Patent ID: 7572056

Claim:
A disposable cover for an elongated probe of a portable thermometry apparatus, said probe including a holding barb at a proximal end thereof, said cover comprising a flexible sleeve member having an open proximal sleeve end and a distal sleeve tip flanking an axial sleeve portion, all sized to fit over at least an axial portion of said elongated probe, said cover including a transitional wall thickness at said proximal sleeve end for fitting over said holding barb of said probe, said transitional wall thickness varying between said axial sleeve portion and a proximal, weakened wall portion that is, in turn, adjacent a further proximal barb-retaining rib, said weakened wall portion being substantially thinner than substantially a majority of said axial sleeve portion and said barb-retaining rib, thereby making said weakened wall portion structurally susceptible to rupture when said cover is ejected from said holding barb in a distal direction.