Protective Devices for use in Hair Treatment

Field of the Invention and Background

This invention relates to a device worn on the head for protecting the outer clothing of the wearer whilst the wearer's hair is being treated. In particular, the device can be worn by customers of hairdressers who are getting their hair washed although it may also be used for other treatments such as hair colouring, perming and styling in order to protect the customer's clothing from the water and/or dye and/or hair.

Hairdressers wish to wash and style their customer's hair comfortably without causing distress. Repetitive bending of the user's neck is usually required in order to prevent the water or products being used from soiling the wearer's clothing. This repetitive bending of the neck can be uncomfortable, especially if the customer is elderly or is physically disabled. In addition, if the customer cannot or finds it difficult to bend his/her neck, water saturation or soiling of the customer's clothing can occur which is both uncomfortable and distressing.

The device of this invention aims to minimise the discomfort and distress caused to those with difficulty moving and bending their head and neck. Such people include the elderly and stroke victims.

The protective device of this invention is used to direct water and/or other washing or hair styling material, such as shampoo and conditioner from the wearer's head into a sink, basin, bath or reservoir near to the user without getting the water/washing/hairstyling material on the wearer's clothes, face, neck, back or shoulders. A "backwash" is when the water, washing material and hair is removed from the wearer's head by washing into a sink, basin or reservoir placed behind the wearer's head. A "frontwash" is when the water washing or hairstyling material is removed from the wearer's head into a sink/basin/reservoir placed in front of the wearer's head. In fact, the water, •

washing material or hairstyling material may be washed off the wearer's head in any direction.

Since the device of this invention aims to minimise neck movement required when the hair wash/treatment is being carried out, it reduces the health risk of nerve damage to the back of the neck.

Wearers of the device of this invention include those who are elderly, and have reduced neck movement (such as whiplash victims), but may also be used on others that simply wish for a more comfortable hair wash/treatment or children to prevent soap and water from getting into their eyes, ears or simply onto their face. The wearer's of the device of this invention may also be those with ear infections, water phobias, shingles, skin disorders, skin abrasions, post-operative stitches and sensitive eyes. This device may be used domestically or in hospitals, children's homes, rehabilitation centres and nursing/residential homes.

Invention

This invention relates to a protective device for reversibly applying to a wearer's head in order to protect the wearer's clothing during treatment of the wearer's hair characterised in that, the device is formed from a flexible water-impervious material and comprises: a) an end portion having an opening so that when the device is in use it fits continuously and closely around the wearer's head and forms a first channel against the wearer's head, and b) a further channelling means so that when the device is in use, any water and/or products applied to the hair of the wearer can be directed away from the wearer's head to a preferred location.

The end portion of the device of this invention fits closely around the wearer's head, snugly on the forehead and around the hairline in order to prevent water or any washing/styling material or hair getting onto the

wearer's face, neck, shoulders, back, clothing or the like. In order for the device to fit closely to the wearer's head, it is made of flexible material, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic, which is able to stretch to the correct size when placed on the wearer's head. Since the shape and size of the opening in the end portion, when in use, closely resembles the shape and size of the wearer's head due to the flexible material from which it is formed, there is no appreciable "gap" between the device and wearer's head through which water, hair or hair products may penetrate causing discomfort to the wearer. If the device was formed of a hard (i.e. not bendable) or a non-flexible material, it would not be able to fit as closely to the wearer's head resulting in more penetration of water, hair or hair product through a gap or a number of gaps between the wearer's head and device.

The device is formed of a water impervious sheet such as a plastic sheet or a sheet of non-woven fabric which has been rendered water impervious, for example with a waterproof coating. As indicated above LDPE sheeting is particularly suitable.

