Devices and dispensers for sterile coverings for tablet computers and mobile phones

Abstract

A sterile cover for a touchscreen device is provided that includes a transparent, electrically conductive screen area adapted to cover a screen of the touchscreen device and including a first sterile material. The sterile cover also includes a perimeter area surrounding the screen region and having an opening adapted to receive the touchscreen device and including a second sterile material. A removable sterile cover for substantially encapsulating a touchscreen device is provided that includes an opening for inserting the touchscreen device into the cover and a closure for closing the opening. A device for dispensing sterile covers for touchscreen devices is provided that includes a chamber adapted to enclose a plurality of sterile covers and an actuator adapted to move a next sterile cover of into a ready position. The device also includes a loading area adapted to hold a touchscreen device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sterile cover for a touchscreen device, comprising:
 a transparent, electrically conductive screen area adapted to cover a screen of the touchscreen device, the screen area comprising a first sterile material; and   a perimeter area surrounding the screen region and having an opening adapted to receive the touchscreen device, the perimeter area comprising a second sterile material.   
     
     
         2 . The sterile cover of  claim 1 , wherein the first sterile material comprises at least one of polypropylene, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), latex, vinyl, and nitrile. 
     
     
         3 . The sterile cover of  claim 1 , wherein the sterile cover is reusable by sterilizing at high temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The sterile cover of  claim 3 , wherein the first sterile material comprises at least one of medical grade silicone and polypropylene. 
     
     
         5 . The sterile cover of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sterile materials are the same. 
     
     
         6 . The sterile cover of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second sterile materials comprises an anti-bacterial coating. 
     
     
         7 . The sterile cover of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is adapted to be closed by at least one of:
 an elastic material arranged around a mouth of the opening;   an adhesive arranged on at least one of a tab and a flap adapted to cover the opening;   a hook and loop fastener arranged on one of a tab and a flap adapted to cover the opening;   a magnetic interaction between elements arranged on opposing sides of the opening;   snaps;   heat treatment;   a ziptop, resealable arrangement arranged on opposing sides of the opening; and   at least one of an element having shape memory at least one of embedded in the opening and coupled to the opening.   
     
     
         8 . The sterile cover of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is adapted to couple to a system for removing air from inside the device prior to closing the opening in an airtight manner. 
     
     
         9 . A removable sterile cover for substantially encapsulating a display device, comprising:
 an opening for inserting the display device into the cover; and   a closure for closing the opening;   wherein the cover includes a transparent area adapted to substantially cover a display of the display device; and   wherein the transparent area is adapted to allow for normal operation of the display device by a user through the cover.   
     
     
         10 . The removable sterile cover according to  claim 9 , further comprising a fastener for securing the cover to the touchscreen device. 
     
     
         11 . The removable sterile cover according to  claim 9 , wherein the display device is a touchscreen device. 
     
     
         12 . The removable sterile cover according to  claim 11 , wherein the transparent area is at least one of photosensitive, malleable, and electrically conductive. 
     
     
         13 . The removable sterile cover according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the cover is adapted to be re-sterilized after being used by at least one of boiling and autoclaving; and   the cover is adapted to be reused with a touchscreen device after being re-sterilized.   
     
     
         14 . A device for dispensing sterile covers for touchscreen devices, comprising:
 a chamber adapted to enclose a plurality of the sterile covers;   an actuator adapted to move a next sterile cover of the sterile covers into a ready position; and   a loading area adapted to hold a touchscreen device during at least part of a covering operation including inserting the touchscreen device into the next sterile cover in the ready position.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising an arrangement for removing air from the next sterile cover in the ready position after the touchscreen device has been inserted into the next sterile cover and before sealing the next sterile cover. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising an arrangement for melting closed an opening of the next sterile cover to form an airtight seal of the next sterile cover. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the chamber is further adapted to be opened to receive a further plurality of the sterile covers. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the actuator comprises:
 a lever adapted to be actuated by a user; and   a positioning arrangement coupled to the lever and adapted to position the next sterile cover in the ready position.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the positioning arrangement is further adapted to hold an opening of the next sterile cover in an open position when the next sterile cover is positioned in the ready position. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the positioning arrangement comprises at least two semi-rigid arms arranged on opposing sides of the device and adapted to be inserted into an interior of the next sterile cover through the opening and engage opposing interior sides of the next sterile cover. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the at least two semi-rigid arms are spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to or greater than a width of the touchscreen device. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the loading area comprises a hinged tray having a retaining lip on a lower edge, the hinged tray providing a first surface for a back of the touchscreen device to contact after insertion of the touchscreen device into the next sterile cover, the retaining lip providing a second surface for a bottom of the touchscreen device to contact after insertion of the touchscreen device into the next sterile cover.