MULTI PURPOSE PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT KIT

Abstract

A multi purpose personal protection equipment kit is described, comprising a thermometer strip, a pack of tissue, a disinfectant wipe, an antimicrobial wipe, and a mask. In another embodiment, the kit further comprises instructions for use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is generally directed to a kit for protecting oneself from diseases such as influenza. Various diseases are spread by air-borne pathogens such as viruses, including the common cold and influenza. Influenza, for example, commonly called “the flu”, is an infectious viral disease. It is commonly transmitted by inhaling the virus/aerosolization of viral particulate matter and spread by an infected person's coughing or sneezing. It can also be transmitted by contact with infected bodily fluids such as nasal secretions or saliva. It can also be transmitted by contact with surfaces containing infected bodily fluids, usually deposited from aerosols from a cough or sneeze.

Influenza can be a serious medical problem, especially for the elderly, the very young, and those with compromised immune systems. A recognized indicator of infection is an elevated body temperature. Recognized methods of limiting the spread of infection include frequent washing of hands and disinfection of hard surfaces, covering the mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a mask, and proper disposal of used facial tissues. The present invention provides in a single kit a variety of articles to protect oneself from infectious diseases such as influenza and to prevent spreading a contracted disease to others.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A multi purpose personal protection equipment kit is described, comprising at least one thermometer strip, a pack of tissue, a disinfectant wipe, an antimicrobial wipe, and a mask. In another embodiment, the kit further comprises instructions for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The organization and manner of the structure and operation of the invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying non-scale drawings, wherein like reference numerals identify like elements in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic drawing of the components of the kit of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a diagram of Spanish -language instructions for use on the kit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2B is a diagram of English-language instructions for use on the kit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic drawing of another embodiment of the kit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.

The kit 20 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Kit 20 preferably has a re-sealable bag 22 formed of a thermoplastic such as polyethylene. In other embodiments, a plastic box or a bottle or some other container is used. In FIG. 1, the remaining components of kit 20 are shown outside of bag 22 for ease of illustration, but it is expected that these components will be kept within bag 22 until needed.

Bag 20 encases, in the preferred embodiment, the following components:

• • A thermometer 30. Thermometer 30 is preferably a sterile, disposable thermometer strip. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, there are three thermometers 30. In other embodiments, a single thermometer is used. In yet other embodiments, a plurality of thermometers are used.
  • A pack 32 of facial tissue. Pack 32 preferably contains a plurality of individual pieces of tissue paper, preferably high-quality paper. The paper may contain softeners or lotions.
  • A packaged disinfectant wipe 34. Wipe 34 can be a one sold under the trademark FLU-CHECK™ QUAT DISINFECTANT. Preferably, wipe 34 will kill influenza virus. More preferably, wipe 34 comprises material registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to kill influenza virus. Most preferably, wipe 34 comprises 0.14 percent alkyl (60% C₁₄, 30% C₁₆, 5% C₁₂, 5% C₁₈) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides and 0.14 percent alkyl (68% C₁₂, 32% C₁₄) dimethyl cthylbenzyl ammonium chlorides.
  • Packaged hand wipes 36. Hand wipes 36 are preferably antimicrobial and preferably contain a scent. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, there are three packages of hand wipes 36. In other embodiments, a single package of hand wipes 36 is used. In yet other embodiments, a plurality of packages of hand wipes 36 is used.
  • Mask 38. Mask 38 is preferably a surgical-type mask comprising a filter section 40 and a pair of connection sections 42.

Each of these materials is preferably encased in bag 22. A user, upon feeling ill, will open bag 22, remove thermometer 30, and measure his or her temperature. If the user's temperature is elevated, the user should clean all surrounding areas with wipe 34 and then leave the area. If the user needs to sneeze or cough or otherwise expel mucus from the nasal or larynx areas, the user has pack 32 of tissues available. The user can also clean his or her hands frequently using hand, wipes 36.

To transit from, for example, work or school to home, the user can don mask 38 to prevent contaminating others with pathogen-laden aerosols.

Kit 20 preferably contains instructions 48 on the outside of bag 22. Preferred instructions are shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. Preferably, kit 20 has English-language instructions 48 on one side of bag 22 and Spanish-language instructions 48 on the other side of bag 22. Other languages can be used as well. For example, French-language instructions would be used instead of Spanish-language instructions for products exported to Canada. In other embodiments, instructions 48 appear in but a single language. In yet other embodiments, no instructions 48 appear on bag 22.

Please note that the disposable components of kit 20 can be placed in bag 22 for easy disposal.

In other embodiments, fewer than all of the components described above are included. For examples, and not limitations, an embodiment of a kit 20 meant for home use will not include mask 38, or will not include facial tissue.

In yet another embodiment, thermometer 30 is a disposable strip thermometer disposed on the outside surface of bag 22, as shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the user removes thermometer 30 to measure his or her temperature. If the temperature is not elevated, the user need not open bag 22 to obtain access to the components therein.

In yet another embodiment, several thermometers 30 are disposed on the outside surface of bag 22. If the user removes and uses one thermometer 30 and does not have an elevated temperature, the remaining one or more thermometers 30 remain available for a subsequent date.

Kit 20 produces a synergistic effect because it contains components for screening of fever (e.g. thermometer 30), for prevention of infection (e.g. mask 38), and for prevention of infecting others (e.g. disinfectant wipe 34), along with instructions for use.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown and described, it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi purpose personal protection equipment kit, comprising:

a container encasing a thermometer strip, a pack of tissue, a disinfectant wipe, an antimicrobial wipe, and a mask.

2. The kit of claim 1, wherein said disinfectant wipe comprises material to kill influenza virus.

3. The kit of claim 2, wherein said disinfectant wipe comprises approximately 0.14 percent alkyl (60% C14, 30% C16, 5% C12, 5% C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides and approximately 0.14 percent alkyl (68% C12, 32% C14) dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides.

4. The kit of claim. 1, wherein said disinfectant wipe comprises means for killing influenza virus.

5. The kit of claim 1, further comprising instructions for use.

6. The kit of claim 5, wherein said instructions are in two languages.

7. The kit of claim 1, wherein said thermometer strip comprises a plurality of thermometer strips.

8. A multi purpose personal protection equipment kit, comprising:

a container encasing a pack of tissue, a disinfectant wipe, an antimicrobial wipe, and a mask; and

a thermometer strip disposed on an outside surface of said container.

9. The kit of claim 8, wherein said disinfectant wipe comprises material to kill influenza virus.

10. The kit of claim 9, wherein said disinfectant wipe comprises approximately 0.14 percent alkyl (60% C14, 30% C16, 5% C12, 5% C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides and approximately 0.14 percent alkyl (68% C12, 32% C14) dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides.

11. The kit of claim 8, wherein said disinfectant wipe comprises means for killing influenza virus.

12. The kit of claim 8, further comprising instructions for use.

13. The kit of claim 12, wherein said instructions are in two languages.

14. The kit of claim 8, wherein said thermometer strip comprises a plurality of thermometer strips.