Disclosed are an antibacterial item protector and methods for production thereof. By placing toothbrushes or other items in the Item Protector before or between uses, the item is protected from contamination by microbes, thereby making the item protector suitable for use wherever sanitary conditions are not known to exist. The item protector is preferably constructed of materials that are permeable to vapors so that enclosed items may dry, but substantially impermeable to liquids which can carry contaminants. The item protector also preferably has antibacterial properties and/or is constructed of material that will act as a barrier to microbial entities. The item protector is preferably disposable.
Embodiments of item protectors according to the present invention may be produced by at least two methods. One method comprises producing item protectors by bonding two separate sheets of material together. An alternative method comprises folding a single sheet of material at least once and then bonding the material in predetermined locations such that the edge of the protector comprises the fold in addition to the bonded areas. Both methods comprise a bonding step and result in item protectors in the form of a pouch or pocket with an opening adapted to allow access to the interior. Suitable methods of bonding comprise ultrasonic bonding, heat bonding, and the use of adhesives or cohesive. Where multiple item protectors are formed at once, a cutting step may also be employed to separate the completed protectors.
Item protectors according to embodiments of the present invention are suitable for use in environments including, but not limited to, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, luggage, purses, private residences, and bathrooms, and provide a safe, sanitary (alternatively antibacterial) container for placement of such items as syringes, toothbrushes, lipsticks, forks, knives, spoons, multi-purpose utensils, and the like. Preferably, embodiments of the protector of the present invention are capable of at least enveloping the working surface (such as the bristles of a toothbrush) of items (especially personal grooming items) between uses, thereby preventing those working surfaces from coming into contact with potentially contaminated surroundings.
Public health and well being provides significant challenges in maintaining contaminant-free environments. Effective methods and standards for cleaning wash rooms, medical areas, and other contamination-prone areas are difficult to enforce and determination of compliance with such methods via visual inspection is impractical. Wiping surfaces and items with towels and disinfectant wipes can often exacerbate those challenges as the towels and wipes can transport contaminants and microorganisms from one surface to another.
Clinical studies have confirmed that harmful and even deadly microorganisms can incubate on common items such as toothbrushes kept in such environments. These studies have encompassed testing of multiple types of bacteria, yeast and viruses including those capable of causing diseases of the mouth, potentially capable of affecting the health of the entire human anatomy.
Microorganisms can be everywhere in our environment and can thrive in cool dark places, just the type of places people store items such as toothbrushes. For example, moist toothbrushes left side by side in a medicine cabinet may provide a breeding ground for germs and viruses. In such environments, microorganisms such as cold and flu viruses and bacteria associated with gingivitis can travel from brush to brush. In fact, the bathroom in general can be one of the most infectious environments in the household. It is typically high in humidity and is subject to a multitude of airborne microorganisms, including those that may be dispersed with each flush of a toilet. Chemical treatments, dishwashing, boiling, autoclaving and even microwaving is typically either ineffective at killing large numbers and groups of microorganisms or renders items such as toothbrushes unusable. Special disinfecting equipment for such items is available, but is expensive.
The ability for a person to store items like their toothbrush in a reduced-germ environment, therefore, is desirable. The present invention seeks to address this need by providing an economical multi-purpose protector (and methods of producing the same) that is adapted to provide a place that provides a barrier between potentially unsanitary surroundings and is suitable for use with items such as, but not limited to, syringes, toothbrushes, lipsticks, mouth guards, & utensils.
An item protector comprising a first layer and a second layer closed on said first and second layers' peripheral edges except for an opening is disclosed. The opening is adapted to provide access to the interior of the item protector. At least one of said first layer and said second layer are substantially permeable to vapor and substantially impermeable to microbes and liquids. As a result, the first layer and second layer form a pocket adapted to receive items and protect said items from contaminants.
In addition, methods of forming item protectors comprising a first layer and a second layer closed on said first and second layers' peripheral edges except for an opening providing access to the interior of the item protector are disclosed. One such method allows for applying an adhesive material to predetermined areas on a continuous strip of material, folding the material such that the fold and the predetermined areas of adhesive material form said peripheral edges, and cutting the folded material proximate to said predetermined areas of adhesive material to separate the item protectors. Another such method allows for applying an adhesive material to predetermined areas on a continuous strip of material, folding the material with a first fold and second fold such that the first fold and said second fold are substantially parallel to each other and to the lengthwise axis of the continuous strip, and such that said first fold, said second fold, and said predetermined areas of adhesive material form the peripheral edges of the item protectors, and cutting the folded material proximate to the predetermined areas of adhesive material and between said first fold and said second fold. In this way item protectors are formed in two substantially parallel strips with the first fold and said second fold being substantially opposite the item protector openings. As an alternative to using adhesives, other bonding techniques can be used to form the closed peripheral edges.
