GB2504709A - A cover for a limb with ultraviolet ray blocking properties - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective limb garment 1 for a user exposed to sunlight comprising an elongate elastic tubular member 10 with an open end to receive a limb wherein the member 10 acts to partially block ultraviolet rays. The garment may provide a sun protection factor of at least 30. The garment may have a plurality of sections 10 and 11 covering a number of limbs such as a users arms. The sections 10 and 11 may be webbed together or connectable using hook and loop portions. The garment may also have a zipper, buttons or press studs. The garment may alternatively take the form of a pair of trousers 2.

Description

A PROTECTIVE LIMB GARMENT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protective limb garment, more particularly but not exclusively to a protective limb garment for infants or children.

Background and Prior Art

Increasing concerns are present in many societies in regard to skin cancer, particularly that caused by exposure to the sun, and ultraviolet rays.

Infants, babies or children are particularly susceptible to such cancers, or more particularly such concerns, and consequently many parents or carers will use significant quantities of ultraviolet blocking creams or lotions in order to prevent rays reaching and affecting the child's or infant's skin.

However Infants and children are also particularly susceptible to chemicals due to their rapid rate of growth and development.

Even exposure to small doses of common everyday chemicals can have a profound effect on the infant's future health, learning and development. For example after an explosion of infant care products such as shampoos, lotions, powder and creams, eczema, asthma and other health disorders are rising.

Some of such products, including sun cream or lotion, contain parabens which are synthetic preservatives that inhibit growth of organisms.

In contrast the present invention provides a means of preventing harmful exposure to both ultraviolet rays and harmful exposure to chemicals.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a protective limb garment for a user exposed to sunlight, comprising at least one elongate elastic material tubular member arranged to receive a limb of a user and in which the at least one tubular member comprises at least one distal end that is open, and with an inherent ultraviolet ray blocking property.

In preferred embodiments the protective limb garment or garment is for a child user and consequently is able to provide an ultraviolet ray blocking property of above 30 sun protection factor.

Typically the garment may be used for covering more than one limb. For example, the garment may include material which may be used for covering more than one limb.

In some embodiments the garment may be dispersed across more than one limb or more particularly the garment may include a plurality of sections. Said sectionsmay cooperate or be contiguous and/or webbed together.

In some embodiments the garment may comprise at least one section which is arranged such that, in use, the at least one section provides a link between a user's limbs, wherein in other embodiments the garment may be comprised of a plurality of limbs and/or other parts, which may be applied or used independently.

In further embodiments the garment may further comprise at least one engagement feature arranged to mutually engage, for example to attach to or to connect to, at least one other garment. The at least one engagement feature may include temporary attachment means like press-studs, poppers, button, clips, hooks and eyes or hook and loop portions such as Velcro (Trade Mark) Accordingly the garment may include or cooperate with linking spurs, gridding or further members. This gridding may be provided in identical or similar material, or may be composed of strings.

Where some embodiments of the garment may combine multiple spurs, members or sections, said sections are ideally sewn together, wherein the seams may be reversed in use, so as to avoid discomfort. Further embodiments may have double seams or adhesive bound seams, to minimise discomfort at all times.

Further embodiments cover the back with a unique shape to fit curved backed clothes.

Preferably in use the garment may be dispersed about the limbs of an infant, child or adult user, in order to minimise use and application of sun cream or lotion, whilst ensuring that the user is not exposed to harmful rays.

In this way the user has protected skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, and in addition or the alternative is not compelled to use lotions or creams.

In this way the user is enabled to avoid application of chemicals found in creams and lotions, that can disrupt biological function in later life, consequently helping o reduce skin cancer and sun allergies.

The material is ideally highly elastic and resiliently deformable, and well-suited to use against skin for prolonged periods and in elevated temperatures. Ideal embodiments utilise a soft, light nylon/polyester fabric containing benzene to absorb UV light, that is breathable and quick drying. Said fabric is semi sheer (10 or 20 denier) and has a dense weave to enhance UV protection and may have UV absorbers and inhibiUng ingredients added to the fabric.

The garment may in preferred embodiments be able to be folded and rolled tightly to fit in bags and pockets. The garment may incorporate an elasticated edge to prevent children altering with the product when in use.

In preferred embodiments the material is liable to reform fully when washed, and is stable under standard washing and tumble-drying conditions. The garment may also include a hang-tag and fabric care labelling.

In addition, in all preferred embodiments the material is breathable so as to ensure that covered skin of the user is not liable to overheating or oxygen starvation.

Ideally the material is smooth, close knit or tightly woven, to an order that the user's hairs and moles or skin are not trapped by the material in use, and discomfort may be averted. In all preferred embodiments the material may provide friction as well as elastic properties to prevent accidental displacement.

Preferably in all embodiments the material is simultaneously flexibly elastic enough to ensure that imperfections, roots, hairs and moles are accommodated comfortably and locally. In this way prolonged use may be enabled.

Preferred embodiments of the material are consequently made of natural fibres, and may be treated with a treatment In some embodiments said treatment is ray reflective, consisting for example of metallic or reflective fibres, coating or paint.

In this way the 9arment may be provided with two faces, wherein only one face is effective at blocking rays.

In other embodiments the material may be treated in order that the faces are reversible, which may allow for longer usage to reduce dirt or perspiration build-up or allow reversing when such build-up is problematic.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised 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.

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.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the garment for use to protect an infant upper body jyxtaposed with an isometric view of an embodiment of the garment for use to protect an infant lower body; Figure 2 shows a frontal view of the embodiment of Figure 1 for use to protect an infant upper body juxtaposed with a frontal view of an embodiment of Figure 1 for use to protect an infant lower body; Figure 3 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 for use to protect an infant upper body juxtaposed with a side view of an embodiment of Figure 1 for use to protect an infant lower body; And Figure 4 shows a frontal view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with arms extended for use to protect an infant upper body juxtaposed with a frontal view of an embodiment of Figure 1 for use to protect an infant lower body.

Detailed Description of Figures

The pictured embodiment as shown in Figures combines two garments to form a sun protection system whereby including: Upper body garment 1, combining two elongate elastic material tubular members 10 and a back protection spur 11. Some embodiments may include a neck protection spur (not shown); Lower body garment 2, combining two elongate elastic material tubular members 20 and a crotch connection spur 21. Some embodiments may include foot protection spurs or a lower back protection spur (not shown); Double seamed cuffs 3 and seams 4: In use! the user inserts an arm into each of the elongate elastic material tubular members 10 and positions the back protection spur 11 against their back. The user inserts a leg into each of the elongate elastic material tubular members 20 and positions the crotch connection spur 21 against their crotch.

The garment constitutes arm and leg protectors for children that offer sun protection factor (SPF) ultraviolet (LIV) protection (50+), to be worn as an alternative to sun cream.

The garment is made from a LIV protective fabric that shields the arms, legs and upper back from harmful rays.

The garment contains no chemicals.

Preferred embodiments are for use with babies, toddlers and children, with appropriate dimensions, and combining arm and leg members in one garment so that the garment can be used for either and is sized to fit the child from wrist to wrist and/or ankle to ankle.