Disposable Touch Protector for Sanitary Surface Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The spread of disease and infection through direct contact with unsanitary doorknobs, door handles, doors, windows, and other surfaces is a significant concern, as existing methods to avoid contact often lead to discomfort or unintended contamination.
Innovation Solution
A touch protector device that allows users to interact with surfaces without direct hand contact, featuring a mitt-like structure with foldable sides and a bridge portion that can be flexed to accommodate fingers, providing a sanitary way to open doors, handle objects, and interact with touchscreens while minimizing skin-to-skin contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If direct hand contact with doorknobs and surfaces is avoided, then disease transmission risk is reduced, but user comfort and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a disposable cover as an intermediary layer between the user's hand and the doorknob surface. This cover acts as a mediator that allows the user to operate the doorknob without direct skin contact, thereby reducing disease transmission risk while maintaining ease of operation. The cover is designed to be easily donned and doffed, ensuring that user convenience is not significantly compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable covers that are inexpensive and single-use. These covers are designed to be discarded after a single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and disinfection processes. This approach effectively reduces disease transmission risk by ensuring each cover is sterile when first used, while the low cost and simplicity of disposal maintain user convenience.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If alternative methods to open doors are used, then direct contact with contaminated surfaces is reduced, but user comfort deteriorates due to unintended contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable cover serves as a protective intermediary that allows users to open doors using their hands without direct exposure to contaminants. This eliminates the need for alternative methods such as knocking with elbows or feet, which can lead to unintended contamination of these body parts. The cover enables natural hand operation while maintaining sanitation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If disposable covers are used, then disease transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes simple disposable covers that require no complex mechanisms, electronics, or power sources. Each cover is a standalone, single-use item that is discarded after use. This approach effectively reduces disease transmission while avoiding any increase in system complexity, as the solution relies on simple, pre-manufactured disposable components rather than complex reusable systems requiring maintenance or control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first base portion having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The apparatus also includes a second base portion having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The apparatus further includes a bridge portion coupling the first base portion and the second base portion. The apparatus additionally includes a tether one or more of extending from or coupled with at least one of the first base portion, the second base portion, or the bridge portion.