SANITARY ASSISTIVE DEVICE FOR FINGER

Abstract

Disclosed herein are novel sanitary assistive devices to be worn on a user's finger for opening thin plastic bags and for minimizing the spreading of germs. In some embodiments, the device comprises an elongate tube body enclosed at a distal end by a distal wall. The inner face of the tube body is generally cylindrical but may assume other profiles and is sized for housing a user's finger. A proximal port provides entry for the user's finger. A joint port extends laterally through the side of the elongate tube body. A tack port extends through the side of the elongate tube body and houses a tack. The tack has an enlarged head and a stem extending from the head. A tack flap extends from the outer face of the elongate tube body to cover the tack, however, the tack flap is retracted proximally when needed to separate bags.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to assistive devices for opening shopping bags, and more particularly to sanitary assistive devices worn on a user's finger for opening thin plastic shopping bags. Separating adjacent walls of plastic bags is a struggle for most people. The plastic bag walls are very thin and tend to stick together making it difficult for a user to obtain access to the inside of the bag. This leaves many shoppers frustrated. Some shoppers lick their fingers in an attempt to assist separation. This is very unsanitary and contributes to the spreading of germs.

Description of Related Art

Various forms of fingertip covers are available in the prior art. Most of these are manufactured from a rubber or silicone rubber and attempt to utilize small elastomeric projections from the surface to improve frictional capabilities for separating the back. This rarely works well. What is needed is a more effective bag wall separation device and a device that helps reduce the spreading of germs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are novel sanitary assistive devices worn on a user's finger for opening thin plastic shopping or produce bags. The sanitary assistive device can also be referred to as a sanitary bag opening device.

In one form, a sanitary assistive device comprises an elongate tube body.

In one form, the elongate tube body comprises a proximal port axis extending centrally.

In one form, the elongate tube body is enclosed on a distal end by a distal wall.

In one form, the elongate tube body comprises a tube wall with an inner face formed thereon.

In one form, the inner face is generally cylindrical but may assume other profiles such as polygons.

In one form, the inner face defines a finger space sized for housing a user's finger. The inner face faces interior.

In one form, the elongate tube comprises an outer face formed on the tube wall facing the exterior.

In one form, the elongate tube body comprises a proximal face at a proximal end and which extends between the inner face and the outer face.

In one form, a proximal port extends through the proximal face to provide entry for a user's finger into the finger space from a proximal end.

In one form, a distal face is formed on the distal wall and faces distally.

In one form, an end face is formed on the distal wall and faces proximally.

In one form, a joint face extends laterally between the proximal end and distal through the elongate tube body and extends between the inner face and outer face.

In one form, the joint face defines a joint port laterally extending through a side of the elongate tube body.

In one form, the joint port is offset from midline towards a proximal end of the elongate tube body.

In one form, a tack face defines a tack port extending through a side of the elongate tube body.

In one form, the tack port and the joint port are substantially on opposed sides of the elongate tube body.

In one form, the tack port is spaced from midline towards a distal end of the elongate tube body.

In one form, the tack face extends between the inner face and outer face of the elongate tube body.

In one form, the tack port comprises a central tack port axis that is substantially perpendicular to the proximal port axis.

In one form, the joint port comprises one or more joint axes that are substantially perpendicular to the proximal port axis.

In one form, the finger space comprises a diameter smaller than a user's finger and the sanitary assistive device can be stretched over to a larger diameter thereby providing a frictional fit over the end of the finger.

In one form, the elongate tube body is made from an elastomeric material such as a silicone.

In one form, a tack is housed in the tack port.

In one form, the tack comprises a T-shaped body

In one form, the T-shaped body comprises and enlarged head.

In one form, the enlarged head is substantially flat.

In one form, a tactile surface is formed on the top of the enlarged head and is opposed by a stop surface on the opposing side of the enlarged head.

In one form, the T-shaped body comprises a stem extending from the enlarged head.

In one form, the stem is elongate and comprises an annular recess.

In one form, the T-shaped body comprises a tip at and opposing the enlarged head.

In one form, the profile of the stem complements the profile of the tack port.

In one form, the tip extends beyond the outer face of the elongate tube body a distance E in an assembled configuration.

In one form, a tack flap extends from the outer face of the elongate tube body from a position proximally adjacent the tack port and extends over the tack port.

In one form, the tack flap comprises a cover face facing the outer face.

In one form, the tack flap comprises an exterior face opposing the cover face.

In one form, the tack flap is biased whereby the cover face covers the tip of the tack in a covered configuration.

In one form, a user exposes the tip of the tack by retracting the tack flap proximally in a retracted configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein each drawing is according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a proximal perspective view of a sanitary assistive device;

FIG. 2 depicts a distal perspective view of the sanitary assistive device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the sanitary assistive device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of the sanitary assistive device of FIG. 1 through plane F;

FIG. 5 depicts a close-up cross-sectional view of the sanitary assistive device of FIG. 1 through plane F;

FIG. 6 depicts a close-up cross-sectional view of the sanitary assistive device of FIG. 1 through plane F with tack flap covering the tack;

FIG. 7 depicts a close-up cross-sectional view of the sanitary assistive device of FIG. 1 through plane F with the tack flap retracted from the tack;

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of a tack used in the sanitary assistive device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 depicts a cross-sectional perspective view of the tack used in the sanitary assistive device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 depicts a user's finger seated inside a cross-sectional view of the sanitary assistive device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram depicting steps for using the sanitary assistive devices disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Select embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures. Like numerals indicate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views and wherein various embodiments are separated by letters (i.e. 100, 100B, 100C). The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive way, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the invention described herein.

FIG. 1-5 depict views of a preferred embodiment of a novel sanitary assistive device. FIGS. 1-2 are perspective views, FIG. 3 is a side view, and FIGS. 4-7, 9 are cross-sectional views through central plane F. FIGS. 4, 6, 7 illustrates the sanitary assistive device 100 that includes tack 138 whereas FIG. 5 illustrates the device with tack 138 removed.

The sanitary assistive device 100 is worn on a user's finger as illustrated in FIG. 10, to assist with opening thin plastic bags and as a sanitary barrier. In this embodiment, the sanitary assistive device 100 comprises an elongate tube body 114. The elongate tube body 114 comprises a proximal port axis (Axis A) extending centrally along the elongate tube body 114. On a distal end, the elongate tube body is enclosed by a distal wall 115 whereas a tube wall 118 forms the elongate tube body and has an inner face 120 formed thereon facing interior. Although it may assume other profiles such as polygons such as a hexagon, the inner face 120 in this embodiment is generally cylindrical and defines a finger space 122 sized for housing a user's finger. An outer face 124 is formed on the tube wall 118 and faces the exterior.

The elongate tube body 114 comprises a proximal face 126 at a proximal end and which extends between the inner face 120 and the outer face 124. A proximal port 128 extends through the proximal face 126 to provide entry for a user's finger to reside in finger space 122 from a proximal end. As illustrated here, a distal face 117 is formed on the distal wall 115 and faces distally, whereas, an end face 116 is formed on the distal wall 115 and faces proximally. A joint face 130 extends laterally partially through the elongate tube body 114 and again extends between the inner face 120 and outer face 124. The joint face 130 defines a joint port 132 laterally extending through a side of the elongate tube body 114. The joint port 132 is spaced towards a proximal end of the elongate tube body and is formed to accommodate an enlarged DIP joint as it rises during bending.

A tack face 134 (FIG. 5) defines a tack port 136 extending through a side of the elongate tube body between the inner face 120 and outer face 124. In preferred forms, the tack port 136 and the joint port 132 are positioned substantially on opposed sides of the elongate tube body 114. As illustrated in the Figures, the tack port 136 is spaced towards a distal end of the elongate tube body with the tack face 134 extending between the inner face 120 and outer face 124 of the elongate tube body. The tack port 136 comprises a central tack port axis (axis B) that is substantially perpendicular to the proximal port axis.

In some embodiments, the finger space 122 comprises a diameter smaller than a user's finger and can be stretched over a larger diameter thereby providing a frictional fit over the end of the finger. The elongate tube body is made from an elastomeric material such as a silicone.

A tack 138 comprising a T-shaped body 140 is housed in the tack port 136 in an assembled configuration. The T-shaped body 140 comprises an enlarged head 142. The enlarged head and stem in this embodiment are rounded as if turned on a lathe. Here, the enlarged head 142 is substantially flat. Tactile surface 146 is formed on the top of the enlarged head 142 and is opposed by a stop surface 146 on the opposing side of the enlarged head 142. The tactile surface is positioned in the assembled configuration to abut the user's finger pad of their distal phalange 104. The T-shaped body 140 comprises a stem 148 extending from the enlarged head 142. The stem 148 comprises an annular recess 150. The profile of the stem 148 complements the profile of the tack port 136 such that the stem can be pressed and seated therein. When seated in the tack port 136, the protruding tack port ridge 135 is seated within the annular recess 150 thereby retaining the tack 138 in the in the tack port. The T-shaped body 140 comprises a tip 152. As illustrated, the tip 152 extends beyond the outer face 124 of the elongate tube body 114 a distance E in an assembled configuration. This distance is just enough for the tip 152 to catch on one layer of a plastic bag when dragged across its surface. The tack is preferably made from a rigid material such as a polymer, or metal. Vibrations through the tack are transmitted to the user's finger pad of their distal phalange providing the user a sensitive sense of touch despite wearing the assistive device. The tack can also be used to perform tasks such as pressing buttons on a keypad.

As illustrated in the Figures, a tack flap 154 extends from the outer face 124 of the elongate tube body 114 from a position proximally adjacent the tack port 136. The tack flap 154 comprises a cover face 156 facing the outer face 124 and an exterior face 158 opposing the cover face 156. The tack flap 154 is biased whereby the cover face 156 covers the tip 152 of the tack 138 in a covered configuration. A user exposes the tip 152 of the tack 138 by retracting the tack flap 154 proximally in a retracted configuration. This is done for example, by rubbing the user's thumb proximately over the tack flap such that the tack flap moves from the position illustrated in FIG. 6 to the position illustrated in FIG. 7.

A method of separating thin plastic bags utilizing a the novel sanitary assistive device described herein comprises the following steps (FIG. 11). Obtaining a sanitary assistive device as described in the previous paragraphs that includes an elongate tube body, a proximal port leading into a finger space, a joint port, a tack port with a T-shaped tack housed therein, and a tack flap extending over the tack port from an outer face of the elongate tube body (170). Sliding a user's finger through the proximal port such that it is fully seated in a finger space whereby the user's finger pad of their distal phalange is resting on a tactile surface of a tack housed in a finger port of the sanitary assistive device (172). Obtaining a thin plastic bag (174). Retract the tack flap, for example by placing the user's thumb over the tack flap retracting the tack flap proximally thereby exposing the tip of the tack (176). Placing the tip of the tack on an outer surface of the thin plastic bag and dragging such that the sides of the thin plastic bag separate to provide access to the inside of the bag (178).

It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” and “generally” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. (canceled)

3. A sanitary assistive device for a finger comprising: an elongate tube body;said elastomeric elongate tube body having a tube wall extending between the inside and outside of said elongate tube body;a distal wall enclosing a distal end of said elongate tube body;an inner face formed on the inside of said tube wall defining a rounded finger space operable for seating the distal portion of a user's finger therein;a proximal face at a proximal end of said elongate tube body;a proximal port extending through said proximal face from said proximal end of said elongate tube body;a tack; andwherein said tack extends through said tube wall between said finger space and said outer face.

4. The sanitary assistive device of claim 3 further comprising: a joint port;said joint port extending through said tube wall between a proximal end and a distal end of said elongate tube body and configured to provide relief of a user's knuckle when seated in said finger space.

5. The sanitary assistive device of claim 4 wherein said joint port and said tack are located on opposed sides of said elongate tube body.

6. The sanitary assistive device of claim 3 further comprising: a tack face extending between said inner face and said outer face; andwherein said tack face forms a tack port for seating said tack therein.

7. The sanitary assistive device of claim 6 further comprising: a tack port ridge;wherein said tack port ridge is a narrowing of said tack port.

8. The sanitary assistive device of claim 3 wherein said tack comprises a T-shaped body.

9. The sanitary assistive device of claim 3 further comprising: a tack flap;said tack flap extending from said outer face of said elongate tube body from a position proximally adjacent to said tack port; andwherein said tack flap extends over said tack port.

10. The sanitary assistive device of claim 9 further comprising: a tip on said tack; andwherein said tack flap is biased to cover said tip of said tack in a covered configuration.

11. The sanitary assistive device of claim 10 wherein said tip extends beyond said outer face of said elongate tube body.

12. The sanitary assistive device of claim 3 wherein said elongate tube body is manufactured from an elastomeric material.

13. The sanitary assistive device of claim 3 wherein said tack comprises a T-shaped body.

14. The sanitary assistive device of claim 13 wherein said T-shaped body comprises an enlarged head.

15. The sanitary assistive device of claim 14 wherein said T-shaped body further comprises: a stem;wherein said stem extends from said enlarged head.

16. The sanitary assistive device of claim 15 further comprising: a tack port extending through said tube wall;said tack port having a tack port ridge narrowing a portion of said tack port;wherein said stem comprises an annular recess operable for engagement in said tack port ridge.

17. The sanitary assistive device of claim 15 wherein said stem terminates at a tip.

18. The sanitary assistive device of claim 3 further comprising: a tack flap;said tack flap extending from said outer face of said elongate tube body from a position proximally adjacent to said tack port;said tack comprising a tip; andwherein said tack flap extends over said tip in a covered configuration.

19. The sanitary assistive device of claim 18 wherein said tip of said tack is exposed by retracting said tack flap in a retracted configuration.

20. The sanitary assistive device of claim 3 wherein said tack is manufactured from a rigid material.

21. A method of using a sanitary assistive device to separate thin plastic bags comprising the following steps: obtaining a sanitary assistive device comprising an elongate tube body, a proximal port leading into a finger space, a joint port, a tack port with a T-shaped tack housed therein, and a tack flap extending over the tack port from an outer face of the elongate tube body;sliding a finger through the proximal port such that it is fully seated in a finger space within the elongate tube body whereby the user's finger pad of their distal phalange is resting on a tactile surface of a tack housed in the finger port of the sanitary assistive device;obtaining a thin plastic bag;retracting the tack flap thereby exposing a tip of the tack; andplacing the tip of the tack on an outer surface of the thin plastic bag and dragging such that the sides of the thin plastic bag separate to provide access to the inside of the bag.

22. The method of using a sanitary assistive device to separate thin plastic bags of claim 21 wherein the step of retracting the tack flap thereby exposing a tip of the tack further comprises the step of placing the user's thumb over the tack flap and retracting the tack flap proximally thereby exposing the tip of the tack.