Liquid Directing Bands

Abstract

Liquid directing bands are disclosed. In one instance, the liquid directing bands are formed with an oval shape and have a concave basin, a cuff pillar with a cuff aperture, and a spout. A first portion of the concave basin is between a first exterior side of the concave basin and a centerline of the cuff aperture. A second portion of the concave basin is between the centerline of the cuff aperture and a second exterior side of the concave basin. A volume of the first portion of the concave basin is greater than a volume of the second portion of the concave basin, and the cuff aperture and cuff pillar are formed to receive a human forearm. Other embodiments and features are disclosed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is directed, in general, to liquid control devices, and more specifically, to improved liquid-directing bands.

BACKGROUND

At various times, humans have the occasion to work in close proximity to liquids using their hands and would prefer that those liquids not run down their forearms, drip onto their clothes, or splash onto the surrounding areas. One classic example is when a person is washing their face and using water from a sink to splash his or her face. Without care, the liquids will run down his or her arms all the way to the elbow before dripping down and possibly missing the sink. This can get clothing wet, cause a mess in the surrounding area, or can in some instances cause skin irritation. In other situations, a user may be using a liquid as part of maintaining a device or completing other tasks such as washing dishes, washing the car, bathing children, bathing animals, or changing car oil. Also, there are those who suffer from sensory aversions and prefer not to experience the overwhelming sensation of liquids running down their forearms. Some effort has been made to control these liquids, but improvements are desired.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective depiction of two liquid directing bands on the forearms of a human in an operational or use state according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic, top perspective view of a liquid directing band according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is another schematic, top perspective view of a liquid directing band according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a schematic, side perspective view of a liquid directing band according to some illustrative embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a schematic, side perspective view of a liquid directing band according to some illustrative embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a schematic, front elevation view of a liquid directing band according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a schematic, plan view of the liquid directing band of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic, side perspective view with a portion shown in cross section taken along line 8-8 of the liquid directing band of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims.

Unless otherwise indicated, as used throughout this document, “or” does not require mutual exclusivity.

Referring now to the figures and initially to FIG. 1, two illustrative embodiments of the liquid directing bands 100 (first 128; second 132) are shown on the forearms 104 of a human user 108. In this illustrative embodiment, the human 108 is holding a sponge 112 in his or her hands 116 causing a flow of water or other liquid 120 to flow with gravity. The liquid 120 is shown falling into a concave basin portion 124 of a first liquid directing band 128 which then runs out of a spout (160 in FIG. 2) and into the concave basin portion 124 of the second liquid directing band 132 before continuing downward. In this way the portions of the user's forearms 104 below (relative to gravity for position shown) the liquid directing bands 128, 132 remain substantially dry. While shown in the context of washing one's face, the liquid directing bands can be used in other contexts, such as washing dishes, hairdressers washing hair, washing pets, changing engine oil, kids eating certain foods, sensory aversions, bathing children, washing the car or other vehicle, etc.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 2-8, an illustrative liquid directing band 100 is formed from a stretchable material that forms a stretchable body 136. The material may comprise a synthetic material such as silicone, food-grade silicone, rubber, or a flexible water-proof material. The stretchable body 136 forms the concave basin portion 124 (or trough portion) having a concave area 140 with a cuff pillar 144 extending therefrom and formed with a cuff aperture 148 on the cuff pillar 144 for receiving the human's forearm 104 (FIG. 1) through the stretchable body 136 to establish an operational position as shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments the concave basin portion 124 is ovular, elliptical, or circular. In some embodiments, the cuff aperture 148 is ovular, elliptical, or circular. The cuff pillar 144 may be angled inward as the cuff pillar 144 goes from a floor 146 of the concave basin portion 124 to a distal end 150 of the cuff pillar 144. The cuff aperture 148 is small enough to require stretching to go around the human's forearm 104 and forms a substantially liquid-tight seal thereabout. In some embodiments, the aperture is sized based on an average dimension for humans, and in some embodiments different sizes are used, e.g., small, medium, and large.

The concave basin portion 124 of the stretchable body 136 has an elongated portion 152 on one side between the cuff pillar 144 and the spout 160 and a shorter portion 156 on an opposite side, i.e., between the cuff pillar 144 and a second edge 162 or a leading edge 164 (or first edge). The concave basin portion 124 is formed with a spout 160, or spout area, on a leading edge 164 of the concave basin portion 124 proximate the elongated portion 152. The concave basin portion 124 is deeper at the elongated portion 152 than at the shorter portion 156.

In some embodiments, a lip or ledge 168 is formed on a peripheral edge of the concave basin portion 124 at least near the spout 160. The lip or ledge 168 may be small or non-existent proximate the shorter portion 156, e.g., at the second edge 163, and largest proximate the elongated portion 152. In some embodiments the lip or ledge 168 tapers from a larger size to a smaller size, with the largest size of the lip being proximate to the spout 160 and extends outward. In some embodiments the lip or ledge 168 and the spout 160 form an integral shape for directing liquid flow towards and out of the spout 160. The stretchable body 136 may be thicker proximate the periphery of the concave basin portion 124 than at the entry to the cuff aperture 148 as shown clearly in FIG. 8. In these embodiments, the concave basin portion 124 has a first wall thickness 212 (FIG. 8), which is proximate the spout 160, and a second wall thickness 216 (FIG. 8), which is proximate the cuff pillar 144. The wall thickness 212 is larger than the wall thickness 216. In some embodiments the thickness of the wall of the concave basin portion 124 tapers from the first wall thickness 212 to the second wall thickness 216 from the exterior of the concave basin portion 124 to the interior of the concave basin portion 216 proximate to the cuff pillar 144.

In some embodiments, the liquid directing band 100 is formed with the concave basin portion 124 with a first exterior side 220 and a second exterior side 224. The cuff pillar 144 is located within the concave basin portion 124. The transition from the concave basin portion 124 to the cuff pillar 144 may be a smoothly curved transition. In some embodiments the cuff pillar 144 has a height such that the top edge 228 of the cuff pillar 144 (the edge toward a user's hand when in use) extends above the top edge 232 of the concave basin portion 124. Having the top edge 228 of the cuff pillar 124 extend above the top edge 232 of the concave basin portion 124 facilitates the proper draining of liquid from the liquid directing band 100. In some embodiments, the distance between the floor 146 and the top edge 228 of the cuff pillar is greater than the distance between the floor 146 and the top edge 232 of the concave basin portion 124.

In use, as the liquid fills into the liquid directing band 100, the concave basin portion 124 begins to fill. The concave basin portion 124 will continue to fill with liquid until the liquid level reaches the spout 160, at which point the concave basin portion 124 will not fill any further because liquid running into the concave basin portion 124 will displace liquid and result in flow out of the liquid directing band 100 through the spout 160. Since the spout 160 is located at the top edge 232 of the concave basin portion 124, it is advantageous to locate the top edge 232 of the concave basin portion 124 below the top edge 228 of the cuff pillar 144 so that the cuff pillar 144 extends out of the concave basin portion 124. This ensures that the liquid levels in the concave basin portion 124 do not reach the top edge 228 of the cuff pillar 144, which may compromise the seal at the cuff aperture 148 between the cuff pillar 144 and the forearm 104 of a user 108.

In some embodiments, the spout 160 is located at the first exterior side 220 of the concave basin portion 124 on a portion of the leading edge 164, and the cuff aperture 148 is located closer to the second exterior side 224 of the concave basin portion 124 than to the first exterior side 220 of the concave basin portion 124. This arrangement results in a center 240 (FIG. 7) of the cuff aperture 144 being offset from the center 236 (FIG. 7) of the concave basin portion 124, with the center 240 of the cuff aperture 144 being located closer to the second exterior side 220 of the concave basin portion 124 than the center 236 of the concave basin portion 124 is to the second exterior side 220.

The concave basin portion 124 has a first portion 244, which has a longitudinal dimension 245 (FIG. 8), and a second portion 248, which has a longitudinal dimension 249 (FIG. 8). The first portion 244 being the portion from the first exterior side 220 of the concave basin portion 124 to the center 240 (FIGS. 7 and 8) of the cuff aperture 148, and the second portion 248 being the portion from the center 240 of the cuff aperture 240 to the second exterior side 224 of the concave basin portion 124. The first portion 244 has a volume 252 associated with the first portion 244, and the second portion 248 has a volume 256 associated with the second portion 248. In some embodiments the volume 252 is larger than the volume 256; therefore, this results in more fluid flow in volume 252 than in volume 256, which in turn directs fluid flow toward the spout 160 and out of the liquid directing band 100. In some embodiments, the differential between volume 252 and volume 256 is achieved by offsetting the cuff pillar 144 and cuff aperture 148, as described above. In other embodiments this volume offset is achieved by differing the heights of the first portion 244 and second portion 248. The first portion 244 has a height 260 (FIG. 8). The second portion has height 264 (FIG. 8). Forming the concave basin portion 124 with the first portion height 260 that is larger than the second portion height 264 may result in the volume 252 being larger than the volume 256. In other embodiments, the volume 252 is larger than the volume 256 because the perimeter edge 268 of the concave basin portion 144 is ovular in shape with the curvature radius of the perimeter edge 268 being larger near the first exterior side 220 than the curvature radius of the perimeter edge 268 near the second exterior side 224.

In some embodiments, the liquid directing band 100 is formed with a ridge 272 along at least a portion of the perimeter edge 268 of the concave basin portion 124. The ridge 272 provides additional rigidity and stability of the perimeter edge 268, where the ridge 272 is located. In some embodiments the ridge 272 is located around the perimeter edge 268 near the second exterior side 224 of the concave basin portion 124 and tapers to a smaller size nearer the first exterior side 220 of the concave basin portion 124. In some embodiments the ridge 272 is non-existent near the first exterior side 220 of the concave basin portion 124. In some embodiments, the ridge 272 merges into the lip or ledge 168 along the perimeter edge 268. In some embodiments, the ridge 272 is formed by increasing the wall thickness of the concave basin portion 124 near the perimeter edge 268 of the concave basin portion 124.

In some embodiments, a product logo 170 may be formed on an interior of the concave basin portion 124 or elsewhere on the stretchable body 136.

Referring now primarily to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, dimensions for some illustrative embodiments of a liquid directing band 100 are presented. A longitudinal length dimension 172 of the stretchable body 136 is in the range of 4.0 to 7.0 inches. A longitudinal length dimension 176 of the cuff aperture 148 is 1.5 to 4.0 inches. A lateral width dimension 180 of the stretchable body 136 is in the range 3.0 to 5.0 inches. A lateral width dimension 184 of the cuff aperture 148 is in the range 1.0 to 3.0 inches. A height dimension 188 of the stretchable body 136 from a bottom most position 192 to the cuff aperture opening 148 is between 1.0 and 2.5 inches. A height dimension 196 from the bottom 192 to the top ledge of the concave basin portion 124 is in the range of 0.8 to 2.0 inches. A thickness 200 (FIG. 8) of the stretchable body 136 proximate the cuff aperture 148 is in the range of 0.03 to 0.1 inches, and the thickness 204 (FIG. 8) proximate a peripheral edge 208 of the concave basin portion 124 is in the range 0.08 to 0.25 inches. In one specific, illustrative embodiment the dimensions were as follows: dimension 172 was 5.58 inches; dimension 176 was 2.0 inches; dimension 180 was 3.83 inches; dimension 184 was 1.45 inches; height 188 was 1.38; height 196 was 1.10 inches; thickness 200 was 0.05 inches; and thickness 204 was 0.13 inches. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other dimensions may be used other than those mentioned in this paragraph. In one illustrative embodiment, a liquid directing band 100 is formed by molding silicone using a mold. In other embodiments, the liquid directing band 100 is formed by extrusion, injection molding, liquid injection molding, compression molding, calendering, and transfer molding.

According to one embodiment, the liquid directing bands 100 are functional wristbands with a liquid-tight seal used to capture liquid, prevent it from running down one's arms, and divert it away for a clean, dry, washing experience. The liquid directing bands 100 may be light-weight, comfortable and flexible so that they will fit almost any wrist size and glide on smoothly. In some embodiments, the silicone material from which the body is made may be anti-bacterial, hypoallergenic, and dishwasher-safe which may make it a long-lasting, quick-drying, eco-friendly solution for keeping one mess free.

According to one illustrative embodiment, to use the liquid directing band 100, the user 108 turns his or her hand sideways with his or her thumb facing the ceiling and their pinky facing the floor. The user then pulls each liquid directing band 100 onto his or her wrist (portion of forearm), one at a time, with the spout 160 facing downward toward his or her pinky until the user 108 has achieved a comfortable fit and liquid-tight seal (usually about 1 inch below the user's wrist).

According to one illustrative embodiment, to use the liquid directing band 100, the user puts a first liquid directing band 100 on a first forearm of a user by inserting the user's hand of the first forearm of the user through the cuff aperture 148 until the cuff aperture 148 is snug with the first forearm of the user to prevent liquid flow between the liquid directing band 100 and the first forearm of the user. The user then repeats these steps with a second liquid directing band 100 and a second forearm of the user, so that each forearm of the user has a liquid directing device. The user then adjusts the first and second liquid directing devices 100 so that the spout 160 of each liquid directing device is substantially pointed toward a longitudinal centerline of the user's body. The user then performs an activity using a liquid that involves raising the user's hands. By this arrangement and methods, liquid that may run from a user's hands are captured by the first and second liquid directing devices 100 and diverted out the spouts 160 of the liquid directing devices 100.

The methods may also include the step of adjusting the position of the user's forearms or hands so that the spout 160 of the first liquid directing device 100 directs liquid flow into the concave basin portion 124 of the second liquid directing device 100. (FIG. 1). In this arrangement, liquid that first flows into the first liquid directing device 100 flows next into the second liquid directing device 100 (see FIG. 1).

In another method, the user may be performing an activity with a liquid that involves raising only one hand of the user. In this case, the above method is modified so that the user only fits the first liquid directing device 100 on the first forearm of the user.

The liquid directing band 100 has a spout for redirecting unlimited amounts of liquids away from the user's body. In some embodiments, the liquid directing band 100 includes a brim to catch any additional droplets of liquids from falling from the hand of the user. In some embodiments, the liquid directing band 100 is oval in shape which allows the user's two hands to be placed closely together for smaller jobs like washing one's face.

While examples are given above, there are many possible embodiments. A number of examples follow.

Example 1. A liquid directing band for use on a human's forearm, the liquid directing band comprising:

• • a stretchable body formed with a basin portion having a concave area with a cuff pillar extending therefrom and formed with a cuff aperture for receiving the human's forearm through the stretchable body when in an operational position;
  • wherein the basin of the stretchable body has an elongated portion on one side and a shorter portion on an opposite side;
  • wherein the basin is formed with a spout area on a leading edge of the basin proximate the elongated portion; and
  • wherein the basin is deeper at the elongated portion than the shorter portion.

Example 2. The liquid directing band of Example 1, wherein the stretchable body is thicker proximate a periphery of the basin than at an entry to the cuff aperture.

Example 3. The liquid directing band of Examples 1 and 2, wherein the cuff pillar is angled inward as the cuff pillar goes from a floor of the basin to a distal end of the cuff pillar.

Example 4. The liquid directing band of Examples 1-3, wherein the cuff aperture is small enough to require stretching to go around the human's forearm and forms a substantially liquid-tight seal thereabout. There are many other examples that may be presented as those skilled in the art will appreciate.

Although the present invention and its advantages have been disclosed in the context of certain illustrative, non-limiting embodiments, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, permutations, and alterations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. It will be appreciated that any feature that is described in a connection to any one embodiment may also be applicable to any other embodiment.

Claims

1. A liquid directing band comprising: a concave basin having a first exterior side and a second exterior side;a cuff pillar located within the concave basin;a cuff aperture formed on the cuff pillar for receiving a forearm of a human;a spout located on the first exterior side of the concave basin;a first portion of the concave basin, wherein the first portion of the concave basin is between the first exterior side of the concave basin and a centerline of the cuff aperture;a second portion of the concave basin, wherein the second portion of the concave basin is between the centerline of the cuff aperture and the second exterior side of the concave basin; andwherein a volume of the first portion of the concave basin is greater than a volume of the second portion of the concave basin.

2. The liquid directing band of claim 1, wherein an exterior edge of the liquid directing band is ovular or elliptical in shape.

3. The liquid directing band of claim 1, wherein the liquid directing band has a longitudinal length dimension between the first exterior side and the second exterior side and a lateral length dimension that is orthogonal to the longitudinal length dimension, wherein the longitudinal length dimension is greater than the lateral length dimension.

4. The liquid directing band of claim 1, wherein a center of the cuff aperture is offset from a center of the concave basin toward the second exterior side of the concave basin.

5. The liquid directing band of claim 1, wherein the cuff pillar has a height from a floor of the concave basin that is greater than a height of a top edge of the concave basin from the floor of the concave basin.

6. The liquid directing band of claim 1, wherein a thickness of a wall of the concave basin near the spout is larger than a thickness of the wall of the concave basin near the cuff aperture.

7. The liquid directing band of claim 1, further comprising a lip, wherein the lip extends outward from a top edge of the concave basin near the spout.

8. The liquid directing band of claim 7, wherein the lip and the spout form an integral shape for directing liquid from the concave basin and out of the spout.

9. The liquid directing band of claim 1, wherein a ridge is formed on at least a portion of a perimeter edge of the concave basin.

10. The liquid direct band of claim 1, wherein an exterior edge of the liquid directing band is ovular or elliptical in shape,wherein a center of the cuff aperture is offset from a center of the concave basin toward the second exterior side of the concave basin,wherein the cuff pillar has a height from a floor of the concave basin that is greater than a height of a top edge of the concave basin from the floor of the concave basin,wherein a thickness of a wall of the concave basin near the spout is larger than a thickness of the wall of the concave basin near the cuff aperture, andwherein a lip extends outward from a top edge of the concave basin near the spout.

11. A liquid directing band comprising: a concave basin having a first exterior side and a second exterior side;a cuff pillar located within the concave basin;a cuff aperture formed on the cuff pillar for receiving a forearm of a human;a spout located on the first exterior side of the concave basin;wherein the concave basin is substantially ovular or elliptical in shape, having a maximum longitudinal length and a maximum longitudinal width wherein the maximum longitudinal length is longer than the maximum longitudinal width;wherein a center of the cuff aperture is located along a longitudinal centerline of the concave basin, the longitudinal centerline being coincident with the maximum longitudinal length of the concave basin; andwherein the center of the cuff aperture is offset from a lateral centerline of the concave basin, the lateral centerline being coincident with the maximum longitudinal width of the concave basin.

12. The liquid directing band of claim 11, wherein the center of the cuff aperture is closer to the second exterior side of the concave basin than to the first exterior side of the concave basin.

13. The liquid directing band of claim 11, wherein a top edge of the cuff pillar extends above a top edge of the concave basin.

14. The liquid directing band of claim 11, wherein a thickness of the wall of the concave basin near the spout is larger than a thickness of the wall of the concave basin near the cuff aperture.

15. The liquid directing band of claim 11, further comprising a lip, wherein the lip extends outward from a top edge of the concave basin near the spout.

16. The liquid directing band of claim 15, wherein the lip and the spout form an integral shape for directing liquid from the concave basin and out of the spout.

17. The liquid directing band of claim 11, wherein a ridge is formed on at least a portion of a perimeter edge of the concave basin.

18. The liquid direct band of claim 11, wherein the center of the cuff aperture is closer to the second exterior side of the concave basin than to the first exterior side of the concave basin,wherein a top of the cuff pillar extends above a top of the concave basin,wherein a thickness of the wall of the concave basin near the spout is larger than a thickness of the wall of the concave basin near the cuff aperture,wherein the lip extends outward from a top edge of the concave basin near the spout.

19. A method for keeping a portion of a user's forearms dry while doing an activity with a liquid that involves raising the user's hands comprising: putting a first liquid directing band on a first forearm of the user;putting a second liquid directing band on a second forearm of a user;wherein the first liquid directing band and the second liquid directing band each comprise:a concave basin having a first exterior side and a second exterior side;a cuff pillar located within the concave basin;a cuff aperture formed on the cuff pillar for receiving a first forearm of a human;a spout located on the first exterior side of the concave basin;a first portion of the concave basin, wherein the first portion of the concave basin is between the first exterior side of the concave basin and a centerline of the cuff aperture;a second portion of the concave basin, wherein the second portion of the concave basin is between the centerline of the cuff aperture and the second exterior side of the concave basin; andwherein a volume of the first portion of the concave basin is greater than a volume of the second portion of the concave basin,directing the spout of the first liquid directing band and the spout of the second liquid directing band towards a longitudinal centerline of the user's body;performing an activity with a liquid that involves the user raising the user's hand.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of: prior to performing the activity with a liquid, adjusting the user's forearms or hands so that the spout of the first liquid directing band directs fluid flow from the first liquid directing band into the concave basin of the second liquid directing band.