DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202041017995 filed on 27/04/2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to personal hygiene clothing, and more particularly to a hygiene arm band having an antimicrobial property to improve sanitary conditions and reduce spreading of germs and infections.
BACKGROUND
[002] Germs spread from one person to another by ways of coughing or sneezing. A person expels respiratory secretions which are mostly in the form of liquid micro droplets while coughing or sneezing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a series of guidelines specifically aimed to curb transmission of illness through sneezing and coughing. While standard etiquette dictates that sneezing or coughing person should cover his or her mouth with hand or use tissue instead of hand while doing so, to prevent germs from becoming airborne, however, the germs may still get attached and survive on the hands and any contact with such person’s hand becomes a source of transmission of infection, and in case the person uses the tissue, the sneezed/coughed out secretions sticks to the tissue, and if the tissue is not instantly and carefully disposed into a closed disposable garbage, the tissue coming in contact with any surface becomes a source of transmission of infection (as the infection spreading germs may live on such surfaces for long time period).
[003] The current sneezing and coughing practices as per conclusions of research studies reveals that most of the adults and the children are observed to be sneezing and coughing either in open air or into the hands covering their face, but not followed with an immediate cleaning with soap and water, or use a tissue or cloth-handkerchief which is discarded immediately.
[004] An approach to prevent the spread of germs through sneezing and coughing is to cough or sneeze into one's upper arm, elbow, or shoulder and not the hands. Doing so, avoids coughing directly into the hands, which ensures entrapment of the sneezed or coughed out secretion, thereby preventing it being spilled to other areas or being airborne.
[005] Yet using the elbow sleeve of a full sleeve shirt/garment or shoulder in case of shirt with half sleeves would lead to contamination of the fabric with the respiratory secretions, and at times the respiratory secretions may even permeate through the garment to the surface of the skin (anatomical surface) of a wearer of the garment. Thus, the risk of disease transmission is not completely eliminated. Further, sneezing and coughing into one's upper arm, elbow, or shoulder may cause discomfort to the wearer of the garment.
[006] Therefore, there exists a need for an additional layer of protection that provides surface for sneezing/coughing to prevent spread of germs and infection without causing discomfort to the anatomical surface of the wearer or causing stain on the sleeve of the shirt or garment of the wearer.
[007] Thus, there exists a need for a hygiene arm band having an antimicrobial property to improve sanitary conditions and reduce spreading of germs and infections. Further, there exists a need for a hygiene arm band, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[008] The principal object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a hygiene arm band having an antimicrobial property to improve sanitary conditions and reduce spreading of germs and infections.
[009] Another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide the hygiene arm band which is configured to absorb germs and contain respiratory secretion within.
[0010] Another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide a conical shaped pull-on hygiene arm band with antimicrobial properties to be worn over the arm of a user wearing at least one of a half sleeve shirt and a full sleeve shirt.
[0011] Yet another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide the hygiene arm band having enhanced bacterial or germs killing effect.
[0012] Still another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide the hygiene arm band which is odor free and reusable.
[0013] Another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide the hygiene arm band which prevents passage of any particles or respiratory secretions through the arm band to anatomical surface of the user of the garment.
[0014] Yet another object of the embodiments disclosed herein is to provide the hygiene arm band which prevents staining of garment of a user and prevents contact of the respiratory secretions with skin of the user, thereby avoiding feeling of discomfort.
[0015] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a hygiene arm band worn on an arm of a user, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0018] FIG. 2 depicts a sectional view of the hygiene arm band worn on the arm of the user, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the hygiene arm band worn on the arm of the user, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein;
[0020] FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged sectional view of the hygiene arm band, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein; and
[0021] FIG. 5 depicts a layout of an inner layer of fabric having a coating on a specific area, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0023] The embodiments herein achieve a hygiene arm band having an antimicrobial property to improve sanitary conditions and reduce spreading of germs, diseases and infections. Further, the embodiments herein achieve the conical shaped pull-on hygiene arm band with antimicrobial properties to be worn over the arm of a user wearing at least one of a half sleeve shirt and a full sleeve shirt. Furthermore, the embodiments herein achieve the hygiene arm band which prevents passage of any particles or respiratory secretions through the hygiene arm band. Also, the embodiments herein achieve the hygiene arm band which prevents staining of garment of a user and prevents contact of the respiratory secretions with skin of the user, thereby avoiding feeling of discomfort. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a hygiene arm band worn on an arm of a user, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the hygiene arm band (100) (also referred to as band in this description) is directed to a band which is designed to be worn by the user to provide an antimicrobial effect. In an embodiment, the hygiene arm band (100) is designed to be worn on an appendage of the user, such as an arm. In an embodiment, the hygiene arm band (100) is removable i.e. the band is separate from, and supplemental to, other garments worn by the user. In an embodiment, the hygiene arm band (100) is adapted to partly cover a lower arm (102a) and an upper arm (102b) on either side of an elbow of the user. Further, the hygiene arm band (100) may also be worn on top of a full sleeve garment with similar positioning.
[0025] In an embodiment, the hygiene arm band (100) is conical in shape. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any shape for the band (100) without otherwise deterring the intended function of band as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. The hygiene arm band (100) is adapted to suitably fit the anatomical structure of the arm of the user. The hygiene arm band (100) includes a main body (104) which includes a through hole (not shown) having a first diameter d (not shown) towards the lower (102a) of the user and a second diameter D towards the upper arm (102b) which is larger when compared to the hole towards the lower arm (102a). The main body (104) facilitates in free movement of the arm along the elbow.
[0026] FIG. 2 depicts a sectional view of the hygiene arm band worn on the arm of the user, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the main body (104) of the hygiene arm band (100) includes at least two layers of conical shaped fabric. The conical shaped fabric is confined to form a closed structure. The at least two layers of the fabric includes an inner layer (106) and an outer layer (108). In an embodiment, the outer layer (108) is formed of a thicker fabric layer than the inner layer (106). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any thickness for outer layer or inner layer without otherwise deterring the intended function of band as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. The outer layer (108) and the inner layer (106) are substantially parallel along a length of the arm of the user. In an embodiment, the outer layer (108) of the band (100) is made up of a hydrophilic fabric. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any fabric and any combination clothing material for outer layer or inner layer without otherwise deterring the intended function of band as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. The outer layer (108) includes a first internal surface (108a) and a first external surface (108b). The first internal surface (108a) and the first external surface (108b) are coated with an antimicrobial substance. Further, the inner layer (106) is made up of a hydrophilic fabric, of a relatively lower gram per square meter (GSM). The inner layer (106) includes a second interior surface (106a) and a second exterior surface (106b) as shown in FIG. 4. The second interior surface r (106a) and a second exterior surface (106b) are coated with the antimicrobial substance. In an embodiment, the outer layer (108) and the inner layer (106) are made up of porous and water absorbent material.
[0027] Further, the front end (not shown) and the rear end (not shown) of the hygiene arm band (100) includes a gripping member (110). In an embodiment, the gripping member (110) is sewn to the front end (not shown) and the rear end (not shown) of the hygiene arm band (100). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of connection between the gripping member and the body of the band without otherwise deterring the intended function of band as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, the gripping member (110) are selected form one of woven and non-woven grippers. In an embodiment, the gripping member (110) is made up of elastic material. The gripping members are configured to provide adequate grip on the armor on the sleeve of the garment of the user.
[0028] Further, the hygiene arm band (100) is adapted to be flexible to be moved and adjusted on the arm of the user to provide comfort to the user. Further, the hygiene arm band (100) is adapted to bend as shown in FIG. 3. As the position for sneezing and coughing is the elbow region (112) as recommended by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the hygiene arm band (100) is adapted to provide bending comfort to the user.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts an enlarged sectional view of the hygiene arm band, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The outer layer (108) and the inner layer (106) of the hygiene arm band (100) are coated with an antimicrobial substance. In an embodiment, the antimicrobial substance used in the hygiene arm band (100) is the N9 brand substance which contains > 0.005% Silver and no citric acid. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of antimicrobial substance for the band (100) without otherwise deterring the intended function of band as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. In an embodiment, both the outer layer (108) and the inner layer (106) are additionally treated with a substrate with higher ppm of silver to act as anti-viral which augments the antimicrobial properties and bacterial killing property of the hygiene arm band (100). Further, the additional treatment with the substrate ensures that the band (100) is free from odor and increases durability of the band (100).
