Abstract:
A bandage wrapper having a wrapper with a flanged section having two extensions defining a slot between them for bandage or other wrappable material insertion. The extensions are flared and allow for easier insertion of bandage or wrappable material. Additionally, the wrapper may be secured in a drill chuck or other coupling to a motorized driver.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The field is bandage wrappers.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Bandage wrappers wrap bandages using an automated spindle and a motor; however, known wrappers are cumbersome to use and difficult to operate.  
         [0003]     Rodriguez, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,023, describes a sheet material applicator having a main cylindrical body, preferably open at one of its ends and presenting two peripheral projections and a means for attachment, at its non-open end, that allows for the placement of a tubular part. On the periphery of the applicator&#39;s tubular part, the end of the bandage is attached and the bandage is wound around the tubular part. However, such a device may need an adhesive element for attaching the bandage to it during the insertion process.  
         [0004]     Devine, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,779, discloses a portable, lightweight, hand-held bandage winder where the operator holds the winder in one hand and locates the bandage on a shaft which may include a spool. However, the spool component needs to have a coefficient of static friction sufficient to weakly bind the leading edge of the bandage in order to initiate wrapping or requires the user to manually tuck the leading edge of the bandage around the spool to initiate wrapping.  
         [0005]     There is a longstanding and unresolved need for a bandage rewrapper that can be used by patients with limited mobility of one or both arms.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     A bandage wrapper includes a spindle with a flanged section having two extensions, the two extensions defining a slot between the two extensions for bandage insertion. The spindle is capable of being secured in a drill chuck or other coupling device. The ends of the extension are flared such that a patient with limited mobility may insert a bandage or other wrappable material into the slot formed by the extensions. The inventors know first-hand the difficulties faced by patients who must wash a rewrap bandage. One of the inventors is a breast cancer survivor and another is a technician at a treatment center. Neither of the inventors were able to locate any rewrapping device that was suitable for use by patients with limited strength and coordination of arm components. One advantage of the present invention is the ease of engaging and removing a bandage on a spindle. Other advantages will be apparent based on the disclosure. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The drawings provide examples of the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a bandage winder.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side-view of a bandage winder.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear-view of a bandage winder. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]     The detailed description and drawings provide some examples of the present invention, but the present invention should not be limited merely to the examples disclosed. Instead, the invention should be limited only by the claims that may eventually issue. Many variations in the present invention, changes in specific components of the present invention, and uses of the present invention will be readily apparent to those familiar with the field based on the drawings and descriptions provided.  
         [0012]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the bandage includes a flanges having two extensions. The extensions  2 ,  3  extend from surface of the flange  5  and define a slot for bandage insertion. The slot  1  is flared for ease of bandage insertion and retention. The extensions  2 , 3  are prongs that may be capable of retaining a bandage between them such as an Ace bandage. The ends of the extensions  2 , 3 , are flared and deflect inwardly when the bandage is wrapped under the pressure exerted by the bandage.  
         [0013]     Ribs  4  may be provided on the extensions  2 ,  3 , to stiffen all or a portion of the extensions  2 , 3 . In another example, (not shown) the material of the extensions  2 ,  3  is selected with a stiffness such that no stiffeners or ribs are needed.  
         [0014]     The flange  5  features a coupling member extending from an opposite side coupling the spindle to a drill or an electric screwdriver or other motorized device. (not shown). For example, the coupling member  7  may be secured in a drill chuck or coupling socket. In one example, the coupling member  7  is made of metal and is press fit or molded into a flange  5 , which may be made of a polymer, such as ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic, for example. The shape of the coupling member  7  may be round or hex-shaped or any other shape capable of coupling with an electrical motor. The electric motor may be battery operated, as power requirements are modest for producing the torque required for bandage rewrapping.  
         [0015]     The flange may have ribs  8 . In one example, a plurality of ribs emanate in a radial fashion from a central hub  6 . The ribs  8  may be used to increase the flange stiffness, allowing thickness and materials having less inherent stiffness to be used. Alternatively, stiffer materials may not require ribs  8  for stiffness.  
         [0016]     The direction of the rotation of the flange  5  may be reversed to suit the user&#39;s preference if the drill or other motorized driver is reversible. The flange  5  may have a flared outer circumference  5 A, as shown in the drawings, or the flange may be flat and unflared. If flat and unflared, then the flange  5  extends radially outward as a substantially flat disk. Substantially flat means that each of the surfaces of the flange  5  are flat within manufacturing tolerances; however the opposite faces of the flange  5  need not be parallel. In one example, the flange  5  extends radially outward as a substantially flat disk, but the material of the flange  5  is thicker at the center than at the outer edge.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates the flared ends of the two extensions  2 , 3  extending from the flange  5 . In one example, extensions  2 , 3  are formed by polymer die injection as an integral unit with flange  5 . Optionally, the coupling member  7  may be molded into the hub  6  of the flange  5  during the same injection process.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  depicts another view of a bandage wrapper. In this view, the flaring of the extensions  2 , 3  is clearly illustrated. In addition, the ends are tapered, making insertion even easier. The slight flare in the outer circumference of the extensions  2 , 3  helps to retain a bandage on the spindle during rewrapping; however, it does not impede removal from the spindle after rewrapping is complete. Instead, the ends are provided with adequate elastic flexibility, allowing easy removal from the spindle. For example, each free end of an extension  2 ,  3  may be provided with a flare within a range 3-15 degrees from the direction of the remaining portion of the extensions  2 ,  3 . Thus, under normal operational tensioning of a hand-held battery operated driver, the extensions  2 ,  3  flex inwardly.  
         [0019]     Alternative combinations and variations of the examples provided will become apparent based on this disclosure. It is not possible to provide specific examples for all of the many possible combinations and variations of the embodiments described, but such combinations and variations may be claims that eventually issue.