Hygienic Towel

Description

GOVERNMENT CONTRACT

Not applicable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT RE. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT & TRADEMARK NOTICES

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner. The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any one of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights and trade dress rights whatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed subject matter relates generally to an athletic towel, and, more particularly, to a hygienic towel configured to reduce bacterial load of certain surfaces on a Pilates reformer machine.

BACKGROUND

Sweat is a natural physiological response to physical activity, facilitated by the millions of sweat glands present in the human body. This mechanism aids in cooling and dispersing heat, allowing individuals to perform activities comfortably. While sweat itself is odorless, when absorbed by textiles, it creates a warm and moist environment ideal for the proliferation of odor-causing bacteria. The unpleasant odor released by bacteria contributes to reduced self-confidence in a significant portion of the population. Accelerated microbial growth on textiles, occurring every four to 20 minutes, not only results in unpleasant odors but also accelerates the degradation of textile integrity. This degradation not only affects the aesthetic appeal of textiles but also compromises their functional properties, such as elasticity and absorbency.

Indeed, shared gym equipment exacerbates the challenge of maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards. With multiple individuals using the same-often specialized and uniquely configured-equipment throughout the day, the risk of microbial transmission and cross-contamination is heightened. Failure to thoroughly clean equipment of residue from sweat and personal care products on athletic equipment surfaces can lead to skin irritations and allergic reactions, while accumulated dust and allergens can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma. To address these issues, regular cleaning and disinfection of gym equipment are essential, and gym-goers are encouraged to use personal towels to cover and wipe down equipment during and after use.

Many towels specially designed for gym use have been proposed. For instance, designs for yoga and Pilates mats and athletic towels exist, as evidenced by patents such as U.S. Pat. No. D835,433 to Moore et al., U.S. Pat. No. D713,176 by Shiheiber, and U.S. Pat. No. D770,813 to Furstenburg et al. Others have proposed functional improvements to athletic towels, such as U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2014/0335319 by Tsai describing a double-sided anti-slip mat, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,969 to Nichols describing an absorbent towel with anti-slip projections on one side. Still, none of these are configured to accommodate the unusual shape of certain shared gym equipment, such as Pilates reformers, which comprise a number of specialized protrusions that are not easily covered by the proposed towels.

Despite efforts to promote personal hygiene and equipment sanitation, the rapid reproduction of bacteria, microbes, and viruses on textiles and equipment surfaces persists as a significant concern in fitness facilities, particularly where shared equipment can harbor pathogens that may be transmitted through skin contact and sweat. Thus, although various proposals have been made to solve to improve the hygiene of shared gym equipment, none of those in existence combine the characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, there remains a need for a hygienic towel that can accommodate the unusual shape of certain shared gym equipment, such as Pilates reformers.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a hygienic towel treated with an antimicrobial agent and having means for removably securing the towel along the length of an exercise platform, such as a Pilates reformer carriage. A Pilates reformer carriage may be referred to throughout for ease of illustrating advantages of the hygienic towel, however, it is contemplated that the towel may be deployed to cover a wide variety of exercise benches and fitness apparatuses without departing from the invention.

For purposes of summarizing, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features have been described. It is to be understood that not all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment. Thus, the disclosed subject matter may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages without achieving all advantages as may be taught or suggested.

In some embodiments, the hygienic towel comprises an absorbent sheet of woven or non-woven fabric, such as an absorbent, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying microfiber sheet, adapted to lay flat along a Pilates reformer carriage and protrusions such as shoulder blocks. In some embodiments, the sheet may be microsuede. The words “towel” and “sheet” may be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure.

It is further contemplated that the sheet may be self-sanitizing. For instance, the sheet may be treated with an antimicrobial agent operative to inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses such as a wash-resistant solution operative to inhibit the proliferation or growth of at least some microorganisms on the sheet. The solution may comprise silver chloride which is operative to inhibit the proliferation of microorganisms by the oligodynamic effect. In some embodiments, the solution strength may be between about 4% to about 8% by weight silver chloride, or about 5% to about 7%, by weight silver chloride or at least 6% by weight silver chloride. The solution when applied to the sheet is operative kill any or a combination of bacteria K. pneumoniae and S. Aureus, and viruses Sars-COV-2, H1N1, and H3N3, known to those of ordinary skill in the art, by up to about 98% to about 99.99% within a two-hour period.

It is notable that killing microorganisms in this manner may effectively reduce odors that proliferate from microorganism activity, and that this antimicrobial and effectively self-sanitizing feature may not only render the towel odor resistant but also prolong the life of the textile.

As to its configuration, the hygienic towel may comprise an upper surface and a bottom surface as well as a top end and a bottom end spaced apart by parallel first and second side edges. The bottom end is defined by a straight edge, and the first and second side edges converge with the bottom end edge to define first and second bottom corners. A plurality of flaps extend from the top end in order to enable the hygienic towel to lay flat across the length of an exercise platform, such as the aforementioned Pilates reformer carriage, and, in particular, to accommodate protrusions on the platform, such as shoulder blocks. Accounting for the exemplary Pilates reformer shoulder blocks, the flaps may comprise a left flap and a right flap corresponding to one each of the shoulder blocks as well as a central flap disposed between the left and right flaps corresponding to a headrest. In some embodiments, some of the flaps, such as the left and right flaps, may be longer than another in order to account for additional surface area of protrusions in the exercise platform.

In some embodiments, the hygienic towel further comprises means for removably securing the hygienic towel to the exercise platform. Such means may comprise a plurality of elastic straps disposed along portions of the bottom surface of the sheet and sized to elastically encircle portions of the exercise platform. The elastic straps disposed on the bottom surface of the sheet, spanning the width of one each of the left and right flaps, respectively, and may be sized to elastically encircle one each of a Pilates reformer shoulder block in combination with a terminal portion of the flap itself. Elastic straps may also be disposed on the bottom surface of the sheet diagonally across the first bottom corner and another elastic strap is disposed on the bottom surface of the sheet diagonally across the second bottom corner. In such case, each elastic strap may be sized to elastically encircle one each of a bottom corner portion of a Pilates reformer carriage or other exercise platform.

In some embodiments, the sheet further comprises friction-increasing elements dispersed along the bottom surface to provide greater stability to the user and reduce slipping across the surface of an exercise platform. Means for increasing friction along the bottom surface of the sheet may comprise a plurality of silicone dots adhered to and distributed across the bottom surface of the sheet, though the pattern and arrangement of means for increasing friction shall not limit the invention.

It is contemplated that providing a hygienic towel according to the disclosure and claims provided below may beneficially inhibit bacterial growth on itself and reduce transmission of bacteria to specialized gym equipment.

Thus, it is object of the invention to provide a comfortable, moisture wicking barrier between a user and gym equipment surface.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a barrier that fits most Pilates reformer machines.

It is an object of the invention to avoid use of synthetic antimicrobial agents.

It is another object of the invention to enhance stability and prevent slipping on gym equipment surfaces.

It is still another object of the invention to reduce or prevent odors from proliferating in gym equipment and accessories.

One or more of the above-disclosed embodiments, in addition to certain alternatives, are provided in further detail below with reference to the attached figures. The disclosed subject matter is not, however, limited to any particular embodiment disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of one embodiment of the hygienic towel.

FIG. 2 bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the hygienic towel.

FIG. 3 shows a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of the hygienic towel.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show certain detailed views of one embodiment of the hygienic towel in use.

The disclosed embodiments may be better understood by referring to the figures in the attached drawings, as provided below. The attached figures are provided as non-limiting examples for providing an enabling description of the method and system claimed. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered as limiting of its scope. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without some of the details included in order to provide a thorough enabling description of such embodiments. Well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Having summarized various aspects of the present disclosure, reference will now be made in detail to that which is illustrated in the drawings. While the disclosure will be described in connection with these drawings, there is no intent to limit it to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein. Rather, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of upper and bottom surfaces 102, 104 of a hygienic towel 100 in accordance with one embodiment. The towel 100 may comprise a top end and a bottom end 106, 108 spaced apart by parallel first and second side edges 110, 112. The bottom end 108 may be defined by a straight edge 109, and the first and second side edges 110, 112 converge with the bottom end edge 109 to define first and second bottom corners 114, 116. A plurality of flaps extend from the top end 106 in order to enable the hygienic towel 100 to lay flat across the length of an exercise platform, such as the Pilates reformer carriage 400 shown in FIG. 4A, and, in particular, to accommodate protrusions on the platform, such as shoulder blocks 402, 404. Accounting for the exemplary Pilates reformer shoulder blocks 402, 404 and with continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flaps may comprise a left flap 118 and a right flap 120 as well as a central flap 122 disposed between the left and right flaps 118, 120. In some embodiments, some of the flaps, such as the left and right flaps 118, 120, may be longer than another, such as the central flap 122, in order to account for additional surface area of protrusions in the exercise platform. However, with reference to FIG. 3, it is possible for the flaps 118, 120, 122 to be the same length as one another without departing from the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the hygienic towel 100 may further comprise means for removably securing the hygienic towel to the exercise platform such as a plurality of elastic straps disposed along portions of the bottom surface 104 of the towel 100 and sized to elastically encircle portions of the exercise platform. For instance, elastic straps 124, 126 may be disposed on the bottom surface 104 of the towel or sheet, spanning the width of one each of the left and right flaps 118, 120, respectively, and may be sized to elastically encircle one each of a Pilates reformer shoulder block 402, 404 in combination with a terminal portion 119, 121 of the flap itself, as shown in FIG. 4A. Returning to FIGS. 2 and 3, additional elastic straps 128, 130 may also be disposed on the bottom surface 104 of the towel 100 diagonally across one each of the first and second bottom corners 114, 116. In such case, each elastic strap 128, 130 may be sized to elastically encircle one each of a bottom corner portion of a Pilates reformer carriage or other exercise platform as may be seen, for example only and not limitation, in FIG. 4B.

Returning again to FIGS. 2 and 3, means for increasing friction along the bottom surface of the towel 100 may comprise a plurality of silicone dots 132 adhered to and distributed across the bottom surface of the sheet, though the pattern and arrangement of means for increasing friction shall not limit the invention. For example, such means may comprise very small silicone or rubber dots in order to effectuate a light grip and minimal effect on texture, while larger, more pronounced dots could be applied to the bottom surface of the sheet for increased traction needs. Likewise, the particular shape of the means for increasing friction can vary depending on the desired effect and aesthetic. It is contemplated that such means may be closely concentrated for up to continuous coverage in areas where users might benefit from a surer grip. For instance, it may be desirable to reduce slippage from left and right flaps 118, 120 corresponding to a user's hands in some cases, and portions of the sheet or towel that are likely to correspond to a user's knees, hips, and/or feet when using on an exercise surface or platform. It is also contemplated that such means may be spaced further apart from one another, as desired, to balance this traction with sheet or towel flexibility or other surface characteristics. Indeed, the arrangement of the means for increasing friction can be random along the bottom surface of the sheet or towel or in a specific pattern, as in rows, grids, circles, and aesthetic shapes and/or designs to optimize the interaction with particular materials or conditions and aesthetic preferences.

As noted above, the towel 100 comprises an absorbent sheet of woven or non-woven fabric, such as an absorbent, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying microfiber sheet, adapted to lay flat along a Pilates reformer carriage, including any protrusions thereon, such as shoulder blocks. In some embodiments, the sheet may be microsuede.

In addition to the foregoing, the sheet may be treated with an antimicrobial agent operative to inhibit the growth of bacteria and viruses such as a wash-resistant solution operative to inhibit the proliferation or growth of at least some microorganisms on the sheet. This renders the sheet self-sanitizing.

In an embodiment, the solution may comprise silver chloride, which is operative to inhibit the proliferation of microorganisms by the oligodynamic effect known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the solution strength may be between about 4% to about 8% by weight silver chloride, or about 5% to about 7% by weight silver chloride, or at least 6% by weight silver chloride. The solution when applied to the sheet is operative kill any or a combination of bacteria K. pneumoniae and S. Aureus, and viruses Sars-COV-2, H1N1, and H3N3, known to those of ordinary skill in the art, by up to about 98% to about 99.99% within a two-hour period.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicated to the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/or limitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are or are potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations in the claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While certain embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications are contemplated and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the length and/or width may vary depending on the needs and desires of the user and even depending on the dimensions of certain exercise platforms Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited, except as by the appended claim(s).

The teachings disclosed herein may be applied to other systems, and may not necessarily be limited to any described herein. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the hygienic towel with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be constructed to limit the hygienic towel to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above description section explicitly define such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosed system, method and apparatus. The above description of embodiments of the hygienic towel is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed above or to a particular field of usage.

While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the method, system, and apparatus are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible for which those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

While certain aspects of the method and system disclosed are presented below in particular claim forms, various aspects of the method, system, and apparatus are contemplated in any number of claim forms. Thus, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the hygienic towel.