Abstract:
Disclosed herein are insect repellant wrist and ankle bands. The bands contain a space within which a substrate that has been impregnated with an insect control repellant can be heated by a heater such as a pouch providing an exothermic chemical reaction. Thus, the bands can efficiently act as repellant dispensers without the need for the user to apply the repellant directly to the user&#39;s skin or clothing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to insect controlling bands. More specifically, it provides insect repellant dispensing wrist and ankle bands. 
         [0004]    A variety of insects such as mosquitoes and house flies bite and otherwise annoy humans and other animals. Various means have been developed to inhibit this. One approach is to place a volatile insect control chemical directly on human skin, and/or on clothing being worn by a human. However, some consumers are reluctant to place chemicals directly on their skin or clothing. 
         [0005]    Hence, there have been attempts to dispense volatile air treatment chemicals without the need for direct contact with human skin or clothing. One approach is to use an active dispensing device positioned somewhere in a room where humans are likely to be. This can range from burnable candles or coils, to electrical dispensing systems. However, this requires treatment of an entire room, and further does not protect a human when they leave the treated room. 
         [0006]    Yet another approach is to provide a portable device which a human can clip on their belt. It contains a fan and an insect repellant impregnated substrate. The fan operates when protection is desired. Some consumers may prefer a lower cost, lighter weight, alternative. 
         [0007]    It has also been suggested to coat a wrist bracelet or other belt-like object with a volatile mosquito repellant or other insect control ingredient, so as to create as a passive dispenser of mosquito repellant. While this approach allows some protection to travel with the human, and is relatively low cost, even using highly volatile and strong repellants such passive evaporation provides only limited protection. See also WO 2009/003900. 
         [0008]    In unrelated work, U.S. Pat. No. 7,300,409 discloses a patch for delivering a therapy chemical to the skin using vibration. The device can optionally also be provided with a pouch that chemically produces heat, or be provided with various fragrancing chemicals such as lavender oil which can be volatized from the device. This device can be bulky and relatively costly if constructed to perform all of these functions at the same time. 
         [0009]    Hence, a need still exists for improved ways of dispensing insect control actives, particularly where the protection is for a moving human. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention provides insect controlling bands designed to be worn by the user, for example around a wrist or ankle. In one preferred aspect there is provided a band structure, a substrate that has a volatile insect control chemical mountable on the band structure, and a heater positioned to be suitable to, when initiated, heat the substrate to expedite dispensing of the volatile insect control chemical. 
         [0011]    In various preferred forms:
       (a) the heater is in the form of a holder that retains a heating structure.   (b) the holder is in the form of a pouch, and the heating structure comprises chemicals positioned in the pouch that if initiated will chemically generate heat. For example the chemicals (e.g. iron oxide) can be caused to generate heat by exposure to air;   (c) the substrate is part of the pouch itself;   (d) the band structure is essentially arc-shaped and extends over an arc of between 270 and 360 degrees;   (e) the band structure has an upper cover and a lower support such that when the upper cover lies on top of the lower support they form a housing with a cavity there between. For example, the substrate and heater can be positioned in the cavity between the upper cover and lower support, and the cavity can be opened when it is desired to remove the substrate and/or heater, and/or replace one or both. Also, there may be ribs or other structures on or under the lower support that help insulate the wrist or ankle where the device is worn from being exposed to heat generated by the device;   (f) the substrate and/or the heater are provided with a peel-off cover that can be removed prior to use;   (g) the volatile insect control chemical is a repellant (e.g. a mosquito repellant) selected from the group consisting of transfluthrin and metafluthrin;   (h) the band structure is configured such that in use the volatile insect control chemical is dispensed both radially up out and also sideways;   (i) there are two such substrates that sandwich the heater; and   (j) the device is configured to help insulate the wrist or ankle where the device is worn from being exposed to heat generated by the device.       
 
         [0022]    In another aspect the invention provides an insect controlling device wearable on a human wrist or human ankle. It has a band structure, a substrate that has a volatile insect control chemical mountable on the band structure, and a heater positioned to be suitable to, when initiated, heat the substrate to expedite dispensing of the volatile insect control chemical. In this form of the invention the heater is of a type that can be initiated by exposing chemicals in the heater to air, so as to thereby cause an exothermic reaction. 
         [0023]    Note that when a heater of the present invention is initiated the heat will expedite dispensing of the volatile insect control chemical. While the band is preferably arc-shaped and extends between 270 and 360 degrees, it may have other shape and extents. 
         [0024]    More than one heater and/or more than one substrate may be present in the cavity. For example, a single heater may be sandwiched between two substrates, with active diffusing both up and down. 
         [0025]    A wide variety of insect control ingredients (especially insect repellants) may be used. Preferred repellents include highly volatile synthetic pyrethroid esters, such a transfluthrin or metafluthrin. Other insect control ingredients include volatile insecticides, volatile insect-repelling natural oils, volatile insect growth regulators, and mixtures thereof. 
         [0026]    The materials that the upper cover or lower support are made of are not critical, albeit it is preferred that they be a heat resistant plastic (e.g. polypropylene or polyethylene). Also, there can be a rigid part of the band that houses the substrate and heater, and then also flexible attachment strap portions of the band. 
         [0027]    The substrate may be formed from a variety of known substrate materials for dispensing insect control ingredients (e.g. PET, Barex® plastic film, cellulosic materials, cloth, etc.). 
         [0028]    In a particularly preferred form the heater includes chemicals within a pouch that react to give off heat when initiated by exposure to air or otherwise. These may include a variety of exothermic chemical reaction based heating chemicals. Most preferred chemicals are those that evolve heat when contacted with oxygen, particularly those which use iron/iron oxide based powders. For example, a preferred type of pouch uses iron powder, a small amount of water, vermiculite, active carbon, and sodium chloride inside a pouch. When ambient air reaches the iron (e.g. a cover is pulled off a permeable surface of the pouch), the iron oxidizes, giving off heat. See e.g. U.S. patent application publication 2006/0258962. 
         [0029]    The substrate impregnated with the insect control chemical may be part of the pouch itself In other embodiments, the substrate is a separate material placed adjacent to the heat pouch. 
         [0030]    Accordingly, this invention provides a lightweight and inexpensive way to expedite dispensing of active from the band. The outer portions of the band can be reusable as the band can be opened to install a fresh heating pouch and substrate. Alternatively, they can be disposable after a single use as well. In any event, it is particularly desirable that structures be provided to insure active is dispensed along the skin and to insure that the skin is not exposed to uncomfortable levels of heat. 
         [0031]    As such, protection can be achieved without directly coating active on human skin and/or sensitive clothing. 
         [0032]    The foregoing and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description. In that description reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and which there is shown by way of illustration, and not limitation, preferred embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0033]      FIG. 1A  is a top view of a preferred substrate and a preferred heating pouch of a first embodiment, positioned side-by-side; 
           [0034]      FIG. 1B  is a partial exploded perspective view of the band of the first embodiment; 
           [0035]      FIG. 1C  is a view similar to  FIG. 1B , but only of the upper cover and lower support, and in any event showing more of the structure; 
           [0036]      FIG. 1D  is a partial perspective view showing contents of portions of the pouch of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 2A  is perspective exploded view of an opened second embodiment; 
           [0038]      FIG. 2B  is a cross sectional view taken generally along line  2 B- 2 B, but with further schematic indications; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2C  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 2A  structure, but assembled and closed; 
           [0040]      FIG. 2D  is a perspective view of the  FIG. 2C  structure, but wrapped as it would appear on a wrist or ankle; 
           [0041]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an end of a band of a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 3B  is a full perspective view of the third embodiment, but shown opened; 
           [0043]      FIG. 3C  shows that the  FIG. 3A  embodiment could instead be implemented with only one fold over flap; 
           [0044]      FIG. 4A  is perspective view of an open band of a fourth embodiment, in exploded form; 
           [0045]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of that fourth embodiment as it would be installed; 
           [0046]      FIG. 5A  is view similar to  FIG. 4A , but of a fifth embodiment; 
           [0047]      FIG. 5B  is a view similar to  FIG. 4B , but of the fifth embodiment; 
           [0048]      FIG. 6A  is a view similar to  FIG. 5A , but of a sixth embodiment; 
           [0049]      FIG. 6B  is a side view of the  FIG. 6A  band; 
           [0050]      FIG. 6C  is a view similar to  FIG. 5B , but of the sixth embodiment. 
           [0051]      FIG. 7A  is a view similar to  FIG. 1A , but of a seventh embodiment; 
           [0052]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of a molded base used for mounting the  FIG. 7A  components; 
           [0053]      FIG. 7C  schematically depicts how the seventh embodiment components can be assembled; 
           [0054]      FIG. 8A  is a view similar to  FIG. 2A , but of an eighth embodiment; 
           [0055]      FIG. 8B  is a view similar to  FIG. 2C , but of the eighth embodiment; 
           [0056]      FIG. 8C  is a view similar to  FIG. 2D , but of the eighth embodiment; 
           [0057]      FIG. 9A  is a view analogous to  FIG. 8A , but of a ninth embodiment; 
           [0058]      FIG. 9B  is a view showing in detail how the cavity of the  FIG. 9A  embodiment is formed; 
           [0059]      FIG. 9C  is a view similar to  FIG. 8C , but of the ninth embodiment; 
           [0060]      FIG. 10A  is a view similar to  FIG. 3B , but of a tenth embodiment; 
           [0061]      FIG. 10B  is a view similar to  FIG. 3C , but of the tenth embodiment; 
           [0062]      FIG. 11A  is a view similar to  FIG. 4B , but of an eleventh embodiment; 
           [0063]      FIG. 11B  is a perspective view showing the  FIG. 11A  band mounted on a wrist; 
           [0064]      FIG. 12A  is a view similar to  FIG. 4B , but of a twelfth embodiment; 
           [0065]      FIG. 12B  is a view similar to  FIG. 4A , but of the twelfth embodiment; 
           [0066]      FIG. 13A  is a view similar to  FIG. 2A , but of a thirteenth embodiment; 
           [0067]      FIG. 13B  is a view similar to  FIG. 2C , but of the thirteenth embodiment; 
           [0068]      FIG. 13C  is a view similar to  FIG. 2D  but of the thirteenth embodiment; 
           [0069]      FIG. 14  is a partial cross sectional view of a fourteenth embodiment; 
           [0070]      FIG. 15  is a view similar to  FIG. 14 , but of a fifteenth embodiment; 
           [0071]      FIG. 16  is a more complete cross sectional view of a sixteenth embodiment; 
           [0072]      FIG. 17  is a partial cross sectional view of a seventeenth embodiment; 
           [0073]      FIG. 18  is a view similar to  FIG. 17 , but of an eighteenth embodiment; and 
           [0074]      FIGS. 19A and 19B  show partial cross sectional views through a nineteenth embodiment, with the  FIG. 19A  embodiment showing the structure flexed to accommodate wrist mounting. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0075]    Referring first to  FIG. 1A , an insect repellant such as transfluthrin is applied to a polyethylene film to coat and/or impregnate it so as to constitute substrate  10 . The ends of the substrate are formed with holes  11  which will assist in aligning and mounting the substrate. The active can be applied by various techniques such as roller application, printing, point dosing, etc. 
         [0076]      FIG. 1A  also shows a heating pouch  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1D  it can contain a mix of chemicals  13  (e.g. particularly iron powder) that when exposed to air will generate heat. Again, there are alignment holes  15  at the ends of the pouch. 
         [0077]    There is also a main band structure as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 1C  where there is an upper cover  16  and a lower support  18 . These are flexible plastic arcs of significantly over 270 degrees. The lower support  18  has vent openings  20 . 
         [0078]    The upper cover  16  and the lower support  18  together, when assembled, create an internal cavity space in which can be positioned both the substrate  10  and heating pouch  12 . See e.g.  FIG. 1B . In this regard, pegs  14  project into holes  11  and  15  to align these parts. Note also perforations  22  through upper cover  16  which will allow active dispensing from substrate  10  to pass out from the band. 
         [0079]    It should be appreciated from the  FIG. 1B  drawing that the parts here snap together. However, when the substrate and/or heater is used up, the parts may be returned to the  FIG. 1B  positioning, followed by replacement of the substrate and heater. Thus, the upper cover and lower support can be used multiple times. 
         [0080]    In a second preferred embodiment represented by  FIGS. 2A-2D , the insect repellant is applied to a film to make the substrate  23 . A separate heating pouch  25  is also provided. However, in this embodiment, the upper cover  26  is hinged to the lower support  24 . Also, here both are perforated to allow air flow. 
         [0081]    The band is assembled by placing the heating pouch  25  inside the opened band along the lower support  24 , placing the substrate  23  on the heating pouch  25 , and pivoting the upper cover  26  until it snaps together with the lower support  24 . A refinement is that the lower support here includes ribs  28  which both help keep the heat away from the human wrist and allow some air flow from inwardly of the band up to the heater. 
         [0082]    The remaining embodiments use generally similar principles, but each has its own specific features. For example, the embodiment of  FIGS. 3A-3B  has a band  31  with a heating pouch  33  and a substrate  30 . There is also an adhesive layer  37  overlain by a peel-off paper seal  36 , and a separate paper seal  35  over the heating pouch. 
         [0083]    To prepare this embodiment for use, the substrate  30  impregnated with repellant, and is placed centrally along the band. The paper seal  35  is then removed to expose the heating pouch  33  to air. Next, the paper seal  36  is completely removed to expose all of the adhesive layer  37 , and the flaps are folded as shown in  FIG. 3A . Strap parts  32 / 34  form a Velcro® type system to wrap the band around a wrist. 
         [0084]    As an alternative, there could be an adhesive portion under paper seal  35  and only one fold over flap used per  FIG. 3C . 
         [0085]    The embodiment of  FIGS. 4A-B  has a upper cover  43  and lower support  41  that are hingedly connected together and closable via a snap closure tab  48 . When closed, the band contains top perforations  44  and also downward perforations  46  for venting. The upper cover  43  and lower support  41  together define a cavity  49 . 
         [0086]    To prepare for use, two substrates  40  impregnated with repellant are placed in depressions in each side of the clamshell, and the heating pouch  42  is sandwiched there between when the structure is closed. Again, there is a strap form Velcro® type closure  47 . 
         [0087]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 5A-5B  the band  55  has an upper cover  59  with a lower support  57  hingeably connected and closable via a snap closure tab  54 . Note also perforations  53  and  58 . There are also depressions  51  for receiving the substrates  50 . 
         [0088]    There are also raised ribs  60  which help keep the substrate nearest the skin from transmitting uncomfortable levels of heat to the human skin. In any event, again a heating pouch  52  is sandwiched between the substrates. However, here the strap  56  loops back on itself. 
         [0089]    In the  FIGS. 6A-C  embodiment a band  65  has a perforated snap-fit casing  63 / 64  with slotted vents  68 . Ribs  67  underneath the lower support  64  serve to keep heat away from the wrist and aid airflow. To prepare for use, a heating pouch  62  is placed into the casing  63 / 64  and a substrate  61  impregnated with repellant is placed above the heat pad and the casing is snapped shut as shown in  FIG. 6C . In this embodiment, the band is strapped onto a wrist or ankle via an interlocking self-fastening closure  66 . 
         [0090]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 7A-C  the band  73  only has a lower support, with no upper cover. Again, there is a heating pouch  72  and an impregnated substrate  70 . As the band  73  itself is a flexible plastic structure, no separate strap is needed. The adhesive on the back of the heating pouch acts to hold it on the band  73 , and the adhesive on the wings of the substrate extension  71  keep it in place. 
         [0091]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8A-8C  a band  85  has a silicone shroud having an upper cover  81  and lower support  83  hingeably connected and closable via a zipper  89 . Perforations  87  allow for air to activate the heating pouch  82 . Note also interior raised ribs  84 . To prepare for use, the heating pouch  82  and the substrate  80  impregnated with repellant are placed into the open band, which is then closed and zipped. In this embodiment, the band is strapped onto the wrist or ankle via a more belt buckle-like strap  86 . 
         [0092]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 9A-9C , the band  95  is in the form of a canvas pouch having an upper cover  96 , a lower support  94 , and a central cavity pocket  97 . A side of the lower support  98  adjacent the pocket  97  may be coated to help prevent repellant from passing through the canvas pouch and contacting the skin. To prepare for use, the substrate  90  impregnated with repellant and heating pouch  92  are placed inside the pocket  97 . In this embodiment, the band is strapped onto a wrist or ankle via a recloseable closure  99 . 
         [0093]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 10A  and B band  108  has a single molded piece that is foldable along a living hinge  109  to define an upper cover  106  and a lower support  107 . Perforations  103  allow for the release of volatilized repellant. The repellant is impregnated onto a substrate  100 , which is then placed adjacent the perforations  103 . A heating pouch  102  is placed on the lower support  107 , and the molded piece is folded along the living hinge to trap the substrate  100  and heating pouch  102 . In this embodiment, the band is strapped onto the wrist or ankle via a peg  105 /hole  109  connection. 
         [0094]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 11A-B  a band  113  has a first  115  and second  117  pocket attached to a strap  114 . In use, a substrate  110  impregnated with a repellant is placed in pocket  115  and the heating pouch  112  is placed into the pocket  117 . 
         [0095]    In the embodiments of  FIGS. 12A  and B band  125  has an upper cover  121  and a lower support  123 , both made of silicone and conforming to the profile of a typical user&#39;s wrist. There is also incorporation of an internal sealing gasket with a locking feature  127 . There are also air slots  128  for air circulation. To prepare for use, a substrate  122  impregnated with repellant and a heating pouch  120  are placed into the silicone case, and the case is locked shut using the locking feature  127 . In this embodiment, the band is strapped onto the wrist or ankle via a standard adjustable strap  126 . 
         [0096]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 13A-C , band  135  has an upper cover  131  and a lower support  133  both made of fabric, hingeably connected, and closable via a Velcro edge  137 . The band further has top perforations  138  for venting. To prepare for use, two substrates  130  impregnated with repellant sandwich pouch  132 , and are placed in the band. The upper cover and lower support are then folded together. There is also a strap closure  136 . 
         [0097]    In the embodiments of  FIGS. 14-16  we are exemplifying that the heating pouch  142  can be at various distances from the lower support  147 , that a substrate  140  impregnated with repellant may be placed on one side of the pouch  142 , or two may be placed on two sides of the pouch, and that air ventilation  148  may occur on one side or both sides. 
         [0098]    In the embodiments of  FIGS. 17 and 18  we show that a pouch  152  may act on a substrate  150  which is part of the pouch itself ( FIG. 17 ), or a separate sleeve  151  around the pouch ( FIG. 18 ). 
         [0099]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 19 , multiple heating pouches  162  may be heating a single substrate  160 , with the assist of a flexible bend  163 . 
         [0100]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, other embodiments of the invention are within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. For example, instead of chemical based heaters one could use battery powered heaters, or sleeves for receiving heat packs that are preheated elsewhere. However, exothermic chemical pouches are highly preferred. 
         [0101]    Also, other means of protecting the wrist or ankle from heat exposure are contemplated. For example, one could include a sheet of insulation inward of the heater. Thus, the claims should be looked to in order to judge the full scope of the invention. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0102]    The present invention provides insect controlling bands that, while not requiring the user&#39;s skin or clothing to directly contact any chemical repellant, provides for effective delivery of repellants and other control agents through heat volatilization.