DE202020102869U1 - Protection device for handles - Google Patents

Abstract

Protective device (1) for protecting a user from contamination adhering to the handle (7) of a mobile object, comprising a basic element (4) that is elastic and stable or can be brought into a stable shape, the basic element (4) being detachable on the handle (7) without tools. can be attached, with an outside (5) provided for grasping by the hand of the user, and an inside (6) provided for at least partial contacting of the handle (7), a peelable film on the outside (6) of the base element (4) (2) is arranged, characterized in that a peelable film (3) is also arranged on the inside (6) of the base element (4).

Description

introduction

The invention relates to a device for protecting a person from harmful germs or other harmful contaminants. In particular, the invention relates to a device for temporary attachment to the handle of a mobile object such as a shopping cart or a bucket.

State of the art and disadvantages

It has long been known that pathogenic germs (viruses, bacteria) are not only transmitted through direct contact with an infected person (through sneezing, coughing, physical contact), but also indirectly. Due to the very frequent contact of the particularly heavily loaded mucous membranes (mouth, nose, eyes) of an infected person with their own hands, and the subsequent contact of objects and surfaces with the (unwashed) hands, said objects and surfaces are contaminated accordingly. Other harmful substances such as chemicals or lubricants are also absorbed by hand contact and can get into the body in a comparable way.

Harmful germs can mostly be inactivated by thorough disinfection with appropriate agents, and other substances can be washed off. However, frequent disinfection causes both high costs and environmental pollution, especially if disinfection is carried out on a fixed schedule that does not take into account the actual level of the actual contamination, because this is not easy to determine. One example is door handles in public buildings that are touched by many people in succession and therefore represent a potential source for the transmission of germs. In order to provide adequate security against transmission at all times, for example, half-hourly disinfection is necessary. However, if a door handle is touched less frequently (e.g. temporarily fewer visitors) or more often (e.g. entering the building by a larger group of connected people) for various reasons, this leads to an unnecessarily frequent or still insufficient handling of the door handles.

It is therefore desirable to determine the risk of contamination depending on the situation and to take the optimal measure of countermeasures without the need for time-consuming checking of the actual degree of contamination.

A solution to this problem is provided by protective devices that are worn by the people touching the objects and surfaces themselves. Gloves are a simple example; these protect the wearer regardless of the intensity of contamination of the objects or surfaces touched by them. However, care must then be taken to ensure that the contaminated gloves do not get into the face of the wearer, where the contamination from the glove could be passed on to the mucous membranes or other unprotected areas of the skin.

A particularly common, long and touched object by many different people is the handle of a shopping cart or comparable vehicle. Here too, frequent disinfection can help prevent the spread of germs. However, it can never be ruled out that shortly after regular treatment, pathogenic germs will come under control that have already been ingested by one or more other users of the car before the next regular disinfectant treatment. Conversely, it can happen that a handle is treated several times, although the trolley has not been used in the meantime.

A variety of devices are known to solve this problem, many of which in turn propose the use of disposable films which cover the handle and which are replaced by a person after the use of the trolley so that the subsequent user finds a clean grip surface.

This is how the publications beat US 2014/0 263 807 A1 , US 2008/0 000 924 A1 , CN 1 01 480 963 A , KR 10 0 805 319 B1 and KR 10 0 805 320 B1 Apparatus in which fresh film material is provided from a first roll, which is used to cover the handle and is then collected on a second roll. However, such constructions are relatively complicated and also require maintenance in the form of replenishment by appropriate personnel.

One from publication US 2004/0 021 279 A1 and KR 10 2009 0 109 519 A Known, more simply constructed device only provides a type of tear-off film dispenser which can be attached to a shopping cart. However, refilling by personnel is also necessary here; in addition, the user can become infected when the donor is touched.

The provision of individual foils that can be glued onto the handle is also known, for example from printed matter KR 10 2012 0 114 710 A . The However, the film has to be carried by the user and manually applied exactly, which seems cumbersome.

Another solution proposes publication DE 197 27 531 A1 in front; Disclosed is a hand protection in the form of a “shell” which encases the handle and which is removed from a separate dispenser before use of the trolley and is disposed of after use. The advantage lies in the need-based use; here too, however, personnel must ensure that there is a sufficient amount of fresh protective equipment. Further coating-like solutions are found in the publications DE 197 29 986 A1 , DE 299 01 864 U1 , DE 20 2008 011 529 U1 , DE 20 2008 010 201 U1 and DE 20 2009 012 090 U1 suggested. It is also disclosed not to dispose of the grip protection after the single use, but instead, as the property of the user, to have it cleaned / disinfected in a suitable manner. The disadvantage of these solutions, however, is that such a reusable protective handle can be kept clean on the outside; on the inside touching the push handle, however, it may be contaminated after being removed from the push handle, namely when not all previous users have used a comparable protective device.

The analogous problem arises with regard to other objects with handles, for example buckets or other objects that can be carried on a handle. Here too, harmful substances can be transferred from one person to another via the contaminated handle. The solutions mentioned above are only partially transferable to this application; In particular, the protective devices similar to coatings appear to be most suitable. However, the problem of contamination of the protective device itself remains. In addition, such handles are rarely in focus when compared to shopping trolleys and therefore remain untreated.

Object of the invention and solution

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a protective device which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

Accordingly, the protective device is intended to ensure that the user is not exposed to the risk of contamination from germs or other contaminants adhering to the push handle of a shopping cart, the handle of a particularly portable object or the like, even if the protective device can be used multiple times. It is also intended to help prevent the spread of germs or the further transport of harmful substances from one handle to the next.

The object is achieved by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments can be found in the dependent subclaims, the following description and the figures.

description

The invention relates to a protective device for protecting a user from contamination adhering to the handle of a mobile object. The handle accordingly provides a preferred contact surface for the user, on which the user touches the object in order to carry, push or otherwise move it.

The protective device comprises an elastic basic element, which is also dimensionally stable to a limited extent or can be brought into a stable shape. “Elastic” here means that the basic element can be deformed manually without exerting a great deal of force by using an E-module of e.g. 1 to 5 GPa. "Dimensionally stable" means that it is not a permanently limp structure, but an object that essentially retains its shape even under a certain mechanical load. Examples of suitable materials are foams, thermoplastics, but also stronger cellulose base materials (cardboard) or thinner pressboard can be used. A certain flexibility is advantageous here, since this helps when using the protective device, in particular when attaching the same. Alternatively, the base element can also be brought into a desired shape, which means that it can be inflated, for example, in order to be brought from a space-saving, folded shape into the shape intended for use. A material to be classified in between is very highly compressible plastic, which automatically takes on the desired shape after being relieved.

The basic element can be detachably attached to the handle without tools. This means that it can only be attached to the handle with the force of one or two hands, and can also be removed without leaving any residue.

The basic element has an outside, which is initially intended to be gripped by the hand of the user. In other words, the user exerts forces on this outside during the intended use of the protective device. The base element also has an inside provided for at least partial contacting of the handle. "At least partially" means that if the intended Not every point on the inside facing the handle must actually have contact with the handle. In this case, “contacting” means that forces can be exerted by the protective device on the handle via this inner side.

A removable film is arranged on the outside of the base element, which can be made of plastic, but also of paper or textile material. This film is therefore between the hand of the user and the outside of the basic element. Thus, the user does not contact the basic element directly, but by means of the film. If the film is contaminated, it can simply be pulled off, so that a clean surface is provided for contacting again.

The invention is characterized in that a removable film is also arranged on the inside of the base element. In other words, the inside of the base element does not touch the handle on which it is in use directly, but via the interposed (inner) film. This film can be removed after using the protective device, i.e. after removing the same from the handle, so that the underlying, uncontaminated surface is exposed. This surface can no longer lead to contamination of the user and / or further handles to which the protective device is attached.

The invention thus avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art.

The protective device according to the invention ensures that the user is not exposed to the risk of contamination from germs or other contaminants adhering to the push handle of a shopping trolley, the handle of a particularly portable object or the like, even if the protective device is reusable and therefore also with its inside also comes into contact several times with contaminated surfaces of a first or further handles. It also helps to prevent the spread of germs or the transport of harmful substances from one handle to the next.

Various embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below.

The protective device particularly preferably has a longitudinal opening for attaching to the handle without tools, by means of which it can be plugged onto the handle. In other words, the profile of the basic element is U-shaped in the broadest sense, so that it can be pushed or plugged onto the handle of the mobile object with the open side of the “U”, which also has a certain longitudinal extent, the latter being straight or curved can run. The advantage of this embodiment lies in the wide range of commercially available handles to which the protective device can be attached, without the handle needing to be modified.

According to a further embodiment, the protective device alternatively or additionally has an opening at at least one of its ends, with which it can likewise be pushed or plugged onto the handle. The handle must be accessible accordingly.

According to a preferred embodiment, the film arranged on the outside and / or the inside is multilayered. This means that several foils with essentially the same and / or similar geometry are located one above the other, whereby they adhere to each other to a certain extent. If the outermost film is removed, there is another film underneath that can also be removed after use until all films have been removed. Then the protective device can either be used without foils; it is then preferably washable or otherwise cleanable, so that adhering contaminants can be removed before being used again. Or it is disposed of accordingly, in which case it particularly preferably consists of a reusable material.

However, new foils are particularly preferably attachable to the corresponding side of the base element. This means that a stack of new foils, which in turn adhere to a certain extent to each other, is attached to the base element, preferably glued on. The bottom film particularly preferably adheres somewhat more strongly to the base element than the films to one another, so that instead of only the outermost film, all films are not accidentally pulled off together.

According to a further embodiment, the two foils, that is to say the inner foil and the outer foil, are connected to one another. In other words, each layer is a correspondingly large film which covers both the outside and the inside in the manner according to the invention. It is possible that one edge of the basic element is then covered by the film, but this is harmless. It is also possible for the connection between the inner and outer film to take place via one of the ends of the basic element.

The advantage of this embodiment lies in the smaller number of individual foils and in the fact that when one side is pulled off, the other side can be pulled off automatically, without one having to take another slide, which may require some skill.

According to a further embodiment, the film can be wound spirally around the base element. This means that the width of the film is reduced, but the film is wound several times in a spiral offset around the base element, so as to cover the entire width of the base element. The advantage of this embodiment is that basic elements of different widths can be covered with a single film width by merely adapting the number of spiral windings. This embodiment can particularly preferably be combined with the above embodiment, according to which the inner and outer foils are connected to one another.

It is further preferred that the film has a pulling aid for easier gripping of the same. This means that the film has a geometrical and / or material-technical feature which makes it easier for a user to grip it individually in order to pull even this single film off.

This can be achieved, for example, in that the same corner of each layer does not adhere to the adjacent layer (material technology help). These corners are then naturally a bit apart, and the outermost corner can easily be gripped individually to pull off the associated outermost film. The advantage of this embodiment lies in the absolutely identical geometry of all foils.

It is also possible for each of the foils to have a gripping surface at an offset position, the arrangement of the gripping surfaces offset with respect to one another corresponding to the sequence of the foils. In this way, a user can grip the outermost grip surface in order to pull off the outermost film with it. The advantage of this solution lies in the particularly clear and easy recognition of the film to be gripped next. In addition, the user can easily recognize the number of foils still remaining.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the contact area that results when the handle is contacted is minimized. This means that suitable design features ensure that the mechanical contact surface between the protective device and the handle is as small as possible. It is clear that the forces required to manipulate the object must continue to be securely transferable from the protective device to the object.

The advantage of such an embodiment lies in the lower probability per se of picking up contamination by means of the protective device, since the contact area is smaller.

In order to achieve this, various measures are possible, which include the profile of the basic element. The profile is obtained if one looks at the protective device in the direction of the longitudinal handle axis, which corresponds to the direction of the protective device longitudinal axis.

According to one embodiment, the profile is approximately quadrangular, pentagonal or hexagonal in the direction of the inner side (“inner profile”). "About" means that there may be roundings or recesses, but that the basic shape is designed accordingly. Such a shape results in significantly smaller “contact areas” compared to a round shape known from the prior art.

Another advantageous feature of the profile is given if there is a smaller inner clearance in the area of its longitudinal opening (this is the side of the protective device with which it is pushed onto the handle) than in the inner area. The interior is the area offset from the longitudinal opening into the interior of the protective device. Such a geometry creates a kind of "clamp" which - if it has a certain elasticity - can be pushed onto the handle by overcoming certain counter-forces, where it then remains automatically held. This provides security against unintentional dropping of the protective device.

Another advantageous feature of the profile is given if the profile has a longitudinal opening that is curved outwards at its edge. This curvature serves as a plug-on and centering aid, which further facilitates the attachment of the protective device.

The profile particularly preferably has several of the aforementioned features.

As already mentioned, an “angular” inner profile means that the contact surface is composed of several linear contact areas. However, this is also possible in other ways, for example in that a profile with a round inner cross section has raised strips which extend in the longitudinal direction and / or in the transverse direction (i.e. along the circumference of the circle). Thus, contact essentially only takes place at the top of the raised structures.

It is also possible that the linear contact areas in the longitudinal direction are designed interrupted; in this way the contact area is further reduced. However, it is still clear that the stability of the structures must be sufficient for power transmission (see above). It is also conceivable for this to consist of a firmer material than the rest of the basic element. Protective devices of this type can be manufactured in a simple manner for mass production by overmoulding solid structures or by means of two-component injection molding.

According to a further embodiment with regard to the inside of the protective device, the contact surface is composed of several point-shaped contact areas. Accordingly, there are needle-like structures that are available in sufficient numbers and thus ensure a corresponding power transmission with a minimized contact area between the protective device and the handle.

According to one embodiment, the protective device is designed in one piece. This means that it extends over the entire length of, for example, a handle of a shopping cart, which typically also has a length that often exceeds its diameter. The advantage of this embodiment is that the user does not have to pay attention to exactly where he is touching the handle, since it is encased everywhere. This means that switching between one and two hands when pushing the trolley is also possible without any problems; the protective device remains on the handle during shopping and is then removed, decontaminated by removing the outermost film (s) and finally stowed in a suitable manner, for example in a cover.

According to another embodiment, the protective device is designed in two parts. This means that part of the protective device is only attached at the points where there is typically contact. The advantage of this embodiment is the lower material consumption and size of the protective device. In addition, such a protective device can also be attached to objects which do not have a continuous, long handle, which is the case, for example, with carts in hardware stores; these often have two separate, vertical rods, at the end of which a handle for one hand is arranged.

Handle and basic element integrated. This means that the basic element also serves as a handle for the mobile object, or the handle of the mobile object is set up to serve directly for receiving the foils. In this way, the number of components, in particular a system comprising a mobile device and protective device, is further reduced. Furthermore, the profile can be essentially closed, i.e. have no inside intended for attachment to another object; in addition, the film on the inside can then be dispensed with. According to one embodiment, the protective device has a window for the handle. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for shopping trolleys, since they often have information printed on the handle that would otherwise be covered by the protective device. It is clear that a transparent outer film is also advantageous in this case.

According to one embodiment, the protective device has a surface suitable for printing and which can be turned towards a user. This area can thus contain information - for example on the correct use of the protective device or advertising by means of which the protective device can be financed. In this case too, a transparent outer film is advantageous. Otherwise, it is possible to print the film yourself, so that it becomes a carrier of information.

The invention also relates to a mobile object with at least one handle for moving the object by means of at least one hand of a user. The object is characterized in that it comprises a protective device according to the preceding description in order to avoid contamination of the user's hand with impurities adhering to the handle. In other words, the invention relates not only to the protective device alone, but also to a movable object equipped with it. The object is therefore provided connected to the protective device from the outset; this can already be arranged in the use position described above, or be placed in an easily accessible place so that the user can quickly and easily bring the protective device into the use position himself.

As already mentioned, the protective device can advantageously be used for the push handle of a shopping cart. As the prior art shown in the introduction shows, there are various solutions in this area, which, however, either ignore the problem of contamination from the inside of a protective device or avoid them due to technically complicated solutions. Accordingly, the invention particularly relates to an object in the form of a shopping cart. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the explanations above.

Figure list

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine Ausführungsform der Schutzvorrichtung mit angebrachter Außenfolie;
• 2 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine Ausführungsform der Schutzvorrichtung mit angebrachter Innenfolie;
• 3 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf eine Ausführungsform der Schutzvorrichtung mit angebrachter Innenfolie von schräg unten;
• 4 ein schematisches Beispiel für das Profil des Grundelements;
• 5 ein weiteres schematisches Beispiel für das Profil des Grundelements;
• 6 ein weiteres schematisches Beispiel für das Profil des Grundelements;
• 7 ein Beispiel für ein Grundelement mit getrennter Außen- und Innenfolie;
• 8 ein Beispiel für ein Grundelement mit zusammenhängender Außen- und Innenfolie.

The invention is explained below by way of example using figures. It shows

• 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of the protective device with attached outer film;
• 2nd a perspective view of an embodiment of the protective device with attached inner film;
• 3rd a perspective view of an embodiment of the protective device with attached inner film from obliquely below;
• 4th a schematic example of the profile of the basic element;
• 5 another schematic example of the profile of the basic element;
• 6 another schematic example of the profile of the basic element;
• 7 an example of a basic element with separate outer and inner film;
• 8th an example of a basic element with coherent outer and inner foil.

In the 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the protection device 1 shown. The protection device 1 includes a dimensionally stable basic element 4th with an outside 5 and an inside 6 . In the example shown, only the one on the outside is 5 arranged, multilayer outer film 2nd shown. 2nd on the other hand shows the situation with inner film 3rd that on the inside 6 is arranged. In the 3rd is also a protective device 1 with inner film 3rd shown.

The slides shown 2nd , 3rd are each multi-layer. This can be seen from the fact that each of the foils 2nd , 3rd a puller 8th has (only partially provided with reference numerals). In the embodiment shown, the removal aids are arranged offset to one another, so that the number of remaining foils can be recognized in a simple manner.

The profile of the basic element 4th is present towards the inside 6 roughly square, more precisely: trapezoidal. In the area of the longitudinal opening 9 it has a smaller inner clearance than in the inner area (in the picture the upper area inside the protective device 1 ). On its edge 10th it has an outwardly arched longitudinal opening 9 on. This makes it easier to push the protective device onto a handle (not shown) and, due to the clip-like shape, automatically holds it on the handle.

4th and 5 each show a schematic example of the profile of the basic element 4th ; the slides 2nd , 3rd are omitted for reasons of clarity.

The profile emerges when looking in the direction of the longitudinal axis L on the protection device 1 looks (cf. 1 ). As can be seen, this is when the handle contacts 7 resulting contact area minimized. After the in 4th shown embodiment, there are three contact areas K ; after the in 5 shown embodiment, there are four contact areas K . The contact areas are linear and are perpendicular to the image plane or extend in the direction of the longitudinal axis L (not shown).

In the 6 is another schematic example of the profile of the basic element 4th shown. This also points in the area of its longitudinal opening 9 a smaller inner distance than in the inner area, so that the clamping effect already described results.

The 7 shows an example of a basic element 4th with separate outer film 2nd and inner film 3rd . Two layers of this film are shown. By removing the outer foil 2nd or. 3rd becomes the protection device 1 decontaminated and can be used again.

In the 8th schematically illustrated embodiment shows a variant in which outer film 2nd and inner film 3rd are connected. Thus, both the outside and the inside of the protective device can be decontaminated by gripping a single corner of a film. As from the 8th one can see one of the edges in the area of the longitudinal opening 9 at least partially from the film 2nd , 3rd covered. This overlap can be interrupted continuously, but also in the longitudinal direction, and for example only at the two ends of the basic element 4th consist.

Reference list

1

Protection device

2nd

Outer film, film

3rd

Inner film, film

4th

Basic element

5

Outside

6

inside

7

Handle

8th

Pulling aid

9

Longitudinal opening

10th

edge

L

Longitudinal axis

K

Contact area

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• US 2014/0263807 A1 [0008]
• US 2008/0000924 A1 [0008]
• CN 101480963 A [0008]
• KR 100805319 B1 [0008]
• KR 100805320 B1 [0008]
• US 2004/0021279 A1 [0009]
• KR 1020090109519 A [0009]
• KR 1020120114710 A [0010]
• DE 19727531 A1 [0011]
• DE 19729986 A1 [0011]
• DE 29901864 U1 [0011]
• DE 202008011529 U1 [0011]
• DE 202008010201 U1 [0011]
• DE 202009012090 U1 [0011]

Claims (13)

Protective device (1) for protecting a user from contamination adhering to the handle (7) of a mobile object, comprising a basic element (4) that is elastic and stable or can be brought into a stable shape, the basic element (4) being detachable on the handle (7) without tools. can be attached, with an outside (5) provided for grasping by the hand of the user, and an inside (6) provided for at least partial contacting of the handle (7), a peelable film on the outside (6) of the base element (4) (2) is arranged, characterized in that a peelable film (3) is also arranged on the inside (6) of the base element (4). Protection device (1) after Claim 1 The same has a longitudinal opening (9) for attachment without tools, by means of which it can be plugged onto the handle (7). Protection device (1) after Claim 1 or 2nd , The film (2, 3) arranged on the outside (5) and / or the inside (6) having multiple layers. Protection device (1) after Claim 3 , wherein the film (2, 3) has a pulling aid (8) for easier gripping of the same. Protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contact surface resulting when the handle (7) is contacted is minimized. Protection device (1) after Claim 5 , wherein the profile of the base element (4) - in the direction of the inside (6) is approximately square, pentagonal or hexagonal, and / or - in the region of the longitudinal opening (9) has a smaller internal distance than in the interior, and / or - Has at its edge (10) curved outward longitudinal opening. Protection device (1) after Claim 5 or 6 , wherein the contact surface is composed of several linear contact areas (K). Protection device (1) after Claim 7 , wherein the linear contact areas (K) are designed interrupted in the longitudinal direction (L). Protection device (1) after Claim 5 or 6 , wherein the contact surface is composed of several point-shaped contact areas (K). Protection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the same is designed in two parts. Protection device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the same has a window for the handle (7) and / or a surface suitable for printing and which can be turned towards a user. Mobile object with at least one handle (7) for moving the object by means of at least one hand of a user, characterized in that the object has a protective device (1) according to one of the preceding claims to avoid contamination of the hand of the user with the handle (7) adhering impurities. Mobile object after Claim 12 , which is a shopping cart.

Images