Face mask packaging, dispensing system, and method

Abstract

Methods and systems of packaging and dispensing face masks. The method includes providing a package unit including a plurality of stacked face masks contained in a containment body having a top wall forming a passage. The package unit is inserted into compartment of a dispenser housing that otherwise includes a front panel forming a slot corresponding with the compartment. The passage of the containment body is accessible via the slot in the front panel. A top-most face mask is dispensed from the package unit through the slot and the passage. Two or more different face mask package units can be stored in corresponding compartments, with the method further including visually discerning one stored package unit from another. Other embodiments include a flexible or “soft” face mask packaging.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)(1) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 719,298, filed Sep. 21, 2005, and entitled “Face Mask Dispensing System,” the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Disposable face masks are widely used in the medical field. Healthcare personnel and patients alike benefit from the protection afforded by face masks. As such, face masks are commonly worn by healthcare personnel as well as patients in connection with a multitude of procedures ranging from surgery to non-surgical examinations. [0003] In light of the above, substantial efforts have been made to improve upon face mask material(s) as well as overall construction or structure. As a result, a plethora of differently-configured face masks are currently available, many of which are specifically designed to address requirement(s) of a particular procedure and / or...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Benefits achieved in accordance with principles of the disclosed invention include an improved face mask dispensing system that facilitates removal of individual masks by a user; facilitates replacement of stacked masks through the use of face mask package units that can be easily replaced in the dispenser; and / or afford the advantage of multi-compartmentalizing different kinds of face masks within a single dispenser site. It has been discovered that such dispensing systems can be constructed having these desirable features simultaneously, and yet is of relatively simple and easy construction that can also easily be installed. Other benefits include providing user with a flexible or “soft” face mask package unit that is convenient to store, and promotes face mask sterility and single mask dispensing.

[0008] Some aspects of the disclosed invention relate to a method of packaging and dispensing a plurality of face masks. The method includes providing a first package unit including a plurality of stacked face masks and a containment body. The containment body includes a top wall forming a passage, and is sized to contain the plurality of stacked face masks therein. In this regard, the plurality of face masks includes a top-most face mask that is otherwise positioned adjacent the top wall. With this in mind, the first package unit is inserted into a first compartment of a dispenser housing that otherwise includes a front panel forming a slot corresponding with the first compartment. With this configuration, upon insertion of the first package unit within the first compartment, the passage of the containment body is accessible via the slot in the front panel of the dispenser housing. The top-most face mask is then removed or dispensed from the package unit through the slot in the front panel and the passage in the containment body. With this technique, the plurality of stacked masks can be stored in a location that is conveniently accessible by users. In some embodiments, two or more different face mask package units are stored in corresponding compartments of the dispenser housing, with the method further including visually discerning one stored package unit from another in selecting a desired face mask for dispensement. In other embodiments, upon insertion of the package unit into the dispenser housing compartment, the package unit is urged toward the front panel to promote consistent dispensement of a face mask from the corresponding package unit.

[0010] Yet other aspects in accordance with principles of the present disclosure relate to a package unit of face masks including a plurality of stacked face masks and a flexible containment body containing the face masks. The containment body includes top, side, and bottom walls each formed of a flexible film. Further, the top wall includes a passage through which a top-most face mask is accessible. With this configuration, the flexible containment body facilitates use of the package unit within a dispenser housing that otherwise includes a biasing device acting upon the bottom wall; for example, the flexible nature of the containment body promotes translation of a biasing force applied to the bottom wall directly onto the contained stack of face masks. In some embodiments, the package unit further includes a lid removably attached to the containment body and extending across the passage. In yet other embodiments, the lid is flexible, and serves to seal the face masks within the containment body so as to maintain a sterility of the face masks. In yet other embodiments, the flexible containment body, including the top wall, is substantially translucent such that a dominant color associated with the contained face masks is visually perceptible from an exterior of the containment body.

Problems solved by technology

While well accepted, the above approach can be problematic for the healthcare facility and its personnel.

For example, where a number of boxes of different face mask styles are randomly placed in a temporary storage area, healthcare personnel oftentimes are required to waste time searching through all of the boxes when looking for the desired face mask style.

Along these same lines, after searching through multiple boxes, the healthcare personnel may forget to neatly replace the boxes in the storage area, leading to an unkempt appearance.

Further, the face mask boxes may be accidentally dropped or exposed to contaminants in the storage area, especially when other face mask boxes in the storage area are repeatedly moved.

Images