GB2510041A

GB2510041A - Anti-infection unit

Info

Publication number: GB2510041A
Application number: GB201320563A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Hill; Robert Hill
Original assignee: LADDERBOX UK Ltd
Current assignee: LADDERBOX UK Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-20
Filing date: 2013-11-20
Publication date: 2014-07-23
Also published as: GB201220932D0; GB201320563D0

Abstract

An anti-infection unit 103 comprises a module 201 that is configured to be attached to a door (101, Fig. 1). The module comprises a reservoir (303, Fig. 3) configured to contain an anti-infection substance, at least one nozzle 206 connected to the reservoir and directed at a handle 102 of a door, a detector (308, Fig. 3) for sensing operation of a door, and a processor. The processor automatically sprays anti-infection substance 205 from the nozzle upon receiving a signal from the detector. Preferably, the detector is configured to sense the proximity of a persons hand to the module or to sense that a door has been opened. The detector can be a passive infrared detector. The processor may automatically spray the anti-infection substance a second time upon receiving a signal from the detector indicating that a person has released a handle of the door. The module can further comprise a pump (304, Fig. 3) connected to the reservoir to provide anti-infection substance to the nozzle. A rechargeable battery (301, Fig. 3) can also be included in the unit. A method of making the unit is also claimed.

Description

I

Anti-Infection Unit

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an anti-infection spray unit

2. Description of the Related Art

:: It is known to place manually-operated reservoirs of anti-infection gel at * ..*** * the doors of hospital wards and other places where anti-infection control is S. S * important. However, these rely on each person using them before or after *5**et * entry. * .. * S * *5S *

S *55

* 10 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an anti-infection unit according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 illustrates a door with an anti-infection unit affixed to it; Figure 2 illustrates the anti-infection unit illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagram of the module shown in Figure 2 with its front cover removed; and Figure 2 shows a back plate for fixing the module shown in Figure 2 to the door shown in Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a door 101 that has a handle 102. In normal operation, a person would use his hand to grasp the handle to open and close the door.

In an environment such as an hospital, many people will open and close a door in a day, which may lead to transmission of bacteria and viruses between people via the handle. Prevention of infections, particularly ones that are difficult to treat with antibiotics, such as MRSA, is an aim of hospital : environments and other places.

*.....

* 10 Door 101 is therefore provided with anti-infection unit 102. Unit 102 is **.! configured to spray anti-infection substance onto either the hand of a person *r" operating the door 101, onto handle 102, or both. * S.

:.: * Figure2 Figure 2 illustrates unit 103 in more detail. The module comprises a module 201 that has a removable front 202, indicator lights 203 and an override button 204.

Anti-infection substance 205 is sprayed out of nozzles, such as nozzle 206. The nozzles are adjustable so that it sprays onto as much as possible of handle 102. The shape of unit 103 as shown in Figure 2 is suitable for a vertical handle like handle 102. It is envisaged that different shaped units may be necessary for different shaped handles.

The unit is configured to be battery powered, and two of indicator lights 106 provide an indication that the battery is fully charged or low. A further indicator light indicates a low level of anti-infection substance. The override button may be pressed in order to force the unit to spray handle 102.

The front cover 202 of module 201 is removable to allow the units to be refilled with anti-infection substance. In addition, the battery may be replaced, if it is not rechargeable.

Figure 3 Figure 3 is a diagram of module 201 with front cover 202 removed. This is not a full illustration of the inside of module 201, as it does not show the connections between the components.

Module 201 includes a battery 301, and an electronics unit 302, that includes a processor, powered by battery 301. The processor provides the automation of unit 103 and is connected to indicator lights 203 and override button 204.

Further included is a reservoir 303 of anti-infection substance. The io substance is in this example an alcohol-based gel, but it may be any other substance that kills bacteria and germs on surfaces and is suitable for spraying out of a nozzle. The reservoir has a cap 304 by which it may be refilled. The reservoir 303 may be removable from module 201 for this purpose, or may be * * replaceable.

The module further includes a pump 304 connected to reservoir 303, which provides anti-infection substance to nozzles 206 and 305 via conduits 306 and 307 respectively. Pump 304 is powered by battery 301 and controlled by the processor in electronics unit 302. Other methods of providing the anti-infection substance to the nozzles may be used, such as an aerosol.

The module further includes a passive infrared detector 308, configured to detect the proximity of an object to unit 103 and send a signal to electronics unit 302.

In use, when a person's hand is detected near unit 103 by PIR detector 308, electronics unit 302 receives a signal from PIR detector 308. The processor provides a signal to pump 303 to spray anti-infection substance through nozzles 206 and 305. This will spray the anti-infection substance onto the person's hand. In addition, electronics unit may provide a signal to pump 303 to spray again a set number of minutes later, such as two minutes. This ensures that the handle is cleaned after use, as well as the person's hand during use, if the door is not used again within that time.

Rechargeable battery 301 is rechargeable by a socket (not shown) in the back of module 201. In other embodiments, a non-rechargeable, replaceable battery could also be used.

Module 301 may include alternative detection means instead of PIR detector 308. The detection means could sense movement so as to detect that a door has been opened, or could be connected to a pressure switch within handle 102 to sense when a user grasps the handle. In the latter case, the second spray of anti-infection substance may occur when the switch detects that the user has released handle 102. For a handle that turns, the detection means could sense movement of the handle. Other detection means are envisaged.

* fl**e * . * Figure 4 Figure 4 shows a back plate 401 that is part of unit 103. It is attached to * door 101 by screws 402, 403, 404 and 405. Lugs 406 and 407 are provided so that location slots (not shown) on module 201 can be located within them, in is order to removably attach module 201 to door 101. Methods of locking the module 201 to back plate 401 are possible but not shown.

This method of attaching the unit 103 to door 101 is provided so that module 301 is easily removable for recharging of battery 301 or refilling of reservoir 303. However, in alternative embodiments module 301 is secured directly to door 101.

Claims

Claims 1. An anti-infection unit comprising a module configured to be attached to a door, said module comprising: a reservoir configured to contain anti-infection substance, at least one nozzle connected to said reservoir and directed at a handle of a door, : a detector for sensing operation of a door, and * * a processor, * wherein said processor is configured to automatically spray anti-*****. * *infection substance from said nozzle upon receiving a signal from said * detector. * ** *
2. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detector is configured to sense the proximity of a person's hand to said module.
3. A unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detector is a passive infra-red detector.
4. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detector is configured to sense that a door has been opened.
5. A unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said processor automatically sprays anti-infection substance a second time.
6. A unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein said processor is configured to wait a set time interval before performing said second spray.
7. A unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detector is configured to sense that a person has grasped a handle of a door. *. ** * * . * .

:. :
8. A unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein said detector is further configured to sense that a person has released a handle of a door. * . * **
9. A unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein said processor *. *automatically sprays anti-infection substance a second time upon receiving a signal from said detector indicating that a person has released a handle of a door.
10. A unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, said module further comprising a pump connected to said reservoir to provide anti-infection substance to said nozzle.
11. A unit as claimed in any of claims ito 10, further comprising a rechargeable battery.
12. A unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, further comprising an override button, wherein upon receiving a signal that said override button has been manually pressed, said processor automatically sprays anti-infection substance from said nozzle.
13. A unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a back plate configured to be secured to a door, wherein said module is *. ** configured to be removably attached to said back plate. * * ** *
14. A unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein said nozzle is a.... * .adjustable.
15. A unit as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein said unit comprises two independently adjustable nozzles.
16. A method of making a unit according to any of claims ito 15.
17. A unit as herein described with reference to Figures ito 4.
18. A method of making a unit as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to4.