APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPENSING PROTECTIVE HAND COVERS
A protective hand cover dispenser is placed and secured on the inside of a fuel tank cap door and provides disposable protective hand covers worn while refueling an automobile. The use of the protective hand covers prevents gasoline from adhering to an operator's hands and can also prevent the spread of germs. The protective hand cover dispenser holds a roll of protective hand covers that are easily accessible by a person refueling an automobile.
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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTn/a
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an apparatus and method for dispensing protective hand coverings and particularly for supplying disposable protective hand coverings for the prevention of contact with chemicals while introducing fuel into an automobile fuel tank.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAutomobiles are ubiquitous in our society. Because of their constant use, refueling is a common occurrence. Gasoline used to fuel automobiles is highly volatile and has a strong, undesirable odor. Small amounts of gasoline are unavoidably found on gasoline pumps, but even small amounts of gasoline produce a very strong odor. As a result, even when care is taken, a person's hands often are exposed to gasoline and retain the unpleasant odor of gasoline after refueling an automobile. This odor is difficult to remove and it is impractical to thoroughly wash one's hands after refueling an automobile.
The unwanted gasoline odor often lingers on a person's hands and creates a substantial annoyance. It is also unsanitary and dangerous as accidental ingestion of gasoline may be toxic. The odor may make eating or drinking immediately after refueling an automobile unpleasant and unsafe.
Gasoline dispensing handles are left in the open and contacted by many users. Thus, the handles of gasoline hoses themselves are unsanitary. It is not practical to thoroughly clean the handle of a gasoline dispenser and as a result, germs and disease are readily spread through contact with gas pumps and handles. When an electric automobile is recharged, there is less concern regarding unpleasant odors. However, they are just as likely to spread germs and to otherwise be unsanitary.
To avoid retaining the unpleasant odor, or to avoid unsanitary conditions, a person may wear protective hand covers while refueling an automobile. However, the protective hand covers themselves will acquire the odor of gasoline. If kept in an automobile, the protective hand covers will cause the entire automobile to smell like gasoline.
Protective hand covers kept in an automobile are not readily available for use when accessing a fuel tank. As a result, they are often forgotten and remain unused. If remembered, an operator must retrieve them from the trunk or other compartment of the automobile. These extra steps make proper hand protection inconvenient and many operators simply fail to adequately protect themselves.
In light of the above shortcomings, it would be desirable to provide a system and method for preventing gasoline and other material from contacting a person's hands while refueling an automobile. It would further be desirable to provide a system for conveniently dispensing protective, disposable protective hand covers when refueling an automobile.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention advantageously provides a method and system for supplying disposable protective hand coverings proximal to the intake of an automobile gas tank. The invention provides convenient accessibility to protective hand covers to facilitate adequate protection of a person's hands when exposed to petroleum fluids.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a protective hand cover dispenser attachable to an interior surface of a fuel tank cap door, is provided. The dispenser includes at least one of a first cord and a second cord each having a securing device at each end, and a spool for receiving at least one hand cover, the spool removably affixed to the at least one of a first cord and a second cord.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a protective hand cover dispenser attachable to an interior surface of a fuel tank cap door is provided. The dispenser includes a spool apparatus for receiving and securing at least one hand cover, and a support base connecting the spool apparatus to the interior surface of the fuel tank cap door.
In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a protective hand cover dispenser attachable to an interior surface of a fuel tank cap door is provided where the dispenser includes a receptacle for housing at least one hand cover, the receptacle including a dispensing aperture for providing access to the at least one hand cover.
A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top” and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or element from another entity or element without necessarily requiring or implying any physical or logical relationship or order between such entities or elements.
Referring now to the drawing figures in which like reference designators refer to like elements, there is shown in
The first cord 12 has an elongate, cylindrical spool 20 attached thereto via a collar 22 that provides secure attachment to the first cord 12 and extends outward from the first cord 12. Optionally, other methods of attaching the spool 20 to the first cord 12 may be used. The spool 20 may be substantially rigid and substantially cylindrical. Optionally, the spool 20 may have a polygonal cross section instead of a cylindrical shape and may also optionally be flexible. In this embodiment, spool 20 is permanently affixed to cord 12 by collar 22. Optionally, spool 20 may be removably connected to cord 12. The spool 20 may also be removably connectable to the second cord 14. In this embodiment, the spool 20 includes a mortise 24, or hole, at its distal end in order to facilitate connection to the second cord 14.
The second cord 14 may have a tenon 26, or dowel, for facilitating removable connection of the spool 20 to the second cord 14. The tenon 26 may be attached to the second cord 14 by a collar 28. The tenon 26 is sized to tightly, but removably, fit into the mortise 24. The tenon 26 may optionally be tapered at its distal end to facilitate insertion into the mortise 24. In this embodiment, the mortise 24 and the tenon 26 both have a circular cross section. Optionally, the mortise 24 and the tenon 26 may have a polygonal shaped cross section such that they fit together in a manner similar to an Allen wrench and an Allen socket.
Optionally, the protective hand cover dispenser 10 may utilize alternative connection devices, for example a nut and bolt, a clamp, a latch, a hook or any other method suitable for removably connecting the spool 20 to the second cord 14. Optionally, the first cord 12 and the second cord 14 may have spools extending outward from their respective cords and be joined together.
The protective hand covers may be plastic or other material that is sufficiently impermeable to gasoline for at least a short time period. The protective hand covers may optionally be impermeable to bacteria, viruses, contaminants and other germs. Optionally, the protective hand covers may include an antiseptic material or chemical such that the protective hand covers are sterile and optionally partially antiseptic. The protective hand covers may thus inhibit the transmission of bacteria and other germs through contact with a gasoline or other dispensing handle.
In one embodiment, first cord 12 and the second cord 14 are attachable to the inside surface 32 of a fuel tank cap door 18, in the manner shown in
The first cord 12 and the second cord 14 may not be completely taut when attached to a fuel tank cap door 18 as shown in
Because the first cord 12 and the second cord 14 may be pulled partially taut against the inside surface 32 of the fuel tank cap door 18, the roll of protective hand covers 30 may be held stationary by friction. This may prevent the roll of protective hand covers 30 from unrolling accidentally. This may also provide sufficient resistance to allow a person to sharply tug at the roll of protective hand covers 30 in order to release a single protective hand cover attached by a perforated line to the roll of protective hand covers 30.
Thus, in the embodiment shown in
The base 50 may be attached to the inside surface 32 of the fuel tank cap door 18 by any means of secure attachment including glue, welding, bolting, magnets, suction cups, opposing hook and loop materials, or the like. The base 50 may optionally be incorporated as an integral part of the fuel tank cap door 18 during manufacture, or may be retrofitted using the above or other attachment methods. Optionally, support arm 52 may be rotatably attached to the base 50 and may include one or more pivotable elbows such that rod 42 may be positioned in a variety of positions.
Optionally, the first support arm 66 and the second support arm 68 may be hinged in order to affix a roll of protective hand covers 30 onto the first knob 70 and the second knob 72. Optionally, only the first support arm 66 and the first knob 70 or the second support arm 68 and knob 72 extend from the base 60. In another embodiment, first knob 70 may be pivotably connected to the first support arm 66. Optionally, the protective hand cover dispenser 10 may include a first support arm 66 extending from the base 60, a second support arm 68 extending from the base 60 and a first knob 70 extending between the first support arm 66 and the second support arm 68.
Protective hand cover dispenser 10 may include a shelf 74 for supporting a roll of protective hand covers 30 mounted on the protective hand cover dispenser 10. The first support arm 66 and the second support arm 68 may be pulled downward by the weight of a roll of protective hand covers 30. The shelf 74 may support some or all of the weight of a roll of protective hand covers 30 affixed to the protective hand cover dispenser 10. Optionally, protective hand cover dispenser 10 also includes a friction pad 76 that may be compressible and may exert a force upon a roll of protective hand covers 30 when mounted on protective hand cover dispenser 10. By applying friction to an affixed roll of protective hand covers 30, the friction pad 76 allows a single protective hand cover to be removed by applying a sharp tug. A quick tug, coupled with the friction applied by the friction pad 76 causes a single protective hand cover to be released from the roll of protective hand covers 30 along, for example, a perforated line. In this embodiment, friction pad 76 extends from base 60. Optionally, one or more friction pads 76 may be used and may be located on the shelf 74 and/or one or both of the first support arm 66 and the second support arm 68.
