Abstract:
Touchscreen-active protective coverings for a single digit or a finger of a human hand and methods of using same. Embodiments of a dispensing unit are also disclosed, wherein the coverings are housed and selectively removable.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to protective coverings for human hands, and more particularly, to touchscreen-active protective coverings for single digit or finger of a human hand. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    It is known in the relevant art to provide finger protective coverings, and devices for dispensing them. However, none provide for touchscreen activation by a finger when covered therewith. 
         [0005]    By way of example, the following prior art documents illustrate state of the art at the time of the invention: 
         [0006]    U.S. Patent Publication 2010/0088794 for “Finger covers and devices for dispensing finger covers” by inventor Oradini, filed Aug. 4, 2009, describes a disposable finger protector and dispensing device, where the cover is made of impermeable and inexpensive material, such as laminated wax paper, vinyl, parchment paper, latex, or rubber, for preventing the finger from becoming dirty or soiled, specifically when handling sticky or greasy food, when handling faucets, door handles and flush handles in public restrooms; the dispenser contains a plurality of openings for covering more than one finger inserted into the device. 
         [0007]    U.S. Patent Publication 2009/0013441 for “Fingertip cover” by inventor Duffy, filed Jul. 9, 2007, describes a disposable fingertip cover adhesively applied to the pad of the fingertip, the cover composed of germ and virus impermeable material such as plastic, latex, rubber, or a biodegradable material (paper not mentioned), wherein the fingertip covers are individually packaged for ease of application, and may include antimicrobial ingredients; the fingertip cover intended use is on public surfaces that have the potential to transmit germs and diseases, such as ATM keypads, touchscreens, elevator buttons, public phones, money, and door handles; however, the materials indicated do not function for touchscreen activation. 
         [0008]    U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0083530 for “Finger and palm protector for public use” by inventors LeVert, et al., filed Aug. 9, 2001, describes a finger and palm protective shield to prevent the transfer of disease and viruses to the palm and digits of the user, the shield composed of plastic/polymer, conventional fabrics, highly absorbent paper fibrous materials, metal, leather, etc., wherein these materials may be impregnated with agents for destroying viruses, and may be disposable or reusable; the protector is intended to be used on public surfaces, but does not teach or suggest touchscreen applications. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention relates to finger and hand protective coverings, and more particularly to touchscreen-enabled protective coverings that allow for graphic user interface and display interactivity while protecting the user from direct contact germ transmission. 
         [0010]    It is an object of this invention to provide a protective covering for a human hand digit including a sheath having a closed end and an open end, wherein the sheath is sized to cover a single digit of a human hand, the sheath being constructed and configured to receive the single digit via the open end; and wherein the closed end is operable to activate a touchscreen of an interactive graphic user interface and a corresponding display upon contact therewith, thereby providing protection from contact-based transmission of germs while enabling touchscreen activation that is substantially similar to a direct digit contact with the touchscreen. 
         [0011]    It is an object of this invention to provide methods for using the touchscreen-enabled protective covering described and claimed herein. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a dispenser for providing the touchscreen-enabled protective covering described and claimed herein. 
         [0013]    These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings, as they support the claimed invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a top view diagram of one embodiment of the invention, showing a strip of two of the protective covers connected in a continuous strip. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view diagram of another embodiment of the invention, including a dispenser for the protective covers of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front view diagram of another embodiment of the invention, including a kit or package for dispensing the protective covers of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a back view diagram of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a top view diagram of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    U.S. application Ser. No. 13/467,535, filed on May 9, 2012, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
         [0020]    Referring now to the drawings in general, the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. 
         [0021]    Overall, the present invention, in one embodiment, provides a protective covering for a human hand digit including a sheath having a closed end and an open end, wherein the sheath is sized to cover a single digit of a human hand, the sheath being constructed and configured to receive the single digit via the open end; and wherein the closed end is operable to activate a touchscreen of an interactive graphic user interface and a corresponding display upon contact therewith, thereby providing protection from contact-based transmission of germs while enabling touchscreen activation that is substantially similar to a direct digit contact with the touchscreen. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment of the present invention, dispenser(s) are provided for housing the touchscreen-activatable protective coverings, wherein they are selectively removable from the housing for use in providing protection from contact-based transmission of germs while enabling touchscreen activation that is substantially similar to a direct digit contact with the touchscreen. 
         [0023]    The present invention provides protective covering for a human hand digit including: a sheath having a closed end and an open end, wherein the sheath is sized to cover a single digit of a human hand, the sheath being constructed and configured to receive the single digit via the open end; and wherein the closed end is operable to activate a touchscreen of an interactive graphic user interface and a corresponding display upon contact therewith, thereby providing protection from contact-based transmission of germs while enabling touchscreen activation that is substantially similar to a direct digit contact with the touchscreen. The sheath is formed of a non-porous, impermeable material that is disposable and biodegradable; more preferably, a non-woven material is used. In one embodiment, the present invention is formed from a lightweight cellulosic, preferably a paper product. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment of the present invention, the sheath further includes an outer surface and an inner surface, and wherein at least one of the outer surface and inner surface is coated and/or impregnated with a sanitizing agent. 
         [0025]    Also, preferably, the sheath is substantially cylindrical, and has a length between about 1.5 cm and about 5 cm; also, preferably, the sheath is substantially cylindrical and having a length between about 2.0 cm and about 4.5 cm; more preferably, the sheath is substantially cylindrical and having a length between about 2.5 cm and about 4.0 cm. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a top view diagram of one embodiment of the invention, generally described as  10 , showing a strip of two of the protective covers  12  connected in a continuous strip. In one embodiment, the individual protective coverings are each arranged and removably attached to a presentation medium or support medium  14 , wherein each individual protective finger covering is separated from others by a perforated, tearable, and/or breakable connecting line  16 , as shown. The continuous strip provides presentation with the open end of the substantially cylindrical protective covering  18  facing downwardly or outwardly as depicted, to allow for a fingertip to be inserted into the open end. The open end is formed from two layers of the sheath presenting a three-dimensional concave opening as depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view diagram of another embodiment of the invention, including a dispenser  20  for the protective covers of the present invention. As illustrated, an automatic dispenser for removably containing and allowing for individual removal of at least one protective finger covering as set forth hereinabove, the dispenser includes a top housing  22  containing a multiplicity of unused protective finger coverings. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the multiplicity of unused protective finger coverings are supplied in a continuous roll, wherein each individual protective finger covering is separated from others by a perforated, tearable, and/or breakable connecting line (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Upon activation of a motion sensor  24  constructed and configured on a front side of the top housing, the dispenser automatically releases an individual protective finger covering through an opening in the top housing. For using each individual protective finger covering, the user places his/her finger in the protector opening end and removes it from the presentation medium with an upwardly lifting motion to loosen the protective finger covering from the presentation medium. In one embodiment, the removably secured protective finger covering is attached to the presentation medium (or surface) by heat-bonding. The user then having at least one protective finger covering over a corresponding fingertip and pad region of the finger, provides contact-based pressure on a touch screen of a display. After completing any and all touchscreen interaction for the display, the user removes the protective covering from the finger without contacting the exposed surface of the protector, and placing it in a disposal portion or lower portion  26  that includes a waste receptacle  28 . The top housing and lower portion of the housing may be constructed of any suitable material, such as by way of example and not limitation, molded plastic material. While the dispenser housing is illustrated with corners, rounded edges may be used for safety, and such modifications are considered design optimization, and included within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0028]    In a series of related figures,  FIGS. 3-5 , a personal pocket pack dispenser, generally described as  30 , for the protective finger coverings described hereinabove is shown.  FIG. 3  is a front view diagram of an embodiment of the invention, including a kit or package for dispensing the protective covers of the present invention, wherein the individual finger protectors or protective finger covers are disposed inside the housing  32  shown. As illustrated, the housing includes a flip top  34  for opening the housing to access the protective finger covers contained within the housing.  FIG. 4  is a back view diagram of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , showing an opening or a slit  36  in the housing side. The opening is sized and constructed to receive used protective covers, allowing the covers to be forced into the opening, which provides access into a waste disposal section  38  of the housing, which is separated from the new, unused protective coverings by a divider  40 , such as a cardboard separator (shown in  FIG. 5 ).  FIG. 5  is a top view diagram with a cross-sectional view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , illustrating the waste disposal section  38 , and the section of the housing that is sized, constructed and configured for holding the new finger protectors  42 . In one embodiment, the dispenser is constructed from a lightweight paper product, such as by way of example and not limitation, lightweight cardboard, preferably recycled paper product. 
         [0029]    Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. The above-mentioned examples are provided to serve the purpose of clarifying the aspects of the invention and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that they do not serve to limit the scope of the invention. All modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the present invention.