Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title: Disposable Body Towel And Packaging
Field of the Invention
[0001] The invention relates generally to the field of disposable
biodegradable towels.
Introduction
[0002] Disposable paper towels are well known in the art.
[0003] U.S. patent number 5,082,707 discloses a disposable beach
towel having two layers, including a top layer of absorbent material and a
bottom layer of water impermeable material.
[0004] U.S. patent number 4,003,509 discloses a disposable bath towel
and dispensing device. The reference discloses a series of absorbent tear off
elongated sheets of paper imprinted to have opposite ends with simulated
borders and having felted absorbent fibers extending from the printed surface
along the length of the respective sheets with multicolored zones resembling
quality textile cloth toweling.
[0005] U.S. patent number 5,322,918 discloses a disposable paper
bath towel with integral apertures and tie. The reference discloses that the
sheet possesses sufficient structural strength when wet to resist degradation.
Summary
[0006] Various embodiments are described herein relating to a device
and method for a disposable body towel and its accompanying waterproof
container. In alternate embodiments, the towel may comprise a textured
section, a lotion section, perforated coupons, a pocket, a graphic section and
a cut-away section. The towel may comprise inward and outward-facing
adhesive sections that may be configured to removably attach to one-another,
preventing a towel from falling off when wrapped around a user. The towel
may be fabricated of a plurality of plies of cellulose and / or polymer / and
/ or
viscose fabric having different properties of wet-strength, absorbency,
softness and biodegradability. In a preferred embodiment the towel is
fabricated of biodegradable materials. In a preferred embodiment the towel is
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packaged in an easily-opened, lightweight, recyclable waterproof container. In
alternate embodiments, the towel may be shaped for use as a disposable
robe or a disposable pillow case.
Brief description of the drawings
[0007] For a better understanding of the various embodiments
described herein and to show more clearly how these various embodiments
may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example
only, to the accompanying drawings which show at least one example
embodiment and in which:
FIG. 1, in a planar view, illustrates an exemplary embodiment of
a disposable body towel.
FIG. 2, in a planar view, illustrates an alternate embodiment of a
disposable body towel.
FIG. 3A, in a planar view, illustrates an embodiment of a self-
adhering disposable body towel.
FIG. 3B, in planar view, illustrates an embodiment of a self-
adhering disposable body towel.
FIG. 3C, in a perspective view, illustrates the self-adhering
disposable body towel of FIGS. 3A and 3B as it may be wrapped around a
user.
FIG. 4A, in a side view, illustrates an embodiment of a
disposable body towel.
FIG. 4B, in a side view, illustrates an embodiment of a
disposable body towel having two plies.
FIG. 4C, in a side view, illustrates an embodiment of a
disposable body towel having two plies of one material and a third ply of a
different material.
FIG. 5A, in a top view, illustrates a first step in a method of
packaging a disposable body towel in a waterproof container.
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FIG. 5B, in a top view, illustrates a second step in a method of
packaging a disposable body towel in a waterproof container.
FIG. 5C, in a top view, illustrates a third step in a method of
packaging a disposable body towel in a waterproof container.
FIG. 5D, in a top view, illustrates a fourth step in a method of
packaging a disposable body towel in a waterproof container.
FIG. 6 is a side view of a waterproof container for a disposable
body towel.
FIG. 7, in a planar view, illustrates a preferred embodiment of a
waterproof container for a disposable body towel.
FIG. 8, in a perspective view, illustrates an alternate
embodiment of a disposable body towel as a disposable robe.
FIG. 9A, in a planar view, illustrates an alternate embodiment of
a disposable body towel as a disposable pillowcase.
FIG. 9B, in a side view, illustrates an alternate embodiment of a
disposable body towel as a disposable pillowcase.
Detailed description
[0008] Referring
now to FIG. 1, shown therein is an exemplary
embodiment of a disposable body towel. Though the towel 12 is shown having
a rectangular surface area, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the
art that the towel may optionally be any other shape suitable for removing
moisture from a body, such as circular or hexagonal. The exemplary
embodiment of the towel 12 has two opposite surface areas (surfaces).
