GB2442440A

GB2442440A - Anti-microbial cover for door furniture

Info

Publication number: GB2442440A
Application number: GB0619584A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Reed
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-10-04
Filing date: 2006-10-04
Publication date: 2008-04-09
Also published as: GB0619584D0; GB0705477D0; GB2442542A

Abstract

A fingerplate 4 and/or a door handle cover 3 incorporates an antimicrobial substance, e.g. which releases silver ions. The anti-microbial substance may be applied to the fingerplate or cover by impregnation, by incorporation into thermoplastic moulding material, or by surface coating, i.e. in an aqueous solution. In one embodiment the fingerplate may comprise a frame which holds a replaceable sheet incorporating the anti-microbial substance. The cover may be of tubular form with a longitudinal slit to assist application to the door handle.

Description

DOORS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to doors, and to the problem of reducing the everyday risk of cross-infection by microorganisms.

BACKGROUND

Controlling the spread of diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and fungal infections is a major problem in hospitals, and indeed, in any other area to which people have access. Many bacterial diseases such as MRSA and E. coli can prove to be fatal, and are easily acquired by direct skin contact with surfaces contaminated with the bacteria. Many viral diseases such as Norwalk and avian flu can also be propagated in a similar manner, as can a wide variety of fungal diseases. * S * * *

Common hygiene advice aimed at reducing the spread of such diseases *. : is to practice frequent hand washing, preferably using disinfecting solutions, but although this remains good practice it can never be * completely effective no matter how diligently it is carried out. For example, if someone goes to the toilet in a restaurant and washes their hands as advised they can easily pick up new infections as they leave the toilet area.

The present invention seeks to provide a new and inventive way of reducing the spread of infections through hand transmission.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a door having an area of its external surface provided with a cover incorporating an anti-microbial substance.

In a first embodiment the cover may take the form of a fingerptate. In one form of the invention the fingerplate may comprise a holder for attachment to the door and a replaceable sheet-like insert which incorporates the anti-microbial substance In a second embodiment the cover may be shaped to fit over a door handle, and may, for example, be of tubular form with a slit extending along at least part of its length.

The anti-microbial substance may be applied to the cover by impregnation, by incorporation into thermoplastic moulding material, or by surface coating. e.

DEFINITIONS * * * * ** I. *

* *: In this specification the term Nantimicrobial means having the capability to harm or destroy at least one kind of microorganism, including (without limitation) bacteria, viruses and fungi.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general view of a door in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of a first embodiment of a door cover in the form of finger plate for attachment to the door; Figure 3 is a general view of a second form of finger plate for attachment to the door; Figure 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of a door cover in the form of a handle cover for the door; and Figure 5 is a side view of a second form of the handle cover. S... * . S...

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

: Fig. I shows one side of a door I Which is hung in a doorway through which people can pass. By way of example, the invention may be applied to a toilet door, although it Will be appreciated that the invention may advantageously be applied to any door, whether in a public building, in commercial premises, in the home, on board a ship, etc. It should also be noted that although only one side of the door is shown and described the invention may advantageously be applied to both sides of the door.

The door lie hung on hinges 2 and may be opened and closed in known manner using a lever-type handle 3. It has been found that when using a door hand contact is most frequently made with two specific areas.

Firstly, hand contact is frequently made directly with the door handle 3 during opening and closing of the door. The second common area of hand contact is made in an area immediately above the door handle. Indeed, this can cause wear and discolouration of the door and for this reason it is known to protect the area by attaching a plate 4 to the door, commonly known as a fingerplate.

One form of the fingerplate 4 is shown in FIg. 2. The fingerplate comprises a holder 5, typically formed of an acrylic thermoplastic such as Perspex, with a replaceable insert 6, typically of cardboard containing 75% recycled paper. The holder 5 is of a vertically elongate shape, e.g. rectangular as in the drawings, and includes a back panel 7 surrounded by a peripheral trim 8 forming a recess into which the insert 6 may be slid via a slotted end cap 9. The holder may conveniently be attached to the door by means of a self-adhesive layer applied to the rear of the back panel 7, which may be protected by a peelable backing prior to use. The insert 6 is shaped to be firmly retained by the holder 5 and is impregnated with a known anti-microbial disinfecting liquid available under the name Wkon, which is effective against a wide range of bacteria, viruses and * * . fungi. The card is impregnated with a 1% aqueous solution of Virkon, for example by spraying prior to insertion into the frame. Alternatively, the * ** card can be impregnated with the solution during manufacture and supplied in a sealed liquid-retaining pouch from which the impregnated card is removed prior to use. The Virkon solution is initially coloured pink, but the colour fades as the anti-microbial properties diminish on exposure to air, WhICh normally takes place over a period of about one week. The colour change thus gives an accurate visual indication of the remaining strength of the solution.

When anyone using the door touches the fingerplate 4 they make skin contact with the Virkon-impregnated insert 6. This has several effects.

Firstly, any bacteria, viruses or fungi transferred to the door will quickly be rendered inactive by contact with the Virkon solution, greatly reducing the risk of transmission to other users. Secondly, a thin film of Virkon solution is transferred to the skin of the users hand, disinfecting the skin of the user and reducing the risk of self-infection. In addition, the deansing action reduces the risk that any infectious agents will be transferred to other surfaces with which the user may later come into contact.

When the colour indicates that the insert has little remaining anti-microbial strength the insert is removed from the holder and replaced with a new Virkon-impregnated insert.

Other anti-microbial substances can be used in place of Virkon if desired.

For example, Septustin M has similar anti-microbial properties with a life of about 14 days, but does not include an indicator dye.

