Dispenser for medical products used in infection control

Abstract

Disclosed is a modular dispenser for protective wear used in the medical field. The modular dispenser includes a first housing and at least a second housing. A third housing may be included. The housings are removably connectable to each other using interlocking means extending from each housing. Preferably, the first housing dispenses gowns, the second housing dispenses gloves, and the third housing dispenses masks. The dispensers may be adapted to receive pre-packaged protective wear.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A modular dispenser, comprising: 
 a first housing defining a gown dispenser, the first housing including an opening and interlocking means extending from an exterior of the first housing; and    at least a second housing defining a glove dispenser, the second housing including an opening and interlocking means extending from an exterior of the second housing, the interlocking means of the second housing communicable with the interlocking means of the first housing.    
     
     
         2 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 1 , further including a third housing defining a mask dispenser, the third housing including an opening and interlocking means extending from an exterior of the third housing, the interlocking means of the third housing communicable with the interlocking means of the first housing and the second housing.  
     
     
         3 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first housing further includes a display.  
     
     
         4 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 3 , wherein the display is removably connected to the front of the first housing.  
     
     
         5 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the first housing includes a bottom, a front and an opposed back extending from the bottom, and opposed sides extending from the bottom, wherein the interlocking means extend from the bottom.  
     
     
         6 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the front is U-shaped.  
     
     
         7 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the back includes at least one slot, each slot adapted to receive a divider that is positioned within an interior of the first housing parallel to the opposed ends and perpendicular to the front and to the back.  
     
     
         8 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 5 , wherein the back includes at least one opening for receiving means to mount the modular dispenser on a surface.  
     
     
         9 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 1 , wherein the second housing includes a bottom and an opposed top, a front and an opposed back extending from the bottom, opposed sides extending from the bottom to the top, wherein the front includes an opening and the interlocking means depend from the top.  
     
     
         10 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 9 , further including a door pivotally attached to the front of the second housing and having the opening.  
     
     
         11 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 10 , further including a pressure plate positioned near the back of the second housing, the pressure communicates with a container of gloves positioned within the glove dispenser.  
     
     
         12 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the first housing includes a bottom, a front and an opposed back extending from the bottom, and opposed ends extending from the bottom, wherein the interlocking means extend from the bottom and the opposed ends;    the second housing includes a bottom and an opposed top, a front and an opposed back extending from the bottom, opposed ends extending from the bottom to the top, wherein the front includes an opening and the interlocking means extend from the top and the opposed ends; and    the third housing includes a bottom and an opposed top, a front and an opposed back extending from the bottom, opposed sides extending from the bottom to the top, wherein the front includes an opening and the interlocking means extend from the top and the opposed ends.    
     
     
         13 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 12 , further including a push positioned within the third housing near the back, wherein the push communicates with masks loaded in the mask dispenser and urges the masks toward the opening in the front of the third housing.  
     
     
         14 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 12 , further including a door pivotally attached to the front of the third housing and having the opening.  
     
     
         15 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 14 , further including a pressure plate positioned near the back of the third housing, the pressure plate communicates with a container of masks positioned within the mask dispenser.  
     
     
         16 . A modular dispenser for dispensing protective wear, comprising: 
 a gown dispenser; and    a glove dispenser removably connectable to the gown dispenser.    
     
     
         17 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 16 , further including a mask dispenser removably connectable to the gown dispenser and the glove dispenser.  
     
     
         18 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 17 , wherein the gown dispenser is adapted to receive and dispense pre-packaged gowns, the glove dispenser is adapted to receive and dispense pre-packaged gloves, and the mask dispenser is adapted to receive and dispense pre-packaged masks.  
     
     
         19 . A modular dispenser, comprising: 
 a first housing defining a gown dispenser, the first housing including: 
 a bottom having at least one hole,  
 a U-shaped front extending from the bottom,  
 a back opposed the front and extending from the bottom,  
 opposed ends extending from the bottom,  
 interlocking means extending from the bottom and the opposed ends, and  
 means for mounting the modular dispenser to a surface;  
   a display removably connected to the front of the first housing; and    a second housing defining a glove dispenser, the second housing including: 
 a bottom having at least one hole,  
 a top opposed the bottom,  
 a front having a first opening and extending from the bottom,  
 a door pivotably attached to the front, aligned with the first opening of the front, and including a second opening,  
 a back opposed the front and extending from the bottom,  
 opposed ends extending from the bottom to the top, and  
 interlocking means extending from the top and the opposed ends and communicable with the interlocking means of the first housing.  
   
     
     
         20 . The modular dispenser according to  claim 19 , further including a third housing defining a mask dispenser, the third housing including: 
 a bottom,    a top opposed the bottom,    a front having a first opening and extending from the bottom,    a door pivotably attached to the front, aligned with the first opening of the front, and including a second opening,    a back opposed the front and extending from the bottom,    opposed ends extending from the bottom to the top,    and interlocking means extending from the top and the opposed ends and communicable with the interlocking means of the first housing and the interlocking means of the second housing.