Probe cover dispenser

摘要

A storage chamber large enough to store a predetermined number of probe covers is formed into a dispenser body. A spring biases the probe covers toward one end of the chamber at which is located a slide. The slide has an indentation used to retrieve a single probe cover from the chamber at a time when aligned with the chamber. Located in the indentation is an aperture tube for receiving a probe of the instrument to be covered. The probe is pressed into the probe cover and into the aperture thus causing the probe cover to stretch and cover the probe. A flange formed on the slide is pressed by a user to align the indentation of the slide with the chamber. The slide is spring loaded so that releasing the flange will result in the slide moving such that the identation is located outside the chamber and the retrieved probe cover can be applied to the instrument. A door in the dispenser is raised to allow access to the chamber for the insertion of a stack of probe covers. Probe covers in each stack are held together with a removable band. After inserting a stack of probe covers in the chamber, the door is closed and a pull tab on the band pulled to remove the entire band from the stack. A quantity indicator is provided which allows the user to see the quantity of probe covers remaining in the chamber without opening the door.