US4919966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Covering such as a glove, condom or sheath for inhibiting the spread of contagious diseases and methods of making and using the same
Assignee: Bio Barrier Inc
•
Filing: 1988-01-13
•
Granted: 1990-04-24
•
Expires: 2008-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A covering such as a glove, condom or sheath for inhibiting the spread of contagious diseases such as AIDS and Hepatitis to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease. The covering is flexible, stretchable, and relatively thin, and includes at least one relatively thin layer of material containing a sterilizing fluid capable of sterilizing the microbes that produce the disease. If an object cuts through the covering and into a person's skin, the sterilizing fluid will be released to help sterilize the infectious microbes in the region around the cut so that the microbes are rendered ineffective either before reaching the person's skin, after reaching the person's skin, or both. Various methods of making and using the covering are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Robin R. T. Shlenker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:15
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62D; A62D5/00; A61; A61B; A61B42/00; A61B42/10; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/02; A61F6/04; A61L; A61L31/00; A61L31/14; A61L31/16; A41; A41D; A41D19/00; A41D19/0055; A41D19/0058; A41D19/0082; A41D19/0096; A41D31/00; A41D31/04; A41D31/24; A41D31/245; A61L2300/00; A61L2300/40; A61L2300/404; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249962; Y10T428/249964; Y10T428/249987; Y10T428/249991
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 95
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease, said covering adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one extremity of one of the persons, said covering possessing a first array of chambers arranged substantially side by side in a first substantially uniform layer and a second array of chambers arranged substantially side by side in a second substantially uniform layer, said first layer substantially immediately adjacent to and below said second layer, and said chambers of said first array arranged in a staggered relation relative to said chambers of said second array, said chambers containing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing said disease substantially upon contact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease, said covering adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one extremity of one of the persons, said covering possessing a first array of chambers arranged substantially side by side in a first substantially uniform layer and a second array of chambers arranged substantially side by side in a second substantially uniform layer, said first layer substantially immediately adjacent to and below said second layer, and said chambers of said first array arranged in a staggered relation relative to said chambers of said second array, said chambers containing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing said disease substantially upon contact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A covering according to claim 1 wherein said covering comprises a condom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A covering according to claim 2 wherein said chambers extend substantially only throughout the head or tip region of said condom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A covering according to claim 2 wherein the thickness of said covering is substantially in the range of one millimeter to five millimeters.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A covering according to claim 2 wherein said chambers number substantially in the range of between fifty and five hundred.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A covering according to claim 5 wherein the volume of substantially each said chamber is less than two cubic centimeters.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
A covering according to claim 2 fashioned of a flexible, stretchable material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
A covering according to claim 2 comprising an outer sheath and an inner sheath adapted to be disposed immediately adjacent to the person's skin, said array of chambers being interposed between said outer sheath and said inner sheath, the thickness of said outer sheath being thinner than the thickness of said inner sheath.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A covering according to claim 2 wherein said sterilizing fluid is capable of substantially immediately sterilizing microbes that cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
A covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease, said covering adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one extremity of one of the persons, said covering comprising a sponge-like layer of material possessing a plurality of chambers numbering at least two hundred and wherein the volume of substantially each said chamber is less than two cubic millimeters, said chambers containing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
A covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease, said covering adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one extremity of one of the persons, said covering comprising a sponge-like layer of material possessing a plurality of chambers numbering at least two hundred and wherein the volume of substantially each said chamber is less than two cubic millimeters, said chambers containing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
A covering according to claim 10 said covering comprises a condom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
A covering according to claim 10 further comprising an outer sheet and an inner sheet and wherein said sponge-like layer is disposed intermediate and adjacent to said outer sheet and said inner sheet, said outer sheet and said inner sheet adapted to substantially retain said sterilizing fluid within said sponge-like layers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
A covering according to claim 12 wherein said covering comprises a condom.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
A covering according to claim 12 wherein said covering comprises a glove.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A covering according to claim 12 wherein said outer sheet and said inner sheet each comprise latex.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
A covering according to claim 12 wherein said covering is flexible and stretchable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A covering according to claim 11 wherein said chambers extend substantially only throughout the head or tip region of said condom.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A covering according to claim 13 wherein said chambers extend substantially only throughout the head or tip region of said condom.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A covering according to claim 11 wherein said sterilizing fluid is capable of substantially immediately sterilizing microbes that cause AIDS.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A covering according to claim 13 wherein said sterilizing fluid is capable of substantially immediately sterilizing microbes that cause AIDS.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A covering according to claim 10 wherein the thickness of said covering is substantially in the range of one millimeter to five millimeters.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
A covering according to claim 12 wherein the thickness of said covering is substantially in the range of one millimeter to five millimeters.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
112 words
A covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease, said covering adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one extremity of one of the persons, said covering comprising an outer sheet, an intermediate layer of flexible, absorbent material, and an inner sheet, said intermediate layer substantially saturated with a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease, said intermediate layer disposed intermediate and adjacent to said outer sheet and said inner sheet, said outer sheet and said inner sheet adapted to substantially retain said sterilizing fluid within said intermediate layer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
112 words
A covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease, said covering adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one extremity of one of the persons, said covering comprising an outer sheet, an intermediate layer of flexible, absorbent material, and an inner sheet, said intermediate layer substantially saturated with a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease, said intermediate layer disposed intermediate and adjacent to said outer sheet and said inner sheet, said outer sheet and said inner sheet adapted to substantially retain said sterilizing fluid within said intermediate layer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
12 words
A covering according to claim 23 wherein said covering comprises a condom.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
A covering according to claim 23 wherein said covering comprises a glove.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
A covering according to claim 23 wherein said intermediate layer comprises a woven material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
A covering according to claim 23 wherein said intermediate layer comprises cotton.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
A covering according to claim 23 wherein said intermediate layer comprises cellulose.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A covering according to claim 23 wherein said intermediate layer comprises a synthetic fiber.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A covering according to claim 23 wherein said outer sheet and said inner sheet each comprise latex.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
13 words
A covering according to claim 23 wherein said covering is flexible and stretchable.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
A covering according to claim 24 wherein said intermediate layer extends substantially only throughout the head or tip region of said condom.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
20 words
A covering according to claim 24 wherein said sterilizing fluid is capable of substantially immediately sterilizing microbes that cause AIDS.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
A covering according to claim 23 wherein the thickness of said covering is substantially in the range of one millimeter to five millimeters.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease comprising the steps of: providing a covering adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one extremity of one of the persons, said covering comprising a sponge-like layer of material possessing a plurality of chambers numbering at least two hundred and wherein the volume of substantially each chamber is less than two cubic millimeters, said chambers containing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease; and covering at least a portion of the extremity with said cover.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
108 words
A method of inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease comprising the steps of: providing a covering adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one extremity of one of the persons, said covering comprising a sponge-like layer of material possessing a plurality of chambers numbering at least two hundred and wherein the volume of substantially each chamber is less than two cubic millimeters, said chambers containing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease; and covering at least a portion of the extremity with said cover.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease according to claim 35 wherein said covering comprises a condom.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease according to claim 35 wherein said covering comprises a glove.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method of inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease according to claim 35 wherein said covering further comprises an outer sheet and an inner sheet and wherein said sponge-like layer is disposed intermediate and adjacent to said outer sheet and said inner sheet, said outer sheet and said inner sheet adapted to substantially retain said sterilizing fluid within said sponge-like layer.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease according to claim 38 wherein said covering comprises a condom.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease according to claim 38 wherein said covering comprises a glove.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease comprising the steps of: providing a covering adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one extremity of one of the persons, said covering comprising an outer sheet, an intermediate layer of flexible, absorbent material, and an inner sheet, said intermediate layer substantially saturated with a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease, said intermediate layer disposed intermediate and adjacent to said outer sheet and said inner sheet, said outer sheet and said inner sheet adapted to substantially retain said sterilizing within said intermediate layer.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease comprising the steps of: providing a covering adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one extremity of one of the persons, said covering comprising an outer sheet, an intermediate layer of flexible, absorbent material, and an inner sheet, said intermediate layer substantially saturated with a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease, said intermediate layer disposed intermediate and adjacent to said outer sheet and said inner sheet, said outer sheet and said inner sheet adapted to substantially retain said sterilizing within said intermediate layer.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease according to claim 41 wherein said covering comprises a condom.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease according to claim 41 wherein said covering comprises a glove.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of making a covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease comprising the steps of: providing a layer of sponge-like material possessing a plurality of chambers numbering at least two hundred and wherein the volume of substantially each chamber is less than two cubic millimeters; providing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease; applying the sterilizing fluid to the sponge-like material layer such that the sterilizing fluid is contained with the chambers; and sealing the surfaces of the sponge-like material layer to substantially retain the sterilizing fluid within the sponge-like material layer.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of making a covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease comprising the steps of: providing a layer of sponge-like material possessing a plurality of chambers numbering at least two hundred and wherein the volume of substantially each chamber is less than two cubic millimeters; providing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease; applying the sterilizing fluid to the sponge-like material layer such that the sterilizing fluid is contained with the chambers; and sealing the surfaces of the sponge-like material layer to substantially retain the sterilizing fluid within the sponge-like material layer.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 44 wherein the covering comprises a glove.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 44 wherein the covering comprises a condom.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 44 wherein the sealing step comprises searing the surfaces of the sponge-like material layer such that the surfaces form a substantially uniform, continuous, non-porous barrier.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 47 wherein the searing step comprises heating the surfaces such that a fluidized film of the sponge-like material forms along the surfaces and the solidifies.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 44 wherein the sealing step comprises applying a sealant in a fluidized state to form a film of sealant on the surfaces of the sponge-like material layer and then solidifying the sealant such that the sealant forms a substantially uniform, continuous, non-porous barrier.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 49 wherein the sealant application step comprises spraying the sealant.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 49 wherein the sealant application step comprises dipping the sponge-like material layer into a vat of sealant.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 47 wherein the thickness of covering is substantially in the range of one millimeter to five millimeters.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 49 wherein the thickness of the covering is substantially in the range of one millimeter to five millimeters.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 47 wherein the sterilizing fluid is capable of substantially immediately sterilizing microbes that cause AIDS.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 49 wherein the sterilizing fluid is capable of substantially immediately sterilizing microbes that cause AIDS.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 49 wherein the sealant comprises a plastic.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 49 wherein the sealant comprises latex.
Claim 64
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of making a covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease comprising the steps of: providing a layer of flexible, absorbent material; providing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease; applying the sterilizing fluid to the absorbent material layer; and sealing the surfaces of the absorbent material layer to substantially retain the sterilizing fluid within the absorbent material layer.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of making a covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease comprising the steps of: providing a layer of flexible, absorbent material; providing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease; applying the sterilizing fluid to the absorbent material layer; and sealing the surfaces of the absorbent material layer to substantially retain the sterilizing fluid within the absorbent material layer.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 58 wherein the covering comprises a glove.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 58 wherein the covering comprises a condom.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 58 wherein the fluid application step comprises substantially saturating the absorbent material layer with the sterilizing fluid.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
51 words
Method of making a covering according to claim 58 wherein the sealing step comprises applying a sealant in a fluidized state to form a film of sealant on the surfaces of the absorbent material layer and then solidifying the sealant such that the sealant forms a substantially uniform, continuous, non-porous barrier.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 62 wherein the sealant application step comprises spraying the sealant.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 62 wherein the sealant application step comprises dipping the absorbent material layer into a vat of sealant.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 58 wherein the thickness of the covering is substantially in the range of one millimeter to five millimeters.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 62 wherein the thickness of the covering is substantially in the range of one millimeter to five millimeters.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 58 wherein the sterilizing fluid is capable of substantially immediately sterilizing microbes that cause AIDS.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 62 wherein the sterilizing fluid is capable of substantially immediately sterilizing microbes that cause AIDS.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 62 wherein the sealant comprises a plastic.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method of making a covering according to claim 62 wherein the sealant comprises latex.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of making a multi layered sheath for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease, comprising the steps of: providing a first flexible, stretchable sheath having a thickness substantially in the range of one-half millimeter to four millimeters; providing a second flexible, stretchable sheath having a thickness substantially in the range of one-half millimeter to four millimeters and having a shape and configuration substantially identical to the first sheath and adapted to contain the first sheath conformingly therein; providing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease; and depositing the sterilizing fluid such that the sterilizing fluid is disposed in the region between the first sheath and the second sheath when the first sheath is conformingly contained within the second sheath and such that the sterilizing fluid forms a substantially uniform layer having a thickness substantially in the range of one-quarter millimeter to four millimeters and such that the sheaths substantially prevent the sterilizing fluid from seeping out of the region and through a sheath.
