Wearable Hand Sanitizer Apparatus

Abstract

A wearable hand sanitizer apparatus for dispensing sanitizer fluid includes a wristband wearable about a user's wrist. A reservoir in the wristband holds sanitizing fluid. An outlet nozzle selectively dispenses a predetermined quantity of the sanitizing fluid. A dispensing assembly is situated intermediate the outlet nozzle and the reservoir and is in communication with the reservoir for selectively dispensing on demand the sanitizer fluid from the reservoir to a place outside the wristband. A first actuator is normally biased to an unactuated configuration but, when actuated, allows the sanitizer fluid to pass through the dispensing assembly to the outlet nozzle. A second actuator in communication with the first actuator is normally biased to an unactuated configuration that prevents the first actuator from being actuated but, when actuated, allows the first actuator to be actuated to allow sanitizer fluid to pass through the dispensing assembly to the outlet nozzle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to sanitizer liquid dispensing devices and, more particularly, to a wearable hand sanitizer apparatus that is wearable on a person's wrist and actuated to dispense a quantity of hand sanitizer directly into the hand of the wearer.

The use of hand sanitizers has become very popular in recent years. For instance, a person may carry a bottle of an alcohol based hand sanitizer liquid or gel in his pocket, suit coat, book bag, or purse and dispense a drop or two into his hands on a regular basis. There are many advantages to using a hand sanitizer, including it is faster than hand washing, it acts quickly to kill microorganisms on one's skin, a bottle of sanitizer is more accessible than a sink and soap, and sanitizer may be gentler on the skin than soap.

However, carrying a bottle of hand sanitizer at all times may be inconvenient, especially if a person's garments do not have pockets. Further, traditional hand sanitizers come in bottles that may require opening a cap and risking dispensing an undesirable quantity of sanitizing fluid onto one's hand. In almost every instance, two hands are required for the dispensing process and may require the user to first set down articles being carried.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a hand sanitizing device having a wristband that may be worn on a person's wrist and that allows a predetermined amount of sanitizer to be dispensed directly onto the user's hand. Further, it would be desirable to have a hand sanitizing device having multiple actuators that must be activated simultaneously so as to avoid inadvertent and accidental dispensing of the sanitizer. In addition, it would be desirable to have a hand sanitizing device that can be actuated with a single hand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A wearable hand sanitizer apparatus for dispensing a sanitizer fluid according to the present invention includes a wristband having a first end and a second end and defining an interior space, the wristband being configured so as to be wearable about a user's wrist. A reservoir is situated in a portion of the interior space and configured to receive a quantity of the hand sanitizer fluid. An outlet nozzle is coupled to the wristband and configured to selectively dispense a predetermined quantity of the sanitizing fluid. A dispensing assembly is situated in the interior space intermediate the outlet nozzle and the reservoir, the dispensing assembly being in operative communication with the reservoir and configured to selectively dispense on demand the sanitizer fluid from the reservoir to a place outside the wristband.

The dispensing assembly includes a first actuator that is normally biased to an unactuated configuration but, when actuated, allows a predetermined quantity of the sanitizer fluid to pass through the dispensing assembly to the outlet nozzle. A second actuator is in communication with the first actuator, the second actuator being is normally biased to an unactuated configuration that prevents the first actuator from being actuated but, when actuated, allows the first actuator to be actuated to allow the predetermined quantity of the sanitizer fluid to pass through the dispensing assembly to the outlet nozzle.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a hand sanitizer apparatus that is wearable on a person's wrist for dispensing a sanitizer fluid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a hand sanitizer apparatus, as aforesaid, that allows dispensing of a predetermined quantity of sanitizer fluid with only a single handed operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a wearable hand sanitizer apparatus, as aforesaid, having a “safety” button that prevents inadvertent or unintended dispensing of sanitizer fluid.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a wearable hand sanitizer apparatus, as aforesaid, that is refillable.

A further object of this invention is to provide a wearable hand sanitizer apparatus, as aforesaid, that is easy to use and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wearable hand sanitizer apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2a is another perspective view from another angle of a sanitizer apparatus as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 2a illustrated with a refill port cover in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2c is another isolated view as in FIG. 2c illustrated with the refill port cover in an open configuration;

FIG. 3a is another perspective view as in FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3c is a fragmentary view of a dispensing assembly as in FIG. 2a illustrated with the first and second actuators in actuated configurations, respectively.

FIG. 3d is a fragmentary view of a dispensing assembly as in FIG. 2a illustrated with the first and second actuators in unactuated configurations, respectively.

FIG. 4a is an exploded view of the dispensing assembly of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 4b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 4a;

FIG. 5a is a top view of the sanitizer apparatus as in FIG. 2a;

FIG. 5b is a sectional view taken along line 5b-5b of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 5c is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 5b, illustrating the first and second actuators in unactuated configurations, respectively.

FIG. 5d is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 5b, illustrating the first and second actuators in actuated configurations, respectively.

FIG. 6a is a side view of the sanitizer apparatus as in FIG. 2a;

FIG. 6b is a sectional view taken along line 6b-6b of FIG. 6a illustrated with the first and second actuators in unactuated configurations, respectively; and

FIG. 6c is another sectional view taken along line 6b-6b of FIG. 6a illustrated with the first and second actuators in actuated configurations, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A wearable hand sanitizer apparatus for dispensing a hand sanitizing fluid according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6c. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus 10 includes a wristband 20, a reservoir 30 for holding a sanitizing fluid, a first actuator 50, a second actuator 60, and an outlet nozzle 41.

The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus 10 (also referred to as the “sanitizer apparatus”) includes a wristband 20 having a first end 22 and an opposed second end 24 that defines an interior space. The wristband 20 may be constructed of a flexible plastic material that may be wrapped around and worn on the wrist of a user. A portion of the wristband 20 adjacent the first end 22 defines a plurality of spaced apart holes 26. A fastener 28 is coupled to a portion adjacent the second end 24 of the wristband 20, the fastener 28, such as a pin or protrusion, having a configuration that is complementary to the holes 26 and selectively receivable in a selected hole 26 in a friction arrangement so as to couple respective ends together in a friction fit arrangement (FIG. 5c). Of course, other fasteners may be used for coupling ends of the wristband 20 together, such as buckles, clasps, magnets, clips, hooks, hook and loop fasteners, pins, tongue and groove fasteners, or the like. The wristband 20 may include an area suitable to receive logo 21 or other indicia.

In an embodiment, a reservoir 30 is situated inside the interior space of the wristband 20 that is configured to receive and hold a sanitizer fluid, such as an alcohol-based gel or other substance that is effective to kill bacteria and germs on contact. The reservoir 30 may include an inner wall 32 and the reservoir 30 is watertight. The inner wall 32 may define a refill port 34 configured to enable an additional quantity of sanitizer fluid to be added when needed. Preferably, the sanitizer fluid is a gel so that there is no leakage from the dispensing assembly 40 when not actuated, as will be described in greater detail below, although other liquids may also be dispensed. In an embodiment, the refill port 34 may be selectively covered by a flexible cover 36, the flexible cover 36 being configured to cover or uncover the refill port 34 (FIG. 2b and FIG. 2c). The cover 36 may include a nub 38 and aperture 39 fastening structure similar to that of the wristband fastener 28 although other designs and fastener combinations are also possible.

An outlet nozzle 41 is mounted to the wristband 20 and is in communication with its interior space. The outlet nozzle 41 may also be referred to as a “spray restrictor” in that it may be configured to distribute the sanitizer fluid as a spray, foam, or other distribution pattern. Preferably, the outlet nozzle 41 is coupled to the first actuator 50 as will be described below. Alternatively, the outlet nozzle 41 is in operative fluid communication with the first actuator 50.

The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus 10 includes a dispensing assembly 40 situated in the interior space of the wristband 20. In an embodiment, the dispensing assembly 40 is proximate the second end 24 of the wristband 20 although other locations in the wristband 20 would also work. The dispensing assembly 40 is positioned intermediate the outlet nozzle 41 and the reservoir 30 and is in operative fluid communication with the reservoir 30 such that the sanitizer fluid is selectively transferred from the reservoir 30 to and through the outlet nozzle 41.

The dispensing assembly 40 includes a first actuator 50 and a second actuator 60 that cooperate to regulate when sanitizer fluid is allowed to move from the reservoir 30 to the outlet nozzle 41. The dispensing includes a dispenser housing 42 having a top wall 44, defines an open front, and defines an interior area, the top wall 44 defining a slot 46, and a back wall defining an aperture 49 (FIG. 4b). These structures will be described further in relation to operation of the first actuator 50 and second actuator 60.

The first actuator 50 is positioned adjacent the open front of the dispensing assembly 40 and is slidably movable between an actuated configuration substantially inside the dispenser housing 42 and a normally unactuated configuration substantially outside the dispenser housing 42. The first actuator 50 is normally and automatically biased toward the unactuated configuration by a first compression spring 52. The first actuator 50 defines a channel 54 therethrough that is in fluid communication with the outer nozzle 41. As described above, the outer nozzle 41 may, in an embodiment, be mounted to the first actuator 50 (FIG. 4b). The dispensing assembly 40 includes a spring loaded plunger 56 coupled to a rear wall of the first actuator 50, the plunger 56 defining a throughbore positioned complementary to the channel 54 of the first actuator 50 and in fluid communication therewith. The first compression spring 52 associated with the spring loaded plunger 56 is the means for normally biasing the first actuator 50 toward the unactuated configuration (pushed out of the front of the dispenser housing 42).

A tube 70 is positioned in the interior space defined by the wristband 20, the tube 70 being configured to communicate the sanitizer fluid from the reservoir 30 to the dispenser housing 42 where it is directed on to the outer nozzle 41. More particularly, the tube 70 includes a proximal end 72 positioned in the reservoir 30 for accessing the sanitizer fluid therein and a distal end 74 positioned in the dispenser housing 42 for communication with the plunger 56 of the first actuator 50 when the first actuator 50 is actuated. The tube 70 includes a body portion 76 extending between the proximal and distal ends, the body portion 76 extending through the aperture 49 in the back wall of the dispenser housing 42.

Operation of the first actuator 50 is illustrated in FIGS. 5c and 5d. When the first actuator 50 is slidably moved to an actuated configuration, such as by a user pushing the first actuator 50 in the manner of a push button, the plunger 56 extends into and is received interiorly by the distal end 74 of the tube 70. Further, the first compression spring 52 associated with the plunger 56 is compressed as the first actuator 50 is moved inwardly into the dispenser housing 42 and distal end 74 of the tube 70 (FIG. 5d).

When fully compressed, a predetermined amount of sanitizer fluid is urged through the unified channel formed by the compressed first compression spring 52, the plunger throughbore, the channel 54 of the first actuator 50, and to the outlet nozzle 41. When the pressure of a user pressing the first actuator 50 is removed or released, the first compression spring 52 decompresses so as to automatically urge the first actuator 50 away from the interior area of the dispenser housing 42. The sanitizer fluid is held in a pressure-stable state in this configuration and does not flow through the dispenser housing 42.

The second actuator 60 is also a spring biased structure that is selectively movable (such as by push button-like depression by a user) into and out of the interior area of the dispenser housing 42. The second actuator 60 is normally biased to an unactuated configuration that prevents the first actuator from being actuated but, when actuated, allows the first actuator 50 to move to its actuated configuration substantially inside the dispenser housing 42 as described above. Therefore, a predetermined amount of the sanitizer fluid is only dispensed when both the first actuator 50 and second actuator 60 are manually urged to their actuated configurations, respectively.

More particularly, the second actuator 60 includes a stop member 64 positioned in the interior area of the dispenser housing 42, the stop member 64 having one or more arm sections (FIG. 4b). Further, the second actuator 60 includes a safety button 62 operatively coupled to the stop member 64 and extending upwardly through the slot 46 defined by the top wall 44 of the dispenser housing 42. A second compression spring 66 is coupled to a bottom side of the stop member 64. Normally, the second actuator 60 is urged upwardly by action of the second compression spring 66 such that the safety button 62 extends away from the top wall 44 of the dispensing assembly 40 and the safety button 62 extends upwardly through the slot 46 (FIG. 3a). In this unactuated configuration, the arm sections of the stop member 64 block the first actuator 50 (specifically, an arm 57 of the plunger 56) from movement toward the actuated configuration (FIG. 5c).

Accordingly, the second actuator 60 acts as a “safety” as it prevents operation of the first actuator 50 until the safety is itself engaged. As shown in FIG. 5d, however, a downward manual depression of the safety button 62 portion of the second actuator 60 causes the arm sections of the stop member 64 to move downwardly out of the way of the plunger arm 57 so that the first actuator 50 may be manually pushed by a user to the actuated configuration and sanitizer fluid may be obtained as described above.

In use, a person may wrap the wristband 20 about his wrist and fasten it securely thereto by fastening the free ends. When the user desires to dispense an amount of sanitizer fluid on his hands, he successively actuates the second actuator 60 and then, while holding the second actuator 60 in a depressed configuration, actuates the first actuator 50. Specifically, pressing down the safety button 62 allows the first actuator 50 to move and then depressing the first actuator 50 moves the first actuator 50 into contact with the tube 70 that connects to the reservoir 30. A predetermined amount of sanitizer fluid is then communicated through the tube 70 to the outlet nozzle 41 where is dispensed outside of the wristband 20. The requirement to move the second and first actuators to simultaneously actuated configurations eliminates the potential for an accidental or unintended dispensing of fluid.

The wristband 20 may be positioned on a user's wrist such that sanitizer fluid dispensed from the outlet nozzle 41 is deposited directly into the hand of the user adjacent the wristband 20 or into the user's opposite hand so that the hands may be rubbed together. Additional quantities of sanitizer fluid may be added to the reservoir 30 via the refill port 34 as described above.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A wearable hand sanitizer apparatus for dispensing a sanitizer fluid, comprising: a wristband having a first end and a second end and defining an interior space, said wristband configured so as to be wearable about a user's wrist;a reservoir situated in a portion of said interior space and configured to receive a quantity of the hand sanitizer fluid;an outlet nozzle coupled to said wristband and configured to selectively dispense a predetermined quantity of the sanitizing fluid;a dispensing assembly situated in said interior space intermediate said outlet nozzle and said reservoir, said dispensing assembly being in operative communication with said reservoir and configured to selectively dispense on demand the sanitizer fluid from said reservoir to a place outside said wristband;wherein said dispensing assembly includes a first actuator that is normally biased to an unactuated configuration but, when actuated, allows a predetermined quantity of the sanitizer fluid to pass through said dispensing assembly to said outlet nozzle.

2. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said dispensing assembly includes a second actuator in communication with said first actuator, said second actuator being is normally biased to an unactuated configuration that prevents said first actuator from being actuated but, when actuated, allows said first actuator to be actuated to allow said predetermined quantity of the sanitizer fluid to pass through said dispensing assembly to said outlet nozzle.

3. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said dispensing assembly includes a dispenser housing defining an interior area and positioned in said interior space of said wristband, said first actuator and said second actuator being selectively movable into and out of said interior area and such that the sanitizer fluid is allowed to flow from said reservoir to said outlet nozzle through said interior area of said housing when said first and said second actuator are actuated, respectively.

4. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said dispensing assembly includes a tube extending between said dispenser housing and said reservoir through which the sanitizer fluid is delivered when said first actuator and said second actuator are actuated.

5. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 3, wherein said dispensing assembly includes a spring-loaded plunger connected to a rear wall of said first actuator and situated to enter an end of said tube when said first actuator is actuated, said spring-loaded plunger being normally biased to urge said first actuator toward an unactuated configuration substantially outside of said interior area of said dispensing housing.

6. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 4, wherein: said dispenser housing includes a top wall defining a slot in communication with said interior area;said second actuator includes a stop member situated in said interior area and a safety button operatively coupled to said stop member and normally extending upwardly through said slot;wherein said stop member is selectively positioned in said interior area so as to allow movement of said first actuator when said second actuator is urged downwardly into said interior area of said dispenser housing through said slot.

7. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 6, wherein: said second actuator is spring biased toward said unactuated configuration, said safety button being automatically urged away from said slot of said dispenser housing;said stop member is positioned so as to block movement of said first actuator into said interior area when said stop member is at said unactuated configuration.

8. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 6, wherein: said first actuator includes a push button defining a channel therethrough;said first actuator is movable between said normally unactuated configuration situated substantially outside said interior area of said dispensing housing and an actuated configuration situated substantially inside said dispensing housing; andsaid channel is in fluid communication with said tube when said first actuator is at said actuated configuration, whereby the sanitizer fluid is allowed to flow through said channel when said first actuated is at said actuated configuration.

9. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 8, wherein: said first actuator is normally biased toward said unactuated configuration by a compression spring, said compression spring being compressed when said first actuator is manually moved by a user to said actuated configuration;said compression spring is uncompressed and urges said first actuator toward said unactuated configuration when a force is removed upon said first actuator;said first actuator allowing the sanitizer fluid to flow past said compression spring and into said channel when said compression spring is compressed.

10. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said tube includes a proximal end positioned in said reservoir for accessing the sanitizer fluid therein and a distal end proximate said interior area of said dispenser housing, said tube having a body portion situated in said interior space of said wristband and extending between said proximal end and said distal end.

11. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said wristband includes a first end selectively coupled to a second end for arrangement about a wrist of a person, said wristband having a fastener configured to selectively secure said first end to said second end.

12. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said reservoir includes an inner wall defining a refill port configured to receive additional sanitizer fluid into said reservoir.

13. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 12, wherein said refill port is selectively covered by a flexible cover configured to selectively cover or uncover said refill port.

14. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said reservoir includes an inner wall defining a refill port configured to receive additional sanitizer fluid into said reservoir.

15. The wearable hand sanitizer apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said wristband is constructed of a flexible material such that said wristband is selectively wrapped around a wrist of a user.