Patent Publication Number: US-2017367902-A1

Title: Male absorbent wrap

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present specification relates generally to absorbent wraps and more specifically relates to a single use, disposable wrap that absorbs body moisture in the male genital region. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Personal hygiene is important in maintaining good health and well-being and preventing the development and spread of infection and disease. Poor personal hygiene can cause health-related issues and have negative social effects. Men and women have unique hygiene needs and one area of specific concern is genital hygiene. For men, penile hygiene is of utmost importance, especially for intact males. 
     Over the past decade, routine neonatal circumcision has been declining in prevalence in the United States as health guidelines are transitioning from recommending circumcision for health reasons to making it a matter of personal choice. Therefore, the intact male population is on the rise, resulting in penile hygiene to be a growing and relevant concern. 
     One essential element of penile hygiene for intact males is cleanliness of the glans. During daily routine activities and more prominently during laborious activities, it is common for men to sweat in the genital area. For intact males, moisture can build up under the prepuce, causing odor and increasing the risk of infection and disease. Built up moisture can be alleviated by frequent daily cleaning of the area; however, this is not feasible and thus not common practice. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a single use, disposable wrap that absorbs moisture from a male genital region. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a male absorbent wrap for wrapping around a glans, comprising: a covering sheet comprising a front surface, a back surface and a first edge; and a removing mechanism secured to the covering sheet proximate to the first edge and comprising a graspable portion extending away from the covering sheet. 
     Other aspects and features according to the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention, and how they may be carried into effect, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a male absorbent wrap according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of a male absorbent wrap according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a male absorbent wrap in use according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 3 b    is a male absorbent wrap in use according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals indicated like or corresponding elements in the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , a male absorbent wrap such as male absorbent wrap  100  is generally configured to absorb moisture from a user&#39;s, namely a male human&#39;s, genital region, particularly near the glans. The male absorbent wrap  100  may comprise a covering sheet  110 , having a front surface  115 , a back surface  120  and a first edge  125 . The male absorbent wrap  100  may also comprise a removing mechanism, such as string  130 , which may be secured to the covering sheet  110  proximate to the first edge  125  and which may comprise a graspable portion extending away from the covering sheet  110 . The string  130  may have a first end  135 , a second end  140  and a center section  145 . The center section  145  of the string  130  may be secured to the back surface  120  of the sheet  110  proximate to the first edge  125  of the sheet  110  by folding the first edge  125  of the sheet  110  over the center section  145  of the string  130 . The first edge  125  of the sheet  110  may be sewn or glued to the back surface  120  of the sheet  110  to secure the string  130 . Alternatively, the center section  145  of the string  130  may be secured to the back surface  120  of the sheet  110  proximate to the first edge  125  of the sheet  110  by stitching or gluing the center section  145  of the string  130  to the back surface  120  of the sheet  110  without folding the first edge  125  of the sheet  110  over the center section  145  of the string  130 . 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 3 a   - 3   b,  the male absorbent wrap  100  may be wrapped around the user&#39;s glans, such that the string  130  wraps around the neck of the user&#39;s glans and the user&#39;s prepuce then secures the sheet  110  and the string  130  in place. The male absorbent wrap  100  may be wrapped such that the ends of the sheet  110  may slightly overlap. The sheet  110  may be in the shape of a rectangle, square or laid-flat frustoconical, such that the sheet  110  may take the shape of a cylinder or truncated cone when wrapped around the user&#39;s glans and secured by the user&#39;s prepuce. 
     According to an embodiment, the sheet  110  may be of such a dimension that when the male absorbent wrap  100  is wrapped around the user&#39;s glans and secured by the user&#39;s prepuce, at least a portion of the sheet  110  extends past the height of the glans. The size of the sheet  110  and the length of the string  130  may differ according to different embodiments of the invention in order to accommodate users with different glans sizes. The length of the string  130 , which may be used as a removal mechanism, may be of such a length that when the male absorbent wrap  100  is wrapped around the user&#39;s glans and secured by the user&#39;s prepuce, at least a portion of the first end  135  and the second end  140  of the string  130  extend past the height of the glans. The portion of the first end  135  and the second end  140  of the string  130  that may extend past the height of the glans may be used to remove the male absorbent wrap  100  from the glans once the male absorbent wrap  100  is unsecured from the user&#39;s glans. The size of the sheet  110  may be at least 4 cm in length and 4 cm in width and the length of the string  130  may be at least 16 cm. For example, one particular embodiment of the male absorbent wrap  100  may be a rectangular sheet of 6.4 cm long by 5.1 cm wide and a string of 20 cm long, while another embodiment may be a rectangular sheet of 7.6 cm long by 5.1 cm wide and a string of 21 cm. Other dimensions are possible according to further embodiments of the invention. 
     According to a further embodiment, the sheet  110  may be composed of an absorbent material such as flannel, cotton, bamboo or any other disposable material capable of absorbing moisture excreted from the pores of the glans. Further, the sheet  110  may be composed of an absorbent material that aids in reducing odor. The string  130  may be composed of braided cotton, braided polyester, waxed cotton, hemp or any other material that may be used to remove the male absorbent wrap  100  from the glans. 
     Embodiments of the present invention as described may be suitable for use by laborers, construction workers, general contractors, landscapers, carpenters, athletes, or any male who may require absorption of moisture excreted from the glans. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.