US20060279691A1 - Protective temple covering - Google Patents
Protective temple covering Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060279691A1 US20060279691A1 US11/147,608 US14760805A US2006279691A1 US 20060279691 A1 US20060279691 A1 US 20060279691A1 US 14760805 A US14760805 A US 14760805A US 2006279691 A1 US2006279691 A1 US 2006279691A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- sleeves
- latitudinal
- tubing
- protectors
- sleeve
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
- G02C13/00—Assembling; Repairing; Cleaning
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/08—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession
- B65D83/0805—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing thin flat articles in succession through an aperture in a wall
Definitions
- Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to aids for efficiently and effectively protecting the temples of glasses such as eyeglasses or sunglasses. More specifically, the present invention relates to sleeves, a sleeve dispenser, and a method of manufacturing inexpensive, throwaway sleeves that may be used to protect temples from chemicals, germs, bacteria, and the like.
- Another similar system was created to prevent bruising to the portion of the user's head located behind the ears while simultaneously preventing the eyeglasses from changing position while they are worn.
- the portion of the temples that engage the user's ear when the eyeglasses are worn is formed with the same curvature as the backside of the ear.
- a thin rubber cap is then placed over the curved portion of the temples such that the user's head is protected from bruising that many occur with continuous wear of the eyeglasses.
- a temple cover is made of an elastic deformable material.
- This temple cover has an elongated tubular shape with an inner diameter throughout the majority of the cover such that it may be slid over the portion of the temple that engages the user's ear.
- the cover also contains a reduced or constricted end portion that allows the cover to be held in place on the temple.
- the cover may be removed from the temple by applying pressure in a direction opposite to the eyeglass lenses.
- the cover is extended such that it covers the straight portion of the temple as well as the curved portion for additional protection to the wearer's head.
- a temple cover is created from a transparent plastic material.
- This cover also has an elongated tubular shape with a constricting inner diameter throughout the majority of the cover. However, it additionally contains a slot throughout its length. This slot allows the cover to be snapped onto the end portion of temples having varying diameters and curvatures. The cover may be removed by applying pressure in a direction such that the temple is forced through the slot.
- temples may need to be protected from the environment. For example, such protection may be required when a wearer undergoes a chemical treatment to the hair, head, or face. Alternatively, temples may require protection to prevent the passage of germs or disease between multiple wearers of a single pair of eyeglasses. Furthermore, many such systems and methods have been designed to be removably attached to the temples. In their most simplistic forms, such systems include disposable temples covers.
- a temple cover is formed from a soft resilient plastic material.
- the cover is tubular and consists of one open end, one closed end and a longitudinal center passage having a diameter equivalent to conventional temples.
- the open end of the cover further consists of a constrictive plastic ring with a short portion of the tubular member rolled about the ring. The open end of the cover is passed over the temple and the constrictive action of the ring holds the cover in place.
- a sheet of plastic is folded in half such that its folded length is equivalent to the length of conventional eyeglass temples.
- a short segment of one half of the plastic is then folded back to form a cuff.
- the sheet is then sealed across the width of the plastic multiple times at equidistant locations to form multiple individual temple covers and the covers are cut along the seals to separate the temple covers.
- a user passes the cuffed end of an individual temple cover over the temple until the entire temple is covered.
- the temple covers may include markers such as colored markers to indicate the open end of the temple cover to the user.
- Another similar system includes a method of dispensing eyeglass temple covers.
- the temple covers are formed on sheets that are rolled to create a cylindrical roll of such sheets.
- the sheets are perforated such that they may be easily removed from the roll.
- Each sheet contains two individual temple covers formed from tubular pockets contained within the sheet and having one open end and one closed end.
- Each temple cover is also perforated at the edges for removal from the sheet. Upon removal from the sheet, the open end of the pocket is passed over the eyeglass temple when protection is required. The remainder of the sheet is then discarded.
- another system includes temporary temple covers designed to allow temples to be molded to the shape of the wearer's head.
- the temple covers act as sheaths that allow the shapes of the temples to be molded to the shape of the wearer's head by facilitating the application of heat in a manner that does not cause harm to the wearer. After the temples are heated, the temple covers are placed onto the temples. The eyeglasses are then placed onto the user's head and the temples are shaped to their desired position. After the temples have cooled, the eyeglass temple covers are removed from the eyeglass temples.
- the sleeve dispenser for dispensing inexpensive, throwaway sleeves for protection of the temples such as eyeglass or sunglass temples is provided in one aspect of the present invention.
- the sleeve dispenser includes, inter alia, housing and a sleeve roll.
- the sleeve roll may include interconnected pairs of sleeves.
- the sleeves are manufactured from a flexible, chemical-resistant material.
- the sleeves are manufactured from a polymer such as polyethylene, thereby creating clear, soft, flexible, sanitary sleeves that are resistant to water, acids, alkalies, and a majority of solvents.
- use of such a material allows the sleeves to be produced inexpensively.
- the inexpensive cost of the sleeves accommodates throwaway use of the sleeves, thereby facilitating distribution in facilities such as hair salons, spas, optometrist or ophthalmologist offices, sunglass shops, and private homes.
- the sleeves may be manufactured using a process wherein a minimal quantity of steps is required and no waste material is produced. During this manufacturing process, the final sleeve product may-be created in the form of a compact sleeve roll to accommodate unobtrusive placement in areas with limited space.
- the sleeves may include latitudinal and longitudinal perforations that facilitate removal of pairs of sleeves from the sleeve roll and removal of each of the pair of sleeves from each other.
- the sleeves also include a sleeve aperture, which may be created during the manufacturing process. Upon separation from the sleeve roll and each other, the sleeves provide protection for temples, such as eyeglass or sunglass temples, by passing the sleeve aperture over the temple until it is fully covered and protected.
- a simple, inexpensive method of manufacture of a roll of sleeves is provided in another aspect of the present invention. Although one method is described herein, other methods of manufacturing the sleeves of the present invention may be employed without departing from the present scope of the invention.
- a tubular material is formed or purchased.
- the tubular material is extruded tubular polyethylene having a circular diameter.
- Polyethylene is an inexpensive polymer that may be extruded via methods such as the application of high temperature and pressure.
- the use of a moldable polymer such as polyethylene also allows the sleeves to be formed without byproducts, which eliminates waste of raw materials and reduces the expense associated with the first stage of the manufacturing process.
- the manufacturing process proceeds to the second stage in which the tubular material is wound onto a reel.
- the winding of the tube onto the reel causes the tubular material to flatten and crease.
- Such flattening transforms the circular cross-sectional configuration into an ovate cross-sectional configuration.
- the flattening transforms the circular cross-sectional configuration such that the two halves of the tubular material are vertically stacked.
- the rolled, flattened, and creased tubular material is fed from the reel through a multi-stage packaging machine (i.e., a machine specifically designed and geared for creation of packages, bags, and the like) or multiple individual stage packaging machines.
- a multi-stage packaging machine i.e., a machine specifically designed and geared for creation of packages, bags, and the like
- the packaging machine receives the tubular material, the machine creates a longitudinal seal by simultaneously applying heat and pressure via a heat seal bar.
- the tubular material is evenly and longitudinally bifurcated by the longitudinal seal such that two independent, identical, interconnected tubes are formed.
- the packaging machine may be reconfigured to create longitudinal perforations. Thereafter, the tubes are fed into the reconfigured packaging machine, which creates a longitudinal perforation.
- longitudinal perforations may be created as the second stage of a multi-stage packaging machine. The longitudinal perforation allows the tubes to be easily separated from each other by applying slight pressure on each tube in a direction perpendicular to the centerline such that the tubes are pulled away from each other.
- the packaging machine may be reconfigured to create latitudinal seals. Thereafter, the tubes are fed into the reconfigured packaging machine.
- the packaging machine forms sequential equally spaced latitudinal seals by simultaneously applying heat and pressure across the latitudinal extents of both of the sleeves.
- latitudinal seals may be created as the third stage of a multi-stage packaging machine. The equidistant location of each subsequent latitudinal seal creates a plurality of pairs of sleeves having equivalent lengths.
- the packaging machine may be reconfigured to create latitudinal perforations. Thereafter, the sleeves are fed through the reconfigured packaging machine.
- the packaging machine creates latitudinal perforations adjacent to the latitudinal seals such that one pair of sleeves may be separated from a sleeve roll.
- latitudinal perforations may be created as the fourth stage of a multi-stage packaging machine.
- the latitudinal perforations also create openings on the end of each of a pair of the sleeves when the pair of sleeves removed from the sleeve roll. These openings allow each of sleeves to be passed over the eyeglass temples.
- the processed tubular material may be wound about a reel or cylinder to form a sleeve roll.
- the resulting sleeve roll has a width equivalent to the width of two sleeves but may have varying diameters depending on the quantity of sleeves rolled thereupon.
- the sleeves may be dispensed by attaching the cylinder to any conventionally known holding mechanism sized to fit the sleeve roll.
- the sleeve roll is suspended within a sleeve dispenser including, but not limited to, those disclosed herein to minimize the space required for display of the sleeves and to facilitate dispensation of the sleeves.
- the sleeve roll is inserted into the sleeve dispenser through roll apertures contained within the sleeve dispenser. After placing the sleeve roll into the sleeve dispenser, the unrolled end of the processed tubular material is threaded through a dispensing aperture such that it is visible to a user. A lid is then closed over the roll apertures to prevent contamination or displacement of the sleeve roll.
- a user may remove one or more pairs of sleeves by tearing the first available latitudinal perforation. The resulting pair of sleeves may be further separated along the longitudinal perforation and applied to a pair of temples.
- the base of the sleeve dispenser is designed with a narrow width and length such that the sleeve dispenser can be displayed unobtrusively in a variety of locations.
- the streamlined size of the sleeve dispenser allows a dedicated box of sleeves to be placed at each stylist's station, adjacent hairdryers, in spa stations, etc. rather than at one single location within the salon. Such placement allows the customer to access the sleeves without leaving his or her chair and, therefore, without disrupting or delaying the work of the salon employee. This is particularly important when the customer decides to don glasses for reading or the like after the stylist has begun a chemical treatment such as hair coloring, a facial, or the like.
- the sleeve dispenser may be located in optometrist or ophthalmologist offices or in sunglass shops. By placing the sleeve dispenser in a convenient, visible location, people trying on eyeglasses or sunglasses are encouraged to use the sleeves for hygienic purposes.
- the use of the sleeves helps prevent the spread of germs and disease by giving the user protection from the previous users.
- the use of an inexpensive material also allows the sleeves to be discarded after each use. The ability for new sleeves to be used prevents the user from having to remove potentially hazardous chemicals or germs from the sleeves prior to each use.
- the sleeve dispenser may include an integral or external waste receptacle.
- a waste receptacle allows the user to discard the used sleeves without having to change his or her physical location, therefore, increasing the likelihood that the user properly disposes of the sleeves.
- a waste receptacle allows chemicals that may have come in contact with the sleeves to be immediately discarded prior to contamination of other surfaces.
- FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a sleeve dispenser in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2A depicts a front perspective view of the tubular material used to manufacture sleeves such as the sleeves depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional side view taken along line 2 B- 2 B of FIG. 2A illustrating the circular nature of the tubular material used to manufacture sleeves such as the sleeves depicted in FIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2C depicts a front perspective view of the flattening of the tubular material depicted in FIGS. 2A-2B during the second stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2D depicts a cross-sectional side view taken along line 2 D- 2 D of FIG. 2C illustrating the ovate nature of the tubular material after the second stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2E depicts a top perspective view of the longitudinally heat sealed tubular material depicted in FIGS. 2C-2D after the third stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, two tubes separated by a longitudinal seal.
- FIG. 2F depicts a cross-sectional side view taken along line 2 F- 2 F of FIG. 2E illustrating the bifurcation of the flattened and longitudinally heat sealed tubular material after the third stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2G depicts a top perspective view of the longitudinally perforated tubular material depicted in FIGS. 2E-2F after the fourth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alla, two tubes separated by a longitudinal seal and longitudinal perforation.
- FIG. 2H depicts a cross-sectional side view taken along line 2 H- 2 H of FIG. 2G illustrating the bifurcation of the longitudinally perforated, flattened, and longitudinally heat sealed tubular material after the fourth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 21 depicts a top perspective view of the latitudinally heat sealed tubular material depicted in FIGS. 2E-2F after the fifth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, four sleeves separated by a longitudinal seal, longitudinal perforation, and latitudinal seal.
- FIG. 2J depicts a top perspective view of the latitudinally perforated tubular material depicted in FIG. 21 after the sixth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, four sleeves separated by a longitudinal seal, longitudinal perforation, latitudinal seal, and latitudinal perforation.
- FIG. 2K depicts a front perspective view of rolled tubular material depicted in FIG. 2J after the seventh stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, a plurality of sleeves separated by longitudinal seals, longitudinal perforations, latitudinal seals, and latitudinal perforations.
- FIG. 2L depicts an angled top perspective view of the rolled tubular material depicted in FIG. 2K suspended in a dispenser after the eighth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 3A depicts a top view of three pairs of interconnected sleeves in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, longitudinal seals, longitudinal perforations, latitudinal seals, and latitudinal perforations.
- FIG. 3B depicts a top view of one pair of interconnected sleeves in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, a longitudinal seal, longitudinal perforation, latitudinal seal, and latitudinal perforation.
- FIG. 3C depicts a top view of one pair of separated sleeves in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, a longitudinal and latitudinal seal.
- FIG. 4A depicts a side view of eyeglasses in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, temple, temple end, and brow onto which a sleeve is being placed.
- FIG. 4B depicts a side view of eyeglasses in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, temple, temple end, brow, and sleeve.
- Sleeve dispenser 100 includes housing 102 and sleeve roll 104 .
- Sleeve roll 104 includes interconnected pairs of sleeves 106 a and 106 b .
- Such sleeves may be manufactured in the same manner as sleeves 216 a and 216 b as described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 2G , however, other methods of manufacturing may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- sleeves 106 a and 106 b are manufactured from a flexible, chemical-resistant material.
- sleeves 106 a and 106 b are manufactured from a polymer such as polyethylene.
- a polymer such as polyethylene results in clear, soft, flexible, sanitary sleeves 106 a and 106 b that are resistant to water, acids, alkalies, and a majority of solvents.
- use of such a material allows sleeves 106 a and 106 b to be produced inexpensively.
- the inexpensive cost of sleeves 106 a and 106 b accommodates throwaway use of the sleeves, thereby facilitating distribution in facilities such as hair salons, spas, optometrist or ophthalmologist offices, sunglass shops, and private homes.
- sleeves 106 a and 106 b may be manufactured by a process such as the process described below with respect to FIGS. 2A-2F . In this process, a minimal quantity of steps is required and no waste material is produced, further reducing the cost of sleeves 106 a and 106 b .
- sleeves 106 a and 106 b are placed in the form of a compact roll such as sleeve roll 104 to accommodate unobtrusive placement in areas with limited space.
- Sleeves 106 a and 106 b include latitudinal and longitudinal perforations such as latitudinal and longitudinal perforations, 214 and 210 , respectively, that facilitate removal from sleeve roll 104 and each other as described in further detail with respect to FIGS. 3A-3C .
- Sleeves 106 a and 106 b also include a sleeve aperture such as sleeve aperture 308 ( FIG. 3 ), created in the manufacturing process described below with respect to FIG. 2 .
- sleeves 106 a and 106 b Upon separation from sleeve roll 104 and each other, sleeves 106 a and 106 b provide protection for temples, such as eyeglass or sunglass temples, by passing the sleeve aperture over the temple until it is fully protected as described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 4 .
- temples such as eyeglass or sunglass temples
- sleeve roll 104 can be displayed on any conventionally known holding mechanism sized to fit the sleeve roll. In some embodiments of the present invention, sleeve roll 104 is displayed via dispenser 100 to allow sleeves 106 a and 106 b to be more accessible to the user.
- Dispenser 100 includes, inter alia, base 108 , dispensing aperture 110 , lid aperture 112 , lid 114 , and access aperture 116 .
- Sleeve roll 104 is placed within dispenser 100 via roll apertures such as roll apertures 224 ( FIG. 2H ). The first pair of sleeves 106 a and 106 b within sleeve roll 104 is then threaded through dispensing aperture 110 as described with respect to FIG. 2H . Both loading of sleeve roll 104 and threading of sleeve roll 104 through dispensing aperture 110 may be facilitated by using access aperture 116 to grip sleeve roll 104 .
- Base 108 allows dispenser 100 to be place on any horizontal surface. Additionally, base 108 has a narrow length and width to accommodate placement of dispenser 100 in a location that is accessible to the user but is not obstructive or intrusive to work areas in which dispenser 100 may be placed. For example, dispenser 100 could be placed on a hairdresser's station, next to salon hairdryers, or on spa stations. By placing dispenser 100 in these locations, a person undergoing a chemical treatment such as hair coloring or a facial, could easily obtain sleeves 106 a and 106 b if they wished to use their eyeglasses while protecting them from the chemicals. Additionally, dispenser 100 could be placed in optometrist or ophthalmologist offices or in sunglass shops.
- dispenser 100 By placing dispenser 100 in a convenient, visible location, people trying on eyeglasses or sunglasses would be encouraged to use sleeves 106 a and 106 b .
- the use of sleeves 106 a and 106 b would prevent the spread of germs and disease by giving the user protection from the contaminants of the previous users.
- the use of an inexpensive material also allows sleeves 106 a and 106 b , to be discarded after each use, thereby eliminating messy cleanup such as that encountered with reusable sleeves.
- dispenser 100 includes a lid aperture 112 and lid 114 .
- Such items allow sleeve roll 104 to be protected from the environment by closing lid 114 over access and dispensing apertures 116 and 110 , respectively, and tucking, or otherwise attaching, lid 114 to an attachment mechanism such as lid aperture 112 .
- Dispenser 100 may optionally include an integral or external waste receptacle.
- a receptacle allows the user to discard the used sleeves into the integral waste receptacle through a disposal aperture or the like without having to change his or her physical location, therefore, increasing the likelihood that the user properly disposes of sleeves 106 a and 106 b .
- a waste receptacle allows chemicals that may have come in contact with sleeves 106 a and 106 b to be immediately discarded prior to contamination of other surfaces.
- FIGS. 2A-2H illustrated is one method of manufacturing sleeves such as sleeves 216 a and 216 b in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- sleeves 216 a and 216 b illustrated is one method of manufacturing sleeves such as sleeves 216 a and 216 b in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- other methods of manufacturing the sleeves of the present invention may be employed without departing from the present scope of the invention.
- tubular material 202 is extruded tubular polyethylene having a circular diameter as depicted in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 2B .
- Polyethylene is an inexpensive polymer that may be extruded via methods such as the application of high temperature and pressure.
- the use of a moldable polymer such as polyethylene also allows sleeves 216 a and 216 b to be formed without byproducts, which eliminates waste of raw materials and reduces the expense associated with the first stage of the manufacturing process.
- tubular material 202 is manufactured to have a wall thickness of two thousandths of an inch and a diameter of approximately eight tenths of one inch.
- the length of tubular material 202 is selected based upon the quantity of desired sleeves, which may be selected based upon a quantity of factors.
- the quantity of desired sleeves is selected to minimize the size of a sleeve dispenser such as sleeve dispenser 100 to accommodate use in tight spaces (e.g., a hair stylist's counter or rolling cart, a display counter in an ophthalmologist's office, etc.).
- a small quantity of sleeves (e.g., 30 pairs) may be manufactured for dispensers sold for home use, whereas larger quantities of sleeves (e.g., 80 pairs) may be manufactured for dispensers sold for commercial use (e.g., hair salons). These quantities may be determined based upon factors such as the length of tubular material 202 .
- FIG. 2C illustrated is a front perspective view of the flattening and creasing of tubular material 202 as it occurs during the second stage of the manufacturing process.
- the manufacturing process proceeds to the second stage in which tubular material 202 is wound onto reel 204 .
- the winding of tubular material 202 onto reel 204 causes tubular material 202 to flatten and crease.
- Such flattening transforms the circular cross-sectional configuration into an ovate cross-sectional configuration as depicted in FIG. 2D .
- reel 204 In addition to providing a mechanism for flattening and creasing tubular material 202 , reel 204 also facilitates storage of tubular material 202 in a manner suitable to the next (i.e., the third) stage of manufacturing. For example, storage of the flattened and creased tubular material 202 on reel 204 may be employed to ensure that tubular material 202 is fed evenly into a packaging machine as described below with respect to FIG. 2E
- FIG. 2E illustrated is a top perspective view of tubular material 202 bifurcated with longitudinal seal 208 as produced in the third stage of the manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- rolled, flattened and creased tubular material 202 is fed from reel 204 through a packaging machine.
- the packaging machine is a Kwik-Pak packaging machine, however, other similar machines may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- the packaging machine receives tubular material 202 , the machine first creates longitudinal seal 208 by simultaneously applying heat and pressure via a heat seal bar.
- longitudinal seal 208 evenly and longitudinally bifurcates tubular material 202 such that two independent, identical, interconnected tubes 206 a and 206 b are formed, a cross section of which is depicted in FIG. 2F
- each resulting tube 206 a and 206 b has a width of one half of one inch
- longitudinal seal 208 has a width of one quarter of one inch.
- alternate embodiments are envisioned having varying longitudinal seal widths, varying longitudinal seal locations (e.g., off center), and/or varying tube widths without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- FIG. 2G illustrated is a top perspective view of tubular material 202 bifurcated with longitudinal seal 208 and longitudinal perforation 210 as produced in the fourth stage of the manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- tubes 206 a and 206 b are formed via the addition of longitudinal seal 208 to flattened and creased tubular material 202
- the second stage of the packaging machine creates longitudinal perforations.
- Longitudinal perforation 210 is a series of intermittent slits located approximately at the centerline of longitudinal seal 208 .
- FIG. 2H provides a cross-sectional view of the product that results from this stage of manufacturing.
- Longitudinal perforation 210 allows tubes 206 a and 206 b to be easily separated from each other by applying slight pressure on each tube in a direction perpendicular to the centerline such that the tubes are pulled away from each other, as described below in greater detail with respect to FIG. 3 .
- longitudinal perforation 210 is depicted in FIG. 2G along the centerline of longitudinal seal 208 , alternate embodiments are envisioned having varying longitudinal perforation locations (e.g., off center) andlor varying perforation widths without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- longitudinal seal 208 must be great enough to ensure that the outer walls of each tube 206 a and 206 b will remain contiguous and intact after separation of tubes via longitudinal perforation 210 .
- longitudinal seals and perforations are discussed herein as two different steps, a packaging machine fitted with a custom heat seal bar having perforation capabilities may be substituted to reduce these two steps to one step.
- FIG. 21 illustrated is a top perspective view of latitudinally heat sealed tubular material 202 as produced in the fifth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- the third stage of the packaging machine creates latitudinal seals.
- the packaging machine forms sequential, equally spaced latitudinal seals 212 by simultaneously applying heat and pressure across the latitudinal extents of both tubes 206 a and 206 b .
- the equidistant location of each subsequent latitudinal seal 212 creates a plurality of pairs of sleeves 216 a and 216 b having equivalent lengths.
- each latitudinal seal 212 is located five and one half inches from the previous latitudinal seal 212 such that each resulting pair of sleeves 216 a and 216 b has a length of five and one half inches.
- alternate embodiments are envisioned having varying lengths separating adjacent latitudinal seals 212 without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- FIG. 2J illustrated is a top perspective view of latitudinally heat-sealed and perforated tubular material 202 as produced in the sixth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- the fourth stage of the packaging machine creates latitudinal perforations.
- the packaging machine creates latitudinal perforations 214 adjacent to latitudinal seals 212 such that one pair of sleeves 216 a and 216 b may be separated from sleeve roll 218 , as described below with respect to FIG. 2K .
- Latitudinal perforations 214 also create openings on the end of each of a pair of sleeves 232 a and 232 b when the pair of sleeves 216 a and 216 b is removed from a roll such as sleeve roll 218 ( FIG. 2K ). These openings allow each of sleeves 232 a and 232 b to be passed over eyeglass temples 402 as discussed below with respect to FIG. 4 .
- latitudinal seals and perforations are discussed herein as two different steps, a packaging machine fitted with a custom heat seal bar having perforation capabilities may be substituted to reduce these two steps to one step. Or, alternatively, a packaging machine fitted with a custom heat seal bar having latitudinal and longitudinal perforation and sealing capabilities may be substituted to reduce these four steps to one step.
- FIG. 2K illustrated is a front perspective view of rolled tubular material depicted in FIG. 2J after the seventh stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- the processed tubular material 202 may be wound about a reel or cylinder such as cylinder 220 to form sleeve roll 218 .
- the resulting sleeve roll 218 has a width equivalent to the width of a pair of sleeves 216 a and 216 b but may have varying diameters depending on the quantity of sleeves 216 a and 216 b rolled thereupon.
- the initial length of tubular material 202 determines the diameter of sleeve roll 218 .
- tubular material 202 is wound onto a cylinder such as cylinder 220 until the entire length of tubular material 202 encircles cylinder 220 .
- the resulting width of sleeve roll 218 is directly related to the original length of tubular material 202 .
- processed tubular material 202 could have a very long length relative to the length of processed tubular material 202 wound about cylinder 220 .
- processed tubular material would be wound about cylinder 220 until the desired diameter of sleeve roll 218 is obtained.
- the wound tubular material 202 is detached from the unwound tubular material 202 via a latitudinal perforation such as latitudinal perforation 214 .
- sleeve dispenser 222 includes, inter alia, base 230 , roll aperture 224 , dispensing aperture 226 , and lid 228 .
- sleeves 216 a and 216 b may be dispensed by attaching cylinder 220 to any conventionally known holding mechanism.
- FIG. 2L illustrated is an angled top perspective view of sleeve roll 218 ( FIG. 2K ) suspended in sleeve dispenser 222 housing after the eighth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- sleeve dispenser 222 includes, inter alia, base 230 , roll aperture 224 , dispensing aperture 226 , and lid 228 .
- sleeve roll 218 is suspended within a dispenser such as sleeve dispenser 222 to minimize the space required for display of sleeves 216 a and 216 b and to facilitate dispensation of sleeves 216 a and 216 b .
- Sleeve roll 218 is inserted into sleeve dispenser 222 through an aperture such as roll aperture 224 . Thereafter, sleeve roll 218 is suspended within dispenser 222 using any one of a variety of methods (e.g., sleeve roll 218 is placed atop a shelf located internal to dispenser 222 , inserting a spring-loaded sleeve roll 218 into apertures located in the sides of dispenser 222 , etc.). After placing sleeve roll 218 into sleeve dispenser 222 , the unrolled end of processed tubular material 202 is threaded through dispensing aperture 226 such that it is visible to a user. Lid 228 is then closed to prevent contamination or displacement of sleeve roll 218 .
- a user may remove one or more pairs of sleeves 216 a and 216 b by tearing the first available latitudinal perforation 214 .
- the resulting pair of sleeves 216 a and 216 b may be further separated along longitudinal perforation 210 and applied to a pair of temples as described in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 3-4 .
- Sleeve dispenser 222 also includes base 230 .
- base 230 is designed with a narrow width and length such that sleeve dispenser 222 can be displayed unobtrusively in a variety of locations.
- the streamlined size of sleeve dispenser 222 allows a dedicated box of sleeves 216 a and 216 b to be placed at each stylist's station, individual hairdryers., in spa stations, etc. rather than at one single location within the salon.
- Such placement allows the customer to access sleeves 216 a and 216 b without leaving his or her chair and, therefore, without disrupting or delaying the work of the salon employee. This is particularly important when the customer decides to don glasses for reading or a similar action after the stylist has begun a chemical treatment such as hair coloring, a facial, or the like.
- sleeve dispenser 222 may be located in optometrist or ophthalmologist offices or in sunglass shops. By placing sleeve dispenser 222 in a convenient, visible location, people trying on eyeglasses or sunglasses are encouraged to use sleeves 216 a and 216 b for hygienic purposes. The use of sleeves such as sleeves 216 a and 216 b helps prevent the spread of germs and disease by giving the user protection from the previous users.
- any quantity of steps may be performed without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- some steps may be eliminated (e.g., the sleeve roll may not be housed in a dispenser, the sleeves may be not be perforated causing the wearer to manually cut them with a scissor, etc.).
- some steps may be combined.
- individual packaging machines may be used to individually create the latitudinal and longitudinal seals and/or perforations rather than reconfiguring a single packaging machine, or incorporating multiple packaging machines, for each of these actions.
- steps or stages may be added to those disclosed herein (e.g., application of color or trademarks to the dispenser, application of markings to the sleeves, etc.) without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- FIG. 3A illustrated is a top perspective view of a length of sleeve roll 302 , such as sleeve roll 218 ( FIG. 2K ), in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including three interconnected pairs of sleeves 304 a - 304 c .
- the endmost pair of sleeves 304 c is removed from sleeve roll 302 by applying pressure to latitudinal perforation 306 located between endmost sleeve 304 c and adjacent sleeve 304 b .
- pair of sleeves 304 c is separated from sleeve roll 302 while simultaneously creating sleeve apertures such as sleeve apertures 308 a and 308 b ( FIG. 3B ) in pair of sleeves 304 b , which remains attached to sleeve roll 302 .
- FIG. 3B illustrated is pair of sleeves 304 c after removal from sleeve roll 302 including sleeve apertures 308 a and 308 b , latitudinal perforations 306 and 314 , latitudinal seal 322 , longitudinal perforation 310 , and longitudinal seal 312 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- Longitudinal perforation 310 allows sleeves 316 a and 316 b to be easily separated from each other by applying slight pressure on each sleeve 316 in a direction perpendicular to the centerline such that the sleeves are pulled away from each other, thereby severing longitudinal perforation 310 .
- Sleeve apertures 308 are created within pair of sleeves 304 c by severing latitudinal perforation 314 (e.g., to remove an adjacent pair of sleeves from pair of sleeves 304 c ).
- Sleeve apertures 308 allow each sleeve 316 a and 316 b of pair of sleeves 304 c to be passed over each of a pair of temples as depicted in FIG. 4 .
- the location of latitudinal perforations such as latitudinal perforation 306 relative to adjacent latitudinal seals such as latitudinal seal 322 is designed such that tearing of latitudinal perforation 306 does not disrupt or alter the integrity of latitudinal seal 322 .
- Such seals must remain intact to prevent contact of the temples with any chemicals, germs, bacteria, and the like that may be present on or external to sleeves 316 .
- each sleeve 316 a and 316 b contains longitudinal seals 318 that are segments of longitudinal seal 312 .
- longitudinal seals 318 have equivalent widths, each having a value of one half the width of longitudinal seal 312 .
- Longitudinal seals 318 reinforce the strength of each sleeve 316 and help maintain their flat or ovate cross-sectional configurations.
- Each sleeve 316 also includes latitudinal seals 320 .
- latitudinal seals 320 are one half of the length of latitudinal seal 322 .
- Longitudinal and latitudinal seals, 318 and 320 , respectively, along with sleeve apertures 308 create a pocket within each sleeve 316 into which each temple of a pair of temples may be inserted for protection from its environment.
- tubular material 202 is consumed by sleeves 216 a and 216 b . That is, no waste is produced during creation of sleeves 216 a and 216 b or separation of sleeves 216 a and 216 b from sleeve roll 218 or each other. This is an important aspect of the depicted embodiment of the present invention because it allows sleeves 216 a and 216 b to be produced inexpensively by minimizing the required quantity of raw material.
- FIG. 4A illustrated is a side view of eyeglasses 400 including, inter alia, temple 402 , temple end 404 , and eyeglass bow 406 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
- a sleeve such as sleeve 316 a is placed on eyeglasses 400 by passing the sleeve aperture such as sleeve aperture 308 a over temple end 402 .
- sleeve 316 a is slid over the entire length of temple 402 such that sleeve aperture 308 a is flush with eyeglass bow 406 and latitudinal seal 320 a contacts temple end 402 as depicted in FIG. 4B .
- sleeve 316 a is manufactured with a length that will accommodate the length of any conventional temple. In shorter temples, this may cause sleeve 316 a to overlap slightly, however, this will not prevent or decrease the level of protection provided for the temples.
- FIGS. 4A-4B include eyeglasses, sunglasses or other types of glasses may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for manufacturing sleeves, a sleeve dispenser, and a method of manufacturing inexpensive, throwaway sleeves that may be used to protect temples from chemicals, germs, bacteria, and the like. Sleeves may be inexpensively manufactured using a single inexpensive raw material as well as an inexpensive manufacturing process in which no waste material is produced. Furthermore, sleeves may be produced as a compact roll of sleeves to accommodate unobtrusive placement in areas with limited space, thereby facilitating distribution in space-limited facilities such as hair salons, spas, optometrist or ophthalmologist offices, sunglass shops, and the like. In some embodiments, the sleeves include latitudinal and longitudinal perforations that facilitate removal of pairs of sleeves from the sleeve roll and removal of each of the pair of sleeves from each other. After separation, a sleeve aperture is passed over the temple until it is fully covered and protected.
Description
- Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to aids for efficiently and effectively protecting the temples of glasses such as eyeglasses or sunglasses. More specifically, the present invention relates to sleeves, a sleeve dispenser, and a method of manufacturing inexpensive, throwaway sleeves that may be used to protect temples from chemicals, germs, bacteria, and the like.
- Many systems and methods have been created to provide additional comfort to persons requiring eyeglasses. Many such systems and methods have been designed to be permanently attached to the temples of eyeglasses. In its most simplistic form, one such system includes a lamination of the temples. This laminate creates a soft barrier between the temples and the wearer's head. In one such system, a laminate such as vinyl acetal resin is employed. The laminate is compressed and contacted against each temple rendering it a permanently component of the temple. After the laminate is applied, the temples may be bent into the shape desired by the wearer and attached to the bow of the eyeglasses.
- Another similar system was created to prevent bruising to the portion of the user's head located behind the ears while simultaneously preventing the eyeglasses from changing position while they are worn. In this system, the portion of the temples that engage the user's ear when the eyeglasses are worn is formed with the same curvature as the backside of the ear. A thin rubber cap is then placed over the curved portion of the temples such that the user's head is protected from bruising that many occur with continuous wear of the eyeglasses.
- Other such systems are designed to be removably attached to the temples of eyeglasses. In one system, a temple cover is made of an elastic deformable material. This temple cover has an elongated tubular shape with an inner diameter throughout the majority of the cover such that it may be slid over the portion of the temple that engages the user's ear. The cover also contains a reduced or constricted end portion that allows the cover to be held in place on the temple. The cover may be removed from the temple by applying pressure in a direction opposite to the eyeglass lenses. In another such system, the cover is extended such that it covers the straight portion of the temple as well as the curved portion for additional protection to the wearer's head.
- In another similar system, a temple cover is created from a transparent plastic material. This cover also has an elongated tubular shape with a constricting inner diameter throughout the majority of the cover. However, it additionally contains a slot throughout its length. This slot allows the cover to be snapped onto the end portion of temples having varying diameters and curvatures. The cover may be removed by applying pressure in a direction such that the temple is forced through the slot.
- Many systems and methods have been created to provide protection for the temples of eyeglasses. In some instances, temples may need to be protected from the environment. For example, such protection may be required when a wearer undergoes a chemical treatment to the hair, head, or face. Alternatively, temples may require protection to prevent the passage of germs or disease between multiple wearers of a single pair of eyeglasses. Furthermore, many such systems and methods have been designed to be removably attached to the temples. In their most simplistic forms, such systems include disposable temples covers.
- In one such system, a temple cover is formed from a soft resilient plastic material. The cover is tubular and consists of one open end, one closed end and a longitudinal center passage having a diameter equivalent to conventional temples. The open end of the cover further consists of a constrictive plastic ring with a short portion of the tubular member rolled about the ring. The open end of the cover is passed over the temple and the constrictive action of the ring holds the cover in place.
- In another such system, a sheet of plastic is folded in half such that its folded length is equivalent to the length of conventional eyeglass temples. A short segment of one half of the plastic is then folded back to form a cuff. The sheet is then sealed across the width of the plastic multiple times at equidistant locations to form multiple individual temple covers and the covers are cut along the seals to separate the temple covers. When protection is required, a user then passes the cuffed end of an individual temple cover over the temple until the entire temple is covered. Additionally, the temple covers may include markers such as colored markers to indicate the open end of the temple cover to the user.
- Another similar system includes a method of dispensing eyeglass temple covers. In this system, the temple covers are formed on sheets that are rolled to create a cylindrical roll of such sheets. The sheets are perforated such that they may be easily removed from the roll. Each sheet contains two individual temple covers formed from tubular pockets contained within the sheet and having one open end and one closed end. Each temple cover is also perforated at the edges for removal from the sheet. Upon removal from the sheet, the open end of the pocket is passed over the eyeglass temple when protection is required. The remainder of the sheet is then discarded.
- Similarly, another system includes temporary temple covers designed to allow temples to be molded to the shape of the wearer's head. In this system, the temple covers act as sheaths that allow the shapes of the temples to be molded to the shape of the wearer's head by facilitating the application of heat in a manner that does not cause harm to the wearer. After the temples are heated, the temple covers are placed onto the temples. The eyeglasses are then placed onto the user's head and the temples are shaped to their desired position. After the temples have cooled, the eyeglass temple covers are removed from the eyeglass temples.
- Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification.
- A sleeve dispenser for dispensing inexpensive, throwaway sleeves for protection of the temples such as eyeglass or sunglass temples is provided in one aspect of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sleeve dispenser includes, inter alia, housing and a sleeve roll.
- The sleeve roll may include interconnected pairs of sleeves. In one aspect of the present invention, the sleeves are manufactured from a flexible, chemical-resistant material. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the sleeves are manufactured from a polymer such as polyethylene, thereby creating clear, soft, flexible, sanitary sleeves that are resistant to water, acids, alkalies, and a majority of solvents. Also, use of such a material allows the sleeves to be produced inexpensively. The inexpensive cost of the sleeves accommodates throwaway use of the sleeves, thereby facilitating distribution in facilities such as hair salons, spas, optometrist or ophthalmologist offices, sunglass shops, and private homes. To further reduce the cost of the sleeves, they may be manufactured using a process wherein a minimal quantity of steps is required and no waste material is produced. During this manufacturing process, the final sleeve product may-be created in the form of a compact sleeve roll to accommodate unobtrusive placement in areas with limited space.
- The sleeves may include latitudinal and longitudinal perforations that facilitate removal of pairs of sleeves from the sleeve roll and removal of each of the pair of sleeves from each other. The sleeves also include a sleeve aperture, which may be created during the manufacturing process. Upon separation from the sleeve roll and each other, the sleeves provide protection for temples, such as eyeglass or sunglass temples, by passing the sleeve aperture over the temple until it is fully covered and protected.
- A simple, inexpensive method of manufacture of a roll of sleeves is provided in another aspect of the present invention. Although one method is described herein, other methods of manufacturing the sleeves of the present invention may be employed without departing from the present scope of the invention.
- In the first step of the manufacturing process, a tubular material is formed or purchased. In one aspect of the present invention, the tubular material is extruded tubular polyethylene having a circular diameter. Polyethylene is an inexpensive polymer that may be extruded via methods such as the application of high temperature and pressure. The use of a moldable polymer such as polyethylene also allows the sleeves to be formed without byproducts, which eliminates waste of raw materials and reduces the expense associated with the first stage of the manufacturing process.
- After the tubular material has been extruded and cooled, the manufacturing process proceeds to the second stage in which the tubular material is wound onto a reel. The winding of the tube onto the reel causes the tubular material to flatten and crease. Such flattening transforms the circular cross-sectional configuration into an ovate cross-sectional configuration. Or, alternatively, the flattening transforms the circular cross-sectional configuration such that the two halves of the tubular material are vertically stacked.
- At the onset of the third stage, the rolled, flattened, and creased tubular material is fed from the reel through a multi-stage packaging machine (i.e., a machine specifically designed and geared for creation of packages, bags, and the like) or multiple individual stage packaging machines. As the packaging machine receives the tubular material, the machine creates a longitudinal seal by simultaneously applying heat and pressure via a heat seal bar. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tubular material is evenly and longitudinally bifurcated by the longitudinal seal such that two independent, identical, interconnected tubes are formed.
- Once the tubes are formed via the addition of the longitudinal seal to the flattened and creased tubular material, the packaging machine may be reconfigured to create longitudinal perforations. Thereafter, the tubes are fed into the reconfigured packaging machine, which creates a longitudinal perforation. Alternatively, longitudinal perforations may be created as the second stage of a multi-stage packaging machine. The longitudinal perforation allows the tubes to be easily separated from each other by applying slight pressure on each tube in a direction perpendicular to the centerline such that the tubes are pulled away from each other.
- After the longitudinal perforation is created within the longitudinal seal, the packaging machine may be reconfigured to create latitudinal seals. Thereafter, the tubes are fed into the reconfigured packaging machine. The packaging machine forms sequential equally spaced latitudinal seals by simultaneously applying heat and pressure across the latitudinal extents of both of the sleeves. Alternatively, latitudinal seals may be created as the third stage of a multi-stage packaging machine. The equidistant location of each subsequent latitudinal seal creates a plurality of pairs of sleeves having equivalent lengths.
- After the latitudinal seals are created, the packaging machine may be reconfigured to create latitudinal perforations. Thereafter, the sleeves are fed through the reconfigured packaging machine. The packaging machine creates latitudinal perforations adjacent to the latitudinal seals such that one pair of sleeves may be separated from a sleeve roll. Alternatively, latitudinal perforations may be created as the fourth stage of a multi-stage packaging machine. The latitudinal perforations also create openings on the end of each of a pair of the sleeves when the pair of sleeves removed from the sleeve roll. These openings allow each of sleeves to be passed over the eyeglass temples.
- Once the tubular material has been processed through the first six stages of manufacturing, the processed tubular material may be wound about a reel or cylinder to form a sleeve roll. The resulting sleeve roll has a width equivalent to the width of two sleeves but may have varying diameters depending on the quantity of sleeves rolled thereupon. Once the sleeve roll is processed and wound about the cylinder, the sleeves may be dispensed by attaching the cylinder to any conventionally known holding mechanism sized to fit the sleeve roll. In some embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve roll is suspended within a sleeve dispenser including, but not limited to, those disclosed herein to minimize the space required for display of the sleeves and to facilitate dispensation of the sleeves.
- In one aspect of the present invention, the sleeve roll is inserted into the sleeve dispenser through roll apertures contained within the sleeve dispenser. After placing the sleeve roll into the sleeve dispenser, the unrolled end of the processed tubular material is threaded through a dispensing aperture such that it is visible to a user. A lid is then closed over the roll apertures to prevent contamination or displacement of the sleeve roll. Once the sleeve roll is installed in the sleeve dispenser, a user may remove one or more pairs of sleeves by tearing the first available latitudinal perforation. The resulting pair of sleeves may be further separated along the longitudinal perforation and applied to a pair of temples.
- In one aspect of the present invention, the base of the sleeve dispenser is designed with a narrow width and length such that the sleeve dispenser can be displayed unobtrusively in a variety of locations. For example, when the sleeve dispenser is used in a hair salon, the streamlined size of the sleeve dispenser allows a dedicated box of sleeves to be placed at each stylist's station, adjacent hairdryers, in spa stations, etc. rather than at one single location within the salon. Such placement allows the customer to access the sleeves without leaving his or her chair and, therefore, without disrupting or delaying the work of the salon employee. This is particularly important when the customer decides to don glasses for reading or the like after the stylist has begun a chemical treatment such as hair coloring, a facial, or the like.
- Additionally, the sleeve dispenser may be located in optometrist or ophthalmologist offices or in sunglass shops. By placing the sleeve dispenser in a convenient, visible location, people trying on eyeglasses or sunglasses are encouraged to use the sleeves for hygienic purposes. The use of the sleeves helps prevent the spread of germs and disease by giving the user protection from the previous users. The use of an inexpensive material also allows the sleeves to be discarded after each use. The ability for new sleeves to be used prevents the user from having to remove potentially hazardous chemicals or germs from the sleeves prior to each use.
- Furthermore, in some aspects of the present invention, the sleeve dispenser may include an integral or external waste receptacle. Such a receptacle allows the user to discard the used sleeves without having to change his or her physical location, therefore, increasing the likelihood that the user properly disposes of the sleeves. Additionally, a waste receptacle allows chemicals that may have come in contact with the sleeves to be immediately discarded prior to contamination of other surfaces.
- A further understanding of the present invention can be obtained by reference to the embodiments set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying drawings. Although the illustrated embodiments are exemplary of systems for carrying out the present invention, both the organization and method of operation of the invention, in general, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings and the following description. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention.
- For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a sleeve dispenser in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2A depicts a front perspective view of the tubular material used to manufacture sleeves such as the sleeves depicted inFIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2B depicts a cross-sectional side view taken alongline 2B-2B ofFIG. 2A illustrating the circular nature of the tubular material used to manufacture sleeves such as the sleeves depicted inFIG. 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2C depicts a front perspective view of the flattening of the tubular material depicted inFIGS. 2A-2B during the second stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2D depicts a cross-sectional side view taken alongline 2D-2D ofFIG. 2C illustrating the ovate nature of the tubular material after the second stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2E depicts a top perspective view of the longitudinally heat sealed tubular material depicted inFIGS. 2C-2D after the third stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, two tubes separated by a longitudinal seal. -
FIG. 2F depicts a cross-sectional side view taken alongline 2F-2F ofFIG. 2E illustrating the bifurcation of the flattened and longitudinally heat sealed tubular material after the third stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2G depicts a top perspective view of the longitudinally perforated tubular material depicted inFIGS. 2E-2F after the fourth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alla, two tubes separated by a longitudinal seal and longitudinal perforation. -
FIG. 2H depicts a cross-sectional side view taken alongline 2H-2H ofFIG. 2G illustrating the bifurcation of the longitudinally perforated, flattened, and longitudinally heat sealed tubular material after the fourth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 21 depicts a top perspective view of the latitudinally heat sealed tubular material depicted inFIGS. 2E-2F after the fifth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, four sleeves separated by a longitudinal seal, longitudinal perforation, and latitudinal seal. -
FIG. 2J depicts a top perspective view of the latitudinally perforated tubular material depicted inFIG. 21 after the sixth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, four sleeves separated by a longitudinal seal, longitudinal perforation, latitudinal seal, and latitudinal perforation. -
FIG. 2K depicts a front perspective view of rolled tubular material depicted inFIG. 2J after the seventh stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, a plurality of sleeves separated by longitudinal seals, longitudinal perforations, latitudinal seals, and latitudinal perforations. -
FIG. 2L depicts an angled top perspective view of the rolled tubular material depicted inFIG. 2K suspended in a dispenser after the eighth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 3A depicts a top view of three pairs of interconnected sleeves in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, longitudinal seals, longitudinal perforations, latitudinal seals, and latitudinal perforations. -
FIG. 3B depicts a top view of one pair of interconnected sleeves in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, a longitudinal seal, longitudinal perforation, latitudinal seal, and latitudinal perforation. -
FIG. 3C depicts a top view of one pair of separated sleeves in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, a longitudinal and latitudinal seal. -
FIG. 4A depicts a side view of eyeglasses in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, temple, temple end, and brow onto which a sleeve is being placed. -
FIG. 4B depicts a side view of eyeglasses in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including, inter alia, temple, temple end, brow, and sleeve. - Referring first to
FIG. 1 , depicted is a high level illustration of one embodiment ofsleeve dispenser 100 andsleeves Sleeve dispenser 100 includeshousing 102 andsleeve roll 104.Sleeve roll 104 includes interconnected pairs ofsleeves sleeves FIG. 2G , however, other methods of manufacturing may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. - In one aspect of the present invention,
sleeves sleeves sanitary sleeves sleeves sleeves - To further reduce the cost of
sleeves FIGS. 2A-2F . In this process, a minimal quantity of steps is required and no waste material is produced, further reducing the cost ofsleeves sleeves sleeve roll 104 to accommodate unobtrusive placement in areas with limited space. -
Sleeves sleeve roll 104 and each other as described in further detail with respect toFIGS. 3A-3C . Sleeves 106a and 106 b also include a sleeve aperture such as sleeve aperture 308 (FIG. 3 ), created in the manufacturing process described below with respect toFIG. 2 . Upon separation fromsleeve roll 104 and each other,sleeves FIG. 4 . - Although
sleeve roll 104 can be displayed on any conventionally known holding mechanism sized to fit the sleeve roll. In some embodiments of the present invention,sleeve roll 104 is displayed viadispenser 100 to allowsleeves Dispenser 100 includes, inter alia,base 108, dispensingaperture 110,lid aperture 112,lid 114, andaccess aperture 116.Sleeve roll 104 is placed withindispenser 100 via roll apertures such as roll apertures 224 (FIG. 2H ). The first pair ofsleeves sleeve roll 104 is then threaded through dispensingaperture 110 as described with respect toFIG. 2H . Both loading ofsleeve roll 104 and threading ofsleeve roll 104 through dispensingaperture 110 may be facilitated by usingaccess aperture 116 to gripsleeve roll 104. -
Base 108 allowsdispenser 100 to be place on any horizontal surface. Additionally,base 108 has a narrow length and width to accommodate placement ofdispenser 100 in a location that is accessible to the user but is not obstructive or intrusive to work areas in which dispenser 100 may be placed. For example,dispenser 100 could be placed on a hairdresser's station, next to salon hairdryers, or on spa stations. By placingdispenser 100 in these locations, a person undergoing a chemical treatment such as hair coloring or a facial, could easily obtainsleeves dispenser 100 could be placed in optometrist or ophthalmologist offices or in sunglass shops. By placingdispenser 100 in a convenient, visible location, people trying on eyeglasses or sunglasses would be encouraged to usesleeves sleeves sleeves - In some embodiments of the present invention,
dispenser 100 includes alid aperture 112 andlid 114. Such items allowsleeve roll 104 to be protected from the environment by closinglid 114 over access and dispensingapertures lid 114 to an attachment mechanism such aslid aperture 112. -
Dispenser 100 may optionally include an integral or external waste receptacle. Such a receptacle allows the user to discard the used sleeves into the integral waste receptacle through a disposal aperture or the like without having to change his or her physical location, therefore, increasing the likelihood that the user properly disposes ofsleeves sleeves - Turning next to
FIGS. 2A-2H , illustrated is one method of manufacturing sleeves such assleeves - Referring now to
FIG. 2A , illustrated is a perspective front view oftubular material 202 as formed or purchased in the first stage of the manufacturing process. In one aspect of the present invention,tubular material 202 is extruded tubular polyethylene having a circular diameter as depicted in the cross-sectional view shown inFIG. 2B . Polyethylene is an inexpensive polymer that may be extruded via methods such as the application of high temperature and pressure. The use of a moldable polymer such as polyethylene also allowssleeves - In one aspect of the present invention,
tubular material 202 is manufactured to have a wall thickness of two thousandths of an inch and a diameter of approximately eight tenths of one inch. However, varying dimensions can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, providing that the dimensions accommodate the dimensions of standard eyeglass temples. The length oftubular material 202 is selected based upon the quantity of desired sleeves, which may be selected based upon a quantity of factors. In one aspect of the present invention, the quantity of desired sleeves is selected to minimize the size of a sleeve dispenser such assleeve dispenser 100 to accommodate use in tight spaces (e.g., a hair stylist's counter or rolling cart, a display counter in an ophthalmologist's office, etc.). In another aspect of the present invention, a small quantity of sleeves (e.g., 30 pairs) may be manufactured for dispensers sold for home use, whereas larger quantities of sleeves (e.g., 80 pairs) may be manufactured for dispensers sold for commercial use (e.g., hair salons). These quantities may be determined based upon factors such as the length oftubular material 202. - Turning next to
FIG. 2C , illustrated is a front perspective view of the flattening and creasing oftubular material 202 as it occurs during the second stage of the manufacturing process. Aftertubular material 202 has been extruded and cooled, the manufacturing process proceeds to the second stage in whichtubular material 202 is wound onto reel 204. The winding oftubular material 202 onto reel 204 causestubular material 202 to flatten and crease. Such flattening transforms the circular cross-sectional configuration into an ovate cross-sectional configuration as depicted inFIG. 2D . In addition to providing a mechanism for flattening and creasingtubular material 202, reel 204 also facilitates storage oftubular material 202 in a manner suitable to the next (i.e., the third) stage of manufacturing. For example, storage of the flattened and creasedtubular material 202 on reel 204 may be employed to ensure thattubular material 202 is fed evenly into a packaging machine as described below with respect toFIG. 2E - Referring next to
FIG. 2E , illustrated is a top perspective view oftubular material 202 bifurcated withlongitudinal seal 208 as produced in the third stage of the manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. At the onset of this stage, rolled, flattened and creasedtubular material 202 is fed from reel 204 through a packaging machine. In one aspect of the present invention, the packaging machine is a Kwik-Pak packaging machine, however, other similar machines may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. As the packaging machine receivestubular material 202, the machine first createslongitudinal seal 208 by simultaneously applying heat and pressure via a heat seal bar. In the embodiment of the present invention depicted inFIGS. 2E-2F ,longitudinal seal 208 evenly and longitudinally bifurcatestubular material 202 such that two independent, identical,interconnected tubes FIG. 2F In the depicted embodiment, each resultingtube longitudinal seal 208 has a width of one quarter of one inch. However, alternate embodiments are envisioned having varying longitudinal seal widths, varying longitudinal seal locations (e.g., off center), and/or varying tube widths without departing from the scope of the present invention. - Turning now to
FIG. 2G , illustrated is a top perspective view oftubular material 202 bifurcated withlongitudinal seal 208 andlongitudinal perforation 210 as produced in the fourth stage of the manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Oncetubes longitudinal seal 208 to flattened and creasedtubular material 202, the second stage of the packaging machine creates longitudinal perforations.Longitudinal perforation 210 is a series of intermittent slits located approximately at the centerline oflongitudinal seal 208.FIG. 2H provides a cross-sectional view of the product that results from this stage of manufacturing.Longitudinal perforation 210 allowstubes FIG. 3 . Althoughlongitudinal perforation 210 is depicted inFIG. 2G along the centerline oflongitudinal seal 208, alternate embodiments are envisioned having varying longitudinal perforation locations (e.g., off center) andlor varying perforation widths without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, the thickness oflongitudinal seal 208 must be great enough to ensure that the outer walls of eachtube longitudinal perforation 210. Furthermore, although longitudinal seals and perforations are discussed herein as two different steps, a packaging machine fitted with a custom heat seal bar having perforation capabilities may be substituted to reduce these two steps to one step. - Referring now to
FIG. 21 , illustrated is a top perspective view of latitudinally heat sealedtubular material 202 as produced in the fifth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Afterlongitudinal perforation 210 is created withinlongitudinal seal 208, the third stage of the packaging machine creates latitudinal seals. The packaging machine forms sequential, equally spacedlatitudinal seals 212 by simultaneously applying heat and pressure across the latitudinal extents of bothtubes latitudinal seal 212 creates a plurality of pairs ofsleeves latitudinal seal 212 is located five and one half inches from the previouslatitudinal seal 212 such that each resulting pair ofsleeves latitudinal seals 212 without departing from the scope of the present invention. - Turning now to
FIG. 2J , illustrated is a top perspective view of latitudinally heat-sealed and perforatedtubular material 202 as produced in the sixth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Afterlatitudinal seals 212 are created, the fourth stage of the packaging machine creates latitudinal perforations. The packaging machine createslatitudinal perforations 214 adjacent tolatitudinal seals 212 such that one pair ofsleeves sleeve roll 218, as described below with respect toFIG. 2K .Latitudinal perforations 214 also create openings on the end of each of a pair ofsleeves sleeves FIG. 2K ). These openings allow each ofsleeves eyeglass temples 402 as discussed below with respect toFIG. 4 . Furthermore, although latitudinal seals and perforations are discussed herein as two different steps, a packaging machine fitted with a custom heat seal bar having perforation capabilities may be substituted to reduce these two steps to one step. Or, alternatively, a packaging machine fitted with a custom heat seal bar having latitudinal and longitudinal perforation and sealing capabilities may be substituted to reduce these four steps to one step. - Turning next to
FIG. 2K , illustrated is a front perspective view of rolled tubular material depicted inFIG. 2J after the seventh stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Oncetubular material 202 has been processed through the first six stages of manufacturing, the processedtubular material 202 may be wound about a reel or cylinder such ascylinder 220 to formsleeve roll 218. The resultingsleeve roll 218 has a width equivalent to the width of a pair ofsleeves sleeves tubular material 202 determines the diameter ofsleeve roll 218. After the entire length oftubular material 202 is processed,tubular material 202 is wound onto a cylinder such ascylinder 220 until the entire length oftubular material 202 encirclescylinder 220. In this scenario, the resulting width ofsleeve roll 218 is directly related to the original length oftubular material 202. Alternatively, processedtubular material 202 could have a very long length relative to the length of processedtubular material 202 wound aboutcylinder 220. In this scenario, processed tubular material would be wound aboutcylinder 220 until the desired diameter ofsleeve roll 218 is obtained. At this point, thewound tubular material 202 is detached from the unwoundtubular material 202 via a latitudinal perforation such aslatitudinal perforation 214. - Referring now to
FIG. 2L , illustrated is an angled top perspective view of sleeve roll 218 (FIG. 2K ) suspended insleeve dispenser 222 housing after the eighth stage of a manufacturing process in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In the depicted embodiment,sleeve dispenser 222 includes, inter alia,base 230,roll aperture 224, dispensingaperture 226, andlid 228. Oncesleeve roll 218 is processed and wound aboutcylinder 220,sleeves cylinder 220 to any conventionally known holding mechanism. However, in the embodiment of the present invention, depicted inFIG. 2L ,sleeve roll 218 is suspended within a dispenser such assleeve dispenser 222 to minimize the space required for display ofsleeves sleeves -
Sleeve roll 218 is inserted intosleeve dispenser 222 through an aperture such asroll aperture 224. Thereafter,sleeve roll 218 is suspended withindispenser 222 using any one of a variety of methods (e.g.,sleeve roll 218 is placed atop a shelf located internal todispenser 222, inserting a spring-loadedsleeve roll 218 into apertures located in the sides ofdispenser 222, etc.). After placingsleeve roll 218 intosleeve dispenser 222, the unrolled end of processedtubular material 202 is threaded through dispensingaperture 226 such that it is visible to a user.Lid 228 is then closed to prevent contamination or displacement ofsleeve roll 218. Oncesleeve roll 218 is installed insleeve dispenser 222, a user may remove one or more pairs ofsleeves latitudinal perforation 214. The resulting pair ofsleeves longitudinal perforation 210 and applied to a pair of temples as described in further detail below with respect toFIGS. 3-4 . -
Sleeve dispenser 222 also includesbase 230. In one aspect of the present invention,base 230 is designed with a narrow width and length such thatsleeve dispenser 222 can be displayed unobtrusively in a variety of locations. For example, whensleeve dispenser 222 is used in a hair salon, the streamlined size ofsleeve dispenser 222 allows a dedicated box ofsleeves sleeves - Additionally,
sleeve dispenser 222 may be located in optometrist or ophthalmologist offices or in sunglass shops. By placingsleeve dispenser 222 in a convenient, visible location, people trying on eyeglasses or sunglasses are encouraged to usesleeves sleeves - Although the method of manufacturing depicted in
FIGS. 2A-2L include eight steps, any quantity of steps may be performed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, some steps may be eliminated (e.g., the sleeve roll may not be housed in a dispenser, the sleeves may be not be perforated causing the wearer to manually cut them with a scissor, etc.). Or, some steps may be combined. For example, individual packaging machines may be used to individually create the latitudinal and longitudinal seals and/or perforations rather than reconfiguring a single packaging machine, or incorporating multiple packaging machines, for each of these actions. In yet another alternate embodiment, steps or stages may be added to those disclosed herein (e.g., application of color or trademarks to the dispenser, application of markings to the sleeves, etc.) without departing from the scope of the present invention. - Referring next to
FIG. 3A , illustrated is a top perspective view of a length ofsleeve roll 302, such as sleeve roll 218 (FIG. 2K ), in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention including three interconnected pairs of sleeves 304 a-304 c. When a user requires a pair of sleeves 304, the endmost pair ofsleeves 304 c is removed fromsleeve roll 302 by applying pressure tolatitudinal perforation 306 located betweenendmost sleeve 304 c andadjacent sleeve 304 b. By severinglatitudinal perforation 306, pair ofsleeves 304 c is separated fromsleeve roll 302 while simultaneously creating sleeve apertures such assleeve apertures FIG. 3B ) in pair ofsleeves 304 b, which remains attached tosleeve roll 302. - Turning now to
FIG. 3B , illustrated is pair ofsleeves 304 c after removal fromsleeve roll 302 includingsleeve apertures latitudinal perforations latitudinal seal 322,longitudinal perforation 310, andlongitudinal seal 312 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.Longitudinal perforation 310 allowssleeves longitudinal perforation 310. - Sleeve apertures 308 are created within pair of
sleeves 304 c by severing latitudinal perforation 314 (e.g., to remove an adjacent pair of sleeves from pair ofsleeves 304 c). Sleeve apertures 308 allow eachsleeve sleeves 304 c to be passed over each of a pair of temples as depicted inFIG. 4 . The location of latitudinal perforations such aslatitudinal perforation 306 relative to adjacent latitudinal seals such aslatitudinal seal 322 is designed such that tearing oflatitudinal perforation 306 does not disrupt or alter the integrity oflatitudinal seal 322. Such seals must remain intact to prevent contact of the temples with any chemicals, germs, bacteria, and the like that may be present on or external to sleeves 316. - Referring now to
FIG. 3C , illustrated aresleeves sleeve longitudinal seals 318 that are segments oflongitudinal seal 312. In one aspect of the present invention,longitudinal seals 318 have equivalent widths, each having a value of one half the width oflongitudinal seal 312.Longitudinal seals 318 reinforce the strength of each sleeve 316 and help maintain their flat or ovate cross-sectional configurations. Each sleeve 316 also includeslatitudinal seals 320. In some embodiments,latitudinal seals 320 are one half of the length oflatitudinal seal 322. Longitudinal and latitudinal seals, 318 and 320, respectively, along with sleeve apertures 308 create a pocket within each sleeve 316 into which each temple of a pair of temples may be inserted for protection from its environment. - As depicted in
FIGS. 2A-3C , the entirety oftubular material 202 is consumed bysleeves sleeves sleeves sleeve roll 218 or each other. This is an important aspect of the depicted embodiment of the present invention because it allowssleeves - Turning now to
FIG. 4A , illustrated is a side view ofeyeglasses 400 including, inter alia,temple 402,temple end 404, andeyeglass bow 406 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A sleeve such assleeve 316 a is placed oneyeglasses 400 by passing the sleeve aperture such assleeve aperture 308 a overtemple end 402. Aftersleeve aperture 308 a is passed overtemple end 402,sleeve 316 a is slid over the entire length oftemple 402 such thatsleeve aperture 308 a is flush witheyeglass bow 406 and latitudinal seal 320a contacts temple end 402 as depicted inFIG. 4B . Since the lengths oftemple 402 may vary between eyeglasses,sleeve 316 a is manufactured with a length that will accommodate the length of any conventional temple. In shorter temples, this may causesleeve 316 a to overlap slightly, however, this will not prevent or decrease the level of protection provided for the temples. Although the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 4A-4B include eyeglasses, sunglasses or other types of glasses may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. - While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, which embodiments have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that techniques, systems and operating structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiments, without departing from the spirit and the principles of the invention.
Claims (21)
1-3. (canceled)
4. An apparatus for protecting a temple comprising:
at least one length of tubing including one longitudinal seal and at least one latitudinal seal.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein said tubing is manufactured from at least one of the group consisting of a polymer, polyethylene, and extruded tubing.
6. A method of manufacturing a plurality of protectors comprising:
creating at least one longitudinal seal along a length of tubing;
creating at least one longitudinal perforation in said longitudinal seal; and
creating at least one latitudinal seal across at least a portion of a first width of said tubing.
7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein separation of said tubing along at least a portion of said longitudinal perforation after manufacturing separates a first of said protectors from a second of said protectors.
8. A method according to claim 6 , further comprising:
creating at least one latitudinal perforation across at least a portion of a second width of said tubing;
wherein separating said tubing along one of said latitudinal perforations separates a first set of said protectors from a second set of said protectors.
9. A method according to claim 8 , wherein separation of said tubing along at least a portion of said latitudinal perforation creates an aperture in at least one end of a least one of said protectors.
10. A method according to claim 6 , further comprising:
flattening said tubing via at least one of the group consisting of rolling at least one roller atop said tubing and winding said tubing tightly about a first reel.
11. A method according to claim 10 , wherein said tubing has a circular diameter prior to said flattening.
12. A method according to claim 11 , wherein said circular diameter is approximately eight tenths of one inch.
13. A method according to claim 6 , wherein said tubing has a wall thickness of approximately two thousands of one inch.
14. A method according to claim 8 , wherein at least one of the group consisting of said longitudinal seal, said latitudinal seal, said longitudinal perforation, and said latitudinal perforation is created via application of at least one of the group consisting of heat and pressure.
15. A method according to claim 14 , wherein said application of at least one of the group consisting of heat and pressure is performed via at least one of the group consisting of a heat seal bar and a packaging machine.
16. A method according to claim 6 , wherein at least one of said latitudinal seal and said longitudinal seal has a width of approximately one quarter of one inch.
17. A method according to claim 6 , wherein approximately zero of said tubing is discarded during manufacturing of said protectors.
18. A method according to claim 8 , further comprising:
rolling said plurality of said protectors about at least one second reel to create a roll of said protectors;
mounting said roll in a dispenser; and
threading a first end of said roll through at least one aperture in said housing.
19. A method according to claim 18 , wherein said dispenser includes at least one lid for shielding said protectors from said environment.
20. A method according to claim 6 , wherein said tubing is manufactured from at least one of the group consisting of a polymer, polyethylene, and extruded tubing.
21. A method of dispensing protectors comprising:
unrolling a roll end of contiguous roll of said protectors to unroll a length of said roll equal to or greater than the length of one of said protectors;
separating at least one pair of said protectors via a latitudinal perforation proximate to said roll end; and
separating a first protector from a second protector via a longitudinal perforation;
wherein approximately zero waste is created during said dispensing of said protectors.
22. A method according to claim 20 , wherein said separating via a first one of said latitudinal perforations creates an aperture in at least one first protector end of at least one protector located proximate to said first latitudinal perforation.
23. (canceled)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/147,608 US20060279691A1 (en) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-06-08 | Protective temple covering |
US12/244,072 US7708400B2 (en) | 2005-06-08 | 2008-10-02 | Protective temple covering |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/147,608 US20060279691A1 (en) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-06-08 | Protective temple covering |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/244,072 Continuation US7708400B2 (en) | 2005-06-08 | 2008-10-02 | Protective temple covering |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060279691A1 true US20060279691A1 (en) | 2006-12-14 |
Family
ID=37523781
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/147,608 Abandoned US20060279691A1 (en) | 2005-06-08 | 2005-06-08 | Protective temple covering |
US12/244,072 Expired - Fee Related US7708400B2 (en) | 2005-06-08 | 2008-10-02 | Protective temple covering |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/244,072 Expired - Fee Related US7708400B2 (en) | 2005-06-08 | 2008-10-02 | Protective temple covering |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US20060279691A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2908192B1 (en) * | 2006-11-03 | 2009-01-16 | Pierre Daniel | GLASS EYE PROTECTION ELEMENT, ELEMENTS BOARD, AND ELEMENT MANUFACTURING PROCESS |
CA2759254C (en) | 2009-04-20 | 2016-03-08 | Polyversion, Inc. | Protecting eye glass arms during hair dye process, and providing laminated gloves one over the other of the same hand size |
US8092008B2 (en) * | 2009-04-20 | 2012-01-10 | Poly-Version, Inc. | System and method for protecting eye glass arms during hair dye process, and manufacturing apparatus and method |
US7891807B2 (en) * | 2009-06-11 | 2011-02-22 | Ana Nichole Mansuy | Decorative eyeglass temples |
US20110088820A1 (en) * | 2009-10-16 | 2011-04-21 | Eli Khuri | Spectacles temple protector |
US9057889B2 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2015-06-16 | Crystal Scudder | Ocular product customization |
US10088694B1 (en) | 2014-05-08 | 2018-10-02 | Regina B. Casperson | Rolled elastomeric tubular casings for eyewear |
USD753213S1 (en) * | 2014-11-20 | 2016-04-05 | David Spampinato | Temple sleeve |
USD761346S1 (en) * | 2014-11-20 | 2016-07-12 | David Spampinato | Temple sleeve |
USD763565S1 (en) | 2015-05-08 | 2016-08-16 | Regina B. Casperson | Elastomeric tubular drawstring casing |
USD911431S1 (en) | 2017-10-11 | 2021-02-23 | Julia Brufke Wenger | Eyeglass sleeve and temple arm |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2259082A (en) * | 1940-07-11 | 1941-10-14 | Francis M Blakeney | Coated temple bow |
US2294840A (en) * | 1941-03-27 | 1942-09-01 | Dunn Maude | Spectacles |
US2436101A (en) * | 1946-03-11 | 1948-02-17 | J I Morris Co Inc | Replaceable optical temple cover |
US2502734A (en) * | 1947-08-13 | 1950-04-04 | Leon L Lyons | Eyeglass temple cover |
US3993403A (en) * | 1975-04-04 | 1976-11-23 | Brown Roderick B | Insulated fitting sheath for eyeglass temples |
US4786158A (en) * | 1986-02-10 | 1988-11-22 | Barfus Shanks Glen A | Protective cover for eyeglass temple pieces and method |
US5202707A (en) * | 1990-12-24 | 1993-04-13 | Halbridge Adam S | Flavored boot for eyeglasses |
US5440355A (en) * | 1994-02-18 | 1995-08-08 | Ross; Kelly G. | Comfortable eyeglass cover |
US5583585A (en) * | 1994-01-19 | 1996-12-10 | Gan Enterprises, Inc. | Protective cover for eyeglass temple pieces and method of making the same |
US6270217B1 (en) * | 2000-04-13 | 2001-08-07 | Michael Lizzi | Eyeglass frame protector dispensing system and method |
US20050129885A1 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2005-06-16 | Mize James A. | Paired bags and method of making same |
-
2005
- 2005-06-08 US US11/147,608 patent/US20060279691A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2008
- 2008-10-02 US US12/244,072 patent/US7708400B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2259082A (en) * | 1940-07-11 | 1941-10-14 | Francis M Blakeney | Coated temple bow |
US2294840A (en) * | 1941-03-27 | 1942-09-01 | Dunn Maude | Spectacles |
US2436101A (en) * | 1946-03-11 | 1948-02-17 | J I Morris Co Inc | Replaceable optical temple cover |
US2502734A (en) * | 1947-08-13 | 1950-04-04 | Leon L Lyons | Eyeglass temple cover |
US3993403A (en) * | 1975-04-04 | 1976-11-23 | Brown Roderick B | Insulated fitting sheath for eyeglass temples |
US4786158A (en) * | 1986-02-10 | 1988-11-22 | Barfus Shanks Glen A | Protective cover for eyeglass temple pieces and method |
US5202707A (en) * | 1990-12-24 | 1993-04-13 | Halbridge Adam S | Flavored boot for eyeglasses |
US5583585A (en) * | 1994-01-19 | 1996-12-10 | Gan Enterprises, Inc. | Protective cover for eyeglass temple pieces and method of making the same |
US5440355A (en) * | 1994-02-18 | 1995-08-08 | Ross; Kelly G. | Comfortable eyeglass cover |
US6270217B1 (en) * | 2000-04-13 | 2001-08-07 | Michael Lizzi | Eyeglass frame protector dispensing system and method |
US20050129885A1 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2005-06-16 | Mize James A. | Paired bags and method of making same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20090027613A1 (en) | 2009-01-29 |
US7708400B2 (en) | 2010-05-04 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US7708400B2 (en) | Protective temple covering | |
US20020145073A1 (en) | Roll goods dispenser system and methods of use | |
US10098787B2 (en) | Modular eye protection | |
US8616886B2 (en) | Display for viewing colorswatches | |
US20130131613A1 (en) | Disposable Eye Mask Slip | |
US20080301848A1 (en) | Collar Tape System | |
US7938535B2 (en) | Eyewear and case display apparatus | |
US5583585A (en) | Protective cover for eyeglass temple pieces and method of making the same | |
US6270217B1 (en) | Eyeglass frame protector dispensing system and method | |
CN110167386B (en) | Facial mask package | |
US20110088820A1 (en) | Spectacles temple protector | |
GB2220557A (en) | Disposable protective cape | |
KR101572955B1 (en) | Dispenser for Plaster | |
US8092008B2 (en) | System and method for protecting eye glass arms during hair dye process, and manufacturing apparatus and method | |
JP2011183093A (en) | Mask member | |
US9283712B2 (en) | Providing laminated gloves one over the other of the same hand size | |
US20070091254A1 (en) | Spectacle kit | |
US20180133073A1 (en) | Tampon and tampon application wrapper | |
KR101713566B1 (en) | Disposable vinyl gloves and A vinyl gloves put on equipment | |
KR20210141286A (en) | Face protection mask to block UV and harmful substances | |
WO2017100606A1 (en) | Hair treatment and removal accessories | |
KR101910810B1 (en) | Mask pack set | |
US20030226572A1 (en) | Hair treatment device with transparent segment and dispensing apparatus therefor | |
KR20230010438A (en) | Mask pack having handle | |
WO2016098871A1 (en) | Packaging for accommodating at least two types of components |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TEMPLECLEAN, LLC, NEW JERSEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:COLEMAN, MARILYN LEE;COLEMAN, WILLIAM JAMES;REEL/FRAME:016687/0505 Effective date: 20050604 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BLK ENTERPRISES, LLC, NEW JERSEY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TEMPLECLEAN, LLC;REEL/FRAME:018297/0199 Effective date: 20060822 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |