U.S. patent application number 11/543537 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-19 for cartridge-based portable device for dispensing skin treatments.
Invention is credited to Dennis Willard Davis, Jeffrey Lewis Powers, James Marvin Stenz, David Paul Thimm.
Application Number | 20070088298 11/543537 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40133655 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070088298 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Powers; Jeffrey Lewis ; et
al. |
April 19, 2007 |
Cartridge-based portable device for dispensing skin treatments
Abstract
The present invention discloses a wrist- or forearm-mounted
device for dispensing a small amount of alcohol-based disinfectant
hand rub, moisturizer, or other hand medicament. Even powder-based
hand treatments can be dispensed using the present invention. A
wristband or other attachment means affix the device to arm or
wrist. Various locations are feasible including the top, side, or
underside of the wrist or forearm. In a preferred embodiment, the
device is in the form of the device is in the form of a
wrist-mounted dispenser with a nozzle that uses refill cartridges
or packets to supply a small amount of dispensed skin treatment
when actuated. Surreptitious actuation and dispensing of hand
treatments is made possible with embodiments of the invention that
are mounted on the underside of the wrist and can be easily
actuated in a casual, not easily detected manner.
Inventors: |
Powers; Jeffrey Lewis;
(Plymouth, MI) ; Davis; Dennis Willard; (Eustis,
FL) ; Thimm; David Paul; (Plymouth, MI) ;
Stenz; James Marvin; (Fenton, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Dennis W. Davis
2202 East Washington Avenue
Eustis
FL
32726
US
|
Family ID: |
40133655 |
Appl. No.: |
11/543537 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10729757 |
Dec 5, 2003 |
7135011 |
|
|
11543537 |
Oct 5, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/310 ;
604/890.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47K 5/122 20130101;
A45D 34/00 20130101; A45F 2005/008 20130101; A45F 2003/006
20130101; A61M 35/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/310 ;
604/890.1 |
International
Class: |
A61M 35/00 20060101
A61M035/00; A61K 9/22 20060101 A61K009/22 |
Claims
1. A device for discharging skin treatment material from a user's
forearm to said user's skin, the device comprising in combination:
(a) a dispenser further comprising: (i) a reservoir for containment
of packets of said skin treatment material; (ii) a push button
actuated pump mechanism; (iii) a return spring mechanism; and (iv)
nozzle means, and (b) attachment means for affixing said dispenser
to said user's forearm, said push button actuated pump mechanism
serving to dispense said skin treatment material from said
reservoir through said nozzle means upon actuation and said return
spring mechanism serving to restore the state of said pump
mechanism for a next dispensing.
2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said attachment means
affixes said dispenser to the top side of said user's wrist.
3. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said attachment means
affixes said dispenser in adjustable fashion to said user's wrist
so that said dispenser can be positioned at an arbitrary location
along the circumference of said user's wrist, whereby said skin
treatment material can be ejected onto the top, side, bottom of
said user's skin.
4. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said dispenser includes
check valve means for preventing the leakage of said skin treatment
material.
5. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said dispenser is
removably attached to said attachment means.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a division of application Ser. No. 10/729,757, filed
Dec. 5, 2003.
BACKGROUND--PRIOR ART
[0002] The increase in bacterial immunity to modern antibiotics is
problematic and one of the chief vectors of infection is the human
hand. Hence, when not in the proximity of a washroom to disinfect
one's hands, it would be useful to have a means to accomplish such
sanitation. Also, in the midst of daily activities, it can be
inconvenient to uncap bottles of disinfecting gels or hand lotions
to otherwise treat the hands.
[0003] Fortunately, it has been established that ethyl alcohol is a
most effective antiseptic for gram-negative pathogens; it is of low
viscosity, easily dispensed from a portable container, and does not
require the use of a material wipe or cloth because of the speed of
evaporation. Further, an adequate dose for sanitizing the hands
comprises but a few drops of this antiseptic. To prevent chafing,
glycerin can be added to the alcohol without levels of viscosity
increase that would be deleterious to the dispensing process.
[0004] Various methods of portable disinfectant or lotion
dispensers have been disclosed in the prior art. These include
body-mounted dispensers, wrist bracelet dispensers, and others.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,946 discloses a dispensing tube that drips
liquid onto the hand. U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,898 discloses a tube-fed
finger dispenser. A body-worn dispenser of form factor similar to a
pager is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,548.
[0005] What has not been demonstrated is a dispenser that is wrist-
or arm-worn that provides ease of actuation and, more specifically,
single hand actuation. Neither has there been a device that can be
surreptitiously actuated. This is an important consideration with
respect to public relations. Individuals such as business and sales
personnel may come in contact with and greet many people during the
day. It would be desirable to have the option of sanitizing the
hands after a handshake with a person without conveying a
disdainful message to that person in so doing.
