Removable, reusable, washable liner for use with various types of head gear

Abstract

A lining for use under head gear—such as baseball hats, top hats, helmets, cowboy hats, hard hats, beanies, stocking caps, etc.—comprised of two layers, one specifically for comfort, in both softness and breathability, and a second specifically for the filtering of salt, dirt, oils, particulate matter and other undesirable constituents contained in the sweat of the wearer. The two layers are each comprised of four roughly equal pieces of an isosceles triangular shape that are stitched together to form a half-dome. The two layers are then stitched together along the bottom circumference of said dome two form a single half-dome comprised of two individual layers. The two layers employ their relative absorbency to transport moisture from the head of the wearer and into the lining. The outer layer employs its maximal surface area to filter and store the sweat of the wearer, while maintaining breathability. Together the two layers form a lining that both protects the head gear from stains, discoloration, premature wear and odors, maximizing the effective lifespan of the head gear, while also maximizing for the wearer comfort both in terms of fit and breathability, maximizing the effective value of the head gear for the wearer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application is pursuant to and claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Utility Patent Application, No. 60 / 807,338, filed Jul. 13, 2006.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Instant Invention [0003] The instant invention relates generally to head gear such as hats, caps, helmets, hard hats, beanies, stocking caps, and any other removable head gear where the wearer may benefit from absorption and filtration of sweat to prevent the formation of stains and odors, premature wear, stiffening of fabric, etc. [0004] The instant invention relates more specifically to a removable, washable, and reusable liner for use under various types of head gear to absorb sweat with the express purpose of filtration of dirt, salt, oils, particulate matter or any other undesirable constituents of human sweat, specifically as a means of preventing the formation of stains and odors, thereby extending the effective life span of the aforem...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0056] The invention is a lining comprised of two layers so that a layer of soft, highly absorbent, and breathable material—such as silk—rests on the head of the wearer, and so that another layer of absorbent, breathable material with loops of thread arching away from the fabric on one side—such as cotton terry—rests on top of the silk. These two layers allow for increased comfort versus wearing the head gear by itself and allow for the wicking away of sweat, water and other liquids from the head of the wearer and into the lining.

[0058] The outer layer of the liner has extra loops of thread arching off the surface of one side of the fabric. These loops maximize the surface area of the fabric allowing for greater filtration ability as the sweat moves into the body of the fabric. Additionally, these loops also maximize the amount of sweat that the outer layer can hold to prevent moisture transfer into the head gear.

[0059] The two layers of the liner are such that they are both very absorbent, with the inner layer being slightly more absorbent than the outer layer. These absorption rates serve to facilitate transfer of moisture from the head of the wearer and into the lining. The more absorbent inner layer wicks moisture away from the head. The less absorptive outer layer is still more absorptive than the head of the wearer to move moisture from the inner layer and into the outer layer. The inner layer is also more absorptive than most head gear so that if the outer layer becomes saturated, then the relative absorbency of the layers encourages moisture to move back into the inner layer of the liner instead of into the head gear.

[0060] The liner filters out the dirt, oils, salt and other particulate matter contained in the sweat of the wearer in order to prevent stains, discoloration, premature wear and odors from forming in the body of the head gear, increasing the effective lifespan of the head gear.

[0061] The liner is also soft, comfortable and breathable in order to increase the comfort level of the wearer when compared with wearing the head gear alone, increasing the effective value of the head gear for the wearer.

[0062] The liner is removable, washable and reusable, so that the wearer may wear the lining between their head and the head gear to increase comfort and prevent damage to the head gear, and then remove the lining and wash it for reuse.

Problems solved by technology

Human sweat, however, contains many undesirable constituents including, but not limited to, dirt, salt, oil and other particulate matter.

These undesirable constituents are the cause of several maladies with respect to head gear including, but not limited to, stains, odors, premature wear, stiffening of the materials resulting in decreased comfort and itching, and other problems that reduce the effective life span and comfort of the head gear.

Whereas the related prior art discloses various methods for the absorption of sweat, none relate specifically to the filtration of the undesirable constituents of sweat including dirt, salt, oil and other particulate matter.

a. Whereas the related prior art focuses on methods of absorbing sweat from the crown and forehead of the wearer, none employ a whole-head solution to maximize the storage of sweat to prevent penetration of sweat into the head gear.

b. Whereas the related prior art employ a moisture barrier to prevent liquids from reaching the head gear, none use the relative absorbancy of the layers of the liner to prevent moisture from reaching the head gear.

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