Plastic sleeve containing an antimicrobial agent

• US 5,882,667 A
• Filed: 08/02/1993
• Issued: 03/16/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas Lucius Jones
• Original Assignee: Thomas Lucius Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Thomas Lucius
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Neil S.
• Application Number:
  US08/101,495
• Time in Patent Office: 2,052 Days
• Field of Search: 424/405, 424/78.24, 424/78.31, 424/78.35, 424/78.36, 424/499, 424/501, 424/411
• US Class Current: 424/405
• CPC Class Codes: A01N 25/34 Shaped forms, e.g. sheets, not provided for in any other sub-group of this main group

Abstract

A plastic sleeve covering containing an antimicrobial agent to resist or prevent the growth of microbes on the surface thereof, thereby preventing cross-contamination of subsequent users following the use of the item by an infected individual and especially items commonly used, such as writing pens, door handles, push-plate appliances for doors, and flush handles accompanying toilets in public facilities.

Claims

1. A sterile rigid sleeve produced from a mixture of a plastic and an antimicrobial agent for avoiding cross-contamination between persons who come in contact with said sleeve;

said plastic being formed from styrenic resins;

said antimicrobial agent is taken from the group consisting of iodines and povidone-iodines and any combinations of said antimicrobial agents;

said sterile rigid sleeve being in the form of an elongated rigid cylinder which is the shaft of a writing pen;

said mixture being from 1% to 10% by weight of antimicrobial agent.

2. A sterile rigid sleeve produced from a mixture of a plastic and an antimicrobial agent for avoiding cross-contamination between persons who come in contact with said sleeve;

said plastic being formed from styrenic resins;

said antimicrobial agent is taken from the group consisting of iodines and povidone-iodines and any combinations of said antimicrobial agents;

said sterile rigid sleeve being elongated for covering non-sterile surfaces;

said mixture being from 1% to 10% by weight of antimicrobial agent.

3. A sterile rigid sleeve as set forth in claim 2, wherein said sleeve has a centrally located passage which is essentially round for receiving essentially round writing pens.

4. A sterile rigid sleeve as set forth in claim 3, including a groove the length of the sleeve and extending from the outer surface of the sleeve to said centrally located passage to allow the centrally located passage to be enlarged.

5. A sterile rigid sleeve as set forth in claim 2, wherein said sleeve is rigid and wherein said sleeve has a centrally located passage which is non-round for receiving non-round writing pens.

6. A sterile rigid sleeve sleeve as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sleeve includes a groove the length of the sleeve and extending from the outer surface to said centrally located passage to allow the centrally located passage to be enlarged.

7. A sterile rigid sleeve as set forth in claim 2, including an adhesive on the side of the sleeve in juxtaposition to the object to which the sleeve is applied.