Product dispenser and abdominal biofeedback device

Abstract

A product dispenser refillable from a donor container includes a housing for receiving and storing liquid product, a dispensing module including a dispensing mechanism for dispensing liquid product from the dispenser, and a refilling module including a funnel through which liquid product is filled from the donor container into the housing; and a refilling module cover including a stopper for securely mounting to and removing from the funnel to correspondingly seal the funnel and allow the housing to be filled with liquid product from the donor container. An abdominal biofeedback device includes a biofeedback apparatus having a rigid strip ring and a reciprocating strip ring, and a strip having two opposing free ends, each of which has a fixing device for securing to the rigid strip ring and the reciprocating strip ring to allow removal of the strip from the biofeedback apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a product dispenser and an abdominal biofeedback device. Background Technology

[0002] Product dispensers that can be refilled from a donor container containing a liquid product and including a dispenser for dispensing the liquid product are specifically described in U.S. Patents 3,559,701 to Wittersheim et al., 3,620,266 to Ryder, 4,836,253 to Nye, 7,431,222 to Monterrorsa, 7,686,190 to Patrick, and 8,002,001 to Leshem.

[0003] Abdominal biofeedback devices are specifically described in U.S. Patents 10,845,260 to Robertson et al. (KR101795215, KR101523846), and in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005 / 0170938 to Parise. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One aspect of the invention relates to a product dispenser refillable from a supply container including a dispenser for dispensing liquid products. The product dispenser includes a housing having a housing centerline and configured to receive and store liquid products. The housing includes a dispensing module and a refilling module spaced apart therefrom. The dispensing module has a dispenser mechanism for dispensing liquid products from the product dispenser. The refilling module has a funnel through which liquid products are refilled from the supply container into the housing. The product dispenser includes a refilling module cover for securely attaching to and removing from the refilling module to seal the funnel accordingly and enable refilling of the housing with liquid products from the supply container. The funnel is designed to facilitate ergonomically repeated refilling of the product dispenser from different types and sizes of supply containers and different types of dispenser mechanisms.

[0005] Another aspect of the invention relates to an abdominal biofeedback device for issuing a user alarm when the device detects that the user has comfortably tensed his abdominal muscles and has securely strapped the device around his waist, and then relaxes his abdominal muscles. The abdominal biofeedback device includes a biofeedback mechanism having a rigid band loop and a reciprocating band loop on opposite sides, and a band having two opposing free ends, each free end having a securing device for attachment to the rigid band loop and the reciprocating band loop of the biofeedback mechanism, such that the band can be removed from the biofeedback mechanism. The user straps the abdominal biofeedback device around his waist such that the biofeedback device is positioned in front of, behind, or to one side of his waist. The securing device is adjacent to the biofeedback mechanism such that, depending on the securing device, the user can conveniently adjust the band length between the rigid band loop and the reciprocating band loop during continuous wear of the abdominal biofeedback device using a single securing device or both securing devices. The reciprocating band loop is biased in a retracted position and can selectively slide linearly toward an extended position away from the biofeedback device as the user's abdominal muscles relax. The biofeedback device includes a controller that issues a user alarm when it detects that the linear sliding displacement of the reciprocating band loop from its retracted position exceeds a predetermined minimum displacement. Abdominal biofeedback devices help users strengthen their abdominal and core muscles to improve health, posture, and more. Attached Figure Description

[0006] To understand the invention and how to practice it, preferred embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which similar parts are similarly numbered, and in the drawings: Figure 1 This is a front view of a standard product dispenser.

[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front view of the product dispenser, with its dispensing module cover removed to show its dispenser mechanism.

[0008] Figure 3 It's upside down. Figure 1 A front view of the product dispenser, with its refill module cover removed to show its funnel.

[0009] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Product dispenser along Figure 2 The longitudinal section of line 4-4.

[0010] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Product dispenser along Figure 3 The longitudinal section of line 5-5.

[0011] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A close-up view of the funnel of the product dispenser.

[0012] Figure 7 This illustrates refilling with liquid product from a feed container equipped with a jet dispenser. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a product dispenser.

[0013] Figure 8 This is a front view of a product dispenser according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A front view of the product dispenser, with its dispensing module cover removed to show its dispenser mechanism.

[0015] Figure 10 It's upside down. Figure 8 A front view of the product dispenser, with its refill module cover removed to show its funnel.

[0016] Figure 11 yes Figure 8 Product dispenser along Figure 9 The longitudinal section of line 11-11.

[0017] Figure 12 yes Figure 8 Product dispenser along Figure 10 The longitudinal section of line 12-12.

[0018] Figure 13 yes Figure 8 A close-up view of the funnel of the product dispenser.

[0019] Figure 14 This illustrates refilling with liquid product from a feed container equipped with a jet dispenser. Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a product dispenser.

[0020] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram and block diagram of an abdominal biofeedback device including a biofeedback apparatus and a strip, according to another aspect of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the stripes.

[0022] Figure 17 This is a front view of a biofeedback device.

[0023] Figure 18 This is a rear view of the biofeedback device. Detailed Implementation

[0024] This instruction manual consists of three parts: Part 1: Standard Product Dispenser Part 2: Product Dispenser Part 3: Abdominal Biofeedback Device Part 1: Standard Product Dispenser Figures 1 to 7 An exemplary product dispenser 100A is shown, which can be refilled from a supply container 200 containing liquid product 201 and including a dispenser 202 for dispensing the liquid product 201. The dispenser 202 may include a pouring opening or dispensing by squeezing the supply container 200, a spraying mechanism, a rolling mechanism, etc. The product dispenser 100A can have a wide range of different shapes and sizes. Some product dispensers 100A have symmetrical shapes, such as generally cylindrical, generally cuboid, etc. Other product dispensers 100A have asymmetrical shapes. The product dispenser 100A includes a housing 101 having a housing centerline 102 and configured to receive and store the liquid product 201.

[0025] The housing 101 has a dispensing module 103 and a refilling module 104 spaced apart from the dispensing module 103. Depending on the shape of the housing 101, the dispensing module 103 and the refilling module 104 may be spaced apart in the height or width direction. The dispensing module 103 includes a dispenser mechanism 106 for dispensing liquid product, which is composed of a pouring opening or dispensing by squeezing product dispenser 100A, a rolling mechanism, a spraying mechanism, etc. The refilling module 104 includes a funnel 107 through which liquid product is filled into the housing 101. The product dispenser 100A includes a dispensing module cover 108 for being fixedly mounted on the dispensing module 103. The dispensing module cover 108 preferably includes a friction member for frictionally engaging with the dispensing module 103. The product dispenser 100A includes a refilling module cover 109 for being securely mounted on and detached from the refilling module 104 to seal the funnel 107 accordingly and to allow the housing 101 to be filled with liquid product 201. The refill module cover 109 includes a plug 111 for sliding into and out of the funnel 107. The refill module cover 109 includes threaded means for ensuring a sealing engagement on the refill module 104.

[0026] The funnel 107 has a funnel centerline 112 and a funnel edge 113 defining a funnel opening 114. The funnel centerline 112 is collinear with the housing centerline 102. The funnel 107 has slightly separated funnel sidewalls 116 leading to the funnel edge 113. The funnel sidewalls 116 have a nearly uniform thickness along their length. The refill module 104 includes a flexible index finger support 117, spaced apart from and adjacent to the funnel 107, for supporting the user's index finger during repeated pressing actions on the dispenser of the donor container. The funnel 107 is made of elastically compressible silicone, such that the funnel 107 can only be slightly compressed when the dispenser of the donor container is pressed down.

[0027] Figure 7 The illustration shows a user inverting the product dispenser 100A and removing the refill module cap 109 to expose the funnel 107, with the donor container 200 having a spray dispenser constituting the dispenser 202. A right-handed user typically holds the inverted product dispenser 100A with their left hand and the donor container 200 with their right hand, ensuring the product dispenser 100A and the donor container 200 are precisely perpendicular therebetween, forcing the spray dispenser 202 of the donor container against the funnel edge 113 of the product dispenser to prevent spillage of liquid product during refilling. The user then places their index finger on the index finger support 117 and repeatedly presses down on the spray dispenser 202 of the donor container to transfer liquid product to the product dispenser 100A. After refilling the product dispenser 100A, the user replaces the refill module cap 109 on the refill module 104 to insert the stopper 111 into the funnel 107 before uprighting the product dispenser 100A and removing the dispensing module cap 108 in preparation for dispensing liquid products. Part 2: Product Dispenser Figures 8 to 14 Product dispenser 100B is shown, which has a similar construction to product dispenser 100A; therefore, similar components are also numbered except for the funnel of product dispenser 100B. When product dispenser 100B is inverted and refill module cover 109 is removed from refill module 104, product dispenser 100B includes a funnel 120 having an unbent, arcuate orientation away from the housing centerline 102. Funnel 120 is made of a flexible plastic material, such as silicone, designed for repeated reciprocating motion between the unbent, arcuate orientation away from the housing centerline 102 and a curved orientation substantially in the same direction therefrom. Figure 10 The solid line shows the unbent bow orientation, the dashed line shows the bent orientation, and the reciprocating motion in between is represented by arrow A. Figure 12The funnel 120 is shown to have a funnel centerline 121 that faces an acute angle α, for example, in the range of 40° ± 10°, in an unbent arcuate orientation away from the housing centerline 102.

[0028] The funnel 120 has a stepped construction comprising a tail main funnel section 122 and a leading secondary funnel section 123 with a funnel edge 124. The leading secondary funnel section 123 has a significantly reduced thickness compared to the tail main funnel section 122 to facilitate a tight seal with the dispenser 202 of the donor container. The leading secondary funnel section 123 preferably has a flared funnel opening 126 with a larger area than the funnel opening 114 of the product dispenser 100A. The funnel edge 124 includes an index finger support protrusion 127 for supporting the user's index finger during refilling of the product dispenser 100B. Alternatively, the funnel 120 may have a uniform thickness along its length.

[0029] Funnel 120 may include a one-way valve 128 for refilling and preventing liquid contents from spilling if the user skips the replacement of the refill module cap 109 before inverting the product dispenser 100B. The one-way valve 128 includes a pivotable vane member 129 and a stop 131. Refilling with liquid product causes the vane member 129 to swing open as indicated by arrow B. The stop 131 seals funnel 120 if the user skips the replacement of the refill module cap 109 before inverting the product dispenser 100B.

[0030] The housing 101 may optionally include a window 132 for observing the volume of the liquid product stored therein.

[0031] Figure 14The illustration shows a user inverting the product dispenser 100B and removing the refill module cap 109 to expose the funnel 120, with the donor container 200 having a spray dispenser constituting the dispenser 202. The funnel centerline 121 of the funnel 120 exhibits its unbent arcuate orientation, facing an acute angle with the housing centerline 102. A right-handed user typically holds the inverted product dispenser 100B with their left hand and the donor container 200 with their right hand, such that the product dispenser 100B and the donor container 200 are positioned between them facing an acute angle, forcing the spray dispenser 202 of the donor container against the funnel edge 124 of the product dispenser. The user then places their index finger on the index finger support 127 and repeatedly presses down on the spray dispenser 202 of the donor container to transfer liquid product to the product dispenser 100B. Compared to funnel 107, the unbent, arched orientation of funnel 120 and its greater flexibility, particularly towards its funnel edge 124, provide a more ergonomic refilling experience than product dispenser 100A. This is because less force must be applied by the user during refilling to prevent overflow between the donor container 200 and product dispenser 100B. Furthermore, product dispenser 100B offers greater flexibility in its angle relative to the donor container 200, allowing the user to refill product dispenser 100B with one hand. Moreover, product dispenser 100B provides refilling from dispensers 202 of donor containers of a wider range of sizes and shapes than product dispenser 100A.

