U.S. patent application number 11/147608 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-14 for protective temple covering.
This patent application is currently assigned to TEMPLECLEAN, LLC. Invention is credited to Marilyn Lee Coleman, William James Coleman.
Application Number | 20060279691 11/147608 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37523781 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060279691 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Coleman; Marilyn Lee ; et
al. |
December 14, 2006 |
Protective temple covering
Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for manufacturing sleeves, a
sleeve dispenser, and a method of manufacturing inexpensive,
throwaway sleeves that may be used to protect temples from
chemicals, germs, bacteria, and the like. Sleeves may be
inexpensively manufactured using a single inexpensive raw material
as well as an inexpensive manufacturing process in which no waste
material is produced. Furthermore, sleeves may be produced as a
compact roll of sleeves to accommodate unobtrusive placement in
areas with limited space, thereby facilitating distribution in
space-limited facilities such as hair salons, spas, optometrist or
ophthalmologist offices, sunglass shops, and the like. In some
embodiments, the sleeves include latitudinal and longitudinal
perforations that facilitate removal of pairs of sleeves from the
sleeve roll and removal of each of the pair of sleeves from each
other. After separation, a sleeve aperture is passed over the
temple until it is fully covered and protected.
Inventors: |
Coleman; Marilyn Lee; (Green
Pond, NJ) ; Coleman; William James; (Green Pond,
NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF RITA C. CHIPPERSON
89 HEADQUARTERS PLAZA NORTH
14TH FLOOR, SUITE 1472
MORRISTOWN
NJ
07960
US
|
Assignee: |
TEMPLECLEAN, LLC
|
Family ID: |
37523781 |
Appl. No.: |
11/147608 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
351/41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0805 20130101;
G02C 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
351/041 |
International
Class: |
G02C 5/00 20060101
G02C005/00 |
Claims
1-3. (canceled)
4. An apparatus for protecting a temple comprising: at least one
length of tubing including one longitudinal seal and at least one
latitudinal seal.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said tubing is
manufactured from at least one of the group consisting of a
polymer, polyethylene, and extruded tubing.
6. A method of manufacturing a plurality of protectors comprising:
creating at least one longitudinal seal along a length of tubing;
creating at least one longitudinal perforation in said longitudinal
seal; and creating at least one latitudinal seal across at least a
portion of a first width of said tubing.
7. A method according to claim 6, wherein separation of said tubing
along at least a portion of said longitudinal perforation after
manufacturing separates a first of said protectors from a second of
said protectors.
8. A method according to claim 6, further comprising: creating at
least one latitudinal perforation across at least a portion of a
second width of said tubing; wherein separating said tubing along
one of said latitudinal perforations separates a first set of said
protectors from a second set of said protectors.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein separation of said tubing
along at least a portion of said latitudinal perforation creates an
aperture in at least one end of a least one of said protectors.
10. A method according to claim 6, further comprising: flattening
said tubing via at least one of the group consisting of rolling at
least one roller atop said tubing and winding said tubing tightly
about a first reel.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said tubing has a
circular diameter prior to said flattening.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said circular diameter
is approximately eight tenths of one inch.
13. A method according to claim 6, wherein said tubing has a wall
thickness of approximately two thousands of one inch.
14. A method according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the
group consisting of said longitudinal seal, said latitudinal seal,
said longitudinal perforation, and said latitudinal perforation is
created via application of at least one of the group consisting of
heat and pressure.
15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said application of at
least one of the group consisting of heat and pressure is performed
via at least one of the group consisting of a heat seal bar and a
packaging machine.
16. A method according to claim 6, wherein at least one of said
latitudinal seal and said longitudinal seal has a width of
approximately one quarter of one inch.
17. A method according to claim 6, wherein approximately zero of
said tubing is discarded during manufacturing of said
protectors.
18. A method according to claim 8, further comprising: rolling said
plurality of said protectors about at least one second reel to
create a roll of said protectors; mounting said roll in a
dispenser; and threading a first end of said roll through at least
one aperture in said housing.
19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said dispenser includes
at least one lid for shielding said protectors from said
environment.
20. A method according to claim 6, wherein said tubing is
manufactured from at least one of the group consisting of a
polymer, polyethylene, and extruded tubing.
21. A method of dispensing protectors comprising: unrolling a roll
end of contiguous roll of said protectors to unroll a length of
said roll equal to or greater than the length of one of said
protectors; separating at least one pair of said protectors via a
latitudinal perforation proximate to said roll end; and separating
a first protector from a second protector via a longitudinal
perforation; wherein approximately zero waste is created during
said dispensing of said protectors.
22. A method according to claim 20, wherein said separating via a
first one of said latitudinal perforations creates an aperture in
at least one first protector end of at least one protector located
proximate to said first latitudinal perforation.
23. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to
aids for efficiently and effectively protecting the temples of
glasses such as eyeglasses or sunglasses. More specifically, the
present invention relates to sleeves, a sleeve dispenser, and a
method of manufacturing inexpensive, throwaway sleeves that may be
used to protect temples from chemicals, germs, bacteria, and the
like.
[0002] Many systems and methods have been created to provide
additional comfort to persons requiring eyeglasses. Many such
systems and methods have been designed to be permanently attached
to the temples of eyeglasses. In its most simplistic form, one such
system includes a lamination of the temples. This laminate creates
a soft barrier between the temples and the wearer's head. In one
such system, a laminate such as vinyl acetal resin is employed. The
laminate is compressed and contacted against each temple rendering
it a permanently component of the temple. After the laminate is
applied, the temples may be bent into the shape desired by the
wearer and attached to the bow of the eyeglasses.
[0003] Another similar system was created to prevent bruising to
the portion of the user's head located behind the ears while
simultaneously preventing the eyeglasses from changing position
while they are worn. In this system, the portion of the temples
that engage the user's ear when the eyeglasses are worn is formed
with the same curvature as the backside of the ear. A thin rubber
cap is then placed over the curved portion of the temples such that
the user's head is protected from bruising that many occur with
continuous wear of the eyeglasses.
[0004] Other such systems are designed to be removably attached to
the temples of eyeglasses. In one system, a temple cover is made of
an elastic deformable material. This temple cover has an elongated
tubular shape with an inner diameter throughout the majority of the
cover such that it may be slid over the portion of the temple that
engages the user's ear. The cover also contains a reduced or
constricted end portion that allows the cover to be held in place
on the temple. The cover may be removed from the temple by applying
pressure in a direction opposite to the eyeglass lenses. In another
such system, the cover is extended such that it covers the straight
portion of the temple as well as the curved portion for additional
protection to the wearer's head.
[0005] In another similar system, a temple cover is created from a
transparent plastic material. This cover also has an elongated
tubular shape with a constricting inner diameter throughout the
majority of the cover. However, it additionally contains a slot
throughout its length. This slot allows the cover to be snapped
onto the end portion of temples having varying diameters and
curvatures. The cover may be removed by applying pressure in a
direction such that the temple is forced through the slot.
[0006] Many systems and methods have been created to provide
protection for the temples of eyeglasses. In some instances,
temples may need to be protected from the environment. For example,
such protection may be required when a wearer undergoes a chemical
treatment to the hair, head, or face. Alternatively, temples may
require protection to prevent the passage of germs or disease
between multiple wearers of a single pair of eyeglasses.
Furthermore, many such systems and methods have been designed to be
removably attached to the temples. In their most simplistic forms,
such systems include disposable temples covers.
[0007] In one such system, a temple cover is formed from a soft
resilient plastic material. The cover is tubular and consists of
one open end, one closed end and a longitudinal center passage
having a diameter equivalent to conventional temples. The open end
of the cover further consists of a constrictive plastic ring with a
short portion of the tubular member rolled about the ring. The open
end of the cover is passed over the temple and the constrictive
action of the ring holds the cover in place.
[0008] In another such system, a sheet of plastic is folded in half
such that its folded length is equivalent to the length of
conventional eyeglass temples. A short segment of one half of the
plastic is then folded back to form a cuff. The sheet is then
sealed across the width of the plastic multiple times at
equidistant locations to form multiple individual temple covers and
the covers are cut along the seals to separate the temple covers.
When protection is required, a user then passes the cuffed end of
an individual temple cover over the temple until the entire temple
is covered. Additionally, the temple covers may include markers
such as colored markers to indicate the open end of the temple
cover to the user.
[0009] Another similar system includes a method of dispensing
eyeglass temple covers. In this system, the temple covers are
formed on sheets that are rolled to create a cylindrical roll of
such sheets. The sheets are perforated such that they may be easily
removed from the roll. Each sheet contains two individual temple
covers formed from tubular pockets contained within the sheet and
having one open end and one closed end. Each temple cover is also
perforated at the edges for removal from the sheet. Upon removal
from the sheet, the open end of the pocket is passed over the
eyeglass temple when protection is required. The remainder of the
sheet is then discarded.
[0010] Similarly, another system includes temporary temple covers
designed to allow temples to be molded to the shape of the wearer's
head. In this system, the temple covers act as sheaths that allow
the shapes of the temples to be molded to the shape of the wearer's
head by facilitating the application of heat in a manner that does
not cause harm to the wearer. After the temples are heated, the
temple covers are placed onto the temples. The eyeglasses are then
placed onto the user's head and the temples are shaped to their
desired position. After the temples have cooled, the eyeglass
temple covers are removed from the eyeglass temples.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present
invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the
related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and
economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following detailed description with reference
to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this
specification.
[0012] A sleeve dispenser for dispensing inexpensive, throwaway
sleeves for protection of the temples such as eyeglass or sunglass
temples is provided in one aspect of the present invention. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve dispenser includes,
inter alia, housing and a sleeve roll.
[0013] The sleeve roll may include interconnected pairs of sleeves.
In one aspect of the present invention, the sleeves are
manufactured from a flexible, chemical-resistant material. For
example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the sleeves
are manufactured from a polymer such as polyethylene, thereby
creating clear, soft, flexible, sanitary sleeves that are resistant
to water, acids, alkalies, and a majority of solvents. Also, use of
such a material allows the sleeves to be produced inexpensively.
The inexpensive cost of the sleeves accommodates throwaway use of
the sleeves, thereby facilitating distribution in facilities such
as hair salons, spas, optometrist or ophthalmologist offices,
sunglass shops, and private homes. To further reduce the cost of
the sleeves, they may be manufactured using a process wherein a
minimal quantity of steps is required and no waste material is
produced. During this manufacturing process, the final sleeve
product may-be created in the form of a compact sleeve roll to
accommodate unobtrusive placement in areas with limited space.
