Fingertip cover and method of dispensing same

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure include a fingertip cover for preventing direct contact between a user's fingertip and a surface. The cover may be removably secured to a fingertip. In an example embodiment, the cover comprises a flexible substrate sized and configured to be placed on and conform to an area of the user's fingertip. At least a portion of the substrate may be conductive to allow transmission of an electric charge from the fingertip to the surface, such as a touch-screen. The cover allows operation of the touch-screen by the user, while preventing direct contact between the fingertip cover and touch-screen.

1 . A fingertip cover comprising:
 a substrate sized and configured to be placed on and conform to at least a portion of a fingertip of a user;   wherein at least a portion of the substrate is conductive to allow the transmission of an electric charge from the fingertip portion to a contact surface.   
     
     
         2 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is flexible. 
     
     
         3 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the substrate can self-adhere to the fingertip portion thereby to hold the cover in place on the fingertip portion. 
     
     
         4 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , further including an attachment surface to hold the cover in place on the fingertip portion. 
     
     
         5 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , wherein the contact surface is a touch-screen and the transmission of an electric charge from the fingertip portion to the contact surface allows operation of the touch-screen by the user. 
     
     
         6 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate includes electrically conductive material. 
     
     
         7 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate includes electrically non-conductive material on or in which an electrically conductive material is provided to allow transmission of an electric charge from the fingertip portion to the contact surface. 
     
     
         8 . The fingertip cover of  claim 7 , wherein the electrically conductive material includes a metallic mesh or thread. 
     
     
         9 . The fingertip cover of  claim 4 , wherein the attachment surface includes an adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . The fingertip cover of  claim 9 , wherein the adhesive covers the entire surface of one side of the cover. 
     
     
         11 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a release tab. 
     
     
         12 . The fingertip cover of  claim 9 , wherein the adhesive includes a hypoallergenic substance or material. 
     
     
         13 . The finger tip cover of  claim 1 , wherein one or more notches are provided around the periphery of the substrate. 
     
     
         14 . The finger tip cover of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is provided with a surface cleaning agent. 
     
     
         15 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate includes biodegradable material. 
     
     
         16 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate includes a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         17 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate includes a breathable material. 
     
     
         18 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of at least a portion of the substrate does not exceed 0.020 of an inch. 
     
     
         19 . The fingertip cover of  claim 1 , further comprising a releasable backing strip on which the cover is provided. 
     
     
         20 . The fingertip cover of  claim 19 , wherein the backing strip is a business card or a credit card. 
     
     
         21 . A kit or set including:
 at least one finger tip cover, the or each cover comprising a flexible substrate sized and configured to be placed on and conform to at least a portion of a fingertip of a user; and   a releasable backing strip on which the at least one cover is provided.   
     
     
         22 . The kit or set of  claim 21 , wherein, for the (or each) cover, at least a portion of the substrate is conductive to allow the transmission of an electric charge from the fingertip portion to a contact surface. 
     
     
         23 . The kit or set of  claim 21 , wherein the number of fingertip covers in the kit or set is between 5 and 12. 
     
     
         24 . The kit or set of  claim 21 , wherein at least one fingertip cover in the kit or set is of different size than at least one other fingertip cover in the kit or set. 
     
     
         25 . A method of manufacturing or dispensing fingertip covers comprising:
 providing at least one finger tip cover, the at least one cover comprising a flexible substrate sized and configured to be placed on and conform to a portion of a fingertip of a user;   providing at least one backing strip; and   securing the at least one cover on the backing strip in releasable manner so that a user can release the at least one cover from the backing strip for placement on a portion of a fingertip of the user.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein at least a portion of the substrate of the at least one cover is conductive to allow the transmission of an electric charge from the fingertip portion to a contact surface. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising providing adhesive on the at least one cover to secure a respective cover, once released from the backing strip, to the fingertip portion. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the adhesive on the at least one cover secures the at least one cover in releasable manner to the backing strip, and allows subsequent securement of the at least one cover to the backing strip after initial release. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the backing strip is an elongate backing strip carrying at least one series of fingertip covers along its length. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the elongate strip is provided in a rolled configuration. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising providing the rolled strip in a dispenser. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the dispenser defines a lip which can peel a cover off the backing strip as the backing strip is withdrawn from the dispenser.