WO2022182222A1

WO2022182222A1 - Face mask dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2022182222A1
Application number: PCT/MY2021/050008
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nurul Farhana MOHAMAD DAUD; Devisri Shobana M K MATHAVAN
Original assignee: Cranberry International Sdn Bhd
Priority date: 2021-02-24
Filing date: 2021-02-24
Publication date: 2022-09-01

Abstract

A face masks dispenser unit, comprising a container having a plurality of walls (101,102,103,104,105) defining an interior space; a plurality face masks to be positioned in the interior space; wherein at least one of the side wall (105) having an inner opening (107) for dispensing the face mask, in which the side wall (105) having the opening has at least one outer layer (106) affixed to the container such that the opening is enclosed by the outer layer (106), characterized in that the outer layer (106) is a flap (108) shaped in such way to move from a first position to a second position in which the flap (108) exposes the inner opening (107), the inner opening (107) positioned in such a way that at least one ear-loop attached to the face mask is accessible near the inner opening (107), wherein each of the ear-loop of the face mask is folded or positioned bottom surface of the face mask in a stacked manner, in which by dispensing a first ear-loop from the inner opening (107) of a first face mask located at lower part of the container unfolds a second ear-loop from another face mask located at above top surface area the first facemask near to the inner opening (107) for ease of dispensing and reduce cross-contamination of the facemask.

Description

FACE MASK DISPENSER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to handling of face mask and more particularly concerns the holding and dispensing of face mask from a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dispensing assembly is varied considerably in their complexity from the well-known dispenser for tissue which consisting of a rectangular box with the perforated opening in the top to rather involved rigid containers having spring-operated members to force materials through openings.

However, this type of dispenser are prone to be exposed to cross-contaminations, as the opening is exposed and the goods are accessed typically using bare hand touching the goods, especially person exposed to at least one infection on their hand. Face masks, particularly disposable face masks, are required to be handles and disposed at a safest level.

With the current structure of the top opening, or dispensing by way of reaching or touching the surface of the face mask is hazardous and harmful to the health of the user. The current packaging of disposable face masks has not been a convenient way to obtain such a face mask. Hence, there is a need advance in the art would be made if a compact dispenser of simple design were devised which can be dispense a face mask in response to user demand without touching the face mask surface area. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a face masks dispenser unit, comprising a container having a plurality of walls defining an interior space; a plurality face masks to be positioned in the interior space; wherein at least one of the side wall having an inner opening for dispensing the face mask, in which the side wall having the opening has at least one outer layer affixed to the container such that the opening is enclosed by the outer layer, characterized in that the outer layer is a flap shaped in such way to move from a first position to a second position in which the flap exposes the inner opening, the inner opening positioned in such a way that at least one ear- loop attached to the face mask is accessible near the inner opening, wherein each of the ear-loop of the face mask is folded bottom surface of the face mask in a stacked manner, in which by dispensing a first ear-loop from the inner opening of a first face mask located at lower part of the container unfolds a second ear-loop from another face mask located at above top surface area the first facemask near to the inner opening for ease of dispensing and reduce cross-contamination of the facemask.

Preferably, the inner opening for dispensing the face mask is position at the lower part of the container.

Preferably, the inner opening further comprising a plastic liner to limit the dispensing of the face mask or ear-loop.

Preferably, the outer layer corresponds to the side wall having an inner opening is an inner layer and

Preferably, the ear-loop of each the face mask is folded downward and positioned in stacked manner on each side.

Preferably, the face mask positioned in the interior space is stacked above each other.

Preferably, the facemask ear-loop folded towards the bottom on both ends of the face mask. Further, by dispensing the first ear-loop from the inner opening of a first face mask located at lower part of the container a second ear-loop from another face mask located at above top surface area the first facemask near unfolds towards the inner opening for ease of dispensing.

Preferably, the outer layer has a fastening means to secure the inner opening.

Preferably, the fastening means is made of a projecting flaps to be slotted on a slot on the container or a gel pad.

The present invention consists of features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by references to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates overall view of the Facemask Dispenser.

Figure 2 illustrates side profile of the Facemask Dispenser.

Figure 3 illustrates Facemask orientation in the Facemask Dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A face masks dispenser unit, comprising a container having a plurality of walls defining an interior space. The container is a rectangular shapes having at least four side walls, and additional wall enclosing one of the side wall having an opening for dispensing the facemask. The wall having the opening is positioned on side of a facemask having ear-loop. The opening is formed at lowest position of the container, such that the facemask could be easily dispensed, as the facemask is placed in a stacked manner. Each of the facemask are stacked by positioning at least one part of the ear-loop beneath or below the surface of the specific facemask. The ear-loop is position in such way that, when a facemask is dispensed, the ear-loop of the next facemask positioned above the first facemask will slide or slip out following the first facemask. The ear-loop may slide or slip out through the opening.

Typically, the ear-loop is positioned on side of facemask, in which having a shorter length. The ear-loop of the facemask are for fastening the facemask round the nose and mouth of user, by positioning the ear-loop behind the ear of the user or tied around behind head and neck of the user. Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of a face masks dispenser unit, comprising a container having a plurality of walls (101 ,102,103,104,105) defining an interior space; a plurality face masks to be positioned in the interior space; wherein at least one of the side wall (105) having an inner opening (107) for dispensing the face mask, in which the side wall (105) having the opening (107) has at least one outer layer (106) affixed to the container such that the opening (107) is enclosed by the outer layer (106), characterized in that the outer layer (106) having a flap (108) shaped in such way to move from a first position to a second position in which the flap (108) exposes the inner opening (107), the inner opening (107) positioned in such a way that at least one ear-loop attached to the face mask is accessible near the inner opening (107), wherein each of the ear-loop of the face mask is folded, positioned or tucked bottom surface of the face mask in a stacked manner, in which by dispensing a first ear-loop from the inner opening (107) of a first face mask located at lower part of the container unfolds a second ear-loop from another face mask located at above top surface area the first facemask near to the inner opening (107) for ease of dispensing and reduce cross-contamination of the facemask.

Figure 2 illustrates side profile of the face masks dispenser unit. The face masks dispenser unit having an outer layer (201 ) enclosing an inner side wall (202) with an opening (203) for dispensing the face mask. The opening (203) is tear off opening, which may have perforated or cut out portion on the side wall of the container or the inner side wall (202).

The shape of the opening (203) is shape of slot or rectangular. The opening (203) is made of a peel of perforated paper container. The width of the opening (203) is 1 cm, preferably may include a half circle perforated or half circle cut out portion to be peel- off, as the opening (203) may limit the possibility for the user to pull out more than one face mask at each attempt, by having the half circle cut-out portion, it is easier for user to dispense the face mask, reduce the cross contamination than having a bigger dispensing window. The opening (203) has a plastic liner placed over area of the opening (203) for reducing contaminate or oxidization on the opening side, as well as reduce possibility of more than one piece facemask dispense out in one time.

The opening (203) could be closed & opened to avoid cross contamination, oxidization and keep the scent by using a flap (205) or plastic note made out of the cut out portion of the outer layer (201). The flap (205) having a sticky gel pad or fastening means attached on the flap (205) or the inner side wall (202) for self-closing fixture. The size of the flap (205) is slightly larger than the size of the opening (203), such that the opening (203) is cover securely. The outer layer (201) overlays the inner side wall (202) of the container, such that the opening (203) of the inner side wall (202) corresponds to the cut-out portion on the outer layer (201 ) that forms the flap (205) for accessing the opening (203) of the container to dispense at least one material in the container. The flap (205) can be pivoted for closing and opening the inner side wall (202) or the opening (203) of the inner side wall (202).

The container having the inner opening for dispensing the face mask is position at the bottom or lower part of the side wall of the container. The opening is tear off the opening, which may have perforated or cut out portion on the side wall of the container. The shape of the opening is shape of slot or rectangular. The opening is made of a peel of perforated paper container. The width of the opening is 1cm, preferably may include a half circle perforated or half circle cut out portion to be peel-off, as the opening may limit the possibility for the user to pull out more than one face mask at each attempt, by having the half circle cut-out portion, it is easier for user to dispense the face mask, reduce the cross contamination than having a bigger dispensing window.

The inner opening could be closed & opened to avoid cross contamination, oxidization and keep the scent by using an additional flap or plastic note. The plastic liner is to limit the possibility to dispense more than 1 face mask at one time.

The half circle perforation can be tear-off when facemask reach the bottom to ease of dispensing the last facemask. The container having inner opening, further include a plastic liner on the opening, for:

1 . Reduce contaminate, oxidization and scent (if applicable) on the opening side.

2. Reduce possibility of more than one piece facemask dispense out in one time.

3. If a sticky gel pad is used for the flap or cover, a small sheet inside the opening can be placed such that the gel pad and plastic line will stick together when closed.

The outer layer or the flap having the sticky gel pad inside the side opening for self closing fixture.

Side Opening has two layer:

(i) The dispenser having side panel so that at one side, we will have two layers of side panel.

(ii) Side opening for Outer Layer having a rectangle perforation, so that it can open & close after dispense facemask.

Inside this perforation, a gel pad is used for locking, as the gel pad may last longer than glue or tape.

(iii) Side opening for Inner Layer:

• Have another perforation opening with height 2 cm for dispensing.

• Have plastic liner on the opening to ensure only one or single piece of facemask dispense out at one time and allow another facemask ear-loop to hang out.

Figure 3 illustrates Facemask orientation in the Facemask Dispenser. The novelty lies in the folding method, where the facemask ear-loop folded or positioned inside at both ends and stacked on another facemask with the same folding method. Firstly, the ear- loop folded or tucked inside at one or both ends positioned inside the facemask dispenser (301 ). Then, the user open the perforation (302) of outer layer of side panel. Then, the user open another perforation of inner layer of the side panel. Then, the user able to see the plastic liner inside inner layer of side panel. Then, the user dispense facemask (303) horizontally to allow piece by piece. After dispensing, next ear-loop (304) will hang out for easy access. This will limit the possibility of pulling out more than one mask at each attempt and reduce cross contamination. To close, the user take off plastic cover of gel pad and close the outer layer of side panel. The Locking system opening also reduces cross contamination, oxidization and keep the scent last longer.

The plastic liner to limit the dispensing of the face mask or ear-loop.

The ear-loop of each the face mask is folded or positioned downward and positioned in stacked manner on each side. The ear-loop folded or tucked towards the bottom on both ends of the face mask. The top face mask’s ear-loop will slide out, when the at least one face mask located below the top face mask is slide out through the side panel.

The face mask positioned in the interior space is stacked above each other.

Further, by dispensing the first ear-loop from the inner opening of a first face mask located at lower part of the container a second ear-loop from another face mask located at above top surface area the first facemask near unfolds towards the inner opening for ease of dispensing.

The facemask ear-loop folded towards the bottom or tucked under on both ends of the face mask. The outer layer has a fastening means to secure the inner opening.

The fastening means is made of a projecting flaps to be slotted on a slot on the container or a gel pad. It also can be made from other suitable materials such as magnetic, Velcro, double sided tape, sticker, etc.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes, which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims, are to be embraced within their scope. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or integer or group of steps or elements or elements or integers, but not the exclusion of any other step or element or integer or group of steps, elements or integers. Thus, in the context of this specification, the term “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense and thus should be understood as meaning “including principally, but not necessarily solely”.

Claims

1. A face masks dispenser unit, comprising a container having a plurality of walls (101 ,102,103,104,105) defining an interior space; a plurality face masks to be positioned in the interior space; wherein at least one of the side wall (105) having an inner opening (107) for dispensing the face mask, in which the side wall (105) having the opening has at least one outer layer (106) affixed to the container such that the opening is enclosed by the outer layer (106), characterized in that the outer layer (106) is a flap (108) shaped in such way to move from a first position to a second position in which the flap (108) exposes the inner opening (107), the inner opening (107) positioned in such a way that at least one ear-loop attached to the face mask is accessible near the inner opening (107), wherein each of the ear-loop of the face mask is folded or positioned bottom surface of the face mask in a stacked manner, in which by dispensing a first ear-loop from the inner opening (107) of a first face mask located at lower part of the container unfolds a second ear-loop from another face mask located at above top surface area the first facemask near to the inner opening (107) for ease of dispensing and reduce cross-contamination of the facemask.

2. The face masks dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inner opening (107) for dispensing the face mask is position at the lower part of the container.

3. The face masks dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the inner opening (107) further comprising a plastic liner to limit the dispensing of the face mask or ear-loop.

4. The face masks dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the outer layer (106) corresponds to the side wall (105) having an inner opening (107) is an inner layer and

5. The face masks dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the ear- loop of each the face mask is folded downward and positioned in stacked manner on each side.

6. The face masks dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the face mask positioned in the interior space is stacked above each other.

7. The face masks dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the facemask ear-loop folded or tucked towards the bottom on both ends of the face mask.

8. The face masks dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein by dispensing the first ear-loop from the inner opening (107) of a first face mask located at lower part of the container a second ear-loop from another face mask located at above top surface area the first facemask near unfolds towards the inner opening (107) for ease of dispensing.

9. The face masks dispenser unit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the outer layer (106) has a fastening means to secure the inner opening (107).

10. The face masks dispenser unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the fastening means is made of a projecting flap (108)s to be slotted on a slot on the container or a gel pad.