The cap has a very simple method of construction requiring the wearer to perform only two steps with the three panels. At a quick glance, the hat only appears to have two cuts, making it a very simple design. However, there are 33 cuts in the sheet of paper that are made by the manufacturer to form its cap shape, and allow for its straightforward and simple construction. Two cuts are made on the corners of the top short edge to form a rounded brim-like appearance. Two cuts are then made starting from the bottom short edge two inches in from each of the long edges and running parallel to the long edges 10¼ inches toward the top of the hat slanting inward at a 45-degree angle for 1⅜ inches at the end. These cuts form two side panels that become the sides of the hat and a center panel that forms the top of the hat. 2⅝ inches of the bottom of the two side panels are then cut off. Two ¼ inch notches are then cut in each of the bottom ends of the two side panels ⅔ inches from the bottom to form hitches for the clasping mechanism. From the bottom edge of each of the notches an arced cut is made towards the bottom of the panel arcing inward ⅛ inch 13-1{fraction (5/16)} inch cuts are then made in the center panel perpendicular to the bottom of the panel and located at the bottom of the panel beginning {fraction (5/16)} inch from the bottom edge, each spaced {fraction (5/16)} inches apart, forming slots for the hitches to be hitched to. 10-1{fraction (5/16)} inch cuts are then made on the bottom of the left side panel beginning {fraction (11/16)} from the bottom of the said pane. The cuts are {fraction (5/16)} inches apart, and start {fraction (5/16)} inch from the left side of the panel. The top edge of the center panel will have a crease that runs parallel to the short edges between the two ends of the 45-degree angle cuts. The center panel of the hat is then arced upwards and each of the two side panels are then bent around the back of the center panel where the 2 notched ends are placed into any of the slots. This creates the simple and completely adjustable for any head size cap, from a three-panel design.
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[0001] This application relates to and claims priority from Provisional Application No. 60/435,681, filed Dec. 23, 2002.
[0002] The present invention relates to caps and, in particular to a flat cap blank made out of paper-like material, which the wearer of the cap can easily form into a wearable cap, with the main purpose of the cap being its simple three panel design, complete adjustability for any sized head, and printability for advertisement and
[0003] This disposable hat evolved out of the need for an inexpensive and easy to construct cap that can fit every sized head, helps block sun from the eyes, and also employs a large amount of surface area for printing with advertisements. This design differs from existing disposable paper hats by comprising all three of the following attributes: it is very inexpensive to manufacture, it is very simple to construct due to its simple three panel design, it can fit any sized wearers head, and it also has a large surface area for advertising. These three things allow this design to be ideal for its primary purpose of being an inexpensive, durable, and useful advertising tool for distribution at outdoor events.
[0004] The present invention is a folding cap constructed of stiffly flexible paper-like material. The material comprises a top panel forming the main portion of the cap, or crown, where the wearer's head goes, two side panels which fit snuggly to the wearer's head with hook and latches on the ends which create a fully adjustable closure mechanism in the rear of the cap to fit every size head, and a brim to block the sun from the wearers eyes. The invention is directed to be an inexpensive, simple, disposable cap, with its main purpose acting as a large, easily distributable and viewable, and unobstructed advertising space. The cap also provides great protection from the sun, while not compromising its main purpose of providing very sufficient advertising space to be printed on. The cap also has the ability to have coupons printed on the in-or outside of the side panels, so that the wearer can remove those coupons when disposing of the cap and redeem them with the said advertiser of the cap.
[0005] The cap fits any wearer's head simply and very well due to the fully adjustable nature of the cap. The cap will very much resemble a common baseball cap that is on the market today, in a disposable manner that is completely constructed by the wearer from a flat, inexpensive, piece of die-cut card stock paper. However, the intention or dispensing the cap will be to advertise on a device that is easily constructed by the wearer, rather than to be dispensed for its actual usefulness.
[0006] The cap provides an inexpensive method for companies to widely advertise, makes potential clients happy to have their product, and fits snugly, stylishly, and comfortably for all wearers, no matter their size. This concept directly relating to the idea that the caps main purpose is for advertisement, and therefore, will predominantly be passed out for free by advertising companies. It's stylish and useful ball cap design will make potential clients want to wear the cap, giving the advertiser a good deal of attention.
[0007] Another main purpose of the cap being constructed of a single sheet of paper is not only the inexpensive nature of the production since it is normally a give away, but it's inexpensive and ease of shipment from the print shop to the client or event where the cap will be used. Hundreds of caps can be packaged and shipped in the same containers, allowing for costs to be kept to a minimum.
[0008]
[0009] Is an overhead perspective view of the present invention shown in a fully folded and secured state.
[0010]
[0011] Is a side perspective view of the material of the foldable paper cap of the present invention shown in a folded state, with both Panel B and C secured to Panel k You can also view the fold of the hat.
[0012]
[0013] Is a front perspective view of the foldable paper cap of the present invention shown fully folded and secured in the rear.
[0014]
[0015] Is a side perspective view of the foldable paper cap of the present invention filly folded and secured in the rear.
[0016]
[0017] Is a Rear perspective view of the present invention fully folded and showing how the securing devices work.
[0018]
[0019] Is a view of the clasp mechanisms and how they work, of the present invention.
[0020]
[0021] Is a top plan view of a single piece of the paper material of the foldable cap of the present invention shown in an unfolded state.
[0022] The invention disclosed in this application relates to disposable advertisements that take the form of a useful ball cap. More importantly, these advertising caps are fully adjustable and can and will fit any head size. The existing inventions that are on the market are very complex and have many panels in their creation, which not only make the caps difficult to construct and not able to achieve exact fit of all head sizes, but impossible to advertise on. The present invention has a great advantage over the existing inventions in that it only is composed of three panels, two thin side panels and a large top panel. The simplicity of the construction makes the present invention much easier for the wearer to construct and use no matter what their size is. Because of the limited panels and the large flat center panel, the present invention allows for a great deal of advertisement on the cap. Another great advantage the present invention has over existing inventions is it's simple and straightforward clasping mechanism. The design of the invention and clasping mechanism allow for the cap to easily fit a large variety of head sizes, from infant to large adult. This feature is one that is not found on any existing invention, and creates a product that is very unique since heads of all sizes can adjust the caps to exactly fit to their head.
[0023] Presently there are limited ways for advertisers to get their brand to the people in a very inexpensive and disposable method. There are also large shipping costs, production costs, warehouse costs, distribution costs, and other costs relating to advertising products currently on the market. The invention at hand has low shipping and production costs, it takes up very limited storage space, and the distribution can be as simple as adding the simple task to be preformed by people already working.
[0024] The general idea of the cap is for the wearer to receive the cap at an event as a flat sheet of material that has already been cut to the specs that will later follow in the description. The wearer will then be required to perform the simple construction of the cap, giving the said advertiser approximately 30 second of direct advertising time. To construct the cap, all the wearer is required to do is insert the two ends of the side panels into the bottom of the center panel, depending on the wearers desired size to fit their head. This non-complex three-piece design makes it very understandable for the average person, and also differs the cap from existing inventions. The structural difference of the cap allows it to fit head sizes from infant up to adult. Once simply constructed, when the wearer places the constructed cap on their head, there is an endless amount of secondary advertising space for the company who has chose to place their advertisement on the cap.
[0025] Referring to the presented FIGS.
[0026] The dimensions of the cap are as follows: in the unfolded state the hat has a flat length of 14½″ and width of 8½″. The constructed hat is approximately 11½inches by 8 inches at its widest points.
[0027]
[0028]
[0029]
[0030]
[0031]
[0032]
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