| Claims 1. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus (10) comprising at least one pliant ly flexible impermeable under layer (12, 14) for covering hair on a user's head, and a pliantly flexible decorative top layer (18) which extends fully over the under layer (12, 14), characterised in that the decorative top layer (18) is a decorative head scarf suitable for wearing in public, so that the user exhibits a presentable appearance and is thus not confined to the treatment area. 2. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said impermeable under layer (14) is metal. 3. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the metal under layer (14) is Aluminium. 4. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top layer (18) is permeable. 5. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top layer (18) is a fabric. 6. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fabric is woven. 7. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative top layer (18) includes a decorative pattern on at least an outer surface. 8. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the decorative top layer (18) includes a decorative pattern on an inner surface which is opposite the outer surface. 9. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative top layer (18) includes at least one fastener (26) for releasably holding portions of the top layer (18) together. 10. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further comprising an adornment (28) for covering the said at least one fastener (26) to substantially conceal the fastener during a public appearance. 11. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the adornment (28) is removably engagable with the decorative top layer (18). 12. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the adornment (28) is shaped as a flower. 13. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the flower shape is a rose. 14. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second pliantly flexible impermeable under layer (12). 15. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the second impermeable under layer is a plastics cap (12). 16. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the plastics cap (12) includes an elasticated rim (20). 17. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pliantly flexible permeable under layer (16). 18. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the permeable under layer (16) is an absorbent fabric. 19. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the permeable under layer (16) is a towelling cap. 20. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each under layer (12, 14, 16) is independent and separate of the top layer (18). 21. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each impermeable layer (12, 14) is liquid impermeable. 22. Deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in the form of a kit of parts. 23. A method of treating head hair comprising the steps of : a) applying the deep- conditioning hair treatment to a user's head hair; b) covering all or substantially all of the user's head hair with a pliantly flexible impermeable under layer (12, 14); and c) covering the impermeable under layer (12, 14) with a pliantly flexible decorative top layer (18) being in the form of a decorative head scarf, so that the user exhibits a presentable appearance when in public and is thus not confined to a treatment area. 24. A method as claimed in claim 23, further comprising a step d) subsequent to step b) of covering all or substantially all of the user's hair with a second pliantly flexible impermeable under layer (12) which is different to the first said pliantly flexible impermeable under layer (14). 25. A method as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, further comprising a step e) subsequent to step b) but prior to step c) of covering the or each impermeable under layer (12, 14) with a pliantly flexible permeable under layer (16). |
The present invention relates to deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus.
Deep-conditioning treatments often have to stay in or on the hair for hours at a time, and in some cases it is beneficial to leave the treatment overnight. However, this creates significant problems for the user since their activity and particularly leaving the building is severely restricted due to their appearance.
The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus comprising at least one pliantly flexible impermeable under layer for covering hair on a user's head, and a pliantly flexible decorative top layer which extends fully over the under layer, characterised in that the decorative top layer is a decorative head scarf suitable for wearing in public, so that the user exhibits a presentable appearance and is thus not confined to a treatment area.
Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 22, inclusive.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of treating head hair comprising the steps of : a) applying the deep-conditioning hair treatment to a user's head hair; b) covering all or substantially all of the user's head hair with a pliantly flexible impermeable under layer; and c) covering the impermeable under layer with a pliantly flexible decorative top layer in the form of a decorative head scarf, so that the user exhibits a presentable appearance when in public and is thus not confined to a treatment area.
Preferable and/or optional features of the second aspect of the invention are set forth in claim 24 and claim 25. The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of one embodiment of deep- conditioning hair treatment apparatus, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and
Figures 2a to 2e show the deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus, when in use.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus 10 which comprises two pliantly flexibly liquid-impermeable, in other words liquid proof, under layers 12, 14, a pliantly flexible liquid-permeable under layer 16, and a pliantly flexible decorative top layer 18. The lowermost impermeable under layer 12 is a plastics skull cap dimensioned to fit the top, sides and rear of a user's skull so as to encompass all or substantially all of a user's head hair. The cap 12 is uniform and continuous or unbroken, and preferably includes an elasticated rim 20 to accommodate different head sizes.
The intermediate impermeable under layer 14 is metal, preferably being aluminium, and is also formed as a cap dimensioned to fit over and fully encompass the lowermost impermeable under layer 12. The intermediate impermeable under layer 14 provides insulation for the user's head.
The permeable under layer 16 is seated on the intermediate impermeable under layer 14, again to fit over and fully encompass the under layers 12, 14 therebelow. The permeable under layer 16 is an absorbent fabric formed into a further, typically non-elasticated, skull cap. Conveniently, a woven towelling material can be utilised.
The decorative top layer 18 is beneficially a permeable woven fabric being patterned on both opposite sides 22, 24. However, the top layer 18 may be non- woven, and may be patterned on only one side 22 or plane on both sides 22, 24. The decorative top layer 18 also includes a fastener 26 for releasably holding portions of the top layer 18 together so that the top layer 18 can be secured around and, preferably, over the under layers 12, 14, 16. Typically, the fastener 26 may be one or more press-studs and/or a hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro RTM. Conveniently, the top layer 18 is a head scarf, but it may be a bandana or other head adornment item.
An adornment 28 is also provided as part of the deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus 10. The adornment 28 is adapted to releasably engage the top layer 18 so as to cover the fastener 26 of the top layer 18. In this embodiment, the adornment 28 is flower shaped, such as that of a rose. However, other shapes can be readily envisaged.
With particular reference now to Figures 2a to 2e, the use of the deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus 10 will now be described. The person 30 applies the deep- conditioning hair treatment as prescribed by the product packaging or instructions Figure 2a. With the treatment still in or on the hair 32, the lowermost impermeable under layer 12, being the plastics cap, is placed over the skull to cover the hair 32 and to keep the treatment thereon Figure 2b. The impermeable material of the lowermost under layer 12 prevents leakage therethrough, and the elasticated rim 20 prevents or limits leakage therearound. The intermediate impermeable under layer 14, being the metal skull cap, is then fitted over the lowermost impermeable under layer 12. This under layer 14 is beneficial in that it provides a further barrier against leakage and also provides insulation for the user's head 34.
To provide further insulation and also increased comfort to the user, the permeable under layer 16 is then fitted over the lowermost and intermediate impermeable under layers 12, 14. Finally, the decorative top layer 18 is applied to cover and disguise the under layers 12, 14, 16. With the fastener 26 engaged, the adornment 28 can be attached, and the user now has an appearance which is suitable for accepting guests or answering the door, as shown in Figure 2d, sleeping without soiling the bed linen, as shown in Figure 2e, or going out. Although the under layers are independent and separate of each other, it can be envisaged that the under layers could be integral with each other as a one-piece multi- layered material.
Furthermore, the top layer may also be provided integrally with the under layers as one- piece. If the intermediate impermeable under layer is sufficiently robust to allow cleaning, then the lowermost impermeable under layer may be dispensed with. Similarly, the permeable under layer may also be dispensed with. Additionally, the adornment is optional. Other fastening means may be provided for holding the top layer in place, or may be dispensed with altogether.
It is thus possible to provide deep-conditioning hair treatment apparatus which enables a user to be presentable in public whilst allowing a hair treatment to remain on the head for the required period.
The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.