Patent Document

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 11/520,962 filed Sep. 14, 2006, which claims priority of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/716,844 filed Sep. 14, 2005. This application additionally is a Continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 10/915,720 filed on Aug. 10, 2004 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,316,332), which is a Continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 10/729,757 filed on Dec. 5, 2003 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,135,011) which is a Continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 10/314,825 filed on Dec. 9, 2002 (now abandoned). 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Prior Art 
     The increase in bacterial immunity to modem 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 low cost dispenser that is wrist-worn that provides ease of actuation, is leak-proof, and offers fashion appeal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a wrist-worn device for dispensing a small amount of alcohol-based disinfectant hand rub, moisturizer, other skin medicaments, or even pharmaceutical products that would be used for treating various dermatologic or systemic maladies (the latter being treated through skin absorption of the treatment material). 
     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device is in the form of a low profile, wrist-mounted dispenser with a slit-based diaphragm valve, much like the tricuspid valve of the human heart, that produces a small amount of dispensed medicinal or sanitary treatment when the device is actuated. Various other embodiments of the invention are disclosed which exhibit the following main features: a unibody reservoir/wristband with an inserted valve component, a unibody reservoir/wristband with a valve formed in the reservoir wall, a multiple reservoir device, a reservoir housing and wristband base, a self-contained reservoir that affixes to a wristband, and a self-contained reservoir that removably attaches to a wristband. This latter embodiment permits use of pre-filled disposable reservoirs or selection of reservoirs of different shape or aesthetic appearance. For refill of the device, a simple cap accessory is disclosed that fits commercially-available bottles of hand disinfectant. 
     To achieve simplicity of construction and yet avoid unintended dispensing and leakage of skin treatment material from the device, the slit-based diaphragm valve can be constructed from material of sufficient stiffness to prevent leakage. Alternatively, the characteristics of the construction material can be used to select a material to achieve this goal. Additionally, various embodiments include caps to mitigate any leakage. 
     Because only a few drops of alcohol-based disinfectant comprise a dose adequate to achieve sanitation of the hands, the device can dispense hundreds of doses of disinfectant before requiring refill or disposal. 
     Following is a lexicon of terms that more particularly define the invention and support the meaning of the claims: 
     Bonded—means adhesively adhered or physically fused together. 
     Body attachment means—is the physical mechanism for attaching the dispensing device to a human body such as an arm, wrist, leg, or ankle. 
     Locally-convex—in the context of the invention, means having the shape of a shallow or low amplitude nipple, and exhibiting a curvature that is a departure from that of the surrounding surface. 
     Single construction—refers to a unibody structure comprising a single component. In the present invention, this definition includes a single molded structure. 
     Skin treatment—comprises medicinal or sanitary treatment for either dermatological or systemic purposes. 
     Valve axis—is the axis perpendicular to the plane of the valve and passing through the lateral centroid of the valve. 
     Wristband—comprises any structure or structures that contribute directly to the wrist attachment function. Hence any extension of the reservoir body, such as a strap, fastener, loop, feature with a slit, etc., that facilitates wrist attachment is included as part of the wristband. 
     Objects and Advantages 
     Several objects and advantages of the present invention are: 
     (a) Provide a convenient, portable means for dispensing skin treatments; 
     (b) Provide a cost-effective means for dispensing skin and other topically-delivered medical treatments; 
     (c) Provide an unobtrusive means of dispensing skin and other topically delivered medical treatments; 
     (d) Provide an easily actuated means of dispensing skin and other topically-delivered medical treatments: 
     (e) Provide wrist-mounted means of dispensing skin and other topically-delivered medical treatments; 
     (f) Provide a wrist-mounted disposable means of dispensing skin and other topically-delivered medical treatments; 
     (g) Provide an easy-to-manufacture skin and other topically-delivered medical treatment dispenser using a slit-based diaphragm valve; 
     (h) Provide a fashionable dispensing device that is a desirable apparel accessory; 
     (i) Provide a method of refilling portable means for dispensing skin and other topically-delivered medical treatments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a pictorial diagram of an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a pictorial diagram of the fully constructed preferred embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3   a  is a cross-sectional exploded diagram of the preferred embodiment of the invention incorporating a slit-based diaphragm valve exhibiting a convex outer surface. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a cross-sectional diagram of the preferred embodiment of the invention incorporating a slit-based diaphragm valve exhibiting a convex outer surface with the valve installed in the device reservoir. 
