GB2429634A

GB2429634A - Cleaning device for handles

Info

Publication number: GB2429634A
Application number: GB0614978A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clive White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-02
Filing date: 2006-07-28
Publication date: 2007-03-07
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-28
Also published as: GB2429634B; GB0517904D0; GB0614978D0

Abstract

The invention relates to cleaning apparatus 10 particularly but not exclusively for a shopping trolley handle 12 and the like which includes at least one cleaning portion on an inner surface 24 thereof to allow the cleaning apparatus to be used to clean an article, such as a handle 21 of a device. The cleaning can be achieved such as by relative movement between the cleaning apparatus and the article such as by a person contacting the outer surface of the apparatus to exert the movement force. The cleaning of the apparatus can then be achieved without the need for a person to directly contact the article and therefore prevent the possibility of the person transferring bacteria or other germs onto the article during the cleaning operation. The apparatus may comprise a body 14 having first 16 and second 18 members which may be pivotally connected about a hinge 20. A lock 28 may be provided wherein the apparatus may be made tamper proof. The cleaning portion may include a sponge or else textile material which may be provided with a cleaning solution such as a detergent, disinfectant surgical spirit or a different sterilising solution. The apparatus may also be provided with a reservoir (fig 4a, 38) containing a cleaning fluid to be supplied to the cleaning portion. The inner surface of the apparatus may also be provided with one or more absorbent portions mounted relative to the cleaning portion to perform both cleaning and drying operations.

Description

1 2429634 Cleaning Device Ihe present application relates to the cleaning

of articles and more particularly to the cleaning or sterilising of articles which arc to be handled during use.

It is a vcil known problem that germs can be transported between a person and an article upon contact. This problem has been well documented in relation to the spread of diseases within hospitals and certain procedures put in place, which rely generally on individuals washing their hands upon entry into and cxit from certain predefincd areas. Whilst such prc>cedures can prevent the spread of germs in controlled environments, the problem is further complicated for articles which are accessible to the general public.

Such articles can include, but are not limited to, handles, such as door handles as well as handles on baskets and trolleys or the like. Particularly in relation to shopping trolleys for use within retail environments such as supermarkets, a trolley may be used by tens of people in one day. Each user intermittently touches the handle of the trolley and foods products within the store thus transferring germs from the trolley handle directly to food which may later be eaten. lurthermore, by touching and then replacing food products back onto the shelves, germs can be transferred to another shopper who, in turn, will transfer the germs to the handle of their trolley.

Thus the spread of germs via handles within a retail environment can be a significant problem, especially given the number of trolleys in use in any one store.

It will be appreciated that rcuiring every user of a trolley to wash their hands prior to use would be impractical since it would depend upon cooperation by every person touching each trolley. \X/ashing every trolley at the start or end of every clay would be time consuming and would not provide a suitable solution since it would not prevent the spread of germs for the duration of any given day. \X/hilst there arc a number of commercially available sterilising wipes, such vvil)eS cannot generally be reused and in addition require a user to manually ensure that the entire exposed area of a handle is cleaned, for the use of the vvipe to be effective in preventing the spread of germs.

it is generally known that modern plastics can be provided with antibacterial properties at the time of production. However there are existing articles and also new articles being manufactured without such properties which need to be con side i: e d.

The present invention aims to provide an apparatus which allows articles which are to be handled during use to be simply and efficiently cleaned or sterilised. It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a solution which is cost-effective, reusable, and capable of being retrofitted to existing articles.

According to the present invention there is provided a cleaning apparatus for an article which is to be handled, said apparatus including a body having an outer surface and an inner surface, said inner surface shaped to substantially surround at least a portion of said article which is to be handled and act as a cleaning portion, said cleaning portion arranged for contact with said portion of the article, wherein the apparatus is movable along said article SO as to effect cleaning thereof.

In one embodiment the portion which is to be cleaned is substantially elongate in shape.

in one embodiment the apparatus is moved via the application of force to the outer surface of the same The present invention is particularly advantageous in that the inner surface which provides for the cleaning of the article portion is removed from the outer surface which is used to operate the cleaning apparatus. Thus cleaning can be performed without the need to touch the article tO be cleaned such as a handle.

Preferably the cleaning portmn is provided with a cleaning or sterilising fluid and typically the cleaning portion includes a material capable of holding a quantity of fluid which is transferable to the article by movement of the cleaning apparatus.

