WO2008119123A1

WO2008119123A1 - Protective barrier system

Info

Publication number: WO2008119123A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anne Wolfers; Craig Andrews
Original assignee: Viater Medical Pty Ltd; Anne Wolfers; Craig Andrews
Priority date: 2007-03-29
Filing date: 2008-03-28
Publication date: 2008-10-09

Abstract

A cosmetic therapy protective barrier comprising a cover element adapted to be associated with a cosmetic therapy object having a protection region; and a plurality of protection layers being releasably connected to the cover element or at least one other protection layer, wherein a protection layer is adapted to provide a protective barrier to a protection region on the object. A method for protecting a cosmetic therapy object using a cosmetic therapy protective barrier is also provided.

Description

PROTECTIVE BARRIER SYSTEM

Technical Field

The present invention is broadly directed to protective barrier systems. More specifically, the present invention is directed to protective barrier systems with a plurality of removable protection layers. The protective barrier system is particularly suited for non-invasive remedial or cosmetic therapy applications.

Background Art

Non-invasive cosmetic and/or remedial therapy environments as well as hospital, clinical, surgical, nursing home and hostel environments are examples of environments in which body parts of a patient come into contact with various surface areas. With a view to keeping the incidence of nosocomial infections and other forms of contamination to a minimum, it is essential that such surfaces are regularly cleaned, particularly in circumstances where different patients are likely to come into contact with the same surface and/or such patients may have open wounds or are immuno-compromised.

Further common examples of contamination of the relevant surface arise in the context of soiling, for example due to incontinence. Incontinence can affect people at all ages. Indeed, outside of the medical context, incontinence occurs in young children, particularly whilst toilet training. Incontinence, particularly in bed, requires the changing of the bed sheets and associated linen, is time consuming, and carries with it significant laundering costs.

Also, in the context of beautician, and other non-invasive remedial or cosmetic therapies (for example, hair removal/waxing, facials, body wraps, massage and other similar such cosmetic or remedial therapies), contamination can occur. In such contexts, various systems are employed to provide a hygienic environment for the patients.

As alluded to, systems currently available to address the need to maintain clean surfaces with which people are likely to come into contact generally involve repetitively replacing an appropriate cover as and when contamination occurs. In some circumstances, particularly in the medical and surgical environment, an alcohol swab is used to wipe down the surface of a device after a patient has used the device and, therefore, potentially contaminated its surface. Infection control protocols are varied and inconsistent, and are carried out inconsistently. In addition to the above, particularly in hospital, clinical, surgical, nursing home and hostel environments, carers and other health care workers and their clothes are often at risk of being soiled or contaminated by body fluids from patients. In an operating theatre, surgical drapes used to cover patients and surgical gowns are frequently contaminated by patient body fluids. These regularly need to be replaced throughout the course of a surgical procedure.-

In the beautician, and other non-invasive remedial cosmetic therapy environments, disposable paper coverings and/or fresh (clean) towels laid on the therapy table, bed or bench are typically changed between patients. The disposable paper coverings need to be appropriately disposed of and the towels need to be laundered and returned for further use.

The present inventors have developed a protective barrier system particularly suitable for non-invasive remedial or cosmetic therapy applications.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a protective barrier system comprising a plurality of detachably associated protection layers adapted to protect a surface of an object.

Preferably, the plurality of protection layers comprises at least two protection layers, more preferably three protection layers, and more preferably still between four and eight protection layers. However, the present invention is not limited by the number of protection layers in the system and envisages in some embodiments that there be many more than eight protection layers. In some preferred embodiments, for example, there are 10 to 20 protection layers in the system. Although the protection layers are collectively adapted to protect a surface of an object, preferably each protection layer is itself capable of protecting a surface of an object, including a surface of an adjacent protection layer.

In some preferred embodiments, at least one protection layer is substantially impermeable to one or more materials or substances selected from the group consisting of biological material, non-biological material, organic material or substances, synthetic material or substances, and a combination of one or more of these materials or substances. In other preferred embodiments, each of the protection layers is substantially impermeable to one or more materials or substances selected from the group consisting of biological material, non-biological material, organic material or substances, synthetic material or substances, and a combination of one or more of these materials or substances.

In some such preferred embodiments, the materials to which at least one protection layer is impermeable include, but are not limited to hot wax, cold wax, oils for use in cosmetic or remedial therapies, including massage oils, antiseptics, such as Betadine® and similar such substances, creams, lotions and other related substances for use in cosmetic or remedial therapies, including facial and body creams.

Preferably the detachable association of the protection layers is provided by one or more joins which are tearable, frangible, breakable, fracturable, friable, peelable, unsealable or a combination of two or more of such joins. At least one of the joins may be provided by a plurality of perforations along a segment of a protection layer, or by an adhesive or fastening means, or by a combination of two or more of these forms of join, between corresponding portions of the protection layers.

In a preferred embodiment wherein a join is provided by a plurality of perforations, the perforations may be covered, closed, sealed or adapted in another similar such manner so as to substantially inhibit any material (including, for example, biological material) from passing through the perforations.

In a preferred embodiment wherein a join is provided by or utilizes an adhesive or fastening means, the adhesive may be provided by glue, paste, mastic, resin, a gummy substance, any other adhesive or bonding substance or means, or by two or more of any such substances or means. The fastening means may include an adhesive tape which is single or double sided or any other such fastening means.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the fastening means is a double sided adhesive. Preferably, a first adhesive side has a greater degree of adhesion than a second adhesive side. In this embodiment, the double sided adhesive provides the join between adjacent protection layers. The first adhesive side is preferably adhered to an underside of a first protection layer and the second adhesive side is preferably adhered to a surface of an adjacent second protection layer to which the first protection layer is joined. In use, when the first protection layer is removed, the double sided adhesive is preferably also removed as it remains adhered to the first protection layer preferably due to the greater degree of adhesion of the first adhesive side of the double sided adhesive.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the degree of adhesion of the second adhesive side is preferably such that, in use, when the first protection layer is removed from the second protection layer (along with the double sided adhesive), no residue, or only minimal residue, of adhesive remains on the second protection layer. Alternatively, or in addition, the degree of adhesion of the second adhesive side is preferably such that, in use, when the first protection layer is removed from the second protection layer (along with the double sided adhesive), the surface of the second protection layer remains at least substantially intact and preferably is not pulled or removed from an adjacent third protection layer or the surface to be protected.

The protection layer adjacent the surface to be protected can, in some preferred embodiments, also be fastened or connected to the surface by fastening means. In some such embodiments, the fastening means is a double sided adhesive as described above. Preferably, the first adhesive side is adhered to an underside of the protection layer and the second adhesive side is adhered to the surface.

In use, when the protection layer is removed from the surface, the double sided adhesive is preferably also removed as it remains adhered to the protection layer preferably due to the greater degree of adhesion of the first adhesive side of the double sided adhesive. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the degree of adhesion of the second adhesive side is preferably such that, in use, when the protection layer is removed from the surface (along with the double sided adhesive), no residue, or only minimal residue, of adhesive remains on the surface.

In some preferred embodiments, the double sided adhesive is transparent or translucent and in other preferred embodiments the double sided adhesive is opaque.

In an alternative embodiment the detachable association of the protection layers is provided by the physical properties of a fold or series of folds in two or more adjacent protection layers. The fold or folds detachably join or connect such protection layers together. At least one of the joins may extend adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter or edge of the protection layer, and in some preferred embodiments, may extend substantially around the perimeter or edge of the protection layer. In some preferred embodiments, at least one of the joins is interposed between adjacent protection layers or between a protection layer and the surface as is the case, for example, for some embodiments wherein the join is provided by a double sided adhesive as described above.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a protection layer is detached by being peeled away from an associated layer. Preferably, at least one protection layer is substantially interposed between the surface of the object and the protection layer located relatively furthest from the surface of the object. Detachment of the protection layer located relatively furthest from the surface of the object leaves an underlying protection layer being located furthest from the surface of the object, or leaves the surface of the object depending on how many protection layers remain in the system when said detachment occurs.

Preferred characteristics of the material from which a protection layer is formed may, but do not necessarily, include one or more of the following: biocompatible, non toxic, non irritant, particularly to skin, strike-through proof, impermeable, including to fluids, such as perspiration and other body fluids, cleansers, moisturisers and other beautician or non-invasive cosmetic products, including hot or cold wax and facial products, comfortable to rest a body part on, absorbent, durable, non-stretch and non- tearing material, which preferably does not pile, fluff, scrunch or crease, safe for human contact, chemically inert and biologically benign, and able to be stored at temperatures ranging from -10 to +50 degrees celcius.

The invention is also not limited to protection layers being formed from materials having any of the above preferred characteristics and contemplates other suitable characteristics.

At least one protection layer is preferably formed from a material selected from the group consisting of surgical crepe material, one or more medical drape fabrics, one or more disposable surgical or medical drape materials, vinyl, plastic, polypropylene, cotton and a combination of two or more of these materials. In one preferred embodiment, at least one protection layer is formed from Plus Medical's "Spunpoly (RD04)" PM02 fabric, preferably of 95 gsm. The invention also envisages a range of other material from which at least one protection layer can be formed, such as, fabrics (include fabrics that are not specifically adapted or suitable for the medical or surgical contexts) and other suitable materials.

At least one protection layer may further include a cushioning and/or absorbent component formed from a material selected from the group consisting of cotton wool, foam, including low density foam, high density foam, or a combination of low density and high density foams, and a combination of two or more of these materials.

The objects on or with which the system of preferred embodiments of the first aspect of the invention can be used, incorporated or integrated are not limited in any way. In some preferred embodiments, the object is selected from, but not limited to, a mattress, a bed, a bed frame, a massage table or other similar such remedial or cosmetic therapy table, a stand, head rest, mattress or other body support, a nappy (or diaper) change table or surface, an orthosis, a prosthesis, a medical or surgical instrument, a surgical drape, a surgical gown, a seat, a seat cushion, a chair, a pillow, including a donut-shaped pillow adapted for receiving at least a part of a patient's face or head into the orifice of the donut shape, a pillow case, a toilet seat, a part of a, human or animal body, including skin or hair, a support for a part of a human or animal body, an item of clothing for a part of a human or animal body, an apron, a gown and a cover, underlay, overlay or casing for any one or more of these objects.

In some particularly preferred embodiments, the object with which the system of the first aspect of the invention is used is a pillow or pillow case. Some preferred dimensions for a resting surface of the pillows or pillow cases are: 510 mm X 660 mm, 660 mm X 660 mm, 260 mm X 390 mm and 400 mm X 550 mm. These dimensions are examples only, and the invention is not limited to being used on pillow or pillow cases having resting surfaces with those particular dimensions. According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method of providing a protective barrier for a surface of an object, the method comprising positioning the protective barrier system according to the first aspect of the present invention to substantially cover the surface of the object, or incorporating or integrating the protective barrier system according to the first aspect of the present invention with the surface of the object or with a portion of the object adjacent the surface of the object.

Once contaminated, each protection layer can be progressively detached leaving an underlying protection layer or the surface of the object depending on how many protection layers remain in the system when detachment occurs.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a protective barrier for an object with at least one protection region, the protective barrier comprising: a cover element adapted to be associated with the object; and a plurality of protection layers, each protection layer having at least one protection region and being releasably connected to one or more of the object, the cover element or at least one other protection layer, wherein each protection layer is adapted to provide a protective barrier to at least one adjacent protection region.

In one preferred embodiment, the cover element is formed integrally with at least a portion of the object or with at least a portion of the protection region. Preferably, a protection region is a region which is desirable to protect from soiling or contamination, and more preferably still, from soiling or contamination with biological materials or non-invasive cosmetic therapy products and related products. In one preferred embodiment, at least one protection layer is substantially impermeable to biological material, and in another preferred embodiment, each of the protection layers is substantially impermeable to biological materials.

