Event-triggered self-sterilization of article surfaces
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A self-sterilizing article, comprising:
- an article body;
a contact surface disposed thereon; and
a chemical dispenser arranged to controllably provide a sterilizing chemical to the contact surface from within the article body across an interface between the article body and the contact surface disposed thereon; and
a resettable counter configured to count a number of contacts and to activate the chemical dispenser to provide the chemical across the interface when the number of contacts exceeds a predetermined number.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Solutions for limiting the undesirable spread of pathogens by indirect contact are provided. The solutions involve event-controlled self-sterilization of contact surfaces on articles or fixtures. A self-sterilizing contact surface structure allows chemical sterilizing agents to controllably flow in response to a contact event, from within the article to exude upon a portion of the contact surface.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A self-sterilizing article, comprising:
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an article body; a contact surface disposed thereon; and a chemical dispenser arranged to controllably provide a sterilizing chemical to the contact surface from within the article body across an interface between the article body and the contact surface disposed thereon; and a resettable counter configured to count a number of contacts and to activate the chemical dispenser to provide the chemical across the interface when the number of contacts exceeds a predetermined number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification