Patent Application
20240374012
Some people struggle to perform the self-care task of moisturizing hard to reach body areas by themselves and often need assistance to perform this self-care task. Applying lotions and/or oils to the back area can be difficult. Existing tools can be difficult to clean and/or not apply all the lotion/oil to the back. Accordingly, improvements to an apparatus for back and body moisturizing are desired.
In one aspect, a back and body moisturizing device comprising: an elastic woven middle portion that functions as an application band for a low-viscosity topical preparation applied to the elastic woven middle portion, where the elastic woven middle portion is configured to hold the low-viscosity topical preparation in manner that loosely retains the low-viscosity topical preparation until a mechanical pressure is applied to the elastic woven middle portion; and elastic pull strings at each end elastic woven middle portion.
The Figures described above are a representative set and are not exhaustive with respect to embodying the invention.
Disclosed are a system, method, and article of manufacture of a back and body moisturizing device. The following description is presented to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the various embodiments. Descriptions of specific devices, techniques, and applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the examples described herein can be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other examples and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments.
Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment,’ ‘an embodiment,’ ‘one example,’ or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases ‘in one embodiment,’ ‘in an embodiment,’ and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of programming, software modules, user selections, network transactions, database queries, database structures, hardware modules, hardware circuits, hardware chips, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art can recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, and they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.
Example definitions for some embodiments are now provided.
Braid (e.g. a plait, etc.) is a complex structure or pattern formed by interlacing three or more strands of flexible material. Braid patterns can include, inter alia: goddess braids patterns, triangle box braids patterns, Fulani braids patterns, lemonade braids patterns, spiraled ends patterns, passion twist patterns s, knotless braids patterns, braided pony patterns, detailed halo braid, snake braid patterns, braided bob patterns, etc. Other examples can include, inter alia: French braid, crown braid, braid-on-braid, Senegalese twists, knotless braids or feed-in braids, etc. In one example, a three-strand braid can be used. This can be a braid that is sectioned out into the shape of a box. A line can be drawn in a vertical straight line from one side and with the line that is created horizontally, a box out of smaller sections of thread can be created horizontally. A line across and then shorter lines going down can be utilized. In one example, the larger the box, the thicker braid can be.
Shuttle is a tool designed to neatly and compactly store a holder that carries the thread of the weft yarn while weaving with a loom. Shuttles are thrown or passed back and forth through the shed, between the yarn threads of the warp in order to weave in the weft.
Twill is a type of textile weave with a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs. It is one of three fundamental types of textile weaves along with plain weave and satin. It is made by passing the weft thread over one or more warp threads then under two or more warp threads and so on, with a “step,” or offset, between rows to create the characteristic diagonal pattern.
Weaving is a method of textile production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft, woof, or filling.
As shown, in the one example, back and body moisturizing device 100 can have an oblong shape. Back and body moisturizing device 100 can include an elastic woven middle portion 102. Back and body moisturizing device 100 can include elastic pull strings 104 and 106 at each end as well. Back and body moisturizing device 100 can be of various lengths (e.g. six inches, a foot, one and a half feet, two feet, etc.).
Back and body moisturizing device 100 can function as an application band for various lotions, oils, etc. A user can apply a lotion/oil to all, or a portion of the elastic woven middle portion 102. The weave of the elastic woven middle portion 102 is configured to hold the lotion/oil in manner that loosely retains the lotion/oil. The user can hold elastic pull strings 104 and 106 with the lotion/oil side toward the user's back. The user can then contact the back surface with the elastic woven middle portion 102 and apply the lotion/oil. Due to the weave configuration and composition of elastic woven middle portion 102, a portion of the lotion/oil is then transferred to the back surface. The placement of elastic pull strings 104 and 106 and composition of the elastic woven middle portion 102 can enable the user to also perform a scrubbing motion to simultaneously and/or successively perform exfoliation.
It is noted that elastic woven middle portion 102 can be composed of various materials, ensembles of various materials and weave patterns. As used herein, weaving is a method of textile production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. However, in other embodiments, are methods can be utilized. These can include, inter alia: knitting, crocheting, felting, and braiding or plaiting.
Example weave patterns used in the elastic woven middle portion 102 can include, inter alia:
Various weave patterns can be utilized. Examples are now listed, although other patterns that optimize the loose retention of the lotion/oil and transfer of the lotion/oil to the user's skin up contact and motion of the elastic woven middle portion can be utilized.
Example weave patterns are now discussed. It is noted that other weave patterns and/or combinations of various weave patterns can be utilized in various embodiments. In one example, the weave pattern can be/include a pre-crimp weave pattern. The threads can be crimped prior to weaving. The warp and shute threads can nest with each other restricting any random movement and ensuring an accurate and consistent opening size. This weaving can add strength and rigidity to the elastic woven middle portion 102 and/or portions thereof.
In some examples, elastic woven middle portion 102 can have a lock crimp weave pattern in whole or in part. This can include various modifications of the pre-crimp technique. The crimping of the warp and shute threads can be implemented to lock the threads together at their point of intersection. This can decrease thread movement during application of the lotion/oil and thus help provide a more uniform/even application across an application motion. Here the thread-cloth-pre-crimp-weaves-lock-crimp can be utilized.
In some examples, elastic woven middle portion 102 can have an inter-crimp and/or multiple crimp in whole and/or in part. This can be enhancement of the basic pre-crimp weave. Here, the warp and the shute threads are both crimped with extra crimps or corrugations between the points of intersection. Inter-crimping can be used to add rigidity to specified portions of elastic woven middle portion 102 (e.g. around the edges to add durability).
In some examples, elastic woven middle portion 102 can have a plain weave and/or double crimp weave can be used in whole or in part where the threads are not crimped before weaving. A plain weave pattern can be used for each shute thread to pass over and under successive rows of warp threads and vice versa.
In some examples, elastic woven middle portion 102 can have a plain Dutch weave can be utilized in whole and/or in part. Here, the warp threads can be larger diameter than the shute threads. The lighter shute threads can form a dense filtering medium (e.g. for example to increase the retention of the lotion/oil before application).
In some examples, elastic woven middle portion 102 can have a twill Dutch weave in whole and/or in part. Twill Dutch can combine a twill weave and Dutch weave described supra. Here, larger diameter warp threads pass over and then under lighter diameter shute threads. With each pass of the shute threads, there can be a shift of the over and under movement of one thread. The shute threads can be pushed closer to create a more tightly woven filter cloth with a tapered and/or wedge-shaped openings.
In some examples, elastic woven middle portion 102 can have a twill Dutch double weave pattern in whole or in part. Here, with a specified selection of the thread sizes, the shute threads can overlap each other when driven up tight into position. This permits double the threads per inch in the shute direction and thus a stronger holding of the lotion/oil. In some examples, elastic woven middle portion 102 can include a Micronic Grade filter cloth.
In some examples, elastic woven middle portion 102 can have a twill Dutch double stranded weave pattern in whole and/or in part. In this type of weave of elastic woven middle portion 102, both the warp and shute threads can be composed of separate threads. This weave pattern can be woven in a twill pattern (e.g. see infra) to generate a strong and tight mesh to hold the lotion/oil in situ until application.
Various twill patterns can be utilized. In one example twill pattern, thread cloth in which each warp thread and each shute thread passes successively over and under the two adjacent threads of elastic woven middle portion 102 (e.g. in one or many of the warp and shute directions). This over and under movement can be shifted one thread with each pass. This pattern permits the weaving in varying meshes of elastic woven middle portion 102.
In various embodiments, weave spacing can be optimized depending on the type of and viscosity of the lotion/oil to be applied. It is noted that the elastic woven middle portion 102 can include a non-homogenous weave pattern with various segments have different weave patterns.
The elastic woven middle portion 102 can be made of various materials. The weave patterns can be a weave of multiple materials. These can include both natural and synthetic materials. These can include various porous materials (e.g. natural and synthetic sponge materials). Example natural materials can include a weave that includes sea sponge-based materials. Other example natural materials can include a weave that includes a luffa sponge material. The weave material can include a material with a coarse texture helps with skin scrubbing and exfoliation.
Other example materials can be/include: wood-based fibers, fiber from Eucalyptus, Kenaf fiber, bamboo fiber, mohair fiber, cashmere fiber, angora fiber, sisal fiber, ramie fiber, pineapple fiber, abaca fiber, camel fiber, alpaca fiber, coir fiber, hemp fiber, wool fiber, silk fiber, jute fiber, flax fiber, cotton fiber, etc. and/or any combination thereof.
Example synthetic porous materials can include, inter alia: polyester, polyurethane and/or vegetal cellulose. An example vegetal cellulose material can be made of wood fiber. In one example, can have an abrasive side (e.g. urethane abrasive layer, etc.) and a softer side composed a material and weave that is loosely absorbent of lotion/oil. In this way, a user can scrub a portion of the back and then apply lotion/oil in a series of motions.
Braiding pattern 200 can comprises four (4) sets of braids using seventeen (17) strands. An interior portion of two braiding patterns, a crochet tool can be used to weave the two braiding patterns togethers. This crocheted connecting pattern can be repeated to every other strand of braiding patterns. In some examples, the braid strands can be in patterns of three (e.g. over-under-over-under, etc.).
In one example, seventeen (17) elastic strands braided on each side with a single elastic strand between the two as a connector braid. The fabric can be a three-millimeter (3 mm) elastic cord. The middle attachment braid can be generated with a single strand woven between each seventeen-braid strand.
At each end of elastic woven middle portion 102, a leather patch can be attached. The leather patch can cover a portion of each of the elastic woven middle portion 102 (e.g. two inches, three inches, four inches, etc.). In one example, the leather patch can be an eight-inch by ten-inch sheet. The leather patch can be attached by, inter alia: a water-proof adhesive, sewn into elastic woven middle portion 102, etc. In one example, the leather patch can be a leather repair self-adhesive patch.
The width of elastic woven middle portion 102 can be approximately three inches and one-eighth an inch in width. The single-braided middle portion enables flexibility in the function as an application band for various lotions, oils, etc. For example, the elastic woven middle portion 102 can be folded during application of various lotions, oils, etc. in order to access all sides of the elastic woven middle portion 102 to the user's back (e.g. the elastic woven middle portion 102 does not need to be pre-folded, etc.).
An example embodiment is now discussed. For the base portion, two separate sets of seventeen (17) strand flat braiding can be performed using a 3 mm and/or (⅛ in.) elastic cord. The length of each three (3) mm elastic cord strand can be three (3) ft. and five (5) in. A latch hook crochet needle can be used to crochet together the two seventeen (17) strand flat braids using one (1) strand of three (3) mm. (⅛ in.) elastic cord that is 3 ft. 5 in. long to join them together. In one example, the base can be composed of thirty-five (35) strands total of 3 mm. elastic cord). The two (2) handles can be formed by a cut of 3.25 in.×3.25 in. square of leather (and/or leather type) material. One point six (1.6) in.×1.6 in. of leather material can be placed 1.5 inches down from the top of one end of the base and fold over to cover the other side. The above can be repeated for the other end of the Base Product: Length=3 ft. 5 in.×Width=3.25 inches.
Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. In addition, it can be appreciated that the various operations, processes, and methods disclosed herein can be performed in any order (e.g., including using means for achieving the various operations). Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/449,315, filed on 2 Mar. 2023 and titled BACK AND BODY MOISTURIZING DEVICE AND METHODS THEREOF. This provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63449315 | Mar 2023 | US |
