Stethoscope covers and dispensing system for stethoscope covers

Abstract

A dispensing system is provided including a housing having a cavity, a first opening and a second opening, the openings being in communication with the cavity. First and second rollers are positioned within the cavity. A strip extends through the openings. The strip has a first end that is wound about the first roller and a second end that is wound about the second roller. A plurality of instrument covers are removably positioned on the strip. Methods of use and kits are disclosed.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A dispensing system comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity, a first opening and a second opening;   a first roller positioned within the cavity;   a second roller positioned within the cavity;   an actuator configured to rotate the second roller relative to the housing;   a strip extending through the openings, the strip having a first end that is wound about the first roller and a second end that is wound about the second roller; and   a plurality of sheets removably positioned on the strip.   
     
     
         22 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the second roller such that a first one of the plurality of sheets advances through the first opening and stop the second roller from rotating before the first one of the plurality of sheets advances through the second opening to position the first one of the plurality of sheets between the openings. 
     
     
         23 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the actuator begins to rotate the second roller in response to a sound. 
     
     
         24 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the actuator begins to rotate the second roller in response to motion. 
     
     
         25 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the actuator is positioned within the cavity. 
     
     
         26 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the actuator is positioned outside of the cavity. 
     
     
         27 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the housing comprises opposite top and bottom walls and opposite first and second side walls that each extend between the top and bottom walls, inner surfaces of the walls defining the cavity, the openings each extending through the top wall. 
     
     
         28 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the top wall has a maximum length defined by a distance from a front edge of the top wall to a back edge of the top wall, the front edge being positioned between the rollers. 
     
     
         29 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein:
 the dispensing system further comprises a pawl coupled to the housing, the pawl including a projection; and   the second roller comprises a ratchet portion, the ratchet portion engaging the projection such that the second roller may be rotated in a first direction and is prevented from being rotated in an opposite second direction.   
     
     
         30 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the second roller extends parallel to the first roller. 
     
     
         31 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the second roller is coupled to a gripping portion that is positioned outside of the cavity, the gripping portion being configured to manually rotate the second roller relative to the housing. 
     
     
         32 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the first roller is fixed relative to the housing to prevent rotation of the first roller relative to the housing. 
     
     
         33 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the sheets each comprise a first side that engages the strip and an opposite second side comprising an adherent material configured to allow the second side to adhere to a portion of a stethoscope. 
     
     
         34 . A stethoscope cover dispensing system comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity, a first opening and a second opening;   a first roller positioned within the cavity;   a second roller positioned within the cavity;   an actuator configured to rotate the second roller relative to the housing;   a strip extending through the openings, the strip having a first end that is wound about the first roller and a second end that is wound about the second roller; and   a plurality of stethoscope covers removably positioned on the strip.   
     
     
         35 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the second roller such that a first one of the plurality of stethoscope covers advances through the first opening and stop the second roller from rotating before the first one of the plurality of stethoscope covers advances through the second opening to position the first one of the plurality of stethoscope covers between the openings. 
     
     
         36 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the actuator begins to rotate the second roller in response to a sound. 
     
     
         37 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 35 , wherein the actuator begins to rotate the second roller in response to motion. 
     
     
         38 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the housing comprises opposite top and bottom walls and opposite first and second side walls that each extend between the top and bottom walls, inner surfaces of the walls defining the cavity, the openings each extending through the top wall. 
     
     
         39 . A dispensing system as recited in  claim 38 , wherein the top wall has a maximum length defined by a distance from a front edge of the top wall to a back edge of the top wall, the front edge being positioned between the rollers. 
     
     
         40 . A stethoscope cover dispensing system comprising:
 a housing comprising opposite top and bottom walls and opposite first and second side walls that each extend between the top and bottom walls, inner surfaces of the walls defining a cavity, the housing defining spaced apart first and second openings that each extend through the top wall;   a pawl coupled to the housing, the pawl including a projection;   a first roller positioned within the cavity such that the first roller is fixed relative to the housing;   a second roller positioned within the cavity such that the second roller extends parallel to the first roller, the second roller comprising a ratchet portion, the ratchet portion engaging the projection such that the second roller may be rotated in a first direction and is prevented from being rotated in an opposite second direction;   a gripping portion coupled to the second roller, the gripping portion being positioned outside of the cavity and configured to manually rotate the second roller relative to the housing;   an actuator configured to rotate the second roller relative to the housing;   a strip extending through the openings, the strip having a first end that is wound about the first roller and a second end that is wound about the second roller; and   a plurality of stethoscope covers removably positioned on the strip,   wherein the top wall has a maximum length defined by a distance from a front edge of the top wall to a back edge of the top wall, the front edge being positioned between the rollers,   wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the second roller such that a first one of the plurality of stethoscope covers advances through the first opening and stop the second roller from rotating before the first one of the plurality of stethoscope covers advances through the second opening to position the first one of the plurality of stethoscope covers between the openings, and   wherein the actuator begins to rotate the second roller in response to a sound or a motion.