SKIN ADHESIVE TAPE

Abstract: The skin adhesive tape object of the present invention comprises a flexible basic film (10) in one or more layers, with its skin fixation surface incorporating an adhesive coating (20), said adhesive tape consisting of a median portion (B), incorporating two opposite end portions (A, C), at least one of them having a longitudinal axis (a, c) inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis (b) of the median portion (B).

Description: SKIN ADHESIVE TAPE Field of the Invention The present invention refers to an adhesive tape to be adhered onto the skin and which may or may not carry absorbent substrates for wounds. Background of the Invention Skin adhesives tapes are known and have been used for a long time for covering and protecting a wound. In a traditional form, it is well known the adhesive tape consisting of a continuous tape coated with a rubber based adhesive and used in the form of rectangular portions which are cut from the continuous tape. Likewise, the dressings for small wounds are known, which are composed of a substantially rectangular adhesive tape portion, with a central region provided with a small pad of absorbent material. When it is necessary to apply an adhesive tape to a body region subjected to motion, for instance the hand or other region of complex topography, some inconconveniences and difficulties are met. For example, when a small wound occurs in a finger, a dressing is typically placed transversaly to the longitudinal imaginary axis of the erect finger, with one of the ends of said dressing overlapping the opposite end, thus surrounding an area corresponding to the surface of a cylinder. As this finger moves, after the application of the dressing, there is a certain discomfort caused by the tightening of the dressing adhered onto itself and very often the adhered surface of the dressing does not resist the tensions generated by the movements and releases, whereby the dressing may easily fall from the finger. Moreover, if a linear adhesive tape is used to follow a curved path on the skin surface, it is common the formation of wrinkles, folds or corrugations along the structure thereof, bothering the user and establishing a less efficient adhesion. In other words, linear adhesive tapes are poorly adapted to the topography of the body. There has been a constant search for alternatives turned to the application of adhesives to the human body. Many examples may be mentioned. Some patents present merely decorative forms, lacking functionality, such as USD 377,688 (with the shape of a lightning bolt), USD 392,045 (flower and lace shapes) and USD 340,985 (in the form of a football). Other patents present adhesive bandages for specific regions of the body, such as US 3.971.374 (palm of the hand), USD 295,559 (entire finger), USD 383,544 (finger tips), US 5,792,091 (elbows). Many other forms and arrangements are found, such as US 5,531,999 (wound tape covered with hydrogel), USD 5,538,500 (adhesive bandage with the central core provided with four adherent lateral rods), US 5,000,746 (adherent individual elements connected to each other by a string), USD 393,903 (with a bow tie shape, having cuts to hold tubes or cannulas), USD 364,922 (approximately "i" shaped, in order to hold cannulas, catheters or tubes) and USD 5,820,578 (triangular shape, having cuts on the periphery of the triangle sides, in order to conform to the curves of the body. Neither of these alternatives leads to a skin adhesive tape, which may transmit a feeling of comfort to the user, as a function of a more ergonomic adjustment of the adhesive tape to the user's body, better dissipating the tensions applied to the tape during use or motion and therefore having a lower number of release situations. Summary of the Invention Thus, it is the general objective of the present invention to provide a skin adhesive tape, which may be comfortably and securely applied to different regions of the body, transmitting to the user a feeling of higher comfort, as compared to the presently known adhesive tapes. The skin adhesive tape of the present invention comprises a flexible basic film, which may have one or more layers and whose skin fixation surface incorporates an adhesive coating. According to the invention, the adhesive tape comprises a median portion, having a longitudinal axis and incorporating, in a single piece, two opposite end portions, at least one of the end portions having a longitudinal axis disposed according to a direction inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis of the median portion. In a possible way of carrying out the invention, the adhesive tape comprises a median portion incorporating end portions, whose longitudinal axes are inclined to opposite sides in relation to the direction defined by the longitudinal axis of the median portion, whereby the adhesive tape may have generally "S" or "Z" shapes. It is also possible to attach to the median portion an absorbent pad, usually rectangular, to be seated onto the wound to be protected. The tests made with the adhesive tape defined above have proved that it has been achieved a product which can be more easily adapted to different parts of the body and which may have its basic shape associated with different embodiments for the geometrical arrangement of the end portions, aiming at optimizing its adaptability to determined regions of the body. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be described below, with reference to the attached drawings, whose figures are simplified schematic representations of embodiments of the invention, with measurements or proportions that do not necessarily correspond to a real article, since they are intended to clarify the invention. In the drawings : Figure 1 illustrates a plan view of an adhesive tape constructed according to the present invention, when observed from its skin fixation surface and incorporating a wound covering pad in the median portion and end portions inclined to opposite sides in relation to the median portion; Figures 2A, 2B and 20 illustrate, respectively and in a non-exhaustive way, several shapes for the wound covering pad illustrated in figure 1; Figures 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate, also in a plan view, exemplifying other possible embodiments for the adhesive tape shown in figure 1, in which the end portions have approximately the same size and are turned to the same side of the longitudinal axis of the median portion, each figure illustrating a shape for the wound covering pad; Figures 4A, 4B and 40 are plan views of other embodiments for the adhesive tape, in which only one of the end potions is inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis of the median portion; and Figure 5 is a plan view, similar to that of figure 1, but illustrating another possible embodiment for the adhesive tape object of the present invention. Description of the Illustrated Embodiments As illustrated in the appended drawings, the skin adhesive tape of the present invention comprises a basic film 10, in any adequate flexible material known by those skilled in the art, particularly PVC (polyvinyl chloride) , polyurethane, polyethylene, woven or nonwoven fabrics, which materials may be used individually or combined to each other and said basic film 10 may be continuous or perforated, solid or foamy, or formed by one or two layers . On the skin fixation surface to be applied to the user's skin, the basic film 10 incorporates a thin adhesive coating 20, which is usually acrylic based and which is also well known in the art as PSA ("pressure sensitive adhesive"). Figure 1 illustrates a skin adhesive tape constructed according to the invention and comprising a basic film 10 in plastic material, with the skin fixation surface incorporating an adhesive coating 20 and, medianly, a pad 30 of adequate material to cover the wound. In the embodiment illustrated in figure 1, the pad 30 has a rectangular contour, with a width inferior to the width of the region of the basic film 10 into which it is incorporated. As illustrated in figure 1, the skin adhesive tape in question comprises a median portion B, having a longitudinal axis b and incorporating, in a single piece, two opposite end portions A and C, whose longitudinal axes a and c are disposed according to inclined directions in relation to the longitudinal axis of the median portion B. The median portion B has usually a rectangular shape, the length thereof being, for instance, covered by the pad 30 as illustrated in figure 1. The small width of the pad 30 in relation to the width of the median portion B allows to maintain on the latter two exposed longitudinal lateral strips of the skin fixation surface of the basic film 10 incorporating the adhesive 20. The pad 30 is made of any material which is adequate to contact the wounds, preferably having absorbent characteristics. In this alternative, the pad 30 is irremovably adhered to the median portion B which serves as a base therefor. The width and length of said pad 30 are preferably smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the median portion B. This pad may have any shape, for example rectangular, circular, semicircular, ellipsoidal, etc. As those skilled in the art know, this pad 30 may be made of any adequate material, such as woven or nonwoven fabric, wood pulp, synthetic fibers, perforated plastic film, etc., and it may contain additives which act on the wounded skin or on the healthy skin around the wounded skin, such as antibiotics, antiseptics and cicatrizants, etc.. The term "pad" further encompasses, for example, a hydrogel or a creamy composition applied onto the skin fixation surface of the median portion B and which is adequate to contact the region of the wounded skin. In the embodiment of figure 1, the longitudinal axes a and c of the end portions A and C form angles X and Y, which are identical and opposite to the longitudinal axis b of the median portion B, taking into account that in this illustrative construction both end portions A and C are inclined towards opposite sides of the longitudinal axis b of the median portion B, resulting in a shape similar to an "S" or a "Z". The angles of inclination X, Y of the longitudinal axes a and c of the end portions A and C in relation to the longitudinal axis b of the median portion B usually range from about 5 to about 90 degrees, more preferably from about 10 to about 75 degrees and still more preferably from about 25 to about 60 degrees. With the constructive arrangement described hereinbefore, the skin adhesive tape in question, when applied for example to the user's finger, assumes approximately a helicoidal shape, surrounding the finger and seating more easily thereon, with less formation of wrinkles and folds than those produced by the traditional adhesive tapes. As already mentioned, the adhesive tape in question may be shaped in order to have an end portion with the longitudinal axis inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis b of the median portion B. In the embodiments in which both end portions A and C have their longitudinal axes a and c inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis of the median portion b, the angles of inclination X and Y have values which are usually approximately equal. The skin adhesive tape in question is shaped so as to have the contour of the end portions A and C matching with the contour of the median portion B at the connecting regions with the latter, in order to produce in this place a smooth rounded transition, without forming sharp corners. Besides this constructive aspect, the adhesive tape has its end portions A and C preferably tapered towards the respective ends which are preferably rounded. As illustrated and described below, the skin adhesive tape of the present invention has a median portion B which, although being generally and substantially rectilinear in its longitudinal extension, may have its lateral edges slightly bent, in order to follow a possible curvature of the end portion A and C, or the change of direction of the latter in relation to the longitudinal axis b of the median portion B. It should be also understood that both end portions A and C of the adhesive tape may have equal or different lengths in relation to each other, in this last case an end portion being shorter than the other. Preferably, both end portions A and C have the same length, even if they are subjected to different inclinations in terms of angle and direction. The proportion between the length of the median portion B and the length of any of the end portions A and C ranges preferably between 1:10 and 1:0.5, these lengths being measured along the longitudinal axis of each portion. Figures 2A, 2B and 20 illustrate a skin adhesive tape comprising two end portions A and C, which are tapered towards rounded ends inclined to different sides of the longitudinal axis b of the median portion B, into which is incorporated a pad 30, whose contour ranges from the rectangular shape, with bent lateral edges, to the elliptical shape. Figures 3A, 3B and 30 illustrate skin adhesive tapes comprising two end portions A and C, which are also tapered towards the rounded ends and which have their longitudinal axes a and c inclined to the same side of the longitudinal axis b of the median portion B, whose skin fixation surface incorporates a pad 30 with different shapes. Figures 4A, 4B and 40 illustrate skin adhesive tapes, whose median portion B, which is also provided with a pad 30, incorporates a shorter end portion A, whose longitudinal axis a is little or not inclined at all in relation to the longitudinal axis b of the median portion B, and another end portion C, opposite to and longer than the first one and whose longitudinal axis c is inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis b of the median portion B and is markedly tapered towards the end. Figure 5 illustrates a skin adhesive tape, whose median portion B has a rectangular contour, with the lateral edges being markedly bent and slightly converging towards the ends, where are incorporated respective end portions A and C, which are also tapered towards the rounded ends and which are turned to the same side of the longitudinal axis b of the median portion B. In this last embodiment of the invention, the pad 30 takes the form of a semi-ellipsis and is affixed to the skin fixation surface of the median portion B.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Skin adhesive tape, comprising a flexible basic film (10) in one or more layers and whose skin fixation surface incorporates an adhesive coating (20), characterized in that it further comprises a median portion (B) , having a longitudinal axis (b) and incorporating, in a single piece, two opposite end portions (A, C), at least one of the end portions having a longitudinal axis (a,c) disposed according to a direction inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis (b) of the median portion (B) . 2. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 1, characterized in that the inclination of the longitudinal axis (a,c) of any of the end portions (A, C) in relation to the longitudinal axis (b) of the median portion (B) ranges from about 5 to about 90 degrees. 3. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 2, characterized in that the inclination of the longitudinal axis (a,c) of any of the end portions (A, C) in relation to the longitudinal axis (b) of the median portion (B) ranges from about 10 to about 75 degrees. 4. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 3, characterized in that the inclination of the longitudinal axis (a,c) of any of the end portions (A, C) in relation to the longitudinal axis (b) of the median portion (B) ranges from about 25 to about 60 degrees. 5. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 1, characterized in that the two end portions (A, C) have their longitudinal axes (a,c) inclined in relation to the longitudinal axis (b) of the median portion (B) . 6. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 5, characterized in that the angles of inclination of the longitudinal axes (a,c) of the end portions (A, C) in relation to the longitudinal axis (b) of the median portion (B) are approximately equal. 7. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 5, characterized in that the end portions (A, C) have their longitudinal axes (a,c) inclined to opposite sides of the longitudinal axis (b) of the median portion (B) . 8. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 5, characterized in that the end portions (A, C) have their longitudinal axes (a,c) inclined to the same side of the longitudinal axis (b) of the median portion (B) . 9. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the end portions (A, C) is tapered towards the end thereof. 10. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the end portions (A, C) has a rounded end. 11. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 1, characterized in that the lateral edges of the median portion (B) match with the adjacent lateral edges of the end portions (A, C) in the connecting regions between said portions . 12. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 1, characterized in that the median portion (B) has its lateral edges slightly bent and matching with the adjacent bent edges of the end portions (A, C) . 13. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 1, characterized in that the proportion between the length of the median portion (B) and the length of any of the end portions (A, C) ranges from 1:10 to 1:0.5, being preferably around 1:1. 14. Skin adhesive tape, as in claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a pad (30), of an adequate material to contact wounds and being preferably absorbent, which is incorporated to the skin fixation surface of the median portion (B) .

Inventors: BITANTES REDEMPTOR S, CRUZ DANTE S, DE CARVALHO SCAMILLA ALEDO MAR, DE OLIVEIRA D ARTAGNAN SILVA, MARAMBA FERNANDO M, SERRANO LUIZ ANTONIO, BITANTES, REDEMPTOR, S., CRUZ, DANTE, S., DE CARVALHO SCAMILLA ALEDO, MARIA, APARECIDA, DE OLIVEIRA, D'ARTAGNAN, SILVA, MARAMBA, FERNANDO, M., SERRANO, LUIZ, ANTONIO
Applicants: BITANTES REDEMPTOR S, CARVALHO SCAMILLA ALEDO MARIA, CRUZ DANTE S, JOHNSON & JOHNSON IND COM, MARAMBA FERNANDO M, OLIVEIRA D ARTAGNAN SILVA DE, SERRANO LUIZ ANTONIO, BITANTES, REDEMPTOR, S., CRUZ, DANTE, S., DE CARVALHO SCAMILLA ALEDO, MARIA, APARECIDA, DE OLIVEIRA, D'ARTAGNAN, SILVA, JOHNSON & JOHNSON INDUSTRIA E COMERCIO LTDA, MARAMBA, FERNANDO, M., SERRANO, LUIZ, ANTONIO
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A61F13
IPC codes: A61F13