WO2013187865A1 - Cotton dispenser - Google Patents
Cotton dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2013187865A1 WO2013187865A1 PCT/US2012/041869 US2012041869W WO2013187865A1 WO 2013187865 A1 WO2013187865 A1 WO 2013187865A1 US 2012041869 W US2012041869 W US 2012041869W WO 2013187865 A1 WO2013187865 A1 WO 2013187865A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- cotton
- strand
- spool
- dispenser
- feed assembly
- Prior art date
Links
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 title claims abstract description 130
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 235000009161 Espostoa lanata Nutrition 0.000 description 8
- 240000001624 Espostoa lanata Species 0.000 description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- ZCYVEMRRCGMTRW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 7553-56-2 Chemical compound [I] ZCYVEMRRCGMTRW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008280 blood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004369 blood Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052740 iodine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011630 iodine Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000036316 preload Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F15/00—Auxiliary appliances for wound dressings; Dispensing containers for dressings or bandages
- A61F15/001—Packages or dispensers for bandages, cotton balls, drapes, dressings, gauze, gowns, sheets, sponges, swabsticks or towels
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D1/00—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor
- B26D1/01—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work
- B26D1/04—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a linearly-movable cutting member
- B26D1/06—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a linearly-movable cutting member wherein the cutting member reciprocates
- B26D1/08—Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting member or particular materials not otherwise provided for; Apparatus or machines therefor; Cutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a linearly-movable cutting member wherein the cutting member reciprocates of the guillotine type
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D5/00—Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
- B26D5/08—Means for actuating the cutting member to effect the cut
- B26D5/086—Electric, magnetic, piezoelectric, electro-magnetic means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B26—HAND CUTTING TOOLS; CUTTING; SEVERING
- B26D—CUTTING; DETAILS COMMON TO MACHINES FOR PERFORATING, PUNCHING, CUTTING-OUT, STAMPING-OUT OR SEVERING
- B26D5/00—Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
- B26D5/20—Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting with interrelated action between the cutting member and work feed
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to dispensing devices and, more particularly, to a dispenser of cotton material in user-defined portions.
- a user is able to obtain cotton ball type material of selected sizes automatically upon the press of a button.
- Cotton balls or swabs are most often used in the medical community during medical procedures, whether to apply a medicament such as iodine to a wound, to absorb fluids such as blood, or to wipe away unsanitary substances.
- cotton balls are often used in the home environment for similar purposes.
- Cotton materials used for these purposes are often sold in packages of multiple predetermined size balls or in bulk form in which individual pieces must be torn off for use.
- both types of traditional packaging has its disadvantages. For instance, to obtain a single cotton ball from a package of cotton balls requires a user to physically handle multiple balls that may be stuck together and then return unneeded cotton balls to the package. Similarly with a bulk of cotton material, the entire bulk must be physically handled in order to tear off a desired quantity. In either case, the required handling of the cotton may introduce undesirable contamination to unused cotton balls or to the bulk of cotton.
- a cotton dispenser that is powered and which dispenses the precise amount of cotton desired by a user. Further, it would be desirable to have a cotton dispenser that does not require any physical handling of stored cotton by a person. In addition, it would be desirable to have a cotton dispenser that enables a user to pre-load or re-load a spool of cotton into a housing.
- a cotton dispenser includes a spool configured to receive a cotton strand thereabout and that rotates when the cotton strand is unwound therefrom.
- the dispenser includes a feed assembly downstream from the spool configured to receive an end of the cotton strand and unwind it from the spool when actuated.
- a cutting assembly is downstream from the feed assembly and configured to receive the cotton strand from the feed assembly.
- the cutting assembly includes a blade movable from a retracted configuration not in contact with the cotton strand and an activated configuration that severs the received cotton strand.
- the cotton dispenser includes a discharge chute in operative communication with the cutting assembly for guiding severed cotton portions to an outlet opening.
- a first input switch is electrically configured to actuate the feeding assembly so long as the input button is depressed and to actuate the cutting assembly when released. Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a powered cotton dispenser that enables a user to dispense a selected size or number of cotton portions at the press of a button.
- Another object of this invention is to provide a powered cotton dispenser, as aforesaid, that unwinds cotton from a pre-loaded spool so long as an input button is depressed and then automatically cuts the unwound portion when the input button is released.
- a further object of this invention is to provide a powered cotton dispenser, as aforesaid, that enables a user to replace a pre-loaded cotton spool or to manually wind a new strand of cotton about an original spool.
- a still further object of this invention is to provide a powered cotton dispenser, as aforesaid, that is easy to use and cost-effective to manufacture.
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cotton dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention
- Fig. 2a is a sectional view taken along line 2a- 2a of Fig. 2b;
- Fig. 2b is a side view of the cotton dispenser as in Fig. 1 ;
- Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cotton dispenser as in Fig. 1 with the housing removed;
- Fig. 4a is a front view of the cotton dispenser as in Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4b is a sectional view taken along line 4b-4b of Fig. 4a;
- Fig. 5 is an isolated perspective view of the feeding and cutting assemblies as in Fig. 3;
- Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the operative and electronic components of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
- the cotton dispenser 10 includes a spool 40, a feed assembly 50, and a cutting assembly 70. With the cotton dispenser 10, a strand of cotton (not shown) may be controllably removed from the spool 40, cut into a desired size, and dispensed as described below.
- the cotton dispenser 10 includes a housing 20 having a main portion 22 and a discharge chute 30.
- the main portion 22 of the housing 20 includes a floor 24 with at least one side wall 26 extending upwardly therefrom such that the housing 20 defines an interior space.
- a removable access lid 28 is removably coupled to an upper edge of the side wall 26 such that the lid 28 prevents access to the interior space when in a closed configuration and enables access thereto when removed. It is understood that the lid 28 may be hingedly attached or coupled in a friction fit arrangement, snap fit arrangement, or the like. Access to the interior space enables replacement or replenishment of the spool 40 as will be described in greater detail later.
- a base 42 having a circular configuration is rotatably mounted to the floor 24 of the main portion 22 of the housing 20.
- the base 42 is axially mounted to the housing floor 24 and is free to revolve about its axis when urged to do so as will be described later.
- the base 42 may include a plurality of bearings or similar rollers 44 spaced apart about a circumferential edge that may be in contact with the housing side wall 26 so as to enhance the smoothness and efficiency of rotation of the base 42.
- the spool 40 preferably includes a generally cylindrical configuration and is vertically coupled to the base 42. The spool 40 is mounted in an upstanding or vertical configuration within the housing interior space (Fig. 2a).
- the cylindrical configuration of the spool 40 enables an elongate strand of cotton to be wound thereabout and then unwound by a user during operation of the cotton dispenser 10.
- the spool 40 and base 42 are rotated together as the cotton strand is unwound according to the description herein. It is understood that the spool 40 may be removably coupled to the base 42 such that the spool 40 may be selectively removed so that a user may wind a new strand of cotton thereabout or just replace the spool 40 with a pre-wound quantity of cotton.
- the feed assembly 50 is situated downstream of the spool 40 (Figs. 2a, 3a, and 5).
- the feed assembly 50 preferably includes a rotary motion feed configuration although a linear feed configuration would also work. More particularly, the feed assembly includes a pair of counter-rotating rollers 52 that are powered by a motor 60 and which essentially pinch the strand of cotton therebetween. When the pair of rollers 52 is actuated to rotate, the strand of cotton is continuously pulled from the spool through the rollers 52. It is understood that an end of the cotton strand may have to be initially inserted into the rollers when a filled spool 40 is first inserted into the housing 20, but remains pinched between the pair of rollers 52 after that.
- the cotton dispenser 10 includes a motor 60 situated in the interior space of the housing 20.
- the motor 60 is operatively and electrically connected to the feed assembly, such as with a gear train 46 (Fig. 5).
- a gear train 46 Fig. 5
- the pair of rollers 52 is actuated to rotate and rotation thereof pulls the cotton strand therethrough. In other words, actuation of the rollers unwinds the cotton strand from the spool 40, rotating the spool 40 as the cotton is unwound.
- the cutting assembly 70 is situated downstream from the feed assembly 50. Preferably, the cutting assembly 70is immediately adjacent or even integrally constructed with the feed assembly 50 (Fig. 5). Specifically, the cutting assembly 70 includes a blade 72 that is slidably movable between a retracted configuration not in contact with the cotton strand (Fig. 5) and an activated configuration at which the strand of cotton pulled through the pair of rollers 52 is severed. The cutting assembly 70 further includes means for actuating the blade to move from the normally retracted configuration to the activated configuration.
- the means for actuating the blade 72 is a solenoid 74 operatively coupled to the blade 72 opposite the blade sharp edge such that the solenoid 74 pushes the blade to the activated condition quickly, automatically, and with high velocity when the solenoid 74 is energized.
- the discharge portion 30 of the housing 20 includes side walls 32 connected to the side wall 26 of the main portion 22.
- the walls of the discharge portion 30 define an opening, such as an open bottom 34 situated substantially in alignment with the downstream portion of the cutting assembly 70. In other words, as portions of the strand of cotton are severed, they fall through the discharge portion opening 34.
- the power source 76 is a battery although A/C power would also work.
- the housing 20 defines a battery compartment 29— preferably below the floor 24 of the main portion 22 as shown in Fig. 2a although other positions within the housing 20 would also work.
- the cotton dispenser 10 includes a first input switch 78 situated on the outside of the housing 20, such as on the side wall 32 (Fig. 1) so as to be conveniently accessible to a user.
- the first input switch 78 may be referred simply as "an input switch.”
- the first input switch 78 is electrically connected to the power source 76, motor 60, and solenoid 74.
- the first input switch 78 is configured, such as through wiring, circuitry, or processor programming to energize and to continue energizing the motor 60 when the switch is depressed and continues to be depressed. In other words, the motor 60 actuates the pair of rollers 44 to pull/unwind the strand of cotton from the spool 40 into the rollers 52 until the first input switch 78 is released.
- the first input switch 78 is also electrically connected to the solenoid 74 and configured, through wiring, circuitry, or programming to energize the solenoid 74 to activate when the first input switch 78 is released.
- the cotton dispenser 10 may also include a second input switch 80 that is also electrically connected to the power source 76, motor 60, and solenoid 74.
- the second input switch 80 is configured to energize the motor 60 to operate for a predetermined amount of time. In other words, a predetermined amount of the cotton strand would be unwound and fed through the pair of rollers 52 before the solenoid 74 would be energized to activate the blade 72.
- the duration of motor activation may be regulated by a timer circuit 82 coupled to the second input switch 80.
- all of the cotton portions discharged through the discharge portion/chute 30 would be identical in weight, volume, and configuration.
- a photosensor 84 may be mounted inside the interior space of the housing 20 generally adjacent the spool 40.
- the photosensor 84 may include a companion reflector 86 mounted opposite the main body of the photosensor 84 for reflecting a light back to the main body.
- the photosensor 84 may be positioned to detect when a predetermined level of the cotton strand has been removed.
- the photosensor 84 may be electrically coupled to a warning light 88 and activates the light 88 when the photosensor 84 detects the low cotton level.
- the photosensor 84 is electrically connected to the power source 76.
- a user may initially open the lid 28 and insert a spool 40 pre-wound with cotton or remove an empty spool 40 and manually wind it with cotton. Then the strand of cotton may be initially inserted between the pair of rollers 52 of the feed assembly.
- the first input switch 78 may be depressed and held until a desired amount of cotton has been drawn from the spool 40.
- the cutting assembly 70 is actuated to sever the cotton and it is automatically discharged.
- the warning light 88 will be illuminated when the supply of cotton is too low.
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Forests & Forestry (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Preliminary Treatment Of Fibers (AREA)
- Portable Nailing Machines And Staplers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2012/041869 WO2013187865A1 (en) | 2012-06-11 | 2012-06-11 | Cotton dispenser |
GB1421943.0A GB2516605B (en) | 2012-06-11 | 2012-06-11 | Cotton Dispenser |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2012/041869 WO2013187865A1 (en) | 2012-06-11 | 2012-06-11 | Cotton dispenser |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2013187865A1 true WO2013187865A1 (en) | 2013-12-19 |
Family
ID=49758550
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2012/041869 WO2013187865A1 (en) | 2012-06-11 | 2012-06-11 | Cotton dispenser |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2516605B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2013187865A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3189228A (en) * | 1962-05-16 | 1965-06-15 | Steinbart Hiltrude | Mechanism for the delivery by a box, of cotton-wool, sprinkled with disinfectants |
US5131302A (en) * | 1989-02-23 | 1992-07-21 | Yukinobu Watanabe | Automatic toilet paper supplier |
US5857393A (en) * | 1996-06-28 | 1999-01-12 | Kohiyama; Yuko | Automatic paper feeding apparatus |
US20050194415A1 (en) * | 2004-03-05 | 2005-09-08 | Sasan Danechi | Cotton dispensing system, apparatus and/or method |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3392895A (en) * | 1965-04-23 | 1968-07-16 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Feed control for dispensing device |
US5107734A (en) * | 1987-07-22 | 1992-04-28 | Armbruster Joseph M | Electrically powered dispenser for rolled sheet material |
US8695469B2 (en) * | 2010-12-17 | 2014-04-15 | Trecia Ann Webb | Cotton dispenser |
-
2012
- 2012-06-11 WO PCT/US2012/041869 patent/WO2013187865A1/en active Application Filing
- 2012-06-11 GB GB1421943.0A patent/GB2516605B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3189228A (en) * | 1962-05-16 | 1965-06-15 | Steinbart Hiltrude | Mechanism for the delivery by a box, of cotton-wool, sprinkled with disinfectants |
US5131302A (en) * | 1989-02-23 | 1992-07-21 | Yukinobu Watanabe | Automatic toilet paper supplier |
US5857393A (en) * | 1996-06-28 | 1999-01-12 | Kohiyama; Yuko | Automatic paper feeding apparatus |
US20050194415A1 (en) * | 2004-03-05 | 2005-09-08 | Sasan Danechi | Cotton dispensing system, apparatus and/or method |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB201421943D0 (en) | 2015-01-21 |
GB2516605B (en) | 2015-06-03 |
GB2516605A (en) | 2015-01-28 |
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