SANITIZING POUCH FOR ELECTRONICS

Abstract

The present invention is an elastic (mechanically stretchable), sanitizing pouch configured to receive and hold an Electronic Device of a predetermined configuration. The elasticity of the fabric used maximizes surface contact with the Electronic Device and the closeness of the fabric of the invention with the outside surfaces of the Electronic Device. A liftable and removable cover flap on the front of the invention is used to hold and access the inside of the invention. The back of the invention includes at least one pocket. The invention further includes a pull tab to help lift an Electronic Device out of the invention. While inside the invention, the silver ions are released in the fabric and inhibit the colonization of bacteria, viruses and fungus on the Electronic Device.

Claims

1. A sanitizing pouch for electronic devices comprising a silver impregnated elastic conducive yarn manufactured into a fabric configured in substantially the same form as a predetermined electronic device, said pouch comprising a front, a back, a top, a bottom, an interior and an exterior, wherein, the silver fiber impregnated yarn is configured to permit reception of an electromagnetic signal within the interior of the pouch and wherein the electromagnetic signal is boosted when passing between a plurality of silver fiber impregnated yarn.

2. The pouch according of claim 1, wherein all sides of said electronic device are surrounded and in direct contact with said interior of said pouch when said electronic device is placed within said pouch.

3. The pouch according of claim 1, wherein colonization of bacteria, viruses and fungus on said electronic device are inhibited while said electronic device is in said pouch.

4. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein said back of said pouch includes at least one pocket configured to receive at least one finger of a user's hand.

5. The pouch according to claim 4, wherein said back of said pouch includes two pockets each configured to receive a finger of a user's hand.

6. The pouch according to claim 1, further comprising a cleaning pad, comprised of a fabric impregnated with silver particles, removably attached to said interior back of said pouch.

7. The pouch according to claim 1, further comprising at least one aperture on said bottom of said pouch configured to mechanically stretch around connectors and wires placed through said pouch.

8. The pouch according of claim 1, said pouch further comprising a pull tab made of a fabric impregnated with silver particles having a first end fixedly attached to said interior of said back of said pouch and extending through an aperture below said cover flap in said front of said pouch with a second end exposed exterior of said pouch.

9. The pouch according to claim 8, wherein said first side of said pull tab includes a cleaning pad comprised of a fabric impregnated with silver particles.

10. (canceled)

11. The pouch according to claim 1, further comprising hook and loop strips attached to said cover flap and attached to said exterior of said pouch under said cover flap to attach said cover flap down on said exterior of said pouch.

12. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein said fabric is a knit fabric.

13. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein said fabric is a woven fabric.

14. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein said fabric is a non-woven fabric.

15-26. (canceled)

27. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein electronic signals passing through at least one layer of silver impregnated fabric and entering into the interior of the pouch are boosted in strength compared to electronic signals from the same source which have not passed the fabric of the pouch.

28. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the silver fiber impregnated yarn is configured to boost electronic signals passing through at least one layer of silver impregnated fabric.

29. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein the silver fiber impregnated yarn is configured in a Euclidian vector field.

30. The pouch according to claim 28, wherein the silver fiber impregnated yarn is configured to boost electronic signals passing from the exterior to the interior of the pouch.

31. The pouch according to claim 28, wherein the silver fiber impregnated yarn is configured to boost electronic signals passing from the interior to the exterior of the pouch.

32. The pouch according to claim 1, wherein said the electronic device capable of sending a signal by WIFI

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device in a closed position with an Electronic Device inside held resting in the palm of a user's hand.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 shown half section depicting the cleaning of the Electronic Device therein and the components of the device, including the pull tab and cover flap.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a cross section of the invention and the Electronic Device shown in. FIG. 2 taken at cut-line 3-3. FIG. 3 shows the outside surfaces of the Electronic Device fully encased and in contact with the inside of the device with the pull tab extending around the bottom of the Electronic Device, through an aperture in the front of the device, and outside the device.

[0038] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 3 showing the fabric of the device in direct contact with the outside surfaces of the Electronic Device.

[0039] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 3 showing the pull tab on the inside of the device, through the aperture, and extending outside the device.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the rear of the device shown in FIG. 1 depicting two device controlling finger insertion pockets and a users hand and finger in position to hold the device using the finger pockets for device control and cleaning position.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 6 depicting the opening of the cover flap over the top of the Electronic Device using the user's opposite hand.

[0042] FIG. 8 is another front perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 7 with the cover flap pull back. The user is pulling the pull tab to lift the Electronic Device up and out of the device.

[0043] FIG. 9 shows the Electronic Device of FIG. 8 completely removed from the device with the cleaning pad exposed and usable to clean the glass screen on the Electronic Device.

[0044] FIGS. 10 and 11 show another embodiment of the device with a single pocket on the rear of the device. FIG. 10 shows a half section depicting the Electronic Device therein and the components of the device, including the pull tab and cover flap. FIG. 11 shows the users hand on the back of the device and inside the pocket.

[0045] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention configured for a laptop showing the Electronic Device being inserted into the device.

[0046] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 with the Electronic Device in a closed position.

[0047] FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a portion of the device and Electronic Device shown in FIG. 13 at line 14-14.

[0048] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 12 showing the cover flap in an open position and also in a closed position over the Electronic Device.

[0049] FIGS. 16 through 18 are an alternative embodiment of the device of the invention configured for a laptop showing the Electronic Device outside the device (FIG. 16), inside the device (FIG. 17) and in cross sectional view (FIG. 18).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] One embodiment of a device according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-9. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device 100 in a closed position with an Electronic Device inside and completely enclosed in the device both resting in the palm of a user's hand. FIG. 2 is a similar perspective view of the device 100 in FIG. 1 shown in half section depicting the Electronic Device 150 within the device 100.

[0051] The device 100 is made from a stretchable (elastic), silver isotopic containing conductive yarn, produced into a knit, woven or non-woven structure/fabric that is anti-microbial, antimicrobial resistant, and capable of killing only gram-negative bacteria, fungus and viruses and germs on surfaces placed in direct contact with the fabric or substantially close to the fabric such that the silver ions can penetrate and disrupt the microbial cells ability to function and colonize on the surface of the Electronic Device. Accordingly, the device 100 of the invention is made in various sizes depending upon the predetermined Electronic Device to be used therein. The stretchable characteristics of the fabric help to maximize surface contact between the fabric and the Electronic Device and increase the efficacy of the sanitizing and electromagnetic signal amplifier properties of the device.

[0052] The device 100 is configured to receive and hold inside of it, much like a pouch or case, an Electronic Device 150. When the preselected. Electronic Device 150 is placed into the device 100 made for such preselected Electronic Device 150 through an opening/aperture 110 that forms a pocket inside the device 100, the fabric of the device 100 stretches increasing the size of the device. The elasticity of the fabric maximizes (1) the surface contact between the device 100 and the Electronic Device 150 and (2) the closeness of the fabric of the device 100 to the outside surfaces of the Electronic Device 150 and crevices and indentations in the surfaces. Thus, configuring the device 100 in a substantially similar geometric shape as the Electronic Device 150 increases the effectiveness of the germ and bacteria killing functions of the device 100. The device 100 can be manufactured into any geometric shape desired through sewing or other fabric forming and fastening techniques known in the textile industry, including welding for seams. The device 100 can be made into the shape of any predetermined Electronic Device, including an iPhone 5, a BLACKBERRY BOLD, a SAMSUNG GALAXY S111, a MACPRO computer, an iPad, a KINDLE, sex toys, etc., preferably a little smaller than the actual Electronic Device product.

[0053] The device 100 according to the present invention is preferably formed in the shape of a pouch or pocket. A liftable and removable cover flap 120 the front of the device is used to access the inside of the device 100, The cover flap 120 is opened by lifting/pulling it up and over as shown in FIG. 7. The cover flap 120 covers the edge of an aperture 110 inside the device 100 which forms the top of a pocket inside the device. The aperture 110 is an opening through which the Electronic Device 150 can be inserted and removed from the device 100.

[0054] The device 100 comprises an inside accessible through the cover flap and the opening/aperture 110 in the device 100 and an outside. Preferably, the entire device 100 is made of silver fiber impregnated yarn in a planar configuration fabric but it is understood that not all embodiments of the invention require all components to include silver fiber impregnated yarn.

[0055] Preferably, all of the fabric of the device is stretchable capable of expanding when the Electronic Device 150 is placed within it and returning substantially back to its original size and shape when the Electronic Device 150 is removed from the device 100.

[0056] The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-9 further comprises a pull tab 190. The pull tab is preferably, but need not be, also made of a silver impregnated fabric. More preferably, the fabric for the pull tab is not stretchable or elastic containing although it can be The pull tab 190 is fixedly attached to the inside of the device 100 on the back of the device 100 and is free (unfixed) along the bottom and front of the inside of the device. Pull tab 190 extends through an aperture 111 in the front of the device 100 and hangs outside the device. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9, the portion of the pull tab 191 fixedly attached to the inside back of the device 100 can be used as a cleaning pad for the screens on the Electronic Devices 150. The user can easily use the cleaning pad 191 to wipe down the screen thereby disinfecting it while at the same time also removing smears and smudges. Most preferably, the cleaning pad 191 is comprised of a non-woven fabric to avoid scratching the screen but it may also be a woven or knit fabric.

[0057] The present invention is not limited to a pull tab 190 having the cleaning pad 191 integral therewith. The present invention also includes removable cleaning pads also made of silver impregnated fabrics placed in the location shown by the cleaning pad 191 shown in FIG. 9 or at other locations on the device 100, including the outside of the front or back of the device 100.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, when the Electronic Device 150 is inside the device 100 and the cover flap 120 is closed, the exterior surfaces of the Electronic Device 150 are in contact with the inside of the device 100 or in substantially close proximity therewith. The Electronic Device 150 is completely enclosed within the device 100 with no surfaces exposed or visible.

[0059] Pull tab 190 functions much like a pull string helping the user to, if the user elects to use the pull tab 190, lift the Electronic Device 150 up and out of the pocket inside the device 100 when the cover flap 120 is in an open position.

[0060] For example, as shown in FIGS. 6-9, when the user wants to remove the Electronic Device 150 from the device 100, the user slides his/her fingers up along the back side of device 100 as shown in FIG. 6. In those embodiments including one or more pockets 130, the user can place one or more fingers into the pocket(s) 130 to help hold the device 130 fabric. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 includes two finger pockets 130 on the back of the device 100. Other configurations are included within the scope of the invention including a single pocket as shown in FIG. 11 or no pocket at all. The user lifts the cover flap 120 up over the top of the Electronic Device 150 opening the device as shown in FIG. 7 exposing the top of the Electronic Device 150 and, depending upon the type of Electronic Device 150, perhaps also exposing part of the screen 151. The user can then pull the pull tab 190 thereby lifting the Electronic Device 150 up and out of the inside pocket of the device 100 as shown in FIG. 8. Alternatively, the user can grasp the top of the Electronic Device 150 with fingers and pull it out of the device 100. Once the Electronic Device 150 is removed from the device 100, the user can use the Electronic Device 150.

[0061] If desired, the user can wipe the cleaning pad 191 over the screen to clean and disinfect it. When done using the Electronic Device 150, the user can put it back into the device 100 by inserting the bottom of the Electronic Device 150 through the opening/aperture 110 and into the pocket of the device and then lifting the cover flap 120 over the top of the Electronic Device 150 thereby closing the device 100. Once back in the device 100, the silver impregnated fabric cleans and disinfects the Electronic Device 150 inhibiting the growth of bacteria, viruses and fungus on its surface(s).

[0062] While the embodiment of the device in. FIGS. 1-9 shows two loose-type pockets 130 on the outside back of the device 100, the invention also includes “tight” compression pockets made of elastic and stretchable material such as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 11. Most preferably, the pockets 130 are also made of a silver impregnated fabric to inhibiting the growth of bacteria, viruses and fungus in the pocket 130.

