Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patent application No. 60/364,965 filed on Mar. 13, 2002. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to hand sanitization methods and apparatus. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus which facilitates the sanitization of hands everywhere and anywhere, on an as needed basis, without any constraints due to time or location.  
         [0004]     2. Related Art and Prior Art Statement  
         [0005]     It is generally recognized and accepted that the transmission of microbiological pathogens, i.e., germs and bacteria, can make people extremely ill. For example the transmission of microbiological pathogens from hands to other parts of the body or to food is a frequent means of communicating diseases. Some potential pathogens are  E. Coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria  and  Staph. Aureus . These pathogens in contaminated food are responsible for severe illnesses and even death.  
         [0006]     Episodes involving fatalities due to contamination of food products during food handling have increased the public&#39;s awareness of the potentially serious consequences of improper food handling. However, the contamination of food is not the only source of germs and bacteria that can make people ill. Media reports abound showing how daily contact with germs can lead to illness and even death. Doorknobs, pets, ATM machines, computer keyboards and toys are just some of the culprits that collect microbiological pathogens and reroute them to hands and mouths, from which they are only a short hop to the body&#39;s most sensitive systems.  
         [0007]     Perhaps the highest increased of the public&#39;s awareness of the seriousness of microbiological pathogen contamination occurred during the recent events of the anthrax scare in the United States. Besides the tragic events of Sep. 11, 2001 World Trade Center disasters, nothing has brought closer to home the fact that bacteria and germs can kill in a very fierce and insidious manner.  
         [0008]     Of course, washing one&#39;s hands with soap and water is the best deterrent against germs. Recommended by the American Association for Microbiology, the Food and Drug Administration, and physicians everywhere, regular and proper washing can prevent people from both receiving and passing on bacteria that cause illnesses, from single infections to severe gastrointestinal disorders and death.  
         [0009]     Yet, no matter how much hand washing is stressed, as for example with signs stating “Wash Hands before Leaving Rest Room”, people still fail to properly sanitize their hands; a fact that is further exacerbated when soap and water are inaccessible due to time restraints or location. As a result, many methods, formulations and apparatus have been devised to help remedy the problem. Such methods, range from the very simple to the very complex.  
         [0010]     For example, gel or liquid hand sanitizing formulas have been developed as the best bet away from the wash basin. Typically, they are packaged in durable, portable purse or pocket size containers, such as tubes or pumps. They don&#39;t replace hand washing. Rather, they provide quick disinfecting when soap and water are not available.  
         [0011]     Other examples are the following: hand sanitizing stations using germicidal gels or foams and equipped with infrared, detector-activated, pressurized spray devices designed to spray fluids and readily irrigate, in a fully automated manner, the entire surface of the hands with a special disinfecting fluid, as disclosed in European Patent Application No. 0567678A1 to Mongkol on Nov. 3, 1993; devices for electrostatic spraying of relatively low resistivity liquids such as aqueous and alcohol based liquids as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,067 issued to Jeffries, et. al.; and devices which use at least two electrostatic emitters to dispense germicidal fluid to substantially all the surfaces of a user&#39;s hands, when both hands are placed in proximity to the electrostatic emitters as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,497 issued to Derksing et. al. on Jan. 26, 1999.  
         [0012]     However, none of these methods and apparatus have solved the real problem with sanitizing hands, i.e., people&#39;s failure to clean, wash and sanitize their hands due to constraints of time and location. None of these methods are truly portable and accessible at any time. Little tubs and pumps disappear into the proverbial black holes of bags, drawers, medicine cabinets, pockets and carry-ons. As for the devices disclosed in the prior art patents set forth above, they are just as cumbersome in size, weight, and configuration as other washing and sanitizing mechanisms. Consequently, even though they profess to comprise a solution to the problem, they really do not.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to encourage compliance with hand sanitization requirements by providing a hand sanitizing apparatus and method that is simple, convenient and fast to use.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved hand sanitizing apparatus which is mountable, portable and immediately accessible without regard to time or location.  
