FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wearable devices operable to store and dispense a fluid. In various embodiments, a wearable device of the present disclosure comprises a dispenser disposed at a first end of a shell, a valve at a second end of the shell, and a chamber disposed in a hollow core of the shell for storing a fluid.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Hand sanitizer, such as alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and other sanitization products are commonly used in lieu of or conjunction with hand washing with soap. Increased use of hand sanitizer to disinfect a user’s hands has been encouraged in areas where hand washing is unavailable, or in times or places where there is an increased risk of spreading or contracting an infectious disease. As such, users typically carry a small, personal sized bottle of hand sanitizer. However, such bottles are easily misplaced, or lost, leaving a user without hand sanitizer. Such bottles also take up space in a pocket or personal carrying device, making such bottles inconvenient.

SUMMARY

[0003] There is an unmet need to provide hand sanitizer or other sanitization products in an easy to use and easy to track device. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure contemplate and provide devices for storing and dispensing a fluid that is also refillable with the fluid. A wearable device according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a shell having a first end extending to a second end and a hollow core, the hollow core configured to receive a fluid, the shell substantially forming an oval in which the first end is parallel to the second end; a dispenser disposed at the first end and in fluid communication with the hollow core, the dispenser moving from a first state to a second state when receiving a force at a depression surface; and a valve at the second end having a closed state and an open state, the valve biased to the closed state and configured to receive the fluid in the open state, the valve configured to change from the closed state to the open state when receiving a force; wherein the dispenser dispenses the fluid from the hollow core when moving from the first state to the second state.

[0004] In some embodiments, the shell includes a first portion connected to a second portion by a connector. The device also further comprises an inner chamber disposed in the hollow core and coupled to the dispenser at one end and to the valve at an opposite end.

[0005] In some embodiments, the fluid is hand sanitizer. The dispenser is be biased to the first state and the bias is a spring bias, wherein the depression surface is perpendicular to a center axis of the hollow core at the first end. An opening through which the fluid is dispensed is perpendicular to the depression surface and spaced from the center axis. The valve is a dead man valve configured to receive an injector of a refill container. At least a portion of the elongated shell is at least one of a plastic, a metal, or a flexible substrate.

[0006] An outer perimeter surface of the oval is defined by the first end extending along a first flat portion to a first curved portion, a second flat portion extending from the first curved portion to a second curved portion, and the second end extending along a third flat portion from the second curved portion. The first flat portion and the third flat portion is parallel and adjacent to each other and are both spaced from and parallel to the second flat portion. A first sidewall and a second sidewall extend from opposite sides of the second flat portion. The first sidewall at one end tapers to the first curved portion and the second sidewall at one end tapers to the second curved portion.

[0007] In some embodiments, a combined width of the second flat portion and each of a first sidewall and a second sidewall extending from the second flat portion are wider than each of the first flat portion and the second flat portion. In other embodiments, a combined width of the second flat portion and each of a first sidewall and a second sidewall extending from the second flat portion are equal to a combined width of the first flat portion and the second flat portion. An internal volume of the shell is greater at the second flat portion than at each of the first flat portion and the second flat portion.

[0008] This Summary is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the wearable dispensing device of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements or components. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detailed Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.

[0009] The above-described embodiments, objectives, and configurations are neither complete nor exhaustive. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the invention are possible using, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

[0010] The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or,” as used herein, are open- ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B, and C together.

[0011] The term “a” or “an” entity, as used herein, refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more,” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.

[0012] The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Accordingly, the terms “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof can be used interchangeably herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the Summary given above and the Detailed Description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these embodiments. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Additionally, it should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

[0014] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a wearable device according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Fig. IB is a right side view of the wearable device of the embodiment of Fig. 1A;

[0016] Fig. 2A is a front elevation view of the wearable device of the embodiment of Fig. 1A;

[0017] Fig. 2B is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of Fig. 2A of the wearable device of the embodiment of Fig. 1A;

[0018] Fig. 3 A is a top elevation view of the wearable device of the embodiment of Fig. 1A;

[0019] Fig. 3B is a bottom elevation view of the wearable device of the embodiment of Fig. 1A;

[0020] Fig. 4A is a detail view of a first end of the wearable device of the embodiment of

Fig. 1A; [0021] Fig. 4B is a detail view of a second end of the wearable device of the embodiment ofFig. 1A;

[0022] Fig. 5A is a partial cross-sectional view of the wearable device of the embodiment ofFig. 1A; and

[0023] Fig. 5B is a left-side view of a chamber of the wearable device of the embodiment ofFig. 1A.

[0024] Similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A wearable device operable to store and dispense a fluid is provided. The device includes a shell having a hollow core configured to receive a chamber that stores a fluid. The device also includes a dispenser disposed at a first end of the shell and in fluid communication with the chamber. The dispenser dispenses the fluid from the chamber when moving from a first state to a second state. The device also includes a valve at a second end of the shell and having a closed state and an open state. The valve is configured to receive the fluid when in the open state. The wearable device advantageously provides a convenient and easy to use wearable device for storing, traveling with, and dispensing a fluid, such as hand sanitizer. The wearable device is unlikely to be lost and/or a user is more likely to notice if the wearable device is missing or falls off when the user is wearing the device. The wearable device also need not be stored in a pocket or personal bag, but can be worn on the body. [0026] Turning to Figs. 1A and IB, a perspective view and a right side view are shown, respectively, of a wearable device 100 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 100 includes a shell 102 extending from a first end 104 to a second end 106. In some embodiments, the shell 102 is one piece. In other embodiments, the shell

102 includes a first portion 102 A connected to a second portion 102B by a connector 103 (visible in Fig. 4A). In some embodiments, the first portion 102A is shorter than the second portion 102B, though in other embodiments the first portion 102A is longer than or equal in length to the second portion 102B. The first portion 102 A, the second portion 102B, and the connector 103 aid in assembly of the device 100 as the various components (e.g., a dispenser, a valve, and/or a chamber) are installed into each respective portion 102A, 102B, prior to securing the portions 102 A, 102B together. The portions 102 A, 102B and the connector 103 are secured to each other via, for example, an adhesive and/or friction fit. In some embodiments, the portions 102 A, 102B and the connector 103 are permanently secured to each other. In other embodiments, the portions 102A, 102B, and the connector

103 are releasably secured to each other.

[0027] The shell 102 includes a hollow core 108 (visible in Fig. 2B). In some embodiments, the hollow core 108 is configured to receive a fluid. In other embodiments, the hollow core 108 is configured to receive a chamber 105, visible in and described with respect to Figs. 5A and 5B. The fluid is any type of fluid including, but not limited to, hand sanitizer. The hollow core 108 extends through the entire shell 102 in some embodiments. In alternative embodiments, the hollow core 108 extends through at least a portion of the shell 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the shell 102 substantially forms an oval in which the first end 104 is parallel to the second end 106, as will be later described in detail.

[0028] The shell 102 is formed from any material such as but not limited to, metal, aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, rubber, silicone, or the like. The entire shell 102 is made from one material or at least one portion of the shell 102 is made from one material in some embodiments. In alternative embodiments, different portions of the shell 102 are made from different material. For example, a portion of the shell 102 is made from rubber or other flexible material to allow for bending of the shell 102 while the remaining portions of the shell 102 is made from metal or other rigid material. In some embodiments, the first portion 102A, the second portion 102B, and/or the connector 103 are made from different materials as each other. In other embodiments, the first portion 102A, the second portion 102B, and/or the connector 103 are made from the same materials as each other.

[0029] Turning to Figs. 2A and 2B, a front elevational view and a cross-sectional view of the device 100 along line A-A of Fig. 2A are respectively shown. The device 100 includes a dispenser 110 disposed at the first end 104 and in fluid communication with the hollow core 108 or the chamber 105. The dispenser 110 is operable to move from a first state to a second state when a depression surface 112 receives a force. For example, when a user presses the depression surface 112, the dispenser 110 moves from the first state to the second state. In some examples the depression surface 112 is perpendicular to a center axis of the hollow core 108 at the first end 104. In the illustrated example, the force received on the depression surface 112 moves a cap 134 of the dispenser in a direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 2A. In other examples, the force received on the depression surface 112 moves the cap 134 or the depression surface 112 in any direction. In some embodiments, the dispenser 110 is biased to the first state. In some examples the dispenser 110 is biased by a spring bias. In other examples, the dispenser 110 is biased by a resilient material that returns to the first state after a force is released from the depression surface 112.

[0030] Turning to Figs. 3A and 3B and with reference to Fig. 1 A, the shell 102 is generally in the shape of an oval. It will be appreciated that the shell 102 is any shape including, but not limited to, a circle, a rectangle, a triangle, or the like. It will also be appreciated that the shell 102 forms a shape of any size to accommodate a variety of user wrist sizes. In the illustrated example, an outer perimeter surface 117 of the shell is defined by the first end 104 extending along a first flat portion 118 to a first curved portion 120, a second flat portion 122 extending from the first curved portion 120 to a second curved portion 124, and the second end 106 extending along a third flat portion 126 from the second curved portion 124. In the illustrated example, as visible in Fig. 3B, the first flat portion 118 (and thus the first end 104) and the third flat portion 126 (and thus, the second end 106) are parallel and adjacent to each other and are both spaced from and parallel to the second flat portion 122. In other embodiments, the first flat portion 118 and the second flat portion 126 are not parallel and/or adjacent to each other. In alternative embodiments, the first flat portion 118 and the second flat portion 126 are partially parallel and/or adjacent to each other or are offset from each other.

[0031] The second flat portion 122 includes a first sidewall 128 and a second sidewall 130 extending from opposite sides of the second flat portion 122. In some embodiments, the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130 extend from the second flat portion at an angle greater than 90 degrees. In other examples, the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130 extend from the second flat portion 122 at an angle equal to or less than 90 degrees. As visible in Figs 1 A and 4A, the first sidewall 128 at one end tapers to the first curved portion 120 and the second sidewall 130 at another end tapers to the second curved portion 124.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, a combined width of the second flat portion 122 and each of the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130 extending from the second flat portion 122 is substantially equal to a combined width of the first flat portion 118 and the second flat portion 122. In other embodiments, a combined width of the second flat portion 122 and each of the first sidewall 128 and the second sidewall 130 extending from the second flat portion 122 is wider than each of the first flat portion 118 and the second flat portion 122. Generally, as visible in the figures, the second flat portion 122 has an interval volume greater than each of the first flat portion 118 and the second flat portion 112. The second flat portion 122 enables more fluid to be stored in the shell 102, provides counterbalance to the first end 104 and the second end 106, and provides a surface that rests comfortably on a user’s wrist. In some embodiments, an interior surface of the second flat portion 122 that contacts a user’s skin includes a cushion, grip, or other texture.

[0033] Turning to Figs. 4A and 4B, a detailed view of the first end 104 and the second end 106, respectively, are shown. In Fig. 4A, an inner portion of the shell 102 is shown without the dispenser 110 for clarity and in Fig. 4B, an inner portion of the shell 102 is shown without the valve 114 for clarity. The first end 104 includes a first depression 140 and the second end 106 includes a second depression 142. Each of the first depression 140 and the second depression 142 are operable to receive a magnet such that the first depression 140 and the second depression 142 are magnetically attracted to and coupled to each other, thereby magnetically coupling the first end 104 to the second end 106. Magnetic coupling of the first end 104 and the second end 106 provides for easy placement and securement of the device 100 around a user’s wrist as the user can unclasp the first end 104 and the second end 106, place the device 100 over the user’s wrist, and allow the first end 104 and the second end 106 to magnetically clasp together. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the first end 104 and the second end 106 are not coupled to each other or are coupled to each other via a hook and loop fabric, one or more snap buttons, or the like.

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the first depression 140 is circular and the second depression 142 is rectangular. Because the second depression 142 is longer than the first depression 140, the first depression 140 aligns to the second depression 142 along a portion of a length of the second depression 142. In other words, positioning of the first depression 140 is adjustable to couple to the second depression 142 at different positions on the second depression 142, thereby allowing for the device 100 to adjust to different sized wrists. In other embodiments, the first depression 140 and the second depression 142 are the same shape or are any shape such as, but not limited to, oval, circular, a square, rectangular, triangular, a star, or the like.

[0035] Turning to Figs. 5A and 5B, details of the chamber 105, the dispenser 110, and the valve 114 are described. As previously described, the dispenser 110 dispenses fluid from the hollow core 108 or the chamber 105 when moving from the first state to the second state. In some examples this is achieved by a manual pump 136 wherein depression of the depression surface 112 pumps the fluid from the hollow core 108 to outside of the shell 102 via an opening 116 (visible in Fig. 3B). The pump 136 includes a collar 134 for housing the pump 136 in the shell 102. During use, as illustrated, a user presses the depression surface 112 with their thumb or finger to move the dispenser 110 from the first state to the second state, in which fluid will be dispensed from the opening 116. In alternative examples, dispensing of the fluid is achieved by the dispenser 110 and/or a portion of the first end 104 of the shell 102 being of a malleable material that is squeezed by a user to squeeze the fluid from the hollow core 108 or the chamber 105 and through the opening 116. In the same examples, the material is resilient so as to return to the first state after the material has been squeezed.

[0036] The opening 116 is closed when the dispenser 110 is in the first state to prevent fluid from exiting the opening 116 and to prevent contaminants from entering the hollow core 108 or the chamber 105. The opening 116 in some embodiments is perpendicular to the depression surface 112 and spaced from the center axis. In other embodiments, the opening 116 is positioned on the depression surface 112. In further embodiments, the opening 116 is positioned anywhere on the dispenser 110 or the first end 104. [0037] As shown in more detail in Fig. 5B, the chamber 105 is coupled to the dispenser 110 at one end and to the valve 114 at another end. A portion of the valve 114 is disposed inside of the chamber 105 and coupled to a valve balloon 138, also disposed inside of the chamber 105. The chamber 105 is made from a flexible material that is expandable. The chamber 105 stores fluid inside of the tube 105. In some embodiments, the chamber 105 stores the fluid inside of the tube in a negative pressure or vacuum chamber. The vacuum aids in pumping of the fluid from the chamber 105 through the dispenser 110. During use, the chamber 105 will deform when fluid is dispensed and the vacuum and dispensing of the fluid will squeeze the fluid from the second end 106 towards the first end 104.

[0038] In some embodiments, the chamber 105 is secured to the shell 102 via, for example, an adhesive. In other embodiments, a portion of the chamber 105 is secured to the shell 102. In further embodiments, the chamber 105 is not secured to the shell 102. In embodiments where the chamber 105 is not secured to the shell 102, the chamber 105 be removable and either replaced with a new chamber 105 or the current chamber 105 after cleaning, sterilization, or the like.

[0039] The device 100 also includes a valve 114 disposed at the second end 106 and in fluid communication with the hollow core 108 or the chamber 105. The valve 114 has an open state and a closed state and is biased to the closed state. The valve 114 is configured to change from the closed state to the open state when receiving a force. The valve 114 is configured to receive fluid when in the open state to fill or refill the shell 102 or the chamber 105 with the fluid. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 114 is a deadman valve. The deadman valve is biased to the closed state until receiving a force to open the valve. In some examples, the deadman valve receive a force at an opening of the valve from a refill bottle. The force moves the deadman valve from the closed state to the open state to receive fluid from the refill bottle. When the refill bottle is removed from the valve, the valve returns to the closed state.

[0040] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Moreover, references made herein to “the present invention” or aspects thereof should be understood to mean certain embodiments of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as limiting all embodiments to a particular description. It is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention.