IES20130124A2 - Door handle with disinfectant spray - Google Patents

Abstract

A door handle apparatus with a disinfectant spray comprising a door handle (11) movably mountable on a door and a spray means (13) operable on movement of the handle to spray a disinfectant fluid onto the handle surface. The handle is mounted on a housing (12) containing a reservoir of the disinfectant fluid.

Description

The present invention relates to a door handle with a disinfectant spray.

The contamination of surfaces in particular door handles and more particularly door handles tn washrooms gives rise to a need for cleansing of such surfaces. The problem is particularly acute in hospitals and other facilities where harmful bacteria and germs are present. The problem further arises in public bathrooms and toilets where it is well known that individuals fail to wash their hands.

According to the invention there is provided a door handle apparatus with a disinfectant spray comprising a door handle, moveably mountable on a door and a spray means operable on movement ci the handle to spray a disinfectant fluid onto the handie surface, or onto a user's hand.

It will be appreciated that a disinfectant fluid can com prise any suitable fluid known or used for cleansing a handle surface and in particular for killing bacteria or other contaminants on a handle.

The door handle is preferably mounted on a housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spray means comprises a spray head mounted on the housing.

More preferably, there is provided a delay means to delay the emission of the spray after movement of the handle.

The handle rs preferably operatively associated with a pump means such that movement of the handle in one direction readies a spray dosage. Preferably during return of the handle to its initial or neutral position, the pump means operates to spray a dosage of the disinfectant fluid.

The handle is preferably spring biased to return to its neutral or inactive position.

The handle is preferably pulled in order to activate the pump means, and ready a spray dosage.

Preferably the housing contains a reservoir of disinfectant fluid, Preferably the reservoir may be readily replaced or replenished. 1E1 30 i 24 In one embodiment a spray head is provided in the handle. A spray head is preferably provided to spray the hand of a user either on one side or both sides of the user’s hands.

Preferably the handle is connected to the housing at its lower end by a pivot connection.

Preferably the handle is connected at its upper end to the housing by a pump means.

The invention has the advantage of simple construction which enables the apparatus to be readily attached to a door and which can replace an existing handle.

Embodiments of the Invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a front perspective view ef a door handle apparatus with a disinfectant spray according to the invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with an outer covering removed; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the liquid reservoir; Figure 5a is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus in rts neutral state; Figure 5b is a cross-sectional view of the pump means of the Figure 5a; Figure 6a is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus in its primed position; Figure 6b is a cross-sectional view of the pump means of the apparatus of Figure 6a; Figure 7a is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus when returned to its neutral state; and Figure 7b is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of the pump means of Figure 7a.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown therein a door handle apparatus with a disinfectant spray generally indicated at 10 according to the invention. The apparatus W comprises a door handle 11 mounted on a housing 12. The housing has a spray means comprising spray head 13.

A 3 1E1 3 0 124 The housing further has a removable cover 14, As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing further has a base plate 15 having screw holes 16 by which the apparatus is mounted on a door (not shown). Within the housing 12 there is provided a reservoir 21 of disinfectant fluid.

At its lower end 17 the handle is mounted on the housing by means of a pivot joint 18. At its upper end 19, the handle is movably mounted on the housing 12 by a collar 20 having a pump means 22 as described below.

The pump means 22 comprises a one-way inlet valve 23 and an inlet conduit 24 which communicates with the fluid reservoir 21, to supply the disinfectant fluid to the pump means 22. Further, the pump means 22 comprises a one-way outlet valve 25 and an outlet conduit 26 which communicates with the spray head 13. Apiston 27 within the pump means 22 is spring biased by means of a coil spring 28 which urges the piston to the left in Figures 5 and 6. However, an outer coil spring 29 acts in the opposite direction to urge the collar 20 into a closed position with the piston normally in the position of Figure 5a.

When the handle 11 is pulled by a user, the handle pivots at pivot joint 18 so that the collar 20 is moved to the left in Figure 5ah to the position shown in Figure 6a against the bias of the spring 29 which tries to keep the collar in the closed position of Figure 5a.

Also, as the collar 20 moves to the left in Figure 5a so does the piston 27 which enables a charge of fluid 40 (Figures 6a, 6b) to be admitted into the pump means 22 from the reservoir 21 via the conduit 24 and the one way inlet valve 23. The coil spring 28 is a compression spring that urges the piston to the left in Figure 6a. Tho pump is now effectively primed. When the handle 11 is released by a user, initially the compression spring 28 attempts to stop the collar 20 from returning to its initial position. However eventually the much larger force of the spring 29 overcomes the spring 28 to return the collar to rts original position, During this return movement, the fluid 40 which had entered the pump means 22 is forced out through the one way outlet valve 25 and the outlet conduit 26 to the spray head 13 to provide a spray 50 (Figure 7a) onto the handle 11. The relative strengths of the forces of the springs 28, 29 provides a delay means to enable the user to remove a hand from the handle 11 before the collar 20 returns fully and the spray is emitted as indicated tn Figures 7a and 7b.

It will be noted that the piston stroke is illustrated in Figures 7b as Ά'. The stroke of the piston can be selected as necessary to achieve the desired volume of fluid which is emitted as a spray. Also, the magnitude of the forces of the springs 28, 29 can be selected as necessary to achieve the desrred spray action.

IE 1 3 0 1 2 4 While the above embodiment has been described in relation to a handle with a housing and a spray head in the housing, it will be clear that many modifications or variations of the inventions are possible. For example, it is possible to incorporate a spray nozzle into the handle 11, either by itself or in addition to the spray head in the housing 12.

It is possible for example to have both a spray head in the housing 12 and also in the handle 11. It is therefore possible to also spray the hand of a user before or after movement of the handle 11.

The spray heads could of course be arranged such that it is possible to spray both sides of the hand which is used to hold the handle or indeed both sides of the handle itself. A further suitable pump means can be located within the handle or elsewhere so that movement of the handle activates an additional one or more pump means to provide additional sprays.

Furthermore, It will be clear that that apparatus may be used in conjunction with a normal lever type door handle such that after rotation of the lever, a spray can be activated to spray the handle. Further, a spray head is provided to spray the hand of a user on either one side or both sides of the hand.

The primary concept according to the invention therefore is that the invention provides a door handle with a means for spraying the door handle or indeed a user’s hand with a disinfectant spray. The door handle may be mounted on a housing or alternatively, the door handle may be mounted directly on tho door or door frame. The handle can be either pivotable or for example be of a rotatable type or indeed of the lever type. The important aspect is that movement of the door handle activates a spray of disinfectant liquid to spray onto the door handle or alternatively onto a user's hand. In the lever door handle type, it is noted for example that it may be necessary to either just rotate the door handie to achieve activation of the spray means or alternatively after rotation, an additional movement maybe necessary for example pulling the door handle.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

1. A door handle apparatus with a disinfectant spray comprising a door handle (11), moveably mountable on a door and a spray means (13) operable on movement of the handle to spray a disinfectant fluid onto the handle surface, or onto a user’s hand.

2. A door handle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the door handle (11) Is mounted on a housing (12).

3. A door handle as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 wherein the spray means comprises a spray head (13) mounted on the housing.

4. A door handle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is provided a dolay means (28), (29) to delay the emission of the spray after movement of the handle (11).

5. A door handle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the handle (11) is operatively associated with a pump means (22) such that movement of the handle in one direction readies a spray dosage.