Disinfectant wipe dispenser

Abstract

Disclosed is a disinfectant wipe dispenser. The dispenser may assist in the prevention of nosocomial infection transmission, such as staff and MRSA infections. Such a dispenser may comprise a housing for holding disinfectant wipes and a fastener. The fastener may be adapted to removably attach the housing to a medical implement and/or an article of clothing. For example, the housing may be attached to a stethoscope.

1 . A disinfectant wipe dispenser and stethoscope system comprising:
 a stethoscope comprising an ear pierce, a chest piece, and flexible tubing coupling the ear piece to the chest piece; and   a portable disinfectant wipe dispenser comprising a housing for storing disinfectant wipes, and a clip extending from the housing;   wherein the clip is releasably attached to the flexible tubing such that sound traveling through the flexible tubing is substantially uninterrupted.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the clip defines a semi-circle having a cavity sized to receive the flexible tubing of the stethoscope. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the clip comprises a first arm extending in a first direction and a second arm extending in a second direction, the first and second arms defining an opening for receiving the flexible tubing. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a feed mechanism, wherein the feed mechanism is adapted to urge the disinfectant wipes toward an opening of the housing, thereby advancing a second disinfectant wipe after a first disinfectant wipe has been removed from the housing. 
   
   
       5 . A disinfectant wipe dispenser for cleaning a medial implement, the dispenser comprising:
 a portable housing for storing disinfectant wipes; and   a fastener extending from the housing, the fastener being adapted to removably connect the housing to a portable object capable of being carried by a person.   
   
   
       6 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the fastener comprises at least one clip adapted to fasten the housing onto the portable object. 
   
   
       7 . The dispenser of  claim 6 , wherein the clip defines a semi-circle having a cavity sized to receive a tube of a stethoscope. 
   
   
       8 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the portable object is a stethoscope. 
   
   
       9 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the housing comprises a top cover, a bottom cover, and a hinge coupling the top cover to the bottom cover. 
   
   
       10 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the housing comprises an opening for dispensement of the disinfectant wipes. 
   
   
       11 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the fastener is rotatably attached to the housing. 
   
   
       12 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the housing includes a feed mechanism, wherein the feed mechanism is adapted to urge the disinfectant wipes toward an opening of the housing, thereby advancing a second disinfectant wipe after a first disinfectant wipe has been removed from the housing. 
   
   
       13 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the fastener comprises a belt clip. 
   
   
       14 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the fastener comprises a press clip. 
   
   
       15 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein a surface of the housing is used for advertising. 
   
   
       16 . The dispenser of  claim 5 , wherein the fastener comprises two clips. 
   
   
       17 . A portable disinfectant wipe dispenser comprising:
 a portable housing for storing disinfectant wipes; and   at least two clips extending from the housing, the clips being adapted to removably connect the housing to a tube of a stethoscope.   
   
   
       18 . The dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the housing comprises a top cover, a bottom cover, and a hinge coupling the top cover to the bottom cover. 
   
   
       19 . The dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the housing includes a feed mechanism, wherein the feed mechanism is adapted to urge the disinfectant wipes toward an opening of the housing, thereby advancing a second disinfectant wipe after a first disinfectant wipe has been removed from the housing. 
   
   
       20 . The dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the clips are positioned in line with a length of the housing. 
   
   
       21 . The dispenser of  claim 17 , wherein the clips are positioned transverse to a length of the housing. 
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein each clip defines a semi-circle having a cavity sized to receive the flexible tubing of the stethoscope. 
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein each clip comprises a first arm extending in a first direction and a second arm extending in a second direction, the first and second arms defining an opening for receiving the flexible tubing.