In one embodiment one or more cleaning portions extend around the circumference of a handle portion of the article when the apparatus is fitted thereto. The cleaning portion may include a sponge or cisc a textile material mounted relative to the inner surface. The cleaning portion may be mounted flush with or else extending inwardly from the inner surface so as to maintain continual contact around the periphery of the article.

The cleaning portion may be mounted at one or both ends of the inner surface or else part way along the inner surface. Typically the cleaning P0rti0t(S) have a degree of resilience so as to allow the same to contact with the article to allow a cleaning action to occur as the apparatus is moved along the article portion to be cI ca ned.

lypically the cleaning apparatus is releasably attachable to said m rticlc. i\ccording to one embodiment the body includes Ii rst and second members which arc releasably engageable around the article. Preferably the first and second members arc pivotal!)' connected via a hinge such that the members can move between an open and a closed condition, wherein the body is attached to the article in the closed condition and is removable from the article in an open condition. In one embodiment opposing surfaces of the first and second members are correspondingly shaped such that the opposing surfaces mate upon closing the body.

1\ccording to OflC embodiment, the body is provided with locking means engageable between the first and second members such that the body can be locked in position around the portion of the article to be cleanined. The locking means may comprise a clip which is releasable by hand or else may include a locking mechanism which is unlockable using a specially shaped tool. In addition the cleaning portion may be removably or else permanently mounted to the body.

Thus the cleaning apparatus can be attached to existing articles and can be used singly or cisc repeatedly depending on the rcd1uiremcnts. The cleaning apparatus can be made tamper- proof such that the apparatus can be removed and the cleaning can be replaced only by specified individuals.

The inner surface ma)' be provided with OflC or more absorbent portions. [he absorbent portion may be mounted relative to the cleaning portion such that a linear movement of the cleaning apparatus both cleans and dries the article to be handled. An absorbent portion ma)' be mounted either side of the cleaning or else an absorbent portion may be located between t\V() or more cleaning portions.

In one embodiment the cleaning portion and/or the entire cleaning aPParatus may be disposable after a single usc or a r prccletcrmined number of uses. Alternatively, the cleaning portio1 may be supplied with cleaning fluid for repeated use. In one embodiment cleaning fluid can be provided to the cleaning porti()n via a conduit which in one embodiment extends between the cleaning portion and the outer surface.

According to another embodiment, the body may be provided with a reservoir. The reservoir may be in fluid communication with the cleaning portion via a conduit or capillary so as to provide fluid to the cleaning portion either constantly, or else upon demand. In one embodiment the walls of the reservoir may be movable so as to provide a pressure to the cleaning fluid within, such that a desired quantity of fluid is delivered to the cleaning portion for use. In this embodiment, the reservoir walls may be deformable.

An outer surface (.)r the apparatus may include formations adapted for operation by a portion of a user's arm, such as a forearm, a \vrist or else an elbow. In such an embodiment a depression or groove may be provided in the outer surface for reception of the arm. The depression may either extend from the article portion or else part way along the length of the handle. The body including the depression may be axisymmetrical about the article portion or else the body may extend substantially to one side of the article. In another embodiment one or more formations may be provided for location of a user's knuckles and preferably the formations include a series of peaks and troughs.

The use of such formations discourages users from gripping the device with their fingers and/or the palm of their hands, thus potentially avoiding the passing on of germs.

In one embodiment, opening the body portion allows access to the cleaning portion for application of a cleaning fluid.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are described belo\V with reference to the following drawings, in which: Hgurc I shows a side view of a cleaning apparatus according to the prsent invention; Figure 2a and b show end views of a cleaning apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 3 shows a part cut away view of the cleaning apparatus of figure 1; Figures 4a to c show various alternative embodiments of the 1entinvention; Whilst the following description proceeds in relation to articles in the form of trolleys or doors, the present invention provides for a simple cleaning apparatus which can potentially be adapted to suit any article having an elongate handle or rail, particularly in the case that the handle cross section is substantially constant along its length.

Turning now to figure 1, there is provided a cleaning apparatus according to the present invention for cleaning an article handle 12.

[he handle 12 is cylindrical in shape and the cleaning apparatus has a body 14 which is located on the handle. In figures 2a and 2b, the body 14 is shown end on and includes first 16 and second I 8 members which arc pivotally connected about a hinge 20. The first and second members can thus pivot between an open and a closed position. Each member is provided with a correspondingly shaped mating surface 26 such that the members fit together vvhen closed.

can be seen in figure 2a, a generally cylindrical bore or through hole passes along the length of the body 14 to form an OPCO ended cavity 22. An inner surface 24 within the body 14 defines the cavity 22.

A first portion of the inner surface 24 is formed in the first member 16 and a second portion of the inner surface is formed by the second member 18 such that, when the members are in a closed condition, the first and second inner surface portions form a substantially continuous inner surface 24. In the embodiment of figure 2, the first and second members are each provided with a hemi-cylindrical recess, such that when the members are aligned, a cylindrical through hole 22 is formed.

I lowever different profiles of handle can be catered for by producing first and second members with accordingly shaped recesses.

A lock 28 is accessible via an exterior surface of the body 14 to allow the first and second body members to be maintained in a closed position for use. The lock includes a latch or catch which engages between the first and second members. In OflC cml)odiment, as shown in figure 4b, the lock, in its simplest form may simply be a clip which can be manually unlocked as rec1uired. Otherwise the lock may be recessed within the first and or second body member in order to prevent tampering with the cleaning apparatus, such that a specially shaped tool is rc1uired to unlock the members.

I'he body can be opened as shovn in figure 2b and closed and around the handle 12 for use. The apparatus 10 can then be moved along the handle in the direction of arrow A in order to effect the cleaning thereof as vill be further described below.

In figure 1, the exterior surface of the body 14 includes a depression 30 so as to allow the cleaning apparatus to be slid along the handle. The depression is shaped to allovv a user to actuate the cleaning apparatus by applying a force using their lower arm, such as for example their wrist or else their elbow.

Figure 3 shows further details of the inside of the apparatus 10.

The inside surface 24 is provided with a cleaning portion 32 \vhich extends around the inner circumference of the body 14.

The cleaning portion may comprise a sponge or else a textile material which is damp with a cleaning solution such as detergent, disinfectant, surgical spirit or a different sterilising solution. The cleaning portion 32 may be flush with the inner surface 24 or else may protrude a short distance inwardly therefrom to ensure correct contact is maintained with the handle. A section of the cleaning portion is located in each of the first and second members, such that, when the body is closed, the cleaning portion encloses a section of the handle corn p let c I. Thus, when the cleaning apparatus is pulled along the handle, the cleaning portion is maintained in contact with the handle surface.i\ fabric such as a cloth may be mounted to the inner surface 24. A sponge, or a fabric, or else some other compressible or deformabic material is preferred so that the cleaning portion can l)e pressed against the handle so as to maintain contact around the full circumference of the handle.

z\ fluid conduit 34 is provided between the cleaning portion 32 and the exterior of the apparatus in order to allow cleaning fluid to be delivered to thc cleaning portion as necessary in order to prevent the cleaning portion from drying Out.

An absorbent member 36 is provided either side of the cleaning portion 34 such that, when the apparatus is slid along a handle, a single pass of the apparatus both cleans and also simultaneously dries the handle 12. The absorbent member 36 extends around the circumference of the handle and may be a spiige or textile material or chamois which is not fed by the fluid conduit 34 and which is therefore maintained in a generally drier stare than the cleaning portion 34.

Fig 3 is Sl1(.)Vfl with an al)Sorbent member either side of the cleaning Portion such that the apparatus to be moved along the handle in either direction without altering its operation.

[-lowever an absorbent member may be provided on a single side of the cleaning swipe for use in a particular direction.

A further embodiment is shown in figure 4a, in which the apparatus is provided with a curved outer surface shaped for activation by a user's knuckles. The curvature of the surface forms a number of peaks and troughs. A user can thus opel-ate the device using a clenched fist, avoiding the need to touch the cleaning apparatus with the palm of their hand or else their fingers. The curved surface extends around the periphery of the apparatus, allowing the apparatus to be operated regardless of its orientation about the axis of the handle. Thus the apparatus is axisymmetrical and can be allowed to rotate about the axis of the handle without detriment to its operation.

lhc embodiment of figure 4a differs from that of figure 3 in that the apparatus has an internal reservoir 38 containing a cleaning fluid. The fluid is delivered to the cleaning portions by conduits 40 or capillaries, the diameter of which controls the delivery of fluid to the cleaning portions. The apparatus in figure 4a is provided with two cleaning portions but can equally l)C provided with an absorbent material as vcll. In the embodiment shown, it would be preferable to provide an absorbent portion l)ctween the two cleaning portions 32 such that the apparatus can operate in a bidirectional manner.

lhc reservoir 38 may be filled via a fluid conduit extending to the exterior of the apparatus or else may require the body to be opened for refilling. The reservoir may additionally be replaceable, for example, in the form of a cartridge.

in figure 4b, there is shown a further embodiment which is shaped to be operated by a user's wrist. In this embodiment, the curved surfaces 42 extend away from the handle 12, such that a force can be applied to a side of the body in a direction substantially parallel with the handle axis. This avoids the need to press down on the apparatus during operation which could cause a section of the cleaning portion to lose contact with the 11 an dl c.

The curved external surfaces extend radially around the handle 12 but could equally extend in OflC direction away from the handle. In such an embodiment it is preferable that the curved surface form an actuation portion which hangs below the handle in use.

In figure 4c an embodiment is shown for use on a vertical handle. I'hc apparatus is provided with a horizontally oriented depression or indent 44 which allows a user to operate the apparatus using their knuckles.

Each of the embodiments described aI)ove can be permanently, or semipermanently fixed to a handle for ongoing use or else can be made for single use so as to be disposable. For ongoing use, the cleaning portion can be made removable and replaceable such that it can be changed at recjuired intervals.

Ihe cleaning apparatus may be provided in the form of a stcrilising swipe which can be retrofitted to existing trolleys or may l)C pt:c)viclcd to individuals to usc as and when necessary. If the srcrilising swipe is provided to individuals, then the use of a lock may be unnecessary since the user can simply grip the swipe over the handle to be cleaned and then remove the swipe after use. In place of a lock the swipe may be biased towards either the open or closed position by use of a spring.

Claims

Claims 1. A clcaning apparatus for an article which is to be handled, said

apparatus including a body having an outer surfacc and an inner surface, said inner surface shaped to substantially surround at least a portion of said article which is to be handled and act as a cleaning portion, said cleaning portion arranged for contact with said portion of the article wherein relative fl]OVCI'flcnt between the apparatus and article portion effects cleaning thereof.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is movable along said article portion SO as to effect the cleaning thereof.
3 r\ppalatus according to claim 1 wherein the portion which is to be cleaned is substantially elongate in shape.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus is moved via the application of force to the outer surface of the s a mc.
5. Appatatus according to claim I wherein the cleaning of the article is achieved without the need for a CtSOfl to directly touch the article.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cleaning portion is provided with a cleaning or stcrilising fluid therein.
7. \pparatus according to claim 6 wherein the cleaning portio1 includes a material capable of holding a cluantitr of fluid which is trans ferable to the article by movement.
8. Apparatus according to claim I wherein one or more cLeaning portions extend around the circumference of the handle portion of the article when the apparatus is fitted thereto.
9. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the cleaning portion includes a sponge or a textile material mounted relative to the inner surface.
10. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the cleaning portion is mounted flush with or extends inwardly from the inner surface so as to maintain continual contact around periphery of the article.
11. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cleaning portion is mounted at at least one end of the inner surface.
12. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the cleaning portion is mounted intermediate the ends of the inner surface.
13. Apparatus according to claim I wherein the cleaning portion has a degree of resilience so as to apply a cleaning contact with the article.
14. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the cleaning apparatus is releasably attachable to said article.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the apparatus includes first and second members which are releasably engagable around the article.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein at least one of the first and second members are pivotably movable such that the members can move between an open and a closed position wherein the apparatus is attached to the article in a closed condition and is removable from the article in an open cond i tl() 0
17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein a opposing surfaces of the first and second members are corresponding in shape such that the opposing surfaces mate upon closing the bud V
18. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the apparatus is pl:.)vftlccl with locking means engageabic between the first and second members such that the apparatus can be locked in position around the portion of the article to be cleaned.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the locking means comprise a clip which is releasable by hand or using a tO()l
20. Apparatus according to the proceeding claims wherein the apparatus is made tamper proof such that the apparatus can be moved and the cleaning portion can be replaced only by aurhorised persons.
21. \pparatus according to claim I wherein the inner surface of the apparatus is provided with one or inure absorbent porflons rn()Unted relative to the cleaning portion such that linear movement of the cleaning apparatus performs both cleaning and drying operations.
22. j\ppai:atiis according to claim I wherein cleaning fluid is pro\hiIel in the apparatus and is provided to the cleaning portion via a conduit into which the cleaning fluid is provided.
23. Apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the apparatus is provided with a reservoir in which cleaning fluid can be held in contact with conduit.
24. Apparatus according to claim 23 wherein one of the walls of the reservoir can be movable so as to provide a pressure on the cleaning fluid within to deliver the cleaning fluid to the cleaning portion for use.
25. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the apparatus includes one or more formations adapted for operation by a portion of the users arm.
26. Apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.