GB2590991A

GB2590991A - Liquid solution which has its own spray device for sanitising hands, work surfaces and touch-operated devices

Info

Publication number: GB2590991A
Application number: GB2006771.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Elliot Cohen Michael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-05-07
Filing date: 2020-05-07
Publication date: 2021-07-14
Also published as: GB202006771D0

Abstract

A liquid spray device 10 comprising a spray dispenser (20, fig 1) having a body portion comprising a receptacle (22, fig 1) containing a liquid sanitising composition, and a selectively operable spraying device for dispensing the liquid; and a piece of cloth 52 attached to and overlaying at least a portion of the outer surface of the body portion. The liquid sanitising composition comprises at least 70% wt. alcohol and up to 30% wt. water. Further discloses is a sprayable liquid sanitising composition. The composition preferably comprises chlorhexidine digluconate as an antiseptic agent up to 1% wt. The composition may further comprise aloe barbadensis gel, vitamin E, PEG 40 hydrogenated castor oil, triethanolamine, and aroma or fragrant compounds. The cloth may be a microfibre cloth.

Description

LIQUID SOLUTION WHICH HAS ITS OWN SPRAY DEVICE FOR SANITISING HANDS. WORK SURFACES AND TOUCH-OPERATED DEVICES

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid spray device for use in disinfecting hands, work surfaces and touch-operated devices such as computer touch-screens, mobile phones and tablets.

Background

[0002] Liquid compositions for use in disinfecting and sanitising hands and work surfaces are known in the art, including alcohol-containing antiseptic compositions, such as rubbing alcohol USP. To be effective against pathogens, including bacteria, coronavims and other viruses, a rubbing alcohol composition should contain at least 70% alcohol. Such a rubbing alcohol composition is reported to be effective against 99.9% of germs. Suitable alcohols include ethanol and isopropyl alcohol.

[0003] Liquid disinfecting or sanitising compositions are typically supplied in a squeezable container having a closure which incorporates a movable part formed with a dispensing orifice which is selectively movable between open and closed positions, or in a spray-dispenser incorporating a manually operable pump which can be actuated by an actuator that is fitted to a receptacle containing the composition, for drawing liquid from the receptacle into a dip tube and delivering it to a spray-head within the actuator. A suitable pump of this kind is disclosed by US 4274560, for example, but numerous other examples are available in the art.

[0004] At times of high incidences of viral infection such, for example, as season flu, many people like to carry a small amount of a hand sanitiser composition on their person for use when they cannot wash their hands, since the hands are a well-known route of infection, because people frequently touch their faces, allowing viruses which are present on their hands to enter the body through the eyes, nose or mouth. Frequent hand-washing or use of a hand sanitising composition can therefore help to reduce the frequency of infection via this route.

[0005] A problem is that many people carry personal mobile phones, tablets or other devices which include touch-screens and/or buttons. It has been reported that Americans check their mobile phones every 12 minutes on average, with one in ten checking every 4 minutes. Unless specially adapted gloves are used, a user must contact a touch screen directly with their fingers. Many viruses are able to survive outside the body on hard surfaces for many hours. The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, for instance, has been reported to remain viable for up to 72 hours on plastic (Van Doremalen N. et al. N Engl. J Med. 2020doi:10.1056/NEIMc2004973). Thus, even with regular hand washing or use of a hand sanitising composition, a mobile phone or similar personal device presents a potential source of infection.

[0006] Cleaning fluids for use on computer screens and mobile devices are well known in the art. Typically, screen cleaning fluids are supplied in a spray dispenser with a microfiber cloth for wiping the cleaning fluid over a screen to which it has been applied to remove grease and other marks.

[0007] US 2015/0047139 Al discloses a manual device for cleaning surfaces which can be operated with one hand comprising an integrated spraying unit, a reservoir for a cleaning fluid that can be sprayed using the spraying device, and a cleaning element that is suitable for wiping the surfaces to be cleaned. The manual device has a pen-like or flat rectangular shape, and the cleaning element is a hydrophilic microfiber cloth having a flat cleaning surface, which is connected to the manual device and arranged longitudinally thereupon.

[0008] Another known screen cleaning product includes a microfiber cloth which is wrapped around a spray capsule containing an antibacterial screen cleaning fluid.

[0009] Whilst some screen cleaning fluids have some antibacterial properties, they are primarily adapted for removing grease and other marks from screens in conjunction with a microfiber cloth and are not intended for or capable of killing resilient pathogens, such as viruses and other genus.

