Sanitary retractable barrier system

Abstract

Sanitary barrier systems and methods for preventing transmission of biological substances and protecting human health are provided. A retractable barrier system may include a first supporting member and a barrier film. The first supporting member may comprise a first attachment element configured to position the barrier system vertically in use. The barrier film may have a fixed edge and a free edge, wherein the fixed edge is connected to the first supporting member. The barrier film is extendible to a desired length in a use configuration and retractable back on the first supporting member in a storage configuration. The barrier system may include a retracting mechanism such as a crank or a spring-loaded roller. The barrier film may comprise a sanitary portion. The barrier system may be combined with stanchions or queue barriers to protect individuals waiting in lines. The barrier system may also be used to provide barrier inside a multi-person vehicle.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Appln. No. 63 / 026,450, filed May 18, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.INTRODUCTION[0002]Human health is impacted by a variety of biological substances encountered on a daily basis. In particular, contact with various biological substances transmitted in a public environment can lead to an illness, possibly severe, in mammals. For example, biological contamination can lead to a variety of illnesses or diseases, including, but not limited to, microbial infection, viral infection, food poisoning, streptococcal infection, anthrax, cold sores, conjunctivitis, coxsackievirus, croup, diphtheria, and ebolic hemorrhagic fever.[0003]Microbes such as bacteria and viruses are often carried by biological substances such as body fluids from cough, sneeze, breath, sweat, and saliva. Highly-contagious microbes can cause severe outbreaks of disease among living persons t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present patent describes a new sanitary barrier system that can be easily operated, is cost-effective, and is portable. The system uses a clear plastic film that is stiff and can reduce deformation. It can be combined with stanchions or queue barriers to create an effective barrier isolating individual persons and preventing the transmission of biological substances. The system is non-invasive, non-abusive, and less stressful. It can be easily mounted on to various structures and can be stored retracted when not in use. The technical effects of this patent are the creation of a highly-effective, portable, and easy-to-establish sanitary barrier system to protect human health and prevent the transmission of harmful biological substances in crowded public areas.

Problems solved by technology

In particular, contact with various biological substances transmitted in a public environment can lead to an illness, possibly severe, in mammals.

Highly-contagious microbes can cause severe outbreaks of disease among living persons through person-to-person transmission in public areas such as supermarkets, public transportation spaces, socially-active places, and schools.

Particularly, in restricted or confined or crowded public areas such as ticketing and check-in lines of airport and multi-person vehicles, hospitals, security lines, State & Federal buildings, colleges / universities / high schools / middle schools / grade schools, public transportation vehicles like Uber / Lyft / Taxi / Driving Services, churches, restaurants, persons are always in close proximity with each other, and transmission of biological substances inevitably leads to widespread illness and diseases among persons without effective sanitary protection.

In many public areas, common sanitary means such as hand washing sources or facial masks are often not available nor accessible nor applicable.

In severe pandemic situations where social distancing is demanded, it would be very difficult to prevent transmission of highly contagious biological substances using conventional protective means in crowded public areas described above.

Images