Abstract:
The present invention provides reusable hygienic protective covers for insulating the hands of the user from harmful germs, bacteria, skin-borne infections, and other contaminants that are normally encountered in everyday activities. Included is storage means for insertion and retraction of the covers without user contact with the covers.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/241,180 filed on 29 Mar. 2010 and entitled “HYGIENIC HAND PROTECTORS”. This utility application has the same inventors, title, and subject matter as the said Provisional Application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The background of the invention will be discussed in two parts. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates in general to providing insulation from harmful contaminants, and more particularly to reusable hygienic protective covers that protect the hands of the user from germs, bacteria, skin-borne infections, and other contaminants that are normally encountered in everyday activities. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0004]    Unsanitary and contagious conditions are encountered almost continually by the general public. Manual contact with handles, knobs, railings, tools or other objects and devices poses the danger of the hands coming in contact with unsafe contagious conditions that have accumulated on the objects or devices. Efforts have been made to provide protection from such conditions, however, such efforts have been less than satisfactory and have not gained wide acceptance by the public. A search of the prior art has not disclosed the hygienic protective covers and methods of use as is disclosed in the present invention, however, protective means of interest are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,722,672 issued to Frederick on 03 Mar. 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 6,065,764 issued to Moseley on 23 May 2000, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,794 issued to Tyree on 08 Apr. 2003. It is therefore an object of the present invention to disclose new and unique reusable hygienic protector devices that protect the hands of the user from contagious conditions and that are effective and easy to use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In accordance with the invention there is provided different configurations of protective reusable hand covers that protect the users hands from contagious conditions such as harmful germs, bacteria, skin-borne infections, and other miscellaneous contaminants that are normally encountered in everyday activities. One such configuration is an elongated protective cover as may be variously used on handles or other gripping surfaces of manually operated apparatus such as push carts, door knobs, door handles, gymnasium equipment, or the like. There is also provided a protective glove or mitten as well as an enclosure for the glove or mitten. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the protective hand cover of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows the cover of  FIG. 1  as used on the handle of a mobile implement; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along  3 - 3  of the cover and handle of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a view of a smaller version of the protective cover depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a view of the cover depicted in  FIG. 4  in the opened state; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a view showing secure closure of the cover of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  shows connection of two of the covers of  FIG. 5 , one open and one closed; 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is shows the covers depicted in  FIG. 5  with one placed inside the other; 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  shows the cover of the invention illustrating hook and pile closure means; 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is a view of the protective cover of  FIG. 10  in the closed position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  illustrates the protective cover depicted in  FIG. 4  as used on a barbell; 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  shows the cover of  FIG. 4  as used on gymnasium “pull down” equipment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  shows the cover of  FIG. 4  as used on gymnasium “treadmill” equipment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  shows another cover configuration in accordance with the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  shows the cover of  FIG. 15  as used on a door knob; 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  shows yet another cover configuration in accordance with the invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 17A  shows the cover of  FIG. 17  as used on a door handle; 
           [0024]      FIG. 17B  shows the cover of  FIG. 17  as used on a faucet handle; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17C  shows the cover of  FIG. 17  used on the flush handle of a commode; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  shows a protective cover illustrating acceptance of protective gloves; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  shows the cover of  FIG. 18  with gloves inserted in respective pockets. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    The present invention relates to reusable hygienic hand protectors for protecting the hands of users from germs, bacteria, and other contaminants that are normally encountered in everyday activities. In the drawings identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  illustrates in perspective view a reusable one piece protective cover, generally designated  10 , in accordance with the invention. The cover  10  is shown in the form of an elongated, hollow, generally tubular, or circular, member. As indicated, cover  10  includes a lengthwise portion  11  having a transparent portion  11  a, center tabs  13 , one on each side, end loop tab  14 , and lengthwise slit  15  running the length of the cover  10 . It is understood that although the transparent portion  11  a is shown the cover  10  may just as well not include the transparent portion  11  a with the lengthwise portion  11  thus being solid throughout. Cover  10  is formed of a flexible resilient plastic material allowing opening along the slit  15  by means of the centrally located pull tabs  13  after which with release of the pull tabs  13  the resilient cover  10  will spring back to its original shape. Although it is understood that other materials may be used for fabrication of the cover  10 , denier polyester has been found to be adequate. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  illustrates the cover of  FIG. 1  as may be used with a shopping cart or other implement that includes a handle  12  for usage of the implement. In positioning the cover  10  onto the handle  12 , without the user touching handle  12 , the tabs  13  are used to open the slit  15 , the cover  10  is then placed over the handle  12  and the tabs  13  released allowing the resilient cover  10  to spring back and tighten around the handle  12 . In removing the cover  10 , the reverse procedure is followed, that is, the tabs  13  are used to open the slit  15  to permit removal of the cover  10  from the handle  12 , still without touching the handle  12 . As indicated, portion  11  of cover  10  may include a transparent portion  11  a of a suitable material to allow viewing of indicia  11   b  as may be placed on the handle  12 , or, as may be positioned between the cover  10  and the handle  12 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2  of the cover  10  mounted onto the handle  12 . As shown, the resilient cover  10  has retracted to tighten snugly around the handle  12 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a view of a shorter version of the protective cover  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  that is more adapted for use with shorter handles such as will be discussed below. For utility purposes end tab  16  having grommet  16   a  is shown substituted for end loop tab  14 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a view of the cover  10  of  FIG. 4  in the open, or unsecured, state wherein it is shown having hook and pile means  50  for securing closure of the cover  10 , thus providing for adjustable closure of the cover  10 . Although not shown the cover  10  can include an inner layer of textured rubber or the like for minimizing slippage of the cover  10  when in use. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  is a closed view of the cover  10  of  FIG. 5  wherein the hook and pile closure means  50  is mated to securely close the cover  10 . It is understood that other types of closure means, such as snaps and the like, as well as removable adhesives, may be employed in the present invention for securing closure of the cover  10 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a view of two covers in accordance with the cover  10  of  FIG. 5  that are connected in tandem, one having the hook and pile means  50  secured and the other with the hook and pile means  50  unsecured. Although shown connected in tandem as may be convenient for certain usage, the covers  10  may be connected in other manners, or not at all. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  illustrates the secured cover  10  of  FIG. 7  placed within the unsecured cover  10  of  FIG. 7  and then with the combination then secured by the hook and pile means  50  of the unsecured cover  10 , thus providing for convenience in transport and/or storage. 
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8  illustrating the arrangement of the combination of covers  10  for transport and/or storage. The secured cover of  FIG. 7  is designated  10 -S and the unsecured cover of  FIG. 7  designated  10 -U. 
         [0038]      FIG. 10  shows an open, or unsecured, view of a longer version of cover  10  wherein hook and pile means  50  extend lengthwise along cover  10  for closure, and a plurality (three sets) of pull tabs  13  are used for securing the closed cover  10 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  shows the cover  10  of  FIG. 10  after closure by the hook and pile means  50 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 12  illustrates the cover  10  as depicted in  FIG. 4  as used on a barbell  120 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 13  illustrates the cover  10  depicted in  FIG. 4  as used on gymnasium “pull down” equipment  130  which shows the use of two covers  10 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 14  illustrates the covers  10  (two shown) depicted in  FIG. 4  as used on gymnasium “treadmill” equipment  140 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 15  illustrates a cover  10 ′ shown configured generally circular to fit over a door knob, or the like. The cover  10 ′ has a flexible top or outer layer  150  and a separate flexible inner layer generally indicated  151 . Inner layer  151  is divided into portions  151   a  and  151   b  which are separated by a slit  15 ′, The portions  151   a ,  151   b  are shown as having extending center edges  11 ′ separated by slit  15 ′. 
         [0044]      FIG. 16  shows the cover  10 ′ of  FIG. 15  as used on a circular door knob  160 . Slit  15 ′ is opened by manipulation of pull tabs  13  whereby the cover  10 ′ can fit over a contaminated knob or the like, the outer layer covering the top of the knob  160  with the inner layer pulled down over the sides of the knob  160 . Although depicted as generally circular the configuration of the cover  10 ′ may be of any suitable configuration depending on the device to be covered. For instance the cover  10 ′ can be constructed to fit over configurations such as oblong or rectangular. 
         [0045]      FIG. 17  illustrates a protective cover, generally designated  170 , in accordance with the invention having an elongated fold-over sheath-like configuration  171  with one end ( 171   a ) open and the other end  172  closed. The closed end may include an end tab  16  with a grommet  16   a.  In use, the open end  171   a  is slid over and envelopes the object to be covered. 
         [0046]      FIG. 17A  is a view of the cover  170  of  FIG. 17  with the sheath-like member  170  slid over the elongated portion of a door handle  180  (shown in dotted lines). 
         [0047]      FIG. 17B  is a view of the cover  170  of  FIG. 17  as used on a faucet handle  180  having an elongated portion  181  as shown in dotted lines. 
         [0048]      FIG. 17C  is a view of the cover of  FIG. 17  as used on the flush handle  190  of a commode  191  having an elongated portion  192  as shown in dotted lines. 
         [0049]      FIG. 18  is a view of an elongated sheath-like transparent protective cover  200  including two pockets  201 , 202  (better shown in  FIG. 19 ), the pockets  201 , 202  closed by respective hook and pile closure means  203   a,    203   b.  As indicated, each pocket is configured to accept a protective glove  204  or mitt  205 . Each pocket includes either a hook or pile connective portion  200   a  with the gloves  204  and mitt  205  having the corresponding hook and pile connective portion for securing the glove  204  or mitt  205  within the cover  200 . In this manner the gloves/mitts can be inserted and secured within the cover without the user touching them. It is understood that the hook and pile connections may be reversed so long as the glove  204  or mitt  205  is captured within the cover  200 . After the gloves/mitts are secured within the cover  200  the cover  200  may be closed by means of hook and pile closure means  203   a,    203   b.    
         [0050]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of an elongated sheath-like protective cover  200  of  FIG. 18  with a glove  204  inserted in each of the pockets  201 ,  202  with the hook and pile closure means in the open condition. The gloves  204  have a relaxed fit allowing them to be put on and taken off easily, and are large enough for use on top of regular winter or driving gloves. The gloves  204  help to protect against the hands of the user coming into contact with germs, infectious diseases and other contaminants present on the surfaces of objects. Gloves  204  are made of Neoprene which additionally helps to protect against absorption of oils, chemicals, grease and acids. They absorb perspiration to keep hands comfortable and dry, have denier polyester fabric banding around the top, and are thin and flexible enough to provide dexterity where needed to perform activities such as selection of gasoline grade, input bank card, and remove gas receipt. As designed, the glove  204  when used in combination with the cover  200 , allows for the glove  204  to be put on and taken off without hands touching the outside of the glove, thereby helping to avoid contaminating the inside of the glove. The glove  204  can be used repeatedly as it can be washed with soap and water when needed and then dried before using. 
         [0051]    The mitt  205  has an outer layer of flame resistant polyester and an inside layer, or lining, that is made of flame retardant and bacteria resistant Nylon. It also has a hook and pile strip  205   a  on the back that secures it within the cover  200 , thus allowing for it to be put on and taken off without the hands touching the outside of the mitt  205 . Mitt  205  is also thin and flexible enough to provide dexterity to perform activities that might otherwise be unsanitary or pose unwanted contamination. Mitt  205  can also be used repeatedly as it can also be washed with soap and water when needed. 
         [0052]    It will be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for the invention as shown and described herein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.