HAND SANITIZER AND DISPENSER

Abstract

A dispenser for dispensing hand sanitizer powder includes a base, a container supported on the base and including the hand sanitizer powder therein, and a tray coupled to the base beneath the container. The tray includes an opening. The dispenser also includes a body at least partially positioned within the tray and rotatable about an axis. The body includes at least one compartment exposed to an outer periphery of the body. The body is rotatable between a first position, in which the compartment is in facing relationship with the container to receive the hand sanitizer powder therefrom, and a second position, in which the compartment is aligned the opening in the tray for dispensing the hand sanitizer powder through the opening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/456,244 filed on Nov. 3, 2010, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hand sanitizers, and more particularly to hand sanitizer dispensers

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In dry environments, not retaining cleanliness can often pose a threat of infection through physical contact, as well as the spread of blood-born pathogens and other infectious agents. In such environments where water is scarce, it is desirable to save water for consumption rather than using it for acts of hygiene and conventional manners of sanitation (e.g., washing with water and anti-microbial soaps, etc.).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in one aspect, a dispenser for dispensing hand sanitizer powder including a base, a container supported on the base and including the hand sanitizer powder therein, and a tray coupled to the base beneath the container. The tray includes an opening. The dispenser also includes a body at least partially positioned within the tray and rotatable about an axis. The body includes at least one compartment exposed to an outer periphery of the body. The body is rotatable between a first position, in which the compartment is in facing relationship with the container to receive the hand sanitizer powder therefrom, and a second position, in which the compartment is aligned with the opening in the tray for dispensing the hand sanitizer powder through the opening.

The present invention provides, in another aspect, an anti-microbial powder including about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of an anti-microbial compound, about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of a fumed silica, and water.

Other features and aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a hand sanitizer dispenser in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of the dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of another portion of the dispenser of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hand sanitizer dispenser in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a dispenser 10 for dispensing hand sanitizer powder in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The dispenser 10 includes a base 14 and a container 18, which includes the hand sanitizer powder, supported on the base 14. The base 14 may be secured to a support surface (e.g., a wall) using conventional fasteners (e.g., screws 22, etc.). Alternatively, the dispenser 10 may be mounted within a vehicle, with the base 14 being secured to a wall of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. With reference to FIG. 3, the base 14 includes an aperture 26 and an upper surface 30 surrounding the aperture 26 upon which the container 18 is supported. In the illustrated embodiment of the dispenser 10, the upper surface 30 is defined by four walls 34 tapered downwardly and inwardly toward the aperture 26 from the frame of reference of FIG. 3. Alternatively, the upper surface 30 may be defined by one or more curved contours, with the aperture 26 located proximate the lower-most region of the upper surface 30.

With reference to FIG. 1, the container 18 includes an inlet/outlet port 38 and a lower surface 42 surrounding the inlet/outlet port 38. The lower surface 42 has a contour complementary to that of the upper surface 30 of the base 14—i.e., a contour defined by four walls tapered downwardly and inwardly toward the inlet/outlet port 38 from the frame of reference of FIG. 1. When the container 18 is positioned on the base 14, the complementary contours of the lower and upper surfaces 42, 30 of the container 18 and the base 14, respectively, guide the inlet/outlet port 38 to a position in which the port 38 is at least partially received within the aperture 26 in the base 14. As such, the hand sanitizer powder within the container 18 may be dispensed from the container 18 through the inlet/outlet port 38 and the aperture 26. When the container 18 requires a refill, additional hand sanitizer powder may be transferred (e.g., poured) through the inlet/outlet port 38 and into the container 18.

The container 18 also includes a handle 46 to facilitate placing the container 18 upon the base 14 and removing the container 18 from the base 14. In the illustrated embodiment of the dispenser 10, the handle 46 is located on a front surface 50 of the container 18 and integrally formed with the container 18 as a single piece. Alternatively, the handle 46 may be located on another surface of the container 18 (e.g., the top surface), or the handle 46 may be formed as a separate component from the container 18 and attached to the container 18 in any of a number of different manners (e.g., using fasteners, by welding, etc.). Also, in the illustrated embodiment of the dispenser 10, the container 18 is supported atop the base 14 in an unsecured manner (i.e., without being positively retained to the base 14). The weight of the filled container 18, the complementary contours of the lower and upper surfaces 42, 30 of the container 18 and the base 14, respectively, and peripheral walls 54 surrounding the upper surface 30 of the base 14 all cooperate to stabilize the container 18 atop the base 14. Alternatively, quick-disconnect structure may be employed to selectively positively retain the container 18 to the base 14.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispenser 10 also includes a tray 58 coupled to the base 14 beneath the container 18. The tray 58 includes an opening 62 and arcuate inner peripheral surfaces 66 on either side of the opening 62 (FIG. 2). The tray 58 also includes spaced side walls 70 which at least partially define the opening 62. The side walls 70 include aligned apertures 74, respectively, the purpose of which is described below. With reference to FIG. 1, the tray 58 is coupled to an underside of the base 14 using a bracket 78 and conventional fasteners (e.g., screws 82, etc.). Alternatively, the tray 58 may be directly secured to the base 14 using fasteners or any of a number of different quick-release mechanisms.

With reference to FIG. 2, the dispenser 10 further includes a body 86 at least partially positioned within the tray 58 and defining therein multiple compartments 90a-90d exposed to an outer periphery of the body 86 in which the hand sanitizer powder may be received from the container 18. In the illustrated embodiment of the dispenser 10, the body 86 is configured as a paddle wheel 94 including a shaft 98, opposite ends of which are received in the respective apertures 74 in the side walls 70 of the tray 58, and multiple paddles 102 extending radially outwardly from the shaft 98. Particularly, the paddle wheel 94 includes four paddles 102, with adjacent paddles 102 defining therebetween the compartments 90a-90d. Further, the paddles 102, and therefore the mid-sections of each of the compartments 90a-90d, are angularly spaced from each other by about 90 degrees. Alternatively, the paddle wheel 94 may include a different number of paddles 102 to define a different number of compartments 90a-90d. As a further alternative, for example, the body 86 may be configured as a cylinder having discrete recesses in the outer periphery of the cylinder in which the hand sanitizer powder is received.

The length of each of the paddles 102 is sized such that the radially outer tips of the respective paddles 102 are engageable with the inner peripheral surface 66 of the tray 58 as the paddle wheel 94 is rotated within the tray 58 about an axis 104. As such, a combination of the side walls 70 and the inner peripheral surface 66 of the tray 58 blocks or inhibits hand sanitizer powder from exiting a particular compartment 90a-90d when the paddle wheel 94 is rotated from a first position, in which the particular compartment 90a-90d is in facing relationship with the container 18 to receive the hand sanitizer powder, to a second position, in which the compartment 90a-90d is aligned with the opening 62 in the tray 58 for dispensing the hand sanitizer powder through the opening 62.

With reference to FIG. 1, the dispenser 10 also includes an electric motor 106 drivably coupled to the shaft 98 of the paddle wheel 94 for rotating the paddle wheel 94. In the illustrated embodiment of the dispenser 10 in which the paddle wheel 94 includes four paddles 102, the motor 106 is operable to rotate the paddle wheel 94 in 90 degree increments. In other words, the motor 106 is operational in short increments of time corresponding to 90 degrees of rotation of the shaft 98. Rotating the paddle wheel 94 in 90 degree increments ensures that a consistent amount of hand sanitizer powder for an individual application, corresponding to the amount of powder that may be stored in each of the compartments 90a-90d, is dispensed each time. The dispenser 10 may include a controller (not shown) electrically connected between the motor 106 and a power source (e.g., line current or a battery 108) to facilitate operation of the motor 106 in this manner. Alternatively, the motor 106 may be configured as a servo motor that is rotatable only a fraction of a revolution each time the motor 106 is activated. Although not shown, the dispenser 10 may also include a transmission coupled between the motor 106 and the shaft 98 to provide a reduced rotational speed to the shaft 98 and/or permit the motor 106 to be mounted in a remote location from the paddle wheel 94.

With reference to FIG. 1, the dispenser 10 further includes a sensor 110 electrically connected to the motor 106 for detecting an individual's hands beneath the opening 62 in the tray 58. Particularly, the sensor 110 electrically connects the motor 106 with a power source (e.g., line current or the battery 108) upon detecting an individual's hands beneath the opening 62 in the tray 58 to activate the motor 106 and rotate the paddle wheel 94 in a 90 degree increment for dispensing hand sanitizer powder from one of the compartments 90a-90d. As such, the sensor 110 facilitates automatic dispensing of hand sanitizer powder in response to an individual placing his or her hands beneath the opening 62 in the tray 58. The sensor 110 may be configured as an optical sensor 110 for detecting a change in light measured by the sensor 110 caused by placement of an individual's hands beneath the tray 58. Alternatively, the sensor 110 may be configured as a proximity sensor for directly detecting an individual's hands beneath the tray 58.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the dispenser 10 also includes a grating 114 coupled to the base 14 and positioned beneath the opening 62 in the tray 58. When hand sanitizer powder is dispensed from one of the compartments 90a-90d, the powder falls through the opening 62 in the tray 58 and through the grating 114 prior to falling onto an individual's hands. The grating 114 straightens the trajectory of the powder to ensure that it falls from a specific and predictable location beneath the dispenser 10.

In operation of the dispenser 10, the compartment 90a is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction from the frame of reference of FIG. 2 to a position in which it is in facing relationship with the aperture 26 and the inlet/outlet port 38 to receive hand sanitizer powder from the container 18 at the same time as the compartment 90c is rotated to a position in which it is aligned with the opening 62 in the tray 58 to dispense the amount of hand sanitizer powder in the compartment 90c through the opening 62. At this time, the compartment 90b, which was previously beneath the aperture 26 and the inlet/outlet port 38, is filled with hand sanitizer powder and the compartment 90d, which was previously aligned with the opening 62 in the tray 58, is empty. The next time the dispenser 10 is used, the compartment 90b is rotated to a position in which it is aligned with the opening 62 in the tray 58 to dispense the amount of hand sanitizer powder in the compartment 90b through the opening 62, and the compartment 90d is rotated to a position in which it is in facing relationship with the aperture 26 and the inlet/outlet port 38 to receive hand sanitizer powder from the container 18. Each time one of the compartments 90a-90d is aligned with the aperture 26 and the inlet/outlet port 38, hand sanitizer powder spills from the inlet/outlet port 38 into the compartment 90a-90d until the compartment 90a-90d is filled, after which time the flow of powder through the inlet/outlet port 38 stagnates. The stagnant powder within the inlet/outlet port 38 remains unchanged until the paddle wheel 94 is rotated again to align an empty compartment 90a-90d with the aperture 26 and the inlet/outlet port 38. The paddle wheel 94 is rotated in this manner in 90 degree increments for dispensing discrete amounts of hand sanitizer powder through the opening 62 in the tray 58.

As previously mentioned, operation of the dispenser 10 is automatic. The sensor 110 detects an individual's hands beneath the opening 62 in the tray 58 and activates the motor 106 for rotating the paddle wheel 94 90 degrees. After the paddle wheel 94 is rotated 90 degrees, the motor 106 is deactivated until the sensor 110 detects another individual's hands beneath the opening 62 in the tray 58.

Should the container 18 be completely emptied, one need only to grasp the container handle 46, lift the container 18 from the base 14, and replace the empty container 18 with a full container 18. As such, the container 18 may be quickly replaced without using any tools (e.g., a key for unlocking an otherwise locked housing).

FIG. 4 illustrates a dispenser 210 for dispensing hand sanitizer powder in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. Like components are labeled with like reference numerals with the letter “a” and will not be described again in detail. Unlike the automatic dispenser 10 of FIGS. 1-3, the dispenser 210 of FIG. 4 includes a manual actuator 214 drivably coupled to the paddle wheel (not shown) for rotating the paddle wheel between the first and second positions described above in connection with the dispenser 10 of FIGS. 1-3. In the illustrated embodiment of the dispenser 210, the manual actuator 214 is configured as a lever 218 that is coupled directly or indirectly (e.g., via a transmission) to the paddle wheel for incrementally rotating the paddle wheel for each occurrence of the lever 218 being depressed (FIG. 4). The operation of the manual dispenser 210 is otherwise identical to the automatic dispenser 10 of FIGS. 1-3.

The anti-microbial hand sanitizer powder used with either of the dispensers comprises an anti-microbial compound, a fumed silica, and water. The active anti-microbial compound may comprise a quaternary compound, a non-ionic compound, chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, hexamidine diisethionate, polyaminopropyl biguanine, or any combination thereof. Examples of quaternary compounds include, without limitation, at least one of benzethonium chloride benzalkonium chloride, and combinations thereof. Examples of non-ionic compounds include, without limitation, at least one of benzyl alcohol, triclosan and a combination thereof. The amount of anti-microbial compound in the powder may be about 0.05% to about 5% by weight, for example, about 0.06% to about 2.5% by weight, about 0.08% to about 1% by weight, and about 0.09% to about 0.4% by weight. In some embodiments, the amount of anti-microbial compound in the powder can be at least about 0.05% by weight, at least about 0.1% by weight, at least about 0.8% by weight, up to about 0.1% by weight, up to about 1% by weight, up to about 2.5% by weight, up to about 5% by weight, or about 0.1% by weight.

The fumed silica may be hydrophobic. Examples of fumed silica include, without limitation, fumed silicas sold under the tradename AEROSIL by Evonik Industries of Parsippany, N.J. Examples include, without limitation, at least one of AEROSIL R812S, R812, R972, R974 and a combination thereof, all commercially available from EVONIK Industries of Parsippany, N.J. Examples of fumed silicas include silanamines. The amount of fumed silica in the powder can be about 0.5% to about 15% by weight, for example, about 1% to about 13% by weight, about 2% to about 10% by weight, and about 3% to about 7% by weight. In some embodiments, the amount of fumed silica in the powder can be at least about 0.5% by weight, at least about 1% by weight, at least about 5% by weight, up to about 2% by weight, up to about 5% by weight, up to about 10% by weight, up to about 15% by weight, or about 5% by weight.

The water used in making the hand sanitizer powder may be deionized. The amount of water in the powder can be about 75% to about 98% by weight, for example, about 80% to about 98% by weight, about 85% to about 97% by weight, and about 90% to about 96% by weight. In some embodiments, the amount of water in the powder can be at least about 75% by weight, at least about 80% by weight, at least about 95% by weight, up to about 80% by weight, up to about 85% by weight, up to about 95% by weight, up to about 98% by weight, or about 94.9% by weight.

The hand sanitizer powder may have a density of about 10 pounds per cubic foot to about 45 pounds per cubic foot, about 15 pounds per cubic foot to about 40 pounds per cubic foot, 20 pounds per cubic foot to about 35 pounds per cubic foot, or about 25 pounds per cubic foot to about 30 pounds per cubic foot. For example, the hand sanitizer powder may have a density of at least about 15 pounds per cubic foot, at least about 25 pounds per cubic foot, at least about 35 pounds per cubic foot, up to about 15 pounds per cubic foot, up to about 30 pounds per cubic foot, or up to 45 pounds per cubic foot. In one embodiment, the hand sanitizer powder has a density of 27.5 pounds per cubic foot and is a white, free-flowing powder like material. In a 1% aqueous solution, the powder has a pH of about 5.0 to about 6.5.

The hand sanitizer powder may be prepared using a commercial blender. The components may be mixed in any order. In one embodiment, the anti-microbial compound may be mixed with deionized water until the compound dissolves. The fumed silica may then be added and mixed until free-flowing powder is produced. All percentages expressed herein are by weight unless explicitly described otherwise.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

The anti-microbial hand sanitizer powder was prepared using the following process. First, 94.9 grams of deionized water was placed in a commercially available blender at 25° C. Then, 0.10 grams of benzethonium chloride was added to the water. Benzethonium chloride is commercially available as LONZAGARD Benzethonium Chloride USP from Lonza, Inc. of Mapleton, Ill. LONZAGARD Benzethonium Chloride USP is also known by the chemical name Disobutylphenoxyethoxyethyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride monohydrate (C27H42C1NO_{2 H2}O; CAS No. 121-54-0). The water and benzethonium chloride were mixed until the benzethonium chloride completely dissolved. Then, 5.00 grams of AEROSIL R812S was added to the blender. AEROSIL R812S is commercially available from EVONIK Industries of Parsippany, NJ and is also known by the chemical name silanamine,1,1,1-trimethyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)-, hydrolysis products with silica (CAS-No. 68909-20-6). The mixture was mixed in the blender for 1 to 5 minutes at high speed to form a free-flowing powder. The resulting powder had the following composition:

Ingredient	Percentage by weight	Grams
Deionized water	94.9%	94.9
Benzethonium Chloride	0.1%	0.1
AEROSIL R812S	5.0%	5.0
Total	100.0%	100.0	grams

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing hand sanitizer powder, comprising:

a base;

a container removably supported on the base and including the hand sanitizer powder therein;

a tray coupled to the base beneath the container, the tray including an opening; and

a body at least partially positioned within the tray and rotatable about an axis, the body including at least one compartment exposed to an outer periphery of the body and rotatable between a first position, in which the compartment is in facing relationship with the container to receive the hand sanitizer powder therefrom, and a second position, in which the compartment is aligned with the opening in the tray for dispensing the hand sanitizer powder through the opening.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the body is a paddle wheel including at least two paddles at least partially defining therebetween the compartment.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein at least one of the paddles is engageable with an inner peripheral surface of the tray as the paddle wheel is rotated between the first and second positions.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the compartment is a first compartment, and wherein the body includes a second compartment exposed to the outer periphery of the body and angularly spaced from the first compartment.

5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the second compartment is in facing relationship with the container to receive the hand sanitizer powder therefrom when the body is in the second position to align the first compartment with the opening in the tray.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein the second compartment is angularly spaced from the first compartment by about 180 degrees.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container includes an inlet/outlet port through which the hand sanitizer powder is transferred.

8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the base includes an aperture in which the inlet/outlet port is at least partially received.

9. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the container includes a lower surface surrounding the inlet/outlet port, and wherein the base includes an upper surface surrounding the aperture and having a contour complementary to that of the lower surface.

10. The dispenser of claim 8, wherein the compartment is in facing relationship with the aperture when the body is in the first position.

11. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an electric motor drivably coupled to the body for rotating the body between the first and second positions.

12. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a sensor electrically connected to the motor for detecting an individual's hands beneath the opening in the tray.

13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the sensor electrically connects the motor with a power source upon detecting an individual's hands beneath the opening in the tray.

14. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the sensor is one of an optical sensor and a proximity sensor.

15. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a manual actuator drivably coupled to the body for rotating the body between the first and second positions.

16. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the container includes a handle.

17. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the base is secured to a support surface, and wherein the container is supported atop the base in an unsecured manner.

18-28. (canceled)