GB2367244A

GB2367244A - Hygiene control arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2367244A
Application number: GB0116440A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Peter House
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-07
Filing date: 2001-07-05
Publication date: 2002-04-03
Anticipated expiration: 2021-07-05
Also published as: GB0116440D0; GB2367244B; GB0016631D0

Abstract

A method of reducing the chances of bacteriological contamination from human or animal usage of an article/object, including the step of constructing/forming at least that part or those parts of a article/object that is/are likely to be contaminated by contact with a source of contaminating matter from materials providing an inbuilt hygiene property to the article. The material may exhibit enhanced resistance to the depositioning and growth of bacteria, such as is an antibacterial agent introduced into the physical structure of the article or object, which may be formed from plastics material. Suitable antibacterial agents are metal ions incorporated into zeolites. The article/object can be a measure used for dispensing a liquid from a container into a glass.

Description

HYGIENE CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS It is well known that in situations where articles/objects such for example as liquid receiving vessels, glasses, cups, etc., mugs are handled by, for example, drinking from them that those regions thereof that have been in contact with a person's saliva, perspiration, hands etc. , can become bacterially contaminated, particularly in situations where any contaminant fluids remain on a glass or other article/object after its use for a period of time.

One such situation in which bacterial contamination can arise is where a bottle, whose neck has been allowed to contact the rim of a previously used glass whilst this glass is being refilled has subsequently been used to refill other glasses In such manner as to allow contact with the glass during the filling operation.

A very well known common situation at which the above scenario of refillIng used glasses is likely to occur is in connection with the dispensing of the contents of a container of alcoholic liquid, measure by measure, as it is a common practice in licensed premises, even through instructions may have been given that a glass is not to be refilled until after it has been washed. A further possibility of this nature can arise when decanting wines from tapped containers.

In the case of dispensing the contents of a container of alcohol the historical mode of dispensing such liquid, measure by measure, is conventionally by way of a so-called spirit measure device which following bottle opening the mouth of the bottle is coupled to the inlet side of the spirit measure.

The actual mode decanting of liquid from the bottle by way of the spirit measure device can take one or the other of two major modes of dispensing, a first requiring that the bottle is inverted and the mounting of the spirit measure at an elevated position so that the bottle is held upside down. With this mode of decanting the liquid from the bottle a glass or the like to be filled is offered to the spirit measure in such manner that upon operation of the spirit measure flow control mechanism by contact between the glass or the hand of a person holding the glass a precisely measured amount of liquid is decanted from the bottle.

The other major mode of use is, to attach an appropriate form of liquid (i. e, spirits) measuring apparatus/unit to the opened mouth of a bottle, and when It is desired to decant liquid from the bottle, to hold the bottle In the hand and to tilt the bottle mouth downwardly towards a glass to be filled, and then when the bottle mouth is in the desired position relative to the glass to operate the liquid flow control mechanism of the measuring apparatus/unit to decant the liquid In this latter case the glass conventionally rests upon a bar counter or table In the former case as mentioned the glass is offered to the spirit measure in such manner that the rim region of the glass presses against the operating means for the spirit measure or the hand holding the glass contacts the operating mechanism.

In practice, this means that a succession of glasses are likely to be pushed against the operating means which during the course of such multi-operations can become wetted with the alcohol liquid involved.

When a glass is refilled after having been emptied the rim of the glass could have become contaminated by the saliva of the user during the drinking of the glass content. Even though it is preferable that a new glass should be used for a new drink one can never be certain that such a code of practice is always followed can become bacterially contaminated, particularly in situations where any contaminant fluids may be present A further method of supplying a measured amount of an alcoholic liquid into a glass is by using a so-called brim measure. In this case the liquid is poured from the bottle into the brim measure and the latter is emptied into the glass. As will

be appreciated the brim measures if used from time to time without cleansing between usage can readily lead to the conditions ripe for bacteriological contamination, particularly if from time to time the brim measure has been allowed to contact or rest upon a used glass being refilled.

It therefore follows that if a contaminated glass is used the operating means of the spirit measure will likewise become contaminated with saliva traces. It also follows that, relatively rapidly, the operating means could be smeared or contacted by the saliva of a number of persons.

Looking at the contamination aspect from an alternative standpoint, the normally to be expected splash or bubbles discharged during the filling of a glass from a spirit measure can readily deposit upon the operating means and if left In situ settles and dries. In view of the alcoholic nature of the liquid being discharged the dried liquid provides a certain growth media for bacterial growth over night or shorter periods in a warm environment.

