving back at work, so that the collar is clean and dry. Similarly, if it gets hot in office, e.g. due to failure of the air conditioning, a user simply puts on a collar guard whilst waiting for the air conditioning to be fixed and his collar will stay dry.

Other uses include:

• a lunchtime haircut since a collar guard may be used to catch the small hairs left on your collar that itch all day;

• when applying make-up or fake suntan spray, a collar guard may be placed on the collar when applying make-up and taken off just before arriving at work so that excess makeup or spray is on the collar guard and not on the collar;

• when wearing make-up or fake suntan spray, particularly when sweating. ® A dry cleaner outlet may also present a dry cleaned shirt with a collar guard attached. @ a hair dresser may apply a collar guard before cutting a customer's hair to prevent unwanted and very fine itchy hairs on the collar.

No doubt many other effective alternatives will occur to the skilled person. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments and encompasses modifications apparent to those skilled in the art lying within the spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto.