Touchscreen-active protective covering for digit and method of using same, and dispensers therefor

Abstract

Touchscreen-active protective coverings for a single digit or a finger of a human hand and methods of using same. Embodiments of a dispensing unit are also disclosed, wherein the coverings are housed and selectively removable.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispenser for providing at least one protective covering for a human hand digit comprising:
 a housing for enclosing at least one protective covering for a human hand digit and for dispensing the protective covering one at a time, wherein each of the at least one protective covering includes a sheath having a closed end and an open end;   wherein the sheath is sized to cover the human hand digit, constructed and configured to receive the human hand digit via the open end, and removably positioned on a backing material;   the backing material including a perforated, tearable, and/or breakable connecting line;   wherein the open end of the sheath is spaced apart from the perforated, tearable, and/or breakable connecting line, and the open end is formed from two layers of the sheath presenting a three-dimensional concave opening; and   wherein the closed end of the sheath is operable to activate a touchscreen of an interactive graphic user interface and a corresponding display upon contact therewith;   thereby providing protection from contact-based transmission of germs while enabling touchscreen activation that is substantially similar to a direct digit contact with the touchscreen.   
     
     
         2 . The dispenser for providing the protective covering of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is formed of a non-porous, impermeable material. 
     
     
         3 . The dispenser for providing the protective covering of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is formed of a non-porous, impermeable material that is disposable and biodegradable. 
     
     
         4 . The dispenser for providing the protective covering of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is formed of a non-woven material. 
     
     
         5 . The dispenser for providing the protective covering of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is formed of a lightweight cellulosic material. 
     
     
         6 . The dispenser for providing the protective covering of  claim 5 , wherein the sheath is formed of paper. 
     
     
         7 . The dispenser for providing the protective covering of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is substantially cylindrical. 
     
     
         8 . The dispenser for providing the protective covering of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is substantially cylindrical and having a length between about 1.5 cm and about 5 cm. 
     
     
         9 . The dispenser for providing the protective covering of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is substantially cylindrical and having a length between about 2.0 cm and about 4.5 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The dispenser for providing the protective covering of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is substantially cylindrical and having a length between about 2.5 cm and about 4.0 cm. 
     
     
         11 . The dispenser of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath further includes an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface and/or the inner surface coated and/or impregnated with a sanitizing agent. 
     
     
         12 . The dispenser for the protective covering of  claim 1 , wherein a multiplicity of the protective coverings are provided in a continuous roll within the housing. 
     
     
         13 . A method for using at least one protective covering and dispenser therefor comprising the steps of:
 providing each of the at least one protective covering according to  claim 1 ;   wherein the dispenser exposes each of the at least one protective covering one at a time requiring only the insertion of the human hand digit into the protective covering for extraction.   
     
     
         14 . A dispenser for providing at least one protective covering for a human hand digit comprising:
 a dispenser housing for enclosing at least one protective covering for a human hand digit and for dispensing the protective covering one at a time, wherein each of the at least one protective covering includes a sheath having a closed end and an open end;   wherein the sheath is sized to cover the human hand digit, constructed and configured to receive the human hand digit via the open end, and removably positioned on a backing material;   the sheath further including an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface and/or the inner surface coated and/or impregnated with a sanitizing agent;   the backing material including a perforated, tearable, and/or breakable connecting line;   wherein the open end of the sheath is spaced apart from the perforated, tearable, and/or breakable connecting line, and the open end is formed from two layers of the sheath presenting a three-dimensional concave opening; and   wherein the closed end of the sheath is operable to activate a touchscreen of an interactive graphic user interface and a corresponding display upon contact therewith;   thereby providing protection from contact-based transmission of germs while enabling touchscreen activation that is substantially similar to a direct digit contact with the touchscreen.   
     
     
         15 . The dispenser for the protective covering of  claim 14 , wherein the sheath is formed of a non-porous, impermeable material. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser for the protective covering of  claim 14 , wherein the sheath is formed of a non-porous, impermeable material that is disposable and biodegradable. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser for the protective covering of  claim 14 , wherein the sheath is formed of a non-woven material. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser for the protective covering of  claim 14 , wherein the sheath is formed of a lightweight cellulosic material. 
     
     
         19 . The dispenser for the protective covering of  claim 18 , wherein the sheath is formed of paper. 
     
     
         20 . The dispenser for the protective covering of  claim 14 , wherein a multiplicity of the protective coverings are provided in a continuous roll within the housing.