US20150335209A1

US20150335209A1 - Therapeutic towel pocket towels

Info

Publication number: US20150335209A1
Application number: US14/677,276
Authority: US
Inventors: Neecie Price
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-04
Filing date: 2015-04-02
Publication date: 2015-11-26

Abstract

The historical, traditional flat towel has never been changed in the technical sense. The Therapeutic Pocket Towel combines the ability of absorbent fabric to technically cling to the hands with the combination of gentle pressure, gravity and tension. The entire towel line of products are utilitarian in design. Each pocket is sized and constructed specifically to allow the user's hands to easily slip into the fabric or material where seams create a pocket/glove-like controlling agent. The hands will easily slip out as easily as they slip in by gravity or gentle pressure. When your hands are in the pockets it feels natural to spread your fingers apart which instantly gives you real control over the flexible fabric. This utility does not keep a person from closing the hand. The natural urge to curl the fingers is not obstructed. This gives the users the choice to open the hand or close the hand to have the benefit of control and efficiency.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent filed on Feb. 4, 2014, U.S. Ser. No. 61/965,620 Therapeutic Towel

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In 2008 the invention came to mind as a result of trying to use a common flat towel to dry my handicapped daughter after a bath. I was having trouble holding onto the flat towel and kept dropping it. My frustration level rose to the point I screamed, “God, there has to be a better way!”. At that moment I saw in my mind a towel that had pockets at both ends of the towel where I could slip my hands into them and I would not drop the towel. I made the towel I saw in my mind and I have used the pocket towel ever since. Not only was it easier to hold onto the towel but I was able to keep track of the moisture content of the various portions of the cloth so that I was using the towel more efficiently. I liked that I could fold the pocket towels the same as the flat ones and they fit in my cabinets the same.
In 2009 I filed a provisional utility patent application on the pocket towel without stabilizing seams within the pockets. The stabilizing seams came about in 2013. I asked God to tell me how to make it where my hands did not slip and turn over inside the pockets when I applied increased pressure while I was drying my daughters feet and lower legs. He told me to stitch a seam inside the pocket. At that same time I became aware that with the stabilizing seams I was able to use different muscles to handle the towel and it was even easier to use. The fact that different muscles were involved in the manipulating of the towel with the stabilizing seams made the towel take on a therapeutic utility nature. The provisional utility patent for the therapeutic utility technology was files Feb. 4, 2014.
In 2014 the other towels and cloths with pockets came to mind that made washing dishes, wiping down countertops, cleaning the tub, dusting furniture, cleaning windows, drying my dog and drying my car easier and less frustrating. Washing, drying or dusting a hard flat surface with a flat towel or cloth makes it easy for the cloth to roll up under the hand making it necessary to reposition the material to continue the process. My utility design keeps the cloth in place with less effort while in use which is quite an improvement over the common flat towel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I believe the structure of the conventional towel has not changed since prehistoric times. We have had to put up with its limitations. The control over the flexible cloth we call the towel has been the closing of the hand. But today, we insist on softness that slides easily across various surfaces and through our hands. This situation causes problems with anyone who has difficulty holding onto a flat towel. People that have arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, missing lingers or hands, frozen joints, confined to wheel chairs, recovering from some surgeries may benefit from the towel with pockets. Even the personal care providers who have to bathe the handicapped, the hospital patient, the nursing home tenant, the family member with disabilities and Alzheimer's have needed an apparatus that would make their job a little easier. Doctors have commented that it was about time someone came up with the pocket towel as a physical therapy aid.
There is a fun side of the pocket towel. While the family was enjoying the beach the pocket towel came in handy. It kept the wind from blowing the towel out of my hands. While I noticed other people were picking their towels up out of the sand and surf I held onto mine easily and securely because it had pockets. The pockets made a place to keep a wallet out of sight. The pockets also gave me a place to carry small items (sea shells) back to the car.
I am sure the public at large will come up with their own uses for the pocket towel in the sensual arena. I'll just say I believe the pocket towel will become a sensual wedding present for the wedding night.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

What each towel drawing has in common is the pockets that a person can slip their hands into for better use whatever towel, cloth or rag needed to get the job done easier, comfortably and more efficiently. Each design is simple to understand since each one starts out with the typical flat material, cloth, rag or whatever material is used in everyday life. The drawing are not professional but are easily read.

On page 7 the drawing shows the fabric is folded from its original shape to accommodate the pocket effect. The template for folding and sewing the Therapeutic Bath Towel, on page 8, is to facilitate the production efficiently and for uniformity.

Page 9 is a blow up of the utility construction of each pocket.

Page 10 is the basic design for the smaller face towels, kitchen/dish rags and shop towels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Therapeutic Towel is made from the standard rectangular terry cloth or any absorbent fabric. The utility is not in the fabric but in the construction and use. The measurements are standardized as well as the thickness, quality and colors. Using the template the rectangular fabric is laid flat and the template is placed approximately six inches from one of the narrow width ends and the end of the towel is folded to overlap the template with the open end of the template pointing away from the towel. The seams are sewn around the template to form the characteristic pockets and stabilizing seams within the pockets. To keep the folded edge from becoming stiff the seams are started at least one inch from the folded edge. The size of the pockets will be determined according to the dimensions of the towel and the sizing of small, medium and large pockets. The template will be constructed of both flexible and non-flexible material.
A template will not be necessary in the production of the smaller cloths. Skilled employees can easily fold and stitch the face, hand, dish and shop towels. The folding is unique to the utility and use of each item.

Claims

I-VII. (canceled)
1-3. (canceled)
8. The structure of the pocket towels and cloths increases the control of the towel in the washing, drying and dusting process substantially so that the user gets to technically wear the towels and cloths on their hands and the hands will not loose control until the user relaxes the hands to allow the towel to easily slip off the hands.
9. The structure of the pocket bath towels makes them more efficient by the user being able to keep track of the drying surface of the bath towel.
10. The structure of the pocket towels and cloths allows them to take on a therapeutic effect by allowing people to use the muscles on the back and sides of the hands and fingers to help control the towel or cloth thus relieving some stress on the palm side of the hand and wrist.