U.S. patent application number 11/248864 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-27 for reusable adhesive body apparel.
Invention is credited to Jewel Lynne Dohan.
Application Number | 20060089084 11/248864 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34136869 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060089084 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dohan; Jewel Lynne |
April 27, 2006 |
Reusable adhesive body apparel
Abstract
Reusable adhesive body apparel is disclosed. The reusable
adhesive body apparel includes a decorative component and an
adhesive component coupled to the decorative component. The
adhesive component is formed of a material that permits the apparel
to be reused multiple times. In one configuration, the apparel
includes an adhesive tape with a decorative image provided on a
non-adhesive surface of the tape, and a gel coupled to the adhesive
surface of the tape. In another configuration, the apparel includes
a decorative component with an uneven surface topography, and an
adhesive gel. The apparel may be used for any suitable purpose, for
example, the apparel may be used as a breast cover, a bathing suit,
a costume, or a tattoo.
Inventors: |
Dohan; Jewel Lynne; (Newport
Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
34136869 |
Appl. No.: |
11/248864 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/US04/37752 |
Nov 12, 2004 |
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11248864 |
Oct 12, 2005 |
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10714250 |
Nov 14, 2003 |
6857935 |
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PCT/US04/37752 |
Nov 12, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
450/81 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41C 3/065 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
450/081 |
International
Class: |
A41C 3/00 20060101
A41C003/00 |
Claims
1. A reusable adhesive nipple cover, comprising an outer component
dimensioned to cover a nipple on a body surface; and an adhesive
component coupled to the outer component to facilitate adhesion of
the nipple cover to the body surface, wherein the adhesive
component is formed of a material that enables the nipple cover to
adhere to the body surface at least one additional time after
removal from the body surface.
2. The nipple cover of claim 1, wherein the outer component is
substantially flat when the nipple cover is placed on the body
surface.
3. The nipple cover of claim 2, wherein the nipple cover is
non-visible when worn under clothes.
4. The nipple cover of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component
comprises a hydrogel.
5. The nipple cover of claim 4, wherein the hydrogel comprises an
opening positioned to provide a non-adhesive portion over the
nipple.
6. The nipple cover of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component
comprises a non-adhesive portion over the nipple.
7. The nipple cover of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component has
a thickness less than about 0.04 inches.
8. The nipple cover of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component
comprises a material effective to adhere to the body surface
multiple times, and to be removed from the body surface with out
causing pain.
9. The nipple cover of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component
comprises a material effective to adhere to the body surface
multiple times without requiring substantial modification to the
adhesive component or to the body surface.
10. The nipple cover of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component
comprises a material that enables the nipple cover to adhere to the
body surface at least one additional time after removal from the
body surface without substantial modification of the nipple
cover.
11. The nipple cover of claim 1, wherein the outer component
comprises a stretchable material.
12. The nipple cover of claim 1, wherein the outer component
comprises a non-stretchable material and the adhesive component
comprises a stretchable material.
13. The nipple cover of claim 1, wherein the outer component is
shaped like a flower.
14. The nipple cover of claim 13, wherein the flower has
petals.
15. A reusable adhesive swimsuit top, comprising a pair of
decorative components, each dimensioned to cover at least a nipple,
on a breast, wherein each decorative component comprises an
adhesive component adapted to facilitate adhesion of the decorative
component to the breast, wherein the adhesive component is formed
of a material that enables the swimsuit top to adhere to the
breasts under water, and wherein the swimsuit top can be adhered to
the breasts at least one additional time after removal.
16. The swimsuit top of claim 15, wherein the decorative component
comprises a stretchable material.
17. The swimsuit top of claim 15, wherein the decorative component
comprises a three-dimensional design and comprises a stretchable or
non-stretchable material.
18. The swimsuit top of claim 15, wherein the adhesive component
further comprises a non-water-based adhesive provided as a
ring.
19. The swimsuit top of claim 18, wherein the non-water-based
adhesive is removable from the decorative component.
