Disposable flexible cover for hospital remote control unit

Abstract

A disposable plastic cover for a patient remote control unit in a hospital setting, is disclosed which comprises a pouch sized and configured to correspond in size and shape to said remote control unit, and having an opening defined by a marginal edge; a closure means comprising a flap extending from the pouch means adjacent the marginal edge, said flap adapted for securement to the pouch means to contain said remote control unit; and releasable engagement means disposed on at least one of said pouch means and said closure means and positioned to reside there between when said flap is in contact with said pouch means, to securely contain said remote control unit. The covers of the present invention are easily manufactured and used, and provide a secure barrier to the spread of infection from the use of the remote control units.

1 . A disposable flexible cover for the sanitary reception and containment of a remote control unit for use in a hospital setting, said cover comprising:
 a. pouch means sized and configured to correspond to said remote control unit, said pouch means having an opening defined by a marginal edge;   b. closure means comprising a flap and extending from said pouch means adjacent said marginal edge, said flap adapted for securement to said pouch means to contain said remote control unit; and   c. releasable engagement means disposed on at least one of said pouch means and said closure means and positioned to reside there between when said flap is in contact with said pouch means, to securely contain said remote control unit.   
   
   
       2 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein said releasable engagement means comprises an adhesive strip located on said pouch means on the outer surface thereof, and located for direct adhesive engagement with said flap when said flap is placed against said outer surface of said pouch means. 
   
   
       3 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein said flap defines an opening therein, located adjacent said marginal edge, said opening configured to permit the extension there through of a connector cord integral with said remote control unit. 
   
   
       4 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein said cover is constructed from a flexible plastic material, which plastic material is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene and cellulosic resins. 
   
   
       5 . The cover of  claim 4  wherein said flexible resinous material has a thickness of about 1.25 mil. 
   
   
       6 . The cover of  claim 1  wherein said cover is shaped and dimensioned to snugly receive and contain said remote control unit. 
   
   
       7 . A method for the preparation of a flexible cover for the sanitary reception and containment of a remote control unit in a hospital setting, said method comprising:
 a. providing an endless web of a flexible plastic material to defining a fold line longitudinally along said flexible web;   b. folding said web upon itself, along said fold line, to form a pouch proximal to said fold line, and a cover flap distal thereto;   c. applying heat sealing means in serial fashion at spaced intervals and in a direction transverse to said fold line and the longitudinal dimension of said web, so as to define said individual covers;   d. providing a score line between said adjacent covers to enable the packaging thereof in multiple unit, tear away bundles; and   e. retrieving said bundles from said web and packaging said bundles as dispensable units for use in said hospital.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein after step c, an opening is formed in said flap for the protrusion of a power/data cord from said remote control unit. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein, in step d, said adjacent covers are severed from each other. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein, following step b, a score line is formed along said flap, parallel and distal to said fold line and spaced inwardly from the outer edge of said flap. 
   
   
       11 . A method for inhibiting the transmission of infectious agents in a hospital, comprising enclosing a remote control unit used by a patient, in a disposable flexible cover of  claim 1 .