[0030] FIG. 5 depicts a layout of an inner layer of fabric having a coating on a specific area, according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the inner layer (106) of the hygiene arm band (100) includes a non-coated portion (114) and a coated portion (116). The coated portion (116) of the inner layer (106) is surrounded by the non-coated portion (114). In an embodiment, the coated portion (116) is disposed at a predetermined position of the inner layer (106). The predetermined position is an area which is likely to come in contact or being exposed to the combined area of nose and mouth of the user, when the user approaches the elbow region (112) for sneezing and coughing. In an embodiment, the coated portion (116) is coated with at least one of hydrophobic material such as Nano composite Polystyrene and Non composite Zinc oxide Polystyrene. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide any type of hydrophobic material for the coated portion (116) without otherwise deterring the intended function of non-penetration of any fluids as can be deduced from this description and corresponding drawings. The portion (116) is coated with extremely low thickness to ensure non-permeability of the sneezed/coughed fluid (respiratory secretion), so that sneezed/coughed fluid settles on the second exterior surface (106b) of the inner fabric layer (106) or a first internal surface (108a) of the outer fabric layer (108). The coating is provided such that the sneezed/coughed fluid will not penetrate through the second interior surface (106a) of the inner layer (106) to get in contact with the skin of the user or sleeve fabric of in case the user is wearing the hygiene arm band (100) on the full sleeve shirt. Thus, the coating provided in the inner layer (106) avoids any kind of discomfort to the user. In an embodiment, the coating is adapted to be thin layered (about 50 microns), so that it does not provide stiffness to the band (100) which may otherwise cause discomfort to the user. In an embodiment, the thickness of the thin layer of the coating ranges from 50 microns – 70 microns.
[0031] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. An arm band (100), comprising:
a main body (104) fabricated from a flexible material suitable for absorbing and holding respiratory secretions;
a through hole defined in said body (104); and
a gripping member (110) connected at a front end and a rear end of said main body (104), said gripping member (110) adapted to hold said main body (104) in a predetermined position, when worn on an arm (102) of a user.
2. The arm band (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body (104) fabricated in one of a cylindrical shape and a conical shape.
3. The arm band (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said through hole extends from a front end F to a rear end R of said main body (104).
4. The arm band (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said through hole (not shown) includes a first diameter d (not shown) towards a lower arm (102a) of said user and a second diameter D (not shown) towards an upper arm (102b) of said user, said second diameter D is larger said first diameter d.
5. The arm band (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body (104) includes at least one inner layer (106) and at least one outer layer (108), said outer layer (108) and said inner layer (106) are substantially parallel along a length of said arm (102) of said user.
6. The arm band (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer layer (108) includes a first internal surface (108a) and a first external surface (108b) which is exposed to ambient.
7. The arm band (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner layer (106) includes a second interior surface (106a) and a second exterior surface (106b) which is adapted to contact anatomical structure of said arm (102) of said user, said the inner layer (106) and said outer layer (108) are made up at least a hydrophilic fabric, said outer layer (108) and said inner layer (106) are made up of at least one of a porous, germ killing and fluid (or respiratory secretion) absorbent material.
8. The arm band (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer layer (108) and said inner layer (106) of the hygiene arm band (100) are coated with an antimicrobial substance and anti-viral substance, said antimicrobial substance and anti viral substance are N9SC100, N9-INVINSIL, Viroblock NPJ03 of HeiQ_and the like.
9. The arm band (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said inner layer (106) of said arm band (100) includes a non-coated portion (114) and a coated portion (116), wherein said coated portion (116) of said inner layer (106) is surrounded by sad non-coated portion (114), said coated portion (116) is disposed at a predetermined position, said coated portion (116) is coated with at least one of hydrophobic material such as Nano composite Polystyrene and Non composite Zinc oxide Polystyrene, said coating is provided such that said respiratory secretion will not penetrate through said second interior surface of the inner layer (106) to get in contact with said anatomical structure of the user.