GB2413055A

GB2413055A - Liquid dispenser

Info

Publication number: GB2413055A
Application number: GB0507467A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Joseph Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-16
Filing date: 2005-04-13
Publication date: 2005-10-19
Also published as: GB0507467D0; WO2005094711A3; WO2005094711A2

Abstract

A liquid dispenser 1 designed to be located on the wrist or arm of a user. The dispenser may be filled with a flowable agent such as an alcohol based cleaning gel, and is capable of ergonomically dispensing the flowable agent in multiple controlled amounts. The dispenser comprises at least one reservoir 3 for the liquid, a valveless dispensing means (See Fig 1b) and a dispenser locating means 2. The dispenser locating means can either be in the form of a solid bracelet (See Fig 3a) or a bracelet that forms a movable helical coil around the wrist on the user.

Description

24 1 3055 1 Flowable Agent Dispenser 3 The present invention relates to an

improved flowable 4 agent dispenser. In particular, it relates to a flowable agent dispenser capable of being worn on a limb to 6 dispense flowable agent.

8 The problem of hospital based infection has been a cause 9 for widespread concern about cleanliness and working practice within the healthcare sector for many years now.

12 One survey (Nosocomial infections in Swiss university 13 hospitals: a multi-centre survey and review of the 14 published experience, Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1999 Oct 23;l29(42):1521-8)), aimed at assessing the scale of 16 nosocomial (hospital acquired) infections, was conducted 17 in May 1996 in medical, surgical, and intensive care 18 wards of 4 Swiss university hospitals. A total of 176 19 nosocomial infections were found among 156 of the 1349 surveyed patients. Surgical site infections were found 21 to be most prevalent, followed by urinary tract, lower 22 respiratory tract, and bloodstream infections. In one 23 centre, the in-hospital mortality of patients with l 1 nosocomial infections was 9.2% compared to 3.9% for 2 patients without nosocomial infections. Infection rates 3 were similar to those reported by two Swiss pilot studies 4 from the early 1980s. This study confirms the importance of nosocomial infections as a heavy burden on health 6 services at the end of the twentieth century.

8 Incredibly, the rate of healthcare associated infections 9 has been claimed to be as high as 25% in some institutions in the United Kingdom. Each year, about 11 100,000 patients contract a hospital related infection, 12 5000 of which die. The number of deaths caused by MRSA 13 have tripled in the past decade.

Basic hygiene rules are not being followed. It is 16 acknowledged that the National Health Service in the 17 United Kingdom has a problem as regards compliance with 18 hand disinfection guidelines.

Cross-infection is a worldwide problem and has been for 21 many years. In Scotland alone, the cost to the NHS due 22 to hospital cross-infection is about 140m, the bulk of 23 this due to delays in operations, disruptions caused to 24 the work of nurses and doctors, and other follow-on effects. Given the relative size of Scotland to most 26 large industrialized countries it is evident that the 27 monetary cost involved globally could be huge. That is 28 without taking into account the human cost involved; many 29 healthcare related infections are life-threatening and in some cases fatal.

32 MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), to 33 take a recent example, has become so widely prevalent 1 that one in six patients in intensive care contracts the 2 bug. One in ten patients at any one time has a hospital 3 acquired infection. A statement from the GMB union 4 states that "Hospital-acquired infections are killing someone every two hours and costing more than 1 billion 6 a year.'/ This is supported by corresponding statements 7 from the Department of Health and the Public Health 8 Laboratory Service. Bacterial swabs taken from hospital 9 wards have shown that door handles, floors, windows and showers play host to such harmful bacteria, highlighting 11 that the problem is not simply the environment, but that 12 cross-contamination is taking place.

14 The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) in the United States, has issued guidelines for preventing 16 such infections, key to these guidelines being the step; 17 "Keep your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap 18 and water or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer".

The dispensing of antiseptic fluids and disinfecting gels 21 have been known in the hospital environment for many 22 years, convenience and ergonomics being an accepted issue 23 for more than a decade.Practitioners are required by good 24 practice guidelines to disinfect their hands on a regular basis, generally before each contact with another 26 patient, not least in a surgical environment.

28 Other methods of preventing the spread of infection 29 involve the use of rubber or latex gloves, repeated washing of hands and the use of disinfectant and cleaning 31 agents. Dispensers of such agents are known in the art, 32 and commonly take the form of bottles, wipes, tubes and 33 filled blister packs. Furthermore, materials such as \ 1 plastics and rubbers may be impregnated with antiseptic 2 agents.

4 Forgetfulness, carelessness and general inconvenience are among the reasons why this best practice may not always 6 be adhered to. Furthermore, routine changing of gloves 7 and specialized hand cleaning machines and associated 8 materials are expensive and incur considerable cost over 9 extended periods of time.

11 Furthermore, repeated hand disinfection with soaps and 12 other detergents is known to have a detrimental effect on 13 the skin of the hands which can be left dry and cracked.

14 The benefits to be had from adopting alcohol based cleaning gels are many. The gels contain emollients 16 which serve to moisturise and protect the skin of the 17 hands, which allows for repeated hand disinfection 18 without the unwanted effects of soap. Furthermore, no 19 water or drying facility is required as the alcohol based gels clean the hands on their own then evaporate leaving 21 the hands clean and dry. The benefits for countries, 22 such as some African nations, where water is a precious 23 commodity, should therefore be clear.

