AU2019213307A1

AU2019213307A1 - Wearable apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2019213307A1
Application number: AU2019213307A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James Tolson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-08-08
Filing date: 2019-08-05
Publication date: 2020-02-27

Abstract

Wearable apparatus adapted to be worn on a wearer's wrist for dispensing flowable material, the apparatus comprising: a wrist band comprising a movable and/or flexible top outer wall extending along a length of the wrist band and one or more relatively rigid outer side walls depending downwardly from the top outer wall, the top outer wall and the outer side walls defining a hollow internal cavity for receiving and storing the flowable material; and an outlet provided on said top outer wall or side wall of the wrist band such that movement of the top outer wall by way of pushing the top outer walls results in expulsion of the flowable material through the outlet; wherein the wrist band further comprises one or more base portions extending inwardly from the outer side walls such that the base portions are spaced apart from the top wall and a removable plug for forming a seal with the base portions of the wrist band. 112 122 116 118

Description

WEARABLE APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD [001] The present invention relates to wearable apparatus for dispensing flowable material such as liquids and semi-solids.

BACKGROUND [002] Any references to methods, apparatus or documents of the prior art are not to be taken as constituting any evidence or admission that they formed, or form part of the common general knowledge.

[003] There are many situations in which it is desirable to frequently apply a topical lotion. One example is the application of sunblock or suntan lotion. Frequent application is often made more difficult by the fact that the need to apply may occur in an environment such as the beach where it may be inconvenient to get to a bottle of the lotion. Moreover, a user may often forget or find it inconvenient to carry the bottle or container of the topical solution whilst pursuing recreational outdoor activities [004] In view of some of the problems outlined above, it is desirable to provide a dispensing apparatus that can be used for frequent application of lotions and other products in a convenient manner without the need to access a container.

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SUMMARY OF INVENTION [005] In an aspect, the invention provides a wearable apparatus adapted to be worn on a wearer’s wrist for dispensing flowable material, the apparatus comprising:

a wrist band comprising a movable and/or flexible top outer wall extending along a length of the wrist band and one or more relatively rigid outer side walls depending downwardly from the top outer wall, the top outer wall and the outer side walls defining a hollow internal cavity for receiving and storing the flowable material; and an outlet provided on said top outer wall or side wall of the wrist band such that movement of the top outer wall by way of pushing the top outer walls results in expulsion of the flowable material through the outlet;

wherein the wrist band further comprises one or more base portions extending inwardly from the outer side walls such that the base portions are spaced apart from the top wall and a removable plug for forming a seal with the base portions of the wrist band.

[006] In an embodiment, the cavity is substantially tubular and extends along a length of the wrist band.

[007] In an embodiment, the top outer wall positioned in between the laterally located side walls is substantially curved to allow the top outer wall to flex in a downwardly direction towards the one or more base portions.

2019213307 05 Aug 2019 [008] In an embodiment, the plug is substantially elongate and extends between two ends, said ends being adapted to engage with the base portions during use.

[009] In an embodiment, the plug comprises an engagement portion located along one or more edges of the plug to form a seal with the one or more base portions of the band.

[010] In an embodiment, the plug is adapted to be snap fitted onto the band to form the seal.

[011] In an embodiment, upon being engaged to the band, the plug is spaced away from the top wall to define an enclosed internal spaced for holding the flowable material therein.

[012] In an embodiment, the outer top wall, outer side walls and said one or more base portions are integrally formed from a polymeric material.

[013] In an embodiment, the outlet comprises a nozzle and a permanently attached nozzle closure for plugging the nozzle during periods of non-use.

[014] In an embodiment, the wearable apparatus further comprises a tethering strap for tethering the nozzle closure the wrist band.

2019213307 05 Aug 2019 [015] In an embodiment, the hollow cavity for the flowable material extends between two ends such that a strap is provided at one of said ends and clasping member for receiving and securing said strap.

[016] In an embodiment, the strap comprises a plurality of holes positioned along a length of the strap such that the engagement of the clasping member with any one of the holes provides a corresponding length of the strap extending between two ends of the cavity of the band.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [017] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

Figure 1 is a first side view of the wrist band 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a second side view of the wrist band 100.

Figure 3 is an exploded view of the wrist band 100.

Figure 4 is an in-use perspective view of the wrist band 100 as worn on a user’s wrist.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [018] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a wrist band 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wrist band 100 shown in the Figures is particularly well suited for dispensing flowable material such as a lotion for topical application. In the foregoing example, sunscreen lotion will be used as an exemplary flowable material to describe the working of the wrist band 100. However, it must be understood that the invention is no way limited to the use of the wrist band 100 for dispensing sunscreen lotion only.

[019] Referring to Figure 1 and 2, the wrist band 100 comprises an elongate bladder 110 that extends between two ends 110A and 110B. The bladder 110 is defined by an outer top wall 114 and opposed laterally located outer side walls 112 depending downwardly from the top wall 114. The bladder 110 comprises a hollow internal space/cavity 116 (shown in Figure 3) that is defined by the side walls and the top wall extending along a length between the two ends 110A and 110B of the bladder 110 for receiving and storing a flowable material such as sunscreen lotion within the confines of the hollow internal space/cavity 116.

[020] An outlet 120 is provided along the outer wall 114 of the bladder 110 for dispensing the flowable material stored within the internal cavity 116 of the bladder 110. In the preferred embodiment, the outlet 120 is provided in the form of a nozzle. A nozzle closure or plug 122 is used for shutting the outlet 120 during periods when the flowable material does not need to be dispensed. The nozzle plug is permanently tethered an outer wall of the bladder 110. Positioning the nozzle outlet 120 on the outer top wall 114 allows the user to easily dispense the flowable material out of the

2019213307 05 Aug 2019 bladder 110 without the need for removing the bracelet from the user’s wrist. A lanyard 124 may be provided to interconnect the nozzle plug 122 with the body of the wrist band 100.

[021] Turning to Figures 1 and 2, it is important to appreciate that the top outer wall 114 of the bladder 110 is movable and/or flexible and extends along a length of the wrist band 100 between the two ends 110A and 110B. The outer side walls 112 are relatively more rigid relative to the movable top wall 114. As a result, the top wall 114 can be pressed or pushed by a user (for example by pressing with a thumb or finger) to squeeze the flowable material out of the outlet 120. The wrist band 100 also comprises base portions 118 (See Figure 3) that extend inwardly from the outer side walls 112.

[022] A plug 130 is provided for forming a seal with the base portions 118. The removable plug 130 is spaced away from the top wall 114 to define an enclosed internal space for holding the flowable material in the internal cavity 116. During use, the removable plug 130 may be uncoupled from the base portions 118 to easily fill the internal cavity 116 with the flowable material such as sunscreen lotion. Once the internal cavity 116 has been filled up, the plug 130 may be sealably engaged or coupled with the base portions 118 of the wrist band 100 by using a glue (such as a silicone glue) to fluidly seal the bladder 110. In the preferred embodiment, the removable plug 130 is substantially elongate and extends between the two ends 110A and 110B of the bladder 110. The inventor has found that the aforementioned shape and configuration of the removable plug 130 provides a straightforward and easy way of assembling the wrist band 100.

2019213307 05 Aug 2019 [023] Whilst the invention is not in any way limited to a specific configuration of the removable plug 130, in the preferred embodiment, wherein the plug comprises an engagement portion located along the outer edges of the plug 130 to form a seal with base portions 118 the band 100. The outer edges of the plug 130 allow the plug 130 to be snap fitted onto the band 100 before using a glue for gluing the plug 130 to the base portion 118 of the band 100. Specifically, the outer edges of the plug 130 engage with the inwardly extending base portions 118 to provide a leak proof seal to ensure that any leaking from the internal cavity 116 of the bladder 110 is substantially prevented.

[024] The wrist band 100 also includes a strap 150 is provided at one end 110A of the bladder 110 and clasping member 160 is provided at the second end 110B for receiving and securing the strap 150. The strap 150 includes a plurality of holes 152 positioned along a length of the strap 150 such that the engagement of the clasping member 160 with any one of the holes provides a corresponding length of the strap extending between two ends 110A and 110B of the bladder portion 110 of the band 100.

[025] The band 100 and the removable plug 130 may be formed from silicone rubber with a shore hardness of 30A. However, the choice of materials used for forming the band 100 or the plug 130 is not limiting.

[026] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term “comprises” and

2019213307 05 Aug 2019 its variations, such as “comprising” and “comprised of’ is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features.

[027] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[028] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. Wearable apparatus adapted to be worn on a wearer’s wrist for dispensing flowable material, the apparatus comprising:

2. Wearable apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cavity is substantially tubular and extends along a length of the wrist band.

3. Wearable apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the top outer wall positioned in between the laterally located side walls is substantially curved to allow the top outer wall to flex in a downwardly direction towards the one or more base portions.

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4. Wearable apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the plug is substantially elongate and extends between two ends, said ends being adapted to engage with the base portions during use.

5. Wearable apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the plug comprises an engagement portion located along one or more edges of the plug to form a seal with the one or more base portions of the band.

6. Wearable apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein plug is adapted to be snap fitted onto the band to form the seal.

7. Wearable apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein upon being engaged to the band, the plug is spaced away from the top wall to define an enclosed internal spaced for holding the flowable material therein.

8. Wearable apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer top wall, outer side walls and said one or more base portions are integrally formed.

9. Wearable apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the outlet comprises a nozzle and a permanently attached nozzle closure for plugging the nozzle during periods of non-use.

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10. Wearable apparatus in accordance with claim 8 further comprising a tethering strap for tethering the nozzle closure the wrist band.

11. Wearable apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the hollow cavity for the flowable material extends between two ends such that a strap is provided at one of said ends and clasping member for receiving and securing said strap.

12. Wearable apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the strap comprises a plurality of holes positioned along a length of the strap such that the engagement of the clasping member with any one of the holes provides a corresponding length of the strap extending between two ends of the cavity of the band.