Patent Publication Number: US-6340026-B1

Title: Caring device for toes

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention: 
     The present invention relates to a caring device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a caring device for toes. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art: 
     Numerous innovations for body caring devices have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention. 
     A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 1,922,169 to Martin teaches the combination of a towel, a cord embedded in and enclosed by the fabric of the towel and projecting beyond each end of the towel to form handles. 
     A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,453 to Ogden teaches a foot apparatus and, more particularly, to an elongated member formed of resilient foam and suitably impregnated with medicinal substance for being interlaced between the toes of the human foot. 
     A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,849 to Guinta teaches a skin conditioning article that has a springy and pliable body of layers of nylon net fabric with a mesh of about one-eighth inch, more or less. In the illustrated embodiment, the body is elongated and has four layers of fabric gathered at either end to form necks and pleats. The fabric is first doubled upon itself to form a folded end edge. Both sides of the fabric are then doubled over to form a pair of folded side edges and open edges proximate each other at the center of one face of the body. The layers are secured to each other in any suitable manner, as by stitching, proximate each of the opposite ends of the body, and this stitching may also secure ties to the body for gathering the layers and forming the pleats and necks. The open edges of the body, layers provide access to a pocket, formed by the folded end edge of the body, for retaining a bar of soap or other suitable article. The skin may be lubricated and the net fabric rubbed over the skin to cleanse and condition the skin. 
     A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,882,868 to Tundermann teaches a disposable foot-care article in the form of a toe cover made of absorbent non-woven fabric or suitable stock, and method of manufacturing same that utilizes a continuous web wherein the web is impregnated with medicated foot-care agents, folded longitudinally into at least a partial overlap and then sealed and cut diagonally to produce a slipper-shaped toe cover. 
     A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,943,922 to Umeda teaches a drying appliance for preventing athlete&#39;s foot, which is attached to the underside of the human toes and can absorb the moist, greasy and other secretions existing on the toes, on which a medicament can be applied and/or permeated. 
     A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,796 to Gillespie et al. teaches two pieces of nylon net of predetermined dimensions that are superimposed on a piece of terry cloth of the pre-determined dimensions. The terry cloth and nylon combination is folded over on itself to form a strip-like configuration in a manner whereby the net is on the outside. Each of a pair of handle members is affixed to a corresponding end of the strip-like configuration of terry cloth and nylon. 
     A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,575 to Collins teaches a combination hand washer and back scrubber, comprising an elongated strip of fabric, having two lateral edges, transverse, expansible strips attached to a first side of said fabric strip, each transverse strip extending substantially the entire width of said fabric strip, said transverse, expansible strips including sponge strips and abrasive strips aligned on said first side in an alternating manner, a water absorbent strip attached to an opposite second side of said fabric strip, said water absorbent strip being non-abrasive to skin, and a transverse elastic hand strap of elongated dimension, attached at opposite ends to said respective lateral edges of said fabric strip at approximately the midpoints thereof to form a loop for retaining said fabric strip in a folded position and for allowing the hand of a person to fit within said loop to use said combination hand washer and back scrubber as a wash cloth. 
     AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,018 to Ikebe et al. teaches a device for deodorizing and drying a portion between toes used by putting it between toes. The device comprises two rod-shaped flexible fibrous elements or layers formed of a large number of fibers disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of said layers, an air- and water-permeable flexible shell member being wound around said flexible fibrous layers such that a cavity is formed between the upper fibrous layer and the lower fibrous layer, and particulate substances having a hygroscopic function being housed in said cavity in a quantity corresponding to a part of a volume of said cavity. 
     It is apparent that numerous innovations for body caring devices have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     ACCORDINGLY, AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a caring device for toes that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     ANOTHER OBJECT of the present Invention is to provide a caring device for toes that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a caring device for toes that is simple to use. 
     BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a caring device for toes that includes a body and a pair of handles. The body is either tubular, flat, solid, or a sheet of rolled material for moving longitudinally between a pair of adjacent toes or is an endless loop for moving longitudinally and simultaneously between two pair of adjacent toes. The body is made of either cheesecloth, disposable paper, stockinet, or 100% cotton, is seamless and braidless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes caused by seams and braids when the body is moved between the toes during use, and is either dry for drying the toes so as to prevent formation of athlete&#39;s foot and other skin irritation sand odors originating from moisture or is impregnated with a medicinal powder or cream for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. Each handle is either a ring that is attached to the body by either the associated free end of the body being knotted or stitched therearound or has the endless loop pass therethrough or is an associated free end of the body formed into fringes that are knotted to prevent unraveling of the body and for providing grasping portions that prevent the fringes from slipping through the hands. The fringes supplement the grasping portions of the knots by shifting accordingly and filling any gaps between the knots and the hand so as to provide a more contiguous grasping surface. The ring is rigid and cordless for facilitating grasping thereof by the hands, as opposed to a cord which would collapse onto itself. 
