Patent Abstract:
A portable, extremity-attachable device for dispensing skin treatment comprises a deformable housing having a skin treatment reservoir that is caused to dispense such treatment upon squeeze actuation. A set of valves permit proper operation of the device with different modes of use. Embodiments include a simple deformable, wrist-mounted device and a pumped based device with a rigid housing.

Full Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/314,825, filed Dec. 9, 2002, now abandoned. The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/515,718, 60/515,775, 60/515,793, and 60/515,794, all filed Oct. 30, 2003 as well as Disclosure Document No. 524,065 filed Jan. 4, 2003, Disclosure Document No. 525,532 filed Feb. 5, 2003, Disclosure Document No. 534,422 filed Jul. 7, 2003, and Disclosure Document No. 536,414 filed Aug. 8, 2003. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART 
     The increase in bacterial immunity to modern antibiotics is problematic and one of the chief vectors of infection is the human hand. Hence, when not in the proximity of a washroom to disinfect one&#39;s hands, it would be useful to have a means to accomplish such sanitation. Also, in the midst of daily activities, it can be inconvenient to uncap bottles of disinfecting gels or hand lotions to otherwise treat the hands. 
     Fortunately, it has been established that ethyl alcohol is a most effective antiseptic for gram-negative pathogens; it is of low viscosity, easily dispensed from a portable container, and does not require the use of a material wipe or cloth because of the speed of evaporation. Further, an adequate dose for sanitizing the hands comprises but a few drops of this antiseptic. To prevent chafing, glycerin can be added to the alcohol without levels of viscosity increase that would be deleterious to the dispensing process. 
     Various methods of portable disinfectant or lotion dispensers have been disclosed in the prior art. These include body-mounted dispensers, wrist bracelet dispensers, and others. U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,946 discloses a dispensing tube that drips liquid onto the hand. U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,898 discloses a tube-fed finger dispenser. A body-worn dispenser of form factor similar to a pager is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,548. 
     What has not been demonstrated is a dispenser that is wrist- or arm-worn that provides ease of actuation and, more specifically, single hand actuation. Neither has there been a device that can be surreptitiously actuated. This is an important consideration with respect to public relations. Individuals such as business and sales personnel may come in contact with and greet many people during the day. It would be desirable to have the option of sanitizing the hands after a handshake with a person without conveying a disdainful message to that person in so doing. 
     A wrist-mounted dispenser that achieves dispensing directly to the hand with a simple hand action is a major advantage of the present invention. This is especially useful to nurses and doctors in busy hospital settings, as well as for allied healthcare workers who cannot take time to repeatedly wash their hands with soap and water. With the advent of new forms of communicable disease such as SARS, an important consideration regards means to prevent disease spread. In this vein, the present invention provides a dispensing modality for viricidal and antibacterial prophylactic treatments of the hands and other exposed parts of the body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a wrist- or forearm-mounted device for dispensing a small amount of alcohol-based disinfectant hand rub, moisturizer, or other hand medicament. Even powder-based hand treatments can be dispensed using the present invention. A wristband or other attachment means affix the device to arm or wrist. Various locations are feasible including the top, side, or underside of the wrist or forearm. One embodiment provides for a finger-mounted geometry. In a preferred embodiment, the device is in the form of a low profile, wrist-mounted dispenser with a nozzle that produces a small amount of dispensed skin treatment when actuated. In an advanced embodiment, the dispenser is of a pressure multiplying design that shoots a single “dose” of liquid under pressure when mildly actuated by the fingers of the hand. Surreptitious actuation and dispensing of hand treatments is made possible with embodiments of the invention that are mounted on the underside of the wrist and can be easily actuated in a causal, not easily detected manner. 
     Because only a few drops of alcohol-based disinfectant comprise a dose adequate to achieve sanitation of the hands, the device of the present invention can dispense hundreds of doses of disinfectant before requiring refill or disposal. It can be used at any orientation of the arm and will avoid leakage when not actuated. Options exist for the fabrication of the device whether disposable or refillable. For example, hard or soft pliable plastics can be employed and even biodegradable materials can be used for disposable versions. Various embodiments of the invention include different mechanical designs for actuation and nozzles, dispensers detachable from wristbands, cartridge-based dispensers, dispensers with functioning watch faces, hybrid watch-dispensers, and methods of mounting to the top, side, or underside of the wrist or arm. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
         (a) Provide a convenient, portable means for dispensing hand treatments;   (b) Provide a cost-effective means for dispensing hand treatments;   (c) Provide an unobtrusive means for dispensing hand treatments;   (d) Provide an easily actuated means for dispensing hand treatments;   (e) Provide an arm- or wrist-mounted means for dispensing hand treatments;   (f) Provide a wrist-mounted disposable means for dispensing hand treatments;   (f) Provide a cartridge- or packet-based means for dispensing hand treatments;   (g) Provide a hand treatment dispenser with wristwatch functionality.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1   a  is a pictorial diagram of the basic form of a dispenser mounted on the top side of the wrist. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a pictorial diagram of articulation of the hand to receive hand treatment dispensed from the device of  FIG. 1   a.    
