Method and apparatus for dispensing sanitizer fluid

• US 8,408,423 B1
• Filed: 01/11/2011
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Altitude Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Altitude Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Gardiner, Virginia, McKnight, Jacob, Oshmyansky, Alexander R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, STEPHANIE ELAINE
• Application Number:
  US12/930,608
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 222/192, 222/160, 222/207, 222/402.1, 222/180, 222/181.3, 222/504, 222/639, 222/649, 422/292, 422/306, 422/123, 422/300
• US Class Current: 222/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/14 Plasma, i.e. ionised gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/18 Liquid substances or solutions comprising solids or dissolved gases
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 1/0069 Sanitary doorknobs or handles, e.g. comprising a disinfectant

Abstract

A method and apparatus for dispensing sanitizer fluid from a door handle. The apparatus includes a handle having a nozzle, an actuator fluidly coupled to the nozzle, and a cartridge of sanitizer fluid fluidly coupled to the actuator. Manipulation of the handle causes the actuator to dispense sanitizer fluid from the nozzle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for dispensing sanitizer fluid comprising:

a handle having a nozzle;

an actuator fluidly coupled to the nozzle;

a cartridge of sanitizer fluid fluidly coupled to the actuator;

a first valve disposed within an underside of the cartridge;

a second valve for coupling to the first valve;

a solenoid valve coupled to the second valve;

a power source for powering the solenoid valve; and

a pressure switch for selectively coupling power to the solenoid valve in response to manipulation of the handle, where manipulation of the handle causes the actuator to supply sanitizer fluid from the cartridge to the nozzle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a frame supporting the handle, actuator, and cartridge.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, the handle further comprising:

a spindle connected to the handle at a first end;

an indented region located proximate a second end, opposite the first end, where the nozzle is proximate the indented region.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the handle is rotatable about the spindle.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein rotation of the handle results in a corresponding rotation of the spindle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator further comprises a contact plate contacting the pressure switch holding the solenoid valve shut while the handle is not being manipulated.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the released pressure switch opens the solenoid valve.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the solenoid valve is open for a pre-established period of time.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, the actuator further comprising:

a solenoid valve coupled to the cartridge;

a power source for powering the solenoid valve; and

a pressure switch for selectively coupling power to the solenoid valve in response to manipulation of the handle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the power source is a battery.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the actuator further comprises a contact plate contacting the pressure switch holding the solenoid valve shut while the handle is not being manipulated.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the released pressure switch opens the solenoid valve.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the solenoid valve is open for a pre-established period of time.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sanitizer fluid comprises at least one of:

a liquid, an aerosol, a spray, or a stream.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sanitizer fluid comprises alcohol.

17. A method of dispensing sanitizer fluid, comprising:

manipulating the handle of claim 1 to unlatch a door, where the manipulating causes an actuator to dispense sanitizer fluid from a cartridge to a nozzle in the handle.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the manipulating simultaneously unlatches a door latch and dispenses sanitizer fluid from the nozzle.