ADHESIVE BANDAGE

Abstract

An improved adhesive bandage is disclosed. The adhesive bandage includes a rectangular portion of backing sheet material defining a forward and a rear side, pressure-sensitive adhesive on the forward side, separated by a rectangular portion of dressing material attached to a central area, and two rectangular portions of release paper each removably attached to either the forward or rear side of the adhesive bandage. The adhesive bandage also includes four tabs for the removal of the release paper, placed at the midpoints on either side of the adhesive bandage.

Claims

1. An adhesive bandage comprising: (a) a portion of backing sheet material defining a forward side and a rear side; (b) pressure-sensitive adhesive deposited on the forward side of the backing sheet material; (c) a portion of dressing material attached to a central area of the forward side of the backing sheet material such that adhesive on the backing sheet material is exposed on sides of the dressing material; (d) a first portion of release paper removably attached to the forward side and rear side of the backing sheet material such that said first portion of release paper extends continuously from the dressing material to the right side of the dressing material and to the rear side of the backing sheet material; (g) a second portion of release paper removably attached to the forward side and rear side of the backing sheet material such that said second portion of release paper extends continuously from the dressing material to the left side of the dressing material and to the rear side of the backing sheet material;

2. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 1, wherein the backing sheet material is a woven fabric material sufficiently breathable as to render it moisture permeable.

3. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 1, wherein the dressing material has been sterilized and/or is antiseptic.

4. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 1, wherein the portion of backing sheet material is rectangular, square, circular, triangular, or any other geometric shape.

5. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 1, wherein the portion of dressing material is rectangular, square, circular, triangular, or any other geometric shape.

6. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 1, wherein the first portion of release paper is rectangular, square, circular, triangular, or any other geometric shape.

7. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 1, wherein the second portion of release paper is rectangular, square, circular, triangular, or any other geometric shape.

8. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 1, further comprising a first folded tab on the first portion of release paper, the first folded tab located at a midpoint of the dressing material, and a second folded tab on the first portion of release paper, the second folded tab located at a midpoint of the rear side of the backing sheet material.

9. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 1, further comprising a third folded tab on the second portion of release paper, the third folded tab located at a midpoint of the dressing material, and a fourth folded tab on the second portion of release paper, the fourth folded tab located at a midpoint of the rear side of the backing sheet material.

10. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 1, wherein all folded tabs are folded backwards, towards their respective release papers to reduce direct contact with the backing sheet material, dressing material, and adhesive portion.

11. An adhesive bandage comprising: (a) a rectangular portion of backing sheet material defining a forward side and a rear side, the backing sheet material composed of a moisture permeable material; (b) pressure-sensitive adhesive deposited on the forward side of the backing sheet material; (c) a rectangular portion of dressing material attached to a central area of the forward side of the backing sheet material such that adhesive on the backing sheet material is exposed on a left side and a right side of the dressing material, wherein the dressing material comprising cotton lined with a porous-polymer coating; (d) a first rectangular portion of release paper removably attached to the forward side and rear side of the backing sheet material such that said first rectangular portion of release paper extends continuously from a midpoint of the dressing material to the right side of the dressing material and to the rear side of the backing sheet material; (e) a first folded tab on the first rectangular portion of release paper, the first folded tab located at midpoint of the dressing material; (f) a second folded tab on the first rectangular portion of release paper, the second folded tab located at midpoint of the rear side of the backing sheet material; (g) a second rectangular portion of release paper removably attached to the forward side and rear side of the backing sheet material such that said second rectangular portion of release paper extends continuously from a midpoint of the dressing material to the left side of the dressing material and to the rear side of the backing sheet material; (h) a third folded tab on the second rectangular portion of release paper, the third folded tab located at midpoint of the dressing material; (i) a fourth folded tab on the second rectangular portion of release paper, the fourth folded tab located at midpoint of the rear side of the backing sheet material.

12. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 11, wherein the backing sheet material is a woven fabric material sufficiently breathable as to render it moisture permeable.

13. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 11, wherein the dressing material has been sterilized and/or is antiseptic.

14. An adhesive bandage as recited in claim 11, wherein all folded tabs are folded backwards, towards their respective release papers to reduce direct contact with the backing sheet material, dressing material, and adhesive portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various example embodiments. In the drawings:

[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the adhesive bandage and the corresponding release paper, according to an example embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adhesive bandage inside of its release paper, according to an example embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adhesive bandage with its release paper removed from the adhesive surface, according to an example embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates the initial stage of the application of an adhesive bandage, according to an example embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates the secondary stage of the application of an adhesive bandage, according to an example embodiment; and

[0015] FIG. 6 illustrates the final stage of the application of an adhesive bandage, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While embodiments may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the claimed subject matter. Instead, the proper scope of the claimed subject matter is defined by the appended claims.

[0017] The claimed subject matter improves over the prior art by providing a simple, easily applied adhesive bandage configured for self-application or application by a third-party. The claimed subject matter improves upon the effectiveness of wound care administered through the use of an adhesive bandage by reducing the contact between the dressing of the bandage and non-sterile surfaces, including the hands of the user. The claimed subject matter further improves over the prior art by providing disposable release paper that is handled while applying the bandage, as opposed to allowing handling of the bandage itself.

[0018] The claimed subject matter improves over the prior art by utilizing release paper, or liner paper, to cover all surfaces of the adhesive bandage. This enables a more controlled user experience and reduces or prevents any direct contact with the dressing material or backing material of the adhesive bandage. The claimed subject matter also includes four tabs, two on either side of the adhesive bandage, which further facilitates the appropriate use and placement of the bandage while reducing the frequency of contact between the applicator and sterile areas of the adhesive bandage, reducing incidents of infection. The claimed subject matter also protects the integrity of the adhesive portion of the bandage similarly through the placement of the release paper, which protects the adhesive portion thoroughly until it makes contact with the undamaged skin surrounding the wound site.

[0019] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an exploded view of the adhesive bandage 100, according to an example embodiment. FIG. 1 shows that the adhesive bandage 100 includes a rectangular portion of backing sheet material 104, which defines a forward and rear side of the adhesive bandage, wherein the rectangular backing portion is divided by a rectangular portion of dressing material 102. The backing material 104 is coated on the forward side (viewed in FIG. 1) with pressure-sensitive adhesive on either side of the dressing material 102. The rear side of the backing material is not viewable in FIG. 1.

[0020] The backing sheet material 104 of the adhesive bandage 100 may be composed of any moisture permeable synthetic material. The backing sheet material may also be composed of plastic, including polyethylene, polyurethane, or polyvinyl chloride. Another alternative that may be used for the backing sheet material is latex.

[0021] The dressing material 102 of the adhesive bandage 100 may be composed of foam or cotton, with the foam or cotton lined by a porous-polymer coating to prevent the dressing material from adhering to the wound. The dressing material may be sterile, or it may be antiseptic.

[0022] FIG. 1 also depicts a pair of rectangular portions of release paper 110 and 120 that may be removably attached to the forward and rear sides of the adhesive bandage, with the release paper designed in a manner to produce four folded tabs 112, 114, 122, and 124. The release papers 110 and 120 may be composed of natural or synthetic paper, coated with a release agent. Alternatively, the release papers may be composed of a plastic liner. Folded tabs 112, 114, 122, and 124 are designed in such a way that they facilitate the application of the adhesive bandage 100 to a wound site 602 in a manner that significantly limits the potential for direct contact from non-sterile surfaces with the adhesive bandage. The backing sheet material, dressing material, release paper and tabs may be rectangular, square, circular, triangular, or any other geometric shape.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a drawing depicting the adhesive bandage 100 of FIG. 1, constructed to show the positioning of the release papers 110 and 120. The release papers are designed to cover the backing sheet material 104 on both sides, as well as the dressing material 102. The release papers meet at the midpoint of the forward side of the adhesive bandage, fully covering the forward side portions of the backing sheet material as well as the dressing material. On the rear side, the release papers extend to their respective sides of the portion of the backing sheet where, on the forward side, the dressing material is embedded. Note that release paper 110 (like paper 120) is one continuous piece of paper that extends from the midpoint of the forward sides of the adhesive bandage to the rear side of the adhesive bandage.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a drawing depicting a perspective view of the adhesive bandage 100, showing release papers 110 and 120 partially removed to expose the forward side of the backing sheet material 104 and the dressing material 102, which the user will adhere to a wound site 602. FIG. 3 shows the first step in applying the adhesive bandage to a wound site, i.e., exposing the dressing material for application to the wound site. Note that in the first step, it is not necessary that any portion of the adhesive bandage, other than the release paper, is touched by the person applying the bandage.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating the first step 400 of the application process when applying the adhesive bandage 100. The left hand, or first hand, 402 of the user is shown pinching the first folded tab 112 on the first rectangular portion of release paper 110. Similarly, the right hand, or second hand, 404 is shown pinching the third folded tab 122 on the second rectangular portion of release paper 120. The user then pulls on folded tabs 112 and 122 as shown in FIG. 5. Note that in the first step, no portion of the adhesive bandage, other than the release paper, was touched by the person applying the bandage.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the second step 500 of the application process when applying the adhesive bandage 100. In FIG. 5, the user is shown using the first hand 402 and the second hand 404 to separate the forward side portion of the respective release papers 110 and 120 in an outward direction, exposing the forward side of the backing sheet material 104, thereby facilitating the placement of the adhesive bandage over the wound site 602 as shown in FIG. 6. In this step, the person applying the bandage may pull outwardly on the release papers 110 and 120 to stretch the bandage before application to the wound site. Note that in the second step, no portion of the adhesive bandage, other than the release paper, was touched by the person applying the bandage.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the final stage 600 of the application process when applying the adhesive bandage 100. In FIG. 6 the adhesive bandage 100 has been placed to cover the wound site 602, with the forward side of the backing sheet material, which contains the pressure sensitive adhesive and the dressing material 102, in contact with the undamaged skin. FIG. 6 further shows the release papers 110 and 120 fully removed from the adhesive bandage. Note that in the final stage, no portion of the adhesive bandage, other than the release paper, was touched by the person applying the bandage.