[0014] The sleeves may include latitudinal and longitudinal
perforations that facilitate removal of pairs of sleeves from the
sleeve roll and removal of each of the pair of sleeves from each
other. The sleeves also include a sleeve aperture, which may be
created during the manufacturing process. Upon separation from the
sleeve roll and each other, the sleeves provide protection for
temples, such as eyeglass or sunglass temples, by passing the
sleeve aperture over the temple until it is fully covered and
protected.
[0015] A simple, inexpensive method of manufacture of a roll of
sleeves is provided in another aspect of the present invention.
Although one method is described herein, other methods of
manufacturing the sleeves of the present invention may be employed
without departing from the present scope of the invention.
[0016] In the first step of the manufacturing process, a tubular
material is formed or purchased. In one aspect of the present
invention, the tubular material is extruded tubular polyethylene
having a circular diameter. Polyethylene is an inexpensive polymer
that may be extruded via methods such as the application of high
temperature and pressure. The use of a moldable polymer such as
polyethylene also allows the sleeves to be formed without
byproducts, which eliminates waste of raw materials and reduces the
expense associated with the first stage of the manufacturing
process.
[0017] After the tubular material has been extruded and cooled, the
manufacturing process proceeds to the second stage in which the
tubular material is wound onto a reel. The winding of the tube onto
the reel causes the tubular material to flatten and crease. Such
flattening transforms the circular cross-sectional configuration
into an ovate cross-sectional configuration. Or, alternatively, the
flattening transforms the circular cross-sectional configuration
such that the two halves of the tubular material are vertically
stacked.
[0018] At the onset of the third stage, the rolled, flattened, and
creased tubular material is fed from the reel through a multi-stage
packaging machine (i.e., a machine specifically designed and geared
for creation of packages, bags, and the like) or multiple
individual stage packaging machines. As the packaging machine
receives the tubular material, the machine creates a longitudinal
seal by simultaneously applying heat and pressure via a heat seal
bar. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tubular
material is evenly and longitudinally bifurcated by the
longitudinal seal such that two independent, identical,
interconnected tubes are formed.
[0019] Once the tubes are formed via the addition of the
longitudinal seal to the flattened and creased tubular material,
the packaging machine may be reconfigured to create longitudinal
perforations. Thereafter, the tubes are fed into the reconfigured
packaging machine, which creates a longitudinal perforation.
Alternatively, longitudinal perforations may be created as the
second stage of a multi-stage packaging machine. The longitudinal
perforation allows the tubes to be easily separated from each other
by applying slight pressure on each tube in a direction
perpendicular to the centerline such that the tubes are pulled away
from each other.
[0020] After the longitudinal perforation is created within the
longitudinal seal, the packaging machine may be reconfigured to
create latitudinal seals. Thereafter, the tubes are fed into the
reconfigured packaging machine. The packaging machine forms
sequential equally spaced latitudinal seals by simultaneously
applying heat and pressure across the latitudinal extents of both
of the sleeves. Alternatively, latitudinal seals may be created as
the third stage of a multi-stage packaging machine. The equidistant
location of each subsequent latitudinal seal creates a plurality of
pairs of sleeves having equivalent lengths.
[0021] After the latitudinal seals are created, the packaging
machine may be reconfigured to create latitudinal perforations.
Thereafter, the sleeves are fed through the reconfigured packaging
machine. The packaging machine creates latitudinal perforations
adjacent to the latitudinal seals such that one pair of sleeves may
be separated from a sleeve roll. Alternatively, latitudinal
perforations may be created as the fourth stage of a multi-stage
packaging machine. The latitudinal perforations also create
openings on the end of each of a pair of the sleeves when the pair
of sleeves removed from the sleeve roll. These openings allow each
of sleeves to be passed over the eyeglass temples.
[0022] Once the tubular material has been processed through the
first six stages of manufacturing, the processed tubular material
may be wound about a reel or cylinder to form a sleeve roll. The
resulting sleeve roll has a width equivalent to the width of two
sleeves but may have varying diameters depending on the quantity of
sleeves rolled thereupon. Once the sleeve roll is processed and
wound about the cylinder, the sleeves may be dispensed by attaching
the cylinder to any conventionally known holding mechanism sized to
fit the sleeve roll. In some embodiments of the present invention,
the sleeve roll is suspended within a sleeve dispenser including,
but not limited to, those disclosed herein to minimize the space
required for display of the sleeves and to facilitate dispensation
of the sleeves.
[0023] In one aspect of the present invention, the sleeve roll is
inserted into the sleeve dispenser through roll apertures contained
within the sleeve dispenser. After placing the sleeve roll into the
sleeve dispenser, the unrolled end of the processed tubular
material is threaded through a dispensing aperture such that it is
visible to a user. A lid is then closed over the roll apertures to
prevent contamination or displacement of the sleeve roll. Once the
sleeve roll is installed in the sleeve dispenser, a user may remove
one or more pairs of sleeves by tearing the first available
latitudinal perforation. The resulting pair of sleeves may be
further separated along the longitudinal perforation and applied to
a pair of temples.
