WO2021220260A1

WO2021220260A1 - Dispensing apparatus for covering a surface with a protective sheet

Info

Publication number: WO2021220260A1
Application number: PCT/IL2021/050364
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ruthie ANFANG; Amnon Slutski; Chaim ANFANG; Leo MINDICK; Alexander BOGOMOLOV; Sagi Slutski
Original assignee: Anfang Ruthie; Amnon Slutski
Priority date: 2020-04-28
Filing date: 2021-03-31
Publication date: 2021-11-04

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus that is configured to dispense wraps for covering various surfaces, such as a shopping cart handle, and more particularly, to a dispenser that is configured to be mounted on devices (e.g. a shopping cart) for dispensing a disposable protective sheet which can be used to cover the surfaces in order to reduce the spread of viruses and/or bacteria between users contacting the surface.

Description

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR COVERING A SURFACE WITH A

PROTECTIVE SHEET

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus that is configured to dispense wraps for covering various surfaces, such as a shopping cart handle, and more particularly, to a dispenser that is configured to be mounted on devices ( e.g . a shopping cart) for dispensing a disposable protective sheet which can be used to cover the surfaces in order to reduce the spread of viruses and/or bacteria between users contacting the surface.

BACKGROUND

The current global pandemic of COVID-19 has made the public conscious and aware of the need to mitigate the spread of diseases by preventing the passing of microorganisms through contact with surfaces, for example handlebars of shopping carts. Shopping cart handles are used by many customers throughout the course of a day, and various viruses and bacteria are known to spread from a host by which such contaminated surfaces. The marketplace has long -been acknowledged as an epicenter of germ-passing (e.g., passing of viruses and/or bacteria) and in today’s world, the passing of germs can have swift and fatal consequences. Recently, concerns have been publicly expressed and have professed the need for protection against such contamination in shopping environments as a whole.

Thus, there is a need for means to reduce direct contact with contaminated surfaces, such as shopping cart handles. Current solutions include various cleaning or decontamination means, such as dispensers with antiseptic wipes in certain locations throughout the store that can be used to wipe down the shopping cart handlebar. Antiseptic wipe dispensers are frequently a place where people can congregate and do not alleviate the social distancing concern. The dispensers can by themselves be contaminated, are frequently empty, and are touched by many people defeating the purpose of minimizing spread of germs. Accordingly, a more effective solution is needed to reduce or eliminate the spread of germs due to prolonged contacting of potentially contaminated surfaces, such as shopping carts.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus that is configured to be mounted on user-maneuverable carts, such as a shopping cart, for dispensing a disposable protective layer. The protective layer can be used to cover the cart handle in order to reduce the spread of viruses and/or bacteria between users of the cart. The apparatus can also be mounted onto various stationary devices in which a user is required to contact user- interface surface ( e.g . a touchscreen) for operation of the device, such as check-in kiosks or stations at public places, vending machines, etc.

Thus, according to one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing disposable protective sheets onto at least a portion of a handlebar of a cart, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of disposable protective sheets wound about a spool; a housing configured for mounting onto a frame element of the cart, the housing further configured to rotatably receive said spool and having a dispenser opening permitting dispensing of a disposable protective sheet out of said plurality of sheets onto said handlebar; each disposable protective sheet of said plurality being configured to cover at least a portion of the handlebar once disposed.

By another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing disposable protective sheets onto at least a portion of a user-interface surface, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of disposable protective sheets wound about a spool; a housing configured for mounting onto a frame element of a device comprising said user- interface surface, the housing further configured to rotatably receive said spool and having a dispenser opening permitting dispensing of a disposable protective sheet out of said plurality of sheets onto said surface; each disposable protective sheet of said plurality being configured to cover at least a portion of the surface once disposed.

Preferably, the disposable protective sheets are configured to cover the entire surface onto which these are applied, once disposed.

The term surface refers herein to any external face of a device that is to be contacted by a user during use of the device. The surface may be flat or may be curved, smooth or textured. The surface may be that of a user-maneuverable device (such as a cart) or of a stationary device. Some examples of such surfaces may be user interfaces for operating various devices, handlebars, banisters, seats, seat handles, etc.

According to some embodiments, the surface is a surface of a handlebar.

According to other embodiments, the surface is a user-interface surface.

