US3703892A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Disposable, retractable thermometer jacket
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-12-09
•
Granted: 1972-11-28
•
Expires: 1990-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A prophylactic device comprising disposable, flexible, stretchable sterile jacket or sheath housed in a small, membrane sealed, tubular plastic or paper cartridge is disclosed herein. The sterile jacket may be very quickly stretched over and removed from a fever thermometer, thereby completely eliminating the need to otherwise conventionally sterilize thermometers or similar probes prior to each use. After its use, the jacket retracts automatically and sanitarily into the cartridge for easy disposal. The new prophylactic device simplifies and greatly reduces the cost of using all types of thermometer probes which require sterilization prior to each use. Large supplies of the cartridges may be packaged and stored for convenience in dispensers. Individual cartridges are small enough to be carried in large numbers in clothing pockets.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward F Meyers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01K; G01K13/00; G01K13/20; G01K13/25
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A prophylactic assembly for a longitudinal internal body probe such as a thermometer, said assembly comprising a. a tubular cartridge member open at both ends; b. a thin elastomeric tubular sheath means having an extended, relaxed length less than the length of said cartridge member retractably disposed within said cartridge and adapted to conform closely to the shape of the forward end of said probe and to be extensible forwardly and outwardly of said cartridge; c. membrane means closing off said open ends; d. said membrane means being readily rupturable by said probe and being permeable to gas or radiation sterilizing media; e. means non-removably retaining said sheath within said cartridge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A prophylactic assembly for a longitudinal internal body probe such as a thermometer, said assembly comprising a. a tubular cartridge member open at both ends; b. a thin elastomeric tubular sheath means having an extended, relaxed length less than the length of said cartridge member retractably disposed within said cartridge and adapted to conform closely to the shape of the forward end of said probe and to be extensible forwardly and outwardly of said cartridge; c. membrane means closing off said open ends; d. said membrane means being readily rupturable by said probe and being permeable to gas or radiation sterilizing media; e. means non-removably retaining said sheath within said cartridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The prophylactic assembly of claim 1, further including a. means associated with said cartridge for frictionally gripping a probe against the spring forces of said elastomeric sheath in a stretched condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The prophylactic assembly of claim 1, in which a. said sheath is initially rolled up and anchored at the rearward end of said cartridge; b. said cartridge includes an elastomeric liner means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
The prophylactic assembly of claim 1, in which a. said sheath is anchored in said cartridge in an relaxed condition; b. said sheath has a diameter substantially greater than said probe; c. said cartridge has a length substantially less than said probe; d. said sheath is longitudinally extensible for a distance equal to at least several times its relaxed length; e. said sheath is of sufficient elasticity to retract automatically said sheath into said cartridge when stressing extension forces are removed therefrom; f. locking means associated with said cartridge to join temporarily said cartridge with said probe; and g. said locking means being of sufficient strength to resist the force of an extended sheath.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The prophylactic assembly of claim, 4 in which a. said cartridge includes an end cap; b. said cap clamps the open end of said sheath to the rearmost cartridge wall portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The prophylactic assembly of claim 1, in which a. said sheath is substantially transparent when extended.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prophylactic assembly of claim 1, in which a. said cartridge is a paperboard tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The prophylactic assembly of claim 1, in which a. said cartridge is a plastic tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-28 | 1976-05-29 | 1976-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-28 | 1980-05-29 | 1980-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-28 | 1984-05-29 | 1984-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |