Patent Application
20220144488
This invention relates to dispensers, including a multi-dispenser assembly.
It is common for people to carry personal protective equipment (PPE) such as containers of disinfectant spray, containers of hand sanitizer, and other types of PPE. However, having to carry multiple containers of disinfectants and sanitizers at the same time often becomes quite cumbersome, with the different containers easily misplaced and/or forgotten.
Accordingly, there is a need for a separable multi-dispensing assembly that comprises a dispenser of disinfectant spray and a container of hand sanitizer combined into an easy to carry and easy to separate and use assembly.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
In general, the separable multi-dispenser assembly according to exemplary embodiments hereof includes two or more dispensers combined into a single assembly or unit. In some embodiments, the separable multi-dispenser assembly is formed as a primary geometric shape that may be divided and separated into a plurality of secondary geometric shapes, with each secondary shape comprising a separate chamber and dispensing unit combination.
In some embodiments, the separable multi-dispenser assembly includes a dual dispenser assembly in the form of a geometric shape that may be separated into two secondary geometric shapes, with each secondary shape comprising a separate chamber and a separate dispensing head. In some embodiments, the chamber of the first secondary geometric shape is adapted to contain a disinfectant spray liquid and is configured with a sprayer head to spray the disinfectant liquid as a mist or stream. In some embodiments, the chamber of the second secondary geometric shape is adapted to contain a hand sanitizing liquid and is configured with an appropriate dispensing head (e.g., a squeeze nozzle) to release a small amount of the hand sanitizer when activated.
In some embodiments, the separable multi-dispenser assembly is formed as a rectangular cuboid that may be divided and separated into two separate triangular prisms, with each triangular prism including a separate chamber and dispensing head. In some embodiments, the triangular prisms may include right-angle triangular prisms. The two triangular shaped dispensers may be connected using a latch or other type of attachment mechanism and may be easily connected to one another for storage and disconnected from one another for use. It is preferable that when connected the unit is sized to be carried in one's pocket or purse.
It is understood that the example described above is meant for demonstration and that the exercise assembly may be formed and/or used in other ways as described herein or otherwise.
In one exemplary embodiment hereof, as shown in
Note that the elements 100, 200, 300 are depicted as basic shapes in the figures for easy understanding and to represent the general configuration of the elements 100, 200, 300 with respect to one another. However, it is understood that the representations do not necessarily represent the size, shape or form of the elements 100, 200, 300 nor the proportional sizes of the elements 100, 200, 300 with respect to one another. These details will be described in other sections. The multi-chamber dispensing assembly 10 also may include other components and elements as necessary for the assembly 10 to perform its functionalities.
Housing Assembly 100
In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in
In general, the first housing portion 102 may form the body of the first dispensing assembly 200 and the second housing portion 104 may form the body of the second dispensing assembly 300. Each portion 102, 104 is generally adapted to accommodate the various elements of the first and second dispensing assemblies 200, 300, respectively, such as inner chambers, dispensing heads, and other elements as will be described in other sections.
In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 comprises a three-dimensional geometric form. For the purposes of this specification, the housing assembly 100 will be described predominantly as a rectangular cuboid as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the separation axis S extends from the first perimeter point 118 to the second perimeter point 120, and for example, as shown in
Once divided and separated, the mating surfaces 122, 124 of each housing portion 102, 104, respectively, are exposed. As shown in
In some embodiments, the mating surfaces 122, 124 may each include guides that may facilitate the proper aligning of the mating surfaces 122, 124 when the first and second assembly portions 102, 104 are being mated. The guides may include, without limitation, guide pins and corresponding guide pin openings, guide rails, guide slots, other types of guides and any combinations thereof.
While the first and second perimeter points 118, 120 are shown in
In general, it is understood that the separation axis S passes from one side of housing assembly 100 to a generally opposite side of the housing assembly 100, and that the housing assembly 100 is separated along the separation axis S to form the first and second housing portions 102, 104. In some embodiments, the separation axis S divides the housing assembly 100 into generally equal sized and shaped first and second housing portions 102, 104 (as with the embodiment of
It also is understood that the housing assembly 100 may include two or more separation axis S that may divide the housing assembly 100 into three or more housing portions, with each housing portion equal and/or not equal to each other housing portion with respect to size and shape.
First Dispensing Assembly 200
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the first housing portion 102 includes a first inner volume 202 (e.g., an inner chamber) adapted to contain a first material. In some embodiments, the first material may include a disinfectant liquid (or other type(s) of materials) that may be released as a stream and/or vaporized (atomized) into a mist.
