WO2022229246A1 - Distributeur de couvre-doigt et méthode d'application d'un couvre-doigt - Google Patents

Distributeur de couvre-doigt et méthode d'application d'un couvre-doigt Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022229246A1
WO2022229246A1 PCT/EP2022/061165 EP2022061165W WO2022229246A1 WO 2022229246 A1 WO2022229246 A1 WO 2022229246A1 EP 2022061165 W EP2022061165 W EP 2022061165W WO 2022229246 A1 WO2022229246 A1 WO 2022229246A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
finger
finger cover
cover
application
present
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2022/061165
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ola Thorwalls
Erik Elwing
Original Assignee
Paprtect Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from EP21170648.6A external-priority patent/EP4082471A1/fr
Application filed by Paprtect Ab filed Critical Paprtect Ab
Priority to EP22725860.5A priority Critical patent/EP4329661A1/fr
Publication of WO2022229246A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022229246A1/fr

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B42/00—Surgical gloves; Finger-stalls specially adapted for surgery; Devices for handling or treatment thereof
    • A61B42/20—Finger-stalls specially adapted for surgery
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B42/00—Surgical gloves; Finger-stalls specially adapted for surgery; Devices for handling or treatment thereof
    • A61B42/40—Packages or dispensers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B42/00—Surgical gloves; Finger-stalls specially adapted for surgery; Devices for handling or treatment thereof
    • A61B42/50—Devices for putting-on or removing
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
    • A41D13/08—Arm or hand
    • A41D13/081—Hand protectors
    • A41D13/087—Hand protectors especially for fingers

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a dispenser, and especially a finger cover dispenser for application of a finger cover to a finger of a user.
  • Such public touch screen may be used by numerous different persons every hour, and thereby providing a high risk surface to contain bacteria and colony-forming units.
  • cleaning of the touch surface would need to be performed after each use, which is normally not practically possible.
  • An alternative to cleaning of the surface after each use may be to provide disposable articles for the user to cover the finger or hand when using the touch screen. Example of such articles may be found in e.g.
  • a finger cover dispenser comprising a housing, and a feeder mechanism configured to feed finger covers to the housing.
  • the housing comprises an application opening which is configured to, when in use, enable a user to apply the finger cover to a finger by pushing a present finger cover, fed to an application position by the feeder mechanism, into the application opening together with the finger, such that the present finger cover is formed to enclose the finger.
  • the finger cover dispenser may enable a user to access a finger cover supplied by the feeder mechanism and put the finger together with the finger cover into the application opening.
  • the application opening may be configured to receive a finger of a user and, when the finger is put into the application opening, form the finger cover to enclose the finger or fingertip.
  • the application opening may be adapted in size and shape to receive the finger of a user and form the finger cover to enclose the finger.
  • the application opening may be a circular opening.
  • the application opening may further be a cylindrical hole into which a user, when in use, may put a finger together with a finger cover.
  • the finger of a user it may be meant a portion of the finger or the tip of the finger.
  • the finger covers fed by the feeder mechanism may be flat shaped.
  • the finger cover dispenser may comprise a plurality of finger covers configured to be fed to the housing by the feeder mechanism.
  • the finger covers may be disposable finger covers, and may be made of e.g. a paper material or plastic material.
  • the material of the finger covers may be selected to facilitate the forming around a user’s fingertip, and also the preservation of such form after application to the finger. Such properties may be provided by the thickness, material stiffness, surface properties and/or density of the material.
  • the finger covers may in one embodiment be provided with a sticky coating on one side thereof to facilitate the application of a finger cover to a user’s finger.
  • the sticky coating may be selected to have a stickiness facilitating the application of a finger cover to a user’s finger, and at the same time not too sticky to prevent separation of finger covers being in contact in the feeder mechanism.
  • a relatively low stickiness may be sufficient to achieve the function of facilitating the forming of the finger cover around a finger.
  • the sticky coating may be provided on the side of the finger cover facing the user’s finger when being applied thereto, i.e. the side facing the user’s finger when the finger cover is in the application position. Such side may the side opposite to the side facing the application opening.
  • the feeder mechanism may be configured to feed finger covers in a consecutive manner, making one finger cover at the time accessible to a user at the housing of the dispenser.
  • the feeder mechanism may further be configured such that a present finger cover is accessible to the user at a first position, and a removal of the present finger cover from the first position provides a subsequent finger cover to be fed to the first position.
  • the present finger cover may be moved to an application position adjacent to the application opening.
  • the application position may be a position at which the finger cover may be pushed into the application opening.
  • the application position may be a position different from the first position.
  • a subsequent finger cover may have been fed to the first position.
  • the present finger cover may be pushed into the application opening by a user’s finger, thereby being formed to enclose the finger.
  • the first position and the application position may be the same position, providing that the feeder mechanism may be configured to feed the present finger cover to the application position, at which position the user may push the finger and the present finger cover into the application opening.
  • the feeder mechanism may then be configured to feed a subsequent finger cover to the application position in response to the present finger cover have been pushed into the application opening.
  • the feeder mechanism may be configured to feed a subsequent finger cover automatically following the application of a finger cover to a user’s finger.
  • Such feeding may be provided by a mechanical mechanism, or an electrically driven mechanism.
  • the application opening may be configured to, when the present finger cover is pushed into the application opening, form the present finger cover to enclose the user’s finger.
  • the pushing of the present finger cover into the application opening may cause the present finger cover to be formed to enclose the finger.
  • the finger cover being formed to enclose the finger it may be meant that it is formed to enclose the fingertip of the user’s finger.
  • the formed finger cover may be shaped as an enclosure of the finger or fingertip.
  • the formed finger cover may be shaped to enclose the whole circumference of the fingertip.
  • the application opening may form a hole into which the present finger cover may be pushed by means of the finger. When pushed into the hole, the configuration of the hole may provide the finger cover to be formed to enclose the finger or fingertip.
  • the hole may be configured in a direction substantially perpendicular, or at least with an angle, to a first plane in which the present finger cover is arranged in the application position, prior to being pushed into the application opening. When in the application position, the present finger cover may be in a flat shape extending in the first plane.
  • the application opening may be a circular opening having a diameter of between 10-30 mm, preferably between 12-20 mm.
  • the application opening may be substantially cross-sectionally finger shaped.
  • the application opening may have a flexible circumferential flange.
  • a flange around the circumference of the application opening may be flexible, making the diameter of the application opening flexible.
  • the flange may be made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic, and/or have a shape that provide a flexible diameter of the opening.
  • the flange may for instance be formed having a plurality of slits forming a plurality of flange portions distributed along the circumference of the flange.
  • the flexible circumferential flange may be a flange at a longitudinal end of a first tube, wherein the first tube may have a slit extending along the first tube’s longitudinal length.
  • Such tube arranged in the application opening may further provide a flexibility to the application opening, facilitating the finger cover forming to the finger.
  • the first tube may be made of a plastic material. The first tube may provide a control of the radial flexibility of the application opening, throughout the depth of the application opening.
  • the application opening may comprise a second tube arranged radially outside and enclosing the first tube, wherein the second tube may comprise a slit extending along the second tube’s longitudinal length.
  • the second tube may be made of a plastic material. The second tube may provide a further control of the radial flexibility of the application opening.
  • the present finger cover in the application position, may be configured to extend in a first plane, and the application opening may extend such that when a user is to apply the present finger cover to the finger, the finger and the present finger cover may be pushed into the application opening in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane.
  • the present finger cover in the application position, may extend in the first plane.
  • the present finger cover may be flat, completely extending in the first plane.
  • the application opening providing a hole into which the user may push the finger together with the present finger cover, may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane. This provides that an efficient feeding and application of finger covers.
  • the slit of the second tube may be arranged circumferentially separate from the slit of the first tube. In a further embodiment, the slit of the second tube may be arranged substantially circumferentially opposite to the slit of the first tube.
  • the application opening may have a resilient bottom. The application opening may have a depth that may be varying by the resilient bottom. The bottom of the application opening may be configured to move by means of the user putting the finger and finger cover into the application opening. The bottom of the application opening may in one embodiment be spring biased. When the user puts the finger and finger cover into the application opening, the spring is compressed, and the bottom of the application opening is moved such that the depth of the application opening is increased.
  • the application opening may be provided in an application module removeable from the housing.
  • the application opening which may have e.g. a flexible flange and a spring biased bottom, may be provided in a removeable application module, which may be removed e.g. for cleaning purposes or replacement purposes.
  • the feeder mechanism may be configured to feed disposable paper finger covers.
  • disposable finger covers may have a flat shape.
  • the disposable finger covers may each comprise a first circular portion and a second protruding portion.
  • the second protruding portion may e.g. be tapering or rectangular.
  • the housing may comprise a cover reception opening which may have a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the finger covers.
  • the housing may have a reception opening through which the feeder mechanism may be configured to supply finger covers.
  • the reception opening may have a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the finger covers. In case of flat finger covers, the reception opening may have a shape corresponding to the overall shape of such finger covers.
  • the reception opening may be formed as a slot configured to receive the thickness of a finger cover.
  • the feeder mechanism may be configured to comprise a stack of finger covers fed towards the housing.
  • the stack of finger covers may comprise a plurality of flat finger covers stacked on top of each other.
  • the stack may extend in a longitudinal direction, and the feeder mechanism may be configured to feed the finger covers to the housing in the longitudinal direction.
  • the housing may comprise a reception opening through which the feeder mechanism may be configured to feed finger covers from the stack of finger covers.
  • the reception opening may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the stacked finger covers.
  • the feeder mechanism may be configured to spring bias the stack of finger covers towards the housing.
  • the finger covers may be spring biased in a longitudinal direction of the stack, towards the housing.
  • the housing may comprise a reception opening, and the feeder mechanism may be configured to spring bias the stack of finger covers towards the reception opening.
  • the feeder mechanism may comprise a spring configured to provide a spring force to the stack of finger covers in a direction towards the housing.
  • the housing and/or the feeder mechanism may comprise a cover stop arranged above the reception opening and extending over a portion of the reception opening.
  • the feeder mechanism may be configured to spring bias the stack of finger covers towards the reception opening and the cover stop.
  • the cover stop may be configured to hold the stack of finger covers against the spring bias. The position of the topmost finger cover relative to the housing may thereby be controlled.
  • the cover stop may comprise a steering pin configured to extend through a hole in the top finger covers in the stack of finger covers.
  • the steering pin may extend in the same axial direction as the stack of finger covers.
  • the steering pin may have a length corresponding to the thickness of 2-20 finger covers.
  • All finger covers may comprise a hole configured to receive the steering pin. The hole and the location thereof on the finger cover may be configured to enable the finger cover to be ripped off from the steering pin when moved from the first position to the application position.
  • the feeder mechanism may be configured to comprise a roll of consecutive finger covers and to continuously supply finger covers from said roll to the housing.
  • the feeder mechanism may comprise a roll of finger covers.
  • the roll of finger covers may comprise a formed string of finger covers, formed of a common roll of material, such as a paper roll.
  • the roll may comprise a high number of consecutive finger covers, such as hundreds or thousands of finger covers.
  • Such movement may be when the finger cover is moved from the first position to an application position, at which the finger cover may be pushed into the application opening, the application position being different from the first position, or it may be when the finger cover is pushed into the application opening in an embodiment where the first position and the application position are the same.
  • the consecutive finger covers may be attached to each other.
  • a separation means such as a perforation or partial opening, configured to facilitate separation of the two finger covers.
  • the consecutive finger covers may be different portions of a continuous string of finger cover material.
  • the roll of finger covers may be configured for a mechanical feeding of finger covers to the housing.
  • the feeder mechanism may comprise electrical driving means, such as an electrical motor, to electrically feed finger covers to the housing.
  • the electrical driving means may be combined with one or more sensor devices used for activation of the electrical feeding of finger covers.
  • sensor for activation or deactivation of the electrical feeding of finger covers may detect one or more properties of a finger cover. Such properties may be shape, color, marking or the like.
  • the housing and/or the feeder mechanism may comprise a cover separation function for separation of two consecutive finger covers.
  • the cover separation function may be activated by means of the user putting a finger with finger cover into the application opening.
  • the cover separation function may be activated following the feeding of finger covers.
  • the cover separation function may be configured to hold or in other way prevent the subsequent finger cover to move when the present finger cover is pushed into the application opening.
  • the feeder mechanism comprises an electrical feeding function of finger covers
  • the cover separation function may be provided by the electrical feeding function holding a subsequent finger cover, causing a present finger cover to be separated from the subsequent finger cover when the present finger cover is moved from the first position or the position it was located in when the cover separation function was activated.
  • the electrical feeding function may be configured to feed the subsequent finger cover to the first position or application position.
  • the cover separation function comprises a function of holding the subsequent finger cover when the present finger cover is moved by the user
  • the roll of consecutive finger covers may comprise separation means, such as an opening or perforation, between the finger covers.
  • the cover separation function may be provided by a separation tool configured to provide a separation means between the present finger cover and the subsequent finger cover after the present finger cover has been feed to the application position.
  • the roll of consecutive finger covers may comprise a continuous string of finger cover paper.
  • finger covers may not comprise any pre-made separation means, such as opening or perforation. Providing a continuous string of finger cover paper may facilitate the manufacturing of the roll.
  • the string of finger cover paper may have variating width along its longitudinal extension.
  • the varying width may be symmetric on each side (left and right) of the string.
  • the varying width may be provided in a curving, or wave, shape.
  • the varying width may alternatively be provided in an angular shape.
  • the string may comprise alternating wide portions and narrow portions. In the wide portions, the width extends in both directions (left and right). In the narrow portions, the width contracts in both directions. Such shape with varying width may facilitate the feeding, as well as the application of a finger cover to a user’s finger.
  • the dispenser may further comprise a separation tool configured to, when the present finger cover has been fed to the application position, provide a separation means between the present finger cover and a subsequent finger cover.
  • the separation means may be a partial opening or perforation across the string of finger covers.
  • the string may extend in the roll along a longitudinal extension direction.
  • the separation tool may be configured to provide the separation means perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, along the width of the string.
  • the separation tool may be configured to provide the separation means at a narrow portion of the string when the string has a variating width.
  • the finger covers in the roll each may comprise a finger cover marking
  • the feeder mechanism may comprise a sensor device configured to detect the marking on a finger cover, and the feeding of finger covers may at least partly be based on said detection.
  • the feeding of the finger cover string may be controlled based on e.g. the sensor device’s detection of a finger cover marking.
  • the sensor device may be configured to detect the finger cover marking on the subsequent finger cover.
  • the sensor device may then be arranged for instance in connection with the separation tool, below the string fed towards the separation tool.
  • the sensor device may be an optical sensor configured to detect a visual finger cover marking.
  • the feeder mechanism may in such embodiment be configured to feed the string until the sensor device detects the finger cover marking on the subsequent finger cover. The feeding may thereby be stopped.
  • the string may then be located such that the present finger cover, i.e. the frontmost part of the string, may be arranged at the application position.
  • the separation tool may then be operated to provide the separation means on the string, forming the present finger cover as at least partly separated from the subsequent finger cover, being the adjacent part of the string.
  • the user may apply the present finger cover to the finger using the application opening. During the application of the present finger cover to the user’s finger, the present finger cover may be completely separated from the string and the subsequent finger cover.
  • the application module may comprise an activation function, configured to cause the feeder mechanism to feed a new finger cover, i.e. the subsequent finger cover, to the application position.
  • activation function may be used to determine when a user has applied the present finger cover to the finger, thereby providing the need of a new finger cover to be fed to the application position.
  • the activation function may be provided as a button built into the application module.
  • a bottom member of the application module, towards which the user may push the finger when applying a finger cover may constitute or comprise a button.
  • the button may be configured to cause a signal to the feeder mechanism, indicating that the present finger cover has been applied to a finger.
  • the feeder mechanism may feed the subsequent finger cover to the application position (or first position). To avoid that the feeding of the subsequent finger cover to the application opening collides with the finger of the user’s, the feeding of the subsequent finger cover may be delayed a predetermined amount of time after activation of the activation function in the application module.
  • the housing may comprise a separation module configured to facilitate the separation between a present finger cover to be applied to a finger and a subsequent finger cover.
  • the separation module may comprise a first part at which a finger cover is in its first position and a second part at which the finger cover is in its application position.
  • the second part may be pivotably attached to the first part between a resting position and a pressed position.
  • the second part may be spring biased towards the resting position.
  • the separation module may comprise a separation mechanism that is activated upon the second part being pivoted to the pressed position.
  • the second part may be configured to be pivoted to the pressed position when a user puts a finger with a finger cover into the application opening.
  • the application opening may be arranged on the second part.
  • the mechanism may be provided as a separation projection projecting at a surface of the first part when the second part is pivoted to the pressed position.
  • the separation projection may be configured to project between two consecutive finger covers, e.g. at an interface between such two finger covers.
  • Such interface may comprise a separation means, such as an opening or a perforation.
  • the projection of the separation projection into the separation means may cause or facilitate the separation of the two finger covers.
  • the mechanism may provide that when a present finger cover is located at the application opening, a subsequent finger cover at the first position is fixed at the first position.
  • fixation may for instance be by means of a clamping of the subsequent finger cover between two elements, such as two elements forming a slot that may be closed in a clamping state, thereby fixing the position of the subsequent finger cover.
  • the feeder mechanism may comprise a replaceable cartridge of finger covers to be supplied to the housing.
  • the replaceable cartridge may comprise a stack of finger covers, or a roll of finger covers.
  • the dispenser comprises two or more rolls or stacks of finger covers. The two or more rolls or stacks of finger covers may be provided to enable additional supply of finger covers without the need of replacement of a cartridge.
  • a method of applying a finger cover to a user’s finger comprises the steps of providing a present finger cover at a first position in a finger cover dispenser by means of a feeder mechanism in the finger cover dispenser, the present finger cover being a finger cover accessible to a user out of a plurality of finger covers in the dispenser; providing the present finger cover at an application position at which the present finger cover is located at an application opening of the finger cover dispenser; and pushing the present finger cover into the application opening using the user’s finger such that the present finger cover is formed to enclose the user’s finger.
  • a movement of the present finger cover from the first position may cause a feeding of a subsequent finger cover to the first position.
