Cover for remote control device

Abstract

A disposable cover for use with a remote control device for providing a protective barrier to human infection comprising a front member having a continuously flat surface and a rear member integrally molded in a seamless unitary, one-piece construction with the front member at a plurality of rounded surfaces for forming a single-use, disposable protective enclosure. An orifice is formed in and parallel to an oblong dimension of the rear member for enabling most any size remote control device to be inserted into and removed from the enclosure. The rounded surfaces designed into the disposable cover facilitate the closing of the orifice for enclosing the remote control device. The front member, rear member and rounded surfaces are each comprised of a flexible, stretchable and transparent material for conforming to the shape of the remote control device and for providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection.

Description

[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part application under 37 C.F.R. Section 1.53(b)(2) of application having Ser. No. 10 / 712,727 and filed Nov. 12, 2003, now abandoned.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Technical Field [0003] The present invention relates to sanitation covers. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for a single-use, disposable sanitation cover comprised of a flexible-elastic, stretchable, transparent material for enclosing any of a plurality of shared electronic remote control devices for minimizing the transfer of bacteria and viruses from one user to another user by providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection. [0004] 2. Background Art [0005] Electronic remote control devices are now commonly utilized in our society including, for example, remote control devices utilized in our respective residences for use with television, radio and entertainment systems, garage door openers, secur...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a new and improved cover for a remote control device for creating a convenient, disposable cover primarily for providing a protective barrier to human infection and for enclosing any of a plurality of electronic remote control devices typically shared among many persons. The single-use, disposable cover for a remote control device serves to minimize the transfer of bacteria and viruses from one person who uses the remote control device to another, i.e., the cover provides a protective sanitation barrier to human infection. In particular, the inventive disposable cover for a remote control device is comprised of a flexible-elastic, transparent material fashioned so as to easily conform to the shape of most any size remote control device. Further, the flexible-elastic transparent material facilitates the capture of the remote control device within the fabric of the cover. Likewise, the cover can be easily removed from the remote control device.

[0012] In general, the disposable cover for remote control device comprises a sheath-like or pouch-like enclosure that includes a front member integrally formed with a rear member at a plurality of rounded surfaces. An orifice or opening is formed in the rear member of the cover for facilitating the insertion and removal of a remote control device which is one of a plurality of various sized remote control devices. The front member typically exhibits a continuously flat surface. However, the shape of the rear member can vary depending upon the shape of the remote control device and thus, the inventive cover is necessarily available in several different shapes. The plurality of rounded surfaces that integrally join the front member with the rear member enable the flexible-elastic material from which the disposable cover is fashioned to partially relax once the cover is fitted onto the remote control device. This relaxation of the flexible-elastic material enables the orifice to close upon itself ensuring that the cover substantially encloses the remote control device.

[0013] The cover exhibits an integrally molded, seamless, unitary one-piece construction and can be comprised of, for example, a polyurethane compound but many other suitable materials are also available. The selected material is flexible, elastic, i.e., stretchable, and thus quickly adopts or conforms to the shape of most any size remote control device of a plurality of various sized remote control devices. Thus, once fitted, the cover snugly fits over an outer housing of the remote control device. A typical remote control device, whether used for a television, stereo system, hospital bed control or other manual electronic control device, includes a control keypad. Manipulation of the keys mounted on the keypad facilitates the control of the specific electronic device. The selected material from which the cover is fashioned is also transparent. Thus, once fitted onto the remote control device, the transparent nature of the inventive cover facilitates unimpeded operation of the keys mounted on the keypad. The inventive cover for the remote control device serves several functions. Since the remote control device is typically shared between, i.e., handled by, several persons, the cover functions to provide a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection by preventing the transfer of bacteria and viruses between individuals. Thus, in a quasi-public setting as in a hotel or motel environment, the disposable cover would normally be changed daily along with the bed sheets. In a domestic setting, the cover could be cleaned regularly with a suitable disinfecting cleaner product. The cover also serves to protect the electronic circuitry of the remote control device from dirt, soil, spills and grime. Thus, the inventive cover primarily establishes a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection by protecting primarily the plurality of users of the remote control device but also the electronic circuitry housed within the remote control device.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the disposable cover for use with the remote control device for providing a protective barrier to human infection in its most fundamental form comprises a front member which exhibits a generally continuous flat surface and a rear member having a curved surface. The rear member is integrally molded in a seamless unitary, one-piece construction with the front member at a plurality of rounded surfaces for forming a single-use, disposable protective enclosure. An orifice is formed in and parallel to an oblong dimension of the the curved surface of the rear member for enabling a remote control device of a plurality of various sized remote control devices to be inserted into and removed from the enclosure. The rounded surfaces designed into the cover facilitate the closing of the orifice for enclosing the remote control device. The front member, rear member and rounded surfaces are each comprised of a flexible, stretchable and transparent material for conforming to the shape of most any size remote control device of a plurality of various sized remote control devices, and for providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection.

[0015] In a first alternative embodiment, the disposable cover for use with the remote control device for providing a protective barrier to human infection comprises a front member which exhibits a generally continuous flat surface and a rear member having a converging surface. The converging surface is formed opposite an oblong dimension of the front member and comprises a first slanted surface and a second slanted surface. The rear member is integrally molded in a seamless unitary, one-piece construction with the front member at a plurality of rounded surfaces for forming a single-use, disposable protective enclosure. An orifice is formed in the converging surface of the rear member for enabling a remote control device of a plurality of various sized remote control devices to be inserted into and removed from the disposable enclosure. The rounded surfaces designed into the cover facilitate the closing of the orifice for enclosing the remote control device.

[0016] In a second alternative embodiment, the disposable cover for use with the remote control device for providing a protective barrier to human infection also comprises a front member having a generally continuous flat surface and a rear member having a rectangular surface. The rear member is also integrally molded in a seamless unitary, one-piece construction with the front member at a plurality of rounded surfaces for forming a single-use, disposable protective enclosure. An orifice is formed in the rectangular surface of the rear member for enabling most any size remote control device to be inserted into and removed from the enclosure. The rounded surfaces facilitate the closing of the orifice for enclosing the remote control device. Each of the alternative embodiments are comprised of a flexible, stretchable and transparent material for conforming to the shape of the remote control device and for providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection.

Problems solved by technology

Thus, once fitted onto the remote control device, the transparent nature of the inventive cover facilitates unimpeded operation of the keys mounted on the keypad.

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