GB2473417A

GB2473417A - A pad of thin transparent plastic layers that sits over a keypad

Info

Publication number: GB2473417A
Application number: GB0909863A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Gregg Ursell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-09
Filing date: 2009-06-09
Publication date: 2011-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-09
Also published as: GB2473417B; GB0909863D0

Abstract

A plastic, transparent, layered product which fits on top of credit card terminal keypads, ATM machine keypads, vending machines keypads and any other keypad device which requires code entry by fingertips, and which can be peeled off in layers by each user prior to inputting their details. Once peeled, these (peel-able film) layers will mean the keypad surface is clean and unused for each customer prior to use, and will decrease the spread of germs, bacteria and dirt between keypad users and throughout the premises where the terminals are located. The PIN-Pad will increase hygiene standards in restaurants, hospitals, banks, shops and any other premises where keypads are used by multiple persons. The pad may include a peel-able flap section. The peel-able flap section may include a slight gradient. The pad may include an elastic band to help secure the pad to a keypad device.

Description

PIN PADS

This invention relates to a product to create a hygienic use for credit card terminals, ATM machines, vending machines and other keypad devise which require a personal identification number (PIN) or code entry by numerous persons. This invention will decrease the build up and spread of germs, bacteria and dirt between persons who use these keypad devices and increase hygiene standards/practices in these premises.

When a person uses a credit card terminal or ATM machine (in a supermarket, restaurant petrol station or shop etc) they input their personal identification number (PIN), using their fingers, directly onto the keypad by touching the buttons. Then next person to use this keypad does the same, followed by the next and next. The germs and bacteria on this keypad are therefore allowed to build up, germinate and spread between each person who uses the credit card terminal.

To overcome this problem, my product proposes to use clear thin plastic film pads which sit over the keypad and which can be peeled off in layers by each customer prior to inputting their PIN details. These peel-able layers will mean the keypad is clean and un-used for each customer prior to them in putting their details and eliminate the spread of germs between customers and throughout the premises where the terminals are located.

Preferably, the film pads would be a standard generic size to fit credit card terminal keypads but could also be manufactured to specification so that they fit ATM terminals, vending machines and any other keypad which is used continuously by the public.

Preferably, the film pads will come in packs of 100+ with the bottom strip being adhesive as so to grip around the keypad of the terminal and thus allow the film strips above it to be peeled off by the customers without the rest of the strips falling off the terminal unit.

Preferably, the film pads will also have an elastic circular support band fixed to the back of the pad allowing the pad unit to slip over and grip any portable keypad devises which will add extra stability for the product (together with its adhesive back) if it is moved around vigorously.

Preferably, the pads will have a "peel oft" section located at the bottom of each layer which will be at a gradient so the user can easily locate and peel off a layer of the pad to reveal a new clean layer underneath. The gradient will mean multiple layers are not peeled off accidently in one go by the user.

Preferably, the film pad layers will be clear and will have enough elasticity in their material to allow the buttons on the keypad to be pushed individually and therefore not inhibit the functionality of the keypad in any way.

Preferably, the pads will be able to be used for ATM machines, vending machines and any other keypad devices where a code is required to be imputed manually by hand.

Preferably, the film pads will be made from a recyclable material as to be environmentally friendly and be able to be re-used.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: * Figure 1 shows a credit card terminal with the PIN Pad and its thin plastic film layers tightly compressed over the keypad ready for a customer using the terminal to peel off a layer and enter their personal identification number.

* Figure 2 shows: A -The gradient film layers of the PIN Pad and how they can be peeled off to reveal a clean layer underneath.

B -How the layers of Pin Pad can be peeled off in an upwards direction.

C -The elasticated band which can secure the PIN Pad onto the credit card terminal and add extra grip to the adhesive back. This is designed specifically for portable terminals which may be moved around vigorously.

* Figure 3 shows an ordinary ATM machine with the PIN Pad fitted over the keypad with the adhesive back of the Pads securing the unit onto the keypad * Figure 4 shows a close up of the ATM machine keypad showing the layered PIN Pad product ready to be used by peeling off the clear layers.

* Figure 5 shows a vending machine with the PIN Pads fitted over the keypad (with the adhesive back securing it to the unit) and awaiting a customer to peel off a layer to reveal a clean keypad surface underneath * Figure 6 shows a close up of the Vending Machine keypad with the PIN Pad fixed to the unit with its adhesive back and the multiple layers increasing the hygienic use for all customers prior to them entering a code.

Claims

Claims I) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic film layers, which sits on top of credit card terminal keypads, ATM keypads or any keypads used by multiple persons, and which can be peeled off in layers providing the keypad users with a clean un-used surface to input their details onto.
2) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic film layers according to Claim 1, consist of transparent plastic layers which may be peeled off individually by users, prior to or after inputting their PIN details/code, therefore increasing the hygienic use of the keypad by allowing each customer to input their PIN details/code onto a clean, un-used layer of the PiN Pad.
3) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 2, in which increased hygiene is provided for the customer/user by the individual peel-able layers sat on top of the terminal keypad. As the keypad surface is continually refreshed by the layers of the PIN Pad the build up of germs and bacteria on the digit buttons is reduced.
4) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim I, in which each user inputs their PiN details or code onto an un-used film layer of the keypad by peeling off the used layer first (which the customer before has touched), revealing a clean un-used surface underneath which the new user can input their PiN / code details.
5) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 1, in which each customer/user inputs their PIN details or code onto an un-used layer of the keypad screen therefore improving hygiene standards in public premises and reducing the spread of germs between customers in these premises.
6) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 1, in which each user inputs their PIN/code details onto an un-used keypad surface (due to the peel-able layers of the PIN Pad refreshing the keypad surface) thus reducing the build up of bacteria, dirt and germs on the terminal keypad itself.
7) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 1, will be made of flexible plastic film layered material thus giving it the elasticity for the customer to use hygienically and effectively without forcing the keypad buttons to stick down or adversely affect the use of the PIN terminal, ATM machine, Vending machine or any other keypad.
8) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 7, being made of a flexible plastic material, will be able to be easily peeled off layer by layer by users due to a slight gradient in the design of the peel-able "flap" section. This will prevent each layer sticking together and prevent users removing more than one layer of the PIN Pad by accident.
9) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 8, will be compressed tightly together so to minimise the overall depth of PIN Pad which sits on the keypad terminal. This small depth will enable the keypad buttons to function normally and be easily pushed by the users' fingertips.
A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 1, will have an adhesive back (underneath the final layer of the PIN Pad) in order to secure the product on the keypad without adversely affecting the performance of the keypad.
11) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 10, may also have a elasticated band fitted to the underside of the PIN Pad to add extra stability and grip for the product and secure the PIN Pad to portable keypad devises such as portable Credit Card Terminals and other hand held keypad terminal which may be moved around vigorously.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1) An arrangement of a transparent pad with multiple thin film plastic layers sitting on top of a credit card terminal keypad, ATM keypad or any numeric keypad used by multiple persons, with multiple thin film plastic layers of the pad able to be peeled off individually providing the keypad users with a clean un-used surface to input their details onto.2) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic film layers according to Claim 1, consist of transparent plastic layers which may be peeled off individually by users, prior to or after inputting their PIN details/code, therefore increasing the hygienic use of the keypad by allowing each customer to input their PiN details/code onto a clean, un-used layer of the PiN Pad.3) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 2, in which increased hygiene is provided for the customer/user by the individual peel-able layers sat on top of the terminal keypad, as the keypad surface is continually refreshed by the layers of the PIN Pad the build up of germs and bacteria on the digit buttons is reduced.4) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 1, in which each user inputs their PIN details or code onto an un-used film layer of the keypad by peeling : off the used layer first (which the customer before has touched), revealing a clean un- * . used surface underneath which the new user can input their PiN / code details.* 5) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 1, in which each : : customer/user inputs their PiN details or code onto an un-used layer of the keypad screen therefore improving hygiene standards in public premises and reducing the spread of germs between customers in these premises.6) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 1, in which each *. user inputs their PIN/code details onto an un-used keypad surface (due to the peel-able * layers of the PiN Pad refreshing the keypad surface) thus reducing the build up of bacteria, dirt and germs on the terminal keypad itself.7) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 1, will be made of flexible plastic film layered material thus giving it the elasticity for the customer to use hygienically and effectively without forcing the keypad buttons to stick down or adversely affect the use of the PIN terminal, ATM machine, Vending machine or any other keypad.8) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 7, being made of a flexible plastic material, will be able to be easily peeled off layer by layer by users due to a slight gradient in the design of the peel-able "flap" section. This will prevent each layer sticking together and prevent users removing more than one layer of the PIN Pad by accident.9) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 8, will be compressed tightly together so to minimise the overall depth of PiN Pad on the keypad terminal, this small depth will enable the keypad buttons to function normally and be easily pushed by the users' fingertips.A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 1, will have an adhesive back (underneath the final layer of the PIN Pad) in order to secure the transparent thin pad on top of the keypad without adversely affecting the performance of the keypad.11) A transparent pad with multiple thin plastic layers according to Claim 10, may also have a elasticated band fitted to the underside of the PIN Pad to add extra stability and grip for the product and secure the PIN Pad to portable keypad devises such as portable Credit Card Terminals and other hand held keypad terminal which may be moved around vigorously.SS..... * . *. * S*.*..S * . * *.* ,_) . **. 4 ** SS S 55