Abstract:
A multi purpose personal protection equipment kit is described, comprising a thermometer strip, a pack of tissue, a disinfectant wipe, an antimicrobial wipe, and a mask. In another embodiment, the kit further comprises instructions for use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is generally directed to a kit for protecting oneself from diseases such as influenza. Various diseases are spread by air-borne pathogens such as viruses, including the common cold and influenza. Influenza, for example, commonly called “the flu”, is an infectious viral disease. It is commonly transmitted by inhaling the virus/aerosolization of viral particulate matter and spread by an infected person&#39;s coughing or sneezing. It can also be transmitted by contact with infected bodily fluids such as nasal secretions or saliva. It can also be transmitted by contact with surfaces containing infected bodily fluids, usually deposited from aerosols from a cough or sneeze. 
         [0002]    Influenza can be a serious medical problem, especially for the elderly, the very young, and those with compromised immune systems. A recognized indicator of infection is an elevated body temperature. Recognized methods of limiting the spread of infection include frequent washing of hands and disinfection of hard surfaces, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a mask, and proper disposal of used facial tissues. The present invention provides in a single kit a variety of articles to protect oneself from infectious diseases such as influenza and to prevent spreading a contracted disease to others. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A multi purpose personal protection equipment kit is described, comprising at least one thermometer strip, a pack of tissue, a disinfectant wipe, an antimicrobial wipe, and a mask. In another embodiment, the kit further comprises instructions for use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying non-scale drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic drawing of the components of the kit of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  is a diagram of Spanish -language instructions for use on the kit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0007]      FIG. 2B  is a diagram of English-language instructions for use on the kit of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic drawing of another embodiment of the kit of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein. 
         [0010]    The kit  20  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . Kit  20  preferably has a re-sealable bag  22  formed of a thermoplastic such as polyethylene. In other embodiments, a plastic box or a bottle or some other container is used. In  FIG. 1 , the remaining components of kit  20  are shown outside of bag  22  for ease of illustration, but it is expected that these components will be kept within bag  22  until needed. 
         [0011]    Bag  20  encases, in the preferred embodiment, the following components:
       A thermometer  30 . Thermometer  30  is preferably a sterile, disposable thermometer strip. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , there are three thermometers  30 . In other embodiments, a single thermometer is used. In yet other embodiments, a plurality of thermometers are used.   A pack  32  of facial tissue. Pack  32  preferably contains a plurality of individual pieces of tissue paper, preferably high-quality paper. The paper may contain softeners or lotions.   A packaged disinfectant wipe  34 . Wipe  34  can be a one sold under the trademark FLU-CHECK™ QUAT DISINFECTANT. Preferably, wipe  34  will kill influenza virus. More preferably, wipe  34  comprises material registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to kill influenza virus. Most preferably, wipe  34  comprises 0.14 percent alkyl (60% C 14 , 30% C 16 , 5% C 12 , 5% C 18 ) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides and 0.14 percent alkyl (68% C 12 , 32% C 14 ) dimethyl cthylbenzyl ammonium chlorides.   Packaged hand wipes  36 . Hand wipes  36  are preferably antimicrobial and preferably contain a scent. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , there are three packages of hand wipes  36 . In other embodiments, a single package of hand wipes  36  is used. In yet other embodiments, a plurality of packages of hand wipes  36  is used.   Mask  38 . Mask  38  is preferably a surgical-type mask comprising a filter section  40  and a pair of connection sections  42 .       
 
         [0017]    Each of these materials is preferably encased in bag  22 . A user, upon feeling ill, will open bag  22 , remove thermometer  30 , and measure his or her temperature. If the user&#39;s temperature is elevated, the user should clean all surrounding areas with wipe  34  and then leave the area. If the user needs to sneeze or cough or otherwise expel mucus from the nasal or larynx areas, the user has pack  32  of tissues available. The user can also clean his or her hands frequently using hand, wipes  36 . 
         [0018]    To transit from, for example, work or school to home, the user can don mask  38  to prevent contaminating others with pathogen-laden aerosols. 
         [0019]    Kit  20  preferably contains instructions  48  on the outside of bag  22 . Preferred instructions are shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . Preferably, kit  20  has English-language instructions  48  on one side of bag  22  and Spanish-language instructions  48  on the other side of bag  22 . Other languages can be used as well. For example, French-language instructions would be used instead of Spanish-language instructions for products exported to Canada. In other embodiments, instructions  48  appear in but a single language. In yet other embodiments, no instructions  48  appear on bag  22 . 
         [0020]    Please note that the disposable components of kit  20  can be placed in bag  22  for easy disposal. 
         [0021]    In other embodiments, fewer than all of the components described above are included. For examples, and not limitations, an embodiment of a kit  20  meant for home use will not include mask  38 , or will not include facial tissue. 
         [0022]    In yet another embodiment, thermometer  30  is a disposable strip thermometer disposed on the outside surface of bag  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the user removes thermometer  30  to measure his or her temperature. If the temperature is not elevated, the user need not open bag  22  to obtain access to the components therein. 
         [0023]    In yet another embodiment, several thermometers  30  are disposed on the outside surface of bag  22 . If the user removes and uses one thermometer  30  and does not have an elevated temperature, the remaining one or more thermometers  30  remain available for a subsequent date. 
         [0024]    Kit  20  produces a synergistic effect because it contains components for screening of fever (e.g. thermometer  30 ), for prevention of infection (e.g. mask  38 ), and for prevention of infecting others (e.g. disinfectant wipe  34 ), along with instructions for use. 
         [0025]    While preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.