The protective sheet means to denote a sheet of material, comprising one or more layers, that are used to form a barrier between the surface to be contacted by the user and the user’s hands. In the following, the terms “protective sheet”, “protective wrap” and “protective film” will be used interchangeably. The protective sheets are disposable, meaning that these are intended for a single use and are designed to permit easy removal from the surface ( e.g . a handlebar) after use thereof to permit their discarding. Thus, according to some embodiments, the disposable protective sheets are configured to detachably attach to the surface.

Such temporary attachment can be obtained, for example, by use of an adhesive that temporarily adheres at least a portion of the protective wrap to the surface once disposed from the apparatus. According to other configurations, the protective wrap can be configured to cling to the surface after its extraction from the apparatus (for example by providing one or more flexible portions that can be bent about the surface, e.g. of the handlebar, according to its curvature, one or more magnetic portions that can magnetically attach to metallic surfaces, etc.). In further configurations, the protective wraps can be made or comprise portions made of shape memory materials, such that each wrap is pre-formed into a desired bent or curved shape, and then re-flattened; in such cases, when a wrap is dispensed, heating it slightly between the palms of the hands can cause it to re-assume its pre-formed bent or curved form for fitting onto a curved surface such as a handlebar.

The protective sheet can be made of or comprise one or more polymers, e.g. thermoplastic polymers, or thin metal films, such as aluminum films.

The protective sheet can comprise one or more functional layers. In some embodiments, the protective sheet comprises a plurality of layers stacked upon one another.

By some embodiments, the protective sheet may comprise at least one base layer configured to be temporarily adhered or physically attached (e.g. cling) to the surface. By other embodiments, the protective sheet can comprise at least one base layer and an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer being configured for detachably attaching the sheet to the surface. By other embodiments, the disposable protective sheet can comprise at least one base layer sandwiched between an adhesive layer and a top layer, the adhesive layer being configured for detachably attaching the sheet to the surface.

The adhesive is designed to have sufficient adhesion strength for attaching to the surface during use, while also being weak enough in order to permit a user to easily remove the used protective sheet and permit its disposal.

The base layer and the top layer (when present) may be made of any suitable material that provide sufficient flexibility to envelop the contours of the surface, e.g. a surface of a handlebar. For example, the base layer may be made of a polymeric material, an elastomer, cellulose-based material (e.g. paper, wax paper), fabric such as knit, woven and non-woven fabric, or a mixture/blend thereof. The top layer is preferably made of a non-porous material, such as a polymeric material, in order to prevent migration of contaminants from the surface to the user’s hands once the wrap is applied onto the surface. Suitable polymeric materials may be, for example, a polyethylene film, polyvinylidene chloride film, a polybutadiene film, a polyurethane film, etc.

According to some embodiments, the protective sheet may further comprise one or more structural layers to provide the protective sheet with improved strength and/or flexibility.

By some other embodiments, the base layer (or at least one of the base layer and the top layer) comprises at least one antiviral and/or antimicrobial agent.

By other embodiments, at least the outermost layer of the protective sheet (either the base layer, or the top layer when such is used) is latex free and/or made of hypoallergenic material. By further embodiments, at least the outermost layer of the protective sheet (either the base layer, or the top layer when such is used) may contain a fragrance or perfume.

In order to provide a user with an indication of the usability of the protective sheet, the protective sheet may comprise a visual indication arrangement for indicating usability of the sheet. For example, the protective wrap may comprise one or more color-changing components that are designed to change color as a function of time. Such color change may be based on a chemical reaction that results in appearance/disappearance of color, or change in shade or tone of color as a function of time, and provides visual indication to the user of the usability of the protective sheet after its dispensing from the apparatus. By another example, the visual indication arrangement may be in the form of appearing/disappearing lettering, wording, markings, symbols, etc. that appear/disappear as a function of use time, thus providing the use with an indication of usability and whether the protective sheet has been or needs to be replaced.

