MENTHOL- AND MAGNESIUM-INFUSED KINESIOLOGY TAPE

Abstract

Magnesium-infused and menthol-infused kinesiology tape is disclosed. The tape comprises an absorbent fabric substrate with adhesive on one side of the substrate to be applied to a person's skin and includes magnesium salt and menthol for promoting pain relief while the tape adheres to the person's skin.

Claims

1. A kinesiology tape (10) comprising: a substrate (12); an amount of an adhesive (14), adhered to a surface of the substrate (12) that is to be applied to a person's skin, effective to adhere the substrate to the person's skin; and effective relative amounts of magnesium salt and menthol, on the substrate (12), operative to promote pain relief.

2. The kinesiology tape (10) of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a blend comprising the menthol in an amount of about 1.25 weight % to about 50 weight % of the blend.

3. The kinesiology tape (10) of claim 1, wherein the adhesive is a blend comprising the magnesium salt in an amount of about 1.25 weight % to about 50 weight % of the blend.

4. The kinesiology tape (10) of claim 1, wherein the kinesiology tape (10) is made of a preselected color and is also made to include a preselected pattern.

5. The kinesiology tape (10) of claim 1, wherein the substrate (12) comprises an absorbent fabric.

6. The kinesiology tape (10) of claim 5, wherein the absorbent fabric is selected from the group consisting of: cotton, silk, a synthetic material, and any combination thereof.

7. The kinesiology tape (10) of claim 5, wherein the magnesium salt and the menthol are present within the adhesive and the adhesive is infused into or onto the absorbent fabric.

8. The kinesiology tape (10) of claim 5, wherein the magnesium salt and the menthol are infused into or onto the absorbent fabric.

9. The kinesiology tape (10) of claim 5, wherein the kinesiology tape (10) is configured as a roll.

10. The kinesiology tape (10) of claim 5, wherein the kinesiology tape (10) has a predetermined shape.

11. A method of manufacturing a menthol-infused and magnesium-infused adhesive fabric article, comprising: providing an absorbent fabric substrate; blending a magnesium component and a menthol component into an adhesive to form an adhesive blend; and applying the adhesive blend to the absorbent fabric substrate.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the blending step blends additional ingredients into the adhesive to form the adhesive blend.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising, prior to blending, providing the magnesium component in an amount of about 1.25 weight % to about 50 weight % of the adhesive blend and the menthol component in an amount of about 1.25 weight % to about 50 weight % of the adhesive blend.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the adhesive fabric article is a kinesiology tape, further comprising, after applying the adhesive blend, cutting the absorbent fabric substrate to a predetermined shape.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the predetermined shape is a strip.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising rolling the strip into a roll.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1A is a prior art chart illustrating transport of magnesium across skin over time;

[0013] FIG. 1B is a prior art chart illustrating transport of magnesium in the presence of aloe and menthol across skin over time;

[0014] FIG. 2A is a prior art chart illustrating transport of magnesium ions in the presence of levomenthol across skin over time;

[0015] FIG. 2B is a prior art chart illustrating transport of magnesium ions alone across skin over time;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roll of kinesiology tape illustrating an embodiment of the present subject matter; and

[0017] FIG. 4 depicts an adhesive surface of a portion thereof, on an enlarged scale relative to FIG. 3.

[0018] Throughout the drawing figures and detailed description, similar reference numerals shall be used to refer to similar components of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following description is the best currently contemplated mode of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for purposes of illustrating general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

[0020] An embodiment of the present subject matter is a magnesium-infused or impregnated and menthol-infused or impregnated kinesiology tape. The infused magnesium- and menthol-ingredients are synergistically absorbed transdermally through a person's skin into the person's body while the kinesiology tape provides stability.

[0021] Tape-infused menthol is absorbed into skin receptors, and pain signals to the brain are temporarily blocked. Menthol provides temporary pain relief by providing a cooling sensation that blocks nerve endings from sending pain signals to the brain. The kinesiology tape comprises an amount of within a safe range of menthol as determined by FDA and Health Canada. As used herein, an effective amount is indicative of an amount that improves the permeation of magnesium across skin and provides some relief of discomfort when applied to the skin. Menthol is generally blended into the adhesive in an amount of about 1.25 weight % to about 16 weight % of the adhesive blend. However, in some cases, menthol may be present in amounts up to about 50 weight % of the adhesive blend.

[0022] The magnesium infused into the tape not only helps to relieve muscle spasms but also helps to provide a faster healing process for the muscles. In addition, the magnesium ions help to flush lactic acid from an injured area or overused muscle.

[0023] The kinesiology tape comprises an amount of a magnesium salt within a safe range of magnesium chloride as determined by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Health Canada. As used herein, an amount is indicative of an amount that provides some relief of discomfort when applied to the skin. Magnesium is generally blended into the adhesive in an amount of about 1.25 weight % to about 16 weight % of the adhesive blend. However, in some cases, the magnesium may be present in amounts up to about 50 weight % of the adhesive blend.

[0024] Kinesiology tape of the present subject matter is not limited to the magnesium salt and menthol ingredients. Other active ingredients may be infused therein (along with the magnesium and menthol combination) as well.

[0025] The present invention is not limited to kinesiology tape. In some embodiments, a blend of adhesive, menthol, magnesium, and optionally additional ingredients may be applied to a fabric substrate, where the fabric substrate is not particularly limited.

[0026] The shape and size of the impregnated or infused kinesiology tape is not particularly limited. In some embodiments, the kinesiology tape has a rolled configuration, which may be unrolled for application. In other embodiments, the kinesiology tape may be cut in predetermined shapes and sizes.

[0027] The kinesiology tape may be provided in a variety of preselected patterns and preselected colors.

[0028] The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited. The substrate may be any suitable fabric known in the art, such as cotton, silk, or a synthetic material. Suitable adhesives or glues will not lose their adhesive properties when in contact with menthol and magnesium salts including magnesium chloride.

[0029] In some embodiments, the adhesive surface of the tape may have a backing paper or release layer.

[0030] In addition to manufacturing processes incorporated by reference, kinesiology tape of the present subject matter may be manufactured by combining menthol, a suitable magnesium salt, e.g., magnesium chloride, and a suitable adhesive, and applying the combined composition onto a fabric substrate. Generally, the adhesive and the accompanying ingredients infuse into the substrate prior to drying or solidifying.

[0031] Magnesium-infused or impregnated and menthol-infused or impregnated kinesiology tape of the present subject matter may be used as follows. A person cleans and prepares a predetermined area of skin so that it is, e.g., oil free and lotion free. Next, paper backing is removed to expose an adhesive layer on the tape. Then, the adhesive-layered surface of the tape is applied, with a slight stretch of the tape, to the person's skin. Lastly, skin-applied tape is rubbed (small amount of pressure to the surface) to increase adhesion. Tape may be worn for up to 1 week including during showering.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3, and 4, FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B illustrate permeation of magnesium across skin according to published literature discussed in the background. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a roll of magnesium-infused or impregnated and menthol-infused or impregnated kinesiology tape 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tape 10 comprises a suitably absorbent fabric substrate 12 with an adhesive 14 applied to a surface of the absorbent fabric substrate 12 selected to be applied to one's skin. The adhesive 14 and/or the fabric substrate 12 comprise relative amounts of magnesium salt and menthol effective to promote pain relief while the tape adheres to the skin. Note that the adhesive 14 as shown is applied in a repeating wave pattern.

[0033] Illustrated and described in this patent application is a menthol-infused or impregnated and magnesium-infused or impregnated kinesiology tape. While the present subject matter has been described in reference to a single embodiment, the present subject matter is not limited to the current embodiment. On the contrary, many alternatives, changes, and/or modifications will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the field of the present subject matter after this application has been read. Therefore, all such alternatives, changes, and modifications are to be viewed as part of the present subject matter insofar as they fall within the spirit and scope of the following claims.