SUPINE PATIENT TRANSFER PACKAGE AND ADHESIVE RELEASE MECHANISM THEREFOR

Abstract

A patient transfer package for laterally transferring a supine patient from one surface to another surface, where the package comprises: a first, rectangular-shaped sheet; a second, rectangular-shaped sheet; and attachment means attached to the second sheet edges and a portion of the first sheet which extends beyond the edges of the second sheet, wherein one part of the attachment means adheres to the second sheet and another part of the attachment means adheres to the first sheet. In addition, the attachment means comprises a non-adhesive channel located between said adhesive parts.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. An attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises: a first adhesive portion; a second adhesive portion; and a non-adhesive portion located between the first and second adhesive portions and removably connected to the first and second adhesive portions, wherein the attachment mechanism is configured such that when attached to at least one surface, the non-adhesive portion can be separated from the first and second adhesive portions, leaving the first and second adhesive portions intact and adhered to the at least one surface.

14. The attachment mechanism of claim 13, wherein the non-adhesive portion comprises a bisectional perforation between the first and second adhesive portions.

15. The attachment mechanism of claim 13, further comprising removable corner pieces.

16. The attachment mechanism of claim 15, wherein when the corner pieces are removed, at least one tab is exposed.

17. The attachment mechanism of claim 16, wherein the at least one tab is pulled along two perforated lines located, lengthwise, on each edge of the non-adhesive portion to remove the non-adhesive portion from the attachment mechanism.

18. The attachment mechanism of claim 13, wherein the non-adhesive portion forms a non-adhesive channel and includes a single perforation lengthwise along the non-adhesive portion.

19. The attachment mechanism of claim 18, wherein the non-adhesive portion of the attachment mechanism is bisected and separated along the single perforation leaving the one part of the attachment mechanism adhered to the second sheet and another part of the attachment mechanism adhered to the first sheet.

20. An attachment tape comprising: a first adhesive portion disposed to form a first lateral edge of the attachment tape; a second adhesive portion disposed to form a second lateral edge of the attachment tape; and a non-adhesive portion disposed between the first and second adhesive portions and removably connected to the first and second adhesive portions, wherein the attachment tape is configured to be attachable to two surfaces via the first adhesive portion and the second adhesive portion, respectively, wherein the non-adhesive portion is configured to be separable from the first and second adhesive portions, whereupon the first and second adhesive portions remain adhered to respective ones of the two surfaces.

21. The attachment tape of claim 20, wherein the non-adhesive portion is perforated proximate the first adhesive portion and the second adhesive portion to enable the non-adhesive portion to be removably connected to the first and second adhesive portions.

22. The attachment tape of claim 20, further comprising a tab disposed at an end of the non-adhesive portion of the attachment tape.

23. The attachment tape of claim 22, wherein the tab is pulled along two perforated lines located, lengthwise, on the non-adhesive portion to remove the non-adhesive portion.

24. The attachment tape of claim 20, wherein the non-adhesive portion forms a non-adhesive channel and includes a single perforation lengthwise along the non-adhesive portion.

25. The attachment tape of claim 24, wherein the non-adhesive portion of the attachment mechanism is bisected and separated along the single perforation leaving the one part of the attachment tape adhered to one of the two surfaces and another part of the attachment tape adhered another of the two surfaces.

26. A method for removably attaching to two surfaces to one another, the method comprising: applying a first adhesive portion of an attachment tape to a first one of the two surfaces; applying a second adhesive portion of the attachment type to a second one of the two surfaces; and wherein a non-adhesive portion is disposed between the first and second adhesive portions and removably connected to the first and second adhesive portions.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1A is an illustrative end view of a single-lateral-transfer version the present invention when it is situated on a horizontal surface in anticipation of being used to assist a care giver in making the required lateral transfer.

[0020] FIG. 1B is an overhead, perspective view of the type of sheet that is used in the present invention and that attempts to indicate the notation that is being used to refer to the different parts of the sheet.

[0021] FIG. 1C is an overhead, perspective view of the top, slippery surface for the type of sheet that is used in the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 1D is a perspective view of the bottom, less slippery or non-slippery surface for the type of sheet that is used in the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 1E is an overhead, perspective view of the version of the present invention shown in FIG. 1A and trying to further distinguish the slippery and less slippery or non-slippery sides (denoted by cross-hatching) of the sheets.

[0024] FIG. 2A is an illustrative end view of a double-lateral-transfer version the present invention when it has been situated on a horizontal surface in anticipation of using it to assist the care givers in making the required two lateral transfers.

[0025] FIG. 2B is an illustrative end view of the FIG. 2A version at a point in time after the first lateral transfer has been made and the first sheet remains on the original horizontal surface on the right and the intermediate sheet and its contents have been transferred to the left to a second horizontal surface.

[0026] FIG. 2C is an illustrative end view of the FIG. 2A version at a later point in time after the second lateral transfer has been made and the intermediate sheet remains on the horizontal surface on the left and the second sheet has been transferred to the right to a third horizontal surface.

[0027] FIG. 3A is an illustrative end view of a triple-lateral-transfer version the present invention when it has been situated on a horizontal surface in anticipation of it being used to assist the care givers in making the required three lateral transfers.

[0028] FIG. 3B is an illustrative end view of the FIG. 3A version at a point in time after the first lateral transfer has been made and the first sheet remains on the original horizontal surface on the right and the two intermediate sheets and their contents have been transferred to the left to a second horizontal surface.

[0029] FIG. 3C is an illustrative end view of the FIG. 3A version at a later point in time after the second lateral transfer has been made and the first intermediate sheet remains on the horizontal surface on the left and the second intermediate sheet and its contents have been transferred to the right to a third horizontal surface.

[0030] FIG. 3D is an illustrative end view of the FIG. 3A version at a still later point in time after the third lateral transfer has been made and the second intermediate sheet remains on the second horizontal surface on the right and the second sheet has been transferred to the left to a fourth horizontal surface.

[0031] FIG. 4A is an illustrative end view of a single lateral transfer version the present invention when it is situated on a horizontal surface in anticipation of being used to assist a care giver in making the required lateral transfer.

[0032] FIG. 4B is a top view of the single lateral transfer version of the present invention wherein the sheets are not folded.

[0033] FIG. 5A is an illustrative top view of the attachment means.

[0034] FIG. 5B is another illustrative top view of the attachment means.

[0035] FIG. 5C is another illustrative top view of the attachment means used in a lateral transfer system.

[0036] FIG. 5D is a further illustrative top view of the attachment means used in a lateral transfer system.

[0037] FIG. 6 is another illustrative top view of the single lateral transfer version of the present invention wherein the attachment means includes a perforation.

[0038] FIG. 7A is an illustrative top view of another embodiment of an attachment means, wherein the attachment means includes a single perforation.

[0039] FIG. 7B is another illustrative top view of the attachment means.

[0040] FIG. 7C is another illustrative top view of the attachment means.

[0041] FIG. 7D is a further illustrative top view of the attachment means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0043] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0044] The present invention generally relates to a patient transfer package or device for consecutive lateral transfers of a supine patient between adjoining horizontal surfaces (e.g., from a first horizontal surface, the top of a hospital gurney, to a second horizontal surface, the top of an operating table, and then to a third horizontal surface, back onto the gurney. FIG. 1A shows an end view of a single-lateral-transfer version of the present invention when it has been situated on top of a gurney in anticipation of using it to assist the care givers in making the required lateral transfer.

[0045] The present invention in general includes a plurality (i.e., two for a single lateral transfer, three for two lateral transfers, four for three lateral transfers, five for four lateral transfers) of rectangular-shaped, sheets 1, 2, 3 that are oriented and stacked on top of each other and attached together in a very precise way. Each sheet has distinctive top 1a, 2a, 3a and bottom 1b, 2b, 3b surfaces that have head 1c, 2c, 3c and foot 1d, 2d, 3d ends and between which extends a longitudinal centerline. Each of these sheets also has a middle portion 1e, 2e, 3e right 1f, 2f, 3f and left 1g, 2g, 3g side portions and right 1h, 2h, 3h and left 1i, 2i, 3i edges, and wherein the perpendicular distance between these edges defines the width of each sheet. See FIGS. 1B-1E.

[0046] It's helpful to specify the various parts or components of the sheets because of the unique way in which they are packaged together and because these sheets are manufactured in such a way that their physical properties are not uniform within any particular sheet. In particular, the top and bottom surfaces of these sheets differ in their slipperiness or the force, F, required to move them laterally or horizontally when they are fully opened up and lying on a horizontal surface and have a load, L, pressing down upon them from above. Specifically, their top surfaces are considerably more slippery than their bottom; thus, if one of these sheets is oriented so that its top surface is facing down and a load is placed on its upwardly oriented bottom surface, it will be much easier to pull this sheet by its edges horizontally than if the sheet were flipped over and its less slippery bottom side were oriented downward.

[0047] The ratio of the required force, F, to pull a body, or in this instance a sheet, laterally and the vertical load, L, on the body or sheet is defined as the coefficient of friction, c.sub.f, between the adjoining surfaces (c.sub.f=F/L). This ratio has been shown to reach its maximum value in that initial instance when the sheet first begins to slip or move horizontally relative to the surface belowwe refer to this as the static coefficient of friction, c.sub.fs=F.sub.i/L. When the sheet is sliding horizontally at a relatively constant velocity, the force, F.sub.v, required to keep it moving at this constant velocity is less than the force, F.sub.i, required to initially set it in motion; this force at constant velocity, F.sub.v, is used to define the kinetic coefficient of friction, c.sub.fk=F.sub.v/L.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows that a first sheet 1 forms substantially an initial, outer covering for the bedding package or present invention by being initially oriented with its bottom surface 1b, the one that is less slippery (i.e., it has both a higher kinetic and static coefficient of friction against the surface on which it is lying) facing downward toward the top of, for example, a gurney. Each of the first sheet's sides 1h, 1i are folded upwards along a crease 4 that is created parallel to the longitudinal centerline in each of the side portions 1g, 1f at approximately the same specified, first sheet distance di from the sheet's longitudinal centerline. After these edge portions extends upward a desired distance, this sheet's edges are then folded inward so that a fraction of the first sheet proximate each of their edges is folded above and over a specified percentage of the first sheet's side portions 1f, 1g.

[0049] If this bedding package is to be used to provide for only one lateral transfer of a supine patient, it consists of only one additional sheet, a second sheet 2 that forms substantially an initial covering for the top surface 1a of the first sheet by being initially oriented with the second sheet's top surface 2a facing downward toward the top surface 1a of the first sheet. The width (i.e., measured between the sheet's side edges) of this second sheet 2 is less than the width of the first sheet so that the second sheet can be contained within or reside within the first, edges-folded-upward sheet 1.

[0050] The first sheet's edges that have been folded inward so that they are folded above and over a specified percentage of the first sheet's side portions 1f, 1g and also folded over the edges of the second sheet 2h, 2i. To keep this orientation of these sheets from changing when they are being stored or handled, some means of attachment 5 (e.g., a releasable tape that overlaps the first sheet's edges and has a portion that releasably attaches to the second sheet's less slippery, upwardly facing, bottom surface 2b) extends approximately the full length of the sheet and is used to releasably attach the edges of the first sheet 1h, 1i to the second sheet at a point that is very close or proximate to its edges 2h, 2i.

[0051] When in use and placed on, for example, a gurney, and prior to lateral transfer, this two-sheet package will have its attached edges released from each other by pulling the releasable attaching tapes when transfer is imminent. In transferring a patient, the second sheet is pulled by one of its edges sideways or laterally with a supine patient lying on top of it. Because it's slipperier top surface 2a is facing downward towards the slipperier top surface 1a of the underlying sheet, less force is needed to pull the patient who's lying on it laterally or horizontally. The lower the coefficient of friction of these sheet's top surfaces, the less horizontal pulling force is needed.

[0052] If this bedding package is to be used to provide for two or more lateral transfers of a supine patient, it will also contain one or more intermediate or third sheets 3 (i.e., an intermediate sheet is needed for each additional lateral transfer beyond the first; thus, if a total of n lateral transfers are desired from a bedding package, it will be configured for this purpose so that it has n1 intermediate sheets). These intermediate or third sheets 3 are laid out flat and stacked one upon the other between the more slippery faces of the first and second sheets.

[0053] These intermediate sheets need to slide easily over each other and the underlying top surface 1a of the first sheet; therefore, as seen in FIG. 2A, both the top and bottom surfaces of this third sheets needs to be slippery. One could conceivably just use a different manufacturing for this third sheet than was used for the first and second sheets so that such a third sheet would have two slippery surfaces rather than only one slippery surface, i.e., it's top.

[0054] However, it has been found that a suitable sheet-like material already exists which has the desired property of a slippery top surface and a less slippery bottom surface. This suitable sheet-like material is actually a specialized commodity product whose cost per square foot is relatively low; thus, it is has been found to actually be more economical to just use two standard, top-side-only-slippery sheets, i.e., an upper part 3A and a lower part 3B made from this already existing sheet-like material, and orient them so they are less slippery bottom surfaces 3Ab, 3Bb are facing inward toward each other (i.e., the lower part 3B is turned over so that it's bottom surface 3Bb faces upward) than to change this sheet-like material's manufacturing process so as to produce a specialty third sheet 3 that has two slippery surfaces. The less slippery surfaces 3Ab, 3Bb of the upper and lower parts would typically be attached together (e.g., by sewing, gluing, bonding or taping together) to prevent any relative movement between them.

[0055] FIG. 2A shows an illustrative end view of a double-lateral-transfer version the present invention that utilizes one of these intermediate sheets 3 when this bedding package has been situated on top of a gurney in anticipation of using it to assist the care givers in making the required two lateral transfers. The upper part 3A of this third sheet 3 forms substantially an initial covering for the center portion of the lower part's bottom surface 3Bb by being initially oriented with the upper part's bottom surface 3Ab facing downward toward the bottom surface 3Bb of the lower part. Creases 4 in the lower part 3B that are created by turning up the lower part's edges 3Bi, 3Bh so that they can then be turned inward, above and over the edges 2h, 2i of the second sheet's upwardly directed bottom surface 2b in order to provide an overlaying portion to which an attachment means 6 can be used to temporarily releasably attach the lower part's edges 3Bi, 3Bh to the bottom surface 2b of the second sheet at points that are proximate it's edges 2h, 2i. Meanwhile, the first sheet is oriented as before such that its edges 1h, 1i turn upward and then inward and are also attached with an attachment means 5 to the bottom surface 2b of the second sheet at points that are proximate it's edges 2h, 2i.

[0056] To demonstrate how this package enables two lateral transfers, FIG. 2B shows an illustrative end view of a the various elements of the double-lateral-transfer version the present invention at a point in time when the first sheet's edges 1h, 1i have been unattached from the second sheet 2 and allowed to hang down so as to provide full access to the intermediate sheet 3 which had been contained within the first sheet 1 and has subsequently been grasped by its lower part's left edge 3Bi and laterally pulled to the left in order to complete the first lateral transfer. The first sheet 1 does not slide to the right with the intermediate sheet 3 and is thus seen to remain to the right on the horizontal top surface of the gurney.

[0057] By preplacing this package beneath a supine patient, it should be noted from FIGS. 2B-2C that the usual log-rolling of the patient with every lateral transfer has been eliminated. This is due to the supine patient resting at all times resting only on the second sheet. Beneath it is effectively a stack of intermediate sheets whose number is one less than the number of lateral transfers for which a specific package has been assembled to provide.

[0058] FIG. 2C shows an illustrative end view of the intermediate 3 and second 2 sheet of the double-lateral-transfer version the present invention at a later point in time when the lower part of the intermediate sheet's edges 3Bh, 3Bi have been unattached from the second sheet 2 and allowed to hang down so as to provide full access to the second sheet 2 which had been contained within the intermediate sheet 3 and has subsequently been grasped by its right edge 2h and laterally pulled to the right in order to complete the second lateral transfer for this package. The intermediate sheet 3 remains on the horizontal surface to the left.

[0059] In both of these transfers, it can be seen that the fact that the sheets' surfaces, which were sliding over each other in these two transfers, where they are especially configured, slippery surfaces has greatly reduced the magnitude of the lateral forces that had to be applied to accomplish these two lateral transfers.

[0060] To further illustrate how the bedding packages of the present invention are assembled to enable multiple lateral transfers, FIG. 3A shows an illustrative end view of a triple-lateral-transfer version the present invention that utilizes two 3.sub.1, 3.sub.2 of these intermediate sheets when this bedding package has been, for example, situated on top of a gurney in anticipation of using it to assist the care givers in making the required three lateral transfers. The upper part of a second intermediate sheet 3.sub.2 forms substantially an initial covering for the center portion of the lower part's bottom surface 32Bb by being initially oriented with the upper part's bottom surface 32Ab facing downward toward the bottom surface 32Bb of the lower part. Creases 4 in the lower part 32B that are created by turning up the lower part's edges 32Bi, 32Bh so that they can then be turned inward, above and over the edges 2h, 2i of the second sheet's upwardly directed bottom surface 2b in order to provide an overlaying portion to which an attachment means 7 can be used to temporarily and releasably attach the lower part's edges 32Bi, 32Bh to the bottom surface 2b of the second sheet at points that are proximate it's edges 2h, 2i.

[0061] Similarly, the upper part of a first intermediate sheet 3.sub.1 forms substantially an initial covering for the center portion of its lower part's bottom surface 31131D by being initially oriented with the upper part's bottom surface 3.sub.1Ab facing downward toward the bottom surface 3.sub.1Bb of the lower part. The lower part's edges 3.sub.1Bi, 3.sub.1Bh are again turned upward and then inward, above and over the edges 2h, 2i of the second sheet's upwardly directed bottom surface 2b in order to provide an overlaying portion to which an attachment means 6 can be used to temporarily and releasably attach the lower part's edges 3.sub.1Bi, 3.sub.1Bh to the bottom surface 2b of the second sheet at points that are proximate it's edges 2h, 2i.

[0062] As before, the first sheet is oriented such that its edges 1h, 1i turn upward and then inward and are also attached with an attachment means 5 to the bottom surface 2b of the second sheet at points that are proximate it's edges 2h, 2i.

[0063] To also demonstrate how this triple-lateral-transfer package enables three lateral transfers, FIG. 3B shows an illustrative end view of a the various elements of this triple-lateral-transfer version the present invention at a point in time when the first sheet's edges 1h, 1i have been unattached from the second sheet 2 and allowed to hang down so as to provide full access to the two intermediate sheets 3.sub.1, 3.sub.2 which had been contained within the first sheet 1 and wherein the first intermediate sheet 3.sub.1 has subsequently been grasped by its lower part's left edge 3.sub.1Bi and laterally pulled to the left in order to complete the first lateral transfer. The first sheet 1 is seen to remain on the horizontal surface to the right.

[0064] FIG. 3C shows a similar end view at a later point in time when the first intermediate sheet's lower part edges 3.sub.1Bh, 3.sub.11 Bi have been unattached from the second sheet 2 and allowed to hang down so as to provide full access to the second intermediate sheet 3.sub.2 which had been contained within the first intermediate sheet 3.sub.1 and wherein the second intermediate sheet 3.sub.2 has subsequently been grasped by its lower part's right edge 3.sub.2Bh and laterally pulled to the right in order to complete the second lateral transfer. The first intermediate sheet 3.sub.1 is seen to remain on the horizontal surface to the left.

[0065] FIG. 3D shows a similar end view at a still later point in time when the lower part of the second intermediate sheet's edges 3.sub.2Bh, 3.sub.2Bi have been unattached from the second sheet 2 and allowed to hang down so as to provide full access to the second sheet 2 which has subsequently been grasped by its left edge 2i and laterally pulled to the left in order to complete the third lateral transfer. The second intermediate sheet 3.sub.2 is seen to remain on the horizontal surface to the right.

[0066] In some instances, a patient needs only to be transferred once, such as when moving from an ambulance gurney to a hospital bed. In an alternative embodiment of the single lateral transfer system as previously described and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1E, a single lateral transfer system is used with a first sheet and a second sheet. Further, no folding of the first sheet over the second sheet is required according to this embodiment. As such, the second sheet is not contained within the folds of the first sheet.

[0067] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the single lateral transfer system for a single transfer of a patient, using an attachment with a special release mechanism.

[0068] FIG. 4A, is an end view, which shows a first sheet 10 which forms substantially an initial, outer covering for the bedding package of the present invention by being initially oriented with its bottom surface 10b, the one that is less slippery (i.e., it has both a higher kinetic and static coefficient of friction against the surface on which it is lying) facing downward toward the top of, for example, a gurney (not shown). The top surface 10a can be more slippery than the bottom surface 10b.

[0069] The second sheet 12 forms substantially an initial covering for the top surface 10a of the first sheet 10 by being initially oriented with the second sheet 12's top surface 12a facing downward toward the top surface 10a of the first sheet 10. The width (i.e., measured between the sheet's side edges) of this second sheet 12 is less than the width of the first sheet 10. The top surface 12b is the surface on which the patient is lying. The bottom surface 12a can be more slippery than the top surface 12b.

[0070] To keep the orientation of the sheets 10, 12 from changing when they are being stored or handled, some means of an attachment 14 with a release mechanism 16 is used. For example, a tape with adhesive along the edges but no adhesive in the middle can be used. As shown in FIG. 4A, attachment 14 attaches to the lengthwise edges of first sheet 10 at top surface 10a and also attaches to the lengthwise edges of second sheet 12 at top surface 12b.

[0071] FIG. 4B, is a top view of the single lateral transfer system, where the second sheet 12 is on top of the first sheet 10. As can be seen, the second sheet 12 is not as wide as the first sheet 10. The attachment 14 extends approximately the full length of both sheets 10, 12. In addition, the attachment 14 overlaps the edge of the second sheet 12 lengthwise and simultaneously overlaps the edge of the first sheet 10 lengthwise. Within the attachment 14 is a release mechanism 16. Further details of the attachment 14 with the release mechanism 16 are discussed below.

