Reusable adhesive body apparel

• US 6,857,935 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2003
• Issued: 02/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jewel L. Dohan
• Original Assignee: Jewel L. Dohan
• Inventors: Dohan, Jewel L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hale, Gloria M.
• Application Number:
  US10/714,250
• Time in Patent Office: 466 Days
• Field of Search: 450/1, 450/81, 602 41- 59, 224/6, 224/4, 2 6/9, 240/0, 240/3, 240/6, 2 4/6, 428 16- 18, 428 24- 26, 428/29, 428/542.2, 428/542.6
• US Class Current: 450/81
• CPC Class Codes: A41C 3/065 attached directly to the body, e.g. by means of adhesive

Abstract

Reusable adhesive body apparel is disclosed. The reusable adhesive body apparel includes a decorative component and an adhesive component coupled to the decorative component. The adhesive component is formed of a material that permits the apparel to be reused multiple times. In one configuration, the apparel includes an adhesive tape with a decorative image provided on a non-adhesive surface of the tape, and a gel coupled to the adhesive surface of the tape. In another configuration, the apparel includes a decorative component with an uneven surface topography, and an adhesive gel. The apparel may be used for any suitable purpose, for example, the apparel may be used as a breast cover, a bathing suit, a costume, or a tattoo.

Claims

1. Reusable adhesive body apparel, comprising

a stretchable decorative component configured to provide a decorative appearance to a body surface on which the apparel is applied, the stretchable decorative component comprising a non-adhesive surface and a substantially opposing adhesive surface;

and

an adhesive component coupled to the adhesive surface of the stretchable decorative component, the adhesive component being effective in facilitating adhesion of the stretchable decorative component to the body surface, the adhesive component formed of a material that enable the apparel to adhere to the body surface at least one additional time after removal from the body surface without substantial modification of the apparel.

2. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the decorative component is substantially flat when the body apparel is placed on a substantially flat surface.

3. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the decorative component comprises a decorative image provided on an adhesive tape.

4. The apparel of claim 3, wherein the decorative image is a print of a digital image.

5. The apparel of claim 3, wherein the decorative image is an image of an object selected from the group consisting of plants, animals, holiday characters, and spirals.

6. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component comprises a water swellable polymer.

7. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component comprises a hydrogel.

8. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component comprises an opening positioned to provide a non-adhesive region on the body apparel.

9. The apparel of claim 8, wherein the opening is substantially located near the center of the apparel.

10. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the apparel is dimensioned to cover a nipple of a person.

11. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the apparel is selected from a group consisting of a costume, a bathing suit, and a tattoo.

12. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component has a thickness less than about 0.04 inches.

13. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the non-adhesive surface of the decorative component includes a decorative image, and wherein the adhesive component comprises a hydrogel coupled to the adhesive surface of the decorative component.

14. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the decorative component consists of a decorative image provided on a non-adhesive surface of an elastic, non-woven tape;

and wherein the adhesive component consists of a hydrogel layer placed on an adhesive surface of the elastic, non-woven tape.

15. The apparel of claim 14, wherein the tape is made of a material that permits gas to flow through the tape.

16. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the decorative component includes an exposed first surface when the apparel is applied to the body surface, and a non-exposed second surface coupled to the adhesive component, the exposed first surface having an uneven surface topography.

17. The apparel of claim 16, wherein the decorative component is a flower.

18. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component comprises a material effective to adhere to the body surface of a person multiple times, and to be removed from the body surface without causing pain to the person.

19. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component comprises a material effective to adhere to the body surface of a person multiple times without requiring substantial modification to the adhesive component or to the body surface.

20. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the adhesive component and the decorative component are laminated layers.