         FIG. 3   c  is a pictorial diagram of a dual reservoir embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3   d  is a cross-sectional diagram of the device of  FIG. 3   c.    
         FIG. 4  is a pictorial diagram of a slit-based diaphragm valve having a convex outer surface. 
         FIG. 5  comprises top and bottom views along with a side cross-sectional diagram of the valve of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a pictorial diagram of a slit-based diaphragm valve having a flat outer surface. 
         FIG. 7  comprises top and bottom views along with a side cross-sectional diagram of the valve of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8   a  is a cross-sectional diagram of the device of  FIG. 2  depicting the extension of the reservoir wall to form the wristband. 
         FIG. 8   b  is a pictorial diagram of the preferred embodiment of the invention exhibiting a first wristband geometry. 
         FIG. 8   c  is a pictorial diagram of the preferred embodiment of the invention exhibiting a second wristband geometry. 
         FIG. 8   d  is a pictorial diagram of the preferred embodiment of the invention exhibiting a third wristband geometry. 
         FIG. 9   a  is a pictorial diagram of two mold halves and a mold insert for manufacture of the body of the device comprising in combination the reservoir and wristband. 
         FIG. 9   b  is a pictorial diagram of one half of the mold containing the mold insert. 
         FIG. 9   c  is a pictorial diagram of the mold halves together with the captivated insert showing the molding of contained polymer into the form of the reservoir and wristband body of the device. 
         FIG. 9   d  is a pictorial diagram showing separation of the mold halves with the resulting molded body of the device containing the mold insert. 
         FIG. 10   a  is a pictorial diagram of the molded body of the device. 
         FIG. 10   b  is a pictorial diagram of the body of the device under deformation for the acceptance of the valve component. 
         FIG. 11   a  is a pictorial diagram of an embodiment of the device having a slit-based diaphragm valve formed by slits placed in a raised (nippled) area of the reservoir wall and including a capped refill opening. 
         FIG. 11   b  is a cross-sectional diagram of the device of  FIG. 11   a.    
         FIG. 11   c  is a pictorial diagram of an embodiment of the device having a slit-based diaphragm valve formed by slits placed in a flat (planar) area of the reservoir wall and including a capped refill opening. 
         FIG. 11   d  is a cross-sectional diagram of the device of  FIG. 11   c.    
         FIG. 12  is a pictorial diagram that shows a reservoir with snap in slit-based diaphragm valve and polymeric band. 
         FIG. 13  is a pictorial diagram of an integral injection molded reservoir top with slit-based diaphragm valve and a separate injection molded reservoir base that is to be bonded to the reservoir top. 
         FIG. 14   a  is a pictorial diagram of an injection molded wristband with attachable blow molded reservoir housing containing a slit-based diaphragm valve. 
         FIG. 14   b  is a cross-sectional diagram highlighting the topology of the device of  FIG. 14   a.    
         FIG. 15   a  is a pictorial diagram of a wristband-attachable reservoir housing seated in a receiving wristband showing the cross-section of the attachment geometry around the perimeter of the reservoir. 
         FIG. 15   b  is a top view pictorial diagram of an attachable reservoir housing with wristband. 
         FIG. 15   c  is side view pictorial diagram of an attachable reservoir housing with wristband. 
         FIG. 15   d  is a front view pictorial diagram of an attachable reservoir housing with wristband. 
         FIG. 16   a  comprises pictorial, plan, and section views of the dispenser reservoir housing. 
         FIG. 16   b  comprises pictorial, plan, and section views of the dispenser wristband. 
         FIG. 16   c  comprises plan and section views of the composite dispenser. 
         FIG. 17   a  is a pictorial view of the reservoir and wristband attachable by snap means showing the protrusions under the reservoir. 
         FIG. 17   b  is a pictorial view of the reservoir and wristband attachable by snap means showing the receiving apertures in the wristband. 
         FIG. 18   a  is a pictorial view of a unibody valve-wristband body. 
         FIG. 18   b  is a pictorial view of a blow molded reservoir that exhibits a groove for snap fitting into the body of  FIG. 18   a.    
         FIG. 18   c  is a pictorial view of the reservoir being inserted into the valve-wristband body. 
         FIG. 18   d  is a pictorial view of the assembled dispenser of  FIG. 18   c.    
         FIG. 19   a  is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser body having provision for a D-ring-based cap mechanism. 
         FIG. 19   b  is a cross sectional view of a D-ring cap mechanism. 
         FIG. 19   c  is a plan view diagram of the dispenser body of  FIG. 19   a , highlighting the notches that hold the D-ring cap mechanism. 
         FIG. 19   d  is a pictorial diagram of the dispenser of  FIG. 19   a  including the D-ring cap mechanism in the open position. 
         FIG. 19   e  is a pictorial diagram of the dispenser of  FIG. 19   a  including the D-ring cap mechanism in the closed position. 
         FIG. 20   a  is a pictorial diagram of the wristband shown in  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 20   b  is a pictorial diagram of a reservoir housing to be used with the wristband of  FIG. 15  which exhibits an attached snap cap. 
         FIG. 20   c  is a cross sectional view of the reservoir housing of  FIG. 20   b  with the cap in the open position. 
         FIG. 20   d  is a side view of the reservoir housing of  FIG. 20   b  with the cap in the closed position. 
         FIG. 21   a  is a cross sectional view of a reservoir with a deformable dispensing valve in the closed position. 
         FIG. 21   b  is a cross sectional view of a reservoir with the deformable dispensing valve of 
         FIG. 21   a  in the open position. 
         FIG. 22   a  is a pictorial diagram of a reservoir with a flap closure. 
         FIG. 22   b  is a cross sectional view of the reservoir of  FIG. 21   a.    
         FIG. 22   c  is an exploded diagram detailing a mode of construction of the reservoir of  FIG. 22   a.    
         FIG. 23   a  is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser with wristband having holes that receive a nipple at the end of the wristband for adjustable attachment to the wrist. 
         FIG. 23   b  is a pictorial diagram of the device of  FIG. 23   a  with the end of the wristband having the nipple advanced through a slot in the reservoir. 
         FIG. 23   c  is a pictorial diagram of the device of  FIG. 23   a  with the nipple pushed through one of the wristband holes. 
         FIG. 24   a  is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser having a tape wristband with an adhesive backed end. 
         FIG. 24   b  is a pictorial diagram of the dispenser of  FIG. 24   a  slipped over the hand. 
         FIG. 24   c  is a pictorial diagram of the dispenser of  FIG. 24   a  attached to the wrist by adhering the adhesively backed end of the wristband tape to the wristband in a secure fashion. 
         FIG. 25   a  is a pictorial diagram of a reservoir that is attachable to a semi-rigid, flexible wristband by means of posts molded into the wristband. 
         FIG. 25   b  is a pictorial diagram of the device of  FIG. 25   a  fully assembled. 
         FIG. 25   c  is a pictorial diagram of the device of  FIG. 25   a  worn on the wrist. 
         FIG. 25   d  is a pictorial diagram of the device of  FIG. 25   a  showing the underside of the wristband. 
         FIG. 26   a  is a pictorial diagram of a method of reservoir refill. 
         FIG. 26   b  is a pictorial diagram of the refill mechanism attachable to standard form factor bottles of hand treatment material. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention encompasses various embodiments that variously emphasize ease of manufacture and use, or both. 
     Preferred Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  depicts a preferred embodiment of the wrist-worn, treatment device comprising two components, a) a device body  2  further comprising dispensing reservoir  6  and body attachment means in the form of a wristband  11 , and b) a slit-based diaphragm valve  1 . The valve  1  exhibits valve slits  3  in the top button  15  of the valve and has a bottom flange  5  that mounts against the inside surface of the reservoir  6 . To affix the device to a person&#39;s body, the wristband  11  circumscribes the body extremity and the end is threaded through aperture  19 . The protuberance  17  is then snap fit into an appropriate one of the perforations  13  exhibited along the length of the wristband.  FIG. 2  depicts the embodiment of  FIG. 1  with the valve  1  installed.  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  are cross-sectional views of the device of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 3   a  is shown the valve  31  having a convex outer surface  33 , a cylindrical standoff ring  37 , and a flange  35 . The device body  42  comprises a treatment material reservoir  39  that encloses the treatment volume  41  and a wristband  43 . The reservoir wall is shown to be of single construction, i.e. not constructed of joined parts, but a single molding with the wristband. The valve  1  is installed in aperture  38  within the reservoir  39  to form a fluid seal with the reservoir around the valve&#39;s perimeter. The device is affixed to a body extremity by insertion of the end of wristband  43  through aperture  45  (this will be shown in greater detail below relative to  FIG. 23   a  through  23   c ).  FIG. 3   b  depicts the position of the valve installed in device  51 . A dual reservoir version  52  of the device is shown in  FIGS. 3   c  and  3   d . In the cross-sectional view of the device in  FIG. 3   d , two reservoir compartments  55  and  57  with associated valves  53  and  54 , are depicted respectively. The compartments are shown separated by a thick wall  56  which provides sufficient stiffness to isolate the dispensing pressure for the two compartments. 
     The valve geometry is shown in  FIGS. 4 through 7 . Prior art slit-based diaphragm valves for dispensing applications are typically inwardly concave to facilitate certain dispensing features. The present invention favors the use of either a convex or flat surface in the vicinity of the dispensing aperture or valve to inhibit accumulation of dispensed material and to facilitate dispensing in ways described below.  FIG. 4  is a pictorial diagram of a valve  61  having an outwardly convex exterior surface  62 . The detailed structure of the valve is provided by the top, bottom and side cross-sectional view of  FIG. 5 . Slits  63  are present in the top button  65  to create valve flaps. The top button  65  exhibits a convex outer surface and rests atop a cylindrical ring  67  which is atop a flange  69 . When the valve is installed in the reservoir of the device, the flange  69  is mounted against the inside surface of the reservoir surrounding aperture  38  of  FIG. 3   a . The valve exhibits a cylindrically symmetric hollow interior  71  through which treatment material is dispensed from the reservoir.  FIG. 6  is a pictorial diagram of a valve  79  having a flat outer surface  80 . The corresponding detail of the valve is provided in  FIG. 7 . Slits  82  are placed in the button  83  which exhibits a flat outer surface. Button  83  is atop cylindrical ring  85  which in turn is atop flange  89 . The valve exhibits a cylindrically symmetric hollow interior  89 . 
     The fundamental topology of the device body is illustrated in  FIGS. 8   a  through  8   d . The device body comprises the reservoir and the wristband. The cross-sectional diagram of  FIG. 8   a  depicts the wristband  123  as comprising an elongation or extension of the reservoir wall  121  at opposite ends  125  and  127  of the reservoir (at opposing positions about the interior of the reservoir). For the purposes of this disclosure, the wristband is defined as comprising any structure or structures that contribute to the wrist attachment function. So in  FIG. 8   a , the wristband includes both the portion  124  of the device containing the wristband slit as well as the linear strap  126 . This topology is common to the three variations in wristband geometry shown in  FIGS. 8   b  through  8   d .  FIG. 8   b  depicts a wristband having a strap  135  at one end of the reservoir and a receiving portion  131  of the wristband at the other end of the reservoir. In  FIG. 8   c , the wristband straps  141  and  143  extend from both ends of the reservoir and in  FIG. 8   d , the wristband  151  is a continuous connection between the two reservoir ends. 
     Manufacture of the Preferred Embodiment 
     The preferred embodiment can be manufactured using liquid injection molding, insert molding, or transfer molding as is well known in the prior art. Hence, liquid polymer precursors can be introduced through channels into the assembled mold and molding and vulcanization can occur quickly under high temperature. Alternatively, solid polymer can be laid into the separated mold at appropriate locations and the mold halves brought together under pressure and heat to produce the molded article. This would be accomplished for the device body (reservoir with wristband) and separately for the valve. Depending on the process used, there may be the need to remove flashing from the molded article. Also, the molded valve body will need to have slit cut into it to form the functioning valve. This can be accomplished by punch cutting with blades. Most, if not all, of the manufacturing process steps can be automated; this includes insert placement, mold assembly, polymer introduction, molding, mold release, flashing removal, slit formation in the molded valve, device body fixturing for adhesive administration and valve insertion. 
