Patent Publication Number: US-2010116838-A1

Title: Adhesive Bandage Dispenser

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to bandage dispenser. More particularly, the present invention relates to sterile bandage dispenser for dispensing bandages directly adhered. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Adhesive bandages are the most widely used first aid supplies that are available. The bandages are typically used to decrease prolonged loss of body fluids and stop bleeding by covering and protecting wounds such as cuts, scrape, blisters, bruises and the like. Therefore, bandages are extensively used in hospitals, schools, at home, and basically anywhere. 
     However, although the bandages are ready to use, for actual adhering the pad on the cut or bruise, the wrapping has to be removed as well as at least two base layers that are adhered onto the adhesive portion. This is a time consuming action that requires some extent of experience and delicacy especially when small bandages are used. The adhesive portions of the tape can be adhered to the fingers of the inexperienced user as well as to be adhered to one another while ruining the bandage. 
     Most of the bandages are being packed in bulks of individual bandages; however, some dispensers were developed over the years as an answer to a prolonged need. An example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,140 “Adhesive bandage dispensing system” by Pellegrino. The dispensing system includes an elongated strand of individually sterile-wrapped adhesive bandages and a reusable dispenser for string and dispensing the bandages. Each bandage is contained in a separate sterile compartment of an otherwise continuous wrapping material. Another individual bandage dispenser is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,522 “Individual bandage dispenser” by Ko et al wherein the bandages are adhered to successive bandages along opposite ends of the bandage. The bandages are dispensed from a box between pair of flexible fingers extending into an opening in the top wall of the box. 
     The solutions given herein as well as other solutions do not provide an answer to the problem of removing the base layers from the adhesive material and therefore merely organize the individual bandages and dispense them individually. 
     There is still a need to organize the bandages and dispense them individually without the need to handle the exposure of the adhesive portions. There is a need to provide bandages in any size that can be immediately adhered onto the wound without wasting valuable time. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide adhesive bandage dispenser that is dispensing individual bandage ready for immediate use. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide adhesive bandage dispenser that is easy to handle and can be easily used by laypersons.
     1. It is thus provided in accordance with the present invention, An adhesive bandage dispenser comprising:
       a cartridge having walls, bottom, and upper opening;   a plurality of stacked plates accommodated within said cartridge;   a resilient element provided within said cartridge beneath a lowermost plate, wherein said resilient element is adapted to push said plurality of stacked plates toward said upper opening;   an adhesive bandage mounted onto each one of said plurality of plates wherein adhesive material of said adhesive bandage is exposed;   a trigger adapted to eject an uppermost plate of said plurality of plates so as to allow a sequential plate to move upwardly towards said upper opening.   
       

     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said adhering bandage is adhered onto the plate by adhering strips. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said adhering material is stronger in adherence characteristics than said adhering strips. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, cartridge is design to correspond the dimensions of said adhering bandage. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said dimensions are selected from a group of dimensions such as standard, circular, rectangular, square, etc. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said cartridge is adapted to be incorporated in another device. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said another device is selected from a group of devices such as shaving devices. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred, embodiment of the present invention, said resilient element is a spring. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said cartridge is provided with a protector for protecting said trigger. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said trigger is adapted to eject the uppermost plate through a rotational movement. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, each plate of said plurality of plates is provided with at least one recess adapted to correspond at least one protrusion in said cartridge that is adapted to prevent the plate that is positioned in said upper opening from being removed from said cartridge and secure the plate in an uppermost position. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, four recesses are provided to correspond four protrusions. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, each plate of said plurality of plates is provided with at least one niche adapted to correspond at least one protrusion in said cartridge that is adapted to prevent withdrawal of the plate inwardly when the plate is positioned in said upper opening. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, four niches are provided to correspond four protrusions. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plates are provided with at least one clamp adapted to secure and tight the plate to a plate positioned beneath. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, two clamps are provided on both sides of the plate. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one sliding, rail is provided on an upper surface of the plates so as to receive said at least one clamp. 
     Furthermore and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, material is provided between the plates adapted to maintain sterilization of the bandages. 
     Additionally, and in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, said material is selected from a group of materials such as paraffin. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       In order to better understand the present invention and appreciate its practical applications, the following Figures are attached and referenced herein. Like components are denoted by like reference numerals. 
       It should be noted that the figures are given as examples and preferred embodiments only and in no way limit the scope of the present invention as defined in the appending Description and Claims. 
         FIG. 1   a  illustrates an upper view of a bandage dispenser in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1   b  illustrates an A-A cross sectional view of the bandage dispenser shown in  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIGS. 2   a,b  illustrate a side cross sectional view and an upper view, respectively, of the cartridge and spring shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3   a,b  illustrate side view and upper view, respectively, of a side panel of the cartridge as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 4   a,b  illustrate a middle plate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, side view and upper view. 
         FIGS. 5   a,b  illustrate an upper plate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, side view and upper view. 
         FIGS. 6   a,b  illustrate a bottom plate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, side view and upper view. 
         FIGS. 7   a,b  illustrate a adhesive bandage in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, side view and upper view. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a razor incorporated with an adhesive bandage dispenser in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the razor shown in  FIG. 8 , in a disengaged state. 
         FIGS. 10   a - c  illustrate an inner structure of a razor&#39;s handle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a razor device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 12   a, b  illustrate an upper plate in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, side view and upper view. 
         FIGS. 13   a, b  Illustrate side view and upper view, respectively, of a side panel of a cartridge in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 14   a - d  illustrate a middle plate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, side view, upper view, cross sectional view, and isometric view. 
         FIG. 15   a, b  illustrate isometric views of a bandage dispenser in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, partially exposing inner areas. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates the bandage dispenser shown in  FIG. 15  provided with the plate in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates different views of the plate shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  illustrates different views of a bandage dispenser in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND FIGURES 
     The present invention provides a unique and novel adhesive bandage dispenser that is adapted to dispense individual bandages ready to be immediately adhered onto the wound. According to the concept of the present invention, the adhesive bandage is dispensed with the portions of adhering materials and pad exposed to be immediately adhered onto the wound without the need to take off the wrapping and to peel off base layers. 
     According to one concept of the present invention, the bandages are individually placed on plates that are organized one on top of the other in a cartridge. A resilient member such as a spring pushes the plates outwardly of the cartridge while revealing the uppermost bandage with the pad and adhesive portions outwardly exposed. The user adhere the bandage in a very simple and straightforward manner onto the wound. 
     According to another concept of the present invention, the cartridge is adapted to be incorporated within a handle, as an example, of a device that is cut-prone such as a shaving device. 
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 1   a  and  b  illustrating an upper view and cross sectional view, respectively, of a bandage dispenser in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Dispenser  10  comprises a cartridge  12  having side panels  14 , side walls  16 , bottom side  30 , and an upper opening  28  wherein in the embodiment shown herein as an example, the side panels and side walls are constructed to accommodate a standard size elongated bandage. 
     A plurality of plates  18  are organized one on top of the other within cartridge  12  while each plate is provided with recess  20  shown in  FIG. 1   a  in dash line and will be elaborated on herein after. The uppermost plate is placed in and blocks upper opening  28 . Each plate is provided with an adhering bandage  22  that is placed onto plate  18  and adhered to it by adhering strips  32 . The adhesive bandage is provided with a pad  24  and adhesive material  25  exposed upwardly. 
     It is important to notice that adhering strips  32  are provided with adhering material having adhering properties that are less strong than the adhesive material that is exposed upwardly on the surface of the bandage and is adapted to be adhered to the skin of the user. The reason for that is that when the user adhere the bandage onto his skin, the removal of the bandage off the plate will be very easy and there will be almost no resistance to adhering the bandage onto the skin. 
     A spring  26  that is provided within cartridge  12  and beneath plurality of plates  18  pushes at all times plates  18  upwardly towards upper opening  28  of the cartridge so that as long as there are plates in the cartridge, the uppermost one will be positioned in upper opening  28 . 
     When the user places the adhesive bandage onto a wound, the uppermost plate serves as a protector to the adhesive bandage that is positioned beneath it on the sequential plate. In order to use an additional bandage, the uppermost plate is removed using a trigger  34  that is being pushed by the user&#39;s finger so as to push off the plate. Trigger  34  is provided with a protector  36  that is preferably incorporated within cartridge  12 . 
     In order to better understand the functionality of the elements of the dispenser of the present invention, the parts are shown one by the other. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2   a  and  b  illustrating a side cross sectional view and an upper view of the cartridge and spring shown in  FIG. 1 . Spring  26  is better seen in  FIG. 2   a  with a default state that is markedly protruding beyond upper opening  28  so that the spring has enough force to push the plates (are not shown in this figure) upwardly. Spring  26  is provided with a supporting base  40  adapted to establish a supporting area to the lowermost plate. 
     Optionally, any resilient element or coiled spring can be provided within cartridge  12  that is adapted to push the plates upwardly. 
     Trigger  34  is shown to have a pin  42  that can pass through a hole  44  in side wall  16  of the cartridge. Pin  42  is adapted to remove the uppermost plate that is provided at any time in the cartridge. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3   a  and  b  illustrating a side view and an upper view of a side panel of the cartridge as shown in  FIG. 1 . Side panel  14  is constructed to form a housing while protrusions  46  are provided beneath upper opening  28  line directed to be in the interior of the cartridge. Optionally, and as shown in the present embodiment, four protrusions are provided on four corners of opening  28 . 
     Plurality of plates  18  comprises basically three types of plates. Middle plates, upper plate, and bottom plate. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4   a  and  b  illustrating a middle plate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Middle plate  50  is preferably constructed as a curved plate provided with four recesses  20  that are provided on the sides of the plate so as to correspond to the four protrusions  46  of the cartridge. When a plate is reaching an uppermost position in upper opening  28 , the protrusions are inserted within the recesses in the plate so as to fix the plate in this upper position. 
     In order to separate and keep a predetermined and controlled distance between sequential plates  18 , a separation leg  52  is provided in the bottom surface of plate  50  and a mounting recess  54  is provided in the upper surface of the plate so as to allow separation leg  52  to be in association with recess  54 . 
     A side protrusion  56  is provided on the upper surface of plate  50  and a corresponding recess  58  is provided on the lower surface of the plate, both on one side of the plate that faces the trigger that eject the upper plate (the trigger is not shown in this figure). Protrusion  56  is adapted to maintain the distance between two consequent plates since the plates are preferably curved. The protrusion also facilitate in maintaining the sterilization of the bandage the is adhered onto the plate. 
     The upper surface of middle plate  50  is provided with fixation ribs adapted to maintain the bandage that is adapted to be mounted in the plate. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5  illustrating an upper plate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, side view and upper view. Basically, upper plate  60  is similar to middle plate  50 , However, there is only separation leg  62  in the lower surface of the plate while an mounting recess in the supper surface is eliminated. Similarly, a recess  58  is provided on the lower surface of the plate and since the plate is the uppermost one, a protrusion is eliminated. 
     Recesses  20  are also provided similarly to the recesses in the middle plate. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6   a  and  b , illustrating a bottom plate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, side cross sectional view and upper view. Bottom plate  70  comprises an upper curves surface  72  and stabilizers  74  that are adapted to provide stability to the plate and to the plates that are stacked onto the bottom plate. Similarly to all other plates, upper surface  72  of bottom plate  70  is provided with recesses  20  adapted to associate with protrusions  46  provided on the side panel of the cartridge. A mounting recess  76  is adapted to receive a separating leg from the middle plate that is mounted on top of bottom plate  70 . A protrusion  58  is provided on the upper surface of the plate as explained herein before. The lower recess is eliminated since there is no need for that in the lowermost plate. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 7   a  and  b  illustrating a adhesive bandage in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, side view and upper view. Bandage  22  is provided with a pad  24  similar to pads that are known in the art. The upper surface of adhesive bandage  22  is similar to standard adhesive bandages, however, the lower surface is provided with adhering strips  32  adapted to adhere the bandage to the plate onto which the adhesive bandage is mounted on. 
     Optionally, adhesive material  25  is provided on two wings of the bandage and non-adhering strips  78  are provided on the wings surface in order to avoid curling of the bandage. 
     As mentioned herein before, cartridges of adhesive bandages dispensers can be constructed in any size and may be also incorporated within another device such as a shaving device—a razor. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 8  illustrating a razor incorporated with an adhesive bandage dispenser in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A razor device  100  is provided with a razor  102  and a dispenser  104  for adhesive bandages. Razors are devices that are cut-prone and people that use them are being cut frequently. Many archaic methods are being used by the users in order to stop the bleeding and cover the wound such as piece of paper that is adhered to the wound, a cotton ball is being put on the wound etc. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a dispenser of adhesive bandages is incorporated within the handle of the razor so that when the user is having a cut, he immediately opens the dispenser to cover the wound and stop the bleeding. 
     Razor device  100  is further provided with a releasing button  106  adapted to allow release of the connection between the razor and the dispenser so as to expose the bandage. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 9  illustrating the razor shown in  FIG. 8 , in a disengaged state. When the user wishes to put a bandage onto a cut, he uses button  106  in order to disengage the two portions of the razor and to expose a bandage  108  that can be directly adhered onto the cut. Reference is now made to  FIGS. 10   a - c  illustrating an inner structure of a razor&#39;s handle in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Basically, the mechanism is similar to the mechanism shown herein before. The inner structure of the razor&#39;s handle  104  is provided with a spring  106  adapted to force the plurality of bandages to be pushed toward an upper opening  108  of the handle. Each bandage  110  is being adhered on a plate  112  wherein a plurality of plates is provided in a stacked manner within the handle of the razor. Removal of the razor portion  102  off the handle, in a rotational movement, will push a trigger  109  so as to eject the uppermost plate from upper opening  108  while exposing the bandage that is beneath it and mounted on the sequential lower plate. Since the handle of the razor in this case is circular, the rotational movement is appropriate to eject the uppermost plate of the cartridge, however, other mechanisms can be applies without limiting the scope of the present invention. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 11  illustrating a razor device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Razor device  120  is provided with a razor  122  and a handle  124  having a cover  124  in the far end of the handle. In this case, the razor and the handle are engaged at all times and cannot be disengaged; however, the removal of cover  124  from the handle exposes a bandage  126  having adhering material exposed to be immediately adhered onto the would. Button  128  act as a trigger so that upon removal of cover  124  the upper plate that is covering and protecting and bandage beneath the plate is being removed so as to expose the bandage. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 12   a  and  b  illustrating an upper plate in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, side view and upper view. This embodiment is designed to prevent possible withdrawal of the plates inwardly in the direction of the cartridge when the adhesive bandage is being adhered onto the skin of the user. Basically, plate  200  is similar to plate  60  however, stoppers  202  are provided preferably on four sides of the plate. Stoppers  202  are niches to which corresponding protrusions are adapted to be inserted in a releasable manner. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 13   a  and  b  illustrating side view and upper view, respectively, of a side panel of a cartridge in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Basically, panel  210  is similar to panel  14  shown in  FIGS. 3   a  and  b , however, additional protrusions  212  are provided in the upper zone of the panel, near the upper opening  28  of the cartridge. Protrusions  212  correspond to niches  202  that are shown in  FIGS. 12   a  and  b  so as to prevent upper plate  200  from withdrawing inwardly when force is applied onto the plate. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 14   a - d  illustrating a middle plate in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, side view, upper view, cross sectional view, and isometric view. The middle plates are most of the plates that are provided in the cartridge. As mentioned herein before, the middle plates are moving upwardly towards the upper opening of the cartridge as long as the product is consumed. The plate that is provided in the uppermost position is ejected and the one beneath it is exposed with the new adhering bandage. In order to assure the sterilization of the bandages that are adhered onto the plates, the plates are tight to each other. This embodiment is provided with an additional means of tightening two consequent plates together. Middle plate  220  is provided with two clamps  222  on both sides of the plate that are adapted to be secured to the plate positioned beneath. Clamps  222  are standard clamps that are adapted to release the plate from its secured place when the plate is being ejected. The upper surface of plate  220  is provided with sliding rail  224  through which the plates are being secured to one another. An isometric view of middle plate  220  is depicting both features. 
     It should be noted that paraffin is being added between the plates so as to increase the sealing features between the consequent plates so as to assure sterilization. Other materials can be used. 
     It should be emphasized that there is no need to remove the bandage off the plate using the user&#39;s fingers. The bandage is being adhered directly onto the wound. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mechanism that preserves that sterilization of the inner plates even better then the previous shown mechanism. The basic idea of the bandage dispenser is kept intact. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 15  illustrating isometric views of a bandage dispenser in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, partially exposing inner areas. Shown in  FIG. 15   a , a dispenser  300  that is provided with a cartridge  302  having walls and an upper opening allowing a bandage to be upwardly exposed as shown herein before. Cartridge  302  is provided with a trigger  304  and protector  306  capable of dispensing the plates (the plates are not shown in  FIG. 15   a  and  b ). Trigger  304  is provided in the upper portion of cartridge  302  and establishes the mechanism that ejects the plates. Trigger  304  itself is shown in the figure ( FIG. 15   c ). One side of trigger  304  is provided with guiding indentation  309  for guiding the uppermost plate to ejection and the other side is provided with a recess  310  adapted to receive a pin  308  that is provided to protector  306 . Trigger  304  is moving inwardly towards the interior of cartridge  302  in order to eject the plate by the movement of protector  306  with pin  308  that guides trigger  304 . The pin is clearly seen in  FIG. 15   b.    
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 16  illustrating the bandage dispenser shown in  FIG. 15  provided with the plate in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 16   a  illustrates an upper view of the bandage dispenser with a plate  312  provided within cartridge  302 . As shown herein before, a spring  314  is associated with the lower portion of cartridge  302  pushing plate  312  upwardly as a default as shown in a cross sectional view of the cartridge in  FIG. 16   b . Plate  312  is provided with protrusions  316  adapted to be guided towards ejection of the plate by indentation  309  of trigger  304 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 17  illustrating different views of the plate shown in  FIG. 16 . An isometric view shown  FIG. 16   a , protrusions  316  are clearly shown to be provided in the sides of plate  312 . a surface  320  is provided to adhere the bandage as shown in the previous embodiment and a shoulder  322  is provided for exposing only the upper surface of the plate outwardly of the cartridge so that the lower portion of covering the opening of the cartridge in a manner that best preserves sterilization of the lower plates provided with the bandages. 
     The movement of the trigger is forcing the uppermost plate to be ejected of the cartridge and expose a new and sterile bandage. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 18  illustrating different views of a bandage dispenser in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 18   a  illustrates a bandage dispenser  400  having a rounded profile. In the cross sectional view in  FIG. 18   b , a spring  402  is shown to push a plurality of plates  404  upwardly towards the opening  406  of cartridge  400 . Back to  FIG. 18   a , the upper portion is shown to have a mechanism that ejects outwardly the uppermost plate  405 . 
     The ejection mechanism comprises a constant member  410  that is outwardly protruded in the upper portion of cartridge and a movable portion  408  that is mounted on the upper portion of the cartridge. Movable portion  408  is adapted to move in respect with member  410  wherein a spring  412  is provided in a niche between the portions (Shown in  FIG. 18   c ). The spring is adapted to maintain portion  408  in a predetermined position relative to member  410  and to forcibly move relative to member  410  in order to eject uppermost plate  405 . The plates are stacked together so as to establish sterile conditions within the cartridge. 
     It should be clear that the description of the embodiments and attached Figures set forth in this specification serves only for a better understanding of the invention, without limiting its scope as covered by the following Claims. 
     It should also be clear that a person skilled in the art, after reading the present specification can make adjustments or amendments to the attached Figures and above described embodiments that would still be covered by the following Claims.