Sanitary handle for shopping carts

• US 5,215,319 A
• Filed: 04/01/1992
• Issued: 06/01/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arrowhead Marketing, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Arrowhead Marketing, Inc.
• Inventors: Farris, Judy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US07/861,659
• Time in Patent Office: 426 Days
• Field of Search: 280/33.991, 280/33.992, 280/33.993, 280/DIG. 4, 280/304.1, 280/304.3, D 6/580, D 6/579, D 6/575, 220/408, 220/410, 220/470, 297/227, 150/154, 150/165, 150/166, 29/235, 160/84.1, 206/825, 248/251, 248/252, 4/608, 4/609, 150/155
• US Class Current: 280/33.992
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/06 Hand moving equipment, e.g. handle bars for cycles B62K11/14, B62K21/12
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/069 Removable sleeves on handle bars, e.g. for protection against germs

Abstract

The present invention shows a method for providing a disposable sanitary cover for the handle of a shopping cart. The cover is made from a flexible, semi-rigid material that has an inside diameter approximately equal to the outside diameter of the handle. Because the cover has a tubular body with a memory for returning to its prior shape, by pressing a slot cut the longitudinal length along the body against the handle for the shopping cart, the tubular body will open allowing the cover to enclose the handle of the shopping cart. After use, the disposable sanitary cover can be removed from the handle of the shopping cart. A notch may be cut in one end to allow for ease of installation of the cover. Individualized covers may be contained in separate sanitary packages.

Claims

1. A disposable sanitary cover for a handle of a shopping cart, the handle having a generally straight cylindrical portion with a generally uniform outside diameter, said disposable sanitary cover comprising:

a tubular body formed from a semi-rigid, flexible material that has a memory concerning its prior shape;

a slot cut through one side of said tubular body along an entire longitudinal length of said tubular body;

notch cut in at least one end of said tubular body, said notch being located at said slot in said tubular body; and

sanitary wrapping for enclosing said tubular body therein, said tubular body being sanitized prior to said enclosing in said sanitary wrapping;

said tubular body having an inside diameter approximately equal to said outside diameter of said handle of said shopping cart, said tubular body being constructed so that upon pressing said notch and said slot against said handle of said shopping cart, said tubular body will flex open to receive said handle of said shopping cart therein.

2. The disposable sanitary cover for said handle of said shopping cart as recited in claim 1 wherein said tubular body is made from an extruded petroleum product.

3. The disposable sanitary cover for said handle of said shopping cart as recited in claim 2 where edges of said tubular body are rounded for ease of installing and to avoid cuts.