US20070193918A1

US20070193918A1 - Protective housing for remote control

Info

Publication number: US20070193918A1
Application number: US11/356,936
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard Coyne; Mark Clancy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-17
Filing date: 2006-02-17
Publication date: 2007-08-23

Abstract

A transparent plastic bag having a generally rectangular shape in plan view with longer side dimensions and shorter end dimensions closed along the sides and at one end thereof, a detachable portion for advertising extending from at least one closed dimension of said bag, and sealing material at or near an open end thereof alone or in combination with a remote control for an electronic device such as a TV, DVD, CD player or the like.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a sanitary closure for improving the cleanliness, safety and health aspects of the public, particularly in hotel rooms, hospitals, retirement and nursing homes and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has been shown that one of the most bacteria laden aspects of hotel rooms is the remote control for TVs. A simple reason for this is that because the remote control is an electronic device, housekeeping departments of the hotels are generally advised against cleaning remote controls to prevent cleaning fluids from seeping into the electronics through openings in the remote control disabling same. In order to prevent this health hazard, the subject invention may be used throughout industry, particularly in hotel rooms, hospitals, nursing homes, retirement facilities, schools and other places where multiple persons come in contact with remote controls for the same television.
The subject invention provides an inexpensive yet safe mechanism for rendering remote controls more sanitary than presently available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An important object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary means for remote controls used for TVs and other electronic equipment in public places.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a transparent plastic bag having a generally rectangular shape in plan view with longer side dimensions and shorter end dimensions closed along the sides and at one end thereof, a detachable portion extending from at least one closed dimension of the bag, and sealing material at or near an open end thereof.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a transparent plastic bag having a generally rectangular shape in plan view with longer side dimensions and shorter end dimensions closed along the sides and at one end thereof and having adhesive sealing material at or near the other end thereof, and a detachable flap extending from the closed end of the bag having a surface thereof capable of receiving printing thereon, and sealing material near the other end thereof.
A final object of the present invention is to provide a combination of a remote control for an electronic device and a transparent plastic bag having a generally rectangular shape in plan view with longer side dimensions and shorter end dimensions closed along the sides and at one end thereof, and sealing material near an open end thereof, the bag being of a dimension to receive the remote control device snugly therein.
The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the invention, there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the invention, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
FIG. 1 Is a plan view of the invention showing aspects thereof; and
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the invention including a TV remote and a detachable coupon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As seen from both figures, the invention relates to a generally rectangular plastic bag which is transparent and preferably made of polyethylene. The transparent polyethylene or other suitable plastic material, such as polypropylene or other flexible film, is shaped into a bag rectangular in plan view having longer sides and shorter ends. One end of the bag is closed and has extending therefrom a detachable portion. This detachable portion is commonly removably attached to the main portion of the bag by means of perforations, the closed end of the bag adjacent the perforations is preferably heat sealed but may be closed by any other means acceptable in the art. The detachable portion or coupon has a printable surface thereon or may be formed of two pieces into which may be inserted a redeemable paper coupon. The coupon may include printing for advertising purposes or may include a redeemable coupon or may have any other written indicia what is preferred by the purchaser. At the other or open end of the bag a removable adhesive strip provides a closure, preferably on a flap which permits adjustment on the open end of the bag.
In FIG. 2, there is a representation of a remote control device enclosed snugly in the bag to permit the user to easily depress the required buttons in the remote control in order to turn the electronic device (not shown) off and on and to manipulate the electronic controls as required. If the electronic control is a remote for a TV, then there are off/on buttons as well channel changing buttons and volume control buttons. The remote control may also include controls for VCRs, DVDs and the like. In addition, the remote control may operate a radio, coffee maker or other electronic devices, all as is within the ordinary skill of the art.
The invention although simple in concept, is a significant advance in the field of health and safety for public places. The invention has particular use in retirement facilities, hotels and hospitals. In hotels, it is often the case that the dirtiest, most bacteria ridden portion of a hotel room is the remote control and in hospitals it is clear that remote controls handled by patients easily transmit diseases and bacteria to the next occupant of the room. The same is true for other public and semi-public places, such as schools. The subject invention enables remote controls to be safe and sanitary, thereby preventing transmission of diseases and other contagious bacteria.
Although specifically shown with the detachable portion connected to an end, the invention includes a detachable portion connected to the longer side edge or more than one edge. Although an adhesive is shown for closing the open end of the bag, other means may be used, such as tongue and groove, hooks and loops, etc.
While there has been disclosed what is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

Claims

1. A transparent plastic bag having a generally rectangular shape in plan view with longer side dimensions and shorter end dimensions closed along the sides and at one end thereof, a detachable portion extending from at least one closed dimension of said bag, and sealing material at or near an open end thereof.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein said sealing material includes a resealable adhesive.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein said sealing material includes a flap carrying an adhesive thereon for closing said open end.

4. The bag of claim 1, wherein said plastic is polyethylene.

5. The bag of claim 1, wherein said detachable portion extends from said closed end and has a printable surface thereon.

6. The bag of claim 5, wherein said extension is removable from said closed end.

7. A transparent plastic bag having a generally rectangular shape in plan view with longer side dimensions and shorter end dimensions closed along the sides and at one end thereof and having adhesive sealing material at or near the other end thereof, and a detachable flap extending from said closed end of said bag having a surface thereof capable of receiving printing thereon, and sealing material near the other end thereof.

8. The bag of claim 7, wherein a flap extends from the other end of said bag and said adhesive is thereon providing a resealable closure at the other end of said bag.

9. The bag of claim 8, wherein said plastic is polyethylene and said sealing material is a strip of adhesive extending across said flap extending from the other end of said bag and having a removable protective strip thereon.

10. A combination of a remote control for an electronic device and a transparent plastic bag having a generally rectangular shape in plan view with longer side dimensions and shorter end dimensions closed along the sides and at one end thereof, and sealing material near an open end thereof, said bag being of a dimension to receive said remote control device snugly therein.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein said closed end of said bag has a removable flap extending therefrom and said sealing material is an adhesive near the open end of said bag.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein said remote control controls a television and said bag is polyethylene.