[0010] An object of the present invention therefore is to provide an improved liquid spray device for sanitising hands, work surfaces and touch-operated devices, such as mobile telephones, tablets and the like.

Summary of the Invention

[0011] In accordance with the present invention therefore there is provided a liquid spray device for use in sanitising a touch-screen device which comprises a spray dispenser having a body portion which comprises or accommodates a receptacle containing a liquid sanitising composition, and a selectively operable spraying device adapted for dispensing the liquid sanitising composition from the receptacle in the form of a spray, and a piece of cloth which is attached to and overlays at least a portion of the outer surface of the body portion; wherein the liquid sanitising composition comprises at least 70% wt. alcohol, up to 30% wt. water and optional other ingredients [0012] in another aspect of the present invention there is provided a sprayable liquid sanitising composition for sanitising hands, surfaces mid computer screens which comprises at least 70% wt, alcohol, up to 30% wt. water and optional other ingredients.

[0013] The liquid sanitising composition should have a suitable viscosity and be substantially free of particulates to allow it to be sprayed effectively through a nozzle of the spraying device to form a fine spray which is suitable to cover a large surface area, without clogging or blocking the nozzle, whilst preferably having a good hand-feel for use as a hand cleanser. The ingredients of the composition may suitably be adjusted to provide a viscosity no greater than about 200 mPa-s at room temperature (20 °C); preferably less than about 100 mPa-s; more preferably less than about 50 mPa-s, still more preferably less than about 25 mPa-s. In some embodiments, the composition may be formulated to have a viscosity of less than about 10 mPa-s at room temperature; for example about 1-5 mPa-s. Isopropyl alcohol, for example, has a viscosity of about 2.4 mPa-s at 20°C.

[0014] Suitably, the alcohol may be a rubbing alcohol. In some embodiments, the rubbing alcohol is ethanol. In some embodiments, the alcohol is 2-propyl/isopropyl alcohol. In some embodiments, a mixture of alcohols may be used, provided the alcohol content is at least 70% wt. of the composition. In some embodiments, the composition may have an alcohol content in the range 70-99% wt., preferably about 70-90% wt., more preferably about 70-80% wt.

[0015] The composition may comprise additional active and/or inactive ingredients, provided the total amount of all ingredients of the composition is 100% wt. Typically the amount of water (aqua) in the liquid composition may range from about 15-25% wt., preferably about 20-25% wt.

[0016] In some embodiments, the composition may advantageously comprise an antiseptic. A suitable anti-septic is chlorhexidine digluconate. The amount of antiseptic in the composition may range from 0 to 1% wt. For example, the composition may include up to about 1% wt. chlorhexidine digluconate, e.g. 0.5% wt. Alternative antiseptic ingredients include povidone-iodine, alcohols, benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, parachlorometaxylenol (PCMX) and others which are known to those skilled in the art to be suitable for application to the skin.

[0017] The liquid sanitising composition is suitable for use on the hands or skin or a uscr. The composition may therefore include other ingredients of the kind which are typically found in skin care compositions such, for example, as natural or synthetic gels, thickening agents, conditioners, emollients, preservatives, antioxidants, vitamins, pH-adjusters, buffering agents, emulsifiers and/or surfactants.

[0018] Suitably, the composition may further 'elude a fragrance oil.

[0019] For example, the liquid composition of the invention may include a natural gel such as aloe barbadensis gel, or a synthetic thickening agent such as a cross-linked alkyl acrylate. A suitable cross-linked alkyl acrylate is acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer. The liquid composition may comprise 0-5 % wt., preferably 1-2% wt., natural gel or synthetic thickening agent, such as aloe barbadensis gel.

[0020] Suitable vitamins include vitamin C and vitamin E, which are preservatives and also have antioxidant and anti-aging properties. In some embodiments, the composition may comprise 05% wt., preferably 1-2% wt., vitamins, such as vitamin E [0021] A suitable emulsifier is PEG 40 hydrogenated castor oil, which is a slightly viscous polyethylene glycol derivative of hydrogenated castor oil, which is known to those skilled in the art as a solubiliser, emulsifier, emollient and cleansing agent. In some embodiments, the liquid composition may comprise 0-2% wt., preferably 1-2% wt., of an emulsifier, such as PEG 40 hydrogenated castor oil.

[0022] Suitably, the liquid composition may have a pH in the range 4-7. A suitable pH-balancing agent is triethanolamine, but other balancing agents will be known to those skilled in the art. Triethanolamine may also be used as a buffering agent, masking and fragrance ingredient and surfactant. hi some embodiments, the liquid composition may comprise 0-2% wt., preferably 1-2% wt., of a pH-balancing agent emulsifier, such as triethanolamine.

[0023] A perfume comprising one or more fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds may be included in the composition to give it an agreeable scent. The perfume may comprise additional fixatives and solvents of the kind known in the art. A very wide range of suitable fragrance oils are available in the art, including ylang ylang, vanilla, sandalwood, cedar wood, mandarin orange, cinnamon, lemongrass, rosehip, apple, peach, citronella, lemon, cakes, sweets, chocolate, strawberry, banana, pineapple and peppermint. In some embodiments, the composition may comprise 0-2% wt., preferably 1-2% wt., of perfume.

[0024] The spray dispenser may be any suitable spray dispenser or spray atomiser known to those skilled in the art. For instance, any spray dispenser of the kind typically used for dispensing screen cleaner may be used. Suitably, the spray dispenser is shaped and sized such that it can easily be carried by a user on their person. Typically, the spray dispenser may be small enough to be carried in a pocket on clothing, or in a handbag, clutch or the like. In this way, the liquid spray device is always conveniently to hand for frequent use throughout the day.

[0025] The receptacle may be dimensioned to contain up to about 100 mL of the liquid sanitising composition. in some embodiments, the receptacle may be sized to contain a volume of up to about 30 m L or 50 m L. In some embodiments, the receptacle may have a volume of about 10 mt. or 15mE.

[0026] The receptacle may be integral with the body portion or it may be separate. In some embodiments, the body portion may comprise a hollow housing which is shaped and sized to receive the receptacle. Suitably, the body portion and receptacle may be generally elongate. The body portion may be open at one end. The receptacle may be entered into the body portion by sliding it into the body portion through the open end.

[0027] The receptacle may be removable from the body portion for replacement or refilling in some embodiments, the receptacle may be refillable in situ in the body portion.

[0028] Conveniently, the spray device of the invention may be supplied with a separate refill bottle containing a volume of the liquid sanitising composition for refilling the receptacle. Suitably, the refill bottle may contain at least as much of the liquid sanitising composition as the receptacle. In some embodiments, the refill bottle may contain 20 mL, 30 mL, 50 mL or more of the liquid sanitising composition.

[0029] The spraying device may suitably include manually operable pump portion. The receptacle may have an opening which is configured to mate with a corresponding fitting on the spraying device. For example, the spraying device may include a cap portion having a threaded skirt which is configured to mate with a corresponding thread on the receptacle around the opening for connecting the spraying device securely to the receptacle. The cap portion may be integral with the pump portion. In some embodiments, a dip tube may be extend from the pump portion into the interior of the receptacle for supplying the liquid sanitising composition to the pump portion. In some embodiments, the spraying device may include a separate pusher portion which is configured to fit detachably with the pump portion and provides an ergonomic shaped surface for a user to operate the pump portion. The pusher portion may also include an integral nozzle which receives liquid sanitising composition under pressure from the pump portion and disperses it as a fine spray away from the spraying device.

[0030] The outer surface of the body portion may have at least one region which is substantially flat and configured such that the one region of the outer wall can be placed substantially contiguously against another flat surface such as a screen of a mobile phone or tablet. In some embodiments, the body portion may have a flat side wall. In some embodiments, the body portion may have two or more flat outer surfaces; for example, two or more flat outer walls.

[0031] In some embodiments, the body portion may have a rectilinear cross-section and three or four flat side walls. For example, the body portion may have a generally square or rectangular cross-section. The body portion may be cuboid.

[0032] In an alternative embodiment, the body portion may have a substantially cylindrical outer surface.

[0033] The outer surface of the body portion may serve to support the piece of cloth in such a way as to facilitate its use to wipe a flat screen of a mobile device. in some embodiments, the piece of cloth may overlay and be supported contiguously by the cylindrical or one or more flat regions of the outer surface.

[0034] The piece of cloth may be detachably secured to the spray dispenser for cleaning or replacement of the cloth. Suitably, the piece of cloth may be wrapped around the side wall or walls of the body portion. The cloth may be provided with a releasable fastener, e.g. a hook-and-loop type faster, for securing it tightly around the body portion such that it overlays the outer surface(s) of the body portion [0035] Suitably, the cloth may be absorbent for water and oils. A suitable material for the cloth is a synthetic microfiber which is finer than one denier or decitexithread, having a diameter of less than about 10 [t. The fibre may be polyester, polyamide (e.g. nylon) or a conjugation of polyester and polyamide. The fibres may be split. Alternatively, unsplit polyester fibres having a diameter of less than about 2 it may be used.