The dispensing aperture 84 is surrounded by a rim 86 and a plurality of flexible prongs 88. The prongs 88 generate sufficient friction on a protective hand cover being pulled through the aperture 84 that it may be separated from a roll of protective hand covers within the housing 80 along a perforated line and prevent unwanted or extra hand covers from being extracted. The housing 80 has a base 90 attached to the inside surface 32 of fuel tank cap door 18. In one embodiment, retention member 82 is rotatable with respect to base 90. The base 90 is connected to the housing 80 by a support arm 94. The support arm 94 may optionally be rotatable or pivotable to allow positioning of the protective hand cover dispenser 10 in a variety of configurations. Housing 80 is sized to retain a roll of hand coverings while being of a low profile in order to fit between the gas tank cap and the interior of the tank door 18, when closed.
In operation, a hand cover dispensing device of the invention provides access to disposable hand covers when the gas cap door covering the access to a fuel tank is opened. A hand cover may be readily accessed and used. Due to this advantageous placement, a person is reminded of the need for a hand cover at an appropriate time to apply one to a hand. If an automobile operates on electricity, then the hand cover dispenser may be placed on the inside of the door covering a socket for transferring electric charge. This provides access to a hand cover when an operator is about to contact a publicly available apparatus for adding a charge to an electric battery or other electric storage device. The hand cover may be used to prevent the transfer of germs or other unwanted materials from a recharging handle to a person's hand.
In another embodiment, the dispenser can be designed to be affixed to other locations of the vehicle. For example, battery powered cars include charging ports underneath the car hood. The dispenser of the present invention can be affixed underneath the hood to conveniently allow the user to extract a hand cover when recharging their car. Although fuel is not the concern here, the hand cover dispenser of the present invention advantageously protects the user's hands against germs that might be found on the charging cord at electric car charging stations.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.
Claims
1. A protective hand cover dispenser attachable to an interior surface of a fuel tank cap door comprising:
- at least one of a first cord and a second cord each having a securing device at each end; and
- a spool for receiving at least one hand cover, the spool removably affixed to the at least one of a first cord and a second cord.
2. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 1, wherein the spool is removably affixed to the at least one of a first cord and a second cord by a first collar.
3. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 2, wherein the spool further comprises a mortise at a distal end and at least one of the first cord and the second cord further comprises a second collar having a tenon insertable into the mortise.
4. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one of a first cord and a second cord is made of elastic material.
5. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 4, wherein the protective hand cover dispenser is partially biased toward the interior surface of the fuel tank cap door when the securing devices are secured to an exterior surface of the fuel tank cap door.
6. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one hand cover prevents the spread of germs.
7. A protective hand cover dispenser attachable to an interior surface of a fuel tank cap door comprising:
- a spool apparatus for receiving and securing at least one hand cover; and
- a support base connecting the spool apparatus to the interior surface of the fuel tank cap door.
8. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 7, wherein the spool apparatus comprises:
- a hand cover receiving member;
- a support platform connected to one end of the hand cover receiving member; and
- a support arm connected at one end to the support base and at another end to the support platform.
9. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 8, wherein the support arm is rotatable with respect to the support base.
10. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 8, wherein the hand cover receiving member extends substantially vertically upward from the support platform.
11. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 7, where the spool apparatus comprises a first support arm and a second support arm, the first and second support arms each including a hand cover receiving member at its distal end.
12. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a friction pad that contacts the hand covers when the hand covers are secured within the hand cover receiving members.
13. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 12, further comprising a support flange extending from the support base.
14. A protective hand cover dispenser attachable to an interior surface of a fuel tank cap door comprising a receptacle for housing at least one hand cover, the receptacle including a dispensing aperture for providing access to the at least one hand cover.
15. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 14, further comprising a base attached to the interior surface of the fuel tank cap door, the receptacle attached to the base.
16. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 15, wherein the receptacle is rotatable with respect to the base.
17. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 14, further comprising at least one prong positioned within the aperture for preventing unwanted hand covers from being extracted through the aperture.
18. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 14, further comprising a hand cover retention member within the housing.
19. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 14, wherein the receptacle is pliable to allow for hand covers to be inserted within the receptacle.
20. The protective hand cover dispenser of claim 14, wherein the housing further comprises a removable cover.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 1, 2010
Publication Date: Oct 6, 2011
Inventor: Antonio FESTA (Boca Raton, FL)
Application Number: 12/752,730
International Classification: B65H 16/02 (20060101); B65H 16/04 (20060101); B65H 16/06 (20060101); B65D 83/08 (20060101); B65D 83/00 (20060101);