US20140058981A1

US20140058981A1 - Disposable body towel and packaging

Info

Publication number: US20140058981A1
Application number: US13/973,019
Authority: US
Inventors: Tracey Mastromarco
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-08-22
Filing date: 2013-08-22
Publication date: 2014-02-27
Also published as: CA2824546A1

Abstract

Various embodiments are described herein relating to a device and method for a disposable body towel and its accompanying waterproof container. In alternate embodiments, the towel may comprise a textured section, a lotion section, perforated coupons, a pocket, a graphic section and a cut-away section. The towel may comprise inward and outward-facing adhesive sections that may be configured to removably attach to one-another, preventing a towel from falling off when wrapped around a user. The towel may be fabricated of a plurality of plies of cellulose and/or polymer/and/or viscose fabric having different properties of wet-strength, absorbency, softness and biodegradability. In a preferred embodiment the towel is fabricated of biodegradable materials. In a preferred embodiment the towel is packaged in an easily-opened, lightweight, recyclable waterproof container. In alternate embodiments, the towel may be shaped for use as a disposable robe or a disposable pillow case.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/692,072, filed on Aug. 22, 2012. The content of this application is being incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the field of disposable biodegradable towels.
1. Introduction
Disposable paper towels are well known in the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,707 discloses a disposable beach towel having two layers, including a top layer of absorbent material and a bottom layer of water impermeable material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,003,509 discloses a disposable bath towel and dispensing device. The reference discloses a series of absorbent tear off elongated sheets of paper imprinted to have opposite ends with simulated borders and having felted absorbent fibers extending from the printed surface along the length of the respective sheets with multicolored zones resembling quality textile cloth toweling.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,918 discloses a disposable paper bath towel with integral apertures and tie. The reference discloses that the sheet possesses sufficient structural strength when wet to resist degradation.
2. Summary
Various embodiments are described herein relating to a device and method for a disposable body towel and its accompanying waterproof container. In alternate embodiments, the towel may comprise a textured section, a lotion section, perforated coupons, a pocket, a graphic section and a cut-away section. The towel may comprise inward and outward-facing adhesive sections that may be configured to removably attach to one-another, preventing a towel from falling off when wrapped around a user. The towel may be fabricated of a plurality of plies of cellulose and/or polymer/and/or viscose fabric having different properties of wet-strength, absorbency, softness and biodegradability. In a preferred embodiment the towel is fabricated of biodegradable materials, In a preferred embodiment the towel is packaged in an easily-opened, lightweight, recyclable waterproof container. In alternate embodiments, the towel may be shaped for use as a disposable robe or a disposable pillow case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how these various embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings which show at least one example embodiment and in which:

FIG. 1, in a planar view, illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a disposable body towel.

FIG. 2, in a planar view, illustrates an alternate embodiment of a disposable body towel.

FIG. 3A, in a planar view, illustrates an embodiment of a self-adhering disposable body towel.

FIG. 3B, in planar view, illustrates an embodiment of a self-adhering disposable body towel.

FIG. 3C, in a perspective view, illustrates the self-adhering disposable body towel of FIGS. 3A and 3B as it may be wrapped around a user.

FIG. 4A, in a side view, illustrates an embodiment of a disposable body towel.

FIG. 4B, in a side view, illustrates an embodiment of a disposable body towel having two plies.

FIG. 4C, in a side view, illustrates an embodiment of a disposable body towel having two plies of one material and a third ply of a different material.

FIG. 5A, in a top view, illustrates a first step in a method of packaging a disposable body towel in a waterproof container.

FIG. 5B, in a top view, illustrates a second step in a method of packaging a disposable body towel in a waterproof container.

FIG. 5C, in a top view, illustrates a third step in a method of packaging a disposable body towel in a waterproof container.

FIG. 5D, in a top view, illustrates a fourth step in a method of packaging a disposable body towel in a waterproof container.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a waterproof container for a disposable body towel.

FIG. 7, in a planar view, illustrates a preferred embodiment of a waterproof container for a disposable body towel.

FIG. 8, in a perspective view, illustrates an alternate embodiment of a disposable body towel as a disposable robe.

FIG. 9A, in a planar view, illustrates an alternate embodiment of a disposable body towel as a disposable pillowcase.

