"Hankz Tuckable Tissue" Handkerchief System and Method of Using the System

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a handkerchief system and a method to use it that are effective in preventing the soiling of an individual's hand or hands during coughing, sneezing or blowing his or her nose due to seeping of infected particles and liquids that are expelled while coughing, sneezing or blowing or wiping his or her nose.

Claims

1. A disposable handkerchief system to prevent contact of the individual's hand or hands with the particles and liquids expelled while coughing, sneezing or blowing or wiping his or her nose comprising: (i) a first tissue liner; (ii) a base layer; (iii) a second tissue liner; and (iv) a pouch.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tissue liner and second tissue liner are made of soft and absorbent material.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the base layer is made of water-repellant material.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the pouch is made of water-repellant material.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the base layer is placed in between the first tissue liner and second tissue liner.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tissue liner and second tissue liner are joined to opposite sides of the base layer, or sewn, or kept together with adhesive, or welding, or other suitable means.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the area of the pouch is approximately of the area of the second tissue liner.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the pouch is attached onto the second tissue liner and located proximate to one of its corners.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the first tissue liner is marked with numeral 1 and the mirror image of numeral 1.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second tissue liner is marked with numerals 2, mirror image of numeral 2, 3, mirror image of numeral 3, the word INSERT and an arrow.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the numerals and other marks are replaced with symbols.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the handkerchief is inserted and stored inside the pouch.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the pouch comprises cords, buttons, Velcro, adhesive, or other fastening means to close it, and keep it closed and secured.

14. A method of preventing contact of the individual's hand or hands with the particles and liquids expelled while coughing, sneezing or blowing or wiping his or her nose comprising: after a user has blown their nose and expelled the contents onto the first tissue liner of the handkerchief, the user then folds the handkerchief along the middle vertical crease, left to right, connecting the number 1 to its mirror image number 1 and leaving the second tissue liner visible; rotating the handkerchief ninety (90) degrees clockwise; folding the handkerchief along a middle vertical crease on the second tissue liner, left to right, connecting the number 2 to its mirror image number 2, folding the handkerchief along the horizontal crease, connecting the number 3 to its mirror image number 3; and the user then tucking the handkerchief into the protective pouch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] The previously mentioned features and advantages of the invention, as well as others, will become clearer as a result of the following detailed description in relation to the attached schematic drawings, wherein:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a first tissue liner 110 on the front view of the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a two-sided base layer 120 of the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100, made of soft, breathable, durable, and water repellant material such as SMS non-woven fabric.

[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates the first tissue liner 110 on the front view of the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 with a numeral 1 and a mirror image of numeral 1 marked.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows the back view of the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100, illustrating a second tissue liner 130 marked with numerals 2, mirror image of numeral 2, 3, mirror image of numeral 3, the word INSERT and an arrow; and a pouch 140.

[0038] FIGS. 5 through 11 illustrate the steps to use, fold and tuck the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] The present invention provides several configurations of, and methods of folding and disposing of, the Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System so that it can effectively prevent the soiling of an individual's hand or hands during coughing, sneezing, or blowing or wiping his or her nose, and that are also effective in substantially preventing contamination of the environment by infectious particles and infectious liquids that are released while coughing, sneezing, or blowing or wiping one's nose.

[0040] As used herein, the Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System is intended to refer to a significant feature of the present invention, wherein combination of different features of the present invention are effective in catching, or capturing, and retaining, all or substantially all of the particles, liquids and any other materials, including but not limited to infectious particles and infectious liquids, that are released and dispersed, due to coughing, sneezing, or blowing or wiping one's nose. In the process of catching, or capturing, and retaining, all, or substantially all, of the particles, liquids and any other materials, including but not limited to infectious particles and infectious liquids, the numerous devices and systems of the present invention are effective in preventing tire soiling of an individual's hand or hands during coughing, sneezing or blowing or wiping his or her nose.

[0041] Certain preferred and non-limiting embodiments of the invention are described herein.

Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System

[0042] According to one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a handkerchief system for substantially preventing contamination and substantially reducing the spread of infectious particles and infectious liquids when an individual is coughing, sneezing, or blowing or wiping his or her nose. The present invention also provides a method comprising the use of this Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System that substantially prevents contamination of the individual's hands and that also substantially prevents contamination of the environment by infectious particles and infectious liquids that are released and dispersed due to coughing, sneezing, or blowing or wiping one's nose, etc.

[0043] Preferably, a Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System is effective in containing infectious particles and avoiding the soiling of the user's hand or hands while coughing, sneezing or blowing or wiping the user's nose, or a combination thereof.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a first tissue liner 110 on the front view of the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100.

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a two-sided base layer 120 of the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100, made of soil, breathable, durable, and water repellant material such as SMS non-woven fabric.

[0046] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the front and back views, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of a representative Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System described herein, comprising a first tissue liner 110 and a second tissue liner 130, one on each side of the two-sided base layer 120 which is made of a soil, breathable, durable, and water repellant material such as SMS non-woven fabric. Further detailed description of the elements of a representative Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System is provided below.

[0047] According to a preferred non-limiting embodiment, a representative Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System comprises: [0048] (i) a first tissue liner 110 made of a soft and absorbent material, on one side of a base layer 120; [0049] (ii) the base layer 120 made of soft, breathable, durable, and water repellant material such as SMS non-woven fabric, which has a top surface and a bottom surface; and [0050] (iii) a second tissue liner 130 made of a soft and absorbent material, on the other side of the base layer 120.

[0051] According to another preferred non-limiting embodiment, the first tissue liner 110 is made of a soft and absorbent material, on one side of the base layer 120, and is marked with the numerals 1 and the mirror image of numeral 1.

[0052] According to another preferred non-limiting embodiment, the second tissue liner 130 is marked with the numerals 2, the mirror image of numeral 2, 3, the mirror image of numeral 3, the word INSERT and an arrow.

[0053] According to another preferred non-limiting embodiment, the second tissue liner 130 has a pouch 140 located proximate to one corner of the second tissue liner 130.

[0054] According to another preferred non-limiting embodiment, the attached pouch 140 has an area of approximately of the total area of the second tissue liner 130.

[0055] According to another preferred non-limiting embodiment, live pouch 140 is sewn, or adhered, or welded to the second tissue liner 130, or attached using other suitable means.

[0056] According to another preferred non-limiting embodiment, the first liner 110, the base layer 120 and the second tissue liner 130 are sewn together, or kept together with adhesive or welding or other suitable means.

[0057] According to another preferred non-limiting embodiment, the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 is made of only one layer, and such layer is internally water repellant, and its top and bottom surfaces are soft and absorbent.

[0058] In another preferred non-limiting embodiment, said Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 is folded and inserted and stored inside the pouch 140.

[0059] In yet another preferred non-limiting embodiment, said pouch 140 is made of water repellant material.

[0060] In yet another preferred non-limiting embodiment, said numerals 1, 2, 3, mirror image of numeral 1, mirror image of numeral 2, mirror image of numeral 3, the word INSERT, and the arrow are replaced with other symbols, marks, images, figures, or similar, or none.

[0061] In yet another preferred non-limiting embodiment, the Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System has cords, buttons. Velcro, adhesive, or other means to close it, and keep it closed find secured.

[0062] The Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System is designed so that an individual can cover one's mouth, nose or both to contain expelled particles during coughing, sneezing, blowing or wiping his or her nose or a combination thereof without contaminating his or her hands or the surrounding air.

[0063] In another preferred embodiment, the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 comprises non-woven, breathable, water-resistant fabric for either the first tissue liner 110, the second tissue liner 130, or a combination thereof.

[0064] In yet other preferred embodiments, any suitable type of joining or melting technologies or processes, such as heat transfer process can be used, for instance, to join or melt the tissue liners 110 and 130 onto the base layer 120. Further, any suitable type of adhesive can be used to join or fasten the tissue liners 110 and 130 onto the base layer 120 together.

[0065] In one example, the base layer 120 which is made of a water-repellant fabric or something similar, and the tissue liners 110 and 130 which are made of a soft and absorbent material, are square-shaped, and approximately the same size, but it is to be understood that these components can be of any suitable shape and size, and have any suitable length and width and other dimensions.

[0066] In a related embodiment, the Handkerchief System comprises any means or mechanism for securely containing mucus, phlegm, sputum, or other body fluids ejected while sneezing, coughing, or while blowing or wiping one's nose and avoiding contamination of the user's hands or contamination of the environment by infectious particles and infectious liquids that are released while coughing, sneezing, or blowing or wiping one's nose.

[0067] Although the non-limiting embodiment of, and the method of using, the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 disclosed herein, show three folding steps, it is to be understood that any number of folding steps can be done with the present invention. In other embodiments, the Hanks Tuckable Tissue 100 can be designed to have no folds.

[0068] FIG. 1 illustrates the first tissue liner 110 which is made of a soft and absorbent material on a representative Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100. The Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 can be a square shape, although other forms may also be used.

[0069] FIG. 2 illustrates an inner construction detail showing the base layer 120, which is made of a water repellent material, and it is adhered to the first tissue liner 110.

[0070] FIG. 3 illustrates the first tissue liner 110 on the front view of the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100.

[0071] FIG. 4 show s the reverse side of the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 with the second tissue liner 130 and the pouch 140 proximate to one corner. The second tissue liner 130 is preferably made of soil and absorbent material, and it is adhered to the base layer 120. The pouch 140 is preferably made of water repellant material, and it may have an attached cord, button, Velcro, adhesive, etc. to ensure it can be securely closed when all the folding steps have been performed, and the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 has been inserted into it.

[0072] FIG. 5 shows the starting position of the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 with the numeral 1 and the mirror image of numeral 1 visible, before a first folding step.

[0073] FIG. 6 shows the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 after the first folding step with the numeral 2 and the mirror image of numeral 2 visible.

[0074] FIG. 7 illustrates the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 after a 90-degree clockwise rotation, and before a second folding step.

[0075] FIG. 8 illustrates the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 after the second folding step with the numeral 3 and the mirror image of numeral 3 visible, and before a third folding step.

[0076] FIG. 9 illustrates the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 after the third folding step with the word INSERT and a vertical arrow above it marked.

[0077] FIG. 10 shows the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 being tucked inside the pouch 140.

[0078] FIG. 11 shows the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 contained inside its pouch 140, and ready for disposal.

Preferred, Non-Limiting Method of Using the Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System

[0079] In yet another preferred non-limiting embodiment, a method of using the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 to prevent the soiling of an individual's hand or hands during coughing, sneezing, or blowing or wiping his or her nose, and to substantially prevent contamination of the environment by infectious particles and infectious liquids that are released while coughing, sneezing, or blowing or wiping one's nose, comprises: [0080] Step 1: After a user has sneezed, coughed or blown or wiped their nose and expelled the contents onto the surface of the first tissue liner 110, the user then folds the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 along the middle vertical crease, left to right, connecting the numeral 1 to its minor image of numeral 1. [0081] Step 2: The user now views the second tissue liner 130 with numeral 2 and its mirror image 2 marked. The user may then rotate the Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System ninety (90) degrees clockwise. [0082] Step 3: Optionally, the user may again cough or sneeze, blow or wipe their nose and expel the contents onto the exposed surface of the second tissue liner 130. [0083] Step 4: The user then folds the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 along the middle vertical crease, left to right, connecting the numeral 2 to the mirror image of numeral 2. [0084] Step 5: Optionally, the user may again cough or sneeze, blow or wipe their nose and expel the contents onto the exposed surface of the second tissue liner 130. [0085] Step 6: The user then folds along the horizontal crease, connecting the numeral 3 to the minor image of numeral 3. [0086] Step 7: Optionally, the user may then use the exposed surface of the second tissue liner 130 for clean up or to wipe up their face. [0087] Step 8: The user then uses their thumbs and index fingers, and begins to tuck the Hankz Tuckable Tissue 100 by pressing where the word INSERT is marked into the pocket of the pouch 340. [0088] Step 9: The user then disposes of the used Hankz Tuckable Tissue Handkerchief System.

[0089] The present invention surprisingly creates a handkerchief system that can act as an effective barrier to prevent the spread of mucus, phlegm, sputum, and potentially infectious liquids, which may carry diseases, by preventing the soiling of an individual's hands during coughing, sneezing or blowing or wiping his nose.

[0090] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments am possible and within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the description contained herein.