20. The swimsuit top of claim 15, wherein the adhesive component
further comprises a material selected from the group consisting of
carboxymethylcellulose, gelatin, elastomers, and pectin.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
120 of PCT/US2004/037752 filed on Nov. 12, 2004, which claims
priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/714,250, filed on
Nov. 14, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,935.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to adhesive body apparel. More
specifically, the present invention relates to body apparel that
has an adhesive component that permits the apparel to be applied
and removed from a body surface multiple times.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Adhesive body apparel refers to many different types of
products that adhere to a person's body. The apparel may be used
instead of, or as an accessory to, clothing. Body apparel is often
worn to provide a decorative or fashionable appearance to a person
wearing the apparel. For example, a temporary tattoo may be
considered adhesive body apparel because it is applied to a
person's skin with the use of water to allow a tattoo image to
adhere to the skin. Tattoos are not reusable because they are
typically completely destroyed as they are removed from a person's
skin. In addition, a nipple or a breast cover may be considered
adhesive body apparel. Nipple covers that many women wear are
designed for a single use. In that regard, existing nipple covers
use an adhesive that loses most, if not all, of its adhesive
properties after removal from a woman's skin. Current nipple covers
are not guaranteed to be reusable. In addition, the adhesive used
in conventional nipple covers requires substantial amounts of care
in application and removal, especially since adhesive nipple covers
tend to cause pain or discomfort when they are removed from
sensitive regions of a person's body, such as a nipple.
[0006] Thus, there remains a need in the art for adhesive body
apparel that addresses the shortcomings associated with existing
adhesive body apparel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention disclosed herein relates to body
apparel, such as clothing, swimming suits, costumes, and the like.
More specifically, the invention relates to body apparel which is
adhesively applied to a body surface, such as a body surface of a
person, and remains fixed thereon for extended periods of time. The
apparel can be removed and reapplied multiple times, and can be
reused without causing significant amounts of discomfort to the
person wearing the apparel. Reuse of the apparel does not require
any particular preparation or care of the skin on which the apparel
is placed or of the apparel itself.
[0008] As used herein, the phrase "body apparel" refers to any
attire that may be worn by a person to conceal one or more portions
of the person's body. People generally prefer to wear attire which
provides certain desirable aesthetic effects. Accordingly, in
reference to the disclosure herein, "body apparel" specifically
excludes non-decorative or non-fashionable items, such as reusable
medical electrodes, bandaids, and other medical devices. "Body
apparel", as used herein, also refers to a single element, or
multiple elements; thus, the term "body apparel" is understood to
refer one or more elements which may be placed on a person's
body.
[0009] Generally, reusable adhesive body apparel in accordance with
the disclosure herein includes a decorative component and an
adhesive component. The decorative component is configured, formed,
or shaped to provide a decorative appearance to a body surface on
which the apparel is applied. The adhesive component is coupled to
the decorative component. The adhesive component facilitates
adhesion of the decorative component to the body surface. The
adhesive component is formed of a material that enables the apparel
to adhere to the body surface at least one additional time after
removal from the body surface. In other words, the apparel can be
applied and removed from the body surface multiple times, such as
two or more times, as desired. Advantageously, the apparel can be
removed from the body surface of a person without causing
significant amounts of pain to the person, and the apparel can be
reapplied on the person without requiring substantial modification
to the adhesive component, the decorative component, the apparel in
general, or to the person's skin.
[0010] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are disclosed in the following detailed description and claims. Any
feature or combination of features described herein are included
within the scope of the present invention provided that the
features included in any such combination are not mutually
inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this
specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the
art. In addition, any feature or combination of features may be
specifically excluded from any embodiment of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1A is a front plan view of reusable adhesive body
apparel in accordance with the disclosure herein.
[0012] FIG. 1B is a side plan view of the apparel of FIG. 1A.
[0013] FIG. 1C is a rear plan view of the apparel of FIG. 1A.
[0014] FIG. 2A is a front plan view of a multi-piece spiral shaped
reusable adhesive body apparel.
