Patent Application
20210047078
The present invention relates generally to a portable dispensing apparatus for a combination closure for a face mask and an antimicrobial product, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a portable dispensing apparatus with two containers, a first container for a face mask and a second container for a sanitizing product.
The COVID-19 global pandemic has created a new set of problems related to personal protecting because droplets expelled from the nose and mouth appear to be the primary source for spreading COVID-19. When one speaks or just exhales, viral particles are spread through the air and eventually deposited on a wide range of surfaces. Masks can interrupt this process in two ways. First, they may filter out viral particles from the air as one inhales. And, second, they may filter out particles from an infectious individual as they exhale.
As a secondary defense beyond the mask, individuals are recommended to use antimicrobial products such as alcohol-based sanitizers. Consistent evidence shows that disinfectants with an isopropyl alcohol content between 60 and 70 percent are remarkably effective at breaking down the virus's oily outer layer and thus deactivating it. As a result, many people have begun using hand sanitizers and sanitizing wipes to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Conventionally, face masks are considered a separate product from a hand sanitizer and there is no such device that safely stores the two products together and has easy portability. Indeed, a problem in the conventional use of face masks is that they are carried in a pocket, bag, etc. and the hand sanitizer has its own dispensing bottle. Of course, since the two products are disconnected from each other, individuals often forget one or the other. In addition, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended that people disinfect hands prior to handling face masks and also ensure face masks do not come into direct contact with contaminated objects/surfaces.
Some conventional products have stored a combination of a liquid and a solid in a same apparatus. However, such devices do not consider the unique requirements of keeping a mask free from particles while easily distributing a hand sanitizer from the same apparatus.
Thus, the inventor has considered a need in the art for a portable device that stores a face mask and an antimicrobial product to reduce the likelihood of an individual not having access to the most protection against COVID-19, as well as to provide a convenient, sanitary method to store a face mask while not in use.
In view of the newly-identified problems in the art, the inventor has considered an improvement that includes a portable apparatus that is easy to manufacture, has a low cost to sell, and provides a sleek design to dispense hand sanitizer while also storing a face mask safely. The structural configuration of each container and the connections between each department enable an improved design.
Indeed, as viruses and other community-spread pathogens increase the need to carry face masks/facial coverings and hand sanitizer, the invention is designed to meet the need for an on-the-go combination storage container for face masks/facial coverings and antimicrobial products.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a portable dispensing apparatus including a first container including a first container interior compartment that opens to a first end of the first container, a second container that detachably connects via a connection structure disposed at a first end of the second container to the first end of the first container, the second container including a second container interior compartment with a second container opening at a second end of the second container that is opposite to the first end of the second container, and a cap structure that detachably connects to the second end of the second container to seal the second container opening.
Other details and embodiments of the invention will be described below, so that the present contribution to the art can be better appreciated. Nonetheless, the invention is not limited in its application to such details, phraseology, terminology, illustrations, and/or arrangements set forth in the description or shown in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. Therefore, it is important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘_’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph.
Aspects of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:
The invention will now be described with reference to
Hereinafter, some example embodiments of the technology will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that the following description is directed to illustrative examples of the disclosure and not to be construed as limiting to the technology. In each of the drawings referred to in the following description, elements have different scales in order to illustrate the respective elements with sizes recognizable in the drawings. Therefore, factors including, without limitation, the number of each of the elements, the shape of each of the elements, a size of each of the elements, a ratio between the elements, and relative positional relationship between the elements are illustrative only and not to be construed as limiting to the technology. Further, elements in the following example embodiments which are not recited in a most-generic independent claim of the disclosure are optional and may be provided on an as-needed basis. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially identical functional configurations are given identical reference characters, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.
By way of introduction of portable dispensing apparatus 100 depicted in
It is noted that face mask, facial covering, protective wear, etc. are used interchangeably. A face mask protects a wearer against a spread of an infectious disease.
Similarly, hand sanitizer, gel hand sanitizer, an isopropyl alcohol, antimicrobial product, a liquid are used interchangeably.
More specifically, with reference to
With reference to
The cap 4 has the cover 5 that seals the opening 9 when closed (i.e., when attached to the second end 26 of the second container 2). It is noted that the cover 5 is integrally manufactured with the cap 4 such that the cap/cover (i.e., a cap/cover unit 45) are one unit and ‘screwed’ on to the second end 26 of the first container 2 (as discussed later). However, in one embodiment, the cover 5 may be attached (for example, ‘hingedly’ attached) to the cap 4 by a hinge mechanism (not shown) such that the cover 5 may be ‘popped’ open remaining attached to the cap 4 by the hinge and then ‘snapped’ back into an attachment state with the cover 4. The cover 5 may prevent a leakage of the liquid 11 from the portable dispensing apparatus 100 when the pressure-receiving surface 6 is activated inadvertently while carrying the portable apparatus.
The first container 1 includes an interior compartment 7 used to store a face mask/facial covering 10 and is accessed when separated from the second container 2 (i.e., as shown in
The second end 16 of first container 1 includes an attachment 3 with an opening for a carabiner mechanism/keyring. It is noted that although the attachment 3 depicts a loop for attaching to a keychain or the like, the invention is not limited thereto and may include different types of attachments located at a top of the first container 1 for attaching to different carrying devices (i.e., a backpack, keychain, belt, etc.). For example, in one embodiment, a clip may be provided in place of the attachment 3 to clip to a person/object. Alternatively, no attachment may be provided at the end of the first container 1 (e.g., such as in other embodiments discussed later).
