Patent Publication Number: US-2022218102-A1

Title: Retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[S] 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application entitled “RETRACTABLE SELF-SANITIZING DIVDER ASSEMBLY,” Ser. No. 17/201,861, filed Mar. 15, 2021, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application entitled “RETRACTABLE SELF-SANITIZING DIVDER ASSEMBLY,” Ser. No. 63/022,419 filed May 8, 2020, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     This invention relates generally to a divider for use on a desk or other shared surfaces, and more particularly to a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly that has a divider that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     State of the Art 
     Dividers are used for various purposes. Referring to  FIG. 1 , many workspaces, such as the desk of several computers, like at a computer lab in a university or an open workspace in a business lack dividers. Some solutions may be to provide to separate workspaces, dinner spaces or other types of spaces. These dividers are either formed as part of the surface structure or may be mounted to the structure. Each of these dividers suffer from the same issues. They each lack an ability to be removed without uninstalling and lack the ability to be easily sanitized or self-sanitized. The conventional way of cleaning or sanitizing these existing dividers is for a person to use cleaning products or the like in order to clean the surfaces. Additionally, the dividers are always present and there may be times when a divider is not needed or desired, and the conventional way to accomplish such is to uninstall it. 
     There is a need for an improved divider that can be moved between a retracted position and an extend position and reduces the time and effort for cleaning the divider. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly with a divider that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     An embodiment includes a self-sanitizing divider assembly comprising: a planar structure comprising a first surface; a sanitization system comprising: a housing comprising an interior volume with an opening on one side of the housing providing access to the interior volume of the housing, wherein the housing is coupled to the planar structure; and moveable sanitizing members, wherein the sanitizing members move in response to activation of the sanitization system; and a divider coupled within the housing with a portion of the divider extending through the opening of the housing to extend away from the first surface of the planar structure or coupled adjacent the opening of the housing and extending away from the first surface of the planar structure, wherein the sanitization system automatically sanitizes the divider with sanitization solution during movement of the sanitizing members after activation of the sanitization system. 
     An embodiment may include a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly comprising: a planar structure comprising a first surface and a second surface; a housing comprising an interior volume with an opening on one side of the housing providing access to the interior volume of the housing, wherein the housing is coupled to the planar structure; a divider coupled within the housing moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the retracted position the divider is located within the housing and the in the extended position, a portion of the divider is extended through the opening of the housing to extend away from the first surface of the planar structure; and a sanitization system coupled to the housing wherein the sanitization system automatically sanitizes the divider during movement of the divider between the retracted position and the extended position. 
     In embodiments, the divider may be spring loaded. In other embodiments, the divider is a manually moved between the retracted position and the extended position. In yet further embodiments, the divider comprises an actuator that is electrically operated to move the divider between the retracted position and the extended position. The divider may be a planar substrate. The housing may be an open box shape. The sanitization system may comprise a flexible substrate. Sanitizing solution may be retained in the flexible substrate. The sanitizing solution may be located adjacent the opening of the housing. The flexible substrate may be coupled to a cassette. The cassette may be removeably coupled to the housing. The cassette may be removeably coupled to the divider. Sanitizing solution may be incorporated into a spray device sprayed on the flexible substrate. The assembly may be coupled between seats. The assembly may be coupled to an armrest between the seats. The seats may be shared transportation seats. The seats may be venue seats. 
     The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and: 
         FIG. 1  is a view of various prior art dividers; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto with the divider in an extend position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto with the divider in a retracted position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up partial view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto moving between a retraced position and an extended position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5A  is a section view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto moving between a retraced position and an extended position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5B  is another section view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto moving between a retraced position and an extended position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5C  is a section view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto moving between a retraced position and an extended position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5D  is another section view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto moving between a retraced position and an extended position with sanitizing solution sprayed onto a flexible substrate according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5E  is another section view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto moving between a retraced position and an extended position with sanitizing solution sprayed onto the divider according to an embodiment 
         FIG. 6A  is a view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing seating and desk assemblies coupled thereto with the seating and table in a retracted position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 6B  is a view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing seating and desk assemblies coupled thereto with the seating and table in an extended position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto with the divider in an extend position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of a table with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto with the divider in a retracted position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of a person carrying a portable retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8A  is a view of seats with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto with the divider in an extend position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8B  is a view of seats with a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto with the divider in a retracted position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9A  is a view of a self-order kiosk with a retractable self-sanitizing order assembly coupled thereto with the order device in an extend position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 9B  is a view of a self-order kiosk with a retractable self-sanitizing order assembly coupled thereto with the order device in a retracted position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of a table with a self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto with a sanitizing member moving to sanitize the divider according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10B  is a section view of a table with a self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto with a sanitizing member moving to sanitize the divider according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10C  is a section view of a table with a self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto with a sanitizing member moving to sanitize the divider according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 10D  is a perspective view of a table with a self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto with a sanitizing member moving to sanitize the divider according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 10E  is an end view of a table with a self-sanitizing divider assembly coupled thereto with a sanitizing member moving to sanitize the divider according to an embodiment 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly with a divider that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 2-5D  depict an embodiment a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly  10 . The assembly  10  includes a planar structure  12 , such as, but not limited to a desk to table structure ( FIGS. 2-5D and 7A-7B ), a wall ( FIGS. 6A-6B ), a chair ( FIGS. 8A-8B ) or the like. As shown in  FIGS. 2-5D , the planar structure  12  is a table or desk surface. The planar structure  12  may include a first surface  14 , a second surface  16 , and in some embodiments may include an aperture  18  extending through the planar structure  12 . 
     The assembly  10  may also include a housing  20  that includes an interior volume  22 . In embodiments, the housing  20  may be a rectangular prism shape or any shape that corresponds to the shape of a divider  30 . For example, and without limitation, the housing  20  may include four side members  24  that are coupled together to form a rectilinear shape and a bottom member  26  coupled to one end of each of the four side members  24  to form an open box structure, wherein the housing including an opening  28 . 
     In some embodiments, the housing  20  may be coupled to the planar structure  12  with the housing extending away from the second surface  16  of the planar structure  12  with the opening  28  of the housing  20  aligned with the aperture  18  of the planar structure  12 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-5D . 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 2-5D , the assembly  10  may include a divider  30  that is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the divider  30  is located within the housing  20  and the in the extended position, a portion of the divider  30  is extended through the opening  28  of the housing  20  and the aperture  18  of the planar structure  12  to extend away from the first surface  14  of the planar structure  12 . The divider  30  in some embodiments may be planar substrate. Further, the divider  30  may be spring loaded with a locking device, wherein the spring biases the divider  30  toward the extended position and the locking device temporarily locks the divider  30  in the retracted position. In embodiments, the divider is a manually moved between the retracted position and the extended position, such as applying a force to the divider in order to engage the spring loaded device or to manually push or pull on a handle  32  (see optional handle  32  in  FIG. 4 ). In yet further embodiments, the divider  30  comprises an actuator that is electrically operated to move the divider  30  between the retracted position and the extended position, such as by using a button  34  shown in  FIG. 4  or by remotely activating the electric actuator. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-5E , the assembly  10  may also include a sanitization system  40 . The sanitization system  40  may include a flexible substrate  42  (see  FIGS. 4, 5A, 5C, 5D and 5E ). In embodiments, the sanitizing solution may be retained within the flexible substrate  42  and located in various positions adjacent the opening of the housing, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5A . In another embodiment, the flexible substrate  42  may be coupled to a cassette  44 , wherein the cassette  44  is removably coupled to the housing  20  or the planar structure  12  and sanitizing solution may be retained within the flexible substrate  42 , as shown in  FIG. 5C . The cassette  44  with the flexible substrate  42  may be replaced by removing and installing another in its place, wherein the replacement of the cassette  44  occurs when the flexible substrate  42  no longer retains sanitizing solution. In  FIG. 5D , embodiments may include the sanitizing solution incorporated into a spray device  46  that sprays the flexible substrate  42  with sanitizing solution as the divider  30  moves between the retracted position and the extended position. In  FIG. 5E , embodiments may include the sanitizing solution incorporated into a spray device  46  that sprays the divider  30  with sanitizing solution as it moves between the retracted position and the extended position. Another embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5B , includes a sanitizing solution  44  retained within the housing  20 , such that the divider  30  is immersed in the sanitizing solution  44  for sanitization purposes. In this embodiment with the sanitization solution retained within the housing  20 , a flexible substrate  42  may be utilized and may operate as a squeegee to wipe off the sanitization solution as the divider  30  moves from the retracted position to the extended position. 
     Generally, suitable sanitizing solutions comprise disinfectants approved for use against COVID-19 on surfaces by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), such as hydrogen peroxide and the like. EPA List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 lists disinfectants approved by the EPA and is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference. 
     In other embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 7A-7C , the assembly  10  may include a housing  20  with a divider  30  that may be coupled to the first surface of the planar structure  12 , and the assembly  10  may be portable. The housing  20  comprises an opening with the divider  30  that extends therethrough. The divider  30  may be formed of a material that allows it to roll onto a reel or other cylindrical member within the housing  20 . In the retracted position, the divider  30  is rolled onto the cylindrical member within the housing  20  and the in the extended position, the divider  30  is extended through the opening of the housing  20  and retained in a vertical position. The divider  30  may be formed of a material that allows for this functionality or may include a structure that operates to hold flexible material in the vertical position. In embodiments, the assembly  10  is portable and a person may transport the assembly  10  by carrying it with him or her to the locations that the individual may wish to utilize a divider. 
     In some embodiments, the assembly  10  may be utilized for other structures beyond a divider  30 . For example, as depicted in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the assembly  10  may operate for seating structures  50  and desk structures  60  that are moveable between retracted positions and extend positions from the planar structure  12  that is a wall at an airport for passengers waiting to board a plane. The operation is the same for these structures as it is for the divider, wherein the seating structures  50  and desk structures  60  may be moved between a retracted position ( FIG. 6A ) and an extended position ( FIG. 6B ), including the sanitization of the seating structures  50  and desk structures  60  when moving between the extended position and the retracted position. 
     Further still, as shown in  FIGS. 8A-8B , the assembly  10  may be coupled to arm rests or otherwise between seats, such as seats  80  on airlines, buses, trains or other shared transportation, and further may be used between other venue seats, like theater seats, sporting event seats or the like. In these embodiments, the divider  30  may be a flexible material and the housing  20  may include a hinged member  24  hingedly coupled to the housing  20  on one end. The hinged member  24  may be coupled to an end of the divider  30  and the opposing end of the divider may be coupled to the housing  20 . Rotation of the hinged member  24  away from the housing  20  results in moving the divider from the retracted position to the extended position, wherein the divider is a partial circular shape. The rotation of the hinged member  24  toward the housing  20  results in the divider being moved from the extended position to the retracted position with the divider  30  within the housing  20 . These embodiments may be incorporated into the arm rests of the seats  80  or may be after market products coupled to the seats  80 . 
     In additional embodiments, the assembly  10  may be utilized for other purposes and devices beyond a divider  30 . For example, as depicted in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the assembly  10  may operate for order devices  90  that are moveable between retracted positions and extend positions from the planar structure  12  that is a flat surface of an order kiosk  92 . The operation is the same for these order devices  90  as it is for the divider, wherein the order devices  90  may be moved between a retracted position ( FIG. 9B ) and an extended position ( FIG. 9A ), including the sanitization of the order device  90  when moving between the extended position and the retracted position. In embodiments, once an order is completed, the assembly  10  may automatically operate to move the device  90  from the extended position to the retracted position to be sanitized, and then the device may automatically be moved from the retracted position to the extended position to receive another order. 
     Another embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 10A-10E  comprising a self-sanitizing divider assembly  10  that includes a sanitization system  100  and a divider  30 . The assembly  10  may be coupled to a planar structure  12 , such as, but not limited to a desk to table structure, a wall, a chair or the like. As shown in  FIGS. 10A-10E , the planar structure  12  is a table or desk surface, but this is only for exemplary purposes of this disclosure. The planar structure  12  may include a first surface  14 , a second surface  16 . 
     The system  110  may also include a housing  110  that includes an interior volume  111 . In embodiments, the housing  110  may be a rectangular prism shape or any shape that corresponds to the shape of a divider  30 . For example, and without limitation, the housing  110  may include four side members that are coupled together to form a rectilinear shape and a bottom member coupled to one end of each of the four side members to form an open box structure, wherein the housing includes an opening. The housing  110  may be coupled to the planar structure, such as securing it with bolts, adhesive, resting it on the surface and so forth. 
     The assembly  10  may include sanitizing members  112  operatively coupled on opposing sides of the divider  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 10A-10C , the sanitizing members  12  move vertically to sanitize the divider  30 . In this embodiment, a sanitizing solution may be retained within the housing  110 , such that the sanitizing members  112  may be immersed in the sanitizing solution as shown in  FIG. 10B  in order for the sanitizing members to absorb some of the sanitizing solution. Then during operation, an electro-mechanical device may include a vertical track  114 , as shown in  FIG. 10C  that the sanitizing members  112  travel along, such as by a pulley and chain, an actuator, a geared connection and so forth, that moves the sanitizing members vertically up to apply sanitizing solution onto the divider  30  to sanitize the divider  30  and then move the sanitizing members  112  back into the housing  110 . 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 10D , the sanitizing members  112  may be positioned vertically and the mechanism moves the sanitizing members  112  horizontally along the surfaces of the divider  30  to apply sanitizing solution to the divider  30 . The sanitizing members may include a material that can wick the solution from within the housing  110  to ensure that solution is applied to the entire surface of the divider  30  by each sanitizing member  112 . 
     In yet another embodiment, the sanitizing member  112  may be a rotatable member that can rotate to clean the divider  30 , as shown in  FIG. 10E . The sanitizing member  112  may be located within the sanitization fluid within the housing  110  and then upon activation, the sanitizing members  112  rotate out of the housing  110  and apply sanitization solution to the surfaces of the divider  30 , thereby sanitizing the divider  30 . In such embodiments, the divider  30  may be an arcuate divider in order to ensure the sanitizing members  30  sanitize the entire surface of the divider  30 . 
     While is shown in  FIGS. 10A-10E  that the sanitization fluid is held within the housing  110  and the sanitizing members  112  are immersed within the sanitization solution, other embodiments are contemplated. For example, a spray device, such as that shown in  FIG. 5D  may be employed within the housing to spray sanitization solution directly on the sanitizing member  112 . Additionally, the sanitizing member  12  may include a sanitizing substrate that is replaceable, wherein the sanitizing substrate is preloaded with sanitization solution and is configured to last for a certain period of time before the sanitization solution preloaded on the sanitizing substrate is dry and then the sanitizing substrate may be replaced with another that is preloaded with sanitization solution. 
     It will be understood that the sanitization system  100  may include a power source, such as a plug to a power source or batteries. The system  100  may be activated by a push of a button (such as button  120  in  FIG. 10E ) that operates the electro-mechanical system to move the sanitizing members  112  over the surfaces of the divider  30 . Some embodiments may include a single button that is pushed to start and stop, and other embodiments may include separate buttons for start and stop and further still, other embodiments may include a single button that starts or activated the system  100  and then the system automatically stops after the sanitizing members  112  move for a complete cycle of back and forth over the surfaces of the divider  30 . Additionally, the system  100  may be automated, wherein the system  100  is activated automatically based on motion, light, time lapsing or the like. Further still, the system may allow a user to manual operate the sanitization system  100 , wherein the user manually moves the sanitizing members  112  to sanitize the divider  30 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 10D , a control member  118  may be coupled to the sanitizing members  112 , wherein the user may engage the control member  118  with he or her hand and move the sanitizing members  112  through a sanitizing cycle. In at least these ways, the system  100  may be activated by the means of automated activation, electrical activation by push button or manual activation. 
     Embodiments may be available on or through the internet, such as through domain names reserved and owned by Applicant that include auto-wipe.com, sani-swipe.com, wipeoutgerm.com, wipeout-virus.com, dipandclean.com, friendlydivider.com, pushtoclean.com, cleanpopup.com, magicdivider.com, and the like. 
     Accordingly, the components defining any retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly or self-sanitizing divider assembly may be formed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended operation of a retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly or a self-sanitizing divider assembly. For example, the components may be formed of: rubbers (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other like materials; glasses (such as fiberglass) carbon-fiber, aramid-fiber, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; polymers such as thermoplastics (such as ABS, Fluoropolymers, Polyacetal, Polyamide; Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polysulfone, and/or the like), thermosets (such as Epoxy, Phenolic Resin, Polyimide, Polyurethane, Silicone, and/or the like), any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; composites and/or other like materials; metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, tool steel, stainless steel, aluminum, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; alloys, such as aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, magnesium alloy, copper alloy, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials; any other suitable material; and/or any combination thereof. 
     Furthermore, the components defining any retractable self-sanitizing divider assembly or self-sanitizing divider assembly may be purchased pre-manufactured or manufactured separately and then assembled together. However, any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined with one another. Manufacture of these components separately or simultaneously may involve extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, casting, forging, cold rolling, milling, drilling, reaming, turning, grinding, stamping, cutting, bending, welding, soldering, hardening, riveting, punching, plating, and/or the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may then be coupled with one another in any manner, such as with adhesive, a weld, a fastener (e.g. a bolt, a nut, a screw, a nail, a rivet, a pin, and/or the like), wiring, any combination thereof, and/or the like for example, depending on, among other considerations, the particular material forming the components. Other possible steps might include sand blasting, polishing, powder coating, zinc plating, anodizing, hard anodizing, and/or painting the components for example. 
     The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical application and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims.