Hygienic device and method for use

Abstract

The present invention is an apparatus and method for using a hygienic device to form a barrier between an object to be grasped and a user's palm and fingers to prevent the transfer of unwanted bacteria and germs. The device is a covering for the palm and fingers of the user's hand which creates a barrier between the object being grasped and the user's palm and fingers to prevent the transfer of germs thereto. The device is envisioned to have a pocket or other means to facilitate positioning of the hygienic device on the user's hand. The method for using the hygienic device further includes providing a dispenser for holding multiple hygienic devices, a single device can be removed from the holder which is then placed upon the user's hand and is then used. After the hygienic device is used it can be disposed of as needed by the user.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of providing a disposable hand-held hygienic device comprising: 
 providing a hygienic device;    providing a holder for said hygienic device, said holder containing a plurality of hygienic devices;    positioning said holder on a vertical or horizontal surface so that said hygienic devices can be accessed;    removing one of said hygienic devices from said holder;    placing said hygienic device on a hand of a user;    grasping an object that may contain germs with said hand having said hygienic device to prevent germs from passing through to said hand;    removing said hygienic device from said hand; and    disposing of said hygienic device.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further including providing said hygienic device with a pocket to insert said user's hand.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 2 , further including adjusting the position of said hygienic device on said hand to fully cover a palm and finger surface of said hand.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , further including grasping an object with said hygienic device wherein said hygienic device is positioned between said object and said palm and finger surface of said hand to prevent direct contact of said object with said palm surface.  
     
     
         5 . A method of hygienically protecting a user in a facility containing germs, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a hygienic device;    providing a holder for said hygienic device, said holder containing a plurality of hygienic devices;    positioning said holder within said facility adjacent to a fixture that may contain germs;    removing one of said hygienic devices from said holder;    holding said hygienic device on a hand of said user;    grasping said fixture with said hygienic device disposed between said hand and said fixture;    displacing said hygienic device from said hand; and    disposing of said hygienic device.    
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said step of holding said hygienic device on said hand comprises placing said device on one or more fingers of said user.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said step of holding said hygienic device on said hand comprises removably adhesively securing said device to said hand.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said step of holding said hygienic device on said hand comprises holding an extending tab of said device between the fingers of said user.  
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said step of holding said device on said hand comprises positioning said device on said hand to cover a palm surface of said hand.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said holder is positioned in a facility containing germs selected from the group consisting of rest rooms, laboratories, hospitals, physicians' offices and dentists' offices.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein said hygienic device is used to grasp a fixture that may contain germs selected from the group consisting of doorknobs, faucets, toilet handles, toilet seats, soap dispensers and towel racks.  
     
     
         12 . A dispenser unit for hygienic devices comprising: 
 a holder;    a plurality of hygienic devices supported by said holder, each device including at least one substantially flat sheet of material; and    means to facilitate grasping of an individual hygienic device to remove said device from said holder.    
     
     
         13 . A unit according to  claim 12 , wherein said holder includes a box having an interior compartment and an access opening to said compartment, said devices being arranged within said compartment.  
     
     
         14 . A unit according to  claim 13 , wherein said means to facilitate grasping includes a pocket formed on said sheet, said pocket being sized and configured to receive only one or more fingers of a user.  
     
     
         15 . A unit according to  claim 14 , wherein said pocket is defined by a second sheet attached to said one sheet, said pocket having a finger opening oriented relative to said holder to permit finger insertion.  
     
     
         16 . A unit according to  claim 13 , wherein said means to facilitate grasping includes a tab attached to and projecting from said one sheet.  
     
     
         17 . A unit according to  claim 13 , wherein said means to facilitate grasping includes an adhesive on said one sheet, said adhesive being removably adherent to a hand of a user and to an object to be grasped thereby.