Abstract
An elasticized protective covering for limb or torso, comprising self-encased elastic band or bands integrated at the open end or ends of the cover, made of proprietary polymeric material to offer simple, effective and affordable protection for areas of concern and healing sites and prevention of contamination and infection throughout treatment and recovery while maintaining daily hygiene for bathing or showering and eliminating the need for cumbersome and constricting straps, tourniquets, adhesives, Velcro, drawstring or gasket closures.
Claims
1) A covering for the torso, arm or leg or mid areas of same, with single or multiple encased elastic closures at each open end; said covering having an open end with one elastic band encased at the edge of the opening; said covering having a second elastic band encased a distance parallel to the first band at the open end; said covering having multiple additional elastic bands, encased a distance parallel to the first and second bands and to each other; said covering presenting a space between the parallel encased bands;
2) Said covering of claim 1 wherein the structure has one open end and one closed end;
3) Said covering of claim 1 wherein the structure has two open ends.
4) Said covering of claim 1, for the torso, arm, leg or mid-areas of same, which is comprised of moisture resistant polymeric material; said covering that is comprised of extruded tubular material of consistent diameter; said polymeric material comprising stretchable properties; said polymeric material comprising non-slip properties; said polymeric material comprising anti-microbial properties; said polymeric material that is at least 1.5 ml thickness.
5) Said covering of claim 1, that is a reusable, disposable; said covering that is intended to be worn throughout the duration of treatment and recovery, yet cost effective and affordably replaceable.
6) Said covering comprising an elasticized open end and a sealed distal portion comprising abbreviated fingertip and thumb tip pockets.
7) Said covering comprising an elasticized open end and a multi-layer seal forming the distal end; said multi-layer seal being no wider than half the diameter of the device width; said multi-layer seal that produces a narrowed ending to accommodate the digital end of a foot; said multi-layer seal that, when device is inflated, presents a rounded appearance; said multi-layer seal that provides for flat folding and packaging.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates tubular polymeric material folded and sealed at one end.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment of the present invention, being tubular polymeric material, sealed at one end and containing multiple encased elastic bands at the open end.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows examples of various multiple folds that can be sealed in a multi-layer seal which is used at the distal end of a leg device.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom end seal, as the leg device is inflated with air.
[0027] FIG. 5 is the view of a human leg in perspective to demonstrate the shape of the device after it is in place.
[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a human limb schematically and in perspective to demonstrate the use of the device on a leg.
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates a human limb schematically and in perspective to demonstrate the use of the device on an arm.
[0030] FIG. 8 is an in-focus view of the hand portion of the distal end to the arm device, showing modified fingertip and thumb tip pockets
[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates the embodiment of the present invention, being tubular polymeric material, opened at both ends, in which both ends contain multiple encased elastic bands in the perspective of a mid-leg device.
[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates the embodiment of the present invention, being tubular polymeric material, opened at both ends, in which both ends contain multiple encased elastic bands in the perspective of a mid-arm device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] The present invention comprises an embodiment of tubular polymeric material, FIG. 1, 11, sealed at the closed distal end, 12, in a manner that creates a multi-layer seal, FIG. 3, which equals half or less than half of the diameter of the tubular material, and sealed at the open end with elastic bands, 15, encased at the open end, 13, and additional bands, 14, encased a distance parallel to the first band, at each open end, with a space between, FIG. 6, 16, in which to contain moisture which may pass through the first band, and allow for absorbent material to be placed between if needed.
[0034] The sealed end may be comprised of various multi-layer folds, FIG. 3, which results n the reinforced end seal at the distal end of the leg devices, 12. This multi-layer folded seal allows for flat packaging of the device and provides a rounded appearance, FIG. 5, when pushed out with air by inflation or average wear.
[0035] The tubular polymeric material may contain non-slip properties, which allow the wearer to stand or walk safely on wet surfaces, if using a leg device, or will allow the wearer to grasp wet or slippery grooming items during the course of bathing. If using an arm device with a distal end, FIG. 7. The material may be of a stretchable content, allowing for extended wear and durability for multiple uses. The polymeric material is cost effective and affordable for the wearer to purchase and to replace if device becomes contaminated with mildew or bacteria, which makes it a key recovery item for infection control purposes, yet is durable enough to be used multiple times throughout treatment and recovery, which meets current green ad environmental standards, legislation and expectations. Anti-microbial agents also may be integrated into the polymeric material, which will help ensure a bacteria-free environment.
[0036] FIG. 8 shows the distal end of the arm device with abbreviated fingertip and thumb tip feature, which allows the wearer the roominess of a mitten and the fingertip control of a glove. The importance of this feature is to accommodate the hands that are enveloped in casting or bandage material, which includes partial or full finger coverage. This feature is previously unknown in the industry, as prior art allows for either a mitten device or a glove device, with full finger sleeves and a full thumb sleeve.
[0037] The multiple encased elastic bands are placed at each open end of the device, as shown in FIG. 9 for the mid-leg device and FIG. 10 for the mid-arm device. This allows the wearer to apply the device over a central area of the affected limb while leaving the digits uncovered for hygienic purposes of bathing the hand or foot. This also pertains to devices designed for the torso.
