Abstract:
A limb protector for protecting a limb of a wearer from contact with water or other contaminant has a tubular member made from ultrathin plastic film. The ultrathin film enables the material around the opening to form a watertight seal around the limb without forming a venous tourniquet.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a protective cover for protecting a limb of a wearer from contact with water or other contaminant. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    Limb protectors are used to cover arms or legs and prevent the arm or leg from getting wet, or in protecting casts or splints applied to the arm or leg from being softened by contact with moisture. In addition to preventing water or other contaminants such as paints or spray finishes from contacting the arms or legs, such protectors are also useful in retaining medications or other dressings applied to extremities or isolating injured or pathologic areas of the extremities. 
         [0003]    Conventional limb protectors are waterproof tubular bags having an opening at one end of the bag. The limb is inserted through the opening and into the bag. The opening is then sealed to prevent fluids from entering the bag. The protectors are often used once and then disposed of after use. 
         [0004]    In one type of conventional protector the opening is sealed by stretching an elastic or rubber band around the bag adjacent the opening. The band must be provided with the bag, and it can be cumbersome for the user to apply the band without assistance. 
         [0005]    In another type of conventional protector the opening is formed in a tubular elastomeric cuff or sleeve attached or formed adjacent the bag. The sleeve elastically expands to receive the limb and then squeezes the limb to form a watertight seal. The elastomeric material must be attached to the bag, increasing cost and making the protector less economical for one-time use. 
         [0006]    Yet another conventional limb protector is a tubular member made from plastic, with an opening at one end to insert the limb. The tubular member is made from thick polyurethane film having a film thickness of from 0.005 inches to 0.020 inches. The film around the opening elastically stretches to receive the limb and fits snugly around the limb to be protected. 
         [0007]    The film pressure around the opening of the tubular member compresses the skin and the underlying veins, effectively forming a venous tourniquet. The film pressure is not high enough to compress the deeper arteries. Blood flows into the limb through the arteries but cannot flow out because of the tourniquet formed at the member opening. This may cause significant swelling or may injure the limb itself. 
         [0008]    Thus there is a need for an improved limb protector that is easy to apply and economical for even one-time use, and is not likely to form a venous tourniquet. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is an improved limb protector that is easy to apply and economical for even one-time use, and is not likely to form a venous tourniquet. 
         [0010]    A limb protector in accordance with the present invention is a tubular member formed from an ultrathin plastic film. The applicants discovered the surprising and unexpected result that a limb protector made from ultrathin plastic film can be durable, form a satisfactory seal around the limb, and form the seal without forming a venous tourniquet. 
         [0011]    The tubular member has an opening to receive a limb. The opening has a cross-sectional area less than the maximum cross-sectional area of the limb being received through the opening. Inserting the limb through the opening forms a waterproof seal around the limb. 
         [0012]    The material around the opening recovers and becomes stretched against the limb to form the watertight seal. However, the film is an ultrathin film, not a thick film as used in conventional limb protectors, and the compressive force applied to the limb at the opening by the ultrathin film is sufficiently high to form a satisfactory seal but not so high as to form a venous tourniquet. 
         [0013]    The improved limb protector of the present invention is easy to apply. Inserting the limb into the opening automatically forms the seal, without the need of an elastic band or other assistance. The force required to deform the opening is low because of the use of ultrathin film, and does not noticeably impede or hinder entry of the limb into the bag. The compressive force applied to the limb by the ultrathin film at the opening is low and does not prevent the veins from flowing blood out of the limb protector. 
         [0014]    The tubular member is formed from an ultrathin film of flexible planar material. Thermoplastic polyurethane (“TPU”) is a preferred material for forming the tubular member. TPU is commercially available from many plastic vendors and can be obtained as a clear, waterproof film. The film is relatively inexpensive and limb protectors can be made economically for one-time use. Latex, PVC, and other film materials are known and can be adapted for use with the present invention. 
         [0015]    In preferred embodiments of the limb protector, the limb protector is made from ultrathin polyurethane film, preferably a film 0.005 millimeters thick. This film thickness has satisfactory strength, elasticity, and recovery characteristics. The ultrathin film also forms a flexible tubular member that is easily folded for packaging and storage. 