         [0015]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sanitizing apparatus and method that is designed to provide for the facile elimination of microbiological pathogens, i.e., germs and bacteria, such as  E. Coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Listeria  and  Staph. Aureus  and thereby the cessation of illnesses and even death due to such illnesses.  
         [0016]     It is still another object of the present invention to encourage people to properly sanitize their hands; irrespective of time restraints or location.  
         [0017]     These and other objects will become readily apparent from the detailed description of the invention and the drawings that follow.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     According to the invention, a hand sanitizing apparatus for applying germicidal agents such as gels, fluids, lotions, creams, ointments or liquid soaps, comprises a relatively rigid, hard inflexible body having a chamber. The chamber functions as a reservoir to hold and store the germicidal agent. The body further comprises an entry port, an exit port, means for mounting the dispenser practically everywhere and anywhere, a dome shaped button which when pressed dispenses an appropriate dose of the germicidal agent, and two check valves, one which permits the refilling of the reservoir through the entry port via a special nozzle, but which does not allow the germicidal agent to flow out, once it is placed in the reservoir; and one at the exit port which allows the delivery of the dose of the germicidal agent, but only after physical pressure is actually applied on the dome-shaped button.  
         [0019]     In another embodiment of the invention a hand sanitizing method for applying germicidal agents comprises the steps of filling the reservoir of the dispenser with the germicidal agent using the one-way valve on the top end of the body of the dispenser via a special nozzle; mounting and securing the dispenser on a belt, bag, folder, etc; carrying the dispenser to whatever site the dispenser may be needed; and while the dispenser is still mounted and secured or after removing the dispenser from the belt, bag or folder, pressing on the dome-shaped button to deliver a predetermined dosage of germicidal agent. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent identical elements and wherein:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a summary of views of one embodiment of the inventive portable and mountable germicidal agent dispenser made and used in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of one embodiment of the inventive portable and mountable germicidal agent dispenser made and used in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the inventive portable and mountable germicidal agent dispenser shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  is another side of the inventive portable and mountable germicidal agent dispenser shown in  FIG. 2 , showing the hooking means by which the dispenser is mounted and supported;  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional side view of the inventive portable and mountable dispenser taken along line A-A of  FIG. 3  and showing part of the dome shaped button;  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is a detailed, close-up side view of the inventive portable and mountable germicidal agent dispenser taken along circle C of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of the inventive portable and mountable dispenser taken along line B-B of  FIG. 4  showing the internal configuration of the inventive dispenser&#39;s reservoir, entry port and exit port;  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is another side view of the inventive portable and mountable germicidal agent dispenser shown in  FIG. 2 , showing the exit port;  
         [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the inventive portable and mountable germicidal agent dispenser of  FIGS. 2-8 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the inventive portable and mountable germicidal agent dispenser of  FIG. 9  showing the entrance port;  
         [0031]      FIG. 11  is a perspective of the dome shaped button of the inventive portable and mountable germicidal agent dispenser;  
         [0032]      FIG. 12  is a side view of the dome shaped button of  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 13  is another side view of the dome shaped button of  FIG. 11 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 14  is a cross-section side view of the dome shape button of  FIG. 13  taken along line E-E; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 15  is a detailed cross-section side view of the outer perimeter of the dome shaped button of  FIG. 13  taken along circle F of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0036]      FIGS. 16-27  represent an alternate embodiment of the inventive portable, mountable germicidal agent dispenser. 
     
    
     List of Elements and their Respective Identifying Numerals  
       [0037]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 NO 
                 ELEMENT 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 10 
                 hand sanitizing apparatus 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 germicidal agent 
               
               
                   
                 14 
                 body 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 top end 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 bottom end 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 first side 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 second side 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 reservoir 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 mounting means 
               
               
                   
                 26A 
                 first arm 
               
               
                   
                 26B 
                 second arm 
               
               
                   
                 26C 
                 elbow 
               
               
                   
                 26D 
                 radius hook 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 orifice 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 dome shaped stopper or plug 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 flange 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 channel, groove or notch 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 Entry port 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 first cylindrical partial bore 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 filling or intake valve 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 Exit port 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 second cylindrical partial bore 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 output or exit valve 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0038]     The present invention is generally set forth in  FIG. 1 . It is a hand sanitizing apparatus  10  for dispensing and applying a germicidal agent such as a gel, fluid, lotion, cream, ointment or liquid soap  12 . It comprises a body  14 , having a top end  16 , a bottom end  18 , a first side  20 , a second side  22  and a reservoir  24 .  
         [0039]     The body  14  is of a solid, hard construction. It cannot be squeezed. It is rigid. It is not pliable, flexible or resilient. It is constructed or molded from conventional metallic or thermoplastic materials, or both, via conventional thermoplastic molding processes, such as injection molding, vacuum molding and the like. Its overall dimensions, i.e., its height, length, and width, are only limited by the application in connection with which the dispenser will be used. However, for general use by the public at large, the preferred shape and dimensions are such that they do not detract from the desired mountability, portability, and accessibility of the dispensing device, at any time or any location. Preferably, the dimensions of the device should approximate those of a relatively large, classic type “beeper” device.  
         [0040]     The body  14  is equipped with a chamber or reservoir  24 . The reservoir is designed to receive and store germicidal agents such as gels, fluids, lotions, creams, ointments or liquid soaps. The dimensions of the reservoir  24 , just like the dimensions of the body, can vary from very small to quite large, depending on the application. For purposes of general use, however, the internal volume of the reservoir  24  is not more than 100 cubic centimeters, and preferably between 10 and 50 cubic centimeters. Such volume keeps the dispenser relatively small, light, easy to transport, easy to mount and capable of rapid filling and emptying. Furthermore, by virtue of its small volume and size, it maintains the dispenser&#39;s portability and mountability characteristics, even when filled to capacity with a germicidal agent, without defeating its intended use for the delivery of the germicidal agent to the end user.  
         [0041]     The body  14 , as set forth above, has a first side  20  and a second side  22 . The first side  20  is provided with a mounting means  26  designed for hooking, mounting and maintaining the dispenser on anything capable of being hooked, as for example on a belt holding up a pair of trousers, on a waste band of a skirt, on a purse strap, on a bag handle, on the edge of an open bag, on the edge of a binder, of the edge of a pocket, on a carry one, etc.  
         [0042]     The mounting means  26  can comprise a single generally L-shaped member of the same type of material as the body  14 . The L-shaped member can be integrally molded as a single unitary piece with the body  14  for more strength and rigidity. Alternatively, it can be attached directly to the first side  20  of the body  14 , after the body is molded. The means of attachment of the L-shaped member  26  to the body can be any suitable thermoplastic adhesive and/or heat.  
         [0043]     As the term generally implies the L-shaped member  26  has a first arm  26 A and a second arm  26 B. However, the two arms  26 A and  26 B are not joined at a perfect right angle. Rather they are joined by a slightly rounded elbow  26 C at an angle slightly less than ninety degrees.  
         [0044]     The first arm  26 A is shorter in length than the second arm  26 B. It is integrally molded or attached to the first side  20  of the body by its end opposite the elbow  26 C. In turn the longer arm  26 B&#39;s end, which is also opposite the elbow  26 C is slightly curved to form a very small radius hook  26 D. The rigidity of the thermoplastic material used to form the L-shaped member  26 , the length of the first arm  26 A, the length of the second arm  26 B, the point of attachment of the first arm  26 A to the body  14  together with the elbow  26 C and the less than ninety (90) degree angle formed by the first arm, the second arm and the elbow, resiliently bias the long second arm  26 B towards the body  14 . Such resilient bias together with the radius hook  26 D work together with the body  14  to form a clipping type mechanism that is not only flexible enough to allow the mounting of the dispenser on anything with an edge, but is strong enough to allow the continued support and mobility of the dispenser anywhere.  
         [0045]     Alternatively, the mounting means  26  does not comprise an L-shaped member. Rather it comprises a single flexible belt fixedly attached at its midpoint on the first side  20  of the body  14 , thereby leaving its terminal ends free and available for mounting the dispenser anywhere the terminal ends can be wrapped and tied around. The mounting means  26  can also comprise two belts of equal length, placed end to end in series, and whose ends adjacent to each other are adhered and fixed either by glue or heat on the first side  20  of the body  14 . The belts are preferably manufactured out of vinyl coated nylon, which affords extraordinary strength and flexibility. The terminal ends of the belt(s) that are free and opposite the adhesion point on the first side  20  of the body  14  can be further provided with a conventional hook and loops fastener or closure connection, such as that sold under the trademark VELCRO®. Specifically, one terminal end of the belt(s) is equipped with a first portion of the VELCRO® fastener, i.e. the hook portion, and the other terminal end of the belt(s) is equipped with the second portion of the VELCRO® fastener, i.e. the loop portion. The location of the VELCRO® portions on the terminal free ends is such that when the two belt ends are wrapped around the item on which the dispenser will be mounted, they overlap to allow the VELCRO® portions to face each other and engage to permit a mechanical interlocking which results in the holding of the dispenser in place securely, until such time as the belt ends are manually disengaged.  
         [0046]     The belts could be of fixed length or in the alternative could be equipped with buckles capable of adjusting the belts&#39; length. As a result, the mounting means is not only flexible but it is also adjustable and capable of allowing the inventive dispenser to be mounted and secured just about anywhere the belts can wrap around, i.e., a belt, a purse strap, a back pack strap, a pipe, a golf club, a tennis racket, bicycle handlebars, a steering wheel a baby carriage, a rail, etc. The applications are limited only by the user&#39;s imagination.  
         [0047]     The second side  22  of the body  14  is opposite to the mounting means-bearing, first side  20 . The second side  22  is provided with an orifice  28  which bores through the wall of the second side  22  and into the reservoir  24 , thereby connecting and exposing the reservoir  24  to the outside. The wall thickness of the second side is not uniform. Rather, the overall thickness of the wall of the second side tapers from a larger thickness to a lesser thickness in the wall area defining the outer perimeter of the orifice  28 , i.e., the diameter of the orifice  28 .  
         [0048]     Inserted into the orifice  28  and sealing the reservoir from the outside, is a dome-shaped stopper or plug  30 . The stopper or plug is a one-piece, molded, relatively soft, relatively pliable rubber structure, of substantially short length. Its outer surface is substantially cylindrically shaped, having a slightly domed upper end and a lower end. At its upper domed end, the plug or stopper  30  slopes down and is tapered into a radially outwardly extending flange  32 , i.e., a rim. Below the rim, between the plug&#39;s rim and the plug&#39;s lower end, the plug bears a groove, a notch or a channel  34 . Alternatively, the lower end of the plug may be provided with a molded bead which then serves to define a notch or a groove between it and the rim. As the bottom end of the plug is pushed through the orifice, the tapered edge of the second side wall forming the outer diameter of the orifice  28  slips into the notch or groove or channel snap fitting the plug into the orifice and locking it into place to effectively seal the reservoir. The bottom side of the plug&#39;s rim in turn couples with the tapered-wall, orifice-diameter-defining edge of the second side  22  such that the rim and the wall are flush with each other further effectively sealing the reservoir. However, in view of the fact that the plug is slightly domed, the plug now forms a button on the outer surface of the second side  22  that is still easy to feel and because of its pliability it is easy to press. It is this pressure that serves to force the germicidal agent out of the dispenser. It must be noted that while the plug is sufficiently resilient so as to allow the dispensing of the germicidal agent, it is still sufficiently rigid as to prevent the accidental release of the agent when the plug-or button is accidentally or unintentionally actuated.  
         [0049]     In addition to the first and second sides, the body  14  also has a top end  16  and a bottom end  18 . The top end is equipped with an entry port  36  comprising a recessed integrally molded, cylindrical partial bore  38  and a filling or intake valve  40 . The bore has an upper, open end and a lower closed end. The bore extends into the body  14  vertically, i.e., along a y-axis, and protrudes right into the reservoir  24 . However because it is only a partial bore, i.e. its lower end is closed, it does not expose the reservoir to the outside. Rather its closed lower end acts as a receiving base for the mounting of the filling or intake valve  40 . The filling or intake valve  40  is the only means by which the reservoir  24  can be refilled with germicidal agent. Preferably, the valve has a nozzle which extends upward from the lower closed end of the cylindrical bore but not above the upper open end of the bore; certainly not beyond the upper surface of the top end  16 . The germicidal agent  12  is introduced into the reservoir  24  through this filling valve  40 . It is introduced via a specially made nozzle which can be connected to a gel supply container on the one hand and fitted and coupled to the filling or intake valve  40  on the other. As pressure is applied to squeeze the supply container, the germicidal agent  12  flows from the supply container into the reservoir  24 . When the reservoir  24  is filled and the supply bottle with its accompanying nozzle is disengaged and removed from the filling valve  40 , the germicidal agent is prevented from flowing out of the entry port  36  by virtue of the physical, “check valve” characteristics of the filling or intake valve  40 . Preferably, the valve used in the germicidal dispenser is a silicone valve having an ABS housing, an outer diameter of 0.124″ at both ends and capable of withstanding a CP of up to 0.142 psi.  
         [0050]     The side wall of the bottom end  18  is equipped with an exit port  42  comprising a second, recessed, integrally molded, cylindrical partial bore  44  and an output or exit valve  46 . The bore has a first, open end and a second closed end. The bore extends along the body horizontally, i.e. along an x-axis, extending and protruding right into the body&#39;s reservoir  24 . However, because it is an incomplete or partial bore, i.e., its second end is closed, it does not expose the reservoir to the outside. Rather, its closed second end acts as a receiving base for the mounting of the output or exit valve  46 .  
         [0051]     The output or exit valve  46  is the only means by which the reservoir  24  can be emptied. The output or exit valve  46  has a nozzle which extends horizontally from the second closed end of the cylindrical bore but stays below the first open end of the bore; certainly does not extend beyond the outer surface of the side wall of the bottom end  18 . The germicidal agent exits the reservoir  24  through the output valve when the plug or button  30  is pressed. As the germicidal agent is pushed out the exit valve  46 , air is pulled into the reservoir  24  through the intake valve  40  to fill the void left behind by the dispensed gel, thereby making the dispensing easy and smooth. When the germicidal agent is dispensed, the germicidal agent is prevented from flowing out of the exit port, by virtue of the physical, “check valve” characteristics of the output or exit valve  46 .  
         [0052]     Preferably the output or exit valve  46  used in the germicidal dispenser is a silicone valve having a PC housing, capable of fitting 0.105″ O.D. tubing at both ends and capable of withstanding a CP of up to 0.433 psi.  
         [0053]     The method of using the inventive dispenser set forth above comprises the following steps: (a) filling the reservoir of the dispenser with a germicidal agent such as gels, fluids, lotions, creams, ointments or liquid soaps using the filling or intake valve on the top end of the body; (b) mounting and securing the dispenser on a belt, a bag, a folder, etc; (c) carrying the dispenser to whatever site the dispenser may be needed; (d) if and when the germicidal agent is needed, pressing on the plug button to deliver a predetermined dosage of gel, i.e., 1 to 2 cc; and (e) rubbing hands together to distribute the germicidal agent all over the surface of the hands, in order for the gel to kill the bacteria and evaporate leaving a clean feeling on the hands.  
         [0054]     An alternate embodiment of the inventive dispenser described here in above is generally set forth in  FIGS. 16 through 26 . As can be seen from the figures the only difference between the first embodiment described here in above and the second alternate embodiment set forth in Figures is the shape and location of both the orifice  28  and the dome-shaped stopper or plug  30 .  
         [0055]     In the alternate embodiment the orifice is not located on the second side  22  of the body  14 . Rather, the orifice is found at the top end  16  of the body  14 , opposite the entry port  36 . The alternate embodiment&#39;s orifice  28  bores through the wall of the top end  16  and into the reservoir  24 , thereby connecting and exposing the reservoir  24  to the outside. Furthermore, the overall thickness of the wall of the top end  16  tapers from a larger thickness to a lesser thickness in the wall area defining the outer perimeter of the orifice  28 , i.e., the diameter of the orifice  28 .  
         [0056]     Inserted into the orifice  28  and sealing the reservoir from the outside, is a dome-shaped stopper or plug  30 . The stopper or plug is a one-piece, molded, relatively soft, relatively pliable rubber structure, of substantially short length. Its outer surface is shaped to accommodate its location on the top end  16 , having a slightly domed upper end and a lower end. At its upper domed end, the plug or stopper  30  slopes down and is tapered into a radially outwardly extending flange  32 , i.e., a rim. Below the rim, between the plug&#39;s rim and the plug&#39;s lower end, the plug bears a groove, a notch or a channel  34 . Alternatively, the lower end of the plug may be provided with a molded bead which then serves to define a notch or a groove between it and the rim. As the bottom end of the plug is pushed through the orifice, the tapered edge of the second side wall forming the outer diameter of the orifice  28  slips into the notch or groove or channel snap fitting the plug into the orifice and locking it into place to effectively seal the reservoir. The bottom side of the plug&#39;s rim in turn couples with the tapered-wall, orifice-diameter-defining edge of the second side  22  such that the rim and the wall are flush with each other further effectively sealing the reservoir. However, in view of the fact that the plug is slightly domed, the plug now forms a button that extends beyond the outer surface of the top end  16  that is still easy to feel and because of its pliability it is easy to press. It is this pressure that serves to force the germicidal agent out of the dispenser. It must be noted that while the plug is sufficiently resilient so as to allow the dispensing of the germicidal agent, it is still sufficiently rigid as to prevent the accidental release of the agent when the plug or button is accidentally or unintentionally actuated.  
         [0057]     The embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art, both within and without the area of food preparation and serving, will readily recognize various modifications and changes, which may be made to the present invention without strictly following the exemplary embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein and without departing from the true scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

Technology Category: 1