[0006] A wrist-mounted dispenser that achieves dispensing directly
to the hand with a simple hand action is a major advantage of the
present invention. This is especially useful to nurses and doctors
in busy hospital settings, as well as for allied healthcare workers
who cannot take time to repeatedly wash their hands with soap and
water. With the advent of new forms of communicable disease such as
SARS, an important consideration regards means to prevent disease
spread. In this vein, the present invention provides a dispensing
modality for viricidal and antibacterial prophylactic treatments of
the hands and other exposed parts of the body.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention discloses a wrist- or forearm-mounted
device for dispensing a small amount of alcohol-based disinfectant
hand rub, moisturizer, or other hand medicament. Even powder-based
hand treatments can be dispensed using the present invention. A
wristband or other attachment means affix the device to arm or
wrist. Various locations are feasible including the top, side, or
underside of the wrist or forearm. In a preferred embodiment, the
device is in the form of a wrist-mounted dispenser with a nozzle
that uses refill cartridges to supply a small amount of dispensed
skin treatment when actuated. Surreptitious actuation and
dispensing of hand treatments is made possible with embodiments of
the invention that are mounted on the underside of the wrist and
can be easily actuated in a casual, not easily detected manner.
[0008] Because only a few drops of alcohol-based disinfectant
comprise a dose adequate to achieve sanitation of the hands, the
device of the present invention can dispense hundreds of doses of
disinfectant before requiring cartridge refill or disposal. It can
be used at any orientation of the arm and will avoid leakage when
not actuated.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0009] Several objects and advantages of the present invention
are:
[0010] (a) Provide a convenient, portable means for dispensing hand
treatments;
[0011] (b) Provide a cost-effective means for dispensing hand
treatments;
[0012] (c) Provide an unobtrusive means for dispensing hand
treatments;
[0013] (d) Provide an easily actuated means for dispensing hand
treatments:
[0014] (e) Provide an arm- or wrist-mounted means for dispensing
hand treatments;
[0015] (f) Provide a cartridge- or packet-based means for
dispensing hand treatments;
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a cartridge-based
dispenser.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a siphon pump-based dispenser
ejecting fluid perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
arm.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of a siphon pump-based dispenser
ejecting fluid parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of refillable push
button-actuated dispenser.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG.
23.
[0021] FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram of the components of the
dispenser of FIG. 4.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of refillable, second push
button-actuated dispenser having a functioning watch face.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of FIG.
7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention is useful for dispensing either hand
treatments such as moisturizers or disinfectants; even powders can
be dispensed in powder-aerosol form. Typically, the active
ingredient in hand antiseptics such as Purel.TM. is ethyl alcohol.
This is fortuitous because it is a relatively non-toxic liquid that
exhibits low viscosity over the temperature range of interest for
this application. This makes delivery of a directed stream of fluid
relatively easy. In contrast to liquid, alcohol gels are useful in
that they do not run and although they will require more force to
dispense than liquid, such higher viscosity disinfectant or
moisturizing formulations can be accommodated in differing
embodiments of the present invention. Various means of dispensing
the aforementioned hand treatments are feasible and can be tailored
to the type of material to be dispensed. The target locations for
deposition of the hand treatment include the regions on the top of
the hand, and the underside of the hand, either fingers or palm.
The preferred embodiment for a means of dispensing hand treatment
dosages is a device that attaches to either the top or underside of
the wrist. Such a device can be worn unobtrusively underneath a
long-sleeved shirt.
[0025] FIG. 1 depicts a cartridge-based dispenser showing the
disposable hand treatment-containing cartridge 311 having
indentations 325 and easily punctured, self-sealing dispensing port
313. The wrist-mounted holder 323 is shown having flexible side
fingers 315 which seat in indentations 325 for retaining an
installed cartridge 311. The body of the holder 317 has a base
plate to which is attached wristband 321. As is well known in the
prior art, the cartridge 311 can be inserted into the holder 317 so
as to provide leak-free dispensing of fluid through nozzle 319 upon
squeezing of a deformable portion of cartridge 311.
[0026] For children, the dispenser can be in the shape of or be
embossed with the logos of sports teams, super heroes, or cartoon
icons. Further, dose-delivering dispensers in the shape of cartoon
characters are feasible. With a cartridge or refillable dispenser
other functions can be added to the dispenser such as having LEDs
on them that light up with use. High brightness, low current LEDs
as used on cell phones are quite striking. Consideration can be
given to a time delay for sequential dispensing so that children
would be less inclined to waste the hand treatment material. By
this, is meant that it would take a minute or two before a second
dose could be dispensed. This could be achieved by establishing the
time constant for repressurization of the dispensing cartridge
using a suitably small sized air hole.
[0027] FIG. 2 depicts a siphon pump design that would be actuated
by thumb pressure against a sliding actuator. Spray is ejected from
the end of the actuator as fluid is siphoned from the reservoir.
Another form factor for the siphon pump is provided in the design
of FIG. 3 wherein the actuator is in the form of a button that can
be depressed to cause ejection of hand treatment. In the designs of
both FIGS. 2 and 3, two one-way check valves are employed as is
common practice in the art.
