Acne Preventing Sports Gear Insert

The present device describes a wearable material designed to prevent the formation of acne caused by a combination of friction and sweat. The material is impregnated with an acne fighting solution and is adapted to be placed beneath protective athletic gear. The material further comprises securement features that provide attachment to the interior of helmets, chin guards and other protective gear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the sports padding insert. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the prevention of acne caused by the friction and sweat caused by sports padding. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is shown a view of the material used in the present invention. The material10provides an athletic insert is constructed of a continuous piece of porous material15such as a woven mesh, compression fabric, cloth, or baby wipe. The pores15of the insert10are impregnated with acne fighting solutions20that comprise a mixture comprising one or more of benzyl peroxide, tea tree oil, salicylic acid, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon juice, or another acne-fighting solution.

The material10may be packaged in a sealable bag or hard case with a screw-on lid to remain moist before use. Alternately, the material can also be packaged in a dry bag or case, allowing people to apply their own acne treatment before wearing. In this way, the present invention provides athletes with an easy and simple way to apply acne treatment directly to their.

The material10is designed for a single use and may be modified to fit a variety of shapes to provide acne fighting treatment to parts of the body including that of the head, shoulders, chest, back, and chin.

FIG. 2displays an embodiment of the present invention wherein the material10is shaped to provide acne fighting treatment to the chest, back and shoulders. The material10of the embodiment comprises a chest and shoulder covering25having a central opening30to slip over the head of the user therethrough such that the material rests approximately 2 to 12 inches down from the top of the shoulders and onto the chest to apply treatment to an extended area of the upper body. The material10is placed directly onto the skin and is sized to fit underneath shoulder pads designed for sports where the padding creates a great deal of friction and sweat such as football and hockey.

FIG. 3displays an alternate embodiment wherein the material10is sized and shaped to provide acne fighting treatment to the chin of the user. The material10of the chin embodiment comprises a cup-shaped insert35that is designed to be fit into a protective chin guard45required for contact sports that require such protection. To provide for a secure fitting, the chin guard insert35is pressed into the interior of the chin guard45while extended tabs of the material are wrapped around the adjacent chin straps50of the guard45, securing at the ends of the chin guard insert35by way of connector elements40on the insert tabs. The connector elements40are preferably strips of hook and loop fasteners, or alternatively snaps, buttons, clips, and adhesive tapes.

FIG. 4displays an embodiment wherein the material10is sized and shaped to provide acne fighting treatment to the head of the user. The material10of this headband embodiment comprises a head wrap55adapted to be placed about the circumference of the user's head, providing coverage for the user's forehead while an upstanding flange60is adapted to be placed onto the scalp of the user.

To protect the scalp and forehead, the material can resemble a skullcap, headband, neckerchief, or tube-style cap. The head protecting material of the embodiment is modified for a fit within sports helmets and align with the padding thereof such that skin pressure points are provide coverage by the material and no exposed skin makes direct contact with the athletic gear. To provide a more secure fitting, the wrap55may comprise a securing connector element40or a continuous, elastic structure to prevent the material from becoming displaced during strenuous activities.

FIG. 5displays a combination of several embodiments of the present invention for use in a variety of sports that require protective gear. The material10comprises an acne fighting solution20impregnated within a porous membrane15. The solution20applied to the skin contains a mixture comprising one or more of benzyl peroxide, tea tree oil, salicylic acid, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon juice, or another acne-fighting solution.

When worn, the material10provides a continuous treatment against acne. The impregnated material10is placed directly onto the skin and is sized to fit underneath protective gear and helmets designed for sports wherein the apparel creates a great deal of friction and sweat such as football, hockey, wrestling, boxing, hockey, racing, hockey, bicycling and baseball. The material creates a separation between the sports gear and the user's skin, reducing pressure points and stretching of the skin while the solution within the material directly treats any acne that may have already formed or is attempting to form. Although only embodiments covering the head45, chin35, chest, and back25were discussed, alternate embodiments wherein the impregnated material10is formed to cover the arms and legs of a person are also covered within the scope of the embodiment.