[0036] In use, the liquid composition may be sprayed directly onto the hands, which are then rubbed together to spread the composition over the skin, or onto a work surface where it can be left to evaporate or can be rubbed over the surface using a suitable cloth. For cleaning mobile devices, the liquid composition can be sprayed directly onto the screen and the cloth which is attached to the body portion of the spray dispenser can then be used to wipe the composition over the surface of the mobile device for sanitising the surface and for removing greasy marks and other soils, in contrast to previous screen cleaners, the liquid composition included in the spray device of the present invention is specially adapted for sanitising screens by the inclusion of rubbing alcohol and is also suitable for use on the hands or skin with the inclusion of optional additional antiseptics and other emollient ingredients and on work surfaces and other objects, such as door handles and the like.

Brief description of the drawings

[0037] Following is a description by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings [0038] In the drawings: [0039] FIG. 1 is a side view of a receptacle fitted with a spray device and containing a liquid sanitising composition.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a side view of a hollow housing for the receptacle of FIG. I which carries a layer of microfiber cloth on an outer surface thereof The receptacle can be assembled with the housing by sliding the receptacle into the housing to form a liquid spray device according to the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a side view of a transparent plastic sleeve for the liquid spray device. [0042] FIG. 4 is a side view of the assembled liquid spray device.

[0043] FIG. 5 shows the liquid spray device of the invention in use, spraying an amount of the liquid sanitising composition onto a touch screen of a mobile device.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows the liquid spray device of the invention in use, using the microfiber cloth to wipe the liquid sanitising composition over the touch screen of the mobile device.

Detailed description of the drawings

[0045] A liquid spray device (10) in accordance with the invention is shown in FIG. 4 of the accompanying drawings. The liquid spray device (10) comprises a liquid container assembly (20), a tubular housing (40) and a transparent protective sleeve (60).

[0046] As shown in FIG. I, the liquid container assembly (20) comprises a receptacle (22) which, when contains about 10 mL liquid sanitising composition ( 100), as described in detail below, and is fitted with a closure (24), which incorporates a manually operable pump device (26), and an actuator cap (28) which is connected detachably to the closure and incorporates a spray nozzle (29). Suitable pump devices arid actuator caps are well known in the art and need not be described in detail here. The pump device is connected to a dip tube (27) which extends down into the liquid sanitising composition (100) for drawing the liquid sanitising composition up into the pump device (26) upon depressing the actuator cap (28) and for delivering it under pressure to the spray nozzle (29).

[0047] The liquid container assembly (20) is removably received in the tubular housing (40), which is shown in FIG. 2. The housing (40) is formed from a substantially rigid synthetic thermoplastics material and has a generally rectangular cross-section defining four substantially flat side walls, three of which arc indicated in FIG. 2 at (41), (42) and (43), which extend between a top end (45) and a bottom end (46). The housing (40) is about 10 cm long from the top end (45) to the bottom end (46) and each side wall has a transverse width of about 2.6 cm, such that the housing (40) is dimensioned to form a snug fit around the liquid container assembly (20) and, when fitted, the liquid container assembly (20) is removably held in the housing (40) by friction. As best seen in FIG. 5, a rear one of the side walls (44) of the housing (40) is cut-away from the top end (45) as indicated at (48) to allow operation of the actuator cap (28).

[0048] Adjacent the top end (45), a front one of the side walls (43), which is on an opposite side of the housing (40) from the rear side wall (44), is formed with an aperture (50) which lines up with the spray nozzle (29) when the liquid container assembly (20) is received in the housing (20) as seen in FIG. 4.

[0049] A piece of microfiber cloth (52) is wrapped tightly around the housing (40) as shown in FIG. 2 such that the microfiber cloth (52) overlays and is supported by the underlying side walls (41, 42, 43, 44) of the housing (40).

[0050] The microfiber cloth (52) is made from 100% polyester fibres having a diameter of about 2 ji to provide good absorbance of aqueous and oily marks on a touch screen or the like. The microfiber cloth can be glued in place with a suitable adhesive, or retained releasably with a suitable fastener such as a hook-and-loop type fastener (not shown) so it can easily be removed for washing, if desired.

[0051] The transparent protective sleeve (60) which is best shown in FIG. 3 is formed from a transparent synthetic thennoplastic material and has similar dimensions to the housing (40), but is slightly wider than the housing (40) to fit snugly around the housing (40) with the layer of microfiber cloth (52) in place. In this way, the housing is retained in the sleeve (60) by friction but can easily be slid out of the sleeve (60) by a user for use when required.

[0052] The sleeve (60) serves to protect the microfiber cloth (52) when the device (10) is not in use. In particular, the sleeve (60) serves to protect the cloth (52) from picking up particles of dust or dirt in a user's pocket or handbag or the like.

[0053] The liquid sanitising composition in the present embodiment is a sprayable alcohol solution having the following ingredients: [0054] It will be understood that the contents of the alcohol solution may be varied as described above, provided it contains at least 70% wt. alcohol for effectively disinfecting hands, surfaces and mobile devices against viruses such as coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 as well as bacteria.

[0055] Advantageously, the liquid spray device of the present invention can be used for sanitising hands as well as work and other surfaces and can be used for cleaning and sanitising touch screens of mobile devices such as phones and tablets.

[0056] When used for sanitising the screen of a mobile phone (1) for example, a volume of the liquid composition (100) is sprayed onto the screen (2) of the mobile phone ( I) as shown in FIG. 5.

Vitamin E 2% wt.

Ingredient Amount Ethyl alcohol 70% wt.

Chlorhexidine digluconate Aqua Aloe barbadensis gel 0.5% wt. 22.5% wt. 2% wt.

Parfum Triethanolamine PEG 40 hydrogenated castor oil [0057] The receptacle (22) can be refilled, by sliding it out of the tubular housing (40), detaching the actuator cap (28) from the closure (24) and then removing the closure (24) from the receptacle (22), e.g. by unscrewing it. The receptacle can then be replenished with liquid sanitising composition (100) from a suitable source, e.g. a refill bottle supplied with the liquid spray device (10) and the closure (22) and actuator cap (28) then refitted.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A liquid spray device for use in sanitising a touch-screen device which comprises a spray dispenser having a body portion which comprises or accommodates a receptacle containing a liquid sanitising composition, and a selectively operable spraying device adapted for dispensing the liquid sanitising composition from the receptacle in the form of a spray, and a piece of cloth which is attached to and overlays at least a portion of the outer surface of the body portion; wherein the liquid sanitising composition comprises at least 70% wt. alcohol, up to 30% wt. water and optional other active or inactive ingredients.
2. A liquid spray device as claimed in claim I, wherein the alcohol is ethanol or 2-propyl/isopropyl alcohol.
3. A liquid spray device as claimed in claim I or claim 2, wherein alcohol is present in the composition in an amount in the range 70-99% wt.
4. A liquid spray device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the composition further comprises an antiseptic agent.
A liquid spray device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the antiseptic agent is chlorhexidme d gluconate.
6. A liquid spray device as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the antiseptic agent is present in the composition in an amount of up to I% wt
7. A liquid spray device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the composition further comprises one or more natural or synthetic gels, thickening agents, conditioners, emollients, preservatives, antioxidants, vitamins, pH-adjusters, buffering agents, emulsifiers and/or surfactants.
8. A liquid spray device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the liquid composition ffrther includes up to about 5% wt. aloe barbadens s gel.
9. A liquid spray device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the liquid composition further includes up to about 5% wt. vitamin E.
10. A liquid spray device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the liquid composition further includes up to about 2% wt. PEG 40 hydrogenated castor oil.
11. A liquid spray device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the liquid composition further includes up to about 2% wt. triethanolamine.
12. A liquid spray device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the liquid composition further includes one or more fragrant essential oils or aroma compounds.-10 -
13. A liquid spray device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle is dimensioned to contain up to about 100 mL, preferably up to about 30 mL, and more preferably up to about 10 mL, of the liquid sanitising composition.
14. A liquid spray device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outer surface of the body portion comprises at least one region which is substantially flat and the body portion is configured such that the one region of the outer wall can be placed substantially contiguously against another flat surface for wiping the other surface.
15. A liquid spray device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the piece of cloth overlays and is supported substantially contiguously by the outer surface.
16. A liquid spray device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cloth comprises a synthetic microfiber having a diameter of less than about 10 p, preferably about 2 p or less.
17. A sprayable liquid sanitising composition for use in sanitising hands, surfaces and computer screens which comprises at least 70% wt. alcohol, up to 30% wt. water and optional other ingredients.
18. A sprayable liquid sanitising composition for use as claimed in claim 17, wherein the composition is as defined in any of claims 2-12.