U.S. patent application number 10/395962 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-25 for wash aid for long bandages and wrapping materials.
Invention is credited to Nishi, Judith F..
Application Number | 20030179959 10/395962 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28045659 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030179959 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nishi, Judith F. |
September 25, 2003 |
Wash aid for long bandages and wrapping materials
Abstract
A wash aid for washing and drying long bandages and wrapping
materials, such as those used to wrap the legs of horses, made out
of a mesh material having openings sized to allow water or warm air
to flow through the wash aid and retain the bandages and wraps
therein. The wash aid is configured into multiple compartments by
one or more dividers disposed between the sides of the wash aid. An
opening on the front of the wash aid allows access into the cavity
within the compartments. Alternatively, each compartment has its
own opening. One or more closure mechanisms close the opening or
openings to retain the bandages inside the wash aid during the
washing and drying so as to reduce the likelihood of the bandages
tangling or being damaged by contact with each other or the
washing/drying machines.
Inventors: |
Nishi, Judith F.; (Sanger,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard A. Ryan
RYAN & ENGNATH
Suite 104
8469 N. Millbrook
Fresno
CA
93720
US
|
Family ID: |
28045659 |
Appl. No.: |
10/395962 |
Filed: |
March 25, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60366793 |
Mar 25, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
383/38 ; 383/117;
383/72; 383/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D06F 95/006 20130101;
A61F 15/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/38 ; 383/72;
383/97; 383/117 |
International
Class: |
B65D 030/22 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A wash aid for use in washing one or more bandages in a washing
machine and drying said bandages in a drying machine, said wash aid
comprising: a bag having a top, a bottom, a first side and an
opposing second side and a front and an opposing back, said bag
closed at said top, said bottom, said first side and said second
side, said bag made from an open mesh material having a plurality
of openings therein, said openings sized and configured to prevent
said bandages from passing therethrough; one or more dividers on
said bag, said one or more dividers disposed between said first
side and said second side so as to form two or more compartments,
each of said compartments having a cavity for receiving one of said
bandages therein; an opening on said front of said bag, said
opening in communication with at least one of said cavities in said
compartments, said opening sized for inserting said bandages into
said cavities and removing said bandages from said cavities; and
closure means at said opening for closing said opening so as to
retain said bandages in said cavities during the washing and drying
of said bandages.
2. The wash aid according to claim 1, wherein said opening is
located near said top of said bag.
3. The wash aid according to claim 1, wherein said closure means is
a zipper.
4. The wash aid according to claim 1, wherein said closure means is
a tie.
5. The wash aid according to claim 1, wherein said one or more
dividers are in generally equally spaced relation between said
first side and said second side so said compartments are of
substantially equal size.
6. The wash aid according to claim 1, wherein said wash aid has at
least four compartments.
7. The wash aid according to claim 1, wherein said closure means
operates across two or more compartments.
8. A wash aid for use in washing one or more bandages in a washing
machine and drying said bandages in a drying machine, said wash aid
comprising: a bag having a top, a bottom, a first side and an
opposing second side and a front and an opposing back, said bag
closed at said top, said bottom, said first side and said second
side, said bag made from an open mesh material having a plurality
of openings therein, said openings sized and configured to prevent
said bandages from passing therethrough; one or more dividers on
said bag, said one or more dividers disposed between said first
side and said second side so as to form two or more compartments,
each of said compartments having a cavity for receiving one of said
bandages therein and an opening in communication with said cavity,
said opening located on said front of said bag and sized for
inserting one of said bandages into said cavity and removing said
bandage from said cavity; and closure means at each of said
openings for closing said openings so as to retain said bandage in
said cavity during the washing and drying of said bandage.
9. The wash aid according to claim 8, wherein said opening is
located near said top of said bag.
10. The wash aid according to claim 8, wherein said closure means
is a zipper.
11. The wash aid according to claim 8, wherein said closure means
is a tie.
12. The wash aid according to claim 8, wherein said one or more
dividers are in generally equally spaced relation between said
first side and said second side so said compartments are of
substantially equal size.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/366,793 filed Mar. 25, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A. Field of the Invention
[0003] The field of the present invention relates generally to
devices used to effectively wash dirty or soiled materials in a
manner that keeps the materials separated from each other to avoid
tangling and unnecessary wear of the materials during the washing
process. More particularly, the present invention relates to wash
aid devices that are can be used to wash lengthy bandaging
material, such as wrapping used for horses, in a washing machine
without tangling and rubbing the wrapping during the wash
process.
[0004] B. Background
[0005] Bandages and wrapping materials come in all sizes and types
for many different uses and are made from all types of materials.
Some bandages are used to cover a small area or injury. Other
bandages, particularly of the wrap type, are relatively long,
narrow strips of bandage material that are used to wrap a large
area (such as a leg) or to use in multiple layers over a relatively
small area to provide support (i.e., wraps for the knee or elbow).
If long enough, the bandage can be used to both wrap and support a
large area. One commonly known type of wrap bandage is available
from ACE Bandage and are referred to as Ace Bandages.TM.. These
types of bandages, made from an elastic cloth material, are used by
hospitals, doctors, sport trainers and at home to treat and protect
injuries.
[0006] Sometimes, the bandage or wrap material is made to be
disposable (i.e., not for reuse). Most commonly, however, bandages
and wraps are made of materials that are intended to be repeatedly
reused. Because the bandage or wrap material is likely to be
exposed to blood, sweat and other bodily fluids, it is important
that the materials are thoroughly cleaned between uses,
particularly if used on different people. Even if the same person
will be reusing the bandage or wrap material, it is still necessary
to periodically clean the material for sanitary and aesthetic
purposes. As is well known, the most common, cost and time
efficient manner of washing and drying bandages is to utilize
standard clothes washing and drying machines.
[0007] One common use for long, elongated bandage or wrap materials
is to treat injured horses. Horse bandages are long strips of
material that are frequently made from a combination of fleece and
polyester. Horse bandages are available in the three basic types of
bandages: (1) polo wraps; (2) track bandages; and (3) stable
bandages. These bandages are typically used on the horse's leg. The
basic purpose of horse bandages is to keep swelling down by
reducing the amount of fluid going to the injury and to provide
support for the leg while at rest, and during work or exercise.
Another purpose of these bandages is to keep any underlying wound
clean to avoid infection and to prevent stretching of the wound and
any stitches that have been applied to the injury.
[0008] A problem that is particular to long, elongated bandages or
wraps, whether used for people or animals, is that the process of
cleaning the bandages has some inherent difficulties. These
difficulties include tangling of the bandages and unnecessary wear
of the bandages. These problems are even more acute when multiple
bandages are washed or dried together at the same time and in the
same washing or drying machine. The tumbling and spinning process
of the washing and drying machines results in the bandages becoming
tangled and ending up in a knotted mess that takes unnecessary time
and effort to untangle in order to be able to reuse the bandages.
In addition, the standard washing and drying processes causes the
bandages to rub against each other, which results in unnecessary
wear of the bandages. The wear problem is more acute for those
bandages, such as horse bandages, that utilize soft fleece or other
similar material that does not withstand rubbing well.
[0009] Any device that is utilized to assist with the washing and
drying of bandages and/or wraps in standard washing and drying
machines must be configured so as not to damage the interior of
these machines or to damage other materials being washed or dried
in the machines. In addition, the device itself must be constructed
so as to not be easily damaged by the washing and drying processes
and be sufficiently durable so as not to be frequently
replaced.
[0010] Laundry bags for washing various materials are disclosed in
several related art patents. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,312
to Milstein discloses a laundry bag that is made from fine gauge
nylon net that is formed into a generally trapezoidal configuration
for secure machine washing and/or drying of "delicate" articles,
such as hosiery, lingerie and the like. This device utilizes an
open upper end having cloth bands affixed to the net material with
hook and thistle closure arrangements (i.e., Velcro.RTM.) on the
cloth bands to seal the bag during use. U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,967 to
Tsuyoshi, et al. discloses a laundry bag made of net material
having a slider mechanism to close the bag opening. The laundry bag
is formed into an octahedron to permit water to flow through the
bag no matter which way it faces with respect to the water and to
prevent the slider mechanism from damaging other articles in the
washer or dryer. Although the above and other related art describes
laundry bags of various fabrics and closure mechanisms for similar
uses, none provide the benefits of the wash aid device of the
present invention for long, elongated bandages and wrapping
materials.
[0011] What is needed, is a relatively inexpensive and easy to use
wash aid device for washing multiple long, elongated bandages and
wraps that prevents the bandages and wraps from becoming tangled
and being subjected to unnecessary wear. Such a device would
simplify the procedure for reusing these types of bandages by
reducing or eliminating the time and effort required to sort out
and unknot the bandages. In addition, such a device would reduce
wear of the bandages by reducing the amount of rubbing the bandages
are subjected to during the washing and drying process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The wash aid device of the present invention solves the
problems identified above. That is to say, the present invention
discloses a wash aid device that prevents bandages, particularly of
the long, elongated type used to wrap horse legs, from becoming
tangled and being subjected to unnecessary wear during the
conventional washing and drying process. The wash aid device of the
present invention provides a simple, easy to use and relatively
inexpensive wash aid for washing and drying bandages and wraps. The
wash aid device of the present invention is suitable for
effectively washing and drying such bandages and wraps in
conventional washing and drying machines.
[0013] In one configuration, the wash aid of the present invention
is formed from a mesh material bag that is closed at its top,
bottom and sides. The mesh material of the bag has a plurality of
openings that are sized and configured to allow water and air to
flow through the bag and yet prevent the bandages from passing
therethrough. One or more dividers are disposed between the sides
so as to form two or more compartments. Each of the compartments
has a cavity for receiving one of the bandages therein. An opening
on the front of the bag is in communication with at least one of
the cavities in the compartments and is sized for inserting the
bandages into the cavities and removing the bandages from the
cavities. A closure mechanism across the opening is used to close
the opening so as to retain the bandages in the cavities during the
washing and drying of the bandages. In the preferred embodiment,
the opening and closure mechanism is located near the top bag (on
its front) and the closure mechanism is either a zipper or a tie.
The wash aid can be configured such that the dividers are in
generally equally spaced relation between the first side and the
second side such that the compartments are of substantially equal
size. In another configuration, each compartment has its own
opening and closure mechanism, such that the opening and closure
mechanism does not cross the dividers, for placing a bandage or
wrap inside the compartment cavity.
[0014] Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention
is to provide a wash aid for bandages and wrapping materials that
overcomes the disadvantages associated with the conventional
washing and drying of such bandages and wraps.
[0015] It is also an important objective of the present invention
to provide a wash aid for bandages and wrapping materials that is
particularly suited for use with long, elongated bandages and
wraps, such as those used for wrapping the legs of horses.
[0016] It is also an important objective of the present invention
to provide a wash aid for bandages and wrapping materials that
effectively washes and dries long, elongated bandages and wraps in
standard washing machines and driers.
[0017] It is also an important objective of the present invention
to provide a wash aid for bandages and wrapping materials that can
be made relatively inexpensively and which is easy to use.
[0018] The above and other objectives of the present invention will
be explained in greater detail by reference to the attached figures
and the description of the preferred embodiment which follows. As
set forth herein, the present invention resides in the novel
features of form, construction, mode of operation and/or
combination of processes presently described and understood by the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] In the drawings which illustrate the best modes presently
contemplated for carrying out the present invention:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a preferred wash aid device of the present
invention having four compartments and utilizing a zipper-type of
closure mechanism for each compartment;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a side view of the wash aid shown in FIG. 1 with a
bandage shown inside the cavity of the wash aid; and
[0022] FIG. 3 is an alternative embodiment of the wash aid device
of the present invention with six compartments and utilizing a
tie-type of closure mechanism for each compartment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] With reference to the figures where like elements have been
given like numerical designations to facilitate the reader's
understanding of the present invention, and particularly with
reference to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in
FIGS. 1 through 3, the preferred embodiments of the present
invention are set forth below. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wash
aid for long bandages and wrapping materials of the present
invention, identified as 10, generally comprises elongated,
mesh-type bag 11 having a top 12, bottom 14, opposing first side 16
and second side 18 with one or more compartment separators 20
dividing device 10 into multiple compartments 22, each of which is
sized to hold a long, elongated bandage or wrap (collectively
referred to as "bandage" and shown as 23 in FIG. 2) during the
washing and drying process. Bag 11 is closed at top 12, bottom 14,
first side 16 and second side 18 to prevent bandages 23 from
passing therethrough. As shown in FIG. 2, wash aid device 10 of the
present invention has a front 24 and back 26 to form compartments
22 into separate enclosed cavities 28 for receiving and retaining
the long, elongated bandage 23 therein. Bandage 23 is placed inside
cavity 28 through opening 30 located on the front 24 near top 12 of
compartment 22 of wash aid 10. To secure the bandage 23 inside
cavity 28 during the washing and drying processes, closure
mechanism 32 is utilized to close opening 30. In one configuration,
such as shown in FIG. 1, opening 30 and closure mechanism 32 extend
across two or more compartments 22. In another configuration, such
as shown in FIG. 3, each compartment 22 has its own separate
opening 30 and closure mechanism 32.
[0024] In the preferred embodiment, wash aid 10 is made from a mesh
material having weaves 34 with a plurality of flow-through openings
36 disposed therebetween to allow cleaning fluid (i.e., soap and
water) in and dirt, dirty fluid and the blood, sweat and other
fluids on bandages 23 out. A preferred material for wash aid 10 of
the present invention is a mesh material made of 100% polyester
netting. The material can be stretchable or non-stretchable.
Certain characteristics of materials are preferably suited for use
for wash aid 10 of the present invention. The mesh material of bag
11 for wash aid 10 should be selected such that it will not unduly
wear against bandages 23 during the washing and drying process.
Although bandages 23 will be inside separate compartments 22 in
wash aid 10 and will not rub against each other, there will be some
rubbing between bandages 23 and wash aid device 10. Therefore, the
material selected for bag 11 should be of the type that will not
harm bandage 23, particularly those that utilize fleece material.
Although the material selected must be of the type that will not
harm bandages 23, wash aid 10 should be of a material able to
withstand multiple washing and drying cycles without resulting in
undue amount of wear to wash aid device 10. Preferably, the
material should also be of the type that will not unduly stick to
or connect with the Velcro.RTM.) or other types of connectors used
on many bandages 23. Materials that the inventor has found suitable
for wash aid device 10 include polyester netting and thread.
[0025] As stated above, the preferred materials are made in a
mesh-type of design or some other configuration that allows the
cleaning fluids and rinse fluids in and the dirt, blood, sweat,
etc. and dirty fluid out. With the material of bag 11 made in a
properly designed mesh configuration, comprising weave 34 and
openings 36, bandages 23 will remain in wash aid 10 during the
washing and drying process. Therefore, openings 36 must be
configured to be small enough to keep bandages 23 in the individual
compartments 22, yet not so small as to impede the transfer of
clean or dirty fluids. The mesh openings 36 can be of any shape.
One type of mesh material the inventor has found to be suitable for
the intended purpose of wash aid device 10 is mesh having openings
that are round shaped and are approximately {fraction (1/16)} inch
in size.
[0026] Was aid device 10 of the present invention should be made
into multiple compartments 22 for washing and drying multiple
bandages 23, with one bandage 23 per compartment 22. For instance,
wash aid device 10 of FIG. 1 has four compartments 22 for
separately holding four bandages 23 (i.e., one in each compartment
22) and wash aid device of FIG. 3 has six compartments 22 for
holding six bandages 23. Depending on the size and usage of
bandages 23, more or less compartments 22 may be appropriate. In
one configuration, compartments 22 can be made by merely stitching
divider 20 across an elongated bag with thread. Alternatively,
compartments 22 can be formed by attaching compartment dividers 20,
made out of other materials, on the bag to divide bag into
compartments 22. Dividers 20 can be in generally equal spaced apart
relation between first side 16 and second side 18 such that each of
the compartments 22 are of substantially equal size. For usage with
horse bandages, which are relatively long, the use of four
compartments 22 is appropriate because the owner can wash one set
of bandages 23 (one for each leg) at the same time and keep the
bandages 23 together as a group. This facilitates even wear and
reduces time after the wash and dry process to sort bandages 23 by
color, etc. Because of the size of the horse bandages, the inventor
has found that compartments 22 sized eleven inches by fifteen
inches is generally suitable. Depending on the desired overall size
of the wash aid device 10, more compartments 22 can be used if the
bandages 23 are smaller. Alternatively, the overall size of the
wash aid can be increased. For instance, FIG. 3 shows a wash aid
device 10 having six compartments 22 that can be made narrower and
less deep than the four compartments 22 in FIG. 1. Many other
configurations of wash aid device 10 are possible with varying
number and size of compartments 22. Although wash aid device 10 can
be configured for specific uses, it can also be configured to be
more versatile (i.e., average size for a variety of bandages) for
general usage.
[0027] To keep the bandages in the their respective compartments
22, the wash aid device 10 should be provided with one or more
closure mechanisms 32 to close each compartment 22 so as to retain
the bandages 23 in cavity 28. One such closure mechanism 32, shown
in FIG. 1, is a zipper 38 having serrated teeth 40 that runs the
entire length of wash aid device 10 and one or more zipper pulls 42
to open or close all compartments 22 at the same time.
Alternatively, each of the four separate compartments 22 can have
their own zipper 38 or other closure mechanism 32. If zipper 38 is
used, it should be of the type that will not damage bandages 23 or
wash aid 10. For instance, zipper 38 can be a nylon or some other
relatively soft material instead of the standard metal zipper. The
inventor has found that two #5 nylon zippers 38 opening and closing
from near the middle of wash aid device 10 works well as closure
mechanism 32.
[0028] Instead of zipper 38, other types of closure mechanisms 32
can be used. As shown in FIG. 3, the closure mechanism can be a tie
44 at the opening 30 for each compartment 22. Although not shown,
closure mechanism 32 could also be snaps, Velcro.RTM., buckles,
buttons or other type of closing devices. As with zipper 38, ties
44 (or other closure mechanism 32) can be for each compartment 22
or there can be less closure mechanisms 32 that close one or more
(or all) of the compartments 22 at one time. Closure mechanism 32
should be chosen to be of the type that will not damage bandages
23, wash aid device 10 or the interior of the washing and drying
machines.
[0029] While there are shown and described herein certain specific
alternative forms of the invention, it will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art that the invention is not so limited, but
is susceptible to various modifications and rearrangements in
design and materials without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention. In particular, it should be noted that the present
invention is subject to modification with regard to the dimensional
relationships set forth herein and modifications in assembly,
materials, size, shape, and use. For instance, there are numerous
components described herein that can be replaced with equivalent
functioning components to accomplish the objectives of the present
invention.
* * * * *