U.S. patent application number 13/101140 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-25 for medicated sleeve.
This patent application is currently assigned to UNITED EXCHANGE CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Dong Hwan Choi, Eugene Choi, Mun Seok Han.
Application Number | 20110208137 13/101140 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40298045 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110208137 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Choi; Eugene ; et
al. |
August 25, 2011 |
MEDICATED SLEEVE
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention provide a stretchable sleeve having
a medicinal section that can be loaded with a medicinal composition
and a perforated section comprising a plurality of openings,
wherein the medicinal section and the perforated section overlap,
and wherein the sleeve is sized so that the interior surface of the
medicinal section comfortably fits a body portion and the medicinal
section contacts the body portion at the site of pain. Embodiments
of the invention also provide methods for preparing a sleeve by
applying a medicinal composition to the inner surface of the
medicinal section through the openings at the perforated section.
Embodiments of the invention also provide methods for relieving
pain in a body portion by pulling the sleeve in an outside-out
configuration straight up a body portion without having to roll and
flip its exterior surface outside.
Inventors: |
Choi; Eugene; (Irvine,
CA) ; Choi; Dong Hwan; (Suwon, KR) ; Han; Mun
Seok; (Suwon, KR) |
Assignee: |
UNITED EXCHANGE CORPORATION
Cerritos
CA
|
Family ID: |
40298045 |
Appl. No.: |
13/101140 |
Filed: |
May 5, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12317568 |
Dec 27, 2008 |
7959616 |
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13101140 |
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11525632 |
Sep 22, 2006 |
7485111 |
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12317568 |
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60811165 |
Jun 5, 2006 |
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60845710 |
Sep 19, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/290 ;
427/2.31; 604/308 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 156/10 20150115;
A61F 13/00063 20130101; A61F 2013/00093 20130101; D04B 1/104
20130101; A61F 2013/00097 20130101; A61F 2013/00153 20130101; A61K
9/0014 20130101; A61F 2013/0091 20130101; A61F 13/00059 20130101;
A61F 2013/00285 20130101; A61K 9/70 20130101; A61F 2013/00119
20130101; A61F 13/101 20130101; A61P 19/00 20180101; D10B 2509/028
20130101; A61F 13/107 20130101; A61F 2013/00914 20130101; A61M
35/10 20190501; A61F 2013/00906 20130101; A61F 2013/00919 20130101;
A61F 13/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/290 ;
604/308; 427/2.31 |
International
Class: |
A61M 35/00 20060101
A61M035/00; A61F 13/00 20060101 A61F013/00 |
Claims
1. A stretchable sleeve having a first open end and a second open
end, wherein the two open ends are interconnected by a passage
surrounded by an interior surface of the sleeve, the sleeve
comprising: (a) a medicinal section adapted to be loaded with a
medicinal composition; and (b) a perforated section comprising a
plurality of openings, wherein the medicinal section and the
perforated section overlap, and wherein the passage of the sleeve
is sized so that the interior surface of the sleeve contacts a body
portion when it is inserted into the passage of the sleeve through
the open ends.
2. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is made of a knitted
fabric.
3. The sleeve of claim 2, wherein the medicinal section comprises a
reinforcing material having a low moisture absorbing property.
4. The sleeve of claim 3, wherein the reinforcing material is made
of terylene fibers.
5. The sleeve of claim 2, wherein the medicinal section is loaded
with the medicinal composition comprising an analgesic as an active
ingredient.
6. The sleeve of claim 5, wherein the active ingredient is a
menthol.
7. The sleeve of claim 6, wherein the perforated section is in the
form of a mesh.
8. The sleeve of claim 2, wherein the perforated section is an
integral part of the knitted fabric that is more loosely knitted
than the rest of the sleeve.
9. The sleeve of claim 1, wherein the medicinal section and the
perforated section of the sleeve are about the same size and
wherein the medicinal section is positioned on the
circumferentially opposite side of the perforated section in the
sleeve.
10. The sleeve of claim 2, wherein the sleeve comprises a resilient
band around at least one open end of the sleeve to assist securing
the sleeve around the body portion.
11. The sleeve of claim 2, wherein the sleeve has a compression
level between about 5 mmHg to about 15 mmHg.
12. A method of preparing a stretchable sleeve, the method
comprising: (a) providing the sleeve in an outside-out
configuration, the sleeve having a first open end and a second open
end, wherein the two open ends are interconnected by a passage
surrounded by an interior surface of the sleeve, the sleeve
comprising: (i) a medicinal section adapted to be loaded with a
medicinal composition; and (ii) a perforated section comprising a
plurality of openings, wherein the medicinal section and the
perforated section overlap, and wherein the passage of the sleeve
is sized so that the interior surface of the sleeve contacts a body
portion when it is inserted into the passage of the sleeve through
the open ends; (b) applying the medicinal composition to the
interior surface of the sleeve at the medicinal section through the
openings at the perforated section of the sleeve.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the sleeve is made of a knitted
fabric wherein the perforated section is an integral part of the
knitted fabric that is more loosely knitted than the rest of the
sleeve.
14. The method of claim 13, the method further comprising
incorporating low moisture absorbing secondary fibers in the
medicinal section.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the medicinal composition
comprises menthol as an active ingredient.
16. The method of claim 12, the method further comprising folding
the sleeve on a plastic support and enclosing the sleeve in a
pouch.
17. A method of relieving pain in a body portion, the method
comprising: (a) pulling a stretchable sleeve in an outside-out
configuration straight up the body portion, the sleeve having a
first open end and a second open end, wherein the two open ends are
interconnected by a passage surrounded by an interior surface of
the sleeve, the sleeve comprising: a medicinal section loaded with
a medicinal composition; and a perforated section comprising a
plurality of openings, wherein the medicinal section and the
perforated section overlap; and (b) contacting the medicinal
section of the sleeve at a site of pain in the body portion.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the body portion includes a
joint.
19. The method of claim 17, the medicinal composition comprises an
analgesic as an active ingredient.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the active ingredient is a
menthol.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from and is a Continuation
application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/317,568 filed on
Dec. 27, 2008, which is a Continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/525,632 filed on Sep. 22, 2006, which is
now U.S. Pat. No. 7,485,111. This application claims the benefit
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No.
60/811,165 filed on Jun. 5, 2006, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims the
benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/834,710 filed on Aug. 1, 2006, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various devices for applying medication through the skin are
known in the art and are also commercially available. For example,
minor muscle pains and arthritic pains can be relieved by applying
patches containing topical analgesics (e.g., Tiger Balm patch,
Bengay patch, and Icyhot.RTM. patch). When the site of pain is at
or near a joint, the Icyhot.RTM. medicated sleeve manufactured by
Chattem Inc. is particularly useful. This product is in the shape
of a cylindrical sleeve made of a knitted fabric and has a region
in the middle of the sleeve containing a menthol composition.
Unlike medicated patches, sleeves provide extra flexibility and
comfort when worn around joint areas.
[0003] While the Icyhot.RTM. medicated sleeve is a good product, it
is somewhat complicated to manufacture and cumbersome to use. For
example, these sleeves are manufactured and packaged in an
inside-out configuration such that when a consumer opens a pouch,
the inner surface of the sleeve is facing outward and is visible to
the consumer. It appears that this inside-out configuration of the
sleeve allows the manufacturer to apply a medicinal composition to
the inner surface of the sleeve, which surface is intended to
contact the skin. Then, on the pouch, the manufacturer provides
illustrated directions for a consumer to initially pull up a sleeve
in an inside-out configuration onto a leg or an arm, then roll and
flip the sleeve into an outside-out configuration and contact the
medicated area at the site of pain. This manufacturing process and
directions for use for the Icyhot.RTM. medicated sleeve are
complicated and cumbersome. Moreover, consumers may not even follow
illustrated directions on the pouch and may pull the sleeve up
straight in an inside-out configuration, thereby not receiving the
full dose of a medication as intended by the manufacturer.
