Self-cleaning door handle cover

Abstract

Described herein is a cover for mounting to a door handle (30) comprises two parts (10, 12) configured for mutual locking engagement such that when the parts are brought into mutual locking engagement around a door handle (30) at least a portion of the door handle is substantially enclosed within a cavity (16) formed between the two parts (10, 12). At least a portion of at least one of the parts (10, 12) is coated, impregnated, or otherwise provided with a self-cleaning material. Also described is a push plate device comprising a first plate (72) for fixing to a door; and a second plate (71) configured to releasably attach to said first plate in order to form a composite plate structure (70). The second plate (71) is at least partly coated, impregnated, or otherwise provided with a self-cleaning material so that the composite plate structure (70) presents a self-cleaning external surface.

Claims

1. A device for mounting to a pull bar type door handle comprising: a plurality of parts, the parts being configured for mutual locking engagement such that when the plurality of parts are brought into mutual locking engagement around a door handle at least a portion of the pull bar door handle is substantially enclosed within a cavity formed between the plurality of parts, the cavity being defined by respective interior surfaces of the plurality of parts, wherein each of the parts has a curved interior surface such that when the plurality of parts when brought into mutual locking engagement the respective curved interior surfaces of the parts together define the cavity as substantially cylindrical; wherein at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of parts is coated, impregnated, or otherwise provided with a self-cleaning and/or antimicrobial material, the device further comprising one or more pieces of resilient gripping material for preventing or reducing relative movement between said device and a door handle received within said cavity, the one or more pieces of resilient gripping material being provided on respective interior surfaces of the parts that are brought into mutual locking engagement to define the cavity for receiving the pull bar door handle.

2. The device of claim 1, comprising a first part and a second part, wherein the first and second parts are configured for mutual locking engagement such that when the first and second parts are brought into mutual locking engagement said cavity is formed between the first and second parts.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the parts are configured for releasable mutual engagement.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said parts are configured for mutual locking engagement via a press fit.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an indicator for providing a visual indication of a condition of the device and/or a visual indication of an elapsed time period.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the indicator indicates an elapsed time after activation of the indicator, wherein the indicator is activated when the parts, or at least some of the parts, are brought into mutual locking engagement around a door handle.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the indicator comprises a colorant, wherein the colorant is released upon activation of the indicator and caused to wick a substrate, wherein the amount of wicking indicates an elapsed time period.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the condition of the device is that the device should be replaced or renewed.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said device is arranged to dispense a fragrance.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the parts are formed from a rigid or hard material.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more pieces of resilient gripping material comprise one or more inserts which are separately provided on one or more of the plurality of parts.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the self-cleaning and/or antimicrobial material comprises silver.

13. A device for mounting to a door handle comprising: a plurality of parts, the parts being configured for mutual locking engagement such that when the plurality of parts are brought into mutual locking engagement around a door handle at least a portion of the door handle is substantially enclosed within a cavity formed between the plurality of parts, wherein at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of parts is coated, impregnated, or otherwise provided with a self-cleaning and/or antimicrobial material; and an indicator for providing a visual indication of a condition of the device and/or a visual indication of an elapsed time period, wherein the indicator indicates an elapsed time after activation of the indicator, wherein the indicator is activated when the parts, or at least some of the parts, are brought into mutual locking engagement around a door handle, wherein the indicator comprises a colorant, wherein the colorant is released upon activation of the indicator and caused to wick a substrate, wherein the amount of wicking indicates an elapsed time period, wherein the colorant is released from a sealed reservoir, and wherein the indicator is configured to indicate the expiry of a pre-determined time interval.

14. A device for mounting to a door handle comprising: a plurality of parts, the parts being configured for mutual locking engagement such that when the plurality of parts are brought into mutual locking engagement around a door handle at least a portion of the door handle is substantially enclosed within a cavity formed between the plurality of parts; wherein at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of parts is coated, impregnated, or otherwise provided with a self-cleaning and/or antimicrobial material, wherein said plurality of parts provide an exterior facing surface that may be contacted in use, and wherein a majority of an exterior facing surface of each part comprises a contact surface which is substantially smooth without any perforations or screw holes, except for a window for viewing an indicator provided on one of the plurality of parts and except for perforations engaged by locking tabs.

