1 2
PROTECTIVE SHIELD AND COVER FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the outer cover of FIG. 6
installed over the protective shield of FIG. 1;
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION FIG. 13 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of the outer
cover of FIG. 6 installed over the protective shield of FIG. 1;
The present invention pertains generally to hair removal 5 FIG. 14 is a crosswise cross-sectional view of the outer
products, and more particularly to a protective shield and cover of FIG. 6 installed over the protective shield of FIG. 1;
cover for protecting the vulva and labia minora of a female. FIG. 15 is a view of the perineum of the human female;
As the demand for bikini hair removal procedures increase, FIG. 16 is a view of the perineum of the human female with
so does the demand for related products. There are many a protective shield installed;
methods for removing unwanted pubic hair, including wax- 10 FIG. 17 is a front cross-sectional view of the perineum of
ing, shaving, using a depilatory, and laser hair removal. Wax- the human female with the protective shield installed;
ing, such as the "brazilian wax", is a particularly popular FIG. 18 is a view of the perineum of the human female;
choice, and is offered at many beauty salons and spas. Laser FIG. 19 is a view of the perineum of the human female with
removal is becoming increasingly popular due to its success 15 a protective shield installed; and
with permanently removing unwanted hair. Hair removal in a FIG. 20 is a front cross-sectional view of the perineum of
female's pubic region typically requires full exposure of the the human female with the protective shield of the
vulva area to ensure complete hair removal, placing the sen- embodiment of FIG. 1 installed, sitive regions of the female genitalia at risk for damage and
pain. 20
SUMMARY OF INVENTION Embodiments of the invention provide a protective shield
for removal of hair in the female genital area. Such techniques
Embodiments of the invention include a protective shield may include, but are not limited to, waxing, laser removal,
comprising a main body shaped and adapted to be positioned 25 electrolysis removal, shaving, and use of depilatory creams,
so as to cover the labia minora and vulva of the female, the gels or sprays.
main body having a cap and two opposing lateral sides Referring now to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-20, there is
extending from the cap and joined together at opposing ends shown a protective shield 10 for use in protecting the female
of the cap to form a cavity, the main body positionable over genital area, i.e., the vulva 36 and the delicate membrane of
the labia minora of the female with the lateral sides fitting 30 the vaginai and urethral openings, the labia minora 34 and all
between the labia minor and labia major of the female such omer very sensitive features. The protective shield 10 is gen
that the vulva and labia minora are covered by the main body erally shaped to fit over the entire labia minora 34 0f a human
and held in place only by the natural contours of the labia ... aad is designed t0 fit between the labia minora 34 and
minora. me jab;a majora 32 with the protective shield 10 positioned
Embodiments of the invention may also include an outer 35 ^ ^ ^ .r ^ ^ ^
cover lor placement over the main body ol the protective A , , , . ^T^0 -, - ... , • 1A •
r . . As best shown in FIGS. 1-5, the protective shield 10 is
shield, wherein the outer cover includes an inner cavity that „ „ , „ . , , . .
, ^' . „ ^ ^ „ . , , generally formed 01 a main body integrally comprising a cap
substantially conforms to an outer surface 01 the main body. ° , . , , ^. r 1
rj,, , , ,„ , , .. , 11 and two opposing lateral sides 14a, 14o extending from the
1 he outer cover may be used for both protective purposes and . , , . . ,
ornamentation. 40 caP 11 and Jomed together at opposing ends 12,13 of the cap
11 to form a cavity 15 which substantially conforms to the
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS shape of the labia minora 34.
During use, as illustrated in FIGS. 18-20, the protective
A more complete appreciation of this invention, and many shield 10 is positioned over the labia minora 34 of the female
of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent 45 with the lateral sides 14a, 14b, fitting between the labia
as the same becomes better understood by reference to the minora 34 and labia majora 32 of the female such that the
following detailed description when considered in conjunc- vulva 36 and labia minora 34 are covered by the cap 11, and
tion with the accompanying drawings in which like reference such that the labia minora 34 fits within the cavity 15 of the
symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein: protective shield 10. The protective shield 10 is self-held in
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment 50 place by the natural contours of the labia minora 34. In an
of a protective shield; embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 6, the outer edges of the
FIG. 2 is a top view of the protective shield of FIG. 1; lateral sides are configured with a ridge formation 17 which
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the protective shield of FIG. 1; provide additional gripping action.
FIG. 4 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of the protec- In an embodiment, the protective shield 10 is formed of a
tive shieldofFIG. 1; 55 soft rubbery polymer material, which naturally grips the labia
FIG. 5 is a crosswise cross-sectional view of the protective minora 34 of the user, and due to its non-breathable charac
shield of FIG. 1; teristics, may be installed over the labia minora 34 so as to
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment form a vacuum, which further assists in holding the protective
of an outer cover for the protective shield of FIG. 1; shield 10 in place when positioned in place over the labia
FIG. 7 is a top view of the outer cover of FIG. 6; 60 minora 34 via suction action. The soft rubbery polymer mate
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the outer cover of FIG. 6; rial may be, by way of illustration only and not limitation, an
FIG. 9 is a crosswise cross-sectional view of the outer elastomer or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The material may
cover of FIG. 6; also be silicon, which disperses and reflects light energy so as
FIG. 10 is a lengthwise cross-sectional view of the outer to prevent penetration of light energy completely through the
cover of FIG. 6; 65 material when used for laser hair removal. The material may
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the installation of also be made of other materials, such as rubber, plastic, vinyl,
the outer cover of FIG. 6 over the protective shieldofFIG. 1; etc. In an embodiment, the color of the protective shield 10 is
