US20110012404A1

US20110012404A1 - Disposable sanitary cover

Info

Publication number: US20110012404A1
Application number: US12/840,064
Authority: US
Inventors: Deborah Elizabeth Cariera
Original assignee: Busy Izzy LLC
Current assignee: Busy Izzy LLC
Priority date: 2009-07-20
Filing date: 2010-07-20
Publication date: 2011-01-20

Abstract

A disposable sanitary cover for use with a high chair seat includes a first panel, a second panel, a third panel and a plurality of retention straps. The cover can be made of non-woven disposable material, anti-bacterial disposable material, spill resistant disposable material, biodegradable disposable material or a combination thereof.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications 61/271,371, filed Jul. 20, 2009 and 61/281,068, filed Nov. 12, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention pertains to the field of sanitary covers, more particularly to disposable sanitary covers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High chairs, shopping carts, car seats, strollers, wheelchairs and the like are breading grounds for pathogens. Restaurant high chairs, in general, are coated with a finish to protect the wood, but remain susceptible to harboring dangerous microbes. Continuous use of disinfectants and other cleaners provides only a limited amount of protection as the finished surface wears off over time. Dangerous pathogens such as Influenza, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (“MRSA”) can be found on the surface and imbedded in the grains of wood high chairs.
Shopping carts present similar and additional issues due to the food-borne pathogens present in uncooked foods. Uncooked meat, such as chicken, pork, beef, and seafood can contain various strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Listeria spp., Trichinella spp., Shigella sp., Bacillus spp. in addition to other known pathogens. Drippings from these meats can land virtually anywhere on a shopping cart and any pathogens contained in the drippings can remain virulent for some time. Shopping cart handles provide an excellent vector for the exchange of such pathogens due to the number of persons who use the same shopping cart in a short period of time and the unsanitary habits of children using the shopping cart seat.
Personal car seats and rental car seats are also breading grounds for pathogens. The configuration of current car seats is such that cleaning requires removal of the car seat from the car in addition to near complete disassembly of the components of the car seat. The fabric covers that are provided with car seats require frequent cleaning and disinfection to provide any meaningful protection to the child using the seat. Similar to car seats, strollers, wheelchairs and other such similar apparatus can harbor and spread germs leading to illness.
Prior art solutions to the aforementioned issues are generally limited to disinfectant solutions and reusable covers made of cloth. Disinfectant solutions can contain caustic or dangerous chemicals that should not be used near children or in areas occupied by children. Cloth covers provide a significantly limited amount of protection to both the child and the respective seat occupied by the child. The moment the cloth cover is soiled, it remains potentially infectious until such time as it is properly cleaned. In general, cleaning requires that the cloth cover be brought into the house and placed in the wash. Anyone coming into contact with the soiled cover can be susceptible to any pathogens contained on or in the cover.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disposable sanitary cover.
The documents and publications cited in this disclosure are incorporated by reference in their entirety, to the extent they are not inconsistent with the explicit teachings set forth herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A sanitary cover for use with a high chair seat includes a first panel, a second panel, a third panel and a plurality of retention straps. The cover can be made of disposable material. The disposable material can comprise non-woven material, absorbent material, waterproof material, water-repellant material, spill-resistant material, chemical resistant material, anti-bacterial material, anti-viral material, anti-microbial material, biodegradable material, recyclable material, or a combination thereof.
The first panel includes a front, back and opposing sides and generally defines a front rail portion, a plurality of leg openings, a substantially horizontal seat portion and a substantially vertical back portion. The first panel can include a plurality of panels attached to the leg openings at the bottom of the leg openings for protecting the legs of a child using the cover. The first panel can further include plurality of slits for receiving a seat belt attached to a high chair.
The second panel, can have a front, a back, a top and a bottom, further defining a first side portion The second panel front can be connected to the first panel at the front rail portion of the first panel. The second panel bottom can be connected to the first panel at the substantially horizontal seat portion. The second panel back can be connected to the first panel at the substantially vertical back portion. The panels may be connected to one another by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art.
The third panel, can have a front, a back, a top and a bottom, further defining a second side portion, opposite the first side portion. The third panel front can be connected to the first panel at the front rail portion of the first panel, opposite the second panel. The third panel bottom can be connected to the first panel at the substantially horizontal seat portion, opposite the second panel. The third panel back can be connected to the first panel at the substantially vertical back portion, opposite the second panel.
The seat cover can be disposed within the seat portion of a high chair having a front railing, a plurality of side railings and a back railing. The panels can be of sufficient length to fold over the front, back and opposing side railings and substantially cover the seat portion of a high chair.
The plurality of slits can include a first set of slits in the substantially vertical back portion of the first panel near the substantially horizontal seat portion. A second set of slits can also be included in the substantially vertical back portion of the first panel near the back of the panel. The first set of slits can be situated immediately adjacent and complementary to said second set of slits when the substantially vertical back portion is folded over the seat portion of the high chair. When in place the sets of slits are capable of receiving a seat belt attached to the high chair.
The seat cover can include a first retention strap connected between the front rail portion and the substantially vertical back portion. The seat cover can include a second retention strap connected between the top of the second panel and the top of the third panel. Both retention straps can be removably attached at one end with a fastener. The fasteners used can include, hook and loop fasteners, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, double-sided tape, re-sealable tape or a combination thereof. The fasteners can be connected to the cover by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art.
In an alternative embodiment, the sanitary cover can include a single panel of material for use with a shopping cart seat. The cover can include a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second opposing side. The cover can further include at least one slit defining an opening between the top and bottom for receiving a shopping cart seat belt, and at least one leg opening between the top and bottom through which a user's legs may pass.
The cover can be made of disposable material. The disposable material can comprise non-woven material, absorbent material, waterproof material, water-repellant material, spill-resistant material, chemical resistant material, anti-bacterial material, anti-viral material, anti-microbial material, biodegradable material, recyclable material, or a combination thereof.
The cover can include a plurality of fasteners to temporarily attach said cover to the inside of a shopping cart seat and substantially maintain its position therein. A first set of fasteners can be attached to the bottom of the panel adjacent to the front of the panel for attachment of the cover to a handle on a shopping cart. A second set of fasteners can be attached to the bottom of the panel adjacent to the back of the panel for attachment of the cover to the back of the shopping cart seat. A third set of fasteners can be attached to the bottom of the panel adjacent to the first side for attachment to a first side of the shopping cart and a fourth set of fasteners can be attached to the bottom of the panel adjacent to the second opposite side, for attachment to a second side of the shopping cart opposite to the first side. The fasteners used can include, hook and loop fasteners, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, double-sided tape, re-sealable tape or a combination thereof. The fasteners can be connected to the cover by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art.
In an additional alternative embodiment, the sanitary cover can include a single panel of material for use with a shopping cart handle. The cover can include a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a first side, a second opposing side and a plurality of fasteners. The panel can be made of disposable material. The disposable material can comprise non-woven material, absorbent material, waterproof material, water-repellant material, spill-resistant material, chemical resistant material, anti-bacterial material, anti-viral material, anti-microbial material, biodegradable material, recyclable material, or a combination thereof.
A first set of fasteners can be attached proximate to the first side with one of the first set of fasteners being attached to the bottom of the panel adjacent the front and the second complementary fastener attached to the top of the panel adjacent the back. A second set of fasteners can be attached proximate the second opposing side with one of the second set of fasteners being attached to the bottom of the panel adjacent the front and a second complementary fastener attached to the top of said panel adjacent the back. The fasteners can be connected to the cover by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art.
The cover can be wrapped longitudinally about the handle of a shopping cart and the fasteners fastened to one another to maintain the position of the cover on the handle of the shopping cart. The fasteners used can include, hook and loop fasteners, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, double-sided tape, re-sealable tape or a combination thereof.
In an additional alternative embodiment, the sanitary cover can include a single panel of material for use in a seat having shoulder restraints. The cover can be made of disposable material. The disposable material can comprise non-woven material, absorbent material, waterproof material, water-repellant material, spill-resistant material, chemical resistant material, anti-bacterial material, anti-viral material, anti-microbial material, biodegradable material, recyclable material, or a combination thereof.
The cover can include a top, a bottom, a periphery, a plurality of slits and elastic edging. A pair of opposing slits defining openings between the top and bottom can be included in the cover for receiving a pair of shoulder restraints. Fasteners can be connected to each side of the slits to close the slit around the respective shoulder restraints. The fasteners used can include, hook and loop fasteners, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, double-sided tape, re-sealable tape or a combination thereof. The fasteners can be connected to the cover by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art.
A single slit adjacent to the pair of slits can be included for receiving a connector to which each of the shoulder restraints attaches. The single slit can include a finished edge to provide additional strength to the slit to keep the slit from tearing and better maintain the position of the cover. The finished edge can include elastic edging, additional fabric, cord, string, cable, ribbon, metal, plastic, polymer, a sewn hem, or a combination thereof. The edging can be connected to the cover by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art.
The periphery can include an edging for maintaining the position of the cover on the seat. The edging can be capable of reducing the size of the periphery to a size smaller than the seat. Such edging can include elastic edging, draw string edging or any other edging known in the art capable of reducing the size of the periphery to a size smaller than the seat upon which the cover is placed.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed disclosure of the invention and appended drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same feature, component or element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sanitary seat cover according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sanitary seat cover on a high chair according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a sanitary seat cover pattern according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an alternative embodiment sanitary seat cover on a shopping cart according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment sanitary seat cover on a shopping cart seat according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment sanitary seat cover pattern according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment sanitary cover pattern according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment sanitary cover on a shopping cart handle according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment sanitary seat cover according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment sanitary seat cover on a seat having shoulder restraints according to aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment sanitary seat cover pattern according to aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 the apparatus according to the present invention is illustrated and generally referred to by reference numeral 10.
The sanitary cover 10 for use with a high chair 80 can include a first panel 20, a second panel 30 and a third panel 40. The cover is manufactured from disposable material. The disposable material can comprise non-woven material, absorbent material, waterproof material, water-repellant material, spill-resistant material, chemical resistant material, anti-bacterial material, anti-viral material, anti-microbial material, biodegradable material, recyclable material, or a combination thereof.
According to aspects of the present invention, the first panel 20 includes a front 21, back 23, and opposing sides 25 a, 25 b. The first panel 20 further includes a front rail portion 22, at least one leg opening 24, a substantially horizontal seat portion 26 and a substantially vertical back portion 28. The first panel can further include plurality of slits 29 a, 29 b, 29 c, 29 d for receiving a seat belt 89 attached to a high chair 80.
The second panel can include a front 32, a back 34, a top 36 and a bottom 38, that together define a first side portion 50. The second panel front 32 can be connected to the first panel 20 at the front rail portion 22. The panels may be connected to one another by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art. The second panel bottom 38 can be connected to the first panel 20 at the substantially horizontal seat portion 26 and the second panel back 34 can be connected to the first panel 20 at the substantially vertical back portion 28
The third panel 40, can include a front 42, a back 44, a top 46 and a bottom 48, that together define a second side portion 60. The second side portion 60 can be positioned opposite to the first side portion 50. The third panel front 42 can be connected to the first panel 20 at the front rail portion 22 of the first panel 20, opposite the second panel 30. The third panel bottom 48 can be connected to first panel 20 at the substantially horizontal seat portion 26, opposite to the second panel 30. The third panel back 44 can be connected to the first panel 20 at the substantially vertical back portion 28, opposite to the second panel 30.
A first retention strap 60 can be connected between the front rail portion 22 and the substantially vertical back portion 28 to maintain the position of the cover 10. A second retention strap 62 can be connected between the top 36 of the second panel 30 and the top 46 of the third panel 40 to further maintain the position of the cover 10.
According to aspects of the present invention, Both retention straps 60, 62 can be removably attached at one end with a fastener 64 a, 64 b, 66 a, 66 b. The fasteners 64 a, 64 b, 66 a, 66 b used can include, hook and loop fasteners, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, double-sided tape, re-sealable tape or a combination thereof. The fasteners 64 a, 64 b, 66 a, 66 b can be connected to the cover by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art.
The plurality of slits 29 a, 29 b, 29 c, 29 d can include a first set of slits 29 a, 29 b in the substantially vertical back portion 28 of the first panel 20 near the substantially horizontal seat portion 26. A second set of slits 29 c, 29 d can also be included in the substantially vertical back portion 28 of the first panel 20 near the back of the panel 20. The first set of slits 29 a, 29 b can be situated immediately adjacent and complementary to said second set of slits 29 c, 29 d when the substantially vertical back portion 28 is folded over the seat portion of the high chair 82. When in place the sets of slits 29 a, 29 b and 29 c, 29 d are capable of receiving a seat belt 89 attached to the high chair 80.
The seat cover 10 can be disposed within the seat portion 82 of a high chair 80 having a front railing 84, a plurality of side railings 86 a, 86 b and a back railing 88.
In a preferred embodiment, the first panel 20, second panel 30 and third panel 40 are of sufficient length to fold over the railings 84, 86 a, 86 b, 88 of the high chair 80 and substantially cover the seat portion 82 of the high chair 80.
According to aspects of the present invention, the sanitary cover 10 can include a plurality of leg openings 24 a, 24 b. The sanitary cover 10 can also include a plurality of panels 27 a, 27 b attached to the leg openings 24 a, 24 b at the bottom of said leg openings 24 a, 24 b for further protecting the legs of a user (not shown) using said sanitary cover.
Shopping Cart Seat
Referring next to FIGS. 4-6 an alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to aspects of the present invention is illustrated and generally referred to by reference numeral 110. The cover 110 can be made of disposable material. The disposable material can comprise non-woven material, absorbent material, waterproof material, water-repellant material, spill-resistant material, chemical resistant material, anti-bacterial material, anti-viral material, anti-microbial material, biodegradable material, recyclable material, or a combination thereof.
The alternative sanitary cover 110 can include a single panel of material 120 for use with a shopping cart seat 180. The cover 110 can include a top 121, a bottom 122, a front 123, a back 124, a first side 125 and a second opposing side 126. The cover 110 can further include at least one slit 127 defining an opening between the top 121 and bottom 122 for receiving a shopping cart seat belt 189, and at least one leg opening 128 between the top 121 and bottom 122 through which a user's legs (not shown) may pass. According to further aspects of the present invention, the cover 110 can include a plurality of slits 127 a, 127 b defining openings between the top 121 and bottom 122 for receiving each side of a shopping cart seat belt 189. Additional slits 127 c, 127 d, 127 e, 127 f defining openings between the top 121 and bottom 122 for can be included to accommodate receiving each side of a shopping cart seat belt 189 in shopping carts of differing size. In addition, the cover 110 can include a plurality of leg openings 128 a, 128 b between the top 121 and bottom 122 through which a user's legs (not shown) may pass. The sanitary cover 110 can also include a plurality of panels 129 a, 129 b attached to the leg openings 128 a, 128 b at the bottom of said leg openings 128 a, 128 b for further protecting the legs of a user (not shown) using the sanitary cover 110.
The cover 110 can include a plurality of fasteners 130 a, 130 b, 131 a, 131 b, 132 a, 132 b, 133 a, 133 b, 134 a, 134 b, 135 a, 135 b to temporarily attach said cover 110 to the inside of a shopping cart seat 180 and substantially maintain its position therein. A first and second set of fasteners 130 a, 130 b, 131 a, 131 b can be attached to the bottom 122 of the panel 120 adjacent to the front 123 of the panel 120 for attachment of the cover 110 to a handle 182 on a shopping cart seat 180. A third and fourth set of fasteners 133 a, 133 b, 134 a, 134 b can be attached to the bottom 122 of the panel 120 adjacent to the back 124 of the panel 120 for attachment of the cover 110 to the back 184 of the shopping cart seat 180. A fifth set of fasteners 132 a, 132 b can be attached to the bottom 122 of the panel 120 adjacent to the first side 125 of the panel 120 for attachment of the cover 110 to a first side 186 of the shopping cart seat 180 and a sixth set of fasteners 135 a, 136 b can be attached to the bottom 122 of the panel 120 adjacent to the second opposite side 126 of the panel 120, for attachment of the cover 110 to a second side 188 of the shopping cart seat 180 opposite to the first side 186 of the shopping cart seat 180.
The fasteners 130 a, 130 b, 131 a, 131 b, 132 a, 132 b, 133 a, 133 b, 134 a, 134 b, 135 a, 135 b used can include hook and loop fasteners, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, double-sided tape, re-sealable tape or a combination thereof. The fasteners 130 a, 130 b, 131 a, 131 b, 132 a, 132 b, 133 a, 133 b, 134 a, 134 b, 135 a, 135 b can be connected to the cover by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art.
Shopping Cart Handle
Referring next to FIGS. 7-8, an additional alternative embodiment of an apparatus according to aspects of the present invention is illustrated and generally referred to by reference numeral 210. The cover 210 can be made of disposable material. The disposable material can comprise non-woven material, absorbent material, waterproof material, water-repellant material, spill-resistant material, chemical resistant material, anti-bacterial material, anti-viral material, anti-microbial material, biodegradable material, recyclable material, or a combination thereof.
The additional alternative sanitary cover 210 can include a single panel 220 of material for the handle 282 of a shopping cart 270. The cover 210 can include a top 221, a bottom 222, a front 223, a back 224, a first side 225, a second opposing side 226 and a plurality of fasteners 230 a, 230 b, 231 a, 231 b.
A first set of fasteners 230 a, 230 b can be attached proximate to the first side 225 of the panel 220 with one of the first set of fasteners 230 a being attached to the bottom 222 of the panel 220 adjacent the front 223 of the panel 220 and the second complementary fastener 230 b attached to the top 221 of the panel 220 adjacent to the back 224 of the panel 220. A second set of fasteners 231 a, 231 b can be attached proximate to the second opposing side 226 of the panel 220 with one of the second set of fasteners 231 a being attached to the bottom 222 of the panel 220 adjacent to the front 223 of the panel 220 and a second complementary fastener 231 b attached to the top 221 of the panel 220 adjacent to the back 224 of the panel 220.
The fasteners 230 a, 230 b, 231 a, 231 b used can include, hook and loop fasteners, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, double-sided tape, re-sealable tape or a combination thereof. The fasteners 230 a, 230 b, 231 a, 231 b can be connected to the cover 210 by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art.
The cover 210 can be wrapped longitudinally about the handle 282 of a shopping cart 270 and the fasteners 230 a, 231 a fastened to respective complementary fasteners 230 b, 231 b to maintain the position of the cover 210 on the handle 282 of the shopping cart 270. The fasteners used can include, hook and loop fasteners, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and eye fasteners or a combination thereof.
Seat Having Shoulder Restraints
Referring next to FIGS. 9-11, an additional alternative embodiment of the apparatus according to aspects of the present invention is illustrated and generally referred to by reference numeral 310. The cover 310 can be made of disposable material. The disposable material can comprise non-woven material, absorbent material, waterproof material, water-repellant material, spill-resistant material, chemical resistant material, anti-bacterial material, anti-viral material, anti-microbial material, biodegradable material, recyclable material, or a combination thereof.
The alternative embodiment sanitary cover 310 can include a single panel 320 of material for use in a seat having shoulder restraints 382 a, 382 b. The cover 310 can include a top 321, a bottom 322, a periphery 323, a plurality of slits 330, 331, 332 and elastic edging 333. A pair of opposing slits 330, 331 defining openings between the top 321 and bottom 322 can be included in the cover 310 for receiving a pair of shoulder restraints 382 a, 382 b attached to a seat 380. Fasteners 334 a, 334 b, 335 a, 335 b can be connected to each side of the slits 330, 331 to close the respective slit 330, 331 around the respective shoulder restraints 380 a, 380 b.
The fasteners 334 a, 334 b, 335 a, 335 b used can include, hook and loop fasteners, button fasteners, snap fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, double-sided tape, re-sealable tape or a combination thereof. The fasteners 334 a, 334 b, 335 a, 335 b can be connected to the cover by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art.
A single slit 332 adjacent to the pair of slits 330, 331 can be included for receiving a connector 384 to which each of the shoulder restraints 382 a, 382 b attaches. The single slit 332 can include a finished edge 338 to provide additional strength to the slit 332 to keep the slit 332 from tearing and better maintain the position of the cover 310. The finished edge 338 can include elastic edging, additional fabric, cord, string, cable, metal, plastic, polymer, a sewn hem, or a combination thereof.
The periphery 323 can include an edging 333 for maintaining the position of the cover 310 on the seat 380. The edging 333 can be capable of reducing the size of the periphery 323 to a size smaller than the seat.
According to aspects of the present invention and by way of example, elastic edging 333 can be attached around the periphery 323 of the panel 320 for maintaining the position of the cover 310 on the seat 380. Attachment of the elastic edging 333 to the periphery 323 can be made by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art.
According to additional aspects of the present invention and by further way of example, a draw string (not shown) can be attached around the periphery 323 of the panel 320 for maintaining the position of the cover 310 on the seat 380. Attachment of the draw string (not shown) to the periphery 323 can be made by sewing, gluing, taping, stapling, interweaving, thermal bonding, chemical bonding, mechanical bonding, ultrasonic welding, or any other method known in the art. In addition to elastic edging 333 and draw string edging (not shown) the cover 310 can include any other edging known in the art capable of reducing the size of the periphery 323 to a size smaller than the seat 380 upon which the cover is placed
According to further aspects of the present invention, the seat 380 covered by the cover 310 can be any seat 380 having shoulder restraints, such as, for example car seats, stroller seats, wheelchair seats and the like.
Following are examples illustrating procedures for practicing the invention. These examples should be construed to include obvious variations and not limiting.
Inasmuch as the preceding disclosure presents the best mode devised by the inventor for practicing the invention and is intended to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to carry it out, it is apparent that methods incorporating modifications and variations will be obvious to those skilled in the art. As such, it should not be construed to be limited thereby but should include such aforementioned obvious variations and be limited only by the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A sanitary cover for use with a high chair seat comprising:

a first panel of disposable material defining a front rail portion, a plurality of leg openings, a substantially horizontal seat portion and a substantially vertical back portion;

a second panel, having a front, a back, a top and a bottom, defining a first side portion, wherein said second panel front is connected to said first panel at the front rail portion of said first panel, and wherein the second panel bottom is connected to the first panel at the substantially horizontal seat portion and the second panel back is connected to the first panel at the substantially vertical back portion;

a third panel, having a front, a back, a top and a bottom, defining a second side portion, opposite said first side portion, wherein said third panel front is connected to said first panel at the front rail portion of said first panel, opposite the second panel, and wherein the third panel bottom is connected to said first panel at the substantially horizontal seat portion, opposite the second panel and the third panel back is connected to said first panel at the substantially vertical back portion, opposite the second panel, and wherein the seat cover is disposed within the seat portion of a high chair having a front railing, a plurality of side railings and a back railing, and wherein the first, second and third panels are of sufficient length to fold over the front, back and side railings, respectively, and substantially cover the seat portion of said high chair;

a first retention strap connected between said front rail portion and said substantially vertical back portion, wherein said retention strap is removably attached at one end with a fastener; and

a second retention strap connected between the top of said second panel and the top of said third panel, wherein said retention strap is removably attached at one end with a fastener.

2. The sanitary cover of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of panels attached to the leg openings at the bottom of said leg openings for protecting the legs of a child using said sanitary cover.

3. The sanitary cover of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of slits in said first panel for receiving a seat belt attached to said high chair.

4. The sanitary cover of claim 3 wherein said plurality of slits comprises a first set of slits in the substantially vertical back portion of said first panel proximate the substantially horizontal seat portion and a second set of slits in the substantially vertical back portion of said first panel proximate the back of said panel, wherein said first set of slits is immediately adjacent and complementary to said second set of slits when said substantially vertical back portion is folded over the seat portion of said high chair and wherein and said sets of slits are capable of receiving a seat belt attached to said high chair.

5. The sanitary cover of claim 1 wherein said cover comprises one or more disposable materials selected from the group consisting of: non-woven material; absorbent material; waterproof material; water-repellant material; spill-resistant material; chemical resistant material; anti-bacterial material; anti-viral material; anti-microbial material; biodegradable material; and recyclable material.

6. The disposable material of claim 1 wherein said disposable material comprises one of more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: non-woven; absorbent; waterproof; water-repellant; spill-resistant; chemical resistant; anti-bacterial; anti-viral; anti-microbial; biodegradable; and recyclable.

7. The sanitary cover of claim 1 wherein said panels are connected to one another by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: sewing; gluing; taping; stapling; interweaving; thermal bonding; chemical bonding; mechanical bonding; and ultrasonic welding.

8. The sanitary cover of claim 1 wherein one or more of said fasteners is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners; button fasteners; snap fasteners; hook and eye fasteners; double-sided tape; and re-sealable tape.

9. A sanitary cover for use with a shopping cart seat comprising a single panel of material further comprising a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second opposing side, wherein said panel further comprises a plurality of slits defining openings between the top and bottom for receiving a shopping cart seat belt, at least one leg opening between the top and bottom through which a user's legs may pass, a first set of fasteners attached to the bottom of the panel adjacent to the front of the panel for attachment of said cover to a handle on a shopping cart, a second set of fasteners attached to the bottom of the panel adjacent to the back of the panel for attachment to the back of a shopping cart seat, a third set of fasteners attached to the bottom of the panel adjacent said first side for attachment to a first side of a shopping cart seat and a fourth set of fasteners attached to the bottom of the panel adjacent said second opposite side, and wherein said fasteners attach said cover to the inside of a shopping cart seat and substantially maintain the position of said cover in said shopping cart seat.

10. The sanitary cover of claim 9 wherein said plurality of slits defining openings between the top and bottom comprise a first set of slits proximate the at least one leg opening and a second set of slits proximate the back of said panel, wherein said first set of slits is immediately adjacent and complementary to said second set of slits when said panel is folded over the back of a shopping cart seat.

11. The sanitary cover of claim 9 wherein said cover comprises one or more disposable materials selected from the group consisting of: non-woven material; absorbent material; waterproof material; water-repellant material; spill-resistant material; chemical resistant material; anti-bacterial material; anti-viral material; anti-microbial material; biodegradable material; and recyclable material.

12. The disposable material of claim 9 wherein said disposable material comprises one of more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: non-woven; absorbent; waterproof; water-repellant; spill-resistant; chemical resistant; anti-bacterial; anti-viral; anti-microbial; biodegradable; and recyclable.

13. The sanitary cover of claim 9 wherein one or more of said fasteners is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners; button fasteners; snap fasteners; hook and eye fasteners; double-sided tape; and re-sealable tape.

14. The sanitary cover of claim 9 wherein said fasteners are connected to the cover by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: sewing; gluing; taping; stapling; interweaving; thermal bonding; chemical bonding; mechanical bonding; and ultrasonic welding.

15. A sanitary cover for use with a shopping cart handle comprising a single panel of material further comprising a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second opposing side;

a first set of fasteners attached proximate said first side, wherein one of said first set of fasteners is attached to the bottom of said panel and a second complementary fastener is connected to the top of said panel adjacent the back;

a second set of fasteners attached proximate said second opposing side, wherein one of said second set of fasteners is attached to the bottom of said panel and a second complementary fastener is connected to the top of said panel adjacent the back, wherein said panel can be wrapped longitudinally about the handle of a shopping cart and wherein said complementary fasteners fasten to one another to maintain the position of the cover on the handle of the shopping cart.

16. The sanitary cover of claim 15 wherein said cover comprises one or more disposable materials selected from the group consisting of: non-woven material; absorbent material; waterproof material; water-repellant material; spill-resistant material; chemical resistant material; anti-bacterial material; anti-viral material; anti-microbial material; biodegradable material; and recyclable material.

17. The disposable material of claim 15 wherein said disposable material comprises one of more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: non-woven; absorbent; waterproof; water-repellant; spill-resistant; chemical resistant; anti-bacterial; anti-viral; anti-microbial; biodegradable; and recyclable.

18. The sanitary cover of claim 15 wherein one or more of said fasteners is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners; button fasteners; snap fasteners; hook and eye fasteners; double-sided tape; and re-sealable tape.

19. The sanitary cover of claim 15 wherein said fasteners are connected to the cover by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: sewing; gluing; taping; stapling; interweaving; thermal bonding; chemical bonding; mechanical bonding; and ultrasonic welding.

20. A sanitary cover for use in a seat having shoulder restraints comprising a single panel of material further comprising a top, a bottom, a periphery, a pair of opposing slits defining openings between the top and bottom for receiving a pair of shoulder restraints attached to said seat, said slits each further comprising complementary fasteners, a single slit adjacent to said pair of slits for receiving a connector to which each of said shoulder restraints attach, said single slit further comprising a reinforced edge, and a retention edging disposed about the periphery of said panel for maintaining the position of said cover on said seat.

21. The sanitary cover of claim 20 wherein said cover comprises one or more disposable materials selected from the group consisting of: non-woven material; absorbent material; waterproof material; water-repellant material; spill-resistant material; chemical resistant material; anti-bacterial material; anti-viral material; anti-microbial material; biodegradable material; and recyclable material.

22. The disposable material of claim 20 wherein said disposable material comprises one of more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: non-woven; absorbent; waterproof; water-repellant; spill-resistant; chemical resistant; anti-bacterial; anti-viral; anti-microbial; biodegradable; and recyclable.

23. The sanitary cover of claim 20 wherein one or more of said fasteners is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners; button fasteners; snap fasteners; hook and eye fasteners; double-sided tape; and re-sealable tape.

24. The sanitary cover of claim 20 wherein said fasteners are connected to the cover by one or more methods selected from the group consisting of: sewing; gluing; taping; stapling; interweaving; thermal bonding; chemical bonding; mechanical bonding; and ultrasonic welding.

25. The sanitary cover of claim 20 wherein said retention edging comprises elastic edging.

26. The sanitary cover of claim 20 wherein said retention edging comprises a draw string.