U.S. patent application number 11/283988 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-24 for bandage wrapper.
Invention is credited to Richard Helmig, Jerry Johns, Judy Johns.
Application Number | 20070114320 11/283988 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38052494 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070114320 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johns; Jerry ; et
al. |
May 24, 2007 |
Bandage wrapper
Abstract
A bandage wrapper having a wrapper with a flanged section having
two extensions defining a slot between them for bandage or other
wrappable material insertion. The extensions are flared and allow
for easier insertion of bandage or wrappable material.
Additionally, the wrapper may be secured in a drill chuck or other
coupling to a motorized driver.
Inventors: |
Johns; Jerry; (Gainesville,
FL) ; Johns; Judy; (Gainesville, FL) ; Helmig;
Richard; (Hawthorne, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTOPHER PARADIES, PH.D.
FOWLER WHITE BOGGS BANKER, P.A.
501 E KENNEDY BLVD, STE. 1900
TAMPA
FL
33602
US
|
Family ID: |
38052494 |
Appl. No.: |
11/283988 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/532.6 ;
242/587.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 15/007
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/532.6 ;
242/587.2 |
International
Class: |
B65H 18/10 20060101
B65H018/10 |
Claims
1. A wrapper comprising a flange, the flange having a first surface
and a second surface opposite of the first surface, the two
extensions defining a slot between the two extensions, each of the
two extensions having a free end extending away from the first
surface of the flange, the free end having a flare in a direction
opposite of the other of the two extensions, and a coupling member
extending from the second surface of the flange.
2. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the free end of each of the two
extensions has a taper such that the slot between the free end of
each of the two extensions is widened by the taper.
3. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the two extensions are made of
an elastic material such that the free ends of each of the two
extensions are capable of deflecting inwardly during normal
operational tensioning.
4. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the two extensions include a rib
along at least a portion of a length of the each of the two
extensions such that the two extensions are stiffened.
5. The wrapper of claim 4, wherein the ribs extends from the free
end to the flange.
6. The wrapper of flange 1, wherein the flange includes a hub, the
hub being centered in the flange.
7. The wrapper of claim 6, wherein a plurality of the ribs emanate
radially outward from the central hub on the second surface of the
flange.
8. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the flange and the extensions
are of a polymeric material and the flare of each of the two free
ends is selected in a range of 3 to 15 degrees.
9. The wrapper of claim 1, further comprising a motorized drive
coupled to the flange by the coupling member.
10. The wrapper of claim 9, wherein the motorized driver is a
drill.
11. The wrapper of claim 9, wherein the motorized driver is an
electric screwdriver.
12. The wrapper of claim 9, wherein the motorized driver is
reversible.
13. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the coupling member has a
hexagonal cross-section.
14. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is of a
metal and is press-fit into the flange, the flange being formed of
a polymer.
15. The wrapper of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is molded
into the flange during the die casting of the flange.
16. A bandage rewrapper for rewrapping bandages, comprising a
wrapper according to claim 1 and a motorized driver coupled to the
coupling member of the wrapper.
17. The bandage rewrapper of claim 16, wherein the coupling member
is hexagonal and is coupled to the motorized driver by a hexagonal
chuck.
18. The bandage rewrapper of claim 17, wherein the motorized driver
is a battery-operated electric device.
19. The bandage rewrapper of claim 18, wherein the free end of each
of the two extensions of claim 1 are flared in a direction away
from the other such that the angle between the two free ends is
selected in a range of 3 to 15 degrees, when the bandage wrapper is
not being used for rewrapping bandages.
20. The bandage rewrapper of claim 1, wherein the flange extends
radially outward as a substantially flat disk.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The field is bandage wrappers.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Bandage wrappers wrap bandages using an automated spindle
and a motor; however, known wrappers are cumbersome to use and
difficult to operate.
[0003] Rodriguez, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,023, describes a sheet
material applicator having a main cylindrical body, preferably open
at one of its ends and presenting two peripheral projections and a
means for attachment, at its non-open end, that allows for the
placement of a tubular part. On the periphery of the applicator's
tubular part, the end of the bandage is attached and the bandage is
wound around the tubular part. However, such a device may need an
adhesive element for attaching the bandage to it during the
insertion process.
[0004] Devine, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,779, discloses a portable,
lightweight, hand-held bandage winder where the operator holds the
winder in one hand and locates the bandage on a shaft which may
include a spool. However, the spool component needs to have a
coefficient of static friction sufficient to weakly bind the
leading edge of the bandage in order to initiate wrapping or
requires the user to manually tuck the leading edge of the bandage
around the spool to initiate wrapping.
[0005] There is a longstanding and unresolved need for a bandage
rewrapper that can be used by patients with limited mobility of one
or both arms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A bandage wrapper includes a spindle with a flanged section
having two extensions, the two extensions defining a slot between
the two extensions for bandage insertion. The spindle is capable of
being secured in a drill chuck or other coupling device. The ends
of the extension are flared such that a patient with limited
mobility may insert a bandage or other wrappable material into the
slot formed by the extensions. The inventors know first-hand the
difficulties faced by patients who must wash a rewrap bandage. One
of the inventors is a breast cancer survivor and another is a
technician at a treatment center. Neither of the inventors were
able to locate any rewrapping device that was suitable for use by
patients with limited strength and coordination of arm components.
One advantage of the present invention is the ease of engaging and
removing a bandage on a spindle. Other advantages will be apparent
based on the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The drawings provide examples of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a bandage winder.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates a side-view of a bandage winder.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear-view of a bandage winder.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The detailed description and drawings provide some examples
of the present invention, but the present invention should not be
limited merely to the examples disclosed. Instead, the invention
should be limited only by the claims that may eventually issue.
Many variations in the present invention, changes in specific
components of the present invention, and uses of the present
invention will be readily apparent to those familiar with the field
based on the drawings and descriptions provided.
[0012] As illustrated in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the bandage
includes a flanges having two extensions. The extensions 2, 3
extend from surface of the flange 5 and define a slot for bandage
insertion. The slot 1 is flared for ease of bandage insertion and
retention. The extensions 2,3 are prongs that may be capable of
retaining a bandage between them such as an Ace bandage. The ends
of the extensions 2,3, are flared and deflect inwardly when the
bandage is wrapped under the pressure exerted by the bandage.
[0013] Ribs 4 may be provided on the extensions 2, 3, to stiffen
all or a portion of the extensions 2,3. In another example, (not
shown) the material of the extensions 2, 3 is selected with a
stiffness such that no stiffeners or ribs are needed.
[0014] The flange 5 features a coupling member extending from an
opposite side coupling the spindle to a drill or an electric
screwdriver or other motorized device. (not shown). For example,
the coupling member 7 may be secured in a drill chuck or coupling
socket. In one example, the coupling member 7 is made of metal and
is press fit or molded into a flange 5, which may be made of a
polymer, such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic, for
example. The shape of the coupling member 7 may be round or
hex-shaped or any other shape capable of coupling with an
electrical motor. The electric motor may be battery operated, as
power requirements are modest for producing the torque required for
bandage rewrapping.
[0015] The flange may have ribs 8. In one example, a plurality of
ribs emanate in a radial fashion from a central hub 6. The ribs 8
may be used to increase the flange stiffness, allowing thickness
and materials having less inherent stiffness to be used.
Alternatively, stiffer materials may not require ribs 8 for
stiffness.
[0016] The direction of the rotation of the flange 5 may be
reversed to suit the user's preference if the drill or other
motorized driver is reversible. The flange 5 may have a flared
outer circumference 5A, as shown in the drawings, or the flange may
be flat and unflared. If flat and unflared, then the flange 5
extends radially outward as a substantially flat disk.
Substantially flat means that each of the surfaces of the flange 5
are flat within manufacturing tolerances; however the opposite
faces of the flange 5 need not be parallel. In one example, the
flange 5 extends radially outward as a substantially flat disk, but
the material of the flange 5 is thicker at the center than at the
outer edge.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates the flared ends of the two extensions 2,3
extending from the flange 5. In one example, extensions 2,3 are
formed by polymer die injection as an integral unit with flange 5.
Optionally, the coupling member 7 may be molded into the hub 6 of
the flange 5 during the same injection process.
[0018] FIG. 3 depicts another view of a bandage wrapper. In this
view, the flaring of the extensions 2,3 is clearly illustrated. In
addition, the ends are tapered, making insertion even easier. The
slight flare in the outer circumference of the extensions 2,3 helps
to retain a bandage on the spindle during rewrapping; however, it
does not impede removal from the spindle after rewrapping is
complete. Instead, the ends are provided with adequate elastic
flexibility, allowing easy removal from the spindle. For example,
each free end of an extension 2, 3 may be provided with a flare
within a range 3-15 degrees from the direction of the remaining
portion of the extensions 2, 3. Thus, under normal operational
tensioning of a hand-held battery operated driver, the extensions
2, 3 flex inwardly.
[0019] Alternative combinations and variations of the examples
provided will become apparent based on this disclosure. It is not
possible to provide specific examples for all of the many possible
combinations and variations of the embodiments described, but such
combinations and variations may be claims that eventually
issue.
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