U.S. patent application number 14/415580 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-25 for dual purpose towel and method of manufacture of the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to GREENE IP HOLDINGS LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is GREENE IP HOLDINGS, LLC. Invention is credited to Matthew Greene.
Application Number | 20150173580 14/415580 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49949237 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150173580 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Greene; Matthew |
June 25, 2015 |
DUAL PURPOSE TOWEL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE OF THE SAME
Abstract
In its broadest articulation, the present invention is an
article of manufacture conceived for the purpose of solving the
long-standing problem that traditional towels comprised solely of
terry cloth or the like, while generally effective for the purpose
of moisture absorption and drying a wet surface, are generally
ill-suited for the task of removing loose grains of sand, dirt and
grime from a surface. The present invention solves the above cited
problem by utilizing a duality of surface composition, the
inventive towel having a first side comprised of a terry cloth or
like composition, well-suited for moisture absorption and drying a
wet surface and a second side comprised of a polyester and
polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric, a composition
determined by the inventor to offer superior utility in the removal
of loose grains of sand, dirt and grime from a surface.
Inventors: |
Greene; Matthew; (Hampstead,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GREENE IP HOLDINGS, LLC |
HAMPSTEAD |
NC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GREENE IP HOLDINGS LLC
HAMPSTEAD
NC
|
Family ID: |
49949237 |
Appl. No.: |
14/415580 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
July 18, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US13/50966 |
371 Date: |
January 17, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61673152 |
Jul 18, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/209.1 ;
493/393 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/02 20130101;
B32B 2262/062 20130101; B32B 2262/14 20130101; A47L 13/16 20130101;
B32B 2262/0276 20130101; B32B 5/26 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 13/16 20060101
A47L013/16; A47K 10/02 20060101 A47K010/02 |
Claims
1: (canceled)
2: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface, the apparatus comprising a first terry
cloth fabric surface; a second composite fabric surface comprising
polyester and any polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric;
and means whereby the two surfaces are bonded together in such way
as to be permanently affixed to one another by bonding at a
plurality of points where the reverse sides of the two fabric
surfaces are in contact.
3: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 2 wherein the means
by which the two surfaces are bonded together is selected from a
class of one or more of the following means: a permanent
stitch-free fabric adhesive applied between the reverse sides of
the two fabric surfaces, serging of one of the fabric surfaces to
the other at their respective borders, and stitching of the two
fabric surfaces to one another.
4: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 2 wherein the means
whereby the two surfaces are bonded together is via serging of one
of the fabric surfaces to the other at their respective
borders.
5: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 2 wherein the second
composite fabric surface comprises polyester and a
polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric selected from the
following class: spandex, lycra, or elastane.
6: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 5 wherein the means
by which the two surfaces are bonded together is selected from a
class of one or more of the following means: a permanent
stitch-free fabric adhesive applied between the reverse sides of
the two fabric surfaces, serging of one of the fabric surfaces to
the other at their respective borders, and stitching of the two
fabric surfaces to one another.
7: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 5 wherein the means
whereby the two surfaces are bonded together is via serging of one
of the fabric surfaces to the other at their respective
borders.
8: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 5 wherein the means
whereby the two surfaces are bonded together is via a permanent
stitch-free fabric adhesive applied between the reverse sides of
the two fabric surfaces.
9: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 5 wherein the means
whereby the two surfaces are bonded together is via stitching of
the two fabric surfaces to one another.
10: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 2 wherein the means
whereby the two surfaces are bonded together is via a permanent
stitch-free fabric adhesive applied between the reverse sides of
the two fabric surfaces.
11: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 2 wherein the means
whereby the two surfaces are bonded together is via stitching of
the two fabric surfaces to one another.
12: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface, the apparatus comprising a first terry
cloth fabric surface; a second polyurethane-polyurea copolymer
composite fabric surface; and means whereby the two surfaces are
bonded together in such way as to be permanently affixed to one
another by bonding at a plurality of points where the reverse sides
of the two fabric surfaces are in contact.
13: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 12 wherein the
second polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric surface is
selected from the following class: spandex, lycra, or elastane.
14: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 13 wherein the means
by which the two surfaces are bonded together is selected from a
class of one or more of the following means: a permanent
stitch-free fabric adhesive applied between the reverse sides of
the two fabric surfaces, serging of one of the fabric surfaces to
the other at their respective borders, and stitching of the two
fabric surfaces to one another.
15: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 2 wherein the two
surfaces are identical in shape and size.
16: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 13 wherein the means
whereby the two surfaces are bonded together is via serging of one
of the fabric surfaces to the other at their respective
borders.
17: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 13 wherein the means
whereby the two surfaces are bonded together is via a permanent
stitch-free fabric adhesive applied between the reverse sides of
the two fabric surfaces.
18: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 2 wherein the two
surfaces are bonded together such that the first terry cloth fabric
surface and the second composite fabric surface comprising
polyester and any polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric
each form an opposing face of the resulting towel.
19: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 12 wherein the two
surfaces are bonded together such that the first terry cloth fabric
surface and the second polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite
fabric surface each form an opposing face of the resulting
towel.
20: A towel apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and
the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface as described in claim 2 wherein the second
composite fabric surface comprises polyester and a
polyurethane-polyurea copolymer, the composition being at least 50%
polyester and at most 50% polyurethane-polyurea copolymer.
21: (canceled)
22: (canceled)
23: (canceled)
24: (canceled)
25: (canceled)
26: (canceled)
27: (canceled)
28: (canceled)
29: (canceled)
30: A method of manufacturing a towel apparatus for the effective
absorption of moisture and the effective removal of grains of sand
and dirt and foreign particles from a surface, the method
comprising affixing a first terry cloth fabric surface; to a second
composite fabric surface comprising polyester and any
polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric; and permanently
bonding the first terry cloth fabric surface to the second
composite fabric surface comprising polyester and any
polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric.
31: The method of claim 30 wherein the first terry cloth fabric
surface is entirely comprised of cotton and the second composite
fabric surface comprising polyester and a polyurethane-polyurea
copolymer composite fabric is a polyester and lycra composite
fabric.
32: The method of claim 31 further comprising the step of serging
the first terry cloth fabric component to the polyester and lycra
composite fabric component via serging of one of the fabric
surfaces to the other at their respective borders.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/673,152 filed Jul. 18, 2012. The
content of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/673,152 is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. This application
further claims the benefit of priority to PCT Application No.
PCT/US13/50966. The content of PCT Application No. PCT/US13/50966
is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not Applicable.
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0004] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] (a) Field of the Invention
[0006] The present invention is in the technical field of towels,
rags, and like devices utilized to dry and/or clean surfaces. More
particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of
towels utilized to dry and/or clean a human body.
[0007] (b) Background Art
[0008] Traditional terry cloth towels are adept at absorbing
liquids and, therefore, are very useful in the drying of varying
wet surfaces. In contrast, it is well-known that synthetic fabric
cloths, particularly polyester-based synthetic fabric cloths, excel
in the gentle removal of dust, dirt and grime from the sensitive
surfaces of modern day electronics, including computer and cellular
telephone screens. As well-settled as the relative merits of terry
cloth and synthetic cloth are, it is equally well-settled that
terry cloth is not particularly useful in the gentle removal of
dust, dirt and grime from a surface and it is equally well-settled
that not many synthetic cloths are particularly useful in the
drying of a wet surface.
[0009] Despite that traditional terry cloth towels, most often
woven of cotton, exhibit the aforementioned limitations, they still
enjoy great popularity as the towel of choice for leisurely
excursions to the beach or pool. In the beach context, a user is
present in a circumstance wherein the user may, in series, require
a device capable of drying the user's body upon exiting the ocean,
and then seconds later require a device that is capable of removing
beach sand from the user's skin, face or eyes. The cotton terry
cloth towel performs well in the first task but falters mightily in
the second--the piles found on the surface of a standard cotton
terry cloth towel simply do not entrap and remove grains of sand
for the surface of the skin, face or eyes. Meanwhile, a synthetic
fabric, polyester-based towel exhibits a far superior ability to
remove the individual grains of sand from a multitude of surfaces
including the skin, face and eyes of a user without concern.
However, again, the polyester-based cloth is next to useless for
drying the user's body in the beach context.
[0010] Although the aforementioned beach scenario is merely
illustrative, the inventor is unaware of any cloth or towel in
existence today that is designed to address both moisture
absorption and particle removal needs. Accordingly, the inventor
has identified a substantial need for a cloth or towel apparatus
that serves both of these needs and does so in the form of a device
that is affordable to manufacture and easy to utilize.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention is a towel apparatus for the effective
absorption of moisture and the effective removal of grains of sand
and dirt and foreign particles from a surface. More particularly,
the present invention is a towel apparatus for the effective
absorption of moisture and the effective removal of grains of sand
and dirt and foreign particles from a surface believed by the
inventor to have particularized utility as a beach or bath towel
suited for the common tasks of drying the body of a user or
removing grains of sand and dirt and foreign particles from the
body of a user.
[0012] In its broadest articulation, the present invention is an
article of manufacture conceived for the purpose of solving the
long-standing problem that traditional towels comprised solely of
terry cloth or the like, while generally effective for the purpose
of moisture absorption and drying a wet surface, are generally
ill-suited for the task of removing loose grains of sand, dirt and
grime from a surface. The present invention solves the above cited
problem by utilizing a duality of surface composition, the
inventive towel having a first side comprised of a terry cloth or
like composition, well-suited for moisture absorption and drying a
wet surface and a second side comprised of a composite fabric
featuring polyester and a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite
fabric such as lycra, spandex or elastane, a composition determined
by the inventor to offer superior utility in the removal of loose
grains of sand, dirt and grime from a surface.
[0013] The present invention may be succinctly stated as a towel
apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and the
effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign particles
from a surface, the apparatus comprising a first terry cloth
surface and a second composite fabric featuring polyester and a
polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric surface.
Alternative embodiments of the invention include variations on this
basic statement of the invention, as described herein.
[0014] In alternative embodiment, the present invention is a towel
apparatus for the effective absorption of moisture and the
effective removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign particles
from a surface, the apparatus comprising a first terry cloth
surface, a second composite fabric featuring polyester and a
polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric surface, and means
whereby the two surfaces are permanently bonded together. With
still more specificity and still in alternative embodiment, the
present invention is a towel apparatus for the effective absorption
of moisture and the effective removal of grains of sand and dirt
and foreign particles from a surface, the apparatus comprising a
first terry cloth surface, a second composite fabric featuring
polyester and a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric
surface, and a permanent stitch-free fabric adhesive means whereby
the two surfaces are bonded together. In this embodiment, the
inventor anticipates that the borders of the two surfaces may be
further serged to provide for an orderly and attractive border for
the resulting towel apparatus.
[0015] The inventor believes the permanent affixation of the first
terry cloth surface to the second composite fabric surface to be
particularly noteworthy due to shortcomings observed in the prior
art when affixation of differing fabric surfaces to one another is
not permanent. Namely, U.S. Patent Application Publication
#2004/0197523 to Doty ("Doty") provides for a dual-sided golf towel
comprising a golf towel fabric side and a rain-proof fabric side
detachably affixed to one another. Per Doty, the ability of the
dual surfaces of the towel to be detached from one another allows
for ease of cleaning the apparatus. The present inventor believes
otherwise. Doty further contemplates that the dual surfaces will be
detachably affixed to one another via attachment means located
about the shared border of the dual surfaces, the attachment means
contemplated being limited to the group of Velcro, zipping means,
snap closure means, button means, or "other equivalent means". The
present inventor believes this means of attachment to be unwise for
a variety of reasons.
[0016] The advantages in having the two differing fabric surfaces
affixed to one another in a permanent way are many. By way of
example and without limitation, it is contemplated that the
permanent affixation of one fabric surface to the other (i)
obviates concern over having to always maintain the pair of fabrics
together or the loss of the inventive Doty towel occasioned by the
loss of one of the surface components; (ii) makes for a more
durable article of manufacture that may be washed or laundered
without need for separating its component parts or worry of the
destruction of the article; (iii) allows for the easy folding and
or rolling of the inventive towel for storage purposes, as opposed
to the Doty context in which the surface components are affixed to
one another only about their perimeter and, therefore, maintain a
structurally limp air pocket as between the surface components
inhibiting the orderly folding, rolling or stowing of the inventive
article; (iv) forms an inventive towel more suited for embroidery,
as the embroidery stitching will not defeat the Doty-proposed
detachment of the component surfaces; and (v) avoids the
aforementioned structurally limp air pocket, thereby resulting in a
flatter inventive towel better suited for screen-printing of
graphics on the exterior surfaces. Based upon the above reasons and
others that will be clear to those skilled in the art, the inventor
believe the now disclosed invention to be superior to the Doty
disclosure in that an easy-to-clean, easy-to-fold, easy-to-store
inventive towel that is well-suited for decoration or adornment by
way of embroidery or screenprinting has clear advantages over the
Doty inventive golf towel.
[0017] It is an objective of the herein disclosed inventive towel
apparatus to provide a towel that is soft to the skin of a user and
that can be used to dry off quickly. It is a further objective of
the herein disclosed inventive towel apparatus to provide a towel
that can just as readily be utilized in the removal of loose grains
of sand, dirt and grime from delicate and sensitive surfaces such
as the eyes and face of a user without leaving behind lint and
particles of fabric in the process.
[0018] It is a still further objective of the herein disclosed
inventive towel apparatus to provide a towel that not only readily
captures loose grains of sand, dirt and grime from a surface, but
that also clearly showcases captured loose grains of sand, dirt and
grime, thus providing indices that the towel has been effective in
the removal of the same. Specifically, the inventor has determined
that the polyester fabric surface of the inventive towel is not
only very effective in capturing sand, dirt and grime, but also
makes captured sand, dirt and grime very easy to see on the face of
the polyester material--this tendency helps a person know for sure
that the towel is effective in use.
[0019] It is still a further objective of the herein disclosed
inventive towel apparatus to provide a towel that may be effective
at cleaning delicate and sensitive surfaces that may not be
associated with the body of a user. Specifically, the inventor
believes the polyester components of the towel to have
particularized utility in the cleaning of computer monitors, laptop
screens, television screens, cellular telephone screens, and
eyeglasses among other things.
[0020] It is still a further objective of the herein disclosed
inventive towel apparatus to provide a towel that has superior
properties in cleaning and caring for a baby, infant, or toddler.
It is well known that babies, infants and toddlers have
propensities to create messes wherever they are present and spend
any appreciable amount of time. Further, it is well known that the
skin or babies and infants is extremely delicate and sensitive and,
therefore, demands the utmost care and gentleness in cleaning and
drying the same. The present towel invention provides, in the
polyester and a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric
surface, a gentle surface for use to clean the skin and delicate
features of a baby or infant and, in the terry cloth surface, a
gentle surface to dry the skin and delicate features of a baby or
infant.
[0021] It is still a further objective of the herein disclosed
inventive towel to provide an article of manufacture that may be
readily utilized for promotional or advocacy purposes as occasioned
by the tendency of the polyester fabric surface to exhibit superior
ability in the accepting and display of screen-printed graphics,
logos, words, slogans and other visual components. In this sense,
the now proposed inventive towel may be commercialized as a
promotional item advertising a particular business through graphic
material imprinted upon the polyester and a polyurethane-polyurea
copolymer composite fabric surface and/or may itself be marketed
and sold as based upon a particular design, brand, logo, or sports
team printed upon the polyester and a polyurethane-polyurea
copolymer composite fabric surface.
[0022] It is still a further objective of the herein disclosed
inventive towel to provide a towel that does not require a tag to
be integrated within its construction. Specifically, as noted
above, the polyester and a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer
composite fabric surface exhibits a superior ability to accept and
display screen-printing and, therefore, the inventor contemplates a
"tag-less" towel in which the information typically reserved for
the towel tag may be screen-printed directly upon the polyester and
a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0023] FIG. 1 is a blown-apart view of the contemplated best mode
of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a second blown-apart view of the contemplated best
mode of the present invention, this view specifically demonstrating
the relationships of the structural components;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first side of the
contemplated best mode of the present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second side of the
contemplated best mode of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1
there is shown the individualized components contemplated to
comprise the best mode of the now disclosed inventive towel
apparatus. Specifically, there is shown a cotton terry cloth
component 10 having a plurality of piles 11 as one might expect to
find in a typical terry cloth 10 construction. There is further
depicted a polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13 and a
stitch-free fabric adhesive component 12. While not particularly
important to the view depicted in FIG. 1, there is shown a terry
cloth border 14 that forms at the edge of the cotton terry cloth
component 10 and there is shown a polyester/polyurethane-polyurea
copolymer composite fabric border 15 that forms at the edge of the
polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13. The identification
of the terry cloth border 14 and the
polyester/polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric border
15 is intended to engender a more complete understanding of the
interplay of the cotton terry cloth component 10 and the
polyester-based fabric component 13 when the two components are
adjoined as illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4.
[0028] In more detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1,
the best mode as shown demonstrates the cotton terry cloth
component 10 being oriented in such way that its piles 11 face
outwardly when affixed to the polyester-lycra composite fabric
component 13 by means of the stitch-free fabric adhesive component
12. In this sense, the essence of the invention becomes clear--a
unitary towel apparatus comprising a first cotton terry cloth 10
surface and a second polyester-lycra composite fabric 13
surface.
[0029] In further detail, still referring to the invention of FIG.
1, the contemplated best mode is shown in blown-apart view so that
the comparative attributes of the individual components of the
invention may be appreciated. Specifically, it should be noted that
the dimensions, shape and size of the cotton terry cloth component
10 are contemplated to be equivalent to the dimensions, shape and
size of the polyester-lycra composite fabric component 12 such that
the two components, when aligned and affixed to one another using
the stitch-free fabric adhesive 12, form a single towel having the
dimensions, shape and relative size attributes of the cotton terry
cloth component 10 and the polyester-lycra composite fabric
component 13. Notwithstanding the above statement of the dimensions
of the surface components relative to one another, it is expressly
contemplated that a cotton terry cloth component 10 bonded to a
polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13 of precisely
equivalent dimensions by means of a stitch-free fabric adhesive 12
will result in a relatively unattractive "sandwich" appearance when
the resultant towel is viewed along the confluence of the terry
cloth border 14 and the polyester/polyurethane-polyurea copolymer
composite fabric border 15. For this reason, it is expressly
contemplated that the cotton terry cloth component 10 and the
polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13 should be
proportional equivalents, with one being of slightly larger
dimension than the other to allow the overlapping and serging of
the terry cloth border 14 and the polyester/polyurethane-polyurea
copolymer composite fabric border 15 to provide for a more orderly
and attractive appearance to the resultant towel.
[0030] The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG. 1
are that the best mode of the now disclosed invention, as shown, is
to be constructed from a cotton terry cloth component 10, a
polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13, and a stitch-free
fabric adhesive component 12. Notwithstanding these preferences,
the inventor recognizes that numerous variations of this
composition do, in fact, exist. For instance, it is well known in
the industry that cloths and towels utilizing a terry cloth
construction have superior moisture absorption properties
occasioned by the added absorbent surface area contained with the
piles of the terry cloth construction. Further, with regard to
terry cloth construction, the most common material utilized is
cotton, though it is well-known in the industry that terry cloth
may contain polyester as well. The effectiveness of a terry cloth
construction in terms of moisture absorption is directly
proportional to the percentage composition of the terry cloth that
is cotton--more cotton begets more effective moisture absorption.
Accordingly, while the disclosed best mode of the present invention
does contemplate that the terry cloth component 10 will be
comprised of 100% cotton, the inventor expressly acknowledges that
any cotton composite terry cloth may be utilized as well, including
but not limited to cotton composites featuring polyester.
[0031] Likewise and referring still to the best mode as depicted in
FIG. 1, as with variations available with regard to the cotton
terry cloth component 10, the polyester composite fabric component
13 is capable of numerous compositions, other than a
polyester-lycra composite as depicted in the best mode, that may be
effective in the removal of grains of sand and dirt and foreign
particles from a surface. It is specifically contemplated that the
polyester composite fabric component 13 may be comprised of any
polyester composite material, including without limitation the
preferred composite of polyester and lycra deemed to be
particularly effective in the removal of loose grains of sand, dirt
and grime.
[0032] Further and still referring to the best mode as depicted in
FIG. 1, the spirit of the invention lies in the construction of the
towel apparatus such that alternative cotton terry cloth component
10 and polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13 are
unobstructed and available for ready and interchangeable
utilization by a person. As depicted in FIG. 1, the perceived best
mode contemplates that the alternative cotton terry cloth component
10 and the polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13 be on
opposing sides of the towel attached back-to-back by the
stitch-free fabric adhesive 12 rather than being attached along a
seam comprising the terry cloth border 14 and the
polyester/polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric border
15 and thereby being configured on the same side of the towel.
Despite this preference that the alternative cotton terry cloth
component 10 and the polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13
be on opposing sides of the towel, the inventor acknowledges that
any configuration of the surfaces may serve the intended purpose as
long as a user has access to the alternative cotton terry cloth
component 10 and the polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13
to provide alternating and interchangeable moisture absorbing and
sand/dirt removal functionalities, respectively.
