US2684716A

US2684716A - Gauze dispenser

Info

Publication number: US2684716A
Application number: US301172A
Authority: US
Inventors: Le Roy K Mills; Ollie F Slaby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1952-07-28
Filing date: 1952-07-28
Publication date: 1954-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 1971-07-27

Description

J y 27, 1954 LE ROY K. MILLS ETAL 2,684,716

GAUZE DISPENSER Filed July 28, 1952 Patented July 27, 1954 a ign ()FFICE GAUZE DISPENSER Le Roy K. Mills, Baltimore, Md., and Ollie F. Slaby, Parma, Ohio Application July 28, 1952, Serial No. 301,172

12 Claims. 1

Our present invention comprises a novel dispenser, designed especially for maintaining and dispensing gauze for bandages under sterile and sanitary conditions.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the type referred to in which sterile gauze may be sealed under sterile and sanitary conditions, and from which dispenser the gauze may be withdrawn or dispensed Without being touched by the human hand so as to be maintained under sterile conditions at all times.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser for sterile bandage material such as auze, in which the same is sealed under sterile conditions and from which the same may be dispensed without being touched by the human hand, whereby a portion of the sterile bandage material may be dispensed for use while retaining the unused portion within the dispenser in uncontaminated condition for later use.

- Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the type referred to in which sterile bandage material such as gauze may be sealed dispensing a portion thereof from outside of the dispenser without touching the same with the human hand and maintaining the remaining portion of the material within the dispenser in uncontaminated condition. 7

A further object of the invention is. to provide a dispenser of the type referred to in which sterile bandage material is sealed under sanitary conditions, and from which the sterile bandage material may be dispensed by manipulation from the outside of the dispenser to move the bandage material within the dispenser and cause a portion of the same to be severed from the remainder at a point within the dispenser, all without touching the bandage material with the human hand,

and while maintaining the material within the dispenser inuncontaminated condition.

Inv carrying our invention into practice, we provide a dispenser of the type referred to, comprising a housing or. container within which a roll of sterile bandage material may be sealed under sterile and sanitary conditions, the same having a dispensing end provided with a narrow opening through which the bandage material may be dispensed. Slide means is provided inside the housing of the dispenser for, engaging the free end of the sterile bandage material to move it toward the opening through which it is dispensed, such slide means having associated therewith manipulatingmeans operable from the outside of the dispenser housing for eifecting under sterile conditions, and manipulated for res movement of the slide means. The dispenser of our invention further includes a cutting blade disposed inside of the dispenser housing adjacent the dispensing opening, and the slide means and manipulating means are so constructed and arranged as to enable movement of the free end of the roll of bandage material into position for dispensing through the dispensing opening and also to enable movement of the free end of the sterile bandage material into a different position for severing of a portion of said material by the cutting blade inside of the dispenser.

Our invention further contemplates the employment of provisions on the slide means for engaging the sterile bandage material to insure its being moved only in the direction toward the dispensing opening and to prevent its being withdrawn inwardly from engagement with the slide member.

Our invention further contemplates the provision of a removable cover member, or nosepiece which is designed to slidably fit over the dispensing end of the dispenser so as to normally close the dispensing opening and prevent the entrance of air so as to avoid internal contamination of the bandage material. This removable cover is constructed of flexible material in such manner that when detached from the dispenser, it may be used to engage the free end of-the bandage inaterial'moved by the slider through the dispensing opening so as to, draw out of the dispenser a suitable portion of the bandage material to be severed from the remaining portion inside the dispenser.

With the foregoing objects and general statement of the features of our invention in view, We Will now proceed to a detailed description thereof, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is'a top plan view of a dispenser embodying our invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the complete dis- Denser.

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 44 of Figure 1, showing the slide means in its normal condition Figure 5 is a similar sectional view showing the slide means in position under the cutting blade, the free end of the bandage material extending through the dispensing opening and clampingly engaged by the flexible cover in condition for severing the dispensed portion of the bandage ma terialby the cutting blade. 7 7

Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view,

similar to Figure 5, with the parts in the same condition.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1, showing the slide means moved toward the dispensing opening above the cutting blade for causing the free edge of the bandage material to be inserted through the dispensing opening.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 1.

As illustrated in the drawings, the dispenser of our invention comprises a housing or casing consisting of two matched upper and lower half sections respectively designated by the numerals I and 2, the same being formed with respective flange portions Ia and 2a which fit together in face-to-face relation for joining the sections I and 2 together. The casing sections I and 2 comprise semi-cylindrical portions 3 and 4 respectively, which when the sections are joined together, form a cylindrical housing portion within which a cylindrical roll of bandage material designated by the numeral 5, may be disposed as seen in Figures 3, 4 and 5. The casing sections I and 2 are also formed with dispensing portions 5 and I extending from the semi-cylindrical portions 3 and 4 in substantially parallel relation as seen best in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

Within the dispensing portion formed by the spaced parallel extending portions 6 and I, there is disposed a movable slide member generally designated 8, consisting of upper and lower plate members respectively designated 9 and I0, which are joined together only at their side edges as indicated at I I. The free end 5a of the bandage material as it is unwound from the cylindrical roll 5, is adapted to be inserted between the plate members 5 and IE! in frictional engagement therewith with the free end edge 51) of the bandage material extending beyond the slide member 8 toward the dispensing opening of the device, designated I2, formed at the outer extremity of the portions 6 and I by a separation therebetween. In this connection, it may be noted that flanges Ia and 2a by which the casing sections I and 2 are joined together, extend around the casing section to a point short of the extremity at which the dispensing opening I2 is located.

The upper plate member 9 of the slide memher 8 has a stud I3 joined thereto and extending upwardly therefrom through an elongated slot M in the upper casing section I. The upper end of the stud I3 has a knob or button I5 secured thereto for manipulation by the person using the dispenser to cause the slide member 8 to be moved toward or away the dispensing opening I2. A spring I6 is interposed between the knob or button I5, and a cup washer I'I bearing against the upper surface of the dispensing portion 6. The spring I5 encompasses the stud I3 and the upper end of the spring is received in a recess in button I5, the lower end of the spring being received in the central cup portion of the washer II which has a central aperture through which the stud I3 extends. The washer I1 is formed with a peripheral annular flange Ila, which extends within and is encompassed by a peripheral annular flange portion I500 of the knob or button t5, the body of the latter being provided with a circumferential or annular recess I51) within which the flange portion IIa of the washer Il may extend when the knob or button I5 is pressed downwardly to compress the spring I6.

It will be understood that the slide member 8 is movable within the limits defined by the ends 4 of the elongated slot I4 through which the stud I3 extends and in all positions of such movement the slot I4 will be covered by the flanged cup washer I! and the button I5 associated therewith.

The casing or housing sections I and. 2 of the dispenser may be formed of any suitable material, but preferably we form the same of a molda'ole or formable plastic material which has sufficient body and rigidity for the purpose. We also provide a detachable cover or nosepiece which may be of similar plastic material but which is sufficiently resilient and flexible for the purpose to be hereinafter described. This cover or nosepiece I3 fits tightly over the dispensing end of the device so as to completely close the opening I2.

Within the dispensing portion of the dispenser adjacent the opening I2, there is disposed a knife or cutting blade I9 secured to the lower section 2, the blade having a cutting edge I9a arranged in spaced relation to the bottom wall of the section 2 and disposed some distance inwardly (or leftwardly, having reference to Figures 3, 4, 5, 6 and '7) from the opening I2. The blade I9 is adapted to sever adesired lengthof gauze 5 from the remainder thereof in the manner hereinafter described.

The outer or rightward edge of the lower plate III of slide member 8 is beveled slightly upwardly and provided with teeth 29 adapted to engage the gauze extending between the plates 9 and It to prevent the gauze from being withdrawn backwardly (or leftwardly referring to Figures 3 to 6) from between said plates.

In the employment of our invention for the purpose of providing a sanitary dispenser for bandage material such as gauze commonly used for bandaging purposes, we contemplate that before the casing sections I and 2 are secured together, the free end of the roll of gauze 5 will have been inserted between the plate members 53 and III of the slide member 8 so that the free edge 5b thereof protrudes outwardly therefrom in the manner indicated in Figure 4, whereafter the roll of gauze will be sealed into the dispenser comprised of the sections I and 2 which will now be secured together attheir flanged portions Ia and 2a in any suitable manner, all of which is accomplished under highly sterile and sanitary conditions. It will be noted that the free edge 5b of the gauze does not extend through the opening I2 of the dispenser, the same being closed by the detachable cover or nosepiece I8 tightly fitted over the dispensing end of the device as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

In view of the arrangement of the button I5 in conjunction with the flanged cup washer I7 and the spring I6 interposedtherebetween, it will be understood that the elongated slot I4 is at all times covered by the washer and button. Thus, it will be understood that the gauze within the dispenser is completely enclosed under sanitary and sterile conditions and is maintained sealed against free entrance of air so as to prevent contamination in use. p

In the operation of dispensing gauze for the purposes of sterile dressings or bandages, the person using the dispenser will grasp with his fingers the cover, or nosepiece I8, and slip it off the dispensing end of the device to thereby uncover the dispensing opening I2. Next, the button I5 will be moved rightwardly-from the condition shown in Figures 3 and l, to move the slide member 8 to the condition shown in Figure 7 whereby the end edge 51) of the gauze is caused to protrude outwardly through the opening I2 of the dispenser in the manner shown in Figure 7. Now, the protruding end edge '56 of the gauze may be gripped by manipulation of the'fiexible cover or nosepiece I8 after the manner shown at the right of Figure 5, by pressure of the fingers of the operator upon the member [8 whereby to grippingly engage the end of the gauze received within the member I 8. Thus, by such manipulation of the member I8, a suitable length of gauze can be drawn out of the dispenser. When that is done, the button I5 is moved leftwardly from the position of Figure 7, until the slide member 8 is disposed leftwardly of the blade i9; then thebutton I5 is pressed downwardly against the action of the spring I6 to cause the plate II! of the slide member to engage the bottom wall of the dispenser, after which the button I5 is moved rightwardly to the position of Figures 5 and 6 inwhich the outer or righthand portion of the 'slide member is disposed beneath the cutting blade I9. It will be noted that the free end of the gauze passing through the slide member 8 is now disposed so that it passes around and over the cutting edge I9a of the blade, and is held in engagement with the cutting edge Ida in condition to be severed. Now the portion of the gauze gripped by the cover member 18 is manipulated so as to cause the blade I5) to sever the portion of the gauze protruding from the dispenser from the portion of the gauze remaining in the dispenser and held in the position shown in Figure 6.

Thus, the gauze is severed at a point within the dispenser spaced from the opening I2. In the severing operation, the portion of the gauze extending between the slide member and the cutting edge I9a of the blade still protrudes from the slide member to be inserted through the opening I2 in the manner above described by manipulation of the slide member when it is next desired to dispense another length of gauze. After the operation of severing a length of gauze in the manner described, the cover member or nosepiece I8 is replaced upon the dispenser in the manner shown in Figures 3 and 4. Thus, it will be seen that the gauze within the dispenser is maintained sealed in from contamination and untouched by the human hand at all times, even during the dispensing operation.

It will be understood of course that for the next dispensing operation, the slide member will be moved by means of the button I5 leftwardly from the position of Figure 6 so as to clear the blade I9 after which the spring IE will move the slide member upwardly to the position of Figure 4 after which the slide member may be moved by means of the button I 5 rightwardly from the position of Figure 4 to the position of Figure 7 to cause the protruding edge of the gauze to be inserted through the opening I2.' In the course of this manipulation, the teeth 25) prevent the gauze from being withdrawn rearwardly or leftwardly from between the blades 9 and I!) of the slide member.

cutting blade having a cutting edge and disposed within said housing with said cutting edge spaced from said opening and spaced from the walls of said dispensing portion, and manipulating means connected to the slide means and operable from outside the housing to move the slide means within said housing toward and away from said opening, the slide means being of a thickness less than the distance'between the cutting edge of said blade and one of the walls of said dispensing portion.

2. A gauze dispenser of the class described, comprising, in combination, a housing having a dispensing portion provided with a dispensing opening through which gauze may be dispensed, slide means disposed within the housing in mov able relation thereto, said slide means having provisions for engaging a portion of gauze within said housing, to move the gauze relative thereto, a cutting blade having a cutting edge and disposed within said housing with said cutting edge spaced from said opening and spaced from the walls of said dispensing portion, and manipulating means connected to the slide means and 0p erable from outside the housingto move the slide means within said housing toward and away from said opening, said manipulating means being also operable to move the slide means to different positions on opposite sides of said blade, the slide means being of a thickness less than the distance between the cutting edge of said blade and one of the walls of said dispensing portion.

3. A gauze dispenser of the class described comprising, in combinatioma housing having a dispensing portion provided with a dispensing opening through which gauze may be dispensed, slide means disposed within the housing in movable relation thereto, said slide means having pro visions for engaging a portion of gauze within said housing, to move the gauze relative thereto, manipulating means connected to the slide means and operable from outside the housing to move the slide means within and relative to said housing, toward and away from said opening, and a cutting blade disposed within the housing and having a cutting edge spaced from said opening and spaced from the walls of the dispensing portion, the slide means being movable by the manipulating means to a position in which a portion of the slide means is disposed on one side of the blade adjacent the said opening, and said slide means being movable to another position in which the same portion of the slide means is disposed on the opposite side of said blade, the slide means being of a thickness less than the distance between the cutting edge of said blade and one of the walls of said dispensing portion.

4. A gauze dispenser of the class described,

' comprising, in combination, a housing having a The washer member I! fits closely around the stud I3 so that the slot I4 is covered by the washer member at all times.

We claim:

1. A gauze dispenser of the class described, comprising, in combination, a housing having a dispensing portion provided with a dispensing opening through which gauze may be dispensed, slide means disposed within the housing in movable relation thereto, said slide means having provisions for engaging a portion of gauze within said housing, to move the gauze relative thereto, a

dispensing portion provided with a dispensing opening through which gauze may be dispensed, slide means disposed within the housing in movable relation thereto, said slide means comprising upper and lower plate members between which gauze may be inserted for frictional engagement thereby, said housing having a slot through one wall thereof, a stud having one end secured to one of said plate members and extending through said slot, a manipulating member secured to the other end of the stud outwardly of the housing. and a cutting blade disposed within the housing, said blade having a cutting edge spaced from said opening and spaced from the walls of the dispensing portion, said slot being elongated in a direction to permit movement of the slide means toward and away from said opening, the stud being of a length permitting movement of the slide means in a direction axially of the stud whereby the slide means is movable by the manipulating member to a position in which a portion of the slide means is disposed on one side of said blade adjacent said opening, and said slide means is also movable to a position in which the same portion of the slide means is disposed on the other side of said blade, the slide means being of a thickness less than the distance between the cutting edge of said blade and one of the walls of said dispensing portion.

5. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 1, combined with a cover member, slidably and removably fittable over said dispensing portion to close said opening.

6. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 1, combined with a cover member composed of flexible and resilient material slidably and removably fittable over said dispensing portion to close said opening, said cover member when removed irom the dispenser being adapted to grippingly engage the free end of gauze dispensed from said opening.

7. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing has a cylindrical portion communicating with said dispensing portion and adapted to receive a roll of gauze.

8. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 4, and spring means interposed between the manipulating member and the adjacent wall of said housing to normally maintain the slide means in condition to be slidably moved to one of said positions.

9. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 4, combined with a washer member on said stud and engaging the exterior of said housing to cover said slot.

10. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 4, combined with a washer member on said stud and engaging the exterior of said housing to cover said slot, said manipulating member having an annular recess, and said washer member having an annular flange received in said recess.

11. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 4, combined with a washer member on said stud and engaging the exterior of said housing to cover said slot, said manipulating member having an annular recess, and said washer member having an annular flange received in said recess, and spring means interposed between said washer member and said manipulating member.

12. A gauze dispenser as claimed in claim 4, wherein one of said plates has an edge provided with teeth engageable with gauze inserted between said plate members.

Eeferences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 655,196 Church et a1. Aug. '7, 1900 1,899,625 Metts Feb. 2%, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS N umber Country Date 729,693 France May 2, 1932