The apparatus comprises a plurality of disposable protective sheets, typically a roll or spool of consecutively-arranged protective sheets. The spool is configured to be received the housing of the apparatus. The apparatus is configured to output a length of the protective sheet through a housing opening, such that a user can pull a desired or a pre-determined length of protective sheet out of the housing and cover the surface therewith. Thus, by some embodiments, a first-in-line sheet of said plurality of disposable protective sheets is separable from a following sheet in said plurality of disposable protective sheets. By one example, the disposable protective sheets are separated one from the other by perforations or tear lines. By another example, the dispenser opening can be configured with separation means ( e.g . a cutting tool) to separate between consecutive sheets in said plurality of disposable protective sheets.

Alternatively, the apparatus may be configured to comprise individual, separate protective sheets, stacked or arranged in a staggered arrangement, such that a top or bottom protective sheet can be individually dispensed.

The apparatus may be configured to dispense a disposable protective sheet having a length substantively corresponding to the dimensions of the surface, e.g. corresponding to the length of the handlebar. Alternatively, the apparatus can dispense a protective sheet being longer or shorter than the length of the handlebar.

According to one embodiment, the protective sheet has a dispensing configuration of a flat strip (e.g. rectangular), and is bendable in a direction normal to the longitudinal direction of the strip in order to envelop the surface, for example envelop a curved handlebar. Typically, in such a configuration, the width of the flat strip will have a width which is substantially the same as the circumference of the handlebar’s cross-sectional shape.

According to another embodiment, the protective sheet is dispensed from the housing in a tube-like configuration, that can be pulled over the surface along the length thereof. In such a configuration, the tube-like protective sheet can comprise perforations or tear-lines along at least a portion of its length, thereby permitting a user to tear-away the tube after use thereof. By another embodiment, the protective sheet is dispensed from the housing as a flat strip, longer than the length of the handlebar, permitting a user to spirally wound the strip over a curved surface, such as that of a handlebar.

The housing may be configured to be selectively connected to a frame element of the device or cart, or to the handlebar itself. Hence, the apparatus may comprise a connecting member permitting such selective connection. The apparatus may further comprise a support member for linking the connecting member to the dispenser’s housing, and permitting positioning of the housing with respect to the surface. Thus, the position of the housing and the housing opening can be controlled by the installer when installing the apparatus and/or by the user, permitting ease of dispensing and applying of the protective sheet onto the surface.

A user can manually pull a protective sheet out of the housing. However, in other embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a motor for rotating the spool within the housing upon user demand, and operation means therefor. For example, the apparatus may include one or more operational buttons, and an electronic motor operated thereby, such that when a user pushes the button - a length of protective sheet is dispensed. The apparatus can comprise a user interface that includes various functions and indications, such as said one or more operational buttons, display screen (to display, for example, instructions for use), warning indications (such as low number of sheets in the housing, time of use), etc.

By another aspect, there is provided a kit comprising: a plurality of disposable protective sheets wound about a spool; a housing configured for mounting onto a frame element of a cart, the housing further configured to rotatably receive said spool and having a dispenser opening permitting dispensing of a disposable protective sheet out of said plurality of sheets onto a handlebar of the cart; and a connecting element configured to selectively connect the housing to said frame element; the disposable protective sheets being configured to cover at least a portion of the handlebar once disposed.

Another aspect of this disclosure provides a cart that comprises: a cart body; wheels associated with said cart body; a handlebar for steering the cart; and an apparatus for dispensing disposable protective layers onto at least a portion of the handlebar, the apparatus being of the kind described herein. Exemplary carts may be a shopping cart, a flatbed cart, a luggage cart, a dolly, a service cart, etc.

Yet a further aspect provides a pushable and/or pullable vehicle comprising a vehicle body; wheels associated with said vehicle body; at least one handlebar for steering the vehicle; and an apparatus for dispensing disposable protective sheets onto at least a portion of the handlebar, the apparatus being of the kind described herein. Exemplary vehicles may be a baby pram, a baby stroller, a baby crib, an incubator, a hospital cart, a hospital bed, a wheelchair, etc.

By another aspect, there is provided a kit comprising: a plurality of disposable protective sheets wound about a spool; a housing configured for mounting onto a frame element of a stationary unit having a user-interface surface, the housing further configured to rotatably receive said spool and having a dispenser opening permitting dispensing of a disposable protective sheet out of said plurality of sheets onto said surface; and a connecting element configured to selectively connect the housing to said frame element; the disposable protective sheets being configured to cover at least a portion of the surface once disposed.

