Cover for remote control device
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.
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 INVENTION1. Technical Field
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.
2. Background Art
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, security alarm activation devices and the like. In addition, electronic remote control devices are also utilized in quasi-public domains such as hotels, motels, restaurants and social clubs generally frequented by members of the public. Those electronic remote control devices utilized in our residences are generally accessible to a limited number of persons, i.e., not the public-at-large. Thus, limiting who handles and utilizes these residential electronic remote control devices can be generally regulated. However, electronic remote control devices typically encountered in, for example, a hotel/motel room are handled by most all persons utilizing that particular hotel/motel room including domestic workers. Such common usage of, for example, a television remote control device found in a hotel/motel room provides an excellent vehicle for the transfer of bacteria and/or viruses from a first person handling the commonly-shared remote control device to a second or subsequent person.
Remote control devices are available in many different shapes and sizes. However, each includes an outer housing typically comprised of plastic and having, for example, a shape that can be rectangular, square, oblong or the like. Further, a typical remote control device includes a front surface and a rear surface where the front surface is characterized by a keypad exhibiting a plurality push buttons and the rear surface includes a compartment for housing a plurality of batteries. The interior of the outer housing includes a combination of electronic circuitry that generates the various radio frequency (RF) signals and/or infrared signals that are transmitted to the base or host appliance such as, for example, a television receiver. Thus, operation of select push buttons on the keypad located on the front surface of the remote control device generates a particular unique signal for causing the television receiver to perform a specific function such as, for example, change channels. The enclosed batteries are employed for providing electrical energy to power the electronic circuitry contained within the outer housing.
Protective coverings for electronic devices have been known in the past. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,252 to Mitchell teaches a protective covering for a handheld device comprising a resilient, water-impermeable bag having a continuous smooth upper surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,713 to Huffer teaches a transparent remote control flexible envelope having a rectangular shape and at least one closing web and gripper means for attaching the envelope to an armrest of a chair. U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,535 to Mitchell discloses a protective covering for a cell phone or pager having a latex construction while U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,141 to Jalomo teaches a remote control cover comprised of flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material for protecting the remote control from spills and water. U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,407 to Trujillo teaches a remote control cover having a transparent sheath construction for enabling the operation of a keypad housed within the sheath and for protection from dirt. Further, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,273,252 and 6,082,535 to Mitchell for a protective covering for a handheld device or a cell phone discloses a shrink wrap feature so that the protective covering fits all handheld devices or cell phones. U.S. Reissue Pat. No. 24,166 to Stiller (1956) teaches an elliptical, self-closing container having a slit on the top surface which functions as a change purse for carrying coins, keys and the like. Application of force to the two ends of the elliptical container causes the slit to open providing access to the interior of the container which is comprised of liquid plastic.
Additional prior art references include U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,056 to Tzeng which recites a portable electronic device protective cover having a loop-like plastic peripheral strip fitting the periphery of the electronic device to be protected, the loop-like periphery strip having an insertion slot through which the electronic device to be protected is inserted into the inside of the portable electronic device protective cover, a transparent plastic top panel peripherally sealed to the top side of the loop-like peripheral strip by a high frequency heat sealing apparatus, and a transparent plastic bottom panel peripherally sealed to the bottom side of the loop-like peripheral strip by a high frequency heat sealing apparatus. The '056 reference specifically recites that the protective cover “ . . . fits perfectly the shape of the portable electronic device to be protected” and that “ . . . protective cover 3 is made subject to a mold 4, which is an open frame fitting the height and width of the remote-controller 2 to be protected.” Thus, the Tzeng '056 protective cover appears to be custom manufactured for each remote-controller 2 and not designed to conform to the shape of most any size remote-controller 2. Further, the Tzeng '056 protective cover is intended to protect the remote-controller 2 and not the user of the remote-controller 2 since there is no mention in Tzeng '056 of providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection. Tzeng '056 teaches assembling the components of the protective cover 3 with a high frequency heat sealing machine and cutting away excess material outside the seal area. The processes of high frequency heat sealing and cutting away excess material typically results in the formation of seams and thus would not appear to provide an integrally molded, seamless, unitary one-piece construction.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,852 to King for a Protective Cover For A Pager, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,494 to Derr et al. for Watertight Protective Device For Holding A Measuring Or Display Device are mentioned herein. King '852, Derr et al. '494 and Tzeng '056 each disclose devices that are intended to protect an electronic or measuring device, do not provide a sanitation barrier to human infection, and are not directed to single-use, seamless, disposable protective covers.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a cover for a remote control device that provides a protective barrier to human infection having front and rear members that are integrally molded in a seamless, unitary one-piece construction to form a single-use, disposable, protective enclosure, an orifice formed in and parallel to an oblong dimension of the rear member for enabling most any size remote control device which is one of a plurality of various sized remote control devices to be inserted into and removed from the single-use protective enclosure, the disposable cover being 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, the disposable cover being refitted regularly to minimize the transfer of bacteria and viruses from a previous user to a subsequent user of the remote control device.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONBriefly, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention, by way of example.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is a cover 100 for use with a remote control device 102 for providing a protective sanitation barrier to human infection and which provides a convenient, disposable cover for enclosing any of a plurality of electronic remote control devices typically utilized by a plurality of persons. The remote control device 102 can be utilized, for example, to control a television, stereo system, hospital bed or other manual electronic control apparatus.
The inventive cover 100 serves primarily to provide a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection by minimizing the transfer of bacteria and viruses between persons who contact the remote control device 102 during usage. In addition to providing a sanitation barrier, the disposable cover 100 also serves to protect the remote control device 102 from dirt, spills, soil and grime. Thus, the inventive cover 100 establishes the disposable, protective sanitation barrier primarily to protect the multiple users of the remote control device 102 from diseases that can be transferred by contact. The electronic circuitry housed within the remote control device 102 is also protected. The inventive disposable cover 100 is comprised of a flexible-elastic, stretchable, transparent material that (a) quickly conforms to or adopts the shape of most any size remote control device 102 of a plurality of various sized remote control devices, and (b) facilitates the capture and release of the remote control device 102 as it relates to the cover 100. Although the disposable cover 100 of the present invention is disclosed herein for use with the remote control device 102, it should be noted that the utility of the disposable cover 100 is not limited thereto. The present invention has applications to many other electronic devices including, but not limited to, portable telephone apparatus.
A preferred embodiment of the disposable cover 100 of the present invention will now be described in detail. The disposable cover 100 is illustrated in
An orifice 110 is formed in the curved surface of the rear member 106 as is clearly shown in
Once the inventive disposable cover 100 is fitted over the remote control device 102 (i.e., the remote control device 102 is inserted into the cover 100 through the orifice 110), it is desirable that the orifice 110 close as shown in
The disposable cover 100 including the front member 104, rear member 106 and plurality of rounded surfaces 108 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 polyurethane compound has been selected as a preferred material since it readily conforms to the shape of the remote control device 102, is flexible, elastic, stretchable and transparent, and is strong notwithstanding the present of the orifice 108. Besides the polyurethane compound, the cover 100 can also be comprised of, for example, latex, polyvinyl chloride, nitrile rubber, silicon, neoprene, or styrenic elastomer. Each of these alternative materials enumerated immediately above also is flexible, elastic, i.e., stretchable, and transparent and thus quickly adopts or conforms to the shape of the remote control device 102. Thus, once fitted, the disposable cover 100 snugly fits over an outer housing 114 (see
Remote control devices 102 are available in a variety of shapes and sizes depending upon the number of circuits housed therein and the physical layout of a control keypad 116 incorporated therein. A typical remote control device 102, whether used for a television, stereo system, hospital bed control or other manual electronic control device, includes the control keypad 116 as shown in
The inventive disposable cover 100 is shown being fitted onto the remote control device 102 in
The inventive disposable cover 100 for the remote control device 102 serves several functions. Since the remote control device 102 is typically shared between, i.e., handled, by several persons, the single-use, disposable cover 100 functions to prevent the transfer of bacteria and viruses between individuals. Thus, in a quasi-public setting such as in a hotel or motel environment, the cover 100 would normally be changed daily along with, for example, the bed sheets. Thus, the inventive cover 100 is a disposable item (see
A first alternative embodiment of the cover for use with a remote control device is shown in
The components appearing in the first alternative embodiment of the inventive cover 200 for use with a remote control device for providing a protective barrier to human infection that correspond in structure and function to those components appearing in the preferred embodiment 100 are set forth at this time. Those components include a front member 204 having a continuously flat surface, a rear member 206, a plurality of rounded surfaces 208 employed to integrally join the front member 204 with the rear member 206 in a seamless unitary, one-piece construction to form a single-use, disposable protective enclosure, an orifice 210 used for the insertion and removal of most any size remote control device (of a plurality of various sized remote control devices) into and from the cover 200, an edge or lip 212 of the orifice 210, and a top end 222 and a bottom end 224, each of the inventive cover 200. Certain components included in the first alternative embodiment 200 are identical to those disclosed in the preferred embodiment and continue to be identified by their assigned numbers of the 100 series as illustrated in
Many of the characteristic features of the inventive disposable cover 200 are the same as those disclosed in the preferred embodiment. For example, the disposable cover 200 exhibits an integrally molded, seamless, unitary one-piece construction comprised of a flexible-elastic, stretchable and transparent material. The orifice 210 continues to be located on the rear member 206 for facilitating the fitting of the cover 200 onto the remote control device 102. The plurality of rounded surfaces 208, i.e., rounded corners, continue to enable the rear member 206 (once fitted onto the remote control device 102) to partially relax so that the orifice 210 will close. Further, the inventive cover 200 continues primarily to provide a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection for preventing the transfer of bacteria and viruses between individuals using a common remote control device 102. A secondary feature continues to be to protect the electronic circuitry within the remote control device 102 from dirt, soil, spills and grime. Thus, as with the preferred embodiment 100, the inventive cover 200 establishes a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to protect both the plurality of users of the remote control device 102 and the electronic circuitry housed within the remote control device 102. Additionally, the inventive cover 200 also serves to prevent the loss of a battery compartment cover (not shown) mounted on the remote control device 102 when the cover 200 is fitted thereon.
Turning our attention to
The orifice 210 is formed in the converging surface of the rear member 206 and is bounded by the first slanted surface 230 and the second slanted surface 232 as is clearly shown in
Once the inventive disposable cover 200 is fitted over and adopts the shape of the remote control device 102 (i.e., the remote control device 102 is inserted into the cover 200 through the orifice 210), it is desirable that the orifice 210 close as shown in
As with the preferred embodiment 100, the disposable cover 200 including the front member 204, rear member 206 and plurality of rounded surfaces 208 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. Besides the polyurethane compound, the cover 200 can also be comprised of, for example, latex, polyvinyl chloride, nitrile rubber, silicon, neoprene, or styrenic elastomer. The selected material which can include any of those materials enumerated herein is flexible, elastic, i.e., stretchable, and transparent and thus quickly adopts or conforms to the shape of the remote control device 102. Thus, once fitted, the cover 200 snugly fits over the outer housing 114 (see
The construction and operation of the remote control device 102 is identical to that described with regard to the preferred embodiment. Consequently, the utility of the continuously flat surface of the front member 204 of the inventive disposable cover 200 is that it enables the front member 204 to closely hug the surface of the control keypad 116. The selected material from which the disposable cover 200 is fashioned, i.e., the polyurethane compound, is transparent in addition to being flexible, elastic and stretchable. Thus, once fitted onto the remote control device 102, the transparent nature of the inventive cover 200 facilitates unimpeded operation of the plurality of keys 118 mounted on the control keypad 116. Therefore, the flat surface of the front member 204 and the transparent nature of the inventive disposable cover 200 assists the user in operating the plurality of keys 118 located on the control keypad 116 as shown in
A second alternative embodiment of the cover for use with a remote control device is shown in