FIG. 9B, in a side view, illustrates an alternate embodiment of a disposable body towel as a disposable pillowcase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, shown therein is an exemplary embodiment of a disposable body towel. Though the towel 12 is shown having a rectangular surface area, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the towel may optionally be any other shape suitable for removing moisture from a body, such as circular or hexagonal. The exemplary embodiment of the towel 12 has two opposite surface areas (surfaces).
In some embodiments the towel 12 may be fabricated of material known to those of ordinary skill in the art as having a high wet strength, softness and absorbency. In some embodiments, the towel 12 may be fabricated of re-purposed or recycled paper products and/or of industrial strength paper towel. Embodiments of the towel 12 may also be biodegradable, may be fabricated with unbleached cellulose and may include a polymer weave. In some embodiments, the towel 12 may be fabricated of viscose fabric and may be biodegradable. In some embodiments the towel 12 may be fabricated of viscose fabric having a weight of 95 Grams per Square Meters (GSM) and may be biodegradable. In other embodiments, viscose fabric of different weight may alternatively be used.
In use, a user can rub the surfaces of the towel 12 on wet skin, such that the towel's absorbent material dries the user's skin.
In a preferred embodiment the towel 12 may have a length 14 of approximately 45″, a width 16 of approximately 25″ and a thickness of ⅛″. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that these dimensions may vary. For example, in some embodiments the length 14 may range from 30″ to 60″, the width may range from 15″ to 40″ and the total thickness of all plies may range from 1/32″ to ¼″.
Referring now to FIG. 2, shown therein is an alternate embodiment of a disposable towel. The towel 12 b comprises a textured section 18, a lotion section 20, a plurality of perforated coupon lines 22, a pocket section 24, a graphic section 26 and a cutaway section 28. In other embodiments, the towel 12 b may comprise one or more of the above-listed 25 features without comprising all of these features. For example, some embodiments of towel 12 b may comprise the textured section 18, without including one or more of the lotion section 20, the plurality of perforated coupon lines 22, the pocket section 24, the graphic section 26 or the cutaway section 28.
The textured section 18 comprises an area of the towel that may be compressed mechanically such that a depressed texture is created on at least one surface of the towel 12 b. Depressed textures may be applied on both surfaces. The depressed texture may be configured to resemble commonly known cloth body towel embroidery. Alternatively, paper, polymer or viscose fabric particles may be joined to the towel by adhesive such that a felted surface texture is created providing additional softness and absorbency.
The textured area 18 may be limited to one end of the towel 12 b as shown in FIG. 2 or may encompass any other or additional areas of the towel. Any of the other sections or perforations shown in FIG. 2 may overlap with section 18.
The lotion section 20 may be a section of the towel 12 b that is impregnated with a lotion. During use, the lotion may partly transfer to a user's body. The lotion may be a moisturizer or other lotions beneficial to skin or for enhancing a feeling of softness of the towel 12 b. In a preferred embodiment, the lotion section 20 may comprise sunscreen, such that during use the sunscreen may be transferred to the user's body to enhance protection from the sun. In a preferred embodiment the quantity of lotion applied to the towel can be such that the towel continues to be operable to absorb additional water despite the impregnation by lotion. Though the embodiment in FIG. 2 shows that the lotion may be applied to a central section of the towel 12 b, it will be understood to those of ordinary skill in the art that the lotion may cover the entirety of the towel or only some areas. The lotion may, for example, be applied to the towel in a pattern such that only some sections of the towel are impregnated. In alternate embodiments the lotion may be applied to only one surface of the towel or may be applied to both surfaces. In embodiments where lotion is only applied to one surface of the towel, the other surface could optimally be used for drying. Optionally, instead of being impregnated into the towel a small amount of lotion, suitable, say for one of two applications of lotion to most of the area of the skin of an adult can be provided with a towel in a shared package, such as the packaging described below in relation to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D.
The plurality of perforated coupon lines 22 may separate a plurality of coupon sections between the coupon lines. In exemplary embodiments the coupon sections may comprise barcodes or graphics. In use these coupon sections may be torn from the towel by a user and redeemed at a business to purchase or reduce the cost of beverages or other items. In use, in the hopes of receiving increased sales, an owner of the business could ask a seller of the disposable towel to include coupon sections with the towel that are redeemable for a discount on products sold by the owner of the business. In exchange, the owner of the business may subsidize the cost of the towel. Optionally, the coupon sections may only be redeemable at businesses in a specific tourist or visitor amusement area, such as a water park, amusement park or boardwalk. Optionally, the coupon may only be redeemable at businesses within a predetermined area, for example within a 5 kilometer radius of where the towel is sold. The coupon lines 22 may be located anywhere on the surfaces of the towel 12 b. In other embodiments, the coupons may form part of the towel surface, and may be configured to be stamped or to have a hole punched through the towel within the border of the coupon to indicate that the coupon has been redeemed, such that the part of the towel comprising the coupon can continue to be used as a towel even after the coupon has been redeemed. Optionally, instead of being part of the towel, separate coupons can be provided with a towel in a shared package, such as the packaging described below in relation to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D. Optionally, separate coupons can be provided with a towel by being removably adhered to the towel surface instead of being provided with a towel in a shared package, such that there are no perforated coupon lines.
Alternatively, the coupons may form part of the packaging itself and may further optionally be formed as a detachable part of the packaging. Optionally, the towel 12 b may comprise coupon line 21, a perforation oriented transversely to coupon lines 22, allowing for easier tearing of the coupon sections.
The pocket section 24 may comprise a section of towel material (see above) joined to the towel 12 b at all but one side by stitching, resin or other techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The side that is not joined to towel 12 b may be left open, creating a pocket. In use, valuables or other items may be placed in the pocket section 24 by a user. In alternate embodiments there may be more than one pocket section 24 on the towel 12 b. Additional pocket sections 24 could be located on opposite sides of the towel 12 b. The pocket section(s) 24 may be located anywhere on the surfaces of the towel 12 b.
The graphic section 26 may comprise a printed graphic, joined to the towel 12 b and comprising a logo for a business, an advertisement or a map. Alternatively, the graphic section 26 may comprise a depression of the towel, wherein at least one surface of the towel is depressed by some means to provide a depressed texture forming a logo, advertisement or map. In alternate embodiments there may be more than one graphic section 26 on the towel. The graphic section 26 may be located anywhere on the surfaces of the towel 12 b. The map may, for example, be a map of a water park or amusement park at which the towel is sold.
The cutaway section 28 may be joined to the rest of the towel 12 b by a perforation of the towel 12 b. In alternate embodiments, the cutaway section 28 may have a cross-sectional area that may be folded into the shape of a visor or hat. In use, a user may grasp the cutaway section 28, tear it from the towel and then fold the cutaway section 28 to provide a useful item such as a visor.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, shown therein is an embodiment of a self-adhering disposable body towel 12 c. FIGS. 3A and 3B show opposite surfaces of the towel 12 c. The towel 12 c comprises a first end 30, a second end 32, an inward-facing adhesive section 34, an adhesive cover 36 and an outward-facing adhesive section 38. The features described in the following embodiments may be combined with any of the embodiments described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 above.
The inward-facing adhesive section 34 may be configured to detachably adhere to outward-facing adhesive section 38. Referring now to
FIG. 3C, in use a user may wrap the towel 12 c around herself such that inward-facing adhesive section 34 overlaps at least a part of outward-facing adhesive section 38. In use, the surface shown in FIG. 3A may face outward from the body while the surface shown in FIG. 3B may face inward toward the body. When in use as described, inward-facing section 34 and outward-facing section 38 can adhere to one another to prevent a wrapped towel from inadvertently falling off of a user.
Inward-facing adhesive section 34 may be permanently attached to towel 12 c or may be removably attached. In various embodiments inward-facing adhesive section 34 may be removably attached at different positions along length 14. This may allow the towel to be used by users of different sizes. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that though inward-facing adhesive section 34 is shown having a circular area, it is not so limited. It may, for example have a rectangular area, and may only be as wide as the outward-facing adhesive section 38.
In various embodiments outward-facing adhesive section 38 may comprise a towel section having a felted surface with exposed paper, polymer or viscose fabric particles. Inward-facing adhesive section 34 may comprise a plurality of hook-shaped protrusions, optionally made from polymer. Upon contact between inward and outward sections 34 and 38, these hook-shaped protrusions may be configured to removably attach to the exposed fibers of the outward-facing section. In some embodiments, inward-facing and/or outward-facing adhesive sections 34 and 38 may be fabricated of Velcro™.
In alternate embodiments, the inner and/or outward- adhesive sections 34 or 38 may be fabricated of resin or glue. The resin or glue may be waterproof and may be chosen to avoid skin irritation should contact occur. Where either adhesive section 34 or 38 is fabricated of resin or glue, either section may adhere to towel material on contact. Accordingly, in such 30 embodiments the towel may not necessarily comprise two opposing adhesive sections (34, 38), as only one adhesive section (34 or 38) may be necessary to allow the towel to resist falling off when wrapped around a user according to the use described above. Optionally, both sections may still be included.
Outward-facing adhesive section 38 may extend along the entire length 14 of the towel or may only partly extend along length 14. In embodiments where inner or outward adhesive sections comprise glue or resin, as shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, adhesive cover 36 may fully or partly cover outward-facing adhesive section 38. The adhesive cover may stop undesired adhering of outward-facing adhesive section 38 to foreign surfaces or particles, which may reduce stickiness. During use, a portion of adhesive cover 36 may be peeled off of outward-facing adhesive section 38 by the user, to reveal outward-facing adhesive section 38. Adhesive cover 36 may be a thin plastic, viscose fabric or paper layer. A second adhesive cover could be used to cover inward-facing adhesive section 34.
In alternate embodiments a detachable adhesive strip may be packaged with the towel. In one exemplary embodiment, the detachable adhesive strip could be included in pocket section 24 during sale (see FIG. 2). In such embodiments, during use, a user could pick a desired size of detachable adhesive strip, tear off a selected portion of the adhesive strip, apply it at a chosen location on the towel and wrap the towel around herself according to the use described above, such that the towel would be held together by the portion of adhesive strip. Adhesive covers (similar to 36) could cover opposite surfaces of the adhesive strip and be removed before use.
Referring now to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, shown therein are side views of exemplary embodiments of the towel 12, 12 b or 12 c. FIG. 4A shows a preferred embodiment of a body towel, fabricated of materials as described above, comprising a first towel ply 40. FIG. 4B shows an exemplary embodiment where a first towel ply 40 has been joined to a second similarly dimensioned towel ply 42 by a resin, stitching, adhesive or any other technique known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In an exemplary embodiment, the first towel ply 40 and second towel ply 42 may be fabricated of different materials, such that the first towel ply 40 may have a high absorbency, but a second towel ply 42 has a high wet strength. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other combinations of materials for the first and second towel plies may be used. In a preferred embodiment, resin or adhesive between the two towels plies may be hydrophobic, such that water does not pass between the two layers. In alternate embodiments, the resin or adhesive may be hygroscopic such that water is easily passed from one layer to the other. FIG. 4C shows an exemplary embodiment wherein a first towel ply 40 and a second towel ply 42 are also joined to a third towel ply 44, wherein the third towel ply 44 is fabricated of a different material than the first towel ply 40 and second towel ply 42. The joining may be accomplished as described above. The third towel ply 44 may be included to add a waterproof layer between the sections of towel or may be included to provide added strength or other material properties as needed.
Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, shown therein are top views of a method of packaging a disposable body towel in a waterproof container. In some embodiments, container 50 may comprise a substantially rectangular sheet of plastic having a top section 52, joined at fold line 54 to bottom section 56, joined to flap section 60 at fold line 58. In some embodiments, container 50 may be fabricated of biodegradable material. In a preferred embodiment, container 50 is fabricated of recyclable material.
In one embodiment, top section 52 and bottom section 56 may each measure 8″ by 8″, while the flap section 60 may have a width along fold line 58 of approximately 8″, but a length away from fold line 58 of less than 8″.
Packaging a disposable towel 12 (or 12 b or 12 c) as described in the embodiments above may comprise the following steps. Referring now to FIG. 5A, folding towel 12 manually and placing it on bottom section 56. Then, referring to FIG. 5B, folding top section 52 over towel 12 and onto bottom section 56, such that top section 52 overlaps towel 12 and bottom section 56. Then, referring to FIG. 50, folding flap section 60 onto section 52, partly covering it up to separation line 62. Finally, referring to FIG. 5D, first seals 66, 66′ may be made along the sides of the container sealing two sides of the container. Removable join 64 may be applied between flap section 60 and top section 52. Additionally, a second seal may be applied along separation line 62. In a preferred embodiment a second seal along separation line 62 will 5 have less tensile and shear strength than first seals along lines 66, 66′.
In use, a user may tear or cut the material along separation line 62 and then pull open the container. The user may then remove the towel from the opened package, unfold the towel and use it for drying purposes or, referring to FIG. 2, any of the other uses described above.
In various embodiments, the seals along lines 66, 66′ and 62 may be created using compression sealing, heat sealing, adhesive or other techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art to seal thin plastic layers. The seals may be impermeable to water, such that when the seals along lines 66, 66′ and 62 are created, the container becomes waterproof. Removable join 64 may be joined to flap section 60 and top section 52 using the same techniques that can be used for creating the seals.
In a preferred embodiment, graphics may be printed on the outside or inside surface of the container.
Referring now to FIG. 6, shown therein is a side view of a waterproof container for a disposable body towel.
Referring now to FIG. 7, shown therein is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a waterproof container for a disposable body towel. In this embodiment, the second seal is not made along separation line 62. Instead a seal is made along third seal 68, spaced from line 62 along flap section 60. This seal joins the flap section 60 and the top section 52 along third seal 68. This third seal may be made according to sealing techniques discussed above. This embodiment may be preferred as a user may pull along a flap created between separation line 62 and seal 68 to provide an easier means of opening the container.
Referring now to FIG. 8 and FIGS. 9A and 9B, shown therein are views of alternate embodiments of the disposable towel 12 where the disposable towel 12 is shaped for alternate uses, as described in paragraph 0009. FIG. 8, in a perspective view, shows an exemplary embodiment of a disposable towel 12 shaped for use as a disposable robe 70. Though this embodiment shows the robe 70 having sleeves 72, 72′ and body section 74, the person of ordinary skill the art will understand that the robe could be shaped with many alternate embodiments. For example, it may be shaped to include legs as well as sleeves. FIG. 9A and 9B in a planar view and a side view, respectively, show the disposable towel 12 shaped for use as a disposable pillowcase 80. Fabricating a disposable pillowcase 80 may involve the steps of folding a disposable towel 12 along a centrally located fold line 82 and then applying adhesive, sowing or otherwise joining the two folded halves of the disposable towel 12 along sides 84, 84′. In use, a pillow can be slid into the disposable pillowcase 80. The person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the disposable robe 70 and disposable pillowcase 80 will be suitably sized for use. In a preferred embodiment, sides 84, 84 may measure 54″ and fold line 84 may measure 21″. In some embodiments, sides 84, 84 may measure between 50″ to 75″ and fold line 82 may measure between 15″ to 25″. The person of ordinary skill in the art will understand that all of the alternate embodiments of the disposable towels 12 and 12 b may also apply to the disposable robe 70 and the disposable pillowcase 80. For example, a coupon section could be added along a sleeve of the robe.
While the applicant's teachings described herein are in conjunction with various embodiments for illustrative purposes, it is not intended that the applicant's teachings be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the applicant's teachings described and illustrated herein encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, without departing from the embodiments, the general scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A disposable towel comprising:

a sheet of biodegradable material for manually removing moisture from a user body without causing discomfort;

wherein the sheet comprises a map graphic section and a coupon section;

wherein the map graphic section comprises an imprinted graphic representation of a geographic area on at least one face of the sheet;

wherein the coupon section comprises a plurality of detachable coupons separated by a plurality of parallel perforations extending inwardly from an edge of the sheet; and

wherein each detachable coupon is manually detachable from the coupon section without compromising the integrity of the towel.

2. The disposable towel of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable material is viscose fabric.

3. The disposable towel of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable material is viscose fabric having a weight of 95 grams per square meter.

4. The disposable towel of claim 1, wherein the biodegradable material is paper.

5. The disposable towel of claim 1, wherein an additional coupon perforation extends transversely across the plurality of parallel perforations.

6. A method for providing a disposable towel, the method comprising:

providing at a point of sale location a sheet of biodegradable material for manually removing moisture from a user body without causing discomfort, the sheet comprising:

a map graphic section imprinted on at least one face of the sheet and having a graphic representation of a point of sale area, the point of sale area comprising an area within 5 km of the point of sale location; and

a coupon section comprising a plurality of manually detachable coupons separated by a plurality of parallel perforations extending inwardly from an edge of the sheet and redeemable to reduce a cost of an item at a business within the point of sale area.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the biodegradable material is viscose fabric.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the biodegradable material is viscose fabric having a weight of 95 grams per square meter.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the biodegradable material is paper.

10. A disposable product comprising:

a disposable sheet of biodegradable material.

11. The disposable product of claim 10, wherein the disposable sheet is rectangular for use as a body towel.

12. The disposable product of claim 10, wherein the disposable sheet is shaped for use as a pillowcase.

13. The disposable product of claim 10, wherein the disposable sheet is shaped for use as a robe.