Patent Publication Number: US-2023164259-A1

Title: Removable hand sanitizer accessory

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/263,524, filed Nov. 4, 2021, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/263,526, filed Nov. 4, 2021 U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/363,512, filed Apr. 25, 2022, all of these applications incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an accessory of a portable device containing dispensable hand sanitizer. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do note that, when it comes to preventing the spread of coronavirus, “if soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.” Indeed, that is the primary ingredient in hand sanitizer: alcohol. Most hand sanitizers contain anywhere from 60% to 95% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol mixed with water and gels like glycol and glycerin in order to prevent drying out users&#39; skin. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     While alcohol has been in use as an antiseptic since the late-1800s, a hand sanitizer is only useful if actually applied frequently. The hand sanitizer described herein makes hand sanitizer instantly available for a user any time place the users handheld and thus will encourage more frequent hand sanitizer use. In some aspects hand sanitizer can be supplied in a watch band, or an accessory to be secured to a case for a portable electronic device. 
     Other methods, features and/or advantages is, or will become, apparent upon examination of the following Figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional methods, features, and advantages be included within this description and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are used, and the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG.  1    depicts a side elevation view of an accessory attached to a mobile device. 
         FIG.  2    depicts a side elevation exploded view of an accessory. 
         FIG.  3    depicts a bottom elevation view of an accessory attached to a mobile device. 
         FIG.  4    depicts a bottom elevation view of an accessory attached to a mobile device. 
         FIG.  5    depicts a side exploded view of an accessory attached to a mobile device. 
         FIG.  6    depicts a side exploded view of an accessory attached to a mobile device. 
         FIG.  7    depicts a side exploded view of an accessory attached to a mobile device. 
         FIG.  8 A- 8 C  depicts top, bottom and side views of an accessory according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  9 A- 9 D  depicts top, bottom and side exploded views of an accessory according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  10 A- 10 D  depicts top, bottom and side exploded views of an accessory according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  11 A- 11 E  depicts top bottom and side elevation views of attachment of an accessory to a mobile device with a magnet. 
         FIG.  12    depicts a side elevation view of an accessory according to the present invention. 
         FIG.  13 A- 13 D  depicts a side elevation view of an accessory according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Definitions 
     As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Overview of Invention Aspects 
     In additional aspects of the invention, the invention includes a card holder with an integrated sanitizer dispenser, or a sanitizer dispenser with an integrated card holder. 
     In additional aspects of the invention the lever also referred to as the slide and an indent for hand grip/stand as well as a simple pressure point for squeezing. 
     In additional aspects of the invention, a magnetic attachment compatible and slides on and off. 
     In additional aspects of the invention, it may incorporate a magnetic attachment with an include back piece or may use a protruding clip for holding cards down. 
     In additional aspects, the invention may include an indent for a finger grip and/or stand or may include an attachment that attaches with the ability for the unit to disconnect with a push of a button. 
     In additional aspects, the invention may include a slide for opening and closing with a spring and O-ring. 
     In additional aspects the invention includes an integrated sanitizer dispenser that is independent unit that is removable from the card holder. The card holder may contains holes that mate with prongs of a hand sanitizer containing pod so that the pod may be removed and replaced as necessary. 
     Disclosed Embodiments are Non-Limiting 
     While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it is emphasized that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the invention herein in its various embodiments. Specifically, and for whatever reason, the shape, size or material of the device may be altered and not depart from the spirit of the invention. 
     Moreover, when any range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that range includes all values therein and all sub-ranges therein. 
     Examples 
     The examples herein provide some examples, not meant to be limiting. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , an aspect of the invention will now be discussed. An accessory  100  may be secured to a mobile device such as a cellular phone  110 . The accessory contains an outlet port  120  for dispensing a liquid or gel such as a hand sanitizer. The accessory Additionally, the accessory may include means  130  for attachment of an additional devices to the accessory, such as a pop-socket. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , an exploded bottom view of the accessory  100 . The accessory includes a means  140  for attachment of the accessory to a mobile device (not shown). It is noted the accessory may generally contain four parts, a bottom plate  150 , a top plate  160 , another plate on the inside and a lever  170 . Depending on model used determines the amount of pieces. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , an additional aspect of the invention is disclosed. In this case, viewing the accessory  100  and the mobile device  110  from the bottom, a securing means  180  is viewed. The securing means  180  is compatible with the accessory means  140  for attachments of the accessory to the mobile device. The bottom plate  150 , top plate  160  and lever  170  of the accessory are also visible in this view. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  4   , an additional aspect of the invention is disclosed. In this case, a view of a fully assembled accessory  190  secured to a mobile device  110  is shown. A top plate,  200 , a lever  210  and, outlet port  220  for dispensing a liquid or gel such as a hand sanitizer are found. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , an exploded view of an aspect of the invention is shown. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  6   , an additional exploded view of an aspect of the invention is shown. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   , a top elevation and exploded view of an aspect of the invention is shown. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  8 - 11   , views of the accessory are shown in the absence of a cellular device. 
     Referring now of  FIG.  12   , the accessory may include a card holder  230  that is adjacent to a cell phone or other device and a removable hand sanitizer pod  240  that is secured to the card holder  230 .  FIG.  13    described the interrelationship between the pod and the card holder in greater detail. In  FIG.  13 A- 13 D  a card holder  230  is secured to a cell phone or other device (not shown) and a pod/container that may contain hand sanitizer  240  is secured to the card holder  230  when prongs  250  located on the pod  240  snap into holes  260  located on the card holder  230 . Of course, any means of attachment of the pod to the card holder are encompassed by the invention. The number of holes  260  on the card holder and the number of prongs  250  on the pod may be varied according to the needs of the user. Preferably there are a complimentary set of four prongs and hold disposed near each corner of the device but other configurations are possible. The pod may contain writing or logo.