[0032] After refilling the product dispenser 100B, the user holds the refill module cap 109 and initially slides the stopper 111 into the funnel 120. Then, before securing the refill module cap 109 to the refill module 104, the user manipulates the cap 109 to bend the funnel 120 in a direction aligned with its housing centerline 102. Manipulating the cap 109 to bend the funnel 120 causes the stopper 111 to seal tightly against it. The user then uprights the product dispenser 100B and removes the dispensing module cap 108, ready to dispense liquid product. Part 3: Abdominal Biofeedback Device Figures 15 to 18An abdominal biofeedback device 300 is shown, designed to be worn around a user's waist to help strengthen their abdominal and / or core muscles. The abdominal biofeedback device 300 includes a biofeedback unit 320 and a band 340, which is selectively attached to and removable from the biofeedback unit 320. The abdominal biofeedback device 300 can optionally be used with a smartphone application 350 for recording user information, issuing user alerts, training programs, etc. User information may include, for example, usage information, user alert information, etc. The biofeedback unit 320 and the smartphone application 350 can be paired and communicate using conventional wireless protocols.

[0033] The strip 340 includes opposing free strip ends 341 and 342, each free strip end being provided with a fastening device 343 for securely attaching to the biofeedback device 320. Suitable fastening devices particularly include snap-fit ​​fasteners, sliding buckles, hook-and-loop fasteners, etc. In this example, strip end 341 is fitted with a snap-fit ​​fastener 343A, and strip end 342 is provided with a sliding buckle 343B. The strip 340 is preferably made of a machine-washable fabric material. The fabric material may include synthetic fabric materials, natural fabric materials, and blends of synthetic and natural fabric materials. Suitable synthetic fabric materials include, for example, nylon, polyester, etc. Suitable natural fabric materials may include, for example, cotton, hemp, etc.

[0034] From the perspective of a user using the abdominal biofeedback device 300, the biofeedback device 320 includes a generally flat housing 321 having a front 322 facing away from the user's body, a back 323 facing the user's body, a top surface 324, a bottom surface 326, a left side 327, and a right side 328. The back 323 preferably includes an anti-slip pattern 329 to provide improved contact with the user's body. The anti-slip pattern 329 may be in the form of circular protrusions, etc. The anti-slip pattern 329 may be integrally manufactured with the housing 321, glued to the housing 321, etc. The biofeedback device 320 is preferably waterproof, allowing it to be washed and cleaned.

[0035] The biofeedback device 320 includes a rigid strip loop 331 extending from the left side 327 and a reciprocating strip loop 332 extending from the right side 328. The strip end 341 is securely attached to the rigid strip loop 331, and the strip end 342 is securely attached to the reciprocating strip loop 332 adjacent to the biofeedback device 320, such that the strip end is located on the user's abdomen so that the user can easily adjust the abdominal biofeedback device 300 when wearing it continuously.

[0036] The reciprocating strip ring 332 is biased relative to the housing 321 toward the retracted position, and can linearly slide to the extended position when an extension force F is applied in a direction away from the right side face 328. Figure 17 (Seen in dashed lines). The reciprocating strip ring 332 extends from the right side 328 to a length L2 between its retracted position and its extended position. The reciprocating stroke of the reciprocating strip ring 332 is between approximately 1 cm and approximately 5 cm.

[0037] The biofeedback device 320 includes the following components: The power source 333 can take the form of a rechargeable battery, a replaceable battery, or a solar panel. The rechargeable battery can be recharged via conventional means, a USB adapter, inductive charging, etc. The housing 321 may include a charging port 334. The replaceable battery may include a button cell battery, etc.

[0038] A displacement detection mechanism 336, operatively associated with a reciprocating strip ring 332, is used to detect the linear sliding displacement of the reciprocating strip ring 332 from its offset retracted position toward its extended position. Suitable displacement detection mechanisms 336 include, in particular, commercially available linear force gauges.

[0039] PCB controller 337 is configured to issue a user alarm when it detects that the displacement of the reciprocating strip loop 332 from its retracted position exceeds a predetermined minimum displacement. The predetermined minimum displacement may be zero displacement. Alternatively, the predetermined minimum displacement may be, for example, 5 mm, to avoid slight body movements that would trigger a user alarm. Biofeedback device 320 may optionally include a vibration device 338, similar to that of a smartphone, for issuing the user alarm. Alternatively, controller 337 may issue the user alarm, such as a noise alarm, to a smartphone application 350.

[0040] The user alarm may optionally be proportional to the displacement of the reciprocating strip ring 332 from its retracted position. The intensity of the user alarm generally increases with the displacement of the reciprocating strip ring 332 from its retracted position. The user alarm may also be proportional to the duration for which the reciprocating strip ring 332 remains away from its retracted position. The intensity of the user alarm generally increases with the duration for which the reciprocating strip ring 332 remains away from its retracted position.

[0041] The smartphone application 350 can optionally be used to set the biofeedback device 20 according to a predetermined minimum displacement and the intensity of a user alarm based on the displacement and / or duration of the reciprocating strip loop leaving its retracted position.

[0042] The use of the abdominal biofeedback device 300 will now be described.

[0043] The user attaches the band to the biofeedback device and adjusts its length so that, after comfortably tightening his abdominal muscles, the abdominal biofeedback device fits snugly around his waist. The user typically places the biofeedback device on or near the navel. Depending on the fixation device, because the fixation device is located near the biofeedback device, the user can use one or two fixation devices to easily adjust the length of the band around his waist while continuously wearing the abdominal biofeedback device.

[0044] The abdominal biofeedback device will not issue a user alarm as long as the user continuously tenses their abdominal muscles. When the user relaxes their abdominal muscles, the strap extends the reciprocating band from the biofeedback device. If the extension is less than or equal to the predetermined minimum displacement of the reciprocating band, the abdominal biofeedback device will not issue a user alarm. If the extension exceeds the predetermined minimum displacement of the reciprocating band, the abdominal biofeedback device will issue a user alarm to remind the user to tense their abdominal and core muscles. After prolonged use, the user can remove the strap for washing and replace it for continued use.

[0045] Although the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it should be understood that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention can be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A product dispenser, the product dispenser being refillable from a donor container, the donor container containing liquid product and including a dispenser for dispensing the liquid product, the product dispenser comprising: a) A housing having a housing centerline and configured to receive and store liquid products, the housing having: i) A dispensing module, the dispensing module including a dispenser mechanism for dispensing liquid products from the product dispenser, and ii) A refill module, spaced apart from the dispensing module and including a funnel through which liquid product is filled from the donor container into the housing; as well as b) A refill module cover, the refill module cover being securely attached to and removed from the refill module to correspondingly seal the funnel and allow the housing to be filled with liquid product from the donor container. The refill module cover has a stopper for slidingly and sealingly inserting into and removing from the funnel. The funnel is characterized in that it is made of a flexible plastic material, which allows the funnel to repeatedly reciprocate between an unbent, arcuate orientation away from the centerline of the shell and a bent orientation in the same direction as the centerline of the shell. This ensures that, in order to refill the liquid product from the donor container into the product dispenser, the funnel exhibits its unbent, arched orientation when the refill module cover is removed from the refill module, and After refilling, the user holds the refill module cap to initially slide the stopper into the funnel, and then manipulates the refill module cap to bend the funnel toward its curvature orientation in the same direction as the centerline of the housing before securing the refill module cap to the refill module.

2. The product dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, The funnel has a stepped structure comprising a tail funnel section and a leading funnel section, the leading funnel section having a funnel edge defining the funnel opening, and the leading funnel section having a reduced thickness compared to the tail funnel section for a tight sealing contact with the dispenser of the donor container.

3. The product dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The funnel has a funnel edge defining the funnel opening, and the funnel edge includes an index finger support protrusion for supporting the user's index finger during refilling of the product dispenser from a supply container including a spray dispenser.

4. The product dispenser according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, The funnel includes a one-way valve to prevent overflow.

5. The product dispenser according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, The housing includes a window for observing the volume of the liquid product it stores.

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