[0004] Therefore, there is a clear need in the art to overcome the
above noted problems. Embodiments of the present invention provide
solutions to these problems and meet other needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a medicated sleeve that is
unique in design and function. The present sleeve can be pulled up
straight, out of a pouch, without requiring a consumer to roll and
flip its exterior surface outside. More specifically, the present
invention relates to a stretchable sleeve having a first open end
and a second open end, wherein the two open ends are interconnected
by a passage surrounded by an interior surface of the sleeve, the
sleeve comprising: (a) a medicinal section adapted to be loaded
with a medicinal composition; and (b) a perforated section
comprising a plurality of openings, wherein the medicinal section
and the perforated section overlap, and wherein the passage of the
sleeve is sized so that the interior surface of the sleeve contacts
a body portion when the body portion is inserted into the passage
of the sleeve through the open ends. Since the stretchable sleeves
of the present invention are flexible and breathable, they are
especially comfortable when worn around the joint areas as well as
other areas of the body.
[0006] The present invention also relates to methods of preparing a
sleeve of the invention by providing a sleeve in an outside-out
configuration, applying a medicinal composition at the interior
surface of the medicinal section through the openings at the
perforated section of the sleeve, and packaging the sleeve in an
outside-out configuration in a pouch.
[0007] The present invention further relates to a method of
relieving pain in a body portion by pulling a sleeve of the present
invention in an outside-out configuration straight up the body
portion without having to roll and flip its exterior surface
outside.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1a is a top plan view of a sleeve according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 1b is a side plan view of the sleeve shown in FIG.
1a.
[0010] FIG. 1c is another side plan view of the sleeve shown in
FIG. 1a, showing the opposite side of FIG. 1b.
[0011] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a process of applying a sleeve around
an elbow.
[0012] FIG. 3a shows a sleeve with a line which can be cut to
insert a thumb or a big toe.
[0013] FIG. 3b shows a sleeve which has been cut to create a thumb
hole so that it can be applied around a wrist.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention provides a stretchable sleeve with
unique features so that a sleeve need not be flipped inside out for
a manufacturer to dose a medicinal composition to the interior
surface of the sleeve. The present sleeves are manufactured and
packaged in an outside-out configuration so that when a consumer
opens a pouch, an outside or exterior surface of the sleeve is
visible to the consumer. Therefore, a consumer can pull the present
sleeve straight up, like a sock, out of a pouch and need not roll
and flip the sleeve into an outside-out configuration as in the
prior art. Manufacturing and packaging a sleeve in a correct
configuration reduce a chance that a consumer may pull up the
sleeve in a wrong configuration, thereby increasing the likelihood
that a consumer will receive a maximum dose of a medicinal
composition as intended by the manufacturer.
[0015] Generally, embodiments of the invention provide a sleeve
comprising a medicinal section that is adapted to be loaded with a
medicinal composition and a perforated section comprising a
plurality of openings. In embodiments of the invention, the
perforated section and the medicinal section are positioned in a
sleeve so that at least portions of the two sections overlap. The
term "overlap" can include a situation where at least a portion of
the perforated section is capable of extending over and covering a
part or all of the medicinal section, or vice versa. For example,
when the passage of the sleeve is collapsed and the sleeve is
flattened onto itself, the perforated section is capable of
overlaying on top of the medicinal section. Depending on the size
of each section, the locations of the two sections can vary. In one
embodiment, the two sections may be located adjacent to each other
in a sleeve. In another embodiment, the two sections may be located
circumferentially opposite side of each other (e.g, if one were to
look at a cross section of a sleeve that is cylindrical in shape, a
midpoint of the medicinal section is located at one end of a
diameter and a midpoint of the perforated section is located at the
other end of the diameter). In yet another embodiment, the two
sections may be adjacent to each other and also are located
circumferentially opposite side of each other when the two sections
occupy almost entire middle part of the sleeve as shown in FIGS.
1a-1c.