Claim 79
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of making a multi layered sheath for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease, comprising the steps of: providing a first flexible, stretchable sheath having a thickness substantially in the range of one-half millimeter to four millimeters; providing a second flexible, stretchable sheath having a thickness substantially in the range of one-half millimeter to four millimeters and having a shape and configuration substantially identical to the first sheath and adapted to contain the first sheath conformingly therein; providing a sterilizing fluid capable of substantially immediately sterilizing the microbes causing the disease; and depositing the sterilizing fluid such that the sterilizing fluid is disposed in the region between the first sheath and the second sheath when the first sheath is conformingly contained within the second sheath and such that the sterilizing fluid forms a substantially uniform layer having a thickness substantially in the range of one-quarter millimeter to four millimeters and such that the sheaths substantially prevent the sterilizing fluid from seeping out of the region and through a sheath.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of making a multi layered sheath according to claim 71 wherein said multi layered sheath comprises a condom.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method of making a multi layered sheath according to claim 71 wherein said multi layered sheath comprises a glove.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of making a multi layered sheath according to claim 71 wherein the sterilizing fluid is deposited by spraying the sterilizing fluid.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of making a multi layered sheath according to claim 71 wherein the sterilizing fluid is deposited by dipping the first sheath into a vat of the sterilizing fluid.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
55 words
A covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease comprising fluid-impermeable inner and outer surface layers and an intermediate layer comprising a plurality of discrete chambers encapsulating a sterilizing fluid capable of sterilizing microbes causing the disease substantially upon contact.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
55 words
A covering for inhibiting the spread of a contagious disease to a person contacting the body fluid of a person infected with the disease comprising fluid-impermeable inner and outer surface layers and an intermediate layer comprising a plurality of discrete chambers encapsulating a sterilizing fluid capable of sterilizing microbes causing the disease substantially upon contact.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
41 words
A covering according to claim 76 wherein the intermediate layer includes a plurality of strata each comprising a regular array of chambers containing the sterilizing fluid, the chambers in each stream being staggered relative to the chambers in an adjacent stratum.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
15 words
A covering according to claim 77 wherein the intermediate layer comprises two strata of chambers.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
20 words
A covering according to claim 77 wherein said chambers number substantially in the range of between fifty and five hundred.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
19 words
A covering according to claim 77 wherein each chamber has a volume of less than substantially two cubic millimeters.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
33 words
A covering according to claim 1 wherein said intermediate layer comprises an open cell sponge-like material possessing at least two hundred chambers each having a volume of less than substantially two cubic millimeters.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
15 words
A covering according to claim 76 wherein the intermediate layer comprises an absorbent flexible material.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
19 words
A covering according to claim 76 having a thickness substantially in the range of one millimeter to five millimeters.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
12 words
A covering according to claim 76 in the form of a glove.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
12 words
A covering according to claim 76 in the form of a condom.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
25 words
A covering according to claim 85 wherein the chambers encapsulating the sterilizing fluid are contained only in the head or tip region of the condom.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-23 | 1993-10-23 | 1994-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-23 | 1997-10-23 | 1998-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-23 | 2001-10-23 | 2002-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |