Elastic therapeutic wrap
The present invention is directed to an elastic therapeutic wrap to administer therapeutic relief to a body part to be treated, and more specifically is directed to a low cost elastic wrap, including a nonwoven fabric, and at least one receptacle for receiving a therapeutic body pack, such as a heat pack, cold pack, or herbal pack that is readily replaceable and interchangeable. The therapeutic wrap includes a first nonwoven fabric exhibiting stretch and recovery in the cross-direction, a second nonwoven fabric exhibiting stretch and recovery in the cross-direction, at least one open-ended receptacle formed between the first and second nonwoven fabrics for receiving a therapeutic body pack, and a fastener for fastening the wrap to a body part to be treated.
1 . A therapeutic body wrap, comprising:
a first nonwoven fabric exhibiting extensibility and recovery in a cross-direction;
a second nonwoven fabric affixed in co-extensive relationship with at least a portion of the first nonwoven fabric, said second nonwoven fabric exhibiting extensibility and recovery in a cross-direction;
at least one open ended receptacle defined between the first and second nonwoven fabric for receiving a therapeutic body pack; and
at least one fastener for fastening the wrap to a body part.
2 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 1 , wherein the body wrap comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion together defining a length of the body wrap, the receptacle being defined by said middle portion of the body wrap.
3 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 2 , wherein the middle portion has a width greater than a width of the first and second end portions.
4 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 1 , wherein the first nonwoven fabric is greater in length than the second nonwoven fabric.
5 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 1 , wherein the open-ended receptacle defined between the first and second nonwoven fabrics is formed by mechanically or thermally joining the first and second nonwoven fabrics.
6 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 5 , wherein the receptacle is formed by stitching which joins the first and second nonwoven fabrics.
7 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 5 , wherein the receptacle is formed by thermal bonding which joins the first and second nonwoven fabrics.
8 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 1 , wherein the therapeutic body pack is selected from the group including a heat pack, a cold pack, and an herbal pack.
9 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven fabrics are each comprised of staple fiber, continuous filaments, or a combination thereof.
10 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 1 , wherein the nonwoven fabrics are each apertured.
11 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 1 , wherein the first nonwoven fabric comprises one or more three-dimensional images.
12 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 1 , wherein the second nonwoven fabric comprises one or more three-dimensional images.
13 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 1 , wherein the first nonwoven fabric has a cross-direction extensibility of at least 50% and cross-direction recovery of at least 90%.
14 . A therapeutic body wrap as in claim 1 , wherein the second nonwoven fabric has a cross-direction extensibility of at least 50% and a cross-direction recovery of at least 90%.
15 . A therapeutic body wrap, comprising:
a first nonwoven fabric exhibiting extensibility and recovery in a cross-direction thereof;
a second nonwoven fabric exhibiting extensibility and recovery in a cross-direction thereof, the second nonwoven fabric being in coextensive relationship with at least a portion of the first nonwoven fabric,
the first and second nonwoven fabrics together defining a length of the body wrap, with the cross-directions of the nonwoven fabrics oriented along the length of the body wrap;
the first and second nonwoven fabrics being joined to each other to define at least one receptacle therebetween; and
at least one fastening element for joining end portions of the body wrap for holding the body wrap in place on a body part of a user to be treated.
16 . A therapeutic body wrap in accordance with claim 15 , wherein:
the body wrap includes a middle portion having a width greater than the end portions of the body wrap.
17 . A therapeutic body wrap in accordance with claim 16 , wherein:
the receptacle defined by the first and second nonwoven fabrics is provided in the middle portion of the body wrap.
18 . A therapeutic body wrap in accordance with claim 15 , wherein:
the first nonwoven fabric has a length greater than a length of the second nonwoven fabric, so that the first nonwoven fabric provides the end portions of the body wrap which can be joined by the fastening element.
19 . A therapeutic body wrap in accordance with claim 15 , wherein:
each of the first and second nonwoven fabrics exhibit cross-direction extensibility of at least 50%, and cross-direction recovery of at least 90%.