[0016] Because of the plurality of openings at the perforated
section, a medicinal composition can be applied (e.g., by spraying)
onto an interior surface of the medicinal section, through the
openings of the perforated section, even though a sleeve is in an
outside-out configuration. Therefore, a manufacturer need not have
a sleeve in an inside-out configuration to apply a medicinal
composition. Consequently, a consumer may open a pouch containing a
sleeve in an outside-out configuration and pull the sleeve straight
up his or her body portion, like a sock, without having to roll and
flip the sleeve into a correct configuration as in the prior
art.
[0017] Embodiments of the invention are further described by
referring to the drawings. It is noted that the drawings are merely
illustrative of embodiments of the invention and are not meant to
limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
[0018] Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1a shows a top plan view of a
stretchable sleeve 10 according to one embodiment of the invention.
The sleeve 10 is generally cylindrical or tubular in shape, and has
a first open end 12 and a second open end 13. The two ends are
interconnected by a passage 14 which is surrounded by an interior
surface 11 of the sleeve 10. The passage 14 is large enough so that
it can accommodate any suitable body portions, particularly joint
areas such as an elbow, knee, wrist or ankle. The sleeve 10 may
further comprise resilient bands 19 and 20 near open ends 12 and
13, respectively. In some embodiments, the bands 19 and 20 may be
ribbed to provide additional resilience. The resilient bands 19 and
20 act like a garter to secure the sleeve at a desired body
location and to minimize slipping of the sleeve during body
movement.
[0019] The sleeve 10 can be made of any suitable material as long
as it can be stretched to fit a body portion and has sufficient
elasticity to contact the skin (particularly at the medicinal
section 15) and to stay on the body portion. For example, it can be
an elastic polymeric material, a woven, nonwoven or knitted fabric,
or any combinations thereof. Preferably, the sleeve 10 is generally
tubular or cylindrical in shape and is made of a knitted fabric.
More preferably, the sleeve 10 is a seamless, circularly knitted
sleeve so that it does not create any undesired crease on the skin
when the sleeve is worn by a consumer for a prolonged period of
time.
[0020] In an embodiment where a sleeve is made of knitted fabric, a
variety of fibers may be used to prepare a sleeve. While the term
"fiber" is used throughout the application, the "fiber" can mean a
thread, filament or yarn as long as it can be used to knit a
sleeve. In embodiments of the invention, the use of synthetic
fibers is preferred over natural fibers, because synthetic fibers
generally possess a better tensile strength. For example, synthetic
fibers, such as polyamide, polyester or polyolefin, may be used in
making a sleeve. The sleeve may further comprise spandex or other
elastic fibers to provide additional stretchability and
resilience.
[0021] The sleeves of the present invention can be produced in
different dimensions (e.g., lengths and diameters) to accommodate
different body portions and consumers of different sizes. For
example, a sleeve designed for a knee area is generally larger in
diameter and length than a sleeve designed for an elbow area. In
general, the length of the sleeve in a relaxed state (i.e., an
unstretched state prior to inserting a body portion) may range from
about 5 cm to about to 40 cm, more preferably about 8 cm to about
30 cm, and even more preferably about 10 cm to about 25 cm. The
diameter of the sleeve in a relaxed state may range from about 2 cm
to about 15 cm, more preferably about 3 cm to about 10 cm, even
more preferably about 4 cm to about 8 cm. Suitable combinations of
different lengths or diameters for a sleeve can be readily
determined by a manufacturer.
[0022] The sleeves of the present invention can also be produced to
have different compression levels by selecting suitable materials
and dimensions for a sleeve. For example, a compression level for a
sleeve may vary from about 5 mmHg to about 60 mmHg. A sleeve having
a compression level of about 5 mmHg to about 15 mmHg provides a
light support like a regular pantyhose. A sleeve having a
compression level of about 15 mmHg to about 20 mmHg provides a
light to moderate compression, and it is useful in reducing mild
swelling and fatigue of extremities. A sleeve having a compression
level of about 20 mmHg to about 30 mmHg provides a moderate
compression and provides relief from moderate varicosities with
mild to moderate edema. A sleeve having a compression level of
about 30 mmHg to about 50 mmHg provides a firm compression and
provides relief from severe varicosities and severe edema. In a
preferred embodiment, a sleeve has a compression level of about 5
mmHg to about 15 mmHg and fits a consumer's body portion snugly and
comfortably.
[0023] In the middle part of the sleeve 10, the medicinal section
15 is located on one side, and the perforated section 16 that has a
plurality of openings 17 is located on the other side as shown in
FIG. 1a. In embodiments of the invention, the two sections 15 and
16 are positioned so that they overlap when the passage of the
sleeve is collapsed and the sleeve is flattened onto itself. As
shown in FIGS. 1a-c, the two sections are adjacent to each other
and are located on the circumferentially opposite side of the
sleeve and occupy almost entire middle part of the sleeve (e.g.,
about 40% to 60% of the surface area of the sleeve). FIG. 1b shows
a side plan view of the sleeve 10 shown in FIG. 1a, showing mostly
of the perforated section 16. FIG. 1c shows another side plan view
of the sleeve 10 shown in FIG. 1a, showing mostly the medicinal
section 15. The perforated section has a network of material 18,
such as fibers, and interspaced therein are a plurality of openings
17.
[0024] The sizes of the medicinal section 15 and the perforated
section 16 shown in FIGS. 1a-c are merely illustrative and may vary
depending on the size of a body portion to be treated. For example,
these two sections combined may occupy about 10% to about 90% of
the surface area of the sleeve 10. In another example, these two
sections may occupy about 20% to about 80% of the surface area of
the sleeve 10. In yet another example, these two sections may
occupy about 40% to 60% of the surface area of the sleeve 10. While
the sizes of the two sections can be different, in a preferred
embodiment, the size of the medicinal section 15 and the perforated
section 16 are approximately the same. The similarity in size
allows a manufacturer to apply a medicinal composition (e.g., via
spraying) to the entire interior surface of the medicinal section
through the openings at the perforated section.
[0025] In embodiments of the invention, the medicinal section 15
further comprises a reinforcing material in addition to the sleeve
material. The reinforcing material may be of any suitable material
and preferably has a low moisture absorbing property. If the
reinforcing material were highly absorbent, then it may absorb the
entire medicinal composition and may not release it to a body
portion when a sleeve is worn by a consumer. For example, the
reinforcing material may be synthetic fibers, such as polyester,
nylon or polyolefin, or a synthetic foam that have a low moisture
absorbing property. Preferably, the reinforcing material in the
medicinal section 15 is made of secondary fibers that are different
from primary fibers used to make the sleeve. In a preferred
embodiment, the secondary, reinforcing fibers are terylene fibers.
The reinforcing material may be colored differently than the rest
of the sleeve to help a consumer locate an area of the sleeve that
comprises a medicinal composition. For example, green, yellow or
red fibers may be incorporated into the medicinal section 15,
whereas the basic material for the sleeve is either white or
skin-colored.
[0026] Any suitable active ingredients may be included in a
medicinal composition in accordance with the present invention. For
example, a medicinal composition may comprise one or more
analgesics which provide pain relief. These include salicylates,
menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, spearmint oil, or a combination
thereof. In some applications, the medicinal composition can also
include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIs) such as
salicylates or acetaminophen; steroidal anti-inflammatory (SAI)
agents such as hydrocortisone; anesthetic agents such as benzocaine
or lidocaine; or rubefacient agents such as capsicum.
[0027] In a preferred embodiment, a medicinal composition comprises
menthol or its derivative as an active ingredient. An effective
concentration of an active ingredient may vary depending on the
selection of a particular active ingredient. For example, a
medicinal composition may comprise menthol at a concentration of
from about 1% to about 50%, from about 5% to about 30%, or from
about 10 to about 20%, by weight of the composition. In certain
embodiments, a medicinal composition comprises 16% menthol by
weight of the composition. A sleeve comprising an analgesic, such
as menthol, as an active ingredient is particularly useful in
alleviating minor aches and pains of muscles and joints associated
with arthritis, muscle strain, bruises and sprains.
[0028] In addition to an active ingredient, a medicinal composition
typically comprises at least one excipient such as preservatives,
antioxidants, moisturizers, emollients, buffering agents,
solubilizing agents, penetration enhancers, and skin protectants.
Ideal compositions for use as topical medicinal composition should
disperse easily onto the skin and deliver their active ingredients
in a way that allows a portion to penetrate the skin rapidly, for
prompt relief, while also maintaining an active reservoir on the
surface of the skin to provide sustained relief. Ideally, the
composition is formulated to enable neat and easy application with
a minimal chance of staining clothes. Suitable excipients in a
topical medicinal composition are well-known in the art (see, e.g.,
M. Ramchandani and R. Toddywala, "Formulation of Topical Drug
Delivery Systems" in Transdermal and Topical Drug Delivery Systems,
pp. 539-92 (T. K. Ghosh, W. R. Pfister and S. Yum, Eds. 1997),
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety).
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1a-c, the sleeve 10 has the perforated
section 16 comprising a plurality of openings 17. In one
embodiment, the openings 17 may be produced by burning a plurality
of discrete holes through the sleeve material in the perforated
section 16. In another embodiment, the perforated section 16 is
like a mesh which is integral with the rest of the sleeve 10. For
example, the perforated section 16 has a mesh or a network of
fibers 18 with evenly spaced openings 17 in a sleeve made of
knitted fabric. In a preferred embodiment, the perforated section
16 is an integral part of the knitted fabric that is more loosely
knitted than the rest of the sleeve 10. In this instance, the
openings 17 in the perforated section 16 may be produced by
changing a program for a knitting pattern in an automatic weaving
machine.
[0030] The openings 17 in the perforated section 16 can be of any
suitable shape and size as long as they are large enough to pass
droplets of a medicinal composition. For example, the openings may
be in the shape of a circle, oval, triangle, square, rectangle or
diamond. In embodiments of the invention, the perforated section 16
is in the shape of a mesh with diamond shaped openings 17. Also,
the size of openings may vary. For example, each opening may be
about 0.3 mm to 3 cm in its longest dimension (e.g., diameter) in a
relaxed state of the sleeve prior to inserting a body portion. In
embodiments of the invention, each opening may be about 1 mm to 2
cm, more preferably about 2 mm to 1 cm in diameter, in a relaxed
state of the sleeve prior to inserting a body portion through the
sleeve.
[0031] In embodiments of the invention, one or more short lines 21
of different colored fiber (e.g., black) may be incorporated near
the open ends 12 or 13 of the sleeve. These lines are designed to
guide a consumer to cut a hole in a sleeve for a thumb or a big toe
in the event that the site of pain is at a wrist or ankle. The
insertion of a thumb or a big toe into a hole in a sleeve may
assist in stabilizing the sleeve at the wrist or ankle. The areas
22 shown in FIG. 1a near the colored line 21 are reinforcement
lines around the colored line 21 to prevent further ripping when a
consumer cuts a hole at the line 21.
[0032] A stretchable sleeve of the present invention may be
prepared in many different ways, depending on the base material
that is used to make the sleeve. For example, if a sleeve is made
of an elastic polymeric material, a seamless tubular material may
be extruded from an extrusion machine. The tubular material can
then be cut into an appropriate length to produce a sleeve suitable
for enclosing a body portion. The perforated section may be
produced in a mid-section of the extruded tubular material by
burning holes (e.g., via laser), or by punching holes mechanically
(e.g., needle-punching). The medicinal section may be incorporated
using a suitable material such as foam, pads or fabric.
[0033] In a preferred embodiment, a stretchable sleeve of the
present invention is made of a knitted fabric and may be produced
using an automatic weaving machine. Various automatic weaving
machines such, as circular knitting machines, are known in the art.