Alcohol based gels have been known for many years and 26 various dispensing methods have been proposed, but yet no 27 development in this time has brought the benefits of an 28 extremely portable, convenient and measured dispensing 29 method to the carrying of such gels. Bottles and containers for attaching to belts, pockets and neckstraps 31 are known, but dangle inconveniently and can leak and 32 block up. Static dispensers have also been provided in 33 wards, but it may be inconvenient to walk to and from 1 such a dispenser and recontamination may occur in the 2 return journey.

3 The present invention is intended, in at least one 4 embodiment, to provide an apparatus and a method of dispensing flow- able agent in a manner that is 6 ergonomically superior to prior art preferably in 7 controlled preferably measured doses so as to encourage 8 compliance with the practice of disinfecting hands 9 regularly to prevent cross infections.

US Patent Number 4,736,876, in the name Kriss (Kriss), 11 discloses an array of shaped flexible containers that can 12 be worn around a user's wrist. The containers are opened 13 and closed using holes and plugs that inelegantly release 14 fluid from the containers. The containers are intended for dispensing soaps, and as such the containers are 16 relatively large. A control over the stop and start of 17 agent flow is not evident. Furthermore no ergonomic 18 consideration is given as to the attitude of the wrist or 19 position of the activating hand. A 'reasonable control ' is claimed but can be no better than an upturned soap 21 bottle.

22 International Application Number PCT/US2003/039048, in 23 the name Purgo Creations Inc. (Purgo), discloses a 24 dispenser which partially solves the problems of Kriss above. The application discloses a squeezable bladder 26 with a nozzle to dispense fluid onto a hand in bursts.

27 Such dispensing methods cause problems insofar as spatter 28 is concerned. Additionally, Purgo does not consider the 29 associated costs involved with producing such devices.

US Patent Number 4,078,660, in the name Lerro (Lerro), 31 discloses a device for wearing on the wrist for the 32 dispensing of an emergency dose of a medicament. The 33 medicament is contained in a cup formed on a blister 1 card, and can be easily released in an emergency. Lerro 2 is concerned only with solids, e.g. emergency pills, and 3 a single dose of said pills.

4 For the purposes of this specification, a valve is a feature which is described as such in prior art in the 6 subject matter of this application but is not descriptive 7 of an agent exit cover or control that can be 8 characterized as a sliding cover or control.

9 It is an object of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide an apparatus for carrying and 11 ergonomically dispensing a flowable agent so as to 12 obviate and mitigate one or more of the limiting features 13 associated with the apparatus described in the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, as 16 originally disclosed in an earlier application to which 17 this application claims priority, there is provided a 18 dispenser for enabling a user to selectively dispense a 19 flowable agent, the dispenser comprising: at least one reservoir, the at least one reservoir 21 adapted to contain the flowable agent; 22 a valveless dispensing means; 23 a dispenser locating means; 24 wherein the dispenser locating means is adapted to locate the at least one reservoir around a limb of the 26 user and the valveless dispensing means is capable of 27 dispensing multiple controlled amounts of the flowable 28 agent from the at least one reservoir.

The dispenser is capable, in this way, of dispensing a 31 flowable agent to a hand for use on the hand or for 32 application by the hand.

2 Preferably the valveless dispensing means dispenses 3 multiple controlled measured amounts of the flowable 4 agent.

6 Preferably the valveless dispensing means dispenses 7 multiple controlled amounts of the flowable agent upon 8 manual activation.

Preferably each of the reservoirs comprises a vessel 11 adapted to releasably retain a discrete volume of the 12 flowable agent.

14 Alternatively the reservoir is a single vessel extending substantially along the length of the dispenser.

17 Further alternatively the reservoir contains a textile, 18 with the flowable agent held therein.

Preferably at least part of the vessel is at least 21 partially flexible so as to be deformed under external 22 pressure.

24 Further preferably the vessel is elastically flexible so as to return to its original shape once external pressure 26 is removed. 2l

28 Preferably the vessel further comprises an openable 29 means.

31 Preferably the openable means comprises a film of 32 burstable material.

1 Most preferably the burstable material is aluminium.

3 Preferably the openable means is adapted to break under 4 direct pressure.

6 Preferably the openable means is formed by a film adapted 7 to form at least part of a wall of the vessel.

9 Preferably the openable means is adapted to open without exerting pressure on the flowable agent in the vessel.

12 Alternatively the reservoir comprises a blister pack 13 containing the flowable agent, the blister pack 14 constructed from both stiff and flexible materials only part of which is capable of deforming without opening or 16 bursting when applying external pressure.

17 For the purposes of this specification, a blister pack is 18 considered to be descriptive of all flexible, partially 19 flexible and non-flexible sachets, as well as all flexible, partly flexible and non-flexible pharmaceutical 21 packs.

22 Preferably the blister pack comprises a perforated 23 portion adapted to become open in an action distinct from 24 the application of external pressure.

26 Alternatively the blister pack is located proximal to a 27 substantially rigid material so as to engage the rigid 28 material on application of external pressure.

Preferably the reservoir further comprises an exit means 31 for directing a flowable agent flowing from the 32 reservoir. \

1 Preferably the exit means comprises an exit channel in 2 fluid communication with the reservoir.

4 Preferably the valveless dispensing means is integral to each of the at least one reservoirs.

7 Preferably the valveless dispensing means is arranged to 8 express fluid from the reservoir in a single continuous 9 action.

11 Preferably the valveless dispensing means comprises a 12 spatter prevention means.

14 Preferably the spatter prevention means comprises a spatter reducing channel.

17 Preferably the spatter reducing channel is integral to 18 the exit channel.

Optionally the spatter reducing channel comprises at 21 least one chicane.

23 Optionally the valveless dispensing means comprises a 24 sliding cover mechanism covering an aperture in each of the at least one reservoirs.

27 Preferably the dispenser locating means is a bracelet.

29 Preferably and advantageously the at least one reservoir and the valveless dispensing means are integral to the 31 bracelet.

1 Alternatively the bracelet is a substructure upon which 2 the at least one reservoir and the valveless dispensing 3 means are carried.

Optionally the bracelet comprises an elastic material to 6 forcibly conform the bracelet to substantially encircle a 7 limb of the user.

9 Preferably the bracelet comprises a stiff but flexible material capable of being formed into a curve.

12 Preferably the flexible material comprises a base layer 13 of relatively stiff preferably elastic material and a 14 covering layer of blister packs.

Optionally the blister packs may be non flexible with 16 hinges between each blister.

19 Preferably the bracelet comprises a curve forming means adapted to form a curve in the bracelet upon activation 21 of said curve forming means.

23 Preferably the curve forming means comprises at least one 24 flexible dimple formed on the bracelet, the at least one dimple adapted to resiliently urge the bracelet to curve 26 when it is inverted.

28 Preferably the curve forming means further comprises at 29 least one curve retaining means adapted to cooperate with at least one dimple such as to provide a means for 31 maintaining inverted the at least one dimple when 32 inverted.

1 Optionally the curve forming means is enhanced by at 2 least one weakened fold line on the bracelet.

4 Preferably the at least one weakened fold line is formed such that it bisects a dimple. Alternatively, the at 6 least one weakened fold line is formed such that it does 7 not cooperate with a dimple.

9 Preferably the at least one weakened fold line is oriented at an angle away from perpendicular to the 11 direction of the bracelet, so as to form a helical curve.

13 Alternatively the curve forming means comprises a 14 plurality of hinged sections located on the bracelet and movable to provide a flexible curve in the bracelet.

17 Further alternatively the curve forming means comprises a 18 plurality of angled sections adapted to form a curve in 19 the bracelet.

21 Optionally the curve formed by the curve forming means is 22 adapted to substantially encircle a limb of the user.

24 Preferably and advantageously the curve formed by the curve forming means follows a helical path.

27 Preferably the curve forming means further comprises a 28 securing means, capable of fixing the dispenser on a limb 29 of the user, preferably such means include a flexible preferably elastic coil

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1 Preferably the fixing means is effected by the helical 2 path extending at least substantially circumèrentially 3 round a limb of the user.

Optionally the fixing means fixedly couples distal ends 6 of the bracelet with a connection means.

8 Preferably the connection means comprises at least one of 9 the group comprising; Velcro connections, buckle connections, self- adhesive connections, tie-able 11 connections, quick-release connections, and press 12 fastenings.

14 According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for a user dispensing a 16 flowable agent, the method comprising the steps of: 17 storing the flowable agent in at least one valveless 18 vessel; 19 moveably locating the at least one valveless vessel on a limb of the user; and 21 expelling the flowable agent from at least one 22 valveless vessel by application of an external pressure 23 in a preferably continuous movement; 24 such that the flowable agent is dispensed in controlled measured amounts from reservoirs placed 26 around the limb of the user.

27 According to an third aspect of the present invention 28 there is provided a method of distributing fluid 29 dispensers, the method comprising the steps of: locating a flat length of dispenser within a 31 distribution device; \ ) 1 progressively removing the length of dispenser from 2 the distribution device through a curve forming device) 3 and 4 curving the length of dispenser by means of the curve forming device; 6 whereby as the length of dispenser is removed from 7 the distribution device the curve forming device creates 8 a curve in the length of dispenser.

Preferably the method comprises the additional step of 11 inserting Plowable agent in the length of dispenser 12 within the distribution device.

14 Preferably the method comprises the additional step of removing a desired length of dispenser from the 16 distribution device and cutting the length of dispenser 17 appropriately.

19 Aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed 21 description and upon reference to the following drawings 22 in which: 24 Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, where Fig.l(a) shows a 26 dispenser in the form of a bracelet before 27 curving, Fig.l(b) illustrates in more detail 28 the dispensing means, and Fig.l(c) shows the 29 dispenser after curving; 31 Figure 2 illustrates the positioning of the present 32 invention on the arm of a user, where Fig.2(a) 33 shows the bracelet positioned near the wrist, 1 Fig.2(b) shows the bracelet pushed up the 2 forearm, and Fig.2(c) shows a longer embodiment 3 extending more than once around the arm; Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of the present 6 invention comprising a preformed bracelet with 7 a single, integral reservoir and a slide 8 covering an aperture, where Fig.3(a) shows the 9 bracelet when the aperture is closed, and Fig.3(b) shows the bracelet opened to dispense 11 fluid; 13 Figure 4 illustrates an alternative curve forming means 14 with a weakened fold that is curved) and 16 Figure 5 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment 17 where Fig.5(a) shows how sachets are placed 18 within a preformed bracelet, and Fig.5(b) how 19 the bracelet is designed to burst the sachet on finger pressure.

22 Fig.1(a)-(c) shows a preferred embodiment of the 23 dispenser 1 of the present invention, in the integrated 24 form of a bracelet 2 which can be curved as and when required. The bracelet 2 in this embodiment is capable 26 of dispensing multiple controlled measured amounts of 27 flowable agent.

29 The bracelet 2, in flattened form as shown in Fig.l(a), incorporates a number of features.

32 The bracelet 2 comprises a number of Plowable agent 33 filled blisters 3 integral to the main body of the 1 bracelet 2. These blisters 3 are preferably any suitable 2 shape and preferably protrude out of the top 4 and bottom 3 5 surfaces of the bracelet 2. For ease of manufacturing, 4 aesthetic reasons and to prevent the blisters from catching on surfaces such as skin or fabric, the blisters 6 3 are rounded as is more clearly illustrated in Fig.l(c).

7 Furthermore, the top surface 6 of the blister and the 8 bottom surface 7 of the blister 3 preferably mirror one 9 another at either side of the bracelet 2. This means that when the top surface 6 is depressed, such as by 11 thumb or finger pressure, it collapses inwards and 12 conforms to the shape of the bottom surface 7. This 13 again preserves the aesthetic nature of the blisters 3 as 14 there is no unsightly bulging or deformation once fully depressed, but more importantly ensures that the entire 16 contents of the blister 3 may be expelled.

18 The top surface of the blister 6 is preferably integral 19 to the top surface 4 of the bracelet, and consists of a ridding material. The bottom surface of the blister 7 is 21 preferably integral to the bottom surface of the bracelet 22 5, and consists of a base material which is preferably 23 stiffer than the ridding material, the liddinq material 24 being relatively flexible.

26 To aid in the expulsion of the fluid, there is also an 27 exit channel 8 located adjacent the blister 3 and 28 extending outwards therefrom towards a top edge 9 of the 29 bracelet 2. The exit channel 8 is, as the blister 3, integral to the bracelet 2, and extends (from the 31 reader's point of view) downwards for a distance much 32 Iess than the protrusion of the bottom blister surface 7 33 to form a depression. The top of the channel 8 is sealed 1 by the liddlng material 10, integral to the bracelet 2, 2 save for a small aperture 11 in the material. In this 3 embodiment the aperture 11 takes the form of a narrow 4 slit. The channel 8 is in fluid communication with the blister 3 such that a fluid path may be established 6 between the inside of the blister 3 and the exterior of 7 the blister 3, through the aperture 11, via the exit 8 channel 8.

Fig.1(b) shows an enlarged view of one of the exit 11 channel 8 regions. Preventing leakage from the aperture 12 11 is a suitable material, preferably a burs-table 13 aluminium strip 12 extending along the length of the 14 bracelet 2, and wide enough to cover the channels 8 and most importantly the apertures 11. The burs-table 16 aluminium strip 12, being located over an aperture 11, is 17 therefore burst-able under direct pressure, for example 18 by a finger.

A number of dimples 13 are also located on, and integral 21 to, the bracelet 2. The dimples 13 are raised mounds 22 formed in the surface of the bracelet 2 protruding 23 towards the reader (from the reader's point of view with 24 regard to the figures), and may be any shape but are preferably generally pear shaped with a top portion 26 extending between two blisters 3 and the side portions 27 extending roughly perpendicularly thereto. Preferably 28 the dimples 13 are formed at the same time as the 29 bracelet. It may be observed at this point that the blisters 3 are oriented so as to be at an angle 31 substantially off perpendicular to the edge 9 of the 32 bracelet. The dimples 13 are also oriented 33 correspondingly.

2 When the dimples 13 are pressed through to the opposite 3 side, thus inverting the dimples 13, a curve is formed 4 locally in the material of the bracelet 2 as an effect.

Preferably a number of weakened fold lines 14 run across 6 the width of the bracelet 2 in a direction parallel to 7 the blisters 3 and preferably extend over each of the 8 dimples 13. When the dimple 13 is forced through the 9 weakened fold line 14 assists in the creation of a fold in a direction opposite to the direction of the force 11 that formed it and the dimple 13 and fold line 14 combine 12 to exact a staying effect on the curve of the bracelet 2.

13 When repeated along the length of the bracelet 2, the 14 effect is that the sum of all the local curves in the bracelet 2 form a continuous curve.

17 By orienting the blisters 3, dimples 13 and weakened fold 18 lines 14 parallel to one another but at an angle not 19 perpendicular to the edge 9 of the bracelet 2, the repeated curving leads to the creation of a helical coil 21 shaping of the bracelet 2. This helical shaping has a 22 number of advantages with regard to sizing for different 23 users, and convenient positioning as will be discussed 24 further below.

26 In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the dimples 13 27 may also be formed not between the blisters 3 but in line 28 with midlines of the blisters 3. In such a scenario the 29 weakened fold line 14 cannot cooperate with the blister 3. Again, the curving mechanism is the same, but the 31 dimples 13 rely on a relative stiffness forced by the 32 dimple inversion rather than the fold line 14 to retain 33 the dimple 13 in its inverted state. In yet another / 1 alternative embodiment, not shown, the curve is effected 2 by a combination of dimples 13 in line, and out of line, 3 with the blisters 3, without and with weakened fold lines 4 14, respectively.

6 To ease inversion of the dimple 13, it is foreseen that 7 the perimeter of the dimple 13 may be perforated. This 8 adds a local weakness in the material that allows the 9 dimple 13 to be pressed through with ease. Alternatively the perimeter might be defined by an otherwise weakened 11 line.

13 In use, a user will preferably begin with a flat section 14 of bracelet 2 such as shown in Fig.l(a). The blisters 3 on the bracelet are preferably filled with a fluid, such 16 as an alcohol based cleaning gel, and the apertures 11 17 are sealed with preferably dead-fold aluminium strip 12 18 preferably thermally glued in place.

The user would then proceed to press through each of the 21 dimples 13, using simple pressure between finger and 22 thumb. An experienced user, it is foreseen, would be 23 able to swiftly run a finger and thumb along the line of 24 dimples 13 to quickly invert them. This will, as has been described above, create a curve in the bracelet 2, 26 following a helical path due to the angled positioning of 27 the blisters 3, dimples 13 and weakened fold lines 14.

28 The curve formation is aided by the relative flexibility 29 of the ridding material with respect to the stiffer base material.

32 The user will now have a helical bracelet 2 comprising a 33 row of alcohol gel filled blisters 3, capable of

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1 preferably one handed ergonomic placement around the arm 2 or wrist to ergonomically dispense controlled amounts of 3 the gel. This bracelet 2 can then be placed on the wrist 4 15 of the user, as shown in Fig.2(a),The positioning of the bracelet 2 is adjustable, and this adjustment is 6 facilitated by the flexible nature of the material and 7 the fact that the end points 16 are not attached to one 8 another. By extending at least substantially round the 9 wrist 15, the bracelet 2 is naturally held in place.

When it is not convenient for the bracelet 2 to be on the 11 wrist 15, it can simply be pushed up further onto the 12 forearm 17, as shown in Fig.2(b), where it will resize 13 appropriately.

The helical nature of the bracelet 2 not only offers this 16 resizing usefulness on a single user, but means that 17 different users with different arm thicknesses may still 18 make use of the same, or a similar, bracelet 2.

Moreover, the helical shape means that more blisters 3 21 can be used on one bracelet 2 rather than if it was one 22 continuous loop. Because the helical shape is able to 23 overlap itself, as can be seen in Fig.2(a) and Fig.2(b), 24 and more obviously in Fig.2(c), extra blisters 3 can be carried.

27 The shape of the blisters 3 themselves have many 28 advantages in use. One advantage relates to airflow when 29 located on the wrist/arm of a user. The protruding lower surfaces 7 of the blisters rest on the wrist 15 or arm 17 31 of the user such that the main body of the bracelet 2 is 32 held away from the skin. As can be seen more clearly in 33 Fig.l(c), this defines passageways 18 through which air 1 may flow. In environments such as hospitals such 2 considerations are vital, as airflow such as facilitated 3 by these passageways 18 prevents build up of moisture on 4 the skin under the bracelet 2 which might harbour bacteria which can thrive in such conditions.

7 Another advantage to the configuration of the blisters 3 8 described is that a two-stage ejection procedure is 9 employed. This provides a fail-safe mechanism which prevents accidental expulsion of the fluid in the 11 blisters 3, and also has other advantages which will 12 become apparent in the next few paragraphs.

13 When the user decides to dispense the fluid in one of the 14 blisters 3, the bracelet 2 will preferably already be located at the wrist 15. Otherwise the user may slide 16 the bracelet down the arm to the wrist 15. This is the 17 most ergonomic position for dispensing alcohol 18 disinfection gel, for example, as it will be located near 19 the hand to be disinfected and can be rotated to bring a filled blister into anergonomic position for use.

22 To dispense the fluid, the aforementioned two-stage 23 ejection procedure is used. Using the finger or thumb of 24 the opposing hand, the dead-fold aluminium strip 12 is punctured at the aperture 11 of one of the as yet unused 26 blisters 3. This puncture provides an exit route for the 27 contents of the blister 3. In a second, preferably 28 continuous motion, the user then uses the finger or thumb 29 to press the top portion of the blister 6, at the end distal from the aperture ll,preferably sliding the finger 31 towards the aperture 11. The top portion of the blister 32 6 deforms toward the bottom portion 7 and the sliding 33 motion ensures that all of the fluid in the blister 3 is ) 1 ejected through the aperture 11. This depression is 2 aided by the relative flexibility of the ridding material 3 with respect to the base material. The location of the 4 hand in the vicinity of the blister 3 means that the fluid is ejected into the hand ready for use.

7 The effect of the two stage procedure and the exit 8 channel 8 is also to reduce the splatter often associated 9 with blisters 3 and other liquid dispensers. The exit channel 8 not only serves to dissipate the kinetic energy 11 of the fluid, but in the first instance provides an area 12 to puncture the blister 3 without pressurizing the fluid 13 within. This prevents fluid ejecting upon puncturing the 14 blister 3, but also means that no pressure is required to be directly exerted on the fluid within the blister 3.

16 This has direct effects on manufacture; seals l9 between 17 the blisters need not be so strong and therefore the 18 blisters 3 can be located closer together.

Another key advantage to the blisters 3 is that having 21 discrete vessels allow small doses, e.g. 1-2ml, of fluid 22 to be dispensed accurately. This minimises the amount of 23 fluid used in excess of that required.

Alternative blisters might take the form of flat top 26 ampoules, which might comprise peelable seals or 27 burstable lids. Retaining the curved bottom surface 7 28 retains the airflow advantage, while a flat top might 29 reduce bulkiness and be less obstrusive.

31 A further embodiment of the present invention is 32 illustrated in Fig.3(a) and Fig.3(b). This embodiment 33 shows a bracelet 20 which is preformed into a shape to

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1 conform to the wrist of a user. The bracelet 20 in this 2 embodiment is capable of dispensing multiple controlled 3 amounts of flow-able agent by ergonomic use of 4 controlled agent exit point.

6 The bracelet 20 is a split ring shape, which allows, 7 dependent on the flexibility of the material chosen, some 8 degree of deformation to allow for moving the bracelet 20 9 on the arm. Such a design is more suited to a particular size of wrist/arm, unlike the preferred embodiment, 11 although the benefits of the expanding concept may still 12 be realised to some useful extent.

14 In this embodiment. there is a single reservoir 21 that extends the length and breadth of the bracelet 20. This 16 contains, as preferred above and for example, an alcohol 17 cleaning gel. Such is the design of the bracelet 20 in 18 this embodiment that it lends itself to production by 19 blow moulding. This embodiment therefore possibly reduces demands with regard to manufacturing 21 capabilities.

23 The bracelet 20 also has an aperture 22 located in the 24 middle of the bracelet 20, such that when being worn it points downwards in the same direction as the palm. Note 26 that when not in use the bracelet 20 can be rotated 180 27 degrees on the wrist so that the fluid inside flows away 28 from the ape cture under the effects of gravity.

Covering the aperture 22 is a simple slide 23 that slides 31 across to reveal the aperture 22, and slides back across 32 to reseal the aperture 22. The aperture 11 acts only as 33 an exit hole, and offers no means for controlling the 1 rate of flow. There is a raised ridge 24 so that 2 applying a force to move the slide 23 is easier, and also 3 so that it can be opened or closed by feel alone, for 4 example in the dark or in low light situations.

6 Furthermore, the slide 23 offers another significant 7 advantage in that it is an ergonomic on/off mechanism 8 which offers superior control of agent exit when compared 9 to the state of the art. By way of explanation the slide 23 can be moved by the hand to uncover the aperture 22, 11 the bracelet 20 squeezed by the hand to dispense fluid 12 into the hand, and the slide 23 moved back to cover the 13 aperture 22, all in one continuous movement of the hand.

The bracelet 20 may be provided in a flat, tubular form 16 (not shown) which is then shaped to form a curve before 11 placing on the wrist.

19 The fixed thickness of the bracelet 2, which is squeezed at the sides 25 to expel fluid, may lend itself to a 21 somewhat controlled exit of flow-able agent. The addition 22 of an ergonomically controlled exit improves this 23 function.In this way, bracelets 20 can be designed in the 24 knowledge that a certain number of uses are possible before the need to refill.

27 It is important to note that it is proposed that any of 28 the embodiments herein described may be refillable.

Figure 4 illustrates an alternative curve forming means 31 applicable to the type of dispenser conceived in 32 Figure 1. Figure 1 uses a number of invertable dimples 33 13 to effect a curve. Figure 4 shows a bracelet 26 in ! 1 flat form with a curved weakened line 27 extending the 2 length of the bracelet 26. When the folding portion 28 3 is folded downwards, the effect of the curved weakened 4 fold line 27 is that the bracelet 26 is forced to curve.

When curved in this way, the bracelet 26 may form a curve 6 or loop preferably without any further components being 7 required. However, it may also be convenient to have 8 fasteners 29 to fixedly attach the ends of the bracelet 9 26 to retain its shape.

11 The bracelet 26 also comprises a land area 35 which is 12 designed to accept any curve forming means, for example a 13 coil, at any stage including manufacture or use.

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the present 16 invention, wherein sachets 30 of fluid have been inserted 17 into a preformed bracelet 31. The bracelet 31 has a 18 raised and angled portion 32 designed to locate the 19 sachets 30 on the bracelet 31, and also to offer a hard and sharp edge 33 onto which the sachet 30 can be forced 21 in order to burst the sachet 30. Fig.5(a) shows the 22 sachet 30 on the bracelet 31 in its normal state, and 23 Fig.5(b) shows how the sachet 30 deforms as finger 24 pressure 34 urges it towards the sharp edge, the sachet 30 rising up at this point to meet the sharp edge 33 26 whereupon further pressure will cause the sachet 30 to 27 burst, expelling the contents therefrom.

29 In any embodiment of the present invention, the bracelet is preferably secure but not necessarily close fitting.

31 If the bracelet is not secure enough in its own nature, 32 then securing means such as adhesive, buckles, clips,

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1 straps, buttons or elastic bands might be used, to name 2 but a few, once the bracelet is on the arm.

4 Importantly, the bracelet of the present is preferably shaped into a curve, coil or helical curve before it is 6 placed on the wrist or arm, thus providing an ergonomic 7 speedy fitting.

9 It is envisaged that the dispensers may be distributed from a wall mounted unit containing extensive lengths of 11 blisters to be curved on exit. In the case of the 12 embodiment shown in Figure 1, an exemplary wall mounted 13 unit may have two toothed wheels designed to interact on 14 rotation. When distributing the blisters 3, it is proposed that when pulling a section of bracelet 2 out 16 from the wall mounted unit, the region containing the 17 dimples 13 passes through the toothed wheels which in 18 turning press the dimples 13 through to invert them.

19 This means that the bracelet 2 is already curved when it exits the unit. The user can then choose to cut the 21 bracelet 2 to a length suited, if predetermined lengths 22 are not already defined.

24 Further scope for the wall mounted unit may involve loading the unit with a length of bracelet 2 without any 26 fluid therein or the aluminium strip 12 sealing the 27 apertures 11. The unit could then proceed to fill the 28 blisters 3 and seal the apertures 11 with the aluminium 29 strip 12 before passing through the toothed wheels to curve the bracelet 2. The advantages of filling 31 immediately before distribution are that the demands on 32 the material may be less strict as the bracelets 2 are 33 not being stored with the fluid in them; less time is 1 available for the contents to degrade the material for 2 example. In this regard, the bracelet 2 may be made of a 3 relatively thinner material which will be more flexible, 4 but more importantly more cost effective.

6 For the purposes of recycling, the process may be aided 7 by re-inverting the dimples 13 to return the bracelet 2 8 to its flat form, as in Fig.l(a).

The ergonomic advantages of the present invention are 11 clear from the described embodiments above. The fluid 12 can be dispensed to the hand with relative ease, the 13 bracelet of at least one embodiment can then be moved up 14 the arm, and the user can continue with their work without having to leave the spot.

17 In conjunction with good hygiene practices such as 18 increased surveillance and greater education, the present 19 invention encourages a superior level of protection by facilitating frequent hand disinfection.

22 Another benefit of the present invention is with regard 23 to third party observation of good practice. For 24 example, locating the dispenser on the wrist or arm of a nurse provides a visual indication to a patient that the 26 nurse has a facility for cleaning his or her hands. In 27 this way, a patient may bring it to the attention of the 28 nurse if they did not observe the nurse cleaning his or 29 her hands before approaching them. This could encourage nurses, or in fact any medical practitioners, to visibly 31 clean their hands in front of a patient so as to gain 32 their trust and minimize the risk of cross infection.

1 The ergonomic advantage to be had from locating the 2 reservoirs on the wrist or arm of a user are clear given 3 the convenient positioning for access by the opposing 4 hand.

6 Another possible application is for the dispensing of 7 flowable agents such as insect repellents, sun creams, 8 barrier creams, and for hand cleaning fluids for workers 9 in the catering industry where foodborne bacteria may be transferred with relative ease in the absence of good 11 hygienic practice.

13 A Food Standards Agency nationwide survey of food hygiene 14 in the catering industry found that more than 1 in 3 (39%) of employees in small to medium firms in the 16 catering industry do not wash their hands after visiting 17 the lavatory. Perhaps more worryingly 53% did not wash 18 their hands before preparing food. The visual reminder 19 of a dispensing bracelet as disclosed in this application could serve to reduce these numbers, and the use of 21 alcohol based gels could overcome the aversion to 22 cleaning caused by soap related skin problems.

24 The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description 26 and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the 27 invention to the precise form disclosed. The described 28 embodiments were chosen and described in order to best 29 explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art 31 to best utilise the invention in various embodiments and 32 with various modifications as are suited to the 33 particular use contemplated. Therefore, further ) 28 1 modifications or improvements may be incorporated without 2 departing from the scope of the invention as defined by 3 the appended claims. For example, the Plowable agent is 4 not intended to be limited to disinfecting or cleaning fluid, or alcohol gels. A grip enhancing solution may be 6 used to prevent slippage for users participating in 7 sports such as weigh/lifting, rock climbing or acrobatics 8 and gymnastics. Furthermore, the fluid could be a hair 9 product and the bracelet able to conveniently locate the individual doses on a hairdresser's arm.

Claims

1 Claims: 3 What is claimed is: 1. A dispenser for enabling a user to

selectively 6 dispense a flowable agent, the dispenser comprising: 7 at least one reservoir, the at least one 8 reservoir adapted to contain the flowable agent; 9 a valveless dispensing means; and a dispenser locating means; 11 wherein the dispenser locating means is adapted to 12 locate the at least one reservoir around a limb of 13 the user and the valveless dispensing means is 14 capable of dispensing multiple controlled amounts of the flowable agent from the at least one reservoir.

17 2. A dispenser as described in claim 1 wherein the 18 valveless dispensing means dispenses multiple 19 controlled measured amounts of the flowable agent.

21 3. A dispenser as described in claim 1 wherein the 22 valveless dispensing means dispenses multiple 23 controlled amounts of the flowable agent upon manual 24 activation.

26 4. A dispenser as described in claim 1 wherein the at 27 least one reservoir each comprise a vessel adapted 28 to releasably retain a discrete volume of the 29 flowable agent.

31 5. A dispenser as described in claim 1 wherein the 32 reservoir is a single vessel extending substantially 33 along the length of the dispenser.

- 30 2 6. A dispenser as described in claim 1 wherein the 3 reservoir contains a textile, with the flowable 4 agent held therein.

6 7. A dispenser as described in claim 2, 3, 4 or 5 7 wherein at least part of the vessel is at least 8 partially flexible so as to be deformed under 9 external pressure.

11 8. A dispenser as described in claim 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 12 wherein the vessel is elastically flexible so as to 13 return to its original shape once external pressure 14 is removed.

16 9. A dispenser as described in claim 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8 17 wherein the vessel further comprises an openable 18 means.

10. A dispenser as described in claim 9 wherein the 21 openable means comprises a film of burstable 22 material.

24 11. A dispenser as described in claim 10 wherein the burstable material is aluminium.

27 12. A dispenser as described in claim 9, 10 or 11 28 wherein the openable means is adapted to break under 29 direct pressure.

31 13. A dispenser as described in claim 9 wherein the 32 openable means is formed by a film adapted to form 33 at least part of a wall of the vessel.

2 14. A dispenser as described in any of claims 9 to 13 3 wherein the openable means is adapted to break 4 without exerting pressure on the flowable agent in the vessel.

7 15. A dispenser as described in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein 8 the at least one reservoir comprises a blister pack 9 containing the flowable agent capable of deforming when applying external pressure.

12 16. A dispenser as described in claim 15 wherein the 13 blister pack comprises a perforated portion adapted 14 to become open in an action distinct from the application of external pressure.

17 17. A dispenser as described in claim 15 wherein the 18 blister pack is located proximal to a substantially 19 rigid material so as to engage the rigid material on application of external pressure.

22 18. A dispenser as described in any of the preceding 23 claims wherein the reservoir further comprises an 24 exit means for directing a flowable agent flowing from the reservoir.

27 19. A dispenser as described in claim 18 wherein the 28 exit means comprises an exit channel in fluid 29 communication with the reservoir.

31 20. A dispenser as described in any of the preceding 32 claims wherein the valveless dispensing means is 33 integral to each of the at least one reservoirs.

2 21. A dispenser as described in any of the preceding 3 claims wherein the valveless dispensing means is 4 arranged to express fluid from the reservoir in a single continuous action.

7 22. A dispenser as described in any of the preceding 8 claims wherein the valveless dispensing means 9 comprises a spatter prevention means.

11 23. A dispenser as described in claim 22 wherein the 12 spatter prevention means comprises a spatter 13 reducing channel.

24. A dispenser as described in claim 23 wherein the 16 spatter reducing channel is integral to an exit 17 channel.

19 25. A dispenser as described in claim 23 or 24 wherein the spatter reducing channel comprises at least one 21 chicane.

23 26. A dispenser as described in any of the preceding 24 claims wherein the valveless dispensing means comprises a sliding cover mechanism covering an 26 aperture in each of the at least one reservoirs.

28 21. A dispenser as described in any of the preceding 29 claims wherein the dispenser locating means is a bracelet.

1 28. A dispenser as described in claim 27 wherein the at 2 least one reservoir and the valveless dispensing 3 means are integral to the bracelet.

29. A dispenser as described in claim 27 wherein the 6 bracelet is a substructure upon which the at least 7 one reservoir and the valveless dispensing means are 8 carried.

30. A dispenser as described in claim 27, 28 or 29 11 wherein the bracelet comprises an elastic material 12 to forcibly conform the bracelet to substantially 13 encircle a limb of the user.

31. A dispenser as described in claim 27 or 28 wherein 16 the bracelet comprises a flexible material capable 17 of being formed into a curve.

19 32. A dispenser as described in claim 31 wherein the flexible material comprises a base layer of 21 relatively stiff material and a covering layer of 22 blister packs.

24 33. A dispenser as described in claim 31 or claim 32 wherein the flexible material is polyethylene 26 terephthalate (PET).

28 34. A dispenser as described in any of claims 27 to 33 29 wherein the bracelet comprises a curve forming means adapted to form a curve in the bracelet upon 31 activation of said curve forming means.

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1 35. A dispenser as described in claim 34 wherein the 2 curve forming means comprises at least one flexible 3 dimple formed on the bracelet, the at least one 4 dimple adapted to resiliently urge the bracelet to curve when it is inverted.

7 36. A dispenser as described in claim 35 wherein the 8 curve forming means further comprises at least one 9 curve retaining means adapted to cooperate with at least one dimple such as to provide a means for 11 maintaining inverted the at least one dimple when 12 inverted.

14 37. A dispenser as described in claim 36 wherein the curve retaining means is enhanced by at least one 16 weakened fold line on the bracelet.

18 38. A dispenser as described in claim 37 wherein the at 19 least one weakened fold line is formed such that it bisects a dimple.

22 39. A dispenser as described in claim 38 wherein the at 23 least one weakened fold line is formed such that it 24 does not cooperate with a dimple.

26 40. A dispenser as described in any of claims 37 to 39 27 wherein the at least one weakened fold line is 28 oriented at an angle away from perpendicular to the 29 direction of the bracelet, so as to form a helical curve.

32 41. A dispenser as described in claim 34 wherein the 33 curve forming means comprises a plurality of hinged 1 sections located on the bracelet and movable to 2 provide a flexible curve in the bracelet.

4 42. A dispenser as described in claim 34 wherein the curve forming means comprises a plurality of angled 6 sections adapted to form a curve in the bracelet.

8 43. A dispenser as described in any of claims 34 to 42 9 wherein the curve formed by the curve forming means is adapted to substantially encircle a limb of the 11 user.

13 44. A dispenser as described in any of claims 34 to 43 14 wherein the curve formed by the curve forming means follows a helical path.

17 45. A dispenser as described in any of claims 34 to 43 18 wherein the curve forming means further comprises a 19 securing means, capable of fixing the dispenser on a limb of the user.

22 46. A dispenser as described in claim 45 wherein the 23 fixing means is effected by the helical path 24 extending at least substantially circumferentially round a limb of the user.

27 47. A dispenser as described in claim 45 wherein the 28 fixing means fixedly couples distal ends of the 29 bracelet with a connection means.

31 48. A dispenser as described in claim 47 wherein the 32 connection means comprises at least one of the group 33 comprising; Velcro connections, buckle connections, 1 self-adhesive connections, tie-able connections, 2 quick-release connections, and press fastenings.

4 49. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for a user 6 dispensing a flowable agent, the method comprising 7 the steps of: 8 storing the flowable agent in at least one 9 valveless vessel; moveably locating the at least one valveless 11 vessel around a limb of the user; and 12 expelling the flowable agent from at least one 13 valveless vessel by application of an external 14 pressure in a preferably continuous movement; such that the flowable agent is dispensed in 16 controlled measured amounts.

18 50. According to an third aspect of the present 19 invention there is provided a method of distributing fluid dispensers, the method comprising the steps 21 of: 22 locating a flat length of dispenser within a 23 distribution device; 24 progressively removing the length of dispenser from the distribution device through a curve forming 26 device; and 27 curving the length of dispenser by means of the 28 curve forming device; 29 whereby as the length of dispenser is removed from the distribution device the curve forming device 3l creates a curve in the length of dispenser. ) 37

1 51. The method as described in claim 50 wherein the 2 method comprises the additional step of inserting 3 flowable agent in the length of dispenser within the 4 distribution device.

6 52. The method as described in claim 50 or claim 51 7 wherein the method comprises the additional step of 8 removing a desired length of dispenser from the 9 distribution device and cutting the length of dispenser appropriately.