15. A kit of parts comprising a device as claimed in claim 1 in combination with a plurality of different pieces of gripping material, wherein the different pieces of gripping material are intended for use with different sizes of door handle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Various embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a device according to a first main embodiment of the invention mounted around a door handle;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the device of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a first step of the process for mounting the device around a door handle;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a second step of the process for mounting the device around the door handle;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a measuring tool for measuring a diameter of a device;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a set of pieces of gripping material;

(8) FIG. 7 shows the gripping material being inserted into position within the device;

(9) FIG. 8 shows front and back plates for forming a composite push plate according to a second main embodiment of the invention;

(10) FIG. 9 shows how the front and back plates of FIG. 8 may be attached together to form a composite push plate structure; and

(11) FIG. 10 shows the completed push plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) FIG. 1 shows an example of a device according to a first main embodiment of the invention mounted around a door handle 30. The body of the device is formed from separate first 10 and second 12 parts, which are arranged for mutual locking engagement with one another. When the first 10 and second 12 parts are mutually engaged, as shown in FIG. 1, a cavity 16 is defined between the first and second parts that is suitably dimensioned for receiving a door handle. Thus, in use, the first and second parts may be brought together into mutual locking engagement around the door handle in order to mount the device to the door handle 30 in the manner illustrated.

(13) FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the components of the device of FIG. 1. In particular, FIG. 2 shows the separate first 10 and second 12 parts that may be brought into mutual engagement with one another. To provide the mutual locking engagement, the first part 10 and/or the second part 12 may comprise various tabs or protrusions that engage with corresponding portions of the other part in order to provide the mutual locking engagement. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a first tab 103 may be provided at the base of the first part 10 with a corresponding recess 123 provided at the base of the second part 12. The first tab 103 may be received within the corresponding recess 123 to provide a pivot point such that, after the first tab 103 is inserted into the corresponding recess 123, the remainder of the first and second parts may be pivotally brought into engagement with one another. To lock the first and second parts together, a second tab 101 may be provided near the top of the first part 10 with a corresponding recess 121 at the top of the second part 12. As the first and second parts are pivoted towards each other, the second tab 101 may be press fit into its corresponding recess 121 in order to lock the first and second parts together. The second tab 101 may be releasably clipped into its corresponding recess 121 to allow the first and second parts to be subsequently disengaged by a user, e.g. when it is desired to remove or replace the device. A third tab 102, or further tabs, may also be provided, with corresponding recess(es) 122, to further facilitate the engagement of the first and second parts.

(14) The process of mounting the device to a door handle is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In a first step, shown in FIG. 3, the second part 12 of the device (forming the rear part) may be held against the rear of the door handle. The first part 10 may then be aligned with the second part 12, in particular by engaging the lowermost tab 103 of the first part 10 with the corresponding recess 123 of the second part 12, and then brought into engagement with the second part 12 by pivoting the first part 10 towards the second part 12, as shown in FIG. 4, and then pushing the parts together such that the other tabs 101,102 clip into place. In this way, the device may be securely mounted around the door handle, i.e. as shown in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated that this mounting process is relatively simple, and does not, for instance, require any special tools or skills. The device described herein may therefore be suitable for installation by a layperson.

(15) It will be appreciated that the manner of locking engagement described above in relation to FIGS. 1 to 4 is merely exemplary, and that various other suitable arrangements for having the first and second parts releasably engage with one another may equally be used with any or all of the other features described herein. Such other arrangements will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

(16) With the device mounted around the door handle as shown in FIG. 1, a user is forced to grip the device in order to use the door. The device therefore essentially acts as a cover for the door handle. Any germs present on the user's hands are therefore transferred to the device rather than the door handle itself. By coating the first part 10 and/or the second part 12 (or at least the portions thereof touched by a user) with a self-cleaning material such as an antimicrobial agent, any germs transferred to the surface of the device will be killed, thus helping to prevent the spread of germs from one user to another. The device is therefore self-cleaning.

(17) The first and second parts may suitably be formed from a hard plastic material, such as ABS plastic, coated with the antimicrobial agent. However, it will be appreciated that the first and second parts may equally be formed from various other suitable materials, that may be selected e.g. on the basis of their durability and/or ease of manufacture.

(18) Various self-cleaning materials are known that may be suitably used for coating the device and/or being impregnated into the parts. Generally, as well as having the desired antimicrobial or particularly antibacterial properties, the self-cleaning material should be non-toxic, and should be effective for an extended period of time, to avoid having to replace the device too often. Antimicrobial agents such as silver have been found to be particularly suitable in this context. For instance, the self-cleaning material may comprise ionic silver particles. The silver particles may e.g. be provided as an additive within a conventional paint coating, with the coating being applied to the first and/or second parts via spray painting. Naturally, the coating may also include other additives, including additives that do not provide an antimicrobial effect but are provided for other reasons.

(19) The silver ions embedded in the coating layer may then be released, in use, via ambient moisture, or moisture from a user's hand, such that the silver ions can enter the cell membranes of any germs present on the surface of the coating layer. The silver ions destabilise the cell, stop respiration and inhibit cell division, whilst blocking the replication of DNA. The use of silver as an antimicrobial agent in general is well known.

(20) In general, the antimicrobial agent may be provided on the surface of the first and/or second parts in any suitable way, and need not be provided as a coating. For instance, and depending on the material used to form the first and second parts, the antimicrobial agent may be impregnated within the first and second parts. Alternatively, or additionally, the antimicrobial agent may be arranged to be dispensed through the first and second parts, e.g. where the first and second parts are porous or are provided with apertures for dispensing the antimicrobial agent. Alternatively still, the first and/or second parts may be formed, at least in part, from a material having self-cleaning properties.

(21) Over time, the self-cleaning material will eventually wear off, or otherwise become lost, with use of the device. The device may also become scratched with repeated use. As shown in FIG. 1, an indicator 14 may thus be provided to indicate to a user when the device should be renewed or replaced. Generally, the indicator 14 may be provided anywhere on the device so long as it is suitably visible in use. For example, in FIG. 1 the indicator 14 is provided on the front portion of the device for maximum visibility.

(22) The indicator 14 may comprise a window formed in the first (front) part 10 of the device, as shown in FIG. 1, with an indicator device mounted behind the window on the interior of the first part 10 such that the indicator device, or at least a portion thereof, is visible through the window from the exterior of the device. Various suitable indicator devices may be used for this purpose. One particularly suitable form of indicator device may comprise a colourant that is caused to ‘wick’ a substrate, with the amount of wicking indicating an elapsed time after activation of the indicator device. For example, the colourant may initially be sealed within a reservoir, and the indicator device activated by breaking the seal to release the colourant and allow the colourant to start wicking. The step of activating the indicator device thus defines the start of the indicator measurement. The indicator device may then progressively indicate how long has elapsed since the indicator has been activated, so that a user can determine whether the device may need to be replaced. Alternatively, the indicator may simply indicate the expiry of a pre-determined time interval. For instance, a user may be instructed to replace the devices after a set period, e.g. of six months. The indicator 14 may thus be arranged to indicate when a period of six months has elapsed, e.g. by changing colour, e.g. by having the colourant pass behind the window so that it is visible through the window from the exterior of the device.

(23) In embodiments, the indicator 14 is arranged such that the indicator is activated upon bringing the first and second parts into mutual engagement. For example, for the indicator described above, the locking engagement of the first and second parts may break the seal and start the wicking process.

(24) Various other forms of indicator may also be used, and the indicator may also be mounted in various suitable ways. For instance, the indicator may alternatively be mounted externally on the device such that no window needs to be provided to view the indicator.

(25) It will be appreciated that there is no standard shape for a door handle. The device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is arranged to fit around a substantially cylindrical “pull” door handle, however, even for this type of door handle there is no standard diameter. To allow the device to be retrofitted onto a range of different diameter door handles, the cavity 16 is oversized (relative to typical door handle diameters) and a gripping material 20,22 may be provided on the respective surfaces of the first and second parts defining the cavity 16. The gripping material 20,22 may comprise any suitable resilient padding material capable of compressing between the first and second parts and the door handle to provide a tight (or at least tighter) fit around the door handle. For example, the gripping material may comprise a foam, rubber or silicone material.

(26) Generally, the gripping material 20,22 may be provided as one or more insert(s) that are pressed into the first and/or second part(s). This is shown in FIG. 2, for example. The gripping material may be adhesively attached to the interior surfaces of the first and/or second parts, or may be held in place by frictional forces.

(27) It is contemplated that the device may be sold as part of a kit with a plurality of different sized or shaped pieces of gripping material suitable for different diameter door handles. As shown in FIG. 5, a measuring tool 31 may also be provided with the kit for measuring a dimension of a door handle 30 to which the device is to be fitted. Based on this measurement, the user can then select the most suitable shape or size piece(s) of gripping material from those provided within the kit (see FIG. 6). Once the most appropriate shape or size piece(s) of gripping material 20,22 have been selected, these are then pressed into position within the first and second parts as shown in FIG. 7.

(28) The gripping material 20,22 may also act to prevent relative movement between the device and the door handle in use, such as twisting or sliding movement that may be disconcerting to a user. Thus, the gripping material helps to provide a secure, tight fit, across a range of door handle diameters. To facilitate this, the gripping material may optionally be provided with a degree of tackiness or adhesiveness to facilitate securing the device to the door handle, so long as this does not prevent the device being readily replaceable by a user (i.e. if adhesive is used, it should be relatively weak). In embodiments, additional strips of adhesive material may be provided to further reduce any relative movement between the device and the door handle. However, the frictional forces between the gripping material 20,22 and the body alone may be sufficient to prevent relative movement, and it is not generally necessary to adhere the door handle to the body.

(29) In some embodiments, the device may be arranged to dispense a fragrance to help mask any unpleasant odours and/or to enhance the user's perception of cleanliness. It will be appreciated that the device may be arranged to dispense a fragrance in any suitable fashion. For example, a recess may be provided in either the first or second part for receiving a vial of fragrance. The vial may be inserted into the recess, and the user may then open the vial as, or shortly after, they fit the first or second part to the door handle. As another example, a fragrance may be impregnated or coated on the first or second part, so long as the fragrance does not detriment the self-cleaning properties of the device. As yet another example, a packet or vial of fragrance provided within the device may be broken when the device is installed on a door handle, in a similar manner to that described above in relation to the activation of the indicator 14, such that fragrance is dispensed only after the device is installed. For instance, the fragrance may be dispensed through the ends of the cavity of the device, or through further ports or apertures provided on the body of the device.

(30) Although the door handle 30 shown in FIG. 1 is a pull door handle in the form of an extended cylindrical bar mounted to the door at either end, it will be appreciated that the invention need not be limited to any specific type of door handle. By varying the relative shapes and/or sizes of the first and second parts, and hence of the cavity 16, it is possible to accommodate a wide variety of shapes and/or sizes of door handle. Thus, whilst the cavity 16 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially cylindrical and extends throughout the body of the device, different cavity shapes may be used to allow the device to be mounted onto different shaped door handles.

(31) FIG. 8 illustrates a front plate 71 and a back plate 72 that may be attached together as shown in FIG. 9 to form a composite push plate structure for a door. The final push plate 70 as may be fixed onto a door is shown in FIG. 10. The push plate 70 is thus a composite plate structure comprising the front plate 71 mounted onto the back plate 72. The front plate 71 may be coated with a self-cleaning material, e.g. of any of the types described above in relation to the first main embodiment of the invention, so that the external surface of the push plate 70 that is contacted by a user's hands when the push plate 70 is installed on a door is self-cleaning. Furthermore, as best shown in FIG. 10, the external or outwardly facing surface of the push plate 70 may be essentially flat and smooth (save for an indicator window 76, where one is provided), in contrast to conventional push plates wherein the screws for fixing the push plate to the door protrude slightly and potentially form dirt traps where germs may accumulate.

(32) In a first step of installing the push plate 70 into a door the back plate 72 may be fixed onto the door stile. The back plate 72 may e.g. comprise a fixing adhesive or tape on its rear side so that the back plate 72. However, preferably, the back plate 72 comprises a plurality of screw holes 720, as shown in FIG. 8, so that the back plate 72 may be screwed onto the door to provide a semi-permanent fixing. That is, once the back plate 72 is fixed (e.g. screwed) onto the door, it may not be readily removed other than by unscrewing it.

(33) Once the back plate 72 is fixed (e.g. screwed) onto the door, a front plate 71 may then be brought into alignment and attachment with the back plate 72 in order to define a composite push plate 70 (FIGS. 9 and 10). By contrast to the back plate 72, which is intended to be semi-permanently fixed to the door, the front plate 71 is intended to be releasably connected to the back plate 72 such that the front plate 71 may be readily removed and replaced by a user without requiring any tools. For example, the front and back plates may be releasably connected with one another using a magnetic connection. It will be appreciated that the materials typically used to form the front plate 71 and the back plate 72 may be non-magnetic. For example, the front plate 71 may typically be formed from a hard plastic material, such as ABS plastic, similarly to the materials that are suitably used to form the parts in accordance with the first main embodiment. The back plate 72 may typically be formed of aluminium. Thus, a plurality of magnets 721 may be provided on the back plate 72 that are suitably positioned so as to magnetically connect with suitable metallic portions (e.g. strips) 711 provided on the interior of the front plate 71 in order to hold the composite push plate 70 together. The front plate 71 and back plate 72 may be suitably recessed or may comprise suitable receptacles for receiving the appropriate magnets 721 and/or metallic portions 711 so that the magnets and metallic portions are provided flush with the internal surfaces of the plates (i.e. those illustrated in FIG. 8).

(34) In general, it will be appreciated that the releasable connection between the plates need not be magnetic, and that various other suitably releasable connections may be used. For example, the connection may be a mechanical connection, similar to the connections used in the first main aspect of the invention.

(35) However the connection is formed, the connection should be releasable so as to allow a user to readily remove the front plate 71 from the back plate 72 without requiring any specialist tools, to facilitate users replacing the front plate 71 when the self-cleaning surface is worn out.

(36) To further facilitate the attachment of the front plate 71 to the back plate 72, either or both of the plates may be provided with suitable guiding or alignment features. For example, the back plate 72 may comprise a plurality of studs 722 protruding from its front surface that act as anchors for corresponding recesses 712 providing on the internal surface of the front plate 71. The studs may thus align with and attach to the recesses in order to help prevent any movement of the front plate 71 during normal use of the push plate 70.

(37) The front plate 71 may further be provided with an indicator 714, which may be of substantially the same type as the indicator 14 described above in relation to the first main embodiment of the invention. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9, a time indicator window 76 may be provided on the front plate 71 for viewing the indicator 714 so that the user is provided with an indication of when it is time to replace the front plate 71 e.g. due to wearing of the self-cleaning surface over time due to scratching. As shown in FIG. 8, the indicator 714 may be mounted on the internal surface of the front plate 71 and is aligned with the indicator window 76 so that at least the indicator portion is visible through the indicator window 76. Prior to fitting the front plate 71 onto the back plate 72, the indicator may be activated by a user depressing the indicator. However, it is also contemplated that the indicator may be activated by the action of fitting the front plate 71 onto the back plate 72. For example, where the time indicator 714 is mounted onto the front plate 71, a corresponding protrusion (not shown) may be provided on the back plate 72 so that when the front plate 71 is pushed onto the back plate 72, the protrusion presses against and activates the indicator 714. Although the indicator as shown in FIG. 8 may typically be provided on the front plate 71, so that the indicator is associated with and replaceable at the same time as the front plate 71, it will be appreciated that the indicator might also suitably be provided on the back plate 72, or on a further or intermediate component of the composite push plate 70.

(38) FIG. 10 shows the composite push plate 70 in the form as it may be mounted onto a door. As shown in FIG. 10, the indicator 714 is visible from the exterior of the push plate 70 through the indicator window 76 provided on the front plate 71. As explained above, when the indicator changes colour, the user is prompted to remove and replace the front plate 71.

(39) Although the present invention has been described with reference to various embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.