It is important to bear in mind that the frequency of use of an operating system is set by the nature of the alcoholic liquid in a bottle so that some bottles may be emptied within a very short time whereas others may remain part empty for days, thereby giving a great deal of time and opportunity for bacteria to settle and develop.

Whilst, a seemingly simple solution to the problem highlIghted In the forgoing is regularly to wash the operating means, in practice this is a solution the regularity of which is usually overlooked in an operationally busy drinks dispensing establishment, if only for the reason that there may be fifty or more spirit measure devices attached to bottles on the premises so as to be ready for use, whereby with pressure of work some may be overlooked.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce the risks Involved from bacterIal contamination of the operating means of liquid dispensing devices such as spirit measures.

Broadly, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of least reducing the chances of bacteriological contamination of an article/object, including the step of constructing/forming at least that part or those parts of a article/object that is/are likely to be contaminated by contact with a source of contaminating matter from materials exhibiting an enhanced resistance to the depositioning and growth of bacteria, and/or from other materials likely to form a growth medium for bacteria, the arrangement being such as to provide an inbuilt hygiene property to the article.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided an article/object incorporating in or at least that part or those parts thereof that is/are likely to be contaminated by contact with a source of contaminating matter materials exhibiting an enhanced resistance to the depositioning and growth of bacteria, and/or from other materials likely to form a growth medium for such enhanced resistance materials, the arrangement being such as to provide an mbuilt hygiene property to the article or object.

Preferably the material exhibiting enhanced resistance is an antibacterial agent incorporated into the physical structure of the article or object.

Preferably the articles in question comprise a measure adapted for dispensing measured quantities of a liquid from a container into a glass or other vessel, and in which the operation of means for controlling the discharge of liquid from the contained requires contact between the measure and a glass or other vessel or between the measure and a hand holding the glass or other vessel.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention it is proposed to Incorporate an antibacterial agent into the physical structure of those parts of the article likely to become contaminated.

Thus, in the case of a spirit measure device involving a tri-prong, bi-prong or other form of operating element it is proposed to incorporate in the structure of the operating elements thereof that are likely to contact during the use thereof a glass or other vessel an inorganic or organic antibacterial agent or material.

In the case where the operating elements are moulded from plastics material it is proposed to add the antibacterial agent to the material from which the elements are moulded.

Preferably it is proposed to utilise an antibacterial agent which exhibits a combination of antibacterial and bactericidal effects by the involvement of antibacterial metal ions.

Said material can comprise zeolites such that the individual grains thereof incorporate metal ions having the antibactercidal activity.

Conveniently the material can be such as additionally to produce very small quantities of active oxygen thereby exhibiting beneficial bacterial activities.

Claims

1. A method of at least reducing the chances of bacteriological contamination of an article/object, including the step of constructing/forming at least that part or those parts of a article/object that is/are likely to be contaminated by contact with a source of contaminating matter from materials exhibiting an enhanced resistance to the depositioning and growth of bacteria, and/or from other materials likely to form a growth medium for bacteria, the arrangement being such as to provide an inbuilt hygiene property to the article.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the material exhibiting enhanced resistance is an antibacterial agent introduced into the physical structure of the article or object.

3. A method as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein when that articles/objects likely to become contaminated are formed from plastics material the antibacterial agent is added to the material (s) from which the elements are formed pnor to the formation.

4. A method as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein when the articles/objects likely to become contaminated are formed from from plastics material the anti bacteriological agents applied to the article/object following the formation thereof.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, and wherein the antibacterial material is added in divided form into the materials provided for forming plastics articles

6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the antibacterial agent exhibits a combination of antibacterial and bactericidal effects by the involvement of antibacterial metal ions.

7 A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein material comprises zeolites.

8. A method as claimed in 7, and wherein the individual grains of the zeolites incorporate metal ions having the antibactercidal activity.

9 A method as claimed in Claim 1 to 8, and wherein the antibacterial material can be such as additionally to produce very small quantities of active oxygen thereby exhibiting beneficial bacterial activities.

10. A method of reducing the chances of bacteriological contamination of an article/object, substantially as herein before described.

1 1 An article/object incorporating in or at least that part or those parts thereof that is/are likely to be contaminated by contact with a source of contaminating matter materials exhibiting an enhanced resistance to the deposltioning and growth of bacteria, and/or from other materials likely to form a growth medium for such enhanced resistance materials, the arrangement being such as to provide an inbuilt hygiene property to the article or object.

12. An article/object as claimed in claim 11, and including the material exhibiting enhanced resistance incorporated in its physical structure.

13. An article as claimed in claim 11 or 12, and wherein the article/object incorporates a material adapted t o produce very small quantities of active oxygen.