Device for hydrating and replenishing calories and nutrients in a sterile setting

A device for hydrating and replenishing calories and nutrients in a sterile setting without compromising the sterility of the setting may include a container sized to accommodate a volume of a supplement; a straw extending from the container, the straw designed to transport the supplement from the container to a user; and a protective sleeve attached to and surrounding the container, the protective sleeve defining at least one channel sized to accommodate the user's hand.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments described herein relate generally to medical devices, and more particularly, to a device for hydrating and replenishing calories and nutrients in people working in sterile settings.

Sterile work environments often place employees in the precarious position of working extended periods of time without the ability to replenish essential nutrients and stay hydrated due to the time consuming nature of entering and exiting sterile fields. Furthermore, these industries tend to be high stress and deal with high value commodities. Having workers not functional at their energy capacity may affect productivity, failure rate, and quality of life. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the medical realm, where the lives of patients are in the hands of surgeons who work for hours without breaks, yet are expected to maintain their mental and physical capabilities throughout the high stress periods of time without the necessary nutrients and hydration.

Therefore, what is needed is a device to deliver nutrients and hydrating liquids to a user without compromising a sterile setting.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for hydrating and replenishing calories and nutrients in a sterile setting without compromising the sterility of the setting. The device may include a container sized to accommodate a volume of a supplement; a straw extending from the container, the straw designed to transport the supplement from the container to a user; and a protective sleeve attached to and surrounding the container, the protective sleeve defining at least one channel sized to accommodate the user's hand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

The device of the present disclosure may be used to provide nutrients and hydrating liquids to a user in a sterile setting without compromising the sterility of the setting and may comprise the following elements. This list of possible constituent elements is intended to be exemplary only, and it is not intended that this list be used to limit the device of the present application to just these elements. Persons having ordinary skill in the art relevant to the present disclosure may understand there to be equivalent elements that may be substituted within the present disclosure without changing the essential function or operation of the device.1. Nutrient Container2. Outer Packaging Sleeve3. Straw

The various elements of the device of the present disclosure may be related in the following exemplary fashion. It is not intended to limit the scope or nature of the relationships between the various elements and the following examples are presented as illustrative examples only.

By way of example, and referring toFIGS. 1-6, some embodiments of the present disclosure include a device for hydrating and replenishing calories and nutrients in a sterile setting without compromising the sterility of the setting, the device comprising a container10sized to accommodate a volume of a supplement18; a mouthpiece, such as a straw12, extending from the container10, the mouthpiece designed to transport the supplement18from the container10to the user32; and a protective sleeve14attached to and surrounding the container10, such that a user32may insert his or her hands34into the sleeve14to grab the container10, and the sleeve14may help prevent the user32from being exposed to nonsterile fields, thus helping to maintain the sterility of the environment. In embodiments, and as shown in the Figures, the outer sleeve14may comprise a plurality of expansion pleats18designed to expand when a user32places his or hand34into the sleeve14.

While the Figures show the mouthpiece comprising a straw12, the use of other conventional mouthpieces are envisioned so long as the mouthpiece allows a user to drink from the device without removing a facemask. Moreover, the mouthpiece or straw12may comprise a reflux valve. In embodiments including the straw12, the straw12may either be a singular piece with the container10, or the straw12may be removably attached to the container10. For example, the straw12may extend from a cap that may screw on, snap on, or otherwise attach to an opening in the container10.

As shown in, for example,FIG. 3, the container10, attached sleeve14, and mouthpiece, such as straw12, may be completely sealed within an outer packaging before use, thus ensuring the sterility of the container10, the attached sleeve14, and the mouthpiece. In some embodiments, the outer packaging may comprise a front panel20sealed to a back panel22such that the outer packaging is sealed around the container10. The panels20,22may be sealed together via an adhesive24or by using a vacuum sealing process. When the container10, the attached sleeve14, and the straw12are sealed within the outer packaging, the seal may keep the straw12closed to prevent unintentional spilling of the supplement18. In embodiments, at least one outer edge of each panel may form a pull tab26,28such that when a non-sterile person pulls on each of the pull tabs26,28, the front panel20peels away from the back panel22, granting access to the sterile container10.

Because in sterile settings a user32may often wear a mask30, the straw12may be specifically designed to be used without removing the mask30. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, the straw12may comprise an extended portion having a length sufficient to reach from an area outside of the side of the mask30to the user's mouth. Proximate to the user's mouth, the straw12may include an elbow designed to position the straw12opening such that it is easily accessed by the user32.

While not shown in the Figures, the straw12may include a structural component designed to seal the supplement18within the container10when the user32is not ingesting the supplement18. Thus, the straw12may include a structural component to prevent the contents of the container10from leaking or spilling during transport and storage. The structural component may comprise, for example, a physical barrier or seal at the open end thereof, wherein a user32may bite the straw12to break the barrier/seal. Alternatively, the straw12may include a sliding lock, wherein the user34may slide the lock to open the end of the straw12. In such an embodiment, the straw12may also be resealable. In any case, any structural component that may temporarily or releasably seal the straw12and the contents within the container10may be used.

In some embodiments, the straw12may be physically attached or clamped to the container10. In other embodiments, the straw12may initially be packaged with the container but may have to be inserted into the container10for use, similar to a conventional juice box.

The device of the present disclosure may be made using any desired materials. The supplement18may comprise any desired supplement, hydrating liquid, nourishment, or the like. For example, the supplement18may comprise water, any other beverage, applesauce, or any other drinkable nutritious food item.