Another aspect of this disclosure provides a stationary unit having a surface- interface surface, the unit comprising a unit body, said surface-interface, and an apparatus for dispensing disposable protective layers onto at least a portion of the surface, the apparatus being of the kind described herein. Exemplary units may be a check-in kiosk, an information station, a vending machine, a ticketing machine, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view illustrating a shopping cart equipped with a dispenser of protective sheet for covering a handle of the shopping cart, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; Figs. 2A-2B are perspective views illustrating the dispenser of Fig. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, without the protective sheet being dispensed (Fig. 2 A) and while dispensing the protective film (Fig. 2B);

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the dispenser of Fig. 1 in an opened state, with the spool of protective film extracted from the dispenser;

Figs. 4A-4B are plan views illustrating a portion of the protective sheet in an unrolled state;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a protective sheet, taken about line A-A of Fig. 4A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the shopping cart with dispenser of Fig. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 7A is a perspective view illustrating the handlebar of the shopping cart of Fig. 6 with the protective sheet being withdrawn from the dispenser, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

Fig. 7B is a perspective view illustrating the handlebar of the shopping cart of Fig. 6 with the protective sheet being withdrawn from the dispenser, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Fig. 7C is a perspective view illustrating the handlebar of the shopping cart of Fig. 6 with the protective sheet being withdrawn from the dispenser, according to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the handlebar of the shopping cart according to another embodiment of this disclosure, showing another exemplary connecting arrangement of the dispenser to the shopping cart.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the disclosure. The sizes and/or proportions of the elements illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

When an element is referred to as being disposed on another element, intervening elements may be disposed therebetween. In addition, elements, components, parts, etc., not described in detail with respect to a certain figure or embodiment may be assumed to be similar to or the same as corresponding elements, components, parts, etc., described in other parts of this disclosure.

While the examples below refer to handlebars of shopping carts, it is to be understood that principles of this disclosure can be used in any other type of cart having a manipulation handle. Further, while the specific examples below refer to shopping carts, it is to be understood that the same principles can be applied on any surface that requires covering by the protective sheets of this disclosure, such as user-interface surfaces of various stationary units requiring user contact for their operation (such as vending machines, check-in kiosks, information stations, etc.)

As noted above, the examples below demonstrate an apparatus that is configured to dispense disposable protective wraps for covering the handlebar of a shopping cart. For convenience, the dispensing apparatus may be oriented to dispense the wraps toward the same direction in which the handlebar of the shopping cart extends.

Each handlebar wrap can be wrapped around the handlebar of a shopping cart in order to cover the entire handlebar with a protective layer. The protective layer is disposable, and serves to cover the handlebar wrap with a surface that is free of viruses and/or bacteria. Therefore, a user may contact the wrapped handlebar without fear of contracting a virus or bacteria from the handlebar when pushing/pulling the shopping cart inside of a mall, a store, or other location where shopping carts are used and shared among members of the public.

Before a user begins to utilize the shopping cart, the user can retrieve a wrap of a certain length from the dispensing apparatus that is attached to the cart, and use the wrap to cover at least a portion of the handlebar. When a user has finished using the shopping cart, the user can remove and discard the wrap. A different user who seeks to utilize the same shopping cart at a later time can perform the same process of retrieving a new protective wrap from the dispensing apparatus and covering the handlebar all around in order to prevent or reduce the likelihood of contracting a vims or bacteria when contacting the handlebar.

The apparatus of the present disclosure can also be used in other types of carts, such as, for example, flatbed carts, luggage carts, dollies, and the like which have a handlebar configured for pushing and pulling the cart. In other words, the dispenser of the present disclosure can be attached to one or more frame elements of the cart in order to dispense disposable wraps for covering the cart’s handlebar.

Referring to Fig. 1, shown is a shopping cart 100 that is equipped with a dispensing apparatus 200 for dispensing wraps that can be utilized to cover a handlebar 110 of the shopping cart.

As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6, the dispensing apparatus 200 can be selectively connected to the shopping cart 100 via a selective connecting member 300 and a supporting member 400.

The selective connecting member 300 can be, for example, a round ring-like connector that has an open portion along its perimeter with a screw at the open portion. In the example of the connecting member 300 being a ring-like connector, once fitted to a structural member or frame element of the shopping cart 100, a screw can be rotated to tighten the ring-like connector 300 to the frame element of the cart 100, thus permitting selective positioning of the ring-like connector onto the frame element of the shopping cart 100.

Alternatively, the selective connecting member 300 can also be, for example, a clamp or other mechanism that can be selectively connected to a structural member of the shopping cart 100, as seen, for example in Fig. 8. In Fig. 8, the connecting member 300 is in the form of a clamp or bended metal sheet, that can be fitted onto a frame element of the shopping cart, and secured in position by screwing or riveting.

The selective connecting member 300 can be made of a metal, for example, steel, aluminum, etc., and/or of a polymeric material, for example, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, etc.

The supporting member 400 can be an elongated member that extends between the connecting member 300 and the dispensing apparatus 200. The supporting member 400 is used to support and, as shown in Fig. 6, to orient the dispensing apparatus 200 in such a way that a protective wrap 500 can be dispensed in the same direction as that which the handlebar 110 extends. This facilitates the placement of the protective wrap 500 over the handlebar 110.

Referring to Figs. 2A-3, wrap 500 may be an elongated protective sheet that is rolled into a spool 510 and is rotatably received within the housing 202 of dispensing apparatus 200. The housing 202 may also be round, and may include a cap 210 and an elongated opening 220. The cap 210 can be selectively opened in order to insert a new spool of protective sheet inside of housing 202. The cap 210 can be closed and locked in the closed position after inserting the spool 510 of protective sheet into the housing 200 in order to secure the spool inside of the housing.

As illustrated in Figs. 2A and 2B, the spool of protective sheet 500 can be dispensed from the opening 220 of the housing 202.

The elongated protective sheet 500 that forms the spool can be sufficiently wide so as to cover the entire girth/outer periphery of the handle 110 of the shopping cart.

The protective sheet 500 can have perforations extending along its width at different points along the length thereof such that, as illustrated in Fig. 4B, individual wraps 500A can be detached from the protective sheet 500 by tearing the protective sheet 500 at pre-formed perforation locations 500B. The perforations may be spaced apart from one another in the lengthwise direction of the protective sheet 500 by the same length as the length of the handlebar 110. Therefore, one individual wrap 500A can be conveniently used to cover the entire handlebar 110. That is, one individual wrap 500A can cover the handlebar 110 all around along the entire length of the handlebar 110.

However, the perforations of the protective sheet 500 can also be spaced apart at different lengths, for example, at lengths that are shorter than an average shopping cart handlebar such that a user can retrieve a desired number of individual wraps 500A for covering a shopping cart handlebar. These lengths can range, for example, from about 2 inches to about 8 inches. In this case, the user may need to withdraw, for example, two or more individual wraps 500A for covering the handlebar of a certain shopping cart. Thus, the spacing of the perforations can be varied in order to utilize the protective sheet 500 to cover handlebars of different lengths.

The perforations can extend perpendicularly to the direction in which the spool of protective sheets extends in order to produce a rectangularly- shaped individual wrap 500A, as illustrated in Fig. 4B. Alternatively, the perforations may extend at a certain angle with respect to the width-wise direction of the protective sheet 500 in order to generate other shapes of individual wraps 500A, e.g. trapezoidal-shaped.

Alternatively, consecutive wraps 500A may not be separated by perforations, but rather individual wraps 500A can be obtained by utilizing a cutting tool (not shown) to cut a dispensed section of the protective sheet 500 to a desired length, or to utilize one’s hands to tear off a section of a desired length of protective sheet 500. As described above, the dispenser 200 can be oriented in order to dispense the wraps 500 in the direction in which the handlebar 110 extends. In such a configuration, the protective sheet 500 can be withdrawn from the housing 202 to extend over the handlebar 110 toward a distal end of the handlebar 110. Then, the withdrawn protective wrap 500 can be detached at a perforation or can be cut/torn, resulting in an individual piece of protective wrap 500A that can be wrapped on the outer surface of the handlebar 110.

In Fig. 6 the dispenser 200 is illustrated as being disposed over the handlebar 110, but it is to be understood that the position of the dispenser is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the dispenser 200 can be disposed adjacent to a front side of the handlebar 110, adjacent to a rear side of the handlebar 110, or under the handlebar 110. Whatever position the dispenser 200 can have, the opening 220 of the dispenser should be preferably oriented to dispense the wrap 500 in a direction toward the distal end of the handlebar 110. This way, the wrap 500 can be dispensed in the same direction as the handlebar 110 extends.

Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary cross-section of the protective wrap 500. As illustrated in Fig. 5, the wrap may include a plurality of layers stacked upon one another. For example, the sheet may include an adhesive layer 502, a base layer 504 and a top layer 506, which can contain an antibacterial and/or antimicrobial agent.

The layer 502 typically contains adhesive, and is configured to contact the handlebar 110 in order to selectively adhere to an individual wrap 500A to the handlebar 110. The adhesive that is found on the surface of the layer 502 is configured to provide enough surface adhesion with the handlebar 110 in order to maintain the individual wrap 500A adhered to the handlebar 110, yet the adhesion is intended to be weak enough such that a user can peel-off the wrap 500A with relative ease (or with a reasonable effort) from the handlebar 110.

The base layer 504 may be a barrier layer that prevents the user’s hands from directly coming into contact with the handlebar 110.

In an embodiment, the protective wrap may include less than three layers. For example, the sheet may include the adhesive layer 502 and the base layer 504. In yet another embodiment, the sheet may include only the base layer 504. The base layer 504 may be made of a film that includes elastomeric material, cellulose fibers ( e.g ., paper material), fabric such as knit, woven and non-woven fabric, or a mixture/blend thereof.

For example, the base layer 504 can be made of a polyethylene film, polyvinylidene chloride film, etc. The base layer 504 can also be made of a paper, for example, waxed paper or paper with sealed pores in order to prevent viruses, bacteria and/or other contaminants that may be found on the surface of the handle 110 from reaching the outer surface of the base layer 504. Therefore, the user can be assured that no viruses, bacteria and/or other contaminants will emerge on the outer surface of the protective cover 500A.

When the protective wrap 500 includes only the base layer 504, the base layer 504 may be made of, for example, a thin polyethylene film that can cling onto the outer surface of the handlebar 110.

In an embodiment, the base layer 504 is made of latex free, hypoallergenic material. Therefore, the protective wrap 500 will not irritate the users’ skin.

The top layer 506 may include antibacterial and/or antiviral solutions in an effort to further reduce the likelihood of a user becoming infected when using the shopping cart 100. In addition, the top layer 506 can also include a fragrance in addition the antibacterial/antiviral solution.

Seen in Figs. 7A-7C, are various configurations of wrapping the protective wrap 500 about the handlebar 110. In the configuration of Fig. 7A, a substantially planar piece of wrap 500A is dispensed from dispenser 200, with the adhesive layer facing towards the handlebar surface. After detaching the individual wrap 500A from the dispenser 200, a user brings the wrap 500A into contact with the handlebar 110, and then folds the wrap 500A in the direction of arrow 520 to envelop the wrap 500A about the entire surface of the handlebar.

Alternatively, the dispenser 200 can be configured to dispense tube-like wraps, as can be schematically seen in Fig. 7B. In such a configuration, the user needs only to pull a tube-like wrap 500A along the length of the handlebar. For removing the wrap from the handlebar 110, a tear- line or perforations can be provided along at least a portion of the length of the wrap, permitting a user to tear the tube-like wrap from the handlebar after use. According to another alternative, the wrap 500A can be wound about the handlebar in a helical configuration as to form a complete coverage of the handlebar, as demonstrated in Fig. 1C.

While the present disclosure has been particularly described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for dispensing disposable protective sheets onto at least a portion of a handlebar of a cart, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of disposable protective sheets wound about a spool, a housing configured for mounting onto a frame element of the cart, the housing further configured to rotatably receive said spool and having a dispenser opening permitting dispensing of a disposable protective sheet out of said plurality of sheets onto said handlebar, each disposable protective sheet of said plurality being configured to cover at least a portion of the handlebar once disposed.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the disposable protective sheets are configured to detachably attach to the handlebar.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the disposable protective sheet comprises an adhesive for temporarily adhering to the handlebar once disposed from the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a first- in-line sheet of said plurality of disposable protective sheets is separable from a following sheet in said plurality of disposable protective sheets.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the disposable protective sheets are separated one from the other by perforations or tear lines.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the dispenser opening is configured with separation means to separate between consecutive sheets in said plurality of disposable protective sheets.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said separation means comprises a cutting tool.

8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus is configured to dispense a disposable protective sheet having a length substantively corresponding to the length of the handlebar.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a connecting member for selectively connecting the apparatus to said frame element.

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the disposable protective sheet comprises one or more layers stacked one over the other.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the disposable protective sheet comprises at least one base layer and an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer being configured for detachably attaching the sheet to the handlebar.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the base layer comprises at least one antiviral or antimicrobial agent.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the disposable protective sheet comprises at least one base layer sandwiched between an adhesive layer and a top layer, the adhesive layer being configured for detachably attaching the sheet to the handlebar.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one of the base layer and the top layer comprises at least one antiviral or antimicrobial agent.

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the disposable protective sheet is configured to detachably mechanically attach to the handlebar.

16. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the disposable protective sheet comprises visual indication arrangement for indicating usability of the sheet.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said visual indication arrangement comprises a color-changing component capable of changing color as a function of time from dispensing.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said visual indication arrangement comprises a message zone, in which lettering, marking, symbols and/or any other visual indication can appear or disappear as a function of time from dispensing.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the apparatus comprises a connecting element configured to selectively connect the housing to said frame element.

20. A kit comprising: a plurality of disposable protective sheets wound about a spool, a housing configured for mounting onto a frame element of a cart, the housing further configured to rotatably receive said spool and having a dispenser opening permitting dispensing of a disposable protective sheet out of said plurality of sheets onto a handlebar of the cart, and a connecting element configured to selectively connect the housing to said frame element; each of the disposable protective sheets being configured to at least partially cover the handlebar once disposed.

21. A cart comprising: a cart body, wheels associated with said cart body, a handlebar for steering the cart, and an apparatus for dispensing disposable protective sheets onto at least a portion of the handlebar, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of disposable protective sheets wound about a spool, a housing configured for mounting onto a frame element of the cart body or handlebar, the housing further configured to rotatably receive said spool and having a dispenser opening permitting dispensing of a disposable protective sheet out of said plurality of sheets onto said handlebar, each of the disposable protective sheets being configured to at least partially cover the handlebar once disposed.

22. The cart of claim 21, being a shopping cart, a flatbed cart, a luggage cart, a dolly, and a service cart.

23. A pushable and/or pullable vehicle comprising: a vehicle body, wheels associated with said vehicle body, at least one handlebar for steering the vehicle, and an apparatus for dispensing disposable protective sheets onto at least a portion of the handlebar, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of disposable protective sheets wound about a spool, a housing configured for mounting onto a frame element of the vehicle body or handlebar, the housing further configured to rotatably receive said spool and having a dispenser opening permitting dispensing of a disposable protective sheet out of said plurality of sheets onto said handlebar, each of the disposable protective sheets being configured to at least partially cover the handlebar once disposed.

24. The vehicle of claim 23, being a baby pram, a baby stroller, a baby crib, an incubator, a hospital cart, a hospital bed, and a wheelchair.

25. An apparatus for dispensing disposable protective sheets onto at least a portion of a user-interface surface, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of disposable protective sheets wound about a spool; a housing configured for mounting onto a frame element of a device comprising said user-interface surface, the housing further configured to rotatably receive said spool and having a dispenser opening permitting dispensing of a disposable protective sheet out of said plurality of sheets onto said surface; each disposable protective sheet of said plurality being configured to cover at least a portion of the surface once disposed.

26. A kit comprising: a plurality of disposable protective sheets wound about a spool, a housing configured for mounting onto a frame element of a stationary unit having a user-interface surface, the housing further configured to rotatably receive said spool and having a dispenser opening permitting dispensing of a disposable protective sheet out of said plurality of sheets onto said surface; and a connecting element configured to selectively connect the housing to said frame element; the disposable protective sheets being configured to cover at least a portion of the surface once disposed.

27. A stationary unit having a surface-interface surface, the unit comprising a unit body, said surface-interface, and an apparatus of claim 26 for dispensing disposable protective layers onto at least a portion of the surface.

28. The stationary unit of claim 27, being a check-in kiosk, an information station, a vending machine, or a ticketing machine.