The opening in the end portion of the device fits continuously around the wearer's head. A "continuous opening" means that the opening in the end portion of the device is not formed by joining together two or more sections in the end portion, but is formed from one piece of material i.e. it is a hole in a piece of material. Since the opening in the end portion fits continuously around the wearer's head, there are no gaps in the cape itself through which the water, washing/styling material or hair may penetrate through to the user's face, neck, shoulders or back. Devices of this invention comprising a "continuous opening" therefore offer advantages over capes of the existing art having "non-continuous openings". Existing devices having "non- continuous openings" include devices where the opening in the end portion is created by joining together two sections of the end portion around the wearer's head by an attaching means, for example, by velcro, poppers, zips or buttons. Since there are generally "gaps" in the such attaching means, the non-continuous devices are not as effective as the continuous device of the invention at preventing water, hair or hair product getting through to the

back of the neck, face, back, shoulders or clothing of the wearer. Furthermore, the opening of "non-continuous" devices would not fit as closely to the wearer's head compared to devices of the invention which have a continuous opening which is stretched to fit the shape and size of the wearer's head exactly. In addition, existing devices which use attaching means to join sections of the end portion together may cause discomfort to the user. For example, if the attaching means is velcro, the velcro may accidentally attach itself to the wearer's hair so that removal of the device pulls or tears the hair and causing discomfort to the wearer. The use of a device having a "continuous opening" (i.e. no attaching means) is therefore more comfortable and easy to use than existing "non-continuous" devices (having attaching means).

The size of the opening in the end portion may be different sizes. For example, the opening will be of a small size if the wearer is a child and it will be of a larger size if the wearer is an adult. The optimum size is when the device is in use, the opening stretches slightly so that it fits closely and continuously around the head (on the forehead and around the hairline) so that water, hair and hair product does not penetrate through the device onto the wearer's face, neck, shoulders, back or clothes, but when stretched over and onto the head, does not cause the user any discomfort or pain. Even though the opening in the end portion is already provided, if the size of the opening is too small, the end portion may be trimmed further to a more appropriate and larger size to fit the head of the wearer.

The opening may be circular or oval-shaped. Preferably, the opening is oval- shaped. If the opening is oval-shaped, the length of the longest axis of the oval-shape when the device is not in use (i.e. not stretched) is approximately 0.17m to 0.20m or 0.18m to 0.19m and the length of the shortest axis of the oval-shape when the device is not in use (i.e. not stretched) is approximately 0.10m to 0.13m or 0.11m to 0.12m.

The thickness of the water-impervious material of the device is approximately equivalent to the thickness of a typical bin liner or a heavy

duty rubble sack. The stiffness of the water-impervious material must be such that when the end portion is fitted to the wearer's head, the water- imperious material is stiff-enough to form a first channel (e.g. a small gully, a trough or trough-like shape) between the wearer's head and the perimeter of the end portion so that any water and/or products applied to the hair may be directed to the further channelling means via the first channel formed in the end portion. The side of the first channel formed by the end portion (as opposed to the side of the first channel formed by the wearer's head) may have straight or rounded sides depending on the stiffness of the water- impervious material from which it is composed. The angle between the side of the first channel formed by the end portion and the side of the wearer's head may be between 30° and 70°. More preferably the angle between the side of the wearer's head and side of the first channel formed by the end portion is at an angle of between 45°-70°, 45°-60° or 50°-60°.

The further channelling means may be tube-shaped or funnel-shaped. Preferably the further channelling means is funnel-shaped, optionally with the largest diameter of the funnel-shape located closest to the end portion of the device and the smallest diameter of the funnel-shape located furthest from the end portion of the device. It is preferred that there is an opening at both ends of the further channelling means to allow the water, and/or hair products to pass straight through when in use. Alternatively, the end of the funnel-shaped further channelling means furthest from the end portion may be closed so that the hair, water and/or hair product is contained and collected within the body of the further channelling means when in use and can be disposed of after use.

The length of the further channelling means may be cut or trimmed (optionally along pre-printed dotted lines on the further channelling means) so that the device can be used to dispose of the water and/or products applied to the hair into a variety of different sinks, basins, baths or reservoirs having various sizes. The sink/basins/baths/reservoirs may be located at various distances from the wearer's head.

The protective device may further comprise a funnel that can be inserted into the further channelling means so that the funnel provides additional support to the further channelling means. The funnel would improve the flow of water and/or hair products through the further channelling means.

Devices of the invention may be used once (i.e. are disposable) or may be used a number of times. Since they are formed of a flexible material, such as LDPE, they may be stored in a compact manner, for example, they may be stored in a roll. The use of disposable devices reduces the risk of infection and cross contamination between wearers. Preferably a disposable device of the invention will be made of a biodegradable material.

To increase comfort to the wearer, the device of the invention may also comprise a more flexible material which coats at least the opening in the end portion where the opening is in contact with the wearer's head when in use. The flexible coating material is ideally water impervious, such as a silicon coating or a silicon-foam coating. The flexible coating material would also improve the sealing/closeness of fit of the device to the wearer's head.

This invention further provides an assembly comprising a plurality of identical protective devices according to the invention wherein the devices are joined in tandem. Optionally each device is joined to another device along a line of weakness, for example a perforated line. The assembly may be provided as a roll. Such an assembly would advantageously allow the provision of multiple protective devices in a compact manner, whilst at the same time a single protective device could easily be removed from the assembly prior to use.

The invention also provides a system, in which an assembly of the invention is provided with at least one funnel. The funnel is adapted to fit inside the further channelling means of the protective devices of the assembly and would improve the flow of water and/or hair products through the further channelling means, for example by providing additional support to the further channelling means and/or making it more rigid.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The device of this invention may be further understood by reference to the drawings listed below.

Figure 1 - A top plan view of the device of the invention.

Figure 2 - A perspective view of the device of the invention when in use.

Figure 3 - A top plan view of the device of the invention. Figure 4 - A top plan view of three devices joined together prior to use by a wearer.

Figure 5 - A top plan view of an embodiment of the device of the invention.

Figure 6 - A view of part of the device of figure 5 shown in cross-section.

Figure 7 - A top plan view of two devices joined together prior to use by a wearer.

One embodiment of the device is shown in Figure 1 , wherein the device (1) comprises an end portion (2) having an opening (3) so that when the device (1 ) is in use, it fits continuously and closely around the wearer's head (7) and forms a first channel (11) against the wearer's head (7) and a further channelling means (4) so that when the device (1) is in use, any water or hair products applied to the hair of the wearer is directed away from the head of the wearer (7) to a preferred location nearby.

The device (1) shown in Figures 1 and 2 is formed from one continuous piece of material. In other embodiments the cape (1) may be formed from two or more pieces of material. For example, the further channelling means (4) may be attachable to the end portion (2). The attaching means may be an adhesive.

As shown in figure 2, when the end portion (2) is fitted to ^' the wearer's head (7), a first channel (11) in the end portion (2) is formed between the wearer's head (7) and the perimeter (10) of the end portion (2) allowing any water

and/or products applied to the hair to be directed to the further channelling means (4) via the first channel (1,1).

The further channelling means (4) shown in Figures 1 and 2 is funnel shaped, having an opening at both ends of the further channelling means (4) allowing the water and/or hair and/or hair products to pass through, away from the hair on the wearer's head (7) into a sink/basin/reservoir/bath provided nearby. In this embodiment, the funnel shaped further channelling means (4) is created by directly bringing and joining together two edges of the further channelling means (4). The edges of the further channelling means (4) may be joined together by various known fastening means, for example, by stitching, clips, pins, hooks, adhesive glue, velcro or by a heat sealing method, preferably by heat sealing. In other embodiments, the funnel shaped further channelling means (4) may be created, by indirectly joining together two edges of the further channelling means (4) by incorporation of a further connecting portion (8) as shown in Figure 3.

The protective device may further comprise a funnel which could fit inside the further channelling means of the device. The funnel is made of a water impervious material and may have some rigidity or may be flexible. The funnel may be made of the same material as the main part of the protective device that is applied to the wearer's head. The funnel could be inserted into the further channelling means to improve the channelling of the water and hair products through the further channelling means.

The protective device may also further comprise a sealing portion (6) located around the opening of the end portion (2). This sealing portion (6) enables a closer and more comfortable fit to the wearer's head (7) to be achieved when the device is in use.

If the size of the opening (3) in the end portion (2) is too small so that it is too tight and/or uncomfortable to the wearer when in use, the size of the opening (3) may be increased by cutting around the opening (3) to make it

bigger, for example the device may be trimmed along the dotted lines (9) as shown on Figure 1.

The device of this invention may be disposable. Prior to use, one or a number of devices may be stored on a roll enabling easy dispensing of each device. Figure 4 illustrates how the devices might be attached to one another on a roll prior to dispensing. The individual devices may be separated from one another by tearing along a line that has already been perforated in a tearing direction. Alternatively, the devices may be separated by cutting with scissors.

As noted above, a plurality of identical protective devices may be provided as an assembly wherein the devices are supplied joined in tandem, for example as repeated units attached in series. As illustrated in Figure 4, the devices may be joined so that the end portion of a first device is joined to the end portion of a second device and the further channelling means of the second device is joined to the further channelling means of a third device. Alternatively, the end portion of a first device may be joined to the further channelling means of a second device.

The joins between protective devices of the assembly may be lines of weakness so that each device can be easily removed from the assembly. A line of weakness is a line of material which is susceptible to breaking, for example a line of weakness may be perforated or the line may be thinner or more brittle than the surrounding material.

It is envisaged that the assembly of protective devices may be provided in a compact format, for example as a roll or layered in a box. The assembly of protective devices on a roll may then be stored at the hairdressing salon or hospital, for example mounted on a wall, and protective devices could then be removed from the assembly when required for use. The devices could be removed by tearing or cutting along the join between devices.

The devices of the invention may be manufactured from sheets of water impervious material, such as plastic. LDPE sheeting is particularly suitable. However, it is envisaged that the invention may be manufactured from any appropriate flexible material, for example Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone or high density polyethylene (HDPE). A single layer of material may be used to manufacture each device. Alternatively, more than one layer may be used to manufacture each device, for example two or more sheets of material could be used so that the protective device is made from multiple layers of sheeting which are sealed together along the edges of the device. It is envisaged that heat sealing may be used to seal the edges of the device.

The opening in the end portion of the device may be made during manufacture by cutting the sheet, for example the opening may be made by a machine that will punch a hole of the appropriate size out of the sheet. During manufacture, the rigidity of the edge of the device that will be the side of the first channel formed by the end portion (as opposed to the side of the first channel formed by the wearer's head) may be increased. For example, the edge may be double heat sealed to increase rigidity or the thickness of the material may be increased at the edge by folding the sheet to provide two layers of material at the edge.

As noted above, the funnel shaped further channelling means may be created by directly bringing and joining together two edges of the further channelling means, as shown in figure 1. Alternatively, or as well as directly joining the two edges, the edges of the further channelling means may be treated during manufacture to increase their rigidity, for example the thickness of the material may be increased in this area by folding the material so that it is of double thickness in this area or the edges of the channel may be heat sealed to increase rigidity.

It is also envisaged that in one embodiment the further channelling means may be formed by a pleat down the middle of the material, along its length, as shown in Figure 5. The pleat (14) could be formed by folding of the sheet

of material during manufacture. The pleat is cut (15) and the interior of the pleat functions as the further channelling means (4) used to channel the water and/or hair products, as illustrated in Figure 6 which shows the pleat in cross-section. The water and/or waste products will enter the pleat at the cut and be channelled through the pleat.

An embodiment of a method of manufacture of an assembly is illustrated in figure 7. A plurality of devices (1) are manufactured in tandem from one sheet of material. An opening (3) is made for each, for example by a machine punching holes in the material. The edges of the further channelling means (4) are made more rigid, for example by heat sealing an area (11). Lines of weakness are made at the joins between protective devices, for example perforated lines (12) are created by cutting the material at each join between adjacent devices.

In this embodiment, the material is of uniform width along the device to facilitate the even perforation of the joins and to facilitate the manufacture of the assembly on a role. Since the device is made to a uniform width, adhesive is applied during manufacture to the edge of the device that will be the side of the first channel formed by the end portion (13), in order to increase the rigidity of the edge of the first channel during use.

In another embodiment the material used to manufacture the protective devices may be cut so that the width varies along the device, for example parts of the end portion may be wider than the further channelling means.