     The novel features which are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The figures of the drawing are briefly described as follows: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in use; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by arrow  2  in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the area generally enclosed by the dotted curve identified by arrow  3  in FIG. 1; 
       1 FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6A is a diagrammatic perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention in use; and 
     FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a case of the present invention. 
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 
     General 
       10  caring device of present invention for toes  12   
       12  toes 
       14  body for moving longitudinally and simultaneously between least one pair of adjacent toes  12   
       16  pair of handles for holding by hands during use 
     First Embodiment 
       110  caring device of present invention for toes  12   
       114  body for moving longitudinally between one pair of adjacent toes  12   
       116  pair of handles 
       118  free ends of body  114   
       120  ring of each handle of pair of handles  116   
       122  tube of body  114   
       124  sheet of rolled material of body  114   
       126  solid of body  114   
     Second Embodiment 
       210  caring device of present invention for toes  12   
       214  body for moving longitudinally between one pair of adjacent toes  12   
       216  pair of handles 
       218  pair of free ends of body  214   
       220  fringes of associated free end of pair of free ends  218  of body  214  for supplementing grasping portions of knots  223  at origination point  222  of fringes  220  of associated free end of pair of free ends  218  of body  214  by shifting accordingly and filling any gaps between knots  223  at origination point  222  of fringes  220  of associated free end of pair of free ends  218  of body  214  and hand so as to provide more contiguous grasping surface 
       222  origination point of fringes  220  of associated free end of pair of free ends  218  of body  214   
       223  knot at origination point  222  of fringes  220  of associated free end of pair of free ends  218  of body  214  for providing grasping portions that prevent fringes  220  from slipping through hands 
       224  sheet of rolled material of body  214   
       225  tube of body  214   
       226  solid of body  214   
     Third Embodiment 
       310  caring device of present invention for toes  12   
       314  body 
       316  pair of handles 
       318  pair of free ends of flat body  328  of body  314   
       320  ring of each handle of pair of handles  316   
       328  flat body of body  314  for moving longitudinally between one pair of adjacent toes  12   
     Fourth Embodiment 
       410  caring device of present invention for toes  12   
       414  body 
       416  pair of handles 
       418  pair of opposing extremes of endless loop  428  of body  414   
       420  ring of each handle of pair of handles  416   
       428  endless loop of body  414  for moving longitudinally and simultaneously between two pair of adjacent toes  12  by capturing intermediate toe  12  therein 
     Package 
       500  package 
       504  pair of ends of package  500   
       505  opposing ends of intermediate portion  506  of package  500   
       506  intermediate portion of package  500   
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1, the caring device of the present invention is shown generally at  10  for toes  12 . 
     The general configuration of the caring device  10  can best be seen in FIG. 1, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The caring device  10  comprises a body  14  for moving longitudinally and simultaneously between at least one pair of adjacent toes  12  and has a length, and a pair of handle  16  that extend from the body  14  for holding by the hands during use. 
     The specific configuration of a first embodiment of the caring device  110  can best be seen in FIGS. 1-3, and ad such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the body  114  is slender and elongated for moving longitudinally between one pair of adjacent toes  12 , and has a pair of free ends  118 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, each handle  116  is a ring  120  that is attached to an associated free end  118  of the body  114  by the associated free end  118  of the body  114  being knotted therearound so as to allow each ring  120  to slide in the associated free end  118  of the body  114 . 
     The ring  120  is rigid and cordless so as to facilitate the ring  120  in sliding in the associated free end  118  of the body  114  and for facilitating grasping thereof by the hands, as opposed to a cord which would collapse onto itself. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, the body  114  is tubular so as to form a tube  122 . 
     The tube  122  is made from cheesecloth. 
     The tube  122  is made from disposable paper. 
     The tube  122  is made from stockinet which is resiliently stretchable for easy insertion between the toes  12  by virtue of being reduced in width when longitudinally stretched. 
     The tube  122  is made from 100% cotton. 
     The tube  122  is seamless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by seams, which are by nature relatively hard and abrasive, when the tube  122  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The tube  122  is braidless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by braids, which are by nature relatively hard and abrasive, when the tube  122  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The tube  122  is dry for drying the toes  12  so as to prevent formation of athlete&#39;s foot and other skin irritations and odors originating from moisture and to aid the handicapped in keeping the toes  12  dry. 
