Abstract:
A fluid dispensing adhesive strip is presented. The fluid dispensing adhesive strip includes a backing layer having a first side and a second side, an adhesive that is disposed on at least a portion of the second side of the backing layer, and a packet that is disposed on the backing layer that includes a dispensable fluid and an activation mechanism that permits selective dispensing of the dispensable fluid. The packet can include multiple chambers configured to contain the same or different fluids, and channels associated with the chambers for dispensing the fluid when the activation mechanism is activated. The activation mechanism can be a tear-away strip, and can include perforations, serrations, and scoring to facilitate activation. Release strips in communication with the adhesive can releasably detach from the adhesive enabling the fluid dispensing strip to be applied and secured to an object or person.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/787,671 filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The system, method and product described below relate generally to the field of dispensing one or more fluids from an adhesive strip, and more specifically, to the field of selectively dispensing colored fluid from fluid-filled packets attached to an adhesive strip for entertainment purposes. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    In accordance with one embodiment, an apparatus includes a backing layer having a first side and a second side, an adhesive disposed on at least a portion of the second side of the backing layer, and a packet disposed on the second side of the backing layer. The packet can include a fluid for dispensing and an activation mechanism that is configured to selectively allow dispensing of the fluid. The packet can further include one or more chambers, each of which is configured to contain the fluid, and one or more channels associated with the chambers, each of which is configured to dispense the fluid when the activation mechanism is activated. A plurality of chambers can be configured to hold a plurality of fluids and the channels can be configured to dispense the plurality of fluids when the activation mechanism is activated. The activation mechanism can be a tear-away strip, a perforated portion of the packet, a serrated portion of the packet, or a scored portion of the packet that is operably engaged with one or more of the channels through which the fluid can dispense. The apparatus can further include a protective portion, such as a pad, that is in communication with the second side of the backing layer. The apparatus can also include one or more release strips that are in communication with the adhesive and which can be configured to releasably detach from the adhesive. The adhesive can also be in communication with at least part of the packet and the release strips can be configured to releasably detach from the adhesive associated with the backing layer and the packet. The first side of the backing layer can be configured to accept markings such as a solid color, a translucent color, a plurality of colors, a pattern, a grid pattern, a perforation pattern, alphanumeric characters, a picture, a symbol, a graphic, a logo, a team logo, and a mascot. The fluid can be a paint, a non-toxic paint, a non-staining fluid, a dye, an ink, a colorant, and a colored liquid. The backing layer can be made of one or more materials such a polymeric material, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, plasticized polyvinyl chloride, a foam material, plastic foam, a fabric, woven fabric, knitted fabric, a clear material, a translucent material, and an opaque material. 
         [0004]    In accordance with another embodiment, a method of dispending fluid from an adhesive strip can include removing release strips from the adhesive strip, applying the adhesive strip to an object or person, and activating the activation mechanism to dispense the fluid from a chamber of the adhesive strip. The adhesive strip can include a backing layer, a chamber in communication with the backing layer that contains the dispensable fluid, an activation mechanism configured to selectively dispense the dispensable fluid, and release strips operably coupled with at least the backing layer. The adhesive strip can further include a channel associated with the chamber that is opened at one end when activating the activation mechanism, and the method can further include dispensing the dispensable fluid from the chamber through the channel and out of the adhesive strip. The method can further include applying pressure to the chamber to dispense the dispensable fluid from the adhesive strip. The activation mechanism can be a tear-away strip, a perforation associated with the channel, and a scored end of the channel through which the dispensable fluid dispenses. 
