Protective cap for infrared radiation thermometer

A disposable foam-based probe cover for use with a radiant energy sensing probe having an outer surface, said disposable foam-based probe cover, in use, being separable from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after use, said disposable foam-based probe cover comprising a hollow body comprising a compressible foam material and having a cavity therein terminating in an opening, the probe cover, in use, accepting said radiant energy sensing probe that is oversized relative to said cavity, said foam-based probe cover at least partially deforming over said oversized probe when said probe is inserted through said opening so as to frictionally engage said probe outer surface and thereby removably retain said probe cover on said probe, said probe cover into which said probe has been inserted being shaped for insertion into the external acoustical meatus of ear of the human body, said foam providing a cushioning effect to increase the subject's comfort, said probe cover, in use, being stripped from said sensing probe without damaging said sensing probe after said probe and said probe cover are removed from said external acoustical meatus.

A disposable probe cover for use with a radiant energy sensing probe, said disposable probe cover, in use, being separable from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after use, said disposable probe cover comprising:

• a foam sheet molded to provide a compressible, deformable hollow body having a passage defined therethrough, the passage being dimensioned for, in use, accepting at least a portion of a radiant energy sensing probe so that the deformable hollow body stretches over and thereby frictionally engages said probe, the passage terminating in an opening through which said probe is, in use, removably inserted, said molded foam sheet, in use, being stripped from said radiant energy sensing probe without damaging said sensing probe, after said probe is used to allow said probe to be inserted into a further probe cover before re-use.

A disposable foam-based probe cover for use with a radiant energy sensing probe, said disposable probe cover, in use, being separable from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after use, said disposable probe cover having a passageway defined therein, said probe cover comprising a hollow body comprising a compressible foam material, the probe cover, in use, accepting said radiant energy sensing probe that is oversized relative to the dimension of said passageway so that said compressible foam at least partially deforms over said radiant energy sensing probe and thereby frictionally engages said probe so as to removably retain said compressible foam on said probe during use, said probe cover and inserted probe being shaped for insertion into the external acoustical meatus of the ear of the human body, said probe cover, in use, being stripped from said radiant energy sensing probe without damaging said probe after said probe is used to allow said probe to be inserted into a further probe cover before re-use of said probe.

A disposable probe cover for use with a radiant energy sensing probe, said disposable probe cover in use, being separable from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after use, said disposable probe cover comprising:

• foam molded to provide a compressible, deformable hollow body having a passage defined therethrough, the passage being dimensioned for, in uses removably accepting at least a portion of said radiant energy sensing probe, the passage terminating in an opening through which said probe is removably inserted, said molded foam body, in use, being separated from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after said probe is used to allow said probe to be inserted into a further probe cover,
• wherein said probe is oversized relative to said passage, and said foam at least partially deforms when said probe is inserted into said passage so as to removably, frictionally engage said probe.

A disposable probe cover for use with a radiant energy sensing probe, said disposable probe cover, in use, being separable from said radiant energy sensing probe and disposed of after use, said disposable probe cover comprising:

• a foam sheet molded to provide a compressible, deformable hollow body having a passage defined therethrough, the passage being dimensioned for, in use, accepting at least a portion of said radiant energy sensing probe, the passage terminating in an opening through which said probe is, in use, removably inserted, said molded foam sheet, in use, being stripped from said radiant energy sensing probe without damaging said sensing probe, after said probe is used to allow said probe to be inserted into a further probe cover before re-use,
• wherein said probe is oversized relative to said passage, and said foam at least partially deforms when said probe is inserted into said passage so as to removably, frictionally engage said probe.