COMBINATION CLOSURE FOR FACIAL MASK/COVERING AND ANTIMICROBIAL PRODUCT

Abstract

A portable dispensing apparatus including a first container including a first container interior compartment that opens to a first end of the first container, a second container that detachably connects via a connection structure disposed at a first end of the second container to the first end of the first container, the second container including a second container interior compartment with a second container opening at a second end of the second container that is opposite to the first end of the second container, and a cap structure that detachably connects to the second end of the second container to seal the second container opening.

Claims

1. A portable dispensing apparatus for a face mask and an antimicrobial product, the portable dispensing apparatus comprising: a first container including a first container interior compartment that opens to a first end of the first container; a second container that detachably connects, via a connection structure disposed at a first end of the second container, to the first end of the first container, the second container including a second container interior compartment with a second container opening at a second end of the second container that is opposite the first end of the second container; and a cap structure that detachably connects to the second end of the second container to seal the second container opening.

2. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cap independently detaches from the second container while the second container remains connected to the first container, and wherein the second container independently detaches from the first container while the cap remains connected to the second container.

3. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second container further includes a pressure-receiving surfaces configured to activate, via an applied pressure, to dispense a content of the second container interior compartment through the second container opening.

4. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the pressure-receiving surface includes: an inner wall that is flexible in a direction inward of the second container; and an outer wall formed on an outer side of the inner wall and that is flexible in a direction inward of the second container.

5. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inner wall is activated by the applied pressure to the outer wall and an inner side of the outer wall contacting an outer side of the inner wall and pushing the inner wall in the direction inward of the second container.

6. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein indentations are formed by the inner wall and have a maximum depth in a region of a middle of the second container.

7. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall are formed into 180-degree opposite sides of the second container.

8. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein a gripping indentation is formed by a combination of the pressure-receiving surface on the second container.

9. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cap structure comprises: a cap that attaches to the second end of the second container; and a cover that attaches to the cap and that seals the second container opening.

10. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein a second end of the first container includes an attachment with an opening for at least one of a carabiner mechanism and a keyring.

11. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an O-ring provided between at least one of: the connection structure of the second container and a wall of the first container; and the second container and the cap.

12. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection structure comprises: a flexible component; a first sidewall portion connected to the flexible component; a second sidewall portion connected to the first sidewall portion; and a third sidewall portion connected to the second sidewall portion.

13. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first end of the first container interior compartment includes a contact surface that contacts the third sidewall portion when the first container and the second container are connected.

14. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 12, wherein the third sidewall portion is curved and extends from the first end of the second container towards the second container interior compartment.

15. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the third sidewall portion constrains a distal end of the first end of the first container.

16. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the second sidewall portion protrudes further inward from the third sidewall portion towards the second container interior compartment and has a parabolic shape with an apex facing towards a distal end of the first end of the first container.

17. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first sidewall portion extends from the second sidewall portion in a parabolic shape opposite to the shape of the second sidewall portion such that an apex of the first sidewall portion is pointed outward away from the second container interior compartment.

18. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 17, wherein a diameter at the apex of the first sidewall portion is greater than a diameter of the first container interior compartment of the first container.

19. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 18, wherein the flexible component has a spring-like property that allows the first sidewall portion to expand or contract diametrically to fit into the first container.

20. The portable dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first container and the second container comprise a thermoplastic elastomer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Aspects of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0016] FIGS. 1-4 exemplarily depict a front view, a side view, a top view, and a perspective view of the portable dispensing apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment;

[0017] FIG. 5 exemplarily depicts a cross-sectional view of the portable dispensing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 6 exemplarily depicts a cross-sectional view of the perspective view of FIG. 4 according to the first embodiment;

[0019] FIGS. 7-8 exemplarily depict a blown-out view of the front view and the perspective view of the portable dispensing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment;

[0020] FIGS. 9a-9e exemplarily depict a top view, a front view, a side view, a perspective view, and a cross-sectional view of the first container 1 according to the first embodiment;

[0021] FIGS. 10a-10e exemplarily depict a top view, a front view, a side view, a perspective view, and a cross-sectional view of the second container 2 according to the first embodiment;

[0022] FIGS. 11a-11b exemplarily depict an enlarged view of a connection between the first container 1 and the second container 2 according to the first embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 12 exemplarily depicts a front view of the portable dispensing apparatus 200 according to a second embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 13 exemplarily depicts a cross-sectional view of the portable dispensing apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 14 exemplarily depicts a front view of the portable dispensing apparatus 300 according to a third embodiment;

[0026] FIG. 15 exemplarily depicts an interior view of the portable dispensing apparatus 300 according to the third embodiment;

[0027] FIG. 16 exemplarily depicts a front view of the portable dispensing apparatus 400 according to a fourth embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 17 exemplarily depicts an interior view of the portable dispensing apparatus 400 according to the fourth embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 18 exemplarily depicts a front view of the portable dispensing apparatus 500 according to a fifth embodiment; and

[0030] FIG. 19 exemplarily depicts an interior view of the portable dispensing apparatus 500 according to the fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-19, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not necessarily to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features can be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

[0032] Hereinafter, some example embodiments of the technology will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that the following description is directed to illustrative examples of the disclosure and not to be construed as limiting to the technology. In each of the drawings referred to in the following description, elements have different scales in order to illustrate the respective elements with sizes recognizable in the drawings. Therefore, factors including, without limitation, the number of each of the elements, the shape of each of the elements, a size of each of the elements, a ratio between the elements, and relative positional relationship between the elements are illustrative only and not to be construed as limiting to the technology. Further, elements in the following example embodiments which are not recited in a most-generic independent claim of the disclosure are optional and may be provided on an as-needed basis. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially identical functional configurations are given identical reference characters, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0033] By way of introduction of portable dispensing apparatus 100 depicted in FIG. 1, the invention includes a personal on-the-go combination closure of a portable dispensing apparatus with two containersone for a face mask/covering and one for hand sanitizer or cleansing/sanitizing wipes.

[0034] It is noted that face mask, facial covering, protective wear, etc. are used interchangeably. A face mask protects a wearer against a spread of an infectious disease.

[0035] Similarly, hand sanitizer, gel hand sanitizer, an isopropyl alcohol, antimicrobial product, a liquid are used interchangeably.

[0036] More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 1-4, the portable dispensing apparatus 100 includes a first container 1 having a first end 15 and a second end 16, a first end 25 of a second container 2 is connected to the first end 15 of the first container 1, a cap 4 that attaches to a second end 26 (i.e., an other end) of the second container 2, and the cap 4 includes a cover 5 that seals a hand sanitizer dispenser opening 9 of the second container 2.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 4-6, the second container 2 includes an interior compartment 8 used to store a hand sanitizer liquid 11 (i.e., gel hand sanitizer, an isopropyl alcohol, antimicrobial product, a liquid, etc.) when pressure is applied to a pressure-receiving surface 6 of the second container 2.

[0038] The cap 4 has the cover 5 that seals the opening 9 when closed (i.e., when attached to the second end 26 of the second container 2). It is noted that the cover 5 is integrally manufactured with the cap 4 such that the cap/cover (i.e., a cap/cover unit 45) are one unit and screwed on to the second end 26 of the first container 2 (as discussed later). However, in one embodiment, the cover 5 may be attached (for example, hingedly attached) to the cap 4 by a hinge mechanism (not shown) such that the cover 5 may be popped open remaining attached to the cap 4 by the hinge and then snapped back into an attachment state with the cover 4. The cover 5 may prevent a leakage of the liquid 11 from the portable dispensing apparatus 100 when the pressure-receiving surface 6 is activated inadvertently while carrying the portable apparatus.

[0039] The first container 1 includes an interior compartment 7 used to store a face mask/facial covering 10 and is accessed when separated from the second container 2 (i.e., as shown in FIGS. 7-8). That is, the first end 15 is open and the first container 1 is hollow having the interior compartment 7 therein.

[0040] The second end 16 of first container 1 includes an attachment 3 with an opening for a carabiner mechanism/keyring. It is noted that although the attachment 3 depicts a loop for attaching to a keychain or the like, the invention is not limited thereto and may include different types of attachments located at a top of the first container 1 for attaching to different carrying devices (i.e., a backpack, keychain, belt, etc.). For example, in one embodiment, a clip may be provided in place of the attachment 3 to clip to a person/object. Alternatively, no attachment may be provided at the end of the first container 1 (e.g., such as in other embodiments discussed later).

[0041] Indeed, the first embodiment as depicted in FIGS. 1-11b depicts the portable dispensing apparatus 100 of which an exterior appears as a two-unit cylindrical pod including the first container 1 and the second container 2, in which the first container 1 and the second container 2 are separable.

[0042] With reference to FIGS. 6, 10b, 10d, and 10e, the pressure-receiving surfaces 6 are shown in detail. The second container 2 includes the pressure-receiving surfaces 6 that are formed via an inner wall 27 that is flexible in a direction inward of the second container 2 (shown by arrow in FIG. 6) and the inner wall 27 is activated by a pressure applied by a user on an outer wall 28. That is, indentations are formed by the inner wall 27 and have a maximum depth in the region of a middle of the second container. The inner wall 27 and the outer wall 28 are formed into a left side and a right side of the second container 2. A gripping indentation is formed by the combination of the pressure-receiving surfaces 6 on the second container 2. In gripping the second container 2 with a right hand a person would place their thumb into the outer wall 28 on the left side and one or more fingers of the same hand being placed within outer wall 28 on the right side. By applying a pressure (P) in the directions of the arrows, the liquid 11 is caused to exit via the opening 9. Therefore, the liquid 11 stored in the second container 2 may be dispensed easily from the second container 2 via the opening 9.

[0043] FIGS. 7-8 show a blown-out front view and a blown-out perspective view of the portable dispensing apparatus 100. As shown, the first container 1 may be disconnected from the second container 2 by pulling the first container 1 upward (i.e., a direction of the arrow 70B). This upward motion disconnects the first end 15 of the first container 1 from the first end 25 of the second container 2. When in a disconnected state, the face mask 10 may be accessed from the interior compartment 7 of the first container 1.

[0044] Similarly, the cap/cover unit 45 may be disconnected from the second end 26 of the second container 2 by pulling on the second container 2 in a direction indicated by the arrow 70A such that a user may activate the pressure-receiving surfaces 6 to dispense the liquid 11 from the opening 9 of the second container. The cap/cover unit 45 is shown in FIGS. 7-8 as a screw on unit. That is, the second end 26 of the second container 2 includes threads 22T which are screwed into the cap/cover unit 45.

[0045] Indeed, the portable dispensing apparatus 100 includes a three-part apparatus (first container 1, second container 2, cap/cover unit 45) that are each connected/disconnected from each other. Further, it is noted that the second container 2 may remain connected to the first container 1 while the cap cover 5 or cap/cover unit 45 are removed. That is, a user may only desire to dispense liquid 11 from the opening 9 of the second container 2 or refill liquid 11 into the interior compartment 8 of the second container 2 while not requiring access to the interior compartment 7 of the first container 1. On the other hand, the cap/cover unit 45 may also remain connected to the second container 2 while the user disconnects/connects the first container 1 from the second container 2 for access to the face mask 10.

[0046] Thus, the portable dispensing apparatus 100 provides an intuitive connection system between the three parts such that access may be provided to the face mask 10 and the liquid 11 either at a same time or separately. This novel connection between the three units also ensures that a user may utilize the liquid 11 to rid themselves of particles related to a virus before touching their face mask 10 by keeping the face mask 10 in a clean environment (i.e., the interior 7) after the user sanitizes.

[0047] With regard to the connectivity between the first container 1 and the second container 2, a low cost, easy to manufacture, and easy to use connection structure 50 is detailed in FIGS. 11a-11b.

[0048] The connection structure 50 includes a flexible component 51, a first sidewall portion 52, a second sidewall portion 53, and a third sidewall portion 54. The connection structure further includes a contact surface 55.

[0049] In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 11a-11b, the second container 2 includes the third sidewall portion 54 extending from the first end 25 of the second container 2 in a curved manner towards the interior compartment 8. The third sidewall portion 54 acts as a stopper to constraint a distal end 15a of the first end 15 of the first container 1. The second sidewall portion 53 protrudes further inward from the third sidewall portion 54 towards the interior compartment 8 and has a parabolic shape with an apex facing towards the distal end 15a. The first sidewall portion 52 extends from the second sidewall portion 53 in a parabolic shape opposite to the shape of the second sidewall portion 53 such that an apex of the first sidewall portion 52 is pointed outward towards a wall of the first container 1.

[0050] A diameter at the apex of the first sidewall portion 52 is greater than a diameter of the interior compartment 7 of the first container 1. Thereby, when the first container 1 and the second container 2 are connected, the first sidewall portion 52 is forced to reduce in diameter between the apex to fit into the first container 1 and then expand applying a force to the contact surface 55 to lock the first container 1 to the second container 2. The flexible component 51 has a spring-like property allowing the first sidewall portion 52 to expand/contract diametrically to fit into the first container 1. Further, the wall of the first container 1 is flexible in that when the first container 1 is slid onto and connected with the second container 2, the wall of the first container 1 flexes over the first sidewall portion 52 to provide a resistance force to keep the two containers attached.

[0051] Thus, in a disconnected state, a bottom most point 51a of the flexible component 51 to the second end 26 is greater than a distance of the bottom most point 51a to the second end 26 in a connected state. The flexible portion 51 acts as the engagement force to push the third sidewall portion 54 into the contact surface 55.

[0052] Further, O-rings may be used to make the connection as watertight as possible. For example, an O-ring could be provided between the distal end 15a and the second sidewall portion 53.

[0053] Accordingly, in a preferable embodiment, the first and second containers are made out of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material with an antimicrobial agent added thereto during the manufacturing to allow for a stronger connection between the containers. In one embodiment, the material is selected so that the apparatus 100 can be flexible and a user could be put in a pocket and be comfortable to carry.

[0054] Indeed, although TPE is a preferred embodiment because TPE is generally considered cost-efficient and easy to manufacture, a silicone product or other material can be used. That is, the invention can be made of several different materials that have similar properties to TPE.

[0055] In general, regarding materials, multiple materials may be used (e.g. silicone, plastic, metal, etc.) to allow for increased or decreased flexibility of the pod. Additives may be used in the materials (e.g. antimicrobial additives, etc.). A sealant or liner may be needed and applied for certain pod materials to prevent corrosion (e.g. metal). That is, the first container 1 and second container 2 may include a sealant or liner.

[0056] Although the first container 1 is generally depicted as larger than the second container 2, the second container 2 may be made larger by a particular factor than the first container 1. For example, some users may desire a portable dispensing apparatus 100 that has a capacity for more hand sanitizer. As a result, the size of the second container 2 may be increased. In one embodiment, the first container 1 and the second container 2 may be equal in length. In another embodiment, the second container 2 may be longer in length than the first container 1.

[0057] In one embodiment, a mesh/perforated vent for the facial covering/mask may be added to one end or to the side of the first container to allow another access point or breathability for the face mask.

[0058] Next, a second embodiment for a portable dispensing apparatus 200 is depicted in FIGS. 12-13. In FIG. 12, an exterior of the portable dispensing apparatus 200 appears as a two-unit cylindrical pod (a first container 201 and a second container 202) in which the two units are separable. The first container 201 includes an attachment with an opening for a carabiner mechanism/keyring 203. A cap 204 attaches to the second container 202 and includes an opening to dispense wipes. The cap 204 has a cover 205 that seals a wipe dispenser opening 208 when closed.

[0059] In FIG. 13, the portable dispensing apparatus 200 is comprised of two main units that are separable and attach together to appear as a cylindrical pod (the first container 201 and the second container 202). The first container 201 includes an interior compartment 206 used to store a face mask/facial covering and is accessed when separated from the second container 202.

[0060] The first container 201 includes an attachment with an opening for a carabiner mechanism/keyring 203. The second container 202 includes an interior compartment 207 used to store cleansing/sanitizing wipes. A cap 204 attaches to the wipe storage component of the second container 202 and includes an opening 208 to dispense wipes. Removal of the cap 204 allows the wipe storage container 207 to be refilled. The cap 204 has a cover 205 that seals the wipe dispenser opening 208. That is, the cover 205 may be removed to dispense the wipes while the entire cap 204 and cover 205 may be removed to refill the wipes.

[0061] A third embodiment for a portable dispensing apparatus 300 is depicted in FIGS. 14-15. In FIG. 14, the exterior of the portable dispensing apparatus 300 as a cylindrical pod 301 with caps (302, 304) on each end. One cap 302 attaches to the cylindrical pod 301 and includes an attachment with an opening for a carabiner mechanism/keyring 303. The other cap 304 attaches to 301 and dispenses a liquid or gel hand sanitizer or wipes.

[0062] FIG. 15 depicts an interview view of the portable dispensing apparatus 300. The portable dispensing apparatus 300 includes the cylindrical pod 301 which has an interior that is broken into a first container 305 and a second container 306. The first container 305 may store a face mask/facial covering, and the second container 306 may store hand sanitizer or cleansing/sanitizing wipes. The two containers (305, 306) are completely separated by a barrier 307 so that a liquid from the second container 306 cannot leak into the first container 305. A top of the portable dispensing apparatus 300 has a cap 302 that includes an attachment with an opening for a carabiner mechanism/keyring 303. The bottom of the portable dispensing apparatus 300 has a cap 304 that dispenses a liquid or gel hand sanitizer or wipes.

[0063] A fourth embodiment for a portable dispensing apparatus 400 is depicted in FIGS. 16-17. In FIG. 16, an exterior of the portable dispensing apparatus 400 appears as a two-unit cylindrical pod (401, 402) in which a first container 401 and a second container 402 are separable. A cap 403 attaches to the first container 401 and includes an attachment with an opening for a carabiner mechanism/keyring 404. A cap 405 is attached to the second container 402 and dispenses a liquid or gel hand sanitizer or wipes.

[0064] FIG. 17 depicts an interior view of the portable dispensing apparatus 400. The first container 401 includes a storage container 406 that may store a face mask/facial covering. A top of the first container 401 has a cap 403 that includes an attachment with an opening for a carabiner mechanism/keyring 404.

[0065] The second container 402 detaches from the first container 401 and includes a storage container 407 that may store hand sanitizer. A cap 405 attaches to an end of the second container 402 and dispenses a liquid or gel hand sanitizer or wipes.

[0066] FIGS. 18-19 exemplarily depict a fifth embodiment for a portable dispensing apparatus 500. The portable dispensing apparatus 500 depicts in FIGS. 18-19 is identical to that of the first embodiment expect that it does not include the pressure-receiving surface. Such a modification is cheaper and easier to manufacture than the first embodiment. The liquid may be dispensed via a shaking action instead of a squeezing action, or via a pump or spray mechanism.

[0067] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0068] Further, Applicant's intent is to encompass the equivalents of all claim elements, and no amendment to any claim of the present application should be construed as a disclaimer of any interest in or right to an equivalent of any element or feature of the amended claim.