Means and Method to Protect Items From Contamination

Abstract

A protective sleeve used to cover and isolate tools such as cooking utensils, medical tools, industrial tools and the like from contaminants. The sleeve comprises an interior portion, an exterior portion, and an exterior trim and is comprised of a malleable material so that it may be crimped and secured to the end of any utensil or tool. The sleeve, being malleable, may also be shaped to supplement the utensil or tool. For example, a sleeve over a spatula could be shaped with lipped edges so as to allow the spatula to more easily hold and maneuver foods. An example of a use of the protective sleeve is to protect foods from cross-contamination of harmful bacteria that may be present on raw or undercooked meats.

1 . A protective sleeve comprising:
 a hollow interior portion to enclose and protect the end of a tool;   an exterior portion forming to the end of a tool; and   an exterior trim that outlines around the sealed portion of the protective sleeve so as to maintain the shape of the sleeve.   
   
   
       2 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein the said protective sleeve is sealed on three sides and open on one side, the open side comprising an opening that will allow the end of a tool to fit inside of the said interior portion. 
   
   
       3 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein the said protective sleeve is comprised of a malleable material, so as to allow the said protective sleeve to be crimped and formed to the shape of the end of the said tool. 
   
   
       4 . The invention of  claim 1 , wherein said tool is selected from a group comprising cooking utensils, medical tools, and industrial tools. 
   
   
       5 . The invention of  claim 3  wherein said malleable material is aluminum. 
   
   
       6 . A method of providing a protective covering for tools, said method comprising the steps of:
 selecting a malleable material; and   forming said malleable material over the working end of a tool.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said malleable material is disposed of after use. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said malleable material is selected from a group comprising malleable metals. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said malleable material is selected from a group comprising malleable plastics. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said tool is selected from a group comprising cooking utensils, medical tools, and industrial tools. 
   
   
       11 . A method of providing a protective covering for tools, said method comprising the steps of:
 selecting a malleable material from a group comprising malleable metals;   selecting a tool from the group comprising cooking utensils, medical tools, and industrial tools; and   forming said malleable material over the working end of said selected tool.