       FIGS. 9   a  through  9   d  depict the use of molds that can represent either press molding of solid polymer or liquid injection molding. For simplicity of illustration, only mold cavities for a single device are depicted, but it should be understood that a multiplicity of device cavities can be included in a single mold set. The mold halves  161  and  163  along with mold insert  165  and associated insert neck  166  are depicted in  FIG. 9   a . The bottom half  163  of the mold is shown containing the bottom portion of the mold cavity  167  following the mold contour  169  that shapes the molded reservoir for compliance with the wrist or other curved body surface. 
     In  FIG. 9   b , the mold insert  165  that will form the device reservoir cavity upon filling of the mold with polymer or polymer precursors is shown placed in its proper position within the upper portion of the mold cavity  171 , contained in the upper half  161  of the mold. The neck  166  of the insert  165  passes through channel  173  in the upper half  161  of the mold. Neck  166  creates the reservoir aperture into which the valve will be inserted subsequent to molding and provides a means for seating the insert  165  so that it stands off from the mold cavity thereby permitting the reservoir to be formed. The assembled mold is shown in cross section in  FIG. 9   c . The mold halves  161  and  163  are brought together with the insert  165  contained therein. The mold cavity  183  is depicted as filled with either polymer or polymer precursors. Separation of the mold halves  161  and  163  and depiction of the molded device body  191  with the protruding insert neck  166  is shown in  FIG. 9   d . The insert can be removed from the reservoir of the molded device body either manually or automatically. Manual removal involves stretching the reservoir adjacent the insert neck  166  and peeling it off the insert. To facilitate automated removal, pressurized air passages can be made part of the insert. These passages, internal to the insert, would extend from the insert neck  166  to the surface of the insert that would be covered with polymer. Pressurization of the passages during molding would prevent polymer intrusion into such passages. Pressurization of the passages after device release from the mold would balloon the reservoir for insert removal using manipulators that would pull the polymer away from the insert. A more expensive alternative that might be justified by very large volume production involves use of a mechanically collapsible insert that could be withdrawn from the molded reservoir through the reservoir aperture without substantial deformation of the reservoir. 
     Subsequent to production of the device body and the valve, the valve can be installed in the device body either manually or automatically.  FIG. 10   a  depicts the device body  201  exhibiting the valve aperture in the reservoir. In order to install the valve  205  shown in  FIG. 10   b , first adhesive or polymer precursor is applied to the perimeter of the aperture  207 . Then the reservoir  209  must be deformed to elastically enlarge the aperture  207 . This is shown being accomplished by manipulators  203  which can be clamps or can be fingers that achieve frictional traction on the surface of the reservoir. The valve  205  is placed in the aperture and the reservoir permitted to seat against the valve cylindrical ring  67  shown in  FIG. 5 . Optionally, heating can be applied to cure the adhesive or polymer precursor. 
     Candidate polymers for molding of the device include the many silicone elastomer formulations. These polymers are alcohol permeable, but for many uses of the present invention, ethyl alcohol contents of the reservoir will be consumed by use of the invention before significant permeation loss occurs. Nevertheless, application of alcohol-impermeable fluoropolymer overcoatings for the reservoir and valve can be considered. Such coatings would adequately match the elasticity of the underlying silicone polymer. Alternatively, use can be made of an ethyl alcohol impermeable polyisobutylene replacement for silicone rubber formulated by Professor Judit Puskas of the University of Akron. 
     Alternate Embodiments 
     The slit-based diaphragm valve can be created by the formation of slits in the wall of the device reservoir.  FIGS. 11   a  through  11   d  depict variations on this embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 11   a  shows a slit-based diaphragm valve formed by cutting slits  231  into a shallow convex surface, or nipple  225 , extending above the surrounding surface of the reservoir  223 . The refill aperture  227  accommodates the mold insert neck during molding and receives the refill cap component  229  to complete manufacture of the device. The refill cap component  229  is a snap closure with a tether connecting the cap lid to the cap body. It is sealed into the refill aperture  227  in a fashion similar to the sealing of the diaphragm valve component of  FIG. 10   b  into the valve aperture. The cross-sectional view of the device body of  FIG. 11   a  is shown in  FIG. 11   b .  FIG. 11   c  shows a slit-based diaphragm valve formed by cutting slits  247  into a flat (planar) surface region  245 , of the reservoir  243 . The cross-sectional view of the device body of  FIG. 11   c  is shown in  FIG. 11   d.    
       FIG. 12  depicts a wrist-worn, treatment-dispensing device  301  comprising a blow-molded reservoir body  302  having an aperture  307  for receipt of a snap-in slit-based diaphragm valve component  305 . A pronounced region  303  of the reservoir provides structural support of the slit-based diaphragm valve component  305 . A candidate material for the reservoir body  302  is 0.5 millimeter thick low density polyethylene. The injection molded valve component  305  can be made from silicone rubber shore A—15 to 20 hardness with die cut slits  306 . Slots  309  at opposing ends of the reservoir provide for the introduction of a polymeric wristband  311  similar to novelty wristbands currently on the market. The reservoir is constructed of pliable polymer material so that adequate manual pressure to the upper surface of the reservoir will cause hand treatment material to be dispensed from the slit-based diaphragm valve component  305 . 
       FIG. 13  is a pictorial diagram of a wrist-worn, treatment-dispensing device  313  comprising an injection molded reservoir top  315  with integral slit-based diaphragm valve  318  cut into a shallow convex surface, or nipple  319 , extending above the surrounding pronounced region  317  of the reservoir top  315 , a wristband  321 , and a separate injection molded reservoir base  323  that is to be bonded to the reservoir top  315 . Similarly to the exterior surface geometry of the valve in  FIG. 3   b , the nipple  319  serves several purposes, providing: a) a visual indication of the dispending region of the device, b) a proud surface for an easy dean and wipe after dispensing, c) tactile feedback for the dispensing location, promoting ease of casual, surreptitious dispensing (avoiding the need to look at the dispenser when dispensing that might draw the attention of others), d) a crown that provides adequate stiffness for leak prevention, and e) an indexing surface for secondary manufacturing operations such as slit placement. Also, the interior surface of this nipple can be tapered radially from its center to promote valve flap operation. The pronounced region  317  of the reservoir top  315  provides structural support to the integral slit-based diaphragm valve  318 . The reservoir top  315  can be manufactured easily from a 1.0 millimeter thickness of silicone rubber, shore A—15 to 20 hardness with die cut valve slits. Candidate materials for the reservoir base include urethane or propylene. A standard watchband buckle  325  can be used with wristband  321 . 
     A blow-molded reservoir housing  329  and separate wristband  333  comprise the wrist-worn, treatment-dispensing device  327  of  FIG. 14   a . Again, the slit-based diaphragm valve  328  is shown integral to the reservoir  329 . The valve slits are cut into a shallow convex surface, or nipple  330 . The depression region  335  of wristband  333 , which forms the lower portion of the reservoir, exhibits a scalloped ridge  331  within the perimeter of this depression region.  FIG. 14   b  is a cross-sectional diagram representing the topology of the device of  FIG. 14   a . The dispensing reservoir  329  exhibits an interior volume  338  formed by an upper portion  336  and a lower portion  337  of reservoir  329  and the flexible wristband  333  comprises elongation or extension of the lower reservoir portion  337  at substantially opposing positions  339  about said interior volume  338 . 
     The ridge  331  will permit attachment of the reservoir  329  to the wristband  333  as shown in  FIG. 15   a , a pictorial view of the attachment region with a hidden cross-sectional view  341  of the attachment of reservoir to wristband. Attachment is achieved by snapping the male insert  343 , protruding at various positions from the perimeter of the reservoir housing  329 , into a corresponding female channel  347  of the wristband  345 . A female channel  347  is created in the molding of each apex of scalloped ridge  331  of  FIG. 14   a . This geometry allows the flexibility of the reservoir housing  329  to be maintained when the reservoir and wristband are bonded together.  FIGS. 15   b  through  15   d  provide top, side and front views, respectively, of the wrist-worn device  327  of  FIG. 15   a.    
       FIGS. 16   a ,  16   b , and  16   c  provide the plan and associated section views of the reservoir, wristband, and composite dispenser of  FIG. 14   a , respectively. Shown are pictorial views  351  and  357  of reservoir and wristband, respectively, plan views  353 ,  359 , and  363  of reservoir, wristband, and composite dispenser, respectively, and section views  355 ,  361 , and  365  of reservoir, wristband, and composite dispenser, respectively. 
     Alternate Reservoir to Wristband Attachment Approaches 
       FIGS. 17   a  and  17   b  depict a means of snap fitting the reservoir  375  to wristband  371 . In  FIG. 17   a  the snap protrusions  377  are shown on the underside of the reservoir  375  and the corresponding receiving holes  373  are shown in the wristband  371 . In  FIG. 17   b  the cylindrical mounts  379  with receiving holes are shown. This amounts to having sets of complimentary gender snap components on the reservoir and wristband, respectively. 
     An alternate means of reservoir attachment is shown in  FIGS. 18   a  through  18   d . In  FIG. 18   a , is shown a unibody valve-wristband body, preferably manufactured from silicon polymer, comprising the band  381 , slit-based diaphragm valve  383  surrounded by support surface  389 , and a ring of material  387  that surrounds the space  385  for the reservoir. The reservoir  391  is shown in  FIG. 18   b  having a groove  393  that will permit its snap fit into the ring  387  of  FIG. 18   a .  FIG. 18   c  depicts the insertion of the reservoir  391  into the valve-wristband body. The fully assembled device  395  is shown in  FIG. 18   d . The support surface  389  of the valve-wristband body will need to be bonded or mechanically attached to the reservoir so that valve  383  is seated over a hole (not shown) in reservoir  385 . 
     Yet another category of attachment approaches involves the use of guide tracks with complimentary guides so that the wristband and reservoir can be slid together and “locked” in place with a simple captivating tab. The guide can be a linear feature on one component (wristband or reservoir) that fits a complimentary linear keyway on the other component. 
     Valve Caps 
       FIGS. 19   a  through  19   e  depict the use of a cap that is slid into place to prevent leakage and inadvertent dispensing. In  FIG. 19   a , is shown a reservoir  409  attached to wristband  401 . The slit-based dispensing valve area  405  is made concave to accept the dimple-shaped cap and a feature  407  is added to the reservoir housing to hold the cap in place. In  FIG. 19   c , notches  410  are shown in the perimeter of the reservoir that will accept the D-ring  417  of  FIG. 19   b . This D-ring can be fabricated from rigid or semi-rigid materials such as metal or plastics. The cap  415  is shown in cross section in  FIG. 19   b .  FIGS. 19   d  and  19   e  show the device with the D-ring and cap in the open and closed positions, respectively. 
       FIGS. 20   a  through  20   d  show a snap cap embodiment.  FIG. 20   a  is a pictorial diagram of the wristband component  421  that will, as before, accept the reservoir having the presently-described cap design. Shown attached to the reservoir  431  of  FIG. 20   b  is a cap  423  exhibiting a tapered plug  424  that is inserted into the valve  427  to achieve closure. The cap attachment band  425  features a thinned region  429  in the vicinity of attachment that promotes ease of flexion.  FIG. 20   c  is a cross section view of the reservoir of  FIG. 20   b . It is shown that the plug  424  is integral to a cylindrical base  443  of short height and is inserted through a hole in cap  423 .  FIG. 20   d  is a side pictorial view of the reservoir with the cap placed to seal the valve area. 
     Alternate Valves and Closures 
       FIG. 21   a  is a cross sectional view of deformable valve mechanism that is in the closed position. The reservoir housing  453  is attached to the wristband  451  to provide a volume  455  containing the material to be dispensed. The upper surface of the reservoir and a portion of seating area of the wristband are modified to achieve the valve function of this embodiment. A protuberance  457  is provided so that manual pressure can easily be applied at this location to effect actuation of the valve. The reservoir housing  453  contributes to the valve functionality by means of a slanted vertical wall  459 , a depression  461 , and a shallow nipple  463  having a dispensing aperture  465  on the side away from the depression  461 . The wristband component contributes ridges  466  that cooperate with the depression  461  to interlock and seal off the aperture  465  from the dispensing volume  455  when there is no left-directed horizontal pressure applied to protuberance  457 . Actuation to open the valve and permit fluid communication  469  between volume  455  and aperture  465  is depicted In  FIG. 21   b  with the application of force in direction  467 . 