Other features of the apparatus and method of the present invention will become apparent from the attached drawings, which illustrate various embodiments and certain preferred embodiments wherein
While the following describes preferred embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, it is to be understood that this description is to be considered only as illustrative of the principles of the invention and is not to be limitative thereof. Numerous other variations, all within the scope of the present invention, will readily occur to others. Herein, the term “adapted” shall mean sized, shaped, configured, dimensioned, oriented and arranged as appropriate.
Referring to
Peripheral edges 6 may be formed by folding, as is discussed further below, or by any of a variety of bonding methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including adhesives, cohesive, ultrasonic bonding, heat bonding, stitching and crimp bonding. The material from which at least one of first layer 2 and second layer 4 are formed is preferably substantially permeable to vapor, thereby allowing item/toothbrush 9 to dry while within item protector 1. The material from which first layer 2 and second layer 4 are formed is also preferably substantially impermeable to microbes and liquids, thereby offering item/toothbrush 9 protection from contamination in the event item protector 1 is placed on a less than sanitary surface. Materials exhibiting such characteristics are known, including without limitation, breathable films (such as, and also without limitation, (i) monolithic Pebax Breathable Film available from ARKEMA, Colombes, France, or (ii) Monlithic film available from Clopay Plastic Products Co., Mason, Ohio, which may, if desired, be laminated to a suitable nonwoven material such as a low (circa 10-30 gsm) basis weight polypropylene spunbond or microporous breathable film such as MicroPro film also available from Clopay Plastic Products Co., which may also be laminated to a suitable nonwoven material for additional strength or cost considerations or even fabrics such as Gore-Tex available from W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Elkton, Md.), meltblown nonwoven material (such as 35 gsm Dual Textured Polypropylene Meltblown available from Kimberly-Clark Corp., Roswell, Ga. or a custom made meltblown available from Monadnock Non-Wovens, LLC, Mount Pocono, Pa.), spunbond-meltblown nonwoven material (available from such companies as Polymer Group Inc., Charlotte, N.C. and Kimberly-Clark Corp., Roswell, Ga.), and spunbond-meltblown-spunbond nonwoven material (such as 76 gsm polypropylene SMS product code W502FWH available from Polymer Group Inc., Waynesboro, Va.), as well as other materials known in the art. Breathable films, such as those used in breathable diapers, may be used. Alternatively, a fibrous web with a microporous layer may be used, such as those used in the manufacture of medical protective wear. Preferably, materials that are hydrophobic will be utilized as such materials help to eliminate potential moist breeding areas for bacteria and microbes. Suitable hydrophobic materials include hydrophobic polymers such as acrylics, amides and imides, carbonates, dienes, esters, fluorocarbons olefins, vinyl esters and the like. Suitable methods of bonding peripheral edges 6, and in the case of adhesives and cohesive the choice of suitable bonding materials, will vary depending on the material chosen, but will be understood by those of skill in the art.
In order to maintain light weight while still providing adequate strength, a material of an appropriate basis weight should be used. In certain preferred embodiments, spunbond-meltblown-spunbond nonwoven material having a basis weight between 20 gsm and 100 gsm may be used, with material having a basis weight between 30 gsm and 90 gsm or between 40 gsm and 80 gsm being preferred. In the preceding examples, the ranges are inclusive of their respective endpoints with “gsm” being understood to refer to grams per square meter of material.
An alternative embodiment of the item protector of the present invention is illustrated in
While the nature of the material used to form first layers 2, 12, 22 and second layers 4, 14, 24 serve to protect items 9, 19, 29 from contamination, the effectiveness of item protectors 1, 11, 21 may be enhanced if at least one of first layer 2, 12, 22 and second layer 4, 14, 24 further comprise an antimicrobial agent (not illustrated). Antimicrobial agents, which herein include antibacterial and anti-viral agents, act to kill or prevent the growth and spreading of germs, viruses and bacteria. By coating or impregnating at least one of, and preferably both of, first layers 2, 12, 22 and second layers 4, 14, 24 with such an agent, the effectiveness of item protectors 1, 11, 21 may be enhanced as the antibacterial agent can help eliminate and prevent the spreading of germs, viruses and bacteria already present on items 9, 19, 29 when those items are placed into item protectors 1, 11, 21. Acceptable antibacterial agents include those available from suppliers such as Aegis Environmental Management, Inc. and Microban International, Ltd, as well as others known in the art. Such antimicrobial agents may be applied through a variety of methods including, without limitation, using a flexographic printing press and subsequent curing in an oven or by ultraviolet radiation, or simply by spraying the substance onto the material of which first layers 2, 12, 22 or second layers 4, 14, 24 are formed. Antimicrobial agents may also be incorporated into such materials during the manufacturing process of the material prior to it being formed into item protectors 1, 11, 21. Where item protector 1, 11, 21 is to be used in such a way that the working end of an item such as a toothbrush will come into contact with both the antimicrobial agent and the human body, is it important that the antimicrobial material be safe for such use. It is also preferred that it be adapted so as not to transfer to such items during use and/or to be substantially odorless and tasteless in the concentrations utilized. This prevents the use of the item protector 1, 11, 21 from detracting from experience of using item 9, 19, 29.
Item protectors 1, 11, 21 as described above may be formed utilizing various methods. Referring to
It is further noted that, with respect to embodiments using a single fold, including the embodiments illustrated in
As has been discussed above, the effectiveness of the embodiments illustrated in
While the embodiments illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring to
Folding the rectangular fabric across its width creates fold 61 and results in first facing panel 82 and second facing panel 83, each having first side edge 56 and second side edge 58, which are aligned and substantially perpendicular to fold 61. Flap 57 is formed by excess length of second facing panel 83. Flap 57 facilitates use of mouth guard protector 51 by making it easier for users to locate and access the opening.
First side edge 56 and second side edge 58 are then bonded to form a pocket there-between. Any of the previously discussed bonding methods may be used, including without limitation sonic welding, crimp-binding, heat bonding, adhesives and cohesives. Stitching and mechanical fastening may also be used, but can increase the cost of production. The fabric, and the opening formed adjacent to flap 57 are so dimensioned so as to receive a mouth guard.
When mouth guard 59 is placed within mouth guard protector 51 to a point where a portion of mouth guard 59 touches or is proximate to fold 61, mouth guard 59 is covered by fold 61, first facing panel 82 and second facing panel 83. But because of the design of mouth guard protector 51, the opening between first facing panel 82 and second facing panel 83 tends to remain at least partially open while mouth guard 59 is inserted, thereby allowing increased air flow, while at the same time meaningfully protecting mouth guard 59 from aerosol splashes and other contaminants common in a bathroom environment.
Referring to
Mouth guard protector 71 has a flap closing means comprising, as illustrated, a hook and loop closure comprising loop material 85 on flap 77 and hook material 87 on first facing surface 72. While Velcro™ strips may conveniently be used for hook material 87 and loop material 85, any similar hook and loop closure material may also be utilized. As illustrated, loop material 85 is on flap 77 and hook material 87 is on first facing surface 72. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the arrangement shown is a matter of choice and could easily be reversed. Also, as illustrated, hook material 87 and loop material 85 are strips running substantially the entire width of mouth guard protector 71. While such a configuration is convenient and cost effective as it allows for the laying down of continuous strips during manufacturing processes such as those usable in connection with embodiments of protectors shown in
Other flap closing means may also be utilized including, without limitation, (i) including releasable adhesive or cohesive bonding material (not illustrated) on either flap 77 or first facing surface 72 or both, or (ii) use of a material comprising a plurality of resilient hooks (not illustrated) on either flap 77 or first facing surface 72 that is adapted to capture the material from which mouth guard protector 71 is formed, or (iii) a mechanical closure such as a loop (not illustrated) affixed to first facing surface 72 under which flap 77 may be tucked, or a slit (not illustrated) in first facing surface 72 into which flap 77 may be tucked, or a mechanical snap (not illustrated) with a first snap portion on flap 77 and a second snap portion on first facing surface 72, or two sections or strips of resilient parallel members (not illustrated) such as are commonly used on re-sealable food storage bags, one such strip being located on flap 77 and the other being located on first facing surface 72, or a button (not illustrated) affixed to first facing surface 72 adapted to be received into a button hole (not illustrated) on flap 77.
As illustrated in
It will further be understood that kits (not illustrated) may be sold having a mouth guard (not illustrated) and one or more mouth guard protectors 51, 71 or alternate embodiments described herein. Such kits promote better oral hygiene by promoting storage of the mouth guard in reusable mouth guard protectors as described herein as opposed to plastic containers that require cleaning or can become home to colonies of bacteria or similar contaminants. Such kits also have the commercial advantage of promoting the use by the consumer of reusable mouth guard protectors that will need to be replenished over time. The same is true of kits (not illustrated) comprising a toothbrush 9 and one or more toothbrush protectors 1 or 21 as illustrated in
Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes might be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents. In particular, many combinations of materials may be used to achieve suitable results including various adhesives, cohesive, and antimicrobial materials. Item protectors of the present invention may also be made in a variety of ways and in a variety of shapes (with rectangular shapes being convenient in applications where it is desirable to minimize material waste and reduce cutting steps during manufacture). It is not intended that the description of embodiments herein be limiting.
This application claims priority as a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/950,576, which in turn claimed priority from U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/262,967 filed Nov. 20, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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61262967 | Nov 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12950576 | Nov 2010 | US |
Child | 14449264 | US |