Preferred Embodiments
[0028] FIG. 4 is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser using the basic
principle of FIG. 2. Hence, the depicted device dispenses hand
treatment fluid to the hand of the arm which does not have the
dispenser attached. The ejection axis for dispensing is
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm to which the
device is attached and fluid is dispensed onto the fingers of the
actuating hand. The cross sectional view of the device is provided
in FIG. 5. With respect to FIG. 4, the dispenser body 349 is shown
attached to wristband 341. It comprises a hinged lid 351 that
contains a hand treatment fluid refillable volume. Depression of
spring-loaded pump button 343 causes the ejection of hand treatment
fluid through nozzle 345.
[0029] FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram of the components of this
embodiment. The upper housing 411 provides a means of enclosing,
retaining, and protecting the pump assembly and actuation
components. It secures actuation button 441 to lower housing 427
via interlocking pin and slot feature and retains the dispensing
nozzle 433. The actuation button 441 is the primary user interface
for activation of the device. The contour shape is designed to
accommodate a discreet, "no-look" actuation. The piston shaft 439
is the main mechanical link between the actuation button 441 and
the pump piston 435. Piston housing 437 provides precise cylinder
bore for high compression dispensing of hand treatment fluid.
Mechanical means of pressurizing the pump chamber 417 via
displacement of actuator button 441 is provided by piston 435. It
displaces hand treatment fluid through the exit port of pump
chamber 417 on the dispensing stroke and provides negative pressure
to draw fresh hand treatment fluid from the reservoir contained in
lower housing 427 on the intake stroke. The return force necessary
to drive piston 435 through the intake stroke is provided by return
spring 431. Main pump chamber 417 provides the main cylinder for
pressurization during dispensing and intake strokes. It integrates
the valve mating surface for the exit check valve 419 and retains
piston housing 437 via a precision friction slip fit. An inlet port
413 provides a precision sealing surface between the reservoir and
inlet check valve 415 which seals the inlet port 413 during the
dispensing stroke and hence stops hand treatment fluid backflow
into the reservoir. Exit check valve 419 provides a means of
sealing the pump chamber 417 during the inlet stroke, preventing
air intake through dispensing nozzle 433 to reduce or eliminate
pump cavitation. This nozzle establishes a calibrated orifice
through which a metered dosage of hand treatment fluid can exit the
dispenser. An exit tube 421 routes hand treatment fluid to the
dispensing nozzle 433 and provides a means of retaining the exit
check valve 419. The lower housing 427 retains the upper housing
411 and actuation button 441. It also houses the main fill port for
refillable dispensers. Enclosing and sealing the main fluid
reservoir is the reservoir fill lid 423. It is easily released for
refilling by an ergonomic snap feature at its leading edge. O-ring
425 provides additional sealing at the fill port by compression
when fill lid 423 is snapped shut. It also provides a barrier which
reduces or prevents evaporation of fresh hand treatment fluid. Band
pins 429 provide attachment of the dispenser assembly to the
wristband 443.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a pictorial diagram of dispenser similar to that
of FIGS. 4 through 6. Shown is a functional watch face atop the
dispenser top 527. The battery for this watch, not shown, can be
conveniently located within the dispenser Also, in lieu of a fluid
reservoir, cartridge packets 531 are used in this embodiment. The
cross sectional view of the device is provided in FIG. 8. With
respect to FIG. 8, the dispenser body is shown to be part of a
wrist ring 521. It comprises a hinged top 527 that contains
removable sanitizer-containing packet 531. Upon insert of packet
531 and closure of hinged top 527, the packet 531 is punctured by
channel inlet 533. Retraction of spring-loaded pump button 523
creates a partial vacuum in cylinder volume 535 which is filled
through channel 537 by sanitizer fluid from packet 531. Upon
depression of pump button 523, backflow through channel 537 is
prevented by a check valve or other means and the fluid in volume
535 is forced through channel 539 and ejected from nozzle 529.
[0031] It is to be understood that a plethora of cartridge or
packet designs and form factors are within the scope of the present
invention, including color-coded packets that can distinguish the
type or strength of hand treatment contained therein. Also within
the scope of this invention are various means to dispense hand
treatment material from such packets including the mechanisms for
extracting the hand treatment material from said packets.
Extraction mechanisms can invoke pressure (internal or external to
packet) or suction.
[0032] Pluralities of alternate attachment schemes are possible for
dispensers of varying form factor. Examples of other attachment
schemes include magnetic means, mechanical clips, loops, slide
inserts, etc. Various types of dispensers can be made attachable
including disposable, and refillable as in the case of packet
dispensers described above.
[0033] While there have been shown and described the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that
the invention can be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically
illustrated and described and that, within such embodiments certain
changes in the detail and configuration of this invention, and in
the form and arrangements of the components of this invention, can
be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of
this invention within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *