U.S. patent application number 11/983202 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-20 for skin treatment device with detachable wristband.
Invention is credited to Dennis Willard Davis, Jeffrey Lewis Powers, James Marvin Stenz, David Paul Thimm.
Application Number | 20080067193 11/983202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40133655 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080067193 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Powers; Jeffrey Lewis ; et
al. |
March 20, 2008 |
Skin treatment device with detachable wristband
Abstract
Persons often encounter the need to apply some form of skin
treatment when on the go. Such treatments include disinfectant,
sunscreens, medications, and moisturizing lotions. The present
invention comprises convenient portable skin treatment dispensers
in the form wrist-worn devices with detachable wristbands. The
devices are convenient to use, unobtrusive and can even be
disposable. Ease of manufacture is facilitated by the use of
self-sealing diaphragm valves.
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
2205 East Washington Avenue
Eustis
FL
32726
US
|
Family ID: |
40133655 |
Appl. No.: |
11/983202 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10915720 |
Aug 10, 2004 |
7316332 |
|
|
11983202 |
Nov 7, 2007 |
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|
10729757 |
Dec 5, 2003 |
7135011 |
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10915720 |
Aug 10, 2004 |
|
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10314825 |
Dec 9, 2002 |
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10729757 |
Dec 5, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
222/175 ;
222/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 2003/006 20130101;
A45F 2005/008 20130101; A45D 34/00 20130101; A47K 5/122 20130101;
A61M 35/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/175 ;
222/494 |
International
Class: |
B67D 5/64 20060101
B67D005/64; B65D 35/38 20060101 B65D035/38 |
Claims
1. A skin treatment dispensing device comprising: a) a dispensing
reservoir containing treatment material exhibiting an interior
volume enclosed by a reservoir wall, b) a slit-based diaphragm
valve resident in a region of said reservoir wall that exhibits an
external surface shape taken from the group comprising
substantially convex and substantially flat, and c) body attachment
means comprising a wristband removeably attachable to said
reservoir.
2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said dispenser housing
includes means to permit refill of said reservoir with said skin
treatment material.
3. A wrist-worn skin treatment dispenser comprising in combination:
(a) a dispenser housing; (b) a diaphragm valve; and (c) wrist
attachment means detachable from said housing, said dispenser
housing having a reservoir for containment skin treatment material,
an aperture wherein is placed said diaphragm valve, and connection
to said wrist attachment means, a flexible portion of said
dispenser housing is manually deformed to provide pressure on the
skin treatment material contents of said reservoir and on said
diaphragm valve so as to cause dispensing of said skin treatment
material.
4. A device as recited in claim 3 wherein said diaphragm valve is
constructed of low density deformable polymer.
5. A device as recited in claim 3 wherein said diaphragm valve is
captivated by a hard plastic retainer.
6. A device as recited in claim 3 wherein said diaphragm valve
snap-fits into said housing.
7. A device as recited in claim 3 wherein said diaphragm valve is
integral to the construction of said housing.
8. A device as recited in claim 3 wherein said device is
constructed of biodegradable polymer.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a division of application Ser. No.
10/915,720 filed Aug. 10, 2004 which is a continuation-in-part of
application Ser. No. 10/729,757, filed Dec. 5, 2003 which is a
continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/314,825, filed Dec.
9, 2002, now abandoned. This application claims the benefit of U.
S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/515,718, 60/515,775, 60/515,793,
and 60/515,794 filed Oct. 30, 2003, Disclosure Document No.
525,532, filed Feb. 5, 2003, Disclosure Document No. 534,422, filed
Jul. 7, 2003, and Disclosure Document No. 536,414, filed Aug. 8,
2003.
BACKGROUND
Prior Art
[0002] The increase in bacterial immunity to modem 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 health care
workers who cannot take time to repeatedly wash their hands with
soap and water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention discloses wrist- or forearm-mounted
device versions for dispensing a small amount of alcohol-based
disinfectant hand rub, moisturizer, or other skin medicament. Even
powder-based skin treatments can be dispensed using the present
invention. A wristband or other attachment means removeably 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 low profile,
wrist-mounted dispenser with a slit-based diaphragm valve that
produces a small amount of dispensed skin treatment when
actuated.
[0008] 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 causal,
not easily detected manner.
[0009] Because only a few drops of alcohol-based disinfectant
comprise a dose adequate to achieve sanitation of the hands, the
device can dispense hundreds of doses of disinfectant before
requiring refill or disposal. It can be used at any orientation of
the arm and will avoid leakage when not actuated. Options exist for
the fabrication of the device whether disposable or refillable. For
example, hard or soft pliable plastics can be employed. For
disposable versions of the device, biodegradable plastics are cited
as advantageous device construction materials.
Objects and Advantages
[0010] Several objects and advantages of the present invention
are:
[0011] (a) Provide a convenient, portable means for dispensing skin
treatments;
[0012] (b) Provide a cost-effective means for dispensing skin
treatments;
[0013] (c) Provide an unobtrusive means of dispensing skin
treatments;
[0014] (d) Provide an easily actuated means of dispensing skin
treatments:
[0015] (e) Provide an arm- or wrist-mounted means of dispensing
skin treatments;
[0016] (f) Provide a wrist-mounted disposable means of dispensing
skin treatments;
[0017] (g) Provide a disposable wrist-worn skin treatment
dispenser.
[0018] (h) Provide an easy-to-manufacture skin treatment dispenser
using a diaphragm valve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1a is a pictorial and side view diagram of a single
slit diaphragm valve.
[0020] FIG. 1b is a pictorial diagram of a diaphragm valve having
cross slits.
[0021] FIG. 1c is a pictorial diagram of a tricuspid-type diaphragm
valve.
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded diagram of a slit-based diaphragm
valve embodiment of the invention in which the valve is captivated
by a retainer.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional diagram of the device of FIG.
2.
[0024] FIG. 4 is an exploded diagram of a second version of a
slit-based diaphragm valve embodiment of the invention in which the
valve snap-fits into the reservoir.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional diagram of the device of FIG.
4.
[0026] FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram of a slit-based diaphragm
valve embodiment of the invention exhibiting an insert-molded
valve.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional diagram of the device of FIG.
6.
[0028] The following definitions serve to clarify the disclosed and
claimed invention:
[0029] Bladder refers to an elastic, resilient container that can
be deformed under compression.
[0030] Skin treatment material comprises any of a host of liquid,
powder, gel, or aerosol medications, or sanitizing agents that are
topically applied to the hands or other skin surfaces. Examples
include alcohol, glycerin, moisturizing lotions, sunscreen, and
desiccating powders. The combination of treatments such as
disinfecting lotion and sunscreen are included in this
definition.
[0031] Working fluid refers to the fluid which transfers manual
pressure to the material to be dispensed. Such transfer of pressure
can occur in one or multiple stages and typical working fluids
include air contained in a squeeze bottle as well as liquid
versions of the hand treatment material itself.
[0032] Diaphragm valve refers to a diaphragm having one or more
slits that form flaps in the diaphragm. These flaps are normally
closed but can be caused to open upon fluid or gas pressure applied
to one side of the diaphragm. In this way, the diaphragm valve
mimics the operation of human heart valves such as the tricuspid
valve.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] 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 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 cleaning
dosages in a device that attaches to either the top or underside of
the wrist. It can be worn unobtrusively underneath a long-sleeved
shirt.
[0034] FIGS. 1a through 1c depict the basic geometry of
self-sealing diaphragm valves. In FIG. 1a is a simple disc
diaphragm 971 of flexible polymeric material is shown with a
central slit 973. The thickness and construction of this diaphragm
valve along with the nature of the polymer employed provide
sufficient stiffness that inadvertent fluid leakage will not occur.
As shown in the side view of the diaphragm, when sufficient fluid
force is applied to one side of the diaphragm, the flaps of the
slit open to release fluid, but otherwise close to provide a seal.
Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is one of a number of good
candidate materials for this type of valve. Other slit geometries
are feasible such as the cross 977 of FIG. 1b and the tri-slit 979
of FIG. 1c which resembles the tricuspid valve of the human heart.
Variations in the cross-sectional thickness of the diaphragm valve
offer potential advantages such as rigidity of the valve perimeter
for mounting into the reservoir. FIGS. 2 through 7 depict various
slit-based diaphragm valve embodiments of the invention that have
detachable wristbands. These embodiments are characterized by use
of the aforementioned self-sealing diaphragm valves. As shown in
FIGS. 2 though 7, the diaphragm valve is located in a region of the
dispenser surface exhibiting a smooth substantially outwardly
curved profile that immediately surrounds the valve
[0035] A first version of the slit-based diaphragm valve type
dispenser is shown in FIG. 2. A self-sealing diaphragm valve of the
type just described is part of the diaphragm valve assembly 985 is
constructed of a soft, polymeric material that is "tuned" to deform
under pressure from the treatment fluid. Once deformed, small slits
in the diaphragm surface enable treatment fluid to dispense into
palm or fingers of the actuating hand. Again, the diaphragm has
enough material rigidity to allow air to travel back in to replace
the displaced cleanser, but not allow the treatment fluid in the
reservoir to escape unless a positive pressure is applied to the
flexible reservoir 981. The valve assembly retainer 983 is a rigid
polymeric component that retains the flexible diaphragm valve 985
in its service position. It also enables attachment of one end of
the retention of the wrist strap 987. The wrist strap 987 is a
flexible material (such as non-woven polyethylene) with re-usable
adhesive on at least one side such that the strap could be placed
over hand and around several sizes of wrists and be secured for its
service cycle, and then disposed. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional
diagram of this version of the invention showing captivation of the
diaphragm valve assembly 985 by the valve assembly retainer
983.
[0036] FIG. 4 is an exploded diagram of a second version of the
slit-based diaphragm valve type dispenser that uses a valve 1113
that snap-fits into the reservoir 1111. This is better understood
with reference to the cross-sectional diagram of FIG. 5. The flange
1119 on the valve 1113 snap fits around a corresponding shaped
flange 1117 in the aperture of reservoir 1111. Also shown is the
wrist strap 1115.
[0037] FIG. 6 is an exploded diagram of a third version of the
slit-based diaphragm valve type dispenser which makes use of a
diaphragm valve 1143 that is integrally- or insert-molded to the
reservoir 1141. Wrist strap 1145 is depicted also. In the
cross-sectional diagram of FIG. 7, the valve 1143 is shown molded
to the valve seating surface 1147 of the reservoir 1141.
[0038] Depending upon the compounding of the specific treatment
fluid to be dispensed by the present invention, various
biodegradable plastics can be employed in disposable embodiments of
the invention. The table below provides examples of various
categories of candidate biodegradable plastics.
[0039] 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.
TABLE-US-00001 Biodegradable Plastics Category Generic Name Trade
Name Producer Biopolymer Poly 3-hydroxybutyrate Biogreen Mitsubishi
Gas Chemicals Synthetic Polybutylenesuccinate Bionelle 1000 Showa
Highpolymer Polymer Polybutylenesuccinate/adipate Bionelle 3000
Showa Highpolymer EnPol 4000 Ire Chemical
Polybutylenesuccinate/carbonate Iupec Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals
Polybutylenesuccinate/terephthalate Biomax Dupont
Polybutyleneadipate/terephthalate Ecoflex BASF
Polytetramethyleneadipate/terephthalate EasterBio Eastman Chemicals
Polybutyleneadipate/terephthalate EnPol 8000 Ire Chemical
Polycaprolactone CelGreen PH Daicel Chemical TONE Dow Chemical
Polyethylensuccinate/adipate Lunare SE Nippon Shokubai Polylactic
Acid NatureWorks Cargill Dow LACEA Mitsui Chemicals Polyvinyl
Alcohol Poval Kuraray Gosenol Nippon Synthetic Chemical Dolon VA
Aicello Chemical Modified Modified Starch Compol Japan Cornstarch
Natural Starch-based Synthetic Polymer Placom Nihon Shokuhin Kako
Polymer Mater-Bi Chemitech Cellulose Acetate CelGreen PCA Daicel
Chemical Unknown Teijin Chitosan/Cellulose/Starch Dolon CC Aicello
Kagaku
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