     The tube  122  is impregnated with medicinal powder for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The tube  122  is impregnated with medicinal cream for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the body  114  is made from a sheet of material rolled upon itself so as to form a sheet of rolled material  124 . 
     The sheet of rolled material  124  is made from cheesecloth. 
     The sheet of rolled material  124  is made from disposable paper. 
     The sheet of rolled material  124  is made from stockinet which is resiliently stretchable for easy insertion between the toes  12  by virtue of being reduced in width when longitudinally stretched. 
     The sheet of rolled material  124  is made from 100% cotton. 
     The sheet of rolled material  124  is seamless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by seams, which are by nature relatively hard and abrasive, when the sheet of rolled material  124  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     the sheet of rolled material  124  is braidless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by braids, which are by nature relatively hard and abrasive, when the sheet of rolled material  124  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The sheet of rolled material  124  is dry for drying the toes  12  so as to prevent formation of athlete&#39;s foot and other skin irritations and odors originating from moisture and to aid the handicapped in keeping the toes  12  dry. 
     The sheet of rolled material  124  is impregnated with medicinal powder for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The sheet of rolled material  124  is impregnated with medicinal cream for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the body  114  is a solid material so as to form a solid  126 . 
     The solid  126  is made from cheesecloth. 
     The solid  126  is made from disposable paper. 
     The solid  126  is made from stockinet which is resiliently stretchable for easy insertion between the toes  12  by virtue of being reduced in width when longitudinally stretched. 
     The solid  126  is made from 100% cotton. 
     The solid  126  is seamless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by seams, which are by nature relatively hard and abrasive, when the solid  126  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The solid  126  is braidless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by braids, which are by nature relatively hard and abrasive, when the solid  126  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The solid  126  is dry for drying the toes  12  so as to prevent formation of athlete&#39;s foot and other skin irritations and odors originating from moisture and to aid the handicapped in keeping the toes  12  dry. 
     The solid  126  is impregnated with medicinal powder for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The solid  126  is impregnated with medicinal cream for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The specific configuration of a second embodiment of the caring device  210  can best be seen in FIG. 4, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The body  214  is slender and elongated for moving longitudinally between one pair of adjacent toes  12 , and has a pair of free ends  218 . 
     Each handle  216  is an associated free end  218  of the body  214  formed into fringes  220  that has an origination point  222  that is knotted by a knot  223  to prevent unraveling of the body  214  and for providing grasping portions that prevent the fringes  220  from slipping through the hands. 
     The fringes  220  supplement the grasping portions of the knots  223  by shifting accordingly and filling any gaps between the knots  223  and the hand so as to provide a more contiguous grasping surface. 
     The body  214  is tubular so as to form a tube  225 . 
     The tube  225  is made from cheesecloth. 
     The tube  225  is made from disposable paper. 
     The tube  225  is made from stockinet which is resiliently stretchable for easy insertion between the toes  12  by virtue of being reduced in width when longitudinally stretched. 
     The tube  225  is made from 100% cotton. 
     The tube  225  is seamless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive caused by seams, which are by nature relatively hard and abrasive, when the tube  225  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The tube  225  is braidless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by braids, which are by nature relatively hard and abrasive, when the tube  225  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The tube  225  is dry for drying the toes  12  so as to prevent formation of athlete&#39;s foot and other skin irritations and odors originating from moisture and to aid the handicapped in keeping the toes  12  dry. 
     The tube  225  is impregnated with medicinal powder for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The tube  225  is impregnated with medicinal cream for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The body  214  is made from a sheet of material rolled upon itself so as to form a sheet of rolled material  224 . 
     The sheet of rolled material  224  is made from cheesecloth. 
     The sheet of rolled material  224  is made from disposable paper. 
     The sheet of rolled material  224  is made from stockinet which is resiliently stretchable for easy insertion between the toes  12  by virtue of being reduced in width when longitudinally stretched. 
     The sheet of rolled material  224  is made from 100% cotton. 
     The sheet of rolled material  224  is seamless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by seams, which by nature are relatively hard and abrasive, when the sheet of rolled material  224  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The sheet of rolled material  224  is braidless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by braids, which are by nature relatively hard and abrasive, when the sheet of rolled material  224  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The sheet of rolled material  224  is dry for drying the toes  12  so as to prevent formation of athlete&#39;s foot and other skin irritations and odors originating from moisture and to aid the handicapped in keeping the toes  12  dry. 
     The sheet of rolled material  224  is impregnated with medicinal powder for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The sheet of rolled material  224  is impregnated with medicinal cream for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The body  214  is a solid material so as to form a solid  226 . 
     The solid  226  is made from cheesecloth. 
     The solid  226  is made from disposable paper. 
     The solid  226  is made from stockinet which is resiliently stretchable for easy insertion between the toes  12  by virtue of being reduced in width when longitudinally stretched. 
     The solid  226  is made from 100% cotton. 
     The solid  226  is seamless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by seams, which by nature are relatively hard and abrasive, when the solid  226  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The solid  226  is braidless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by braids, which are by nature relatively hard and abrasive, when the solid  226  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The solid  226  is dry for drying the toes  12  so as to prevent formation of athlete&#39;s foot and other skin irritations and odors originating from moisture and to aid the handicapped in keeping the toes  12  dry. 
     The solid  226  is impregnated with medicinal powder for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The solid  226  is impregnated with medicinal cream for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The specific configuration of a third embodiment of the caring device  310  can best be seen in FIG. 5, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The body  314  is slender, elongated, and flat so as to form a flat body  328  for moving longitudinally between one pair of adjacent toes  12 , and has a pair of free ends  318 . 
     Each handle  316  is a ring  320  that is attached to an associated free end  318  of the flat body  328  by the associated free end  318  of the flat body  328  passing therethrough, and doubling back unto itself, where it is stitched to itself so as to allow each ring  320  to slide in the associated end free  318  of the flat body  328 . 
     The ring  320  is rigid and cordless so as to facilitate the ring  320  in sliding in the associated free end  318  of the body  314  and for facilitating grasping thereof by the hands, as opposed to a cord which would collapse onto itself. 
     The flat body  328  is made from cheesecloth. 
     The flat body  328  is made from disposable paper. 
     The flat body  328  is made from stockinet which is resiliently stretchable for easy insertion between the toes  12  by virtue of being reduced in width when longitudinally stretched. 
     The flat body  328  is made from 100% cotton. 
     The flat body  328  is seamless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by seams, which by nature are relatively hard and abrasive, when the flat body  328  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The flat body  328  is braidless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by braids, which by nature are relatively hard and abrasive, when the flat body  328  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The flat body  328  is dry for drying the toes  12  so as to prevent formation of athlete&#39;s foot and other skin irritations and odors originating from moisture and to aid the handicapped in keeping the toes  12  dry. 
     The flat body  328  is impregnated with medicinal powder for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The flat body  328  is impregnated with medicinal cream for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The specific configuration of a fourth embodiment of the caring device  410  can best be seen in FIGS. 6 and 6A, and as such, will be discussed with reference thereto. 
     The body  414  is slender, elongated, flat, and formed into an endless loop  428  for moving longitudinally and simultaneously between two pair of adjacent toes  12  by capturing an intermediate toe  12  therein, and has a pair of opposing extremes  418 . 
     Each handle  416  is a ring  420  that has the endless loop  428  pass freely therethrough so as to allow each ring  420  to move in the endless loop  428 , and when in use, are disposed at the pair of opposing extremes  418  of the endless loop  428 . 
     The ring  420  is rigid and cordless so as to facilitate the ring  420  in moving in the endless loop  428  and for facilitating grasping thereof by the hands, as opposed to a cord which would collapse onto itself. 
     The endless loop  428  is made from cheesecloth. 
     The endless loop  428  is made from disposable paper. 
     The endless loop  428  is made from stockinet which is resiliently stretchable for easy insertion between the toes  12  by virtue of being reduced in width when longitudinally stretched. 
     The endless loop  428  is made from 100% cotton. 
     The endless loop  428  is seamless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by seams, which by nature are relatively hard and abrasive, when the endless loop  428  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The endless loop  428  is braidless for obviating risk of scarification of the toes  12 , which are by nature extremely tender and sensitive, caused by braids, which are by nature relatively hard and abrasive, when the endless loop  428  is moved between the toes  12  during use. 
     The endless loop  428  is dry for drying the toes  12  so as to prevent formation of athlete&#39;s foot and other skin irritations and odors originating from moisture and to aid the handicapped in keeping the toes  12  dry. 
     The endless loop  428  is impregnated with medicinal powder for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     The endless loop  428  is impregnated with medicinal cream for preventing at least skin cracking, infection, and fungus. 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the caring device  10  further comprises a package  500 . 
     The package  500  is slender, elongated, and has a pair of ends  504  and an intermediate portion  506  that is disposed intermediate the pair of ends  504  thereof and has opposing ends  505 . 
     The intermediate portion  506  of the package  500  extends the length of, and conformingly captures to prevent movement of, the body  14  therein. 
     The pair of ends  504  of the package  500  taper away from the opposing ends of the intermediate portion  506  of the package  500 , respectively, unto themselves, respectively, and conformingly capture to prevent movement of, the pair of handles  16  therein. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a caring device for toes, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.