GB2444108A

GB2444108A - One-handed plaster applicator

Info

Publication number: GB2444108A
Application number: GB0623271A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Amnon Danziger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-22
Filing date: 2006-11-22
Publication date: 2008-05-28
Also published as: GB0623271D0

Abstract

A one-handed plaster applicator comprises a pair of arms 2 hinged together, a pair of handles 2a, 2b formed at the hinge and a pressure regulator 3 connected to each free end of the arm 2. In use an adhesive plaster 4 is connected each of the free ends of the arms 2 with a non-stick element 5. Prior to use the plaster 4 is folded in half the non-stick element 5 positioned between the adhesive elements of the plaster's surfaces. The arms 2 are positioned on the outside of the folded adhesive plaster 4. The whole may be contained within a casing 1 in a sealed hygienic waterproof state. In order to apply the plaster, the applicator (with attached plaster) is removed from the casing, this action causes the non-stick element 5 to be released from the adhesive surfaces of the plaster 4, the handles 2a, 2b are then pressed together causing the plaster 4 to be opened out. The plaster 4 can then be applied to a wound, the pressure regulators 3 being able to apply sufficient pressure to stick the plaster 4 to a user's skin.

Description

One-Action Plaster Applicator The invention relates to the application

of plasters on wounds.

Plasters are means of sealing and protecting injured skin. They come as plasters with two non-stick tape portions that cover the surface of the plaster comprised of gauze and adhesive -both of which come in contact with the skin upon application. Each plaster is individually wrapped and is found stacked in a box.

In case of injury the person has to open a box, select a plaster, tear it open, remove the non-stick portions to apply the plaster.

Currently plaster application is inefficient in that the injured person requires both hands to be occupied to achieve the removal of plaster from packaging, to achieve application goal and/or use the aid of another person in cases of a child, shaky hands, the elderly, and/or where wound is in an unreachable location for two hands such as an ankle etc and/or where bleeding is rapid and therefore quick application is imperative. The current process requires at least four separate actions and is skillful, long and might be unhygienic -in case of a bleeding hand or fmger, is limited and defeats the speed factor imperative to the application of plaster.

According to the present invention there is provided a single-action plaster applicator comprising a casing, application arms, a plaster contained in between the application arms, an adhesion pressure regulator and a non-stick surface.

Upon releasing the application arms from the casing by means that may vary according to the design, and using two fingers only the application arms are released from the closed position and instantly spring open. During this process the plaster which has been folded in between the application aims stretches and detaches from the non-stick surface sandwiched between the folded plaster and which is attached to the casing. Upon the application arms reaching their maximal opening position being a V-shape position the plaster being attached to either apex of the application arms is stretched when the adhesive and gauze are ready for application. In this position the plaster can be applied using two fingers of one hand quickly and conveniently to any part of the body with the appropriate pressure suiting the topography of the area. At the end of the process the applicator is disposed of.

I

A specific embodiment of the invention will be descnbed by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the applicator in perspective.

Figure 2 shows the applicator in perspective opened ready in application position with finger position.

Figure 3 shows schematically the application anns and the position of the pressure regulator.

Figure 4 shows schematically the device in its pre.use position and the relation of the plaster and non-stick surface and casing to each other.

Referring to the drawings, the One-Action Plaster Applicator comprising a casing 1, application arms 2 secured to the casing until application commences, handles 6, pressure regulators 3, a plaster 4 encased folded symmetrically between the application arms 2, a non-stick element 5 where the non-stick surfaces are found on either side of it and is attached to the casing 1.

The operation is achieved by using two fmgers to pull the applicator out of its casing 1 by means of the handles 6 that as they are pressed together in this design format although this can be achieved by slight alteration to the design for a single handle unit attached to the application arms and which upon pulling out of the casing I will achieve the same result of releasing and opening the application arms 2 to which attached the apexes 4a of the plaster unit 4 at the edges 2b of the application arms and that as the application arms spring open to a V position by means of springy hinge 2a which can be achieved by the material properties of the material of the application arms as well as other flexible substances attached to the meeting place i.e. "hinge" of the two application arms with one another 2a, to enable an opening process during which the plaster 4 unfolds and detaches from the two surfaces of the non-stick element 5 that have been in contact with the adhesive surface of the plaster 4a thus detennining and setting the folded plaster unfolded in a flat and stretched position where the adhesive parts 4a and the gauze unit 4b are ready for application on the part of the body requiring this kind of treatment. The pressure regulators 3 integrated to the surfces of the applications arms are of springy flexible disposition where they can be flat when apparatus "closed" and upon commencement of process will instantly convey a position whereby they can ensure the regulation of pressure adhesion of the plaster onto any shape body part.

Claims

1 A one-action plaster applicator comprising a casing containing the application arms and a handle that are attached to each other by means of a hinge and between them a plaster and pressure regulators and a non-stick element.

2 A one-action plaster applicator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the casing contains the application unit in a closed position until such time i.e. of application where the plaster non-stick surface and pressure regulators are kept in a sealed hygienic waterproof state.

3 A one-action plaster applicator as claimed in Claim I and Claim 2 wherein the operation is achieved by means of handles attached to the application arms and by disturbing the apparatus from its relationship with the casing in such a way that ensures the application arms are detached and spread open.

4 A one-press action plaster applicator as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 3 wherein "opening" is accommodated by the properties of the hinge that enables the application arms to spread instantly.

A one-action plaster applicator as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the plaster is "ready" for application by means of being wholly available, i.e. the parts intended to come into contact with the wound are exposed by means of being attached at its edges to the edges of the application arms.

6 A one-action plaster applicator as claimed in Claim 1 Claim 2 and Claim 5, wherein the plaster is attached to the edges of the application arms throughout the process until fmal application onto the wound and prior to its commencement when in a "closed" position when the plaster is folded in half and contained between the application arms.

7 A one-action plaster applicator as claimed in Claim 1 Claim 2 ClaimS and Claim 6, wherein the plaster folded in between the casing has a non-stick element in attached to the casing its midst and in order to achieve and maintain hygienic status of plaster and separation of the plaster adhesive being folded to face each other.

8 A one-action plaster applicator as claimed in Claim 1 claim 3 and claim 7 wherein the opening process comprises the detachment of the non-stick element from the plaster and is achieved by the simultaneous pulling away from the casing and the spreading of the application arms while maintaining the plaster attached to the edges of the application arms.

9 A one-action plaster applicator as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 wherein the application act comprising applying the plaster onto any shaped body part at the right pressure is achieved by pressure regulators which are attached/integral to the application arms and which are of flexible yet firm quality supporting the non-adhesive side of the plaster.