[0015] FIG. 2B is a front plan view of the apparel of FIG. 2A in a
different configuration.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front plan view of a reusable adhesive body
apparel having a decorative component in the shape of a
sunflower.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a reusable adhesive body
apparel having a decorative component in a leaf configuration;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a front plan view of a reusable adhesive body
apparel having a decorative component in the shape of Santa
Claus.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a side view of the apparel of FIG. 2B located on a
body surface of a person.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] The present invention disclosed herein relates to reusable
adhesive body apparel. The body apparel of the present invention is
fashionable and may be worn in lieu of, or in addition to, regular
clothing or attire that a person may wear. In addition, the body
apparel may be used as a costume and the like for events such as
Halloween and costume parties, or the body apparel may be used as a
swimming suit for swimming in water, such as a pool, lake, ocean,
river, and the like. The body apparel disclosed herein is easy to
manufacture, easy to use, and provides an alternative to
conventional attire.
[0021] The body apparel disclosed herein is adhesive and reusable.
The body apparel is applied to a body surface by placing an
adhesive portion of the apparel on a body surface. The body surface
is typically a body of a person, but when the apparel is used for
modeling or display purposes, the body surface may also include
surfaces of inanimate objects, such as mannequins and the like.
When the apparel is placed on a body surface, the apparel remains
in a substantially fixed position on the body surface. In other
words, the apparel does not inadvertently move from one region of
the body to another region. In addition, substantially all of the
apparel remains in contact with the body surface when it is adhered
thereto.
[0022] When a person wishes to remove the apparel, the apparel may
be grasped by its edge and "peeled" from the body surface.
Importantly, removal of the body apparel does not cause or result
in significant pain or discomfort to a person wearing the apparel,
and in certain embodiments, removal occurs without any pain, even
when the apparel is removed rapidly. Unlike existing products, the
apparel disclosed herein is reusable, or stated differently, the
apparel may be applied and removed multiple times, and preferably,
may be reused indefinitely without substantial modification to the
apparel. For example, the adhesive component does not need to be
warmed to be reapplied to a body surface. In addition, the adhesive
component and/or the body surface does not necessarily need to be
washed or cleaned before the apparel is applied or reapplied to the
body surface. Because the apparel may be in direct contact with the
skin of a person, the materials of the apparel are desirably
non-bioreactive. Thus, the application and removal of the apparel
from a person results in minimal, if any, adverse reaction, such as
skin irritation or discoloration, from the products. In certain
embodiments of the apparel, the decorative component and the
adhesive component are made from medical grade products, as
discussed herein.
[0023] Referring to the figures, and specifically FIGS. 1A-1C, a
reusable adhesive body apparel 10 is shown. Reusable adhesive body
apparel comprises a decorative component 12 and an adhesive
component 14 (see FIG. 1B). The adhesive component 14 is a portion
of the apparel 10 that contacts a body surface when the apparel 10
is normally worn. The decorative component 12 is configured,
shaped, or otherwise designed to provide a decorative appearance to
a body surface on which the apparel is applied. In certain
embodiments, the decorative component is non-translucent or
non-transparent. For example, the decorative component may prevent
an underlying body surface from being seen when the apparel is
placed on the body surface. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
1A, the apparel 10 includes a decorative component having six
generally semi-circular members 18 circumferentially arranged
around a central region 20. The decorative component 12 thus
provides an appearance of a six-petal flower.
[0024] The adhesive component 14 is coupled or otherwise attached
to the decorative component 12 to facilitate adhesion of the
decorative component to the body surface. The adhesive component is
formed of a material that enables the apparel to adhere to a body
surface, such as skin of a person, and be removed therefrom
multiple times. In other words, the adhesive component 14 is made
of a material that enables the apparel to adhere to the body
surface at least one additional time after removal from the body
surface.
[0025] In certain embodiments, the apparel may be reused, for
example, used two or more times, and more preferably, the apparel
may be reused indefinitely by maintaining the adhesive properties
of the adhesive component 14, for example, by maintaining a
moisture content of the adhesive component so that it remains
adhesive. The moisture content can be controlled by controlling the
amount of water present in the adhesive component, for example.
