Abstract:
A fiberglass removal pad comprising a sponge and a layer of nylon material, wherein said sponge is covered with said layer of nylon material. A method for using the fiberglass removal pad is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/391,073, entitled “Scratch and Itch Fiberglass Insulation Remover” and filed Oct. 7, 2010. The complete disclosure of said provisional patent application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    This invention relates to a fiberglass removal pad and, more particularly, to a fiberglass removal pad that is easily transportable and capable of being used on site where fiberglass insulation is being installed. 
         [0004]    Fiberglass insulation is a construction material used for thermal insulation in buildings. It is made of extremely fine fibers of glass and is packaged in rolls that are installed along the walls and ceilings of buildings. During installation of the insulation, the small, brittle glass fibers from the insulation break off into a fine dust-like particulate that becomes airborne. Installers are commonly exposed to these small fragments of fiberglass which can cause irritation and discomfort to the exposed skin. Removal of the fibers becomes increasingly difficult as the fibers enter the much larger sized pores of the skin. The fibers tend to sink deeper when scratched. 
         [0005]    The most common method for removing fiberglass from the skin consists of washing the skin with water and then wiping the skin with an ordinary bath towel. The inventor has observed that this method is not effective in completely removing the fiberglass from the skin. Some of the fibers remain on the skin until they are removed through the natural skin cell sloughing off process and other bodily processes. In addition, the installer may not have immediate access to water and a towel on the job site where the insulation is being installed. Therefore, the fibers may cause skin irritation before the installer has an opportunity to remove the fibers using the prior art method. 
         [0006]    It therefore would be desirable to develop a pad for removal of fiberglass from the skin that is easily transportable and capable of being used on the job site. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention is directed to a fiberglass removal pad comprising a sponge and a layer of nylon material, wherein said sponge is covered with said layer of nylon material. 
         [0008]    The present invention is also directed to a method for removing fiberglass particles from the surface of the skin comprising rubbing the fiberglass removal pad described above across the surface of the skin. 
         [0009]    These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and appended claims in conjunction with the drawings as described following: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section view of  FIG. 1  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , the preferred embodiments of the present invention may be described. The fiberglass removal pad  10  is comprised of a sponge  12  and a layer of nylon material  14 . The sponge  12  is preferably rectangular in shape and at least  4  inches in length,  2 . 4  inches in height, and  0 . 6  inches in width. 
         [0013]    The layer of nylon material  14  is preferably in the form of a sleeve with two open ends that receives the sponge  12 . The two open ends of the layer of nylon material  14  corresponds to the two ends of said sponge  12 . The open ends of the layer of nylon material  14  can be closed at one or both ends of the sponge  12 . The layer of nylon material  14 , therefore, can fully cover the sponge  12 . The sponge  12  is soft and flexible which allows the pad  10  to contact the contours of the body when moved across the skin. While the sponge  12  is preferably used in the present invention, the pad  10  can instead be comprised of any other soft and flexible component capable of being received by the layer of nylon material  14 . 
         [0014]    The preferable means for closing the open ends of the layer of nylon material  14  is by stitching. The closing of the two open ends of the layer of nylon material  14  allows for the layer of nylon material to fit tightly over the surfaces of the sponge  12 , thus aiding in the proper alignment and support for the fabric. This allows for more surface area of the fabric to contact the skin during the process of rubbing the pad  10  over the skin. The layer of nylon material  14  is thin and soft to the skin, similar to that of pantyhose. The layer of nylon material  14  of the pad  10  is durable and the inventor believes that the small and shallow pores of the nylon material  14  aids in the action of removing the fibers from the skin. In an alternative embodiment, the pad  10  is attached to a handle (not shown) at one end for easier use of the pad  10 . 
         [0015]    The pad  10  can be used to remove fiberglass particles from the skin of an installer of fiberglass insulation by sliding any surface of the pad  10  across the installer&#39;s skin. The inventor believes that the static electricity associated with the fiberglass particles aids in the removal of the particles after being contacted with the nylon fabric. Use of the pad  10  allows for immediate relief of skin irritation without the need for water. The compact size of the pad  10  also allows it to fit comfortably in a pocket of clothing for quick access. 
         [0016]    The present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments that are intended to be exemplary only and not limiting to the full scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.