FULL COVERAGE HEAD COVER MADE WITH HYDRATABLE MATERIAL

Abstract

A head covering is provided that can be worn by healthcare professionals. The head covering includes a front portion with a height h, a back portion with a height h2, at least one side portion or panel that can be shaped and adjusted in size to connect the front and back portions of the head covering, and where the side portion(s) have a contoured section t forming all or a portion of a lower edge of the side portion, and which is shaped and adjusted in size to cover the ears, scalp, and sideburns of a user, as required by AORN guidelines, while also remaining clear of the user's eyes and field of vision.

Description

FULL COVERAGE HEAD COVER MADE WITH HYDRATABLE MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Healthcare professionals often wear a surgical cap, a hairnet, or both during medical procedures to prevent contact with hazardous materials, including blood or other bodily fluids. Additionally, healthcare professionals are often required to wear a surgical cap or hairnet to cover their hair to protect the sterile environment. Furthermore, the Association of Registered Nurses (AORN) guidelines are being revised, and it is now recommended that head coverings cover the head, hair, ears, facial hair, and nape of the neck, not only to protect healthcare professionals but also to maintain a sterile environment.However, traditional surgical caps do not cover the ears or the back of the neck, requiring healthcare professionals to also wear a hairnet or cap to attempt to cover these areas. Hairnets add an extra layer of PPE, which can trap heat and increase bulk. Furthermore, hairnets are prone to leaving red marks and indentations on the forehead after use, due to the elastic band used to secure them around the head. One solution is to wear a surgical cap alone instead of a surgical cap and gown. However, surgical caps generally cannot support the use of headlamps or other equipment that a healthcare professional might use. Therefore, it is necessary to wear both a surgical cap and gown, since the gown has sufficient volume and structure to support headlamps and other equipment. Nevertheless, there are also problems with wearing a surgical gown alone. In particular, typical surgical gowns only come in a few sizes and do not provide a secure enough fit for many healthcare professionals. Furthermore, although surgical gowns can be equipped with ties, repeatedly tying a gown to ensure a secure fit over an extended period can lead to shoulder pain and other problems. Furthermore, many head coverings used during procedures are made of non-hydrating materials. Specifically, materials such as thermally spun or melt-spun polyolefins lack breathability and moisture retention, and can lead to sweating in various areas of the head due to stress, temperature, and / or individual predisposition to perspiration. Thus, these head coverings can create unsanitary and uncomfortable situations, as the material allows sweat to drip into the eyes and onto sterile surfaces. Therefore, there is a need for a head covering that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks of existing surgical caps and surgical gowns. In particular, a head covering that covers a healthcare professional's hair without requiring a surgical cap and full surgical gown would also be useful. Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide a head covering that fits a wide range of potential users without requiring adjustment. Furthermore, it may be advantageous to provide a head covering with improved ventilation and / or moisture-wicking capabilities. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This disclosure may be directed generally to a head covering. The head covering may include a front portion having a first height, a back portion having a second height, and at least one side portion. The side portion(s) extend between the back and front portions and have a lower edge, where the lower edge of the side portion(s) has a nonlinear outline. In one further embodiment, the lower edge has a first slope and a second slope, where the first slope is not equal to the second slope. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the first slope is the slope of a point between the front and back portions, and the second slope is the slope of a point adjacent to a point in both the front and back portions, and where the absolute value of the first slope is greater than the absolute value of the second slope. Further still, in one embodiment, the lower edge includes a third slope that is not equal to either the first or second slope. Additionally or alternatively, the head covering includes at least one elastic band. In one further embodiment, the second height is approximately 1.1 to approximately 3.3 times the first height. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the head covering has a relaxed length, when folded along a midline, of approximately 18 cm to approximately 28 cm. In another embodiment, the head covering, the elastic band(s), or both the head covering and the elastic band(s), are capable of stretching such that the head covering has a stretched length, along the midline, of approximately 1.25 to approximately 2 times the relaxed length. This disclosure may also be directed generally to a head covering that includes a front portion having a first height, a back portion having a second height, and at least one side panel, wherein the second height is approximately 1.1 to approximately 3.3 times the first height. Additionally or alternatively, the first height is approximately 7 cm to approximately 17 cm. In a further embodiment, the second height is approximately 11 cm to approximately 23 cm. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the side portion is shaped, sized, or both shaped and sized sufficiently to cover one of the wearer's ears when the head covering is in place. Additionally or alternatively, the front portion, the back portion, and at least one side portion are shaped or sized, or both shaped and sized, to cover the head, hair, ears, and nape of the neck of at least approximately 80% of the wearers. RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yi In one further configuration, the head covering also includes a top surface. In yet another configuration, the side panel(s) are a continuous panel designed to encircle a user's head in a positioned configuration. Additionally, or alternatively, the head covering has a circumference of approximately 55 cm to approximately 76 cm. This disclosure also generally covers a head covering that includes a front portion having a first height, a rear portion having a second height, and at least one side panel, wherein at least a portion of the head covering comprises a hydratable thermal spinning / melt-blown / thermal spinning material. Additionally or alternatively, the thermally hydrated / meltblown / thermal-spun material comprises the thermally hydrated / meltblown / thermal-spun material treated with an anionic or cationic surfactant. In one further embodiment, the portion(s) of the thermally hydrated / meltblown / thermal-spun material include a polypropylene and random copolymer resin. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the head cover includes a top surface comprising a thermally hydrated material. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A complete and supportive disclosure of the present invention, including the best embodiment thereof, addressed to a person skilled in the art, is explained in the specification, which refers to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of one modality of a head covering, according to this disclosure; Figure 2 is a front view of one modality of a head covering, according to this disclosure; Figure 3 is a rear view of one modality of a head covering, according to this disclosure; Figure 4 is a top view of one modality of a head covering, according to this disclosure; Figure 5 is a bottom perspective view of one modality of a head covering, according to this disclosure; Figure 6 is a side perspective view of one modality of a head covering, according to this disclosure; Figure 7 is a side view of one modality of a head covering, according to the present disclosure, which has been separated at the back seam 22 of Figure 10 and lies flat; RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yii Figure 8 is a side view of the head cover of Figure 7 including elastic; Figure 9 is a bottom view of one modality of a head covering, according to this disclosure; Figure 10 is a rear view of one modality of a head covering, according to this disclosure; Figure 11a is a view of a laminate, in accordance with this disclosure; and Figure 11b is a view of the laminate of Figure 11a, which includes a surfactant, according to this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail, and one or more examples thereof are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation thereof. In fact, it will be evident to persons skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, the features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention shall cover such modifications and variations, insofar as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. In general terms, the present invention relates to a head covering that can be worn by healthcare professionals. In particular, a head covering, according to the present disclosure, may have a height h in a front portion of the head covering, sufficient to cover a front portion of a user's head, such as a user's forehead, and a height h2 in a rear portion of the head covering, sufficient to cover a rear portion of a user's head, such as a user's nape, and at least one side portion or panel that can be shaped and adjusted in size to connect the front and rear portions of the head covering. The side portion(s) have a contoured section t forming all or a portion of a lower edge of the side portion.The lower edge of the side portion extends from a lower edge of a front portion to a lower edge of a back portion, and is shaped and adjusted in size to cover a user's ears, scalp, and sideburns, as required by AORN guidelines, while also remaining away from a user's eyes and field of vision, adjacent to the front portion of a head covering. Additionally, a head covering, according to this disclosure, may have elastic along all or a portion of the head covering, sufficient to produce a secure fit for most users, but not a complete band around the entire head covering. Furthermore, a head covering, according to this disclosure, when worn by a user, may be configured to have a RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yi head covering suitable for at least approximately 60%, such as at least approximately 80% of users, such as by having a height h, a height h2, a circumference ty / or an elastic band, according to this disclosure, which enables the head covering to fit a large percentage of users or potential users. Similarly, a head covering, according to this disclosure, may be configured to have a suitable or acceptable fit for at least approximately 60%, such as at least approximately 80%, of users or potential users, for example, by having a height h, a height h2, and / or a circumference t, according to this disclosure, and / or other factors that will be discussed herein, where a suitable or acceptable fit is determined on the basis of a “one size fits most” (for example, a fit that,Based on the disclosed heights and circumferences, including stretched and relaxed circumferences, which could fit approximately 80% or more of the population, in such a way that the head covering would be able to fit appropriately around the head, e.g., a sufficiently large circumference in a stretched state to encircle 80% or more of head circumferences, as well as maintain appropriate placement on the head after being put on, e.g., a relaxed circumference with the ability to maintain sufficient contact or pressure to remain where it is placed, as well as front and back heights that cover a sufficient portion of the user's head to meet the relevant standards,but which do not impact mobility and / or vision / line of sight). The specific attributes of the head covering of the present invention can be better understood with reference to Figures 1 to 11. With reference now to Figure 1, one embodiment of a head covering 100, contemplated by this disclosure, is shown before the head covering 100 has been placed and secured around a wearer's head. The head covering 100, according to this disclosure, may have a front portion 102 that is placed around a wearer's forehead, and a back portion 104 that can be secured around the back of the wearer's head or neck. The head covering 100 also includes a top surface 106 and a side portion 108. In one embodiment, the top surface 106 and the side portion 108 can be joined at a seam 110 that encircles the circumference (shown more clearly in Figure 4) of the top surface 106. The side portion 108 extends between the front portion 102 and the back portion 104.Of course, it should be noted, as shown in Figures 7 to 10 and as will be discussed in more detail below, that the side portion 108 can be formed from a continuous piece of material, such as a side panel 126 that completely surrounds a user's head when fitted, and that can include the side portion(s) 108, the front portion 102, and the back portion 104. Additionally, in one embodiment of this disclosure, the head cover 100 may have a height h, in a forward portion 102 of the head cover 100, that is less than a height h2 in a rear portion 104 of the head cover 100. For example, in a In the RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yii modality, a height h may be sufficient to cover a user's forehead without obscuring the user's eyes or eyebrows, or impairing the user's vision or line of sight. In this modality, the height h, in a front portion 102 of the head covering 100, may be from approximately 7 cm to approximately 17 cm, such as from approximately 8 cm to approximately 16 cm, such as from approximately 9 cm to approximately 15 cm, or such as from approximately 10 cm to approximately 14 cm. Furthermore, in one embodiment according to this disclosure, the height h2, in a rear portion 104 of the head covering 100, may be greater than the height h in a front portion 102 of the head covering 100. For example, in one embodiment, the height h2, in a rear portion 104 of the head covering 100, may be sufficient to cover the back of a user's neck, such as to cover at least partially, if not completely, the back of the user's neck. In this embodiment, the height h2, in a rear portion 104 of the head covering 100, may be from approximately 11 cm to approximately 23 cm, such as from approximately 12 cm to approximately 22 cm, such as from approximately 13 cm to approximately 21 cm, or such as from approximately 14.5 cm to approximately 20 cm.It should be noted that, in one embodiment, the rear portion 104 of the head covering 100 can completely cover the back of a user's neck, to provide sufficient neck coverage as required by AORN standards. In one embodiment, a height h2, in a rear portion 104 of the headcover 100, can be approximately 1.1 to approximately 3.3 times the height h in a front portion 102, such as approximately 1.2 to approximately 2.9 times the height h in a front portion 102, such as approximately 1.3 to approximately 2.35 times the height h in a front portion 102, such as approximately 1.3 to approximately 2 times the height h in a front portion 102. Thus, the converse is also true. In particular, if instead a height h2 is known in a rear portion 104, the height h2 can be divided by the above multipliers to arrive at a height h of a front portion 102 of the headcover 100. Continuing to discuss Figure 1, a head cover 100, according to the present disclosure, may have a side portion 108 which may be a portion of a continuous side panel 126, extending from a front portion 102 of the head cover 100 to a rear portion 104 of the head cover 100. The side portion 108 may have a contoured portion that defines the lower edge 116 of the side portion 108.However, it should be noted that, in a modality where the lateral portion 108 is a portion of a continuous side panel 126 that completely encircles the user's head, the contoured portion t may define a lower edge 116 of only the lateral portion 108, such as a portion extending between a lower edge of anterior portion 112 and a lower edge of posterior portion 114 of the lateral portion 108, in such a way that the anterior portion 102 and posterior portion 104 may each have their own respective lower edges (112 and 114) that are not defined by the contoured portion t. In this modality, it may be noted that the lower edge of anterior portion 112 and the lower edge of posterior portion 114 may... RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yi may be delineated and / or marked, such as by a seam or other marker (as shown more clearly in Figures 5, 6, 9 and 10), indicating the transition from a side portion 108 to a front portion 102 or back portion 104, or it may simply be a point on the side panel 126 without delineation (as shown more clearly in Figures 7 and 9), such as a point where the height (ho hí) no longer increases or decreases along the contoured portion t, and / or where the lower edge 116 has no slope or is negligible (as can be shown and described more clearly with regard to Figures 7, 8 and 10).In particular, while the lower border of anterior portion 112 and / or the lower border of posterior portion 114 may have some slope between their respective first and second ends (111,113; 115,117 respectively), in one modality, the lower border of anterior portion 112 and lower border of posterior portion 114 are substantially horizontal, or have no slope or it is negligible. Additionally, in one embodiment, the lower border of anterior portion 112 extends between a first end 111 of the lower border of anterior portion 112 and a second end 113 of the lower border of anterior portion 112, and the lower border of posterior portion 114 extends between a first end 115 of the lower border of posterior portion 114 and a second end 117 of the lower border of posterior portion 114. Thus, in one embodiment, the lower border 116 of lateral portion 108 can extend between a first end 111 of the lower border of anterior portion 112 and the first end 115 of the lower border of posterior portion 104, and / or the lower border 116 of lateral portion 108 can extend between the second end 113 of the lower border of anterior portion 112 and the second end 117 of the lower border of posterior portion 114. Separately, the contoured portion t can define a lower edge 116 of the lateral portion 108 that increases the height of the lateral portion 108 of the head cover 100 when moving from a front portion 102 to a back portion 104, and decreases a height of the lateral portion 108 when moving from a back portion 104 to a front portion 102.In particular, the lower edge 116, of the lateral portion 108, connects a lower edge of anterior portion 112 and a lower edge of posterior portion 114, by using a lower edge 116 of the lateral portion 108 that is not horizontal and / or has at least some positive slope when moving along the lower edge 116 from a posterior portion 104 to an anterior portion 102, or at least some negative slope when moving along the lower edge 116 from an anterior portion 102 to a posterior portion 104, in order to connect the lower edge of anterior portion 112, which has a lower height h, to a lower edge of posterior portion 114, which has a higher height hz, in a uniform and continuous, but not necessarily linear, manner.For example, the lower border 116 of the lateral portion can connect the anterior portion 102 and posterior portion 104, in one modality, by extending between a first end 111 of the lower border of anterior portion 112 and a first portion 115 of the lower border of posterior portion 114, and / or the lower border 116. In one mode, the lower edge 116 can exhibit a change in height in a linear or nonlinear manner. For example, in the modes of Figures 7 and 8, the change in height of the cover for RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yi the head 100, along the lower edge 116, may be approximately linear. Alternatively, such as a modality shown in Figure 1, the lower edge 116 may exhibit a change in height in a nonlinear manner, and have at least one change in average slope, such as at least two changes in average slope, such as at least three changes in average slope, where the average slope of the nonlinear lower edge 116 may be measured between a start point and an inflection point, and an inflection point and an end point, or simply at a start and end point and one or more predetermined points in between. For example, as shown in general in Figure 1, the contoured portion defines a lower edge 116 which, starting at a first end 111 and / or a second end 113 of the lower edge of the anterior portion 112, and moving along the lower edge 116 towards a first end 115 and / or second end 117 of the lower edge of the posterior portion 114, has a negative slope which initially increases the height of the lateral portion 108 of the head cover 100 at a very gradual rate.When a point is reached along the lower edge 116, such as the point labeled m in Figure 1, although it is noted that point m may not have a physical delineation and may simply refer to a point along the lower edge 116, such as a point of change in slope, which means a change in the rate of increase in the height of the lateral portion 108 of the cover for the head 100, the slope may become more negative, which means a greater rate of increase in the height of the lateral portion 108 along that portion of the lower edge 116.Similarly, as we continue towards a first end 115 and / or second end 117 of the lower edge of the rear portion 114 from point m, the lower edge 116 may reach a point, such as point 118, where the slope becomes less negative and begins to taper towards a horizontal line, such as the slope of the lower edge of the rear portion 114, which means a reduction in the rate of increase in the height of the side portion 108 of the head cover 100. Therefore, in this mode where there is movement from a front portion to a rear portion, although the slope between points m and 18 may be the most negative, it is actually the largest slope with respect to the rate of change of height.Therefore, when referring to the largest or greatest slope, one may be referring to the absolute value of the slope, such that the most negative slope may be the largest or greatest slope in some cases. Of course, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, and as discussed above, the lower edge 116 may also exhibit a generally linear change in height between the anterior portion 102 and the posterior portion 104. Notwithstanding the contoured portion t, the head covering 100 may also include an elastic strip or elastic portion 120, along all or part of the head covering 100. For example, referring again to Figure 1, in one embodiment, the head covering 100 may include an elastic strip 120 only along a rear portion 104. In particular, Figure 1 shows the elastic strip 120 starting at point 118 and extending to at least the first end 115 of the lower edge of the rear portion 114. The elastic strip 120 may be integrated into the fabric, where the rear portion 104 may be formed from a material having some elasticity. RL«nnn / Lzn7 / E / Yii or the elastic strip 120 can be integrated into the head covering 100 by associating the elastic strip 120 with the material forming the portion of the head covering 100, where the association of the elastic strip 120 is desired either before or after the formation of the head covering 100. In this embodiment, where a separate elastic strip 120 is integrated into the head covering and is not a property of the material itself, such as by associating the elastic strip 120 with the material forming the head covering 100, the elastic strip 120 can be associated with the head covering 100 in such a way that the elastic strip 120 is located on an outer surface of the head covering 100, or in such a way that it is located on an inner surface of the head covering 100 (for example, between the head covering and a user when it is put on).However, in one embodiment, as will be discussed in more detail below, the elastic strip 120 can be located along the lower edge of the rear portion 114, and in another embodiment, it can be located on an inner portion of the lower edge of the rear portion 114. In these embodiments, the fit of the head covering 100 can be improved as previously discussed, such as by providing a soft elastic strip that is only associated with a portion of a head covering, thus minimizing compression and discomfort from an elastic band (e.g., one that encircles a user's head), while still providing a comfortable and secure fit for a wider range of users. Thus, in one embodiment, the elastic band 120 can be attached at point 118, which can have a height h3. The height h3 can be slightly less than a height h2 of the rear portion 104, but slightly greater than a height h of a front portion 102 of the head covering 100. For example, in one embodiment, the height h3 of the side portion 108 of the head covering 100, where the elastic band 120 can be attached to the lower edge 116 of the side portion 108, can be from approximately 10 cm to approximately 20 cm, such as from approximately 11 cm to approximately 19 cm, such as from approximately 12 cm to approximately 18 cm, or such as from approximately 13 cm to approximately 17 cm. Additionally, in a relaxed state, the elastic strip 120 may have a length, before its incorporation into the head covering 100, of approximately 7 cm to approximately 17 cm, or of approximately 8 cm to approximately 16 cm, or of approximately 9 cm to approximately 15 cm. Of course, with reference to Figures 9 and 10, in one embodiment, the above intervals may refer to an elastic strip 120 extending from a first end 115 of the lower edge of the back portion 114 to the back seam 122. In particular, in this embodiment, the elastic strip 120 may include two portions, with one portion extending from the first end 115 of the lower edge of the back portion 114 to the back seam 122, and a second portion extending from the second end 117 of the lower edge of the back portion 114 to the back seam 122.Alternatively, the elastic strip 120 can be an elastic strip 120 extending along the entire back section 104, from the first end 115 of the lower edge of back portion 114 to the second end 117 of the lower edge of back portion 114, or from a point marked by the reference character 118 to a corresponding point 118 on an opposite side of the. RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yi head cover 100. In this case, the elastic strip 120 (either in two halves or as a whole), before its incorporation into the head cover 100, or before the stretching / relaxed state, may have a length I2 of approximately 14 cm to approximately 34 cm, such as approximately 16 cm to approximately 32 cm, or such as approximately 18 cm to approximately 30 cm. However, whether the elastic strip 120 comprises only a single portion having the originally disclosed relaxed length / , or two portions each having a length / , or a single portion having a length / 2, the elastic strip 120, when stretched, may have a stretched length (not shown) of approximately 1.5 to 3.5 times its relaxed length, such as approximately 2 to 3 times the length ( / or / 2) of the elastic strip 120 in the relaxed state (as more clearly shown in Figure 10). In this embodiment, the length I of the elastic strip 120, when stretched before its incorporation into the head covering 100, and / or in a relaxed state before stretching, may be approximately 21 cm to approximately 31 cm, such as approximately 22 cm to approximately 30 cm, such as approximately 23 cm to approximately 29 cm, or such as approximately 24 cm to approximately 28 cm. Of course, although the above lengths may be provided for the elastic strip 120, the amount of stretch of the head covering 100 may also be dependent on or limited by the stretch of the material forming the head covering 100, or by any pleats or reinforcements 124 provided therein. In one embodiment, as can be shown more clearly in Figures 5, 6, 9, and 10, the head covering 100 may have one or more reinforcements and / or pleats 124.Thus, in one embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, when a head covering 100 is folded or split in half along its midline, such as a line extending through a center of a posterior portion 104 and a center of an anterior portion 102, the head covering 100 can have a length I3 of approximately 18 cm to approximately 28 cm, such as approximately 19 cm to approximately 27 cm, such as approximately 20 cm to approximately 26 cm, or such as approximately 21 cm to approximately 25 cm.In this mode, when stretched along line A, (see Figure 1), the head cover 100 can have a length (not shown) of approximately 26 cm to approximately 36 cm, such as approximately 27 cm to approximately 35 cm, such as approximately 28 cm to approximately 34 cm, such as approximately 29 cm to approximately 33 cm, or alternatively, it can be stretched to a length of approximately 1.25 to approximately 2 times the length of the unstretched or relaxed length, in this case, / 3. Figure 2 below shows an embodiment of the present disclosure from a front view. The head covering 100 has a top surface 106 and a side portion 108 (or portions 108) as previously described. The top surface 106 and the side portion 108 can be joined at a seam 110 that encircles the circumference (shown more clearly in Figure 4) of the top surface 106. The head covering 100 has a lower edge of front portion 112, a The first end 111 and a second end 113 of the lower edge of anterior portion 112, a lower edge of posterior portion 114, and a first end 115 and second end 117 of the lower posterior edge 114. As previously stated, in one embodiment, the side portion 108 is a portion of a continuous side panel 126. As such, there is no mark or delineation between the side portion 108 and the anterior portion 102 and / or posterior portion 104. Instead, a first end 111 and / or second end 113 of the lower edge of anterior portion 112 may mark the point where the contoured portion and anterior portion 102 meet, and / or may be located on an anterior portion 102 of the head cover 100 where the lower edge of anterior portion 112 is substantially horizontal or has a zero or negligible slope.Similarly, a first end 115 and / or second end 117, of the lower edge of rear portion 114, can mark the point where the contoured portion ty and rear portion 104 meet and, alternatively, can be located on a rear portion 104 of the head cover 100 where the lower edge of rear portion 114 is substantially horizontal or has a zero or negligible slope. Figure 3 shows a representation of the present disclosure from a rear view. The head cover 100 has a top surface 106 and a side portion 108 (or portions 108) as previously described. The top surface 106 and the side portion 108 can be joined at a seam 110 that encircles the circumference (shown more clearly in Figure 4) of the top surface 106. Although the head cover 100 has a front portion lower edge 112 and a rear portion lower edge 114, only the rear portion lower edge 114, including the first end 115 and second end 117 of the rear portion lower edge 114, is visible from the rear view. A portion of the contoured portion t is visible, extending to the left of the first end 115 of the rear portion lower edge 114 and to the right of the second end 117 of the rear portion lower edge 114.As set out above, side portion 108 may be a portion of a continuous side panel 126. As such, there is no mark or delineation between side portion 108 and rear portion 104. Instead, the first end 115 and / or second end 117 of the lower edge of rear portion 114 may mark the point where the contoured portion and rear portion 104 meet and, alternatively, may be located on a rear portion 104 of the head cover 100 where the lower edge of rear portion 114 is substantially horizontal or has a zero or negligible slope. Figure 4 shows one embodiment of the present disclosure from a top view. The head cover 100 has a top surface 106 and a side portion 108 (or portions 108) as previously discussed. The top surface 106 and the side portion 108 can be joined by a seam 110 surrounding the circumference (shown more clearly in Figure 4) of the top surface 106. As shown in the top view of Figure 4, in one embodiment, the head cover 100 can have a circumference C measured around an outer portion of the head cover, such as the circumference of the side panel 126. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the circumference C, around the portion of the side panel 126 adjacent to the top surface 106 or The circumference of the seam 110, may be the same as or similar to a circumference of the side panel 126 adjacent to a lower edge 116 (not shown in this Figure). However, as may be understood in the art and as generally shown in Figure 9, the present disclosure also contemplates an embodiment in which a portion adjacent to the upper surface 106 may have a smaller circumference than a portion adjacent to a lower edge 116. For example, in one embodiment, the circumference C of the head cover 100 may be from approximately 55 cm to approximately 76 cm, such as from approximately 57 cm to approximately 74 cm, such as from approximately 59 cm to approximately 72 cm, such as from approximately 61 cm to approximately 70 cm, or such as from approximately 63 cm to approximately 68 cm.Alternatively, in a modality where the circumference may be, on a lower edge 116, different from adjacent to an upper surface 106, the larger of the two circumferences C may be based on the circumferences indicated above, and the smaller circumference may be from approximately 54 cm to approximately 75 cm, such as from approximately 56 cm to approximately 73 cm, such as from approximately 58 cm to approximately 71 cm, such as from approximately 60 cm to approximately 69 cm, or such as from approximately 62 cm to approximately 67 cm. Figure 5 below is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment, according to this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, a head covering 100 of this disclosure may have a front portion 102, a back portion 104, a top portion 106, a back seam 122, a bottom edge 116, and a bottom seam 128 joining the bottom edge 116 to the side panel 126 (or side portions 108). In this embodiment, the head covering 100 also has gussets or folds 124.Although a head covering 100 can be formed from a naturally stretchable or yielding material, in one embodiment, as described above, reinforcements or pleats 124 can be used to provide excess folded and contained material that allows the head covering 100 to stretch by a predetermined amount in order to accommodate a wide variety of users with different head shapes and sizes. The reinforcements or pleats 124 can also serve as a marking or delineation at one or both of the first end 111 and the second end 113 of the lower edge of the anterior portion 112, in this embodiment, between the lateral portion 108 and the anterior portion 102, or at one or both of the first end 115 and the second end 117 of the lower edge of the posterior portion 114, between the lateral portion 108 and the posterior portion 104.Of course, in one further embodiment, no reinforcements or folds are needed and instead the material can be squeezed in all or part of the head cover 100, such as around the elastic band 120, or the material can have enough natural stretch to enable the head cover 100 to be stretched to a fully extended stretched position, as set out above. Figure 6 is a side perspective view of a modality, according to this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, a head covering 100 of this disclosure may have a front portion 102, a top portion 106, a seam (or seams) 110, and a rim. RLEnnn / Lznz / B / Yi lower 116 and a lower seam 128 joining the lower edge 116 to the side panel 126 (or side portion or portions 108). For example, in one embodiment, one or more seams 110 may be used to join the top 106 to the side panel 126, for example, to form a tapered seam or line from the side panel 126 to the top 106, or to better secure the top 106 to the side panel 126. In this embodiment, the head covering 100 also has reinforcements or pleats 124. As discussed above, although a head covering 100 may be formed from a naturally stretchy or yielding material, in one embodiment, reinforcements or pleats 124 may be used to provide an excess of skillfully folded and contained material that allows the head covering 100 to stretch, in order to accommodate a wide variety of users who have different head shapes and sizes.The reinforcements or folds 124 can also serve as a mark or delineation in this modality, at the first end 111 of the lower edge of the anterior portion 112, which can mark the point at which the lateral portion 108 meets the anterior portion 102, in this modality. Figure 7 shows a view of a head covering 100, according to this disclosure, which has been separated along the back seam 122. For example, Figure 7 may have a length I4, which may be the same length in centimeters as any circumference C shown above. Furthermore, Figure 7 shows a single panel 126 forming the sides of the head covering 100, which has been, or will be, sewn together at the back seam 122, or by some other method of fastening at the back seam 122, to form the head covering 100 that can encircle a user's head. Figure 7 further shows an embodiment in which the contoured portion t has a generally linear contour.As set out above, the contoured portion t may be linear or non-linear and yet this contour must be selected to be compatible with the heights disclosed above, and also selected to have a contour portion t that connects the lower edge of front portion 112 and the lower edge of rear portion 114 of the head covering 100, while leaving a user's eyes and a user's vision free of restrictions, and covering the user's ears, scalp, hair and nape. For example, in one configuration, the contoured portion t may begin around the first end 111 and / or second end 113 of the lower edge of the front portion 112, and may have a fairly shallow negative slope, in order to slowly increase the height of the head covering 100 from the front portion 102 to the back portion 104. In this way, the height of the contoured portion t near the front portion 102, and adjacent to a wearer's face and / or eyes when in a positioned configuration, may be close to the same height as the front portion 102, or slightly greater. However, as the transition continues along the lower edge 116, the contoured portion may have a steeper negative slope, which rapidly increases the height of the head covering 100 in order to cover the wearer's ears and, if necessary, earrings.The contoured portion t can then begin to taper to a more moderate slope, approaching a slope of zero as it approaches the. RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yi first end 115 and / or second end 117 of the lower edge of the rear portion 114. In this manner, the contoured portion t can define a lower edge 116, which has a change in height from a side portion 108 of a head covering 100, in order to cover the ears, hair, scalp and nape of a user, without covering the eyes or eyebrows of a user, and / or inhibiting the vision or line of sight of a user. Similarly, and as set out above, the elastic strip 120 can also be used to improve the fit of a head covering 100 of this disclosure, as shown in Figure 8. In particular, Figure 8 shows an embodiment of Figure 7 that further includes one or more elastic strips 120. The elastic strips 120 can be made of any material having elastic properties, such as elastics generally known or used in the art, and can be used as a portion of the head covering 100 or can be an elastic strip 120 associated with or integrated into the head covering 100. In particular, as set out above, the elastic strip 120 can terminate at, or be associated with, the head covering 100 at a point 118.This point may be at a location along the contoured portion t on the lower edge 116 of the lateral portion 108, where the height of the lateral portion 108 may be approximately 1 cm to approximately 4.5 cm less than the height of the posterior portion 104, or where the lateral portion 108 may have a height equal to any of the heights set forth with respect to the above-mentioned height h3. In one embodiment, point 118 can be located along the lower edge 116 of the side portion 108, measured from the back seam 122 towards a front portion, at a distance of approximately 7 cm to approximately 17 cm when in a relaxed state, from the back seam 122, such as from approximately 8 cm to approximately 16 cm from the back seam 122, such as from approximately 9 cm to approximately 15 cm, from the back seam 122 towards the front portion 102. In this manner, when at least one of the contoured portion t of the side portions 108 and the size and position of the elastic band 120, or a combination thereof, is selected in accordance with the present disclosure, a head covering 100 can be provided that fits a large percentage of users and also complies with AORN guidelines for coverage.In particular, when a contoured portion t, first height h, second height h2, elastic band 120, or a combination thereof, is selected in accordance with this disclosure, a head covering 100 in accordance with this disclosure, when worn by a user, may have a proper or acceptable fit for at least approximately 60%, such as at least approximately 70%, such as at least approximately 75%, such as at least approximately 80%, such as at least approximately 85%, or such as at least approximately 90% of users wearing the head covering 100, where a proper or acceptable fit may be defined as set forth above. Additionally or as an alternative, a Head Covering 100 in accordance with this disclosure, when worn by a user, may provide adequate head and / or neck coverage for at least approximately 60%, such as at least approximately 70%, such as at least approximately 75%, such as at least approximately 80%, such as at least approximately 85%, or such as at least approximately 90% of users wearing Head Covering 100. In particular, Head Covering 100, in accordance with this disclosure, was found to meet AORN coverage guidelines for at least approximately 70%, such as at least approximately 75%, such as at least approximately 80%, such as at least approximately 85%, or such as at least approximately 90% of users wearing the head covering. Whatever the particular configuration of the selected head covering 100, the materials used to form the head covering 100 can be chosen to maximize wearer comfort. For example, the top surface 106, and the side portion(s) 108 or side panel 126, can be made from a variety of nonwoven materials formed by numerous processes, including, but not limited to, airflow manufacturing processes, wet manufacturing processes, hydrointerlacing processes, fiber spunbond, meltblowing, carding and staple bonding, and fiber solution spinning.The fibers themselves in nonwoven materials can be made from a variety of natural and synthetic materials, including, but not limited to, cellulose, rayon, nylon, polyesters, polyolefins (including polypropylene), random copolymer resins, and many other materials. The fibers can be relatively short, typically less than 76.2 mm (three inches) in length, or longer and substantially more continuous, such as those produced by spunbond and melt-blown bonding processes. In one particular embodiment, the top surface 106 of the head covering 100 can be formed from a thermally spun material to facilitate airflow and minimize the amount of heat trapped within the head covering 100. On the other hand, the side portion(s) 108, or the side panel 126, can be formed from a laminated material, such as a thermally spun / melt-blown / thermally spun material, made from three separate layers laminated together, to provide sufficient structure to support a headlamp or any other accessory that might be worn around the crown of the head by a healthcare professional. The method of making the aforementioned materials is known and described in U.S. Patent No. 4,041,203 to Brock et al., which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. The material of Brock et al.SMS is a three-layer laminate of thermally spun / melt-blown / thermally spun layers, also commonly referred to by the acronym "SMS". The two outer layers (i.e., the innermost and outermost layers) of SMS are a thermally spun material, made from extruded polyolefin fibers, or filaments, including polypropylene and random copolymer resins, laid in a random pattern and then bonded together. The inner layer (or the intermediate layer located between the two outer thermally spun layers) is a melt-blown layer, also made from extruded polyolefin fibers, typically of [unspecified material]. RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yii has a smaller diameter than the fibers in the thermally spun layers. As a result, the meltblown layer provides enhanced barrier properties due to its fine fiber structure, which allows the sterilizing agent to pass through the fabric while preventing the passage of bacteria and other contaminants. Conversely, the two outer thermally spun layers provide a greater portion of the overall strength factor in the laminate. The laminate can be prepared using an intermittent bond pattern, preferably one that repeats substantially regularly across the laminate surface. The pattern is selected so that the bonds occupy approximately 5% to approximately 50% of the laminate surface area. If possible, the bonds can occupy approximately 10% to approximately 30% of the laminate surface area. For example, Figure 11a illustrates an SMS 200 laminate, according to one embodiment of this disclosure. The SMS 200 laminate includes a first thermal spin layer 148, a meltblown layer 150, and a second thermal spin layer 152. In one embodiment, the first thermal spin layer 148 and the second thermal spin layer 152 may be formed from the same or similar polymer composition, such as one of the polymer compositions described above. In a further or alternative embodiment, the first thermal spin layer 148 and the second thermal spin layer 152 may be formed from different polymer compositions, or may contain one or more additives in the composition that differ between the first thermal spin layer 148 and the second thermal spin layer 152.Additionally, although the first layer of thermal spindle 148 is described as the “first layer,” it can serve as either the inner or outer surface of the laminate. Similarly, the second layer 152, although described as the second layer, can also serve as either the inner or outer surface of the laminate. Furthermore, although the head covering 100 above is described as being formed from a combination of thermal spun and SMS materials, it is understood that the different portions of the head covering 100 may be made from any other suitable material that minimizes heat trapping while still providing sufficient structure as required, or they may be formed solely from an SMS and / or thermal spun material. For example, in addition to the thermal spun or SMS materials described above, any or all of the portions of the head covering 100 may be formed from a woven cotton material. However, in one embodiment, at least a portion of the head covering 100 is formed from a hydratable SMS material, such as a fabric formed from an SMS laminate 200 that has been treated with a surfactant that allows the SMS fabric to absorb fluid. In particular, as briefly discussed above, SMS fabrics are generally hydrophobic and water-repellent. This can lead to uncomfortable and unsanitary conditions during procedures, as perspiration can drip onto the face or head of a clinician, potentially distracting them and placing the surgical or procedure site at increased risk of infection. Therefore, it would be advantageous to use an SMS fabric for its desirable breathability and lightweight qualities, but in AÑïòààà / ï7L7 / E / YI cases where SMS fabric also has the ability to absorb liquids. Thus, the present inventors have found that by treating SMS fabric with a surfactant, a hydratable SMS fabric can be formed that retains the desirable qualities of SMS fabric, including durability, but can also exhibit acceptable liquid absorbency and drying properties. For example, a surfactant, selected according to the present disclosure, can allow SMS fabric to retain its durability, breathability, and comfort, and can also endow the fabric with hydration and absorption properties, in addition to helping reduce the surface tension of liquids in contact with the SMS fabric. In one particular instance, the surfactant can be either cationic or anionic. Whichever type of surfactant is chosen, it may be desirable to select one that is compatible with the antistatic treatments used for nonwoven fabrics. In particular, regardless of the surfactant selected, it can be sprayed onto one or both sides of the SMS fabric, such as by applying a quantity of surfactant in a manner that saturates the SMS fabric. At that point, the surfactant-saturated SMS fabric undergoes standard processing for SMS fabric, which includes passing the saturated fabric through rollers and dryers to remove the liquid, leaving the surfactant impregnated on or within the fabric.For example, an SMS fabric impregnated with a surfactant according to this disclosure may have surfactant on one or both sides of the fabric, and / or coating on the fibers forming the fabric throughout all three layers, or a portion of the fibers from each of the three layers, or only coating on the fibers of one or more layers of a fabric formed from an SMS 200 laminate, according to this disclosure. Therefore, since the surfactant must be processed along with the SMS fabric after incorporation, it would be desirable to select a surfactant that is compatible with the processes for producing SMS fabrics, such as antistatic treatments. The surfactant may include one or more anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, or a combination thereof. Anionic surfactants may include mono- and dialkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfates, sulfonates such as alkyl, aryl, benzene, alkyl ether, and olefin sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfates, alcohol and ether sulfates, phosphates such as alkyl phosphate and phosphate ethers, alkyl and alkyl ether carboxylates, fatty carboxylates, ethyl alkyl and alkyl phosphate esters, taurates, and a combination thereof. In one embodiment, a cationic surfactant, used alone or in combination, may be a dialkyl sulfosuccinate or a salt thereof, such as a dialkyl sulfosuccinate sold under the trade name DOSS-70D. Surfactants according to this disclosure may also include cationic surfactants such as quaternary ammonium compounds, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, alkylene glycol surfactants, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the surfactant or surfactants can be applied as part of a surfactant composition that includes a carrier or solvent. In one embodiment, the carrier or solvent can be water or, alternatively, it can be another carrier or solvent, as is generally known in the art. RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yi is compatible with an SMS fabric in accordance with this disclosure. Additionally, although not required, in some embodiments, the surfactant composition may also include various additives as known in the art, such as an antifoaming additive, for example, to minimize foaming of the surfactant when added to the carrier or solvent. In particular, as is generally known in the art, a surfactant is used to reduce the surface tension of a liquid, thereby increasing the liquid's dispersion and wetting properties. The present inventors have found that when a surfactant composition is applied to an SMS fabric in a sufficient quantity to saturate the fabric, for example, and then dried, the fabric can exhibit wetting and absorbency properties, even if the base fabric is hydrophobic or has hydrophobic properties prior to the application of the surfactant. For example, surfactants are polar molecules that have a hydrophilic end and a hydrophobic end.When introduced into an SMS fabric, according to this disclosure, the hydrophobic ends can orient themselves within the SMS fabric fibers, coating all or part of the fibers, leaving the hydrophilic ends available to receive the fluid that comes into contact with the fabric. The hydrophilic ends can also reduce the surface tension of the fluid in contact with the fabric by overcoming the fluid's adhesion to itself (e.g., surface tension), resulting in droplet dissemination and dispersion of the fluid over the fabric surface. For example, when an SMS fabric or laminate has been saturated with a surfactant and then dried, the carrier or solvent may evaporate while the surfactant is retained in the fabric or laminate, coating the fibers of the SMS fabric or laminate with the surfactant, as described above. For example, with reference to Figure 11b, an SMS 200 laminate, which, as described above, may form all or a portion of a hydratable SMS fabric, according to this disclosure, having a first thermally spun layer 148, a meltblown layer 150, and a second thermally spun layer 152, further includes a surfactant 154. The surfactant 154 has coated the SMS 200 laminate (such as coating the fibers thereof, in one embodiment) and was applied in a manner sufficient to coat all three layers of the SMS 200 laminate.In this embodiment, the fibers of all, or a portion of each of the layers, can be coated with a surfactant, in such a way that a continuous path of coated fibers (e.g., a coated fiber or section of fibers of one layer is adjacent to, or in contact with, a coated fiber or section of fibers in an adjacent layer) is formed between the first thermal spinning layer 148, meltblown layer 150 and second thermal spinning layer 152, as shown in Figure 11b, and can help with capillary absorption of a liquid throughout the entire laminate, for example.However, although Figure 11b shows an SMS laminate 200 having continuous paths of coated fibers throughout the laminate 200 which, as set out above, may be a fiber or portion of fibers in adjacent layers forming a continuous path of coated fibers from the first thermal spinning layer 148 to the melt-blown layer 150, and to the second thermal spinning layer 152, or vice versa, in one embodiment, a hydratable SMS fabric, according to the present disclosure, only. RL«nnn / Lzn7 / E / Yii may have a portion of the fabric having continuous coated fiber portions, and the other portion or portions may only be partially coated, or may be uncoated. As such, after drying, the surfactant may be present on or in the SMS fabric in an amount of approximately 0.1% by weight to approximately 20% by weight, such as approximately 0.5% by weight to approximately 18% by weight, or such as approximately 1% by weight to approximately 15% by weight, based on the weight of the hydratable SMS fabric. Regardless of the surfactant or surfactant combination selected, and / or the materials used to form the hydratable SMS fabric, the present inventors have unexpectedly found that the hydratable SMS fabric, after treatment with the surfactant, exhibited excellent absorbency properties. For example, in one embodiment, the hydratable SMS fabric, according to this disclosure, can absorb an amount of liquid that is approximately 1.5 times to approximately 4.5 times the weight of the SMS fabric, such as approximately 2 times to approximately 4 times the weight of the SMS fabric, or approximately 3 times to approximately 3.9 times the weight of the SMS fabric, based on the total weight of the SMS fabric. Additionally, a hydratable SMS fabric, according to this disclosure, can have a high absorbency in grams per gram of hydratable SMS fabric.For example, hydratable SMS fabric can absorb approximately 1.25 to 7.25 grams of liquid per gram of SMS fabric, such as approximately 2.75 to 6.5 grams per gram of SMS fabric, or approximately 3.5 to 5 grams of liquid per gram of SMS fabric. Additionally, hydratable SMS fabric can absorb up to its absorbent capacity in grams at a rate of approximately 1 to 9 seconds, or approximately 3 to 7 seconds, or approximately 3 to 6 seconds. In these forms, the hydratable SMS fabric can have a fabric weight in grams per square meter (gmc) of approximately 10 gmc to approximately 60 gmc, such as approximately 15 gmc to approximately 55 gmc, such as approximately 20 gmc to approximately 50 gmc, such as approximately 25 gmc to approximately 45 gmc, or such as approximately 30 gmc to approximately 40 gmc. Additionally, hydratable SMS may exhibit acceptable capillary absorption properties, such that the absorbed liquid can evaporate or dry within the fabric to remove moisture from the body. Specifically, the hydratable SMS fabric described herein is sufficiently porous and hydratable to exhibit capillary action, particularly a higher capillary action and / or drying rate than certain cellulose-based fabrics. This demonstrates that the hydratable SMS fabric is capable of absorbing moisture from a surface by capillary action and drying after absorbing a liquid. For example, a hydratable SMS fabric, according to this disclosure (tested using AATCC 201 at 37°C with 0.2 ml of water), may have a drying rate of approximately 2.5 milliliters per RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yi hour (ml / h) to approximately 4 ml / h, such as approximately 2.75 ml / ha approximately 3.75 ml / h, such as approximately 3 ml / ha approximately 3.5 ml / h. Furthermore, a hydratable SMS fabric, according to this disclosure, also shows excellent ventilation capacity, as indicated by its high permeability to airflow. For example, in one embodiment, SMS fabric, according to this disclosure (tested in accordance with ASTM D737-18 using a 10 cm x 10 cm (4 in x 4 in) sample), may have an air permeability, measured in cubic meters per minute (cubic feet per minute) of air passing through the SMS fabric, of approximately 1.13 MCM (40 CFM) to approximately 1.76 MCM (62 CFM), such as approximately 1.19 MCM (42 CFM) to approximately 1.7 MCM (60 CFM), such as approximately 1.25 MCM (44 CFM) to approximately 1.64 MCM (58 CFM), such as approximately 1.30 MCM (46 CFM) to approximately 1.59 MCM (56 CFM), or such as approximately 1.36 MCM (48 CFM) to approximately 1.53 MCM (54 CFM).Additionally, since the SMS fabrics of this disclosure are constructed from polyolefin-based compositions, the hydratable SMS fabrics of this disclosure exhibit low lint-forming properties even after accelerated aging at 1 year and 5 years and, in particular, compared to cellulose-based fabric. Furthermore, certain aspects of this disclosure may be better understood in light of the following examples, which are intended to be non-limiting and exemplary in nature. Specifically, hydratable SMS fabrics were tested, in accordance with this disclosure, for their absorbency (and percentage absorbency) and absorption rate, the results of which are shown in Table 1. The absorption rate was measured according to TAPPI T 432, using 10 cm x 10 cm (4 in x 4 in) samples, and is an average of 90 tested samples. Absorbency and percentage absorbency were tested using 90 samples of an SMS fabric with a basis weight of 34 g / m³ and a sample size of 10 cm x 10 cm (4 in x 4 in). The hydratable SMS fabric samples were produced from three different batches to account for batch variability. RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yi Table 1 Absorption capacity (grams) Average 1.39 Percentage absorption (%) Average 376.6 Absorption rate (seconds) Average 4.35 Specifically, it was found that, on average, the SMS fabric had an absorbency of 1.39 grams, or an absorbency (measured as a percentage) of 376.6%, or approximately 3.75 times the fabric's weight. Additionally, Table 1 shows an absorption rate of 4.35 seconds, from the amount of liquid to the absorbency of the samples, demonstrating that the hydratable SMS fabric was able to rapidly absorb the liquid. In Table 2, the drying rate of three hydratable SMS samples, according to the present disclosure (SMS 1, SMS 2, SMS 3) were tested using AATCC 201, using 15 cm x 15 cm samples and 0.2 ml of water, at 37 °C and airflow over the sample of 1.25 m / s, against a more traditional cellulose-based fabric. RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yi Table 2 Sample Drying Rate (ml / h) SMS 1 3.2 SMS 2 3.15 SMS 3 3.3 Average 3.22 Cellulose-based 1 1.64 Cellulose-based 2 1.66 Cellulose-based 3 1.7 Average 1.67 As shown in Table 2, the hydratable SMS samples had an average drying rate of 3.22 ml / h, compared to an average of 1.67 ml / h for the cellulose-based samples. Therefore, the SMS samples dried almost twice as fast as the cellulose-based samples after absorbing a liquid. Thus, according to this disclosure, an SMS fabric may be able to remove sweat from a user's body more quickly than a cellulose-based fabric through capillary absorption. Additionally, Tables 1 and 2 show the ability of SMS fabric to absorb a liquid from a surface (which could be, for example, a user's sweat) and then dry after absorbing the liquid. Table 3 shows data resulting from tests on a total of 90 samples divided between samples of hydratable SMS fabrics, as described in this disclosure, and a thermally spun fabric, for ventilation capacity. For example, the thermally spun fabric could be the thermally spun fabric described above, formed from a polyolefin, which can be used in an article of personal protective equipment in conjunction with the SMS fabric as described in this disclosure. In particular, as will be discussed in more detail below, thermally spun fabrics can be used to form portions of an article where high ventilation capacity is required, but not high support—for example, in the upper part of a head covering where instrument support is not required.Thus, a thermal spun fabric can be used in conjunction with an SMS fabric, according to this disclosure, to form a lightweight, breathable PPE garment. As will be explained in more detail, an article, according to this disclosure, can be formed solely from the SMS fabric, or it can have portions, such as the crown and sides, formed from the SMS fabric, and other portions, such as the top, formed from a thermal spun fabric. Thus, the samples were tested according to ASTM Test D737-18, using 10 cm x 10 cm (4 in x 4 in) samples, for their air permeability. In this test, higher values ​​indicate greater permeability to air. Specifically, the results are provided in units of cubic meters per minute (MCM) (cubic feet per minute (CFM)), and the results reflect the rate at which air flows out of or through a medium. Therefore, a higher value in MCM (CFM) indicates a material that is more permeable to air, since a higher rate of air flows through the medium. RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yii Table 3 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Hydratable SMS Average (MCM (CFM)) 1.49 (52.6) 1.45 (51.23) 1.42 (50.33) Standard deviation 2.61 2.61 2.25 Thermal spinning Average (MCM (CFM)) 4.2 (148.33) 37.26 (1315.7) 37.77 (1333.73) Standard deviation 28.54 69.21 135.15 Thus, from Table 3 it can be concluded that both fabrics, used in a head covering 100 according to this disclosure, demonstrate air permeability and ventilation capacity. Therefore, in the present disclosure, it has been found that a hydratable SMS fabric can exhibit properties that make it an ideal fabric for use in personal protective equipment. This written description uses examples to make the invention known and to enable anyone skilled in the art to practice the invention, including the production and use of any device or system and the implementation of any incorporated method. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. It is intended that these other examples be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements without substantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A head covering, comprising: a front portion having a first height; a rear portion having a second height; at least one side portion extending between the rear portion and the front portion, and having a lower edge; and wherein the lower edge of the side portion(s) has a non-linear contour.

2. The head covering according to claim 1, further comprising at least one elastic strip.

3. The head cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower edge has at least a first slope and a second slope, and wherein the first slope is not equal to the second slope.

4. The head cover according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first slope is a slope from a point between the front portion and the rear portion, and the second slope is a slope from a point adjacent to one of the front portion and the rear portion, and wherein the absolute value of the first slope is greater than the absolute value of the second slope.

5. The head cover according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the lower edge further comprises a third slope that is not equal to the first slope or the second slope.

6. The head covering according to claim 1, wherein the second height is approximately 1.1 to approximately 3.3 times the first height.

7. The head covering according to claim 2, wherein the head covering has a relaxed length when folded along a medial line of approximately 18 cm to approximately 28 cm.

8. The head covering according to claim 7, wherein the head covering, the elastic strip(s), or both the head covering and the elastic strip(s), have the ability to stretch in such a way that the head covering has a stretched length, along the midline, of approximately 1.25 to approximately 2 times the relaxed length.

9. A head covering, comprising: a front portion having a first height; a rear portion having a second height; at least one side panel; and wherein the second height is approximately 1.1 to approximately 3.3 times the first height. RLRnnn / Lznz / E / Yi 10. The head covering according to claim 9, wherein the first height is from approximately 7 cm to approximately 17 cm.

11. The head covering according to claims 9 or 10, wherein the second height is from approximately 11 cm to approximately 23 cm.

12. The head covering according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the side portion has a shape, a size, or both a shape and a size, sufficient to cover a user's ear when the head covering has been placed.

13. The head covering according to any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the front portion, the back portion, and at least one side portion are shaped or sized, or are shaped and sized, to cover the head, hair, ears, and nape of at least approximately 80% of the users.

14. The head cover according to any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the head cover further includes an upper surface.

15. The head covering according to any of claims 9 to 14, wherein the side panel(s) is a continuous side panel configured to encircle the head of a user in a positioned configuration.

16. The head covering according to any of claims 9 to 15, wherein the head covering has a circumference of approximately 55 cm to approximately 76 cm.

17. A head covering, comprising: a front portion having a first height; a rear portion having a second height; at least one side panel; and wherein at least one portion of the head covering comprises a hydratable thermal spinning / melt-blown / thermal spinning material.

18. The head covering according to claim 17, wherein the thermal spinning / melt-blow / thermal spinning hydratable material comprises the thermal spinning / melt-blow / thermal spinning hydratable material treated with an anionic or cationic surfactant.

19. The head covering according to claim 17 or 18, wherein at least a portion of the thermally spun / melt-blown / thermally spun hydratable material includes a polypropylene and random copolymer resin.

20. The head covering according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the head covering further includes an upper surface comprising a thermal spinning material.