Abstract: A system, device, and method render germ-free door handles in a commercial environment by sanitizing such door handles through the dispensing of a germicide, such as a disinfectant, antibacterial solution, or cleansing agent, onto the door handles at controlled intervals. The controlled intervals are determined by a set of controls which establish a series of settings corresponding to a different amount of time that a valve member is in an operating state.

Abstract: An air freshener includes a housing having at least a first compartment and a second compartment, each of the first and second compartments having vents. The air freshener includes a first fan unit disposed within the first compartment and a second fan unit disposed within the second compartment. The air freshener also includes a first fragrance emitting substance disposed within the first compartment proximate the first fan unit and a second fragrance emitting substance disposed within the second compartment proximate the second fan unit. A programmable processor is operatively connected to a power source and the first and second fan units and configured to drive at least one of the first and second fan units so as to promote discharge of one of the first and second fragrance emitting substances from the housing.

Abstract: A controllable door handle sanitizer includes a base and an outer housing coupled to the base and movable between an open and a closed position. The sanitizer also includes a holder that receives and holds a container that stores a germicide and includes a first valve member. The holder is coupled to the base such that when the outer housing is opened, the container can be inserted and removed. The holder includes a biasing mechanism for applying a biasing force against the container to maintain the container in a fully loaded position. The sanitizer also includes an electronic valve module that includes a housing that is coupled to the base by engaging locating and support members integrally formed as part of the base. The module is positioned relative to the holder such that in the fully loaded position, the first valve member is actuated and opened, whereby discharge of the germicide is determined by an operating state of a second valve member of the electronic valve module.

Abstract: An air freshener includes a housing having at least a first compartment and a second compartment, each of the first and second compartments having vents. The air freshener includes a first fan unit disposed within the first compartment and a second fan unit disposed within the second compartment. The air freshener also includes a first fragrance emitting substance disposed within the first compartment proximate the first fan unit and a second fragrance emitting substance disposed within the second compartment proximate the second fan unit. A programmable processor is operatively connected to a power source and the first and second fan units and configured to drive at least one of the first and second fan units so as to promote discharge of one of the first and second fragrance emitting substances from the housing.

Abstract: A controllable door handle sanitizer includes a base and an outer housing coupled to the base and movable between an open and a closed position. The sanitizer also includes a holder that receives and holds a container that stores a germicide and includes a first valve member. The holder is coupled to the base such that when the outer housing is opened, the container can be inserted and removed. The holder includes a biasing mechanism for applying a biasing force against the container to maintain the container in a fully loaded position. The sanitizer also includes an electronic valve module that includes a housing that is coupled to the base by engaging locating and support members integrally formed as part of the base. The module is positioned relative to the holder such that in the fully loaded position, the first valve member is actuated and opened, whereby discharge of the germicide is determined by an operating state of a second valve member of the electronic valve module.

Abstract: Controlled sanitizing by dispensing a germicide, such as a disinfectant, antibacterial solution or cleansing agent at intervals. A method of replacing an aerosol canister from a sanitizer mounted proximate to a door handle on a door is disclosed. The method includes pivoting a cover of the sanitizer in a first direction to expose the aerosol canister while a remainder of the sanitizer housing remains stationary relative to the door; moving a guide wheel to a loading position; removing the aerosol canister and a valve coupled thereto from a seat within the sanitizer housing; positioning a replacement aerosol canister in the seat so that a valve thereof is oriented toward the door handle; moving the guide wheel to an operative position in which it seats in rotatable proximity to the valve; and closing the cover by pivoting the cover in a second direction. The method ensures that a suitable aerosol can has been properly loaded in the dispenser.

Abstract: Attachments for aerosol cans used in automated sprayers can comprise a hollow tube having a first end and a second end. The first end is shaped to seat on the valve of the aerosol can. The second end is opposite the first end and has a nozzle disposed adjacent the second end. The nozzle is disposed in fluid communication with the first end via the hollow tube and can disperse aerosol therefrom, preferably in an axial direction. A bearing surface is disposed along the hollow tube, preferably clear of the second end hollow tube to facilitate axial dispersion of aerosol. An exterior feature disposed along the hollow tube moves in synchronization with the bearing surface.

Abstract: A device for spraying an aerosol mist onto a door handle of a door includes a housing mountable to the door, a seat for receiving an aerosol canister having a valve oriented toward the door handle, and a timing circuit operative to dispense the aerosol mist in an automated manner onto the door handle. The aerosol canister for use in the device contains a solution which is engineered so as to not leave a residue after evaporation of the aerosol mist. The device thus sprays the solution from the housing onto the door handle and evaporates from the door handle free of any residue.

Abstract: Controlled sanitizing by dispensing a germicide, such as a disinfectant, antibacterial solution or cleansing agent at intervals. A system can include a housing sized to seat an aerosol can and a control circuit that operates to momentarily open a valve on the aerosol can through action of a gear system upon an aerosol delivery tube. A sensor responds to displacement of the delivery tube to deliver state signals to the control circuit. The control circuit prevents action of the gear system in the event that the state signals fail at least one prescribed condition. A method registers at least the displacement of the delivery tube via the sensor and prevents subsequent displacements and hence subsequent sanitizing in the event that the sensor has not registered at least the displacement of the delivery tube. The method ensures that a suitable aerosol can has been properly loaded in the dispenser.

Abstract: Controlled sanitizing by dispensing a germicide, such as a disinfectant, antibacterial solution or cleansing agent at intervals. A method of replacing an aerosol canister from a sanitizer mounted proximate to a door handle on a door is disclosed. The method includes pivoting a cover of the sanitizer in a first direction to expose the aerosol canister while a remainder of the sanitizer housing remains stationary relative to the door; moving a guide wheel to a loading position; removing the aerosol canister and a valve coupled thereto from a seat within the sanitizer housing; positioning a replacement aerosol canister in the seat so that a valve thereof is oriented toward the door handle; moving the guide wheel to an operative position in which it seats in rotatable proximity to the valve; and closing the cover by pivoting the cover in a second direction. The method ensures that a suitable aerosol can has been properly loaded in the dispenser.

Abstract: Controlled sanitizing by dispensing a germicide, such as a disinfectant, antibacterial solution or cleansing agent at intervals. A system can include a housing sized to seat an aerosol can and a control circuit that operates to momentarily open a valve on the aerosol can through action of a gear system upon an aerosol delivery tube. A sensor responds to displacement of the delivery tube to deliver state signals to the control circuit. The control circuit prevents action of the gear system in the event that the state signals fail at least one prescribed condition. A method registers at least the displacement of the delivery tube via the sensor and prevents subsequent displacements and hence subsequent sanitizing in the event that the sensor has not registered at least the displacement of the delivery tube. The method ensures that a suitable aerosol can has been properly loaded in the dispenser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for sanitizing door handles includes dispensing a germicide, such as a disinfectant, antibacterial solution or cleansing agent, onto a door handle at controlled intervals. The door handle sanitizer further includes a source of liquid or gaseous disinfectant, a spray nozzle configured to convey liquid or gaseous disinfectant from the source to the nozzle and for dispensing the liquid or gaseous disinfectant onto the handle, and a controller for causing the liquid or gaseous disinfectant to be conveyed to the handle in intervals, wherein the intervals are responsive to an external condition and the controller if free of any manual activation.