Patent Application
20230056215
The present invention relates to tick removal, and more specifically, to a refrigerant dispenser for tick removal.
Prior solutions have used refrigerants released from canisters to freeze or significantly cool ticks to assist with their subsequent removal.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerant dispenser for tick removal.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a refrigerant dispenser for tick removal that includes functional utility.
The present invention provides a refrigerant dispenser that accepts a canister containing pressurized refrigerant and facilitates the dispensing of such refrigerant onto a tick, which can allow for safe removal of the tick from a host.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerant dispenser can include a main body, an actuator structure, and a cage.
In an exemplary aspect, such a main body can include a proximal end, a distal end, and a cavity that extends from the proximate end to the distal end, with the proximate end having an intake opening in communication with the cavity and being configured to receive a refrigerant canister therein.
In another exemplary aspect, such an actuator structure can be connected to the distal end and can also be in communication with the cavity.
In a further exemplary aspect, such a cage can include an upper portion connected to the actuator structure and can also be in communication with the cavity, while the lower portion can terminate at an exhaust opening.
In still another exemplary aspect, the lower portion can be configured to at least partially surround a tick, and the exhaust opening can be in communication with the cavity.
Accordingly, in operation, a refrigerant canister positioned within the cavity can be effectuated by application of downward force thereupon, with dispensed refrigerant traveling to and out of the exhaust opening.
In another exemplary aspect, such a main body can include at least one finger grip, which can be positioned towards the proximal end.
In a further exemplary aspect, such an actuator structure can be configured to receive a canister nozzle.
In additional exemplary aspects, such an actuator structure can be tapered and/or include an abutment.
In still another exemplary aspect, such a cage can include at least one vent and/or a plurality of prongs.
In a further exemplary aspect, the at least one vent can be configured to exhaust refrigerant at any desired angle, which can include an angle towards the proximal end.
In yet another exemplary aspect, the exhaust opening can be defined at least in part by a ring structure.
An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerant dispenser for tick removal.
It should be noted that this disclosure includes a plurality of embodiments each having a plurality of elements, aspects, and/or steps and such elements, aspects, and/or steps need not necessarily be interpreted as being conjunctively required by one or more embodiments of the present invention. In particular, all combinations of such elements, aspects, and/or steps can enable a separate embodiment of the present invention, which may be claimed with particularity in any future filed Patent Application. Moreover, such elements, aspects, and/or steps disclosed herein, whether expressly or implicitly, are to be construed strictly as illustrative and enabling, and not necessarily limiting. Therefore, it is expressly set forth that any elements, aspects, and/or steps, independently or in any combination of one of more thereof are merely illustratively representative of one or more embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as necessary in a strict sense.
Further, to the extent the same element, aspect, or step is defined differently anywhere within this disclosure, whether expressly or implicitly, the broader definition is to take absolute precedence, with the distinctions encompassed by the narrower definition to be strictly construed as optional.
Illustratively, perceived benefits of the present invention can include functional utility, whether expressly or implicitly stated herein, or apparent herefrom. However, it is expressly set forth that these benefits are not intended as exclusive. Therefore, any explicit, implicit, or apparent benefit from the disclosure herein is expressly deemed as applicable to the present invention.
According to the present invention, a refrigerant dispenser can be formed from any one or more materials or combinations of materials, such as one or more of plastic, rubber, wood, metal, crystalline material, or any other man-made or naturally occurring material, for example and not in limitation, insofar as functionally consistent with the present invention. Further, such a device can be manufactured in any one or more functionally compatible manners, such as through molding, cutting, machining, etc.
In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, main body 110 can include a proximal end 111, a distal end 112, and a cavity 113 that extends from the proximate end to the distal end. Notably, main body 110 can be provided with any functionally compatible shape or shapes, and dimensions. Likewise, cavity 113 can be provided with any desired shape and dimensions configured to receive refrigerant canister RC. Further, refrigerant canister RC can include any functionally compatible refrigerant desired.
In another exemplary aspect, proximate end 111 can include an intake opening 114 in communication with cavity 113 and can be configured to receive a refrigerant canister RC therein as illustrated in
In yet another exemplary aspect, actuator structure 120 can be connected to distal end 112 and can be in communication with cavity 113. In operation, which is further described below, actuator structure 120 can facilitate actuation of a refrigerant canister so as to release a refrigerant therefrom.
In still another exemplary aspect, cage 130 can include an upper portion 131 and a lower portion 132. Upper portion 131 can be connected to actuator structure 120 and can be in communication with cavity 113; whilst lower portion 132 can terminate at an exhaust opening 133.
In still yet another exemplary aspect, lower portion 132 can be configured to at least partially surround a tick (as illustrated in
As further illustrated in
As additionally illustrated in
In one exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in
In another exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in
As further illustrated in
As additionally illustrated in
It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the manner of making and using the claimed invention has been adequately disclosed in the above-written and attached description of the exemplary embodiments and aspects of the present invention.
It should be understood, however, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific embodiments, aspects, arrangement, and components shown and described above, but may be susceptible to numerous variations within the scope of the invention.
Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative and enabling, rather than a restrictive, sense.
Accordingly, it will be understood that the above description of the embodiments of the present invention are susceptible to various modifications, changes, and adaptations, and the same are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