       FIG. 22   a  is pictorial diagram of a reservoir  471  that incorporates a flap  473  to provide closure of a dispensing aperture  477 . A shallow nipple  475  on the underside of the flap  473  ensures aperture closure. A cross sectional view of this closure scheme is provided in  FIG. 22   b .  FIG. 22   c  depicts a method of construction of this reservoir embodiment. 
     Alternate Wristband Embodiments 
     Innumerable methods of removable attachment of a self-contained reservoir to a wristband are feasible including use of snap mechanisms, tab inserts, interlocking mechanisms, and even Velcro™. Such removable attachment would facilitate the use of pre-filled, disposable reservoirs or differently shaped or decorated reservoirs. 
       FIG. 23   a  is a pictorial diagram of a dispenser  481  having a wristband that exhibits holes  183  much like those in a belt and a nub  487  located at the end of the wristband. Once the end of the wristband strap  485  is threaded through the wristband slit  489  at the other end of the dispenser as shown in  FIG. 23   b , the nub  487  will be pressed into one of the holes  483  to secure the device to the wrist as shown in  FIG. 23   c.    
     An adhesive-based approach is shown in  FIGS. 24   a  through  24   c . A reservoir  501  is shown in  FIG. 24   a  having an attached tape wristband  505  that has the adhesively-backed end  503  of the wristband  505  beyond slot  507  in the dispenser. This end of the wristband is too large to be pulled back through the slot  507 . As shown in  FIG. 24   b , the device first is slipped over the hand and as in  FIG. 24   c , the wristband pulled snug about the wrist and the end adhesively adhered to the appropriate location along the wristband. 
       FIGS. 25   a  through  25   d  depict a reservoir  531  that is snap fit to the wristband  537 . Holes  535  molded into the reservoir receive the posts  533  molded into the wristband to achieve a snap attachment. 
     Method of Refill 
     A means of refilling the wrist-worn, treatment-dispensing devices that uses slit-based diaphragm valves is depicted in  FIGS. 26   a  and  26   b . In  FIG. 26   b , a refill attachment  567  is shown that screws onto to a standard commercially-available bottle  565  of hand sanitizing gel.  FIG. 26   a  depicts the use of this attachment to fill a wrist-worn, treatment dispensing device  551  with slit-based diaphragm valve  553 . The attachment comprises a threaded cap portion  559 , a tapered nozzle  555 , a ridge  561 , running from the tip of the nozzle  555  to flange  557 . The tip of nozzle  555  is inserted into the dispensing device  551  through slit-based diaphragm valve  553  to an extent where the flange  557  contacts the dispensing device  551 . As treatment material from bottle  563  is introduced into dispensing device  551 , ridge  561  provides an air escape path by holding the flaps of the slit-based diaphragm valve sufficiently open to permit such air escape from the dispensing device  551 . Alternatively, a small tube or air channel could be included along the side of the nozzle for this purpose. 
     Method of Use 
     A common method of using the various embodiments of the present invention involves attaching a treatment filled dispensing device to a person. The different attachment schemes disclosed permit attachment to the forearm, wrist, leg, or ankle. One might also consider attachment about the neck or abdomen upon use of a longer attachment band. The device is designed to permit dispensing by a single hand in the following fashion. While attached to a person, the body of the reservoir is seated against an extremity of the body and deformed by pressure from the dispensing hand. This could be achieved by using the fingers, palm, back of the hand, or side of the hand to apply pressure to the device reservoir. Such pressure would result in pressure on the contained treatment fluid sufficient to cause dispensing through the diaphragm valve. Dispensing can be directly onto the actuating hand or onto the valve exterior surface for hand collection by wiping the valve area free of dispensed treatment. It is important for dispensing to be achieved without the need for a person to look at the dispenser. The pronounced geometry of the diaphragm valve surface in certain embodiments of the device facilitates the ability of the user to discern the dispensing location by tactile means. This is addresses both convenience and the prospect for needing to be covert about dispensing in certain social settings. Experience from trial marketing of the invention in hospital and other healthcare settings suggests that the amount of pressure to be applied for the desired dispensing volume is easily learned and repeated. Further, the invention has been viewed as a major convenience when highly mobile personnel require frequent hand sterilization. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention disclosed herein highlights numerous embodiments, but it is understood that changes and variations to these embodiments are anticipated and are within the scope of the invention and the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1