The components appearing in the second alternative embodiment of the inventive cover 300 for use with a remote control device that correspond in structure and function to those components appearing in the preferred embodiment 100 and the first alternative embodiment 200 are set forth at this time. Those components include a front member 304 having a continuously flat surface, a rear member 306, a plurality of rounded surfaces 308, i.e., radiused round edges, employed to integrally join as by molding the front member 304 with the rear member 306 to provide a seamless, unitary, one-piece construction to form a single-use disposable protective enclosure, an orifice 310 used for the insertion and removal of most any size remote control device (of a plurality of various sized remote control devices) into and from the cover 300, an edge or lip 312 of the orifice 310, and a top end 322 and a bottom end 324, each of the inventive cover 300. Certain components included in the second alternative embodiment 300 are identical to those disclosed in the preferred embodiment and continue to be identified by their assigned numbers of the 100 series as illustrated in
Many of the characteristic features of the inventive cover 300 are the same as those disclosed in the preferred embodiment 100. For example, the cover 300 exhibits an integrally molded, seamless, unitary one-piece construction comprised of a flexible-elastic, stretchable and transparent material. The orifice 310 continues to be located on the rear member 306 for facilitating the fitting of most any size disposable cover 300 onto the remote control device 102. The plurality of rounded surfaces 308, i.e., radiused round edges, continue to enable the rear member 306 (once fitted onto the remote control device 102) to partially relax so that the orifice 310 will close. Further, the inventive cover 300 continues primarily to provide a single-use, disposable protective enclosure to prevent the transfer of bacteria and viruses between individuals using a common remote control device 102 for providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection. A secondary feature is to protect the electronic circuitry of the remote control device 102 from dirt, soil, spills and grime. Thus, as with the preferred embodiment 100, the inventive disposable cover 300 establishes the protective sanitation barrier to primarily protect the plurality of users of the remote control device 102, and secondarily the electronic circuitry housed within the remote control device 102. Additionally, the inventive cover 300 also serves to prevent the loss of a battery compartment cover (not shown) mounted on the remote control device 102 when the cover 300 is fitted thereon.
Turning our attention to
The orifice 310 is formed in the flat rectangular surface of the rear member 306 as is clearly shown in
Once the inventive disposable cover 300 is fitted over the remote control device 102 (i.e., the remote control device 102 is inserted into the cover 300 through the orifice 310), it is desirable that the orifice 310 close as shown in
As with the preferred embodiment 100, the disposable cover 300 including the front member 304, rear member 306 and plurality of rounded surfaces 308 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. Besides the polyurethane compound, the cover 300 can also be comprised of, for example, latex, polyvinyl chloride, nitrile rubber, silicon, neoprene, or styrenic elastomer. The selected material which can include any of those materials enumerated herein is flexible, elastic, i.e., stretchable, and transparent and thus quickly adopts or conforms to the shape of most any remote control device 102. Thus, once fitted, the cover 300 snugly fits over the outer housing 114 (see
The construction and operation of the remote control device 102 is identical to that described with regard to the preferred embodiment 100. Consequently, the utility of the continuously flat surface of the front member 304 of the inventive cover 300 is that it enables the front member 304 to closely hug the surface of the control keypad 116 of the remote control device 102. The selected material from which the cover 300 is fashioned, i.e., the polyurethane compound, is transparent in addition to being flexible, elastic and stretchable. Thus, once fitted onto the remote control device 102, the transparent nature of the inventive cover 300 facilitates unimpeded operation of the plurality of keys 118 mounted on the control keypad 116. Therefore, the flat surface of the front member 304 and the transparent nature of the inventive disposable cover 300 assists the user in operating the plurality of keys 118 located on the control keypad 116 as shown in
The present invention provides novel advantages over other covering devices known in the prior art. A main advantage of the inventive disposable cover 100 is that (1) it creates an integrally molded, seamless, unitary, one-piece cover construction to form a disposable, protective, sanitation barrier to human infection to protect individual users of the remote control device 102 by effectively preventing the transfer of bacteria and viruses between users when regularly refitted, and (2) by protecting the remote control device 102 from dirt, soil, spills and grime. Other advantages of the inventive disposable cover 100 for use with the remote control device 102 include (3) the orifice 110 formed within and parallel to the oblong dimension of the rear member 106 to facilitate the insertion and removal of most any size remote control device 102 into and from the disposable cover 100, (4) the front member 104 having a transparent and continuously flat surface that assists in the visual operation of the control keypad 116, (5) the plurality of rounded surfaces 108 that enable the rear member 106 to relax when fitted onto the remote control device 102 thus enabling the orifice 110 to close substantially covering the remote control device 102, (6) being fabricated from a flexible-elastic and stretchable material that facilitates insertion and removal of the disposable cover 100 onto the remote control device 102 which is one of a plurality of various sized remote control devices, and (7) preventing the loss of the battery compartment cover (not shown) mounted on the remote control device 102.
While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.
It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Accordingly,
Claims
1. 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;
- a rear member integrally molded in a seamless unitary, one-piece construction with said front member at a plurality of rounded surfaces to form a single-use, disposable protective enclosure; and
- an orifice formed in and parallel to an oblong dimension of said rear member for enabling a remote control device of a plurality of various sized remote control devices to be inserted into and removed from said enclosure, said rounded surfaces enabling said orifice to close for enclosing said remote control device, said front member, said rear member and said rounded surfaces being comprised of a flexible, stretchable and transparent material for conforming to the shape of said remote control device and for providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection.
2. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover is comprised of a polyurethane compound.
3. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover is comprised of latex.
4. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover is comprised of polyvinyl chloride.
5. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover is comprised of nitrile rubber.
6. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover is comprised of silicon.
7. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover is comprised of neoprene.
8. The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover is comprised of styrenic elastomer.
9. 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;
- a rear member having a curved surface along an oblong dimension of said rear member and integrally molded in a seamless unitary, one-piece construction with said front member at a plurality of rounded surfaces to form a single-use, disposable protective enclosure; and
- an orifice formed in said curved surface of said rear member for enabling a remote control device of a plurality of various sized remote control devices to be inserted into and removed from said enclosure, said rounded surfaces enabling said orifice to close for enclosing said remote control device, said front member, said rear member and said rounded surfaces being comprised of a flexible, stretchable and transparent material for conforming to the shape of said remote control device and for providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection.
10. The cover of claim 9 wherein said orifice is formed parallel to said oblong dimension in said rear member.
11. 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;
- a rear member having a converging surface formed opposite an oblong dimension of said front member, said converging surface including a first slanted surface and a second slanted surface, said rear member integrally molded in a seamless unitary, one-piece construction with said front member at a plurality of rounded surfaces to form a single-use, disposable protective enclosure; and
- an orifice formed in said converging surface of said rear member for enabling a remote control device of a plurality of various sized remote control devices to be inserted into and removed from said enclosure, said rounded surfaces enabling said orifice to close for enclosing said remote control device, said front member, said rear member and said rounded surfaces being comprised of a flexible, stretchable and transparent material for conforming to the shape of said remote control device and for providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection.
12. The cover of claim 11 wherein said orifice is formed parallel to said oblong dimension in said front member.
13. 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;
- a rear member having a flat rectangular surface including a long dimension and a short dimension, said rear member integrally molded in a seamless unitary, one-piece construction with said front member at a plurality of rounded surfaces to form a single-use, disposable protective enclosure; and
- an orifice formed in said rectangular surface of said rear member for enabling a remote control device of a plurality of various sized remote control devices to be inserted into and removed from said enclosure, said rounded surfaces enabling said orifice to close for enclosing said remote control device, said front member, said rear member and said rounded surfaces being comprised of a flexible, stretchable and transparent material for conforming to the shape of said remote control device and for providing a disposable, protective sanitation barrier to human infection.
14. The cover of claim 13 wherein said orifice is formed parallel to said long dimension of said flat rectangular surface.
15. The cover of claim 13 wherein said orifice is formed parallel to said short dimension of said flat rectangular surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 25, 2005
Publication Date: Dec 22, 2005
Inventor: Richard Hodges (Culver City, CA)
Application Number: 11/212,459