[0024] In one aspect of the present invention, the base of the
sleeve dispenser is designed with a narrow width and length such
that the sleeve dispenser can be displayed unobtrusively in a
variety of locations. For example, when the sleeve dispenser is
used in a hair salon, the streamlined size of the sleeve dispenser
allows a dedicated box of sleeves to be placed at each stylist's
station, adjacent hairdryers, in spa stations, etc. rather than at
one single location within the salon. Such placement allows the
customer to access the sleeves without leaving his or her chair
and, therefore, without disrupting or delaying the work of the
salon employee. This is particularly important when the customer
decides to don glasses for reading or the like after the stylist
has begun a chemical treatment such as hair coloring, a facial, or
the like.
[0025] Additionally, the sleeve dispenser may be located in
optometrist or ophthalmologist offices or in sunglass shops. By
placing the sleeve dispenser in a convenient, visible location,
people trying on eyeglasses or sunglasses are encouraged to use the
sleeves for hygienic purposes. The use of the sleeves helps prevent
the spread of germs and disease by giving the user protection from
the previous users. The use of an inexpensive material also allows
the sleeves to be discarded after each use. The ability for new
sleeves to be used prevents the user from having to remove
potentially hazardous chemicals or germs from the sleeves prior to
each use.
[0026] Furthermore, in some aspects of the present invention, the
sleeve dispenser may include an integral or external waste
receptacle. Such a receptacle allows the user to discard the used
sleeves without having to change his or her physical location,
therefore, increasing the likelihood that the user properly
disposes of the sleeves. Additionally, a waste receptacle allows
chemicals that may have come in contact with the sleeves to be
immediately discarded prior to contamination of other surfaces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] A further understanding of the present invention can be
obtained by reference to the embodiments set forth in the
illustrations of the accompanying drawings. Although the
illustrated embodiments are exemplary of systems for carrying out
the present invention, both the organization and method of
operation of the invention, in general, together with further
objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by
reference to the drawings and the following description. The
drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention,
which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or
as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the
invention.
[0028] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0029] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a sleeve dispenser in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 2A depicts a front perspective view of the tubular
material used to manufacture sleeves such as the sleeves depicted
in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional side view taken along line
2B-2B of FIG. 2A illustrating the circular nature of the tubular
material used to manufacture sleeves such as the sleeves depicted
in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0032] FIG. 2C depicts a front perspective view of the flattening
of the tubular material depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B during the second
stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 2D depicts a cross-sectional side view taken along line
2D-2D of FIG. 2C illustrating the ovate nature of the tubular
material after the second stage of a manufacturing process in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 2E depicts a top perspective view of the longitudinally
heat sealed tubular material depicted in FIGS. 2C-2D after the
third stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, two
tubes separated by a longitudinal seal.
[0035] FIG. 2F depicts a cross-sectional side view taken along line
2F-2F of FIG. 2E illustrating the bifurcation of the flattened and
longitudinally heat sealed tubular material after the third stage
of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0036] FIG. 2G depicts a top perspective view of the longitudinally
perforated tubular material depicted in FIGS. 2E-2F after the
fourth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention including, inter alla, two
tubes separated by a longitudinal seal and longitudinal
perforation.
[0037] FIG. 2H depicts a cross-sectional side view taken along line
2H-2H of FIG. 2G illustrating the bifurcation of the longitudinally
perforated, flattened, and longitudinally heat sealed tubular
material after the fourth stage of a manufacturing process in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 21 depicts a top perspective view of the latitudinally
heat sealed tubular material depicted in FIGS. 2E-2F after the
fifth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, four
sleeves separated by a longitudinal seal, longitudinal perforation,
and latitudinal seal.
[0039] FIG. 2J depicts a top perspective view of the latitudinally
perforated tubular material depicted in FIG. 21 after the sixth
stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention including, inter alia, four sleeves
separated by a longitudinal seal, longitudinal perforation,
latitudinal seal, and latitudinal perforation.
[0040] FIG. 2K depicts a front perspective view of rolled tubular
material depicted in FIG. 2J after the seventh stage of a
manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention including, inter alia, a plurality of sleeves
separated by longitudinal seals, longitudinal perforations,
latitudinal seals, and latitudinal perforations.
[0041] FIG. 2L depicts an angled top perspective view of the rolled
tubular material depicted in FIG. 2K suspended in a dispenser after
the eighth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 3A depicts a top view of three pairs of interconnected
sleeves in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
including, inter alia, longitudinal seals, longitudinal
perforations, latitudinal seals, and latitudinal perforations.
[0043] FIG. 3B depicts a top view of one pair of interconnected
sleeves in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
including, inter alia, a longitudinal seal, longitudinal
perforation, latitudinal seal, and latitudinal perforation.
[0044] FIG. 3C depicts a top view of one pair of separated sleeves
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
including, inter alia, a longitudinal and latitudinal seal.
[0045] FIG. 4A depicts a side view of eyeglasses in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia,
temple, temple end, and brow onto which a sleeve is being
placed.
[0046] FIG. 4B depicts a side view of eyeglasses in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia,
temple, temple end, brow, and sleeve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0047] Referring first to FIG. 1, depicted is a high level
illustration of one embodiment of sleeve dispenser 100 and sleeves
106a and 106b in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention. Sleeve dispenser 100 includes housing 102 and sleeve
roll 104. Sleeve roll 104 includes interconnected pairs of sleeves
106a and 106b. Such sleeves may be manufactured in the same manner
as sleeves 216a and 216b as described in further detail below with
respect to FIG. 2G, however, other methods of manufacturing may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0048] In one aspect of the present invention, sleeves 106a and
106b are manufactured from a flexible, chemical-resistant material.
