Hat liner and hat with liner

Abstract

To provide a hat liner which protects a hat (particularly a front panel, a side panel, and / or a brim constituting a crown) from excessive sweat and can be used repeatedly.SOLUTION: A hat comprises: a first portion 110 including a plurality of tabs 112, at least a part of which is sandwiched and held between a sweatband 520 of the hat and a crown 510 of the hat; and a second portion 120 having a moisture absorbing layer 120b directly connected to the first portion 110 or indirectly connected by a hinge part 130.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a hat liner and a hat for protecting the hat from the sweat of the hat wearer.

Background Art

[0002] In order to improve the comfort during wearing, a cloth sweatband is provided along the inner circumference of the lower end of the crown that contacts the head for one round or almost one round. Such a sweatband functions to absorb the moisture in the part around the forehead of the hat wearer and prevent sweat from dripping onto the face of the hat wearer. However, for some hat wearers and / or in some climates, a typical cloth sweatband is insufficient, and excessive sweat may seep out from the sweatband. The spread of the seeping sweat to the face is unpleasant for the person wearing the hat.

[0003] In addition, due to excessive sweat, the fabric of the crown and even the fabric of the brim may be permanently discolored. This may also damage the hat as if it were new or reduce the value of the hat. Therefore, a liner for absorbing sweat that is used by being attached to the inner front surface of a hat or a helmet is also known (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The liner of Patent Document 1 above covers the inner front surface of the hat and is attached to the inner surface of the hat with an adhesive. Since such liners utilize adhesives, their adhesiveness deteriorates through reuse and laundering. Therefore, laundering and reuse are restricted. Even if disposability is assumed, it is not environmentally friendly and may be costly. Furthermore, relying solely on adhesives to hold the liner in place may be insufficient in some cases.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a hat liner and a hat with a liner that protect a hat (particularly a front panel, side panel, and / or brim that constitute a crown) from excessive sweat and can be repeatedly used.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A first invention includes a plurality of tabs, at least a part of which is held between a sweatband of a hat and the crown of the hat, and a second part having a moisture-absorbing layer, which is directly or indirectly connected to the first part.

[0008] A second invention is that the first part and the second part are indirectly connected via a hinge part having a length along the length direction of the first part.

[0009] A third invention is that the hinge part has a plurality of lateral slits along the length of the hinge part.

[0010] A fourth invention is that the plurality of tabs provided on the first part are at least three.

[0011] A fifth invention is that each of the plurality of tabs provided on the first part has a plurality of raised portions.

[0012] A sixth invention includes a brim, a sweatband, and a crown. The sweatband is provided along the inner circumference of the lower end of the crown, and the first part is sandwiched between the sweatband and the crown, and the hat liner of the first invention is held.

Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the first invention, the absorption layer of the second part can absorb the sweat on the forehead of the hat wearer, preventing the sweat from dripping onto the face or soaking into the fabric of the hat. Also, since it is held by inserting the first part between the crown of the hat and the sweat pad, it is easier to attach and detach compared to the case of using an adhesive or the like. Furthermore, the hat liner can be removed from the hat and washed, and a clean one can be repeatedly used. Also, if the first part and the second part are indirectly coupled, the angles of both parts can be freely set, making it easier to insert the sweatband of the hat in between. On the other hand, if the first part and the second part are directly coupled, the structure can be simplified. Therefore, the value of the hat can be maintained over a long period.

[0014] According to the second invention, it is easy to insert the sweatband of the hat between the first part and the second part, and the sweatband can be more reliably covered. Therefore, the sweat does not soak into the sweatband of the hat, nor does it stain the fabric of the hat with sweat.

[0015] According to the third invention, the slit makes the hinge part easier to bend. Therefore, the first part and the second part can firmly sandwich the sweatband of the hat. Therefore, the liner can be held in place, preventing the sweat from soaking into the fabric of the hat.

[0016] According to the fourth invention, if the number of tabs is three or more, the first part can more easily follow the crown or the curve of the head of the hat wearer. If the first part follows the above curve, the second part will also curve similarly, so that it can closely adhere to the forehead of the hat wearer and reliably absorb the sweat.

