Patent ID: 7735842

Claim:
A sanitary handle cover dispensing apparatus for use with a shopping cart to dispense sheet-like sanitary material in covering relation with the shopping cart handle, said apparatus comprising: a housing adapted for connection to the handle of a shopping can; said housing containing sheet-like material having a first end connected to a supply reel and a second end connected to a receiving reel with a portion of said sheet-like material in covering relation with the shopping cart handle when said housing is connected thereto; means for touch-free selective advance of said sheet-like material from said supply reel to said receiving reel such that a fresh portion of said sheet-like material advances to cover the shopping can handle; said means for touch-free selective advance including a battery power source, an electric motor in electrical communication with said battery power source, and a sensor configured to energize said electric motor for a predetermined period of time when triggered by the user so as to advance said sheet-like material from said supply reel to said receiving reel; said sensor being recessed within said housing within a generally vertically disposed opening such that said sensor is aligned toward a portion of said housing wall in spaced relation with said sensor whereby said sensor is triggered upon insertion of the user's hand within said housing between said sensor and said portion of said housing wall.