AN ADHESIVE ELEMENT FOR NOSE PAftS, A NOSE BRIDGE OR TEMPLE FIXTURES OF A PAIR OF GLASSES

The present invention relates to an adhesive element for nose pads, a nose bridge or temple fixtures of a pair of glasses, and a method of preparing a pair of glasses for use by a wearer.

Glasses have nose pads or an integral nose bridge for resting on the bridge of the nose. These nose pads and integral bridge are conventionally fabricated from a plastics material, and the present inventor has recognized that these glasses have a tendency to slip down the bridge of the nose, requiring frequent re-positioning.

The present inventor has recognized that, by providing the nose pads or nose bridge with an adhesive element, this slipping of the glasses can substantially be obviated.

The present inventor has also recognized that, by providing temple fixtures with an adhesive element, this slipping of the glasses can also substantially be obviated.

In one aspect the present invention provides a temple fixture for attachment to a respective one of the temple or side arms of a pair of glasses, wherein the temple fixture comprises a body and an adhesive element which has an adhesive surface which is adapted in use to rest against a respective temple of the wearer.

In one embodiment the body comprises a first, inner body part which provides a pad to which the adhesive element is provided, and a coupling which is configured to attach the body to the respective arm of the glasses.

In one embodiment the inner body part has an inner surface to which the adhesive element is provided. In one embodiment the inner surface is inclined or tapered inwardly in a forward direction in relation to the arms of the glasses.

In one embodiment the inner surface is an arcuate, concave surface.

In one embodiment the coupling defines a slot in which a respective arm of the glasses is held captive.

In one embodiment the coupling is a resilient coupling which engages a respective arm of the glasses.

In one embodiment the resilient coupling includes a flexible element which is biased to engage the respective arm of the glasses.

In one embodiment the body further comprises a second, outer body part.

In one embodiment the outer body part has an outer surface.

In one embodiment the body is formed of a plastics material, optionally a Nylon (RTM).

In one embodiment the adhesive contains an anti-bacterial agent.

In one embodiment the anti-bacterial agent is a bisphenol, such as triclosan.

In another embodiment the anti-bacterial agent is aloe vera.

In one embodiment the adhesive contains the anti-bacterial agent in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%, optionally from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.6 wt% . In another embodiment the adhesive contains the anti-bacterial agent in an amount of from about 1 wt% to about 30 wt%, optionally from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, optionally from about 10 wt% to about 20 wt%.

In one embodiment the adhesive is a thermoplastic adhesive, optionally a hot-melt adhesive.

In one embodiment the adhesive comprises a thermoplastic rubber copolymer and a hydrocarbon resin.

In one embodiment the adhesive contains one or more of white mineral oil, severely hydrotreated heavy napthenic petroleum oil or palm oil.

In one embodiment the adhesive element comprises a film.

In one embodiment the film has a thickness of less than about 1 mm, optionally less than about 0.5 mm.

In one embodiment the adhesive element is provided between sheets of release paper.

In another aspect the present invention provides a pair of glasses having a pair of side or temple arms in combination with a pair of the above-described temple fixtures, wherein the temple fixtures are attached or attachable to the respective arms of the glasses.

In one embodiment the arms of the glasses are truncated and include no temple or ear tips.

In a further aspect the present invention provides an adhesive element for a pair of glasses, optionally nose pads, a nose bridge or temple fixtures of the pair of glasses, which has an adhesive surface which rests in use against the skin of the wearer.

In one embodiment the adhesive contains an anti-bacterial agent.

In one embodiment the anti-bacterial agent is a bisphenol, such as triclosan.

In another embodiment the anti-bacterial agent is aloe vera.

In one embodiment the adhesive contains the anti-bacterial agent in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%, optionally from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.6 wt%.

In another embodiment the adhesive contains the anti-bacterial agent in an amount of from about 1 wt% to about 30 wt%, optionally from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, optionally from about 10 wt% to about 20 wt%.

In one embodiment the adhesive is a thermoplastic adhesive, optionally a hot-melt adhesive.

In one embodiment the adhesive comprises a thermoplastic rubber copolymer and a hydrocarbon resin.

In one embodiment the adhesive contains one or more of white mineral oil, severely hydrotreated heavy napthenic petroleum oil or palm oil.

In one embodiment the adhesive element comprises a film .

In one embodiment the film has a thickness of less than about 1 mm, optionally less than about 0.5 mm . In one embodiment the adhesive element is provided between sheets of release paper.

The present invention also extends to a nose pad comprising the above- described adhesive element.

In one embodiment the adhesive element is integrally formed with the nose pad.

The present invention further extends to a nose bridge comprising the above- described adhesive element.

In one embodiment the adhesive element is integrally formed with the nose bridge.

The present invention still further extends to a temple fixture comprising the above-described adhesive element.

In one embodiment the adhesive element is integrally formed with the temple fixture.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a pair of glasses comprising at least one nose pad as described above, the nose bridge as described above or at least one temple fixture as described above.

In a still further aspect the present invention provides a method of preparing a pair of glasses having at least one nose pad, a nose bridge or at least one temple fixture for use by a wearer, comprising the steps of: providing an adhesive element as described above to the at least one nose pad, the nose bridge or the at least one temple fixture of the pair of glasses. In one embodiment the method further comprises the steps of: after a period of time, removing the adhesive element from the at least one nose pad, the nose bridge or the at least one temple fixture of the pair of glasses; and providing another adhesive element as above described to the at least one nose pad, the nose bridge or the at least one temple fixture of the pair of glasses.

In one embodiment the period of time is at least one day, optionally at least two days.

In one embodiment the pair of glasses has a pair of nose pads and adhesive elements are provided to and removed from each of the nose pads.

In one embodiment the pair of glasses has a pair of temple fixtures and adhesive elements are provided to and removed from each of the temple fixtures.

In a still yet further aspect the present invention provides a method of preparing a pair of glasses having at least one nose pad, a nose bridge or at least one temple fixture for use by a wearer, comprising the steps of: providing at least one nose pad as above described, the nose bridge as above described or at least one temple fixture as above described to the pair of glasses.

In one embodiment the method further comprises the steps of: after a period of time, removing the at least one nose pad, the nose bridge or the at least one temple fixture from the pair of glasses; and providing another at least one nose pad as above described, another nose bridge as above described or another at least one temple fixture as above described to the pair of glasses.

In one embodiment the period of time is at least one day, optionally at least two days. In one embodiment the pair of glasses has a pair of nose pads and nose pads are provided to and removed from the pair of glasses.

In one embodiment the pair of glasses has a pair of temple fixtures and temple fixtures are provided to and removed from the pair of glasses.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 illustrates a pair of glasses in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates an adhesive element of one of the nose pads of the glasses of Figure 1, as supplied on a release carrier;

Figure 3 illustrates a sectional view (along section I-I in Figure 2) of the release carrier of Figure 2;

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative adhesive element of one of the nose pads of the glasses of Figure 1, as supplied on a release carrier;

Figure 5 illustrates a pair of glasses in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 illustrates a pair of glasses in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view from above and one side of one temple fixture of the glasses of Figure 6;

Figure 8 illustrates a perspective view from above and the other side of the temple fixture of Figure 7; Figure 9 illustrates a top view of the temple fixture of Figure 7;

Figure 10 illustrates a bottom view of the temple fixture of Figure 7;

Figure 11 illustrates one side view of the temple fixture of Figure 7;

Figure 12 illustrates the other side view of the temple fixture of Figure 7;

Figure 13 illustrates a front view of the temple fixture of Figure 7;

Figure 14 illustrates a rear view of the temple fixture of Figure 7;

Figure 15 illustrates an adhesive element of one of the temple fixtures of the glasses of Figure 6, as supplied on a release carrier;

Figure 16 illustrates a sectional view (along section II-II in Figure 15) of the release carrier of Figure 15; and

Figure 17 illustrates a pair of glasses in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a pair of glasses in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

The glasses comprise a frame 3 which includes a pair of nose pads 5 which, in use, rest on the bridge of the nose of the wearer.

The nose pads 5 each comprise a body 7 and an adhesive element 9 which has an adhesive surface which rests against the nose of the wearer. In this embodiment the adhesive element 9 is replaceable, such as to allow the wearer to replace the adhesive element 9, typically every two or three days.

In this embodiment the adhesive element 9 comprises a thin film, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. In one embodiment the adhesive element 9 is supplied between sheets of release paper 10.

In this embodiment the film has a thickness of less than about 1 mm, optionally less than about 0.5 mm.

In this embodiment the adhesive element 9 is sized to be fixed only to the facing surface of the nose pad 5.

In an alternative embodiment the adhesive element 9 could be sized to overlap the facing surface and extend onto a rear surface of the nose pad 5.

In an alternative embodiment the adhesive element 9 could comprise one or more dots, as illustrated in Figure 4.

In an alternative embodiment the adhesive element 9 could be integrally formed with the nose pad 5, or at least a part thereof, such that the nose pad 5 or the part thereof is replaced, again typically every two or three days.

In one embodiment the adhesive element 9 comprises an adhesive which includes an anti-bacterial agent. The present inventor has recognized that the nose pads of conventional glasses, notwithstanding being formed of a relatively-hard material, usually a plastics material, promote growth of microbes, such as bacteria, and especially E-coli.

In one embodiment the anti-bacterial agent is a bisphenol, such as triclosan. In one embodiment the adhesive contains the anti-bacterial agent in an amount of from about 0.1 wt% to about 1 wt%, optionally from about 0.1 wt% to about 0.6 wt% .

In one embodiment the anti-bacterial agent is aloe vera .

In one embodiment the adhesive contains the anti-bacterial agent in an amount of from about 1 wt% to about 30 wt%, optionally from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, optionally from about 10 wt% to about 20 wt%.

In one embodiment the adhesive is a thermoplastic adhesive, in particular a hot-melt adhesive.

In this embodiment the adhesive is a thermoplastic adhesive which comprises a thermoplastic rubber co-polymer and a hydrocarbon resin.

In one embodiment the adhesive contains white mineral oil, severely hydrotreated heavy napthenic petroleum oil or palm oil, optionally in an amount of from about 5 wt% to about 30 wt%, optionally from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, optionally from about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%.

In one embodiment the adhesive contains white mineral oil (20-30%), such as Low Tack™ adhesive as supplied by Glue Dots International LLC (USA).

In one embodiment the adhesive contains white mineral oil (15-25%), such as Medium Tack ™ adhesive as supplied by Glue Dots International LLC (USA).

In one embodiment the adhesive contains white mineral oil (15-25%), such as High Tack™ adhesive as supplied by Glue Dots International LLC (USA). In another embodiment the adhesive contains severely hydrotreated heavy napthenic petroleum oil (8-15%), such as Super High Tack™ adhesive as supplied by Glue Dots International LLC (USA).

Figure 5 illustrates a pair of glasses in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

The glasses of this embodiment are very similar to those of the above- described first embodiment, and thus, in order to avoid duplication of description, only the differences will be described in detail with like parts being designated by like reference signs.

The glasses of this embodiment differ from those of the above-described first embodiment in not including nose pads, but having a nose bridge 21 which includes the adhesive elements 9.

In this embodiment the adhesive elements 9 are replaceable, as with the above-described embodiment, typically every two or three days.

In an alternative embodiment the adhesive elements 9 could be integrally formed with the nose bridge 21, or at least a part thereof, such that the nose bridge 21 or the part thereof is replaced, again typically every two or three days.

Figure 6 illustrates a pair of glasses in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

The glasses comprise a frame 103 which includes a pair of side or temple arms 104 and a pair of nose pads 105 which, in use, rest on the bridge of the nose of the wearer.

The glasses further comprise a pair of temple fixtures 107 which are attached to respective ones of the arms 104 of the glasses and configured to adhere to the respective temples of the wearer, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

The temple fixtures 107 each comprise a body 111 and an adhesive element 115 which has an adhesive surface which rests against the respective temple of the wearer.

As particularly illustrated in Figures 7 to 14, in this embodiment the body 111 comprises a first, inner body part 117 which provides a pad to which the adhesive element 115 is provided, a second, outer body part 119, and a coupling 121 which is configured to attach the body 111 to the respective arm 104 of the glasses.

In this embodiment the inner body part 117 has an inner surface 125 to which the adhesive element 115 is provided.

In this embodiment the inner surface 125 is inclined or tapered inwardly in a forward direction in relation to the arms 104 of the glasses.

In this embodiment the inner surface 125 is an arcuate, concave surface.

In this embodiment the outer body part 119 has an outer surface 129, which can be colored, patterned or include a motif or logo.

In this embodiment the coupling 121 is a resilient coupling which engages a respective arm 104 of the glasses.

In this embodiment the resilient coupling 121 includes a flexible element 130 which is biased to engage the respective arm 104 of the glasses.

In this embodiment the coupling 121 defines a slot 131 in which a respective arm 104 of the glasses is held captive. In this embodiment the body 111 is formed of a plastics material, here a Nylon™.

In this embodiment the adhesive element 115 is replaceable, such as to allow the wearer to replace the adhesive element 115, typically every two or three days.

In this embodiment the adhesive element 115 comprises a thin film, as illustrated in Figures 15 and 16. In one embodiment the adhesive element 115 is supplied between sheets of release paper 140.

In this embodiment the film has a thickness of less than about 1 mm, optionally less than about 0.5 mm.

In an alternative embodiment the adhesive element 115 could comprise one or more dots, as illustrated in the embodiment of Figure 4.

In an alternative embodiment the adhesive element 115 could be integrally formed with the inner body part 117, or at least a part thereof, such that the temple fixture 107 or the part thereof is replaced, again typically every two or three days.

In one embodiment the adhesive element 115 comprises an adhesive which includes an anti-bacterial agent. As noted hereinabove, the present inventor has recognized that materials, notwithstanding being formed of a relatively- hard material, usually a plastics material, promote growth of microbes, such as bacteria, and especially E-coli.

In one embodiment the anti-bacterial agent is aloe vera.

In one embodiment the adhesive contains the anti-bacterial agent in an amount of from about 1 wt% to about 30 wt%, optionally from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, optionally from about 10 wt% to about 20 wt%. In one embodiment the adhesive is a thermoplastic adhesive, in particular a hot-melt adhesive.

In this embodiment the adhesive is a thermoplastic adhesive which comprises a thermoplastic rubber co-polymer and a hydrocarbon resin.

In one embodiment the adhesive contains white mineral oil, severely hydrotreated heavy napthenic petroleum oil or palm oil, optionally in an amount of from about 5 wt% to about 30 wt%, optionally from about 5 wt% to about 25 wt%, optionally from about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%.

In one embodiment the adhesive contains white mineral oil (20-30%), such as Low Tack™ adhesive as supplied by Glue Dots International LLC (USA).

In one embodiment the adhesive contains white mineral oil (15-25%), such as Medium Tack ™ adhesive as supplied by Glue Dots International LLC (USA).

In one embodiment the adhesive contains white mineral oil (15-25%), such as High Tack™ adhesive as supplied by Glue Dots International LLC (USA).

In another embodiment the adhesive contains severely hydrotreated heavy napthenic petroleum oil (8-15%), such as Super High Tack™ adhesive as supplied by Glue Dots International LLC (USA).

Figure 17 illustrates a pair of glasses in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The glasses of this embodiment are very similar to those of the above- described third embodiment, and thus, in order to avoid duplication of description, only the differences will be described in detail with like parts being designated by like reference signs. The glasses of this embodiment differ from those of the above-described third embodiment in that the temple or side arms 104 are truncated and omit the temple or ear tips.

Finally, it will be understood that the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments and can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

For example, the above-described third and fourth embodiments can include nose pads 5 or a nose bridge 21 of the kind of the above-described first and second embodiments.