Importantly, in such embodiments, the adhesive component 14 is
formed of a material which permits the apparel 10 to be applied and
removed from a body surface without requiring substantial
modification to the body apparel, the decorative component, or the
adhesive component. For example, the apparel 10 may be applied to
and removed from a body surface multiple times, such as more than
two times, by placing the adhesive component 14 in contact with a
body surface and by lifting the apparel 10 from the body surface to
remove it. It is not necessary, and is preferable, not to require
warming of the adhesive component when reapplying the apparel to a
body surface. When not in use, the apparel 10 may be placed on a
backing substrate, such as a wax paper or plastic sheet, by placing
the adhesive component on the backing substrate.
[0026] Depending on the particular type of apparel desired, the
decorative component 12 may be formed as a relatively thin sheet of
material, or it may be formed as a three-dimensional object, such
as an object having a substantial thickness. Thus, the decorative
component 12 may be planar or flat, or it may include a surface
with an uneven or non-flat surface topography. The decorative
component 12 may be stretchable or non-stretchable.
[0027] In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, the decorative
component 12 is substantially flat when the body apparel 10 is
placed on a substantially flat surface, such as a table, a window,
and the like. As discussed herein, the body apparel 10 may be
placed on a curved body surface, and accordingly, the decorative
component 12, in such a placement, would assume a curved
configuration. In other words, the decorative component 12 may
assume a configuration or shape similar to the shape of the surface
on which the apparel 10 is applied. Thus, the decorative component
12 may include a flexible material which permits the apparel 10 to
flex and bend so that substantially all of the adhesive component
14 remains in contact with a body surface when placed thereon.
[0028] In at least one embodiment of the apparel 10, the decorative
component 12 comprises a decorative image provided on an adhesive
tape. The decorative image may be provided on the tape using any
suitable process, including printing, painting, dyeing, sewing, and
the like. In one embodiment, the decorative image is a print of a
digital image of an object. The digital image may be any image that
can be stored on a computer or computer-like device. Thus, the
digital image includes, but is not limited to, digital photographs,
scanned images obtained with a conventional scanner, digital
drawings, and the like. The digital image may be printed on the
tape using any conventional technique and device. For example, the
decorative image may be printed onto the tape using an ink jet
printer, which may be coupled to a conventional personal computer.
Or, the decorative image may be printed on the tape using a
commercial printing apparatus, which may provide enhanced printing
capabilities.
[0029] The decorative image may be any image that provides a
desired visual effect for the person wearing the apparel. As
illustrated in FIG. 3 the decorative image may be an image of a
flower, such as a sunflower. As shown in FIG. 4, the decorative
image may be an image of one or more leaves. As shown in FIG. 5,
the decorative image may be an image of a holiday character, such
as Santa Claus. In additional embodiments, the decorative image may
be obtained by shaping or cutting the tape in a particular
configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the decorative
image may be in the shape of a six petal flower. Or, as shown in
FIG. 2, the decorative image may be in the shape of a spiral. Thus,
in certain embodiments, the decorative image is an image of an
object selected from the group consisting of plants, including
flowers and leaves, animals, holiday characters, and spirals. When
holiday characters are used, the decorative image may be an image
of a Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Baby New Year, a leprechaun, a heart,
an Easter bunny, an Easter egg, a flag, a ghost, a witch, a
jack-o-lantern, a turkey, and the like. Any animal may be used as a
decorative image, including cats, dogs, horses, lions, tigers, and
the like. The image may comprise one or more colors depending on
the image being depicted.
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment of the apparel, the decorative
component 12 comprises a material having an adhesive surface 12b
(see FIG. 1B) and a non adhesive surface 12a. A decorative image,
as discussed herein, is provided on the non-adhesive surface 12a.
The adhesive component 14 is coupled to the adhesive surface 12b of
the decorative component 12. Because the illustrated coupling
between the decorative component 12 and the adhesive component 14
is by way of an adhesive provided on the decorative component 12,
the present apparel is relatively easy to manufacture compared to
other products which use alternative forms of coupling, such as
co-molding or penetration or impregnation. For example, a layer of
the adhesive component 14 can be placed over the adhesive surface
12b of the decorative component 12, and the two components 12 and
14 may be pressed together to form a laminated structure. The
combination of components may be subsequently cut into a desired
configuration, or the individual components may be cut prior to
assembly. In addition, if a decorative image is provided on the
non-adhesive surface 12a of the decorative component, the image may
be applied either before or after the two components 12 and 14 are
coupled together.
[0031] In certain embodiments, the decorative component comprises a
tape having an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, as
indicated herein. In order to enhance the fitting effects of the
apparel of these embodiments, the tape may be elastic or
stretchable, thereby providing some resilience and flexibility in
shaping the apparel on the body surface. To promote effective and
desirable image properties, such as sharp detailed images, the tape
may be made of a non-woven material, and in certain embodiments,
the non-woven material is provided on the non-adhesive surface. In
certain additional embodiments, the tape is breathable, or in other
words, permits gas, such as air, to flow therethrough. Any tape
having one or more of these features may be used in the manufacture
of the apparel disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the tape of the
apparel is publicly available from 3M Health Care (St. Paul, Minn.)
and is identified as 3M No. 9907. Tapes that are useful in
accordance with the apparel disclosed herein should be capable of
bearing a detailed decorative image and should include an adhesive
surface that securely holds the adhesive component 14 thereon so
that removal of the apparel 10 from a body surface does not result
in separation of the adhesive component 14 from the decorative
component 12. Tapes used with the apparel disclosed herein are
typically medically safe.
[0032] In certain embodiments of the apparel 10, the adhesive
component comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a
water swellable polymer. More specifically, the adhesive component
14 may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of a hydrogel.
Hydrogels suitable with the body apparel disclosed herein are
publicly available, and as indicated herein, preferably are
non-bioreactive. Hydrogels may have a tackiness that is effective
to prevent the apparel from inadvertently moving from the body
surface to which it is applied but is also effective to reduce any
discomfort when the apparel is removed from the body surface.
Hydrogels that are useful may also have some rewettability
properties and a high dry out resistance, which may be effective to
retain the desired adhesive properties of the gel. One example of a
suitable hydrogel is the AG603 sensing gel available from AmGel
Technologies (Fallbrook, Calif.). Another example of a hydrogel
useful with the present apparel is the RG-63B hydrogel available
from Ludlow Technical Products (Chicopee, Mass.). Hydrogels are
examples of water-containing adhesives.
[0033] The adhesive component 14 of the apparel 10 is typically
relatively thin so as to reduce the visibility of the adhesive
component when the apparel 10 is worn by a person. In certain
embodiments, the adhesive component 14 has a thickness less than
about 0.04 inches. In additional embodiments, the adhesive
component 14 has a thickness of about 0.025 inches or less. In some
embodiments, the apparel has a thickness greater than the thickness
of a conventional temporary tattoo. To further deduce the
visibility of the adhesive component, the adhesive component 14 may
be dimensioned similar to the decorative component 12 so that
little, if any, of the adhesive component 14 is visible when viewed
from the front, such as shown in FIG. 1A. In addition, when the
body apparel is worn under garments, such as a nipple cover worn
under a blouse, the thickness of the apparel is such that the
apparel is non-visible when a person is wearing clothes over the
apparel. The thickness of the apparel may be reduced by reducing
the thickness of either the adhesive component or the decorative
component, or both.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1C, the adhesive component may comprise an
opening 16 that is positioned to provide a non-adhesive region 17
on the rear surface of the apparel 10. As illustrated, the
non-adhesive region 17 is generally a portion of the adhesive
surface 12b of the decorative component 12. The non-adhesive region
17 may include a portion that is devoid of adhesive used in the
manufacture of adhesive surface 12b, or may include a non-adhesive
material that is secured to a portion of the adhesive surface 12b.
