This invention relates generally to a removable covering placed upon a finger or toe for protective purposes. In particular, it relates to a covering in the form of an open- ended sleeve of polymer material which is made in a variety of forms to enclose several zones of the finger or toe for specific purposes and which is retained upon the finger or toe by elastic contraction of the whole of the polymer material and/or the circumferential end parts.

Many reasons exist for covering parts of the fingers and toes. Such reasons include preventing contact between jewellery and externally applied creams or dirt and chemicals which cause dulling; preventing loss of jewellery due to contraction of a finger or toe when swimming or during cold weather activities such as hiking or climbing; protecting jewellery from the effects of salt water or chlorine while swimming; protecting jewellery from mechanical damage, especially scratching, during such activities as gardening, fishing, mechanical work, cooking, building and cleaning; protecting other materials, such as stockings, delicate clothing and the like from snagging damage by sharp jewellery during dressing or while being worn; providing unobtrusive sanitary isolation of rings worn by medical, dental, veterinary or food preparation personnel while working; providing sanitary isolation of rings which cannot be removed from the fingers of hospital or, surgical patients; generally protecting rings which cannot be removed because of finger expansion; preventing injury to sportspersons as a result of contact with rings which cannot be removed; preventing injury to third parties, especially those on blood thinning medications or those with thin or delicate skin who may come into contact with a ring; preventing cross-contamination from jewellery to geological samples, especially those being tested for gold, silver or platinoid metals; providing elasticized external support for finger or toe joints such that the joints may still be moved; providing elasticized constriction over rheumatic joints to displace fluid from them; and preventing injury to the fingers or hands as a result of jamming, snaring, electrical short circuit or other safety risk resulting from the wearing of rings by tradespersons. Additionally, many situations exist where it is required to protect a burn or wound by covering it, or to maintain a dressing or medication in contact with a burn or wound by means of a suitable covering.

Typical of means of effecting such coverings are those taught in US patents Nos. 5,031,608 (Weinstein), 5,517,692 (Wunderlich-Kehm), 5,609,165 (Lambert), 5,842,227 (Rabin et al), 6,110,186 (Rizvi), 6,243,868 (Wanzenried) 7,012,169 (McDevitt et al), 7,055,177 (Svrcek) and 7,251,836 (Santiago). In US 5,031,608, an injured area of a finger or toe is enclosed in a rigid housing comprising two parts which are pivotally brought into a position in which they are locked together by complementary locking elements. A plurality of holes is provided throughout the housing parts to help body heat escape and air to circulate, hi US 5,517,692, thumb and index finger protectors are provided to prevent chafing of these digits in manicurists through prolonged handling of an abrading device such as a nail file. The protectors are made from a sheet-like flexible material such as leather or the like and are wrapped around the appropriate digits and secured in place by complementary patches of hook and pile-type fasteners. The thumb pad is left exposed to permit a manicurist to feel a nail being manicured. In US 5,609,165, a finger protector is provided to prevent finger stick injuries by medical, dental and veterinary practitioners. The finger protector has a closed end and is formed by helically winding a strip of puncture-resistant material into tubular form, adjacent edges of the strip material interlocking to prevent axial separation. The tubular finger protector permits limited bending of the finger. In US 5,842,227, a tubular finger protector is provided for surgical personnel. The finger protector has a closed end and is made from a thin, flexible and puncture or cut-resistant material. The tube is intended to extend substantially over at least the palmar surface and sides of the finger, at least up to the second metacarpal-phalangeal joint. The finger protector is shaped to fit a particular finger and can be worn under gloves or separately. In US 6,110,186, a combined finger protector and implement is provided for use by surgeons. The protector and implement is made from a strong plastic material or polycarbonate and is curved to fit comfortably over approximately two thirds of a finger. The protector and implement is intended to protect the surgeon and patient against needle stick injuries, prevents the needle slipping towards the surgeon during a surgical procedure, enables the surgeon to grasp a desired amount of tissue during a surgical procedure and enables the surgeon to view the tip of a suturing needle. In US 6,243,868, a fingertip protecting sleeve is provided for use by persons working in dirty or abrasive environments. The sleeve is made from latex, other thermoplastic material or rubberized canvas and its inner surface is textured to provide a low coefficient of friction to facilitate entry of a finger. The sleeve is intended to protect a wearer's fingertips from damage due to the handling of sharp or abrasive material and to prevent a build-up of dirt and debris under the wearer's fingernails. The sleeve is retained in place on the wearer's finger by an adhesive strip extending over part of the circumference of the sleeve and the wearer's finger or by a strip of hook and loop fastening material wrapped snugly around the sleeve to take up any slack between the sleeve and the finger, hi US 7,012,169, an appendage sleeve of tubular form is provided.

The sleeve has an elastic component providing it with form fitting properties enabling it to fit snugly on a person's finger or toe and more effectively remain thereon. The outer end of the sleeve may be open or closed and the sleeve is made with a slightly tapered shape or with the centre portion having a slightly greater width than the ends to allow it to conform to the contours of a finger or toe. The sleeve comprises a base web made from an optional variety of materials and having cloth-like properties. The base web may be texturized or include stretch-bonded and neck-bonded laminates and moisture barriers that can remain breathable and permeable to vapours such that an appendage within the sleeve is more comfortable. When used as a sleeve for wounds, cuts, bruises, blisters, dry skin, etc, the sleeve can generally include additives, such as antibiotics, antimicrobial agents, anti-inflammatory agents, Neosporin, moisturizing agents, cationic polymers, analgesics, vasodilators, corticosteroids, anti-fungal agents and the like in the form of aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solutions, lotions, creams, suspensions, gels, etc, with some additives applied asymmetrically. The appendage sleeve is intended generally to fit onto a finger or toe to treat various ailments and can be manoeuvred by a user to cover a certain wound or joint. In US 7,055,177, a finger guard and knuckle guard are provided to protect the hands of hair stylists. The guards may be created from a combination of a variety of materials to take advantage of beneficial properties and incorporate pads which are more durable and cut-resistant. The finger guard is slipped into place and worn over the first joint of a finger, typically the middle or index finger. Multiple finger guards may be worn simultaneously to protect multiple fingers. The knuckle guard is worn around the base of the index and middle fingers of the hand opposite of that used to operate the scissors, hi US 7,251 ,836, a finger cover in the form of an open-ended, substantially symmetrical, tubular sleeve provides additional friction when handling paper and supports a protector for the user's fingernail. The finger cover is made from a soft, flexible material such as natural gum rubber, silicone rubber, soft plastic, polyvinyl chloride, elastomer-impregnated material or the like and may be tapered towards the front end to easily slip onto and comfortably encircle, or more closely fit the contour of, the distal phalanx of the inserted finger. The finger cover may include additional gripping means in the form of raised or recessed dimples, grooves, indentations, grip-enhancing bumps or the like which may substantially encompass the entire outer surface or, alternatively, be placed only on a portion thereof suitable for paper sorting and the like. The finger cover may further include airholes or slits, the number, pattern placement and orientation of which can be varied as required. In US 2008/0148776, a ring protector is provided in which an interior protective band is disposed between exterior protective bands positioned at each end, the interior protective band comprising an elastic interior padded layer and an exterior layer of flexible, preferably water-resistant material. A stone recess is provided in the interior protective band to accommodate the setting of a ring covered by the ring protector, the recess being covered by a protective covering of a synthetic mesh material. Additionally, in US 6,998,158, Hoerner et al teach the use of a multi-layer, elastomeric material containing active chemical substances for use in the making of gloves, finger stalls, condoms and various tapes and dressings. The elastomeric materials take the form of a variety of polymers and an intermediate layer serves as a matrix for the active chemical substances. The active chemical substances include anti- corrosion agents, lubricants, chemical markers, phase-change products, energetic-particle (radiation) decelerators, agents with disinfecting power, odoriferous agents or moisturizers, dyes for detecting cuts, metallic particles and mixtures thereof. Further, in US 5,138,719, Orlianges et al teach the use of a glove, finger stall or the like made from a latex or other elastomeric material containing microcapsules which are concentrated towards the inner surface contacting the skin of the user. Excepting the final two, all of the prior art inventions cited above exercise a covering or a protective function. However, none is capable of being accurately located on a variety of discrete zones of fingers or toes, to remain securely located thereon during all normal activity and, in the desired location, to optionally provide a range of security, protective or therapeutic functions. Additionally, many of the prior art inventions cover the fingertips, depriving a user of a sensory input essential to many tasks or functions.

The object of the present invention is to provide a covering sleeve that is readily and accurately located on a variety of discrete zones of the fingers or toes; that will remain securely located on those zones during all normal activity; and which, located thereon, optionally provide a range of security, protective or therapeutic functions. Further objects of the present invention are that said covering sleeve should be comfortable in use, durable, reuseable and affordable.

According to the present invention, a covering sleeve is provided comprising a central zone adapted to cover parts of the fingers or toes for a variety of purposes, said central zone being positioned intermediate to sealing bands made contiguous with the ends of said central zone, said sealing bands being adapted to elastically contract against the surface of said digits for the purpose of sealing said sealing bands to said digits and thereby to positively locate said central zone on said parts of said digits. Said central zone and said sealing bands are made from a variety of materials, either singly or in combination, and are optionally treated to provide certain effects.

The various aspects of the present invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments given in relation to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a typical third (ring) finger depicting one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of a typical third (ring) finger depicting another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a typical embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view on A-A of the embodiment depicted in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention in rolled-up form;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end part of an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of the end part of another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a side view of an applicator to facilitate the application of an embodiment of the present invention to a digit. It should be understood that the drawings are rendered to differing scales. While embodiments of the present invention are described herein principally in relation to fingers, in most cases, they are equally applicable to toes.

With reference to Figure 1, a typical third (ring) finger 2 is depicted, extending from the metacarpal-phalangeal joint 3 to the fingernail. Covering sleeve 1, shown positioned over the proximal phalanx, comprises central zone 4 positioned intermediate to sealing bands 5 made contiguous with the ends of said central zone. Said sealing bands are adapted to elastically contract against the surface of said finger for the purpose of sealing said sealing bands to said finger and thereby to positively locate said central zone on said position and retain it securely in position during all normal activity. In the embodiment depicted, said central zone is adapted to accommodate a large ring, such as a woman's engagement ring, with a larger setting. For the purpose of accommodating said ring, said central zone has formed in it a substantially circumferential channel 7 to accommodate the band 6 of said ring and pocket 8 to accommodate setting 9. hi a first embodiment intended for utilitarian applications, said central zone and said sealing bands are moulded in a single piece from a single material which is optionally transparent or opaque and of any suitable colour, hi an alternative embodiment, said central zone is moulded from a first material providing, for example, toughness and transparency and said sealing bands are moulded from a second material providing elasticity, hi the preferred embodiment, said sealing bands are made from an opaque material coloured to match the hand, hi the embodiment depicted, said sealing bands are each made tapering to a thin edge 10 at their outer ends, hi a first embodiment, said pocket is optionally made in the form of a simple cover, hi the preferred embodiment, said central zone is moulded from a water-clear material and the generality of said pocket is made thicker such that said pocket becomes lensatic in effect and acts to magnify the image of setting 9. hi an alternative embodiment, said pocket and said circumferential channel are made from a clear material and other parts of said covering sleeve are made from an opaque and coloured material, hi a further alternative embodiment (not shown), the outer part of said pocket takes the form of a lensatic cap moulded from a suitable rigid, water-clear material and fused or bonded to the lower part of said pocket. To draw said covering sleeve into place on said finger, it is positioned on the outer end of the finger, said pocket is correctly orientated and the inner said sealing band is lifted, grasped and pulled to urge said covering sleeve along said finger. Said sealing band is further lifted and stretched as required to draw said pocket up and over said setting. Where said pocket is sufficiently large, it is optionally gripped with the fingers to stretch said covering sleeve and ease said pocket up and over said setting. A raised edge (not shown) is optionally provided around the outer exterior surface of said pocket to facilitate its gripping. Once in place, said sealing bands are permitted to elastically contract into intimate, sealing contact with the skin of the finger. With additional reference to Figures 3 and 4, pocket 8 is made in a range of axial and circumferential widths to suit different ring settings and, if required, multiple rings. Purchasers of said covering sleeve decide upon the appropriate model by comparing the setting of a ring to be covered with full-scale (actual size) drawings and by determining the ring size using a conventional ring gauge (where the ring can be removed) or by inserting the finger into suitable gauges. Where a simple wedding band-type ring having no protruding setting is worn, circumferential channel 7 is made to extend fully around said covering sleeve. Similarly, said channel is made in a variety of widths and depths to accommodate a range of rings sizes and, if required, multiple rings. Said covering sleeves are made in a range of lengths to suit longer or shorter fingers and to accommodate larger, smaller or multiple rings. Either or both outer ends of said sealing bands are optionally provided with a rolled edge 12 (as depicted in Figures 2, 3 and 7) or a band of thicker material of reduced elasticity. To aid in the maintenance of sealing contact between the inner surface of said sealing bands and the skin of the finger, the inner diameters of said sealing bands are optionally made tapered (reducing in size) to a small degree towards their outer ends. In the preferred embodiment, in models of said covering sleeve in which said pocket is made transparent, said central zone is made from a strongly hydrophobic material. In an alternative embodiment, the exterior surface of said central zone in the region of said pocket is treated to render it strongly hydrophobic. In this way, the external surface of said pocket repels dirt and liquids and remains clearly transparent for an extended period, hi an alternative embodiment, said sealing bands are made from a hydrophilic material to render them more compatible with human tissue. In another alternative embodiment, the inner surfaces 11 of said sealing bands are treated to render them hydrophilic for the same purpose. With specific reference to Figure 3, central zone 4 incorporating pocket 8 and circumferential channel 7 is moulded from a first material having one set of physical characteristics and sealing bands 5 are moulded from a second material having a different set of physical characteristics. In another alternative embodiment, either or both said central zone and said sealing bands are moulded from a polymer material which is permeable to vapours, rendering the finger more comfortable during wearing of said covering sleeve, hi another alternative embodiment, to prevent the ingress of moisture, said vapour permeable polymer material from which said central zone and said sealing bands are moulded is strongly hydrophobic or the exterior surfaces of said central zone and said sealing bands are treated to render them strongly hydrophobic. With reference to Figure 5, an embodiment of said covering sleeve of the type depicted in Figure 1 is supplied with its sealing bands 5 rolled inwardly against channel 7 to produce a compact form. A thin, strong strip of ribbon-like material 13 is provided to be gripped with the fingers and employed as a means to urge said covering sleeve into place on the finger. With said covering sleeve correctly located on the finger, said strip of ribbon-like material is removed by pulling on one end and discarded. Said sealing bands are then unrolled into position against the skin of said finger. In the preferred embodiment, said strip of ribbon-like material is lubricated with a suitable dry or oily lubricant to facilitate its release from beneath said covering sleeve.

