Abstract A disposable probe cover, comprising a flat bottom plastic sheet shaped generally like a probe and a flat upper plastic sheet overlying the bottom sheet and welded to it at its edges, except for an entrance opening at one end through which the probe is to be inserted. The upper plastic sheet stops short of the bottom plastic sheet at the entrance opening, and it is knurled at the entrance opening to help to provide an entrance guideway. A probe can make its initial contact along the guideway provided by the lower sheet beyond the entrance opening and when moved into the opening, the knurls provide gaps where the two sheets cannot stick together. Each probe cover may have its bottom sheet removably adhered to a paper backing, from which it is separated when the probe is inserted in the cover and is pulled away from the paper backing. In the method of making the probe cover, knurled rolls are used on one or two side edges of a continuous sheet which is to form many upper sheets of probe covers, and an entire knurled strip is provided before the two sheets and the paper backing are brought together. Then, after cutting, the probe covers result with the knurled portion of the upper sheet adjacent to the entrance opening.
An article for individually dispensing a series of disposable probe covers including in combination: a paper backing sheet, a series of identical flat bottom plastic sheets, each shaped generally like a probe, releasably supported on one face of said paper backing sheet, a series of identical flat upper plastic sheets, each overlying a said bottom sheet and welded to it at its edges, except for an entrance opening at one end, through which a probe may be inserted, each said upper plastic sheet haVing a knurled marginal portion lying along the edge of the entrance opening, so that it stands away from its related bottom plastic sheet, each said upper plastic sheet stopping short of the corresponding edge of its related bottom plastic sheet at the entrance opening, so that the bottom plastic sheet provides an entrance guideway extending beyond the end of the upper plastic sheet, upon which a probe can make an initial contact and be led into the probe cover in between the sheets at the knurled portion of the upper sheet, whereby said probe can be inserted into said probe cover and the probe cover removed from said paper backing sheet without having to touch said probe cover with the hands, so that the sterility of the exterior of the probe cover is not affected by the emplacement of the probe.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
An article for individually dispensing a series of disposable probe covers including in combination: a paper backing sheet, a series of identical flat bottom plastic sheets, each shaped generally like a probe, releasably supported on one face of said paper backing sheet, a series of identical flat upper plastic sheets, each overlying a said bottom sheet and welded to it at its edges, except for an entrance opening at one end, through which a probe may be inserted, each said upper plastic sheet haVing a knurled marginal portion lying along the edge of the entrance opening, so that it stands away from its related bottom plastic sheet, each said upper plastic sheet stopping short of the corresponding edge of its related bottom plastic sheet at the entrance opening, so that the bottom plastic sheet provides an entrance guideway extending beyond the end of the upper plastic sheet, upon which a probe can make an initial contact and be led into the probe cover in between the sheets at the knurled portion of the upper sheet, whereby said probe can be inserted into said probe cover and the probe cover removed from said paper backing sheet without having to touch said probe cover with the hands, so that the sterility of the exterior of the probe cover is not affected by the emplacement of the probe.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The article of claim 1 wherein there are two rows of probe covers on said paper backing sheet, each with said entrance opening near an edge of said paper backing sheet.