[0017] According to the fifth invention, the raised portion provided on the first part presses against the crown or the sweatband of the hat, increasing the frictional force between the first part and the hat, and enabling the position of the hat liner to be maintained. In particular, if a material with a large coefficient of friction is selected as the material of the raised portion, the hat liner can be made more difficult to shift.

[0018] According to the sixth invention, the hat liner attached to the hat can absorb sweat. In addition, the removed liner can be washed and reused.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019]

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MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0020] [First Embodiment] Figs. 1 to 5 show the first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a plan view of the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view in a folded state, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing how the hat liner fits between the crown and the sweatband of the hat. Figs. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the hat with the hat liner installed inside the hat, with the hat made translucent to show the state.

[0021] As shown in the plan view of Fig. 1, the hat liner 100A of the first embodiment includes a first portion 110 and a second portion 120 having a length in the horizontal direction of the figure. The first portion 110 and the second portion 120 are joined at one end via a hinge portion 130 along the length direction of the first portion 110, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These first and second portions 110 and 120 can be folded together or folded to be almost together and form a very small angle (see Fig. 2). Further, as shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of horizontal slits 135a to 135f are provided in the hinge portion 130 along its length direction. The two horizontal slits 135a and 135f on both sides (outer sides) are longer than the other slits 135b to 135e on the inside and are substantially the same length as each other. Also, the shorter slits 135b to 135e are substantially the same length as each other.

[0022] The horizontal dimensions of the first part 110 and the second part 120 are set according to the size of the hat to which it is attached. For example, as a universal size, the horizontal length is about 9 and 3 / 4 inches. Also, the widths of the first part 110 and the second part 120 are 1 inch and 1 and 3 / 8 inches, respectively, but they may be made larger. However, it is preferable that the width of the first part 110 is smaller than the width of the second part 120 (for example, 3 / 8 inch ± 10% smaller).

[0023] Also, the width of each of the horizontal slits 135a to 135f is about 1 / 32 inch. Also, the length of each of the longer horizontal slits 135a and 135f is about 1.75 inches, while the length of each of the shorter horizontal slits 135b to 135e is about 1.0 inch.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the first part 110 is composed of a plurality of tabs 112, and each tab 112 is separated by a V-shaped gap 114. The horizontal slits 135a to 135f are formed between the plurality of tabs 112 and the second part 120. The number of these tabs 112 is not limited to four as shown in FIG. 1. When the first part 110 is made of a more flexible material and / or has a thickness that gives flexibility (a small thickness), a smaller number of longer tabs can be used. On the other hand, when the first part 110 is made of a material with low flexibility and / or has a thickness with low flexibility, more short tabs can be used. This makes it easier for the first part 110 to follow the crown of the hat and the curve of the wearer's head.

[0025] As the number of tabs increases, the flexibility of the first part 110 will increase accordingly. On the other hand, if the number of tabs is too large, it may be time-consuming when inserting between the hat panel 510 and the sweatband 520. Therefore, the number of tabs is preferably set in the range of 1 to 8.

[0026] Note that although the above gap 114 is V-shaped, its shape is not limited to this. For example, the boundary of each tab 112 may be just a slit. However, the gap 114 preferably has a shape that narrows from the open end towards the closed end. Furthermore, although the gap 114 is shown as extending from one end of the first portion 110 to the opposite end (hinge portion 130), the gap 114 does not necessarily need to extend to the opposite end. These gaps 114 and / or the lateral slits 135b - 135e are provided to facilitate the insertion of the first portion 110 into the space between the panel 510 constituting the crown of the hat and the sweatband 520.

[0027] The first portion 110 has a base layer made of a flexible plastic sheet or laminate such as, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET), high - density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low - density polyethylene (LDPE), or polypropylene (PP). However, the first portion 110 may contain such plastic(s), or, for example, as one or more layers, a fabric impregnated one may be used.

[0028] Furthermore, on one surface of each tab 112 of the first portion 110, three linear ridges 118 extending horizontally in FIG. 1 are provided. These ridges 118 have a thickness of about 0.5 mm and are formed from rubber or compression - formed closed - cell foam.

