Abstract:
A disposable sleeve. The sleeve includes: a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member located proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/383,568, filed on Sep. 19, 2010, entitled DISPOSABLE ELBOW SLEEVE FOR SNEEZING AND COUGHING, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This disclosure is related generally to a disposable garment, and more particularly to a disposable sleeve for catching fluids from coughing and sneezing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Recent guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that the best way to stop the spread of germs resulting from coughing and sneezing is to (1) cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; or (2) if you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, there may be times when a person requires the use of both hands and cannot access a tissue, even if he or she has one nearby. For instance, a person may be operating a machine that requires both hands; a doctor may be operating with both hands, etc. Accordingly, the only option for the person is to sneeze of cough into their elbow. Unfortunately, this leaves germs and/or unsightly fluids on the person&#39;s garment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to a disposable sleeve that can be worn over a person&#39;s arm to catch fluids resulting from a cough or sneeze. In a first aspect, the invention provides a disposable sleeve, comprising: a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve. 
         [0006]    In a second aspect, the invention provides a system, comprising: a plurality of disposable sleeves, each having a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member located proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve; and a dispenser for storing and dispensing the plurality of disposable sleeves; wherein adjacent disposable sleeves are connected to each other. 
         [0007]    In a third aspect, the invention provides plurality of disposable sleeves, each comprising: a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member located proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve; wherein each disposable sleeve is connected to at least one adjacent disposable sleeves to facilitate removal from a container. 
         [0008]    The illustrative aspects of the present invention are designed to solve the problems herein described and other problems not discussed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a disposable sleeve in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts a disposable sleeve being worn in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts a “tissue-box” dispenser for storing and dispensing sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts a personal carry case dispenser for storing and dispensing sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  depicts a dispensing system having a stand for storing and dispensing sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  depicts a storage configuration having connected sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  depicts a container having a perforated opening for separating connected sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternative embodiment for connecting sleeves in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  depicts a dispensing roll for dispensing connected sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  depicts a second alternative embodiment for connecting sleeves in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  depicts a vertical dispenser for dispensing connected sleeves in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  depicts an alternative grasping member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  depicts a further alternative grasping member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  depicts a disposable sleeve  10  that is generally cylindrical in shape and includes a main body  12 , a first opening  18   a  and a second opening  18   b.  Main body  12  generally comprises any type of fabric or paper based material that can be used to collect sneezing or coughing fluids. In one illustrative embodiment, main body  12  is formed from a sheet of polypropylene, which is a non-woven material that is soft, light, tough, fluid proof and eco-friendly. The sheet is sewn along seam  20 . 
         [0025]    Each opening  18   a,    18   b  is formed with an elastic member  14   a,    14   b  respectively, which allows the sleeve to be pulled onto a user&#39;s arm and held into place. In one illustrative embodiment, the elastic members are made from a circular rubber material (e.g., a rubber band or braided elastic) which is integrated (e.g., sewn) into the material that forms the main body  12 . It is understood however that alternative embodiments may be utilized to facilitate a tightening of the openings  18   a,    18   b.  For example, a drawstring, Velcro tabs, etc., may be utilized to secure openings  18   a,    18   b  around a user&#39;s arm. 
         [0026]    Also included at each end are grasping members  16   a,    16   b,  which allow the user to easily slide the disposable sleeve  10  on and off an arm without having to touch the main body  12 . In one illustrative embodiment, grasping members  16   a,    16   b  comprise finger hoops sewn proximate the openings  18   a,    18   b.    
         [0027]    In a further embodiment, main body  12  may include an applied substance suitable for reducing the transmission of germs. Illustrative substances may include any anti-viral, anti-microbial or anti-bacterial substance. Additionally, main body  12  may be treated with sodium hypochlorite (bleach). 
         [0028]    In still a further embodiment, main body  12  may be treated with a lotion to reduce irritation to a user&#39;s skin. Additionally, main body  12  may comprise an absorbent material. 
         [0029]    In still a further embodiment, main body  12  may come in different colors to effectively match a user&#39;s clothing. Additionally, main body  12  may be fashioned using a translucent or semi-transparent material such that it does not stand out. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  depicts an embodiment of a disposable sleeve  10  positioned on a user&#39;s arm. As can be seen, having grasping members  16   a,    16   b  allow the disposable sleeve to be easily pulled onto, and removed from, the user arm without having to touch the actual sleeve, which may be covered with germs resulting from a sneeze or cough. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  depict various systems for storing and dispensing disposable sleeves. In a first illustrative embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the system comprises a “tissue-box” type dispenser  30  for dispensing sleeves  32 .  FIG. 4  depicts a travel pack system  34  for dispensing sleeves  36 . In both of these systems, sleeves  32 ,  36  may be arranged in their respective containers  30 ,  34  so that one or more grasping members  38  will automatically extend from the container when opened or when a previous sleeve is removed by a user. When the user takes a partially exposed sleeve by pulling on a loop, a next one replaces it again with loop(s) protruding. Techniques for implementing this including folding the sleeves in a manner to cause the loops to automatically protrude, connecting adjacent sleeves together with, e.g., a “breakable stitch”, etc. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  depicts a refillable rack dispenser  42  that is configured for holding a container  40  of sleeves. In this case, the sleeves are arranged to be pulled downward out of the container  40 . As with the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , one or both grasping members (not shown) may be configured to automatically extend out of the dispenser opening to facilitate removal. 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  depicts a dispensing system  50  that includes a container  56  for holding a plurality of connected sleeves  52   a,    52   b,    52   c  . . . . In this embodiment, adjacent sleeves (e.g.,  52   a,    52   b ) are connected together with a “weld”  54  at a central portion of the sleeve. Weld  54  may include a substance or technique for connecting adjacent sleeves, e.g., glue, stitching, perforation, etc.  FIG. 7  depicts a top view of the container  56  that includes an opening  58  with a serrated edge  60  to facilitate separating adjacent sleeves. Serrated edge may be formed from, e.g., cardboard, plastic, or metal. 
         [0034]      FIG. 8  depicts an alternative embodiment for connecting adjacent sleeves  62   a,    62   b  using a perforation  68  formed along the body of each sleeve. The perforation  68  may be formed on a lip  66  that extends off of a seem  64  that is used to construct the sleeve  62   a  (see, e.g., seem  20  in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  depicts a roll  69  of such sleeves  62   a,    62   b,  etc. In this embodiment, roll  69  may be packaged with dimensions similar to a roll of paper towels or roll of toilet paper. Thus, roll  69  is readily adapted to be simply installed on a standard paper towel or toilet paper dispenser. 
         [0036]      FIG. 10  depicts an alternative embodiment for connecting adjacent sleeves  72   a,    72   b  . . . . In this case, adjacent sleeves  72   a,    72   b  are connected at the grasping members  74   a,    74   b,  e.g., with a weld.  FIG. 11  depicts a vertical dispenser  76  suitable for use with such connected sleeves  72   a,    72   b.  Dispenser  76  may include a lip  78  designed for breaking the weld of attached sleeves  72   a,    72   b.  For instance, lip  78  may include a sharp edge or pinched opening that easily allows adjacent sleeves to be disconnected from each other. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 12 and 13  depict alternative grasping member configurations. In  FIG. 12 , grasping member is a simple tab  80  that protrudes off of the edge of the sleeve. In  FIG. 13 , grasping member comprises a thumb tab  82  that protrudes from the edge. Thumb tab  82  may be implemented with a “hooded” opening that provides easy access for a user&#39;s finger or thumb. 
         [0038]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any arrangement which is implemented to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and that the invention has other applications in other environments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described herein.