Flexible Transparent Touchscreen Cover for Contamination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic touchscreen devices are prone to contamination with viruses and bacteria, particularly in healthcare settings, due to direct and indirect contact, which can lead to the spread of infectious diseases.

Innovation Solution

A sterile disposable clear cover made of flexible, biodegradable material with a clear front surface for visibility and functionality, featuring an elastomeric band and pleats for secure attachment, ensuring protection without interfering with the device's operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective cover is applied to prevent contact with viruses and bacteria, then protection against contamination is improved, but the functionality of the touchscreen device may be interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact with viruses and bacteriaVSAvoidfunctionality of touchscreen device

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible, transparent protective cover made of thin film material that conforms to the contours of the touchscreen device. This thin film structure provides a barrier against viruses and bacteria while maintaining sufficient transparency and flexibility to allow touchscreen functionality to pass through without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover acts as an intermediary layer between the user's hands and the touchscreen device surface. This intermediate barrier prevents direct contact with the device while still permitting touch inputs to be transmitted, thus protecting against contamination without compromising functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a sterile disposable cover is used to protect the device, then prevention of disease transmission is improved, but the complexity of the protective system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisease transmissionVSAvoidprotective system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a disposable protective cover that is inexpensive and single-use. This disposable approach simplifies the protective system by eliminating the need for cleaning, sterilization, or maintenance of the cover itself, while still providing effective protection during its brief usage period. The cover is designed to be discarded after one use, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Illumination intensity

If a clear front surface is used to maintain visibility and functionality, then transparency is improved, but the protection against contamination may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of touchscreen displayVSAvoidcontact with viruses and bacteria

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover utilizes a thin, flexible film material that is transparent enough to allow light transmission and visibility of the touchscreen display. The film's flexibility enables it to conform to the device contours while maintaining sufficient optical clarity to not interfere with display visibility or touch sensitivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent protective cover maintains continuous visibility and functionality throughout its usage period. The clear front surface allows the touchscreen display to remain visible and functional from the moment the cover is applied, eliminating the need to remove the cover for use without compromising protective coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively prevents direct contact with viruses and bacteria while maintaining the touchscreen's functionality, providing easy installation and removal, and can be used on various devices and objects, offering a temporary protective solution.

Implementation Method 1

The elastomeric band provides tension on the body to stretch the front surface over the touchscreen display

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the body is constructed from a clear material capable of adhering to a surface of an electronic touchscreen device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTransparency:

Data Source

PatentUS11265411B1Protective cover for electronic touchscreen devices

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 SCHMIDT JOSE M

AI summary

A protective cover (1) having a flexible body (3) wherein the body is constructed from a clear material capable of adhering to a surface of an electronic touchscreen device (2), such as a smart phone or tablet, to prevent the spread of germs and viruses while not interfering with functionality of the electronic touchscreen device.