Abstract:
A wearable sanitizing dispenser device includes a holster having a hingedly connected front half and rear half that define an interior space. A dispenser located within the interior space includes a canister connector, a dispensing valve, a control button and an output chamber. A wearable sanitizing dispenser device also includes a holster having a hingedly connected front half and rear half that define an interior space. A removable canister housing a sanitizing agent stored within the interior space, and a dispenser located within the interior space includes a canister connector, a dispensing valve, a control button and an output chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/539,127 filed on Sep. 26, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to sanitizer dispensing units, and more particularly to a device capable of dispensing a sanitizing agent while storing the same in a sturdy container that can be comfortably worn on an individual during normal activities. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    The average person touches dirty items such as door handles, money and the like hundreds of times each day. However, it is well known that the most common means of transmitting contagions such as bacteria and diseases comes from direct physical contact between individuals. This is especially worrisome for public service members and first responders such as police officers, EMT&#39;s, and firemen, for example, for whom physical contact with members of the public is part of the job description. 
         [0005]    Although, it is standard practice for first responders such as EMT&#39;s and firemen to wear gloves and other protective items before touching a member of the public, police officers are not always afforded such a luxury, as a casual encounter can turn into a violent struggle in an instant. 
         [0006]    To this end, many first responders and public service individuals keep bottles of hand sanitizer within their vehicles in an attempt to stymie the progress and growth of bacteria on their hands after each contact with a member of the public. Unfortunately however, it is not uncommon for first responders to become separated from their vehicle for extended periods of time, thereby making the hand sanitizers unavailable when they are needed most. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there remains a need for a device capable of storing and dispensing sanitizing agents that can be worn on an individual taking part in the daily requirements of their job. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is directed to a wearable sanitizing dispenser device. One embodiment of the present invention can include a holster having a hingedly connected front half and rear half that define an interior space for receiving a removable cartridge containing a sanitizing agent. A dispenser having a canister connector, a dispensing valve, a control button and an output chamber is positioned within the interior space to discharge the sanitizing agent to a device user. 
         [0009]    Another embodiment of the present invention can include padding and thermal insulation for protecting an inserted cartridge from damage caused by physical impact and extreme temperature variations. 
         [0010]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention can include a holster having a unitary construction and housing a permanent canister. 
         [0011]    This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wearable sanitizing dispenser device in a closed position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the wearable sanitizing dispenser device in an open position, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the wearable sanitizing dispenser device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the wearable sanitizing dispenser device in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the wearable sanitizing dispenser device in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the wearable sanitizing dispenser device, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention. 
         [0020]    Identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0021]    Owing to the rigors of work performed by first responders such as police, firemen and EMT&#39;s, for example, conventional pressurized hand sanitizers can not be utilized in a portable (i.e., away from a vehicle) manner, due to the risks of the contents exploding when exposed to extreme heat (firemen) and extreme impacts (police engaged in a physical confrontation). As such,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate one embodiment of a wearable sanitizing agent dispenser  10  that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the device can include a durable wearable holster  11  configured to store a canister  40  capable of dispensing a sanitizing agent  5  to a user on the go. 
         [0022]    The holster  11 , according to one embodiment can include a front wall  11   a , a back wall  11   b , a pair of opposing side walls  11   c  and  11   d , a top wall  11   e  and a bottom wall  11   f , each defining a generally hollow interior space H. A belt clip  13  can be disposed along the upper portion of the back wall  11   b , and an opening  14  for receiving the dispenser button  22  can be located near the bottom of the back wall  11   b.    
         [0023]    In one preferred embodiment, the holster  11  can be divided into a pair of complementary halves configured to rotate about a central hinge  12  from a closed position ( FIG. 1 ) to an open position ( FIG. 2 ), see arrow A. To this end, the front wall  11   a , the top wall  11   e , and the bottom wall  11   f  can include an integral construction referred to herein as the front half  11   a ′ of the holster, and the back wall  11   b , and opposing side walls  11   c - 11   d  can also include an integral construction referred to herein as the back half  11   b ′ of the holster. 
         [0024]    A dispenser  20  can be secured onto the inside facing surface of the bottom wall  11   f , within the interior space H. In one embodiment, the dispenser  20  can include a dispensing button  22  that is interposed between a canister connector  21  and an outlet chamber  23 . 
         [0025]    As described herein, the connector  21  can act to securely engage a canister  40 , as described below in order to receive a sanitizing agent  5  that is stored therein. To this end, the connector  21  can include a generally tubular member having a plurality of integrated threads  21   a  for receiving the canister  40  via a twisting motion. Of course, any number of other devices capable of allowing the connector end  21  to receive a canister in a removable manner can also be utilized in addition to, or instead of the plurality of threads. 
         [0026]    The outlet  23  can include a hollow tubular member having a first end  23   a  connected to the valve, and a second end  23   b  that traverses/passes through the bottom wall  11   f  so as to discharge the received agent from the bottom of the device. End  23   b  can be flush with the bottom wall  11   f , or may extend beyond the wall. 
         [0027]    A dispensing valve  22   a  (See  FIG. 5 ) can be interposed between the canister connector  21  and the outlet chamber  23 , so as to control the flow of the sanitizing agent from the canister  40  through the exit of the device. The valve  22   a  can be controlled by a dispensing button  22  in a conventional manner to pump the sanitizing agent from the canister  40  through the chamber  23 . Dispensing valves of this type are well known in the art, and may include a spring (not illustrated) to assist with the pumping action. 
         [0028]    Although described above as including separate elements, those of skill in the art will recognize that each of the connector  21 , valve  22  and outlet  23  can be constructed as a single unit in accordance with known construction methodologies. Additionally, the dispenser  20  can be positioned virtually anywhere within the interior space H and the outlet chamber can pass through any wall of the holster. Moreover, although described above as a button  22 , those of skill in the art will recognize that any device capable of controlling the dispensing valve  22   a  can be utilized. Several examples include, twist knobs, levers and the like. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, a screen  24  can be positioned within the outlet chamber  23 , in order to transition a received sanitizing agent  5  from a gel state into a foam state. In one preferred embodiment, the screen  24  can include a series of narrow cross mounted and/or overlapping vanes disposed within the tubular body of the outlet chamber  23 . 
         [0030]    The holster  11  can act as a vessel for securely positioning a canister  40  containing a sanitizing agent, and can be constructed from rugged and durable material such as plastic, PVC or other light-weight, impact resistant polymers. Of course other materials ranging from composites to hardened metal are also contemplated. As the device is intended for use by first responders, it is preferred that the components are as durable as possible, so as to withstand any number of direct physical impacts and high temperature variations without breaking or inadvertently dispensing the canister contents. Such instances are desirable for police who may wish to clip the dispenser onto their utility belt, for example. Although described above as including a specific shape, those of skill in the art will recognize that the holster can comprise any number of different shapes and configurations suitable for performing the inventive concepts disclosed herein, without undue experimentation. 
         [0031]    In one alternate embodiment, the holster can further include one or more strips of pliable, impact absorbing liners  30 , such as rubber, for example, to provide additional protection to the canister and sanitizing agent against damage caused from physical impacts. Additionally, one or more strips of insulating material  31  such as neoprene and/or polyester, for example, can be included to protect the canister and sanitizing agent against damage caused from extreme temperature variations. Each of the liners  30  and insulators  31  can be positioned throughout part of or the entirety of the interior sections of the holster walls in order to provide protection, as described above. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a canister  40  which can be removably secured to the dispenser  20  and stored within the holster  11 . As shown, the canister can include an open top end  41  having a plurality of threads  41   a  which are complementary to the threads  21   a  of the canister connector, so as to allow the canister to be secured to, and removed from the dispenser, see arrow b, via a twisting motion. 
         [0033]    In one preferred embodiment, the canister will be constructed from injection molded plastic and include a shape and dimension suitable for being housed within the hollow interior space of the holster in a closed position. Of course, those of skill in the art will recognize that the canister can be of any shape, size or material capable of being housed in the interior space of a holster. It is preferred that the canister be non-pressurized so as to ensure that the canister can not rupture and explode if/when exposed to any extreme impacts which the device may receive during the daily operations of a first responder. However, it is contemplated that some embodiments may utilize canisters having CO 2  and other gas pressurized type devices capable of discharging aerosol, liquid and/or gel solutions via the dispenser. Each of these devices is well and truly known in the art, therefore no further description will be provided. 
         [0034]    The canister  40  will act as a vessel for providing a sanitizing agent  5  to the dispenser. Sanitizing agents are well known in the art and typically include one or more active ingredients such as isopropanol, ethanol, n-propanol, or povidone-iodine, as well as inactive ingredients such as polyacrylic acid, humectants, propylene glycol, for example, that are designed to combat the spread of germs and diseases. These agents can take the form of a liquid, gel, foam (when contained in a pressurized canister). Moreover, as described above, by including the screen  24 , the dispenser can churn a gel sanitizer into foam for use by the first responder. The specifics of how and why sanitizing agents can transition from a gel state to a foam state when pushed through a screen are outside the scope of this invention, however it should be sufficient to note that the screen allows aeration of the gel which reduces the weight and density of the agent, allowing it to form a more foam-like consistency. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of the wearable sanitizing agent dispenser  10  in operation. As shown, once the canister  40  is secured within the device, the sanitizing agent  5  can be dispensed through the bottom wall  11   f  of the device when activated by the button  22 . Additionally, by placing the dispenser button  22  on the back wall  11   b , the shape of the device itself can act to prevent accidental discharge of the solution  5  resulting from inadvertent contact with foreign objects. To this end, the button  22  will be protected by the body of the wearer, when the device is secured to a belt via the belt clip  13 . Moreover, by including the button along the bottom end of the back wall, the users hand  1  can make a natural cupping motion to receive the solution  5  when pressing the button  22 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the wearable sanitizing agent dispenser  10  having a non-removable cartridge  40  wherein the entire device is configured to be discarded when the contents of the canister have been exhausted. In this embodiment, the holster  11  can include a generally tubular shape having a side wall  61  that is permanently secured to each of the top wall  11   e , and the bottom wall  11   f  in accordance with known construction methodologies. The dispenser  20  can be secured to the bottom wall  11   f , as described above, and the cartridge  40  can be permanently secured to, or incorporated into the construction of the dispenser  20  at a time of manufacture. Such a feature can provide options for achieving the inventive concepts disclosed herein at a lower manufacturing cost. 
         [0037]    As described herein, one or more elements of the sanitizer agent dispenser  10  can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others, and in accordance with known construction methodologies. 
         [0038]    As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0039]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0040]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form 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 invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.