         FIG. 2  is a pictorial diagram of the basic form of a dispenser mounted on the under side of the wrist. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser exhibiting a refill port and actuation area mounted on the under side of the wrist. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a pictorial diagram of the dispenser of  FIG. 3   a  showing a convenient method of actuation. 
         FIG. 4  is a pictorial diagram of a hand treatment fluid-filled wristband usable with a dispenser such as that of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5   a  is a pictorial diagram of dispenser detachable from a wristband. 
         FIG. 5   b  is an end view of a dispenser of  FIG. 5   a  attachable to a wristband using Velcro. 
         FIG. 5   c  is a pictorial view of snaps used to attach a dispenser of  FIG. 5   a  to a wristband. 
         FIG. 6   a  is a cross-sectional view of a basic squeeze dispenser. 
         FIG. 6   b  is a cross-sectional view of a pressure-multiplying squeeze dispenser. 
         FIG. 6   c  is a plan view of components of the nozzle assembly of the pressure-multiplying squeeze dispenser. 
         FIG. 6   d  is a pictorial view of the hidden components of the nozzle assembly of the pressure-multiplying squeeze dispenser. 
         FIG. 7  is a pictorial view of the wrist motion actuation of a plunger-based dispenser. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a prior art plunger. 
         FIG. 9   a  is a cross-sectional view of a pressure-multiplying plunger dispenser. 
         FIG. 9   b  is a pictorial view of components of the pressure-multiplying plunger dispenser. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable nozzle. 
         FIG. 11  is a pictorial view of a dispenser with a flow-adjusting nozzle. 
         FIG. 12   a  is a pictorial view of a detachable plunger-based dispenser with the plunger motion collinear with the fluid ejection axis. 
         FIG. 12   b  is a perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 12   a.    
         FIG. 12   c  is a pictorial view of the dispenser having a cap. 
         FIG. 13  is a pictorial view of a plunger-based dispenser having the plunger oriented perpendicular to the fluid ejection axis. 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the plunger and nozzle assembly of the dispenser of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a pictorial view of a cartridge-based dispenser. 
         FIG. 16  is a pictorial view of a siphon pump-based dispenser ejecting fluid perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm. 
         FIG. 17  is a pictorial view of a siphon pump-based dispenser ejecting fluid parallel to the longitudinal axis of the arm. 
         FIG. 18  is a pictorial view of a screw mechanism-based dispenser. 
         FIG. 19  is a pictorial view of a thumbwheel-actuated dispenser. 
         FIG. 20  is a pictorial view of a ratchet mechanism-actuated dispenser. 
         FIG. 21  is a pictorial view of a rotary compression-based dispenser. 
         FIG. 22  is a pictorial view of a direct compression-based, packet-refillable dispenser. 
         FIG. 23  is a pictorial view of refillable, of a first push button-actuated dispenser. 
         FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 25  is an exploded diagram of the components of the dispenser of  FIG. 23 . 
         FIG. 26   a  is a pictorial view of refillable, second push button-actuated dispenser having a functioning watch face. 
         FIG. 26   b  is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of  FIG. 26   a.    
         FIG. 27  is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser removably attachable to a wristwatch band. 
         FIG. 28  is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser permanently attached to a wristwatch band. 
         FIG. 29  is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser that is integral to the construction of a wristwatch. 
         FIG. 30  is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser mounted to a finger of the hand. 
     
    
    
     The following definitions serve to clarify the disclosed and claimed invention: 
     Bladder refers to an elastic, resilient container that can be deformed under compression. 
     Pressure-multiplying refers to those devices relying on the technique of increasing, by mechanical advantage, the compression pressure of a working fluid. This is achieved by use of an ejection fluid-containing tube that penetrates an ejection fluid-containing piston under the influence of the working fluid. 
     Hand treatment material comprises any of a host of liquid, powder, gel, or aerosol medications, or sanitizing agents that are topically applied to the hands. Examples include alcohol, glycerin, moisturizing lotions, and desiccating powders. 
     Working fluid refers to the fluid which transfers manual pressure to the material to be dispensed. Such transfer of pressure can occur in one or multiple stages and typical working fluids include air contained in a squeeze bottle as well as liquid versions of the hand treatment material itself. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is useful for dispensing either hand treatments such as moisturizers or disinfectants; even powders can be dispensed in powder-aerosol form. Typically, the active ingredient in hand antiseptics such as Purel™ is ethyl alcohol. This is fortuitous because it is a relatively non-toxic liquid that exhibits low viscosity over the temperature range of interest for this application. This makes delivery of a directed stream of fluid relatively easy. In contrast to liquid, alcohol gels are useful in that they do not run and although they will require more force to dispense than liquid, such higher viscosity disinfectant or moisturizing formulations can be accommodated in differing embodiments of the present invention. Various means of dispensing the aforementioned hand treatments are feasible and can be tailored to the type of material to be dispensed. The target locations for deposition of the hand treatment include the regions on the top of the hand, and the underside of the hand, either fingers or palm. The preferred embodiment for a means of dispensing hand treatment dosages is a device that attaches to either the top or underside of the wrist. Such a device can be worn unobtrusively underneath a long-sleeved shirt. 
     Various approaches can be used to create the fluid dispenser. In a simple squeeze compartment design, a bladder reservoir expels fluid upon application of pressure to the bladder. In a plunger-based design, a syringe-type plunger causes the fluid in a reservoir to be expelled upon application of force to the plunger. Spray or squirting mechanisms analogous to squirt guns use a more specialized plunger mechanism and include a nozzle. A drip system would rely on gravity feeding of the liquid through some orifice for delivery to the hand. More elaborate schemes include use of a prime mover such as a miniature electrical actuator or pump. 
     Following is a taxonomy of dispenser types identified:
         Squeeze
           simple compression   pressure-multiplied compression   
           Plunger
           simple plunger   pressure-multiplied plunger   same hand-actuated   
           Drip   Gas Pressurized
           disposable   gas cartridge   
           Pump
           thermoelectrically-heated working fluid   electromechanical   
           Remote Control—low power radiofrequency, single chip receiver       

     Basic Configuration 
     There are two fundamental approaches to dispensing hand treatment. In one approach, the hand treatment is dispensed to the hand of the arm upon which the dispenser is mounted. Actuation of this dispenser can be by either hand. In the second approach, the hand treatment is dispensed to the hand of the arm or other body part which does not have a dispenser attached. In this case, it is also true that actuation of the dispenser can be by either hand. The various embodiments discussed below will use one of these two approaches. Typically, hand treatment material will be ejected either parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the forearm. In a preferred embodiment that uses the second aforementioned approach, the hand treatment material is ejected perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm upon which the dispenser is mounted. 
     The simplest reduction to practice would be a low profile bladder, with associated orifice or nozzle for ejection of hand treatment, mounted on the wrist.  FIG. 1   a  depicts a hand treatment dispenser  1  having an aperture or nozzle  5  for dispensing hand treatment material to a surface of the hand. It is shown mounted to the top side of the wrist by means of a strap  3 . The dispenser is characteristically actuated by compression of the bladder comprising the dispenser. Details of its construction and various embodiments are discussed below.  FIG. 1   b  depicts the slight upward articulation of the hand about the wrist that is conducive to dispensing treatment from nozzle  11  to the top of the hand upon compression of dispenser  9  attached to wristband  7 .  FIG. 2  depicts the dispenser  13  mounted by strap  15  to the underside of the wrist for dispensing of treatment to the palm of the user&#39;s hand by way of nozzle  17 . Mounting to the underside of the wrist provides a more covert implementation, especially if worn under a long-sleeved shirt or blouse. 
     The dispenser can be removably attached to the wristband so the user can mount it to the top, side, or bottom of the wrist to suit the user&#39;s desire. Various attachment schemes including Velcro, snaps, and other methods, as well as various nozzle configurations that are compatible with these various mounting schemes are discussed in detail below. 
     A refinement of the device of  FIG. 2  is depicted in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  showing a thin bladder  19  mounted on the underside of the wrist by wristband  21 . The device is shown to have a nozzle assembly  27  and, optionally, a capped refill aperture  23 . A finger depression area  25  is highlighted. Alternatively, the wristband itself can be part of the dispenser as shown in  FIG. 4 . A working fluid whether air or liquid can fill a portion or all of the wristband  27 . Upon depression of the area  28  atop the wristband, pressure can be conveyed to the dispensing bladder underneath the wrist to cause a stream to be ejected into the hand. This can be especially effective by means of the pressure-multiplying dispenser discussed below. A three-dimensional depiction of the dispensing bladder is provided in  FIG. 5   a . The bladder  31  can be formed from soft, pliable plastic such as polyethylene or other plastic not attacked by the chemical constituents of the hand treatment. A nozzle assembly  32  is shown with a centrally-located nozzle aperture  33 . The bladder  31  can be made integral with the wristband  30  or as shown in  FIGS. 5   b  and  5   c , made attachable to the wristband. In  FIG. 5   b , the bladder  31  is shown attachable to the wristband  30  by VELCRO hook and pile material [Velcro] component strips  34  and  35 .  FIG. 5   c  depicts the use of snap elements  36  on the wristband  30  that mate with the snap element counterparts on the side of the bladder. Another approach is to use clips that would attach to a wristwatch band. 
       FIG. 6   a  is a cross-sectional view of a simple embodiment comprising a squeeze bottle  37 . Internal to the squeeze bottle  37  are shown an air volume  38  and a hand treatment material-filled pliable bladder  39 . Upon squeezing bottle  37 , the pressure of air volume  38  is conveyed to material-filled bladder  39  so that the material is ejected from check valve-controlled channel  40 . The check valve in this channel prevents leakage, but allows ejection of hand treatment material under pressure. Upon release of pressure to bottle  37 , air is allowed to enter check valve-controlled channel  41  so as to replace the volume of hand treatment material ejected. The segregation of air and hand treatment material volumes permits the use of the device at any orientation with respect to gravity. 
     Pressure-Multiplying Squeeze Dispenser 
     A more sophisticated embodiment of the invention makes use of a pressure-multiplying squeeze dispenser. Such a dispenser provides relatively high pressure ejection of fluid upon application of relatively little manual pressure. This allows good fluid stream formation and control over the stream trajectory to the target hand. For this reason, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,4603,794 and 5,289,948 are hereby incorporated by reference thereto. In the first of these patents, the fundamental concept of a pressure-multiplying piston is disclosed. A pressure amplification is achieved that is equal to the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the pressure-multiplying piston to the cross-sectional area of a tube penetrating the pressure-multiplying piston. 
     Necessary to the present invention is means to allow the dispenser to operate independent of its orientation with respect to the gravity field and the need to insure leak-proof operation. The pressure multiplying concept is adapted to the present invention to achieve these goals as shall be described with reference to  FIG. 6   b , a cross-sectional view of a pressure-multiplying version of the present invention. Shown is an outer bladder  42  having an output nozzle assembly  63  and a refill port with cap  74 . Interior to the bladder  42  is an even more pliable bladder  45  that segregates the volume of the bladder  42  into an air-filled space  43  and a fluid-filled space  87 . As can be appreciated, this is for the purpose of allowing operation independent of orientation with respect to gravity, in the same fashion as the embodiment of  FIG. 6   a . Upon compression of bladder  42 , air in volume  43  causes compressive pressure on fluid-filled bladder  45 . This pressure is transferred to fluid-filled movable cylinder  49  which translates within an outer guide cylinder  47 . Cylinder  49  has been filled with fluid by virtue of port  51  on the side of cylinder  47  near its base. As cylinder  49  is caused to translate upward, port  51  is sealed by the wall of cylinder  47  so that the pressure of fluid  53  inside cylinder  49  is applied to the end of tube assembly  83 . Similarly, as cylinder  49  begins upward translation, air intake port  58  is sealed by the wall of cylinder  49  so that air in volume  89  is exhausted through channel  61 . The pressure of the fluid in channel  81  of tube assembly  83  is increased over the pressure of the fluid in bladder  45  by the ratio of the cross-sectional area of cylinder  49  to the cross-sectional area of the end of tube assembly  83 . 
     As cylinder  49  travels upward against the preload provided by spring  57  which is in turn captivated by spring seat  59 , the air in volume  43  opens spring-loaded gate valve assembly  73  so as to allow fluid to be ejected from channel  81 . Retaining protrusions  55  on the inside wall of cylinder  47  limit the upward travel of fluid-filled cylinder  49  in dispensing of a single dose of hand treatment. After the maximum amount of fluid in volume  53  of cylinder  49  is ejected at the limit of travel for cylinder  49  and upon removal of actuation pressure to bladder  42 , cylinder  49  under spring tension travel back downward into bladder  45 . Retaining flange  52  limits the downward travel of cylinder  47 . As cylinder  49  descends, its interior is under a partial vacuum and upon exposure of port  51  to the fluid in volume  87  by way of port  57  in the wall of cylinder  47 , the interior of cylinder  49  is refilled with liquid. At this same time, air intake port  58  in the wall of cylinder  47  is opened to allow air to enter volume  43  by way of volume  89  and channel  61 . 
       FIGS. 6   c  and  6   d  serve to illustrate the function of gate valve assembly  73 . In  FIG. 6   c , it can be observed that the gate valve assembly  73  is actually a mechanism with three forward prongs and one backward-directed extension held in a position which blocks fluid channel  81  by means of preload spring  71 . The central forward prong has a rectangular or square cross section in contrast to the circular cross sections of the other prongs and the backward-directed extension so as to seat over the top of channel  81 . Air pressure to displace the gate valve assembly  73  and open fluid channel  81  is applied only to the two outboard prongs of assembly  73  by way of air channels  75 . Upon displacement of gate valve assembly  73 , it occupies additional volume  77 . Air channel  65  provides for release of air from spring compartment  69  upon progress of the backward-directed extension of assembly  73  into compartment  69 . 
     Plunger-Type Dispenser 
     An alternative to squeeze dispensing makes use of a plunger. The way in which a plunger would be exploited in the present invention is shown in  FIG. 7 , a pictorial side view of such a plunger-based device. In this embodiment, a fluid storage compartment  91  of the same form factor as the previously described squeeze bladder is likewise mounted on the underside of the wrist. A fluid-dispensing plunger  93  is actuated by downward flexion of the hand at the wrist so as to depress plunger  93  with the base of the palm. With this motion, hand treatment fluid is ejected onto the base of the palm and both hands can be rubbed together to disperse the treatment. 
     The type of plunger device  101  used on dish soap dispensers is shown in  FIG. 8 . A movable plunger  103  is spring loaded and captivated by housing  105 . The preload spring  121  is seated against plunger  103  within cylinder  117 . Tube  127  extends into fluid volume not shown. When the plunger  103  is depressed, air in volume  119  is impeded in downward flow by gravity check valve  125  having a cage  123  and is promoted in upward flow through channel  107  past spring loaded check valve  113 . Upon release of plunger  103 , a partial vacuum is formed in volume  119  which pulls fluid up through aperture  129  of tube  127  into volume  119  and onward up through channel  107  and out aperture  115 . The tension of spring  109  is small, but sufficient to prevent unintended leakage of fluid. A miniature version of this plunger assembly can be fabricated for use as part of a plunger embodiment of the present invention. 
     Pressure-Multiplying Plunger-Type Dispenser 
     Analogous to the pressure-multiplying squeeze dispenser is a pressure-multiplying version of the plunger device. A cross-sectional view of this device is shown in  FIG. 9   a . A movable plunger  133  has a preload tension from spring  140  that maintains its normal extended position. Spring  140  is seated against structural fins  171  internal to the dispenser. The plunger  133  has a central channel  135  that accepts the introduction of tube  149  connected by fins  171  to the dispenser housing  165 , as plunger  133  is depressed. Cutouts  145  on the sides of plunger  133  admit the insertion of structural fins  171  which hold tube  149  in place. The lower portion of plunger  133  forms a cylinder  151  which houses a pressure-multiplying cylinder  159 . Upon depression of plunger  133 , the lower flange  157  of the plunger applies pressure to fluid volume  134  which in turn applies pressure to cylinder  159 . This results in the upward travel of pressure-multiplying cylinder  159  and the high pressure ejection of fluid along channel  167  and channel  135 , past check valve  141  and out through aperture  137 . As the plunger  133  is depressed, the perforations of air intake tube  146  are sealed. Upon release of actuation pressure, plunger  133  returns upward by virtue of spring  140  and cylinder  159  returns downward under the influence of spring  155 . Cylinder  159  refills with fluid as aperture  160  is in fluid communication with fluid volume  134 . Near the limit of return travel for plunger  133 , the perforations of air intake tube  146  are opened for air to refill volume  168 . A flexible membrane  158  at the base of fluid container  163  allows air pressure in volume  168  to equilibrate with fluid pressure in volume  134 . Retaining flange  152  limits the downward travel of cylinder  159 . In  FIG. 9   b , the three-dimensional shape of plunger  133  is more clearly manifested. Shown are the cutout areas  145  which are penetrated by the structural fins  171  which hold tube  149  in fixed disposition with respect to the dispenser housing  165 . 
     Nozzle Configurations 
     In the simplest embodiment, the nozzle of the present invention is of a fixed geometry. Other embodiments include retractable or extendible versions, as well as nozzles that can be adjusted in direction and those which allow selection of the output flow type from streaming to spraying. Adjustable nozzles can be implemented for pressure-multiplying dispensers with some increase in complexity over counterparts for non pressure-multiplying dispensers. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, the nozzle will be oriented to provide unobstructed dispensing of hand treatment to the target hand. For the case in which hand treatment is to be dispensed to the hand of the arm upon which the dispenser is mounted, this can be accomplished even when the user is wearing a long-sleeved shirt or blouse, or a jacket. In situations where a garment might obstruct dispensing, it could be efficacious to have an extendible nozzle. An example of such a nozzle is shown in  FIG. 10 . A cylindrical nozzle body  201  is shown with ring embossments  203 . A set of complementary ring depressions  205  is present in the neck  207  of the dispenser so that longitudinal motion of the nozzle body  201  relative to the dispenser neck  207  establishes a fixed number of detint positions. 
     As dictated by the preference of the user of the invention, the type of flow of dispensed material can be selected in an embodiment with flow control means. Numerous prior art examples of variable flow nozzles are extant in the patent literature; examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,843,030, 3,967,765, and 4,234,128. These nozzle designs exhibit variable flow geometry. An attending alteration in the flow from a streaming to spraying nature occurs upon rotation of one of the component members of the nozzle relative to the other. In  FIG. 11 , this type of nozzle is shown in the context of the present invention. A fixed nozzle component  223  is attached to the dispenser body  221 . Rotation of the movable nozzle component  225  results in variation in the type of flow. In such an implementation, the flow channel is segmented into two portions and the alignment of a particular cross-sectional geometry of each of these portions of the channel is used to adjust the nature of the flow. Another method of varying the type of flow is that used in typical garden hose nozzles in which a flow output aperture is variably occluded by the longitudinal translation of a conical member with its apex directed into the flow output aperture by a screw motion. 
     Cartridge- and Pump-Based Embodiments of the Invention 
     A dispenser detachable from a wristband is shown in  FIGS. 12   a  through  12   c . Depicted are wrist mounted, detachable, pump-based dispensers.  FIG. 12   a  shows a pump spray type dispenser  241  mounted on top of the wrist. Flange  243  allows the depression of the end of the dispenser column to eject material from the nozzle  245 .  FIG. 12   c  depicts a detachable capped bottle. The cap  247  can be one which pops off, but is retained in connection with the dispenser by a plastic link.  FIG. 13  depicts a pump spray bottle  261  in which the pump actuator flange  265  is mounted at 90 degrees to the axis of the spray nozzle  261 . This can improve the ease of actuation by the fingers of the alternate hand.  FIG. 14  depicts a naive means of implementing the dispenser of  FIG. 13 . When depressed, the actuation flange  299  with attached plunger  291  compresses spring  287  and reduces the free volume of plunger-containing body  289 . Upon release of depressed actuation flange  299 , the plunger  291  retracts creating a suction on inlet port  281  to intake fluid which fills plunger-containing body  289  and proceeds to travel through flexible tube  293  for ejection from nozzle  297 . Check valves  283  and  295  prohibit deleterious flow of fluid. 
       FIG. 15  depicts a cartridge-based dispenser showing the disposable hand treatment-containing cartridge  311  having indentations  325  and easily punctured, self-sealing dispensing port  313 . The wrist-mounted holder  323  is shown having flexible side fingers  315  which seat in indentations  325  for retaining an installed cartridge  311 . The body of the holder  317  has a base plate to which is attached wristband  321 . As is well known in the prior art, the cartridge  311  can be inserted into the holder  317  so as to provide leak-free dispensing of fluid through nozzle  319  upon squeezing of a deformable portion of cartridge  311 . 
     For children, the dispenser can be in the shape of or be embossed with the logos of sports teams, super heroes, or cartoon icons. Further, dose-delivering dispensers in the shape of cartoon characters or refillable cartridge-based dispensers are feasible. With a cartridge or refillable dispenser other functions can be added to the dispenser such as having LEDs on them that light up with use. High brightness, low current LEDs as used on cell phones are quite striking. Consideration can be given to a time delay for sequential dispensing so that children would be less inclined to waste the hand treatment material. By this, is meant that it would take a minute or two before a second dose could be dispensed. This could be achieved by establishing the time constant for repressurization of the bladder using a suitably small sized air hole. 
     A number of more refined embodiments of the wrist mounted dispenser of hand treatments are shown in  FIGS. 16 through 26 .  FIG. 16  depicts a siphon pump design that would be actuated by thumb pressure against a sliding actuator. Spray is ejected from the end of the actuator as fluid is siphoned from the reservoir. Another form factor for the siphon pump is provided in the design of  FIG. 17  wherein the actuator is in the form of a button that can be depressed to cause ejection of hand treatment. In the designs of both  FIGS. 16 and 17 , two one-way check valves are employed as is common practice in the art. The design of  FIG. 18  exploits a screw thread mechanism to exert pressure on a fluid. As the outer housing comprising both piston and one-way valve is rotated to cause fluid compression, the fluid is exhausted through the valve. A screw drive mechanism similar in function to those found in stick deodorant dispensers is depicted in the design of  FIG. 19 . A ratchet clip mechanism is used in the design of  FIG. 20  to squeeze hand treatment fluid from a tube that is captivated by a ratchet housing. In  FIG. 21 , a design is shown which exploits a roller pump mechanism. Each incremental turn of the dispenser dial would cause a fraction of the contained fluid to be ejected while leakage past the seal is prevented by the rollers. A simple, direct pressure mechanism is used in the design of  FIG. 22  to squeeze hand treatment fluid through a one-way valve, similar to an instant glue dispenser. 
     Preferred Embodiments 
       FIG. 23  is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser using the basic principle of  FIG. 16 . Hence, the depicted device dispenses hand treatment fluid to the hand of the arm which does not have the dispenser attached. The ejection axis for dispensing is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the arm to which the device is attached and fluid is dispensed onto the fingers of the actuating hand. The cross sectional view of the device is provided in  FIG. 24 . With respect to  FIG. 23 , the dispenser body  349  is shown attached to wristband  341 . It comprises a hinged lid  351  that contains a hand treatment fluid refillable volume. Depression of spring-loaded pump button  343  causes the ejection of hand treatment fluid through nozzle  345 . 
       FIG. 25  is an exploded diagram of the components of this embodiment. The upper housing  411  provides a means of enclosing, retaining, and protecting the pump assembly and actuation components. It secures actuation button  441  to lower housing  427  via interlocking pin and slot feature and retains the dispensing nozzle  433 . The actuation button  441  is the primary user interface for activation of the device. The contour shape is designed to accommodate a discreet, “no-look” actuation. The piston shaft  439  is the main mechanical link between the actuation button  441  and the pump piston  435 . Piston housing  437  provides precise cylinder bore for high compression dispensing of hand treatment fluid. Mechanical means of pressurizing the pump chamber  417  via displacement of actuator button  441  is provided by piston  435 . It displaces hand treatment fluid through the exit port of pump chamber  417  on the dispensing stroke and provides negative pressure to draw fresh hand treatment fluid from the reservoir contained in lower housing  427  on the intake stroke. The return force necessary to drive piston  435  through the intake stroke is provided by return spring  431 . Main pump chamber  417  provides the main cylinder for pressurization during dispensing and intake strokes. It integrates the valve mating surface for the exit check valve  419  and retains piston housing  437  via a precision friction slip fit. An inlet port  413  provides a precision sealing surface between the reservoir and inlet check valve  415  which seals the inlet port  413  during the dispensing stroke and hence stops hand treatment fluid backflow into the reservoir. Exit check valve  419  provides a means of sealing the pump chamber  417  during the inlet stroke, preventing air intake through dispensing nozzle  433  to reduce or eliminate pump cavitation. This nozzle establishes a calibrated orifice through which a metered dosage of hand treatment fluid can exit the dispenser. An exit tube  421  routes hand treatment fluid to the dispensing nozzle  433  and provides a means of retaining the exit check valve  419 . The lower housing  427  retains the upper housing  411  and actuation button  441 . It also houses the main fill port for refillable dispensers. Enclosing and sealing the main fluid reservoir is the reservoir fill lid  423 . It is easily released for refilling by an ergonomic snap feature at its leading edge. O-ring  425  provides additional sealing at the fill port by compression when fill lid  423  is snapped shut. It also provides a barrier which reduces or prevents evaporation of fresh hand treatment fluid. Band pins  429  provide attachment of the dispenser assembly to the wristband  443 . 
       FIG. 26   a  is a pictorial diagram of dispenser similar to that of  FIGS. 23 through 25 . Shown is a functional watch face atop the dispenser top  527 . The battery for this watch, not shown, can be conveniently located within the dispenser Also, in lieu of a fluid reservoir, cartridge packets  531  are used in this embodiment. The cross sectional view of the device is provided in  FIG. 26   b . With respect to  FIG. 26   b , the dispenser body is shown to be part of a wrist ring  521 . It comprises a hinged top  527  that contains removable sanitizer-containing packet  531 . Upon insert of packet  531  and closure of hinged top  527 , the packet  531  is punctured by channel inlet  533 . Retraction of spring-loaded pump button  523  creates a partial vacuum in cylinder volume  535  which is filled through channel  537  by sanitizer fluid from packet  531 . Upon depression of pump button  523 , backflow through channel  537  is prevented by a check valve or other means and the fluid in volume  535  is forced through channel  539  and ejected from nozzle  529 . 
     It is to be understood that a plethora of cartridge or packet designs and form factors are within the scope of the present invention, including color-coded packets that can distinguish the type or strength of hand treatment contained therein. Also within the scope of this invention are various means to dispense hand treatment material from such packets including the mechanisms for extracting the hand treatment material from said packets. Extraction mechanisms can invoke pressure (internal or external to packet) or suction. 
     Another category of embodiments of the present invention comprise those dispensers that are either attachable to wristwatches or are part of wristwatches or wristwatch bands.  FIG. 27  depicts wristwatch  571  and band  573 . A hand treatment dispenser  561  is attachable to the wristband by means of a VELCRO hook and pile material [Velcro] surface  563  that mates with a complementary VELCRO hook and pile material [Velcro] surface on the underside of the wristband  573 . The dispenser  561  is shown having a push button  579  actuator that dispenses a spray  577  of hand treatment. 
     Pluralities of alternate attachment schemes are possible for dispensers of varying form factor. Examples of other attachment schemes include magnetic means, mechanical clips, loops, slide inserts, etc. Various types of dispensers can be made attachable including disposable, and refillable as in the case of packet dispensers described above. 
       FIG. 28  depicts a dispenser  593  that is manufactured as part of the wristband for watch  591  and hence would be refillable. Other schemes for fabrication of the dispenser integral to the wristband include fabricating a wristband that serves as the reservoir for hand treatment fluid and the placement of the dispenser actuator at differing positions along the wristband.  FIG. 29  depicts a dispenser that is made part of the wristwatch body  595 . A hinged lid  599  houses the refillable dispenser packet not shown. An actuation button  597  is depressed to cause a stream of hand treatment material to be ejected from nozzle  601 . 
       FIG. 30  depicts a finger-mounted dispenser  631  mounted on a finger band or ring  633  and having a dispensing aperture  635 . Any number of the aforementioned actuation schemes can be used in this device, so that simple compression of the exposed face of dispenser  631  will yield ejection of fluid from aperture  635 . 
     Dispenser Types Using Other Mechanisms 
     Among other dispenser types are drip, pressurized, and pump-driven versions. Drip type dispensers are of limited practicality given that they are orientation sensitive. One way in which such a dispenser could be used involves actuating a shutoff valve. Various approaches well known in the prior art can be used to actuate the opening of such a valve by hand pressure. Subsequent to opening the valve, it is required to orient the dispenser to allow hand treatment to drip into the hand. 
     Borrowing from the technology used in the fabrication of pressurized shaving cream dispensers, there are well known methods of producing gas-pressurized streams of liquids and gels. The dispenser exploiting gas pressurization could be a low profile metal, disposable cartridge that removably attaches to a wristband. 
     Applicable miniature electromechanical schemes that could be used for ejecting hand treatment material are well known in the prior art. Foremost among electromechanical actuation methods is that of a solenoid. The miniature solenoids used in ink jet printing can be applied to discharging small jets of fluid. Sufficient electrical energy for hundreds of actuations can be contained in small form factor batteries such as those of the disc lithium variety. Alternatively, miniature diaphragm pumps and piezoelectric pumps used for insulin delivery can be used for discharge of small jets of fluid. Finally, in the category of thermoelectric devices, Peltier effect devices can be used with working fluids or phase change materials to effect large pressure changes with modest electrically-induced temperature changes and thereby eject fluids upon initiation of current flow into the Peltier device. In all electrical methods, a consistent fixed dosage of ejected hand treatment material can be established by electronically fixing the duration of the governing voltage or current pulse. Remote control actuation is imminently feasible with commercially-available low power consumption micro-transmitters and receivers. There are numerous ways in which such remote control can be executed, typically using the free hand or other part of the body. 
     A final concept is that of a dispenser similar to that of Listerine oral patches that dissolve in the mouth. Such a dispenser would dispense a sanitizing compound in the same form as the Listerine thin film, but which would disperse on the hands. Because the dispersal cannot rely on water, a particular formulation containing alcohol, perhaps using long chain hydrocarbons in concert with ethanol, would need to be used. Such an alcohol-based formulation could be a thin film formable solid until liquefied by the friction/pressure (rather than heat) of rubbing hands together. 
     While there have been shown and described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention can be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically illustrated and described and that, within such embodiments certain changes in the detail and configuration of this invention, and in the form and arrangements of the components of this invention, can be made without departing from the underlying idea or principles of this invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0