WRIST-WORN SANITIZER DISPENSER

Abstract

A wrist-worn hand sanitizer dispenser packet includes a bladder having two-ply welded plastic or blow molded plastic, a valve unified at a first end thereof with the bladder, a fluid recharge opening in the bladder on an opposite side of the valve, the fluid recharge opening to permit refilling a fluid cavity in the bladder, wherein the bladder is prepared for sealing by applying at least one folded layer at the fluid recharge opening, and a tubular structure having a channel extending along the length thereof and acute flares formed at ends of the channel, the tubular structure configured to retain the at least one folded layer of the bladder.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/128,332, filed on Dec. 21, 2020, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/053,063, filed on Jul. 17, 2020, and which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to dispensers providing a convenient method for applying hand sanitizer.

Discussion of the Background

The emergence of the COVID-19 viral pandemic within the United States, in January 2020, revealed shortcomings of personal protective equipment as well as agreed upon guidance regarding proper hygienic measures to protect oneself from contraction of the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control issued seven recommendations to the general public of the U.S. on Mar. 27, 2020. The first recommendation cited was to wash your hands frequently. The second one cited was to “avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.” Other recommendations were manageable such as keeping a six-foot distance between persons and wearing a face mask. Washing one's hands however can be quite problematic when performing functions in public such as shopping and traveling to work. Every door, shopping cart, gas pump handle, subway hand grip and elevator button could conceivably be contaminated with COVID-19 or other pathogens.

Although normal in other countries, the use of face masks in the U.S. was not customary until recently. The lowering of this barrier, due to possible infection, has not only been encouragement for all to wear a mask, it has been seen as respectful to others who may come in close proximity to the wearer. However, touching one's face may result from an involuntary response to itch, sweat, dry an eye, or a need to adjust ones glasses or face mask. Keeping a six foot distance, wearing a mask, and washing ones hands is a voluntary action but may not sufficiently reduce the chance of tainting the face with contaminated hands.

Alcohol-based disinfectants have been found to be an effective way of eliminating pathogens such as COVID-19. Hand disinfectants are marketed in a range of viscosities from 95% alcohol (liquid) to gel-based mixtures. The gel-based disinfectants may have a viscosity up to 300 times that of pure ethyl alcohol when mixed with 35% glycerin to 65% alcohol, so a dispenser with broad utility may be needed to accommodate a large range of viscosities.

Members of the general public may rely solely on having wash stations nearby such as at restaurants and commercial outlets. Many persons may carry small amounts of sanitizer with them. However, it may be inconvenient to locate wash stations, and reaching into one's pocket or pocket book to retrieve and use a portable bottle of sanitizer may promote the spread of viruses to personal items.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the inventive concept, and, therefore, it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments provide a dispenser providing a convenient method for applying hand sanitizer.

Exemplary embodiments also provide a wrist-worn dispenser providing a convenient method for applying hand sanitizer.

Additional aspects will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and, in part, will be apparent from the disclosure, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concept.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a dispenser includes a reservoir having a first sheet and a second sheet connected at edges thereof, and a dispensing aperture arranged between the first sheet and the second sheet.

According to an exemplary embodiment a dispenser includes a holster having a first ply and a second ply, a reservoir having a first sheet and a second sheet connected at edges thereof, and a dispensing aperture arranged between the first sheet and the second sheet, wherein the second ply forms a pocket on the first ply, and the reservoir is arranged in the pocket between the first ply and the second ply.

According to an exemplary embodiment a clip includes a body having a tubular shape and a channel formed through the body and extending along an entire length thereof.

The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the inventive concept, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept, and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the inventive concept.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a bladder according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the bladder of FIG. 2 being refilled with hand sanitizer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a clip according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a valve according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the valve of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b are cross-sectional views of the valve taken along line A-A′ of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a holster according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the holster of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the holster of FIG. 9 and the bladder according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows the dispenser of FIG. 1 during use according to the present exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the dispenser of FIG. 13.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 15.

FIG. 16a, FIG. 16b, FIG. 16c and FIG. 16d show a method for installing a valve into a bladder according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments. It is apparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with one or more equivalent arrangements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover, the terms “comprises,” comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

An exemplary embodiment relates to a dispenser 10, as shown FIG. 1, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the dispenser 10 includes a holster 1 to allow the dispenser to be wrist-worn, for dispensing sanitizer. The holster 1 may be made of a synthetic or natural fabric or plastic sheet and secured to a user's wrist using a buckle 3 and hook 21 and loop 20 fastener. A valve 2 extends from the holster 1 and may be directed towards the user's palm of hand.

The holster 1 has a bladder 4 arranged therein. The bladder 4 is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The body of the bladder 4 is fabricated from two plies of sheet plastic such as polystyrene of polypropylene and is heat welded together at a seam 5. The bladder may also be fabricated using a blow mold technique. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the bladder 4 is a two-ply, heat welded six mil polypropylene material capable of containing fifteen cubic centimeters of hand sanitizer fluid of varying viscosity. The bladder 4 provides a contained environment using a check valve-controlled, dispensing duct at one end thereof, and a refill opening 37 at the opposite end thereof. The valve 2 is secured to the bladder 4 using shrink wrap tubing 8 compressed over the bladder plies, forcing them into a groove located on the valve body (described below with respect to FIGS. 5-7b and 16a-16d). The bladder 4 has a flap 6, and a clip 7 is slid over the flap 6 to secure and seal the bladder 4 opening 37.

FIG. 3 demonstrates how the bladder 4 is filled with fluid according to the present exemplary embodiment. The clip 7 is removed from the flap 6 of the bladder 4. The flap 6 is unfolded and separated to expose the opening 37. The sides of the bladder 4 are then squeezed using the thumb and index finger placed on the edges of the bladder 4 in order to expand the bladder 4. Sanitizer is then pumped into the bladder 4 to a level approximately two-thirds of the way up using a bottle with pump 9. The flap 6 is closed by folding the flap 6 back on itself twice with each fold being approximately one quarter inch in width. The clip 7 is then reinstalled by sliding it from one side and across the seam of the bladder 4.

The clip 7, as shown in FIG. 4, is made of a plastic material such as polyoxymethylene (acetal). A channel 11 is cut in the clip 7 and notched 12 at both ends of the clip 7 to facilitate insertion onto the flap 6. A label embossed or stamped may carry brand, writing or technical information. According to further exemplary embodiments, the clip 7 may be used for restraining any multiple-ply sheet material such as tooth paste or cosmetic tubes to prevent the paste from moving away from the nozzle when being squeezed.

As shown in FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b, the valve 2 is a pressure valve having a body made of polyoxymethylene and that includes a polyoxymethylene ball 13 and a spring 17. Ball diameter and properly adjusted spring force is used to realize the optimal pressure required to release fluid to a user's hand. The valve 2 pressure release mechanism may alternatively be made of a cross-slotted diaphragm or other technique that would restrict the flow of sanitizer fluid until a critical pressure level is obtained. The spring constant and aperture (ball to seat dimension) permits a reasonable pressure be applied in order to release the sanitizer without the problem of unintended release, slow weep or discharge requiring excessive applied pressure.

A cap 16, that contains a properly sized hole capable of retaining the ball 13, is affixed to the valve 2 body using a heat crimp 14 or cyanoacrylate adhesive. The valve 2 is adhered to the bladder 4 with the use of grooves 15a and 15b in the valve 2 that permits the unification of the bladder 4 to valve 2 using shrink tubing. This approach helps insure that no leakage takes place when pressure is exerted on the bladder 4, such as by using the fingers of an opposing hand. A vent 18 communicates fluid from bladder 4 to a user's palm.

FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b are cross-sectional views of the valve 2 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 according to the present exemplary embodiment. A valve inlet chamber 16a is provided between the ball 13 and the valve chamber wall to allow fluid to pass when pressure is applied to the bladder 4 during operation, as shown in FIG. 7b. In conjunction with the size of the ball 13, the spring 17 was chosen with a k value (i.e., force rate) commensurate with the desired pressure to release the sanitizer fluid. The length of the spring 17 along with the length of the spring chamber allows adjustment of the spring tension to fine tune the optimal pressure release point. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the spring 17 has a compressed length greater than spring chamber length, which is intended to prevent a situation where a solid height (i.e., all windings compressed upon each other) may be reached causing restriction or stoppage of the fluid through the valve 2, such as by the ball 13 blocking fluid from flowing through the spring chamber.

