Protective cover

Abstract

A flexible protective cover for an article of headwear which has a crown and a visor. The cover includes a first portion formed to resemble the shape of the crown and an integral pocket formed to receive the visor. The first portion and the pocket are formed from a sheet of polyvinyl chloride material which has a thickness between about 0.008 inches and about 0.012 inches. An inhibitor added to the material during a polymerization process significantly reduces penetration of ultraviolet light rays. The cover can be folded for storage purposes without forming permanent fold marks. The first portion extends beyond a peripheral edge of the crown and can be folded over a portion of such crown adjacent the peripheral edge. The folded portion may be positively urged for contact with the crown by a variety of retaining members.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 568,367 filed on May 5, 2004.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates, in general, to a protective cover for an article of headwear and, more particularly, this invention relates to a flexible protective cover for a baseball style cap which reduces penetration of ultraviolet light rays. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] As is generally well known, headwear, such as caps, hats and the like are frequently worn for casual, work and formal occasions. Baseball style caps, in particular, are frequently worn during recreational sporting events and / or work related conditions and can be easily soiled. They can also be left in the vehicle for extended periods of time exposing them to damage from ultraviolet (UV) light rays. [0004] Baseball style caps are also frequently used as a medium to obtain autographs from sport stars ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] An inhibitor added to the polyvinyl chloride material during the polymerization process significantly reduces penetration of the ultraviolet light rays thus protecting the headwear from damage due to UV light rays.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover which is flexible and can be compressed for storing purposes.

[0017] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a protective cover which can be folded over the headwear's edge and positively retained in such folded condition.

Problems solved by technology

Baseball style caps, in particular, are frequently worn during recreational sporting events and / or work related conditions and can be easily soiled.

They can also be left in the vehicle for extended periods of time exposing them to damage from ultraviolet (UV) light rays.

Such displayed caps are prone to attracting dust particles and are also prone to damage from UV light rays which cause fading of the color and various insignia over time.

Some caps are kept in glass enclosures to protect them from dust accumulation, however use of these enclosures results in wasted space.

Prior art protective coverings have not successfully resolved the problem of storing such hats and has not addressed the problem of damage from UV light rays.

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