BACKGROUND

[0001] Personal hygiene is a set of practices engaged in by humans in order to maintain health and prevent the spreading of diseases. Usually, hygienic tools are used to clean a user’s body. By cleaning the body, a user may both prevent the spread of diseases and prevent being subjected to microorganisms that can cause the user’s health to deteriorate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] The accompanying drawings illustrate various examples of the principles described herein and are part of the specification. The illustrated examples are given merely for illustration, and do not limit the scope of the claims.

[0003] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a towel comprising a number of cuffs according to an example of the principles described herein.

[0004] Fig. 2 is a side view of the towel with cuffs of Fig. 1 according to an example of the principles described herein.

[0005] Fig. 3 is a top view of the towel of Fig. 1 being used by a user according to an example of the principles described herein.

[0006] Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the towel according to an example of the principles described herein.

[0007] Fig. 5 is a plan view of a towel according to an example of the principles described herein. [0008] Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Personal hygiene includes keeping a user’s body clean of pathogens. Certain tools may be used to accomplish this task such as soaps, antibacterial medicines, and cleaning cloths. In regard to the latter, cleaning cloths have generally been a sheet of fabric dedicated by the user to be used solely for the purpose of drying the skin or otherwise wiping away the pathogens and dirt that may have accumulated on the user’s skin. The towel may, on a regular basis, be laundered in order to prevent the reintroduction of the pathogens and dirt on the user’s skin.

[0010] In most cases, the user’s face is a portion of user’s body that receives the most attention during the cleaning process. To be sure, this is the part of the user’s body that other people look at and, as such, should be cleaned on a regular basis. Usually, this process includes washing the face at a basin with clean water being provided to the user via a faucet. As the cleaning process starts, the user may splash the water in his or her face, apply soap if necessary, and, with the towel, wipe the face clean. However, this process adds some discomfort to a user who may raise his or her hands above the elbow. By doing so, the soap and water used to wash the face may drip down the user’s arms and soak the garments worn by the user. Additionally, the splashing of the water may incidentally cause the soap and water to splash onto the torso or lap portion of the user thereby also causing the user’s garments to absorb the water and soap. Although the water may eventually dry, it may be uncomfortable to the user to have a portion of his or her garment being wet. Further, if the soap were absorbed into the fabric of the garments worn by the user, the skin thereunder may be irritated if not washed out.

[0011] The present specification describes a towel for washing a user’s body that includes a sheet of fabric having a first surface and a second surface; and a pair of cuffs coupled to the first surface of the fabric, wherein the cuffs are used to, each, pass a hand of the user therethrough allowing a portion of the fabric to drape between the hands of the user.

[0012] The present specification also describes a hygienic instrument that includes a towel having a first side and a second side; and a pair of cuffs, a first cuff coupled to a first edge of the towel and a second cuff coupled to a second and opposing edge of the towel; each of the first cuff and second cuff comprising a taper to fit against a user’s arm.

[0013] The present specification further describes a face washing device that includes a towel having a first side and a second side; a first cuff formed on a first edge of the towel; and a second cuff formed on a second edge of the towel opposite the first edge; wherein each of the first and second cuff comprises a tapered stich to form fit against a user’s arms; and wherein an intermediate portion of the towel is allowed to drape between the user’s arm when the user’s arms are placed within the first and second cuffs.

[0014] Turning now to the figures, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a towel (100) comprising a number of cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) according to an example of the principles described herein. The towel (100) may be formed from a single sheet of fabric (110) that includes a first surface (115) and a second surface (not shown but opposite the first surface (115)).

[0015] On the first surface (115), a number of cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may be formed. The cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may include, in an example, a left cuff (105-1) and a right cuff (105-2). The left cuff (105-1) may be formed along a first edge (120) of the towel (100). Similarly, the right cuff (105-2) may be formed along a second edge (125) of the towel (100) opposite the first edge (120). In these examples, each of the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may extend from their respective edges (120, 125) and toward the center of the towel (100). [0016] Each of the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may be formed of any type of material. In an example, the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may be made of the same material as the towel (100). As such, in some examples, the cuffs (105-1 , 105- 2) and the towel (100) may be made of wool, flax, cotton, hemp, a man-made material, or combinations thereof. In an example, the material may be terry- cloth.

[0017] During use of the towel (100), a user may pass each of the user’s hands through the left cuff (105-1 ) and the right cuff (105-2) respectively. As such, a user’s hands extend beyond the first edge (120) and second edge (125) of the towel (100) respectively. With this configuration, the user may have the user’s hands free to touch various surfaces such as a faucet, a water bowl, water from the faucet, and/or the user’s face. As such, the towel (100) and cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) allow for the user to have such tactile contact with these objects and especially the user’s face. Because the user is allowed to touch the user’s face, the user may be better capable of washing the user’s face. Indeed, with the tactile feel between the surface of the user’s skin and the face of the user, a user may be better capable of washing, sufficiently, the user’s face. This reduces the use of other types of surfaces on the user’s face that may rub contaminants into the surface of the user’s skin on the face especially where these alternative surfaces are used multiple times without a cleaning or replacement.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a side view of the towel (100) with cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) of Fig. 1 according to an example of the principles described herein. As is shown the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) (in this example, the left cuff (105-1)) form a void (130) between the surface of the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) and the first surface (115) of the towel (100). The void (130) formed by the interface between the towel (100) and the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may be any size.