The alternative form of fingerplate shown in Fig. 3 is a flat elongate panel which is moulded of a thermoplastic such polyurethane, high impact polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The fingerplate may be attached to the door by means of a self-adhesive layer applied to the rear face of the panel, protected by a peelable backing pnor to use. By introducing known colourants into the thermoplastic the fingerplate may be moulded in a range of colours. The thermoplastic incorporates an antibacterial additive such as Bactiglas which is effective against pathogenic bacteria such E. coil and MRSA for a period in excess of ten years. The antibacterial additive is included in the polyurethane moulding material in a proportion of 5 to 6% by weight.

When anyone touches the flngerplate 10 any bacteria, viruses or fungi transferred to the door will quickly be rendered inactive, reducing the risk of transmission to other users. Any pathogenic microorganisms present on the skin may also be destroyed, reducing the risk of further infection.

Ag. 4 shows an anti-microbial cover 12 which is applied to the door handle 3. The cover is of tubular form and is provided with a single slit 13 extending helically from end-to-end. The cover is moulded of a flexible resilient thermoplastic such as polyurethane, high impact polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), so that the cover tends to return to a helical configuration in which it was manufactured. The thermoplastic moulding material may incorporate known colourants in addition to an antibacterial additive such as Bactiglas which is typically included in a proportion of 5 to 6% by weight. The cover may easily be applied to the lever portion of the door handle by twisting the cover in a direction which tends to unwind * it. When in place, the cover firmly grips the handle due to its resilient nature. When anyone grips the cover during use of the handle any bacteria, viruses or fungi transferred to the handle are rendered inactive, and any microorganisms present on the skin of the user may also be destroyed. ** . * * *

The cover may be moulded in any convenient shape to fit over and grip * the handle, depending on the shape of the handle. For example, the cover 14 shown in FIg. 5 is tubular with a straight end-to-end slit 15. The cover could again be formed of polyurethane, high impact polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with a suitable anti-microbial additive. This form of cover is less flexible than the cover shown in Fig. 4 but is easier to apply to a handle of the kind which is fixed to the door at both ends, for example, by opening up the slit 15 to insert the handle.

Bactiglas is based on a resin which releases silver (Ag+) ions, but other known anti-microbial thermoplastic additives may be used. Alternatively the fingerplates and door handle covers may be coated with materials which inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as a cationic sitane quatemary ammonium salt which is sold under the name Aegis.

It will be appreciated that the features disclosed herein may be present in any embodiment of the invention in any feasible combination. Whilst the above description places emphasis on those areas which, in combination1 are believed to be new, protection is sought for any inventive combination of the features disclosed herein.

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Claims

1. A door having an area of its external surface provided with a cover incorporating an anti-microbial substance.

2. A door according to Claim I in which the cover comprises a fingerplate.

3. A door according to Claim 2 in which the tingerplate comprises a thermoplastic plate which incorporates the anti-microbial substance.

4. A door according to Claim 3 in which the plate is attached to the door by means of an adhesive layer.

5. A door cover which is substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

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5. A door according to Claim 2 in which the fingerplate comprises a holder for attachment to the door and a replaceable sheet- like insert which incorporates the anti-microbial substance.

6. A door according to Claim 5 in which the holder is moulded of a thermoplastic material.

7. A door according to Claim 5 or 6 in which the holder is of :.:::. elongate shape. **.. * S

8. A door according to Claim 5, 6 or 7 in which the holder Includes a back panel surrounded by a frame. * *

:. 9. A door according to any of Claims 5 to 8 in which the holder is attached to the door by means of an adhesive layer.

10. A door according to any of Claims 5 to 9 in which the insert is formed of an absorbent material.

11. A door according to Claim 10 in which the insert is formed of cardboard.

12. A door according to Claim I in which the cover is shaped to fit over a door handle.

13. A door according to Claim 12 in which the cover is moulded of a flexible resilient thermoplastic.

14. A door according to Claim 12 or 13 in which the cover is of tubular form with a slit extending along at least part of its length.

15. A door according to Claim 14 in which the slit extends from end-to-end of the cover.

16. A door according to Claim 15 in which the slit is substantially helical.

17. A door according to Claim 15 in which In which the slit is : *. substantially straight. * .

18. A door according to any preceding claim in which the anti-microbial substance is applied to the cover by impregnation. * *

:. 19. A door according to Claim 18 in which the anti-microbial * substance is applied in aqueous solution.

****** * * 20. A door according to Claim 18 or 19 in which the anti-microbial substance contains an indicator dye which shows whether the anti-microbial properties are diminishing.

21. A door according to any of Claims 1 to 17 in which the anti-microbial substance is applied to the cover by incorporation into thermoplastic moulding material.

22. A door according to Claim 21 in which the anti-microbial substance is based on a resin which releases silver (Ag+) ions.

23. A door according to any of Claims I to 17 in which the anti-microbial substance is applied to the cover by surface coating.

24. A door cover which is substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

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AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:-I'

1. A door cover comprising a fingerplate which indudes a holder for attachment to the door and a replaceable insert which incorporates an anti-microbial substance, the holder being moulded of a thermoplastic material and comprising an elongate frame which surrounds and defines a recess for receiving the insert, the frame having a slot-like opening at one end through which the insert can be slid into and removed from the frame, and in which the insert Is formed of an absorbent sheet-like material which impregnated with the anti-microbial substance, and the anti-microbial substance contains an indicator dye which shows whether the anti-microbial properties are diminishing.

2. A door cover according to Claim I in which the holder is attached to the door by means of an adhesive layer.

3. A door cover according to Claim I or 2 in which the insert is formed of cardboard.

4. A door cover according to any preceding claim in which the anti-microbial substance is applied to the insert in aqueous solution.