Method and Apparatus for Moistening Fingers

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for moistening fingers are disclosed, including providing an apparatus comprising: open cell foam; a foam housing having a closed bottom, a sidewall coupled to the closed bottom, and a top having an opening and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam; and a lid attached to the foam housing and having a closed top, a securing member, and a finger tab extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; dispensing sanitizer through the opening of the top of the foam housing to load the open cell foam with sanitizer; and contacting the open cell foam with fingers to moisten. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

1 . An apparatus for moistening fingers comprising:
 open cell foam;   a foam housing having a closed bottom, a sidewall coupled to the closed bottom, and a top having an opening and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; and   a lid hingedly attached with a hinge to the foam housing and having a closed top, a securing member coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising strap members coupled to the exterior of the foam housing, wherein the strap members are configured to accommodate straps or bands for attaching the apparatus to a user's wrist. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a loop configured for attachment of the apparatus to a lanyard, necklace, or bracelet. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a sanitizer loaded into the open cell foam. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the securing member of the lid comprises a chamfered or filleted surface configured to first contact the top inside edge of the foam housing, a ridge configured to extend beyond the diameter of the opening of the foam housing, and a flat having a diameter just slightly less than the diameter of the opening of the foam housing. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the flat comprises a recess configured to accommodate an O-ring. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge is biased to press the securing member of the lid against the top of the foam housing. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge, the foam housing, and the lid are formed of a monolithic piece of material. 
     
     
         9 . A method for moistening fingers comprising:
 providing an apparatus comprising:
 open cell foam; 
 a foam housing having a closed bottom, a sidewall coupled to the closed bottom, and a top having an opening and coupled to the sidewall, wherein the foam housing is configured to receive and retain the open cell foam within the foam housing; and 
 a lid hingedly attached with a hinge to the foam housing and having a closed top, a securing member coupled to one side of the closed top, and a finger tab extending from the lid, wherein the securing member is configured to be press fit through the opening of the top of the foam housing in order to provide a substantially liquid tight closure between the foam housing and the lid; 
   dispensing a sanitizer through the opening of the top of the foam housing to load the open cell foam with the sanitizer; and   contacting the open cell foam with fingers or other body parts to moisten.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus further comprises strap members coupled to the exterior of the foam housing, wherein the strap members are configured to accommodate straps or bands for attaching the apparatus to a user's wrist. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising attaching the apparatus to the user's wrist with the straps or bands. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a loop configured for attachment of the apparatus to a lanyard, necklace, or bracelet. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising attaching the apparatus to the lanyard, necklace, or bracelet. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the securing member of the lid of the apparatus further comprises a chamfered or filleted surface configured to first contact the top inside edge of the foam housing, a ridge configured to extend beyond the diameter of the opening of the foam housing, and a flat having a diameter just slightly less than the diameter of the opening of the foam housing. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the flat comprises a recess configured to accommodate an O-ring. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the hinge is biased to press the securing member of the lid against the top of the foam housing. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the hinge, the foam housing, and the lid are formed of a monolithic piece of material.