[0029] The second portion 120 may be provided as a single material or as a multi - layer laminate. One or more layers may be formed from a non - woven material including, for example, non - woven wood, wood pulp fibers, paper, or non - woven absorbent polymer fibers. Also, some layers may be moisture - barrier layers to prevent sweat from the liner from being sucked into the sweatband, panel, and / or brim of the hat.

[0030] In this embodiment, the second portion 120 is provided with a pad layer 120b, which is a moisture-absorbing layer, on a base layer 120a. The pad layer 120b is provided on the same side surface as the raised portion 118 in the hat liner 100A. The pad layer 120b may be made of a moisture-absorbing material such as fabric, neoprene, terry cloth, microfiber, cotton polymer, cotton, polyester, or a mixture of one or more of the foregoing. The second portion 120 may have a plurality of layers for absorbing and / or retaining moisture.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the first portion 110 is designed to fit between the sweatband 520 and one or more panels 510 that form the crown of the hat. For example, the first portion 110 may extend entirely over two front panels and partially over two side panels. It should be noted that the upper edge of the second portion 120 is preferably straight, and the lower edge of the second portion 120 may be straight or slightly curved as shown in FIG. 1. The pad layer 120b, which is the moisture-absorbing layer of the second portion 120, preferably has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm.

[0032] [Function, effect, etc.] The hat liner 100A as described above can be folded at the hinge portion 130 as shown in FIG. 2 and inserted into the space between the panel 510 of the hat and the sweatband 520 provided along the inner circumference of the lower end of the crown for wearing (see FIGS. 3 to 5). FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing how the hat liner 100A of the first embodiment fits between the panel 510 of the hat and the sweatband 520. As shown, the first portion 110 is inserted and held in the space between the panel 510 and the sweatband 520. The second portion 120 substantially covers the sweatband 520 of the hat.

[0033] When the hat liner 100A is attached to a hat, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the linear raised portion 118 provided on the first portion 110 contacts the panel 510 and functions as an anti-slip. Also, the second portion 120 is located between the sweatband 520 and the wearer's forehead inside the hat (see FIGS. 3 and 5). Therefore, the pad layer 120b of the second portion 120 contacts the wearer's forehead to absorb sweat and prevent sweat from soaking into the sweatband 520 of the hat or the fabric of the hat. In FIG. 5, a part of the sweatband 520 of the hat is omitted for easy viewing of the hat liner 100A of the embodiment. In addition, since this hat liner 100A does not use an adhesive or the like for holding to the hat, it can be easily attached and detached, and the holding property does not decrease even when washed. Therefore, a clean liner can be used repeatedly.

[0034] Also, the horizontal slits 135a to 135f provided in the hinge portion 130 are useful for folding the hat liner 100A to fit the hat. In addition to or instead of these horizontal slits 135a to 135f, holes can be provided. However, if holes are provided instead of the horizontal slits 135a to 135f, it is necessary to remove waste during manufacturing. Note that instead of the longer horizontal slits 135a and 135f, two shorter horizontal slits, for example, horizontal slits 135b and 135c, or horizontal slits 135d and 135e may be provided. By doing so, when the first portion 110 is inserted into the hat, it helps to prevent the central portion of the long horizontal slit from separating excessively when not doing so, and makes it easier to align the first and second portions 110 and 120 with the sweatband 520.

[0035] Note that the base layer 120a of the first part 110 and the second part 120 may be made of the same material (e.g., sheet plastic). This material may be formed from a single (e.g., compression-molded closed-cell foam) sheet, folded, made from one or two sheets, fused, or joined in other ways (e.g., sewn, adhered, etc.). When the second part 120 has a layer formed from the same non-hygroscopic material as the first part 110, the second part 120 needs to be provided with a pad layer 120b, which is an additional hygroscopic layer, located between any non-hygroscopic layer 120a and the wearer's forehead (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0036] The first part 110 may be made of the same material as the second part 120, but it is preferably a material in which there is no closed-cell foam between the fabrics that are compression-molded and adhered (adhering two materials). Also, the layers constituting the first part 110 and / or the second part 120 may be made of rubber such as natural / isoprene rubber, ethylene propylene diene (EPDM), nitrile rubber (NBR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), silicone rubber, butyl rubber, polybutadiene, etc., include layers of these rubbers, be impregnated with them, or be provided in other ways.

