DEVICES AND METHODS OF USE ON TABLES FOR INFECTION CONTROL

Abstract

Disclosed are devices and methods for providing a sanitary surface for objects on an over-bed table like that found in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc. The devices include a case in which a stack of sanitary mats is located. The case is configured to be mounted on the top of the table. The uppermost of the mats of the stack is exposed through an open top window of the case to serve as a sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed. That mat is configured to be removed from the case, e.g., either being peeled off of the stack through the open window, or slid out of the case through a slot, to thereby expose the upper surface of the underlying mat in the window.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This utility application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/737,338 filed on Sep. 27, 2018 entitled Devices and Methods of Use on Tables for Infection Control. The entire disclosure of the provisional application is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to infection control and more particularly to devices for mounting on a patient table in a hospital, nursing home, etc., to provide a stack of sanitary surfaces, which can be sequentially exposed so that food, medicines, and other items can be placed thereon and after such use the sanitary surface can removed to expose another sanitary surface upon which food, medicines, and other items can be placed.

SPECIFICATION

Background of the Invention

Infection control is an important issue in modern hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc. With the increase in drug resistant bacteria, a greater emphasis is being placed on infection prevention than ever before. As new sources of contamination are identified, it has become apparent that typical over-bed tables found in such hospital rooms, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc., can serve as the source of such contamination. In this regard, when a nurse or technician enters a patient's room in a hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility, etc., oftentimes there is not a clean surface to put down their supplies. These supplies include medications, needles, vials for blood draw, catheters, etc. Moreover, nurses and technicians typically do not carry cleaning supplies with them, therefore they are forced to put their supplies and medications on the typical over-bed table. Such tables often go uncleaned or are not cleaned fully. Moreover, since such tables are typically used for eating by the patient, there is the danger that the patient can be exposed to Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff), if any C. Diff spores are on the table. Therefore, providing a clean table for eating is imperative for infection control.

Thus, a need exists for a device and method of use to render a conventional over-bed table, or some other table or countertop used by a patient in a hospital, nursing home, assisted living facility, sanitary.

The subject invention addresses that need by providing a device including a stack of sanitary mats, which can be readily mounted on such a table so that in preparation for meals, the hospital staff can simply peel away the top layer of the mat prior to setting down the patient's food tray, providing a clean surface for the patient to eat on. Additionally, the patients themselves or visitors can remove and dispose the used mat to help clean their bedside space. Moreover, if the nurse, technician, etc., has to put his/her supplies on the over-bed table, he/she can merely remove and dispose the used sanitary mat, to expose a fresh mat, whereupon the supplies can be put on the sanitary surface of the fresh mat.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of this invention is a device for mounting on the top of a table to provide a sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed. The device comprises a case, at least one attachment member and a stack of sanitary mats. The case has a top portion including an open window and a hollow interior space in communication with the open window. The at least one attachment member is configured for releasably mounting the case upon the top of the table. The stack of sanitary mats is located within the interior space and comprising an uppermost sanitary mat, and at least one other sanitary mat disposed under the uppermost sanitary mat. The uppermost sanitary mat is exposed within the open window to provide a sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed when the device is mounted on the top of the table. The uppermost sanitary mat is removable from the stack to expose the at least one other sanitary mat within the open window to provide another sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed when the device is mounted on the top of the table.

In accordance with one preferred aspect of the device of this invention the case includes a side wall and a top wall, and wherein the open window is located in the top wall. The top wall has a very narrow lip, whereupon virtually the entire top portion of the case constitutes the open window.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the device of this invention the at least one attachment member comprises a clip for releasable securement to the top of the table.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the device of this invention the case and the clip form an integral unit.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the device of this invention each of the mats includes a sticky, yet releasably securable, undersurface.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the device of this invention the side wall includes a slot through which the uppermost of the mats can be slid from the stack of mats within the hollow interior space to expose the at least one other sanitary mat within the open window to provide another sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed when the device is mounted on the top of the table.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the device of this invention each of the sanitary mats is approximately 30 inches by 15 inches in size, suitable for use on a patient over-bed table.

Another aspect of this invention is a method for providing a sanitary surface on the top of a table to enable objects to be placed on the sanitary surface. The method comprises providing a device comprising a case having an open window and a stack of sanitary mats located within an interior of the case under the window, with the stack comprising an uppermost sanitary mat, and at least one other sanitary mat disposed under the uppermost sanitary mat. The uppermost sanitary mat is through the open window. The case is mounted on the top of the table, whereupon the exposed uppermost sanitary mat provides a sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed. The uppermost sanitary mat is removed from the stack, when desired, to expose the at least one other sanitary mat, whereupon the exposed at least one other sanitary mat provides another sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed.

In accordance with one preferred aspect of the method of this invention the uppermost sanitary mat is removed from the stack through the window.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the case includes a side wall having a slot therein, and wherein the uppermost sanitary mat is removed from the stack by sliding the uppermost sanitary mat through the slot.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the case is releasably mounted on the top of the table.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention the case is releasably mounted on the top of the table by at least one clip.

In accordance with another preferred aspect of the method of this invention each of the sanitary mats is approximately 30 inches by 15 inches in size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one exemplary embodiment of an attachment device constructed in accordance with this invention shown mounted on a conventional patient table like that found in hospitals, nursing homes, etc., with the attachment device holding a stack of sanitary mats, each of which can be sequentially exposed through an upper window of the device to provide a surface upon which food, medicines, nursing supplies, etc. can be placed, with the uppermost mat being shown in the process of being removed through the window to expose an underlying sanitary mat;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of another exemplary embodiment of an attachment device constructed in accordance with this invention and shown mounted on a conventional patient table, like that of FIG. 1, but only with a portion of the table being shown;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the uppermost sanitary mat in the stack of mats in the process of being removed by sliding it through a slot in the device; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the various figures of the drawing wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, there is shown in FIG. 1 an exemplary device 20 configured for mounting (e.g., releasably securable mounting) on an over-bed type table, e.g., table 10. The over-bed table can be of various constructions and basically comprises a frame 12 having a base 12A, on which plural rollers or casters 14 are mounted. The frame includes an adjustable-height post 12B on which a table top 16 is mounted. The table top 16 if typically of rectangular shape and is of sufficient length to completely overlie the width of a bed upon which a patient will be located.

The device 20 basically comprises a housing or case 22 and a stack 24 (FIG. 2) of plural sanitary mats or sheets. The case includes a generally planar rectangular bottom wall 26, an upstanding side wall 28, plural clips 30, a top wall 32, an open window 34 in the top wall and a hollow interior or chamber 36 bounded by the walls of the housing and underlying and in communication with the open window. The side wall is made up of four linear sections, each of which extends along a respective side/end of the bottom wall and the top wall. The top wall 32 is in the form of a very narrow lip 38, whereupon virtually the entire top portion of the case 22 constitutes the open window 34. In accordance with one preferred aspect of this invention the case is formed as an integral unit, e.g., molded of a plastic material. However, that is merely exemplary of various constructions for the case.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the stack 24 is made up of a plurality of sanitary mats 24A. Each mat is a thin sheet of any suitable material, e.g., a non-porous plastic. Preferably the stack includes twenty to thirty mats or sheets, which are rectangular and of the same size and shape so that the stack 24 just fits within the hollow interior or chamber 36 of the case, with only minimal portion of the periphery of the stack underlying the narrow lip 38. The mats or sheets 24A of the stack preferably have a sticky or tacky coating or adhesive on their undersurface so that they are releasably secured to each other, e.g., the uppermost sheet or mat can be readily peeled off of the underlying sheet or mat, and so forth and so on. Each of those sticky sheets or mats 24A can be of any suitable construction. Examples of suitable sheets or mats are the cleanroom sticky mats sold by Blue Thunder Technologies (www.bluethundertechnologies.com) under the trademark THUNDER MATS, or the floor mats sold by Markel Industries (http://markelind.com/about/) under the trademark Trim Tack®. In either case the sheets or mats 24A that make up the stack 24 include the tacky coating or adhesive on their undersurface, not their top surface.

Each of the clips 30 is of identical construction and a respective one of each of the clips 30 is mounted on a respective sidewall section and extends downward therefrom as best seen in FIG. 1. As best seen in FIG. 2, each of the clips 30 is in the form of a downwardly projecting finger 30A terminating in an inwardly directed free end flange 30B. The effective height of the clip, i.e., the distance between the bottom wall 26 and the inner surface of the flange 30B is just slightly greater than the thickness of the table top 16. Each clip 30 is configured to be flexed outward to enable the inwardly directed flange to snap-fit under the bottom surface of the table top 16 to releasably mount the device 20 on the table top.

With the device 20 mounted on the table top, the uppermost mat 24A of the stack 24 will be exposed through the open window 34 to provide a sanitary surface on which objects such as food, medications, supplies and equipment can be placed. When it is desired to dispose of the uppermost mat 24A, e.g., it is soiled, it can be removed from the stack, by peeling it off of the underlying mat through the window like shown in FIG. 1, whereupon the removed mat can be discarded, thereby leaving the sanitary upper surface of the underlying mat exposed through the open window to serve as a fresh sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed. The usage of the device 20 will be described in more detail later.

Attention is now directed to FIGS. 3-5, wherein another preferred embodiment 120 of the device of this invention is disclosed. The device 120 is virtually identical to the device 20 except for the inclusion of a slot in the housing or case (to be described shortly) and the use of a stack of non-tacky mats or sheets (also to be described shortly) in lieu of the stack of tacky mats or sheets. In the interest of brevity those components of the device 120 which are identical in construction and operation to the like components of the device 20 will be given the same reference numbers and their description and operation will not be reiterated.

Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 5, a stack 124 of non-tacky mats or sheets 124A is located within the hollow interior chamber 36 of the housing or case 122. The housing or case 122 includes an elongated slot 126 in the side wall section making up one of the end wall sections of the housing or case 122. The slot 126 is in communication with the hollow interior chamber 36 and hence the stack 124 of non-tacky mats or sheets. The slot 126 serves as the place from which the uppermost mat of the stack is removed by a user when a new mat is to be used to form a sanitary surface for objects. That action is accomplished by a user pressing down on the uppermost mat 124A through the open window 34, and sliding that mat out through the slot 126, to expose the underlying mat in the window. In the interest of facilitating the removal of any mat from the stack 124 the upper surface of each of the mats 124A of the stack may include indicia thereon indicating that the sheet is to be pressed downward through the window and out through the slot. To that end, such indicia may be like the icon of a hand with an arrow pointing in the direction that the mat is to be slid, like shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Since the mats or sheets of the stack 124 is to be slid out of the slot 126, and not peeled off the stack and removed through the open window 34, the stack 124A of mats is like the stack 24, but each sheet or mat 124A does not include any tacky coating or adhesive on its undersurface (or its upper surface for that matter). This construction enables the uppermost sheet or mat of the stack to be readily slid off the underlying sheet or mat, without interference of a tacky coating or adhesive.

The devices 20 and 120 or any other devices constructed in accordance with the subject invention can be used in various ways. For example, they can be used by nurses or technicians to prepare a preparation surface for their supplies. In particular, with a device 20 constructed like that of FIGS. 1 and 2 (or a variant thereof) mounted on the over-bed table in a patient's room, the nurse or technician can simply peel off and discard the top mat 24A of the device, leaving a clean underlying mat exposed through the device's window to serve as a fresh sanitary surface on which they can place their supplies and patient medications. This action when accomplished will create an instantly clean surface for such objects without necessitating the use of chemical solutions or wipes. The user simply peels away the top (uppermost) soiled mat of the device, leaving behind a clean surface on the underlying mat.

Similarly, with a device 120 constructed like that of FIGS. 3-5 (or a variant thereof) mounted on the over-bed table 10 in a patient's room, the nurse or technician can simply press down on the uppermost mat that is exposed in the open window 34 and slide that mat in the direction of the arrow shown in FIGS. 3-4 so that the mat is ejected out the slot 126, thereby leaving a clean underlying mat exposed through the device's open window to serve as a sanitary surface on which they can place their supplies, patient medications, etc.

The devices of this invention can also be used for meal preparation. In such use, the device is mounted on the over-bed table with its uppermost mat serving as the surface on which the patient's food is placed. When that mat becomes dirty, the nurse, staff member, or even the patient can peel away the top mat (if using the embodiment 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2) or slide away the top mat (if using the embodiment 120 of FIGS. 3-5), thereby leaving a clean underlying mat exposed to serve as the surface to eat on or place objects on.

It should be pointed out at this juncture that the exemplary embodiments shown and described heretofore are merely examples of many devices that can be constructed in accordance with this invention for holding a stack of sanitary mats on an over-bed table. For such uses the mats may be of 30 inch by 15 inch size to fit the most common size of patient over-bed tables. It should also be noted that the devices of this invention are not limited to use solely on over-bed tables. Thus, they can be used on any table or surface for which a clean sanitary surface is desired. For example, the mat can be placed on the work counter for human milk and formula preparation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Moreover, it is contemplated that the subject invention may merely make use of a stack of sanitary mats, without any case or housing for the stack. In such use the stack of mats would be directly releasably mounted on the top surface of a table or counter. In such a case the undersurface of at least the lowermost of the mats or sheets of the stack should be of a higher grade adhesive than the adhesive between the mats/sheets so that the stack effectively sticks to the table. Moreover, it is contemplated that for an embodiment of the invention making use of tacky mats/sheets to expedite removal of the uppermost mat/sheet, a corner of the that mat/sheet (approximately 1 inch×1 inch) would not not have releasable adhesive on it. Therefore the user can use this corner as a pull tab to lift and peel that mat/sheet off of the stack. That corner could include indicia indicating the existence of the pull tab. Examples of such indicia may be the words “PULL HERE” or the corner could be a different color. It is also contemplated that the mat/sheets be treated with a indicating agent which would change color after exposure for a certain period of time to indicate that it is time for the exposed mat/sheet to be changed.

Without further elaboration the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, adopt the same for use under various conditions of service.

Claims

1. A device for mounting on the top of a table to provide a sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed, said device comprising:

a case having a top portion including an open window and a hollow interior chamber in communication with said open window;

at least one attachment member for releasably mounting said case upon the top of the table;

a stack of sanitary mats located within said interior chamber, said stack comprising an uppermost sanitary mat, and at least one other sanitary mat disposed under said uppermost sanitary mat, said uppermost sanitary mat being exposed within said open window to provide a sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed when said device is mounted on the top of the table, said uppermost sanitary mat being removable from said stack to expose said at least one other sanitary mat within said open window to provide another sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed when said device is mounted on the top of the table.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said case includes a side wall and a top wall, and wherein said open window is located in said top wall, said top wall having a very narrow lip, whereupon virtually the entire top portion of said case constitutes said open window.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least one attachment member comprises a clip for releasable securement to the top of the table.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said at least one attachment member comprises a clip for releasable securement to the top of the table.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein said case and said clip form an integral unit.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein said case and said clip form an integral unit.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said mats includes a sticky, yet releasably securable, undersurface.

8. The device of claim 2, wherein said side wall includes a slot through which said uppermost of said mats can be slid from said stack of mats within said hollow interior chamber to expose said at least one other sanitary mat within said open window to provide another sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed when said device is mounted on the top of the table.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein said at least one attachment member comprises a clip for releasable securement to the top of the table.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said case and said clip form an integral unit.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said sanitary mats is approximately 30 inches by 15 inches in size, suitable for use on a patient over-bed table.

12. A method for providing a sanitary surface on the top of a table to enable objects to be placed on said sanitary surface, said method comprising:

providing a device comprising a case having an open window and a stack of sanitary mats located within an interior of said case under said window, said stack comprising an uppermost sanitary mat, and at least one other sanitary mat disposed under said uppermost sanitary mat;

exposing said uppermost sanitary mat through said open window;

mounting said case on the top of the table, whereupon said exposed uppermost sanitary mat provides a sanitary surface upon which items can be placed;

removing said uppermost sanitary mat from said stack, when desired, to expose said at least one other sanitary mat, whereupon said exposed at least one other sanitary mat provides another sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said uppermost sanitary mat is removed from said stack through said window.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein each of said mats includes a sticky, yet releasably securable, undersurface.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein case includes a side wall having a slot therein, and wherein said uppermost sanitary mat is removed from said stack by sliding said uppermost sanitary mat through said slot.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein said method comprises releasably mounting said case on the top of the table.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said case includes at least one clip for releasably mounting said case on the top of the table.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein each of said sanitary mats is approximately 30 inches by 15 inches in size.