WEARABLE PROTECTIVE BARRIER WITH DETACHABLE HAND AND INSTRUMENT COVERS

• US 20100064408A1
• Filed: 09/16/2008
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Covies, Inc.
• Inventors: KEMPER, ALICIA
• Granted Patent: US 8,069,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/51
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/081 Hand protectors
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1209 Surgeons' gowns or dresses

Abstract

A wearable, protective barrier comprising a garment having removably attached covers to protect hands and/or instruments placed therein. The covers can be removably affixed to various locations on the garment that would allow them to be detached from the garment before or after insertion of a hand. Various tabs located on the covers aid in inserting and adjusting the covers on the hand and/or instrument. In a specific embodiment, the covers and/or garment comprise one or more heat sensitive materials, such that some portion of a cover can be temporarily heat-sealed to the garment for later removal. In a further embodiment, the garment and covers are sterile and disposable.

Claims

1. A garment capable of protecting some portion of at least the front side of a wearer, said garment having at least one removably attached cover comprising a sheath with a closed end and an open end, and an interior for containing and protecting a hand and/or device, said cover being detachable from the garment prior to use.

2. A garment, according to claim 1, selected from the group consisting of gowns, shirts, dresses, aprons, bibs, bandoliers, suspenders, vests, pants, chaps, and leg clothing.

3. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cover further comprises at least one tab.

4. The garment, according to claim 3, wherein the at least one tab is fixedly attached at or near the open edge of the cover.

5. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises at least two compartments at the closed end capable of separately accommodating a thumb and one or more fingers.

6. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cover further comprises one or more lengthwise pleats.

7. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cover further comprises one or more crosswise folds.

8. The garment, according to claim 1, further comprising one or more structures for securing the at least one cover to the hand of a wearer.

9. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cover comprises a material capable of being at least partially conformed to the shape of a hand or device within the cover.

10. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein the cover is tapered towards the closed end.

11. The garment, according to claim 1, further comprising:

a cuff on the exterior of the cover at or near the open end, such that a pocket is formed between the cuff and the cover; and

a tab affixed to the cover inside the pocket.

12. The garment, according to claim 1, further comprising:

at least one elongated extension tab having a first end affixed at or near the closed end of the cover and a second unaffixed end;

at least one cross-band having at least two ends fixedly attached to the cover and a pre-determined length there between for securing the unaffixed second end against the cover at or about the open end.

13. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein one or more heat seals are utilized to removably attach at least a portion of the cover to the garment.

14. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein one or more high-pressure indentations or embossing seals are utilized to removably attach at least a portion of the cover to the garment.

15. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cover is removably attached to the garment utilizing a device selected from the group consisting of snaps, breakable stitching, hook and loop material, and zipper seal stripping.

16. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cover is removably attached utilizing at least one adhesive material.

17. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein the closed end of the at least one cover is directed towards a top end of the garment and the open end is directed towards a bottom end of the garment.

18. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein the open end of the at least one cover is directed towards a side of the garment.

19. The garment, according to claim 1, wherein the at least one cover overlaps at least one other cover.

20. The garment, according to claim 1, further comprising a sterilizing agent within the interior of the at least one cover.

21. The garment, according to claim 1, further comprising a sterilizing agent on the exterior of the at least one cover.

22. The garment, according to claim 21, wherein the sterilizing agent is located on a portion of the at least one cover for contacting with a surface or a patient.

23. The garment, according to claim 11, further comprising a sterilizing agent within the pocket of the at least one cover.

24. A garment capable of protecting some portion of at least the front of a wearer, said garment having at least one removably attached cover comprising a sheath having a first open end and a second open end, and an interior for containing and protecting a hand and/or device, said cover being detachable from the garment prior to use.

25. A garment, according to claim 24, selected from the group consisting of gowns, shirts, dresses, aprons, bibs, bandoliers, suspenders, vests, pants, chaps, and leg clothing.

26. The garment, according to claim 24, wherein the at least one cover further comprises at least one tab.

27. The garment, according to claim 26, wherein the at least one tab is fixedly attached at or near an open edge end of the cover.

28. The garment, according to claim 24, wherein the at least one cover further comprises one or more lengthwise pleats.

29. The garment, according to claim 24, wherein the at least one cover further comprises one or more crosswise folds.

30. The garment, according to claim 24, further comprising one or more structures for securing the at least one cover to a hand of a wearer.

31. The garment, according to claim 24, wherein one or more heat seals are utilized to removably attach at least a portion of the cover to the garment.

32. The garment, according to claim 24, wherein one or more high-pressure indentation or embossing seals are utilized to removably attach at least a portion of the cover to the garment.

33. The garment, according to claim 24, wherein the at least one cover is removably attached to the garment utilizing a device selected from the group consisting of snaps, breakable stitching, hook and loop material, and zipper seal stripping.

34. The garment, according to claim 24, wherein the at least one cover is removably attached utilizing at least one adhesive material.

35. The garment, according to claim 24, further comprising a sterilizing substance within the interior of the at least one cover.

36. A cover for protecting a hand and/or device comprising,

a sheath having a closed end and an open end such that there is an interior and exterior;

at least one tab fixedly attached to the exterior of the cover;

at least one securing structure attached to the sheath to assist with maintaining the position of the cover over a hand and/or device;

a cuff affixed to the exterior of the sheath having at least one opening such that a pocket is formed between the cuff and the exterior of the cover; and

a hidden tab affixed to the cover within the pocket.

37. The cover, according to claim 36, wherein the at least one tab is affixed at or near the open edge of the cover.

38. The cover, according to claim 36, further comprising one or more lengthwise pleats.

39. The cover, according to claim 36, further comprising one or more crosswise folds.

40. The cover, according to claim 36, wherein at least a portion comprises a material capable of being at least partially conformed to the shape of a hand or device therein.

41. The cover, according to claim 36, further comprising a sterilizing agent within the interior of the at least one cover.

42. The cover, according to claim 36, further comprising a sterilizing agent on the exterior of the at least one cover.

43. The cover, according to claim 42, wherein the sterilizing agent is located on a portion of the at least one cover for contacting with a surface or a patient.

44. The cover, according to claim 36, further comprising a sterilizing agent within the pocket.

55. The method, according to claim 44, further comprising adjusting the cover on the hand after detachment from the garment utilizing at least one tab fixedly attached to the cover.

45. A cover for protecting a hand and/or device comprising,

a sheath having a closed end and an open end such that there is an interior and exterior, the sheath being compressed lengthwise so as to be substantially flattened with multiple folds and/or creases between the closed end and the open end, with the open end expanded for insertion of a hand and/or device;

at least one tab fixedly attached at or near the open end of the cover.

46. The cover, according to claim 45, further comprising a support surface to which the cover is removably affixed with the closed end nearest the support surface.

47. The garment, according to claim 45, wherein the cover further comprises at least two compartments at the closed end capable of separately accommodating a thumb and one or more fingers.

48. The garment, according to claim 45, wherein the cover is tapered towards the closed end.

49. The garment, according to claim 45, further comprising a sterilizing agent within the interior of the at least one cover.

50. The garment, according to claim 45, further comprising a sterilizing agent on the exterior of the at least one cover.

51. The garment, according to claim 49, wherein the sterilizing agent is located on a portion of the at least one cover for contacting with a surface or a patient.

52. The cover, according to claim 45, wherein the supporting structure is a garment.

53. The cover, according to claim 45, wherein the supporting structure is a disposable card.

54. A method for protecting a person or device utilizing a garment capable of protecting some portion of at least the front of a wearer, said garment having removably attached thereto at least one cover comprising a sheath having a closed end and an open end, and an interior for containing and protecting at least one hand and/or device, wherein said method comprises placing the garment on a person;

inserting a hand and/or instrument into the open end of the at least one cover;

advancing the hand and/or instrument towards the closed end of the at least one cover; and

moving the hand and/or instrument within the cover away from the garment causing the cover to be detached from the garment.