FR2848590A1 - Autonomous device for disinfecting door handles, uses an aerosol cartridge to deliver a spray onto the door handle through nozzles surrounding the handle, when triggered by an electronic controller - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an aerosol cartridge (1) containing disinfectant, a solenoid valve (2) controlled by an electronic module (3), a battery (4), a multi-nozzle (14) atomizer (5), a flexible coupling between solenoid valve and atomizer, a module (6) housing warning devices (9). The handle is automatically sprayed at intervals. A detector inhibits operation if someone is about to grip the handle.

Description

The present invention consists of an autonomous disinfection device

handles of

  spray doors. The solutions adopted relate on the one hand to an electromechanical system for triggering and regulating the spraying and on the other hand to the use of cleaning, disinfection and specific neutralization products.

  This invention is therefore included in the register of industrial techniques and finds the properties of sprayed products, its main application in the field of sanitary installations. Its use therefore applies to all public, private or industrial environments for which the requirement of cleanliness and disease prevention are necessary or desired.

  Problem: The problem set out here is part of a worrying observation concerning the general hygiene of places where the risks of contamination or exposure to pathogenic agents are high. In fact, whether they are exit doors from toilets in public places or exit doors from high-risk industrial activity zones, for example, it turns out that the hygiene measures recommended before getting out of such spaces is frequently overlooked. Depending on their nature, organic or chemical stains deposited on door handles can resist long enough to contaminate other people passing through the same environments or spaces. However, because they require a complex and long implementation, the precise statistics on the different modes of contamination are difficult to determine. The fact remains that even in the absence of quantified data, certain vectors of diseases, nosocomial infections or allergies are already targeted. All the elements or objects touched by hand such as door handles, handrails, switches, chairs, etc., are among these, and this is also the reason why they are subject to frequent cleaning in most public or industrial places.

  The usual preventive hygiene measures, namely washing hands after using the toilet or wearing gloves after an activity in a risky environment, are actions that are too haphazard and uncontrolled because they are everyone's responsibility. We can therefore consider adding an autonomous solution to neutralize the soiled parts and increase the level of protection with regard to the most vulnerable or most exposed individuals in particular, although in some cases the presence of such a solution may encourage some individuals to further neglect their own contribution to the cleanliness of the premises.

  Given this inconvenience, it is still perfectly justified to use such a device in the hospital sector for example, precisely because the individuals who stay there are particularly vulnerable to the slightest contamination by all kinds of germs, bacteria, parasites , or virus and then because the. attendance is high. We will logically propose to extend its use to collective places where once again the requirement of cleanliness is -2 necessary or simply desired, let us quote for example, crèches and educational establishments, hotels, cinemas, stations, airports, etc. In the industrial sector, companies or laboratories working on or with sensitive products are also affected. Even if these professional circles have hygienic procedures or 5 risk prevention protocols, occupational medicine continues to regularly record new cases of allergy, intoxication or indirect contamination.

  State of the art: The state of the art in this field is characterized firstly by manual cleaning 10 carried out by maintenance personnel using various detergents, disinfectants or neutralizers on the handles, parts and supports potentially soiled. In the best of cases, for example in a hospital environment, cleaning can be repeated several times a day but rarely more than 6 times, which obviously leaves time intervals long enough to notice, the deposit of soils and by way consequences of the risk of contamination. There are also 15 different types of disinfection apparatus using physical and / or chemical techniques (aerial disinfection methods, treatment with ultraviolet and ozone, atomization of various disinfectants or neutralizers) to sanitize spaces, bedrooms, rooms or objects. These disinfection processes often make spaces, bedrooms, rooms or objects unavailable for a certain time, at least the time of the operation which can last from 20 minutes to tens of minutes. On the other hand, these methods do not always combine the different desired treatments (bactericide, virucide, germicides, etc.), which again is not suitable for the situation that interests us in the foreground. A product diffusion device has also been proposed, this time specifically adapted to door handles. This device provides a handle comprising in its center a cavity accommodating the cleaning product. The grip portion of the handle is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and has diffusion channels. The diffusion of the product from the inside of the handle towards its periphery is carried out when the prehensile part performs a relative rotation during a movement of the handle.

  We can first wonder about the system's capacity to guarantee the diffusion of the product over the entire potentially soiled surface. A second reservation is due to the fact that the diffusion of the product depends on obtaining the combined movement (lowering of the handle and rotation of the prehensile part on itself), which makes the effectiveness of the system random in the case of a incomplete movement for example. Finally, the fact that the support to be cleaned has a non-smooth structure due to the presence of diffusion channels, not only makes manual cleaning of the handle not recommended (this could indeed obstruct the channels) but can therefore 35 facilitate the deposition and accumulation of soils. -3

  Description: The present invention combines both known and new unitary processes to achieve a new global solution to the hygiene problem which interests us here. The solutions and adaptations necessary to make the device technologically relevant in the context of the hygiene requirement show that the means of obtaining disinfection as well as the result are new. The device is presented below in its main mode and supplemented in certain parts by different versions or options.

  Thus the solution to this problem was first envisaged according to a fully mechanical trigger and regulation system. Such an assembly requiring several mechanisms connected to each other, quickly finds its limits in terms of reliability or simply due to a heavy and therefore unprofitable implementation. It was therefore preferred a system where the command and control elements are managed electronically.

  The device therefore consists, for its invariant elements, of an aerosol can (1), of a solenoid valve (2) controlled by an electronic module (3), electrically supplied with low voltage (4), of a spraying (5) with multiple nozzles (14), a flexible connector ensuring the connection of the solenoid valve / spraying module (12), a housing (6) comprising audible or visual warning elements (9) and accommodating the 'the entire device (Figure 1).

  In the proposed schematic presentation, the aerosol can (1) containing the product to be sprayed is placed vertically, a few centimeters above the axis of the handle (7) and upside down for example. This arrangement of the device above the handle allows the free grip and the free movement of the latter as well as the use of a possible lock. But depending on the volume of the aerosol can and the overall size of the device, that may be more or less distant from the handle.

  The aerosol can is coupled to a solenoid valve (2) of the "normaly closed" (NC) type. The fitting of the solenoid valve on the aerosol can can be carried out initially in the workshop thanks to a system of self-tightening flanges (8), this fitting is then repeated each time an empty aerosol can is replaced. This solution allows the system to gain in reliability because the other elements of the spraying system (connection, spraying module, electrical connection) remain integral with each other.

  This assembly (aerosol can + solenoid valve) can also be carried out by crimping, in the factory, on the one hand to guarantee the sealing and on the other hand to facilitate the replacement of the assembly (aerosol can + solenoid valve) when the aerosol can is empty. This set is then considered as a deposit for repeated use.

  This solenoid valve is controlled by an electronic module (3) supplied with low voltage 35 by a 9 volt accumulator for example (4) and consequently using a range of suitable electronic components. The module responds to the following problem: -4 The use of such a device naturally leads to determining the precise moment at which the spraying must take place: the objective being to avoid spraying when a person grips the handle. the exit door of the "at risk" location. In its main mode, one can be satisfied with providing the housing with red and green light-emitting diodes and / or audible beeps (9) for example and 5 whose function would be to warn any user of an imminent spraying or to signal the brief drying period of the product. Now we can also consider different means of electronic presence detection near the interior handle or contact with it can to determine the appropriate time when it should not spray. A detection system by infrared or by photoelectric cells (10) for example is certainly easy to implement 10 but appears disproportionate and expensive compared to the main device. However, according to this option 1, the light beam emitter (10.1) can be integrated at the inclined part of the housing so as to direct the beam towards the handle. As for this, it integrates the beam receiver (10.2) which will be cut off when approached by the hand of a user, the electrical connection coming from the module then passes through the body of the handle adapted to this new function.

  The electronic module being programmed to schedule sprays according to the observed frequentation of the place, for example a spraying every 30 minutes in period of moderate frequentation. It can also be equipped with a "dip switch" or switch to choose one of the time intervals previously programmed. The red signal begins a few seconds before spraying and turns green after a few seconds of drying of the sprayed product.

  According to option 2, the internal handle can also be provided with a presence detection system of the capacitive or inductive type (11). The electronic module being programmed this time to control the sprays according to two combined parameters: the programmed planning mentioned previously and the detection of a handle movement. That is to say that in the absence of a handle movement, the programmed planning prevails and as soon as a handle movement is detected, the electronic module commands a spray in the instant which follows and then resumes from zero according to the programmed schedule. But here again all combinations are possible. The gripping of the interior handle triggers the signal which is sent to the electronic module, the latter canceling the spraying which would have occurred if the handle had not been grasped at this time. The electronic module shifts the spraying by a few seconds and resumes the planned planning. To do this, the handle must be electrically isolated from the door or else include a conductive gripping part which is itself isolated from the rest of the handle. This conductive part must offer on the one hand a sufficient contact surface to allow detection even during a simple contact with the handle and must on the other hand be connected to the electronic module by a flexible conductive wire. The latter can be retracted into the body of the handle and protrude at the base thereof. The use of the warning signals (visual or audible) mentioned above is still recommended. - 5

  According to option 3, on the basis of the observation of the risk areas, the appropriate spraying moment can be determined, that is to say again avoiding its simultaneity with the actuation of the interior handle by a user. . Here we resume the principle of the electronic module combining the two parameters mentioned in option 2: programmed planning combined with the detection of movement of the handle.

  Based on the following principles: - it is the device which must determine the right moment to spray and not the user who must wait a few seconds to grasp the interior handle after a programmed spraying. - if spraying is triggered after actuating the outer handle, the probability that a person will grab the inner handle at the same time is highly improbable even in very busy places (precisely because this action is particularly brief (l door opening takes 1 to 3 seconds).

  - Finally, when the door is ajar or even opened by the action of a person coming from the outside, the probability that the interior handle will be grasped is highly improbable since the latter is already lowered.

  These observations condition the choice of triggering of spraying after a delay of approximately 1.5 seconds after the actuation of the external handle (average time of door opening), all the parameters necessary for this function. being managed electronically in the following manner: The actuation of the external handle is carried out by a presence detection of the capacitive or inductive type of the voltage variation induced by the contact of the hand on it.

  This detection supposes on the one hand that the external handle is electrically isolated not only from the door but also from the lock. This condition is easily achievable with a handle with a hollow base furnished with an insulating plastic or synthetic material and fixed on the square or any other movement transmission system.

  This detection also assumes that the outer handle is connected to the electronic circuit located on the other side of the door by a wire of small section. This wire having to be in contact with the metal part of the outer handle, for example hidden in the base thereof and then passing through the door through the square (the latter being specially designed to receive a wire the running along its length: a hollow square, axially drilled or a chamfer along it doing the trick).

  The use of the warning diodes mentioned above is still recommended.

  These two solutions for detecting contact with the exterior or interior handle assume that the electronic module has the following functions or elements: - a capacitive or inductive type detector recording any grip on the exterior handle. - 6 - a counter which increments by 1 with each movement of the handle.

  - a clock adjustable from 1 minute to a few hours.

  - a timer from 0 to a few seconds.

- a control amplifier.

  - a set of light-emitting diodes.

  Examples of a synoptic of the electronic operation (figure 4) and the graphset or flowchart of operation (figure 5) are given below.

  The production of the spray module (5) with multiple nozzles uses plastics techniques. It is therefore made of a synthetic material. The presence of several internal conduits 10 may require the molding of several elements, then welded to each other to form the module. This can be done using ultrasonic assembly techniques.

  Inside the module, there is a network of conduits leading to the nozzles. It can be envisaged that the inlet duct is subdivided into 2, 3, 4 or more secondary ducts (for 2, 3, 4 or n nozzles) or more simply into two branch branches, one for the upper nozzles 15, l other for the lower nozzles. For these different secondary conduits, care will therefore be taken to determine their characteristics of length, curvature, section, so as to balance the pressure in each of them.

  The theoretical elements of fluid mechanics make it possible to envisage such a turbulent flow spraying module and therefore to determine the dimensions of the conduits and nozzles. This determination takes into account the characteristics of the desired gas cloud, the physicochemical characteristics of the fluid (mainly viscosity and density), the flow speed linked to the pressure of the aerosol can. It will be ensured that from the imposed parameters (product characteristics, number of secondary conduits and aerosol pressure, among others), the Reynolds number thus determined effectively corresponds to a flow with turbulent flows.

