Finger Protector With Segmented Grip And Color-Coded Indicia
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effective protection against disease and virus transmission through contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, particularly in shared and frequently used objects and devices, as pathogens can remain viable for hours to days on various materials.
Innovation Solution
A finger protector that provides a barrier between the user's finger and a potentially contaminated surface, featuring a non-contaminated gripping portion with visual and physical indicia to ensure safe removal, made from pliable materials like plastic or polypropylene, allowing easy use and disposal while minimizing contact with contaminated areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a finger protector is used to create a barrier against contaminated surfaces, then protection against disease and virus transmission is improved, but the complexity of proper usage and removal increases without visual guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The finger protector employs color-coded visual indicia to differentiate between contaminated and non-contaminated surfaces. The grip portion features a distinct color or pattern that indicates it is safe for handling and removal, while the contact portion appears different to warn of potential contamination. This visual differentiation guides users through proper usage and safe removal without additional complexity.
2Reliability
If a disposable finger protector is provided for each use, then hygiene and safety are improved, but the quantity of material required and waste generated increases
Solution Approach 1:
The finger protector is designed as a segmented structure with distinct functional zones: a grip portion for handling and a contact portion for surface interaction. This segmentation allows the protector to be discarded after single use while maintaining material efficiency through optimized design of each segment, reducing overall material consumption compared to larger protective coverings.
3Reliability
If the finger protector covers the entire finger, then protection against contamination is improved, but the ability to grip and manipulate objects increases in complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the essential protective function to only the necessary contact area while providing a separate grip portion that extends beyond the contact zone. This allows users to grip the protector at the non-contact grip portion, maintaining full finger dexterity and manipulation ability while the contact portion provides adequate protection against contamination.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for preventing and protecting a user from disease and virus transmission that might otherwise occur from contacting or touching potentially contaminated surfaces. A finger protector provides a barrier between a user's finger and a potentially contaminated surface when a user makes contact with or touches the surface. Indicia on the protector provide visual and/or physical indicators to enable a user to track the potentially contaminated and non-contaminated surfaces of the finger protector, before, during, and after use. This enables a user to safely grab the non-contaminated portion of the protector for removal from their finger after use, thereby further helping reduce the risk of contamination and potential disease and virus transmission. The disclosed methods and apparatus include for use, fabrication, packaging, and distribution of the protectors.