[0009] In some
embodiments the towel 12 may be fabricated of
material known to those of ordinary skill in the art as having a high wet
strength, softness and absorbency. In some embodiments, the towel 12 may
be fabricated of re-purposed or recycled paper products and / or of industrial
strength paper towel. Embodiments of the towel 12 may also be
biodegradable, may be fabricated with unbleached cellulose and may include
a polymer weave. In some embodiments, the towel 12 may be fabricated of
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viscose fabric and may be biodegradable. In some embodiments the towel 12
may be fabricated of viscose fabric having a weight of 95 Grams per Square
Meters (GSM) and may be biodegradable. In other embodiments, viscose
fabric of different weight may alternatively be used.
[0010] In use, a user can rub the surfaces of the towel 12 on wet skin,
such that the towel's absorbent material dries the user's skin.
[0011] In a
preferred embodiment the towel 12 may have a length 14 of
approximately 45", a width 16 of approximately 25" and a thickness of 1/8". It
will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that these dimensions
may vary. For example, in some embodiments the length 14 may range from
30" to 60", the width may range from 15" to 40" and the total thickness of all
plies may range from 1/32" to 1/4".
[0012] Referring
now to FIG. 2, shown therein is an alternate
embodiment of a disposable towel. The towel 12b comprises a textured
section 18, a lotion section 20, a plurality of perforated coupon lines 22, a
pocket section 24, a graphic section 26 and a cutaway section 28. In other
embodiments, the towel 12b may comprise one or more of the above-listed
features without comprising all of these features. For
example, some
embodiments of towel 12b may comprise the textured section 18, without
including one or more of the lotion section 20, the plurality of perforated
coupon lines 22, the pocket section 24, the graphic section 26 or the cutaway
section 28.
[0013] The
textured section 18 comprises an area of the towel that may
be compressed mechanically such that a depressed texture is created on at
least one surface of the towel 12b. Depressed textures may be applied on
both surfaces. The depressed texture may be configured to resemble
commonly known cloth body towel embroidery. Alternatively, paper, polymer
or viscose fabric particles may be joined to the towel by adhesive such that a
felted surface texture is created providing additional softness and
absorbency.
The textured area 18 may be limited to one end of the towel 12b as shown in
FIG. 2 or may encompass any other or additional areas of the towel. Any of
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the other sections or perforations shown in FIG. 2 may overlap with section
18.
[0014] The lotion section 20 may be a section of the towel 12b that is
impregnated with a lotion. During use, the lotion may partly transfer to a
user's
body. The lotion may be a moisturizer or other lotions beneficial to skin or
for
enhancing a feeling of softness of the towel 12b. In a preferred embodiment,
the lotion section 20 may comprise sunscreen, such that during use the
sunscreen may be transferred to the user's body to enhance protection from
the sun. In a preferred embodiment the quantity of lotion applied to the towel
can be such that the towel continues to be operable to absorb additional water
despite the impregnation by lotion. Though the embodiment in FIG. 2 shows
that the lotion may be applied to a central section of the towel 12b, it will
be
understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that the lotion may cover the
entirety of the towel or only some areas. The lotion may, for example, be
applied to the towel in a pattern such that only some sections of the towel
are
impregnated. In alternate embodiments the lotion may be applied to only one
surface of the towel or may be applied to both surfaces. In embodiments
where lotion is only applied to one surface of the towel, the other surface
could optimally be used for drying. Optionally, instead of being impregnated
into the towel a small amount of lotion, suitable, say for one of two
applications of lotion to most of the area of the skin of an adult can be
provided with a towel in a shared package, such as the packaging described
below in relation to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D.
[0015] The plurality of perforated coupon lines 22 may separate a
plurality of coupon sections between the coupon lines. In exemplary
embodiments the coupon sections may comprise barcodes or graphics. In use
these coupon sections may be torn from the towel by a user and redeemed at
a business to purchase or reduce the cost of beverages or other items. In use,
in the hopes of receiving increased sales, an owner of the business could ask
a seller of the disposable towel to include coupon sections with the towel
that
are redeemable for a discount on products sold by the owner of the business.
In exchange, the owner of the business may subsidize the cost of the towel.
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Optionally, the coupon sections may only be redeemable at businesses in a
specific tourist or visitor amusement area, such as a water park, amusement
park or boardwalk. Optionally, the coupon may only be redeemable at
businesses within a predetermined area, for example within a 5 kilometer
radius of where the towel is sold. The coupon lines 22 may be located
anywhere on the surfaces of the towel 12b. In other embodiments, the
coupons may form part of the towel surface, and may be configured to be
stamped or to have a hole punched through the towel within the border of the
coupon to indicate that the coupon has been redeemed, such that the part of
the towel comprising the coupon can continue to be used as a towel even
after the coupon has been redeemed. Optionally, instead of being part of the
towel, separate coupons can be provided with a towel in a shared package,
such as the packaging described below in relation to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and
4D. Optionally, separate coupons can be provided with a towel by being
removably adhered to the towel surface instead of being provided with a towel
in a shared package, such that there are no perforated coupon lines.
Alternatively, the coupons may form part of the packaging itself and may
further optionally be formed as a detachable part of the packaging.
Optionally,
the towel 12b may comprise coupon line 21, a perforation oriented
transversely to coupon lines 22, allowing for easier tearing of the coupon
sections.
[0016] The pocket section 24 may comprise a section of towel material
(see above) joined to the towel 12b at all but one side by stitching, resin or
other techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The side that is
not
joined to towel 12b may be left open, creating a pocket. In use, valuables or
other items may be placed in the pocket section 24 by a user. In alternate
embodiments there may be more than one pocket section 24 on the towel
12b. Additional pocket sections 24 could be located on opposite sides of the
towel 12b. The pocket section(s) 24 may be located anywhere on the surfaces
of the towel 12b.
[0017] The graphic section 26 may comprise a printed graphic, joined
to the towel 12b and comprising a logo for a business, an advertisement or a
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map. Alternatively, the graphic section 26 may comprise a depression of the
towel, wherein at least one surface of the towel is depressed by some means
to provide a depressed texture forming a logo, advertisement or map. In
alternate embodiments there may be more than one graphic section 26 on the
towel. The graphic section 26 may be located anywhere on the surfaces of the
towel 12b. The map may, for example, be a map of a water park or
amusement park at which the towel is sold.
[0018] The cutaway section 28 may be joined to the rest of the towel
12b by a perforation of the towel 12b. In alternate embodiments, the cutaway
section 28 may have a cross-sectional area that may be folded into the shape
of a visor or hat. In use, a user may grasp the cutaway section 28, tear it
from
the towel and then fold the cutaway section 28 to provide a useful item such
as a visor.
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, shown therein is an
embodiment of a self-adhering disposable body towel 12c. FIGS. 3A and 3B
show opposite surfaces of the towel 12c. The towel 12c comprises a first end
30, a second end 32, an inward-facing adhesive section 34, an adhesive
cover 36 and an outward-facing adhesive section 38. The features described
in the following embodiments may be combined with any of the embodiments
described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 above.
[0020] The inward-facing adhesive section 34 may be configured to
detachably adhere to outward-facing adhesive section 38. Referring now to
FIG. 3C, in use a user may wrap the towel 12c around herself such that
inward-facing adhesive section 34 overlaps at least a part of outward-facing
adhesive section 38. In use, the surface shown in FIG. 3A may face outward
from the body while the surface shown in FIG. 3B may face inward toward the
body. When in use as described, inward-facing section 34 and outward-facing
section 38 can adhere to one another to prevent a wrapped towel from
inadvertently falling off of a user.
[0021] Inward-facing adhesive section 34 may be permanently attached
to towel 12c or may be removably attached. In various embodiments inward-
facing adhesive section 34 may be removably attached at different positions
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along length 14. This may allow the towel to be used by users of different
sizes. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that though
inward-facing adhesive section 34 is shown having a circular area, it is not
so
limited. It may, for example have a rectangular area, and may only be as wide
as the outward-facing adhesive section 38.
[0022] In various embodiments outward-facing adhesive section 38
may comprise a towel section having a felted surface with exposed paper,
polymer or viscose fabric particles. Inward-facing adhesive section 34 may
comprise a plurality of hook-shaped protrusions, optionally made from
polymer. Upon contact between inward and outward sections 34 and 38,
these hook-shaped protrusions may be configured to removably attach to the
exposed fibers of the outward-facing section. In some embodiments, inward-
facing and / or outward-facing adhesive sections 34 and 38 may be fabricated
of VelcroTM.
[0023] In alternate embodiments, the inner and / or outward-adhesive
sections 34 or 38 may be fabricated of resin or glue. The resin or glue may be
waterproof and may be chosen to avoid skin irritation should contact occur.
Where either adhesive section 34 or 38 is fabricated of resin or glue, either
section may adhere to towel material on contact. Accordingly, in such
embodiments the towel may not necessarily comprise two opposing adhesive
sections (34, 38), as only one adhesive section (34 or 38) may be necessary
to allow the towel to resist falling off when wrapped around a user according
to the use described above. Optionally, both sections may still be included.
[0024] Outward-facing adhesive section 38 may extend along the entire
length 14 of the towel or may only partly extend along length 14. In
embodiments where inner or outward adhesive sections comprise glue or
resin, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, adhesive cover 36 may fully or partly
cover outward-facing adhesive section 38. The adhesive cover may stop
undesired adhering of outward-facing adhesive section 38 to foreign surfaces
or particles, which may reduce stickiness. During use, a portion of adhesive
cover 36 may be peeled off of outward-facing adhesive section 38 by the
user, to reveal outward-facing adhesive section 38. Adhesive cover 36 may
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be a thin plastic, viscose fabric or paper layer. A second adhesive cover
could
be used to cover inward-facing adhesive section 34.
[0025] In
alternate embodiments a detachable adhesive strip may be
packaged with the towel. In one exemplary embodiment, the detachable
adhesive strip could be included in pocket section 24 during sale (see FIG.
2).
In such embodiments, during use, a user could pick a desired size of
detachable adhesive strip, tear off a selected portion of the adhesive strip,
apply it at a chosen location on the towel and wrap the towel around herself
according to the use described above, such that the towel would be held
together by the portion of adhesive strip. Adhesive covers (similar to 36)
could
cover opposite surfaces of the adhesive strip and be removed before use.
[0026] Referring
now to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, shown therein are side
views of exemplary embodiments of the towel 12, 12b or 12c. FIG. 4A shows
a preferred embodiment of a body towel, fabricated of materials as described
above, comprising a first towel ply 40. FIG. 4B shows an exemplary
embodiment where a first towel ply 40 has been joined to a second similarly
dimensioned towel ply 42 by a resin, stitching, adhesive or any other
technique known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In an exemplary
embodiment, the first towel ply 40 and second towel ply 42 may be fabricated
of different materials, such that the first towel ply 40 may have a high
absorbency, but a second towel ply 42 has a high wet strength. It will be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other combinations of
materials for the first and second towel plies may be used. In a preferred
embodiment, resin or adhesive between the two towels plies may be
hydrophobic, such that water does not pass between the two layers. In
alternate embodiments, the resin or adhesive may be hygroscopic such that
water is easily passed from one layer to the other. FIG. 4C
shows an
exemplary embodiment wherein a first towel ply 40 and a second towel ply 42
are also joined to a third towel ply 44, wherein the third towel ply 44 is
fabricated of a different material than the first towel ply 40 and second
towel
ply 42. The joining may be accomplished as described above. The third towel
ply 44 may be included to add a waterproof layer between the sections of
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towel or may be included to provide added strength or other material
properties as needed.
[0027] Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, shown therein are
top views of a method of packaging a disposable body towel in a waterproof
container. In some embodiments, container 50 may comprise a substantially
rectangular sheet of plastic having a top section 52, joined at fold line 54
to
bottom section 56, joined to flap section 60 at fold line 58. In some
embodiments, container 50 may be fabricated of biodegradable material. In a
preferred embodiment, container 50 is fabricated of recyclable material.
[0028] In one embodiment, top section 52 and bottom section 56 may
each measure 8" by 8", while the flap section 60 may have a width along fold
line 58 of approximately 8", but a length away from fold line 58 of less than
8".
[0029] Packaging a disposable towel 12 (or 12b or 12c) as described in
the embodiments above may comprise the following steps. Referring now to
FIG. 5A, folding towel 12 manually and placing it on bottom section 56. Then,
referring to FIG. 5B, folding top section 52 over towel 12 and onto bottom
section 56, such that top section 52 overlaps towel 12 and bottom section 56.
Then, referring to FIG. 5C, folding flap section 60 onto section 52, partly
covering it up to separation line 62. Finally, referring to FIG. 5D, first
seals 66,
66' may be made along the sides of the container sealing two sides of the
container. Removable join 64 may be applied between flap section 60 and top
section 52. Additionally, a second seal may be applied along separation line
62. In a preferred embodiment a second seal along separation line 62 will
have less tensile and shear strength than first seals along lines 66, 66'.
[0030] In use, a user may tear or cut the material along separation line
62 and then pull open the container. The user may then remove the towel
from the opened package, unfold the towel and use it for drying purposes or,
referring to FIG. 2, any of the other uses described above.
[0031] In various embodiments, the seals along lines 66, 66' and 62
may be created using compression sealing, heat sealing, adhesive or other
techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art to seal thin plastic
layers.
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The seals may be impermeable to water, such that when the seals along lines
66, 66' and 62 are created, the container becomes waterproof. Removable
join 64 may be joined to flap section 60 and top section 52 using the same
techniques that can be used for creating the seals.
[0032] In a preferred
embodiment, graphics may be printed on the
outside or inside surface of the container.
[0033] Referring now to
FIG. 6, shown therein is a side view of a
waterproof container for a disposable body towel.
[0034] Referring now to
FIG. 7, shown therein is a top view of a
preferred embodiment of a waterproof container for a disposable body towel.
In this embodiment, the second seal is not made along separation line 62.
Instead a seal is made along third seal 68, spaced from line 62 along flap
section 60. This seal joins the flap section 60 and the top section 52 along
third seal 68. This third seal may be made according to sealing techniques
discussed above. This embodiment may be preferred as a user may pull
along a flap created between separation line 62 and seal 68 to provide an
easier means of opening the container.
[0035] Referring now to
FIG. 8 and FIGS. 9A and 9B, shown therein
are views of alternate embodiments of the disposable towel 12 where the
disposable towel 12 is shaped for alternate uses, as described in paragraph
0009. FIG. 8, in a perspective view, shows an exemplary embodiment of a
disposable towel 12 shaped for use as a disposable robe 70. Though this
embodiment shows the robe 70 having sleeves 72, 72' and body section 74,
the person of ordinary skill the art will understand that the robe could be
shaped with many alternate embodiments. For example, it may be shaped to
include legs as well as sleeves. FIG. 9A and 9B in a planar view and a side
view, respectively, show the disposable towel 12 shaped for use as a
disposable pillowcase 80. Fabricating a disposable pillowcase 80 may involve
the steps of folding a disposable towel 12 along a centrally located fold line
82
and then applying adhesive, sowing or otherwise joining the two folded halves
of the disposable towel 12 along sides 84, 84'. In use, a pillow can be slid
into
the disposable pillowcase 80. The person of ordinary skill in the art will
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understand that the disposable robe 70 and disposable pillowcase 80 will be
suitably sized for use. In a preferred embodiment, sides 84, 84 may measure
54" and fold line 84 may measure 21". In some embodiments, sides 84, 84
may measure between 50" to 75" and fold line 82 may measure between 15"
to 25". The person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that all of
the
alternate embodiments of the disposable towels 12 and 12b may also apply to
the disposable robe 70 and the disposable pillowcase 80. For example, a
coupon section could be added along a sleeve of the robe.
[0036] While the applicant's teachings described herein are in
conjunction with various embodiments for illustrative purposes, it is not
intended that the applicant's teachings be limited to such embodiments. On
the contrary, the applicant's teachings described and illustrated herein
encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, without
departing from the embodiments, the general scope of which is defined in the
appended claims.
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