Patent Document

RELATED US PATENT APPLICATION DATA 
       [0001]    This patent application is a Continuation-In-Part Application, which claims priority to Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/019,732 filed on Feb. 2, 2011, which claims priority to Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/658,109 filed on Feb. 3, 2010 and Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/658,110, also filed on Feb. 3, 2010, which are both incorporated in their entireties by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure generally relates to an apparatus and method of use for presentation of a sterile cover for a medical device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a dispensing apparatus that presents, stages by expansion, and singulates a sterile cover for a stethoscope head. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A stethoscope is a well known and widely used acoustic medical device for auscultation, or listening, to internal sounds in a human or animal body. The diaphragm is placed upon a patient, where body sounds vibrate the diaphragm creating acoustic pressure waves that travel through a tubing and are conveyed into a listener&#39;s ears. In use, the stethoscope head is often contaminated with skin bacteria and like contaminants that may undesirably be transmitted to the next patient. One means to avoid the undesirable transfer of unwanted organisms and other contaminants would be to sterilize the stethoscope head between each use. The transmission of bacterial infections among patients, particularly in a hospital setting, has been aggravated by the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of staphylococcal infections and other harmful microorganisms. It is this problem that the apparatus of the present invention seeks to overcome by providing a novel stethoscope cover and a dispensing apparatus for quickly and easily dispensing the stethoscope cover. 
         [0004]    A number of different types of stethoscope covers and apparatus for dispensing the same have been suggested in the past. 
         [0005]    A first exemplary proposed solution discloses stethoscope head cover that overlies the diaphragm and the surrounding rim of the stethoscope, the cover being fabricated from a thin sheet of plastic with a discontinuous layer of peelable adhesive on one surface of the plastic. The discontinuous layer of adhesive is in a predetermined pattern and the pattern is selected so that air passageways are provided from the regions between the cover and the diaphragm and past the rim to regions external the stethoscope. The cover generally comprises a flat, thin plastic sheet with the discontinuous layer of a peelable adhesive applied to one surface of the sheet. The adhesive adheres to both the diaphragm and the rim of the stethoscope leaving the aforesaid air passages for eliminating trapped air pockets or bubbles between the diaphragm and the cover. 
         [0006]    A second exemplary disposable stethoscope cover diaphragm is removably attached over the outer edge of a stethoscope high frequency pickup in order to isolate the pickup from pathogens contacted when the stethoscope is used to examine a person. The cover diaphragm can be used as the diaphragm of a stethoscope pickup and can be used with a diaphragm supplied with the stethoscope. After the cover diaphragm has been used it can discarded and destroyed or, alternatively, can be cleaned for reuse. 
         [0007]    An exemplary dispenser for use in dispensing disposable stethoscope diaphragms for removable attachment to a stethoscope head, supplies a series of diaphragms in a stacked array in a tube. The diaphragms are dispensed by a plate slidably mounted on the base for movement between retracted and extended positions. A cradle formed in the plate receives a single diaphragm through the opening when the dispensing plate is in its retracted position. Movement of the dispensing plate from its retracted to extended position is effective to place a diaphragm in the plate cradle into a position that allows the diaphragm to be attached to the stethoscope head by pressing the stethoscope head against the diaphragm. 
         [0008]    What is desired is a disposable stethoscope diaphragm cover capable of being dispensed and presented for placement over a stethoscope head while minimizing any risk of contamination. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    This invention relates to stethoscope cover staging and dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to a stethoscope cover staging and dispensing apparatus which provides a medical professional an ability to place a sterile cover onto a stethoscope head. 
         [0010]    In a first aspect of the present invention, a stethoscope cover and respective dispensing configuration, the stethoscope cover and respective dispensing configuration comprising: 
         [0011]    a carrier strip fabricated of an elastically deformable material; 
         [0012]    a plurality of stethoscope covers detachably coupled to the carrier strip in a linear, spatial arrangement, each cover being fabricated having a thin, elastically deformable membrane-like central portion defined by a peripheral edge; 
         [0013]    wherein the plurality of stethoscope covers and carrier strip stretch in unison for staging and placement of each stethoscope cover onto one of a stethoscope head and a stethoscope diaphragm. 
         [0014]    In a second aspect of the present invention, the carrier strip and plurality of stethoscope covers are fabricated of the same material during the same forming process. 
         [0015]    In yet another aspect, the carrier strip and plurality of stethoscope covers are fabricated having a unitary structure. 
         [0016]    In yet another aspect, each stethoscope cover is removably attached to the carrier strip by singulation webbing. 
         [0017]    In yet another aspect, each stethoscope cover is removably attached to the carrier strip by a singulation groove formed about a periphery of the respective stethoscope cover. 
         [0018]    In yet another aspect, the stethoscope covers are fabricated of a size and shape to cover a stethoscope head. 
         [0019]    In yet another aspect, the stethoscope covers are fabricated of a size and shape to cover a diaphragm of a stethoscope head. 
         [0020]    In yet another aspect, the stethoscope covers utilize an elastic property of the cover to attach to the entire stethoscope head or the diaphragm portion. 
         [0021]    In yet another aspect, the carrier strip is rolled into a coil for distribution and dispensing. 
         [0022]    In yet another aspect, the carrier strip is folded into a serpentine format for distribution and dispensing. 
         [0023]    In yet another aspect, a stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus inventories, feeds, and stages the stethoscope cover. 
         [0024]    In yet another aspect, the carrier strip is drawn by either a manually operated advancing mechanism or an automated advancing mechanism. 
         [0025]    In yet another aspect, the stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus draws each of a first and a second carrier strip apart to expand the stethoscope cover during a staging step. 
         [0026]    In yet another aspect, the stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus draws each of a first and a second carrier strip outward, expanding the stethoscope cover into a staging configuration. 
         [0027]    In yet another aspect, the stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus comprises a cover clamping member, which temporarily retains the diaphragm cover in position during a step of inserting the stethoscope into the cover. This deters any contact with the cover to minimize any contamination prior to use. 
         [0028]    In yet another aspect, the stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus comprises a cover shearing mechanism which singulates the diaphragm cover from the carrier strip. 
         [0029]    In yet another aspect, a method for individually staging a stethoscope cover from a series of stethoscope covers stored within a carrier strip, the method comprises the steps of: 
         [0030]    providing a stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly, the stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly comprising:
       a carrier strip fabricated of an elastically deformable material and   a plurality of stethoscope covers detachably coupled to the carrier strip in a linear, spatial arrangement, each cover being fabricated having a thin, elastically deformable membrane-like central portion defined by a peripheral edge,   wherein the plurality of stethoscope covers and carrier strip stretch in unison for staging and placement of each stethoscope cover onto one of a stethoscope head and a stethoscope diaphragm;       
 
         [0034]    placing the stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly into a stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus; 
         [0035]    advancing the stethoscope cover dispensing apparatus to position an individual stethoscope cover into a staging location; 
         [0036]    stretching an opening of the stethoscope cover to allow insertion of at least a portion of a stethoscope head into the stethoscope cover; 
         [0037]    simulating the stethoscope cover from the carrier strip; and 
         [0038]    allowing the stethoscope cover to return towards a relaxed configuration, wherein the relaxed configuration secures the stethoscope cover to the respective portion of the stethoscope head. 
         [0039]    In yet another aspect, the method further comprises the step of applying a longitudinal tension to the stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly to expand the stethoscope cover in a longitudinal direction. 
         [0040]    In yet another aspect, the method further comprises the step of applying a lateral tension to the stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly to expand the stethoscope cover in a lateral direction. 
         [0041]    An advantage of the invention allows the protective stethoscope head cover to be quickly and easily removed from the stethoscope head following examination of the patient and then suitably disposed of so as to prevent skin bacteria and like contaminants that may have contaminated the protective cover during patient examination from undesirably being transmitted to the next patient. 
         [0042]    These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0043]    The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0044]      FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus; 
           [0045]      FIG. 2  presents a side elevation view of the exemplary stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus, originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 3  presents a top plan view of the exemplary stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus, originally introduced in  FIG. 1 , detailing an exemplary stethoscope diaphragm cover presentation configuration; 
           [0047]      FIG. 4  presents a side elevation view of a second exemplary stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus; 
           [0048]      FIG. 5  presents a side elevation view of the second exemplary stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus, originally introduced in  FIG. 1 , detailing a cover application process; 
           [0049]      FIG. 6  presents a sectioned side elevation view of the second exemplary stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus, originally introduced in  FIG. 1 , detailing a cover staging, the cover application process, and a cover singulation process; 
           [0050]      FIG. 7  presents an isometric view of the operational components interacting with a stethoscope diaphragm cover array; 
           [0051]      FIG. 8  presents a side view illustrating the stethoscope diaphragm cover as installed onto a stethoscope head; 
           [0052]      FIG. 9  presents a sectioned side view taken across a central diameter of an alternate exemplary stethoscope diaphragm cover shown in a relaxed state; 
           [0053]      FIG. 10  presents a sectioned side view taken across a central diameter of the stethoscope diaphragm cover of  FIG. 8  shown in an extended, staging state; 
           [0054]      FIG. 11  presents an isometric view of another exemplary stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus for dispensing a stacked carrier strip. 
       
    
    
       [0055]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0056]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0057]    A stethoscope  300 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 8 , is utilized in the medical profession for a multitude of applications. Sound can be utilized in diagnosing an ailment of a patient. The stethoscope  300  includes a stethoscope head  310  comprising at least one diaphragm  312 ,  314  which acquires and amplifies sounds emanating from within a patient. A pair of tubes in acoustical communication with the at least one diaphragm  312 ,  314 , wherein the tubes transfer the amplified sounds to the medical professional&#39;s ears, audio equipment, and the like. The contact surface of the stethoscope head  310  often becomes contaminated with skin bacteria and like contaminants that must be disinfected to ensure against any undesirable transmission of the contaminants to the next patient. The present invention provides a stethoscope head cover  212  and a respective stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100  to ensure the contacting surface of the stethoscope head  310  remains free from contaminants between patients. 
         [0058]    A stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100  is provided for dispensing, staging, and placing a stethoscope head cover  212  onto a stethoscope head  310 . Details of the stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100  are presented in  FIGS. 1 through 6 , with the operational mechanisms being detailed in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0059]    The stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100  is designed to store, dispense, stage, and aid in a placement of a stethoscope head cover  212  onto a stethoscope head  310  as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  6 . A  200  includes a series of stethoscope head covers  212 , which are carried by a stethoscope carrier strip  210  as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 through 9 . Each stethoscope head cover  212  is fabricated having a thin, elastically deformable membrane-like central portion defined by a stethoscope head cover peripheral edge  213 . The material selection ensures bacteria and other harmful microorganisms remain on the contacting (outer) surface of the stethoscope head cover  212 . The stethoscope head cover  212  is formed having a size and shape to receive the stethoscope head  310 . The interface between the stethoscope carrier strip  210  and the stethoscope head cover peripheral edge  213  can be defined to aid in separation of the stethoscope head cover  212  from the stethoscope carrier strip  210 , but would be of a sufficient strength to allow the stethoscope carrier strip  210  to convey an expansion force onto the stethoscope head cover  212 . This allows for the expansion of the stethoscope head cover  212  into an expanded stethoscope cover  222  for staging and insertion of the stethoscope head  310  thereinto. The stethoscope head cover  212  and the stethoscope carrier strip  210  can be formed simultaneously or separately and subsequently mated together. The stethoscope carrier strip  210  can be configured and stored in a rolled arranged referred to as a rolled carrier strip  214  and illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , or in a stacked serpentine configuration referred to as a serpentine carrier strip  614  and illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0060]    The stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100  includes a dispenser housing  110 , which is fabricated having a pair of housing sidewalls  114  extending downward from each elongated edge of a housing top member  112  creating an inventory storage region  116  therein. The dispenser housing  110  is preferably fabricated of a sheet metal, plastic, a composite material, and the like. The stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100  includes a pair of cover staging arms  118  extending forward from each outer edge of the dispenser housing  110  creating a cover staging clearance area  119 . An upper surface of the cover staging arms  118  is preferably planar with the housing top member  112 . A strip presentation aperture  122  can be provided through the housing top member  112  for passage of the stethoscope carrier strip  210  therethrough (as illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). It is understood that the strip presentation aperture  122  can be alternatively located through a front member (not shown) of the dispenser housing  110 . Alternatively, the strip presentation aperture  122  can be omitted, where the stethoscope carrier strip  210  would extend from underneath the housing top member  112 . An excess strip material return port  124  is provided through an upper surface of each respective cover staging arm  118  for returning and collecting spent strip material  216  of the stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly  200 . The forward section of the housing top member  112  and the upper surfaces of each cover staging arm  118  can be used to create a platform for supporting the stethoscope head cover  212  during staging and placement upon the stethoscope head  310 . An optional inventory viewing port  120  can be provided through any reasonable location of the dispenser housing  110  to determine the remaining inventory within the stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100 . 
         [0061]    The internal operating mechanisms of the stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100  are presented in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The rolled carrier strip  214  is placed upon an inventory management axle  140  and inserted into the inventory storage region  116 . The stethoscope carrier strip  210  is routed towards the cover staging clearance area  119 . The rolled carrier strip  214  is preferably provided with a pair of leader strips, which emulate the spent strip material  216  and allow for preparation for use without wasting any stethoscope head covers  212 . The spent strip material  216  is fed through each respective excess strip material return port  124 , around a distal free wheel pulley  142 , then returning and secured to a strip advance mechanism  134 . The leader strip may include a feature to aid in engagement with the strip advance mechanism  134 . Examples include a loop and pin or clip configuration, a slot within the strip advance mechanism  134 , an adhesive, and the like. The strip advance mechanism  134  rotates to advance the stethoscope carrier strip  210 . The strip advance mechanism  134  can be operated by any reasonable operating mechanism. In a first exemplary embodiment, a strip advancing control lever  130  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) can operationally engage with the strip advance mechanism  134  using a ratcheting interface, wherein the medical professional would push/pull a lever handle  131  in a respective direction, causing the strip advancing control lever  130  to pivot accordingly. The pivotal motion of the strip advancing control lever  130  rotates the strip advance mechanism  134 , which draws the stethoscope carrier strip  210  forward. A set of optional gears (not shown, but well understood) may be integrated between the strip advancing control lever  130  and the strip advance mechanism  134 . The gear set can relate the pivotal direction of the strip advancing control lever  130  to the rotational direction of the strip advance mechanism  134  into either a like or an opposite direction. Additionally, the gear set can provide a torque conversion between the strip advancing control lever  130  and the strip advance mechanism  134 . 
         [0062]    An alternative exemplary mechanical drive means is a strip advancing control wheel  132  attached to the strip advance mechanism  134  in a manner similar to the engaging interface between the strip advancing control lever  130  and the strip advance mechanism  134  previously described herein. The medical professional would rotate the strip advancing control wheel  132  to rotate the strip advance mechanism  134 , which draws the stethoscope carrier strip  210  forward. 
         [0063]    An optional registration control system may be integrated into the stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100 . This can include a pin, a series of pins, and the like which engage with a notch, aperture, and the like spatially provided along the stethoscope carrier strip  210 . The combination control the motion of the strip advance mechanism  134  ensuring the stethoscope head cover  212  is properly positioned within the cover staging clearance area  119  during the staging process. 
         [0064]    It is understood that the advancing mechanism may be automated, integrating an electrically driven motor. At least one sensor can be integrated into the stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100  to ensure proper registration of the stethoscope head cover  212  during the advancement process. 
         [0065]    A tensioning member  144  is located rearward of the cover staging clearance area  119  and applies a longitudinal tension force to the stethoscope carrier strip  210 . The tensioning member  144  illustrated is exemplary, where it is understood that tension may be applied by any reasonable mechanism. The excess strip material return ports  124  are positioned wider than a width between the edges of the stethoscope carrier strip  210  in a relaxed state. As the stethoscope carrier strip  210  is drawn into the excess strip material return port  124 , the motion creates a lateral tensile force between the longitudinal edges of the stethoscope carrier strip  210 . The tension applied to the stethoscope carrier strip  210  between the tensioning member  144  and the distal free wheel pulley  142  and by the distance between each of the excess strip material return ports  124  expands the stethoscope head cover peripheral edge  213  of the stethoscope head cover  212  into an expanded stethoscope cover  222 . The expanded stethoscope cover  222  is a presented in a staged configuration of the stethoscope head cover  212  for insertion of the stethoscope head  310  thereinto. 
         [0066]    An optional enlarged carrier edge  230  can be incorporated along each edge (or other portion) of the stethoscope carrier strip  210 . The carrier rail feature or an enlarged carrier edge  230  can be any form factor having a thickness greater than the thickness of the stethoscope carrier strip  210 , including a circular cross section, a “T” shaped cross section, an “L” shaped cross section, a “C” shaped cross section, and the like. The shape provides a mechanical interface to support the lateral tension. The enlarged carrier edge  230  would aid in providing the lateral tension to the stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly  200 . It is understood that the lateral stretching of the stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly  200  can be created by any means of drawing each of a first edge and a second edge (understood by description) of the stethoscope carrier strip  210  apart from each other by positioning a first and a second distal draw location separated by a distance that is greater than a dimension between the a first edge and a second edge of the stethoscope carrier strip  210  when in a relaxed state. 
