Field of invention

[01] This invention relates to a treatment device for applying a substance, such a sanitizing agent, to a handle bar or handrail, the device being moveable along a handrail that is stationary in relation to a structure to which it is attached. An example of such a structure is a trolley of the kind found in airports or supermarkets.

Background to the invention

[02] The lack of hand hygiene promotes the spread of pathogens from person to person using shared facilities such as supermarket shopping trolleys and luggage trolleys at railway stations and airports. Similarly, pathogens are transmissible from gripping bars found in larger structures, including public transport and buildings.

[03] Applicator devices are known which are removably mounted to the handle bars or gripping rails of trolleys. These devices are comprised of applicators having an absorptive body in the form of a sponge or pad that can be impregnated with a cleaning or sanitizing agent, usually in liquid or gel form so that, when the device has been operatively mounted, the sponge or pad is brought into contact with the handle surface. By causing the device to traverse laterally, the sanitiser is spread from the pad to and along the handle, by virtue of such traversal.

[04] An example of such a device was launched on the market under the brand

LIFEBUOY, in about mid-2015. An image thereof was uploaded to the social media platform "Flickr" on 4 November 2015

(https://www.flickr.com/photos/cleaningasia/22721610996/i n/photostream/ ^' ). It shows a generally disc-like body through which a handle of a trolley passes. Inside the body is a storage chamber for a sanitizer fluid and dispensing pad through which the fluid is released on to the handle.

[05] A drawback with such devices is that the absorptive body wears down and eventually away as a result of the friction from forces applied by the user attempting to move the device along the handle bar. This can result in uneven and ineffective application of the treatment agent. Furthermore, instances of pieces of the absorptive body being snagged on irregularities in the handle surface and being torn out are also known. Such irregularities may be from substances applied to the surface by a previous user, or may be the result of degrading of the handle through age, use and exposure to the elements. The disintegration detritus from the absorptive body, such as a sponge, pose further health hazards, especially as they may be found and potentially ingested by small children. When left on the floor of an establishment such as a supermarket, these items of debris impact negatively on the cleanliness of the environs in which the absorptive body is used.

[06] The surfaces of the device where the handle enters and exits the treatment zone inside are prone to wear as a result of the repetitive dragging or pushing of the device along the handle. These surfaces deteriorate and may fragment, posing similar hazards to those discussed above.

Objects of the invention

[07] It is an object of this invention to address the shortcomings of the prior art and, in doing so, to provide a handle bar cleaning or sanitizing device that at least will alleviate some of the above drawbacks.

[08] The preceding discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere as at the priority date of the present application.

[09] Further, and unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense - that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not being limited to" - as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, meaning "including this and nothing else".

Summary of invention

[010] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a rolling, carriage- mounted fluid applicator, configured for fitment around a handle bar to be treated with fluid from the applicator, the carriage being adapted for facilitating rolling traversal of the bar while treatment fluid is being applied.

[011] In a preferred form of the invention, the applicator comprises a body having a bar-receiving passage defining a treatment zone therein, within which zone a portion of the bar is received. [012] In a preferred form of the invention, the applicator body comprises a displaceable portion, displacement of which provides radial access to the chamber.

[013] In a still further preferred form of the invention, the carriage comprises a rolling ball element. The element preferably comprises a ball race.

[014] In an embodiment, the rolling ball element comprises first and second portions, the displaceable body portion being mounted to the second. Together the portions preferably surround the bar of the handle. In another embodiment, the first and second ball element portions are axially separated, preferably located at either end of the treatment zone.

[015] In an embodiment, the ball element portions are resiliently attached to the body, for example by spring means.

[016] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a handle bar treatment device configured for movable mounting to a handle bar, the device comprising: a. a body defining a treatment zone for receiving a handle bar to be treated, the body having a chamber therein for charging with a treatment substance; b. an applicator intermediate the chamber and the handle bar, configured for allowing release, from the chamber, of treatment substance charged to the chamber, on to said handle bar, when the device is operatively mounted thereto in use; c. a carriage assembly operatively connected to the body to have contact with the handle bar, for facilitating rolling traversal of the handle bar by the device.

[017] The carriage assembly, in a preferred form of the invention, is arranged to cause and maintain separation between body and bar. The separation is constituted preferably by a narrow gap that prevents contact between the handle bar and the body, with hand pressure from a user being transmitted to the bar via the carriage.

[018] In a further preferred form of the invention, the handle bar treatment device comprises a carriage assembly at each axial end of the treatment zone. [019] Preferably, the assembly comprises a rolling element bearing. The bearing may be in the form of a ball race. In an embodiment, the ball race is secured in a recess of the body, the recess being located adjacent a flank of the body.

[020] In a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises an arcuate slot exposing a plurality of pressure-bearing balls to the handle bar surface.

[021] According to the invention, the treatment zone comprises a passage passing through the body.

[022] In a preferred form of the invention, the body comprises first and second body portions, said body portions being relatively movable to provide radial access to the passage for receiving the bar to be treated.

[023] In an embodiment, the body portions are hingedly connected. Preferably the hinge is aligned to be generally parallel to the axis of the handle bar when received in the passage. In an alternative embodiment, one body portion is displaceable from the other, displacement exposing the passage for radial access thereto by the bar to be treated.

[024] In a preferred form of the invention, the device further comprises sealing means sealing the zone from the external environment during treatment of the bar in the passage.

[025] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of applying a fluid to a handle bar for treatment therewith, the method comprising steps of providing a fluid applicator mounted on a roller carriage configured for fitment around the bar, fitting the applicator around the bar and causing the applicator to traverse the bar axially by rolling the carriage along the bar and causing fluid to be dispensed on to the bar.

[026] In a preferred form of the invention, the applicator comprises a body having a bar-receiving passage defining a treatment zone therein, within which zone a portion of the bar is received.

[027] In a still further preferred form of the invention, the body comprises a displaceable portion, displacement of which provides radial access to the passage.

[028] In a yet further preferred form of the invention, the step of fitting the applicator to the bar comprises the step of displacing the displaceable portion temporarily to allow placement of the body to receive the bar in the passage. [029] Further, according to the invention, the step of causing fluid to be dispensed comprises ejecting fluid from a reservoir chamber in the body on to an applicator pad contacting the bar. The method includes providing spacing means for spacing the body from the bar so that pressure exerted by the applicator pad on the handle is substantially constantly maintained. The pressure is no more than sufficient to cause fluid to be spread on the handle bar.

Brief description of drawings

[030] In order that the invention may be readily understood, and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying figures. Thus:

Figure 1 shows in schematic perspective view a preferred embodiment of the treatment device of this invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic axial side elevation of the treatment device of the invention, in an embodiment of different external shape. In this drawing, internal, otherwise-hidden components are generally illustrated in broken lines.

Figure 3 is a schematic view of the method of mounting of the device of the invention on a trolley assembly.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[031] Referring to figure 1 , in a preferred embodiment of this invention, the handle treatment device is generally denoted by the number 10. The device has a hollow plastics body 12 in two parts 14, 16, pivotally connected by a hinge 18. The body is shown in open configuration, the opposing body parts defining jaws ready to receive between them a trolley handle bar 20 (partially shown) in the opposing concave channel portions 22, 24. When the jaws are brought together into closed configuration around the bar, in the direction suggested by directional arrow D, the two body portions close together and are secured against accidental opening or release by mating clasp portions 26, 28.

[032] Each channel portion is lined with an absorptive resilient sponge pad 34, 36 on the respective body portions 14, 16. When the body portions are pivoted to close together, the channel portions define a passageway which fits snugly around the handle bar. The passageway defines a treatment zone in which a treatment fluid is able to be applied to the bar. The closing together of the body portions causes gentle constant pressure from resilient pad portions 34, 36 against the bar, the pressure being sufficient to cause treatment fluid to be gently squeezed from the pads and deposited on the bar as the treatment zone is moved axially along it.

[033] Each pad is in fluid communication with a reservoir 30 located within the respective hollow cavity within the body portions. Fluid levels within the reservoir are visible through sight windows 32 of a transparent plastics substance such as the clear acrylic known widely as Perspex® and supplied by Lucite International UK Limited, of Queens

Gate 15-17 Queens Terrace, Southampton, Hampshire, S014 3BP, UK. Fluid release to the pad is effected by the user's pressing actuation button 38. This causes release of fluid to the pad by a pumping mechanism well known in the dispensing art. Fluid is charged to the respective reservoir chambers in the bodies by way of anti-backflow filling valves 40, concealed on the interfacial opposing surfaces 42, 44 of the body portions, when these surfaces are brought into abutment as a result of the body halves being pivoted to closed configuration.

[034] Axially flanking each sponge pad 34, 36 is an arcuate ball-bearing race section 52, 54, 56, 58. The race is secured to the body to lie at least partially in a recess adjacent the body flank and between the body flank and the pad. The balls in each race extend to protrude partially beyond the adjacent respective edges 46, 48 of the body channels. By extending in this way, they ensure the body channel edges remain spaced from the received handle bar 20, while rolling contact with the handle bar surface is maintained by the balls. The rolling surface contact facilitates axial displacement by the user in both axial directions alternately. This is illustrated further in the embodiment of Figure 2.

[035] To help confine fluid within the device channel 24 and avoid excess dispensed fluid dripping, the outer axial flanks of the ball races are covered, in an embodiment, by a resilient flap forming a curtain against the handle surface. The flap (not shown in Figure 1) seals the gap between body and handle against excessive loss of treatment fluid. It also serves to spread the released fluid along and around the handle bar and to seal the treatment zone from the exterior environment.

[036] The body in Figure 1 is shown to be generally rounded and disc-like. However, in other embodiments, it may be of other shapes, preferably having bevelled or rounded edges to prevent user injury. An example of an alternative shape is shown in side view in Figure 2.

[037] In Figure 2, like numbering is used for designating like parts found in Figure 1. The body of the device of the invention when viewed axially is six-sided and is comprised of two separable portions 114 and 116, separated at interfaces marked by lines 104 and 106. Portion 116 is removable from portion 114 by drawing it outwards in the direction of directional arrow E. For this purpose, ridged finger friction grips 108 are formed on the opposite axial side surfaces of body 116. Rail and groove formations cooperate on radially extending surfaces of the portions that define the interfaces between them as per lines 104 and 106.

[038] When portion 116 has been extracted from portion 114, radial access is available to the handle bar-receiving passage within. When the device has been operatively mounted to the handle bar, removal of portion 116 causes handle bar 20 to be exposed within channel 124. Portion 1 14 is then able to be lowered (in the case of the orientation shown in Figure 2) to be freed from the handle bar for maintenance, refilling or replacement.

[039] In rolling contact with the outer surface of handle bar 20 is a ring of ball bearings comprising two braces 126, 128, spring-mounted to body portions 114 and 116 respectively in elongate circumferential recesses, so that the balls are urged toward the bar axis. The balls provide rolling contact between body portions 114, 116 and handle bar 20.

[040] The ball races flank a resilient and absorptive fluid application pad 136, only part of which is shown for purposes of illustration. It is hidden from axial side view by the ball races 124, 126 and by skirting 138 around passage 24.

[041] When body portions 114, 1 16 are separated, a refilling port 118 is exposed. It is configured in two opposing mating parts 120, 122 to provide fluid communication between the connected reservoir cavities 130 of the two body portions when the portions are operatively connected, and has internal anti-backflow fluid membranes on each mating part to prevent fluid escape when the body portions are separated. Fluid is released from the reservoir cavities to the applicator pad 136 via a plurality of ports 140.

[042] The number of fluid sight windows 32 is not critical to the effective functioning of the device. The windows are provided for convenience and for reassurance to the user that there is treatment fluid in the reservoir. It will be appreciated that the device will function to distribute treatment fluid even in the complete absence of such windows.

[043] The handle bar-receiving passage is shown to be generally rounded to receive a handle bar of like profile. However, it will be appreciated that in the case of handle bars of other than round cylindrical shape, the passage profile may be of suitably altered shape to accommodate such bars. [044] It will be appreciated that applicators of various constructions may be employed in this invention, for example open cell polymeric sponges, such as of low density polyethylene, fabrics both natural and synthetic and combinations thereof.

[045] The fluid for the treatment will be selected according to the service required: The fluid may be in gaseous, liquid or spreadable gel form. It may comprise a soap or a germicide. It may include an alcohol such as ethanol or propanol alone or in combination with other agents for sanitizing or cleaning.

[046] In the case of gaseous formulation, it may be applied via an aerosol propellant by means well known in the art. In this case, the construction of the body will take into account requirements for products of this nature and will not necessarily require an applicator pad.

[047] With reference to Figure 3, the device 10 of the invention illustrated in Figure 1 is shown fitted to the handle bar 20 of a trolley basket 60 mounted on casters 70, the trolley being of the kind used by customers in supermarkets for the transporting of merchandise. The handle bar is mounted to the handle bar to be movably supported between end flanges 80 so that it can traverse in either of the directions suggested by directional arrow A when pushed by a user, such as a customer or member of the cleaning staff. The flanges are connected to the bar and the trolley basket to render the handle bar substantially inseparable from the remainder of the trolley assembly. Hence it is necessary for the fitting of a handle treatment device of the invention, that the device should be openable to be releasably secured around the handle bar, as described in relation to Figures 1 and 2.

[048] It will be appreciated that although the embodiments described above comprise two sets of ball races, other embodiments within the scope of this invention may comprise fewer. For example, a single ball race would be sufficient to improve carriage of the body across the handle surface. This ball race may extend around a portion of the handle, preferably the upper surface, as this is where the most pressure from a user is likely to be exerted. A second race may be provided to flank the dispenser pad at the distal end of the zone. It too may extend for only a part of the circumferential periphery of the handle. Alternatively, in a further embodiment, a ball race that extends completely around the handle may be provided at one end of the zone only. Each of these embodiments will still provide advantages over prior treatment devices having no carriage assemblies at all.

[049] These embodiments merely illustrate examples of the method and apparatus of the invention providing a device for applying a treatment fluid to a handle bar having closed ends. The handle bar has been discussed with reference to a moveable item such as a trolley. However, the invention may also be applied to handle bars and rails on less mobile structures, such as doors in buildings and aircraft, and safety supports or gripping bars on public transport such as buses and trains. With the insight gained from this disclosure, the person skilled in the art is well placed to discern further embodiments by means of which to put the claimed invention into practice.