Groove 15a is used in concurrence with the cap 16 allowing the cap to be sealed to the valve body using a heat crimp. Groove 15b performs two functions. First, it provides a pressure seal between the valve 2 and bladder 4 (as described with respect to FIGS. 16a-16d below) and second, it prevents the valve from moving back into the bladder 4, such as if the valve 2 is inadvertently forced backwards.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the holster 1 showing the hook 21 and loop 20 fastener. FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the holster 1 having a pocket 23 sewn thereon, the hook 21 affixed on a tapered end of the holster 1, and a buckle 3 affixed on the opposite end of the holster 1. The holster 1 is secured to a user by threading the holster 1 through a “D” ring of the buckle 3 and securing it with the hook 21 to the loop 20 sewn on the top side of the holster 1.

The pocket 23 is accessed by a first opening 22 about one-third of the way down the pocket 23, the first opening 22 perpendicularly orientated to the buckle 3. The pocket 23 also has a second opening 24 along the bottom edge of the holster 1 for the valve 2 to be exposed therethrough. The bladder 4 is inserted into the pocket 23, and may be completely enclosed in the pocket 23. FIG. 10 is a view of the bottom side of the holster 1 with the bladder 4 overlaid on the holster 1 to show the area that the bladder 4 occupies in the pocket 23.

The method for dispensing hand sanitizer fluid onto the palm of a user's hand is shown in FIG. 11. According to the present exemplary embodiment, a user's hand, from the arm opposite of the arm having the wrist on which the dispenser 10 is attached, is placed over the holster 1 and pressed with a force that causes fluid 26 to expel from the valve 2 and onto the user's palm. The dispenser 10 may be attached on either wrist.

Approximately 0.5 cc of hand sanitizer in gel form may be required to fully coat one's hands. Given the number of times a user may encounter a situation where it would be advisable to cleanse one's hands during the day, the bladder 4 having a 15 cc capacity provides, at a minimum, a one day supply. Also, the bladder 4 is easy to replace or refill in situ without the use of special tools. To accomplish this, the bladder 4 is configured as a separable unit from the holster 1. Individual bladders can be carried or stored for later use.

A dispenser 100 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. The dispenser 100 may be substantially the same as the dispenser 10 described above with respect to FIGS. 1 through 11 of the present application, and the disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference, and any repeated disclosure may be omitted for the sake of brevity. The dispenser 100 may be disposed after a single use, or when the reservoir therein is depleted. A base ply 27 is made from low-cost felt, paper/fiber, or personal protective equipment (PPE) material. A bladder pack 28 is completely sealed after being filled, eliminating a refill capability (such as described above with respect to the bladder 4), and the bladder pack 28 is positioned on the top side of the base ply 27. A second ply 29 used to enclose the bladder pack 28 and is affixed to the base ply 27 using weld or adhesive. A buckle 31 is made of a low-cost material such as plastic or steel. An attachment mechanism 30 may be hook and loop or a fastener similar to what is used on ACE™ bandages.

FIG. 14 shows a dispenser 200 according to an exemplary embodiment having a different method of attachment to a user than the dispenser 10 and dispenser 100. The dispenser 200 may be substantially the same as the dispensers 10 and 100 described above with respect to FIGS. 1 through 13 of the present application, and the disclosure thereof is incorporated herein by reference, and any repeated disclosure may be omitted for the sake of brevity. An outer band 32 is made of a spandex-type material attached to the ends of a pocket 33 made of non-stretchable fabric. A bladder pack 28 (or bladder 4, not shown), as described above, is arranged on the pocket 33.

FIG. 15 shows the dispenser 200 with a pocket cover 35 and expandable retainer 36. The bladder pack 28 is disposed in a pouch formed between the pocket 33 and the pocket cover 35. The retainer 36 is connected to the pocket 33 and may be expanded or contracted to retain the bladder pack 28 in the pouch. The dispenser 200 is reversible, whereby a pouch opening, for inserting and removing the bladder pack 28, may be arranged on the inside of the dispenser 200, closer to a user's wrist.

FIG. 16a, FIG. 16b, FIG. 16c and FIG. 16d show a method for installing a valve 2 into a bladder 4 according to an exemplary embodiment. The valve and bladder are substantially similar to the valve and bladder described above with respect to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7b, and the description thereof is incorporated herein by reference, and any repeated description thereof is omitted. Likewise, the description herein with respect to FIGS. 16a-16d is incorporated by reference in the exemplary embodiment shown with respect to FIGS. 1-7b. The method according to the present exemplary embodiment assures an adequate seal between bladder 4 and valve 2, thereby preventing leakage during use.

After the bladder 4 is formed by a heat weld technique, a round tipped dowel 41 with a diameter of 0.230 inch is forced through a channel 40 in order pre-stretch the channel prior to insertion of the valve 2, as shown in FIG. 16a. As shown in FIG. 16b, the valve 2 is seated using a second tool 42. The valve is in place when a valve cap 16 reaches the bottom of the bladder 4, as shown in FIG. 16c. A seal is made when shrink wrap tubing 8 is applied over the groove 15b and heated with forced hot air, as shown in FIG. 16d. This way, the bladder tip material is pulled into the groove 15b and held in place by the shrink wrap tubing 8.

In an age where shaking hands may now socially unacceptable, the ability to cleanse one's hands prior to and after performing a hand shake may allow future acceptance of this tradition. In order to help achieve adoption of a wrist-worn hand sanitizer dispenser, the dispensers described above with respect to the exemplary embodiments are designed to be comfortable to wear and conform to the shape of a user's wrist, such that the dispenser fits under a dress shirt and allows free movement of the wrist.

The dispensers according to the present exemplary embodiments provide a convenient method for applying hand sanitizer without the need for locating available wash stations at restaurants and commercial outlets or reaching into one's pocket or pocket book to retrieve and dispense a portable bottle of sanitizer. Retrieving a bottle of sanitizer could promote the spread of viruses onto personal items and clothing. In addition, it would not be convenient and not readily available for use wherever needed.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparent from this description. Accordingly, the inventive concept is not limited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of the presented claims and various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangement.

Claims

1. A wrist-worn hand sanitizer dispenser packet, comprising:

a bladder comprising two-ply welded plastic or blow molded plastic;

a valve, unified at a first end thereof with the bladder;

a fluid recharge opening in the bladder on an opposite side of the valve, the fluid recharge opening to permit refilling a fluid cavity in the bladder, wherein the bladder is prepared for sealing by applying at least one folded layer at the fluid recharge opening; and

a tubular structure comprising a channel extending along the length thereof and acute flares formed at ends of the channel, the tubular structure configured to retain the at least one folded layer of the bladder.

2. The wrist-worn hand sanitizer dispenser packet of claim 1, wherein the tubular structure comprises a plastic material.

3. The wrist-worn hand sanitizer dispenser packet of claim 2, wherein the tubular structure consists of polyoxymethylene (acetal).

4. The wrist-worn hand sanitizer dispenser packet of claim 1, wherein the tubular structure comprises printed material thereon.

5. The wrist-worn hand sanitizer dispenser packet of claim 1, wherein the valve comprises a spring and a ball pressed against a seat, the valve having an adjustable pressure-sensitive fluid release spring chamber.

6. The wrist-worn hand sanitizer dispenser packet of claim 5, wherein the valve has a conduction path existing from the first end thereof to a second end thereof.

7. The wrist-worn hand sanitizer dispenser packet of claim 1, wherein a special tool does not need to be used to refill the bladder.

8. A clip, comprising:

a body having a tubular shape; and

a channel formed through the body and extending along an entire length thereof,

wherein the channel comprises a notch having a terminal end coextensive with an end of the body, the terminal end of the notch having a width less than the diameter of the end of the body.

9. The clip of claim 8, wherein the clip comprises a plastic material.

10. The clip of claim 9, wherein the clip consists of polyoxymethylene (acetal).

11. The clip of claim 8, wherein the clip is configured to prevent reverse flow in a paste tube.

12. The clip of claim 8, wherein the body comprises printed material thereon.

13. A dispenser, comprising:

a holster comprising a first ply and a second ply;

a reservoir comprising a first sheet and a second sheet connected at edges thereof;

a dispensing aperture arranged between the first sheet and the second sheet;

a fluid recharge opening in the reservoir on an opposite side of the dispensing aperture, the fluid recharge opening to permit refilling a fluid cavity in the reservoir, wherein the reservoir is prepared for sealing by applying at least one folded layer at the fluid recharge opening.

14. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein:

the second ply forms a pocket on the first ply; and

the reservoir is arranged in the pocket between the first ply and the second ply.

15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the pocket comprises a first opening and a second opening,

the reservoir being arranged in the pocket in the first opening, and

the dispensing aperture extending through the second opening.

16. The dispenser of claim 15, wherein the holster further comprises a first end having a first connector arranged thereon and a second end having a second connector arranged thereon, and

the first connector is configured to connect to the second connector, thereby securing the first end of the holster to the second end of the holster.

17. The dispenser of claim 13, wherein a special tool does not need to be used to refill the reservoir.