Reinventing the Handkerchief

While thinking about my device the past couple of days, I realized how similar it was to the handkerchief. So I did some research on the handkerchief and found that this simple device (which is really just a square of fabric) dates back to 1377 to King Richard II of England who is thought to have invented it. Not only is the handkerchief used for personal hygiene, but it was used as a decorative accessory as well, much as it is today in suit pockets. So in addition to reinventing the handkerchief in the hygienic sense, i cold also reinvent it as a fashion statement.

The handkerchief has for the most part been replaced by tissues, this is unfortunate because tissues are not always available when need it and come in large bulky boxes, whereas a handkerchief is always kept handy. Also, the handkerchief is more environmentally friendly since they can be used multiple times, and if they were made out of polypropylene (which is usually already recycled and can be recycled again after use) it would make for one very green product.

Here is what I have come up with so far. I designed it to fold up easily into a triangular shaped piece that can fit easily into any pocket. It has two slots for your pointer finger and thumb so they can slip in and open the device before arriving at the face to cover a cough/ sneeze. When opened, the device is deep so the force of air expelled from the lungs goes into the device without receiving resistance.