Device to promote hand sanitization
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a device to promote hand sanitization. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises an assembly used to move a door coupled to a sanitizing agent dispenser such that the dispenser, releases sanitizing agent upon manipulation of the assembly to move the door. In another embodiment, the assembly comprises a latch that is coupled to the door for latching the door. Upon manipulation of the latching assembly to open the door, hand sanitizing agent is automatically released from the latching assembly onto the hands of a user that is manipulating the latching assembly.
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This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/933,118, filed on Jun. 5, 2007, which is herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the prevention of disease transmission through proper hand sanitization and, more specifically, to a device to promote hand sanitization.
2. Description of the Related Art
Nosocomial, or hospital-acquired infections are a leading cause of death worldwide: in the US alone, they are responsible for 90,000 deaths annually. It has been shown that many nosocomial infections are contracted through contact with medical staff who have not properly sanitized their hands. Hospitals suggest that staff members sanitize their hands before every patient they contact. Thoroughly washing and scrubbing with water and antiseptic soap is the traditional method of hand sanitization in the hospital, but the time required for proper hand washing is unfeasible in a clinical setting because of the large numbers of patients that require care.
Repeated hand washing also causes dermatitis, which makes hands a better vector for bacterial transmission. Antiseptic gels and foams provide an alternative method of hand sanitization that is as effective as washing with soap and requires significantly less time. The widespread use of these antiseptics in hospitals has not resulted in decreased rates of nosocomial infections because healthcare staff still fail to comply with hand sanitization protocols. Although intentional non-compliance is one factor that lowers rates of compliance, it is likely that simply forgetting to sanitize between patients is the main culprit. It is well accepted that if health care workers improve compliance with hand-washing protocols, the incidence of nosocomial infections decreases substantially.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a device that promotes hand sanitization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention relate to a device to promote hand sanitization. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises an assembly used to move a door coupled to a sanitizing agent dispenser such that the dispenser releases sanitizing agent upon manipulation of the assembly to move the door. In another embodiment, the assembly comprises a latch that is coupled to the door for latching the door. Upon manipulation of the latching assembly to open the door, hand sanitizing agent is automatically released from the latching assembly onto the hands of a user that is manipulating the latching assembly.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
Within the handle 220 proximate the handle sleeve 218B is a spring support 232, a spring 230, and a spring plate 228. Together these elements form a biasing assembly that maintains the handle inward position such that pulling the handle applies force against the bias, causes the pump to pump sanitizing agent and then returns the handle to the inward position. In this manner, upon each pull of the handle, an amount of sanitizing fluid is pumped out of the handle onto a user's hand.
The actuator 542 comprises a cam 528 and a push rod 508. The cam 528 is coupled to a pair of pump arms 532 via the push rod 514. The push rod 514 is coupled, at its first end, to the arms 532 using a pin 530. At its second end, the push rod 514 is coupled to the cam via a pin/spacer 518. The cam 528 comprises a centrally located aperture 516 that interacts with a latch shaft 540. The latch shaft 540 (typically, having a square cross section) passes through a matching shaped aperture 516. The shaft 540 exits the mounting plate through a hole 520 to engage a portion of a conventional latch assembly (not shown). The shaft 540 couples to the handle 502 via a hole 510 in the housing. In addition, the tube 512 passes through the hole 510.
The tube 512 supplies sanitizing agent to an agent port 504. The agent flows into a tray 506 atop the handle 502 such that a user must contact the agent to twist the handle 502. Alternatively, the handle may comprise a plenum and distribution channels to position the agent on the handle 502. A permeable grip, as described previously, may also be positioned upon the handle 502, such an embodiment is described with respect to
In operation, a twisting motion of the handle 502 to facilitate unlatching a door causes the pump 536 to distribute sanitizing agent to the tray 506 of the handle 502. Consequently, the user receives sanitizing agent upon their hand.
In operation, a user depresses the bar or button 702 and the pump is actuated to supply a stream of sanitizing agent to the outlet 728. The agent is applied to the person's hand that pushes the bar or button to move a door. The actuator for the door may be remote, as in a handicapped door opener, or may be local and built into a portion of the bar proximate the dispenser 750.
In operation, a user pulls the panel 806 and the pump 808 is actuated to supply a stream of sanitizing agent to the outlet nozzle 814. The agent is applied to the person's hand that pulls the panel to move a door. The actuator for the door may be remote, as in a handicapped door opener, or may be local and built into a portion of the panel proximate the dispenser 850.
Although the foregoing description used a door to a room as an example of an object that the device to promote hand sanitization can be incorporated, those skilled in the art will realize that other doors and moveable objects can be benefited by incorporation of the invention. For example, desk drawers, file drawers, cabinet doors or drawers or any other object that is repeatedly touched and moved by various persons can utilize the device to promote hand sanitization. Generally speaking, the device can be incorporated into any form of handle for a door or other object. Such devices may or may not include latching assemblies.
While the foregoing is directed to the illustrated embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
Claims
1. A device for promoting hand sanitization, the device comprising:
- an assembly used to move a door; and
- a sanitizing agent dispenser, coupled to the assembly, for releasing sanitizing agent upon manipulation of the assembly to move the door.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the assembly comprises a pull handle.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein, upon manipulating the pull handle, the sanitizing agent is released from the handle.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein the pull handle further comprising a central tube, a plurality of radial tubes, and a plurality of channels, where the sanitizing agent is coupled from the central tube through the radial tubes to the plurality of channels.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the plurality of channels are covered by a permeable foam.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the assembly comprises a twist latch handle.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein the twist latch handle comprises a means for maintaining the sanitizing agent upon the twist latch handle.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein said means comprises a tray.
9. The device of claim 7 wherein the means is a permeable foam.
10. The device of claim 1 wherein the assembly comprises a push handle.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein the push handle comprises a push handle or push bar and the sanitizing agent is supplied to the surface of the push button or push bar.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein the sanitizing agent dispenser simultaneously releases the sanitizing agent onto a person's hands as the assembly is manipulated.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein the sanitizing agent dispenser comprises a pump.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein the assembly is adapted to manipulate a latch of the door.
15. The device of claim 1 wherein the sanitizing agent dispenser comprises a reservoir containing the sanitizing agent.
16. The device of claim 15 wherein the reservoir comprises a casing and a cartridge.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein the cartridge comprises a cap having a rubber septum and a seal.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein the sanitizing agent dispenser comprises a cannula that pierces the seal upon installation of the cartridge within the casing.
19. An apparatus for dispensing sanitizing agent comprising:
- a latching assembly; and
- a sanitizing agent dispenser, coupled to the latching assembly, for dispensing the sanitizing agent when the latching assembly is manipulated.
20. An apparatus for dispensing sanitizing agent comprising:
- a door;
- a latching assembly, coupled to the door, comprising a handle; and
- a sanitizing agent dispenser, coupled to the latching assembly, for dispensing the sanitizing agent onto the handle of the latching assembly when the latching assembly is manipulated to either open or close the door.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 19, 2008
Publication Date: Dec 11, 2008
Applicant:
Inventor: Alexander Roman Oshmyansky (Littleton, CO)
Application Number: 12/070,429
International Classification: B01J 19/00 (20060101);