         [0005]    In accordance with another embodiment, a fluid dispensing adhesive strip can include an adhesive strip, one or more chambers in communication with the adhesive strip that are configured to dispense one or more fluids from the fluid dispensing adhesive strip when one or more tear strips are removed. The fluid dispensing adhesive strip can include one or more channels associated with the chambers that are configured to dispense the one or more fluids when one or more of the tear strips is removed. The fluid dispensing adhesive strip can also include one or more markings on the fluid dispensing adhesive strip including a solid color, a transparent color, a plurality of colors, a pattern, a grid pattern, a perforation pattern, one or more alphanumeric characters, a picture, a symbol, a graphic, a logo, a team logo, and a mascot. The backing layer of the fluid dispensing adhesive strip can be one or more materials such as a polymeric material, polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, plasticized polyvinyl chloride, a foam material, plastic foam, a fabric, woven fabric, knitted fabric, a clear material, a translucent material, and an opaque material. The one or more fluids can each be a paint, a non-toxic paint, a non-staining fluid, a dye, an ink, a colorant, or a colored liquid. The fluid dispensing adhesive strip can include a pressure sensitive adhesive such as an acrylate adhesive or a hypoallergenic adhesive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  is a top plan view depicting a conventional adhesive bandage. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  1 B- 1 B of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  is a top plan view depicting a fluid-dispensing packet with phantom lines outlining the position of interior chambers according to one embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  2 B- 2 B of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of the fluid-dispensing packet of  FIG. 2A , without the chambers outlined. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of a fluid-dispensing adhesive strip system according to one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 C- 3 C of  FIG. 3B . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  depicts a top plan view depicting an alternative configuration of a fluid-dispensing adhesive strip. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  depicts a cross-sectional view taken along line  4 B- 4 B of  FIG. 4A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  depicts a top view of the fluid-dispensing adhesive strip system of  FIG. 3B , with the strip system in an activated configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  depicts a top view of the activated fluid-dispensing adhesive strip system of  FIG. 3B  applied and dispensing fluids to a wearer&#39;s arm. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  depicts a top view of the activated fluid-dispensing adhesive strip system of  FIG. 3B  applied and dispensing fluids to a wearer&#39;s face. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The systems, methods and products disclosed herein relate to an adhesive strip configured to selectively dispense fluids, and more specifically, to dispense one or more different colored fluids for entertainment purposes. An example entertainment purpose can include simulating the effect that the wearer is “bleeding” different colors. Applying and activating the disclosed fluid-dispensing adhesive strip on the wearer&#39;s skin can demonstrate team support and allegiance by “bleeding” the hallmark colors representative of a fan&#39;s favorite sports team. 
         [0019]    Description of various components and methods are disclosed and described in detail with reference made to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B,  3 A,  3 B,  3 C,  4 A,  4 B, and  5 - 7 . The examples discussed below are examples only. They are provided to assist in the explanation of the disclosed systems, methods and products and illustrate specific examples and describe certain ways of making and using the disclosed systems, methods and products. None of the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed should be interpreted as mandatory or limiting for any specific implementation unless specifically designated as such. Conversely, the features and components shown in the drawings are not intended to disclose, and should not be taken as an exhaustive list, of all the possible implementations of the disclosed systems, methods and products. 
         [0020]    For ease of reading and clarity, certain materials or methods may be described solely in connection with a specific figure. Like reference numerals are generally intended to refer to the same or similar materials. 
         [0021]    Turning to the figures, a conventional adhesive bandage  100  is shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The bandage  100  generally includes a backing layer  110 , for example a polymeric backing layer, with a first side  120  and a second side  130 . As is known to those of skill in the art, the backing layer  110  may be formed from a polymeric material such as plastic film polyethylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or plasticized polyvinyl chloride), plastic foam, woven or knitted fabric, non-woven fabric or other suitable material configured to accommodate a wearer&#39;s movement and adjust to the shape of his or her body. The backing layer  110  may be clear, translucent or opaque and may be perforated in a grid or other pattern (not shown). 
         [0022]    As is more clearly shown in  FIG. 1B , a protective or absorbent portion  140  (e.g. a gauze pad), is typically attached to the central region of the first side  130  of the backing layer  110 . The absorbent portion  140  is constructed of material known in the art, such as rayon fibers, polyester fibers or a blend of such fibers. Other fibers, e.g., cotton fibers or polyolefin fibers may also be used in constructing the absorbent on  140 . The absorbent portion  140  is attached to the backing layer  110  by hot melt glue or another conventional strong glue. 
         [0023]    The backing layer  110  extends in opposite directions from the absorbent portion  140  and includes a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive  170  on the second side  130  that permits attachment of the bandage  100  to a wearer&#39;s skin. As shown, pressure sensitive adhesive  170  may not be included in the location of the absorbent portion  140 . The pressure sensitive adhesive  170  can be, for example an acrylate adhesive or other suitable adhesive conventionally used for bandages as is known by those of skill in the art. The pressure sensitive adhesive  170  is typically hypoallergenic so as to be capable of contacting the wearer&#39;s skin for a prolonged period of time without causing irritation. The pressure sensitive adhesive  170  can also be sufficiently strong to retain the bandage  100  securely against skin but can be flexible to also allow movement of the skin. 