In some embodiments, the first dispensing assembly 200 includes a first dispensing head 204 in fluid communication with the first inner volume 202 and adapted to release the first material in a desired form. In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the first dispensing head 204 comprises a spray head that releases the first material as a mist or spray, as a stream, as other forms and as any combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the first dispensing head 204 is adjustable (e.g., by turning or otherwise adjusting the head 204) to release the first material as a mist, a spray, a stream, as other types of forms and as any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the first spray head 204 includes a push/pump dispensing head that releases the first material when pumped. In other embodiments, the first spray head 204 includes a stationary head (e.g., a squeeze nozzle) that releases the first material when the first housing portion 102 is squeezed (to create pressure). To this end, the first housing portion 102 may preferably be somewhat rigid when it is configured with a pump head 204 and somewhat flexible (compressible) when configured with a squeeze nozzle 204. It is understood that the first dispensing head 204 may comprise any type of dispensing head as required and that the scope of the dispensing assembly 10 is not limited in any way by the type of first dispensing head employed.
In some embodiments, the first housing portion 102 includes an inner volume 202 that is refillable, and as such, includes an opening that may be opened to enable the inner volume 202 to be filled with the first material, and then subsequently closed to contain the first material therein.
In some embodiments, the first housing portion 102 includes a receptacle 206 configured (e.g., with the mating surface 122) to receive the second dispensing head 304 of the second dispensing assembly 300 when the first and second assemblies 200, 300 are mated as will be described in other sections. In some embodiments, the receptacle 206 includes a cavity in the mating surface 122 adapted to receive the second dispensing head 304.
It is understood that the first dispensing assembly 200 may be adapted to contain and dispense any type of material (in addition to or instead of disinfectant materials) and that the scope of the first dispensing assembly 200 and of the separable multi-dispensing assembly 10 is not limited in any way by the type of material(s) that it may be configured to contain and/or release.
Second Dispensing Assembly 300
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the second housing portion 104 includes a second inner volume 302 (e.g., an inner chamber) adapted to contain a second material. In some embodiments, the second material may include a sanitizing liquid (e.g., a hand sanitizer) that may be released as a stream and/or vaporized (atomized) into a mist.
In some embodiments, the second dispensing assembly 300 includes a second dispensing head 304 in fluid communication with the second inner volume 302 and adapted to release the second material in a desired form. In some embodiments as shown in
For example, in some embodiments, the second dispensing head 304 comprises a spray head that releases the first material as a mist or spray, as a stream, as other forms and as any combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the second dispensing head 304 is adjustable (e.g., by turning or otherwise adjusting the head 304) to release the second material as a mist, a spray, a stream, as other types of forms and as any combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the second spray head 304 includes a push/pump dispensing head that releases the first material when pumped. In other embodiments, the second spray head 304 includes a stationary head that releases the second material when the second housing portion 104 is squeezed (to create pressure). To this end, the second housing portion 104 may preferably be somewhat rigid when it is configured with a pump head 304 and somewhat flexible (compressible) when configured with a squeeze nozzle 304. It is understood that the second dispensing head 304 may comprise any type of dispensing head as required and that the scope of the dispensing assembly 10 is not limited in any way by the type of second dispensing head employed.
In some embodiments, the second housing portion 104 includes an inner volume 302 that is refillable, and as such, includes an opening that may be opened to enable the inner volume 302 to be filled with the second material, and then subsequently closed to contain the second material therein.
In some embodiments, the second housing portion 104 includes a receptacle 306 configured (e.g., with the mating surface 124) to receive the first dispensing head 204 of the first dispensing assembly 200 when the first and second assemblies 200, 300 are mated as will be described in other sections. In some embodiments, the receptacle 306 includes a cavity in the mating surface 124 adapted to receive the first dispensing head 204.
It is understood that the second dispensing assembly 300 may be adapted to contain and dispense any type of material (in addition to or instead of sanitizing materials) and that the scope of the second dispensing assembly 300 and of the separable multi-dispensing assembly 10 is not limited in any way by the type of material(s) that it may be configured to contain and/or release.
Separable Multi-Dispenser Assembly 10
In some embodiments as shown in
In general, the separable multi-dispenser assembly 10 includes two or more combinable three-dimensional forms (e.g., the first and second dispenser assemblies 200, 300, and/or the first and second housing portions 102, 104, etc.) that may each include one or more mating surfaces (e.g., the mating surface 122 on the first dispenser assembly 200 and/or the mating surface 124 on the second dispenser assembly 300) that may be abutted together to join the two or more three-dimensional forms (200, 300, 102, 104, etc.) to form a single three-dimensional form (e.g., the separable multi-dispenser assembly 10, the housing assembly 100). In addition, each separate three-dimensional form (200, 300, 102, 104) may comprise a fully functioning dispenser unit (e.g., the first and second dispensing assemblies 200, 300) that may each include the elements necessary to contain and dispense a material (e.g., a disinfectant material, a sanitizing material, and/or other materials).
In some embodiments, the two or more three-dimensional forms (e.g., the first and second dispenser assemblies 200, 300, and/or the first and second housing portions 102, 104, etc.) include triangular prism forms (as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments as shown in
In some embodiments, the first dispensing head 204 and its corresponding receptacle 306 are positioned closer to the first perimeter point 118 compared to the second perimeter point 120, and the dispensing head 206 and its corresponding receptacle 304 are positioned closer to the second perimeter point 120 compared to the first perimeter point 118. It is understood that these locations may be reversed. In addition, while the first and second dispensing heads 204, 304 and their corresponding receptacles 206, 306 are shown to be positioned on opposite ends of the mating surfaces 122, 124 (with one dispensing head and one corresponding receptacle on each side of the midpoint between the points 118, 120), it is understood that the dispensing heads 204, 206 and the receptacles 206, 306 may each be located on the same side of the midpoint between points 118, 120. It also is understood that the dispensing heads 204, 206 and the receptacles 206, 306 may be located at any positions on the mating surfaces 122, 124 and that the scope of the assembly 10 is not limited in any way by the location(s) of the dispensing heads 204, 206 and/or of the receptacles 206, 306.
In some embodiments, the housing assembly 100 includes one or more releasable securing mechanism(s) 126 that releasably connects and secures the first and second housing portions 102, 104 together (and therefore the first and second dispensing assemblies 200, 300 together) while enabling the separation of the first and second housing portions 102, 104 (and therefore the separation of the first and second dispensing assemblies 200, 300) when desired. In one example, the securing mechanism 126 may include a latch that extends from one of the housing portions (e.g., from the front side 114 and/or backside 116 of portions 102 or 104) and a detent 128 on the opposing housing portion (e.g., on the front side 114 and/or backside 116 of portions 104 or 102) that engages the latch and holds it releasably secure. It is understood that other types of securing mechanisms 126 also may be used, such as, without limitation, opposing snapping mechanisms on each mating surface 122, 124 that engage one another, bands that wrap around the overall assembly 10 holding the portions 102, 104 together, other types of securing mechanisms and any combinations thereof.
In other embodiments, the receptacles 206, 306 are configured to grip each associated dispensing head (e.g., 304, 204) when the receptacles 206, 306 receive the heads 304, 204 thereby acting as securing mechanisms 126. The gripping may be facilitated by pressure fit, ridge and detents pairs (within the receptacles 206, 306 and/or on the dispensing heads 204, 304), or by other means.
It is understood that the first and second dispensing assemblies 200, 300 maybe secured to one another, separated from one another, and subsequently reattached to one another using any type of securing mechanisms 126, and that the scope of the overall assembly 10 is not limited in any way by the mechanisms used to releasably secure the assemblies 200, 300 together.
In some embodiments, the width between the left side 106 and the right side 108 of the separable multi-dispensing assembly 10 is 2″-8″ and preferably about 3″-4″ or about 3″. In some embodiments, the width between the top side 110 and the bottom side 112 of the separable multi-dispensing assembly 10 is 2″-8″ and preferably about 3″-4″ or about 3″. In some embodiments, the width of the separable multi-dispensing assembly 10 between its front surface 114 and its back surface 116 is about 0.5″-2″ and preferably about 0.5″-1″.
It is understood that any aspect and/or element of any embodiment of the assembly 10 described herein or otherwise may be combined in any way to form additional embodiments of the assembly 10 all of which are within the scope of the assembly 10.
Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the process may operate without any user intervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes the case of only one ABC.
As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should be understood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes both embodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore, dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe features with “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature is referred to as “the” and “the at least one”.
As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means “based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based in part on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X” does not mean “based only on X.”
In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.
It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, in the description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels (e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on) and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist in readability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as “particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description and claims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting.
As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and “plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus, e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes “two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two or more PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” or “approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are to be construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unless the context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”, “including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should be understood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are not intended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.
It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of the invention can be made while still falling within the scope of the invention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unless stated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosed represents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values and ranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. are used in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally, substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactly constant).
Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “for example” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustrate the invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically so claimed.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
