This invention relates to dispersing a product, and more particularly to transporting the product toward a zone of concern using a compressible transport fluid.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,364 issued on Apr. 27, 2004 to the present inventor shows a breaching bubble with opposed peel flaps along the beaching edge, which are peeled back by the user to open a chamber and present a product. However, the product was neither dispersed nor transported by a compressible transport fluid.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a bubble device for dispersing a product from a dispersing bubble into a zone of concern by transporting the product in the flow of a compressible transport fluid. The transport fluid is inside the dispersing bubble along with the product. The force of compression separates opposed webs forming the dispersing bubble, causing an edge breach in the bubble. The compressed transport fluid and product escape through the edge breach in a release of compressed transport fluid.
It is another object of this invention to provide such a bubble device in which the energy for compressing the transport fluid and dispersing the product is supplied by the user. When dispersion is desired, the user directs the bubble device toward the zone of concern and squeezes the bubble.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a bubble device is which the product is dispersed without physical contact between the bubble device and the zone of concern. The product is propelled out of the dispersing bubble and toward the zone of concern in a vapor-like state by the compressive energy within the bubble.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a bubble device having opposed peel tabs by which the user can open the dispersing bubble for access to the product.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a bubble device in which product residue remaining within the bubble after dispersion is applied to the zone of concern by physical contact between the opposed webs and the zone. The opposed webs may be completely separated, providing two applicator pads, each carrying some product residue.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a bubble device which is conveniently discarded after dispersion. The opposed webs form a wrap pocket adjacent to the dispersing bubble which may receive the depleted breached bubble.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a bubble device with a plurality of dispersion bubbles with a selection of products for use in sequence.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such a bubble device which disperses an additional portion of vaporized product. The additional portion vaporizes as the transport fluid warms due to compression, and condenses as the transport fluid cools due to expansion outside the dispersing bubble.
Briefly, these and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a bubble device for permitting a user to directionally disperse a product under compressive pressure toward a zone of concern. Opposed webs of enclosure material are pressed together to form a sealed perimeter around a central enclosure. The perimeter has a breaching seal for product dispersion and a non-breaching seal along the remainder of the perimeter. The central enclosure forms a dispersing bubble enclosed between the opposed webs within the perimeter. A product and a compressible product transport fluid are contained within the dispersing bubble. The transport fluid is compressed under the external pressure, causing the opposed webs to separate along the breaching seal inside the dispersing bubble. The web separation forces an edge breach in the breaching seal from inside to outside. The compressed transport fluid rapidly escapes as a released blast through the edge breach and expands out of the dispersing bubble. The escaping expanding transport fluid transports at least a portion of the product out of the bubble for dispersion toward the zone of concern.
Further objects and advantages of the present dispersing bubble and the operation of transport fluid will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings (not drawn to scale) and flow chart in which:
The first digit of each reference numeral in the above figures indicates the figure in which an element or feature is most prominently shown. The second digit indicates related elements or features, and a final letter (when used) indicates a sub-portion of an element or feature.
The table below lists the reference numerals employed in the figures, and identifies the element designated by each numeral.
10 Bubble Device 10
12 Dispersing Bubble 12
22 Plurality of Bubble Devices 22
42 Dispersing Bubble 42
50 Bubble Device 50
66 Bubble Device 60
62 Dispersion Bubble 62
70 Bubble Device 70
72 Dispersion Bubble 72
Bubble device 10 permits a user to directionally disperse a product under compressive pressure toward zone of concern 10Z. Opposed webs 10S and 10C of enclosure material are pressed together to form sealed perimeter 10P around a central enclosure. The central enclosure forms dispersing bubble 12 enclosed between the opposed webs within the perimeter. The opposed webs may have multiple layers to provide properties such as waterproofing, UV protection, increased bulk, and strength. The opposed webs may be any suitable enclosing material such as plastic, paper fabric, cellophane, or biodegradable matter. Thin mylar plastic forms a flexible film with hermetic properties, and may be employed as a bubble material. The perimeter has a breaching seal 10B for product dispersion and a non-breaching seal 10N along the remaining perimeter. The breaching seal of the bubble device may be a frangible web union and the non-breaching seal may be a destructive web union. The frangible breaching seal may be formed at a lower web-to-web pressure and at a lower temperature for a shorter time than the destructive non-breaching seal. The frangible seal breaches at a lower pressure and requires less compressive energy. The breaching seal may be narrower than the non-breaching seal (as shown in
Product 10P for dispersion and compressible product transport fluid 12F are contained within the dispersing bubble. The transport fluid may be any compressible medium such as a chemically pure gas or nitrogen gas or other inert gas (or combination of gases) or ambient air or other suitable fluid. The transport fluid is compressed under external pressure applied by the user, for causing the opposed webs to separate and the bubble to enlarge along the breaching seal. The user provides the external pressure manually by pressing on the dispersing bubble between the user's thumb and forefinger. In other embodiments, mechanical devices may be employed to create the compression. As the transport fluid is compressed, energy of compression builds and is stored within the dispersing bubble. The compression causes the bubble to bulge toward the frangible breaching seal (see
The escaping expanding transport fluid transports at least a portion of the product out of the bubble for dispersion toward zone of concern 10Z adjacent to the dispersing bubble. The zone may be an area of skin enhanced by a perfume product or being treated by a beneficial substance such as an ointment or medication. The zone may be a medical machine or a portion of a working surface or a surgical instrument, being sterilized by an antiseptic vapor without contact.
The bubble device has opposed peel tabs 12S and 12C formed by the enclosure material of the opposed webs proximate the edge breach as the bubble breaches. The tabs may be peeled apart by the user to further separate the opposed webs and gain access to product residue remaining in the bubble after the escape of the fluid. The opposed webs 10S and 10C may be completely separated forming application pads (see
The product contained within the dispersing bubble may be a liquid or a gas or a powder, or a combination thereof. A portion of the product becomes mingled with the transport fluid and is transported through the edge breach with the rapidly escaping transport fluid. The mingled product is carried by the transport fluid in solution, as a mixture, or as a suspension of minute airborne particles. The product may be a finely divided powder such as graphite lubricant or confectioner's sugar or fingerprint toning powder, which is temporarily airborne just after the dispersion. The dust-like powder quickly settles onto the zone of concern. The graphite powder settles as film of lubricant, and the confectioner's sugar settles as a decorative sweet frosting, and the fingerprint powder tones the oil patterns. The presence of the mingled product may be enhanced by shaking the device just prior to dispersion.
The product contained within the dispersing bubble has surface boundary 12B exposed to the transport fluid. A portion of the liquid product maybe atomized into the transport fluid during the dispersion by the rapid flow of the of the transport fluid across the surface. The velocity of the transport fluid creates a low pressure above the liquid product which pulls the product atoms and/or molecules across the surface boundary into the flow. This atomized product is transported through the edge breach with the escaping transport fluid.
A portion of the liquid product is vaporized into the transport fluid reaching a vapor pressure equilibrium. A slight additional portion vaporizes across the surface boundary as the transport fluid warms due to compression within the dispersing bubble. A corresponding slight portion of vapor condenses out of the transport fluid as the transport fluid cools due to expansion outside the dispersing bubble. A mist of condensation settles onto the zone of concern and gives the user feedback as to the direction of the dispersion. A portion of the liquid product contained within the dispersing bubble may be transported through the edge breach as small blast droplets of product by the rapidly escaping transport fluid. These droplets soon fall out of the escaping flow onto the zone.
A portion of the liquid product contained within the dispersing bubble may remain as surface residue 12R on the enclosure material of the breached dispersing bubble after the product dispersion. Alternatively, the liquid product may be completely mingled into the transport fluid leaving no residue on the opposed webs after dispersion.
In a fluid embodiment, the product may be a gas which is completely mixed with the transport fluid. The gas product may function as its own compressible transport fluid, in which case the entire content of the dispersing bubble is the gas product. In this fluid embodiment, there is no liquid or powder or residue remaining on the web material.
Liquid products such as perfumes, sun-screen lotion, deodorants, insect repellant etc., may be packaged in a bubble pack carried in a handbag for immediate use. The bubble may be a light, compact unit suitable containing a single application of the product weighing a fraction of a gram. A single ounce of upscale perfume may be costly, and typically comes in a thick, heavy glass vial, difficult to transport in a handbag. The small bubble pack may be employed for samples distributed from retail counters, and for small amounts of products typically found in hotel bathrooms. A smaller household version may be available to consumers at the super-market or in drugstores.
Pandemic Embodiment
The liquid product within the bubble may be a disinfectant for viral, bacterial, and other airborne or contact pathogens in pandemic situations. First response personnel may carry a supply of disinfectant bubbles along with protective latex gloves. A large carton containing thousands of light, cheap disinfectant bubbles, weighing only a few pounds, could easily be distributed to the public from emergency stations.
Product swab 76S of enclosure material may be provided proximate the edge breach for transferring product to zone of concern by physical contact. The product swab may be an extension of the lower web for catching the blast droplets and condensate after they have been transported through the edge breach and fallen-out of the escaping flow. The extended lower lip may be concave in shape for retaining the fallen-out product.
Bubble devices each with a dispersing bubble, may be presented in array 24A formed by opposed web sheets to provide a plurality of dispersing bubble 22 on single support. Lines of perforations 24L define a four-sided separation grid between the bubble devices, permitting the devices to be individually removed from the array. The user may tear off one or more devices, or remove an entire strip (see
Dispersing bubbles 32 in linear strip 34S may contain a selection of products 30I, 30II, 30III, 30IV and 30V for dispersion. The selection of products may be dispersed into the zone of concern in a specified protocol or time sequence. For example, medical procedures may involve several antiseptic and preparatory actions executed in a prescribed order. A strip may be provided with multiple dispersing bubbles, each holding whatever substance is required for each action. A blood donor typically gets a liberal alcohol wash around the IV insertion area, and then a local iodine rub. Alcohol and iodine may be provided at the donor station in a convenient disposable two bubble strip. A supply of strips for similar consumer protocols may be carried in the consumers purse or pack. Breaching seal 30B on each dispersing bubble may be along the same edge of the strip defining a common dispersion direction for all of the bubbles in the strip.
Alternatively, a bubble device may present dispersing bubbles 42 from a suitable dispensing structure 44D employing a roll 44R. The roll unwinds around axis 44A as the user tears off each individual dispersing bubble.
One of the opposed webs forming the dispersing bubbles may be support web 50S and the other opposed web may be cover web 50C. Both the support web and the cover web may be convex forming support convex portion 52S of the bubble and cover convex portion 52C, defining a double convex dispersing bubble as shown in
The remnants of the breached bubble coated with the residue of the product, may be folded up and discarded directly. Alternatively, the bubble may have an attached cloak or shroud, which may be used to wrap the breached bubble. A wrap member extending from at least one of the opposed webs may be employed for wrapping the breached dispersing bubble after dispersion of the product. In the embodiment of
The basic steps of the general method for directionally dispersing a product toward a zone of concern under compressive pressure by a user are shown in the flow chart of
Directing a bubble device toward the zone of concern. The bubble device is formed by opposed webs of enclosure material pressed together to form a sealed perimeter around a central enclosure. The perimeter has a breaching seal for product dispersion, and a non-breaching seal along the remaining perimeter. The central enclosure forms a dispersing bubble enclosed between the opposed webs within the perimeter. The dispersing bubble contains a product for dispersion and a compressible product transport fluid.
Compressing the transport fluid within the dispersing bubble by external pressure form the user (see
Expanding the dispersing bubble along the breaching seal inside the dispersing bubble under the external pressure on the transport fluid (see
Separating the opposed webs along the breaching seal (see
Forcing an edge breach in the breaching seal from inside to outside due to the separation of the opposed webs (see
Permitting the compressed transport fluid to rapidly escape as a released blast through the edge breach, and expand out of the bubble (see
Transporting at least a portion of the product out of the bubble with the escaping transport fluid for dispersions toward the zone of concern (see
The above general method may have the following additional sub-steps.
Shaking the product and the transport fluid within the dispersing bubble before the directing step to enhance the presence of the product mingled in the transport fluid.
Directing the bubble device upwards during the directing step causing the product within the dispersing bubble to shift downwards and backwards away from breaching seal (see
Directing the bubble device downwards during the directing step causing the product within the dispersing bubble to shift downwards and forwards closer to the breaching seal (see
Further separating the opposed webs after the dispersion step by means of opposed peel tabs formed on the opposed webs proximate the edge breach (see
The above method has many variations and applications. For example, in a perfume dispersion scenario, the consumer has four procedure options:
Light Scent
Limited scent may be obtained from the initial cloud of carburetted mist plus the single molecules of perfume dissolved (evaporated) into the transport fluid.
Medium Scent
More scent may be obtained by agitating the bubble lightly through tapping or shaking before breaching, to include liquid product temporarily suspended in the transport fluid due to the agitation.
More Scent
Even more scent may be obtained by tilting the bubble downward to include more liquid product in the transport fluid.
Maximum Scent
The most scent may be obtained by heavy agitation to maximize the amount of suspended liquid. Then using the product remaining as a coating on the inside surface of the bubble.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved as described hereinbefore by providing a bubble device for dispersing a product from a dispersing bubble into a zone of concern. The force of compression forces an edge breach in the bubble. The compressed transport fluid and product escape through the edge breach in a release of compressed transport fluid. The energy for compressing the transport fluid the product is supplied by the user. The product is dispersed without physical contact with the zone of concern. The product is propelled out of the dispersing bubble in a vapor state by the compressive energy within the bubble. The bubble device has opposed peel tabs permitting the user to open the dispersing bubble for access to the product. Product residue remaining within the bubble is applied to the zone of concern by contact application. The bubble device may be conveniently discarded after dispersion in a wrap pocket. The bubble device may have a plurality of dispersion bubbles with a selection of products for use in sequence. An additional portion of product vaporizes as the transport fluid warms due to compression, and condenses as the transport fluid cools due to expansion outside the dispersing bubble.
Various changes may be made in the structure and embodiments shown herein without departing from the concept of the invention. Further, features of embodiments shown in various figures may be employed in combination with embodiments shown in other figures.
Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the terminology of the following claims and the legal equivalents thereof.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/816,045, filed Jun. 26, 2006.
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