GB2316005A - Anti-pathogenic planar barrier - Google Patents

Abstract

A substantially planar Barrier associated with anti-pathogenic substances on which a user sands to reduce the spread of foot infections.

Description

A BARRIER AGAINST MICRO-ORGANISMS The invention is concerned with the prevention of infection of the feet.

Infections of the feet by pathogenic organisms are common, generally arising from group events such as swimming, and where facilities are shared, such as in showers and changing rooms.

Such pathogens include fungi, fungal spores, bacteria, viruses, particularly those causing verrucae, so called athlete's foot, foot ringworm and the like.

Topical treatment after infection by gels, powders, ointments and the like is well known. However, the delay between infection and the appearance of symptoms can make treatment more difficult, painful or prolonged. One object of the present invention is to overcome these difficulties.

The present invention is directed towards the prevention of such infections by a Barrier having physical barrier and antipathogenic characteristics. Barriers may be specific against a particular pathogen or multi-purpose.

A Barrier according to the invention is a substantially planar substrate preferably flexible, and containing antipathogenic substances in synergistic combination with the substrate, in a physical form such that a user may stand thereon.

The Barrier may also be used in the treatment of such infections.

Embodiments of the invention include Barriers being substantially planar in use, rectangular, circular, or in the shape of a foot or feet for example only, comprising a substrate, moulded or made from sheet material such as rubber, plastic, resin, cellulose or its derivatives, in solid , fibrous or alveolate form impregnated with or substantively coated by at least one anti-pathogenic material such as formaldehyde, salicylic acid or its derivatives, phenol or its derivatives, sodium salts for examples only.

Where the substrate is pervious, the substrate may advantageously be coated or covered over a significant area, with an impervious material on what may become the underside of the Barrier in use, the treated substrate being uppermost. A convenient adhesive may be used between the impervious material and the substrate.

One embodiment is now more particularly described.

The substrate is a tissue of fibrous cellulosic material, impregnated with up to 15% w/w formaldehyde but 0.5% is preferred, coated with an impervious plastic material such as polyethylene for example by known process such as hot melt, or the application of an adhesive such as a solvent based proprietors brand, to form a Barrier.

The Barrier is conveniently cut into rectangles of shortest side approximately 30 cms for example only and packed in a container, interleaved or otherwise, the container acting as a dispenser, for example only a coin or token operated dispenser.

Alternatively, the Barrier may advantageously be in continuous sheet form approximately 30 cm wide for example only, and perforated to form convenient rectangles when separated; the web of Barrier may then be rolled up into a reel, and dispensed from a suitable container.

The above Barrier may be used as follows for example only.

When the user is to use a public swimming pool, a sheet of the Barrier is placed on the floor or floor covering, impervious face down. The user then stands on the treated surface of the Barrier during undressing. The same or preferably a fresh Barrier is used during drying, and after the feet are dry, another sheet of Barrier may be used upon which the user stands, particularly if the Barrier has been wetted.

The Barrier as described above may be cut in the shape of a foot or insole and placed inside the user's footwear to assist in the prevention and treatment of an infection.

Advantageously the Barrier may carry a deodorant and or a re-odorant.

Advantageously the Barrier may be coloured and or carry printed matter such as for advertising, or more particularly that relating to foot hygiene, or the identification or use of the Barrier.

One advantage of common use would be where a person has an infection of the foot, uses the Barrier as a routine procedure and thus prevents the spread of the infection to others.

Claims (9)

1. Patent Application No. 9616821.6 1. A Barrier comprising a substrate, substantially planar in use containing anti-pathogenic substances and characterised as in a physical form such that a user may stand thereon.
2. 2. A Barrier as claimed in Claim 1 where the substrate is flexible.
3. 3. A Barrier as claimed in Claims 1 or 2 where the substrate is at least one of rubber, plastic, cellulosic materials.
4. 4. A Barrier as claimed in Claim 3 where the substrate is characterised by at least one of being solid, alveolate, fibrous.
5. 5. A Barrier as claimed in any previous Claim where the anti-pathogenic substances include at least one of formaldehyde, salicylic acid derivatives therefrom, phenol derivatives therefrom, sodium salts.
6. 6. A Barrier as claimed in any previous Claim where the substrate is pervious.
7. 7. A Barrier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 where the substrate is substantially impervious.
8. 8. A Barrier as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5 where the substrate is pervious on one surface and substantially impervious on the verso.
9. 9. A Barrier as claimed in any previous Claim in use to reduce the spread of foot infections.

   9. A Barrier as claimed in any previous Claim where the anti-pathogenic substances are associated with the substrate by at least one of impregnation, coating.

   10. A Barrier as claimed in any previous Claim where the substrate carries at least one of a deodorant, deodorant.

   11. A Barrier as claimed in any previous Claim where the substrate carries at least one of distinctive colour, printed matter.

   12. A Barrier as c}aimed in Claim 2 cut to the shape of a foot.

   13. A plurality of BalTiers as claimed in Claim 2 in the form of a roll.

   14. A plurality of Barriers as claimed in Claim 2 in the form of a flat pack.

   15. A plurality of Barriers as claimed in any previous Claim contained in a dispenser.

   16. A Barrier as claimed in any previous Claim and as more particularly described herein.

   17. A Barrier as claimed in any previous Claim in use to reduce thç > spread of foot infections.

   CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A Barrier comprising a substrate, substantially planar at least one side being substantially impervious, and containing anti-pathogenic substances and where the Barrier is flexible.

   2. A Barrier as claimed in Claim 1 where the substrate includes at least one of rubber, plastic, cellulosic materials.

   3. A Barrier as claimed m Claim 2 where the substrate is characterised by at least one of being solid, alveolate, fibrous.

   4. A Barrier as claimed in any previous Claim where the anti-pathogenic substances include at least one of formaldehyde, salicylic acid or its derivatives, phenol or its derivatives, sodium salts.

   5. A Barrier as claimed in any previous claim where the substrate carries at least one of deodorant, re odorant, distinctive colour, printed matter.

   6. A Barrier as claimed in Claim 1 in the form of a roll.

   7. A Barrier as claimed in any previous Claim in a dispenser.

   8. A Barrier as claimed in any previous Claim and as more particularly described herein.