Head covering with hair retaining pouch

[0001] The present invention relates to apparel which are coverings for the head. Specifically this device has a flap over the neck which features a pouch for retaining hair.

[0002] Skullcap-type head coverings are common in prior art. Examples are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,469,250; 1,504,100; 1,516,796; 1,519,016; 1,870,298; 2,106,056; 2,817,090; 2,519,512; 6,014,776; and 5,594,956. These skull caps are snug fitting, comfortable and cover short hair, however do not retain long hair.

[0003] Hair retaining devices are common in prior art. Examples of clips, barrettes, combs and ties are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,787,904; 5,186,186; 5,732,720; 5,826,593; 5,174,312; 5,590,422; 5,799,672; and 2,864,383. These retain long hair in a ponytail style however; they do not contain hair upon the crown of the head nor the length of the ponytail hair. Also, they have rigid parts which when worn under a helmet or hard hat cause discomfort when pressed against the scalp.

[0004] Hair retaining devices for hair styled in a ponytail are of three types. Examples of sleeve-type coverings are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,730,161; 5,970,991; and 5,472,003. Examples of wrap around-type coverings are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,727,575; 6,425,405 B1; and 5,727,575. Examples of pouch or pocket-type coverings are U.S. Pat Nos. 4,378,667; 127,918; 3,746,016; and 5,595,199.

[0005] These contain all or most of the length of the ponytail hair. They may or may not cover hair on the crown of the head. Some rely upon rigid parts to secure the device to the hair which when worn under a helmet or hard hat cause discomfort when pressed against the scalp. Others use hook and loop closures in which hair can become entrapped in the hook portion.

[0006] Head covering for protecting hair are present in prior art. Examples are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,621,919; 3,750,681; 2,211,184; 5,920,909; and 6,076,532. These may or may not cover the all of the hair as some are headband type leaving the crown exposed. Many are loose formed bouffant type with elasticized head engaging openings. Such are not snug fitting enough to secure the ponytail which with the user's movements and gravity tend to displace the cap and expose hair.

[0007] Some head coverings feature an opening for a ponytail to be pulled through. Examples are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,875,488; 5,799,334; 5,598,585; 6,401,255 B1; and 5,933,872. These contain the hair on the crown of the head however; they allow the length of the ponytail hair to be free.

[0008] Some prior art have combined a head covering with some type of hair retaining feature. Examples are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,978,967; D482,843; and 5,878,756. Two have either rigid parts or a bulky thick knot which cause discomfort when worn under a helmet or hard hat. The third has hook and loop closures which may entangle the hair and leaves the distal portion of the ponytail hair exposed.

[0009] This invention offers a method of retaining hair under a secure fitting, comfortable, and fashionable head covering with a pouch to contain long ponytail-styled hair encompassing it's entirety without the use of rigid barrettes, clips, combs, ties or hook and loop closures. The user styles his/her long hair with a ponytail, applies and secures the skullcap, and then inserts the ponytail hair into the ‘tail’ pouch. It may be worn under a helmet or hard hat. It has three functions. During windy outdoor activities or while riding in an open vehicle such as a motorcycle, boat, ATV, snowmobile, or convertible automobile, it contains the hair protecting it from the elements which soil the hair and from movement which tangles the hair. In an industrial environment, it effectively contains the hair to prevent free hair from falling forward, obstructing a worker's vision or entangling in machinery. Thirdly, in medical or food preparation industries, it contains the hair preventing contamination.

[0013] This invention is apparel likened to other items of clothing such as shirts and pants. Similarly it is made of a textile fabric or other flexible material having pieces cut with specific shapes sewn together with thread in an exact configuration that once joined forms a unit to be worn on the body.

[0014] To facilitate the understanding of the construction of this invention, the following terms known to the art of garment making are defined:

[0015] Seam: The thread stitched union of two exact fitting pieces of textile fabric.

[0016] Overcast stitching: Z shaped thread stitching on the cut edge and inner surface of a seam for the purpose of preventing fraying or tearing and strengthening a seam.

[0017] Topstitching: The affixing of a seam to its larger unit by thread stitching near the seam's edge and through the top or outer surface for the purpose of stabilizing or strengthening a seam.

[0018] Hem: The once or twice turning over of a small fold at a straight cut edge and stitching said fold for the purpose of encasement of the cut edge and prevention of fraying or tearing.

[0019] Facing: The adjoining on one or more sides and then turning over of a fitted strip of fabric to a curved cut edge for the purpose of encasement of the cut edge and prevention of fraying or tearing.

[0020] Dart: The folding of fabric orientated from the cut edge and directed toward the center of a cut piece and affixing by thread stitching an elongated triangle for the purpose of creating a dimensional shape that enables a snug fit over a rounded body part.

[0021] Gathering: The creation of a plurality of micro-folds using a pulled thread in a drawstring fashion and then affixing by thread stitching to another unfolded piece of fabric for the purpose of joining two pieces of unequal length or for blousing.

[0022] Elastic gathering: The creation of a plurality of micro-folds by attaching an elastic band either by encasement within a small hem or by stitching upon a stretched elastic band for the purpose of creating a snug fit in a wide opening which is capable of stretching to allow the passage of a body part. An example is the elastic gathered waistband of pants.

[0023] Head covering (FIGS. 1 & 2, 1) is comprised of a three sectioned hemispheric crown, a headband (FIGS. 1 & 2, 6), securing ties (FIGS. 1 & 2, 7) and a flap extending over the neck. The center section of the crown (FIGS. 1 & 2, 3) begins at the top of the head, continues over the crown to the back of the head and ends as a flap extending over the neck. To enhance a snug fit, it is specifically shaped and has two darts (FIGS. 1 & 2, 4). Its seams are overcast stitched and topstitched.

[0024] The crown of head covering (FIGS. 1 & 2, 1) has two side sections (FIGS. 1 & 2, 5) which are half-circle shaped and begin at the temple area, covers the side of the head and continue to near the base of the neck. Its seams are overcast stitched and topstitched. Its cut edge near the base of the neck together with a small segment of the center section (FIGS. 1 & 2, 3) is hemmed.

[0025] The crown of head covering (FIGS. 1 & 2, 1) is attached to a headband (FIGS. 1 & 2, 6). It has an elongated arc shape which enhances a snug fit. It extends from behind the ear, around the far side of the face and temples, across the forehead and continues similarly to the other ear. It is adjoined to the open edge of the three sectioned crown. It is faced on its inner surface (FIG. 2, 6) with a different fabric having sweat absorbing properties and then topstitched.

[0026] The headband (FIGS. 1 & 2, 6) of head covering (FIGS. 1 & 2, 1) is attached to two securing ties (FIGS. 1 & 2, 7). They have an elongated arc shape which enhances a snug fit. They are stitched to the ends of the headband (FIGS. 1 & 2, 6) located behind the ears. They are faced and topstitched.

[0027] The hair retainer portion (FIGS. 1 & 2, 2) has two walls. The outer wall (FIG. 1, 8) is the flap extension of center section of the crown (FIGS. 1 & 2, 3) located at the base of the neck. It is an elongated shape. It functions as one of two sides of a pouch for containing ponytail styled hair.

[0028] The hair retainer outer wall (FIG. 1, 8) is attached to its inner wall (FIG. 2, 9). Its shape is similar to the outer wall (FIG. 1, 8) but is wider and shorter to allow for expansion to accommodate the ponytail hair which has depth. The two walls are thread stitched together on three sides having the fourth side open at the base of the neck. It is then topstitched. A hollow cavity or pouch is created.

[0029] The fourth side of the inner wall (FIG. 2, 9) has an elastic gathered opening (FIG. 2, 10) of a concave shape. It functions to draw in the extra width of the inner wall to create a snug fit about the ponytail hair and more effectively retain it

[0030] The method of application is:

• [0031] The user styles his/her long hair into a ponytail positioned at the base of the neck.
• [0032] The skull cap is applied to the head.
• [0033] The skull cap is secured to the head by tying the ties.
• [0034] The retainer is folded upward and away from the ponytail.
• [0035] The ponytail hair is twisted until a firm folded over bun-like bundle of hair is formed.
• [0036] The retainer is dropped down to its suspended position.
• [0037] The user stretches the elasticized opening of the inner wall of the retainer and inserts the bundle of hair into the pouch cavity.
• [0038] The bundle of hair within the retainer is allowed to loosen for the user's comfort.