Sneeze sleeve

Abstract

The Sneeze Sleeve is a tubular sleeve comprised of soft yet strong paper towel like like material that covers the arm of the wearer from the mid upper arm to the wrist. It has elastic bands at the mid upper arm and wrist with about one inch extensions which can be easily grasped for removal. It can be made in one size to fit all or large medium and small sizes. It needs to be long enough to cover the arm from the wrist to the mid upper arm and wide enough to allow for bending the elbow without tearing for even the largest of arms. It is worn to protect the wearers clothing or bare arm when sneezing and coughing into the bent elbow as this is what is being instructed to do by physicians. It should be packaged in a box similar to tissues or latex gloves where one can be pulled out as needed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Doctors are now telling us to sneeze and cough into our bent elbows. There are signs and drawings in doctors offices, pharmacies and even in department stores. This present invention is a covering that is to be worn over a sleeve or bare arm to prevent contaminants of sneezing or coughing from getting onto clothing. It can also be worn in warm weather when short sleeves or no sleeves are being worn.

PRIOR ART

Other arm and sleeve protectors are somewhat similar to the present invention, but they are not intended for this particular purpose. They seem to be of a more complicated design and construction and would not be effective for this application.

REFERENCES

	7578004	April 2005	Loyens
	7370369	September 2003	Cheung
	72633725	January 2006	Fleury
	6401247	June 2002	Williams, IV
	6158054	May 1999	Belzidsky
	5924130	November 1996	Fragomeli
	5023953	December 1990	Bettcher
	4942624	July 1988	Cho
	4843645	April 1988	White
	D278566	September 1982	Gustafson
	5187813	May 1990	Klien
	4893372	September 1998	Wenzel
	6243867	June 2001	Faison
	2059136	October 1936	Moller

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The Sneeze Sleeve provides the wearer a surface in which to sneeze or cough into without spewing contaminants onto clothing, bare arm or into the air. It also provides the added protection of clothing from makeup and perspiration when sneezing or coughing into the bent elbow. The Sneeze Sleeve is easily worn over clothing or the bare arm and is secured with elastic at the wrist and mid upper arm. It is easy to remove and dispose of. The Sneeze Sleeve is comprised of a soft yet strong paper towel like material which could be manufactured of recycled materials. The Sneeze Sleeve is tubular in shape and wide enough in circumference to allow for the bending of the elbow without tearing. The Sneeze Sleeve is secured in place by an elastic band at the wrist and mid upper arm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the Sneeze Sleeve when not being worn.

FIG. 2 is a view of the Sneeze Sleeve when being worn.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Sneeze Sleeve has a tubular body (2) as seen in both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, which is approximately 15 inches in length and 15 inches in circumference. It is made of a paper product that is soft like a paper towel but strong and durable like the sleeve of a surgeon's paper gown. Soft yet sturdy enough to allow for repeated bending of elbow without tearing or ripping. The Sneeze Sleeve is secured at the wrist and the mid upper arm with an elastic band (1) and (3) as seen in both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The elastic band should be tight enough to secure the Sneeze Sleeve in place but not so tight as to constrict blood flow, somewhat similar to that of a brides garter. The elastic band (1) and (3) should be placed about one inch from the ends of the tubular body as seen in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

The Sneeze Sleeve can be easily manufactured and packaged in a tissue like box similar to the kind of box that latex examination gloves come in, where one can be pulled out as needed.

The Sneeze Sleeve is used precisely for sneezing and coughing into. It should not be made of washable materials as the water temperatures vary from home to home and the desired temperature may not be reached to kill any bacteria or viruses from colds or flu.

The Sneeze Sleeve can be utilized by fast food employees so not to contaminate surfaces and/or equipment when they sneeze or cough since they usually do not carry towels and do wear short sleeves. The Sneeze Sleeve can be worn by waitresses and bartenders though they do have towels those towels are used to wipe their hands and surfaces with and the Sneeze Sleeve can protect their white uniforms from makeup when sneezing or coughing into.

When a person has a cold or flu they ideally should stay at home but this is not always possible and there are times when a person sneezes or coughs for no particular reason. The Sneeze Sleeve can be worn during allergy season for those affected and the Sneeze Sleeve can be worn while driving to prevent having to search around for a tissue.

Because of the elastic bands at either end of the Sneeze Sleeve it can be easily and quickly slipped on and off and because it is made of a paper product it can be easily disposed of. The Sneeze Sleeve could be made of recycled material so it would be environmentally safe.

Claims

1. I claim a tubular Sneeze Sleeve comprised of an absorbent and soft paper product that is similar to a heavy duty paper towel and having elastic bands at the wrist and mid upper arm with about one inch extensions on both ends.

2. I claim the Sneeze Sleeve is wide enough to allow for the bending of the elbow and long enough to cover the arm from the wrist to the mid upper arm. This can be a one size to fit all or can be in different sizes such as large, medium and small.

3. I claim the Sneeze Sleeve can be made of recycled materials as not to impact on the environment.

4. I claim the Sneeze Sleeve can be different colors or patterns

5. I claim the Sneeze Sleeve to be in a box similar to tissues or latex gloves where one can be pulled out as needed.