In one preferred embodiment, the cover element is a protection layer, and in another preferred embodiment, the cover element is a join formed by the releasable connection of at least one protection layer to one or more of the object or at least one other protection layer. In yet still a further preferred embodiment, the cover element is a cover, a casing, an overlay or an underlay adapted to substantially cover the object or to cover a portion of the object. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cover element is a pillow case adapted to substantially cover a pillow.

Preferably, the releasable connection of the protection layers is provided by one or more joins which are tearable, frangible, breakable, fracturable, friable, peelable, unsealable or a combination of two or more of such joins. At least one join may be provided by a plurality of perforations along a segment of a protection layer, or by an adhesive or other fastening means, or by a combination of two or more of these forms of join, between corresponding portions of one or more of the cover element, the object, or at least one other protection layer.

Some preferred types of joins for the protective barrier of the third aspect of the present invention are similar to those described above with reference to the protective barrier system of the first aspect.

In some preferred embodiments of the protective barrier of the third aspect of the present invention, a fastening means is also used to enable the cover element to be fastened to the object. Examples of various fastening means and their respective preferred manner/s (or mechanism/s) of operation are similar to those described above in the description of the protective barrier system of the first aspect.

In an alternative embodiment the releasable connection of the protection layers is provided by the physical properties of a fold or series of folds in two or more adjacent protection layers, or in one or more protection layers and the cover element. The fold or folds releasably join or connect the two or more protection layers together or the one or more protection layers and the cover element together. In one preferred embodiment, at least one join extends adjacent at least a portion of the perimeter or edge of the protection layer, and more preferably still extends substantially around the perimeter or edge of the protection layer.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a protection layer is detached by being peeled away from an associated layer. At least one protection layer of the protective barrier of the third aspect of the present invention is formed from a material as described for the protection layer of the protective barrier system of the first aspect of the invention, and may further include a cushioning and/or absorbent component formed from a material as described for the protection layer for the protective barrier system of the first aspect of the present invention.

The protective barrier of the third aspect of the present invention may be used on or in conjunction with any suitable object, including those listed above for the protective barrier system of the first aspect.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method of providing a protective barrier for an object with at least one protection region, the method comprising positioning the protective barrier of the third aspect of the present invention to substantially cover the at least one protection region of the object, or incorporating or integrating the protective barrier according to the third aspect of the present invention with the at least one protection region of the object or with a portion of the object adjacent the at least one protection region of the object.

According to a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a cosmetic therapy protective barrier for an object with at least one protection region, the protective barrier comprising: a cover element adapted to be associated with the object; and a plurality of protection layers, each protection layer having at least one protection region and being releasably connected to one or more of the object, the cover element or at least one other protection layer, wherein each protection layer is adapted to provide a protective barrier to at least one adjacent protection region. Preferably, the cover element is incorporated with the object or with the at least one protection region.

According to a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a method of providing a cosmetic therapy protective barrier to protect a cosmetic therapy object with at least one protection region, the method comprising positioning the protective barrier of the fifth aspect of the present invention to substantially cover the protection region of the object, or incorporating or integrating the protective barrier according to the fifth aspect of the present invention with the protection region of the object or with a portion of the object adjacent the protection region of the object.

In a preferred embodiment, the cosmetic therapy object is a massage or other cosmetic therapy table or bed or a pillow for a massage or other cosmetic therapy table or bed.

According to a seventh aspect, the present invention provides cosmetic therapy protective barrier comprising: a cover element adapted to be associated with a cosmetic therapy object having a protection region; and a plurality of protection layers being releasably connected to the cover element or at least one other protection layer, wherein a protection layer is adapted to provide a protective barrier to a protection region on the object.

According to an eighth aspect, the present invention provides a method for protecting a cosmetic therapy object having a protection region, the method comprising: positioning the protective barrier of the seventh aspect to substantially cover the protection region of the object.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.

