Abstract:
Protective barriers for isolating a first object or surface from a second object or surface is generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to protective barriers for isolating a valuable article from a less valuable object or surface. The protective barrier may embody a sheet, a multi-layer sheet, or a multi-layer underpad with a non-absorbent or a low-absorbent coating or liner. Preferably, the protective barriers are packaged in a convenient, portable housing for carrying inside a purse, a backpack, or a handbag.

Description:
[0001]     Protective barriers for isolating a first object or surface from a second object or surface is generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to protective barriers for isolating a valuable article from a less valuable object or surface.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Tarps, mats, covers, and disposable toilet gaskets are similar in that they provide a barrier between a first object and a second object to protect either the first object or the second object from the adjacent object. By protecting, either the first object or the second object is shielded from dirt, abrasion, stain, wear and tear, dust, the environment, germs, bacteria, etc.  
         [0003]     Protective barriers come in different shapes and sizes and material make-up. For example, they can include thermoplastic, plastic coated or lined paper, plastic coated or lined cotton, waxed paper, cotton-blend, paper-blend, and a number of shapes and sizes ranging from large to small and with various curves and cut-outs.  
         [0004]     While the market place have a number of available protective barriers, there remains a need for alternative barriers.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     The present invention may be implemented by providing a combination dispenser and protective barriers for providing a barrier between a first surface and a second surface comprising a plurality of intertwined protective pads housed within a dispenser housing; the protective pads each comprises a layer made from a thermoplastic material or a plastic blend material in the absence of a cavity.  
         [0006]     The present invention may also be practiced using a method for isolating an article from a surface comprising the steps taking a protective pad from a dispenser housing comprising a plurality of intertwined protective pads, each protective pad comprising a layer made from a thermoplastic material or a plastic blend material in the absence of a cavity; placing the protective pad on the surface; and placing the article on the protective pad.  
         [0007]     In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination dispenser and protective barriers for providing a barrier between a first surface and a second surface comprising a plurality of individual protective pads separated from one another by a tear line; each individual pad comprises a layer made from a thermoplastic material or a plastic blend material in the absence of a cavity, and wherein the dispenser comprises an access opening for retrieving the individual protective pads. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become appreciated as the same become better understood with reference to the specification, claims and appended drawings wherein:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a semi-schematic perspective view of a plurality of protective pads housed in a housing;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a semi-schematic perspective view of a single pad removed from the housing of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a semi-schematic partial cross-sectional partial perspective view of an exemplary bundle of protective pads in an intertwined configuration;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a semi-schematic perspective view of an alternative pad package for packaging a plurality of protective pads;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a semi-schematic perspective view of a roll of protective pads separated from one another by perforations; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a semi-schematic perspective view of a pursed placed over a protective pad. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of disposable protective pads provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the features and the steps for constructing and using the disposable protective pads of the present invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and structures may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, as denoted elsewhere herein, like element numbers are intended to indicate like or similar elements or features.  
         [0016]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a pad package  10  of disposable protective pads  12  is shown provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In one embodiment, the package  10  comprises a housing  14  comprising an opening  16  for dispensing the pads  12 . The housing  10  may be made from heavy weight paper, corrugated paper, thermoplastic, and plastic blend, with thermoplastic or plastic blend being more preferred. A similar thermoplastic housing is the housing for the Kleenex Pocket Pack™ tissues, which the present housing  14  may be constructed to resemble. In one exemplary embodiment, the opening  16  may be formed by providing a perforated cut-out on the housing to be opened by a user. The perforated cut-out can embody a straight perforated slit or take on a shape, such as an oval shape or a rectangular shape, as examples.  
         [0017]     The disposable pads  12 , shown with one pad extending out of the opening  16 , preferably comprise a bundle or a roll of individual pads  12 . Each pad  12  may be folded and placed next to or on top of an adjacent pad, be folded in an intertwined fashion with an adjacent pad, as further discussed below, or be folded in an end-to-end rolled configuration with an adjacent pad, also as further discussed below.  
         [0018]     In one embodiment, the individual pads  12  are folded so as to be packaged in a compact housing  12  with an overall size in the order of a Kleenex Pocket Pack™. However, the overall housing size can vary from the size of the Pocket Pack™ provided it is sufficiently small to fit into a purse, a backpack, or the like. As shown, the protruding pad  12  comprises a first end edge  18 , a first side edge  20 , and a second side edge  22 , shown in dashed lines. In the embodiment shown, the pad  12  is folded in thirds with the first side edge  20  and the second side edge  22  folded over the central portion  24  of the pad to create two creases  26 . However, as is readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the pad  12  may be folded in half, in fourths, and so-forth to produce a desirable final size and configuration.  
         [0019]     When removed from the housing  14  and un-folded, the individual pad  12  may have an overall size of about 6 inches to about 25 inches by about 6 inches to about 25 inches with about a 12 inch by 12 inch being more preferred. However, other size range may be incorporated without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Due to the un-folded size of the pad  12  compared to the folded size of the pad  12 , the pad may also have one or more lateral folds or creases  28  ( FIG. 2 ) to decrease the size of the pad  12  when folded for packaging the pad into the housing  14 . Also shown in  FIG. 2  is the second end edge  32 .  
         [0020]     In one exemplary embodiment, the pad  12  maybe made from a non-absorbent material, a low-absorbent material, or from an absorbent material with a non-absorbent, or low-absorbent, liner or backing. By low-absorbent, a minimal absorption of moisture into the pad may be possible without completely soaking the pad. Low-absorbent material should be more impervious to moisture than a paper towel, a cotton towel, or a paper tissue. Exemplary materials usable in making the disposable protective pad  12  include, without limitation, biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), cast polypropylene (CPP) film, foamed oriented polypropylene film (FOPP), coextruded, multi-layer films, polyethylene cloth or film, oriented polyester film, spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven films, blended LLDPE film, acetate films, mylar polyester film, flexible PVC film, metalized plastic (e.g., vinyl) film, films with PVDC or acrylic coatings, multi-layer coated underpads (e.g., Kendall Tendersorb Underpads™), lens tissue (e.g., toilet seat cover paper), wax paper, and plastic-lined cotton (e.g., diapers). Other thermoplastic and plastic blends may be used provided they are either non-absorbent or low-absorbent. In one exemplary embodiment, the pad  12  may also include pressure sensitive adhesive for allowing the pad to be temporarily bonded to a surface or an object. In a preferred embodiment, the pad  12  is made from a multi-layer coated underpad with pressure sensitive adhesive backing. Exemplary pressure sensitive adhesives include those made by 3M and Avery Dennison. In another exemplary embodiment, decorative designs or decorative printings, such as flowers, animals, caricatures, etc., are incorporated on a first and/or a second surface of each pad.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a bundle  30  of disposable protective pads  12  folded in a lapped, superjacent fold format. The pads  12  are so folded so that when the bundle of pads  30  are packaged inside the housing  14 , removal of one pad  12  will cause the first end edge  18  of the adjacent pad  12  to pop out of the opening  16  of the housing. In an alternative embodiment, the pad  12  is simply stacked on top of one-another, i.e., not intertwined, such that when the bundle of pad  30  is packaged inside the housing, pulling on the first pad  12  will not cause the adjacent pad  12  to pop out of the opening  16 .  
         [0022]     In one exemplary embodiment, the plurality of pads  12  are intertwined by placing a portion of one pad in between a folded adjacent pad. The folded adjacent pad is then placed in between another folded adjacent pad and so forth to produce a stack of pads of desired number or of appropriate or desired height. In another exemplary embodiment, not shown, each pad  12  is individually packaged in a thermoplastic over wrap or in a sealed waxed or lined paper. The over wrap can be a sleeve with heat sealed or glued ends.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative package  34  of disposable protective pads  12  provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the package  34  includes a housing  36  comprising two ends  38 ,  40 , a central section  42 , and an opening  44 . The housing  36  may be made from heavy weight paper, hard plastic, soft plastic, or leather. If made from soft plastic, the opening  44  may be eliminated, one end  40  of the bag heat sealed, and the other end  38  wired or tied shut but capable of being untied to access the inside of the housing. If made from hard plastic, the housing  36  may be reusable by incorporating an end  38  comprising a closeable opening, or by incorporating two ends  38 ,  40  with two closeable openings. When the pads  12  are completely used up, a new bundle or roll of pads may be inserted or replenished using the closeable opening(s). The same would be true if the housing  36  was made from leather or other reusable material. Snap-buttons or Velcro may be used to close the end  38  with the accessible opening.  
         [0024]     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , a roll  46  of disposable protective pads  12  is shown. The roll  46  of pads  12  may be made by folding the pads lengthwise and crosswise, providing perforation  48  between the pads  12 , and rolling the pads into a roll. The roll  46  of pads may then be housed or stored inside the housing  36  ( FIG. 4 ). Alternatively, the rolled pads may be packaged inside a paper or a plastic bag.  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  shows the protective pad  12  in an un-folded configuration on a surface  50  with a purse  52  placed thereon. In one exemplary embodiment, the pad  12  is made from a multi-layer coated underpad with pressure sensitive adhesive backing. Preferably, the non-absorbent or low-absorbent coating would face or contact the surface  50  with the pressure sensitive adhesive bonded to the surface. In an alternative embodiment, a single layer or a multi-layer thermoplastic sheet is used to make the pad  12 , which then allows the pad to be placed on the surface  50  either by the first pad surface  54  or the second pad surface  56  facing the surface  50 . In the alternative embodiment, the single layer or multi-layer thermoplastic sheet may include pressure sensitive adhesive backing on either the first pad surface  54  or the second pad surface  56 , which would be the surface facing the surface  50 .  
         [0026]     As is readily apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, the protective pad  12  provides a protective barrier for the purse  52  to prevent direct contact between the surface and the purse. The protective barrier would be desirable especially where the surface  50  is dirty, contaminated, wet, etc. For example, in a stall of a dirty public restroom, the use of the protective pad  12  would provide a dry, dirty-free surface to temporarily place the purse while freeing the user&#39;s hands for other matters. The pads  12  may also be used on other surfaces, such as on grass (e.g., a park), sand (e.g., the beach), a dirty counter top, or a table top, just to name a few.  
         [0027]     In one exemplary embodiment, the pad package  10  or  34  is provided as an accessory for a purse. In other words, the pad package  10  or  34  may be sold near or in the same area as purses for use as protective barriers for purses. In an alternative embodiment, the pad package  10  or  34  is sold with the purse, i.e., contained with the purse and sold as a combination.  
         [0028]     In another alternative embodiment, the protective pads  12  may be used as a protective barrier for a child (i.e., for use with a changing table) when changing the child&#39;s diaper, for use as a protective area for food or for placement of food thereon, and for placement of clothing when changing clothes. Other usages for isolating or protecting a first surface from a second surface using the disposable protective pads provided in accordance with practice of the present are contemplated and fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Examples of other usages include: use in restaurants, public restrooms, movie theaters, on airplanes, at sporting events, with shopping carts, in storage lockers, at hair/nail salons, at the beach, in the classrooms, at the doctor&#39;s offices, at parties, with rental cars, at the parks, at concerts, at the Opera/Orchestra houses/theaters, or at the plays, etc.  
         [0029]     Although the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described with some specificity, the description and drawings set forth herein are not intended to be delimiting, and persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that various modifications may be made to the embodiments discussed herein without departing from the scope of the invention, and all such changes and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the appended claims. Various changes to the protective pads described elsewhere herein including changes to the texture, the appearance, the shape, the size, and outer housing or packaging may be made. Accordingly, many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.