US20040031120A1

US20040031120A1 - Nose wipe

Info

Publication number: US20040031120A1
Application number: US10/640,780
Authority: US
Inventors: Gabe Cherian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-08-15
Filing date: 2003-08-14
Publication date: 2004-02-19

Abstract

Wiping means are provided to help skiers, hunters, cyclists, tennis players and others in keeping their nose clean and dry. Also, to wipe sweat from foreheads. Various embodiments are shown. For example, the wipes can be attached to gloves, or to sleeves of jackets, or can simply be in the shape of a wristband or armband. Wipes can be covered for esthetic reasons. Wipes and their components can be provided together with their base patches; or separately, where users can purchase spare sponges to apply to their existing patches. Both patches and/or sponges can be of various colors and/or imprinted with logos, trade names, or other advertising information.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application is a non-provisional utility patent application, and it is claiming the priority and benefits of the following Provisional Patent Application, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference: Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/404.072, filed on Aug. 15. 2002, entitled “Nose Wine”, which will be referred to in the text as Ref1. [0001]

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to means for wiping liquids and related items. Specifically, the invention relates to wiping means, hereinafter referred to as “wipes”, used to wipe running nose, or sweat on face or forehead. Such wipes can be used during cold weather activities, such as during skiing or snow-shoeing or hunting in cold climates, or they can be used during warmer weather activities, such as when playing tennis or riding bicycles.

The wipes can be mounted on gloves, on garments or directly on the users' body via a bracelet or garter. Hence the invention relates to those items as well.

2. Background Information

When people are exposed to cold weather conditions, especially for extended periods of time, their nose starts to drip or run. This can happen for example when a person is skiing or snow boarding in a cold environment.

The same can occur during any other activities in cold weather, for example, during hunting or snow-mobiling.

Some people do not take the time or make the effort to wipe their nose, especially because it is cumbersome to pull out a handkerchief from the pocket while wearing gloves and heavy winter clothes. It can become an unsightly situation.

The present invention provides a solution to this situation by providing means for wiping the nose, without much effort. A wipe is applied to the glove, so as the user can wipe his/her nose on the wipe, on the fly, i.e. without pulling a handkerchief from the pocket etc. Several variations are offered, as described below. The same wipe concept can be used to wipe the face, the goggles, etc. of a person engaged in such activities that would generate the need to do such wiping action.

The opposite also can be true too. If a person is working in a hot environment, and is sweating a lot, he/she could use such a wipe to wipe the sweat off of his/her face, eyes, forehead, etc.

But in any of these cases, the wipe can get saturated and would need to be replaced or cleaned. So, the present invention makes it easy to take off the wipe, and to replace it by a fresh clean one. The used one can be washed and reused or it can be discarded and replaced by new ones.

Also since it might be unsightly to have the wipe exposed, so the present invention provides a way to cover it. The cover can be a part of the glove or the jacket or whatever object that would hold the wipe.

PRIOR ART

At the onset, I, the inventor, had not known of any such detachable wipes in conjunction with gloves. I had heard that some gloves have a soft spot, which could be used to wipe the nose, but that meant that after it is used long enough, the glove would have to be washed or thrown away.

After the Provisional Patent Application, Ref1, was filed, I approached a number of glove manufacturers and found out that Grandoe, Inc. had started to market a glove with detachable wipe, around 1997-98-99. Grandoe has not indicated whether their concept was patented or not. However, Grandoe's approach is limited and the proposed invention here offers several additional novel concepts, over and beyond what Grandoe was offering.

For example, the invention offers the patch; the cover; the strap; the mounting on jackets or on ski poles, etc.

Also a patent search has revealed the following patents in the prior art, but I believe that none of them can be considered a major objection.

1. U.S. Pat. No. #4,787,113, to Kamenske, entitled “HAND-MOUNTED SQUEEGEE”,

2. U.S. Pat. No. #6,018,837, to Andreu, entitled “CLEANING AND SCOURING GLOVE”,

3. U.S. Pat. No. #6,367,116 B1, to DeBartolo, entitled “CLEARVISION RIDESAFE GLOVE”, and

4. U.S. Pat. No. #4,757,556, to Girard, entitled “GLOVES FOR SKIERS, MOTORCYCLISTS, AND OTHERS”.

I will abide by the decision of the Patent Examiner, as to whether my inventions here are outside the scope of the prior art listed here or not, and whether my claims are allowable over them.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Objective:

The Object of this Invention is to create and to provide means for wiping the nose, the face, the goggles, etc. of a person engaged in activities that would generate the need to do such wiping action. Examples of such cases are when a person is skiing or snow boarding or snow-shoeing in a cold environment and his/her nose starts to drip, or when his/her goggles get fogged up or covered with snow or rain. The same need occurs during any other activities in cold weather, for example, during hunting or snow-mobiling. The opposite also can be true too. If a person is working in a hot environment, and is sweating a lot, he/she could use such a wipe to wipe the sweat off of his/her face, eyes, forehead, etc.

Another object of the invention is to make sure that these means are detachable or removable, so that they can be easily replaced by fresh clean ones. The replacement can be either new means, or old one that has been cleaned appropriately, e.g. washed and/or cleaned before being made ready to be reused.

Another objective is to provide these means in different versions. One version is to mount the means permanently or detachably on various objects, such as ski garments, jackets, gloves, and the like, or a second version is to have these means as stand-alone, which in turn could be attached by the users to various objects such as gloves, jackets, ski poles and the like.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cover for the wiping means, to keep it clean and to reduce the chance of getting it covered with snow or other foreign matter when not in use. Also the cover would prevent it from freezing prematurely. Besides, the cover would hide the means, so that it would not be an ugly sight, since some people may take offense at the sight of the means, reminding them of the running nose, etc.

The Invention provides methods of attaching a wipe to a part of the body or of mounting it to a garment or other devices used by the person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Drawings and Photos Included in the Provisional Patent Application (PPA)

I have made a few prototypes and have photographed them. In the PPA, Ref1, I have attached some of these photos, together with the drawings.

The drawings were numbered FIGS. 1, 2, 3, etc., while the photos are numbered Pic. 19, 20, 21, etc. However, for this Specifications, the drawing pages will be designated as “NW-D-1”, “NW-D-2”, “NW-D-3”, etc, which implies “Nose Wipe-Drawing-#”. The photos will be included at the end of the drawings and will be considered as part of the “Additional Documents” and I will designate them as “NW-A-1”, NW-A-2“, NW-A-3, etc., which implies “Nose-Wipe-Additional-#”.

Both the figures and the Photos showed various embodiments and various methods of mounting the wipes to various objects, e.g. to garments, to equipment or to the body of the user, as well as various methods of attaching the wipes to these objects.

The following is a brief description of the drawings, which were included in the Provisional Patent Application.

In FIGS. 1 through 7, and in FIGS. 14 through 17, the wipe is mounted or installed, permanently or detachably, onto a glove.

In FIGS. 8 through 12, the wipe is mounted on, or installed to the jacket worn by the person.

In FIG. 13, the wipe is mounted on a ski pole, where the end of the ski pole can be one good suitable place to attach the wipe to the pole. In this particular case, the wipe is mounted on a base or support, which in turn has a “stud” that can be inserted into the end of the ski pole.

In FIG. 19, the wipe is mounted by a strap, belt, garter or the like, and could be carried on the sleeve of the jacket or shirt as in FIGS. 11 or 12; or even directly on the bare arm or wrist of the user, as in FIGS. 20 & 21.

FIG. 22 shows a wipe with a cover. The cover can be closed by a “snap” or VELCRO or the like. This particular wipe is attached to a strap, which allows it to be mounted either on a garment, or on the body, or even wrapped around a pole, or the like.

FIGS. 18, 23 & 24 show examples of embodiments that can be used in any of the above embodiments. It shows some sort of “container or dispenser”, or “MAGAZINE”, where several wipes are stored in it, where the user would use one wipe, and after that wipe is saturated or used up, it can be discarded to expose another fresh one. FIG. 24 is a version where the wipe is in the shape of a continuous web, which can be refreshed by pulling it from one end to the other.

Correlating the Drawings of this Present Application with Those of the Provisional Application



Present	Provisional
Patent	Patent
Application	Application	Remarks

1	1
2	2
3	3
4	4
5	6
6	17
7	7
8	5
9	15
10	16
11	8
12	10
13	9
14	13
15	19
16	18
17	23
18	24
19	22
NU	11	Not Used Here
NU	12	Not Used Here
NU	14	Not Used Here
NU	20	Not Used Here
NU	21	Not Used Here

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OF THE PRESENT APPLICATION

In FIGS. 1 through 10 show the wipe mounted or installed, permanently or detachably, onto gloves. [0040]
In FIGS. 11 through 13 show the wipe mounted on, or installed to the sleeve of the jacket worn by the person. [0041]
In FIG. 14 show the wipe mounted on a ski pole, where the end of the ski pole can be one good suitable place to attach the wipe to the pole. In this particular case, the wipe is mounted on a base or support, which in turn has a “stud” that can be inserted into the end of the ski pole. [0042]
In FIG. 15 show the wipe mounted by a strap, belt, garter or the like, and could be carried on the sleeve of the jacket or shirt; or even directly on the bare arm or wrist of the user. [0043]
FIGS. 16 through 18 show examples of embodiments that can be used in any of the above embodiments. It shows some sort of “container or dispenser”, or “MAGAZINE”, where several wipes are stored in it, where the user would use one wipe, and after that wipe is saturated or used up, it can be discarded to expose another fresh one. FIG. 19 is a version where the wipe is in the shape of a continuous web, which can be refreshed by pulling it from one end to the other. [0044]
FIG. 19 shows a wipe with a cover. The cover can be closed by a “snap” or VELCRO or the like. This particular wipe is attached to a strap, which allows it to be mounted either on a garment, or on the body, or even wrapped around a pole, or the like. [0045]

VARIOUS PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The wipe can be attached to the garment in a permanent way or in a removable, i.e. detachable way. [0046]

Method of Attachment

FIG. 2 shows the wipe attachable by a VELCRO (trademark of 3M or?) or Hook & Loop (trademark of 3M or?) device. So is also the wipe in FIG. 12. This method of attachment can be applied to any of the mounting variations described here in this specification. FIGS. 3 & 13 show the wipe mounted or installed, removably, using “snaps”, [0047]

Location of the Wipe

The various figures and photos show the wipe positioned at various locations on the glove, or on the sleeve of the jacket. The idea is to provide options to the users as to where it would be most convenient for the user to have it. [0048]
FIGS. [0049] 19 shows a “COVER” that can be wrapped over on top of the wipe, to cover the wipe, for esthetic/hygienic reasons, or to prevent it from being exposed to the rain, snow, etc. When the wipe is in use, the cover can be unwrapped.
FIG. 6 shows the wipe on the thumb. This could be a more desirable position for wiping the goggles. [0050]
FIGS. 6, 9 and [0051] 10 show examples of wipes with a top layer. FIGS. 9 and 10 have a top layer that can stay dry, while the sponge-like material underneath it would be the one that would absorb the liquids like the Baby Diapers, with “Stay-Dry” contact layer, backed by absorbent layers(s). FIG. 6 has a Chamois layer on top of the absorbent material.
In all the above figures or embodiments, the wipe can be made of any absorbant material, e.g. cloth, paper, fiber, etc. Preferably it should also be soft to the touch, so as not to scratch or bother the user. And if used for goggles, then the material could be Chamois, so as not to hurt or scratch the goggle lenses and so as not to leave any lint on the lenses. Chamois is one good example for the goggle wipes. [0052]
Foam is good, too, as an absorbent material. Good examples of foam would be “Polyurethane” foam, open cell. Especially desirable would be the “HYDROFILIC” kind of foam. [0053]
Wipes could also be made of “Non-Woven” materials, or paper, or the like. For example, they could be made of the same stuff that is used for KLEENEX tissues, or for BABY DIAPERS, of for the lady's hygienic pads. [0054]
They could be made as a “THROW-AWAY” Disposable” kind or as a re-usable washable kind. [0055]
The wipe could also be made as a stack of “pull-away” sheets, or as a continuous “belt/web” that can be rolled from one side to another, or from one end to the other. [0056]
These are illustrated in FIGS. 16 through 18. The “dispenser” could be attached using VELCRO or snaps, or could be mounted by a strap or the like. [0057]
In addition, FIGS. 9 and 10 show two other embodiments/features. FIG. 9 shows that the wipe has been shaped with a special profile or contour. This is to allow the user to put his/her nose in the lower part of the profile (the saddle, or the valley), and wiping both sides of the nose on the two flanks or ridges that are slightly higher. In addition, FIG. 10 shows an arrangement, which allows the quick exchange of the pads, once a pad is used-up and needs to be replaced. This could be called a “clamp” or a “clasp”, and would act as such. [0058]

Additional Embodiments

The invention can be marketed at least in two different variations. One variation is as an integral part of other objects, like already mounted on a pair of gloves or on a jacket/shirt or the like, or on a ski pole or other such equipment or tools. In the second variation, it would be also possible to make it as a “Stand-Alone/After-Market” item. For example, it would be displayed as a separate independent item, which the customer would buy, and then the customer would use it as is, or would attach it to the glove or the jacket or to the ski pole, later on. [0059]
In the case of the integral mounting, it would be preferred to have the wipe means made in at least two separate components. One component, which we could call the “base” or the “patch”, would be mounted to the garment, i.e. the glove, the jacket, etc., permanently. The other component, i.e. the detachable part, which we could refer to as the “sponge”, could be separated from the base or the patch, and say re-washed to be re-used again, or disposed of, thrown away and then replaced by another new fresh clean replacement component. These replacement/removable components (sponges) could be sold separately as well in the stores, without the base or the patch. [0060]
The base could be made of the “soft” part of the VELCRO (Hook & Loop), so that if and when the jacket or glove is worn say after-ski, then the removable component can be removed, but the permanent component would not scratch or hurt anything. Also, it would look nicer. It could also be colored appropriately or it can even have some logos, artwork or advertisement. See FIGS. 2 and 12. Usually the “loop” part of the “Velcro”, or equivalent, is softer than the “hook” part, so consequently, the “loop” part would be used as the “base” for our invention here. If another quick-detach/attach means is used, then again the part of such a means that is less offensive (scratchy etc) would be used as base for our invention here. [0061]
The permanent component can be “sown” onto the garment, or “glued-on”, using appropriate adhesive material. This could also be an “IRON-ON” kind of adhesive, such as hot melt adhesive or the like. [0062]
Again, the permanent component needs not be VELCRO. It can be simple “snaps”. In this case, it would be preferable to have the “FEMALE” half of the snaps onto the garment, as in FIGS. 3 & 13, so that the outside surface of the snap would be relatively flush with the garment surface, i.e. with no protrusions, and would not catch or hurt or bother the user. [0063]
The removable component, or the sponge, which could be replaceable or disposable, would be made relatively inexpensively. For example, it could be made of foam, molded or laminated or somehow attached onto a thin plastic sheet or cloth or any suitable material used as backing or base, or onto the “hook” part of the VELCRO. It is conceivable to apply the Velcro material on all the surface of the backing, or on only portions of it, so as to save on the cost of the Velcro. [0064]
It could also be made like the Disposable Women Hygienic Pads, e.g. TAMPAX or the like. FIGS. [0065] 10 shows such an embodiment. I called it “Stand-Alone Wipe”. This would be inserted in the “Hold-Down Frame” or clamp or clasp, onto the Base, i.e. the permanent component, as shown. After it is used for a while, it can be removed, thrown away, and then replaced by a fresh Tampax. In this case, the base does not need to have the hook part of the Velcro, and the sponge would not need the loop part of the Velcro.
The Stand-Alone embodiment can be sold separately, in bulk, in cartons, etc., while the base can be sold also separately. But the base would be purchased only once, while the wipes/pads would be replaced as needed. [0066]
The user would mount the base, either by sewing or by ironing it onto the garment. Then later would simply buy additional pads. Also the base can be part of, or attached to, a “bracelet” as in FIGS. [0067] 15 or 19.
There could be various kinds of such wipes/pads. Various thickness, various softness, various numbers of plies, in short, in various level of quality. Like you have now with Kleenex and similar “tissues”, where the generic brands are less expensive than the brand name ones. [0068]
Also different colors, different decorations, etc. They can have artwork on them. For example, a “NOSE”, a “Dripping NOSE”, a “GOGGLE”, etc. or the opposite, like a “goggle”, a “shiny sun”, etc. Advertisements and the like could be included as well. The “base” Velcro can be applied to several locations on the garment. This would allow the user to “stick” the wipe at different positions (on the same garment). An example of that is shown in Pics. [0069] 23 & 24. Here the Velcro is applied to a large area on the back of the glove, larger than the normal size of the wipe. This allows the user to stick the wipe either closer to the thumb or farther away from it; or also to stick it along the length of the glove or across it.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrative embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. [0070]
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best modes contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. [0071]
While I am describing the drawing in more details, I will at the same time explain the technology basis of the invention. I will also include a number of examples in this section, which should be considered as part of the embodiments for the purpose of this application as well. [0072]

Definitions

For the purpose of the following invention description, I will use certain words or terms that may be peculiar to this application. They will be explained in the following definitions, or as I go along during the application. [0073]
Beside the Ref#s, I will sometimes use the following legend to identify certain parts, although this may be superfluous. [0074]
Velcro is a trade name of a device manufactured by 3M?, which is used as a means to removably attach two objects together. The device will be referred to hereinafter as “Velcro”, to mean the device itself Velcro has two parts that can be attached together and then separated from each other and then re-attached together, at will. One part, which is referred to as “hook part or simply the hook”, has small finger-like protrusions, which end up with a shape of a hook or the like. The other part, which is referred to a “loop part or simply the loop”, has a surface that looks like a mat, with a lot of fuzzy fibers. When the hook is pressed against the loop, the hooks indent themselves into the loop and hold on to it with a relatively good force. However, when enough tension is applied on to the hook part, the hooks release their grip and separate from the loop. There is another brand of hook and loop, manufactured by another company, but for the purpose of this invention, we will simply use the term Velcro as generic for all such devices. Usually, the loop part is softer to the touch, while the hook is harder and maybe scratchy. Consequently, the loop is usually used on exposed surfaces, while the hook is usually used on surfaces that can be hidden. [0075]

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As mentioned earlier in the summary, there are basically two or three inventions here; one mostly for the wipes themselves and the other for dispensers which could carry and dispense such wipes. Also the covers will be discussed, as well as the mounting methods and the mounting patch. Plus the ways the components could be provided together or separately. [0076]

INVENTIONS RELATED DIRECTLY TO WIPES

Basically, I will introduce some means to wipe one's nose, face, etc., which I will refer to hereinafter as “wipes” or “wipe”. Wipes can be used in cold weather and/or hot weather. In cold weather, when a skier is exposed to cold weather for a considerable length of time, the tendency is that the skier nose may drip and run. The wipe can be used to clean/dry the nose. Conversely, in warmer weather, for example, when a bicycle rider or a jogger exerts himself/herself a lot and sweats, the wipe can be used to wipe the sweat away. [0077]

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Wipe on Glove

FIG. 1 shows the general concept. It shows a glove [0078] 11 with a wipe 13 mounted on it.
FIG. 2 shows the [0079] glove 21, with a wipe 23 separated from it, to show the mounting method. The wipe 23 here is shown separated from the glove 21, with its mounting side 25 showing the mounting arrangement. In this case, we are using Velcro to attach the wipe 23 to the glove 21.
Please notice that the hook part of the Velcro is attached to the bottom of the wipe [0080] 23, while the loop part of the Velcro is attached to the glove 21. One advantage of doing it this way is that the loop is softer to the touch and if the glove 21 is used without the wipe 23, then the glove 21 would not scratch the user and would feel OK. We will frequently refer to the loop part of the Velcro, that is attached to the glove, as the “attachment base” or the “Velcro base” or simply the “base”.
FIG. 3 shows a [0081] glove 31, with a wipe 33 separated from it, again to show the mounting method. The wipe 33 here is shown separated from the glove 31, with its mounting side 35 showing the mounting arrangement. In this case, we are using tacks to attach the wipe 33 to the glove 31.
Please notice that the male parts of the tacks are attached to the bottom of the wipe [0082] 33, while the female parts of the tacks are attached to the glove 31. Here, we will refer to the female parts of the tacks as the “tacks base”. One advantage of doing it this way is that the female parts of the tacks are flush with the surface of the tack and hence no protrusions would bother the user if the glove 31 is used without the wipe 33, then the glove 31 would not scratch the user and would feel OK.
FIG. 4 shows another [0083] glove 41, with the wipe 43 attached to the edge of the hand, just about on top of the palm and the index finger 45, and below and beside the thumb 47. This is an alternate position for locating the wipe. The attachment method here is not shown per se, but it can be either the Velcro or the tacks or any other suitable method.
FIG. 5 shows still another [0084] glove 51, with the wipe 53 attached to the edge of the thumb 55. This is yet another alternate position for locating the wipe. Again, the attachment method here is not shown per se, but again it can be either the Velcro or the tacks or any other suitable method.
FIG. 6 shows still another [0085] glove 61, with the wipe 63 also attached to the edge of the thumb 65, like the arrangement in FIG. 5. Here, however, the top surface of the wipe 67 is covered by a layer of special material. This can be a thin sheet of chamois 69 or a layer of Gortex material. The purpose of this arrangement is to use the wipe in this case to wipe the goggles, or rather the goggle lenses, and clear any rain water or snow away from them. The purpose of the top layer 69 is so that it would suck up any liquid away from the lenses and would not leave any lint on them.
FIG. 7 shows still another [0086] glove 71, which is provided with two wipes. One wipe 73 is attached to the back of the palm 75, as in FIG. 1, while the second wipe 77 is attached to the thumb 79. This arrangement may be preferred by certain users, so that they use the first wipe 73 to wipe the nose, while preserving the second wipe 77 to wipe the goggles.
FIG. 8 shows another [0087] glove 81, which has yet another shape of wipe. Here the wipe 83 extends from the back of the palm 85 and goes on to wrap around the top edge of the hand near the index finger 87.

Construction of the Wipes

In all the above figures, the wipes are shown like a rectangular block (a parallelepiped, if we want to use a more rigorous engineering term). Basically, the wipe can be a thick slab of an absorbent material, like foam or the like. But it does not need to be as thick as in the figures. It can be much thinner. Or thicker, too. It can also be made of foam, e.g. open cell highly hydrophilic kind of foam, or it can be made of layers of various absorbent materials, like the materials used for baby diapers, or the like. It can be made of woven or non-woven materials. It can be made of highly absorbent cotton or any other natural or man-made fibers. [0088]
The wipes can also be made of various layers of different materials. For example, the main body or bulk can be made of such absorbent materials as mentioned above, while the top layer would be made of a non-wettable, or the so-called “stay-dry” materials. Again, using the baby diapers as a good example, the surface that would come in contact with the body/skin/nose would be made of such stay-dry material, while the layer(s) underneath that, would be the absorbent bulk material. The purpose of such an arrangement is to get the liquids to pass through the stay-dry “skin” layer of the wipe and migrate to the bulk layer behind it. This way, when the user tries to use the wipe again, the wipe would not feel wet or dirty. It would feel dry and more comfortable. [0089]

Shape or Color of the Wives, and Imprints thereon

The wipes can also be shaped in other formats. For example, FIG. 9 shows a [0090] glove 101 with a wipe 103 that has a special cross-section 105. First, the cross-section 105 shows that the top profile is not flat or straight line parallel to the bottom line. The top profile is shaped to have a valley 111 at the center/middle of the width, and two peaks 113. The flanks 115 between the peaks 113 and the valley 111 would be on a special angle 117, such that when the user gets his/her nose against the top surface of the wipe, the valley 111 and the two flanks 115 would touch most of the nose surfaces in one sweep. It would be desirable to make wipes with different angles 117 to suit different shapes of noses, so that different users would choose the wipes with the most suitable angles to their individual anatomies.
FIG. 10 shows another method of mounting the wipe onto the glove. Here, the [0091] glove 121 has the wipe 123 held in place by a clamp or clasp 125. The clasp 125 can be opened to place the wipe 123 in position and then the clasp 125 would be closed to hold the wipe 123 in position. The clasp 125 could have a quick-release kind of a lock. Here also, the wipe can be shaped as desired and can also have the “stay-dry” skin over the absorbent inners.
The color of the wipes is obviously optional. However, certain colors may be more desirable than others. Wipes can be provided with different colors, to suit the tastes of the various users. They could have solid colors or can be striped or spotted etc with a number of different colors at the same time. Colors could be made to match the carrier gloves or to purposely clash with them, simply to make a statement. [0092]
In addition, wipes as well as the bases on the gloves could be imprinted with various text or figures to convey various messages. For example, they could show the name of the manufacturers or the name of a sports team, etc, etc. This imprinting option can generate a new business niche by itself [0093]

Wipes on Other Carriers

In all the above figures, the wipes are shown mounted on gloves. It is possible however to mount the wipes on other objects, as will be shown below. All the objects that can carry such wipes will be referred to hereinafter as “carriers”, as a generic term. Carriers can be various garments, such as a jacket, more particularly the sleeves of a jacket, or can be a ski pole, or even a simple bracelet or band, like a wrist watch band. It is even possible to have a wipe in the shape of a “garter”, which would basically carry itself without the need of any external object to carry it. This will all be explained further below. [0094]
FIG. 11 shows another way to carry the wipes. Here the wipe [0095] 131 is mounted on the sleeve 133 of a jacket 135. Again the way of mounting the wipe 131 on the sleeve 133 is optional as shown earlier and as shown in the two following figures.
FIG. 12 shows a wipe [0096] 141 that can be mounted on the sleeve 143 of a jacket 145. Here the wipe 141 is attached using Velcro. The hook 147 is at the bottom of the wipe 141, while the loop 149 is at the sleeve 143. Again, notice that it would be preferred to place the loop 149 on the garment, because it is softer than the hook 147. If the user wears the jacket 145, without the wipe 147, then the loop 149 would not scratch or bother the user.
An additional feature is to have the [0097] loop 149 with different colors, to match the color of the jacket 145, or to purposely clash with it, to stand out and to make a statement. Another feature is to have various logos or advertisements on the base/loop 149, either to identify the manufacturer or simply to provide various messages, the same way as was mentioned with the gloves.
FIG. 13 shows another wipe [0098] 151 mounted on the sleeve 153 of a jacket 155, but in this case tacks 157 and 159 are used. Please notice again, that the preference would be to have the male parts 157 of the tacks placed at the bottom of the wipe 151, while the female parts 159 of the tacks placed on the sleeve 153, for the same reason as explained earlier, i.e. for the case when the user wears the jacket without a wipe, so that it would be more comfortable and less annoying.
In all the three previous figures, FIGS. 12 through 14, the wipes can be placed on either the right sleeve or the left sleeve and actually at various location on the sleeves. So, the “bases” can be applied to both sleeves and actually at multiple locations on both sleeves. For this purpose, it maybe easier to use the Velcro method of mounting than the tacks. Again like with the gloves, it would be desirable to have the Velcro loop (base) at various locations on the sleeves and larger patches of such bases, to give the users the option of positioning the wipes at their preferred locations and orientations. [0099]
FIG. 14 shows another way to carry the wipes. Here the wipe [0100] 161 is mounted on the handle 163 of a ski pole 165. The wipe 161 is placed on top of a support member 167 which can in turn be attached to the ski pole by means of a pin or stud 169 or the like. The support member 167 would preferably be made of a relatively semi-rigid material, first to be rigid enough to support the wipe 161 when in use, but at the same time, it should be soft enough to that it would not hurt the user if it gets bumped into the user face accidentally.
FIG. 15 shows another way to carry the wipes. Here the wipe [0101] 171 is mounted on a wristband or bracelet, similar to the band of a wristwatch or the like. The wipe 171 is backed by a support member 173, which in turn is attached to the band 175. The two ends 177 and 179 of the band 175 can be attached together by various methods. One method is to use Velcro. For example the outer surface 181 of the band end 177 would have the hook part of the Velcro, while the inner surface 183 of the other end 179 of the band would have the loop part of the Velcro. To make it even easier to fasten, the opposite faces of the band would have a similar arrangement. In other words, the inner face 185 of the band end 177 would also have the loop part of the Velcro, while the outer face 187 of the band end 179 would have the hook part of the Velcro. This way it does not matter which end of the band is inside and which end of the band is outside. The band would latch on and hold tight in either case. In addition, if the band were worn directly on the user's wrist or arm, then the soft loop part of the Velcro would be in contact with the skin and would not bother the user.

