This disclosure is related generally to a disposable garment, and more particularly to a disposable sleeve for catching fluids from coughing and sneezing.
Recent guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that the best way to stop the spread of germs resulting from coughing and sneezing is to (1) cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; or (2) if you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
Unfortunately, there may be times when a person requires the use of both hands and cannot access a tissue, even if he or she has one nearby. For instance, a person may be operating a machine that requires both hands; a doctor may be operating with both hands, etc. Accordingly, the only option for the person is to sneeze of cough into their elbow. Unfortunately, this leaves germs and/or unsightly fluids on the person's garment.
The present invention relates to a disposable sleeve that can be worn over a person's arm to catch fluids resulting from a cough or sneeze. In a first aspect, the invention provides a disposable sleeve, comprising: a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve.
In a second aspect, the invention provides a system, comprising: a plurality of disposable sleeves, each having a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member located proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve; and a dispenser for storing and dispensing the plurality of disposable sleeves; wherein adjacent disposable sleeves are connected to each other.
In a third aspect, the invention provides plurality of disposable sleeves, each comprising: a main body fabricated in a generally cylindrical shape from a material suitable for catching fluids associated with a sneeze or cough; a first opening and a second opening, wherein each opening includes an elastic member for holding the disposable sleeve in place on an arm; and a grasping member located proximate each opening for facilitating installation and removal of the disposable sleeve; wherein each disposable sleeve is connected to at least one adjacent disposable sleeves to facilitate removal from a container.
The illustrative aspects of the present invention are designed to solve the problems herein described and other problems not discussed.
These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.
Each opening 18a, 18b is formed with an elastic member 14a, 14b respectively, which allows the sleeve to be pulled onto a user's arm and held into place. In one illustrative embodiment, the elastic members are made from a circular rubber material (e.g., a rubber band or braided elastic) which is integrated (e.g., sewn) into the material that forms the main body 12. It is understood however that alternative embodiments may be utilized to facilitate a tightening of the openings 18a, 18b. For example, a drawstring, Velcro tabs, etc., may be utilized to secure openings 18a, 18b around a user's arm.
Also included at each end are grasping members 16a, 16b, which allow the user to easily slide the disposable sleeve 10 on and off an arm without having to touch the main body 12. In one illustrative embodiment, grasping members 16a, 16b comprise finger hoops sewn proximate the openings 18a, 18b.
In a further embodiment, main body 12 may include an applied substance suitable for reducing the transmission of germs. Illustrative substances may include any anti-viral, anti-microbial or anti-bacterial substance. Additionally, main body 12 may be treated with sodium hypochlorite (bleach).
In still a further embodiment, main body 12 may be treated with a lotion to reduce irritation to a user's skin. Additionally, main body 12 may comprise an absorbent material.
In still a further embodiment, main body 12 may come in different colors to effectively match a user's clothing. Additionally, main body 12 may be fashioned using a translucent or semi-transparent material such that it does not stand out.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art appreciate that any arrangement which is implemented to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and that the invention has other applications in other environments. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments described herein.
This application claims priority to co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/383,568, filed on Sep. 19, 2010, entitled DISPOSABLE ELBOW SLEEVE FOR SNEEZING AND COUGHING, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61383568 | Sep 2010 | US |