  • Such movement may be from the first position to the application position or the pushing of the present finger cover into the application opening.
  • the dispenser may in one embodiment be a dispenser according to any of the embodiments presented above.
  • the first position and the application position may be different position, such that movement of the present finger cover from the first position to the application position causes a subsequent finger cover to be fed to the first position.
  • the first position and the application position may be one and the same position, such that when the present finger cover is fed to be accessible to a user, the present finger cover is located at the application opening and enabled to be pushed therein to form the present finger cover to enclose the user’s finger.
  • the present finger cover may thereby be moved from the first position when being pushed into the application opening. When the present finger cover is pushed into the application opening, this may cause a subsequent finger cover in the finger cover dispenser to be fed to the first position by the feeder mechanism.
  • the present finger cover may in the application position extend in a first plane, and the pushing of the present finger cover into the application opening may be made in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane.
  • the method may in further embodiments comprise steps of using the dispenser according to embodiments as discussed above.
  • Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a finger cover cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of a finger cover cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of a finger cover cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of a finger cover cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of a finger cover cartridge and separation tool according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of an application module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 16 shows a perspective view of an application module according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 17 shows a perspective view of a separation module according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 18 shows a perspective view of a separation module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 19 shows a perspective view of a separation module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 20 shows a perspective view of a separation module according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 21 shows a perspective view of a user’s finger applying a finger cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 22 shows a perspective view of a user’s finger with an applied finger cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a finger cover dispenser 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the dispenser 1 comprises a housing 10 and a feeder mechanism 30.
  • the housing 10 encloses the feeder mechanism 30.
  • the feeder mechanism 30 is configured to feed finger covers 5 to be accessible for a user.
  • the housing comprises a reception opening 11 for receiving finger cover 5, thereby making it accessible to a user.
  • the housing 10 comprises an application opening 51.
  • the application opening 51 is part of an application module 50 provided in the housing 10 (see further in figure 9).
  • the application opening 51 is configured to receive a user’s finger together with a finger cover 5.
  • the finger cover 5 is formed to be applied to the user’s finger.
  • the housing 10 comprises a first part 14 and a second part 15.
  • the housing 10 is openable by movement of the second part 15 relative to the first part 14. In the illustrated embodiment, such movement is a pivotal movement, rotating the second part 15 relative to the first part 14.
  • the feeder mechanism 30 may be accessed.
  • the feeder mechanism 30 may be accessed in order to refill the feeder mechanism 30 with new finger covers 5.
  • Fig. 3 illustrates the dispenser 1 with an opened housing 10 and without any finger covers 5 supplied in the feeder mechanism 30.
  • the finger covers 5 is provided in the feeder mechanism 30 in a cartridge 33, as illustrated in fig. 4.
  • the cartridge 33 comprises a cartridge enclosure 34 enclosing a stack 35 of finger covers 5.
  • the feeder mechanism 30 further comprises a bottom plate 31 being spring biased by means of a spring function 32.
  • the spring biased bottom plate 31 When the cartridge 33 is mounted in the feeder mechanism 30 within the housing 10, the spring biased bottom plate 31 is configured to push on the stack 35 of finger covers 5. Finger covers 5 from the stack 35 are thereby supplied at the top of the feeder mechanism 30. A finger cover 5 at the top is thereby accessible to a user.
  • the housing 10 and/or the feeder mechanism 30 may comprise a cover stop 12 configured to hold the stack 35 of finger covers 5 being spring biased towards the housing 10.
  • the spring force of the spring function 32 thereby acts towards the cover stop 12.
  • the cover stop 12 extends over a portion of the finger cover 5 at the top of the stack 35.
  • the cover stop 12 may be provided in connection to the cartridge enclosure 34, as seen in figs. 2 and 4. Alternatively or additionally, the cover stop may be formed in the housing as seen in fig. 1.
  • the cartridge 33 and/or the housing 10 may further comprise a steering pin 13 configured to extend towards and through the stack 35 of finger covers 5. All finger covers 5 of the stack 35 may comprise a hole 8 for receiving a steering pin 13.
  • the steering pin 13 preferably extends through the topmost 2 to 20 finger covers 5 of the stack 35.
  • the steering pin 13 may be formed as part of the cartridge 33 as illustrated in fig. 4. Alternatively, the steering pin may be formed as part of the housing 10.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates when the present, topmost, finger cover 5 has been moved from the first position to the application position.
  • a subsequent finger cover 6 is fed by the feeder mechanism to the first position.
  • the subsequent finger cover 6 thereby becomes accessible for subsequent application to a user’s finger.
  • the finger cover 5 is located above the application opening 51 , enabling a user to put the finger into the application opening 51 together with the finger cover 5, thereby applying the finger cover 5 to the finger.
  • the finger cover 5 comprises a first circular portion 5a and a second protruding portion 5b extending from said first circular portion 5a.
  • the second protruding portion 5b may facilitate removal of the finger cover 5 from the finger to which the finger cover 5 was applied. The removal may be performed by moving another finger in between the second protruding portion 5b and the finger to which the finger cover 5 is applied.
  • Figs. 6-9 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention, comprising a dispenser 2 with a housing 20 and a feeder mechanism 40.
  • the housing 20 comprises an application opening similar to the dispenser 1 of the first embodiment.
  • the dispenser 2 further comprises a feeder mechanism 40 configured to feed a present finger cover 5 to be accessible at a first position to a user.
  • the feeder mechanism 40 comprises a roll 41 of finger covers 5, 6.
  • the present finger cover 5 is feed to be accessible at the first position to a user as illustrated in fig. 6.
  • a subsequent finger cover 6 follows the present finger cover 5 in the roll 41 .
  • the roll 41 is configured to rotate to feed finger covers 5, 6 to be accessible to a user.
  • the separation means may be provided as transverse opening, a perforation or the like.
  • the separation means 7 is provided as a transverse opening extending along a portion of width of the interface between the two finger covers 5, 6, centered in the transverse direction.
  • the finger covers 5, 6 each comprises a first circular portion 5a and a second protruding portion 5b.
  • the separation means 7 is provided between the first circular portion 5a of one finger cover 5 and the protruding portion 5b of a subsequent finger cover 6.
  • the housing 20 comprises an application module 50 providing the application opening 51.
  • the application module 50 is removeable and exchangeable.
  • Fig. 9 illustrates the dispenser 2 when the present finger cover 5 has been moved from the first position to the application position.
  • the subsequent finger cover 6 is fed to the first position from the roll 41. In the first position, the subsequent finger cover 6 thereby becomes accessible for subsequent application to a user’s finger.
  • the present finger cover 5 is located above the application opening 51, enabling a user to put the finger into the application opening 51 together with the finger cover 5, thereby applying the finger cover 5 to the finger.
  • the second protruding portion 5b may facilitate removal of the finger cover 5 from the finger to which the finger cover 5 was applied. The removal may be performed by moving another finger in between the second protruding portion 5b and the finger to which the finger cover 5 is applied.
  • Figs. 10-14 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a dispenser 2 comprising a feeder mechanism comprising a roll 41 of finger covers 5, 6.
  • the dispenser 2 comprises an application opening similarly as other embodiments disclosed herein.
  • the feeder mechanism 40 is configured to feed a present finger cover 5 to an application position as illustrated in fig. 11.
  • the subsequent finger cover 6 is not visible to the user when the present finger cover 5 is arranged at the application position.
  • the application position is thereby the same as a first position at which the present finger cover 5 is accessible to the user.
  • the roll 41 of finger covers comprises a continuous string 5c of finger cover paper.
  • finger covers 5, 6 does not comprise any pre-made separation means, such as opening or perforation.
  • Providing a continuous string 5c of finger cover paper may facilitate the manufacturing of the roll 41.
  • the strings 5c of finger cover paper illustrated in figs. 12-13 have variating width along its longitudinal extension. The varying width is symmetric on each side (left and right) of the string 5c. In fig. 12 the varying width is provided in a curving, or wave, shape. In fig. 13 the varying width is provided in an angular shape, or diamond shape. Further embodiments of curving or angular shapes may be possible.
  • the string 5c thereby comprises alternating wide portions and narrow portions.
  • the string 5c further comprises finger cover markings 8 at symmetric intervals.
  • the finger cover markings 8 may for instance be located at each wide portion of the string 5c.
  • Fig. 14 illustrates the roll 41 of a string 5c of finger covers 5, 6 arranged in a dispenser 2 comprising a separation tool 42, being part of the feeder mechanism 40.
  • the separation tool 42 is configured to provide a separation means, such as a partial opening or perforation, between the present finger cover 5 and the subsequent finger cover 6, wherein the subsequent finger cover 6 thereby is the first part of the continuous string 5c of finger cover paper after the formed separation means.
  • the separation means is thereby not pre formed in the roll 41 of finger covers, but produced in the feeding mechanism 40 by the separation tool 42.
  • the separation tool 42 may comprise a knife moved to create the separation means.
  • the dispenser 2 may further comprise a sensor device (not shown) configured to detect the finger cover marking 8.
  • the feeding of the finger cover string 5c is controlled based on e.g. the sensor device’s detection of the finger cover marking 8.
  • the sensor device is configured to detect the finger cover marking 8 on the subsequent finger cover 6 as seen in fig. 14.
  • the sensor device is arranged for instance in connection with the separation tool 42, below the string 5c fed towards separation tool 42.
  • the sensor device may be an optical sensor configured to detect the visual finger cover marking 8.
  • the feeder mechanism 40 is in such embodiment configured to feed the string 5c until the sensor device detects the finger cover marking 8 on the subsequent finger cover 6. The feeding is thereby stopped.
  • the string 5c is then located such that the present finger cover 5, i.e.
  • the separation tool 42 is then operated to provide the separation means on the string 5c, forming the present finger cover 5 as at least partly separated from the subsequent finger cover, being the adjacent part of the string 5c.
  • the user may then apply the present finger cover 5 to the finger 9 using the application opening 51.
  • the application module 50 may comprise an activation function, configured to cause the feeder mechanism 40 to feed a new finger cover to the application position.
  • Figs. 15-16 illustrates the application module 50 comprising the application opening 51.
  • the application module 50 comprises a base part 55.
  • a bottom member 54 is provided, constituting the bottom of the application opening 51.
  • the bottom member 54 is arranged on a spring member 56, biasing the bottom member 54 towards the top of the application module 50.
  • the depth of the application opening 51 is thereby variable.
  • the application module 50 further comprises a first cylindrical tube member 52 and a second cylindrical tube member 57.
  • the second cylindrical tube member 57 is arranged to circumferentially enclose the first cylindrical tube member 52.
  • the two tube members 52, 57 are arranged to enclose the bottom member 54.
  • Each of the two tube members 52, 57 comprises a longitudinal slit 58, 59 extending along the axial extension of each of the tube members 52, 57.
  • the slits 58, 59 makes each of the tube members 52, 57 radially expandable.
  • the slit 58 of the first cylindrical tube member 52 is arranged circumferentially opposite to the slit 59 of the second cylindrical tube member 57.
  • a circumferential flexible flange 53 is provided at the longitudinal end of the first cylindrical tube member 52 facing towards the application opening 51 .
  • the flange 53 extends in transverse direction to the longitudinal extension of the first cylindrical tube member 52.
  • the flange 53 comprises a plurality of flange portions, together forming the flexible flange 53.
  • the application module further comprises a cap member 510 configured to be attached to the base part 55.
  • the application module 50 may be removeable from the housing 10, 20 and/or openable such that it may be replaced and/or cleaned.
  • the application module 50 is provided with an activation function for providing a signal to the feeder mechanism 40 that the user has applied the present finger cover 5 to the finger.
  • activation function may be provided by the bottom member 54 functioning as a button. A push on the button by the user’s finger, or the release of the button after having been pushed, causes a signal to the feeder mechanism 40. Such signal may thereby cause the feeder mechanism 40 to feed a subsequent finger cover 6 to the first position or application position.
  • Figs. 17-18 illustrates an embodiment of a separation module 60 that may be part of the dispenser 2.
  • the separation module 60 comprises a first part 61 that is fixed to the housing 20, and a second part 62 that is pivotally suspended on the first part 61 around a pivot point 63.
  • the separation module 60 further comprises a slot 64 through which finger covers 5, 6 is fed from the feeder mechanism 40.
  • Fig. 17 illustrates the second part 62 in a resting position. The second part 62 is spring biased towards the resting position.
  • the separation module 60 comprises a separation projection 65 that extends on the first part 61 when the second part 62 is pivoted to a pressed position as illustrated in fig. 13.
  • the separation module 60 comprises a mechanism that projects the separation projection 65 when the second part 62 is pivoted from the resting position towards the pressed position.
  • the separation projection 65 projects into the separation means 7 between two consecutive finger covers 5, 6 when the present finger cover 5 has been moved to the application position.
  • Figs. 19-20 illustrates an embodiment of a separation module 70 which may be combined with the features of the separation module 60 illustrated in figs. 17-18.
  • the separation module 70 comprises a first part 71 that is fixed to the housing 20, and a second part 72 that is pivotally suspended on the first part 71 around a pivot point 73.
  • the separation module 60 further comprises a slot 74 through which finger covers 5, 6 is fed from the feeder mechanism 40.
  • Fig. 19 illustrates the second part 62 in a resting position.
  • the second part 72 is spring biased towards the resting position.
  • the slot 74 is provided by two slot elements 76, 77 which in the resting position of the second part 72 is arranged with a distance between each other.
  • a mechanism 75 provides that the two slot elements 76, 77 are pressed towards each other.
  • the second part 62, 72 of either of the embodiments of the separation module 60, 70 is pivoted relative to the first part 61, 71 which activates the mechanism of the separation projection 65 and/or slot elements 76, 77 to facilitate the separation of the present finger cover 5 and the subsequent finger cover 6.
  • Figs. 21 and 22 illustrates a user’s finger 9 pushing the finger cover 5 into the application opening 51 in the application module 50.
  • the illustrated application of the finger cover 5 is associated with either of the embodiments of the finger cover dispenser 1 , 2 as presented herein.
  • the finger cover 5 located at the application position above the application opening 51 is pushed into the application opening 51 by the user’s finger 9.
  • the cylindrical hole of the application opening 51 forms the finger cover 5 to enclose the user’s finger 9, especially the fingertip.
  • the user’s finger 9, with the finger cover 5, hits the bottom member 54 of the application module 50.
  • the spring biased bottom member 54 is pushed down, which helps the finger cover 5 to be formed correctly around the user’s finger 9.
  • the tube members 52, 57 of the application module 50 may further facilitate the forming of the finger cover 5 around the user’s finger 9.
  • the flexibility of the tube members 52, 57 helps in providing a suitable forming of the finger cover 5 also for different sizes of fingers.
  • the user’s finger 9 has been removed from the application opening 51 after application of the finger cover 5 therein.
  • the finger cover 5 is formed around the user’s finger 9 and may be used as a finger protection on e.g. touch screens.
  • the first circular portion 5a of the finger cover 5 is the part of the finger cover 5 that mainly encloses the fingertip of the user’s finger 9.
  • the second protruding portion 5b extends at e.g. an underside of the finger 9. The second protruding portion 5b may be used when removing the finger cover 5 from the finger 9 by sticking another finger between the second protruding portion 5b and the finger 9, and moving the other finger towards the fingertip of the finger 9.

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  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un distributeur de couvre-doigt (1, 2) comprenant un boîtier (10, 20), et un mécanisme d'alimentation (30, 40) configuré pour alimenter des couvre-doigts (5, 6) au boîtier. Le boîtier comprend une ouverture d'application (51) qui est configurée pour, lors de l'utilisation, permettre à un utilisateur d'appliquer le couvre-doigt à un doigt par la mise en place du doigt (9) conjointement avec un couvre-doigt présent, introduit dans une position d'application par le mécanisme d'alimentation, dans l'ouverture d'application. L'invention concerne en outre une méthode d'application d'un couvre-doigt (5) sur le doigt d'un utilisateur (9).
PCT/EP2022/061165 2021-04-27 2022-04-27 Distributeur de couvre-doigt et méthode d'application d'un couvre-doigt WO2022229246A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP22725860.5A EP4329661A1 (fr) 2021-04-27 2022-04-27 Distributeur de couvre-doigt et méthode d'application d'un couvre-doigt

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP21170648.6A EP4082471A1 (fr) 2021-04-27 2021-04-27 Distributeur de couvre-doigts
EP21170648.6 2021-04-27
SE2151098-7 2021-09-03
SE2151098 2021-09-03

Publications (1)

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WO2022229246A1 true WO2022229246A1 (fr) 2022-11-03

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004006059A1 (de) 2004-02-02 2005-09-08 Carl Zeiss Fingerkappe und Fingerkappenspender
US20100088794A1 (en) * 2008-10-14 2010-04-15 Oradini Sr Michael E Finger covers and devices for dispensing finger covers
CH705232A1 (de) * 2011-07-13 2013-01-15 Bernd Eigler Finger-Virenschutzkappe für Tastaturen.
US20130025016A1 (en) 2011-07-30 2013-01-31 Printsguard Corporation Fingertip cover and method of dispensing same
US20130117901A1 (en) * 2012-05-09 2013-05-16 Nancy W. Schrecongost Touchscreen-active protective covering for digit and method of using same, and dispensers therefor
CN111392488A (zh) * 2020-04-13 2020-07-10 卢黎明 一种阻断病毒接触传播的指套及其供给器

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004006059A1 (de) 2004-02-02 2005-09-08 Carl Zeiss Fingerkappe und Fingerkappenspender
US20100088794A1 (en) * 2008-10-14 2010-04-15 Oradini Sr Michael E Finger covers and devices for dispensing finger covers
CH705232A1 (de) * 2011-07-13 2013-01-15 Bernd Eigler Finger-Virenschutzkappe für Tastaturen.
US20130025016A1 (en) 2011-07-30 2013-01-31 Printsguard Corporation Fingertip cover and method of dispensing same
US20130117901A1 (en) * 2012-05-09 2013-05-16 Nancy W. Schrecongost Touchscreen-active protective covering for digit and method of using same, and dispensers therefor
CN111392488A (zh) * 2020-04-13 2020-07-10 卢黎明 一种阻断病毒接触传播的指套及其供给器

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