Elastic Head Towel Cap With Retractable Flaps for Clothing Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing head caps and towels do not effectively protect clothing from water, hair coloring, and hair trimmings, and lack the versatility to function as both a towel and a hair cap.

Innovation Solution

An elasticized circular cap with V-shaped flaps and hook fasteners that can be secured to the cap or worn over the breast, allowing for retractable and extendable flaps to adapt to different uses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If existing head caps and towels are used, then basic head covering function is provided, but clothing protection from water, hair coloring, and hair trimmings is ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclothing protection from water, hair coloring, and hair trimmingsVSAvoidversatility to function as both towel and hair cap

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a cap structure with towel flaps into a single integrated head towel cap. The V-shaped attachment with right and left flaps are continuously attached to the back area of the cap, merging the protective cap function with the absorbent towel function into one unified device that simultaneously provides both capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The head towel cap is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a protective cap to prevent water, hair coloring, and trimmings from reaching clothing, and simultaneously functions as a towel through its absorbent flaps. The hook and loop fasteners enable the flaps to be positioned in different configurations, allowing the device to adapt between cap mode and towel mode, providing universal applicability for different user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the head towel cap is designed with fixed flaps, then simple structure is maintained, but the ability to individually use as towel or hair cap is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to individually use as towel or hair capVSAvoidstructure with retractable and extendable flaps

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flaps are designed with dynamic positioning capability through hook and loop fasteners that allow the flaps to be secured in different positions. The right and left flaps can be extended downward to function as a towel or retracted upward to function as a cap, enabling the structure to dynamically adapt between different operational modes based on user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The V-shaped attachment is divided into separate right and left flaps, each capable of independent positioning. This segmentation allows each flap to be independently controlled and positioned, enabling the device to function as a towel when both flaps are extended, or as a cap when both flaps are retracted, providing operational flexibility without requiring a completely different device for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Length of moving object

If the flaps are made long enough to reach the breasts, then towel function is improved, but the cap function is compromised when flaps need to be retracted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflap length to reach breastsVSAvoidease of retracting flaps for cap function

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The hook and loop fasteners are positioned at specific locations on the flaps and cap to enable easy securing and releasing. The fasteners are disposed on the exterior surface of the flaps proximal to the bottom edge, allowing users to easily secure the flaps in the extended position for towel use or release them for retraction to the cap position, making the transition between functions simple and intuitive.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The head towel cap effectively protects clothing and serves dual purposes as a towel and hair cap, ensuring convenience and hygiene during use.

Implementation Method 1

The cap and the attachment is an absorptive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

A pair of hook and loop fasteners includes a right hook fastener and a left hook fastener. The right hook fastener is disposed on the exterior surface of the right flap proximal the bottom edge, and the left hook fastener is disposed on the exterior surface of the left flap proximal the bottom edge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 3

an elasticized substantially circular cap configured to cover a user's head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9504362B1Head towel cap

Publication Date: 2016.11.29 SKINNER VERONIQUE

AI summary

A head towel cap including an elasticized circular cap having a front area, a back area, a right area, and a left area. A V-shaped attachment has a substantially rectangular right flap, a substantially rectangular left flap, and a concave apex continuously attached to the back area of the cap. The cap and the attachment is an absorptive material. A pair of hook and loop fasteners includes a right hook fastener and a left hook fastener. The right hook fastener is disposed on an exterior surface of the right flap proximal the bottom edge, and the left hook fastener is disposed on an exterior surface of the left flap proximal the bottom edge.