         [0067]    An optional strip clamp  150  may be hingebly attached to the dispenser housing  110  by a strip clamp hinge  154 . A cover shearing mechanism  152  may be integrated into a contacting surface of the strip clamp  150 . The cover shearing mechanism  152  would be shaped to contour to an outline of the stethoscope head cover peripheral edge  213  respective to the stethoscope head cover  212  in an extended configuration and located in registration therewith. The medical professional advances the rolled carrier strip  214  positioning one stethoscope head cover  212  into a staging position within the cover staging clearance area  119  and subsequently inserts the stethoscope head  310  through the stretched stethoscope head cover peripheral edge  213  and into the expanded stethoscope cover  222 . The medical professional can pivot the strip clamp  150  to temporarily hold the expanded stethoscope cover  222  in place during the insertion of the stethoscope head  310  thereinto. The medical professional can pivot the strip clamp  150  downward and applies a pressure thereon, which causes the cover shearing mechanism  152  to shear the stethoscope head cover  212  from the stethoscope carrier strip  210 . Alternatively, the cover shearing mechanism  152  can be designed to apply a clamping force to the stethoscope carrier strip  210 , where the stethoscope head cover  212  is separated from the stethoscope carrier strip  210  by applying a tensile force between the stethoscope head cover  212  and the stethoscope carrier strip  210  by moving the stethoscope head  310  accordingly. This provides an additional means to ensure the expanded stethoscope cover  222  remains untouched during placement onto the stethoscope head  310 . The illustrated embodiment detailed in  FIG. 8  places the stethoscope head cover  212  over the entire stethoscope head  310 . 
         [0068]    The stethoscope cover can be shaped in a second exemplary configuration referred to as a stethoscope diaphragm cover  412  and illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The stethoscope diaphragm cover  412  includes a cover diaphragm engagement flange  415  formed about a peripheral edge. The stethoscope diaphragm cover  412  is carried by a stethoscope carrier strip  410  (collectively referred to as a stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly  400 ) in a manner similar to that of the stethoscope head cover  212  and respective stethoscope carrier strip  210  previously described herein. The stethoscope diaphragm cover  412  is shaped to engage with and be retained upon a large diaphragm  312  or a small diaphragm  314  of the stethoscope head  310 . The stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100  draws the cover diaphragm engagement flange  415  radially outward allowing the medical professional to insert the diaphragm  312 ,  314  into the stethoscope diaphragm cover  412 . A carrier rail feature or enlarged carrier edge  430  may be included along each of the distal edges of the stethoscope carrier strip  410  to mechanically aid in applying the lateral tension. The enlarged/shaped carrier edge  430  can be guided through a track, wherein the track is formed using any means known by those skilled in the art. The extended cover diaphragm engagement flange  415  retracts into a relaxed configuration when the stethoscope diaphragm cover  412  is separated from the stethoscope carrier strip  410 . A cover singulation aid feature  417  may be included as a demarcation between the cover diaphragm engagement flange  415  and the stethoscope carrier strip  410 . The cover singulation aid feature  417  can be designed to aid in the singulation process. 
         [0069]    The above illustrates a stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100  used in conjunction with the rolled carrier strip  214 . Alternatively, a stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  500  may be used to dispense a stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly  600  provided in a serpentine format. The stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  500  stores and dispenses a plurality of stethoscope head cover  612  from a serpentine carrier strip  614 . Like features of stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly  600  and stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly  200  are numbered the same except preceded by the numeral ‘6’. A bead or other enlarged section of material may be provided about a stethoscope head cover edge  613  of the stethoscope head cover  612 . 
         [0070]    The stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  500  includes a dispenser housing  510 , which can be formed having a pair of housing sidewalls  514  extending rearward from each elongated, vertical edge of a housing front member  512  creating an inventory storage section  516  therein. The dispenser housing  510  is preferably fabricated of a sheet metal, plastic, a composite material, and the like. The inventory storage section  516  is sized to receive the serpentine carrier strip  614 . The stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  500  includes a pair of cover staging arms  518  extending forward from each outer edge of the dispenser housing  510  creating a cover staging clearance  519 . The general conception and operational mechanisms are similar to those described for the stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100 . In the exemplary embodiment, the stethoscope carrier strip  610  is guided through a track or groove within an interior sidewall of each cover staging arm  518 . An inventory viewing port  520  may be provided through the housing sidewall  514  or housing front member  512 , allowing a service person to determine the remaining inventory within the inventory storage section  516 . The stethoscope carrier strip  210  is drawn forward by any reasonable means. As the stethoscope carrier strip  210  is drawn forward, the stethoscope head cover  612  is expanded into a staged or expanded stethoscope cover  622  configuration, in accordance with the expansion process previously described herein. 
         [0071]    It is understood that an optional protective layer may be adhered to at least one of the surfaces of the stethoscope cover and carrier strip assembly  200 ,  400 ,  600  to ensure sanitized delivery of the covers  212 ,  412 ,  612 . 
         [0072]    The stethoscope diaphragm cover dispensing apparatus  100 ,  500  can be provided in a variety of sizes and form factors, including a hand-held dispensing unit of type described that is of simple compact construction and one that can be inexpensively manufactured in quantity, a wall mounted unit, and the like. The system can include a manually advancing system, an automated advancing system, and the like. 
         [0073]    Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.

Technology Category: 1