Wipe Dispensers

Wipes can also be provided in packages and/or containers that can act as dispensers. [0102]
FIG. 16 shows an example of such a dispenser. The [0103] housing 221 may contain two or more wipes 223 stacked one on top of the other as shown, where one or more urging means 225, like springs, would urge the wipes 223 against the opening frame 227 of the dispenser housing 221. When the user feels that the top wipe 223 is used up too much, i.e. too saturated or too dirty, then the user would pull that wipe out of the dispenser, thus exposing the lower one, which would be fresh and clean. The housing 221 could be attached to a wristband 231 via some attachment means 229. Here the wipes have a relatively strong construction that can hold its shape. For example, the absorbent part 233 would be sitting on a relatively sturdy base or backing 235. Then the edges of the base 235 would be held in position by the edges 237 of the dispenser opening 227. The base or backing 235 should not bend too much under the push force of the springs 225, so that the wipes 223 would not escape out of the opening 227 on their own.
FIG. 17 shows a slightly different form of wipes and dispensers. Here the [0104] wipes 241 are thinner and more flexible. So, a backing member 243 is placed between the wipes 241 and the springs 245, where the backing member 243 would keep the wipes 241 flat and help them to stay in place in the opening 247 of the dispenser 249 under the prongs 251.
FIG. 18 shows a [0105] dispenser 261 that acts like a photographic camera. Here the wipe 263 is in the shape of a continuous web. It is rolled on a supply spool 265. It is threaded such that the starting end passes under the first side 267 of the opening 269 of the dispenser 261, then over a backing member 271, to the other side 273 of the opening 269, then to the take-up spool 275. The backing member 271 is held in place by a set of springs 277. In use, the user would use the length of the wipe 263 that is exposed through the window 269. When the user decides that that length of the wipe is fully saturated or dirty, then the user would turn the take-up spool 275, thus pulling the dirty length of the wipe 263 on to the take-up spool 275, thus exposing a fresh, clean length of the wipe web. The wipe would be made preferably out of a relatively thin and absorbent, but sturdy material. Once the whole length of the wipe web is all used up, then the spools would be taken out and replaces by a new supply spool, which would have on it a new fresh clean wipe web.
The three dispensers shown in FIGS. 19 through 21 are simply examples of the kind of dispensers that can be used. Other shapes or formats can easily be envisioned by the experts in the fields. Also, the method of attaching/mounting/using such dispensers, as shown in FIG. 16, is optional. It can be exactly as shown or it can be any other way that the user/manufacturer prefers, but as long as it would perform the functions desired as described above. [0106]
Also the refill for such dispensers would be provided in packages, such that each refill package would fill the corresponding dispenser appropriately and without much waste. [0107]

Wipe Cover

Some people may find it offensive to show or to see the wipe on the glove or on a garment or on the wristband. It would remind them of the function and to the source for the need of such a device. So, in order to cover-up and hide such a necessary device, it would be nice to cover it by some means. Here the inventor presents a few alternatives. [0108]
FIG. 19 shows a wristband wipe, like the one shown in FIG. 15, but with a few changes. It shows a wipe [0109] 251 mounted on a strap or wristband 253, similar to a large extent to the one shown in FIG. 15. However, FIG. 19 shows also a cover 255. The cover can be closed as in the closed position 257, or open as in the open position 259. The free end 261 of the cover 255 could have a Velcro closure element 263, which would engage a corresponding Velcro closure element 265 at the base of the wipe or mounted to the wristband 253. An alternative method is to place a magnet 263 in the place of the Velcro closure at the free end 261 of the cover 255 and a matching magnet 265 at the wristband 253.

Extra Large Patch

Please note that all the gloves shown in all the above figures have the Velcro loop or the tacks positioned so as to accept the respective wipes at the predetermined locations. This may be limiting the possibilities. It would be preferred to have more freedom as to where to stick the wipe on the glove, and also to have the freedom to change the location, at will. For this purpose, it would be nice if the Velcro loop would cover a large area of the glove, i.e. have a larger base, to give the user the opportunity to locate the wipe at more than one specific location. [0110]
Several of the pictures that were attached to the Provisional Patent Application, Ref1, show examples of the glove, with a larger patch, than the sponge. This allows the user to place/stick the sponge at different locations on the glove, and/or in different direction, i.e. in a longitudinal direction in line with the fingers, or perpendicular to that direction or even diagonally. See also the additional documents #NW-A-56 and 57. [0111]
FIG. 8 shows a glove, which gives the user a similar opportunity. The sponge is extending from the back of the glove/hand to over the edge towards the thumb. A large patch would allow such a positioning of the sponge. [0112]
A stand-alone patch could be provided with this feature. The patch would be larger than the average sponges that are expected to be attached to the patch. This gives the user all the opportunities mentioned above. The user could apply such a patch to the glove, or to the sleeve of the jacket, and then he/she can stick the sponge on that patch with more liberty and freedom to place at various desirable positions/locations. [0113]
The base/patch would be much larger. The Velcro loop would cover a good area of the back of the hand. It could possibly extend to reach over the edge of the hand near the thumb. This would allow the user to stick the wipe at any place on the glove. The user can also put the wipe in any direction, i.e. either parallel to the fingers or in a perpendicular direction or even in a diagonal direction. The user can even put more than one wipe at a time on the glove. Or the user could use larger wipes that can be provided especially for that purpose. There could also be a base/patch of Velcro loop on the thumb to attach yet another wipe at that spot. There could even be a base/patch of Velcro loop on the “sleeve” of the glove, to put the wipe there, as in the case of the Grandoe gloves. [0114]
For users who like to have all the possible degrees of freedom, there could be a glove that is made of a material that can act as the loop part of Velcro. This way, the whole outer layer of the glove can act as the base. The user would have the choice of sticking the wipe or wipes at any location on the glove and in any desired position or orientation. No figure is provided for this option, because the idea is so clear by itself [0115]

Claims

I claim:

1. A means to wipe nose or face or the like, hereinafter referred to as “wipe”, comprising

a) an absorbent body, hereinafter referred to as “sponge”, having an upper surface and a lower surface,

b) a support member, hereinafter referred to as “patch”, having a upper surface and a lower surface,

c) an attachment means, hereinafter referred to as “Velcro”, having a first and a second separable parts, such as Velcro or tacks or the like,

d) wherein

e) said first separable part of said Velcro is connected to said lower surface of said sponge and

f) said second separable part of said Velcro is connected to said upper surface of said patch,

g) such that said sponge can be separably and detachably attached to said patch.

2. A wipe, as in claim 1, wherein

h) said patch can be attached, through said lower surface of said patch, to other objects, such as gloves, or to jackets or similar garments, or to wristband or armbands, or to ski poles or tennis rackets, and the like.

3. A wipe, as in claim 1, wherein

i) said patch has means to facilitate the attachment of said patch to other objects, such as gloves, jackets or similar garments or to wristband or armbands or to ski poles and the like, wherein said facilitating means comprise adhesives, such as contact adhesives, iron-on adhesives, hot-melt adhesives or the like, and where said adhesives are applied to said lower surface of said patch.

4. A wipe as in claim 1, wherein

j) said patch has means to facilitate the attachment of said patch to other objects, such as gloves, jackets or similar garments or to wristband or armbands or to ski poles and the like, wherein said facilitating means comprise a second layer of an attachment means having a first and a second separable parts, such as Velcro or tacks, and where said attachment means are applied to said lower surface of said patch.

5. A wipe as in claim 1, wherein

k) said two separable part of said Velcro are the hook and loop parts of conventional Velcro, or the male and female parts of conventional “tacks”, or the like.

6. A wipe, as in claim 1, wherein

l) said wipe comprises also a cover, which can be closed over said sponge and said related items, and which can be opened to expose said sponge and related items.

7. A wipe, as in claim 1, wherein

m) said sponge is covered with, or enveloped by, an outer layer of material, hereinafter referred to as “skin”, wherein

n) said skin can be made of the so-called “stay-dry” material, like the one used for baby diapers, such that the stay-dry skin would feel dry to the touch, even if the underlying layer(s) of the sponge could be wet.

8. A wipe as in claim 7, wherein

o) said skin can be made of the so-called “chamois” material, like the one used to wipe eyeglasses lenses, so that said wipe/sponge could be used to dry the lenses of goggles or the like, without leaving much lint or streaks on the lenses.

9. A wipe as in claim 1, wherein

p) said patch is mounted on a ski pole or on a tennis racket or the like.

10. A wipe as in claim 1, wherein

q) said patch is mounted on a wristband or on an armband.

11. A wipe as in claim 1, wherein

r) said patch together with said separable Velcro part which is integral with said patch, as well as said sponge together with said separable Velcro part which is integral with said sponge, are

s) either narrow enough to cover only one finger, or a thumb or the edge of a glove, or

t) large enough to cover a good area of the back of a glove, or

u) large enough to wrap around from the back of a glove to over the edge of said glove.

12. A wipe as in claim 1, wherein

r) more than one such said sponges would work in unison, for example,

r) one of such said sponges would be attached to the back of a glove and

r) another one of such said sponges would be attached to the thumb of said glove.

13. A wipe as in claim 1, wherein

r) said upper surface of said sponge is shaped with a certain profile, so as to better fit and wipe the surface intended to be wiped, for example it would have two elevated edges or ridges at two opposite ends or sides, and a valley in its center between said two edges or ridges, to wipe noses; or it would have a more rounded surface to wipe foreheads; and the like.

14. A wipe as in claim 1, wherein

r) said patch together with said separable Velcro part, which is integral with said patch, is considerably larger in surface area than the area of said sponge that would be expected to be attached to said patch, so as to allow to attach said sponge to various spots or locations on said patch.

15. A wipe as in claim 1, wherein

s) said sponge and/or said patch and/or said Velcro, either all of them or individual ones of them, are colored, either all with the same color or with different colors, and may be imprinted with various markings, such as logos, images, or advertising messages and the like.

16. A wipe as in claim 1, wherein

s) said sponge is held in place by a clasp-like object, in which case said sponges would not necessarily need to have Velcro parts attached to their lower surfaces.

17. A dispenser, which comprises

a) a container, which could carry

b) one or more sponges, wherein

c) said container would have an opening, hereinafter referred to as “window”, in a way so as to expose a portion of said sponge(s) through said window, such that users could use said sponge(s) without taking said sponge(s) out of said dispenser, in which case said sponges would not necessarily need to have Velcro parts attached to their lower surfaces.

18. A dispenser, as in claim 17, wherein

d) said sponges are stacked one on top of the other, and such that if the sponge at the top of the stack is used up, said top sponge can be discarded, so as to expose the sponge underneath it, where the second sponge would be clean and ready for use.

19. A dispenser, as in claim 17, wherein

e) said sponge is in the form of a continuous web and can be pulled over from one side of said window of said dispenser to the opposite end of said window, so as to expose a fresh length of said web in said window.

20. A dispenser, as in claim 17, wherein

e) said container has means to allow it to be attached to other objects, such as gloves, or to jackets or similar garments, or to wristband or armbands, or to ski poles or tennis rackets, and the like.