Hand sterilizing apparatus and method

• US 20040138631A1
• Filed: 01/10/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Penncreek Corporation
• Original Assignee: William Anthony Harper
• Inventors: Harper, William Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,285,114 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/290
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/80 Implements for cleaning or washing the skin of surgeons or patients

Abstract

This invention relates to devices and a method promoting the convenient use of hand sterilizing fluids and gels applied to reduce the hand-borne transmission of pathogens. While clean, disinfected hands are widely recognized as a principle means for controlling the spread of infections, disease, and similar health problems to both self and others, the prompt and repeated application of such materials as soap and water or waterless alcohol gels is necessary for maintaining a sanitary hand condition. This is particularly true for nurses, health care providers, veterinarians, elementary teachers, food handlers and others where rapid and continuous movement between patients, clients and tasks provides optimum conditions for cross-contamination. This invention of a convenient, wrist-mounted dispenser of hand sterilizing fluids in a blister package format advances the use of such materials to effectively control the spread of hand-borne pathogens.

Claims

1. A disposable dispenser package designed to be worn on the wrist, comprising:

at least one flexible blister well adapted to retain and preserve a single application amount of hand sanitizing fluid, a relatively stiff and impervious backing placed in a sealing arrangement with said blister well,

and said flexible blister well releases retained said hand sanitizing fluid when sufficient purposeful pressure means is applied to the surface of said flexible blister well.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of blisters.

3. The package of claim 2 wherein the number of blisters is typically between 2 and 16.

4. The package of claim 1 wherein the said amount of said sanitizing fluid in each blister is typically 0.5 to 5 milliliters.

5. The package of claim 1 further comprising a wrist strapping device.

6. The package of claim 5 wherein said wrist strapping device is attached by means of an adhesive.

7. The package of claim 5 wherein said wrist strapping device is attached by means selected from a closure group consisting of buckles, buttons, clasps, fasteners, loops, magnets, pins, rivets, screws, twists, ties, Velcro and combinations thereof.

8. The package of claim 1 wherein the wearer applies said purposeful pressure means by finger or thumb.

9. The package of claim 1 wherein said blister is shape in a geometric form selected from a group comprising a circular ring, cone, cube, cylinder, disc, ellipsoid, frustum, hemisphere, oval, paraboloid, prism, pyramid, rectangular prism, spheroid and partial combinations thereof.

10. The package of claim 1 wherein said blister releases said sanitizing fluid at a predetermined point.

11. The package of claim 10 wherein said predetermined point is formed by rupturing a weakened area created by design.

12. The package of claim 10 wherein said predetermined point is a self-closing slit or puncture opening.

13. A disposable dispenser package designed to be worn on the wrist, comprising:

one flexible blister well adapted to retain and preserve a multiple application amount of hand sanitizing fluid, a relatively stiff and impervious backing placed in a sealing arrangement with said blister well;

and said flexible blister well releases a portion of the retained said hand sanitizing fluid when sufficient purposeful pressure means is applied to the surface of said flexible blister well.

14. The package of claim 13 wherein the said amount of said sanitizing fluid in the blister is typically 5 to 60 milliliters.

15. The package of claim 13 further comprising a wrist strapping device

16. The package of claim 15 wherein said wrist strapping device is attached by means of an adhesive.

17. The package of claim 15 wherein said wrist strapping device is attached by means selected from a closure group consisting of buckles, buttons, clasps, fasteners, loops, magnets, pins, rivets, screws, twists, ties, Velcro and combinations thereof.

18. The package of claim 13 wherein the wearer applies said purposeful pressure means by finger or thumb.

19. The package of claim 13 wherein said blister is shape in a geometric form selected from a group comprising a circular ring, cone, cube, cylinder, disc, ellipsoid, frustum, hemisphere, oval, paraboloid, prism, pyramid, rectangular prism, spheroid and partial combinations thereof

20. The package of claim 13 wherein said blister releases said sanitizing fluid through a predetermined opening in the blister'"'"'s surface.

21. The package of claim 20 wherein said predetermined opening is a valve.

22. The package of claim 20 wherein said predetermined opening is a flap valve controlled opening.

23. The package of claim 20 wherein said predetermined opening is a self-closing slit or puncture opening

24. A disposable dispenser package, comprising:

at least one flexible blister well adapted to retain and preserve a single application amount of hand sanitizing fluid, a relatively stiff and impervious backing placed in a sealing arrangement with said blister well;

said flexible blister well releases retained said hand sanitizing fluid when sufficient purposeful pressure means is applied to the surface of said flexible blister well.

and said backing having an attachment means suitable for affixing said package.

25. The package of claim 24 wherein there are a plurality of blisters.

26. The package of claim 25 wherein the number of blisters is typically between 2 and 30.

27. The package of claim 24 wherein the amount of said sanitizing fluid in each said blister is typically 0.5 to 5 milliliters.

28. The package of claim 24 further comprising the aspect of a relatively flat card.

29. The package of claim 24 wherein said attachment means is an adhesive.

30. The package of claim 24 wherein said attachment means is selected from an affixing group consisting of buckles, buttons, clasps, fasteners, loops, magnets, pins, rivets, screws, twists, ties, Velcro and combinations thereof.

31. The package of claim 24 wherein said purposeful pressure means is applied by finger or thumb.

32. The package of claim 24 wherein said blister is shape in a geometric form selected from a group comprising a circular ring, cone, cube, cylinder, disc, ellipsoid, frustum, hemisphere, oval, paraboloid, prism, pyramid, rectangular prism, spheroid and partial combinations thereof

33. The package of claim 24 wherein said blister releases said sanitizing fluid at a predetermined point.

34. The package of claim 33 wherein said predetermined point is formed by rupturing a weakened area created by design.

35. The package of claim 33 wherein said predetermined opening is a self-closing slit or puncture opening.

36. The packaging of claim 24 wherein said backing with said attachment means of an exposed non-permanent adhesive is applied to an identification badge worn around the neck.

37. The packaging of claim 24 wherein said backing with said attachment means of an exposed non-permanent adhesive is applied to worn clothing.

38. The packaging of claim 24 wherein said backing with said attachment means of an exposed non-permanent adhesive is applied to a body part.

39. The package of claim 38 wherein said body part is selected from a group comprising an ankle, forearm, hand, head, leg, neck, torso, wrist and combinations thereof.

40. The packaging of claim 24 wherein said backing with said attachment means of an exposed non-permanent adhesive is applied to an object.

41. The packaging of claim 40 wherein said object is selected from a group comprising a bed, briefcase, cash register, crib, desk, incubator, lunch box, notebook, personal property item, purse, toolbox, vehicle, workstation and combinations thereof

42. A disposable dispenser package, comprising:

one flexible blister well adapted to retain and preserve a multiple application amount of hand sanitizing fluid, a relatively stiff and impervious backing placed in a sealing arrangement with said blister well;

said flexible blister well releases a portion of the retained said hand sanitizing fluid when sufficient purposeful pressure means is applied to the surface of said flexible blister well;

and said backing having an attachment means suitable for affixing said package.

43. The package of claim 42 wherein the amount of said sanitizing fluid in the blister is typically 5 to 60 milliliters.

44. The package of claim 42 further comprising the aspect of a relatively flat card.

45. The package of claim 42 wherein said attachment means is an adhesive.

46. The package of claim 42 wherein said attachment means is selected from an affixing group consisting of buckles, buttons, clasps, fasteners, loops, magnets, pins, rivets, screws, twists, ties, Velcro and combinations thereof.

47. The package of claim 42 wherein said purposeful pressure means is applied by finger or thumb.

48. The package of claim 42 wherein said blister is shape in a geometric form selected from a group comprising a circular ring, cone, cube, cylinder, disc, ellipsoid, frustum, hemisphere, oval, paraboloid, prism, pyramid, rectangular prism, spheroid and partial combinations thereof

49. The package of claim 42 wherein said blister releases said sanitizing fluid through a predetermined opening in the blister'"'"'s surface.

50. The package of claim 49 wherein said predetermined opening is a valve.

51. The package of claim 49 wherein said predetermined opening is a flap valve controlled opening.

52. The package of claim 49 wherein said predetermined opening is a self-closing slit or puncture opening.

53. The packaging of claim 42 wherein said backing with said attachment means of an exposed non-permanent adhesive is applied to an identification badge worn around the neck.

54. The packaging of claim 42 wherein said backing with said attachment means of an exposed non-permanent adhesive is applied to worn clothing.

55. The packaging of claim 42 wherein said backing with said attachment means of an exposed non-permanent adhesive is applied to a body part.

56. The package of claim 55 wherein said body part is selected from a group comprising an ankle, forearm, hand, head, leg, neck, torso, wrist and combinations thereof.

57. The packaging of claim 42 wherein said backing with said attachment means of an exposed non-permanent adhesive is applied to an object.

58. The packaging of claim 57 wherein said object is selected from a group comprising a bed, briefcase, cash register, crib, desk, incubator, lunch box, notebook, personal property item, purse, toolbox, vehicle, workstation and combinations thereof.

59. A method for advancing hand sanitation, comprising:

attaching a package containing hand sanitizing fluid to wrist;

continual reminding wearer of need for hand sanitizing by the visual and tactile cues provided by said package'"'"'s ever present proximity to the hands;

the genuine advantage of the at hand location of said package for immediately and conveniently obtaining an appropriate amount of said hand sanitizing fluid;

and applying said amount of said hand sanitizing fluid to hands.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein the step of being reminded by said visual and tactile cues includes heightening perception of said package by said package'"'"'s color, colors or markings.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein the step of being reminded by said visual and tactile cues includes heightening perception of said package by said package'"'"'s color, colors or markings wherein said markings are selected from a group consisting of advertising messages, call numbers, codes, company names, decorative art, facility names, formulas, instructions, logos, meaningful images, notes, schedules, and combinations thereof.

62. The method of claim 59 wherein the step of being reminded by said visual and tactile cues includes heightening perception of said package by said package'"'"'s weight, form, surface, fit, and combinations thereof.

63. The method of claim 59 wherein the step of being reminded by said visual and tactile cues includes heightening perception of said package by said package emitting steady or flashing reflected light.

64. The method of claim 59 wherein the step of being reminded by said visual and tactile cues includes heightening perception of said package by said package emitting steady or pulsing generated light.

65. The method of claim 59 wherein the step of being reminded by said visual and tactile cues includes heightening perception of said package by said package emitting a vibration or sound.

66. The method of claim 59 wherein the step of being reminded by said visual and tactile cues includes heightening perception by producing said cue on a scheduled, unscheduled, or on demand basis.

67. The method of claim 59 wherein the further step where said package is personal and thus minimizes contamination during and after usage.

68. The method of claim 59 wherein the individual use of said package avoids the cross contamination potential of a common dispenser available to many users.

69. The method of claim 59 with the further convenience advantage of no container requiring the additional actions of retrieval and replacement.

70. The method of claim 59 with the further advantage of minimal time and movement requirements for completion of a hand sanitizing operation which both promotes and facilitates the frequent applications necessary to achieve and maintain appropriate hand sanitation.

71. A dispenser designed to be worn on the wrist, comprising:

attaching a dispenser containing hand sanitizing fluid to a wrist;

and a dispensing means for said hand sanitizing fluid from said dispenser