Hand sanitizing packet and methods

Abstract

Described are methods and apparatus for promoting and attaining effective hand hygiene based on the employment of a class of packaging which provides timely access to and convenient use of hand sanitizing fluids for hand rubbing. A specific and novel type of package representative of this class found to be particularly useful in facilitating this method is a small, flat, disposable, twin chambered, multi-dose, self-sealing polymer packet designed to be pocket carried by the user. Through simple and direct finger manipulation a measured dose of hand sanitizing fluid is drawn on to the hand in a controlled and wasteless manner from a metering chamber opened for dispersal through a tear in the packet wall. The self-sealing packet reserves and preserves the remaining fluid for future uses and permits the packet to be immediately returned to a pocket without any closure manipulation. Rubbing the hands to distribute the fluid achieves an effective degree of hand sanitation by substantially reducing the presence of hand-borne pathogens. Distribution of the packets is encouraged by the use of lottery and gaming techniques that heighten the opportunity of using a hand sanitizing fluid for proper hand hygiene.

1 . A method of hand sanitizing, comprising: 
 acquiring a resealable pocket packet constructed of flexible film containing multiple doses of hand sanitizing fluid;    dispensing by manipulation of said packet said dose of said fluid to hands harboring pathogens; and,    rubbing hands to disperse said dose of said hand sanitizing fluid to effectively reduce hand-borne pathogens thereon.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said film is one or more flexible polymeric materials.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said material is sufficiently transparent to allow viewing of said fluid contained within said packet to aid in said manipulation of said fluid.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said material is sufficiently transparent to permit a visual determination of the quantity, location, quality, color, and/or other visible property of said fluid.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the amount of said sanitizing fluid contained in said packet is typically 2 to 8-milliliters.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said manipulation is purposeful pressure and/or tension applied to move and disperse said fluid.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said resealable pocket packet is sealable by a dispensing valve formed following said dispensing by an empty collapsed chamber that substantially retards evaporation and leakage of said fluid from said packet by weak adhesive tension formed by said walls and a film of remaining said fluid.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said packet is carried in a backpack, belt pack, briefcase, computer case, garment, lanyard attachment, lunchbox, lunch bag, notebook, purse, pocket, sports bag, tool box, telephone carrier, wrist band and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said packet is distributed in circumstances selected from a group consisting of air travel, assemblages, barrooms, business dealings, checkout counters, conventions, cruise ships, disaster relief, educational facilities, elder care facilities, expeditions, financial institutions, food services, ground transportation, health clinics, hospitals, livestock events, lodgings, malls, manufacturing facilities, meetings, military installations, offices, parties, political gatherings, potlucks, prisons, promotional events, public events, public facilities, religious services, rest homes, schools, service counters, shops, sporting events, theaters, toilet facilities, zoos, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said packet bears a promotional marking design to increase distribution and/or retention wherein said marking is selected from a group consisting of addresses, advertising messages, call numbers, codes, company names, event commemorations, event dates, decorative art, facility names, formulas, fortune predictions, gaming symbols, instructions, internet addresses, logos, lottery numbers, lottery symbols, meaningful communications, meaningful images, notations, promotional slogans, raffle numbers, schedules, trademarks, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein at least one surface area and/or part of said packet is opaque to facilitate the reading or deciphering of said marking on said packet.  
   
   
       12 . A method of hand sanitizing, comprising: 
 acquiring a resealable pocket packet constructed of flexible film containing multiple doses of hand sanitizing fluid;    selecting a dose of said fluid in said packet by a measuring means;    dispensing by manipulation of said packet said dose of said fluid to hands harboring pathogens; and,    rubbing hands to disperse said dose of said hand sanitizing fluid to effectively reduce hand-borne pathogens thereon.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said measuring means are first and second chambers designed to select and dispense said dose.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said packet is sufficiently transparent to allow viewing of said fluid contained within said packet to aid in said manipulation of said fluid for dose measuring.