TWI911898B - Therapeutic tape and method for forming handle on therapeutic tape - Google Patents

Abstract

A treatment band (1) for adhesion to human skin (H) includes a carrier layer (2), an adhesive layer (3) disposed on the carrier layer (2), and a covering layer (4) disposed on the adhesive layer (3). The treatment band (1) has a longitudinal direction (L). The covering layer (4) is divided into at least three covering strips (5, 6) extending generally parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) of the treatment band (1), which are separable from the adhesive layer (3) independently of each other.

Description

Treatment band and methods for forming handles on the treatment band.

The present invention relates to a therapeutic band for adhesion to human skin, comprising a carrier layer, an adhesive layer disposed on the carrier layer and a covering layer disposed on the adhesive layer, wherein the band has a longitudinal direction.

"Sports tape," particularly used for treating sports injuries, has been in use for many years. This treatment tape is also known as "kinesiology tape," "physiological tape," and "muscle tape." Essentially, it refers to an elastic plaster made of fabric tape, applied to the skin. These plasters are primarily used to stabilize muscles/ligaments (e.g., after a sports injury). Furthermore, tape therapy may stimulate tissue (the skin moves to the underlying tissue), which should be beneficial for lymphatic flow. Different application methods exist for different therapeutic applications.

In certain applications, it is advantageous to manually move the tissue along the applied patch (treatment bandage) (for example, to increase lymphatic flow or treat scar tissue).

For this purpose, for example, sports functional patches have been developed with tabs (e.g., made of the same textile) extending from the patch. These tabs function as "handles" that can be gripped to move the patch parallel to or away from the skin surface. Patches with "handles" are described in US 1,109,6817 A and JP 7007388 A1.

The disadvantage of this type of patch is that it is expensive to manufacture and can only be gripped at a predetermined location, i.e., where there is a "handle".

Another method for manually moving the tissue along the patch is to fold or cut "ordinary" athletic tape, thereby achieving patch application using "handles" to grip and move the patch. The disadvantage is that this type of patch application using "handles" through folding or cutting (usually made from multiple pieces of athletic tape glued together by hand) is relatively complex and prone to errors.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a treatment band that does not have the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a treatment band is to be provided in which a gripping scheme for manually grasping and moving the band can be formed particularly quickly, easily and accurately.

The solution of this invention to achieve the above-mentioned objective is a treatment belt having the features of claim 1.

For preferred and advantageous implementation of this invention, see the subject matter of the appendix.

According to the present invention, the covering layer is divided into at least three covering strips that extend generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strip, and the covering strips can be independently separated from or removed from the adhesive layer.

If the treatment bandage is not applied as intended, a cover layer is placed on top of the adhesive layer and covered to prevent unintended adhesion.

The structure of the treatment band of this invention allows for the formation of a "handle" that extends longitudinally along the applied treatment band.

To form the "handle," before applying the bandage to, i.e., adhering to (or attaching) it to, the human skin, the middle cover strip of at least three cover strips of the cover layer is peeled off from the adhesive layer. This exposes the middle carrier layer strip of the carrier layer, which is then covered by the adhesive layer, and releases it. The treatment bandage is then folded along the fold edge so that the side cover strips of the band extending on both sides of the fold edge are flatly pressed together. The folded edge extends longitudinally and passes centrally through the intermediate carrier layer, which is released by the cover layer and exposed between the adjacent, still-separated side cover layers. By folding the treatment strip along the fold edge, the exposed areas of the intermediate carrier strips arranged on both sides of the fold edge (i.e., adjacent to the fold edge) are planarly bonded to each other (because there is no longer a covering layer of covering adhesive in the intermediate carrier strips), but the side carrier strips of the treatment strip adjacent to the intermediate carrier strips on both sides are not bonded, because these side carrier strips are still covered by a covering layer that prevents the side carrier strips from bonding planarly. The treatment band is then unfolded again, so that the side carrier strips of the carrier layer extend substantially in the same plane again, and the middle carrier strips, which are bonded together, form a folded tab that extends from the plane of the side carrier strips. The treatment band prepared in this way now has tabs extending longitudinally along the entire length of the previously folded treatment band. By peeling off the side cover strips of the cover layer that are still laid on the adhesive layer, the adhesive layer of the side carrier strips is exposed, thereby applying (i.e., adhering or attaching) the treatment band with its side carrier strips to or onto human skin.

The simple structure of the treatment band of this invention allows for the particularly quick, easy, and precise formation of "handles" (formed from tabs) extending longitudinally along the treatment band for gripping and moving the applied treatment band. Furthermore, since the tabs extend along the entire length of the treatment band, the treatment band can be gripped and moved at any position.

Furthermore, advantageously, the patch extending longitudinally along the treatment band is precisely aligned with the direction of the scar to be treated on the skin. Thus, even when the scar's direction is curved, the "handle" can be positioned directly above the scar along its entire direction. This allows for precise and targeted treatment of each area along the scar.

Within the scope of the invention, the carrier layer of the therapeutic band of the invention is particularly elastic. Elasticity specifically means that the elastic tensile properties of the carrier layer (i.e., without plastic deformation) are as high as 120% of its original length, particularly 130% or 140%, or even as high as 180%.

Preferably, the carrier layer is made of a textile, particularly having cotton, spandex, rayon, and/or other synthetic yarns. The carrier layer may also have other natural and/or synthetic yarns (or fibers), such as flax, rayon, or polyester yarns (or fibers).

The carrier layer is particularly composed of cotton fabric with added spandex yarns (or fibers), rayon and/or other synthetic yarns (or fibers) to improve elasticity.

Alternatively, the carrier layer may not be made of fabric, but of other textiles (such as knitted fabrics, non-woven fabrics, etc.) or films, especially elastic plastic films or tapes.

The overlay is better if it is not elastic and tears when stretched or subjected to shear forces.

The adhesive layer may be made of, for example, acrylic adhesive or other suitable skin-friendly adhesive, and the overlay layer is preferably made of coated paper or film (at least on the side facing the adhesive layer).

Preferably, the treatment band has at least one cover strip that is parallel to the longitudinal central axis and can be independently separated from each other. The cover strips extend generally axially symmetrically along the central axis between at least two other cover strips. In this treatment band, the tabs serving as "handles" can be formed particularly simply and precisely because the folding axis automatically extends in the middle of the intermediate carrier strip by folding the treatment band along the central axis.

Alternatively, the following implementation can be adopted: a cover strip extending between at least two other cover strips of the cover layer, and thus the intermediate carrier strip of the carrier layer is not axially symmetrical relative to the central axis, that is, the widths of the side carrier strips next to the intermediate carrier strip are not the same. This treatment band may also have some advantages, but it is difficult to fold precisely because it is not possible to simply fold the treatment band so that the folding axis extends exactly in the middle of the intermediate carrier strip.

Preferably, the cover layer has exactly three cover strips extending generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the treatment band, and these cover strips can be independently separated from the adhesive layer. In this treatment band, the cover layer consists of a central cover strip and two adjacent side cover strips. To prepare for the treatment band to be applied as intended, the central cover strip of the cover layer is first separated from the adhesive layer to form a patch. The side cover strips can then be peeled off. This type of treatment band significantly reduces the risk of application errors.

However, it is also possible to adopt an implementation method in which the overlay has three or more overlay strips, such as four, five or more overlay strips (i.e., one or more middle overlay strips and/or two or more side overlay strips).

Preferably, at least one of the cover strips that can be independently separated from each other, and a cover strip extending between at least two other cover strips (particularly the middle cover strip in an embodiment with three cover strips), can be visually distinguished from adjacent cover strips. This visual distinguishability is achieved particularly through another type of coloring, but can also be achieved through another type of structural organization, and similarly helps to reduce the risk of application errors.

Preferably, the covering strips are connected in a separable manner, specifically by constructing a perforation or opening between adjacent covering strips. Based on the perforation, when removing one self-adhesive layer (such as a plaster) from the covering strip, the two adjacent covering strips can be separated very easily (specifically by tearing the covering strips apart along the very narrow strip of material formed by the perforation). The cover layers between adjacent cover strips may also be cut apart or made thinner, but the cover layer may also consist of multiple independent cover strips that are generally arranged side by side or overlap along their boundary areas, for example, by being separably bonded in their boundary areas.

The treatment band is better designed for humans, but it can also be used on animals, that is, it can be glued or attached to the animal's skin.

Figure 1 shows a detailed view of a section of the treatment band 1 of the present invention, in which the layered structure of the treatment band 1 can be seen. For clarity, the thickness of each layer is not drawn to scale.

The treatment band 1 of the present invention extends longitudinally along the L direction and includes a carrier layer 2, on which an adhesive layer 3 is disposed. The adhesive layer 3 is attached to the carrier layer 2 in a substantially inseparable manner.

A covering layer 4 is disposed at or on the adhesive layer 3. The covering layer 4 is attached to the adhesive layer 3 in a generally separable manner and can be removed from the adhesive layer with relatively small force (i.e., peeled off).

In the illustrated embodiment, the covering layer 4 consists of three covering strips 5 and 6, namely, a central covering strip 5 is placed between two adjacent side covering strips 6. The covering strips 5 and 6 extend side by side along the longitudinal direction L (or parallel to the longitudinal direction L) of the treatment band 1.

The cover strips 5 and 6 of the cover layer can be independently separated from the adhesive layer 3, i.e., removed. In the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved by perforations 7, which are formed in the cover layer 4 between the intermediate cover strip 5 and the adjacent side cover strips 6 that connect to the intermediate cover strip.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral cover strips 6 are of equal width, such that the central axis M, which is parallel to the longitudinal extension L of the treatment band, extends exactly in the middle of the intermediate cover strip 5. That is, the intermediate cover strip 5 extends symmetrically with respect to the central axis M.

Figures 2 to 9 show isometric views of the treatment band 1 of the present invention at different stages or periods of preparation work, which is required so that the treatment band 1 can be applied as expected.

In Figure 2, the treatment band 1 shown has its cover layer 4 facing upwards. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover layer 4 consists of exactly three cover strips 5 and 6 extending longitudinally along the L direction: two side cover strips 6 and one intermediate cover strip 5 placed therebetween. The intermediate cover strip 5 has a different structure, pattern, or coloring than the side cover strips 6, and is therefore visually distinguishable from them.

In Figure 3, the middle cover strip 5 is peeled off from the adhesive layer 3 below it, in particular, it is removed. The cover strips 5 and 6 of the cover layer 4 can be separated from the adhesive layer 3 independently of each other, so when the middle cover strip 5 is peeled off, the side cover strips 6 remain attached to the adhesive layer 3.

Figure 4 shows a treatment band 1 including a removable intermediate cover strip 5, exposing the intermediate carrier layer strip 8 of the carrier layer 2 with adhesive layer 3. The two side carrier layer strips 9 of the carrier layer 2 extend on both sides of the intermediate carrier layer strip 8, and the adhesive layer 3 of the carrier layer is still covered by the side cover strips 6 of the cover layer 4 in Figure 4.

Figure 5 shows how the treatment band 1 is folded along the central axis M, which extends through the central carrier layer 8 (and previously through the central covering layer 5).

Figure 6 shows the treatment band 1 folded along the central axis M. The treatment band 1 is folded in principle. Since there is no longer a covering layer 4 in the intermediate carrier layer 8 (i.e., the covering layer 4 has no intermediate covering layer 5), the areas of the intermediate carrier layer 8 extending on both sides of the central axis M are bonded to each other, but the side carrier layer 9, which is always covered by the covering layer 4 (i.e., the side covering layer 6 of the covering layer 4), are not bonded.

Figure 7 illustrates how the treatment band 1 unfolds again until the side carrier strips 9 of the carrier layer 2 are once again substantially aligned in the same plane. The bonded intermediate carrier strips 8 now form a tab 10, which extends from the side carrier strips 9 or the plane on which the side carrier strips 9 are arranged. The tab 10 is positioned on the side of the treatment band 1 formed by the carrier layer 2.

Figure 8 shows how one of the remaining side cover strips 6 of the cover layer 4 is separated from, i.e., removed from, the adhesive layer 3 of the side carrier layer strip 9 of the underlying carrier layer 2. Subsequently, the side cover strip 6 covering the second side carrier layer strip 9 is removed or separated from the adhesive layer 3 in the same way.

Figure 9 shows that the treatment band 1 of the present invention (relative to Figure 8) is flipped and applied to human skin H, that is, it is adhered or pasted to the skin H through the adhesive layer 3 of the side carrier layer strip 9 of the carrier layer 2 that does not form a patch 10.

When the treatment band 1 is applied, glued, or attached as intended, the patch 10 extends from the human skin H, thereby forming a "handle" on which the treatment band 1 can be gripped and moved to stimulate the underlying tissues (skin H, subcutaneous tissue, connective tissue, and underlying muscles and blood vessels).

Before applying the treatment band 1, the corners of the side carrier layer strips 9 at the corresponding ends of the treatment band 1 can be cut into round shapes.

Unlike the illustration, the longitudinal direction L of the treatment band 1 of the present invention may also be shorter than the transverse direction of the treatment band 1 extending in its normal direction.

1: Treatment bandage 2: Carrier layer 3: Adhesive layer 4: Covering layer 5: Middle covering strip 6: Side covering strip 7: Perforation 8: Middle carrier strip 9: Side carrier strip 10: Patch L: Longitudinal M: Central axis H: Skin

More details, features and advantages of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment. In which: Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a section of the treatment band of the present invention, and Figures 2 to 9 show the treatment band of the present invention at different stages of preparation for application of the treatment band to human skin as intended.

1: Treatment band 2: Carrier layer 3: Adhesive layer 4: Covering layer 5: Middle covering strip 6: Side covering strip 7: Perforation L: Longitudinal M: Central axis

Claims (7)

A treatment band (1) for adhesion to human skin (H), the treatment band comprising a carrier layer (2), an adhesive layer (3) disposed on the carrier layer (2), and a covering layer (4) disposed on the adhesive layer (3), wherein the treatment band (1) has a longitudinal direction (L), characterized in that the covering layer (4) is divided into at least three covering strips (5, 6) extending generally parallel to the longitudinal direction (L) of the treatment band (1), the covering strips being separable from the adhesive layer (3) independently of each other. The treatment band (1) has a central axis (M) parallel to the longitudinal direction (L), and at least one of the cover strips (5) extending between at least two other cover strips (6) of the cover strips extends generally axially symmetrically along the central axis (M). The treatment band of claim 1, wherein the carrier layer (2) is elastic, particularly the carrier layer (2) is elastically stretchable to up to 120%, particularly 130% or 140%, or even up to 180% of its original length. The treatment bandage of claim 1 or 2, wherein the carrier layer (2) is made of a textile, particularly having cotton yarn, spandex yarn, rayon and/or other synthetic yarn. For example, in the treatment band of claim 1, the widths of the covering strips (6) on the sides are equal. As in claim 1, the treatment band, wherein at least one of the cover strips, which are separable from each other, extends between at least two other cover strips (6) and is visually distinguishable from the adjacent cover strips (6). As in the treatment band of claim 1, wherein the covering strips (5, 6) of the covering layer (4) are connected to each other in a separable manner, specifically, a perforation (7) is constructed between adjacent covering strips (5, 6). A method for forming a handle on a treatment band (1), wherein the treatment band (1) is a treatment band (1) as described in any of the 6 claims 1, and wherein the method is characterized in that the following steps are performed before applying the treatment band (1) to human skin (H): separating the middle cover strip of at least three cover strips (5, 6) of the cover layer (4) from the adhesive layer (3) so that the middle carrier strip (8) of the carrier layer (2) to which the adhesive layer (3) is disposed is exposed; The treatment strip (1) is folded along the fold edge, which extends along the central axis (M) in the longitudinal direction (L) and passes centrally through the intermediate carrier layer (8), which is released by the covering layer (4) and is located on the adjacent, still-separated sides of the covering layer (4). The covering strips (6) extend between each other such that the covering strips (6) on the sides of the treatment band (1) extending on both sides of the fold are planarly abutted against each other, and the intermediate carrier strips (8) disposed on both sides of the fold and adjacent to the exposed areas of the fold are planarly bonded to each other; and The treatment band (1) is unfolded so that the several side carrier strips (9) of the carrier layer (2) are substantially in the same plane again, and the middle carrier strip (8) that is glued together forms a folded tab (10), the tab (10) forming a handle, and the tab (10) extending from the plane of the side carrier strips (9) and extending over the entire length of the treatment band (1).