Devices and methods of use on tables for infection control

Abstract

Disclosed are devices and methods for providing a sanitary surface for objects on an over-bed table like that found in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, etc. The devices include a case in which a stack of sanitary mats is located. The case is configured to be mounted on the top of the table. The uppermost of the mats of the stack is exposed through an open top window of the case to serve as a sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed. That mat is configured to be removed from the case, e.g., either being peeled off of the stack through the open window, or slid out of the case through a slot, to thereby expose the upper surface of the underlying mat in the window.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device for mounting on the top of a table to provide a sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed, said device comprising:
 a case having a top portion including an open window and a hollow interior chamber in communication with said open window;   at least one attachment member for releasably mounting said case upon the top of the table;   a stack of sanitary mats located within said interior chamber, said stack comprising an uppermost sanitary mat, and at least one other sanitary mat disposed under said uppermost sanitary mat, said uppermost sanitary mat being exposed within said open window to provide a sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed when said device is mounted on the top of the table, said uppermost sanitary mat being removable from said stack to expose said at least one other sanitary mat within said open window to provide another sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed when said device is mounted on the top of the table.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said case includes a side wall and a top wall, and wherein said open window is located in said top wall, said top wall having a very narrow lip, whereupon virtually the entire top portion of said case constitutes said open window. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one attachment member comprises a clip for releasable securement to the top of the table. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one attachment member comprises a clip for releasable securement to the top of the table. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said case and said clip form an integral unit. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said case and said clip form an integral unit. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of said mats includes a sticky, yet releasably securable, undersurface. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said side wall includes a slot through which said uppermost of said mats can be slid from said stack of mats within said hollow interior chamber to expose said at least one other sanitary mat within said open window to provide another sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed when said device is mounted on the top of the table. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one attachment member comprises a clip for releasable securement to the top of the table. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein said case and said clip form an integral unit. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of said sanitary mats is approximately 30 inches by 15 inches in size, suitable for use on a patient over-bed table. 
     
     
         12 . A method for providing a sanitary surface on the top of a table to enable objects to be placed on said sanitary surface, said method comprising:
 providing a device comprising a case having an open window and a stack of sanitary mats located within an interior of said case under said window, said stack comprising an uppermost sanitary mat, and at least one other sanitary mat disposed under said uppermost sanitary mat;   exposing said uppermost sanitary mat through said open window;   mounting said case on the top of the table, whereupon said exposed uppermost sanitary mat provides a sanitary surface upon which items can be placed;   removing said uppermost sanitary mat from said stack, when desired, to expose said at least one other sanitary mat, whereupon said exposed at least one other sanitary mat provides another sanitary surface upon which objects can be placed.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said uppermost sanitary mat is removed from said stack through said window. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein each of said mats includes a sticky, yet releasably securable, undersurface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein case includes a side wall having a slot therein, and wherein said uppermost sanitary mat is removed from said stack by sliding said uppermost sanitary mat through said slot. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said method comprises releasably mounting said case on the top of the table. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said case includes at least one clip for releasably mounting said case on the top of the table. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each of said sanitary mats is approximately 30 inches by 15 inches in size.