COPPER BEARING SUBSTRATE FOR ODOUR CONTROL

Abstract

A substrate having discrete copper laminae for positioning proximate an odour causing area of a user's body. The lamina are spaced apart to provide channels between adjacent laminae and the substrate. The high density of the laminae and channels cooperate to control odour. Several embodiments are disclosed for use in a variety of clothing and footwear articles.

Claims

1. A copper bearing substrate for controlling human body odour, comprising: a substrate for positioning proximate an odour producing area of a user's body; a plurality of discrete copper lamina disposed on said substrate in spaced relation, adjacent lamina forming tortuous channels defined by the adjacent lamina and said substrate, said discrete lamina having at least two common channels with adjacent lamina.

2. The substrate as set forth in claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises an insole.

3. The substrate as set forth in claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises an orthotic.

4. The substrate as set forth in claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises an article of clothing.

5. The substrate as set forth in claim 1, wherein said substrate comprises an adhesive strip adapted for contact with a material contacting said odour producing area of a user's body.

6. The substrate as set forth in claim 1, wherein said insole comprises a moisture absorbing material.

7. The substrate as set forth in claim 6, wherein said insole includes a further copper material.

8. The substrate as set forth in claim 7, wherein said further copper material comprises at least one of copper thread and copper powder.

9. The substrate as set forth in claim 1, wherein said copper lamina comprise circular lamina.

10. The substrate as set forth in claim 1, wherein said copper lamina comprise polygonal lamina.

11. A copper bearing substrate for controlling human body odour, comprising: a substrate for positioning proximate an odour source; a plurality of discrete copper laminae disposed on said substrate in spaced relation, adjacent laminae forming tortuous channels defined by the adjacent laminae and said substrate, said discrete laminae having at least two common channels with adjacent laminae.

12. The substrate as set forth in claim 11, in combination with an article of luggage.

13. The substrate as set forth in claim 12, wherein said luggage is selected from the group comprising a suitcase, a garment bag, a sports bag, a shoe bag, a laundry bag and a clothing hamper.

14. A copper based odour and germ controlling structure suitable for positioning adjacent a source of human body odour and/or germs, comprising: a framework of individual copper circular or polygonal laminae connected in spaced apart relation in a predetermined shape with individual laminae being flexible relative to adjacent laminae.

15. The structure as set forth in claim 14, wherein said frame work comprises a plurality of arrays of spaced apart and connected individual copper circular or polygonal laminae.

16. The structure as set forth in claim 15, wherein each array is connected to an adjacent array in spaced relation.

17. The structure as set forth in claim 15, wherein said framework includes a central branch from which said arrays extend.

18. The structure as set forth in claim 14, wherein said arrays have a terminal free end.

19. The structure as set forth in claim 18, wherein at least some of the terminal free ends of said arrays are connected in a predetermined pattern.

20. The structure as set forth in claim 14, wherein said individual copper circular or polygonal laminae are connected with copper based webbing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 2 is an enlarged section of FIG. 2;

[0035] FIG. 3 is an alternate embodiment of FIG. 2;

[0036] FIG. 4 is an alternate embodiment of FIG. 2;

[0037] FIG. 5 is a section along line 2-2 of FIG. 2;

[0038] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 8 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 9 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 10 is an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 11 is a plan view of FIG. 10;

[0044] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a further embodiment;

[0045] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment; and

[0046] FIG. 14 is a plan view of yet another embodiment.

[0047] Similar numerals used in the Figures denote similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, numeral 10 denotes a substrate onto which are fixedly secured individual and discrete copper lamina 12. In the example, the substrate 10 is in the shape of an insole substrate. The individual copper lamina 12 are spaced inwardly from the periphery 14 of the insole substrate 10. This facilitates customization for positioning within footwear (not shown). A useful substrate 10 which could be used in this embodiment is that created by the Zederna company, which provide cedar based insoles.

[0049] Referring now globally to FIGS. 2 through 5 and initially to FIG. 2, shown is an enlarged section of FIG. 1 and depicts the discrete copper lamina 12 as having the shape of a hexagon or honeycomb. FIGS. 3 and 4 provide alternatives in the form of a triangular lamina 12 in FIG. 3 and a circular lamina 12 in FIG. 4. In this manner, the lamina 12 may be circular, polygonal and any combination of these.

[0050] In respect of the substrate 10, it may take a number of possible forms. In the example of FIG. 1, the substrate is in the form an insole for positioning within footwear (not shown) as referenced herein previously. The insole may be composed of the materials known for such articles, i.e. a thin foam body or may be composed of a moisture wicking material, such as bamboo, cork, treated fibres, etc. The insole, in order to elevate the efficiency of the copper lamina 12, may also include copper thread therein. Securement of the copper lamina can be achieved by numerous methods depending on the specific substrate. In the case of a thin sheet substrate, a suitable adhesive resistant to heat, moisture and foot movement may be selected. The prior art provides innumerable examples. For larger substrates 10, such as an orthotic, sole of a sandal, shoe etc., the lamina 12 may be integrated into the sole material by fusion or other mechanical integration.

[0051] Further forms of the substrate 10 will be discussed herein after with the advancing Figures.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a section along line 5-5 of FIG. 2. As Illustrated, between adjacent lamina 12 there is a channel 16 defined by the adjacent lamina 12 and the substrate 10. The channels 16 are in a tortuous configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 2 though 4. Each lamina section 12 shares at least two common channels 16 with adjacent lamina 12 as illustrated in the Figures.

[0053] It has been found that the particular spacing imparts necessary flexibility and further contributes to moisture control. This is further enhanced by the fact that the channels 16 permit elevation from the substrate 10 to allow for airflow.

[0054] Spacing between lamina 12 may be from 0.001 inches (0.025 mm) to 0.500 inches (12.7 mm) and most desirably 0.070 inches (1.78 mm).

[0055] In respect of the copper lamina 12, it is desirable to provide as many laminae as possible over the area of the substrate 10. This enhances the available surface area for the copper lamina to control odour and when coupled with the tortuous channels 16, effectively provides individual odour controlling discrete zones for maximum effectiveness and minimal intrusiveness.

[0056] The dimensions of the lamina may be, for thickness between 0.001 inches (0.025 mm) and 0.06 inches (1.52 mm) and most preferably 0.012 inches (0.3 mm). In respect of the width, this will vary depending on the specific shape of the laminae.

[0057] Referring now to FIG. 6, shown is an exploded illustration of an alternate embodiment.

[0058] In the example, the laminae 12 bearing substrate may include an adhesive layer 18 for fixing the substrate 10 to a secondary substrate 20, generically illustrated, examples of which will be discussed herein after.

[0059] Depending upon the specific embodiment, the arrangement may also include a top layer 22 overlying the laminae 12 and substrate 10. This layer will comprise a moisture permeable material to facilitate indirect contact of the laminae 12 with a surface of an odour susceptible part of a user's body (not shown). The layer 22 may include an adhesive for securing in a desired position.

[0060] Turning to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the secondary substrate 20 may comprise footwear, shown in the example as a sandal. The overlying layer 22 may be present.

[0061] FIG. 8 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention where the arrangement includes a suitable bioadhesive on, for example layer 22, referenced in FIG. 6. In this example, a user, U, directly applies the arrangement shown in FIG. 6 absent substrate 20, directly to the underarm area 24 for odour control.

[0062] FIG. 9 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. An undergarment 26 is provided in the form a shirt. The undergarment 26 includes a flexible substrate with the copper laminae secured to the underarm area 24. The arrangement secured takes the form similar to that illustrated in FIG. 8. Securement may be achieved by any suitable means such as stitching, adhesive etc. In this embodiment, the user, U, has an overgarment 28. The overgarment 28 and the undergarment 26 may be suitable connected to be wearable as a single or unified article of clothing.

[0063] FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a still further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a sports bag 30, shown in an open state in FIG. 11 includes the copper lamina 12 applied to the interior surfaces 32 of the sports bag 30. This is particularly beneficial for use with, for example, a hockey equipment or ski boot bag where the sports equipment (not shown) is often closed into the bag while still having very high perspiration content.

[0064] Turning now to FIG. 12, shown is a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the laminae 12 are disposed in arrays 34 composed of individual laminae 12 connected in a predetermined formation to an adjacent laminae 12 by copper based webbing 36. Each array 34 includes a laminae having a free end 38, however, as an option, some of the terminal laminae may be connected in a predetermined arrangement indicted by numeral 40 with the webbing 36 or other suitable material. The individual connections of the laminae allows the overall structure to remain flexible and conformable which is important for the application in the insole example as shown as substrate 10.

[0065] In the example, the arrays 34 extend from a central branch 42 in a general chevron pattern. Other patterns will be possible, depending upon the specific environment in which the structure is used. The structure will be affixed to the substrate with a suitable fastening arrangement.

[0066] FIG. 13 illustrates a further embodiment where the laminae 12 arrangement discussed in FIG. 12 is positioned on a baseball cap 44. In this arrangement, the underside of the bill 46 of cap 44 may include the arrangement. The headband 48 may also include the arrays 34 either exteriorly or sewn into the headband 48.

[0067] FIG. 14 illustrates yet another embodiment where the arrays 34 are incorporated with a prophylactic mask 50. This may be done by direct fixture to the mouth area 52 of mask 50 or the structure may be inserted into a pocket 54 associated with the mask 50 shown with the dashed lines in the Figure.

[0068] Owing to the spacing of the individual lamina, breathing is not impeded in use. Further with the webbing 36, the arrangement may be bent into a comfortable and protective position in use.

[0069] It will be understood that the structure illustrated in respect of FIGS. 12 through 14 may be used in those arrangements shown in the initially referenced Figures.

[0070] As is illustrated in all embodiments, the structure is shown as a single structure, however, it will be understood that the same can be positioned on the substrate 10 in a plurality of sections.

[0071] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the odour controlling arrangement set forth herein may be applied to any article of clothing, footwear, headwear and safety equipment to ameliorate odour.