[0033] Still further and still referring to the best mode as
depicted in FIG. 1, means whereby the cotton terry cloth component
10 is affixed to the polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13
may be by any means that has the end result of a structurally sound
towel having a first side comprising the cotton terry cloth
component 10 and a second side comprising the polyester-lycra
composite fabric component 13. Accordingly, the inventor expressly
acknowledges that alternative adhesives exist to the stitch-free
fabric adhesive 12 proposed in the best mode including, without
limitation varying glues, hook and loop systems such as
Velcro.RTM., and bonding of the cotton terry cloth component 10 to
the polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13 by way of actual
stitching. Further, in recognition that the spirit of the invention
is dependent upon the alternative and interchangeable first side
comprising the cotton terry cloth component 10 and second side
comprising the polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13, it is
expressly contemplated, though not claimed in this disclosure, that
a functionally equivalent towel apparatus may be achieved through
varying methods of weaving cotton and polyester or a polyester
composite so as to have the final result of a towel having a cotton
terry cloth side and alternative polyester or polyester composite
side.
[0034] Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 2
there is shown a second blown-apart view of the contemplated best
mode of the invention, this view demonstrating the individual
components of the invention in contact and demonstrating the
folding patterns likely to be utilized in serging the borders of
the towel apparatus. Specifically there is shown the cotton terry
cloth component 10 bonded to the polyester-lycra composite fabric
component 13 via the stitch-free fabric adhesive means 12. As
demonstrated, the cotton terry cloth component 10 and the
polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13 are bonded in such
way that the piles 11 of the cotton terry cloth component 10 face
outwardly from one side of the towel apparatus and the
polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13, though equivalent in
shape and proportion of dimensions, is an order of magnitude larger
than the cotton terry cloth component 10, thus allowing for the
overlapping and serging of the two components to yield a
structurally sound and aesthetically pleasing resultant towel
apparatus. Specifically, the terry cloth border 14 about the edge
of the cotton terry cloth component 10 is folded upon itself at a
folding point 17. Similarly, the polyester/polyurethane-polyurea
copolymer composite fabric border 15 about the edge of the
polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13 is folded upon itself
at a folding point 16 and, in fact, overlaps the folding point 17
of the cotton terry cloth component 10. Though not depicted in FIG.
2, it is contemplated that the terry cloth border 14 and the
polyester/polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric border
15 will both be pinned to the piles 11 in the face of the cotton
terry cloth component 10 via stitching and, as such, will be serged
providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the edges of the
towel apparatus. As can be deduced from the illustration of FIG. 2,
upon serging of the terry cloth border 14 and the
polyester/polyurethane-polyurea copolymer composite fabric border
15, the folding point 16 of the polyester-lycra composite fabric
component 13 becomes the border of the towel apparatus and the
stitch-free fabric adhesive 12 is completely enveloped within the
interior of the towel apparatus.
[0035] Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 3
there is shown an overhead perspective view of one side of the
contemplated best mode of the invention, this view demonstrating
the appearance of the finished towel apparatus when viewing the
apparatus head-on from the cotton terry cloth side of the
apparatus. Specifically, there is shown the cotton terry cloth
component 10 having a stitch seam 18 about its perimeter, the
stitch seam 18 occurring along the polyester/polyurethane-polyurea
copolymer composite fabric border 15 that has been folded over the
edges of the cotton terry cloth component 10 at the polyester-lycra
composite fabric component 13 folding point 16, thus serging the
edges of the resulting towel apparatus.
[0036] Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 4
there is shown an overhead perspective view of one side of the
contemplated best mode of the invention, this view demonstrating
the appearance of the finished towel apparatus when viewing the
apparatus head-on from the polyester-lycra composite fabric side of
the apparatus. Specifically, there is shown the polyester-lycra
composite fabric component 13 having the stitch-seam 18 also
present in the cotton terry cloth component 10 of the towel
apparatus, said stitch-seam 18 being occasioned by the serging of
the polyester-lycra composite fabric component 13 and the cotton
terry cloth component 10, thus creating a border for the towel
apparatus comprised of the folding point 16 of the polyester-lycra
composite fabric component.
[0037] Reference throughout the specification to features,
advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the
features and advantages that may be realized with the present
invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the
invention. Rather, language referring to the features and
advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,
advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and
similar language, throughout the specification may, but do not
necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
[0038] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or
more of the specific features or advantages of a particular
embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages
may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in
all embodiments of the invention.
[0039] It is understood that the above described embodiments are
only illustrative of the application of the principles of the
present invention. The present invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiment, including the best mode,
is to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not
restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by
the appended claims, if any, in conjunction with the foregoing
description.
[0040] While the foregoing written description of the invention
enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered
presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will
understand and appreciate the existence of variations,
combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method,
and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited
by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all
embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the
invention.
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