Protection sheet dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices fail to provide a safe, contact-free, and easy-to-use apparatus for dispensing single-use protective sheets to cover palms, fingers, or footwear, which are essential for preventing the transmission of pathogens in public places, as they often require ungloved hands to access and don disposable gloves, leading to potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
The development of four main embodiments: Roller mounted palm sheet dispenser, Releasably retained tear-and-pull away palm sheet dispenser, Roller mounted finger sheet dispenser, and Releasably retained tear-and-pull away finger sheet dispenser, which utilize a suction dome unit with elliptically shaped concentric folds and a power source to dispense detachable protection sheets with adhesive and non-adhesive surfaces, allowing for safe and hygienic application and removal without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional glove dispensers are used, then gloves can be dispensed, but users must touch the dispenser and gloves with ungloved hands, leading to contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical intermediary system consisting of a rotating drum with glove compartments and a transfer mechanism. The gloves are transferred from the enclosed dispenser to the user's hand through this intermediary mechanism, eliminating direct contact between the user's ungloved hand and both the dispenser interior and the gloves. The drum rotation and compartment design serve as the intermediary that bridges the dispenser and the user without contamination risk.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If contact-free dispensing is implemented, then pathogen transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is segmented into multiple discrete glove compartments arranged around a rotating drum. Each compartment is independently accessible through the transfer mechanism. This segmentation allows the complex function of contact-free dispensing to be broken down into simpler, modular components: individual compartments, a rotation mechanism, and a transfer arm. The segmented design reduces overall system complexity compared to a monolithic contact-free mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If manual glove donning is required, then simplicity is maintained, but hygiene is compromised due to touching contaminated surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning a clean glove in the transfer compartment and preparing the transfer mechanism before the user arrives. When the user approaches, the system has already readyed the next clean glove for transfer, eliminating the need for the user to touch the dispenser or handle multiple gloves. This preliminary preparation maintains simplicity for the user while ensuring hygiene through pre-configured clean glove delivery.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
These dispensers enable safe and efficient dispensing of protective sheets, reducing the risk of pathogen transmission by allowing users to don protection without touching potentially contaminated surfaces, ensuring minimal human contact and easy, one-handed operation, thus enhancing hygiene in public settings.
Implementation Method 1
a suction dome unit with elliptically shaped concentric folds and a power source to dispense detachable protection sheets
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing of protection sheets. The protection sheets are meant for single use and are shaped to cover and protect a designated part of user's body or article, such as a palm or a finger. The apparatus is robust and easy to use. A protection sheet is dispensed as per user's requirement, which can be taken up and worn by a user to cover and prevent possible contact with a contaminated or pathogenic surface.