In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 16 is substantially
located near the center of the apparel 10. Thus, this embodiment
may be particularly useful to cover a sensitive region of a person,
such as a nipple. Thus, the apparel 10 is dimensioned to cover a
nipple of a man's or a woman's breast 114, as illustrated in FIG.
6. The apparel may range in size (e.g., in length, width, height,
diameter, or area) from about two inches to about five inches. In
certain embodiments, the apparel may have a width and height of
approximately three inches. The apparel may be provided with any
color including metallic colors and neon-like colors. When using
the apparel as a nipple cover, a woman may apply the apparel 10 to
the breast by exposing the adhesive component (typically by
removing a non-sticky backing substrate), applying a first portion
of the apparel to a region of the breast below the nipple, and
adhering the remaining portion of the apparel to the upper regions
of the breast. This method has an advantage of enhancing the lift
of a woman's breast without requiring a bra or other extraneous
lifting device.
[0035] FIG. 2A illustrates another reusable adhesive body apparel
110. Apparel 110 is similar to the apparel 10, described herein,
with a difference being that the decorative component 112 is
generally configured as a spiral. As shown in FIG. 2A, the
decorative component 112 is also illustrated as having multiple
pieces, such as the stars 113. The stars 113 are separate elements
that may be used alone or together with the spiral (as shown in
FIG. 2B). Thus, the stars 113 may be used to help secure one or
more strands of the spiral to a body surface, or they may be
separately applied to a body surface.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates another reusable adhesive body apparel
210. Apparel 210 is similar to apparel 10 with a difference being
that the decorative component 212 is cut in the shape of a
sunflower, and includes an image of a sunflower provided thereon.
FIG. 4 illustrates another reusable adhesive body apparel 310.
Apparel 310 is similar to apparel 10 with a difference being that
the decorative component 312 is cut in the shape of leaves, and
includes an image of leaves provided thereon. FIG. 5 illustrates
another reusable adhesive body apparel 410. Apparel 410 is similar
to apparel 10 with a difference being that the decorative component
412 is cut in the shape of Santa Claus, and includes an image of
Santa Claus provided thereon.
[0037] In one specific embodiment, the decorative component of the
apparel consists of a decorative image provided on a non-adhesive
surface of an elastic or stretchable, non-woven tape, and the
adhesive component consists of a hydrogel layer placed on an
adhesive surface of the elastic, non-woven tape.
[0038] In another embodiment of the apparel 10, the decorative
component includes an exposed first surface when the apparel is
applied to a body surface, and a non-exposed second surface coupled
to the adhesive component of the apparel, wherein the exposed first
surface has an uneven surface topography. Or, in comparison to the
embodiment described hereinabove, the decorative component is a
three dimensional object. For example, the decorative component may
comprise a natural or a synthetic flower. Or, the decorative
component may comprise a tassel extending from the exposed first
surface, among other things. The decorative component of these
apparel may comprise a non-stretchable material. However, these
apparel may also comprise a stretchable adhesive component.
[0039] In addition to being used as a nipple cover, the body
apparel disclosed herein may also be used as a costume, such as a
mask, and the like. For example, the body apparel may be
dimensioned to cover substantially all of a persons face, or the
body apparel may be dimensioned to cover a portion of the person's
face, such as a chin, a cheek, a nose, a forehead, and the like.
The apparel may also be used as a bathing suit or swimming suit. In
one embodiment, when the apparel is shaped as a bikini bottom for a
woman, the adhesive component of the apparel may be provided on
only a portion of the apparel, such as one or more strips or
portions located around the waist line of the bikini bottom.
Advantageously, it has been discovered that once applied to a body
surface, the adhesive properties of the adhesive component do not
substantially change when the apparel is worn in water. In
addition, the apparel may be used as a body tattoo. Advantageously,
the tattoos can be easily applied and removed, and reused, relative
to existing tattoos.
[0040] Swimming suit types of apparel may comprise an adhesive
component 14 which contacts a body surface, and that comprises a
material effective in adhering to a body surface of a person when
the person is in water, such as when the person is swimming. In
other words, in these embodiments, the apparel 10 remains attached
to a body surface of a person when the person is swimming or
engaging in other water activities. The material of these adhesive
components 14 may be different than the material of the adhesive
component described above. For example, the adhesive component 14
of swimming suit apparel, including apparel which covers a person's
nipple, may comprise a material other than a hydrogel. Thus, the
adhesive component 14 of the swimming suit apparel may be a
non-water based adhesive or a non-water containing adhesive,
including a non-water based gel. Such a non-water based adhesive
helps to maintain adhesion of the swimming suit apparel on a body
surface when located in water. For example, using a non-water based
adhesive, the swimming suit apparel is insured to adhere to the
skin of a person while the person is swimming or is in water. Based
on this disclosure, it may be understood that the adhesive
component may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist entirely
of an adhesive that is substantially free from water. One example
of a non-water based adhesive is a gel material comprising
carboxymethylcellulose, gelatin, elastomers, and pectin.
[0041] In the swimming suit apparel, such as the apparel configured
to cover a person's nipple, the non-water based adhesive may be
provided as a ring or a rim having a centrally located opening to
accommodate a person's nipple. The ring or rim may be provided in
the shape of a circle, rectangle, triangle, or other geometric
shape or pattern. For purposes of convenience, it may be understood
that such a ring or rim may be referred to as a "swim lock ring" or
a "swim lock rim". The ring or rim may be a continuous structure,
or it may comprise a plurality of adhesive elements arranged in a
ring or rim shape. Thus, there may be voids or spaces between the
individual adhesive elements.
[0042] The non-water based adhesive component may be applied
directly to the decorative component, such as the adhesive surface
of the decorative component, as described above. Or, in other
embodiments, the non-water based adhesive may be applied to a
different adhesive component that is attached to the decorative
component. For example, when the decorative component comprises a
tape having an adhesive surface, and the apparel comprises a
hydrogel attached to the adhesive surface of the tape, the
non-water based adhesive may be attached to the hydrogel. Thus, in
these embodiments, the apparel may be understood to comprise three
adhesive portions, such as (1) the adhesive surface of the tape or
decorative component, (ii) the adhesive hydrogel attached to the
adhesive surface of the decorative component, and (iii) the
non-water based adhesive attached to the hydrogel. In these
embodiments, the adhesive component comprises the adhesive hydrogel
and the non-water based or non-water containing adhesive attached
to the hydrogel. As used herein, the term "non-water based" or
"non-water containing" refers to adhesives which are substantially
free of water.
[0043] Apparel comprising the non-water based adhesive may be
reused as described above. However, the apparel may also be reused
by separating the non-water based adhesive from the adhesive
surface of the decorative component or from the adhesive component
that is attached to the adhesive surface of the decorative
component. Additional non-water based adhesive may then be applied
to the underlying, and now exposed, adhesive. For example, after
removal of a "swim lock ring" from the hydrogel or the adhesive
surface of the decorative component, another unused "swim lock
ring" can be applied to the adhesive surface of the decorative
component or the hydrogel, and the apparel can be worn again as a
swimsuit. Advantageously, adhering the non-water based hydrogel to
a hydrogel that is attached to the adhesive surface of the
decorative component may be effective in preventing or reducing
curling or flipping of the edges of the apparel.
[0044] Thus, another aspect of the invention is directed to a
package comprising reusable adhesive body apparel, as disclosed
herein, in combination with a plurality of additional adhesive
components, such as "swim lock rings". The additional adhesive
components can be applied to the apparel to increase the thickness
of the apparel, or to replace the adhesive component attached to
the decorative component. The present invention thus may also
encompass packages of replacement adhesive components that can be
purchased for use on existing or previously purchased apparel.
[0045] While certain embodiments are illustrated in the drawings
and are described herein, including preferred embodiments, it is to
be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and that it
can be variously practiced with the scope of the following
claims.
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