Indeed, the first embodiment as depicted in
With reference to
Similarly, the cap/cover unit 45 may be disconnected from the second end 26 of the second container 2 by pulling on the second container 2 in a direction indicated by the arrow 70A such that a user may activate the pressure-receiving surfaces 6 to dispense the liquid 11 from the opening 9 of the second container. The cap/cover unit 45 is shown in
Indeed, the portable dispensing apparatus 100 includes a three-part apparatus (first container 1, second container 2, cap/cover unit 45) that are each connected/disconnected from each other. Further, it is noted that the second container 2 may remain connected to the first container 1 while the cap cover 5 or cap/cover unit 45 are removed. That is, a user may only desire to dispense liquid 11 from the opening 9 of the second container 2 or refill liquid 11 into the interior compartment 8 of the second container 2 while not requiring access to the interior compartment 7 of the first container 1. On the other hand, the cap/cover unit 45 may also remain connected to the second container 2 while the user disconnects/connects the first container 1 from the second container 2 for access to the face mask 10.
Thus, the portable dispensing apparatus 100 provides an intuitive connection system between the three parts such that access may be provided to the face mask 10 and the liquid 11 either at a same time or separately. This novel connection between the three units also ensures that a user may utilize the liquid 11 to rid themselves of particles related to a virus before touching their face mask 10 by keeping the face mask 10 in a clean environment (i.e., the interior 7) after the user sanitizes.
With regard to the connectivity between the first container 1 and the second container 2, a low cost, easy to manufacture, and easy to use connection structure 50 is detailed in
The connection structure 50 includes a flexible component 51, a first sidewall portion 52, a second sidewall portion 53, and a third sidewall portion 54. The connection structure further includes a contact surface 55.
In the embodiments depicted in
A diameter at the apex of the first sidewall portion 52 is greater than a diameter of the interior compartment 7 of the first container 1. Thereby, when the first container 1 and the second container 2 are connected, the first sidewall portion 52 is ‘forced’ to reduce in diameter between the apex to fit into the first container 1 and then expand applying a force to the contact surface 55 to lock the first container 1 to the second container 2. The flexible component 51 has a spring-like property allowing the first sidewall portion 52 to expand/contract diametrically to fit into the first container 1. Further, the wall of the first container 1 is flexible in that when the first container 1 is slid onto and connected with the second container 2, the wall of the first container 1 flexes over the first sidewall portion 52 to provide a resistance force to keep the two containers attached.
Thus, in a disconnected state, a bottom most point 51a of the flexible component 51 to the second end 26 is greater than a distance of the bottom most point 51a to the second end 26 in a connected state. The flexible portion 51 acts as the engagement force to push the third sidewall portion 54 into the contact surface 55.
Further, O-rings may be used to make the connection as watertight as possible. For example, an O-ring could be provided between the distal end 15a and the second sidewall portion 53.
Accordingly, in a preferable embodiment, the first and second containers are made out of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material with an antimicrobial agent added thereto during the manufacturing to allow for a stronger connection between the containers. In one embodiment, the material is selected so that the apparatus 100 can be flexible and a user could be put in a pocket and be comfortable to carry.
Indeed, although TPE is a preferred embodiment because TPE is generally considered cost-efficient and easy to manufacture, a silicone product or other material can be used. That is, the invention can be made of several different materials that have similar properties to TPE.
In general, regarding materials, multiple materials may be used (e.g. silicone, plastic, metal, etc.) to allow for increased or decreased flexibility of the pod. Additives may be used in the materials (e.g. antimicrobial additives, etc.). A sealant or liner may be needed and applied for certain pod materials to prevent corrosion (e.g. metal). That is, the first container 1 and second container 2 may include a sealant or liner.
Although the first container 1 is generally depicted as larger than the second container 2, the second container 2 may be made larger by a particular factor than the first container 1. For example, some users may desire a portable dispensing apparatus 100 that has a capacity for more hand sanitizer. As a result, the size of the second container 2 may be increased. In one embodiment, the first container 1 and the second container 2 may be equal in length. In another embodiment, the second container 2 may be longer in length than the first container 1.
In one embodiment, a mesh/perforated vent for the facial covering/mask may be added to one end or to the side of the first container to allow another access point or breathability for the face mask.
Next, a second embodiment for a portable dispensing apparatus 200 is depicted in
In
The first container 201 includes an attachment with an opening for a carabiner mechanism/keyring 203. The second container 202 includes an interior compartment 207 used to store cleansing/sanitizing wipes. A cap 204 attaches to the wipe storage component of the second container 202 and includes an opening 208 to dispense wipes. Removal of the cap 204 allows the wipe storage container 207 to be refilled. The cap 204 has a cover 205 that seals the wipe dispenser opening 208. That is, the cover 205 may be removed to dispense the wipes while the entire cap 204 and cover 205 may be removed to refill the wipes.
A third embodiment for a portable dispensing apparatus 300 is depicted in
A fourth embodiment for a portable dispensing apparatus 400 is depicted in
The second container 402 detaches from the first container 401 and includes a storage container 407 that may store hand sanitizer. A cap 405 attaches to an end of the second container 402 and dispenses a liquid or gel hand sanitizer or wipes.
The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
Further, Applicant's intent is to encompass the equivalents of all claim elements, and no amendment to any claim of the present application should be construed as a disclaimer of any interest in or right to an equivalent of any element or feature of the amended claim.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/066,910, entitled “COMBINATION CLOSURE FOR FACIAL MASK/COVERING AND ANTIMICROBIAL PRODUCT”, which was filed on Aug. 18, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63066910 | Aug 2020 | US |
