Abstract:
The present device describes a wearable material designed to prevent the formation of acne caused by a combination of friction and sweat. The material is impregnated with an acne fighting solution and is adapted to be placed beneath protective athletic gear. The material further comprises securement features that provide attachment to the interior of helmets, chin guards and other protective gear.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/754,011 filed on Jan. 18, 2013, entitled “Acne Mop.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a disposable clothing accessory that prevents the development of acne caused by the sweat and friction of wearing sporting helmets, clothing and paddings. More specifically the present invention relates to a benzyl peroxide and/or salicylic acid impregnated covering that is modified to resemble the shape of a treatment area of the body. 
         [0004]    Sweat is the production of fluids secreted from the glands of mammals. The two types of sweat glands in humans are eccrine and apocrine glands; wherein eccrine glands are found throughout the body while apocrine glands are primarily located under the armpits. 
         [0005]    The primary purpose of these glands is for the thermoregulation of the body, where the rate of fluid release is adjusted by the temperature of the environment and the activity level of the person. The act of sweating opens up the skin pores and releases water, minerals, lactate, urea, and any toxins within the body. However, sweat glands and oil pores are two separate structures. So while sweating may have the benefit of thermoregulation, it can also have a negative effect in that the dirt and toxins that may be associated with the sweat may become clogged in the oil pores. 
         [0006]    People who tend to undergo strenuous activities or are within temperatures that promote the production of sweat should immediately clean it off, because once the sweat begins to evaporate the dirt, dust, bacteria, and other toxins will remain on the skin. The remaining toxins and the resulting clogging of pores can lead to acne. 
         [0007]    Acne mechanica is a form of acne that develops from mechanical factors such as rubbing or stretching of the skin as a result of contact with clothing, chin straps, back packs, and casts. The majority of such acne cases are from the wearing of sporting equipment that involves constant friction caused by the presence of a belt, helmet, or shoulder pads. Other common causes are those that involve: straps used by soldiers for weapons and equipment, headbands worn for extended periods, tight clothing, and snug bra straps. 
         [0008]    A combination of sweat and friction is sure to cause an acne mechanica reaction, however certain activities require the use of such equipment for protection of the individual. Those who play sports such as football, wrestling, hockey and baseball, or are members of the armed forces, often do not have the option of wearing looser clothing or going without the mandated protective padding. 
         [0009]    People often turn to medicative solutions when adjusting to looser clothing or performing a task without padding is not a feasible option. Popular acne treatment medications include benzyl peroxide lotions and salicylic acid treatments that are applied to the affected areas of the body to treat the developing acne; however this treatment is often applied long after the toxins of the body have begun to settle on the skin. 
         [0010]    There are several prior art devices that provide additional protection by placement under clothing or protective gear, but none of the prior art devices address a treatment for the resulting acne caused by wearing friction causing equipment. 
         [0011]    The present invention relates to a new and improved garment for insertion under protective athletic gear. Specifically the present invention describes an apparatus to prevent the development of acne caused by wearing athletic helmets and paddings. The cloth is adapted to the form of an internal area of the protective equipment and is impregnated with an acne preventing medication. An example of such an acne preventing medication is benzyl peroxide. 
         [0012]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0013]    Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to athletic equipment liners. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to materials placed within football helmets to provide increased protection of a user. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
         [0014]    Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 6,282,725 to Vanidestine, Jr. describes a sanitary athletic helmet chin strap cover. The chin strap serves to protect the wearer by providing additional padding as well as forming an additional sanitary barrier between the chin and the chin strap as it assumes the shape and contour of the chin strap. However, although the Vanidestine, Jr. chin strap cover is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, the present invention provides a treatment medication for acne associated with the friction caused by tight fitting athletic equipment. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,281,414 to Mickle discloses an athletic padding arrangement including a garment made of a fabric and resilient gripping members on the fabric. Preferably the gripping members prevent or reduce sliding between the garment and a piece of equipment or clothing. The arrangement also provides breathability for additional comfort. The garment may be a shirt or pant comprised of a compression fabric with moisture wicking properties. Although the garment of Mickle is similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, the present invention provides a treatment medication for the acne often associated with the friction that would be cause by the friction fitting of a garment similar to that of Mickle. 
         [0016]    U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0083986 to Kaiser describes a helmet strap pad for sliding over a helmet strap and buckle. The strap may be used with helmets for motorcycles, bicycles, skating, or any helmet having a helmet strap. The helmet chin strap pad is useful in protecting the user; however the strap differs from that of the present invention in that the strap fails to solve the problem of preventing the formation of acne that is caused by sweating onto a friction surface. 
         [0017]    U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0169249 to Leguence discloses a protective headwear that fits tightly to protect the head and hear of a wearer. Additionally, when the covering is made of a material such as cotton, it provides for a quicker evaporation of sweat. The headwear of Leguence, however, differs from that of the present invention, in that the present invention provides a treatment of the acne that forms after dirt and other toxic elements remain when the sweat has evaporated. 
         [0018]    The present invention relates to a new and improved material for insertion under protective athletic gear. Specifically, the present invention describes an athletic accessory designed to prevent the development of acne caused by wearing athletic helmets and paddings. The combination of sweat and friction while wearing athletic gear provides conditions that favor the development of acne. Examples of protective gear that are hosts for acne development include athletic helmets, shoulder pads and backpacks. The athletic gear insertion piece of the present invention is adapted to provide a form fitting cover over the skin below the equipment, wherein the cover is impregnated with an acne preventing medication such as benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. The cloth of the present invention further comprises an adhesive to provide a secure fitting against the user or against the equipment while the user is performing athletic activities. 
         [0019]    In view of the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art, it is shown that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art and it is clear that there is a need for an improvement to the existing athletic gear inserts. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of athletic gear inserts now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new sports padding insert that provides convenience for the user when prevention of acne growth caused by the sweat and friction of sporting gear is desired. 
         [0021]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved acne preventing sports insert that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0022]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a sports padding insert that is adapted to conform to the shape of athletic padding or to the user&#39;s body when gear is positioned thereover. 
         [0023]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a disposable skin treatment material that is impregnated with an acne fighting solution. 
         [0024]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sports padding insert that comprises attachment mechanisms. 
         [0025]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  shows a view of the material used in the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the present invention having a central aperture for placement of a user&#39;s head therethrough, wherein the material cover protects the user&#39;s back, chest, and shoulders. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment of the present invention designed to fit inside a chin guard. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the present invention used for protecting a person&#39;s scalp and forehead from acne. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  shows a view of multiple embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the sports padding insert. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the prevention of acne caused by the friction and sweat caused by sports padding. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a view of the material used in the present invention. The material  10  provides an athletic insert is constructed of a continuous piece of porous material  15  such as a woven mesh, compression fabric, cloth, or baby wipe. The pores  15  of the insert  10  are impregnated with acne fighting solutions  20  that comprise a mixture comprising one or more of benzyl peroxide, tea tree oil, salicylic acid, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon juice, or another acne-fighting solution. 
         [0034]    The material  10  may be packaged in a sealable bag or hard case with a screw-on lid to remain moist before use. Alternately, the material can also be packaged in a dry bag or case, allowing people to apply their own acne treatment before wearing. In this way, the present invention provides athletes with an easy and simple way to apply acne treatment directly to their. 
         [0035]    The material  10  is designed for a single use and may be modified to fit a variety of shapes to provide acne fighting treatment to parts of the body including that of the head, shoulders, chest, back, and chin. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  displays an embodiment of the present invention wherein the material  10  is shaped to provide acne fighting treatment to the chest, back and shoulders. The material  10  of the embodiment comprises a chest and shoulder covering  25  having a central opening  30  to slip over the head of the user therethrough such that the material rests approximately 2 to 12 inches down from the top of the shoulders and onto the chest to apply treatment to an extended area of the upper body. The material  10  is placed directly onto the skin and is sized to fit underneath shoulder pads designed for sports where the padding creates a great deal of friction and sweat such as football and hockey. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  displays an alternate embodiment wherein the material  10  is sized and shaped to provide acne fighting treatment to the chin of the user. The material  10  of the chin embodiment comprises a cup-shaped insert  35  that is designed to be fit into a protective chin guard  45  required for contact sports that require such protection. To provide for a secure fitting, the chin guard insert  35  is pressed into the interior of the chin guard  45  while extended tabs of the material are wrapped around the adjacent chin straps  50  of the guard  45 , securing at the ends of the chin guard insert  35  by way of connector elements  40  on the insert tabs. The connector elements  40  are preferably strips of hook and loop fasteners, or alternatively snaps, buttons, clips, and adhesive tapes. 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  displays an embodiment wherein the material  10  is sized and shaped to provide acne fighting treatment to the head of the user. The material  10  of this headband embodiment comprises a head wrap  55  adapted to be placed about the circumference of the user&#39;s head, providing coverage for the user&#39;s forehead while an upstanding flange  60  is adapted to be placed onto the scalp of the user. 
         [0039]    To protect the scalp and forehead, the material can resemble a skullcap, headband, neckerchief, or tube-style cap. The head protecting material of the embodiment is modified for a fit within sports helmets and align with the padding thereof such that skin pressure points are provide coverage by the material and no exposed skin makes direct contact with the athletic gear. To provide a more secure fitting, the wrap  55  may comprise a securing connector element  40  or a continuous, elastic structure to prevent the material from becoming displaced during strenuous activities. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  displays a combination of several embodiments of the present invention for use in a variety of sports that require protective gear. The material  10  comprises an acne fighting solution  20  impregnated within a porous membrane  15 . The solution  20  applied to the skin contains a mixture comprising one or more of benzyl peroxide, tea tree oil, salicylic acid, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon juice, or another acne-fighting solution. 
         [0041]    When worn, the material  10  provides a continuous treatment against acne. The impregnated material  10  is placed directly onto the skin and is sized to fit underneath protective gear and helmets designed for sports wherein the apparel creates a great deal of friction and sweat such as football, hockey, wrestling, boxing, hockey, racing, hockey, bicycling and baseball. The material creates a separation between the sports gear and the user&#39;s skin, reducing pressure points and stretching of the skin while the solution within the material directly treats any acne that may have already formed or is attempting to form. Although only embodiments covering the head  45 , chin  35 , chest, and back  25  were discussed, alternate embodiments wherein the impregnated material  10  is formed to cover the arms and legs of a person are also covered within the scope of the embodiment. 
         [0042]    It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0043]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.