         [0016]    The film is cut to shape and a first side is folded over a second side along a fold line. The side edges are sealed together along their outer perimeters, preferably by RF welding. Heat sealing, adhesive bonding, blow molding, or other conventional sealing or manufacturing techniques could also be used to form the tubular member. The end of the tubular member opposite the opening can be formed as a mitten or glove if desired. 
         [0017]    The opening is preferably formed in the fold line so that the material&#39;s plastic deformation takes place within the film and does not extend to the sealed edges of the tubular member. Different sized openings are formed in different embodiments, depending on whether the limb protector is for the arm or leg, and whether the limb protector is for adults, children, or infants. Embodiments designed for animal use are also within the intended scope of the invention. 
         [0018]    Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying two drawing sheets illustrating two embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a preform for forming a first embodiment limb protector in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the limb protector formed from the preform shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a partial side view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a representational view illustrating the relative cross sectional areas of the limb protector opening and the limb inserted through the opening; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a second embodiment limb protector in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a preform  10  for forming an arm protector  12  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  in accordance with the present invention. Protector  12  is a tubular member intended to receive an arm of an adult wearer. 
         [0025]    Preform  10  is cut from a ultrathin thermoplastic polyurethane film, preferably less than 0.01 millimeters thick. The illustrated embodiment is formed from thermoplastic polyurethane film having a film thickness of 0.005 millimeters. The preform  10  is folded over a fold line  14  that divides the preform into two like, opposite sides  16 ,  18 . The perimeter edges of sides  16 ,  18  are sealed together by RF welding in a conventional manner to form a watertight seal between the edges. 
         [0026]    An opening  20  (see  FIG. 3 ) is cut into the fold line  14  to form an open end  22  of protector  12 . The opposite closed end  24  of illustrated protector  12  is configured as a mitten having tubular thumb-receiving portion  26  and fingers-receiving portion  28 . End  24  could also be otherwise shaped as is known in the art, and could be configured as a glove having a plurality of digit-receiving portions. 
         [0027]    Opening  20  extends only partially along fold line  14  and defines an opening having a cross-sectional area represented by the area of circle  30  shown in  FIG. 4 . The cross-sectional area of the limb to be received through the opening  20  is represented by the area of circle  32 . The area  30  of opening  20  is substantially less than the area  32  of the limb being received through the opening  20 . 
         [0028]    Area  30  is selected to cause plastic deformation of the material around opening  20  when the limb is inserted through the opening. Preferably opening  20  has a diameter of about 4 centimeters to receive an adult hand and arm and about 6 centimeters to receive an adult foot and leg. Opening sizes can be correspondingly reduced for use with children and infants. The cross-sectional area of the tubular member  12  away from opening  20  is sufficiently greater than area  32  to surround and protect the limb without otherwise necessarily touching the skin or a conventional cast or splint on the limb. 
         [0029]    Inserting the arm into the tubular member  12  through opening  20  plastically deforms the tubular member  12  around the opening  20 . After the arm has been inserted, recovery or spring back of the plastically-deformed material at the opening is resisted by the arm. The material facing the opening forms a watertight, linear seal at the material-limb interface. 
         [0030]    The user can reuse arm protector  12 . Removing the arm from the tubular member  12  may leave an enlarged opening  20  because of possible plastic deformation of the material about opening  20 . The enlarged opening  20  has less cross-sectional area than the limb area  32  because the plastically deformed material retains some elasticity. The arm can be reinserted into tubular member  12  and the retained elasticity of the material enables a watertight seal to form again at the material-limb interface. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates a second embodiment limb protector  112  in accordance with the present invention. Limb protector  112  is otherwise identical to limb protector  12 , but the opening  120  is formed along a half-moon cutout  122  formed in the sides of the protector  112 ,  114 . The cutout  122  enables a user to quickly locate the opening  120  for use. 
         [0032]    Other embodiment of the invention may have an additional opening to permit the limb protector to be placed on the arm above the hand or on the leg above the foot. 
         [0033]    While we have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of our invention, it is understood that this is capable of modification, and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.