In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings and examples. Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system of a preferred embodiment of the invention adapted to be incorporated into, or used in conjunction with, an overlay for an orthosis; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system illustrated in

Figure 1 with a protection layer having been detached;

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system illustrated in Figure 1 , illustrating a plurality of protection layers in the system;

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system illustrated in Figure 1 , further illustrating the manner in which the overlay engages with the orthosis;

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system of a preferred embodiment of the invention adapted to be incorporated into, or used in conjunction with, a surgical gown or an item of clothing for an upper part of the human body;

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system illustrated in Figure 5 with a protection layer having been detached;

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system illustrated in Figure 5, illustrating a plurality of protection layers in the system;

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system illustrated in Figure 5, further illustrating multiple protective barrier systems being used in relation to various parts of the surgical gown or piece of clothing for the upper body of a human;

Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier of a preferred embodiment of the invention adapted to be incorporated into, or used in conjunction with, an overlay for a mattress;

Figure 10 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier illustrated in Figure 9 with a protection layer having been substantially detached;

Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier- system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier illustrated in Figure 9, illustrating a plurality of protection layers; Figure 12 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier of a preferred embodiment of the invention adapted to be incorporated into, or used in conjunction with, an overlay for a seat cushion; Figure 13 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier illustrated in Figure 12 with a protection layer having been substantially detached;

Figure 14 is a schematic illustration of the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier illustrated in Figure 12, illustrating a plurality of protection layers;

Figures 15A-C are schematic illustrations of a protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier of a preferred embodiment of the invention adapted to be incorporated into, or used in conjunction with, a pillow case; and Figures 16A-C are schematic illustrations of a cosmetic therapy protective barrier of a preferred embodiment of the invention adapted to be incorporated into, or used in conjunction with, a massage table.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Preferred embodiments of the invention provide for a protective barrier system and for a cosmetic therapy protective barrier along with respectively related methods for protecting an object or a protection region of an object. Accordingly, reference numeral

10 has been used to refer to both or each (as the case may be) and other reference numerals have been kept consistent throughout the following description so that like features receive the same reference numeral in the figures.

The protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 of preferred embodiments comprises a plurality of detachably associated protection layers

11 adapted to protect a surface 21 of an object 20.

The protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 can be incorporated into, or used in conjunction with, any one of a number of objects 20. In the Figures, the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 are variously depicted as being used with an orthosis 2OA, a surgical gown or item of clothing for the upper body 2OB, a mattress 2OC, a seat cushion 2OD, a pillow case 2OE and a massage table 2OF, and in some Figures, with a cover or overlay for any one or more of the illustrated objects 2OA, 2OB, 2OC and 2OD.

Figures 1 to 4 illustrate the protective barrier system 10 being used with an orthosis 2OA. Figure 1 illustrates a protective layer 11 being peeled away along releasably detachable join 30 from the remainder of the protective barrier system 10. Releasably detachable join 30 is formed by a plurality of perforations 31 between adjacent protection layers 11.

Figure 2 illustrates protection layer 11A having been completely removed from protective barrier system 10 leaving protection layer 11 B covering orthosis 2OA. Figure 3 is a schematic representation illustrating a plurality of protection layers 11 A, 11 B, 11C, 11 D, 11 E, 11F and 11 G all forming part of the protective barrier system 10 of the present invention. In practice, although each of the protection layers 11 could be partially peeled back as illustrated in Figure 3, a preferred course of events would be to peel off one protection layer 11 at a time leaving an underlying protection layer or leaving the surface 21 A of the orthosis 2OA depending on the number of protection layers 11 remaining in the system after the most recent detachment of a protection layer 11.

In the embodiment depicted in Figure 4, the protective barrier system 10 is shown as being incorporated into, or used with, an overlay 40 for an orthosis 2OA. The overlay 40 is shown as having a 'shower cap' type fitting means 41 adapted to be fitted over the orthosis 2OA, thereby keeping the overlay 40 in releasable attachment to the orthosis 2OA.

In practice, once the final protection layer 11 is removed from the protective barrier system 10, the underlying remaining surface to be protected is the surface of the overlay 40. This surface of the overlay 40 is then the last remaining layer to protect the surface 21 A of the orthosis 2OA. Once the overlay 40 has been contaminated or soiled, it can be removed and discarded. A fresh overlay incorporating a protective barrier system 10 of the present invention or a protective barrier system 10 of the invention with no overlay can then be appropriately placed on the orthosis 2OA to continue to provide a protective barrier.

Figures 5 to 8 illustrate the protective barrier system 10 being used with, or incorporated into, a surgical gown 2OB (or item of clothing for the upper body 20B). Figures 5 to 7 illustrate the protective barrier system 10 being used to provide a protective barrier to a front portion of the surgical gown 2OB. Figure 5 includes two representations, one wherein protection layer 11 has not been peeled away from the surgical gown 2OB and the other where protection layer 11 has begun to be peeled away from surgical gown 2OB.

In practice, the protective barrier system 10 depicted with reference to the surgical gown 2OB has a plurality of protection layers 11 which are progressively removed as they become contaminated or soiled during an operating procedure. Figure 6 illustrates protection layer 11A having been completely peeled away from protective barrier system 10 leaving behind protection layer 11 B. As is illustrated in Figure 7, protection layers 11 A, 11 B, 11 C, 11 D and 11 E are detachably associated via releasably detachable joins 30. Whilst the final protection layer, illustrated as protection layer 11 E in Figure 7, has been removed, surface 21 B of surgical gown 2OB remains. After surface 21 B becomes contaminated or soiled, the surgical gown 2OB can then be removed and replaced by a further surgical gown incorporating or using a further protective barrier system 10 for further use during the operative procedure.

Figure 8 provides two representations illustrating more than one protective barrier system 10 associated with the surgical gown 2OB. The representation on the left illustrates the surgical gown 2OB with protection layers 11 intact, ie not having been peeled away or removed. The representation on the right illustrates protection layers 11 being peeled away from surgical gown 2OB. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 8, the protective barrier system's versatility is illustrated showing how several protective barrier systems 10 can be used to provide a protective barrier to different areas or surfaces of the object 20 to be protected. The protective barrier system 10 could be used with, or incorporated into, any item of clothing.

Figure 9 to 11 illustrate the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 of the present invention being incorporated into, or used with, a mattress 2OC. As shown in Figure 9, the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 of this embodiment is adapted to cover a mattress 2OC in a similar manner to that of a typical mattress cover sheet. The protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 covers the surface 21 C to be protected of the mattress 2OC. Figure 10 illustrates protection layer 11A having been almost completely peeled off along releasably detachable join 30 from protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10. Underlying protection layer 11A is protection layer 11 B which continues to remain intact with protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 until it has been contaminated or soiled and also needs to be removed. In Figure 11 , protection layers 11 A, 11 B, 11 C, 11D and 11 E are all shown as having been partially peeled away for illustrative purposes. Mattress surface 21 C is shown as being the remaining surface below protection layer 11 E. In practice, once all the protection layers 11 have been removed, including protection layer 11 E, the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 can be removed and discarded and replaced with a new protective barrier system 10. Figures 12 to 14 illustrate the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 being used with, or incorporated into, a seat cushion 2OD. The seat cushion 2OD depicted in the Figures is an example of a kind of cushion with which the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 could be used. In other embodiments, the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 could be used with different kinds of seats or seat cushions including, for example, baby seats for cars and seat cushions specifically adapted to provide pressure relief for, for example, a person using a wheelchair.

Figure 12 shows protection layer 11A having been partially peeled back from protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10. Protection layer 11A is peeled back along releasably detachable join 30.

In practice, once the upper most protection layer, shown as protection layer 11A in Figures 12 to 14 has become soiled or contaminated, it can be peeled back off or removed from the protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10. Figure 13 illustrates protection layer 11A having been almost completely removed from protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 along releasably detachable join 30 which extends substantially around the perimeter of protection layer 11A.

For illustrative purposes, Figure 14 illustrates protection layers 11A, 11B, 11 C, 11 D and 11 E all partially peeled away. As can be seen, once all protection layers 11 , including protection layer 11 E, has been removed, the remaining surface is seat cushion surface 21 D. Once protection layer 11 E has been removed, a further protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 could be placed over the seat cushion 2OD to provide a further protective barrier system. Figure 15A illustrates protective barrier system or cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 incorporated into a pillow case 2OE. For illustrative purposes Figure 15B illustrates a pillow being inserted into or removed from pillow case 2OE. In Figure 15C protection layers 11A, 11 B and 11C are all shown as having been partially peeled away for illustrative purposes. Cover element 50 is shown as being the remaining surface below protection layer 11C. In another preferred embodiment, the cover element 50 may be the pillow case itself or may be a protection layer 11.

Figures 16A-C illustrate cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 being used in conjunction with massage table 2OF. In Figure 16A, cover element 50 is illustrated as having two strips 51 and 52 of double sided adhesive for adhering the cover element 50 to a protection region 21 F on massage table 2OF. Figure 16B illustrates cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 adhered to massage table 2OF and ready for use. In Figure 16C protection layers 11A₁ 11 B and 11C are all shown as having been partially peeled away for illustrative purposes.

In practice, following completion of a massage or other remedial or cosmetic therapy to a patient, the upper most protection layer 11 (for example, protection layer 11A) is removed from the cosmetic therapy protective barrier 10 leaving a fresh or clean protection layer 11 (for example, protection layer 11B) ready for the next incoming patient.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

Claims:

1. A cosmetic therapy protective barrier comprising: a cover element adapted to be associated with a cosmetic therapy object having a protection region; and a plurality of protection layers being releasably connected to the cover element or at least one other protection layer, wherein a protection layer is adapted to provide a protective barrier to a protection region on the object.

2. The protective barrier of claim 1 wherein the cover element is incorporated with the object or with the protection region of the object.

3. The protective barrier of claim 1 wherein the cover element is a cover or case for the object.

4. The protective barrier of claim 3 wherein the cover element is a pillow case or chair or mattress cover.

5. The protective barrier of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the releasable protection between the protection layers is provided by a join utilising a fastening means.

6. The protective barrier of claim 5 wherein the fastening means is a double sided adhesive.

7. The protective barrier of claim 6 wherein the double sided adhesive has a first adhesive side providing a greater degree of adhesion than the second adhesive side.

8. The protective barrier of claim 7, wherein the first adhesive side is adhered to an underside of a first protection layer and the second adhesive side is adhered to a surface of an adjacent second protection layer to which the first protection layer is joined.

9. The protective barrier of claim 8, wherein, in use, when the first protection layer is removed, the double sided adhesive is also removed with the first protection layer.

10. The protective barrier of any one of claims 1 to 9 having at least three protection layers.

11. The protective barrier of any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein at least one protection layer is substantially impermeable to one or more materials or substances selected from the group consisting of biological material, non-biological material, organic material or substances, synthetic material or substances, and a combination of one or more of these materials or substances.

12. The protective barrier of claim 11 wherein each protection layer is substantially impermeable to one or more materials or substances selected from the group consisting of biological material, non-biological material, organic material or substances, synthetic material or substances, and a combination of one or more of these materials or substances.

13. The protective barrier of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the releasable connection of the protection layers is provided by one or more joins selected from the group consisting of tearable, frangible, breakable, fracturable, friable, peelable, unsealable and a combination of two or more of such joins.

14. The protective barrier of any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein at least one protection layer is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of surgical crepe material, medical drape fabric, disposable surgical or medical drape material, vinyl, plastic, polypropylene, cotton and a combination of two or more of such materials.

15. The protective barrier of any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein at least one protection layer further includes a cushioning or absorbent component formed from a material selected from the group consisting of cotton wool, foam, low density foam, high density foam, a combination of low and high density foams, and a combination of two or more of these materials.

16. The protective barrier of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the cosmetic therapy object is a table, bed, chair, head rest, stand or pillow used for massage or other cosmetic therapy.

17. A method for protecting a cosmetic therapy object having a protection region, the method comprising: positioning the protective barrier of any one of claims 1 to 15 to substantially cover the protection region of the object.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the cosmetic therapy object is a table, bed, stand or pillow used for massage or other cosmetic therapy.