For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, sleeves
106a and 106b are manufactured from a polymer such as polyethylene.
Use of a polymer such as polyethylene results in clear, soft,
flexible, sanitary sleeves 106a and 106b that are resistant to
water, acids, alkalies, and a majority of solvents. Also, use of
such a material allows sleeves 106a and 106b to be produced
inexpensively. The inexpensive cost of sleeves 106a and 106b
accommodates throwaway use of the sleeves, thereby facilitating
distribution in facilities such as hair salons, spas, optometrist
or ophthalmologist offices, sunglass shops, and private homes.
[0049] To further reduce the cost of sleeves 106a and 106b, they
may be manufactured by a process such as the process described
below with respect to FIGS. 2A-2F. In this process, a minimal
quantity of steps is required and no waste material is produced,
further reducing the cost of sleeves 106a and 106b. During this
manufacturing process, sleeves 106a and 106b are placed in the form
of a compact roll such as sleeve roll 104 to accommodate
unobtrusive placement in areas with limited space.
[0050] Sleeves 106a and 106b include latitudinal and longitudinal
perforations such as latitudinal and longitudinal perforations, 214
and 210, respectively, that facilitate removal from sleeve roll 104
and each other as described in further detail with respect to FIGS.
3A-3C. Sleeves 106aand 106b also include a sleeve aperture such as
sleeve aperture 308 (FIG. 3), created in the manufacturing process
described below with respect to FIG. 2. Upon separation from sleeve
roll 104 and each other, sleeves 106a and 106b provide protection
for temples, such as eyeglass or sunglass temples, by passing the
sleeve aperture over the temple until it is fully protected as
described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 4.
[0051] Although sleeve roll 104 can be displayed on any
conventionally known holding mechanism sized to fit the sleeve
roll. In some embodiments of the present invention, sleeve roll 104
is displayed via dispenser 100 to allow sleeves 106a and 106b to be
more accessible to the user. Dispenser 100 includes, inter alia,
base 108, dispensing aperture 110, lid aperture 112, lid 114, and
access aperture 116. Sleeve roll 104 is placed within dispenser 100
via roll apertures such as roll apertures 224 (FIG. 2H). The first
pair of sleeves 106a and 106b within sleeve roll 104 is then
threaded through dispensing aperture 110 as described with respect
to FIG. 2H. Both loading of sleeve roll 104 and threading of sleeve
roll 104 through dispensing aperture 110 may be facilitated by
using access aperture 116 to grip sleeve roll 104.
[0052] Base 108 allows dispenser 100 to be place on any horizontal
surface. Additionally, base 108 has a narrow length and width to
accommodate placement of dispenser 100 in a location that is
accessible to the user but is not obstructive or intrusive to work
areas in which dispenser 100 may be placed. For example, dispenser
100 could be placed on a hairdresser's station, next to salon
hairdryers, or on spa stations. By placing dispenser 100 in these
locations, a person undergoing a chemical treatment such as hair
coloring or a facial, could easily obtain sleeves 106a and 106b if
they wished to use their eyeglasses while protecting them from the
chemicals. Additionally, dispenser 100 could be placed in
optometrist or ophthalmologist offices or in sunglass shops. By
placing dispenser 100 in a convenient, visible location, people
trying on eyeglasses or sunglasses would be encouraged to use
sleeves 106a and 106b. The use of sleeves 106a and 106b would
prevent the spread of germs and disease by giving the user
protection from the contaminants of the previous users. The use of
an inexpensive material also allows sleeves 106a and 106b, to be
discarded after each use, thereby eliminating messy cleanup such as
that encountered with reusable sleeves.
[0053] In some embodiments of the present invention, dispenser 100
includes a lid aperture 112 and lid 114. Such items allow sleeve
roll 104 to be protected from the environment by closing lid 114
over access and dispensing apertures 116 and 110, respectively, and
tucking, or otherwise attaching, lid 114 to an attachment mechanism
such as lid aperture 112.
[0054] Dispenser 100 may optionally include an integral or external
waste receptacle. Such a receptacle allows the user to discard the
used sleeves into the integral waste receptacle through a disposal
aperture or the like without having to change his or her physical
location, therefore, increasing the likelihood that the user
properly disposes of sleeves 106a and 106b. Additionally, a waste
receptacle allows chemicals that may have come in contact with
sleeves 106a and 106b to be immediately discarded prior to
contamination of other surfaces.
[0055] Turning next to FIGS. 2A-2H, illustrated is one method of
manufacturing sleeves such as sleeves 216a and 216b in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention. However, other
methods of manufacturing the sleeves of the present invention may
be employed without departing from the present scope of the
invention.
[0056] Referring now to FIG. 2A, illustrated is a perspective front
view of tubular material 202 as formed or purchased in the first
stage of the manufacturing process. In one aspect of the present
invention, tubular material 202 is extruded tubular polyethylene
having a circular diameter as depicted in the cross-sectional view
shown in FIG. 2B. Polyethylene is an inexpensive polymer that may
be extruded via methods such as the application of high temperature
and pressure. The use of a moldable polymer such as polyethylene
also allows sleeves 216a and 216b to be formed without byproducts,
which eliminates waste of raw materials and reduces the expense
associated with the first stage of the manufacturing process.
[0057] In one aspect of the present invention, tubular material 202
is manufactured to have a wall thickness of two thousandths of an
inch and a diameter of approximately eight tenths of one inch.
However, varying dimensions can be used without departing from the
scope of the present invention, providing that the dimensions
accommodate the dimensions of standard eyeglass temples. The length
of tubular material 202 is selected based upon the quantity of
desired sleeves, which may be selected based upon a quantity of
factors. In one aspect of the present invention, the quantity of
desired sleeves is selected to minimize the size of a sleeve
dispenser such as sleeve dispenser 100 to accommodate use in tight
spaces (e.g., a hair stylist's counter or rolling cart, a display
counter in an ophthalmologist's office, etc.). In another aspect of
the present invention, a small quantity of sleeves (e.g., 30 pairs)
may be manufactured for dispensers sold for home use, whereas
larger quantities of sleeves (e.g., 80 pairs) may be manufactured
for dispensers sold for commercial use (e.g., hair salons). These
quantities may be determined based upon factors such as the length
of tubular material 202.
[0058] Turning next to FIG. 2C, illustrated is a front perspective
view of the flattening and creasing of tubular material 202 as it
occurs during the second stage of the manufacturing process. After
tubular material 202 has been extruded and cooled, the
manufacturing process proceeds to the second stage in which tubular
material 202 is wound onto reel 204. The winding of tubular
material 202 onto reel 204 causes tubular material 202 to flatten
and crease. Such flattening transforms the circular cross-sectional
configuration into an ovate cross-sectional configuration as
depicted in FIG. 2D. In addition to providing a mechanism for
flattening and creasing tubular material 202, reel 204 also
facilitates storage of tubular material 202 in a manner suitable to
the next (i.e., the third) stage of manufacturing. For example,
storage of the flattened and creased tubular material 202 on reel
204 may be employed to ensure that tubular material 202 is fed
evenly into a packaging machine as described below with respect to
FIG. 2E
[0059] Referring next to FIG. 2E, illustrated is a top perspective
view of tubular material 202 bifurcated with longitudinal seal 208
as produced in the third stage of the manufacturing process in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. At the
onset of this stage, rolled, flattened and creased tubular material
202 is fed from reel 204 through a packaging machine. In one aspect
of the present invention, the packaging machine is a Kwik-Pak
packaging machine, however, other similar machines may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the present
invention. As the packaging machine receives tubular material 202,
the machine first creates longitudinal seal 208 by simultaneously
applying heat and pressure via a heat seal bar. In the embodiment
of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 2E-2F, longitudinal seal
208 evenly and longitudinally bifurcates tubular material 202 such
that two independent, identical, interconnected tubes 206a and 206b
are formed, a cross section of which is depicted in FIG. 2F In the
depicted embodiment, each resulting tube 206a and 206b has a width
of one half of one inch and longitudinal seal 208 has a width of
one quarter of one inch. However, alternate embodiments are
envisioned having varying longitudinal seal widths, varying
longitudinal seal locations (e.g., off center), and/or varying tube
widths without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0060] Turning now to FIG. 2G, illustrated is a top perspective
view of tubular material 202 bifurcated with longitudinal seal 208
and longitudinal perforation 210 as produced in the fourth stage of
the manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. Once tubes 206a and 206b are formed via the
addition of longitudinal seal 208 to flattened and creased tubular
material 202, the second stage of the packaging machine creates
longitudinal perforations. Longitudinal perforation 210 is a series
of intermittent slits located approximately at the centerline of
longitudinal seal 208. FIG. 2H provides a cross-sectional view of
the product that results from this stage of manufacturing.
Longitudinal perforation 210 allows tubes 206a and 206b to be
easily separated from each other by applying slight pressure on
each tube in a direction perpendicular to the centerline such that
the tubes are pulled away from each other, as described below in
greater detail with respect to FIG. 3. Although longitudinal
perforation 210 is depicted in FIG. 2G along the centerline of
longitudinal seal 208, alternate embodiments are envisioned having
varying longitudinal perforation locations (e.g., off center)
andlor varying perforation widths without departing from the scope
of the present invention. However, the thickness of longitudinal
seal 208 must be great enough to ensure that the outer walls of
each tube 206a and 206b will remain contiguous and intact after
separation of tubes via longitudinal perforation 210. Furthermore,
although longitudinal seals and perforations are discussed herein
as two different steps, a packaging machine fitted with a custom
heat seal bar having perforation capabilities may be substituted to
reduce these two steps to one step.
[0061] Referring now to FIG. 21, illustrated is a top perspective
view of latitudinally heat sealed tubular material 202 as produced
in the fifth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention. After longitudinal
perforation 210 is created within longitudinal seal 208, the third
stage of the packaging machine creates latitudinal seals. The
packaging machine forms sequential, equally spaced latitudinal
seals 212 by simultaneously applying heat and pressure across the
latitudinal extents of both tubes 206a and 206b. The equidistant
location of each subsequent latitudinal seal 212 creates a
plurality of pairs of sleeves 216a and 216b having equivalent
lengths. In one embodiment of the present invention, each
latitudinal seal 212 is located five and one half inches from the
previous latitudinal seal 212 such that each resulting pair of
sleeves 216a and 216b has a length of five and one half inches.
However, alternate embodiments are envisioned having varying
lengths separating adjacent latitudinal seals 212 without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
[0062] Turning now to FIG. 2J, illustrated is a top perspective
view of latitudinally heat-sealed and perforated tubular material
202 as produced in the sixth stage of a manufacturing process in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. After
latitudinal seals 212 are created, the fourth stage of the
packaging machine creates latitudinal perforations. The packaging
machine creates latitudinal perforations 214 adjacent to
latitudinal seals 212 such that one pair of sleeves 216a and 216b
may be separated from sleeve roll 218, as described below with
respect to FIG. 2K. Latitudinal perforations 214 also create
openings on the end of each of a pair of sleeves 232a and 232b when
the pair of sleeves 216a and 216b is removed from a roll such as
sleeve roll 218 (FIG. 2K). These openings allow each of sleeves
232a and 232b to be passed over eyeglass temples 402 as discussed
below with respect to FIG. 4. Furthermore, although latitudinal
seals and perforations are discussed herein as two different steps,
a packaging machine fitted with a custom heat seal bar having
perforation capabilities may be substituted to reduce these two
steps to one step. Or, alternatively, a packaging machine fitted
with a custom heat seal bar having latitudinal and longitudinal
perforation and sealing capabilities may be substituted to reduce
these four steps to one step.
[0063] Turning next to FIG. 2K, illustrated is a front perspective
view of rolled tubular material depicted in FIG. 2J after the
seventh stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. Once tubular material 202 has
been processed through the first six stages of manufacturing, the
processed tubular material 202 may be wound about a reel or
cylinder such as cylinder 220 to form sleeve roll 218. The
resulting sleeve roll 218 has a width equivalent to the width of a
pair of sleeves 216a and 216b but may have varying diameters
depending on the quantity of sleeves 216a and 216b rolled
thereupon. In one embodiment of the present invention, the initial
length of tubular material 202 determines the diameter of sleeve
roll 218. After the entire length of tubular material 202 is
processed, tubular material 202 is wound onto a cylinder such as
cylinder 220 until the entire length of tubular material 202
encircles cylinder 220. In this scenario, the resulting width of
sleeve roll 218 is directly related to the original length of
tubular material 202. Alternatively, processed tubular material 202
could have a very long length relative to the length of processed
tubular material 202 wound about cylinder 220. In this scenario,
processed tubular material would be wound about cylinder 220 until
the desired diameter of sleeve roll 218 is obtained. At this point,
the wound tubular material 202 is detached from the unwound tubular
material 202 via a latitudinal perforation such as latitudinal
perforation 214.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 2L, illustrated is an angled top
perspective view of sleeve roll 218 (FIG. 2K) suspended in sleeve
dispenser 222 housing after the eighth stage of a manufacturing
process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
In the depicted embodiment, sleeve dispenser 222 includes, inter
alia, base 230, roll aperture 224, dispensing aperture 226, and lid
228. Once sleeve roll 218 is processed and wound about cylinder
220, sleeves 216a and 216b may be dispensed by attaching cylinder
220 to any conventionally known holding mechanism. However, in the
embodiment of the present invention, depicted in FIG. 2L, sleeve
roll 218 is suspended within a dispenser such as sleeve dispenser
222 to minimize the space required for display of sleeves 216a and
216b and to facilitate dispensation of sleeves 216a and 216b.
[0065] Sleeve roll 218 is inserted into sleeve dispenser 222
through an aperture such as roll aperture 224. Thereafter, sleeve
roll 218 is suspended within dispenser 222 using any one of a
variety of methods (e.g., sleeve roll 218 is placed atop a shelf
located internal to dispenser 222, inserting a spring-loaded sleeve
roll 218 into apertures located in the sides of dispenser 222,
etc.). After placing sleeve roll 218 into sleeve dispenser 222, the
unrolled end of processed tubular material 202 is threaded through
dispensing aperture 226 such that it is visible to a user. Lid 228
is then closed to prevent contamination or displacement of sleeve
roll 218. Once sleeve roll 218 is installed in sleeve dispenser
222, a user may remove one or more pairs of sleeves 216a and 216b
by tearing the first available latitudinal perforation 214. The
resulting pair of sleeves 216a and 216b may be further separated
along longitudinal perforation 210 and applied to a pair of temples
as described in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 3-4.
[0066] Sleeve dispenser 222 also includes base 230. In one aspect
of the present invention, base 230 is designed with a narrow width
and length such that sleeve dispenser 222 can be displayed
unobtrusively in a variety of locations. For example, when sleeve
dispenser 222 is used in a hair salon, the streamlined size of
sleeve dispenser 222 allows a dedicated box of sleeves 216a and
216b to be placed at each stylist's station, individual
hairdryers., in spa stations, etc. rather than at one single
location within the salon. Such placement allows the customer to
access sleeves 216a and 216b without leaving his or her chair and,
therefore, without disrupting or delaying the work of the salon
employee. This is particularly important when the customer decides
to don glasses for reading or a similar action after the stylist
has begun a chemical treatment such as hair coloring, a facial, or
the like.
[0067] Additionally, sleeve dispenser 222 may be located in
optometrist or ophthalmologist offices or in sunglass shops. By
placing sleeve dispenser 222 in a convenient, visible location,
people trying on eyeglasses or sunglasses are encouraged to use
sleeves 216a and 216b for hygienic purposes. The use of sleeves
such as sleeves 216a and 216b helps prevent the spread of germs and
disease by giving the user protection from the previous users.
[0068] Although the method of manufacturing depicted in FIGS. 2A-2L
include eight steps, any quantity of steps may be performed without
departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,
some steps may be eliminated (e.g., the sleeve roll may not be
housed in a dispenser, the sleeves may be not be perforated causing
the wearer to manually cut them with a scissor, etc.). Or, some
steps may be combined. For example, individual packaging machines
may be used to individually create the latitudinal and longitudinal
seals and/or perforations rather than reconfiguring a single
packaging machine, or incorporating multiple packaging machines,
for each of these actions. In yet another alternate embodiment,
steps or stages may be added to those disclosed herein (e.g.,
application of color or trademarks to the dispenser, application of
markings to the sleeves, etc.) without departing from the scope of
the present invention.
[0069] Referring next to FIG. 3A, illustrated is a top perspective
view of a length of sleeve roll 302, such as sleeve roll 218 (FIG.
2K), in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
including three interconnected pairs of sleeves 304a-304c. When a
user requires a pair of sleeves 304, the endmost pair of sleeves
304c is removed from sleeve roll 302 by applying pressure to
latitudinal perforation 306 located between endmost sleeve 304c and
adjacent sleeve 304b. By severing latitudinal perforation 306, pair
of sleeves 304c is separated from sleeve roll 302 while
simultaneously creating sleeve apertures such as sleeve apertures
308a and 308b (FIG. 3B) in pair of sleeves 304b, which remains
attached to sleeve roll 302.
[0070] Turning now to FIG. 3B, illustrated is pair of sleeves 304c
after removal from sleeve roll 302 including sleeve apertures 308a
and 308b, latitudinal perforations 306 and 314, latitudinal seal
322, longitudinal perforation 310, and longitudinal seal 312 in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
Longitudinal perforation 310 allows sleeves 316a and 316b to be
easily separated from each other by applying slight pressure on
each sleeve 316 in a direction perpendicular to the centerline such
that the sleeves are pulled away from each other, thereby severing
longitudinal perforation 310.
[0071] Sleeve apertures 308 are created within pair of sleeves 304c
by severing latitudinal perforation 314 (e.g., to remove an
adjacent pair of sleeves from pair of sleeves 304c). Sleeve
apertures 308 allow each sleeve 316a and 316b of pair of sleeves
304c to be passed over each of a pair of temples as depicted in
FIG. 4. The location of latitudinal perforations such as
latitudinal perforation 306 relative to adjacent latitudinal seals
such as latitudinal seal 322 is designed such that tearing of
latitudinal perforation 306 does not disrupt or alter the integrity
of latitudinal seal 322. Such seals must remain intact to prevent
contact of the temples with any chemicals, germs, bacteria, and the
like that may be present on or external to sleeves 316.
[0072] Referring now to FIG. 3C, illustrated are sleeves 316a and
316b after separation from each other in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. Upon such separation, each
sleeve 316a and 316b contains longitudinal seals 318 that are
segments of longitudinal seal 312. In one aspect of the present
invention, longitudinal seals 318 have equivalent widths, each
having a value of one half the width of longitudinal seal 312.
Longitudinal seals 318 reinforce the strength of each sleeve 316
and help maintain their flat or ovate cross-sectional
configurations. Each sleeve 316 also includes latitudinal seals
320. In some embodiments, latitudinal seals 320 are one half of the
length of latitudinal seal 322. Longitudinal and latitudinal seals,
318 and 320, respectively, along with sleeve apertures 308 create a
pocket within each sleeve 316 into which each temple of a pair of
temples may be inserted for protection from its environment.
[0073] As depicted in FIGS. 2A-3C, the entirety of tubular material
202 is consumed by sleeves 216a and 216b. That is, no waste is
produced during creation of sleeves 216a and 216b or separation of
sleeves 216a and 216b from sleeve roll 218 or each other. This is
an important aspect of the depicted embodiment of the present
invention because it allows sleeves 216a and 216b to be produced
inexpensively by minimizing the required quantity of raw
material.
[0074] Turning now to FIG. 4A, illustrated is a side view of
eyeglasses 400 including, inter alia, temple 402, temple end 404,
and eyeglass bow 406 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. A sleeve such as sleeve 316a is placed on
eyeglasses 400 by passing the sleeve aperture such as sleeve
aperture 308a over temple end 402. After sleeve aperture 308a is
passed over temple end 402, sleeve 316a is slid over the entire
length of temple 402 such that sleeve aperture 308a is flush with
eyeglass bow 406 and latitudinal seal 320a contacts temple end 402
as depicted in FIG. 4B. Since the lengths of temple 402 may vary
between eyeglasses, sleeve 316a is manufactured with a length that
will accommodate the length of any conventional temple. In shorter
temples, this may cause sleeve 316a to overlap slightly, however,
this will not prevent or decrease the level of protection provided
for the temples. Although the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4A-4B
include eyeglasses, sunglasses or other types of glasses may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0075] While the present invention has been described with
reference to one or more preferred embodiments, which embodiments
have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of
making a complete disclosure of the invention, such embodiments are
merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent
an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The
scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the
following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in
the art that techniques, systems and operating structures in
accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide
variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different
from those in the disclosed embodiments, without departing from the
spirit and the principles of the invention.
* * * * *