CONTAINERS WITH PUBLIC CONTACT DEVICES

Abstract

This disclosure includes a description of a public-surface contact-avoidance device comprising a container configured to store an item to be used repeatedly by a user; and a public contact device attached to the container; wherein the container is configured to be held by the user in a manner that allows the user to contact the public contact device with public surfaces without requiring the user to touch the public surfaces with the user's hands. In some embodiments, a liquid container comprises a bottle comprising a storage portion and a lid portion, the bottle being configured to store liquid for drinking; and a contact device affixed to the bottle; wherein the contact device is configured to be used to actuate a door without requiring contact between the door and the user's hands. In some embodiments, a method of actuating a device, such as a door or key pad, includes obtaining a liquid container with an integral public contact device; grasping the liquid container; and contacting the public contact device of the liquid container with the device to be actuated without requiring direct contact between the user's hands and the device to be actuated.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/059,675 filed Jul. 31, 2020. This application hereby incorporates by reference herein the above-identified provisional application in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

This disclosure relates generally to devices configured to diminish the spread of microbes and specifically to devices configured to contact public surfaces.

Description of the Related Art

Microbes are known to commonly spread from person to person by way of intermediate contact with commonly touched public surfaces, such as door openers (e.g., knobs, latches, push bars, buttons, etc.), elevator buttons, key pad input devices (e.g., numeric key pads for verification of commercial transactions such as with ATM or credit card purchases, electronic or mechanical security locks, etc.), drawers, cabinets, drinking fountains, stairway bannisters, security railings, subway or bus handles or securing rails, faucet handles, water coolers, towel dispensers, etc. The spread of microbes can be diminished by avoiding contact between a person's hands and such items and surfaces.

SUMMARY

This disclosure includes a description of a public-surface contact-avoidance device comprising a container configured to store an item to be used repeatedly by a user; and a public contact device attached to the container; wherein the container is configured to be held by the user in a manner that allows the user to contact the public contact device with public surfaces without requiring the user to touch the public surfaces with the user's hands. In some embodiments, a liquid container comprises a bottle comprising a storage portion and a lid portion, the bottle being configured to store liquid for drinking; and a contact device affixed to the bottle; wherein the contact device is configured to be used to actuate a door without requiring contact between the door and the user's hands. In some embodiments, a method of actuating a device, such as a door or key pad, includes obtaining a liquid container with an integral public contact device; grasping the liquid container; and contacting the public contact device of the liquid container with the device to be actuated without requiring direct contact between the user's hands and the device to be actuated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These drawings are schematic, showing some examples of basic parts and concepts. Many different or additional structures, implementations, components, mechanisms, steps, and processes can be used. The claimed inventions should not be limited in any way to anything illustrated in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a container and a public contact device.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an example of FIG. 1 wherein the container is a personally carried liquid bottle.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of another example of FIG. 1 with multiple contact devices.

FIGS. 4a and 4b are illustrations of another example of FIG. 1 with a contact device movable between multiple stages.

FIGS. 5a and 5b are illustrations of another example of FIG. 1 with another contact device movable between multiple stages.

FIGS. 6a and 6b are cross-sectional illustrations of the examples of FIGS. 5a and 5b taken respectively along the lines 6a-6a and 6b-6b.

FIGS. 7a-7c are illustrations of examples of FIG. 1 with additional features that can be used in any embodiment in this specification.

FIGS. 8a and 8b are illustrations of an example of FIG. 1 with another contact device movable between multiple stages.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This specification provides textual descriptions and illustrations of many devices. Any structure, material, function, method, or step that is described and/or illustrated in one example can be used by itself or with or instead of any structure, material, function, method or step that is described and/or illustrated in another example or used in this field. The text and drawings merely provide examples and should not be interpreted as limiting or exclusive. No feature disclosed in this application is considered critical or indispensable. The relative sizes and proportions of the components illustrated in the drawings form part of the supporting disclosure of this specification, but should not be considered to limit any claim unless recited in such claim.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in some embodiments a single integrated device 100 can comprise a container 200 and a contactor, such as contact device 300, configured to contact surfaces or devices, such as public surfaces, on which microbes may be present. The integrated device 100 may be formed as a single unit, either from the same unitary material or from multiple components separately formed and attached together permanently or removably. Many types of containers are routinely carried throughout the day by people, including liquid vessels such as water bottles, cases for mobile electronic devices, backpacks, purses, wallets, holders for tissue or sanitizing wipes, food containers (e.g., lunch boxes, coolers, receptacles for gum, candy, or mints, etc.), computer cases, luggage, etc. Any of these containers or any other type of container can be used. A contactor or contact device 300 can be any structure configured to contact a surface that is desirable for a user not to touch with his or her hands, such as any surface that may have microbes, including any surface that multiple people may touch (e.g., any of the public surfaces mentioned in the Background Section). The contact device 300 can be formed of any suitable material or materials, including one or more sturdy, rigid, and/or durable materials such as a metal (e.g., steel, copper, etc.) or polymer. The contact device 300 may be configured to contact a surface in a manner that does not require a user to touch the surface with the user's hands.

In any embodiment in this specification, the integrated device 100, the container 200, and/or the contactor or contact device 300 can comprise one or more antimicrobial features. For example, in some embodiments, any or all of the integrated device 100, the container 200, and/or the contactor or contact device 300 can comprise an antimicrobial texture, an antimicrobial coating or covering, and/or an antimicrobial liquid reservoir or antimicrobial-emitting substance (such as a chamber, sponge, pad, capsule, etc.). Some examples of antimicrobial fluids or other substances include alcohol, chlorhexidine, iodine, metal ions (e.g., silver or copper ions), etc. Any other antimicrobial fluid or substance can be used. If an antimicrobial reservoir or an antimicrobial-emitting substance is used, it can be repeatedly replaced or refilled when depleted. In some embodiments, a replaceable cartridge can be inserted into a cavity within the integrated device, or a chamber or substance can be refilled or soaked up with an antimicrobial, as is contemplated in all embodiments illustrated in this specification.

In some embodiments, the contactor or contact device 300 can be repeatedly and/or automatically sanitized after each use with a sanitizer, such as by moving the contactor or contact device 300 into a position within or on or separate from the integrated device 100. In some embodiments, the sanitizer can comprise a reservoir or emitter or applicator of antimicrobial or sanitizing fluid that can contact the portion of the contactor or contact device 300 that has been exposed to a contact surface.

In some embodiments, the contactor or contact device 300 can include a disposable antimicrobial covering that can be periodically removed and replaced as needed. Sanitizers and/or coverings can be provided in a separate disposable, refillable, replaceable, and/or reattachable portion of the system.

In any embodiment in this specification, the integrated device 100, the container 200, and/or the contactor or contact device 300 can comprise one or more grippers, such as one or more surfaces, components, or portions that are configured to help facilitate gripping or holding the integrated device 100 by the user. For example, one or more grippers can comprise a high-friction surface or coating, such as a silicon surface or coating, and/or a shape configured to conform to a user's fingers or hand or configured to provide one or more openings or regions in which a user can securely insert or grasp with a user's fingers or hand. For example, a shape with one or more rings, ripples, ridges, grooves, and/or sinusoids can be provided to facilitate gripping by the user in or on any portion of the integrated device 100.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a container 200 in the form of a liquid vessel 201 such as a water bottle with a contact device 300 in the form of a protruding arm 302 affixed to the liquid vessel 201 by way of a permanent and unmoving attachment or unitary formation with the liquid vessel 201, such as on the lid 202 of the liquid vessel 201.

The arm 302 can include a first generally longitudinal or generally vertical portion 320 and a second generally transverse or generally perpendicular portion 322. In use, the body of the liquid vessel 201 can be grasped in a user's hand and the arm 302 can be positioned by the user in contact with a contact surface such as a public surface that may include microbes. The arm 302 can be oriented such that a user can push or pull on the liquid vessel 201 to apply a force through the liquid vessel 201 to the arm 302 and then to the contact surface. In some situations, the contact surface is positioned on a device that requires opening or closing or other actuation, or the contact surface is positioned on a surface of a person-securing device such as a railing or handle or bannister. The force applied by the user on the arm 302 can be configured to accomplish such actuation or securing.

For example, in some embodiments, the arm 302 can be temporarily placed into contact with a handle or push bar on a door. The user can apply a force through the liquid vessel 201 to the arm 302 to pull or push the door handle or push bar. The generally transverse portion 322 of the arm 302 can help to temporarily capture the door handle or push bar. In some uses, a tapered or generally pointed or rounded end 304 on the arm 302 can be used to actuate a key pad or to otherwise contact or actuate any other surface. In some embodiments, the arm 302 can be removable or separable from the container 200, stored in a separate sanitizing or sanitary location or receptacle on or separate from the integrated device 100, which may include one or more antimicrobial features, and then temporarily positioned on the container 200 during use.

As shown in FIG. 3, in any embodiment in this specification, the arm 302 can comprise multiple portions extending in different or opposite directions and/or can be configured as a hook, claw, clasp, flange, plate, and/or any other advantageous shape or surface to contact, connect with, and/or actuate a surface that potentially includes microbes.

FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate an example of an integrated device 100 in which the contactor or contact device 300 is movable, such as from a stored or protective position (FIG. 4a) to a deployed, usable, or active position (FIG. 4b). As shown in FIG. 4a, the arm 302 can be permanently attached to container 200, such as by way of an attachment point 203 on the lid 202 (or on any other portion) of the container 200. The arm 302 can be configured to pivot, rotate, articulate, and/or otherwise move with respect to the attachment point 203. When moved into the deployed, usable, or active position, the arm 302 may temporarily lock into place, requiring an increased force or torque to move it out of such position than was required to move it between positions. As shown, the arm 302 can be utilized when needed, but can be hidden, made smaller or less obtrusive, shielded or blocked at least in part from outside contact, and/or otherwise modified when not in use. In some embodiments, when the arm 302 is in the stored or protective position, as shown in FIG. 4a, a sanitizer such as an antimicrobial reservoir or emitting surface or substance within the lid 202 or in any other location within or on the integrated device 100, the contactor, or the container 200, can repeatedly and automatically be brought into contact with the underside or another surface of the arm 302 to sanitize it.

As shown in FIGS. 5a-6b, another example of an integrated device 100 can comprise a shifting or translating contactor or contact device 200. For example, as illustrated, the arm 302 can be moved generally longitudinally from a stored or protective position (FIG. 5a) to a deployed, usable, extended, or active position (FIG. 5b). In this example, the arm 302 is not required to pivot, rotate, or articulate. As shown, the arm 302 can be located in a shielded, protected, or blocked position in which it is hidden, made smaller, made less obtrusive, and/or otherwise modified. In this position, a sanitizer, such as an antimicrobial reservoir or emitting surface or substance on or within the lid 202 or in any other location within the integrated device 100, the contactor, or the container 200, can repeatedly and automatically be brought into contact with the underside or another surface of the arm 302 to sanitize it. The arm 302 can be transitioned from the first position shown in FIG. 5a to the second position shown in FIG. 5b.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show that the lid 202 can comprise upper and lower portions 210, 211 that are brought together and affixed in a permanent or removable manner, such as in a snap-fit, threaded, friction-fit, adhesively bonded, sonically welded, and/or other manner. The arm 302 can comprise a lower and wider entrapped portion 213 that is configured to move up and down within a chamber 214 formed between the upper 210 and lower portions 211 of the lid 202. In some embodiments, the entrapped portion can be larger than a generally vertical portion of the arm 302 so that the arm 302 can move generally vertically to expose at least about a majority of the surface area of the arm 302, but the arm 302 cannot escape or otherwise detach entirely from the lid 202 through an opening in the lid 202 when the arm 302 is advanced vertically. As shown, the entrapped portion can comprise a motion stabilizer such as an O-ring 215 to help vertically orient and guide the arm 302 as it advances up and down within the chamber 214 of the lid 202 and when it is in the deployed, usable, extended, and/or active positions. The arm 302 can be transitioned from the first position shown in FIG. 6a to the second position shown in FIG. 6b by grasping the top of the arm 302 with a user's fingers and pulling it upward. The arm 302 can be transitioned from the second position to the first position by pushing downward on the arm 302 with a user's fingers. In some embodiments, the arm 302 can comprise a grasping component 304 to facilitate securely grasping the arm 302 with the fingers, such as is illustrated in FIG. 7a, without requiring the user to contact the underside of the arm 302 or any other portion of the arm 302 that is configured to contact a contact surface. As shown, in any embodiment, the lid 302 can be sealingly secured to the liquid vessel 201 in any suitable manner, such as by way of one or more screw threads, gaskets, seals, clasps, etc.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7a-7c, the integrated device 100 can comprise one or more grasping components 304 on the container 200 or the contactor or contact device 300 to facilitate carrying the integrated device 100 without contacting the contactor or contact device 300 with a user's hands and/or without contacting one or more surfaces of the contactor or contact device 300 that is or are configured to come in contact with a potentially contaminated surface, such as a public or other surface where microbes may be present, during use.

FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate an example of an integrated device 100 in which the contactor or contact surface 300 in the form of an arm 302 is movably coupled to the container 200 in a position separate from the lid 202. As shown, the arm 302 can be advanced from within an arm housing 217 from a fully retracted position as shown in FIG. 8a in which no portion of the arm 302, or no portion of the arm 302 that is configured to contact a contact surface, is exposed, to an extended position as shown in FIG. 8b, by actuating an actuator, such as a slider actuator 219, using a user's finger. Any other actuator may be used, such as a rotational actuator or an electronic solenoid or motor actuator.

As in any embodiment in this specification, any type of sanitizer, such as an antimicrobial fluid reservoir 218 and/or an antimicrobial emitter or applicator 221 in fluid communication with the reservoir 218 or by itself, can be positioned on or within a portion of the integrated device 100, such as within the arm housing 217, as shown, or on or within the lid 202 or on or within any other portion of the integrated device 100. In some embodiments, the reservoir 218 and/or emitter or applicator 221 can together or separately form at least part of a region or a cartridge that is refillable or replaceable with antimicrobial fluid and/or another cartridge, either or both of which can be provided separately. When the arm 302 is being stored in the retracted position and/or after it has been used to contact a contact surface, at least a portion of the arm 302 (e.g., the portion that is configured to contact the contact surface) can be automatically brought into contact with the reservoir 218 and/or emitter or applicator 221 to sanitize the arm 302 or a portion thereof, such as when the actuator is moved downward to position the arm 302 in the retracted position.

In some embodiments, the actuator 219 and/or the arm 302 can be temporarily locked into the extended position such that to move the actuator 219 or arm 302 back toward or into the retracted position requires a greater force than is required to move the arm 302 between the retracted and extended positions, or requires a force applied in a non-longitudinal direction, so that the actuator 219 and/or the arm 302 does not simply move back into the retracted position when a user applies a force on the integrated device 100 to use the arm 302 to contact or actuate a contact surface.

Claims

1. A liquid container comprising:

a bottle comprising a storage portion and a lid portion, the bottle being configured to store liquid for drinking; and

a contact device affixed to the bottle;

wherein the contact device is configured to be used to actuate a door handle without requiring contact between the door handle and the user's hands.

2. The liquid container of claim 1, further comprising a sanitizer configured to sanitize the contact device.

3. A public-surface contact-avoidance device comprising:

a container configured to store an item to be used repeatedly by a user; and

a public contact device attached to the container;

wherein the container is configured to be held by the user in a manner that allows the user to contact the public contact device with public surfaces without requiring the user to touch the public surfaces with the user's hands.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the container is a liquid vessel.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the public-surface contact-avoidance device comprises an arm.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the arm comprises a generally longitudinal portion and a generally transverse portion.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the arm is fixed to the container.

8. The device of claim 5, wherein the arm cannot move with respect to the container.

9. The device of claim 5, wherein the arm is movable with respect to the container.

10. A method of actuating a device comprising:

obtaining a liquid container with an integral public contact device; and

grasping the liquid container;

contacting the public contact device of the liquid container with a device to be actuated without requiring direct contact between the user's hands and the device to be actuated.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the device to be actuated is a door.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the device to be actuated is a key pad.