With reference to Figure 7, in an alternative embodiment, said sealing bands are made with said thin or said rolled outer ends (as depicted in Figure 3) and the inner surfaces 11 of said sealing bands are made with one or more small, raised, circumferential ribbings 13 which act to improve the sealing contact between said sealing bands and the skin of said finger.

With reference to Figure 6, in an alternative embodiment, the inner surfaces 11 of said sealing bands are provided with bands of plush 14 which occupy only part of their axial width. Said plush comprises a dense array of short, thin, stiffly flexible fibres which are inwardly-directed and set at a small angle to the longitudinal axis of said covering sleeve. Said fibres engage the skin of said finger and, with flexing of said finger, tend to urge said sealing bands outwardly in opposed directions. The said embodiment acts to prevent said sealing bands from working inwardly towards each other as a result of flexing of said finger.

With reference to Figure 2, the proximal-middle phalangeal joint area of finger 2 (as depicted in Figure 1) is covered by covering sleeve 1. Obviously, any part of said finger may be similarly covered. Said covering sleeve comprises central zone 14 positioned intermediate to sealing bands 15 made contiguous with the ends of said central zone. Said sealing bands are adapted to elastically contract against the surface of said finger for the purpose of sealing said sealing bands to said finger and thereby to positively locate said central zone on the said position and retain it securely in position during all normal activity, hi the embodiment depicted, said central zone is provided with circumferentially arranged folds or corrugations 16 which permit free movement of the covered joint. Said corrugations are optionally made smaller in amplitude and greater in wavelength or greater in amplitude and smaller in wavelength. Typically, with said covering sleeve fully relaxed, the wavelength and amplitude of said corrugations fall in the range 2.5 to 8 millimetres and any combination of amplitude and wavelength is employed. In an alternative embodiment, (not shown), said corrugations are deleted and said central zone is made with a deep texturing which permits a localised elongation of up to 50 per cent without imposing a strain on the material, hi another alternative embodiment (not shown), said covering sleeve is adapted to accommodate a medical dressing, splint or compact plaster cast, hi another alternative embodiment (not shown), said covering sleeve is made with a medical dressing located within said central zone. Said dressing is optionally impregnated with an emollient compound, analgesic agent, antibiotic agent, fungicidal agent, deodorant agent, anti-inflammatory agent, moisturizing agent, corticosteroid, fragrance vehicle or the like and is adhered to the inner surface of said central zone in spot locations. Where it is intended for medical or therapeutic applications, said covering sleeve is preferably distributed in sterile packaging and is expected to be disposable. Where said covering sleeve is intended for utilitarian applications, it is optionally able to be washed or sanitised and re-used as required. hi an alternative embodiment (not shown), said corrugations described in relation to Figure 2 are made with an amplitude greatest at the centre of said central zone, decreasing in a linear way to minimal at the edges of said central zone. In another alternative embodiment (not shown), said corrugations described in relation to Figure 2 are made with wavelength greatest at the centre of said central zone, decreasing in a linear way to minimal at the edges of said central zone, hi another alternative embodiment (not shown), said corrugations described in relation to Figure 2 are made with amplitude and wavelength both greatest at the centre of said central zone and both decreasing in a linear way to minimal at the edges of said central zone. r

In another alternative embodiment (not shown), said corrugations described in relation to Figure 2 are provided only on the upper part of said central zone where extension is required to accommodate the effects of finger bending, said corrugations decreasing to minimal at the sides of the finger (3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions in transverse cross-sectional view).

In another alternative .embodiment (not shown) for utilitarian applications, said covering sleeve is made with said central zone in the form of a more or less uniform cylinder from a thin, tough, elastic polymer material capable of extension in the range 20 to 60 per cent in any direction. Said covering sleeve is positioned on said finger over a ring or rings, said central zone stretching to accommodate said ring band or bands and said ring setting or settings. To prevent the puncturing of said stretched central zone as the result of contact between said setting or settings and a hard surface or object, a suitable cup made from a tough elastic polymer material is placed over said setting or settings prior to placement of said covering sleeve on said finger. In the preferred embodiment, said cup is of sufficient length to cover the greater part of said setting or settings and is provided with a part-spherical upper closure. With reference to Figure 8, where said covering sleeves are commonly used by a large number of personnel, for example, in a food preparation factory, an applicator 17 is provided to facilitate their placement on the fingers. Said applicator comprises a more or less annular pivot block 18 incorporating three or more, equally-spaced, radially arranged pivot slots 23. Pivoting in said pivot slots on suitable pivot shafts (not shown) are lever arms comprising short part 19 and long part 20. Fixed to the ends of said short lever arm parts are thin, narrow stiff blades 21, the transverse axes of which are orientated normal to a diameter of said pivot block at that point. Said short lever arm parts approach each other as said long lever arm parts are pivotally separated. The outer ends of said long lever arm parts are formed into handle parts 22. In use, said long lever arm parts are separated to bring said blades together, said blades are passed through a said covering sleeve and said long lever arm parts are brought together, thereby elastically expanding said covering sleeve. The finger of a user is inserted through said expanded covering sleeve, passing also though a suitable opening provided in said pivot block. Said long lever arm parts are then separated again to permit said sealing bands to elastically contract against the skin of said finger and said blades are withdrawn from said covering sleeve, hi the preferred embodiment, said blades are lubricated with a suitable dry or oily lubricant to facilitate their release from beneath said covering sleeve.

Various versions of said covering sleeve are made from or any combinations of: natural rubber, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polychloroprene, polyurethane, acrylic polymers or copolymers, silicone elastomers, SBR (styrene-butadiene-rubber) copolymers, SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) copolymers, isobutene-isoprene copolymers such as butyl rubber, NPR (nitrile-butadiene-rubber) copolymers, x-NPR (carboxylated nitrile-butadiene-rubber) copolymers, SIS (styrene-isoprene-styrene) copolymers, SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene) copolymers or similar polymers or copolymers and any blends thereof. hi an alternative embodiment (not shown), the whole or parts of said covering sleeve are made from a suitable polymer material which acts as a matrix for one or more active chemical substances which are blended into said material. Said chemical substances optionally take the form of a liquid, an emulsion, a gel or microspheres and include an emollient compound, analgesic agent, antibiotic agent, fungicidal agent, deodorant agent, anti-inflammatory agent, moisturizing agent, corticosteroid, fragrance vehicle, anti-static compound or the like. Said chemical substances are preferably concentrated at or near the surface of said covering sleeve making skin contact, hi another alternative embodiment (not shown), said active chemical substances are blended into a suitable thin, sheet polymer material which is laminated onto the surfaces of said covering sleeve making skin contact. Depending upon the intended particular application, the whole or parts of said covering sleeve are moulded from polymer materials which are water-clear transparent, translucent or opaque and coloured to match the skin of the finger, coloured to not show soiling (dark colouring) or brightly coloured for ease of location or identification. The whole or parts of said covering sleeve are moulded from polymer materials conferring toughness, tear resistance, abrasion resistance, water resistance, vapour permeability, hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, elasticity, resistance to chemicals and solvents, ability to absorb active chemical compounds or ease of moulding. Where parts of said covering sleeve are made from polymer materials having different characteristics, they are joined by superimposed moulding or made separately and bonded or fused together. Said parts of said covering sleeve are optionally treated to provide hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, anti-static characteristics, emollient effects, analgesic effects, antibiotic effects, fungicidal effects, deodorising effects, fragrances or the like.

Except where clearly impractical, any feature described in relation to one embodiment of said covering sleeve should be taken to apply equally to all other embodiments and able to be used in combination with other features.