Generally, weaving interlaces the weft threads (the horizontal
threads) and the warp threads (lengthwise, or perpendicular to the
weft) on a loom, while knitting intertwines fiber or thread in a
continuous series of connected needle loops on a machine. The
automatic weaving machines are usually equipped with a patterning
control device. As such, a mesh-like pattern on the perforated
section 16 can be inserted at appropriate times during the knitting
of the sleeve. The size of the holes and their shape in the
perforated section 16 may be pre-programmed. The medicinal section
15 can also be reinforced with secondary fibers at appropriate time
during the knitting of the sleeve.
[0034] Once the sleeve 10 is manufactured, a medicinal composition
can be applied onto the medicinal section of the sleeve. In one
embodiment, the sleeve (in an outside-out configuration with its
exterior surface facing outward) may be collapsed onto itself on a
flat surface with the perforated section 16 facing the top and the
medicinal section 15 facing the bottom. In this configuration, a
medicinal composition may be applied (e.g., by spraying from an
injection nozzle) from the top onto the interior surface of the
medicinal section 15 through the openings at the perforated section
16. This process allows the interior surface of the medicinal
section to have the highest concentration of a medicinal
composition, without having to flip the sleeve inside out prior to
applying a medicinal composition.
[0035] In some embodiments, subsequent to applying a medicinal
composition, the prepared sleeve may be flattened as shown in FIG.
1a, so that the interior surface of the medicinal section is flatly
collapsed against itself. Then the collapsed sleeve may be folded
in one half lengthwise. The folded sleeve may then be positioned
between a folded plastic support. The folded sleeve inside the
folded plastic support can be inserted and sealed in an air-tight
pouch to prevent evaporation of a medicinal composition.
[0036] Now turning to FIGS. 2a and 2b, a consumer can open a pouch
and pull the sleeve 10 straight up an arm (or any other body
portion), like a sock, since the sleeve is packaged in an
outside-out configuration. Then a consumer may position the
interior surface of the medicinal section 15 at a site of a body
portion where a relief of pain is desired (e.g., at an elbow).
There is no need for a consumer to roll and flip the sleeve
outside-out as in the prior art. The production and packaging of a
sleeve in an outside-out configuration also increases the
likelihood that a consumer will pull up a sleeve in a correct
configuration without reading any instructions on the packaging and
receive a full dosage of a medicinal composition.
[0037] FIG. 3a illustrates line 21 that may be cut to create a hole
to insert a thumb or big toe. As shown in FIG. 3b, after a hole is
cut in the sleeve at line 21, a thumb can be inserted into the
hole, and then a sleeve can be pulled up and securely applied
around a wrist.
Example
[0038] Using an automatic weaving machine, a sleeve was woven with
70% polyamide fiber, 20% spandex fiber and 10% colored terylene
fiber.
[0039] A medicinal composition was prepared using the following
formulation:
TABLE-US-00001 Active Ingredient Menthol [KP] 16.0% Inactive
ingredient diethylene glycol monoethyl ether [NF] 4.00% diisopropyl
adipate [KSCI] 10.00% EDTA-2Na [KP] 0.10% cabomer [NF] 0.35%
glycerin [KP] 3.00% polysorbate80 [KSCI] 2.00% ethanol [KP] 5.00%
cethyl alcohol [KP] 1.00% glyceryl stearate [KP] 0.50% aloe vera
gel [KSCI] 0.50% PEG-150 distearate [KSCI] q.s sodium hydroxide
[KSCI] q.s methyl paraben [KP] 0.15% water [KP] q.s KSCI: Korea
Standard of Cosmetic Ingredients KP: Korea Pharmacopoeia % by
weight of the composition
[0040] The above ingredients were mixed together to prepare a
medicinal composition in a lotion form. For each sleeve, 2 grams of
the medicinal composition was spread to the interior surface of the
medicinal section in the sleeve using an injector system. The
sleeve was packaged in an air-tight aluminum pouch.
[0041] It is understood that the examples and embodiments described
herein are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Various modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents
may be employed without departing from the scope of the appended
claims. Moreover, one or more features of any embodiments may be
combined with any other feature of any other embodiment in any
manner without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0042] All publications, patents and patent applications cited
herein are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes in
their entirety.
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