[0063] Although not shown in the Figures, the invention further includes apertures (openable slots) on the side(s), top, and/or bottom of the device 100, positioned to align with the ports in the preselected Electronic Devices such as, for example, the headphone port, the charger port, etc. to allow the use of these ports while the Electronic Device 150 is stored and being cleaned within the invention.

[0064] Another embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is configured for Electronic Devices 250 such as an iPad or a tablet. The device 200 includes pull tab 290, cover flap 220 and elastic pocket 230. Further, as for the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 9 can include an attached or detachable antimicrobial non-woven cleaning pad 191 for cleaning the screen (not shown in FIG. 9).

[0065] Another embodiment of the invention configured for a laptop is shown in. FIGS. 12-15. Device 300 comprises a pocket portion 315 and a cover flap 320. The laptop, in an open position is placed into the pocket portion 315 such that the entire keyboard surface, including the keyboard and the mouse pad is placed in contact with the silver impregnated fabric thereby cleaning the entire surface. Once the laptop is fully inserted as shown in FIG. 14, the laptop is closed putting the screen in contact with the fabric. The cover flap 320 is then closed over the top of the laptop (the outside of the laptop) as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the device includes a fastening device 360 on the inside surface of the cover flap 320 that removably secures to the outside of the pocket portion 315 of the device 300. Hook and loop material, such as Velcro, for example, can be used on both the cover flap 320 and the pocket pouch 315 to removably secure/connect the cover flap 320 to the pocket portion 315. Other fasteners such as buttons, latches, and locks can also be used in place of hook and loop material.

[0066] Using the device 300 in this configuration for Electronic Devices like laptops, cleans the entire laptop during storage including the most important surfaces, namely the keyboard, the mouse pad, and the screen. As for other embodiments, a cleaning pad can be included in this embodiment on, for example, the cover flap 320. As for the prior embodiments, this embodiment could include one or more apertures through the exterior of the device to access the Electronic Device's ports (e.g. USB port, power port, etc.) while the Electronic Device 350 is inside the invention being cleaned. It is further understood that the geometric dimensions of the device can vary to accommodate laptops of varying sizes.

[0067] An alternative embodiment for laptops is shown in FIGS. 16-18. For the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16-18, the two sides of the Electronic Device 450 are each inserted into pockets 415 on either side of the device 400 putting the laptop screen and keyboard in direct contact with the device as seen in the cross sectional view shown in FIG. 18.

[0068] Using the device 400 in this configuration for Electronic Devices like laptops, cleans the entire laptop during storage including the most important surfaces, namely the keyboard, the mouse pad, and the screen. A cleaning pad can be included in this embodiment on, for example, the pocket 415. As for the prior embodiments, this embodiment could include one or more apertures through the exterior of the device to access the Electronic Device's ports (e.g. USB port, power port, etc.) while the Electronic Device 450 is inside the invention being cleaned. As for all other embodiments, it is further understood that the geometric dimensions of the device can vary to accommodate laptops of varying sizes and will be set according to the geometric configuration of the selected/predetermined Electronic Device.

[0069] Another embodiment of the invention (not shown) is a device in the shape of a bag pouch with a drawstring type closure or elastic/rubber band type closure. The closure is positioned along one end of the device, an open end with an aperture, allowing the top of the device to open for insertion of the Electronic Device and for closure once the Electronic Device is fully inserted. When a drawstring is included, the drawstring may further include a locking mechanism. The elastic properties of the fabric from which the device is made of allows the device to stretch and conform to the contours and surfaces of the Electronic Device.

[0070] The device according to the invention may be manufactured out of a single piece of elastic electrically conductive yarn into a fabric that is folded and sewn onto itself or formed from more than one price of fabric that is sewn together or seamed using currently known technologies.

[0071] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the device may be integrated into an article of clothing (e.g. pants pocketing, shirt pocketing, vests pocketing, aprons pocketing, jackets pocketing/automobile pocketing) as either an internal pocket or an external pocket, allowing the user to sanitize an. Electronic Device or anything else placed into the device.

[0072] The fabric according to the invention is not limited to just silver impregnated fabrics. The fabric according to the invention also includes fabric impregnated with other transitional metals, such as, for example, copper, which can be used as a biocidal and conductive metal.