U.S. patent application number 15/000143 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-20 for gripping towel.
This patent application is currently assigned to POLDER PRODUCTS, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is POLDER PRODUCTS, LLC. Invention is credited to Kerry COOPER.
Application Number | 20170202429 15/000143 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59314013 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170202429 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
COOPER; Kerry |
July 20, 2017 |
GRIPPING TOWEL
Abstract
A towel includes a body formed from a first material and having
a first side and an opposed second side. A first gripping area is
disposed on at least a first portion of the first side of the body.
The gripping area includes a plurality of friction elements formed
from a second material that is different from the first
material.
Inventors: |
COOPER; Kerry;
(Pleasantville, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
POLDER PRODUCTS, LLC |
Oxford |
CT |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
POLDER PRODUCTS, LLC
Oxford
CT
|
Family ID: |
59314013 |
Appl. No.: |
15/000143 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 10/12 20130101;
B32B 1/00 20130101; A47L 19/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 25/00 20060101
A47L025/00; A47L 19/00 20060101 A47L019/00 |
Claims
1. A towel, comprising: a body formed from a first material and
having a first side and an opposed second side; and a first
gripping area disposed on at least a first portion of the first
side of the body, the gripping area including a plurality of
friction elements formed from a second material that is different
from the first material.
2. The towel of claim 1, further comprising at least one flap
coupled to the second side of the body, the at least one flap
forming at least one pocket with the body and being positioned such
that the at least one pocket is disposed behind the first gripping
area.
3. The towel of claim 2, wherein the at least one flap is formed
from the first material.
4. The towel of claim 2, wherein the at least one flap is formed
from a third material that is different from the first
material.
5. The towel of claim 2, wherein the at least one pocket includes a
first pocket and a second pocket disposed adjacent to one
another.
6. The towel of claim 5, wherein the first pocket is separated from
the second pocket by a seam.
7. The towel of claim 6, wherein the towel has a rectangular shape,
and wherein the first gripping area extends from a first edge to a
second edge along a third edge that is disposed between the first
edge and the second edge.
8. The towel of claim 1, further comprising a second gripping area
disposed on at least a second portion of the first side of the
body.
9. The towel of claim 8, further comprising at least one first flap
coupled to the second side of the body, the at least one first flap
forming at least one first pocket with the body and being
positioned such that the at least one first pocket is disposed
behind the first gripping area; and at least one second flap
coupled to the second side of the body, the at least one second
flap forming at least second first pocket with the body and being
positioned such that the at least one second pocket is disposed
behind the second gripping area.
10. The towel of claim 1, further comprising a second gripping area
disposed on at least a first portion of the second side of the
body.
11. The towel of claim 10, further comprising at least one first
flap coupled to the second side of the body, the at least one first
flap forming at least one first pocket with the body and being
positioned such that the at least one first pocket is disposed
behind the first gripping area; and at least one second flap
coupled to the first side of the body, the at least one second flap
forming at least one second pocket with the body and being
positioned such that the at least one second pocket is disposed
behind the second gripping area.
12. A towel, comprising: a body having a rectangular shape
comprising four edges and having a first side and an opposed second
side; a first gripping area disposed on at least a first portion of
the first side of the body, the first gripping area including at
least one friction element formed from a second material that is
different from the first material; and at least one first flap
coupled to the second side of the body, the at least one first flap
forming at least one first pocket with the body and being
positioned such that the at least one first pocket is disposed
behind the first gripping area.
13. The towel of claim 12, wherein the first gripping area extends
from a first edge to a second edge along a third edge that is
disposed between the first edge and the second edge.
14. The towel of claim 13, wherein the at least one first pocket
includes a first pocket and a second pocket disposed adjacent to
one another.
15. The towel of claim 14, wherein the first pocket is separated
from the second pocket by a seam.
16. The towel of claim 12, wherein the first material is an
absorbent material and the second material has a higher coefficient
of friction compared to the first material.
17. The towel of claim 12, further comprising a second gripping
area disposed on at least a second portion of the first side of the
body, the second gripping area including at least one friction
element formed from a second material that is different from the
first material.
18. The towel of claim 17, further comprising at least one second
flap coupled to the second side of the body, the at least one
second flap forming at least one second pocket with the body and
being positioned such that the at least one second pocket is
disposed behind the second gripping area.
19. The towel of claim 12, further comprising a second gripping
area disposed on at least a first portion of the second side of the
body, the second gripping area including at least one friction
element formed from a second material that is different from the
first material.
20. The towel of claim 19, further comprising at least one second
flap coupled to the first side of the body, the at least one second
flap forming at least one second pocket with the body and being
positioned such that the at least one second pocket is disposed
behind the second gripping area.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Many people do not have dishwashers and thus hand wash and
dry their dishes. There are also many better-quality examples of
glass and stemware that are not advised to be used in a dishwasher,
and thus implore the user to hand wash and dry these items. The
tediousness of washing and drying dishes can be made even more
unpleasant when the dish being dried, such as glassware, stemware,
plates, and bowls to list only a few examples, slips out of the
grasp of the person using a conventional towel to dry the dish as
it is in its freshly wet state. Such slippage can result in the
dish, tray, glassware, etc. being damaged or even broken.
SUMMARY
[0002] In some embodiments, a towel includes a body formed from a
first material and having a first side and an opposed second side.
A first gripping area is disposed on at least a first portion of
the first side of the body. The gripping area includes a plurality
of friction elements formed from a second material that is
different from the first material.
[0003] In some embodiments, a towel includes a body having a
rectangular shape comprising four edges. The body also has a first
side and an opposed second side. A first gripping area is disposed
on at least a first portion of the first side of the body. The
first gripping area includes at least one friction element formed
from a second material that is different from the first material.
At least one first flap is coupled to the second side of the body.
The at least one first flap forms at least one first pocket with
the body and is positioned such that the at least one first pocket
is disposed behind the first gripping area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1A is a top side plan view of one example of an
improved towel configured with a gripping area in accordance with
some embodiments;
[0005] FIG. 1B is a rear side plan view of the improved towel shown
in FIG. 1B in accordance with some embodiments;
[0006] FIG. 2A is a side view of one example of a friction element
in accordance with some embodiments;
[0007] FIG. 2B is a side view of another example of a friction
element in accordance with some embodiments;
[0008] FIG. 3A is a top side view of friction elements having
zig-zag patterns in accordance with some embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 3B is a top side view of friction elements having
v-shapes in accordance with some embodiments;
[0010] FIG. 3C is a top side view of friction elements having
oscillating shapes in accordance with some embodiments;
[0011] FIG. 3D is a top side view of friction elements having
hollow triangular shapes in accordance with some embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 3E is a top side view of friction elements having
hollow rectangular shapes in accordance with some embodiments;
[0013] FIG. 3F is a top side view of friction elements having
triangular pad shapes in accordance with some embodiments;
[0014] FIG. 4A is a top side view of another example of an improved
towel configured with a plurality of gripping areas in accordance
with some embodiments;
[0015] FIG. 4B is a rear side view of the improved towel
illustrated in FIG. 4B in accordance with some embodiments;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top side view of another example of an improved
towel configured with at least one gripping areas in accordance
with some embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 5A is a close-up view of a section of the gripping area
of the improved towel illustrated in FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a rear side view of the improved towel illustrated
in FIG. 5 in accordance with some embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5 in
accordance with some embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 6 in
accordance with some embodiments;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a top side view of another example of an improved
towel configured with a plurality of gripping areas on a common
side in accordance with some embodiments;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a rear side view of the improved illustrated in
FIG. 9 in accordance with some embodiments;
[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates a person inserting his or her hand into
a pocket of an improved towel in accordance with some embodiments;
and
[0024] FIG. 12 illustrates a person using an improved towel with at
least one gripping surface to dry a dish in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0025] FIG. 13 illustrates a person using another example of an
improved towel with at least one gripping surface to dry a dish in
accordance with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to
be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to
be considered part of the entire written description.
[0027] This description is intended to be read in connection with
the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the
entire written description. The drawing figures are not necessarily
to scale and certain features of the invention may be shown
exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest
of clarity and conciseness. In the description, relative terms such
as "horizontal," "vertical," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as
well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly,"
"upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation
as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under
discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description
and normally are not intended to require a particular orientation.
Terms including "inwardly" versus "outwardly," "longitudinal"
versus "lateral" and the like are to be interpreted relative to one
another or relative to an axis of elongation, or an axis or center
of rotation, as appropriate. Terms concerning attachments, coupling
and the like, such as "connected" and "interconnected," refer to a
relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one
another either directly or indirectly through intervening
structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or
relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The term
"operatively connected" is such an attachment, coupling or
connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as
intended by virtue of that relationship. In the claims,
means-plus-function clauses, if used or implied, are intended to
cover the structures described, suggested, or rendered obvious by
the written description or drawings for performing the recited
function, including not only structural equivalents but also
equivalent structures.
[0028] The disclosed towels advantageously provide for enhanced
gripping of dishes and other objects--in wet or dry
states--compared to conventional towels. In some embodiments, the
disclosed towels are provided with a plurality of frictional
elements on at least one side of the towel. As described in greater
detail below, the frictional elements can take a variety of forms
and be provided in a variety of arrays or patterns one or more
sides of the towel. The friction elements can be spaced in a manner
with the gripping area such that they also offer absorbency as well
as the enhanced gripping function while holding a wet object. In
some embodiments, the towel also includes at least one pocket sized
such that a person may put at least a part of his or her hand
therein to reduce the likelihood of the towel from falling out of
the grasp of the user while the user is rotating or otherwise
manipulating a wet item.
[0029] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate one example of a towel 100 in
accordance with some embodiments. Towel 100 can have a body 101
with a first side 102 (FIG. 1A) and a second side 103 (FIG. 1B) and
be formed from a variety of absorbent materials including, but not
limited to, cotton, chamois leather, polyesters, polyamides, or a
conjugation of polyester, polyamide, and polypropylene sometimes
referred to as microfiber, to list only a few possible types of
materials. In some embodiments, the towel 100 is formed from a
machine-washable material. Although towel 100 is shown as having a
rectangular shape, a person of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that towel 100 can take a variety of shapes and be
provided in a number of sizes.
[0030] Towel 100 includes at least one gripping area 104 in an
upper left corner of first side 102 as shown in FIG. 1A. In some
embodiments, gripping area 104 includes a plurality of friction
elements 106 arranged in a regular or irregular pattern. In some
embodiments, friction elements 106 are formed from silicone,
rubber, or other materials having a higher friction coefficient
than the fabric from which the towel is formed to provide increased
friction between friction elements 106 and the item to be dried,
such as a glass bowl, compared to what would be provided by a wet
towel alone. Friction elements 106 can be affixed to the body 102
towel 100 in a variety of ways such as, for example, over-molding,
gluing, or sewing.
[0031] Friction elements 106 include a gripping surface 108, which
can be smooth, such as gripping surface 108-1 shown in FIG. 2A, or
can be textured, such as gripping surface 108-2 shown in FIG. 2B.
The textured gripping surface 108-2 can be formed by knurling or
other mechanical process for providing one or more raised areas for
increasing the friction of the friction element 106.
[0032] Although friction elements 106 are shown in FIG. 1A as
having a circular shape taking the form of solid dots, a person of
ordinary skill in the art will understand that frictional elements
106 can have other shapes including, but not limited to,
rectangular, triangular, or otherwise polygonal and be solid or
hollow.
[0033] For example, FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate a few non-limiting
examples of other potential shapes of friction elements 106. FIG.
3A illustrates one example in which friction elements 106A have a
zig-zag shape comprising a series of connected vertically extending
legs 110 and horizontally extending legs 112. In FIG. 3B, friction
elements 106B have a v-shape comprising a pair of divergent legs
110, 112 extending away from a vertex 114. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 3C, friction elements 106C are formed in a wavy or
oscillating pattern. FIG. 3D illustrates an embodiment in which the
friction elements 106D are formed as hollow triangles in an
alternating (e.g., up/down) pattern, and FIG. 3E illustrates an
embodiment in which friction elements 106E are formed as hollow
rectangles.
[0034] The size and arrangement of friction elements 106 in
gripping area 104 may also be varied. For example, friction
elements 106 provided in an array can have a maximum diameter or
width/length dimension ranging 0.1 inches to 2 inches, for example,
and be spaced apart from directly adjacent friction elements 106 by
0.25 inches to 0.5 inches such that towel 100 remains absorbent
between friction elements 106. In some embodiments, friction
elements 106 have a size of approximately 2 mm in diameter, 1.7 mm
in height, and are spaced apart from one another by 2.85 mm across
the gripping area 104. One of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that friction elements 106 can have other dimensions and
be located at distances greater or less than 2.85 mm. Further, the
size of gripping area 104 may be varied from five percent of the
area of a side 102, 103 of towel 100 to up to and including 50
percent of the area of a side 102, 103 of towel 100.
[0035] In some embodiments, friction elements 106 are not provided
in an array of discrete elements as discussed above with respect to
FIGS. 2A-3E. For example, FIG. 3F illustrates one example of a
gripping area 104 including a friction elements 106F-1, 106F-2
(collectively, "friction elements 106F") taking the form of
generally triangularly shaped pads. As shown in FIG. 3F, friction
elements 106F are disposed adjacent to one another within gripping
area 104. In some embodiments, a space or gap 107 is provided
between friction elements 106F to facilitate folding of gripping
area 104 about an object that is to be held by towel 100 such that
a person can hold the object as described in greater detail
below.
[0036] Friction elements 106F, like friction elements 106A-106E,
can be sewn, glued, or otherwise affixed to towel body 101.
Further, in some embodiments, slots 115 can be formed in friction
elements 106F to absorbency and to increase friction between
friction elements 106F and the object being dried. As will be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, each of the
friction elements 106A-106F can have either a smooth gripping
surface, such as gripping surface 108-1 shown in FIG. 2A, or a
textured gripping surface, such as gripping surface 108-2 shown in
FIG. 2B.
[0037] Turning now back to FIG. 1B, the second side 103 of towel
100 includes at least one flap 116 affixed, in a permanent or
removable manner, to body 101 by sewing, gluing, using Velcro.RTM.,
or through other fastening mechanism. In some embodiments, flap 116
is triangular in shape and is affixed to body 101 along two of the
edges 118, 120 of flap 116 and the third edge 122 of flap 116
remains free such that body 101 and flap 116 form a pocket 123 that
is sized such that at least a portion of a hand can be received
therein. Flap 116 is located on second side 103 of towel 100 such
that it is positioned behind (or in front of) gripping area 104 on
first side 102. Flap 116 can be formed from the same material as
body 101 of towel 100, or flap 116 can be formed from a different
material. As described in greater detail below, flaps 116 can have
other configurations.
[0038] As noted above, the number of gripping areas 104 can be
varied. For example, FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate another embodiment
of a towel 100-1 configured with a pair of gripping areas 104-1,
104-2 and a pair of flaps 116-1, 116-2. Gripping area 104-1 and
flap 116-1 are disposed on first side 102 of towel 100-1, and
gripping area 104-2 and flap 116-2 are disposed on second side 103
of towel 100-1. In some embodiments, gripping areas 104-1 and 104-2
are arranged such that they are positioned diagonally across from
one another. In such embodiments, gripping area 104-1 is be
positioned diagonally across from flap 116-1, which is positioned
in back (or in front) of gripping area 104-2, and gripping area
104-2 can be positioned diagonally across from flap 116-2, which is
positioned in back (or in front) of gripping area 104-1. Providing
a gripping area 104 and a flap 116 at diagonally opposed ends of a
single towel 100 advantageously enables a person to be able to use
both ends of the towel while enjoying the benefits of the enhanced
gripping of the object. Further, the use of multiple flaps 116
provides increased towel area and therefore increased absorbency.
While only two gripping areas 104 and flaps 116 are illustrated in
FIGS. 4A and 4B, a person of ordinary skill in the art will
understand that additional gripping areas and flaps can be
provided.
[0039] In some embodiments, a single gripping area is provided on a
first side with multiple flaps provided on the opposite side of a
towel with as shown in FIGS. 5-9. Referring first to FIG. 5, towel
100-2 is shown comprising a gripping area 104 extending adjacent to
the upper edge 128 of towel 100-2 from the left edge 124 to the
right edge 126 of side 102. In some embodiments, gripping area 104
extends across 30 percent of the side 102, although one of ordinary
skill in the art will understand that gripping area 104 can extend
across less than 30 percent (e.g., five percent) or more than 30
percent (e.g., 50 percent) of side 102. Gripping area 104 is shown
as including a plurality of discrete friction elements 106 as best
seen in FIG. 5A; however, a person of ordinary skill in the art
will understand that gripping area 104 can be configured with other
friction elements.
[0040] As best seen in FIG. 6, a pair of flaps 116-1, 116-1 ("flaps
116") are provided on side 103 of towel 100-2. Flaps 116 are
separated from each along line 132, which, as described in more
detail below, can be a seam formed by stitching, gluing, or other
fastening means. The lower edge 134 of flaps 116 are free, i.e.,
not fixed, such that a person is able to slide his or her hand
between flap 116 and body 101 of towel 100-2.
[0041] The construction of flaps 116 and the respective pockets
123-1, 123-2 ("pockets 123") formed by flaps 116 is now described
with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Turning first to FIG. 7, flaps 116
are formed by folding over the material of body 101 thereby
creating upper edge 128 of towel 100-2 and pockets 123. In some
embodiments, stitching 130 is provided to maintain the body 101
folding over itself to provide flaps 116. As noted above, the lower
edges 132 of flaps 116 are free, i.e., not fixed to body 101. As
shown in FIG. 8, pocket 123-2 is formed between line 132 and
secured edge 120-2, which can be formed by stitching or otherwise
affixing flap 116-2 to body 101.
[0042] In some embodiments, a towel is providing with a plurality
of separate gripping areas on a common side. For example, FIG. 9
illustrates one example of a towel 100-3 including diagonally
opposed gripping areas 104-1, 104-2 ("gripping areas 104") both
disposed on side 102. Each gripping area 104-1, 104-2 includes at
least one friction element 106 disposed therein. Although friction
elements 106 within each of the gripping areas 104 are illustrated
as having a round configuration, a person of ordinary skill in the
art will understand that the friction elements 106 can have other
configurations including, but not limited to, those configurations
described above with respect to FIGS. 2A-3F. Further, gripping
areas 104 of towel 100-3 can include different types of friction
elements.
[0043] Behind each gripping area 104-1, 104-2 is a respective flap
116-1, flap 116-2 ("flaps 116") as best seen in FIG. 10. Flaps 116
are shown as having a triangular shape, but one of ordinary skill
in the art will understand that flaps 116 can have other shapes or
forms. Flap 116-1 is secured to side 103 of body 101 along edges
118-1 and 120-1. As described above, flap 116-1 can be secured to
body 101 in a variety of ways including, but not limited to,
sewing, stitching, gluing, Velcro.RTM., or through other means as
will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Edge 122-1
of flap 116-1 is not secured to body 101 such that flap 116-1 forms
a pocket (not shown in FIG. 10) with body 101.
[0044] Flap 116-2 is secured to the opposing corner of body 101
along edges 118-2 and 120-2. As with flap 116-1, flap 116-2 can be
secured to body 101 in a variety of ways including, but not limited
to, sewing, stitching, gluing, or through other means as will be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Edge 122-2 of flap
116-2 is a free edge as it is not secured to body 101 as are edges
118-, 120-2 to provide an opening for receiving a person's hand or
other appendage in the pocket (not shown in FIG. 10) formed between
flap 116-2 and body 101 of towel 100-3. Although two flaps 116 are
shown in FIG. 10, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand
that additional flaps can be provided.
[0045] FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate one example of a towel being used
in accordance with some embodiments. Referring first to FIG. 11, a
person slides a hand H1 into pocket 123 formed between a flap 116
and body 101 of the towel 100. As shown in FIGS. 12, with the
gripping surface 104 disposed on the opposite side of towel 100 as
pocket 123, the person is able to grasp the dish D using gripping
area 104 including friction elements while having his or her hand
secured within pocket 123. A second hand H2 of the person can dry
the dish D using another portion of the towel, such as an opposed
corner. FIG. 13 illustrates a person using a dish towel having a
gripping area configured with circular friction elements in
accordance with some embodiments. The gripping area advantageously
reduces the likelihood of the dish slipping from the grasp of the
person when the person grabs the dish via the gripping area.
[0046] In some embodiments, a towel has a body formed from a first
material and has a first side and an opposed second side. A first
gripping area is disposed on at least a first portion of the first
side of the body. The gripping area includes a plurality of
friction elements formed from a second material that is different
from the first material.
[0047] In some embodiments, at least one flap is coupled to the
second side of the body. The at least one flap forms at least one
pocket with the body and is positioned such that the at least one
pocket is disposed behind the first gripping area.
[0048] In some embodiments, the at least one flap is formed from
the first material.
[0049] In some embodiments, the at least one flap is formed from a
third material that is different from the first material.
[0050] In some embodiments, the at least one pocket includes a
first pocket and a second pocket disposed adjacent to one
another.
[0051] In some embodiments, the first pocket is separated from the
second pocket by a seam.
[0052] In some embodiments, the towel has a rectangular shape, and
the first gripping area extends from a first edge to a second edge
along a third edge that is disposed between the first edge and the
second edge.
[0053] In some embodiments, a second gripping area is disposed on
at least a second portion of the first side of the body.
[0054] In some embodiments, at least one first flap is coupled to
the second side of the body. The at least one first flap forms at
least one first pocket with the body and is positioned such that
the at least one first pocket is disposed behind the first gripping
area. At least one second flap is coupled to the second side of the
body. The at least one second flap forms at least second first
pocket with the body and is positioned such that the at least one
second pocket is disposed behind the second gripping area.
[0055] In some embodiments, a second gripping area is disposed on
at least a first portion of the second side of the body.
[0056] In some embodiments, at least one first flap is coupled to
the second side of the body. The at least one first flap forms at
least one first pocket with the body and is positioned such that
the at least one first pocket is disposed behind the first gripping
area. At least one second flap is coupled to the first side of the
body. The at least one second flap forms at least one second pocket
with the body and is positioned such that the at least one second
pocket is disposed behind the second gripping area.
[0057] In some embodiment, a towel includes a body, a gripping
area, and at least one first flap. The body has a rectangular shape
comprising four edges and has a first side and an opposed second
side. The first gripping area is disposed on at least a first
portion of the first side of the body. The first gripping area
includes at least one friction element formed from a second
material that is different from the first material. The at least
one first flap is coupled to the second side of the body and forms
at least one first pocket with the body. The at least one first
flap is positioned such that the at least one first pocket is
disposed behind the first gripping area.
[0058] In some embodiments, the first gripping area extends from a
first edge to a second edge along a third edge that is disposed
between the first edge and the second edge.
[0059] In some embodiments, the at least one first pocket includes
a first pocket and a second pocket disposed adjacent to one
another.
[0060] In some embodiments, the first pocket is separated from the
second pocket by a seam.
[0061] In some embodiments, the first material is an absorbent
material and the second material has a higher coefficient of
friction compared to the first material.
[0062] In some embodiments, a second gripping area is disposed on
at least a second portion of the first side of the body The second
gripping area includes at least one friction element formed from a
second material that is different from the first material.
[0063] In some embodiments, at least one second flap is coupled to
the second side of the body. The at least one second flap forms at
least one second pocket with the body and is positioned such that
the at least one second pocket is disposed behind the second
gripping area.
[0064] In some embodiments, a second gripping area is disposed on
at least a first portion of the second side of the body. The second
gripping area includes at least one friction element formed from a
second material that is different from the first material.
[0065] In some embodiments, at least one second flap is coupled to
the first side of the body. The at least one second flap forms at
least one second pocket with the body and is positioned such that
the at least one second pocket is disposed behind the second
gripping area.
[0066] The disclosed towels advantageously provide for enhanced
gripping of dishes and other objects--in wet or dry
states--compared to conventional towels. In some embodiments, the
disclosed towels are provided with a plurality of frictional
surfaces on at least one side of the towel. As described herein,
the frictional surfaces can take a variety of forms and be provided
in a variety of patterns one or more sides of the towel.
[0067] Although the invention has been described in terms of
exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the
appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other
variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range
of equivalents of the invention.
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