         [0024]    Conventional bandages  100  also generally include at least one release strip  180 , as shown in  FIG. 1B , and typically include two release strips in overlapping relation (not shown). The release strip  180  may be made from any suitable material such as paper having a silicone release material coated thereon, or a low surface energy plastic film such as polyethylene or polystyrene. The release strip  180  contacts the absorbent portion  140  and pressure sensitive adhesive layer  170 . While the release strip  180  is in place, the bandage  100  is readily handled without difficulty, and the pressure sensitive adhesive  170  does not inadvertently become activated and unintentionally adhere to an object. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2A  shows an embodiment of a fluid-dispensing packet  200 . The packet  200  can be made of any suitable material, including foil, plastic or polymeric material. The packet  200  can include a casing  210  and a fluid-dispensing activation mechanism  260 . Casing  210  can define chambers  220  and  240  and channels  230  and  250 . Phantom lines outline the position of chambers  220  and  240  in  FIG. 2A . Chambers  220  and  240  can respectively be in fluid communication with channels  230  and  250 . The activation mechanism  260  can be a tear-away strip that can be releasably attached to casing  210 , however, other suitable means to open and allow the release of the fluid within casing  210  are contemplated. For example, in other embodiments the activation mechanism  260  can include a perforated or serrated portion Likewise, a score line may be included to further define the channels  230  and  250  out of which the fluid or material can exit from the chambers  220  and  240  after tearing along the score line. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2B  is a horizontal cross-section of packet  200  and further illustrates chambers  220  and  240 . Although two similarly sized and shaped chambers  220  and  240  are shown together, any suitable number of chambers  220  and  240  of identical or dissimilar sizes and shapes may be included. For example, packet  200  can include a single chamber, two chambers (as shown), or sufficient chambers for a particular purpose, for example sufficient chambers to produce a series of colored fluids when the fluids are dispensed. In one embodiment, the chambers  220  and  240  can be arranged in any suitable configuration, for example vertically or horizontally as shown. As will be recognized by one of skill in the art, casing  210  can be formed from individual sheet portions that can be bonded or sealed by thermal heat, microwaves, ultrasonic heating or another manner sufficient to affix the sheets together at an outer periphery and along an internal line to form chambers  220  and  240  of casing  210 . Chambers  220  and  240  can also be formed by embossing casing  210 . Alternatively, casing  210  may be formed from a single sheet which may be folded over upon itself to form two adjacent sheets or sheet portions and then further sealed or bonded to define chambers  220  and  240 . Chambers  220  and  240  can be isolated from each other and ambient air, and can be filled, for example, with fluids by injection or by any other suitable method. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the method does not have to be performed in the explicit or implicit order presented but rather may be performed in a different order or in parallel. 
         [0027]    Each of the chambers  220  and  240  can include a respective channel  230  and  250  for fluid exit, although more than one channel may be included per chamber. The channels  230  and  250  may be narrower than the width of the chambers  220  and  240  to assist in directing fluids once released. Alternatively, channels  230  and  250  may be as wide as the chambers  220  and  240  permit. Channels  230  and  250  can also be any suitable shape, including funnel-shaped. Channels  230  and  250  can extend through an outer periphery of the casing  210 . 
         [0028]    Chambers  220  and  240  can contain fluids, for example, paints, inks, dyes or colorants, which may be similar or dissimilar in color. In one embodiment, the fluids do not plasticize and do not cause the pressure sensitive adhesive  170  to lose its adherence or otherwise react with the pressure sensitive adhesive  170  to leave unwanted residue on the user&#39;s skin. Fluids can be, for example, non-toxic face or body paints commonly known in the art. Fluids can also be non-staining to clothing and household fabrics and capable of being removed with simple soap and water washing. In an example, chamber  220  contains red paint (see  FIG. 5 , red paint  235 ), and chamber  240  contains blue paint (see  FIG. 5 , blue paint  255 ). 
         [0029]      FIG. 3A  is a top plan view of the fluid-dispensing packet  200 . However,  FIG. 3A  does not include phantom-outlined positions of chambers  220  and  240  shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3B  depicts the top view of a fluid dispensing adhesive strip system  305 , which can include packet  200 , activation mechanism  260  and adhesive strip  300  in relative positions. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3C  depicts a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 3B  along line  3 C- 3 C. The cross-sectional view depicts a configuration of the fluid dispensing adhesive strip system  305 . In  FIG. 3C , adhesive strip  300  can be composed of backing layer  310 , absorbent portion  340 , pressure sensitive adhesive  370  and release strip. Backing layer  310  has a first side  320  that can be configured to accept a design, logo, or label. The backing layer  310  has a second side  330  that can be coated with a coating of pressure sensitive adhesive  370  that permits attachment of the fluid-dispensing adhesive strip system  305  to a wearer&#39;s skin. One or more release strips  380  can be configured in an overlapping relation. The packet  200  can be aligned with an absorbent portion  340 . The fluid dispensing adhesive strip system  305  can attach to a wearer&#39;s skin as the placement of the packet  200  permits pressure sensitive adhesive  370  of adhesive strip  300  to contact and adhere to the wearer&#39;s skin. Packet  200  may also include adhesive, such as pressure sensitive adhesive, to adhere to the absorbent portion  340  as well as to adhere to the wearer&#39;s skin. Such adhesive can assist in maintaining the position of the packet  200  with respect to the adhesive strip  300 , and the wearer&#39;s skin.  FIG. 3C  shows two separated chambers  220  and  240  which can contain colorants or colored liquids (see, for example,  FIG. 5 , red paint  235 , and blue paint  255 ). 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , another embodiment of a fluid-dispensing adhesive strip system  405  is illustrated. Fluid-dispensing adhesive strip system  405  can include a backing layer  410 , a backing layer first side  420 , a backing layer second side  430 , a fluid-dispensing activation mechanism  460 , pressure sensitive adhesive  470  and a release strip  480 . The fluid-dispensing adhesive strip system  405  lacks an absorbent portion such as  340  in adhesive strip  300  shown in  FIG. 3C . Chambers  220  and  240  can be defined as a result of the integral construction of the fluid-dispensing adhesive strip system  405 . Release of the colorants in chambers  220  and  240  can occur through the removal of the fluid-dispensing activation mechanism or tear-away strip  460 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  shows the system fluid-dispensing adhesive strip system  305  after activation. In use, a user separates and removes the release strip  380  from the pressure sensitive adhesive  370 . The user then applies the fluid dispensing adhesive strip system  305  to a part of the skin and then gently applies pressure to the pressure sensitive adhesive  370  of the fluid dispensing adhesive strip system  305 . This pressure activates the pressure sensitive adhesive  370  and secures the fluid dispensing adhesive strip system  305  to the skin. The user releases paints  235  and  255  from chambers  220  and  240  by removing the tear-away strip  260 . Optionally, once the tear-away strip  260  is removed, the user may gently apply pressure to the fluid dispensing adhesive strip system  305  to dispense the paints  235  and  255  to flow down the wearer&#39;s body. Alternatively, packet  200  and adhesive strip  300  may be provided separately and assembled by a user for application and activation. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 6 and 7  depicts the activated fluid dispensing adhesive strip system  305  applied to a wearer&#39;s arm  590  and face  595 , respectively. As such, fluid dispensing adhesive strip systems  305  and  405 , packet  200  and adhesive strip  300  may be of shapes and sizes suitable for use on various surfaces or parts of the body, such as the arm  590  or face  595 . Additionally, the first side  320  of the backing layer  310  may include alphanumeric text, colors, pictures, symbols, or graphics, such as a team logo and mascot, to further show team pride. Further, backing layer  310  may be embossed, for example, with a grid of dots to connote the illusion or concept of a medical bandage. A picture may act as a visual guide as to either the color of the internal content or where the contents of the pouch will exit after the activation mechanism  260  is removed. 
         [0035]    Although systems, methods and products described herein can be used to dispense fluids and simulate the effect of the wearer “bleeding” his or her team colors, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any other suitable means for making an adhesive strip configured to selectively dispense fluids can be used. Modifications to the disclosed products and methods can and may be made for a specific application. Such modifications may include substitutions of materials, changes to the types and shapes of the fluid-dispensing adhesive strips, and other arrangements of layers of plastic, woven fabric, or porous-polymer coatings. Modifications may also be made between or among examples and among combinations of materials. Failure to explicitly describe a combination or sub-combination of materials should not be understood to indicate that the combination or sub-combination is not possible. Such modifications and variations should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the area after having read this document.