Patent Publication Number: US-2011047766-A1

Title: Pre-cut clear polyolefin tape for corpse wounds, and methods of fabricating and utilizing same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present patent application is a continuation-in-part of, is based on, and claims priority from U.S. Patent Application 61/238,234 filed Aug. 31, 2009. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a novel and unique pre-cut clear polyolefin tape for corpse wounds, and methods of fabricating and utilizing same. 
     More particularly, the present invention relates to novel and unique pre-cut or roll form clear polyolefin tape to be used as a corpse wound closure and sealer, and methods of fabricating and utilizing same. 
     Many corpses are of very elderly persons having paper thin skin that tears easily. There is presently no way to cover wounds and scars on such corpses except with ugly bandages or plastic looking sealant spread all over the wound. 
     It is a desideratum of the present invention to avoid the animadversions of conventional and present devices, and at the same time to provide a very convenient and easy to use pre-cut clear polyolefin tape to be used as a corpse wound closure and sealer, and methods of fabricating and utilizing same. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a tape product for a corpse, comprising a pre-cut clear tape member to cover, close and seal a wound or scar on a corpse and essentially to replace skin on the corpse for viewing or embalming purposes. 
     The present invention also provides a method of preparing a corpse for embalming or viewing, comprising the steps of: closing an open wound on the corpse to form a wound slit; applying to said wound slit a pre-cut clear polyolefin adhesive tape patch; and, if desired, blending said pre-cut clear polyolefin adhesive tape patch with skin color. 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a pre-cut clear polyolefin tape to be used as a corpse wound closure and sealer, and methods of fabricating and utilizing same. 
     Another object of the present invention to provide tape as described hereinabove, and wherein the tape is pre-cut in various convenient sizes and shapes. 
     A further object of the present invention to provide tape as described hereinabove, which minimizes time to prepare a corpse for showing or embalming, and avoids sewing needle injuries to the corpse preparer. 
     Other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those persons skilled in this particular area of technology and to other persons after having been exposed to the present patent application when read in conjunction with the accompanying patent drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a plurality of pre-cut tape members cut on rolls with radius corners in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a tape member supplied as individual pieces with a back slit liner. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates tape members supplied on sheets with a specific number of tape members on the sheet. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment which is self-wound with no liner. 
         FIG. 5  shows another embodiment where the tape members are kiss-cut on a release liner in roll form. 
         FIG. 6  shows another embodiment where the tape members are in roll form having an back-score running in the web direction. 
         FIGS. 7-10  illustrate a sequence showing use of the tape members. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a product  10  in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. 
     Product  10  includes a plurality of pre-cut clear polyolefin tape members  11  arranged on a paper release liner  12 . 
     Preferably, but not necessarily, the tape member  11  comprises a PE film about 3 to 6 mil thick, and an adhesive layer about 3-5 mil thick. 
     The tape members  11  can be made with radius corners  13 , and in various shapes and sizes. 
     Spaces  14  are provided between adjacent members  11 . 
     Product  10  can be made in roll form or on flat liners  12 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates product  20  wherein the tape members  21  are supplied as individual pieces with a back slit liner  22 . 
     The parts are supplied as individual pieces with the back slit liner  22  which permits the user to remove only part of the liner at a time for ease of use. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a product  30  having tape members  31  supplied on sheet  32  with a specific number of tape members  31  on the sheet  31 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a product  40  wherein the tape members  41  are self-wound into a roll  42  with no liner. 
     The dotted lines  43  going across the web (side to side) are perforations. The product  40  is essentially a self-wound roll  42  of members  41  with perforations  41 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a product  50  where the tape members  51  are kiss-cut on a release liner  52  in a roll form  53 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a product  60  having an 80/20 back-score running in the web direction (or parallel to the liner  61 . The back score is in the paper release liner  61  only. The back score on the back side liner (like a crack and peel bumper sticker) runs parallel with the liner edge. If it was a 4″ roll, then the back score would be approximately 0.80″ in from one edge. This allows the embalmer to cut a piece to length for custom fitting a particular incision or wound. 
       FIG. 7  shows an open wound  70  on the arm  71  of a corpse to be prepared for showing or embalming. 
     The embalmer can close open wound  70  to form a wound slit  72  as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a tape member  11  (or  21 ,  31 ,  41 , or  51 ) being applied to the wound slit  71 . 
       FIG. 10  shows member  11  (or  21 ,  31 ,  41 , or  51 ) adhesively applied to the wound slit  71 . 
       FIG. 11  shows how the member  11  (or  21 ,  31 ,  41 , or  51 ) looks after blending with skin color or having a cosmetic applied thereto. 
     The member  11  (or  21 ,  31 ,  41 , or  51 ) may thus be a polyolefin adhesive tape patch, or a very similar patch which is thinner, having a different film, able to be tinted to multiple skin tones, and/or and possibly accept cosmetics. It is be used to cover wounds and essentially replace skin on the corpses for viewing purposes. 
     The parts may ultimately be supplied kiss cut on rolls; like labels/stickers on a roll. If they have square corners there will not be any spacing between them. If they have radius corners, they will have a matrix between parts. They could also be supplied on sheets of “X” amount of cut pieces. 
     Any and all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention are therefore covered by and embraced within the patent claims set forth hereinbelow.