[0037] [Modification 1] FIGS. 6 and 7 are modifications of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows an example in which the hinge portion 130 connecting the first part 110 and the second part 120 is configured as a separate member and connected. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0038] Also, FIG. 7 shows an example in which the hinge portion 130 is omitted. The base layer 120a of the second part 120 is continuously formed with the first part 110. Other aspects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0039] Thus, in an example where the first part 110 and the second part 120 are directly connected without providing the hinge part 130, the base layers 120a of the first part 110 and the second part 120 are made of the same material (for example, a folded and / or melted plastic sheet), and the second part 120 may be provided with the pad layer 120b as one or more additional layers (for example, a layer that moves sweat, or absorbs sweat, and / or absorbs sweat). These modifications can also be worn on the hat as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and the pad layer 120b can absorb the sweat on the forehead of the hat wearer and protect the hat.

[0040] [Second Embodiment] The hat liner 100B of the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. FIG. 8 is a plan view, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view when folded. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing how the hat liner fits between the crown and the sweatband of the hat, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the hat with the hat liner installed inside the hat, with the hat shown semi-transparent.

[0041] In this hat liner 100B as well, the first part 110 and the second part 120 are connected via the hinge part 130. The first part 110 is composed of four tabs 112 separated by a gap 114, but it is different from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that these tabs 112 are not provided with linear ridges 118. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Components having the same functions as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and individual descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0042] [Operations, Effects, etc.] This hat liner 100B of the second embodiment is also used by bending it via the hinge part 130. As shown in FIG. 10, the first part 110 is inserted and worn between the panel 510 and the sweatband 520 of the hat. FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 3, but in this second embodiment, the first part 110 is not provided with a lateral ridge 118. Since the first part 110 of this embodiment does not have the raised portion 118, it is easier to insert between the panel 510 and the sweatband 520. As shown in FIG. 11, when the hat liner 100B is attached to the hat, the pad layer 120b of the second part 120 contacts the forehead of the hat wearer and absorbs sweat, protecting the hat from sweat, as in the first embodiment.

[0043] [Modification 2] FIGS. 12 and 13 are modifications of the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an example in which the hinge portion 130 and the pad layer 120b are omitted. As shown in the figure, the boundary between the first part 110 and the second part 120 can be bent and used. By not providing the hinge portion 130, the overall configuration can be simplified.

[0044] Further, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an example in which the hinge portion 130 is a separate member and the pad layer 120b is omitted. In this way, those provided with the hinge portion 130 have the advantage that the sweatband 520 of the hat can be accommodated within the thickness of the hinge portion 130, making it easier to align the second part 120 along the sweatband 520. In the examples without the moisture-absorbing pad layer 120b as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the second part 120 needs to be formed of a material having a moisture-absorbing function to serve as a moisture-absorbing layer.

[0045] [Third Embodiment] The hat liner 100C of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 14 includes a plurality of dots 610c on one or both sides of the tab 112 that constitutes the first part 110, and a linear raised portion 620c having a length in the horizontal direction in FIG. 14 is provided on one surface of the second part 120. Also, the hinge portion 130 is omitted. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0046] [Function, Effect, etc.] Also in this third embodiment, the first portion 110 is inserted and held between the hat panel 510 and the sweatband 520. At this time, it is bent so that the raised portion 620c of the second portion 120 faces inward. Thereby, the dot 610c and the raised portion 620c come into contact with the sweatband 520. In this way, since the sweatband 520 is sandwiched between the dot 610c and the raised portion 620c, the holding force of the hat liner 100C is further improved.

[0047] In addition, in the second portion 120, a pad layer 120b (see FIG. 1), which is a moisture-absorbing layer, may be provided on the surface (the back side in FIG. 14) that contacts the forehead of the hat wearer. Also, this hat liner 100C may also be provided with a hinge portion 130 and a lateral slit.

[0048] [Other Examples] FIGS. 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views of the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 provided with dots and / or raised portions (610a, 610b, 620a and / or 620b) made of rubber (for example, silicon). Note that FIG. 15 is an example in which the hinge portion 130 is omitted and the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 are directly connected. FIG. 16 is an example in which the hinge portion 130 is formed of a member separate from the first portion 110 and the second portion 120.

[0049] In these examples, the dots and / or raised portions 610a and / or 610b provided on the first portion 110 contact the inner peripheral surface of the hat panel 510, and the dots and / or raised portions 620a and / or 620b provided on the second portion 120 contact the inner peripheral surface of the sweatband 520, and function to hold the hat liner. That is, the hat liner can be held at a predetermined position of the hat without using an adhesive or the like.

[0050] In the illustrated example, in the first portion 110, the dots or raised portions 610a are provided on a surface different from the surface on which the dots or raised portions 620a, 620b are provided in the second portion 120. However, the raised portions and dots, which are formed of, for example, rubber, may be provided on one or both sides of the first portion 110 and / or on the inner surface of the second portion 120. For example, silicone rubber dots or raised portions can be used to help hold the hat liner in place after it is inserted into the hat. The amount, texture, and position of such rubber should be selected so that the hat liner can be inserted into the hat without excessive flexing and / or sticking while holding the hat liner in place.

[0051] Also, in the first embodiment, each tab 112 includes three linear raised portions 118, and the second portion 120 of the third embodiment includes three linear raised portions 620c. However, the present invention can include any combination of one or more dots and / or raised portions on one or both sides of the first portion 110 and / or on the inner surface of the second portion 120. And the thickness of the pad layer 120b may be about 1 mm, and the thickness of the raised portion 118 may be about 0.5 mm. Also, both the pad layer 120b and the raised portion 118 may be formed from compression-molded closed-cell foam.

[0052] Also, each hat liner 100A, 100B, 100C may be formed in dimensions corresponding to the size of the hat. One or more of these dimensions may be adjusted (for example, within ±10%). Also, the widths of the first portion 110 and the second portion 120 may be substantially larger than the above-described dimensions of 1 inch and 1 and 3 / 8 inches. However, it is preferable that the width of the first portion 110 is smaller than the width of the second portion 120 (for example, 3 / 8 inch ±10 percent smaller). However, the present invention is not limited to the exact materials and dimensions described above. The term "about" when referring to dimensions is intended to mean, for example, ± 10 percent of the dimension, and the term "approximately" when referring to dimensions is intended to mean, for example, ± 20 percent of the dimension.

Industrial Applicability

[0053] Various hats can be protected from sweat soaking.

Explanation of Signs

[0054] 100A, 100B, 100C Liner for hat 110 First part 120 Second part 130 Hinge part 112 Tab 114 Gap 118, 620c Protrusion 610a, 610b, 610c, 620a, 620b Dot or protrusion 135a to 135f Slit 120b (Moisture-absorbing layer) Pad layer 510 (Crown) Panel 520 Sweatband (of hat)

Claims

**Claim 1** A hat liner comprising a plurality of tabs, at least a part of which is held sandwiched between a sweatband of a hat and the crown of the hat, and a second part having a moisture-absorbing layer, directly or indirectly coupled to the first part from which the hat liner consists. **Claim 2** The hat liner according to claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part are indirectly coupled via a hinge part having a length along the length direction of the first part **Claim 3** The hat liner according to claim 2, wherein the hinge part includes a plurality of transverse slits along the length direction of the hinge part **Claim 4** The hat liner according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of tabs provided on the first part are at least three **Claim 5** The hat liner according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tabs provided on the first part includes a plurality of ridges **Claim 6** A hat with a liner, including a brim, a sweatband, and a crown, wherein the sweatband is provided along the inner circumference of the lower end of the crown, and a first part of the hat liner according to claim 1 is held sandwiched between the sweatband and the crown ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

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