  The multiple nozzle module covers the base of the handle and has nozzles oriented towards the latter. The first question that arises is whether or not the spray module must be secured to the handle: - independent mounting of the handle makes it more difficult to position the nozzles to be sure to spray the handle in the event o a user located outside would activate it when spraying. This solution, requiring that the module be larger, increases the space requirement at the base and could hinder the gripping part. The connection of the module to the solenoid valve would then be done using a flexible connection of tygon type (12) for example. This pipe can be crimped at its ends on male sleeves at the outlet of the solenoid valve and -7 at the inlet to the spraying module, it can optionally be glued to guarantee the tightness of the system despite the movements of the module / handle assembly.

  - mounting secured to the handle on the contrary guarantees constant and regular spraying, whatever the position of the handle, horizontal or inclined. This solution, however, requires that the module is connected to the solenoid valve by a system allowing such relative movement. Here again we can play on the flexibility of the connecting pipe by making it make a loop (12.1), or else consider a pivoting inlet (13) and provided with a seal. This input will be positioned for example on the axis of rotation of the handle (FIGS. 1 and 2), in this way the distance between the solenoid valve and the module remains unchanged despite the movements of the handle.

  The effectiveness of such a device being all the more important that the interior handle (7) has a conventional shape, it is advisable to opt for a non-porous material and of smooth appearance, on the one hand to avoid the incrustation of stains and on the other hand to facilitate its exposure to the sprayed product. The cylindrical aluminum shape is the most suitable for this purpose, but again it is possible to envisage different variants depending on the desired effect and the product used.

  Thus, the nozzles (14) must make it possible to spray the product on the whole of the handle.

  They are oriented from the axis of rotation of the handle towards the end of the latter, while being distributed around the axis of grasping of the handle (FIG. 2). Two diametrically opposite nozzles could possibly allow spraying on a large part of the handle without guaranteeing the same efficiency with all handle models. The solution envisaged concerning the number of nozzles to be used therefore naturally depends on the shape of the handle. In a majority of cases, a spray head with 3 nozzles mounted at 120 degrees or 4 nozzles mounted at 90 degrees, allow effective spraying to be achieved around the entire length of the handle. We can also consider having a first series of nozzles oriented towards the start of the handle and a second series of nozzles oriented towards the second half of the handle 25 in order to spray the product over the entire length and the entire surface of the handle. .

  The housing (6) (Figure 3) integrating the various elements of the system consists of a plate or support (6.1) and a removable cover (6.2). The plate or support can be glued to the door if the coating is adequate or screwed onto the door.

  This plate includes supports intended to hold the aerosol can as well as the partitions 30 of the compartments housing the electronic module and the battery.

  This removable cover has on its front face, the light-emitting diodes (9) exposed above and intended for the pre and post spray warning. In its lower part, it has an opening intended to receive the spray module. This opening is such that the module must be able to freely rotate during the movement of the handle / module assembly. Finally, if one opts for a pivoting module entry (13), it will be necessary to provide the cover with a projection (15) (FIG. 2) which will come to cover the pivoting entry in order to block its movement. , so the input will remain fixed when the handle / module assembly performs its movement (Figure 2). - 8

  We could possibly offer the same system directly integrated into the door. A simple hatch allowing access to the device for maintenance.

  Concerning usable products: the problem of disinfecting surfaces and objects must be solved according to the nature of the stains likely to be deposited there. The objective 5 pursued here is not to define or to report the physico-chemical properties of the products potentially usable within the framework of this invention, on the other hand these can influence the choice of the material of the handle as well as on the programming of the sprays and warning signals. With regard to stains of organic origin, the following targets can generally be cited: certain microorganisms or parasites, yeasts, mycobacteria, bacteria and bacilli, capable of resisting outside the body.

  It should also be noted that disinfection products can have intrinsic physicochemical characteristics which prevent their simultaneous use. In addition, some of them may have a temporary corrosive character either on the material of the handle or on the skin. It is therefore not possible to obtain products having an impact on all germs, bacteria or pathogens: the choices or combinations of products will be decisive for the desired protection.

  There is already a wide variety of specific disinfection or neutralization products on the market which act on one or more categories of pathogenic agents and which can therefore respond to the present application. Many disinfection products are marketed and respond well to the present application, some are based on quaternary ammonium or hydroalcoholic mixture incorporated into surfactant compositions.

  The combination of solvents (when not already incorporated into the disinfectant product) should be considered for certain products in order to make the handle quickly available after spraying. The programming of the electronic module and the use of the visual or audible signals will then play this role, a wait of a few seconds appears sufficient in many cases.

  As for industrial products likely to induce irritation, allergies or toxicity, the list is endless this time. It is advisable for the industrialist concerned, on the one hand to put in place the preventive measures for such pathogenic risks and on the other hand to know the curative measures in the event of accidental exposure. The solution advanced here goes beyond conventional cleaning, it will consist in offering specific neutralization products.

  Variations of the invention: In its first description, the present invention makes it possible to limit the risk of contamination of people passing through risk areas by neutralizing the contamination deposited by other people on the site. -9

  One can consider modifying certain elements of the device to produce a new result which this time consists not in disinfecting the handle but the hands of the people who grasp it. This result can be obtained by modifying 10) the spraying schedule, 20) the composition of the product used and 30) the material of the handle. According to this option, it is necessary to arrange for a spraying to occur upon the arrival of a new user. The electronic module thus makes it possible to plan sprays taking into account the frequency of use of the door. In this option, we can use the presence detection system already mentioned above. Then the product and the support must be determined to maintain disinfectant properties for a certain time in the open air and thus fully play its role.

  In a completely different option, a slightly simplified device could be proposed, spraying pleasure products this time. According to this option, the number of nozzles can be reduced, the presence detection system being no longer essential. The aim pursued this time being to impregnate the support in order to leave some traces of perfume or deodorants on the user's hand. -

Claims (9)

claims:   10) Autonomous device for disinfecting the door handles, characterized in that it consists, for its invariant elements, of an aerosol can (1) containing the disinfectant product, of a solenoid valve (2) controlled by an electronic module (3), a low voltage power supply (4), a spray module (5) with multiple nozzles (14), a flexible connector ensuring the connection of the solenoid valve / spray module (12), a housing (6) comprising visual and / or audible warning elements (9) and accommodating the entire device. Depending on the version chosen, it may be accompanied by a presence detection system (10 or 11) as well as for this need: handle (7) and a force transmission element, adapted.   20) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the solenoid valve (2) of the "normaly closed" type is adapted to the aerosol can (1) by crimping in the factory or by means of self-tightening straps ( 8), allowing repeated assembly and disassembly. Said straps block the solenoid valve on the aerosol can by making a sealed assembly.   30) Device characterized in that the electronic module (3) is programmed to control the sprays either according to the programmed planning alone, or by combining the two parameters which are the programmed planning and the movement of the handle.   40) Device according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the electronic module (3) can integrate a presence detection function (10 or 11) at the handle for example, in order to delay spraying if a user was intervening at this time. The presence detection is of the capacitive, inductive (11) or even infrared or photoelectric cell (10) type. It requires the following adaptations: the handle must be conductive but electrically isolated from the rest of the door, the body of the handle and possibly the force transmission element receive and lead the conductive wires to the electronic module. In the case of detection by infrared or photoelectric cell, the ray emitter (10.1) can be integrated at the level of the housing and oriented towards the handle, the latter comprising on its upper part the ray receiver (10.2 ).   50) Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the electronic module (3) controls audible or visual warning elements (9) whose function is to signal an imminent spraying or else the brief drying period of the product.   6) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the spraying module (5) is a block of composite or plastic material, which can be fixed on the handle. It comprises an initial inlet duct which is subdivided into several secondary ducts to lead to the different nozzles (14). The nozzles being oriented towards different areas of the handle to ensure spraying over the entire potentially soiled surface.   70) Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the spraying module (5) is either connected to the solenoid valve by a flexible hose (12) ensuring the movement of the spraying module / handle assembly relative to the solenoid valve, or provided with a pivoting inlet (13) - il1positionée on the axis of rotation of the handle which it remains stationary when the spray module / handle is in motion. A projection (15) located under the hood covers and blocks the pivoting inlet (13).   80) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is integrated in a housing (6) 5 composed of a plate or support (6.1) fixed on the door and on which is fitted a removable cover (6.2) . The plate supports most of the various elements of the device, the cover supports the warning elements (diodes or beep sound). The housing has an opening in its lower part for the passage of the handle. This opening is wide enough to allow the spray module to pivot during full movement of the handle.   9) Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the handle can have several aspects depending on the desired effect: rather smooth in the case of disinfection or specific neutralization of a stain, or on the contrary made of a material likely to soak up the product in order to maintain its properties for a certain time if this time we wish to disinfect the user's hand or use a pleasure product.