Touch point area disposable contamination barrier dispensing device

• US 10,231,581 B2
• Filed: 08/16/2013
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University of South Carolina
• Original Assignee: University of South Carolina
• Inventors: Moskowitz, Jay, Randall, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Kumar, Rakesh
• Application Number:
  US14/420,523
• Publication Number:
  US 20150230672A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,041 Days
• Field of Search: 221 63, 221 48, 221303, 206216, 206449
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 5/00 Devices for drawing draperies, curtains, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/42 dispensing from a store of single sheets, e.g. stacked

Abstract

A dispenser device is generally provided for removable attachment to a flexible enclosure. In one embodiment, the dispenser device comprises a dispenser body which defines a cavity therein and a plurality of barrier sheets within the cavity defined by the dispenser body. The dispenser body is configured to be removably attached over a contact point or surface of the flexible enclosure (e.g., a curtain or the like).

Claims

1. A dispenser device for removable attachment to a flexible enclosure, comprising:

a dispenser body that is foldable about a longitudinal axis of the dispenser body;

a plurality of barrier sheets removably held by the dispenser body, wherein the plurality of barrier sheets are arranged to form a stack and held by the dispenser body such that removal of a top barrier sheet of the stack exposes an underlying barrier sheet in the stack; and

an intermediate device attached to the dispenser body and including two sides and a bridge, wherein each side is positioned on an opposite surface of the dispenser body, wherein an interior surface of each side of the intermediate device includes first attachment means comprising one of an adhesive layer, a hook and loon fastener, a pinching mechanism, a compression mechanism, a friction pad, a magnet, a puncturing mechanism, a screw, a tack, a staple, a screw, a bolt, or a combination thereof for attaching one side of the intermediate device to an opposite side of the intermediate device, and wherein the bridge is positioned along the longitudinal axis of the dispenser body;

wherein each side of the intermediate device further includes a second attachment means disposed on an exterior surface of each side of the intermediate device, wherein the exterior surface of each side of the intermediate device is located opposite the interior surface of each side of the intermediate device, wherein the second attachment means comprising one of a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive, a tape, or a combination thereof, wherein the second attachment means is configured to attach to a bottom surface of the dispenser body on the sides of the intermediate device.

2. The dispenser device as in claim 1, wherein the bridge includes a mechanical actuator having a spring hinge suitable for clamping down on the flexible enclosure via the sides of the intermediate device.

3. The dispenser device as in claim 1, wherein the barrier sheets comprise a sheet that is substantially impervious to liquids.

4. The dispenser device as in claim 1, wherein the dispenser body further comprises a back support.

5. The dispenser device as in claim 4, wherein the back support defines at least one fold line.

6. The dispenser device as in claim 5, wherein the back support defines a pair of fold lines, each fold line being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser body.

7. The dispenser device as in claim 1, further comprising a pinch clamp.

8. The dispenser device as in claim 7, wherein the pinch clamp is positioned on an interior surface of the bridge.

9. A dispenser device for removable attachment to a flexible enclosure, comprising:

an intermediate device defining two sides, wherein each side is positioned on an opposite surface of the dispenser body, wherein an interior surface of each side of the intermediate device includes first attachment means comprising one of an adhesive layer, a hook and loop fastener, a pinching mechanism, a compression mechanism, a friction pad, a magnet, a puncturing mechanism, a screw, a tack, a stale, a screw, a bolt, or a combination thereof for attaching one side of the intermediate device to an opposite side of the intermediate device;

wherein each side of the intermediate device further includes a second attachment means disposed on an exterior surface of each side of the intermediate device, wherein the exterior surface of each side of the intermediate device is located opposite the interior surface of each side of the intermediate device, wherein the second attachment means comprising one of a hook and loop fastener, an adhesive, a tape, or a combination thereof, wherein the second attachment means is configured to attach to a bottom surface of the dispenser body;

a dispenser body which defines a cavity therein, the dispenser body being configured to be removably attached to the intermediate device; and

a plurality of barrier sheets within the cavity defined by the dispenser body.

10. The dispenser device as in claim 9, wherein the intermediate device comprises a bridge positioned between the two sides.

11. The dispenser device as in claim 10, further comprising:

a pinch clamp, the pinch clamp being positioned on an interior surface of the bridge.

12. The dispenser device as in claim 9, wherein the barrier sheets are individually loose within the cavity.

13. The dispenser device as in claim 9, wherein the barrier sheets are configured such that removal of a single barrier sheet does not substantially affect the alignment of any underlying barrier sheets.