[0019] In an example, the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may be sized to fit specific users and in particular these specific user’s arm/wrist sizes. In an example, the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may be sized to fit most potential users by determining an average size of a user’s arm/wrists. [0020] In yet another example, the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may include a size adjustment device used to adjust the circumferential size of the void (130) created by the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) and the towel (100). In this example, a pull string may be used to selectively reduce the circumference of the void (130). In this example, the pull string may cause the surface of the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) to bunch together around the user’s arm when pulled.

[0021] In another example, the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may include an elastic portion that servers as part of the surface of the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2). In this example, the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may be sized to be smaller than a user’s wrists such that, during use and when the user inserts the user’s hands through the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2), the elastic surface is allowed to expand. Once the user’s hands have passed through the void (130), the elastic may contact against the user’s wrists and arm. In this example, the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) are made to remain against a surface of the user’s wrists and arms. This prevents water and soap from passing down the user’s arms when the user raises the user’s hands above the elbow. Consequently, a remaining portion of the user’s arm remains dry and the potential of a user’s clothes being wetted by the water/soap is prevented. This additionally prevents the spreading of bacteria or viruses down the user’s arms. Because the towel (100) may be put in the washer, the bacteria and viruses may be eliminated and a clean towel (100) may be used to clean the user’s head and face where introduction of bacteria and/or viruses may be relatively more detrimental to the user’s health.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a top view of the towel (100) of Fig. 1 being used by a user according to an example of the principles described herein. As described herein, the towel (100) includes a first surface (115) and, now shown in Fig. 3, a second surface (135). Because the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) are coupled to the first edge (120) and second edge (125), respectively, around a center portion of those edges (120, 125), portions of the towel (100) may drape over other portions of the towel (100). These portions may be used, when the towel (100) is not in use, to fold over the portion of the first surface (115) of the towel (100) that the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) have been coupled to. In this example, the towel (100) may be hung up so as to hide the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) attached to the towel (100). This provides for an aesthetic quality of the towel (100) rendering, visually, that the towel (100) is a towel that does not include the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2).

[0023] During use, the user may take advantage of the draping portion of the towel (100) that is between the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2). Because this portion of the towel (100) is coupled to each of the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2), it remains between the user’s hands at all times and between the user’s torso and faucet. The user may use this portion of the towel (100) during the cleaning process and in particular to wipe off their face when done washing. Indeed, the user may immediately have access to the towel (100) after washing of the face by grabbing hold of the draping portion. Because the face is being washed, the user’s vision may be impaired from the water. With the towel (100), the user does not have to search around for a towel and may grab the draping portion. [0024] Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a towel (100) according to an example of the principles described herein. In this example, the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may include an elastic portion (140-1 , 140-2). As described herein, the elastic portions (140-1 , 140-2) may allow a user to pass the user’s hands through the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) temporarily expanding the circumference of the cuffs (105- 1 , 105-2) until the user’s hands have passed therethrough. Once the user’s hands have passed through the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2), the elastic portion (140-1 ,

140-2) may cause the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) to fit tightly against the user’s wrists and/or arms.

[0025] With the elastic portion (140-1 , 140-2), the tight-fitting cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may prevent any water and/or soap from dribbling down towards the user’s elbows. This, in turn, may prevent contamination due to the travel of bacteria and/or viruses down a user’s arms otherwise.

[0026] Fig. 5 is a plan view of a towel (100) according to an example of the principles described herein. In this example, the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may include a number of tapered stiches (145). The tapered stiches (145), in this example, may cause the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) to fit snuggly with a user’s wrists and arms. In an example, the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may include both a number of tapered stiches (145) and an elastic portion (140-1 , 140-2) so as to provide the tight fit as described herein.

[0027] The tapered stiches (145) may be of any length and be formed across any length of the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2). In an example, the most tapered portion (150) of the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) resulting from the formation of the tapered stiches (145) may have a length of about 4-6 inches. In this example, the least most tapered portion of the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) may be about 5-7 inches. This creates cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) that are fitted against the user’s wrists and arms with the thinner part of the user’s wrists being contacted with a portion of the cuff (105-1 , 105-2) that has a smaller diameter than that portion of the cuff (105-1 , 105-2) that contacts the user’s arm further toward to the user’s elbow. [0028] In an example the length (155) of the tapered stiches (145) may be equal or less than the length of the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) themselves. The length (155) of the tapered stiches (145) may be dependent on a number of factors including the overall length of the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2), an average circumference of a potential user’s wrist, an average circumference of a potential user’s arms, and a taper to be formed by the tapered stiches (145), among other considerations.

[0029] Fig. 5 also shows that the overall length of the towel (160) and width of the towel (165) may vary. In some examples, the length (160) and width (165) may be selected based on a typical size of a hand towel. In an example, the length (160) and/or width (165) may be varied in order to accommodate for the particular use of the towel (100) described herein. In an example, the length (160) of the towel (100) may be increased so as to provide more material for a user between the user’s hands during use. In an example, the width (165) of the towel (100) may be increased so that portions of the towel (100) may be folded over itself in order to hide the cuffs (105-1 , 105-2) as described herein. In an example, the length of the towel (100) may have a length (160) of 26 to 30 inches and a width (165) of 13.5 to 16 inches.

[0030] The specification and figures describe a towel with cuffs. The towel allows a user to wash the user’s face with direct hand to face contact.

The additional dexterity and tactile feel resulting from the direct hand to face contact allows a user to wash the surface of the user’s face relatively easier than with another type of washing implement. Additionally, the user is consistently provided with the use of the remaining portion of the towel that is connected to the cuffs. Indeed, the user has the ability to simply grab when the user is wiping the water from the user’s face. The draping portion of the towel between the left cuff and right cuff also prevents arrant drops of water and/or soap from contact the user’s clothes in the torso area. The cuffs further prevent water and/or soap from running down a user’s arms when the user raises the user’s hands above the elbow. This prevents the unnecessary transfer of bacterial and/or viruses on the surface of the user’s arms. Additionally, when not in use, the towel may be folded in such as way so as to cover the cuffs: in an example in thirds. This creates an aesthetic look to the towel that appears to a viewer like the towel is a towel without the cuffs.

[0031] The preceding description has been presented to illustrate and describe examples of the principles described. This description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit these principles to any precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

CLAIMS

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A towel for washing a user’s body, comprising: a sheet of fabric having a first surface and a second surface; and a pair of cuffs coupled to the first surface of the fabric, wherein the cuffs are used to, each, pass a hand of the user therethrough allowing a portion of the fabric to drape between the hands of the user.

2. The towel of claim 1 , wherein the cuffs include a diagonal stich that increases a cavity of the cuff along a direction away from a side of the fabric.

3. The towel of claim 1 , wherein each of the cuffs are placed along opposite sides of the fabric.

4. The towel of claim 1 , wherein placement of the user’s hands through the cuffs allows for hand-to-face contact by the user.

5. The towel of claim 1 , wherein the fabric is foldable to shroud the cuffs therein.

6. The towel of claim 5, wherein the fabric is folded into thirds across the first surface of the towel to cause a first third of the fabric and a second third of the fabric to cover a remaining portion of the fabric to which the cuffs are coupled.

7. The towel of claim 1 , wherein placement of the user’s hands through the cuffs places the fabric, second surface forward, in front of an anterior portion of the user’s body. 8. The towel of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the cuff includes an elastic fabric to expand around a user’s wrists, forearms, or combination thereof.

9. The towel of claim 1 , wherein the fabric is made of wool, flax, cotton, hemp, a man-made material, or combinations thereof.

10. A hygienic instrument, comprising: a towel having a first side and a second side; and a pair of cuffs, a first cuff coupled to a first edge of the towel and a second cuff coupled to a second and opposing edge of the towel; each of the first cuff and second cuff comprising a taper to fit against a user’s arm.

11. The hygienic instrument of claim 10, wherein the taper is formed using a diagonal stitch along an interface between the towel and each of the first and second cuffs.

12. The hygienic instrument of claim 11 , wherein a minimum width of the taper is toward the edge of the towel.

13. The hygienic instrument of claim 11 , wherein a minimum width of the taper is 4 inches and a maximum opening of each of the cuffs is 5 inches.

14. The hygienic instrument of claim 10, wherein placement of the user’s hands through the first and second cuffs allows for hand-to-face contact by the user.

15. The hygienic instrument of claim 10, wherein placement of the user’s hands through the first and second cuffs allows a portion of the towel to drape between each of the user’s arms. 16. The hygienic instrument of claim 10, wherein a portion of the first and second cuffs include an elastic fabric to expand around a user’s arms.

17. The hygienic instrument of claim 10, wherein the fabric is made of wool, flax, cotton, hemp, or combinations thereof.

18. A face washing device, comprising: a towel having a first side and a second side; a first cuff formed on a first edge of the towel; and a second cuff formed on a second edge of the towel opposite the first edge; wherein each of the first and second cuff comprises a tapered stich to form fit against a user’s arms; and wherein an intermediate portion of the towel is allowed to drape between the user’s arm when the user’s arms are placed within the first and second cuffs.

19. The face washing device of claim 18, wherein the first and second cuff comprise an elastic portion to allow an inner circumference of the first and second cuffs to expand.

20. The face washing device of claim 18, wherein a minimum width of the taper is 4 inches and a maximum opening of each of the cuffs is 5 inches.

TOWEL WITH CUFFS

ABSTRACT

A towel for washing a user’s body that includes a sheet of fabric having a first surface and a second surface; and a pair of cuffs coupled to the first surface of the fabric, wherein the cuffs are used to, each, pass a hand of the user therethrough allowing a portion of the fabric to drape between the hands of the user.