The present invention relates to a disinfection device and to a protective cover for a communication device with such a disinfection device according to the respective independent claim.
Disinfection devices are well known. Most of them are conventional spray cans filled with a disinfectant that is released when the spray head is pressed. Furthermore, dispensers are also known which are stationary in hospitals, etc. and contain a relatively large amount of disinfectant so that they last for a longer period of time during intensive use in frequented environments. These solutions have the disadvantage that they are not suitable as portable solutions due to their size. In addition, dosing can be difficult and in many cases, an excessive amount of agent is dispensed with one actuation.
The objective is therefore to provide an improved disinfection device. In particular, the objective is to provide a disinfection device that is easy to handle, effective, selectively applicable and reusable.
This objective is reached in a first aspect of the invention with a disinfection device according to claim 1. Accordingly, the disinfection device for applying a disinfectant to at least one fingertip of a user comprises a housing with a recess accessible through an opening from the outside, into which recess the fingertip is inserted, inside the housing a spray unit and a container for disinfectant fluidly connected to the spray unit. The spray unit comprises a spray head which projects into the recess and a valve device fluidly connected to the spray head. The valve device is configured to release disinfectant from the container as an aerosol into the recess when the spray head is actuated by the fingertip, so that the aerosol can wet the fingertip. The housing includes a first section for holding the container and a second section for holding the spray unit, the first and second sections being separably attachable to each other by means of cooperating connecting elements so that the container is replaceable by disengaging the connection of the two sections.
In a preferred embodiment, the recess is filled with a sponge element in which the spray head is completely embedded.
In a preferred embodiment, the second section forming the recess is not movable and the spray head is movable relative to the second section when actuated to release disinfectant.
In a second aspect of the invention, the objective is solved with a protective cover for a mobile communication device, in particular for a cell phone or a tablet. The protective cover comprises, in a region facing a rear side of the communication device, an integrated disinfection device for applying a disinfectant to at least one fingertip of a user. The disinfection device comprises a container for a disinfectant integrated in the protective cover, a spray unit fluidly connected to the container, wherein the spray unit comprises a spray head and a valve device fluidly connected to the spray head. The protective cover has a recess accessible through an opening from the outside, into which the spray head projects and in which a fingertip of the user is received. The valve device is configured such that when the spray head is actuated by means of the fingertip, it releases disinfectant from the container as an aerosol into the recess so that the aerosol can wet the fingertip.
The present invention in both aspects has the advantage that a user can use the disinfection device, if necessary, in any situation where in daily life there is a risk of contamination and possible infection with pathogens due to the frequent unavoidable touching of objects, and this can be done quickly and selectively by being easily usable for the disinfection of a single finger and by avoiding undesirable disinfection over a large area. Furthermore, the configuration of the disinfection device as a two-part device ensures that the container with the disinfectant can be easily replaced.
Both aspects of the invention cover disinfection on the user himself, whereby the user can, for example, before and/or after pressing a button, e.g. when operating an ATM or buttons in elevators where there is a high risk of contamination with pathogens because they are used by many people, disinfect the finger that came into contact with the button. Thus, when a button of such a device is pressed, the user can subsequently use the disinfection device to disinfect the fingertip that was used to press the button. To do this, all he has to do is briefly press the spray head with the fingertip in question so that disinfectant can wet the fingertip and thus disinfect it. Apart from its obvious ease of use, the disinfection device has the further important advantage that it only needs to be used selectively for the fingertip concerned. As described above, conventional devices often dispense too much disinfectant, which has to be collected in the hand and can also drip onto the floor, wasting disinfectant. Further it is a disadvantage that with the liquid agent in the hand the whole hand or both hands must be disinfected by rubbing. These disadvantages are avoided by the present disinfection device, which saves a large amount of disinfectant, since just for the described scenario actually only a small section of a hand (the fingertip) comes into contact with the potentially contaminated button and has to be disinfected. Last but not least, it is also of great advantage that especially with frequent disinfection, the drying out of the hands, which is known to occur due to frequent disinfection of the hands with typically alcohol-containing agents, is largely avoided.
The second aspect of the invention has the additional advantage of providing a portable disinfecting solution that is already integrated into an item that is used daily. Since in today’s world a cell phone is a constant companion, integrating the disinfection device into the protective case of the cell phone results in an effective disinfection solution without the need to carry an additional device.
Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention are apparent from the dependent claims and from the description which now follows with reference to the figures. Thereby it is shown in:
In all embodiments and aspects of the invention, the housing 6 comprises a first section 6a holding the container 7 and a second section 6b holding the spray unit 8, the first and second sections being separably attachable to each other by means of cooperating connection elements 9. The container becomes accessible and can be replaced by disengaging the connection of the two sections. It is preferred if the cooperating connection elements form a screw closure. However, they can also form a snap-in connection. However, it is also possible that the first section 6a of the housing is itself the container, which has connecting means (e.g. threads) for connection to the second section 6b of the housing, which results in a material saving for the housing material.
To actuate the spray head for dispensing disinfectant, the spray head can be pressed by means of the fingertip in the direction of the valve device from a basic position, in which the valve device is closed, to a spray position, in which the valve device is open and releases disinfectant from the container. In this case, the spray head automatically returns to the basic position without external actuation.
The container for disinfectant is preferably refillable. It is fluid-connected to the spray unit 8. Fluid-connected throughout the present context means that fluid can enter the spray unit from the container. The container may be a pressurized container and may be used with blowing agent, or it may be a conventional container in the manner of perfume bottles in which the spraying effect is obtained by pumping air into the interior of the container. For this purpose, the spraying unit may be suitably configured to release disinfectant continuously during a single actuation for the duration of the actuation or to release only one dose of disinfectant. The advantage of the first variant is explained in connection with a preferred feature of the second section 6b of the housing in the context of
As can be seen from the synopsis of
In embodiments, the central axes of the housing 6 and the spray unit 8 and the container 7 may coincide. This simplifies the construction of the disinfection device and is space-saving. However, it is also conceivable to provide the first section 6a of the housing with the container, for example, at a 90° angle to the second section 6b of the housing.
In particular, these can be embodiments in which the orientation is not important, i.e., spraying can also be carried out upside down with the disinfection device. Preferably, the valve device is fluid-connected to a flexible hose 17, which is arranged inside the container and through which disinfectant reaches the spray head when the spray head is actuated. The hose has a weight element 18 at its free end, which is designed in such a way that, as a result of its weight force, it is immersed in the disinfectant up to that wall of the container which is closest to the ground, irrespective of the orientation of the disinfection device. The weight element is preferably formed by a ball 18, in particular a metal ball, although other shapes are also conceivable. The ball is preferably enclosed with clearance in a ball housing provided with holes (not shown), so that when the spray head is actuated, disinfectant flows from the container through the holes of the ball housing between the ball and the ball housing into the flexible hose. This allows the disinfection device to be used easily in any position and regardless of fill level.
In this embodiment, the recess is filled with a sponge element 11 in which the spray head is completely embedded. It is preferred if the sponge element is replaceable. Due to its soft texture, the sponge element contributes to comfort during disinfection and enables uniform wetting of the skin area to be disinfected.
Furthermore, in embodiments, the second section 6b of the housing may be such that the edge defining the recess is not straight in at least one region 12 but is rounded downwardly toward the first section 6a. Preferably, two opposing such regions 12 are provided. As a result, the disinfection device can also be used for the disinfection of, for example, handles, since the edge of the recess can adapt to the rounded shape of a handle. This is particularly effective in combination with the sponge element 11, since better wetting of the handle can be achieved by means of the sponge element. In this context, an advantage of using a container configured as a pressurized container is also clear, in that disinfectant is continuously released during a single actuation for the duration of the actuation. In this scenario, the objective is to disinfect surfaces where the disinfection device is guided on the one to be disinfected, so that multiple pumping operations during simultaneous guidance would be more cumbersome. This scenario covers a priori disinfection of an object before it is touched. Thus, the disinfection device can be used for a priori disinfection and also for a posteriori disinfection where a fingertip is disinfected only after an object is touched.
In embodiments, the container comprises on its outside an elastic clip 13, in particular designed as an outwardly curved leaf spring, for clamping a cleaning cloth, which is fastened to the housing by means of a fastening element 14. The fastening element divides the clamp, as seen in its longitudinal extension, into an actuating section 13b with a first free end and a holding section 13a with a second free end. The cleaning cloth (not shown) can be clamped between the second free end and the container wall in a rest position of the clamp. The actuating section is longer than the holding section, such that by pressing the clamp in the actuating section towards the housing, the second end moves away from the housing due to the elasticity of the fastening element, so that the cleaning cloth can be released without being touched by the user and can be disposed in this manner. It is preferred when the holding section faces the recess, while the actuating section faces away from the recess. The reason for this is that the cleaning cloth can be clamped in such a way that it can be placed without contact over the recess or over the sponge element by suitable rotation of the disinfection device. Subsequently, it can also be used to effectively disinfect a flat surface and finally be dropped into a trash can by pressing the actuating section. This has the advantage that the cleaning cloth need not be touched at any time during disinfection or thereafter. Furthermore, the clip 13 can also be used as a holding element for the disinfection device and can be clipped to a belt, for example. It is noted that
In a preferred embodiment, the container of the disinfection device of the protective cover further comprises a refill valve 20 fluidly connected to the container for refilling disinfectant into the integrated container, the refill valve being connected to a flexible hose 20a that extends into the integrated container. The refill valve is designed in such a way that it can be opened by a suitable attachment of a refill container for filling the integrated container and closes again automatically as soon as the refill container is removed. Advantageously, the disinfection device of the protective cover can be refilled in this way.
Alternatively or additionally, the container of the disinfection device of the protective cover comprises a refill closure 21, which releases a filling opening of the container without a valve for refilling disinfectant into the container. Advantageously, this variant enables the container to be refilled from any refill container without a special valve-opening attachment.
Preferably, the container of the disinfection device of the protective cover further comprises a vent valve that connects the integrated container to the environment for venting (not shown).
In this aspect of the invention, the recess is also preferably filled with a sponge element (not shown) in which the spray head is completely embedded. The sponge element is also preferably replaceable.
The protective cover further preferably comprises a cover cap (not shown) for the recess, so that the spray head is protected and is not accidentally actuated. The cover cap may also be provided for the disinfection device according to the first aspect of the invention.
In embodiments, the protective cover is double-walled at least in the area of the integrated container to accommodate the integrated container. This is advantageous as additional security against leakage of the disinfectant. Preferably, the integrated container may be replaceable in this embodiment. Alternatively, the protective cover is double-walled at least in areas and a corresponding intermediate space itself forms the integrated container. Advantageously, no additional container is necessary with this alternative, whereby the protective cover in this case is of course made of a material that is impermeable to the disinfectant.
Further, the protective cover preferably comprises a chamber for storing keys 22 or beverage openers 23 or the like, which can be folded out for use (indicated by the arrow y). It may also include a ring 23, which will be discussed in more detail in connection with
The adapter element comprises a rigid extension element 30 projecting into the recess for actuating the spray head and at least one passage opening towards the object. When the spray head is actuated by means of the extension element by pressing the housing in the direction of the surface to be disinfected, disinfectant passes from the recess through the passage opening onto the surface.
As an alternative to the extension element, the disinfection device comprises an alternative spray head which can be plugged onto the spray head or connected to the valve device instead of the spray head. The alternative spray head protrudes from the opening when plugged on or connected to the valve device, so that it can be used by pressing it outside the recess. This embodiment is generally applicable to all embodiments of the disinfection device, including the protective cover.
The adapter element of
The present invention has a number of advantages over already known solutions. It offers great flexibility of use in a wide variety of disinfection scenarios, depending on what is most appropriate for a particular situation, which also saves time for the user; disinfection on the user or on an object to be touched by the user. Fingertip disinfection is an a posteriori disinfection that takes place after touching, while disinfection of objects to be touched is mainly an a priori disinfection that takes place before touching. Furthermore, the invention can save disinfectant and the disinfection on the user itself can be carried out more gently for the hands, in that only the fingertips concerned, which have actually had contact with a foreign object, are disinfected selectively, so that the skin of the rest of the hand is not affected.
While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it should be clearly noted that the invention is not limited to these and may be carried out in other ways as well within the scope of the following claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2020/067322 | Jun 2020 | WO | international |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2021/066652 | 6/18/2021 | WO |