US20230134012A1

US20230134012A1 - Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Assembly

Info

Publication number: US20230134012A1
Application number: US17/516,836
Authority: US
Inventors: Wendy Glover
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-11-02
Filing date: 2021-11-02
Publication date: 2023-05-04

Abstract

A hand sanitizer dispenser assembly for dispensing a measured amount of a fluid includes a bottle that contains a fluid. A cap is attachable to the bottle and a dispensing tube is fluidly attachable to the cap to receive the fluid. A hose is fluidly attachable to the cap to receive the viscous liquid from the dispensing tube. A bulb is removably attachable to the hose to receive the fluid from the hose. The bulb normally operates in a first condition when the bulb is not compressed to draw the fluid into an interior of the bulb. Conversely, the bulb operates in a second condition when the bulb is compressed to release the fluid from the bulb.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to dispenser devices and more particularly pertains to a new dispenser device for dispensing a measured amount of a fluid. The device includes a bottle for containing a fluid and a bulb that is in fluid communication with the bottle. The bulb includes an intake valve and an exhaust valve. The bulb releases the fluid through the exhaust valve when the bulb is squeezed for dispensing a measuring amount of the fluid. Conversely, the bulb fills with the fluid when the bulb is released after being squeezed.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

The prior art relates to dispenser devices including a fluid dispenser that includes a bulb for pressurizing a bottle and a dispensing hose for releasing a fluid in the bottle. The prior art discloses a fluid dispenser that includes a bottle, a bulb that is compressed to release fluid contained in the bottle and a valve that is manually operated to open and close the bulb. The prior art discloses a variety of sprayer heads that are attachable to a bottle and a bulb that is integrated into the sprayer head for pressurizing the bottle. The prior art discloses a fluid sprayer that includes a bottle, a hose that is strapped to a user's arm and a bulb that is strapped to the user's hand for spraying a fluid from the bulb when the bulb is compressed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a bottle that contains a fluid. A cap is attachable to the bottle and a dispensing tube is fluidly attachable to the cap to receive the fluid. A hose is fluidly attachable to the cap to receive the viscous liquid from the dispensing tube. A bulb is removably attachable to the hose to receive the fluid from the hose. The bulb normally operates in a first condition when the bulb is not compressed to draw the fluid into an interior of the bulb. Conversely, the bulb operates in a second condition when the bulb is compressed to release the fluid from the bulb.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hand sanitizer dispenser assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new dispenser device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 , the hand sanitizer dispenser assembly 10 generally comprises a bottle 12 that contains a fluid 14, such as hand sanitizer or other product that would commonly be applied to a person's hands or skin. The bottle 12 has a spout 16 that is integrated into the bottle 12 to access an interior of the bottle 12. A cap 22 is provided that is attachable to the bottle 12. The cap 22 has a first portion 24 that has a diameter which is greater than a diameter of a second portion 26, and the first portion 24 is open. The cap 22 has a third portion 28 which has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the second portion 26, and the third portion 28 is open. The first portion 24 has an inside surface 30, the inside surface 30 is threaded and the inside surface 30 threadably engages the spout 16 for removably attaching the cap 22 to the spout 16. The second portion 26 has an outer surface 32 and the outer surface 32 is threaded.
A dispensing tube 18 is fluidly attachable to the bottle 12 such that the dispensing tube 18 is in fluid communication with the fluid 14. The dispensing tube 18 has an upper end 20 and the upper end 20 of the dispensing tube 18 extends into the second portion 26 of the cap 22 such that the third portion 28 of the cap 22 is in fluid communication with the dispensing tube 18. A hose 34 is fluidly attachable to the cap 22 such that the hose 34 is in fluid communication with the dispensing tube 18 to receive the fluid 14 from the dispensing tube 18. The hose 34 has a first end 36 and a second end 38, and the first end 36 insertably receives the third portion 28 of the cap 22. A compression fitting 40 is threadable onto the second portion 26 of the cap 22 to compress the hose 34 onto the third portion 28 of the cap 22. The compression fitting 40 threadably engages the outer surface 32 of the second portion 26 such that the third portion 28 extends into the compression fitting 40 and the hose 34 extends outwardly from the compression fitting 40.
A bulb 42 is removably attachable to the hose 34 such that the bulb 42 can receive the fluid 14 from the hose 34. The bulb 42 is comprised of a resiliently compressible material, such as rubber or the like, thereby facilitating the bulb 42 to be squeezed. The bulb 42 has a dispensing element 44 and a receiving element 46, and the receiving element 46 is in fluid communication with the hose 34. The bulb 42 normally operates in a first condition when the bulb 42 is not compressed having the dispensing element 44 of the bulb 42 being closed and having the receiving element 46 being open. In this way the bulb 42 can draw the fluid 14 into an interior of the bulb 42.
The bulb 42 operates in a second condition when the bulb 42 is compressed having the dispensing element 44 being open and having the receiving element 46 being closed. In this way the dispensing element 44 can release the fluid 14 from the bulb 42. The bulb 42 has a coupled end 48 and a free end 50, and each of the coupled end 48 and the free end 50 is open. An intake valve 52 is integrated into the coupled end 48 of the bulb 42 such that the intake valve 52 defines the receiving element 46. The intake valve 52 is in a normally open condition to pass the fluid 14 into the bulb 42. Conversely, the intake valve 52 is urged into a closed condition when the bulb 42 is compressed to inhibit the fluid 14 from flowing back into the hose 34. The intake valve 52 may comprise a normally open check valve or other type of fluid valve with a single direction of flow. As is most clearly shown in FIG. 5 , the intake valve 52 may include a compression fitting 53 that engages the hose 34
An exhaust valve 54 is provided and the exhaust valve 54 is integrated into the free end 50 of the bulb 42 such that the exhaust valve 54 defines the dispensing element 44. The exhaust valve 54 is in a normally closed condition to inhibit the fluid 14 from escaping through the free end 50 of the bulb 42. The exhaust valve 54 is urged into an open condition when the bulb 42 is compressed. In this way the exhaust valve 54 releases the fluid 14 outwardly through the free end 50 of the bulb 42. The exhaust valve 54 may comprise a normally closed check valve or other type of fluid valve with a single direction of flow.
In use, the bottle 12 is filled with the fluid 14 and the cap 22 is attached to the spout 16. The hose 34 is attached to the cap 22 and the compression fitting 40 is attached to the cap 22. The bulb 42 is compressed enough times to draw the fluid 14 into the bulb 42. In this way the fluid 14 will be dispensed outwardly through the exhaust valve 54 each time the bulb 42 is compressed. Additionally, the bulb 42 will refill each time the bulb 42 is released after being compressed. In this way the fluid 14 can be repeatedly released from the bulb 42. The bottle 12 can be carried in a purse, for example, and the hose 34 can be routed out of the purse. In this way the fluid 14 can be dispensed without requiring a user to reach into the purse, thereby reducing the likelihood of contaminating an interior of the purse.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A hand sanitizer dispenser assembly for dispensing a measured amount of hand sanitizer, said assembly comprising:

a bottle being configured to contain a fluid, said bottle having a spout integrated into said bottle to access an interior of said bottle;

a cap being attachable to said bottle, said cap has a first portion which has a diameter being greater than a diameter of a second portion, said first portion being open, said cap has a third portion having a diameter being less than the diameter of said second portion, said third portion being open;

a dispensing tube being fluidly attachable to said cap wherein said dispensing tube is configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid, said dispensing tube having an upper end;

a hose being fluidly attachable to said cap such that. said hose is in fluid communication with said dispensing tube wherein said hose is configured to receive the fluid from said dispensing tube; and

a bulb being removably attachable to said hose wherein said bulb is configured to receive the fluid from said hose, said bulb being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein said bulb is configured to be squeezed, said bulb having a dispensing element and a receiving element, said receiving element being in fluid communication with said hose, said bulb normally operating in a first condition when said bulb is not compressed having said dispensing element of said bulb being closed and having said receiving element being open wherein said bulb is configured to draw the fluid into an interior of said bulb, said bulb operating in a second condition when said bulb is compressed having said dispensing element being open and having said receiving element being closed wherein said dispensing element is configured to release the fluid from said bulb;

wherein said first portion has an inside surface, said inside surface being threaded, said inside surface threadably engaging said spout for removably attaching said cap to said spout; and

wherein said second portion having an outer surface, said outer surface being threaded, said upper end of said dispensing tube extending into said second portion of said cap such that said third portion of said cap is in fluid communication with said dispensing tube.

2. (canceled)

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said hose has a first end and a second end, said first end insertably receiving said third portion of said cap; and

said assembly includes a compression fitting being threadable onto said second portion of said cap to compress said hose onto said third portion of said cap, said compression fitting threadably engaging said outer surface of said second portion such that said third portion extends into said compression fitting and said hose extends outwardly from said compression fitting.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said bulb has a coupled end and a free end, each of said coupled end and said free end being open; and

said assembly includes an intake valve being integrated into said coupled end of said bulb such that said intake valve defines said receiving element, said intake valve being in a normally open condition wherein said intake valve is configured to pass the viscous liquid into said bulb, said intake valve being urged into a closed condition when said bulb is compressed wherein said intake valve is configured to inhibit the fluid from flowing back into said hose.

5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said assembly includes an exhaust valve being integrated into said free end of said bulb such that said exhaust valve defines said dispensing element, said exhaust valve being in a normally closed condition wherein said exhaust valve is configured to inhibit the fluid from escaping through said free end of said bulb, said exhaust valve being urged into an open condition when said bulb is compressed wherein said exhaust valve is configured to release the fluid outwardly through said free end of said bulb.

6. A hand sanitizer dispenser assembly for dispensing a measured amount of hand sanitizer, said assembly comprising:

a cap being attachable to said bottle, said cap having a first portion having a. diameter being greater than a diameter of a second portion, said first portion being open, said cap having a third portion having a diameter being less than the diameter of said second portion, said third portion being open, said first portion having an inside surface, said inside surface being threaded, said inside surface threadably engaging said spout for removably attaching said cap to said spout, said second portion having an outer surface, said outer surface being threaded;

a dispensing tube being fluidly attachable to said cap wherein said dispensing tube is configured to be in fluid communication with the fluid, said dispensing tube having an upper end, said upper end of said dispensing tube extending into said second portion of said cap such that said third portion of said cap is in fluid communication with said dispensing tube;

a hose being fluidly attachable to said cap such that said hose is in fluid communication with said dispensing tube wherein said hose is configured to receive the fluid from said dispensing tube, said hose having a first end and a second end, said first end insertably receiving said third portion of said cap;

a compression fitting being threadable onto said second portion of said cap to compress said hose onto said third portion of said cap, said compression fitting threadably engaging said outer surface of said second portion such that said third portion extends into said compression fitting and said hose extends outwardly from said compression fitting;

a bulb being removably attachable to said hose wherein said bulb is configured to receive the fluid from said hose, said bulb being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein said bulb is configured to be squeezed, said bulb having a dispensing element and a receiving element, said receiving element being in fluid communication with said hose, said bulb normally operating in a first condition when said bulb is not compressed having said dispensing element of said bulb being closed and having said receiving element being open wherein said bulb is configured to draw the fluid into an interior of said bulb, said bulb operating in a second condition when said bulb is compressed having said dispensing element being open and having said receiving element being closed wherein said dispensing element is configured to release the fluid from said bulb, said bulb having a coupled end and a free end, each of said coupled end and said free end being open;

an intake valve being integrated into said coupled end of said bulb such that said intake valve defines said receiving element, said intake valve being in a normally open condition wherein said intake valve is configured to pass the viscous liquid into said bulb, said intake valve being urged into a closed condition when said bulb is compressed wherein said intake valve is configured to inhibit the fluid from flowing back into said hose; and

an exhaust valve being integrated into said free end of said bulb such that said exhaust valve defines said dispensing element, said exhaust valve being in a normally closed condition wherein said exhaust valve is configured to inhibit the fluid from escaping through said free end of said bulb, said exhaust valve being urged into an open condition when said bulb is compressed wherein said exhaust valve is configured to release the fluid outwardly through said free end of said bulb.