[0072] When in use and placed on, for example, a gurney, and prior to lateral transfer, this two sheet package will have its attached edges released from each other by pulling the release mechanism 16, when transfer is imminent. In transferring the patient, the second sheet 12 is made removable, when the release mechanism 16 is pulled by one of its edges while a patient is lying on top of the second sheet 12.

[0073] The attachment means 5, 6, 7 discussed above, is described as being a releasable tape. However, due to temperature, humidity, and length of time in storage, the tape's adhesive may become unstable and break down. As a result, when the attachment means 5, 6, 7 are a releasable tape, the edges of the sheet may not be detached in a clear and precise manner, when the tape is pulled. Therefore, the edges of the sheet may tear in a non-uniform and undesirable way. Because of these problems, another type of attachment can be used for any of the systems discussed above, whether by folding the edges or not folding the edges of the sheet.

[0074] A novel attachment means, referred to herein as LIG TAPE, is illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5D. Briefly, as shown in FIG. 5A, the attachment means 18 contains adhesive portions 20a, 20b along both lengthwise edges of the attachment means 18. The adhesive portions 20a, 20b can be single-sided, wherein when the attachment means 18 is attached to a surface layer, the bottom surface of the adhesive portions 20a, 20b adheres to the surface layer. The adhesive portions 20a, 20b remain adhered to the sheets 10 and 12 after they are released from one another unlike the releasable mechanism discussed above. Along the attachment means 18, situated between the adhesive portions 20a, 20b along the edges of the attachment means 18, there is also a non-adhesive section which forms a channel 22.

[0075] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5B, the attachment means 18, after being applied to the desired surface and cut to the desired length, corner pieces 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, are removed so that the channel 22 has tabs 22a, 22b remaining at either end of the attachment means 18. The channel 22 could be perforated so that when either of the tabs 22a, 22b are pulled, the channel 22 is removed, while the adhesive portions 20a, 20b remain adhered to the surface layer. Since the channel 22 is non-adhesive, removing the channel 22 from the attachment means 18 does not tear edges in a non-uniform manner and thus solves the problem of using adhesive tape which is adhesive across its entire width discussed above.

[0076] As an alternative to physically removing the corner pieces 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, to expose tabs 22a, 22b, one could devise a dispenser for the LIG TAPE, wherein the dispenser would pre-cut the tabs for a less wasteful, easy, and efficient removal of the channel 22.

[0077] As another alternative, the LIG TAPE could have no corner pieces 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d and have no tabs 22a, 22b. Further, the channel 22 could have a perforation along its length to provide easy separation of the channel 22, leaving the attachment means 18 and the adhesive portions 20a, 20b remaining adhered to the surface layer.

[0078] For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the channel 22 includes two perforations 21a, 21b, lengthwise along each edge of the channel 22.

[0079] For example, in the folding embodiments discussed above, the attachment means 5, 6, 7 could be replaced with the attachment means 18 as described in FIGS. 5A-5B.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 5C, the attachment means 18 is attached to both the first sheet 26 and the second sheet 28, where the first sheet 26 edges are folded over the second sheet 28 edges. Further, the adhesive portion 20b remains affixed to the first sheet 26 and the adhesive portion 20a remains affixed to the second sheet 28. The channel 22 straddles both the first sheet 26 and second sheet 28, and is over the folded flap edge 30 of first sheet 26.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 5D, after pulling either of the tabs 22a, 22b, the channel 22 is removed along the perforations 21a, 21b, exposing the folded flap edge 30 of the first sheet 26. Further, the adhesive portion 20b remains affixed to the first sheet 26 and the adhesive portion 20a remains affixed to the second sheet 28. The removed channel 22 is then discarded.

[0082] When using the unfolded embodiment of FIGS. 4A-4B, the attachment means 18 is attached to both the first sheet 10 and the second sheet 12, as discussed above. However, there is no exposed folded flap edge. Instead, once the channel 22 is removed, the edge of the smaller sheet, e.g., second sheet 12 is exposed.

[0083] FIG. 6 is another top view of the single lateral transfer system, similar to FIG. 4B, where the second sheet 12 is on top of the first sheet 10. As can be seen, the second sheet 12 is not as wide as the first sheet 10. The attachment 14 extends approximately the full length of both sheets 10, 12. In addition, the attachment 14 overlaps the edge of the second sheet 12 lengthwise and simultaneously overlaps the edge of the first sheet 10 lengthwise. Within the attachment 14 is a release mechanism 16. In this embodiment, the release mechanism 16 includes a perforation 17. As such, a user manually separates sheets 10, 12 by pulling the first sheet 10 from the second sheet 12 along the perforation 17. In addition, the release mechanism 16 may include a string, whereby a user pulls the string along the perforation 17 to separate the release mechanism 16 into two.

[0084] When in use and placed on, for example, a gurney, and prior to lateral transfer, this two-sheet package will have its attached edges released from each other by pulling the first sheet 10 from the second sheet 12 along the perforation 17, when transfer is imminent. In transferring the patient, the second sheet 12 is made removable, when the release mechanism 16 is pulled along its perforation 17 while a patient is lying on top of the second sheet 12. In this embodiment, there are no tabs or strings to be pulled apart or any separate piece, as only the adhesive portions of the attachment 14 remain attached to the first sheet 10 and the second sheet 12, where the separation of the release mechanism 16 is accomplished by a user pulling apart the attachment 14 along the perforation 17. In an alternative embodiment, the release mechanism 16 may include a string, whereby a user pulls the string along the perforation 17 to separate the attachment 14 into two parts.

[0085] FIGS. 7A-7D illustrate a further embodiment of LIG TAPE. As shown in FIG. 6A, the attachment means 19 contains adhesive portions 23a, 23b, along both lengthwise edges of the attachment means 19. The adhesive portions 23a, 23b operate similar to the adhesive portions 20a, 20b of FIGS. 5A-5D. In addition, FIGS. 7A-6D include a non-adhesive portion which forms a channel 25, similar to the channel 22 of FIGS. 5A-5D.

[0086] However, as shown in FIG. 7B, there is a single perforation 27 which is located lengthwise in the center of the channel 25.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 7C, the attachment means 19 is attached to both the first sheet 26 and the second sheet 28, where the edges of the first sheet 26 are folded over the second sheet 28 edges. Further, the adhesive portion 23b remains affixed to the first sheet 26 and the adhesive portion 23a remains affixed to the second sheet 28. The channel 25 straddles both the first sheet 26 and the second sheet 28, and is over the folded flap edge 30 of the first sheet 26.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 7D, after a user manually separates sheets 26, 28 by pulling the first sheet 26 from the second sheet 28 along the perforation 27, the adhesive portion 23b remains affixed to the first sheet 26 and the adhesive portion 23a remains affixed to the second sheet 28. The channel 25, the non-adhesive portion, is now broken into two non-adhesive portions 25a, 25b, which remain connected to the two adhesive portions 23a and 23b, respectively.

[0089] To determine what sort of slipperiness is needed for the top surfaces of these sheets in order for them to be an improvement over standard bed clothing, we begin by examining the coefficient of friction of typical cotton and polyester woven fabrics. It is known that the coefficient of friction for these fabrics can be a function of many fabric parameters, for example: the raw material from which the fabric is made, how the woven fabric is made: its weave (e.g., plain, 2/1 or 3/1 twill), the yarn utilized (e.g., linear density as measured in g/10.sup.3 meters of length, threads/cm), level of the fabric's weft setting (e.g., loose, medium, tight), and the weight per square foot of the fabric, and the conditions under which the tests are conducted (e.g., load applied & constant velocity used in the tests). For many types of plain, woven cotton and polyester fabrics, it has been found that the c.sub.fs1.6-1.9 c.sub.fk and c.sub.fs1.4-1.5 c.sub.fk, respectively. Hereinafter, we'll average these c.sub.fs and c.sub.fk values and henceforth refer to only a mean coefficient of friction, c.sub.fm.

[0090] For many types of plain, woven cotton fabrics, it has also been found that the c.sub.fm0.7-0.9. Similarly, for many polyester fabrics, it has been found that c.sub.fm-0.3-0.4. Assuming that we can average these values for a blended cotton & polyester sheet, thus, we estimate that a 55%/45% cotton/polyester blended fabric will have a c.sub.fm0.5. This data suggests that a sheet-like material, with sufficient tensile strength and a top surface with a mean coefficient of friction in the range of 0.1 or less to 0.3, could be used in the manner described above as a patient lateral transfer device that would greatly reduce the lateral force that must be exerted by care givers required to move a supine patient. Because of health and sanitation concerns, it would also be desirable that this sheet-like material have a manufacturing cost that would make it economically reasonable to use any sheets made from this material only once.

[0091] After considerable experimentation with a wide range of fabrics, it was found that the DuPont Tyvek Soft product (e.g., Type 1443R with a basis weight of 1.25 ounces/yd.sup.2 and a thickness of only approximately 0.006 inches) appears to be an ideal material from which to fabricate the desired sheets of the present invention. Tyvek is a nonwoven product brand of a polyethylene (i.e., high density polyethylene, HDPE) synthetic material. The material is made by a flash spinning process in which the polymer is dissolved in a suitable solvent and extruded as a sheet-like structure. As the polymer leaves the extruder, the solvent boils and creates bubbles in the sheet and the polymer between these bubbles solidifies to form a web of ultra-fine fibers. To bond the web together, a calendaring process is used that usually involves the use of a smooth roller on the bottom of the web and an engraving roller on the top of the web and which gives the top surface of the web it's characteristic engraved appearance and its nonwoven fabric structure that results in a fabric that is flexible and soft. Some additional downstream finishing techniques (e.g., corona and anti-static treated) may be applied to the web to further improve its physical properties. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,081,519.

[0092] The Tyvek Soft product or a similar flashspun, nonwoven polyethylene product is especially appropriate for use in the present invention as they have the following characteristics: good dimensional stability, low linting, superior flexibility, light weight, strong, moisture resistant, withstands deformation, soil, rot, mildew, UV and chemical resistant, and raises no toxicity concerns.

[0093] In order to be as economical as possible for use in the present invention, a flashspun, nonwoven polyethylene (including: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), cross linked polyethylene (XLPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), and copolymers) sheet should ideally have the following physical properties: a basis weight in the range of 1.0-2.5 ounces/yard.sup.2, a thickness in the range of 510.sup.3-910.sup.3 inches, a top surface coefficient of friction in the range of 0.1-0.3 and a bottom surface coefficient of friction that is in the range of 2.1-5 times that of the top surface's coefficient of friction. Adhesives that work well with the nonwoven polyethylene sheets of the present invention include ethylene/vinyl acetate adhesives, acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives, polyurethane adhesives, water-based adhesives and natural-product adhesives based on starch, dextrin, casein or animal by-products that provide quick tack and fast drying. See online DuPont Tyvek Users Manual.

[0094] The fact that the present invention is preplaced on the horizontal surface on which it is to be used is critical to the overall usefulness of the present invention. No other competitive transfer device on the market is pre-placed in anticipation of transfers, layered to facilitate multiple transfers, disposable, recyclable, and functions as a bed covering. Because of the present invention's preplacement, it eliminates the need for log rolling, and additionally, saves time in locating a transfer device, locating extra personnel, etc. Given the fact that the transfer device is already in place, its use can become part of a scripted, systematic process in moving patients laterally in procedural areasconsequently saving time, and money, and patient dignity, avoiding employee injuries, and improved infection control.

[0095] Because it is disposable, the present invention can help to eliminate the need to purchase, store and clean traditional patient transfer devicesespecially for operating and emergency room uses where the pre-placement of the double-lateral-transfer version the present invention on the gurney that brings a patient into the room can provide for the quick, easy, safe lateral transfer of patients by the room's staff.

[0096] It should be noted that the sheets of the present invention may be made to whatever length and width are required by their ultimate end users. For example, a sheet's length may extend to and beyond the height of a typical patient or may be made in shorter versions or partial sheets.

[0097] Although the embodiments above discuss various materials for use in the lateral transfer system, such as nonwoven sheets, any material which could support the lateral transfer methods above could be implemented. In addition, many of the materials discussed herein with regard to the sheets and the attachment means are disposable and recyclable. Moreover, the transfer methods and the attachment means discussed herein may have other uses in other areas, i.e., the LIG TAPE of FIGS. 5A-5D and FIGS. 7A-7D can be used independently of the lateral transfer systems described herein and represents an independent embodiment in and of itself, which can serve numerous other purposes. The LIG TAPE can be in a roll form, which can be applied to a surface via a separate dispenser to allow a user to determine the use, application, and length. In addition, the LIG TAPE can be of varying widths and lengths.

[0098] Numerous variations of the afore-described exemplary embodiments are contemplated. The above-described exemplary embodiments are intended to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive, of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is capable of many variations in detailed implementation that can be derived from the description contained herein by a person skilled in the art. All such variations and modifications are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the following claims. No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, used herein, the article a is intended to include one or more items.