Method and apparatus for disinfecting items
US7338646B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61L2/18
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and apparatus for disinfecting an item, for example, a handle for a door or a tap in a toilet facility. The apparatus includes a movable member, e.g., a door handle having a contact surface for being manually engaged to move the movable member; germicide applying means for applying germicide to the surface; and an operating mechanism coupled between the movable member and the germicide applying means and operable in response to movement of the movable member for applying germicide to the contact surface after movement of said movable member. The germicide applying means may be a pump. The operating mechanism may act to prime the pump when the door handle is turned to open the door. The germicide is sprayed over the handle after the handle is released and returns to its initial position. The return movement may be retarded.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.