FR3112158A1 - Handle comprising at least a main body and a hollow body enclosing a reservoir of fluid disinfectant product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a handle (1) comprising at least one main body (10), part of which is intended to be connected to the opening/closing mechanism of an opening, such as a door or a window, and to be actuated, in particular in a rotary manner, by the hand of a user to open/close said leaf, characterized in that it further comprises:- a hollow body (20) fixedly connected to the main body (10) and containing at least one internal reservoir (30) of fluid disinfectant, for example alcohol-based, said hollow body (20) constituting and/or comprising, at least locally, a static/immobile diffuser (20) made of spongy material or microporous which is loaded with fluid disinfectant product by capillarity in order to impregnate the user's hand with said product when using the handle, and- means (35) for transferring said fluid disinfectant product out of said internal reservoir (30) towards said diffuser (20). Figure for abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Handle comprising at least a main body and a hollow body containing a reservoir of fluid disinfectant

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a handle comprising a main body intended to be connected to the opening/closing mechanism of an opening, such as a door or a window, a hollow body containing at least one internal reservoir of fluid disinfectant and comprising a diffuser made of spongy or microporous material, and means for transferring said fluid disinfectant product out of said internal reservoir in the direction of said diffuser.

There are a very large number of door or window handles on the market which allow, by rotation around an axis, to open and/or close said door/window.

This type of opening is found almost everywhere, whether private or collective residential premises, offices, industrial premises such as warehouses or factories, commercial premises such as shops, or public buildings such as schools, hospitals, or various administrations, etc.

Door/window opening/closing actions can be performed hundreds of times a day on the same handle by multiple individuals using their hands, and more precisely with the inside of the hand.

This part of the hand is also commonly used by these same individuals to perform many other actions, such as shaking other hands, grasping/carrying/carrying objects, touching the body and especially the face (for rubbing, sneezing , scratching), cooking, going to the bathroom and more generally being in contact with multiple surfaces during the day.

However, the hand, and in particular the palm, can become dirty or carry on its surface various pathogenic microorganisms such as, for example, infectious germs, bacteria, fungi or viruses. These pathogenic elements can therefore easily be deposited on the surface of a door handle and inadvertently transferred to tens or hundreds of individuals, who can in turn infect hundreds of other individuals.

These living beings, whose common characteristic is parasitism and which are capable of proliferating in a higher organism (in particular a human) can cause more or less serious health problems. Their lifespan is limited but their contagiousness and their dangerousness can be very important. Their persistence also depends on the physico-chemical conditions of the environment.

Among these pathogenic elements, viruses are extremely small microorganisms, visible only under an electron microscope and which can only multiply inside a living cell. When such a cell has been attacked by a virus, it soon transforms in its entirety into a grainy clump of new virus ready to infect new cells. The family of Coronaviruses such as MERS, SARS or COVID-19, which in particular cause fatal respiratory diseases, meet these criteria in particular.

For questions of hygiene and reducing the proliferation of pathogenic elements, and in particular respiratory viruses, there is therefore a significant need to make port/window handles healthy and safe to avoid the transmission of these germs, bacteria, fungi or especially viruses such as Coronaviruses for example.

Apart from the commonly used solution consisting in washing the hands as often as possible using soap or hydro-alcoholic solution, attempts have already been made to solve this problem by proposing "self-cleaning" systems provided, for example, with mobile means in translation depositing a film of disinfectant on the surface of the handle using a sliding ring along the handle. Mention may also be made of an external device integrated into a door and spraying disinfectant on the handle, such as that described in FR2896695. Finally, we can mention the dispensers integrated in a door to distribute disinfectant gel that the user will rub in his hands before grabbing the handle (provided that he does it really and correctly for the expected disinfection effect to be effective) .

However, these devices are either too complex and/or fragile, or not yet reliable and/or efficient enough, or even too expensive to be able to be installed in very large numbers, in particular in public places (hospitals, administrative sites open to the public, etc.) or in business.

Presentation of the invention

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks with a totally innovative approach.

To this end, according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a handle comprising at least one main body, part of which is intended to be connected to the opening/closing mechanism of an opening, such as a door or a window, and to be actuated, in particular in a rotary manner, by the hand of a user to open/close said sash, characterized in that it further comprises
- a hollow body fixedly connected to the main body and containing at least one internal reservoir of fluid disinfectant, for example alcohol-based, said hollow body comprising, at least locally, a static/immobile diffuser made of spongy material or microporous which is loaded with fluid disinfectant product by capillarity in order to impregnate the user's hand with said product when using the handle, and
- Means for transferring said fluid disinfectant product out of said internal reservoir towards said diffuser.

The invention is implemented according to the embodiments and variants set out below, which are to be considered individually or according to any technically effective combination.

Advantageously, the diffuser consists of multiple studs of microporous material distributed over the periphery of the hollow body, said studs communicating with the means for transferring the fluid disinfectant product contained in the internal reservoir.

According to a design variant, the diffuser consists of multiple bars of microporous material distributed longitudinally over the periphery of the hollow body, said bars communicating with the means for transferring the fluid disinfectant product contained in the internal reservoir.

According to another alternative, the diffuser consists of multiple wicks of microporous fabric distributed over the periphery of the hollow body, said wicks communicating with the means for transferring the fluid disinfectant product contained in the internal reservoir.

According to another preferred embodiment, the diffuser consists of a spongy or porous impregnation fabric covering the hollow body, said impregnation fabric communicating locally with the means for transferring the fluid disinfectant product contained in the internal reservoir.

According to another alternative embodiment, the diffuser consists of a rigid microporous ceramic sleeve directly forming the hollow body, said sleeve communicating with the means for transferring the fluid disinfectant product contained in the internal reservoir.

Preferably, the rigid sleeve is made of alumina.

As a variant, the rigid sleeve is made of composite material pultruded, laminated or wound by winding based on glass or carbon fibers, or has a resin on the surface, said composite material or the resin containing disinfecting agents such as fibers or copper or silver micro-powder.

Advantageously, the handle further comprises an inner centering element provided with means for perforating the inner reservoir.

According to a particular embodiment of the present invention, the handle further comprises a sealing plug provided with means for perforating the internal reservoir.

Advantageously, the cap is screwed on and a seal is provided between said cap and the hollow body.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the perforation means comprise at least one point.

Alternatively, the perforation means comprise at least one blade.

According to a complementary aspect, a peripheral void is provided at least around the internal reservoir, said void constituting the means for transferring the fluid disinfectant product to the diffuser.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the present invention, the internal reservoir is removable and forms a replaceable refill.

Brief description of figures

Other advantages, objects and characteristics of the present invention emerge from the description which follows given, for the purpose of explanation and in no way limiting, with regard to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a handle according to the present invention,

Figure 2 is an assembled perspective view of the handle of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a top view of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view along line AA of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a detail view B of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is another detail view C of Figure 4,

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of Figure 1,

figure 8 is a view in longitudinal section corresponding to the variant of figure 7,

figure 9 is a detail view B of figure 8,

FIG. 10 is a side view of an element of another variant embodiment,

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of Figure 10,

FIG. 12 is a side view of another variant embodiment,

Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of another variant embodiment,

Figure 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of another variant embodiment.

Figures 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of a self-disinfecting handle 1 according to the present invention.

This handle 1, typically used on an opening such as a residential or office door, a gate/gate, a French window, a window or an industrial door, is connected to an internal lock (not shown) said opening and allows the opening and / or closing of the latter by manual rotation. It is preferably placed substantially horizontally at rest, without this position being mandatory for its correct operation.

The self-disinfecting handle 1 according to the present invention comprises a main body 10 connected to the leaf and able to pivot relative to the latter at the level of a proximal end, a microporous hollow outer body 20 connected to the main body 10 at the level with a proximal end 21 and receiving a flexible removable internal reservoir 30 of disinfectant fluid, and a closing plug 40 closing off the handle and in particular the distal end 22 of the hollow external body 20.

More specifically, the main body 10 is in the form of a solid piece of molded or machined metal, for example brass, aluminum, zamak or steel, or else composite or even plastic.

This main body 10 comprises a housing 13, for example with a square section of 6 or 7 millimeters on a side, for the connection of the self-disinfecting handle 1 with an actuating rod of a lock (these two elements of known type are not shown) acting as a pivot axis for actuating the self-disinfecting handle 1 in rotation about said axis.

The main body 10 of the self-disinfecting handle 1 also comprises a slightly axially projecting portion 12 on which is mounted, for example by gluing, the proximal end 21 of the microporous hollow outer body 20, which constitutes the most important part of the self-disinfecting handle 1, that is to say the one which will be gripped by the hand of an individual.

In the present case, the microporous hollow outer body 20 is made of composite material pultruded (or laminated or coiled) by winding based on glass or carbon fibers mixed with copper or silver fibers intrinsically having known disinfectant properties. . In this embodiment, the microporous hollow outer body 20 directly constitutes a dispenser for disinfectant fluid.

The flexible removable internal reservoir 30 of disinfectant fluid product is inserted into the microporous hollow outer body 20 and is locally surrounded by a fine space 35 acting as a means of transfer by capillarity of the disinfectant fluid product out of said reservoir 30 towards the outer surface. of the hollow body 20 constituting the diffuser. This reservoir 30 is for example made of plastic material and has two proximal 31 and distal 32 walls that are thin enough to be drilled.

The microporous hollow outer body 20 is also closed by a sealing plug 40 screwed onto an intermediate ring 41 glued to the distal end 22 of said hollow outer body 20. For this, respective threads 40a and 41a are provided on the corresponding elements. concerned. This closure plug 40 is also provided, on one end face 42, with a slot 44 allowing it to be easily screwed/unscrewed using, for example, a coin or a flat screwdriver. . A sealing O-ring 46 is provided between the closing plug 40 and the intermediate ring 41.

The closure plug 40 is also equipped with perforation means 45 which in this case are in the form of spikes. These spikes 45 are adapted to penetrate inside the flexible removable internal reservoir 30 of disinfectant fluid product, and more specifically to pierce its distal wall 32, so that said disinfectant fluid product flows naturally into out of said reservoir 30 in the direction of the space 35, then diffuses by capillarity in the microporous hollow outer body 20 to its outer surface 20a.

The disinfectant fluid product then diffuses throughout the microporous hollow outer body 20 so that it can soak the hands of the individual who grasps and operates the self-disinfecting handle 1. As long as the flexible removable inner reservoir 30 is filled and that the disinfectant fluid product can diffuse, the microporous hollow outer body 20 of the self-disinfecting handle 1 remains soaked and the disinfectant effect is operational for the users. This disinfectant effect is further increased in the present case by the use of materials having disinfectant properties in the composition of the hollow outer body 20.

The main body 10 also comprises, at the level of the prominent axial portion 12, spikes 15 which make it possible to perforate the flexible internal reservoir 30 at the level of its proximal wall 31, which facilitates the distribution of the disinfectant fluid product and its diffusion in all the hollow outer body 20 (i.e. over the entire length of the porous microporous cylinder which constitutes it). The disinfectant fluid product can thus fill the entire space 35 and soak the hollow outer body 20 in an optimized manner.

The spikes 15 and 45 can be replaced or supplemented by perforating blades having the same function of perforating the flexible removable internal reservoir 30 of disinfectant fluid.

Once the internal tank 30 has been emptied of its contents, it suffices to unscrew the sealing cap 40, to remove said removable tank 30, to replace it with a new tank 30, then to screw the sealing cap 40 back on. using the threads 40a and 41a in order to perforate this new refill of disinfectant fluid product so that the latter can again soak the microporous hollow outer body 20 of the self-disinfecting handle 1.

According to an alternative embodiment of Figures 7 to 9, the main body 10 of the self-disinfecting handle 1 comprises a centering element 18 projecting axially deeper inside the hollow outer body 20 than in Figures 1 to 6. This centering element 18 is provided with perforation means 15 making it possible, as in the previous embodiment, to penetrate inside the proximal wall 31 of the flexible removable internal reservoir 30 in order to ensure that the disinfectant fluid product s flows from the latter in the direction of the hollow outer body 20. The stopper 40 is similar to that of FIGS. 45 perforation of the flexible removable inner reservoir 30. Another seal 16 is provided at the junction between the hollow outer body 20 and the centering element 18 to prevent leakage of the fluid disinfectant. This seal 16 can also be provided in the solution of Figures 1 to 6.

In the present case, the microporous hollow outer body 20 is made of microporous ceramic of the alumina type and therefore forms the diffuser of the disinfectant fluid product.

The use and disinfectant mode of action of this self-disinfecting handle 1 is identical to that of Figures 1 to 6.

According to a variant embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 10 to 14, the hollow outer body 20 of the self-disinfecting handle 1 is preferably made of non-porous material, for example metal (brass, aluminum, zamak) or plastic.

In a first manufacturing method shown in Figures 10 and 11, the hollow outer body 20 is provided with bars of microporous material 120 which preferably extend parallel to each other along the cylinder constituting said hollow outer body 20. The microporous bars 120 can also describe a curved profile in the form of an arc or a spiral.

Transfer channels 37 pass through a part of the hollow outer body 20 to bring the space 35 and the microporous bars 120 into fluidic relationship so that the disinfectant fluid product can flow from the flexible inner reservoir 30, move into the space 35, cross said transfer channels 37 and reach the outer surface of the microporous bars 120 by capillarity. Thus, the individual who knows the self-disinfecting handle 1 will have his hands soaked in disinfectant fluid product thanks to the microporous bars 120.

According to another embodiment represented in FIG. 12, the self-disinfecting handle 1 comprises wicks of microporous fabric 220 arranged in orifices made in the thickness of the hollow outer body 20. These wicks 220, similar to the longitudinal bars 120 of the Figures 10 and 11, are connected to the transfer channels 37, themselves communicating with the space 35, so that the disinfectant fluid product can flow from the flexible removable inner reservoir 30 to the outer surface of said wicks 220 and soak the hands of an individual operating the self-disinfecting handle 1, as described above.

According to another embodiment represented in FIG. 13, the self-disinfecting handle 1 comprises microporous pads 320 arranged in a localized manner in housings made in the thickness of the hollow outer body 20. These pads 320 are connected to the transfer channels 37, themselves communicating with space 35, so that the disinfectant fluid product can flow from the flexible removable inner reservoir 30 to the outer surface of said pads 320 and soak the hands of an individual actuating the automatic handle -disinfectant 1, as described above. The studs 320 are distributed over the entire circumference of the hollow outer body 20 (longitudinally and peripherally) in a more or less regular manner to optimize contact with the user's hand so that his palm is well soaked in the disinfectant fluid product.

According to a final embodiment shown in Figure 14, the hollow outer body 20 of the self-disinfecting handle 1 is covered longitudinally over its entire periphery with a spongy or microporous impregnation fabric 420 whose proximal and 421 and distal ends 422 are in contact with the disinfectant fluid product flowing from the flexible removable internal reservoir 30 towards the space 35. Thus, when the internal reservoir 30 is pierced, the disinfectant fluid product spreads by capillarity to the outer surface of the tissue impregnation 420 and soak the hands of an individual operating the self-disinfecting handle 1, as described above.

In all the cases illustrated, the principle is the same, namely that the disinfectant fluid product automatically leaves the internal reservoir 30 once the latter is pierced, flows in the direction of a diffuser having intrinsic porosity properties, which diffuser “ sucks up the disinfectant product by capillarity in order to bring it up to the surface of the self-disinfecting handle 1, where the user will place the palm of his hand to activate it.

It should be understood that the detailed description of the subject of the invention, given solely by way of illustration, does not in any way constitute a limitation, the technical equivalents also being included in the scope of the present invention.

Thus, the handle can be inclined or even vertical.

The hollow outer body 20 of the handle 1 can have a multitude of shapes, for example a ball, a cylinder with an oval or polygonal section of any type, a tube domed in the middle, a curved profile, with or without fingerprints.

It is possible to combine several of the embodiments presented, for example studs and bars, studs and wicks, etc.

Claims (15)

Handle (1) comprising at least one main body (10) of which a part (13) is intended to be connected to the opening/closing mechanism of an opening, such as a door or a window, and to be actuated, in particular in a rotary manner, by the hand of a user to open/close said opening, characterized in that it further comprises:
- a hollow body (20) fixedly connected to the main body (10) and containing at least one internal reservoir (30) of fluid disinfectant, for example alcohol-based, said hollow body (20) constituting and/or comprising, at least locally, a static/immobile diffuser (20; 120; 220; 320; 420) made of spongy or microporous material which is loaded with fluid disinfectant product by capillarity in order to impregnate the user's hand with said product when using the handle, and
- means (35; 27) for transferring said fluid disinfectant product out of said internal reservoir (30) towards said diffuser (20; 120; 220; 320; 420). Handle (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the diffuser consists of multiple studs (320) of microporous material distributed over the periphery of the hollow body (20), the said studs (320) communicating with the transfer means (35 , 7) of the fluid disinfectant contained in the internal reservoir (30). Handle (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the diffuser consists of multiple bars (120) of microporous material distributed longitudinally over the periphery of the hollow body (20), the said bars (120) communicating with the means (35, 37) for transferring the fluid disinfectant contained in the internal reservoir (30). Handle (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the diffuser consists of multiple rovings (220) of microporous fabric distributed over the periphery of the hollow body (20), the said rovings (220) communicating with the means (35, 37 ) for transferring the fluid disinfectant contained in the internal reservoir (30). Handle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the diffuser consists of a spongy or porous impregnation fabric (420) covering the hollow body (20), said impregnation fabric (420) communicating locally with the means (35, 37) for transferring the fluid disinfectant contained in the internal reservoir (30). Handle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the diffuser consists of a rigid microporous ceramic sleeve directly forming the hollow body (20), said sleeve communicating with the means (35) for transferring the fluid disinfectant contained in the internal tank (30). Handle (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the rigid sleeve is made of alumina. Handle (1) according to Claim 6, characterized in that the rigid sleeve is made of composite material pultruded, laminated or wound by winding based on glass or carbon fibers, or has a resin on the surface, said composite material or the resin containing disinfectant agents such as fibers or micro-powder of copper or silver. Handle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an inner centering element (18) provided with means (15) for perforating the inner reservoir (30). Handle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a closing plug (40) provided with means (45) for perforating the internal reservoir (30). Handle (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the closing plug (40) is screwed on and a seal (46) is provided between the said plug and the hollow body (20). Handle (1) according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the perforation means (15; 45) comprise at least one tip. Handle (1) according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the perforation means (15; 45) comprise at least one blade. Handle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a peripheral void (35) is provided at least around the internal reservoir (30), said void constituting the means for transferring the fluid disinfectant product to the diffuser . Handle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal reservoir (30) is removable and forms a replaceable refill.