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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/006,553, filed Jan. 18, 2008.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to cushions. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a disposable, neck pillow/pad for cushioning the neck of a user during a shampoo at a hair salon or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
When shampooing a client at a hair salon, it is necessary to extend the client's head over a basin while wetting the hair, applying the shampoo, rinsing the hair, etc. During this process the client's neck must be supported. Towels often provide insufficient support, and may slip out of place. Durable pads are difficult to clean for use with multiple clients. Also, durable pads are often stretched out and under tension so that they provide insufficient cushioning and do not adjust when the neck is moved. Furthermore, shampoo basins are generally not cleaned after each use resulting in unsanitary or contaminated basin surfaces.
Thus, a disposable neck pillow/pad for a shampoo basin solving the aforementioned problems is desired.
The disposable neck pillow/pad for a shampoo basin is formed from one or more bladders joined or otherwise positioned edge to edge to form a single cushioning pad. Preferably, the bladders are filled with air, however it should be noted that other fluids or cushioning materials could be utilized if suitable. In a first embodiment, the neck pillow/pad has a top cover and a bottom cover. The top cover is fabricated from a suitable, soft, cloth-like fabric or material. The bottom cover is fabricated from a liquid-impermeable or liquid-resistant material. The bottom and top covers are arranged to encapsulate the bladders. A layer of adhesive material may be disposed on the outer surface of the bottom cover to secure the pillow/pad to the shampoo basin. The adhesive material may be covered with a removable release liner, or the like, until the neck pillow/pad is used. The neck pillow is designed for single use, and may be disposed of after use.
There are many devices disclosed in the related art that are utilized to cushion the neck during a shampooing procedure. Pertinent samples of such related art are cited and identified in the accompanying IDS. However, none of the cited and identified related art, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a pillow/pad as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of a disposable neck pillow/pad for shampoo basin according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of a first embodiment of disposable neck pillow/pad for shampoo basin according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view in section of a first embodiment of a disposable neck pillow/pad for shampoo basin according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view in section of a second embodiment of a disposable neck pillow/pad for shampoo basin according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view in section of a third embodiment of a disposable neck pillow/pad for shampoo basin according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side view in section of a fourth embodiment of a disposable neck pillow/pad for shampoo basin according to the present invention.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is a disposable neck pillow/pad 30 for a shampoo basin. As best seen in FIGS. 2-3, a first embodiment of the neck pillow/pad 30 has an outer top cover 31 and an outer bottom cover 32 made from a fabric or the like. A cushioning pad 33 is provided between the top 31 and bottom 32 covers. The cushioning pad 33 is comprised of one or more air pillows or bladders 34 joined together or otherwise positioned side-by-side if plural bladders are utilized. For example, a 4-inch by 6-inch cushioning pad 33 may be comprised of six 1″×4″ tubular bladders 34 joined together. As illustrated, each bladder is of a hemispherical cross-sectional configuration. It should be noted however, that other suitable configurations could be employed. It should also be noted that the bladders 34 could be arranged in a spaced apart relationship instead of an abutting relationship as shown. A suitable adhesive 35 is provided on the bottom cover. A removable release liner 36 is utilized to cover the adhesive until the neck pillow/pad is ready to be affixed to the basin. Tabs 37 extend from each end of the cushioning pad to provide additional surface area for adhering the neck pillow/pad to the basin.
The embodiment of FIG. 4 does not employ top or bottom covers for the bladders. Each bladder 34 is of an ovate cross-sectional configuration. As noted above, other suitable configurations may be employed and the bladders may be spaced apart. Adhesive 35 and release paper 36 are fixed to each individual bladder. A tab 37 extends from the center of the outermost bladder at each end of the cushioning pad for reasons as noted above.
The embodiment of FIG. 5 is constructed similar to that of FIG. 4 in that the bladders 34 are of approximate ovate configuration or the like. However, unlike FIG. 4, the instant embodiment incorporates top and bottom covers 31, 32 wherein the covers encapsulate each bladder 34 in an individual manner. The adhesives and release papers 35, 36 are affixed to each bottom cover 32.
The embodiment of FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment wherein covers 31 and 32 envelop bladders 34 en masse rather than individually.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.