Patent Application
20220360289
This application relates generally to protective cases, more particularly, to a protective covering for barcode scanners.
It is well known that the healthcare field uses handheld, portable devices such as barcode scanners. These barcode scanners are used to scan patient identification bracelets and medications to prevent any medication and patient identification errors. However, since the start of the covid-19 pandemic, concerns about contamination of inanimate devices such as the barcode scanner have been at an all-time high.
The barcode scanner goes from patient to patient to scan their identification bracelets and medications; thus, if not cleaned properly, it can cause diseases such as COVID-19, C.Diff, MRSA and VRE.
Thus, there is a need to safely use barcode scanners, especially in the healthcare setting, so as to decrease or altogether prevent cross-contamination and therefore life-threatening conditions. Such a need is met by the barcode scanner protective covering, which is loosely fitting, disposable, biodegradable and water resistant.
In accordance with the present invention, the above and other problems are solved by providing a protective covering for the barcode scanner. The covering will be one size fits all so that it will fit barcode scanners of different sizes. Certain embodiments of the covering are white, pale yellow, or transparent in color. The covering is disposable so that it is a one-time use, which increases safety and decreases risk of contamination. The covering is made of biodegradable and water-resistant material; it will also have a type of material at the laser beam section of the barcode scanner that allows the laser beam to easily pass through without interference or interruption.
The covering will be sold in storage boxes that are easy to dispense, similar to a box of gloves. The storage boxes will house many coverings, comprising about 20-30 coverings.
One embodiment of the covering will be one piece. The handle of the barcode scanner will be placed into the covering first, similar to placing into a bag or pocket. As the covering gets to the top or head portion of the barcode scanner, it will be flipped over the top of the head of the barcode and closed shut, either by thin straps of Velcro or through the use of snap buttons. Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.
Another embodiment of the covering will be two-piece. Similar to the one-piece, the handle of the barcode will be placed in the covering first, in the bottom part of the covering, and then the top part of the covering will be placed over the head of the barcode scanner. Either the top or bottom portion of the covering will have a drawstring on it and the portion without the drawstring will have two openings so that the drawstring can loop back through either the top or bottom and seal in place. Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims.
The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the products and/or systems provided herein. However, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the products and/or systems described herein will be apparent to an ordinary skilled artisan.
The invention is directed to a protective covering for barcode scanners. The covering is made of biodegradable and water-resistant material. The covering is also made of a material at the laser beam section of the barcode scanner that allows the laser beam to easily pass through without interference or interruption. The covering is disposable, making it a one-time use. Certain embodiments of the covering are white, pale yellow, or transparent in color. The covering will be sold in storage boxes that are easy to dispense, similar to a box of gloves. The storage boxes will house many coverings, comprising about 20-30 coverings.
